BusinessMirror August 25, 2021

₧101.4-B revenue from CTRP eyed in ’22

T

HE government expects to raise P101.42 billion next year from its fiscal measures but projects this will go down to P67.07 billion by 2023.

Based on the 2022 budget document, the expected revenues next year from fiscal measures will be 63.9 percent higher than the programmed P61.88 billion this year.

For 2022, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law is seen to generate P169.85 billion, up by 7.5 percent from P157.94 billion program this year.

On top of this, “sin” tax laws will also give the government P52.33 billion in revenues, a 21.4-percent

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jump from this year’s P43.1-billion program.

However, these revenue gains will be offset by the losses from the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) and the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act amounting to P118.79 billion and P1.97 billion, respectively.

T he ex pected revenue loss next year from CREATE is lower than this year’s projection of P138.19 billion.

On the other hand, the foregone revenues for FIST law in 2022 are bigger than the P995million projection for this year.

By 2023, revenues from fiscal measures are expected to settle at

P67.07 billion, dropping by 33.9 percent from P101.42 billion projected in 2022.

Revenue take from TRAIN law will settle at P117.98 billion, lower by 30.5 percent compared to the 2022 projection.

Finance Undersecretary Maria Teresa Habitan told the BusinessMirror the expected decline in revenue collection from TRAIN law in 2023 is due to the implementation of relatively lower personal income tax (PIT) rates in 2023.

“In 2023, the second tranche of PIT adjustments under the TRAIN Law will take effect,” Habitan said in a message.

Revenues from sin tax laws in 2023, however, are seen to rise

to P66.99 billion, higher by 28 percent compared with P52.33 billion in 2022.

Smaller revenue loss

Meanwhile, the government projects losing P115.01 billion under the CREATE law, which is smaller than the projected P118.79 billion foregone revenues because of the program by 2022.

Touted by the DOF as the “largest fiscal stimulus to firms in recent history,” the CREATE law is expected to provide P1 trillion in tax relief to businesses in 10 years.

See “CTRP,” A2

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Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 315

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 20 pages | 7 days a week

BUDGET GAP NARROWS 13.6% TO P121B IN JULY n

‘SHIFT TO INDUSTRY 5.0 MAY CAUSE JOB LOSSES’

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE shift to Industry 5.0 could lead to job losses if workers are not retooled and reskilled, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has warned.

In a special supplement titled, “Capturing the Digital Economy: A proposed measurement framework and its applications,” experts also said shifting to Industry 5.0 from Industry 4.0, however, would still lead to increased consumption and job opportunities if workers are able to adapt.

People looking to get their Covid-19 jab through the walk-in offer of the Antipolo City local government wait for their turn at the cinema-turned-vaccination site of the SM City Masinag in Antipolo City, August 24, 2021. In order to ramp up the vaccination of citizens, some LGUs allow walk-in clients to get vaccinated as long as supply lasts.

Some cities in Metro Manila, especially those that have finished inoculating their citizens, are accepting residents living outside their city. NONOY LACZA

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

T

@BNicolasBM

HE national government’s budget deficit in July narrowed to P121.2 billion from last year’s shortfall of P140.2 billion, the Bureau of the Treasury said.

According to the Treasury, the budget deficit in July this year, which was down by 13.57 percent year-on-year, resulted from the growth in revenue collection

PESO exchange rates

outpacing the increase in government expenditures.

Revenues in July this year rose See “Budget,” A2

“Data suggest that, while effects of technolog y improvements observably reduce labor demand as a result of substitution, positive job impacts coming f rom consumption and new labor requirements may compensate,” the ADB said.

Efforts to reskill and retool workers are important given the rise of the digital economy. During the pandemic, ADB said the digital economy, particularly electronic commerce, surged.

In some digitally dependent countries, the digital economy See “Job,” A2

Pandemic survival modes: Cut food, pawn stuff

S

IX in 10 Filipino households that experienced financial difficulties had to reduce their food intake or pawn their possessions to survive in the pandemic, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

ADB’s Key Indicators for Asia a nd t he Pac i f ic 2021 repor t showed 64 percent of households were in financial distress and had to employ coping strategies.

These strategies, which included skipping meals as well as selling and pawning their possessions,

were necessary to survive, given that only 36.7 percent of these families were covered by at least one social protection benefit.

“Asia and the Pacific has made impressive strides, but Covid-19 has revealed social and economic fault lines that may weaken the region’s sustainable and inclusive development,” ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada said. “ To achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goa ls, decision-makers need to harness high-quality and timely data as a

guide for actions to ensure that the recovery leaves no one behind—especially the poor and vulnerable,” he added.

ADB data also showed these coping strategies have led to food insecurity and undernourishment. In the Philippines, ADB said undernourishment per population reached 9.7 percent, the highest in the Asean-5.

Further, 41.2 percent of the Philippines’s total population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity—the second highest

after Cambodia’s 44.1 percent.

ADB estimated that in the region, about 36 percent of households with financial difficulties decided to skip meals or reduce their food intake.

Data showed 30.4 percent of these households reduced their consumption of non-essential goods and services; 27.4 percent declined their non-essential daily expenditure; 25.9 percent cut their expenses for going out; and 25.4 percent slashed their utilities spending.

n US 50.2300 n japan 0.4580 n UK 68.9457 n HK 6.4462 n CHINA 7.7496 n singapore 37.0428 n australia 36.2209 n EU 59.0052 n SAUDI arabia 13.3939

See “Pandemic,” A2

Source: BSP (24 August 2021)

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

A2

BusinessMirror

Rising demand, talent pool to fuel 5-10% growth in healthcare BPO

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

T

HE Philippine healthcare information management system (HIMS) industry, a subsector of the business-process outsourcing (BPO) segment, is seen to grow by 5-10 percent this year amid increasing demand and talent pool.

Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (Himap) Vice President Vincent Remo shared this bullish outlook for the HIMS sector—which employs 147,000 fulltime equivalent and has $3.1-billion revenues—in a virtual event on Tuesday.

In pandemic, Remo said that companies have been dealing with rising cost and margin pressures, making outsourcing a viable choice for them.

The rollout of Covid-19 vaccination programs also “means the volume of transactions will dramatically increase, and there will be a need for more workers in the HIMS sector,” he added.

Job. . .

Continued from A1

accounted for 17 to 35 percent of their GDP. These economies included

Apart from demand, the Himap official said the industry growth will also be driven by the large pool of professionals in the medical field, including US-licensed nurses.

He noted that some 42,000 from medical and allied courses are graduating yearly in the country.

“Lately, the services offered from the Philippines have also expanded to cover higher value services, such as clinical research, analytics and life sciences,” Remo said.

The HIMS sector, which comprises over 10 percent of the BPO industry, provides services to companies processing medical billings, doing medical coding, case management, and all aspects of revenue cycle management; companies doing benefit management and fraud and abuse management; and pharmacy benefit management, among others.

“Beneath all of these services is technology, from hospital systems, intelligent AI assistance, data analytics and

robotic process automation. There are even new services and solutions being created or customized for every new engagement,” Remo said.

Remo said that the Philippines is also attractive for investors in the HIMS industry given its resilience and adaptability amid the pandemic.

“During the pandemic in 2020, companies prov iding healthcare information management ser v ices in the Philippines were able to create the shift to working-from-home, a testimony to the reliability of the infrastructure for f lexible working model,” he explained.

Investors, the Himap official said, are also looking into areas outside the capital region to expand operations considering the availability of talent, infrastructure and ease of doing business.

In addition, Remo cited the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, which provides tax perks to investors.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, in

the same event, confirmed that HIMS and the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) sectors are both included in the investment priorities plan under CREATE, making them eligible for tax perks.

Some perks include availment of income tax holidays of four to seven years, depending on the level of technology and location of the project, Lopez said. This will then be followed by 10 years of enhanced deductions or 5-percent special corporate income tax for export-oriented firms.

“Presently, IT-BPM remains as one of the top industry investments in the Philippines by US firms, with HIMS as one of the fastest-growing sub-sectors achieving a double-digit growth despite the pandemic,” Lopez said.

This year, the majority or 87 percent of the IT-BPM firms expect to book 5-percent to 15-percent growth while 13-percent anticipate f lat growth, according to a survey by the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines.

Employment in the IT-BPM industry grew by 1.8 percent to 1.32 million while revenues rose by 1.4 percent to $26.7 billion last year.

Southeast Asian countries Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia as well as ot her A sian countr ies l i ke Ind ia, Japan, Korea, and China.

However, the pandemic was able to fasttrack the growth of the digital economy in other countries like the Philippines.

Quoting the results of a survey by Bain & Company, Google, and Temasek in 2020, ADB said the average Internet use in the Philippines increased to 5.2 hours per day during the pandemic from the pre-pandemic baseline of 4 hours.

It also noted the growth of digital

communication platforms which experienced exponential growth in traffic and subscription during the pandemic.

ADB said Zoom Video Communications Inc. reported an estimated 467,100 paying customers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2020, increasing by 470 percent year-on-year.

Further, the report said Microsoft Teams’ daily active users jumped to 115 million in October 2020 from 20 million users in November 2019.

The report also noted that based on the 2020 financial reports, revenues of Zoom increased 325.8 percent; Netflix 24 percent; Facebook, 21.6 percent; and Microsoft, 13.6 percent.

“Large firms that operate videoconferencing, business processes, social media, streaming, ecommerce, delivery, and other digital services platforms have recorded revenue growth during the pandemic,” the Manila-based multilateral development bank said.

However, efforts to better measure the digital economy are also crucial. ADB said a consensus must be reached in terms of establishing a framework to estimate the digital economy.

The report proposed a definition of the core digital economy and an input-output analytical framework to measure it.

Applying this framework to selected economies and years, it finds that the digital economy and digitally dependent industries contribute a significant portion of gross domestic product.

The report also examined key digital economy phenomena and trends in relation to sectoral links, temporal price changes, jobs, global value chains, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Industry 4.0.

CTRP. . .

Continued from A1

The law also cuts the regular CIT rate by 10 percentage points, from 30 percent to 20 percent, for domestic corporations with a taxable income of P5 million and below, and with total assets of not more than P100 million.

Domestic corporations that earn a taxable income above P5 million benefit from an immediate reduction of the CIT rate from 30 percent to 25 percent. Foreign corporations currently paying the regular rate will also enjoy a reduced 25-percent CIT rate.

As for the FIST law, it is seen to dent revenues

by P2.89 billion in 2023, bigger than the projected P1.97 billion foregone revenues in 2022.

Seen to cushion the impact of the pandemic on the financial sector, the FIST bill allows financial institutions to off load nonperforming assets (NPAs) by selling them to asset management firms so they could lend more to pandemic-hit businesses. Bernadette D. Nicolas

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Budget. . .

Continued from A1

by 9.21 percent to reach P256.1 billion from P234.5 billion in the same month last year.

Most of the revenues for the month came from tax sources at P229.8 billion and the rest, from non-tax sources at P26.3 billion.

Expenditures in the same month stood at P377.3 billion, inching up by 0.69 percent from P374.7 billion in July 2020.

The Treasury attributed the “modest increase” in government expenditures” to higher personnel services expenditures and infrastructure outlays which were offset by the one-off Social Amelioration Program implemented in July last year.

Apart from this, the timing of subsidy releases to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and National Housing Authority also weighed down on the growth of disbursements for the period.

7-month deficit widens

Despite the narrower budget deficit in July, the cumulative budget deficit for the seven-month period widened to P837.3 billion, up by 19.5 percent compared to P700.6 billion in the same period in 2020.

Government expenditures from January to July this year jumped by 8.18 percent to P2.58 trillion from last year’s P2.39 trillion.

Meanwhile, revenues in the seven-month period went up by 3.47 percent to P1.75 trillion from P1.69 trillion in the same period last year.

The bulk of revenues came from tax sources—90 percent or P1.573 trillion of the total revenue collection; the balance of P173.2 billion came from non-tax sources.

For the first semester, the Treasury said the deficit-to-GDP ratio rose to 7.86 percent from last year’s level of 6.53 percent as expenditure growth outpaced revenue collection.

In 2020, the government’s budget deficit more than doubled to a record-high 7.6 percent of GDP or P1.37 trillion, from only P660.2 billion or 3.4 percent of GDP in 2019.

The Department of Finance sees the government returning to its pre-pandemic budget deficit and debt levels as early as 2024 or by 2025.

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 the government ramped up borrowings to fund the Covid-19 pandemic response war chest.

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

Pandemic. . .

Continued from A1

Based on ADB’s survey data from eight developing countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), including the Philippines, 54.9 percent of households reported financial difficulty.

Of these households, 83.3 percent reduced their consumption or expenditures; 49.6 percent used their cash and savings; 38.4 percent borrowed money from friends and relatives; 35.4 percent deferred their payments and debt reimbursements; and 33.7 percent applied for social or government aid.

Regional data also showed 20 percent of these households had to craft self-homemade food or items to sell online; 18.2 percent sold or pawned properties; 14.5 percent borrowed funds from money lenders; 14.2 percent borrowed from commercial and policy banks; 13.8 percent sold merchandise stock at low prices; 12.9 percent borrowed from microfinance institutions; and 1.6 percent said they could not take action as the lockdown was imposed.

ADB said data showed the pandemic is threatening Asia and the Pacific’s progress toward critical targets under the SDGs. The pandemic pushed an estimated 75 million to 80 million more people in developing Asia into extreme poverty as of last year, compared with what would have happened without Covid-19.

Assuming that the pandemic has increased inequality, the relative rise in extreme poverty—defined as living on less than $1.90 a day—may be even greater. Progress has also stalled in areas such as hunger, health, and education, where earlier achievements across the region had been significant, albeit uneven.

Key Indicators presents comprehensive economic, financial, social, and environmental statistics for ADB’s 49 regional members.

Extreme poverty According to the report, about 203 million people or 5.2 percent of developing Asia’s population lived in extreme poverty as of 2017. Without Covid-19, that number would have declined to an estimated 2.6 percent in 2020.

Asia and the Pacific’s economy has grown at a robust pace in recent years and contributed as much as 35 percent to global gross domestic product (GDP)—in current US dollars—in 2019. Covid-19, however, took a toll just when weaker domestic investment and slowing global trade and economic activity were starting to challenge this momentum.

Among reporting economies in Asia and the Pacific, only about 1 in 4 posted GDP growth last year. The region lost about 8 percent of work hours due to mobility restrictions, deeply affecting poorer households and workers in the informal economy.

The Key Indicators report includes a special supplement introducing a practical framework for measuring the digital economy and its growing role in modern life, which has been particularly evident during the pandemic. Cai U. Ordinario

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, August 25, 2021 A3

Health-care institutions told: Stop ‘defrauding’ PhilHealth

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

T

HE Supreme Court has warned health-care institutions to stop employing unscrupulous methods and schemes just to be able to avail of benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the country’s national health insurer.

In a 13-page decision penned by Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando in the case of PhilHealth versus Urdaneta Sacred Heart Hospital (USHH), the Court’s Third Division noted that the current Covid-19 pandemic has

“stretched to its limit” the financial resources of not only of PhilHealth, but of the entire nation as a whole.

Thus, the Court said, all sectors in the health industry should use the current health crisis as “a platform to better ourselves and an opportunity to craft and implement needed reforms in our public health-care system.”

“At this juncture, it’s well to remind accredited health-care institutions to deal with PhilHealth responsibly, honestly, and with integrity and refrain from employing unscrupulous methods like actively recruiting patients just so they could avail of PhilHealth benefits,” the SC said.

“Likewise, PhilHealth members and its officials are similarly exhorted to act with prudence and without any corrupt motives. Medical practitioners should not also allow themselves to be drawn into this unethical practice,” the Court added.

The SC issued the call after it reversed and set aside the Court of Appeal’s decision issued on March 21, 2014 and resolution dated September 17, 2014, which affirmed the ruling issued by the lower court directing PhilHealth to reimburse USHH the amount of P1.47 million plus legal interest from May 2010 as actual damages and P100,000 in attorney’s

fees and P3,500 per hearing, as ad by way of appearance fees. The USHH filed the complaint against PhilHealth for its failure to pay or act upon its remaining 160 reimbursement claims for cataract treatments or surgeries underwent by its patients.

In upholding the lower court’s decision, the Appellate Court noted that contrary to PhilHealth’s contention, USHH’s claims, which involved surgeries or treatments done in December 2008 up to March 2009, were not performed during medical missions, as declared by PhilHealth’s own fact-finding verification report.

This prompted PhilHealth to el-

evate the issue before the SC, arguing that USHH clearly violated the laws, rules and regulations under the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 as the treatments and surgeries were actually performed in the course of medical missions. PhilHealth also pointed out that some of the claims of USHH were still subject for review, investigation and processing and that administrative cases had been filed against the USHH and several of its affiliated ophthalmologists for violation of the provisions of NHI Act of 1995, particularly for breach of warranties of accreditation, which involve the same issues in the instant case.

PhilHealth discovered that from December 2008 to March 2009, the period covered by the claim, USHH and several of its doctors conducted the screening of patients from several municipalities in Pangasinan.

It noted that USHH and its doctors employed seekers who went from one barangay to another, recruiting patients with cataract problems.

The petitioner added that the free cataract screenings and subsequent operations were conducted under suspicious conditions as to constitute as medical missions given that these procedures were performed pursuant to USHH’s Sagip Tanaw Project.

WHO profits from mega parking lot for funds? Recto wants to know “What happened is this: the PSDBM and PITC have become like cryogenic chambers that deep-freeze funds. The PITC for example, still has P355 million worth of goods and projects to be delivered out of orders made in 2016,” he said.

Recto added, “The RITM building with a project cost of P864 million, it was only in 2017 when the funds were transferred, and the opening of bids took place in March.”

Noting that the same delays plagued subcontracted procure-

ments to PS-DBM, Recto said: “So the mystery is, if PS-DBM has been plagued with delays in the delivery of goods. If it has this huge backlog of deliverables, then why would the Department of Health contract them to buy things we urgently need to

defeat the pandemic?”

The senator said, “it also boggles the mind on why agencies would surrender their funds to a small agency which does not have the expertise to vet highly technical purchases.”

He added: “Trains, planes and

ships have been procured by DBM, which is way over their head as they are more familiar with common-use office supplies like paper and pen.”

Recalling that in 2020, PITC booked an income of P199.8 million, of which P137 million came

from outsourced procurement, Recto added that PS-DBM’s 2020 revenue on the other hand reached P1.02 billion, with sales accounting for P877 million and service fees as procuring agent contributing P21.6 million.

PhilHealth circular halting payments of claims reviewed

“Perhaps, PhilHealth can walk us through the rationale of this circular, especially on its impact on the hospitals and health-care institutions or providers and in the delivery of health services; while the hospital groups can tell us what they see as the possible repercussions of the circular and what compromise can be made so we can move on to address the more pressing concerns of delivering health services to the public amid the Covid-19 health crisis,” she added.

Moreover, PhilHealth acting senior manager Dr. Lambert David said the temporary suspension of payment of claims was merely updated and the recent circular was “issued in the spirit of proper fund management and fraud control.”

David also said PhilHealth is following several guidelines before issuing TSPCs. PhilHealth also assured its members and accredited providers

that all valid claims would not be affected by the policy.

According to David, only 0.21 percent of the total 9,496 accredited health-care providers were issued TSPC as of July 31, 2021.

He said PhilHealth will continue to receive and process all claims with TSPC but the payment will be put on-hold.

Under the circular, the PhilHealth has 120 days to investigate unless extended to warrant investigation, which will not exceed 90 days. It will be automatically lifted after 120 days when, after investigation, no evidence of an offense is found.

PhilHealth acting senior manager Ernesto Barbado said their Fact Finding Investigation and Enforcement Department is resolving issues with hospitals with urgency, “that is why we imposed a three-day period for the hospital to answer the allegations of the findings.”

‘Strong doubt’

PHILIPPINE Hospital Association President Jaime Almora expressed “strong doubt” on the timing of the release of the TSPC circular.

Almora said the PhilHealth circular was released amid mounting pressure for them to pay hospitals.

From January 2020 to June 2021, he reported a total of P86.1 billion of PhilHealth claims not paid to hospitals—comprising inprocess claims with P25.7 billion, return-to-hospital claims with P46.6 billion, and denied claims with P13.8 billion. “ T he hospita ls and doctors were alarmed. They were naturally piqued. The circular came at a time when hospitals and health-care providers are suffering...from fatigue and exhaustion, financial hardship,” he added.

“The circular was released amid mounting pressure for PhilHealth

to pay the hospitals. The pressure is from government-regulating bodies,” Almora added.

With this, Almora said the Board of Directors and Officers of the PHA, the Private Hospital Associations of the Philippines, and the President of the Philippine Medical Associations and other health-care providers, decided to review their engagement with PhilHealth and continue negotiating with PhilHealth.

He said the circular will not only affect health-care providers but patients as well.

Meanwhile, Almora recommended measures to resolve the issues with PhilHealth, including the removal of policies that create too much financial risk for hospitals, administration of due process by hiring a third party composed of medical experts as jury, and installing a representative of health-care providers in the governing board of the PhilHealth.

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A4 Wednesday, August 25, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

SB Corp. readies shipping loan facility for exporters

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

T

HE Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) is set to open a lending facility for exporters this week to assist their financing needs for the shipping of their products, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Trade Secretar y R amon M. Lopez told the BusinessMirror that the financing firm will soon start accepting applications for the shipping loans, which is payable up to 90 days from shipment date.

The trade chief said the Export Development Council requested for the financing program, targeting the exporters who are ready to ship their products as the borrowers.

“The SB Corp. financing will

help our exporters get a reservation slot in the ship carriers in a timely manner,” Lopez said. “Due to global need for vessel space, some shipping companies are asking for advanced payment so these financing are really needed at these challenging times to sustain our export growth momentum.”

The global supply chain has been dealing with constraints in shipment deliveries brought about by container imbalance amid the pandemic. This has resulted in major delays, affecting the exporters’ revenues and production.

According to industry sources, the shipment delays are seen to persist even after the Christmas rush, noting that the second half of the year is the peak shipping season.

The Philippine Exporters Confed-

eration Inc. (Philexport) welcomed the opening of the lending window for the exporters amid surging freight costs.

“The shipping rates were already high [in the] first half of the year from 3 to 4 times previous freight cost,” Philexport Chairman George T. Barcelon told the BusinessMirror.

Exporters from different sectors, including furniture and garments, have previously raised the alarm on the freight increase as this adversely impacts their financials. Ma. Flordeliza C. Leong, Philexport vice president for advocacy, communications and special concerns, even recently told the BusinessMirror that “many food orders had been canceled already due to the huge freight rate increase.”

The current situation was even exacerbated by the closure of a

port in China, Barcelon said, as this is seen to further increase freight rates.

“The SB loan would help financially tide exporters over, both small and medium establishments,” he added.

In June, SB Corp. and the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO) inked a memorandum of agreement, extending a loan program to qualified truck owners as aid to the logistics sector’s recovery.

Over 2,000 ACTOO members may apply for loans, which are not subject to interest and collateral. Those who can submit financial statements may secure loans amounting to P600,000 to P5 million, while those without may apply for borrowings between P10,000 to P200,000.

DA lifts ban on poultry products from Ukraine

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has lifted the temporary import ban on poultry products from Ukraine after the country regained its freedom status from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar issued Memorandum Order (MO) 47 that authorized the lifting of the temporary import ban on

domestic and wild birds and their products from Ukraine.

The DA based the MO on the final report submitted by Ukrainian veterinary authorities to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), disclosing that its previous HPAI outbreaks are now “closed and resolved.”

Citing the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code of 2019 Chapter 10.4 article 10.4.3, the DA noted that Ukraine is now free from HPAI. “Based on the evaluation of the

Department of Agriculture, the risk of contamination from importing poultry meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen is negligible,” Dar said in the MO dated August 23.

“By the power vested in me by law, do hereby lift the temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products originating from Ukraine,” he added.

The MO stipulated that poultry imports from Ukraine “shall be in accordance with existing rules and regulations” of the DA and the Bu-

reau of Animal Industry.

Ukraine was temporarily banned from exporting any poultry products to the Philippines from January 30, 2020 after it confirmed and reported bird flu outbreaks. Ukraine is not a major source of the country’s poultry imports.

