To further promote the business-friendly atmosphere in this free port and boost government efforts on transparency, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) extended the validity of business registrations here from one to three years.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma recently released the first batch of Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTE) that are valid for three years and cited the agency’s streamlining of business processes to better serve the needs of business locators.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma joins representatives of Subic-registered companies that received their 3-year CRTE from the Subic agency.

“This has long been overdue. The previous board under Chairman Garcia promised this to locators, but nothing happened. So we made it a priority project for our 2018 program and we’re proud that after all the hard work, it finally materialized now,” Eisma said.

Eisma added that her administration’s drive for a more investor-friendly climate in Subic is in keeping with President Duterte’s orders for transparency and good governance.

“We want to make life easy for our investors, and the SBMA will continuously work towards improving its system,” she pointed out.

The three-year CRTE was approved by the SBMA Board of Directors on January 26 this year. Then a public hearing to gain acceptance by stakeholders was successfully held on February 28. The announcement of the approved measure was subsequently published on May 9.

Eisma’s office had also taken over the approval and release of CRTEs to further speed up the issuance of this important business document.

According to Kenneth Rementilla, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Business and Investments, business locators were previously required to renew their CRTE annually. But under the new system, businesses with lease terms of more than three years can avail of a three-year registration, or opt for an annual renewal.

Rementilla added that CRTE-holders in the Subic Bay Freeport can enjoy waived value-added tax (VAT), ad valorem and excise tax on internal revenue taxes, customs and import duties, and national revenue taxes, among others.

However, the business locators would have to pay a final tax of 5 percent of the gross income earned (GIE), as required by law. Of the 5 percent final tax, 2 percent is allocated for revenue shares to local government units, while 3 percent goes to the national treasury.

Among those who received the three-year CRTEs from the SBMA are Dongyang Food Machinery Philippines Corp.; Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning Philippines Inc.; Juken Sangyo (Phils.) Corp.; and UPower Building Corporation.-(RFD/MPD-SBMA)

source: subicnewslink.blogspot.com/

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By Genalyn Kabiling

Local fishermen have been bullied into paying fish as “toll fee” to Chinese coast guards while sailing in Panatag Shoal, a local government official said Thursday.

(AFP Photo/Ted Aljibe/MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Mayor Arsenia Lim of Masinloc, Zambales said the controversial fish-taking incident in Panatag was similar to a toll system, not a barter trade, in the middle of the ocean, as she appealed for the government’s help to protect the welfare of the fishermen.

“Parang may passway, may toll sa gitna ng karagatan. ‘Yung hinihingian sila ng isda [It’s like a passway, there’s a toll in the middle of the ocean. They are being asked for fish],” she said in an interview with reporters in Malacañang.

“Hindi (barter) po. Toll fee po. Kaya sabi ko hanggang dagat ba meron pang toll fee [That’s not barter. It’s toll fee that’s why I said even the ocean has a toll fee],” she added.

She said Masinloc fishermen, being good people who don’t want to pick fight, have agreed to give the fish to the Chinese rather risk losing access to the fishing ground.

Nonetheless, Lim has urged the government to help ensure local fishermen can fish in Panatag free from any bullying.

“Hinihiling namin kay Presidente na mapangisda sila na hindi nabu-bully at sa oras ng malakas ang hangin ay makasilong sila sa lagoon [We ask the President to ensure they can fish without being bullied and in case of strong winds, they are allowed to seek shelter in the lagoon],” she said.

“Sana makapangisda ng maayos ang aking mga kababayan at nang hindi sila nasasaktan [We hope our countrymen can freely fish and will not be harmed],” he added.

She said Masinloc fishermen shouldn’t have to ask permission from the Chinese to access Panatag since the territory belongs to the country. But she stressed that the most important matter now is the right of the fishermen to livelihood.

Lim said they don’t want to fight China over the incident but expressed hope Filipinos would be allowed without fish in the Panatag, a traditional fishing ground, without harassment. She said there around 5,000 fishermen living in Masinloc, but only a small fraction can sail to Panatag Shoal.

