NEWS BITS

Baguio City to hold mass consultation on tax increase 

BAGUIO CITY – A mass consultation on the proposed tax increase will be held in the city soon to explain to and get the sentiment of the various sectors on the proposed adjustments in the business and real property taxes.

The city council last week decided to do away with the pocket public hearings currently being conducted by the city council committee on ways and means cluster B headed by Vice Mayor Edison Bilog and instead conduct a single but all-encompassing public hearing to save time and resources.

Bilog said the hearings were mostly on personal invitation to him but some councilors and city treasurer Alicia Onoza and city assessor Nilda Navarro were able to join him as resource persons. 

He said they have so far covered 20 barangays and a number of associations and plan to continue with the consultation by sector until the first part of 2015. 

But the aldermen led by Councilors Richard Carino, Elaine Sembrano and Betty Lourdes Tabanda and including cluster B committee members Councilors Peter Fianza and Faustino Olowan opted for a common hearing to also ensure that complete facts will be presented to avoid confusion and misconceptions especially since the updated schedule of fair market values of real properties cannot be presented yet as it is still being reviewed by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).

They tasked Bilog’s committee to set the date for the mass hearing.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed hopes for a speedy consultation to according to him “strike an agreement on what is reasonable to both the city and the taxpayers.”

The city, he said, is now obliged to implement the increase after years of stalling to make the antiquated rates attuned with the times and with the requirements of the law.

The city is eyeing a 10 percent increase in business taxes under Tax Ordinance No. 2000-01 including city market rental and fees and garbage charges which were last adjusted in 2001 or 13 years ago.

The mayor said the rates are now outdated and must be revised to keep up with the  prevailing charges now being levied by nearby cities like Urdaneta and Dagupan in Pangasinan and San Fernando City in La Union which impose business taxes higher by as much as 500 percent than the city.

For instance the city charges P15 for certifications and clearances while other areas collect as much as P100.  For stall rentals at the fish section, the city charges P20 a month but other cities collect P78 a day. 

The city also needs to update its schedule of fair market values of real properties which remained unchanged since 1996 making the city non-compliant with the New Local Government Code or the Republic Act No. 7160 provision mandating local government units to undertake a general revision of real property tax valuation every three years. 

It was assured that a minimal assessment level will be recommended to temper the expected huge increase in the market value as a result of the city’s passing up on several revision terms since 1996.

At present, the city’s assessment levels are pegged at 12 percent for residential and 35 percent for commercial properties. – Aileen Refuerzo

2 waitresses nabbed for drugs

TUGUEGARAO CITY – Two waitresses from Sta. Cruz, Manila were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and city police in a sting here Oct. 24.

Myrna Olivares, 25, and Cherry Anne Daquel, 23, were nabbed after they reportedly sold five grams of shabu valued at P30,000 to an undercover agent, said city police chief Supt. Jessie Tamayo.

Police said the suspects have reportedly been under surveillance weeks before their arrest. – RaymundCatindig    

Baguio biz establishments  violating anti-smoking law

BAGUIO CITY – The city government intensified the anti-smoking campaign with surprise inspection of business establishments to ensure that they are complying with the provisions of Republic Act 9211 or the "Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003" and City Ordinance No. 8 series of 2008.

Combined elements from the Alay sa Kalinisan Inc. last week found more than 20 establishments along Session Road and General Luna Road violating anti-smoking laws by allowing smokers and minors to smoke within their premises.

The team was headed by city health office under officer-in-charge Dr. Rowena Galpo and city epidemiology and surveillance unit head Dr. DonnabelTubera and the city mayor’s office public order and safety division under Policarpio Cambod.

The establishments were warned with anti-smoking signs posted inside the premises.  They will be monitored regularly and succeeding violations will mean hefty fines and charges in court.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan who heads the ASKI said the campaign will be a continuing program to ensure that establishments will observe the anti-smoking regulations.

The city police under Sr. Supt. Rolando Miranda regularly report the number of apprehension of violators of the smoking ordinance to the ASKI.

Tubera pushed for inspection of establishments to boost the campaign.

The city government intends to strengthen its anti-smoking law by amending Ordinance No. 8 series of 2008 or the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Baguio City and its Implementing Rules and Regulations to clarify the definition of public places where smoking is supposed to be banned.  They also plan to impose stiffer penalties for violators.

