MANILA (September 6, 2024)—The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC), launch an updated visa appointment system, and expand call center services to U.S. citizens in the Philippines starting on September 28.

The new VAC will be located at Parqal Building 8, Level 3, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.  Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants seeking interview appointments starting September 28 will be required to schedule a separate appointment at the VAC for photo capture and fingerprint scanning prior to their interview at the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard.  Scheduling will be done through the new and redesigned online appointment system.

Applicants who have scheduled a visa interview before September 28 will not be affected by this change and should proceed directly to their appointment at the Embassy.

The new online appointment system will feature a secure and user-friendly interface for visa applicants and will be available on September 28 on ustraveldocs.com/ph.  Applicants who have existing accounts in the current visa appointment system will be required to sign in to the new system using their already-registered email address to retrieve their user profile, which includes payment receipts and appointment information.

The VAC will offer appointment slots from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturdays.  No appointment is needed for applicants who would like to pick up their passports or drop off interview waiver visa applications and other required documents from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. 

Additionally, the U.S. Embassy will launch a call center for customers with general, non-emergency American Citizen Services (ACS) inquiries.  U.S. citizens can call consular hotlines at (+632) 7792-8988 or (+632) 8548-8223, or (703) 520-2235 for callers in the United States, with passport, citizenship, and notarial service questions.  The U.S. Embassy will also launch a new and dedicated website (ustraveldocs.com/ph/en/american-citizens-services) and email (support-acs-philippines@usvisascheduling.com) for these ACS services on September 28.  Inquiries not related to passport, citizenship, or notarials should still be sent to the embassy’s ACS unit directly viaACSInfoManila@state.gov.

Updates regarding these changes will be posted on the U.S. Embassy website (ph.usembassy.gov) and on the Embassy’s Facebook  (facebook.com/USEmbassyPH/) and X account (@USEmbassyPH). (US EMBASSY)

MANILA (June 10, 2024)—Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11713 or the Excellence in Teacher Education Act and in adherence to the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to devise concrete measures to uphold the welfare of teachers across the country, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah “Mina” F. Pangandaman has approved the organizational structure and staffing pattern (OSSP) of the Teacher Education Council (TEC) Secretariat under the Department of Education (DepEd), which includes the creation of 25 permanent positions.

The approval of said OSSP for the TEC Secretariat is upon the request of the DepEd in order to augment its initial staffing complement for the purpose.

The TEC ensures the provision of quality education and training of teachers by establishing a scholarship program for deserving students, pursuing teacher education degree programs, as well as for teachers and school leaders pursuing graduate degree programs, and providing a dynamic, modern, and equitable education system.

“To further empower our educators and foster quality education for the benefit of our learners, we have approved the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the TEC Secretariat and the creation of 25 additional permanent positions therein,” Sec. Mina said.

“Ang sabi nga po ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, kailangan nating magpatupad ng mga konkretong hakbang para isulong ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro. Kaya naman po, sisiguruhin nating mabibigyan ng suporta ang mga programa na magpapaangat sa kalidad ng kanilang pagtuturo,” the Budget Secretary added.

To support and assist the Council in the performance of its functions and implement its projects and programs, the creation of four (4) organizational units was likewise considered under the Secretariat. These units include the Office of the Executive Director, Student Incentives Support Office, Quality Pre-Service Teacher Education Office, and the Quality Teaching Office.

The creation of new organizational units and positions for the TEC Secretariat is considered to carry out its mandated functions effectively and efficiently.

Secretary Pangandaman approved the requisite Notice of Organization, Staffing and Compensation Action for the TEC Secretariat on 21 May 2024.

LAMUT (May 9, 2024)—THE Ifugao State University (IFSU) Lagawe Campus received an AC Power Transmission System with a Power Factor Load worth P21,98 million from the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) to boost the university’s Electrical Engineering program.

IFSU information officer Faith Belingon Napudo said the equipment aims to provide practical application for the theories learned in the classroom by Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering students.

Napudo said the equipment was funded by the HEDF, an autonomous buffer fund supporting the Commission on Higher Education fiscal independence and adequacy.

She said the equipment was procured under the project titled “Upgrading of Electrical Engineering Laboratories of Ifugao State University (Lagawe Campus),” led by engineer Dahlia Gay Bunolna.

Housed in the Metal and Engineering Innovation Center or MEIC, Bunolna said the facility is the first of its kind in the Cordillera Administrative Region and is intended to improve metal and allied industries in the region.

