Palace:
Enough measures in place to fight oil products smuggling
Malacanang made an assurance on Tuesday that there are sufficient measures to curb oil smuggling in the country.
Malacanang made an assurance on Tuesday that there are sufficient measures to curb oil smuggling in the country.
In a press conference in
Malacanang on Tuesday, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that among
the measures in place include a tax regulation that ensures ecozone locators
get the tax exemption.
This in addition to the
visits and inspections being done by the Department of Finance (DOF), the
Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), he said.
Lacierda was referring to
the Revenue Regulation 2-2012 that would have made sure that the ecozone
locators would get tax exemptions from the government.
Unfortunately, the court
issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) and it was only last February when
an injunction was issued declaring it to be in error, Lacierda explained.
Following the Court of
Appeals decision, the Bureau of Customs has begun full implementation of RR
2-2012, he added.
“As I mentioned, apart from
this Revenue Regulation 2-2012, we have stepped up on major physical visitation
on those ports—ports which are considered as the ports where the oil imports
are being done,” Lacierda said.
“We’re making sure that all
these ports are visited and that efforts are made to curb smuggling.”
Curbing oil smuggling will
improve the country’s tax collection, according to the Palace official.
One of the seven major
ports already visited by the DOF, BOC, and the BIR last February include the
Port of Limay, Lacierda said.
Beginning this month, the
DOF, BOC and the BIR will be visiting the Manila International Container Port,
the Port of Manila, Port of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and the
Port of Batangas, and other major oil importers.
Ramon Ang, the chair and
chief executive officer of the Petron Corp. said at least a third of the total
volume of oil products sold in the market came from smuggling based on studies
from 2007 to 2011.
Ang said the government is
losing P30 to P40 billion annually due to oil products smuggling.
Malacanang expresses elation over latest Social Weather Stations survey indicating 81% of Filipinos are satisfied with their lives
Malacanang expressed elation over the latest Social Weather Stations' survey showing that 4 out of 5 Filipinos or 81 percent are satisfied with their lives, a Palace official said on Tuesday.
The Aquino administration thanks the Filipinos for their overwhelming trust, confidence, and support in the government, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.
Ninety-five percent of those surveyed among the Class ABC on the income scale were satisfied with their lives, according to the survey. The survey also indicated that the rates of life satisfaction were quite high at 82 percent (Class D) and 74 percent (Class E).
The fourth quarter 2012 survey conducted among 1,200 adults nationwide on Dec. 8 to 11 showed that of the 81 percent, 33 percent were "very satisfied" and 48 percent "fairly satisfied," the SWS said.
Lacierda assured the people that the government would continue to undertake reforms and anti-poverty initiatives to provide for better lives.
"As you know, we continue to improve our efforts in good governance as well as to serve our countrymen," Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the sound macroeconomic fundamentals could be one of the factors for the survey's positive outcome.
"Kasama po rito ang pagganda ng ekonomiya kahit paano, lumalago ang mga negosyo, nagkakaroon po ng pagkakataon ang mga negosyante at ang ating mga taumbayan na magkaroon ng livelihood. ‘Yun po ang ating nakikita —on a macro-situation," he said.
Lacierda noted that the government has already taken significant steps to achieve its goal to further improve the country's business climate.
The Philippines has finally won its much-coveted investment grade status from the Fitch Group, one of three major international credit rating agencies that assess the government’s ability to pay back its debt and the chance of non-payment.
"The recent investment grade upgrade was something that is very positive for us and we expect more in direct investments. With the formal announcement of the investment grade status, we expect more foreign direct investments, as well as for our local businessmen to take advantage of low interest rates," he said.
Malacanang expresses elation over latest Social Weather Stations survey indicating 81% of Filipinos are satisfied with their lives
Malacanang expressed elation over the latest Social Weather Stations' survey showing that 4 out of 5 Filipinos or 81 percent are satisfied with their lives, a Palace official said on Tuesday.
The Aquino administration thanks the Filipinos for their overwhelming trust, confidence, and support in the government, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing in Malacanang on Tuesday.
Ninety-five percent of those surveyed among the Class ABC on the income scale were satisfied with their lives, according to the survey. The survey also indicated that the rates of life satisfaction were quite high at 82 percent (Class D) and 74 percent (Class E).
The fourth quarter 2012 survey conducted among 1,200 adults nationwide on Dec. 8 to 11 showed that of the 81 percent, 33 percent were "very satisfied" and 48 percent "fairly satisfied," the SWS said.
Lacierda assured the people that the government would continue to undertake reforms and anti-poverty initiatives to provide for better lives.
"As you know, we continue to improve our efforts in good governance as well as to serve our countrymen," Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the sound macroeconomic fundamentals could be one of the factors for the survey's positive outcome.
"Kasama po rito ang pagganda ng ekonomiya kahit paano, lumalago ang mga negosyo, nagkakaroon po ng pagkakataon ang mga negosyante at ang ating mga taumbayan na magkaroon ng livelihood. ‘Yun po ang ating nakikita —on a macro-situation," he said.