The Philippines imposes a temporary import ban on countries that have confirmed bird flu outbreaks to prevent the entry of the animal disease in the country and protect domestic poultry population.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Govt urged to cap WESM prices, allow players secure financing for RE projects

By Lenie Lectura

A

@llectura

N energy finance analyst has recommended that government adopt a price “guarantee” for merchant plants that sell their output at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in order to secure financing for their renewable-energy (RE) projects.

Sarah Jane Ahmed of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said last week in a webinar on energy transition implications on the fiduciary responsibilities of corporate directors that this move could satisfy operators of merchant plants and banking sector’s requirements, while government hits its goal of boosting RE capacity in the Philippines.

“Perhaps a guarantee that is within the spot market system for merchant plants so, in that way, they have their minimum price, whatever that is, to be determined by the regulator [Energy Regulatory Commission], DOE [Department of Energy], as well as feedback from the banks,” she said.

Ahmed explained that this proposal would further unlock the power spot market to function, while bringing in financial surety. Further, she pointed out, this will not support any specific players. “Anyone could have this opportunity and that’s what we want to bring in—new participants in the market. We want to encourage new recognition that renewables has a role to play in our system,” she said.

RE players, particularly those that do not have power-supply contracts, are having difficulty in securing bank financing. If the power plant is not covered by any offtake agreement, the power project’s viability is put at risk. As such, no bank will take a chance to extend financ-

ing because most of the banks fund projects that actually make money and are profitable.

For those that do not have supply contracts, they have no choice but to sell their output at the electricity spot market. WESM prices, however, are volatile. For August, WESM prices hover at P5.03 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), lower than July’s P6.52 per kWh. According to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), WESM price is somehow attributable to supply and demand. The WESM operator noted that the colder weather and implementation of the community quarantine resulted in the lowering of prices as opposed to summer.

There was also an increase in average supply for August compared to the previous month.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Vice President Jo Ann Eala said WESM prices should be above the borrower’s break-even cost.

“If WESM prices will not give them sufficient money to pay the monthly amortization then that is a problem.

To pay, WESM prices should be above your break even cost since you also have to account other possible expenses that have to be added to that break-even production cost,” he said.

Eala added: “We would not take our chances because WESM is a market and there is no floor price. At the end of the day, banks like BPI and BDO are also listed companies and owned by the public. If we get into trouble because of lending left and right, without taking into account those who may not be able to pay, then we will forego our responsibilities to the public as well.”

“If you talk to a private bank with responsibilities to public stakeholders, there are certain limitations as to what we could take,” he said.

Eduardo Francisco, president of BDO C apital, said BDO would continue to look for ways on how it can help RE firms finance their projects.

But hav ing no contract makes it difficult to extend financing. “The size of the debt is not a problem. We can amortize it anyway, but if there is no cont rac t, I guess that’s the issue. You have to protect the bank.

We want to get paid.

Otherwise, it will just be a stranded asset.”

DOE Undersecretary Fe l i x W i l liam Fuentebella recognized these c h a l lenges.

Nonetheless, he urged, everyone to be more understanding. “I know that a lot of RE committed and indicative projec t s fa i led to secure financing or achieved financial closing. This is a tough task.

There should be a give and take,” he said.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

A5

Republic of the Philippines

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

3.

Mr. LONG WANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/month

4.

Mr. TIANWEN ZHENG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. NAOKI YAMAMOTO Japanese

Executive Coordinator (Quality Management) Report major problems concerning the production to the top management for proper action.

Php480,000.00+++/ annum

August 25, 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: KONGENT INC. Amaya I, Tanza, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Mr. QUNMING CAI Chinese

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Warehouse Manager Maintain warehouse, receiving and distribution Php600,000.00+++/ operations by initiating, coordinating and enforcing annum program, operational and personnel policies and procedures.

Name and Address of Employer: SJ E&I INC. Brgy. Pinamucan Ibaba, Batangas City, Batangas

1.

Name and Address of Employer: PILIPINAS KYOHRITSU INC. Bo. Inosloban, Lipa City, Batangas

1.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. SEONGGON YOO Korean

Material Manager Manage inventory and purchasing procedures of materials based on construction plans.

US$2,000.00+++/month

Name and Address of Employer: HEWTECH PHILIPPINES CORP. CIP II, Calamba City, Laguna

Name and Address of Employer: SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. San Francisco (Halang), Biñan City, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. KAZUAKI SHIOZAWA Japanese

Tube Assembly Manager/Operations Manager Manage and supervise production flow.

US$1850.00+++/month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. MING CHANG Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php50,000.00+++/month

2.

Mr. BIN CHEN Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php50,000.00+++/month

3.

Mr. ELVIN WONG Malaysian

Chinese Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php50,000.00+++/month

4.

Mr. JIUMING GUO Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php50,000.00+++/month

5.

Mr. FEI LI Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php50,000.00+++/month

6.

Mr. PENG LU Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php50,000.00+++/month

Salary Range 1.

1.

2.

Mr. JIHUI ZOU Chinese

Mr. SHUO SONG Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

Mandarin Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

Php40,000.00+++/month Name and Address of Employer: MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. Binakayan-Pulvorista, Kawit, Cavite

Php40,000.00+++/month

1.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Mr. XUHANG ZHANG Chinese

Mr. WEI LIANG Chinese

Mr. CHUANXIAO GU Chinese

Mr. XIANG CAO Chinese

Ms. TONG CAO Chinese

Chinese Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

Chinese Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

Chinese Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

Php40,000.00+++/month

Php40,000.00+++/month

Php40,000.00+++/month

Chinese Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

Php40,000.00+++/month

Chinese Customer Service Representative Field incoming help requests from end users from the People’s Republic of China via telephone and work orders in a courteous manner.

Php40,000.00+++/month

Name and Address of Employer: CANON BUSINESS MACHINES (PHILIPPINES), INC. FPIP, Tanauan City, Batangas

1.

Name and Address of Employer: SEIWA KAIUN PHILIPPINES, INC. Phase II Golden Gate Business Park, CEPZ, General Trias, Cavite

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Mr. TSUTOMU KIRIHATA Japanese

Production Control Department 2 (PDC2) Manager Oversee production schedules and activities.

Php167,079.00+++/ month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Position and Job Description

General Manager Mr. TAKERU HASEGAWA Manage the day-to-day operations, assign daily Japanese performances and assure their completion, while accomplish own goals.

Salary Range

Php75,000.00+++/month

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

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

1.

Mr. MEISHAN ZHU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/month

2.

Mr. XU ZHU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00+++/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.

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

A6

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

Harris blasts China’s coercion, intimidation in South China Sea I

India to resume Covid vaccine exports in 2022, official says

S

INGAPORE—US Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a sharp rebuke to China for its incursions in the South China Sea, warning its actions there amount to “coercion” and “intimidation” and affirming that the US will support its allies in the region against Beijing’s advances.

“We know that Beijing continues to coerce, to intimidate and to make claims to the vast majority of the South China Sea,” she said in a major foreign policy speech Tuesday in Singapore in which she laid out the Biden administration’s vision for the Indo-Pacific. “Beijing’s

actions continue to undermine the rules-based order and threaten the sovereignty of nations.”

Harris, who is on a weeklong swing through Southeast Asia, declared that the US “stands with our allies and our partners” in the face of threats from China.

The speech sought to cement the US commitment to supporting its allies in an area of growing importance to the Biden administration, which has made countering China’s influence globally a centerpiece of its foreign policy.

And it came during a critical moment for the United States, as the

Biden administration seeks to further solidify its pivot towards Asia while America’s decades-long focus on the Middle East comes to a messy end with the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Harris underscored this shift, calling the Indo-Pacific “critically important to our nation’s security and prosperity.” She said that while the US is focused on closing out its Afghanistan engagement by evacuating as many people as possible, “it is also imperative that as we address developments in one region, we continue to advance our interests in other regions, including this region.”

Her rebuke to Beijing amounted to her sharpest comments yet on the US foe. But Harris was careful to emphasize that the US is seeking greater engagement in the IndoPacific region not just to counter China, but also to advance an “optimistic vision that we have for our participation and partnership in the region.” In deference to Singapore’s staunch neutrality in the US-China dispute, Harris also affirmed that the US isn’t looking to “make anyone choose between countries.”

Speaking in a country that serves as the anchor of the US naval presence in Southeast Asia, Harris emphasized the significance the region holds for US defense. She also emphasized the significant US economic ties there, noting that Southeast Asia represents America’s fourth largest export market.

On Monday, Harris told sailors aboard a US combat ship at the Changi naval base in Singapore that “a big part of the history of the 21st century will be written about this very region” and that their work defending the region was pivotal.

“It is in our vital interest to stand united with our allies and our partners in Southeast Asia in defense of a free and open IndoPacific,” she said.

Harris also met Monday with Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The vice president’s office announced a number of agreements out of that meeting aimed at combating cyberthreats, tackling

climate change, addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and alleviating supply chain issues.

After her speech Tuesday, Harris held a roundtable discussion with business leaders on supply chain issues. Later, she planned to t ravel to Viet na m, where she’ ll meet with top officials Wednesday.

President Joe Biden himself has repeatedly emphasized his focus on China as one of America’s main adversaries. In recent months, his administration has ramped up outreach to the Indo-Pacific region, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Austin both visiting the area in the spring and summer.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken also held a number of virtual meetings with Southeast Asian officials earlier this month.

The chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan, however, complicated that message of support to the region, raising questions about the US commitment to its allies. While Biden said last week that an indefinite engagement would have benefited “true strateg ic competitors” China and Russia, China has seized on the images of violence from the evacuation to slam the US for its engagement there.

C h i nese Foreig n Mi n i st r y spokesperson Wang Wenbin said Monday that the US had done “unscrupulous and dishonest things” in Afghanistan and called on the nation to help rebuild.

“The United States is the root cause and the biggest external factor in the Afghan issue,” Wenbin said. “It cannot just run away like this.”

But Harris, during a joint news conference with Prime Minister Lee on Monday, said that her presence in the country, combined with the agreements around greater cooperation that the Biden administration has pursued with Indo-Pacific countries, speak “volumes in terms of the integrity of the relationships that the United States has around the world on many issues.” AP

More evacuations ordered ahead of Minnesota wildfire

I

SABELLA, Minn.—Authorities ordered more evacuations Monday near a quickly spreading wildfire that’s one of several burning in northeastern Minnesota.

The Lake County Sheriff ’s Office said the new evacuations were happening near Grouse Lake and Mitewan Lake because of the growing Greenwood Lake fire, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of the town of Isabella in the Superior National Forest. Around 50 homes and cabins were covered by the order.

The evacuations follow the clearance of more than 100 homes and cabins in the area last week.

The lightning-caused fire, which was first detected Aug. 15, had burned around nearly 14 square miles (36 square kilometers) as of Monday morning, which was unchanged from Sunday. But Clark McCreedy, public information officer for the interagency team managing the fire, said there was “substantial fire growth” Monday afternoon.

The Greenwood Lake fire is one of several fires burning within the Superior National Forest.

They prompted the closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Saturday for the first time in 45 years. Authorities said

the closure allows crews to focus on existing and new fires and not camper safety. Rangers continued Monday to paddle and hike out to visitors in the vast wilderness area to alert them of the closure, which is scheduled to run at least through Friday.

Meanwhile, firefighters were working Monday to contain a dozen large northern California wildfires that have destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of people to flee to safet y. A nd a w i ldf ire that’s burned about 200 acres on Michigan’s remote Isle Royale prompted the National Park Ser vice to close some trails and campground areas on the wilderness island in Lake Superior.

The Greenwood Lake fire was threatening to cross Minnesota Highway 1, an east-west route through the forest that connects Ely with Lake Superior near Silver Bay. The highway had been closed near the fire as a precaution since last week. Also closed is Lake County Highway 2, which the fire jumped Friday.

A new Red Cross evacuation center was opened at the ice arena in Babbitt, well west of the fire, to complement one set up last week in the town of Finland, safely east of the fire. AP

ndia will likely restart exporting Cov id-19 vaccines next year once it has immunized its own adult population, the head of an influential government expert panel said.

“Almost 60 countries are hardly having any access to vaccine and India should be able to provide a substantial portion in 2022,” N.K. Arora, chairman of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization in India, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday. “As soon as we are through with our adult population we should have sufficient vaccine to share with the rest of the world.”

The South Asian nation, which has the second-largest Covid outbreak with 32.5 million infections, should have six locally developed shots by the end of 2021, Arora said. As the head of vaccine advisory group, he helps the Indian federal government evaluate new vaccines as well as review data from those already rolled out.

Home to the world’s biggest vaccine-producing industry, India earlier this year was shipping out shots to poorer nations amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s muchtouted vaccine diplomacy. There was also an expectation that the country would be a major supplier to the World Health Organizationbacked Covax effort for global equitable access to these vaccines.

But the onset of a devastating second-wave of infections and local supply delays prompted the government to prioritize its own citizens and halted overseas shipments in April.

Covax has since struggled to make up for the shortfall, looking instead to countries such as China to fill the gap as India slowly bolsters its own capacity.

A boosted portfolio of vaccines by the year-end should cover Indian government’s plans to fully

immunize 920 million adults, Arora said.

“That means our requirement will be 1.8 million doses by that time,” he said. “The way our pipeline is we should be able to reach and meet our target by the end of the year.”

Upcoming production

Already vaccines from AstraZeneca Plc—churned out by the Serum Institute of India Ltd.—and Bharat Biotech International Ltd. are being widely deployed in the country, while doses from Cadila Healthcare Ltd. and Russia’s Sputnik V are expected to begin local production in coming months.

Serum, the country’s largest supplier, should be raising its monthly contribution to about 150 million doses from almost 120 mi l l ion shots cur rent ly, Arora said. By September, Bharat Biotech will provide about 120 million doses after “some initial glitches.” Other Indian vaccine makers, Biological E. Ltd. and Genova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., should also start contributing to the supplies, he said.

India has so far administered more than 589 million doses, but even that huge coverage has only fully vaccinated about 10 percent of the population, according to Bloomberg’s vaccine tracker.

Arora said that India isn’t looking to imported vaccines to help boost its own supplies. The country has been negotiating with foreign vaccine makers, such as Pfizer Inc., over legal indemnity clauses that the companies are demanding but there’s been no breakthrough yet.

“We are totally, kind of, banking on indigenously manufactured vaccines,” he said. “Our estimates on supply lines do not take into account any of the vaccines from abroad.” Bloomberg News

US regulators give full approval to Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine

W

ASHINGTON—The US gave full approval to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine on Monday, potentially boosting public confidence in the shots and instantly opening the way for more universities, companies and local governments to make vaccinations mandatory.

The Pentagon promptly announced it will press ahead with plans to force members of the military to get vaccinated amid the battle against the extra-contagious Delta variant. The University of Minnesota likewise said it will require its students get the shot, as did Louisiana’s major public universities, including LSU, though state law there allows broad exemptions.

More than 200 million Pfizer doses have been administered in the US under emergency provisions—and hundreds of millions more worldwide—since December.

In going a step further and granting full approval, the Food and Drug Administration cited months of real-world evidence that serious side effects are extremely rare.

President Joe Biden said that for those who hesitated to get the vaccine until it received what he dubbed the “gold standard” of FDA approval, “the moment you’ve been waiting for is here.”

“Please get vaccinated today,” he said.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the FDA’s action “an important milestone that I think will unlock some of the more skeptical minds.”

Pfizer said the US is the first country to grant full approval of its vaccine, in a process that required a 360,000-page application and rigorous inspections. Never before has the FDA has so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety.

The formula, jointly developed with Germany’s BioNTech, will be marketed under the brand name Comirnaty.

Moderna has also applied to the FDA for full approval of its vaccine.

Johnson & Johnson, maker of the third option in the US, said it hopes to do so later this year.

Just over half of the US population is fully vaccinated. Vaccinations in this country bottomed out in July at an average of about a half-million shots per day, down from a peak of 3.4 million a day in mid-April. As the Delta variant fills hospital beds, shots are on the rise again, with a million a day given Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Full approval of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine means it meets the same “very high standards required of all the approved vaccines we rely on every day,” said Dr. Jesse Goodman of Georgetown University, a former FDA vaccine chief. That should help “anyone who still has concerns gain confidence” in the shots.

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he would seek the president’s OK to make the vaccine mandatory by mid-September or once the FDA grants final approval, whichever comes first. On Monday, after the FDA acted, the Pentagon said guidance on vaccinations will be worked out and a timeline will be provided in the coming days.

The approval also opened the way for swift action by colleges to require vaccines and solidified the legal ground for hundreds of universities that have already issued mandates for students and staff.

The public university systems in Louisiana and Minnesota had been waiting for FDA action before making vaccinations mandatory.

Louisiana has become a Covid-19 hot spot, repeatedly breaking records for the number of people hospitalized with the virus. But certain other states forbid universities to require shots, including Texas and Florida. AP

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

24 INCH GAUGE CONSTRUCTION INC. L4 Blk. 4 Near Kay Buboy Bridge San Dionisio Parañaque City

CAO, JINE Marketing Specialist 1.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches

HONG, QIAOJUAN Marketing Specialist 2.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches

WU, YOU-FU Marketing Specialist 3.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches

24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 5th-6th-7th Flr. 81 Newport Bl Newport City Brgy. 183 Pasay City

4.

5.

6.

CHANG, SEN-TING Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

KHOR CHEE HOI Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

YOO JAY VEN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1 Pitx Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City AYE SANDAR NAING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 7.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

CHEN, TUANMING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 8.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

SONG, CHAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 9.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

SU, CHENGYONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 10.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

SU VAY SENH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 11.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

TANG TRINH HOA Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 12.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

VI VAN DUNG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 13.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment; Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field; Good communication and interpersonal skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment; Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field; Good communication and interpersonal skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment; Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field; Good communication and interpersonal skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. *Detail-oriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: *Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. *Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer goals Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer goals Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting costume information and analysing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer goals Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YANG, YANFENG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

14.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

ZHANG, YU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 15.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

ZHAO, LINGAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 16.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

ZHU, WEILIN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 17.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking GU, HONGYAN Mandarin Customer Service Representative

18.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status LONG, GUIYOU Mandarin Customer Service Representative

19.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status ACCENTURE, INC. 7f Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1 Pioneer St Mandaluyong City LEE, YONG JUN Language Specialist – Korean

20.

Brief Job Description: Provide first line of support and resolves simple to complex technical and non-technical issued reported by the users or systems; perform quality audit and translations; perform service desk management function; facilitate critical incident management

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

A7

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer goals Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer goals Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analysing customer goals Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in information technology; Computer science or other relevant fields; Proficient in Korean language; Excellent communication skills both written and oral Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

AJINOMOTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 11th Floor, V Corporate Centre 125 L.p. Leviste Street Salcedo Village Makati City YOSHIKAWA, JUN Basic Qualification: Director-treasurer Graduate of a four year degree 21.

Brief Job Description: Primarily responsible for the finance and information Salary Range: technology function of the organization Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 AMUSETECH BUSINESS OUTSOURCING 6, 7, 8th Flr. (np) Moa Arena, J.w. Diokno Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend ZHOU, DONG potential products or services Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking to management by collecting customer information and 22.

Brief Job Description: analysing customer needs Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D. Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street Tambo Parañaque City Basic Qualification: AYIZIHA Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 23.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HO MINH TU Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 24.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, XU Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 25.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIANG, FENG Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 26.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN VAN HUNG Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 27.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NONG VAN KHANH Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 28.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: TUN TUN WIN Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 29.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YAN, XIAOSA Able to speak, Read, and Chinese Customer Service Write Chinese language 30.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YUAN, PENG Able to speak, read, and Chinese Customer Service write Chinese language 31.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 BS IT SOLUTION CONSULTANCY GROUP OUTSOURCING INC. 306 Avida Citiflex Tower Corner Lane T Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

No.

32.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YU, HYUNWOO Purchasing Manager Brief Job Description: Developing and implementing purchasing strategies.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in any field.

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

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors, Science Hub Tower 4 Bldg. Mckinley Hill Cyberpark Fort Bonifacio Taguig City NARULA, GAGAN Basic Qualification: Deputy General Manager-pex Candidate must be a Six Sigma Black belt certified 33.

Brief Job Description: Leads a team of Process Excellence Specialists in the Salary Range: region. Ensure integration and alignment vertically and Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 horizontally across organization DEXIN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CORP. 534 Tomas Mapua St. 029 Bgy. 298 Santa Cruz Manila YU, JINHONG Basic Qualification: Chinese Cargo Office Agent have skills in documentations 34.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Prepare airline and custom documentations Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503 Nueva St Binondo Manila Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, KANG, JIANFENG ideas, and research to help Marketing And Sales Agent develop marketing strategies; can help to detail, design, 35.

Brief Job Description: and implement marketing Researches and develops various marketing strategies for plans for each product or products and services and implements marketing plans service being offered. and works to meet sales quotas Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, LI, ZHIQUAN ideas, and research to help Marketing And Sales Agent develop marketing strategies; can help to detail, design, Brief Job Description: and implement marketing 36.

Researches and develops various marketing strategies for plans for each product or products and services and implements marketing plans service being offered. and works to meet sales quotas Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, XIE, SHIYUAN ideas, and research to help Marketing And Sales Agent develop marketing strategies; can help to detail, design, 37.

Brief Job Description: and implement marketing Researches and develops various marketing strategies FOR plans for each product or PRODUCTS and services and implements marketing plans service being offered. and works to meet sales quotas Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, YU, SIRUI ideas, and research to help Marketing And Sales Agent develop marketing strategies; can help to detail, design, 38.

Brief Job Description: and implement marketing Researches and develops various marketing strategies for plans for each product or products and services and implements marketing plans service being offered. and works to meet sales quotas Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ENERGY LOGICS PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 1207 The Trade And Financial Tower 7th Ave. Cor. 32nd St., Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City YANG, ZHOU Basic Qualification: Deputy Project Manager Bachelor’s Degree 39.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: oversee the construction of Power Plant Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 LUO, BIN Basic Qualification: Project Manager Bachelor’s Degree 40.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: oversee the project construction of Power Plant Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 JIANG, JIAN Basic Qualification: Senior Mechanical Engineer Bachelor’s Degree 41.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: oversee the mechanical Aspect of the Project Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 ESTUDIO ARKIPELAGO CONSULTANTS INC. Unit 1102 One Park Drive 11th St. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: DIAZ CALVO, JAVIER Must be an Engineering Technical Supervisor For Spanish Customer Relations graduate fluent in Spanish 42.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Spanish clients assistance on site Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 FILFLY CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT INC. #1295 G. Araneta Ave. Cor. N.s. Amoranto Sto. Domingo 1 Quezon City Basic Qualification: With solid knowledge of GONG, WANHONG marketing technologies Marketing Officer and principles. Good understanding of Market 43.

Brief Job Description: research techniques and Supporting the marketing manager in overseeing the analysis.

Departments operation.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With solid knowledge of WU, WENBI marketing technologies Marketing Officer and principles. Good understanding of Market 44.

Brief Job Description: research techniques and Supporting the marketing manager in overseeing the analysis.

Departments operation.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 FLY ASIAN INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION Eighty One Newport Blvd. Newport City Va, Brgy. 183 Pasay City Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months LI, JIA experience with the above Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) position. Can multi-task and keen to details. Any 45.

Brief Job Description: nationality who can speak Studying company profile and operations to understand and write Chinese fluently. its marketing needs. Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months ZHANG, YONGSHUN experience with the above Marketing Consultant (Mandarin Speaking Clients) position. Can multi-task and keen to details. Any 46.

Brief Job Description: nationality who can speak Studying company profile and operations to understand and write Chinese fluently. its marketing needs. Implementing a marketing strategy according to objectives and budget.

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

BusinessMirror

A8 Wednesday, August 25, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Malate Bayview Mansion 1781 M. Adriatico Street 076, Brgy. 699 Malate Manila Basic Qualification: LU, MIN Fluent in Oral and Written Chinese Customer Service Mandarin and English 47.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Assisting clients by providing information on services Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZENG, HAIXIN Fluent in Oral and Written Chinese Customer Service Mandarin and English 48.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Assisting clients by providing information on services Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2306 Antel Global Corporate Center Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center, San Antonio Pasig City Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; GIANG VINH KHUYNH Can Prepare product Customer Service Representative or service reports by collecting and analyzing Brief Job Description: customer information; Can A customer service representative supports customers 49. contribute to team effort by by providing helpful information, answering questions, accomplishing related results and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of as needed; Can Manage large support for clients and customers and they help ensure amounts of incoming calls that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 GLOBAL TELEHEALTH INC. 3/f, Globe Telecom Plaza 2 Pioneer Cor. Madison Mandaluyong City Basic Qualification: GUYON, PIERRE, RENE, ANTOINE 8 years of International Associate, Venture Strategist experience working with e-commerce and 50.

