BusinessMirror April 07, 2022

ADB: Inflation risks imperil PHL GDP outlook B C U. O @caiordinario

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HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) may have maintained its growth forecast for the Philippines at 6 percent for this year, but warned that the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war could further push inflation upward in the coming months.

Based on the ADB’s Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2022, the country’s GDP growth is expected to average 6 percent this year and 6.3 percent next year. Inflation is projected to pick up to 4.2 percent in 2022 and slow to 3.5 percent in 2023.

In a briefing on the ADO, ADB Southeast Asia Department Senior Regional Cooperation Officer Dulce Zara said their inflation expectations could change given higher oil prices.

“Our forecast right now is 4.2 percent but it may go up. We will adjust it depending on how big the impact is, but then, it is huge. It will affect inflation in the country simply because of the rising cost of oil,” Zara said. “It was at $70 per barrel in 2021, but now we’re looking at $100 per barrel.”

In the same briefing, ADB Macroeconomic Research Division Director Abdul Abiad said, in terms of growth, the Philippines did not

have direct trade linkages with Eastern Europe enough to merit a downgrade in GDP growth.

Abiad said the Russia-Ukraine war’s impact on the Philippine economy will mainly be through inflation. The country is a net oil importer and is a net food importer, especially for wheat which does not grow in tropical countries like the Philippines.

Offsetting factor

HOWEVER, any negative impact of the crisis in Eastern Europe will somehow be offset by the reopening of the Philippine economy. Abiad said this reopening is helping the economy recover.

“It turns out that Omicron is not as severe and as you can see, the Philippines is really starting to open up. There’s a lot more economic activity taking place and there’s an offsetting factor that opening up from Covid is taking place and that’s going to allow domestic demand to recover to both consumption and investment,” Abiad explained.

The report said some domestic demand may also come from election-related spending ahead of the national elections in May, which, the report said, could provide some “modest lift to aggregate demand.”

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Thursday, April 7, 2022 Vol. 17 No. 181

Villar still richest man in PHL, says Forbes

B B D. N

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@BNicolasBM

HE private sector urged the national government to further improve the ease of doing business in the country and allocate a bigger budget for the agriculture sector.

These formed part of the final set of top recommendations by the private sector to the national government at the close of the last Sulong Pilipinas forum under the Duterte administration on Tuesday.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III received the recommendations from the private sector, represented by George Barcelon, the president of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry—the country’s largest business organization.

To improve the ease of doing business in the country, the private sector said the government should compel national and local government agencies in centralized government portals, such as the TradeNet, and enforce penalties for non-compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act. For the agriculture sector, they also pushed that the government provide financial aid and capacity development for farmers to speed up agricultural modernization.

Apart from these, they also recommended continuing the “Build, Build, Build” program, completing projects as scheduled, and ensuring transparency in the bids and awards of contracts; beginning the rollout of the regional innovation centers and completing them by May 2023 to foster an innovative and research and developmentfocused Philippines; and imposing stricter rules and standards and implementing sustainable management guidelines by 2022 to maintain and deliver efficient and effective wastewater treatment.

Moreover, the private sector also recommended reforming the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED), placing early childhood C  A

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

P.  |     | 7 DAYS A WEEK

B VG C @villygc

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EAL estate magnate Manuel B. Villar Jr. remains the country’s richest individual, followed by port and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., but the Sy siblings, as a group, remained on top of the list, according to the new world billionaire rankings released

by Forbes magazine.

Villar, 72, has upped his fortunes to $8.3 billion, an increase from last year’s $7.2 billion. His standing at Forbes, which based such rankings on stock prices and exchange rates from March 11 to calculate net worth, has improved to 263rd in the world from the previous 352nd in 2021 and 286th in 2020.

Razon, 62, is now the country’s second richest with $6.7 billion from last year’s $5 billion after his fortunes skyrocketed since the pandemic in 2020, with the control of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. Inc. from the Ayala group.

He is now the 369th richest in the world, a huge jump from 561st in 2021 and 565th in 2020.

“The number of billionaires worldwide fell, but 40 percent of those who remained got richer,” S “V,” A

SUBSIDY FOR PUV DRIVERS RESUMES SOON, BUT NO RELIEF YET FOR AGRI B S P. M @sam_medenilla

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UBLIC utility vehicles (PUV) drivers struggling with high pump prices could expect the resumption soon of the suspended fuel subsidy program of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

However, farmers and fishermen, who are also facing similar fuel concerns, may have to wait until next week to get relief from the Department of Agriculture (DA), which has asked the Commission on Elections for reconsideration of

its appeal for exemption from the public spending ban. See related story in B3, Banking

Comelec on Wednesday approved the request of LTFRB to exempt its fuel subsidy project— granted by the government amid a clamor to suspend excise tax on petroleum as oil prices soared—from the ongoing election ban.

“The grant of the petition of the LTFRB will be subject to strict implementation of the program by submission of information on how the project will be implemented, the parameters of the implementation, and specially the specific target beneficiaries and how they will

apply to avail of the grants from program,” Comelec Commissioner George M. Garcia said on Wednesday.

Garcia said they will ask LTFRB to also submit the list of other government agencies which it will tap to implement the fuel subsidy program, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the DA. “They would have to specifically mention the beneficiaries, the how and when the project is to be implemented as well as the documentation,” Garcia said.

S “S,” A

■ US 51.2620 ■ JAPAN 0.4148 ■ UK 67.0353 ■ HK 6.5436 ■ SINGAPORE 37.7259 ■ AUSTRALIA 38.8361 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 13.6655 ■ EU 55.9166 ■ CHINA 8.0575

Source: BSP (April 6, 2022)

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News BusinessMirror

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Subsidy...

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But he noted that the Comelec en banc has yet to approve the request of DA to exempt from the ban its P500-million fuel voucher program.

In a Viber message, he told the BM that the Comelec en banc is expected to tackle DA’s petition during its meeting next week.

The poll official said LTFRB will be allowed to continue with the implementation of its fuel subsidy program once it gets a copy of its resolution within the week. “The latest [for the release of the resolution] will be on Friday and the earliest will be until tomorrow [April 7]. This is a notice to the LTFRB and the different departments to now prepare the plan on how to properly implement the fuel subsidy,” Garcia said.

LTFRB opted to defer the implementation of its fuel subsidy program, when the election ban for public works started last March 25, 2022. The ban will end on May 8, 2022.

As of last week, 110,287 benefited from the P2.5-billion subsidy, which aims to allow PUV drivers and other sectors to cope with the rising pump prices.

Comelec enforces the election ban for public works to prevent government funds from being used for election campaign purposes.

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Offices to be absorbed by DMW stay independent for now—Palace

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B S P. M

ITH the Department for Migrant Workers (DMW) yet to be fully constituted, the government offices to be absorbed by the new department will continue to operate independently for now.

Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea made the clarification after DMW Secretary Abdullah D. Mama-O recommended the recall of the appointment of some Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) officials.

In making such a request, Mama-O cited the supposed dissolu-

tion of POEA and the other concerned government agencies with the creation of the DMW. In a letter he sent to Mama-O on Tuesday, however, Medialdea denied the request, stressing that the three conditions for the constitution of the DMW under Republic Act 11641 are still not met.

The conditions include the budget appropriation under the 2023 General Appropriations Act, effectiveness of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), and the completion of the staffing pattern for the new department.

“Considering that the DMW has not been constituted yet, it follows that the government entities/agencies enumerated in Section 19 of RA 11641 shall continue to exist separately and perform their respective mandates until DMW is constituted,” Medialdea said.

Of these conditions, the IRR of DMW is the most likely to be completed soon after it was signed this week.

Department of Labor and Employment spokesman Rolly Francia said the IRR was already sub-

mitted for approval of President Duterte.

“If found in order, Malacañang will cause its publication before it takes effect and serve as guide for the smooth transition leading to the full constitution and operation of the new department,” Francia said.

Aside from POEA, other agencies to be absorbed by the DMW include the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) of the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), and National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP).

It will also include the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Office of the Social Welfare Attache (OSWA) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

ADB: Inflation risks imperil PHL GDP outlook C  A

Further, ADB said, private in-

vestment indicators remain favorable for the Philippines. ADB noted that capital goods imports

have posted double-digit growth and the manufacturing purchasing managers’ index increased to 52.8 in February 2022.

The Manila-based multilateral development bank said its confidence also stems from higher public spending which is expected to reach 11.5 percent this year, exceeding that of 2021.

ADB said higher public investment in large projects will continue to boost growth, with the government aiming to sustain infrastructure spending at over 5 of GDP in 2022.

“The main downside risks to the outlook stem from the unpredictable sequence of global events triggered by the Russian invasion on Ukraine,” ADB said.

“Heightened and extended geopolitical tensions will dampen global growth, including in advanced economies, particularly Europe and the United States, which are among the Philippines’s key export markets,” it added.

School closures

THE ADB also estimated that about 7 percent of the expected learning of students has been lost due to school closures. Abiad said this assumed that no remedial measures to recover the lost learning.

This amount of lost learning will reduce the lifetime earnings of students by $3.2 trillion which is already equivalent to 13 percent of developing Asia’s GDP in 2020.

The impact, Abiad said, could

also translate to a 47-percent wealth gap in earning losses between the poorest and richest students. The earning losses could also be 28 percent higher for girls than boys due to the higher returns in girl’s education.

“Students from the poorest quintile are expected to lose 33 percent more learning than students from the richest quintile,” Abiad said.

In the Philippines, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) earlier estimated that educational losses could reach P11.025 trillion. This includes P230 billion lost in 2020 and some P10.795 trillion in the next 40 years.

Using US data adjusted for Philippine education levels, Neda estimates that in the Philippines, online and modular learning is only 37 percent as effective as face-toface learning.

While this tempers the full impact of total school closures, the prolonged use of distance learning will lead to lower future productivity and consequently lower wages.

“The one-year school closure will cost the economy 230 billion pesos in 2020, and its impact over the next 40 years of the students’ lifetimes in the labor force is estimated at 10.7 trillion. This impact on productivity is likely to be permanent over the person’s lifetime,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua earlier explained.

Villar...

C  A

the magazine said.

The Sy siblings, as a group, remained the country richest persons, with their diversified businesses that spans almost all sectors of the economy from shopping mall operation, banking, cement, hotel and gambling operations and property development.

Henry Sy Jr. has a net worth of $2.8 billion, followed by Hans Sy and Herbert Sy, both with $2.6 billion each; Harley Sy and Teresita Sy-Coson with $2.4 billion each; and Elizabeth Sy with $2.1 billion.

Andrew Tan, known for his property development, liquor and hotel and gambling operations, also landed on the list, but his fortunes dropped to $2.8 billion from last year’s $2 billion and he is down to 1,096th in the world from the previous 1,008th.

Ramon S. Ang, president of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., also saw his fortunes slightly drop to $2 billion this year from the previous $2.2 billion.

Lance Gokongwei also landed on the list with his fortunes shooting up to $1.6 billion from the previous $1.2 billion.

Tony Tan Caktiong, founder of Jollibee fast food chain, saw his riches falling to just $1.3 billion from last year’s $2.4 billion and far from the $4-billion mark in 2018.

Tycoon Lucio Tan also saw his fortunes slump to $1.2 billion, from $3.3 billion last year and $4.7 billion in 2018.

Betty Ang barged into the list after the listing of Lucky Me! Noodles and Skyflakes manufacturer Monde Nissin Corp. at the Philippine Stock Exchange last year with $1.2 billion.

Couple Maria Grace Uy and Dennis Anthony Uy also came into the list following the listing of Converge ICT. Also on the list were Indian businessmen Sunder Genomal, Nari Genomal and Ramesh Genomal after their minority stake in Page Industries, which manufactures Jockey underwear.

Businessman Roberto Ongpin was still on the list even after the delisting of his property development firm from the PSE following a messy split with its partner in 2014.

Globally, Elon Musk was this year’s richest with $219 billion, followed by Jeff Bezos, who founded e-commerce giant Amazon with $171 billion; and Bernard Arnault and family, who oversee the LVMH empire, with $158 billion.

Business seeks better EODB, agri budget hike C  A

care under the Department of Education (DepEd) and improving qualification standards for professions to improve skills development.

They likewise proposed that: agencies under the Department of Tourism (DOT), in cooperation with other national government agencies, must develop a road network for more organized provisions of tourism services to improve access to tourist destinations; the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) must collaborate closely with the private sector in promoting financial literacy and responsible borrowing or lending to enhance financial inclusion.

Dominguez, who heads the government’s economic team, assured them that the recommendations submitted at the end of Sulong Pilipinas will be included in the transition documents of the Cabinet’s Economic Development Cluster for consideration by the next administration.

The finance chief has since said

they are preparing a fiscal consolidation package to include measures to sustain the economic gains and help the new administration address the high debt and a wider budget deficit that the government incurred amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We look forward to your support and suggestions as we institutionalize this proposed package that will support economic recovery and, ultimately, benefit the Filipino people,” Dominguez said.

PCCI vows support

FOR his part, Barcelon assured the government that “the PCCI will continue to support the government in revitalizing our economy by providing jobs, accelerating innovation, and expanding meaningful investments that will boost the competitiveness of our economy.”

“As we enter a new administration, we hope that Sulong Pilipinas will continue to serve its purpose of promoting the participation of citizens in the policymaking process. We will build on the Sulong tradition and look forward to see-

ing more of the people’s recommendations transformed into concrete government actions, in support of sustainable and inclusive growth,” Barcelon said.

Separately, Dominguez told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing and the Sulong Pilipinas forum that the fiscal consolidation plan is “almost finished” but he remained tightlipped on whether this will include an increase in taxes.

“That will include various measures and various suggestions. Remember that that is a plan for the adoption of the administration so since we are not in the administration anymore I cannot tell you ‘this is the plan, we will do this, we will do that.’ I can’t do that anymore but we have some suggestions for them,” he said. He said they have already briefed the economic teams of “some” presidential candidates, whom he refused to identify.

However, Dominguez said these economic teams were briefed on what’s the way forward and the current economic situation of the country.

BusinessMirror

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Thursday, April 7, 2022

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The SM Store, Mastercard team up to provide tablets for SM foundation scholars

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By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

HAT happens when retail giant The SM Store partners with Mastercard? The 1,210 scholars of SM Foundation receive electronic tablets to help them cope with the demands of online learning.

This was the outcome of the tie up that SM conceived in time for October, the month the company celebrates the birth month of its founder, Mr Henry “Tatang” Sy Sr. The SM Store tied up with Mastercard for the Shop and Share Program. For every Mastercard transaction from October 29 to 31, 2021 in all the SM Store branches nationwide, Mastercard gave P100 to support the store’s initiative to support the online learning of the SM Foundation scholars.

“Tatang, as we fondly call him, was passionate about helping the youth and investing in the future generation. He committed to make health and education accessible to all. To this day, through the support of the various SM businesses and the SM Foundation, we continue to build schools, hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country. We also provide college scholarships to thousands of students annually,” said Chelo Monasterio, President of The SM Store.

CSR platform

She added that beyond these programs, The SM Store “served as a platform for our equally passionate customers and partners to give back through our annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.”

“Shop and Share with Mastercard is a great example of a shared value in action. Through a simple business as usual transaction in our stores using Mastercard, we were able to raise funds to buy electronic tablets for our thousands of scholars,” Monasterio said.

“We are fortunate to have found an ally in Mastercard to celebrate Tatang’s legacy through this campaign. We hope that this is not the last but the start of a relationship that goes beyond the four walls of our business. Nothing is more inspiriting than to see how partnerships can make a difference,” she added.

Simon Calasanz, Country Manager of Mastercard in the Philippines, said he strongly believed that when communities thrived, businesses also thrived. He added that he was proud to be working for an organization like Mastercard “that echoes these beliefs while doing well, by doing good is business as usual.”

“We have some lofty goals that we wish to achieve and pledge by the year 2025. First we want to bring one billion people and 50 million micro and small businesses into the digital economy so more communities can benefit,” he said.

To the scholars who received the tablets, Calasanz hoped that they would make a positive impact in their education and in their lives.

“I wish you every success in your future endeavors and perhaps one day, if you so choose, it could be your initiatives that could be driving financial inclusion and sustainability in the country and the world,” Calasanz said.

The project, Lansang pointed out, is contributing to the achievement of Goal Number Four of the Sustainable Development Goals or SDG which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all.

“In the electronic era where all sectors of society are becoming digital, it is important for students to be computer literate to survive in the 21st century. Allowing students to learn using electronic devices such as tables and computers will improve their computer and research skills. At the same time, as students access learning materials using digital devices, they learn independently which allows them to be self-directed and become educated,” she said.

Lansang also reminded the scholars that SM Foundation, together with their partners, will always be there to support them.

“We hope that despite the challenges that you are facing, you will continue to press forward and succeed despite the extremely difficult times. Always remember that we at SM Foundation, together with our partners, are always here for you,” she added.

Blessing received

For SM scholar Rica Mae Panotes, 20 years old and a third year Management Accounting student at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, the electronic tablet that she received from SM Foundation was truly a blessing.

The fourth of six children, Panotes had to make do with a cellphone when attending online classes. This mobile phone, she added, was one that she inherited from her older sister. It had to be plugged most of the time and the storage capacity was really low.

“I had to install a number of apps on the phone because each of my professors had different app requirements. And since the screen was so small, I had a hard time keeping up with my classes because I always had to zoom in and out of my phone screen,” she related in an interview.

She also recalled the time when she had nine subjects during one of the semesters. She had three classes each day which lasted three hours each.

“There was a time when I had to delete the app I used for one sub-

(1st row, L-R) SMFI School Building Program Head Juris Soliman, SMFI SAVP for Education Programs Eleanor Lansang, SMFI Executive Director for Education Programs Linda Atayde, and The SM Store SAVP for Corporate Communications Gilda Maquilan during the turnover of the tablets.

ject and then install another app for my next subject so that I could use my phone properly, It was a real challenge for me,” Panotes added.

Hit by pandemic

Buying a new gadget was not a priority as like everyone else, Panotes family was also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Her father, Raymundo, works as a golf maintenance supervisor of a Golf Course in Binangonan, Rizal.

“My father has been working there for the past 18 years but because of the pandemic, he had to work on alternate days which affected his take home pay. After office hours, he would be a habal habal rider for the caddies who work in the golf course but this stopped as well. We had to tighten our belts but we had a great time bonding during lockdowns,” Panotes related.

Her mother Ma. Victoria used to have a small business selling cooked food and ready to wear clothing. Due to an accident, however, she was forced to stop working and is now a full-time housewife.

Panotes’ two older sisters Rachel and Rejean were only able to finish high school and had to help send their younger siblings to school.

Panotes’ older borther Raymark is scheduled to graduate from college this year. Her younger sister Rhean was supposed to be in first year college but had to stop for the meantime because of the pandemic. The youngest, Ryan James is 14 years old and is in Grade 8.

“My parents are very grateful that I was able to get a scholarship from SM Foundation. I received many benefits from the foundation and this will help me achieve my goal of being an accountant in the future,” Panotes said.

Never give up

Her advice to those who want to finish tertiary education is to never give up. She believes that current challenges will turn into opportunities depending on how you will address them.

“I know many people who had to stop schooling because of the pandemic and that includes my sibling. I always tell my sister that you will be able to finish your studies in your own time, that we will find a way” she added.

Nineteen-year-old Yiezney Aleck A. Caborda, on the other hand, had to share a laptop with her younger brother Yuri who is a Grade 9 student at Pasay North High School.

“During the pandemic, my father lost his job because this office was closed down. We had to manage our expenses. We had to find the means to get hold of a laptop because we were two students in the family,” Caborda said.

A first year Accounting student at the Asia Pacific College,

Caborda related that when it was her brother’s turn to use the laptop, she would have to make do with her cellphone. There were times, too, when they both had to rely on their cellphones because the laptop would crash every now and then.

Additional tool for learning

Thanks to the electronic tablet she received from the Shop and Share Program, Caborda said she and her sibling can focus more on their studies since they will no longer share a single device.

“Now, we don’t have to argue over one device. If the laptop crashes, the tablet is there as backup. I can use the tablet to take down notes, read books because it is so portable and the screen is so much bigger than the cellphone,” she said.

When asked why she decided to pursue accountancy, Caborda said she chose the course because numbers and analytics interests her and because of the high job market demand.

“I felt that accountancy was

a very practical course and the first thing I considered in choosing a course is employability and I feel that I will be able to finish the course based on my skills and abilities,” she said.

She also looks forward to the day when she will be able to actually set foot on the Asia Pacific College (APC) campus.

“I have not been inside APC. I enrolled online and all our classes are held online. “After missing out on face-to-face classes and meeting new friends due to the pandemic, I’m really excited to meet new people and actually be in a classroom environment for once because I’ve been really missing that—I miss the culture and the nature of the classroom,” she added.

The overall benefits of CSR collaboration can drive growth and become a force for good. Partnerships, such as the Shop and Share program can create solutions that improve society by fostering learning and promote innovation for the youth - which is vital in promoting quality education in the digital era.

SM scholar Rica Mae Panotes together with her family.

Social good partners

For her part, Eleanor Lansang, SAVP for Education Programs of SM Foundation, said she was very grateful to their “social good partners,” especially to Mastercard clients.

“Because of you, Mastercard and The SM Store was able to raise funds for the purchase of 1,210 tablets which will be used by our SM scholars in their online learning. Because of your generosity, our scholars are now digitally equipped for the new normal,” Lansang said.

SM scholar Rica Mae attending her online classes using the tablet.

SM scholar Yiezney Aleck Caborda.

A4 Thursday, April 7, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

The Nation BusinessMirror

BBM sustains lead, Leni’s voter share improves in latest survey

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

& Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

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ITH just 33 days before the elections, former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is still the top choice as the country’s next president, while his closest rival Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s voter share improved in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

In a survey conducted from March 17 to 21, Pulse Asia said Marcos was favored by 56 percent of respondents; and Robredo, by 24 percent.

In the latest Laylo Research survey of March 17 to 22, meanwhile, Marcos had 61 percent voter preference and Robredo clinched 19 percent.

While Marcos still topped all major island groups in the Pulse Asia poll, the former senator’s current score of 56 percent fell from February’s 60 percent.

Moreover, the survey said Marcos was preferred in the National Capital Region with 64 percent.

Robredo, meanwhile, posted the biggest increase in the latest pre-election poll. Robredo’s scores rose to 24 percent from the previous 15 percent.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, whose ratings went down from 10 percent to 8 percent, remained at the

third spot. Senator Manny Pacquiao was favored by 6 percent, while Senator Panfilo Lacson got 2 percent.

According to Pulse Asia, 2,400 respondents were asked: “Of the people on this list, whom would you vote for as President of the Philippines if the May 2022 elections were held today and they were candidates?”

The VP race

FOR the vice presidential race, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte maintained her lead with 56 percent. Her voter preference has also increased from February’s 53 percent.

Duterte continued her lead in all island groups. Duterte got the highest support of 83 percent in Mindanao.

Senate President Vicente Sotto remained at the second spot with 20 percent.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan got 15 percent followed by Dr. Willie Ong with 5 percent and House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza with 1 percent.

Laylo poll: BBM has 61%, Robredo 19%

MEANWHILE, the Laylo Research pre-election survey showed Marcos leading all presidential hopefuls with 61 percent, while Robredo is a distant second with 19 percent of 3,000 respondents from “likely voters’ from all over the country.” The poll had a ±2 percent margin error.

Marcos maintained dominance in nearly all regions with high 86-percent preferential votes in the Cordillera Administrative Region and 51 percent in Southern Luzon, yielding only in the Western Visayas and Bicol Region, two known bailiwicks of Robredo.

Marcos also was the choice of urban voters with his 61 percent preferability as compared to Robredo’s 18 percent. Among rural voters, Marcos was ahead with 63 percent compared to Robredo’s 16 percent.

In the economic class, Marcos dominated the ABC classes with 72 percent preference votes, versus Robredo’s 12 percent.

Classes D and E registered 62 percent and 58 percent preference rates, respectively, for Marcos, while Robredo as usual is a far second with 15 percent and 16 percent percentage points, respectively.

Male voters are more likely to vote for Marcos with his 64 percent preference as compared to Robredo’s 16 percent.

