Comments on: The Long View: Department of Finance debunks Rizal http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/ Punditry. Politics. History. Commentary. Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:40:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Updates on the book blockade « Random Salt http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1073370 Updates on the book blockade « Random Salt Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:48:03 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1073370 [...] leave a comment » Manuel L. Quezon III has updated his timeline of the book blockade, and, in his column today, points out that by imposing duties on imported books, the Department of Finance (DOF) has effectivel.... [...] [...] leave a comment » Manuel L. Quezon III has updated his timeline of the book blockade, and, in his column today, points out that by imposing duties on imported books, the Department of Finance (DOF) has effectivel…. [...]

]]> By: mlq3 http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043459 mlq3 Sun, 17 May 2009 02:53:45 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043459 Gabby, government policy remains the same. Gabby, government policy remains the same.

]]> By: GabbyD http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043412 GabbyD Sat, 16 May 2009 21:14:22 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043412 hi! what about an update on what people's complaints have done to have this policy changed? wala pa? hi! what about an update on what people’s complaints have done to have this policy changed? wala pa?

]]> By: Madonna http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043302 Madonna Sat, 16 May 2009 07:47:09 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043302 ramrod, Importation of cheaper raw materials and trade liberalization have been of course favored by businessmen, and yet there is also a view that should also be looked into why local industries have stagnated. Going deeper and on the other end, why has local paper production been hobbled with poorer quality and yet more expensive as raw materials and when the finished products are churned out? At the risk of sounding inconsistent, I meant to say for the purpose of discussion that liberal importation and protection of local industries should be weighed in at a balance to protect long-term national interest -- that is, I neither espouse a strictly liberal nor protectionist bent when it comes trade policy. ramrod,

Importation of cheaper raw materials and trade liberalization have been of course favored by businessmen, and yet there is also a view that should also be looked into why local industries have stagnated.

Going deeper and on the other end, why has local paper production been hobbled with poorer quality and yet more expensive as raw materials and when the finished products are churned out?

At the risk of sounding inconsistent, I meant to say for the purpose of discussion that liberal importation and protection of local industries should be weighed in at a balance to protect long-term national interest — that is, I neither espouse a strictly liberal nor protectionist bent when it comes trade policy.

]]> By: ramrod http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043269 ramrod Sat, 16 May 2009 02:05:51 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043269 Madonna, If you take a closer look at our textbooks, they are printed mostly on locally manufactured "mechanical bond" or copy paper with a distinct "see-through" quality, if not, on newsprint. These could be good as bond paper or photocopy paper (using powder) but for books? Even the locally printed coloring books made using these material has a noticeable resistance to crayon adherence, I mean the child has to rub the crayon harder and much more. By protecting these businesses, we are making do with expensive, low grade material, suitable only for copy paper to be used as textbooks, etc. when we can save a lot of money importing the appropriate material. For UWF (uncoated woodfree) paper alone the local price is around 958Usd/mt compared to the imported 750Usd/mt and this is made from virgin pulp not recycled like the local. Does this issue warrant senate inquiry in aide of legislation? Madonna,
If you take a closer look at our textbooks, they are printed mostly on locally manufactured “mechanical bond” or copy paper with a distinct “see-through” quality, if not, on newsprint. These could be good as bond paper or photocopy paper (using powder) but for books?
Even the locally printed coloring books made using these material has a noticeable resistance to crayon adherence, I mean the child has to rub the crayon harder and much more.
By protecting these businesses, we are making do with expensive, low grade material, suitable only for copy paper to be used as textbooks, etc. when we can save a lot of money importing the appropriate material. For UWF (uncoated woodfree) paper alone the local price is around 958Usd/mt compared to the imported 750Usd/mt and this is made from virgin pulp not recycled like the local.
Does this issue warrant senate inquiry in aide of legislation?

]]> By: Madonna http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043190 Madonna Fri, 15 May 2009 17:07:55 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043190 Ay Manolo, I meant the local paper industry really, not the publishing houses per se. Still, prices of books, that is those between locally published and imported ones affect book demand and ultimately sales, and local publishers selling comparatively lesser priced books, even if they are made of poorer paper quality or are actually costlier in terms of production are on an advantage over foreign publishers whose books are actually cheaper production-wise yet heavily taxed. I think a big player such as the National Bookstore owners have long figured out how to balance its interests, whether as a seller of imported books or as a local publisher. "It’s with regards to the large volume of print runs and paper requirements that industry pressure would be applied to keep out cheap foreign paper or foreign presses." If so then perhaps books are a casualty of a larger economic and political issue being played out and not simply the "greediness" or unbelievable display of obtuseness by DoF or BoC officials. Ay Manolo, I meant the local paper industry really, not the publishing houses per se. Still, prices of books, that is those between locally published and imported ones affect book demand and ultimately sales, and local publishers selling comparatively lesser priced books, even if they are made of poorer paper quality or are actually costlier in terms of production are on an advantage over foreign publishers whose books are actually cheaper production-wise yet heavily taxed.