She said these upgraded electrical engineering laboratory facilities are for the students to strive to improve and innovate, serve as catalysts for their academic pursuits, and inspire them to achieve greater heights.

Meanwhile, HEDF chief accountant Myra Paz Manalo commended IFSU for successfully liquidating all HEDF grants-in-aid, allowing them to fund more proposals from the university.

Manalo said a P25 million worth of equipment is already in the pipeline for use by Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering students.

The turnover ceremony involved a ribbon cutting and equipment tagging, signifying the transfer of ownership from HEDF to IFSU on April 25, 2024.

Along with Bunolna and Manalo, the parties were represented by HEDF Supervising Administrative Officer Diana Aguilar, IFSU University President Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon and Lagawe Campus Executive Director Vicky Cadalig.

Cadalig said this ceremony marked a new beginning and “showcases our unified commitment to educational excellence and advancement.”

“This investment is for our future engineers and leaders of our nation,” Dugyon said, encouraging students to embrace the opportunities these new resources provide and to strive for excellence in all their endeavors.

Dugyon also urged the students to embrace the spirit of innovation.

“Let us leverage these new resources to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute meaningfully to society. Let us become an inspiration for academic excellence in the country,” she said.

Engineer Cyrus Camhit, representing the engineering college and students, noted that the equipment will help prepare students for the demands of the modern industry by providing hands-on experience and practical skills.

Camhit said thanks to this support of their endeavor, they will continue to work diligently “to achieve our goals and make a positive impact on our environment.” LEANDER C. DOMINGO

On February 21, the NTC issued a memorandum to all internet service providers, directing them to immediately block the websites and apps of MiTrade for violations of the Securities Regulation Code, Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, and regulations enforced by the SEC.

“We thank the NTC for supporting our campaign against investment scams and other predatory financial schemes toward the protection of the investing public.” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said.

“The directive of the NTC will greatly help in preventing the proliferation of investment scams. The SEC and NTC will continue to work closely together to take similar actions on other platforms facilitating illegal investment-taking activities and other predatory financial schemes.”

In a letter dated February 14, the SEC requested for the blocking of MiTrade’s website after the Commission found that the entity was actively employing promotional campaigns on various social media platforms to attract and entice Filipinos to engage in investment and trading activities using its platforms.

MiTrade offered the trading of financial instruments from a wide range of asset classes such as foreign currency pairs, foreign shares, index funds, and commodity derivatives.

The operators of MiTrade appeared to be registered brokers and dealers oversees, and the securities and investments being offered likewise appeared to be registered in various countries.

In the Philippines, however, the Securities Regulation Code requires the prior registration with the SEC of any securities for public offering within the Philippines.  This involves the filing of an application for registration and providing detailed information about the securities, including the issue price, use of proceeds of the sale, and nature of the securities.

The Securities Regulation Code further requires that the corporation issuing such securities must secure from the SEC a license to sell or offer securities to the public. Agents of the issuers must likewise register with the SEC.  

The operator of MiTrade was not registered as a corporation in the Philippines, and operated without the necessary license to sell or offer any form of securities, to engage in the business of buying or selling securities, to operate as a broker or dealer, or to create or operate an exchange in the country.

In this light, the SEC in September 2023 issued an advisory warning the public against transacting on MiTrade. The Commission also warned those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents, representatives, promoters, recruiters, influencers, endorsers and enables of MiTrade that they may be held criminally liable under the Securities Regulation Code and penalized with a maximum fine of P5 million and/or imprisonment of up to 21 years.  (PR)

In an order dated January 16, 2024 the Commission En Banc directed Infinity8Netoworks to immediately cease and desist from further engaging in the unlawful solicitation, offer, and/or sale of securities in the form of investment contracts without the necessary license from the SEC.

The Commission further prohibited Infinity8Networks from transacting any business involving funds in its depository banks, and from transferring, disposing, or conveying any related assets to ensure the preservation of the assets of its investors.

The order covers Infinity8Networks’ single stockholder, director and president, Franco Delacruz Flordeliza, nominee James Floredeliza, alternate nominee Dave Delacruz Flordeliza, founder and chief executive officer Froilan Pediongco Flordeliza, and other officers, operators, promoters, representatives, salesmen, agents, uplines, enablers, influencers, and any and all persons, conduit entities, subsidiaries and affiliates claiming and acting for and on its behalf.

