Michelle Lacson

The Department of Education Regional Office III, through the Human Resource Development Division (HRDD) and the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) will commence the series of training for the phased implementation of the MATATAG Curriculum this month.

Following the Regional Implementation Plan for the Training ​on the MATATAG Curriculum​ for Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 4, & Grade 7, the Regional Training of Trainers (RTOT) of Division Trainers and School Leaders on the MATATAG Curriculum will be conducted in two batches on April 15-19 and April 29 – May 3.

“The RTOT aims to demonstrate knowledge and skills on unpacking/merging/clustering competencies per grade level and learning area; integrate 21^st century skills, inclusion of principles and brain-based learning theories in teaching and learning processes; apply pedagogical approaches and assessment per learning area for effective lesson planning and simulate collaborative learning expertise; and exhibit positive/inclusive attitude towards the implementation of the MATATAG Curriculum,” explained Regional Director May B. Eclar.

The said training will prepare a total of 507 participants consisting of Curriculum and Instruction Division (CID) chiefs, senior education program specialists, education program supervisors, public schools district supervisors, selected school heads, department heads, head teachers, and master teachers for the conduct of the Division Training of School Trainers (DTOT).

A total of 5,543 participants composed of school heads, master teachers, and/or head teachers are expected to attend the DTOT and consequently lead the school-based training to be attended by 28,312 teachers before the beginning of the School Year 2024-2025 on July 29.

“We assure our teachers that we have reminded all the Schools Division Office (SDO) officials that the schedule of the school-based training must not be done within their 30-day vacation from June 1-30,” added RD Eclar.

The MATATAG Curriculum aims to reduce the number of competencies and to focus more on the development of foundational skills, literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills of Kindergarten to Grade 3 learners, thus, decongesting the present K to 12 curriculums.

The recalibrated K to 10 curriculums, which will emphasize five important skills: language, reading and literacy, mathematics, makabansa, and good manners and right conduct, will be implemented in the following phases: SY 2024-2025 – Kindergarten, Grades 1, 4, and 7; SY 2025-2026 – Grades 2, 5, and 8; SY 2026-2027 – Grades 3, 6, and 9; and SY 2027-2028 – Grade 10.

Southeast Asia may profit from the artificial intelligence (AI) boom through increased demand for testing and packaging as these economies try to increase their share in the global semiconductor value chain, according to Manila-based lender Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024 report, the ADB said the AI boom is driving the rebound in Asia’s semiconductor industry, with some variation across economies depending on their specialization.

It said the share of memory chips and microprocessors directly manufactured in the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam is small.

Citing an earlier report, the ADB said these economies, however, may still benefit from the AI-driven demand for specific microchips given their specialization in downstream services such as assembly, testing, and packaging.

This is critical to the global semiconductor value chain, it added.

The report said the Republic of Korea is seeing rapidly growing AI-related demand for memory chips; while Taipei, China, another key global semiconductor manufacturer, has so far been less affected by AI-driven shifts in demand given its specialization in more diverse semiconductor applications.

Other East Asian economies are aiming to boost production of advanced microchips, it said.

High-income and developing economies in East Asia and Southeast Asia together account for more than 80 percent of global semiconductor manufacturing.

“This makes the world dependent on the region’s semiconductor exports, and the region’s economic prospects dependent on the health of global semiconductor demand. Semiconductors are the fundamental building block of modern electronics,” the ADO report said. 

The ADB said semiconductor exports from Asia are rising, driven by increasing global demand for microprocessors and memory chips.

After contracting sharply at the end of 2022, exports from Asia’s main semiconductor manufacturing economies picked up over 2023 and were about 15 percent higher in the last quarter of the year relative to the first quarter.

The ADB forecasts developing economies in Asia and the Pacific to expand by 4.9 percent on average this year as the region continues its resilient growth amid improving semiconductor exports, robust domestic demand, and recovering tourism.

“The end of interest rate hiking cycles in most economies as well as continued recovery in goods exports from an upturn in the semiconductor cycle will support growth,” said ADB chief economist Albert Park.

Brands can prioritize climate-resilient solutions and help people of all abilities and backgrounds find their happy place in nature as accessibility and climate-resilience will be the new non-negotiables in the booming outdoor economy, according to trend forecaster WGSN.

“Rethink production cycles to plan for depleting material resources, and create products that will protect consumers from erratic and extreme weather patterns,” Elizabeth Tan, strategist at WGSN Insight, said in a sample report.
To prioritize climate-resilient solutions, Tan underscored the need to create products that enable consumers to continue their outdoor lifestyles despite sudden changes in weather.

“Brace for extreme living as a result of climate change, which will lead to traditional summer activities extending into autumn. It will also cause the rise of cooler nocturnal outdoor lifestyles in countries where daytime temperatures are becoming inhospitable,” she said.