I think a big player such as the National Bookstore owners have long figured out how to balance its interests, whether as a seller of imported books or as a local publisher.

“It’s with regards to the large volume of print runs and paper requirements that industry pressure would be applied to keep out cheap foreign paper or foreign presses.”

If so then perhaps books are a casualty of a larger economic and political issue being played out and not simply the “greediness” or unbelievable display of obtuseness by DoF or BoC officials.

]]> By: mlq3 http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043145 mlq3 Fri, 15 May 2009 06:40:30 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043145 Not exactly, Madonna, for example, National Bookstore would have an interest in eliminating the book tax, even if its allied domestic publishing arm, Anvil, is also into publishing books, and while they will have a close relationship with printers such as Cacho Hermanos, it wouldn't have the same interest as say, the owners of PrintTown which have allied interests with Tipco, a domestic paper manufacturer. Put another way, raising foreign book prices won't necessarily redound to the benefit of domestic publishers. And the big money in publishing is in textbooks. It's with regards to the large volume of print runs and paper requirements that industry pressure would be applied to keep out cheap foreign paper or foreign presses. Not exactly, Madonna, for example, National Bookstore would have an interest in eliminating the book tax, even if its allied domestic publishing arm, Anvil, is also into publishing books, and while they will have a close relationship with printers such as Cacho Hermanos, it wouldn’t have the same interest as say, the owners of PrintTown which have allied interests with Tipco, a domestic paper manufacturer. Put another way, raising foreign book prices won’t necessarily redound to the benefit of domestic publishers. And the big money in publishing is in textbooks. It’s with regards to the large volume of print runs and paper requirements that industry pressure would be applied to keep out cheap foreign paper or foreign presses.

]]> By: The Long View: Department of Finance debunks Rizal : Manuel L … | 1001need News http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043141 The Long View: Department of Finance debunks Rizal : Manuel L … | 1001need News Fri, 15 May 2009 06:20:01 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043141 [...] See the original post here:  The Long View: Department of Finance debunks Rizal : Manuel L … [...] [...] See the original post here:  The Long View: Department of Finance debunks Rizal : Manuel L … [...]

]]> By: Madonna http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043140 Madonna Fri, 15 May 2009 06:17:10 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043140 Ah this is quite illuminating: ramrod has given quite a "bottomline" perspective on the issue, if it is correct that the paper industry and local publishing groups are the primary forces behind the taxation on imported books. An all-out pressure on the government, coming from local and international parties to enforce/reiterate a clear policy on taxation of imported books is indeed the best step. Again, this admin's true colors will show (or it is in fact already showing) if it throw its lot with a particular business sector/industry. Who are the people behind this sector/industry anyway and what are their ties to GMA's administration? This is a political issue or a matter of policy, and not litigation. The DOF and BOC are not the agencies to be targeted but rather Malacanang or the President herself. "Finance Undersecretary Estela V. Sales has been quoted as saying that novels are “not educational,”. Maybe the Usec was misquoted or taken out of context? She sounds just way too preposterous here. Ah this is quite illuminating: ramrod has given quite a “bottomline” perspective on the issue, if it is correct that the paper industry and local publishing groups are the primary forces behind the taxation on imported books.

An all-out pressure on the government, coming from local and international parties to enforce/reiterate a clear policy on taxation of imported books is indeed the best step. Again, this admin’s true colors will show (or it is in fact already showing) if it throw its lot with a particular business sector/industry. Who are the people behind this sector/industry anyway and what are their ties to GMA’s administration?

This is a political issue or a matter of policy, and not litigation. The DOF and BOC are not the agencies to be targeted but rather Malacanang or the President herself.

“Finance Undersecretary Estela V. Sales has been quoted as saying that novels are “not educational,”.

Maybe the Usec was misquoted or taken out of context? She sounds just way too preposterous here.

]]> By: Jhay http://www.quezon.ph/2009/05/14/the-long-view-department-of-finance-debunks-rizal/comment-page-1/#comment-1043135 Jhay Fri, 15 May 2009 04:18:15 +0000 http://www.quezon.ph/?p=2765#comment-1043135 Litigation is the best way forward at this stage because those concerned belong to the middle and upper classes. They do not want to rock the boat immediately hence they first resort to band-aid measures. I believe though, that if this issue would drag on, we would certainly get to that point where bookworms and others concerned would be raising torches and pitchforks at the greedy geniuses at the BOC and DOF. Litigation is the best way forward at this stage because those concerned belong to the middle and upper classes. They do not want to rock the boat immediately hence they first resort to band-aid measures.

I believe though, that if this issue would drag on, we would certainly get to that point where bookworms and others concerned would be raising torches and pitchforks at the greedy geniuses at the BOC and DOF.

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