Group eyes tari rules changes to ease EV importation

A CONSUMER advocacy group calls on transportation regulators to amend tariff policies to encourage the importation and use of more sustainable modes of transportation.

The group said the amendment would form part of the shift to clean energy while also helping Filipinos bear with the rising prices of fuel.

CitizenWatch Philippines convenor and former congressman Jose Christopher Belmonte said Sections 1608 and 1609 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, must be modified to lower the

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“Government should encourage more Filipinos to invest in more environment friendly transportation, as well as create incentives for them to make this shift,” Belmonte said, adding that all the indications point to the increased use of electric two-wheeled vehicles in the years to come.

The updated Philippine Energy Plan 2020-2040 states that two-wheeled electric vehicles will significantly make up the projected number of EVs on the road by 2040. Sales of two-wheeled electric vehicles continue to increase, especially as more Filipinos try to find ways to cope with the inadequate transportation system in the country and high fuel prices.

“The enactment of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (Republic Act No. 11697), or EVIDA, establishes that shifting to sustainable sources of energy and modes of mobility is a priority of the government,” Belmonte said. “It is time we operationalized the objectives of the law to make it practical and doable for the people to participate in it.”

BI arrests 7 foreign fugitives in Las Piñas raid

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has arrested seven foreign fugitives wanted in their respective countries for drug trafficking, fraud and theft.

The fugitives were apprehended by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in an online center in Las Piñas City.

The group consisted of four Chinese and three Taiwanese nationals, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.

“We recently received information from their countries that they are wanted fugitives. Hence a mission order was issued against them and they were arrested for being undesirable aliens,” he added.

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The Chinese were identified as Zhang Quanbao, Song Tianming, Yu Liming, and Liu Jianxin, while the Taiwanese were Li Yi Liang, Huang Hsin-Chiang, and Lin Yue Hong.

Tansingco said warrants of detention were issued against the Chinese nationals by the Public Security Bureau in China for Contract Fraud, Drug Trafficking, Telecom Fraud and Theft respectively.

Likewise, Taoyuan and Taichung District Prosecutors Office in Taiwan have issued warrants of arrest against the Taiwanese fugitives for fraud and physical harm.

The seven allegedly worked in a fraud syndicate running an online gaming hub in the Philippines.They will remain in the BI’s facility in Bicutan, Taguig pending deportation. Vito Barcelo

PH-US 15-day Marine exercise rolls out in Taguig

THE Marine Aviation Support Activity 2023 (MASA 2023) officially opened on Thursday at the Philippine Navy Officer’s Clubhouse, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Taguig City.

MASA 23 is part of the bilateral Philippines-United States activity list for this year aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the two countries Marine Corps., as well as the Philippines Air and the Navy’s Air Wing.

The joint exercise will be held July 6 to 21 in various areas of the country under the Northern Luzon Command, the Western Command, and the Visayas Command.

This drills were meant to bilateral cooperation in military engagements and training.

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The said exercise will strengthen the longstanding partnership between the Marine forces of both countries, showcasing their shared commitment to regional stability, mutual learning, and the development of enduring relationships.

The exercise will demonstrate the power of cooperation, forges stronger ties, and fosters mutual respect between the PMC and the USMC that aims to develop deeper bonds and forge relationships that will endure beyond this military activity.

Also, the military exercise aims to improve interoperability of both nations, allowing to operate seamlessly and effectively in joint operations by aligning the county’s armed forces procedures, tactics, and communications, also to enhance the combined capabilities and readiness of the Philippine troops leading to a more synchronized response to evolving challenges.

Aligned with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement, the training events will encompass a wide range of interoperability exercises. These include live fire drills, bilateral air assaults and airfield seizures, joint forward arming and refueling operations, as well as other aviation support activities.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) eyes either August

to start using body cameras for traffic enforcers assigned along major thoroughfares in the National Capital Region.

This after the agency gained stakeholders’ all-out support on the use of the said device for its traffic management and enforcement operations to help promote transparency in carrying out apprehensions of traffic violators.

Last Wednesday, MMDA officials led by chairman Romando Artes presented the draft guidelines on the use of body cameras for traffic enforcers, including the procedures when flagging down motorists.

Among those present in the meeting were 1-Rider party-list Rep. Bonifacio Bosita; members and leaders of various public transport groups, motorcycle riders’ associations, and representatives of automobile associations; the Highway Patrol Group, Metro Manila local government units, and concerned government agencies.

The presentation covered details on what traffic enforcers should say when motorists object to being recorded and invoke their rights to privacy.

“We want to hear the comments and suggestions of the stakeholders before its full implementation,” Artes said.

He said the stakeholders’ comments will be consolidated and presented to the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the governing board and policy-making body of the MMDA, composed of the 17 Metro Manila mayors. Bosita commended Artes for good leadership, citing that traffic enforcers’ use of body cameras will provide effective traffic enforcement operations.

