News Report 28 March 2019
Local
1. No end in sight as NPA marks 50th year of insurgency Philippine Daily Inquirer, 28 March 2019, p. A1, continued on p. A6
In a nation plagued by armed groups ranging from kidnap-for-ransom outfits to Islamist
secessionist movements, the communist New People’s Army (NPA) is among the deadliest. Yet after decades of failed peace efforts, there is no end to the killing in sight as the NPA marks its 50th year.
In 2017, the President declared the peace effort officially dead, though sporadic moves to revive negotiations continued. The Communist Party of the Philippines, sees no end to the violence either.
Korea -
Economic
2. Budget delay, poll ban threaten infra targets - DOF The Philippine Star, 28 March 2019, p. B1
The Department of Finance (DOF) yesterday expressed uncertainty on whether the government may still be able to catch up with its infrastructure spending plan for 2019, considering the delay in the approval of the national budget as well as the upcoming election ban.
In an interview, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said while the government has a plan to regain its spending momentum once the budget is passed, agencies’ ability to implement projects would still depend on weather conditions in the latter part of the year.
3. PHL targets $250-M sales in China trade show Business Mirror, 28 March 2019, p. A1, continued on p. A2
Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said the Philippines will send 100 local firms to this year’s China International Import Expo (CIIE). The government has already secured the commitment of over 50 enterprises to participate in the expo. Secretary Lopez estimated sales from the trade show to hit nearly $250 million, or double the figures from last year.
4. Russia seen as possible market, source of agricultural investment Business World, 28 March 2019, p. 2/S1
The Philippines and Russia have discussed possible Russian investment in Mindanao and market access for Philippine produce, according to the Philippine Embassy in Moscow. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has said that the DA is looking into the possibility of exporting coconut, banana, and shrimp to Russia. They are also organizing a trade mission to explore business opportunities in the “unexplored market of Russia and other member countries of the Russian Federation.”
5. Agriculture deal inked by PH, Hungary Manila Times, 28 March 2019, p. B2
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in agriculture was signed between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary. seeks to promote the two countries’ investment in agriculture, market access concerns and the proposed cooperation in the field of crop and livestock biotechnology research, food safety and agricultural mechanization.
