BusinessMirror February 17, 2022

AMLC to banks, e-wallets: Flag vote-buying B S P. M @sam_medenilla

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ANKS and electronicwallets firms could face sanctions for not flagging suspected vote-buying or vote-selling activities in their platforms, according to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

In a televised interview on Wednesday, AMLC Executive Director Mel Georgie Racela issued the reminder with only a few months before the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE).

He warned these firms they

could be held liable for negligence.

“If they have many red-flag indicators and they failed to analyze or request additional information [on the transaction] and file a suspicious transaction report to the AMLC, this could serve as basis for the filing of both administrative and criminal sanction against them,” Racela said.

However, he noted the said firms are unlikely to face any violation of the Election Code for facilitating possible vote-buying and vote-selling transactions.

Red flags

RACELA said among the red

flags banks and electronicwallets firms should be on the lookout for possible vote-buying and vote-selling operations are single large-cash deposits followed by multiple transfers and withdrawals; unusual transaction from customers, which are not consistent with his or her financial profile; and individuals using multiple accounts to make large number of transactions during a short period of time.

He said the said firms should also closely monitor the frequency of such unusual transactions as well as their proximity to election day and the age of the party involved, especially if they are of

voting age.

“All of these factors, when combined, could serve as a red flag indicator, which could become a ground for submitting suspicious transaction reports to the AMLC,” Racela said. The reports will be consolidated and analyzed by AMLC, which it could then consider sharing with law enforcement agencies if necessary.

“As early as 2017 we already got the opinion of the National Privacy Commission [on whether] AMLC is exempted from the Data Privacy Act, when it shares its information [with other government agencies] S “AMLC,” A

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D.O.E. BACKS FRESH CALL TO HALT FUEL EXCISE TAX

BSP readies journal series on monetary policy, finance

B S P. M @sam_medenilla

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HE Department of Energy (DOE) said it is backing another suspension of the excise tax of fuel products to address the rising oil prices.

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will launch a peerreviewed journal series on monetary policy and finance under its research academy.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno told reporters that its research academy will release the “Journal of Monetary Policy and Finance” this year as part of the Central Bank’s efforts to strengthen its research capacity and enhance its collaborative research engagements.

“This is a peer-reviewed journal series that will feature outstanding research studies on relevant topics on central banking, monetary policy-making, and finance. It is targeted to be on a par with leading international peer-reviewed journals,” Diokno said.

Since the founding of the academy in January 2021, the BSP has executed six Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partner research organizations and universities.

The BSP signed its recent MOUs with the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños and the Ateneo de Manila University. The BSP also has existing research partnerships with the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), UP School of Economics-Philippine Center for Economic Development, and

ROMERO: “If it is temporary, maybe it could be suspended. But this is already with Congress, where it is under study.”

DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Assistant Director Rodela I. Romero said they already made the proposal in several technical working groups meetings.

“If it is temporary, maybe it could be suspended. But this is already with Congress, where it is under study,” Romero said in a televised interview on Wednesday.

The measure, she said, could help the transportation sector, which is currently reeling from the effects of the continued price increase in petroleum products.

As of last Monday, DOE’s monitoring showed gasoline prices rose

by P6.75 per liter.

It attributed the price hike to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Ukraine-Russia border, which is affecting international fuel supplies.

To address future uncertainty in fuel supplies, Romero said DOE is continuing to push for the creation of the country’s strategic petroleum reserves (SPR).

She said the feasibility study for the program to establish the fuel stockpile is still pending due to the failed public bidding to secure the consultancy firm which will conduct it.

Romero said the terms of reference for the said contract bidding is currently under review.

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

A GAS station worker adjusts price signages in Las Piñas City on Wednesday (February 16). For the seventh straight week, oil prices have been on an upward trend. NONIE REYES

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D.O.E. TO FORM TASK FORCE TO DEAL

WITH OIL SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS B L L B F

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@llectura  @butchfBM

MID concern over the steady rise of oil prices as risks of supply gaps persist, Department of Energy (DOE) said it will form a task force focusing on how the country will address possible oil supply disruptions.

“We are organizing an oil contingency task force to address those supply disruptions whether internal or external,” said DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) Assistant Director Rodella Romero. She was asked for an update on the planned establishment

of the Philippine Strategic Petroleum Reserve Program (PSRP), which would be jointly implemented by DOE and state-run PNOC (Philippine National Oil Company).

The PSRP is meant to allow the country to have a governmentowned reserve of crude oil, finished petroleum products and biofuel reserve to enhance the security of fuel supply in the country and address a severe international supply interruption or to implement the Targeted Fuel Relief Program.

“For now, there is close coordination with PNOC and other government agencies to determine the demand of the transport sector

and other industries in order to complete the oil contingency plan,” according to Romero.

There is an ongoing feasibility study on the planned oil stockpiling program amid the oil price increase.

The program is considered to be an extensive undertaking which aims to provide an oil stockpile, either crude oil, finished petroleum products, or both, equivalent to 90 days of the country’s domestic oil requirements.

The establishment of PSRP is aimed at ensuring the long-term C  A

■ US 51.3700 ■ JAPAN 0.4443 ■ UK 69.5601 ■ HK 6.5849 ■ SINGAPORE 38.2075 ■ AUSTRALIA 36.7347 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 13.6910 ■ EU 58.3563 ■ CHINA 8.1041

Source: BSP (February 16, 2022)

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News BusinessMirror

Thursday, February 17, 2022

BSP readies journal series on monetary policy, finance C  A

the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

Apart from the launching of a monetary policy journal, Diokno also said the BSP Research Academy will work with the ACPC to develop a credit scoring model and database for farmer and fisherfolk borrowers for this year.

“This initiative is expected to reduce transaction costs, thereby encouraging increased investment in agricultural loans and providing more opportunities for farmers and fishers to access credit,” Diokno said.

The academy will also finalize the implementing guidelines for the “Doctoral Internship Program,” which will be offered to Filipino students enrolled in PhD programs in economics, finance, statistics, and related fields in the Philippines, and develop a research grant called the “Central Banking Research Award.”

“The BSP will continue to forge strategic partnerships with academic and research institutions based on the potential mutual benefit of enriching research expertise and producing research that can serve as input to policy-making,” Diokno said. Bianca Cuaresma

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BSP: BDO close to reimbursing all Nagoyo scam client-victims

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B B C

@BcuaresmaBM

DO Unibank Inc. has almost completed the reimbursement of money to its clients affected by the recent “Nagoyo” scam, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Wednesday.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno told reporters that the BSP’s oversight examination team reported that both BDO and Union Bank of the Philippines have “extended their full cooperation” in the ongoing investigation.

In the report, Diokno said BDO has reimbursed 94 percent of all affected customers.

The governor also said the bank has assured the BSP that remaining clients will be fully reimbursed for their losses.

BDO was the target of a cybercrime incident in late 2021, where cash was transferred unknowingly from BDO account holders to a person named Mark Nagoyo, who has several UnionBank accounts. The bank said over 700 clients were affected by the online fraudulent transactions.

“The BSP continued to coordinate with law enforcement agencies, relevant government bodies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council, and key stakehold-

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno

ers in our efforts to strengthen cyber security,” Diokno said.

“We are also working closely with the Philippine Congress for the passage of measures on SIM registration and anti-mule accounts. These measures are seen to deter fraud and other financial crime and improve the handling of consumer complaints,” he added.

Last month, the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) issued a statement lauding the arrest of the perpetrators of the “Nagoyo” scam.

“We thank the National Bureau of Investigation [NBI] and the Department of Justice [DOJ], for their successful collaboration in holding cybercriminals accountable for what they have done,” BAP President Jose Arnulfo Veloso said.

“The BAP and its member banks are fully confident in the capabilities of our law enforcement and judicial system. We trust that the perpetrators of the scam and their victims will be afforded a just and speedy resolution,” Veloso added.

SOLON URGES MEASURES FOR UKRAINE FALLOUT

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NOTHER lawmaker has urged government economic managers and private

sectors to prepare for the impact of a full escalation into an international crisis of tensions between

Ukraine and Russia.

The Philippines, said Rep. Lawrence Fortun of Agusan del Norte, should be ready for the impact of the possible war on global crude oil prices, stock market investments, shipments of imports and exports between the Philippines and European countries, and international airline safety.

“Possible war in Ukraine should not be an excuse for profiteers here in the Philippines, so the DTI [Department of Trade and Industry] must be ready to preempt any opportunists out there especially those who would prey on OFWs, importers, and exporters,” he said.

The first to call for government preparedness for the fallout of the crisis was Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who noted how the tensions could further drive up global oil prices, fueling inflation and derailing the difficult recovery process from the pandemic.

Fortun, meanwhile, asked the government to assure the safety and security of 380 Filipinos in Ukraine, mostly domestic helpers and teachers.

“Overseas Filipinos in Ukraine and neighboring countries must be secured urgently. Filipinos can either secure in place and care about their Ukrainian employers and friends, or temporarily evacuate the countries just outside of Ukraine through commercial rail and airlines,” he added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. had said the

Philippine Embassy in Warsaw will send its staff to Ukraine to seek out and urge Filipinos to seek safety.

“I am reaching out to all countries West and East with common borders with Ukraine to take in Filipinos fleeing the likelihood if not event of armed clash,” he said.

In a separate statement, the agency said “the DFA is in close coordination with its Foreign Service Posts in the region on arrangements to bring home the Overseas Filipinos in Ukraine who may wish to return to the Philippines. The situation at Ukraine’s border remains fluid, and security conditions could change at any moment.”

“We urge Filipinos in Ukraine to keep communication lines with the Philippine Embassy in Poland open, and wait for updates, bulletins, and safety instructions,” it added.

For his part, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Deputy Administrator Villamor Ventura Plan said the agency is monitoring the status of OFWs in Ukraine. Russia is reportedly planning to invade Ukraine after the former Soviet satellite applied for membership in NATO. Russia denied this, even as at least 100,000 troops were reported stationed at the border.

Earlier, the BM also reported that the Filipino community in capital Kyiv has been urged by the Philippine Embassy in Warsaw to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

AMLC...

“We are trying to seek guidance from them on how we can actively monitor these services. Remember this is a very tricky area, because you are talking about how people are spending their money. So basically what we have to do is find out how we can use information to point us to potential offenders,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Currently, Jimenez said they have yet to receive any report of online vote-buying, but he said they already expect the platform will be used for such illegal activity.

Racela said they will coordinate with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Comelec, Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to prevent digital votebuying.

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as part of its mandate,” Racela said.

Additional guidance

THE Commission on Elections said it is currently seeking “guidance” from financial firms and institutions on how it could best monitor online transactions and if these are being used for votebuying activities.

D.O.E. TO FORM TASK FORCE TO DEAL WITH OIL SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS C  A

stability and security of oil supply in the country even in times of geopolitical events, calamities or emergencies, which induce global oil supply disruptions.

Unstable supply

MEANWHILE, the Duterte administration was warned Wednesday the prevailing unstable power supply situation poses a serious threat to the May national and local elections.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday noted that the thinning power supply in the country does not only “endanger the actual conduct of the May 2022 elections but is also a serious electoral issue that policy-makers should confront head on prior and after the elections.”

The senator voiced her concerns after climate and energy policy group Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) aired the warning amid growing concerns over dire consequences ensuing from a looming blackout “during the 2022 national elections including the days of vote counting.”

She conveyed concerns thinning power supply on election day itself and during the counting and canvassing would “pose a serious threat to the integrity of the national and local elections.”

Such a situation could provide an opportunity to tamper with the vote count. “Pwedeng magkadayaan, magkasalisihan. [There could be cheating, sleight of hand].”

The lawmaker, in a statement, also called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to ensure that “power players do not resort to unplanned outages during the election day.”

She stressed that as of now power suppliers should already ensure availability of power from other sources, saying, partly in Filipino: “This early the adequate reserves of over 1,200MW should be ensured through additional contracts for ancillary service and strong measures to prevent any players from gaming the market in order to reap more profits from electricity.”

Moreover, the senator reminded DOE of its repeated assurance that “there will be an adequate and reliable supply of electricity before, during and after May 9, 2022.”

She recalled that industry players and the DOE had, in previous Senate hearings, said they had already come up with supposed solutions, such as firm ancillary services contracts on the part of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and the prevention of unplanned maintenance shutdown on the part of the generation companies.

Hontiveros, who is seeking reelection, also aired expectations that “by this time, the energy players should have already identified and installed safety measures so that the red alert status last May and June 2021 that caused major blackouts will not be reached again.”

She added that the ERC, by now, should already have the teeth to make erring power players answerable for the brownouts.

At the same time, Hontiveros observed that other than the threat of a blackout during the election day, “this recurring power supply problem is repeatedly hounding the country due to regulatory failures and market abuse with few players dominating the generation, transmission, distribution, and even the supply sector of the power industry.”

Finally, the senator said it is “also high time” to subject EPIRA (Electric Power Industry Reform Act), on a policy level, to harsh scrutiny on why diminishing power supply and high cost remain unresolved 20 years after its enactment in 2001.

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Vax upon arrival to control Covid spread pressed

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HE Duterte administration was asked to direct airport and seaport authorities to enforce “vaccine upon arrival” on all local and foreign passengers entering the country to ensure they are protected from Covid-19 infection.

Sen. Francis Tolentino backed calls for the inter-agency task force to open the country to even unvaccinated arriving foreign visitors provided they are inoculated before they are allowed to get past their ports of entry.

He noted that other countries are already enforcing the policy effectively, adding that this would ensure more tourist arrivals knowing that the Philippine government authorities are seriously enforcing measures to protect both local and foreign tourists from the virus.

Tolentino is upbeat vaccination upon entry will lure more tourist arrivals knowing their host country is making sure they stay safe. This will also allay apprehensions over the possibility that the Covid infection can recur following the entry of more foreigners into the country.

For instance, he suggested that a single dose of Janssen and Sputnik vaccines be injected on arriving tourists upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), adding this can be done as adequate vaccine supply was delivered to the country.

Moreover, he reminded it is time to boost and revive the tourism industry from nearly two years it slowed down due to the pandemic.

Prior to the contagion, the senator recalled, big industries and tourist arrivals contributed 12.7 percent to the gross domestic product, creating over 5.7 million jobs. Butch Fernandez

Manny promises to end corruption, to bring peace if elected president

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

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@rodrik_28

EN. Manny Pacquiao vowed to weed out corruption in the government to achieve lasting peace in the country if elected as president of the Philippines in the May 9 elections.

This perennial problem of dishonesty by those in positions in public office, according to him, is the root cause of the long-standing armed conflict nationwide.

The abuse of entrusted power for personal gain by some state officials, he said, leads to poverty and lack of development, which then cause some people to join violent groups. On a personal note, Pacquiao said, he could also had been drawn to be one with the armed rebels had he not become a worldrenowned boxing champion.

“I think that due to our poor situation before and if I did not become a boxer, there was a big chance that I would have gone to the mountains bearing arms,” Pacquiao said in Filipino during the first town hall meeting of “Peace and the Presidentiables” webinar series organized by the Citizen’s Alliance for Just Peace with co-partners on Tuesday.

The PDP-Laban standard-bearer emphasized that the solutions to these socio-economic and political problems are livelihood and development, especially in Mindanao and other areas that are not yet developed, not to mention, addressing social inequalities and injustice.

“What we need to do is we must join together to stop corruption, especially those who are exploitative in government. That’s the mission of Manny Pacquiao,” he stressed. “I will crush the horns of those opportunists in due time.”

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, February 17, 2022 A3

Online ‘sabong’ illegal sans legislative franchise–Koko

By Butch Fernandez

legal operations with only a Pagcor license,” he stressed.

Pimentel pointed out that in accordance with the Constitution and existing rules, the House of Representatives submit all applications for legislative franchises for separate public hearings before it is elevated for separate Senate scrutiny prior to its submission for final approval of the enabling law

by Malacañang.

As of now, it was reported, however, that e-sabong operators are growing in numbers but only one, Lucky-8 Star Quest Inc., has yet applied for legislative franchise from Congress to operate and broadcast cockfighting.

@butchfBM

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ITHOUT a congressional franchise, all online “esabong” betting is deemed illegal, administration PDP Laban Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III warned on Tuesday.

The lawmaker asserted that operating online cockfight betting anchored only on a license issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) is deemed insufficient.

“E-sabong or online cockfighting must have a congressional franchise, not just a Pagcor license,” said Pimentel. Otherwise “all e-sabong operators may be held liable for il-

PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS COCKPIT ARENA FACEBOOK. PNA

Under the proposed law, Lucky-8 Star Quest Inc. was deemed eligible to be granted a 25-year franchise to operate and broadcast its cockfighting operations.

T he House approved StarQuest’s franchise last September, while the reviewing Senate Committee on Public Services already elevated its counterpart bill for plenary deliberations prior to final Senate approval.

Pimentel, however, clarified senators need to carefully study the enabling legislation granting the franchise for safeguards after getting feedbacks that even minors were allowed to gamble and place bets in e-sabong.

UniTeam vows compliance with ‘new normal’ election campaign guidelines

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HE UniTeam has reminded its supporters to comply with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) official guidelines as campaign season for the 2022 national elections officially kicked off on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

Presidential candidate and former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his running-mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte made the appeal to their respective supporters and political allies following a highly successful proclamation rally that saw tens of thousands of attendees flocking to the Philippine Arena in

Bocaue, Bulacan.

“We are reminding everyone that we are still in the middle of a Covid-19 pandemic. For everyone’s safety and well-being, we are urging our supporters all over the country to abide by the rules and restrictions set by the Comelec,” the UniTeam said.

Comelec on Monday also prodded national candidates to observe the revised guidelines crafted to adapt to the threats posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

One such change is that every activity must be approved by the

Children of frontliners, govt officials among first to line up for vaccination

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

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AVAO CITY—Like in the introduction of the Covid-19 vaccine last year, it was the children of medical parents and politicians who were in the first batch to be inoculated with the anti-Covid-19 vaccine for children.

The Philippine Information Agency here interviewed one Dr. Gemma Tiu, a pediatrician and a mother of a 10 year old son Nate Ethan Gabriel who were among the 250 children to get the first dose of the vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old on the first day of the rollout this week.

Tiu said she felt relieved from anxiety over a prolonged waiting for the arrival and rollout of the vaccine for children on February 14.

“My son has long waited for this.

He wanted to go back to face-to-face classes because he already missed his classmates. Last night, he slept early and woke early early this morning. It wasn’t hard for me to wake him up because he was really excited for the vaccination.”

In Davao City, the first batch of 250 children was designated to get vaccinated only at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for the pediatric group.

The City Task Force on Covid-19 has designated the hospital for the rollout to ensure prompt response in any adverse reaction.

Tiu said she would encourage parents “to think very well.”

“This vaccine is for the good of our kids. This vaccine has gone through research and studies in other countries. If other countries were able to vaccinate their kids aged 5 to 11 years and there was no reported major adverse side effects, then we can say that the vaccine is safe,” Dr. Tiu added.

In Davao de Oro, formerly Compostela Valley, the son of Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy was among 53 children to line up inside Zubiri Gym at the Capitol complex in Nabunturan town.

Althor John Uy is eight years

old and her mother, Madam Sholai, was also there with the governor to witness their son’s vaccination.

“Althor volunteered [this]…We are informed about the effects of [the] vaccination on our children [and] that it [a is] cure…for them and the community.”

Like Tiu, Madam Sholai would also encourage parents with children aged 5 to 11 years old to get them vaccinated. We have a lot of supplies, and we can prioritize the kids.”

In Davao Oriental, the ceremonial kickoff of the pediatric vaccination was held at the Socio-Cultural Center in Barangay Sainz in Mati City with 30 children in line. The activity had a kiddie party theme where the children were given ice cream, part hats and balloons, and there was also the presence of mascots to entertain the kids, the PIA report said.

Similar vaccination rollout were held in the other towns of Banaybanay, Boston and Lupon, and would aim to vaccinate a total of 95,552 children.

In Malita, Davao Occidental, some 210 children got their first dose at the New Malita gymnasium as children were also treated to posterity photographs with cartoon character standees and watched the film “Frozen” after getting vaccinated.

The children were mostly from Barangay Poblacion in Malita.

Davao Occidental Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Anne Margaux Bautista-Quezada said 1,300 doses of the Pfizer vaccines were allocated for the provincial launch of the pediatric vaccination.

“Very receptive. Some of them are really excited. At five in the morning some kids are already ready, super excited,” Bautista-Quezada told PIA. The PIA report also quoted Ludivina Fernandez, who accompanied her five-year old and 10-year old children on the vaccination site, as saying that she wanted to be assured of their immune system in the event of a return to in-person classes.

Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Roy Ferrer urged the parents and guardians of children to bring their children to vaccination centers.

National Comelec Campaign Committee, a task force created by the poll body to regulate campaigning in the 2022 elections.

This means that campaign organizers are now required to secure permits from the Committee by applying with Comelec’s regional, provincial, and municipal election offices where an event will take place.

Two Comelec commissioners will oversee the committee and would also include representatives from the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Armed Forces of the

Philippines (AFP), and Philippine National Police.

“This is a time to lead by example. Let us show the people that the UniTeam and everyone who believes in our call for unity are disciplined, and law-abiding citizens. We must learn to adapt to the changes in our election process,” the UniTeam added.

The Comelec also said that kissing, hugging, and entering houses are no longer allowed. Handshakes and taking of selfies with candidates are also discouraged, while even giving food, water, or any item of value

is also strictly prohibited under the revised guidelines.

“Mayor Sara and I know that this will be a big challenge for everyone in our campaign team, but this is one challenge that I am confident we can all hurdle together. It pales in comparison to the issues that await us should we be given the mandate to serve after this election,” Marcos said.

The poll body has also introduced an E-rally facility to allow each candidate to livestream their rallies on Comelec’s e-channel for 10 minutes.

A4 Thursday, February 17, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

Unctad cites port resiliency measures amid pandemic

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

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ORT operators need to further strengthen business continuity protocols and ensure availability of technology for telecommuting employees amid the pandemic, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad).

In its policy brief titled “Emerging Strategies for Ports During the Pandemic,” Unctad cited recommendations to improve operations of ports, which are deemed as the “essential facilitators of world trade” as they handle 80 percent of the trade volume across the globe.

“Ports should use business continuity planning processes to develop action protocols for pandemic scenarios based on recommendations from national and regional authorities,” the UN committee said, basing on policy recommendations by 1,246 port professionals from 105 countries.

The contingency planning scenarios, it explained, should be “de-

veloped for the successful implementation of preventative actions and to identify appropriate responses to suspected infection cases in a pandemic situation.”

Citing an example, the report noted the initiative of the Philippine Ports Authority in launching a quarantine facility for over 100 seafarers.

As for remote working, Unctad said that port operators should be able to make the appropriate technology available as this will allow continuous operations.

But they also need to put up security measures and enough capacity to cater to the employees relying on digital platforms to do their work and communicate with colleagues, it added.

“Port managers should assign a high level of priority to implementing productivity tools for telecommuting staff and digitalizing processes, to enable business to continue uninterrupted while improving information technology security and resilience,” the policy brief explained.

For the health and well-being of the port workers, it was also recom-

mended to continue the provision of vaccination facilities, testing centers and contact tracing.

“Designating transport and port workers as essential workers with the particular responsibility of maintaining services can help alleviate disruptions to supply chains, and ports should provide ‘green lanes’ on existing road networks and allocate dedicated berths for vessels in ports for the rapid transport of emergency supplies,” it added.

Unctad noted ports shifted to crisis management mode when the pandemic hit about two years ago.

The operators, it explained, were prompted by the Covid-19 to reassess their emergency response plans and adjust accordingly to keep their businesses running.

“Throughout the pandemic, ports have demonstrated their ability to manage the safe and efficient handling of essential goods such as medical equipment and emergency supplies,” the policy brief said. “The main strategic objective of ports during the pandemic has been to

remain in business while putting in place working arrangements and protocols to protect the health and safety of essential port workers.”

Given the importance of their role, the port workers, along with terminal operators, Customs officers, public health officials, immigration staff and civic police, were considered as essential service providers.

In its Review of Maritime Transport 2021 report, Unctad said that the high freight rates are expected to linger in the coming months, posing a threat to economies’ bid to recover amid the pandemic.

The spike in freight rates were due to “mismatch between surging demand and de facto reduced supply capacity,” Unctad said.

Since the second half of 2020, the UN committee explained that consumer spending was primarily focused on goods instead of services amid the mobility restrictions.

“Working from home, online shopping and increased computer sales all placed unprecedented demand on supply chains,” it noted.

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Solon asks: Are we ready for the ‘long hot summer’

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HOUSE leader is urging water utilities, water districts and government agencies to prepare for water security in the forthcoming dry season.

Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera of Bagong Henerasyon Party-list said all water utilities, the water districts, National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) should be on alert for contingencies.

“We are having a quite warm February now. The Amihan this time around has been weak and short. We should all be ready for a dry spell in the next few months,” she said.

“The water utilities in NCR [National Capital Region] and nationwide, the water districts, NWRB, LWUA, DA, DTI should now be on alert,” added Herrera.

According to the lawmaker, power interruptions could loom during dry months as well and brownouts could be high risk during the May elections’ voting

and counting.

“We have heard of assurances in years past but sadly we suffered from water shortages and waves of power interruptions,” she said.

“Until now and the foreseeable future, many provinces suffer from regular brownouts, low voltage, and water supply shortages,” Herrera added.

She also reiterated her call for more renewable energy production and sensible potable water sourcing.

“We need more solar power farms and wind energy farms using new designs instead of those huge bird-killing propellers,” the lawmaker said.

Herrera has filed a bill to install electricity and communications cables underground in select areas like town centers and disaster-prone locations. This measure is still pending before the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology.

“We also need water distribution pipes that can withstand typhoons and earthquakes so that the people will not have contaminated water,” she said.

DPWH rushes completion of ₧830.87-M road project in Mindanao by June 2022

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

T

HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Wednesday it is “working to complete” the P830.87-million

Puntian-Arakan Road in Mindanao

by June 2022.

In a news statement, Public Works Secretary Roger G. Mercado said the only remaining portion of the project is a 1.12-kilometer section, which is funded through

general appropriations.

Mercado said as of end December, the whole project is at 91.8-percent completion rate.

Once finished, the Puntian-Arakan Road will link Regions 10 and 12 via Bukidnon’s Kibawe town to the

municipality of Arakan in Cotabato, improving access between Central and Northern Mindanao.

The Puntian-Arakan Road has a total length of 23.6 kilometers, including two bridges with combined length of 90 meters, and a slope protection

that spans 2,381 square meters.

Civil works including road opening, road concreting, and construction of concrete bridges as well as protective structures were started in 2016. To date, portions of the road have been opened for traffic.

“We are ensuring that the road is going to be completed in order to provide unhampered movement of goods and services as well as the delivery of government and private initiative extension programs for Mindanaoans,” Mercado said.

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SC okays new rule on naturalization of refugees and stateless persons

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

T

HE Supreme Court has approved last Tuesday the Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons, which aims to hasten their assimilation into Philippine society by simplifying and shortening legal and procedural requirements.

The rule, which will take effect 15 days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation, was approved during the High Tribunal’s regular en banc session the other day.

The SC said the rule will also govern the procedure for the filing of petitions for naturalization by refugees and stateless persons recognized by the Philippine Government.

Its approval is in line with the country’s commitment under international law, particularly the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Significantly, the Rule, pursuant to the Supreme Court’s rule-making power under Section 5 (5), Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution, allows for electronic publication.

Section 12 of the Rule states: “If the court is satisfied that the petition is sufficient in form and substance, it shall direct the clerk of court to cause the publication of the

petition, excluding its annexes, for three (3) consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette or its web site and in one (1) newspaper of general circulation or its web site in the place where the petitioner resides, or the official web site of the Supreme Court,” the SC pointed out.

“This is with due regard to the special and vulnerable circumstances of refugees and stateless persons, such that the alternative modes of publication would reduce the necessary fees and be less burdensome for them,” it added.

Furthermore, the Court stressed that the electronic publication is consistent with its desire to have a technology- driven Judiciary that is capable of providing equal access to justice in real time.

Another significant feature of the Rule is that it allows an unaccompanied child to file a petition for naturalization.

“A petition, in behalf of the unaccompanied child or a joint petition involving related unaccompanied children, may be filed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the appropriate Local Social Welfare and Development Office where the unaccompanied child resides, or the child-caring agency having care and custody of the child,” it said.

The SC said the rule is in accordance with the Philippines’ obligation under international instruments to ensure the right of a child to acquire a nationality, with the courts guided by the “best interests of the child” principle.

Most Pinoy workers see inoculation as part of ‘collective responsibility’

W

ITH over 59 million Filipinos now fully vaccinated and mostly looking at the bigger picture of why Covid-19 vaccines are important, the country could reach its goal of administering booster shots to 72 million Filipinos this year alone.

The 2021 PhilCare Wellness Index: The Philippine Roadmap to the Next Normal found that nine out of ten Filipinos (88.9 percent) agree that getting vaccinated is part of their “collective responsibility” to protect themselves and society. It also found that three of ten respondents (34.7 percent) who have not been vaccinated yet intend to once vaccines are made available to them.

“With local governments setting up more and more convenient and accessible vaccination sites and credible vaccine information being made more available, we expect the number of Filipinos getting

Covid-19 shots to grow this 2022,” said PhilCare President and CEO Jaeger L. Tanco.

As of January 31, the Department of Health (DOH) reported it has administered over 126 million Covid-19 vaccine shots nationwide. Meanwhile, latest government data showed that nearly seven million Filipinos have received booster shots. Authorities aim to give boosters to 72 million Filipinos in 2022.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers vaccination the most effective way to prevent deaths and to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Vaccination is also a crucial element in the country’s efforts to promote economic recovery and continuous growth of industries. According to the World Bank, ramped up vaccinations and improvement of the country’s pandemic response boost consumer and investor confidence.

PHL eyes additional ₧13-B yen loan for Covid vaccines continued from a14 He cited Japan’s invaluable support for the implementation or completion of several game-changing projects in the road network development, aviation, and railway sectors under President Duterte’s centerpiece program “Build, Build, Build” as well as in the reconstruction of the conflict-torn city of Marawi and provided timely assistance to the Philippines during the Covid-19 crisis.

“Moving forward, we are confident that the Japanese Government will continue to be a valuable partner in supportofthePhilippinegovernment’s development objectives,” he added.

Despite the pandemic, Dominguez added the long-standing partnership between the two countries “proved to remain intact and beneficial, which is a testament to the resilience of our economies amidst these trying times.”

“We would like to recognize our strong and shared commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and economic growth in the Philippines. The support of the

Government of Japan has been instrumental to the country’s growth trajectory and in our economic recovery,” Dominguez said.

The meeting also highlighted the achievements of the joint committee and the cooperation between Japan and the Philippines on these areas: pandemic response efforts, implementation of flagship infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program; support for the Mindanao peaceprocess;and sectoral cooperation particularly in regional development, information and communication technology (ICT), and energy.

Among the big-ticket projects and their progress that were discussed during the meeting were: the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3), Dalton Pass East Alignment Alternative Road Project, Central Mindanao Highway Project (Cagayan de Oro-Malaybalay Section), and the Parañaque Spillway.

Thursday, February 17, 2022 A5

Survey mirrors leadership traits preferred by voters

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

F

ILIPINOS prefer candidates who could provide strong leadership, honesty, and intelligence, according to the results of a survey conducted by Ateneo School of Government (ASOG)-led Boses, Opinyon, Siyasat, at Siyensya para sa Pilipinas, or BOSES Pilipinas.

Results of the Voter Insights on the 2022 National Elections showed that 69 percent of the 1,500 respondents said they prefer candidates who provide strong leadership, while 55 percent of the total said it is important that a candidate is honest. Being intelligent is also chosen as the third most desirable trait in a candidate for 42 percent of the respondents.

Boses Pilipinas Convenor Dr. Imelda Deinla explained that the survey results could help Filipinos in evaluating their candidates for

the upcoming May 9, 2022 polls.

“Do their preferred candidates really fit the image they have in mind of a good Filipino leader? And hopefully with this framework, they would seek credible information about the candidates whom they think fit the qualities they aspire for,” Deinla said.

“Kilatisin natin ng husto ang mga kandidato kung sila ba talaga ang strong, honest, at intelligent leader na kailangan ng mga Pilipino. Do their qualifications and experiences fit these traits?” she added.

Aside from the top 3 character traits, 37 percent of respondents also said they want someone who gets things done and 33 percent said they want someone who is morally upright.

Nineteen percent said they prefer a compassionate leader.

BOSES Pilipinas conducted the survey in cooperation with Rakuten Insight, an independent research firm based in Singapore, using Ra-

kuten Insight’s online panel from November 29 to December 14, 2021.

The research firm asked 1,500 respondents to choose from a list the top 3 character traits that are most important for them in voting for a candidate.

“Apart from how they see the candidate’s position on certain issues, the voters also have certain images of the personal qualities and abilities of candidates that also form part of their voting decisions. This survey shows what is the Filipinos’ image of the leader they want,” Deinla said.

Meanwhile, BOSES Pilipinas also asked respondents to identify the top 5 issues they believe the current administration should immediately address.

Fighting graft and corruption in the government was ranked as the most urgent national concern for Filipinos, with 60 percent of the respondents, including this in

their top 5.

Amid the lingering Covid-19 pandemic and the loss of income sources and opportunities due to lockdowns and restrictions, half or 50 percent of the respondents deemed it urgent for the current administration to address creation of jobs while 48 percent picked controlling the spread of Covid-19 infections as one of their chosen top priority issues.

Economic concerns also remain as Filipinos include social services reducing poverty (45 percent) and increasing pay for workers (44 percent) as priority issues. These are followed by the elimination of the sale and use of illegal drugs (37 percent), a controversial policy of the outgoing Duterte administration.

Legislative concerns such as the reimposition of the death penalty (9 percent) and changing the Constitution (9 percent) came out as the least urgent concerns for Filipinos.

VP ROBREDO GETS WARM WELCOME FROM BORACAY TOURISTS, STAKEHOLDERS

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

V

ICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo’s trip to Boracay Island on Wednesday was a personal and emotional journey for her.

She told stakeholders gathered at a function hall in Bolabog, she had tried to visit all the communities her husband, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, last visited before he perished in a plane crash in August 2012. “But one of those I wasn’t able to visit was here in Boracay, because my children and I were trying to avoid all the places where we, as a family, had our vacations with my husband when he was still alive. Because it was sad that we were no longer complete,” she shared. The last time the family visited the island, known as the crown jewel of Philippine tourism, was in February 2009.

Robredo, currently running for President in the May 2022 elections, visited the island’s Ati community, who had been protected by her late husband from eviction by businessmen who wanted to build on their land. “They said they owed a debt of gratitude to my husband. They’re just few, only 200-plus individuals, but the National Government [NG] went down, visited them, and listened to them, and saw their situation. There was no small or large group, as long as the NG is needed, they would help those in need.”

This is the kind of service Robredo

VP Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo greets a group of Ati children during her personal and emotional journey to Boracay Island. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

has been giving since she was a practicing lawyer in Naga, representing small farmers and fisherfolk, who she describes as “nasa laylayan [marginalized sectors]”. It is the kind of governance she also promises Filipinos, as they go to the polls in May. “It’s easy to say, ‘This is what Boracay needs,’ but if you don’t talk with the people who are struggling here everyday, how can you say, that it was they truly need?”

Message of inclusivity

THIS kind of messaging appeals to millennials like Kim Estrada, an IT support manager for an international firm, currently working while vacationing on Boracay. She was among the many tourists who attended the forum. “I got teary-eyed when VP Leni spoke,” she told the Business-

Mirror. “Her message of inclusivity was heartfelt. She came here with a purpose, to connect with the masses, those in the laylayan, talking about the BIDA bill, and her visit with the Ati community.”

Describing herself as a former Duterte supporter, Estrada ������ laughingly shared, “We didn’t party anymore last night. We knew we had to wake up early so we could be [at the forum].” She also marveled that the Vice President was at the venue on time. “The event was scheduled at 9 a.m. and she was there on time. I thought that was great.”

Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, about 1.8 million tourists visited Boracay, popular the world over for its creamy white beach.

Robredo once again addressed the creation of the Boracay Island

Development Authority as a government-owned and -controlled corporation, as contained in a bill fast-tracked in the House of Representatives. Many stakeholders on the island are opposed to said bill because they were not adequately consulted by legislators. “The discussion on this issue cannot continue unless all of you are given the voice to be heard,” she said.

She asked the multi-sectoral groups, that after the elections, they would continue to take care of the island and “ensure that everyone prospers from tourism. It won’t favor just the businessmen, but we should ensure that even the smallest stakeholder also benefits from tourism.” She recalled the six-month closure of the island in 2018, where some 30,000 workers lost their jobs, and when they needed an “inspiring leader” to get everyone on the island, especially the businessmen, to help the marginalized poor.

President Duterte closed the island for six months starting April 2018, to address environmental issues and the easement problem.

While government extended financial assistance to workers, many locals said the amounts were too small to tide over their families.

(See “Back in business: Beyond the white sand, Boracay is, first of all, about people,” in the BusinessMirror, October 27, 2018.)

Barely recovered from the closure, tourism on the island was again affected, this time by Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Comelec and MMDA launch ‘Operation Baklas’ in NCR

T

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) started its crackdown on Wednesday against illegally placed and oversized election campaign materials in Metro Manila.

The poll body launched “Oplan Baklas,” together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), that aims to remove all printed election propaganda materials, which violated campaign rules for the May 9, 2022 polls in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The operation covered the main thoroughfares in the cities of Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon, Pasig, Caloocan and Manila.

elec and MMDA to launch Oplan Baklas.

Jimenez said they would continue to conduct similar operations until Election Day. Comelec Resolution No. 10730 requires all campaign materials to be posted only in common poster areas or in private properties if allowed by owners.

Such propaganda materials are not allowed to be posted in public areas, which include highways and streets as well as public transportation vehicles, among others.

Comelec also set a prescribed size for such materials, which should not be bigger than two feet by three feet for cloth, paper or cardboard posters.

Advance notice

Due process

COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez said many of the illegally posted posters and streamers were voluntarily removed after they sent advance notices to candidates in previous days.

But some of these illegally placed materials, he said, remained, prompting Com-

ELECTION lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal, meanwhile, questioned the power of Comelec to remove campaign materials “posted by non-candidates on their private properties even if such materials do not comply with the size prescribed.”

Samuel P. Medenilla

A6

BusinessMirror

Thursday, February 17, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

A-LINK STEEL MANUFACTURING CORP. Unit 1403-1404 14/f Bdo Equitable Bank Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati YANG, WEIQIANG Finishing Head Supervisor 1.

Brief Job Description: Supervises all production activities modification packaging branding and transportation in the finishing department thereby ensuring that the goods reach the final consumer in a wholesale

XU, BIN Roller Machine Specialist 2.

Brief Job Description: Set up operate or tend Machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends knurls rolls or plate to flatten temper or reduce of material

Basic Qualification: College Graduate at least 1-2years of working experience in the related field, fluent in Mandarin basic English

Basic Qualification: College Graduate at least 1-2years of working experience in the related field, fluent in mandarin basic English

3.

Brief Job Description: IT Operations Professionals Support Infrastructure operations and/or Manage Delivery for IT Production systems and Services based on Operational Requirements and Service Agreements

WAKABAYASHI, NAOKI Program & Project Mgmt Associate Manager 4.

Brief Job Description: Control delivery of programs, projects and or managed services; deliver desired business outcomes and/or service commitments through effective planning and execution

NAGAYA, KENTO SW/Application/Cloud Tech Support Associate 5.

Brief Job Description: Advise Clients team leader of development status and issues

Basic Qualification: Japanese proficiency n2 or higher, able to communicate in English with management experience highly trainable with skills in MS office (outlook, PowerPoint, excel and word)

6.

Brief Job Description: Provide electronic fund transfer, real-time payment technical solutions to existing clients and prospective clients; provide up-selling, cross selling for payment solutions, EFT switches and mobile banking.

Basic Qualification: Educational background: bachelor of engineering graduate or more. General working experience: more than 10 years

7.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries BUKARI Chinese Customer Service

8.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DAO XUAN HUY Chinese Customer Service

9.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries EDY SUSANTO Chinese Customer Service

10.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HA THI THUY Chinese Customer Service

11.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG VAN THIM Chinese Customer Service

12.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG VIET LOC Chinese Customer Service

13.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KELVIN Chinese Customer Service

14.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KENDY Chinese Customer Service

15.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

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

23.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM VAN SANG Chinese Customer Service

24.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SUMIATI Chinese Customer Service

25.

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

26.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN THI THAM Chinese Customer Service

27.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN VAN HUONG Chinese Customer Service

28.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRUONG THI MINH TRUYEN Chinese Customer Service

29.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YUKI Chinese Customer Service

30.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

CHOI, SUNGJIN Limited First Officer - A320 31.

Brief Job Description: Pilot assisting PIC for the safe and efficient operations of the aircraft and or the flight.

CHUNG, TAEKSUNG Limited First Officer - A320

32.

Brief Job Description: Pilot assisting PIC for the safe and efficient operations of the aircraft and or the flight.

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

33.

Brief Job Description: Provides assistance to clients for supply on webbased applications by determining and documenting the problems and solutions

CGI (PHILIPPINES) INC. 2/f One World Square, Mckinley Hill, Pinagsama, City Of Taguig

34.

35.

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

36.

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

37.

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

38.

39.

40.

OLSZEWSKA, JOANNA KATARZYNA Multilingual Service Desk Member

Basic Qualification: Language proficient

Brief Job Description: To support multilingual service desk

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

PERÄ, MIKAEL Multilingual Service Desk Member

Basic Qualification: Proficient in written and verbal communication in English language and excellent knowledge of Finnish language.

Proficient computer and technical skills.

Brief Job Description: Provides technical support in Finnish language

Brief Job Description: Maintaining good supplier relations and negotiating contracts.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining good supplier relations and negotiating contracts.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining good supplier relations and negotiating contracts.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining good supplier relations and negotiating contracts.

HONG, PEIFENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 41.

Brief Job Description: Addressing Customer Concerns and Issues Thru Phone Call and Email JIANG, FAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

42.

Brief Job Description: Addressing Customer Concerns and Issues Thru Phone Call and Email JIANG, YINGJIANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

43.

Brief Job Description: Addressing Customer Concerns and Issues Thru Phone Call and Email WANG, WENTAO Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

44.

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

Brief Job Description: Addressing Customer Concerns and Issues Thru Phone Call and Email

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

XIONG, LI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

45.

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

46.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good analytical and strategic thinking skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good analytical and strategic thinking skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good analytical and strategic thinking skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Addressing Customer Concerns and Issues Thru Phone Call and Email

Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

SU, HANG Central Control Dispatching Supervisor 47.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: To provide day-to-day supervision and administrative representation for central dispatch.

MO, WENKE People Shared Service Center Specialist 48.

Basic Qualification: 1-year customer service associate experience, basic to advance MS application skills Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Addressing Customer Concerns and Issues Thru Phone Call and Email ZHOU, XIAOLONG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Good analytical and strategic thinking skills

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, 1, Bungad, Quezon City

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

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

ZENG, TAO Chinese Procurement Officer

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

Brief Job Description: To support multilingual service desk

SU, JIAMENG Chinese Procurement Officer

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

Basic Qualification: Language proficient

LIANG, SHENGYU Chinese Procurement Officer

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

DEMAPENDAN, DAN ENRICO Multilingual Service Desk Member

JI, QING Chinese Procurement Officer

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

CHINA ENERGY ENGINEERING GROUP GUANGDONG ELECTRIC POWER DESIGN INSTITUTE CO. LTD., (PHILIPPINES) BRANCH U-1205 12/f 6750 Ayala Bldg., Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

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

BOSCH SERVICE SOLUTIONS, INC. 23rd Floor, W Fifth Avenue Building, 32nd Street Corner, 5th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig JUNG, SEONGMOON Customer Service Associate

No.

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

ASTRO AIR INTERNATIONAL, INC. (PAN PACIFIC AIRLINES) Unit 1401 & 1411 Aseana 3 Bldg., Macapagal Cor. Aseana Ave. Aseana City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM TIEN THANH Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM THI TRA Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM THI NHUNG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM THI LINH Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NONG VAN PHONG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

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

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

17.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Can Communicate effectively in both oral and written English Required Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NANI WIJAYA Chinese Customer Service

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

AECOM PHILIPPINES, INC. 23f Fort Legend Tower, 3rd Ave. Cor 31st St., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig BAKRUDEEN, TARIQ YASSER A061 Depot Civil/structure Expert (CP N-05) (N2)

16.

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

Basic Qualification: Skills, Japanese Language Skills, IT Infrastructure Skills in Linuc Server Administration

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION MAI VAN DAO Chinese Customer Service

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

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong MEDENNIKOV, ILIA App/cloud Support Senior Analyst

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Responsible for general HR query management, employee data management, contracts generation and onboarding

SAE THANG, NAMPHET Product System Specialist 49.

Brief Job Description: Monitor all aspects of a product lifestyle, including long/short-term product development and marketing.

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Malate Bayview Mansion, 1781 M. Adriatico Street. 076, Barangay 699, Malate, City Of Manila

50.

LIU, WEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: language fluency Mandarin & English

Basic Qualification: Fluent in written and oral Mandarin and English

BEVERLY SIMBOLON Financial Analyst 51.

Brief Job Description: Executes day-to-day activities such as processing and/or data entry with a customer-focused mindset directed by respective Process Lead:

Basic Qualification: • Language expert.

Proficient in Thai (speaking, reading and writing) • Finance / Accounting Background • Skills in SAP Accounting System

52.

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

TAN MING SHYANG Mandarin Accounts Staff

53.

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

CHANG, YUN-SHAN Mandarin Supervisor

54.

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

64.

65.

CHANG QUYNH ANH Chinese Customer Service 66.

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

67.

55.

Brief Job Description: Services engaged to share his expertise on selling Japanese Products

68.

56.

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

69.

57.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the overall supervision and management operations of each department, priority the operations of the project site

WASUNTARASOOK, VETHIN Project Manager 58.

Brief Job Description: To render general management and administrative decision for cpn-03 project

70.

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

59.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro blogs and forums

Basic Qualification: Vast experience in the Philippine market and knowledge on Japanese products Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

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

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

Basic Qualification: A graduate of civil engineering with 15 years experience in horizontal projects

71.

Basic Qualification: A graduate of civil engineering with 15 years experience in horizontal projects Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Atleast college graduate, speak and write fluently (mandarin and english)

72.

60.

Brief Job Description: US and International Private Bank (PB) Client Service, Catering to client requests ranging from Money Movements, Credit inquiries, FX, Overdrafts, Role spans across all regions of IPB i.e. Asia, EMEA and LATAM

73.

YADAV, MOHAN LAL Fund Servicing Manager III

61.

Brief Job Description: Fund Servicing is responsible for providing operational service related to fund accounting and administration, benefit payment services, compliance reporting services, investment analytics and consulting, financial and valuation reporting, investment operations outsourcing services, transfer agency services, or trust and fiduciary services.

74.

LEE , TAE JIN Resident Agent 62.

Brief Job Description: Will oversee the day to day operations of the company

Basic Qualification: Has an excellent managerial experience

75.

NIU, YANAN Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist 63.

Brief Job Description: Conduct Market Research and Analyze Consumer Rating Reports/Questionnaires Support Marketing Executive in Organizing Projects

76.

MAERSK GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRES (PHILIPPINES) LTD. Levels 6-8 North Wing, Estancia Offices, Capitol Commons, Meralco Ave., Oranbo, City Of Pasig

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG TUAN ANH Chinese Customer Service

77.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries JUMINI Chinese Customer Service

78.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KELINA Chinese Customer Service

79.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LADY Chinese Customer Service

80.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE SY DUONG Chinese Customer Service

81.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LEO VAN SON Chinese Customer Service

82.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, RONGCHENG Chinese Customer Service

83.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIM ENG HAN Chinese Customer Service

84.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and english Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG DUC TAI Chinese Customer Service

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

LUCKY365 CONSULTING LIMITED CORP. U/18a 18f 18/f Trafalgar Plaza, 105 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HIONG XIANG BAO Chinese Customer Service

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

KCOPA MANILA REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE Unit 2205 High Street South Corporate Plaza, Tower 1 9th Avenue Corner 26th Street, Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HE, KANG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with minimum 12 years relevant experience in the industry, Knowledgeable in fund accounting and trade processing, transaction lifecycles of different market products and of trade instruction lifecycles.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HE, JING Chinese Customer Service

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

Basic Qualification: 15+ years of experience in US markets, 10+ years of PB Client Service experience, Expertise in investment products cover all asset classes

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HANSE Chinese Customer Service

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

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.- PHILIPPINE GLOBAL SERVICE CENTER 23/f Net Plaza, 31st St. E-square Zone, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig MERCER, JASON JOHN Client Service Manager

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ELIS Chinese Customer Service

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque KIM, SOON JA Korean Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DUONG UY NHI Chinese Customer Service

ITALIAN-THAI DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED Reclamation Site, Coastal Road, San Dionisio, City Of Parañaque TESNES, VAROTE Co-project Manager

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DIEP DAI SAN Chinese Customer Service

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor, Eight West Campus Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig NGUYEN THI THUY LINH Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DAI, PING Chinese Customer Service

HIGHTOWER INC. San Antonio 1, Seacom Road, San Antonio, City Of Parañaque MATSUMOTO, TOMONARI Sales Consultant

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHENG JIA HUI Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Has knowledge of standard work routines and methods, general facts and information

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

LIN, CHENG-YUNG Chinese Customer Service 85.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

A7

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Provide timely feedback to customer regarding disputes, queries, invoice information

No.

