BusinessMirror February 04, 2022

Duterte to name new secretary for OFW soon

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By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

Under Republic Act 11641, the DMW will integrate all sub-agencies of different departments involved in overseas Filipino laborers, namely: the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) and International Labor Affairs Bureau all under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs or UMWA from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA-OUMWA); National Reintegration Center for OFWs under OWWA; and Office of National Social Welfare Attaché (OSWA) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will be transferred from DOLE to DMW, still as an attached agency.

HE law that creates a separate department dedicated solely for seven million overseas Filipinos took effect on Thursday (Feb. 3), and President Duterte is expected to name the Cabinet secretary who will head it.

However, the term of the Duterte-appointed secretary for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will be short-lived with the election slated this May 2022, and a newly elected president is expected to name his/ her own set of Cabinet members.

During the virtual forum hosted by the BusinessMirror and the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute, present and retired officials involved in overseas employment said the public has high expectations from the DMW in delivering effective and expedited services to OFWs.

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DOF chief to TMAP: Don’t abet clients’ tax avoidance

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

A

@jearcalas

s the amended Public Services Act (PSA) inches closer to enactment, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) assured that safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of market dominance and other anticompetitive practices.

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

F

‘DIGITAL DIASPORA’

@BNicolasBM

‘PHL to need a decade to become UMIC’ Onlineshopping shoppingplatform platformnotes notesbehavioral behavioralshift shift Online amongconsumers, consumers,brand brandmakers makersamid amidCovid Covid among

AVAOCITY—A CITY—Aleading leading AVAO onlinebrand brandretailer retailerin inAsia Asia online seeingaasharp sharpbehavioral behavioral isisseeing shiftamong among consumers consumersand andbrand brand shift makersthat thatmay mayreinvent reinventand andinnovate innovate makers approaches, especially fromthe thelatter, latter, approaches, especially PESO exchange rates from asdata dataanalytics—since analytics—sincethe theonset onsetof ofthe the as pandemic—indicatethe theemergence emergenceof of pandemic—indicate morediscerning discerningconsumers consumersadaptive adaptiveto to more electronic,or oronline, online,shopping shoppingexperience. experience. electronic,

BANG OLAND | DREAMSTIME.COM BANG OLAND | DREAMSTIME.COM

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INANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III called on tax management professionals to stop finding “ loopholes” for their clients to get away with tax avoidance as this prevents the government from collecting more funds for pandemic response, economic investments, and payment of debts.

Speaking before the Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) on Thursday, Dominguez said tax management specialists should instead help build trust among taxpayers and encourage them to pay the right taxes.

“For some professionals, tax management means finding the loopholes and uncover ing the means for tax avoidance. This is DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo posts a sign reminding patrons of a fitness center to present their vaccination cards upon entry as part of the PCC Commissioner Johannes R. probably the more lucrative side DTI’s monitoring on the compliance of business establishments with minimum public health standards, at a mall in Mandaluyong City on Thursday, February 3, 2022. NONOY LACZA Bernabe said at a media briefing of your profession. But it is not the on Thursday that the Philippine most patriotic,” Dominguez said Competition Act (PCA) provides during the virtual TMAP induction the much-needed safeguards to the of officers and inaugural general measure that seeks to allow full membership meeting for 2022. foreign ownership in certain sec“This particular interpretation tors, including transportation and of tax management definitely works telecommunication.

By Cai U. Ordinario for the paying clients who are happy lars must double.

World Bank, the countr y’s per 10 years. The per capita GDP will Meanwhile, the Joint Foreign @caiordinario Adjusting for population growth capita GDP is only $3,298.83, he be $6,597.66 in 2030,” Canlas said. to settle a smaller tax bill. They hire Chambers (JFC) said it looks forrate, inflation rate, and foreignadded. The World Bank classifies Apart from the low growth, Can“tax management specialists” preward to the enactment into law of T will take over a decade before exchange rate, the growth rate of countries with a per capita GDP of las cited other challenges, includcisely to achieve this. It does not, the amended PSA following the the Philippines becomes an the country’s per capita GDP in $1,046 to $4,095 per year. ing those created by the pandemic however, work in the best interest ratification of its bicameral conupper middle-income country current US dollars is roughly 5.13 The revised classification of the now approaching its third year. of the nation,” he added. ference committee version by Congiven its current performance, acpercent, he said.

World Bank for an upper-middle T hese problems include the While Dominguez said the and govshows products,with with hosts and ByManuel ManuelT.T.Cayon Cayon consumersbecome becomemore morediscerndiscernshows ofofproducts, hosts By consumers gress and Senate. cording to a former Socioeconomic “At this growth rate which is less income countr y is an economy country’s large public debt caused ernment surpassed its revenue guests providing more details and ing and connected, we are seeing guests providing more details and ing and connected, we are seeing The PSA amendments separatePlanning Secretary. than 7 percent, the per capita GDP with a per capita GDP of $4,096 by significant borrowing for Cotargets for the year and exceeded giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening ly ratified on Wednesday by both In an email, former National in current US dollars doubles in to $12,695. This group of counvid-19 response. Latest Bureau of lastIt year’s collections, data showed Itwould would alsohelp help brands ininthe theretail retailsector sector that completely also brands inin that completely chambers seek to liberalize the Economic and Development Au13.45 years,” Canlas said.

“Hence, tries currently includes Malaysia, the Treasury (BTr) data put the that the effective tax rate for the novate on flexible sales promoreimagine the shopping experinovate on flexible sales promoreimagine the shopping experieconomy by permitting 100-perthority (Neda) Chief Dante B. using WB [World Bank] income Thailand, and China. national government’s outstandvalue-added tax (VAT) remains at tions,such suchas asgiving giving discounts, ence,”Gunjan GunjanSoni, Soni, chiefexecutive executive tions, discounts, ence,” Canlas told BusinessMirror that in classification, it ischief impossible for “If the Philippine nominal per cent foreign ownership in secing debt at P11.93 trillion as of 5 percent versus the legal rate of and offering offering easier easier and and attracattracofficer theZalora Zalora Group, told an and officer ofofthe Group, told an order for the country to become an the Philippines to become an upper capita GDP in current US dollars end-November 2021. tors not listed as public utilities.

12 percent . tive payment options such asthe the online presentation of its Trender tive payment options such as online presentation of its Trender upper middle income country, its middle-income country in 2022.” grows at an average of 7 percent each buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) opReport 2021. buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) opReport 2021. per capita GDP in current US dolBased on 2020 data from the year, this per capita GDP doubles in See “PSA,” A2 See “PHL,” A2 See “DOF,” A2 tion,which, which,ititsaid, said,emerged emergedasas Shedescribed describedthe the“shoppers “shoppersofof tion, She themost mostpopular popularoption optionamong among tomorrow”asas“digital “digitaland anddiverse diverse the tomorrow” Asian shoppers. across Southeast Asia.”

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News

BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, February 4, 2022

Govt urged to put up new system of tracking OFWs sans kafala

A

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

FORMER labor secretary said the ongoing abolition of the controversial kafala or sponsorship system among Middle East countries may prevent the government from keeping track of the movement of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the region.

During the online forum organized

by BusinessMirror and the Blas F. Ople Policy Center last Thursday, Marianito D. Roque expressed concern over the ad-

Duterte...

Continued from A1

The DMW shall also have the police, regulatory, fiscal and prosecutorial powers when it comes to cases of illegal recruitment and human trafficking of workers.

“All subsumed agencies will be under the holdover capacity except that we expect that the President will appoint a secretary or acting secretary

verse effect of the phasing out of kafala, a game-changing reform that had been pushed by the Philippine government.

Under the kafala system, which is still

anytime soon because there are really timelines that have to be met,” Sarah Lou Arriola, undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said.

The forum was organized to coincide with the 95th birth anniversary of Ople, the late former labor minister, foreign affairs secretary and Senate President.

By March 5, according to Arriola, there should be a department order on the use of action funds, similar to the Assistance to Nationals Fund of the DFA. Then by April 4, the imple-

being implemented by some Middle East nations, a migrant worker must first get a sponsor to work or leave the said country.

Roque noted that it is only through such scheme, wherein the employers of OFWs in the Middle East, are vouched and registered to make sure they are complying with the contents of the employment contract.

“With the removal of the kafala the worker will now have the freedom to transfer from the employer once they arrive from the worksite as many times as possible as they wish which means we will lose track of their employers,” Roque said.

This will in turn, the former labor official said, will make it difficult for the government to go after erring employers as well as “mediate” employeremployee disputes.

menting rules and regulations (IRR) of the law should already be finalized.

By June, the DMW should also submit its budget requisites before the Department of Budget and Management, alongside its staffing pattern.

The law provides for a two-year transition period before the DWW will start to officially function as a department. Arriola said the full implementation of the law will depend on the political will of the next President and how much his/her administration values OFWs and migration as a whole.

“Whoever he or she [next President]

Tracker without kafala

Roque urged the government to come out with a new scheme, wherein it will be able to continue tracking the employers of OFWs even without the kafala scheme. Otherwise, he said it could expect welfare cases for OFWs to increase as they could now keep changing unvouched employers at will.

“In as far as welfare cost is concerned, what you will have is many people seeking custody at the custodial center and living on the centers on their own free will to find employment in the local labor market,” Roque said.

To note, no less than President Duterte as well as foreign and labor officials lauded the move of several countries to scrap the kafala system.

The scheme is prone to abuse since the sponsors could exert unreasonable control on the movement and employment of migrant workers. will be, that person would have a very big shoe to fill because during the Duterte administration, there is so much emphasis on the protection of our migrant workers. Anywhere in the world, we are second to none in terms of migrant protection and we are gold standard to migrant protection,” Arriola claimed.

She said one of the key factors would be the budget the new administration would be willing to allocate to the DMW for the fiscal year 2023.

“Like any other department, there will be a lot of growing pains, adjustments. The DFA stands ready to assist,” Arriola said, adding that if there are no DMW attachés assigned in one post, the Philippine Embassy or Consulate would take charge.

In inspirational remarks at the start of the Ople Forum, DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin said that despite the creation of a separate department for OFWs, the department will still continue to uphold “diplomatically and in real practical terms” the third pillar of Philippine diplomacy, i.e. protection and promotion of the rights of Filipinos overseas.

“The new Department cannot do this job; diplomacy is the DFA’s exclusive remit. Helping and protecting overseas Filipinos remains our job, our duty, and our honor,” Locsin added.

“Today, overseas Filipino workers are considered heroes not only by their fellow Filipinos but also by their host communities. It is only right that we honor them, in true Blas Ople-style, by continuing to fight for their protection and rights, particularly in this unprecedented pandemic challenge.”

The DFA chief, who was known to be a good friend and admirer of Ople, added: “Without the inspiration of Blas, whose legacy is kept alive by his daughter, Susan and the Center bearing his name, none of this would have happened. There would still be overseas Filipino workers—but totally at the nonexistent mercy of unscrupulous Filipino recruiters and of their foreign masters who will see them and treat them as slaves.”

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said, for his part: “We, the men and women of the labor department recognize the immense contributions of ‘Ka Blas’ specifically on the advancement of labor and employment in our country.”

Bello recalled how Ople “steered the labor department for almost 20 years as labor minister at the age of 40, like me, in 1967 and until 1986. His length of service is unmatched and his trailblazing contributions to advance the interest of the Filipino working men remain unparalled.”

Bello and Locsin both noted Ople’s pioneering achievement as the first Filipino president of the International Labor Organization.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSA...

Continued from A1

As a result, economic managers and lawmakers projected that foreign investments will increase by around P299 billion over the next five years.

The measure identified public utilities as follows: (1) distribution and transmission of electricity; (2) petroleum and petroleum products pipeline transmission systems; (3) water pipeline distribution systems and wastewater pipeline systems, including sewerage pipeline systems; (4) seaports; and (5) public utility vehicles.

“Of course, if there are acquisitions, which would then increase market concentration, then obviously, this would be subject to review,” Bernabe said.

It is the mandate of the antitrust agency to conduct reviews of mergers and acquisitions, which aim to assess if such transactions will result in substantially lessening the competition.

The PCC official also cited the provisions on abuse of market dominance, which refers to entities using their position to control the market.

Those found guilty of said anti-competitive practice could face a fine of up to P110 million.

DOF...

Continued from A1

In terms of corporate income tax, the effective rate before the effectivity of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law last year stood at only 9 percent against the legal rate of 30 percent, Dominguez said.

The "yawning discrepancies" between the actual legal rate and the effective tax rate can be traced to both tax evasion and avoidance, he said.

The finance official pointed out that the discrepancies resulted from expert “tax management” by professionals for their clients, lamenting that these tax management practices prevent the government from collecting enough to invest in productive projects and to pay for its debts.

“Had t he gover nment been able to collect all taxes due, we would have had more funds to cover our economic

PHL...

Continued from A1

While this was lower, this was still beyond the government’s expected level of P11.73 trillion for the year. The debt stock dipped by 0.3 percent from P11.97 trillion as of end-October on the back of net redemption of domestic securities and favorable foreign exchange rates.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III earlier said the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to rise to 59.1 percent in 2021 and peak this 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.

“Since debt servicing is automatically appropriated, the bigger debt service will crowd out economic and investment expenditures in the General Appropriations Act [GAA], that are growth enhancing, such as those for health, education, and infrastructure,” Canlas said.

Other challenges: the emergence of new Covid-19 variants which would squeeze resources for health spending and derail labor productivity growth.

Canlas also cited global uncertainty created by inflation

“This, of course, entails the situation where in the future, if the foreign investor manages to acquire a dominant position in the market, there are certain constraints posted by our law in the way that conduct has to be undertaken so this does not constitute abuse of one’s market power,” he explained.

Rules vs dominance

PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan said they aim to release this year the rules and guidelines covering abuse of dominance.

“We would really want to complete all these pending cases as well as guidelines… before we end our term in January,” Balisacan said.

Meanwhile, Bernabe said that PCC being one of the agencies being consulted in classifying public utilities is also a safeguard. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is the other.

“If there are certain sectors which suffer from a lack of competition in the first place, then we will be against having them included in the list of public utilities where foreign equity will be limited,” Bernabe said.

PCC Commissioner Emerson B. Aquende said the PCC is tasked with ensuring that the PSA amendments will bode well for the consumers.

Continued on A5

investments, debt service, and Covid-19 response expenditures. We would have borrowed less. The government would have been better able to invest in building the prosperous future our people deserve,” he said.

Dominguez also stressed that the government needs all the revenues it can get to meet the challenges of the time.

“I, therefore, urge the TMAP to help the government fill in this revenue gap and not widen it further. Tax management should mean raising funds sufficient to allow investment in public goods,” he added.

As of end-November last year, the national government's budget deficit widened to P1.3 trillion, eclipsing the P1.07 trillion shortfall from the same period by 24.63 percent.

The wider budget shortfall resulted from state expenditures exceeding revenues.

The government was aiming to raise P2.88 trillion in revenues for 2021 and P3.3 trillion in 2022.

stemming from the rise in crude oil, gas, and energy prices as well as the risk of war over Ukraine.

Mea nwh i le, C a n l as de scribed as “overrated” the contribution of election spending to boosting GDP growth.

There was no multiplier effect greater than 1 from election spending based on aggregate output. The multiplier effect is only between zero and 1 and only because of the increase in production of manufacturers of election campaign materials.

“There is a crowding out from election spending. As cash is transferred from politicians to voters, the latter’s consumption increases but the former’s declines,” Canlas told this newspaper.

“There exists government regulation that hinders the stimulus from election spending, such as, ban on some public works,” he added.

Earlier, however, over half a trillion pesos worth of proposed or ongoing infrastructure projects could be exempted from the election ban that will take effect in March this year in preparation for the May 2022 national and local elections, said Neda OIC Undersecretary for Investment Programming Roderick M. Planta. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has filed for exemption of 18 projects.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

Senate ratifies bicam report on SIM card registration

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HE bill that would curb fraud and other crimes aided by subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, now in focus with the rise of cybercrime in the pandemic, is now closer to becoming a law after the Senate ratified late Wednesday (February 2) the Bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 2395 and House Bill No. 5793, or the proposed SIM Card Registration Act. Sen. Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services who led the upper chamber’s contingent to the Bicameral conference committee, said the conferees were able to reconcile several conflicting provisions of the two legislative proposals.

Underscoring the urgency of the SIM card registration mandate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III recalled he had introduced such measure way back in 1998, wryly noting how such an important bill could have helped stop the rash of digital-enabled crimes.

“The bicameral conference committee agreed to use the House version as the working draft but made use of a lot of the Senate provisions,” Poe reported to her colleagues at Wednesday’s hybrid plenary session.

Among the agreements settled by the bicameral panel, according to Poe, is to mandate all public telecommunications entities (PTEs) to require the registration of SIM cards as a prerequisite to their sale and activation.

Similarly, all social media networks must also require the real name and phone number of users upon creation of account, the Bicam report stated.

All existing SIM card subscribers with active services shall register within 180 days from the effectivity of the proposed law. PTEs will be authorized to deactivate SIM card numbers that have not been registered within the prescribed period.

Poe said lawmakers have clarified that the sale of SIM cards to foreign nationals shall be allowed, provided that they comply with certain requirements, such as the presentation of their passport and proof of address in the Philippines, among others.

Data collected from registration shall be forwarded and kept by the

concerned PTE to a centralized database, which shall strictly serve as a register for the processing, activation or deactivation of subscription, and shall not be used for any other purpose.

“Whatever information obtained in the registration process cannot be disclosed to any person except in compliancewithanylawauthorizingdisclosure, such as in the case of the Data Privacy Act; or in compliance with a court order or any other legal process; or with the written consent of the subscriber.

No waiver of absolute confidentiality is allowed,” according to Poe. She said the Bicameral conference committee likewise added an important provision mandating PTEs and social media providers to keep relevant data and information for 10 years from the time the enduser deactivates his or her mobile number or social media account.

“We hope that by legislating this measure, we would be able to eradicate mobile phone, Internet or electronic communicationaided criminal activities. This has been a long time coming but I hope that the passage of this bill will result in a safer and more secure mobile-use and cyberspace here in our country,” Poe said.

Deputy Speaker for Trade and Industry and Valenzuela 1st District Rep. Wes Gatchalian, for his part, welcomed the ratification of the bill seeking to register the users of SIM Card.

In a news statement issued on Thursday, Gatchalian said the measure can help law enforcement agencies “in tracking down delinquents who use mobile phones with SIM cards to pursue nefarious activities.”

This, amid the rise of phishing scams that has resulted in financial losses on the part of the victims.

He said that all public PTEs shall require the registration of SIM cards of the users during the sale and as part of the activation process of the subscription.

Doing so, he said, can deter the proliferation of SIM card or internetrelated crimes, including terrorism; text scams; unsolicited, indecent or obscene messages; bank fraud; libel; anonymous online defamation; trolling; hate speech, spread of digital disinformation or fake news as defined under pertinent laws.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, February 4, 2022 A3

With PAO’s legal assistance, RTC asked to freeze Covid-19 vaccination for kids

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

A

PETITION has been filed before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Quezon City seeking for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccination prog ram cover ing chi ldren aged five to 11 years old, or the socalled the pediatric group, set to start today Friday, but was pushed back on February 7, Monday. (See related story on Page A5) T he pet it ioners —Dom i n ic Almelor and Girlie Samonte— sought the assistance of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) headed by its chief Persida Acosta in filing the petition which also sought to declare as unconstitutional Department of Health (DOH) Memorandum No. 2022-0041 (Interim Guidelines on the Management and Administration of Tozinameran Covid-19 mRNA vaccine) (nucleoside-modified) (Cominarty) Pfizer Covid-19 Vaccine to Pediatric Population Aged 5 to 11 Years Old. Almelor said he is filing the petitioner as a father of a seven-

year-old child while Samonte is a mother of two minors belonging to the pediatric group.

The PAO said both parents are concerned about the safety and health of their children considering that the Covid-19 vaccines are merely granted emergency use authorization (EUA) only and still in the experimental stage.

It noted that Samonte is one of the complainants in the criminal cases filed against former and current health officials and manufacturers of Dengvaxia vaccines after her son suffered illnesses that allegedly came out after being given the anti-dengue vaccine.

“It is due to her personal experience in the case of her son…that Girlie does not want her children to be inoculated with any Covid-19 vaccine,” PAO said.

Both parents lamented the fact that under the Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act, those responsible to implement the program would be immune from suit and liability.

The petitioners are also complaining about the provision in DOH the interim guidelines that

allows the State to act as “parens patriae” (father of the people) and give the necessary consent in case the parent or guardian refuses to give consent to the vaccination despite the desire and willingness of the minor child to have himself vaccinated, or there are no persons that may legally exercise parental authority over the child.

The said provision, according to the petitioners, was issued with grave abuse of discretion as it takes away consent from the children’s parents or guardians without any legal basis.

The petitioners noted that there is still no law requiring Covid-19 mandatory vaccination.

“It bears clarifying further that this petition does not intend to vilify or trivialize efforts exerted by governments and nations, and scientists, physicians, and healthcare workers both here and abroad, to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even more so, this petition does not, in any way, seek to downplay the global pandemic and encourage the unnecessary spread of Covid-19,” the petitioners said.

“What this petition seeks from this Honorable Court is simply

protection of a very vulnerable population from undue health risks and fatal consequences, given that Covid-19 vaccines are fairly new and actually do not make recipients immune from Covid-19; and respect towards parents’/g uardians’ parenta l authority over their children on matters affecting the latter’s interest, well-being, health and safety, and life,” the petition read.

The petitioners said there is an urgency for the court’s issuance of a TRO against the vaccination of the pediatric group considering the “clear and present” danger that the program poses on children.

“Even a single dose of an experimental Covid-19 vaccine may result to irreparable damage on the health and life of a child. It may cause serious illness, permanent disability, or worse, death; thus, there is an urgent and permanent necessity for the writ to prevent serious damage,” the petitioners said.

Specifically, the petitioners said the DOH memorandum violates Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution on the right to health especially of children five to 11 years old.

DOH CHIEF INSISTS ‘WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE’ ON PHARMALLY TRANSACTIONS

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

H

EALTH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on Wednesday lamented that it was rather “unfortunate” that a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee draft report may have “turned a blind eye to the truth” on its recommendation to file criminal charges against him and several others over the spending of Covid-19 funds.

“It is unfortunate that the panel turned a blind eye to the truth that was revealed during the Senate Blue Ribbon hearings that all procurements for the country’s Covid-19 response were made through the PS-DBM [Department of Budget and

Management Procurement Service], the agency purposely tasked to undertake such activities,” Duque told the BusinessMirror.

However, he assured full cooperation with the process “as we have nothing to hide.”

“I understand that the Panel Report that was released to the media is a mere draft and will still need to undergo a process within the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. Nevertheless, if the Blue Ribbon adopts the recommendation, we will wait for the action of the appropriate tribunal,” Duque said.

He stressed that the Department of Health (DOH) was “not part” of the activity for they were

focused on the medical side of the pandemic response.

Meanwhile, in a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the DOH is always open for any investigation.

“Rest assured na ang mga isyu na’to [these issues]will not affect the commitment and work of the DOH even though there are these kinds of issues confronting us. We are just awaiting for the formal report to be forwarded to us coming from the Senate para po mas mapag aralan natin at makasagot din po tayo [so that we can study it and give our response],” Vergeire said.

On Tuesday, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by

Sen. Richard Gordon, released a partial report stating that Duque, former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang, former PSDBM officer-in-charge Atty. Christopher Lloyd Lao, Overall Deputy Ombudsman Warren Rex Liong, Pharmally executives Linconn Ong, Mohit Dargani, Twinkle Dargani, Krizle Grace Mago, Huang Tzu Yen as well as Chinese businessman Lin Weixiong violated Section 2 of Republic Act 7080 or the Plunder Law. The report also stated that the same names along with DBM official Dickson Panti should also be charged with violations of Sections (e) and (g) of RA 3019 or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Socmed ‘popularity’ may not guarantee poll win–experts Duterte urged to ratify ban on hazardous waste exports

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

J

UST because your candidate is popular or trending on social media does not make him or her a sure winner in this year’s polls, researchers from University of the Philippines-based Philippine Media Monitoring Laboratory (PMML) warned.

On Wednesday, researchers from the UP Communication Research Department, Marie Fatima I. Gaw and Jon Benedik A. Bunquin stressed that elections are won by votes not by posts on social media or even “virality” or trending on a particular platform.

However, there are “winners” on social media such as supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo who are able to post a lot of content on Facebook, while supporters of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., are also winners in terms of being able to connect to a “more diverse” network.

“Winning the elections is [accomplished] by counting votes [but on] social media. What that means would be many [things].

One could be your popularity, how salient you are but that can also be negative in a sense na salient ka because tinitira ka ng ibang kandidato or ibang grupo, sikat ka for the wrong reasons,” Gaw said.

“Another aspect of winning could be, ‘are you reaching a lot of people, are you reaching communities that are otherwise neglected

by other candidates or communities that are not historically involved in politics’? [So] I cannot answer categorically who’s winning. Except in terms of different aspects, there are winners, I think,” she explained.

Bunquin said this is actually their call to social media users, including those supporting candidates, to think of social media from a “more nuanced” perspective. He said there is a need to be conscious of what is actually being said online and not just about who is trending or popular among certain segments of the population.

Finding out what is actually being said online is part of the second phase of the project, which will be released in April. The first part of the project only focused on the actors on social media platforms.

The second phase will focus on election issues and online political structures in the Philippines. It aims to identify key election messages, issues and debates as well as characterize political culture across platforms.

“That’s our call to voters and stakeholders to think of social media in a more nuanced way. Just because someone is trending online doesn’t mean they’re dominating the elections,” Bunquin said.

“These are our initial insights that we developed during phase one of our research and hopefully we will provide [such] more than once, more input that can really help voters, stakeholders, Com-

elec, the policymakers and all of these stakeholders benefit from the results of our study,” he added.

Waning media influence

ON all three social media platforms, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook, the researchers observed that news media as a source of information is waning.

The study showed that it is apparent that in a high-choice media environment, the reach of mainstream and professional media outlets is limited only to the same news-reading audience.

“The declining centrality of news media as a source of credible political information is detrimental to political knowledge of voters, who may be getting information from sources that do not possess the rigor and principles of journalistic practice,” the researchers warned.

Based on the study, anti-democratic actors are “hijacking” the political discourse by attacking and co-opting social institutions.

These actors tend to deceive voters, diminish social trust, and debilitate the democratic process.

However, they are nevertheless protected from scrutiny and accountability, unlike those in mainstream media.

Further, there is the proliferation of unidentified accounts online that are the most shared and interacted as well as “cloaked” political content that are embedded in non-political accounts.

The researchers also observed

that accounts across Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have implemented mass removal of content after it has generated massive views and engagement.

“We surmise that these are purposely published to incite controversy or flak against particular actors [and thus, generate engagement], and taken down to remove evidence of their inflammatory and hostile attacks,” the researchers said.

Collaborating with the PMM Lab are Jalton Garces Taguibao from the Department of Political Science at the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, and Geoffrey Solano from the Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences in UP Manila. Rappler partnered with the PMM Lab for the Facebook component of the DPP, which identifies the dominant personalities, organizations, topics, and issues in the run-up to the elections. Through the use of network maps, DPP depicts the interconnections among various accounts and pages in social media.

