BusinessMirror August 23, 2021

Monday, August 23, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 313

PRE-COVID DEBT, DEFICIT w

n

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 18 pages |

LEVELS BACK IN ’24 OR ‘25 EXPORTERS SEEK MORE U.S. LINES AMID DELAYS

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@Tyronepiad

A

TRAINER Freddie Roach speaks to Manny Pacquiao between rounds against Yordenis Ugás, in a welterweight championship boxing match Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Las Vegas. Ugás won by unanimous decision. See story in Sports, page B8. AP PHOTO/JOHN LOCHER

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE national government will return to its pre-pandemic debt and budget deficit levels as early as 2024 or by 2025, according to projections by the Department of Finance (DOF).

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said they are working on a fiscal consolidation plan in order to bring down the government’s debt and budget deficit levels as a share of the economy.

“It’s an evolving plan, which we will leave to our successors in the next administration. That is our duty and we will do it,” Dominguez told reporters.

Continued on A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.5130

MID sh ipment del ays that have sparked serious concern, export industry stakeholders urged shipping lines to open more routes going to the United States, as bulk of the pending cargo are West-bound.

Doing so will ease concerns over movement of goods to one of the country’s major export markets, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) said in an interview with the BusinessMirror.

Philexport, in a survey last month, found that 34.4 percent of the pending cargo are scheduled for shipment to the US, followed

by Europe and Asia, at 20 percent and 14 percent, respectively.

“The US route will then very clearly help address this issue and if successful, may be a model

for other domestic shipping lines to follow and international shipping lines to take notice,” said Ma. Flordeliza C. Leong, Philexport vice president for advocacy, communications and special concerns.

Leong said that a lot of cargo are still here because of vessel shortage amid the pandemic—the reason for shipment delays for at least half a year already.

“Another issue is the huge jump in freight rates, and so exporters and buyers may still be checking with shipping lines for the best rates,” she added.

“We were informed that many food orders had been cancelled already due to the huge freight rate increase.”

Amid the surging freight costs, the Philippine Competition Commission is currently checking if price-fixing among some shipping companies may be causing prices to rise.

See “Exporters,” A2

Pandemic enabled transport innovations, but…

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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HE pandemic may have made possible difficult transportation innovations, but an expert from the University of the Philippines (UP) said more needs to be done to improve mobility nationwide.

In a recent Public Policy Lecture at the National Engineering Center (NEC), UP National Center for Transportation Studies Director Ricardo G. Sigua said the pandemic transformed into realities telecommuting; active transport

such as bikes; and the pop-up Busway similar to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on Edsa.

However, Sigua said these are not enough since efforts to improve road infrastructure, reduction of vehicles, and improvement of traffic law enforcement, among others should continue after the pandemic.

“Some good things happened even in this time of pandemic. As far as lowering the demand [vehicles], these [practices] that we thought were very difficult to implement, to introduce like telecommuting, they came to reality during the

pandemic,” Sigua said.

“We have the BBB [Build, Build, Build] but let’s focus on building more public transit-related infra.

Let’s focus on high-capacity modes, adapt the PT [public transport] hierarchy of modes that have been presented. We know this is painful for some sectors, but again, we don’t need a band-aid solution to our problems in transportation,” he explained.

Sigua cited four goals necessary to resolve the country’s transportation problems.

These are adequate road infrastructure; promoting discipline

on the road while adopting a ‘safety first’ culture; strictly enforcing traffic laws and regulations; and efficient public transport systems.

Having adequate road infrastructure means using more intelligent traffic signals; sustainable traffic management using information technologies; and capacity building for LGUs. Efforts to meet the other goals means improving driver licensing schemes; sustained road safety education in schools; and strict 24/7 presence of traffic law enforcers.

Continued on A4

n JAPAN 0.4603 n UK 68.8997 n HK 6.4844 n CHINA 7.7776 n SINGAPORE 37.0194 n AUSTRALIA 36.1067 n EU 58.9941 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4690

Source: BSP (August 20, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Monday, August 23, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

HK to let in OFWs with BOQ jab papers

L

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

OCALLY vaccinated overseas Filipino workers (OFW) will finally be allowed entry in Hong Kong, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Starting August 30, 2021, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said Hong Kong authorities will be rec-

ognizing the Covid-19 vaccine certificates issued by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ).

The certificate will serve as a tempo-

rary substitute to the yellow card, which should contain the passport details of the OFWs as required by Hong Kong authorities.

“Some 3,000 OFWs who are awaiting deployment to HK are set to benefit from this development,” Bello said in a statement last Sunday.

However, the vaccine certificate will not exempt OFWs

from being quarantined in hotels, which will be specified by Hong Kong authorities.

“OFWs will undergo quarantine in specified hotels, the cost to be shouldered by employers,” Bello said.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. reported that the Hong Kong government did not allow entry for OFWs who were vaccinated

in the Philippines because they held non-standardized vaccine certificates, which differed per local government unit.

The DFA promised to negotiate with HK authorities wh i le t he De pa r t ment of Infor mat ion a nd Communication Technology (DICT) rushes a globally-accepted, fraud-proof vaccine certification system.

The DICT is currently coming up with the VaxCertPH portal and mobile app, which will contain a masterlist of all the vaccine certificates issued by LGUs. The system, to be launched

by September, is compliant with the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is expected to be recognized by other countries.

PRE-COVID DEBT, DEFICIT LEVELS BACK IN ’24 OR ’25 Continued from A1

From a record-low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6 percent in 2019, the country’s debt as a share of the economy surged to a 14-year-high of 54.6 percent in 2020, as government ramped up borrowings to fund the Covid-19 pandemic response war chest.

Meanwhile, the country’s budget deficit in 2019 stood at 3.4 percent of GDP or P660.2 billion in 2019, and this has more than doubled to a record-high 7.6 percent of GDP or P1.37 trillion last year.

Finance Undersecretary and Chief Economist Gil Beltran cited

Exporters...

Continued from A1

The competition watchdog previously told the BusinessMirror that some shipping firms appear to be in collusion, but it has yet to obtain absolute proof (Read related story: https://businessmirror .com.ph/2021/08/16/pcceyes-price-fixing-in-shippingsector/).

Meanwhile, SCMAP Executive Director Corazon Curay said opening more routes will help the local industry, but it may be challenging given the pandemic.

“We do hope that other logistics

DOF projections of the national government returning to its old deficit and debt levels after three to four years if the recommended fiscal measures are passed early by the next administration and if the economy quickly recovers.

“So far, our estimates show that if we can get all these measures passed, it’s now 2021, by 2025, we will be back to our usual deficit, if we get all these measures passed,” he told reporters.

Pressed for details on what these fiscal measures are, Beltran separately told the BusinessMirror he will leave it to the next administration to announce.

On the national government’s

debt to GDP ratio, Beltran also told reporters they still see it going over the internationally accepted threshold of 60 percent in the coming years before returning to its pre-pandemic level by 2024 or 2025.

“Because we expect the economy to surge upward, as soon as the lockdowns are taken out. Because the factors of production are there, it’s just that they cannot move.

Once you remove the blockades, the checkpoints, and the restrictions, the economy will boom significantly,” Beltran explained.

To reduce the country’s deficitto-GDP ratio, Dominguez said the government “may have to do two

options,” which include reducing its expenditures and increasing its revenues.

“But I’m telling you it’s going to be very difficult, this fiscal consolidation period is going to be rather difficult. But the good thing that’s going for us is that interest rates are low. They haven’t risen very much.”

With the fiscal consolidation, the finance chief also said they expect the Philippines to again rejoin the frontrunners when compared to its peers.

“We expect to be back to the 2016-2019 trend where we were not just at par, we were among the frontrunners in our peers. And as

we’ve emphasized all the time, this pandemic has not destroyed the factors of production, it has just put it in quarantine. So once that is released, we will grow a very, very healthy pace,” Dominguez said.

“So, we have to see how the plan evolves, as I said, [it] depends on how long this pandemic will last.

Fortunately, we are in a relatively good position, not an absolutely good position, a relatively good position,” he added.

In July, international credit watcher Fitch Ratings affirmed the country’s rating at ‘BBB,” but revised its outlook from the assigned “stable” in January this year down

to a “negative” outlook.

A negative outlook on a sovereign’s credit rating means that it could potentially face a downgrade if its economic dynamics and metrics continue to deteriorate in the policy horizon.

The credit watcher said the country’s fiscal finances have weakened, both in absolute terms and against peer medians, as a result of the pandemic.

It said it will monitor the evolution of fiscal deficit and debt levels, as the balance between fiscal consolidation and ongoing government spending to support economic recovery will be an important consideration for the rating.

firms would consider expanding their routes to address issues in the global movement of goods, but we acknowledge that it may be difficult to achieve economies of scale in these times,” Curay said.

“We recognize that for these routes to be viable and sustainable, it has to be widely patronized by shippers, who have also been badly affected by the pandemic as consumer demand continues to fluctuate,” she added.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez backed the sentiments of the industry groups. Opening more routes, he said, is “a much faster solution compared to bareboat chartering which is the other option being worked out.”

New route

Curay explained.

“This [new US route] will be a big help to exporters especially having the much-needed vessel space for US, and Iris group under Royal Cargo has a more integrated logistics structure even in the west coast US, so it can respond faster to the current needs,” Lopez added.

While the opening of the new route is a welcome development, Curay said shipping delays are brought about by various factors— port congestion, lack of empty containers and reduction of available ships amid personnel shortages because of the pandemic.

man George T. Barcelon warned that the partial closure of a port in China due to Covid-19 may further jack up already surging freight rates.

“Exporters would again be challenged with their supply chain and export commitment to buyers [will be] disrupted,” he said, noting that the incident will also “aggravate cargo vessel availability.”

With this, Barcelon said export earnings will be affected because of higher shipping costs and delays in production.

In response, the Philippine Ports Authority told importers and exporters to make adjustments in order to mitigate the impact of the port closure while ensuring continued operations.

Gordon...

THE statements were made after Iris Logistics Inc., a local shipping company 80-percent owned by Royal Cargo Inc., announced the opening of a direct Philippine-US route by next month. See related story, “All set for RCI direct PHLUS sea route,” on page A10, Second Front Page.

Curay said the additional route will provide exporters with more options to deliver their goods, for both raw materials and finished products.

“This could contribute to the lessening of costs, as it spurs competition among service providers which should lead to improved service levels and value-adding services,”

Increase in freight costs

MEANWHILE, Philexport Chair-

Continued from A10

“By providing our nurses with just salaries and benefits, we are not just giving them justice, but our people in need of better health care, as well,” Gordon said.

At the August 18 Senate hearing, it will be recalled that Duque promised Gordon he will immediately look for funds from DOH savings in order to pay what is due the health workers.

Gordon advised Duque to make sure he has a firm answer on such funding being made available by the time the Blue Ribbon calls the second hearing on August 25.

Butch Fernandez

Agriculture/Commodities

A4 Monday, August 23, 2021 • Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL fruit production improves in January-June

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE country’s pineapple harvest climbed to a new record and boosted fruit production in the first semester, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PSA said in its latest report that pineapples, bananas and mangoes all recorded production increases in the January-to-June period.

Pineapple output expanded by 5.16 percent to 1.407 million metric tons (MMT) in the first semester from the 1.338 MMT recorded a year ago. Based on historical data, the latest figure is the country’s highest first-half pineapple production.

Mango production during the period rose to a four-year high, accord-

ing to the PSA. Output expanded by 2,570 MT to 654,710 MT from last year’s 652,140 MT. Meanwhile, banana output recovered to 4.343 MMT, 1.16 percent higher than the 4.293 MMT recorded last year. Banana production in the first half of 2020 declined by almost 2 percent from 4.375 MMT recorded in 2019.

Economist Pablito M. Villegas said the increase in the demand for nutritious food may have been one

of the factors that drove the uptick in fruit production this year. Villegas said Filipino consumers have become more conscious about what they eat due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“There is really demand for fruits.

Especially when everyone is in isolation or lockdowns; they buy a lot of fruits to keep their bodies healthy and their immune system strong,” he told the BusinessMirror.

Villegas also said the export market was the biggest driver of recordhigh pineapple production during the period. He noted that there is growing demand for local pineapple products in other countries, particularly in the United States.

PSA data showed that the country’s shipments of pineapples and pineapple products rose by 3.56 percent to 1.046 MMT in the first semester from 1.01 MMT last year. In terms of value, pineapple shipments expanded by 9.36 percent to $671.827 million from $614.336 million.

House to rush ‘responsive’ ’22 budget after lockdown. . . continued from a10 It was followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) with P686.1 billion; Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with P250.4 billion; Department of Health (DOH) with P242 billion; Department of National Defense (DND) with P222 billion; Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with P191.4

billion; Department of Transportation (DOTr) with P151.3 billion; Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) with P103.5 billion; and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) with P44.9 billion.

A similar prioritization was also present in the 2021 NEP, where education departments also got the largest

fund allocation with P751.7 billion.

The other top agencies which received the largest budget were the DPWH with P695.7 billion; DILG with P249.3 billion; DOH with P210.2 billion; DND with P205.8 billion; DSWD with P176 billion; DOTr with P87.9 billion; DA with P71 billion; Judiciary with P45.3 billion and DOLE with P37.1 billion.

Farmers sell rice to PLDT workers via digital programs

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LDT Inc. said its digital programs have allowed a thousand farmers to sell P4-million worth of rice directly to the company’s employees.

The company said the initiative to enable Filipino farmers to harness business opportunities through digital platforms has benefitted about 2,500 individuals.

Of this total, about 1,000 are rice farmers who now have access to mobile applications that connect them with “capital funding and diverse platforms where they can sell their crops at fair market prices.”

“Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, Filipino farmers were barely earning enough to support their family. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that 3 in 10 farmers are poor,” said Stephanie Orlino, Smart Assistant Vice President and Head for Community Relations.

“To help alleviate this, Smart has teamed up with different organizations to bank on our expertise in technology to enable smallholder farmers.”

PLDT said its wireless unit Smart partnered with an online

social enterprise for its “Buy Local” program, which connect farmers with direct buyers.

“The project enables PLDT and Smart employees and their families to buy farm products directly from adopted farming communities through the Cropital e-commerce platform,” it said.

“Part of the proceeds goes to a sustainability fund that is used to extend low-interest loans to farmers as capital for the next planting cycle.”

PLDT said the program has raised almost P4 million in revenues from the sale of 56 metric tons of rice with its sustainability fund growing to P200,000, which farmers can tap for capital support.

“To expand the program’s reach, Smart encourages companies and organizations to source their rice and vegetable donations for community pantries and families affected by the pandemic and disasters through the Buy Local platform,” it said.

“The Buy Local Farm-to-Pantry initiative has generated more than P200,000 in sales for vegetable growers in Aurora, Bulacan, and Isabela

who were saddled with oversupply.”

Smart also partnered with the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to improve farmers’ access to information to enable them to “make better decisions, improve efficiencies, adapt digital technology and tap market opportunities” via the Digital Farmers Program or DFP. “The DFP is a ladderized capacity-building track spread over a three-course sequence focusing on empowering farmers through basic digital tools such as smartphone use, social media, agriculture applications and more complex services like e-commerce,” the company said.

“With an ageing population of farmers who may not be familiar with digital innovations, Smart and ATI are tapping the tech-savvy youth to help farmers embrace the digital shift to boost their livelihood. At the same time, this method helps encourage the Filipino youth to venture into agriculture.”

PLDT said the DFP 101 course has conducted 67 trainings that were participated in by more than 1,500 individuals since its launch in 2019. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Covid deaths up 1,300% in H1; it’s now 5th top Pinoy killer continued from a10 Ischaemic heart diseases accounted for 18.7 percent of all deaths in the January to June period this year.

This was followed by cerebrovascular diseases with 30,800 deaths or 10.2 percent of the total. This showed an increase of 0.7 percent from the 30,590 cases in the same period in 2020.

Neoplasms or “cancer” represented the third leading cause, accounting for 27,340 deaths or 9 percent of the total; while deaths due to diabetes mellitus, the fourth top Filipino killer in the first semester, reached 19,800 or 6.5 percent of the total.

The PSA noted that the latest data includes deaths that occurred

from January until June 2021 with a cut-off date of August 5, 2021 on the processed death certificates.

The data is still preliminary and may differ from the final counts.

Deaths of Filipinos abroad are also not yet included in the data, and only those who died in the country but whose usual residence is abroad were listed.

Pandemic enabled transport innovations, but... continued from a1 Sigua also cited a need to improve mechanisms to prevent bribery (more CCTVs); introduce red light cameras; adopt a uniform set of rules within Metro Manila; prioritize public transportation infrastructure; and focus on high-capacity modes.

Road expansion, congestion pricing

EXPANDING road networks is not enough. He said if road expansion is the only solution eyed to solve traffic on Edsa, for example, this would mean doubling the number of lanes needed just for this thoroughfare.

He noted daily traffic on Edsa is 300,000 vehicles. Traffic at the peak hour is 30,000 vehicles while traffic in peak direction is 18,000 vehicles per hour.

However, Sigua said with six lanes in one direction, Edsa can accommodate 10,800 cars per hour. This means, he said, Edsa should have 12 lanes or double the number of the existing lanes just to serve the 18,000 vehicles passing through at peak direction per hour.

In order to solve this, Sigua said an efficient mass transit system; reduction in the number of vehicles; and efficient traffic management are necessary.

“Widening roads to address congestion is like buying larger clothes to address obesity,” Sigua said, quoting Enrique Peñalosa, the former mayor of Bogota, Colombia.

Mass transit is really the way to go, especially for megacities like Metro Manila, as such can accommodate high passenger demand.

Routes with very high passenger demand of over 160,000 per day must be served by rail-based transit or Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT).

Routes with passenger demand of 100,000 to 160,000 passengers per day are better off with a BRT; while areas with medium passenger demand or 10,000 to 100,000 passengers a day can be served by public utility vehicles (PUVs) with 60 or less passengers/seats but not less than 22 passengers.

Only routes with a passenger demand of less than 10,000 per day should be served by PUVs with less than 22 passengers/ seats such as jeepneys and other paratransit modes.

“Metro Manila badly needs a mass transit system that would provide high quality of service; BRT was highly recommended in the 2007 USAID Study,” Sigua said in a presentation.

“This may be the right time to

pursue it, following and building on the BRT development efforts that have commenced and are on-going in Cebu City,” he added.

Sigua said creating elevated highways is not recommended since it will only be an issue of mobility versus accessibility. He said it was important to ask “Mobility for whom?”