Basic Qualification: Assist customers with their issues and inquiries

86.

87.

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

88.

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

89.

DING, FENGLONG Chinese Customer Service 90.

91.

92.

93.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 94.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language 95.

96.

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

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

SONG, GENYUAN Chinese Customer Service 97.

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

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

TIAN, XIANGYANG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

RAN, DEJING Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

QUAN, PENG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

LI, JIAPENG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

JIANG, ZIDONG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

JIANG, SONGYI Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

HE, JIANGXIANG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

98.

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

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

WANG, JUN Chinese Customer Service 99.

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

100.

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

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

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

XIE, YAO Chinese Customer Service 101.

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

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

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

WANG, ZHONGXIAO Chinese Customer Service

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th/f, Pearl Marina Building Pacific Drive, Don Galo, City Of Parañaque

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, ZHENGQING Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries QIN, HAOBO Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN NHU VINH Chinese Customer Service

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LY THI NGAY Chinese Customer Service

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

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: Reviews open invoices to identify delinquent accounts GRATEROL LOPEZ, HORTENCIA VIOLETA Senior Specialist

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

FRONTIER POINT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 29/f Techzone Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati AUNG MYINT TUN Mandarin Accounts Staff

GOMEZ PORRAS, KRISTOPHER OSWALDO Collector

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

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE SOLUTIONS SERVICES (PHILIPPINES), INC. 9th Floor Aeon Center, Lot 2a-3a Block 45, Alabang-zapote Rd. Cor. North Bridgeway, Filinvest City, City Of Muntinlupa

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Thursday, February 17, 2022

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

YANG, SHILIN Chinese Customer Service 102.

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

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YU, CHUNHUI Chinese Customer Service

103.

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

ZHOU, HAOJUN Chinese Customer Service 104.

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

ZHOU, HONGTAO Chinese Customer Service 105.

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

ZHU, SHAOPAN Chinese Customer Service 106.

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

SU, XIAOLING Customer Service Representative 107.

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

BANG CHAM ANH Vietnamese Customer Service 108.

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

NGUYEN DINH DONG Vietnamese Customer Service 109.

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

NGUYEN THI HOAI Vietnamese Customer Service 110.

Brief Job Description: Manage Incoming Calls and inquiries, Handling Complaints , Provide Solutions Process customer accounts and file documents

NGUYEN XUAN LINH Vietnamese Customer Service 111.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar fields, speak and write fluently (native language)

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience in the similar fields, speak and write fluently (native language)

112.

Brief Job Description: multilingual customer support, specifically for other asian languages

117.

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

118.

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

119.

BESONG, BLANDINE FANNY MAN-FOR French Cash Application Specialist 120.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate, Preferably 1 Year Experience in the similar fields, Speak and Write Fluently Native Language and English)

121.

122.

123.

124.

125.

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

Basic Qualification: must be 21 years old above, graduate of any vocational or bachelor’s degree course, can speak and write Thai, Telugu, Hindi, Vietnamese, Hangul and Bahasa can also converse in English, atleast 1-year experience as data analyst or customer service, with good oral and written communication skills, intermediate to advance computer skills

126.

127.

PHILIPS DOMESTIC APPLIANCES SUPPORT PHILIPPINES, INC. 10/f Sunlife Center, 5th Ave. Cor. Rizal Drive, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

113.

Brief Job Description: The Order Management Team Member - Thai speaker supports our customer in Thailand and Vietnam. He/ she ensures timely and accurate capture of orders.

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in (written and verbal) in Thai and Vietnamese language.

LIU, YILI Assistant Supervisor 114.

Brief Job Description: Monitor employee compliance with operations standard. Manage and train

CAI, YAOMING Consultant 115.

Brief Job Description: Works with client to identify business challenge and solutions, developing project timelines

CHEN, QINGFA Cost Analyst 116.

Brief Job Description: Analyzes expenses and cost transactions, ensure the transaction recorded

128.

CHEN, SONGLIN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HAW CHI YUNG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIANG, HAIJIAN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SU, YAOJIAN Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services

129.

130.

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree in business management.

Excellent communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Master’s degree in business management.

Excellent communication skills

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree holder.

With at least 1-2 years relevant experience in Cash Application/Accounts Receivable. Proficiency in French and English.

Amenable to work on a mid shift schedule.

133.

WEI, XUESHUANG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XIE, FUCONG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

PORRES, ANTHONY Business Development Analyst

134.

BONITO, MACEDO INFANTE PAULO Portuguese Speaking Sales Executive Brief Job Description: Telesales specific Mozambique market

Brief Job Description: Develop, implement and communicate metrics reporting processes and documentation across plants and companies in collaboration with operations, marketing and sales functions, fluency in English Language is a must. Able to communicate with other foreign nations since English is an International Language. Leading and executing various special projects with senior leadership primarily related to the evaluation of possible growth strategies or driving operational improvement.

VEERABADHRAN, MATHIALAGAN Consultant 135.

Brief Job Description: Compiling and presenting information orally, visually and in writing, must be fluent in English and Hindi language. Making recommendations for improvement, using computer models to test them and presenting findings to client, Developing and implementing new procedures or training.

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

VY THI HUYEN Vietnamese Operations Team Leader 136.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to Vietnamese Speaking clients and customers

LAO MY LINH Mandarin Accounts Staff 137.

Brief Job Description: maintain accurate and complete customer account information LI, PEIXIAO Mandarin Accounts Staff

138.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for establishing and maintaining good working relationships with top marketplace seller owner and representative

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing in dept. insight and analysis on mall and/or seller groups in order to asses shop and account

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Possesses a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in business administration, economics, finance management or any relevant study with minimum of 2 years relevant experience.

YANG, YANQING Business Development, Cross Border 131.

Brief Job Description: Drive cross boarder performance and business growth across multiple categories in Phils.

KATTOOR, SRUTI LATA Senior Associate, Business Development (SBS) 132.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the growth and operations of SBS in the Phils.

Basic Qualification: Has at least five years of work experience, consulting experiences will be an added advantage Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: MBA or postgraduate degree is preferred Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

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

139.

140.

Brief Job Description: maintain accurate and complete customer account information

Brief Job Description: maintain accurate and complete customer account information

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

CHOY SIN FEI Mandarin Operations Specialist

Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin

Brief Job Description: maintain accurate sales record

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin

Brief Job Description: maintain and drive program knowledge for self and team MENG, JUN Mandarin Technical Support Representative

142.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin

LAI, QIUMING Mandarin Team Leader 141.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin

LU, DA Mandarin Accounts Staff

Brief Job Description: monitoring and maintain computer systems and networks

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WHG CUSTOMER SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. (WILLIAM HILL ONLINE) Six/neo, 5th Ave. Corner 26th Street, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig

CONNOLLY, PHILIP PATRICK Head Of Continuous Improvement 143.

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

Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written)

Basic Qualification: Skilled in Vietnam Language

Basic Qualification: can speak mandarin

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Portuguese and above average English, sales experience

Basic Qualification: Well-developed core consulting skills of research, analysis, presentation, and attention to detail.

Aptitude to grasp new concepts and effectively produce results.

Exceptional problemsolving skills-an analytical, innovative, and creative mindset.

URBANDIDEAS INC. Unit 17-m Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

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

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre, Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

Basic Qualification: Must be flexible, analytical and good communicators.

In the next few sections, we look at the academic requirements, professional certifications and soft skill requirements for BA roles. Fluency in English Language is a must, plus factor of his knowledge to speak in Filipino Language.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has knowledge in computer applications

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

TANZILA TRADING INC. U-29 3/f Bac., Bagong Milenyo F.b. Harrison St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: MBA or postgraduate degree is preferred

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the overall operations of Shopee Phils. Organization

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LOW JIANWEI Senior Director, Operations

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

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

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree in business management.

Excellent communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MENG, CHING-HAN Business Development, Brand Management

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree in business management.

Excellent communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WANG, HUIJUAN Customer Service Representative

CHUNG, CHIA-YUN Associate, Business Development (Marketplace Relationship Management (Binondo Seller)

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree in business management.

Excellent communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Lead the Continuous Improvement (CI) functions across global operational teams of William Hill; Responsible in defining and driving CI initiatives to achieve excellence in projects, products, processes, and services, and define success as getting the right things done.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree is required, an advanced degree is preferred; A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in Customer Operations industry is required.

Proven knowledge in specific methodologies such as Lean, Agile, Kaizen, Kanban, or Six Sigma preferred ; Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

SHOPEE PHILIPPINES INC 37/f Net Park, 5th Avenue E-square Crescent Park West Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

REDLADDER CONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Rm. 252 6/f Sitio Grande Bldg., 409 A. Soriano Ave., Barangay 654, Intramuros, City Of Manila

Basic Qualification: Master’s degree in business management.

Excellent communication skills

No.

SBT PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit W-1603 B West Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

JEENSALUD, SUPAPORN Order Management Team Member - Thai Speaker

Brief Job Description: Handle daily cash application/refunds for cheque, wires or credit card payments that are received from all Customers types. Provide input to the Business system Analyst on ways to improve/automate manual and time-consuming tasks.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 1 year experience is the similar filed, Speaks and write fluently (native language and English)

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 2/f Star Cruises Ce Bldg., Andrews Drive, Newport City St., Barangay 183, Pasay City

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

Brief Job Description: Material submission, ordering procurement, measure and value work done on site

A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

REED ELSEVIER SHARED SERVICES (PHILIPPINES) INC. 2nd Floor Building H, Up-ayala Technohub, Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

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

Brief Job Description: Material submission, ordering procurement, measure and value work done on site

XIAO, HAITANG Quantity Surveyor Supervisor

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

Brief Job Description: Analyzes expenses and cost transactions, ensure the transaction recorded

LIU, ZHIYAO Quantity Surveyor Supervisor

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHEN, SHIXIONG Cost Analyst

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

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

PADNANAN, GANOGNUT Data Analyst Officer

No.

Thursday, February 17, 2022

WIKITECH SERVICES INC. Unit 25d 2/f Zeta Ii Bldg., 191 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

144.

145.

Basic Qualification: Proficient language skills and skills match to job

LI, WEI Mandarin Accounts Staff Brief Job Description: Manage change requests for customer accounts

JIANG, DONGSHENG Mandarin Technical Support Brief Job Description: Testing and evaluating new technology

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient language skills and skills match to job Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

*Date Generated: Feb 16, 2022 Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Agriculture/Commodities BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

SRA pressed to bare ‘sweetheart deals’

By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

S

EN. Imee Marcos, demanding total transparency, pressed the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to render full disclosure of details what she found to be “sweetheart deals” with large industrial users of refined and bottler’s grade sugar.

The Senator noted that “a day after the SRA deadline to apply for importation, a major softdrinks manufacturer and other processors of sugared products have cornered thousands of metric tons [MT] of the commodity and used traders as fronts to bring in larger import volumes.”

In a statement Wednesday, Marcos wondered: “Why is the SRA so enamored of importation?

What vows did manufacturers of sugared products make to get the SRA’s ‘I do’?”

Marcos recalled the SRA claiming that Typhoon Odette’s damage to the sugar industry last December called for allowing the importation of 200,000 MT of sugar.

This, even as sugar farmers informed the senator’s office that “only one mill shut down during the typhoon and that all sugar mills nationwide are now in full operation.”

Moreover, the Senator’s office was also told that the United Sugar Producers Federation (UNIFED)

based in Negros, where 13 of the country’s 27 sugar mills are located, had confirmed that the Southern Negros Development Corporation mill in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental shut down due to flooding but “only for a week.”

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, Marcos had warned that small sugar farmers, who make up 85 percent of the industry, may not last the next crop season starting September, if sugar imports bring down farmgate prices amid the high costs of fertilizer and fuel for transport, tilling, and milling continue.

Marcos noted that “in order to make ends meet, many small farmers have given in to usurers while others are now planting camote instead of sugarcane.”

She acknowledged that while “it is more urgent to import fertilizers.” Marcos maintained that “this should be done only for emergency use and on a government-to-government basis.”

At the same time, the senator stressed that the Duterte government should also “consider imposing an immediate price freeze on fertilizers, lowering the import volume of sugar, or scheduling deliveries in tranches outside the milling season, while developing locally made fertilizers could be a long-term program.”

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Thursday, February 17, 2022 A9

‘Import program may do little to temper rising sugar prices’

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

HE government’s refined sugar importation program may not be able to temper the spike in the price of the sweetener, according to a member of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board.

SRA board member Roland Beltran, who represents the milling sector, noted that only industrial users and bottlers will be able to avail of the importation program, which calls for the purchase of 200,000 metric tons (MT).

Beltran said the importation program should have been opened to all eligible importers and end users.

During the deliberation on Sugar Order (SO) 3, he said he voted for the measure, but expressed reservations about the coverage of the import program.

He said limiting the program to industrial users and bottlers was “discriminatory, not beneficial to the consumers and may violate the equal protection clause.”

“The import program will not be beneficial to end-users particularly consumers since it is focused on the industrial users. They really want to address the high prices [of sugar in the domestic market] but appar-

ently SO 3 zeroed-in in favor of the industrials,” Beltran told the BusinessMirror in an interview.

“If we wanted to address the high prices in the market, particularly in places where ordinary people get their sugar, logic dictates that the importation program should have been open to all.”

‘Additional uncertainty’

SRA Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica issued on Wednesday a memorandum circular which announced that SO 3 is “temporarily held in abeyance until further notice” following the Regional Trial Court of Negros Occidental’s issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) against it. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2022/02/15/court-stopssras-importation-of-200000-mtof-refined-sugar/) Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) senior research fellow Roehlano M. Briones said the issuance of the TRO “creates additional uncertainty” in the sugar market as this could lead to “potential speculation,” which may affect the movement of stocks and prices.

“Let’s say some players are already conditioned that 200,000 MT will enter the country and then suddenly it’s

stopped. Some people may just hold on to their stocks since imports are not forthcoming. That would not lead to the easing of local prices,” Briones told the BusinessMirror.

He also said it would have been better if the government’s sugar importation program was “distributed openly” to all interested parties.

“The program could have been auction-based or market-based wherein the highest bidder wins. Let the winning bidder sell to whatever market he wants to sell it. That way it relaxes the price pressure and at the same time it will give the government additional income.”

The SRA’s previous sugar importation programs were opened to all sugar industry stakeholders, including sugar producers and consumers.

Sought for comment, Serafica said he “cannot say for certain” how the TRO issued against SO 3 “will impact the sugar market.”

“Nevertheless, SRA will continue to perform its mandate to maintain a balanced relation between production and requirement of sugar towards stabilized prices that is reasonable to producers and fair to consumers,” Serafica told the BusinessMirror via SMS. Industry sources told the BusinessMirror that the TRO issued

against SO 3 could cause local sugar prices to go up.

Latest SRA data showed that raw sugar production as of February 6 rose by 2.99 percent to 1.018 million MT from last year’s 989,204 MT. Raw sugar demand during the period expanded by 13.31 percent to 832,051 MT from 734,286 MT. SRA data also showed that refined sugar output as of February 6 reached 353,779.10 MT, 41.79 percent higher than the 249,515.8 MT recorded a year ago. However, total refined sugar supply is down by 6.61 percent yearon-year to 585,934.9 MT. The country’s total refined sugar demand rose by 7.15 percent to 444,231.8 MT from 414,582.65 MT. SRA’s latest price monitoring reports showed that the mill-site price of raw sugar as of January 30 is at P1,892.32 per 50-kilogram bag.

The wholesale price of raw sugar as of February 2 is now at P2,025 per 50-kilogram bag while the average wholesale price of refined sugar has reached a record-high of P3,037.50 per 50-kilogram bag.

The retail price of raw sugar in Metro Manila currently ranges from P45 per kilogram (kg) to P58 per kg while refined sugar is being sold from P52 per kg to P75 per kg, aaccording to SRA data.

Exports of coco products hit 4-year high in 2021—PSA DAR stepping up land survey for distribution of Camp Keithley T

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

T

BUSINESSMIRROR FILE PHOTO

HE country’s exports of coconut products last year expanded by 58.7 percent to a 4-year high of nearly $2 billion from $1.23 billion in 2020, the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed.

PSA data indicated that coconut oil led all coconut products in terms of total export value last year at $1.443 billion, which was 60.5 percent higher than the $898.995 million recorded in 2020.

Historical PSA data showed that the value of coconut oil in 2021 was the highest since 2017, when it reached $1.614 billion.

This is also the first time since 2019 that export receipts from coconut oil amounted to at least $1 billion. The country’s value of coconut exports in 2019 reached $932.044 million.

Aside from coconut oil, the value of other coconut-based products, such as desiccated coconut and copra meal, posted double-digit growth rates.

The value of desiccated coconut exports last year rose by 52.2 percent to $396.96 million from $260.74 million in 2020 while shipments of copra meal/cake grew by 50.6 percent year-on-year to $66.56 million.

PSA data also showed that shipments of other coconut products went up by 72.5 percent to $45.12 million last year from $26.16 million in 2020.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said Wednesday that the country needs more investments in facilities that produce other coconut-based products, such as coconut water processing systems. He is also pushing

for the establishment of village-level coconut buying centers and copra processing facilities.

“We have vast resources of untapped natural resources, and year after year our commitment of public funds for environmental programs continues to grow. We have a skilled labor force, abundant sources of raw materials for manufacturing and processing, and a government that supports investors with favorable national policies and incentives,” he said in a statement.

PSA data also showed that the country’s exports of canned

pineapples last year jumped by 27.4 percent to a 5-year high of $305.65 million, from $239.89 million in 2020.

The country’s exports of pineapple concentrates last year rose by 43.5 percent to $172.72 million from $120.33 million while the value of shipments of fresh and dried pineapples declined by 10 percent to $282.899 million from $313.989 million in 2020.

The PSA reported last year that pineapple was the most lucrative agricultural commodity last year as it recorded a 526-percent

return on investment (ROI), the highest among the 27 local farm and fish products.

In its annual report, the PSA said pineapple production in 2020 had a 526.98-percent ROI, with farmers earning a gross revenue of P782,978 from their investment of P124,881 per hectare.

The PSA report showed that the net income for every hectare of pineapple production was at P658,097, translating to a net profit-cost-ratio of P5.27, which refers to the amount of net income per every peso investment. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

HE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is stepping up its land survey activities in Camp Keithley in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur to commence the distribution of the military reservation to landless farmers.

More than half or 4,000 hectares of the 6,667-hectare Camp Keithley are up for distribution as mandated

by President Duterte’s Executive Order 75, series of 2019.

DAR Secretary Bernie F. Cruz said the military reservation is part of the ancestral domain of the people in the area and should be returned to them.

“The President believes that there were historical injustices inflicted against the Bangsamoro people, jeopardizing their legitimate birthright over their ancestral lands. And it is just right to indemnify them by distributing all government-owned lands to the rightful claimant to correct the historical offenses,” he said in a statement.

Cruz instructed the DAR Field Operations Office and its Northern Mindanao regional office to immediately complete the survey activities on Camp Keithley in Marawi City, identify those who will be affected, and distribute the lands to the identified agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the area.

DAR-Northern Mindanao regional director Zoraida Macadindang in

her progress report said DAR has been working “very hard” amid the threat of the pandemic.

Issues in the coverage of Camp Keithley military reservation are also being resolved including the resistance of the potential ARBs/ applicants in Barangay Alinun, Saguiaran to conduct the survey and delay in the conduct of subdivision survey due to the absence of potential ARBs/applicants at the time of the survey.

In spite of the challenges, Macalindang said the task of distributing the military reservation is about “70 percent done” with the identification of the landholdings for distribution, perimeter surveying, procurement activities and validation, documentation, and approval of subdivision plans.

“We can now start distributing lands this coming March starting with around 200 hectares and will follow it up with succeeding land distributions in the next months as we finish up working on the rest of the military reservation,” said Macadindang.

To recall, in October last year, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana turned over the deed of transfer of a portion of government-owned Camp Keithley military reservation to the DAR. Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, the military reservation will be distributed to identified famers from Marawi, Marantao, Piagapo, and Saguiaran towns in Lanao del Sur.

Gold, wheat drop as Russia says it’s pulling some troops back G OLD dropped the most in more than two weeks and wheat slid after Russia announced a partial pullback of its troops massed near the Ukrainian border. Most industrial metals held gains.

Western officials cautiously welcomed the move, but said they needed to see evidence the withdrawal was actually taking place. The Kremlin has consistently denied it plans an attack, but President Vladimir Putin stopped short of ruling out further escalation if Russia’s security de-

mands aren’t addressed.

Russia’s status as a raw-material exporting heavyweight has roiled markets from wheat to palladium in recent weeks as traders braced for a potential disruption to exports. The geopolitical tensions came against a backdrop of dwindling stockpiles and constrained supply that’s spurred rallies in many commodities this year.

Bullion fell as much as 1.4 percent on Tuesday, slumping with other haven assets. Gold’s traditional role as a hedge against geopolitical stress had

pushed it toward $1,900 an ounce.

Gold traders are also assessing inflationary pressures and the pace and timing of the Federal Reserve’s withdrawal of monetary tightening.

The United States producer price index jumped in January by more than forecast as companies contend with supply-chain and labor constraints.

“Optimism that Russia could pullback some troops was the primary domino that sent gold lower,” said Ed Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda. A report showing prices paid

to US producers jumped in January by more than forecast also weighed on bullion as it supported the argument for the Fed to take bolder action with its first rate hike, according to Moya.

Spotgoldfell0.8percentto$1,855.78 an ounce as of 3:22 p.m. in New York, after earlier touching its highest intraday level since June 11. Bullion for April delivery slipped 0.7 percent to settle at $1,856.20 on the Comex. Silver and platinum also declined. Palladium— with Russia as the top exporter— slumped as much as 7.5 percent.

Corn futures in Chicago dropped 2.7 percent, the most since July, after Russia’s announcement on troops helped to soothe concerns about potential disruptions for Black Sea grain shipments. Ukraine is the world’s fourth-largest corn exporter. Wheat declined 2.5 percent. Ukraine and Russia account for a quarter of the wheat global trade. Soybean futures followed, slipping for a second day.

On soft commodities, arabica coffee snapped a three-day slump, drawing support from a continued slide

in exchange-monitored stockpiles spurred by supply-chain disruptions.

Sugar and cocoa fell.

Meanwhile price moves key base metals supplied by Russia, including aluminum and nickel, were relatively small. While both metals have been driven higher in recent weeks as tensions built, traders may be more focused on wider supply constraints that have shrunk stockpiles to multiyear lows. Inventories of both aluminum and nickel fell on the London Metal Exchange on Tuesday. Bloomberg News

A10 Thursday, February 17, 2022

The World BusinessMirror

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

South Korea to give out rapid tests as cases set new record

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EOUL, South Korea—South Korea will distribute free coronavirus rapid test kits at schools and senior care facilities starting next week as it weathers an unprecedented wave of infections driven by the fast-moving Omicron variant.

Health officials on Wednesday reported its highest daily jump in coronavirus infections with 90,443 new cases, shattering the previous one-day record set on Tuesday by more than 33,000 cases. Some experts say the country could see daily cases of around 200,000 in March.

W hile Omicron has so far seemed less likely to cause serious illness or death compared to the Delta variant, which rattled the country in December and early January, hospitalizations have been creeping up amid the greater scale of outbreak.

P r i me M i n i ster K i m B oo kyum, Seoul’s No. 2 official behind President Moon Jae-in, said officials will start distributing

free rapid test kits next week at kindergartens, elementar y schools and senior care facilities, including nursing homes and neighborhood welfare centers, to strengthen protection for unvaccinated children and high-risk groups.

Education Minister Yoo Eunhye said schools will be getting enough kits for students to use twice a week, but added that such tests won’t be mandatory.

“We ask for students to be tested at home with the rapid antigen test kits on the evenings of Sunday and Wednesday before coming to school,” Yoo said during a briefing. “W hen testing positive from those tests, please visit the local health office to get

PCR [lab] tests.”

The fast-developing Omicron surge has left officials debating whether the country should maintain strict social distancing rules, including a six-person limit on private social gatherings and a 9 p.m. curfew for restaurants.

