The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed three new memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Korean companies on initiatives that will help   transform New Clark City into a preferred investment and tourism destination.

BCDA and RMS Platform signed an MOU to explore partnership opportunities on smart city infrastructure development, including a proof of concept on an eGovernment digital platform for New Clark City.

The proposed platform is seen to be a one-stop shop for citizens and locators, providing them access to city information, various web-based services, and online transactions.

BCDA also signed an MOU with Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corporation (KIND) for studies on the development of affordable residential communities in New Clark City.

 BCDA and KIND will explore innovative solutions for developing housing projects that are cost-effective and sustainable.

The MOUs were signed on the sidelines of Philippines-Korea Business Forum in Manila last October 7 coinciding with Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s first state visit to the country.

On October 8, BCDA and Korea-based Fine TME signed another MOU for the development of a collaborative framework to conduct studies on the efficient operations and maintenance of New Clark City sports facilities. 

Through the introduction of latest technologies, this partnership aims to promote New Clark City as a premier hub for national and international sports events in Asia.

Joshua Bingcang, BCDA president and chief executive officer, said the Korean partners will share their expertise in building smart, inclusive cities and will therefore help the agency set global standards on urban development in the country through New Clark City. 

“We are confident that with their expertise and technical know-how, we can further transform New Clark City into the Philippines’ model of urban development catalyzed by smart city and sustainable technologies,” said Bingcang.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) expects at least a 50 percent jump in employment generation in ecozones this year and meet its goal of creating 60,000 new jobs.

As of September, projects approved in PEZA are expected to generate 35,871 jobs.

Tereso Panga, director-general of PEZA, made the projection based on registrations of information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) and manufacturing industries in the agency.

In 2023, projected jobs in the IT-BPM and manufacturing sectors totaled 40,527. 

“We hope to achieve a minimum 50 percent increase in projected jobs to meet our minimum target of 60,000 new jobs for 2024,” Panga said in a text message.

IT-BPM accounts for 60 percent created jobs.

Panga said projected employment in the IT-PM increased threefold to 16,556 in the first three quarters of the year.

“Our estimate is even conservative, considering IBPAP’s (Information Technology Business Process Association of the Philippines) target of 120,000 new jobs for the entire IT-BPM sector,” he said.

PEZA approved P179 billion investments in January to September which will generate $2.5 billion in exports.

The plastic packaging industry is experiencing a single-digit growth at par with the economy’s expansion but local players fear the cost of their products could double once the government imposes excise tax on single-use plastics (SUPs).

“The excise tax will result in demand destruction,” said Benjamin Chua, president of the Philippine Plastics Industry Association (PPIA) on the sidelines of the opening of the PackPrintPlas Philippines 2024 in Pasay City yesterday.

Chua said bills are pending in Congress for the imposition of a P100 tax per kilogram on SUPs.

Chua said the cost of raw materials for plastics is P70 per kg and the finished product is at P90 per kg.

“That could easily translate to P190 per kg with the tax,” Chua said, adding part of this would eventually be passed on to consumers.

In previous proposals, the tax was just P20 per kg which Chua said was acceptable to the industry at the time.

“P100 is unfair for the industry. 

Why discriminate on the plastic industry when the alternative product depends on importation for its raw materials,” Chua said, referring to paper packaging.

In his speech, Gernot Ringling, deputy regional head for Asia of Messe Dusseldorf, noted the Philippines packaging industry is projected to reach 69 billion units, with a robust 3.3 percent annual growth rate.

PackPrintPlas, co-organized by Messe Dusseldorf and Global-Link MP Events International Inc., serves as a venue to showcase sustainable solutions to packaging.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) urged aspiring public servants running for the 2025 elections to respect intellectual property rights (IPR) by seeking permission from artists before transforming their works into catchy campaign jingles, slogans and merchandise items. 

Rowel Barba, director-general of IPOPHL, in a statement yesterday political candidates may face not only public backlash that could derail their chances for their vied positions but also a copyright infringement lawsuit.

Under Section 173 of Republic Act 8293 or the IP Code of 1997, a derivative work is defined as new work that does not violate any subsisting copyright upon the original work employed or any part thereof. 