What is needed is a paradigm shift in transport. Sigua said for advanced cities, its figuring out how to reduce car use while in a city located in a developing country, it is figuring out how to facilitate car use.

Congestion burden

SIGUA noted that even before the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) study on the economic costs of traffic congestion, the NCTS already estimated that traffic costs Filipinos P140 billion annually as of 2000.

The Jica study estimated that this has increased to P2.4 billion per day as of 2014 or P876 billion a year. If congestion is not arrested, the costs could balloon to P6 billion per day by 2030 or P2.19 trillion a year.

Sigua listed as causes of congestion economic development; population growth; increase in the number of vehicles; and lack of political will to implement projects and programs cited in previous studies.

Traffic management that depends highly on human power as well as the heavy reliance on low-capacity modes of transport also worsen congestion, he said.

Sigua noted that over the last 50 years, only three mass transit lines were built in Metro Manila. Together, these only provide mass transit service for a total of 50 kilometers.

“Major causes are: saturated demand, mixed traffic with pedestrians, and inappropriate boarding/alighting practices of PUJs at intersections,” Sigua said in a presentation. “These 3 causes accounted for over 75 percent of all causes.”

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Monday, August 23, 2021

A5

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A 4 Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362 th

17.

Mr. XUANMING ZHOU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

18.

Mr. ZHENLEI CHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

19.

Mr. ZHENQUAN LU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

20.

Mr. ZHENGSHENG CHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

21.

Mr. XIGUANG CAO Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

August 23, 2021

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP)

Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s.

Name and Address of Employer: BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC. Lot 4044 Molino Blvd. Niog III, Bacoor, Cavite

1.

2.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Mr. TONGDA HOU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Relations Officer Assist sales team in business plan, acquisition, retention and management.

Mr. YANLIN ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Salary Range

Php30,000.00+++/ month

Php30,000.00+++/ month

Name and Address of Employer: ZAMA PRECISION INDUSTRY MANUFACTURING PHILIPPINES, INC. FPIP II SEZ, Sta Anastacia, Santo Tomas, Batangas

Mr. DONG LIU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Relations Officer Assist sales team in business plan, acquisition, retention and management.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

4.

Mr. MUYANG LI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

5.

Mr. ZHUANDI XIE Chinese

Mandarin Customer Relations Officer Assist sales team in business plan, acquisition, retention and management.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

Ms. YANJIA HE Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

3.

6.

1.

2.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. PUI KIT LI Chinese

Sr. QA Engineer Improve investigation efficiency for customer line rejects, quality notification and internal issues.

Php2,910,201.00+++/ annum

Mr. JERONIMO GUASSELLI Brazilian

New Products Manager Handle the new product development from production concept, planning, design, costing (including ROI) and up to mass production.

Php2,906,618.00+++/ annum

Name and Address of Employer: OCEANUSPRO HOLDING INC. L1-8 b4 Suntrust Ecotown Tanza, Brgy. Sahud Ulan, Tanza, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign Position and Job Description National

7.

Mr. ZHIWEN DENG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month 1.

8.

9.

Mr. JINWEN XIANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Mr. WANJIANG ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

11.

12.

13.

14.

Mr. CHUAN HE Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Ms. DAN YAO Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Mr. YONGFU MIAO Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Mr. MINGMING LI Chinese

Ms. JIAYI CHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Mr. MING-KU HSIAO Taiwanese

Admin Manager Oversee the day to day business operations, processes, human resource and finances of the company.

Php60,000.00+++/ month

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Name and Address of Employer: TKD PHIL. MEGA VENTURE INC. Tejero, Rosario, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Php30,000.00+++/ month

1.

10.

Salary Range

Mr. HYEONGGOO KANG Korean

Marketing and Operation Manager Recruit, select, orient and train employees.

Php108,000.00+++/ annum

Php30,000.00+++/ month Name and Address of Employer: TOKYOWELD PHILIPPINES INC. PTC, Governor’s Drive, Carmona, Cavite Php30,000.00+++/ month

Php30,000.00+++/ month

Php30,000.00+++/ month

Php30,000.00+++/ month

1.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. NORIO ISHII Japanese

Adviser - Sales Department Develop, plan and implement company sales strategies in order to evaluate the business reputation and brand.

Php62,500.00+++/ month

Name and Address of Employer: BROTHER INDUSTRIES (PHILIPPINES), INC. FPIP, Brgy. Ulango, Tanauan City, Batangas

1.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. NOBUAKI NOSO Japanese

Assistant Manager (Engineering Department) Oversee the day to day management of equipment engineering section under engineering department.

Php170,000.00+++/ month

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication.

Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

15.

Mr. JIAYONG WEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month

16.

Mr. WU LU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/ month To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

News

BusinessMirror

A4 Monday, August 23, 2021 A6

Govt orders total ban on OFW deployment to Afghanistan

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

S

EVEN days after the Taliban entered the A fghanistan capital of Kabul, the governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) ordered that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are banned from traveling to the country the

United States invaded in 2001.

In its resolution 7, series of 2021, the POEA Governing Board imposed a total deployment ban upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The DFA imposed an Alert Level 4 evacuation or mandatory repatriation phase in Afghanistan due to the worsening security situation in the country following the Taliban

take over.

“Alert Level 4 entails the imposition of an absolute ban on the deployment of OFWs to the said country, which includes returning workers due to large scale conflicts or external attacks,” the POEA order read.

The government already evacuated 35 of the estimated 132 Filipinos in Afghanistan last week.

Authorities are mounting another flight to evacuate the remaining other Filipinos in the Asian country.

POEA said it will assist in the initiatives of government agencies including the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to assist the evacuated OFWs. The OWWA earlier said it will provide financial, livelihood and scholarship to the concerned OFWs.

Govt bans restaurant dine-in, Lawmakers seek to stave personal care services in NCR off impact of suspension

I

NDOOR and al fresco dining in restaurants and personal care services are still not allowed in Metro Manila under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ ).

In a recent community quarantine guideline, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) identified the allowable on-site operations and seating capacity of business establishments following the de-escalation of lockdown measure in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Outdoor and indoor dine-in services in NCR, along with Bataan and Laguna, are excluded from the list of activities allowed under MECQ. Generally, however, 50 percent and 10 percent capacity, respectively, are allowed.

Take-out delivery for restaurants, however, is 100-percent allowed.

Personal care services—including beautysalons,barbershops,beautyparlors and nail spas—are usually allowed

at 30-percent capacity under MECQ, but the government banned them in Metro Manila, Laguna and Bataan.

The following are also prohibited under MECQ: indoor sports; gyms; libraries; museums; indoor and outdoor tourist attractions; MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) venues; social events; cinemas; amusement parks; and, casinos.

The negative list, or business activities not allowed under any form of community quarantine, includes the following: traditional cockfighting and operation of cockpits; entertainment venues with live performances, such as karaoke bars, bars, clubs, concert halls and theaters; and, fairs, playgrounds, playrooms and kiddie rides.

The essential sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, grocery stores and banks, are allowed to operate with 100-percent capacity under MECQ. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

of PhilHealth payout

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

T

HE House Committee on Health has scheduled a dialogue between representatives of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) on Tuesday.

Health Committee Chairman Quezon Rep. Angelina DL Tan said she called the meeting to clarify Circular 2021-0013 that the PhilHealth issued two days before the National Capital Region (NCR) transitioned from strict lockdown measures.

“We want to hold a dialogue between the PhilHealth and the hospitals. We do not want the bridge to collapse. We want to rebuild whatever trust and partnership that are left between the state health insurer and our healthcare institutions or providers. We cannot allow this conflict to persist in the face of the worsening pandemic in the country,” Tan said.

The PhilHealth circular concerned Temporary Suspension of Payment of Claims (TSPC), which the firm defined as “the conditional stoppage of payment for claims undergoing investigation.”

“It is not a penalty but a preventive measure to avoid the loss or wastage of funds due to fraudulent acts, unethical acts and abuse of authority,” the circular read.

PHA President Jaime A. Almora has said the TSPC will not only affect health care providers but patients as well.

In a statement, the PHA, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi) and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) declared that they were “disengaging” with PhilHealth and warned that the bridge between the PhilHealth and the healthcare providers is “bound to collapse.”

Hamper

HOUSE Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said PhilHealth’s Circular 2021-013, which imposes a temporary suspension of claims for potential fraudulent cases “has good intentions” but could hamper the operations of Covid-19 government hospitals if improperly imposed, especially as “these hospitals are in need of resources to expand their Covid-19 capacity.”

Salceda said he hopes the Phil-

Health will spend its financial resources wisely, as “I am the author of the alcohol excise tax reform, the tobacco excise tax reform, and the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, which are keeping PhilHealth afloat.”

The lawmaker warned, however, that “unless a risk-based approach is taken,” the circular could delay the flow of much-needed finances towards struggling government Covid-19 treatment centers.”

Salceda defines risk-based approach as “the prioritization of cases that are worth examining thoroughly.”

“The legal profession calls the doctrine aquila non capit muscas: ‘The eagle does not catch flies.’ In other words, they have to go after the cases that really pose a threat to the system,” the lawmaker explained. “Otherwise, the system might spend so much time investigating small cases that it misses out on the big ones.”

Salceda took particular note of the circular’s definition of the claims it will suspend payment for.

“That definition strikes me as a bit too broad; and it doesn’t appropriately ascribe responsibility” the solon said. “What if it was the patient and not the institution that defrauded the system? Will payment of claims to the institution be suspended just as well?”

Anti-fraud measures

SALCEDA also reemphasized that his proposed PhilHealth Reform Act under House Bill 7578 will mandate a digitized “one-patient, one-record” system. He added that this system, along with telemedicine, will help ensure that claims are for genuine cases of medical need.

“The ‘one-patient, one-record’ portable system, along with telemedicine verification, will help prevent fraud because it will be much harder to defraud something that has a digital trail and can be verified easily,” the solon said.

Salceda’s proposed reform also designates the Secretary of Finance as PhilHealth chairman, “as the SOF has the benefit of being the boss of the Insurance Commission, which has the expertise and competence to detect and prevent insurance fraud.”

“I hope the reform can be reconsidered, but for now, I think the PhilHealth clarifying that their antifraud approach will be risk-based will help,” the lawmaker added.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘Uphold independence of COA for check-and-balance’–groups

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

B

USINESS groups, educational institutions and other private sector organizations backed the Commission on Audit (COA), which has been on the receiving end of tirades after raising red flags on some government agencies’ spending.

In a joint statement, 26 private sector organizations threw their support behind the constitutional authority and duty of COA to conduct examinations of government agencies’ accounts and expenditures.

Recently, COA reports have revealed some questionable transactions by the government agencies, including the Department of Health and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“Such is the constitutional nature of the Commission, with the power and mandatory duty to serve as a robust check-and-balance on the power to disburse and use public funds and properties, ensures that effective controls are in place to protect government financial assets and properties, improve effectiveness and efficiency, and be a vital instrument against corruption and misuse of public funds and properties,” the statement read.

Integrity Initiative Inc. Chairman Alexander B. Cabrera pointed out that audits conducted by the commission are independent and supported by facts and evidence.

“It’s [audit report] without agenda and not political. Anyone that disagrees with an audit finding, especially government officials accountable to the people, should simply prove the audit findings wrong,” he said, noting this will require “rational explanation, accounting and documentary evidence.”

Makati Business Club Executive Director Francisco A. Alcuaz Jr. said that the COA just followed the due process and did not cross the line with its constitutional mandate.

Alcuaz hopes that the agencies cited in the news reports about negative initial findings by the COA will be able to investigate or set the record straight.

“The agencies appear to be reacting to news reports, not COA

statements,” he said.

Citing the Constitution, the private sector groups stressed that it is the constitutional duty of the COA to submit an annual report of its findings, in addition to publishing said documents. It is the constitutional right of the public to know said information, they added.

“It is our solemn duty as a people to uphold at all times the independence of our Constitutional Commissions. Upholding their constitutional mandates goes beyond compliance with the law; it is an affirmation of the moral duty and social conscience that we owe to our people,” they said.

“In these crisis times, we should be unwavering in supporting our government agencies tasked to protect our country from graft and corruption, which will aggravate the current pandemic-driven situation of widespread hunger, unemployment, uncertainty and undue hardship and suffering of our people,” they added.

The signatories include the following: American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc.; Ateneo de Manila University; Ateneo de Naga University; Ateneo de Zamboanga University; Chamber of Thrift Banks; Filipino CEO Circle; Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex); Finex Cebu; Finex Academy Inc.; Finex Research and Development Foundation Inc.; and, Fintech Alliance PH. In addition, the following also signed on the joint statement: Guild of Real Estate Entrepreneurs and Professionals Inc.; Institute of Solidarity in Asia Inc.; Integrity Initiative; Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines; Investment House Association of the Philippines; Judicial Reform Initiative; and, the Licensing Executives Society Philippines.

The Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia, Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc., Tax Management Association of the Philippines and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan also joined the call.

NBI report on PNP-PDEA shootout out by end-Aug

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

T

HE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is likely to wrap up before the end of the month its investigation into the shootout between members of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PNP-PDEA) last February 24 that left five people dead.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra described the NBI’s investigation process as “tedious.”

That was why it took the agency almost six months to finish the probe, Guevarra explained.

Part of the investigation was data gathering and examination of contents of mobile phones of the operatives involved.

The NBI hopes to submit its final report to the DOJ by the end of this month, Guevarra said.

The shootout that occurred out-

side a mall along Commonwealth, Quezon City, left five persons killed including two policemen. A PDEA agent and an informant while several others were reported injured.

Guevarra said the NBI is just waiting for the results of a forensic report that would serve as the final piece in their investigation.

“The NBI has almost completed its investigation and is waiting for just one remaining critical report— the result of digital forensic examination of the mobile phones of the operatives involved in the incident,” he said.

According to Guevarra, the NBI believes that a lot of material evidence may be found from these devices.

“Aside from the tedious process of obtaining cyber warrants, our forensic investigators have had to examine meticulously an average of 22,000 pages of text messages, call logs, videos and pictures per mobile phone.”

Police warns drivers transporting masses

T

HE Philippine National Police (PNP) has warned drivers of public-utility vehicles (PUVs) to ensure strict adherence to the minimum public health standards amid continuous reports of blatant violations of the rules especially in passenger buses and jeepneys.

PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar said policemen, particularly

those from the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and those assigned to man and supervise border control points have already been instructed to issue traffic violation tickets to the operators and drivers of PUVs especially at the National Capital Region and the adjacent provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite.

In a memorandum issued to the Di-

rector of the HPG and the regional directors of NCRPO, PRO3 and PRO4A, the Directorate for Operations ordered policemen to issue Temporary Operators Permit (TOPs), Official Violator’s Receipt (OVR) and Traffic Citation Tickets to the violators.

“This pertains to the reports received by the Directorate (for Operations), which disclosed unabated

incidents of overloading, violations of minimum public health standards and violations of allowed passenger capacity as prescribed by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and DOTr’s guidelines committed by public utility buses and jeepneys, particularly in NCR Plus areas,” the memorandum read. Rene Acosta

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Thai Parliament passes $93-B annual budget as outlook dims

T

hailand’s parliament approved the nation’s annual budget that seeks to ramp up spending on tackling the Covid-19 outbreak while slashing outlays for defense and education with the government revenue coming under pressure from a worsening growth outlook.

The 3.1 trillion baht ($93 billion) spending plan for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 received the backing of 257 lawmakers. A total of 189 voted against it and four abstained after a four-day debate, according to the results of a parliamentary voting on Sunday. The budget outlay is 5.8% less than the 3.29 trillion baht for this year and pegs the budget deficit at 700 billion baht.

The passage of the budget came amid growing criticism and public protests against the government’s handling of the pandemic, which saw cases surpass 1 million on Friday with fatalities nearing 9,000. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha and five other ministers are set to face no-confidence votes early next month with the opposition parties pressing for censure debates to highlight the government’s failure.

Outlays for various ministries, including defense, education and finance, were reduced to set aside more money to contain the outbreak and speed up economic recovery. Thailand’s central bank governor this week called for an additional 1 trillion baht in government spending to counter the blow to the economy from the pandemic.

Contagious Delta

A relentless surge of infections

fueled by the more contagious Delta variant has forced the government to extend strict curbs for regions that are home to more than 40% of Thailand’s population and make up over three quarters of its economy.

Earlier this week, the nation’s main economic planning body cut this year’s growth forecast to a range of 0.7%-1.2%, down from 1.5%-2.5% predicted in May. Thailand reported 19,014 new cases on Sunday, the lowest number of daily infections since Aug. 3, while the death toll was 233. Total cumulative infections rose to 1.05 million.

The country has administered about 25.8 million vaccine doses, enough to cover about 18.5% of the population, according to the Bloomberg Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker.

The virus situation has been quite stable over the past week, Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said Saturday. The government has approved a plan to procure 120 million vaccines next year to cover children and as booster shots. To that end, the nation has been in talks to import at least 50 million doses each from Pfizer and AstraZeneca, which would be second-generation if they are successfully developed in time.

Anti-government protesters have returned to the streets in near-daily gatherings in Bangkok in recent weeks to demand Prayuth’s resignation.

They accuse the government of mismanaging containment efforts and the vaccination rollout, which has seen less than 8% of the population fully inoculated. Bloomberg News

VP Harris arrives in Singapore, kicking off Southeast Asia visit

U

S Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Singapore on Sunday, her first trip to Southeast Asia under the Biden administration amid a cloud over the handling of American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Harris is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday, and hold a joint news conference with him. She will also participate in a roundtable focused on supply chain resilience.

The vice president on Friday said issues stemming from a global chip shortage are “very real.” The limited supplies have continued to cause production delays for the auto and consumer electronics industries in the US and the White House has for months engaged with industries and lawmakers on ways to alleviate the crisis, without much effect so far.

Singapore has sought to increase its chip-making talent and manufacturing capability. The vice president is expected to discuss areas of cooperation including pandemic response and

the digital economy during the visit, Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had said. Discussions on green economy and cybersecurity issues are also anticipated.

The White House has gone on the diplomatic offensive in Asia after years of passive US engagement.

Southeast Asian leaders will be looking for Harris to reassure them of America’s role as a major trading partner that offers a reliable security presence against Beijing’s assertiveness in areas like the South China Sea. Harris will next head to Vietnam, the first time a sitting American vice president has visited since the war ended in 1975.