In so doing, it surfaces potential coordinated messaging and posting, and the role of influencers during the 2022 presidential elections.

Apart from Gaw and Bunquin, the DPP core team includes Fernando dlC Paragas; Julienne Thesa Y. BaldoCubelo; Ma. Rosel S. San Pascual; and colleagues at the Department of Communication Research at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

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NVIRONMENTAL health and justice groups on Thursday urged President Duterte to rush the ratification of the Basel Convention Ban Amendment that seeks to protect the Philippines from the dumping of hazardous waste by richer nations.

Adopted by the parties to the Basel Convention in 1995 and which finally entered into force in 2019, the Ban Amendment prohibits the export of hazardous wastes for recycling or disposal from rich countries to developing countries like the Philippines.

“PRRD [Duterte] should not miss the opportunity of leaving a lasting legacy by decisively fixing glaring policy gaps to protect our people and the environment from the relentless threats of exploitative and unjust trade in hazardous waste and other wastes,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition said in a news statement.

“With the clock counting down, we appeal to the President and his Cabinet to hurry the ratification of the Basel Convention Ban Amendment and enforce a complementary total ban on foreign waste imports to uphold environmental justice and human rights. If not now, when?” she added.

“In the final months of his presidency, President Duterte can demonstrate his commitment to protecting Filipinos and our environment by securing the Philippines’ ratification of

the Basel Ban Amendment. This move will prevent the entry of hazardous wastes from 38 OECD [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] nations, some of which have been sending to the Philippines for years,” said Marian Ledesma, Zero Waste Campaigner, Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines.

“This is also a chance for the Philippine government to show strong leadership alongside other Asian nations who have closed their borders on imported waste and to respond to the exploitation of Global South countries in the waste trade,” she added.

The groups noted that despite falling victim to foreign waste dumping incidents, including high profile scandals involving contaminated plastic wastes from Canada and South Korea, the Philippines has yet to ratify the Ban Amendment and prohibit waste imports.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), for its part, told the EcoWaste Coalition that it has initiated the conduct of the cost-benefit study for the Philippine ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment.

“The study has shown the overall beneficial impact of the Ban Amendment in the Philippines, where the long-term financial, environmental, and social benefits outweigh the short-term costs,” EMD Director William Cuñado was quoted as telling the group in a letter.

A4 Friday, February 4, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

‘Bigger’ Philippine participation in growing EV industry pressed

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

T

HE Philippines has been urged to further venture into opportunities in the electric vehicle (EV) space whose demand is expected to grow across the globe given the increasing shift to an environmentfriendly lifestyle.

IHS Markit Executive Director Rajiv Biswas, in a recent briefing with the Board of Investments (BOI), said that the rising EV market will result in more demand for batteries whose primary components include nickel, a mineral that is largely available in the Philippines.

“Fundamentals are favorable for nickel due to strong long-term growth in global production of EVs and this is an exciting area for the Philippines,” Biswas said.

Over the next decade, he said global battery demand will “grow dramatically.”

“The Philippines could also seek to develop greater value-added by

attracting investments into manufacturing of EV batteries as well as into EV-related auto manufacturing,” he added.

In the Philippines, the proposed Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act has yet to be enacted. The measure seeks to craft a road map for the local EV market, which covers EV specifications, charging stations and equipment, parts and components and batteries, among others.

Earlier, local and foreign business groups urged swift action on the part of the legislators for the said bill.

The bill will allow the country to have greater participation in the EV supply chain, they said, in addition to addressing health and environmental concerns. The value chain includes the components, batteries and charging stations.

The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act can also attract future investors in EV manufacturing given its incentives menu, the groups noted.

“Passage of the measure enables

and supports the Department of Trade and Industry in its endeavors to promote the Philippines as a regional hub for EV manufacturing,” they added.

The number of registered EVs slid by 35 percent to 1,015 units in 2020 from 1,570 units in 2019. In 20102020, the country had 12,965 EVs registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

These include mostly e-trikes (7,100) and e-motorcycles (4,845).

Others are e-jeepneys (679), e-cars (276), e-sports utility vehicles (43), e-trucks (12) and e-buses (10).

Regional trade

BISWAS also said that trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership (CPTPP) are crucial to expanding market access for the Philippines.

The economist said that RCEP can help the country diversify its

supply chains, especially for the manufacturing sector, making it more competitive.

RCEP, which entered into force last month, is a free trade agreement among Asean countries and their trading partners, including Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. This represents 30 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP) or $26.2 trillion.

The Philippines has yet to ratify the trade deal to enable its participation.

Meanwhile, CPTPP, which was signed on March 8, 2018, comprises Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.

“We have conveyed our interest with the parties to the CPTPP through our bilateral engagements and so far, we have been receiving supportive messages from them,” Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said during the meeting.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Farmers say RCEP’s fate better left to next admin’s decision

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE fate of the country’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) should be better left to the next Congress, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) on Thursday said.

The farmer’s group is hoping that the next administration would be more sympathetic to agriculture concerns, particularly those of small farmers.

“It will be only fair and proper to let the senators of the incoming 19th Congress study and deliberate on a critical matter like RCEP. Hopefully, the next administration—particularly the new leadership in the DA —will also be more sympathetic and receptive to the concerns of small farmers and the agriculture sector as a whole,” FFF National Manager Raul Montemayor said in a news statement.

The FFF said their opposition to RCEP, which has been dubbed the largest regional trade agreement in the world, is not largely because of fear of competition.

The group said farmers need government support in order to better

compete. FFF said the government’s actions such as “unilaterally cutting tariffs” is an act of betrayal.

“We oppose RCEP not because we fear competition. We just want to make sure that we have the proper resources and tools to compete in the open market. And we need to know if the government will be supportive and not suddenly betray us by unilaterally cutting tariffs and allowing excessive imports—as it is doing now,” Montemayor said.

Before ratifying the RCEP, FFF urged the government, particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA) to undertake a thorough evaluation of the country’s trade performance under previous trade agreements.

These should date back from the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 1995 and successive free trade agreements through Asean and bilaterally with Japan and South Korea.

FFF said such an assessment would provide the basis for identifying steps to mitigate threats and constraints as well as devising strategies and programs to capitalize on trade opportunities proffered by trade agreements such as RCEP.

ASF prompts DA to temporarily ban pork, pork products from Thailand

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HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of pork products from Thailand due to an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in the Southeast Asian nation.

While Thailand is not accredited to export pork to the Philippines, the DA said the ban is a

precautionary measure aimed at preventing the entry of ASF infected pork products from Thailand through hand carried products from international vessels or other routes.

“Several news media platforms have reported the occurrence of African swine fever virus detected in a pet pig and surface swab

of slaughterhouse in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand as confirmed

by Kasetsart University and Department of Livestock and Development, respectively,” DA said in Memorandum Order No. 9, Series of 2022.

The temporary ban covers the importation of live swine and their products, including pork meat, pig

skin, porcine processed animal proteins, and semen.

The DA also ordered the confiscation of all shipments of pork products into the country

by DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major ports.

Earlier, pork prices in Metro Manila remained unchanged for the

third straight week, according to a report by the DA. The DA’s price monitoring report showed that the average price of pork kasim as of January 21 was still at P340 per kilogram (kg).

DA reports also showed that the average price of pork liempo has remained virtually unchanged throughout the month

at P380 per kg.

However, prices of pork this month are higher by as much as P20 per kg from last month’s average prices.

DA reports showed that the average price of pork kasim last month ranged from P320 to P330 per kg while pork liempo was sold for P360 to P370 per kg. Cai U. Ordinario

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Let’s not be complacent amid decline in virus infection, Dabawenyos told

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

D

AVAO CITY—Residents here were advised against putting their guard amid a notable decline in Covid-19 cases and an upswing in recoveries during the past week.

“Continue following the basic health measures and leave no room for complacency,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesman of the City Covid-19 Task Force.

This has been the appeal by health authorities nationwide as the Omicron Covid-19 variant infected a lot of Filipinos in what City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio described as a “fast and furious” spread.

“While the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases is a good thing, this should not be a reason for people to be complacent in following the minimum public health protocols, such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and frequent washing of hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub,” she added.

The city government has appealed anew for residents to get two doses of the anti-Covid vaccines and a booster shot as an additional layer of protection against the risk of Covid-19 severe illness and death.

From an average of less than five infections per day in December, the number shot up astronomically last month that by the third week of January the number of daily infection breached the 1,000 mark going for the next five days. After another week, the trend reversed, turning in recoveries by more than 1,000 and infections down to 300 daily.

Positivity rate, or the number of persons found positive for a certain total number of those tested daily, remained high however, at more than 40 percent for the last two weeks.

Schlosser said that the number of cases would depend on compliance with the minimum public health standards. She said the earlier projection on the continuation of the surge until March “still stands and could still happen.”

“For us, in the City Health Office, we would not be very confident because the cases may rise any time,” Schlosser said.

Schlosser said vaccination level is currently at 96 and 97 percent in achieving population protection.

However, this was not enough. “We still need to have the booster doses to avoid not just the infection but the severity of the disease,” she added.

Schlosser said that the city is now preparing for the rollout of the antiCovid vaccination for children 5 to 11 years old. She said the rollout here would start on February 7.

She said the city’s vaccination cluster met with different hospitals on Wednesday, saying the first rollout would be conducted in hospitals.

“Once there are glitches, we can manage it right away. Once everything is OK, we will then cascade it to our typical vaccination hubs,” she said.

“That’s what our Vaccination Cluster head is considering to really have a separate lane for this age group. We don’t want to have a mixture of this age group and they will be given a different dosage,” she said. “We will create a good environment for children that will not threaten them otherwise they will back out.”

Senators adopt reso endorsing raps vs Cusi over Malampaya continued from a12

The Senator noted that “UC Malampaya also failed to submit audited financial statements and particulars for financial resources available to the prospective transferee or assignee.”

Aside from Cusi, the Gatchalian resolution listed those it sought to be held accountable: Undersecretary Donato D. Marcos, OIC Undersecretary Robert B. Uy, Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza Jr., Assistant Secretary Leonido J. Pulido III, Director Cesar G. Dela Fuente, Director Arthur N. Tenazas, Director Araceli A. Santos-Soluta, OIC Assistant Director Guillermo H. Ansay, Chief Thelma Cerdeña, Chief R.J.A. Delos Santos, and Mr. Demujin F. Antiporda.

In a privilege speech on Wednesday (February 2), Gatchalian cited the times that, in his view, the DOE officials “violated laws just so they could give a seal of approval to the sale of the 45-percent participating interest in the Malampaya gas project of Chevron Malampaya LLC Philippines, now known as UC 38 LLC, to UC Malampaya—an indirect subsidiary of Udenna Corporation.”

In reply to a case filed against him with the Ombudsman in October on the Malampaya case, Cusi, in a statement at the DOE web site, had described it as political harassment, given the runup to the May elections and his being the president of the ruling party, PDP-Laban. He noted that two of the complainants were closely identified with the “Oust-Duterte” movement.

“The case is speculative, without basis and malicious. The questioned transaction is aboveboard,” added the DOE. On Wednesday, after Gatchalian’s speech, Udenna Corporation spokesperson Atty. Raymond T. Zorilla sent BusinessMirror this statement: “In response to the privilege speech delivered by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on the Chevron-UC Malampaya deal, we in Udenna, as we have consistently stated, stand behind our previously issued statements that the Chevron transaction is a private sale of share conducted at parent company level with no change in the legal entities participating in the SC38 consortium nor any transfer of any rights or obligations. Butch Fernandez

Duterte under quarantine after staff tested positive for Covid-19

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

P

RESIDENT Duterte is now under quarantine after a member of his household staff tested positive for Covid-19, Malacañang announced on Thursday.

In a brief statement, Acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo B. Nograles said Duterte got his first Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain

Reaction (RT-PCR) last Monday and tested negative again for the second time on February 1, 2022.

“While the results of the test came back negative, he is currently observing mandatory quarantine protocols,” Nograles said.

He said the President’s last day of exposure to a Covid-19 positive case was last Sunday, January 30.

The concurrent Cabinet Secretary said Duterte continues to work and

@BNicolasBM

T

HE Department of Finance (DOF) said on Thursday it has secured funds for 30 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 years old.

Last month, DOF said it has signed a total of $800 million in financing agreements to cover the Covid-19 boosters for Filipinos who have received their primary doses along with the vaccine doses for the pediatric population, including 5-to-11-year old kids.

The government expects

the inoculation of 14.7 million children aged 5 to 11 to start today, Friday.

Finance Undersecretar y Mark Joven, who heads the DOF ’s Inter nationa l Finance Group (IFG), said the additiona l loan amount wou ld aug ment the cur rent f unding for pediatr ic vaccines and enable the deliver y of 30 mil lion doses of Pfizer vaccine for age group.

In December last year, the Food and Drug Administration granted the emergency use authorization of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for the said age group.

“For children basically, we

coordinate with his Cabinet even while under quarantine.

He said Duterte is still concerned with urgent matters “particularly with regard to the government’s Covid-19 response during his isolation.”

Nograles also confirmed Duterte visited Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City to undergo “routine medical check-up.”

Duterte’s last public appearance

was on January 24 during his regular Talk to the People (TTTP) address, which is usually pre-recorded every Monday before being aired the following day.

Duterte, who is already fully vaccinated against Covid-19, was not able to hold his TTTP this week, while he is under quarantine.

Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the President is expected to resume his TTTP next week.

Biñan’s Yatco seeks reversal of Comelec decision canceling COC for House post

A

SPIRING Biñan Congressman Michael Thomas P. Yatco has sought to reverse the decision of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) First Division, which canceled his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the post.

Last Monday, Yatco filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) before the Comelec en banc, seeking to reverse the decision of the First Division on the petition filed by Alberto Castro Margallo Jr., which was promulgated on January 26, 2022.

Comelec Commissioners Marlon S. Caquejo, Aimee P. Ferolino and Rowena V. Guanzon, who retired last Wednesday, signed the decision.

In his MR, Yatco insisted he was a registered voter of Biñan, Laguna, when he filed his COC on October 5, 2021 as certified by the National Central File Division, Election Re-

Laguna,” Yatco said.

“Premises considered, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that its Resolution dated Jan. 26, 2022 be reconsidered and set aside and that a new resolution be issued dismissing Alberto Castro Margallo Jr.’s Petition to Deny Due Course To and/or Cancel Certificate of Candidacy dated October 25, 2021 for utter lack of merit,” he added.

MICHAEL THOMAS P. YATCO

cords and Statistics Department (NCFD-ERSD) of Comelec.

“It is thus crystal clear that the respondent did not commit a material misrepresentation when he declared under oath in his COC that he is a registered voter of Biñan,

DOH pushes back kids’ vaccination to Feb. 7 due to ‘logistical challenges’

T

HE Department of Health (DOH) a nnou nced t h at the scheduled vaccination of children 5-11 years old today, February 4, will be moved on February 7 due to “logistical challenges.” “ T he FDA [Food and Dr ug Administration]-approved Pfizer vaccines will be arriving on the evening of Friday, February 4, 2022. To ensure adequate preparation and distribution of the Pfizer vaccines allocated for children aged 5-12 years old, the Covid-19 vaccination of 5-11 year old will instead begin on 7 February [Monday],” the DOH said.

Vaccinating children, DOH said, is critical to the country’s national vaccination program to ensure they have added protection they need against Covid-19.

“The National Vaccination Operations Center of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 remains committed to ensure that all Filipinos, including the children, get vaccinated,” DOH said.

On Wednesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that they already established pilot

vaccination sites in the National Capital Region.

These vaccination sites are: Philippine Heart Center National Children’s Hospital Philippine Children’s Medical Center Fil Oil-Gym, San Juan City Manila Zoo SM North Edsa SM Megamall Vergeire also said that a total of 38 pilot vaccination sites will be deployed in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3 (5 vaccination sites), and Region 4A (2 ).

Vergeire reiterated that the “vaccines are safe, effective, and free for all Filipinos—including children.”

She added that adverse events following immunization are rare occurrences among vaccinated children, but mild reactions can be expected.

“As the Philippines joins the world in expanding Covid immunity for the whole family, the DOH has prepared for a safe and smooth pediatric vaccination rollout,” Vergeire said.

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

DOF exec assures enough funds, vaccines for pediatric inoculation

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

Friday, February 4, 2022 A5

need to use new formulation and only one brand provides this new formulation, it’s Pfizer. So from the previous loan, we’ve taken around 15 million doses for this Pfizer new formulation. And from the new loan, we’re taking around 15 million doses, again, new formulation, which is Pfizer.

So that gives us 30 million doses of Pfizer new formulation for those below 12 years old,” Joven said during a recent DOF Executive Committee (Execom) meeting.

To date, the finance officia l said 216 mil lion doses of Cov id-19 vaccines for adu lts have a lready been

delivered, adding that this is more than enough to f u l ly vaccinate the entire adu lt popu lation.

According to data from the Department of Health, 59.12 million Filipinos have already been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as of February 1 this year, including both adults and minors aged 12 to 17 years old.

As of January 14 of this year, the DOF already raised a total of $22.55 billion in budgetary support financing and $3.25 billion in grant and loan financing from foreign lenders for the government’s Covid-19 response.

Fresh eyes

THE Comelec First Division granted the petition of Margallo after Yatco supposedly failed to prove he is a registered voter in Biñan due to questions on his compliance to residency requirement of at least six months.

The division noted this constitutes material misrepresentation of the item No. 21 of COC.

PSA. . . continued from a2 “I think the challenge...for the PCC [is] to ensure that the expected benefits of liberalization will trickle down to the intended beneficiaries at the end of the day—and that is, of course, the consumers,” Aquende said.

In addition, he said that the reform should benefit not only the “upper echelon of the society” and business sector but the micro, small and medium enterprises as well.

“The ratification of the Public Service Act Amendments by Congress is a game changer for the Philippine economy. This landmark legislation opens up manypublicservicesmarketstoforeign investments,” Balisacan added.

Foreign biz groups

IN a statement on Thursday, the foreign business organizations under the JFC welcomed the recent move by the legislators as this allows PSA amendments to draw nearer its passage.

“The JFC expressed optimism that this game-changing law will be signed into law in the current Congress since the bill was certified as urgent for priority enactment by President Rodrigo Duterte,” they said. It can now be transmitted to Duterte for signing into law.

JFC said that the measure will “match policies” for foreign investments implemented by the country’s neighbors, including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

THe PSA amendments are also parallel with the Asean Comprehensive Investment Agreement which took effect in 2012, it added.

“And it will allow the Philippines to better participate as a member of advanced plurilateral trade and investment agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Transpacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership,” JFC said.

The foreign chambers have been lobbying for the bill amending PSA, saying such will improve the quality of public services in the country. The restrictions in foreign ownership, they noted, have resulted in investments shifting to other countries instead.

“Before the pandemic in Southeast Asia, when over $100 billion of FDI a year flowed into the region, too little

Yatco said he would have been able to present the evidence of him being registered to the Comelec First Division giving them the chance “to rebut the additional claims and allegations” of Margallo.

Yatco’s legal counsel, Noel N. Rivera said they hope the “fresh eyes” from the Comelec en banc will be able to see their position on the matter and grant their MR. “The Comelec issued to us a Certification that we are a registered voter last Sept. 2, 2021 with a receipt. We are confident they will see that small piece of paper that is the crux of the matter,” Rivera said.

Yatco is running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, against incumbent Biñan representative Marlyn “Len” B. Alonte of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan. Samuel P. Medenilla

reached the Philippines, and neighboring competing economies moved ahead of the Philippines,” they noted.

The members of JFC, upon enactment of the measure, said they will update the companies from Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, United States, among others, about the reform in a bid to boost investments further.

“Many firms from our countries have successfully invested in the Philippines and are fully aware of the great opportunities and advantages that the Philippines offers in a wide range of business activities,” JFC said.

“WithenactmentofthePSAamendments important new investment opportunities in telecommunications, most forms of transportation, and other public services will now be open, creating significantly larger foreign capitalinflowsinfutureyears,”itadded.

Salceda view

WHILE PSA amendments will lead to more investments, House Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda said that it will also improve competition in the country, which is seen to benefit the consumers.

“The main economic benefit of the PSA amendments is that it provides local (and oligopolistic) players in key sectors with a credible threat of external competition. Credible threat of competition is seen as a pro-competitive measure that reduces monopoly or oligopoly power (to set prices or provide services at low quality) and encourages local players to improve efficiency,” he explained.

With PSA amendments in place, Salceda estimates a GDP growth rate that is 0.47 percentage point higher than the baseline.

“That’s just for key sectors, such as telecoms, domestic shipping, and railways. That does not yet include the small sectors, such as ice plants, marine repair, and irrigation,” he said.

As the country opens its industries to more competition, Salceda said the PCC must be ready to address potential anti-competitive practices from foreign entrants.

The Neda, he said, should craft a “very clear” implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the review of investments by the President.

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BusinessMirror

Friday, February 4, 2022

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

ABB, INC. Km 20 West Service Road, South Super Hi-way, Marcelo Green Village, City Of Parañaque SHEN, CHANG-SHUN Site Manager 1.

Brief Job Description: Leading the project team, defining main guidelines, allocating project tasks, and motivating and monitoring internal and external resources

Basic Qualification: Experience in site management, strong knowledge in electrical distribution system and grid system Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

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

TOLNO, ADRIEN App/cloud Support Analyst

2.

Brief Job Description: Contribute to various tasks to develop and improve natural language processing this include developing maintaining and improving NLP Training and or evaluate NLP or dialogue systems identify errors/Regressions and propose solutions contributing to various NLP tasks assigned to the team creating reviewing annotating NLP linguistic data testing application for consistency and expected function

Basic Qualification: Native level speaker of a language and fluent in English minimum of bachelors degree in linguistic, computation linguistic or related discipline ability to quickly grasp technical concepts learn in house tools keep interest in technology keep interest in NLP linguistic and linguistic resources attention to detail and Good organization and communication skills

9.

CRUZ ANDRADE, JOSE LUIS Collection Support Analyst 3.

Brief Job Description: Collect and recover customer receivable and debt ensure cash collection activities meet the requirements of the client

by Reducing dept aging maximizing cash collecting high quality dispute information while maintaining a professional relationship with the client and their debtors

10.

11.

12.

GHOSH, ROHON Management Consulting Manager 4.

Brief Job Description: Deliver Industry function and/or technology solutions to drive business value for our clients by applying deep business process operational excellence and change skills requires identifying and assessing complex problems for area of responsibility creates solutions situations in which analysis requires an in depth evaluation of variable factors

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

SAGAR, VIVEK PARVESH Service Delivery Ops Lead Manager 5.

Brief Job Description: Assign all work assignments Commit the team work, manage the quality of the work and drive the people management

13.

14.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Skilled to manage largemedium sized teams and/ or work efforts at a client or within Accenture ability to act independently to determine methods and procedures on new assignments capable of interacting with senior management at a client and/ or within Accenture strong problem solving and decision making skills

Basic Qualification: Completely (Degree of difficulty of an assignment or the level of problem solving assessment and resolution required as measured by degree of problem solving strategic routine focus and stakeholders interactions , requires identifying and assessing complex problems for area of responsibility

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 TIWARI, KALPANA Service Delivery Ops Lead Sr. Manager

6.

Brief Job Description: Assign all work assignments Commit the team to the work manage the quality of the work and drive the people management activities automation , Innovations and digitization within the team, build strong client business relationships, ensures execution of delivery work across one or more clients portfolios, leading service delivery strategy across all locations where the service are provided, Supports sales opportunities and ensure the feasibility of the proposed solutions and delivery of the solution by leveraging Accenture’s full capabilities

TEILLET, FRANCOIS Service Delivery Ops Team Lead 7.

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

Basic Qualification: Skills name-expected proficiency level: Accenture delivery Methods (ADM) P2 - Proficient Account Management P1- Novice Client relationship Development P3 Advanced Contract Compliance Executive P2 Proficient Contract Management P1 Novice Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Control delivery of programs projects and/or managed services deliver desired business outcomes and/ or service commitments through effective planning and execution manage the delivery effort including change demand and support of operations management within schedule cost quality effort and slas prioritize and manage the scope of the assigned program project or contracted service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PANDEY, ABHISHEK Technology Delivery Lead – Senior Manager

8.

Brief Job Description: Develop and Execute activities related to end to end technology project delivery and management including project plans and estimates scoping and requirements through implements and development proactively monitor manage and report on execution of deliveries create integrated project plan risk register and mitigation plan coordinate with multiple internal

Basic Qualification: Bachelors or Masters degree in information technology computer science or other relevant fields, substantial experience in systems Software development life cycle projects delivery and end-to-end project management knowledge of project management practices and software development life cycle project delivery and end to end project management knowledge of project management practices and concepts, Ability to manage, escalate resolve project risks and issues ability to influence interact and consult with senior stakeholders

20.

21.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree, has experience in leading task and/or mentoring testers

ANI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DIEP XUAN HUY Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ERTIKA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LAI, SHUIJIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MERRY SULIANI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THAO NGUYEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THI HUE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THI THANH Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NHIN SAY PHONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAN TRAN LIEN NHUNG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRIFENA NATALIA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VO THI LAN DAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

No.

28.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

LIN, HUAPENG Mandarin Business Development Officer 29.

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 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

30.

CHANG, SHU-CHEN Senior Officer Tw Static Data 22.

Brief Job Description: Perform KYC data entry in the system for new onboarding and account maintenance cases, perform background checks, account setup and maintenance for ANZ Taiwan Insto clients

31.

ASIAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. 11/f Tower 2, Double Dragon, Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City

23.

24.

25.

KWAK, DONGWON Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: To assist customers regarding their queries and promotions LEE, HOMIN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: To assist customers regarding their queries and promotions

32.

WON, JONGUK Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: To assist customers regarding their queries and promotions

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

BETAINE (PH) B.V - PHILIPPINE BRANCH 11th-21st Flr., Zeta Tower Bridgetowne Ext. E Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Ortigas, 3, Ugong Norte, Quezon City JOSHI, GARIMA Operations Director 26.

Brief Job Description: Shall carry out such additional or other duties as may reasonably be assigned by the company from time to time, without demotion and reduction of salary

Basic Qualification: Candidate must possess at least a bachelor’s/college degree, any field. 8 years customer service, managerial and process improvement experience

33.

ESTEVES PRIETO, RICARDO Package Manager Dredging And Sand Supply 27.

Brief Job Description: Supply, manages, monitors, supervises the execution of the dredging and sand supply according to the contract in order to realize the project in a safe, timely, qualitatively optimal and cost-efficient manner

Basic Qualification: Extensive project management experience of at least 10 years in an international dredging and land reclamation project environment Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: 10 years experience in a related role; Experience in financial control, valuation or related discipline Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above Basic Qualification: College Graduate Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: To render technical/consultancy advice on monitoring international accounts, staffing patterns and work linkages.

To supervise, analyze, revise, and improve implementation of related system development to ensure their functional effectiveness.

Basic Qualification: College graduate and seven (7) years in technical consultancy for development systems and staffing patterns internationally.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate and seven (7) years in technical consultancy for development systems and staffing patterns internationally.

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, City Of Taguig SINGH, LAXMI Associate-projects 34.

Brief Job Description: Build a tool that is a conversional intelligence platform capable of understanding context and meaning in natural conversations between humans with the use of NLP Models of Al

NGUYEN VAN LUAT Senior Process Executive 35.

