Monday, July 18, 2022

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/

DTI supports Vape Bill, says regulation is better than total ban

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:21 AM PDT

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has expressed support to the proposed "Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulations Act," also known as Vape bill, saying regulating these products is still better than totally banning it in the market.The DTI said, however, that the newly appointed secretary of the agency, Alfredo Pascual, is reviewing the department's position on the matter since it was issued by former secretary Ramon Lopez under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte in February.Aside from saying that regulating the sale and distribution of the products is still better than a total ban, the DTI also said the measure will prevent the proliferation of illicit trade on such products.It said the bill will support industry and economic growth, noting that over two million Filipino farmers and laborers are dependent on the tobacco industry."The DTI believes that vape products can be utilized as an alternative or a helpful means to transition from consuming conventional tobacco products to less harmful tobacco products," the DTI said in its position paper."The DTI is steadfast in its support for effective science and evidence-based tobacco and related product control regulation, and believes that the most impactful way to curb consumption of tobacco products is through effective and reasonable regulation," it added.The agency said more funds through taxes will also be generated from the measure, which will be used to support the Universal Health Care program of the government.The consolidated Senate and House of Representative vape bills are about to lapse into a law on July 24.President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. may also veto the measure.The bill seeks to regulate the importation, manufacture, sale, packaging, distribution, use and communication of vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine products, as well as novel tobacco products.It will give the DTI the power to order a recall or confiscation of non-compliant smoke-free products sold online and in physical stores.The agency's role under the bill is in line with its mandate to ensure the protection of consumers, as well as the balance between the interests of all stakeholders.The DTI also reiterated the role of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the implementation of the measure, citing that among its provision is that no vaporized nicotine and non-nicotine product or novel tobacco product shall have a medicinal or therapeutic claim on its marketing materials or packaging, or shall have an explicit risk statement unless such claims are approved by the FDA.Earlier, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), expressed support for the Vape Bill, saying it will protect the consumers from fake and substandard alternative cigarettes.FPI chairman Jesus Arranza said the measure will also make it difficult for unscrupulous, unregistered and non-taxpaying traders to peddle their smuggled goods.Former president of the Philippine Urological Association Dr. Telesforo Gana said the measure may also pave the way to those wanting to quit from using the traditional cigarettes.Other groups and personalities, however, maintained their stand against the Vape Bill.The DOH was among those urging the government to veto the measure, saying that it will place Filipino youth in particular "at undue risk of harmful and addictive substances associated with vape use, like alcohol, marijuana, and potentially other illicit drugs. (SunStar Philippines)

