Fire in Manila Central Post Office Building, accidental in nature - BFP

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The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) ruled that the cause of fire that gutted the historic Manila Central Post Office Building in Liwasang Bonifacio is purely accidental in nature and declared that the investigation is considered closed and solved.

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) already got hold of the fire clearance certificate issued by the BFP saying that the fire originated at the southern part of the basement, more particularly at the Mega Manila Storage Room (GSS) where office supplies, thinners, paint cans where piled in close proximity to the car batteries stored inside the room.

The BFP report stated that the combustibility of the load contents and its enclosed set-up greatly influence heat build-up that explains the explosion and subsequent conflagration. This led to the full development of fire and subsequent damage of the nearby structures.

On the determined cause of fire, it has been established based on the pieces of evidence gathered, that the statement of the witness and the result of the laboratory examinations, that the cause of fire is attributed to sudden self-discharge of car battery (sulfation) resulting to thermal run-away, causing sudden build-up of heat and pressure and eventually cause the explosion.

Moreover, the presence of the internal short circuit, the hydrogen and the volatile gases contained in the battery and the presence of oxygen as the oxidizing agent initiated the ignition. The contributory factors and the combustibility of materials fueled and sustained the ignition sequence.

Arson investigators from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) immediately conducted their investigation on the fire that damaged the 97-year-old structure, which is regarded as National Historical Landmark.

“We welcomed the result of the investigation from the BFP to know exactly what really happened. We will now move on and concentrate primarily on the recovery and rehabilitation of the iconic building”, said Postmaster General Luis Carlos.

Built in 1926, the historic Manila Central Post Office was designed by Filipino architects Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua. It was damaged during World War II, during the Battle of Manila and was restored in 1946, right after the war.

SSS issues 923 show cause orders to business employers in nationwide RACE Ops

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The Social Security System (SSS) conducted simultaneous Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) operations in 114 selected areas around the country last April 28, 2023 to call on non-compliant employers to settle their various contribution delinquencies. This is part of the Labor Day activities which SSS facilitated to promote the welfare of more than 13,000 Filipino workers after issuing written notices to their employers for failure to remit their SSS contributions.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said that 923 business employers across the country, including those unregistered, received show cause orders for incurring over P396.9 million worth of unpaid contributions and penalties, affecting the SSS benefits of 13,524 employees.

“We recognize the valuable contributions of Filipino workers to nation-building. They serve as the backbone of our economy and play a vital role as we move toward progress. Unfortunately, some employers overlooked workers' key role in the economy and neglect remitting their social security contributions,” Macasaet explained.

Of the 923 delinquent employers, 318 operate in Luzon with a total delinquency of P109.8 million affecting 3,344 employees. Mindanao came in second with 316 employers with a total delinquency of P69.2 million, affecting 3,669 employees. The National Capital Region (NCR) ranked third with 231 employers amounting a total delinquency of P183.9 million involving 4,844 employees, and Visayas with 58 employers with a total delinquency of P34.0 million affecting 1,667 employees.

Majority of the employers visited by SSS are engaged in the following: 96 in restaurant industry, 45 in retail selling, 31 in construction and supplies, 31 in management consultancy activities, 19 in hotel and resort industry, 18 in school institutions, 17 in hardware industry, 15 in food house industry, 12 in education services, and 12 in printing services.

In the press briefing in Binondo, SSS Vice President for Operations Legal Services Division I Renato Jacinto Cuisia appealed to employers to religiously remit the monthly contributions of their employees.

Under Republic Act No. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, employers have the legal obligation to report their employees to SSS and remit the corresponding monthly contributions of their workers.

Cuisia explained that employers who received the written notices are given 15 days to coordinate with their respective servicing SSS Branch Office and settle their contribution delinquencies. “If they fail to act on it, we will take legal action against erring employers by filing a criminal case against them for violating RA 11199,” he added.

Under the SS Act, employers who fail to register their employees or have not deducted and remitted their contributions will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 and face imprisonment ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to 12 years.

Filing cases against delinquent employers follow the SSS mandate of ensuring employers compliance with RA 11199.

Meanwhile, Stanley Sy of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) and Romy Chua of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Manila expressed their support for the RACE campaign and in reminding their fellow employers of their legal obligation to their employees.

Also, several members of PCCI-Manila joined SSS officials and employees as they visited 10 delinquent employers in Binondo, Manila.

The SSS Chief said that 59% of the employers failed to remit monthly contributions, 21.5% have gaps in paying the monthly contributions, and 10.5% are about non-registration. The remaining 13.7% are those employers served with written notice for non-production of records, non-reporting of employees, underpayment of contributions, and under-reporting of their employees.

“If employers neglect their duties to remit the monthly contributions of their workers, they are depriving their employees of the rightful SSS benefits they deserve. “A member’s monthly contributions serve as the basis to qualify for SSS benefits. And if their contribution records are not updated, they will not be entitled to claim SSS benefits or apply for loan programs,” Macasaet elaborated.

Aqua-Agriculture Industry: The Industry that Continues to Grow the Filipino Livelihood

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With Philippines as an island with land mass perfect for the agriculture industry, it is not surprising that it has played a huge role in aquaculture and agricultural production in the world.

Philippines has previously ranked as 10th and 11th in capture fisheries and aquaculture respectively. The country is also a huge exporter of agricultural product, accounting to an average contribution of 20 percent in Philippines’ GDP

With a favorable climate and vast lands and coastal areas, it is no surprise that 40% of Filipino workers are part of the agriculture sector while the fisheries sector accounts for about 5% of the labor force in the country.

Government initiatives along with the help of private sectors have been a big part of improving the local industries especially in supporting the livelihood to continue the efforts to improve and reinvigorate the industries.

Dept. Undersec. Panganiban mentions “With the current issues of food insecurity in the country, fostering innovative and sustainable urban farming methods with the help of private sectors is a solution to improve food accessibility. The private sector serves as the extending arms of the DA in reaching new heights for the implementation of the program through sustainable and environment-friendly innovations.”

Initiative such as financial assistance, technical training, and infrastructure development for aquaculture farmers have been supported by the government as part of the efforts to improve the industry. Expositions such as MAFBEX also help in supporting the livelihood of farmers and fishermen in the country as it highlights the local and regional products.

This year, the Department of Agriculture, DTI MIMAROPA, and BFAR will be participating in MAFBEX to showcase local and regional products from different regions of the Philippines. As parts of the effort to improve local livelihood and businesses, local goods are in the limelight at the BFAR pavilion, Department of Agriculture pavilion, and the DTI MIMAROPA pavilion.

Some of the local products you can get at MAFBEX from these pavilions, such as fresh and organic produce, organic sauces and condiments, organic snacks, and more!

Explore new flavors and find new local favorites at MAFBEX this year on June 14 to 18 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila!

You can register here at www.mafbex.com