Female voters, on the other hand, chose Marcos as reflected by the 58 percent preference he received compared to Robredo’s 21 percent.

In the age bracket, Marcos was the preferred choice by all voters ranging from 18 to 55 years old upwards, as compared to Robredo’s 18.6 percent.

Gaining momentum

VICE President Robredo’s campaign for the presidency is gaining momentum as shown by the latest results of the Pulse Asia survey, which reflected the realities on the ground, her spokesman Barry Gutierrez said on Wednesday.

“The survey numbers are starting to reflect what we have been seeing on the ground all along: the massive crowds, the fierce passion, the untiring commitment of Filipinos from all walks of life, coming together to rally behind Leni Robredo’s bid for the presidency,” Gutierrez said.

Robredo’s spokesman issued the statement in response to the results of the survey which showed that Robredo has gained by 13 percent in voter’s preference, although UniTeam standard bearer Marcos Jr. still kept his lead.

“This 13-point swing going into the last two months of the campaign clearly establishes what we have long known: that VP Leni has the momentum, which we expect will only further intensify and accelerate all the way to May 9,” Gutierrez said.

“What we are seeing now is the turning of the tide. Sa tulong ng ating mga kababayang patuloy na kumikilos, kumakatok, nakikiusap, nangungumbinsi, ipapanalo natin ito,” he added.

US Peace Corps, PHL partners welcome new virtual volunteers

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HE US Peace Corps recently concluded a weeklong kick off program for American volunteers who will provide virtual technical assistance to three requesting Filipino partners in the next six months.

These American volunteers formerly lived and worked in the Philippines as Peace Corps volunteers and are now “returning” to the country virtually to support Filipino host organizations with priority projects as part of the US Peace Corps’ innovative Virtual Service Program, which was introduced due to the pandemic.

The three Filipino partners are the local government of Ivisan in Capiz, Bataan Peninsula State University, and the Philippine Science High School. The American volunteers engaging with them will collaborate on environmental program sustainability, agro- and ecotourism pro-

gram development, and information and communications technology.

“The US Peace Corps is pleased to support partners in meeting their priority technical assistance needs here in the Philippines, and we plan to continue this unique, highly demanded program even after the pandemic is fully behind us and we have volunteers here in person early next year,” said US Peace Corps Philippines Country Director Jenner Edelman.

This is the second time in the past year that former American Peace Corps volunteers have engaged with requesting partner organizations through virtual service, including with a number of new Peace Corps partners. The participating Americans are private citizens who share their professional expertise and dedicate five to 15 hours per week to serve alongside Filipino counterparts.

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Greenhills raid yields ₧63 million worth of counterfeit products

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HE 15-member National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) under the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) seized on Monday P63 million worth of suspected counterfeit goods at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan City.

The operation, spearheaded by NCIPR member National Bureau of Investigation, led to the haul of 755 pieces of fake Louis Vuitton products. The activity is part of the NCIPR’s commitment to remove Greenhills from the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) list of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy. The shopping center is the lone market in the country to be in the list.

“Unless drastically changed, Greenhills’ reputation as a go-to for fake goods will damage our country’s reputation, eventually affecting our economic interests in the US and other trading partners that highly value intellectual property [IP] protection,” IPOPHL Deputy Director General Teodoro C. Pascua said.

Following the raid, the NCIPR also met with officials of Greenhills’ management group to discuss and explore collaborative steps to wipe out counterfeit selling activities in its halls.

Greenhills’ External Affairs Head and Legal Manager Atty. Isagani I. Elacio assured that the group would coordinate with the committee for further action plans.

Aware of the company’s perception among enforcement groups and its negative standing in USTR reviews, Atty. Elacio has offered to provide an in-site office for NCIPR member staff to help educate Greenhills tenants and enforce IP rights protection.

Also present at the meeting was a representative from the US Embassy to help clarify the USTR report and provide full support to NCIPR efforts.

The NCIPR, along with Greenhills’ management, is expected to hold more action plan meetings to respond to the growing counterfeit sales, Pascua said at a news conference IPOPHL last April 4.

One of the 35 physical markets the USTR identified as notorious for counterfeits in 2021, Greenhills has long been on the list for

selling fake electronics, perfumes, watches, shoes, accessories and fashion items.

The NCIPR has heightened its watch on Greenhills, especially with the latest USTR report finding that counterfeit sellers in the mall are becoming more open with their illicit trade.

To address the counterfeiting activities in Greenhills, IPOPHL has established a Technical Working Group (TWG) within the NCIPR. The TWG will soon be meeting with the local government of San Juan to explore collaborative work in stamping out counterfeiting in the city.

Fighting counterfeiting down to barangays

IPOPHL’s Pascua is also pushing for the creation of an Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Piracy Policy (ACAP) in each barangay and city in compliance with Memorandum Circular No. 2020-124 on IP protection issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), an NCIPR member.

The DILG circular, aims to enjoin all provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays, to issue an ordinance banning the sale, transfer, manufacture and/or production of pirated, counterfeit and fake goods, as well as observe Optical Media Board rules.

“One thing we look forward to from this Circular is speeding up the process in enforcement. The frontline here is really in the local government, down to the barangays,” Pascua added, emphasizing that officials at this level can “denormalize” the sale of fakes in local shops and tiangges.

M a l abon a nd Mu nt i n lupa are among the first few cities to implement their ACAPs soon. In the following months, IPOPHL will be reaching out to the cities of Baguio and Cebu to help them develop their Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Policies.

“We will take the next step not just in Greenhills but in all other malls we have already observed violating Intellectual Property Rights. We will bring this up to their management. We will ask them to help us, not to threaten them but to help us in stamping [counterfeiting and piracy] out,” Pascua added.

Halt further purchases, deliveries of Covid vaccine for now–Tolentino

By Butch Fernandez

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@butchfBM

DP-LABAN Sen. Francis Tolentino, citing oversupply, prodded Executive officials to abort additional orders for delivery of imported Covid-19 vaccine.

The administration lawmaker, citing Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion’s finding, warned over 27 million doses of the delivered vaccine supply are set to expire by June and the surplus would likely be donated to other countries.

Tolentino stressed millions of Filipinos have already been inoculated, justifying suggestions to abort further orders of the imported vaccine.

He noted Executive officials themselves acknowledged projections of oversupply of the vaccine government bought from foreign suppliers.

“Iyan ay dahil maaari aniyang may oversupply o sobra-sobra na ang bakuna,” Tolentino said.

This, he added, even as the government continues to receive antiCovid-19 vaccine supplies bought from other countries.

According to Tolentino, Executive officials are aware that once government places an order for additional vaccine supply, it will be readily delivered, but he assured they will explore other options to ensure the vaccine supply surplus will not be wasted, given that the funds used to pay for the oversupply came from loans that would be paid for by taxpayers money.

At the same time, he said, the government should ensure the remaining supply of booster shots for protection should be delivered to intended beneficiaries to avert wasting public funds.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin

Drilon on Monday raised the alarm over the Executive’s allegedly “callous disregard for taxpayers’ money in buying 27 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines now in danger of expiring.”

In a news statement, Drilon said, “Each centavo that was used for the purchase of the anti-coronavirus vaccines come from the taxpayers.”

He said he was appalled that more than two years into the pandemic, “the IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases] still manages to mismanage the government’s response to the pandemic.”

The opposition lawmaker added that “it is unconscionable that the vaccines that were purchased through loans could end up in the garbage.”

He urged officials to act quickly and decisively on the looming issue, saying it would be “criminal neglect if they let that happen.”

Drilon estimated that the purchase of millions of Covid-19 vaccines raised the country’s debt from P9 trillion pre-pandemic to P12 trillion as of February 2022.

“At P500 per dose, the government is throwing away P13.5 billion if the 27 million doses are not administered within the next three months,” added Drilon.

He said “the P13.5 billion could have been used instead to augment the ayuda for public utility vehicle drivers and operators affected by the astronomical increase in the prices of fuel.”

The administration officials concerned should make sure these vaccines are used on time, the lawmaker said, pointing out that “still a considerable number of Filipinos” have not yet received their booster shots.

“Let us not leave the expired vaccines for the next administration to inherit,” he stressed.

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, April 7, 2022 A5

DOE firms up dispatch of RE plants in WESM

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By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Department of Energy (DOE) targets to issue in the third quarter of this year a new policy declaring all renewable energy (RE) plants as preferential dispatch units in the wholesale electricity spot market (WESM).

During the second day of the 1st Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) Summit organized by the Meralco Power Academy, DOE Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) Director Mylene Capongcol said the agency is currently studying and pushing for this.

At least two public consultations, in fact, were already conducted on the draft department circular (DC) on preferential dispatch. “The proposed DC is targeted to be promulgated on third quarter of 2022,” she said during her presentation.

The DOE has collaborated with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH

(GIZ) and the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) for the conduct of a study on RE priority dispatch. Based on their evaluation, Capongcol is certain that declaring all RE as preferential dispatch will definitely help reduce electricity prices.

“The initial result was quite encouraging. It provides cheaper market price for those in the grid or those that have WESM. Because of that study, we might issue a policy that might be two prong. We will start with geothermal and biomass as priority dispatch and then we’ll move towards other RE like impounding hydro so that the dispatch of the market will be coming from those

RE technologies,” Capongcol said.

When asked which RE are now labeled as priority and must dispatch, Capongcol said solar, wind and runof-river are must dispatch while FIT (Feed-in-Tariff)-eligible biomass is preferential or priority dispatch. “We intend to cover all RE,” she stressed.

As per DOE, priority dispatch means giving preference to all qualified and registered RE plants that are not must dispatch, such as biomass, geothermal and impounding hydro plants. Previously, only biomass under the FIT system was included.

For must dispatch, the DOE said this “facilitated in the WESM by qualified and registered intermittent RE-based plants, whether or not under FIT system, such as wind, solar, run-of-river hydro, or ocean energy, according to the preference in the dispatch schedule whenever generation is available.”

The DOE said both are collectively referred to as preferential dispatch generating units.

“Must dispatch is the first to be dispatch in the grid. Any generation from solar, wind, and hydro will be scheduled and dispatched among all technologies whether RE or non-RE. Mostly, these are variable RE. Then next is the priority

dispatch,” Capongcol explained when sought for comment.

During the summit, the DOE and the ICSC pointed out that RE sources best suit the country’s power generation needs.

“Renewable energy can definitely compete with coal. In the renewable space, you only pay for the cost of developing, and naturally, the supply is available for use. This is why the DOE is looking for strategies to buy down the cost of RE in the country, not just in the investment side but also for the consumers,” said Capongcol.

RE sources, namely, geothermal, biomass, hydro, solar, wind, and biofuels, have contributed a 21.2percent share in the country’s total power generation in 2020. To maximize the potential and advantages of RE, the government is targeting to increase its share in the Philippine energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and more than 50 percent by 2040 through its updated National Renewable Energy Program (NREP).

To help achieve this, the DOE has implemented policies such as the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) and the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) to give it the much-needed boost and jumpstart further RE activities.

The RPS a policy mechanism under Republic Act 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 mandating distribution utilities and retail electricity suppliers to source or produce at least 1 percent of their power supply from eligible RE facilities.

The GEOP is a voluntary RE policy mechanism, which provides end-users the option to choose RE resources for their energy requirements.

The agency is now preparing for the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP) and RE Trust Fund. It also recently promulgated the Waste-ToEnergy Development.

Meanwhile, ICSC energy transition advisor Alberto Dalusung III presented the findings of the report entitled “Toward an Affordable and Reliable Grid with Energy Transition” (TARGET).

The TARGET report is an output of the Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) Programme, a regional initiative that aims to drive change in the power sector. CASE was launched in the Philippines last December 2021, with ICSC as its local expert organization and DOE-REMB as its political partner.

“We do not need new baseload power plants—we have enough. We need a system that is attuned to the

kind of geography our country has.

We need a modern grid that is able to adjust and support diverse, distributed generation,” Dalusung said.

ICSC had said that the country should brace for possible power supply shortage because the country is still dependent on coal power plants, which are “not performing as expected” and proven to be prone to outages.

“Because we have relied more on coal, we have reduced our energy self-sufficiency, which is why we are highly vulnerable to price volatility,” commented Atty. Jay Layug, senior partner at Puno Law Office and president of the Developers of Renewable Energy for Advancement Inc. (DREAM).

“The fuel prices in the global market directly affect prices of electricity, and it’s the consumers that bear the costs because we have a regulatory practice of automatic fuel price passthrough or ‘pasa-load.’ This needs to be removed as soon as possible, because it is unfair to the consumers,” Dalusung said. “Coal may have the notion that it is cheap, but it actually is very expensive. We have to look at the power situation holistically and we have to look at the facts—that renewables are cheaper and will continue to get cheaper,” he added.

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Thursday, April 7, 2022

Zelenskyy at the UN accuses Russian forces of war crimes

By Oleksandr Stashevskyi & Edith M. Lederer

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The Associated Press

UCHA, Ukraine—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the Russians of gruesome atrocities in Ukraine and told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that those responsible should immediately be brought up on war crimes charges in front of a tribunal like the one established at Nuremberg after World War II.

Over the past few days, grisly images of what appeared to be intentional killings of civilians carried out by Russian forces in Bucha and other towns before they withdrew from the outskirts of Kyiv have caused a global outcry and led Western nations to expel scores of Moscow’s diplomats and propose further sanctions, including a ban on coal imports from Russia.

Zelenskyy, speaking via video from Ukraine to UN diplomats, said that civilians had been tortured, shot in the back of the head, thrown down wells, blown up with grenades in their apartments and crushed to death by tanks while in cars.

“They cut off limbs, cut their throats. Women were raped and killed in front of their children,” he said. He asserted that people’s tongues were pulled out “only because their aggressor did not hear what they wanted to hear from them.”

Zelenskyy said that both those who carried out the killings and those who gave the orders “must be brought to justice immediately for war crimes” in front of a tribunal similar to what was used in postwar Germany.

Moscow’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said that while Bucha was under Russian control, “not a single local person has suffered from any violent action.”

Reiterating what the Kremlin has contended for days, he said that video footage of bodies in the streets was “a crude forgery” staged by the Ukrainians.

“You only saw what they showed you,” he said. “The only ones who would fall for this are Western dilettantes.”

As Zelenskyy spoke to the diplomats, survivors of the monthlong Russian occupation took investigators to body after body of townspeople allegedly shot down by troops. Others simply surveyed the destruction.

In Borodyanka, northwest of Kyiv, 25-year-old, Dmitriy Yevtushkov searched the rubble of apartment buildings and found that only a photo album remained from his family’s home. In the besieged southern city of Mykolaiv, a passerby stopped briefly to look at the bright blossoms of a shattered flower stand lying among bloodstains, the legacy of a Russian shell that killed nine. The onlooker sketched out the sign of the cross in the air, and moved on.

Associated Press journalists in Bucha have counted dozens of corpses in civilian clothes and interviewed Ukrainians who told of witnessing atrocities. Also, highresolution satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies showed that many of the bodies had been lying in the open for weeks, during the time that Russian forces were in the town.

The dead in Bucha included a pile of six charred bodies, as witnessed by AP journalists. It was not clear who they were or under what circumstances they died. One body was probably that of a child, said Andrii Nebytov, head of police in the Kyiv region. A gunshot wound to the head was visible on one.

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court at The Hague opened an investigation a month ago into possible war crimes in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy stressed that Bucha was only one place and that there

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks via remote feed during a meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at United Nations headquarters. AP/John Minchillo

are more with similar horrors—a warning echoed by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg , meanwhi le, warned that in pulling back from the capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military is regrouping its forces in order to deploy them to eastern and southern Ukraine for a “crucial phase of the war.” Russia’s stated goal currently is control of the Donbas, the largely Russian-speaking industrial region in the east that includes the shattered port city of Mariupol.

“Moscow is not giving up its ambitions in Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said.

W hile both Ukrainian and Russian representatives sent optimistic signals following their latest round of talks a week ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow won’t accept a Ukrainian demand that a prospective peace deal include an immediate pullout of troops followed by a Ukrainian referendum on the agreement.

In televised remarks Tuesday, Lavrov said a new deal would have to be negotiated if the vote failed, and “we don’t want to play such cat and mouse.”

Ukrainian officials said that the bodies of at least 410 civilians have been found in towns around Kyiv that were recaptured from Russian forces and that a “torture chamber” was discovered in Bucha.

Zelenskyy told the Security Council there was “not a single crime” that Russian troops hadn’t committed in Bucha.

“The Russian military searched for and purposefully killed anyone who served our country. They shot and killed women outside their houses when they just tried to call someone who is alive. They killed entire families, adults and children, and they tried to burn the bodies,” he said. They used tanks to crush civilians “just for their pleasure,” he said.

On Tuesday, police and other investigators walked the silent streets of Bucha. Survivors who hid in their homes during the Russian occupation of the town, many of them past middle age, wandered past charred tanks and jagged windowpanes with plastic bags of food and other humanitarian aid.

Red Cross workers checked in on intact homes.

Many of the dead seen by AP journalists appeared to have been shot at close range, and some had their hands bound or their flesh burned.

The AP and the PBS series “Frontline” have jointly verified at least 90 incidents during the war that appear to violate international law. The War Crimes Watch Ukraine project is looking into apparent targeted attacks as well as indiscriminate ones.

US Secretary of State Antony

Blinken said the images from Bucha revealed “not the random act of a rogue unit” but “a deliberate campaign to kill, to torture, to rape, to commit atrocities.” He said the reports of atrocities were “more than credible.”

“Only non-humans are capable of this,” said Angelica Chernomor, a refugee from Kyiv who crossed into Poland with her two children and saw the photos from Bucha.

“Even if people live under a totalitarian regime, they must retain feelings, dignity, but they do not.”

Chernomor is among the more than 4 million Ukrainians who have fled the country in the wake of the February 24 invasion.

Russia has rejected similar accusations of atrocities in the past by accusing its enemies of forging photos and video and using socalled crisis actors.

As Western leaders condemned the killings in Bucha, Romania, Italy, Spain and Denmark expelled dozens of Russian diplomats on Tuesday, following moves by Germany and France. Hundreds of Russian diplomats have been sent home since the start of the invasion, many accused of being spies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the expulsions a “short-sighted ” measure that would complicate communication and warned they would be met with “reciprocal steps.”

The US, in coordination with the European Union and Group of Seven nations, will roll out more sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, including a ban on all new investment in the country, a senior administration official said, speaking on condition to discuss the upcoming announcement.

Also, the EU’s executive branch proposed a ban on coal imports from Russia, in what would be the first time the 27-nation bloc has sanctioned the country’s lucrative energy industry over the war. The coal imports amount to an estimated 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) per year.

Just hours before the latest proposal was announced, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that to prevent “new Buchas,” the West must impose the “mother of all sanctions”—on Russian oil and gas.

“A few months of tightening your belts are worth thousands of saved lives,” he said.

But Western nations are divided over how far to go. While some are calling for a boycott of Russian oil and gas, Germany and others fear that such a move could plunge the continent into a severe economic crisis.

Lederer reported from the United Nations. Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Ukraine, and Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.

Editor: Angel R. Calso • www.businessmirror.com.ph

China’s daily Covid infections top 20,000 as isolation expands

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hina reported 20,472 new daily Covid cases for Tuesday, driven by surging infections in Shanghai where local officials are building the world’s largest makeshift isolation facility to help contain the outbreak there.

The National Exhibition and Convention Center, a 1.2 million square meter space known for hosting international auto shows and other massive events, will be converted to house more than 40,000 people, according to local media reports. The effort shows how far the financial hub will go to fight the virus, on top of the lockdown that has kept its 25 million residents confined to their homes.

The current outbreak in China has already surpassed the number of infections found in the early days of the pandemic, before testing was easily available, and encompasses a much broader swath of the nation. While President Xi Jinping is committed to getting the conflagration under control, his request to limit economic consequences is getting harder to do as the wildly transmissible Omicron variant continues to spread despite intense efforts to stop it.

The number of cases continues to rise in Shanghai and Jilin, a northeastern province that has been locked down since mid-March, showing the difficulty of halting the spread of omicron once it has deeply penetrated a population. There were 311 local infections and 16,766 asymptomatic cases reported in Shanghai on Tuesday, and another 973 infections and 1,798 asymptomatic cases in Jilin, according to the National Health Commission.

Both areas are struggling with the economic and personal ramifications of the lockdowns, with food shortages, a lack of medical care and shuttered manufacturing plants bringing misery to residents.

Case counts are rising even faster on the outskirts of Shanghai, though the numbers remain low.

The 7-day average increased to 63 from 19 in Anhui province, while climbing to 59 from 21 a week earlier in Jiangsu.

Shanghai remains the hotspot for the current flareup, despite indefinitely extending a sweeping lockdown of its 25 million people.

Originally intended to be carried out in two parts, the rising number of infections led to a continuation of the restrictions in the eastern portion of the city that were initially expected to be lifted last week.

The city will conduct another mandatory round of city-wide testing starting today, said Gu Honghui, deputy secretary general of the municipal government, said at a briefing. People living in housing compounds where infections have been reported since April 1 will undergo laboratory testing, while those complexes without any cases will do at-home antigen tests, he said. Delivery people must get both types of tests daily, said Liu Min, vice director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce.

Converting one of the world’s largest convention compounds into an isolation facility is a sign to the world that China isn’t shifting away from its Covid Zero target, even as the rest of the world has decided to live with the virus.

Shanghai’s current effort surpasses the number of beds provided by Wuhan’s makeshift hospitals built at the peak of the crisis, with no other country devoting as much space to isolation.

The Shanghai venue, known as the NECC, traditionally hosted the annual China International Import Expo, an event started under Xi meant to showcase China’s growing openness and power in international trade. Bloomberg News

US, EU eye new sanctions to hit Russian investments T

he US, European Union and Group of Seven are coordinating on a fresh round of sanctions on Russia, including a US ban on investment in the country and an EU ban on coal imports, following the discovery of civilian murders and other atrocities in Ukrainian towns abandoned by retreating Russian forces.

The governments plan to increase penalties on Russian financial institutions and state-owned enterprises and will sanction unspecified Russian officials and their family members, said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

“You can expect that they will target Russian government officials, their family members, Russian-owned financial institutions, also state-owned enterprises. It’s a part of the continuation of our efforts to put consequences in place, hold Russian officials accountable,” Psaki told reporters Tuesday, adding that an announcement would come Wednesday.

The ruble weakened against the dollar on news of the new penalties.

The discovery of atrocities in Bucha, a town outside Kyiv where Russian forces pulled back in recent days under pressure from the Ukrainian military, has horrified the world anew as the Kremlin refocuses its offensive on securing the separatist Donbas and Luhansk regions.

Ukrainian authorities, backed by US and European governments, allege Russian forces murdered scores of civilians after they occupied the region, and they have released evidence, including photographs, of men whose wrists appear to have been bound before they were shot.

The Kremlin has denied responsibility, claiming without evidence that the Kyiv government staged the incidents.

Earlier Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is proposing to ban most Russian ships and trucks from entering the bloc, as well as Russian coal imports. The EU will also push ahead with a debate on targeting Russian oil, she said—a sensitive issue in Europe, where many countries are dependent on

Russian fuel imports.

The EU also is discussing sanctioning Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters, according to people familiar with the matter. Putin’s daughters are part of a proposed list of sanctions targets that also includes political figures, tycoons and their family members, and several propagandists, the people said.

“These atrocities cannot and will not be left unanswered,” von der Leyen said.

She will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who continues to press the US and Europe to supply his country with more weaponry to repel the invasion. NATO foreign ministers will meet in Brussels beginning Wednesday to discuss the crisis.

An American official said the US would largely match EU actions on coal, Putin’s daughters and some banks.

The EU sanctions proposed Tuesday include expanding export controls on technologies used in the Russian defense sector and other key industries, as well as restrictions on sales of equipment that can be used to liquefy natural gas. They also propose sanctioning more entities, including banks such as VTB Bank PJSC, that have been cut off from the SWIFT global payments messaging system but are not yet fully sanctioned.

The new penalties are intended to degrade key instruments of Russian state power and impose acute and immediate economic harm on Russia, a US official with direct knowledge of the matter said, while holding accountable what the official called a “kleptocracy” that funds and supports the war.

The US, Europe, and allied nations in Asia have together already imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, including on its central bank, in response to the Ukraine invasion.

