Think-Tank: Semirara Mining’s Tax Exemption TRO Sparks Call to Repeal Coal Law

The Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) calls on Congress to review and repeal Presidential Decree 972 (PD 972) or the Coal Development Act of 1976, following the recent 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) granted to Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) by the Makati Regional Trial Court. 

The TRO halts the government’s collection of duties and taxes on Semirara’s fuel imports, raising concerns about tax fairness, fiscal responsibility, and the government’s climate policies. Under PD 972, coal operators like SMPC are granted specific tax incentives and exemptions designed to promote the development of the country’s coal industry. Semirara’s legal argument relies on these provisions to claim exemption from certain fuel import taxes, despite recent changes in tax laws such as the CREATE Law.

“The law governing coal mining is decades old and no longer fits the country’s climate and fiscal realities,” said Gerry Arances, CEED Executive Director. “What this reflects, supported by the recent court’s TRO, is a legal framework that favors fossil fuel interests over urgent climate needs. Congress must repeal PD 972 to ensure equitable tax enforcement for major polluters and prioritize a just energy transition to address climate change.”

CEED stresses that this call comes at a critical time when the Philippines is striving to strengthen its tax base and accelerate the shift to renewable energy sources. The group also urges the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to carefully assess the broader implications of the recent ruling on tax justice, energy policy, and the country’s climate commitments.

SMPC’s mining operations also have a documented history of social and environmental harm. Notable incidents include the 2013 Panian Pit collapse that killed at least five miners and the 2015 landslide that buried nine workers, underscoring the risks faced by mining communities.

“Our policies must reflect the true costs of fossil fuel extraction, including social and environmental damages,” said Arances. “Repealing this outdated law is not just important, but necessary for protecting communities, driving climate action, and upholding public interest over corporate privileges.” 

M&E Industry Forum Charts a Future-Ready Path for Philippine Manufacturing in the Age of Industry 4.0

Taguig City, Philippines — The Metals and Engineering (M&E) Industry Forum 2025 was recently concluded with a strong call from the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) for deeper collaboration, faster technology adoption, and inclusive innovation to future-proof the Philippine metals, engineering, and allied industries.

Held at the Acacia Hotel Manila, the forum brought together metals, engineering, and allied industry players and stakeholders to present updates on digital transformation and explore the potential of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Why Industry 4.0 Matters
In a post-forum synthesis, DOST-MIRDC highlighted the tangible benefits of integrating Industry 4.0 in local manufacturing, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including:
● Increased productivity through reduced downtime and improved efficiency
● Lower operational costs by minimizing waste and equipment failures
● Data-driven decision-making for smarter operations
● Improved global competitiveness
● Enhanced resilience and long-term sustainability

A Call for Unified Action
In his inspirational message, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. underscored the inevitability of digital transformation, stating, “Digital transformation, whether we like it or not, is a driver of businesses and economies.”

The forum emphasized the need for collaboration to drive transformation. In the same manner, the event underscored recommendations that will encourage technology shifts among various audiences: industries were urged to pioneer pilot projects, academe to align education with future-ready skills, and government agencies to consider Industry 4.0 in national development strategies

The DOST-MIRDC outlined its key initiatives to boost technology adoption and industry readiness for MSMEs:
● Intensified promotions and outreach campaigns to raise awareness of DOST’s services
● Expanded implementation of the CUATRO Program to scale smart technologies nationwide
● New workforce reskilling and upskilling programs tailored to emerging industrial demands
● Wider access to MIRDC laboratories and technologies for MSMEs and startups

DOST-MIRDC Executive Director Robert O. Dizon onstage during his State of the DOST-MIRDC Address.

With innovation and collaboration at its core, the forum marks a crucial step toward preparing Philippine industries for the future of manufacturing. 

Think-Tank: Semirara Mining’s Tax Exemption TRO Sparks Call to Repeal Coal Law

The Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) calls on Congress to review and repeal Presidential Decree 972 (PD 972) or the Coal Development Act of 1976, following the recent 20-day temporary restraining order (TRO) granted to Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) by the Makati Regional Trial Court. 