The proposed amendment is pending before the city council. – Aileen P. Refuerzo  

Halloween costume contest held at SM

BAGUIO CITY – Prizes were given to children in the Halloween costume contest here Oct. 31 wherein those with the scariest costumes got won.

To enter the contest, participants presented a minimum single receipt purchase of P1000 or accumulated receipts from any tenant of the mall.

The costume party started  2p.m. at the Event Center and culminated with the announcement of winners. Some participantswon  P3,000 worth of SM gift certificates.– Karren N. Padilla

Mayor clarifies city hiring, selection process

BAGUIO CITY  -  During his weekly conference last Wednesday, Mayor Mauricio Domogan clarified  the recruitment and selection process of the city government of Baguio.

All vacant positions in the city are open to all qualified applicants who meet the minimum qualification standards.  Covering the qualification standard includes education, eligibility, experience and training, stressed the mayor.

Domogan emphasized that all documents attached to the application letters submitted will be evaluated by the personnel of the City Human Resource Management Office. During the selection process, the Personnel Section Board will convene to review the merits of each applicant based on the comparative evaluation form.

“However, there are instances where the points/merits of every applicant for a certain vacant position being applied for is more or less equal, seniority is being given consideration,” said the mayor.

While it is true that the appointing authority has the widest latitude in selecting/appointing an individual for a certain position, I am basing my selection on the applicant’s merits in order to fair to all applicants, he added.

Mayor Domogan expressed his predicament in filing up vacant positions pointing out that for just one vacant position, there are numerous applicants.

“Sa isang bakanteng posisyon,  may 72 na aplikante. Isa lang ang matutuwa at 71 ang malulungkot kaya mahirap ang ganitong trabahong appointing authority,” said mayor.

The CHRMO recently conducted an orientation to new applicants at the Baguio City Hall multi-purpose hall.  Said orientation aims to educate applicants on the recruitment and selection process of the city government here   -- JhoArranz

Groups cited for Baguio jail reform programs

BAGUIO CITY – Government officials, law enforcers, lawyers, prison officials, inmates, religious groups and stakeholders converged at the City Jail Quadrangle to celebrate National Correctional Consciousness Week here.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Jail Warden Elvis Danglose and Wardress Mary Anne Tresmanio thanked groups conducting reform programs for residents in jail.
They are the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, Asia Pacific theological Seminary, Free Believers in Christ, Lifes Great Possibilities, Baguio Christ Centered Church, VIPS, Jesus Reigns Ministries, Gospel of Christ, St. Benedictine Oblates, Philippine Source of Light, University of Baguio, Youth Forward Initiative, Couples for Christ, St. Vincent Parish, Islamic Center, Grace Baptist Church, Blood of the Lamb, Episcopal Church of Metro Baguio and other associations and persons who give service to people deprived of liberty.

The simple program organized by the inmates with the help of BJMP personnel also showcased talents and crafts which abound inside the city’s jail facility.
The celebration is mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 551 of then President Fidel Ramos declaring the last week of October as Nacoco Week or Oct. 21 to 27. – Paul Rillorta

DOLE provides livelihood assistance to 2 Abra towns

BANGUED, Abra -- Two more municipalities in Abra were given livelihood projects by the Department of Labor and Employment bringing to 16  towns assisted  by the  office in the province.

DOLE provincial director Apollo Luspian said two new recipients of livelihood  projects are  Lagangilang and Bucloc. 

The other 14 municipalities that have already availed   are Bangued, San Juan, Pidigan, Langiden, Lacub, La Paz, Bucay, Pilar, Bucloc, Sallapadan, Licuan-Baay, Dolores, Manabo and San Isidro. .

Town folks only need to be organized to be able to avail of the livelihood program, Luspian said.

In related development, DOLE is offering emergency employment program for people affected by   recent Typhoon Mario which hit heavily the province.

Luspian asked mayors to submit damage assessment report for them to qualify for the emergency employment program.

He said the report will be submitted to the DOLE regional office for final evaluation and approval.  DOLE pays services of those who will work under the emergency employment program. -- Maria Teresa Benas and Josa Mai Ramirez

Kalinga enrolls 88 families in Philhealth program

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The provincial government approved membership of 88 families and their dependents under Philhealth’s Point of Care Program.

