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Speaker to BIR: Economic growth rests on hitting targets

MANILA, Philippines — Senators have urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to conduct an inventory of all domestic airports nationwide following numerous complaints of technical problems, such as breakdown of air-conditioning units and defective escalators, for the past five months.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who presided over yesterday’s public hearing of the Senate committee on public services, asked airport authorities led by Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eric Ines about the status of repairs of some airport facilities.

“Senior citizens walking down the stairs, carrying their bags, unserviceable escalators, things like these are driving me crazy. It’s a pet peeve. And then I also found out that the air-conditioning units were busted and it was very hot. They are still waiting for the repair of the aircon. That is why we called for this hearing,” Zubiri said in his opening speech.

“We are public servants, we must have concern for the people. I am not saying you do not do anything. We want to know what you are doing about it. It seems that what you are doing is not working. It’s been how many months since the first time we saw these breakdowns (of facilities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3),” Zubiri pointed out.

Zubiri even showed pictures of the unserviceable escalators at the NAIA Terminal 3 that he captured using his mobile phone when he arrived from Bukidnon.

“When (President Marcos) visited the Czech Republic, it was already broken, I was going to the IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) and it is still broken. Now, I a m back home, it’s already how many months, these escalators are still not working,” he lamented.

Marcos visited the Czech Republic on March 14 while Zubiri and other senators attended the IPU in Switzerland on March 23-2 7.

Zubiri noted that the senators would like the best possible scenarios at all airports and seaports, reiterating the statement of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco that 99 percent of tourists in the country have to travel by air.

“And from that 99 percent, they have to travel again to secondary airports. We hope all the concerns about our airports will be addressed,” Zubiri said.

Airports in other countries, like Thailand and Singapore, are efficiently run, according to the Senate president, who clarified that the Senate hearings were “not in aid of persecution, but to help improve public service.”

“These airports are key facilities in getting to and from areas, as w ell as for tourists coming to the country. I am exasperated beyond words by what is going on,” he said.

Zubiri asked fellow Sen. Mark Villar whether maintaining and repairing escalators is hard since the Villar family owns several malls in the country with a lot of escalators.

“Is it difficult to repair an escalator, Sen. Villar?” Zub iri asked.

“It is a matter of good maintenance. So you get a good service provider,” Villar replied.

“Airports are gateways to the country, and in terms of perceptions, it is very important that there is a good perception from initial arrivals of guests and overseas Filipino workers,” he added.

Like Zubiri and Villar, Sen. Nancy Binay sought from the DOTr an inventory of all domestic airports across the country.

Binay noted that several regional airports are facing technical problems, such as defective escalators and the breakdown of air-conditioning units.

She narrated that she experienced the problem when she went to Caticlan airport as she visited Boracay a few weeks ago.

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday expressed optimism that the “super body” formed by President Marcos will further enhance human rights protection in the country.

Under Administrative Order 22, a Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination is tasked to sustain initiatives and accomplishments under the United Nations for the Joint Program on human rights (UNJP) in the areas of law enforcement, criminal justice and policymaking.

The CHR said it remained optimistic that the initiative “is a step in the right direction and will yield concrete and meaningful results while prioritizing a whole society approach – from consultation to implementation.”

It also recognized concerns raised by various sectors about the new body, adding that it will remain fully independent and will continue with its role as intermediary between the government and civil society.

The CHR said it is open to participating in the coordinating body “to ensure apparent and equal representation among relevant stakeholders.”

“An integrated government approach is essential for effectively addressing human rights concerns, complemented by strong partnerships with CSOs (civil society organizations) and other relevant stakeholders,” said CHR Chairman Richard Palpal-latoc.

“Through this coordinating body, we aim to see increased prosecution of cases related to the war on drugs and enforced disappearances, as well as the adoption of a comprehensive human rights-based approach in various government responses, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts, addressing red-tagging and safeguarding freedom of expression,” he added.

CHR Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa said the new body can also lead to increased government support for the CHR’s initiatives.

“In line with the current administration’s thrust in promoting and safeguarding human rights principles in the country, we are hopeful that this will gain equal support for passing the CHR Charter bill,” she said.“This will further strengthen the Commission’s mandate, enabling us to provide essential legal aid services, establish mechanisms for strategic litigation to ensure access to justice for victims of human rights violations and advocate for vital legislation such as the National Preventive Mechanism.”

Meanwhile, a group of educators is opposing the creation of a human rights “super body” under the Marcos administration, saying the government would not be wasting taxpayers’ money for this new special committee if the administration would work within existing human rights guarantees to hold human rights violators accountable.

