According to Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center deputy executive director Jeffrey Manalo, the negotiation between the government and Prime Asset Ventures Inc. (PAVI) was “successful.”

PAVI is the holding company of the group of business magnate Manuel Villar.

“So the next step is they will have to submit it to the appropriate approving body,” said Manalo.

The P21-billion project needs to be submitted to NEDA ICC first before it could be endorsed and recommended for final NEDA Board approval.

“The project cost is above P15 billion, so it will have to be submitted to ICC before it can be endorsed and recommended for final NEDA approval. Then after that, a minimum 90-day comparative challenge (to one year),” Manalo explained.

Under a comparative challenge, the original proponent has the right to match offers submitted by other firms.

“The final timeline will be determined as part of the approved parameters, terms and conditions of the project,” Manalo said.

PAVI secured the original proponent status for the upgrade, as well as operations and maintenance of the Iloilo International Airport.

The project aims to “improve the management and operational capability of the Iloilo International Airport through an operate-add-transfer agreement.”IMT

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He made the appeal during the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship’s hearing on Dec. 17, addressing the rise of scams, fake products, and unfair trade practices.

As chair of the committee reviewing proposed amendments to the Consumer Act of the Philippines and Price Act, Cayetano emphasized the need for more effective measures to restore consumer confidence.

“More than 30 years na rin pala [since the Consumer Act and Price Act were enacted into law]. [Outdated na kasi] noong 1992, halos wala pa ring e-commerce noon,” the lawmaker from Taguig said.

Discussing the prevalence of counterfeit goods and scams, Cayetano outlined steps the DTI and DA could take to combat modern deceptive practices.

He suggested involving the media in enforcement raids to set an example for violators and show that no one is exempt from the law, as well as amending the law to impose appropriate penalties and ensure swift convictions.

“The science behind criminology is the certainty of being caught; that’s key. So for example, kapag may death penalty tayo pero wala namang nahuhuli, kumpara sa isang linggong kulong pero nahuhuli lahat, mas takot ang tao sa isang linggong kulong,” according to him.

Under the current Consumer Act, penalties for deceptive or unfair sales practices range from P5,000 to P10,000 in fines and/or five months to one year in prison.

Cayetano also called for better coordination between agencies to prevent the spread of unscrupulous activities.

“Sa Singapore at Hong Kong, kapag complain mo, hindi ka lang agad pupuntahan ng pulis, isa-stop din agad ang payment. It’s done in a few hours,” he said.

“They also got the banks, police, and telcos in one room, at sila na nag-uusap kung ano pwede o hindi. I don’t know ano ang version natin, but I do know na napakagagaling ng barangay officials, LGUs, and police natin when they coordinate as one.”IMT

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“We discourage consumers [from buying] meat from roadside vendors o ‘yong mga nagbebenta sa mga daan,” said Ma. Hasmin Insigne-Cañete, NMIS-6 Supervising Meat Control officer.

She told consumers to always look for the Meat Inspection Certificate when buying meat.

“Kasi ito (certificate) po ang nagpapatunay na dumaan ng slaughterhouse ang mga binibili nating karne,” said Cañete.

“Dapat designated sila (slaughterhouses) ng LGUs (local government units) at may source of potable water,” she stressed.

Cañete encouraged LGUs to have accredited slaughterhouses.

“We really need to collaborate with each other to ensure nga safe ang meat naton from production to market,” she said.IMT

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In a press conference, PSA-6 Officer-in-Charge Nelida Amolar said the deceleration was mainly due to the slower annual growth in the index of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 3.3 percent from the 5.8 percent of the preceding month.

The downtrend in the inflation rate of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which was 3.3 percent from 4.3 percent in October, also contributed to the lower inflation.

Notably, all provinces and highly urbanized cities registered lower inflation rates, with Aklan posting the lowest among the provinces at 1.3 percent from 3.1 percent in October and Bacolod City at 2.7 percent from 3.2 percent for urbanized cities.

Amolar, however, urged consumers to avoid “revenge spending” since the data showed increased inflation for commodities, including furnishing, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (3.4 percent); alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.1 percent); clothing and footwear (4.4 percent); transport (-0.1 percent); and restaurants and accommodation services (6 percent).

She said that it is expected that prices of food, especially ham, pasta and fruits, will increase in December because they are symbolic of Christmas.

“The issue is more of a demand. So, the balancing of the supply and demand dictates the prices, the inflation. When it comes to spending habits, let us not go on revenge spending,” she said. Perla Lena/PNA

The post WV inflation slows down to 3.2% in November first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

From December 16, Treñas extended the deadline for the removal of crisscrossing overhead cables or the so-called “spaghetti wires,” as requested by PLDT, Cable Star, and Globe.