The US official said Russia’s economy is forecast to contract by 15 percent or more in 2022, and that inflation in the country has already soared above 15 percent.

Bloomberg News

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EU’s top envoy calls summit with China’s Xi a ‘deaf dialog’

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he European Union’s foreign policy chief described a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “deaf dialog,” casting doubt on how much cooperation the Asian nation will offer to end the war in Ukraine.

“China wanted to set aside our difference on Ukraine,” said Josep Borrell, who accompanied European leaders in talks with Xi last week. “They didn’t want to talk about Ukraine. They didn’t want to talk about human rights and other issues, and instead focused on the positive things.”

Borrell told the European Parliament on Tuesday that “the European side made clear that this compartmentalization is not feasible, not acceptable,” adding: “For us the war in Ukraine is a defining moment for whether we live in a world governed by rules or by force.”

The comments stand in contrast to China’s take on the April 1 video summit between Xi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel. A Chinese summary said the EU “expressed its desire for candid exchanges with China to sustain the good momentum of EU-China relations.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Wednesday at a regular press briefing that the talks were “very successful” and that Borrell’s views were “not based on facts.”

“What the EU should do is to follow through on the consensus and spirit of the meeting between Chinese and EU leaders

to advance bilateral ties rather than making irresponsible remarks,” Zhao said.

Von der Leyen said in the discussions that Brussels expected Beijing to “at least do everything not to interfere in any kind” with sanctions it has leveled against Moscow for the attack on Ukraine. Michel said at a news conference that “we called on China to help end the war.”

China has come under pressure from the US and others to take a clear line against the invasion, as its diplomats and state media play down civilian casualties and cast Russian President Vladimir Putin as a victim of NATO expansion. While Xi has spoken to key players in the dispute including Putin and US President Joe Biden, he has yet to talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In the summit, Xi said the current situation risks erasing the benefits of global economic cooperation and that Beijing and Brussels should commit to preventing spillover from the crisis, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Borrell said the EU urged China to “use its influence with Russia to reach an immediate cease-fire and to support humanitarian corridors,” and added that any attempt to help Moscow evade sanctions would have “serious consequences.”

“The China side stuck to the general statements of wishing to see peace, ‘we are peaceful people, we don’t invade the others,’” he said, “while avoiding specific commitments or avoiding also any kind of blame on Russia.” Bloomberg News

Donors secure $100M to benefit minorities on climate change

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EW YORK—A group of financial donors committed to racial equity plans to announce Tuesday that it has secured at least $100 million annually to benefit minority groups that are disproportionately harmed by extreme weather events.

The group, the Donors of Color Network, will also announce that 10 of the nation’s top 40 donors to environment causes have now signed on to at least a portion of a pledge the network established last year. The Climate Funders Justice Pledge commits the donors to make their climate-related grants transparent and to direct at least 30 percent of their donations to groups that have Black, Indigenous or other people of color as their leaders.

“That’s a great start,” said Isabelle Leighton, the network’s interim executive director. “But there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Twelve national environmental grant makers awarded $1.34 billion to organizations in the Gulf and Midwest regions in 2016 and 2017, according to a 2020 study

by The New School’s Tishman Environment and Design Center. But only about 1 percent of it—roughly $18 million—was awarded to groups that are dedicated to environmental justice.

In its 2020 “State of the Air” report, the American Lung Association found that people of color were 1.5 times more likely to live in an area with poor air quality than white people were.

For this reason, environmental justice groups have pursued solutions with racial equity in mind. If minority communities receive help in achieving long-term solutions to perennial problems like flooding or erosion, for example, the projects can benefit both the environment and the community.

Leighton said donors have sometimes avoided explaining they are underfunding minority groups that are disproportionately hurt by extreme weather.

“We’ve had funders who just really spend a lot of time PR-wise, talking about their commitment to racial equity and racial justice, yet they haven’t been responsive to us at all,” she said.

Mark Magaña, founding president and CEO of the environmental nonprofit GreenLatinos, says the Climate Funders Justice Pledge should be seen as the equivalent of the National Football League’s Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview candidates from underrepresented demographic groups for all top jobs. By encouraging donors to seek out minority-led environmental groups for their grants, Magaña said,

they will naturally find more programs that they want to fund.

“Instead of surviving off of pennies on the dollar and still doing some amazing work, these groups really could thrive off of 30 cents off of the dollar,” he said. “Imagine what they could do, how effective they could be if we were spending hundreds of millions of dollars instead of just playing defense the prior four years. We really could move the ball forward and build a base that is stronger by making the distribution of funds and resources more equitable.”

ClimateWorks Foundation, Heising-Simons Foundation and Energy Foundation all commited to the transparency portion of the pledge on Tuesday.

Lois DeBacker, managing director of The Kresge Foundation’s Environment Program, says the responses often depend on the donors’ strategies.

“There’s been a long history in environmental philanthropy of thinking of climate change as largely a technical problem with technical solutions,” DeBacker said. “As a sector, we’ve underestimated that it’s a social issue as well, that we need to be thinking about political will, that we also need to be thinking more about how to center people in our grantmaking around climate change.”

The Kresge Foundation, among the first donors to sign the Climate Founders Justice Pledge, has already reached the 30 percent threshold in its giving to minorityled groups.

“We were already on a trend to be doing it,” DeBacker said, adding that Kresge plans to further increase that percentage.

“The pledge is on our mind every day as we are making decisions about recommending grants.”

DeBacker and Magaña say they think the new $100 million baseline that the Donors of Color Network has established will help persuade other donors to consider the growing support for environmental justice.

Magaña said major donors should recognize that climate change has already reached many minority communities and that action needs to be taken immediately.

“We’re the most affected by climate change,” he said. “It’s already where we live—Texas, California, Florida, New York, New Jersey. Our workers in agribusiness are so affected by climate change, so affected by extreme heat that it’s costing them their lives, at times, and definitely their health. As we saw during the pandemic, the service industry is extremely affected by weather-related incidents. We are on the frontlines.” AP

Thursday, April 7, 2022

A7

US, Australia and UK alliance to develop hypersonic missiles W

A SHINGTON—T he United States, United Kingdom and Australia announced Tuesday they will work together via the recently created security alliance known as AUKUS to develop hypersonic missiles.

The move comes amid growing concern by the US and allies about China’s growing military assertiveness in the Pacific. US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the plan after holding a check-in on the progress of AUKUS, the Indo-Pacific alliance that was launched by the three countries in September.

The leaders said in a joint statement they are “committed today to commence new trilateral cooperation on hypersonics and counter-hypersonics, and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as to expand information sharing and to deepen cooperation on defense innovation.”

The US, Russia and China have

all looked to further develop hypersonic missiles—a system so fast that it cannot be intercepted by any current missile defense system.

In October, Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that China had conducted a test of a hypersonic weapon system as part of its aggressive effort to advance in space and military technologies.

Milley described the Chinese test as a “very significant event of a test of a hypersonic weapon system, and it is very concerning,” in a Bloomberg Television interview.

Russia has used hypersonic missiles “multiple” times in Ukraine, according to the top US commander in Europe.

Last fall, as US intelligence officials had become increasingly concerned about the massing of Russian forces on the Ukraine border, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged the country’s arms manufacturers to develop even more advanced hypersonic missiles to maintain the country’s edge in military technologies.

The Russian military has said

that its Avangard system is capable of flying 27 times faster than the speed of sound and making sharp maneuvers on its way to a target to dodge the enemy’s missile shield.

It has been fitted to the existing Soviet-built intercontinental ballistic missiles instead of older type warheads, and the first unit armed with the Avangard entered duty in December 2019.

The Kinzhal, carried by MiG31 fighter jets, has a range of up to 2,000 kilometers (about 1,250 miles) and flies at 10 times the speed of sound, according to Russian officials.

The Pentagon’s 2023 budget request already includes $4.7 billion for research and development of hypersonic weapons.

It includes planning that would have a hypersonic missile battery fielded by next year, a sea-based missile by 2025 and an air-based cruise missile by 2027.

Biden, Johnson and Morrison have billed the creation of AUKUS as a chance to build greater sharing of defense capabilities. As their first major action, the alliance said

it would help equip Australia with nuclear-powered submarines.

Morrison said the development of hypersonic missiles fit with Australia’s strategic plan released two years ago to enhance its military’s long-range strike capabilities.

“The paramount goal is to ensure we get that capability as soon as we can and it’s in the best form that can be working with our partners,” Morrison told reporters.

Australia’s Defense Minister Peter Dutton had earlier announced plans to spend $2.6 billion to acquire long-range strike missiles for fighter jets and warships years ahead of schedule because of growing threats posed by Russia and China.

A draft security pact between the Solomon Islands and China has prompted concerns about a possible Chinese naval presence 1,200 miles off the northeast Australian coast. The Solomon Islands government said it won’t allow China to build a military base there and China has denied seeking a military foothold in the islands. AP

A8

BusinessMirror

Thursday, April 7, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

2GO LOGISTICS, INC. 8th Flr. Tower 1 Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Macapagal Ave. St., Barangay 76, Pasay City YONG, TERENCE SHYH GIIN Head Of Express Operations 1.

Brief Job Description: Provide technical and strategic recommendations and deliver expert advice

Basic Qualification: 20 years of experience in designing logistic facilities, fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

AB LEISURE EXPONENT, INC. 5/f Sm Megamall Bldg. D, J Vargas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong

2.

HUI, KAR CHUN Corporate Finance Controller

Basic Qualification: Expertise in finance areas

Brief Job Description: Oversee company finance related field

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

KALIMUTHU, RAJESH KUMAR Service Delivery Ops Lead Senior Manager 8.

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong

3.

HASHIM ISMAELHILAL, HASHIM TAHA App/cloud Support Senior Analyst Brief Job Description: Position will require candidate to do functional testing using different devices in Arabic language.

Brief Job Description: Assign all work assignments, commit the team to the work, manage the quality of the work and drive the people management activities within the team.

Basic Qualification: Strong analytical and communication skills, written and oral in both English and Arabic language. Outstanding interpersonal skills, the ability to influence and build relation with clients and others. Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations.

Ability and or desire to excel in the IT field.

4.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for business-to-business customer service and billing account management with problematic and non-problematic clients, obtaining timely payments within prescribed payment terms to maximize a/r, % current and minimize write offs

CHAWLA, AMIT Portfolio & Del Mgmt Associate Director

5.

Brief Job Description: Plan, deliver, and execute one or more projects and programs for Accenture or its clients, ensuring appropriate resources are mobilized and programs/ projects/portfolios meet operational, contractual and economic commitments. Proactively identify, define and solve complex problems that have impact on the direction of the business or work effort, where analysis of situations requires an indepth knowledge of Accenture. Develop and execute strategies to achieve key business objectives in area of responsibility. Interacts with senior management levels at a client and/or within Accenture, involving negotiation or influencing on critical matters.

FIALHO DE OLIVEIRA LIMA, MAYRON Security Delivery Manager

6.

Brief Job Description: Apply deep security skills to support security services. Design, build and protect enterprise systems, applications, data, assets and people for Accenture and our clients. Provide services to help clients protect their information, infrastructures, applications and business processes against cyber threats.

Basic Qualification: College graduate (preferably commerce, business administration or accountancy, or any business-related course; fluent in both Portuguese and English language; must be knowledgeable with MS office tools.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PACUBAS, JUDY Service Delivery Ops Lead Senior Manager 9.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree. 15 to 20 years work experience.

Expert in account management, contract management, portfolio risk management, portfolio strategic management and program & project management skills

7.

Brief Job Description: Assign all work assignments, commit the team to the work, manage the quality of the work and drive the people management activities within the team.

Basic Qualification: Complexity (degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problemsolving assessment and resolution required, as measured by degree of problem-solving, strategic vs. Routine focus, and stakeholder interactions (e.g. – executives, supervisor, etc.): requires identifying and assessing complex problems for area(s) of responsibility. Creates solutions in situations in which analysis requires in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives.

Requires involvement in setting strategic direction to establish near-term goals for area(s) of responsibility.

Interaction is with senior management levels at a client and/or within Accenture, involving negotiating or influencing on significant matters.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Complexity (degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problemsolving assessment and resolution required, as measured by degree of problem-solving, strategic vs. Routine focus, and stakeholder interactions (e.g. – executives, supervisor, etc.): requires identifying and assessing complex problems for area(s) of responsibility. Creates solutions in situations in which analysis requires in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives.

Requires involvement in setting strategic direction to establish near-term goals for area(s) of responsibility.

Interaction is with senior management levels at a client and/or within Accenture, involving negotiating or influencing on significant matters.

Basic Qualification: Complexity (degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problemsolving assessment and resolution required, as measured by degree of problem-solving, strategic vs. Routine focus, and stakeholder interactions (e.g. – executives, supervisor, etc.): requires identifying and assessing complex problems for area(s) of responsibility. Creates solutions in situations in which analysis requires in-depth knowledge of organizational objectives.

Requires involvement in setting strategic direction to establish near-term goals for area(s) of responsibility.

Interaction is with senior management levels at a client and/or within Accenture, involving negotiating or influencing on significant matters.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

KAKKAR, SUMIT System Developer Associate Manager

10.

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Analyze, design, code and test multiple components of application code across one or more clients.

Perform maintenance, enhancements and/or development work. Understand business needs and objectives; develop strategies for effective data analysis and reporting; define company-wide metrics and relevant data sources; select, configure and implement analytics solutions; lead and develop a team of data analysts; oversee all analytics operations to correct discrepancies and ensure quality; extract reports from multiple sources (e.g. operations, it, customer feedback); build systems to transform raw data into actionable business insights; apply industry knowledge to interpret data and improve performance; keep abreast of industry news and trends

Basic Qualification: A business reporting & analytics assoc manager should possess the following qualifications for job eligibility: proven experience as an analytics manager or data scientist; solid experience in data analysis and reporting; industry experience is a plus; background in market research and project management; knowledge of excel, r and sql; familiarity with business intelligence tools (e.g. tableau, sas); superb communication skills; analytical skills and strong organizational abilities; attention to detail; problem-solving aptitude

KONDO, YUSHI Tech Solution Planning Assoc Manager

11.

Brief Job Description: Technology master craftsmen using all tools in the arsenal, solution planners use their robust delivery skills, deep understanding of the competitive landscape and unparalleled knowledge of Accenture offerings to create win/win solutions for our clients and Accenture. Sales understanding and financial acumen allow them to empower our clients with creative solutions and advocate Accenture offerings within the market and our business.

Basic Qualification: Complexity (degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problemsolving assessment and resolution required, as measured by degree of problem-solving, strategic vs. routine focus, and stakeholder interactions (e.g. – executives, supervisor, etc.)): requires analysis and solving of moderately complex problems. Typically creates new solutions, leveraging and, where needed, adapting existing methods and procedures.

Requires understanding of the strategic direction set by senior management as it relates to team goals.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

ANRITSU PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 104,105, 106 & 107, Building A, Up-ayala Land Technohub, Commonwealth Ave., Diliman, U.p. Campus, Quezon City

TANAKA, KAZUKI General Manager And Director 12.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for running day-to-day business operations and guiding business strategy, oversee the R&D operation and business management of the company

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, more than 15 years experience in Engineering and at least 5 years experience in Team Management.

Fluent in Japanese and English (verbal and written) Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ARK OVERSEAS HUMAN RESOURCE CORP. Rm. 302, 3/f Executive Bldg., Center Sen. Gil Puyat Cor. Makati Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

13.

SAKAI, YUKIHIRO Admin. Assistant (japanese Translator)

Basic Qualification: College graduate

Brief Job Description: Translation between Japanese to English

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

ASUS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 401-404 Hanston Bldg., F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

14.

LIN, YU-YING a.k.a. EASON LIN Country Head Brief Job Description: Head of business group

Basic Qualification: Collect information about possible market opportunities and provide information about ASUS and its products to the prospective customer.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHANG, YI Territory Marketing Manager 15.

Brief Job Description: Perform auxiliary activities in relation to the collaboration between assoc. & customer.

Basic Qualification: Collect information about possible market opportunities and provide information about ASUS and its products, to the prospective customer.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati

16.

DEVI MELISSA Bahasa Indonesian Language- Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Develop robust financial policy and procedures.

17.

GERSOM LOTHEN SORITUA SITUMORANG Bahasa Indonesian Language- Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Develop robust financial policy and procedures.

18.

HUANG, ZHENZHEN Mandarin Language - Officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer need.

OUYANG, YIJING Mandarin Language- Officer Customer Service 19.

20.

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer need; promote business and product.

TRAN TRONG MY Vietnamese Language-officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer need.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accountancy or banking equivalent.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accountancy or banking equivalent.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, fluently speak Bahasa Indonesian Vietnamese, Thai and mandarin to cater foreign market.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, fluently speak Bahasa Indonesian Vietnamese, Thai to cater foreign market.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accountancy or banking equivalent.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig GIULIANO, ANTONIO ANGELO GIUSEPPE Health, Safety & Security Manager 21.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

HOLMES, DONALD LYNN Service Delivery Ops Lead Senior Manager

Brief Job Description: Assign all work assignments, commit the team to the work, manage the quality of the work and drive the people management activities within the team.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Complexity (degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problemsolving assessment and resolution required, as measured by degree of problem-solving, strategic vs.

Routine focus, and stakeholder interactions (e.g. – executives, supervisor, etc.)): requires identifying and assessing complex problems for area of responsibility. Creates solutions in situations in which analysis requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. Requires adherence to strategic direction set by senior management when establishing near-term goals. Interaction is with senior management at a client and/or within Accenture, involving matters that may require acceptance of an alternate approach.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HOKAMA BORIOLI, ITALO BRUNO Collections Support Analyst

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Responsible for arranging, implementing, communicating, monitoring, reporting and maintaining all health, safety and security aspects during the realization of the large complex-on and onshore project.

KLOS, JOANNES Operations Superintendent 22.

Brief Job Description: Acts as the company’s representative to support management and operations

Basic Qualification: Extensive experience in the International Dredging industry with focus on Health, Safety, and Security Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Must have work experience on international dredging, land reclamation, or construction projects.

Must have skills in ict office and fleet management systems Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

DE VRIES, MICHIEL PETRUS Process Manager 23.

Brief Job Description: Being responsible for the project management processes during the project such as quality management, risk management, delivery and completion, document managed and so on.

BEVERLEY, THOMAS EDWARD Quantity Survey Specialist 24.

Brief Job Description: Safeguarding of the company’s interest under the various contracts received to the Project

HENEGHAN, BRIAN DAVID Senior Project Soil Specialist 25.

Brief Job Description: Designing and implementing soft soil improvement through the implementation of vertical drain and surcharge with the air of reducing tong term creep.

Basic Qualification: Advanced knowledge of SHEQ policies, management systems, legislation and industry standards.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Extensive experience as Quantity Survey Specialist of at least 10 years in the international dredging, land development industry and construction Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Comprehensive understanding of the soil discipline associated with design and construct projects with focus on dredging / land development / building on soft soil Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DAESANG PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 501 Prestige Tower, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

26.

BAEK, SONGHO Factory Manager Brief Job Description: supervise and oversee

Basic Qualification: At least 5 to 10 years working experience.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

DUAL PRIME FOCUS INC. Ug-04, Cityland 10 Tower 2, 154 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati XIE, HANZHAO Mandarin Coordinator

27.

Brief Job Description: Typically works under a mandarin manager to maintain office equipment, physical space, and telecommunications system for a single building.

Handles building-equipment emergencies on an ongoing basis and serve as a liaison between company employees and outside contractors called in to fix problems.

OUYANG, WEIMING Mandarin Sales Officer

28.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for establishing and maintaining profitable relationships with customers on behalf of the company by taking personal and complete responsibility for each customer contact and by ensuring that all customer requirements are completely met.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, computer proficiency, fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese language. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. At least 1 year experience as Coordonator Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate.

Computer proficiency, fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EVA AIRWAYS CORPORATION 23/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati LI, MING-CHU Maintenance Manager 29.

Brief Job Description: Performing supervising Eva aircraft maintenance operations

Basic Qualification: College graduate, has previous experience in related field

30.

Brief Job Description: The marketing manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

WU, HAO Project Manager

31.

Brief Job Description: The project manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as marketing manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as project manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

32.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints

33.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing various customer issue.

34.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for achieving the overall operating indicators of the Carrier Account department.

WANG, JIAN Solution Project Manager For Carrier Network Project

35.

Brief Job Description: Resolve customer issues, enable customer business success and expand the market space.

MORALES BAUTISTA, JAIME FRANCISCO Operations Manager 39.

36.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for listening to, understanding, and translating spoken or written statements from one language to another.

37.

Brief Job Description: Manage day to day operations of the Collections department, perform complex analysis to understand opportunity to improve collections and reduce losses.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

CHUONG MY LINH Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff 40.

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service HA SAM LINH Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

41.

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

LUONG MY CHAN Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

42.

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service.

QUAN QUOC HUE Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff

43.

Brief Job Description: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service

CHEN, DEHENG Mandarin Technical Support 44.

Brief Job Description: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer system.

HONG THI CHANG Chinese Customer Service

46.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LUONG VAN DUNG Chinese Customer Service

47.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

MARDYANTO Chinese Customer Service

48.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

NGUYEN HUU QUYNH Chinese Customer Service

49.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking, writing and reading (mandarin, folkien & Cantonese), at least college graduate, 2-3years work experience or fresh graduates.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LOC VAN TRUONG Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in Mandarin

WANG, JIABAO Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 55.

Brief Job Description: -Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services.

HUANG, HONGLIU Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 56.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

LEOW KIEN BING Data Analyst Officer 57.

Brief Job Description: Multilingual Customer Support Specifically for other Asian Languages

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin fluently.

LUONG THUC MY Data Analyst Officer 58.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin fluently.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

NGUYEN THI ANH Chinese Customer Service

50.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

NGUYEN VAN LONG Chinese Customer Service

51.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

TRAN HUY DAI Chinese Customer Service

52.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

WANG, WANZHEN Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must be 21 yearsold above, Graduate of any Vocational or Bachelor’s Degree Course, Can speak and write Thai, Telugu, Hindi, Vietnaments, Hangul and Bahasa can also converse in English, Atleast 1-year experience as Data Analyst or Customer Service, With good oral and written communication skills, Intermediate to advance computer skills

Basic Qualification: Must be 21 yearsold above, Graduate of any Vocational or Bachelor’s Degree Course, Can speak and write Thai, Telugu, Hindi, Vietnaments, Hangul and Bahasa can also converse in English, Atleast 1-year experience as Data Analyst or Customer Service, With good oral and written communication skills, Intermediate to advance computer skills

Brief Job Description: Multilingual Customer Support Specifically for other Asian Languages

Basic Qualification: Must be 21 yearsold above, Graduate of any Vocational or Bachelor’s Degree Course, Can speak and write Thai, Telugu, Hindi, Vietnaments, Hangul and Bahasa can also converse in English, Atleast 1-year experience as Data Analyst or Customer Service, With good oral and written communication skills, Intermediate to advance computer skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Basic Qualification: Must be 21 yearsold above, Graduate of any Vocational or Bachelor’s Degree Course, Can speak and write Thai, Telugu, Hindi, Vietnaments, Hangul and Bahasa can also converse in English, Atleast 1-year experience as Data Analyst or Customer Service, With good oral and written communication skills, Intermediate to advance computer skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Basic Qualification: Must be 21 yearsold above, Graduate of any Vocational or Bachelor’s Degree Course, Can speak and write Thai, Telugu, Hindi, Vietnaments, Hangul and Bahasa can also converse in English, Atleast 1-year experience as Data Analyst or Customer Service, With good oral and written communication skills, Intermediate to advance computer skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

SIRIKOM, SIRIVIMON Data Analyst Officer 60.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Multilingual Customer Support Specifically for other Asian Languages

TSENG WAY YEONG Data Analyst Officer 61.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Multilingual Customer Support Specifically for other Asian Languages

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

59.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

54.

PHAM HUU THU PHUONG Data Analyst Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

53.

YIN, FAGUI Chinese Customer Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin fluently

Basic Qualification: • Strong background of consumer banking products, understanding of delinquency rates, customer satisfaction and collections • Experience of at least 5 years in leading and managing Collections • Must be able to coordinate with various stakeholder locate across the globe

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

Brief Job Description: Multilingual Customer Support Specifically for other Asian Languages

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin.