Tan said it is also imperative to develop production cycles and material usage that is more sustainable as the end of resource abundance nears.

The report cited outdoor brand Salomon which conducted a life cycle assessment of its ski, snowboarding and winter outdoor accessories to measure and track their environmental impact, and then posted the results online, demonstrating how brands can be leaders in eco-accountability.

To make the outdoors accessible to people with disabilities, brands are advised to leverage new technologies to create products and services to ensure people living with disabilities have equal opportunity to experience the outdoors.

“Knowledge is power, so use AI (artificial intelligence) to provide underserved enthusiasts with accurate and tailored information before they embark on outdoor adventures,” it said.

They can also align with the Big Ideas 2025 theme of Flex-Abilities by creating adaptive outdoor gear that meets the needs of disabled consumers, it added.

The report said New York-based Esper Bionics has embarked on a project to build a bionic hand by using machine learning to analyze the way a wearer uses a prosthetic hand.

This information will teach the machine to predict the intended movement in the future, and could be used to help more people with disabilities enjoy the outdoors, it said.

The report added United Kingdom brand Dryrobe’s all-weather Dryrobe Adapt coat is designed for people using wheelchairs. It features tapered hems that do not obstruct the wheels, and an elasticated drawcord to make it easy for the wearer to adjust the length.

Global merchandise trade is expected to pick up this year following a contraction in 2023, as inflationary pressures ease and as real household incomes improve, according to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) latest forecast.

“By symmetry, lower inflation in 2024 is expected to lead to a rebound in consumption of manufactured goods, which should boost merchandise trade volume growth in 2024 and 2025,” said the WTO’s Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report.

It said a recovery of demand for tradable goods in 2024 is already evident, which is related to an increase in household consumption linked to improved income prospects.

The WTO report said world merchandise trade volume is expected to grow 2.6 percent in 2024 and 3.3 percent in 2025 as demand for traded goods rebounds.

Trade volume was down 1.2 percent last year due to the lingering effects of high energy prices and inflation, after recording 3 percent expansion in 2022 despite the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

If the WTO’s trade forecast for 2024 is realized, Asia will contribute more to merchandise trade growth than it did over the last two years.

The report said the region is expected to add around 1.3 percentage points to the projected 2.9 percent growth in world exports this year, or around 45 percent. On the imports side, it should add 1.9 percentage points to the anticipated 2.3 percent growth in world imports, or around 81 percent.

Other regions should make smaller contributions to export and import growth, but all are expected to be positive, it said.

“Strong import volume growth of 5.6% in Asia and 4.4% in Africa should help prop up global demand for traded goods this year,” it added.

The WTO report further said risks to the forecast are on the downside due to current geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty.

“Conflict in the Middle East has diverted sea shipments between Europe and Asia while tensions elsewhere could lead to trade fragmentation. Rising protectionism is another risk that could undermine the recovery of trade in 2024 and 2025,” it said.

The report said the adverse trade environment that prevailed in 2023 is expected to ameliorate somewhat this year and next, providing a boost to goods trade in 2024 and 2025.

“However, geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty could limit the scope of any trade rebound. While export growth should improve in many economies as external demand for goods picks up, food and energy prices could again be subject to price spikes linked to geopolitical events,” it added.

While the ASEAN region has made significant strides in general trade facilitation efforts, it still lacks in implementing specific measures related to “trade facilitation for SMEs,” according to a new report.
This is one of the major findings of the study titled “Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2023,” published by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the ASEAN Secretariat.
The report unveiled the findings of a United Nations survey on the progress made in trade facilitation across the 10 ASEAN countries. It offered a comprehensive analysis of 60 trade facilitation measures, categorized into four groups (“general trade facilitation,” “digital trade facilitation,” “sustainable trade facilitation,” and “other trade facilitation”), 11 subgroups, and measures related to digital and sustainable trade.

Among the key findings of the paper is the need for substantial progress in implementing trade facilitation measures related to “trade facilitation for SMEs.”

The report brought to light that the implementation rate for trade facilitation measures for SMES in ASEAN countries was “relatively low, hovering at around 49%.”

The report assessed trade facilitation measures for SMEs under five categories. Notably, all ASEAN countries have either fully or partially implemented “trade-related information measures for SMEs” with a high implementation rate of 87%.

For the measures “other special measures for SMEs,” “SMEs access Single Window” and “SMEs in AEO scheme,” the implementation rates stood at low rates of 43%, 40% and 37%, respectively, said the report.

The fifth measure, “SMEs in National Trade Facilitation Committee,” was the least implemented, still not acted upon in 40% of ASEAN countries.

The report underscored the importance of trade facilitation for SMEs as e-commerce continues to expand.