The TRO halts the government’s collection of duties and taxes on Semirara’s fuel imports, raising concerns about tax fairness, fiscal responsibility, and the government’s climate policies. Under PD 972, coal operators like SMPC are granted specific tax incentives and exemptions designed to promote the development of the country’s coal industry. Semirara’s legal argument relies on these provisions to claim exemption from certain fuel import taxes, despite recent changes in tax laws such as the CREATE Law.

“The law governing coal mining is decades old and no longer fits the country’s climate and fiscal realities,” said Gerry Arances, CEED Executive Director. “What this reflects, supported by the recent court’s TRO, is a legal framework that favors fossil fuel interests over urgent climate needs. Congress must repeal PD 972 to ensure equitable tax enforcement for major polluters and prioritize a just energy transition to address climate change.”

CEED stresses that this call comes at a critical time when the Philippines is striving to strengthen its tax base and accelerate the shift to renewable energy sources. The group also urges the Department of Finance (DOF), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to carefully assess the broader implications of the recent ruling on tax justice, energy policy, and the country’s climate commitments.

SMPC’s mining operations also have a documented history of social and environmental harm. Notable incidents include the 2013 Panian Pit collapse that killed at least five miners and the 2015 landslide that buried nine workers, underscoring the risks faced by mining communities.

“Our policies must reflect the true costs of fossil fuel extraction, including social and environmental damages,” said Arances. “Repealing this outdated law is not just important, but necessary for protecting communities, driving climate action, and upholding public interest over corporate privileges.” 

FinTech Alliance.PH hosts Q2 digital caucus, sets stage for Manila Tech Summit 2025

TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES – FinTech Alliance.PH, the country’s largest and most influential organization of fintech unicorns, startups, and financial institutions, convened its 2nd Quarter Digital Industry Caucus and Manila Tech Summit Media Launch on June 24, 2025 at The Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The event brought together key figures from the government, the diplomatic corps, and the private sector. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier delivered the keynote address, underscoring the urgency of establishing an industry-led fraud bureau to help build a safer, more resilient digital economy. She emphasized that strong collaboration between regulators and the private sector is vital in fighting fraud, building consumer trust, and driving financial inclusion.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier delivers the keynote address. “Continuing engagement with industry players such as the Fintech Alliance is crucial in fostering a shared understanding of risks, financial inclusion goals, and market conduct expectations.

Moreover, cooperation plays a critical role in enhancing the financial system’s cyber resilience as it enables financial institutions to proactively identify, prevent and respond to emerging persistent threats. The BSP will continue to support strategic partnerships among our key stakeholders for the purpose of strengthening financial surveillance, obtaining feedback on policy initiatives, and fostering dialogue,” Deputy Governor Fonacier said. "On behalf of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, I commend Fintech Alliance PH and other partners for this initiative and all stakeholders here today for taking bold steps towards a safer digital future,” DG Fonacier added.

During the caucus, FinTech Alliance PH also announced the submission of a white paper to Department of Information & Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC), outlining a roadmap for the proposed fraud bureau and positioning it as a shared responsibility of the entire digital ecosystem.

As part of its commitment to honor transformative leadership, FinTech Alliance PH conferred the BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. FinTech Leadership Award to four exceptional individuals:

BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier; H.E. Laure Beaufils, British Ambassador to the Philippines; H.E. Hae Kyong Yu PSM, FCPA, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines; and H.E. Ilan Fluss, Ambassador of Israel. This prestigious award honors leaders who embody the late Governor Espenilla’s legacy of inclusive innovation, regulatory disruption, and financial empowerment for the underserved.

Tess Espenilla, the wife of the late BSP Governor Nestor Espenilla, congratulated the recipients and lauded them for espousing the values that her late husband lived by and demonstrated through public service. "This award carries forward Nestor's vision of a future where innovation empowers inclusion and no Filipino is left behind. Your work and leadership in financial technology upholds the values he deeply believed in - integrity, innovation, and service to the underserved,” Espenilla shared.