Struggling business owners have called for the measures to be removed, questioning whether they are meaningful when cases are growing rapidly.

But health experts warn that easing social distancing may allow transmissions to veer further out of control, which would further stretch worn-out health and government workers and threaten high-risk groups and children younger than 12 who have yet to be vaccinated.

The country has already eased quarantine restrictions significantly starting this month to prevent major disruptions at workplaces and essential services, which may occur if huge numbers of people are constantly placed under quarantine.

There are also concerns that transmissions could worsen as campaigning and political rallies began on Tuesday ahead of the March 9 presidential elections.

Kim said officials will consider

both the pandemic’s growing economic strain and threats posed by the Omicron surge before announcing new social distancing measures on Friday.

While Omicron more easily infects those who have been vaccinated or had Covid-19 previously, experts say vaccination and booster shots still provide strong protection from serious illness and death.

More than 86 percent of South Koreans have been fully vaccinated and 58 percent have received booster shots. Health officials plan to offer fourth vaccination shots at nursing homes and other long-term care settings starting later this month.

The country also started offering Novavax’s coronavirus vaccine at hospitals and public health offices this week, adding another tool in a mass immunization campaign that has mainly depended on Pfizer and Moderna’s mRNA vaccines.

Officials hope that the Maryland company’s protein vaccine, which is similar to shots used for years against the common flu or hepatitis B, would appeal to people who have been hesitant to use other vaccines based on newer technologies. AP

Singapore court hears last-ditch appeal to prevent duo’s hanging

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UALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—A court in Singapore on Wednesday heard a last-ditch appeal from the family of two death row inmates believed to be mentally disabled, hours before they were scheduled to be executed.

The two men, who were arrested for smuggling drugs into the country, would be the first executions carried out by the island-state since November of 2019, if their sentence were upheld.

Singapore’s High Court heard the challenge to the sentence of hanging in the morning, a day after the Court of Appeal rejected an application to review and halt the execution set for Wednesday,

said N. Surendran, a member of the Lawyers for Liberty group in Malaysia.

“We are waiting for the court’s decision,” he said, describing the execution as unconstitutional.

Malaysian Pausi Jefridin and Singaporean Roslan Bakar were sentenced to death in 2010, two years after being arrested. Lawyers and rights activists say Pausi has an IQ of only 67—a level that is internationally recognized as an intellectual disability—while Roslan has a borderline range of intellectual functioning.

In 2017, a lower court judge found that the duo had “displayed competence and comprehension” while carrying out the act they

were sentenced for, according to the Transformative Justice Collective, an anti-death penalty movement in Singapore.

The case resembles that of Malaysian national Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, whose scheduled hanging last November sparked widespread anger as he is believed to be mentally disabled with an IQ of 69. His appeal to the top court was postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19, and is due to be heard in March.

“Fol low ing more than t wo years of no executions in 2020 and 2021, it is appalling that the Singapore gover nment is planning to resume this cruel practice imminently,” Amnesty

Inter nationa l ’s Singapore researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard said in a statement.

The death-row cases have also put the spotlight on Singapore’s capital punishment for drug-related offenses.

Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the death penalty could only be imposed for the “most serious crimes,” which is interpreted as crimes of extreme gravity involving intentional killing.

“We call on the Government to commute their sentences, and to reform Singapore’s legislation to bring an end to the imposition of the death penalty,” she said. AP

UN says Yemen war escalating, 8 million could lose aid in March

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NITED NATIONS—The seven-year war in Yemen has witnessed a dangerous escalation, with January’s civilian casualties the highest in at least three years and 8 million Yemenis likely to lose all humanitarian aid next month without urgent new funds, UN officials said Tuesday.

UN special envoy Hans Grundberg and UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths painted a worsening picture of the already dire situation in the Arab world’s poorest nation. They said the past month brought a multiplication of combat zones and the end of January saw nearly two-thirds of major UN aid programs being scaled back or closed.

Yemen has been convulsed by civil war since 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country’s north, forcing the government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in March 2015, backed by the US and United Arab Emirates, to try restore President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to power.

Grundberg warned the UN Se-

curity Council that recent attacks by the Houthis on the UAE and Saudi Arabia “indicate how this conflict risks spiraling out of control unless serious efforts are urgently made by the Yemeni parties, the region and the international community to end the conflict.”

He said a coalition airstrike on a detention facility in Houthicontrolled Saada “was the worst civ i l ian casu a lt y incident in three years,” and he pointed at an “alarming” increase in airstrikes in Yemen, including on residential areas in Sanaa and the port area of Hodeida.

Griffiths said more than 650 civilians were killed or injured in January by airstrikes, shelling, small arms fire and other violence, “by far the highest toll in at least three years.”

“The war is finding people in their homes, schools, mosques, hospitals and other places where civilians should be protected,” he said. “On Jan. 21, an airstrike hit a detention facility in Saada killing or injuring more than 300 detainees. Cross-border attacks have also intensified, killing, injuring and threatening civilians in the region.”

Neither Gr undberg not Griffiths saw any signs of the conflict abating.

Grundberg said he will begin consultations next week with the warring parties, political parties, civil society and experts on his plan to move toward a political settlement along three tracks—political, security and economic—though the Houthis have so far refused to invite him to visit Sanaa.

He stressed that “trust is low and ending this war will require u ncom for t able comprom i ses which no warring party is currently willing to make.”

“It is therefore incumbent upon all of us,” Grundberg said, “including this council, to exert every possible effort to impress upon the parties to this conflict that there is no sustainable military solution.”

In the midst of war, Yemen has long been viewed as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, possibly eclipsed at the moment by Afghanistan.

But Griffiths warned that “aid agencies are quickly running out of money, forcing them to slash life-saving programs.”

He said the UN World Food Program reduced food rations for 8 million people in December and starting in March “those 8 million people may get no food at all—or just a reduced ration.” In March, the UN may also have to cancel most humanitarian flights in Yemen, he said.

Funding shortages could also deprive 3.6 million people of safe drinking water and end programs to combat gender-based violence and promote reproductive health, he said.

Griffiths called the scale of the current funding gaps in Yemen “unprecedented,” saying the UN has never before contemplated giving millions of hungry people no food or suspending humanitarian flights.

According to the UN humanitarian office, the 2021 humanitarian plan for Yemen received $2.27 billion out of its $3.85 billion requirement, the lowest funding level since 2015. The 2022 plan hasn’t been released.

Griffiths announced that Sweden and Switzerland will co-host a high-level pledging event for Yemen with the United Nations on March 16. AP

Residents line up to get tested for the coronavirus at a temporary testing center for Covid-19 in Hong Kong on February 15. Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday said a surge of coronavirus cases is overwhelming the city’s emergency resources, but defended strict measures that have been imposed. AP/Kin Cheung

China’s Xi: Control of HK surge is ‘overriding task’

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ONG KONG — C h i n a’s leader Xi Jinping took a personal interest in Hong Kong’s outbreak, saying it was the local government’s “overriding task” to control the situation, a Hong Kong newspaper said on Wednesday.

Xi personally issued instructions and directed Vice Premier Han Zheng to express to the city’s chief executive Carrie Lam the high level of concern Chinese Communist Party leaders had about Hong Kong’s ongoing outbreak, according to Wen Wei Po, a proBeijing news outlet.

Zheng stressed that the Hong Kong government “should earnestly assume the main responsibility, and regard the rapid stabilization and control of the epidemic as the

current overriding task” to Lam, the outlet said.

Hong Kong is facing its worst outbreak of the pandemic, topping 2,000 new Covid-19 cases per day this week. The Hong Kong government has already instituted strict rules, banning gatherings of more than two households.

Zheng said China’s central government agencies and neighboring Guangdong province would provide Hong Kong with resources to fight the outbreak, including rapid antigen tests, medical expertise and supplies.

China has been able to control the virus within its borders, maintaining a strict “zero-tolerance” policy that involves total lockdowns and mass testing millions of people. AP

White House seeks another $30B for Covid battle, say AP sources

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A S H I N G T O N —T h e Biden administration is telling Congress that it needs an additional $30 billion to press ahead with the fight against Covid-19, officials said.

Two people familiar with the administration’s plan confirmed key details on Tuesday: $17.9 billion for vaccines and treatments, $4.9 billion for testing, $3 billion to cover coronavirus care for uninsured people, and $3.7 billion to prepare for future variants. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss deliberations between the administration and lawmakers over the supplemental funding.

Separately, Republican Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri told reporters he’d spoken with Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, and that “I think they are going to be proposing a $30 billion supplemental.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki addressed the need for more money without specifying the amount being sought.

“While we continue to have sufficient funds to respond to the current Omicron surge in the coming weeks, our goal has always been to ensure that we are well prepared to stay ahead of the virus,” she said.

According to the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, Congress has already approved $5.8 trillion to battle the pandemic in a series of major bills spanning the Trump and Biden administrations. That’s not counting actions by the Federal Reserve to help keep the economy going.

Psaki said most of the money from President Joe Biden’s 2021 coronavirus relief bill has been spent or allocated, with 90 percent going for such priorities as vaccines, testing and support for schools.

It’s unclear how the new request for supplemental funding will fare in Congress. Republicans would like to see more Covid-19 relief for

businesses still struggling with the pandemic, while Democratic progressives want a major effort to vaccinate the rest of the world.

Blunt said senators had asked the administration how other Covid-19 dollars had been spent, “and frankly, in the categories they are asking for money, the other money has all been spent or committed.”

Humanitarian groups, along with dozens of Democratic lawmakers, have been pressing the Biden White House and key committee leaders in Congress to provide billions of dollars for global vaccination efforts. They argue that will help fend off another coronavirus variant that could race around the world with deadly consequences.

While vaccine doses are starting to become more plentiful, the infrastructure to put shots into arms remains inadequate in many poorer countries. It’s leading to vaccines being wasted, advocates say.

“Dose production is ramping up but there has not been a complementary investment in the health system to get those doses into arms,” Rachel Hall, who heads US government advocacy for the aid group CARE, said in a recent interview.

“We are about to see a global mess because we have not been investing in the delivery system.”

According to a CARE analysis, 32 out of 92 low-income countries that receive vaccine donations have used less than half the doses delivered.

Among them are Nigeria, which has used 34 percent of doses delivered, Afghanistan, 46 percent, and Haiti, 39 percent.

Psaki acknowledged the problem at Tuesday’s White House briefing.

“A big part of our effort right now, and where we have seen challenges is turning vaccines into vaccinations,” she said. The logistics involve “hyperlocal issues,” she said.

The administration’s plan to ask for more money was first reported

by Axios. AP

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Heineken: Worst inflation in decade to weigh on beer

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eineken NV warned it’s facing the worst inflation in a decade and said consumers may cut back on beer, threatening the industry’s recovery from the pandemic.

The brewer said it will raise prices for its beer by “courageous” amounts as it seeks to offset rising raw material and energy costs and “crazy” shipping rates. This is likely to dent demand for beer in households already strained from the rising cost of heating, food and clothing.

“If you look at the inflation that we’re currently experiencing, it’s the highest in 10 years and it’s not just in our product categories— there might be a macroeconomic thing happening here,” Chief Executive Officer Dolf van den Brink said in a phone interview.

Heineken delayed updating its guidance for 2023 until later in the year amid the increased uncertainty about economic growth and inflation. It’s the latest consumer goods company to warn of the impact of rising prices. Earlier this month, Danish rival Carlsberg A/S set a bearish tone for the industry, saying it’s possible that earnings might not grow this year.

The stock traded 1 percent higher at 9:55 a.m. in Amsterdam, erasing an earlier decline. The company’s forecast for stable to modestly improved margins this year is better than recent warnings by companies like Unilever Plc, said James Edwardes Jones,

an analyst at RBC Europe said.

Consumer-goods giant Unilever said last week inflation will weigh on profitability for two years.

It could take several years for the European bar and restaurant industries to fully recover from the impact of the pandemic given the number of outlets permanently closed by the crisis, van den Brink said. Still, the company’s premium brands, which include its namesake label and Amstel lager, have been especially resilient, the CEO said. Gains in Brazil and Nigeria have been helping offset some of the weakness in Europe.

Chief Financial Officer Harold van den Broek said the company aims to raise prices for its beer by “courageous” amounts across the world to offset soaring expenses related to aluminum, which has risen 50 percent from January 2021, barley, which has doubled in cost, and freight from China to the US, which has “been going absolutely crazy.”

Still, Heineken said premium beer has been performing strongly, with its namesake brand growing 17 percent in 2021 and higherpriced beers accounting for more than 60 percent of its sales growth.

CEO van den Brink said the brewer isn’t seeing consumers trading down to cheaper brands.

Heineken said it’s continuing to target a 17 percent operating margin in 2023, though signaled that may become more difficult.

Bloomberg News

Thursday, February 17, 2022 A11

Cyber attacks knock out web sites of Ukrainian army, major banks

K

YIV, Ukraine—A series of cyber attacks on Tuesday knocked the web sites of the Ukrainian army, the defense ministry and major banks offline, Ukrainian authorities said, as tensions persisted over the threat of a possible Russian invasion.

Still, there was no indication the relatively low-level, distributed-denial-of-service attacks might be a smokescreen for more serious and damaging cyber mischief.

At least 10 Ukrainian web sites were unreachable due to the attacks, including the defense, foreign and culture ministries and Ukraine’s two largest state banks. In such attacks, web sites are barraged with a flood of junk data packets, rendering them unreachable.

“We don’t have any information of other disruptive actions that [could] be hidden by this DDoS attack,” said Victor Zhora, a top Ukrainian cyberdefense official.

He said emergency response teams were working to cut off the attackers and recover services.

Customers at Ukraine’s largest state-owned bank, Privatbank, and the state-owned Sberbank reported problems with online

payments and the banks’ apps.

Among the attackers’ targets was the hosting prov ider for Ukraine’s army and Privatbank, said Doug Madory, director of Internet analysis at the network management firm Kentik Inc. “ There is no threat to depositors’ funds,” Zhora’s agency, the Ukrainian Information Ministr y’s Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security, said in a statement.

Nor did the attack affect the communications of Ukraine’s militar y forces, said Zhora.

It was too early to say who was behind the attack, he added.

The ministry statement suggested Russian involvement: “It is possible that the aggressor resorted to tactics of petty mischief, because his aggressive plans aren’t working overall,” the Ukrainian statement said.

Quick attribution in cyberat-

tacks is typically difficult, as aggressors often try to hide their tracks.

“We need to analyze logs from IT providers,” Zhora said.

Oleh Derevianko, a leading private-sector expert and founder of the ISSP cybersecurity firm, said Ukrainians are always worried that such “noisy” cyber attacks could be masking something more sinister.

Escalating fears about a Russian invasion of Ukraine eased slightly as Russia sent signals Tuesday that it might be pulling back from the brink, but Western powers demanded proof.

The cyber aggression is nevertheless typical of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who likes to try to keep his adversaries off balance.

“These attacks are ratcheting up attention and pressure,” said Christian Sorensen, the CEO of the cybersecurity firm SightGain who previously worked for US Cyber Command. “The purpose at this stage is to increase leverage in negotiations.”

Ukraine has been subject to a steady diet of Russian aggression in cyberspace since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula and backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

On Januar y 14, a cyberattack that damaged servers at Ukraine’s State Emergency Service and at the Motor Transport

Insurance Bureau with a malicious “wiper” cloaked as ransomware. The damage proved minimal—some cybersecurity experts think that was by design, given the capabilities of Russian state-backed hackers. A message posted simultaneously on dozens of defaced Ukrainian government web sites said: “Be afraid and expect the worst.”

Serhii Demediuk, the No. 2 official at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, called the Jan. 14 attack “part of a fullscale Russian operation directed at destabilizing the situation in Ukraine, aimed at exploding our Euro-Atlantic integration and seizing power.”

Such attacks are apt to continue as Putin tries to “degrade” and “delegitimize” trust in Ukrainian institutions, the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said in a subsequent blog post.

In the winters of 2015 and 2016, attacks on Ukraine’s power grid attributed to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency temporarily knocked out power.

Russia’s GRU has also been blamed for perhaps the most devastating cyberattack ever. Targeting companies doing business in Ukraine in 2017, the NotPetya virus caused over $10 billion in damage worldwide. The virus, also disguised as ransomware, was a “wiper” virus that scrubbed entire networks. AP

Germany to chart way out of coronavirus restrictions Russia sends warplanes to Syria for huge naval drills in the region

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ERLIN—Chancellor Olaf Scholz is conferring with Germany’s 16 state governors Wednesday to map a way out of coronavirus restrictions as official figures show new infections beginning to drift downward.

Germany saw infections caused by the Omicron variant, which is highly contagious but generally causes milder illness than previous variants, surge later than in several other European countries.

O f f i c i a l s h av e at t r i b ut e d this to restrictions that include curbs on private gatherings, the closure of night clubs and requirements for people to show proof of vaccination or recovery to enter restaurants and bars.

But other countries, including neighboring Denmark, also have moved faster to lift restrictions, and there are growing calls for Germany to follow suit. Already, many German states have moved to scrap rules that prevented people without proof of vaccination or recovery from visiting nonessential stores.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Scholz and the governors are expected to consider proposals to drop most restrictions by March 20, moving in several steps.

Germany’s national disease control center has reported several days of slight drops in the country’s infection rate, though it remains far above pre-Omicron levels.

“We are past the peak of the Omicron wave, pretty much exactly on the day I predicted a month ago,” Health Minister Karl Lauterbach told the Bild daily on Tuesday. That, he said, makes “modest loosening” of restrictions possible.

As Germany moves toward easing its latest restrictions, prospects of a vaccine mandate for all adults appear to be receding.

Scholz came out in favor of such a mandate just before he became chancellor in December, but his three-party coalition is divided on the issue and he left it to parliament to come up with proposals.

At present, it’s unclear when lawmakers will vote on legislation and what if any kind of mandate would muster a majority.

Even already-approved legislation requiring health sector workers to present proof of vaccination or recovery by mid-March has run into difficulties, although Germany’s highest court last week refused to temporarily block its implementation. AP

M

OSCOW—The Russian militar y on Tuesday deployed long-range nuclear-capable bombers and fighter jets carrying state-ofthe-art hypersonic missiles to its air base in Syria for massive naval drills in the region amid soaring tensions with the West over Ukraine.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Syria to oversee the drills that mark the biggest Russian naval deployment to the Mediterranean Sea since the Cold War times. Shoigu met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Tuesday to inform him about the drills and discuss plans for further militarytechnical cooperation.

The Defense Ministry said the exercise in the eastern Mediterranean that involves 15 warships and about 30 aircraft is part of a series of sweeping naval drills that started last month amid a standoff over Ukraine. It said the maneuvers were intended to train for action to “protect national interests” and “ fend off militar y threats against the Russian Federation.”

Long-range, nuclear-capable Tu-22M3 bombers and MiG-31

In this photo taken from video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on February 15, 2022, an MiG-31 fighter of the Russian air force carrying a Kinzhal hypersonic cruise missile is parked at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria. The Russian military deployed additional warplanes to its air base in Syria as part of massive naval drills in the Mediterranean. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

fighter jets carrying the latest Kinzhal hypersonic cruise missiles landed at the Russian air base of Hemeimeem in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia as part of the drills. The military says the Kinzhal has a range of up to 2,000 kilometers (about 1,250 miles) and flies at 10 times the speed of sound, making it hard to intercept.

The deployment of Kinzhal missiles to Syria appears to be

intended to showcase the Russian military’s capability to threaten the US carrier strike group in the Mediterranean.

The Defense Ministr y said the Russian navy chief reported to Shoigu that the drills envisaged practice in targeting enemy warships.

The Hemeimeem air base has served as Russia’s main outpost in Syria, where it has waged a

military campaign in Syria since September 2015, allowing Assad’s government to reclaim control over most of the country after a devastating civil war.

Russia also has expanded and modified a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus, the only such facility that Russia has outside the former Soviet Union.

The massive Russian naval drills and the deployment of additional warplanes to Syria demonstrated an increased Russian military foothold in the region amid the worst Russia-West security crisis since the Cold War. US officials say Russia has amassed over 130,000 troops near Ukraine and warned that an invasion could come at any moment.

Moscow has denied any plans to invade its neighbor, but demanded that the West provide guarantees that Nato will not allow Ukraine and other ex-Soviet nations to join, will not station weapons there and will roll back alliance deployments in Eastern Europe. The US and its allies have roundly rejected those demands but have offered to discuss with Moscow ways to increase security in Europe. AP

Regulators won’t let Boeing certify new 787 jets for flight

F In this March 31, 2017, file photo, Boeing employees walk the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner down towards the delivery ramp area at the company’s facility in South Carolina after conducting its first test flight at Charleston International Airport in North Charleston, S.C. Federal safety officials aren’t ready to give back authority for approving new planes to Boeing when it comes to the large 787 jet, which Boeing calls the Dreamliner on, Febraury 15. The plane has been plagued by production flaws for more than a year. AP/Mic Smith

ederal safety regulators say they will retain power to approve Boeing 787 airliners for flight rather than return that authority to the aircraft maker, which hasn’t been able to deliver any new Dreamliner planes since last May because of production flaws.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it told Boeing of its decision Tuesday.

The FA A said that once deliveries of 787s resume, it will perform final inspections and retain power to clear each new plane until it is confident that

Boeing’s quality control and manufacturing “consistently produce 787s that meet FA A design standards.” It also said Boeing must have a plan for handling planes that need reworking.

“This will allow the agency to confirm the effectiveness of measures Boeing has undertaken to improve the 787 manufacturing process,” the FA A said in a statement.

For years, the FAA has relied on Boeing employees to certify the airworthiness of planes by deputizing some company employees to act on behalf of the

agency. The practice came under intense criticism after two deadly crashes involving Boeing 737 Max jets and revelations that FAA officials knew little about a key flight control systems implicated in the crashes.

The 787, a larger plane than the 737, has been plagued by production flaws such as unacceptable gaps between fuselage panels.

Deliveries were stopped briefly in late 2020, then again in May 2021 and have not resumed.

Boeing has more than 100 undelivered 787s. The halt in shipments has deprived Chicago-based

Boeing Co. of cash that airlines pay when they receive new planes.

Boeing, afraid of appearing to pressure the FAA to resume deliveries, has declined to give investors an idea of when 787 shipments might resume. A spokeswoman said Tuesday, “We will continue to engage with the FAA to ensure we meet their expectations and all applicable requirements.”

Separately, Democrats who lead the House Transportation Committee renewed their criticism of FAA and asked for a federal review of the agency’s oversight of the Boeing 737. AP

A12 Thursday, February 17, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

What can 17 million Filipino women do?

T

he women’s rights movement began in the US in 1848 when 300 women and men organized a convention to support the cause of equality for women. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, an American writer and activist, led the assembly, dubbed Seneca Falls Convention. The convention passed 12 resolutions—11 unanimously—designed to gain certain rights and privileges that women of the era were denied. The assembly at Seneca Falls, New York launched the woman suffrage movement in the US 174 years ago.

Taken together, the resolutions demanded that women should have equality in the family, education, jobs, religion, and morals. The resolutions called on Americans to regard any laws that placed women in an inferior position to men as having “no force or authority.” They resolved for women to have equal rights within the church and equal access to jobs. It took 72 more years before American women were given the right to vote in 1920.

Despite some progress in recent decades, women’s status in the US consistently lags behind men’s. Women earn less than men, experience higher poverty rates than their male counterparts, face specific adverse health conditions, and remain underrepresented in political office across the nation, according to statusofwomendata.org. This prompted former first lady Hillary Clinton to say, “I believe the rights of women and girls is the unfinished business of the 21st century.”

In the Philippines, an overwhelming majority of Filipino women voted in a plebiscite on April 30, 1937 in favor of their right to vote in political elections.

Since then, gender equality in the country has slowly improved. The Philippines scores well on international gender equality measures and indices, but more is needed to sustain the achievements and to overcome the remaining challenges.

For example, in terms of employment opportunities, more women are left behind. Data obtained by the BusinessMirror from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that 17.428 million women were not in the labor force as of December 2021. This accounted for 65.9 percent of the total number of Filipinos who chose to stay out of the country’s pool of workers. (Read, “What’s keeping 17-M Pinays out of labor force?,” in the BusinessMirror, February 14, 2022).

Asian Development Bank Social Sector Specialist in the Southeast Asia Department Sameer Khatiwada and ADB Economist and Labor Market Information Specialist Souleima El Achkar Hilal said “labor exits” were more common among women in the region. Based on their research, Khatiwada and Hilal said the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women is most evident in job losses. In Thailand, for example, at the height of the Covid-19 impact on labor markets in the second quarter of 2020, women represented 91 percent of manufacturing job losses and 58 percent of overall job losses.