Basic Qualification: -With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

PACIFIC SEA BPO SERVICES, INC. 16/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese / Mandarin fluently

45.

Basic Qualification: Have patience and ability to remain calm i stressful situation.

No.

MARKETROLE ASIA PACIFIC SERVICES, INC. 26/f, 27/f, 28/f The Enterprise Center Tower 1, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.- PHILIPPINE GLOBAL SERVICE CENTER 25f Jpmorgan Chase & Co Tower, 9th Avenue Cor. 38th St., Uptown Bonifacio, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

GWALANI, VICKY RAMESH Collections Manager Ii

Brief Job Description: Operational Manager is responsible for the services performed by the teams with regard to continuous improvement of quality, efficiency and compliance with internal control systems and regulations.

Basic Qualification: Cooperates and collaborates with other Towers and LGBS Centers in order to increase the quality and end-to-end process effectiveness

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City

INFINI CONSULTANCY GROUP INC. Rm 2a 2/f Ma Daniel Bldg., 470 San Andres Cor. M H Del Pilar Sts., Barangay 701, Malate, City Of Manila

YANG, MIN Admin Officer - Mandarin Translator

Basic Qualification: • 10-12 years of experience in Investment Banking or Wealth Management IPB Operations; Strong Product Knowledge • Strong ability to build relationships and influence the team, colleagues, business leaders and functional partners. • Proven people management skills, problem solving, transformation, interpersonal and communication skills.

Basic Qualification: College graduate level, preferably with Customer Service or Sales experience, Fluent in Mandarin and Basic English

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati HU, BO Manager For Business Expansion Of Carrier Network Project

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LUFTHANSA SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 8th Floor Aeon Center, Northgate Cyberzone, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

FUWEALTH SERVICES INC. 18/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati LING LEE WOON Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: • Build partnership with Global Business-facing teams ensuring Operations are compliant with required standards & day to day deliverables are met.

• Responsible and accountable for team development and implementation of the defined operating model.

• Identify opportunities end to end covering both automation and operations improvement prospects.

A9

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Ri Rance Ii Bldg., Block 2 Lot 3 Aseana City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

NGUYEN THUY DUNG Customer Service Representative

38.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati LI, TAO Marketing Manager

SIMONS, LESTER SUHAAS Payment Lifecycle Manager Iii

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 PARANAQUE ONLINE PALENGKE INC. 305 Mtf Building, Dr. A Santos Ave., San Isidro, City Of Parañaque

62.

Brief Job Description: Handle Marketing concerns/matter in Pakistani client

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English/ College graduate Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PS TECH SERVICES INC. 3/f Salcedo One Center, 170 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

BAJAJ, ARVIND KUMAR Sr. Manager For Plant Operations 63.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write chinese language.

RANA, MUHAMMAD NAMAN JAVED Markting Executive (pakistani Client)

Brief Job Description: Lead and supervise a team of professionals to render technical services to various customers

Basic Qualification: Graduate of Mechanical Engineering with more than 20 years of relevant experience Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP. 5e-1 Electra House Bldg., 115-117 Esteban Street, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHEN, TIANZHU Chinese Customer Service Representative 64.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in english, preferably 6mos1year customer service experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

News

BusinessMirror

A4 A10 Thursday, April 7, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Free port residents question SBMA move to open perimeter road gates

By Henry Empeño Correspondent

S

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—Newly installed chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Rolen Paulino Sr. earned dismay from residents of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone after opening one gate at the perimeter fence separating this free port from Olongapo City and giving the keys thereto to local government officials.

Paulino made a show of opening the metal barrier on Monday, when, in a live social media post, he unlocked Gate No. 1, knocked on it and then pushed it open to reveal applauding residents on the other side. Among those who waited outside were Paulino’s son Rolen Jr., who is Olongapo City mayor, and East Bajac-Bajac barangay captain Gilbert

Piñero, who received the keys.

A video post on the SBMA Chair and Administrator’s Facebook page explained that Paulino opened the gate near East Bajac-Bajac “to provide residents quick access in case of emergency.”

Residents of the Subic Bay Freeport who saw the video, however, expressed concern over Paulino’s gesture and raised issues on their own safety and security, and the SBMA official’s political propriety.

“Big question: What emergency are we talking about and why were stakeholders not informed about it?” asked Natalia Geigl, a free port resident and president of RA Geigl Development Corp. here. “Will everything be one man’s decision from now on? Does the [SBMA] board agree to that?” she added.

Other residents of housing ar-

eas in the Subic Freeport weighed in on the issue through similar posts in the Subic Bay Residents Community social media page.

Another resident, Tony Shipley, commented: “Seems like this one person is hell-bent in making SBMA and Olongapo one. We as residents certainly don’t want these people wandering through Kalayaan as they [see] fit.” He pointed out that residents have had problems in the past with crimes like murder and armed robbery, as well as the discovery of an illegal drugs laboratory at the Kalayaan housing area.

“It’s a bit of a conflict of interest because his son is the mayor of Olongapo,” said Jamie Jackson, another member of the Subic Bay Residents Community group.

“That’s the problem in having a politician as CHAD [chairman and

administrator],” agreed Belen Figueras. “He will favor votes, of course, rather than business.”

Piñero, the barangay captain of the beneficiary community, is allied with another political camp, which also contests the Olongapo mayorship. One of Paulino’s first orders upon assuming the SBMA chairmanship on March 1 was to open Subic’s Remy Field sports facility to Olongapo residents for free.

“Don’t forget that his son is the incumbent mayor and running for another term,” added Figueras, who also said she was not against the Paulinos and that she will actually vote for Rolen Jr. “If this is for emergencies, well and good. But the safety of the residents in the free port must be considered first by the CHAD, and the safety of Olongapo residents by

the mayor. They should know how to draw the line,” Figueras added.

Other residents pointed out that the whole exercise may just be a political show since the Olongapo officials given the keys cannot access the padlock to open it even during emergencies, as it is located on the other side of the gate.

In a media statement the following day, the SBMA said Paulino opened some of the gates along the perimeter fence to provide access to Olongapo residents during emergencies and “create synergy with the adjacent community of Olongapo City where he was a former mayor.”

Paulino reportedly gave the assurance that the agency’s Law Enforcement Department will patrol the area to deter any criminal activity, and that he had discussed

with Mayor Rolen Jr. the matter of putting barangay patrols at each gate.

A source familiar with the SBMA perimeter fencing project said there are a total of six gates along the 7-kilometer perimeter fence between the 14th Street Gate and the K alayaan Gate.

The perimeter fence used to be a chain-link wire fence since US Navy days but was upgraded to heavy-duty concrete blocks beginning 2019.

“These gates were placed there precisely for use by ambulances and fire trucks during emergencies,” the source said. “And the keys are kept by the SBMA security office, which also opens the gates for special cases like medical missions, community masses and ayuda distribution.”

Dar pushes continuation of DA reforms under his stewardship

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

A

GRICULTURE Secretar y William D. Dar is hoping that the next agriculture leadership would “continue” and “strengthen” the reforms that his administration started in the past two and a half years.

Dar also expressed openness to serve as the agriculture chief of the next administration if the opportunity arises. Dar is currently completing his second stint as the country’s

agriculture secretary.

Dar said the next leadership of the Department of Agriculture (DA) must continue to push for a higher budget for the sector to further unlock the sector’s potential in terms of productivity and revenues.

“I think everyone of the presidential candidates are pushing for a higher [agricultural] budget—that is a good sign,” Dar told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing at the Philippine International Convention Center on Tuesday.

Dar noted that the DA’s current

budget of P85.5 billion is “already good,” but the Philippines still lags behind Asean neighbors in terms of the total fund allocated to the agriculture sector.

Dar noted that the national government is only allocating 1.7 percent of its total budget to agriculture, while other countries are in the range of 4 percent to 5 percent.

If the national government would allocate about 4 percent to 5 percent of its annual budget to agriculture, it would be in the level of P250 billion, more than thrice of the current

funding, Dar added.

“We can do so much more if the sector of agriculture is properly and significantly budgeted,” he said.

Sustain reforms

DAR also hopes that the next DA leadership will continue and even “further strengthen” the One DA reform agenda that he started when he assumed office in August 2019.

He also recommended that the next DA leadership continue some of the current leadership’s programs such as farm consolidation, higher

research and development budget, urban and peri-urban agriculture, crop diversification, and Kadiwa program.

“Farm consolidation is the key to invite and engage more private sector investments. And we hope that more research and development budget will be there to continue for us to have those innovations that will propel us in the future,” Dar said.

Willing to serve

DAR said he is willing to serve for another term as agriculture secretary if he will be asked by the new admin-

istration. Dar previously served as an agriculture chief under the Estrada administration before being appointed again for the same post

by President Duterte in August 2019.

“I have made my desire public. If they intend to bring me in I am willing.

As long as God gives me continuing good health—I am still 69 years old this month—I am offering my service again to the next leader,” he said.

Dar said he is “fortunate” and “quite thankful” that he was given the second time to serve as the country’s agriculture secretary.

Agriculture/Commodities BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Leni-Kiko to assist OFWs in agriculture

VICE presidential aspirant Francis “Kiko”Pangilinanvowstoboostfarming opportunitiesinthePhilippinesforoverseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking an

alternative livelihood after they retire.

According to Pangilinan, he and presidential candidate Leni Robredo already have a clear plan for OFWs who

would like to venture into agriculture.

He said that the country needs a “no nonsense reintegration program for OFWs,” and that many have reached out to him

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Thursday, April 7, 2022 A11

and have no idea how and where to start.

In case he wins, he plans to operationalize the program with the Department of Agriculture, so that

OFWs with savings may start with small-scale farming and “provide them the necessary support so that they can come home.”

A12 Thursday, April 7, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Election result must reflect voters’ choice

T

he world has seen some democratic countries being shaken by the activities of foreign actors trying to influence domestic elections. One study indicated that the country intervening in most foreign elections is the United States with 81 overt and covert known interventions in foreign elections during the period 1946–2000, followed by Russia (including the former Soviet Union) with 36 interventions from 1946 to 2000. Another study found that the US engaged in 64 covert and six overt attempts at regime change during the Cold War. Dov H. Levin, a political scientist at the University of Hong Kong, claims in his book—Meddling in the Ballot Box: The Causes and Effects of Partisan Electoral Interventions—that the US has messed with more than twice as many elections as Russia/Soviet Union. Levin says whatever the time period, foreign actors rarely just meddle for meddling’s sake. He explains that a country’s leaders have to believe that one side’s victory in a particular foreign election would be untenable for their interests—and they need to know that the opponent might be interested in getting their assistance. “When those conditions exist, hello foreign interference”.

From news reports: Presidential candidate Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. said he would dismiss any potential offer of help from the United States in negotiations with China over the South China Sea, if elected president in May. He said in a TV interview that a move to enforce a 2016 international arbitration court ruling that dismissed Beijing’s historical claims to the disputed territories in the South China Sea is no longer feasible because China has rejected the verdict. “The problem is between China and us. If Americans come in, it is bound to fail,” he said. Asked if the Philippines was strong enough to engage in a defensive war with China and how he planned to deal with Beijing, Marcos said going to war with China over the South China Sea would not be an option and should be considered “a ludicrous idea.”

If the elections were held today, Marcos would easily win the presidency.

Polls consistently show him far ahead of his closest challenger, Vice President Leni Robredo. A Pulse Asia survey from February 18 to 23 asked 2,400 registered voters which candidate they would vote for as president if the May elections were held on the day they were questioned. The result: 60 percent of the respondents said they will vote for Marcos, while 15 percent said they will vote for Robredo. Marcos has a clear mandate if the survey results were to translate into actual votes.

The number of eligible Filipino voters has exceeded the total number of the voting population in at least seven regions, based on the estimates made by the former head of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). In a public social media post, former NSCB Secretary General Romulo A. Virola said “overregistration” for the May 2022 polls was observed in 7 out of 17 regions nationwide. Virola said the percentage of “overregistration” ranged from at least 1 percent in Central Visayas to at most 11 percent in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “Obviously, something must be awfully wrong. Either the population projections of the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) are on the low side, or the Rappler/Comelec voters’ list is padded,” Virola said (Read, “Ex-NSCB head notes ‘overregistration’ of voters for May 9 polls in 7 regions,” in the BusinessMirror, March 24, 2022).

There is serious political polarization currently spreading around the country. It would do well for the Commission on Elections to be transparent in performing its job. In the eyes of the people, the Comelec must be like Caesar’s wife – it must be above suspicion. We need to have honest, orderly and peaceful elections on May 9. An honest election is one in which the outcome reflects the freely expressed choices of the people.

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor

O

ne of my favorite maxims is, “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” It is one of those things particularly in science where we look for something that we think should be there and we cannot find it.

British astrophysicist Martin Rees, in his 2011 book From Here to Infinity: Scientific Horizons, used the slogan to suggest the possibility of an undiscovered, super-intelligent animal species on Earth and extraterrestrial intelligence elsewhere in the universe. By the same thinking, the 2019 Templeton Prize winner, the US-based physicist Marcelo Gleiser says that atheism is inconsistent with the scientific method.

Gleiser reasons that atheists are unscientific precisely because they assume that an absence of evidence of God’s existence is evidence of an absence of God. The point is, that just because we have not “discovered” it, does not mean it does not exist. However, people distort that adage as the US did to justify the invasion of Iraq.

Just because there was no proof that

Saddam had “Weapons-of-Mass-Destruction” did not mean that he did not have WMDs. There were probably sound reasons to remove him from authority but possessing WMDs was not one of them.

The truth is that we limit ourselves every day by applying this idea: “The absence of evidence IS the evidence of absence.”

The primary rule for success is to do something that you like doing and that you are good at doing.

Everyone that excelled at their “job” did so because they fulfilled both of those factors. You cannot get good at doing something unless you like doing it. Likewise, we rarely like doing something that we are not good at. That describes me and the game of golf.

Here is the hard truth. Most people are not financially independent

Ruben M. Cruz Jr. Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

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Ask yourself, “Do I like making lots of money?” What you were probably thinking was, “Do I like HAVING lots of money?” Big difference. Part of the problem is that we are conditioned to not have “making lots of money” as something we are allowed to “like doing.” And again, if you don’t like doing it, you probably will not be good at it. because they have never believed that they “would be good” at it. And, the simplistic reverse: “I have never ‘liked’ being financially independent because I have never been good at it.”

Ask yourself, “Do I like making lots of money?” What you were probably thinking was, “Do I like HAVING lots of money?” Big difference.

Part of the problem is that we are conditioned to not have “making lots of money” as something we are allowed to “like doing.” And again, if you don’t like doing it, you probably will not be good at it.

I took one of those career assessment tests a long time ago. I had much higher than normal “key developmental indicators” to be a physician. Except for one. I do not like being around sick people. My bedside manner is so poor; don’t even ask me to visit you in the hospital. You might get sicker.

Bastardizing the party-list system Dennis Gorecho

Kuwentong Peyups

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Online Editor

MEMBER OF

OUTSIDE THE BOX

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Senior Editors

Creative Director Chief Photographer

Why aren’t you rich?

G

earing away from its original purpose, the party-list system is now being “bastardized” by questionable groups.

Presidential candidates were asked about their view on the party-list system during the second round of debates organized by the Commission on Elections. All candidates were present except Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. The party-list system was introduced in the 1987 Constitution and Republic Act 7941 (the PartyList Law) to provide a balance for locality-based lawmakers who are almost always elected on the basis of their popularity and the money that they release.

It is a proportional representation system to favor single-issue parties, and to allow underrepresented sectors to represent themselves in the law-making process.

It was originally envisioned to focus on underrepresented community sectors or groups, includ-

ing labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural, women, youth, and other such sectors as may be defined by law (except the religious sector).

The Constitution allots 20 percent Lower House membership for party-list nominees, maximum at three nominees each, dependent on the votes they gather nationwide.

However, its application changed when the Supreme Court issued a decision in 2013 that granted 54 petitions filed by party-list groups that were disqualified by the Comelec.

The court clarified that the

Several groups have called for the repeal or amendment of the party-list law as political dynasties and businessmen have “hijacked” the system, supposed to be a platform for representation of marginalized sectors.

party-list is a system of proportional representation open to various kinds of groups and parties, and not an exercise exclusive to marginalized sectors.

It added that national parties or organizations and regional parties or organizations do not need to organize along sectoral lines and do not need to represent any marginalized and underrepresented sector.

It also allowed party-list nominees to run even if they do not belong to the sector they supposedly champion.

The Supreme Court said that “to require all national and regional parties under the party-list system to represent the “marginalized and underrepresented” is to deprive and exclude, by judicial fiat, ideologybased and cause-oriented parties from the party-list system.”

The Court added that it is suffi-

I have a friend who is a great doctor. She has the talent, the discipline for constantly increasing her knowledge, a genuine desire to heal people, is generous in giving a great amount of her time to the needy and is one of the richest people I know who is not the majority owner of a public company.

Her goal has always been to be completely financially independent and used her “doctor skill” to get there. “I like being a ‘rich doctor’ and I am good at being a ‘rich doctor.’”

“I guess I was not meant to be financially independent, otherwise I would be financially independent.”

Again, “The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” You were meant to be whatever it is that you want to be. It is that simple. Now ask yourself, “What have I done today to become financially independent?”

Check out the list of the top 50 richest people in the Philippines.

Notice any pattern? Almost all of them either have taken their companies public or have partnerships with public companies. Not one ever said, “I guess I was not meant to be financially independent otherwise I would be financially independent.”

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

cient that the political party consists of citizens who advocate the same ideology or platform, or the same governance principles and policies regardless of their economic status as citizens.

Nine years later, the party-list system has been widely criticized for being dominated by political overlords and big business.

Several groups have called for the repeal or amendment of the partylist law as political dynasties and businessmen have “hijacked” the system, supposed to be a platform for representation of marginalized sectors.

The rosters of party-list representatives in previous Congresses had been hit for being recycled lists of people already in power and those with business interest.

According to election watchdog Kontra Daya, the party-list system has instead been “weaponized to further marginalize the already marginalized.”

For the 2022 election, KontraDaya flagged at least 70 percent (7 out of 10 / 120 out of 177) of the partylist groups that are identified with political clans (44) and big businesses See “Gorecho” A13

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

How do you solve a problem like Edsa?

Val A. Villanueva

Businesswise

I

N the early part of his term, President Rodrigo Duterte boasted that he could solve the Metro Manila traffic in three months. With only a month remaining before he steps down, Edsa—the most congested road artery in Metro Manila—remains to be just that.

The usually horrific metro traffic situation only got a fleeting respite when Covid-19 lockdowns decongested Edsa of vehicles. As health restrictions began easing up to pave the way for the reopening of more businesses, traffic went back to “hellish normal” along this 23.8-kilometer circumferential road.

Edsa or Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, known in the 1950s as Highway 54, connects the northern and southern part of the metro, as well as South Luzon and North Luzon. In the late 1980s, after the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolt, and through the 1990s, construction boomed in the metro. What used to be enjoyable travel along Edsa faded, as malls, residential subdivisions, and office buildings began sprouting on big vacant lots. Nightmarish traffic snarls particularly became rampant.

At first, many public officials held the myopic view that the burgeoning vehicle congestion was a sign of progress. But as metro traffic increasingly put a dent in the country’s economy and frayed the nerves of motorists and commuters alike, several schemes to decongest Edsa

were carried out, mostly to no avail.

According to a study done by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Philippines is in great danger of losing P5.4 billion daily by 2035 if traffic congestion remains unchecked. JICA’s previous estimate placed the daily losses caused by traffic congestion at P3.5 billion. The updated record comes from JICA’s 2017 “Follow Up Survey on the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Greater Capital Region.”

To be fair, every administration has made the effort to decongest Edsa. President Corazon Aquino’s transport secretary Oscar Orbos instituted the yellow-lane scheme, where the two outermost lanes of four- to six-lane roads were allotted for public utility vehicles, mostly buses. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) executive director Col. Romeo Maganto during President Fidel Ramos’s term developed in 1995 the number or color coding system, initially targeting public utility vehicles and later expanding to all vehicles plying Edsa where traffic congestion in Metro

China’s UN envoy calls violence in Bucha ‘deeply disturbing’

C

hina’s envoy to the United Nations expressed dismay at the killing of unarmed civilians in Bucha, while calling on all sides to refrain judgment until a probe establishes who is responsible.

“Attacks against civilians are unacceptable and should not occur,” Ambassador Zhang Jun said Tuesday at a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine. “The reports and images of civilian deaths in Bucha are deeply disturbing.”

Zhang stopped short of condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin for the violence, saying that “circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established” and “all sides should exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations.”

President Joe Biden has said Putin could face a war crimes trial related to the civilian deaths in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, and other Ukrainian towns vacated by Russian soldiers. Russia has denied its forces killed civilians, saying pictures of bodies strewn on the streets were a fabrication by Ukraine.

China has come under increased pressure from Washington and Brussels to take a stance on the conflict, as its diplomats and state media play down civilian casualties and cast Putin as a victim of the US-backed expansion of NATO. European leaders told President Xi Jinping in a tense Friday video summit that “equidistance is not enough” on Ukraine, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The European Union’s top diplomat on Tuesday described that call as a “deaf dialog,” saying China wanted to avoid talking about the war. “The European side made clear that this compartmentalization is not feasible, not acceptable,” Josep Borrell, who accompanied European leaders in the exchange, told the European Parliament.

Chinese state media outlets including the overseas edition of Communist Party mouthpiece the People’s Daily, China Central Television’s

military affairs channel and China Daily posted Zhang’s comments to China’s Twitter-like Weibo. They attracted little attention compared to items on the Covid-19 outbreak in Shanghai and unverified footage of Ukrainian marines surrendering in Mariupol, which was briefly the second top trending item.

Before Zhang’s remarks at the UN, state media had mostly amplified Russia’s denial that Putin’s army was involved in the killings.

On Monday, CCTV published Russian defense ministry claims that all photos and videos of Bucha were “directed by the Ukrainian government for Western media.”

That theory, dismissed as a falsehood by numerous governments, was widely circulated on Chinese social media, while posts showing how newspapers around the world were condemning Russia’s massacre on their front pages were censored.

The Communist Party backed Global Times tabloid referred to the mass killings as the “Bucha incident” in a Wednesday editorial, which called the US the “initiator” of the Ukraine crisis and blamed it for exacerbating tensions by sanctioning Russia.

Still, some netizens were outraged

by Russian’s atrocities, comparing them to the Nanjing massacre, which China says led to the killing of 300,000 civilians by an invading Japanese army for several weeks from late 1937 to early 1938. Some Japanese nationalists have said the number of deaths cited by China are greatly exaggerated and deny that atrocities took place. Japan’s Foreign Ministry said “the killing of noncombatants, looting and other acts occurred. However, there are numerous theories as to the actual number of victims.”

“As Chinese people who have the memories of the Nanjing massacre, those who can still defend massacre of civilians have utterly lost their conscience,” said one Weibo user in a post shared nearly 900 times.

Bloomberg Opinion

Manila was at its heaviest. Vehicles covered under the original Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program were banned from Edsa for the entire day based on the last digit of a vehicle’s license plate, similar to the current UVVRP. Since then, nothing has seemed to work in the long term, unfortunately.

In 2019, Manila was dubbed the most congested city by both the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the TomTom Traffic Index. Now, the MMDA wants to discuss with stakeholders two number coding schemes, which will ban vehicles from public roads during rush hours on two weekdays in a bid to reduce heavy traffic in Metro Manila.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the first scheme aims to cut down traffic by 50 percent. It will ban vehicles having registration plates with odd last numbers—1, 3, 5, 7, 9—on Monday and Thursday from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. and from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Vehicles with registration plates ending in even numbers—2, 4, 6, 8, 0—will be banned from public roads on Tuesday and Friday during the same hours. On Wednesdays, all vehicles will be allowed to use public roads. I will spare you the details of the second scheme because this proposal seems to just rehash in a confusing way the mechanics of the first scheme. Suffice it to say that this scheme aims to cut down traffic by 40 percent.