The honorees expressed their gratitude to the Alliance for conferring the awards as a tribute to the power of international collaboration, the promise of digital innovation, and the shared commitment to uplifting lives through meaningful and forward-thinking change. "To be recognized by an industry that you also regulate is something really sweet and special because apart from the regulator and the regulated relationship, there is of course partnership at the end. But I cannot lay claim to this award alone, same thing with when we tried to fight cybercrime. No institution can do it alone,” Deputy Governor Fonacier said. "When I arrived in the Philippines almost four years ago, we weren't doing that much work in the fintech space. Four years down the line, we have done so much together on the strategic policy side as well as on the commercial side...We are so proud to be able to sign an alliance with Fintech Alliance PH during UK Southeast Asia Fintech Week a few months ago,” Ambassador Beaufils expressed.

"Our ambassador is personally invested in digital transformation in the Philippines. We recognize the huge growth in digital transactions is powering the economy here that is opening many opportunities. It is opening opportunities to Australian businesses to invest in the Philippines and it is also delivering financial services to many millions of Filipinos who remain unbanked,” Dr. Moya Collett, Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy, relayed Australia’s commitment on behalf of Ambassador Yu.

"Over the past four years, my mission has been to build bridges of innovation, of technology, and of shared purpose. Israel, as many of you know, is a start-up nation not by choice but by necessity. In a land with limited water, surrounded by challenges, we had to innovate to survive. From that struggle, we became a global hub for fintech, cybersecurity, agritech, and many more. I am proud now that these capabilities support Filipino institutions,” Ambassador Ilan Fluss shared in a message delivered by Villanueva.

The honorees of the BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. FinTech Leadership Award together with the Fintech Alliance PH.

The event also marked the onboarding of four new member institutions into the Alliance: SnapWork Digital Technologies Pte. Ltd., TrustDecision Pte. Ltd., EmbedIT S.R.O., and Trusting Social AI Philippines. Their addition reflects the Alliance’s growing momentum and unified vision of bridging innovation and inclusion.

To cap the event, the theme of the 2025 Manila Tech Summit was officially revealed: “Forging a New Global Order: Risks and Opportunities Redefined.” Set for August, the summit is expected to convene over 1,300 stakeholders to discuss how the Philippines can lead amid global volatility and opportunity. It also builds up toward the Philippines’ official participation in the Singapore FinTech Festival this November, where the country will mount a national pavilionunder the theme “Bagong Pilipinas.”

FinTech Alliance PH Founding Chairman Lito Villanueva closed with a call to action: “This is our moment. As the digital landscape evolves, so must we boldly and decisively. From tackling fraud to promoting regulatory reform and global collaboration, we are proving that the Philippines is not just catching up we’re stepping up to lead. Let’s move fast, build together, and show the world what a future-ready, inclusive digital economy looks like.”

“The Philippines is not just catching up—we’re stepping up to lead.” -Fintech Alliance PH Founding Chairman Lito Villanueva

The event was held in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, with media collaborationfrom ABS-CBN, BusinessWorld, Manila Bulletin, Merger Market, Inquirer, PhilStar, The ManilaTimes, and TodayPH.

About Fintech Alliance PH: FinTech Alliance.Ph is the country’s first and most prominent digital industry association, established in 2017, and now has over 130 corporate members driving more than 95% of retail digital financial transaction volume in the Philippines. 

For more information, visit https://www.fintechalliance.

Pangangalap ng Datos sa mga Kilalang Diyalekto ng Wikang Kalinga

Noong 19-22 Mayo 2025 , isinagawa ang ikatlong pangangalap ng datos sa mga kilalang diyalekto ng wikang Kalinga partikular ang Minangali, Ginagaang, Nilulubo, Pinangol, at Dinacalan (Tanudan Kalinga); Sinumacher (Sumadel); at Minabaka (Mabaka). 

