Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

Manila

Business Reporter at The Philippine Star

Reporter @PhilippineStar | Journalism Lecturer, UST | Hall of Famer (Binhi Awards, Bright Leaf Awards) | Thomasian | V-Amihan

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Articles

Metal output rises to P64 billion in Q1

5 days ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s metallic mineral production in the first quarter rose by more than a fifth year-on-year to almost P64 billion, driven by higher value of gold, silver and copper, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. Latest MGB data showed that metal production from January to March was valued at P63.88 billion, about 22 percent higher than the P52.03 billion in the same period last year. Majority of the metallic output or about 64 percent came from gold production.
P4 million illegal pesticides, fertilizers seized

6 days ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas |Christine Boton

MANILA, Philippines — Unregistered pesticide and fertilizer products, valued at approximately P4 million, were confiscated by the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) in coordination with the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region. The products were recovered from a commercial establishment used for unauthorized storage and distribution following a formal complaint implicating WLEX Co. in the sale of illegal agricultural products.
DA mulls lower tariff for pork imports

6 days ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to expand the volume of pork imports levied with a lower tariff rate to boost domestic supply and pull down retail prices that have skyrocketed to as much as P500 per kilo. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed to The STAR that the DA is proposing to expand the minimum access volume (MAV) on pork by 150,000 metric tons (MT).
Government renews production sharing deal with FNI unit

6 days ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — Listed nickel miner Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI) said the production sharing agreement of its Ipilan nickel project with the government has been renewed until September 2043. In a regulatory filing, FNI said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through an order dated May 14 approved Ipilan’s mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA). The renewed term of Ipilan’s MPSA is now valid until Sept.
COA cites NFA for rice inventory build up

6 days ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) lauded the National Food Authority’s (NFA)’s efforts in beefing up its rice buffer stock as it nearly hit its target level for the first time in decades, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. The DA said the COA made the “rare commendation” to NFA in its latest Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) issued to the grains agency.
Importers of sugar alternatives must register with SRA by November

6 days ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has given importers of sugar alternatives until the end of November to register as an international sugar trader or else run the risk of their shipments being held at port. The SRA issued Memorandum Circular 6 that outlined the guidelines for the implementation of specific provisions of the agency’s latest rules on imported sugar alternatives.
DA secures $16 million grant from KOICA

6 days ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture will receive a $16-million grant from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to bankroll two projects aimed at improving domestic aquaculture production and community-based agri-businesses. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and KOICA country director Jung Youngsun recently signed the records of discussions to facilitate the implementation of two separate grant assistance projects.
Philex to spend $1 billion more to develop Silangan

1 week ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — Pangilinan-led Philex Mining Corp. (Philex), one of the country’s oldest and largest gold producers, said its Silangan project will spend $1 billion (P55 billion) in capital expenditures to develop and ramp-up its production. The projected spending will raise Silangan mine’s full capacity to four million metric tons (MT) every year, according to Philex.
SRA races to stop pest infestation

1 week ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has assured industry stakeholders that the government is doing its best to contain the spread of red-striped soft scale insects or RSSI in sugarcane farms in Negros Occidental and prevent the pest infestation from impacting the country’s sugar production. SRA administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said RSSI have affected 186 hectares of sugarcane farms in the province.
Philippines durian gains entry into Egypt

1 week ago | philstar.com | Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has officially gained market access for its fresh durian to Egypt, the Bureau of Plant Industry said. The BPI confirmed on May 18 the opening of the Egyptian market for the country’s up-and-rising fruit export, marking the conclusion of nearly two years of negotiations between the two countries. “This reflects regulatory compliance and growing confidence in the country’s plant health and safety systems,” the BPI said.