The US has been criticized for the chaos in Afghanistan as it withdraws troops from the country. President Joe Biden has stood by his decision, and said American intelligence assessments didn’t foresee such a rapid advance by the Taliban and collapse of the Afghan military, prompting the US to race to evacuate its citizens and Afghans who aided US troops.

Bloomberg News

Delta variant forces New Zealand, Australia to rethink virus strategies

T

he Covid-19 Delta variant has forced Australia and New Zealand to review their strategies of eliminating infections of the virus, and prompted Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to say it’s highly unlikely his country will ever return to zero cases.

Australia’s focus needs to shift to hospitalization rates rather than case numbers, Morrison told ABC’s Insiders program Sunday. The highly infectious nature of Delta raised some “pretty big” questions about New Zealand’s approach of eliminating the disease, Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said in an interview on TVNZ. Both New Zealand and Australia have been advocates of the Covid Zero strategy since the beginning of the pandemic.

Their tactics of closing borders and stopping cases of community transmission through strict restrictive measures prevented the waves of deaths seen in most other nations. The recent spread of the Delta variant has challenged their strategies, with Australia on Sunday reporting its highest number of daily infections for a second straight day and New Zealand under the top level of lockdown.

“With a virus that can be infectious within 24 hours of someone getting it, that does change the game a bit,” Hipkins said. “With our Level Four lockdown, we are very well placed to be able to run it to ground, but we have to be prepared for the fact that we can’t do that every time there is one of these.”

‘Less robust’

Hipkins said the system had worked well pre-Delta, but it was now looking “less adequate and less robust.”

New Zealand has been at the highest level of lockdown since Tuesday after a community case of coronavirus was discovered in Auckland. On Sunday, the country reported a further 21 local cases, bringing the total to 72.

Australia’s Morrison said it was highly unlikely the country would return to being free of Covid infections. When vaccination rates reach the targets of 70% to 80% of the eligible population, curbs would begin to be lifted, the prime minister said.

“You can’t live with lockdowns forever, and at some point you need to make that gear change,“ he said.

New South Wales reported 830 cases, up from 825 on Saturday, while three people died, according to the state government. Victoria reported 65 infections, according to a tweet from the state’s health department, and the Australian Capital Territory had 19. The national total rose to 914, surpassing the previous daily high of 894 on Saturday.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Morrison said rising cases “need not impact our plan to reopen, and reopen as soon we can.” “So while right now our national strategy is necessarily about suppressing the virus and vaccinating as many people as possible, a one-eyed focus on just case numbers overlooks the fact that less people are getting seriously ill, let alone dying.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Aug. 12 laid out a plan to ease the country’s virus curbs, saying the government will speed up its vaccine rollout this year and begin a phased reopening of the border in early 2022.

Key developments: US weekly infections exceed 1 million

US weekly infections slightly exceeded 1 million on Friday, apparently for the first time since the surge last winter, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg. Two states, Florida and Texas, each hit hard by the spread of the Delta variant, accounted for about a quarter of all cases.

Weekly cases in the US rose above 1 million for about two and a half months during the worst of the last viral wave, from mid-November until the end of January, the data show. The high mark was above 1.7 million, in early January.

Sri Lanka locks down again

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa ordered a 10-day nationwide lockdown on Friday evening to contain the surge in cases, Press Trust of India reported from a televised address.

Rajapaksa, who had earlier ignored calls for a shutdown even as virus cases overwhelmed hospitals, also warned of economic consequences of a prolonged shutdown. The government has reimposed the lockdown for the first time since mid-June.

Tokyo eyes Olympic venues as hospitals

The Tokyo metropolitan government is considering converting some Olympic facilities into field hospitals to treat coronavirus infections as cases in the country hit record levels, the Sankei newspaper reported, citing unidentified people.

Olympic venues are spread out throughout the city, which makes them

At least 10 killed in Tennessee EU says no political talks, flash floods; dozens missing

no recognition of Taliban

M

ADRID —T he European Union’s top officials warned the Taliban on Saturday that the current conversations being held to secure the exit of as many Afghan evacuees as possible do not mean the bloc is prepared to recognize the new regime.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the necessity of continuing to engage with the Taliban during her visit, along with EU Council President Charles Michel, to a reception center for evacuees established by Spain near Madrid.

“We do have operational contacts with the Taliban in this moment of crisis, because we need to discuss in these difficult times how we can facilitate it for people in Kabul to come to the airport,” the EU leader said. “But this is completely distinct and separate from political talks. There are no political talks with the Taliban and there is no recognition of the Taliban.”

She also said the continuance of European humanitarian aid to Afghanistan will hinge on the Taliban respecting human rights, especially for women and girls.

“We hear the Taliban statement

that stresses that women will have their right place in society and have the right to study and work, within the framework of Islam, whatever that means. But we also hear more and more reports of people being hunted down for their past work or opinions, and we hear of women being turned away when they show up at their usual workplace,” she said. “The 1 billion euros set aside by the European Union for the next seven years for development aid is tied to strict conditions: respect for human rights, good treatment of minorities, and respect for the rights of women and girls.”

The EU’s top officials toured the facility at the Torrejón military airbase along with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who said it can hold 800 people.

Two planes sent by Spain to Kabul have already arrived at the air base.

One brought back five Spaniards and 48 Afghans who had worked for Spain and their families. A second arrived late Friday with 110 more Afghans.

A third flight with another 110 passengers has left Kabul for Dubai, which Spain is using as a stop-off point before the evacuees are flown to Madrid. AP

Monday, August 23, 2021 A7

C

atastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee left at least 10 people dead and dozens missing Saturday as record-shattering rainfall washed away homes and rural roads, authorities said.

Business ow ner K a nsas K lein watched in horror from a bridge Saturday morning as cars and entire houses were swept down a road in Waverly, a town of about 4,500 people that Klein, 48, has called home for more than half his life. Two girls who were holding on to a puppy and clinging to a wooden board swept past, far too fast for Klein and other onlookers to go down and grab hold of them.

After being told by authorities to go back, Klein returned a couple hours later, shocked that the floodwaters had almost entirely receded and aghast at the destruction that was left behind.

“It was amazing how quick it came and how quick it left,” Klein said.

Klein said his restaurant, a decadeold New York-style pizzeria, was still standing, but the morning deluge of between 10 and 12 inches (25 to 30 centimeters) of rain in Humphreys County had caused floodwaters to reach 7 feet (2.1 meters) inside the eatery, rendering it a total loss.

After leaving his restaurant, Klein walked to the nearby public housing homes and heard yelling. A man had just recovered a baby’s body from one of the

homes. Other bodies would soon follow.

“I’m looking at my restaurant, thinking how horrible it was that I lost my restaurant and then I walk around the corner and see someone’s baby dead— my restaurant doesn’t mean a whole lot right now,” Klein told the Associated Press in a phone interview Saturday night, still in shock as he watched a local news channel air footage he had recorded on his phone hours ago.

The low-income homes—dozens of block buildings known as Brookside— appeared to have borne the brunt of the flash flood, Klein said.

“It was devastating: buildings were knocked down, half of them were destroyed,” Klein said. “People were pulling out bodies of people who had drowned and didn’t make it out.”

Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis told news outlets more than 30 people have been reported missing. It was not immediately clear how many had lived at Brookside, located about 60 miles (96 kilometers) west of Nashville.

Two of the bodies recovered were toddlers who had been swept away from their father, Davis told WSMV-TV. Waverly couple Cindy Dunn, 48, and her husband Jimmy, 49, were rescued from their attic by a crew who used a bulldozer to reach them.

“Hell. That’s what we had to go through,” Cindy Dunn told The Tennessean. AP

convenient for emergency response, according to the report. Any changes would take place after the closing of the Paralympic Games on Sept.

5, it said.

Jesse Jackson, wife in hospital

Rev. Jesse Jackson, 79, and his wife

Jacqueline, 77, have been hospitalized in Chicago with complications from Covid-19, the Associated Press reported, citing a statement from their son, Jonathan Jackson. Rev. Jackson is vaccinated and received his first dose publicly in January, AP said. Bloomberg News

A8

Monday, August 23, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Isolate the seniors?

W

E are just as exasperated and even infuriated as everyone else with the continuing situation with the Covid-19 pandemic. The days, weeks, and months roll on and there does not seem to be any resolution in sight.

Like you, we are concerned with people having jobs, businesses trying to survive, and worries about our short and long term future. Part of our frustration is that it seems like a huge number of people that consider themselves to be (or want to be) leaders of the nation are focused on Monday, May 9, 2022, instead of today and tomorrow.

Maybe some bright political strategist sent out a memo saying that the candidate who says “The government should have or could have done <fill in the blank>” the most times will be elected. Also, says the strategist, “Be sure to use the following phrases: More contact tracing, more testing, and more vaccinations.”

Obviously, all three of those proposals are important but are also partial answers to halt the spread of the virus. Yet they need to be vigorously pursued.

The public, and therefore individual health concerns, are twofold.

More cases put a severe and dangerous strain on the health-care system. The second concern is the number of Covid fatalities.

While the Philippine health delivery system is not at the top of the world’s best, every nation experiencing a case surge is feeling the crunch.

“Florida’s Covid surge ‘a crisis of unprecedented proportions.’” “Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City faces medical collapse as Covid surges.” “Japan’s overburdened Covid hospitals to take only the sickest.” “Covid putting Sydney’s hospital system under enormous pressure.” “Capacity in healthcare facilities dwindles.” “Ninety-percent of Bangkok’s 40,000 hospital beds were occupied as of Monday.”

But there is a definite trend that should strongly influence government response. We look to the past once again to try to understand where we are now and why. Our editorial for April 20, 2020 was titled Lockdown the boomers and the sick! We noted that “As of Friday, April 17, 2020, 84 percent of all deaths in New York state are people 60 years of age and older.”

“Assuming the 13 million population of Metro Manila, the entire at-risk group of the “over 60” age group is less than 1 million or about 9 percent.” We asked, “How tight and how long can we lock down the 90 percent to protect the 10 percent?”

The numbers still show, 16 months later, the over-60 cohorts are still at most risk. Here are the Covid fatalities as a percentage of total of those 60 years and older by country. Australia is 97 percent. Germany—96 percent. United Kingdom—82 percent. US—80 percent.

Canada—94 percent.

The percentage of fatalities in the Philippines of those over 60 years of age is 64 percent. Lower the age to 55 years and the percentage goes to 74 percent. Comorbidity is still a serious problem. Ninety percent of those who died in the 60 and over age group have a previous condition of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

We are still facing a Covid death crisis of the sick, the old, and especially those both old and sick.

Are lockdowns slowing the spread of sickness and death? We do know that the quarantines are causing death and destruction to the economy and more importantly to those in the lower economic groups that are suffering the most.

It is time to move beyond the “lockdown/no lockdown” mentality and behavior, as it appears the pandemic will be with us for potentially a long time. Since seniors are the group experiencing the most fatalities despite being the most “locked down”, maybe they deserve to be isolated, perhaps in all the empty five-star hotels.

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Community acts to save Dumaguete Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

D

umaguete City is known for its beautiful seaside boulevard, the majestic coastal view and ocean breeze, and the bayside establishments along the famous avenue. This, along with Dumaguete’s many other resources, are in danger of degradation because of a 174-hectare island reclamation project by the local government in partnership with E.M. Cuerpo, a local construction company.

Members of the community, groups like the Catholic and Presbyterian Church communities, educational institutions, environmental organizations, members of the academe, students, activists, and scientists are opposing this project for “environmental, economical, and legal reasons.”

Critics are opposed, first of all, because the project will bury four

marine reserves and cover 85 percent of the city’s shoreline (the size of 4,000 basketball courts), according to marine scientist Rene Abesamis. This spells trouble not just for the coastal ecosystem but also for the livelihood of the local fisherfolk, threatening to displace the 994 fishers in the city. Dumaguete stands to lose marine species, commercially valuable fish,

mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs in the four marine protected areas mentioned above, as well as on the coast of Negros Oriental.

Experts believe that it’s not worth losing all this in exchange for the P23-billion “smart city” complex that is being planned for the reclaimed island. Whatever economic benefit this development may bring to the people of Dumaguete, and to the country in general, will “pale in comparison to the monumental ecological disaster it poses.”

But the Dumaguete City Council granted Mayor Felipe Remollo the authority to enter into an agreement with EMC on July 7. In response, three petitions have been completed to call for the project’s discontinuation. One of them gathered 20,000 electronic signatures and was submitted to the Office of the Mayor.

STEWARDS, a marine conservation organization, offered satellite images and the result of their 2020 field surveys to provide estimates

pertaining to the degree of destruction that the project may bring.

According to the organization, the project will destroy 62.5 percent of seagrass (36.15 hectares) and 60.58 percent of corals and reefs (36.2 hectares). According to the Philippine Association of Marine Sciences, this will directly impact 150 species of corals; 200 species of fish, including sharks and rays; nine species of seagrass; and 20 species of mangroves. #NoTo174Dumaguete, a coalition of organizations opposed to the project, also warned that this reclamation activity will worsen flooding in the area because “building an artificial island will disrupt the natural flow of rivers and creeks.” nnn

Last Saturday, August 21, the country remembered Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. who was assassinated on this day in 1983. We honor the life and legacy of our beloved hero who believed that “the Filipino is worth dying for.” Ninoy will continue to live in our hearts.

Will we talk to the Taliban? Why not, we always have

By Christopher Stokes & Jonathan Whittall

A

S United States forces withdraw from Afghanistan, putting an end to the longest war in US history, a new era has begun again for a country that has seen invading forces come and go over the centuries.

The news has been dominated by the Taliban forces swiftly taking control of the provincial capitals and seizing Kabul unopposed, as well as the sight of western embassies packing up, Afghans desperately trying to leave, the spectacle of foreigners fleeing en masse and many NGOs ceasing to operate. In contrast to these scenes, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and a handful of other humanitarian agencies have maintained their presence and activities at the height of the fighting, providing lifesaving assistance to the sick and wounded.

How has this been possible? Doctors Without Borders has had successes and failures in Afghanistan, but the core of our approach has remained the same: we would only work if we had the explicit agreement of all parties to the conflict. That included the Taliban, the US forces, the Afghan National Army and in some cases local militia groups. Our principles of neutrality, independence and impartiality, that can at times seem abstract, were operationalized by talking to all sides, refusing funding from governments, clearly identifying ourselves so as not to be confused with other groups that may have other interests and by making our hospitals weapon free zones. Whoever came to a privately funded Doc-

tors Without Borders hospital had to literally leave their gun at the door.

When working in Kunduz or Lashkargah hospitals, we regularly explained to US, Afghan and Taliban soldiers that we would never turn away any patient, be they a wounded government soldier, a car crash victim or a wounded Taliban fighter. Our hospitals triaged based on needs alone. We worked according to medical ethics, not according to who was deemed a criminal, a terrorist, a soldier or a politician. We often had to request US and Afghan soldiers to leave and return without their weapons if they wished to visit the hospital.

Our approach was often in contrast to the way in which the aid system—including humanitarian agencies—were being pushed by donors to build the Afghan state, to create stability in areas taken by Afghan forces and contribute to the legitimacy of a fledgling US backed government. Aid was the ‘soft power’ to win over the population to the Afghan government, a key component of the hearts and minds strategy bolstering the ‘hard power’ of military deployment.

Tellingly, when meeting a western humanitarian donor in Kabul, they were unable to tell us where the humanitarian needs were the greatest but instead referred to a map of areas

under control of coalition forces (in green), under Taliban control (in red) and contested areas (in purple). They were sending aid to green and purple areas to help boost the military effort. International NGOs taking government funding from western states involved in the fighting were shocked to see counter-insurgency language such as “clear and hold” creep into their funding grants. As one of the biggest government donors explained to us in Kabul: “The Taliban are making gains in this province, we told the aid agency to cover the province in wheat, and they did.”

But our approach did not always protect us. It was in 2015 that US special forces bombed our hospital in Kunduz after the province had been briefly taken over by the Taliban. It demonstrated to us the grey zones that exist in such conflicts: aid is tolerated and accepted when it boosts the legitimacy of the state, but it becomes susceptible to being destroyed when it falls into a territory where entire communities are designated as hostile enemies and when the state is on the back foot.

This grey zone is cultivated by legal ambiguities between international and national law, creating environments conducive to what US authorities categorized as “mistakes.”

Following the destruction of our hospital, Doctors Without Borders engaged again with all parties to the conflict to clarify the respect for our medical activities. It was arguably our widespread public support and the political cost of the attack on Doctors Without Borders that ultimately served as our best safeguard

against future so-called mistakes by US and Afghan forces. However, this form of deterrence through engagement and public pressure was of no use when our maternity hospital was brutally attacked in Dasht-e-Barchi, most likely by the Islamic State in Afghanistan who have remained out of reach of our dialogue.

While Doctors Without Borders has been able to operate in provincial capitals we have been unable to go into rural areas to address needs there. This has been one of the failures of Doctors Without Borders’s work over the past years. However, two weeks ago, when the Taliban entered the cities, we were able to continue working to treat patients: the sick and the wounded were able to receive care in facilities that we adapted to cope with the intensity of the fighting. In Helmand, Kandahar, Kunduz, Herat and Khost our teams continued to work. Our health facilities are today full of pati ents.

This is why as Doctors Without Borders we seek to negotiate with all parties to a conflict. It’s to enable our teams to deliver assistance when needed the most. Often these moments are in the midst of changes in power and control. It’s also the reason we resist against efforts to incorporate our activities into political processes of state building. It is why we speak out loudly when our facilities and staff are harmed.

The future of Afghanistan is uncertain, and our activities will remain under pressure. The challenges we face will evolve and the security of our teams and patients remains a concern. But to weather future See “Taliban,” A9

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Musings on the amendments of the Accountancy Law Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT Twelfth of a series

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had the good fortune of interacting with several international accounting thought leaders and experts during my term as the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (BOA) chairman.

I shared insights with them on such varied topics as regulation of the profession, reporting of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, Quality Assurance Review of audit reports, Mutual Recognition Arrangements, and development of qualified and competent accountants.

This last item on competency training and qualification of accountants is very much relevant to the ongoing discussion on the amendment of the Accountancy Law. There are proposals on the revision of the conduct of the professional licensure examinations for Certified Public Accountants. The insights that I garnered from my engagements with the global accounting leaders can provide lessons and directions for this initiative.