“This extension is granted as a reasonable accommodation, but let me be very clear: this is the final extension,” Treñas said.

The mayor warned that he will “take decisive action” against those companies that have not submitted a request or shown any intention to comply.

“I am instructing the City Engineer’s Office to dismantle their wires and poles. Non-compliance will not be tolerated. This city will not be held hostage by delays or neglect,” he said.

“Let this serve as a firm reminder that the City Government is serious about this project. Failure to comply will result in immediate action from my office,” Treñas stressed.

The removal of unsightly overhead wires and poles is part of the city government’s P96.4-million underground cabling project aimed at enhancing the aesthetics and preserving the heritage of Calle Real.

“Calle Real is a symbol of Iloilo’s rich history and progress. We owe it to our people to see this project through,” Treñas said.

“I am calling on all concerned companies to fulfill their obligations promptly. We expect full cooperation to meet our shared goals for a better and more beautiful Iloilo City,” he added.IMT

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Expanding its reach to capture a wider range of perspectives and narratives, GMEA@11 now includes Luzon’s provincial media, alongside entries from Visayas and Mindanao, reflecting the breadth and diversity of stories from across the country.

“Storytelling is a powerful tool that connects people, fosters understanding, and inspires action within communities. Through these awards, we honor individuals who demonstrate courage and innovation in shaping a more inclusive and progressive society,” said Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer at Globe.

This year’s GMEA celebrates outstanding achievements across three divisions: Integrated Media, Digital Storytelling, and Special Awards.  Guided by the theme “#IgnitingProgress,” the finalists were selected for their creativity, impact, and innovative application of digital media technologies.

Integrated News Category 

Online News Report of the Year 

●       Marianne Abalayan, SunStar Davao – “From ‘Frankenspikes’ to Golden Dreams”

●       Nef Luczon, Philippine News Agency – “Combating online sex abuse in Iligan City: A blueprint for LGUs/ CDO community, cyber police step up fight vs. OSAEC”

●       Ralph Lawrence Llemit, SunStar Davao – “TFD Soldier’s Viral Act of Kindness”

●       Joshua Glenn Solano and John Paul Ryan Seblos, SunStar Cebu – “Paglaum: The Mental Struggles and Strength of Mental Health Workers in a Cebu psychiatric ward”

●       Nanette Guadalquiver, Philippine News Agency – “Cadiz City Cites Marine Protection Efforts in Giant Clam Village”

●       Wenilyn Sabalo, SunStar Cebu – “Leyte Students Invent Disaster Solutions”

●       Erwin Mascariñas, Business Mirror – “To Live, PHL Eagles Move to New Space”

●       Morexette Erram, CDN Digital – “(Part 1) Extreme Heat as a ‘New Pandemic’: Thousands in PH Cancel Classes During ‘Hottest Year’”

●       Immae Lachica and Morexette Erram, CDN Digital – “‘Water, Water Nowhere’: Cebu City Farmers Reel from Worst El Niño Yet”

Radio Report of the Year 

●       Magie E. Maleriado, DYRI RMN Iloilo – “Si Albert Nga Sadto Kuyapon, Doktor Na Subong: Tawo nga may kuyap, mahimo mangabuhi sang normal suno sa doktor”

●       Joel Franco, DYRI RMN Iloilo – “Tree Surgery Sang City Enro: Madinalag-on nga naluwas ang kinabuhi sang kahoy sa Plaza Libertad”

●       Annaliza Reyes, DXCC RMN CDO – “Ride for a Cause for Cancer Patients”

●       Rowena D. Capistrano, DyRF 1215 Cebu – “Pamilya Sa Weightlifter Nga Sugboanon: Bisan taliwala sa ilang kapildihan mapasigarbohon gihapon sila”

●       Eljohn Castanoi, K5 News FM Bacolod 103.9 – “Malayang Paglalayag Sa West Philippine Sea”

●       Mira Nicole Magbanua, RMN DYHB Bacolod 747 kHz – “Army Ginapangita ang Amay Nga Negrense (Part 1 of 2)”

●       Primerose Catherine Tejida, RMN DYHB Bacolod 747 kHz – “Kalamidad Nangin Oportunidad: Ang bentaha sang tig-ilinit kag ang pagbangon matapos ang paglupok sang Bulkan Kanlaon”