“The upward trend in the use of e-commerce in the global economy could present opportunities for SMEs to connect to global supply chains, but measures specific to SMEs as well as to supporting e-commerce would need to be further enhanced,” the paper said.

It said adequate support can be provided to SMEs through the right government policies and targeted programs, such as the 2019 E-commerce Roadmap and the 2020 Go Digital Vision of the Indonesian government, which aim to promote e-commerce and digital trade literacy for SMEs and increase their competitiveness in the digital economy.

“Regional SMEs can also participate in the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) to build up their digital skills and networks,” the report stated.

“SMEs hold significant importance in the global economy and digital trade, yet the availability of trade facilitation measures tailored to their needs is inadequate. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the capacity of SMEs and incorporate them into trade facilitation policies to achieve sustainable trade facilitation,” it concluded.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to internationalize can access an online portal that helps them to trade beyond the European Union’s borders.

The European Commission’s Access2Markets allows SMEs and business organizations to obtain information they need when they trade with third countries, such as on tariffs, taxes, procedures, formalities and requirements, rules of origin, export measures, statistics, and trade barriers, among others.

“Third country markets offer export opportunities and are also important sources of raw materials and goods for EU companies; hence, they are part of their global supply chains,” the portal said.

The EU has over 40 trade agreements in place with close to 80 countries. It also offers preferential market access to lower and middle-income countries under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences.

Businesses in and outside the EU benefit from a market for their products of over 400 million consumers, easier access to a wide range of suppliers and consumers, lower unit costs, and greater commercial opportunities.

Access2Markets also provides access to key information needed for trade in services as well as for investment and procurement in third countries.

Companies can also learn about EU trade agreements, how to benefit from them and read stories on successful companies using them.

Businesses have expressed agreement with proposals to grant employees special or unscheduled work breaks in extremely hot weather but say that the implementation of these “heat breaks” should not be mandatory.

Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), in an interview with DZBB on April 9 said: “Wala naman kaming problema dun sa sina-suggest na mga precautions… Ang mga employers ngayon ang trato nila sa mga workers ay hindi lang partner kundi best assets na kailangang pangalagaan mo.”

(“We have no problem with the suggested precautions. Employers now treat their workers not just as their partners but as best assets that need to be protected.”)

However, he said the business sector does not subscribe to suggestions to make heat breaks mandatory, adding that this should be left to the discretion of the employers. “Pakiusap lang namin sa mga nagsasabing gawing mandatory, walang formula na puedeng fits all kasi iba-iba ang situasyon ng mga kompanya.”

(“To those saying it should be mandatory, we have to say there is no formula that fits all since each company faces a different situation.”)

Ortiz-Luis pointed out that many companies have air-conditioned offices and large and spacious factories with electric fans and humidifiers, and these establishments will be needlessly affected if heat breaks are mandated.

He explained that businesses’ main concern is that there are already too many rules to follow and the imposition of policies that fit all “can create a lot of work problems.”

Companies have their own way of doing things, and what’s important is for them to ensure continuous hydration, free water for everybody, and safety measures in place, he further said.

The executive also noted that only around 10% to 16% of people have employers, while the rest don’t, and it’s the 84% to 90%, including fishermen, market vendors and other informal workers, that need to be taken care of.

“Dapat ang PAGASA, ang PhilHealth, ang Department of Health tuluy-tuloy ang pag-alalay,” he added.

(The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Department of Health should provide continued guidance.)

Ortiz-Luis said it is also not clear what heat breaks will entail in terms of how long they are supposed to last and whether they are paid or not. He said that if the mandatory breaks are to be paid, it could have a discouraging effect on those firms that don’t have to implement them.

“Pabayaang diskartehan ng mga [employers], hindi yung… gagawa ng fits all na regulasyon. Makakasama pa yan,” he said.

(“Let employers do it their way. Let’s not make regulations that fit all. It could be harmful.”)

Last year, the Department of Labor and Employment issued Labor Advisory No. 8, which provides guidelines for addressing periods of intense heat. These include rest breaks, temperature-appropriate uniforms and personal protective equipment, and free drinking water for employees.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III has earlier proposed additional rest periods for workers during times of scorching heat as well as the enforcement of occupational health and safety protocols.

Exporters and other stakeholders are closely monitoring developments related to a pending bill that seeks to clarify provisions in the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, especially those on value added tax (VAT)-related transactions.

The pending bill called Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives last March.

CREATE MORE, also known as House Bill (HB) 9794, is expected to clarify, reform, and further improve the tax incentive system in the Philippines. Among its objectives is to resolve issues stemming from the confusing and unclear provisions in the CREATE Act that have affected enterprises, particularly exporters.

After CREATE Act’s implementation, the private sector has raised several issues with the clarity and implementation in particular of its VAT zero-rating guidelines, warning that failure to resolve the VAT issue may cripple efforts of exporters to source materials locally and cause local suppliers to lose their market.