In 2016, I was introduced to Mr. Alfred Borgonovo, a Senior Financial Management Specialist of the Center for Financial Reporting of the World Bank. He was tasked by the WB to conduct a technical study on advancing accounting education and training of professional accountants in the Philippines. Mr. Borgonovo and I had several engagements culminating in the publication in 2019 of the Implementation Guide on the Competency-Based Accounting Education, Training and Certification. (https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/31701/9781464814037. pdf?sequence=2). In this publication, the Philippines’ initiatives on redesigning its accounting education were included (pages 95 to 99). This is a handy reference on the various aspects of competency building of accounting professionals.

I also had several engaging conversations and meetings with the officers of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in their New York office in the United States from 2017 to 2018. On March 8, 2017, I met with Jim Bracken, the Vice President for Ethics and Practice Quality of the AICPA. In our meeting, I was also informed about the formation in January 2017 of a joint venture by

Taliban. . .

continued from A8

storms in Afghanistan humanitarian actors would do well to firmly plot their own course based on the needs that exist, rather than being steered by the changing political winds.

Afghanistan shows how foreign led nation building can fail and how humanitarian actors’ contributions to such efforts are minimal. It also shows that our work can save the most lives when we are able to be as independent as possible, both when a state is being built and when it collapses.

About the authors: Christopher Stokes and Jonathan Whittall have both worked in Afghani-

the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the AICPA to create a new international accounting association, called Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. This new association consists of approximately 600,000 current and next generation professionals who will represent the entire breadth of the accounting profession.

I also met Mr. Bracken and several of his officers the following year in 2018. We had lively discussions on topics of interest, including the AICPA’s interaction with the US accounting regulator, the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, and the reform developments in the CPA examination of the US. When I shared with Mr. Bracken the “core and specialization” initiatives of the BOA on the CPA licensure examination in the Philippines, he expressed his recognition that these are the same thrusts that the AICPA and NASBA are pursuing. Apparently, Mr. Bracken was referring to the “CPA Evolution” that is scheduled for roll out in January 2024 in the US. This confirms further my thoughts and advocacy for the reformatting of our own CPA licensure examination.

To be continued.

Joel L. Tan-Torres is the Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy and partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979.

This column accepts articles for publication from the business and academic community.

Articles not exceeding 600 words can be e-mailed to jltantorres@up.edu.ph.

stan. Christopher Stokes is Senior Humanitarian Specialist at Doctors Without Borders. Stokes was the Head of Mission for MSF in Afghanistan in 1996 when the Taliban took over Kabul for the first time and has returned regularly to the country over the past two decades to support and represent MSF operations in his previous capacities as Director of Operations and General Director of MSF’s Operational Center Brussels. He was most recently in Afghanistan in 2021.

Jonathan Whittall is Director of the Analysis Department at Doctors Without Borders. Whittall helped to set up the Kunduz trauma hospital as a Project Coordinator in 2011-2012 and has also returned on multiple occasions, including to carry out research on access to health in Helmand as a Senior Humanitarian Advisor and to support the teams in negotiations at Kabul level after the attack on the Kunduz hospital in 2015. Whittall can be found on Twitter @offyourrecord.

Monday, August 23, 2021

The endangered chameleon Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

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ewsrooms were inundated by a different kind of punch and counterpunch way ahead of the Pacquiao-Ugas boxing match. The usually inconspicuous Commission on Audit made it to the headlines when it unleashed its “usual” left jab, only to receive a vicious uppercut from the Department of Health, followed by a right hook from President Duterte. As part of its constitutional mandate, COA “jabbed” the DOH by flagging its deficiencies in the latter’s handling of some P67 billion in Covid-19 funds. Embarrassed and embattled, Health Secretary Duque and his overprotective boss, President Duterte, responded differently but in alignment by responding with an uppercut and a hook, as Olympian pugilists Paalam, Marcial, and Petecio would know how! Duque was close to tears, publicly expressing his sentiment of “winarak nyo kami,” instead of professionally responding to the COA report by submitting documents to explain or justify the deficiencies. In contrast, President Duterte, true to form, hurled invectives anew while directing his Cabinet members to just ignore the COA audit reports. He says, “nothing happens anyway.”

After punches have been thrown and landed, COA proceeded to punch other government agencies by publicly disclosing their questionable purchases and projects: the Philippine Ports Authority, for its infinity pool, Jacuzzi and other amenities in a training facility in La Union costing roughly P10.80 million; DOH yet again, for its negotiated procurement of 4 high-end laptops and accessories amounting to P700,000; OWWA, for its overpriced purchase of sanitary napkins (P35 each) from a construction firm that could not be found in its listed address; DICT, for its pricey gadgets bought from a construction company that is not involved at all in the supply and delivery of gadgets and devices; TESDA, for transferring more than P160 million to NTF-ELCAC without the necessary authorization, an act that COA highlighted as a possible “ground for technical malversation of public funds”; and DBM Procurement Service, for face masks and face shields worth P27.72 and P120 per piece, respectively. It’s an expected slugfest in any democracy.

Pressed for comment, COA Chairman Michael Aguinaldo assured that “a lot of due process” was observed prior to publication. When I was in the Bureau of Immigration, I too received an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM), which allowed me to respond, explain, and submit documents to rectify the finding. No tears or invectives were necessary to

resolve the finding of the supposed irregular disposition of funds. In this DOH fiasco, COA explained that there was an audit observation, a time frame for a response, and an exit conference before it published the audit reports. Former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza defended her previous office, and called for public support to the state auditors.

Leafing through COA’s structure and responsibilities, I begin to understand why some people see COA as the most ignored, if not the largely disliked government institution in the country. Its audit reports are like “break-up letters”, echoing what Ms. Mendoza said. Audit reports typically lay the predicate for an upsetting, if not unpleasant “divorce” between the auditor and the office/person being examined or audited. Now we have seen the impact of divorce papers on DOH. I’m not sure how the other agencies will respond. I think Health Secretary Duque should have taken such reports as part of the hazards of public service instead of emotionally responding to it, as if soliciting public sympathy. I am just as astonished as others as to how a lawyer like President Duterte would publicly chastise COA whose constitutional duty is to be suspicious, like any privately hired investigator, and flag possible mishandling of government funds. Checks and balance are fundamental principles in any democratic constitution!

Through it all, COA prances like a chameleon, that colorful lizard

Pressed for comment, COA Chairman Michael Aguinaldo assured that “a lot of due process” was observed prior to publication.

When I was in the Bureau of Immigration, I too received an Audit Observation Memorandum, which allowed me to respond, explain, and submit documents to rectify the finding.

known as one of the few animals that can change color. Contrary to the expression “blending like a chameleon”, chameleons do not change skin color just to match or adapt to their surroundings. Their colorchanging capabilities are attributable to structural changes of crystallike cells called iridophores. These cells, underneath the skin, refract light. The outermost layer of the chameleon’s skin is actually transparent. Light, temperature, and emotional state commonly bring about a chameleon’s change in color.

A chameleon often changes skin colors between green, brown and gray, which coincidentally, matches the background colors of its habitat. Like a chameleon, COA merely “reflects light” to display the “varied colors” of those government agencies subject to audit. COA simply “reflects” the color of the transactions of government agencies, whether questionable or commendable. COA reflects a red flag when it sees questionable transactions in the DOH, in the same way that COA reflects a green flag when it sees proper transactions in the Office of the Vice President (OVP). COA simply mirrors the data it discovers. When government data exhibits different hues (like brown, green or yellow for chameleons), COA mirrors and exposes them through findings such as lack of authority for a government organization to another, or a comparison of the regular price of a purchased item with the enormous price as negotiated, or the “cannot-be-found” supplier from a listed address.

Constitutionally envisioned as an independent “animal” and as a loner, exactly like chameleons, the COA has large examining “eyes” that are selfdetermining to expand their reach.

Just as a chameleon’s eyes, which can move independently of each other, have a full 360-degree view, can focus rapidly and enlarge what they are looking at, the COA has scrutinizing vision. With transparent skin, a chameleon reflects light as it takes it in.

Similarly, COA reflects what it only absorbs. Its transparent “skin” plays such a critical role in the fulfillment

The mortality of brainpower

By Reynaldo A. de Dios

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hen a company is profitably run, its success invariably is traced to the human factor. Generally, profits result from human skills applied to physical assets. Given identical material resources, some ventures succeed while others fail. The difference, oftentimes, lies in the brainpower of the key executive, which unfortunately is not immortal.

What happens to a business organization when its key executive unexpectedly dies? Many of the big corporations have succession plans but if there are none, then they have to find a suitable replacement.

These are some of the problems: the cost of finding and then

attracting at the right remuneration an adequate replacement; the cost in terms of delay during the time required to find the replacement; and the cost of the fee payable to the manpower recruitment agency if hired. The sum total of these costs could amount to a siz-

able sum and a heavy drain on the company’s earnings. A possible solution is to purchase a Keyman Life Insurance on the life of the ranking executive, the proceeds of which is to indemnify itself against losses caused by his untimely death. The company owns the policy, pays its premium, and is the beneficiary of the proceeds. In addition, the proceeds could partially compensate the widow and the family of the deceased executive. The answer therefore if a company has no worthy successor and to protect its profits in case of the premature death of a valuable key executive is a Keyman Life Insurance.

Vietnam orders Covid test for millions in Ho Chi Minh City

By Nguyen Xuan Quynh Bloomberg News

V

ietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered Covid-19 tests for all of Ho Chi Minh City after the government dispatched the military to dispense food in the nation’s commercial hub amid new drastic measures to contain a worsening outbreak.

Uncertainty swept across the city of almost 10 million through the weekend, triggered by conflicting information from authorities

about food shopping restrictions.

Local media depicted crowds of residents descending on food markets and standing in lines for hours. The curbs on shopping are set to be in place starting Monday until Sept. 6.

Officials estimate the city needs to provide 11,000 tons of goods to residents daily and the government is capable of doing that, an unnamed official from the city’s trade department was cited as saying by Tuoi Tre. The military will work with volunteers, veterans and some unions to deliver food to households, Vo Minh

Luong, deputy minister of national defense, said in a meeting on Friday with city officials. His comments were made available on a government web site, which didn’t give details on the scale of the distribution in the city.

The Southeast Asian country is battling its worst coronavirus wave with a record 11,299 domestic new virus cases reported Saturday. Ho Chi Minh City is the nation’s epicenter with more than 171,000 reported domestic patients out of the country’s 332,626 local cases since April 27, the

start of latest national outbreak. The city has recorded 80 percent of the country’s Covid-19 deaths.

Containment target

Authorities are increasingly concerned that months of tough antivirus measures have yet to contain the spread of Covid-19, and aim to further reduce movements by Ho Chi Minh City residents. They have already been restricted from leaving home and can do so for only essential reasons, such as getting food, seeking medical treatment or going to work-

sites approved by the government.

The government aims to contain the virus to pockets in Ho Chi Minh City by September 15, according to its web site.

Less than 2 percent of the nation of 98 million people have been fully vaccinated as of August 19, according to a statement posted on the web site of the health ministry’s publication Suc Khoe Doi Song.

Stricter movement restrictions are also being ordered in neighboring provinces including Dong Nai and Binh Duong, according to a state-

A9

of its duties. As the colors are dependent on the findings, the COA does not strut from one color to another to merely “adapt” or blend in to the “colors” of any administration. To chastise COA for flagging the DOH’s “gray deficiencies,” or reflecting PPA’s “brown purchases” (luxurious infinity pool), and exposing OWWA’s “violet purchases” (uber-expensive hygiene kits) is to tell the COA to defy its nature or mandate. It would be anathema to its constitutionally enshrined characteristic—transparency!

While we can commend those who exemplify transparency in all of their dealings, we stand with anticipation that they can multiply and influence many others to do the same. It is always possible for all of us to live a transparent life, especially when we dedicate our lives to Jesus Christ.

We can “walk our talk” one step at a time, without fear of rejection for our failures or struggles, by knowing who we are in Christ. Our identity rests in Him alone. Seeing Him as our exemplar, we can intentionally walk in obedience to God’s word, which calls for truthfulness, honesty and integrity, without fear or favor.

On this note, it may be best to be reminded of what the Bible says about transparency: “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” (James 1:2324) COA will always stand behind and defend its audit of government transactions, without fear or favor.

COA is as transparent as it ought to be. If doing so will earn the ire of those onion-skinned, COA might as well join the species of endangered chameleons.

COA “walks the talk,” “works without fear or favor,” and “bears witness.”

As believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we can follow His transparency model, COA-style, without fear or favor. In all our dealings, we can continually grow as we “walk” with Christ, “work” for Christ, and be a “witness” for Christ, without any fear of any punch or counterpunch!

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.

For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

The United States Court of Appeals appropriately recognized it as a legitimate business need when it rendered the following statement: “What corporate purpose could be considered more essential than key man insurance? The business that insures its buildings and machinery and automobiles from every possible hazard can hardly be expected to exercise less care in protecting itself against the loss of two of its most vital assets—managerial skill and experience.”

The author is a risk management consultant and Editor of Insurance Philippines magazine.

ment on the government’s web site.

That region is dotted with industrial parks—home to suppliers of global brands.

Hundreds of police officers from different parts of the country are being sent to Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong province to assist with enforcement of the restrictions, according to the government statement. Likewise, thousands of doctors and other medical professionals have been arriving in the southern region to assist with the growing number of patients.

A10 Monday, August 23, 2021

House to rush ‘responsive’ ’22 budget after lockdown

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By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

S the House of Representatives is expected to resume plenary sessions on Monday (today), lawmakers vowed to work double time to pass a “reflective and responsive” 2022 national budget on time.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said the House has to work double time on pending measures with the 2022 national budget as its top priority.

The House went on a two-week suspension due to the imposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region amid the surge in Covid-19 infections.

“We will tackle as many bills and resolutions as possible to make up for the time lost during the ECQ,” Velasco said.

The Speaker said the chamber is anticipating the submission by the Executive Department of the National Expenditure Program (NEP), which contains the proposed

P5.024-trillion national budget for 2022.

The Department of Budget and Management said it is eyeing to submit the proposed national budget on August 23.

Once the NEP is received by Congress, Velasco said the House Committee on Appropriations will begin the budget deliberations as soon as possible.

“We are ready to carry out our constitutional duty of carefully scrutinizing the NEP and eventually pass a national budget that is truly reflective and responsive to the needs of Filipinos as Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on people’s lives and the economy,” Velasco said.

Romualdez, who chairs the

House Comm it tee on Ru les, said, “we resume our sessions on Monday from a two-week break triggered by ECQ in support of government’s effort to stop the surge of Covid-19 cases. Our primary concern is the immediate passage of the 2022 national budget.”

A recent memora ndum is sued by Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza provides that the House will resume plenary sessions on August 23 under the hybrid platform.

The sessions shall be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with only the Speaker or his duly designated deputies; the Majority Leader and Minority Leader or their respective representatives; and a limited number of Secretariat personnel physically present inside the session hall. The rest of House members shall attend the session through videoconference.

Earlier, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Eric Yap said he wants the Palace to declare the P5.024-trillion 2022 national budget as urgent for its fast and smooth passage in Congress.

Yap said his committee will start its hearings on the national budget three days after its submission to Congress.

According to Yap, they are eyeing to pass the national budget on third and final reading by September 29 or 30.

With the health and economic impact of Covid-19, the government allocated the biggest chunk of its proposed P5-trillion NEP to health and education-related programs.

The Palace said the programs, which are collectively known as the social service sector, will get 38.3 percent or P1.922 trillion of the 2022 NEP. The economic service sector, which includes the government’s flagship infrastructure projects, got the second biggest allocation with P1.474 trillion.

The remaining were allocated to the general public services sector (P862.7 billion), debt burden (P541.3 billion), and defense sector (P224.4 billion).

I n t e r m s o f d e p a r t m e nt , the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and State Universities and Colleges, which were collectively known as education departments, received the highest budget allocation with P773.6 billion.

Continued on A4

COVID DEATHS UP 1,300% IN H1; IT’S NOW 5TH TOP PINOY KILLER

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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ESPITE spending over a year in lockdown, the nation still saw the number of Filipinos dying of Covid-19 increasing exponentially in the first semester of 2021, according to preliminary data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA said Covid-19 registered deaths reached 17,156 in the January to June 2021 period, a 1,300-percent increase over 1,225 deaths recorded in the same period last year.

This made Covid-19 the 5th top Filipino killer in 2021 compared to only 32nd in the same period in 2020. PSA, however, said this only included cases where Covid-19 virus was identified upon death.

“Registered deaths due to Covid-19 accounted for a total of 26,750 deaths or 8.8 percent of the total registered deaths from January to June 2021,” PSA said. This included deaths where the Covid-19 virus was not identified.

For deaths where Covid-19 was not identified but suspected, there were 9,594 cases in the January to June 2021 period. This was a 28.4-percent increase from the 7,472 cases recorded in the same period last year.

Among the 17 regions, PSA data

All set for RCI direct PHL-US sea route

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

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@jearcalas

OGISTICS firm Royal Cargo Inc. (RCI) will launch a direct Philippine-United States shipping route next month as a solution to the worsening global logistics problem to ensure the country’s food trade and security.

The company unveiled the plan during an August 13 meeting attended by government officials and industry players, documents obtained by the BusinessMirror showed. It was further confirmed by people familiar with the matter.

Those at the meeting were representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT), Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), among others.

The meeting was chaired by Export Development Council Networking Committee on Transport and Logistics (EDC-NCTL) Chairman Henry L. Basilio. During the meeting, RCI Chairman and Group CEO Michael Raeuber revealed that their subsidiary Iris Logistics Inc. will provide a “direct, non-stop” shipping service between the Philippines and the US starting mid-September.

The direct route is aimed at easing the burden experienced by both Filipino exporters and importers due to global shipping problems that have persisted since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The route would greatly help the country’s agriculture exports while ensuring food security through ontime delivery of food from the US, experts and people familiar with the matter told the BusinessMirror.

“Royal Cargo’s move augurs well in expanding the Philippines’s comparative advantages in exporting agriculture products,” economist Pablito M. Villegas told the BusinessMirror.

“Agriculture logistics is the major growth driver of our trade and Royal

Cargo fits well with that—it is well capitalized and has well-provisioned facilities that the government must take advantage of,” Villegas added.

The US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila said Royal Cargo’s plan “strengthens and safeguards” Philippine-US trade, particularly in terms of food supply.

“Further demonstrating the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific, this development strengthens and safeguards both countries’ respective supply chains, food security, and economic prosperity. The United States is proud to be one of the top export destinations for Philippine agricultural and food exports,” US Agricultural Counselor Morgan Haas told the BusinessMirror.

