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British Chamber expects passage of anti-agricultural economic sabotage act

MANILA, Philippines – Jana Diaz kept the momentum of her recent two-title romp, reasserting her dominance across two divisions, while Al Tristan Licayan mirrored her success in the boys’ category in the Dr. Pablo Olivarez Sr. National Junior Tennis Championships in Sucat, Parañaque over the weekend.

Diaz lived up to her top seeding in 16-and-under division, flashing formidable skill by conceding just eight points in four matches. Her imposing 6-0, 6-2 victory over Cadee Dagoon set the tone for the rising Bacoor, Cavite star’s subsequent triumphs. In the semis of the 18-and-U class, she upended second seed Joy Ansay, 6-1, 6-2, then blasted No. 1 Sandra Bautista, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals.

Those feats matched her achievements in the San Jose SALT tournament in Valenzuela City as Diaz continued to reap honors and pile up ranking points in the circuit sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Ranking.

Licayan, from Gen, Trias, Cavite, also captured two titles in the Group 2 tournament, drubbing Alexandre Coyiuto, 6-4, 6-2, in the 16-and-U finals, then scoring a 7-5, 5-1(ret.) victory over Ariel Cabaral for the 18-and-U trophy.

Other winners in the five-day tournament held at the Olivarez Sports Center and Parañaque courts were Dagoon and Coyiuto (14-and-U), Ella Mhae Paglalunan and Jan Caleb Villeno (12-and-U), and Yuan Torrente (10-and-U unisex).

Meanwhile, Ormoc City, headed by Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, will host the next PPS-PEPP leg on May 16-20 at the Ormoc Midtown courts, coinciding with the Kalibo leg at the Capitol Tennis Club. For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Dagoon and Coyiuto bounced back from their setbacks in the 16-and-U finals as they dominated their age-group in varying fashions. Dagoon shut down Ayl Gonzaga, 6-0, 6-0, while Coyiuto held off Mikael Honrado, 6-3, 6-4.

Paglalunan, on the other hand, stunned top seed Athena Liwag, 6-0, 6-3, while Villeno survived Aaron Coyiuto, 6-7(2), 7-6(5),10-3, in one of the fiercely-fought contests in the event held as part of the PPS-PEPP junior program initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Torrente turned back Raven Licayan, 5-4(2), 4-0, to rule the youngest category of the event presented by Dunlop and supported by Ico n Golf and Sports.

Diaz actually made it a three-title romp as she later teamed up with Erynne Ong to win the 18-and-U doubles title with Cabaral and Alexandre Coyiuto clinching the boys’ diadem. Other winners were Gonzaga and Paglalunan, and Matteo Calingasan and Troan Vytiaco (14-and-U) and Jacob Dizon and Raven Licayan (10-and-U unisex).

The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines looks forward to the passage of the Anti-Agr icultural Economic Sabotage Act to further assist on inflation and food supply–echoing the government’s prioritization of imposing stringent measures to protect the local farmers and consumers. 

Upon Congress’ resumption of session last 29 April 2024, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri outlined the 20 priority bills and expects its passage before the end of the second regular session of the 19th Congress in June.

One of which is the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which is awaiting bicameral conference committee approval–with both versions from the Senate and the House of Representatives being unanimously approved last year. 

“The passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act remains a key priority. We know there have been some discussions that could be passed, hopefully before the Congress adjourns in June. We have some concerns in terms of the amendment of import entries that should be looked at but overall, the need is to pass this act,” BCCP Executive Director/Trustee Chris Nelson said in an interview.

Last February 2024, the British Chamber expressed its concern on the initial reported changes on the minimum access volume (MAV) for pork imports–noting how it could impact inflation, domestic supply, and existing trade agreements under the World Trade Organization (WTO). This also echoed the sentiments of the MAV Advisory Council (MAC), meat importers and economists. 

With the inflation having quickened in April 2024 at 3.8%, having been influenced by food and non-alcoholic beverages, the British Chamber consistently calls on the full implementation of the Executive Order No. 50, mandating the extension of lowered tariff rates on agricultural commodities including pork. 

“Inflation remains the key issue and that has been remarked upon by Secretary Recto. If we can get inflation lower, this would certainly help the GDP. In that context, we strongly advocate the full implementation of the Executive Order No. 50 on the lower tariffs,  particularly for pork. We work very hard on that to get quality pork from the UK here. The [GDP] numbers at 5.7% is still a good growth rate. Obviously, along with everybody, we want to see it higher. I think it’s tracking the right way. The key is getting that inflation number, particularly on food, down,” Nelson further noted. 

The British Chamber acknowledges the significance of the agricultural sector in maintaining the UK-PH trade at a high level and the overall Philippine economic growth, emphasizing towards its efforts in managing inflation and ensuring food security in the country.

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