Brief Job Description: marketplace start-ups Conducts advisory services in business strategy, market trend analyses, development and building of initial Salary Range: strategies and execution plans for the venture Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor Silver City 4, Ortigas East Ugong Pasig City Basic Qualification: Analyse the productivity YU, JIANGHUA of the Marketing plans Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking and projects, recommend optimization to Senior 51.

Brief Job Description: Management.

Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor Eight West Campus Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City HERDINA SURYANTO Basic Qualification: Indonesian Customer Support Representative Able to speak and write in Indonesian and at least Brief Job Description: college level with related 52.

Supports customers by providing helpful information, BPO experience. answering questions, and responding to complaints. Able to speak and write in INDONESIAN and at least college Salary Range: level with related BPO experience.

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 KERNEL PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit 2602, 26/f Discovery Centre No. 25 Adb Ave. Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City Basic Qualification: YOKOYAMA, KOSAKU Must have N1 Japanese lang.

Director For System Development And Senior Manager Certificate; 10 yrs exp in For General Affairs Department Emedded C language; must have IPA licenses and fluent 53.

Brief Job Description: in both English and Japanese To oversee/ handle the engineering 2 dept. And manage language (written and oral) the system development operations and shall be responsible for the operations of Gen. Affairs Dept. of Salary Range: Kernel Phils Inc. Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Must have IPA (IT promotion agency) licenses, project KOIKE, MASAHIRO management skill, training Manager For Software Development Department skill, business skill, evaluation skill, communication skill -54.

Brief Job Description: fluent in both Japanese and Responsible for managing the engineering in software English language (written development department under the control of the and oral) director for software development Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg. Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City Basic Qualification: DU, QIDI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 55. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, JIANGHE Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 56. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, MENGKAI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 57. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: MEI, HONGWEI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 58. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: QIN, JIWEI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 59. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WANG, ZHUANGZHI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 60. mandarin Brief Job Description: Open and maintain customer accounts by recording Salary Range: account information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WU, CONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 61. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHAU GIA VIEN Proficient in speaking, Vietnamese Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider reading and writing in 62.

Vietnamese Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and Salary Range: analysing customer information Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

65.

66.

67.

68.

63.

Brief Job Description: Oversee and administer tests

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills and management

80.

81.

82.

83.

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

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

64.

CHEAH MOI KIEW Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NGUYEN NGOC ANH Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SU, CHANGLIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XU, RUI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YANG, LIHONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

84.

HUANG, SHIWEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HUANG, ZHEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

JIANG, HAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

JIANG, YANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

JIANG, YUNGUAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

No.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

85.

86.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

87.

88.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LI, MING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

LIU, HAO Chinese Customer Service

89.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LIU, JIAWEI Chinese Customer Service

90.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

LIU, XUYONG Chinese Customer Service

91.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

LIU, JIE Chinese Customer Service

92.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

LUO, JUANJUAN Chinese Customer Service

93.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

OUYANG, MENGTING Chinese Customer Service

94.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

PENG, JINPEI Chinese Customer Service

95.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

REN, JIWEI Chinese Customer Service

96.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

SHAO, LIANG Chinese Customer Service

97.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

SHI, MING Chinese Customer Service

98.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

SHI, QIANFENG Chinese Customer Service

99.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

LI, HONGZHENG Chinese Customer Service

LIAO, JUNZHE Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LI, TAO Chinese Customer Service

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

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive Don Galo Parañaque City Basic Qualification: BAO, LINGLI College graduate, Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience the similad field speak and write fluently 69.

Brief Job Description: native Language Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file Salary Range: documents Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CAO, ZHONGDAN College graduate, Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience the similad field speak and write fluently 70.

Brief Job Description: native Language Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file Salary Range: documents Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHEN, WEI College graduate, preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write 71.

Brief Job Description: fluently (native language & Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, English) provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHEN, CONGYUAN College graduate, Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience the similar field speak and write fluently 72.

Brief Job Description: native Language Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file Salary Range: documents Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHI, JUNJIE College graduate, preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write 73.

Brief Job Description: fluently (native language & Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, English) provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: DONG, YI College graduate, Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience the similar field speak and write fluently 74.

Brief Job Description: native Language Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file Salary Range: documents Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: GU, XIAOLING College graduate, preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write 75.

Brief Job Description: fluently (native language & Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, English) provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: GU, JINGYING College graduate, Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience the similar field speak and write fluently 76.

Brief Job Description: native Language Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file Salary Range: documents Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer HU, XIAOXU application with good oral Chinese Customer Service and written communication 77. skills Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HU, BO College graduate, Preferably Chinese Customer Service 1 year experience the similad field speak and write fluently 78.

Brief Job Description: native Language Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file Salary Range: documents Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer HUANG, CONG application with good oral Chinese Customer Service and written communication 79. skills Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MESCO, INC. Reliance Cor. Brixton Sts. Kapitolyo Pasig City SAIKI, ATSUKI Department Manager

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

SUN, YONGYUN Chinese Customer Service 100.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

TANG, SHOUPING Chinese Customer Service 101.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WANG, RUNLI Chinese Customer Service 102.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and english) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and english) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WANG, XIAOYU Chinese Customer Service

103.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WANG, ZHAOBANG Chinese Customer Service

104.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WANG, AOZE Chinese Customer Service

105.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

WANG, KAIXUAN Chinese Customer Service

106.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

XIANG, DIANBAO Chinese Customer Service

107.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

XIAO, DI Chinese Customer Service

108.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents.

XUE, HAILIANG Chinese Customer Service

109.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

YAN, KUNBO Chinese Customer Service 110.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

YANG, ZHAO Chinese Customer Service 111.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

ZHANG, XUYAO Chinese Customer Service 112.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

ZHANG, AOXIONG Chinese Customer Service 113.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

ZHAO, ZHIWEI Chinese Customer Service 114.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

ZHOU, QIONG Chinese Customer Service 115.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

ZHOU, RIFEI Chinese Customer Service 116.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

CHU, YANMING Chinese Customer Service 117.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

LIM JIA SANG Malaysian Customer Service 118.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints, provide solutions, process customer accounts and file the documents.

AHSAN, SAMUEL Pakistani Customer Service

119.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming calls and inquiries, handling complaints , provide solutions, process customer accounts and file documents

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language).

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar field, speaks and write fluently (Mandarin & English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate, preferably 1 year Chinese customer service experience in the similar field, must be fluent in mandarin and English written and orally Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

YANG, MING Mandarin Business Development Manager 120.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1yr experience in the similar field, speak and write fluently (native language and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. 11th Floor, The Marajo Tower 26th Street Cor. 4th Avenue Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Business Management; Mandarin speaking.

130.

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

TANG, SHIHONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

131.

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

NGUYEN THI VI PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

132.

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

VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1439 Adriatico Cor. Sta. Monica St. 072 Bgy. 669 Ermita Manila

133.

134.

135.

136.

137.

LIAO, FUXING Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

LIU, QINGLIN Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

LIU, YAO Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

SONG, HUANHUAN Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

SUN, CHAO Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

138.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing; Mandarin speaking.

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City TANG, BO Mandarin Customer Support Representative

No.

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor the day-to-day marketing operations within the company, such as market data on a local, regional or Salary Range: national level.

Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 PHILIPS DOMESTIC APPLIANCES SUPPORT PHILIPPINES, INC. 10/f Sunlife Center 5th Ave. Cor. Rizal Drive Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: NGUYEN HOANG DUNG Must be fluent (written Order Management Team Member - Vietnamese Speaker and verbal) in Vietnamese Language. Experience in Brief Job Description: Supply Chain and Order 122.

The Order Management Team Member supports our Management, Customer customers in Vietnam, he/she ensures timely and accurate Service and SAP capture of orders, and also timely completion of order delivery according to customer requirements while Salary Range: adhering to agreed Service Level Agreements.

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 RED DOT MARKETING AND BRANDING INC. Unit 1514 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila Basic Qualification: YAP KHUEN FOO Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service reading and writing in 123.

Mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, RENREN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service reading and writing in 124.

Mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, JIN-LONG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Operation Specialist reading and writing in 125.

Mandarin Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and Salary Range: operational efficiency Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YIN, JIALE Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Operation Specialist reading and writing in 126.

Mandarin Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and Salary Range: operational efficiency Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIN, CHENG-HUNG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Technical Support reading and writing in 127.

Mandarin Brief Job Description: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer Salary Range: system Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TELETECH CUSTOMER CARE MANAGEMENT PHILIPPINES, INC. Five E-com, 10th Floor Harbor Drive Corner Palm Coast Avenue Mall Of Asia Complex Pasay City Basic Qualification: With IT related background JUNG, JONADAN (Technical Support Rep); Technical Support Representative (TSR 1) - Bilingual Fluency in the Korean 128. language both spoken and Brief Job Description: written Handle inbound phone & email inquiries from customers based in Korea Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With IT related background YANG, LIN-SUNG (Technical Support Rep); Technical Support Representative (TSR 1) - Bilingual Fluency in the Chinese language both spoken and 129.

Brief Job Description: written Handle inbound phone & email inquiries from customers based in China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate, Preferably 1 year experience the similar field speak and write fluently native Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: To provide significant support, through the use of Mandarin native language to senior professionals in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin speaking counterpart and clients.

WANG, ZONGYUAN Mandarin Marketing Specialist

121.

Basic Qualification: College graduate, Preferably 1 year experience the similar field speak and write fluently native Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Vietnamese and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking

139.

140.

141.

142.

143.

144.

145.

146.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

WEI, WUDE Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic gaming devices

ZHANG, YUANYONG Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic gaming devices

ZHAO, GUANGYU Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic gaming devices

DAO DUC VUONG IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

DIET LY PHI IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

HUYNH VAN MINH IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

NGUYEN TIEN DUNG IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

NGUYEN VAN HOAN IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

TRAN TIEN HA IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic gaming devices

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VOLENDAY INC. U1406 14/f Pacific Star Bldg. Sen. Gil Puyat Cor. Makati Ave. Bel-air Makati City Basic Qualification: ZHAO, TAN To provide consulting Online System Charging Employee technical and advisory 147. services Brief Job Description: Responsible for onsite survey, provide technical support Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, WENKAI To provide consulting Project Control Manager technical and advisory services 148.

Brief Job Description: Work out, monitor, communicate and complete regional Salary Range: task Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: ZHENG, DUYANG To provide consulting Regional Project Manager technical and advisory 149. services Brief Job Description: Develop the regional monthly plan, track the regional Salary Range: project Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: YUE, XIAO To provide consulting Unified Communication Technical Director technical and advisory 150. services Brief Job Description: Manage internal and external command center phase 3 Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 WUHAN FIBERHOME INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. San Lorenzo Makati City Basic Qualification: LIU, BAOJUN Fluent in mandarin and Technical Manager college graduate 151.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Conduct training to engineers and technicians Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZTE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 1201 & 1202 12th Floor Fort Legend Towers 3rd Ave. Corner 31st St. Bgc, Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: GONG, HAIPENG Graduate of Information Project Technology Supervisor Technology 152.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Project technical management Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: XIONG, GANG Graduate of Information Project Technology Supervisor Technology 153.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Project technical management Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, XIANGHONG Graduate of Information Project Technology Supervisor Technology 154.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Project technical management Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Aug 24, 2021 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 DOLE-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE-NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A9

A10 Wednesday, August 25, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Helping producers hit by shipping crisis

T

wo Philippine companies announced recently that they will launch direct shipping routes to the United States, which are expected to bring relief to exporters who cannot find vessels due to the global shipping crisis. Davao-based Reefer Express Line Filipinas said it will ship goods from Mindanao to the US at lower rates (See, “Direct Mindanao-US shipping route will reduce costs, time,” in the BusinessMirror, August 9, 2021). Logistics firm Royal Cargo Inc. said it will also ship agricultural products directly to the US (See, “All set for RCI direct PHL-US sea route,” in the BusinessMirror, August 23, 2021).

These initiatives would certainly help ease the difficulties being experienced by Philippine exporters in finding ships that will transport their products to major export markets, such as the US and European countries. In March, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) said delays in shipments being experienced by local exporters and manufacturers range from two weeks to a month. Two months after, Philexport said the delays had stretched to more than two months.

However, traders and manufacturers need more shipping companies to transport their goods to major export markets (See, “Exporters seek more US lines amid delays,” in the BusinessMirror, August 23, 2021). Two groups—Philexport and the Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines—revealed that bulk of the pending cargo are West-bound. Some shipments have already been delayed by nearly six months due to the lack of vessels and the surge in freight rates.

The Covid-19 pandemic remains as the biggest single factor that impedes the flow of goods and international trade. Mobility restrictions put in place to stop the virus from infecting more people and the emergence of Covid-19 variants are exacerbating the shipping crisis. For instance, the Meishan terminal at Ningbo port in China—the world’s third busiest port—was forced to shut down recently after a worker was infected with the Delta variant of Covid-19.

The partial closure of the Chinese port has driven international freight rates to record-highs. Prior to the shutdown of the Meishan terminal, freight rates have already jumped to as much as $20,000 per twenty foot equivalent unit, from just $1,000 per TEU before the pandemic. These rates are simply beyond the reach of Philippine exporters, particularly those exporting farm products that incurred losses due to the lockdowns and tough quarantine restrictions imposed by the government last year. Now that demand for their products is starting to pick up, they cannot take full advantage of this because of the shipping crisis.

The government, shipping lines and exporters need to find a viable workaround for this dilemma that also bedevils other exporters in the region. Local exporters and manufacturers would be hard pressed to help the government hasten economic recovery if shipment delays persist. Losses incurred by manufacturers and traders could force them to lay off more workers or reduce their work hours, a development that could expand the ranks of the unemployed and the poor in the country.

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua

SSS Unemployment Benefit Program: Helping Filipino workers during the pandemic Aurora C. Ignacio

All About Social Security

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osing a job unexpectedly can be one of life’s greatest challenges. It takes you out of your comfort zone as you will no longer have a steady income to provide for your family’s basic needs, not to mention the monthly bills that you still have to pay for like electricity, water, telephone, Internet, etc.

It can be unnerving not knowing where to get funds for your expenses, especially at this time that we’re still in the middle of a pandemic and employment opportunities are scarce due to uncertainty of the resumption of businesses. And even if you have your life savings, you can’t avoid worrying and thinking about the future. Until when can your savings tide you over?

In European countries like Germany, pension funds provide unemployment benefits to their workers. In the Philippines, SSS is the only pension fund institution that

offers this Unemployment Benefit (UB) Program to workers who were involuntarily separated from employment.

As one of the significant provisions of Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018, which was implemented on March 5, 2019, UB is a cash allowance granted to covered employees including househelpers and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were involuntarily separated from employment due to economic downturn, natural or human-induced calamities/disasters, installation of labor-saving

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devices, redundancy, retrenchment or downsizing, closure or cessation of operation, and disease/illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to him/her or his/her co-employees’ health.

To qualify, a member must: n not be more than 60 years at the time of involuntary separation,

Memoirs of a kidnap victim

Founder Publisher

In 2020, SSS has released more than P1.7 billion in unemployment benefits to 135,814 members—this is an 860.9-percent increase from the disbursement of P177.86 million in 2019. The number of beneficiaries increased by 811.8 percent last year, compared to 14,895 members in 2019. Part of the reason of this increase is the lockdown that started last year due to the pandemic when businesses were forced to close, causing massive unemployment.

While it is unfortunate that workers got laid off, it gives us comfort that in a way, we were able to alleviate their financial burden.

Kuwentong Peyups

I

F Tokhang was already a sensational word in the 1990s, I could have been considered a tokhang survivor.

Tokhang is a term that blends the Visayan words “toktok” (knock) and “hangyo” (persuade)—government forces knocking on the doors of suspected drug pushers and users to urge them to stop engaging in the illicit drug trade.

“Oplan Tokhang” is the controversial flagship anti-drugs program of the Duterte administration where thousands of suspects on the tokhang lists ended up dead, either during police operations or under questionable circumstances.

The “nanlaban” narrative centered on majority of the victims who were allegedly killed because they fought back and initiated aggression during police operations.

I almost became a tokhang victim myself at the age of 26.

On the evening of August 23,1997, I just came from my class from UP

College of Law and on my way to the wake of Filipina comfort woman Lola Rosa Henson.

While our car was on halt somewhere in Quezon City, armed men swarmed our car.

One tapped on my side of the window (in a tokhang style) while pointing a gun at me. Then he opened the door and started searching. He asked, “where are the drugs?”

As they found none, I was pulled out from our car and was transferred to their vehicle. They also took my friend’s car along with a female classmate.

What made me feel helpless was

I never knew the real reason behind that incident 24 years ago, but it only showed one thing: abuses of the police and military are not far-fetched.

the fact that my eyeglasses misted.

Running for safety would have been difficult for me because of the resulting dull vision.

Inside their car, one held me down with his hand pinning my head onto his lap. He also removed my eyeglasses.

As we travelled in a seemingly circuitous route, I felt some cold heavy metal on my head, and was sure that it was a gun. I thought of jumping out but I realized that even before I could get up and open the door, the man holding me down could easily shoot me.

They continued to bombard me with threats. “Huwag kang magulo kung ayaw mong ma-salvage. Hindi ka namin gagalawin dahil hindi ikaw ang pakay namin. Baka gusto mong patayin ka na rin namin (Don’t fret if you don’t want us to kill you. We won’t hurt you because we are not really after you).

Prayers kept me alive until I was released.

except for underground/surface mineworkers and racehorse jockeys whose age should not be more than 50 and 55 years old, respectively, and n must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 months of which should have been paid within the 18-month period before the involuntary separation.

For example, a member was involuntarily separated on July 7, 2021, therefore, he must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 months of which were paid in January 2020 to June 2021 (or 18-month period prior to July 2021) in order to qualify for the benefit.

Qualified members will receive a monthly cash benefit equivalent to 50 percent of member’s average monthly salary credit for a maximum of two months. As an example, if the said member’s AMSC is at P16,000, he will get a two-month cash benefit amounting to P16,000 (or P8,000 for each month).

To apply, simply : n login to your My.SSS account and enroll your preferred disbursement account through the Disbursement Account Enrollment Module (DAEM) under the E-Services tab.

See “Ignacio,” A11

“Sige, tumakbo ka na ng mabilis at huwag kang lilingon at baka barilin pa kita [Run, run fast and don’t look back or I’ll shoot you].”

To me, these were words of freedom from the anxiety that any second I would be dumped dead in that secluded area somewhere in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela.

Freedom almost always brings a sense of elation and relief. However, adjusting back to the real world can be just as difficult as abruptly leaving it.

The trauma kept me afloat for days.

A week later, the same group that kidnapped me was reportedly killed in a shootout with policemen. They were identified as former cops or military men. That prompted me to keep my silence.

From 1993 to 2003, the total incidents of “reported” kidnap cases have been estimated at 1,292, with victims totaling 2,330. That is approximately one kidnap victim every two days.

If the perpetrators were caught alive, they could have been charged with either (a) kidnapping and serious illegal detention or (b) carnapping.

The essence of the crime of kidnapping is the actual deprivation See “Gorecho,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Vaccine. History. Hesitancy Dr. Carl E. Balita

Entrepreneurs’ Footprints

T

he people who are hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccines and the anti-vaxxers have something in common. They had been vaccinated for at least a preventable disease in their lives. They probably did not realize that the reason why they still live up to now is the vaccine they once were inoculated with. We can credit their lives and that of their children to the vaccines that triggered their immune system to have an army and armory of antibodies that protect against present and future attacks of unseen enemies on Earth. They may still get sick but the vaccines have pre-set the memory of their immune system to have the infection under control.

We, including the vaccine hesitant and the anti-vaxxers, should be thankful to the science of vaccinology, the very same science or even an improved version of the science that brought the vaccines against the novel coronavirus causing this pandemic. Science as an evolving discipline shall continue to improve upon what it already knows in the discovery of what may still be out there to understand and use in an ever-dynamic universe.

Vaccines in retrospect

Vaccinology, a 225-year-old science, historically includes basic science, immunogens, the host immune response, delivery strategies and technologies, manufacturing and clinical evaluation. From the story of the West in 1796, a British Doctor Edward Jenner inoculated a 13-yearold boy with vaccinia virus and demonstrated immunity to small pox.

Two years after, the vaccine against smallpox was developed. For that, Edward Jenner was regarded to have founded vaccinology. But earlier than that, Buddhist monks drank snake venom to confer immunity to snake bites. Also practiced was the smearing of a skin tear with cowpox, called variolation, to confer immunity to small pox.

Other scientists followed the lead.

Louis Pasteur led to the development of cholera vaccine (1897) and anthrax vaccine (1904) for humans.

Plaque vaccine was also invented in the late 19th century and between 1890 and 1950, bacterial vaccine development proliferated, including Bacillis-Calmette-Guerin (BCG), which is still being used today to prevent the then killer pulmonary tuberculosis. Alexander Glenny gave us the inactive tetanus toxin, which is the same technology that led to the development of the vaccine against diphtheria in 1926 and against pertussis licensed in 1948. This led to

Ignacio. . .

continued from A10

n once approved, submit your application by clicking “Apply for the Unemployment Benefit Claim” also found under the E-Services tab. n fill in the requested information such as the DAEM-enrolled account, employment category, date and reason of involuntary separation and employer’s name where you have been separated. n review the provided information/details and make sure the same are correct before clicking “Submit”.

SSS will send a notification email to which the applicant must respond by attaching scanned copies of the Certification of Involuntary Separation issued by the Depart-

Gorecho. . .

continued from A10

of the victim’s liberty coupled with the intent of the accused to effect it.

The deprivation of a person’s liberty can be committed in different ways. It is not always necessary that the victim be imprisoned. The second element of the crime of kidnapping is met as long as it could be shown that the victim’s liberty of movement is restricted. (People v. Borja, GR

what most of us got as DPT vaccine.

Between 1950 and 1985, the viral tissue culture methods led to the advent of the polio vaccine, which eradicated the disease in many regions around the world after mass polio immunization. Thanks to Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin for these.

There had been recent development with the application of molecular genetics and increased insights into immunology, microbiology and genomics. Vaccines are now staging a good fight against dreaded diseases like hepatitis, influenza, pneumonia, human papilloma virus, cytomegalovirus, chicken pox, dengue fever, HIV, and more. And the list is not limited to communicable diseases as vaccines may soon be available against allergies, autoimmune diseases and addictions.

Upon the discovery of the novel SARS-CoV-2, the world of science engaged to provide for the solution based on the lessons of the past, resources and expertise of the present and the motivation to save the future.

Understanding hesitancy

The recent SWS survey indicates that 45 percent of Filipinos are now willing to be inoculated, a 13 percent jump from the previous month. Some 36 percent of the 45 percent said that “they will surely get it” while 9 percent said that “they will probably get it.”

The vaccine hesitancy continuum proposed by SAGE Working Group starts with an outright refusal of all vaccines where blindly nothing is acceptable at all—non-negotiable.

This is followed by some awakening moment when one “refuses but unsure.” This is followed by “accept some, delay, refuse some” stage when reluctance is balanced with some opportunity to get more enlightenment. This expands to “accept but unsure” which may be passive willingness but with reservation.

Until it reaches the level where one “accepts all.”

Vaccine hesitancy may be present in situations where vaccine uptake is low because of systems failure (like sock-outs, limited availability, curtailment of vaccine services), and in which case hesitancy is not the main reason for the presence of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated population. Studies, however, show that when rates of hesitancy are high, levels of demands are low, but low rates of hesitancy do not necessarily mean that demand will be high.

There is indeed a need to develop specific strategies beyond those aimed at addressing hesitancy. While some areas in the country are flooded by the eager recipients of the vaccines, there remains to be areas where people are patiently waiting for its availability.

Seeing hesitancy through the C’s

Vaccine hesitancy refers to the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination, and the unwillingness to receive vaccines, when vaccination services are available and accessible.

It covers a small percentage of the population but its harmful effects are most likely to be more pronounced during the pandemic and in the age of social media where cognitive biases are exaggerated with its DunningKruger, ripple and eventually bandwagon effects. Vaccine hesitancy is pervasive, maybe misinformed, and surely contagious and is not limited to Covid-19 vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy is complex and context specific. The freedom inherent in modern humanity is both a shield to protect and a privilege to invoke regardless of personal or social gains or harms.

