Brunei News Gazette

Iloilo City - The city government of Iloilo has increased its water rationing efforts from 25 to 35 barangays under its 'Oplan Bulig Tubig Sa Syudad' initiative due to ongoing drought conditions.

According to Philippines News Agency, as of May 5, 186,900 liters of water had been distributed to 26 barangays. The expansion includes densely populated areas that are experiencing moderate to severe drought impacts.

Neil Ravena, head of the Iloilo City General Services Office, reported in a Monday interview that the city would commence distribution of additional water procured with a PHP12.6 million quick response fund starting May 10. Local water suppliers, Metro Pacific Iloilo Water and South Balibago Waterworks, have pledged to deliver 696 cubic meters of water daily, adhering to the 15 liters per person per day guideline set by the city.

Ravena also highlighted concerns regarding the safety of the water containers used by residents. While the water provided is safe, he recommended boiling the water before use to ensure safety due to potential contamination of individual containers. He further encouraged barangays to acquire static tanks to secure a sufficient water supply for residents.

Additionally, Rey Delfin, area manager of South Balibago, discussed monitoring efforts at their treatment plant in Barangay Bongco in Pototan following a saltwater intrusion incident on Sunday. This event elevated the total dissolved solids in the water to 1,600 parts per million, well above the acceptable limit of 660 ppm set by the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water. Despite the increase in salinity, Delfin reassured that the potability of the water remains unaffected, although he advised against drinking it until the situation stabilizes.

CLARK, PAMPANGA — The heat index in Clark reached a sweltering 50 degrees Celsius on Monday, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). This spike in temperature marks a significant increase from the previous four days' readings at Clark International Airport, which varied between 39°C and 41°C.

According to Philippines News Agency, other areas also experienced high heat indices; Dagupan in Pangasinan recorded 47°C, while Pasay City and Quezon City in the National Capital Region registered 43°C and 42°C, respectively. These conditions are expected to persist in the coming days. In contrast, La Trinidad, Benguet, and Baguio City reported cooler, yet still elevated temperatures of 26°C and 28°C respectively. Meanwhile, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, recorded the highest actual temperatures of 39.8°C and 39°C.

Manila - Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and the Department of Agriculture (DA) pledged on Monday to reduce rice prices to below PHP30 per kilo in selected regions by July. Romualdez revealed that the Department of Agriculture is pinpointing areas where this price target could be met. The announcement was made after a discussion with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel and other key figures from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and related agencies.

According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative will initially focus on specific areas, with the possibility of expanding nationwide, particularly following modifications to the Rice Tariffication Law. The conversation followed a congressional hearing on potential amendments to this law, which revealed several loopholes that could be swiftly remedied to allow lower rice prices.

Tiu Laurel emphasized that despite current legislative limitations, the National Food Authority (NFA) might sell rice at reduced prices via KADIWA centers, expected to operate five days a week starting in July. These centers, supported by local governments, aim to increase in number across the Philippines.

Furthermore, Romualdez mentioned that the House is urging local mayors to allocate public spaces for these centers to facilitate the implementation of this plan. He stressed the collaboration among lawmakers to pass the necessary amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law by the upcoming congressional recess on May 25, to ensure a sustainable reduction in rice prices.

MANILA — Sixty-one overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel are scheduled to arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Thursday, under the Philippine government's voluntary repatriation program. This return marks the largest group to take advantage of this program since the resurgence of hostilities between Israel and the militant group Hamas in October last year.

According to Philippines News Agency, these workers will be welcomed by various government officials at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City. The Department of Foreign Affairs has maintained a Level 2 Alert since October 2023, indicating significant threats to the life, security, and property of Filipinos due to the ongoing conflict. To date, a total of 463 OFWs have been repatriated from Israel since the conflict resumed.

Antique - On Monday, the provincial government of Antique began distributing water tanks, jetmatic pumps, and hosepipes to barangays experiencing water shortages. The initiative is part of the efforts to mitigate the impact of severe water scarcity affecting several areas.

According to Philippines News Agency, the supplies were purchased using part of a PHP10 million Quick Response Fund. The province acquired 126 movable water tanks, 260 jetmatic pumps, and 586 hosepipes. Denosta highlighted in a Monday interview that some barangay officials had already collected the water tanks, pumps, and hosepipes.