Philippines ends stay of foreign peacekeepers in the south

Posted: 18 Jul 2022 01:09 AM PDT

FOREIGN peacekeepers credited with helping ease years of bloody fighting between government forces and Muslim rebels have left the southern Philippines after officials decided to end their presence, but talks are underway to allow their possible return, officials and the rebels said Friday, July 15.Members of the Malaysia-led International Monitoring Team, or IMT, flew out of the southern region of Mindanao on June 30 after their authority to stay as ceasefire monitors, which must be renewed each year, was not extended by the then-outgoing administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.It remains to be seen whether new President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will authorize the return of the peacekeepers. Decades-long Muslim and communist insurgencies are among major problems he inherited after taking office on June 30 following a landslide victory.Deployed in 2004, the IMT initially consisted of armed peacekeeping forces from Malaysia, Brunei and Libya to help monitor the enforcement of a cease-fire agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim rebel group in the south, which signed a Malaysian-brokered peace deal with the government in 2014.The European Union, Japan, Norway and Indonesia later sent either armed troops or civilian experts to join the IMT, which also helped monitor humanitarian issues and efforts to rehabilitate war-battered communities. As fighting subsided considerably through the years, the 60-member IMT was gradually reduced. The last contingent of more than 20 peacekeepers left the south two weeks ago.In March, a Philippine government peace panel told the head of the foreign peacekeeping force, Major General Datuk Hamdan Ismail of Malaysia, that it no longer intends to extend the mandate of the IMT, two officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.With "practically zero skirmishes" between government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels in recent years, "the exercise of the roles and responsibilities of the IMT has been substantially diminished," the government panel told Hamdan in a letter, a copy of which was seen by the AP.In the past, deadly clashes wrought extensive damage to entire towns in the south and displaced tens of thousands of people.The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila notified the countries involved in the peacekeeping force in May of the government's decision "to no longer renew the mandate of the IMT" after June 30 "in view of significant accomplishments in the peace process." It cited the enforcement of peace agreements, including the establishment of a new Muslim autonomous region, which is now being administered by former Muslim rebel commanders under a transition period."All the privileges and immunities granted to members of the IMT, including authority to stay based on currently valid visas and authority to bear firearms shall likewise cease," the Department of Foreign Affairs told the countries in separate diplomatic notes, a copy of which was seen by the AP.Philippine officials thanked Malaysia, Brunei, the EU and former member countries in the IMT for their help in restoring peace and fostering economic development in the south, home to the country's Muslim minority in the largely Roman Catholic nation.The rebels, however, objected to the government panel's decision and said that based on signed agreements, IMT forces should stay to safeguard the ceasefire agreement in the southern Philippines until "the full decommissioning" — a euphemism for the disarming and return to normal life — of all the 40,000 combatants of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the two officials said.More than 12,000 Muslim rebels have been "decommissioned" and laid down about 2,000 firearms and other weapons so far. A new group of 14,000 rebels was undergoing the process when Duterte's term ended on June 30 and Marcos Jr. took office. The rest have not been disarmed."The agreement is for the IMT contingent to stay here until the last MILF combatant is decommissioned or until the exit agreement is signed," rebel peace panel chairman Mohagher Iqbal said, adding that the government and the rebels should jointly decide on the peacekeepers' presence and their terms of stay.Philippine officials have expressed openness to inviting the peacekeepers back but the government and the rebels have yet to finalize the details of any such agreement, Iqbal said. He expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved given the success the peace talks have reaped so far."The parties must subscribe to the agreements to be able to succeed," Iqbal said. (AP)

Former health secretaries renew calls to veto the vape bill

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 11:30 PM PDT

FORMER Health secretaries Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan and Dr. Esperanza Cabral appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the Vape Regulation Bill (SB 2239) and fully implement existing regulatory provisions on such products contained in Republic Acts 11346 and 11467 that were passed in 2019 and 2020, respectively.The call is in light of the recent ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) affirming the authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over tobacco products.The Vape Regulation Bill is one of the bills that were submitted late in the former administration that was then inherited by Marcos Jr.The SC, in the case filed by the Philippine Tobacco Institute to question the authority of the FDA over tobacco products, ruled that Section 25 of Republic Act9711 clearly establishes that the law shall cover all health products, except for acts covered by special laws. Hence, matters not covered by special laws remain under the FDA's broad regulatory authority.Dr. Cabral underscored that for the longest time that the public health community continues to assert that DOH and the FDA have jurisdiction over tobacco and similar products such as vape products or e-cigarettes."The FDA and the DOH should have the final say on any and all products that impact people's health," Dr. Cabral said.For his part, Tan said this decision ultimately tells the public that the health experts in this country are the DOH and the FDA."Policy-makers and the public should listen to FDA and DOH instead of industry-backed groups claiming to be health experts but are actually peddling vapes," said Tan.Prior to stepping down as secretary of Health, Dr. Francisco Duque III also reiterated the agency's position against the Vape Bill and categorically stated that their "end goal" is that the vape bill will not be enacted into law.In an earlier statement, Duque also referred to the vape bill as a "Trojan horse" to the former administration.He said "the bill will achieve the opposite of its intended purpose of strengthening tobacco industry regulation as it relaxes the restrictions on the minimum age of access, flavorings, regulation, distribution, advertising, promotion, sale, and use of these products."Lawyer Alexander Padilla, former undersecretary of Health, is of the view that this is an opportunity for the DOH and FDA to assert its mandate over tobacco products and vapes."The broad powers of the FDA as affirmed by the Supreme Court should be used by the agency to consolidate the regulations for vapes and tobacco to ensure effective enforcement for the protection of public health," said Padilla.Former Civil Service commissioner Mary Ann Fernandez-Mendoza highlights the acknowledgement of the SC on the competence and mandate of the FDA "to ensure safety, efficacy, purity, and quality" health products which includes tobacco products because it negatively impacts health."This decision is important to improving good governance in our country as it rationalizes the functions of government agencies. To divide jurisdiction over tobacco and vapes that are harmful to health would mean that protection of public health will have to be compromised with other interests," Mendoza said. "If public health is compromised, like what the vape bill does, public health loses."Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (Seatca) Executive Director Dr. Ulysses Dorotheo likewise urged Marcos Jr. to veto the vape bill, citing the President's earlier veto of the Bulacan Airport special economic zone.In rejecting the House Bill 7575, which seeks the establishment of the Bulacan Airport City Special Economic Zone and Freeport in Bulakan town, Marcos noted that its provisions infringes on or conflict with other agencies' mandates and authorities.He also noted that the enrolled bill "lacks coherence with existing laws, rules, and regulations.""The President vetoed the bill (HB 7575) because it is not consistent with existing laws and fiscal reforms. The same is true with the vape bill. It is inconsistent with existing laws that already regulate these products by limiting flavors to menthol and tobacco, limiting access to those aged 21 years and above, and mandating the FDA to regulate these harmful products," Dr. Dorotheo said."The vape bill will weaken these regulations and is against the Marcos administrations' policy to provide better health and better life for Filipinos. We hope the President sees the inconsistency in the vape bill and vetoes it before July 24," he added.To date, there is still no news from the Office of the President on the fate of the vape bill. (PR)

