News Briefs: July 30, 2019

Oil companies roll back gasoline prices anew

MANILA, Philippines — Pump prices of gasoline went down for the second week in a row while those of diesel swung back up as the global oil market wavered between large drawdown from stockpiles and concerns about a weak outlook in demand.

Shell, Seaoil and PTT Philippines announced a price cut of 95 centavos per liter of gasoline and a price hike of 15 centavos per liter of diesel, effective 6 a.m. of July 30.

Also, Phoenix Petroleum said it reduced prices of gasoline by a peso per liter but no change for diesel.

Both Shell and Seaoil increased prices of kerosene by 10 centavos per liter.  The price of Dubai crude oil was pegged at $61.40 per barrel on July 25, lower than $62.31 per barrel on July 18. —Ronnel W. Domingo

Comelec issues reminder for Leyte, Cotabato polls

MANILA, Philippines — Those who are planning to run for district representatives of Southern Leyte and South Cotabato in the Oct. 26 polls should file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) anew even if they had filed their COCs in connection with the May 13 midterm polls, said the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“The COCs for member of House of Representatives for the lone legislative district of Southern Leyte and first legislative district of South Cotabato that were filed in connection with the May 13, 2019, elections shall not be considered as filed for purposes of the Oct. 26, 2019, elections,” the Comelec said in Resolution No. 10551.

The poll body set the first regular elections on Oct. 26 for the representative of the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte and the first and third (lone) legislative districts of South Cotabato.

The Comelec earlier suspended the holding of elections for district representatives of these provinces to a date later than May 13 due to operational and logistical constraints, in view of the passage of laws reapportioning the said legislative districts. —Tina G. Santos

DENR eyes Panay as bamboo production center

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is eyeing Panay Island as the country’s center for bamboo production, as it envisions bamboo as an alternative to high-value forest products.

Some P10 million has been initially earmarked by the DENR in its 2019 budget for planting materials and capacity building for farmers.

The DENR plans to plant 13,500 hectares of bamboo by 2020.

These species include the bamboo “tinik,” giant “buho,” bolo and “bayog.”

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has directed Francisco Milla Jr., DENR Western Visayas regional executive director, to conduct an inventory of all existing bamboo plantations in Panay, where bamboo is naturally abundant.

At present, there are over 6,100 ha of such plantations across the island.

Milla was also ordered to fast-track the establishment of bamboo processing plants that would produce engineered bamboo products.

“We will adopt the latest technology in producing lumber and timber out of the bamboo strands,” Cimatu said in a statement. “This can usher in inclusive development in the island and provide income and livelihood.” —Jhesset O. Enano