The Commission issued the cease and desist order after the SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) found that Infinity8Networks was actively offering and selling unregistered securities in the form of investment contracts to the public.

Infinity8Networks offered investment plans ranging from P500 to P5 million for a guaranteed return of 30 percent in five days to 500 percent in 40 days. Infinity8Networks also promised investors an additional income of 5 percent for their referrals.

Infinity8Networks’ scheme involved the sale and/or offer of securities in the form of investment contracts, whereby a person makes an investment of money, in a common enterprise, with the expectation of profits, to be derived solely from the efforts of others, the Commission held.

“Furthermore, the act of [Infinity8Networks] in carrying out its unauthorized investment-taking activities using the social media. i.e. Facebook accounts, as well as through programs attended in person by the public constitute public offering as defined under Rule 3.1.17 of the 2015 [Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Securities Regulation Code],” the Commission added.

Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8799, or The Securities Regulation Code (SRC), provides that securities shall not be sold or offered for sale or distribution within the Philippines, without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the SEC.

Based on the records of the Commission, a one person corporation was registered under the name, Infinity8Networks Digital Services OPC. However, the corporation neither registered securities for public offering nor secured a secondary license to sell, offer or deal in securities.

“At the outset, the Primary Purpose Clause in the AoI (articles of incorporation) of [Infinity8Networks Digital Services OPC] specifically provides that it has no authority to solicit or accept investments from the public,” the Commission noted.

“[A] corporation is a creature of limited power in the sense that it can only exercise those powers which are expressly conferred on it by the [Revised Corporation Code] and those that are implied by or incidental to its existence.  Clearly, the AoI of [Infinity8Networks] does not contain a grant of authority to solicit investments and/or deal in securities. In the absence of such grant, any investment activity cannot be sustained using the doctrine of implication and/or under the argument that it is incidental to its existence.”

The Commission further held that Inifnity8Networks’ act of selling and offering securities without the requisite registration statement “constitutes fraud which should be promptly restrained for the protection of the investing public.”

The Commission warned the public against investing in Infinity8Networks as early as November 13, 2023 through an advisory. The EIPD would later order Inifnity8Networks to pay a fine of P1 million, and revoke its corporate registration, on December 18, 2023. (PR)

BAGUIO CITY (November 24)—Republic Cement and Building Materials (RCBM) once again won big at the recently held 69^th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) on November 17, 2023 at the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, Camp John Hay in this city.

The Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) in cooperation and partnership with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recognized RCBM for its achievements and best practices in Quarry Operations, Safety and excellence in Mining Forestry and quarry rehabilitation. 

In a statement, Republic Cement said it is proud to have received the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for Quarry Operations for its Batangas and Teresa plant, the highest honor awarded in the industry, while its Bulacan plant received the Platinum Award in the same category.

The PMIEA recognizes companies that are distinguished for superior performance in health and safety, environmental management, reforestation, and social development and management. 

Republic Cement Bulacan plant was also recognized with the Best Mining Forest – Non-Metallic Category while its Teresa Plant received the 3^rdRunner-up commendation in the same category. Its Batangas Plant was also recognized as a runner-up for Safest Quarry Operations. 

“While this serves as a testament to our best practices, more importantly, it is a recognition of our commitment to the shared growth we endeavor for with our communities and the environments we operate within,” said RCBM President Lloyd Vicente.

“We look forward to rising to the challenge of doing even more moving forward to push the responsible management of environmental and natural resources even further,” he added.

Republic Cement thanked PMSEA, the DENR and MGB for the prestigious awards and also extends its congratulations to other industry peers and awardees.

Through this recognition, Republic Cement said it continues its unceasing commitment to the safe and sustainable operation of our quarries, the continued growth and development of its partner communities; and the protection, preservation and enhancement of the environment towards building a greener, and stronger republic. (PR)

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

BAGUIO CITY (November 18, 2023)—The London-based FCF Minerals Corporation got three awards at the culmination of the four-day 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) in Baguio City’s CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center on November 17, 2023.

The event with the theme “Mining 4.0: safer, smarter, and sustainable” was organized and spearheaded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).

Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals general manager for operations, congratulated the FCF community for the three awards which included the most prestigious Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA).

PMIEA, also coined the Peoples Mineral Industry Environment Award, is the highest award conferred by PMSEA to companies for their outstanding performance in environmental management, occupational health and safety, and corporate social responsibility.