The experts said job losses of women were largely related to the sectors they were employed in. With this, the pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of women workers. The services sector, they said, accounted for a large share of women workers not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of Southeast Asia. Women in this sector are in middle-skilled sales and service occupations and low-skilled elementary occupations.

Given this, steps need to be taken to address gender-specific barriers to female labor force participation. The experts said these barriers are often rooted in social and cultural norms with respect to gender roles. “As schools closed and the health emergency was maintained, women exited the labor market en masse to take care of children and ill relatives. The “care burden” fell more heavily on women, along with its associated trade-offs as women transitioned from paid work outside the home, to unpaid care work within their households,” they stressed.

This is a no-brainer: Including more women in the labor force helps stimulate economic growth and improve society’s well-being. In the Philippines, many women face significant barriers to improving their lives, like lack of childcare, which, according to experts, is one of the most important enablers of women’s economic empowerment. In the West, the availability of childcare is strongly associated with an increase in women’s labor force participation and productivity. The government would do well to work with the private sector to come up, for example, with a subsidized childcare program to help working mothers.

Gender dividend refers to the increased economic growth that could be realized with investments in women. We must invest in the 17 million Filipino women not in the labor force. Why? Because “no country can truly develop if half its population is left behind,” to borrow from Justine Greening, former UK Minister for Women and Equalities.

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John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

T

rying to explain inflation is like trying to explain conception, gestation, and birth to a five-year-old. It is much better to use the “You came out of mommy’s belly” and hope that there is no follow up question.

The US Producer Price Index (PPI) (A price index that measures the average changes in prices received by domestic producers for their output) increased by 9.7 percent year-onyear in January. The index increased by 1 percent month-on-month and Core PPI, which does not include food and energy, rose by 6.9 percent year-on-year.

President Biden says inflation should “start to taper off as we go through this year” as consumer prices were just recorded as rising at the highest rate in 40 years. “Your brain cancer is still growing but we expect it to taper off in the next few months.”

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by 0.50 percent next month. Of course, it could be by one percent, and they might do that

three, five, or seven more times in 2022. Or not. It all depends on what expert you ask.

The reality is that the Fed could raise rates by 20 percent this year and it will have no direct effect on reducing inflation. Ok, that is not entirely true. A large rate increase over time will bankrupt more companies in the supply chain, and bankrupt some (not the Philippines) emerging markets. That will help reduce inflation since people will have less money to buy things as the economy spirals down. However, in the end, the shortages will eventually get far worse, and prices will soar again.

On the day of the PPI news, the US stock market went higher but this was after a three-day drop of 1,200 points or 3.3 percent. The reason giv-

en was that tensions in the Ukraine region had “eased” whatever that is supposed to mean. Apparently, Putin and his Russian army did not invade.

Or walked away. Or something. It really does not matter.

The key to the deal for the Biden administration was that apparently inflation—even at a near 40-year high—is not a genuine problem since the stock market went up. As I have said in the past, the stock market is a favorite politician’s tool to be used for propaganda purposes, up or down.

The US market has been bumping around historic high levels after its climb from the pandemic low in March/April 2020. Since last September, the monthly volatility has been high with wide high/low ranges.

Now we could easily see a 10 percent drop and conventional wisdom says with interest rates going higher, that should happen. But here is another thought.

Benchmark US rates are currently at 0.25 percent. However, of “Western” European nations, only the UK and Norway have a positive benchmark interest rate. All but Switzerland (-0.75) and Denmark (-0.60) are at zero interest.

The US market is betting and hoping that an increase in US rates will attract foreign money to the dollar to take advantage of higher rates

and that will push the stock market higher. It is actually a good bet.

While at least some increase in US rates is guaranteed, what happens if the economy starts to crumble badly?

Rates go down. The Fed pumps more money and the stock market goes up.

Also a good bet.

Here at home the local stock market is in good shape after technically filing a trading gap last week. Strong resistance at 7,600 still exists but beyond that a move to 8,200 is probable although that will be a struggle for several months. But I think that is a good bet.

The 2004, 2010, and 2016 elections saw pre-inauguration caution.

But the market moved higher after that. I do not see any problem if the BSP raises rates after the Fed as any increase will be slow and cautious.

Further, that will keep the peso stable and surprisingly, the economy is currently handling $90 oil reasonably well.

As long as we are not too caught up in the ‘Panic Chaos’ cycle coming in mid-March, this will be a good year for us. Crossed fingers and prayers might be appropriate though.

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

As Canada protests persist, so do challenges for Trudeau

T

By Rob Gillies & David Crary | The Associated Press

ORONTO—Canada has endured bitter divisions in the past, but the current wave of disruptive protests over Covid-19 restrictions is unprecedented in the extent it has undermined public trust in government leadership, starting at the top with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Senior Editors

Creative Director Chief Photographer

What are the stock markets betting on?

On Monday, as criticism of his hands-off approach mounted, Trudeau finally took forceful action against the truckers and other protesters who have laid siege to parts of Ottawa, the capital, for more than two weeks. The prime minister invoked emergency powers that could freeze protesters’ bank accounts, target crowdfunding sites used to support them and ban blockades at border crossings, airports and in Ottawa.

Unsurprisingly, the pronouncement further angered the protesters and many of their conservative backers; a wave of social media posts denounced Trudeau as a tyrant. But there was also little enthusiasm for the move anywhere else on Canada’s political spectrum.

While the pronouncement may halt a sharp recent drop in Trudeau’s approval ratings, he may not recover his former popularity, said Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto.

“Trudeau has become a more po-

larizing leader than he once was,” Wiseman said. “The chance of him contesting the next election, whenever it comes, has been lessened.”

The Toronto Star, normally supportive of Trudeau, said in an editorial that emergency powers wouldn’t have been needed if political and police leaders had responded effectively early on.

“Many will cheer the Trudeau government’s decision to invoke the Emergencies Act,” the Star said. “But we will not join the cheering. Federal emergency powers may now be necessary as a last resort, but going that route is a shocking admission of failure by governments at all levels.”

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association also was critical, saying the protests did not meet the threshold for invoking emergency powers.

“Governments regularly deal with difficult situations, and do so using powers granted to them by democratically elected representatives,” the association said. “Emergency legislation should not be normalized.

It threatens our democracy and our civil liberties.”

The protests have been depicted in some international news coverage as a dramatic rupture of norms in a country viewed as peaceable and polite. But that stereotype has never been fully accurate—as evidenced by recent mass murders, a gunman’s deadly attack on Parliament Hill in 2014 and a series of blockades pitting indigenous protesters against police.

From 1963 through 1970, separatist militants in Quebec carried out scores of robberies and bombings in a campaign culminating with the kidnapping and murder of a provincial minister in October 1970. The prime minister at the time was Justin Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, who invoked the War Measures Act so that armed soldiers could deploy in Quebec streets and police could make arrests without charge.

The younger Trudeau, even while invoking emergency powers, said he has no plans to deploy the military to disperse the protests—in effect, drawing a contrast with his father’s choice.

“I think Justin is worried about being seen reproducing his dad’s response,” said York University political science professor Dennis Pilon, depicting the prime minister as facing a “can’t win” situation.

“He thought it was a show of

strength to ignore the protesters, but that didn’t go down well with some of his supporters,” Pilon said.

“They felt he should have at least talked to them.”

“His father knew what to do to, and Justin doesn’t,” said Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history and international relations at the University of Toronto. “I look at Justin and I do very much wish we had a more obviously strong person at the helm. I think a lot of Canadians feel like that.”

Often branded a “liberal elitist” by his critics, Trudeau refused to meet with the protesters, some of whom called for his government to be overthrown. He depicted protesters as an anti-vaccine “fringe” fueled by disinformation and conspiracy theories.

Trudeau is still remembered for evoking the prospect of “sunny ways” when he took office in 2015 at age 43, the second-youngest Canadian prime minister ever. There have been numerous setbacks since then, but he has been re-elected twice, most recently in September.

In theory, Trudeau could run again when the next election is held within the next few years. But there are widespread doubts that he will do so, given the drop in his popularity and the animosity toward him in much of western Canada.

See “Canada” A13

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Ukraine tensions: West skeptical of Russian overtures

Comelec’s ruling on BBM’s DQ case must read for the voting public Val A. Villanueva

Businesswise

By Vladimir Isachenkov, Yuras Karmanau & Aamer Madhani The Associated Press

M

OSCOW—Russia made two overtures to ease tensions around Ukraine—reporting a pullback of troops near its neighbor and welcoming talks with the West. But the United States and its allies said they needed evidence of the troop movements and that the threat of a Russian invasion still loomed.

For the second day Tuesday, there were signs of hope that Europe might avoid war following weeks of escalating East-West tensions as Moscow massed around 150,000 troops on three sides of Ukraine and held massive military drills. Those moves led to dire warnings from Washington, London and other European capitals that Russia was preparing to roll into Ukraine.

But the tenor changed this week.

President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia does not want war and would rely on negotiations in its efforts to eliminate any chance that Ukraine could one day join Nato— his key demand in the crisis. At the same time, he did not commit to a full pullback, saying Russia’s next moves in the standoff will depend on how the situation evolves.

Russia also offered few details of the pullback, and President Joe Biden said American officials had not verified Russia’s claim. He promised that the US would give diplomacy “every chance,” but he struck a skeptical tone about Moscow’s intentions.

“Two paths are still open,” Biden said in remarks at the White House.

“But let there be no doubt: If Russia commits this breach by invading Ukraine, responsible nations around the world will not hesitate to respond.

If we do not stand for freedom where it is at risk today, we’ll surely pay a steeper price tomorrow.”

Ukrainian leaders have repeatedly sought to project calm but also strength during the crisis. In an apparent show of defiance, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that Wednesday would be a “day of national unity,” calling on citizens to display the blue-and-yellow flag and sing the national anthem in the face of “hybrid threats.”

Even amid the glimmers of hope, Biden said 150,000 Russian forces are now massed near Ukraine and in neighboring Belarus—an increase from an earlier US estimate of 130,000 troops.

Russia’s claim that it pulled back troops “would be good, but we have not yet verified that,” Biden said.

“Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position.”

Russia has denied having any invasion plans. It wants the West to keep Ukraine and other former Soviet nations out of Nato, halt weapons deployments near Russian borders and roll back forces from Eastern Europe.

The US and its allies have roundly rejected those demands, but they offered to engage in talks with Russia on ways to bolster security in Europe.

Speaking after meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin said the West agreed to discuss a ban on missile deployment to Europe, restrictions on military drills and other confidence-building measures—issues that Moscow put on the table years ago.

He said Russia is open to discuss “some of those elements,” but added that it would do so only in combination “with the main issues that are of primary importance for us.”

Canada . . .

continued from A12

“If he runs, the election will be more about him than any particular issue,” said the University of Toronto’s Wiseman. “He will be perceived as having overstayed his welcome.”

The truckers’ protest began in Alberta, a long-time bastion for Canadian conservatives and one of four provinces, along with Manitoba,

While Scholz reiterated that Nato’s eastward expansion “is not on the agenda—everyone knows that very well,” Putin retorted that Moscow will not be assuaged by such assurances.

“They are telling us it won’t happen tomorrow,” Putin said. “Well, when will it happen? The day after tomorrow? What does it change for us in the historic perspective? Nothing.”

Scholz also said diplomatic options are “far from exhausted,” and he praised the announcement of a troop withdrawal as a “good signal,” adding: “We hope that more will follow.”

The Russian Defense Ministry released images of tanks and howitzers rolling onto railway platforms and more tanks rolling across snowy fields. It did not disclose where or when the images were taken, or where the vehicles were headed, other than “to places of permanent deployment.”

Ukraine expressed skepticism.

“We won’t believe when we hear, we’ll believe when we see,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

And Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that there have been no signs, so far, of a reduced military presence on Ukraine’s borders.

Meanwhile, a series of cyberattacks knocked out the websites of the Ukrainian army, the defense ministry and major banks. There was no indication that the relatively lowlevel denial-of-service attacks might be a smoke screen for more serious cyber mischief. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the US has not yet determined who was behind the attacks.

Despite the worst East-West tensions in decades, few Russians expect a war. In a village in Russia’s Belgorod region, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Ukraine’s border, residents carried on with life as usual, even as more military personnel have been passing through village streets.

“We are really on the border, we really have relatives here and there, everyone has somebody” on the Ukrainian side, villager Lyudmila Nechvolod said. “No one wants war.”

Russian lawmakers urged Putin to recognize rebel-held areas in eastern Ukraine as independent states. The State Duma, Russia’s lower house, voted to submit an appeal to Putin to that effect.

Putin said the request reflects the Russian public’s sympathy for the suffering of people trapped in the conflict in eastern Ukraine that has killed over 14,000 since 2014.

He noted, however, that Russia continues to believe a 2015 peace deal brokered by France and Germany should serve as the main vehicle for a settlement of the separatist conflict. Karmanau reported from Kyiv, Ukraine,

Thursday, February 17, 2022 A13

E

xcept for the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA), presidential candidates and other groups appear resigned to the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to throw out the petition filed before the agency by civil society groups to disqualify presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. Vice President Leni Robredo, who defeated Marcos Jr. in the 2016 vice presidential race and is now vying for the presidency against him, was quoted in the media as saying she is unperturbed by the Comelec’s decision. Other presidential candidates likewise went about their respective campaign sorties, rather than dwell on the issue.

CARMMA on Friday said they will file a motion for reconsideration to overturn the ruling of the Comelec’s First Division. Unless reversed by the Comelec or the Supreme Court, for that matter, the election commission’s ruling stands, effectively removing one of the hurdles Marcos Jr. has to go through to retake Malacañang after his father was deposed in 1986 by the historic EDSA People Power Revolution.

While the presidential bets seem undisturbed by Marcos Jr.’s victory, netizens and lawyer- groups torched the Internet with their different interpretations of the poll body’s decision. One particular issue that they focused on is the excerpt of the decision penned by Comelec Chair Aimee Ferolino: “Failure to file ITR [income tax return] is not inherently wrong in the absence of law punishing it.”

Some sectors are now saying this “jurisprudence” practically declares that there is nothing “inherently wrong” for anyone to avoid paying

taxes, bewailing that they had been religiously paying taxes out of their hard-earned income, while Marcos Jr. could get away with not filing his ITR. For the record, however, Marcos Jr. was convicted of tax evasion in 1995 by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. What we know is that after he elevated his tax evasion conviction to the Court of Appeals, the court modified the lower court’s ruling in 1997, saying that while he should be acquitted on the charges of non-payment of deficiency taxes, Marcos Jr. is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of not filing his income taxes from 1982 to 1985 while serving as Ilocos Norte governor.

In other words, Marcos Jr. was convicted for the crime of tax evasion, which, under the Omnibus Election Code, prohibits him or any person from running for public office.

Also on Friday last week, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez defended the Comelec First Division’s decision. While admitting that the division did state “that failure to file tax returns is not inherently wrong, critics have taken the statement out of context.” He said the Comelec was not saying that failure to file income tax returns (ITR) is not a punishable offense.

He said that the decision should be taken in the context of trying

The public must be left to discern for themselves whether Marcos Jr. has done enough to benefit the country as a former public servant or in his capacity as a private citizen. The arguments laid out for or against him in the Comelec are now public records.

The voting public should be sufficiently concerned to read them, and astute enough to separate the grain from the chaff. to explain the difference between a crime that is malum in se (evil in itself) versus malum prohibitum (prohibited evil).

To explain Ferolino’s statement, and justify the Comelec’s decision, Jimenez said that “what it says is that a crime mala in se is a crime that is by itself naturally wrong.

For example, murder. You don’t need a law to tell you that murder is wrong, right? But there are some offenses that are mala prohibitum, which means they are considered wrong under the law only because a special law exists, we penalize it.”

He cited jaywalking as an example of a crime that is considered an offense only because an ordinance had been passed prohibiting it.

My lawyer-friend said that, in effect, the election commission has ruled that non-filing of ITRs is an omission that is not serious enough to involve moral turpitude and warrant Marcos Jr.’s disqualification. The issue over whether tax evasion constitutes “an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standard of the community” is one for lawyers to discuss. The phrase “moral turpitude” has not been clearly delineated by courts, and in the black-and-white letter of the law is in part amorphous and becomes relative to various concepts of morality. Its boundaries, nature, and characteristics are largely defined

by precedents. Research shows that “crimes involving moral turpitude have an inherent quality of baseness, vileness, or depravity with respect to a person’s duty to another or to society in general, such as rape, forgery, robbery, and solicitation by prostitutes.”

In this legalistic debate, which is barely accessible to a non-lawyer, the question is: Which law on nonfiling of income taxes did Marcos violate?

The question is crucial to answer because the first legal act of a president-elect is to take an oath, as written in the Philippine Constitution, to “execute its laws.”

The fitness of a person for the presidency is therefore not simply based on compliance with a checklist of qualifications or disqualifications for the office, but his or her trustworthiness or integrity on seeing that our country’s laws are complied with.

Now this raises another important question: Was Marcos Jr. under an obligation to file an ITR in the years covered by the tax case against him? If the answer is no, then this is all a tempest in a teapot. If the answer is yes, as the lower court seems to say, then Marcos Jr. has to explain why he did not file his ITR, or why his lawyers did not question the obligation for him to file a tax return.

Personally I would rather see him run against the other presidential aspirants in this year’s election.

The public must be left to discern for themselves whether Marcos Jr. has done enough to benefit the country as a former public servant or in his capacity as a private citizen. The arguments laid out for or against him in the Comelec are now public records. The voting public should be sufficiently concerned to read them, and astute enough to separate the grain from the chaff.

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

A stunning fall for ex-Honduran president wanted in US

By Marlon González & Christopher Sherman

and Madhani from Washington. Associated Press writers Dasha Litvinova in Moscow, Angela Charlton in Paris, Lorne Cook in Brussels, Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jill Lawless in London, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Robert Burns, Matthew Lee and Zeke Miller in Washington contributed to this report.

EGUCIGALPA, Honduras— The arrest of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández and the images that followed—a leader shackled and paraded before the cameras like a common criminal—were a stunning reversal for a man who for years seemed impervious to growing allegations of corruption.

While president from 2014 until last month, he had the support of US officials waging the war on drugs and some diplomats who did not see a better option. But less than three weeks out of office, his utility exhausted, the US government moved for his extradition and the chance to make him an example in a region wracked by corruption.

Hernández was scheduled to make his initial court appearance in Tegucigalpa on Wednesday. He was arrested Tuesday at the request of the US government on charges of drug trafficking, using weapons for drug trafficking and conspiracy to use weapons in drug trafficking.

US prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have accused Hernández in recent years of funding his political rise with profits from drug traffickers in exchange for protecting their shipments.

For years, images were Hernán-

dez’s crutch. Accusations of ties to drug traffickers would stream from a New York City courtroom and Hernández would soon pop up in the United States or at an event with US Embassy officials in Honduras, reinforcing the idea that he had US government support and it was just bitter drug traffickers telling stories to seek revenge for his efforts against them.

All the while, popular discontent with his government grew in Honduras. There weren’t enough jobs, street gangs controlled entire towns and neighborhoods, drought and hurricanes hit swaths of the country in a devastating one-two punch and Hernández began to symbolize all their troubles.

Hondurans fled by the thousands, literally walking out of the country with nothing but a change of clothes in their knapsacks. Migrant caravans drew international attention and never lacked groups of young migrants shouting “Get out JOH!” using his initials.

“How great that they arrested him, he was very corrupt,” said Ilchis Álvarez, a Honduran migrant in southern Mexico.

“He was in the government for 12 years, caused a lot of people to migrate, there was a lot of corruption, there was a lot of unemployment,” said Álvarez, who was protesting Tuesday in Tapachula for Mexican authorities to give legal passage for mi-

grants like himself to the US border. Álvarez said he lost his job in a wire factory during Hernández’s presidency because the president raised taxes. He spent two years looking for another job before becoming a cab driver, but still couldn’t support his two kids so a month ago he set out hoping to reach the United States.

Another migrant, Zayda Vayadares, hadn’t even heard of Hernández’s arrest, but expressed joy. She was traveling with her 6-year-old autistic son. She said she never received help from the government.

“The country was bad economically [under Hernández], you could never find a job,” said Vayadares, who camped with other migrants in downtown Tapachula. “The gangs were always extorting and killing people.”

US Sen. Jeff Merkley, who had pushed for sanctions against Hernández, said in a statement, “It was completely unacceptable that the US government was supporting former President Hernández despite his extensive ties to narcotrafficking, including an alleged pattern of using campaign funds and taxpayer resources to protect and facilitate drug shipments to the United States.”

When Xiomara Castro’s third run for president gained traction with the help of timely alliances, Hondurans’ dissatisfaction coalesced around her

Quebec and Saskatchewan, whose premiers have opposed the prime minister’s invocation of emergency powers this week.

The demonstrators in Ottawa— and at protests and blockades elsewhere in Canada—have decried vaccine mandates for truckers and other Covid-19 precautions, and also denounced the overall performance of Trudeau’s Liberal Party government.

Even as Trudeau’s approval rat-

ings dipped, however, polls show that most Canadians have supported the pandemic restrictions.

The vast majority of Canadians are vaccinated, and the Covid-19 death rate is one-third that of the United States.

For Trudeau, the protest campaign has had international overtones. The truckers’ so-called Freedom Convoy has been cheered on by right-wing figures in the United States, including Fox News personalities, former Presi-

dent Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. A big chunk of the money donated to support the protests also has come from the US. Grace Skogstad, a University of Toronto political science professor, said the fallout from Trudeau’s emergency order will depend on whether it succeeds in ending the upheaval.

“If the protesters can be cleared out without anyone getting injured and soon [by the weekend], it will be hard for critics to oppose his actions,”

Skogstad said via email. “But let’s face it, the conservative right will always be critical of Trudeau.”

Nik Nanos, a pollster whose Ottawa office affords him a close-up view, doubts that the protesters—including many families with young children—will disperse any time soon.

“In my view, this is the equivalent of an Occupy Wall Street movement that will be at the front door of the House of Commons for a long time,” he said. “These truckers want to be

The Associated Press

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candidacy. They swept her into office in last November’s elections intent on punishing Hernández and his National Party.

A catchy song played on a loop at Castro campaign events predicted that Hernández was headed for trial in New York.

On Tuesday, Castro’s Vice President Salvador Nasralla shared video of Hernández being led away from his home in shackles, writing: “This is what awaits the accomplices of Juan Orlando Hernández who produced so much pain, emigration and death for the Honduran people.”

José Heriberto Godoy, a 34-yearold Tegucigalpa businessman, said Hernández’s arrest was bound to happen. “It’s really what we expected.”

Still, the images of the handcuffed former president were hard to watch. “I really felt sorry for him because we are human and we have a heart,” he said.

Herson Vásquez said he thought of Hernández’s mother, wife and children, but also how corrupt his arrest made Honduras look to the rest of the world.

“If he’s guilty of all the crimes that they accuse him of he has to pay,” the 43-year-old music teacher said. Associ-

ated Press writer Marlon González reported this story in Tegucigalpa and AP writer Christopher Sherman reported from Mexico City. AP writer Edgar H. Clemente in Tapachula, Mexico contributed to this story.

in the face of politicians every day until these restrictions are lifted.”

“What’s clear is that everyone is frustrated with the government— the truckers, the people who oppose the truckers, the people concerned about using the emergency act,” Nanos added. “It will be interesting to see what happens if the government plays this card and nothing happens.” Gillies reported from Toronto, and Crary, a former Toronto bureau chief for AP, reported from New York.

A14 Thursday, February 17, 2022

AUSSIES ‘WELL-PLACED’ TO INVEST IN MINING, SAYS BUSINESS COUNCIL

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USTR ALIAN companies are “well placed” to invest in the local mining industry following the recent lifting of the ban on open-pit mining, the Australia-Philippines Business Council (APBC) said.

The business group said in a statement on Wednesday that the recent developments in the mining regulations will help bring in more investments to the country, which can aid the economic recovery.

APBC was referring to the lifting of the ban on open-pit mining for copper, gold, silver and complex ores; and ending the moratorium on new mining agreements.

“These developments are expected to usher in significant benefits to the economy including manufacturing resurgence, and step up investor confidence,” APBC said.

It pointed out that both initiatives have strict regulations that can ensure environmental sustainability and community safety.

APBC President Rene Cabrera said that “mining is one industry that truly highlights the complementarity between Australia and the Philippines.”

“The Philippines has vast untapped natural resources; Australia is a global expert in minera ls development and production underpinned by responsible mining practices sought by the Philippine government and community. The potential for rewarding opportunities has always been there,” he added.