●       Joel Franco, DYRI RMN Iloilo – “Mabaskog nga partnership kag pagbag-o sang pagbinatasan sang tawo lyabe sang syudad sang Iloilo sa epektibo nga Solid Waste Management”

●       Benjie Tanghiyan and Atty. Ruphil Banoc, DYHP RMN Cebu – “Good Samaritan Nga Rider, gipasidunggan”

TV Report of the Year 

●       Jireh Mae C. Saludar, PTV Agusan del Sur – “Kabataan Sa Agrikultura”

●       Big Jay Lagang, PTV Davao – “Insurhensiya: Hagit sa Philippine Eagle”

●       Annie Fe Perez-Gallardo, ABS-CBN News Cebu – “Isla Sa Cebu, Unti-Unting Lumulubog”

●       Regine Lanuza, PTV Davao – “Mga apektadong abaca farmers sa Paquibato Dist., Davao City naglisod gihapon sa ilang kahimtang”

●       Arfylle Goloran, PTV Agusan del Sur – “Organic Farming”

●       Jireh Mae Saludar, PTV Agusan del Sur – “State of the Art Soils Laboratory”

Photo of the Year 

●       Ivy Marie Mangadlao, MindaNews – “Surigao Fire”

●       Amper Campaña, SunStar Cebu – “World Photography Day”

●       Amper Campaña, SunStar Cebu – “Digital Payment”

●       Erwin Mascariñas, Business Mirror – “Waterworld in the South”

●       Erwin Mascariñas, ABS-CBN News – “Flood Victims in Butuan”

●       Karl Bryan Porras, SunStar Davao – “No More Barricades”

Digital Storytelling Category 

Best Blog Post 

●       James Peter Abecilla, The Millennial Writer – “Religious and Cultural Inclusivity in the Workplace”

●       Maria Sigrid Lo, Lovingly Mama – “Revisiting the Rights of a Filipino Child in the Digital Age”

●       James Peter Abecilla, The Millennial Writer – “The Case of Pura Luka Vega: Explained and Expanded”

●       Maria Sigrid Lo, Lovingly Mama – “Fight Disinformation: Creating a Battleplan for Media Disruption in the Digital Age”

●       Mars Mosqueda Jr., Cebu Lifestyle Channel – “Cebu-Made Technology Empowers Teachers by Transforming Classroom Presentations”

●       Lenie Lañojan, Sugbo.ph / Sugbo Media Group – “The Reality of Cebu’s Coastal Pollution: Why It’s a Major Threat to Sugboanon Tourism”

Best Social Media Video  

●       Laureen Mondoñedo, Kenneth Dwight Torres, Erwin Lirazan, SunStar Cebu – “Pakigbisog”

●       Mark Roland A. Romas, Fyt Media – “#BisdakFYT: Spotlight on Cebu’s Social Issues: Pangan-an Island’s Problem on Electricity”

●       Kenneth Nacion, Sugbo.ph – “Panginabuhi Sa Carbon Market”

●       John Dale Salazar, Aksyon Radyo Bacolod – “Titanic”

●       Lourd John Diaz, Aksyon Radyo Bacolod – “Balik Skwela”

●       Francis Eric B. Magbanua,  Mindanao Development News – “MinDA – Bamboo: The Future’s Premier Construction Material”

●       Ralph Lawrence G. Llemit, SunStar Davao – “Soldier prays for ill child on oxygen”

●       Annie Fe Perez-Gallardo, ABS-CBN News – “Bakit sinisigaw ang ‘Pit Senyor!’ sa Sinulog?”

Special Awards 

KMD Impact and Innovation Award 

●       Joylyn Paraonda, RMN DYRI Iloilo – “Tawo Nga May Kuyap: May tyansa nga mangabuhi sang normal suno sa doktor”

●       Niña Mae Oliverio, Cebu Daily News Digital – “Mental Health Must Be Top Priority, Says Cebu Clinical Psychologist”

●       Paul Jaysent Fos, Romblon News Network – “Romblon Health Official Warns of Dengue Surge This Rainy Season”

Senior Digizen Advocate Award 

●       Jerra Mae Librea, SunStar Cebu – “73-year-old farmer’s pursuit of an agricultural degree”

●       Renelyn Barbarona, RMN Davao DXDC 621 – “84 anyos nga lola, nagtuon sa social media”

●       Anjo Salmorin, K5 News FM Iloilo – “Pandemic Story: Ang Tekkie Kong Lola!” 