Lacierda noted that the government has already taken significant steps to achieve its goal to further improve the country's business climate.
The Philippines has finally won its much-coveted investment grade status from the Fitch Group, one of three major international credit rating agencies that assess the government’s ability to pay back its debt and the chance of non-payment.
"The recent investment grade upgrade was something that is very positive for us and we expect more in direct investments. With the formal announcement of the investment grade status, we expect more foreign direct investments, as well as for our local businessmen to take advantage of low interest rates," he said.
Over 2,000 volunteers in Lanao del Norte’s GK Bayani Challenge 2013
mobilized
By
Lorry V. Gabule
TUBOD,
Lanao del Norte, April 2 (PIA)— A total of 2,078 volunteers with 70 teams
registered in the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Bayani Challenge in Lanao del Norte, its
site at Poblacion, Sapad town, this province, for the disaster prone area and
indigent families as recipients to this project.
The 32 units built during the weeklong GK Bayani Challenge (BC) from March 23-27, 2013 in Sapad is located in Poblacion in a two-hectare lot donated by the Ali family through Vice Governor Irma Ali of the province of Lanao del Norte.
"Each unit has a lot area of 64 square meters and we aimed to put up around 140 houses in this site," said Mayor Paruk Asis of Sapad.
This year is the 9th Anniversary of the said program simultaneously done in 33 provinces nationwide.
Among those who particpated in building core shelters were Team Lanao del Norte led by Gov. Khalid Dimaporo whose volunteers were employees, the division chiefs, and the Provincial Engineer’s Office of the provincial government of Lanao del Norte.
Congresswoman Imelda Q. Dimaporo of the First Legislative District of Lanao del Norte has also pledged unit coming from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Provincial Council, Cong. Dimaporo as the council’s president.
Other volunteers include neighboring municipalities of the province, cooperative groups, army soldiers from the 35th Infantry Battalion, the Eagles Group, the youth sector, and others.
Most of the volunteers were from the local places, its neighboring towns because ‘walang ibang magtutulungan kundi ang mga Lanaenos mismo' (Nobody else should help each other but the Lanaenos themselves), according to USEC Jose Mari Oquinena of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for Special Concerns, who is also the Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
USEC Oquinena graced the BC closing program on the evening of March 26. He lauded everybody’s effort to build shelter, capping this year’s theme, “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan.” (lorry v.gabule/PIA 10-LDN)
The 32 units built during the weeklong GK Bayani Challenge (BC) from March 23-27, 2013 in Sapad is located in Poblacion in a two-hectare lot donated by the Ali family through Vice Governor Irma Ali of the province of Lanao del Norte.
"Each unit has a lot area of 64 square meters and we aimed to put up around 140 houses in this site," said Mayor Paruk Asis of Sapad.
This year is the 9th Anniversary of the said program simultaneously done in 33 provinces nationwide.
Among those who particpated in building core shelters were Team Lanao del Norte led by Gov. Khalid Dimaporo whose volunteers were employees, the division chiefs, and the Provincial Engineer’s Office of the provincial government of Lanao del Norte.
Congresswoman Imelda Q. Dimaporo of the First Legislative District of Lanao del Norte has also pledged unit coming from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Provincial Council, Cong. Dimaporo as the council’s president.
Other volunteers include neighboring municipalities of the province, cooperative groups, army soldiers from the 35th Infantry Battalion, the Eagles Group, the youth sector, and others.
Most of the volunteers were from the local places, its neighboring towns because ‘walang ibang magtutulungan kundi ang mga Lanaenos mismo' (Nobody else should help each other but the Lanaenos themselves), according to USEC Jose Mari Oquinena of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) for Special Concerns, who is also the Director General of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
USEC Oquinena graced the BC closing program on the evening of March 26. He lauded everybody’s effort to build shelter, capping this year’s theme, “Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan.” (lorry v.gabule/PIA 10-LDN)
NGCP seeks LGU’s help to solve ROW problems and maintain public safety
The
National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) warns the public of the
risks of planting trees under their transmission towers and breaching
right-of-way (ROW) clearances, particularly in Lanao del Norte in Mindanao.
In a recent interview, Atty. Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP Spokesperson, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety clearances, said that NGCP has its eyes on private landowners who intentionally and unintentionally plant trees under their transmission lines.
According to the Spokesperson, NGCP has been dealing with this problem since the privately-owned company took over the operations of the country’s electric transmission business. She acknowledges that NGCP has sought help from the local government.
NGCP recently requested for the support of the local government unit (LGU) of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte in curbing tree planting under and along transmission lines in the said municipality.
NGCP’s ROW problem in Balo-i has caused frequent line trippings or brownouts, not just in town, but also in the western region of Mindanao. To solve the problem, NGCP is pushing for the Balo-i government to create a municipal ordinance prohibiting tree planting under and along transmission towers.