Rommel Aranca, Philhealth field office head, here said the 88 families classified as indigents were qualified under the sponsorship program of local government units if hospitalized at the provincial hospital and other government health facilities in the province.

 “From August 5 to date, Gov. Jocel Baac approved the membership of 88 indigent families under Philhealth’s point of care program,” Aranca said adding that they will expand implementation of the program in municipalities.  

Philhealth Circular 32, s-2013 which took effect November 29, 2013 formalized “point-of-care enrolment program” which targets non-members belonging to Class C-3 or D confined in government hospitals.

The program also benefits existing members not currently eligible to financial protection due to lack of qualifying contributions and also classified as Class C3 or D.

Qualified patients and their qualified dependents are provided PhilHealth coverage under the sponsored program. Their premium contributions shall be borne by the government facility, provided that they are certified poor by the medical social worker at the time of admission. -- Peter Balocnit

DSWD reaches out to 539 individuals in crisis

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development has disbursed P1,920,215.00 to 539 beneficiaries as of Oct. 13.

Jerry Batawang of the Social Welfare and Development team office here said staff of this office personally delivered the AICS financial assistance to municipal beneficiaries.

Based on SWAD data of SWAD, P1,419,315.00 of the total amount disbursed was given to 416 students in the province as educational assistance.

Batawang said educational assistance is open to high school students. Assistance is given priority to graduating students of public high schools  which they use for their school needs and allowance.

Students of the private high school who are in need of financial assistance can also avail of educational assistance which they can use to pay their tuition, other school needs and school allowance.

Aside from educational assistance, P458,900.00 was also disbursed to 111 beneficiaries as medical assistance; P34,000.00 to 10 beneficiaries as burial assistance and P8,000.00 to two beneficiaries as medical and transportation assistance.

Batawang said there are still many clients who have submitted their application for financial assistance under AICS but their office will have to liquidate first the amount disbursed before the DSWD releases the money for these applicants. --  JulietSaley

Ifugao undertakes peace advocacy campaign

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The provincial government through Gov. Denis Habawel, recently started a one-year peace campaign and advocacy.

An inter-agency committee has been formed to implement the peace advocacy program chaired by Provincial Administrator Evelyn Dunuan representing the provincial government with the Schools Division superintendent, president of the Ifugao State University, provincial director of the Philippine National Police and the Department of Interior and Local Government and president of Ifugao Sons and Daughters Association, Inc. of World War II veterans as members.

The program aims to inform, educate and raise awareness provincial constituents  values of peace, public order and citizen responsibility for peace and development.

It shall also develop modules on peace education for use in the schools and communities and initiate other appropriate programs advocating peace in preparation for the 2015 Victory Day celebration in the municipality of Kiangan that commemorates the end of World War II with surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita on Sept. 2, 1945.  -- Daniel Codamon

Tuba officials set “Ava” festival every December

TUBA, Benguet -- The  festival of this town every December  will now be called after one of its major agricultural products, the “ava” (taro).

Municipal ordinance 235 series of 2014 established “Ava Festival” every December 2 and 3.

The festival will have several   components that include  agro-industrial fair, parade and street dancing, food processing competition using ava as raw material, symposium on ava production and other activities.

Ava or gabi   plays a significant role in life and culture of the people of the  Tuba  and the whole province. 

It is served as staple food from simple occasions to festivities. Since time immemorial, ava was used by the people of Tuba in community gatherings, family celebrations and in observance of cultural practices and rites like cañao. It is cited in the province’s history and used in lyrics of chants.

The establishment of a festival is a strategy to trigger economic activities and enhance cultural preservation as provided in the ordinance. -- Susan Aro

Mining firm’s help sought in improvement of Aran Cave

TUBA, Benguet -- The Aran Cave here is now tagged as one of best spots for spelunking but it needs improvement for  better appreciation and safety of visitors.

With this, local officials sought assistance of  Philex Mining Corp. which operates in the area, to  include  development of Aran Cave as  a tourist destination in  its social development and management plan was provided in  council resolution 123 series 2014.