Sa isinagawang pangangalap ng datos, inalam ang kasalukuyang estado ng paggamit ng mga naturang diyalekto sa kani-kanilang komunidad.    Isinapanahon din ang mga lugar kung saan pangunahing ginagamit ang mga naturang diyalekto, gagamitin ang datos na ito sa pagsasapanahon ng Mapa ng mga Wika ng Pilipinas at Repositioryo ng mga Wika at Kultura.  

Kinuha rin ng mga mananaliksik ang katumbas ng halos 400 batayang salitang gagamiting datos sa pagsusuri ng leksikal na pagkakatulad (lexical similarity)  ng mga diyalekto ng Kalinga. Nagsagawa rin ng Recorded Text Testing (RTT) para sa pagsusuri ng mutual intelligibility ng mga naturang diyalekto. 

Pinangunahan ng mga mananaliksik ng Sangay ng Lingguwistika at Aplikadong Lingguwistika (SLAL) na sina Evelyn E. Pateño at  Florencio M. Rabina, Jr., ang pangangalap ng datos sa patnubay ng puno ng sangay,   Lourdes Z. Hinampas at ng Tagapangulo ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Arthur P. Casanova, PhD. 

Target na magsagawa ng balidasyon sa komunidad sa darating na Hulyo 2025. 

Quezon City LGBTIQ+ Business Summit

In celebration of our shared commitment to diversity, inclusion, and economic empowerment, we are inviting you to the first-ever Quezon City LGBTIQ+ Business Summit, with the theme “Building an Inclusive Future: Quezon City as an LGBTIQ+ Business Friendly City."

This pioneering event reflects Quezon City’s ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTIQ+ business owners and workforce and allied entrepreneurs for LGBTIQ+ rights and welfare. Through dynamic discussions and dissemination of key city-led initiatives, we aim to spotlight the vital contributions of queer entrepreneurs and employees in local economic development and strengthen multi-sectoral collaborations. 

The QC LGBTIQ+ Business Summit will take place on June 18, 2025 (Wednesday) at the QC M.I.C.E. Center, Quezon City Hall.

This event is held in partnership with the Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce, SPARK Philippines, Mindanao Pride, Intersex Philippines, and Humanis Foundation’s Free to Be Me Program with the support from Wellspring Philanthropic Fund.

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐘𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐀 𝐌𝐆𝐀 𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐘𝐀 𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐆𝐀 𝐖𝐈𝐊𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐆, 𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐖𝐀

Isinagawa noong 20-22 Mayo 2025 ang publikong konsultasyon sa mga ortograpiya ng Kenachakran, Liniyas, at Finallig. Ang mga wikang ito ay ginagamit sa mga komunidad ng bayan ng Barlig, Mountain Province. Isinagawa ang konsultasyon sa bawat komunidad ng mga naturang wika, sa Kadaclan para sa Kenachakran, Brgy. Lias para sa Liniyas, at sentro ng Barlig para sa Finallig. Dinaluhan ito ng mga manunulat, guro, pinuno, at elders ng bawat komunidad, at mga mananaliksik mula sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) na pinamumunuan ni Dr. Arthur P. Casanova, Tagapangulo ng KWF.

Sa isinagawang konsultasyon, tinalakay ng mga manunulat ng tatlong wika ang prosesong pinagdaanan ng kani-kaniyang ortograpiya, at isinapinal ang mga tuntunin at alpabeto nito sa kanilang mga komunidad. Napagkasunduan din sa konsultasyon ang magiging pamagat ng bawat ortograpiya sa kani-kaniyang mga wika. 

Sinimulan ang pagbuo ng ortograpiya para sa mga wika ng Barlig noong Setyembre 2022. Pinangunahan ito sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan ng Fialikia Scripture Society (FSS) sa Translators Association of the Philippines (TAP) at KWF. Nakapagsagawa ng serye ng workshop noong 2023 hanggang unang kuwarter ng 2025 kasama ang mga guro, miyembro ng FSS, TAP, at KWF. 

