Southeast Asia – Page 112 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Department of Tourism (DOT) hopes to surpass P1.5 trillion in domestic tourism revenue this year

January 23, 2024January 15, 2024carlocarrasco

While 2023 turned out successful for Philippine tourism in terms of foreign tourist statistics, the Department of Tourism (DOT) recently started focusing on domestic tourists hoping to attract a massive amount of revenue coming from them this year, according to a GMA Network news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of GMA Network. Some parts in boldface…

Due to the performance of various tourism sectors last year, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco is confident of the Philippines prospects for 2024, as shared in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

‘“Yung sa international visitor receipt, lumagpas tayo sa ‘P482.5 billion pesos na napunta sa ating ekonomiya because of our foreign visitors… We hope to be able to surpass the P1.5 trillion pesos domestic visitors receipt na napunta sa ating ekonomiya noong 2022”, Franco said.

Tourism-related employment created 5 million jobs nationwide, Frasco said.

For the new year, the tourism secretary said her marching orders from President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. is the enhancement of overall tourist experience.

“Gusto natin na masaya ang mga turista. Maramdaman nila ang love, warmth of the Filipino people at tsaka ‘yung convenience sa pag-travel,” said the secretary who hails from Cebu, a major travel destination.

Based on feedback, one concrete step is the construction of 18 tourist rest areas that will provide clean public restrooms.

The DOT head’s confidence is buoyed by the combination of numbers resulting from both international and domestic tourists.

“‘Yung domestic tourism natin has been massively successful especially in our regions, provinces, cities and municipalities across the country”, she said.

In 2023, the DOT announced that 5.45 million international tourists visited the country, exceeding its targets.

For preferred tourist destinations, Frasco said Cebu has always been a favorite as well as Palawan, Boracay, Siargao Metro Manila and Batangas.

On top of the tourism staples, the DOT chief said her agency will also work to promote and develop emerging and lesser known destinations to provide opportunities under the Philippine Experience Program. The approach would be to highlight an area’s heritage, culture and arts as well as the discovery of delicacies, festivals and communities.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the DOT will be able to motivate people around the country to engage in domestic tourism and spend a good amount of money on accommodations, travel, restaurants, gifts and the like? Do you think the DOT should cooperate more with local government units (LGUs) as well as provincial governments to emphasize local tourism?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Government turns over several motorcycles to local traffic enforcers

January 22, 2024January 18, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the City Government formally turned over several motorcycles that the local traffic enforcers will use in the line of duty, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government turned over 16 motorcycles to traffic enforcers to beef up their capabilities.

“To those who regularly disobey road rules and regulations, you have been warned; sorry if our enforcers catch up to you,” said Mayor Ruffy Biazon during the blessing and turnover of the motorcycles to the Muntinlupa Traffic Management Bureau (MTMB).

Biazon said that the new motorcycles are a significant upgrade to the current fleet of the MTMB.

“These units now have a displacement of 400cc which makes them eligible to enter the (South Luzon) expressway; this will enable them to chase and apprehend violators,” he said.

Biazon reminded the traffic enforcers to be good stewards of the new patrol bikes by using them appropriately, and to implement the law correctly.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you delighted about the local traffic enforcers receiving new motorcycles that should help them do their jobs better? Do you think abusive motorists will become hesitant to commit traffic violations knowing that the local traffic enforcers can use the new motorcycles to catch up with them?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Las Piñas City Government receives multiple awards for excellence on public service and more

January 22, 2024January 16, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government received several awards from different entities (including government departments) related to excellence on public service rendered and more, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas City government received various recognitions for its commitment to excellence in public service and community development.

Vice-Mayor April Aguilar, who led the regular flag raising ceremony on Monday, Jan. 15 held at the City Hall grounds, thanked the national bodies for the recognition given to the city government.

Aguilar said the city was honored with a Plaque of Recognition for its active role in the 2023 Parañaque KALIPI Summit, emphasizing its contributions to women’s empowerment and nation-building.

She said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) awarded the city for its exemplary implementation of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps), highlighting its timely submission of monitoring tools and effective program execution.

The DSWD also recognized the city for its effective management of social welfare programs like the KADIWA and supplementary feeding programs.