The cave is situated in Tucang , Twin Peaks barangay. Its opening is found along the riverbank of Bued River. It is believed to be the former house of the giant “Aran” whose family was taken hostage and brought out from the cave during the construction of Kennon Road. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the region,   in coordination with the Tuba municipal government , provincial government , Barangays Camp 3 and Twin Peaks, Department of Tourism-Cordillera landowners, indigenous peoples and other stakeholders  have crafted a management plan for Aran Cave.

The town of Tuba allotted P400,000 for construction of reinforced concrete walk at the cave while DENR-Cordillera also shared P127,000 but such amounts are not sufficient for the cave’s development as stated in the measure.

The resolution was forwarded to Philex Mining Corporation senior vice president and resident manager for Padcal Mine Manuel Agcaoili for action. -- Susan Aro 

  

Balbalan connects hinterland B’gays thru radio transceivers

BALBALAN, Kalinga -- To make communication easier between local government units in this town, the municipal government provided radio base FM transceivers powered by a repeater to its 14 barangays.

Mayor Kenneth Dale Mangaoang said the muncipal government allocated more than P1 million from its 20 percent development fund to connect the barangays with  the 2-way radio transceivers.

“Though we have now the power of the internet and mobile cell phone networks with the presence of two cell sites, still hinterland barangays are not reached through cyberspace communication because of the unfavorable terrain,” he said.

Traditionally, government workers have to reach barangays through hiking for several hours to coordinate and implement LGU programs and projects. Messages or information are also done  through couriers and errand boys.

With the installation of radio transceivers last September, exchange of information, coordination and  implementation of government programs and  projects is easier and cost-effective, Mangaoang said.

This project was supported by the Sangguniang Bayan and barangay chairmen seeing need to establish 24-hour contacts with the villages, he added.  -- Peter Balocnit

DTI warns against “no return, no exchange” business signs

By Carlito Dar – Jemi Calinog

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry warned business owners hereposting of “No return, no exchange policy” signs in their establishments is prohibited by law.

Lawyer Samuel Gallardo, DTI consumer welfare and business regulation division head, in a media forum in observance of Consumer Welfare Month, said posting of such signage gives consumers the impression that even if the product they bought is defective, they will not be given refund, change of product or other remedies.

As long as it is within the warranty period, the consumer who bought a product with inherent defect can go to the establishment to ask for relief or remedy, he said.

“Under Article 11 of Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines, manufacturers, distributors or sellers of a product are mandated to offer services such as repair of the defect, replacement, refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for use, and payment for any reasonable damages caused to the consumer by the product”, Gallardo said.

Establishments have to make an effort to study the Consumer Act of the Philippines and other trade and industry laws and apply them. They have to learn these laws and if they have any concerns regarding the regulations provided, they can always come to DTI, he added.

DTI also urged consumers to go to the agency for inquiry  or to  file complaint if there is no consumer welfare desk in the establishment where they purchased a defective product.

Gallardo advised the public to be wise in choosing products to buy.

“Choose wisely, research on the product that you want to buy and establish a budget for yourself.  Aside from that, rather than being conscious about the brand, look more into the quality and affordability of the product,”he said.– Carlito Dar and JemiCalinog

1,604 Ifugaos apply for alternative learning systems

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- More than a thousand examinees in the province had applied for Department of Education – Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems (BALS) Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) examination set Dec. 7.

Applicants include out of school youths (OSY), adult elementary and secondary education undergraduates in the province  who wish to earn a diploma.

The BALS-Ifugao reported that of the 1,604 examinees, 68 registered in the Elementary ALS A&E exam, while 1,536 for secondary with 608 female and 1,001 male.

Testing centers are Lagawe Central School, Alfonso Lista Central school and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology  inKiangan town.

The ALS A&E examination is given for free to qualified examinees and those who will pass the exam will be qualified to enter secondary school (for elementary passers) and to enroll into technical/vocational or a college course. This is a program of the Department of Education. -- Marcelo Lihgawon

Ifugao mayor reorganizes bids and awards committee

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The municipal mayor here issued an executive order  last week reorganizing the municipal bids and awards committee for procurement of services, civil works and goods to further strengthen its functionality.

Mayor Ceasario Cabbigat said the reorganization seeks to comply with provisions of the government procurement reform act and its implementing rules and regulations.