Other awards received by FCF Minerals were Best Mining Forest Program under the Metallic category as Third Runner-up and the 2023 Mines’ Best Personality for their Surface Safety Inspector Ronald Wayan.

“These awards are for men and women in our Runruno mine operation. Without their tireless dedication to excellence, none of these would have been possible,” Harvey said during the awards night.

He added that the awards bestowed to FCF Minerals institutionalized the company’s zeal to go further towards the outstanding level of dedication and innovation in mining, enhancing the lives of their community while protecting and nurturing the environment.

Harvey also mentioned the support of the entire FCF community as well as the local leaders who always give support to the company staff to enhance the lives of the local population.

“Without the support of our community, we as a business would not meet the success we have today,” he said.

Harvey noted that FCF Minerals is also as strongly committed as ever to working closely with its many stakeholder groups to continue providing significant benefits and leaving a positive and long legacy.

Rodalyn Arcebal, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) supervisor, said FCF Minerals which is a local subsidiary of London-based Metals Exploration, Ltd. has financial and technical assistance agreements or FTAA with the Philippine government.

She said the company operates the Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Project (RGMP) in Runruno village of Quezon town in Nueva Vizcaya province which started operation in 2017.

In 2011, after more than a decade of exploration and construction, the RGMP was endorsed by the Sangguninag Panlalawign (provincial board) and the host local government unit of Quezon and the Barangay Local Government of Runruno. WITH REPORTS FROM VICTOR MARTIN

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

BAGUIO CITY (November 17, 2023)—A total of 1,336 participants visited the booth exhibit of the British FCF Minerals Corporation during the 69th Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC) from November 14 to 16, 2023 at CAP – John Hay Trade and Cultural Center here

Rodalyn Arcebal, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) supervisor, said the company’s booth during the four-day 69th ANMSEC showcased their best mining practices, particularly in its safety and health, environment and social programs.

Arcebal said the visitors were composed of participants from different mining companies, contractors, students and other interested individuals who wanted to know more about responsible mining. 

“Through our booth exhibit, we shared and discussed our operations and best practices,” Arcebal said.

She said tokens were given to the visitors and special prizes to the winners of their “get the gold out of the box” pakulo (tricks).

Grand parade

FCF Minerals General Manager for Operations Lorne Harvey and Country Manager Luke Bowden along with the company’s employees and stakeholders joined the event’s grand parade during the final day of the 69th ANMSEC on November 17, 2023. 

Anchored on the theme “Mining 4.0: Safer, Smarter and Sustainable,” the event was organized and spearheaded by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA) which brought together diverse mining companies from across the country. 

“Amidst the vibrant parade, each company showcased its unwavering support and commitment to the industry, creating a dynamic display of unity and shared dedication,” Arcebal said.

Emergency response team

Meanwhile, some 13 members of the FCF Minerals Emergency Response Team (ERT) also actively participated in the emergency response competition.

Arcebal said the ERT members demonstrated their expertise in four challenging activities, including the fire brigade competition, fire extinguishment, first aid competition, and tug of peace, “showcasing their dedication to safety and emergency preparedness.” 

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is giving non-compliant and suspended or revoked corporations a last chance to avail of lower fines and penalties with the final extension of amnesty applications until the end of 2023. 

The Commission on November 3 issued SEC Memorandum Circular No. 20, Series of 2023, which extends the deadline for corporations to file their amnesty application and settle the amnesty fees to December 31. 

The amnesty program provides corporations, which have incurred penalties for the late and non-filing of their General Information Sheet (GIS), Annual Financial Statements (AFS), and official contact details, a reduction on penalties for non-compliance with their reportorial requirements, as provided under Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code (RCC). 

Corporations may avail of amnesty by accepting the web-based Expression of Interest form on their SEC Electronic Filing and Submission Tool (eFAST) accounts. Submission of all other requirements will be accepted until January 31, 2024, so long as the company has filed its expression of interest before December 31.

Non-compliant   corporations must also upload and submit their   latest   due   GIS   and   AFS on eFAST before January 31, 2024. Suspended and revoked corporations must submit their respective petitions to lift their suspension or revocation on eFAST, along with their latest GIS and AFS, within the same period.

For suspended and revoked corporations, additional requirements such as copies of their certificates of incorporation, latest mayor’s or business permits, and certificates of registration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue must be submitted to the SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department or to the nearest SEC Extension Office initially through email by January 31, 2024.