Artes said that recent data show that 60 to 70 percent of the 300,000 vehicles sold in the country in 2021 enter Metro Manila. Traffic demand in the metro, Philkotse.com reports, is around 12.8 million trips. While 69 percent of that is made using

Why is there traffic congestion?

When demand for a road space becomes greater than what is available, traffic snarls occur.

People who live far from their workplace will take up road space when they travel to and from Metro Manila, where many corporations are centered in a number of locations within urban settings, such as Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas CBD, Makati Business Center (Ayala), Rockwell Center, Alabang, Pasay, and Triangle Park in Quezon City. available public transportation like jeepneys, buses, the LRT and the MRT, a significantly lower portion is done through driving or riding private vehicles. And yet, the private mode of transport is said to occupy 78 percent of road space.

Why is there traffic congestion?

When demand for a road space becomes greater than what is available, traffic snarls occur. People who live far from their workplace will take up road space when they travel to and from Metro Manila, where many corporations are centered in a number of locations within urban settings, such as Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas CBD, Makati Business Center (Ayala), Rockwell Center, Alabang, Pasay, and Triangle Park in Quezon City. In other parts of the Philippines, the same problem occurs in Metro Davao and Metro Cebu.

Edsa and other metro roads, adds Philkotse.com, are a perfect example of “the tragedy of the commons”

Mama-o vs Bello Susan V. Ople

Scribbles

A

flurry of memos, a hastily signed IRR, and an order for the POEA administrator to turn over all documents to the new secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)— and the week isn’t over yet.

The overseas employment sector is in a state of shock.

It seems that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea share the same interpretation of the law creating the new OFW department while DMW Secretary Abdulla “Dabs” Mama-o has his own interpretation. It boils down to how the law should be interpreted in relation to the powers and functions of the DMW secretary during the transition phase.

Secretary Mama-o was appointed DMW secretary on March 4, 2022.

On March 15, Labor Secretary Bello issued a memorandum addressed to Administrator Bernard Olalia of the POEA, Administrator Hans Cacdac of OWWA, Assistant Secretary Alice Visperas of ILAB, Executive Director Joel Maglunsod of NMP and Director Gerald Tan of the NRCO stating that all these agencies are to remain and continue to operate under the control and supervision of DOLE. On March 16, the interim secretary issued Department Order No. 1 directing all agencies “consolidated and merged into and constituted as the Department of Migrant Workers” to abide by the provisions enumerating the powers and functions of the Office of the Secretary. It also

Gorecho . . .

continued from A12

(21), as well as for having incumbent local officials (26), connections with the government and military (32), unknown or unclear advocacies and representations (34), and pending

Thursday, April 7, 2022 A13

because they are free to use. Hence, there is little incentive for people who own cars not to “use the hell out of it.”

Anthony Downs, an economist, says rush hour traffic congestion is unavoidable. “It is the direct consequence of having the standard work schedule that we all know too well.”

When roads are treated like goods in a capitalist country that can be had either by paying a fee or on a firstcome first-serviced policy, Downs explains, traffic congestion becomes “akin to the latter.” Sad to say that on Edsa, rush hour is all-day-long, except for maybe the wee hours of the morning.

Are road widening and building auxiliary expressways the answer?

According to researchers from London School of Economics and University of Toronto, there exists a fundamental law of road congestion: building and widening new roads will also cause traffic density to rise up again to previous levels. They determined the number of vehicle-kilometers traveled and saw a proportionate increase to the lane-kilometers available on roads.

Several administrations have shown how band-aid or short-term solutions do not work for the gargantuan and complex problem that is Edsa traffic. It is true that decreasing the volume of vehicles crisscrossing Edsa’s asphalt surface daily is key. Implementing number-coding schemes to reduce the number of private vehicles using it, banning provincial buses, or even making sections of Edsa one-way lanes, are not enough. Coding schemes will just push rich motorists to buy more cars.

The provincial bus ban has only en-

So, here we are—one of the biggest sectors contributing to the national and even global economy caught in a war between and among Cabinet secretaries, with barely three months to go before a new administration gains power.

said that all pertinent documents in relation to said powers and functions shall require the signature of the Secretary.

On March 22, the Office of the Executive Secretary wrote Secretary Mama-o to call the latter’s intention to certain provisions of RA 11641 creating the DMW, particularly on the two-year transition period from date of effectivity with the following conditions to be met: 1. An appropriation for the DMW in the 2023 General Appropriations; 2. An effective Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the DMW; and, 3. A staffing pattern of the DMW. In his letter, Executive Secretary Medialdea wrote: “Please note that during the Transition Period, it is the Transition Committee, and not the Secretary alone, that is mandated and has the authority to facilitate the complete and full operation of the Department and promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to effectively implement the smooth and orderly transfer to the Department of the subsumed agencies.

Last Tuesday, the DMW secretary signed his version of the Implementing Rules and Regulations and had it published without the approval and knowledge of the other members of

the Transition Committee. None of the Transition Committee members knew about the contents of the IRR to be signed and that it was to be signed on that day. Even the leaders of the recruitment industry and civil society organizations that belong to the Overseas Land-based Tripartite Consultative Council were invited to the IRR signing.

Secretary Mama-o also issued an administrative order, published yesterday in a major newspaper, asking POEA Administrator Bernard Olalia to “cease and desist from exercising any and all powers and functions as Administrator of the POEA,” and to turn over all documents to the Office of the Secretary within 24 hours of receiving the order.

On the very same day the ceaseand-desist order was issued, the Labor Secretary issued his own memorandum again addressed to the heads of agencies or units that would be consolidated into the DMW. Caught in between the two secretaries are the staff and officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and by extension, its constituents: licensed agencies, both sea-based and land-based as well as our precious OFWs. To get an expert’s opinion on this impasse, I decided to consult one of the framers of the DMW law, Senate Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon, who once served as Justice and Labor secretary.

On whether Secretary Mama-o can, on the basis of his presidential

court cases and criminal charges, including being implicated in pork barrel scams (19).

Local officials affected by term limits use the party-list system to wield power and influence as they prepare to regain their position in the next election cycle.

This year’s list is higher than

that in 2019 as “only” 62 out of 134 party-list groups were flagged by KontraDaya then. This makes the issue of questionable party-list groups in 2022 even more pressing.

KontraDaya stressed that the party-list has been abused to help the relatives of congressional district representatives get additional seats

couraged more colorum conveyances to take over. Making Edsa a one-way road seems like an overreach that someone with a hangover must have dreamed of.

With the Duterte administration on its last few weeks in power, it has no more time left to implement a viable and effective traffic scheme to ease the hardship of motorists and commuters. The next administration must use its six-year term to exercise its political will in improving roads and road network. We simply don’t have enough roads for vehicles, and it’s not getting any better. Records show that in Metro Manila, the current ratio is at 1 km of road for every 424 vehicles. In Cebu, road expansions are costing the provincial government P1.1 billion in daily losses. Also urban planning problems must be fully addressed.

For instance, Metro Manila, Cebu, and even the relatively smaller city of Cagayan de Oro lacked foresight when it comes to urban planning.

The existing urban layout failed to take into consideration the sudden population growth especially in areas that experience transient populations, or those who don’t necessarily live there but work in the area on a daily basis.

Most importantly, encouraging car riders to use public transportation must be a top priority. Of course, this will be possible if and only when the public will be provided with a much-awaited and long-desired efficient, economical, and reliable mass transportation system.

For comments and suggestions, e-mail me at mvala.v@gmail.com

appointment, take over the existing functions of DOLE as it pertains to the mandate of the DMW, Senator Drilon replied: “No. The existing functions of the Department of Labor and Employment with respect to migrant workers cannot be transferred to Sec. Mama-o as no department has been constituted yet.”

He also said that there is no vacancy to be filled as of yet because the department has yet to be constituted, thus there is no Office of the DMW Secretary that needs to be filled.

“To date, there is no position that the appointee may occupy as there is no Department to speak of yet. There are no plantilla positions that can be filled, as the staffing pattern has not yet been formulated. Similarly, there is no item which the Department Secretary can occupy, no personnel whom he can lead.”

The senator clarified that the staffing pattern that would include the item for the DMW Secretary must first be approved and it would be the Transition Committee that would be in charge of that.

“After a staffing pattern is submitted and approved, the Department Secretary may assume his position and become part of the Transition Committee, to take part in the discharge of its other functions,” he added.

So, here we are—one of the biggest sectors contributing to the national and even global economy caught in a war between and among Cabinet secretaries, with barely three months to go before a new administration gains power.

How sad.

Susan V. Ople heads the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, a nonprofit organization that deals with labor and migration issues.

She also represents the OFW sector in the InterAgency Council Against Trafficking.

in the House of Representatives.

It has become a backdoor for the rich and powerful to further entrench themselves in Congress.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.

A14 Thursday, April 7, 2022

PSA RUSHES PRINTING OF 12-M NATL ID CARDS

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

O

VER 12 million National ID cards are already being printed, undergoing quality assurance, and are up for delivery by the post office, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa told the BusinessMirror that this process is called card personalization, and that 12.24 million cards are already undergoing such process.

As of April 1, Mapa said some 9.14 million cards have been delivered to their respective owners. This represents 29.22 percent of the 31.3 million targets by yearend.

Mapa added that as of April 1, 2022, some 62.12 million Filipinos have completed Step 2 registration, which means they have provided their demographic and biometric information to the PSA. T he d at a showe d t h at these Filipinos who completed their Step 2 registration are from 81 provinces and five districts of the National

Capital Region (NCR).

“This figure is 67.5 percent of the 92 million target for 2022,” Mapa said.

In terms of opening bank accounts, which can be done during Step 2, Mapa said 7.76 million Filipinos applied for an account with the Land Bank of the Philippines, which co-locates in registration centers.

The PSA earlier reminded reg ist ra nts who have re ceived their PhilIDs and the accompany ing letter containing their PhilSys Number (PSN) to refrain from posting it on social media to safeguard their personal information.

Meanwhile, those who are awaiting the delivery of their PhilID are encouraged to keep their transaction slip, which, along with a valid ID, will be presented to the Philippine Postal Corporation personnel delivering their PhilID card and PSN letter.

Moreover, the PSA is set to launch a mobile version of the PhilID as a digital alternative to the physical PhilID card to maximize the use of the PhilSys in digital transactions.

6 DEU-Caloocan cops in theft raps relieved

10 more wage-hike petitions filed across country–DOLE

A

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

N additional 10 more wage petitions were recently filed before the regional wage boards nationwide as more workers demand for higher pay, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

This was on top of the 10 petitions which the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) reported pending with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWB) last month.

“There are now 20 petitions for wage increase spread in 10 regions of the country,” Labor spokesperson Rolly Francia said in a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

He said the petitions were spread out in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mind-

anao, and Davao Region.

The number of wage petitions is still expected to increase as some labor groups, including the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), announced they will be filing more wage petitions in other regions in the coming days.

“The assessment of the petitions [by the RTWPBs] has already started and they have already set [the dates for their] consultations with affected sectors especially workers and employers,” Francia said.

NWPC earlier noted the RTWPBs could conduct the review of their existing minimum wage rates

even w ithout any pending wage petition.

The RTWPBs initiated the review of their pending wage petitions last month upon the instruction of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III to help minimum wage earners cope with the rising cost of living brought about by the spike in fuel prices.

The RTWPBs are expected to come out with the result of their review this month.

TUCP refiling

CITING lack of jurisdiction, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) earlier rejected the P470 wage hike petition of TUCP, sparking a strong reaction from the country’s largest labor federation.

In a SMS, RTWPB-NCR chairperson Sarah B. Mirasol told BusinessMirror, “We dismissed the petition of TUCP for lack of jurisdiction of the RTWPB-NCR over the wage across-the-board increase.”

TUCP’s five-page petition, filed last March 14, asked for a P470 daily wage increase for all private sector workers in the NCR “to be given across-the-board.”

Under the Wage Rationaliza-

tion Act, the RTWPBs could only handle wage petitions concerning minimum wage earners.

Mirasol said the RTWPB-NCR continued to process the three other wage petitions pending before the RTWPB-NCR. “We gave due course to the other petitions as we already scheduled consultations on minimum wage hike this April,” Mirasol said.

In a virtual press conference, TUCP Raymond C. Mendoza expressed outrage over the dimissal of their petition on a technicality.

“It is grossly unfair for the wage board to just dismiss our petition and choose to ignore the arguments and computations which are all about a minimum wage increase. While it is true that the RTWPB cannot grant an acrossthe-board wage increase, it has jurisdiction insofar as providing an increase in minimum wage,” Mendoza said.

Nevertheless, he said they opted to just refile their petition, removing the term “across-the-board” so the RTWPB-NCR could immediately act on it.

“We chose that path because we deemed to argue with them right now will delay the process . . . Time is of the essence,” Mendoza said.

“The involved personnel were immediately relieved so a fair investigation can proceed without any undue influence.”

DIONARDO CARLOS

BM

PNP CHIEF

By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

T

HE si x members of the Dr ug Enforcement Unit (DEU) of the Caloocan City Police who have been tagged in a reported robbery in the city have been relieved of their posts and will undergo investigation, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

According to PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen Roderick Augustus Balba, the six policemen will undergo adjudication as the PNP Internal Affairs Service gathers evidence for possible administrative indictment.

Balba said PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos had also directed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to conduct a thorough probe into the incident.

“The involved personnel were immediately relieved so a fair investigation can proceed without any undue influence. They are now under restrictive custody, and disarmed of their service firearms,” he quoted Carlos as saying.

Carlos identified the policemen as Cpls. Noel Espejo Sison, 33; Rommel Toribio, 29; Ryan Sammy Gomez Mateo, 32; Jake Barcenilla Rosima, 35; Mark Christian Abarca Cabanilla, 31; and Daryl Calija Sablay.

Initial investigation showed that the v ictim, Eddie Acaso Yuson, 39, was wa lk ing on his way to Barangay 117 to buy food for his family when he was

approached by one of the suspects who introduced himself as a policeman.

CCTV footage showed that he was frisked and searched of his personal belongings. After a few minutes, a white pick-up truck with five other suspects onboard appeared.

The victim alleged that the policemen took his cash amounting to P14,000. A woman introduced in a radio report as his daughter said the cash of the man, a vendor, partly came from government assistance to him. The CCTV footage was later uploaded in social media on March 30.

The policemen claimed they accosted the man because he kept loitering and acting suspiciously in an area where anti-drug operations were being conducted, according to earlier news reports.

The victim manifested disinterest to file a complaint through an affidavit administered by Barangay 118 Chairwoman Jerrylyn Bolo.

Despite the victim’s lack of interest to file a complaint, Carlos said, the PNP will pursue an investigation of the involved personnel through its Internal Affairs Service.

An administrative complaint for grave misconduct and other appropriate charges against the suspects are being prepared.

“We don’t want this isolated incident to tarnish the reputation of the entire organization. They will undergo the process of adjudication to ferret out the truth,” Carlos said.

HISTORY TO BUSINESS Motorists can now use the New Binondo-Intramuros Bridge which was inaugurated on Monday by President Duterte. The second of two bridges funded through a Chinese grant connects the historic walled city of Intramuros to the bustling business hub of Chinatown in Manila.The bridge can serve around 30,000 motorists daily and is one of two bridge projects fully funded by the Chinese government, the other being the completed Estrella-Pantaleon bridge. ROY DOMINGO

Covid prompts Comelec to halt Shanghai OAV

A

ROUND 1,700 Filipino voters abroad will have to wait longer to cast their votes for the 2022 polls.

This after the Commission on Elections announced on Wednesday that it suspended the overseas absentee voting (OAV) for the Philippine embassy in Shanghai, China, which is currently under lockdown.

“As you probably know, Shanghai is under indefinite lockdown. But once the lockdown is lifted, we will proceed with the voting,” Comelec Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo said in a press conference.

He said the postponement of the

OAV in Shanghai is expected to affect over 1,600 voters.

Chinese author ities placed Shanghai under lockdown due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in the bustling port city.

Philippine post concerns

CASQUEJO said they will also likely be deferring the OAV in the Philippine posts in Baghdad, Tripoli, Islamabad, and Warsaw.

The suspension will affect 127 voters in Iraq for Baghdad; Algeria, Chad, Tunisia, and Libya for Tripoli; Afghanistan for Islamabad; and Ukraine for Warsaw.

Comelec postponed the voting in

Baghdad and Tripoli since the posts there currently lacked the capability for conducting OAV, according to Casquejo.

In the case of Islamabad and Warsaw, the suspension was due to the ongoing mandatory repatriation efforts in these areas.

Meanwhile, Casquejo said they expect better voter turnout for the 2022 polls with the implementation of their ‘vote anywhere’ scheme.

Under the scheme, overseas voters will be allowed to vote in another country, which implements personal voting, even if they are not registered there.

The concerned overseas voters will be required to file a Manifestation of Intent to Vote in Another Post (MIVAP).

To further increase the number of voters abroad, Casquejo said they w ill a lso implement a two-way postage for posta l voting posts.

He noted Comelec will now provide free postage for sending ballots to the voters as well as another postage to send it back to the concerned Philippine post.

“In the past, the postage was only one-way,” Casquejo said.

The OAV will run from April 10 to May 9, 2022. Samuel P. Medenilla

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday, April 7, 2022

B1

AC Energy pursues early retirement of coal plant

A

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

C ENERGY Corp. (ACEN) has moved to pursue the early retirement of its remaining coal plant under South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation (SLTEC) in line with the parent firm’s “net-zero” target through year 2050.

This after the Executive Committee of ACEN has approved some of the requirements for the refinancing of SLTEC. “The Executive Committee approved today the execution by ACEN, as the project sponsor of SLTEC, of relevant documents for the refinancing of SLTEC under an energy transition financing with certain Philippine banks as lenders,” it said in a disclosure last Tuesday.

Also, ACEN President Eric T. Francia and Chief Finance Officer Maria Corazon G. Dizon were au-

thorized by the committee to finalize the terms and conditions of the said documents and the list of lenders for SLTEC’s energy transition financing.

ACEN, which earlier vowed to transition its generation portfolio to 100-percent renewable energy by 2025, will also use the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) for the early retirement of the 270-megawatt (MW) coal plant by 2040, 15 years ahead of its technical life.

The ETM is an innovative funding mechanism that leverages lowcost and long-term funding geared

By Roderick L. Abad

towards early coal retirement and reinvestment of proceeds to enable renewable energy.

The board approved in October last year to leverage on the innovative ETM to enable the earlier transition of the coal plant to a cleaner technology, BPI Capital Corp. will be the lead arranger for the ETM for SLTEC. One option to execute this is for the company to possibly carry out the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the plant even if it is sold.

“An asset divestment does not necessarily translate to a separation or termination of the O&M arrangement,” Francia said. “We have to make sure that in whatever transaction we enter into entails ensuring O&M to the highest standard, whether that’s us or new investors.”

ACEN and global climate solutions provider South Pole are now working to achieve net zero green-

house gas emissions by 2050.

Both will develop a detailed greenhouse gas footprint that includes all relevant Scope 3 emissions from the value chain, which is considered net zero best practice; assess potential emission reduction activities and strategies to help ACEN prioritize and budget for these interventions across its core business units, ensuring practical steps are taken to reduce emissions as quickly as possible; and establish interim targets aligned with a science-based 1.5°C pathway across the core business units to ensure ACEN has robust and measurable milestones along its journey to net zero by 2050.

“Being at the forefront of the energy transition goes hand in hand with our commitment to Net Zero,” said Francia. “We will work closely with the Ayala group and continue to collaborate with our stakeholders as we carry out this important journey.”

ABS-CBN licenses GMA to air films

This video grab shows (Top row from left): GMA Network Inc. executives Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., Felipe S. Yalong and Annette Teresa M. Gozon-Valdes and Jose Mari R. Abacan; and, (Bottom row from left) ABS-CBN Corp. executives Martin L. Lopez, Carlo L. Katigbak, Cory V. Vidanes, Ricardo B. Tan and Olivia M. Lamasan. CREDIT Photo courtesy ABS-CBN Corp.

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

R

NOW wins again

IVAL media businesses GMA Network Inc. and ABSCBN Corp have inked a licensing deal that will bring ABS-CBN’s movies to GMA, a move described as “historic” and “mutually beneficial” to both parties.

With the signing of the deal, GMA COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr. said GMA has “solidified” its claim as a “one-stop shop for major film studios.” The deal allows GMA to air filmsfor-television for free from ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc., doing business as “Star Cinema.”

ABS-CBN shares closed at P13.20 apiece, up 3 percent or 38 centavos from the previous close. GMA also closed higher at P14.80 apiece, up by 10 centavos.

“We are very pleased because the significance of our partnership today ushers in the possibility of a far broader set of conversations, potential partnerships and cooperation that will have the benefit not only mutually to GMA and ABSCBN but as importantly, if not perhaps more importantly, to the benefit of the public we both serve – the Filipino viewer,” Duavit was quoted in a statement as saying.

ABS-CBN President Carlo L. Katigbak said that bringing their “’Kapamilya brand closer to Kapuso viewers marks the start of a new era of friendship and cooperation” within the industry.

“Every storyteller’s dream is to have as many people as possible experience their creations. Now, because of the kindness of our friends at GMA, we have the special opportunity to bring our ‘Kapamilya’ stories to a new audience,” Katigbak was quoted in a statement as saying. “We hope the Kapusos find joy and inspiration in viewing our Star Cinema movies and we also look forward to a new era of friendship

and cooperation within our small industry.”

Since the refusal of lawmakers to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN in 2020, the Lopez-led multimedia conglomerate resorted to focus on its content development business and have its shows and films streamed online.

Duavit noted that the group is looking forward to enter into similar deals with ABS-CBN in the future.

“Looking forward, since we have as they say, broken the ice, there is great optimism that these conversations will start and continue, and we look forward to the possibility of this type of an opportunity again moving forward,” Duavit said.

Contributor @rodrik_28

T

HE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has issued a favorable decision again to NOW Telecom Co. Inc. (NOWTEL) in its Application for Automatic Approval of Extension of Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Provisional Authority (CMTS PA) and the Assignment of Frequencies for its Effectual Use against the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

In a resolution dated March 31, 2022, ARTA denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by the NTC through Gamaliel A. Cordoba.

T he resolution a lso reiterated its earlier resolution set forth in the Omnibus Order dated January 31, 2022, in relation to its resolution dated March 1, 2021 declaring the completeness of NOW TEL’s application for CMTS PA to operate in the 220 megahertz (Mhz) frequency range from 1970Mhz to 1980Mhz paired with 2160Mhz to 2170Mhz

and 3.6Ghz to 3.8Ghz, including 5G frequencies for mobile and fixed wireless.

The agency has already issued an Order of Automatic Approval on March 1, 2021.

As early as 2005, the NTC granted NOW Telecom a Cellular Mobile Telephony System (CMTS) Provisional Authority (PA) based on the latter’s legal, technical, and financial qualifications during hearings conducted before the NTC. Howe ve r, t he re g u l ator failed and continued to refuse to assign NOWTEL frequencies needed to implement its CMTS PA, despite repeated pleadings; thus, the ARTA case.

With the recent ruling from ARTA, NOWTEL will be able to continue pursuing its mobile broadband ser v ices aspirations that have been hindered for over 16 years due to the lack of sufficient frequencies to operate.

NOWTEL was one of the three holders of a CMTS PA alongside SMART Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. prior to the new major player bidding in 2018.

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, April 7, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Sustained rise in sales boosts Century Pacific’s ‘21 income

By VG Cabuag

C

@villygc

ENTURY Pacific Food Inc., the food group of the Po family, on Wednesday said its income reached P4.7 billion last year, up by 20 percent from the previous P3.87 billion as sales continue to rise at double-digit levels.

Sales of the company that makes Century Tuna and Argentina Corned Beef rose 13 percent to P54.7 billion from the previous year’s P48.3 billion.

For the fourth quarter alone, the company said its income grew 14 percent, while sales increased by 18 percent.

The company said its growth was mainly due to the robust sales of its tuna and coconut OEM ex-

ports business and the strong performance of the branded segment despite the high base from 2020.

The company said its exports of mostly unbranded products increased by 29 percent annually, which was due to the global economic reopening and higher demand for healthier products. The company’s branded segment, on the other hand, hit P42.8 billion in revenues and registered a double-

digit growth of 10 percent, despite a high-base effect of the previous year due to the spike in demand as people hoarded food for fear on the pandemic.