Barangays in need must submit a request to the office of Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, who oversees the distribution process. Distribution is based on the specific needs of each barangay. The provided equipment is intended to support water rationing efforts; the water tanks and hosepipes will be directly utilized for this purpose, while the jetmatic pumps will be used in deep wells to draw groundwater once the rains return.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported that as of April 29, the drought had already caused initial crop losses valued at PHP258.83 million in 15 towns across Antique. These losses span essential agricultural products including rice, corn, and high-value crops.

CAGAYAN DE ORO – The Philippine Army has reported a significant reduction in both the influence and the number of armed personnel of the New People's Army (NPA) in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions, under the jurisdiction of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID).

According to Philippines News Agency, 4ID commander, recent military operations have significantly weakened the NPA, with many members surrendering to the authorities.

Major General Cuerpo explained that successful operations by military brigade units have led to a series of NPA surrenders, greatly aided by local residents who provided crucial information. This community support has helped isolate the rebel groups, fostering conditions where NPA leaders and their followers increasingly choose to surrender.

On May 3, the 403rd Infantry Brigade facilitated the surrender of nine NPA combatants in Bukidnon province to the Army's 88th and 26th infantry battalions. Additionally, on the same day, two other NPA members, identified as Tony Lindaan Taquin and Rian Pid-ak Pedyaan, surrendered at the boundary of Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur provinces, bringing with them an M16 rifle and an M79 grenade launcher.

Manila - In the first quarter of 2024, Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC), the Philippines' largest coal producer, experienced a significant increase in coal exports, surging 78% compared to the same period in 2023. This information was disclosed during SMPC's annual stockholders' meeting held on Monday, where the company reviewed its performance from January to March 2024.

According to Philippines News Agency, coal exports for the first quarter rose to 2.7 million metric tons, up from 1.5 million metric tons in the first quarter of the previous year. This substantial growth in exports contributed to a 37% increase in total coal sales, which reached 4.8 million metric tons, compared to 3.5 million metric tons last year. Domestic shipments also saw an uptick, growing 6% to 2.1 million metric tons from 2 million metric tons.

SMPC reported achieving a record high overall plant availability of 92%, which supported the increase in internal sales. Maria Cristina Gotianun, president and chief operating officer of SMPC, commented on the company’s resilience despite pricing challenges, attributing the strong performance to robust export sales and improved plant operations.

The company also noted that global coal indices have fallen due to reduced demand from developed countries, which are shifting towards renewable energy sources and experiencing slower economic activities. Nonetheless, SMPC’s integrated coal mining and power operations, which use coal to fuel its own power plants, have allowed it to create a localized value chain. This integration helped the company’s power plants to increase their electricity sales volume by 3% in the first quarter, reaching 1,281 gigawatt hours compared to 1,241 gigawatt hours in the previous period.

However, SMPC's net income for the period from January to March 2024 fell by 28% to PHP6.5 billion, down from PHP9 billion in the same period a year earlier. The decline was attributed to lower coal prices in the global market and reduced selling prices in the electricity spot market. Despite these financial setbacks, SMPC continues to make significant royalty payments to the government, benefiting both national and local government units where the firm operates.

Northern Mindanao - The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) has initiated updates to its agricultural information systems to better support local farmers, particularly in response to the El Niño weather pattern. The announcement was made by the newly appointed Executive Director Jose Apollo Pacamalan during a media briefing on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the region's existing information systems are inadequate for current needs and must be improved to better manage agricultural and business challenges in the area. The enhanced system will allow for timely interventions, such as the prepositioning of seeds and farm inputs in areas predicted to suffer from low rainfall. Additionally, it aims to facilitate direct market linkages for farmers to sell their produce more efficiently.

Pacamalan, who officially took office on Monday, succeeding Carlene Collado, also noted that the updated system would prevent delays in rehabilitation and support, which currently cannot begin until after the dry season ends.

On his first day, DA-10 disbursed PHP3,000 in fuel subsidy assistance to 158 farmers in the towns of Kibawe and Kitaotao, Bukidnon. During the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall meeting, Bukidnon farmers also received fuel discount cards worth a total of PHP474,000. To be eligible for these benefits, farmers must be registered with the System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and possess functional machinery and equipment, either individually or through an association, listed in the Agricultural Biosystems Engineering Management Information System.