The vice-mayor also said the chief of Public Information Office, Paul Ahljay San Miguel, received a Certificate of Recognition from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Most Outstanding Tourism Officers Club/Association award from the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines, Inc.

Aguilar said the recognition from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation underscored the city’s dedication to health care and tourism development.

She said the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) also recognized the city government for its support to the press community.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you delighted with the many awards achieved by the City Government? Does this development deepen your trust in the City Government and the current officials?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Known hacker arrested in Las Piñas City

January 20, 2024January 16, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, local police officers arrested a man (who has an established history of hacking) for targeting foreigners online, according to a Philippine Star news report. The arrest happened in Barangay Talon Dos.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt the Philippine Star news report. Some parts in boldface…

A man previously dubbed “Asia’s best hacker” was arrested in Las Piñas for allegedly targeting foreigners in his illegal online activities, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said yesterday.

An NCRPO report obtained by The STAR showed that NCRPO operatives searched the house of Edgar Silvano Jr., 47, in Barangay Talon Dos at past 2 p.m. on Friday.

The operation was implemented on the strength of a search warrant issued by Judge Elizabeth Yu Guray of the Las Piñas Regional Trial Court Branch 202.

Recovered from Silvano were 11 cell phones, seven flash drives, five laptops, four SD cards, three Wi-Fi routers, two hard drives, a desktop and a modem.

Apart from these, police also confiscated several financial documents pertaining to land titles and vehicle purchases. These documents contain personal and bank account information belonging to other people, police said.

Silvano was charged with violating Republic Act 8484 or the Access Device Regulations Act of 2012.

He also faces charges of violating RA 10591, which penalizes the illegal possession of a firearm, after police found a 9mm pistol with nine bullets on his person.

According to the NCRPO, Silvano was called “Asia’s best hacker” in 2001 after he hacked an international banking system based in Hong Kong. He was imprisoned but was later released on probation.

Silvano was again arrested in 2016 by the National Bureau of Investigation for violation of RA 8484 and possession of illegal drugs.

The NCRPO said all recovered electronic devices will undergo data extraction and forensic examination.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are you concerned that there could be more hackers or cyber criminals who could be living within your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Government to designate nutrition scholars in each barangay

January 20, 2024January 18, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that it will be designating nutrition scholars in nine barangays which is the result of an ordinance signed into law, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government will designate barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) in each of the nine barangays to strengthen its health program.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon signed Ordinance No. 2023-140, passed by the Muntinlupa City Council, “strengthening the barangay nutrition program by designating at least one (1) barangay nutrition scholar (BNS) per barangay appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes.”

The ordinance is based on Presidential Decree No. 1569, which provides the designation of a BNS in every barangay.

According to the ordinance, “the BNS Program is one of the Philippine Plan Of Action for Nutrition’s human resource development strategies.”

“In order to further strengthen the BNS Program In the City, it is appropriate and timely to promulgate a comprehensive local policy through legislation beneficial to Barangay Nutrition Scholars in order to motivate them to sustain and, if necessary, improve their valuable performances and services in implementing the Muntinlupa City Nutrition Action Plan.”

A barangay nutrition scholar is “a barangay based volunteer worker responsible for delivering nutrition services and other related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay.”

The qualifications of a BNS are: “Bona fide resident of the barangay for at least four (4) years; b. Possess leadership potential and the initiative and willingness to serve the barangay for at least one (1) year; willingness to learn, and to teach what he/she has learned to the people of the barangay; at least high school graduate; physically and mentally fit; at least eighteen (18) but not more than 65 years old; and willing to report to the health center for the agreed number of hours.”

The appointment of a BNS will be co-terminus with the barangay chairman unless there is a reappointment with the concurrence of the Sangguniang Barangay.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you consider this latest development necessary with regards to community and health matters? Do you think nutrition scholars will make an impact on your local community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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VAT exemption in sale of residential properties hiked to P3.6 million

January 20, 2024January 17, 2024carlocarrasco

Those of you who own residential properties should be aware that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) formally announced that it has hiked the value-added tax (VAT) exemption in the sale of residential properties to P3.6 million (over P400,000 higher than previous), according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has increased the threshold for value-added tax (VAT) exemption for the sale of house and lot as well as other residential dwellings from nearly PHP3.2 million to PHP3.6 million.