Gross margin dipped by 1.4 percentage points due to the general rise in input prices globally.

“Demand for consumer staples remained resilient in 2021. Consumers are feeling the strain from this prolonged pandemic, leading them to prioritize spending and predisposing them to gravitate towards essentials and value for money brands. As a company focused on providing affordable food options, Century was able to cater to their needs, which in turn led to market share gains for our brands,” Richard Kristoffer S. Manapat, the company’s chief financial officer, said.

The company earlier has increased the capacity of its coconut OEM business by half, a move to meet the growing demand for coconut products worldwide, effec-

tively generating more than 500 manufacturing jobs in the Mindanao region.

The company in December announced the acquisition of the Ligo sardines brand in the Philippines.

The deal is expected to close within the first half of the year.

For the first quarter of the year, the company said it saw its revenue growth at high single-digit, fueled by the branded segment which grew double-digit year-on-year.

“2022 is shaping up to be another challenging year with pandemic disruptions and geopolitical events resulting in a high-inflation environment. We continued to see strong revenue growth in the first quarter but significant uncertainty lies ahead. We will continue to play the long game and invest in the business. At the same time, our team has plans in place to mitigate the new risks that emerged and still aim to deliver decent business results,” Christopher T. Po, the company’s executive chairman, said.

NGCP to increase capital stock

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

T

HE NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is increasing its authorized capital stock (ACS) to accommodate the issuance of the non-voting preferred shares to Synergy Grid and Development Philippines, Inc. (SGP).

SGP is subscribing to 203.63 mi l lion non-voting prefer red shares of NGCP at P6.10 apiece for a total of P12,238,163,000.00.

SGP will utilize the proceeds of its follow-on offering (FOO) in November last year to pay NGCP. T he subscr iption to NGCP shares will result in an increase in the grid operator’s capitalization, as well as give SGP a direct shareholding in NGCP of 9.241 percent of the latter’s outstanding capital stock.

SGP will be entitled to the features of the non-voting preferred shares such as receipt of dividends, apart from the dividends that SGP already indirectly receives from NGCP through holdings companies. In 2020 and 2021, NGCP has declared an annual dividend of P12 billion for its common shares, released on a quarterly basis.

NGCP said the amount will be used to fund its capital expenditure (capex) programs as well as

other related expenses.

“This amount will be a huge boost to fund NGCP’s capital expenditure, a huge chunk of which is on new transmission projects for the improvement, upgrading, and expansion of the country’s power grid,” SGP Chairman Henry T. Sy Jr. said.

SGP indirectly controls 60 percent of the outstanding capital stock of NGCP, SGP’s sole operating asset, with an effective equity interest of 40.2 percent consisting of common shares.

NGCP holds the sole and exclusive concession and franchise for the operation of the Philippines’ transmission network, linking power generators and distribution utilities to deliver electricity to power distributors and cooperatives nationwide.

In the next 13 years, NGCP is committed to invest approximately P440 billion across 211 projects which are aimed to support the growing electricity demand in the country and to make the country’s power backbone continuously reliable.

“Our investors who chose to partner with us at SGP are instrumental in ensuring that NGCP’s projects in the pipeline will come into fruition and play a significant part in the country’s economic development,” SGP Vice-Chairman Robert G. Coyiuto Jr. said.

mutual funds

April 6, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

229.88

10.23%

-4.31%

-2.67%

-1.38%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.5259

17.98%

-2%

1.27%

-8.31%

-7.94%

-5.32%

-1.7%

-6.95% n.a.

-0.74%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1827

11.15%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7509 1.72% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6942 3.63% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

5.1592

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

-6.9% n.a.

13.09% 0.77 -10.07%

-9.95%

-1.89%

-0.33%

-0.45%

16.68%

-4.05%

-3.71%

-11.98% n.a.

-8.15%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

86.73

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.1559

10.2%

-3.06%

-1.31%

-2.02%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

493.49

10.01%

-2.99%

-1.42%

-1.44%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3752

26.13%

1.81%

1.73%

1.39%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.3554

13.44%

-1.91%

0.07%

-0.66%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9373

12.97%

-3.14% n.a.

-0.44%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.8897

11.6%

-2.28%

-0.6%

-1.43%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

812.5

10.87%

-2.42%

-0.69%

-1.93%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7353

10.84%

-7.22%

-3.5%

-2.3%

11.76%

-4.72%

-1.81%

-1.84%

0.9255

10.49%

-2.73%

-0.95%

10.38%

-2.7%

0.24%

-1.22%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7062 Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a United Fund, Inc. -a

3.3952

-1.7%

-2.01%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.186

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

991.2 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

16.93% n.a. n.a.

2%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

109.6015

11.45%

-2.15%

-0.25%

-1.68%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0542

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7054

-16.03%

0.49%

2.41%

-6.42%

0.12%

9.93%

9.17%

-7.64%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.6274

0.26%

-1.77%

-1.45%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2283

3.69%

-1.2%

-0.79%

-2.33%

7.68%

0.57%

1.19%

-0.39%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6805

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2091 NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9938

-3.82%

11.64% n.a. n.a.

5.31%

1.4%

1.31%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7006

4.42%

0.33%

0.13%

-1.71%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.5891

4.42%

0.09%

0.11%

-1.52%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1039

-0.82%

5.65%

-0.53%

-0.05%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5911 6.56%

-2.15%

-0.49%

-1.54%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-1.24%

-0.05%

-1.48%

0.9401

12.95%

0.05%

-1.14%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

0.9517

0.37%

-1.5% n.a.

-3.85%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.9182

6.03%

-2.62% n.a.

-2.78%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.9085

6.84%

-2.89% n.a.

-2.72%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03542

-6.64%

-0.56%

0.01%

-6.64%

$1.0252

-8.36%

0.78%

1.73%

-3.93%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.4686 -2.01%

6.5%

6.41%

-6.94%

2.34%

2.64%

-6.52%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.1204 -4.09%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

373.59

0.98%

2.46%

2.42%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8855

-1.17%

0.07%

0.09%

-0.19% 0.04%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2383

0.64%

2.48%

3.6%

-0.18%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2138

-1.32%

0.86%

1.15%

-1.67%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4171 -0.31%

2.25%

1.83%

-0.37%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.2988

-3.29%

2.21%

1.12%

-2.2%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3182

0.24%

3.34%

2.81%

-0.07%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9156

-0.93%

2.71%

2.45%

-1.27%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0121

-1.05%

3.25%

1.79%

-1.57%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1621

-0.11%

3.11%

3.05%

-0.79%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-0.88%

2.26%

2.32%

-1.02%

1.7129

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$484.91

0.66%

2.25%

2.14%

-0.95%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є215.97

-1.62%

0%

0.52%

-1.84%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1153

-5.08%

-1.44%

-0.01%

-7.36%

-0.4% n.a.

-4.23%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0249 -3.11% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$0.9535

-8.97%

-3.51%

-2.27%

-6.78%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.3483

-4.44%

1.38%

1.3%

-6.28%

$0.0611618

-2.18%

1.76%

1.44%

-1.81%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.9581 -4.7%

-0.17%

0.08%

-7.45%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

131.46

1.22%

2.44%

2.52%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.0608

1.04%

1.76% n.a.

0.21%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3209

1.52%

2.35%

2.51%

0.29%

0.4%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0622

0.65%

1.28% n.a.

0.15%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

45.5441 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.3337

10.59% n.a. n.a.

-3.56%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.9209

-6.98% n.a. n.a.

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

-5.06%

d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.).

2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance

UNO Digital Bank, Mastercard partner on digital, physical card

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

U

NO Digital Bank announced on Wednesday that it is partnering with Mastercard to issue digital and physical Debit Mastercard cards in the Philippines.

The bank, which is one of the six digital banks that were granted a license by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), said the virtual cards will make it easy for customers to transact online, and the physical card can be used at points of sale at retail outlets or any Mastercard, Maestro, or Cirrus ATMs worldwide.

“Filipinos are embracing digital payments, and our partnership with Mastercard honors our promise to deliver simple solutions to our customers that offer a better banking experience,” UNO Digital Bank CEO Manish Bhai said.

The debit card is expected to be launched in the second quarter of the year.

“As a credit-led bank we are also building a payments ecosystem,” says

Bhai. “In our business partners, such as with Mastercard, we seek those with a similar mindset to our own: a mission to deliver innovation with simplicity,” Bhai said.

UNO Digital Bank said its physical Debit Mastercard will have security features that are designed to mitigate fraud and empower cardholders to prevent the misuse of their card.

“We are building in features that will elevate the banking experience for UNO Digital Bank customers, and take our commitment to cardholder convenience and innovation to the next level,” said Vivek Kumar, Head of Loans, Payments & Ecosystems for UNO Digital Bank.

“Mastercard is honored to work with innovative partners like UNO Digital Bank who are paving the way to financial inclusion in the Philippines. Mastercard debit cards are designed to meet evolving consumer needs, and make everyday payments safe, simple, smart and accessible.”

Simon Calasanz, Country Manager, Philippines, Mastercard, meanwhile, said.

DAR, LandBank forge team up to appraise CARP landholdings

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

T

HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Land Bank of the Philippines have partnered to appraise the landholdings covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The DAR and the LBP Agrarian Operations Center IV (LBPAOC) in Quezon II, recently conducted an on-site technical training on land assessment during the synchronized Joint Field Investigation (JFI) and geotagging activity.

The exercise aims to determine the necessary data for the appraisal of landholdings covered under CARP, the DAR said in a news release.

JFI teams from LBP-AOC IV Romeo Honrade and Vicente Mina spearheaded the field assessment of 9 landholdings covering several municipalities under the jurisdiction of Quezon II, totaling 105.6320 hectares and simultaneously taught the DAR field personnel on how to properly evaluate a property that is subject for coverage under the CARP. Quezon II Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Engr.

Cornelio P. Villapando described the activity as “hitting two birds with one stone.”

“Based on recent top-level discussions, we are expecting that an administrative order will be signed and issued by our

Secretary soon, in which the DAR shall assume the responsibility of handling the field investigation process that is currently being performed by our LandBank partners,” Villapando said.

He said the activity is designed to be more than the usual joint field investigation, but as a mentoring session to pass on the necessary knowledge and skills— from LBP to DAR personnel—in evaluating a property.

Villapando said field investigations are crucial in the land valuation process to determine the necessary data for the appraisal of landholdings, which, in turn, is a key activity for determining landowners’ compensation as well as amortization schedules of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

“Over the years, we have accomplished much in our land distribution efforts primarily because of the huge help from LandBank. We are very grateful to LBP-AOC IV, headed by Maria Magdalena Espiritu, and the Valuation and Field Services Unit, headed by Noel Fruto, for being our ever-reliable and valued partner,” Villapando added.

Benefitting from the Landbank mentorship were officials and personnel from DAR Quezon II Land Tenure Improvement Division headed by Chief Veronica Otcharan, who said: “Hopefully, we will be able to fill-in the big shoes that LandBank personnel will be turning over to us.”

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Thursday, April 7, 2022

B3

Not just LTFRB: Agri chief says spending ban hurts farm sector

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

WO Cabinet secretaries have made urgent appeals to the Commission on Elections for an exemption from the public-spending ban of the fuel subsidy releases to two vital sectors: farmers and fishermen; and public utility transport drivers.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar made the calls separately on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing and Sulong Pilipinas.

Dominguez, who heads the government’s economic team, said he does not favor banning the fuel subsidy releases, which comprise urgent assistance for those impacted by rising oil prices amid the RussiaUkraine war.

“Tulong sa tao ito, e. Dapat hindi [ma-ban.] Dapat ibigay ‘yon [This is assistance to people. It should not be banned. They should give it].”

Dominguez’s remarks followed statements by lawmakers denouncing the move of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) temporarily halting distribution of fuel subsidies to public utility vehicle drivers and operators. The agency cited the election ban on public spending for infrastructure and other projects from March 25 until May 8, the eve of the 2022 National and Local Elections, to avoid any semblance of vote-buying.

Meanwhile, Dar appealed to Comelec to exempt its fertilizer and fuel subsidy programs from the public spending ban as this are meant to aid farmers and from skyrocketing prices of inputs.

Dar is “hopeful” that their petition to the Comelec would be granted, arguing that a month of halting the department’s subsidy and voucher programs is “long enough” to deny farmers and fishermen of necessary state interventions.

“One month is long enough to

deny our interventions to be given to the farmers. [Our interventions] do not have [political] colors. Food production does not have [political] colors,” Dar told reporters on the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing last Tuesday.

“That is what I am saying all the time. We need to produce more food [at] every opportunity,” Dar added.

The agriculture chief said the DA’s programs affected by the public spending ban include the fuel subsidy for corn farmers and fishermen; fertilizer subsidy for rice, corn, and cassava farmers; cash assistance to rice farmers and even the procurement of farm machinery by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization.

Dar disclosed that they received a notice from the Comelec to stop the distribution of their fuel subsidy program, which had been in implementation for two weeks. Thus, they were unable to distribute a substantial amount of the P500-million subsidy since Comelec has stopped its operations.

DA exemption request denied

“WE already wrote to them before but it was denied. That is why we are asking for reconsideration. Our programs should be continued to achieve our targets,” he said. Dar said he submitted his latest petition to the Comelec last Tuesday.

“All of our assistance programs are affected [by the ban]. All of these are much needed by the farmers because they are struggling with higher petrol prices, [higher] prices of fertilizers, feeds, everything,” he added.

The DA rolled out its fuel subsidy last month during the visit of President Duterte in Tacloban Leyte.

Under the guidelines released by the DA, eligible Filipino corn farmers and fisherfolk could get a maximum fuel discount of P3,000 under the P500-million fuel subsidy program. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/03/08/ guidelines-on-subsidy-distribution-to-farmers-fishers-issued/) The DA is eyeing to cover some 3 million hectares of rice farms under its P5.85-billion fertilizer voucher program that would provide subsidies to planters. Eligible rice farmers may use the fertilizer voucher to buy fertilizer grades, including complete fertilizer, urea, ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, and muriate of potash. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2022/03/09/da-issues-rulesfor-fertilizer-aid-scheme/)

‘Can’t be vote-buying’

ON Wednesday, Senator Panfilo Lacson joined his colleagues Grace Poe and Joel Villanueva in asking the LTFRB to release the funds. Sen. Koko Pimentel lamented the halt, but said the ban against vote buying is clear, and said the Commission on Elections should instead rush its issuance of an exemption for the fuel subsidy releases, the way it did for other urgent public services.

Comelec was set to release its decision today (Thursday) on LTFRB’s appeal to exempt their fuel subsidy releases from the ban. The senators earlier asked the Comelec to fasttrack the exemption, stressing that the assistance to drivers and operators is direly needed amid soaring prices of petroleum followed by spiraling prices of basic commodities.

Lacson, an independent presidential candidate, said that “unless there is jurisprudence along that line, I don’t think the national government should be covered by the election ban on providing social services to our people especially at a time when the prices of fuel continue to go up.”

He urged the Senate to act on the issue by exercising its oversight functions and questioning the basis of the implementing agencies for suspending the subsidy.

Besides, he said the law particu-

larly the General Appropriations Act stipulates that the government provide subsidies to affected sectors.

“I do not see how something like that can be construed as vote buying,” he said.

Less than half of recipients

Less than half or 110,287 out of 264,578 beneficiaries have received their fuel subsidies as of March 29, according to LTFRB executive director Maria Kristina Cassion.

Last month, the Department of Budget and Management released P2.5 billion for the Department of Transportation’s fuel subsidy program to the transport sector and another P500 million under the Department of Agriculture’s budget to provide fuel discounts to farmers and fisherfolk.

Under the fuel subsidy program, financial assistance of P6,500 each will be directly provided through cash cards to over 377,400 qualified drivers of jeepney, UV express, mini buses, buses, shuttle services, taxis, tricycles, and other full-time ridehailing transport network vehicle service and motorcycle taxis.

Economic managers also earlier recommended to President Duterte hiking the budget for the fuel subsidy program, to P5 billion from P2.5 billion previously. They have also proposed to raise the budget for fuel vouchers for agricultural producers from P500 million to P1.1 billion.

The release of the funds for fuel subsidy for the transport sector and the fuel vouchers for the agriculture sector was earlier recommended to be done in two tranches—the first one in March and the second one in April.

Budget and finance officials have earlier said additional funds needed for the economic team’s proposals may be sourced from excess revenues.

On top of these, Dominguez said the government is also eyeing to release P41.4 billion to provide additional unconditional cash transfers to the poorest 50 percent of the population. Dominguez said this amount would be enough to finance the additional cash aid for six months.

The DBM vowed to release the additional UCT once it receives the certification of excess revenues from the Bureau of the Treasury. With a report

by Butch Fernandez

SBCorp., DOT urged to offer loans to tourism sector

S

EN. Juan Edgardo Angara prodded the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Small Business Corporation (SBC) on Wednesday to take the initiative to offer timely assistance, including loans, to tourism operators.

The senator suggested that both DOT and SBC hold dialogues and extend voluntary aid to the ailing tourism sector to keep them afloat, and especially as they have new requirements for meeting the demands of reopening. Thousands of tourists have been flocking to the Philippines since the country

reopened its borders two weeks ago.

Angara indicated this is the least that the concerned agencies can do to boost the affected investors in the tourism industry.

Referring to a report rendered by Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat on lifting the ban on foreign travellers—as Covid alert levels eased—over 212,000 visitors arrived into the country since March, noting this marked a 130-percent increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2021.

According to Angara, Senate

finance committee chairman, the DOT was provided funds in its budget to extend loans at low interest in its budget to aid tourism operators through the SB Corp., under the Department of Trade and Industry.

Under the Bayanihan 2 law to address the pandemic, a P4-billion fund was intended to extend loans to the affected tourism sector but as of February, only P278 million was loaned to tourism-related firms while P524-million loans were still being processed.

It was claimed that the small

number beneficiaries availing themselves of the loan was due “slow business” amid the imposition of lockdowns and community quarantine due to the Covid contagion.

Angara suggested, however, that the government take the lead in boosting the tourism industry.

He noted that the Philippines will also host the upcoming Global Summit of the world travel and tourism sector in Manila on April 20-22, expected to be attended by tourism officials and stakeholders from different countries. Butch Fernandez

New PDIC Governing Board members take oath

T

HE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) announced the appointment of former Social Security System (SSS) President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio and the reappointment of Mr. Rogelio M. Guadalquiver as Members of the PDIC Board representing the private sector.

Together with Atty. Reynaldo F. Tansioco and Atty. Juan D. De Zuñiga, Jr., Directors Ignacio and Guadalquiver complete the PDIC Board chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez.

The PDIC Board also includes PDIC President and CEO Roberto B. Tan who is also the Board’s Vice

Chairman; and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin E. Diokno as ex-officio member.

Director Ignacio will serve until November 16, 2025. Meanwhile, Director Guadalquiver, who was previously appointed in December 2016, will serve until November 16, 2025 as well.

Prior to joining PDIC, Ignacio led the digitalization initiatives of SSS from 2019 to 2022, including the enhancement of the SSS Mobile App and the online filing for various member claims and benefits. These proved to be timely and beneficial for members for the pension fund during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During her term at the SSS, the pension fund also optimized partnership with banks and e-wallet providers in the prompt release of members’ benefit claims and loan proceeds. Her holistic view of the banking and financial industry from both the private and public sector’s perspectives was a result of a range of expertise she built by holding top management positions in private banking institutions.

Ignacio graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance from the Centro Escolar University.

Meanwhile, Guadalquiver is a seasoned accountant with more

than three decades of experience in domestic and worldwide audit practices specializing in initial public offerings, industry research studies, corporate restructuring, business process re-engineering, business risk management, and financial and tax management consulting.

Guadalquiver graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and attended the Top Management Program of the Asian institute of Management (AIM) where he also earned his Master’s degree in Business Management.

NEW FWD EXECS

This March 30, 2022, photo shows Antonio Manuel G. De Rosas, one of two executives named as members of the Board of Directors of the FWD Life Insurance Corp. The other is Manuel G. De Rosas who was appointed Non-Executive Director. De Rosas was appointed as Independent Director. Photo courtesy FWD Life Insurance Corp.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

B4

Thursday, April 7, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL, Japan to strengthen strategic partnership with 1st foreign, defense ministerial talks in Tokyo

T

HE Philippines and Japan will hold an inaugural foreign and defense ministerial meeting, or “2+2,” on April 9 in Tokyo.

The gathering was agreed by President Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio during their telesummit in November 2021.

The 2+2 is the next logical progression in the deepening policy and security cooperation between the two countries, and is envisioned to be a key component in further strengthening

their decades-old strategic partnership.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the close ties between both nations for 60 years continue to expand to various areas of cooperation, and have resulted in the improvement of the Philippines’s maritime law-enforcement capabilities, increased maritimedomain awareness, as well as enhanced

counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief or HADR capabilities, among other areas.

Japan is only the second country with which the Philippines has a similar mechanism after the United States.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, who will

Ambassador hosts UAE PM-Dubai ruler at PHL’s World Expo Bangkóta Pavilion

A

BU DHABI—Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana welcomed one of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) leaders at the Philippines’s Bangkóta Pavilion inside the World Expo 2020.

The Philippine ambassador on March 18 gave a guided tour to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the UAE’s vice president, prime minister and Dubai ruler. This marks, to date, the highest-level visit from the UAE government at the country’s pavilion in the World Expo.

Quintana extended a warm welcome to Al Maktoum and top members of his cabinet during the visit: “I thanked His Highness for the UAE’s wonderful support to the success and strong presence of the Philippines in the World Expo.”

The Dubai Media office tweeted this about the visit: “His High-

AMBASSADOR Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (left) welcomes Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (third from left) at the Bangkóta Pavilion. ABU DHABI PE/DFA

ness was taken on an immersive trip through the nation’s aquatic wonderlands: an imag inative coral village packed with artistic wonders, which convey a powerful message about safeguarding marine life.”

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Bangkóta pavilion received its 1 millionth visitor the other week—proof of the country’s strong presence throughout the five-month run of the Dubai Expo to date.

The message of “cultural sustainability” espoused by the pavilion was excellently received by visitors. The Philippines also hosted a number of major activities that showcased Filipino culture, talent, and the government’s thrusts, which created a new appreciation of the country and its people in the expo’s global stage.

Among these were the “Paskong Pinoy sa World Expo” on December 3, 2021; the Philippine National Day ceremony on February 11 which was capped by the “Daluyong ng Diwa” Gala Night Performance; and a host of activities at the Bangkóta which showcased the country as the center of world biodiversity; one pursuing space, artificial intelligence and advanced technology cooperation; an exponent of cultural sustainability; and an excellent destination for investment and tourism.

PHL joins call for early agreement on marine biodiversity in the high seas N EW YORK—During the fourth Intergovernmental Conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ), the Philippines pointed out the urgent need for a global regime to conserve and sustainably use marine-biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

According to the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, who led the country’s delegation, the continued exploitation of resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) threatens the whole marine ecosystem. He said the international legally binding agreement on the BBNJ being negotiated under the UN’s auspices could bring marine areas beyond national jurisdiction under common management and monitoring.

AMBASSADOR Enrique A. Manalo (left photo, center) led the Philippine delegation at the fourth Intergovernmental Conference; Assistant Secretary Maria Angela A. Ponce (right) urged United Nations member-states to complete the final text of the agreement within the year. NYPM/DFA

The instrument is expected to address marine environmental degradation and climate change-related impacts on marine biodiversity.

In her statement at the conference, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Maria Angela A. Ponce joined numerous delegations in supporting the immediate conclusion of the agreement as part of the global action to address pressures on the world’s oceans.

Ponce expressed support “for the way forward,” particularly on the convening of IGC5 in August 2022 provided by Ambassador Rena Lee,

who is the president of the conference. The former looked forward to the conclusion of the agreement.

“The urgency of protecting our high seas and its resources is rising.

2022 is, after all, a special year, for it is the 40th anniversary of UNCLOS: the foundation upon which this agreement is anchored,” the assistant secretary stated. “We hope that, in the spirit of [such], we will be able… to reach convergence on all points, and come to a final text.”

The Philippines also underscored the principle of the common heritage of mankind to guide the new legal regime for BBNJ. It stressed the im-

portance of giving due regard to the rights and jurisdiction of adjacent coastal states, and highlighted the special recognition that must be accorded to the archipelagic kind.