MAKATI CITY – Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual expressed confidence that negotiations for the Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement (PH-EU FTA) could be expedited, leveraging the Philippines' prior swift trade deal with European countries. During the 11th European-Philippines Business Dialogue on Monday, Pascual noted that the successful negotiation of the Philippines-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement, completed in just a year, serves as an effective model for the ongoing PH-EU FTA discussions.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DTI has targeted 2027 to conclude the PH-EU FTA but hinted at a potentially quicker timeline, given the precedent set by the Philippine-EFTA negotiations. He emphasized that the chief negotiators' meeting scheduled for June is set to establish a solid foundation for the forthcoming negotiation rounds.

On March 18, in a joint announcement with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, Pascual confirmed the resumption of formal talks for the PH-EU FTA, projecting a significant boost in trade by 6 billion euros.

The business dialogue saw participation from over 40 members of the EU-ASEAN Business Council trade delegation from Singapore, who discussed trade and investment opportunities to fortify economic relations between the Philippines and the EU.

During the event, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) presented its 2024 Advocacy Paper to Secretary Pascual, outlining priority sectors such as agriculture, automotive, and energy, among others. ECCP Executive Director Florian Gottein reaffirmed the chamber's commitment to advocating for sustainable development and equitable business conditions for both European and Filipino companies.

Northern Mindanao - The Region 10 Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC-10) declared another 19 barangays in Northern Mindanao as "drug-cleared" on Monday. The newly cleared areas include eight barangays each from Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental provinces, with Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental provinces having one each. Additionally, Barangay Bayabas has been cleared in the city.

According to Philippines News Agency, director of the Police Regional Office-10 and a member of ROCBDC-10, this achievement reflects strong cooperation among community stakeholders. The region now boasts 1,520 drug-cleared barangays out of a total of 1,886 affected areas. Layug Jr. encouraged further efforts to achieve a drug-free Bagong Pilipinas.

In related news, the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) conducted a successful operation on the same day, resulting in the arrest of a 36-year-old suspect for possession of illegal drugs valued at PHP428,400. The suspect, previously apprehended in 2020 under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, is currently under investigation.

MASBATE CITY – Families in Masbate province whose homes were destroyed or damaged by a recent fire received financial and material assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

According to Philippines News Agency, DSWD Bicol-AICS information officer, the support was provided under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program following the disaster that struck on Monday.

The aid distribution involved 15 families whose homes were completely destroyed, each receiving PHP 10,000, while two families with partially damaged homes received PHP 5,000 each. The incident, which occurred on May 2 in Barangay Bapor, prompted the immediate release of both food and non-food items totaling PHP 128,772.90. The aid included two family food packs and sets of non-food relief items such as sleeping kits, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, and 10 meters of laminated sacks.

DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to timely and effective support for families affected by calamities, emphasizing their readiness to be the first responders on the ground.

Additionally, the Bureau of Fire Protection-Masbate continues to investigate the cause of the fire, seeking to understand the origin and prevent future incidents.

MINDANAO – The Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, scheduled for this week in various parts of Mindanao, serves as a key part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to unity, as articulated in his election campaign.

According to Philippines News Agency, del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong during a Monday press briefing at the House of Representatives, this initiative counters the allegations that the Marcos administration has been neglectful of Mindanao.

Rep. Adiong highlighted that the Bagong Pilipinas Fair has been conducted in locations including Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Davao de Oro, and Agusan del Norte, and will continue in Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi on May 9. He outlined President Marcos's efforts to maintain his unity promise throughout his term, referencing the President's visits from Luzon to the southernmost islands such as Tawi-Tawi, emphasizing the geographic inclusiveness of his administration.

Further demonstrating the administration's commitment to Mindanao, Rep. Adiong mentioned forthcoming infrastructure developments like a significant bridge project connecting Lanao del Norte and Ozamis City, which aims to enhance transportation and inland trade.

Addressing the political landscape, Rep. Adiong underscored the respect President Marcos holds for the peace and electoral processes in Mindanao, noting that the upcoming 2025 BARMM elections will be a pivotal moment for regional democracy.

Adding to the discussion, Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez attested to witnessing firsthand the impact of Bagong Pilipinas services in Mindanao, expressing confusion over claims of neglect. He detailed that national government agencies and departments have allocated at least PHP 1 billion in various programs and projects across Mindanao, illustrating a widespread effort to address the needs of the region.