ICC invites PH to comment on possible drug war probe reopening

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 10:24 PM PDT

A PRE-TRIAL chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has "invited" the Philippine government to comment on the request for resumption of investigation on alleged crimes against humanity in relation to President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.In an order issued on July 14, 2022, the ICC pre-trial chamber 1 urged the government to "submit any additional observations" on the possible reopening of the probe by September 8.It also ordered the Victims Participation and Reparations Section to collect the views and concerns of the drug war victims or their legal representatives during the period.ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was likewise instructed to submit any response to the observations of the Philippines by September 22.The ICC deferred the probe in November 2021 following the request of the Philippines on the basis that national authorities were investigating, or had already investigated the cases.In June, Khan requested for the reopening of the probe on the drug war in the Philippines after the government failed to provide any documentation to substantiate that the investigations are ongoing or complete, nor any details regarding concrete investigative or prosecutorial steps that have been taken.From July 2016 to May 31, 6,252 individuals were killed in the drug war under former President Duterte's administration.The ICC probe covers killings committed in the country between July 1, 2016, since Duterte took office, and March 16, 2019, the day Duterte ordered the withdrawal of the country's membership from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.Meanwhile, in a television interview, former chief of the Philippine National Police now Senator Ronald del Rosa reiterated that he will not participate in the conduct of any probe outside the country.Dela Rosa said the ICC probe is an insult to the country's justice system, which is fully functioning."Sila'y nakikinig lang sa mga biased na mga kalaban ng Duterte administration. In the first place, they've already shown their bias. Meron tayong korte dito. I am willing to face the court basta Filipino-skinned yung judge na magta-try sa akin, huwag yung mga puti na hindi alam ang problema natin dito. Hindi tayo magpapaalipin sa mga banyaga," he said. (SunStar Philippines)

Cop dead in Samar ‘NPA-perpetrated ambush’

