Herculano “Joji” Co, longtime president of the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations (Philcongrains), said on Thursday that rice millers still have stocks in their warehouses to cover much of the demand until September.

Co stressed that the country must hope for good weather before the main harvest this year to assure the market of a better supply.

He explained heavy rains in October might affect planting and added the weather disturbances that gripped the country in the past few months had caused a one-month delay in the harvest, which translates to thinner inventories.

Nonetheless, Co said millers will not hold on to their stocks since rice is a sensitive commodity that loses its eating quality six months after it is milled.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said even if the country is compelled to import rice, the volume would be lower, with some officials hastening to add that it could be half the volume transacted by the previous management of the department.

Millers said government should provide additional incentives for them, adding that the regime of high importations acts as brake to many of those who were earlier poised to buy more efficient milling equipment. (Marvyn Benaning)

Book on RP's heroic couple
The city government of Manila, together with its Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and C&E Publishing Inc. will relaunch the book Ninoy at Cory: Magkabiyak na Bayani this Friday, August 20, at the Bulwagang Villegas, 2nd Floor of the Manila City Hall.

Written by 2009 Patnubay ng Sining - Panitikan awardee Domingo G. Landicho, the book is a 230-page narrative on the lives of the late Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. and the late President Corazon C. Aquino.

Part 1 of the book tackles Ninoy's early life and his foray into journalism and later politics, which eventually led to his exile and martyrdom. Part 2 is written in verse form and tells about Cory's life as a wife and mother, both to her family and the Filipino people.

The book was originally launched last May 21, 2010 at Club Filipino and will be relaunched to coincide with Ninoy's 27th death anniversary. (Czarina Nicole Ong)

Manila BIR collects P14-billion taxes
The Manila revenue regional office No. 6 of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued on Wednesday the deadline for the filing of correct quarterly corporate income tax returns and payment of taxes die to the government on or before August 31, 2010.

The BIR report said the quarterly payments would help improve its collection efforts for August after its January-to-July cumulative collections registered at P14.176 billion with all nine revenue district officers surpassed the collection goal for the period.

Records at the regional collection division showed that the Intramuros revenue district office No. 33, headed by Revenue District Officer (RDO) Danilo C. Mendoza, exceeded the highest collection goal by P1.165 billion taxes (18 percent) and overshoot its last year collection figure by P2.162 billion or 40 percent collection increases.

The report added that regional revenue collection performers are Tondo RDO Rosamarie Ragaza, 11.94 percent above goal; Binondo RDO Dante de Castro, 2.80 percent; Sta. Cruz RDO Teddy Huelva, 12.95 percent; Paco RDO Pet Fernando, 1.24 percent; Romblon RDO Maria Thelma Pulhin, 6.22 percent; Palawan RDO Leonora Ruizol, 13.78 percent; San Jose, Occidental Mindoro RDO Avia Globasa, 10.91 percent; and Quiapo district with 10.10 percent.