The council noted that the country is the fifth most mineralized nation in the world,

given that it has among the largest deposits of gold, copper and nickel.

The $.132-trillion mineral resource assets of the Philippines are yet to be tapped, it added, pointing out that “30 percent of its total land area has mineral potential but less than three percent is covered by mining tenements.”

“Australian companies are well placed to capitalize on these developments,” said Jose P. Leviste Jr., Special Advisor to the APBC and former Chairman of OceanaGold Philippines.

Among the areas of opportunity he cited are mineral exploration, mining equipment supply, engineering services, specialist software and industry education and training.

Last year, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Steven J. Robinson welcomed the lifting of moratorium on processing new mining projects, saying it was a “really positive step forward” for the country.

T he Australian mining firms, Robinson said, are “already thinking about what... the future holds for them as result of the ban..being lifted.”

Over 300 Australian companies in the country are employing about 44,000 Filipinos in mining, shipbuilding, energ y supply, retail trade, accommodation and food service facilities, manufacturing, transportation and storage. At least 200 of these are in the information technology-business process management industry.

PHL eyes additional ₧13-B yen loan for Covid vaccines

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Philippines is eyeing an additional 30 billion yen (about P13.3 billion) loan from Japan to help fund the country’s ongoing national vaccination program.

The two countries discussed the proposed additional financing support under the 2nd Covid-19 Crisis Response Emergency Support Loan (CCRESL 2) during the high-level virtual meeting of the joint committee on infrastructure development and economic cooperation held on Wednesday.

Fi n a nc e S e c re t a r y C a r lo s Dominguez III chaired the Philippine side while Mr. Mori Masafumi, the Special Advisor to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, led the Japanese delegation in

this morning’s virtual meeting of the Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation.

Recently, the Philippine government secured 885 million yen (almost P400 million) in grant assistance from the Japanese government to support its Covid-19 recover y efforts, particularly to enable the Department of Health to provide cold-chain transport and equipment throughout the Phi lip pines. The grant aid comprised

more than 70 refrigerated and service truck units, 1,000 transport boxes for vaccines, ice pack f reezers, t her mometers, a nd other equipment to be deployed nationwide in partnership with DOH. Japan has provided comprehensive support to the Philippines since the Covid-19 pandemic began. This support includes over 3 million vaccine donations, grant aid for the procurement of medical equipment and establishment of laboratory surveillance sites.

T he Japa nese gover nment has also provided technical assistance for cold chain development, provision of Avigan tablets for Covid-19 treatment, as well as big-ticket yen loan assistance through CCRESL and the PostDisaster Standby Loan Phase 2 (PDSL 2).

T he Department of Finance earlier said that it has secured an additiona l $800 million in financing for Cov id-19 boosters a long w ith vaccine doses for the pediatr ic population, which includes k ids below 12 years old.

In the same meeting, Mori r e it e r at e d t h e c o m m it m e nt made by Prime Minister Fumio

Kishida to President Duterte on continuing Japan’s “support to the Philippines’s infrastructure development including railways, response to Covid-19, and capability enhancement for maritime law enforcement,” among other development initiatives between the two countries.

“I wish to report that Japan’s public and private financial contribution to the Philippines’s nation-building in the five years since Januar y 2017 amounts to 1.38 trillion yen, well over the 1-trillion-yen mark set forth.

I’d like to emphasize that the government of Japan’s commitment to the bilateral cooperation project remains unchanged u nder t he K ish id a C abi net,” Mori said.

Also present at the meeting held via teleconferencing was Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa.

For his part, Dominguez expressed appreciation to the Japanese government and the people for their continued assistance to the country’s initiatives in accelerating infrastructure development and addressing the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters.

Continued on A5

Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

Comelec may revisit pandemic curbs for campaigns, events

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

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HE Commission on Elections is now considering “reviewing” its anti-pandemic restrictions for onsite campaign activities in areas, which will be placed under Alert Level 1.

Comelec acting chairperson Socorro B. Inting issued the statement on Wednesday amid the appeals of some candidates for the poll body to allow traditional campaign activities in sorties such as handshaking and selfies, which were prohibited.

“Now there is a possibi lity that we will [have areas which will be] downgraded to Alert Level 1 so maybe we will review our campaign rules so it will be consistent with the alert level,” Inting said during the signing of Comelec’s Memorandum of Agreement with Vote Pilipinas.

To prevent campaign activities from becoming super spreader events for Covid-19 infections, Comelec Resolution No. 10732 banned the following activities in all alert levels: entering any private dwelling during houseto-house campaigning, crowding, handshakes, hugs, kisses, selfies and any close contacts with can-

didates as well as distribution of food and drink.

Inting noted that when they crafted the said guidelines, most parts of the country were under Alert Level 3 and 2 due to the still considerable number of infections.

She said this may change once the government starts placing some parts of the country under Alert Level 1 or the so-called “new normal,” where the risk of Covid-19 infection is at its lowest.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said their new rules will comply with the new guidelines, which may be issued by the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) for areas under Alert Level 1.

“If that change involves, for example, lifting of restrictions on attendees [of campaign activities] then it will also reflect in our guidelines, including but not limited to wearing of face shields,” Jimenez said.

Last Tuesday, Malacañang said the government is already making preparations to place some areas under Alert Level 1 by ensuring establishments in these locations will voluntarily implement minimum health standards (MHS) and have a high vaccination rate.

SHOPPERS wearing face masks to protect themselves against the coronavirus are seen at the Divisoria commercial center in Manila, known for low-priced goods and diverse manufacturing activities.

Metro Manila remains under Alert Level 2 until the end of February despite decreasing Covid-19 cases. ROY DOMINGO

Kadiwa stores should be permanent–BBM

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AYING Filipinos should not suffer again from the hunger they experienced when the pandemic first hit the country two years ago, presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is pushing for the permanent establishment of “Kadiwa” rolling stores in every barangay throughout the country.

The former senator thinks a Kadiwa store should be present in every barangay since it is effective in helping consumers buy basic necessities like food products at lower prices compared to those sold in regular markets and stores.

“Maganda na bumalik ito dahil effective ito at maraming natutulungan [It is good to return this per-

manently because it’s been proven effective and helps many people],” the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard-bearer said.

The Department of Agriculture revived last year the Kadiwa program, an original brainchild of former First Lady Imelda Marcos, following a spike in prices of basic food products due to lockdowns implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Marcos has been recommending that the government support local farmers and buy goods from them as they can sell the products at lower prices.

“The Kadiwa system enabled the public to buy goods at cheaper rates and the farmers to sell their crops

without having to worry about transportation costs,” he said.

He said, mostly in Filipino, that “the supply held by the government can be sold cheap to the people. Rolling stores can make this accessible to wherever there are customers.”

He added, “The government is not a business, so they can pass on any essential product—rice, palay, corn—to consumers without looking to derive any profit,” he said.

Marcos thanked the Duterte government for returning the program that started during the administration of his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

However, he said the program’s implementation, including the

operation in the Food Terminal Inc., can still be improved, to ensure that enough supply of local products will consistently reach the citizens.

He explained that the government can help save the agriculture sector already suffering even before the pandemic crisis through this program.

A ssi st i ng t he a g r ic u lt u re sector will result in job generation, increased production, and food supply security initiatives of the government, he noted.

Marcos also encouraged Filipinos to support local farmers and their products, as it is most needed now that the country is slowly recovering from the pandemic.

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday, February 17, 2022

B1

Bank of Commerce aiming to raise ₧3.5B from IPO

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By VG Cabuag

@villygc

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the P3.5-billion initial public offering (IPO) of Bank of Commerce and San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) P60-billion fixed-rate bond offering under shelf registration.

The SEC said it made the approval during its February 15 en banc meeting.

Bank of Commerce will offer to the public up to 280.6 million common shares priced at up to P12.50 per share. The shares will be listed on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The bank expects to net about P3.34 billion from the offer, proceeds of which will be used to fund the bank’s lending activities and finance capital expenditure requirements, in connection with upgrading its automated teller machine fleet and core banking system.

Any remaining proceeds will be

used for the acquisition of investment securities to meet regulatory liquidity requirements.

Bank of Commerce is a unit of San Miguel and has a network of 140 branches and 257 ATMs as of September 30, 2021.

The IPO will run from March 7 to 15 and the listing on the PSE is scheduled for March 23, according to the timetable submitted by the bank to the SEC. Bank of Commerce engaged BDO Capital and Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corp., Philippine Commercial Capital Inc. and PNB Capital Investment Corp. as the joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters, and joint bookrunners for the transaction.

Meanwhile, the P60 billion fixed-rate bonds in shelf registration of San Miguel may be issued in one or more tranches within three years.

For the first tranche, the conglomerate will offer to the public up to P25 billion of five-year Series J bonds due 2027, with an overallotment option of up to P5 billion of seven-year Series K bonds due 2029.

Proceeds will be used for the refinancing of short-term loan facilities of the company and for other general corporate purposes.

The bonds comprising the first tranche will be offered at face value and will be listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. on March 1, based on the latest timetable sent to the SEC. San Miguel tapped BDO Capital and China Bank Capital as joint issue managers for the offering. They will work alongside BPI Capital Corp., PCCI, PNB Capital, RCBC Capital Corporation and SB Capital Investment Corporation as joint lead underwriters and bookrunners.

PHL attracts more data centers R

eal estate investment trusts (REITs) and data centers are the bright spots for the country’s real estate sector.

Rick Santos, chairman and CEO of real estate services company Santos Knight Frank, said in an online press briefing on Wednesday that Covid-19 has led to a huge growth in data centers in the country.

Santos attributed this to the increasing dependence of people on technology. The growing demand for co-location, internet, and cloud services required the need for sophisticated facilities based in-country.

He said the Philippines has attracted data center operators due to the local population’s high digital consumption. According to Hootsuite, the number of in-

ternet and social media users in the Philippines rose by 6.1 percent and 22 percent in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

While the country currently has a total IT supply capacity of 94 megawatts (MW), Santos Knight Frank has recorded approximately 125 MW of additional planned capacity from operators who have expressed interest to build in the medium term.

Meanwhile, Santos said firstmover YCO Cloud Centers has announced the construction of a 12-megawatt (MW) IT-capacity data center in Malvar, Batangas. The initial stage of development begins with the construction of the site, a 10,000 sqm two-story data center including the first of four 3 MW data halls.

“The data center market is an

exciting space for the Philippines.

As the data center sector continues to grow alongside the increasing demand for data, we expect to see an upswing in activity for data center investments into the country,” Monica Gonzalez, Santos Knight Frank’s Data Centers Lead and Manager for Occupier Solutions and Services said during the briefing.

YCO MANILA DIGITAL 1, the first of several planned carrier-neutral, colocation and enterprise scale data centers targeting the Greater Manila Area, will serve as a gateway for the expansion of digital businesses within the Philippines.

“The Philippines is a leading, dynamic technology and digital hub in the Asia Pacific region but underserved in terms of state-of-the-art

data center and digital infrastructure,” Nik de Ynchausti, CEO of YCO Cloud Centers said.

“The demand for colocation, 5G, internet and cloud services continues to grow rapidly. Our data center will address interest from enterprises seeking to scale their mission critical workload in the region. Special consideration has been placed on delivering greater connectivity, compute capacity and coverage in the areas along with sustainable sources of electrical power.

As the Philippines moves past the pandemic, Santos Knight Frank expects the country to be a major player in data center hub in Southeast Asia, one which will soon feature a robust supply of sophisticated facilities to serve customers. Rizal Raoul Reyes

VW warns CEB taps Airbus to support A330neo fleet of output cuts

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olkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess warned the carmaker may need to cut output at its main factory in Wolfsburg amid rising tensions over how to make the world’s biggest car plant fit for the electric age.

While VW has made headway managing the global chip crisis, the situation at its German headquarters remains challenging, Diess said Monday during a meeting of the company’s powerful works council.

“Wolfsburg is particularly hard hit by the semiconductor situation,” the CEO said according to a prepared speech text. “Capacity adjustments are therefore necessary, also in the medium term.”

Talks over how to keep Wolfsburg competitive in the shift to batterypowered cars has seen tensions rise between Diess and union leaders.

The CEO in November hinted at possible job cuts to keep pace with Tesla Inc. as the electric car leader plans to ramp up output at its first European factory near Berlin this year.

VW should place a planned new electric-vehicle plant -- which is supposed to produce about 250,000 EVs annually—at the main Wolfsburg site or at least very close to it to help protect jobs, labor leader head Daniela Cavallo said at the same event. She also called for compensating workers for the planned cuts of nearly all night shifts, which are expected to reduce the pay of some 5,000 workers. Bloomberg News

Photo shows (from left to right) Mike Szucs, Chief Executive Adviser at Cebu Pacific and Anand Stanley, President of Airbus Asia-Pacific. Photo: Airbus

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

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udget carrier Cebu Pacific has selected Airbus’s Flight Hour Services (FHS) materials management to provide the component support for wide-body jets.

According to Airbus, FHS is a comprehensive material and maintenance service based on a contractual fixed hourly-rate payment. Services include arts pooling, on-site stock at the airline’s main base in Manila, components repairs, component engineering services, as well as end-oflease condition support.

Furthermore, Airbus will guarantee spare parts availability, contrib-

uting to securing aircraft technical performance.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Cebu Pacific in its A330neo lifecycle journey. Recognizing the need to support airlines in their recovery, Airbus offers flexibility with its innovative Flight Hour Services which allows them to minimize maintenance costs whilst maximizing aircraft availability and securing operational performance simultaneously,” Airbus Asia Pacific President Anand Stanley.

Airbus will offer FHS to Cebu Pacific for its 16 Airbus A330neos.

“This collaboration reinforces Cebu Pacific Air’s position as an industry leading Airbus operator. It

ensures that we are able to meet our operational and reliability targets, while we remain prudent with our expenditure,” Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Adviser Michael Szucs said.

The airline said in December that it has set its sights on increasing its network capacity, as it expects domestic and international operations to rise to 84 percent and 39 percent of their pre-Covid levels, respectively.

Alex Reyes, the company’s head of strategy, said Cebu Pacific expects demand for travel will remain on a growth path if 2021 was any indication. From operating at only 19 percent of its original capacity, Cebu Pacific has restored 60 percent of its pre-Covid capacity in December.

Jollibee to open stores in Scotland

Contributed photo

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ollibee Foods Corp. on Wednesday said it will open its flagship brand on two locations in Scotland in just a month.

On February 24, Jollibee will open its doors in the capital’s city center at 136 Princes Street, Edinburgh, marking its entry into Scotland. The brand will open its second Scottish store in Glasgow on March 25.

The two restaurants in Scotland will serve halal meat to cater to all communities in both cities.

“This is an important moment for us as we introduce Jollibee to Scotland with not only one but two restaurants launching within a month, showing our commitment to expand in Europe,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee’s CEO. “We are looking forward to serving our Scottish customers delicious food in a joyful restaurant experience. We know there are many in Scotland who have waited a long time for Jollibee to arrive, and we’re excited to see the local communities experience Jollibee for the first time.”

Both Edinburgh and Glasgow have a large student presence and active youth community, making them the perfect cities for Jollibee, which has seen huge success among young people looking for new food experiences.

In the last 18 months, overall sales in the United Kingdom rose by 417 percent, with the Jollibee Chicken

Sandwich and new Spicy Chickenjoy receiving good reviews.

“The reception for Jollibee in 2021 gave us confidence that our new store design and locally-relevant menu created specifically for our European audience was working. We are very happy to be opening on one of the busiest streets in Edinburgh and Glasgow and expect to see big queues of chicken lovers at its launch,” said Dennis Flores, president of Jollibee Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

The unveiling of Jollibee’s first Scottish location coincides with the announcement last month that further Covid-19 restrictions would be lifted across Scotland.

Jollibee’s menu in Scotland will have its best-selling fried chicken, sweet spaghetti hamburger and its Chicken Sandwich, which is now almost as popular as Chickenjoy in the UK. Across its UK restaurants, Jollibee has served up 1.3 million pieces of Chickenjoy since January 2021.

“We are optimistic that opening now in Scotland is an opportune time for Jollibee and will bring customers something different and exciting.

Most people have not been able to try new things in the last few years, so bringing the fun, joyful, and colorful Jollibee restaurant to customers will be a great start to 2022,” said Adam Parkinson, Business Head of Jollibee Europe. VG Cabuag

Jeep maker gets creative on cutting jobs in EV shift

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utting jobs in France is never easy. So Stellantis NV, the manufacturer of Peugeot cars and Jeep SUVs has come up with a novel way to slim down its payroll: It sends workers emails with tips on how to get exciting new jobs—elsewhere.

Employees are routinely sent alerts on career fairs and services that help write winning CVs -so much so that union representatives are accusing management of harassment.

“This isn’t a good way to motivate people to work hard for the company,” said Christine Virassamy, a representative of the CFDT union.

“We’ve asked them to let up.”

The unusual effort is a measure of how hard pressed Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares is to cut the sprawling automaker’s payroll in major markets in Europe as he strives to make good on 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion) of synergies pledged as part of the 2021 merger between Fiat Chrysler and PSA Group. France alone could see as many as 10,000 departures by the end of 2025, according to estimates by some unions.

Like rivals across Europe rapidly shifting to electric vehicles (EV), Stellantis—with 14 car brands and some 300,000 employees globally -is under pressure to trim its workforce. EVs are simpler to produce and require fewer workers than conventional vehicles. Emails promoting career moves outside Stellantis are to help those who might be interested in a voluntary departure scheme, a company spokesman said.

“The transition to EVs is unprecedented in terms of speed and impact

for the automotive industry,” said Alexandre Marian, a managing director in Paris at AlixPartners. “There will be winners and losers given the level of investment required, and this will have implications on the workforce.”

In a study published in December for France’s auto lobby, of which Stellantis is a member, the consultancy estimates France risks losing nearly a third of its automotive jobs by the end of the decade. The grim forecast could be applied to other countries, especially in Europe, Marian said.

Coders needed

While Stellantis and other legacy carmakers have plans to retrain staff and hire software specialists to develop self-driving and digital features for their future models, not every mechanic will be able to code.

“Shrinking workforces remains a challenge across the industry,” Citigroup analyst Gabriel Adler wrote in a report. The average age of industry employees in Europe is between 40 and 45 years old and workers are predominantly focused on conventional motors, he said.

At Stellantis, the drive to get people out the door is accelerating in France, where the company employs about 45,000 people and commands 34 percent of the market mostly through sales of Peugeots and Citroens. In Italy, the birthplace of brands including Fiat and Alfa Romeo, Stellantis has reached a number of so-called performance accords with unions. With 50,800 workers, Stellantis is also offering incentives for voluntary departures. Bloomberg News

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, February 17, 2022

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

February 16, 2022

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

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

4,400 312,755,120 386,693,833 2,661,005 1,831,148 140,228,391 1,271,910 15,436 1,218,900 127,725,523 3,718,131 96,625,590 158,550 47,560 4,200 10,200 1,277,088 111,950

-49,977,682 11,339,296.50 32,090 -34,984 43,590,549 -143,670 11,400 -6,064,237 996,796 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.8 8.87 8.26 8.9 8.26 8.8 25,026,700 215,763,549 ALSONS CONS 1.03 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.03 1.04 109,000 113,280 ABOITIZ POWER 35.8 35.9 35.5 36 35.45 35.9 1,891,000 67,677,915 BASIC ENERGY 0.51 0.52 0.51 0.52 0.51 0.52 1,950,000 1,002,280 FIRST GEN 27 27.05 27.1 27.45 27 27.05 527,700 14,293,910 FIRST PHIL HLDG 70.8 70.85 70.8 71 70.8 70.85 68,310 4,841,900.50 MERALCO 359.2 361 356 361.6 353.4 361 210,890 75,945,330 MANILA WATER 21.75 22.25 21.55 22.55 21.55 22.25 896,400 19,859,550 PETRON 3.41 3.42 3.49 3.5 3.39 3.42 1,364,000 4,676,390 PETROENERGY 4.17 4.29 4.2 4.2 4.16 4.16 20,000 83,600 PHX PETROLEUM 10.26 10.8 10.8 10.8 10.8 10.8 1,000 10,800 SYNERGY GRID 12.58 12.7 12.6 12.72 12.3 12.7 5,713,000 71,470,898 PILIPINAS SHELL 19.12 19.78 19.1 19.96 19.1 19.88 348,200 6,684,116 SOLAR PH 2.09 2.1 2.1 2.13 2.04 2.1 101,042,000 209,948,310 AGRINURTURE 5.04 5.1 5.1 5.13 5 5.1 776,900 3,944,433 AXELUM 2.83 2.88 2.84 2.88 2.83 2.88 123,000 354,010 CENTURY FOOD 23.8 23.85 23.7 24.1 23.7 23.85 3,031,000 72,256,315 DEL MONTE 15.86 15.88 15.62 15.88 15.62 15.88 62,600 987,562 DNL INDUS 8.32 8.4 8.4 8.42 8.31 8.32 2,120,300 17,700,907 EMPERADOR 19.88 19.9 19.44 20.75 19.44 19.9 23,992,800 479,194,865 SMC FOODANDBEV 68.05 68.2 67.8 68.95 67.55 68.05 26,210 1,788,385.50 FIGARO COFFEE 0.83 0.84 0.8 0.86 0.8 0.83 109,492,000 91,239,980 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.62 0.63 0.59 0.63 0.59 0.63 54,000 33,370 FRUITAS HLDG 1.21 1.22 1.24 1.25 1.2 1.21 8,226,000 9,998,030 GINEBRA 108.1 109 109.9 109.9 108 108.1 34,730 3,758,521 JOLLIBEE 249.4 251 249 251 247.2 251 828,450 206,929,018 KEEPERS HLDG 1.37 1.38 1.33 1.38 1.33 1.37 3,367,000 4,576,650 MACAY HLDG 5.56 6.49 5.55 5.56 5.55 5.56 200 1,111 MAXS GROUP 6.58 6.61 6.58 6.61 6.58 6.58 36,200 238,722 MG HLDG 0.155 0.159 0.156 0.156 0.149 0.155 960,000 146,500 MONDE NISSIN 16.86 16.92 16.7 16.98 16.42 16.92 18,613,700 313,152,248 SHAKEYS PIZZA 8.71 8.72 8.73 8.78 8.68 8.72 410,700 3,582,570 ROXAS AND CO 0.64 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.64 0.65 88,000 56,930 SWIFT FOODS 0.101 0.105 0.102 0.104 0.101 0.101 2,050,000 207,190 UNIV ROBINA 127.2 127.8 127 127.9 126.5 127.8 1,048,770 133,756,311 VITARICH 0.67 0.68 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.67 51,000 33,970 VICTORIAS 2.41 2.55 2.4 2.56 2.4 2.55 11,000 27,320 CEMEX HLDG 1.03 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.02 1.04 2,059,000 2,114,900 EAGLE CEMENT 14.06 14.2 13.74 14.46 13.74 14.4 6,300 87,878 EEI CORP 6.15 6.2 6.23 6.23 6.13 6.13 18,800 115,743 HOLCIM 5.95 5.98 5.85 5.98 5.8 5.95 329,800 1,947,306 MEGAWIDE 5.21 5.22 5.09 5.23 5.09 5.21 640,200 3,327,302 PHINMA 20.8 20.9 21 21 20.95 21 22,800 478,750 TKC METALS 0.77 0.79 0.78 0.78 0.77 0.77 14,000 10,880 VULCAN INDL 0.94 0.96 0.98 0.98 0.92 0.94 2,496,000 2,376,100 CROWN ASIA 1.72 1.73 1.72 1.76 1.72 1.73 279,000 487,590 EUROMED 1.34 1.43 1.35 1.35 1.34 1.34 8,000 10,760 PRYCE CORP 5.83 5.98 5.96 5.98 5.96 5.98 2,500 14,916 CONCEPCION 21.55 21.75 21.4 21.55 21.25 21.55 9,600 205,340 GREENERGY 2.01 2.03 2.01 2.05 1.97 2.03 8,400,000 16,926,900 INTEGRATED MICR 8.76 8.77 8.61 8.89 8.61 8.77 1,234,000 10,830,017 IONICS 0.71 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.71 0.71 35,000 25,170 PANASONIC 5.94 6.09 6.1 6.1 5.91 5.94 16,200 97,586 SFA SEMICON 1.14 1.17 1.19 1.19 1.15 1.17 216,000 254,860 CIRTEK HLDG 3.98 4.03 3.82 4.05 3.78 4.03 3,479,000 13,877,540