The Philippines’s top agricultural exports to the US include coconut oil, pineapples and pineapple products, raw sugar, carrageenan, tunas and activated carbon among others. On the other hand, the country’s top farm imports from the US are wheat, soybean meal and oil, milk and dairy products, and fruits, among others.

The direct shipping route will be undertaken by Iris Logistics with the start of empty container release slated on August 23 and is expected to depart the port of Manila on September 15. Iris will deploy its MV Iris Paoay, with a capacity of 1,100 twentyfoot equivalent units (TEUS) and 220 reefer slots, for the route.

The vessel will make calls at the ports of Cebu and Davao en route to the Port of Hueneme in California, allowing Cebu and Davao-based companies to save on domestic transshipment costs. And since it is a direct, non-stop service it will also eliminate the cost of transshipping to Singapore or other international ports.

The Manila-Cebu-Davao-Los Angeles-Manila route will take a total of 42.5 days (21 days Davao-Los Angeles and 20 days Los Angeles-Manila). The freight costs for the service would be based on prevailing market rates and “no unnecessary local charges will be imposed,” based on the documents.

showed that the National Capital Region (NCR) registered the highest number of Covid deaths with 9,980 or 37.3 percent of the total Covid-19 deaths from January to June 2021.

Calabarzon ranked second with 6,080 deaths or 22.7 percent of the total while Central Luzon came in third with 4,300 deaths or 16.1 percent of the total.

Data showed Cagayan Valley ranked fourth with 1,200 deaths or 4.5 percent of the total. Meanwhile, ARMM reported the least number of registered Covid-19 deaths with only 11 cases.

In terms of City, Quezon City reported the highest number of Covid deaths with 2,180 or 21.8 percent of the total Covid-19 deaths in the region from January to June 2021.

This was followed by the City of Manila and City of Pasig with 1,530 or 15.3 percent; and 1,010 or 10.2 percent of total Covid-19 deaths, respectively.

Top Filipino killers

APART from Covid-19, the disease that killed the most Filipinos was Ischaemic heart disease, which claimed the lives of 56,757 Filipinos in the first semester of 2021.

This was a 17.4-percent increase from the 48,338 Filipinos who died of the disease in the same period of 2020.

Continued on A4

Gordon hails 10-day Palace deadline for HCW benefits

S

ENATOR R ic h a rd J. Gor don, who initiated the motu proprio investigation on the delayed provision of health-care workers’ benefits, said President Duterte’s order to the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to process and release their backpay in 10 days is a significant development to the ongoing probe of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on the issue.

“We welcome the President’s order and we are glad that finally, our hardworking health-care workers will get their additional pay and benefits that have been long overdue,” Gordon said over the weekend.

Duterte announced the directive during his pre-recorded public address aired Saturday morning, where he ordered Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to use all money available in the agency to pay the health-care workers, both in public and private health institutions, as well as the volunteers.

It came three days following the Blue Ribbon’s investigation that heard the health workers’ plight during the pandemic.

“We have been fighting for our health-care workers’ welfare for so long as we recognize their role as very important to public health especially during the health crisis that we are currently dealing with. This is a very significant development to our investigation and we will not stop until the other issues concerning our health workers are resolved,” Gordon said.

On August 18, the Blue Ribbon, chaired by Gordon, started its investigation on the delayed provision of the health-care workers’ benefits, such as the active hazard duty pay (AHDP) and special risk allowance (SRA).

The probe was triggered by the Commission on Audit’s (COA) report on the DOH’s alleged mishandling of P67 billion worth of COVID funds, and following several complaints from health workers of nonpayment of their pandemic-related benefits, and the resignation of a big number of nurses.

See “Gordon,” A2

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, August 23, 2021

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Batangas Clean Energy exits liquefied natural gas race

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By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

ucio Tan-led Batangas Clean Energy Inc. (BCE) has dropped out of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) race after it failed to apply for a permit extension of its proposed multimillion dollar project.

Based on Department of Energy (DOE) statement last Friday, there are 6 proposed LNG terminal projects. These are FGEN LNG Corp.’s Interim FSRU and LNG Terminal project, Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company of Manila Inc.’s (AG&P) FSRU and Onshore Regasification, Energy World Gas Operations Philippines Inc.’s LNG storage and

regasification terminal project, the FSRU LNG terminal of Excelerate Energy L.P., the FSRU terminal project of Shell Energy Philippines Inc., and the FSRU terminal of Vires Energy Corp.

Four of which have been issued with Notices to Proceed (NTP), with an initial validity of six months, subject to further ex-

tensions for approval by the DOE. Meanwhile, FGEN and Energy World’s LNG projects are in the next phase and have been issued with permits to construct (PTC).

BCE’s NTP has expired, according to DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad. “ They are ver y responsive.

However, their NTP expired in February this year and they have yet to submit an extension or apply for the next phase,” said Abad when sought for comment on BCE’s LNG project status.

The project proponent was supposed to build an LNG storage and regasification terminal that would cost $735 million. The project, which was supposedly ready for commercial operation by first quarter of 2025, also includes the construction of a 1,100-MW gasfired power plant.

The project did not reach finan-

cial closing as industry experts noted the lack of an anchor market for the LNG project.

Meanwhile, FGEN’s project is currently under construction. Its commercial operation date (COD) is set for the third quarter of 2022.

The DOE is evaluating Energy World’s application for a PTC extension of 24 months. Its COD is set for the fourth quarter of next year.

AG&P is currently securing the necessary permits from other concerned government agencies and financial closing prior to construction. Its estimated COD is the second quarter of 2022.

Shell is also is securing permits in time for the COD set for the third quarter of 2022.

Vires Energy’s FSRU terminal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

The DOE has granted Exceler-

ate Energy two NTP extensions, the first—which was valid for six months as allowed by the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulations—was issued on May 27, 2020.

The second, due to force majeure brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, was issued on December 16, 2020 and was valid for three months.

At present, the DOE is evaluating Excelerate’s PTC application, while the company is securing the necessary permits from other concerned government agencies and financial closing prior to con-

struction. Its estimated COD is the third quarter of 2022.

“Attaining energy security may have been complicated by the current global health crisis. However, the DOE is seeing to it that we will be able to carry on. The Department continues to pursue all possible avenues that would help us break free from energy import dependence and provide the energy needs of future generations of Filipinos in a sustainable manner,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.

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Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, August 23, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

D.M. Wenceslao H1 income rises by 18% to ₧852.82M

By VG Cabuag

C

@villygc

onstruction firm D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc. said its income in the first semester went up by 18 percent to P852.82 million from last year’s P720.94 million.

The increase in D.M. Wenceslao’s income was mainly due to the lower tax levied on the company under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise Act. Revenues, meanwhile, dropped by 20 percent to P1.3 billion from last year’s P1.63 billion on weak real estate sales as it is fast running out of condominium units to sell.

Residential revenues dropped by 51 percent to P267 million as only P110 million in revenues were booked for Pixel Residences during

the period, down from P517 million last year.

Pixel Residences is already near full completion and turnover, with little remaining unrecognized revenues. Meanwhile, revenues from MidPark Towers reached P156 million from only P29 million last year.

“While we avidly await a fullblown recovery, we remain vigilant of risks arising from the still-ongoing Covid pandemic, including the more contagious delta variant and the stricter lockdown measures implemented to curb a surge in cases,”

Masongsong: Corruption allegations are baseless

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

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ismissed National Electrification Administration (NEA) chief Edgardo R. Masongsong said over the weekend that no government funds were used to finance the campaign of the PHILRECA partylist during the 2019 elections.

“I have been relieved as NEA Administrator upon the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission [PACC] due to allegations of corruption.

These are allegations that I have addressed in the course of the PACC’s inquiry into these accusations, and the records will show that I have fully cooperated with the PACC—fully confident in the knowledge that these allegations are baseless, and that if granted due process and the opportunity to defend myself I can establish that I am innocent of any wrongdoing,” Masongsong said in a statement.

President Duterte announced Masongsong’s termination in a taped speech aired Saturday.

Masongsong cited a review of the NEA’s Commission on Audit reports which, at the time of the PACC’s allegations, showed no wastage of government funds.

“It should also be noted that during my tenure as NEA chief, the agency twice received the highest audit rating from COA, evidence of the agency’s efforts towards transparency in its financial operations,” he said.

Last May, Masongsong said PACC’s allegations were “baseless and malicious.”

“My alleged ‘condoning of the use of public funds to fund the political campaign of PHILRECA Party-list’ is baseless, malicious and a reckless presumption considering that no public funds were ever manipulated for the said purpose,” he said.

PHILRECA, the umbrella organization of the 121 electric cooperatives (ECs) across the country, had denied this.

The NEA oversees the operations of the ECs. Masongsong’s replacement has yet to be announced by Malacañang.

CEB focuses on cargo operations

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udget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) said the pandemic has forced the group to “pivot” to maximize the use of its planes given that the majority of its passenger services are still suspended due to the lockdowns.

Xander Lao, Chief Commercial Officer at Cebu Pacific, said the group is now focusing on growing its cargo business, which has become more indispensable today that supports the continuous supply chain flow.

“We continue to make sure the transport of essential goods remains unhampered as we ramp-up our cargo operations and capabilities. This past year has enabled us to pivot our business and focus on maximizing the use of our fleet, including our freighters, to ensure logistics support is fully covered,” Lao said.

During the first quarter, Cebu Air Inc. reported a 27-percent growth in cargo revenues to P2.81 billion from P2.22 billion the year prior, with cargo sales accounting for 48 percent of the airlines’ total revenues.

From January to June, Cebu Pa-

cific transported 53.8 million kilograms worth of shipment, and in the second quarter alone, it carried a total of 28.7 million kg of goods across its domestic and international networks.

Lao said international cargo remains a key component. Commodities transported by the airline include electronics, automotive parts, aquaculture products, medical goods, fruits, and flowers.

He added that the budget carrier “continues to transport life-saving vaccines from abroad to the Philippines, and across its widest domestic network.”

So far, Cebu Pacific has carried over 16.5 million vaccine doses from China, on top of over 7 million flown across 23 provinces in the country.

In June, the airline said it is “cautiously optimistic” that it can bounce back to its pre-pandemic operating level by 2022, given the pace of the vaccine rollout at the local government level as well as the launch of the vaccination programs of the private sector. Lorenz S. Marasigan

Delfin Angelo Wenceslao, the company’s CEO, said.

“As risks continue to emerge, we highlight the importance of having a conservatively-managed balance sheet which so far has allowed us to support our stakeholders throughout this pandemic, to continue to distribute dividends to our shareholders, and to pounce on opportunities that presented themselves.”

The company said its recurring income consisting of rentals from land, building and other revenues, such as common use service area fees remained stable at P974 million, accounting for 78 percent of total revenues. The company’s building leasing portfolio maintained an occupancy rate of 90 percent.

Total construction revenue for the first half fell by 86 percent to just P2.2 million from P15.6 million last year primarily due to decrease in construction activities rendered to external customers.

This year, the company focused its construction resources on completing its on-going internal projects, the company said.

For the second quarter alone, the company’s income grew 10 percent to P300.79 million from last year’s P271.79 million.

Revenues for the quarter, meanwhile, grew by a mere 5 percent to P562.4 million from last year’s P535.78 million.

Megawide net loss

Meanwhile, Megawide Construction Corp. said it posted an attributable net loss of P92.84 million for the first semester, narrower than last year’s loss of P289.62 million.

Consolidated revenues grew 22 percent to P7.81 billion from last year’s P6.41 billion.

Its construction business posted a net income of P353 million for the first half, reversing the P303-million loss in the same period last year, the company said.

For the second quarter alone, the company posted a net loss of P95.69 million, smaller than last year’s P490.57-million loss.

Gross revenues for the quarter more than doubled to P3.98 billion from last year’s P1.44 billion.

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

Share prices recovered last week, with the main index returning to the 6,600-point level, as investors picked up bargain stocks.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 313.03 points to close at 6,633.22 points.

The main index was up for four straight trading sessions before succumbing to profit-taking on Friday as the government announced the new quarantine classification for Metro Manila.

Average daily trading for the week was again low at P5.22 billion as foreign investors, which made up only 39 percent of the trade, sold P1.75 billion.

All other subindices closed in the green, with the exception of the Mining and Oil index that fell 450.33 points to close at 9,149.66 points.

The broader All Shares index was up 146.78 to 4,123.72, the Financials index gained 9.67 to 1,429.32, the Industrial index rose 425.40 to 9,649.02, the Holding Firms index surged 421.10 to 6,609.69, the Property index added 183.17 to 3,119.67 and the Services index climbed 62.71 to 1,635.93.

For the week, gainers edged losers 119 to 98 and 32 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers for the week were Emperador Inc., Macay Holdings Inc., Alliance Global Group Inc., Keppel Philippines Holdings Inc. B shares, JG Summit Holdings Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Corp. and Ever-Gotesco Resources and Holdings Inc. Top losers were Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp. B, Manila Mining Corp.

A, United Paragon Mining Corp., Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp., Grand Plaza Hotel Corp., Asiabest Group International Inc. and Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp.

This week

Share prices may continue to go up this week, but trading is expected to be muted as investors are still on a wait-and-see mode due to the impact of lockdowns on the economy.

“In light of the August lockdowns, the impact of which will likely be carried over to September due to still-rising Covid cases, managing expectations over the next quarters will be key in navigating the mostly-cyclical equities market,” broker 2TradeAsia said.

It said many investors are downgrading their projections on the country’s GDP growth for the third quarter. Economic growth may pick up pace in the fourth quarter, depending on how the government can manage Covid-19 infections.

The broker said the GDP’s downward revision may range between 50 to 250 basis points, with steep sensitivity to length and the gravity of lockdowns in the coming weeks.

“With the ‘Ghost Month’ drawing to a close and fund raising activities vying for market attention, it would be wise to monitor volume flows and brace for intra-day volatility,” it said.

Immediate support for the main index is seen at 6,400 to 6,500 points and resistance at 6,800 points.

Stock picks

Broker Regina Capital Development Corp. said it is revising its target price on Marcventures Holdings Inc. (MARC) to P0.90 per share and placed a hold on its stock despite the relatively healthy project pipeline and the elevated global nickel prices “Our current target price offers no upside potential from the last trading,” the broker said.

Marcventures experienced a strong three-day breakdown earlier this month, but it seems that it has since found a relatively stable footing at P0.96, the broker said.

“If the selling pressure continues to mount, MARC’s next strong support is at P0.91, a level the stock last saw in Oct 2020,” it said.

Marcventures shares closed Friday at P0.93 apiece.

Meanwhile, the broker is upgrading the fair value price for Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. to P1.50 per share given the improved market conditions relative to its downward revision last year.

It is also upgrading its recommendation to buy the stock since it provides a significant upside.

“The stock is still confined below its major moving averages, meaning that it is still trading at a discount relative to its historical average. Indicators are nonetheless picking up on this and showing buy signs,” the broker said.

“We are seeing a slight upward bias that may push Cemex closer to its immediate resistance at P1.30. There is a risk of pullback, however, once it reaches this level if we base it on the stock’s historical movement. There is not enough momentum to lead to a breach. Cemex has yet to return to its pre-pandemic levels.”

Cemex shares closed last week at P1.23 apiece. VG Cabuag

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Monday, August 23, 2021

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Influencers to pay taxes via digital platform

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

N organization of content creators and social-media influencers in the Philippines assured the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) that its members are willing to pay the right taxes, but asked the tax agency to ease the burden of tax compliance by using digital platforms.

The Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP) welcomed the Revenue Memorandum Circular 97-2021 recently issued by the BIR, saying this is an opportunity for them to show how important it is

for them to fulfill their obligation as citizens to pay proper taxes.

“That said, we hope the BIR recognizes that we in the organization, as well as the vast community of Influencers, conduct business digitally,”

Auctioning off digital banking license posed

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

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O help the government raise new money needed to address Covid-19 pandemic, a lawmaker on Sunday said the national government should consider an auction system for lucrative digital banking licenses.

House Assistant Majority Leader and Cebu Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas Sr. posed his recommendation after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) decided to stop accepting applications for new digital bank licenses effective September 1 and to close the window for three years.

“An auction format will allocate the digital banking licenses to private parties that value them the most and provide government additional non-tax income at the same time,” Gullas said.

“There are still many parties out there that clearly want to venture into digital banking; so an auction of additional licenses might be viable,” Gullas said.

The BSP has said the monetary board believes the closure of the application will help them maintain a stable and competitive environment for these new digital banks.

According to BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno, the closure of the application window will allow the BSP to monitor the performance and impact of digital banks on the banking system and their contribution to the financial inclusion agenda.

Citing the Department of Finance, Gullas said the BSP is a huge source of non-tax government revenue, remitting a total of P40.53 billion in cash dividends to the national treasury in 2020 alone.

“There’s no question that a digital banking license can be gainful,” Gullas said noting that 51.2 million adult Filipinos, or 72 percent of the country’s adult population, remain unbanked.

“We expect more Filipinos to open digital banking accounts in light of the dramatic shift to online transactions induced by the pandemic.”

Under BSP guidelines, a digital bank “offers financial products and services that are processed end-to-end through a digital platform and/or electronic channels with no physical branch/subbranch or branch-lite unit offering financial products and services.”

Parties that wish to operate a digital bank pay application fee of only P250,000 plus a license fee of P12.5 million.

In contrast, parties applying for a brick-and-mortar universal bank pay an application fee of P500,000 and a license fee of P25 million.

The BSP has so far issued digital banking licenses to five entities: UNObank, an affiliate of Singapore’s DigibankASIA Pte. Ltd.; TONIK Digital Bank Inc., a subsidiary of Singapore’s TONIK Financial Pte. Ltd.; Union Digital Bank, a firm controlled by Union Bank of the Philippines; Overseas Filipino Bank, a unit of the stateowned Land Bank of the Philippines; and GOtyme, a joint venture between the Gokongwei Group and Singapore’s TymeBank.

Besides the five, the BSP said it is currently processing the digital banking applications of two other unnamed aspirants.

PayMaya Philippines Inc. earlier said it intends to launch a digital bank after its parent, Voyager Innovations Inc., raised $167 million for the purpose.

Publicly listed AbaCore Capital Holdings Inc. also previously disclosed that its unit, Philstar Development Bank, is forming a joint venture with SquidPay Technology Inc. to go into digital banking.

In the past, Philippine National Bank and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. likewise bared separate plans to apply for a digital banking license.

the CICP said in its statement. “We hope the BIR will soon introduce certain mechanisms that will ease the burden of tax compliance by using these digital platforms, not only for the benefit of the Influencers, but also for the benefit of all taxpayers.”