This, as BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has issued Revenue Regulations 1-2024, compliant with Section 109 (P) of the National Internal Revenue Code.

The adjustment reflected the commitment to align the threshold with present values every three years using the consumer price index as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

“This timely increase in VAT exemption shows our commitment to Excellent Taxpayer Service. This increase in the selling price threshold, for VAT exemption purposes, of the sale of house and lot, and other residential dwelling from PHP3,199,200 to PHP3,600,000 gives testament to the BIR’s improved and updated services,” Lumagui said.

The BIR said its focus on Excellent Taxpayer Service aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent signing of the Ease of Paying Taxes Act.

The enactment of the legislation pushes for a modernized tax system, aiming to assist taxpayers in fulfilling their obligations, Lumagui said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a property owner, does the BIR’s act affect you? Do you think the raised VAT exemption will make a strong impact on many residential properties?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Better than Streaming: Las Piñas City senior citizens can now avail of free movies every Monday and Tuesday

January 20, 2024January 17, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the City of Las Piñas, the City Government announced that local senior citizens can avail of free movies every Monday and Tuesday under a program that was halted during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The said program has been revived.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Las Piñas city government announced that senior citizens in the city can now avail of free movies every Monday and Tuesday under the “Libreng Sine kay Lolo at Lola” program.

Aguilar said the city government stopped offering free ticket passes to senior citizens during the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that their health would not be at risk.

According to Las Piñas Mayor Imelda Aguilar, the resumption of free movies for senior citizens is under City Ordinance 1427-17 and the Senior Citizens Act of 1995.

She said the senior citizens can avail of the free movies at three participating cinemas: SM Southmall, Robinsons Place, and Vista Mall.

The mayor encourages all senior citizens to visit the Senior Citizens Affairs Office to avail of the free movie pass.

Aguilar reminded the senior citizens that they must present their senior citizen identification card and certificate of residency.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are there many senior citizens in your local community who want to avail of the free movie pass?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia and the Pacific expect Philippine economy will grow by 6% this year

January 19, 2024January 13, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently, First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) expressed expectation that the economy of the Philippines will achieve 6% growth for the year 2024, according to a BusinessWorld news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news article. Some parts in boldface…

THE PHILIPPINES’ gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow faster this year as easing inflation will help boost “revenge spending,” analysts said.

First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said they expect GDP growth at 6% this year, still below the government’s 6.5-7.6% target.

“I think they will not be able to make the 6.5% unless foreign investments come in. And so far, if we look at 2023, foreign investments were actually down significantly… but we have to see how things pan out in the coming months,” Victor A. Abola, an economist at UA&P, said at a briefing in Makati City on Thursday.

FMIC and UA&P projected full-year GDP to average 5.5% in 2023, still below the government’s 6-7%. The economy grew by 5.5% in the nine-month period.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is set to release full-year 2023 GDP data on Jan. 31.

“Growth will accelerate from 5.5% (in 2023) to 6% (in 2024), driven by the services sector, particularly, transport, accommodations, and food services, which are experiencing revenge spending,” Mr. Abola said.

Filipino consumers are expected to continue to splurge this year, which will help drive growth.

“We’re just seeing the beginning of (revenge spending) because high inflation has sort of toned down that expansion. So, I think that we’ll see faster GDP growth in 2024,” Mr. Abola said.

Improved employment will also boost the economy this year, Mr. Abola said, citing the record low jobless rate seen in November.

The country’s unemployment rate fell to 3.6% in November from 4.2% in the previous month and a year ago, marking an 18-year low. In November, the number of employed people also rose to 49.64 million from 47.8 million in October and 49.7 million in November 2022.