Globe of Good Story of the Year

●       Joshua Glenn Solano, SunStar Cebu – “A blind librarian’s vision: Visually impaired Cebuanos exploring a web of worlds” 

●       Kathyrine Xerxis M. Cortez, Davao Today – “An Obo-Manuvu tribe leads protection of Davao’s watershed” 

●       Patricia Andrea Matheu, MyTV Cebu – “Beyond the Harvest: Discovering the Thriving Farm Village of Arka.Asia” 

●       Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay, Eco-Business – “Seeing mangroves regrow: Documenting the surprise resurgence of Iloilo’s coastal forests” 

Editor of the Year 

●       Vina Araneta-Pilapil, PTV Davao – News Operations Head 

●       Armando Toga, Negros Daily – Editor-in-Chief 

●       Francis Allan Angelo, Daily Guardian – Editor-in-Chief 

Newsmaker of the Year 

●       Jennifer Solis, Brigada Online – Digital Media Content Manager 

●       Novie M. Guazo, DYRI RMN Iloilo – Program Director 

●       Mildred Galarpe, SunStar Publishing Inc. – Content Director 

The 11th Globe Media Excellence Awards will announce the winners of each category in January 2025.

Visit www.glbe.co/gmea for more information.

The post 11th Globe Media Excellence Awards finalists unveiled first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Mayor Jerry Treñas signed an executive order (EO) allowing sidewalk vending from December 28 to 31, 2024.

Under EO No. 159, the installation of stalls for the display of products are allowed in the following areas or locations identified by the city government:

▪️Along Iznart Street
    – from Jollibee to Po’s Marketing
    – from Maria Clara to BPI
▪️Along J.M. Basa Street
    – from Socorro to Regent (except for International Heritage Building)
▪️Along Ledesma Street
   – from Iloilo Auto Supply to Pro-Racing
   – from Unitop to F&C
▪️Along Valeria to Delgado Streets
   – from F&C to Iloilo Supermart
▪️Delgado Street
   – from cor. Merzci to Iloilo Supermart
▪️Jaro Plaza
   – from SM SaveMore at Pious XII side to across of Montinola Mansion
▪️Molo Plaza
  – Jocsin Street (Church)
  – Katilingban (M.H. del Pilar Street) – (site of flower vendors during Undas)
▪️Mandurriao
  – across Civil Service Commission (CSC) Building

“Other than these areas, sidewalk vending is strictly prohibited and shall be subjected to the jurisdiction and authority of the Joint Task Force on Road Clearing,” the EO stated.

Vendors are required to submit Barangay Clearance, Community Tax Certificate, Special Permit Contract, anti-smoking signage from ICAST and Health Card (if they sell food) to the Special Services Division of the Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO).

According to Treñas, this “initiative provides livelihood opportunities while ensuring proper guidelines and regulations for a safe and organized environment for everyone to enjoy the festive season.”

“Let us celebrate responsibly and support our local vendors!” he said.IMT

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Through its assessor and treasurer’s offices, Iloilo City collected P2.43 billion in locally sourced revenues, surpassing the BLGF target of P2.144 billion.

The revenue came from real property taxes (RPT), business taxes, fees and charges, and economic enterprises.

“We exceeded because we embarked on intensive assessment and collection. Some delinquents updated their payment, and we also have an amnesty,” said City Assessor Cesar Z. Jalbuena Jr., on Thursday.

Key collections included P1.178 billion in RPT, P981.13 million in business taxes, P190.20 million in fees, and P86.09 million in economic enterprise income — all exceeding targets.

Mayor Jerry Treñas credited the surplus to assessing new properties and developments.

For the first time, the city government has funds for the Collective Negotiations Agreement (CNA), enabling city hall employees to receive a maximum PHP30,000 incentive, with additional allowances pending presidential approval.

The city received accolades during the BLGF Regional Awards in Boracay and presented the achievement at its Dec. 9 flag-raising ceremony.Perla Lena/PNA

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This policy results in drivers taking home only 50 to 60% of their earnings per booking, which Tulfo described as unfair.

During a Senate Committee on Public Services hearing on December 10, which he chairs, the lawmaker learned that the policy may be causing drivers to refuse bookings from passengers with special needs. He cited instances where students in a rush have resorted to using multiple accounts to book a Grab ride.

Saturnino Mopas, chairman of TNVS Community Philippines, testified that drivers have been absorbing the 20% discount for the past six months.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III condemned Grab for violating their franchise agreement, saying that the company, not its drivers, should shoulder the discount.

The LTFRB would issue a show-cause order to Grab and warned that the violation could lead to a suspension of its franchise, added Guadiz.IMT

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