The unique geography of the Philippines, as archipelagic, makes the country entirely dependent on the sea, as the country’s ecosystem is affected by changes in the larger ocean ecology. Thus, preferential treatment, such as access to capacity building and transfer of marine technology, must be taken into consideration by the instrument.

The conference was held from March 7 to 18 at the UN Headquarters in New York City. The Philippine delegation was composed of representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as well as its Biodiversity Management Bureau and Environmental Management Bureau.

PHL, Oman convene 4th Joint Bilateral Consultation Meeting

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USC AT—Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Asean Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro led the Philippine delegation that participated in the fourth Philippines-Oman Joint Bilateral Consultation Meeting (JBCM) hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman on March 30.

The Omani delegation was headed

by His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, the undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs of the Omani Foreign Ministry.

Both officials reviewed the progress

of bilateral relations in the areas of political cooperation, economic cooperation, maritime cooperation, trade and investments, culture, and labor, among others. They also discussed opportunities and ways to enhance and expand partnerships.

The two undersecretaries likewise had a healthy exchange of views on domestic developments, as well as regional and international issues.

The JBCM is a formal mechanism to provide a regular venue for the Philippines and Oman to expand bilateral cooperation in political, economic,

UNDERSECRETARY Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy exchanged signed aide memoires for the fourth Joint Bilateral Consultation Meeting. MUSCAT PE/DFA

technological, scientific, cultural, labor, trade, and education matters. Since its establishment in 2014 that saw the first JBCM in Manila, the hosting of the gathering has been on an alternate basis in 2016 (second, in Muscat) and 2019 (third, in Manila).

The Office of Middle East and African Affairs’ Assistant Secretary Alfonso A. Ver and Acting Director Alex O. Vallespin, together with Ambassador Imelda M. Panolong and Vice Consul Jacqueline Joan S. Arquiza of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, also joined the Philippine delegation.

head the Philippine delegation, are set to meet their Japanese counterparts to discuss ways the two countries can work together amid the growing complexities in regional and international security environments.

The meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for the two nation’s security partnership in the next decade.

PHL Embassy in Amman revives consular outreach mission in Gaza

THE Philippine Embassy in Amman successfully conducted its Consular and Assistance-to-Nationals Mission in Gaza Strip. AMMAN PE/DFA

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OR the first time since 2019, the Philippine Embassy in Amman successfully conducted its Consular and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Mission to the Gaza Strip, State of Palestine from March 20 to 23 in response to the needs of Filipino nationals under its jurisdiction.

The delegation was headed by Second Secretary Julius De Guzman and Third Secretary-Vice Consul Sheila Marie Andales.

Fi l ipinos resid ing in Ga za availed the embassy’s consular services such as passport renewal, civil registration, visa application, and notarial. The partner agency—the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO)—similarly provided its services such as veri-

fication of contract and accepted renewal of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration membership.

The delegation also personally ascertained the condition of Filipino families there, following the escalation of tensions in May 2021.

In addition to consular services, the Filipino community received various food products for a taste of home.

In her remarks to compatriots, Andales conveyed Ambassador Akmad Sakkam’s joy to finally be able to visit them and respond to their needs. She also relayed the embassy’s plan to conduct regular outreach.

Gaza is home to 99 Filipinos, most of whom are spouses and children of Palestinians.

Israel blesses MinDA with water-filtration units

AMBASSADOR Ilan Fluss (center) leads a toast with a glass of clean water produced by an Israelimade water-filtration system. MINDA/ISRAEL EMBASSY

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HE Embassy of Israel in the Philippines donated NUF water-filtration systems to Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which were distributed to areas stricken by Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) in Mindanao.

The water-filtration systems were sent to Del Carmen and San Isidro in Siargao Island, as well as Cagdianao and Basilisa in Dinagat Islands on March 29.

“Water is life. This donation is Israel’s initiative to support and promote access to potable water in the Philippines,” said Ambassador Ilan Fluss. “When [‘Odette’] struck…areas in Mindanao, [we] saw the need for clean, drinking water. We coordinated with MinDA to help identify which areas we could extend this assistance.”

Fluss added: “Israel’s innovation and technology can contribute to solving some of the challenges of the Philippines.”

T he Israe l i-m ade tec h nol-

ogy is a portable crank-operated machine capable of taking water from a polluted source such as a river, and purifying up to 400 liters per hour—enough to supply all the daily water needs of 300 to 400 people.

Prior to this, the embassy sent immediate relief efforts in December to Cebu, Bohol, and Siargao, which were also affected by the recent calamity.

“The embassy saw the urgent needs of the people. We donated food packs, hygiene kits, water filtration systems, and solar panels to these affected areas,” Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam shared.

In 2021 Mi n DA a nd loc a l government units in Mindanao received a training program by Israel’s Center for International Cooperation, or MASHAV, for water conservation and management. With the said organization, the initiative is part of the ongoing partnership of the Israeli Embassy and MinDA.

Parentlife BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Thursday, April 7, 2022

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Depression in pregnancy: Why doing nothing about it may be a bad idea

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seriously consider: psychotherapy.

Many psychotherapeutic treatments reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as their medication counterparts, but without unwanted pharmacological side effects. Although the term psychotherapy has occasionally been misappropriated by some questionable forms of treatment or self-help, there are a number of structured therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) that have been developed by clinicians, are based on solid scientific evidence and (here’s the important bit) have been adapted to treat symptoms in pregnancy.

Clinical trials, including here at Columbia University Medical Center where some of these treatments were developed, show psychotherapy to be an effective treatment alternative for many pregnant women. And for women already on an antidepressant who might be contemplating a pregnancy, switching to psychotherapy for the span of pregnancy may be an option as well.

And finally, there’s always the option to not do anything. It is indeed true that some depressions are short-lived and will go away on their own. But ignoring what your body tells you is rarely a good idea (would we ignore chest pains, for example, just hoping they will go away?). Plus, it’s impossible to predict ahead of time how long a depressive episode might last, and the “let’s wait and see” approach risks prolonging the baby’s exposure to maternal stress.

Remember, stress is bad for baby too.

BY ARDESHEE� TALATI Columbia University

REGNANT women face a number of choices. Most are pretty noncontroversial: Don’t smoke or use drugs; avoid raw fish and eggs; get lots of rest. But one dilemma some pregnant women face is less intuitive: whether and how to treat their minds and bodies if they are depressed.

Much attention has focused on postpartum depression (that is, the occurrence of depression in the mother after giving birth), which occurs in about one in 8 to 10 women. But depression during the nine months of pregnancy occurs as frequently, yet has received less spotlight.

Diagnosing depression in pregnancy can be tricky, as women may initially disregard some of the symptoms, such as changes in mood, appetite or sleep, as normal or to be expected. But here’s what’s critical to know: Identifying and treating maternal depression during pregnancy is particularly important as it impacts not only the mom, but baby as well. This concept—that maternal mood can be passed on to offspring—is hardly new. It has existed since the days of Hippocrates, and even Shakespeare understood it: In Henry VI, a pregnant and despondent Queen Elizabeth laments: “Ay, ay, for this I draw in many a tear, And stop the rising of blood-sucking sighs, Lest with my sighs or tears I blast or drown, King Edward’s fruit, true heir to the English crown.”

Shakespearean insights aside, we now know that chronic depression in pregnancy can alter levels of stress hormones, divert blood (and with it, oxygen and key nutrients) away from the fetus and suppress the immune systems of mother and child, leaving both more vulnerable to infection.

SADNESS NOT ALWAYS THE TELL-TALE SYMPTOM SO, what might a pregnant woman who thinks she might be depressed do? The first step is to become aware of signs and symptoms. And feeling sad or blue may not be the first or the main one. Others can include excessive fatigue, loss of concentration or interest, change in appetite, either too little or too much sleep, feelings of worthlessness, and recurrent thoughts of death.

Note that a sad day here or a stressed one there does not a depressive episode make. But if you have been experiencing several of the above symptoms chronically over a two-week period or more, and they’re not the result of another medication you’re on, you could be suffering from clinical depression.

Speaking to your health professional proactively and openly can help distinguish the normal ups and downs of pregnancy from symptoms that need medical attention. And if your OB-GYN is not well-

versed in mental health issues (which may be the case), ask for a referral to see someone who is. Or, if you know someone who has been through a similar experience, get her opinion: Nothing beats a word-ofmouth referral.

If clinical depression is identified, treating it is important for both mother and the baby (remember, it’s a twofer). As a neuroscientist and epidemiologist who studies the long-term effects of various prenatal exposures, I have seen that, even though the choices are not always easy, there are a number of effective options for treatment.

TREATMENT OPTIONS THE first is antidepressant medications. Several are on the market, with the most common being the “selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [SSRI]” class

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that includes familiar names such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil and Lexapro.

These medications are, by and large, safe for adult use, and many are approved for use by pregnant women too. However, because these medications cross the placenta, the long-term effects on the baby, when they’re used in pregnancy, are not entirely clear.

Some studies have suggested increased cognitive, language and emotional problems among children gestationally exposed to antidepressant medications, but it’s unclear how much of these effects are due to the medications versus the underlying depression itself.

Given the uncertainty, some pregnant women may want to be treated, but, understandably, not to be medicated. For them, there is another viable route, and one that a number of pregnant women fail to

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THERE’S a lot of eggcitement in Easter egg hunting with these colorful eggs, bucket and a Peter Rabbit plush. Items are sold separately.

FAMILIES are in for a fun Easter as the holiday makes a stop at SM, with bunnies, toys, chocolates, candies and lots of eggcitement underscoring the hope and new life that come with spring and Christ’s resurrection. The Kids’ Accessories section of The SM Store (www.thesmstore.com) is a great Easter bunny stop.

There are fun and functional plush Bunny Headphones, Bunny Arm Pillows, Bunny Plush Round Pillows, Plush Cuddle Buddies Rabbit Pillows, and Bunny Fans.

Snack Exchange has chocolates, candies and other sweet treats for the traditional Easter egg hunt. There are colorful toy eggs and baskets from Dutche Chocolates; as well as lollipops in festive spring colors, swirls, and Easter shapes like bunny ears and colored eggs. An egg-citing surprise awaits kids with Kinder Joy’s hidden toys.

Meanwhile, Toy Kingdom has amazing stuff that highlight the Easter Spirit with its cuddly Kawaii Bunny plushies. There are colorful and delightful eggs, wonderful pails and baskets that you can design for Easter egg-hunting.

ADORABLE 60cm Plush Cuddle Rabbit buddy from AXCS.

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Eggs-traordinary Easter treats

■ DISCLAIMER: This article presents an overview of different options available for treating of depression during pregnancy. It should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a physician. THE CONVERSATION

FAMILIES, ‘SNACK SQUADS’ CELEBRATE SUMMER

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EGG-CITING treat from Dutche Chocolate.

NOT ALL DEPRESSIONS ARE TREATED EQUALLY TO be sure, these are not simple choices. Risks of treatment have to be balanced against the risks of remaining untreated. For some women (e.g., those with severe depression, or with other psychiatric or medical complications), medication may be necessary. For others, psychotherapy may be the preferred option. But even when it is, psychotherapy requires time, a commodity that many pregnant women simply do not have. Costs could play a role too, although many health plans cover a certain number of psychotherapy sessions.

While this sliding scale of options may sound unsatisfying, it simply reflects the underlying reality that there’s no one-size-fits-all for depressed, pregnant woman. But here’s the good news: What the options do offer an expecting woman is the opportunity to explore—with herself, her family and friends, and her doctor—what the best road to travel may be for her. The only ill-advised thing a motherto-be who thinks she might be depressed can do is to not do anything at all.

HAVE a delightful and cool Easter with this fashionable AXCS Plush Bunny wired and adjustable headphones.

WHETHER it’s going for a splash in the beach, cooling ourselves in a private pool, passing time in our favorite shopping mall, or chilling at the comforts of our homes, popular foodie destination Mang Inasal promises to give families and friends a most refreshing summer.

“We know how much our customers missed their food trips and we are all excited to safely welcome them back to our stores with all their grilled favorites plus our best-selling Extra Creamy Halo-Halo,” said Mang Inasal business unit head Jojo P. Subido.

“With enhanced safety protocols, we want all families and friends to enjoy their best summer ever by indulging in everything that makes them happy wherever and however they like it—whether in-store, takeout, or via delivery. The restaurant will be there for food lovers,” Subido added.

To level-up the fun, Mang Inasal treats customers with a summer experience wherein they can enjoy not only physically while eating in-store but also online where they can enjoy exclusive promos and share their family and squad moments with fellow fans on digital.

Dubbed as the “#SummerSarapAtMangInasal Groufie Challenge,” it is now open for photo entries until May 31. Just dine-in, take a groufie with your family and friends, and share it in the official promo post on Mang Inasal’s Facebook page for a chance to win gift certificates.

As an added digital treat this summer, the restaurant partners with GrabFood with a free delivery promo. To enjoy this exclusive deal, enter the code MANGINASAL in the app from April 1 to 13. This offer is valid for orders P500 and up. An partnership with foodpanda is also coming up this month.

More information is available at www.manginasaldelivery.com.ph.

PHOTO BY DEVON DIVINE ON UNSPLASH

B6 Thursday, April 7, 2022

NGCP, A2D Project enhance disaster preparedness of partner communities, provide DRRM trainings

Demand for relaxing beach homes fuel market for Hamilo Coast properties

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GCP’s Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Training project continues to build the resiliency of its host communities to prepare and respond to natural hazards.

In partnership with A2D Project - Research Group for Alternatives to Development, Inc., NGCP provides trainings on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) to help communities strengthen their disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.

Local leaders and community members participate in a three-day training program on the basic concepts and principles of DRRM, the process of hazard risk assessment, and DRRM frameworks. They also learn to recalibrate their respective Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee (BDRRMC) and develop contingency plans to lay out their early warning systems, communication protocols, and systematic evacuation procedures.

Since the project’s implementation in 2017, the company reached at least 11,000 individuals from 353 barangays and 2 state universities. Among the beneficiaries are the cities and municipalities in Isabela, Ifugao,

Quirino, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Camarines Sur which have been hard hit by Typhoon Ompong in 2018, and the provinces of Leyte, Samar, and Southern Leyte affected

by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Other provinces covered by the project include Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, and Surigao del Norte which were badly affected by Typhoons Vinta and Urduja in 2017. Some of these provinces were also severely affected by flooding as a result of heavy downpours during Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses in 2020.

The project adheres to the policies and principles of Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the 20152030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, to ensure that relevant developments in the field of DRRM are incorporated and applied.

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

FREIA at Pico De Loro Cove comes with membership to Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, which provides the best of land- and sea-based recreational facilities and access to Pico Beach’s 1.5 kilometers of pristine white sand.

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N a report by online real estate marketplace Lamudi, the province of Batangas had the largest increase in popularity for beach homes, with a 143 percent increase in 2020, compared to the same period the year prior.

Another review by Leechiu Properties Consultants Inc. also stated that exclusive communities in Batangas have boomed from 20 to 46 percent compared to its 2019 values and confirmed the trend in the luxury property market.

As of recent, there have been high spikes in home sales at Hamilo Coast, as people desire for a relaxed, stressfree environment, and many wish to work closer to nature amid the remote work-from-home setups pushed by the ongoing continuing pandemic.

This home-bound phase is not a mere fad, as business experts predict this to continue going forward. Thus, the pentup demand for beach homes manifested in property seekers, as most relocated to a home worthy of a staycation.

This trend has likewise permeated to investors. Those with capital have purchased properties as they bank on excellent return on investments which will appreciate through the years.

Another plus is an accessible vacation spot whenever they need a quick getaway!

The current prime target for relocating homeowners and investors is Freia at Pico De Loro Cove, Hamilo Coast’s luxury, mid-rise condominium development.

Its main draws are waking up mornings and soaking in the sceneries of the West Philippine Sea, the Pico lagoon, Mount Pico and 1.5 kilometers pristine white sand of Pico Beach. Each unit comes with membership to Pico de Loro Beach & Country Club, which provides the best of land- and sea-based recreational facilities.

The condominium units in Freia boast of living areas planned to maximize prime sea and mountain-views, spacious balconies, snug living and cozy bed

rooms, well-appointed bathrooms, a contemporary fitted-out kitchen with essential appliances allowing faster move-in. Freia Unit Owners will also have exclusive access to the building’s resort-quality amenities, including a pool, lounge deck, function rooms and gardens.

Freia is built with a credible line up of project team. Its circle of external partners and consultants include Budji+Royal for its contemporary tropical-inspired design of the grand lobby and common area interiors, internationally-renowned Broadway Malyan and G&F Partners for building architecture, and Crearis for landscape design. Hamilo Coast also engaged Greenmist Property Management Corp., an extremely capable Property Management team with years of experience under its belt, to take care of the development’s safety and security on a 24-7 basis and to ensure that the properties are properly maintained.

MPIC inks partnership to incentivize waste management

MPIC, led by Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla (bottom row), signs the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with BEST Senior Vice President Dwight Ramos (upper right) and bXTRA President Jan Vincent Mercado (upper left) for the Trash to CashBack program.

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ETRO Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), the country’s leading infrastructure investment company, further reinforces its thrust towards sustainability, after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and BEEPXTRA Philippines Inc. (bXTRA) for their Trash to CashBack program.

Through this partnership, the company aims to help minimize waste pollution through the promotion of proper segregation at source and recycling that supports a circular economy. MPIC will collaborate with BEST and bXTRA to implement an effective and cost-efficient solid waste management program.

“Our commitment to national progress always takes environmental impact into utmost consideration,” said

MPIC Chairman and President Manuel V. Pangilinan. “Implementing programs like this with like-minded organizations help us further achieve our goal of creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Philippines.”

BEST and bXTRA initiated the program to encourage households, offices, other establishment and communities to properly segregate recyclables from their sources, referred to as My Basurero EcoCommunities or MBE-Cs. “Partnering with MPIC, a company that embeds environmental stewardship in its strategies, helps us ensure the costeffective implementation of solid waste management programs,” says BEST Senior Vice President Dwight Ramos. “With our partnership, we are together in pushing forward the new NIMBY or ‘Now In My Backyard’, where each one of us ensures that our waste is reused, converted into

new products in the circular economy, and supports sustainable living.” bXTRA President and Managing Director Jan Vincent Mercado acknowledged the importance of this partnership to be implemented at the community level, particularly at the communities along Laguna de Bay, to increase awareness on waste management. MPIC, along with its subsidiary Maynilad, have developed the Laguna de Bay Welfare Awareness Program (LAWA) to jointly protect the Laguna Lake and its surrounding provinces, cities, and towns.

“This program is a mode of prevention from the actual collection of waste in Laguna Lake, as we are actively preventing the waste from physically reaching the lake,” says Mercado.

MPIC will implement the Trash to CashBack program as part of its strategy to create a sustainability mindset among its employees. By end of the year, the environmental points will be converted to grocery items, which will be distributed to its partner communities in low-income areas.

“As we tackle climate change, we must also take urgent action to address the growing concern on waste pollution that causes adverse effects on the environment, people’s health, and even economic growth,” says Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla. “We hope that by being good environment stewards, we will create more awareness and contribute to our country’s sustainable development.”

MPIC’s partnership with BEST and bXTRA is aligned with Gabay Kalikasan, one of the MVP Group’s Gabay Advocacies for a Sustainable Philippines.

LOCAL leaders and community members participate in a three-day training program on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) to help strengthen their disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response.

Mowelfund’s Platinum Plan benefits PH actors

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HE Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) recently showcased the agency’s new 54-seater theater with the latest in screen, light and sound technology in time for its 48th year anniversary celebration.

Film post-production pillar Jim Baltazar of CMB Film Services, who is also a member of Mowefund’s Board of Trustees, did the video presentation. The theater is named Dengcar Theater, in honor of Baltazar’s late multiawarded cinematographer-father Conrado “Dengcar” Baltazar.

Also a significant part of the celebration is the Mowelfund’s commitment to help in other endeavors. With the help of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the San Jose Del Monte City Local Government in Bulacan, 16 members of Mowelfund have qualified for a housing project grant in Barangay Gaya-Gaya, San Jose Del Monte.

But the highlight of the program was the signing of partnership with AKTOR: The League of Filipino Actors AKTOR PH chairman of the board Dingdong Dantes inked an agreement for a more comprehensive health protection under Mowelfund's Platinum Membership Plan.

Dantes said this is a fulfillment of his dream of providing a health care program for AKTOR's over 200 and growing membership.

The plan guarantees increased benefits and insurance for film workers.

“Healthcare ang pinakamahalang isinusulong ng aming organisasyon after all that has happened and still happening sa COVID-19 pandemic,” Dantes said in his speech at the new offices of Mowelfund in Quezon City.

Dantes cited the case of his 103-year old grandmother who is still covered by hospitalization benefits as a widow of a World War II veteran.

“Lahat ng care nabigay sa kanya,” he related, pointing the recent treatment of her lola resulting from a fall. “Nagawa ito because she’s entitled to it, pati sa mga anak niya! So sana all para sa ating lahat!”

Dantes signed an agreement with the Mowelfund officers led by Chairman of the Board Boots Anson-Rodrigo and the incumbent president Rez Cortez.

Through the years, Mowelfund has continuously expanded its benefits and programs for its estimated 4,000 members, many of them marginalized. Each member can claim standard medical aid in the amount of P8,000 for a maximum of three hospital confinements per year and surgical aid in the amount of P13,000 per year for a major surgical procedure, either invasive or noninvasive.

Reimbursements are also given for purchase of medicine with doctor’s prescription up to P5,000 maximum once a year.

DINGDONG Dantes, chairman of the board of AKTOR: The League of Filipino Actors, (seated center) signs health care coverage deal with Mowelfund on the occasion of its recent 48th year anniversary celebration.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Thursday, April 7, 2022 B7

tapped to help Tap employees when formulating Media address suicide problem new normal policies–PhilCare S

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By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

fter two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has now been placed under relaxed quarantine restrictions.

More Filipinos are now dining out with family and friends and traveling to tourist destinations.

On the other hand, most companies and businesses have been calling their employees to report back to their workplace.

However, there are mixed feelings regarding the move to resume pre-pandemic activities. Even if most Filipinos remain fearful of their safety from the coronavirus, they had to go out of the house out of necessity.

Worries about getting infected According to the PhilCare Survey of Filipino Workers 2021, despite the rollout of mass vaccinations, being worried about getting infected by the Covid-19 virus remained high among the majority of respondents.

Placing the findings of the 2020 PhilCare Community Quarantine Wellness Index side-byside with PhilCare’s more recent study, the majority of respond e nt s m a i nt a i n e d t h a t t h e y strongly agree to washing their hands and d isinfecting items bought outside before bringing

them inside the house. However, it should be noted that responses in the 2021 study were gearing towards the weaker end of the strong agreement interval compared to the results of the previous year’s study.

The majority of the respondents of the PhilCare Survey of Filipino Workers 2021 moved from disagreeing to being neutral about being comfortable in going to the hospital and from being neutral to agreeing about being comfortable in going to the supermarket.

PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger Tanco notes that business owners and corporate leaders like him should consider the findings of the recent PhilCare study as an indicator in gauging their employees’ sentiments when it comes to drawing or implementing company policies during the pandemic.

“We understand that we cannot maintain the same level of restriction that we implemented during the onset of the pandemic. However, it doesn’t mean that we could also drop our vigilance regarding keeping ourselves and our families safe from the coronavirus. Some of

us may take the lifting of restrictions as a warrant not to adhere to safety protocols. This may be due to quarantine fatigue as we have been following health and security mandates for so long,” explained Tanco.

Tanco believes that the workplace plays a crucial role not just in maintaining their employees’ adherence to health and safety protocols, but also in helping them ease into the new normal.

“Aside from their homes, workers spend most of their day at work. The culture promoted at work highly influences the beliefs, sentiments, and decision making of workers. Companies that reflect their care and concern for their employees in the policies they implement are more likely to win the support and loyalty of their employees,” added Tanco.

Necessary support from workplace Employees would find it easier to ease into the new normal and to report back to work if they find the necessary support from their workplace to keep them and their families protected and secure from coronavirus infection. Employers can implement the following initiatives as part of their back to work protocol: 1. Ask employees to get vaccinated and get booster shots from their local government units.