FMIC Executive Vice-President Daniel D. Camacho said the BSP will likely keep rates steady for the first half.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think internal and external economic factors will somehow become favorable for the Philippines and allow better economic growth along the way? Do you think there is too much attention paid on so-called revenge spending?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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World Bank sees Philippine economy growing at 5.8% this year

January 18, 2024January 11, 2024carlocarrasco

While local economic managers predict the Philippine economy growing between 6.5% to 7.5% this year, the World Bank (WB) itself forecasts a 5.8% growth for 2024, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…

THE WORLD BANK (WB) expects the Philippines to be among the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia this year.

In its latest Global Economic Prospects, the multilateral lender projected Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to expand by 5.8% in 2024, same as its forecast in December.

The Philippine growth projection is the fastest among Southeast Asian economies, tied with Cambodia (5.8%), and ahead of Vietnam (5.5%), Indonesia (4.9%), Malaysia (4.3%), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (4.1%), Timor-Leste (3.5%), Thailand (3.2%) and Myanmar (2%).

However, this is below the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s (DBCC) 6.5-7.5% growth target for 2024.

The World Bank’s growth forecast for the Philippines is also higher than its 4.5% projection for East Asia and the Pacific.

The multilateral lender sees slower growth in the region due to the “anticipated deceleration in economic activity in China.”

Other risks to the growth outlook include geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that could lead to higher oil prices, dampened global trade, tightening financial conditions and climate-related disasters, it said.

“Extreme weather events, the frequency of which has increased in recent decades as a result of climate change, also pose a downside risk to the regional outlook,” it added.

In the Philippines, the government is preparing for the potential impact of the El Niño weather event this year.

The latest bulletin from the state weather bureau showed that El Niño will likely persist from March to May, when dry season crops are often harvested.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan earlier said El Niño would likely affect the agriculture sector and drive food prices higher, which could threaten the inflation downtrend.

On the other hand, the multilateral lender said resilient domestic demand could spur growth drivers in the East Asia and Pacific region.

“Modest inflation, and in many cases robust labor markets supported by buoyant service activity, are anticipated to sustain household spending,” it said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines will grow better this year than the WB’s prediction of 5.8%?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Withholding tax on online sellers could address revenue leakages

January 18, 2024January 12, 2024carlocarrasco

With the 1% withholding tax on online sellers already in effect, there is potential that the said tax could address revenue leakages, according to a BusinessWorld news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news article. Some parts in boldface…

THE GOVERNMENT should ensure that it will be able to properly implement and monitor the collection of withholding tax on online sellers.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) recently issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 16, which imposes a withholding tax on the gross remittances made by electronic marketplace operators and digital financial service providers to merchants.

Analysts said that the implementation of the withholding tax on online sellers will allow the BIR to better track transactions in the digital economy.

“The implementation of a 1% withholding tax on online sellers is intended to expand the tax base by addressing potential revenue leakages in the growing online retail industry,” China Banking Corp. Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said in a Viber message.

“Ideally, the withholding tax system should streamline the tax payment process for online sellers and should have no substantial impact on prices under the assumption that retailers are paying correct taxes,” she added.

Eleanor L. Roque, tax principal of P&A Grant Thornton, said that the measure provides the BIR an additional mechanism to “ensure that taxes are paid by the business owners since their income will also be reported by their withholding agents.”

Ms. Velasquez noted that the imposition of the withholding tax may also mitigate some instances of noncompliance by online sellers.

“This measure is expected to increase government revenues and promote transparency among companies engaged in online retail trade,” she added.

Ms. Roque said that the tax will be an “additional administrative burden” on electronic marketplaces.

“These entities will have to put controls in place to identify remittances to online sellers that are subject to withholding taxes,” she said in a Viber message.

Under BIR regulation, a withholding tax of 1% will be imposed on one-half of the gross remittances by e-marketplace operators and digital financial service providers to the sellers or merchants for the goods and services paid or sold through their platforms or facilities.

However, the tax is not imposed if the annual total gross remittances to an online seller for the past taxable year has not exceeded P500,000; if the cumulative gross remittances to an online seller in a taxable year has not yet exceeded P500,000 or if the seller is duly exempt from or subject to a lower income tax rate pursuant to any existing law or treaty.

The regulation covers marketplaces for online shopping, food delivery platforms, platforms to book lodging accommodations, and other similar online service or product marketplaces.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the withholding tax on online sellers will solve government revenue leakages?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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