30,030,220 21,451,510 207,785 305,146.50 50,210,110 -3,303,855 -181,470 -7,512,688 -1,136,492 589,890.00 863,459.00 -58,502,760 -54,760 -14,087,237 240,437,982 -965,817 51,320 114,950 -37,284 62,630,354 461,240 -97,493 1,560 127,519,194 -3,143,910 1,508,816 -3,350 12,000 -1,156,600 1,301,392 1,499,274 -20,950 -7,520 1,848,470.00 52,500 7,300 2,370 340,000

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

-96,352,855 33,777,551 11,241,384 -14,410 1,252,517 -24,321,213 -14,300 29,193,520 70,650,455 -29,600 -7,290,405 -3,994,400 -2,790 -103,144,060 -362,888 4,800 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

44.1 136 99.3 26.75 9.41 59.6 20.35 56.2 21 115.7 104 2.12 4.05 2.37 0.81 1,005 208.6 2,702

0.88 860 61.05 13.14 8.3 0.92 0.72 0.72 5.19 8.58 7.16 574 3.76 61.2 6.31 0.61 2.95 9.43 3.69 2.81 1.11 1.01 937 108.9 119.8 0.275 0.174

44.9 136.5 100 26.8 9.47 59.7 20.4 57 21.05 116 105 2.14 4.08 2.5 0.83 1,020 209 2,800

0.89 868 63 13.18 8.31 0.93 0.73 0.75 5.22 8.59 7.33 577 3.87 61.35 8.07 0.63 3.05 9.44 3.75 2.97 1.13 1.03 939 109.5 123.8 0.305 0.175

44 136.5 100 26.7 9.57 59 20.35 57.8 21 115.4 105 2.18 4.08 2.51 0.84 1,020 210 2,830

0.89 860 60.85 12.78 8.1 0.92 0.76 0.74 5.19 8.5 7.16 558.5 3.87 59.8 6.31 0.61 2.96 9.46 3.67 2.79 1.1 1.03 930 108.6 120 0.295 0.173

44 137.9 100 26.85 9.57 60 20.4 57.8 21.25 117 105.1 2.18 4.09 2.51 0.84 1,020 210 2,830

0.9 868 63 13.18 8.3 0.92 0.78 0.78 5.22 8.64 7.34 577 3.87 61.45 6.31 0.63 2.96 9.6 3.76 2.97 1.12 1.03 942 109.5 123.7 0.31 0.174

44 135.5 98.8 26.65 9.4 59 20.1 57 21 115 103 2.06 4.04 2.5 0.84 1,020 208.6 2,700

0.89 855.5 59.5 12.7 8.1 0.9 0.7 0.72 5.18 8.48 7.15 558.5 3.87 59.5 6.31 0.61 2.96 9.39 3.67 2.79 1.1 1.03 930 108.5 119.6 0.265 0.173

44 136 100 26.75 9.47 59.7 20.4 57 21.05 116 104 2.14 4.05 2.5 0.84 1,020 209 2,800

0.89 860 63 13.18 8.3 0.92 0.73 0.72 5.19 8.58 7.16 577 3.87 61.2 6.31 0.63 2.96 9.43 3.69 2.97 1.12 1.03 937 109.5 123.7 0.275 0.174

100 2,295,910 3,882,050 99,500 193,300 2,356,240 62,800 270 58,000 1,100,310 35,670 46,904,000 39,000 19,000 5,000 10 6,120 40

1,360,000 299,210 1,280,940 3,443,900 17,200 611,000 14,230,000 1,389,000 2,579,100 9,021,300 12,400 136,220 2,000 2,388,790 100 42,000 108,000 4,856,200 36,487,000 4,000 140,000 54,000 308,670 47,930 870 2,620,000 440,000

1,210,980 257,459,775 79,008,396.50 44,809,276 142,530 562,060 10,385,610 1,015,200 13,401,407 77,459,369 88,754 78,224,275 7,740 145,774,884 631 25,680 319,680 45,827,065 135,878,640 11,340 154,700 55,620 289,186,865 5,224,322 104,449 784,750 76,450

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.62 0.63 0.62 0.63 0.62 0.63 1,017,000 630,550 ANCHOR LAND 5.7 6.18 6.18 6.18 6.18 6.18 1,000 6,180 AYALA LAND 38.8 38.9 37.8 38.9 37.7 38.9 13,150,300 507,054,195 AYALA LAND LOG 4.72 4.75 4.8 4.95 4.6 4.72 10,987,000 52,299,290 ARANETA PROP 0.98 1.03 1 1.04 1 1.02 153,000 156,510 AREIT RT 50 50.05 50 50 49 50 798,800 39,768,025 A BROWN 0.95 0.96 0.93 0.97 0.93 0.96 2,287,000 2,190,030 CITYLAND DEVT 0.71 0.72 0.71 0.72 0.71 0.72 28,000 20,150 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.91 2.92 2.9 2.97 2.9 2.91 687,000 2,006,090 CENTURY PROP 0.42 0.425 0.425 0.43 0.42 0.42 7,300,000 3,099,600 DOUBLEDRAGON 9.8 9.84 9.02 9.84 9.02 9.84 2,537,300 24,345,839 DDMP RT 1.78 1.79 1.78 1.8 1.78 1.79 3,463,000 6,193,450 DM WENCESLAO 6.85 6.9 6.8 6.9 6.8 6.9 57,500 394,743 EMPIRE EAST 0.25 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 500,000 125,000 EVER GOTESCO 0.31 0.32 0.315 0.32 0.31 0.32 2,130,000 665,900 FILINVEST RT 7.43 7.5 7.45 7.51 7.43 7.43 2,384,500 17,782,381 FILINVEST LAND 1.09 1.1 1.09 1.1 1.08 1.09 41,924,000 45,712,960 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.94 0.96 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 13,000 12,220 8990 HLDG 13.52 13.8 13.44 13.92 13.44 13.8 526,300 7,206,758 GOLDEN MV 565 595 595 595 595 595 2,320 1,380,400 PHIL INFRADEV 1.05 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.05 1.06 73,000 77,100 CITY AND LAND 0.83 0.85 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.84 5,000 4,200 MEGAWORLD 3.34 3.36 3.33 3.36 3.3 3.36 23,937,000 79,829,350 MRC ALLIED 0.265 0.27 0.275 0.275 0.26 0.27 8,280,000 2,206,700 MREIT RT 20.1 20.15 20 20.5 20 20.15 3,146,500 63,564,275 PHIL ESTATES 0.475 0.485 0.485 0.49 0.475 0.475 280,000 134,000 PRIMEX CORP 2.12 2.14 2.13 2.14 2.08 2.14 1,441,000 3,057,320 RL COMM RT 7.75 7.87 7.75 7.89 7.58 7.75 3,526,200 27,165,071 ROBINSONS LAND 18.7 18.76 18.2 18.84 18.2 18.7 4,813,200 89,591,458 ROCKWELL 1.45 1.5 1.45 1.5 1.45 1.5 251,000 374,670 STA LUCIA LAND 2.74 2.9 2.9 2.93 2.9 2.91 50,000 145,700 SM PRIME HLDG 38.3 38.5 36.9 38.7 36.9 38.5 16,987,200 651,475,635 VISTAMALLS 3.7 3.82 3.85 3.85 3.7 3.7 3,000 11,250 VISTA LAND 3.31 3.38 3.34 3.4 3.25 3.31 83,458,000 274,664,080

SERVICES ABS CBN 13.42 13.48 13.1 13.48 13 13.48 95,800 1,279,578 GMA NETWORK 14.5 14.52 14.12 14.6 14.12 14.52 531,800 7,667,640 MANILA BULLETIN 0.41 0.435 0.43 0.435 0.43 0.435 70,000 30,350 GLOBE TELECOM 2,788 2,790 2,750 2,810 2,730 2,790 140,185 390,380,280 PLDT 1,808 1,810 1,760 1,819 1,760 1,810 113,010 203,694,575 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.064 0.065 0.063 0.065 0.062 0.065 46,530,000 2,971,300 CONVERGE 27.55 27.6 26.3 27.7 25.65 27.55 22,420,200 610,247,180 DFNN INC 2.26 2.29 2.26 2.26 2.25 2.25 250,000 562,520 DITO CME HLDG 5.76 5.77 5.62 5.85 5.62 5.77 14,695,900 84,827,387 NOW CORP 1.25 1.28 1.25 1.3 1.24 1.28 1,522,000 1,921,420 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.4 0.405 0.41 0.41 0.395 0.405 4,250,000 1,713,050 2GO GROUP 7.36 7.4 7.4 7.42 7.4 7.4 2,700 19,984 ASIAN TERMINALS 14 14.2 14 14.2 14 14.2 77,800 1,093,310 CHELSEA 1.75 1.76 1.75 1.76 1.68 1.75 580,000 996,740 CEBU AIR 45.95 46 44.65 46.1 44.65 46 355,500 16,214,595 INTL CONTAINER 216.6 217.8 212.4 218 212.4 217.8 712,240 153,823,198 LBC EXPRESS 23.35 23.4 23 23.45 23 23.35 9,600 224,125 MACROASIA 5.68 5.7 5.45 5.72 5.44 5.7 1,094,400 6,182,208 HARBOR STAR 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 9,000 7,380 DISCOVERY WORLD 1.73 1.77 1.73 1.73 1.73 1.73 1,000 1,730 WATERFRONT 0.48 0.495 0.495 0.495 0.48 0.495 222,000 108,885 IPEOPLE 6.8 7.29 6.81 6.81 6.8 6.8 2,300 15,652 STI HLDG 0.335 0.345 0.34 0.345 0.335 0.345 50,000 16,950 BELLE CORP 1.35 1.37 1.37 1.37 1.34 1.37 899,000 1,204,720 BLOOMBERRY 6.53 6.55 6.25 6.55 6.25 6.55 46,208,800 299,512,894 LEISURE AND RES 1.6 1.61 1.58 1.61 1.58 1.6 694,000 1,107,630 PH RESORTS GRP 0.89 0.9 0.84 0.9 0.84 0.89 2,719,000 2,408,980 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.435 0.44 0.44 0.445 0.44 0.44 8,610,000 3,797,400 PHIL RACING 5.2 6.94 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 130,000 676,000 PHILWEB 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.16 2.04 2.14 757,000 1,594,720 ALLDAY 0.54 0.55 0.53 0.55 0.52 0.54 30,791,000 16,571,100 BERJAYA 5.7 5.74 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.7 5,600 31,920 ALLHOME 8.56 8.75 8.68 8.78 8.4 8.75 1,221,200 10,488,776 METRO RETAIL 1.42 1.43 1.4 1.42 1.4 1.42 111,000 157,100 PUREGOLD 36.1 36.15 36 36.7 35.5 36.15 853,900 30,849,930 ROBINSONS RTL 59.6 59.8 58.7 60.45 58.7 59.8 1,307,050 78,049,726 PHIL SEVEN CORP 83.6 86 84.25 87 83 83.6 940 78,524.50 SSI GROUP 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.1 1.14 859,000 964,370 WILCON DEPOT 27.05 27.3 27 27.5 26.85 27.05 850,300 22,968,335 APC GROUP 0.234 0.239 0.239 0.239 0.234 0.234 30,000 7,070 EASYCALL 4 4.2 4.02 4.02 3.98 3.98 6,000 24,080 MEDILINES 1.04 1.05 1.03 1.05 1.02 1.05 1,060,000 1,102,660 PAXYS 1.89 1.98 1.89 1.89 1.89 1.89 10,000 18,900 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.72 0.73 0.71 0.74 0.68 0.73 45,764,000 32,741,380 SBS PHIL CORP 4.15 4.25 4.15 4.15 4.15 4.15 1,000 4,150

MINING & OIL

ATOK 5.83 5.85 6 6 5.78 6 300 1,778 APEX MINING 1.65 1.66 1.66 1.68 1.6 1.66 4,774,000 7,813,160 ATLAS MINING 6.47 6.5 6.38 6.58 6.34 6.5 904,400 5,795,888 BENGUET A 4.8 5.28 5.2 5.28 5.2 5.28 2,100 10,928 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 220,000 57,200 CENTURY PEAK 2.6 2.69 2.64 2.69 2.6 2.63 617,000 1,605,690 DIZON MINES 5.03 5.38 4.96 5.38 4.96 5.38 3,000 14,922 FERRONICKEL 2.48 2.49 2.44 2.48 2.41 2.48 6,269,000 15,442,550 GEOGRACE 0.198 0.204 0.197 0.198 0.197 0.198 280,000 55,180 LEPANTO A 0.153 0.154 0.154 0.155 0.15 0.153 19,640,000 2,994,650 LEPANTO B 0.152 0.155 0.156 0.156 0.156 0.156 400,000 62,400 MANILA MINING A 0.0097 0.0098 0.0097 0.0097 0.0096 0.0097 23,000,000 222,900 MARCVENTURES 1.58 1.59 1.48 1.6 1.48 1.58 8,484,000 13,256,130 NIHAO 0.97 1 0.96 1 0.96 0.97 22,000 21,540 NICKEL ASIA 7.08 7.09 6.85 7.1 6.85 7.09 22,169,300 155,242,635 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.86 0.87 0.83 0.86 0.81 0.86 751,000 636,810 PX MINING 5.5 5.51 5.54 5.57 5.45 5.51 1,378,400 7,586,600 SEMIRARA MINING 26 26.1 26.05 26.5 25.9 26.1 1,360,700 35,653,990 UNITED PARAGON 0.007 0.0071 0.0069 0.007 0.0069 0.007 31,000,000 214,200 ACE ENEXOR 27.65 27.7 26.5 28.9 26.15 27.7 778,500 21,623,175 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 60,400,000 724,900 ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 100,000 1,200 PHILODRILL 0.0091 0.0092 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 4,000,000 36,400 PXP ENERGY 5.73 5.8 5.71 5.8 5.7 5.73 223,200 1,274,850

PREFFERED AC PREF B2R 505 511 505 505 505 505 100 50,500 BRN PREF A 105 105.5 105 105 105 105 750 78,750 CEB PREF 45.3 45.95 45.15 45.95 45.15 45.95 14,600 665,035 CPG PREF A 100.5 102 101.5 102 100.6 100.6 12,500 1,260,000 DD PREF 100.2 100.3 100.7 100.7 100.2 100.3 28,930 2,901,721 EEI PREF A 105.6 106.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 500 53,250 EEI PREF B 110 110.5 110 110.5 110 110.5 3,210 354,430 FGEN PREF G 103.1 104 103.1 104 103.1 104 410 42,280 GTCAP PREF A 998 1,010 1,000 1,000 998 998 250 249,820 GTCAP PREF B 1,020 1,043 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,000 1,020,000 JFC PREF A 1,000 1,004 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 10 10,000 MWIDE PREF 4 100 100.5 100 100.5 100 100.5 1,750 175,025 PNX PREF 3B 100.5 101 101 101 100.5 100.5 19,070 1,922,560 PNX PREF 4 991 992 992 997 992 992 1,820 1,806,510 PCOR PREF 3A 1,050 1,069 1,069 1,069 1,069 1,069 195 208,455 SFI PREF 1.45 1.97 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 6,000 8,700 SMC PREF 2F 77.7 78 77.6 78 77.6 77.8 14,100 1,096,392 SMC PREF 2H 75.75 76 76.6 76.6 75.75 75.75 33,140 2,510,823.50 SMC PREF 2I 78.85 78.9 78.9 78.9 76.45 78.85 26,000 2,014,755 SMC PREF 2J 76.5 77.5 76.4 76.4 76.4 76.4 2,750 210,100 TECH PREF B2D 54.05 55 54.55 55 54.55 55 66,710 3,660,550

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 12.12 12.5 12.4 12.5 12.4 12.5 250,000 3,112,500 GMA HLDG PDR 14 14.12 14.02 14.12 14 14 118,900 1,669,334

WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.95 0.96 0.89 0.96 0.89 0.96 1,029,000 972,210

197,770,640 -11,475,850 -3,000 -7,402,085 18,000 -1,294,040 -5,855,083 82,150 -209,565 -3,834,230 372,916 -42,000 21,821,290 -21,404,280 -2,064,400 -11,653,306 -41,775,810 365,001,170 -7,637,610 -113,282,930 80,592,220 125,050 56,079,255 22,500 1,445,168 -203,410 281,740 27,319,030 235,739 10,250 133,915,331 526,540 -4,500 -2,716,250 -502,170 108,660 2,314,426 2,395,105 9,150,220.50 -75,161 -49,210 -4,878,055 -18,900 30,030 -600 1,371,610 1,919,730 31,520 -7,950 210 28,360,094 119,280 -3,052,422 -3,504,275 425,075 -37,900 () -1,025,686

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP HAUS TALK ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART XURPAS

17.46 1.13 1.06 2.94 2.13 0.42

17.48 1.14 1.09 3 2.14 0.425

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

113

113.3

17.52 1.17 1.04 3.01 2.09 0.41

17.6 1.19 1.09 3.29 2.21 0.425

17.46 1.14 1.04 2.9 2.09 0.41

17.48 1.14 1.09 2.9 2.13 0.425

35,300 5,004,000 200,000 27,000 2,252,000 1,300,000

617,902 5,760,960 214,070 84,510 4,856,160 544,250

80,220 -29,754 129,600 3,160 194,450 -

112 113.3 111.5 113.3 7,430 837,980 21,415

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Next administration urged to focus on clean energy

E

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

nergy Development Corp.

(EDC) is hopeful that the next administration will continue to give focus on renewables as the country has begun a gradual transition from coal to clean power.

EDC Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Erwin Avante recognized the support of the current administration in implementing mechanisms that encourages investors to further increase their renewable energy (RE) capacity.

“We are very hopeful that the next administration will be able to continue whatever the current administration has as far as supporting the renewable energy. The current administration is very supportive of RE and actually they’ve put in place a lot of frameworks.

Hopefully, they will be able to continue that and probably consider more to better ease the transition to more RE moving forward,” he said during the Public-Private Collaboration event on Wednesday.

Despite the moratorium on new coal power projects, Avante stressed the need to “accelerate the retirement of coal plants and expand the coal moratorium.”

“But I think talking about transitioning to cleaner energy, we need to address the elephant in the room which is coal. GHG [greenhouse

gas] emission of Philippines, over 50 percent comes from the energy sector and a big contributor of that is because of the energy mix.

If you look at the power generation mix of the country in 2015, about mid-40s is coal and by 2020, it increased to about mid-50s, about 54 percent. Carbon footprint of coal plant versus geothermal, it is seven times more,” Avante said.

The Philippines declared a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants last year.

“With the coal moratorium, it actually provided exemptions on plants that are in the pipeline or are in the planning stage right now. So, we could see a situation that even by 2040, we will still have about 10 GW of coal installed capacity,” he said.

While the Department of Energy (DOE) stressed its commitment to support the global effort to transition gradually from coal to clean power remains a priority, it did not commit to phase out coal power projects in the country during the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

Avante recognized the recent announcement of the Department of Finance about a multi-billion dollar Asian Development Bank-backed facility for energy transition mechanism that would hasten the retirement of coal plants and increase investments in RE. “A lot of foreign banks and some local banks made a public declaration to stop funding coal. That is very crucial.”

In the updated Energy Plan 20202040, the DOE is aiming to make renewable energy account for 35 percent of the Philippine energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.

“We cannot behave like developed economies since we are a developing country. Nonetheless, we remain committed to a gradual transition to renewable energy.

Immediate transition will entail additional cost so we must strike a healthy balance in protecting our consumers and our economy and our quest for a cleaner environment,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

GCash offers more lending options mutual funds

February 16, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

233.98

5.8%

-4.35%

-1.3%

0.38%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.5259

14.56%

-0.9%

1.8%

-8.31%

-8.08%

-4.1%

-0.01%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2375

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

G

Cash is capitalizing on the uniquely-Filipino behavior of buying products through installment—colloquially called “gives”—to expand its suite of financial services.

In a statement, GCash President Martha Sazon said the new service called GGives allows users to buy big-ticket items and pay for them in installment payments.

Users may use the service for purchases of up to P30,000 with terms of up to 24 installments.

“GCash’s new lending features, such as GLoan and GGives, are tailor-made for Filipinos’ purchasing behaviors, such as installment pay or hulugan. This is because it allows them to have enough freedom to maximize their money while still getting to enjoy what they want and need,” Sazon said.

GLoan is a similar service al-

lows users to borrow cash.

“With GLoan and GGives, Filipinos now have access to safe and efficient credit services that offer fair and transparent interest rates, to help them cope with these challenging times,” added Sazon.

The company introduced these two services, after its pioneering credit service GCredit served 1 million borrowers in 2021, disbursing P1 billion last year.

GCash is the largest mobile wallet in the Philippines with over 46 million users. “ We have enjoyed massive growth in our financial services through innovative fintech solutions and strategic partnerships, regardless of licenses. We also have the edge on experience and technology as we’ve been promoting financial services since we started. We have a very positive growth outlook in the years to come,” Sazon said.

5.94%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7592 -2.18%

-6.98% n.a.

0.36%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7463 5.34%

-5.17% n.a.

-3.19%

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

8.44%

-2.19%

0.49%

0.56%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

5.2115

0.7823

9.4%

-4.06%

-2.97%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

-6.26%

-8.83% n.a.

-1.63%

92.89

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.8641

5.01%

-3.03%

0.13%

-0.55%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

502.47

5.59%

-2.81%

-0.28%

0.36%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3647

19.09%

1.08%

2.41%

0.62%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.7065

8.31%

-1.93%

1.19%

0.3%

0.9522

7.67%

-2.96% n.a.

1.15%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.9491

6.12%

-2.27%

0.85%

-0.24%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

824.43

5.66%

-2.36%

0.77%

-0.49%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7522

6.8%

-6.15%

-2.24%

-0.05%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7648

6.64%

-4.47%

-0.56%

-0.28%

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

0.9392

5.2%

-2.7%

0.53%

5.7%

-2.53%

1.26%

-0.05%

United Fund, Inc. -a

3.4356

-0.13%

-0.56%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.1821

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

11.63% n.a. n.a.

1.67%

1012.02 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

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

111.1351

6.11%

-2.1%

1.28%

-0.31%

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

$1.1012

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.6988

-19.09%

3.55%

4%

-2.25%

-5.9%

11.49%

9.43%

-7.99%

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

1.6681

0.45%

-1.19%

-0.48%

-1.41%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.278

1.38%

-0.58%

0.08%

-0.15%

4.67%

0.55%

1.67%

0.32%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6997

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2098

7.76% n.a. n.a.

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

2.0174

3.34%

1.76%

2.05%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7602

0.97%

1.08%

0.89%

-0.13%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.8375

1.04%

0.71%

0.85%

-0.05%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.126

2.94%

-0.45%

0.74%

0.22%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6329 3.14%

-1.74%

0.23%

-0.39%

-0.4%

0.75%

0.16%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.9557

8.96%

0.38%

0.03%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

0.9741

-3.23%

-0.71% n.a.

-1.59%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.9364

0.98%

-1.89% n.a.

-0.86%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.9259

1.76%

-2.24% n.a.

-0.86%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares)

Toyota, Denso jump after supplier joins chip project

T

oyota Motor Corp. and supplier Denso Corp. rose Wednesday after the latter announced it is investing in a venture to build a semiconductor plant in Japan, easing concerns about the supply of key vehicle components.

Toyota and Denso jumped as much as 2 percent and 3.2 percent in Tokyo, respectively, the most in a week for both.

Denso said Tuesday it will invest $350 million in a joint venture with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Sony Group Corp. overseeing a chip factory that will be built in Japan’s southwestern Kumamoto prefecture.

Global shortages of semiconductors and other parts have been restricting automakers’ ability to produce cars. The disruptions will weigh on vehicle production world-

wide through the end of this year and push a broader market recovery into 2023, according to a recent report by Fitch Solutions.

For Toyota, Denso’s move will help mitigate the risk of supply-chain disruptions and help it produce cars in a more stable fashion, Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Tatsuo Yoshida said. “It’s a positive sign for other automakers too that parts supply from Denso will stabilize.”

Denso earlier this month cut its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year through March, citing the revenue hit from automobile production cuts.