Cabbigat said the new MBAC is composed of the municipal agriculturist, treasurer, budget officer, licensing specialist and representatives from the engineering, general service office, supply officer and planning and development office

 “The MBAC will be tasked to oversee the bids and awards for the infrastructure projects as well as the procurement of goods and consulting services as provided by RA 9184,” he said.

The MBAC shall also advertise/post the invitation to bid; conduct pre-procurement and pre-bid conferences; determine the eligibility of prospect bidders and conduct the evaluation of bids and ensure that the municipal government abides with the standard set forth in the implementing rules and regulations  of RA 9184.

The MBAC secretariat and technical working group were also reorganized  to provide administrative and technical support to the committee. -- MBL

DOLE intensifies registration of skilled unemployed workers

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here intensified its campaign to register skilled but unemployed workers.

It recently oriented barangay chairmen on the  National Skills Registry System (NSRS)  to get their support on the program.

Vincent Galora, DOLE coordinator for NSRS,  said 60 barangay  chairmen participants and their assigned focal persons attended orientation  that  included  a planning workshop and an assessment on the status of NSRS registrants.

The NSRS is designed to reduce job-skills mismatches and facilitate employment by providing information about the available supply of laborers.

This web-based system is a roster of active labor supply that shows information on the qualification and skills set of registrants which were either formally acquired in school or gained through experiences. 

He said an initial data base of more than 10,000 registrants from the barangays provincewide was already established and synchronized in the Philjobnet website of DOLE for employers to browse  of their human resource needs based on the skills of registrants.

Barangay chairmen were also given the tasked  to implement the NSRS and give forms for applicants to register for submission to DOLE for encoding. “After registration, all unemployed workers with specific skills will be counted for in the NSRS data base, exposing them for employment opportunities,” Galora said.

During the planning workshop, several issues were presented on  NSRS registration process such as low  retrieval of NSRS forms; unupdated employment status of registrants; inactive barangay focal persons; incomplete data supplied by the registrant in the NSRS registration form; and low solicitation of job vacancies from private/government establishments.

The barangay chairmen committed to address such concerns.

DOH monitors Abra health  facilities

BANGUED, Abra --   A Department of Heath monitoring team found no problem with facilities of hospitals and rural health units (RHUs)  they visited  in the province  but  observed lack of health personnel which they said, affected service delivery.

The DOH central office team led by  Jinky Alberto visited Abra Provincial Hospital, district hospitals of La Paz and Bucay, and the RHUs of Bangued, Pidigan, Langiden, Tayum and Sallapadan.

Alberto said their findings will be reported to Health Secretary Enrique Ona.

During the visit, Alberto also  turned  over  completed projects in some health facilities wich included two  additional rooms in  Bucay District Hospital, one  isolation room in the La Paz District Hospital and renovation of  barangay health station  in Namarabar, Peñarrubia. -- Josa Mai Ramirez

 Mt Prov gov’t workers donate 17,100 cc blood

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- A total of 17,100 cc of different blood types were extracted from government employees in a bloodletting activity recently headed by the provincial government in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross - Mt. Province chapter and Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital.

Human Resource Management Officer Leonila Milagrose Malla-ao of the provincial government said the activity was one of activities of the province in celebration of the 114th Philippine Civil Service anniversary.

The bloodletting was led by Dr. Evangeline Politchay of Bontoc General Hospital who examined first the donors and certified that they were fit to donate. The medical technologists of the Red Cross and the LHMRH, and two nurses of the BGH extracted blood from donors.

Veronica Tactay, Red Cross Administrator Officer-In Charge, said there were patients of BGH who availed of donated blood.  She said some were brought to the Benguet Red Cross to make blood readily available to patients from Mt. Province who were confined or were transferred yo hospitals in Baguio or Benguet.

She said the Red Cross is intensifying its advocacy on blood donation since there is increase in demand of blood by patients confined at the BoGH, LHMRH including patients confined in Baguio and Benguet hospitals. -- Juliet Saley

SLU helps Benguet towns  craft laws for Mt. Pulag

BAGUIO CITY -- Saint Louis University has partnered with local government units of ofKabayan and Bokod in Benguet in crafting ordinances regarding environmental fees for protection of Mt. Pulag. SLU School of Accountancy and Business Management graduate program coordinator Gladys Navarro, in an interview, disclosed that SLUstarted environmental evaluation of Mt. Pulag since 2005.