The SAGE Working Group proposed the Hesitancy Three C’s Model (2015) of vaccine hesitancy to include confidence, complacency, and convenience. Confidence is defined as trust in the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines, the system that delivers them including the health professionals and the motivation of the policy-makers who decide on the needed vaccines.

Complacency exists where perceived risks of vaccine-preventable diseases are low and vaccination is not deemed a necessary preventive action. Self-efficacy, the self-perceived or real ability of an individual to take action to be vaccinated, also influences the degree to which complacency determines hesitancy.

Convenience is a significant factor when physical availability,

ment of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, or the Philippine Overseas Labor Office whichever is applicable, and the Notice of Termination from the Employer or Affidavit of Termination of Employment (in the absence of the Notice of Termination). Another e-mail will be sent confirming the successful application. Proceeds will go directly to the account enrolled through the DAEM. A qualified member who has been involuntarily separated may apply for the benefit once in three years from the date of his or her separation. This program has a prescriptive filing period of one year from date of involuntary separation from employment.

However, UB claims shall still be

accepted if the one-year deadline for filing falls on March 5, 2020 until the last day of the community quarantine. Furthermore, claimants are given an additional 60 days from the end of the CQ to file for their UB claims.

In 2020, SSS has released more than P1.7 billion in unemployment benefits to 135,814 members— this is an 860.9-percent increase from the disbursement of P177.86 million in 2019. The number of beneficiaries increased by 811.8 percent last year, compared to 14,895 members in 2019. Part of the reason of this increase is the lockdown that started last year due to the pandemic when businesses were forced to close, causing massive unemployment. While it is unfortunate that workers got

199710, August 02, 2017).

Under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, a convicted person shall suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua (imprisonment from 20 to 40 years) if threats to kill the victim shall have been made, which they did in my case.

On the other hand, the elements of carnapping as defined and penalized under RA 6539 are the following (a) an actual taking of the vehicle; (b) the vehicle belongs to a person other than the offender

himself; (c) the taking is without the consent of the owner; or the taking was committed by means of violence against or intimidation of persons, or by using force upon things; and (d) the offender intends to gain from the taking of the vehicle (People v. Bernabe and Garcia, 448 Phil. 269).

The perpetrators could have been punished by imprisonment for not less than 30 years and one day but not more than 40 years, because the carnapping in this case was commit-

affordability, and willingness to pay, geographical accessibility, ability to understand and appeal of the immunization services affect the uptake.

The quality of the real or perceived service and the degree to which the vaccines are delivered in a time and place and in cultural contexts that is convenient and comfortable also affect the decision.

The recent SWS survey indicates that 45 percent of Filipinos are now willing to be inoculated, a 13 percent jump from the previous month. Some 36 percent of the 45 percent said that “they will surely get it” while 9 percent said that “they will probably get it.” This is way far from the herd immunity that health authorities set to target ideally at 94 percent of the population to interrupt the chain of transmission.

Of the three C’s above, confidence seems to be an issue. Variables in the efficacy rates, questions of safety amplified by the news about serious side effects, and the polarized society due to political divisiveness may have all contributed to this.

Other C’s may emerge, as we understand the complex nature of hesitancy, and now include constraints, calculations and collective responsibility.

There are contextual influences arising due to historical, sociocultural, environmental, health system, economic or political factors. The Dengvaxia controversy which remains unresolved, the uneven distribution of vaccines throughout the archipelago, and the country of origin of the major vaccine supply, which many Filipinos dislike, have all been factors to affect the public’s appetite to savor the value of the vaccine. The individual influences arising from personal perception of the vaccine or influence of the social and peer environment is surely affected specially in social media where the less competent have become more confident and seem to have more time to confirm their biases and create a bandwagon effect among likeminded community of vaccinehesitant and antivaxxers. This is aggravated by the traditional media that, in the spirit of balanced perspective, give the detractors of the vaccine generous airtime.

In response to this, the Vaccine Solidarity Movement was born as a unified alliance of medical and health professionals and organizations, esteemed scientists and researchers and multi-disciplinary experts to make available reliable and valid information that will guide the public in making the most important decision of their lives in this time— to get vaccinated. laid off, it gives us comfort that in a way, we were able to alleviate their financial burden. As replacement income, it helped our workers by providing them additional financial support while they are looking for a new job.

And now that only localized areas are being held in stricter quarantine restrictions, we hope they can slowly pick up their livelihood and regain their financial independence soon.

Generally, this is why SSS is here—to provide social security protection in times of contingencies.

Have a nice week everyone!

Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.

We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss. gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.

ted by means of violence against or intimidation of persons, or force upon things.

I never knew the real reason behind that incident 24 years ago, but it only showed one thing: abuses of the police and military are not farfetched.

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

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 A11

Practical solution to unclog waterways Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

MAKE SENSE

Part two

I

N my August 18, 2021 Make Sense column, “Practical solution to unclog waterways,” I discussed our proposed solution to clean the rivers, creeks and other water tributaries in the metropolis of all types of waste, in light of Congress’ approval of House Bill (HB) 9147, or the Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Act, which is premised on the fact that clogged waterways are major causes of the country’s perennial floods.

I explained how enacting a local ordinance and getting people involved in a community-based solid waste disposal program can be a win-win solution that can help all affected sectors to stop indiscriminate disposal of solid waste on water tributaries. This would practically do away with the need to legislate a law to regulate the use of single-use plastic. After all, it’s not only plastic waste that clog our waterways—we also see used tires and old refrigerators, among other wastes clogging our rivers and creeks.

A practical solution to the problem, where anybody who can provide a photo of a person throwing, in flagrante, solid waste into rivers, creeks and other water tributaries will be rewarded, and the person in the photo will be cited and fined for the misdeed. The fear instilled in the public mind of being cited and fined, if somebody takes a photo of people throwing garbage into rivers and creeks, will be a good deterrent to violations against the environment. We saw how the CCTV cameras strategically installed along main streets instilled fear among the drivers that they significantly helped reduce the number of reported traffic violations. Moreover, the reward for the person who took the photo, which would come from the fine paid by the transgressor and equally shared by the photo shooter and the local government, will be a source of alternative income for those involved in the program.

As promised in my earlier column, let me explain how our proposal can really be a win-win solution for consumers, the environment and the industry sector, even without the proposed SingleUse Plastic Products Regulation Act. The ultimate goal of the Act is to shift from single-use plastic to biodegradables.

However, this would significantly increase the cost of goods, since biodegradable materials cost more to produce and requires more time to develop than plastic. With a price-driven Philippine consumer market, the shift would affect poor consumers the most, particularly the “tingi” market, or consumers who can only afford to buy sachetpacked products.

This is the reason why a wide array of products are already available in sachets. From cooking ingredients, to coffee and sugar, to health-care products, among others. This allows poor consumers to buy these products based on their limited budget.

Plastic has also become the most convenient and cheapest packaging material ever discovered; the reason why some, if not many, advanced nations still allow the use of plastic today. And with the demand for online delivery on the upswing because of the pandemic, imagine how foods ordered online would be packed and delivered by riders to consumers still hot or cold without plastic.

And how would vendors at wet markets pack fish or meat products without plastic? Life without plastic is difficult in a third world country like ours.

The shift from single-use plastic

After giving our best to the program and we find our proposed measures not enough to address the problem, the Federation will not oppose, but will instead actively support all government programs to address our problem of clogged waterways.

to biodegradable from the manufacturers’ viewpoint would be costly and time consuming. With the industry sector still struggling to survive amid the pandemictriggered recession, factories that have no available resources to retool might have to fold up. Moreover, factories that use plastics for product packaging would also be adversely affected by the shift to biodegradables. Thus, the impact of the Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Act to industry, labor, economy and poor consumers would be ultimately damaging.

This would only make life harder for all affected sectors of society.

It is in this context that all sectors must try to help find solutions to the clogging problem of rivers, creeks and other waterways in the metropolis. Concerned government officials must likewise weigh all the factors causing the problem, instead of just using their mandated authority to choose the easiest and fastest solution by just legislating the Single-Use Plastic Products Regulation Act. They should try to explore other solutions in consideration of the adversely affected sectors.

Most importantly, it’s not plastic’s fault that rivers and creeks are clogged. The blame lies in all irresponsible and insensitive people who indiscriminately throw their waste into rivers and creeks. These people may not know it, but they are the ones causing the floods. These people should be fined because the government is spending billions of pesos every year to unclog the waterways.

As Chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), our group would like to appeal to President Duterte and the gentlemen and ladies of both Houses of Congress, to at least try our proposed solution to save our waterways, before legislating a law to regulate single-use plastic. With the government’s favorable consideration to our proposal, the Federation assures its full support and participation in this endeavor, even as we seek government help to enact a common ordinance for all LGUs to facilitate the execution of our proposed reward-driven solution to unclog our rivers, creeks and other waterways.

After giving our best to the program and we find our proposed measures not enough to address the problem, the Federation will not oppose, but will instead actively support all government programs to address our problem of clogged waterways.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.

A12 Wednesday, August 25, 2021

WHO PROFITS FROM MEGA PARKING LOT FOR FUNDS? RECTO WANTS TO KNOW

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

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ENATE President Pro Tempore R alph Recto tagged on Tuesday two government agencies serving as “mega parking lots of multibillion-peso public funds” used in what he uncovered as a ‘Pasabuy’ scheme involving government procurements.

Recto reported that the institutionalization of “pasa-buy” in government purchases involved the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) and the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

He described the two agencies as “mega parking lots of funds,” resulting in years-long delays in delivering the goods and projects they were contracted to buy, “while raking in hundreds of millions in commissions” for unknown parties.

Recto noted that PS-DBM and PITC owe government agencies at least P63.1 billion, adding: “This represented unutilized deposits and advance payments of government agencies.”

This means, Recto stressed, “there are multibillion-peso funds available. That means there are billions to buy supplies and projects which have not been tapped yet by the PSDBM and PITC.” He obser ved t hat t he P63.1 billion is “almost evenly split by the two ‘pasa-buy’

agencies,with PITC accounting for P31.54 billion and the PSDBM, P31.56 billion.”

The two agencies, Recto noted, “ have become lastminute dumping grounds of about-to-expire allotments of agencies.”

He added, partly in Filipino: “Procurement expertise is not the basis for their being made the repository of funds. The real reason is to avoid being caught in the fiscal deadline, and so that the agency funds will not lapse,” thus skirting the requirement to return this to the Treasury.

Recto explained that once an agency transfers the funds for a particular project to PITC or PS-DBM, the funds are deemed obligated.

“It’s as if it’s been committed already,” he said, “and this prevents the funds from being returned to the Treasury.”

The senator noted that, in efffect, this makes the two agencies “sanctuaries which extend the life of funds about to expire.”

In short, Recto said, “we are deluding ourselves with the fiction that the funds are obligated when they are not.

It circumvents the provision in the national budget that appropriations must be spent within the fiscal year.”

Moreover, Recto noted that appropriations have been designed by Congress “to be perishable” so that agencies will spend them promptly.

PITC returns ₧5.2B to BTr, ₧1.89B to client agencies

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) returned a total of P5.2 billion to the Bureau of the Treasury in the first half of the year.

The remittance came after Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III prodded the Department of Trade and Industry last year for its attached agency to return its interest earnings to the Treasury as well as the funds for projects that have not been bid out or for suspension in order to help augment the government’s war chest against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apart from the P5.2 billion, the Corporate Affairs Group (CAG) of the DOF also said the PITC returned P1.89 billion to its client agencies— the Technical Education and Skills

Development Authority, University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños, UP System, Department of Health, among others—for projects identified as no longer necessary, and paid P1.82 billion to its suppliers from January to June this year.

Because of this, PITC’s fund balance from different government agencies for various procurement programs amounted to P22.7 billion as of end-June this year, down from P31.6 billion as of the end of 2020.

“Of that P22.7 billion, those are deposits for projects both from the

military and civilian government agencies,” Dominguez separately told reporters.

Broken down, the bulk of the fund transfers is for the procurement of various government agencies amounting to P16.6 billion, followed by military procurement at P5.62 billion; the remaining P450 million were savings or funds due to return or interest earned, the CAG said.

After Dominguez wrote Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez last year, the PITC also returned to the Treasury P562.79 million in interest income on December 11, 2020. This is on top of its P562.79-million remittance in May 2020 in the form of dividends. This brings to P1.126 billion the total remittances of the PITC to the Treasury in the form of interest income as of December 2020.

To recall, Dominguez said in his letter last year that the fund balances, considered as trust liabilities of the PITC, amounted to P33.3 billion and P32.6 billion as of the

end of 2019 and October 31, 2020, respectively.

The PITC became controversial last year after senators—citing state auditors’ findings—said it is keeping around P33 billion in idle funds from various government agencies’ procurement outlays in an apparent bid to skirt budget requirements to return monies to the Treasury when these remain unspent within the year.

Earlier this month, Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon urged the Department of Finance to check out “unexpended and unused P11.02-billion fund sitting idly” in the PITC, suggesting that it can be tapped for the Duterte administration’s much-needed social amelioration program.

Drilon conveyed his proposal as an alternative after the Commission on Audit flagged the PITC earlier for its failure to return to the Treasury or its source agencies P11.02 billion in unused fund transfers from 2014 to 2020 for the procurement of various projects.

Continued on A3

PhilHealth circular halting payments of claims reviewed

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

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@joveemarie

S health-care providers are now rethinking their engagement with Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday vowed to look into policy gaps in the implementation of a circular on Temporary Suspension of Payment of Claims (TSPC).

During a hearing of the House Committee on Health, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the PhilHealth Circular 2021-0013 will be reconsidered at the board level.

This, after a motion to strongly urge the PhilHealth to review and possibly suspend the circular— without prejudice to any legislative remedy or measure that may be filed in the future—was adopted by the Committee on Health, chaired

by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan. “It’s a management call actually. We will, however, look at any policy gaps that there might be in the implementation of this cirular,” Duque said.

PhilHealth Circular 2021-013 imposes a temporary suspension of claims for potential fraudulent cases.

“But we are sensitive to the plea [of health-care providers] that we should reconsider this circular and will be taken up at the board level.

We just need to establish a legal basis for the actions of the board,” added Duque.

PhilHealth President Dante Gierran, meanwhile, said that all health-care providers can rest assured that this policy will be enforced with respect to due process and existing rules and regulations.

“Let us be clear, the policy does not intend to further burden our partner stakeholders especially during the pandemic. On the contrary, provisions of this policy strengthen due process,” Gierran added.

Review circular

T H E Ho u s e C o m m it t e e o n Hea lt h on Tuesd ay st rong ly urged the state health insurer to review and possibly suspend its circular on TSPC. The committee adopted the motion of Nueva Ecija Rep. Estrellita Suansing following the concerns of the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA) on Circular 2021-0013.

Health committee chief Tan has also urged the PhilHealth and PHA to immediately resolve their differences.

“PhilHealth says this serves as a preventive measure against healthcare providers that are subject of investigation. The Philippine Hospital Association (PHA), the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines (PHAPi), and the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), on the other hand, are basically saying, ayawan na. They declared that they were “disengaging” with PhilHealth and warned that the bridge between them and the PhilHealth is ‘bound to collapse,’” Tan said.

Continued on A3

‘SPIDER MEN’ Window cleaners do their job on a skyscraper in Makati City. Workers like them are also affected by the lockdowns in the country, but for all the risks that come with this kind of job, they are among the “lucky” ones who have not joined the millions displaced by the pandemic. NONIE REYES

JFC calls for telco industry liberalization in PSA bill

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

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HE Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) joined the call of the local business groups to not identify telecommunications as a public utility, easing the foreign ownership restrictions.

In a statement, the foreign business organizations urged the Senate to liberalize the telco sector “to foster competition and provide better quality services at lower cost.”

The pending Senate Bill (SB) 2094, which amends the Public Services Act (PSA), proposes the retention of 40-percent foreign ownership limit for telecommunications.

“SB 2094 limits the definition of public utilities to natural monopolies such as distribution and transmission of electricity,

water and sewerage. Should the proposed amendments to the PSA be approved, they would add telecommunications to the list,” the JFC noted.

However, further liberalization of the telco is needed, as the Philippines has the lowest mobile broadband subscription rate and lowest service population penetration rate in the Association of Southeast Asian (Asean) region, the foreign chambers explained.

JFC said the Asean neighbors are outperforming the local telco sector because they allow 100-percent foreign ownership, citing Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore.

“As subscribers ourselves of the major Philippine telcos, while we appreciate the services they provide, we believe they will improve in quality and price when more com-

petitors are allowed to operate in the country,” the statement read.

“Liberalizing telecommunications sends a strong signal to foreign investors that the Philippines is more open and welcoming to foreign investors. This reform will also improve the international ranking of the Philippines by the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development from its current unattractive placement as one of the most restrictive economies in the world for foreign investment in public services,” they added.

Meanwhile, the foreign business groups said the PSA amendments will match policies in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

In addition, they said the proposal is in line with the Philippines’s commitments under the Asean Comprehensive Investment Agree-

ment, which opens investment in services to other Asean members.

Apart from aiding the telco sector, the JFC’s proposal is also seen to have “positive spillover effects” for other areas of investments.

The foreign business groups said more foreign direct investments will support economic recovery as these generate job opportunities.

Signatories to the letter include American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, AustralianNew Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Korean Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc.

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

B1

Sta. Lucia nearly doubles net income in January-June

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By VG Cabuag

@villygc

isted property developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc. said its net income in the first semester rose by 90 percent to P1.43 billion from last year’s P757 million.

The company attributed this to the 63-percent hike in its revenues to P3.9 billion from last year’s P2.4 billion. It said the reduction in its income tax expense due to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act offset the increase in

cost and operating expenses.

Gross rental income from the mall rose by 21 percent to P273 million from P225 million, as quarantine restrictions were partially eased during the period.

Total assets went up by 26 per-

cent due to the temporary increase in cash as the company raised new long-term debt to refinance its more expensive liabilities. Total equity, meanwhile, increased by 13 percent as it continues to plow back earnings to finance its growth plans, the company said.

“Improvement in our financial results was driven basically by sales of residential lots which has shown resilience during the pandemic,” David Dela Cruz, the company’s CFO, said.

“As majority of our projects are in the fringes, or in the outskirts of the central business districts and major growth centers, they have become more practical as they offer bigger spaces, more affordable pricing and seen as ultimate beneficiaries of the

Government’s aggressive infrastructure program which aims to interconnect the entire country.”

Sta. Lucia has a total of 115 ongoing projects, 60 or half of which are located in the high growth area of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces. The company, whose developments are mostly in the second- or third-tier municipalities, has 25 projects in Davao while the rest are spread out in seven other regions.

The Sta. Lucia Group is also a leading developer of golf courses in the Philippines, having developed the largest number of golf courses in the country. It has also developed the 10.5-hectare Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall in Cainta, Rizal.

AgriNurture plans rights offering

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lion from last year’s P965.85 million.

“The company continues to grow despite the impact of the pandemic on our operations,” Tiu said. “During these trying times, our revenues still grew 29 percent while recurring operating profit actually jumped by 70 percent.”

In the first six months of 2020, ANI booked a non-operating income amounting to P281.33 million mainly as a result of the increase in trademark valuation for the group’s “Big Chill” brand.

Recurring operating profit grew 65 percent to P102.5 million from P61.87 million last year.

For the first semester, the group’s Philippine operations

contributed 46 percent while sales from foreign operations accounted for 54 percent of consolidated sales.

Export sales grew 9 percent to P883.1 million from last year due to the stable selling prices of banana and coco juice in the international market, constant supply of raw materials and increase in demand of customers in China and the United States.

The company also said export sales of fruits rose significantly, in terms of volume and price, after the Chinese government lifted the lockdown. Also, sales for coco juice went up due to the increase in demand in the US. VG Cabuag

he board of AgriNurture Inc. (ANI), the agricultural company of billionaire Antonio Tiu, has confirmed the company’s intent to conduct a stock rights offering (SRO).

“The rights issue is intended to provide additional working capital to support the growth and strategic initiatives of the corporation’s core businesses. Management shall finalize the specific allocation of the proceeds for review and approval of the board,” the company said in its disclosure.

The said rights issue of the company was first announced in 2018.

An existing shareholder owning 2.5 shares shall be entitled to one

stock rights share at an offer price of P1 apiece.

The number of shares to be offered was amended to 288 million shares from 307.3 million shares.

The change is due to the re-computation of the number of shares which are eligible to participate in the SRO, the company said.

It said the current amendment supersedes all previous information disclosed by the company relating to its stock rights offering.

AgriNurture said its revenues in the first semester rose 29 percent to P2.31 billion from last year’s P1.79 billion.

For the second quarter alone, its revenues grew 14 percent to P1.1 bil-

Govt, CEB bring home stranded Filipinos from India

Heritage advocates push for open space at state-owned Paco property

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ebu Pacific (CEB) said it safely flew home 108 Filipinos from India last Monday in coordination with the Philippine government.

The airline said the sweeper flight departed the Indira Gandhi International Airport at 10:20 AM local time, and arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9:25 PM. The special recovery flight was organized and chartered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in collaboration with CEB and the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, in response to the request of several overseas filipino Workers to be brought home while the travel ban is still in place.

“We are grateful to be part of this mission to safely bring home our fellow Filipinos, and we will assist our kababayans especially in this time of crisis,” said Alex Reyes, Chief Strategy Officer at Cebu Pacific.

Upon arrival, passengers underwent necessary health and quarantine protocols. Testing and Quarantine facilities were shouldered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Since July, CEB has also repatriated over 1,200 Filipinos from Dubai, Oman, and Vietnam. These flights were done in coordination with the DFA, the Consulate of Dubai, and the Philippine Embassies of Oman and Hanoi.

CEB has been rated 7/7 stars by airlineratings.com for its Covid-19 compliance as it continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, in accordance with global aviation standards.

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

A

CENTRAL park in Manila?

Achievable, according to heritage conservation advocates, who are urging Manila City Hall to use Isla de Provisor in Paco, Manila as part of an urban renewal program and create a Central Park like that in New York City.

In a position paper, The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage (TICCIH) Philippines said, “The City of Manila again has an opportunity to recover Daniel Burnham’s dream for the city by regenerating areas along the winding river and estero system that goes through it. The conversion of Isla de Provisor in Paco, Manila into a public park and open space can be an anchor project for a larger urban renewal program.”

State-owned Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) plans to enter into a negotiated sale for eight lots covering 20,975 square meters in Isla de Provisor. PSALM failed twice before in selling these lots, which are valued at P482.4 million. (See, “Psalm Paco-Manila lot attracts three buyers,” in the BusinessMirror, August 12, 2021.)

Doris Magsaysay Ho, chair of Asia Society Philippines, also appealed for a public space in Isla de Provisor. “A government-owned asset like Isla de Provisor is a unique opportunity to create sorely needed public spaces especially along the Pasig River for the enjoyment of Manilans and the Filipino people.

It is time for every Filipino to take a stand to protect Isla de Provisor, while we still can,” she said.

The property of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. in Isla de Provisor in Paco, Manila, which heritage advocates say could be saved and transformed into a public space, as part of a larger Central Park in Manila. Photo courtesy TICCIH Philippines

“This people-centric impact would have profound implications beyond Manila and beyond our present generation,” she stressed. Magsaysay Ho is president and CEO of the Magsaysay Group of Companies.

1 sqm of park per person

The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined the ideal amount of green space at 9 square meters to 50 sqm per person. “Metro Manila has only 200 hectares of parks, along with civic spaces, giving about 1 sqm of public park and open space per person,” said TICCIH. TICCIH asserted that Isla de Provisor is part of a vision for a Manila Central Park formed by a linear park system from Port Area to Malacañan Palace, and from Port Area to Roxas Boulevard and the CCP Complex.

“There is always a bigger picture for the City of Manila,” said TICCIH. “Isla de Provisor is one piece towards that vision for the future. We should harness this valuable opportunity for a better Manila by converting

Isla de Provisor into a public park.”

Given the area’s geography, the group added Isla de Provisor “can be linked more to the islands that comprise Quiapo, San Sebastián, San Miguel and Isla de Convalecencia.

Thus said, the buildable quality of its soil is something that needs so much work (pile-driving, etc.). Coupled with the restrictions on height and density owing to its proximity to the Malacañan Palace and being directly in the sightline of Rizal Park, it will be a far better option to develop the place into a park and civic center to be enjoyed by those that live, work, and study in the area.”