The group said they’d be “happy” to engage the BIR in a dialogue “about these initiatives.”

Moreover, the group also said they are currently crafting a Code of Ethics on content standards, fair dealing, transparency, social responsibility and compliance with the law.

It also commended the BIR for issuing the circular, which provided information as to how their members could benefit from certain tax treaties between the Philippines and its partner countries for them to avoid double taxation.

“The Circular is a timely reminder of the values that we champion for

our members and the broader influencer community. For this, we are thankful for the BIR in giving this opportunity not only for us to promote the organization’s core values, but also for us to show that we are doing our part as responsible citizens of this country,” it said.

Last week, the BIR issued a circular to remind social-media influencers to pay their income and business taxes as they may be held criminally liable for failing to comply with their tax obligations.

Unless exempted in line with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, the BIR on Monday said social-media influencers shall be liable to pay income tax and business tax, which may either be percentage tax or value-added tax (VAT).

Finance Undersecretary Antonette C. Tionko earlier said they

are hoping to capture more revenues from social-media influencers as they are also required to register with the BIR and pay their taxes.

Tionko, who heads the revenue operations group of the Department of Finance, said the government has also made it easier for local online sellers and people with online transactions to register.

In its circular, the BIR said it has been receiving reports that certain social-media influencers have not been paying their income taxes despite earning huge income from different platforms. Apart from this, the tax agency also cited reports that social-media influencers are not registered with the BIR or are registered under different tax types or line of business but are also not declaring their earnings from social-media platforms for tax purposes.

Individual taxpayers earning a taxable annual income not exceeding P250,00 are exempted from paying income tax, under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law or Republic Act 10963.

Those with gross revenues not exceeding P3 million a year are also exempt from paying VAT, but they are liable to percentage tax.

Those who will attempt to evade or defeat tax may be punished by a fine not less than P500,000 but not more than P10 million and suffer imprisonment of not less than 6 years but not more than 10 years.

Failure to file return, supply correct and accurate information, pay tax, withhold and remit tax and refund excess taxes withheld on compensation may be fined by not less than P10,000 and suffer imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than 10 years.

CIC requires online registration in bid to go paperless

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

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HE Credit Information Corp.

(CIC) announced it is streamlining its processes to accommodate contactless and paperless registration of its submitting financial institutions.

In a statement over the weekend, the country’s public credit registry and repository of credit information said it has issued changes to its requirements and guidelines to put the entire registration process online and without the need for hard copies.

CIC President and CEO Ben Joshua A. Baltazar said that as of date, the government-owned and controlled corporation has 606 sub-

mitting entities in production and other lending entities—numbering over a thousand—are still in the registration phase of onboarding for submission.

“We streamlined and simplified the entire registration process so we can stay true to our mandate of providing reliable and standardized information on the credit history of borrowers,” Baltazar, a lawyer, added.

Under Republic Act 9510 or the Credit Information System Act (CISA), submitting entities are financial institutions that provide credit facilities and are required by law to submit both positive and negative credit data of their clients to the CIC database.

To be registered, submitting en-

tities are required to submit their Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Cooperation, and their Secretary’s Certificate, to the CIC’s Data Submission Team for review.

Once verified and found eligible, the entity will receive a link to the CIC’s Online Submitting Entity Information Sheet (SEIS), which will automatically generate the documents for signature of their authorized representative.

Upon validation of the submitted documents, the CIC will assign a provider code to the submitting entity, together with the credentials to access the Covered Entity (CE) Portal where the submitting entity shall encode its batch operators or the

designated persons to submit data to the CIC. “These changes apply in full for new registrants but for SEs that are already registered, there is no need to resubmit the requirements. They just need to update their SEIS through the CE Portal, which shall automatically generate the needed forms and templates such as the Secretary’s Certificate,” Baltazar said.

As of end of July, the CIC houses the credit data of 28 million borrowers or unique individuals with 97 million contract data composed primarily of installment transactions with 72.4 million records, followed by credit cards at 23.3 million, and 1.2 million non-installment transactions.

Lawmakers urged to prioritize new school tax-rate bill

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ITH most students attending classes this month, a senior lawmaker on Sunday urged Congress to work overtime to pass corrective legislation defining the tax rates for proprietary schools and allowing them to enjoy a 1-percent preferential tax rate until June 30, 2023.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr. admitted the bill will not be passed on time. Hence, he called on his colleagues to at least pass it in September at the latest.

He added the corrective legislation will spell “big relief” for schools and will hopefully enable them to keep their teachers and even hire new ones for the coming school year.

“The House leadership should hold meetings via Zoom so lawmakers can work on priority measures like the substitute bill correcting the tax rates for proprietary schools, as well as the 2022 budget and a possible new set of Covid response measures

amid the ECQ [enhanced community quarantine] in Metro Manila and selected parts of the country to contain the surge of the more contagious Delta variant,” he said.

Villafuerte is among the principal authors of House Bill 9913. That bill seeks to clarify Section 27 (B) of the Tax Code by specifying the tax rates on proprietary educational institutions and non-profit hospitals.

“Section 27 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) creates an ambiguity as to whom the preferential tax rates apply to. Specifically, as to the qualifications, i.e. proprietary and nonprofit. An effective tax administration system is one that is clear and unambiguous and can easily be followed by both the tax office and the taxpayer,” he said.

The Lower Chamber already approved the bill on second reading.

“To remedy this ambiguity and protect the Constitutional mandate

of incentivizing proprietary educational institutions, this measure seeks to amend Sec. 27(B) to clearly indicate that the preferential tax rate shall apply to: a. all proprietary educational institutions, including those that are stock and for profit: and b. nonprofit hospitals,” Villafuerte added.

HB 9913 was in response to the plea of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA), following a recent regulation issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) increasing the tax rate of private educational institutions to 25 percent from 10 percent.

The BIR had issued Revenue Regulation (RR) 5-2021 based on the condition that proprietary educational institutions must be “nonprofit” to enjoy the reduced rate of 1 percent as a result of the passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises, or Create, law.

Amid appeals from the Cocopea, other school-based groups and lawmakers, the BIR subsequently issued RR 14-2021 suspending the previous regulation.

“We hope that the bill will be passed soon and signed into law so that private schools now reeling from the impact of the pandemic would be able to continue operating and hire more teachers and support staff that are badly needed now that we are seeing another school year with classes that are likely to be conducted mostly online,” the lawmaker said.

Villafuerte, however, expressed concern over the certainty that the passage of the bill, along with the deliberations on other priority measures, such as the 2022 national budget, would be delayed if the House leadership insists on stopping all work in the chamber altogether while Metro Manila is under ECQ. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Insular Life’s paid ₧3.9B in claims, benefits in 2020

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he Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd. announced it paid P3.9 billion in claims and benefits in 2020.

Insular Life President and CEO Raoul E. Littaua said most of the claims paid were for living benefits, composed of anticipated endowments, cash allowances, annuities and maturity benefits to policyholders themselves.

Of the total, 84.5 percent of all claims amounting to P3.2 billion and $1.9 million for dollar policies were for living benefits.

On the other hand, company, death and disability claims in 2020 amounted to about P591.72 million.

“People might think that life insurance proceeds are for last expenses only, or for death claims.

But the reality is that an overwhelming majority of benefits payout are for the insured themselves,

so that they can use their funds at a time like this,” Littaua said.

“This only shows how powerful life insurance can be in terms of its ability to save money and grow it over time,” he added.

Littaua also said they make sure that all valid claims are paid as soon as possible.

“It is the ultimate test of our core purpose, why we exist as a company,” he said.

Since the pandemic last year up until the first half of this year, Littaua said the company has introduced product innovations that are focused on health and protection.

“As the economy recovers, people would look to resuming their saving and investment activities.

We can help them navigate through the various funds depending on their risk appetite. Included in our portfolio are global funds which currently are bringing in double-

digit returns.” Littaua added.

Insular Life is the country’s largest Filipino life insurer and the only mutual life insurance company in the Philippines. As a mutual life company this means that it is owned by its policyholders.

In 2020, Insular Life posted a net income of P2.7 billion and a premium income of P10.37 billion, based on its submitted unaudited Quarterly Reports on Selected Financial Statistics to the Insurance Commission.

Its net worth stood at P28.22 billion while its total assets reached P140.93 billion.

A week ago, Insular Life announced it garnered an award from Singapore-based Charlton Media Group Pte. Ltd. for the fifth consecutive year as “Domestic Life Insurer of the Year-Philippines.”

“The award affirms [the firm’s] purpose of providing a ‘lifetime

for good’ as it continues to serve Filipinos amidst the Covid-19 pandemic by delivering on its promises to its policyholders through payment of claims and benefits and continuous servicing via digital applications,” the insurer said in a statement.

Insular Life said it kept all its employees with full salaries and benefits while on varying work arrangements.

“It monetized the incentive trips and awards, as well as cash gifts to its agency force to help them adjust to the economic setbacks,” the insurance firm said.

“For the bigger community, it fed depressed communities, distributed medical necessities to frontliners in hospitals, and provided free insurance and medical protection to medical as well as to other essential workers.”

Bernadette D. Nicolas

ESG RISKS The Norges Bank, Norway’s central bank, stands in Oslo, Norway, March 25, 2020. Norway will

extend drastic measures imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus for three weeks, as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise and the richest Nordic economy keeps slowing down. Bloomberg News

HarvardManagementUpdate BusinessMirror BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph Monday, August 23, 2021 b4

Monday, July 13, 2020 B www.businessmirror.com.ph

It’s time to re-onboard everyone ‘I

By Liz Fosslien

’m the most tenured person on my team,” my friend Joyce, a senior marketing manager, told me. “But I feel like a new hire.”

and cuts down the time it takes for them to get up and running. But new hires aren’t the only people who could benefit from this type of structured support. Right now, everyone at your company needs some form of onboarding.

If you’re a leader, here are five steps you should encourage managers to take this fall: n Kick off with connection: During periods of high turnover, you need to be especially intentional about creating opportunities for employees to get to know each other. To set your team up for success, invest in emotional connection as soon as possible and as often as possible. Schedule random, 30-minute one-on-ones between members and kick meetings off with a lighthearted prompt. (A personal favorite: “What food is underrated?”) Rituals are also a great way to create space for people to open up. Try “High, Low, Ha,” where team members share one highlight from their week, one low point and one thing that made them laugh. n Welcome unique contributions: One of the first messages

your reports should hear is that they will be valued for everything that sets them apart. In an onboarding experiment, researchers randomly assigned new hires to one of three different welcome sessions. The first prompted people to reflect on how their unique perspectives could help them succeed in their new roles, another asked them to think about why they were proud to join the company, and the third focused on skills training. After six months, employees in the first group were less likely to have quit and delivered higher customer satisfaction

WWW.FREEPIK.COM

Despite having worked at her company for four years, a slew of recent changes had left Joyce feeling unmoored. After her manager quit in June, Joyce worked in a state of limbo for a month until she got a new boss. She started going back to the office two days a week, but soon stopped due to concerns about the Delta variant.

Three of her teammates left and were replaced by four new hires.

“I barely know anyone on my team,” Joyce continued. “I can dig up documents really easily, but other than that, I might as well have joined yesterday.”

Joyce isn’t alone in feeling new to a company she’s worked at for years. As an expert on emotions at work and the head of content at Humu, a company focused on workplace behavioral change, I regularly help leaders, managers and teams establish better ways of working. In the data and in conversations, I’ve seen two forces that are destabilizing employees: unprecedented turnover and uncertainty. The number of people switching jobs has skyrocketed, in what experts are calling the “Great Resignation.” At the same time, teams are starting to transition to new forms of hybrid work they have little experience with.

These upheavals mean that even longtime employees may now feel they’re starting from scratch.

That has enormous implications for performance, innovation and well-being. When we start working in a new environment, we tend to feel insecure because we haven’t had a chance to prove ourselves yet. Our self-doubt makes us less likely to suggest out-of-the-box ideas, ask questions or take needed breaks.

Great onboarding helps individuals regain their confidence

scores. Ask your direct reports to reflect on what they’re good at and how they can apply those skills to their current roles. Based on these conversations, assign tasks that let individuals showcase their abilities. In team meetings, explicitly recognize novel suggestions. Try something like, “I hadn’t thought of it that way, thanks for pointing that out.” n Help people learn who knows what: The most effective

teams have a high level of “shared knowledge,” or a collective understanding of individual expertise—who’s responsible for what, and how everyone works together.

To build shared knowledge, create early opportunities for team members to collaborate and discover each other’s unique talents.

You can also start an email thread or channel where team members can post a problem and others who have relevant experience can share insights.

n Rally everyone around a three-month mission: Quick wins

boost motivation and confidence.

To empower your team to accomplish shared victories early on, unite the group around an ambitious but achievable short-term goal. Alex, an engineering manager, set a three-month mission for his team to launch a new product feature customers had been asking about for years. Having a specific, impactful goal made it easier for the group to establish clear roles and processes.

n Set clear cultural expectations: When you’re new, seemingly small uncertainties (“Can I turn my video off during longer calls?”) can become a big source of stress. To combat these anxieties, schedule time for your team to agree on cultural and emotional norms. Science shows that setting clear expectations can have a powerful influence on employee performance. Here are a few prompts

to get you started: How can we ensure teammates who aren’t in the office still have a voice? How will we track progress and update each other throughout the week?

How do we each prefer to receive feedback? What guidelines should we set for meetings? Make sure to write your answers down, and save them where they’re easily accessible to everyone. n Reinforce healthy, productive norms with recognition:

Showcasing stellar work or giving kudos for supportive behaviors is one of the fastest ways to boost motivation and positively reinforce healthy norms. Consider celebrating the efforts of a small group of people, rather than just one person or everyone. In a field experiment, researchers split employees into groups of eight, then randomly sent either the top performer, the top three performers or everyone in the group a thank-you card for their

efforts. Recognizing the top three performers in a group led to the strongest overall performance increase. You should also create opportunities for peers to recognize each other. Research shows that getting a compliment from a colleague can make new hires feel connected to the organization even faster than receiving praise from a manager. At Humu, we created a Slack channel called #cheersforpeers. Every month, anyone who has been mentioned in the channel or who recognized someone else is eligible for a raffle prize.

High turnover, the shift to hybrid work and continued uncertainty about the future mean that your entire workforce may be feeling unmoored. By re-onboarding everyone, managers can boost team cohesion, performance and well-being.

Liz Fosslien is the head of content at Humu.

Encourage your employees to give you critical feedback

By Scott Edinger

I

t’s been 10 years since “Making Yourself Indispensable,” the Harvard Business Review article I wrote with John H. Zenger and Joseph Folkman, was published. In the piece we provided a model for leaders to get useful and actionable feedback on their performances.

As I recently reread the article, I was struck by a statement we made about using informal 360 reviews to get feedback from colleagues and direct reports. We wrote: “Do your best to exhibit receptiveness and to create a feeling of safety (especially for direct reports).

Make it clear that you’re seeking self-improvement. Tell your colleagues explicitly that you are open to negative feedback and that you will absorb it professionally and appropriately — and without retribution. Of course, you need to follow through on this promise, or the entire process will fail.”

Unlike formal 360 reviews, which usually involve anonymous surveys, informal 360s are based on direct conversations with team members. An informal 360 can be incredibly valuable for leaders

as a means to seek feedback as well as develop stronger alliances with colleagues. However, as I’ve worked with leaders and teams using informal 360s over the past 10 years, I’ve realized we may have understated the challenges associated with getting actionable feedback from colleagues in this face-to-face assessment format.

There are two important points I would like to add to “Making Yourself Indispensable” to help leaders get more out of an informal 360:

The good stuff is easy. The ‘fatal flaws’ are much, much harder to uncover: In our original article

we didn't go far enough when we recommended telling your colleagues that you were "open to negative feedback.” That implied that getting direct reports to share their thoughts candidly about your weaknesses would be easily accomplished. But most people are incredibly loath to say anything negative, and it will take some serious effort on your part to enable the people you work with to tell you the truth.

I saw this in action recently when I was hired as part of an executive coaching engagement to

work with an executive vice president in a Fortune 500 company.

I was talking with the company's CEO, who had hired me, about the performance of the EVP. The CEO shared some very direct feedback about this person that had not been aired quite so candidly in our previous chats. I asked the CEO if he had ever talked with the EVP about the issues he had just mentioned to me. He said no. I asked if I could share his thoughts with the EVP, and he backpedaled, asking if he could think about it first.

I share this example to highlight that even for the top executive in the company, it can be tough to share candid feedback if the stage is not properly set.

One benefit of an informal 360 is that whatever is shared is just between you and the person giving the feedback. This can create a valuable safe space for evaluators to get real with you about your impact as a leader. To make it work, however, you must first promise total amnesty to participants, and I don’t use that term lightly.

It can be extremely challenging to get people to share their true thoughts about your leadership weaknesses when hearing their

honest opinions might upset you.

This is doubly difficult if you have a history of getting angry or shooting the messenger.

You will need to go out of your way to invite opinions that others think you may not want to hear and to assure them that you will not respond defensively or with retribution. And then of course, you will need to make good on your promise.

You’ll find that it’s easy to get a colleague to share the good stuff that you’re doing. People naturally want you to feel good. But when an executive asks, “Tell me about my fatal flaws,” the response I’ve heard recounted dozens of times is, “Well, it’s not a fatal flaw, but… [insert critical leadership problem here].” This is a valuable clue that there is a serious issue and that you should seriously consider addressing it. Being attuned and open to candid feedback is extremely valuable in your efforts to become an exceptional leader.

The informal 360 process builds mutual trust in a way a formal survey cannot: While formal

surveys can provide a vehicle for anonymously sharing comments,

a common criticism is that comments lack depth or aren’t fully clear. The informal 360 stimulates a shift in the way people interact and have conversations. And since leadership is, at its core, a relational and interactive skill, the informal 360 facilitates a change in the way leaders discuss performance with their team members.

One beneficial effect of engaging in these open dialogues about areas where you can improve is that, over time, it builds the kind of trust that allows you to be frank with others. This is not to say that when you receive feedback, you should immediately turn around and deliver your own feedback to the other person. That old phrase about feedback being a gift doesn’t suggest “regifting” right away.

But graciously receiving feedback in the informal 360 can open a more productive dialogue about performance and the impact we have on others.