Based on their study, most expenses of tourists going to Mt. Pulag are spent outside of Kabayan and Bokod. 

The two LGUs are just getting paid  for  the entrance fees and on the local products they are selling.

SLU presented  said study to the LGUs of Kabayan and Bokod,  with focus on need for payment of environmental services.

Mt. Pulag Park covers 11,550 hectares with parts in Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya.

In the Benguet side, it  spans Kabayan and Bokod. Mt. Pulag, the  highest peak in Luzon, is a favorite adventure destination.  

In an exploratory workshop on environmental ordinances recently at El Cielito Inn here,  the case of Mt. Pulag and current wealth sharing and common pool resources initiatives of the two LGUs were  tackled.

They made an agreement on their respective tasks relative to administrative, marketing and governance of Mt. Pulag’s eco – tourism sites within jurisdiction of the two towns.

For SLU, it  will provide researches on basis of host communities’ share on national wealth tax, government’s willingness to pay for the protection of natural resource and on how Climate Change Commission  can help in protection of Mt. Pulag.

It will also help in conducting survey, provision of data and cost-benefit analysis on transport groups, travel groups/agencies, tourism facilities, among others.

For this undertaking, Bokod Mayor Faustino Aquisan and Kabayan Mayor Mauricio Macay and their respective sangguniang bayan members  signed an agreement  with SLU officials headed by Navarro.

The agreement was also signed by Benguet Vice Gov. Nelson Dangwa and SangguniangPanlalawigan members Jim Botiwey and Robert Namoro. -- Sharika Muñoz and Jemi Calinog

Mt. Province approves P30M budget for disasters

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has approved the province’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation Annual Investment Plan for 2015.

The DRRM/CCA 2015 AIP has a total budget of P30.2 million which is five percent of the estimated total revenues of the province next year.

In the DRRM phases, preparedness gets the biggest allocation of almost P14.6 M. Programs, projects or activities in this phase include: conduct of advanced trainings on disaster preparedness, response search rescue and retrieval operations; procurement of disaster equipment for disaster response and rescue activities; stockpiling of basic emergency supplies; construction, rehabilitation or completion of evacuation centers; procurement of coaster; and conduct of IEC on DRRM, among others.

Under the prevention and mitigation phase with an allocation of P4.1 M,  it will cover the  conduct of risk assessments, vulnerability analysis and other science-based technology and methodologies; capability trainings for DRRM officers and DRRM members; implementation of climate Change adaptation and mitigation strategies; installation of signages along roads identified as hazard prone; tree planting; purchase and installation of fire hydrants; construction/rehabilitation and completion of infra projects to support DRRM/CCA, among others.

Programs and activities under rehabilitation and recovery phases have a total budget of P1.4 million while support programs have P1.07 million funding.  The remaining P9.08 million is allocated as the Quick Response Fund or standby fund which could be used during disaster or calamities.

PDRRMC chairman Gov. Leonard Mayaen said DRRM proposed programs and activities are reasonable and badly needed in the Council’s continuing efforts to builddisaster-resilient and climate change-resilient province. -- Andrew Doga-ong

Business outlook in Luzon remains positive

BAGUIO CITY -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said business in Luzon for the third quarter of this year was positive despite slowdown brought by lesser demand due to rainy season.

BSP Department of Economic Statistics deputy director Fernando Silvoza, bared this during a forum conducted by BSP under its  Economic and Financial Learning Program here recently at the Golden Pine Hotel.

Silvoza said based on their third quarter business expectations survey result, business outlook in Luzon is less upbeat but remains positive  except in Region 1.

“Business outlook in Region 1 weakened wherein the wholesale and retail trade sector went negative, while service sector stayed neutral and only the industry sector that remained positive,” Silvoza  said.

For Regions III, IV and V, Silvoza also reported a generally slower business outlook except in industry sector which remained positive.

Slowdown in business for Luzon third quarter of this year was generally due to effect of  typhoons looming energy crisis and increase in price of petroleum products and some basic commodities.

According to Silvoza, they expect the business sector to rebound this fourth quarter in time for the yuletide season. -- Carlito Dar