The Psalm lots sit along the banks of the Pasig River. It was the site of the decommissioned Manila Thermal Power Plant, which has since been sold. The lots are adjacent to Adamson University, Technological University of the Philippines, the Philippine Women’s University, SM City Manila, Robinsons Place, a substation of the Manila Electric Co., and the controversial Torre de Manila condominium.

FPH to buy electric buses from GET

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

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opez-led First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH) will purchase new-generation COMET (Community Optimized Managed Electric Transport) electric buses from GET-Philippines, the local arm of US-based Global Electric Transport Worldwide Inc. (GET).

FPH’s engineering and construction subsidiary First Balfour, through unit Therma One Transport Corp. (TOTC), has reached an agreement with GET for the initial acquisition of two e-buses.

TOTC has also finalized a separate agreement with electric transformer maker First Philec Inc., another FPH subsidiary, for the use of the first COMET bus by First Philec employees in Lopez-controlled First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP), a 520-hectare special economic zone in Batangas.

TOTC plans to replicate the non-polluting transport project in other business sites and projects where it will be suitable.

“We have been integrating sustainability in our businesses and in how we operate. We have been looking at investing in electric vehicles for service vehicles for some time now. For us, this is the future,” TOTC President Anthony Fernandez said.

Fernandez said the 30-passenger COMET buses, scheduled for delivery in October, can travel up to 100 kilometers on a single charge. Each bus also comes equipped with Wi-Fi connection, a GPS or global position system device, and other amenities, including a contact-tracing app.

He said each COMET bus can displace an estimated 40,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide or CO2 that the bus would otherwise

spew to the atmosphere, if it were to run on fossil fuel.

Studies have tagged the transport sector as a major emitter of CO2, a greenhouse gas whose massive and continued buildup in the atmosphere is being associated with climate change and destructive weather patterns, such as typhoons and floods. An overwhelming number of motor vehicles around the world run on gasoline or diesel.

A shift to the use of electric vehicles, which emit no CO2, has been identified as one solution to check the buildup of more greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. GET is developing green transport solutions, like the COMET, as its response to the climate problem.

First Philec and TOTC, tapped the services of GET-Philippines as their way of reinforcing support for FPH’s campaign against climate change.

“I personally believe that the greatest of all achievements starts with an agglomeration of small, meaningful, and truly insightful steps. This demonstrates that we are ready to forge collaborations and partnerships for a decarbonized and regenerative future,” First Philec President Ariel Ong said during the online signing ceremony.

“We hope this is just the beginning of a truly consistent set of activities in order for us to share the mission and the message to our employees, to the larger community, and to the whole country.”

GET-Philippines President Freddie Tinga added: “Partnering with the Lopez Group, an organization renowned for its priority in the sustainable enterprise is a huge milestone. We expect that we will be together at the forefront of what we believe is a changing of the guard in the transport and sustainability sector.”

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

August 24, 2021

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

43.85 112.7 82.75 24.1 9.21 46.05 20.45 56 19.5 113 78.4 1.18 4.3 3 1.24 0.365 0.66 210 2,450

44 112.9 82.85 24.5 9.27 46.4 20.5 56.1 19.7 113.2 78.5 1.26 4.31 3.05 1.33 0.37 0.7 216 2,550

44 112 82.15 24.5 9.12 46.3 20.8 56 19.62 113.5 78.1 1.23 4.26 3 1.23 0.37 0.68 216 2,550

44 113 83 24.7 9.3 46.5 20.8 56.05 19.7 114 78.5 1.29 4.31 3 1.34 0.37 0.72 216 2,550

43.85 111.1 81.85 24 9.11 45.9 20.25 56 19.6 113 78 1.18 4.26 3 1.23 0.37 0.65 216 2,450

43.85 112.9 82.85 24.1 9.21 46.4 20.45 56.05 19.6 113.2 78.4 1.18 4.31 3 1.32 0.37 0.65 216 2,450

1,600 896,430 1,603,120 39,400 283,700 1,583,000 152,600 400 23,000 200,530 157,970 873,000 128,000 63,000 13,000 50,000 466,000 110 10

70,385 100,990,795 132,083,561 960,285 2,607,429 73,165,960 3,113,925 22,410 450,956 22,711,877 12,363,866 1,050,700 549,980 189,000 17,030 18,500 329,970 23,760 25,000

-4,385 56,978,418 -17,117,077.50 4,452,640 -226,680 1,803,210 5,068,636.50 12,250

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 9.27 9.28 9.13 9.28 9.05 9.28 41,010,200 377,631,916 ALSONS CONS 1.18 1.19 1.22 1.22 1.18 1.18 86,000 101,640 ABOITIZ POWER 25.25 25.35 25.2 25.35 25.05 25.25 2,520,500 63,599,375 BASIC ENERGY 0.61 0.62 0.64 0.64 0.61 0.61 33,687,000 20,871,020 28.3 29 27.2 29 27.15 29 2,758,700 79,380,945 FIRST GEN 74 74.25 74 74.3 73.95 74 45,220 3,346,245 FIRST PHIL HLDG 288 289 282 289.4 281 289 297,860 85,694,534 MERALCO MANILA WATER 17.96 18.1 18 18.1 17.86 18.1 499,600 8,959,484 PETRON 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.14 3.14 552,000 1,738,070 PETROENERGY 3.91 3.94 3.92 3.92 3.92 3.92 8,000 31,360 12.66 12.88 12.88 12.88 12.66 12.88 2,100 27,026 PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL 18.44 18.46 18.48 18.48 18.1 18.46 433,800 7,980,916 12.76 12.8 12.72 12.8 12.68 12.76 54,100 689,384 SPC POWER VIVANT 15.5 16.58 15.5 15.5 15.5 15.5 200 3,100 AGRINURTURE 5.94 6.04 5.98 6.09 5.94 6.04 1,120,500 6,764,172 AXELUM 2.85 2.87 2.81 2.87 2.81 2.85 54,000 153,780 13.96 14.34 13.1 13.98 13.1 13.96 12,400 172,928 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 25 25.05 24.8 25.15 24.7 25 932,300 23,297,225 12.5 12.58 12.8 12.96 12.48 12.5 382,700 4,853,174 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 8.27 8.29 8.5 8.5 8.25 8.29 5,543,800 46,013,445 EMPERADOR 15.98 16 16.26 16.66 15.86 15.98 7,035,200 112,577,526 SMC FOODANDBEV 79.65 79.7 79.5 80 79.5 79.7 270,240 21,536,418 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 41,000 26,650 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.18 1.19 1.18 1.2 1.18 1.19 5,260,000 6,237,660 107.6 107.7 102 107.9 102 107.6 168,630 17,817,323 GINEBRA JOLLIBEE 199.9 200 196.5 199.9 196.5 199.9 320,120 63,560,713 MAXS GROUP 6.08 6.09 6.09 6.09 6 6.08 98,000 590,208 MG HLDG 0.225 0.234 0.22 0.234 0.22 0.234 2,760,000 613,040 16.68 16.76 16.76 16.76 16.66 16.76 6,265,800 104,849,298 MONDE NISSIN 7.71 8 7.9 8 7.7 8 417,800 3,275,327 SHAKEYS PIZZA 0.88 0.9 0.89 0.9 0.88 0.88 401,000 353,700 ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG 1.29 1.44 1.39 1.39 1.25 1.25 169,000 220,880 SWIFT FOODS 0.131 0.132 0.129 0.131 0.129 0.131 4,870,000 634,220 UNIV ROBINA 142 142.2 140 142.4 139.3 142 1,118,870 158,292,153 0.79 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.79 0.8 4,992,000 3,989,880 VITARICH CONCRETE A 48.05 50.95 48.95 51 48.95 51 6,200 309,580 CEMEX HLDG 1.21 1.22 1.21 1.22 1.21 1.22 492,000 599,380 EAGLE CEMENT 14.32 14.48 14.24 14.5 14.24 14.32 12,700 181,466 EEI CORP 8.4 8.5 8.55 8.6 8.4 8.5 47,100 400,380 HOLCIM 6.96 6.99 6.86 7 6.86 6.99 229,800 1,596,046 6.22 6.23 6.2 6.25 6.11 6.22 780,400 4,831,812 MEGAWIDE 13.8 13.9 14 14 13.9 13.9 49,600 690,208 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.97 0.99 0.97 0.99 0.97 0.99 86,000 84,660 VULCAN INDL 1.6 1.61 1.54 1.62 1.54 1.61 10,911,000 17,259,950 CROWN ASIA 1.7 1.72 1.69 1.73 1.68 1.7 3,164,000 5,377,990 EUROMED 1.79 1.82 1.8 1.8 1.79 1.79 54,000 96,860 5.01 5.36 5.36 5.36 5.36 5.36 3,000 16,080 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 5.4 5.45 5.45 5.45 5.4 5.45 62,300 337,110 CONCEPCION 20.9 21.2 20.9 20.95 20.25 20.9 22,100 461,620 GREENERGY 2.98 3 3.05 3.07 2.9 3 6,224,000 18,661,420 INTEGRATED MICR 8.7 8.75 8.68 8.75 8.6 8.7 304,700 2,646,947 IONICS 0.92 0.93 0.93 0.93 0.93 0.93 74,000 68,820 5.71 6.02 6.02 6.02 6.02 6.02 1,100 6,622 PANASONIC SFA SEMICON 1.2 1.21 1.21 1.21 1.16 1.21 205,000 244,560 CIRTEK HLDG 4.54 4.55 4.5 4.57 4.48 4.54 1,692,000 7,658,360

152,012,214 -19,932,660 331,610 -3,145,450 2,917,094.50 37,374,992 3,415,076 -97,530 2,386,290 -688,815 256,485 67,822 10,429,062.00 8,131,650 -2,299,457.50 101,480 -5,000,832 21,140,325 91,328 30,890 11,043,836 1,654,387 -255,680 -7,195,471 -284,160 -150,753 -98,757 9,900 -123,370 -508,690 440,720 342,300 -515,770 1,033,600.00

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1 1.03 1.01 1.05 1 1 15,341,000 15,714,190 ASIABEST GROUP 6 6.37 6.46 6.46 6.37 6.37 2,500 15,934 AYALA CORP 715 717 715 721.5 710.5 715 230,370 164,621,025 ABOITIZ EQUITY 40.05 40.4 40 40.6 39.75 40.4 403,500 16,313,160 10.44 10.46 10.4 10.78 10.32 10.44 4,875,800 51,712,402 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 4.41 4.44 4.55 4.55 4.32 4.44 5,513,000 24,513,570 AYALA LAND LOG 6.6 6.75 6.86 6.86 6.75 6.75 3,600 24,410 ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.93 0.94 0.93 0.94 0.93 0.94 577,000 539,840 ATN HLDG A 0.56 0.58 0.57 0.58 0.57 0.58 77,000 44,180 COSCO CAPITAL 4.99 5 4.98 5 4.98 5 1,130,000 5,649,310 6.13 6.14 6.08 6.23 6.08 6.13 7,865,100 48,307,829 DMCI HLDG 7.51 7.79 7.5 7.79 7.5 7.79 13,000 98,154 FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A 2.71 2.97 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 3,000 8,400 FORUM PACIFIC 0.295 0.32 0.295 0.32 0.295 0.32 430,000 130,700 GT CAPITAL 526 529 525.5 533 521 526 177,020 93,060,830 HOUSE OF INV 3.82 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3.85 3,000 11,550 65.1 65.2 63.6 65.8 63.6 65.2 3,169,560 206,214,719 JG SUMMIT 5.54 5.88 5.5 5.68 5.48 5.54 59,900 329,806 JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR 0.67 0.69 0.65 0.73 0.64 0.7 1,408,000 974,300 LOPEZ HLDG 3.01 3.27 3.01 3.02 3.01 3.02 1,015,000 3,055,190 LT GROUP 9.19 9.2 9.23 9.4 9.15 9.19 4,068,500 37,537,739 MABUHAY HLDG 0.475 0.5 0.475 0.49 0.475 0.49 14,000 6,845 1.41 1.49 1.4 1.48 1.4 1.48 48,000 67,520 MJC INVESTMENTS METRO PAC INV 3.83 3.88 3.83 3.88 3.8 3.88 18,061,000 69,616,910 2.11 2.15 2.13 2.15 2.1 2.15 479,000 1,014,490 PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS 2.6 2.79 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 1,000 2,600 SM INVESTMENTS 983 987 967.5 987 967.5 987 162,460 159,328,885 SAN MIGUEL CORP 110.6 110.7 112 112.3 110.7 110.7 170,210 18,913,286 0.68 0.71 0.7 0.76 0.67 0.67 32,000 23,230 SOC RESOURCES SEAFRONT RES 2.15 2.37 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 30,000 66,000 TOP FRONTIER 133.1 135 133.1 133.1 133.1 133.1 300,000 39,930,000 WELLEX INDUS 0.265 0.27 0.255 0.265 0.255 0.26 1,330,000 344,300

-434,140 -20,052,650 7,151,375 -22,751,548 99,940 -5,249,610 -1,106,400 -24,256,740 -11,550 58,123,500 -9,000 -9,060 -25,613,364 -7,703,460 58,021,580 -2,959,977 -

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.67 0.69 0.66 0.69 0.66 0.67 370,000 248,960 ANCHOR LAND 7.2 7.69 7.69 7.69 7.69 7.69 200 1,538 AYALA LAND 33.6 33.7 33.7 33.8 33.4 33.7 5,199,500 174,976,780 ARANETA PROP 1.1 1.11 1.11 1.11 1.11 1.11 63,000 69,930 36.8 36.9 37.2 37.2 36.8 36.8 141,300 5,225,115 AREIT RT 1.39 1.41 1.44 1.44 1.41 1.41 22,000 31,230 BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.86 0.87 0.86 0.87 0.85 0.86 163,000 140,110 CITYLAND DEVT 0.78 0.79 0.79 0.79 0.78 0.79 173,000 135,880 CROWN EQUITIES 0.125 0.126 0.128 0.129 0.126 0.126 850,000 108,220 CEBU HLDG 6.1 6.29 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 100 610 3.12 3.15 3.12 3.2 3.1 3.15 1,902,000 5,981,430 CEB LANDMASTERS 0.435 0.44 0.44 0.45 0.43 0.44 18,820,000 8,280,850 CENTURY PROP 10.12 10.16 10.18 10.18 10.12 10.16 283,800 2,879,760 DOUBLEDRAGON DDMP RT 1.84 1.85 1.87 1.87 1.84 1.84 9,239,000 17,065,600 DM WENCESLAO 6.95 6.96 7 7 6.95 6.98 14,700 102,610 EMPIRE EAST 0.28 0.285 0.29 0.29 0.285 0.285 200,000 57,500 0.41 0.415 0.41 0.44 0.395 0.415 108,170,000 45,445,600 EVER GOTESCO 7.14 7.15 7.2 7.25 7.14 7.14 4,666,900 33,409,240 FILINVEST RT 1.1 1.11 1.1 1.11 1.09 1.11 3,580,000 3,940,030 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.86 0.88 0.86 0.88 0.86 0.88 11,000 9,660 8990 HLDG 7.2 7.45 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.4 300 2,220 PHIL INFRADEV 1.31 1.34 1.32 1.34 1.29 1.32 680,000 888,960 3.46 3.49 3.23 3.47 3.23 3.46 27,000 92,610 KEPPEL PROP CITY AND LAND 1.32 1.34 1.39 1.39 1.32 1.32 305,000 410,160 2.89 2.9 2.91 2.94 2.9 2.9 8,622,000 25,115,470 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.315 0.32 0.305 0.315 0.3 0.315 14,760,000 4,567,050 PHIL ESTATES 0.57 0.58 0.54 0.59 0.54 0.58 27,166,000 15,248,620 PRIMEX CORP 1.86 1.9 1.92 1.92 1.92 1.92 1,000 1,920 16.7 16.84 17 17 16.5 16.84 5,572,500 93,650,856 ROBINSONS LAND 0.275 0.28 0.27 0.28 0.27 0.275 1,260,000 350,700 PHIL REALTY SHANG PROP 2.6 2.65 2.67 2.67 2.55 2.64 221,000 570,730 STA LUCIA LAND 2.99 3.03 3.05 3.06 3 3.04 98,000 295,870 SM PRIME HLDG 33.4 33.45 33.8 33.8 32.9 33.45 4,125,700 137,698,235 SUNTRUST HOME 1.56 1.59 1.57 1.59 1.56 1.59 67,000 106,170 3.47 3.48 3.48 3.5 3.44 3.48 226,000 785,860 VISTA LAND

SERVICES ABS CBN 10.88 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.86 10.86 51,500 560,372 GMA NETWORK 13.82 13.84 13.6 13.88 13.5 13.84 1,756,700 24,033,096 MLA BRDCASTING 8.9 9.17 8.53 8.53 8.53 8.53 100 853 GLOBE TELECOM 2,258 2,280 2,164 2,280 2,162 2,280 238,440 529,277,420 1,248 1,251 1,247 1,259 1,240 1,248 119,455 149,297,335 PLDT 0.128 0.129 0.137 0.143 0.128 0.128 1,509,560,000 203,233,120 APOLLO GLOBAL 29.95 30 30.45 30.5 29.95 30 10,356,100 311,571,050 CONVERGE DFNN INC 3.83 3.98 3.82 3.98 3.8 3.98 363,000 1,399,240 DITO CME HLDG 7.8 7.83 8 8 7.75 7.8 3,284,500 25,731,285 NOW CORP 2.04 2.05 2.03 2.05 2.03 2.04 651,000 1,325,640 0.4 0.405 0.4 0.405 0.395 0.4 3,800,000 1,516,900 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2.21 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.21 2.25 49,000 109,830 PHILWEB 2GO GROUP 8.07 8.22 8.08 8.08 8.07 8.07 27,400 221,237 ASIAN TERMINALS 13.9 14 14 14 14 14 23,700 331,800 CHELSEA 2.55 2.6 2.58 2.6 2.55 2.6 387,000 993,110 CEBU AIR 44.05 44.2 44.5 44.5 44 44.2 172,800 7,636,635 177.3 178.7 181 182.5 176.5 177.3 1,875,850 335,550,169 INTL CONTAINER 16.22 16.4 16.24 16.24 16.22 16.22 3,000 48,662 LBC EXPRESS LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.94 0.99 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 17,000 15,980 MACROASIA 4.72 4.73 4.6 4.76 4.6 4.72 812,000 3,825,250 METROALLIANCE A 1.8 1.81 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 22,000 39,600 HARBOR STAR 1.04 1.07 1.05 1.07 1.03 1.04 58,000 60,520 1.68 1.72 1.68 1.73 1.64 1.72 195,000 329,600 ACESITE HOTEL BOULEVARD HLDG 0.103 0.104 0.106 0.109 0.104 0.104 145,630,000 15,515,590 2.37 2.59 2.53 2.59 2.34 2.59 326,000 791,310 DISCOVERY WORLD WATERFRONT 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.54 0.52 0.53 177,000 93,660 BERJAYA 5.38 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.4 5.5 5,300 29,050 BLOOMBERRY 6.09 6.1 5.95 6.18 5.95 6.09 5,574,400 33,947,548 1.96 2.02 1.97 1.97 1.95 1.95 35,000 68,430 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 1.45 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.45 1.5 369,000 548,860 MANILA JOCKEY 1.91 1.97 1.91 1.91 1.91 1.91 15,000 28,650 PH RESORTS GRP 1.68 1.69 1.71 1.71 1.66 1.69 878,000 1,471,040 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.405 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.405 0.41 2,060,000 844,450 ALLHOME 7.53 7.54 7.4 7.56 7.4 7.53 2,389,100 17,796,284 1.29 1.31 1.3 1.3 1.29 1.29 1,846,000 2,392,570 METRO RETAIL 40 40.1 39.75 40.3 39.5 40 288,000 11,504,980 PUREGOLD 50.05 50.45 50.7 51 50 50.45 683,770 34,567,250.50 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 85.7 86 86 86 86 86 700,160 60,213,760 SSI GROUP 1.08 1.09 1.13 1.13 1.08 1.08 2,316,000 2,528,750 WILCON DEPOT 24.15 24.5 24.15 24.5 24.15 24.5 729,300 17,778,240 0.32 0.325 0.33 0.33 0.325 0.325 1,250,000 408,500 APC GROUP 5.19 5.44 5.18 5.44 5.18 5.44 96,200 498,666 EASYCALL GOLDEN MV 461.2 480 470 480 470 480 2,700 1,294,000 IPM HLDG 6.6 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 700 4,970 PAXYS 2.31 2.47 2.46 2.46 2.46 2.46 1,000 2,460 PRMIERE HORIZON 1.23 1.24 1.11 1.25 1.11 1.23 60,566,000 73,109,060 4.18 4.28 4.15 4.28 4.15 4.28 83,000 345,640 SBS PHIL CORP

MINING & OIL

ATOK 6.38 6.45 6.25 6.38 6.1 6.38 779,600 4,898,880 APEX MINING 1.5 1.51 1.52 1.53 1.51 1.51 1,318,000 1,995,630 ATLAS MINING 6.18 6.21 6.34 6.34 6.15 6.18 833,700 5,169,239 5.02 5.28 4.92 5.3 4.9 5.28 7,900 40,022 BENGUET A BENGUET B 4.99 5.34 5.42 5.42 5.34 5.34 1,100 5,936 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.29 0.3 0.295 0.295 0.295 0.295 50,000 14,750 DIZON MINES 6.03 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.04 6.04 3,900 23,587 FERRONICKEL 2.26 2.27 2.31 2.32 2.26 2.26 4,023,000 9,145,710 LEPANTO A 0.137 0.14 0.139 0.141 0.136 0.139 5,600,000 778,510 0.14 0.149 0.15 0.15 0.139 0.149 300,000 42,950 LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 332,800,000 3,358,600 MANILA MINING B 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 20,600,000 226,600 MARCVENTURES 0.97 0.98 0.97 0.98 0.94 0.97 207,000 200,650 NIHAO 1.23 1.25 1.22 1.26 1.22 1.26 33,000 41,110 NICKEL ASIA 5.54 5.56 5.6 5.64 5.5 5.54 5,992,700 33,277,244 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.93 0.91 0.92 1,671,000 1,524,690 ORNTL PENINSULA PX MINING 5.5 5.53 5.35 5.52 5.35 5.52 1,414,000 7,721,180 16.6 16.64 16.36 16.9 16.36 16.6 1,807,300 30,165,134 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0083 0.0085 0.0085 0.0085 0.0085 0.0085 6,000,000 51,000 ACE ENEXOR 16 16.4 16.46 16.46 15.7 16.4 125,200 2,022,196 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 8,000,000 92,000 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 1,200,000 13,200 ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL 0.01 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 20,000,000 218,800 PXP ENERGY 6.39 6.4 6.27 6.39 6.27 6.39 344,000 2,180,085

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100.1 101.5 101.1 101.1 101.1 101.1 20,000 2,022,000 HOUSE PREF A 100.6 102 101 101 101 101 2,190 221,190 ALCO PREF B 100.7 103.4 103.4 103.4 103.4 103.4 80 8,272 ALCO PREF C 103.1 108.9 108.9 108.9 108.9 108.9 20 2,178 43.8 43.9 43.9 43.9 43.7 43.8 29,000 1,272,435 CEB PREF 101 102.9 102.9 102.9 101 102.9 16,290 1,654,115 CPG PREF A DD PREF 100.6 102.9 100.6 100.6 100.6 100.6 40,000 4,024,000 GTCAP PREF B 1,021 1,041 1,042 1,042 1,042 1,042 30 31,260 MWIDE PREF 100.7 101 101 101 101 101 1,050 106,050 MWIDE PREF 2A 99.8 107.3 99.8 99.8 99.8 99.8 500 49,900 106 106.8 106 106.8 106 106.8 260 27,720 PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 1,004 1,006 1,004 1,006 1,004 1,006 20 20,110 PCOR PREF 3A 1,115 1,116 1,115 1,116 1,115 1,116 720 803,400 PCOR PREF 3B 1,169 1,180 1,169 1,169 1,169 1,169 650 759,850 SFI PREF 1.66 1.98 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1,000 1,660 SMC PREF 2C 75.95 76 76.05 76.05 76 76 7,310 555,789 75.85 76 76 76 76 76 500 38,000 SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F 78.5 78.6 78.65 78.65 78.5 78.5 61,250 4,816,412.50 SMC PREF 2H 76.2 76.9 76.15 76.15 76.15 76.15 100 7,615 SMC PREF 2J 75.55 76.2 76.15 76.2 75.55 75.55 680,730 51,830,753

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 10.38 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.5 100,000 1,050,000 GMA HLDG PDR 12.08 12.3 12.58 12.58 12 12.08 37,800 458,682

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 0.52 0.53 0.415 0.52 0.38 0.52 8,070,000 3,744,850 TECH WARRANT 1.86 1.87 1.82 1.93 1.77 1.86 42,417,000 78,449,800

15,024 25,670 1,005,956 -1,233,240.00 -25,100 1,386,754 633,542 877,572 25,500 -194,060 -68,080 -1,132,475 -101,000 -38,075 -1,050,000 25,896 351,450 31,240

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART

18.9 2.03 4.2 3.6

19 2.07 4.49 3.61

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

101.4

101.5

18.6 2.01 4.26 3.63

19.6 2.1 4.26 3.68

18.5 2.01 4.2 3.59

19 2.03 4.2 3.61

278,900 190,000 82,000 2,425,000

5,314,184 388,610 344,830 8,806,660

Bangsamoro BOI gives nod to oil exploration, plantation

D

By Manuel T. Cayon | Mindanao Bureau Chief @awimailbox

avao City—The Bangsamoro Regional Board of Investments (RBOI) formally awarded registration certificates to two local companies engaged in banana cultivation and oil and gas exploration in the autonomous region.