“Ayaw namin ng gulo. Ang importante ngayon, sa panahon ngayon, makipagkaibigan muna tayo na hindi natin sinasakripisyo ang claim natin na ‘yan ay sakop ng bayan at bansang Pilipipinas. Ang importante négaton ay mabuhay sila ng maayos.”

Three Masinloc fishermen earlier complained that Chinese coast guards have boarded their ships and forcibly took away their best catch while sailing in Panatag Shoal. They said the Chinese sometimes gave noodles, cigarettes, and water in exchange for their fish catch.

Romel Cejuela, one of the fishermen, claimed that China still controls Panatag due to the presence of coast guard fleet and absence of its Philippine counterpart.

Vowing to protect the fishermen, Malacañang has promptly called on China to discipline its coast guards and prevent them from filching fish from the locals.

China has recently assured it has no policy of harassing fishermen in Scarborough Shoal and vowed to impose disciplinary actions if allegations of misconduct by its coast guards are proven. Initial investigation indicated the exchange of goods was considered part of the barter system in the high seas.

souce: news.mb.com.ph

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Photo credit: http://wikimapia.org

MARIVELES, BATAAN – The dam serving the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB, formerly the Bataan Export Processing Zone) began discharging water on Thursday (June 14) after heavy rains raised its reservoir levels, according to the Bataan provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC).

Operators of the FAB dam opened one floodgate when the dam elevation rose to 156.85 meters above sea level (masl). The dam’s spilling level is 157 masl.

Knee-deep floods were reported along the busy Luzon Avenue, inside the Freeport. Other streets remained passable to all types of vehicles.

The Mariveles dam supplies potable water to FAB locators and commercial and business establishments.-GREG REFACCION

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

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MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – The Islamic celebration of Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr, which means “Feast of the Breaking of the Fast,” culminates the Muslim’s practice of fasting during the Islamic holy month. Fasting on Ramadan is fourth in the 5 Pillars of Islam – mandatory acts to be observed in Muslim life.

The celebration also marks the start of Shawwal, the 10th month of their lunar calendar Hijri.

To Muslims all over the world, it is a joyous occasion marked by feasts and celebrations, all in thanksgiving to God in enabling the faithful to perform their religious duties and to foster unity among Islam’s faithful. (READ: The deeper meaning of Eid al-Fitr)

Let’s take a look at some facts regarding this sacred Muslim feast.

EID MUBARAK. Muslims worldwide are expected to celebrate the end of Ramadan once the new moon that heralds the start of the first of Shawwal is sighted. Graphic by Ivy Pangilinan/Rappler

1. Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations.

The other Islamic celebration – Eid al-Adha – is celebrated on the 10th day of the last month of the Islamic calendar. It means “The Feast of the Sacrifice,” as it commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son to God. Eid al-Adha marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, the fifth Pillar of Islam.

2. It has alternative names.

Eid al-Fitr is also known as Eid al-Saghir (The Lesser Feast), while Eid al-Adha is being referred to as Eid al-Kabir (The Greater Feast).

Eid al-Fitr is also known in different names across the Muslim world. Among the Muslim communities of Southeast Asia, it is also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya means “Celebration Day.”

3. It has no fixed date in the Western/Gregorian calendar.

The Islamic Hijri calendar bases its months on lunar cycles, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar that follows the solar cycles. An Islamic month begins with the first new moon following the sunset of the last day of the previous month. As a consequence, an Islamic Calendar does not follow seasonal changes and does not coincide with Gregorian calendar months every year.

Since it’s a lunar calendar, the Hijri calendar year is 11 or 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar year, and this retrogrades yearly. For example, the Islamic New Year in 2014 is on October 24. In 2015, it will be on October 13, and in 2016, October 1.

In terms of the Gregorian calendar, this year’s celebration started on the evening of July 27, with Eid day on July 28. Taking the Hijri calendar’s retrograde into account, the next two years’ celebration would be around July 17 and 6 respectively.

4. Its date varies even within the Islamic community.

Since new moons don’t occur at the same time all over the globe, various Muslim communities tend to have their own calculations and observation techniques to determine the date of this important feast.

Some traditional Islamic communities herald the beginning of an Islamic Month not with any first new moon, but with the physical sighting of the first crescent new moon. To them, the Eid al-Fitr begins with the actual sighting of a crescent new moon following the end of Ramadan.