“NGCP is proactive in solving ROW issues. We do not want to wait for more trippings and accidents to happen. We are reaching out to LGU’s, specifically Balo-i local government, and enjoining their help so that we can work together in taking care of the power lines and ensuring the public’s safety,” explained Alabanza.
“As we all know, our lines carry very high voltage power. Safety clearance violations are detrimental not just to NGCP’s operations but also to public safety. Three things can happen – electrocution, accidents, and line trippings or brownouts – which are all damaging to NGCP, the victims, and ultimately, the electricity consumers. We ask for the public’s cooperation in avoiding tree planting along our lines to help us lessen, if not eliminate, transmission lines-related accidents in the future,” stated Alabanza.
In addition to coordinating with LGU’s, NGCP regularly conducts information campaign on transmission line safety and ROW clearances. “NGCP is going to the grassroots level to reach the intended audience, the barangays or communities hosting transmission facilities,” Alabanza added.
“NGCP believes that information dissemination is the best way to equip the public in avoiding transmission line-related accidents. Right now, NGCP is also collaborating with national and local media agencies in sending its public advisories about transmission line safety,” said Alabanza.
NGCP also advises the public to refrain from engaging in activities that may cause damage to transmission lines, including tree planting, building structures and putting up antenna, kite-flying, and starting grass fires, along and under its transmission lines, towers, and substations. Such activities conductive close to NGCP’s transmission facilities may cause electrocution due to induction and may lead to fatalities.
“Transmission line-related accidents usually occur during summer season because this is when the public, specially the children, fly kites. Grass fires also usually occur during summer. We are reminding the public engage in these activities away from our transmission lines to avoid accidents, particularly electrocution.”
Also part of NGCP’s safety campaign is distribution of safety information materials to local government units. As a supplementary safety measure, NGCP is also considering putting up additional danger signs on its transmission towers which will serve as visual warnings.
NGCP is a private owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. NGCP transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines and towers, substations and related assets. NGCP’s regular maintenance activities and expansion projects aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to customers. (NGCP/PIA10)
In a recent interview, Atty. Cynthia P. Alabanza, NGCP Spokesperson, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety clearances, said that NGCP has its eyes on private landowners who intentionally and unintentionally plant trees under their transmission lines.
According to the Spokesperson, NGCP has been dealing with this problem since the privately-owned company took over the operations of the country’s electric transmission business. She acknowledges that NGCP has sought help from the local government.
NGCP recently requested for the support of the local government unit (LGU) of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte in curbing tree planting under and along transmission lines in the said municipality.
NGCP’s ROW problem in Balo-i has caused frequent line trippings or brownouts, not just in town, but also in the western region of Mindanao. To solve the problem, NGCP is pushing for the Balo-i government to create a municipal ordinance prohibiting tree planting under and along transmission towers.
“NGCP is proactive in solving ROW issues. We do not want to wait for more trippings and accidents to happen. We are reaching out to LGU’s, specifically Balo-i local government, and enjoining their help so that we can work together in taking care of the power lines and ensuring the public’s safety,” explained Alabanza.
“As we all know, our lines carry very high voltage power. Safety clearance violations are detrimental not just to NGCP’s operations but also to public safety. Three things can happen – electrocution, accidents, and line trippings or brownouts – which are all damaging to NGCP, the victims, and ultimately, the electricity consumers. We ask for the public’s cooperation in avoiding tree planting along our lines to help us lessen, if not eliminate, transmission lines-related accidents in the future,” stated Alabanza.
In addition to coordinating with LGU’s, NGCP regularly conducts information campaign on transmission line safety and ROW clearances. “NGCP is going to the grassroots level to reach the intended audience, the barangays or communities hosting transmission facilities,” Alabanza added.
“NGCP believes that information dissemination is the best way to equip the public in avoiding transmission line-related accidents. Right now, NGCP is also collaborating with national and local media agencies in sending its public advisories about transmission line safety,” said Alabanza.
NGCP also advises the public to refrain from engaging in activities that may cause damage to transmission lines, including tree planting, building structures and putting up antenna, kite-flying, and starting grass fires, along and under its transmission lines, towers, and substations. Such activities conductive close to NGCP’s transmission facilities may cause electrocution due to induction and may lead to fatalities.
“Transmission line-related accidents usually occur during summer season because this is when the public, specially the children, fly kites. Grass fires also usually occur during summer. We are reminding the public engage in these activities away from our transmission lines to avoid accidents, particularly electrocution.”
Also part of NGCP’s safety campaign is distribution of safety information materials to local government units. As a supplementary safety measure, NGCP is also considering putting up additional danger signs on its transmission towers which will serve as visual warnings.
NGCP is a private owned corporation in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid. NGCP transmits high-voltage electricity through “power superhighways” that include the interconnected system of transmission lines and towers, substations and related assets. NGCP’s regular maintenance activities and expansion projects aim to enhance the reliability and quality of electricity delivered to customers. (NGCP/PIA10)
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