The RBOI said Al-Muzafar Agriventures Inc. (AMAVI) and ES Maulana Global Ventures Co. Inc. (EMGVCI) received their certificate of registration last August 18.

AMAVI is investing P950 million in a combined 1,000-hectares of Cavendish banana plantation in the province of Maguindanao. EMGVCI is planning to spend P998 million for an oil and gas exploration project that will cover the Liguasan Marsh in the Cotabato provinces and the Sulu Sea

in the southwestern island province of Sulu. The RBOI said the certificates given to AMAVI and EMGVCI allow the two companies to operate in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) areas and enjoy fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim said the investment of local companies owned by Bangsamoro investors will help hasten the region’s economic development.

-615,600 364,140

101 101.5 99.9 101.4 16,410 1,655,269 40,252

“The investments of AMAVI and EMGVCI may be considered an act of patriotism as they opted to invest in their homeland,” he said.

The RBOI said the oil and gas exploration activities of EMGVCI in areas that fall within the BARMM jurisdiction would still be subject to the joint determination by the BARMM regional government and the national government.

Datu Esmael Maulana, chief executive officer of EMGVCI, thanked the RBOI and the leadership of Bangsamoro government for the certificate of registration.

“Through our proposed investment, we could hire 2,000 to 3,000 workers from the community,” Maulana said.

Michael Abas Kida, member of the AMAVI Board of Trustee, said “our investments will surely generate jobs for the former combatants, the less educated and less fortunate people in the region.”

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, chairman of RBOI, said the registration of local investors in BARMM would help encourage other businessmen

to invest in the region. Mastura also said investments amounting to some P1.4 billion would pour into the region this year. These include a P300-million tourism complex in Cotabato City, a P100-million poultry project of EMGVCI, and the Lamsan corn starch facility in Lanao Del Sur. Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro government said 152 former members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) received entrepreneurial skills training under the Tulong Ng Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit (TuGoN) of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government.

The trainings were conducted by the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism last August 3 to 5 and August 11 to 13, in Radjah Buayan in Maguindanao, President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat and Kabacan in North Cotabato.

The Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, 601st Infantry Brigade and 602nd Infantry Brigade also contributed to the entrepreneurship development program of the former fighters.

Calax section now open to motorists mutual funds

-40,100,155 151,765 3,780 -130,380 81,200 93,582 -5,264,490 26,350 -2,205,262 -708,720 10,560 -14,530 -3,976,330 48,750 -557,680 23,424,122 -496,950 2,889,920 -103,650 250,098,830 -44,587,870 -1,720,490 -110,301,845 600,830 2,187,580 -15,800 51,800 -2,209,895 -143,170,994 644,110 -323,010 279,890 8,731,985 10,120 17,035,559 -1,974,650 -288,945 -348,700.50 -13,760 8,960 10,344,610 -29,400 -98,800 2,460 -3,545,090 -

www.businessmirror.com.ph

August 24, 2021

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

213.2

7.94%

-6.94%

-4.85%

-6.17%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4767

44.28%

-0.5%

0.48%

12.47%

11.52%

-10.97%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.9417

-7.79%

-6.11%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7363 8.52%

-7.45% n.a.

-8.41%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7405 7.82%

-5.23% n.a.

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

4.7402

11.46%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.7104 MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

-0.15%

-4.6%

-2.99%

-4.07%

6.71%

-6.81%

-6.76%

-5.56% n.a.

-5.05%

96.79

23.68%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

43.4485

9.62%

-5.55%

-3.92%

-7.26%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

458.5

7.57%

-5.08%

-4.21%

-6.23%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5

1.0632

20.19% n.a. n.a.

-3.11%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.1368

12.84%

-4.51%

-2.96%

-2.69%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

33.0886

11.78%

-4.74%

-2.71%

-4.84%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.8499

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.4671

8.28% n.a. n.a.

10.42%

-4.9%

10.31%

-4.88%

-6.91%

-3.13%

-6.76%

-3.29%

-6.94%

746

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.6822

12.65%

-8.45%

-6.19%

-5.11%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4554

10.36%

-6.65%

-4.23%

-4.65%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8519 9.91%

-5.2%

-3.44%

-7.17%

-5.23%

-2.45%

-6.08%

-4.69%

-2.77%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

United Fund, Inc. -a

3.1172

10.15%

-6.5%

Exchange Traded Fund

(from left) Rodrigo Franco, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.; Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade; Public Works Secretary Mark Villar; Senator Christopher Lawrence Go; and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea led the inauguration of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway Silang East Interchange. Photo by Roy Domingo

M

PCALA Holdings Inc. (MHI) has opened to motorists the Silang Interchange section of the CaviteLaguna Expressway (Calax), extending the operating sections of the thoroughfare to 14.24 kilometers from 10 kilometers.

The opening of the section allows motorists to travel from Mamplasan in Biñan, Laguna up to Silang East, exiting at Tibig Road, in Silang. It has the capacity to serve 5,000 motorists, which will help decongest traffic along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and Sta. RosaTagaytay Road.

“We are grateful for the trust and continued partnership with the government of the Philippines in providing the muchneeded mobility infrastructure in the form of Calax to help boost tourism and economic activity in the Calabarzon Region,” said MPT South President and General Manager Roberto V. Bontia.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar said Calax is a step closer to the government’s goal of connecting the northern and southern regions of Luzon.

“Calax is included in the Luzon Spine Expressway Network—a master plan aimed at increasing the high standard highway network by three-fold. We are now

closer to our dream of connecting the northernmost part of Luzon to its southernmost portion. We are confident that we will be able to deliver majority of this highimpact project within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said.

For his part, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the opening of the new Calax section is the government’s response to the growing demand for better connectivity.

“It is part of our mandate to give Filipinos a more comfortable life,” he said.

The Toll Regulatory Board has approved the following tariff for Calax: P14 to P64 for Class 1 vehicles, P29 to P128 for Class 2 vehicles, and P43 to P192 for Class 3 vehicles depending on the vehicle’s entry and exit point.

Upon completion of the entire 45-kilometer Calax Project, it will have several interchanges located at the following locations: Kawit, Governor’s Drive, Open Canal, Silang (Aguinaldo) Highway, Silang East, Santa Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Boulevard, and Laguna Technopark.

Calax will cut travel time between Cavite and Laguna from 2 hours to under an hour. MPT South is a unit of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Lorenz S. Marasigan

First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

100.1564

10.28%

-6.88%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1427

8.45%

3.56%

4.96%

-5%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7964

19.3%

11.77%

11.38%

7.39%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.6457

4.55%

-1.16%

-2.27%

-1.37%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.1593

4.76%

-2.21%

-2.12%

-5.52%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.545

5.51%

-1.03%

-1.05%

-3.12%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1872

1.63% n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

0.64%

1.9193

4.54%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.6021

2.94%

-0.52%

-1.6%

-4.91%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.1387

3.6%

-0.38%

-1.54%

-4.71%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0131

5.18%

-1.64%

-1.17%

-3.87%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4726 6.07%

-2.67%

-2.28%

-2.82%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9673

2.52% n.a. n.a.

-5.41%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.875

3.66% n.a. n.a.

-7.82%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8593

5.2% n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.8696

7.48%

-3.34%

-0.25%

-2.66%

-5.74%

-2.28%

-7.91% -2.04%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a

$0.03845

-2.04%

2.88%

1.2%

-1.71%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0662

1.62%

2.41%

2.64%

-7.3%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7296 14.47%

8.99%

7.96%

4.8%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.2163 6.35%

5.22%

4.22%

1.18%

0.44%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

372.72

1.19%

3.05%

2.4%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9256

-1.25%

1.11%

0.18%

1.33%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2378

1.23%

3.52%

4.28%

0.72%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2606

-2.39%

2.1%

1.17%

-1.54%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4395 -0.91%

3.21%

1.64%

-0.56% -3.49%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.473

-5.09%

4.19%

1.07%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6

1.3171

0.48%

3.93%

2.66%

-0.31%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9801

0.47%

4.65%

1.88%

-0.52%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0376

-0.84%

4.74%

1.54%

-0.42%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.2169

0.53%

5.06%

2.25%

0.34%

-0.57%

4.39%

1.56%

-0.28%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

1.75

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$487.71

1.98%

3.14%

2.09%

0.79%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є220.52

1.6%

1.06%

0.83%

0.61%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2062

-2.68%

2.55%

1.39%

-5.8%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0262 -1.13%

1.85%

0.86%

-1.5%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

0.55%

-1.08%

-3.27%

$1.057

-3.21%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.533

0.98%

5.16%

1.91%

-0.1%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.0631065

3.31%

3.56%

2.08%

1.26%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2048 -0.84%

3.29%

0.72%

-0.58%

2.54%

0.57%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0545 0.99% n.a. n.a.

0.61%

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

130.55

Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.3083

1.37% 1.58%

2.97% 2.79%

2.55%

0.9%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0583

1.04%

1.61% n.a.

0.56%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.3212

28.31% n.a. n.a.

16.96%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2

$0.99

4.21% n.a. n.a.

1.02%

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 2 - Launch date is November 15, 2019. 3 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019.

4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 5 - Launch date is December 09, 2019.

6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund).

7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Wednesday, August 25, 2021

B3

BIR: Crypto-gamers, ‘scholars’ must pay tax

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said those earning from cryptocurrency-based game Axie Infinity, even the so-called scholars who earn from playing other people’s accounts, must register with the bureau and pay their corresponding income taxes.

BIR Deputy Commissioner for Legal Group Marissa O. Cabreros said on Tuesday that the recently issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 97-2021, which reminded

social media influencers of their tax obligations, also covered those earning from cryptocurrency-based games like Axie Infinity.

“Sakop din po sila ng RMC 97-2021

BTr rejects bids as rates shot up after Fed signal

T

HE Bureau of the Treasury rejected all bids for P35 billion in reissued 20-year Treasury Bonds (T-bonds) on Tuesday’s auction as rates shot up following reports that the US Federal Reserve may taper off its bond purchases.

If the Treasury fully awarded the tenor, bid rates would have averaged 4.533 percent, soaring by 34.6 basis points from 4.187 percent in the previous auction.

Total bids for the security hit P46.12 billion.

With a remaining life of 11 years and 7 months, the security is set to mature on March 21, 2033. It has a coupon rate of 3.625 percent.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon told reporters they fully rejected bids as rates went far beyond the secondary levels.

De Leon added that the rates were “unreasonably way above secondary levels.”

“Markets pricing in possible start of taper following Fed minutes,” De Leon told reporters.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is expected to deliver a speech in the annual Jackson Hole symposium later this week.

Investors expect Powell to provide hints on the next policy move by the central bank.

For August, the Treasury has set

to borrow P200 billion from the local debt market, slightly lower than the P235 billion it programmed in July.

This year, the national government programmed to borrow a total of P3.1-trillion, of which around 75 percent is expected to be raised through domestic sources.

The outstanding debt of the national government has already piled up to P11.166 trillion as of end-June this year, swelling by 23.3 percent from P9.054 trillion a year ago.

This year’s ratio of debt to gross domestic product (GDP) is forecasted by finance officials to rise to 59.1 percent from 54.6 percent in 2020. It is also expected to peak next year at 60.8 percent—slightly above the internationally accepted threshold—before gradually tapering off to 60.7 percent and 59.7 percent in 2023 and 2024.

Prior to the pandemic, the government notched a record-low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6 percent in 2019.

The Department of Finance is projecting that the government’s debt-to-GDP ratio will return to the pre-pandemic level by 2024 or 2025 if their recommended fiscal measures will be passed early by the next administration and if the economy quickly recovers.

Bernadette D. Nicolas

QC allows online payment for real property taxes, new business permit fees

T

AXPAYERS and business owners in Quezon City can now easily pay their real property dues and new business permit applications through the electronic payment facility QC “Pay Easy.”

The platform, which is housed in the city’s E-Services web site, will allow payers to pay via Credit Card, Paymaya E-wallet or to instantly transfer funds from the following banks: BPI, RCBC, Robinson’s Bank and UnionBank.

Mayor Maria Josefina Tanya G. Belmonte said other online payment methods will be added over time and that the system will eventually be integrated with all online services that require payment at the City Treasury.

“Paying taxes should not be taxing,” Belmonte said. “That’s why the local government is keen on delivering cost-efficient and practical solutions such as this to address the woes of our taxpayers and business owners.”

Starting today, individuals who wish to pay their real property tax and/or business owners who wish to apply for a new business permit may do so via the QC e-Services portal.

City Administrator Michael Victor N. Alimurung said “Pay Easy” follows the footsteps of “Biz Easy” and “Build Easy,” which presents all stakeholders with “a win-win situation.”

“Transacting online would mean saving time and effort, and limited face to face interactions, which help prevent the risks of Covid-19.

“And lastly, through ‘Pay Easy,’ we are able to respond to the call of the Anti-Red Tape Authority [Arta] and comply with RA 11032 or the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ law, which seeks to digitize government transactions,” Alimurung said.

He added that this innovation targets one of Belmonte’s 14-point agenda items, which is to make Quezon City “the preferred destination for businesses.”

kasi ang tinutukoy doon lahat ng activities, lahat po ng serbisyo na ang ginagamit mo [They are also covered

by RMC 97-2021 because it refers to all the activities, all the services that you use] is online or via digital platform,” Cabreros said in an interview during a public briefing.

“Lahat po ng kumbaga nasa mundong iyon ay kailangan mag-report at magbayad ng buwis,” she added. [Everyone in that world has to report and pay taxes.] “The company that is providing the platform for it to happen, the players, lahat po yung kung ano man ang tawag sa kanila. [all of them, whatever they are called].

Cabreros further said that at the end of the day, whether they are called “scholars” or “breeders,” the question is if they are earning from the activities.

“If yes, [you need to register] and

just go a BIR office where you are a resident.”

In the play-to-earn game Axie Infinity developed by Vietnambased Sky Mavis Pte. Ltd, players can earn cryptocurrency token “Smooth Love Potion,” which can be sold in exchange for cash. In its website, it said the game has attracted many players from developing countries as it provides a new income stream during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Scholars in Axie Infinity are those who are hired by other users to play on their behalf under a shared profit agreement. The scholarship program is allowed by the game developers.

Meanwhile, breeders refer to those who breed Axies—Pokemoninspired creatures used by the players in the game—and sell it in the marketplace.

Cabreros also said that not only individuals but also corporations are also required to register and pay their taxes from earning from these games.

“Normally ang mga players po naglalaro mga individual but, reminder: hindi lang po individual ang tinutukoy dito pati corporate entity kasali kasi we were told na may mga corporations na pumapasok sa ganitong digital activities,” she said. [Normally the players are individuals but, reminder: not only individuals are referred to here but also corporate entities because we were told that there are corporations that participate in such digital activities.]

Nonetheless, Cabreros said they have made it easier for taxpayers amid the pandemic to register online with BIR through the agency’s new business registration portal.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel SD. Guballa earlier told the BusinessMirror that earnings from cryptocurrency-based games can also be subjected to value-added tax (VAT) apart from income tax.

But under Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law, those with annual taxable income that does not exceed P250,000 are exempted from paying personal income tax.

The Train law also provided that gross annual sales and/or receipts earned from the sale or lease of goods or properties or the performance of services not exceeding P3 million are also exempted from VAT. Guballa earlier said the bureau will also be studying whether the taxes will be imposed upon earning the cryptocurrency token or upon exchanging it to cash.

Digital fraud originating from PHL down in mid-2021

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

T

HE Philippines bucked the global trend of rising digital fraud amid the pandemic, as suspected digital fraud attempts declined in the country in the second quarter of the year, according to the latest quarterly analysis of TransUnion Information Solutions Inc. The global information and insights company said the rate of suspected digital fraudulent attempts in the country dropped by 59.4 percent in the second quarter of the year.

Globally, the rate rose 16.5 percent

across industries during the same time period.

TransUnion said the industries with the largest declines in suspected digital fraud originating from the Philippines during the quarter were telecommunications with a decline of 98.7 percent, logistics with a decline of 71.1 percent, and financial services with a decline of 61.3 percent.

TransUnion monitors digital fraud attempts reported by businesses in varied industries such as gambling, gaming, financial services, retail and travel and leisure, among others. The conclusions are

based on intelligence from billions of transactions and more than 40,000 websites and apps contained in its flagship identity proofing, riskbased authentication and fraud analytics solution suite.”

“Among all the markets that our research covered, the Philippines recorded the second biggest decline in the rate of suspected digital fraud originating from that country, next only to Brazil,” TransUnion Philippines President and CEO Pia Arellano said. “It is possible fraudsters have recognized the fraud controls our customers have after experiencing them first-hand and have gone

elsewhere for the time being.”

“However, constant vigilance is still warranted as we’ll likely see them again in industries where transactions are increasing,” the executive added.

In contrast, suspected digital fraudulent attempts rose 51.4 percent for the gaming sector and 198.5 percent for travel and leisure during the period.

In terms of fraud types, phishing was also number one in the Philippines at 40 percent followed by third-party seller scams on legitimate online retail websites at 29 percent.

Digital remittances becoming mainstream

O

VER the past 18 months, the global remittance industry has evolved favorably despite being affected by lower employment in the G-20 countries. Lockdowns and closure of borders have also made traditional remittance models more difficult.

A recent World Bank report on migration and development revealed that remittance flows have defied predictions and remained strong during the Covid-19 pandemic. Government support programs for families back home helped the sector record more than $540 billion in 2020, which is just 1.6 percent below the 2019 level of $548 billion.

However, digital remittances grew strongly as migrant workers and remittance receivers became more familiar with online transactions for cross-border transfers. According to international money transfer processing firm UniTeller, remittances have been transforming toward digital for several years and this trend has accelerated since March 2020.

“We see that the larger digital providers have grown at very dynamic growth rates, well above the traditional providersUniTeller CEO Alberto R. Guerra said in an online interview. “Also, the growth in mobile wallets has been

Finex free enterprise Joseph Araneta Gamboa an enabler of digital remittances.”

Guerra said it is estimated that last year, global remittances sent and received through mobile money have increased by 65 percent around the world, reaching a total of $12.7 billion.

“People are now more comfortable with digital transactions, which will likely become more mainstream in the near future.”

In UniTeller’s case, its digital remittance platform is gaining more traction as more companies can now offer digital-based solutions without the need to invest in developing a digital capability. This has benefitted the unbanked population, although there is room to increase adoption. Cash still remains king among low-income remittance recipients who are used to spending money right after an ATM withdrawal or a visit to a physical remittance agent.

To ensure that migrants have affordable options, money transfer service providers

need to continue leveraging new technologies to further benefit senders and receivers. Increased accessibility of remittance channels through adequate digital infrastructure and payment networks in both origination and destination countries will go a long way toward increasing financial inclusion. In turn, this will translate into more affordable and transparent options for the consumer.

UniTeller Philippines President and Country Director Noel Fernando Cristal believes that remittance players need to continuously push initiatives to boost the adoption of digital transactions, saying “we have to look at making usage more universal across the country, building customer loyalty, and increasing merchant acceptance.”

This is where government efforts like the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ recent push for a national QR code would be critical in ensuring that the road to a cashless society will be more inclusive.

Cristal disclosed that in the Philippines, total remittances during the first half of 2021 at $16.6 billion have outperformed pre-pandemic levels. This is not only a positive sign for the industry amid the ongoing crisis, but it also demonstrates the de-

pendability of remittances for families during times of need.

Guerra sees a gradual recovery of global markets in 2021, driven by the positive strides in global vaccination programs.

“Developments on the vaccine front have provided signs of resilience and relief that the worst may have passed. While global markets remain uncertain, with some countries experiencing a resurgence in the past few months, remittances will continue to be a critical lifeline for families worldwide,” he shared.

Given that the pandemic has quickened the adoption of digital remittances, both Guerra and Cristal think that cashless transactions will grow further as fintech players and governments improve digital infrastructure and channels. They foresee 2022 as the year of opportunity for the fintech sector to deliver its full potential in enabling greater inclusion for unbanked communities–particularly for the Philippine market as it gains momentum in mobile wallet usage.

Joseph Gamboa is the co-chairman of the Finex Annual Conferences for 2020-2021, chairman of the Finex Business Columns Subcommittee and director of Noble Asia Industrial Corp.

The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions and the BusinessMirror .

LandBank cites increase in e-banking hub usage

T

HE Land Bank of the Philippines (L andBank) on Tuesday reported sustained increase in the usage of its major electronic banking channels, including payment systems used by national and local government agencies, in the first seven months of the year.

The state-run bank said its webbased e-payment platform, the Link.

BizPortal, facilitated 2.3 million transactions amounting to P5.57 billion in the first seven months of the year. This represented a 105-percent rise in the number of transactions

and 103-percent growth rates in the volume of transactions.

Meanwhile, the bank’s Electronic Modified Disbursement System (eMDS) for national government agency partners also reached 1.1 million transactions amounting to P925.28 billion during the period.

This is 36-percent more transactions and a 74-percent jump in value from the same period last year.

“LandBank continues to answer the call for accessible, reliable and safe electronic banking in the new normal, driven by the varied needs of customers due in large part to the

pandemic,” Landbank President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo said.

The bank’s other online platforms also posted growth during the period.

Its “weAccess,” which is dedicated for corporate clients, facilitated P277.43 billion through 11.3 million transactions. These are equivalent to increases of 31 percent and 22 percent, respectively.

The Landbank mobile banking app recorded 55.72 million transactions up 48 percent, with a total value of P89.9 billion or a 136 percent increase from the previous year.

The bank also expressed support to the recent call of the Anti-Red Tape Authority for government agencies to digitize their payment systems, as part of their compliance to Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

“We are committed to collaborating with more government partners to make financial services much more accessible, towards promoting ease of doing business and advancing greater digital financial inclusion in the country,” Borromeo said.

Bianca Cuaresma

B4

Show BusinessMirror

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

STOP TALKING

FOR years, the actor was known for being mysterious and enigmatic and the truth is, it should have remained that way.

Once the actor started mouthing off, people’s perception of him changed and we can’t blame them. The actor has been too talkative for comfort, yapping about the woman he dumped several times more than he should when, in fact, she’s been quiet. It is in bad taste, too, considering the actor has been canoodling with a new woman, yet again the so-called love of his life. Another distasteful thing the actor has done is make public his stand about vaccines. He has also picked fights with other people in the business and started arguments in his Instagram account, of all places. So, yes, everyone is wishing the actor had stayed enigmatic and mysterious.

A mixed box office weekend as ‘Free Guy’ tops again

IMITATION

NETIZENS were quick to point out that pageant contestant’s video was an imitation of a big beauty brand’s campaign, from music to concept. While the contestant is a strong contender, netizens don’t like her because of her political leanings. The video just reinforced their dislike of her. Pageant insiders said she could be disqualified for this. The contestant allegedly tried to say she had no idea the video was an imitation. She reportedly said she thought it was original, blaming everything on her team. It remains to be seen whether she will indeed be disqualified.