2. Consult employees and in-

volve them in crafting pandemic-related policies to win their buy-in.

3. Be open to accommodate flexible work arrangements among different groups in the workplace and implement transition periods to allow for adjustment and preparation among employees.

4. Ensure that the workplace adheres to health and safety protocols by ensuring that rooms and work areas are properly ventilated and sanitized.

5. Implement programs or initiatives to support employees in their efforts to maintain good health through subsidies, medical assistance, or through information support.

By implementing these suggested initiatives, companies and businesses may provide the right motivation for their employees to keep themselves and their families protected against the coronavirus even if it is difficult to do so.

“We do not have an idea when this pandemic will end. At this point, we understand that following strict health and safety protocols out of fear could really lead to quarantine fatigue and burnout.

We don’t want that to happen. To be able to journey into the new normal, we have to recognize that we need to have something to look forward to. We just have to stay alive and healthy until we reach that point we’re hoping for,” shared Tanco.

DMD Skin Sciences makes skincare more accessible to Filipinos

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

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ESPITE the ensuing Covid-19 pandemic, there’s no stopping the beauty and cosmetics industry from flourishing in the Philippines as it continues to see a strong demand for items that specifically cater to the needs of the Filipino skin.

Aiming to help the local market reach its goal of healthy, glowing skin, DMD Skin Sciences is paving the way to more accessible dermatological services and products in the country.

Its founder, Dr. John Michael F. Dellariarte, fondly called by his colleagues and patients as Dr. Mike D, personally experienced the grueling pains of self-isolation due to his acne and pledged to “create a community and a support system that will accompany every patient in his journey to strong skin.”

“We value taking care of our patients so much because we are a high-touch brand,” he said, while emphasizing their brand’s message that skin is an essential organ

of the body that needs caring and pampering.

and addressed with the help of our products,” the founder said.

Pushing skin health

Delivering quality products

THE constant invalidation of skin concer ns among Filipinos has pushed DMD Skin Sciences to bring clinical experience to its forefront.

“Here in the Philippines, getting dermatological treatment is sometimes related to vanity,” Dr. Mike D explained. “I think that is the reason why some patients have been choosing to abandon their dermatological consultation.”

Understanding their clients’ concerns, the clinic guides Filipinos on their journey to have strong skin. It dispenses products to both patients and non-patients who have a dermatologist’s prescription.

Banking on clinical expertise, DMD Skin Sciences envisions creating more expert products and skincare formulations that can improve their patients’ skin.

“Innovation is the reason why we can formulate our products. We see our patients daily; that is why we know that their needs are met

ASIDE from treating patients, the clinic reaches out to potential customers by making its products more accessible to the public through delivery and fulfillment—thanks to its cloud logistics platform provider Locad.

Locad handles fast, secure, and seamless order fulfillment for its over-the-counter products. With an airconditioned storage facility for skin products, such items are guaranteed to arrive at specific destinations in good condition with their quality preserved.

The company also does expiration management through monthly reports and the provision of additional security cameras in caging facilities that protect small items.

“We are at peace knowing full well that someone as reliable as Locad is doing it for us,” Dr. Mike D said.

Because of its efficiency and expertise in handling the products of DMD Skin Sciences, the clinic has

St. Luke’s sends 4 nurses to UK for employment

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t. Luke’s Medical Center has sent four nurses to the United Kingdom as part of its Nurse Training Program, a two-year structured program to prepare eligible and qualified nurse candidates for deployment in the UK. T he t ra i n i ng prog ra m wa s launched in partnership with British medical professional Resource Finder. This seeks to address St Luke’s nurse retention and provide employment opportunities for nurses to work in the UK with government hospital clients of Resource Finder.

The program also aims to prov ide a str uctured prog ram of preparation for eligible and qualified nurse candidates to complete the UK’s Overseas Nurse Process (ONP), as stipulated by the Nurs-

ing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of the UK, and support the ongoing promotional and recruitment campaigns of St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Nurses who are part of the Nurse Training Program are set to follow a series of coaching and learning sessions. They are given “protected time” to attend to activities in preparation for their examinations: OET and CBT. Packets of educational materials were also given to ensure optimal preparation.

Prior to their arrival in the United Kingdom, the nurses received individual coaching opportunities and strategies learned by the point persons (AD CAI & DM CAI) from the Observership and OSCE Training (Northern Ireland).

The St. Luke’s first batch of

nurses is composed of Michaela Olaguer, Jeanne Rose Lacdang, Aeron Dave Paris, and Peter Jonathan Dela Cruz.

“This started way back in June 2018 when Dr. Arturo De La Peña called for a meeting and discussed his vision on how to help in the retention of nurses and support them in achieving their dreams. This is why I would like to thank Resource Finder for this opportunity to provide an ethical and fully-funded employment program to our nurses in the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom,” said St. Luke’s Chief Nursing Officer Maria Martina Geraldine Q. Dimalibot.

St. Luke’s organized a special lunch event with SLMC executives last March 15 to hold a send off ceremony and make them feel their

achieved 200 percent sales increase.

Beyond business, it now has more time to focus on other matters that increasingly need attention, like marketing and operations.

Positive feedback

THE patients’ positive comments on DMD Skin Sciences’ social media platforms vouch for the effectiveness and the delivery speed of the skincare products.

Their opinions and suggestions remain king to the clinic’s operations, while making word-of-mouth referrals grow organically.

This bodes well in the higher than expected sales that the clinic’s e-commerce site generated in December 2021.

“We are thankful with Locad that they are really ensure that our patients are happy with the experience,” Dr. Mike D said.

“We are all about community.

We value our patients’ feedback and treat them as our bosses. We value authenticity because this is what our patients feel and think about our treatments and skincare lines,” he added.

utmost support and pride.

“When we were able to identify an opportunity to help the nurses, we took the opportunity immediately and instituted this Nurse Training Program - UK Track. As such, we look forward to helping more nurses to enhance their skills and offering them diverse career development paths,” said St. Luke’s President and CEO Dr. Arturo De La Peña during the send-off program.

Dr. Dela Peña highlighted the nurses’ essential role in the health system, which has been magnified during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I hope you will not change. I would encourage all of you to go abroad because you can help your families better and it will benefit the country’s economy, so mag-train tayo ng marami, magpadala tayo ng marami.

Hopefully, they will come back and would still want to work with us,” added Dr. De La Peña.

uicide remains as one of the most pressing issues in the world.

In the Philippines, the suicide rate in 2019 was 2.5 per 100,000 population.

Joining the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Government in the call to collaboratively address risk factors for suicide while promoting protective factors, the Department of Health (DOH) has issued Administrative Order No. 2022-0004 stipulating guidelines for the ethical and responsible reporting of suicide in the news and broadcast media, and portrayal in films, stage, and television, as part of its efforts on suicide prevention.

Media, as a powerful means to transmit information and influence its audience, is seen as an effective tool by the WHO to responsibly report suicide, as current evidence shows there is an association between suicide content in the media and the risk of death by suicide.

Less exposure “It is important that those at risk are not exposed to articles or movies that encourage or give instructions on suicide. These guidelines are one of our interventions for suicide prevention as the Department continues to develop and implement its National Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention and Control,” underscored DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.

The DOH AO was developed in consultation with media practitioners, mental health professionals, the Australian Government, and WHO. This shall also provide guidance on the roles of media practitioners, government agencies, and civil society organizations in reducing the incidence of suicide in the country through responsible portrayal of suicide. The guidelines were released in support of Republic Act No. 11036 (“Mental Health Act”) Implementing Rules and Regulations.

“WHO acknowledges the crucial role traditional and new media play in preventing suicidal behaviors,”

said Dr Rajendra Yadav, Acting WHO Representative to the Philippines.

Dr. Yadav added: “We encourage media practitioners and content producers to focus on suicide prevention strategies and promote general mental health interventions instead of suicide events alone.”

“Australia and the Philippines have a shared interest in fostering good mental health and the wellbeing of Filipinos. Through Project BRAVE, we are supporting WHO and DOH to improve awarenessraising initiatives about Covid-19 and its potential impact on our mental health,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson AO. “We recognize the important role of media practitioners on responsible reporting of mental health issues in the media. Reporting should be informed by best practices including delivering accurate and helpful information on mental health and reducing anxiety about Covid-19,” the ambassador said.

Strategic plan The National Strategic Plan for Suicide Prevention and Control (NSPSPC) recommends these initiatives to prevent suicide in the country.

This is done through ensuring the availability and accessibility of mental health services through community-based mental health programs, promoting and mainstreaming mental health and wellbeing in schools, communities, and workplaces, strengthening the role of the barangay health workers and other community partners in health promotion, including mental health, and improving suicide surveillance systems to capture the true burden of suicide in the country.

If you or anyone you know is in need of emergency mental health support, you may contact the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline (0917-899-8727 / (02)7-989-8727) or a mental health professional. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Dr.pi Water Enterprises partners with Safezone Philko for PHL expansion

From left, Atty Fred Bayan, Dr. Helen K. Lim, Founder and CEO of Dr.pi Water Enterprises, Chairman Hwan Jung-Soon Safezone Philko Trading Corporation and Mario T. Camba, Chairman of World United Tribal.

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he inventor of the Triple Pi Super Water System has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Safezone Philko Trading Corporation to expand its business in the Philippines.

Dr. Helen Lim, CEO and Founder of Dr.pi Water Enterprises, entered into a MOA with Hwan Jung-Soon Chairman of Safezone Philko Trading Corporation Tuesday evening at a restaurant in Ermita, Manila.

Dr. Lim perfected Pi Water in 2001. The state of the art system, passes through 36 stages nano filtration and processing

without altering the composition of water. It retains the water’s essential minerals, and removes 100 percent all kinds of viruses, bad bacteria and harmful substances present in water delivering optimum health.

Dr.pi Water has reportedly been tested to have cured dengue and will soon be launching its newest water product for patients with diabetes.

The objective of the MOA is to bring in stainless steel developed through new Korean technology to build a factory, warehouse, and Smart farming facility for Dr.pi Water’s expansion.

PRINCESS, CHANELLE AHEAD BY 1 STROKE

Sports

Ateneo stakes record vs UE

BusinessMirror

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| Thursday, April 7, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

PRINCESS SUPERAL is in the hunt early at Hallow Ridge. NONIE REYES

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RINCESS SUPERAL ran off a slew of pars on Hallow Ridge’s undulating surface at the finish to salvage a 73 and catch Chanelle Avaricio at the helm, one stroke ahead of Harmie Constantino and amateur Lois Kaye Go at the start of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Hallow Ridge Ladies Challenge at the Filipinas Golf Hallow Ridge in San Pedro, Laguna, on Wednesday.

Superal, who lost in a shootout to national team standout Rianne Malixi at Luisita two weeks ago, kept her poise after a double bogey mishap on the par-five No. 7 of the rolling layout, birdying the 13th while surviving the challenge of the layout’s last line of defense for a 38-35 card.

“I had a tough time at the front.

You need to place your ball on the right spot on the greens,” said Superal, who birdied the par-3 No. 3 but bogeyed the next short hole on No. 5 and yielded two strokes on the seventh.

Avaricio hung tough on a twobirdie, two-bogey card after 13 holes but lost her touch off the mound in the closing holes, leading to a third bogey on No. 16 and a 36-37 that enabled the multi-titled Superal to gain a shared view of the top in the P750,000 championship serving as the second leg of the 2022 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

“I started pretty well but struggled with my long game towards the end,” said Avaricio, seeking a follow-up to her breakthrough triumph at Riviera-Couples last year on a course she calls home.

“Yes, I think I have some edge here but there’s also the pressure,” said the former Alabama State U mainstay, who birdied the opening hole but failed to set up other chances in the next 11, two of which she bogeyed. She gained a stroke on the 13th, only to yield it on No. 16 on a three-putt miscue.

“Hopefully tomorrow (Thursday), I get back on track and be able to put the ball in good positions to make birdies,” added Avaricio, who brushed off Go’s backside challenge in the featured flight with Daniella Uy. Harmie Constantino joined the crowded leaderboard halfway through but slipped with two bogeys in the last five holes, including on the par-5 18th that dropped last year’s two-leg winner to joint third with Go and Jane Jeong at 74.

“The greens are tough, some of them are hard to read unlike in the practice round where they were a bit receptive,” said Constantino, the reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion.

With Chihiro Ikeda carding a 75, Sarah Ababa turning in a 76, and Pamela Mariano and amateur Arnie Taguines matching 77s, the chase for top honors remain wide open, guaranteeing a fierce jostling for position in today’s pivotal round for the desired spots heading to the last 18 holes of the three-day event put up by ICTSI. Go, out to match one of Malixi’s back-to-back LPGT title feats at Midlands and Luisita, fumbled with a frontside 40 marred by a triplebogey on the par-4 No. 8 where she incurred a two-stroke bunker penalty. But the SEA Games-bound ace hit three birdies against a bogey in the first five holes at the back and missed a couple of chances to wheel back into contention.

TIGER WOODS: I’M PLAYING

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UGUSTA, Georgia—Two words can go a long way when Tiger Woods is behind them.

No one would have been surprised if Woods never played golf again after a car crash in Los Angeles that damaged his right leg so badly he said doctors raised the prospect of amputation. Out of the public eye for nine months, Woods sent hopes soaring last November with a video of him swinging the club with a simple message, “Making progress.”

And here he is at Augusta National, making a Monday practice round feel like Sunday at a major because of the gallery, walking the steep slopes, swinging well and making it clear he has every intention of playing in the Masters.

Does he think he can win?

Woods offered the shortest answer of his press conference: “I do.”

He said Tuesday he is planning to play and thinks he can win. Never mind that it will be 508 days from the last time he played a tournament where he had to walk, or that he returns to this Masters with screws and rods still holding the bones in

place in his right leg.

Woods also is 46. He would be the oldest Masters champion by three weeks over Jack Nicklaus.

The biggest question is how he holds up over 18 holes for four straight days.

Woods walked 18 holes last week—his first big test—during a scouting trip with 13-year-old son Charlie (including a stop at the Par 3 course).

He played the back nine on Sunday, the front nine on Monday.

Woods plans nine more for Wednesday and then it’s “game time.” He is to tee off at 10:34 a.m. Thursday with Louis Oosthuizen and Joaquin Niemann.

“I can hit it just fine. I don’t have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint,” Woods said. “Walking is the hard part. This is normally not an easy walk to begin with. Now given the conditions that my leg is in, it gets even more difficult.

“Seventy-two holes is a long road and it’s going to be a tough challenge,” he said. “And a challenge that I’m up for.”

That might be the biggest reason Woods is even at Augusta National for more than the sushi and miso-

glazed cod and Wagyu beef that defending champion Hideki Matsuyama put on the menu for the champions-only dinner Tuesday night.

If he never plays—if he never wins— Woods said he is satisfied with what he has achieved.

“I think 82 is a pretty good number,” Woods said. “And 15 is not too bad, either.”

His 15 majors are second only to Jack Nicklaus and his 18, the gold standard in golf. He is tied with Sam Snead for the Professional Golfers Association Tour career record with 82 wins.

So why keep coming back? What else is there to prove?

“I love competing,” Woods said.

“And I feel like if I can still compete at the highest level, I’m going to.

And if I feel like I can still win, I’m going to play.” AP

Marcial on 2nd professional fight: ‘Wife knows best’

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By Josef Ramos

OUR days before his second professional fight and Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial is ready and relaxed as he mixes rigid tactical training with wife Princess by his side in the US. “All healthy meals,” Marcial told BusinessMirror on Wednesday after gorging on a fish diet prepared

by Princess at their Las Vegas apartment. “Everything is organized— from my diet to training and physical and mental conditioning.”

“I’m ready to fight on Sunday,” he stressed.

Up front for Marcial is another American, Isiah Hart, who he fights in a non-title middleweight four-rounder at the Virgins Hotel also in Las Vegas.

Marcial was impressive in a unanimous decision victory over American

Crowd is back TUESDAY, April 5, the day the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) opened its doors to a live audience—albeit on a limited scale—I decided to watch the games.

It was a spur of the moment thing. I had no previous plans. But right after late breakfast, I got this awfully tempting FB Messenger text that said, “I have extra tickets for later and Thursday.”

Andrew Whitfield in his pro debut in December 2020 in Los Angeles.

That fight served as a tune-up for his Olympic campaign in Tokyo where he clinched a bronze medal.

Hart is 30 years old—four years Marcial’s senior—with a professional record of 6-2-1 win-loss-draw with four knockouts.

Marcial said he’s weight has cooperated during his training.

“I’m just training to be strong, not thinking of reducing my weight,” he said.

Marcial arrived in the US last January 18 and has since trained under Jorge Capetillo and conditioning coach Angel Memo Heredia.

“Coach Memo [Heredia] is taking care of my conditioning and supplements, while Capetillo is doing my training and fight strategy,” Marcial said.

Marcial runs every day and engages in plyometrics programmed

by Heredia at the track oval of the University of Las Vegas. He’s been working out with buddy, World Boxing Organization international bantamweight champion Jonas Sultan.

The fight is one of the undercards of the Premier Boxing Champions promotion that features the super welterweight battle between Americans Erickson Lubin and Sebastian Fundora for the vacant World Boxing Council interim belt as main event.

Marcial said he’s prepared well for Hart.

“Hart will not be chosen as my opponent if he’s not good,” he said. “I watched his fight videos and I’m eager and ready for the fight.”

Princess arrived in the US last March 25 and has done well as Marcial’s wife— she’s a former amateur boxer and is now fulfilling her role to the fullest since they got married last October 28.

TERRE DE JEUX 2024

Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino points to French Ambassador Michele Boccoz as she makes the thumbs up sign before the Terre de Jeux 2024 Global Relay at the Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila, on Wednesday morning. The Terre de Jeux 2024 label is one of France’s major programs toward the Paris 2024 Olympics. The event consisted of a 3-km fun run and bike ride in celebration of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace.

Joining them are members of the national and Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance cycling team. ROY DOMINGO That was enough. I dropped everything, dug up my duds in relevant colors, dusted off my game day sneakers and answered: “OK!” It was rainy, I had work to do. I didn’t even know how I was going to get to the Mall of Asia Arena, much less make it on time.

But the call of the wild was way too much. Like so many sports fans I had missed watching games right where they happen. It had been two years of caution and civil obedience. Tuesday was like Independence Day. Even just the thought of a live audience watching the action from the stands and cheering on the teams excited me. The roar of the crowd, the referee’s whistle and the squish-squeak sounds of basketball shoes doing business on the floor played on and on in my head.

This was history unfolding. And although I had earlier been satisfied to just watch from home on the day the gates opened to the public once again, there was this chance to be an active part of that little piece of history.

I grabbed that chance like an eight-year old who’d been given a stub to ride the Space Shuttle at Enchanted Kingdom. I got to MOA Arena somehow, one-upped the rain with a hoodie, and survived traffic along Roxas Boulevard

ASKED if he thinks he can win at the Masters, Tiger Woods offers the shortest answer of his press conference: I do. AP

OP meets bottom as unbeaten reigning champion Ateneo battles winless University of the East (UE) at the resumption on Thursday of the Season 84 University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Blue Eagles are coming off a 74-64 victory over the National University (NU) Bulldogs on Tuesday night—their sixth straight win—when they face the Red Warriors (0-6) in the 4 p.m. game.

De La Salle University (5-1) guns for its fifth win in six games against University of the Philippines (4-1) at 10 a.m., while University of Santo Tomas (2-3) battles NU (2-3) at 1 p.m.

Coach Nash Racela faces his former team Far Eastern University (2-3) as he tries to steer Adamson University to a second victory in five games in the 7 p.m. game.

Dave Ildefonso had 14 points against NU and is again expected to lead Ateneo’s campaign alongside naturalized center Ange Kouame— who had 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks in the same Bulldogs match—against hapless UE. Assistant coach Jamike Jarin will again call the shots for UE in lieu of Jack Santiagio, who’s serving a two-game suspension for ordering the Red Warriors to inflict harm during their losing cause against the Fighting Maroons over the weekend.

“Like what our coaches always say, we have to compete and give our best every possession,” Jarin told BusinessMirror. “There are a lot of things to cover when you’re facing the best college team in the country right now with the best coach, so let’s see.”

“It doesn’t matter what the outcome would be for as long as you give it your best,” he added. Josef Ramos

Lacson-Sotto team putting weight on pingpong, bowling

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HE Panfilo “Ping” LacsonVicente “Tito” Sotto tandem is putting premium on sports but with emphasis on other disciplines— like table tennis and bowling—over the national pastime basketball.

“Filipinos can excel in other sports and the next Pinoy world champions will emerge if sports venues and equipment are available for the barangays,” the tandem, who are running for president and vice president in next month’s elections, said on Wednesday.

“Other than basketball courts, we can have table tennis equipment for each barangay,” they said.

In a radio interview, Sotto, a former tenpin bowling champion and veteran internationalist, said Filipinos are world-class in his sport as well as in billiards.

Lacson and Sotto, however, admitted that bowling is one of the more expensive sports and looked

LACSON

SOTTO

at table tennis as one of the more practical disciplines to focus on when it comes to involving all 40,000 barangays in sports development.

“Put two pingpong tables in each of these barangays and with a population of 110 million, it’s a guarantee that one or more would emerge as future world champions,” Sotto said. “Table tennis is an affordable sport—and height and heft are not needed.”

Sotto said that Filipinos excel in billiards or cue sports because facilities of the sport are seen almost everywhere in the country.

International triathlon in Subic on May 1

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HE Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) returns after a two-year hiatus with a traditional international cast at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on May 1.

The country’s longest running triathlon—now on its 29th year—has helped realize what was envisioned by the organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) for SUBIT to contribute to Subic Bay Freeport’s emerging as “sports mecca.”

Newly-installed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Rolen Paulino was a member of the inaugural SUBIT organizing committee and played a

that was undergoing major repairs.

Finally, I was there. My benefactor, Joey Torres, described on Instagram as “Husband/Dad, Ironman Triathlete, Tennis Player, Golfer, Lawyer, Cancer Warrior, Die-Hard UP Alumni” and my former student was waiting at the Coral Gate with the precious tickets.

The reality of the scene tempered my runaway excitement though. Buzzing and swarming with people before the pandemic forced a series of lockdowns, the front gate looked almost empty and lonely this time around. It was to be expected though because the Roxas Boulevard traffic had eaten into the time of the first quarter of play and the “crowd” was already inside.

Just the same, the game venue gave off the vibe of a school building or Makati office on a Sunday. There was little life inside.

Even the lights were turned down low. Most food stands were shuttered closed. Only a few humans walked the corridors and the mall toilets were all yours.

But when we got inside the playing arena, it was a different story. The game was on. Action was fast and somewhat chaotic—typical of collegiate basketball played with heart. The crowd was into the game, shouting, jeering

vital role as assistant race director.

Partnering with TRAP in SUBIT are SBMA, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee with Standard Insurance, Asian Center for Insulation Phils., Pocari Sweat and FINIS. SUBIT is at the forefront of the development of our triathletes.

“I’m proud to say SUBIT has produced Southeast Asian Games champions, Asian duathlon gold medalist and Asian Games [2014 Incheon and 2018 Palembang] notable performers,” TRAP President Tom Carrasco said. “We should get a podium soon at the Asian level in triathlon.”

and reacting to calls. As if they had never left In the absence of pep squads, taped cheers gave team supporters the opportunity to cheer in unison. Isolated shrieks and smart alecky comments still punctuated dead air. There were more empty seats than people in the gallery, actually. But the warmth and the energy were there.

You could see the players of both squads playing with more gusto, a little bit more flourish. A crowd, no matter how small, does magical things for players trying to win games out there on the floor.

At game’s end, the teams get to sing their school songs with pride and commitment just like before. The crowd applauds and show their appreciation as the players and coaching staff leave the floor.

The first day of the return of a live audience to the MOA Arena was celebrated with selfies, group hugs and high-fives after the game. This is what these games are for, anyway. A reunion of old friends, a fun day at the park.

Every game day is a renewal of vows, a declaration of loyalty and pledge of support. Soon, we hope very soon, the playing arena will become a busy, crowded hub pulsing with more happy humans cheering on their teams once more.

Fully Alive. In Season 84.