News Briefs: Sept. 3, 2019

Duterte OKs 25-year franchise to Ignite Telecoms

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law granting a 25-year telecommunications franchise to Ignite Telecommunications Inc.

The President signed Republic Act No. 11411 on Aug. 22, which allowed the telco firm to “construct, install, establish, operate and maintain” telco systems in the Philippines.

Ignite Telecoms is required to secure a certificate of public convenience and necessity, and the needed permits and licenses for construction and operation of telco facilities from the National Telecommunications Commission.

Under the franchise, Ignite Telecoms is required to conform to the ethics of honest enterprise.

It should not use its facilities for obscene or indecent transmissions, dissemination of deliberately false information or willful misrepresentation or to assist in subversive or treasonable acts. —Julie M. Aurelio

Diesel, gasoline prices decline anew

MANILA, Philippines — Pump prices of diesel and gasoline went down by 10 centavos per liter for the second week in a row amid concerns that a hurricane would disrupt production in the United States.

Shell, Seaoil, Total, PTT Philippines and Phoenix announced price cuts as the price of Dubai crude oil settled at $58.34 per barrel as of Aug. 29 from $58.76 a week before.

Also, Shell and Seaoil reduced prices of kerosene by 15 centavos per liter. —Ronnel W. Domingo

Dividend rates of Landbank, DBP lowered

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has lowered the percentage of the net earnings of two government-owned and controlled corporations to be declared as dividends to the national government.

The President signed on Aug. 28 Executive Order No. 89, which adjusted the dividend rates of Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBM) for certain years.

Malacañang saw the need “to support the viability and mandate of Landbank and DBP, their liquidity, capital position, medium-term plans and programs were considered in the determination of their respective reasonable dividend rates on net earnings for selected years.”

The lower rate was recommended by the secretary of finance. For Landbank, the percentage of net earnings to be declared as dividends for 2016 will be at 0 percent, and at 10 percent for 2017.

For DBP, the percentage of net earnings to be declared as dividends for 2017 will be at 0 percent. —Julie M. Aurelio