HE HAD NO IDEA

WHO is the politician-actor who is known for messaging sexy actresses and starlets, hoping they would agree to go to bed with him? Most of them are repulsed by him because he is old and known to be corrupt. One of the actresses he reportedly messaged is feisty and outspoken—and she told her friends about it. For her, it was hilarious the politician-actor seemed to not know her background and thought she would be easily dazzled by his money when she comes from a moneyed family.

SMART ACTOR

IF you have ever wondered why the actor seems so rich even if he barely works, supposedly it is because he was the kept man of a celebrity way older. This was before the celebrity met the guy who became her husband. The celebrity set up the actor for life with a condo unit, a house and money in the bank. He is an intelligent guy who knows not to waste his money so he invested it well. Even after his affair with the rich celebrity ended and work because sporadic as he became older, he still lived a good life and continues to do so with his lovely wife. The actor and the rich celebrity are okay. They are not exactly friends but they have only good words for each other.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

F

its target audience of under six-year-olds is a wild card. Delta variant concerns and its availability to stream at home made it even more of a moving target.

Chris Aronson, the president of domestic distribution for Paramount Pictures said the weekend was a “very nice, very pleasant surprise.”

“It’s a younger skewing audience and we’re in interesting times, but I think our marketing teams, both on our side and the exhibition side, did a terrific job at getting the message out,” Aronson said. “The pups are very beloved and have a very, very loyal audience.”

The studio said the audience who turned out to theaters was diverse (41 percent white, 34 percent Hispanic and 20 percent Black) and predominately comprised of families with very young children.

Aronson also noted that for the younger kids, PAW Patrol is likely their first experience in a movie theater ever.

Celebrities who voiced characters in PAW Patrol included Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel, Yara Shahidi and Kim Kardashian.

Disney’s Jungle Cruise, which is available to rent on Disney+ for $30, landed in third place in its fourth weekend in release. So far, the Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt action-adventure has grossed $174 million globally.

In its first weekend, Millennium Media’s The Protégé, starring Keaton, Q and Samuel L. Jackson, earned $2.9 million from 2,577 locations. Distributed

by Lionsgate, the Martin Campbill-directed action pic about Q’s assassin character Anna, who is seeking justice, got mixed-to-positive reviews.

Searchlight’s The Night House, which was very wellreviewed, didn’t connect with its opening weekend audience, who gave it a “C-” CinemaScore. The indie horror about a recently widowed woman played by Hall grossed an estimated $2.9 million from 2,240 locations.

Meanwhile, Reminiscence with Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson and Thandiwe Newton fizzled with only $2 million from 3,265 locations. The directorial debut of Westworld cocreator Lisa Joy, Reminiscence is also streaming on HBO Max. It’s one of several Warner Bros.’s adult-skewing films that have underwhelmed with the hybrid release strategy, including the thrillers Those Who Wish Me Dead, with Angelina Jolie and The Little Things, with Denzel Washington. The studio is releasing all of its 2021 slate on HBO Max and in theaters simultaneously. n

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press

OUR new films with major stars from Hugh Jackman to Michael Keaton opened in North American movie theaters this weekend and only the one with animated puppies fared well. But it wasn’t enough to beat out Ryan Reynolds’ action-comedy Free Guy, which topped the charts for the second weekend running.

PAW Patrol: The Movie, a Paramount release targeted at very young kids that’s also streaming on Paramount+, earned $13 million in ticket sales according to studio estimates on Sunday. It was by far the best of the new openers, which included three adult-skewing films that failed to find significant audiences: The action pic The Protégé, with Keaton and Maggie Q, the sci-fi thriller Reminiscence, which is also streaming on HBO Max, and the well-reviewed Rebecca Hall horror The Night House.

First place went to Free Guy, a 20th Century and Disney release that’s playing exclusively in theaters.

It dropped a miniscule 34 percent and added $18.8 million this weekend, bringing its global total to $112 million. The studio attributed the strong hold to good word-of-mouth.

“Free Guy is a movie that harkens back to the days when strong word-of-mouth and a really engaged star, Ryan Reynolds, combine to make for a great theatrical-first release,” said comScore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian. “It shows that a theatrical-first release even in today’s unusual marketplace can have legs. It feels very 2019, not pandemic-era.”

The relative success of PAW Patrol came as a bit of a surprise, even to those involved. Although the movie is based on an immensely popular Nickelodeon series,

James Reid does a TikTok challenge?

Social networking service giant TikTok catapulted to even greater popularity during the pandemic, when most young people used the platform not only to entertain themselves but also flex on their peers. The platform gave birth to trends like “famous relative check,” “say that you’re rich without actually saying you’re rich,” and of course the “me and my jowa challenge.”

This challenge in particular invites users to basically show off how loyal their jowa (slang for significant other) can be through a simple dance routine.

The video instantly went viral, garnering 56 million views on TikTok alone with thousands

more recreating it. But imagine how cool it would be if young heartthrob James Reid pops out to break the ice and reveal himself as your jowa?

Softdrink brand Mountain Dew Ice puts a refreshing twist to this viral video in their new online ad where a girl tries to summon her jowa but summons her “Dew-a”—an ice-cold bottle of Mountain Dew Ice given to her by James Reid himself.

This hilarious reimagining is part of Mountain Dew Ice’s new campaign “Mas Cool ‘Pag May Dew Ice,” which aims to make anything more cool by putting Ice in it—viral Internet trends included.

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

z

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Blake Lively, 34; Kel Mitchell, 43; Tim Burton, 63; Elvis Costello, 67.

Happy Birthday: Pay attention to medical and financial concerns. Review and take notes regarding unusual behavior or inconsistency. You will discover plenty if you keep an open mind and monitor trends.

Focus on doing things differently and using experience to manipulate the outcome of events as they unfold this year. Change can be excellent if handled properly. A positive gain is within reach. Your numbers are 2, 16, 23, 29, 33, 36, 48.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Get your facts straight, and share your findings with people in positions that bring about change. Leave nothing to chance when dealing with romantic issues.

State what’s on your mind, and offer a concrete plan moving forward. HHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep personal information to yourself, and it will make it easier to convince others to leave you alone to pursue what you want. Use discretion regarding your finances, passwords and medical history. A concise response is all that’s required. HHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Personal growth, pampering and considering your options will lead to a healthy conclusion based on research and deciding how you can use your attributes to do something that satisfies you. Reaching out to people who can help will pay off. HHHHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Refuse to let emotional matters escalate, disrupting your life.

It’s essential to recognize what you can do and to come up with a plan and implement a change that will stop others from taking advantage of your kindness and generosity. HH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Learn through observation and experience. Friends, family and allies will stand by, offering sound advice and whatever help you need to deal with any changes you face. Out of adversity comes opportunity. Look for the positive in every situation; forge ahead. HHHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Participate in matters that concern you. Refuse to let anyone take care of your money, medical or contractual issues. An unexpected opportunity will help you decide a course of action you are laboring over.

Embrace the future, and don’t look back. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pay more attention to the people you love, and take better care of yourself and your emotional well-being.

Put together a plan geared toward physical fitness, a healthy routine and taking responsibility for your happiness. Romance will enhance your life. HHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take nothing for granted when dealing with friends, relatives or those living under the same roof.

Choose your words wisely, leaving no room for error or misinterpretation. Be direct, and follow the path that makes you happy. HHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Tidy up your space, and spend time with someone you love. The key to happiness is doing what brings you joy with the people who share your beliefs, interests and life goals. Personal achievements look promising, and romance is favored. HHHHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Check out a unique way to increase your assets. Don’t rely on someone who has let you down or disappointed you. Change begins with you. Set the rules, and live life your way. Set high standards, and avoid health risks or injury. HH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Mull over contracts, financial documents and medical records, and you’ll find a way to save time and money. A joint venture will help you reach your goal quicker than if you go it alone. Lay down guidelines to ensure you maintain equality. HHHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Concentrate on what’s possible. Be honest with yourself and others, and it will be easier to bring about positive change that can enhance cash flow and your lifestyle. Intelligence and action will get you where you want to go. HHH Birthday Baby: You are attentive, insightful and optimistic.

You are accommodating and reliable.

‘natural growth’ by paul coulter The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Girl who may say “nae” 5 Military wear, informally 9 Rhyming nickname for a 1990s-2000s Britcom 14 Boat in Jaws 15 Acted just like 16 Navajo or Pueblo 17 Tournament favorite 19 Cliffside nest 20 Souvenir shop garment 21 Comes down hard?

22 Opposite NNE 23 Abbr. at the end of a business name 24 Geological period 25 Problem-solve 29 Simple chord 32 Word said with a sigh 33 Apply 34 Houston university 35 Try to prevent 37 A Hard Road to Glory author Arthur 38 Tribute from a poet 39 West Coast gas brand 40 Cook, as clams

1 Diagram of options 4 45 Photographer Adams 46 Suffix for “rocket” 47 “Te ___” (Spanish for “I love you”) 50 Item an Olympian hurls 52 Heart hit with the words “I cast my spell of love on you” 54 Buzzing with activity 55 Yield the desired result 56 Bogus 57 A single time 58 Annapolis initials 59 Fabric for a professor’s jacket 60 Ram like a goat 61 Like the observation “Crosswords are similar to life...”

DOWN 1 Top housing options?

2 Astrological ram 3 Fastener that may be loose 4 Back talk 5 Slots’ spot 6 Brief outline 7 Convene 8 Not divisible by two

9 Bewildered 10 Bottom-first kind of birth 11 Building with a bell and a pole 12 Not much 13 Flower pollinators 18 Bronze medalist’s place 21 Pointy pickle piece 24 Fashion magazine 25 ___ Bo (exercise system) 26 Conductor’s stick 27 Dept. of Labor arm 28 Abound 29 Put one’s foot down?

30 Carnival attraction 31 Ornate-but-temporary winter structure 35 Towels off 36 Natural resource management subj.

37 Absorbed, as a cost 39 Gave confidence to 40 Bottom line on a letter, say?

42 Cut with a scalpel 43 It led to a 1773 Boston “party” 44 Wish undone 47 Get a smile out of

8 Acadia National Park’s state 4 49 Available from a keg 50 Ridiculous, to a Brit 51 Translation of Caesar’s “vidi” 52 Computer list 53 “Phooey!”

55 Go up and down

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Image BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Wednesday, August 25, 2021

B5

Handling exit interviews PHOTO BY CHRISTIN HUME ON UNSPLASH

I How would planting 8 billion trees every year for 20 years affect Earth’s climate?

By Karen D. Holl University of California, Santa Cruz Politicians, business leaders, YouTubers and celebrities are calling for the planting of millions, billions or even trillions of trees to slow climate change. There are currently almost 8 billion people on Earth. If every single person planted a tree each year for the next 20 years, that would mean roughly 160 billion new trees.

Could massive tree planting actually slow climate change? n TREES AND CARBON. Carbon dioxide is the main gas that causes global warming. Through photosynthesis, trees and other plants transform carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into carbohydrates, which they use to make stems, leaves and roots.

The amount of carbon a tree can store varies a great deal. It depends on the tree species, where it is growing and how old it is.

Let’s say the average tree takes up 50 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. If a person planted a tree every year for 20 years—and each one survived, which is highly unlikely—those 20 trees would take up about 1,000 pounds, or half a ton, of carbon dioxide per year.

The average person in the United States produces a whopping 15.5 tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with 1.9 tons for an average person in India. This means that if each person in the US planted one tree per year it would offset only about 3 percent of the carbon dioxide they produce each year, after all 20 trees had matured. But, it would offset 26 percent for somebody in India.

Planting trees is certainly part of the solution to climate change, but there are more important ones. n PROTECTING THE TREES WE HAVE. There are about 3 trillion trees on Earth, which is only half as many as 12,000 years ago, at the start of human civilization.

People cut down an estimated 15 billion trees each year. A lot of those trees are in tropical forests, but deforestation is happening all over the planet.

Protecting existing forests makes sense. Not only do they absorb carbon dioxide in the trees and the soil, but they provide habitat for animals. Trees can provide firewood and fruit for people. In cities, they can offer shade and recreational spaces.

But trees should not be planted where they didn’t grow before, such as in native grasslands or savannas.

These ecosystems provide important habitat for their own animals and plants—and already store carbon if they are left undisturbed. n DOING MORE. To slow climate change, people need to do much more than plant trees. Humans need to reduce their carbon dioxide and other greenhousegas emissions quickly by transitioning to renewable energy sources, like solar and wind. People should also reduce the amount they drive and fly—and eat less meat, as meat has a much larger carbon footprint per calorie than grains and vegetables.

It is important that everybody—businesses, politicians, governments, adults and even kids—do what they can to reduce fossil fuel emissions. I know it can seem pretty overwhelming to think about what you as one person can do to help the planet.

Fortunately, there are many options.

Volunteer with a local conservation organization, where you can help protect and restore local habitats.

Discuss with your family new lifestyle choices, like biking, walking or taking public transit rather than driving.

And don’t be afraid to lead an effort to protect trees, locally or globally. Two 11-year-old Girl Scouts, concerned about the destruction of rainforests for palm oil plantations, led an effort to eliminate palm oil in Girl Scout cookies.

Sometimes change is slow, but together people can make it happen. THE CONVERSATION

HAVE always been puzzled by exit interviews.

I was of the opinion that a resignation letter should be enough to indicate the reasons an employee leaves an organization. It was only when the global head of human resources (HR) from a former organization met with my team that I understood its significance. She was proposing that instead of an exit interview to understand why people leave, why not ask the same in the initial interview so that the organization can have a list of reasons why people leave and do something about it before employees leave. That helped me realize that exit interviews are the organization’s way of not only improving their ways of working, but also getting a sense of how well they are taking care of their employees.

Exit interviews give every organization an insider’s look into how things really go in the different groups and departments. It provides a venue where a departing employee can indicate areas of development and pinpoint root causes of why people leave the organization. It can also help an organization recognize potential issues, improve problematic areas, and help management focus on data-driven solutions.

As someone leaving an organization, you are doing them a favor by doing the exit interview. Whatever your reason is for leaving the organization, you need to be professional with how you handle the exit interview. Chances are, you will still be working with them in the future, especially if your new work is in the same field. And even if it is not, you still want to be perceived as a professional.

When you do an exit interview, start with why the organization was a good place to work in and its contribution to your own career development.

Highlight areas where you improved and the opportunities that were given to you. Focusing on the positive sets the mood for the entire interview and helps you frame your mind into leaving a good impression. This will also help the organization know what they need to keep doing.

Give an honest and objective, yet professional, feedback on your reason for leaving. You need to think how to be as helpful as possible to the organization and even to the people you are leaving behind. Not all resignations are ideal but if you care for the welfare of the people you have worked with, you need to make HR understand how they can help retain other talents. If possible, leave room for the HR to give you a counteroffer. But weigh that against what you have experienced and your own assessment of their ability to deliver on their proposal.

Focus your answers on people, process and tools.

Were you given ample opportunities to develop your skills and prepare you for your next role? Can things be done better so your team’s output can be

made faster or better? Were you given the right tools to do your work and the demands it entails? Your answers can give an organization not only valuable information in retaining their current employees, but also an opportunity to improve their processes and tools. You might not be able to enjoy those but at least you give them the opportunity to do better.

Take this opportunity to commend good leaders and point out toxic ones. As the organization’s culture builder, HR has the responsibility of encouraging and promoting activities and behavior aligned with the organization’s core values.

By identifying the good managers from the toxic ones, you are actually helping HR assess where they are in their culture-building efforts. If they agree with your assessment of the good managers, it means they are on track. If they do not agree with your assessment of the toxic ones, then it is in your best interest that you leave because you are not what they want for the organization. Either way, the organization will have a better way of knowing where they stand in culture building and fine-tune their programs to achieve their goal.

In talking about an issue that led to your resignation, be as specific as possible and cite as many instances as possible to corroborate what you raise. However, avoid throwing people under the bus. Explain how things are done and their effects on you as a member. Focus on what could have been improved on certain instances and how the management can support those improvements. An exit interview is not where you gripe and criticize

your leader or your teammates. It is where you can tell the organization how they can improve their ways of working. But it does not mean you have to bad mouth people to achieve it. You can offer suggestions or recommendations instead. It would sound professional and helpful more than spiteful.

Being overly critical is unprofessional and creates an impression that you do not work well with others because if you did, you would have done something about it when you were still employed. There are cases when HR could have intervened had they known. But if no one is telling them, then there is nothing they can do about it. You would only come out as vindictive if you become overly critical only during the exit interview.

Carefully plan the exit interview by writing down your answers to common exit interview questions and practice them with a trusted friend. This will help you monitor your tone and choice of words so you can change whatever is necessary to sound more professional. It will also help you identify areas where you can become emotional so you can have time to process those feelings.

Leaving an organization is not always easy.

Especially if you have been working in it for a number of years, and good friendships and professional relationships have been established.

But your departure does not mean you are severing all ties to the organization. You are actually expanding your network. And what better way to preserve those connections by helping the organization one last time. n

All for art that heals From left: Joemari Bandonillo of Bando Arts, Enrico Micu of Boysen, Althea Abletia of Bando Arts, Vergel Dyoco of Boysen, Darlene Arguelles of Polido Mural, Vince Hernandez of Boysen and Vence Polido of Polido Mural

Finding inspiration in the sky THE Covid-19 pandemic continues to inform everyday life, and people exhausted from more than a year of lockdowns and continuing uncertainty are desperate for inspiration. The public visiting SM Aura Premier will be greeted with colorful inspiring, encouraging, and uplifting messages amid the lush greens and nearby skyscrapers when they visit the mall’s Skypark.

That’s because a group of artists recently took over the columns of SM Aura Premier to create an uplifting row of art murals that give customers a positive change of scenery in the midst of the pandemic.

Illustrators and muralists Mia the Hoooman, Alex Esguerra, Pulido Mural Arts, in partnership with Boysen, have filled SM Aura Premier’s Skypark with colorful and inspirational messages in the outdoor dining area—a safe and communal space in the heart of Taguig’s central business district. The art

installation spreads positivity for those who find malls as a quick escape in the city. “The pandemic has been a challenge for all of us,” says Mia the Hooman.

“It limited everything we can do, especially physical interactions with family and friends.”

Continuing, she says: “Through this project, I was able to reach out and share some light to other people.

I believe that uplifting each other especially during this pandemic is very important as most of us has been encountering our own struggles and self-doubt.”

Created with Boysen’s Permacoat Color Series, the row of paintings are also sustainable for the environment as the 100 percent acrylic latex paint is dirt pick-up resistant and uses less coats.

If you need to take a break from the stress of the pandemic and want a haven of art-filled encouragement, visit Boysen’s inspiration series at the Skypark in SM Aura Premier.

❸

SM Aura Premier features Boysen’s inspiration series at the Skypark.

B6 Wednesday, August 25, 2021

P&G donates health products to medical frontliners

RCLC heeds Mother Nature’s SOS: tree planting on the mountain range

ATTENDING TO MOTHER NATURE'S SOS, FROM LEFT: RCLC‘s Amazing Lifechanging Sec. Jason “Dylan” Sabio, Amazing Lifechanging Pres. Aya Rioflorido and Amazing Lifechanging District Governor Angie Sunio doing their part, planting trees and rising up to the #riseup4SierraMadre challenge, in Real, Quezon.

W

HEN Mother Nature sent out SOS, members of Rotary Club Lucena Circle (RCLC) rushed to the rescue.

Zeroing on Sierra Madre mountain range, RCLC headed by Amazing Life Changing Pres. Aya Reoflorido rose to the challenge of #riseup4SierraMadre, gamely trekking to Real, Quezon for their kick-

off activity in July and District Governor Angelita ‘Angie’ Sunio recognized the club's participation in the event during the Governor's Visit on August 12, 2021 at Nawawalang Paraiso Resort in Tayabas City hosted by RCLC. In her speech, DG Sunio stressed the vital and timely issue concerning the environment that's sweeping the whole planet.

This realization, Sunio continued, was instrumental in the inclusion of Supporting the Environment as the 7th Area of Focus of RI and TRF. She extended appreciation for the extra efforts thrown in by Pres. Aya and the RCLC members to assure DG Sunio that the club will align their service projects to fully carry out the 7 Areas of Focus.

DG Sunio stressed that mitigating the adverse effects of global warming including flash floods is a concerted effort and everybody must come together to be part of the solution, working hand in hand with the government.

She encouraged RCLC members to actively participate in tree planting activities, reduce/reuse and recycle projects and carpooling to minimize carbon dioxide emission and to use solar or renewable energy, if possible.

Officers of RCLC for RY 20212022 includes President Ryan “Aya” Reoflorido, Vice-Pres. and Club Trainor PP Wilfredo “Nicky” Nicdao, Secretary and President-Elect Jason “Dylan” Sabio, Treasurer PP Diza Alcala, Auditor Jayger “Jigz” Azores, Immediate Past President Arch. Jestoni Olivares, PRO and Public Image Chair Lilibeth Azores, Directors Kristoffer “Tophey” Laguerta (Community Service), PP Irenea “Irene” Sisperez (Vocational Service), Wilfredo “Nicksy” Nicdao (International Service), Amelita “Amy” Balagtas (Admin/Club Service), Em Limpin (Youth Service) and Ma. Vianca Javier (Membership).

Phoenix Petroleum unveils list of stations nationwide with fully-vaccinated staff

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ULFILLING its commitment to safety, amid the ongoing pandemic, Phoenix Petroleum has announced that nine of its stations nationwide are manned by fully vaccinated staff and forecourt crew. Composed of 40 100% inoculated personnel, the first Phoenix stations nationwide to have this added protection for its customers include Phoenix Mandalagan in Bacolod, Phoenix Malanday 1 and 2 in Valenzuela City, Phoenix Moncada in Tarlac, and Phoenix Sta. Maria, Malhacana, Plaridel Bypass, and Meycauayan 1 and 2 in Bulacan.

“Part of our COVID-19 response is to encourage our employees, especially our frontliners, to get vaccinated as this will not only ensure continued service, but also offers more safety for our customers, and added protection to the health of our workforce and their families,” Phoenix Petroleum President Henry Albert Fadullon said. “We are glad to share that

we are on our way to make every Phoenix touchpoint safer and protected against COVID-19, starting with these nine stations. Soon, more Phoenix stations will follow suit as we ramp up our companywide vaccination campaign,” he added.

Last month, the company’s retail team led an internal vaccination drive to encourage more Phoenix frontliners to register for their local government unit’s vaccination drive, and be protected.

According to Fadullon, top management and Phoenix dealers all over the country were among the first to get their vaccines to set an example for safer customer service.

Such initiatives, together with the intensive vaccination information and awareness drive, resulted in 86% of the Phoenix workforce being vaccinated

by August 2021, while the rest of the employees have already registered, and are currently awaiting their vaccination schedules.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Phoenix has been active in its response to the new normal, launching innovative ways to serve its customers, finding ways to help the community, and ensuring the safety of its employees.

The 18th International Business Awards recognized these efforts, and recently awarded the company a Silver Stevie for the Most Exemplary Employer of the Year category in relation to the pandemic.

Phoenix was also among the first companies to purchase vaccines for its employees, and it has since extended its vaccination program to accommodate families of employees nationwide.

In June 2021, the company partnered with the Davao City government and the Department of Health Region XI to host a five-day vaccination drive for the city.

Over 5,000 individuals were jabbed with COVID-19 vaccine during the initiative.

P

ROCTER & Gamble (P&G) Philippines continues stepping up as a Force for Good in helping defend the health of the country by donating its newest health innovation Vicks First Defence to almost 8,000 medical frontliners in four major hospitals in Metro Manila.

With the recent rise in cases, P&G’s Force for Good program has been timely support to protect frontliners in hospitals, local government units and government agencies as they face the new wave of cases. Ever since 2020, P&G’s Force for Good efforts has focused on protecting the frontliners defending the country from the COVID-19 virus. This time, the company provided infrastructure support health and hygiene products like Safeguard soap, hair care and laundry products, PPEs and medical grade face masks for frontliner use, and its latest innovation Vicks First Defence, which is P&G’s nasal spray product for early intervention of the common cold.

P&G Communications Director Anna Legarda turns over PPEs and hygiene products for frontliners to PGH Director Dr. Gap Legaspi.

