Philippine Government

Taxing JICA-funded projects

Economy

Mar 122017

For many years now, the Government of Japan has been one of the largest providers of bilateral assistance to the Philippines. The Philippines undertakes several projects funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans or grant aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
To preserve the JICA fund strictly for the execution of appropriate projects, the Governments of Japan and the Philippines have agreed, under an Exchange of Notes, on a tax assumption scheme, whereby the Philippine Government will assume all fiscal levies and taxes due from Japanese companies operating as suppliers, contractors and/or consultants, and from Japanese employees in the Philippines, in relation to the implementation of such projects.

Palace: Annexes of Bangsamoro agreement will be signed

News

Apr 152013

Palace: Annexes of Bangsamoro agreement will be signed

Despite delays in the finalization of the remaining annexes of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement, Malacañang on Monday reiterated that it was confident they will be signed in due time. “We’re still discussing the issues so nobody has walked away from the negotiating table. We’re very confident that we will come to an agreement on those annexes,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a briefing. The remaining annexes on normalization, power sharing and wealth sharing have yet to be agreed upon by the peace panels from the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Lacierda said the government is being cautious in its review of the crucial annexes, so that the final product will be “doable.” “We want a Basic Law that is doable; that is something that everybody can live with,” Lacierda said, adding that the government is paying particular close attention to the language used in the annexes. “We’re going through the language. We’re also going through the substance of the annexes. Right now, we’re going to study carefully the remaining annexes,” he said. Additionally Lacierda said that the Aquino administration remains conscientious of the workability of the landmark peace deal it brokered with the MILF. “We don’t intend to kick the can down the road. We want an agreement that is workable, that is doable, and that everybody can live with. Hindi ‘yung parang mangangako kami ngayon, bahala na ‘yung future administration na i-perform,” he said. — BM, GMA News

PHL calls for immediate and safe release of Filipino peacekeepers

Entertainment

Mar 072013

( United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations) The Philippine Government has received confirmation from the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations that 21 Filipino peacekeepers assigned to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights have been detained by an armed group. All Filipino peacekeepers are reported to be unharmed and that negotiations are underway to secure their safe release. The Government is likewise coordinating closely with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations on the matter. The Philippine Government is calling for the immediate release of 21 Filipino peacekeepers who are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights. “The main concern of the Philippine Government at this time is to ensure the safety and well-being of our peacekeepers. We wish to reiterate that UNDOF’s freedom of movement and safety and security must be respected by all parties in the area,” Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario said.

Australia offers P126-M more in aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

News

Feb 042013

Australia offers P126-M more in aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

By Fat Reyes INQUIRER.net 3:23 pm | Monday, February 4th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – The Australian government on Monday announced that it would offer an additional P126 million in aid to the victims of typhoon “Pablo” as a response to the latest appeal made by the Philippine government and the United Nations for the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the disaster. In a statement, the Australian embassy in Manila noted that the additional funds would be used to provide emergency shelters, including improvements of existing shelter facilities in the worst-hit areas. It added that emergency cash-for-work programs would be funded for debris clearing and would provide critically needed income to workers across the affected areas. It noted that six weeks after the tragedy hit Mindanao, shelter and livelihood remained the “critical needs with over 840,000 people still displaced, including 700,000 people whose livelihoods were destroyed by the typhoon.” “The scale of destruction caused by typhoon Pablo is staggering, and I witnessed this when I recently visited Compostela Valley. My heart went out to the families who continue to suffer,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Twaddell was quoted as saying in the statement. “We commend the Philippine Government for its effective and well-coordinated efforts to address this crisis. Australia stands ready to help Filipino families affected by this disaster get back on their feet – and I know they can. Visiting Compostela Valley and seeing the generous and sincere smiles of the people only made me admire and appreciate the Read More …

Australia offers additional P126-million aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

News

Feb 032013

Australia offers additional P126-million aid for ‘Pablo’ victims

By Fat Reyes INQUIRER.net 1:59 pm | Monday, February 4th, 2013 Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the N-Peace awards ceremony in New World Hotel, Makati City. Among the recipients is Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process Sec. Teresita Quintos Deles (R). With them is Australian Amb. Bill Tweddell. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines—The Australian government on Monday announced that it would offer an additional P126-million aid to the victims of Typhoon Pablo as a response to the latest appeal made by the Philippine government and the United Nations for the on-going humanitarian crisis caused by the typhoon. In a statement, the Australian embassy in Manila noted that the additional funds would be used to provide emergency shelters, including improvements of existing shelter facilities in the worst-hit areas. It said that emergency cash-for-work programs would be funded for debris clearing and would provide critically needed income to workers across the affected areas. It noted that six weeks after the tragedy hit Mindanao, shelter and livelihood remained “critical needs with over 840,000 people still displaced, including 700,000 people whose livelihoods were destroyed by the typhoon.” “The scale of destruction caused by Typhoon Pablo is staggering, and I witnessed this when I recently visited Compostela Valley. My heart went out to the families who continue to suffer,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said in a statement. “We commend the Philippine Government for its effective and well-coordinated efforts to address this crisis. Australia stands ready to help Filipino Read More …