Earlier, House Ways and Means Committee chair Joey Salceda said the conflicting interpretations of the VAT regime under the implementing rules and regulations of the CREATE law must be resolved, especially given the loss of more than 125,000 manufacturing jobs.

The bill would make the VAT regime simpler, clearer, and transaction-based, while also improving its refund process, he said.

Essentially, CREATE MORE seeks to allow domestic market-focused companies and exporters, even those within the ecozones, to continue enjoying duty exemptions, VAT exemptions on imports, and VAT zero-rating on local purchases.

According to lawyer Fulvio Dawilan, a managing partner at Du-Baladad and Associates, it was necessary to draft the CREATE MORE bill precisely to address the confusions or misunderstandings generated by the CREATE Act.

In his opinion article in the Business Mirror, Dawilan explained that CREATE provided for VAT exemption on importation and VAT zero-rating on local purchases, but hinged on the condition that it shall only apply to goods and services directly and exclusively used by a registered business enterprise in the registered project or activity.

“However, some aspects of the implementation were not aligned with what the law intended to achieve and resulted in uncertainties,” he noted.

He added that to remedy this, CREATE MORE is proposing a few amendments. One of these relates to the use of the phrase “directly and exclusively used in the registered project or activity,” a requirement that limits the goods and services entitled to the VAT incentive to those purchases that are necessary to carry out the registered project or activity. “Thus, local purchases for administrative purposes, for example, are being excluded from the coverage of VAT zero-rated transactions,” he said.

Dawilan said the proposed legislation seeks to address this by replacing the phrase “directly and exclusively used in the registered project or activity” with the more flexible “directly attributable to the registered project or activity.”

More importantly, the proposed amendments enumerate some of the transactions that can avail themselves of the VAT zero-rating. These include janitorial services, security services, financial services, consultancy services, marketing and promotion, and services rendered for administrative operations such as human resources, legal and accounting.

“(If) this proposal becomes a law, it should put to rest any doubt as to what should be entitled to VAT zero-rating in so far as purchases of registered enterprises are concerned,” said Dawilan.

And to clarify further the VAT zero-rating incentive on local purchases, the proposed amendments specifically provide for the VAT treatment of the transactions of registered business enterprises as applied to a number of situations. For the sale of goods or services to an enterprise whose total sales are exported, these transactions shall be VAT-exempt. The sale of goods or services by a VAT-registered seller to registered export enterprises, regardless of location, shall be subject to 0% VAT. Meanwhile, the sale and delivery of goods to registered enterprises within a separate customs territory shall be subject to 0% VAT.

Dawilan said the enactment of HB 9794 will confirm the VAT zero-rating of local purchases of registered enterprises located in economic/freeport zones under the separate territory concept. This will also confirm the VAT zero-rating of local purchases of other registered export enterprises. Domestic market enterprises may also be entitled to the same incentive, subject to some conditions.

The CREATE MORE bill hurdled its third and final reading in the Lower House on March 18, 2024 and now awaits deliberation in the Senate.

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, Bulacan – Social Security System (SSS) Vice President for Luzon Central 2 Division Gloria Corazon M. Andrada spearheaded the Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign to enforce employers’ compliance under Republic Act 11199 or Social Security Act of 2018.

Andrada said that show cause orders were issued to six delinquent establishments due to non-registration of business and non-remittance of contributions to the SSS.

She added that five of these employers failed to remit the Social Security (SS) and Employees Compensation (SS) contributions of 32 employees, amounting to P2.3 million, inclusive of accrued penalties. Meanwhile, one company failed to register its business and report its more than 10 employees.

“Employers are mandated by the law to report their employees through their My.SSS accounts within 30 days from the date the employees were hired, regardless of their employment status. Aside from that, business operating with even a single employee should register with the SSS and properly remit their SS and EC contributions,” Andrada explained.

She also advised that the newly hired and separated employees should be reported immediately through the My.SSS Employer Account to maintain true and accurate records.  

“Employers who received the written order will be given 15 days to explain why no legal action should be taken against them. To avoid legal actions, they are advised to visit the SSS branch to submit the supporting documents and avail of our condonation program for delinquency settlement. Otherwise, SSS will use the full force of the law to have them prosecuted,” Andrada said.

Employers who are proven guilty for violation of RA 11199 will face six to 12 years imprisonment and pay penalties ranging from P5,000 to P20,000.

“Even the Supreme Court supported the court decision in holding these erring employers accountable for violating the Social Security Law. This only shows that the judiciary is one with SSS in upholding social justice by enforcing criminal prosecution and monetary sanctions,” Andrada concluded.

It was recalled that the Supreme Court (SC) rejected an appeal filed by a real estate company, which was convicted due to failure to remit the employees’ contribution and loan amortizations.