Should an applicant fail to submit the complete set of requirements by January 31, 2024, the amnesty fee paid, as well as the P3,060 petition fee initially collected from suspended/revoked corporation, shall be forfeited in favor of the SEC.

Last month, the SEC released a list of 22,403 ordinary corporations that are in danger of having their certificates of incorporation revoked for their failure to submit their GIS within five years from the date of incorporation.

The Commission has also listed 298,335 ordinary corporations that have failed to submit their GIS for three times consecutively or intermittently within a five-year period. 

Such corporations are advised to avail of the amnesty program to avoid getting tagged as delinquent or having their corporate registrations suspended or revoked.

The Commission subsequently released SEC Memorandum Circular No. 19, Series of 2023, providing the Guidelines on Declaration of Delinquent Status and Revocation of Certificate of Registration of Corporations under Sections 21 and 177 of the Revised Corporation Code.

The updated scale of fines and penalties for reportorial requirements will be implemented on January 1, 2024, where basic penalties for the late and non-filing of reports are set to increase by as high as 1,900%. 

Going forward, the SEC will strictly enforce the submission of reportorial requirements by corporations, and impose the corresponding penalties in the form of monetary penalties, placement of the erring corporation under delinquency status, and suspension and revocation of a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as provided under the RCC.

Corporations applying for amnesty may proceed to the SEC Amnesty Microsite at amnesty.sec.gov.ph for the step-by-step guidance on how to avail of the program.

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

LAGUNA (September 14, 2023)—The capacity-building initiatives on agrotourism of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), headquartered on the campus of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), took center stage during an international conference in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Searca director Dr. Glenn Gregorio said the center presented its farm/agrotourism training programs, conferences, webinars and other learning events that catered to legislators, educators, practitioners and other stakeholders across the Southeast Asian region and beyond.

Gregorio said Dr. Nova Ramos, head of Searca Training for Development Unit under the Education and Collective Learning Department led the presentation during the Sarawak Agrotourism Conference and Expo (SAtCE) held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from August 28 to 30, 2023.

Ramos highlighted during the second day of the conference the agrotourism’s sociocultural, economic and environmental benefits and potential for inclusive and sustainable rural development.

At the opening of the conference, Dato Sri Dr. Stephen Rundi Anak Utom, Sarawak Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development (M-Ficord), noted that all efforts engaged in agriculture should yield returns on investments.

He stressed that to transform agriculture, farmers must change their perspectives, understand how modern farming is implemented so they can generate more income, and be able to adopt modern and smart farming.

Exhorting the private and public sectors as well as the communities to join hands and begin a smart partnership to promote agrotourism in Sarawak, he noted that they want to attract the younger generation to go into modern agriculture.

“We need to be able to transform their mindsets that agriculture is cool. Agrotourism is one way to do this,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr. Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg said Sarawak is abundant in agricultural treasures and has the potential to cater to tourists, who are seeking authentic cultural and agrotourism experiences.

The Premier’s speech was delivered by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Stressing that the Sarawak government is fully committed to supporting agrotourism in the state as a means to uplift the communities and enable rural development, the Premier said the community-based tourism is an integral part of agrotourism and it empowers residents by directly engaging them in tourism activities.

He also emphasized that the pursuit of job creation through agrotourism should not just be from the perspective of building an agrotourism industry but nurturing a sustainable agrotourism industry focused on a more environmentally conscious approach to tourism and agriculture.

The benefits of agrotourism, he said, go beyond economic gains, encompassing rural development, community participation, and job creation, he added.

According to Gregorio, the SAtCE 2023 served as a dynamic platform, bringing together local and global agrotourism pioneers and industry players in a vibrant convergence.

The conference convened around 200 delegates and 20 exhibitors from across the region, signaling the start of Sarawak’s journey toward high-quality agrotourism.

These were speakers from Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand who discussed key topics on global trends, case studies, and regional policies in agrotourism.

Capped by a visit to the Borneo Empurau Farm and Resort, which boasts of modern agriculture (e.g., fertigation, aquaponics, etc.) and empurau breeding and research, the conference was organized by Derrisen Sn Bhd, with the endorsement of the M-Ficord and Business Events Sarawak.

Empurau is a freshwater fish indigenous to Sarawak and is the most expensive edible fish in Malaysia.