I’ve observed many instances when a leader was able to create an atmosphere of openness and trust, which changed the way colleagues interacted and discussed performance issues. The informal 360 process establishes that accepting

the perspectives of others should be the norm, even when people may not completely agree. One leader told me that as a result of this process, he and the president of a division had a more valuable relationship because they could openly address the challenging issues and dissenting opinions that had previously simmered beneath the surface.

It’s powerful when leaders acknowledge their weaknesses, demonstrate their commitment to development and make changes. The environment of trust you establish by graciously accepting feedback creates a collaborative two-way street. Directness and candor, when provided in the spirit of genuinely helping and supporting the growth of colleagues, can create a dynamic mindset that inspires meaningful change within teams.

We all grow together when we can truthfully speak about areas that need improvement.

The informal 360 is a valuable tool for increasing leadership competency and the key to making yourself indispensable.

Scott Edinger is founder of Edinger Consulting.

Style

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Monday, August 23, 2021

B5

STROKES Beauty Lab launched the Brow Artist Collection in 2020, which was a huge success.

RUPAUL wearing Zaldy FROM VH1

CLOCKWISE: PhiPhi O’Hara, Ongina, Mocha Diva (in Vince Sityar), Joggly Caliente, Jaja, Kyne, Rock M Sakura and Vivienne Pinay

MANILA LUZON photographed by BJ Pascual for @teammag in Rajo Laurel.

‘We’re all born naked and the rest is drag’

Happiness is in red THE collaboration between Japanese fashion brand Miniso and Coca-Cola brings a double dose of happiness, giving a new vitality to shopping with the fusion of young and classic brands.

Miniso is positioned as a lifestyle product retailer that young people want to visit, and the brand tone of Coca-Cola is happy and simple.

Significantly, both have red and white logos.

With this, the Miniso X CocaCola Collection comes in classic red and white, with designs that are vintage, fashionable and creative yet functional items. These include mugs and tumblers, tote bags, keychain with bottle opener, cosmetic pouch, lunch bags and other novelty pieces.

More information can be found at Miniso Philippines page on Facebook.

➜

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HEER. Clap. Shout. We are going to be blessed with not one but two queer spaces of love. In less than 24 hours, the country— or the LGBTQ sector—was jolted by the calls for auditions to Drag Den Philippines and Drag Race Philippines. Yes, drag glocalization is here with two sickening competitions coming to our shores.

Officially.

■ CHAMPION. Drag Den was teased for several months by Manila Luzon, the Fil-German/American who has championed Filipino culture in the global drag scene. She competed at RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR) Season 3, All Stars 1 and All Stars 4. Why she has her own show and why she wasn’t tapped to host Drag Race Philippines (like Season 11’s Brooke Lynn Hytes, a Canadian, for Drag Race Canada) sent fans into a frenzy. Some called shade. But the majority of fans are ecstatic that local drag artists will be showcased on a global scale.

Local queen Brigiding asked Manila on Drag Queen PH TV on YouTube what Drag Den is looking for.

Manila replied: “I think what it really will come down to is just: We want to know you, what you have to offer. I’m just here to set a stage and a platform for you queens to showcase to the Philippines what you’re all about. This is not about me and what I want you to be.

“It’s about what you can do and me allowing you the opportunity and the stage to do that and to be whoever you are. So we want the pretty queens. We want the funny queens. We want the wacky-doodle weird queens. We want the artsy queens. We want the talented queens. We want the ridiculous queens.

If you have these things about your drag, then come on and audition. Let’s do this. Let’s be on the show,” Manila mused.

“The Drag Race franchise has shined a spotlight on so many incredible queens from around the world and we are so excited to introduce audiences to the dazzling queens of the Philippines,” World of Wonder, the producer, released a statement on August 16. “WOW Presents Plus was created to serve as a springboard for underrepresented voices, so we are thrilled to exclusively premiere Drag Race Philippines on the platform for our global viewers.”

Then, RuPaul, the queen and champion of all drag queens, appeared in a video: “Calling all queens! If you think you have what it takes to become the first Drag Race superstar from the Philippines, we want to hear from you. Show us your charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent—and this could be the beginning of the rest of your life.”

■ GLAMAZON. Zaldy, the Fil-Am designer based in New York, has been making Ru’s clothes since the 1990s. So all the eleganza-extravaganza you see on the main stage, magazine covers and screen appearances are all made by Zaldy.

Ongina, the pocket Venus who bravely came out as HIV positive on Season 1 (2009), is the first Pinay doll on Drag Race. Manila was a runner-up on Season 3 (2011). The Fil-Portuguese PhiPhi O’Hara (now retired and known by his name Jaremi Carey) and Jiggly Caliente competed in Season 4 (2012). Vivienne Pinay (filed under Where Is She Now?) was in Season 5 (2013).

Fil-Vietnamese/American Rock M Sakura sashayed into the werkroom in Season 12 (2020). PhiPhi also competed in All Stars 2 (2016), Ongina in All Stars 5 (2020) while Jiggly is in the ongoing All Stars 6 (2021), where Fil-Am comedian Alec Mapa will be a guest judge on episode 11.

Kyne, who’s also a STEM genius, competed in Season 1 (2020) of Drag Race Canada. In Drag Race Thailand, the Pinay Power reps were Jaja in Season 1 (2018) and Mocha Diva (2019) in Season 2. In RPDR Season 9, the Cebu-based accessories brand Shandar provided the crown and scepter won by Sasha Velour.

■ HOT COUTURE. When Drag Den and Drag Race

Philippines start, it’s not only drag queens who will benefit from the massive exposure. Photographers will be tapped to shoot the queen’s Instagram editorials, makeup brands (Colourette? Ever Bilena?) will be scrambling to beat the dolls, and fabric stores (Carolina’s?) will be willing to sponsor. Add to this the Filipino songs that will be used in the Lip Sync for Your Life segment. And, of course, the trade or the Pit Crew of hot Pinoy muscles.

No tea, no shade, but not everyone can be a Carmen Farala (Drag Race Espanya winner), who can whip up two runway-ready garments in a day. Or a Ra’Jah O’Hara, who created all her looks for All Stars 6. The racers will need the help of our fashion designers, who are all too eager to lend their talents.

Manila is one of the fashion queens of Drag Race but her aesthetic edge is camp at its wittiest.

In fashion editorials, she has worn the creations of Filipino designers Frederick Peralta, Mara Chua, Marc Rancy, Renan Pacson, Francis Libiran and Rajo Laurel. Valentina, the Latina spitfire, has worn Mark Bumgarner. Ongina has collaborated with Patrick Isorena. Vince Sityar made a terno for Mocha Diva.

And Aquaria, winner of RPDR Season 10, was the image of SM Supermalls in 2019.

■ YOU’RE A WINNER, BABY. Even in lockdown, we know the drag scene is going into a happy tailspin.

Speculations are rife as to who will be the host-judge of Drag Race (Paolo Ballesteros? Vice Ganda? Roderick Paulate aka RoPaul?) Boy Abunda would be too highbrow. Perhaps makeup maven Patrick Starr? Socmed superstar Bretman Rock?

Cast predictions are the most dizzying—and dazzling. I wish to see Eva Papaya, Eve Le Queen, Holemn Cheque, OV Cunt, Captivating Katkat, Lady Gagita, Electrifying Amanda, Prince Marell, Bench (she’ll slay the Snatch Game as Sarah Geronimo), and Dee Dee Marie Holliday.

Whoever appears in Drag Den and Drag Race—as host, judge, contestant, crew—will have a career boost, a big paycheck, global recognition. That’s a big win for Filipino creatives—and representation.

Fasten your seat belts. It’s gonna be a bumpy—and addictive—ride. ■ SHARE the gift of happiness with this Coca-Cola shopping bag.

Available in three designs.

➜ SHOP at the nearest Miniso stores and get this Coca-Cola tote bag.

Beauty trends we have seen in quarantine

IN the nearly year and a half that we have been quarantined, a slew of trends in the beauty industry have come and gone. We started out in March 2020 thinking the pandemic would be over in a month or two, but we are still here and many went out with fully made-up faces and had skin-care routines.

So many things have changed since then and beauty-wise, we have dealt with so many issues including acne and allergies. We have thrown out expired makeup and skin-care products. We still wear makeup even under our masks but for now, skin care seems to be more important. We have witnessed the death of lipstick and the rise of colored balms. Blush, contour and highlight are strangers to most of us now.

Because many of us got into K-dramas and K-pop, more people are started to explore K-beauty and the ingredients and techniques that make it so ahead of its time.

Here are some of the beauty trends we love: ■ COLORED LIP BALMS. Nearly every brand had their version of this, from Colourette Cosmetics’ Colourbalm and Issy & Co’s Hydragloss to MAC Cosmetics’ Glow Play Balm and Benefit Cosmetics’ California Kissin’ ColorBalm. We all wanted lips that looked juicy and were moisturized. Being indoors meant we could have glossy lips without hair sticking to it.

■ HAVING ROOTS IS NOT SHAMEFUL. Before the pandemic, many of went to the salons or DIY-ed our roots every month but of course, these days there are more pressing concerns than gray hair. Besides, we could hide those roots on Zoom with a head band or a different hair part. Some men and women even opted to go completely gray. We were inspired by the beautiful Dawn Zulueta, who embraced her gray roots and stopped coloring her hair.

■ WE LOVE EYESHADOW PALETTES. Many of us stopped buying makeup but for some reason (mostly because wearing masks meant only our eyes can be seen), many still bought eyeshadow palettes, mascara and eyeliner.

■ SKIN CARE REIGNED SUPREME. The one area of beauty most explored was skin care. Even those who just cleansed their faces pre-quarantine started to become interested in toning, moisturizing and applying sunscreen. Sales of skin-care products grew worldwide even though the beauty industry suffered in general in 2020.

■ K-BEAUTY. The Hyun Bin-Son Ye-jin hit series Crash Landing On You gave Hallyu an even bigger push toward the mainstream so we explored serums, essences, tone-up creams and water gels, hoping it would help us achieve the nearly translucent skin of K-drama leading ladies.

■ LETTING OUR BROWS GROW OUT. We could not visit our favorite brow bars and we did not care as much. Maybe it was kind of a big deal at first until we realized we could fake it with brow products. Momoi Isupe, who is considered a brow genius, launched Strokes Beauty Lab and their first line was a range of brow products called Brow Artist Collection. The star product was the Microblade Pen Perfector.

■ EMBRACING OUR FLAWS. Perhaps the most important beauty trend was people simply becoming more relaxed about their flaws, including acne, hyper-pigmentation and extra weight. Some would call it letting go, but we prefer to say it is about loving ourselves and embracing our imperfections.

B6 Monday, August 23, 2021

Be a BIDA and help pandemic-hit schools with as little as P50 donation! and assist them in addressing other equally important school maintenance resource gaps.

#BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta, Sing and Share

FIRST BIDA ESKWELA IN 2020. Delivering of brand new printer, printing materials for the Aeta community at Biaan Aeta Intergrated School in Mariveles, Bataan (left) and bond paper supplies and learner kits at Daan Taligaman Elementary School Bugsukan, Butuan City (right).

I

N its commitment to continuously support education regardless of time, space or threats, volunteer-powered group, I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) is calling on everyone to join hands anew in its fundraising campaign called Bigay-Ayuda para sa Eskwela or BIDA Eskwela Year 2.

The multi-awarded non-profit organization aims to raise at least P200,000 in 50 days from every donor’s P50 or singkwenta pocket donations with #BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta. Collections from this social media push will help select underprivileged schools in the Philippines that have been equally affected by the ongoing pandemic.

Now on its second year, BIDA Eskwela targets to send supplemental aid to 20 initial beneficiaries from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that include schools in Pangasinan, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Bulacan, Romblon, Rizal, Metro Manila, Antique, Bukidnon, Agusan Del Norte,

Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, and Zamboanga City.

The nationwide, digital-centric donation drive runs starting August 5 to September 24, in time for the opening of School Year 2021-2022 next month.

“During these pressing times, our communities need hope to cope with the challenges brought by the dragging effect of the pandemic,” says Sarah Butad, project lead of BIDA Eskwela Year 2. “With our #BIDAEskwela initiative, I am M.A.D. is in continuous pursuit of giving assistance to select underprivileged schools in the country to help deliver quality education to the future nation builders whatever the circumstance is.”

Depending on the actual auxiliary needs of the identified school beneficiaries under their Brigada Eskwela program, funds raised from the campaign will be distributed to each institution to help them in carrying out their various distance learning delivery pursuits

I am M.A.D. also invites the public to be a part of this year's level-up digital campaign on Facebook and Tiktok with “Sing and Share”. While there are 20 initially identified beneficiaries for the #BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta fundraising campaign, this can be expanded further with the help of socalled SING-fluencers or carolers who can lend their singing voice every day for 50 days, thereby reaching far more schools to help more young learners.

Interested SING-fluencers can join the SINGkwentahan by following and contacting the organization through fb.com/IamMakingADifference or tiktok. com/@iammad_ph.

For more details, visit BIDA Eskwela’s official donation information platform at bit.ly/bidadonate. For transparency, all donation receipts and proceeds from the actual collections are published and viewable at bit.ly/bidatracker.

For updates, partnerships, and further inquiries, send an email to iammadph@ gmail.com or via mobile at 0926 785 0208. Follow and message I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) on Facebook (f b.com/IamMakingADifference), Instagram/Twitter/Tiktok (@iammad_ ph), Youtube (bit.ly/IamMADYoutube) and podcast via anchor.fm/iammad or bit.ly/ MADTalksSpotify.

Globe Business to equip MSMEs engaged in retail, manufacturing, and logistics for future success

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N the Philippines, the overwhelming majority of businesses are classified as Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). While many are still trying to find their spot in the huge market place, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent lockdowns have made things more challenging for them. Particularly affected are the brick-and-mortar stores who now have to take their businesses online to stay afloat.

To many MSMEs, going digital and the intricacies that go with it is one more problem they don’t need.

Especially when they have other facets of the business to concentrate on so they can gain market access and grow—like funding, production, supply sourcing, and skills training.

Globe Business understands the needs of MSMEs. This is why they encourage MSMEs to invest in ICT solutions capable of meeting the digital demands of the next normal.

Without staying up to date, businesses may fall behind and get overshadowed by more aggressive competitors who listen to their target market and utilize emerging trends mostly through the use of digital platforms. Globe Business says these include: (1) live selling or vending of products using the live feature of social media apps, (2) story ads or video marketing that usually creates a relevant story board to capture audience, and (3) influencer marketing, a type of wordof-mouth marketing by tapping Key Opinion Leaders or celebrities to amplify brand messaging to a larger market.

Studies show that video marketing is one of the most important marketing trends today and is expected to remain so for the next 5 to 10 years. Survey results from the Emerging Trends Research commissioned by Facebook also show that among Filipino respondents, 93% said they highly consider convenience alongside price when deciding what to purchase online; 87% said they are willing to spend more for ease of access to products or services; and, 90% said mobile payments should be widely available.

MERALCO ASSURES CONTINUOUS METER READING DURING ECQ. Despite the recent announcement of government placing Metro Manila and Laguna under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and parts of Calabarzon such as Cavite, Rizal, and Lucena City in Quezon under Modified ECQ, Meralco assured its customers that its vital operations including meter reading will continue as seen in the above photos. “Meralco business operations, including meter reading and bill delivery activities, will continue throughout the ECQ. This will ensure that actual consumption for the month will be billed accordingly. Rest assured there will be strict implementation of health protocols in order to safeguard the health and safety of both customers and our personnel,” said Meralco FVP and Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand O. Geluz.

Meralco also recently announced the suspension of disconnection activities in areas under ECQ and MECQ.

Consult a doctor in the safety of your home through GMDC telemedicine

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REPA Medical and Diagnostic Center (GMDC), a division of Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc., (Sun Life Grepa) now offers safe, convenient telemedicine services for outpatient cases nationwide. This aims to help decongest hospitals, maintain physical distance and reduce the spread of COVID-19 especially now with the threat of highly transmissible Delta variant.

The GMDC Telemedicine is an online c­­­­onsultation service which uses a video conferencing platform where clients can virtually ask doctors about their nonurgent health concerns while in the safety and comfort of their homes.

“We have seen how telemedicine is an extraordinary tool,” says Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim. “By extending our telemedicine services outside our

employees, people who are experiencing medical ailments and illnesses during this time can receive appropriate and timely medical advice without necessarily going to hospitals, minimizing the risk of being exposed to COVID-19,” he added.

In using GMDC Telemedicine, clients can also enjoy using a convenient scheduling system to avoid long queues and waiting time.

GMDC doctors are available from Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The consultation fee ranges from P650 to P1,000, depending on the nature of the inquiry. The consultation fee can be paid through RCBC Bank Transfer. For clients who are health card (HMO) holders, they may contact their local HMO for a Letter of Authorization. For corporate clients, the fee for the consultation service is charged to their account.

Interested parties may call the GMDC coordinator at 8886.65.86 to 87 or email gmdc@sunlifegrepa.com to set an appointment.

Civic worker and advocate Christine Escalante is 2021 Mrs. Universe Philippines Manila

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Globe Business is ready to equip MSMEs engaged in retail, manufacturing, and logistics with the latest in ICT by engaging the aid of several of its most valuable business partners: Ninja Van, a logistics company that specializes in parcel collection and door-to-door delivery; Lazada Philippines, one of the country’s foremost e-commerce platform; 1Export, a company that helps businesses export to new and exciting markets; and Zalora, a one-stop online shop for everything fashionable.

Furthermore, Globe Business is ready to help MSMEs gain the right skills, know-how and perspective to get their enterprises growing. As part of this campaign, Globe Business launched a 3-part web event series (kwentuhan sessions) entitled “Biz is it! Supply Chain Stories for Future Success, respectively retail, logistics and manufacturing”. The retail leg, Re-tell your Retail: The Digital Move, commenced last Aug 12, with Paulo Campos III, Co-founder and CEO of Zalora; Sabina Lopez-Vergara, Chief Commercial Officer of Ninja Van Philippines; Yshana Wong, Strategic Partnerships and Seller Services Lead of Lazada Philippines; and Michiko Mecate-Castaneda, Supply Chain Head of Globe Business.

The guests shared real-world challenges and how ICT and digital solutions will be invaluable tools in facilitating business

operations. Ms. Wong of Lazada Philippines highlighted how digital solutions play an important role in advancing one’s business and said: “The best time to be online was yesterday, the second best time is today.”

This was supported by Ms. Campos: “We, as a business community, can do our part to help the economy move forward.

More than any sector, I think, kayong mga entrepreneurs and MSMEs will really take the country forward. Ms. Lopez-Vergara also rallied MSMEs to “​​Be very solution-driven.