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 10:15 PM PDT

A POLICEMAN was killed following an encounter with suspected members of the terrorist group New People's Army (NPA) in Samar on Saturday, July 16, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday, July 18, 2022.In a report reaching Camp Crame, the fatality was identified as Patrolman Mark Monge, 28, who was assigned at the 804th Maneuver Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 8.The report stated that troops were conducting combat operations in the boundary of Barangay San Nicolas in San Jose De Buan town and Barangay Mabuhay in Gandara where they encountered around 10 members of the terrorist group.The firefight lasted for about five minutes, with the NPA members withdrawing from the scene.In another report, the police said the troops were conducting "humanitarian activity" when they were " suddenly fired upon by the CTG (communist terrorist group) members from nowhere.""With the death of Pat Monge, we, in the PNP strongly condemn such treacherous act made by CTG members. We will not cease in chasing the perpetrators. The CTG is one of the roots of poverty in the hinterland areas of Eastern Visayas, and this has to end. We will be more intensified in our campaign against insurgency," Eastern Visayas Police Chief Brigadier General Bernard Banac said.In his speech during the flag raising ceremony in Camp Crame on Monday, PNP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. said the policemen were distributing ayuda (financial assistance) simultaneously with the conduct of a medical mission in the area when they were "ambushed."Danao condemned the incident, as he reiterated strong disapproval of the possible revival of peace talks with the rebel group, as well as the granting of amnesty.On Friday, July 15, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) said it recommended to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos to offer amnesty to members of the NPA."Nakakaiyak lang. Hindi naman sana anti-criminality operation 'yung ginawa ng mga bata doon. They are there to give assistance to the poorest of the poor pero unfortunately you ambushed them," he said."O tapos you are now talking about peace talks. Anong klaseng peace talks yan. Alam niyo kung puwede lang baligtarin ang gobyerno, ako ang aambush mismo sa inyo sa totoo lang. Nakakasama ng loob. Our people there are trying to give assistance to those who are in need, medical assistance in whatever capacity that they can do pero unfortunately, (someone sacrificed his life again)," he added.For her part, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos earlier disagreed with the revival of the peace talks with the CTG. (SunStar Philippines)

P5 rollback on gasoline prices on July 19

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 10:05 PM PDT

PUMP prices of petroleum products will go down again on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.In an advisory, Shell and Seaoil said they will implement a P5 rollback on gasoline, P2 on diesel and P.70 on Kerosene.Petrogazz and Cleanfuel will implement the same price reduction on gasoline and diesel except kerosene, which they do not carry.Shell, Seoil and Petrogazz will implement the price adjustment at 6 a.m. of July 19, while Cleanfuel at 8:01 a.m. of the same day.The Department of Energy said the price reduction on fuel prices can be attributed to the lockdown in Shanghai, China, which may decrease the demand; interest hikes by various countries; and the threat of recession, which could cause demand destruction. (SunStar Philippines)