“Candidates’ respect for intellectual property rights is a litmus test of their integrity and trustworthiness as future public servants. I don’t think any voter would like to see any copyright owner and artist, especially their favorite artists, deprived of their right to have a say on the use of their work for a political campaign,” Barba said in a statement yesterday.

While the campaign period starts next year, IPOPHL is making this early reminder for candidates so they can allot enough time to properly seek the permission. 

Bureau of Copyright and Related Rights (BCRR) Director Emerson G. Cuyo encouraged political candidates and parties to contact IPOPHL-accredited collective management organizations (CMOs) to secure the right licenses for the transformation and public performance of works. 

CMOs such as the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Inc., Philippines Recorded Music Rights Inc., Independent Music Producers of the Philippines and Sounds Recording Rights Society, Inc. could help facilitate negotiations and licensing arrangements for the transformation, use or public performance of songs and music, which are the most common types of copyrighted work transformed for local political campaigns.

An organization for local barcode standards said widespread use of barcode technology, including Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), can help ensure authenticity of medicines.

GS1 Philippines said this technology can help the market rid itself of fake medicines, ensuring safety for manufacturers and consumers.

GS1 said the Philippines has been identified as a leading source of counterfeit medicines as reported by the US Trade Representative and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Barcodes are tools in tracking and verifying medicines from manufacturers to end-users. GTINs, for example, standardize labeling and tracking systems, streamline the management of medicines and supplies, and improve the supply chain.

GTINs can capture crucial data, such as the date of manufacture, expiration date, and the manufacturer’s name, enhancing product identification and verification.

“The threat of counterfeit medicines compromises both consumer safety and trust in healthcare providers. By leveraging barcode technology, we can establish a cohesive integration of global standards that prioritizes patient safety, particularly in regions facing serious challenges with counterfeit products,”said Roberto  Claudio, president of GS1 Philippines.

Teodoro Padilla, executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines and officer and trustee of GS1 Philippines, said the group supports this innovation as he acknowledged its potential to verify products and prevent counterfeit medicines from reaching patients. 

GS1 Philippines said its initiatives complement the government’s vision of modernizing the delivery and supply chain in the healthcare sector. 

It cited recent reports from the Department of Health on the discovery of over P 1 million worth of expired medicines in Albay.

Global markets are to shift to 2D barcodes by 2027, aligning with international standards. With the adoption of 2D barcodes, which include QR codes, products can carry comprehensive data and create engaging consumer experiences while ensuring accurate brand information and better supply chain management.

With over 5,000 members nationwide, GS1 Philippines continues to expand its support for various industries, including 31 companies actively utilizing barcodes in the healthcare supply chain.

About 98 percent of companies in the Philippines have established sustainability targets, but only 52 percent have implemented comprehensive sustainability strategies.

The annual Green Impact Gap survey conducted by Schneider Electric showed 22 percent of companies with sustainability targets plan to invest at least $1 million or more towards their sustainability agenda in the next two years with digitalization as a priority.

Business leaders cite regulatory or economic uncertainty and internal company resourcing as key barriers to progress in their sustainability journey

The survey covered 4,500 business leaders in the Asia Pacific region and t was conducted with market research company, Milieu Insight.

When asked about their familiarity with the Philippines’ Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act or Republic Act 11285, respondents from the Philippines said they are only “very to moderately familiar” with the policy. 

Business leaders identified energy supply and demand volatility (56 percent) and fluctuating energy prices (51 percent) as the top energy risks for Philippine companies.

In response, the companies are taking steps by adopting technologies such as energy/resource efficiency measures (49 percent) and digitalization of systems/operations (47 percent) to address these challenges and meet their energy goals.

When investing in digitalization, business leaders cited going paperless (42 percent) and limiting travel to/from office (39 percent).

“Digitalization is now becoming a priority for local businesses. While there are still challenges on our digital infrastructures that hinder digital inclusion and economic development, we are seeing significant shifts in terms of prioritization. Businesses now understand that digitalization will help drive operational resiliency and address achieve their sustainability agenda,” said Ireen Catane, country president of Schneider Electric Philippines.