Entrepreneur-turned-social media influencer spreads good vibes and cheers to netizens

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R. GAY World-Philippines 2009 titlist Wilbert Tolentino is a living proof that helping knows no time and circumstances. While busy with his businesses and his new-found hobby as vlogger/YouTuber, the respected LGBTQIA+ personality known for his generous heart, along with his team, continues to come up with various projects to help Filipinos during the pandemic.

His Sir Wil Online Challenge certainly provides fun and financial assistance to different people regardless of status and gender. Armed with creativity and dedication to his advocacy of creating quality live entertainment, the COVID-19 survivor last year, created innovative and well-produced virtual events that make life easier during the quarantine. He believes that kindness and a helping hand are all we need to survive the pandemic.

No wonder many people look up to him as the next “Kuya Will” (referring to Kapuso host Willie Revillame) because of his generous ways.

If you've been following Tolentino’s Vlogs on YouTube, you’ll find that the businessman not only shares his blessings to guests, but he also makes sure that his loyal viewers and subscribers win amazing prizes like GCash transfers and OPPO A15 smartphones as part of his so-called “Kafreshness codebination.” All netizens must do is follow Tolentino's Instagram account @sirwil75 and watch for the Codebination on his vlogs after commenting on the designated IG post and tagging 10 friends.

Fun collaborations

PHOENIX Mandalagan in Bacolod, along with eight other Phoenix stations, became one of the first Phoenix stations with 100% of the staff fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

P&G’s Vicks First Defence items were also donated to Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium “P&G’s primary mission is to help protect the health of frontliners, families, and communities with our health and hygiene products. With the heightened priority to protect health, we are committed to continuously find solutions that help defend and provide relief from viruses such as the common cold virus. Our newest product Vicks First Defence aims to do that, and we are happy to provide it first to our medical frontliners who deserve the utmost protection for their tireless service,” said Raffy Fajardo, President and General Manager of P&G Philippines.

A total of Php 3.4M worth of Vicks First Defence are on their way to the medical frontliners of Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, East Avenue Medical Center, and the Lung Center of the Philippines.

JUST recently, Tolentino collaborated with the viral online seller Madam Inutz (Daisy Lopez) together with Hipon Girl (Herlene Budol), through his vlog that now has 1.41 million subscribers. Tolentino gave Inutz Php 200,000 (including Php100,000 to her ailing mother who had a stroke). In two days, the YouTube video had over 1.6 million views. Likewise, Herlene received P100,000 from the

modern-day philanthropist.

For the second part of the 2-Minute Shopping Spree, Herlene won a total of Php107, 231 worth of items and appliances while Inutz got a total of Php 342, 173 worth of items and appliances.

The online seller said that she will sell some of the items on her Online Shop Daisylicious Ukay to save money for her mother’s medication and her kids’ future.

Because of the continuous outpouring of support, help, and guidance that she is getting from Tolentino, more people are convinced that the latter would be the perfect manager for Inutz. Soon enough, the two signed an agreement for the viral seller's newfound career!

Indeed, Tolentino knows how to treat people well and has a big heart. Watch for upcoming collaborations and virtual fun events from Sir Wilbert as his way of providing entertainment as well as financial aid for others

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 B7

REITs will drive growth in the property sector and democratize investment

T

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

he entry of the real-estate investment trust (REIT) will be a growth catalyst for the Philippine market, according to the country’s leading real-estate management and investment companies.

In a press briefing held July 31, Colliers Associate Director Joey Roi Bondoc stressed it would be a good move if business people divest their industrial assets into REITs. He added that developers will be tapping REIT to become more competitive in the local market.

Bondoc cited DoubleDragon’s grand entry into the REIT market signing a P3.97-billion ($82.7 million) deal with Jollibee Foods Corp. to create the Philippines’s first and largest industrial REIT. “We encourage investors to further explore the viability of industrial REITs in the country. In our view, the industrial segment continues to record growth amid Covid, and we see it thriving beyond 2021,” Bondoc said.

Property titan Ayala Land Inc. was the first developer to enter the market through AREIT Inc. (AREIT), the real-estate investment trust of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), It recorded revenues of P1.95 billion in 2020 and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of P1.58 billion, 3 percent and 4 percent higher than its REIT plan, respectively. Ayala North Exchange, the

landmark gateway to the Makati Central Business District, was one of the original developments to be made part of AREIT Inc.’s property portfolio as it listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

In an earlier press briefing, JLL Philippines country head Christophe Vicic said the introduction of REITs in the Philippine market is a welcome development as it has been proven to be a successful investment tool in any country. For the real-estate companies, it is an additional way to grow the company as more investors are expected to come in. “ The beauty of REIT is it allows you to invest even if you are not a banker or a developer. It also helps partially in building the assets and be helpful in the recovery,” Vicic said.

Meanwhile, JLL Philippines head of research and consulting Janlo delos Reyes said a REIT can help access the capital market and help expand their portfolio. “We expect more players to enter the REIT market,” he said.

On his part, Cushman and Wakefield Philippines head of Research and Consulting and Advisory Ser-

The Ayala North Exchange, the landmark gateway to the Makati Central Business District, was one of the original developments to be made part of AREIT Inc.’s property portfolio as it listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

vices Claro Cordero Jr. pointed out that investors should check out REITs with a well-diversified property portfolio. By selecting a stable player, Cordero said investors will further shield expected returns against market downturns and cycles.

Given the kind of market environment and challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Cordero said it would be a good move to pick REITs that have assets that are spread across different sub-sectors and locations, such as within key commercial business districts [CBDs] in Metro Manila and other asset classes and growth areas outside Metro Manila.

“REITs with the ability to further diversify the kind and location of

the properties in their portfolio would enable REITs to simultaneously provide downside protection and create value for its unit holders,” Cordero added.

Cordero also stressed that REIT is an alternative and viable instrument because it provides a shield for investors from extreme market cycles. Further, it democratizes property investment and enables investors to share in the success and best practices of established property players and developers.

Although investing in REIT is slightly lower than the 10-year average return in the Philippine stock market and below the average dividend yields in Singapore and other markets, Cordero

said there is high potential for upside in the local REIT market, as there are certain real-estate segments, such as the office and industrial markets that still pose high-growth potentials in the post-pandemic era.

Cordero said C&W expects more players to follow the AREIT lead in launching their own REIT offerings. He said approximately 2 million sq m of Grade ‘A’ office spaces, around 6 million sq m of shopping mall developments and approximately 1 million sq m of logistics and warehouse developments are potentially REIT-able. The major property players are also welldiversified in other asset classes such as infrastructure (e.g., toll

roads, airports, among others) and utilities, which are particularly resilient during downward economic cycles.

Sheila Lobien, chief executive officer of the Lobien Realty Group (LRG) told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail interview that investors should be in any investor’s portfolio because it is a safe investment with many safeguards and controls placed by the law on the REIT company before it can issue REIT. “The increase in property values [especially if the land where the building is built is owned by the REIT company], the assured dividends as mandated by the law and the ease in buying the REIT stocks as the REIT company should be publicly listed, which also democratizes realestate investing, are some of the reasons an investor may invest into REIT,” Lobien said.

She said the entry of REITs in the local market has democratized the investment field small players can now join the leading players in broadening their investment portfolio.

Lobien provided three items for potential REIT investors to address the risks. First, an investor must check the profile of the company and study all the data and information of the company issuing the REIT. He or she should assess the underlying assets the REIT company has and study if these assets can reasonably deliver the profitability objectives as committed by the REIT company, Finally, the investment should align with the investor’s overall investment profile.

A place of leisure and entertainment Brentville International Community wins at the Asia Pacific Property Awards previews generous amenities at Club Vihara

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R EN T V I L L E I nter n at ion a l Community is establishing its stature as a true embodiment of thoughtful Southern living, winning recently at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021 under the Residential Development category in the Philippines. Asia Pacific Property Awards honors the best of the best in architecture, interior design, real estate and property development in the region.

“We are constantly changing the landscape of suburban living by providing our residents with thoughtful designs and well-planned development. This is to make sure that Brentville community lives in a healthy and thriving place to strengthen their community spirit,” said Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI) First Vice President and Prestige Brand Head Eduardo Gonzalez.

Brentville was recognized for its idyllic balance of upscale urban and suburban living. The vast open spaces within the Brentville neighborhood and its recreational facilities allows families to embrace a healthier wellbeing and an accessible urban escape.

Located at Mamplasan, Biñan, Laguna, it is just a two-minute drive away from Mamplasan toll exit in South Luzon Expressway (Slex) and an easy drive from Alabang Business District and Makati via the Skyway and Slex. Its location gives better accessibility to reputable hospitals, business institutions and retail centers where shopping and dining are within easy access for every family.

Clusters in Brentville are thoroughly planned to cater to your preferences and needs with each of it exuding a unique character. The Arborage, the newest cluster, provides a better option to be the right address for sophisticated families with lot sizes that range from 200 to 300 square meters. Sitting on a vast 54-hectare prime property, it is a nature-inspired pocket community covered with natural vegetation such as trees and other ornamental plants.

Meridien, Sunshine Place, West

Brentville is continuously revitalizing its residential spaces to become a world-class standard.

Parc, and Woodmore Spring offer prime lots with areas ranging from 300 to 1,400 sq.m. These residential clusters have their own first-class amenities and artistic architectural design with elegant features. The bigger cuts provide the residents ample space to build their dream homes with sophistication. Townhomes and modernized ready-for-occupancy homes with refurbished look in the Prominence II are perfect for residents who want a more laid back and relaxed kind of living. It also provides a haven for foreigners and retirees and is accredited by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). These developments are under the Condominium Certificate of Title (CCT).

Brentville is a self-contained community, and it is continuously revitalizing its residential spaces to become a world-class standard. The newly developed entryway that welcomes residents and visitors had an improved aesthetics, making the Cluster Gates of the Arborage Clubhouse, Prominence II Clubhouse, and West Parc Lawn pristine and welcoming. The Village Front is envisioned to be a commercial hub that serves as a venue for restaurants, stores, coffee shops, and other essential

establishments that offer convenience to the residents.

“We are grateful for this recognition as this is a testament of our dedication in providing a quality lifestyle for the community. This is an inspiration for us to continue building homes with best possible living experience for generations,” said Filinvest Alabang Inc. (FAI) First Vice President for Project Development and Marketing, Daphne Mae Orda-Sanchez.

Brentville International Community being part of the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2021 is truly a milestone.

This international award-giving body is open to residential and commercial property professionals around the globe. They celebrate the highest levels of achievement by companies operating in all sectors of the property and real-estate industry. An International Property Award is a world-renowned mark of excellence. The awards are split into regions covering Africa, Asia Pacific, Arabia, Canada, Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, UK and USA. Participants enter at their relevant national level and are judged by a highly experienced team of professionals who cover the whole range of property disciplines.

LU B V i h a r a re c e nt l y opened its doors for the first time to the public.

Club Vihara at Amiya Raya was conceptualized and designed

by Architect Lorenzo Tenorio with interiors designed by Cleo Tenorio. The exclusive preview was commemorated by a solemn blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by landowners and partners Chay Garcia (Community Creators Inc.), and Jun and Angie Cristi, and Teddy and Chit Salud (Ardear Development and Realty Corp.), and selected guests. The event was also celebrated with a butterfly release adjacent Amiya Raya’s soon to be developed as nature park.

A Sanskrit term for “a place of leisure and entertainment,” Club Vihara is Amiya Raya’s amenity center that offers a modern oasis for its lot and homeowners who seek refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life or simply want to try something new. Available for those who want to engage in physical activities are the following: indoor badminton courts, a gym, a boxing ring, a wall climb. The club also features a members’ lounge and game area with billiards, darts, card tables, and a kids’ playroom. Its most anticipated element, however, is its swimming pool that has a kiddie pool, adult infinity pool, and a pool bar just beside the club’s own Café Vihara. The club also offers the perfect venue for private functions and gatherings with its spacious and elegant event halls and expansive balconies with views of the city skyline and Manila Bay sunsets.

Club Vihara’s reception area

Architect Lorenzo Tenorio (from left), Chay Garcia (President and CEO), and Jo Dalida (VP-Finance).

Lot and homeowners can also look forward to the more exciting additions to Club Vihara this year with its multi-sports court and the Deck, a distinctive architectural element that produces an impressive 700 square meter of generous space with an expansive 270-degree panoramic view touted to be unique only to Amiya Raya and is rarely available in typical

high-end residential projects around the areas of San Mateo and Quezon City.

Amiya Raya (www.amiyaraya. com.ph), an exclusive residential enclave in San Mateo, Rizal offers resort-like living that is only a 15-minute drive from the city, which makes it close to places of interests such as schools, churches, malls, and government offices. Reni Salvador

Sports

1 para athlete, CdM, 2 coaches positive for virus, miss Games

BusinessMirror

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| Wednesday, August 25, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

ARUM TO PACQUIAO: RUN FOR PRESIDENT

By Josef Ramos

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OS ANGELES, California—The writing on the wall gets bolder each day—after Manny Pacquiao fought and lost to Cuban Yordenis Ugás on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

It was no longer the Manny Pacquiao atop that ring inside the MGM Grand where more than 17,000 fans came to see the legend get back on his pedestal and millions more on pay-per-view hoping to see their idol snatch another of those amazing victories he sewed together for more than 20 years boxing as a pro.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach was honest with his observation about his ward also of 20 years or more.

“I hate to see the day he retires, but this could be it,” Roach said a day after Pacquiao lost by unanimous decision to Ugás. “He didn’t perform well. I am a little bit worried about it.

He boxed for a long time.”

Now, it’s the Filipino boxing icon’s long-time promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank who doesn’t want to see Pacquiao fight another day.

“I would hope that he does forget boxing for now and get wholeheartedly into politics with the idea that he will be running for president,” the 89-year-old Arum told BusinessMirror on Monday.

Arum, who was Pacquiao’s promoter from 2006 to 2017, said the

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HAVE we seen the last of this tight embrace after a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach? WENDELL ALINEA

42-year-old Pacquiao (62-8-2 winloss-draw record with 39 knockouts) must choose politics now over boxing to realize his biggest dream of serving his fellow Filipinos.

“Because the [Philippine] elections are coming up shortly, he should forget [boxing] to pursue a political career,” Arum said. “I think it would be really great for the Philippines to have him as a president because he has all the right instincts and he’s for the people.”

Still, inspiration of many ....Sen. Manny Pacquiao

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By Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal

ES, he lost to Yordenis Ugás.

But how he accepted defeat in good grace makes him still the inspiration of all his adoring fans here and abroad.

It was so sincere and spontaneous for him to apologize for losing the fight although there was no need to ask for an apology— for we were all witness to how he did his best to win—although, he was quick to say that his best was not good enough to beat Ugás. And he did not forget to congratulate Ugás for winning the fight.

The way he accepted defeat reminds me of that Sportsman Prayer written by American poet Berton Braley in the 1950s, a portion of which reads: “Dear God, if I should win, let it be by the Code with my faith and honor held high; and if I should lose, let me stand by the road and cheer, as the winner goes by.”

Thus, despite his shocking loss to Ugás, Pacquiao will always be a legend in the eyes of the masses and to all his millions of fans. As I said before, to them, what is more compelling is his most fascinating

WHEELCHAIR racer Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda psyche themselves up for a world-class opposition.

life story of having been poor and yet was able to withstand all odds and adversities in order to achieve enormous success in life with a clean slate and an unblemished reputation.

Indeed, long after his retirement, the legacy of Manny Pacquiao will not just be about his superb boxing skills and “once-in-ageneration” talent. More than this, people will remember his story—of how one man who was born very poor, literally fought his way from survival to global dominance; and that despite all his success and influence, how he remained grounded through it all.

n Atty. Romulo Macalintal served as election lawyer of Manny Pacquiao in various elections and is a boxing enthusiast. In his younger days, he collected newspaper clippings of known boxers. He has a scrap book of news clips of Muhammad Ali in the 1960s which was autographed by Ali in September 1975 when Ali came to Manila for the Thrilla in Manila fight with Joe Frazier. Macalintal also has a wide collection of newspaper frontpage photos of Manny Pacquiao’s fights with the latter’s autograph.

Old Pacquiao makes Cuban Ugás look good WORD from the corner was he was fast as usual. Tip top shape. Championship caliber.

Not true. The world was taken for a ride.

Again, boxing was just being true to itself. To build

“He would not use the office to enhance his own position, he would be a good president for sure,” Arum said.

Pacquiao’s political goal are pointed toward the presidency although he has yet to declare his candidacy, saying he’ll decide next month if he’ll continue boxing or retire, or run for president in the May 2022 elections.

“Manny was off for a long time and he’s not getting any younger.

The skills are low if you’re not using them, and also if you’re getting old,” Arum said. “I thought the odds were a little bit peculiar, I think Manny should have been that overwhelming favorite.”

Arum was with Pacquiao during those amazing times from 2005 to

2010 when he conquered the likes of Erik Morales, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, among others, making him a household name in the sport all over the world.

Arum said he was saddened by the result on Saturday, but wasn’t surprised by the decision. Pacquiao failed to get back the World Boxing Association welterweight belt from the 35-year-old Cuban.

And Arum said he won’t promote a farewell fight for Pacquiao.

“I think if he’s going into politics and if he becomes President, obviously he is not going to fight anymore. He doesn’t need to fight one more time to cement his legacy,” he said.

HE World Paralympic Games opened on Tuesday night in Tokyo with Team Philippines Chef de Mission Francis Diaz, para powerlifter Achele “Jinky” Guion and two coaches unable to fly to the Japanese capital after testing positive for Covid-19.

Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo made the sad announcement in a statement on Tuesday, adding that Guion’s coach Antonio Taguibao and para athletics coach Joel Deriada also tested positive of the virus.

The Paralympics Playbook, just like in the Summer Olympics played from July 23 to August 8, required all participants to undergo RT-PCR tests twice—72 hours and 48 hours—before taking a flight to Tokyo.

Diaz, Guion and the two coaches tested positive in their second tests, although Barredo said in the statement that they were asymptomatic.

Left to fight for the country’s colors in the Games are wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Garry Bejino, discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin “Despite this most unfortunate development, all our para athletes remain in high spirits and committed to give their best possible performance to bring honor and glory for our country,” said Barredo, who assumed the role of chef de mission.

Mangliwan and Aceveda, meanwhile, are undaunted by the elite opposition they will be up against in Tokyo.

RSA HANDS DIAZ P10M CHECK

SAN MIGUEL Corp. (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang (right) speaks to Hidilyn Diaz (center) and her strength and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo.

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AN MIGUEL Corp. (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang challenged Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz to gun for another gold medal three years from now in Paris where the Philippines will mark its 100th year of participation in the quadrennial meet.

Ang said that with momentum on her side and confidence still

up hype, you’ve got to lie. No problem. This sport is eternally peopled by suckers.

Who’s got the gall to say the world’s darling in boxing isn’t ready to rumble?

A mob would lynch him.

Freddie Roach knows that. That’s why he needs to lie. Part of the script.

“He’s so battle-ready that I can see him winning by a knockout,” he said.

But Manny Pacquiao, at 42, has become an adulterated product when he fought Yordenis Ugás, 35, last weekend.

Sad, but Pacquiao was but a fraction of himself against Ugás. Tools that made Pacquiao a legend were gone: Unparalleled footwork. Hand speed. Impeccable reflexes.

Pacquiao was missing shots when, in his heyday, missing was almost as alien to him like greed is to Robin Hood.

There was no more sting in Pacquiao’s punches, no more lateral movement from his winged feet of old, when he forced his foes to go hide-and-seek atop the ring.

Thus, the much-anticipated Sunday Suspense

strong after winning the country’s first gold medal recently, the 30-year-old weightlifter Diaz can establish another record by capturing another gold in the 2024 edition in the French capital, and, in the process, also embolden other Filipino athletes to aim higher in international competitions.

“Hidilyn is the country’s

trailblazer in our successful Olympic gold medal quest. After years of heartbreaks, she came through for us and we are very thankful as a nation,” Ang said. “We encourage her to go for another gold and inspire more athletes to believe that they can achieve more.”

“Her victory comes at a very crucial point in our country’s history when we are grappling with a pandemic and a lot of Filipinos are looking for hope as we fight this virus and cope with the difficulties it has brought,” Ang added.

Ang, who met Diaz, a Ginebra San Miguel brand ambassador from 2019, personally handed to her a P10 million check as his personal gift for her winning the gold.

Besides Diaz, boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will also receive P5 million each from Ang for clinching silver medals, while P2 million will go to bronze medalwinning boxer Eumir Marcial.

Ang said that despite the

Theater quickly appeared like a Sunday Suicide Theater.

With Ugás looming like the ruthless, axe-armed executioner—his bulging, muscle-bound arms point to that—Pacquiao had to thank his guardian angel for keeping him safe. No knockout, please.

Ugás deserved the unanimous decision verdict.

I saw him the 115-113 winner. I gave him the last three rounds where Pacquiao had practically lost everything and had to lean on instinct to last the distance.

But, overall, Ugás wasn’t that good. He knew how to fight but he wasn’t a brilliant fighter in the mold of Pacquiao’s previous victims—all eminent: Cotto, Hatton, Morales, Barrera, Marquez, Margarito, De La Hoya.

Ugás looked good only because he was fighting a Pacquiao looking every inch bound for the home-for-theaged.

Ugás was chiefly a run-of-the-mill kind. Jab-jab, followed by a right. One dimensional. If Pacquiao were in his prime, Ugás would have been dead meat.

And didn’t Roach tell us he has found a cure to Ugás’s overhead right—the Cuban’s weapon of note?

“If you don’t compete, you’ll never win at all,” said Mangliwan, who was struck by polio at the age of two.

“If you look at their [opponents] record, they’re really that strong.

But we’re as strong as they are,” echoed Aceveda of the sentiments of her fellow athlete on Monday inside the Athletes Village.

The tall and stocky Aceveda, who won three golds in the 2013 Asean Para Games in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, was keenly aware of the challenges facing them in their stint fully supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“The opposition has gone through a lot of competition, so what we have here is a battle of champions,” said the 50-year-old mother of three who manages three massage therapy clinics in different malls in Marikina. “But we won’t back down.”

Mangliwan, who was the Philippine contingent’s standardbearer during the opening ceremony at the Japan National Stadium on Tuesday night, will be the first to see action on Friday in the T52 men’s 400-meter race— with the heats scheduled in the morning and the finals in the evening.

His coach Joel Deriada believes that the 2016 Rio Para Games veteran could reach the finals of the first of three events if he plays his cards right.

“Me and coach Joel saw the records of my opponents and I stand a chance of making the finals,” Mangliwan said. “My goal is to reach the finals. If I do, I’ll even go all out.” windfall of incentives Diaz has received, he wanted to help ensure the Olympic gold medalist and her family will always have a steady and sustainable source of income.

That is why apart from the P10 million incentive, he is also giving Diaz two Chick ‘N Juicy chicken rotisserie franchise outlets from San Miguel Foods Inc. as a gift. One outlet will be located at Eastwood City in Libis and while another to be set up at her home town of Zamboanga City.

“We know that after winning the Olympic gold, there’s a downpour of incentives both from the government and the private sector for Hidilyn and our other Olympic medalists the past few weeks. My advice to her is of course to be smart with her finances—to spend and invest wisely, and to plan for the future,” Ang said.

“With the franchise outlets, we will assist Hidilyn every step of way in her journey as an entrepreneur so that she can also help other people in need of jobs,” he said.

“In addition to the physical stores, equipment, and training, we will also provide the initial stocks for free to get her started.”

Alas, it kept landing on Pacquiao’s face and left ear— which was proof once more of Pacquiao’s dulled defensive skills.

Good thing Ugas’s “bolo punch” popularized by the great Filipino banger Ceferino Garcia (120-30, win-loss card, with 76 KOs) didn’t inflict serious damage on Pacquiao.

In short, Ugás was not totally world-class. Pacquiao was just being polite when he said he lost to a better fighter. Statesmen talk that way. Or, better yet, politicians talk that way?

Whichever, what was clear was Pacquiao helped Ugás score his 27th win against four losses by truthfully essaying his role as an old man trying to be young, if not smart.

No one can turn back the hands of time. Not even legends.

THAT’S IT All the best to the Philippine Basketball Association teams led by San Miguel Beer now practicing inside a semi-bubble in Pampanga. Hopefully, the league resumes action next week…Happy birthday to Senate President Tito Sotto (August 24). Cheers!