Brief Job Description: Service Support Solution includes diagnosis, resolution and reporting of customer issues and questions relating YouTube paid content products. Service is Tier 1 end user support with escalations to Google in Vietnamese Language

MULAY, VAIBHAV VIJAYKUMAR Sr. Manager-projects 36.

Brief Job Description: To serve as single point of contact to act as Solution Consultant, requirement gathering, build and deployment and maintenance of Next Gen technologies and need to be based out of Manila where Digital operations (BPO) processes runs, VELLA, ERIC DOUGLAS Team Lead

37.

Brief Job Description: Extensive knowledge of U.S trends and sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.) and is able provide training to agents with this knowledge; Creating & producing Multi-media

Basic Qualification: Strong experience of implementing business logic using Node.js along with their extensive library and frameworks Socket.io Express. js and Sails.js Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: BA or BS Degree Holder; Minimum 2-year(s) customer service support experience (voice, e-mail, or chat), working with direct consumers preferably in a B2C environment; Native Vietnamese Speaker Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 12+ years of experience work as delivery head / project manager, should have complete understanding of SLA matrix, support structure, shift rostering; 12+ experience in people management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Operations Management, Call Center Administration, extensive knowledge of US trends and sports leagues Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CYANCLAY INC. Office Unit 909 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 1, 26th St. Corner 9th Ave. Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

38.

39.

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

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

Brief Job Description: To render technical/consultancy advice on monitoring international accounts, staffing patterns and work linkages.

To supervise, analyze, revise, and improve implementation of related system development to ensure their functional effectiveness.

MATTHEWS, SEAN DAVID Technical Consultant

Basic Qualification: 21 years old and above, fluent in Korean language

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 21 years old and above, fluent in Korean language

Brief Job Description: This is a senior manager role where candidate will be leading the expanding Talent Acquisition Operations team in APAC who are responsible for scheduling interview, background screening preparing offers for the APAC region.

CHARTERS, ANDREW THOMAS Technical Consultant

Basic Qualification: Experience in banking and customer service, Business level proficiency in Mandarin and English

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 21 years old and above, fluent in Korean language

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Business Development Officer, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

CLOUD EMPLOYEE APAC, INC. Unit A 29/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language

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

Brief Job Description: This is a senior management level position responsible for accomplishing results through the management of a team or department in an effort to ensure the completeness, accuracy and integrity of the bank’s books and records in coordination with the finance team.

GHOSH, SHOMA Talent Acquisition Operations APAC Region Lead

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

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

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Business Development Officer will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal.

CHUNG, ANNA CHOI MUI Product Control Group Manager

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

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

CITIBANK N.A. 16th Floor, Citi Plaza, 34th St. Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

Basic Qualification: Minimum 3 years extensive work experience with an international dredging company

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: Manages and supervises the execution of a part of the project which may include dredging, site clearance, dry earth movement or rockworks scope, wet sand fill/dry sandfill, sand supply fleet and equipment.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY 5/f Rm 501 Ramon Magsaysay Center, 1680 Roxas Blvd., 076, Barangay 699, Malate, City Of Manila

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION BAK, JASPER PIETER Superintendent

ANZ GLOBAL SERVICES AND OPERATIONS (MANILA), INC. 12th Floor, Solaris One, 130 Dela Rosa Street, Legaspi Village, City Of Makati

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

AMDOCS PHILIPPINES INC. 23rd, 25th, And 26th Floors Eco Tower, 32nd St. Cor. 9th Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Carries management responsibilities for a group of testing engineers

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4-year course in business finance or management preferred computer literate and proficient in use of Ms. Office Good oral and communication skills in English and must be fluent in Spanish

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION THUBE, POOJA KAILAS Software Test Team Lead

www.businessmirror.com.ph

LIN, JUNYUAN Chinese Business Manager Brief Job Description: Establish the company’s goals and objectives

YANG, GENGZHI Chinese Business Manager Brief Job Description: Establish the company’s goals and objectives

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in both Mandarin Chinese and English.

Strong public speaking skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in both Mandarin Chinese and English.

Strong public speaking skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

DIGICHROM INC. Unit 2602 & 2603 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

40.

LONG, JIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats, and emails

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

41.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WANG, MENG-TZU Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats, and emails CHONG HA MOI Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

42.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to deal with

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in mandarin

No.

57.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in Vietnamese

58.

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

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque CHEN, CHUNXIANG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 43.

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

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

59.

60.

EEI CORPORATION 12, Manggahan, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

44.

LAPUZ, ROMAN MANALASTAS Assistant Vice President Project Control (infrastructure) Brief Job Description: Project controls, planning and cost control

Basic Qualification: Minimum 25 years of experience in Construction Project Controls.

Encompassing cost control, planning, scheduling, risk management, estimating, procurement and contracts administration.

61.

62.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above FISHER MARTIN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Unit 403 Corporate 101 Bldg., Mother Ignacia Ave. 4, South Triangle, Quezon City JORDAN, STEVE CLEVELAND Network Specialist 45.

Brief Job Description: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information science, or similar, etc.

Basic Qualification: Ensure the needs of the company’s IT infrastructure through maintenance of networking systems, routers, etc Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

63.

64.

FLASH EXPRESS SOFTWARE (PH) CO., LTD. INC. 11/f Cybersigma, Lawton Ave., Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig LU, JIAJIA Talent Acquisition Specialist 46.

Brief Job Description: Sourcing, attracting, interviewing, hiring and on boarding employees.

WANG, XIN Training Manager

47.

Brief Job Description: Identifies and monitor training needs in the organization, and design, plan, and implement training programs, policies, and procedures to fulfill those needs.

Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

65.

66.

67.

FRONTIER POINT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 29/f Techzone Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati TSAI, HAO-CHENG Mandarin Accounts Staff 48.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about products and services of the company.

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language.

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

FUTURENET AND TECHNOLOGY CORP. 4502 The Finance Centre, 26th Street And 9th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig ZHANG, SHUO Project Manager 49.

Brief Job Description: A telecom project manager studies various documents related to the project to help suggest techniques to improve the working and functionality of IT

68.

Basic Qualification: College graduate; outstanding leadership skills; fluent in Mandarin and English; proven working experience in project management

69.

70.

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

ING BANK N.V. 22nd Floor Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, 5th Ave. Corner 30th St., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig MORENO MORENO, ANGELA Customer Journey Expert - Value Proposition Daily Banking 50.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the development, management, harmonization and phasing out the commercial products, services, channel formulas and processes within one or more segments and its familiar with the relationship between these aspects, with a view to achieve an optimum customer experience.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of Master’s Degree in Business and Project Management Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. U-2801 28/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati QIN, SHANSHAN Chinese Customer Service Representative 51.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customer by answering product and service questions Suggesting information about other products and services

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for fluent in chinese mandarin is an advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MABUHAY REHABILITATION CLINIC INC. Unit B2 2/f Two Central Tower 1, 109 Valero St., Bel-air, City Of Makati TETRAULT, MICHEL YVES Chiropractic Professional / Business Consultant 52.

Brief Job Description: Professional and business consultant for multi clinic national distributed company

Basic Qualification: Graduated as doctor of chiropractic, w/ min. Of 10 yrs. recent business & practice experience Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

MAYA BANK, INC. 6/f Launchpad, Reliance Cor. Sheridan, Highway Hills, City Of Mandaluyong MANBHANJAN PANDA Chief Operating Officer Of Financial Services 53.

Brief Job Description: Chief Operating Officer manages, controls and orchestrates the build and growth for the adjacent businesses of Paymaya Philippines Inc.

Basic Qualification: Experience in developing digital, seamlessly integrated, ultraconvenient financial services software services for consumers.

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

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

54.

55.

56.

CHANG, LIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

HOANG THI THU HIEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

HU, CHAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

71.

72.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN BA HOA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN HAU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN NAM Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN TAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM THI HUONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SHAO, JIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRIEU THI LY Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU THI LIEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAN, YIJUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WEN, CHENGYI Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TAN, DONGYI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service WU, MINLI Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service ZHANG, SHUNDAO Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer Service

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

MOCHIZUKI, KOHEI Assistant Manager For Corporate Planning Brief Job Description: Assist in the business planning of the company, nsii

73.

WU, JUNDA Sales And Operation Officer Brief Job Description: Deals with Chinese clients inquiries.

No.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

78.

FENG, TIANYI Mandarin Customer Support Representative 79.

80.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language 81.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

82.

83.

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

84.

74.

Brief Job Description: works with construction supervisor, project manager and operations manager and helps them with clerical and operational tasks.

85.

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

Basic Qualification: With master’s degree in commerce and with broad experience in the same field.

86.

NGUYEN VAN THIEN IT Officer 76.

Brief Job Description: Installs and configures computer hardware operating system and applications

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 12th Floor Philplans Corporate Center, Kalayaan Avenue & Triangle Drive, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig PADMANABHAN, GOVINDARAJAN Director - Technical Risk Management

Basic Qualification: Technical and Management Skills

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

77.

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

TABACALERA INCORPORADA Unit S09 2/f Alphaland Makati Place, 7232 Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Provide the required support to the management and perform periodic risk assessments

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

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 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

QIN, YU Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain The Operations of Electronic Gaming Devices

Basic Qualification: 100 Vacancy College Graduate with Experience in Maintaing Gaming Devices, Fluent in Mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 100 Vacancy College Graduate in Maintain Gaming Devices, Fluent in Mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide guidance and input to the strategic planning team which is in charge of forecasting commercial demand, modeling operational resource requirements, analyzing commercial sustainability and opportunities.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience in Strategic Palnning or Strategy centered roles. Network planning experience for an operationscentric organization strongly preferred Senior management experience or reporting to C-level Specialization in relevant fields (operations research, programming, data analytics, marketing etc.

Basic Qualification: master’s degree in business or financial management

HONG, SUNG-YU Vice President - Finance Brief Job Description: supervise the finance and administrative department

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

WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 6-9/f Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Macapagal Ave., Barangay 76, Pasay City HUYNH BAI TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 87.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions: suggesting information about other products and services

PHAM THI PHUONG THAO Vietnamese Marketing Specialist 88.

Basic Qualification: High School Graduate/College Undergraduate

Basic Qualification: Ability to pay attention to detail while handling a high volume of work with multiple interruptions. Effective project management skills and the ability to proactively problemsolve. Vocational/College level or Graduate

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

WAN HAI LINES (PHILS.), INC. 18/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

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 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research to find answer about consumer requirement, Habit and Trends

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in English and their Respective native language for the position applied for fluent Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in English and Their respective native language for the position applied for fluent in Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WTNBD INC. 8270, Dr. A Santos Avenue, San Isidro, City Of Parañaque WANG, TAIIN Marketing Assistant 89.

Brief Job Description: assisting in organizing campaigns and developing marketing strategies.

Basic Qualification: At least 1 year experience in the job mentioned, college graduate, fluent in English and Korean languages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XUSHENG TECHNOLOGY CORP. Flr. No. 1-5 Bldg., No. 0050 F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Williams And Roberts St. Zone 4, District 1, Barangay 13, Pasay City LEE KUAN YEE Bilingual Technical Support 90.

SOMI UNLIMITED SOLUTIONS, INC. 10/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza Bldg., Edsa Corner Macapagal Ave. St. Zone 10, District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Installs and configures computer hardware operating system and applications

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

GOPALAN KANNAN, PRANAV SURYA Head Of Strategic Planning

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

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

NGUYEN VAN BAC IT Officer

LI, JINDUN Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English

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

WALL STREET COURIER SERVICES, INC. 8001, Jenny’s Avenue, Maybunga, City Of Pasig

POWERCHINA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2101 21/f Bdo Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

SAHA, SUJOY Construction Assistant

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

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

Basic Qualification: At least 5 years experience in Sales and Marketing, fluent in English and Spanish language

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

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

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

ZHANG, HUI Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

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

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

WANG, SHIHAI Mandarin Customer Support Representative

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write Chinese language

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

LIU, YACONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

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

Brief Job Description: Develop strategies for both local and export accounts, manage and train sales personnel.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West, Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ARGÜELLES CALLES, PABLO Sales And Marketing Manager

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

PHILIPPINE HAOTAI CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. 215 Juan Luna Street, Binondo, 027, Barangay 287, Binondo, City Of Manila

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

LE THI TRINH Chinese Customer Service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NIPPON SANSO INGASCO, INC. 2301-06 One Corporate Center, J. Vargas Cor. Meralco Ave., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

75.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

A7

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LAI KOK SIANG Chinese Customer Service

Friday, February 4, 2022

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk PAULINE TSEN MEI LING Bilingual Technical Support

91.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in bilingual languages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in bilingual languages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Feb 3, 2022

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on December 21 2021, the position of HOANG VAN HONG under NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION, should have been read as VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE and not as published.

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 National Capital Region located at DOLENCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A8

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Friday, February 4, 2022

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

‘Take back life’: More nations ease coronavirus restrictions

By Jamey Keaten

L

The Associated Press

ate-night partying at clubs.

Elbow-to-elbow seating in movie theaters. Going without masks in public, especially in Europe and North America: Step by step, many countries are easing their Covid-19 restrictions amid hopes the Omicron wave may have passed its peak.

The early moves to relax precautions, based on declining or flattening case counts in recent days, represent what could be another turning point in a nearly two-year pandemic that has been full of them.

T he extraordinarily contagious Omicron has fueled more cases worldwide over the past 10 weeks—90 million—than were seen during all of 2020, the outbreak’s first full year.

But the World Health Organization this week said some countries can now consider carefully relaxing the rules if they have high immunity rates, their health care systems are strong and the epidemiological trends are going in the right direction.

New cases worldwide for the week of Jan. 24-30 were similar to the level of the previous week, though the number of new deaths increased 9 percent to more than 59,000, reflecting the usual lag between infection and death, according to the UN health agency.

The most pronounced pullbacks in restrictions are in Europe, for many months the world’s epicenter of the pandemic, as well as in South Africa—where Omicron was first announced publicly—and the United States. In Britain and the US, as in South Africa before them, Covid-19 cases skyrocketed at first but are now coming down rapidly.

In the US, local leaders have served up a hodgepodge of responses. The city of Denver is ending requirements for proof of vaccination and mask rules for businesses and public spaces, while keeping them for schools and public transportation.

New York’s governor plans in the next week to review whether to keep the state’s mask mandate at a time when cases and hospitalizations have plummeted in the early Omicron hotspot. New York City is averaging 4,200 cases a day,

compared with 41,000 during the first week of January.

The US as a whole is on a similar trajectory, with infections plunging from an average of over 800,000 a day 2 1/2 weeks ago to 430,000 this week.

England, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and several Nordic countries have taken steps to end or loosen their restrictions.

In some places, like Norway and Denmark, the easing comes even though case counts are still hovering near their highs. Some governments are essentially betting that the pandemic is ebbing.

“Rest assured that the worst days are behind us,” said Health Minister Fahrettin Koca of Turkey, where the number of daily infections topped 100,000 on Tuesday, the highest on record in the country of over 80 million.

Last week, England ended almost all domestic restrictions.

Masks aren’t required in public, vaccine passes are no longer needed to get into public venues, and the work-from-home order has been lifted. One lingering condition: Those who test positive still have to isolate.

On Tuesday, Norway lifted its ban on serving alcohol after 11 p.m. and the cap on private gatherings of no more than 10 people.

People can sit elbow-to-elbow again at events with fixed seating, and sports events can take place as they did before the pandemic.

“Now it’s time for us to take back our everyday life,” Norwegian Health Minister Ingvild Kjerkol said Tuesday. “Tonight, we scrap most measures so we can be closer to living a normal life.”

In the capital of Denmark, which on Tuesday took the lead among European Union members by scrapping most restrictions, many people were still wearing masks on the streets and in stores a day later.

“I still wear a mask because I want to protect myself and others whose health is not so good, or who have health issues,” said retiree Kjeld Rasmussen, 86, in Copenhagen. “I have several things [health conditions] and so for me, it is also a good way to say to others, ‘Keep your distance.’”

More than 370 million cases and over 5.6 million deaths linked to COvid-19 have been reported worldwide.

The loosening of Omicron’s grip in many places has given rise to hope that the outbreak is about to enter a new phase in which the virus will become, like the flu, a persistent but generally manageable threat that people can live with.

Sw itzerland on Wednesday scrapped work-at-home and quarantine requirements and announced plans for an easing of ot her restr ictions in coming weeks, saying: “Despite record high infection figures, hospitals have not been overburdened and the occupancy of intensive care units has fallen further.”

“There are increasing signs that the acute crisis will soon be over and the endemic phase could begin,” the government said.

While Omicron has proved less likely to cause severe illness than the Delta variant, experts are warning people against underestimating it or letting their guard down against the possibility of new, more dangerous mutant varieties.

“We are concerned that a narrative has taken hold in some countries that because of vaccines— and because of Omicron’s high transmissibility and lower severity—preventing transmission is no longer possible and no longer necessary,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Gheybreysus said Tuesday.

“Nothing could be further from the truth.”

WHO’s emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, warned that political pressure could lead some countries to open back up too soon—and “that will result in unnecessary transmission, unnecessary severe disease and unnecessary death.”

As throughout the pandemic, many countries are going their own way: Italy has tightened its health pass requirements during the Omicron surge. As of Monday, it began requiring at least a negative test within the previous 48 hours to enter banks and post offices, and anyone over 50 who hasn’t been vaccinated risks a 100euro ($113) fine.

Austria, which was the first European country to impose a vaccine

mandate, is planning to loosen Covid-19 restrictions this month and take such steps as letting restaurants stay open later. Greece has ordered fines for people 60 and over who refuse to get vaccinated.

In Germany, where infections are still setting daily records, curbs on private gatherings and requirements for people to show proof of vaccination or recovery to enter nonessential stores remain in place.

“I think that the moment we have the feeling that we can loosen responsibly, federal and state governments will take that step,” German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said Monday.

“But at the moment, it is still a bit premature.”

Other continents are being even more cautious. Some of the world’s highest vaccination rates are in Asia, and its leaders are holding to stricter lockdown measures or even tightening them for now.

T he Pacific island countr y of Tonga went into lockdown Wednesday after discovering infections in two port workers helping to distribute aid following a volcanic eruption and tsunami.

The country had been virus-free.

New Zealand will ease its strict border controls, freeing vaccinated New Zealanders from having to stay in quarantine hotels run by the military. But the unvaccinated still must quarantine, and most foreigners will still have to wait until October to visit quarantine-free.

Just days ahead of the Beijing Olympics, China is sticking to its zero-Covid policy. It imposes strict lockdowns and quarantines quickly when cases are detected, mandates masks on public transportation, and requires people to show “green” status on a health app to enter most restaurants and stores.

South Africa this week announced that it has exited the fourth wave, saying scientific studies show immunity has hit 60 percent to 80 percent. Masks are still mandatory, but a curfew has been lifted and schools are required to fully—not just partially—open for the first time since March 2020.

Dr. Atiya Mosam of the Public Health Association of South Africa said such steps are a “practical move towards acknowledging that Coovid-19 is here to stay, even though we might have a milder strain.”

“We are acknowledging how transmission occurs, while basically balancing people’s need to live their lives,” Mosam said. AP

UAE intercepts ‘hostile’ drones in fourth attack

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UBAI, United Arab Emirates—The United Arab Emirates intercepted several drones fired at the country Wednesday, the UAE military said, the fourth such attack on the federation in recent weeks.

A little-known group that previously claimed a January 2021 attack targeting a palace in Saudi Arabia said it was responsible, an assault that authorities believe came from Iraq. That raises the possibility the Emirates now is being targeted from its north and south after three recent attacks launched by Yemen’s Iranbacked rebels.

The rebel Houthis have claimed responsibility for the past few drone and missile attacks on the UAE—strikes that have widened

Yemen’s 7-year-old civil war and fueled regional tensions.

In a short statement just before midnight Wednesday on Twitter, the Emirati Defense Ministry said it had destroyed three “hostile drones” that targeted the UAE at dawn. It said the interception occurred “away from populated areas,” without elaborating.

The acknowledgement came several hours after an online account associated with Awliya Wa’ad al-Haq, or “The True Promise Brigades,” claimed it had launched “four drones targeting vital facilities in Abu Dhabi.” The group said it launched the attack in retaliation for the Emirates’ policies in both Iraq and Yemen.

It wasn’t immediately possible to clarify the discrepancy in the

number of drones allegedly used in the attack. The Emirati’s twosentence statement also offered no details about the direction of the attack.

The group has threatened the Emirates in the past after its one known attack, a January 23 attack last year on the Yamama Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both Iraqi and American officials believe that Saudi attack originated from Iraq.

The Washington Institute for Near-East Policy has suggested the brigade has ties to Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades.

That Iran-backed group is on a US list of terrorist organizations and is accused by US officials of targeting American forces in Iraq.

The group is separate from the Lebanese group of the same name.

The Emirates has previously been t hreatened by Iranianbacked groups in Iraq over their belief the UAE interfered in Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections.

The Houthis have been battling a Saudi-led coalition that includes the UAE since 2015 after the rebels took control of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. The war reached Emirati soil for the first-known time last month, when the Houthis fired drones and missiles at the country. US and Emirati forces have jointly intercepted the past two aerial attacks, including one earlier this week as Israel’s president began a historic visit to the Gulf Arab country.

Another attack in mid-January killed three workers from India and Pakistan and wounded six others. AP

In this image provided by the US Air Force, Airmen from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron load ammunition, weapons and other equipment bound for Ukraine during a foreign military sales mission at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on January 30. Since 2014, the United States has committed more than $5.4 billion in total assistance to Ukraine, including security and nonsecurity assistance. Senior Airman Stephani Barge/US Air Force via AP

Biden orders forces to Europe amid Russia’s ‘hostile activity’

By Robert Burns, Lolita C. Baldor, Aamer Madhani, Lorne Cook & Dasha Litvinova The Associated Press

W

ASHINGTON—President Joe Biden is ordering 2,000 US-based troops to Poland and Germany and shifting 1,000 more from Germany to Romania, demonstrating to both allies and foes America’s commitment to Nato’s eastern flank amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Russia fired back with a sharply worded objection, calling the deployments unfounded and “destructive.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin also had a new telephone exchange with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. But readouts from both governments showed no progress, with Putin saying the West was giving no ground on Russia’s security concerns and Johnson expressing deep concern about Russia’s “hostile activity” on the Ukrainian border, referring to Putin’s buildup of 100,000 troops there.

The Biden administration is aiming to demonstrate US resolve without undermining efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Biden notably has not sent military reinforcements to the three Baltic countries on Nato’s eastern flank—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—that are former states of the Soviet Union.

No US troops are being sent to Ukraine, and White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday said the administration has stopped calling a Russian invasion “imminent,” because that word implies Washington knows Putin has made a decision to invade. Officials say Putin’s intentions remain unclear.

However, increasing US troop levels in Eastern Europe is exactly what Putin has said he finds intolerable, along with the prospect of Ukraine joining Nato.

The US already has several thousand troops in Poland, and Romania is host to a Nato missile defense system that Russia considers a threat. The US presence in the region has increased since 2014 when Russia made its first invasion of Ukraine.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the soon-to-deploy US forces are intended to temporarily bolster US and allied defensive positions.

“These are not permanent moves,” he said, stressing that the purpose is to reassure allies. Kirby said Russia had continued its buildup, even in the previous 24 hours, despite US urgings that it deescalate.

In Moscow, a senior official said the US movements will complicate the crisis.

“The unfounded destructive steps will only fuel military tensions and narrow the field for political decisions,” Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in remarks carried by the Interfax news agency.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba again played down fears of a Russian attack in a call with reporters but said that if Russia makes moves that could signal an imminent invasion Ukraine would react as necessary.

Of the 2,000 US troops newly deploying from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, about 1,700 are members of the 82nd Airborne Division infantry brigade, who will go to Poland. The other 300 are with the 18th Airborne Corps and will go to Germany as what the Pentagon called a “joint task force-capable headquarters.”

Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak wrote on Twitter that the deployment to his country is “a strong signal of solidarity in response to the situation in Ukraine.”

The 1,000 US troops going to Romania are members of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment based at Vilseck, Germany. They will augment about 900 already in Romania, Kirby said.

The cavalry deployment’s purpose is to “deter aggression and enhance our defensive capabilities in frontline allied states during this period of elevated risk,” the Pentagon said in a separate written statement.

“It’s important that we send a strong signal to Mr. Putin and to the world” of the US commitment to Nato, Kirby said.

He said France has decided it, too, will send troop reinforcements to Romania under Nato command, and he noted that a number of other European Nato countries are considering adding forces on Nato’s eastern flank. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron touched base in a phone call Wednesday night.

Nato has been beefing up its defenses around allies in Eastern Europe since late last year. Denmark, for example, said it was sending a frigate and F-16 warplanes to Lithuania, and Spain was sending four fighter jets to Bulgaria and three ships to the Black Sea to join Nato naval forces. The Netherlands plans to send two F-35 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria in April and is putting a ship and land-based units on standby for Nato’s Response Force.

Biden has said he will not put American troops in Ukraine to fight any Russian incursion, although the United States is supplying Ukraine with weapons to defend itself and seeking to reassure allies in Eastern Europe that Washington will fulfill its treaty obligation to defend them in the event they are attacked.

Ukraine is not a Nato member, and therefore the US has no treaty obligation to come to its defense.

The military moves come amid stalled talks with Russia over its buildup at Ukraine’s borders. And they underscore growing fears across Europe that Russian President Putin is poised to invade Ukraine. Smaller Nato countries on the alliance’s eastern flank worry they could be next.

TheWorld

Friday, February 4, 2022

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A9

US forces launch raid in Syria, civilians also reported dead

A

TMEH, Syria—US Special Forces carried out what the Pentagon said was a successful, largescale counterterrorism raid in northwestern Syria early Thursday.

First responders at the scene reported 13 people had been killed, including six children and four women.

The operation, which residents say lasted about two hours, jolted the sleepy village of Atmeh near the Turkish border—an area dotted with camps for internally displaced people from Syria’s civil war. The target of the raid was not immediately clear.

Pentagon press secretar y John Kirby said in a brief statement that the mission was a success. “ There were no US casualties. More information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Several residents told The Associated Press they saw body parts scattered near the site of the raid, a house in Syria’s rebelheld Idlib province. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, and said the raid involved helicopters, explosions and machine-gun fire.

It was the largest raid in the province since the 2019 US assault targeting the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Idlib is broadly controlled by Turkey-backed fighters, but is also an Al-Qaida stronghold and home to several of its top operatives. Other militants have also found refuge in the region.

Reports on the number of dead varied. A journalist on assignment for the AP saw body parts around the house, whose upper story was almost completely leveled leaving rubble in the surrounding olive grove.

Blood could be seen on the walls and floor of the remaining structure, which contained a wrecked bedroom with a child’s wooden crib on the floor. On one damaged wall, a blue plastic

swing for children was still hanging. The kitchen was blackened with fire damage.

The opposition-run Syrian Civil Defense, first responders also known as the White Helmets, said 13 people were killed in shelling and clashes that ensued after the US commando raid. They included six children and four women, it said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, also said the strike killed 13 people, including four children and two women. Ahmad Rahhal, a citizen journalist who visited the site, reported seeing 12 bodies.

The Pentagon provided no details on who was the target of the raid, or if any combatants or civilians on the ground were killed or injured.

Residents and activists desc r ibed w it nessi ng a l a rge ground assault, with US forces using loudspeakers urging women and children to leave the area.

There was at least one major explosion. A US official said that one of the helicopters in the raid suffered a mechanical problem and had to be blown up on the ground. The US official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the military operation.

The Observatory said troops for the US-led coalition using helicopters landed in the area and attacked a house. It said the force clashed with fighters on the ground. Taher al-Omar, an Idlib-based activist, also said he witnessed clashes between fighters and the US force.

The military operation got attention on social media, with tweets from the region describing helicopters firing around the building near Atmeh. Flighttracking data also suggested that multiple drones were circling the city of Sarmada and the village of Salwah, just north of the raid’s location.

The clandestine operation came as the Islamic State group was reasserting itself, carrying out some of its biggest attacks since it was defeated in 2019.

In recent weeks and months, the group has launched a series of operations in the region, including a 10-day assault late last month to seize a prison in northeastern Syria.

A US -backed Kurdish-led force said more than 120 of their fighters and prison workers died in the effort to thwart the IS plot, whose goal appeared to free senior IS operatives from the prison. The prison houses at least 3,000 Islamic State group detainees.

The attempted prison break was the biggest military operation by the extremist group since IS was defeated and members scattered to havens in 2019. The US-led coalition carried out airstrikes and deployed American personnel in Bradley Fighting Vehicles to the prison area to help the Kurdish forces.

At a news conference Monday, an SDF senior of f icia l Nowruz Ahmad said the prison assault was part of a broader plot that IS had been preparing for a long time, including attac k s on ot her neighborhoods in Hassakeh, Shaddada and areas of Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria and on the alHol camp in the south, which houses thousands of families of IS members.

The US-led coalition has targeted high-profile militants on several occasions in recent years, aiming to disrupt what US officials say is a secretive cell known as the Khorasan group that is planning external attacks. A US airstrike killed al-Qaida’s second in command, former bin Laden aide Abu al-Kheir al-Masri, in Syria in 2017. AP

Asean won’t invite Myanmar foreign minister to meeting

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HNOM PENH, Cambodia—Asean will not invite Myanmar’s foreign minister to an upcoming meeting, a Cambodian official said Thursday, as the regional bloc of nations struggles to agree on whether to include senior representatives of Myanmar’s army rulers.

Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Chum Sounry told The Associated Press that member states failed to reach a consensus on inviting Wunna Maung Lwin to its retreat of foreign ministers scheduled for Feb. 16-17 in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.

Wunna Maung Lwin was appointed Myanmar’s top diplomat after its military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1 of 2021.

Myanmar’s security forces have been blamed for the deaths of more than 1,500 civilians in brutally putting down protests against army rule. There is now a low-level insurgenc y that some experts believe amounts to civil war.

Cambodia had earlier postponed this year’s foreign ministry retreat for what it said

were reasons related to the Covid-19 pandemic, but there was speculation it was linked to the disagreement over Myanmar.

The decision reflects divisions within the 10-member regional group over Myanmar’s lack of cooperation in implementing measures that Asean agreed upon in April last year to help ease that country’s violent political crisis after the army’s takeover.

The head of Myanmar’s military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, was not invited to last October’s virtual summit meeting of Asean leaders.

That rebuke was issued shortly after Myanmar declined to let the bloc’s special envoy meet with Suu Kyi, who has been in detention since her ouster. Indonesia, Asean’s biggest member, and Malaysia have been the most critical of Myanmar’s military government.

Asean was chaired by Brunei when it snubbed Min Aung Hlaing, but under its annual rotation system, Cambodia now chairs the group. Prime Minister Hun Sen has said he believes it is important that Myanmar attend the next summit meeting.

Hun Sen declared in December that Myanmar has the right to join the summit because the principal rule of Asean is that member states shall not interfere with each other’s internal affairs.

He also paid an official visit to Myanmar in January, becoming the first head of government to do so since last year’s takeover. Hun Sen, who has held power for 36 years, is an authoritarian ruler seen as sympathetic to Myanmar’s generals.

Cambodian foreign ministry spokesman Chum Sounry said Myanmar has been asked to send a non-political representative to this month’s retreat. It had the same option at October’s summit meeting but did not appoint one. Myanmar has not yet announced its intentions.

Chum Sounry, replying to a query by AP, said the failure to reach a consensus about inviting Myanmar to this month’s meeting was due to “little progress in carrying out the Asean’s 5-Point Consensus,” agreed to by all the group’s members, including Myanmar. AP

A10 Friday, February 4, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Our ATMs spit out fake banknotes?

T

here is no chance of ever getting a counterfeit bill from an ATM in the US. That’s because ATMs there have a mechanism that reads money. The machine will automatically reject counterfeit and mutilated bills. Many ATMs are serviced by armored car services, so the cash comes from the Federal Reserve.

The Fed said in 2020 that less than 0.01 percent of all US currency in circulation is reported counterfeit. In 2019, the US Secret Service seized $58 million in counterfeit dollars. While that’s a tiny fraction of the roughly $1.4 trillion in circulation since 2015, it was enough for the Secret Service to call counterfeiting a growing threat to the financial system.

In the Philippines, it seems that some of our ATMs spit out counterfeit bills.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently issued a public advisory that urges consumers to regularly inspect banknotes for authenticity to protect against counterfeiting. Should a banknote dispensed by an ATM be suspected as a counterfeit, the holder is advised to immediately report it to the bank that owns the machine. The bank is required to conduct an investigation to verify whether the banknote was indeed dispensed by its ATM. If the holder’s claim is verified, the bank should replace the banknote in question (Read, “BSP urges vigilance vs counterfeit banknotes,” in the BusinessMirror, January 25, 2022).

The BSP assured the public that banks employ adequate risk management measures to deter such incidents. “Aside from the installation of cameras at ATM areas, cash handlers and service providers tasked to refill ATMs are trained to detect counterfeit banknotes or verify their genuineness before placing them in ATMs,” the BSP said.

Here’s the hitch: What will happen to a customer that got a fake bill from an ATM if the bank insists that the counterfeit bill did not come from its ATM? The BSP warning on “fake bills” from ATMs annoyed Sen. Grace S. Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks and Financial Institutions. “Reminders by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to be alert of fake bills from ATMs are disquieting and raise the question on how the bogus money can find its way into the banks’ machines,” she said (Read, “Poe irked by BSP warning on fake notes from ATMs,” in the BusinessMirror, January 27, 2022).

Poe said the burden of distinguishing counterfeit bills emanating from banks from genuine ones should not be placed on depositors. ATMs dispensing fake bills, Poe said, is “unacceptable and must have no place in the banking system.

It is our financial institutions that carry the responsibility to steadfastly guard against vulnerabilities and keenly upgrade their systems amid the changing times to keep our people’s unflinching trust in the banking industry.”

The Bankers Association of the Philippines, in a statement, assured the public that the banking industry is a proactive partner in eradicating the circulation of counterfeit bills. “Banks implement strict cash management service protocols and meticulous security procedures to follow Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas guidelines for the transit and loading of fit banknotes in ATMs,” the BAP said.

The BAP explained that while bills in ATMs do not come directly from a bank’s transactions of the day, they have always maintained qualified personnel trained and equipped to identify counterfeit bills to prevent these fake banknotes from entering the banking system. “In the event, however, that the public suspects they are holding a counterfeit banknote, we encourage everyone to immediately report to the authorities for the immediate resolution of this issue. The making and importing of counterfeit money is a criminal act, and we join the BSP’s call for vigilance in identifying counterfeit money.”

From January to September 2021, the BSP said it seized more than 500 fake banknotes with a notional value of almost half a million pesos. Enforcement operations also resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects, 14 of them were members of crime syndicates.

As the BSP continues to ramp up its anti-counterfeiting operations, the regulator is urging the public to be vigilant and to practice the “feel, look, tilt” approach to determine the bill’s authenticity. This is good advice. A vigilant public can help the BSP in its fight against counterfeiting of Philippine banknotes.

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Better Days

W

E recently chaired a Senate Committee on Youth public hearing on measures that we believe could have a tremendous impact on young Filipinos, many of whom, for the past two years, have spent a considerable portion of their time indoors, and isolated from crowds and gatherings.

For sure, the pandemic has yet to end. But our country’s ramped up vaccination program and more effective treatment methods give us high hopes that a return to normalcy shall soon be realized. And that is why we chose to deliberate on measures establishing or institutionalizing various government programs that serve as extracurricular activities for young Filipinos, in anticipation of a more active and mobile youth population in the coming months and years.

One of these measures designates the National Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) as the Philippine National Youth Development Program in Music, in recognition of its contribution to the development and promotion of Philippine music as an art, and to the training of young musical prodigies across the nation.

NAMCYA, which has been around for close to five decades, conducts annual competitions to recognize outstanding young Filipino musi-

cians. In fact, NAMCYA has produced around 130 accomplished musicians, many of whom have moved on to become well-respected music professors here and abroad. Several of them have won their share of international competitions, have performed to foreign audiences, and became members of world-renowned orchestras.

Some of these include Jonathan Velasco, a choral conductor who was a member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers; Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata, a concert violinist who went on to create the Center for the Arts in San Antonio, Zambales; Dr. Renato Lucas, who is the current NAMCYA President and professor at the UST Conservatory; and the Loboc Children’s Choir that won various international music competitions. With NAMCYA’s storied existence, it is only right that the government continues to provide NAMCYA funding, use of space and facilities, and other means of support.

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Joselito T. Sescon

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Another measure was about establishing the Young Farmers and Fisherfolk Challenge Program, in a bid to entice more of our youth to get into agriculture or fisheries. This is especially timely as, according to a 2020 University of the Philippines Los Baños study, the average age of our farmers has gone up to 53 years old from 46 years old in 1966.

This measure, which calls for a whole-of-government approach, aims to increase the participation of the youth in agriculture and fisheries by outlining the roles of various government agencies in providing access to knowledge and information, land, financial services, “green-jobs”, new markets, and customer bases. By encouraging our younger population to engage in farming and fisheries, we open up the sector to fresh ideas and innovation—something that the industry badly needs. It is also our hope that, through this bill, we can make farming and fisheries more exciting, and enticing (“sexy” even) for the Filipino youth.

The Committee also approved a measure declaring August 12 of every year as National Youth Day and institutionalizing the conduct of activities in line with the celebration.

This measure aligns with the United Nations resolution to designate the same date as the International Youth Day as a reminder that young men and women are essential partners in community-building and human development. This is also in recognition of the numerous contributions of the youth—whether via social media, civic works, or pioneering

and innovative industries—to the overall growth of our country even in the face of a seemingly crippling pandemic.

Finally, the Committee also approved a bill that mandates the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to conduct a Summer Youth Camp in preparation for the increased mobility of our young Filipinos in the future.

Through this measure, the SK will work with government agencies and other youth and youth-serving organizations to conduct these camps and formulate various courses, which include national situationers on youth issues, leadership, writing, public speaking, sports and fitness, mental health wellness, digital skills development, entrepreneurship, cultural awareness, environmental awareness, human rights promotion, personal development, financial education, and industries of the future.

These measures will help empower our youth to become more active participants in nation building. We are hopeful that once the Senate session resumes after the general elections, we may be able to further refine these bills. Anyway, Congress has always worked to ensure that the country has enough opportunities for our youth to prosper, which in turn would also benefit the country in the long run.

Sen. Sonny Angara has been in public service for 17 years. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

Reflections on learning, knowledge, and the political divide

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror

MEMBER OF

Gearing up for new youth programs

EAGLE WATCH

I

have been in academia for more than a decade. Before that, I spent two decades working in nongovernment organizations, government projects, and short stints in multilateral agencies. I have the privilege of a different experience outside of academia, and this column is about the differences in learning, acquiring knowledge and political beliefs, and the political divide.

The first hindrance in learning is facility in the language because most of science and knowledge are written in English. Like most Filipinos, we went to public schools, finishing elementary and high school just enough to learn the basics. With poverty and average abilities, we are lucky enough to finish our degrees in state universities or in local colleges. Many can barely write a sentence or a paragraph without mistakes in grammar and sentence construction, much more in articulating and expressing what is in our minds. Along with this is

the inability to comprehend deeper meanings in reading materials from literature to social science writings.

Finishing mostly technical undergraduate degrees, our minds are accustomed only to a few and narrow logical structures of reasoning.

Without exposure and benefit of the methods and logic of liberal education, plus the inability to understand readings in English, we are trapped in our narrow world and built realities. Ripe for dogmatism to thrive, engaging in fallacies, shallow social sensitivity, very little room in ac-

cepting diversity, and yes, prone to believing conspiracy theories. This is much worse for a large proportion of the population having less education. This is one political divide: the liberally educated thinkers who mostly acquired their education in top schools and universities vis-à-vis the rest of the majority. There is the tendency of freedom-loving liberals to become elitist in all manners of living and ideas compared to the rest of the majority.

With the political divides now in the US and UK, and in Europe, where the US is the most polarized, it appears that language facility is not a hindrance to learning. There is the drift towards an open and critical mind in understanding humanity and the world and be able to manage our affairs with less conflict. There is also the drift towards constraining the world between us and them, even eschewing science, coupled with the drive to use force and harm others.

This is not anymore about differing language facility in learning. It is about our differences in social upbringing and values, how our family loved us, and how our communities treated us. In the language of brain

science, how neural networks in the brain, brought out by social upbringing, are connected, and intertwined forming the persons we are. The motivation to learn and acquire deeper understanding of humanity and the world is acquired in our upbringing.

Language facility is a hurdle but can easily be surmounted by the desire to learn more. Poverty can also be constraining. Religion plays a key role in shaping this motivation at a young age.

Neuroscience had unlocked the physical basis in the development of the human brain to our ability to adapt to new environments. At birth, a human baby’s neurons are unconnected. We are helpless unless nurtured by our loving parents, and by extension our communities and societies at large. We formed over a hundred trillion connections or synapses that will be continually pared back during much of childhood, shaping the brain itself to the environment. Our brains form fewer but stronger connections as we grow older, but it always opens for newer connections that correspond as we develop as a person.

See “Eagle Watch,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

We should keep the Senate a bulwark of freedom

Gilding the martial law years Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

T

he Senate of the Philippines remains as one of the most revered institutions in our country. On October 17, 2016, the Senate observed its Centennial Anniversary and this year it will turn 106 years old. It’s been a long time since the first Senate President, Manuel Luis Quezon, banged the gavel to start its first session ever. Its inaugural session was held in the big living room of Goldenberg Mansion near Malacañang, which used to be the residence of Admiral Patricio Montojo of the Spanish navy until 1898 when Montojo was defeated by Admiral George Dewey in the Battle of Manila Bay. The Philippines was then an American colony with less than 10 million inhabitants. Now we are an independent nation composed of 109 million people and the Senate continues to serve the Filipinos as their foremost lawmaking body tasked to enact legislation that promotes our people’s welfare. Its contributions to our country’s political, economic and social development are inestimable and far-reaching. Over the years, the Senate has championed civil and political rights, pursued national interests and sovereignty, protected our citizens from the abuses of despotic rulers and promoted accountability of public officials.

Since the Senate became the upper chamber of our bicameral legislature pursuant to the Jones Law of 1916, great men and women have walked through its portals. They were illustrious personalities whose sterling performances in the halls of that august body had added color to the pages of our history. They were persons of courage, integrity and patriotism who inspired the youth to join public service. I’m certain that political observers miss the likes of Claro M. Recto, Juan and Lorenzo Sumulong, Jose P. Laurel, Quintin Paredes, Arturo Tolentino, Benigno Aquino, Jr., Lorenzo Tañada, Jovito Salonga, Mariano Jesus Cuenco, and others who had earned the title “Honorable”. The Senate serves as the training ground for national leadership. Many of our presidents gained national prominence and huge following as senators, which enabled them to leap to the highest position in government. Presidents Quezon, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Carlos Garcia, Ferdinand Marcos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III were all former senators.

The past has shown that even under the most perilous days in our history, the Senate’s undaunted members have remained faithful to their oath of office. When the Batasang Pambansa was shut down following the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, four serving senators were arrested and incarcerated. Senators Ninoy Aquino, Jose Diokno, Ramo Mitra and Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo were the first to be rounded up immediately after Martial Law was promulgated. This was a tacit admission by the ruling regime of the tremendous influence wielded by the powerful senators on our people. But this dastardly act did not stifle their dissenting voices. When Aquino was assassinated, a handful of courageous senators like Senators Lorenzo Tañada, Eva Estrada Kalaw and Salvador Laurel led the opposition against Marcos. Congress was shuttered but it only gave birth to the parliament of the streets, which sprouted around the country. And despite her imprisonment, Sen. Leila M. de Lima remains irrepressible and uncowed by power and continues to discharge her duties to the extent possible. You can expect that when absolute power is exercised by an authoritarian leader and his cabal, the Senate through its minority members stands up to tyranny and abuse. There will always be a senator who will denounce the depraved leadership who foist hardship and suffering on our people. It’s a lonely and desolate battle but the Senate through the years proved equal to our trust.

Outside of the presidential derby, the people’s focus of interest in the

forthcoming elections is the senatorial contest. Twelve senators will be elected on May 9, 2022 who, together with the 12 incumbent senators elected in 2019, will constitute the 19th Congress of the Philippines. A total of 178 candidates filed their certificates of candidacy for senators but as of the last count a total of 64 candidates are on the official ballot after the Comelec has disqualified a number of so-called nuisance candidates. The official campaign period for senators will kick off next Tuesday, February 8. TV, radio, newspapers and the social media are now flooded with political ads endorsing candidates for senators. Woe to candidates running for the office who cannot afford the prohibitive costs of running political advertisements on TV and other forms of media.

The major competing parties have their own senatorial slates, although some candidates that are considered “winnables” have been adopted by more than one political party. Who these sure winners will endorse for president when they campaign around the country will be a matter of great interest to us. How these common candidates will reconcile their position on issues where their adoptive presidential bearers differ will be a profound mystery to the voters. They flit and float like butterflies from one party to another betraying their lack of conviction or principles. Politicians with loose party loyalty demonstrate an utter lack of credibility and integrity.

After the elections, they will be the first to turncoat and pledge their allegiance to the party in power. It’s the recipe that makes the Senate a rubber stamp of the new tenant in Malacañang.

It will be prudent of the adoptive candidates to stick to their chosen presidentiable and stay with one party during the entire campaign. Let the presidentiable and the party that adopted him or her campaign without the latter joining the former’s campaign sorties. Riding on the coattails of two or more rival standard bearers is the height of opportunism and self-centered politics. If we abhor turncoatism, with more reason that we should reject opportunism. We want to send to the Senate candidates who advocate principled politics over opportunist politics. We endorse aspirants who cast their political fortune with a presidentiable they fully support and believe in; senatorial bets who have clear vision and platform of government consistent and aligned with their chosen presidential bet. Choosing a president is not a horse race where one is allowed to place bets on several horses. The field is wide and there are independent senatorial bets whose character and qualifications can match, if not surpass, comebacking politicians who don’t have solid track records.

Let’s not have a repeat of the 2019 senatorial election where the entire Otso Diretso, known as the Oposisyon Koalisyon, slate was walloped by the administration ticket. It’s not healthy for our democracy. With the departure of opposition stalwarts Senators Frank Drilon and Kiko Pangilinan and other independent senators such as Ralph Recto and Panfilo Lacson from the Senate, we need to reinvigorate the Senate by electing new blood and principled candidates to the 19th Congress. Let’s keep the Senate a venerable institution worthy of our respect.

Friday, February 4, 2022 A11

I

would have wanted to move on, but my column last week— Who Remembers the Marcos Years?—has elicited surprising and odd comments. The mention particularly of the books of Sterling Seagrave (The Marcos Dynasty. The Corruption of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos) and Primitivo Mijares (The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos I) drew reactions revealing how many have not read yet these resources.

Some readers described how I ended the essay as a cliffhanger. I needed to explain that there was no space for me to pick out those salacious details hinted at. The books were take-off points for my concern about the crisis of remembering.

As I write this column therefore, I have the two books beside me. The question I now ask is this: why did we not recall with such might the horrible experiences we all had gone through during those years?

Where does this notion of the martial law years being the Golden Age come from?

What gilds our memories of oppression? What gold was in that era?

Let me turn therefore to some of the pages of said books and pick up references to gold in all its vulgar manifestations and impact.

We can begin with the bombing in Plaza Miranda that mauled several Liberal Party senators and initiated the suspension of habeas corpus.

Our mind refreshed we find in that incident the story of another gold.

Primitivo Mijares writes: “Plaza Miranda literally exploded on the face of the nation in the evening [about 9:30 p.m.] of August 21, 1971.”

Mijares continues: “The tragic drama was earlier billed as a proclamation rally for the eight official senatorial candidates of the opposi-

tion Liberal Party for the mid-term elections of 1971…” We do not remember at all how one of the persons who was there was not a politician.

He was a treasure hunter.

According to Mijares: “Top billing was reserved however to a treasure hunter, Rogelio Roxas of Baguio City in Northern Philippines. Roxas, who claims to have discovered several gold statuettes [these got transformed into one statue in other writings] of Buddha among treasures buried by retreating Japanese soldiers in Benguet, Mountain Province, was going to speak at the Liberal Party rally. Roxas was prevailed upon by the LP leadership to air publicly his complaint on how he not only lost the gold statuettes of Buddha to Imelda and Doña Josefa [Marcos’s mother] but also became a defendant in a complaint for theft of the statuettes in the sala of Judge Pio Marcos, in the Baguio City Court

of First Instance. Pio is an uncle of the President.”

Gold is all over the place in the life of Marcos as narrated by Seagrave. One section numbered Sixteen bears the title “Yamashita’s Gold, Part Two.” Seagrave writes: “As early as 1968, Ferdinand Marcos was being called the richest man in Asia, and ten years later his personal holdings were calculated to be in excess of $5 billion, but those who made these appraisals failed to specify how he had come by such extreme wealth so quickly.”

Seagrave continues: “Whatever he had found earlier in the 1950s and 1960s, the discovery of the Gold Buddha inspired Ferdinand to renew efforts to locate the remaining Japanese loot. After declaring martial law, he could dig for Yamashita’s Gold with impunity. At first, his efforts were concentrated on Fort Bonifacio.

He believed that the Japanese had buried much of the treasure underneath MacArthur’s headquarters…In the first two years of digging, he reportedly uncovered only a single gold bar. After that, however, he must have stumbled onto what he was looking for, because by 1975 he and Ver [his General] had shown several visitors especially built subterranean vaults beneath the Bataan beach house palace filled with what the guests later described as staggering quantities of gold bullions, rows and rows of gold bars.”

“Having already recovered at least one very large cache of gold bars and, possibly others he did not mention, Ferdinand,” Seagrave states, “had

a particular question that plagued him: all gold bars had a fingerprint in their composition, which would reveal on analysis that they came from mines in certain places. How could you disguise the gold so that nobody could discover where it came from by analyzing the composition of the bullion? You had to find a way to ‘launder’ the gold.”

The gold could be recovered, but lives lost in those years could never be restored again. Perhaps, the gross realities of what had transpired under the dictatorship could have been one reason why some of us who were there at the gates of hell constructed by martial rule have difficulty remembering the period.

One chapter of Primitivo Mijares’s book carries the title Philippine ‘Gulag’: A Paralysis of Fear. This section graphically describes the torture carried out by the military against those they believe were against the government.

Mijares writes: “When the victim’s body was turned over to the family, it was clothed in L---‘s bloodied and torn skirt, while the entire torso was covered with bandages.

Her underclothing was missing and her face, especially her mouth, was scorched by muriatic acid. Her neck and throat were badly burned.

Two pin punctures were found on the arm. In an attempt to prevent an impartial autopsy, the internal organs were removed. Hypodermic needles were deliberately jabbed into the arms to make it appear as if she was a drug addict. Her eyes and mouth were wide open. These observations were made at the V. Luna Hospital.”

In the book, it is written that the torturer of this young woman said “she had committed suicide by taking muriatic acid found in the men’s room in Camp Crame.” To her father, it was reported as death from heart attack.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Strained US hospitals seek foreign nurses amid visa windfall

By Amy Taxin | The Associated Press

W

ith American hospitals facing a dire shortage of nurses amid a slogging pandemic, many are looking abroad for healthcare workers.

And it could be just in time.

There’s an unusually high number of green cards available this year for foreign professionals, including nurses, who want to move to the United States — twice as many as just a few years ago. That’s because US consulates shut down during the coronavirus pandemic weren’t issuing visas to relatives of American citizens, and, by law, these unused slots now get transferred to eligible workers.

Amy L. Erlbacher-Anderson, an immigration attorney in Omaha, Nebraska, said she has seen more demand for foreign nurses in two years than the rest of her 18-year career. And this year, she said, it’s more likely they’ll get approved to come, so long as US consular offices can process all the applications.

“We have double the number of visas we’ve had available for decades,” she said.

“That is kind of temporarily creating a very open situation.”

US hospitals are struggling with a shortage of nurses that worsened as pandemic burnout led many to retire or leave their jobs. Meanwhile, coronavirus cases continue to rise and fall, placing tremendous pressure on the health-care system. In California alone, there’s an estimated gap of 40,000 nurses, or 14 percent of the workforce, according to a recent report by the University of California, San Francisco.

Hospitals are filling the gap by hiring traveling nurses, but that can be expensive. And hospital administrators say not

Eagle Watch. . . continued from A10

We all grew up with different degrees of competitiveness and individualism, but we also spend much time cooperating for the greater good of our families, communities, or society at large. Competition may

enough nurses are graduating from US schools each year to meet the demand.

Some hospitals have long brought nurses from the Philippines, Jamaica and other English-speaking countries, and more are now following suit. And both longtime recruiters and newcomers are trying to take advantage of the green card windfall before the fiscal year ends in September.

The US typically offers at least 140,000 green cards each year to people moving to the country permanently for certain professional jobs, including nursing. Most are issued to people who are already living in the United States on temporary visas, though some go to workers overseas. This year, 280,000 of these green cards are available, and recruiters hope some of the extras can be snapped up by nurses seeking to work in pandemic-weary hospitals in the United States.

The Biden administration, which has made moves to reverse Trump-era policies restricting legal immigration, has taken some steps to try to help foreign health-care workers so they can assist with the pandemic. US Citizenship and Immigration Services said it would speed the renewal of work permits for health-care workers, which could help keep some foreign citizens already in the United States on the job. The State Department told consulates last year to prioritize applications for workers at facilities that are responding to the pandemic, an agency official said.

Faith Akinmade, a 22-year-old nurse from Nigeria, is among those hoping for a quick solution. After completing college in the US, Akinmade has been working as an ICU nurse for University of Louisville Hospital in Kentucky. But her work permit is set to expire in March. She said

she needs it renewed, or her green card approved, to stay on the job.

“At this point and time, I just feel like I have faith that at the end of March something is going to show up to continue to work,” Akinmade said. She said the issue affects many of her international colleagues as well as domestic ones, who may be pressed to take on shifts for colleagues if their immigration paperwork doesn’t come through.

Dr. Roxie Wells, president of Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital in Raeford, North Carolina, said she started trying to bring over foreign nurses before the pandemic, but it wasn’t until last year that these recruits started getting consular interviews in larger numbers. So far, about 150 were approved to come work, but Wells said they’re still waiting on another 75.

“Obviously it has become more necessary during the pandemic,” she said. “The 150, if we didn’t have them, we would be in a precarious situation.”

The surge in the Omicron variant in the United States has made the strained staffing situation even more apparent in hospitals as health-care workers, like so many others, have been sickened by the highly contagious virus and sidelined from work at a time when more patients are coming in.

Sinead Carbery, president of Nurse Staffing Solutions for AMN Healthcare, said the demand for international nurses has risen between 300% and 400% since the pandemic began. The number of nurses that can be brought into the United States even with the additional green cards won’t be enough to meet demand, and many more recruiters are now seeking to hire nurses overseas because there are immigrant visas available, she said.

“This is a window of opportunity,” she said. “Because everything is flowing so well, there’s a lot of competition for that talent.”

National Nurses United, a union representing 175,000 registered nurses, said more scrutiny should be given to international recruitment to ensure foreign nurses aren’t brought in and subjected to unsafe working conditions. The union contends hospitals drove away US nurses by keeping staffing levels so low — and this was well before concerns arose about worker safety and protections during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Michelle Mahon, the union’s assistant director of nursing practice, said many foreign nurses sign yearslong contracts with employers, which can make it hard for them to speak up about labor or patient safety concerns. She said hospitals that saw nurses quit during the pandemic are turning to an overseas workforce to replace them.

“This kind of dynamic is particularly attractive right now to employers who have not made any of the changes necessary to ensure patient and nursing safety during this Covid-19 pandemic,” Mahon said. “Instead of them addressing the actual problem, they want to go and pivot to this other really fake solution.”

Hospital administrators, however, contend there simply aren’t enough US-trained nurses to go around. Patty Jeffrey, president of the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment, said the United States should expand nursing education programs to train more nurses domestically, as well as let more nurses come in from overseas. But she acknowledged bringing in a much larger number of nurses would require legislation.

bring out the best in us, but it is cooperation in general that builds societies, brings progress, and civilizations. Cooperation is a function of how limited or expanded our definition and understanding of humanity and the world is, and how we defined and separated the like-minded us, and the others. It is founded on how we loved and are loved in return, how

we are ostracized and excluded and how we reacted in return, or how we accepted and are accepted back in return. The algorithm in social media can exacerbate this divide.

Our brains can be manipulated and programmed by political agenda of dehumanizing or making caricatures of the others to cement togetherness of like-minded us. Sadly, this

is the world we are now. The call for “Unity or Pagkakaisa” by our political candidates appeals very hollow by the way that their army of trolls is fracturing our society by neural manipulation.

Mr. Joselito T. Sescon is Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics of Ateneo de Manila University.

A12 Friday, February 4, 2022

SENATORS ADOPT RESO ENDORSING RAPS VS. CUSI OVER MALAMPAYA

S

ENATORS crossed partylines in adopting a Senate Resolution triggered by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s endorsement of a report recommending the filing of “criminal and administrative charges” against Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and 11 other ranking Department of Energy (DOE) officials over the $565-million sale to UC Malampaya of the 45-percent stake of Chevron LLC in the Malampaya gas field.

T he Gatc ha l i a n-init iated resolut ion conveyed the “sense of the Senate” to lodge the appropriate charges before the Office of the Ombudsman and Civil Service Commission (CSC) against Secretary Cusi and other DOE officials linked to the controversial transaction.

The resolution promptly followed Gatchalian’s privileged speech on Wednesday, enumerating the violations committed

by DOE officials now facing stiff sanctions.

For instance, the senator suggested that the accused DOE officials be held liable

for “gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct” in violation of the Administrative Code of 1987.

He added the offending officials also violated Section 3 (e) and 3(j) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act “in approving and recommending the approval of the Chevron Philippines-UC Malampaya transaction despite the lack of financial qualification” of UC Malampaya, as well as its noncompliance with the required documents under DC 2007, and the violation by the DOE of its own circular, Department Circular 2007-04-0003.

The Gatchalian Resolution also cited the unauthorized “mestizo” application of DOE’s financial test that allowed UC Malampaya to acquire a participating interest in Malampaya “despite flunking the financial evaluation in violation of the said circular.”

The resolution continued: “Add to this was the fact that the DOE’s financial evaluation was based on unsigned and unaudited financial statements.”

Continued on A5

PHL to import 200,000 MT of sugar to stabilize prices

T

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE Philippines plans to import 200,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar to stabilize the domestic price of the sweetener.

Of the planned import volume, 100,000 metric tons (MT) will be standard grade refined sugar and the other 100,000 MT will be bottlers’ grade refined sugar.

According to a draft order obtained by the BusinessMirror, the import program is open and voluntary to industrial users of refined sugar that are duly registered with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) as an international sugar trader in good standing.

The import program was considered after the wholesale price of raw sugar and refined sugar in the National Capital Region reached

“historic highs.”

“As an offshoot of the devastation of Ty phoon ‘Odette,’ prices of sugar started to shoot up that by January 23, 2022 the SR A Monitoring Unit reported that in the National Capital Region the wholesale price of raw sugar is P2,000/LKg (per 50-kilogram bag) and of refined sugar is P2,900/LKg, both historic highs,” the document stated.

The document further stated that prevailing retail prices, as monitored by the SRA, showed that raw sugar being sold in certain public/wet markets reached P48 per kilo while

the prevailing retail price of refined sugar is P57 to P60 per kilo.

The retail prices for both raw and refined sugar are higher than the suggested retail price.

As Typhoon Odette made landfall in the country’s sugar regions Negros, Panay, and Eastern Visayas, the document stated, the typhoon destroyed sugarcane crops and sugar stocks in warehouses.

The typhoon also damaged facilities and the equipment of sugar mills and refineries in key sugar milling districts.

This led to a lower raw sugar production for the pre-final crop estimate for crop year 2021-2022.

The document stated that raw sugar production declined to 2.072 million MT (MMT) from 2.099 MMT. Further, the sugar refineries association revised their refined sugar production forecast for Crop Year 2021-2022 to 16.748 million LKg. This was lower than the 17.572 million LKg estimated before Ty-

PHL posts highest mortality rate in 63 years—Popcom

O

VER 150,000 more Filipinos died last year compared to the whole of 2020, leading to the highest mortality rate in 63 years, according to the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom).

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed there were 768,504 deaths registered across the Philippines in the January to November period in 2021. This is already higher by 154,562 than the whole of 2020.

Popcom said this number hiked the country’s mortality rate to 6.98 per thousand in the January to November 2021 period, significantly higher than the 5.8 per thousand in 2020.

“The increasing number of deaths indicates a health system severely challenged by the pandemic and its consequences,” explained Juan A. Perez III, Undersecretary for Population and Development.

“Diseases with higher mortalities are also those causing the highest incidences of illnesses in the entire population, since respiratory diseases, hypertension and diabetes contribute to heavy caseloads of clinics and health centers nationwide. If consultations for these are delayed, exacerbations and complications happen,” he added.

This latest release, Popcom said, already showed a 25-percent increase in mortality, with still a month-anda-half worth of data to be reckoned for 2021. This also set a record in the number of Filipinos dying in a year since post-World War 2.

Perez estimated that the 2021 number of deaths already indicates the highest annual death statistic in the Philippines’s recorded medical history.

“In 2019 and 2020, the mortality rate was about the same at 5.8 per 1,000 Filipinos. By the end of 2021, I believe it reached 7.5 or 8 per 1,000— not the highest mortality rate ever in the country, but certainly the highest number of Filipinos dying in a single year,” he said.

Referencing the Department of Health’s earlier editions of Philippine Health Statistics, Popcom’s executive director disclosed that the last time the Philippines experienced the same level of mortality rates were in 1958 to 1959, where it reached between 7.3 and 8.4, but at that time “only 218,816 died.”

From a health standpoint, he enjoined concerned national and local governments agencies to increase investments in the health workforce and public-health programs dealing with increased morbidity of the leading causes of disease which require improving primary health-care systems throughout the country.

Mortalities at high numbers

also indicate the need for acute health-care services at higher levels of care, such as provincial hospitals and regional medical centers.

“The challenge to the Philippine health system is both acute and unprecedented. Local health systems would need to be augmented by additional investments in health systems capacity and its resilience to respond to acute health crises,” Perez recommended.

Pinoy killers

COVID-19, classified either as “identified” or “unidentified” by medical practitioners, was the underlying cause of death (COD) for 75,285 Filipinos—higher than the 30,140 deaths from the same cause from March to December 2020.

About 105,425 deaths, or 11.04 percent of 954,585 deaths from April 2020 to October 2021, were classified as caused by Covid-19. Death rate tagged to the disease was 95.8 per 100,000 population.

From zero deaths in March 2020, Perez said Covid-19 became the fifthleading COD that year. In the first 10 months of 2021, the PSA reported 51,514 deaths from Covid-19 “identified” and 23,771 as Covid-19 “unidentified,” for a total of 75,285.

In 2020 there were only 9,300 Covid-19 “identified,” and 20,840 Covid-19 “unidentified.” This showed an improved testing capacity for Covid-19 in 2021.

“Thus, the statistics above elevated Covid-19 as the seconddeadliest killer of Filipinos in 2021,” the Popcom chief stated. “We are expecting more numbers from November and December of last year.

We can presume that there were about 800,000 deaths or more then.”

Covid-19 was the second-leading COD to ischemic heart disease responsible for 110,332 deaths up to October 2021 from 86,164 the previous year.

Aside from both CODs, mortalities were also up for cerebrovascular disease to 58,880 from 53,082; hypertension, to 32,614 from 26,079; and diabetes mellitus, to 38,584 from 32,830.

Meanwhile, deaths caused by neoplasms declined to 48,937 from 55,700 during the January to October 2021 period. Overall, Popcom said there was increased mortality in five of the 10 leading CODs last year.

“The fact that neoplasms are down should not be a comforting thought, as hospitals are heavily burdened with Covid-19,” Perez said. “Diagnosis of all forms of cancers may also be delayed or remain undiagnosed, leading to deaths attributed to other causes.” Cai U. Ordinario

phoon Odette.

“SRA received instructions from the Department of Agriculture to temper the current level of high local sugar prices that it considers at this time a sugar import program,” the document stated.

Prior to the government’s plan to import sugar for the current crop year, the Philippines last imported sugar three years ago for crop year 2018-2019.

At that time, the government allowed the importation of 150,000 MT of raw or refined sugar. Eligible importers were allowed to import 2,500 MT to a maximum of 15,000 MT of raw or refined sugar.

Prices during that time, based on SRA monitoring teams reports, showed that prevailing raw sugar prices were at P55 per kilo retail and P1,980/LKg wholesale.

In terms of refined sugar, SRA monitoring teams noted, averaged P64 per kilo in terms of retain prices and P2,550/LKg at wholesale prices.

UniTeam cites arrest of fund drive scammers

T

HE Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) commended the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) following the arrest of two suspects tagged in the illegal solicitation of millions of pesos in campaign contributions for the UniTeam.

Retired Gen. Thompson Lantion, secretary-general of the PFP, said the police did a great job in stopping the criminals from taking advantage of the people’s support for Bongbong Marcos and Inday Sara Duterte, by seeking huge campaign contributions from the unsuspecting victims.

“We commend the leadership of PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos and PNP-CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Albert Ferro for a job well done. Umaasa kaming mahihinto na ang pagsasamantala sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang milyun-milyong mga tagasuporta ng BBM-Sara UniTeam,” Lantion said.

Ferro identified the suspects as Reynaldo Llorin, 64; and Rolly Balazon, 53, both residents of Omicron Street, RT Gonzales Village, Quezon City.

Two of their cohorts identified as Isidro Sososco, councilor of Barangay Aurelio, San Jose, Dinagat Island; and Ma. Buen Bajar Castillo, who is now running for municipal councilor of San Jose, Dinagat Island, escaped.

The police official said the suspects were leaders of the Bangon Bagong Maharlika Movement who presented themselves as allies of the BBM-Sara UniTeam, which Lantion denied.

“We have not authorized any group to solicit funds from the people.

That’s why we appeal to BBM supporters to be careful against this modus.

Don’t be scared to report this, as we assure you the authorities will catch them,” he added, speaking in Filipino.

Elements of the CIDG-National Capital Region led by Police Col. Randy Glenn Silvio caught the suspects in an entrapment following complaints from many of their victims.

It was gathered that the main targets of the suspects were independent mayoral candidates from the provinces, as well as some overseas Filipino workers and private businesses willing to support the campaign of Bongbong and Sara. They would ask big sums of money from local bets in exchange for the supposed support of Bongbong and Sara by raising their arms during the sorties in their localities.

That prospect, however, is apparently remote since the tandem has pre-scheduled activities even before embarking on rallies.

The suspects also duped OFWs and private businesses by demanding money from them to boost the campaign of the UniTeam.

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, February 4, 2022

PCC crafts circular against ‘exclusive’ internet deals

T

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

he Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is finalizing a draft memorandum circular that seeks to prevent property developers from limiting their residents’ access to a single or in-house internet service provider (ISP).

In a media briefing on Thursday, PCC Commissioner Johannes R. Bernabe said the agency is hoping to jointly issue the said circular with other regulatory agencies engaged in property development and information and communication technologies.

“So, this memorandum circular will provide for the kind of competi-

tive selection process like mechanism that would ensure that there are no exclusivity arrangements and if there are in extraordinary circumstances, that this would not be down to the disadvantage of consumers," he said.

Bernabe said the PCC has received nearly 100 complaints related to property developers limiting the entry of ISPs.

The competition watchdog has issued enforcement advisory letters to 13 developers in response, he said.

Majority or 8 of these developers have agreed to voluntarily comply with the advisory, with Bernabe saying they committed to correcting their practices which were found to be anti-competitive.

One of the recipients is in the process of "trying to comply," the PCC official said, while the remaining four "may proceed to further investigation by the enforcement office given that they don't seem to be inclined to rectify their anticompetitive behavior."

“So on both tracks, both on an enforcement track as well as on an advocacy track in terms of trying to come up with regulation or a regulatory framework to forestall the continued practice of exclusivity arrangements, the commission is actively involved in ensuring that those practices are sufficiently

regulated,” Bernabe said.

Last year, the PCC said its ISP Task Force is looking into complaints from consumers living in condominiums, subdivisions and other property developments as owners had put up exclusive internet deals.

Homeowners from Cerritos Heights subdivision in Bacoor, Cavite raised their concerns about the exclusive internet deals last year. Before this, Urban Deca Homes Manila Condominium Corp. was also in hot water for the same reason and was ordered to pay a P27.11million fine in 2019.

“The PCC understands the importance of having the power of choice for consumers and fair competition among operators in the market of ISPs, especially in light of online work, studies, and communication amid the pandemic,” the antitrust agency said in an earlier statement.

DITO sets 2022 capex at ₧50B

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

D

ITO Telecommunity Corp., the third telco franchise holder, is spending P50 billion in capital expenditures (capex) this year to further expand its network and meet its commitments to the government.

During a press briefing, DITO Chief Administrative Officer Adel Tamano said the company is, in fact, fully-funded for the rest of its commitment period as it had already secured loans and equity.

He added that Dito can also use its revenues to fund its capex.

“We’re spending more than P50 billion and that funding is already there,” he said.

The amount will be used to expand DITO’s network.

The amount will allow Dito to reach at least 70 percent of the population this year. Currently, Dito’s network is available to “64 percent to 65 percent” of the population.

“I keep saying we are very confident we can achieve the 70 percent population very early—prob-

SCPC to contest fine for outages

Photo from www.semcalacapower.ph

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

C

onsunji-led Sem-Calaca Power Corp. (SCPC) said Thursday it would contest the decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which found the former liable for breaching maximum allowable plant outage days.

“While SCPC has not received a copy of the official resolution, it intends to appeal this Decision by filing a Motion for Reconsideration with the ERC,” it said.

In the said decision, which was promulgated last January 28, SCPC was fined P337,200.00 for allegedly exceeding the number of allowed unplanned outages by 5.24 days for Unit 1; and P3,975,600.00 for allegedly exceeding the number of allowed unplanned outages by 96.2 days for Unit 2.

SCPC’s units 1 and 2 are pulverized coal power plant. The ERC has set the maximum allowable unplanned outage days for coal plants for 16.8 days.

The ERC said, “SCPC has been remiss in its obligations which eventually led to Units 1 and 2’s forced outage beyond the maximum allowable limit. In light of the foregoing, the Commission finds that SCPC committed a violation of ERC Resolution No. 10, Series of 2020.”

SCPC contends that Unit 2 failure was totally unexpected with the addition of COVID-19 making it more difficult to repair the generator thus, it should fall under force majeure.

For unit 1, SCPC argued that the boiler tube leaks and other boilerrelated damages in its unit 1 that resulted in repeated unplanned outages are considered unavoidable.

ably May or first week of June— we can already achieve the 70 percent to prepare ourselves for the conduct of the third technical audit,” Dito Chief Technology Officer Rodolfo Santiago said.

In September 2021, DITO announced that it passed the second technical audit of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The company said the independent auditor found that Dito has reached its national population coverage commitment of 51 percent, recording total coverage

of 52.75 percent during the audit period.

It also met its minimum average broadband speed commitment of 55 Mbps, with average speeds reaching 89.13 Mbps for 4G and 853.96 Mbps for 5G. The NTC announced in February 2021 that the company passed the first technical audit of its network, citing the results of the audit conducted by RG Manabat & Co. Dito ended 2021 with 6 million subscribers. This year, with its network rollout, it hopes to double its subscriber base to 12 million.

B1

Equipping Filipinos for the future

By Stephanie Joy Ching

A

study conducted by VPN provider Surfshark indicated that the Philippines ranked number 77 out of 85 countries in terms of average broadband and mobile download speeds and stability. This makes the country’s connection one of the slowest and least stable in the world.

This poses a problem as the Covid-19 pandemic has made internet connection no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Moreover, the rapid pace in which technology is developing means the Philippines might be left behind if no one takes the initiative to change.

As the fastest growing fiber internet services provider in the country, Converge has been connecting many FIlipinos to the world wide web. As such, the company is instrumental in making sure that Filipinos are able to keep up with the needs and demands of the emerging digital landscape. It is this drive that Converge introduced 10GPON, an industry first in the country.

Mainstream fiber

According to Jesus “Boboy” Romero, Converge Chief Operations Officer, GPON is the current mainstream fiber to the home technology running at up to one (1) gigabit per second. 10GPON is the next evolution of fiber broadband providing 10 times more bandwidth than the current mainstream GPON variant.

“However, Converge selected the better version of 10GPON called XGS-PON, which is symmetric. The upload and download are the same speed. This is important because many of the applications today actually require more upload than download,” he said.

In addition to it being symmetric, the technology allows Filipinos to be better equipped for the future such as the upcoming Metaverse and also address “current technology limitations” such as slow upload times.

“We send a lot of data to the cloud, we also back up a lot of data to the cloud. To do that, you need to have a lot of bandwidth going out to do the data transfer faster.

Since it’s ten times faster, you don’t have to wait too long and you can start working again,” he said.

“In other countries, virtual reality is becoming more popular. Soon, there will be versions of Zoom and Google Meet that are VR based. You’re talking of a lot of bandwidth-20 to 30 megabits per user. Whether to play or you are developing software for the Metaverse, you need this kind of technology.

Hopefully, this puts us on the map with world class telecom and internet infrastructure,” he added.

Converge Chief Operations Officer Jesus “Boboy” Romero

Empower businesses

Moreover, the new technology can empower small and medium businesses by allowing them easier access to cloudbased technology. Called a “great equalizer in terms of automation”, it allows businesses of any size to be on the same level as bigger corporations in terms of digital transformation. It also has the potential to be a “game changer” for industries that use a lot of data.

“There are certain industries that could hopefully be addressed better, like video editing. When you create videos, there is a lot of back and forth. You have to send the video to the customer to review, then send it back. Another one is engineering design. We have good engineers and architects here, and then we have customers abroad. They work on very big files, like CAD files. So imagine if you are able to more efficiently send, receive and collaborate on data, then it could provide more opportunities for our country men,” said Romero.

Another problem the Philippines faces in terms of internet connections is weather based interruptions. As the country moves through the new normal, this poses a problem of daily life being forced into a halt due to bad connections. Fortunately, 10GPON, being a passive connection, is immune to rain.

“There are no electronic parts that could get rusted or shortened. Fiber technology is more immune to rain and moisture and electrical interference. So that is why, for example, if you compare the incident rate, yes there are customers who have problems, but if you compare the users on fiber versus the users on the old copper- the DSL, the rate is much, much lower,” Romero added.

10GPON is currently being rolled out, with the PSE Tektite Towers being the first to receive it last December. As of date, Converge has been working on rolling out in other buildings and hopes to make the technology more readily available.

“The overarching theme is that we want the Philippines to be a globally competitive country when it comes to services that Filipinos can offer,” he ended.

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, February 4, 2022

‘SSS weighing participation in Philex stock rights offer’

S

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

tate-owned pension fund Social Security System is still evaluating if it will increase its shareholdings in Philex Mining Corp., which will conduct its P3.15-billion stock rights offering (SRO) starting at the end of February.

Philex Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said SSS is still “evaluating” its options if it will take in more shares through the rights offer of Philex, which is meant to shore up additional cash to jumpstart the operation of its Silangan project in Surigao del Norte.

Stock rights offering gives current shareholders the right to buy shares based on its current shareholdings.

Philex Mining’s stock rights offer covers up to 842 million common shares. The actual number of common shares to be issued will depend on the final offer price.

“We can't speak for them (SSS) but they certainly know about their share of possible rights. And I think that maybe we could say where they are being at this point... they're evaluating. That's a fair description of what

they're doing. So no commitment yet from SSS,” he said.

SSS owns about 20 percent of Philex.

Its other majority owner, Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd. has agreed to take up its portion of the rights offer.

Pangilinan is also the managing director and CEO of First Pacific of the Salim family.

“You know, I think we should cross the bridge when we get to it; we should give the space that SSS needs to evaluate their position,” Pangilinan said when asked if First Pacific will pick up the slack if the pension fund decides not to take up its share of the SRO. Philex expects to produce the first gold out of its Silangan project in Surigao del Norte by January 2025 as its proceeds with the development of its Boyongan ore deposit up until 2024.

The company's stock rights offer covers up to 842 million common shares. The actual number of com-

mon shares to be issued will depend on the final offer price.

Philex Mining will offer the shares to eligible shareholders for a maximum offer price of P4.81 per share. Its shares closed Thursday at P5.27 apiece.

Phase one of development will require an initial investment of $224 million, or about P11.2 billion and an additional investment.

Some P3 billion will come from internally generated funds, P3.1 billion from the SRO while some P6 billion will come from long-term debt being arranged by BDO Capital and Investment Corp.

The said funds will be spent within 2.5 years of the development that is set to start in the second quarter of this year. The bulk of the spending will be done in 2023 and 2024.

Philex expects that as the mine site approaches to the operational stage, it will attract foreign investors to fast track the development of the mine.

Telco firm allots ₧3B for capex

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

E

astern Communications is spending P3 billion in capital expenditures this year to develop telecommunications infrastructure in the countryside, mirroring its initiatives in 2021.

Specifically, Eastern plans to expand its presence in Legazpi City, Sorsogon City, Naga City, Bacolod City, Dumaguete City, Kalibo, Boracay, Zamboanga, Butuan, and Bohol.

“As a communications and technology solutions partner, it is our ultimate goal to rally companies in different parts of the country to leverage technology, to be better, and to emerge in this pivotal year," said Eastern Communications Co-Coordinator Vince Tempongko.

“This expansion will enable more businesses outside Metro Manila to accelerate their productivity, enhance their capabilities, and eventually provide more opportunities in their communities.”

In 2021, Eastern Communications was also able to complete the roll out of their services in areas such as Tuguegarao, Batangas, Lucena, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Davao City, to augment its existing coverage areas in Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Baguio and Cebu.

By expanding its reach, Eastern would be able to help provide customers with various connectivity and digital solutions including Internet Direct Service for high-speed internet, Eastern Cyber Defense for premium cybersecurity and

Eastern Cloud for work efficiency.

Aside from this, Eastern Communications Co-Coordinator Aileen Regio said the expansion to the countryside directly helps in the decongestion efforts in Metro Manila.

“Over the years, Eastern Communications has always been dedicated to improving our services and growing our footprint, so we are definitely looking forward to equip enterprise businesses as well as SMEs in regional areas with high-quality solutions that fit their needs,” she said.

LRWC unit secures license for OTB P

ublicly-listed Leisure and Resorts World Corp. (LRWC) said it secured a license from government regulators for its online traditional bingo (OTB).

The BingoPlus OTB will be operated by LRWC subsidiary, AB Leisure Exponent Inc. It claims to be the first online traditional bingo licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) This innovative game transforms the way traditional bingo is played by combining the excitement of the old and the convenience of new technology, the company said.

“One of the company’s major strategies is to strengthen online platforms to provide more and better playing opportunities to customers during the pandemic and beyond,” said Andy Tsui, LRWC's newly appointed president.

“OTB is a great way to enjoy bingo from the comfort of one’s home without having to miss out on social interaction and have the chance to win huge prizes.” The company made a soft launch of the OTB, which offers promotional activities, bonuses and jackpot amounting to over P2 million.

“In line with LRWC’s key strategy to expand its reach via online platforms, the OTB is expected to be one of the main revenue streams for the company in the future,” the company said.

Bingo players are expected to sign up as the game can be accessed online via streaming and can also be played on-site initially in 18 Bingo Bonanza Traditional Bingo Halls in Metro Manila and other provincial areas. The company also plans to expand the on-site offering of the OTB in other traditional bingo sites nationwide. VG Cabuag

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

February 3, 2022

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

44 138.9 99.75 25.4 6.89 9.35 59.4 8.62 17.74 20.85 56 20.7 111.2 106.9 1.86 3.99 0.68 2.78 0.79 990 0.66 209 2,800 0.79

44.5 139 99.9 25.45 8.29 9.36 59.6 8.8 18.46 20.9 57.7 20.95 111.4 107 1.9 4.03 0.69 2.99 0.84 1,000 0.7 210 2,810 0.8

44 139.6 100.1 25.5 6.81 9.43 59.75 8.83 18.46 20.8 57.7 20.95 110.5 103.6 1.9 4.05 0.62 2.81 0.78 990 0.65 210 2,800 0.8

45 139.8 100.5 25.6 6.81 9.45 59.9 8.83 18.46 20.95 57.7 21.1 112.2 107 1.9 4.05 0.68 2.81 0.83 990 0.7 210 2,810 0.8

44 137.2 98.6 25.4 6.81 9.26 59.35 8.8 18.46 20.6 57.7 20.95 110.5 103.6 1.86 3.99 0.62 2.78 0.78 990 0.65 209 2,800 0.79

45 139 99.75 25.45 6.81 9.36 59.4 8.8 18.46 20.9 57.7 20.95 111.4 106.9 1.9 3.99 0.68 2.78 0.83 990 0.7 209 2,810 0.8

1,800 4,765,240 2,619,540 132,000 400 1,669,700 2,487,290 84,600 700 104,100 290 96,800 2,333,180 220,030 55,000 237,000 123,000 32,000 18,000 30 30,000 230 125 167,000

80,195 663,880,656 260,776,656.50 3,362,755 2,724 15,551,935 148,121,197 745,136 12,922 2,168,865 16,733 2,029,210 260,057,183 23,380,850 104,380 952,130 83,460 89,510 14,340 29,700 19,550 48,230 350,200 132,570

INDUSTRIAL

AC ENERGY 9.5 9.51 9.5 9.53 9.5 9.5 15,393,400 146,298,272 ALSONS CONS 1.02 1.04 1.02 1.04 1.01 1.04 68,000 69,170 34.15 34.2 34.55 34.75 34.2 34.2 1,689,200 58,033,675 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.52 0.53 0.52 0.53 0.51 0.52 5,720,000 2,983,060 27.75 27.95 27.95 28.35 27.75 27.75 1,179,000 32,847,120 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 69.95 70.55 70 70 69.95 69.95 15,350 1,073,846.50 334 336.8 330.8 337.2 330 336.8 226,980 76,117,098 MERALCO 25.2 25.4 25.5 25.5 25.05 25.4 521,900 13,241,350 MANILA WATER PETRON 3.32 3.33 3.3 3.33 3.3 3.32 568,000 1,881,780 4.16 4.31 4.3 4.35 4.16 4.16 54,000 231,310 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 10.02 10.78 10.6 10.78 10.6 10.78 5,000 53,280 12.8 12.82 12.8 12.84 12.8 12.8 1,795,500 23,007,134 SYNERGY GRID PILIPINAS SHELL 18.94 19 19.16 19.16 19 19 466,500 8,880,346 14.14 14.32 14.36 14.36 14.04 14.32 142,300 2,029,618 SPC POWER SOLAR PH 2.2 2.21 2.32 2.34 2.21 2.21 157,817,000 358,297,170 AGRINURTURE 4.85 4.88 4.9 4.92 4.89 4.89 129,000 634,460 2.82 2.86 2.86 2.86 2.83 2.86 193,000 550,640 AXELUM BOGO MEDELLIN 68.8 69 54 68.8 54 68.8 20 1,228 27.5 27.55 27.5 27.75 27.3 27.55 539,700 14,887,805 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 15.16 15.2 15.3 15.38 15.1 15.1 53,200 808,574 DNL INDUS 8.38 8.5 8.69 8.69 8.31 8.38 3,495,500 29,414,783 23.95 24 24.25 25.05 23.8 24 4,139,100 100,392,275 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 68.25 69 69 69.4 68 69 270,000 18,514,397 0.9 0.91 0.92 0.96 0.88 0.91 296,721,000 273,193,180 FIGARO COFFEE ALLIANCE SELECT 0.59 0.61 0.59 0.59 0.59 0.59 28,000 16,520 1.22 1.24 1.24 1.24 1.21 1.24 2,415,000 2,959,150 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 113.8 114 114.5 115.8 114 114 18,290 2,094,041 JOLLIBEE 235 237 244.4 244.4 235 235 299,260 71,139,238 1.47 1.48 1.53 1.53 1.47 1.48 16,402,000 24,397,110 KEEPERS HLDG LIBERTY FLOUR 26.35 27.95 26.25 26.25 26.25 26.25 200 5,250 6.6 6.65 6.6 6.71 6.56 6.65 63,900 425,828 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.138 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.139 0.14 500,000 69,850 15.98 16 16.54 16.54 16 16 18,174,100 293,346,550 MONDE NISSIN 9.67 9.68 9.7 9.72 9.65 9.68 88,100 853,606 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.66 0.64 0.66 1,633,000 1,054,260 4.47 4.5 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.5 704,000 3,168,850 RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG 1 1.08 1 1 1 1 3,000 3,000 0.105 0.107 0.107 0.108 0.107 0.107 2,400,000 256,920 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 125.9 126 126.9 126.9 126 126 1,417,430 178,784,234 0.65 0.66 0.64 0.69 0.63 0.66 2,462,000 1,597,770 VITARICH 2.42 2.5 2.45 2.45 2.45 2.45 6,000 14,700 VICTORIAS CEMEX HLDG 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.06 1.07 742,000 797,600 14.1 14.14 14.06 14.14 14.04 14.14 688,000 9,721,128 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 6.3 6.34 6.3 6.34 6.3 6.34 1,500 9,454 5.85 5.86 5.87 5.89 5.85 5.85 206,200 1,208,076 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 4.79 4.8 4.84 4.92 4.78 4.8 2,078,000 10,011,500 20.8 21 21 21 20.8 20.8 58,200 1,211,980 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.77 0.8 0.77 0.77 0.77 0.77 32,000 24,640 VULCAN INDL 0.82 0.83 0.85 0.86 0.82 0.82 664,000 551,750 1.7 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.73 39,000 67,470 CROWN ASIA EUROMED 1.38 1.41 1.42 1.42 1.36 1.42 17,000 23,960 4.35 4.48 4.35 4.48 4.35 4.48 10,000 44,120 MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP 5.71 5.78 5.7 5.78 5.7 5.78 63,800 367,810 CONCEPCION 20.65 21 20.65 20.65 20.65 20.65 100 2,065 1.9 1.93 1.93 1.95 1.9 1.93 2,673,000 5,147,360 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 10.52 10.54 10.62 10.7 10.48 10.52 858,000 9,087,246 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 54,000 38,880 IONICS PANASONIC 6 6.08 6 6.08 6 6.08 4,000 24,304 3.94 3.95 3.87 3.97 3.87 3.94 555,000 2,179,590 CIRTEK HLDG

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER ZEUS HLDG

0.89 5.3 870 60 12.66 7.8 0.89 0.9 0.88 5.22 8.38 7.13 2.39 0.26 569 3.71 60.5 6.4 0.59 2.92 9.8 3.84 2.79 1.13 1.08 949 109.8 122 0.17

0.9 5.79 877 61.1 12.88 8 0.91 0.91 0.9 5.23 8.39 7.38 2.67 0.28 570 3.8 61.5 6.7 0.61 3.13 9.85 3.86 2.99 1.15 1.13 951 110 123.9 0.174

0.89 5.3 878 62.5 12.92 8 0.88 0.84 0.84 5.25 8.5 7.15 2.36 0.26 585.5 3.71 61.5 6.4 0.59 3.17 10 3.91 2.8 1.15 1.15 965 110.2 123.1 0.174

0.9 5.3 882.5 63 13.06 8 0.9 0.92 0.91 5.25 8.54 7.38 2.36 0.26 586.5 3.71 62 6.4 0.62 3.17 10.04 3.91 2.81 1.15 1.15 965 111 124 0.174

0.89 5.3 865.5 60 12.66 8 0.88 0.83 0.84 5.22 8.3 7.11 2.36 0.26 568 3.71 59.85 6.4 0.59 2.92 9.8 3.83 2.79 1.13 1.13 949 109.7 122 0.169

0.9 5.3 870 60 12.66 8 0.9 0.91 0.91 5.23 8.39 7.38 2.36 0.26 570 3.71 61.5 6.4 0.59 2.92 9.8 3.86 2.81 1.13 1.13 949 110 122 0.17

1,179,000 2,800 261,680 997,710 1,361,700 46,500 37,000 96,701,000 43,587,000 1,704,800 3,509,900 52,700 2,000 40,000 120,670 3,000 1,103,980 30,000 123,000 224,000 4,246,900 14,563,000 56,000 6,000 73,000 214,530 171,020 440 1,230,000

1,054,170 14,840 228,164,735 60,511,308 17,416,028 372,000 32,960 86,033,630 38,690,650 8,915,750 29,633,567 375,612 4,720 10,400 69,456,260 11,130 67,691,614.50 192,000 74,920 656,520 41,927,561 56,179,140 156,660 6,800 83,930 204,216,225 18,816,999 53,955 209,170

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.61 57,000 34,800 ANCHOR LAND 5.75 7.45 6.02 6.02 5.75 5.75 4,500 26,379 36.6 36.65 37 37 36.6 36.65 7,842,700 288,907,930 AYALA LAND AYALA LAND LOG 5.77 5.78 5.88 5.92 5.72 5.78 2,338,800 13,568,728 0.96 0.99 1 1 0.95 0.95 100,000 97,550 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 50.9 51 51.2 51.8 50.85 51 732,840 37,323,044 0.75 0.77 0.76 0.78 0.76 0.76 333,000 254,550 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.74 0.77 0.74 0.77 0.74 0.77 209,000 158,450 CROWN EQUITIES 0.101 0.104 0.101 0.104 0.101 0.104 20,000 2,050 2.94 2.95 2.91 2.99 2.9 2.94 1,527,000 4,508,500 CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP 0.405 0.415 0.405 0.415 0.4 0.415 1,530,000 624,500 7.43 7.45 7.13 7.49 7.1 7.43 1,837,100 13,397,211 DOUBLEDRAGON DDMP RT 1.78 1.79 1.78 1.79 1.78 1.78 4,046,000 7,206,510 6.65 6.71 6.58 6.6 6.58 6.6 19,400 128,036 DM WENCESLAO EVER GOTESCO 0.315 0.32 0.325 0.34 0.32 0.32 11,580,000 3,735,050 FILINVEST RT 7.5 7.51 7.52 7.6 7.5 7.5 5,743,600 43,160,062 1.08 1.09 1.08 1.1 1.08 1.09 12,440,000 13,527,810 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 20,000 19,000 11.58 11.6 10.88 11.58 10.8 11.58 903,400 9,993,952 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 1.06 1.09 1.05 1.11 1.05 1.06 612,000 651,130 CITY AND LAND 0.86 0.89 0.87 0.95 0.86 0.9 456,000 416,830 3.18 3.19 3.21 3.23 3.17 3.19 11,755,000 37,606,790 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED 0.25 0.255 0.255 0.26 0.25 0.255 1,590,000 406,200 21.95 22 22 22.45 21.95 22 2,849,500 62,819,160 MREIT RT OMICO CORP 0.35 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 200,000 72,000 0.47 0.475 0.475 0.48 0.47 0.475 770,000 363,850 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 2.14 2.15 2.06 2.15 2.03 2.14 1,327,000 2,813,980 RL COMM RT 8.17 8.2 8.1 8.21 8.1 8.2 3,741,300 30,522,264 18.92 19.1 19.2 19.2 18.7 19.1 3,361,800 63,906,144 ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL 1.47 1.5 1.47 1.47 1.46 1.46 42,000 61,640 2.6 2.61 2.55 2.6 2.55 2.6 76,000 196,540 SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG 35.3 35.95 36 36.4 35.3 35.3 5,302,300 190,163,855 0.58 0.61 0.57 0.58 0.57 0.58 6,000 3,440 SOC RESOURCES VISTAMALLS 3.55 3.6 3.61 3.61 3.6 3.6 65,000 234,050 SUNTRUST HOME 1.06 1.09 1.1 1.1 1.09 1.09 16,000 17,450 3.5 3.51 3.51 3.52 3.5 3.5 401,000 1,407,850 VISTA LAND

SERVICES ABS CBN 12.56 12.58 12.42 12.66 12.42 12.58 188,900 2,371,666 GMA NETWORK 15.1 15.12 15.16 15.22 15 15.1 1,565,600 23,678,122 9.02 10.06 10.1 10.1 10.06 10.06 1,500 15,130 MLA BRDCASTING GLOBE TELECOM 3,112 3,130 3,180 3,210 3,112 3,112 96,965 306,985,350 1,870 1,874 1,860 1,870 1,843 1,870 67,495 125,898,545 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.064 0.065 0.069 0.07 0.065 0.065 604,280,000 40,041,910 29.6 29.85 30.6 30.85 29.6 29.6 9,800,000 294,796,515 CONVERGE 2.29 2.3 2.33 2.38 2.27 2.3 428,000 983,500 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 4.95 4.96 5.07 5.18 4.9 4.95 14,044,200 70,244,389 1.63 1.7 1.65 1.65 1.65 1.65 3,000 4,950 JACKSTONES NOW CORP 1.28 1.3 1.32 1.32 1.27 1.28 551,000 709,270 0.4 0.405 0.37 0.41 0.37 0.4 41,430,000 16,230,150 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2GO GROUP 7.4 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.4 7.5 500 3,740 13.5 14 13.92 14 13.5 14 16,800 232,630 ASIAN TERMINALS 1.6 1.62 1.62 1.62 1.6 1.6 612,000 980,580 CHELSEA CEBU AIR 46.1 46.15 46.5 47 46 46.15 131,800 6,105,930 203 203.4 200.4 203 199.6 203 833,030 167,990,951 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 23 24.65 23.85 23.85 23 23.75 1,400 32,885 5.7 5.72 5.75 5.87 5.56 5.7 1,654,300 9,527,922 MACROASIA METROALLIANCE A 1.07 1.1 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 23,000 24,610 HARBOR STAR 0.83 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.82 0.82 82,000 68,850 1.51 1.58 1.57 1.58 1.57 1.58 20,000 31,500 ACESITE HOTEL DISCOVERY WORLD 1.78 1.79 1.79 1.8 1.78 1.78 47,000 84,140 0.465 0.48 0.465 0.465 0.465 0.465 460,000 213,900 WATERFRONT FAR EASTERN U 535 549.5 535 535 535 535 50 26,750 6.83 7.17 6.83 7.29 6.83 7.18 15,400 107,605 IPEOPLE STI HLDG 0.335 0.345 0.345 0.345 0.345 0.345 90,000 31,050 BELLE CORP 1.33 1.34 1.32 1.33 1.32 1.33 179,000 237,880 6.1 6.19 6.42 6.49 6.1 6.1 3,500,900 21,975,079 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 1.77 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1,000 1,800 1.52 1.54 1.56 1.6 1.53 1.53 1,512,000 2,363,710 LEISURE AND RES MJC INVESTMENTS 1.15 1.2 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1,000 1,150 0.71 0.72 0.7 0.73 0.69 0.72 1,345,000 955,990 PH RESORTS GRP 0.445 0.45 0.45 0.455 0.45 0.455 1,510,000 683,150 PREMIUM LEISURE PHILWEB 1.95 1.96 1.98 1.98 1.91 1.96 47,000 90,840 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.59 17,602,000 10,234,460 ALLDAY ALLHOME 8.56 8.57 8.57 8.75 8.57 8.57 1,021,300 8,755,953 1.38 1.39 1.38 1.39 1.38 1.39 283,000 390,560 METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 36.75 36.85 37.3 37.35 36.75 36.75 1,347,400 49,642,205 57.4 57.5 57.3 57.95 57.3 57.5 359,470 20,727,138.50 ROBINSONS RTL 1.11 1.12 1.1 1.13 1.09 1.11 3,601,000 4,004,560 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 29.35 29.7 29.5 30.1 29.1 29.5 3,356,800 99,190,605 3.98 4.35 3.98 3.98 3.98 3.98 11,000 43,780 EASYCALL IPM HLDG 6.7 7 6.8 7 6.8 7 2,100 14,300 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.03 1 1.02 2,142,000 2,169,670 MEDILINES PRMIERE HORIZON 0.52 0.54 0.54 0.55 0.52 0.54 4,406,000 2,330,340 4.15 4.2 3.85 4.2 3.85 4.2 94,000 384,840 SBS PHIL CORP

MINING & OIL ATOK 5.68 5.95 6.09 6.09 5.84 5.84 130,900 768,463 1.61 1.63 1.73 1.74 1.6 1.61 8,644,000 14,171,520 APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 6.12 6.14 6.06 6.15 6.06 6.14 194,500 1,190,780 5.07 5.11 5.07 5.07 5.07 5.07 22,000 111,540 BENGUET A BENGUET B 4.79 4.94 4.85 4.85 4.74 4.74 7,000 33,400 2.68 2.72 2.6 2.72 2.6 2.72 22,000 59,580 CENTURY PEAK 2.25 2.26 2.22 2.26 2.22 2.26 2,605,000 5,838,670 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.19 0.207 0.19 0.208 0.19 0.19 190,000 37,360 0.137 0.139 0.138 0.139 0.137 0.139 2,560,000 354,420 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.135 0.141 0.136 0.136 0.135 0.135 230,000 31,150 0.0095 0.0097 0.0095 0.0095 0.0095 0.0095 14,000,000 133,000 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.0095 0.0099 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 1,000,000 9,600 1.43 1.46 1.46 1.51 1.43 1.46 556,000 812,930 MARCVENTURES NIHAO 0.94 0.98 0.95 0.99 0.93 0.98 65,000 61,310 NICKEL ASIA 5.98 5.99 6 6.03 5.95 5.99 13,085,800 78,407,819 0.82 0.83 0.83 0.84 0.83 0.83 204,000 169,630 ORNTL PENINSULA PX MINING 5.25 5.28 5.34 5.34 5.22 5.27 184,700 972,456 24.7 24.75 25.35 25.7 24.7 24.75 1,410,000 35,184,020 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0071 0.0072 0.0068 0.0071 0.0068 0.0071 9,000,000 62,400 ACE ENEXOR 35.1 35.5 33 35.5 33 35.5 1,834,900 62,677,095 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 58,400,000 712,400 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 600,000 7,200 0.0091 0.0092 0.0092 0.0092 0.0091 0.0091 2,000,000 18,300 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 5.9 5.98 6 6 5.7 5.98 259,600 1,496,724

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 100.8 101.2 101.1 101.2 101.1 101.1 70 7,082 ALCO PREF D 512.5 524 512 512 512 512 10 5,120 511 513 513 513 513 513 1,030 528,390 AC PREF B2R BRN PREF A 103.7 104.8 104.1 104.8 103.5 103.7 46,950 4,899,795 45.15 45.4 45.65 45.65 45 45.15 45,700 2,060,560 CEB PREF CPG PREF A 101 102 101.5 102 101 102 1,630 165,360 100.1 100.4 100.2 100.4 100.1 100.1 4,700 471,360 DD PREF GTCAP PREF A 1,000 1,032 1,010 1,010 999 999 3,200 3,210,465 GTCAP PREF B 1,014 1,043 1,043 1,043 1,043 1,043 10 10,430 1,000 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 1,010 40 40,400 JFC PREF A JFC PREF B 1,001 1,006 1,006 1,006 1,001 1,001 1,070 1,071,470 99.05 100.5 99 99.5 99 99.05 7,530 745,781.50 MWIDE PREF 2B MWIDE PREF 4 100 100.4 100.1 100.1 100 100 6,690 669,050 995 996 995 996 990.5 996 7,640 7,601,905 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3A 1,043 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,060 10 10,600 PCOR PREF 3B 1,069 1,097 1,065 1,099 1,065 1,099 510 543,490 79.6 79.7 79.6 79.6 79.6 79.6 3,500 278,600 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H 75.8 76.5 75.8 75.8 75.8 75.8 1,900 144,020 79.4 79.6 79.3 79.4 79.3 79.4 37,760 2,998,143 SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2J 76.6 77 77 77 77 77 510 39,270 SMC PREF 2K 76 76.05 76.05 76.05 76 76 1,300 98,810 51 52 51 51 51 51 1,000 51,000 TECH PREF B2C TECH PREF B2D 53 53.65 53.1 53.65 53.1 53.65 7,900 419,985

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 11.6 11.9 11.78 11.9 11.78 11.9 31,000 365,900 GMA HLDG PDR 14.28 14.4 14.22 14.3 14.22 14.28 86,000 1,227,596

WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.92 0.94 0.92 0.95 0.91 0.94 531,000 492,050

192,010,622 36,070,982.50 -891,750 -13,829,892 -3,923,718 -10,335 -37,429,158 2,584,206 -402,440 29,700 294,000 17,600 51,393,423 14,909,420.00 300 -9,079,410 -32,881 27,499,890 -7,830,740 -23,110 -1,788,398 -2,116,736 -2,297,150 570,840 -5,184,710 559,085 -32,312,550 -7,502,129 2,929,110 1,099,778 -26,703,182 216,990 -15,258,160 -602,529.00 -947,800 -1,467,000 -139,559,636 -820,700 -13,820 5,574,192 -5,667,760 67,470 2,356,410 4,961,934 3,960 1,643,025 -2,338,923 -1,101,986 -24,081,780 49,485 -369,822.00 17,136 -25,473,095 -8,389,048 -628,040 -9,009,253 -36,400,060 98,357,510 389,131 23,250 30,600 8,540 -11,371,380 -280,401 -46,550 8,397,242 -1,520 139,230 -44,250 -1,511,574 40,990 32,000 9,020 -8,611,490 -7,570 -1,878,230 -33,509,600 -1,180,150 -1,137,948 22,924,002 10,220 42,492,785.00 -70,040 73,022,410 22,803,110 1,020,930 -69,956,360 -546,350 5,080,537 66,040 3,879,950 50,200 452,615 -1,024,315 -494,406 -971,712 109,690 21,300 -67,800 125,280 765,104.00 -16,283,150 3,479,716 -873,340 32,157,920 220,380 253,490 -33,400 56,980 981,760 -3,800 33,140,012 85,778 -507,960 -2,184,545 -9,100 -1,141,400 -609,095 18,270 188,290 -50,050 -10,600 92,000

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP HAUS TALK ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE MERRYMART XURPAS

17.84 1.29 1.03 2.82 2.21 1.74 0.44

17.9 1.3 1.05 2.9 2.4 1.75 0.445

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

112

112.3

17.92 1.2 1.06 2.82 2.4 1.78 0.445

17.92 1.32 1.08 2.89 2.4 1.8 0.455

17.84 1.2 1.04 2.82 2.4 1.69 0.44

17.84 1.3 1.04 2.83 2.4 1.75 0.445

5,800 16,555,000 339,000 38,000 4,000 6,778,000 1,190,000

103,792 20,878,100 360,220 109,210 9,600 11,792,040 531,650

53,700 -197,580 -1,731,690 -

114 114 112.3 112.3 28,020 3,170,950 -227,780

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BankCom AUM grows 63% in ’21 to ₧63B

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ANK of Commerce (BankCom) reported on Thursday a 63-percent growth in its assets under management (AUM) to P63 billion in 2021.

BankCom, an affiliate of San Miguel Corp. (SMC), attributed this to the performance of its Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) and Investment Management Accounts (IMA), as clients sought more conservative products to better cover for future contingencies similar to the pandemic.

“Our efforts to align our investment products with our customers’ needs, enabling them to maximize their revenue potential as we ensure the success of our portfolio, were key factors to our strong performance,” BankCom President Michelangelo R. Aguilar said.

Meanwhile, BankCom’s Other Fiduciary Activities (OFA) business for corporate clients looking to tap the investing public for capital, saw a 49 percent rise in 2021.

“We have seen the many impacts of the pandemic on our economy, on businesses, and our everyday lives. We need to continue finding ways to help more people become resilient and make smarter financial decisions,” SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said.

“Banking and financial services are also an important area of focus for us, that is why we’re leaning more heavily on Bank of Commerce to provide smart financial solutions, whether for ordinary Filipinos or larger corporate clients,” Ang added.

Aguilar said the bank believes Filipino investors will remain cautious in 2022 and prefer government securities and instruments issued by credit-worthy companies with strong and consistent cash flows.

“Attuned to the current risk appetite of our clients, we will continue to grow our AUM by providing them with quality short- or long-term investment opportunities through products and services catering to their financial goals,” Aguilar said.

Recently, the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas granted the upgrade of status of Bank of Commerce from commercial bank to universal bank, subject to certain regulatory requirements. Bianca Cuaresma

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

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DOF, BSP differ over Co-op banking

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By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

HE Department of Finance and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) took opposing positions on the legislation of the Cooperative Banking Act, with the DOF citing redundancy in some of the proposed incentives.

In a Senate Hearing on Wednesday, DOF Director Arvin Lawrence N. Quiñones said the finance depart-

ment doesn’t support the bill as there are already current laws in place to meet the bill’s objectives.

“First, the proposed tax exemptions from all national, city, provincial, municipal or barangay taxes, fees and charges is a reiteration of the exemptions provided in the Philippine cooperative code,” Quiñones said.

“Second, the BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue] and the CDA [Credit Development Authority] joint rules and regulations already clarify that duly registered cooperatives dealing or transacting businesses with members are exempt from paying taxes under the tax code, as amended, which includes taxes on income, value added tax, percentage tax, loaners tax, excise taxes and the other fees and charges,” the DOF

Director added.

The BSP, however, expressed support for the bill.

In the same hearing, BSP Managing Director Ma. Belinda G. Caraan said the BSP supports the passage of legislative measures for cooperative banks as a “practical vehicle towards the attainment of economic development and social justice.”

“The BSP also recognized the important role played by cooperative banks in the delivery of basic financial services to the public and to its member cooperatives and individual members,” Caraan said.

“In addition, since cooperative banks are imbued with public inter-

est, there is a need to strengthen the regulatory and supervisory powers of the BSP over these cooperative institutions,” the BSP managing director added.

In the first six months of 2021, cooperative banking resources reached P23.9 billion, which accounts for 0.12 percent of the Philippine banking system’s total assets of P19.8 trillion.

The sector’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR), meanwhile, stood at 19.7 percent, higher than the required minimum of 10 percent.

As of end-Sept 2021, there are 24 cooperative banks in the country with a network of 145 branches and other offices.

Pool of negative-yielding debt is now the least in three years

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HE world’s well of debt with yields below zero has shrunk to the lowest in more than three years as the prospect of imminent interest-rate hikes drives a selloff in bonds.

The amount of negative-yielding securities has fallen to $7.67 trillion, according to a Bloomberg index, the least since 2018. It has slumped almost 60 percent since a late-2020 peak as central banks took the first steps toward reducing the extraordinary stimulus that propped up bond markets and sent yields diving during the pandemic.

While the price correction has imposed painful losses on fixed-income assets so far this year, more positive yields should also come as a relief to investors who have been forced to take on ever more risk in pursuit of boosting returns. Some portfolio managers, including central banks, can only buy positive-yielding securities.

“A slide to zero may still be far away, but with the big central banks moving towards a different policy setup, there should be plenty more potential for it to fall,” said Jan von Gerich, chief strategist at Nordea Bank Abp. The trend of sub-zero yields has been most prevalent in Europe, home to more than half of the world’s negative-yielding debt. But that pile has roughly halved since September as persistently

high inflation fans bets of a first interest-rate increase by the European Central Bank this year. The ECB, along with the Bank of England, will deliver rate decisions on Thursday.

While yields fell as investors flocked to havens following disappointing earnings from technology bellwethers, a sea change is afoot in bond markets.

German 10-year government borrowing costs climbed above 0 percent for the first time in three years last week. While many shorter-maturity yields across the region are still negative, Irish and French five-year rates turned positive this week and Portugal’s look set to follow.

Yields have risen even in Japan amid speculation the central bank will rethink its monetary easing. Although Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has repeatedly quashed such views, two-year overnightindexed swaps breached zero for the first time since the Bank of Japan adopted its negative-rate policy in 2016. The benchmark 10-year yield has also climbed toward the upper end of the central bank’s desired trading band.

Still, the surge in inflation has meant the real yield available to investors remains deep in negative territory in many parts of the world. The inflation-adjusted 10-year Treasury yield is around minus 0.7 percent while its German equivalent is about minus 1.9 percent. Bloomberg News

This photo shows the Old Bank of England at 194 Fleet Street, the City of London. A signal from the Bank of England and European Central Bank of interest-rate has impacted negative-yielding securities. Bloomberg News

Metals pause rally as dollar firms amid stocks slump

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OLD and copper edged lower after a three-day advance as the dollar climbed on poor risk sentiment driven by weak corporate earnings.

European shares and US equity futures declined on Thursday amid the souring mood in the stock market. The greenback snapped three days of declines as investors sought a haven, putting pressure on gold.

US businesses’ payrolls fell last month by the most since the early days of the pandemic, due to the spread of the omicron coronavirus variant, according to ADP Research Institute data. That release came ahead of Friday’s employment report from the Labor

Department which will be eyed by traders to gauge the pace of wage inflation.

“The bar is very high for a data miss to derail the Fed’s hiking plans, given its commitment to inflation,” Nicky Shiels, head of metals strategy at MKS PAMP SA, wrote in a note. “Gold needs both softer jobs and weaker inflation prints in order for global central banks to step off the pedal.”

Bullion is holding above $1,800 an ounce as traders price in the prospects of the Federal Reserve raising interest rates in March, while volatility in equities and geopolitical tensions are providing support to the haven asset. Later Thursday are rate decisions by the

Use ‘Scarf’ to drive staff performance

HE Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (Pcaae) recently conducted a webinar entitled, “Membership performance during lockdown: How to support your team to focus on action that will set you up for future success.”

Ingrid Maynard, founder and managing director of The Sales Dr., a Melbourne-based consulting, training and coaching firm, spoke about the “Scarf ” Model developed in 2008 by Dr. David Rock, co-founder and CEO of the Neuro Leadership Institute. “Scarf ” stands for the five key “domains” that inf luence peoples’ behavior in social situations. Based on neuroscience research, the model implies that these domains activate the same threat and reward responses in the brain relied to for physical survival.

S: Status refers to recognizing the efforts as well as the achievements of the team. In a meeting, you may ask a high performer to share what they have done to get

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, February 4, 2022

Association World Octavio Peralta exceptional outcomes or someone who has been working hard to talk about the impact of their work. This sense of status celebrates success and provides positive feedback for the team and the organization.

C: Certainty relates to having a clear focus on why, how and what to do, clarifying outcomes and timeframes and communicating frequently to get the desired results. For example, you may direct the team to have a conversation with each other and, by the end of an agreed time, to share learnings and results. This sense of certainty has been disrupted by the pandemic so more engagement now with the team is essential.

A: Autonomy provides support to the team to establish their own objectives and targets, working schedules and setting reportorial accountability, as well as consequences for not achieving outcomes. You may work with each team member to provide a framework on how to do this and then catch up again and go through this together with the team.

R : R e l at e d ne s s re volve s around the importance of relationships in an organization. Do you find out how each team member really is? How is their family?

What are they proud of? What are they challenged by? How can you best support them? You may wish to set up a format for the team to connect with each other and show them how you care about them before outcomes. Scheduling time each week to have a non-work conversation with each team member to get to know them better could be a good idea.

F: Fairness is being consistent with team meetings, one-on-one

European Central Bank and the Bank of England.

Spot gold edged 0.1 percent lower to $1,805.43 an ounce as of 9:35 a.m. in London, after climbing 0.9 percent in the last three days. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index rose 0.2 percent after dropping 0.2 percent in the previous session. Silver, platinum and palladium fell. Markets in China remain closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.

B a se met a l s were m i xed , with copper down 0.6 percent to $9,778.50 a ton on the London Metal Exchange. Aluminum rose 0.7 percent, while nickel fell 0.3 percent. LME inventories of all three metals declined on Thursday.

Bloomberg News

meetings and the way you give feedback. It is also about whether the decisions made and the practices and policies in place are just and unbiased.

In this volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (Vuca) environment because of the pandemic, associations rely more on their people. Association leaders can use the “Scarf ” model to help them communicate in a way that helps people feel more secure and make certain that what they say does not activate fear and mistrust detrimental to the organization.

By the way, I forgot to list Nestlé Philippines as a founding member of the Global Compact Network Philippines in last week’s column (January 27, 2022). My apologies for the oversight.

Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of the Global Compact Network Philippines and founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” E-mail: obperalta@ gmail.com.

Yellen puts inflation blame elsewhere, backs stimulus

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S Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended the size of the Biden administration’s stimulus package that many blame for fueling the fastest inflation in four decades, though she conceded that describing rising prices as “transitory” was a mistake.

“You have to decide what’s the biggest risk that you face, and address it effectively,” Yellen said in an interview Wednesday with Bloomberg News. “The American Rescue Plan was sized to do that, and it accomplished that mission.”

The Treasury chief argued that other countries with much weaker economies than the US are also dealing with high inflation. That suggests, she said, that most of the rise in inflation was due to a shift in demand from services to goods and to disturbances in the supply of goods caused by Covid-19.

Yellen predicted full-year inflation this year would drop to around 3 percent from 7 percent in 2021, in line with what private forecasters are saying, though similar projections of slowing inflation failed to come true in 2020. She said that her use of the word “transitory” through much of 2021 to describe her outlook for inflation was not ideal.

“I think people heard ‘transitory,’ and to them it meant a couple of months,” she said. “Maybe a better word could have been chosen.”

Her comment follows Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s remark in November that it was “probably a good time to retire that word.”

Yellen said she would closely watch monthover-month inflation fig-

ures, as they are more useful at revealing whether price pressures are subsiding. By that measure, she expects inflation will drop in the second half of the 2022, and will reach “levels consistent with around 2 percent-2.5 percent by the end of the year.”

She reiterated a strong defense of the ARP, which provided $1.9 trillion to help households, businesses and states weather the economic fallout from Covid-19.

During the pandemic, unemployment had rocketed to almost 15 percent from 3.5 percent in February 2020. When the stimulus law passed in March 2021, the level was still at 6.2 percent, and the annual increase in the consumer price index stood at 1.7 percent. By December, unemployment had fallen to 3.9 percent, but inflation skyrocketed.

“There really wasn’t any good reason to think a stimulus that would lower unemployment to that general range again would cause as much inflation as we’ve had,” she said.

Many economists, including those aligned with Democrats, have disagreed. “I don’t know how you argue that you got dramatically faster real growth, but you didn’t get any faster price growth,” Jason Furman, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, said of the stimulus package in September. Bloomberg News

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Friday, February 4, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

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Today’s Horoscope

PHOTO BY ROBIN KUTESA ON UNSPLASH

By Eugenia Last

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CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Oscar De La Hoya, 49; Gabrielle Anwar, 52; Clint Black, 60; Alice Cooper, 74.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Make things happen. Put together a playlist that will take you from start to finish, and don’t stop until you reach your desired destination. The progress you make this year will map out what’s to come and encourage you to update your skills, qualifications and goals to ensure you reap the rewards. Your progress depends on your tenacity. Your lucky numbers are 8, 15, 22, 28, 32, 38, 44.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Stay calm, keep busy and channel your energy wisely. Too much time will lead to restless behavior and poor decisions. Don’t risk your reputation or position.

Concentrate on getting things done on time and working alongside people who enhance your skills. HHH

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TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Say and do what’s on your mind. You’ll pay the price if you pussyfoot around or keep secrets that might hurt the status quo. Be ready to follow through and make things happen. A physical change will lead to compliments. HHH

Welcome back, tourists

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OURISM stakeholders are finally rejoicing.

Starting February 10, vaccinated foreign tourists from visa-free countries—that’s 159 of them—will be allowed to enter the Philippines without having to quarantine in hotels. This bodes well for leisure destinations in the country like Bohol, Cebu, El Nido, and my all-time favorite, Boracay Island.

In fact, foreign tourists are credited for “discovering” Boracay as far back as the 1970s, according to long-time island residents. On my first trip to there, I remember meeting German construction workers in the late 1980s when the island’s power ran on electric generators. Over the years, I would meet Russians checking into our hotel and we would talk about their trip around the country, and watch Koreans and Chinese trooping to the beachfront as soon as the sun made its way toward the horizon. Prior to pandemic, in 2019, over a million foreign tourists visited the island, famous the world over for its pristine white beach.

With the reopening of the country to foreign tourists, Aklan’s local government has stepped up and simplified its entry protocols for Boracay by removing the test-before-travel requirement. Like domestic tourists, they would also have to upload proper identification and proofs of vaccination on the Aklan web site, as well as copies of their hotel

bookings and confirmed return tickets.

Hopefully, the Aklan government has solved its web site issues and increased their staff, so it can process the documents of tourists more quickly and efficiently. The last thing we need, just as the country is wooing back its tourism markets, is for government bureaucracy to stymie travel experience.

What makes Boracay continue to be special to many, no matter how many times they return, is that it affords numerous choices to the most number of people from every walk of life. You not only have a wide selection of hotels and resorts to stay at, whatever your budget, but an even greater number of choices of restaurants and cuisine.

If you have a tight wallet, or just want a quick pick-me-up in between main meals, or are looking for cheap pulutan (bar chow), the ubiquitous choriburger made popular by the island, can be bought from any of the dozens or so stalls on the main beach or from kiosks by the main road. Just for P50.

These small stalls also specialize in other barbecue or grilled delights like regular pork barbeque, isaw (chicken intestines), red hotdog, pig’s ears, longganisa on a stick—basically the island’s version of street food. Just look for the ones that look clean and don’t have the flies divebombing in the food display.

Restaurants not to be missed include: n Spicebird Now located at the D’Mall on Station 2, this restaurant is all about comfort food.

Owned by the husband-and-wife dream team of Nowie and Odette Potenciano, it specializes in Portuguese-inspired piri-piri chicken (they make their own sauce from the bird’s eye chili). Whether it be the thigh, leg, or wings, each bird part is perfectly grilled and moist. They also serve the same piri-piri style for pork and shrimps, and in sandwiches, too.

Other specialties include curry crab, shrimp and garlic noodles, and a deadly (to the hips) ice cream concoction, called Double Happiness Sundae.

n Cha-Cha’s Located at Coast Boracay, this is a

chill place for those sunset cocktails (buy one-take one on select drinkies starting at 4 pm), but great for allaround casual meals as well. I am enamored by their greasy breakfast tapa, and if you have a hankering for off-menu items like crispy fried fish like danggit, their kitchen staff will be eager to serve these up. Also check out their hefty seafood platter with shrimps, crabs, mussels and a variety of sauces; their quatro formaggio stone-fired pizza, and—for a decadent dessert—the coconut mango tres leches. You can also have them purchase fresh seafoods and have their kitchen prepare them in the delectable ways you prefer. n Maya’s Restaurant Found at Jony’s Beach Resort, legend has it that the founder, Diony Salme, was taught to prepare Mexican food by the Mexican Ambassador to Manila decades ago. So for tacos, chichimachangas, nachos and other favorite Mexican dishes, this is the place to go. Its menu has also expanded to include Filipino cuisine—check out their lechon kawali—along with hearty and flavorful burgers, and seafood specialties like their raw oysters with mignonette sauce, all of which were developed by Salme’s chef-son, Junjun. n Dos Mestizos This is the restaurant to go to for Spanish-Filipino dishes. Now located along the main road at Station 1 (back of Seawind Resort), this iconic Boracay establishment run by the well-loved Binggoy Remedios is a favorite of Manila’s jetsetting society, as well as a few celebrated characters from the south, many of them the chef-patron’s personal friends. My personal favorites are the cochinillo, Paella Mariscos and Lengua de Vaca. But if you’re in for some light chews while downing bottles of their finest wines, they have a wide assortment of tapas as well such as Spanish cured meats, cheeses and oysters.

These restaurants, as well as the new ones that have sprung up during the pandemic, will satisfy the disciminating palate of many foreign tourists.

Food is a way for tourists to get to know the island—and the Philippines—better.

CMMA inducts LSGH folio into Hall of Fame CATHOLIC Mass Media Awards (CMMA) has inducted Luntiang Panulat, the official Filipino folio of the La Salle Green Hills Grade School, a five-time recipient of the Best Student Organ Award, into its Hall of Fame.

The CMMA was founded in 1978 by the Archdiocese of Manila through the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, to highlight the significant role of mass media in society and its pervasive influence in the lives of the people.

Themed “Gifted to Give,” the most recent 43rd edition recognized the hard work and commitment

in the fields of print, radio, television, film, music and advertising despite the risks and restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic. The institution received and deliberated on a total of 366 entries across 37 various categories.

“More than ever, this is the time to be vigilant and continue to be guardians of mass media,” CMMA Acting Chairman and CNN Philippines Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon stated.

During the virtual presentation and awarding ceremony, CMMA Trustee and Executive Director Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon Jr. announced Luntiang

Panulat as one of two recipients of the prestigious CMMA Hall of Fame Award.

The Filipino folio serves as the vehicle for literary expression and original compositions of the pupils of LSGH. It likewise exemplifies responsible and accountable journalism, and reflects the ideals of truth-telling, justice, freedom, humaneness and stewardship.

In the telecast, former Grade School Filipino Coordinator Criselda Bautista declared, “Hayaan ninyong pagbutihin pa naming ang paglathala ng mga akdang makalangit, makakalikasan at makatao.”

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Put in a good word for someone you want to help, but don’t undersell yourself. It’s essential to give a fair analysis regarding what you want and are willing to do. Live up to your promises, and you’ll reach your expectations. HHHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll feel the pressure if you let your emotions interfere with common sense. Handle relationships with diplomacy, and give others a chance to do as they please. It’s better to observe than dictate if you want to know where you stand. HH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Keep an open mind, and you’ll receive valuable information and insight into trends and how others think. Knowledge is power and can help you gain support or attract a partnership that will improve your chance to advance. HHHHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t jump into a joint venture without proper research. If you make an emotional decision, regret will follow. Use your resources wisely. Take a timeout to go over important details that can make or break your ability to gain ground. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Listen carefully, evaluate what’s said and consider the consequence of a poor decision. Focus on stability and security, not flippant decisions that might put you at risk financially, medically or legally. Protect your assets and lower your overhead. HHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Turn your dream into a reality. Swoop in and take advantage of an opportunity to display your insight and resourceful nature while networking or socializing with mainstream or well-connected people.

Turn on the charm, and romance will follow. HHHHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your life simple, relationships honest and goals reasonable. Don’t assume anything or expect others to be reliable. Verify information, and be ready to put in long hours to reach your destination. Someone unpredictable will mislead you. HH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): High energy, coupled with willpower and intelligence, will override any negative influence that gets in your way. A chance to try something different will open your eyes to trends and diverse ways to use your skills. HHHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Play to win.

Be alert, observe what others are doing and make yourself a promise to finish what you start. Don’t let what others do interfere with your plans. Stay on track, regardless of temptation or meddling. HHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t scramble. Use your imagination, and you will come up with a plan that serves you well and makes a difference to others. Sign up for a leadership position and show off your skills and attributes. A door will open. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are meticulous, reserved and underestimated. You are novel and persistent.

‘my food tastes funny’ BY SUSAN GELFAND The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg ACROSS 1 Microwaves 5 Astonished reaction 9 Old fishing tool 14 Light beige 15 Plot line in a math book 16 String instrument that’s lower

than a 32-Down 17 Special barbecued beef entree

for comedian Martin?

19 Speaks hoarsely 20 President pro ___ 21 Freudian focus 22 Name that anagrams to “ash tree” 24 Settles down 26 Slippery swimmer 27 Plaza 30 Gridiron gaffe 35 Adjusts the pitch of 36 Benevolent 37 Prime-time hour 38 “Darn!”

39 Pub pastime 40 Teeny amount 41 Largest continent 42 The scoop 43 Sank, as a golf ball

44 In any place 46 Number system with only zeros

and ones 47 Federal retirement org.

48 Knitter’s supplies 50 Designer Paloma 54 Foyer covering 55 Quick punch 58 Writer ___ Rogers St. Johns 59 Special starchy staple for

comedian Betty?

62 NBC morning show 63 Word before “face” or “heart” 64 Green Gables girl 65 Snow coasters 66 Gets the picture 67 Past partners DOWN 1 Gusto 2 Tummy trouble 3 Senior dance 4 Big ___, California 5 Use mouthwash 6 Truism 7 Bro or sis 8 (Hey, listen up!)

9 It’s associated with windows

10

11 12 13 18 23 24

25 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 39 43

45 46 49 50 51

and Windows Special pickled garnishes for comedian Minnie?

Otherwise Swiss range Civil rights activist Parks Rips Bison bunches Special leafy side dish for comedian Sid? Cook in a wok Material for some sun hats Suppress Loosen, as shoelaces “For ___ us a child is born ...”

See 16-Across Cross the threshold All set “Citizen ___” (1941 movie) Temperamental types Feature of an open-and-shut case?

College application parts Beastly sorts Come up Touches lightly Fan favorite

52 53 55 56 57 60 61

Give up “Wise” birds Bringer of bad luck Teen’s breakout Spelling competitions Garden implement Issa of “Insecure”

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, February 4, 2022

B5

Twisting fate: Enchanting Japanese reality series

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WO Japanese reality shows streaming on Netflix intrigued me no end these past few months. One is called Falling in Love Like a Romantic Drama; the other is The Future Diary.

In Falling in Love Like a Romantic Drama (or shouldn’t it be correctly phrased as “Falling in Love Like in a Romantic Drama”?), eight young men and women enter a series of auditions. There is no outright contest here but the every audition produces a pair.

The show begins with the individual arrival of each contestant. In the subtle Japanese way, the young men and young women appraise each other as we also appraise them.

We take note of everything: how they sit and comport themselves; their jikoshoukai or selfintroduction, etc. Even their choice of a spot on the sofa and the person they “unconsciously” choose to share the space are noted.

For the Filipino audience, the arrivals of these contestants leave much to be desired. There is no gimmickry or flamboyance; no comic entrances.

Each person in this reality show is doing an exercise in self-effacement. This is Japanese culture where a display of self-confidence is always seen as untoward, and where even timidity among boys brings in a lot of pogi points.

Once they are all settled, an audition master who is also a theater actress, writer and filmmaker proceeds to explain the rules. Each day, a script is going to be distributed. Pairing is decided immediately by lottery in various permutations and the scene, usually for two performers, is acted out. Each audition scenario has a kissing scene.

After each episode, a pair is chosen for the shoot.

Here, the kiss has to be real.

Comes manipulation: Does one need to be attracted to a partner in order to act out a romantic drama? Shall partners do a good kissing scene if there is no sensual attraction, even for a bit, between them? Or, do actors fake it?

Faking it seems not to be the order of the day. After pairings and re-pairings, individuals are falling for each other, falling out of each other. The bitter scenario happens, too: one person is attracted to a person who does not reciprocate that attention. And so on.

Then more manipulation from the director or the show happens: she chooses a pair not expected to be attracted to each other. In Season 1, a South

Korea actor who starts out as an outsider ends up showing all the Japanese how to kiss, or maybe “smooch” is the better word.

At the end of each show, there is the confession time, a practice that is almost unheard of in our culture. By this time, we have already a man who is torn between two women, a woman who knows she will never be loved by the man she has a passion for, and so on. On an open field, the men in the show are asked to stand with their back to the audience. From a building where they could survey the surroundings, the women are given time when they could come down and confess their love. They do this by walking up a few paces where the men are, stop and call on the name of the person they want to give their heart. The women—and I may be culturally biased here—are practically begging for their love. The men need not agree, meaning, they can always refuse the women. Such bravery, such humiliation, such...oh, well.

The Future Diary is the other reality show.

Contrived is the word that best defines dating shows.

Surprisingly, while the day-to-day events in the lives of two prospective lovers are controlled by a script, the show is able to transcend this twisting of fate.

The show begins with a gathering where first two prospects for love are selected. In the Season 1, it is this lovely, 19-year old girl, Maai, from Okinawa and a twentysomething swarthy charmer from Hokkaido, Takuto. Extreme south and extreme north.

Unlike diaries which are of the past, the diaries that are handed regularly to Maai and Takuto are of the future. Sent separately most of the time, and given to the pair to be shared sometimes, the diaries instruct them about the activities they have to undertake. Fun and intimate, these moments create a deep friendship between the two.

There are, however, instructions that immediately tell us where the adventure for these two individuals will go. One states, for example, that the young girl she is not to tell the young man if she is beginning to fall for him. Another command clearly says when they are supposed to separate. Ultimately, they agree to a condition that they are not supposed to see each other when the show is over.

The great burden of charming us falls on the love candidates. Either the Japanese have really this capacity to act out as if there is no camera, or Maai and Takuto are blessed with such enchanting candor that we the audience forget that all these are done before cameras.

Like the other show, The Future Diary attracts us because while we have a script that plays God, it does not entirely banish a space where persons can track their destiny. The producers for the two reality shows include also a team of four commentators or observers whose points raised are either reflective of our own, or a refraction of our own opinion about what is happening.

Falling in Love Like a Romantic Drama has a Season 2 and, believe me, I binged on it.

The lovers in the Japanese reality show The Future Diary on Netflix.

This week, I wanted to review this Filipino film, titled Ikaw. I watched it some three nights ago but gave up after 10 minutes. This morning, I went back to it and, again, I could not endure it. This week, I will try to finish it and, hopefully, with the mighty grace of all the volcanoes in Bicol, offer you a respectful review.

Popular Erich Gonzales-starrer now on its finale week ERICH GONZALES

LA VIDA LENA has a pretty absurd premise. It tells the story of Magda, who despite being the subject of bullying (she has a prominent facial scar) refuses to let criticisms get to her. Using her skills, she creates a soap that quickly gains popularity in the town of Salvacion. The young lady’s success, however, does not sit well with the Narciso family, the owners of Royal Wellness, which is the biggest surgical and cosmetic company in the country. Conflict arises when Magda refuses to sell her formula to the Narcisos due to their contrasting views, and she loses everything. Magda returns with a new face, armed with determination to retaliate against the powerful clan who ruined her life.

And, I must admit, it is that same premise which got me hooked on this show. Hahaha. La Vida Lena stars Erich Gonzales, Kit Thompson, Carlo Aquino and JC de Vera.

Apparently, it is not only I who enjoys La Vida

Lena. It is a rater despite its rather late timeslot and it constantly holds the No.1 spot on iwantTFC as the most streamed show. Netizens can’t get enough of the program. “Much more intense. Daily dose of energy. As always Erich is excellent. Thanks ABS-CBN for airing this. It is entertaining and makes you think. The way my friend and I think about every episode could very well make us the directors of the series. I know from the start that Adrian is Conrad’s son. The way he looks at him. But who Lena’s father is, I will have to think about.... Maybe Lucas? Guessing mode on,” said YouTube user Jean Lagores.

La Vida Lena is ending tonight and Magda is now Lena and she has gone nuclear on all those who stopped her from exacting revenge. However, she has discovered that one of her evil nemesis, Dr. Lukas Narciso, is actually her biological father who she thought had died. Also, she finally discovered

Adrian’s (JC De Vera) involvement with the supposed death of Lukas, who had faked his own death and left her a debt-ridden business. As it turns out, Lukas is still alive and has been conniving with Adrian to escape the country and preserve his riches.

Before this, Lena decided to help Royal Wellness recover from debt after her best friend Jordan (Carlo Aquino) almost sacrificed his life for the company.

She is also staying one step ahead of Miguel (Kit Thompson), the guy she’s using to get ahead, by convincing him to rush their wedding when she obviously has other plans in mind.

Meanwhile, Vanessa (Agot Isidro), the conniving matriarch of the Narciso clan, was finally put in her place after her plan to throw acid in Lena’s face backfired on her and, instead, got her beautiful face destroyed.

How will Lena take down Miguel, Adrian and Lukas? Will Lena finally get the justice she deserves? I hope she does!

Watch the finale week of La Vida Lena weeknights at 10 pm on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Viewers who use any digital TV box at home such as the TVplus box only need to rescan their device to be able to watch La Vida Lena on TV5 and A2Z. The show is also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC, while viewers outside of the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel (TFC) on cable and IPTV.

‘Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune’ moves to earlier timeslot

BARBIE FORTEZA and David Licauco

LOYAL viewers of GMA and Regal Entertainment’s hit prime-time series Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune will have more reason to get hooked to their favorite soap as it moves to an earlier timeslot beginning Monday, February 7, after I Left My Heart in Sorsogon.

Topbilled by Barbie Forteza, Sunshine Cruz, Maricel Laxa, and Boots Anson-Roa, the intriguing series revolves around the members of a prominent Chinese-Filipino family after the business tycoon and leader of the clan dies unexpectedly. Joining the powerhouse cast are David Licauco, Nikki Co, Rob Gomez and Dustin Yu, together with Almira Muhlach, David Chua, Darwin Yu, and Casie Banks.

As the power struggle between Valerie (Maricel Laxa) and Cristine (Sunshine Cruz) over the family’s conglomerate intensifies, how will Joseph’s (Rob

Gomez) love confession affect Steffy’s (Barbie Forteza) responsibilities for Christine? Tensions rise as brothers Joseph and Anton (David Licauco) continue to fall for the same girl. Will this drive the two apart? Will Consuelo (Boots Anson-Roa) succeed in protecting the family’s reputation and legacy?

Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune—under the helm of director Ian Lorenos together with second unit directors Easy Ferrer and Joey de Guzman, and conceptualized by Creative Head and Head Writer Jose Javier Reyes—is the first installment in the Mano Po Legacy anthology.

Viewers abroad can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. More information can be found at GMANetwork.com.

TRUTH OR GIMMICK?

THE rumor that the actor and his partner are separated is quite strong, although people don’t know if it is true or just a gimmick. A source close to the actor said the couple is not yet separated but they are having problems, largely because of the actor’s mother. This isn’t the first time the actor’s mom has indirectly interfered in his relationship.

His ex, an actress, disclosed that one of the reasons they broke up was because the mother kept borrowing money from her. The actor’s mom, according to the source, barely tolerates his current partner because she’s not financially independent. The mother also does not like it that the partner seems to be using her son for clout.

NEW GIRL

SO the businessman has finally revealed, sort of, who his new girlfriend is. The lady is not exactly a celebrity but she’s high profile on society circles. The businessman and the lady have known each other for a while but it’s not clear how and when they got together. The guy’s ex-wife, meanwhile, also seems to have found a new love. People are still curious though. Why did they break up? Was it because of a third party. Or did they just fall out or become estranged? One thing is certain right now. The businessman and his ex-wife are not cordial or civil. All communication is coursed through lawyers, friends and family members.

DEEP DARK SECRET

SO the celebrity has been very quiet about her baby daddy. It turns out he’s younger than her and not just by one or two years. But that isn’t the issue. The issue is the guy ghosted a longtime girlfriend because of the celebrity. Also an issue is how they met. If they are asked about this, the celebrity will be forced to reveal that they met at a casino and she cannot ever disclose to people that she likes to gamble. Friends of the celebrity don’t like the guy because he is too young. The celebrity herself is adamant about wanting to be in this relationship. She says others like them (older woman-younger man) have succeeded and so could they.

AN OXYMORON

THE actress seems to be very happy and content with her new boyfriend. They appear to be very much in love with each other. It’s just strange that the boyfriend of the outspoken actress seems to be politically inclined toward those she abhors. The boyfriend’s sister is a known ally of politicians that the actress is speaking out against so everyone is curious if she and her boyfriend ever talk about politics.

As far as everyone is concerned, the actress is feisty and strongwilled. She is also quite adamant once she’s made a choice.

B6 Friday, February 4, 2022

Concepcion urges IATF to open schools to bring the country back to normal amid the pandemic

Filipino art songs kick off February Arts Month celebration this year

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HE Cultural Center of the Philippines, in partnership with the Tribung Pilipino Cultural Foundation headed by nationalist art patron and 2020 Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Awardee Danny Dolor brings back traditional Filipino music in a collection of Philippine art songs in an online platform with MASAYANG KABUKIRAN on February 1, 2022 via the CCP Facebook page. The online event kicks off the celebration of the February Arts Month this year.

This production adopted the concept of Harana sa Dapit Hapon, a series of afternoon concerts/musicales first staged at the CCP Main Theater Lobby in 2015, showcasing traditional Filipino music; the immortal kundiman, harana, balitaw, danza, and cherished love songs by great Filipino composers.

The online event features leading Filipino performers including soprano Rachelle Gerodias, soprano Jasmin Salvo, Korean baritone Byeong In Park, tenor Arman Ferrer, and the Kabataang Gitarista.

Featured songs include Sa Libis

Ng Nayon, Rosas Pandan – Pobreng Alindahaw, Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, Katakataka, Makikiliti Kang Totoo, Kalesa, Habang Ako Ay May Buhay, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Minamahal Kita, Medley of Philippine Folk Songs, Ang Maya (The Sparrow), Ano Kaya Ang Kapalaran, Sa Kabukiran, Tag-araw, and Ikaw ang Mahal ko.

Rachelle Gerodias is a winner of “The Outstanding Young Men” and “The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service” awards, as well as the first “Aliw Awards Hall of Fame” awardee for Best Female Classical Performer, thereby cementing what many have long known: that she is currently the country’s brightest gem in the field of opera and classical vocal performances.

Jasmine Salvo graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Music, Major in Vocal Performance at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. She has won at the Singapore Lyric Opera, the ASEAN Vocal Competition, and the Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition.

Jasmin has played several roles in opera productions here and abroad.

International Korean baritone Byeong In Park studied under acclaimed tenor Francisco Araiza at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany. His most recent triumph was the role of Enrico in the production of Lucia di Lammermoor at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Arman Ferrer is one of the country’s brightest actors in musical theatre today. He was taking up music at the UP when he first joined an audition for the zarzuela, “Walang Sugat” at the Ateneo in 2010. An operatic tenor, he bagged the lead role of Tenyong and since he had no experience in acting, he was first given an acting workshop.

The Kabataang Gitarista Ensemble is the performing ensemble of Kabataang Gitarista. All of them are current college students, taking classical guitar as a degree course in different institutions.

Watch for more programs for the arts month. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) or follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Solving hunger one hot meal at a time

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SOCIAL Weather Stations (SWS) September 2021 survey has shown that an estimated 2.5 million Filipino families experienced hunger – due to lack of food to eat – at least once in the past three months.

Many of those who experience hunger are children, who tend to do poorly at school. The government has undertaken numerous programs to address hunger, one of which is the school-based feeding program mandated by Republic Act 11037, also known as an Act Institutionalizing a National Feeding Program for Undernourished Children in Public Day Care of 2018, and primarily implemented by the Department of Education.

The End Hunger Program Team of the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro – composed of Virgilia S. Allones as team leader, Mark Vincent B. Tenio, Arceli A. Timogtimog, and Arturo T. Uy – created the Kusina ng Kalinga (KNK) Program, a 120day school-based feeding program patterned after the Ateneo Blueplate Central Kitchen Approach. Central kitchens are where lunches are prepared before they are delivered to children in different elementary schools. This system cuts expenses, as high as 38 percent compared to other programs, due to bulk-buying of ingredients.

With 14 central kitchens and 15 special kitchens scattered across the province, KNK was able to fully rehabilitate an average of 90 percent of its total beneficiaries from 2017 to 2019, which is the highest rehabilitation rate for any school-based feeding program in the country. This eventually led to decreased malnutrition rates among children in the province.

In its pilot run in Maco South District, the schools district that recorded the highest incidence of child malnutrition, 748 out of 825 “wasted” or undernourished children were fully rehabilitated after 120 days of feeding, translating to a 93.4 percent success rate.

Team leader Allones said that the feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment is what they love most about their job. “It is a life-long dream of mine to see the young generation of Davao de Oro acquire the much-needed education and skills to better prepare them for the future,” she said.

CSC Pagasa Award

BECAUSE of their outstanding achievements, the End Hunger Program Team was picked among hundreds of nominees of the 2020 Search for Outstanding Government Workers to receive the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Pagasa Award.

They were recognized in a virtual program last 15 November 2021 held by the CSC, the agency administering the government’s Honor Awards Program (HAP).

The virtual awards rites, which aired on the CSC’s Facebook Page and YouTube channel, featured a total of 41 awardees from 2020 and 2021—12 who were

conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan award; 11 who received the CSC Pagasa award; and 18, the Dangal ng Bayan award.

Allones’ team was awarded the CSC Pagasa, which is conferred on an individual or group for outstanding contribution/s resulting from an idea or performance that directly benefit more than one department of the government. Recipients of this award receive a plaque signed by the CSC Chairperson, gold-gilded medallion handcrafted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and cash reward of PHP200,000 per individual awardee or PHP100,000 for each member of the group awardee.

2022 search for exemplars in public service

THE CSC is once again looking for exemplars in public service who can be nominated to the 2022 Search for Outstanding Government Workers.

All government workers in the career and non-career service including appointive barangay officials may be nominated. Employees who are under job order or contract of service are excluded from the coverage of the program.

Posthumous nomination is also accepted for public servants who died in the line of duty or in the pursuit of their official duties and responsibilities. The nomination must be made within 12 months from the time of death.

Deadline of submission of nominations is on 31 March 2022.

For more detailsk, interested parties may contact the HAP Secretariat at telephone number (02) 8932-0381, Contact Center ng Bayan SMS 0908-8816565, or via email at: email@contactcenterngbayan.gov.ph or hapsecretariat@csc.gov.ph.

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FTER successfully pushing for the lifting of quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and soon to tourists, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion has shifted his sight on bringing students back to school as a means to bring the country back to normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now that the country is vaccinating children age 12 to 17 and 5 to 11, we will push the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to open our schools, provided that both students and teachers are already fully vaccinated,” Concepcion said.

“We are starting finally starting to move on and hopefully, this move will help our economy,” added Concepcion, who successfully convinced the IATF to drop the quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated ROFs starting February 1 and to tourists starting February 10.

Concepcion said bringing back students to school should be prioritized, provided that they are vaccinated and belong to households with 100 percent vaccination rate or no unvaccinated senior citizens in the house.

“Vaccinated kids belonging to 70 percent vaccinated households or no unvaccinated senior citizens in the house and living in areas with 80 percent of the population vaccinated, can also attend

face-to-face classes,” Concepcion said.

He also allayed worries about students and teachers being infected, saying the mask mandate should be strictly implemented to lessen the chance of acquiring COVID-19.

The Go Negosyo founder said bringing the students back to schools for faceto-face classes is part of the change in mindset about living with COVID-19.

“Also, the country cannot afford a long-term effect of less than ideal quality of education due to the online learning modality being implemented by the Education Department,” he said.

Concepcion said the proposal is like hitting two birds with one stone as it would help boost the vaccination rate among senior citizens.

“Students eager to go back to school will force their grandparents to get vaccinated. This way, it would be easier for the government to have our senior citizens vaccinated,” he stressed.

Also, it would help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) that depend on student mobility to thrive.

YOUNG PIANO VIRTUOSOS PLAY THE FAZIOLI. Five young pianists will have an opportunity to showcase their talents and excellence in a special virtual concert series, dubbed “Special Concert Series: Young Virtuosos Play on the Fazioli Piano,” on February 9 to 13, 2022 to be live streamed at the CCP YouTube Channel and Facebook Page. Nathan Samuel Gemina, Michael Angelo Valenciano, Aidan Ezra Baracol, Inna Montesclaros and Ella Gabrielle Gaw will each perform a classical piece in a 15-minute solo recital, exhibiting their musicality and piano skills using the CCP Fazioli piano, one of but a rare few in the country. The concert series, pre-recorded at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater), will be hosted by Raul Sunico. Best described as perfectly balanced, the Faziolis are highly regarded for their rich tone and feather-like touch. The CCP Fazioli piano has been impeccably made with tremendous precision, consistency and beauty. It has been used and played for concerts featuring most sought-after musicians. For more updates, follow the CCP and NAMCYA FB Pages.

Pokémon Legends Arceus and K-pop group Itzy come together in new commercial and TikTok video

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OKÉMON Co., Ltd. recently announced the exciting tie up with Itzy, a five-member girl group affiliated with JYP Entertainment. As a first step in the collaboration, a new commercial featuring Itzy as well as a making-of video, and a TikTok video will be released on February 9 for the Nintendo Switch game “Pokémon Legends Arceus,” which went on sale starting January 28.

In this inaugural collaboration between Pokémon and K-pop artist, Itzy, the girl group will appear in different promotional materials and events related to the Nintendo Switch game “Pokémon Legends Arceus,” the downloadable game “Pokémon Unite,” and the trading card game "Pokémon Card Game.” In addition, Itzy’s hit song “Wannabe,” which has garnered over 400 million views on YouTube, has been chosen as the tie-up song.

Since Pokémon is a long-time favorite of ITZY members, the new collaborative project was warmly welcomed by the group.

In an interview, ITZY members shared their fun and wonderful memories with

Pokémon. Yeji said, “I've been told a few times that I look like Eevee. It made me happy because Eevee is one of my favorite Pokémon!” Remembering her childhood, Lia shared, “when I was a kid, I would always watch Pokémon in front of the TV every morning. It was my routine each day!” For Ryujin, she revealed that “when I was playing games as a child, my parents got upset with me because I was playing too much for fun!”

Itzy is a five-member girl group from JYP Entertainment that debuted on February 12, 2019. The group's first fulllength album, “Crazy in Love,” was released on September 24, 2021. “In Love” ranked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, the main U.S. Billboard chart, their highest ranking, and charted for two consecutive weeks. It also climbed to #12 on the Artist 100 chart, proving its rising global popularity.

Pokémon Legends Arceus is a fusion of “action” and “RPG” that challenges the expression of the new “Pokémon” series.

For more information, please go to the official website: https://tcg.pokemon.com/en-us/

Sports BusinessMirror

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

Only 150K fans get invites for Games

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EIJING—About 150,000 spectators are expected to be invited to attend events at the Beijing Olympics in two of the three clusters of venues, organizers said Thursday.

Plans to sell tickets to international visitors were scrapped last year because of the coronavirus pandemic and the block was extended to residents of China in January.

Venues in Beijing and Zhangjiakou are now set to have invited spectators but Alpine skiing and sliding sports in Yanqing will go ahead without fans.

Invited spectators will be drawn from “international friends residing in China’s mainland, members of diplomatic missions and marketing partners,” organizers said in a presentation to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

School children, local residents and “winter sports enthusiasts” are also targets to attend events.

“The spectator base will be as extensive and diversified as possible,” organizers said.

Limited numbers of accredited people at the Olympics, including sports officials and media who are living in closed-off bubbles separate from the Chinese public, will also attend events. AP

Olympic members unite vs Infantino’s World Cup plan

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EIJING—Fifa’s fading plan for biennial World Cups was labeled a threat from soccer to all other sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday.

IOC President Thomas Bach chided Fifa counterpart Gianni Infantino, an IOC member for the past two years, for not being in Beijing to hear the criticism.

“We all would have very much liked to discuss the Fifa proposal for a biennial World Cup together with the Fifa president and IOC member,” Bach told about 100 colleagues at the traditional pre-Olympic meeting, with some there in person and others viewing remotely.

Bach added, in a break from the usual politeness of IOC gatherings, that talking to Infantino directly “is not possible against the expectations because he canceled his visit to Beijing the day before yesterday.”

Infantino was expected to be watching remotely, either from Fifa’s home city Zurich or Doha, where he has been living ahead of this year’s World Cup. The tournament in Qatar starts in November.

The Fifa president has been pushing a plan to stage World Cups for men and women every two years instead of four. Fifa believes the plan will accelerate development in soccer worldwide, close the gap on the European clubs and national teams that dominate competitions, and add billions of dollars in revenue it can share among its 211 national federations. AP

Serbian state prosecutors say Djokovic’s test for Covid-19 valid

Friday, February 4, 2022 B7

ASA MILLER PROUDER TWICE OVER

By Josef Ramos

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ANQING, China—Asa Miller will march ahead of a small Philippine delegation in the traditional parade of athletes during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

It’s the second time that Miller will be bearing the country’s flag after his Olympic debut in 2018 in Pyeongchang, where he competed alongside figure skater Michael Martinez.

“I’m extremely excited the first time, it was one of the best moments of my life,” Miller told BusinessMirror on Thursday after another day of training at the National Alpine Skiing Centre atop Xiaohaituo Mountain.

“I can’t wait to do it for the second time,” he added.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation head Jim Palomar and Chef de Mission Bones Floro will join the 21-year-old alpine skier in the parade that will feature 90 other participating countries.

Tolentino and POC head of legal Billy Sumagui are in the Games to support the Portland-based Miller’s campaign.

“It feels great that it’s real now,” Miller said. “And it feels great to be in China again—the Olympic spirit and the culture all over the place, as well

as the other athletes— they’re very fun and motivating.”

Miller, at 14, was in an exchange student program in Beijing in 2014.

The Philippines will enter the massive and grand National Stadium, also known as “The Bird’s Nest,” in Beijing at No. 69 during the parade.

The ceremony starts at 8 p.m.

(Manila and Beijing time) and is expected to last for one hour and 40 minutes.

As in every major international sports competitions, the program is kept under wraps until it begins, although three-time Academy Award nominee Zhang Yimou, who also directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in the same venue, described the ceremony as “simple, safe and splendid.”

The show will feature 3,000 performers, most of which are teenagers. The theme for the 2008 Games showcased China and its 5,000-year history to the world, but Zhang said “things will be a lot different” this time.

Skeleton athlete Zhao Dan and men speed skater Gao Tingyu will be the hosts’ flag-bearers.

Miller and co. will leave the Yanqing Athletes Village around noon on Friday for the two-hour bus ride to “The Birds’ Nest.”

The 5-foot-8 Miller, who’s gotten

Banchero inks 3-year contract with Meralco

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IT’S another day at training for Asa Miller in Bejing. bigger and stronger than 2018, is competing in men’s giant slalom on February 13 and slalom three days later.

“I hope to do better this time around, I was really, really proud the last time and I’m prouder and more motivated this time,” he said.

A total of 2,781 athletes are vying in 15 disciplines on the Winter Olympics program with events in curling and luge starting two days ahead of the opening ceremony on Wednesday and freestyle skiing, ice

hockey and ski jumping commencing on Thursday. The team event in figure skating opens on Friday.

The Games—spread out in three major venues in Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou—end on February 20.

It wasn’t immediately known how many spectators will be allowed at the 80,000-seat National Stadium for the opening ceremony.

Beijing is the only dual host— Summer and Winter—of the Olympic Games.

Shortened Olympic torch relay kicks off in Beijing B EIJING—The three-day torch relay for the Beijing Olympics, shortened considerably because of concerns about the coronavirus, started Wednesday with an 80-year-old former speedskater carrying the flame.

The relay opened at the Olympic Forest Park. Luo Zhihuan, the country’s first internationally competitive speedskater, ran the first leg.

The torch will be carried through the three Olympics zones, starting with downtown Beijing before heading to Yanqing district and finally Zhangjiakou in neighboring Hebei Province.

The Beijing Games have already been impacted on a scale similar to that experienced by Tokyo during last year’s Summer Olympics. China says only selected spectators will be allowed to attend events, and Olympic athletes, officials, staff and journalists are required to stay within a bubble that keeps them from contact with the general public.

Beijing, with its 20 million residents, has experienced only a handful of Covid-19 cases and reported just two new ones on Wednesday. However, in keeping with China’s “zero tolerance” approach to the pandemic, strict rules require lockdowns and mass testing when any

NOVAK DJOKOVIC wears a face mask as he arrives on Friday in the municipal building in Budva, Montenegro, to receive a plaque declaring him an honorary citizen of the town. AP

The opening of the Beijing Games comes only days after the start of the Lunar New Year holiday, China’s biggest annual celebration when millions traditionally travel to their hometowns for family reunions.

For the second straight year, the government has advised those living away from home to stay put, and train and plane travel has been curtailed.

Participants in the torch relay have undergone health screenings and have been carefully monitored, starting from two weeks before the event.

Others among the 135 torchbearers heading out Wednesday were Jing Haipeng, captain of the Chinese Astronaut Corps, Ye Peijian, a 77-year-old consultant to China’s lunar exploration program, former National Basketball Association player Yao Ming, and Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, who will direct Friday’s opening ceremony at the Bird’s Nest.

The scaled-down torch relay is a far cry from 2008, when Beijing sent the Olympic flame on a global journey ahead of hosting that year’s Summer Games. The relay drew protesters against China’s human-rights violations and policies in Tibet, Xinjiang and elsewhere, leading to violent confrontations and the cancellation of some overseas stages.

The Winter Games have been beset by similar political controversies, alongside medical considerations.

Six weeks ago, the United States, Britain and several allies said they would not send dignitaries to attend the Beijing Games as a protest against human-rights abuses by the Communist Party regime. AP

determined that Novak Djokovic was tested several times and that the certificates on the test results from December 16, 2021 and December 22, 2021 are valid,” the statement said.

Foreign media, including Der Spiegel and the BBC, have reported discrepancies in the serial numbers of the tests Serbian authorities administered to the topranked Djokovic ahead of his trip to Australia, suggesting possible irregularities in the way they were issued.

Djokovic’s media team and Serbian health authorities did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. Senior

Serbian health officials have previously said that Djokovic’s test was valid.

Djokovic was deported from Australia and barred from playing in the Australian Open last month after an 11-day visa saga on the eve of the tournament because he failed to meet Australia’s strict Covid-19 vaccination requirements.

To enter Australia, Djokovic submitted a positive Covid-19 test issued in Serbia on December 16 for a visa exemption on the grounds that he had recently recovered from the virus.

The 34-year-old player is not vaccinated and the Australian government later decided to cancel

CHINESE Vice Premier Han Zheng lights the torch before the start of the relay for the 2022 Winter Olympics at the Olympic Forest Park in Beijing on Wednesday. AP real or suspected case is discovered.

The truncated program seemed to have little effect on Luo, who after receiving the torch from Vice Premier Han Zheng said it was the realization of decades-long aspiration.

“I’ve never participated in the Winter Olympics, so I had hoped our country could host the Winter Olympics and I had the dream for nearly 60 years,” said Luo, wearing a red and white jacket marked with No. 1. “Today my dream has come true...

How happy I am!”

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ELGRADE, Serbia— Serbia’s state prosecutors on Wednesday rejected suggestions that Novak Djokovic used a fake positive test for Covid-19 to try to enter Australia and compete in the Australian Open.

The prosecution office said in a statement that it had received a request for criminal proceedings against unnamed individuals who allegedly forged two PCR certificates, which were later used

by Djokovic to apply for a medical exemption from vaccination when entering Australia.

“The prosecution acted according to the regulations, checks were performed, and it was

ERALCO acquired dominant combo guard Chris Banchero after losing stocky playmaker Nards Pinto last month to free agency to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Norman Black, the veteran and grand slam coach of the Bolts, confirmed to BusinessMirror on Thursday that Banchero signed up with the team on Wednesday.

His arrival strengthens Meralco’s backcourt of Chris Newsome, Anjo Caram, Allein Maliksi, Franky Johnson and Aaron Black.

“We’re excited and very fortunate that we were able to recruit Chris [Banchero],” Black said. “We believe with his experience and talent will be a very good addition. The goal now is to get him adjusted as quickly as possible.”

Banchero’s contract with Phoenix Super LPG expired last January 31 and opted to sign a three-year deal with Meralco. No details are available on his new contract.

Black expects Banchero to blend well with his system in time for the resumption of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on February 11.

“He does have guys in the team like Cliff Hodge who are his long-time friends so we will do everything to make his transition smooth,” Black added.

Banchero was drafted fifth overall

by Alaska in 2014 and played there for five years before being traded to Magnolia in 2019. He transferred to Phoenix in a trade with Calvin Abueva.

Banchero averaged 18 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.4 steals and was the top scorer in five games for Phoenix early in the Governors’ Cup. Meralco is undefeated in two games in the stalled conference.

Josef Ramos CHRIS BANCHERO has a few days to ease into the Bolts’ system.

his visa and deport Djokovic, saying his presence in Australia could stir anti-vaccination sentiments.

Djokovic’s rival Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open for a record 21st men’s Grand Slam title.

Djokovic and Roger Federer both have 20 major titles.

Djokovic is adored in his native Serbia. Since he returned home, Djokovic was seen visiting churches and attending liturgies in both Serbia and neighboring Montenegro.

On Thursday, Djokovic is set to visit Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic who has been vocal in denouncing the Australian authorities for deporting the tennis star. AP

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

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Friday, February 4, 2022

Editor: Tet Andolong • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Goodyear introduces the Assurance Maxguard SUV tire

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Story by Randy S. Peregrino

OODYEAR Philippines recently launched a new member of the Assurance Family—the Assurance MaxGuard SUV. Customized for the Asia Pacific market, the Assurance MaxGuard SUV provides 2-in-1 protection through superior grip and durability, making it the perfect partner for drivers and their families to journey out and explore their world of possibilities.

With Goodyear’s advanced ActiveGrip Technology, the new Assurance MaxGuard SUV offers a tight grip for superior handling and shorter braking distance on wet roads due to the unique design and increased number of multibiting edges and optimized distribution, and ActiveGrip cap compound with blended silica. The DuraGuard Technology builds a

robust tire carcass to withstand cuts and punctures while enhancing performance durability with a two-ply construction and a strong steel belt package to ensure a tough construction-specific for SUVs applications.

The Assurance MaxGuard SUV provides a quieter ride due to an upgraded tread pattern with an angled block design, noise reduc-

tion rib, and narrower grooves to make a quieter and more comfortable driving experience. It extends a longer mileage with enhanced tire footprint, optimized tread depth distribution, and cavity shape to maximize the mileage performance.

Nat Madarang, Goodyear Asia Pacific president, shared, “In Asia Pacific, we are seeing a significant increase in demand within the market, with SUV sales accounting for 37 percent of new car sales in Asia Pacific in 2021. In particular, demand for the midsize SUV segment is growing 10 percent every year—this presents a significant opportunity for the industry as nearly 85 percent of the tires sized at 17 inches and above are SUV tires.”

“We are very excited to introduce Assurance MaxGuard SUV to midsize SUV drivers in the Asia Pacific. We know most of these drivers are family-oriented safety seekers looking for a solution that suits both their safety and comfort need equally. The Assurance MaxGuard SUV is a significant expansion of our product portfolio for SUV and 4X4 vehicles,” Madarang added.

The Assurance MaxGuard SUV is available in 15-inch to 18-inch rim diameters in 18 sizes. Its target

The new Assurance MaxGuard SUV with 2-in1 protection. Goodyear Philippines

fitment is midsize SUV, including Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner, RAV4, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, and other popular midsize SUV models in the AP market.

Platinum Awardee in the 2021 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand

Meanwhile, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is pleased to announce that Goodyear Philippines, Inc. (GYP) is the Platinum Awardee of the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand 2021 under the Tire Category.

GYP takes pride in receiving the highest recognition as the Platinum Awardee in this year’s

Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand.

With over a century of operations in the country, Goodyear has established a strong brand presence by offering innovative, quality, and reliable tires and services.

Over the years, GYP has strived to earn the trust and confidence of its most valued customers by offering technologically advanced and sustainable products. These are highlighted in the features and benefits that Goodyear tires present. Various patterns and sizes are available to respond to the market’s diverse needs. GYP is also an advocate of road safety and social responsibility.

Susi Gamers, Market Director Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore & Export Markets, commented: “We at Goodyear Philippines are truly honored to earn the Platinum Award in the 2021 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Awards in the Tire category.”

“We dedicate this award to our customers and the community who have been our inspiration in striving to be the most valued tire brand. For 123 years, Goodyear has been a brand that continues to innovate and offer more value to its consumers. Apart from offering the usual manufacturer’s warranty to our product, we backed this up by giving more to our customers, such as the Worry-Free Assurance providing vast benefits such as Roadside Assistance, Personal Accident Insurance, and Road Hazard Protection that only the Goodyear brand has. We continue to make our brand even more valuable by taking good care of our customers and the society as well and by offering more,” she added.

The Trusted Brand Award is an independent research conducted

by Reader’s Digest to know which brands are essential to consumers. For 23 years, Reader’s Digest has confidently scrutinized what features a brand must possess to maintain its relevance and purpose to consumers. This research is conducted in Asia, including the Philippines. Consumers are asked to rank the brands based on these six attributes: trustworthiness and credibility, quality, value, understanding of customer needs, innovation, and social responsibility.

Raize, 11-M vehicles for 2022 from Toyota

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OMING shortly is another Toyota wonder worth our while. Curiously named Raize, it is a five-seater SUV that will be unleashed in a market already crowded by similarly situated variants. Still, it deserves just not a second look but a keen gaze from only the most discerning car buffs this corner of the globe.

Stunningly but not really surprisingly, it has drawn advance orders this early.

For starters, the Raize, touted as useful both for daily use and leisure trips on weekends, comes in four variants: 1.0 Turbo CVT, 1.2 G CVT, 1.2 E CVT, and 1.2 E MT. It retails from P746,000 up to P1,036,000. For more details, inquire at .

Speaking of Toyota, the world’s No. 1 automaker has plans of producing 11 million vehicles worldwide in the 2022 fiscal year for a whopping increase of around 20 percent from 2021 records.

In a news dispatch, Nikkei Asia said the plan suggests that Toyota anticipates a strong recovery in a global auto market that has been plagued by a shortage of key

components amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Excerpts of Nikkei’s report:

“For the current fiscal year, Toyota’s output is estimated at about 9 million vehicles. “ The upbeat projection assumes that the pandemic will be brought under control, and that there will be ample supplies of semiconductors.

“If the plan comes through, Toyota’s output will top its previous production record set in fiscal 2016.

“Of the 11 million vehicles it aims to make, 7.5 million will be produced overseas and 3.5 million will be made in Japan—an increase of 25 percent and 15 percent, respectively, from the fiscal 2021 plan.

“Toyota’s target assumes that more t h a n 9 0 0,0 0 0 veh ic les will be produced every month on average.

“Earlier this month, Toyota informed its suppliers of its plan to produce 1 million vehicles in April, which would be a record for a single month.

“It also underlines Toyota’s commitment to produce at least 3 million vehicles in Japan, a level the automaker believes is necessary to maintain its domestic manufacturing base.

“Meanwhile, output for February will be reduced by 20 percent, apparently due to the shortage of semiconductors.

“Hitting the 2022 target will not be an easy task for suppliers.

One midsize supplier says it is still dealing with worker shortages brought on by Covid-19 and entry restrictions on foreign nationals.

“The supplier relies on overseas workers for part of its production.

“Toyota produced 8.18 million vehicles in fiscal 2020 and 8.74 million in fiscal 2019.

“Global auto sales are estimated to have reached 81.05 million units last year, rebounding from the previous year’s 14 percent decline to 77.76 million units, according to British research specialist LMC Automotive. Sales for 2022 are forecast at 85.95 million vehicles.”

Recovery fast shaping up?

PEE STOP

T he gover n ment ’s planned auction of smuggled luxury cars recently went bust. Not even one unit was sold. Where are the new rich, the usual suspects?

Playing it safe—luxury items being magnets of disaster? The true rich did not bite, too. They know better? Like, spare parts becoming scarce nowadays due to supply chain snafus? The times, they are a-changin.’