Ang pagbuo ng ortograpiya ng mga wika ng Pilipinas ay isang patuluyang programa ng KWF sa ilalim ng Sangay ng Lingguwistika at Aplikadong Lingguwistika (SLAL) na pinamumunuan ni Gng. Lourdes Z. Hinampas. Inaasahang makatutulong ang mabubuong ortograpiya sa kanilang komunidad at magamit bilang midyum ng pagtuturo sa paaralan.

Tripartite panel prepares to steer FOA, anti–child labor project in PH

Quezon City, Philippines — The tripartite panel – composed of representatives from government agencies, employers groups, and workers’ organizations – convened the first Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting of the “Strengthening Freedom of Association and Action against Child Labor (FOA-CL) project” in Quezon City on May 15, 2025.

The FOA-CL project is supported by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) through its Labor Programme.

In the labor context, the tripartite partners of the project include the government, the employers’ sector and labor groups.

Thus, the PAC is co-chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), the PAC includes representatives from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), the workers’ groups, and the employers’ sectors.

Broadly, the project is designed to enhance the promotion and enforcement of Philippine labor laws in alignment with international labor standards, focusing on fundamental principles and rights at work, particularly freedom of association (FOA) and addressing child labor (CL) within trade sectors.

Ultimately, the project aims to:

Promote the Tripartite FOA Roadmap, ensuring the right to organize in accordance with the 2023 High-Level Tripartite Mission (HLTM) recommendations.

Support the Philippine Programme Against Child Labour in its efforts to remove children from child labor and ensure their continued education.

PAC’s function, responsibilities

Mainly, the PAC serves as the central mechanism providing leadership and strategic direction for the project. It guides decisions on resource allocation, endorses the annual work plan, and monitors the project’s progress toward its intended outcomes.

It also offers a platform for dialogue, coordination, communication, and advocacy among stakeholders, allowing for project adjustments based on evolving priorities.

Moreover, the PAC is responsible for:

Reviewing and adopting, or modifying as needed, its terms of reference,

Overseeing project coordination, management, and implementation,

Providing strategic guidance for the work plan implementation, ensuring alignment with evolving priorities and contexts to achieve project objectives,

Facilitating synergy and complementarity with relevant programs and projects implemented by social partners, and

Championing the project and facilitating outreach to a broad range of stakeholders.

Terms of reference (TOR)

Aside from delineating the functions and responsibilities of the PAC members, the TOR also specifies the institutional arrangements, accountability mechanisms, and the schedule for meetings.

FOA-CL project work plan

The FOA-CL-Philippines project work plan serves as a roadmap for the project’s activities and objectives. Its primary goal is to improve the enforcement of Philippine labor laws, ensuring they meet international standards, particularly concerning workers’ rights and the elimination of child labor.

Specifically, the project will support the development and implementation of a Tripartite Freedom of Association (FOA) Roadmap to promote workers’ right to organize, as recommended by the 2023 High-Level Tripartite Mission.

Simultaneously, it will work to strengthen the Philippine Programme Against Child Labour by focusing on removing children from child labor and supporting their education.

FOA-CL is a five-year project that will also examine gender-specific barriers in labor rights and freedom of association. It will consider the distinct vulnerabilities of children in child labor and draw on the priorities identified in the women workers’ agenda.

By supporting the elimination of child labor, the project reinforces national efforts to keep children in school and out of hazardous work.

Project relevance

The FOA-CL is timely and relevant given the recent recommendations of the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards’ High-Level Tripartite Mission to the Philippines.

Among the recommendations are the creation of a Presidential Commission, a truth commission, a strengthened National Industrial Peace Council monitoring body, and reforms that would make it easier to form unions and perform their functions, including engaging in collective bargaining and to conduct lawful strikes and collective action.

With tripartite collaboration and a clear strategic direction, the FOA–CL project is poised to make a significant contribution towards building a society where all Filipino workers can enjoy their fundamental rights and children are protected from exploitation.

By International Labour Organization CO-Manila