There are other Muslim communities that utilize calculations in determining the beginning of Islamic months. In Saudi Arabia, for example, they use the Umm al-Qura calendar, a calculation of the Hijri calendar created by the Institute of Astronomical and Geophysical Research of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

5. It begins very early in the morning in communal prayer.

In keeping with the Sunnahs (teachings & practices of the Prophet Muhammad), the faithful start the feast day by bathing, wearing their finest clothes, putting on perfume and eating something sweet before going to a large Mosque or a designated open prayer area with their families to start the day in prayer.

As per the second Pillar of Islam – Salat (prayer) – the congregation faces towards the direction of Mecca. Eid Prayers consist of two units called Rakats, with around 6 or 12 Takbirs, a ritual prayer that states that God is the greatest.

Following these prayers would be Khutbas (sermons) by the Imam. Usually, the sermons revolve around thanksgiving to God, historical background or significance of the celebration, forgiveness among neighbors, and their responsibilities to the third Pillar of Islam: Zakat (almsgiving).

Again, in keeping with the Sunnahs, the faithful ought to leave the prayer area in a route different from the one they took when going to the area.

6. Eid al-Fitr greetings follow the prayer service.

Following the communal prayer service, the congregation rejoices and greets each other with the traditional greetings of Eid Mubarak (Blessed Eid) or Eid Sa-id (Happy Eid). Greetings cards may also be exchanged between friends and family.

Depending on the locale, the greetings may not be in Arabic. In Malaysia for example, the faithful may greet each other with “Selamat Hari Raya” or “Selamat Hari Raya Aidalfitri,” meaning “Happy Celebration Day (of Eid al-fitr).”

7. There is a special Zakat for Eid Al-Fitr called Zakat al-Fitr or Fitrana

On this day, Muslims are especially reminded of their obligations to the poor. If financially capable, Muslims are to give the poor or charity groups the ritual Fitrana donations, traditionally paid for by the head of the family in behalf of its members. Donations could also be in the form of basic necessities such as food and clothing.

Also in keeping with tradition, it is preferable to give Fitrana before the communal prayer service so that the poor can participate in the festivities.

8. It is a sweet, festive day for families.

Similar to the Christian Christmas feast, Eid day is a time of merriment, feasting, celebration, and the giving of Eidi (Eid gifts) among Muslims and their families. For most Muslims, the meal on this day is special, as it is their first daytime meal after a month of fasting during Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr is also known as “the Sweet Eid” due to the many sweet foods traditionally served in the feast. For example, it is considered customary to breakfast on sweet foods before heading to the Eid Services.

9. Eid al-Fitr is also celebrated the Philippines.

Presidential Decree 1083 was signed in 1977, which recognized Eid al-Fitr as a legal holiday for Filipino Muslims. And in 2002, Republic Act 9177 was signed, which upgraded its status to a national holiday throughout the country.

Eid al-Fitr in the Philippines is also known as Hari Raya Puasa. Filipino Muslims traditionally go back to their hometowns to celebrate the feast. For Muslims based in Manila, prominent services and celebrations are held in Quiapo’s Golden Mosque and around Rizal Park.

source: rappler.com

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Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma recalled Tuesday how Olongapo City recovered after the termination of RP-US Bases Treaty in 1991 and the devastating eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1992.

Eisma shared this with the youth of Olongapo during her speech after the 120th Independence Day flag-raising ceremony at SM Mall in the city.

“We bore the brunt of the Pinatubo eruption. And with the closure of the US Naval Base, there seems to be no hope, no dreams,” she said.

Photo credit: Olongapo City FB page

“But that did not stop the Olongapeños, who had the opportunity to define who they really are. We protected and preserved Subic so that we can prosper,” she added.

Eisma noted that from previously being dependent on the US Naval Base for their living, the Olongapo residents realized that they have only themselves to take care of each other.

She stressed that the same value should guide the youth in their duty to their country.

“Nobody is going to love our country except us,” Eisma said.

“True independence is being dependent on yourself. It is seeking your future and putting it in your own hands,” she added.

source: centralluzon.politics.com.ph

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