Don’t do what you usually do. Do things beyond what you usually do.”

Although the next normal presents new challenges, Ms. Castenada said that these defining moments can also lead to many opportunities. She explains that the first hurdle that needs to be overcome is for MSMEs to realize that tech adoption is not just an added expense but more of an investment with long-term benefits.

As their staunchest ally, Globe Business is ready and able to provide MSMEs with digital information, connectivity and made-for-business solutions that enable market penetration, base expansion and rapid growth so these entrepreneurs can own their future success, today. Watch the first installment of Globe Business’ 3-part web series here.

To learn more about Globe Business Solutions, you may visit their website here.

HRISTINE Escalante is more than grateful to Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno who early on has strongly endorsed and supported her candidacy.

She has partnered with the pro-active public servant in undertaking several charitable socio-civic projects for the city’s constituents.

Christine’s platform, among others, is to promote the country’s tourism industry believing it can bring in more potential investors to provide more jobs, alleviate poverty, and promote peace and order; vis-a-vis boosting Manila that she is representing locally and overseas as a firstrate tourist destination.

During the screening she shared her philosophy both as an established business woman and an empowered lady, saying: “Money in large measure can impress the passive and stereotyped ladies-in-waiting.

But when a woman works hard, a man with the money is like a bonus; not a ladder to economic mobility, self-actualization, and independence. Cheers to all hardworking women out there!”

She will, however, yet vie for the coveted national title ‘Mrs. Universe Philippines’ along with other contestants from all over the Philippines to be held at Okada Manila in September.

If she wins, Christine will represent the country in the most prestigious ‘Mrs. Universe International’ pageant franchise to be held in Seoul, Korea this year, according to Ms. Maria Charo Calalo, Nat’l. Director of the local ‘Mrs. Universe Philippines’ franchise. An advocate of human development, Christine heads the League of Empowered Women (LEW) and vice presisent of Wanita Filipina, respectively. These organizations are at the forefront of uplifting the social and economic conditions of marginalized women in the country.

Christine is also officially designated Lady Queen of World-Class Excelence Awards (WCEA), an int’l. organization of like-

minded professionals advocating charitable and sustainable projects for disenfranchised children, PWDs, and the elderly.

On the side, this dedicated mom is also a part-time commercial model and has been through some acting workshops under ABS-CBN, and Balintataw Film and Theater Arts handled by Sydney-based tutor Mars D. Cavestany, Ph.D. and director George Vail Kabristante.

Christine also co-hosts a lifestyle and entetainment show at TV31-ATC Int’l. with the secretary of KDPP director Erwena Arguelles.

Recently, she won the title Best in Modern Filipiñana at a WCEA event.

Her winning gown was created by her official designer-stylist Lanny Liwag, and backed up by her own team of trainers and pageant coaches headed by Darwin Buenviaje.

If fortunate enough to win the most coveted title ‘Mrs. Universe International,’ Christine will be the first ever to bring home said beauty title to the country.

Marketing BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Monday, August 23, 2021 B7

The coronavirus chronicles: WFH 2.0 and how to do it better

PR Matters

By Millie F. Dizon

1.Do something else first.

There was a lot of talk about life-work balance right before the pandemic. And now, with many taking on work-from-home (WFH) arrangements, the lines have been blurred, and striking a balance becomes even more precarious as homes become the workplace of the moment.

That means “you lose the separation between life and work that comes from physically leaving your home and commuting to work,” says Aten. “That separation is actually is actually important as it allows you to prepare for what you have ahead and switch between contexts.”

To give yourself some of that space, “make it a point to do something else in the morning before you start work. That means, don’t immediately start replying to e-mails Instead, go for a walk, read a book, or make breakfast for your kids.”

2.Define your space

Create a specific workspace with all the technology, tools, and resources you need to get the work done. If you don’t have an office in your home, you can set up a dedicated spot where you will comfortable, efficient, and look professional in Zoom meetings, says Aten.

Esports: Esports Integrated (ESI) announces the state champions of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21) and the Start of MEL21 National League (Nationals)

PUTRAJAYA, MANILA—ESI announced the champions of Malaysia Esports League 2021 (MEL21) State Leagues and the start of MEL21 National League (Nationals). As part of KBS’s National Esports Blueprint and through the Esports Integrated (ESI) initiative, the inaugural MEL21 State Leagues were held from July 10 till August 8, 2021 and MEL21 Nationals will be held from August 14 till September 1, 2021.

A total of 288 players from 64 teams

george milton, taryn elliot | WWW.PEXEL.COM

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AST year, many of us were sudden ly t h r u st i nto a work-from-home mode because of the pandemic. While we welcomed this new way of working, we also had to figure out how to do it. At that time, there was no instruction manual on this.

Today, we find ourselves still struggling with the effects of the pandemic, and yes, working from home. For many people, these challenges aren’t likely to change anytime, especially with the current ECQ. Given that, how can we improve our WFH arrangements and attitudes? How can we be more efficient? Let’s hear it from Inc.com tech columnist Jason Aten, who has “worked remotely for years, and along the way, I’ve made enough mistakes to learn a few things that can help.”

In an article, “Remote Work Isn’t Going Anywhere in 2021.

These 9 Tips Can Help Make It Better,” he shares with us how we can be less stressed and more productive while working remotely:

3.Shut the door

Aten recommends that as much as possible, your dedicated space should have a door that can be shut. This does two things, he says, “It helps eliminate distractions by creating an actual barrier between your work area and anything else that may be happening, and it sends a visual cue to anyone who lives in your home that when the door is shut, ‘it’s work time.’”

4.Turn off distractions

Distractions can come from your home, which we have discussed above, or your workplace.

For the latter, when company officials, colleagues and business partners want to get in touch with you, “every devise on your desk [and we would think you have quite a lot of these] chirps, buzzes, and lights up with banners to let you know someone wants your attention.”

Aten’s Pro Tip: “Give yourself permission to turn off notifications. In addition to the handy ‘Do not disturb feature on the iPhone, Android devises, or the Mac, many apps allow you to set priority contacts who can still get a hold of you, while muting all other notifications.”

That way, you can screen important messages from your company officials, spouse, or partner.

Prioritize and everyone else can wait.

were crowned State Champions. These champions will then represent their home states (13 states and 3 Federal Territories) in MEL21 Nationals, competing for RM20,000 prize money per category (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBGM), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), EA Sports FIFA21, and Dota 2).

MEL21 is organized by ESI in collaboration with 16 state esports associations, featuring a prize pool of RM200,000. Almost 30,000 local grassroot players registered for the fully online competition, held in accordance with the SOPs set under the National Recovery Plan—Phase 1. Total viewership of MEL21 State Leagues’ live stream sessions via the national esports tournament platform, esukan.gg and ESI’s Facebook page were 200,000 views and for MEL21 Nationals, ESI expects around 100,000 views.

MEL 21 Nat ion a l s w i l l be l ive streamed on www.esukan.gg and ESI’s

5.Chunk your time

Aten says that he got the idea about chunking one’s time, or cutting it up in smaller portions, when he interviewed entrepreneurs Jeff and Erin Youngren for the 29 Steps podcast.

One of the things that he appreciated most was how they structured their day, creating different blocks of time for different types of work.

He calls dividing one’s time into block, “chunking your time.

You might have a chunk in the morning for deep or focus work, and a chunk in the afternoon for dealing with the administrative tasks and responding to e-mail.

The point isn’t to schedule every task, but to group things into buckets and tackle them together.”

In short, making schedules instead of multitasking can be more efficient.

6.Take breaks

When you work from home, lines similarly blur when it comes to break times. There are no colleagues to ask us to join them for lunch, no time in and time out to keep track of.

That means, “it’s up to you to build it into your routine. Don’t underestimate how important this is.”

“Research shows that working remotely can easily lead to burnout if you aren’t intentional about

Facebook page.

Campaign Spotlight: SKINN by Titan celebrates sibling bond this Rakhi with Manushi Chhillar and her sister

MUMBAI, INDIA—SKINN, a fine fragrance brand from the house of Titan, releases a digital video for its #BestSaidWithSkinn campaign to celebrate Rakshabandhan with the renowned pageant winner and upcoming Bollywood Actor Manushi Chhillar and her sister. Conceptualized by Ogilvy South, #BestSaidWithSkinn campaign celebrates the beautiful bond of sibling love with a nostalgic twist and presents fine fragrances from SKINN

by Titan as the most thoughtful gift for your siblings in this season of gifting.

The digital video portrays a very relatable bond between the gorgeous star Manushi Chhillar and her elder sister Dewangana. As the sisters reminisce about their childhood memories, argue over TV remote, and make fun of each other, their

stepping away,” says Aten. So, take a walk, stretch your muscles, make a phone call, and take a coffee break with your spouse. You’ll be amazed how this can make a difference in your day.

7.Plan when to quit

One way we were able to manage working from home during the first lockdown in 2020 was observing office hours at home.

Our team would get dressed in the morning the same way we would during pre-Covid workdays, start working at 9:00 am, take breaks, and clock out at 6:00 PM. We still practice that when working remotely.

That way, we were able to sustain our work rhythm and discipline. We were also able to draw a line between work and home.

Otherwise, “when you work from home, it’s easy to keep working,” says Aten. “There’s always another e-mail, or slack message, or task to cross off. There’s always something else you could do.”

He w a r n s t h at h av i ng no boundaries, “won’t make you more productive, and it isn’t healthy either.” In fact, knowing when to quit “might be the most important thing you can do each day.”

8.Rethink productivity

Metrics in communications and marketing have changed, and this also applies to the way we measure our productivity.

strong bond of siblinghood shines through showing how they always have each other’s back. SKINN fragrances become a significant part of this emotional journey full of memories and love as Manushi gifts them to her sister Dewangana to celebrate their bond with beautiful fragrances.

Ms. Kanwalpreet Walia, marketing head, Fragrances and Accessories Titan Company Limited adds, “Rakshabandhan gives an opportunity to celebrate our siblinghood. Gifts play an important role in conveying this heartfelt gratitude and rejoicing memories of time spent together. Fragrances in specific bring back loved memories and spark joy, hence when words fall short it is #BestSaidWithSkinn.

“With this digital video we celebrate bond between siblings, and show how real sibling stories look like with Manushi Chhillar and Dewangana. Their conversation is full of mischief, love and sheds light on how they are each part of a whole, and irreplaceable to each other. It also hints at picking best perfume that helps rejoice the

Aten’s advice: “Resist the temptation to think about measuring your own productivity [or that of your team] by how many tasks you complete, and instead look about what you are accomplishing.”

Instead of counting your emails sent or Zoom meetings you attend, “set a goal related to the work you contribute to your company.” For example, if you are in communications, this could be impact of your messages to the public.

9.Talk about your day

Working remotely can be lonely, and it’s always good to share your day with someone even for five minutes—a parent, sibling, friend, spouse, partner. This not only helps you unload, but also gain another perspective. It’s also a good way of assessing your day and keeping in touch.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the senior vice president for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations.

Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

special bond with your sibling.”

This light-hearted tete-a-tete with laughs between Manushi and her sister bright up the whole mood and celebrates irreplaceable relationship between them.

Fragrances are a great gift as they are always close to the receiver, and have an unparalleled emotional appeal as it evokes the memory of the one who gifted the perfume. SKINN Perfumes have a wide range of mesmerizing individual fragrances and beautiful gift sets available on the brand website, World of Titan stores, and other ecommerce platforms which are ideal gifts to celebrate Rakshabandhan.

Under the #BestSaidWithSkinn campaign for Rakshabandhan, the brand celebrates the sibling bond over all the good, fun memories they have shared.

The brand also has announced a giveaway where audiences are invited to share their “Sibling Story” on the brand’s Instagram handle: https://www.instagram. com/skinn_titan/ and win exciting hampers from SKINN.

Sports

Palace, Senators praise Pacquiao despite setback

BusinessMirror

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ALACAÑANG and the Senate heaped praises on Senator Manny Pacquiao despite losing what could be his last fight on Sunday against Cuban Yordenis Ugás.

“The boxing icon’s loss in Las Vegas would not diminish the honors he bestowed to our country and the joy he gave to our people,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a brief statement. “Senator Pacquiao will forever be etched in the hearts of Filipinos as our People’s Champ.”

Roque issued the conciliatory statement despite President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s tirade against Pacquiao after he alleged corrupt practices remain rampant under the current administration, particularly in the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Energy and Department of Health (DOH).

Senators, on the other hand heaped praise on their peer, first-termer Pacquiao, saying no loss can ever erase his record as an athlete and a boxer, which one senator said, cannot be beaten, “at least in our lifetime.”

“Senator Pacquiao may be defeated by Ugás today but nobody can ever beat his record at least in our lifetime,” neophyte Senator Ronald dela Rosa said. “He is forever our legendary champion!”

Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri noted that “Senator Pacquiao may not have brought home this title, but he has once again proved himself a legendary fighter—the best athlete we have ever had, and the best the world has ever seen” Senator Juan Edgardo Angara affirmed there was “nothing to be ashamed of” for Pacquiao, noting that “he gave it his all” but Ugás fought a smart fight.

Pacquiao is expected to fly back to Manila just as both chambers of Congress resume full sessions next week, after going on two-week sudden suspension as Metro Manila and surrounding provinces were placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Senate President Vicente Sotto III told BusinessMirror via text message: “Yes, of course” they expect Pacquiao to buckle down to work upon his return from the United States, as Congress reconvenes regular session on Monday.

On Twitter, his fellow senators on Sunday used the last day of their “recess” to heap praise on Pacquiao.

Butch Fernandez and Samuel Medenilla

HAVE we seen the last of the legendary Manny Pacquiao atop the ring? AP

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| Monday, August 23, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

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By Josef Ramos

AS VEGAS, Nevada—The legs weren’t there, and so were the killer punches that earned him world titles in eight different divisions.

But Manny Pacquiao, who had to deal with what could be the last fight of his illustrious career, just won’t say—for now—if he’s hanging up his gloves, thus leaving two decades of boxing that made him one of the sport’s living legends, or he’s up to joining the presidential race back home.

“I need to relax with my family and then make a decision,” Pacquiao told the post-fight interview minutes after losing to a younger and more composed Cuban Yordenis Ugás who kept his World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the T-Mobile Arena on Sunday.

The first-term senator also said that he will announce his political plans, particularly running for the presidency in next May’s general elections back home, in a month’s time.

It wasn’t the same old Pacquiao who fought before a crowd of 17,438—majority of who cheered for him—and the millions who watched on TV all of the world anymore.

He fought impressively in the early rounds, landing some solid punches, but Ugás didn’t budge.

The Cuban’s orthodox style was effective against what was once the aggressive style Pacquiao regaled the world with, connecting with precision against the Filipino icon who had trouble with his opponent’s longer reach.

“I a hard time inside the ring, making adjustments about body style and I think

that’s the problem for me because I didn’t make adjustments right away, my legs were also tight,” said Pacquiao, who at 42 just couldn’t get his classic form back.

“Yes, my legs are so tight, that’s why it’s very hard to move,” he added. “But I’m not complaining.”

Ugás, three-inch taller than Pacquiao, relied on his long reach in the final round to make his victory more convincing.

Patricia Morse Jarman, Dave Moretti and Steve Weisfeld scored the fight 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112, respectively, all in favor of Ugás, who the WBA named champion last January after stripping Pacquiao of the belt because of “inactivity.”

“Manny had trouble reaching Ugás. He wasn’t able to solve Ugás’s height and reach advantage,” Freddie Roach, now Pacquiao’s chief consultant, said.

Ugás’s strategy was so effective particularly in the middle rounds when he attacked Pacquiao’s body and countered whatever the Filipino threw at him.

In the eighth round, Pacquiao engaged Ugás with a searing exchange to draw a loud cheer from the live fans, but the 35-yearold Cuban, a Beijing 2008 Olympics bronze medalist, was quick to parry all punches while countering with his own to pile up points.

Ugás may have been vicious and lethal in the ring, but showed respect to Pacquiao after the final bell and embraced the Filipino legend.

MAGSAYO SCORES BRUTAL KO VICTORY

“I want to thank Manny Pacquiao for sharing the ring with me. He’s a legend, one of the greatest fighters that ever lived,” Ugás said. “I’ll always respect him not only as a great fighter, but outside the ring. I also admire that he fights for his country as I do. I want to free Cuba.”

Ugás improved to 27-5 win-loss record with 12 knockouts.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, fell to 628-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts. His last defeat came in July 2017 in Brisbane, Australia, where he lost to hometown bet Jeff Horn via controversial unanimous decision.

MARK “MAGNIFICO” MAGSAYO saves the day with a convincing victory. AP

AS VEGAS, Nevada—Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo pulled off a magnificent performance in his budding ring career on Saturday night, knocking out cold Mexican Julio Ceja in the 10th round of their World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight world title eliminator at the T-Mobile Arena.

Behind in the scorecards—83-86, 83-86, 82-87—after nine rounds, the 26-year-old Tagbilaran City pride caught Ceja with a devastating right straight followed by a finishing right hook to stretch his unbeaten record to 23 bouts with 16 knockouts.

Ceja was unconscious for several minutes urging the ring doctor to send the Mexican to the hospital. The 28-year-old Ceja fell to a 32-5-1 (28 knockouts) record.

“I just worked a lot on the straight punches.

I kept working it round after round and when I saw he was hurt, I followed it up,” said Magsayo, who struggled in the third and fifth rounds from Ceja’s lethal body shots.

Magsayo was knocked down after being hit by a strong uppercut in the fifth round, but got up and was saved by the bell. He struggled in the sixth round before catching his second wind in the seventh, where he scored on counter-punches and timely jabs.

Ceja started to fade in the eighth and ninth despite his accurate punches on Magsayo, who was slowly recovering by then.

“I got knocked down and was surprised, but I focused on what I wanted, a world championship shot,” Magsayo said.

Magsayo’s victory earned him a world title shot against WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russel Jr. “I’m so glad for the outcome. I expected his style to make it happen and I expected a knockout tonight. It’s my dream today, and now it’s coming true. Hopefully my next fight is a world title shot,” he said.

Thirty seconds after the start of the fight, Magsayo threw a solid right straight that knocked down Ceja 30 seconds into the fight.

It was Magsayo’s third straight win in the US after booking a split decision in Los Angeles over American Rigoberto Hermosillo last October 3 and a brutal fourth-round technical knockout win last April 10 against another American Pablo Cruz in Connecticut. Josef Ramos