IN BRIEF

Customs probing Pasig car dealer

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is currently investigating 87 vehicles, several of which are luxury units, due to questionable documents following a raid on a car dealer in Barangay Ugong, Pasig City.

Authorized to demand evidence of payment of correct duties and taxes, the raiding team proceeded to the car hub last July 4, 2023, at about 6 p.m. to implement the Letter of Authority (LOA) signed by Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

This after verifying intelligence information thru the conduct of surveillance activities confirmed that the subject hub is storing and/ or openly dealing with exotic and hypercars without proper documentation.

Upon arrival at the dealership, the team found 197 imported and locally sourced vehicles. However, 87 of said units were identified to have questionable documents. The 100 percent inventory of the subject vehicles was completed on July 6, 2023. Julito Rada

511 more rockfall events at Mayon

Meralco’s distribution charge last June was around 18% of the total bill, the transmission charge was 4%, while government taxes were 10%. More than half of the bill (59%) is therefore payable to generation.

Hontiveros added that the ERC and the Department of Energy (DoE) should also correct and monitor power supply agreements (PSAs) between generation companies and distribution utilities, as well as optimize and adjust system operations because fraudulent contracts, power shortages, and delayed transmission projects directly affect consumers.

In addition, the discussion about the imposition of Value Added Tax on already expensive power rates could further strain the finances of Filipino families.

Hontiveros then urged the Marcos Administration to prioritize resetting the ‘improper’ practices in the power sector and said that she expects to hear his commitment during the second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24.

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded a total of 511 rockfall incidents in Mayon Volcano in Albay over the past 24 hours.

The volcano had three volcanic earthquakes and 38 pyroclastic density current (PDC) events from 5 a.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday.

It continued to have a very slow effusion of lava flow from its crater which reached as far as 2.8 kilometers along the Mi-isi Gully.

The lava flow stretched to 1.4 km along the Bonga Gully.

There were also lava collapses along the Basud Gully that reached four kilometers from the crater. Mayon Volcano emitted a moderate 800-meter-tall plume that drifted south-southwest and southwest, generating 721 tons of sulfur dioxide flux on Monday. The volcano’s edifice is still inflated. Rio N. Araja

Villar hails role of cooperatives vs. poverty

SENATOR Cynthia Villar has acknowledged the significant role of cooperatives as partners of the government and private sector in curbing poverty.

“Nothing can equal the help of cooperatives in the growth of a community and small business and alleviating the lives of farmers and fishermen,” Villar said in a speech at the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives 11th Annual General Assembly and 2023 Educational Forum at Clark Marriott Hotel in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) “is our partner in creating cooperatives in the different industries in our country.”

“One of the distinct advantages of social enterprises and cooperatives is that they are more attuned and in touch with the needs of the poorer segments of the society,” she said.

“The wide geographical reach of micro small and medium enterprises including, social enterprises and cooperatives, in various regions and provinces make their impact more all-encompassing,” she added.

The senator also noted that cooperatives embody the “Bayanihan” spirit. To recognize the importance of cooperatives, she said the Villar SIPAG since 2013 has been awarding 20 cooperatives yearly wherein the winners are given a plaque and P250,000 each.

“Through this recognition, we hope to inspire and encourage cooperatives to continue with their work to uplift the lives of their communities,” she said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

QC gov’t crafting interactive storybooks for youth

By Rio N. Araja

THE Quezon City government will produce interactive storybooks for the youth and children with disabilities through the Inclusive Climate Action Cities Fund (ICA Fund) administered by the C40 Cities. Mayor Joy Belmonte said through the ICA Fund, the city will develop a series of “QC Local Climate Action Plan For Kids” books to discuss the solutions and initiatives to address the effects of climate change. Such would be the inclusive and child-friendly versions of the City’s Enhanced Local Climate Change Action Plan for 2021 to 2050, she said.

About 45 percent of Quezon City’s household population is composed of young QCitizens, including those who experience limitations and disabilities. The books will be designed for preschool to high school students, spanning ages 4 to 18, and will be crafted in various versions to accommodate individuals with varying needs and limitations.

“I am proud to join other leading mayors in the world in advancing inclusive and equitable climate action with the support of C40’s new Inclusive Climate Action Fund. In Quezon City, we recognize the need for inclusive and accessible information dissemination that caters to all residents, of all backgrounds, educational attainment,

The city’s