Bunye: Governor Felipe Medalla steps up 

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 09:00 AM PDT

NEWLY installed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla was supposed to meet captains and representatives of the banking industry last July 8, but BSP had to postpone the event for a later date. "Better safe than sorry" as BSP organizers cited the recent uptick in Covid cases as the reason for the postponement.Traditionally, the members of the Monetary Board, which the BSP governor chairs, meet with the banking community twice a year (first in January and the second in July) for the usual meet-and-greet and the governor's state of banking address.The BSP governor normally frames his address around BSP's mandates, especially on maintaining price stability, and then focuses on the Philippine economic outlook, given factors in the immediate past, the work which the BSP is doing in the present and plans to face challenges in the future.The template includes a discussion on how global economic growth triggers movement of funds to and from emerging markets, how our currency weakens (or strengthens) and how BSP responds with a flexible exchange rate policy and how it provides foreign currency liquidity.The governor usually talks about how the BSP tries to maintain a sound and liquid financial system which provides support to Philippine economic activity. Finally, the governor projects a well-calibrated and carefully sequenced series of reforms, which includes, among others, developing deeper and more efficient domestic capital and money market, complementary foreign exchange reforms, close monitoring of excessive credit and leverage, continuous development of the country's backbone for payments and settlements and leveraging digital innovation to further reach the financially unserved and underserved.Governor Medalla, until lately, was serving the second of his two consecutive terms as a member of the Monetary Board. He stepped into the shoes of Governor Benjamin Diokno, who has been tapped as Finance Secretary vice Carlos Dominguez III. Arguably, Medalla takes the reins at BSP, where he faces a challenge in fostering economic recovery while keeping inflation from getting out of hand.Medalla, a doctor in Economics, was an educator for at least four decades. He was a former president of the Philippine Economic Society and chairman of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, a non-government organization primarily engaged in public advocacy for fiscal reforms and market-friendly government policies.He is expected to work well in tandem with Diokno, with Medalla handling the monetary policy and Diokno handling fiscal policy.Medalla is media savvy, usually giving media a heads up on future policy rates via Viber. In his latest message, Medalla expressed his openness to a 50 basis point increase in the central bank's key rates in August to help address the accelerating inflation rate and the Federal Reserve's rate hikes."There are pros and cons to gradualism. If the inflation is too high, even if the causes are impervious to BSP's kit of policy instruments, a monetary policy response may be necessary," he reiterated BSP's strong commitment to maintaining price stability.He said the central bank "is strongly committed to maintaining price stability", thus "it's not prudent to let factors that significantly affect the exchange rate to add further to inflation that (is) already high."The BSP last raised the policy rate by an aggressive 75 basis points effective June 24, 2022.How does tweaking the policy interest affect inflation, the layman may ask. The price of goods and services is dictated by demand and supply. If the demand is bigger than the supply, the price will rise. If the demand is lower than the supply, the price will go down. The policy rate is the principal tool used by the monetary authorities to influence demand. The theory is that if interest rate is high, the demand will decrease on two counts: 1. Borrowing money for consumption will be more expensive. 2. Those with money may choose to just deposit their money and postpone spending.As can readily be seen, the policy rate addresses only the demand side. The supply side is altogether another concern that is better addressed by other agencies of the government tasked with the production and distribution of goods.Hope and help for our farmersI received this interesting bit of news via The Ayala Way, an online internal news and features digest. The Ayala Way reports that weekends at Ayala Malls have become extra meaningful when it hosted "Box All You Can" by Rural Rising Philippines, a social enterprise that buys produce from distressed farmers and brings them directly to consumers at a fair price.Alagang AyalaLand, which provided Rural Rising rent-free space in Ayala Malls in 2021, scaled up its support of this grassroots effort by hosting what have now become highly anticipated gamified shopping events.For only P699, buyers are given 10 minutes to fill a box with as many fruits and vegetables as they can carry. Purchases directly benefit farmers from Benguet, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya, Pangasinan, Tarlac, La Union and Batangas, among others.Ayala Mall Alabang Town Center, Soledad, Market! Market!, and UP Town Center have hosted Rural Rising Box All You Can events. Other events are scheduled at the Glorietta from July 16 to 17 and Marquee Mall from August 6 to 7.

5 provinces seeing 'very high' Covid-19 positivity rates

Posted: 17 Jul 2022 04:59 AM PDT

FIVE provinces in the country registered "very high" positivity rates, while 10 others were at "high" levels, including the National Capital Region (NCR).Based on the July 15, 2022 data from the Octa Research, recording "very high" positivity rates were Aklan (31.9 percent), Tarlac (27.5 percent), Pampanga (23.5 percent), Nueva Ecija (22.9 percent), and Laguna (22.5 percent)."(There are) provinces where the positivity rate is very high, is above 20 percent," said Octa fellow Guido David.On the other hand, having "high" positivity rates were Cavite (19.5 percent), Rizal (18.6 percent), Antique (17.8 percent), Capiz (15.8 percent), Batangas (15.7 percent), Isabela (15.5 percent), Iloilo (14.7 percent), Pangasinan (14.1%), Metro Manila (12.6 percent) and Bulacan (11.4 percent)."NCR positivity rate as of July 15 was 12.6 percent, up from 10.9 percent, as of July 9," said David.The World Health Organization has set a five-percent threshold for positivity rate of Covid-19. (SunStar Philippines)
at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

End of Summer Sale ☀️😎

20% OFF Inside!🤯 ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏...