BusinessMirror February 05, 2021

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Friday, February 5, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 117

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 24 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

HITS P1.4T IN 2020–BSP Govt to look at feasibility of hiking pork MAV

See “BSP,” A2

By Samuel P. Medenilla & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

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“PERSONAL shoppers” take orders from call-in clients at SM North Edsa Department Store in Quezon City on Thursday. The SM Store has launched #143SM or (#14376), where one can place orders with a “personal shopper” who makes sure one’s items are delivered or picked up. The “personal shoppers” scheme, like online transactions that the Central Bank said breached P1 trillion in value during the pandemic, is meant to open up opportunities for noncontact shopping and thus prevent the spread of the coronavirus. NONOY LACZA

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By Bianca Cuaresma

HE value of online transactions hit record-highs in 2020, as movement and travel restrictions to control the spread of Covid-19 forced financial consumers to rely heavily on online financial channels.

HABAL-HABAL DRIVERS COVERED BY DOT-DOLE AID

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

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LOSE to 159,000 tourism workers have already received benefits from the government’s cash-for-work program implemented by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

In his letter to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said, “As of February 2, 2021, a total of 183,499 workers from 9,728 establishments, organizations and associations nationwide were approved ben-

eficiaries of the program. The payment for 158,166 workers amounting to P790.83 million were remitted to payment centers.” Each beneficiary gets P5,000 in cash aid.

This is still far off, however, from the P3 billion allocated for financial aid to tourism workers under the Bayanihan 2 Act. A separate P100-million fund, also under Bayanihan 2, has been allotted for financial aid for tour guides.

(See, “Poor availment plagues tourism aid programs covered by Bayanihan 2,” in the BusinessMirror, January 13, 2021.)

The poor availment of cash aid by tourism beneficiaries has encouraged the DOLE and

the DOT to amend their earlier joint memorandum circular on the Cash-For-Work Program for Displaced Workers in the Tourism Sector, and expand its coverage to include Tourism Support Service (TSS) enterprises, providers and associations of providers that have been licensed by their respective local government units (LGUs).

TSS providers include habalhabal drivers and island-hopping boat pilots, food vendors and fast-food workers, massage therapists, salon workers, golf caddies, among others, who work especially in focused tourism destinations like islands See “Habal,” A2

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno told reporters on Thursday that the combined value of PESONet and InstaPay transactions reached P1.42 trillion in 2020.

Broken down, the value of PESONet transactions rose by 188 percent in 2020 to reach P951.6 billion. Meanwhile, payments

made through InstaPay reached a value of P463.4 billion in 2020, which was a 340-percent increase from the previous year.

Diokno said this development gives the BSP good footing to push through with its goals of transitioning from a cash-heavy to cashlite and, eventually, to a coinless See “Online,” A2

ONCERNED over the shortage of pork supply in some parts of the country, President Duterte has approved the conduct of a study on the expansion of the minimum access volume (MAV) for pork.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said the President ordered the Department Agriculture (DA) and other concerned agencies during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday to initiate the review, which will allow government to increase the volume of pork that may be imported at a lower tariff.

Pork imported within MAV and outside of MAV is slapped a tariff of 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

The government said increasing the MAV for pork will help address the deficit of pork in some areas of the country as African swine fever (ASF) continues to devastate hog farms.

“This temporary measure is just meant to augment the supply so its [pork] prices will not increase and affect our inflation,” Nograles said in an online press briefing on Thursday.

“It’s something that we need to act on this year because it’s the supply of this year which we are talking about.”

Currently, the MAV for pork is pegged at 54,210 metric tons (MT).

This may be increased, Nograles said, since the DA estimated that the demand for pork is at 1.6 million metric tons.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made an assurance that the government will only resort to importation if local hog raisers could no longer meet the domestic demand for pork.

“We are balancing the right of consumers to have pork for their consumption and the right of hog raisers to have a livelihood,” Roque said.

He noted that the hike in MAV must be authorized by Duterte before it is sent to Congress for its consideration.

The new MAV will only take effect if lawmakers concur with the rate approved by the President.

Hearing

THE DA on Thursday struggled to justify its proposal to lower pork tariffs as a way of stabilizing domestic prices during a hearing on the DA’s petition.

During the hearing conducted by the Tariff Commission, DA officials were unable to answer some Continued on A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.0220

n JAPAN 0.4573 n UK 65.5452 n HK 6.1952 n CHINA 7.4319 n SINGAPORE 36.0363 n AUSTRALIA 36.5784 n EU 57.7945 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.8021

Source: BSP (February 4, 2021)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, February 5, 2021

Madrona to ERC: Move on Tablas power woes

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EP. Budoy Madrona, Lone Representative, Province of Romblon, has called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to resolve a pending case before it in response to the notice sent by the Suweco Tablas Energy Corporation (STEC), the lone power supplier on Tablas Island, that it will scale down its operations by February 15, 2021, due to business losses resulting from the interim approvals of the ERC. “On behalf of the memberconsumers of Tablas Island Electric Cooperative Inc. (Tielco), I am appealing to the ERC, headed by Chair Agnes Devenadera, to immediately resolve and give the final rate of STEC. This will avoid a foreseeable power crisis should STEC reduce its operations because of business losses,” Madrona said.

In its notice, STEC has informed the ERC that it is constrained to scale down its operations due to business losses, citing that its generation mix should not apply in excess of the maximum net expected energy provided by Tielco; capping of the diesel rate and use of solar rate in excess of the generation mix; and computation of the generation mix on a monthly basis instead of annual basis. As a result of the aforementioned circumstances which are based on the Orders of ERC, STEC has accumulated losses in the hundreds of millions of pesos already.

“I understand that the combination of the decisions of the ERC in charging solar rate for diesel rate in excess of the generation mix and computing the generation mix on a monthly basis led to the losses of STEC. ERC should remember its mandate to protect the consumers and the investors as well. Should STEC reduce its operations, there will now be a power crisis, and it will be the consumers who will also be primarily affected and therefore ERC must act immediately. This is embarrassing,” Madrona said, “especially [since it was President] Duterte [who] inaugurated the Solar Plant of STEC last August, 2019.”

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Unused DOH monies eyed to fund genome sequence

By Bernadette D. Nicolas & Samuel P. Medenilla

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HE Department of Health (DOH) may tap its P7 billion in unutilized funds to source the additional P362-million budget that it needs for genome sequencing to detect possible new Covid-19 variants, the Department of Budget and Management said on Thursday.

According to Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado, DOH has the “available funds” for this purpose. “They can easily charge to their unutilized funds of P7 billion,” Avisado told the BusinessMirror in a message.

The budget chief gave that reply after DOH asked for an additional budget of P362 million from DBM to sustain the oneyear processing for genome sequencing to detect the possible new Covid-19 variants in the country—an expense that had not been factored into earlier es-

timates on the Covid response’s fiscal requirements.

Budget Assistant Secretary and spokesman Rolando Toledo also clarified to the BusinessMirror that these unutilized funds mentioned by Avisado refer to the “balance or unobligated allotment of the DOH from the releases made under Bayanihan to Recover as One Act [Bayanihan 2] which was released in 2020.”

Cabinet approval

CABINET Secretary Karlo Nograles said the DOH’s fund

proposal was approved during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening.

The fund will be used so that not only the Philippine Genome Center, but also the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) could conduct genome sequencing of Covid-19 samples.

“A P362 million [fund] will be allocated for the said initiative,” Nograles said.

The government is currently wary of the entry of the new more infectious variants of the Covid-19 from entering the country.

“With different strains and variants of the Covid-19 virus now emerging, the Department of Health will be mobilizing resources and investing in genomic bio surveillance which will strengthen and improve our overall Covid-19 response,” Nograles said.

He noted genomic sequencing results will allow the DOH to track “the evolution of the virus across geographical and time scales, as well as the impact of the specific mutations on viral properties, including infectiousness and virulence.”

Reagents issue

HEALTH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said they encountered problems in running the samples to detect the more transmissible variant or the United Kingdom’s B117 variant due to the delay in the delivery and the “global shortage” of sequencing reagents.

To avoid the same problem in the future, Vergeire also earlier said they will purchase in advance at least six months’ supply needed for the genome sequencing. The DOH usually orders two to three months’ supply of reagents.

Due to the lack of reagents, the Philippine Genome Center has decided to shut down the big machine and use its small machine last week. The small machine can only process about 48 samples per week, while the big one can run 750 samples per week.

The country has so far recorded 17 cases of the UK variant.

As of Wednesday, the total tally of Covid-19 cases in the Philippines has reached 530,118 after 1,266 more infections were recorded.

The nationwide death toll due to Covid-19 has also risen to 10,942, while 487,721 people have recovered from the disease.

LOCSIN ON PHL PROPERTIES’ SALE IN JAPAN: NO WAY

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AYING his position is “uncompromisable,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. on Thursday reiterated his strong stance against selling Philippine properties in Japan, as a way of raising funds for the government.

Locsin, speaking as resource person in a Foreign Relations Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Koko Pimentel, thanked the Senate for backing him up in his position to oppose sale of the properties in Japan.

“I will not sell the blood of our people.... That was reparations,” Locsin said of recently re-

vived proposals to sell five properties in Japan, four of which were covered by the 1956 Reparations Agreement.

Under the Reparations accord, Tokyo gave the Philippines properties as part of compensation for its damage inflicted on the Philippines in WWII, when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded and occupied the Philippines for over three years.

The proposal to sell the Tokyo properties was floated in September 2020 within Executive circles, and found currency in a House bill that cited possible ways to raise funds for the pen-

sion of war veterans.

Locsin, however, told Pimentel and members of the foreign relations panel on Thursday that the issue is so controversial it “almost cost the Cory government” when it was first raised by some quarters after the democratic restoration of 1986. Locsin was among the first Cabinet members of then President Corazon C. Aquino.

“Let them try; it’s not gonna happen,” Locsin said Thursday of the revived sale proposal, which triggered a Senate call to inquiry.

When Sen. Imee Marcos wanted to know the veracity

of reports that one of the assets, the Roppongi property in particular, was in such state of disrepair that the Tokyo government supposedly listed it as “condemned,” Locsin replied that the status of the property was immaterial because the principle of holding on to a reparation of war damage—to the tune of over half a million dollars—trumped all considerations.

The so-called reparations payments are in Fujimi, Roppongi and Nampeidei in Tokyo; and in Noniwacho and Obanoyama in Kobe. Butch Fernandez

Govt to look at feasibility of hiking pork MAV Continued from A1

questions of hog industry players and senators regarding the benefit of lowering pork tariffs.

DA officials, led by Undersecretary for Livestock William Medrano, were pressed by hog industry association leaders and senators to explain the price impact of a 5-percent in-quota tariff for pork imports.

Medrano argued that the DA’s proposal is part of their “emergency, short-term strategies to stabilize pork supplies and even prices in the market that will benefit the consuming public.”

He added, “We are saying this just to augment the deficit, in case there is a deficit because we all know that African swine fever is still lingering.”

However, Medrano, the highest-ranking agriculture official present during the hearing, was unable to provide any figures that would substantiate the DA’s claim

that consumers would benefit from lower pork tariffs.

Sinag computations

SENATE Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Chair Cynthia A. Villar told Medrano to provide his own computation or dispute the computations presented by industry stakeholders showing that the tariff reduction is unwarranted.

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) presented a cost breakdown during the hearing that the wholesale cost of imported pork would only be at P152 per kilogram at 40-percent tariff.

“Sagutin ninyo kung mali iyong computation nila, huwag mo sabihin na na-anticipate ninyo na mauubos ang hogs. That’s a defeatist attitude,” said Villar, who earlier declared that she will oppose a tariff reduction on pork imports.

(Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2021/02/02/senators-buck-bid-tolower-tariffs-on-pork-and-rice/)

“Based on their computation, kahit may tariff mura pa rin ang imported na baboy. Bakit mo ibababa ang tariff? Sagutin mo iyong computation nila, kung tingin mo mali ang computation nila, sagutin mo ng computation mo. [Present your own computation. Do not just tell us that you anticipated the decimation of hogs. That’s a defeatist attitude. Based on their [in-

MEDRANO: The DA’s proposal is part of their “emergency, short-term strategies to stabilize pork supplies and even prices in the market that will benefit the consuming public.” FACEBOOK.COM/DAZAMPEN

dustry groups] computation, even if there is a high tariff, imported pork would still be cheap. Why are you reducing the tariff?]”

Medrano responded that the DA will just submit the pertinent data being asked during the hearing as they still have to consult some units of the agency regarding the matter.

“That’s common knowledge to you. You’re the undersecretary for livestock. We cannot wait. You will tell us you will submit, you should have known that already when you came here,” Villar told Medrano.

Deficit

DA Policy Research Service Director Noel Padre provided the commission with his unit’s com-

putation of the wholesale price of imported pork which he estimated at P140 per kilogram—even lower than what Sinag presented. Padre and Sinag both used import data from the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

However, Medrano interjected and said that the landed cost of imported pork is at P220 per kg, based on information he received from sources which he did not disclose during the hearing. “Again, we have to verify that [figure].”

Medrano was again pressed to explain his figures. He said, “We would like to emphasize that importation has been mentioned several times as a last resort to augment supply.”

Toward the end of the hearing, Medrano apologized for not

having the pertinent data that will support their petition to lower pork tariffs.

“The data being requested from us has to be coordinated with concerned units and agencies. We will officially submit to the commission.

Pasensya na po kayo, ang data po namin ay naka-focus lang doon sa scenario setting kanina,” he said.

Medrano was referring to the pork supply and demand outlook simulated by the DA for 2021. The data was presented not by Medrano, but by Ruth S. Miclat Socano, director of the Agricultural Training Institute-International.

Based on Socano’s presentation, the country would have a surplus of 147,041 MT of pork this year, based on Philippine Statistics Authority data as of October 1.

However, Socano said based on the DA’s simulation, the country may suffer a deficit of 388,790 MT, which translates to an 88-day shortage. Using industry estimates on the impact of ASF, the country may have a shortfall of 530,871 MT, Socano added.

Industry leaders called for the junking of the petition to lower tariffs on pork following the hearing.

The Cabinet-level Committee on Tariff and Related Matters earlier agreed to lower pork tariffs to allow entry of cheaper imports in a bid to boost domestic supply and stabilize the prices of meat products.

(Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2021/01/29/ctrm-endorses-tariffreduction-on-pork-imports/).

Habal…

Continued from A1

heavily dependent on tourism.

Secretaries Romulo Puyat and Bello signed on Tuesday DOTDOLE Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-001, amending the guidelines for the cash-for-work program to expand the beneficiaries in the tourism sector.

“With this amendment, the Cash Assistance Program under Bayanihan 2 can benefit more displaced workers, especially those in the informal sector. We encourage our LGUs and tourism enterprises to extend assistance in the completion of documentary requirements for our affected tourism workers,” urged Romulo Puyat in a news statement.

Individual TSS providers only need to show a certified true copy of their LGU license or permit to apply for the cash aid.

Other beneficiaries of the financial aid program are displaced tourism workers in DOT-accredited primary tourism enterprises like hotels and resorts; DOT-accredited secondary tourism enterprises like restaurants; LGU-licensed but not DOT-accredited primary and secondary tourism enterprises; and members of registered community-based tourism organizations.

Unemployed tourism workers or those working part time or are still working from home but have been recipients of other government financial aid programs (e.g., Social Amelioration Program; Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program; unemployment benefits from state-run pension funds starting April 1, 2020; and the Small Business Wage Subsidy Program starting April 1, 2020), are still entitled to tap the DOT-DOLE Bayanihan 2 financial aid program.

Target beneficiaries of the DOT-DOLE program may contact their respective DOT regional offices, the list of which may be found at https://tinyurl.com/3qoutwv8 During the lawmakers’ discussions on Bayanihan 2 last year, the DOT estimated some 4.8 million tourism workers were either jobless or only partially working because of Covid-imposed travel restrictions. As such, it calculated that some P80 billion in financial assistance was needed to jumpstart the recovery of the tourism sector. About P10 billion in assistance was allocated for tourism workers under Bayanihan 2.

Online…

Continued from A1

and cashless society.

“The BSP expects the transition to gather pace amid the rise in electronic payments during the Covid-19 pandemic. In view of this, the BSP will continue to engage the public to ensure that Filipinos will adjust well to this transformation,” Diokno said.

Diokno also reported that coin demand in 2020 fell by 57 percent in volume and 60 percent in value from its level in 2019.

“While softer economic activity may have partly led to the drop, broadening access to safe and convenient e-payment options may have also contributed to the decline in coin demand,” the governor said.

Diokno also said that the BSP and the industry, led by the Philippine Payments Management Inc., are continuously collaborating to develop more avenues on safe and efficient digital payments.

The governor earlier announced his personal goal of ensuring half of financial transactions in the country transition to digital by the end of his term in 2023. But because of the pandemic, Diokno said this may be achieved sooner than the projection by the end of 2022.

A4 Friday, February 5, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

The Nation BusinessMirror

Group supports creation of PMVICs as senator calls for ‘transparency’

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

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HE government made the right call in adding 200 more Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs) to its current pool, according to the Vehicle Inspection Center Operators Association of the Philippines (VICOAP), as this will help the industry accommodate the nationwide demand for inspection centers in light of the policy for road safety.

Inigo Larrazabal, the president of VICOAP, said his group fully supports the expansion of the program, as this will help the Philippines inch

towards its catch-up plan for road safety through PMVICs. “Compared to other countries, we are at the tail-end. But the good thing is we can catch up by starting the operations already of our PMVICs as soon as possible,” he said.

In the Senate, however, Senator Ralph Recto has filed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Office (LTO) to “suspend the operation PMVICs until a comprehensive public consultation is conducted.”

In his Senate Resolution 638, Recto said the suspension will be imposed “with the end in view of

promoting transparency to stakeholders and the public, forging programs with social acceptability and ensuring public safety.”

Currently, the DOTr has identified 138 sites for PMVICs across the country. Of that number, 115 sites have been awarded, but only 24 have started their operations.

Larrazabal explained that this was because companies received their notices of award “at different periods.”

“The 138 centers will not be able to sufficiently cover the entire country. DOTr agreed to add 200 more, bringing this number to close to 400, which will be more than enough to cover the entire

country,” Larrazabal noted.

Under a memorandum circular issued in November 2020, the DOTr and the LTO added 209 new locations for PMVICs. The government is currently accepting applications for the said locations.

“Inspection is a standard all around the world,” Larrazabal said. “We really need this because it saves lives.”

He said annually, almost 12,000 Filipinos lose their lives due to road accidents, of which the second leading cause is mechanical failure. By having vehicles inspected, Larrazabal said death and injury caused by faulty mechanics may be prevented. With Butch Fernandez

DOJ chief taps NBI to probe price hikes of pork, commodities

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said he would direct the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation into the reported manipulation of prices of pork and other basic commodities by certain unscrupulous groups and individuals.

Guevarra issued the statement as he signified the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) readiness to join the proposed sub-task force on economic intelligence that will look into unreasonable increases in the prices of pork, chicken and other foodstuff.

The government task force on economic intelligence is co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“We have expressed to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry our willingness to participate in the proposed sub-task group on economic intelligence,” Guevarra said.

In line with the manifestation, the DOJ chief said, he would issue a department order directing the NBI to gather “actionable information” that may be used to run after

VENDORS at a public market slice the slabs of a pig carcass in Phase 2, Bagong Silang-Kanan, Caloocan City, on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. The government has ordered the imposition of price ceiling on pork, chicken products amid the rising prices of the commodities, as Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra says he will tap the National Bureau of Investigation to go after price manipulators. PNA PHOTO BY BEN BRIONES

hoarders and profiteers reportedly manipulating the prices of pork, vegetables, and other basic foodstuff.

Earlier, the DA said the task force will focus its operations against unscrupulous traders, viajeros and

wholesalers who have unreasonably jacked up market prices of pork, which in the case of liempo, has reached around P400 a kilo.

It noted that the price has remained unchanged even after the

Christmas season and despite demand slack.

President Duterte earlier ordered the imposition of a price ceiling on pork and chicken for 60 days in Metro Manila starting February 8.

On eve of retirement, military chief exhorts soldiers to uphold professionalism, dedication

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

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UTGOING Armed Forces chief of Staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay has called on soldiers to maintain their professionalism and dedication to service ahead of his mandatory retirement from the service.

The chief of staff issued the call during his farewell visit to the Navy on the eve of his retirement wherein he was welcomed by

officials led by Navy chief Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

Gapay is set to officially retire on Thursday, with the retirement ceremony scheduled at 5p.m. at Camp Aguinaldo with President Duterte as the guest of honor. At least 250 people are expected to join the event.

Gapay would be succeeded by Army chief and a medal of valor awardee Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana as had been officially announced earlier by Malacañang.

“As I retire, I will retire happy, proud, and contented knowing that the Navy and the Armed Forces will be left with good leaders and good men and women with solid camaraderie,” Gapay said during his speech at the Navy.

“Continue doing your job with utmost professionalism and commitment,” he stressed.

Gapay visited the headquarters of the Philippine Fleet (PF) and the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) at Naval

Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite City.

Sailors and marines accorded the chief of staff with fitting honors upon his arrival as a tribute and recognition of his “invaluable and selfless service rendered to the Filipino people.”

Gapay also witnessed a capability demonstration at NAVSOCOM’s Airborne Ground.

The retiring chief of staff held a dialogue with senior Navy officials led by Bacordo.

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ICSC bares ‘over-reported’ climate financing to PHL, other third world countries

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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ESPITE receiving billions of dollars in climate financing, the Philippines and many other developing countries may not be getting the full benefit of the funds each country has received, according to a report by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC).

The study revealed that the Philippines received $4.3 billion worth of climate financing between 2013 and 2017. However, of the amount $2.1 billion was allocated for adaptation but some $770 million, or 37 percent, could be considered as “over-reported” funds.

ICSC Deputy Executive Director Angelo Kairos dela Cruz said in some cases bilateral donors could say that they are providing $100 million for adaptation, but only $50 million or less is spent on adaptation, resulting in a bloated figure.

“Over-reporting is quite common, and it is also the bigger problem. Having a bunch of over-reported climate finance will give a bloated, unreal figure, giving an illusion that we have a lot or enough, when we actually don’t. Quality of projects usually gets compromised too,” dela Cruz told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail.

Of these over-reported funds, ICSC said many were extended by the Japanese government, the country’s primary source for Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans and the world’s leading source for climate finance.

Data showed that in the Philippines, these over-reported funds were observed for adaptation projects financed by Japan worth $425 million; the World Bank, $156 million; France, $98 million; the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, $54 million; and Korea, $32 million.

The study said of the $924 million reported as adaptation finance extended to the Philippines by the Japanese government, only 54 percent or $500 million could be considered as genuine adaptation financing.

“Over-reporting inflates actual contributions to our climate action.

It is possible that it is simply a report wrongly made with no bad intentions, but without anyone looking, it is almost as if we are accepting the reports as they are,” dela Cruz said.

“Developed countries usually account for their climate-related spending as part of their commitments to international agreements such as in the UNFCCC [United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change],” he added.

In order to address these concerns and others that were raised by the report, the ICSC recommended the creation of a climate finance plan.

Dela Cruz said accountability is a shared responsibility of both the finance receiving and source country.

Currently, climate finance plans are being done separately by agencies, such as the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Climate Change Commission (CCC). Dela Cruz said these plans should be harmonized in order to create one solid plan for climate finance in the country.

The report also recommended the creation and institutionalization of a monitoring system for climate finance to better monitor climate finance support.

The system can then be used to cross-check reports of donor countries to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in an effort to track their commitments better.

Sara Jane Ahmed, finance advisor to the Secretariat, Vulnerable 20 Group of Finance Ministers (V20), said better accounting of climate finance in the Philippines will also benefit the rest of the countries that comprise the V20.

Formed in 2015, the V20 Group of Finance Ministers is a dedicated cooperationinitiativeofeconomiessystemically vulnerable to climate change. It was established with the inaugural meeting of the V20 Ministers of FinanceoftheClimateVulnerableForum chaired by former Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima in Lima, Peru.

“What affects V20 countries will increasingly impact the world economy, just as the V20 bears the brunt of the impacts of climate change and concurrent global crises,” Ahmed said.

“The V20 IMF Action Agenda calls for the systematic and universal consideration of climate physical and transition risk to make available special financial assistance for V20 countries in mitigating climate crisis impacts,” she added.

Effortstoimprovetheuseofclimate finance in the Philippines, dela Cruz said, continue as the DOF prepares the country’s climate finance road map, whileworkingwiththeClimateChange Commission to deliver an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement. The CCC has also set up its Climate Finance Systems and Services.

He added that the House climate committee’s oversight helps address the gap in the accountability loop when it comes to financing. The legislative oversight prompts agencies to explain and encourage the government to maximize the use of these funds.

“The real test is what happens in the real economy, and the team of Sec. Dominguez has ably led the charge.

We are today seeing the benefits of DOF taking the lead on climate concerns. Their expertise on finance is unparalleled and climate finance is an agenda where DOF leadership really matters,” dela Cruz said.

The V20 membership stands at 48 economies. Apart from the Philippines, this includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, and Guatemala.

The other countries include Haïti, Honduras, Kenya, Kiribati, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Senegal, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, TimorLeste, Tunisia, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam and Yemen.

Prelates glad Quiapo, Tondo fiestas did not cause spike in Covid cases

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HURCH officials on Thursday welcomed the report indicating there was no spike in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) after the holiday season and during the celebration of the Black Nazarene feast held last month.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Administrator of Manila said this proves that the religious events were held with caution.

“That is good news. The Quiapo and Sto. Niño events were well managed in spite of many people. The grace of our Lord worked,” he said in a text message.

The Manila auxiliary bishop added that the report could also be a basis to allow more people inside churches.

“It could be a basis. The church is not a spreader. We have an organized management of our services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Douglas Badong, parochial

DEVOTEES flock to Quiapo church for their daily devotion and worship.

vicar of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene popularly known as Quiapo Church, expressed gratitude to God for the good result of the report.

“Thank you Lord. I hope they will realize and should not think that going to church is adding to the problem and think that the faith of the people will be able to help in fighting and stop the spread of the virus,” he said.

The feasts of the Black Nazarene and the Sto. Niño are

held every January.

On Wednesday, the OCTA Research group reported that there was no spike in Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila after the holiday season and the holding of church activities.

In its latest report, the group noted that the Covid-19 reproduction number in the region remained at 1.

Reproduction number refers to how contagious an infectious disease is or the number of people who can get the virus from one infected person. PNA

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Bridge project linking Bataan

and Cavite may have to be ‘revalidated’–Neda exec

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project entails a “huge cost” relative to the budget allotted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the project, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

In a briefing on Thursday, Neda Investment Programming Group Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary Jonathan L. Uy also said the demand for the project is also being “revalidated” in light of Covid-19.

However, Uy said the Neda is working with the DPWH in reviewing the project and are keen on fast tracking its implementation.

“We have to revalidate the demand for possible traffic on that bridge given the effects of Covid-19.

Secondly, the cost of the project is quite huge relative to the budget envelope…,” Uy said.

The P175.7-billion project aims to construct two long-span bridges totaling 32.1 kilometers to connect Mariveles, Bataan to Corregidor to Naic, Cavite.

The project is included in the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program and is listed as among the Duterte administration’s flagship projects. It is one of the projects that will require reclamation.

The Neda Board approved the project in January 2020, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $200-million loan as additional financing for the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility in December 2019.

Uy said the reclamation for the project is now being undertaken by the DPWH. “[In the case of] most reclamation projects, if they are found to be not environmentally sustainable, there are mitigation measures which may entail changing the nature of the input, therefore reclamation may not be the only solution,” said Uy. “So as far as planning these projects are concerned, we adhere to the requirements that these be environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable,” he added.

In January 2020, Neda said most of the big-ticket infrastructure projects of the Duterte administration will require minimal reclamation work.

However, President Duterte expressed his reservations in allowing additional reclamation projects in Manila Bay. Addressing reclamation projects is part of the Manila Bay Master Plan, which aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development and management of the entire Manila Bay area.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, February 5, 2021 A5

Jobstreet PHL presents upbeat labor force, wage-rate recovery

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

T

HE country’s labor force is now well on its way to recovery as employers start increasing their job vacancies and restoring the previous wage rates of their workers, according to job search site, JobStreet.

Compared to the last six months, JobStreet Philippines Country Manager Philip Gioca noted more of their clients have started hiring workers again, although he noted this is still not at par with the figures before the onset of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis.

More hiring

PRIOR to the pandemic, he said they registered 100,000 vacancies in their platform.

This has since been reduced to 55,000 with the imposition of quarantine restrictions enforced by the government to contain the spread of Covid-19 in March 2020.

“In the last three months there was a surge in number [of vacancies]. When we say surge, it is compared to the last six months,” Gioca said during an online press briefing on Thursday. “We have seen an increase of about 20 percent in terms of hiring and in terms of

jobs available in the market.”

He pointed out this was apparent in the 50,000 available jobs in their upcoming Virtual Career Fair from February 17 to 21, 2021.

Salary changes

ANOTHER positive development, Gioca said, was that many companies have reverted the amount of salaries, which are received by their employees, to its original amount, as they experience improved cash flow compared to last year.

Some companies opted to reduce the pay of their workers by as much as 20 percent in 2020 to continue their operations during the pandemic.

Gioca also reported that the salary package being offered by some sectors like business-process outsourcing (BPO) to new entrants were untouched even during the pandemic.

However, for those with higher positions, he said, some companies have opted to offer lower salary packages since their task have been reduced during the pandemic.

Employment forecast

THE positive labor trend is expected to continue this year as the government relaxes its quarantine measures and deployment of Covid-19 vaccines, allowing more business operations.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Passengers of the Metro Railway Transit (MRT) 3 observe safe physical distancing as they arrive at the Quezon Avenue station in Quezon City on Thursday (February 4, 2021). The railway has resumed operations as long as the minimum safety standards are followed. PNA PHOTO BY JESS M. ESCAROS JR.

“Hopefully we are praying that we are going to be at the same level of pre-pandemic [in terms of vacancies] by the end of June this year,” Gioca said.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier noted that while there will be improvement in the labor market in the coming months, it is not expected to return to its pre-Covid levels this year.

Based from the latest Philippine Development Plan (PDP), between 2.4 million and 2.8 million jobs are expected to be generated this year.

Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique R. Tutay said they are confident to meet their targets under the updated PDP with the implementation of their National Employment Recovery Strategy in the first semester of 2021.

News

BusinessMirror

A6 Friday, February 5, 2021

Lower tariffs on non-Asean, Indian rice imports pushed

T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Finance (DOF) are pushing for lower tariffs on Indian and outside Asean rice imports as a preemptive measure against rising Thai and Viet rice prices, which combine for 90 percent of Philippine imports.

During the Tariff Commission hearing on Thursday, Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa S. Habitan explained the “economic rationale” behind the petition filed by the DA. The DA filed the petition to lower both the in-quota and outquota tariffs for rice imports to

35 percent.

Rice imports within the minimum access volume (MAV) or inquota are slapped with 40-percent tariff while those outside the MAV are levied with 50-percent tariff.

Habitan explained that Southeast Asian rice prices are currently 30 percent more expensive than rice

produced in South Asia, like India.

Habitan noted that Southeast Asia accounts for about 94 percent of the country’s annual rice imports.

She added that India has become the world’s largest exporter of rice with an estimated volume of 9.8 million metric tons (MMT) of rice in 2019. Thailand was the second largest exporter at 5.8 MMT. Based on Habitan’s presentation, export rice price in India as of November 2020 is 27 percent lower than the export quotation of staple exported by Vietnam and Thailand.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar earlier told the BusinessMirror that the proposed tariff reduction is aimed at expanding the options of traders for sources of rice imports. (Related story here: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2021/02/01/tariff-cutto-expand-phl-sources-of-riceimports/) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform head Cynthia A. Villar emphasized her opposition to the proposal, arguing that the tariff reduction is insignificant.

Villar added that if expand-

ing rice imports from India is the goal, then the government should consider just allocating the whole 350,000 MT MAV for imports from India.

Department of Agriculture Policy Research Service Director Noel Padre said the petition to lower rice tariffs is to “preclude some actions by our sources.”

As an example, Padre recalled the time Vietnam decided to restrict its rice exports early last year due to supply concerns amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This petition is to preclude some actions by our sources such as when Vietnam imposed restrictions on their exports of rice last year. I think our importers had difficulties looking for other sources,” Padre siad.

“This petition will expand the Philippines’s sources of imported rice since maybe at that rate India, Pakistan and outside Asean will be able to compete with the rice that’s being imported from Asean members,” Padre added.

Rice imports from Asean member-countries are slapped with 35-percent tariff regardless of whether they are within MAV or outside MAV.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Lacson: Duterte was fed false info on Covid vaccine P

RESIDENT Duterte was apparently fed false information by Palace aides who made it appear that the European Union had moved to ban the Philippines from getting Covid-19 vaccines from EU countries allegedly due to his human-rights record, Sen. Panfilo Lacson lamented Thursday.

“Do not treat the President like a mushroom—kept in the dark and fed with S*^t,” Lacson said in a post on his Twitter account.

The senator aired his regret that a “great disservice [was] done to the nation by those responsible for feeding the President false information on the exclusion of the Philippines by the European

D.O.J. CHIEF: NBI WILL JOIN PORK PRICE MANIPULATION J

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday he would direct the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation into the alleged manipulation of prices of pork and other basic products by some unscrupulous groups and individuals.

Guevarra made the statement as he signified the Department of Justice’s readiness to join the proposed sub-task force on economic intelligence that will look into unreasonable increases in the prices of pork, chicken and other foodstuff.

The government task force on economic intelligence is cochaired by the DA and Department of Trade and Industr y (DTI). “We have expressed to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry our willingness to participate in the proposed sub-task group on economic in-

Covid test results fakers barred from Boracay

F

AKE it ’til you make it.

For 100 tourists who felt too constricted by the pandemic lockdown in Metro Manila, the allure of visiting Boracay Island proved too strong.

So much so they decided to fake their RT-PCR test results to show they were negative for Covid-19.

As a result, local government officials of Malay, to which Boracay belongs, have moved to ban their entry to the municipality for three years.

Municipal councilor Nenette Aguirre-Graf, who spearheaded a resolution with Vice Mayor Niño Cawaling and councilor Datu Yap Sumndad, told the BusinessMir ror , “ We a re coming up with an ordinance to declare as persona non grata and ban for three years [from entering the municipality] the tourists caught with fake RTPCR test results.”

Aguirre-Graf’s proposal was discussed during the Sangguniang Bayan Malay meeting on Thursday. She said the latest count of forgers has hit 100 since Boracay was reopened to gen-

eral community quarantine last October. It also includes the six tourists from Metro Manila, apprehended on January 21, three of whom were found to be Covid-positive and have since been transferred to the Aklan Training Center, a quarantine facility in Kalibo.

A negative RT-PCR test is a major requirement for tourists to enter Boracay Island, the acknowledged “crown jewel of Philippine tourism.”

Slow verification

by Aklan govt

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) has appealed to travelers to stop forging and faking travel documents, or else face fines and proper criminal charges by the local government unit, which may include the penalty of imprisonment.

In a news statement, the agency also reminded the public that subsidized RT-PCR tests for Manila-based tourists are available from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and the Philippine Children’s Medical Cen-

ter, at P900 and P750, respectively. Would-be tourists only need to submit their application for the subsidized tests to the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the DOT. The DOT also urged its partner-local government units (LGUs) to tighten their assessment of applications made t h roug h t hei r reg i st rat ion system.

TPB Chief Operating Officer Ma. Anthonette C. VelascoAllones said the Aklan government “should be able to verify the documents [submitted by the would-be tourist to Boracay] before they even send the QR code for the visit [just like how Baguio does it in their Visita scheme].”

In a number of the fake-test cases, however, published reports showed that the violators already made it to the island due to the local government’s slow verification process.

Allones said most medical centers respond immediately to verification inquiries, “so it could be the LGU was slow in verifying [the RT-PCR tests], because the

tourists were already on the island when they were validated to have submitted fake test results.”

SLMC to tighten Covid screening

MEANWHILE, a source in the DOT separately told this paper, “Most of the presented faked test results were said to have been from St. Luke’s.”

As such, St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) is now looking at tightening its procedures in releasing Covid-19 screening results, in the light of the rising number of tourists faking their RT-PCR test results for their trips to Boracay Island.

A hospital insider said, “We are asking our IT [information technology] to consider providing QR code [on our test results] for local travel.” The source added that a QR code isn’t actually a requirement for local travel, but the medical center, with branches in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City, is now considering using it, “because of this incident [faking of Covid-19 rest results].”

Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

Union from the vaccine distribution so the economy can start recovering.”

The EU had reassured that the Philippines is exempted from such an export ban. “So, it wasn’t EU’s fault after all,” Lacson said, ruing that “those feeding the President false information are doing him and the country a disservice and should resign to save us all from international embarrassment.” Lacson said on Twitter.

At the same time, the senator stressed Filipinos must be vaccinated soonest “so the economy can start recovering.”

He added: “As such, there is no room for false information especially at this critical stage of the government’s vaccination efforts.” Butch Fernandez

telligence,” Guevarra said.

In line with the manifestation, the DOJ chief said he would issue a department order directing the NBI to gather “actionable information” that may be used to run after hoarders and profiteers reportedly manipulating the prices of pork, vegetables, and other basic foodstuff.

Earl ier, t he DA sa id t he task force will focus its operation against unscrupulous traders, viajeros, and wholesalers who have unreasonably jacked up the prices of hogs and pork, now hovering at P400 a kilo.

It noted that the price has remained the same even after the Christmas season and despite the fact that demand has gone down.

President Duterte earlier ordered the imposition of a price ceiling on pork and chicken for 60 days in Metro Manila starting February 8. Joel R. San Juan

‘Lifeliners’ 2-mo grace lapsing, but…

By Samuel P. Medenilla

T

@sam_medenilla

HE two-month grace period for “lifeliners”—or low-income consumers with minimal power use—to pay their electric bills is set to end this month.

However, the Department of Energy (DOE) assured them that even after the period, they will still be given a chance to pay their bills in installments to avoid possible notice of disconnection.

This after the said measure was approved by President Duterte during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the DOE made the commitment during the Cabinet meeting.

“One of the directives of the Department of Energy is not to issue disconnection notices for lifeliners

or low-income consumers, which consume electricity in the threshold level of ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission],” Nograles said.

“The President readily agreed, given that electricity is a basic necessity our countrymen cannot live without,” he added.

He noted the new policy is very “doable” since lifeliners comprise 32 percent of consumer base, but they only account for 3 percent of electricity sales.

To help lifeliners in the long term, Nograles said the President also approved the recommendation of DOE to appeal to Congress to extend the benefits for this sector.

DOE is recommending that the benefits be extended from mid 2021 until 2051.

“We are appealing to Congress to fast-track the passage of the said law,” Nograles said.

Govt still bullish on hitting socioeconomic goals–Neda Continued from A16

This target is already lower than the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) projection of 8 to 10 percent for 2022.

“We think that we can actually surpass that target [DBCC].

We have come up with this target [DBCC] early on as we were updating the PDP. Given recent developments, we at the DBCC are setting for ourselves a higher target and we think we have the wherewithal to be able to grow much faster than the PDP,” she said in a briefing.

Poverty

MEANWHILE, some targets were adjusted to take into consideration the impact of the pandemic on Filipinos. This includes the country’s poverty reduction targets.

Edillon said in the original PDP,

the target was to reduce poverty incidence to 13 to 15 percent. However, in the updated PDP, the target is to clock in a 15.5 to 17.5 percent poverty incidence rate this year.

She explained that there is no poverty incidence target for 2022 because the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) will not be conducted in 2022.

“At the time we were planning for the PDP, there was already a plan for a bi-annual collection of the FIES and that’s the reason we have a 2022 target, but that has been changed so that now there will no longer be a 2022 collection of the FIES,” Edillon explained.

The FIES is a survey that is conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) every three years.

It was last done in 2018 and will again be conducted this year.

Government uses the results

gleaned from the FIES to compute poverty incidence nationwide. Poverty incidence is determined using poverty thresholds.

Based on the official PSA estimates, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa earlier said the poverty threshold was estimated at P25,800 per year per Filipino or, for a family of five, P126,000 per year.

Individuals and families who earn less than this amount annually are automatically considered poor in the government’s estimates.

Mapa said there are about 3 million families who are poor, consisting of around 17.67 million or close to 18 million individuals.

Employment and social protection

NOT all targets will be positive. In terms of employment, the target is to see unemployment average

7 to 9 percent in 2021 and 2022, higher than the 3.8 to 5.2 percent average in 2020.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua explained during the briefing that this target is feasible given the number of new entrants to the labor force expected, particularly in 2022.

By 2022, Chua said, the labor force will welcome the first College graduates who completed the K-12 education system. The number of graduates would likely swell the ranks of the unemployed.

Moreover, efforts to digitalize, which have already begun and likely to continue, will make the labor market “tight” this year and in 2022.

“By the end of 2020, we are still short by 1.8 million jobs.

By 2021, we expect to generate between 2.4 million and 2.8 mil-

lion jobs. However, we do expect some new entrants into the LF [labor force], hence the higher unemploy ment rate,” Ed i l lon told the BusinessMirror.

“The push for digitalization is happening now. In fact, the different training programs for digital skills for individuals and businesses started last year. But you are right; we may not see the fruits right away, that is why we are pushing for more graduate scholarship programs and apprenticeship,” she added.

In order to help the unemployed and the vulnerable in society, given the lessons of the pandemic, the government will endeavor to achieve universal social protection through the development of a Social Protection Code and institutionalize a Social Protection Floor.

Developing the code will require doing away with the duplication

of social protection interventions among government entities. It will also ensure that Filipinos living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) will have access to social protection programs.

A social protection floor will also guarantee the access of people to social protection services. Once finalized, a policy directive will be issued to adopt and enumerate the components of the Social Protection Floor.

This effort will be aided by the implementation of the PhilSys or National ID, to be synchronized with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Listahan.

This will give rise to a registry of vulnerable groups that will address data constraints. This will help facilitate the delivery of social services and access to social protection programs.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

News

BusinessMirror

Friday, February 5, 2021

A7

Duterte OKs acquisition of 15 Black Hawk choppers in prep for phaseout of Hueys

By Samuel P. Medenilla

BINONDO-INTRAMUROS BRIDGE PROJECT COMPLETE BY SEPT. 2021–DPWH CHIEF

D

epartment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretar y Mark A. Villar has announced that the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge Project in Manila is now 50 percent complete and has been targeted for opening seven months from now.

Villar issued the declaration following a project inspection on Thursday, Februar y 4, 2021, on the progress of works of the bridge project spanning over the Pasig River in Manila with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain, and Project Director Virgilio C. Castillo of DPWH UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1.

By September 2021, this attractive design of the arch bridge that symbolizes the friendly cooperation between China and the Philippines will become a new iconic landscape connecting the Binondo and Intramuros districts of Manila, said Villar.

Upon completion, it will carry extra traffic of around 30,000 vehicles per day and ease the traffic congestion between the Binondo and Intramuros,

the DPWH chief added.

Ac c o rd i n g to U n d e r s e c re t a r y S a d a i n , the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge involves the construction of 4-lane basket-handle tied steel arch bridge with a total length of 680 lineal meter connecting the District of Intramuros at Solana Street and Riverside Drive and District of Binondo at Rentas Street/Plaza Del Conde Street and Muelle dela Industria having a viaduct structure over Estero de Binondo.

The project has a total cost of P3.39 billion funded under the two China Aid Bridges Project with the other bridge known as the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge connecting Makati and Mandaluyong in support to The Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

Designed with the new seismic specifications and taking into consideration the impact of climate change, the project employed many advanced construction methods shared by Chinese to the Filipino workers such as the steel arch bridge assembly, pushing method and the bottom construction method of the boxed cofferdam and building a solid piling foundation.

T

@sam_medenilla

he government is eyeing to acquire 15 Black Hawk helicopters in preparation for the decommissioning of the all Huey helicopters of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Cabinet Secretar y K arlo Nog ra les d isc losed President Duterte made the announcement during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening.

He said the decision was prompted by the recent crash landing of a Huey helicopter in Bukidnon on January 16, which killed several at least seven airmen.

“This was the fourth such crash since July of last year. And the President wants to end all these tragic deaths. Our servicemen and their families deserve better,” Nograles said in an online news briefing on Thursday.

He noted that the phase out

of the Huey helicopters of PAF is already long overdue since some of the said rotary wing aircraft are already 60 years old.

Duterte initially approved the proposal of the Department of National Defence (DND) for an additional 55 new helicopters to replace its Huey units.

However, due to budgetary constraints, Nograles said, the planned purchase was reduced to just 15 Black Hawk helicopters.

Nograles said the number of new helicopters to be purchased by the government could still increase depending on the availability of budget.

File photo of a Black Hawk helicopter at an Air Force hangar.

The PAF earlier commissioned the first six of 16 Polish-made Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters it ordered in 2019 as part of its program to modernize its fleet of helicopters.

T he rema ining 10 u nits a re ex pected to ar r ive in the count r y w it h i n t he f i rst qu a r ter of 2021.

The brand-new Black Hawk helicopters, manufactured by PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin/

Sikorsky company in Poland, will provide the PAF with sustained day-and-night tactical lift, transport, and search-andrescue capabilities.

The Philippine government purchased the helicopters under the $241.5-million governmentto-government contract with Poland to meet the Horizon 2 phase of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program. With PNA

42nd Catholic Mass Media ‘So that you may tell to your children and grandchildren’ (Exodus 10:2). Life becomes history.

Mass media workers, institutions honor

T

he Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) honored a total of 57 mass media professionals and institutions for their exemplary works that promoted Christian values and ideals in its first ever virtual awards night, which was telecast on CNN Philippines last December 19, and on TV Maria on December 20, 2020.

The unprecedented CMMA virtual awards presentation also served as a tribute to all mass media practitioners who are considered essential workers for the important work that they do in information dissemination in the midst of the global health crisis

that we are currently facing.

The winners were selected from 151 finalists by distinguished panels of judges in the different media categories in print, radio, television, advertising, music, the internet, and Student CMMA. The CMMA marks its 42nd year as an awards-giving body of the Archdiocese of Manila. It was established in 1978 by the late Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, then Archbishop of Manila, as the means by which the Church pays tribute to those who “serve God by means of the mass media.”

CMMA Acting Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon, in his welcome

remarks, noted with gratitude the support of mass media practitioners for this year’s CMMA despite the pandemic. “The enthusiasm of our media practitioners to join this year’s competition despite the health crisis shows their high regard for the CMMA as a prestigious awards giving institution, and it inspires us to continue giving recognition to deserving individuals and organizations,” he said.

The theme of this year’s CMMA was, “So that you may tell your children and grandchildren” (Ex 10:2). Life becomes history, based on the message of Pope Francis for the 54th World Communication Day last May 24.

In his keynote remarks, CMMA Honorary Chairman and

2020 cmma WINNERS

The Catholic Mass Media Awards had a successful first virtual presentation for its 42nd year. Present during the virtual awards night were (from left) CMMA Executive Director and Trustee Rev. Fr. Rufino C. Sescon, Jr., Acting Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon, Honorary Chairman and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., Judges Coordinator Rev. Fr. Hans Magdurulang, and Overall Chairman of Production and Trustee Rev. Fr. Joselito L. Buenafe.

HALL OF FAME AWARDEES n 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 & 2019 BEST INSPIRATIONAL SONG JAMIE RIVERA—STAR MUSIC

n 2007, 2013, 2017, 2018 & 2019 BEST NEWS MAGAZINE KAPUSO MO, JESSICA SOHO—GMA 7

n 2008, 2009, 2012, 2018 & 2019 BEST YOUTH MAGAZINE FISH MAGAZINE—SHEPHERD’S VOICE PUBLICATIONS, INC.

TELEVISION BEST ADULT EDUCATIONAL / CULTURAL PROGRAM n PUBLIC EYE—PTV 4

n 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018 & 2019 BEST ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM RADYO BALINTATAW—DZRH/ MANILA BROADCASTING COMPANY

BEST NEWS MAGAZINE n INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTARIES—GMA NEWS TV / CH. 27

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM n REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK—GMA 7

BEST DRAMA SERIES/PROGRAM n THE GIFT—GMA 7

BEST NEWS PROGRAM n STATE OF THE NATION WITH JESSICA SOHO—GMA NEWS TV CH. 27

BEST TV SPECIAL n THE ATOM ARAULLO SPECIALS—GMA 7

BEST STATION ID n SAMA-SAMA SA SEA GAMES STATION ID—TV 5

SPECIAL CITATIONS STUDENT CMMA STUDENT ORGAN - HIGH SCHOOL n ANG PAGLALAYAG—SCHOOL OF ST. ANTHONY, QUEZON CITY

STUDENT CMMA BEST STUDENT ORGAN-GRADE SCHOOL n LUNTIANG PANULAT—LA SALLE GREEN HILLS

BEST STUDENT ORGAN - HIGH SCHOOL n THE POLE—WESTERN BICUTAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

BEST STUDENT ORGAN-COLLEGE n THE CSU COMMUNICATOR—CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY BEST TV PRODUCTION n PAGASA SA PAGBASA—UST ANGELICUM COLLEGE BEST SHORT FILM n SA GITNA NG PANDEMYA—UST ANGELICUM COLLEGE

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE TV AD n THE GIFT—FIRST ASIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & HUMANITIES

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE RADIO AD n OUR FATHER—COLLEGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MANILA

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PRINT AD n THIS ABLED—FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY-MANILA

PRINT BEST NEWS PHOTOGRAPH n RAPID ESCALATION—REMAR A. ZAMORA / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

BEST EDITORIAL CARTOON n DOUBLE DANGER—ALBERT G. RODRIGUEZ / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER BEST OPINION COLUMN n DEFENDING THE MOST DEFENSELESS—TONY MAGLIANO / WORLD MISSION BEST SPECIAL FEATURE n WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING—JHESSET O. ENANO / PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

HALL OF FAME AWARDEES. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (top photo) and Jamie Rivera (Star Magic, bottom photo) were elevated to the Hall of Fame for winning in their respective categories five times during the virtual awards presentation of the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards. Presenting the award to them are CMMA Acting Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon (left) and Honorary Chairman and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D.

BEST COMIC STORY n ANG PAGLAYA NG BILANGGO—ORLY AQUINO / THE BREAD BASKET

INTERNET BEST WEBSITE n dominusest.ph—STARDUST PUBLISHING n www.phjesuits.org—PHILIPPINE JESUIT AID ASSOCIATION, INC.

ADVERTISING BEST DIGITAL AD - BRANDED n TAPANG NA TUNAY—GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL, INC / ASPAC / DENTSU ONE

BEST DIGITAL AD - PUBLIC SERVICE n PATAWAD—MANILA BULLETIN PUBLISHING CORPORATION

ALDEN RICHARDS’ “The Gift” received the Best Drama Series/Program award.

MUSIC BEST INSPIRATIONAL SONG n MAGING KATULAD MO—HANGAD / JESUIT COMMUNICATIONS FOUNDATION, INC.

BEST MUSIC VIDEO n ILILIGTAS KA NIYA—ALL STAR CAST / STAR MUSIC

BEST SECULAR SONG n PINAKAMAMAHAL KONG BAYAN—JONATHAN S. MANALO / STAR MUSIC

RADIO BEST NEWS FEATURE n TOP OF THE HOUR NEWS—STAR FM ROXAS / BOMBO RADYO PHILIPPINES

BEST PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM n DZRH RADYO BALINTATAW—DZRH / MANILA BROADCASTING COMPANY

BEST COUNSELING PROGRAM n PINOY MD SA DOBOL B—SUPER RADYO DZBB 594 / GMA NETWORK, INC. BEST NEWS COMMENTARY n COVID-19 SPECIAL COVERAGE—SUPER RADYO DZBB 594 / GMA NETWORK, INC.

THE Atom Araullo Specials won the Best TV Special award.

BEST NEWS PROGRAM n SUPER BALITA SA TANGHALI, NATIONWIDE—SUPER RADYO DZBB 594

GMA NETWORK, INC.

BEST CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM n DAIG KAYO NG LOLA KO—GMA 7

BEST SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGE n BALITANGHALI: TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION—GMA NEWS TV CH 27

STUDENT ORGAN - COLLEGE n MAGASIN-PIECE—LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY-BATANGAS

TV PRODUCTION n ANG HIMALA SA KAMAY NG DAANG TAO—ALAMINOS CITY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

PUBLIC SERVICE TV AD n DIGNITY NOT FOR SALE—FIRST ASIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & HUMANITIES PUBLIC SERVICE RADIO AD n MAKE UP TUTORIAL—UST ANGELICUM COLLEGE PRINT NEWS PHOTOGRAPH n HAPPY ENDING—ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN SPECIAL FEATURE n PASSING ON THE FAITH TO THE YOUNG—ARCHBISHOP GILBERT GARCERA / WORLD MISSION n GIVE THANKS AND PRAISE—FR. TITO CALUAG / ABS-CBN BOOKS

ADVERTISING TV AD - PUBLIC SERVICE n KAPUSO BARANGAYAN ON WHEELS—GMA REGIONAL TV MUSIC SECULAR SONG n PASKO NA CAGAYANO—CAGAYANO ARTISTS / PRAISE INCORPORATED

RADIO PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM n KAY SUSAN TAYO SA SUPER RADYO DZ DOBOL B—SUPER RADYO DZBB 594

GMA NETWORK, INC.

COUNSELING PROGRAM n KAHAPON LAMANG—DYFM / BOMBO RADYO ILOILO

NEWS PROGRAM n BOMBO NEWS AND VIEWS AM EDITION—DXMC / BOMBO RADYO KORONADAL

TELEVISION ADULT EDUCATIONAL / CULTURAL PROGRAM n SAGISAG SA KULTURA TV—PTV 4 n I-WITNESS—GMA 7

SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGE n THE VERDICT: THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE CASE—PTV 4 NEWS MAGAZINE n BYAHENG DO30—GMA REGIONAL TV, DAVAO PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAM n I-WITNESS—GMA 7

NEWS PROGRAM n GMA REGIONAL TV WEEKEND NEWS—GMA REGIONAL TV

a Awards RITES

red in first ever virtual awards night Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo talked about the important role of the youth and the elderly in the preservation of our history. “In order to move on in life, in this journey, we need roots and we need wings. The youth are our wings.

They bring us to far and new places. But the elderly, the parents, the grandparents, are our roots. We cannot just be flying around without being rooted, or else we’ll lose our identity. So we need our parents and grandparents, that we may be well-grounded and we need them to communicate the stories to us, so that we can pass them on to the next generation,” he said.

Bishop Pabillo also recognized the media frontliners, saying that “their timely reporting enables us to make appropriate decisions, and their unbiased and truthful reporting make us confident in our own decisions. They also give us hope and entertainment, very much needed in order to fight off boredom and depression in our times.”

Before ending his address, Bishop Pabillo encouraged everyone, especially the CMMA, to always be true to our Christian ideals and inspiration of love for God, love for country, and love for humanity, and to promote social friendship and solidarity. “The Holy Father spoke to us about social friendship, about solidarity in his last encyclical, ‘Fratelli

tutti,’ and hopefully our media apostolate and our CMMA, Catholic mass media awards, would further this cementing of social friendship and solidarity among us,” he said.

Four awardees were elevated to the Hall of Fame this year for being 5-time recipients of the CMMA in their respective categories. They were Jaime Rivera of Star Music for Best Inspirational Song, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho of GMA 7 for Best News Magazine, Fish Magazine

by Shepherd’s Voice Publications for Best Youth Magazine, and Radyo Balintataw by DZRH Manila Broadcasting Company for Best Radio Entertainment Program.

messages My warmest greetings to the organizers, judges, finalists and recipients of the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

I am delighted to know that despite the pandemic, you have found a safer platform to continue your longstanding tradition of honoring excellence in Philippine media, especially those that promote love for God, our country and the environment.

This year’s theme, “So that you may tell your children and grandchildren,” encourages us, especially media practitioners, to be diligent and responsible in documenting the history of our nation as it unfolds before us. May this further inspire you to preserve the events that happen every day so we may learn valuable lessons that we can pass on to the succeeding generations of Filipinos.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the CMMA. Let this recognition further inspire you to utilize the power of mass media as a tool to promote the well-being of our people.

I wish you a successful event.

RODRIO ROA DUTERTE

President of the Philippines Happy 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards!

This year has been especially challenging for all of us: The pandemic has left no life untouched, not to mention the recent typhoons that ravaged our communities. Amid all these, we have seen how correct and timely information is a vital tool in responding to any crisis, and the public depend on the mass media to deliver this information. They help our people make sense of the world, and in doing so, intensify our awareness that we share this single world with others. They serve as an instrument that elevates our capacity for empathy, reminding us that, ultimately, we are all interconnected—that the suffering of one contributes to the suffering of all, in the same way that the progress of even those in the margins contributes to the progress of all.

This is why I am grateful that despite all the challenges this year, CMMA continues to recognize the hard work of every man and woman in media. For more than four decades, you have presented an impressive roster of quality media output that delivers not only important news and context, but also programs and stories that showcase our culture and values as a people. We are proud to have television and radio shows, music, publications, and websites that shed light on the truth, inspire change, and bring hope to those who need it most. To all the 2020 finalists, congratulations and we look forward to more of your stories in the coming years.

Again, happy anniversary, CMMA! To God be the glory!

LENI ROBREDO Vice President of the Philippines it is with great joy that I extend heartiest congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards. Your outstanding works, done in the service of our fellow Filipinos, truly deserve recognition.

I likewise congratulate the Board of Trustees of the CMMA, the members of the panels of judges in the different categories, and all individuals responsible for mounting this year’s Awards Presentation, for a job well done. Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic that we are facing, you have succeeded in continuing the advocacy started by the late founder of the CMMA, our beloved Jaime L. Cardinal Sin, of paying tribute to those who “serve God by means of mass media.”

Our CMMA theme this year, “So that you may tell your children and grandchildren” (Ex 10:2) Life becomes history,” serve as a reminder to us all of the importance of learning the lessons of history as it happens.

Similarly, it highlights the important role of our mass media practitioners in recording the remarkable events that unfold, especially during this time of crisis, for the benefit of our future generations.

Again, congratulations to all the finalists and winners. May the awards conferred on you by the CMMA keep you inspired to do God’s work through public service.

God bless you all!

BRODERICK S. PABILLO, DD Honorary Chairman, CMMA Apostolic Administrator and Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Manila I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards.

Now more than ever, the remarkable works of our mass media practitioners deserve to be recognized, for they are among the front liners whose work in gathering and disseminating information is truly essential during this pandemic. The CMMA recognizes their important job, and shows appreciation for their efforts by paying tribute to them in this year’s awards presentation.

As we navigate this new world, it is our fervent hope that our talented communicators may continue to use their skills and expertise to serve God by serving our people through mass media. May they remain instruments in the responsible communication of valuable news and information, most especially during difficult times like the global health crisis that we are now facing.

Once again, congratulations to the finalist and winners, and keep up the good work! Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

D. EDGARD A. CABANGON Acting Chairman Warm greetings of peace and sincere congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards.

By handing out the Catholic Mass Media Awards to deserving individuals and institutions this year despite the crisis that we are facing, the CMMA Foundation pays tribute to these hardworking mass media practitioners who are considered front liners in information dissemination during these challenging times. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women behind the CMMA, our sponsors, the board of directors, the judges, and our secretariat for their hard work and efforts to make sure that our awards presentation will push through this year amid the pandemic.

The theme of this year’s Catholic Mass Media Awards, “So that you may tell your children and grandchildren” (Ex 10:2). Life becomes history, is a call for our mass media workers to be instruments in keeping record of the important events that happen in our country. Likewise, it reminds our diligent mass media professionals that their work is essential in the preservation of the lessons that we learn from these events so that we may pass them on to the younger generations, who are the hope of our nation.

As you continue with your important work, may the awards that you will receive serve as motivation for you to keep aspiring for excellence. Congratulations once again, and may God bless you all.

Rev. Fr. RUFINO SESCON, JR. Executive Director & Trustee

CMMA Vision & Mission

SPONSORED BY:

T o reward, as well as to pay tribute to media projects that enhance the total human development of the Filipino audience through the competent and professional use of mass media techniques.

To promote the basic human values: v Love of God v Love for Truth v Respect for the Natural Environment

v Promotion of Positive Filipino Values

v Love for Life

BusinessMirror

A10 Friday, February 5, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5/f To 10/f, Tower 4 Pitx #01 Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City

NO.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

45.

HUANG, JUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Floor Six West Campus Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

HONG A DAU Vietnamese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

46.

LIU, DANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

2.

MA, WENQIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

47.

LIU, XIAOHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

3.

SHANGGUAN, YANYIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

48.

REN, JIANWEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

49.

WANG, YIBO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

50.

ZHANG, QIAOYAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

4.

YU, WENWEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

5.

HUANG, JIANGHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SPECIALIST

6.

HUO, CHUNJUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SPECIALIST

7.

LU, ZIYANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SPECIALIST

8.

MA, YU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SPECIALIST

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. 5f-13f, Jiaxing Tower Building Aseana Avenue, Aseana Business Park Tambo Parañaque City CHEN, QIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

DENG, JUNJIE Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

HU, WENCUI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

LI, XU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

LI, LIWEN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

SHI, LING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

15.

WANG, LINSONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

16.

WANG, BO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

YAN, YOU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

YU, ZHENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

17.

18.

CAPGEMINI PHILIPPINES CORP. 12f, Ten West Campus Bldg. Le Grand Avenue, Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 19.

RANDOLPH BUMA, LEBGA Cameroonian

SENIOR ASSOCIATE (A4)

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

GLOBAL B2B CONSULTANCY, INC. 50/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue Bel-air Makati City 51.

TEE CHOON HUI Singaporean

SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor Silver City 4, Ortigas East Ugong Pasig City 52.

FU, HUA Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

53.

HE, JIE Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

54.

HU, TING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

LI, SHUANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

56.

LI, QING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

57.

SHI, RUILONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

55.

58.

WANG, SHUAI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

59.

YE, XIANGHAI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

ZHANG, JIAPAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

61.

CAI, YUANGANG Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

62.

CUI, YANJUN Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

63.

HE, JUN Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

64.

LIU, QINSHUN Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

60.

20.

LUO, MIAOTING Chinese

MANDARIN HEAVY LIFTING MAINTENANCE MANAGER

65.

SUN, WEIWEI Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

21.

LI, SIHUA Chinese

MANDARIN STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE MANAGER

66.

TAN, GUOAN Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

67.

TANG, MINGAN Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

68.

WANG, QIUHAI Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

CONCENTRIX DAKSH SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Bldg. F Ayalaland Technohub Quezon City 22.

RYU, JAEHUN South Korean

ADVISOR I, CUSTOMER SERVICE

CSSCORP ICT SERVICES, INC. 3rd Flr. Bonifacio Technology Center 31st. Corner 2nd Avenue Crescent Park Bonifacio City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 23.

GANESAN, KURALOVIAN Indian

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

FAREAST OUTSOURCE PROCESSING INC. 7th, 8th, 9th Flr. Nu Tower Moa Coral Way Brgy. 076 Pasay City 24.

CAO, ZHIWEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

25.

GU, JUNXIONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

26.

GU, JIAOWEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

27.

HUANG, HUIXIONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

28.

HUANG, JIFAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

29.

KANG, SHUO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

30.

LI, SHANSHAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

LIU, GUIMEI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

32.

LU, DECAI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

33.

LUO, YAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

34.

MA, SHAOYU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

NING, HONGYU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

PAN, QIZENG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

37.

RONG, XING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

38.

SONG, SHIDONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

WU, JINBAO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

YANG, GUIZHOU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

41.

YANG, MEI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

42.

ZHU, ZHIMAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

31.

35.

36.

39.

40.

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. 4th-11th Floor Aseana 3 Building Aseana Avenue Corner Diosdado Macapagal Tambo Parañaque City 43.

FAN, YONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

44.

HU, MINGXING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

GOLDENSKY INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC. Midas Hotel 2702 Roxas Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 69.

70.

71.

MASDIJADI Indonesian

CALL CENTER AGENT MANDARIN SPEAKING

SUN, YONGSHENG Chinese

CALL CENTER AGENT MANDARIN SPEAKING

ZHANG, NINGNING Chinese

CALL CENTER AGENT MANDARIN SPEAKING

HC CONSUMER FINANCE PHILIPPINES, INC. 15th Floor, Ore Central 9th Ave. Cor 31st. Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 72.

LUKOSZ, PETR Czech

CHIEF CRM OFFICER

HMR PHILIPPINES INC. Pioneer Cor Reliance Brgy. Highway Hills Mandaluyong City 73.

FENWICK, RONALD Australian

WAREHOUSE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City 74.

75.

WANG, CAN Chinese

BUSINESS AND PROJECT FINANCIAL CONTROLLER FOR GLOBE TRANSPORT AND FIXED NETWORK PROJECT

YUAN, JINCHUN Chinese

PROCUREMENT MANAGER FOR PHILIPPINES PLDT FIBERGEN PROJECT

HWA LUN CORPORATION Unit 1606 B Sunjoy Bldg. 525 Lavezares St. Tondo I/ii Manila 76.

XU, JINQUAN Chinese

WAREHOUSE PERSONNEL

IDNPLAY CORPORATION 8/f Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil J.puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City 77.

SUH, SUNGCHAN South Korean

KOREAN-SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE

INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL BANK OF CHINA LIMITED - MANILA BRANCH G/f The Curve Building 32nd St. Cor. 3rd Ave. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 78.

YIN, CHENGTING Chinese

CREDIT MANAGER

79.

LIU, XINYI Chinese

DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER

INTERCOMP LINK SOLUTIONS INC. 14th Floor, Filinvest Three Bldg. Northgate Cyberzone Filinvest Alabang Muntinlupa City 80.

81.

82.

QI, CHANGRU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

ZHANG, CHENZHENG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

ZHU, ZHENHUI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

1.

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

POSITION

83.

OSCAR SHIM NYUK FUN Malaysian

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

84.

CHEN, ZHIMING Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

85.

PENG, CUICUI Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

86.

XIN, QICHENG Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

87.

ZHANG, YONGCHENG Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

88.

ZHOU, LIANG Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

89.

WANG, GUANGXU Chinese

QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE) SPECIALIST

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 9/f 100 West Building Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City 90.

FENG, JING Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

91.

LIU, LIANGLIANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

92.

ZHOU, XIAOLIN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

93.

LI, TIANFU Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

94.

LI, YUHANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

95.

LIU, BEIBEI Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

96.

XU, XIUGUI Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

97.

YANG, CHENG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

98.

YANG, QI Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg. #48 President Avenue Bf Homes Parañaque City 99.

DARMAWAN Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

100.

JIMI WILI Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

101.

JOSEPH LIMTON Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

102.

KIM, JINSOL South Korean

KOREAN LEAD MARKETER

103.

KIM, EUNSUK South Korean

KOREAN MARKETING CONSULTANT

JINSHENGLONG BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th Flr. Filinvest Bay City Brgy. 076 Pasay City 104.

WANG, LIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

JUNGLE IN THE WEST INC. U-101/102 Le Domaine Condo 104 Tordesillas Bel-air Makati City 105.

ZHOU, XU Chinese

MARKETING DIRECTOR

LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED Imc Bldg. Lra Comp East Ave. Pinyahan 4 Quezon City 106.

KAPOOR, KUNAL Indian

VICE PRESIDENT- FINANCE AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVE

LERIB SERVICES CORPORATION U-3d Rose Industries Bldg. Choice Market Ortigas Kapitolyo Pasig City

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

126.

FENG, ZHONGHUA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

127.

FU, JINGLONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

128.

GAO, SAILONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

129.

GAO, XINGYU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

130.

GAO, HUIQIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

131.

GUO, YANCHEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

132.

GUO, BINGXIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

133.

HAN, YONGBO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

134.

HAO, JINGYONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

135.

HE, YANYAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

136.

HE, ZHENNAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

137.

HUANG, SHILONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

138.

HUANG, LONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

139.

I MIN AUNG Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

140.

JI, BO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

141.

KO KO LAT Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

142.

KUANG, FEILONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

143.

KYAN YIN SHU Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

144.

KYAW LWIN Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

145.

KYAW THEIN HAN Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

146.

LI, XIAOLI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

147.

LI, JIAHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

148.

LI, XIANGREN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

149.

LI, CHUANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

150.

LI, JIALIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

151.

LI KYI SHWE Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

152.

LIAN, SHIPENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

153.

LIANG, JINCHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

154.

LIU, NENGQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

155.

LIU, WEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

156.

LIU, ANJU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

157.

LIU, QIUHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

107.

JI, SUNGOO South Korean

ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER

158.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

108.

KIM, SOYEONG South Korean

LIU, HONGRONG Chinese

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF I

159.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

109.

JO, EUNBYUL South Korean

MA, ZHENDONG Chinese

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF II

160.

NANG LAO KHAM Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

161.

PENG, WEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

162.

QIN, HAIMIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

163.

QU, KEKE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

164.

SAI SU KHAM Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

165.

SAY KYIN HIKE Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

166.

SHAO, YUFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

167.

SHEN, EN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

168.

SHI CHAUNG Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

169.

SOE KYAW NAING Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

170.

SONG, XIAOMING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

171.

SONG, ZIHAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

172.

SONG, GUOLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

173.

TANG, CHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

174.

THANT SIN HTOO Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

175.

THU THU WIN Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

176.

WANG, WEIQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

177.

WANG, GUIBIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

178.

WANG, QICHEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

179.

WANG, RAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

180.

WANG, JIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

181.

WEN, HELI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

LOGICALSOURCE1 CALL CENTER INC. 8/f Sultan Cityland Central Brgy. Highway Hills Mandaluyong City 110.

QIAO, GUOCAI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LUCKY5 CORPORATION 478 San Fernando St. 026 Bgy. 282 San Nicolas Manila 111.

CHEN, CHANGZAO Chinese

DEPUTY DATACOM EMPLOYEE

MF CONSULTANCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC. Unit 1001 10/f Antel 2000 Corporate Centre 121 Valero St. Bel-air Makati City 112.

113.

CAI, WENYI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER

LIAO, ZHIGANG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER

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www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Friday, February 5, 2021 A11

Lawmaker says Duterte may not play a role in Cha-cha campaign

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

P

resident Duterte will not participate in the Charter change (Cha-cha) process, a deputy speaker assured on Thursday.

Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez issued the statement to correct the impression of some senators that a Congress-passed resolution proposing amendments to the Constitution will be submitted to the President for his approval or rejection.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has told a news forum that his chamber is open to economic Chacha provided that the Senate and the House, functioning as a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass), separately approve proposed amendments, with each chamber obtaining threefourths vote of all its members as required by the Constitution.

Rodriguez said his suggestion is for the lower chamber to first approve the Resolution of Both Houses 2 of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco by a three-fourths vote of its member and then transmit it to the Senate.

“The Charter does not give the President any role in the process of proposing and ratifying constitutional amendments. It is Congress, as a constituent assembly, or an elected constitutional convention

that proposes and the people ratify or reject the proposals. These are the first two Cha-cha modes under the Constitution,” he said.

Rodriguez said a third option is for the electorate to directly propose amendments through a people’s initiative.

“After Congress, sitting as a Con-ass, approves proposed amendments, it will send them to the Commission on Elections [Comelec], with a request that a plebiscite be set for the people’s ratification or rejection of such proposals,” he said.

Ultimately, Rodriguez said it is not Congress nor the President who will decide whether to approve the proposed amendments but the Filipino people where full sovereignty resides in a plebiscite to be conducted by Comelec.

He said the President would only play an indirect role in the entire process.

“He [Duterte] can of course influence it through his allies in the legislature,” he added.

“After the Senate approves it, we will send it to the Comelec,” Rodriguez said.

He said the House is proposing that the Comelec hold the plebiscite simultaneously with the May 2022 national elections to save on cost.

Earlier, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep.

Alfredo Garbin Jr., the chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, appealed to the Senate to give the Charter change proposal a chance.

According to Garbin, the House leadership expects the plenary deliberations to begin next week.

Voting 64 affirmative, 3 negative with 3 abstentions, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments last Tuesday adopted Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 filed by Velasco seeking to give Congress the flexibility to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to help the Philippine economy recover from Covid-19.

The resolution seeks to amend certain economic provisions of the 33-year-old Charter particularly Articles XII (National Economy and Patrimony), XIV (Education, Science, Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports) and XVI (General Provisions).

It seeks to insert the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to several sections of the Constitution, which restrict foreign ownership of public utilities, educational institutions, media and advertising. The addition of this phrase will allow Congress to enact laws to free up the economy to foreign investors, or maintain the status quo.

Aurora farmers’ co-op cited for ‘self-reliance’

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Vice President for Administration and Finance Mariza O. Mandocdoc (right) joined Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero (2nd from left), DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones (3rd from left), and DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez (on virtual participation) during the turnover ceremony of assorted smart phones and laptops worth more than P50 million, which were forfeited in favor of the government after they were apprehended by CDC-Task Force Aguila. The items which will be utilized by students enrolled in online and distance learning classes were given by the Bureau of Customs as donations to DepEd. Photo courtesy of CDC-CD

Customs chief lauds CDC task force’s drive against smuggling

C

LARK FREEPORT— Clark Development Corporation (CDC)Task Force Aguila was recently cited by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for their continuous efforts and support in intensifying operations against smuggling in the country.

In a news statement, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero thanked the CDC-Task Force Aguila’s initiative after they apprehended P50 million worth of smuggled items composed of assorted smartphones and laptops during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic here. The seizure of these items was ordered by the BOC-Clark.

The said items were later put to good use as the BOC donated these to the Department of Education (DepEd) in a formal turnover ceremony recently. A total of 5,038 devices composed of 4,840 smartphones and 198 units of laptops were received by DepEd Secretary Leonor

Magtolis Briones in a simple ceremony held at the BoC office in Manila.

The donated gadgets will be distributed and utilized by students who are taking distance learning studies, particularly those who are currently enrolled in online learning delivery modality.

Also present during the turnover were CDC Vice President Mariza O. Mandocdoc, and Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez who joined the event virtually.

The CDC-Task Force Aguila has been active in helping the government’s drive against illegal smuggling and tax evasion.

The seizure of the P50 million worth of gadgets is the task force’s secondbiggest haul.

The first was in 2019 when it seized over P80 million worth of similar goods in a huge technical smuggling attempt. These goods were also forfeited in favor of the government.

T

he Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday lauded the West Casiguran Ag rar ian Refor m Beneficiar ies Multi-Purpose Cooperative (WeCa ARBMPC) for demonstrating self-reliance.

After receiving a common service facility (CSF) from DAR in 2018, WeCaARBMPC was able to acquire its own tractor worth P1.2 million from earnings between 2018 to 2020.

The farm tractor is expected to serve a total of 331 agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB)-members in the municipality of Casiguran, Aurora.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Joyce Ramones said in a news statement that in the last quarter of 2018, the cooperative received a CSF that include their first 4-wheeled tractor. The CSF was provided by DAR through the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Program (CRFPS).

“The provision of farm machines to the co-operative aims to improve farmers productivity, specifically their palay production, and also the earning capabilities of its ARB-members, in a sustainable manner, not only as an individual but more so as an organization,” Ramones said.

WeCaARBMPC chairman Virgilio Valencia Jr. said that members and non-members of the cooperative availed of the services of their first CSF 4-wheeled tractor, which became operational in 2019, and through its operation, the cooperative was able to earn P600,000.00 in 2019 and P270,000.00 in 2020 amid the pandemic.

He also disclosed that aside from the wheeled tractor providing services to the 200 hectares palay area cultivated by the cooperative, WeCaARBMPC also offered Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) loan to its members with a credit line of more than P2 million.

“From our income sourced out from the cooperatives various projects, we were able to purchase our second 4-wheeled tractor that would provide another opportunity for the coop to increase its income and farm productivity,” Valencia said.

Ramones congratulated the leaders of the cooperative for promoting the welfare of its members and improving their economic status.

World BusinessMirror

A12 Friday, February 5, 2021

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

Study: Vaccine offers protection, may reduce Covid transmission A

straZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine shows a hint that it may reduce transmission of the virus and offers strong protection for three months on just a single dose, researchers said on Wednesday in an encouraging turn in the campaign to suppress the outbreak.

The preliminar y findings from Oxford University, a codeveloper of the vaccine, could vindicate the British government’s controversial strategy of delaying the second shot for up to 12 weeks so that more people can be quickly given a first dose. Up to now, the recommended time between doses has been four weeks.

The research could also bring scientists closer to an answer to one of the big questions about the vaccination drive: Will the vaccines actually curb the spread of the coronavirus?

It’s not clear what implications, if any, the findings might have for the two other major vaccines being used in the West, Pfizer’s and Moderna’s.

In the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, dismissed the idea of deliberately delaying second shots, saying the US will

“go by the science” and data from the clinical trials.

The two doses of the Pifzer and Moderna vaccines are supposed to be given three and four weeks apart.

Still, the research appears to be good news in the desperate effort to arrest the spread of the virus and also suggests a way to ease vaccine shortages and get shots into more arms more quickly.

The makers of all three vaccines have said that their shots proved to be anywhere from 70 percent to 95 percent effective in clinical trials in protecting people from illness caused by the virus. But it was unclear whether the vaccines could also suppress transmission of the virus—that is, whether someone inoculated could still acquire the virus without getting sick and spread it to others.

As a result, experts have been saying that even people who have been vaccinated should continue to wear masks and keep their distance from others.

Volunteers in the British study underwent regular nasal swabs to check for the coronavirus, a proxy to try to answer the transmission question.

The level of virus-positive swabs—combining volunteers who had asymptomatic infection with

those who had symptoms—was 67 percent lower in the vaccinated group, the researchers reported.

While not a direct measure, “that’s got to have a really beneficial effect on transmission,” Oxford lead researcher Sarah Gilbert told a meeting of the New York Academy of Sciences on Wednesday.

The researchers also looked at how likely people who have been vaccinated are to get a symptom-free infection. In one subset of vo l u nte e r s, t h e re we re 1 6 a s y m p to m at i c infections among the vaccinated and 31 in an unvaccinated comparison group.

Pfizer and Moderna also are studying the effect of their vaccines on asymptomatic infections.

Only the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are being used in the United States. Britain is using both AstraZeneca’s and Pfizer’s. AstraZeneca’s has also been authorized by the 27-nation European Union. Pfizer has not endorsed the British government’s decision to lengthen the time between doses.

Mene Pangalos, executive vice president of biopharmaceuticals research and development at AstraZeneca, said that no patients experienced

severe Coovid-19 or required hospitalization three weeks after receiving a first dose, and that effectiveness appeared to increase up to 12 weeks after the initial shot.

“Our data suggest you want to be as close to the 12 weeks as you can” for the second dose, Pangalos said.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the study “backs the strategy that we’ve taken” to make sure more people have gotten at least one shot. Britain’s decision has been criticized as risky by other European countries.

Stephen Evans of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the study’s suggestion that a single dose protected people for 12 weeks was “useful but not definitive.”

He said that the authors themselves acknowledged their research was not designed to investigate the vaccine’s dosing schedule and that their conclusions were based on statistical modeling, not actual patients tracked over time.

“It certainly isn’t very strong evidence, but there is also no indication this is the wrong thing to do,” Evans said of Britain’s strategy.

One of the Oxford researchers, Dr. Andrew Pollard, said scientists also believe the AstraZeneca vaccine will continue to offer protection against new variants of Covid-19, though they are still waiting for data on that. Fast-spreading mutant versions have caused alarm around the world.

“If we do need to update the vaccines, then it is actually a relatively straightforward process. It only takes a matter of months, rather than the huge efforts that everyone went through last year to get the very large-scale trials run,” Pollard told the BBC. Meanwhile, a UN-backed program to supply Covid-19 vaccines to the neediest people worldwide is gearing up after a troubled start. The COVAX Facility announced plans Wednesday for an initial distribution of some 100 million doses by the end of March and more than 200 million more by the end of June to dozens of countries.

Nearly all of the doses expected for the first phase are due to come from AstraZeneca and its partner, the Serum Institute of India. The rollout will be contingent on the World Health Organization authorizing the AstraZeneca shot for emergency use, which is expected

to happen this month.

Some 190 countries and territories are participating in COVAX, which has seen rich nations scoop up vaccine supplies, sometimes at premium prices.

The pandemic’s worldwide death toll has eclipsed 2.2 million, including about 447,000 in the US, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

New cases per day in the US and the number of Americans in the hospital with Covid-19 have dropped sharply in the past few weeks, but deaths are still running at close to all-time highs at an average of around 3,100 a day. Deaths often lag behind the infection curve, because it can take weeks to sicken and die from Covid-19.

As the Super Bowl approaches, Fauci is warning people against inviting others over for Super Bowl parties, urging viewers to “just lay low and cool it” to avoid turning Sunday’s big game into a super spreader event.

“You don’t want parties with people that you haven’t had much contact with,” he told NBC’s “Today” show. “You just don’t know if they’re infected.” AP

TheWorld BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Taiwan opens trade office in Guyana in diplomatic win

T

AIPEI, Taiwan—Taiwan has established a trade office in the South American country of Guyana, a diplomatic win for the island that has continued to lose allies in an aggressive poaching campaign from China in recent years.

The facility will focus on cooperation in areas like agriculture, education and trade, Taiwan’s Foreign ministry said in an announcement on Thursday.

It does not represent the establishment of formal diplomatic ties.

Taiwan has been the subject of a massive pressure campaign from China that claims the island as part of its territory—to be conquered by military force if necessary—and says it has no right to official exchanges with any foreign governments or multinational organizations such as the United Nations.

Taiwan has just 15 formal diplomatic allies left, after two countries chose to switch diplomatic relations to China in 2019 from Taiwan.

Taiwan also has a network of trade offices around the world that act as de-facto embassies, including in the United States, Japan and most other major nations.

Also last year, Taiwan exchanged representative offices with the breakaway Somali territory of Somaliland to focus on trade and security in the Horn of Africa. China responded by accusing

Taiwan of “undermining Somali sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

There was no immediate response from Beijing to the Guyana announcement. China has frequently sought to scupper such arrangements in the past and has been using its massive economic resources to win over Taiwan’s remaining allies.

China has refused all direct contacts with Taiwan’s government since the election of independenceleaning President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Tsai was reelected last year to a second four-year term.

Despite that, Taiwan enjoys strengthening US support as an unofficial ally. Bipartisan support for the island has grown in recent years under the former Trump administration, including a visit from the highest-level US government delegation since the US switched relations from Taipei to Beijing in 1979.

The US applauded Thursday’s move, with both the embassy in Guyana and the de-facto US mission in Taiwan issuing statements of support.

“Deeping ties between Guyana and Taiwan will advance their shared goals of prosperity and security,” said the statement from the US Embassy in Guyana.

“The United States remains committed to supporting Taiwan as it expands its international partnerships and works to address global challenges, including Covid-19,” the American Institute in Taiwan said in its statement. AP

In this February 3, file photo, a man registers to make a medical appointment and get the Covid-19 vaccine, in Algiers, Algeria. In a new report released on February 4, the International Monetary Fund said broad access to different coronavirus vaccines remains crucial for an economic recovery in the Mideast. AP/Fateh Guidoum

IMF says vaccines to fuel Mideast recovery; sees tough path ahead

D

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—Broad access to different coronavirus vaccines remains crucial for an economic recovery in the Mideast, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday, warning the path ahead remains “long and winding” for countries already struggling with corruption and debt.

The IMF revised its 2020 economic outlook upward for the Mideast and North Africa, now predicting only a 3.8 percent contraction as higher oil prices boosted budgets for producers and some countries suffered less than anticipated during the pandemic’s first months.

However, war-torn and debt-mired nations could be further hurt by a delayed rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations, fur ther slowing any regional economic recovery from what the United Nations has called the worst crisis to strike global employment since the 1930s Great Depression.

“This is a year of reset where we are in a race between the virus and the vaccine,” Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia department at the IMF, told The Associated Press.

“This hinges on the speed of vaccination and the risks of a third wave of new mutations.”

The IMF forecasts economic growth of 3.1 percent in 2021 and 4.2 percent in 2022 for the Mideast and North Africa. However, the countries that have access to the widest number of vaccines likely will fare better than those without, Azour said. He pointed to Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which so far have some of the highest vaccination rates per capita in the world.

The pandemic has decimated the travel and tourism industry, major employment drivers for the UAE. Lowered demand saw companies across the region slash staffing.

The U.N.’s International Labor Agency says about half of the workers in the Arab states now live in countries with Covid-19 workplace restrictions, down from nearly 100 percent between April and June. Across 2020, the region lost some 9 percent of its overall working hours, the equivalent of 5 million full-time jobs, according to the ILO. Already, oil-rich countries have benefited from rising oil prices. After futures prices went into negative territory in April as coronavirus lockdowns cut travel, prices have rebounded. Benchmark Brent crude traded this week around $58 a barrel

as traders count on a rebound in demand after vaccines become widely available.

In Iran, Azour said the IMF continues to look at the country’s $5 billion assistance request, which would be its first loan since 1962. Tehran continues to struggle with inflation, US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration shrinking its oil sales and the pandemic.

“What is needed for Iran is to address the social tensions or social issues by making sure that social protection measures are geared toward protecting the most vulnerable groups,” Azour said.

He added that it was still “too early to tell how the US policy to the region will be” under President Joe Biden, particularly in relation to Iran. Biden has signaled a willingness to bring the US back into Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, though his top diplomat has described America as being a “long way” from that due to Tehran’s growing uranium stockpile, advanced centrifuges and enrichment closer to weapons-grade levels.

Then there’s the war-ravaged nations of Libya and Yemen.

“Yemen and Libya are suffering not only the problem of the pandemic, but also protracted internal conflicts,” Azour said. “Peace is always an important feature in any economic and social well-being and therefore peace would be critical.”

Yet across the entire Mideast, Azour said the only country at immediate risk of further economic contraction this year is Lebanon.

Last year, Lebanon saw its economy contract by 25 percent as it grappled with the worst financial crisis in its history and defaulted on its foreign debt. That came as an explosion at Beirut port devastated the Mediterranean city and the pandemic that forced the country into lockdowns.

Further political deadlock as a caretaker government holds power could see its economy contract in 2021 by another 9 percent, Azour said.

He also stressed any IMF aid remained contingent on a new government and their embrace of “a comprehensive reform program.”

“Lebanon has been in one of the most challenging crises of its history, at least for the last hundred years,” Azour said. “The fund is ready to re-engage with Lebanon as soon as the new government is formed around the main priorities that Lebanon needs to tackle.” AP

Friday, February 5, 2021 A13

UN-backed program seeks rollout of 100 million vaccine doses in Q1

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ENEVA—A Unite Nationsbacked program to deploy Covid-19 vaccines to the neediest people worldwide, especially in poor countries, announced plans on Wednesday for an initial distribution of 100 million doses by the end of March and 200 million more by July—hoping to catch up with rich countries that are already deep into rollouts.

Leaders of the COVA X Facility, which seeks a fair distribution of vaccines at a time of short supply, said nearly all of the doses expected for the initial-phase rollout are to come from British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca and its partner, the Serum Institute of India.

Frederik Kristensen, deputy CEO for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, a coleader of the program, told a video news conference that the plans come at a “critical moment” in the fight against the virus as new variants emerged and a lopsided vaccine rollout so far—favoring rich countries.

“We are on a path to really start balancing out a global map, which so far has shown how many lower-income countries are yet to start vaccinating a single person, while other, wealthier countries go ahead towards mass vaccination,” he said.

Dr. Seth Berkley, the CEO of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, said COVAX plans for the initial dis-

tribution of 336 million doses of the vaccine, which AstraZeneca developed with Oxford University, through June to dozens of countries.

GAVI expects that nearly onethird of those doses—nearly 100 million—will start being delivered to targeted countries by the end of March, officials said.

Another 1.2 million doses of the vaccine from US-based Pfizer and German partner BioNTech are expected to be shared by 18 countries during the first quarter of the year. Those companies – have already been selling and distributing their vaccine by the tens of millions to rich countries.

“Of course, we wou ld l i ke more BioNTech vaccines in the first and second quarter. That is what we were offered given the demand and supply that was there,” Berkley said.

He acknowledged the AstraZeneca vaccine rollout was 57 million doses fewer than originally planned for the first phase, attributing that to delays for countries

to receive emergency use approval from the World Health Organization. He emphasized it was not a result of supply problems, like those in Europe.

The AstraZeneca vaccine rollout depends on the WHO authorizing the shot for emergency use, which is expected to happen this month. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine already has such approval, but supplying it to poorer nations is a challenge because the vaccine requires storage at extremely cold temperatures.

GAVI also pointed to a number of caveats that could still spoil plans for the rollout, warning it is contingent on issues like regulatory approvals, supplies, logistics, and the readiness to countries poised to receive the vaccines.

Some 190 countries and territories that are participating in COVAX have been awaiting details of the rollout. The participants include “self-financing” upperand middle-income countries that have put up money and 93 lowerincome countries, which are expected to benefit.

By the numbers, India is expected to get the lion’s share of the 240 million AstraZeneca doses that the Serum Institute is producing for the first phase.

Pakistan is to receive over 17 million, while impoverished Malawi is to get nearly 1.5 million doses and Haiti some 876,000.

From a South Korean facility to add another 96 million doses of the AstraZeneca product, Brazil is expected to receive over 10 million doses, Egypt more than 5.1 million, Iran over 4.2 million and Canada—which already has readied a large surplus of vaccines through bilateral deals—

more than 1.9 million.

WHO officials have consistently said the way to beat the pandemic is to make sure that everyone is safe from it—not just those in wealthier countries that launched vaccination drives in December.

Henrietta Fore, the executive director of UNICEF, announced a long-term supply deal with the Serum Institute of India for AstraZeneca and US drugmaker Novavax that will include access to up to 1.1 billion doses for 100 countries—at a price of about $3 per dose for lower- and middleincome countries.

The 18 countries set to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the initial rollout of 1.2 million doses are Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Cabo Verde, Colombia, El Salvador, Georgia, Maldives, Moldova, Mongolia, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, Rwanda, South Africa, Tunisia, and Ukraine, as well as the Palestinian territories.

Ann Lindstrand, who heads an immunization program at the WHO, cited “massive interest” in that vaccine. She said the choice of recipients had to balance issues such as country readiness, a need among high-priority recipients like healthcare workers, and a desire to get vaccines to countries that hadn’t received any yet.

COVAX has faced challenges as rich countries scoop up vaccine supplies, sometimes at premium prices, and undercut the WHO’s goal of equitable vaccine distribution. Program leaders have faced issues trying to strike deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers, and only a fraction of the 2 billion doses that have been secured for COVAX involve firm deals. AP

China teaches schoolchildren: ‘Do as President Xi tells you’ C C hina’s schoolchildren are next in line for intensifying study of President Xi Jinping’s teachings ahead of the ruling Communist Party’s centennial celebration in July.

The party’s Central Committee issued new guidelines on Wednesday to boost ideological education among the Chinese Young Pioneers, a national youth organization with which it is affiliated.

The guidelines said that all children in primary school and the first two years of secondary school should have one class per week to carry out Young Pioneers activities, and the core training materials for the teaching staff should be Xi thought.

Members of the Young Pioneers should be taught to “firmly bear in mind” the teachings of Xi, and “do what Xi has instructed,” the guidelines said.

In China, ever yone from diplomats to executives to sci-fi writers are under pressure to incorporate the broad, often fuzzy tenets of “Xi Thought” into their policies, part of an effort to elevate it alongside Maoism and help

consolidate the president’s effor t to fur ther cement control.

The document also urged teaching the children that “today’s happy life comes ultimately from the correct leadership of the Party” as well as “from the superiority of our socialist system.”

Strengthening “political enlightenment and forming of values” among children is of strategic importance to make sure the “red genes are passed down from generations to generations,” party mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, said Thursday on its front page, citing the guidelines.

Another state-backed newspaper, the China Daily, cited the guidelines in a piece headlined “Cultivation of Children Seen as Strategic.” The paper wrote that children are the future of the nation and the Communist Party, which had always made cultivating the country’s in a good manner a “strategic” and “fundamental” task.

The pioneers’ role

The guidelines come as Xi visited a village in the

southwestern Guizhou province that state media said has successfully eradicated poverty. Posing for photos with people from the Miao ethnic minority dressed in traditional clothes, Xi sent greetings to all Chinese people ahead of the Lunar New Year, which this year falls on Febraury 11. The president also inspected cleaning work of a previously contaminated river.

The Chinese Young Pioneers was founded in 1949 and includes almost all children in China between the ages of six and 14. It has played an “irreplaceable role” in guiding generations of children to follow the instructions of the party, according to the guidelines.

While it was unclear what its current membership total was, data from 2007 put the figure at around 130 million.

The guidelines also called for the promotion of exchanges between Young Pioneers in the mainland and children’s’ organizations in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, so as to enhance the “national, ethnic and cultural identity” of youth in these areas. Bloomberg News

Australia asks for UN probe into new China Uighur abuse claims

A

ustralia has called for a United Nations investigation into allegations of human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region, where Beijing’s treatment of minority Muslim Uighurs has drawn sustained international criticism.

Former detainees and a guard said they experienced or witnessed systematic rape and torture inside China’s so-called “re-education camps” where the UN says anywhere from tens of thousands to

“upwards of 1 million” Uighurs have been detained, according to a BBC report on Wednesday.

Beijing refuted the claims at a regular media briefing, saying the reports had “no factual basis at all.”

“These latest reports of systematic torture and abuse of women are deeply disturbing and raise serious questions regarding the treatment of Uighurs and other religious and ethnic minorities in Xinjiang,” a spokesperson for the Australian Foreign Minister

Marise Payne said in a statement on Thursday.

Australia urged China to allow international observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, to be given immediate and unfettered access to Xinjiang, the statement read.

China says it is fighting separatism and religious extremism among the Uighurs. However, the US has accused China of committing genocide. Bloomberg News

Australian prime minister says he invited Biden Down Under ANBERRA, Australia—Australia’s prime minister said he invited President Joe Biden to visit in September during a “very warm and engaging” phone call between the two leaders on Thursday.

“He sees the Australia-US relationship as providing the anchor for peace and security in our region,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. “And that is true. We share that view. In terms of our relations between Australia and the United States, there’s nothing to fix there, only things to build on.”

The White House later said Biden described Australia as an anchor of stability in the “IndoPacific and the world.”

“They also agreed to work together, alongside other allies and partners, to hold to account those responsible for the coup in Burma,” the White House statement said, referring to the country also known as Myanmar.

“The leaders affirmed their commitment to working together to advance our shared values, global security and prosperity,” it added.

Morrison invited Biden to visit Australia to mark the 70th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, a defense agreement that once included New Zealand and was signed on September 1, 1950.

Morrison said Biden reacted positively to the invitation.

“He told me he needs no special reason to come to Australia, he loves the place,” Morrison said.

“But they (Biden and first lady Jill Biden) would very much like to be in Australia at some point, and we’ll see how that progresses.”

American presidents making the 15,900-kilometer (9,900-mile) flight between the two national capitals typically incorporate visits to Asia or Southeast Asian capitals.

Diplomatic travel has been virtually halted around the world by the coronavirus pandemic, but success in vaccinating people would allow for such trips to resume.

Australia has made exemptions to its own strict travel restrictions for important allies.

Australia’s defense and foreign ministers highlighted the importance of the US relationship by flying to Washington, D.C., for an annual bilateral meeting in July. They had to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks on their return. AP

A14 Friday, February 5, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

Myanmar: ‘Military coup’ or ‘Protecting the State’?

‘C

oup d’état: The removal and seizure of a government and its powers. The overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group.”

One of the first recorded “Coup d’état” comes from the Judeo-Christian bible in 876 BC. “Zimri, one of his officials, who had command of half his chariots, plotted against him. King Elah was in Tirzah at the time. Zimri came in, struck him down and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah. Then he succeeded him as king.”

Unfortunately for Zimri, seven days later the military elected a new king, Omri, one of Zimri’s commanders.

The latest coup occurred on February 1, 2021. After a national election this past November, Myanmar’s military detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the ruling party. The military handed power to military chief Min Aung Hlaing and declared a state of emergency for one year.

In November 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the French government using a combination of propaganda and bribery. He also convinced local military to clear the area around the legislative chamber. No blood was shed.

In the morning of March 21, 2012, there was a protest by soldiers in a military camp 15 kilometers north of the Mali capital of Bamako. Twentyfour hours later soldiers took over the capital city. A civilian government was formed with the military “supervising” the government.

It is reported that the 2012 rebellion claimed the lives of almost 15,000 soldiers. Not all coups d’état are created equal.

According to the Journal of Peace Research, there were 457 coup attempts from 1950 to 2010; 230 were unsuccessful. Across time and countries, there is one common denominator: the military, even in a supporting role.

There are few, if any, instances when the military announced that it was taking government power because it had the guns and therefore could do so.

Idi Amin was Uganda’s top general and overthrew President Milton Obote, promising to restore democracy. We know how that turned out.

Muammar al-Qaddafi staged a coup in 1969, informing the country that the “corrupt” and “reactionary” regime had been toppled.

On February 1, the Tatmadaw—Myanmar’s military—seized power after detaining State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratically elected leaders. No major violence has been reported. The military had posited that alleged voter fraud threatened national sovereignty. Myanmar’s military said that it would protect and abide by the constitution.

The basic question then becomes this: What is the difference between a “military takeover of power” and “protecting the people and the State”— in the words of the Philippine constitution? It cannot be simply a matter of motives and good intentions. “One man’s Terrorist is another man’s Freedom Fighter.”

In truth, it does not matter, nor did it ever matter. In every age, in every nation, it will ultimately be the military that has the ability to determine who leads the government. During an emergency meeting of the Communist Party of China on August 7, 1927, at the beginning of the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong said, “Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.”

Believing otherwise is naive. That has been a fact for millennia across the planet. It did not matter what type of government—monarchy, democracy, dictatorship—was in power. And here is an interesting thought from “Les Miserables” author Victor Hugo for national leaders that become too comfortable. “They fell into the dreadful error of mistaking the soldier’s obedience for the consent of the nation.”

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A good leader leads by example Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

SERVANT LEADER

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rothers and sisters, in the epistle of Paul to Titus 2:7, we will read these words: “Showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect, with integrity in your teaching, dignity....”

This is an applicable reminder for anyone assigned a great responsibility to lead. Truly, the duties of those who lead us are difficult, but our leaders must strive to do the right, undeviated, and just things because they are looked up to by those whom they lead. Which is why it is truly saddening whenever we have leaders who don’t take the initiative themselves in the highest standards.

One of these standards is to give importance in defending truth, not being dishonest or making embellishment of what is true. We cannot see this in the recent report from

Lieutenant General Antonio Parlade, speaker for the National Task Force to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict. He said that 18 colleges and universities of the country are known to be “recruitment havens” for rebel communists. Included in these said schools are Catholic Universities like De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, and University of Santo Tomas. It was said that recruitment of students to join the New People’s Army is rampant in these schools.

It is also righteous for us to expect our leaders to be positive examples

for their constituents. Leadership by example, as they say. And now with the pandemic, we are always reminded to follow health protocols in order to avoid the infection and further spread Covid-19. It has been almost a year since we needed to wear face masks and avoid coming to gatherings with our families because of mass gathering restrictions. But even the contact-tracing czar himself, Baguio City Mayor and former PNP-CIDG Chief Benjamin Magalong, disobeyed the policies we are asked to follow. Magalong attended a lavish birthday party of a certain rich individual in a hotel within the city. A video spreading on social media shows the attendees of the party not following physical distancing and not wearing face masks. In his response to those who criticized him, he said he was only human, tao lang, and he had forgotten to follow protocols due to enjoyment at parties.

It is paradoxical that President Duterte assigned a general to end the rebellion within rural areas and a former policeman to oversee

the contact tracing in the country because of the discipline they had from experiences being soldiers and police, but we cannot see this discipline from them ourselves. We cannot say that “discipline”—or good leadership—is what we see from spreading the wrong information that endangers many citizens, and violating regulations implemented that avoid the fast spread of a deadly disease.

Brothers and sisters, common good is one of the fundamental principles in the social teaching of the Church. A principle that must guide our leaders given the duty to care for and promote the welfare of us all by defending truth and being good examples for all. Our leaders turn away from this through propagating lies and becoming examples of committing wrongdoings.

Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 Ang Radyo ng Simbahan in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph, and follow its Twitter and Instagram accounts @veritasph, and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For your comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.

GameStop’s stupefying stock rise doesn’t hide its reality

By Anne D’innocenzio | AP Retail Writer

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EW YORK—Behind GameStop’s stock surge is the grim reality of its prospects: The video game retailer is floundering even as the industry around it is booming.

GameStop has been swept up in a battle between big-moneyed hedge funds betting against it and small investors trying to prop it up. That has caused GameStop’s share price to soar despite the shaky financials underneath.

Flailing companies like AMC Entertainment and American Airlines have likewise enjoyed a stock surge, but GameStop has been the primary battleground between the Davids and the Goliaths. Shares rocketed 1,600 percent in the last three weeks, closing at $325 per share on Friday and giving GameStop a market cap of nearly $17 billion. Shares have since cratered.

On Tuesday, they fell 60 percent to close at $90.

Many investors fully understand the contradiction between GameStop’s stock price and its business fundamentals. But for those who imagine it to be the next Tesla or Amazon, the truth is: It’s likely not.

The company’s quarterly report issued in September showed another steep quarterly sales decline as it struggles to adapt to the rise of mobile gaming and digital downloads that have rendered its more than 5,000 stores obsolete, even more so during the pandemic.

And the attention-grabbing media coverage didn’t bring shoppers

back to the stores in recent weeks.

Customer traffic declines accelerated in January, according to new research from analysis firm Placer. ai. For the week ended January 18, the number dropped 20.3 percent compared to a year ago.

Analysts polled by FactSet have a “sell” rating on the stock and a price target of $13.44 per share. Some analysts believe a reasonable valuation could settle in around $20 to $30 per share at best.

While GameStop’s new board member Ryan Cohen, the founder of online pet store Chewy, has raised hopes of a turnaround, it’s still going to be an uphill battle.

“It’s fascinating to watch. But ultimately you can’t escape gravity,” said Scott Rostan, CEO of Training The Street, which teaches financial modeling and valuation to college students and MBAs. “Ultimately, the reality is going to set in, and ultimately, the fundamentals are going to have to come to play.”

The Grapevine, Texas-based company was founded in 1984 as Babbage’s and took over the GameStop name in 2000. It was the destination to grab the latest video games just as they were released. But it also became the place to trade in old games and consoles to get cash or credit to buy new ones.

Sales declined over the past decade with the rapid shift toward downloading games. Annual sales have gone from its peak of $9.5 billion in fiscal 2012 to an expected $5.15 billion for the year ended January 30, according to FactSet. At one GameStop location in Brooklyn, there were bright liquidation notices papered across the front windows. Inside, the shelves were for sale along with a scant mishmash of power cords, anime key chains and picked-over T-shirts.

Most of the games went quickly at a deep discount. Piles of games for the Xbox 360—the Microsoft gaming console that went out of production about six years ago—could be had for a quarter instead of the $50 they once commanded.

Carlos Cruz, 33, of New York City, used to visit GameStop once a week to buy new games and trade in old ones. But that stopped a few years ago when he started to download games. Now he goes to GameStop every two months, specifically to get certain exclusives.

“It’s easier for me to download the games in the house and not go anywhere,” said Cruz, noting that 90 percent of his games are digital.

Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Nintendo eShop, and online game platform Steam all let gamers download games. And Amazon is testing the cloud gaming arena with a new streaming service called Luna. Discounters like Walmart, Best Buy and Target have also ramped up their offerings.

Meanwhile, the overall video

game market has been exploding, a trend accelerated by the pandemic as Americans stay home. The global gaming industry was expected to hit $174.9 billion last year and reach $217.9 billion by 2023, according to analytics firm Newzoo. That’s up from Newzoo’s forecast issued during the start of the pandemic last year of $200.8 billion.

There have been some recent bright spots for GameStop. The company posted total sales down 3.1 percent for the nine-week period ended January 2 but it was able to offset store closures with strong game console demand. Online sales, which accounted for about 30 percent of overall company sales, soared by more than threefold. And GameStop has reduced its overall debt on its balance sheet by almost $600 million since early 2019.

In mid-January, GameStop added Cohen and two of his former colleagues from Chewy to its board after Cohen had pressed the company to focus on its online operations. On Wednesday, it named Matt Francis to its new role of chief technology officer, capitalizing on his experience in e-commerce and consumer technology.

“GameStop needs to evolve into a technology company that delights gamers and delivers exceptional digital experiences—not remain a video game retailer that overprioritizes its brick-and-mortar footprint and stumbles around the online ecosystem,” said Cohen in a See “GameStop,” A15

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Would anyone care to bike now?

Online ship of fools Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

Dr. Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes

EAGLE WATCH

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T has been argued that the long-run solution to the choking traffic in Metro Manila and its surrounding areas lies in not only providing a world-class public transport system but also getting more people out of motor vehicles, i.e., getting them to ride bicycles.

Three practical reasons are worth mentioning. One, bikes, being generally cheaper than cars, are more accessible to Filipinos. Two, bikes are environment-friendly, as they do not dump pollutants into the atmosphere and are also much quieter than motor vehicles.

Three, bikes help to promote a healthy lifestyle through cardiovascular exercise, whose benefits should be obvious, as well as mental health, since biking can be a way for people to temporarily escape the confines of their own homes.

Nevertheless, there are also good reasons to be hesitant. One, infrastructure for bikes is inadequate to protect cyclists, as bicycle lanes are too narrow to traverse, are not interconnected, and lack separation from cars, buses, and trucks. Two, although biking may be a good form of exercise, the heavily polluted air that one inhales could prove dangerous to one’s health.

Before Covid-19 hit the Philippines, with car sales surging and traffic increasingly becoming unbearable, there was a dilemma. Less cars and more bikes could decrease air pollution; however, to entice more bike riders, roads must be safe, and air must be breathable.

Now, with work-from-home arrangements, physical distancing, and other precautionary measures in force, Covid-19 has finally settled the dilemma by forcing people to shift from motor vehicles to bikes.

This trend can be observed not just here in the Philippines but also across the world.

As reported by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in its Facebook video post, Europe has spent a billion euros on cycling infrastructure since the pandemic began (Sources: European Cyclists’ Federation, Statista). As Covid-19 leads many commuters to avoid public transport, countries have invested in cycling lanes, carfree zones, and traffic mitigation.

Finland has spent more on such investments than any other European country (€7.76 per person), followed

by Italy, France, and the United Kingdom (Source: European Cyclists’ Federation).

The WEF also notes that other parts of the world are seeing an uptick in bike usage (Source: Reuters).

The United States has seen a 121-percent increase in bike sales, as 85 percent of Americans consider cycling safer than public transport during the pandemic (Sources: Trek Bikes, Statista). Mexico City is building 54 kilometers of new bike lanes (Source: Reuters), while Bogota has already added 80 kilometers of bike lanes, in the hopes of enabling a million daily bike commutes (Source: Mayor of Bogota).

Admittedly, perhaps, if it were not for Covid-19, the Filipino mindset would probably have remained inordinately focused on cars. For instance, the Metro Manila Dream

GameStop. . . continued from A14

letter to the board of directors last November.

By the end of the latest fiscal year, GameStop will have closed over 1,000 stores since mid-2019. It’s also been adding PC gaming, computers, monitors, game tables and gaming TVs to its mix. But analysts believe any turnaround will take time, and some think Cohen’s experience leading an online pet store isn’t applicable to the gaming business.

“I think he is a good merchant and a good retailer,” said Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter. “But can you digitally download pet food or pet toys? I don’t think so.”

Plan adopted by the government in 2014 was all about building and modernizing new roads and railways; it did not really say much, if any, about bikers and pedestrians.

Now, there are a good number of transportation policies and pronouncements that aim to transform Metro Manila into a bicycle/ pedestrian-friendly society. Here are some notable examples: 1) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government: Memorandum Circular 2020-100 (“Guidelines for the Establishment of a Network of Cycling Lanes and Walking Paths to Support People’s Mobility”); 2) from the Department of Health: Active Transport Playbook; 3) from the Department of Transportation: plans for a bike lane network covering 644 kilometers at a cost of P1.035 billion; and 4) from the Department of Public Works and Highways, DILG, DOH, and DOT: Joint Administrative Order 2020-0001 (“Guidelines on the Proper Use and Promotion of Active Transport During and After the Covid-19 Pandemic”).

In the words of American politician Rahm Emanuel: “We must not let this serious crisis go to waste.”

The same sentiment is echoed by Brené Brown, albeit in a much more dramatic fashion: “We will not go back to normal. Normal never was.

Our pre-corona existence was not normal, other than we normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate, and lack. We should not long to return, my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment, one that fits all of humanity and nature.”

Indeed, there is a window of opportunity to make mobility in Metro Manila and its surrounding areas more inclusive and people-centered.

Those who are engaged in biking and road safety gear businesses should be quick to respond to such growing demand. It seems that the pandemic has actually been forcing the Philippines to do the right things, and it would be wise not to miss the chance to promote meaningful and lasting improvements.

So, would anyone care to bike now?

Dr. Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes teaches economics at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Cohen, whose investment firm acquired a 12.9 percent stake in GameStop in recent months, declined to comment. GameStop couldn’t be reached for comment.

Analysts say GameStop could take advantage of the lofty stock price and do their own stock offering like American Airlines. The chain could use that money to reinvest in the business.

But given so much uncertainty, the question is: at what price?

“No one knows what the true valuation is,” said Alon Y. Kapen, a corporate transaction lawyer at Farrell Fritz. “And you don’t know when that window is going to shut.”

Associated Press writer Charles Sheehan in New York contributed to this report.

“Self-attachment is the first sign of madness, but it is because man is attached to himself that he accepts error as truth, lies as reality, violence and ugliness as beauty and justice.”—Michel Foucault, Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason

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here is life online. There is fun and there are follies. While there are rules, we do not know them.

The greatest gift online engagements offer us is our self that becomes selves. Every posting is our self for people to accept. Our messages are there for others to accept, comment on, ignore or negate.

The unwritten rule, it seems, is for us to accept anyone and everyone.

Thus, the most mindless, more awesome than the disappearance of dinosaurs, is the sign for “like.” It is easy to like anything online. No one really mind liking something online. Therefore, do not count the “like” for validation for they are not meant to be such always.

It is the new ship of fools. Online, we embark from nowhere and the journey seems endless. So long as we write—or post photos, messages, notes of depression, laments about life, we continue to exist online. It is an amazing discovery.

The horizon provides infinite possibilities for interactions or social experiments.

The social intercourse need not be an experiment. Once done, it can happen that our action contained in an image or a text can be an experiment or a test on how we are as human beings at present, or what have we become in the new age of new technologies.

The same technologies I am talking about have been demonized for creating bigger spaces among us rather than making ourselves accessible to each other.

When mobile phones were introduced and we realized that we were using devices that did not locate us in one place, or that we can always lie to each other

about our location, we turned into new beings. Overnight, the phone that was, for many years, attached to a cord and marooned on land, disappeared from homes and reappeared in our hands. We were, to exploit Foucault, “a prisoner in the midst of what is the freest, the openest

Friday, February 5, 2021 A15

of routes: bound fast at the infinite crossroads.”

There were so many things that could be done unfettered that the multiple choices presented oftentimes catatonia.

Then we got severely connected with each other through many novel means. The telegrams and the cryptic messages disappear; SMS or text messages and emoticons reached other persons before one could change his mind.

A slight push of the smallest key can spread a lie or a truth, or a mix of both. Lies and truths became fluid and were blended effortlessly, mindlessly.

The other day, in an elevator in a mall, I spotted a tiny bag on the lap of the elevator girl. Quickly, I asked permission from her and without waiting for a nod, positioned my phone over the bag. A friend who was with me, more human that time, grabbed my phone while profusely apologizing to the poor girl (yes, a poor girl in the metaphorical and socio-economic sense of the word), and quickly got the image of the bag.

Out of the elevator, my friend, obviously annoyed, told me my phone was directed at the girl’s legs. I knew

that but I thought I would crop the image later. There wasn’t any malice in that act, I explained. My friend, however, was relentless: you were like a dirty, old, old man!

But we soon were laughing over that incident. Settling at a nearby café, flanked by two trees with fake silver and golden foliage, I posted my find. It was that bag and it bore the label, Bagenciala. I was expecting people to admire the wit of the manufacturer mocking the design of Cristobal Balenciaga. The Spanish designer, after all, was supposedly dubbed by Dior as “the master of us all.”

Online, the bag of the elevator girl received some more drubbing.

People read into the word something else.

No one saw the wit in the distortion. In fact, no one ever thought of it as a bad copy of a good brand. No one cared about the brand, and I who cared about it would not even be able to afford one with that name.

Like a joke turned bad, and mad because it was obscure, an explanation had to be made, quickly. That is the worst thing one could do to a joke or pun—explain it. Soon, the whole scenario lost its charm. The joke was on me. The pun was lost to the evils of capitalism, an “ism” that works only when there are buyers of its commodities.

No one cared about the bag.

It was a Fool’s bag.

It was the self, which was attached to a self, the body contemplating its own navel.

The “self” had its own interpretations but online no one owned the sole meaning to a word, or a photo, or a gesture.

The online universe is populated by madmen with their own madness. This madness matters only to those who share the same madness, because no one even knows anymore what madness is all about.

Welcome to the follies online.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

The full measure of Don Claro M. Recto Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

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ith the exception of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, no leading Filipino nationalist has left an immense impact on the minds of his generation than Don Claro M. Recto. Don Claro, as he was fondly called by his adoring followers, was born 121 years ago on February 8, 1890 in Tiaong, Quezon although his family moved to the neighboring town of Lipa, Batangas where he established his political base. Lipa and the entire province of Batangas regarded him as their own native son. Tiaong might be his birthplace, but Lipa was his hometown.

Don Claro, before he became a successful politician, was a prolific writer in Tagalog, Spanish and English. He was an eloquent speaker: A foremost poet, satirist and polemicist whose reputation spread far and wide beyond our shores. But the common thread found in all his writings and speeches was his deep patriotism and fervent nationalism. He was an original thinker and his seminal ideas espousing his profound love for his country remain an inexhaustible reservoir of wisdom and inspiration to the present and future generations of Filipinos. His breadth of knowledge and gift of intellect had served him well as a jurist, President of the 1935 Constitutional Convention, master parliamentarian and outstanding legislator. As a lawyer, Don Claro was outstanding and only a few could equal his achievements before or since he joined the bar.

Don Claro lamented the obsequious mentality of Filipino leaders during his time whose toadying to the American masters had desecrated our sovereignty. “It would have been political suicide for even the most

brilliant leader to have advocated continued control of our nation by a foreign power.” He lambasted his political rivals in a speech broadcasted on the eve of the 1957 Presidential elections when he ran as the presidential candidate of the Nationalist Citizens Party with Lorenzo Tañada as his running mate. He miserably lost when the heavily pro-American population, big businesses and even the Church opposed his presidential bid.

He pursued his nationalist ideas without regard to its political cost.

He was a rabid nationalist and proFilipino and was labeled an antiAmerican until his untimely death.

His total devotion to the nationalist’s cause, unpopular during his days, was a recipe for political failure. But he was undeterred. To be a nationalist was equated with being a communist.

He was vehemently opposed to foreigners controlling our economic and political life. Recto wanted Filipinos to shape their own destiny and claim the future for their children. He was a politician ahead of his time.

Don Claro was the first to de-

He pursued his nationalist ideas without regard to its political cost. He was a rabid nationalist and pro-Filipino and was labeled an anti-American until his untimely death. His total devotion to the nationalist’s cause, unpopular during his days, was a recipe for political failure. But he was undeterred. To be a nationalist was equated with being a communist. He was vehemently opposed to foreigners controlling our economic and political life.

Recto wanted Filipinos to shape their own destiny and claim the future for their children. He was a politician ahead of his time.

nounce our mendicant foreign and economic policies. “So long as our economic policies remain dependent primarily on foreign “aid” and investments, and our policy-makers remain habitual “yes-men” of foreign advisors, this “aid,” “investment” and advice, will be directed toward the retention of the economic status quo.” He opposed the Parity Rights, he condemned the Bases Agreement and supported the Filipino First Policy launched by then President Carlos P. Garcia over the objections of the Americans. In a speech before the Manila Rotary on June 4, 1959, Don Claro explained that “Filipino First policy stands against any form of dominance whether by the Communists, by fellow Asians, or by the Western powers. What we want is true and real independence—the substance of freedom, not merely its shadow or its name.”

And to the intellectuals and the artists, Don Claro left these words: “Filipino intellectuals, professionals,

educators and artists must make it their task to preserve our culture and all that is good in our social life and our culture and to seek the renascence of that which is truly Filipino in our intellectual tradition, our music, our literature and our arts.”

His intense love for country was not confined to the political and economic spheres. His dream was for the Philippines to achieve grandeur by developing our culture and the arts, which we could all be proud of.

Don Claro foresaw the critical role of women in our society. “The women of this country must participate more actively in our political and economic life. Their role as homemakers and mothers makes such a participation imperative so that they may secure, with their energy, idealism and good sense, a stable progressive economy and a healthy social life for their children.” He must be looking down upon us beaming with pride seeing Filipino women taking leadership roles in government, business, education, and in all fields of human endeavor.

More than half a century since Don Claro had left the political scene, his life and works continue to provide us strength and encouragement. For instance, in weighing in on the current South China Sea issue, it will serve well if our national leaders consider our national interest first and foremost. As one has aptly observed, in international relations, there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies; only permanent interest. The better option is to follow Don Claro’s position and adhere to our national cause and not to subordinate it to any foreign influence or interest.

When he died, he was not only respected but also lionized by his fellow Filipinos who finally realized the true and full measure of Don Claro.

A16 Friday, February 5, 2021

Govt still bullish on hitting socioeconomic goals–Neda

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By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

ITH less than two years left, the Duterte administration remains confident it can still attain the targets set under the updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP), the country’s medium-term socioeconomic blueprint, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

Neda Policy and Planning Group Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon told the BusinessMirror the targets remain attainable because much of the groundwork has been included in the ReChargePH framework, the country’s recovery plan from the Covid-19 pandemic.

ReCharge PH sought to refocus, sharpen the design and accelerate the implementation of programs under the 2020 General Appropriations to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and help the Philippine economy recover from the sharp decline by the second

quarter of the year.

“The priorities we have enumerated [in the PDP] are also the ones in ReCharge PH. That is why we have already started implementation of the strategies,” Edillon said. She noted in a briefing that the priority of the Duterte administration

in the last two years is to recover from the Great Lockdown.

Some of these targets, Edillon said, could even be exceeded, given recent developments. This includes the PDP growth target for 2022 which is pegged at 6.5 to 7.5 percent.

Continued on A6

Companies BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SEC orders Chiyuto to stop offering investment scheme

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By VG Cabuag

@villygc

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday said it has barred Chiyuto Creative Wealth Documentation Facilitation Services from operating its investment scheme using the doubleyour-money roulette game, which the agency said is illegal.

In an order issued on February 1, the SEC asked Chiyuto, which registered as a sole proprietorship and later on as a one-person corporation, to cease and desist from selling and offering securities in the form of investment contracts until it has filed and secured the necessary license.

The SEC also asked Chiyuto and Creative Wealth OPC to avoid transacting business involving funds in its depository banks and from transferring, disposing or conveying of any related assets to ensure the preservation of the assets for the benefit of affected investors.

The order covers Chiyuto’s owner,

principal, proprietor and sole stockholder-director-president Patrocenio C. Chiyuto Jr., nominee Judy B. Pajarillo and alternate nominee Felomina L. Andrada.

The order also extends to other officers, representatives, salesmen, solicitors, agents, uplines, enablers and influencers, including Maricris Can Chiyuto, Maria Christina Chiyuto Canobida, Naneth Barruela, Aureliza Apa-Ap, Capiz Buy and Sell Anything, Kiaka Avel Cho and Santiago City Online Market.

The SEC issued the order after finding that Chiyuto has offered investments to the public with prom-

ised returns of 100 percent in one day, 30 days or 45 days, depending on the outcome of the roulette, without securing a secondary license.

The SEC's Enforcement and Investor Protection Department also issued a show cause order to Chiyuto to explain why its certificate of registration should not be revoked and no administrative sanctions should be imposed against it and its directors, officers and nominees.

The agency already warned the public against investing in Chiyuto as early as August last year through an advisory, as well as through an investor alert posted on its official Facebook page in October.

Under the scheme, an investor can place as low as P1 to as much as P1 million. Chiyuto will then spin the roulette to select the payout schedule and issue a promissory note to the investor with the corresponding return and day when the guaranteed earnings could be claimed.

In addition, Chiyuto has offered a 5-percent referral commission and held raffles with brand new cars and motorcycles as prizes to attract more investors.

The scheme involves the sale and offer of securities to the public in the form of investment contracts, in which one invests his money in

a common enterprise and is led to expect profits primarily from the efforts of others, according to the SEC. Chiyuto initially registered as a sole proprietorship with the Department of Trade and Industry and subsequently as a one-person corporation with the SEC. It has never secured a secondary license from the SEC as issuer of securities or broker dealer nor registered any securities for public offering pursuant to the Securities Regulation Code.

“Clearly, Creative Wealth OPC’s members were lured to invest their money not for an existing legitimate business enterprise but simply because they are guaranteed a 100-percent return of the same within a definite period,” the order read. “[T]he act of Creative Wealth OPC and Chiyuto in selling/offering unregistered securities operates as a fraud to the public which, if unrestrained, will likely cause grave or irreparable injury or prejudice to the investing public.”

The SEC emphasized that the certificate of registration granted to Chiyuto explicitly prohibited it from soliciting, accepting, or taking investments or placements from the public, as well as issuing investment contracts, without securing a secondary license.

PAL vows to assist retrenched workers

By Recto L. Mercene @rectomercene

I

n line with its retrenchment program caused by the pandemic, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday said it is committed to providing fair treatment and assistance to dismissed personnel.

"We shall provide separation pay equivalent to one month pay for every year of service and shall also provide employee transition support including outplacement assistance," PAL said in a statement.

"We are deeply grateful to all our employees for their years of valuable work and dedicated service, and will focus strongly on securing a full recovery so that PAL continues to serve our customers and the Filipino nation."

PAL said it has completed the process of notifying the 2,300 affected employees as of February 4, and will continue to coordinate closely with all stakeholders, including the affected employees, the unions, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The effective date of separation is on March 12, PAL added, "as we communicated in our notice to DOLE last February 1 that PAL will begin the process of notifying affected employees."

The carrier said it appreciates the DOLE's support and guidance since the start of the pandemic, "and we have regularly apprised DOLE officials of the significant challenges we faced, along with

our efforts to preserve jobs and keep the flag carrier flying amid the substantial financial losses."

PAL announced on Tuesday that it would slash its work force by about a third, as the airline could no longer sustain the costs associated with its limited operations due to the pandemic.

Gilbert F. Sta. Maria, the company’s president, noted that prior to the retrenchment, PAL chose to implement temporary furloughs and flexible working arrangements to hold off job cuts as long as possible and ensure that its employees continued to receive salaries and benefits, particularly medical benefits, during the height of the pandemic.

PAL said the retrenchment program, which was communicated to employees as early as October 2020, was carried out after a comprehensive system-wide review process.

The airline currently operates at less than 30 percent of its normal pre-pandemic capacity.

Sta. Maria noted that current operations will continue without disruptions and that the airline will “continue to gradually increase international and domestic flights as demand recovers.”

PAL Holdings Inc. recorded a comprehensive loss of P29.03 billion during in January to September 2020, more than three times larger than its losses of P7.86 billion the year prior, as the pandemic significantly reduced the demand for its passenger and ancillary services.

Aboitiz hydro plants output hit 956M kWh

D

AVAO CITY—The run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plants of the Aboitiz Power Co. generated almost 1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy last year, according to the Aboitiz Group.

These are the small hydroelectric power plants operated by the Aboitiz’s subsidiary, Hedcor Inc., which operates a total of 22 plants across the country.

“In 2020, Hedcor recorded an annual generation of 956,514,413 kWh, or 956 GWh [Gigawatt hours].

This is able to power around 400,000 households across the country, year-round,” the Hedcor Inc. said in a statement.

With the new normal caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the things that remained constant was the country’s need for electricity. Serving as the backbone that powers the communities’ various functions, Hedcor, the run-of-river hydro arm of AboitizPower, said it found a bigger responsibility in keeping the lights on.

While the need for power was essential during the pandemic, the Hedcor said it also delivered its lowest incidence of power outages in the last 5 years, citing a technical score of 0.73 percent for 2020 in the so-called Weighted Unplanned Outage Factor (WUOF).

“This emphasizes the steady improvement of Hedcor’s plant reliability as it recorded the lowest number of unexpected shutdowns of its hydropower units in recent memory."

“While we had to work with a leaner workforce in facility quarantine, we were able to work around the limitations through proper communication, maximization of digital platforms, and simplification of processes,” said Rey Rafael, assistant vice president for operations in Luzon.

Hedcor manages and operates 22 hydropower plants located in Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Benguet, Davao, and Bukidnon. These plants supply the country with 278 megawatts of renewable energy. Manuel T. Cayon

Friday, February 5, 2021

B1

SMC unveils seafood processing program for Taliptip residents

Artist’s rendering of the planned Bulacan airport. Photo from San Miguel Corp.

S

an Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Thursday said it rolled out a new community-based training program for former residents of Barangay Taliptip in Bulakan town in Bulacan.

Part of the master plan for SMC’s airport project is to transform the host province, Bulacan, into a seafood capital of the country and provide the means to allow it to flourish.

The courses include bangus deboning, tinapa-making, boneless tilapia and lumpia shanghai making, as well as bangus and shrimp fry production. “This is an industry that many of our Taliptip families are quite familiar with, because many of them used to work at fishponds. But we wanted to teach them new ways to maximize their income. And that is to turn seafood into value-added products,” San Miguel President and COO Ramon S. Ang said.

“Today, most of the major fish ports and seafood industries are located in nearby areas like Navotas, Malabon. But Bulacan can be like

them, too. This community project is a small start. Initially, residents aim to just cater to the local market and their local establishments. But if more residents and locals really go into, it can become their major local industry."

Some 44 participants have benefitted from the first two batches of seafood processing courses, while another 40 to 50 relocatees are already earning from the ongoing bangus and shrimp fry production training under a local fishpond operator, in cooperation with San Miguel.

Many of the participants have also previously graduated from vocational courses funded by the company under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“We are encouraged by their willingness to learn more skills and this only shows that they want to improve their lives, with our help. As we promised them before, when we first helped them to build new homes, we will make sure they also have the capability to earn more income,” Ang said. VG Cabuag

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, February 5, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

February 4, 2021

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MEDCO HLDG NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH VANTAGE

43.35 106.4 82.55 24 10.18 46.7 11.14 25.75 54.4 17.5 129 73.5 0.95 3.88 0.58 3.69 7.1 1.54 0.39 0.7 153 1.05

44.5 106.5 83 24.75 10.2 46.75 11.28 25.8 55.8 17.96 130 74 0.97 3.92 0.59 3.75 8.09 1.55 0.42 0.72 153.8 1.07

44 106 82.8 25 10.12 47 11.1 26 55.8 17.5 132.1 74.8 0.92 3.89 0.6 3.84 7.1 1.48 0.39 0.7 153.9 1.05

44.5 106.8 83 25 10.28 47.45 11.3 26 55.8 17.96 132.5 75 0.95 3.94 0.6 3.85 7.1 1.57 0.42 0.73 153.9 1.05

44 104 80.65 24 10.12 46.5 11.1 25.8 55.8 17.5 129 72.5 0.92 3.86 0.6 3.65 7.1 1.48 0.39 0.7 153 1.05

44.5 106.5 83 24 10.2 46.75 11.3 25.8 55.8 17.96 129 73.8 0.95 3.94 0.6 3.67 7.1 1.55 0.42 0.71 153 1.05

3,300 2,429,880 1,422,940 303,800 623,200 2,887,300 5,600 232,600 100 10,500 425,990 400,490 2,000 120,000 1,010,000 64,000 500 363,000 380,000 350,000 540 300,000

145,500 257,658,716 117,020,540.50 7,423,480 6,359,134 135,029,375 63,200 6,006,055 5,580 186,216 55,413,474 29,078,942 1,870 466,070 606,000 238,690 3,550 549,890 155,350 250,240 82,746 315,000

4,400 3,933,132 -11,350,698.50 -597,100 -1,051,894 -48,737,635 3,330 -1,036,660 -14,784,095 14,790 15,480 -4,200 7,650 304,500

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 7.21 7.22 7.8 8.08 7.13 7.21 138,848,700 1,035,048,863 1.29 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.27 1.29 1,047,000 1,344,120 ALSONS CONS 25.6 25.65 25.7 25.85 25.5 25.65 1,080,900 27,741,230 ABOITIZ POWER 1.12 1.13 1.15 1.23 1.11 1.12 322,174,000 376,335,410 BASIC ENERGY 30 30.05 30.2 30.45 30 30.05 252,800 7,607,460 FIRST GEN 75.55 76 75.5 76 75.45 75.55 16,090 1,214,821 FIRST PHIL HLDG 283.4 288 284 288 281.6 288 160,280 45,664,752 MERALCO 15.1 15.28 15.28 15.28 15.02 15.28 461,900 7,010,658 MANILA WATER 3.58 3.59 3.6 3.63 3.58 3.58 2,014,000 7,252,980 PETRON 3.8 3.94 3.84 3.94 3.84 3.94 120,000 469,100 PETROENERGY 11.66 11.9 11.9 12 11.8 11.9 30,500 365,012 PHX PETROLEUM 21 21.05 20.9 21.45 20.8 21 261,800 5,513,565 PILIPINAS SHELL 10 10.1 9.88 10.1 9.88 10.1 155,400 1,553,294 SPC POWER 13.8 14.58 14.18 14.78 13.8 13.8 1,100 15,932 VIVANT 7.2 7.25 7.35 7.38 7.16 7.25 648,300 4,698,599 AGRINURTURE 3.6 3.61 3.4 3.6 3.38 3.6 31,154,000 108,359,760 AXELUM 71 76.5 71 71 71 71 110 7,810 BOGO MEDELLIN 13.84 14.28 14.38 14.4 13.82 13.82 17,800 248,886 CNTRL AZUCARERA 17.58 17.66 17.5 17.84 17.22 17.66 446,300 7,822,824 CENTURY FOOD 8.6 8.65 8.8 8.8 8.4 8.6 85,600 732,931 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 7.15 7.16 7.2 7.2 7.03 7.16 694,700 4,935,982 EMPERADOR 10 10.02 10 10.02 9.9 10.02 1,501,800 15,010,889 SMC FOODANDBEV 67.7 68 68 68 67.3 68 283,790 19,253,613.50 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.64 0.62 0.62 33,000 20,700 FRUITAS HLDG 1.46 1.47 1.45 1.48 1.42 1.47 17,963,000 25,926,250 GINEBRA 53.55 54.8 55.6 55.6 52.8 53.55 230,000 12,485,077 JOLLIBEE 180 180.2 180 182 179.7 180 1,787,720 321,923,500 LIBERTY FLOUR 34 34.8 33.75 34.5 33.75 34.5 1,600 54,500 6.62 6.68 6.9 6.9 6.6 6.62 303,400 2,025,000 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.4 0.405 0.34 0.43 0.33 0.4 106,370,000 41,381,850 SHAKEYS PIZZA 7.16 7.24 7.4 7.4 7.16 7.24 63,900 464,484 ROXAS AND CO 1.17 1.18 1.14 1.21 1.12 1.18 15,973,000 18,665,060 RFM CORP 4.61 4.74 4.61 4.61 4.61 4.61 12,000 55,320 1.61 1.74 1.61 1.61 1.6 1.6 100,000 160,050 ROXAS HLDG 0.167 0.168 0.142 0.207 0.142 0.168 621,220,000 115,633,980 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 143.8 144 145.1 145.2 142.5 144 484,710 69,940,628 VITARICH 0.9 0.91 0.93 0.93 0.9 0.9 1,838,000 1,677,580 2.22 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.22 2.3 9,000 20,540 VICTORIAS CONCRETE A 53.05 54.45 53.1 54.45 53 54.45 1,140 60,880 56 58.4 58.9 58.9 56 56 100 5,658 CONCRETE B 1.35 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.33 1.36 2,815,000 3,794,690 CEMEX HLDG 6.68 6.69 6.45 6.8 6.32 6.68 923,800 6,106,789 DAVINCI CAPITAL 13.42 13.5 13.4 13.74 13.4 13.5 7,700 104,286 EAGLE CEMENT 7.31 7.35 7.35 7.35 7.26 7.3 7,400 54,267 EEI CORP 6.15 6.18 6.25 6.25 6.1 6.15 274,500 1,690,066 HOLCIM 7.33 7.35 7.3 7.4 7.2 7.33 910,400 6,619,642 MEGAWIDE 9.9 9.99 9.8 9.99 9.8 9.99 35,700 354,404 PHINMA 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.26 1.19 1.22 781,000 945,200 TKC METALS 2.43 2.44 2.11 2.43 2.1 2.43 36,973,000 83,445,620 VULCAN INDL 1.8 1.86 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 10,000 18,000 CROWN ASIA 2.23 2.26 2.36 2.37 2.19 2.26 771,000 1,746,070 EUROMED 4.63 4.89 4.63 4.63 4.63 4.63 2,000 9,260 LMG CORP 4.5 4.67 4.56 4.67 4.56 4.67 11,000 50,380 MABUHAY VINYL 5.82 5.88 6.2 6.4 5.8 5.82 593,000 3,582,124 PRYCE CORP 20.8 21 20.8 20.9 20.8 20.8 100,900 2,103,540 CONCEPCION 2.86 2.91 2.96 3.03 2.82 2.91 21,753,000 63,276,050 GREENERGY 13.12 13.2 12.94 13.8 12.4 13.2 4,199,600 56,206,304 INTEGRATED MICR 1.22 1.24 1.24 1.24 1.2 1.22 393,000 480,560 IONICS 5.76 6.2 6.38 6.38 6.2 6.2 1,200 7,458 PANASONIC 1.48 1.5 1.51 1.52 1.47 1.5 1,096,000 1,632,730 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 7.33 7.35 7.3 7.55 7.3 7.35 4,292,000 31,776,077

-287,312 -5,806,395 467,970.00 -475,400 -118,562.50 -13,592,982 3,105,476 -240,620 91,825 22,724 4,254 2,114,756 -715,960 -1,432,480 172,000 -1,905,197 2,160,855 -2,108,508 -6,200 -142,080 1,661,386.50 -61,004,271 23,862 -5,930,850 16,468 -1,006,320.00 24,910 20,595,347 4,600 -51,360 -30,774 1,454 -27,251 140,974 1,695,160 115,000.00 4,560 72,254 -37,440 -2,541,560 -1,746,158 6,050 381,610 -1,482,938

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.18 1.19 1.26 1.27 1.15 1.18 53,361,000 64,237,940 8.33 8.65 8.74 8.74 8.27 8.33 76,800 637,312 ASIABEST GROUP 776 782 777 788 776 776 114,590 89,579,065 AYALA CORP 42.3 43.5 42.2 43.5 42 43.5 857,700 36,681,140 ABOITIZ EQUITY 9.99 10 10 10 9.78 9.99 671,800 6,654,275 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 3.08 3.1 3.1 3.11 3.03 3.1 2,805,000 8,632,030 AYALA LAND LOG 6.72 6.94 6.71 6.71 6.71 6.71 3,400 22,814 ANSCOR 0.91 0.92 0.82 0.92 0.82 0.91 10,789,000 9,453,110 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.85 0.86 0.83 0.88 0.83 0.86 1,238,000 1,060,300 ATN HLDG A 0.84 0.87 0.83 0.89 0.83 0.84 208,000 172,900 ATN HLDG B 5.24 5.29 5.3 5.3 5.18 5.29 1,607,300 8,425,406 COSCO CAPITAL 5.31 5.37 5.42 5.42 5.28 5.37 1,969,600 10,504,811 DMCI HLDG 8.8 8.99 9.09 9.09 8.7 8.99 13,300 119,101 FILINVEST DEV 0.227 0.243 0.226 0.226 0.226 0.226 250,000 56,500 FORUM PACIFIC 519.5 520 524 535 516.5 520 256,880 134,142,190 GT CAPITAL 3.7 3.8 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4 7,000 23,800 HOUSE OF INV 64 65 64.2 65 63.85 65 736,830 47,541,387.50 JG SUMMIT 4.55 5.19 5.2 5.2 4.5 5.18 10,300 49,634 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 4.73 5.68 5.68 5.68 5.68 5.68 3,100 17,608 KEPPEL HLDG A 1.63 1.64 1.39 1.65 1.37 1.64 55,155,000 83,968,780 LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG 3.73 3.76 3.73 3.75 3.72 3.73 2,155,000 8,047,090 LT GROUP 14.22 14.24 13.6 14.38 13.5 14.22 4,718,100 66,260,366 MABUHAY HLDG 0.52 0.54 0.54 0.55 0.51 0.54 81,000 41,960 4.22 4.24 4.29 4.29 4.19 4.24 14,276,000 60,506,020 METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG 4.7 5 5.09 5.09 4.6 5 68,400 333,320 PRIME MEDIA 0.89 0.92 0.88 0.93 0.88 0.9 23,000 20,810 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.85 2.97 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9 1,000 2,900 1.2 1.21 1.2 1.22 1.14 1.2 200,000 238,760 SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS 1,024 1,033 1,010 1,034 981 1,033 225,680 231,455,650 SAN MIGUEL CORP 128 128.9 128 128.9 127 128.9 132,780 16,999,829 SOC RESOURCES 0.77 0.8 0.82 0.82 0.8 0.8 70,000 56,400 140 140.5 140.2 140.2 140 140 8,220 1,151,202 TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS 0.24 0.249 0.221 0.24 0.221 0.24 2,210,000 518,940 0.22 0.233 0.23 0.234 0.22 0.22 2,040,000 469,400 ZEUS HLDG

-221,250 14,513.00 -20,873,490 -6,814,665 133,870 692,720 109,650 1,921,211.00 -2,803,285 5,533 -16,440,570 -11,012,253 -223,960 -3,806,540 -26,173,196 -26,057,520 9,700 9,000 1,200 75,908,535 -557,429 -585,594 -

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND ARANETA PROP AREIT RT BELLE CORP A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CEBU HLDG CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV KEPPEL PROP CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.68 7.61 38.9 1.28 32.25 1.6 0.93 0.78 0.15 5.8 5.07 0.425 0.34 14.7 6.99 0.295 0.095 1.19 0.9 7.7 1.32 3.01 0.69 3.95 0.49 0.4 1.27 19.8 0.31 1.51 2.6 2.11 36.7 4 1.88 4.33

0.7 8.39 38.95 1.3 32.3 1.67 0.94 0.81 0.151 5.9 5.08 0.43 0.36 14.72 7 0.305 0.098 1.2 0.91 7.8 1.33 3.2 0.72 3.96 0.495 0.425 1.3 19.86 0.315 1.54 2.65 2.16 37.25 4.07 1.89 4.34

0.71 7.6 39 1.3 32.5 1.67 0.94 0.8 0.152 5.87 5.07 0.44 0.35 14.72 7 0.3 0.089 1.2 0.88 7.5 1.35 3.1 0.72 3.92 0.5 0.4 1.3 20 0.315 1.55 2.63 2.12 36.55 4.05 1.81 4.3

0.71 8.39 39 1.3 32.5 1.67 0.94 0.81 0.152 5.9 5.17 0.44 0.36 14.72 7.09 0.315 0.116 1.24 0.9 7.8 1.35 3.1 0.72 3.98 0.5 0.4 1.3 20.2 0.32 1.56 2.65 2.3 37.25 4.09 1.88 4.34

0.67 7.6 38.25 1.3 32.2 1.59 0.92 0.78 0.148 5.72 5 0.425 0.34 14.36 7 0.29 0.089 1.17 0.88 7.5 1.3 3.1 0.72 3.8 0.485 0.4 1.26 19.5 0.295 1.5 2.57 2.06 36 4.05 1.8 4.21

0.68 8.39 38.9 1.3 32.3 1.6 0.94 0.78 0.15 5.9 5.08 0.425 0.36 14.7 7 0.305 0.098 1.2 0.9 7.7 1.33 3.1 0.72 3.96 0.49 0.4 1.27 19.86 0.315 1.51 2.65 2.16 37.25 4.05 1.88 4.33

463,000 2,600 5,037,300 120,000 574,600 1,655,000 1,188,000 174,000 2,580,000 2,200 331,300 2,920,000 1,890,000 1,088,800 163,500 3,420,000 5,450,000 51,498,000 1,716,000 124,400 516,000 7,000 3,000 25,407,000 61,500,000 70,000 94,000 823,600 1,140,000 1,913,000 246,000 1,980,000 6,022,000 76,000 809,000 719,000

317,070 20,708 194,747,530 156,000 18,596,625 2,659,010 1,103,330 140,230 386,940 12,683 1,676,717 1,253,400 658,950 15,833,260 1,146,076 1,040,500 536,300 62,095,520 1,542,080 941,780 679,730 21,700 2,160 100,022,950 30,262,250 28,000 120,180 16,318,852 355,350 2,897,280 642,530 4,151,940 220,302,045 307,930 1,485,270 3,082,050

3,550 -14,919,005 -114,400 -10,485,175 -2,491,340 56,760 141,244 -260,800 44,200 139,652 12,000 9,609,030 -45,000 -10,650 -54,359,740 -341,000 -5,841,660 3,150 -3,100 479,450 -120,370 -48,985,095.00 230,850 -52,080 -487,530

SERVICES ABS CBN 12.7 12.88 12.9 12.9 12.68 12.88 44,200 564,590 6.28 6.3 6.05 6.32 6.03 6.3 1,556,700 9,677,242 GMA NETWORK 0.46 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47 70,000 32,900 MANILA BULLETIN 2,010 2,012 2,010 2,020 2,006 2,012 19,875 39,992,980 GLOBE TELECOM 1,370 1,380 1,388 1,396 1,361 1,370 172,035 236,640,765 PLDT 0.208 0.209 0.217 0.22 0.202 0.209 1,037,610,000 217,138,500 APOLLO GLOBAL 17.32 17.36 16.5 17.64 16.48 17.36 38,282,500 663,461,704 CONVERGE 5.08 5.09 5.09 5.09 4.97 5.09 1,406,200 7,031,833 DFNN INC 13.98 14 13.18 14.1 13.04 13.98 51,037,600 697,798,700 DITO CME HLDG 1.85 1.92 1.93 1.93 1.92 1.92 16,000 30,770 IMPERIAL 0.161 0.162 0.168 0.168 0.155 0.161 28,940,000 4,645,720 ISLAND INFO 1.99 2.04 1.98 2.1 1.98 2.05 9,000 18,320 JACKSTONES 3.48 3.49 3.47 3.55 3.36 3.49 2,961,000 10,262,000 NOW CORP 0.375 0.38 0.39 0.41 0.36 0.38 50,630,000 19,632,950 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2.72 2.73 2.67 2.9 2.66 2.72 2,656,000 7,391,290 PHILWEB 8.45 8.6 8.45 8.6 8.45 8.6 18,800 159,535 2GO GROUP 4.56 4.57 4.64 4.64 4.51 4.56 1,423,000 6,511,540 CHELSEA 46.8 47 46.85 47 46.4 47 2,158,700 101,184,940 CEBU AIR 123.5 124 123.9 125.8 122.1 124 893,270 110,961,908 INTL CONTAINER 16.3 16.34 15.56 16.3 15.56 16.3 308,100 5,020,150 LBC EXPRESS 0.97 1.06 1.05 1.06 1.05 1.05 260,000 273,880 LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA 5.54 5.55 5.54 5.61 5.5 5.55 860,700 4,770,405 METROALLIANCE A 2.95 2.96 3.3 3.33 2.9 2.96 7,076,000 21,203,400 2.89 3.01 2.92 2.92 2.86 2.89 40,000 116,070 METROALLIANCE B PAL HLDG 6.4 6.5 6.57 6.65 6.37 6.4 31,100 202,159 1.45 1.46 1.39 1.47 1.37 1.46 1,550,000 2,226,660 HARBOR STAR ACESITE HOTEL 1.46 1.52 1.53 1.53 1.53 1.53 1,000 1,530 DISCOVERY WORLD 3.96 4 3.91 4.2 3.91 4 734,000 2,969,220 10.06 11.18 10.06 10.06 10.06 10.06 1,700 17,102 GRAND PLAZA 0.53 0.55 0.53 0.55 0.51 0.55 7,337,000 3,967,780 WATERFRONT CENTRO ESCOLAR 6.55 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.05 7.05 3,500 24,675 0.395 0.4 0.395 0.4 0.395 0.4 670,000 265,250 STI HLDG BERJAYA 4.14 4.2 4.11 4.27 4.11 4.27 12,000 50,120 7.9 7.95 8 8 7.8 7.95 871,200 6,894,242 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 2.05 2.1 2.02 2.09 2.02 2.09 8,000 16,530 1.71 1.73 1.7 1.73 1.7 1.7 232,000 396,790 LEISURE AND RES 2.06 2.17 2.18 2.18 2.05 2.05 222,000 457,550 MANILA JOCKEY 2.67 2.68 2.73 2.79 2.66 2.68 7,553,000 20,562,680 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.455 0.465 0.465 0.465 0.455 0.455 2,750,000 1,264,450 PHIL RACING 6.5 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 4,500 29,700 8.41 8.51 8.5 8.51 8.42 8.51 1,147,600 9,752,264 ALLHOME 1.43 1.44 1.45 1.46 1.42 1.43 1,322,000 1,902,440 METRO RETAIL 38.35 38.6 38.6 38.7 38 38.6 1,560,400 60,087,355 PUREGOLD 57.3 57.4 58.95 58.95 57.4 57.4 2,004,890 115,618,115 ROBINSONS RTL 99.1 99.9 100 101.6 98 99.9 5,950 594,848 PHIL SEVEN CORP 1.39 1.4 1.39 1.39 1.36 1.39 1,909,000 2,638,200 SSI GROUP 17.92 17.94 17.98 17.98 17.82 17.94 3,037,700 54,513,244 WILCON DEPOT 0.445 0.45 0.45 0.46 0.445 0.445 2,440,000 1,094,400 APC GROUP 6.92 7.1 6.88 7.34 6.88 6.91 32,500 229,413 EASYCALL 437 447.4 434 447.4 434 447.4 160 70,576 GOLDEN MV 4.54 4.9 5 5.25 4.52 4.53 13,000 65,148 IPM HLDG 2.28 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 2.48 1,000 2,480 PAXYS 2.5 2.51 2.34 2.5 2.28 2.5 60,305,000 144,237,880 PRMIERE HORIZON 4.98 4.99 4.61 4.98 4.61 4.98 19,300 90,122 SBS PHIL CORP

-7,385,890 -26,023,475 -1,427,660 -56,451,026 -4,738,525.00 15,378,060 -64,300 -263,500 -310,300 -111,780 3,400 -251,040.00 -7,415,400.00 23,366,910 -1,556 -347,953 -40 -195,540 1,530 -7,950 -44,000 -281,347 -64,940 -552,000 -8,376,782 143,860 -3,138,365 -15,626,802.50 -262,830 -395,410 2,407,148 -222,800 49,700 -2,245,650.00 -64,540

MINING & OIL ATOK 6.71 6.86 6.7 6.9 6.7 6.71 713,100 4,795,007 3,022,500 1.58 1.59 1.63 1.63 1.57 1.58 4,800,000 7,647,370 -2,244,610 APEX MINING 0.0059 0.006 0.0058 0.0062 0.0056 0.0059 26,556,000,000 158,850,100 4,558,600 ABRA MINING 5.83 5.85 5.91 5.93 5.85 5.85 693,900 4,080,056 12,890 ATLAS MINING 3.11 3.2 3.07 3.15 3.04 3.15 104,000 321,280 BENGUET A 3 3.07 3.07 3.07 3.07 3.07 6,000 18,420 3,070 BENGUET B 0.3 0.315 0.315 0.315 0.305 0.315 1,050,000 327,250 COAL ASIA HLDG 2.74 2.84 2.7 2.84 2.7 2.84 305,000 865,500 -838,500 CENTURY PEAK 8.8 9.19 9.38 9.38 8.8 9.19 68,400 613,681 DIZON MINES 2.57 2.58 2.44 2.67 2.39 2.58 78,680,000 191,159,580 -3,275,480 FERRONICKEL 0.4 0.405 0.37 0.4 0.37 0.4 9,090,000 3,566,300 GEOGRACE 0.161 0.162 0.156 0.169 0.155 0.161 56,670,000 9,301,560 LEPANTO A 0.16 0.163 0.163 0.17 0.163 0.163 2,720,000 453,990 24,600 LEPANTO B 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 76,000,000 786,900 MANILA MINING A 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.011 1,800,000 19,100 MANILA MINING B 1.37 1.4 1.35 1.41 1.35 1.4 1,877,000 2,610,620 -90,030 MARCVENTURES 2.63 2.69 2.7 2.73 2.63 2.7 18,000 48,370 NIHAO 5.15 5.16 5.24 5.3 5.08 5.16 5,425,500 28,028,374 3,713,637 NICKEL ASIA 0.435 0.44 0.41 0.49 0.41 0.435 2,920,000 1,296,100 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA 1.07 1.08 1.02 1.08 0.96 1.07 4,660,000 4,923,920 37,290 PX MINING 4.29 4.3 4.41 4.45 4.28 4.3 957,000 4,120,670 -129,330.00 SEMIRARA MINING 12.68 12.7 12.7 12.74 12.62 12.68 767,300 9,729,774 546,784 UNITED PARAGON 0.01 - 0.0099 0.01 0.0081 0.01 2,674,000,000 25,215,700 -61,300 ACE ENEXOR 18.5 18.7 20.05 23.2 18 18.5 6,352,200 131,012,618 2,591,634 ORNTL PETROL A 0.013 0.014 0.015 0.015 0.013 0.014 757,100,000 10,671,400 0.014 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.013 0.014 647,200,000 9,061,400 1,500 ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL 0.015 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.015 0.015 2,214,700,000 34,858,600 153,000 PXP ENERGY 9.43 9.51 9.3 9.8 9.29 9.43 788,100 7,530,541 424,794

PREFFERED AC PREF B1 517 527.5 527.5 527.5 516 516 90 46,885 102 102.4 102.4 102.4 102 102 300 30,672 ALCO PREF B 512 522 512 512 512 512 100 51,200 AC PREF B2R 101.5 102.4 101.5 101.5 101.5 101.5 500 50,750 DD PREF 501.5 504 504 504 504 504 10 5,040 GLO PREF P 1,030 1,031 1,030 1,031 1,030 1,031 1,200 1,237,000 GTCAP PREF B 101.1 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.2 5,000 506,000 MWIDE PREF 101 101.6 101 101 101 101 4,390 443,390 MWIDE PREF 2B 104.9 107 105 106.7 105 106.7 5,700 607,340 PNX PREF 3B 1,006 1,010 1,009 1,010 1,005 1,006 2,825 2,847,205 PNX PREF 4 1,014 1,050 1,012 1,050 1,012 1,050 20 20,430 PCOR PREF 2B 1,094 1,095 1,094 1,096 1,094 1,095 5,080 5,565,980 PCOR PREF 3A 1,110 1,129 1,129 1,129 1,129 1,129 335 378,215 PCOR PREF 3B 1.74 1.8 1.56 2.15 1.56 1.74 349,000 662,620 -1,940 SFI PREF 79.05 79.45 79.4 79.45 79 79.45 34,350 2,713,896.50 SMC PREF 2C 75.9 77 76 76 75.8 75.8 42,100 3,192,330 SMC PREF 2E 77.6 79 78.9 79 77.6 79 53,950 4,249,400 SMC PREF 2F 76 76.95 76.5 76.95 76 76.95 15,910 1,209,367.50 SMC PREF 2G 78 78.95 78.5 79 78 78 433,500 34,225,957.50 SMC PREF 2I 76.05 76.2 76.2 76.2 76.05 76.05 1,300 98,944.50 30,495 SMC PREF 2J SMC PREF 2K 76.25 76.3 76.1 76.3 76.1 76.3 78,070 5,952,686 -228,900

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS GMA HLDG PDR 6.23 6.25 6.05 6.21 6.05 6.21 602,500 3,708,288 1,639,344

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 0.9 0.92 0.9 0.9 0.86 0.9 133,000 118,910 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 19.88 19.98 20.65 20.65 19.8 19.96 156,600 3,144,683 -12,180 3.03 3.04 3 3.09 3 3.03 797,000 2,426,120 ALTUS PROP 6.1 6.15 6.1 6.15 5.9 6.1 20,800 125,175 ALTUS PROP 6.73 6.74 6.84 6.85 6.66 6.74 12,727,400 85,595,080 945,775 ALTUS PROP

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 103.6 104.2 103.5 104 103 103.4 11,120 1,149,271 135,485

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PCC gives nod to merger of electronics companies

T

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

he Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved the merger of two American firms engaged in the manufacture of semiconductor chips.

In a decision, the PCC authorized Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) to carry on with its acquisition of shares in Maxim Integrated Products Inc. With the antitrust approval, ADI and Maxim can now push through with the operation of Magneto Corp., their wholly owned subsidiary, which allows Maxim to survive the amalgamation under the ownership of ADI.

Under the transaction, Maxim’s shareholders will be entitled to receive 0.630 of a share in ADI’s common stock for each share of Maxim’s common stock they hold prior to the conclusion of the merger.

As such, the shareholders of ADI are expected to own at least 69 percent of Magneto Corp., while those of Maxim will take up roughly 31

percent of the new entity.

The PCC concluded the merger will not result in the substantial lessening of competition in the semiconductor market, as both camps maintain a business that is international by nature and, therefore, has numerous rivals.

ADI is involved in the business of designing, manufacturing and marketing analog, mixed-signal and digital signal processing technologies used in instrumentation, automation, communications, health care and automotive.

Maxim produces a range of analog, mixed-signal and digital circuits used in automotive, wearables and data center markets.

According to the parties, the merger will lead to business efficiencies for both camps because Maxim’s consumer-centered products will

complement ADI’s industrial applications.

Moreover, the PCC found that the parties’ subsidiaries in the Philippines have limited business presence in the local market, where they export all their output to their respective parent entities and affiliates outside the country.

ADI and Maxim are both publicly-traded companies listed on the NASDAQ, with overseas operations including for export fabrication, testing and assembly sites in the Philippines. This includes Analog Devices (Philippines) Inc. and Analog Devices General Trias Inc. for ADI; and Maxim Philippines Holding Corp., Maxim Philippines Operating Corp., Maxim (IP) Enterprise Solutions (Philippine Branch) and Maxim Integrated Products International Sales Ltd. under the Maxim group.

Roxas and Co. to sell more assets

By VG Cabuag @villygc

R

oxas and Co. Inc. (RCI) on Thursday said it will continue to dispose of its assets this year, while pursuing joint venture deals for its remaining land holdings.

“Under its new leadership, RCI reassures all of its Group stakeholders that there will be continuity in implementing its overall strategy and best efforts are being exerted to achieve, and even surpass, the targets set for (the year),” the company said.

In its disclosure, the company said it appointed Edgar P. Arcos as its officer in charge, general manager and CFO following the retirement of Fernando L. Gaspar as its president and CEO at the start of the year.

Over the past two years, the Roxas Group sold raw land to major property developers Sta. Lucia Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. as part of its strategy to de-leverage and enhance the value of its Nasugbu, Batangas landbank, it said.

Last month, the company sold what it called as its key non-performing assets to reduce its overall debt.

These include the sale of the land and

building in Cubao where the former Go Hotel sits.

It also sold some 27,680 square meters of raw land to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines located in Banilad, Batangas for its Calaca-Nasugbu transmission line project. The said land were sold for P50 million.

Last year, the company also signed a put option agreement for a maximum commitment of P800 million as a fund-raising option, and restructured existing loan agreements totaling P2.9 billion to provide the Group with much-needed stability and working capital to maintain and grow its operations.

The Roxas Group still has its Metro Manila-based hospitality ventures under the Go Hotels brand, which were used as a quarantine facility, while its Anya Resort Tagaytay still serve as an off-city relaxation and staycation option.

The company also has its coconut processing subsidiary, RoxasSigma Agriventures Inc., which it said achieved double-digit revenue growth for the third straight year in 2020 and is providing high-quality products for export.

GMA sets sights on selling 1M units of DTT receiver

G

MA Network Inc. targets to sell as much as 1 million units of its newly-launched mobile digital terrestrial television (DTT) receiver called GMA Now, hoping to change the landscape of television consumption via mobile devices.

Launched on Thursday, GMA Now is a plug-and-play dongle that allows users to watch TV on the go for free. It also has exclusive interactive features such as messaging, videos on demand, and soon, celebrity updates.

“In the first year, given certain conditions, we’re [targeting to sell] within the 500,000 to a million range, hopefully. But it really depends on a lot of things,” GMA New Media Inc. President Dennis Augusto L. Caharian said in a media briefing.

He noted that its target market belongs to the “younger set.”

He said the current situation brought about by the pandemic presents some challenges to achieving this goal. He cited the stay-at-home protocols and recognized that this somehow defeats the purpose of consuming television via mobile devices.

“Mobility is one of our motivations for creating this product. We’re hoping to somehow influence the

consumption of television outside of the home,” Caharian said.

He noted that his group is bullish about the new product despite the current situation.

“Definitely we are confident given the amount of smartphones out there,” he said, citing that more than half of people with mobile phones are now using smartphones.

Currently, GMA Now enables Android smartphones to receive clear and live digital TV broadcast of the Kapuso channels GMA, GMA News TV, Heart of Asia, Hallypop, and soon, DepEd TV, as well as other free-to-air channels available in their area.

“As the country’s leading broadcast network, it is only fitting that we continue to improve our content and innovate our digital TV products,” GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon said.

The dongle, he noted, is the “first mobile DTT receiver to combine traditional TV with the advantages of interactivity via the internet.”

Aside from watching TV with their mobile phones, users of GMA Now may also stream videos on demand, chat with their friends and family, and join interactive promos. Lorenz S. Marasigan

mutual funds

February 4, 2021

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 218.33 -5.91% -9.66% -1.26% -3.91% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.2922 4.29% -7.91% 4.54% -1.58% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.015 -7.56% -13.5% -2.46% -3.77% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.77 -5.17% -8.37% n.a. -4.22% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7085 -8.56% n.a. n.a. -4.46% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.7577 -3.15% -7.8% -0.54% -3.72% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.7076 -8.99% -10.86% -6.24% -6.87% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 96.47 2.15% -7.05% n.a. -5.37% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 44.9607 -3.9% -7.85% 0.43% -4.03% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 469.86 -4.09% -7.75% -0.35% -3.91% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 1.0565 7.87% n.a. n.a. -3.72% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.1354 -3.87% -7.12% 0.55% -2.81% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 33.5627 -3.47% -7.02% 1.2% -3.47% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8748 -6.1% n.a. n.a. -4.18% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.5987 -3.5% -7.36% 1.21% -4.02% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 769.55 -3.28% -7.23% 1.17% -4% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.6947 -8.59% -11.07% -2.9% -3.37% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4921 -8.39% -9.2% -0.32% -3.63% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8805 -3.57% -7.55% 0.97% -4.05% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.212 -4.52% -6.27% 1.73% -3.22% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 103.2711 -3.26% -7.02% 1.9% -3.98% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.3126 35.87% 3.41% 10.69% 9.12% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7245 24.6% 8.83% n.a.

3.09% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.6401 8.39% -4.33% -0.31% -1.71% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.2333 8.5% -3.35% 1.66% -2.28% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5638 1.93% -2.84% 0.31% -2.41% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1936 -9.02% n.a. n.a. -2.52% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9392 1.86% -1.15% 2.21% -1.26% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.7024 2.35% -2.26% 1.4% -2.26% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.5615 2.26% -2.28% 1.33% -2.21% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.0483 0.75% -3.28% 1.05% -2.19% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4963 -3.84% -4.85% 0.22% -2.15% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 1.0025 3.22% n.a. n.a. -1.97% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9184 -1.05% n.a. n.a. -3.24% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9004 -2.22% n.a. n.a.

-3.5% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8662 -4.29% -5.62% -0.47% -2.42% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03895 0.44% 2.76% 1.91% -0.43% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.2125 20.34% 3.21% 7.72% 5.42% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.608 17.04% 6.6% 9.27% 2.11% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.2091 8.27% 3.43% n.a.

0.58% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 371.59 3.74% 3.24% 2.79% 0.14% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9041 -0.09% 0.31% 0.18% 0.2% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2188 2.82% 4.37% 4.74% 0.13% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2985 2.87% 2.83% 2.36% 0.11% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4504 3.88% 3.37% 2.14% -0.11% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.6433 6.03% 4.7% 3.04% 0.19% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3233 5.64% 4.48% 2.74% 0.16% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9866 5.61% 4.5% 2.77% -0.36% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0396 7.37% 4.05% 2.5% -0.23% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.2047 4.15% 4.64% 3.42% -0.04% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7504 3.27% 3.89% 2.81% -0.26% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $484.81 3.01% 2.92% 2.8% 0.19% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.34 -0.5% 0.92% 1.25% 0.07% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2749 5.24% 4.2% 2.94% -0.43% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0264 1.54% 1.97% 1.67% -0.75% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0903 -1.73% 0.95% 0.48% -0.22% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.5282 3.6% 4.37% 3.24% -0.29% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0624964 2.97% 3.15% 2.36% 0.29% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2107 -1.07% 2.51% 2.05% -0.4% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 129.99 3.01% 3.33% 2.58% 0.14% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0489 2.08% n.a. n.a.

0.08% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2983 2.38% 2.95% 2.61% 0.13% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0535 1.4% 1.78% n.a.

0.1% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.1575 n.a. n.a. n.a. 2.47% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $0.99 0% n.a. n.a. 1.02%

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

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

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

6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund). 7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020.

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

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Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Hong Kong-based media firm gives awards to SCB

T

he Asset Publishing and Research Ltd. gave Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) plc. several awards during the Hong Kong-based media company’s “Triple A Sustainable Capital Markets Awards 2020.”

In a statement, SCB said it won 61 awards, including six country awards received by its Philippines franchise for “Best Sustainability Bond-Financial Institution,” “Best Sovereign Bond,” “Best Local Currency Bond,” “Best Retail Bond,” “Best Liability Management” and “Best Syndicated Loan.”

“This recognition affirms the bank’s leading role in providing strategic and robust advisory services to both government and corporates on debt raising and financing structures,” SCB said.

SCB said its Philippine franchise won an award for the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) P18.125-billion Asean sustainability bond where it acted as issue manager and lead arranger.

“This landmark transaction was the first sustainability bond issuance from a government-owned entity and the largest sustainability bond issuance from a Philippine issuer in both local and foreign markets,” SCB said.

The bank said its Philippine franchise also won for the Republic of the Philippines (ROP) 1.2-billion euro dual-tranche bond where SCB acted as bookrunner and lead manager.

“This transaction was a testament to the international investor community’s vote of confidence in the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and high growth prospects as it enabled the ROP to achieve its tightest coupon for a EUR transaction as well as price a zero-coupon offering while also successfully diversifying its inves-

tor base,” SCB said.

SCB said its Philippine franchise also won an award for UnionBank of the Philippines P6.8-billion Tier2 capital securities. The bank acted as lead arranger and bookrunner for this transaction, “which marked the first Tier 2 issuance from a Philippine bank issuer in five years.”

SCB said it “effectively supported investors relating to the issuance, which resulted to strong demand.”

Another award is for BDO Unibank P36-billion 1.75-year Fixed Rate Bonds where SCB acted as sole arranger and bookrunner.

“This landmark transaction was the second largest Philippine peso bank bond issuance and the secondlargest ever single security issuance of a Philippine Corporate on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp., the bank said.

SCB said its Philippine franchise also received an award for the $300-million senior perpetual securities and tender offer of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) where the bank acted as bookrunner, lead manager and dealer-manager.

“This transaction gained significant investor demand and effectively extended their debt maturity profile,” the bank said. “In addition, ICTSI also embarked on a liability management exercise, which further strengthened its capital structure while realizing cost savings.”

The SCB said another award is for the San Miguel Corp. $2-billion syndicated term loan facility where SCB was the original mandated lead arranger, underwriter and bookrunner.

“This transaction was the largest corporate fundraising exercise in the private sector and received a very enthusiastic response from the market,” SCB said.

Ant, China banks reining in joint loans to consumers

A

NT Group Co. and at least a dozen banks are paring back their years-long cooperation on consumer lending platforms that fuel the spending of at least 500 million people across China.

Regulators have signaled their intention to curb online loans in recent months, prompting banks and Ant itself to discuss lending caps, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing a private information.

Banks in Zhejiang province have been instructed to cut their exposure to Ant via joint loans on the firm’s Jiebei and Huabei platforms, the people said. Some lenders in Shanghai have set a timetable for a gradual reduction in joint offerings, while at least one in Shandong has completely suspended ties with the firm, the people said.

The moves have taken place in parallel with Ant’s discussions with Chinese authorities on a restructuring plan. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that Ant has agreed to become a financial holding company, making it subject to capital requirements similar to those for banks.

Consumer credit has been crucial in driving growth at Ant’s digital finance business, which contributed 63 percent of the firm’s revenue in the first half of 2020 before the authorities unleashed a barrage of rules to curb the country’s booming financial technology industry. Regulators also want to prevent any one firm from becoming too dominant.

The regulators upended a $35 billion initial public offering by Ant Group in November, stunning investors from Shanghai to New York. In a conference call with investors on Tuesday, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. CEO Daniel Zhang said there is “substantial uncertainty” with Ant’s business and it is difficult to assess the impact of the new regulations.

Alibaba owns a third of Ant and both were founded by billionaire Jack Ma.

Ant declined to comment. The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission didn’t immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

Among the hardest-hitting for Ant was the proposal to impose additional capital requirements on microlenders and demand that fintech platforms put up at least 30 percent of the funding for loans that are jointly offered with banks. Before the proposal, only about 2 percent of the more than 1.7 trillion yuan ($263 billion) in loans remained on Ant’s balance sheet, with the bulk of funding coming from its about 100 bank partners.

Surging consumer debt, especially that offered by fintech platforms outside regulatory purview, has unnerved authorities seeking to sustain the nation’s economic rise. Over the past decade, Chinese households have accumulated leverage faster than borrowers in every other major economy, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Guo Wuping, head of consumer protection at the banking regulator, has said easy access to online credit has left many low-income and young people mired in debt. Capping joint lending with the banks may ease Ant’s capital shortfall under the new rules. Ant needs to inject at least 70 billion yuan of new capital just for its credit-lending business to comply with the regulation, according to a November estimate by Francis Chan, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence in Hong Kong.

Liang Tao, vice chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, said last month recent measures weren’t aimed at any specific company and have been well received by some in the industry.

Some of the firms have a “relatively positive attitude” toward the new requirements and have achieved “initial effects” in their “rectification” efforts, he said. Bloomberg News

Friday, February 5, 2021 B3

To improve tax data capture, PHL turns to Russia for help

O

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

FFICIALS of the Bureau of Internal Revenue met with Russia’s Federal Tax Service (FTS) to explore a possible bilateral cooperation agreement to help the Philippines set up tax data capture system.

BIR officials met last January 13 with FTS Deputy Commissioner Dmitry Volvach via Zoom to discuss FTS’s best practices that could be applied in the Philippines in a bid to

improve its tax administration and compliance.

The meeting came almost a year after Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez requested Russian Am-

bassador Igor Khovaev for assistance to help the BIR set up a tax data capture program for its value-added tax collection effort, similar to Russia’s “highly efficient” system.

Back then, Khovaev said Russia would assist the BIR in its effort to improve its system, adding that it has already shared the VAT (value-added tax) collection technology with other countries.

BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel SD. Guballa reported during a recent Department of Finance (DOF) Executive Committee meeting that Russia’s tax administration system uses artificial intelligence and data analytics to capture taxpayers’ information.

With this system in place, FTS

now audits only 1 out of 7,000 taxpayers because of Russia’s system, which encourages people to comply with tax laws, Guballa said.

“They have good tax administration. They started their digitalization in 2016 and, after five years, they are now into capturing almost all the data of taxpayers,” Guballa said in his report.

Last January 15, the BIR launched its Internal Revenue Integrated System (Iris), which will serve as the agency’s central tool and repository to process taxpayers’ information.

Guballa said the Iris would be rolled out nationwide in the fourth quarter.

He added the launch of IRIS is part of the BIR’s long-term digital transformation program.

UnionBank boosts sustainable financing strategy

F

OLLOWING a Central Bank mandate, Aboitiz-led Union Bank of the Philippines announced on Tuesday that it has established its Sustainable Finance Framework (SFF).

An independent global agency has also reviewed the bank’s SFF and issued a second party opinion, the bank said. The agency said the bank’s SFF was parallel with the relevant global sustainability principles and standards, according to UnionBank.

Citigroup acted as the structuring advisor for the bank’s framework.

“The SFF reinforces the bank’s commitment to sustainable development, focusing on people, planet and purpose, while managing risks and opportunities of a changing world,” the Aboitiz-led bank said in a recent disclosure.

UnionBank shares ended flat at P74.85 apiece amid the 0.78-percent

uptick for the main index on Tuesday.

It is one of the key requirements set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in Circular 1085. The regulation aims to incorporate sustainability principles, including those covering environmental and social risk areas, to the banks’ corporate governance framework, risk management systems and strategic objectives.

The banks were given three years from effectivity of the circular to fully comply with all the included provisions.

The local financial institutions were also tasked with submitting board-approved transition plan regarding the adoption of the SFF, which UnionBank did last November 30.

According to its SFF, UnionBank is putting an effort in minimizing environmental footprint. Its headquarters, for example, has been

fully powered by renewable energy since 2017.

All the bank’s branches are compliant with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) protocols. In addition, 22 of the branches are LEED-certified already.

“UnionBank is focused on promoting financial literacy and inclusion while bringing accessibility and banking convenience to the underserved and unbanked,” the framework noted.

The bank also included the welfare of its employees in the framework, saying that it “cultivates an agile and non-discriminatory workspace for a future-ready, interdisciplinary workforce.”

In a separate statement on Tuesday, UnionBank’s thrift arm City Savings Bank Inc. reported that it has distributed government subsidy under the social amelioration program to nearly 5,000 beneficiaries.

They are located in Metro Manila and Regions 3, 4A, 6 and 7.

“Amidst the health crisis, CitySavings is here to help and fully support this government-led initiative,” CitySavings President and CEO Lorenzo T. Ocampo said. “We hope to make the lives of our fellow Filipinos better by providing accessible banking services in their locality.”

On Monday, UnionBank reported that its net earnings dropped by 17 percent to P11.6 billion last year from P14 billion in 2019 due to higher credit loss reserves.

Loan loss buffer last year reached P8.7 billion, which is more than four times the P1.9 billion it set aside for 2019.

Its capital equity tier 1 ratio and capital adequacy ratio are currently at 15 percent and 17 percent, respectively, which are both above minimum regulatory requirements.

Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

Security Bank deploys Online Community as a Strategy mobile bank in NCR O

S

ECURITY Bank Corp. rolled out its mobile banking services allowing customers to do transactions without having to visit a physical branch.

In a recent statement, the listed bank said that it began deploying its services via a truck last month in Caloocan City, Metro Manila.

Shares in Security Bank were up 3.5 percent, or P4.50, to close at P133 each amid the 0.78-percent rise for the benchmark index on Tuesday.

The mobile banking service truck is scheduled to visit Security Bank’s payroll partners in Metro Manila, including those areas where its branches are temporarily closed amid lockdown restrictions.

The mobile bank on wheels is equipped with digital tools, built-in interactive screens and mobile devices.

It allows automated teller machine (ATM) withdrawals, cash deposits, bills payment, fund transfer and PIN change.

“As we strive to provide BetterBanking experiences to our clients despite the pandemic, we have launched BetterBanking On-the-Go to make our services available where it matters,” said Leslie Y. Cham, the bank’s executive vice president for the branch banking group.

“Through this initiative, we are also able to support our branch network by diverting foot traffic from our physical branches to our mobile units,” she added.

The ATM withdrawal limit is set at P50,000 while bills payment for utilities are the same with physical branches.

Security Bank stressed that the mobile bank on wheels follows the safety protocols.

In January to September 2020, the bank saw its net income decline by 13 percent to P6.7 billion from P7.7 billion year-on-year due to elevated provisions for potential credit losses.

However, the bank recorded a 66-percent increase in total revenues for the period at P40.2 billion. Top line figures, excluding the trading gains, soared by 22 percent to P27.9 billion.

Security Bank earmarked a loan loss buffer of P21.1 billion in the first nine months of 2020, which is markedly higher compared to P1.8 billion in 2019.

In October last year, the bank finalized its partnership agreement with Bank of Ayudhya, which is commonly known as Krungsri. The partnership is aimed at making customer-centric digital lending experience available to clients and small business owners. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

unlock the knowledge of the N January 10, 2018, group; (c) create loyal members I wrote here about and grow membership reten“Community as a tion; (d) drive new revenue Strategy,” citing that mem(e) boost new user bers’ sense of community is an Association World streams; acquisitions; and, (f) reduce essential driver for an associasupport workload and admintion’s success.

Octavio Peralta istrative burden.

And rightly so. Community The Philippine Council of is present in your association, Associations and Association Executives, which whether you recognize it or not. It is there in I head, is fortunate to avail of a free branded the form of special interest groups, commitassociation online community courtesy of Austees, chapters, online and offline networks, tralia’s “Answers for Associations.” If your assofriendships, and collegial relationships among ciation is considering having its own branded members. online community, here are a few questions for It is also true that connection with an assoyou to answer: ciation offers a loose-but-powerful structure within which we can meet our fundamental n What is the purpose of the community? need to communicate with, learn from, and What are you hoping to accomplish? help others. Associations that focus on interests n Why would your members want to come and facilitate experiences will attract members. into such a community—e.g., do they want to An important lesson associations learned discuss a particular issue? Are they looking for from the lockdown brought about by the panresources? demic is that membership engagement still n Who are the people likely to be most accontinued and even prospered during this time, tive on the site? You can contact these people albeit through another platform: the online and ask if they can help to generate momentum community. for community discussions, perhaps give them According to Higher Logic, a US-based inspecific roles. dustry leader in cloud-based engagement platn How will you communicate the existence forms, an online community or internet comof the community to members in a way that munity is a group of people with a shared interest stimulates ongoing momentum? A single email or purpose who use the internet to communidoesn’t create momentum. You need to plan a cate with each other. Online communities have campaign to get members using your group to their own set of guidelines and needs, like onbuild momentum. Don’t just talk about “the comline community engagement, moderation and munity” but give them a reason to visit, e.g., talk management. about a specific conversation and invite people An area of confusion for those who are new in to see the full conversation. to the online community software industry, is n Which team member is responsible for the difference between large public social media keeping an eye on the site and updating any new networks, like Facebook or LinkedIn groups, and resources, events, etc. from time to time? branded online communities that associations like the American Society of Association ExecuThe column contributor, Octavio ‘Bobby’ Peralta, is concurrently tives have built for their members. the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Building and managing a branded associaInstitutions in Asia and the Pacific, Founder & CEO of the Philippine tion online community takes time, requires Council of Associations and Association Executives and President of investments, and needs dedicated people to the Asia-Pacific Federation of Association Organizations. The purmake it work and be sustainable. When manpose of PCAAE—the “association of associations”—is to advance aged well and built on an online community the association management profession and to make associations platform that is reputable and reliable, assowell-governed and sustainable. PCAAE enjoys the support of ADFIAP, ciations can use their communities to: (a) drive the Tourism Promotions Board, and the Philippine International Conengagement with personalized experiences; (b) vention Center. E-mail: obp@adfiap.org

B4

Friday, February 5, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

Can’t fry an egg? Check out these ready-to-eat options instead

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

z

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Davis Cleveland, 19; Darren Criss, 34; Michael Sheen, 52; Jennifer Jason Leigh, 59.

Happy Birthday: Tune in to what’s going on around you, observe and listen, and you will intuitively know what’s right and best for you. Refuse to let outside interference lead you astray or allow temptation to be your downfall. Concentrate on what you can do and how best to achieve your goals. This is a year of transformation; keep it simple, peaceful and costefficient. Your numbers are 4, 11, 21, 23, 27, 32, 46.

Meat-free balls parmigiana

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Put your money and possessions in a safe place. Handle financial matters responsibly. Don’t go into debt that will exceed your budget. A contract may be challenged due to an unforeseen circumstance. Protect your health and reputation. HHH

A

LL throughout this pandemic, I’ve mainly had my groceries delivered from the supermarket or made quick trips to my neighborhood talipapa to pick up fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables.

I thank my long-passed Lola Ding for gifting me with some modicum of skills that enable to find my way around the kitchen well enough to cook meals for myself, and to my old glorious alma matter Saint Theresa’s College for equipping me with some baking know-how, learned during our Home Economics classes.

But even I must admit, I get tired of my own cooking and dishes. (“Spaghetti na naman?!” “Pork Tonkatsu ulit?!” I yell to no one in particular, while reviewing the contents of my freezer, thinking of what to cook for the day.) I then sigh, close the freezer and a recipe book nearby, and just pile into a heap of laziness on my sofa. I then grab my phone, open a food delivery app, and proceed to order from a restaurant.

Then one fine day, San Miguel Corp. delivered a whole box of canned goods and food items to my home. Yay! This was a most welcome ayuda. I am a San Miguel baby of course, nurtured and raised my entire life on many of its products and produce. But even I had to whistle in amazement at the number of new products the company has. It was now possible for me and many home cooks (as well as exhausted working parents with kids at home) to plan a week’s meal without any heavy lifting.

Aside from their usual canned goods like Spam, Purefoods Corned Beef, and the new San Miguel Del Mar canned tuna, the company now has no-nonsense, easy-to-prepare meals, and convenience foods. Even my idiot neighbor who can’t fry up an egg will be able to put everything in a pot and heat the darned things.

My favorites of the lot so far are the kare-kare, with its tender beefy goodness—just add your favorite veggies and have your preferred bagoong on the side; the chicken karaage—just deep fry and then drain to keep it crisp; and the Veega giniling, which is plantbased protein, which I used to make chili con carne.

For those who have intermediate cooking skills, San Miguel Foods also has items like pandesal flour.

The canned tuna, I’ve already used in my pasta

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A discussion or plan may not go the way you want, but it will help you see what you have to overcome.

Evaluate your position, and you’ll find an innovative way to reverse a problem you face. Anger will get you nowhere. HHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You’ll get everything under control if you take matters into your own hands. Don’t let anyone push you in a direction that doesn’t feel right. Use your intelligence, follow your instincts and do what will benefit you most. Romance is favored. HHH

puttanesca (tuna in oil) and tuna salad (chunks in water).

In a short exchange with Francisco “Butch” Alejo III, president of San Miguel Foods, he said the company’s products under its newest categories, the ready-to-eat and plant-based, “have been in development even before the pandemic, as we saw opportunities to address increasing health consciousness and a consumer demand for greater convenience. However, because of pandemic restrictions, in-home consumption has increased, and there’s even greater need for healthy products, products that are easy to prepare and also provide variety. This has made our products even more relevant, particularly our ready-to-eat offerings and baking premixes. For healthier food options, that is where our new Veega plant-based food line, Magnolia Free Range Chicken, and San Miguel Del Mar Tuna come in.”

The company’s vegetarian products are definitely attracting a lot of enthusiastic response and noise from health-conscious consumers.

“Veega is the company’s first vegetarian line. It has a range of high-fiber, plant-based, protein offerings that can be used in a wide variety of meals, including well-loved Filipino dishes. It comes in five variants: meat-free balls, burger patties, sausages, giniling, and nuggets, and are already fully-cooked and seasoned. Veega makes use of wheat, soy, mushroom, and egg, with no added preservatives. This has been appreciated by vegetarians and flexitarians, people who want to replace meat with tasty plant-based alternative,” said Alejo.

The geniuses behind many of these new products are San Miguel’s own chefs. “They concoct the very best and authentic Pinoy favorite dishes and make them ready to eat. All the viands, under the Purefoods, Cook Express, Chef’s Selections brands, are slow cooked, made with real meat and poultry from San Miguel’s own farms, and use Individually Quick Frozen [IQF] technology for sealed-in freshness and assured food safety,” he explained.

The Cook Express and Chef’s Selections brands are mainly targeted to foodservice outlets that may prefer the convenience of ready-to-serve food to cooking from scratch. “However, because the products also appeal to consumers,” said Alejo, “we have made them available at Petron Treats. Meanwhile, Purefoods ready-to-eat packs are available in supermarkets and will soon be rolled out nationwide.” Those, like me, who are still hesitant to venture out of their homes for a supermarket run can buy these products and more via themall.sanmiguel.com.ph.

We teasingly asked what else San Miguel Foods had in store for harried and Covid-weary consumers this year, Alejo said, “Healthy eating will probably still be top-of-mind so we’ll certainly be expanding options with products made with chicken, seafood and plant-based ingredients. Staying at home will continue to be the norm for many, so we’re aiming for more variety in ready-to-eat meals.”

He underscored, “We have always recognized that our products need to evolve the way our consumers are evolving, so you can count on more products to be launched as we continue to innovate and listen to what consumers need and want.” n

UFC, celebrity endorsers reach out with ‘50 Acts of Kindness’

Families in need were chosen by celebrity endorsers to receive a Sama-samang Sarap ng Pamilya bundle.

TWENTY-TWENTY has turned out to be a shining moment for UFC, which is celebrating their 50th anniversary as an essential part of the Filipino culinary experience. With deep gratitude for this major milestone, UFC chose to give back to families in need with their “50 Acts of Kindness” campaign.

As part of the event, UFC asked several celebrity endorsers to nominate families who have lost their livelihoods due to the the pandemic.

Among the select celebrities were power couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli, who nominated 53-year-old Salvador R. Tiburcio as their beneficiary. Another nominee was 47-year-old Myra B. Togalon, and third and last nominee was Rowel Seranias. The famed Guerrero siblings also participated in this campaign. Together they nominated

48-year-old Vilma Sedaya. Award-winning chef Tatung Sarthou also helped with UFC’s “50 Acts of Kindness.” He nominated 35-year-old Billy Ray A. Pascual.

Salvador and his fellow beneficiaries could barely contain their joy upon receiving UFC’s “Sama-samang Sarap ng Pamilya” packages. They are profoundly grateful to UFC for sharing their goodies with them this holiday season, as well as providing them with a sustainable source of income for the new year.

These beneficiaries’ heartwarming stories give us a glimpse of the intrepid Filipino spirit which shines through even in the darkest times. UFC honors and celebrates these people who continue to embody the meaning of samasamang sarap ng pamilya every day.

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Invest in your ideas and future. A contract will have more to offer than you first realized. Get all your facts clear and make the necessary adjustments; you’ll get what you want. Negotiate on your behalf. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t worry about what others do; choose the path that speaks to you personally. Physical improvements will fetch compliments, and personal growth will lead to enlightenment. Choose to broaden your horizons; you’ll discover peace, love and happiness. HHHHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Stick to the truth when dealing with friends, relatives and peers, and you will spare yourself grief.

Refuse to let temptation take over and mistakes unfold.

If you want a change, go about getting it the right way.

Put honor and integrity first. HH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Reach out to friends, relatives and peers. You’ll gain insight into what’s possible. Your suggestions will help you realize who you can count on and who you cannot.

Be prepared to do the bulk of the work yourself. HHHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll face a dilemma that can affect your reputation or relationship with a friend, relative or peer.

Think before you say or do something that will change your life. Weigh the pros and cons. Where there is doubt, retreat. HHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t reveal secrets. What you share will become common knowledge in your circle. Spend more time on self-improvement and less with people who are trying to entice you or lead you astray. HHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Keep your life simple, run your home efficiently and stay out of trouble. If you get involved in other people’s business, someone will accuse you of meddling. Be a good listener, but for best results, keep your opinions to yourself. HHHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Stand back, keep an open mind and learn through observation. Refuse to let what others do entice you to make a poor decision. When uncertain, do your own thing and keep your plans to yourself. Selfimprovement and personal growth are favored. HH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t let anger set in when aggressively plowing forward toward a goal offers so much more in return.

Set your sights on what’s important to you. Refuse to let anyone or anything stand in your way. HHHHH Birthday Baby: You are mindful, charming and protective.

You are emotional and giving.

‘grist for the mill’ by gary larson The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 You may feed them bread crumbs 6 Ring or group at a wedding 10 Select, with “for” 13 Ultimate object 15 Move like lava 16 Where rusty nails may get you hammered 17 “Dunno” 18 Like an inevitable conclusion 20 Rainbow shapes 22 Certain retired professor’s title 23 Attention-getting sound 26 Whole lot 28 Degraded 29 Coffee, slangily 30 Wedding 32 “___ be a pleasure” 33 Personification 35 Noble below a viscount 37 Gives a new title 39 Mice and the like 43 Footnote abbr.

45 ___ disease (gluten issue) 46 “Silent” president’s nickname

8 “Don’t worry about that” 4 50 Jazz great Jones 51 Impressive spread?

53 Leopard print source?

54 Sleeveless garment 55 Narrow fissure 57 Hurricane relief org.

59 “Supposedly...”

61 Eases 65 Alternative to “com” or “org” 66 One may be juiced for salsa 67 Founder of Taoism 68 Some Mustangs 69 Footnote abbr.

70 Secret meeting DOWN 1 Thieves’ place 2 Card game with a Spanish name 3 Atlanta-based health org.

4 Greek morsel with a meaty texture (see letters 9 to 7 in this answer) 5 Insulting comment 6 Lifelong pal, briefly 7 Balm ingredient 8 Longtime cover artist for The

Saturday Evening Post (9 to 6) 9 Social misfit 10 Player of a high woodwind 11 Breathed hard 12 Tire pattern 14 Tour for a speaker (10 to 7) 19 Farmer’s storage facility, and a hint to the starred answers’ backward hidden words 21 Isaac, to Abraham 23 Slightly open 24 “I ___ an idea!”

25 Third baseman Longoria 27 Pen point 31 Stick in the water?

34 Roadie’s armful 36 Poem of praise 38 Enjoy an easy chair 40 Dark time, informally 41 Pics that may be matching 42 “Skedaddle!”

44 Sugar amt.

46 What a new homeowner may rip up 47 Turns away 49 Clumsy person

1 Looping in on an email 5 52 Grocery store passage 56 Watson of Little Women 58 Vegetarian’s no-no 60 Sushi fish 62 Sloppy farm area 63 Letters on a Navy vessel 64 ___ peeve (endless barking, perhaps) Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘KMJS’ REMAINS COUNTRY’S NO. 1 PROGRAM WITH stories that continue to inspire during a most challenging year, the Filipinos’ Sunday viewing habit, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS), is also the No. 1 TV program based on Nielsen Philippines’ Nutam Ratings for 2020.

This is the second year in a row that KMJS topped the nationwide urban ratings with an average people rating of 20.6 percent from January to December 2020. Moreover, the program’s online videos have 1.7 billion views; its official Facebook Page has 21 million followers; and the show and its topics trend on Twitter every week.

Beyond these metrics, KMJS is most proud of helping uplift the Filipino spirit during this pandemic—through stories that showcased the heroism and generosity of our health workers, frontliners, and ordinary Filipinos doing their best to survive while helping others too.

At the onset of the community quarantine, KMJS was one of the few local television programs that immediately aired fresh episodes to provide relevant information on Covid-19 and its effects on the lives of Filipinos here and abroad.

Every week since June last year, the program has been extending ayuda or financial help to viewers in need. KMJS stories about Filipinos going through very tough times have also generated substantial donations that go directly to those in need.

“Twenty-twenty may have been a most difficult year but it has also been a most remarkable one,” Jessica Soho, the program’s host and top GMA News and Public Affairs host said.

“We saw the best in us during this crisis. It is a privilege to share the stories of Filipinos who shine through during this darkest of times. Our heartfelt thanks to our viewers who have made us their favorite kakuwentuhan and weekly family bonding time.”

KMJS is the longest running news magazine program in the country. It was recently elevated to the Hall of Fame by the Catholic Mass Media Awards. It has also won a Peabody Award and a Bronze Medal in the New York International Film and TV Awards.

For the third consecutive year, it has also been judged Philippine National Winner in Infotainment category by the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2020.

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, February 5, 2021

Naty Crame-Rogers, 1922–2021:

Of theater and life I

N the video, Naty Crame-Rogers is 91 and Gilda Cordero-Fernando, now also deceased, is asking her for tips about life. Her answer: Live, love and laugh.

Too general naman! Is that Cordero-Fernando half-teasingly commenting on Naty Crame-Rogers’s response? To the banter, the theater stalwart proceeds to explain her advice, sprinkling the observations from quotes of lines from Shakespeare and commenting on everything from theater and life. From those precious moments, a documentation available on YouTube and attributed to Edna Vida, dancer/choreographer, this generation has the rare privilege—and honor—to have a peek into the ageless Naty Crame-Rogers, raconteur par-excellence, defacto life coach, excellent stage actor.

In these clips, we see a girl, then a woman, and an actress, and a girl again, looking acutely, taking note of what is happening in theaters (too much musicals) and lamenting the death of good manners among live audiences. She underscores one thing: women now look all the same. She should know: she has always been a character.

We look at Naty Crame-Rogers and we see a person singular, fabulously eccentric to her admirers, an individual with memories enough to fill several volumes of memoir.

She has a book and she was able to witness its launch. The book, Naty Crame Rogers: A Life in Theater, presents her life as an actor, director, producer, author and drama pedagogue. For those who knew her, they will find in the book the stories she never tired of telling everyone—her schooling under German nuns at Saint Scholastica, the war years and the love of her life offstage: Philippines Air Force pilot Colonel Joe Rogers.

Naty Crame-Rogers led a colorful and significant life. She worked with people whose names now appear as footnotes, chapters, or as books on Philippine theater and culture.

There was Severino Montano and the Arena Theater and, of course, the celebrated couple, Lamberto and Daisy Avellana and Barangay Theater Guild. She was still active when Rolando Tinio set up his Teatro Pilipino. She also established the Philippine Drama Co.-Sala Theater in the 1960s.

For some strange reason, I was in that sala theater.

I do not remember the occasion now. What I do remember was Ricky Abad getting this invite for lunch somewhere. Ricky called up Matthew Santamaria, political scientist, who was then the main choreographer for one of the plays being mounted by Ricky. As Matthew and I were sharing a department, the Japanese Studies Program of the Ateneo de Manila University, I became part of the party. I was not keen really in leaving the comfort of my office but when Ricky mentioned the name of the one inviting, I dropped all my appointments for that day and off we were to Pasig.

The lady of the house no less, Naty Crame-Rogers, greeted us at the door. She was then already in her 80s but there was something graceful and girlish in her movement. “Oh, have you seen my stage?” she asked.

Stepping inside the living room, she looked up, turned around to gaze at us and then sort of twirled and muttered: This is a home of shadows, of memories. I did not find that odd at all. Deep inside, I was expecting that kind of welcome and Miss NatyCrame Rogers did not disappoint.

Naty Crame-Rogers never disappointed anyone, in any year, in any season. That afternoon, the grand, dark welcome did not carry over into the dining table.

Over lunch, she had stories and stories about the theater and about her youth. At a certain point, she giggled like a young girl, recalling right there and then her most unforgettable character as Paula, one of the tragic sisters in Nick Joaquin’s elegy in three scenes, the play Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.

There was nothing elegiac, however, about that afternoon. Her remembrances were a mix of the funny and the ridiculous, the sublime and the trivial.

All this was happening while we went through an array of food on the table. Then, she remembered something. She stood up, and moved to the window overlooking the garden. We forgot to pay respect to the shrine. It was something Thai and the visitors needed to douse what looked like a tiny house with water. She shrugged her shoulders and said, “Oh, but never mind.” She laughed this time. Let us continue our talk. The deity would not mind.

I do not remember talking at all. I was transfixed, taking in all her gestures. She was theater unfolding before me.

Why not? In the late 1970s, Lamberto Avellana restaged Portrait at the Cultural Center of the

Philippines. I knew the play in the university; I had read countless articles about the play and the production. I had seen numerous and varied photos of the cast. And there onstage were Miss Daisy Avellana and Miss Naty Crame-Rogers, essaying for the umpteenth time the roles that made them and the play legendary.

Daisy Avellana was formidable—a force of terrible and terrific nature—as Candida, the strong-willed sister. Watching her was like being carried by the gale. Her voice was wind and storm. Who could ever act with her, against her, in this play that spoke of shadows and memories? It did not take long for the audience to catch this other woman, Naty CrameRogers, an actor with a voice that was lyric and spinto to the dark, brazzy mezzo of the older sister.

As Paula, Naty Crame-Rogers was genteel. Made malleable later by love and desire, she was the sister who would be seduced by Tony Javier, the pianoplaying cad. She was the only other actor who could withstand the withering presence of another actor.

She was the Paula to Daisy Avellana’s Candida. The universe willed it and there was nothing we could do that night but weep with them for the golden days that would never come back, and for a play that was just too big to be played by smaller actors.

She is not with us anymore. Last February 1, Naty Crame-Rogers passed on at the age of 98, 97 in other accounts. What is one year to an eternity of performances?

Now, I wonder how the saints in heaven responded to her when she entered the Pearly Gates, twirled, looked back at the valley of tears she had left behind, and in a stage whisper, with a twinkle and a bit of tears in those gentle eyes, asked, “Now, where is the stage?” ■

digital music and video streaming services available, this is possible.

I sincerely wish the BGYO boys all the luck in the world as they aim for global superstardom. It’s about time a Filipino would be out there proudly representing what our country is all about musically.

Apl.de.ap, thanks to his stint with The Black Eyed Peas, is the only global Filipino pop superstar I can think about. Hopefully, when the boys get traction, they would be freer to express themselves and even add more Filipino elements to their songs and their music videos.

Apl.de.ap certainly did that, even putting the cult song “Balita” (by Asin) in the chorus of his namesake

song, and talking about his experiences growing up here in the country. Indonesian sensation Anggun always placed ethnic and world music elements in her songs and achieved international fame.

Another thing I wish for the BGYO boys and all the Filipino artists is the support of the country.

K-pop as a phenomenon was a the result of talent, good-looks and a whole nation, including the Korean government, rallying behind them. In the 1990s, amid a financial crisis, the Korean government decided that music can help the image of their country and decided to pour in millions of dollars into forming a Ministry of Culture, with a specific department devoted to pop music. Thanks to their efforts, the Korean Wave (Hallyu), referring to the global popularity of South Korea’s cultural economy exporting pop culture, was born. Their music, TV dramas and movies contribute billions of dollars to the economy, not counting the boost it provides to tourism and a positive image for Korea in the world.

“The Light” is available for streaming on various streaming platforms such as Spotify, while you can watch their music video on YouTube or Facebook.

Meanwhile, fans who were unable to catch the BGYO launch have a chance to watch it as it streams on February 7 on A2Z at 4 pm, Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live starting at 11 pm, TFC and iWantTFC.

Pinoy boy band takes a shot at stardom

BGYO (pronounced phonetically like an acronym) is a boy band composed of five strapping boys. They’re dressed impeccably with flawless skin and coiffed hair. Comparisons to K-pop bands BTS, Big Bang, Exo and Superjunior are inevitable but make no mistake: the BGYO boys aren’t apologizing for emulating them. In fact, they would like to be them—filling up stadiums and placing in music countdown charts all over the world.

Based on their debut single and accompanying music video, titled “The Light,” the BGYO boys (composed of Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki and Nate) got the K-pop moves and grooves down pat. The song aims to be an anthem for the youth, with lyrics such as: “Follow the bright bright light, Ohhh, only got one life, let’s live in the moment” followed by a simple na na na

na verse so that listeners can easily sing along.

As of press time, the music video has drawn a combined total of almost 1 million views from its official YouTube channel and Facebook page.

During the launch of “The Light,” the boys and the event hosts were throwing the words “P-pop” (for Pinoy Pop) and “Filomenon (Filipino phenomenon)” around. Pundits were fearlessly declaring these boys would be the torchbearers of OPM to the whole world.

ABS-CBN, the multimedia network behind the boys, have it all laid out. There are plans to translate the song lyrics to different languages and release them worldwide. They plan to record more songs and do virtual events to gain more fans worldwide. And with

B5

B6 Friday, February 5, 2021

Mang Inasal extends take-out, delivery blowout deal with Valentine edition until February 19

Bring love into your home at SMDC Light Residences this Valentine

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ITH a health crisis still looming among us, special festivities have been celebrated a little differently this year – safely at home, with just family and others in your bubble. Nonetheless, you can still make your Valentine date more special for your loved ones with your cozy home set-up and especially the food you will serve them.

Celebrate intimate dinners with your loved ones right at your Light Residences home with the varied food offerings at Light Mall. Whether you opt for take-out or want to whip up a feast to show them what you’ve learned during the quarantine, this might just be what you need.

“Wok” From Home

FROM dimsum to hotpot to fried rice dishes – name your favorite Chinese classic dish – and Hap Chan has it. This beloved homegrown Chinese restaurant boasts affordable party trays and lauriat meals good for six to ten persons.

Wild, Wild West

TRY Eduardo’s Peri Peri Chicken that serves flavorful roasted chicken with its signature hot sauce. You may also opt for Kenny Rogers Roasters, which has a wide array of menu options –chicken, pasta, salad, baby back ribs and steaks. For steak lovers, there’s Rustic Box, which offers unlimited steak from Mondays to Fridays, 2-6 pm for only P699 per person.

Feast in the East

SAY “Meshiagare!” and bring Kenshin’s authentic Japanese cuisine to your home.

Kenshin has a wide variety of fresh sashimi, takoyaki, and the best-selling katsu don served with a special sauce that tastes like you’re in the Land of the Rising Sun. Or you may opt to bring in the romance with Romantic Baboy, one of Light Mall’s most popular hangouts, and feast on mouthwatering samgyupsal.

Cook your own specialty

One of the best gifts anyone can give is something that comes from the heart. Why don’t you whip up a special dish or two that you can share with your special someone?

You can get all the ingredients you need to make that intimate dinner at SM Savemore.

Festive seasons all year round at Light 2 Residences

MANY order food online and have it delivered. Nothing beats getting it faster, fresher, and straight from the source.

SMDC understands the need for its residents to enjoy convenient access to the things they need most.

Light 2 Residences, SMDC’s latest sprawling development located along EDSA, will provide its residents instant access to an

expansive retail development, Light Mall, which currently has the best restaurants for dine-in or take-away, and the soon-to-rise mall at Light 2 Residences will boast of two stories of fashion, beauty, specialty shops and more restaurants. Together, they will make the biggest retail area available in any SMDC residential property.

Like its adjacent development Light Residences, Light 2 Residences features efficient unit layout sizes that allow a resident to host intimate gatherings.

Bigger celebrations can be held in any of the luxurious amenities found within the property’s Private Urban Park, including function rooms and its outdoor decks. If you don’t have time to prepare meals, the restaurants can serve as your caterers.

Light 2 Residences is directly connected to the MRT 3, which provides accessibility to the Ortigas area, Quezon City, Makati City and Pasay City.

Living in the middle of the Metro places everything within your reach, allows you to celebrate life with the people who matter most to you without leaving your home.

SMDC is PropertyGuru’s Best Developer for 2020.

For more information, visit https://smdc. com/properties/light-2-residences/

Love Local

FOR local fare, try Naimas, which serves provincial home-cooked meals that will surely remind you of your hometown’s specialty dishes. Favorites on the menu include crispy garlic isaw and ginisang balut. For family style gatherings, there’s Kuya J’s with its wide menu that includes specialities like kare-kare, crispy pata and sisig. And for the best of Pampanga cuisine, you can opt for Silyo.

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will enjoy the ihaw sarap goodness of the best-selling Chicken Inasal — marinated and grilled the Mang Inasal way.

Customers can buy only up to a maximum of three orders of Chicken Inasal Family Size Large meals per transaction.

This is to allow more customers to enjoy the Blowout treat.

Have your orders delivered via GrabFood or foodpanda. For takeout, go to Mang Inasal's Facebook page https://www. facebook.com/MangInasalPhilippines for the list of Mang Inasal stores you can visit, or join Mang Inasal's Viber community for more interesting deals.

Celebrate Valentine by doing things that make you smile

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ALENTINE’S Day is coming. You know what that means? It gives you an excuse to be extra sweet and shower your loved ones with gifts. This holiday isn’t just exclusive to couples—it can be celebrated by everyone. Here’s how you can make Heart’s Day sweet for you and those around you.

Spread the sweetness to people close to you

VALENTINE’S Day isn’t just about romantic relationships. You can also show your appreciation to your family and barkada. You don’t have to be physically together; you can just send them a sweet text or gift, like their favorite chocolatey treat.

Always be my baby

Eden helps families savor moments together HE new year always bring new hope for a brighter tomorrow. However, we know that many hurdles still exist before we can go back to a new semblance of normal. During this trying time, how are families to move forward and experience a sense of the familiar during their every day?

Eden Cheese, the country’s number one block cheese brand, has been part of Filipino meal and snack times for the past 36 years. The brand has been one with the country through the many trials and joys we have experienced in the past decades.

This year, the beloved brand aims to help provide families a source of comfort and connection as we continue to face one of the most challenging periods in our lifetime, and more importantly look forward to surmounting it soon.

Eden Cheese is a product of Mondelez Philippines, Inc., part of a global snacking leader. “To empower people to snack right is our Purpose as a Company. As such we are always obsessed about what people snack on, when and why,” explains Michelle Santillan, Category Lead for Cheese brands

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HARE the love with family and those dearest to you this coming season of hearts as Mang Inasal offers the Valentine edition of its Take-out and Delivery Blowout deal—from February 5-19, 2021!

Get a free one-piece Chicken Inasal Large for every takeout or delivery order of Chicken Inasal Family Size Large. Priced starting at Php355, the Family Size comes with four pieces of Chicken Inasal Large Paa or Pecho, original or spicy.

The freebie will be the same variant as the type of Family Size purchased.

Through this 4-plus-1 promo, more

of Mondelez Philippines. She continues, “For the past two years we have been conducting our global State of Snacking report to find out the behaviors around snacking. Last year, the survey focused on how the biggest world event to date, the pandemic, has affected how people snack.

This has helped us to ensure our brands continue to play a role in the changed lives of our consumers.”

Bringing families together through a delicious food moment

THE State of Snacking Survey 2020 was conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of parent company Mondelēz International among 6,292 global adults aged 18 and older. One of the key trends showed by the survey is about how comfort was the #1 driver of snacking in 2020, with more than half of consumers enjoying nostalgic snack brands from their childhood and snacking with brands that bring them good memories. Another key highlight was that among parents who are working from home, 72% of them feel that snack times is one of the few

times in the day which brings together their family and household.

Eden Cheese has a long history of bringing together families through its delicious creaminess. During this time, Eden Cheese hopes to become an enabler for families to rediscover their relationships and make them stronger through their shared food moments.

“We believe in supporting the strong relationship of Filipino families and providing comfort to them as we continue to emerge from the challenges we face,” adds Kristen Mendoza, Eden Cheese Brand Manager. “With meal and snack times becoming important touchpoints in daily life, Eden Cheese aims to help families savor these moments together.

The survey shows that 52% of adults globally say that snacking with others has been the high point of their day during the pandemic. We hope that the creaminess that Eden Cheese brings to favorite dishes like Pinoy Spaghetti can encourage families to linger at the table, strengthen their bonds and create wonderful moments together.”

With the pandemic changing the dynamics in our home, the Filipino dining table that brings families together has changed and became multi-purpose. It has evolved into an office desk which dads work on or a study table for kids. We aim to bring back its real purpose, which is to bring families together through a delicious food moment that they can share together. To encourage consumers to savor every moment during snack times together, Eden Cheese has released a new inspirational film to highlight the importance of togetherness.

Mendoza ends, “Eden’s creaminess is able to enrich many different dishes, so families can always find reasons to snack and be together, be it big or small moments to provide comfort to their day.”

YOUR furry pals can also be your date this love month. They’re cute, sweet, and they bring you happiness 24/7. Don’t forget to give your pets extra cuddles and treats on Valentine’s Day too. They’re there for you during your highs and lows, and are always ready to give you unconditional love.

Show some self-love

IF you can’t spend time with your loved ones, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating it by yourself. Being single doesn’t mean you’re lonely; it just means you know how to make yourself happy in various ways. Celebrate the season of love by doing things that make

you smile—from working on a project you enjoy to binge-watching rom-coms with some scented candles, and enjoying snacks from your secret stash.

Of course, Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without chocolates, and Nips has the perfect companion for you: Nips Dark Chocolate!

Your childhood favorite chocolate now has the right balance of bitter from its dark chocolate center and sweetness from its candy coating – a treat you will surely enjoy, whether on your own or with loved ones.

Stay sweet this Valentine’s day with the new Nips Dark Chocolate. This yummy treat is available at your nearest supermarkets and groceries.

Follow Nips Philippines on Facebook to get more updates from the brand.

Music therapy promotes a better way of life

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HE use of music and musical instruments in therapy promote a better way of life. Music therapy is for people with the following conditions: dementia, limited mobility, Parkinson’s Disease, anxiety disorder, depression, cancer, stroke victim, children with disabilitiees, children with delayed speech or with cochlear implants, war or calamity victims, and those with terminal illnesses.

Sunshine Place knows the need for medical attention in an ailing mind and body and offers music therapy online. Online therapy is equally beneficial as face-to-face therapy. Sessions are solely focused on the person in need and family or guardian assistance are highly encouraged to the success of the session.

All one-on-one sessions may be done through Google Meet, Viber, Zoom, or Facebook Messenger whichever is easiest to use.

The music therapy is by appointment from

Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It will be conducted

by Cleo Toribio, Professor or MAM-MT (Master of Arts in Music Mair in Music Therapy).

Toribio finished her undergraduate studies in UST Conservatory of Music with a Diploma in Piano and a Bachelor's degree in Music Education. She also studied in the College of Architecture and Fine Arts in the same University.

An ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music) Presenter in both Piano and Music Theory, her post graduate studies are Master of Music Major in Piano Pedagogy (Summa cum Laude) and Master of Arts in Music Major in Music Therapy.

She is a professor in Saint Paul University Manila Graduate School Department.

As a Music Therapist, she has experiences working with special children, Cochlear implantees, people with chronic illnesses and geriatrics.

Sports BusinessMirror

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph / Editor: Jun Lomibao

GREG BACK AT GINEBRA

Tokyo Olympics head in storm over comments about women

By Josef Ramos

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REG SLAUGHTER returned to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and is expected to strut his imposing 7-foot presence for the defending champion Gin Kings when the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) starts its 46th season with the Philippine Cup tentatively in April.

“Yes, Greg [Slaughter] has signed [already] although I’m not privy to the details,” Ginebra Head Coach Tim Cone told BusinessMirror on Thursday.

Slaughter flew to the US early in 2020 without renewing his contract with Ginebra. He

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OKYO—Derogatory comments about women made earlier in the week by Yoshiro Mori, the president of the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee and a former prime minister, could force him to resign.

Mori It’s one more problem the postponed Tokyo Olympics don’t need as organizers and the International Olympic Committee try to pull off the Games in the midst of a pandemic. They are to open on July 23.

The organizing committee said Thursday it did not have a statement but expected to have one later in the day.

In an online meeting of the Japanese Olympic Committee board of directors earlier in the week, Mori was reported by the daily newspaper Asahi Shimbun saying women talk too much in meetings. His comments have created a storm in Japan where women are grossly under-represented in politics and in board rooms.

In an interview with the Japanese newspaper Mainichi published on Thursday, the 83-year-old Mori apologized and suggested he could resign.

“I had no intention to disrespect women,” Mainichi reported him saying. “I believe I must carry out my responsibility, but if calls for my resignation grow, I may have to resign.”

He added: “It was careless of me, and I would like to apologize.”

On Tuesday in a online meeting, Asahi reported him saying: “Women are very competitive. When one of them raises her hand, they probably think they have to say something, too. And then everyone says something.”

His comment came when he was asked about the presence of few women on the board of the Japanese Olympic Committee.

“If we are going to have more women directors, someone has remarked, then meetings go on for a long time unless we restrict the comments. I’m not saying who that is.”

The Tokyo Olympics he leads are already swamped with problems. AP

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cited personal reasons for leaving but stayed in game shape while in the US and returned to the country in September last year.

“We’re happy to have him back. He gives us such great versatility and a huge presence in the paint,” Cone said.

Upon his return, Slaughter apologized to San Miguel Corp. management, particularly to its president and CEO Ramon S. Ang and Chua for a “misunderstanding” that forced him to leave the country last February 2020 after the Gin Kings ruled the Governors’ Cup. The 32-year-old former Ateneo stalwart stayed at Daytona Beach in Florida where he trained under the renowned Gary Boyson. He also signed up with world’s largest basketball

agency, BeoBasket, last July.

Slaughter’s return will again boost Ginebra’s frontline that includes last conference’s Most Improved Player Prince Caperal and veteran Japeth Aguilar.

Cone, meanwhile, didn’t give a hint on the team’s choice in the March 14 online Rookie Draft since the Gin Kings would be picking last in the draft.

“As for our draft pick, we’re looking to take the best player available to us at the 12th pick [last],” he said.

Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua didn’t reply to BusinessMirror’s text messages confirming Slaughter’s return to the Gin Kings fold.

The PBA, meanwhile, approved on Thursday

MPBL sees silver lining in completing season

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GREG SLAUGHTER signs a new deal with the Gin Kings.

HE Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) could complete its shuttered 2019-2020 season if the league follows the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) model at the Clark bubble.

Vince Dizon, the deputy chief implementer of the National Action Plan Against Covid-19, told the recent Malacañang Press Briefing that MPBL’s application to resume action will be tackled this week by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

DavNor relentless in sports program

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AVAO del Norte continued to harness its sports programs from the time the province hosted the Palarong Pambansa in 2015 and focused on the relentless training of athletes, coaches and technical officials on a broader spectrum.

“We were dubbed as the ‘Best Palaro Ever,’” Davao Del Norte Provincial Sports Coordinator Giovanni Gulanes told the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) online National Sports Summit (NSS) on Thursday.

Gulanes, who served as the first speaker of the NSS that would be staged for 23 more Thursdays, said that after the Palaro, the province was inspired to host multi-sports

events of similar magnitude.

“We also hosted the Batang Pinoy National Finals and Indigenous People’s Games in 2018,” Gulanes told his audience of 450 participants.

The sprawling Davao Del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in the capital Tagum City remained well-kept, according to Gulanes, with the provincial government establishing the DavNor Regional Sports Academy modeled after existing academies in Leyte and Pagadian City.

He said Davao Del Norte also promotes a grassroots program through Alternative Learning System which is designed for

No matches, testing times for players in Aussie Open ELBOURNE, Australia—The tournament director of the Australian Open expects the year’s first tennis major to start on Monday as scheduled despite players being among the hundreds of people forced back into isolation after hotel quarantine worker tested positive for Covid-19.

“We are absolutely confident the Australian Open is going to go ahead,” Craig Tiley told media on Thursday. “We will be starting on Monday and we have no intention of changing times.”

As Tiley spoke, Melbourne Park in the background was almost empty. All matches in all six warmup events were postponed after the state government announced overnight that there’d been new coronavirus linked to the tournament.

Tiley said he expected those tournaments to resume on Friday and finish Sunday.

Health authorities said 520 people who flew to Melbourne for the Australian Open needed to isolate in their accommodation and get tested.

That was happening at a dedicated testing center. There was some closed practice sessions, Thursday, but players on site were few and far between at a venue that has crammed 89 matches onto the schedule on 16 courts the previous day.

The draw for the Australian Open has been postponed to Friday, just over a week after players started leaving their initial quarantine.

Preparations have already been disruptive and chaotic for the so-called Happy Slam. All players and their entourages and everyone else flew into Australia for the tournament had to spend 14 days in hotel quarantine. Of those, 72 players were forced into hard lockdown after passengers on their charter flights later returned positive tests for the virus. That meant that unlike the bulk of the players who were allowed out for five hours daily to practice, they couldn’t leave their rooms at all.

Anyone connected with the tournament and who quarantined at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Melbourne were deemed to be casual contacts of the 26-year-old infected man and were undergoing testing at a dedicated facility.

Allen Cheng, Victoria state’s

Friday, February 5, 2021 B7

deputy chief health officer, said authorities were being extra cautious.

“We think the risk to other guests at the hotel, so tennis players and their accompanying staff, is relatively low because they were in the rooms at the time as opposed to staff who were outside the rooms,” Cheng told a news conference. “So we’re testing them to be sure, and it’s precautionary.”

Cheng said six people in the Grand Hyatt during the quarantine period for the Australian Open had tested positive and were transferred to a medical facility, and it was likely the man—a resident support officer—was infected there.

“We are aware that he was on a floor where there were cases,” Cheng said.

Cheng said it was “unlikely” the Open will be canceled.

Victoria State Premier Daniel Andrews told the Wednesday night news conference that he didn’t expect the February 8 to 21 Australian Open to impacted, although he has added that it’s an unfolding situation.

Andrews on Thursday confirmed close family contacts of the infected worker had tested negative for Covid-19 and contact tracing

was advanced.

Everyone in the city will be required to wear masks while indoors.

The latest coronavirus restrictions could test the resolve of players who’ve already been through two weeks of quarantine. It will also give ammunition to critics of the government decision to allow people to fly in from all over the world at a time when coronavirus cases were surging in some countries but under control in Australia.

Under the current plans, up to 30,000 spectators are expected daily at Melbourne Park for the two-week Grand Slam event and there was no immediate indication of a change.

All arrivals in Australia must undergo a mandatory quarantine under the Covid-19 pandemic regulations. The Australian Open chartered 17 flights and used three hotels in Melbourne for the bulk of the players to quarantine and had other secure accommodation and facilities in Adelaide, South Australia state, for some of the biggest stars, including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Players were tested every day during quarantine and all were cleared before the tuneup tournaments began at Melbourne Park on Monday. The first three days of competition were incident free.

“This is one case. There’s no need for people to panic,” Andrews said in his news conference announcing the case and a raft of low-key restrictions. “There’s no need for people to be alarmed. We Victorians know what to do, and we have proven, as a state, very successful at managing these sorts of outbreaks, these sorts of issues.”

Australia has 909 deaths attributed to Covid-19, including 820 in Victoria state.

Most of those were during a second deadly wave last year when a hard lockdown and overnight curfews were put in place in Melbourne. AP

Germany’s Angelique Kerber serves to Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic during a tuneup event ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday. AP

“Just like what we did in the successful PBA bubble last year, I think we can do our sports bubble successfully [including the resumption of the MPBL],” Dizon said. “We will follow and build on the model protocols from the PBA bubble, so I think they can make it.”

MPBL legal chief consultant Atty. Brando Viernesto and commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said they are willing to apply the PBA bubble.

“We already wrote the IATF and DOH [Department of Health] last month and we’re students who do not attend regular schools.

The Covid-19 pandemic didn’t spare the province but Gulanes said they managed to focus on their program.

“We are all challenged in this new normal but are still able to focus on our sports program by conducting online training such as school-

just waiting for the result,” Viernesto said.

“Once we’re okay with the IATF, we can resume the postponed season. Our priority is to secure permission to proceed first.”

The MPBL has yet to play Game Five of the semifinals matches between the Northern division’s of San Juan Knights and Makati City Skyscrappers and the Southern division’s Davao Occidental Tigers and the Basilan Steels. The finals will be a best-of-three.

The PBA bubble in Clark included the Quest Hotel as the entire league entourage’s home and based sports clinic and home-based training,” he said.

Gulanes said that the pandemic is not an excuse for sports to cease.

“We can still conduct competitions online.

The pandemic is not a reason why we cannot have competitions,” he said.

the Mac Belo (Blackwater)-Baser Amer (Meralco) trade but added Bryan Faundo to the deal, according to the Bolts’ Head Coach Norman Black.

The league’s trade committee asked the Bolts to add power forward Faundo for the 6-foot-4 Belo, who averaged 11.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 11 games last conference.

“The addition of Bryan Faundo is something acceptable to them [trade committee],” Black said. “Losing Baser [Amer] really hurt us because he was our starting point guard for the last five years. But we really need to improve our frontcourt so we have to give something valuable.”

Blackwater franchise owner Dioceldo Sy said they need the leadership of Amer. the Angeles University Foundation Gym as the playing venue. No one was allowed to enter or leave the bubble and only two cases of Covid-19 infection were recorded.

Duremdes said he is hoping the IATF would approve their application despite the MPBL’s amateur status. The IATF allows only professional sports to hold tournaments during the pandemic.

“We are just the same basketball league— amateur or professional—so I am confident we will be allowed to play because we will do the same protocols,” Duremdes said.

Duremdes said they are targeting a March 1 resumption in Subic and a June start for the 2021 to 2022 season. Josef Ramos

The NSS resumes on Thursday with Professor Henry Daut talking about grassroots sports.

The series kicked off last Wednesday with Dr. TJ Rosandich, president and CEO of the Unites States Sports Academy, discussing “Sports Success from the First World Perspective.”

Annie Abad

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

Editor: Tet Andolong

B8 Friday, February 5, 2021

Chery reveals the premium Tiggo 7 Pro

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Story by Randy S. Peregrino

FTER the initial public sneak peeks at the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS)Wired last year, Chery Auto Philippines finally revealed the allnew Tiggo 7 Pro. This state-of-the-art SUV dons a world-class design, which interprets the Life in Motion concept, as what the automaker calls it that evolves from athletic to aesthetic.

The all-new Tiggo 7 Pro

“We are excited to finally give the full reveal of our all-new Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. With its upmarket styling and luxury features, we expect it to surprise and delight Filipinos longing for the design and technology found in highend luxury SUVs, but at a much more affordable price point,” said Chery Auto Philippines President Rommel Sytin.

Interestingly, the new Tiggo 7 Pro’s European-inspired design is courtesy of a Briton, Chery’s Vice President and Global Chief of Car Design, Kevin Rice. He was instrumental in creating Mazda vehicles, including the MX-5, from 1999 to 2005 as Hiroshima’s European Design Director. Also, with BMW, for the previous 1, 3 and 4 Series models.

Ex ter ior-w ise, t he a l l-new Tiggo 7 Pro dons an assertive visage with its pronounced grille,

and upscale-looking slim LED headlamps. The front end also has distinctive LED fog lamps a nd d ay t i me r u n n i ng l ig ht s (DRLs) clusters.

A not her upm a rket st yl ing touch is the floating roof effect achieved by black wrap-around rear pillars and distinctive character lines. Those large multispokes 18 -i nc h a l loy wheel s wrapped in 225/60R18 tires also complement the overall look.

The rear, meantime, is consistent with the luxury theme.

It has a red strip connecting the taillights similar to that of luxur y and performance German SU Vs. Those beautifully integrated chrome-tipped dual tailpipes and rear spoiler further enhance the visual performance and upmarket appeal.

Inside, the all-new Tiggo 7 Pro’s well-crafted leather-draped

Premium and spacious cabin

cabin matches the same upscaled styling expressed by the exterior.

Those extensive side bolstering on the power-adjustable front seats provide supreme comfort on long drives and a sporty style.

Highlighted at the center panel is the biggest-in-class 10.25-inch

touchscreen infotainment system with connectivity functions such as Bluetooth, Mirror Link, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. It also has a six-speaker system for t hat cr isp sound e x per ience. A unique touch-operated A /C control panel at the lower

console adds to the plush feel.

Moreover, with just a push of a button, its Smart Key function not only starts the engine but can also turn on the aircon, open the tailgate and windows.

The Tiggo 7 Pro also has wireless mobile phone charging plus three USB ports for high onboard connectivity with various gadgets.

Other premium features include a panoramic sunroof, welcome lights, multi-color cabin ambient lighting, 360-degree HD camera, a power tailgate, a push-button electronic parking brake, a tire pressure monitoring system, a rear camera with front and rear proximity sensors, and a fully digital instrument cluster.

Motivation comes from a newgeneration 1.5-liter turbocharged DOHC 16-valve, Euro 5-compliant, four-cylinder engine coupled

to an all-new nine-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). Power output ratings are 145 hp at 5,500 rpm and 210 N-m of maximum torque from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm.

The Tiggo 7 Pro’s suite of safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Assist Control (HDC), Hill Descent Control (HDC), and ISOFIX child-seat tethers.

Moreover, it has a Brake Override System, which automatically overrides the throttle when the gas and brake pedals are accidentally depressed at the same time. The all-new Tiggo 7 Pro also has an Emergency Signal System, which flashes the hazard lights at high speed if the driver suddenly brakes when travelling at high speed to send alert signals to the motorist following behind.

The all-new Cher y Tiggo 7 Pro retails at P1.198 million.

It is available in Brilliant Teal, Bl a zi ng Bl ac k , R ad i a nt R ed , and Sporty White colors. Further, Chery offers an even more ir resistible package w ith the standard 10-year/one millionk m eng ine wa r ra nt y, a f iveyear/150,000 -km genera l vehicle warranty, free three-year preventive maintenance service (PMS), and free three-year roadside assistance. Customers may check the affordable Tiggo 7 Pro at any of the 17 health-protocolcompliant Chery dealerships nationwide. Even better, a vehicle test drive is also available.

LTO ruling off tangent; Parex & Aerocity projects

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HE recent Pampanga case about a vehicle getting inspected gone awry is but one of so many sorry similar instances hitting the matter, and being consistently cited across the country. Ventilated in this section on 29/01/2021, it is another blackeye to the government’s drive to supposedly rid our roads of motorcars that had seen better days.

It tugs at the heart. Hear, hear.

After a sportscar was declared unfit for use by the LTO (Land Transportation Office) in Pampanga, the process was repeated as per new rules. Voila! The vehicle passed the second test.

Happy ending?

Yes and no.

The owner went home with his car but not after the poor chap got himself milked a total of P2,600 for the two checkups, broken down to P1,800 in the first test and P800 in the second test.

Isn’t that blatantly immoral?

Before this new LTO ruling on car testing was hatched, the old policy for VRR (Vehicle Renewal Registration) was to secure a clearance from any private emission testing center authorized by the LTO. Why LTO scrapped that is a puzzle as complex as the construction of the pyramids of Egypt.

So what does that tell us?

The new LTO rule is antibusiness, anti-progress and anti-Filipino. Unethical even. Why rob the Filipino entrepreneur of his right to earn a living? And with the government itself committing the crime makes it more appalling.

We now have to pay from P1,800 to P2,600 more than the usual P400 (for emission clearance from a poor entrepreneur) whenever we try to renew our cars.

Highway robber y. In broad daylight.

And what’s LTO’s score insofar as our new plate numbers is concerned?

The virus over there seems more virulent than Covid-19?

New Lexus coming

WITH a new model to be unwrapped in March, Lexus is taking a new step in its continuing bid to make the luxurious lifestyle of its customers more rewarding and satisfying.

According to Jade B. Sison, the Lexus front line advocate, the latest model “will be with new vision and new concept, illustrating the car’s intentions for the future as Lexus unveils the coming of its new generation platform.”

In a statement, Lexus International President & Chief Branding

Officer Koji Sato said: “We will launch the first model under our new vision within this year, and we will continue to introduce new models next year and beyond.

From here on as well, by being considerate of our customers around the world and engaging in car-making that exceeds their expectations, we will continue to take up the challenge of delivering happiness to all people who come into contact with Lexus. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.”

After BMW, Lexus has always been my dream luxury ride. It might one day happen? I believe in miracles.

Parex, Aerocity projects

SINCE its soft-opening last December 29, free to the public until February 1, some 71,000 vehicles per day have been passing through Skyway 3 Slex-Nlex connector road.

“When its seven lanes are finally opened, almost 50 percent of Edsa traffic, or 200,000 vehicles per day, will be reduced,” said Ramon S. Ang, architect of the San Miguel Corp. Skyway 3 project.

Together with the Skyways 1 and 2, the entire Skyway system now has 38 kilometers of elevated expressways, with 36 on- and offramp access points, reducing travel between Balintawak and Makati from nearly 2-1/2 hours to a mere 30 minutes at the most.

Ang also cited Secretary Villar and the Metro Pacific Tollways Group, operator of the Nlex, and business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, for making possible the extension of the original endpoint of Skyway 3, to just before the Nlex toll plaza in Balintawak.

“Finally, we now have a seam-

less connection between Slex and Nlex. I thank Secretary Villar and the MVP group led by Mr. Pangilinan for making this direct link to Nlex possible,” Ang said.

But Ang isn’t stopping with his laurels, committing to President Duterte himself during the Skyway 3 inauguration that he will continue decongesting Edsa and Metro Manila traffic by building soon the East-West skyway over the Pasig River.

Calling it the Pasig River Expressway (Parex), Ang said the Pasig River Expressway project is a 19.4-kilometer, six-lane elevated expressway along the banks of the Pasig River that will complete the north-south, east-west link, connecting R-10 in Manila, Edsa, and C5 and decongesting Rizal, Cainta, and Marikina.

“It will provide faster, alternative access to the business districts to Makati, Ortigas and BGC,” said Ang. Both the Parex and the P737billion Bulacan airport projects are to be connected to the Skyway system, further extending the country’s infrastructure network.

Minus major glitches, Ang said the Parex is set to open in 2023 and the Bulacan San Miguel Aerocity in 2025.

Time is fleeting. I can’t wait.

PEE STOP World No. 1 carmaker

Toyota takes the lead once more with a soon-to-open Logistics Hub worth a whopping P4.5 billion.

Projected for a fourth-quarter inauguration, the 32-hectare facility is in Batangas Port in Batangas, known as a gateway for imported vehicles. Congrats once more to Toyota, just one of two companies that sells both locally-made and imported vehicles. Mabuhay!

Have an extraordinary online shopping experience with MG

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OW, you can reserve and purchase your very own MG vehicle online simply by visiting MG Philippines’s brand new online purchasing portal: BuyAnMG.com.

As the name suggest, the all-new web site from MG Philippines allows interested clients to browse through the complete catalogue of locally available MG vehicles.

Already live in late Q4 2020, BuyAnMG.com offers numerous, easy-to-navigate, in-web site features engineered to enrich the customer’s experience; and access to vehicle comparisons, vehicle reviews, and customer testimonials. With all these tools, visitors of BuyAnMG.com are empowered to make fully informed decisions when easily reserving or purchasing their favorite MG car.

“MG Philippines has always put online strategy at the forefront of the brand’s position and identity. We have long recognized the importance of a digital-first approach. The introduction of BuyAnMG.com represents the reinforcement of our brand position and a new chapter in our local MG brand story, as well as a notable milestone for all Filipino auto buyers,” said Atty. Alberto B. Arcilla, President and CEO of MG Philippines. “With BuyAnMG. com, we aim to address any limitations or reservations our clients may have when making physical visits to any of our nationwide dealerships by bringing the MG showroom experience to the convenience of their smart devices.”

An MG showroom in the palm of your hands

BuyAnMG.com is not just a tool for reserving and

purchasing your favorite MG vehicles. Its interactive and highly informative features allow clients to deep dive into their preferred MGs. Such features include interactive 360-degree interior and exterior tours of each MG model; informative walkaround videos; a unit comparison tool to clearly see the differences between models and trim levels; a financial calculator to help clients make a more informed decision that’s aligned with their budget; and the capability to engage in a live video chat session with an accommodating sales consultant for an opportunity to discuss any product details, promo offers, and MG Philippines’s signature after-sales services and offerings.

Informative, hosted walkaround videos for each MG model are a main highlight of the BuyAnMG. com web site BuyAnMG.com also features an extensive section of FAQs that aims to answer the top concerns of clients, including the safety of the online reservations and purchasing process; safety protocols for scheduled test drives; credit applications, modes of payment, and available financing options; unit availability, and even unit delivery should a client prefer that the brand-new MG be delivered straight to his doorstep.

For a complete list of FAQs, visit https://buyanmg. com/faqs.

With BuyAnMG.com, MG Philippines provides its clients with a modern, online service that makes getting that brand-new MG even easier. Log on today and tap into this extraordinary online experience.