“We support the initiative made by chairman Artes because we see this project is a proof of the sincerity of his leadership in public service,” he said.

Transport groups and other stakeholders likewise threw their support to the MMDA.

Obet Martin, president of Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila & Suburbs Drivers Association, congratulated Artes’ leadership and expressed appreciation for the MMDA’s action.

Artes said the body cameras with video and audio recording feature, will protect both the traffic enforcers and the motorists being apprehended.

“The use of body-worn cameras will prevent traffic enforcers from taking bribes and motorists offering bribes since the Metrobase will record the apprehension process. The footage may serve as evidence,” Artes said.

Artes said the cameras, designed to capture and record the entire conduct of the operation, are similar to gadgets being used in the United Kingdom. The gadgets have six to eight hours of battery life.

Initially, 120 body cameras will be distributed to the traffic enforcers who are authorized to issue citation tickets to traffic violators.

MMDA officials admitted that some traffic enforcers were involved in extortion and bribery cases, and some motorists apprehended for violating traffic rules offered money to the enforcers to avoid the penalties and further inconveniences.

“Motorists can take videos of traffic enforcers engaged in unlawful activities, why not traffic enforcers? Body cameras can serve as proof or evidence on what really happened between a traffic enforcer and a motorists being apprehended for a traffic violation,” they said.

LANDBANK helps Isabela co-op’s multi-billion growth

More importantly, aside from assisting enterprises, the coop is also able to help over 2,000 farmer-members through agricultural lending and mechanized farming services.

With LANDBANK as partner, the Providers Multi-Purpose Cooperative has grown from a small-town community lender with 24 members and a capital of only P12,000 to one of the largest co-ops in the Province of Isabela, now with over 26,000 members, P1.8 billion in capital and P5.0 billion in assets.

NAGUILIAN, Isabela—Small businesses and salaried employees in Brgy. Magsaysay previously struggled with hefty loan interest rates imposed by informal lenders, which reached as high as 30% per annum.

Marie Dee Belagan, then working as a government auditor, saw how members of their community were forced to avail of loans despite the high interest rates due to limited financing options.

This sparked Marie Dee’s dream to establish an affordable lending service that will genuinely help local businesses and families in their community.

Her dream came to life in 2008 when she founded the Providers Savings and Credit Cooperative (PSCC) along with 23 of her co-workers, who each shelled out P500.00 as contribution to their initial fund. With a total of P12,000 as capital, the co-op started offering loans with a much lower interest rate at 1.6% per month.

As members of their co-op continued to increase, so did the capital they needed to sustain their operations. In 2009, Marie Dee decided to seek additional funding from the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and was granted a P3-million loan to finance the co-op’s working capital.

“There was a point where we could no longer accommodate new borrowers because we did not have enough funding. This is why we sought the assistance of LANDBANK – to help us continue our mission,” said Marie Dee Belagan, Chairperson of the now called Providers MultiPurpose Cooperative (Providers MPC).

LANDBANK remains a faithful partner of Providers MPC, helping it grow from a small-town community lender to one of the biggest co-ops in Isabela with 26,000 members and 8 branches.

The co-op’s loan line with LANDBANK has now increased to P1 billion to finance its working capital for relending and deposit services, as well as requirements for various businesses including real estate, healthcare, and transport.

From an initial capital of P12,000, Providers MPC’s capital has grown to P1.8 billion with total assets now at P5 billion.

“Without LANDBANK, we wouldn’t be Providers MPC. LANDBANK helped us grow and give back to the community,” said Chairperson Belagan.

Advancing digital banking in Isabela

As part of LANDBANK and Providers MPC’s shared goal of providing accessible and inclusive financial services, the co-op serves as the Bank’s Agent Banking Partner (ABP) in Isabela, specifically in the municipalities of Naguilian, Cabagan, and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.

Through LANDBANK’s digital banking platforms, Providers MPC is able to conveniently facilitate the co-op’s business transactions, including collection of loan amortization fees, bills payment, and fund transfers, among others.

As an ABP, Providers MPC offers basic banking services on behalf of the Bank, such as card sale, cash-in, cash-out, fund transfer, and bills payment.

The co-op likewise offers its members a cashless method of paying loan amortization through LANDBANK Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals.

To facilitate transactions such as online fund transfers and bills payment, the co-op utilizes WeAccess, LANDBANK’s corporate internet banking platform.

“Napaka-useful and convenient ng digital banking platforms ng LANDBANK. Napadali ‘yung pag-provide namin ng service sa aming members because of these platforms,” said Providers MPC Chief Executive Officer Caroljean O. Aggabao.

Under the Agent Banking Program, LANDBANK initiates partnerships with client cooperatives, associations, rural banks, local government units (LGUs), and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and private entities to help provide basic banking services to areas with limited or no LANDBANK presence.

As of end-April 2023, LANDBANK has 1,743 ABPs all over the country servicing underserved and unbanked communities.