In a statement, the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (Contend) called the Special Committee on Human Rights Coordination a “farce and a pro-dictator human rights body.”

Contend said the new body is a “mere show to attempt and paint an image of a human rights-friendly administration – so they can put policies like these in reports of compliance to international standards. In reality, policies that constrict spaces for public participation and the realization of human rights remain in place.”

“Rather than wasting time and taxpayers’ money to create another human rights body, President Marcos Jr. should instead work within existing human rights guarantees to hold human rights violators accountable, many of whom are state agents, and indemnify the victims of human rights violations, including those that were denied justice under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.,” Contend said.

The group said that if Marcos was sincere in promoting and protecting human rights, he should instead enact sweeping reforms in the government, whose agents have been accused of committing human rights violations themselves. — Neil Jayson Servallos

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has sought the reconsideration of the Court of Appeals (CA)’s decision against the commercial propagation of Bt eggplant and golden rice, an official said.

Agriculture Undersecretary Asis Perez said the DA has filed a motion for reconsideration before the appellate court against its ruling to stop the planting of the two genetically modified crops.

Furthermore, Perez said the DA intends to bring the petition up to the Supreme Court if its motion would be denied by the CA.

At the same time, Perez said the DA is heeding one of the rulings made by the CA that urged the government to improve its regulatory system concerning genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

“The court finds that the regulation is not sufficient to ensure the safety of the public. What we are doing now is to amend the regulation – just to make sure the regulation is robust enough,” Perez told the congressional oversight committee on agricultural and fisheries modernization yesterday.

During the committee’s hearing, Sen. Imee Marcos sought the DA’s comment and position regarding the CA ruling last month against Bt eggplant and golden rice.

Marcos said the CA decision is a setback that would greatly affect the country’s agriculture sector, particularly its goal of improving food production.

Earlier this month, The STAR reported that the DA has stopped the importation of Bt eggplant and golden rice in compliance with the CA decision.

However, the DA clarified that importation of other regulated GMOs must continue since they are not covered by the appellate court ruling.

Meanwhile, to recognize the significant contribution of the country’s agriculturists to food security, President Marcos has declared July of every year as Philippine Agriculturists’ Month.

In issuing Proclamation 544, Marcos also underscored the important role of the agriculture sector in ensuring food security, as well as fostering environmental protection and balanced urban and rural development.

“Recognizing the contributions of agriculturists and highlighting their importance through a dedicated month will honor their hard work and dedication, and raise awareness about the significance of the agricultural sector in enhancing nationwide agricultural productivity and competitiveness,” the President said.

Marcos directed the DA and the Professional Regulation Commission and its Board of Agriculture to lead, coordinate and supervise the observance of Philippine Agriculturists’ Month and identify the programs, activities and projects for its annual celebration.

All agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions and state universities and colleges are directed, and all local government units and the private sector are encouraged, to render the necessary support and assistance for the effective implementation of Proclamation 544.

“The celebration of Philippine Agriculturists’ Month will engage professional agriculturists in agricultural advocacy, policy research and formulation and provide an avenue for enterprise-building, communications training and community development,” it said.

Proclamation 544 was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 10. — Helen Flores

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to ensure that the tax agency hits its targets this year, emphasizing that “hitting revenue targets means the government can fund its spending program, which will enable growth.”

“Year on year, the BIR’s revenue collections grew by 17 percent this year. That’s welcome news, and I credit the BIR for that,” Romualdez said.

“But 17 percent growth from total collections last year will mean the BIR will fall short of the P3.05-trillion target set by the economic managers,” the Speaker added.

The BIR collected P2.516 trillion in 2023. An increase of 17 percent will bring total collections this year to P2.944 trillion, still slightly below the target.

“It’s a high bar to clear. That’s why Congress has given the BIR the tools to collect more effectively from taxpayers,” Romualdez said.

“We enacted the Ease of Paying Taxes, effective this year, to digitalize most of BIR’s transactions and encourage taxpayers to comply voluntarily. The law will also broaden the base of taxpayers, since we made registering as a taxpayer simpler, more convenient and above all free.”

The Speaker pointed out that the country’s economic growth this year “depends in large part on government carrying out the budget President Marcos proposed and Congress authorized. Of course, the sooner the BIR can collect the cash, the faster the government can fund its programs.”

“Government final expenditure grew by only 1.7 percent during the first quarter, so I’m hoping that the BIR will be able to collect more in the second quarter so government spending can also catch up. We need to fund both programmed spending and as much of the unprogrammed appropriations as possible to meet our growth targets this year,” Romualdez said.

“Tax is the lifeblood of government, and the vitality of economic growth this year depends on whether the BIR can supply that lifeblood.”

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