Denso will take a stake of more than 10 percent in the chip-making venture. Construction of the factory is slated to begin this year and production will start by the end of 2024. Bloomberg News

Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03601

-7.36%

0.32%

0.42%

-5.09%

-11.73%

2.82%

2.91%

-0.38%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.5024 -5.74%

8.07%

6.89%

-6.24%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.1407 -5.88%

3.79%

3.21%

-4.83%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.063

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

374.23

0.68%

2.72%

2.47%

-0.02%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8863

-0.99%

0.45%

-0.02%

0.08%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2463

0.88%

2.78%

3.78%

0.07%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2327

-2.72%

1.32%

1.26%

-0.83%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4208 -1.1%

2.83%

1.78%

-0.21%

3.6%

1.29%

-0.93%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.3549

-5.94%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3211

-0.1%

3.67%

2.85%

0.15%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9597

-0.36%

3.45%

2.6%

-0.15%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0235

-1.38%

3.99%

1.91%

-0.46%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1837

-0.6%

3.99%

3.08%

-0.12%

-1.19%

3.16%

2.43%

-0.2%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

1.7271

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

$487.47

0.41%

2.64%

2.31%

-0.43%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є217.83

-0.82%

0.54%

0.82%

-0.99%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1553

-9.02%

-4.04%

0.27%

0.84%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0254 -3.79%

0.53%

0.4%

-2.31%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

-2.21%

-1.58%

-4.29% -4.63%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$0.9789

-10.31%

$2.3898

-5.61%

2.5%

1.77%

$0.061626

-1.58%

2.41%

1.68%

-1.07%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.0079 -6.3%

0.95%

0.51%

-5.89%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

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

131.36

1.02%

2.6%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.0593

0.95%

2.54%

1.88% n.a.

0.13%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3181

1.49%

2.48%

2.52%

0.15%

0.19%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0614

0.71%

1.37% n.a.

0.08%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

46.1673 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.3211

11.18% n.a. n.a.

-4.47%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.9299

-7.01% n.a. n.a.

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

-4.13%

d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.).

2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

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

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

India’s FM, Locsin tackle trade, health, defense in Mla meeting

L

LOCSIN (right) and Jaishankar DFA

INKAGES between the Philippines and India continued their upward trajectory as their two foreign ministers led a bilateral meeting on Tuesday morning.

Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. welcomed Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) headquarters for the latter’s first visit to Manila—his only stop in Southeast Asia—after gracing

the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue–Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Australia.

In their meeting, the foreign ministers took stock of the two countries’ bilateral relations and discussed their current and future direction. The talks covered cooperation in health, trade and investments, science and technology, defense and security, as well as tourism. They also exchanged views on current regional and global issues.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the impact of the pandemic in the region—including ways the Philippines and India could work together to promote economic recovery during the pandemic.

According to the DFA, Jaishankar’s official trip is an affirmation of the robust ties between the Philippines and India, as both countries prepare for closer interaction in the post-pandemic world.

There are about 1,300 Filipinos working and residing in India, while there are more than 120,000 Indian nationals who have made the Philippines their home.

Filipino, French startups pitch novel biz ideas to solve salient issues amid ‘Covid’

By Roderick L. Abad

N

INE new business players in the Philippines and France presented their innovative concepts from health, fitness, real estate and machine-learning solutions to potential investors at the virtual Startup Pitch Competition launched recently by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, in partnership with La French Tech Philippines and Digital Pilipinas.

The competition aims to provide an avenue for Filipino and French startups to propose ways on solv-

ing many of the main issues now confronting the country, in the backdrop of the health crisis.

“This pitching contest is an illustration of a continuous action of the French chamber to link Filipino and French businesses,” said Ambassador of France to the Philippines Michèle Boccoz.

“Amid the…pandemic, it is the best time for us to see what [areas need] our attention, and how businesses can help. Innovation and creativity brought by startups are crucial,” she added.

During the competition, startups were able to pitch to multiple inves-

tors, which provided them valuable exposure and invaluable feedback.

The chamber’s managing director Marie-Maylis Charlat expected that the contest could provide a platform for early-stage startups to network with investors and, eventually, secure funding to accelerate their business.

“We hope to create a platform for startups and investors to meet, [while] the audience can also engage themselves by meeting each other,” Charlat said.

The contest proved the way the Philippines, like France, is endowed with innovative business ideas that

need further support from investors.

Turning these concepts into realities will further strengthen the local startup ecosystem. Boccoz noted it has been experiencing notable growth in recent years.

In fact, the envoy cited Core Venture Capital’s study that revealed $858 million-worth of funds raised from January to October 2021, or 97.83 percent of the total equity raised from 2017 to 2020.

“The Philippines ended 2021 as the fastest-growing Internet economy in Southeast Asia, posting a gain of 93 percent from 2020,” the envoy confirmed.

Thursday, February 17, 2022

B3

PHL, UK deepen collaboration pacts in 3rd economic dialogue RODOLFO (left) and Beaufils TWITTER: @DTIBITR

T

HE Philippines and the United Kingdom (UK) convened the third installment of their economic dialogue led by Ambassador Laure Beaufils and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo.

The virtual dialogue on February 9 witnessed the shared commitment of both countries to build back better from the pandemic and pursue mutual prosperity in key areas covering economic reform, green infrastructure, human development and digital economy, as well as to deepen cooperation in priority sectors such as manufacturing and innovation.

Further recognizing shared efforts toward boosting bilateral trade and investments, both sides agreed to continue coordination on trade policy, regional trade interests and multilateral engagement, in addition to a regular dialogue on market-access issues and investment opportunities.

With more than 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UK, the third economic dialogue was the first manifestation of the new Enhanced Partnership agreed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and UK’s Secretary Liz Truss in November 2021. Rodolfo remarked: “The UK is [our] key trade, investment, and cooperation partner…Given the importance of international collaboration, especially in global-health response and economic-recovery efforts in view of the pandemic, we [cite] the complementarities…

both our countries can capitalize on toward this end.”

Beaufils also underscored her country’s commitment to deepen inclusive and sustainable economicdevelopment ties with the Philippines, while exploring ways for regional opportunities in light of the UK’s conferment as Asean dialogue partner, as well as the Philippines’s role as Asean Economic Coordinator for the former.

The envoy stated: “The Philippines is a very important and valued partner for us. We are committed to pursuing deeper collaboration with [it] and enabling great integration in the Asean region. We will do this in areas of common interest, and deliver tangible results to the benefits of both of our countries and their citizens.”

Both countries reaffirmed the outcomes of the third economic dialogue through a Joint Partnership Statement that highlights their commitment to continue working with each other to promote mutual development of the Philippines and the UK in various areas and sectors toward post-pandemic economic recovery.

According to the British Embassy in Manila, these include support for key economic reforms that enable strong bilateral and regional linkages, capacity building, and sharing of expertise and best practices between both countries, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Philippine Development Plan.

US hands over Cessna Skylarks to PHL Navy

‘Odette’ response, recovery initiatives persist via Japan, SoKor’s aid to UNDP

T

HE Republic of Korea (ROK, or South Korea) has pledged to support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s relief and recovery efforts in areas affected

by Typhoon Odette (international name Rai). The linkup will focus on sending speedy relief and long-term resilience-building to impacted communities in Dinagat Islands.

To date the local agriculture sector has incurred an estimated damage worth almost P16 billion, while damage to infrastructure has reached over P17 billion. “Odette” also left 1.4 million damaged houses and displaced around 339,000 people.

In the aftermath of the typhoon, electricity and water services were severely affected. From the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest report, electricity in 82 percent of the reported affected areas have been restored, while 74 percent of the reported affected areas still have limited access to water supply.

Supporting UNDP’s initiative, ROK has provided $300,000 to help rebuild shelters in some provinces.

Selected beneficiaries will be trained to reconstruct houses with typhooncore shelter designs that could stand strong winds and floods.

Recognizing the Philippines’s high vulnerability to natural disasters, the UNDP has also invested $650,000 in the response and resilience work in Odette-hit areas, particularly for Cebu, Siargao and Dinagat Islands. The UN agency will apply a risk-informed re-

covery and resilience plan, as well as a community-based and human security approach to help local government units (LGUs) and communities cope with the compounded crises, aggravated further by the current pandemic.

UNDP also linked with the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Resilient Government Emergency Communications Office to restore key connectivity-information structure and of emergency telecommunications services for government responders and communities in affected areas. “[We focus on supporting corrective measures reducing] the existing level of risks,” UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran said. “We are working hand-in-hand with key government agencies and LGUs to enhance their capacities in risk management to reduce vulnerability and exposure to threats and hazards. We also want to strengthen the aspect of digital governance to make social services more accessible to people, especially in the events of natural calamity.”

Through its steadfast partners, UNDP will continue to bring together recovery, humanitarian and development approaches to provide lasting solutions to the needs of communities most vulnerable to the exacerbated effects of climate change and extreme weather events.

Japan govt, firms support

MEANWHILE, Japan’s government

and businesses based in the Philippines have teamed up to support Typhoon Odette relief efforts as their response to immediate needs and assistance to livelihood recovery in affected areas.

Announced on January 14, the Japanese government’s emergency grant aid of $13 million (P663 million) will provide aid through multiple international organizations in their implementation of humanitarian assistance for survivors in central and southern parts of the country.

Said aid is granted to international organizations, which include the World Food Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the International Organization for Migration. These agencies will focus on different areas of assistance such as food, shelter, nonfood items, health, as well as water and sanitation.

Prior to this, Japan’s government initially provided relief goods and supplies through the Japan International Cooperation Agency on December 23, 2021. Relief goods and supplies were distributed in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

In addition to the aforementioned assistance, various leading Japanese companies based in the Philippines have donated relief money and supplies to contribute to efforts of the local government and “help uplift the

lives of our Filipino friends,” according to the Embassy of Japan.

Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa expressed appreciation for the solidarity of Japanese firms, with hopes that the support will result in immediate recovery. He also highlighted that, on top of the long-standing amicable relations between the two countries, shared adversity and empathy are strong motivations to provide aid.

“As nations prone to natural disasters, Japan and the Philippines have shared experiences with calamities like [“Odette. We strongly sympathize with the situation faced by the victims, and hope that the aid] of the Japanese community will be a catalyst for recovery. Japan will remain steadfast in our commitment to support the Philippines during this most difficult time,” averred Koshikawa.

Similarly, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines Inc.’s President Keiichi Matsunaga expressed his sympathies to victims of the typhoon and their families. Signifying unwavering support of Japanese enterprises to aid devastated communities for early recovery, he expressed hopes that the assistance will help meet the needs of people and businesses in affected areas.

“We are the staunchest supporters of the Philippines with greater opportunities and possibilities, and we will continue to be reliable and trustworthy business partners in the years to come,” Matsunaga affirmed.

DEFENSE Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana (foreground, left) and Chargé d’affaires ad interim Heather Variava US EMBASSY

T

HE United States turned over four Cessna 172 Skylark planes to the Philippine Naval Air Wing based in Sangley Point, Cavite on February 10 as part of a P298.1-million ($5.8 million) grant under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.

The Cessna planes will be used to train new naval aviators, as well as maintain skills of current pilots and the technical expertise of aviation mechanics.

“This project displays [our commitment to] Philippine partners to invest in their long-term success,” said US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava. “Together, [both countries] will continue to make great strides in the pursuit of a free and open maritime environment.”

The delivery completed the transfer of the four Cessna planes that arrived and were reassembled on location in December 2021. Prior to the aircraft’s handover, the US provided pilot and mechanic training to 24 Philippine service members in Kansas City in August

and September 2021.

The entire package also included the shipment of spare parts and an integral logistics-support package.

It will conclude with the scheduled delivery of three US-sourced Robinson R44 helicopters in late 2022.

“These air assets will significantly improve the navy’s ability to prepare naval pilots for the crucial task of monitoring and safeguarding our maritime territories and domain,” said Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana. “As we rejoice over this milestone, we also recognize the productive and enduring relationship between the US and the Philippines, which is the key to the success of this acquisition program.”

Lorenzana added: “We acknowledge our shared commitment to help preserve the peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.”

In the last two years the US has provided P5.65 billion ($110 million) in grant assistance through FMF, specifically to support the Philippines’s sovereignty and modernization efforts.

B4

Show BusinessMirror

Thursday, February 17, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ed Sheeran, 31; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 41; Billie Joe Armstrong, 50; Denise Richards, 51.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Stay on target. Focus on what you want to achieve. Express your desires, and explore your options. Take the initiative and change whatever isn’t working for you into something that promotes enthusiasm and success. Put your heart, soul and intelligence into what you want. It’s up to you to strive for peace and happiness. Live life your way. Your numbers are 6, 17, 22, 24, 31, 35, 46.

NOT THE PERFECT HUSBAND

THE TV host seems to have the perfect marriage because her husband is deemed as ideal. But is he really? Prior to recent events, the husband didn’t have a permanent source of income. In fact, his wife supports his family as even his siblings are jobless.

That’s not all. He is also reportedly a womanizer and it’s been rumored that he had an affair with an actress. But that’s over as the husband reportedly has a mistress. The relationship is very strong that it’s lasted for two years. The mistress is an open secret among the guy’s friends and they’ve all connived to conceal her presence from the TV host. They say ignorance is bliss and it seems to be true in her case.

Recent events, however, have brought the TV host and her husband together. The husband has realized that she’s an asset and that he has to have her in his corner.

DEADBEAT

THE businessman was considered a prize catch that a celebrity trained her eye on him even when he was still married. He and the celebrity are now married but he is no longer the prize catch that he was before.

His business is not going well and his relationship with the celebrity is frowned upon by the public.

But the celebrity continues with her projection of a happy and perfect family out of pride because public sympathy is on the side of her husband’s ex wife.

There are even rumors that the guy is so hard-up he can’t even pay child support to his ex. The celebrity is basically family provider although he did buy her a beautiful house when he was still rich.

MOUTHING OFF

SO many people think the controversial figure is very close to the powers-that-be and this is the reason why she herself is powerful. The truth is that her ex is a government official who really believes in her intelligence. This even when people tell him she’s nothing but trouble. He’s also been reprimanded a number of times by his bosses because of the controversial figure but he still always supports her. The girl likes running her mouth off. The controversial figure doesn’t even like him anymore.

To her, he’s just an ex-fling who’s convenient to have around. Her taste these days run to older but still sexy toughies.

SMART STARLET

THERE’S this lovely starlet who seems to be living the life, even during the pandemic, when many of her more popular colleagues are tightening their belts.

The starlet is not only lovely and sexy, but she is also smart. She’s always had a sugar daddy. She doesn’t sleep around; she always has just one sugar daddy in her life. Unlike other girls who’ll be dazzled by bags and clothes, the starlet prefers to invest her money in insurance, property and jewelry. She knows that she won’t be this gorgeous forever so she has a plan and a strategy. She also doesn’t indulge in romantic relationships. To her, these are a waste of time.

Prince Andrew to settle sex abuse case, donate to charity

By Larry Neumeister & Danica Kirka The Associated Press

trafficking as part of demonstrating his regret.

The tentative settlement comes weeks after Kaplan last month rejected the prince’s attempt to win an early dismissal of the lawsuit, meaning depositions and other evidence gathering could commence.

After Kaplan ruled, Andrew—who had already stepped back from royal duties—was stripped of his honorary military titles and roles and leadership of various charities, known as royal patronages. He also can no longer use the title “his royal highness” in official settings.

The decision was an effort to insulate the House of Windsor from the fallout from potentially years of sordid headlines if the lawsuit moved forward.

It came after more than 150 veterans and serving members of the armed forces asked the queen to strip her second son of his military titles, saying he had failed to live up to the “very highest standards of probity, honesty and honorable conduct” that are expected of British officers.

Mark Stephens, an international lawyer, said pressure from the royal family would have pushed Andrew to settle, particularly as Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee—or 70 years on the throne. The carefully worded settlement—in which Andrew admits only an unfortunate association with Epstein—allows him to save face, Stephens said.

“Essentially, what he’s done is throw himself on this judicial grenade to prevent wider damage to the royal family,’’ Stephens told The Associated Press.

“And I think he had no alternative but to settle because otherwise this case would have really overshadowed the Queen’s Jubilee, and we would have been hearing details of what he was alleged to have done with Virginia Giuffre. And all of that would have really caused problems for the royal family more broadly.”

Stephens estimated that Andrew paid around $10 million to settle, having gotten the cash after selling a ski chalet at a “fire sale’’ price. He speculated that the cash would be split into three unequal portions—with Guiffre, her lawyers and charities taking a piece.

Besides the settlement, Giuffre gets to champion her support of abuse victims, and avoid having to relive “this whole experience in the public circus of a courtroom,” he said.

“She’s been vindicated in the sense that Prince Andrew acknowledges that she’s a victim of sexual abuse,” Stephens said. The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they choose to come forward publicly, as Giuffre has. ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

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EW YORK—Britain’s Prince Andrew, accused in a lawsuit of sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl supplied to him by financier Jeffrey Epstein, has agreed to settle by making a substantial donation to his accuser’s charity and declaring he never meant to malign her character, a court filing revealed on Tuesday.

The deal avoids a trial that would have brought further embarrassment to the monarchy. Besides the undisclosed donation to Virginia Giuffre’s charity, it says Andrew acknowledges she has suffered as an abuse victim. It did not specify whether Giuffre would personally receive money as part of the settlement.

Attorney David Boies, representing Giuffre, told the New York federal judge overseeing the case in a letter that a settlement in principle had been reached and lawyers on both sides would request a dismissal of the lawsuit within a month.

Andrew’s lawyer did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan said he would suspend the case until March 17, when he might set a trial date if the lawyers don’t ask for a dismissal by then.

Giuffre, 38, sued Andrew in August. The American accused the British royal of sexually abusing her while she traveled with Epstein.

Andrew strenuously denied Giuffre’s allegations and attempted to get the lawsuit tossed earlier this year.

Attached to the letter from Boies was a statement that read: “Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out of court settlement. The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms. Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement [the sum of which is not being disclosed].”

“Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights. Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre’s character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks.”

According to the statement, Prince Andrew acknowledged that Epstein trafficked “countless young girls” over many years and said the prince “regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms. Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others.”

He also pledged to support the victims of sex

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Focus on what must get done. Don’t let others’ changes or uncertainty upset you or cause you to secondguess what you are doing. Stick to your game plan, and make the most of your day. Remain calm and make healthy decisions. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Do as you please, even if you face opposition. Satisfy your needs, and you’ll feel empowered. An unusual connection with someone will surface if you take the road less traveled. Listen and learn, but in the end, do things your way. HHHHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take a step back if someone interferes. Reset your plans and start over. Control your emotions and put on a happy face, regardless of what others do. Set your sights on your pursuit and don’t stop until you reach your destination. HH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Tidy up around the house, and you’ll feel more at home and relaxed in your environment. Decluttering your space will help you sort through what you can donate or sell. Keeping the necessities and knowing where they are will ease stress. HHHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t take a gamble.

Stick to what you are familiar with, and avoid the nuances that surface with uncertainty.

Don’t feel the need to step into the spotlight unless you are prepared to take on more responsibility. For now, observe and plan. HHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Do whatever it takes to implement change. Move into high gear, and pull in those you know you can count on to do a good job. An unusual suggestion will help you reach your goal. Romance is favored. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Put an end to a situation that isn’t healthy or in your best interest. Question what you are doing and what you want to do next. Don’t take your eyes off the goal you want to achieve. Discipline is required. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Be open to other people’s opinions, but don’t give up your beliefs. Take what you hear, learn and experience, and formulate a unique plan. Once you pick a path, others will follow. Personal growth is within reach. HHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be careful who you trust and believe. Verify facts, and be willing to do the work yourself to avoid unnecessary expenses and putting yourself in a vulnerable position. Use your intellect, and avoid people and situations that are emotionally draining. HH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take on whatever comes your way with enthusiasm. Don’t wait for others to act; be the first to strike, and make your position clear to anyone who wants to mess with your plans. HHHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Nurture relationships. Recognize what others want and need from you, and it will be easier to get what you want in return. Don’t feel pressured to agree with everything others say. Look for common interests, and you’ll find a way to relate. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Come up with a plan and follow through. The saying “Go big or go home” will encourage you to outdo anyone or anything that wants to compete. You don’t have to change anything; be yourself and do your best.

Romance is encouraged. HHH

DANICA KIRKA REPORTED FROM LONDON.

BIRTHDAY BABY: You are friendly, accommodating and unusual.

You are trendy and energetic.

‘poof!’ BY ADRIAN JOHNSON The Universal Crossword/Edited by Amanda Rafkin

ACROSS 1 Shoot an air ball, perhaps 5 Airport vehicles 9 Black jack, half the time 13 Wild way to run 14 Tons 15 Come about 16 Garment worn in Bengaluru 17 Regan’s regal father 18 West pointers, sometimes?

19 Dry run of a precollege exam 22 Strive (for) 23 Took a risk 24 Radiologists’ imaging devices 28 Just ___ water 31 Drag queens’ neckwear 32 Down Under hopper 33 Undesirable low interest?

35 In a position to help 36 Dog collar attachment 39 Skin concern for a teen 40 Head lock?

42 Brew that may be hazy 43 Let off steam

44 45 49 51 52

Largest ethnic group in China Moment of liftoff, usually Tire or escalator part Styling product Magician’s feat, and a hint to the starts of 19-, 24- and 45-Across 59 Behind the times 60 271 square miles, for Micronesia 61 Rights advocacy grp.

62 Curling item 63 Lender’s holding 64 Utah national park 65 Pulls, as a vehicle 66 Seasoning in savory lassi 67 Upper hand DOWN 1 Dough for tamales 2 Big Apple purchase?

3 Put into groups 4 Tickets to access the slopes 5 Fried squid dish 6 Name that anagrams to “Clea” 7 Word after “life” or “dream” 8 Big step

9 10 11 12 15 20 21 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 34 37 38 41 46 47 48 50 52 53

Fruit-shipping box One may do the Macarena Slicing and dicing, e.g., for a knife Inferior to none Opposed (to) ___ Flair Drip (2018 rap hit) Toy that may be remote-controlled Snake with a hood Grade school variety performance Nonverbally agree Out of office “I haven’t the faintest idea” Food regimen Relaxing soak Practice self-absorbed introspection Kwik-E-Mart operator Saturn, for one Unforested Eurasian plain Dora’s navigational companion Exemplary standards Meditative sect of Buddhism Falls in drops Bite the ___ (lose) Really digging

54 55 56 57 58

Piece that a diva practices Film spool The “A” of DNA Plumber’s woe Make less sharp, say?

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Parentlife BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Thursday, February 17, 2022

B5

PHOTO BY MI PHAM ON UNSPLASH

5 tips to keep you protected in your day-to-day life EVEN in today’s modern world, we’re still constantly surrounded by dangers and threats to our safety— these can happen to anyone and usually when we least expect it. While we tend to focus on the more obvious or larger-scale threats to our safety, we must not forget the day-to-day dangers that we must continue protecting ourselves from. Being able to protect yourself from looming dangers in any situation can be both a confidence booster and a welcome reassurance to your overall well-being.

One of the country’s leading insurance providers, AXA Philippines (axa.com.ph/rescue-line) suggests these six tips you can practice to help you protect yourself better daily. n BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. An easy way to avoid potential threats is to be vigilant about your surroundings, for both threats posed by living beings such as criminals or stray animals, or inanimate ones such as hazardous zones like open manholes. Avoid wearing earphones and listening to music or scrolling through your phone while walking down the street, especially at night. n FIND ALTERNATIVE ROUTES. Street criminals like petty thieves usually rely on your routine to track you down and look for a time when you’re most vulnerable to an attack. That is why it’s important to change up your everyday routine. Try to be unpredictable by finding other streets or highways you can use when driving or commuting from home to work and back.

Always park your car in a well-lit area. n CARRY SELF-DEFENSE TOOLS. Another self-defense trick is to carry a whistle or a lightweight safety alarm that can be used to startle an attacker and attract the attention of anyone who may be within earshot and able to help. In addition to that, you can bring a pepper spray. Be sure to keep these in your pocket or an accessible place within reach so you can use them promptly in case of a threat. Your umbrella can also be a good self-defense weapon. Simply carrying it may deter an attacker. In fact, a form of martial art known as Bartitsu uses canes or umbrellas as its first line of defense. n PROACTIVELY PROTECT YOUR SPACE. Use powerful body language to communicate non-verbally that you’re strong and confident to fight for yourself if need be. Lift your head up, put your shoulders back, and make eye contact with people. If you’re at home, communicate with strangers without opening gates or doors. Always lock all doors and windows before bed and make sure your home is well-lit inside and out so you can see if there’s anyone trying to break in. n KEEP YOUR EMERGENCY NUMBERS READY. Nowadays, there are a lot of mobile applications that can help you in these kinds of unexpected and dangerous situations. One of them is the Emma

by AXA PH app, a free app that will connect you to various emergency services you may need—whether it be an ambulance, police assistance, roadside assistance, or even contacting the fire station nearest you. Just click the Rescue Line feature in the app and select the emergency service you need. You will automatically be connected to a Rescue Line operator who will obtain all the relevant details to help you with your emergency. You can also immediately notify your loved ones through SMS with the emergency contact alerts feature.

How recess helps students learn

By William Massey Oregon State University

S parents and schools seek to support students’ social and emotional needs— and teach them what they need to learn— some education leaders are missing one particularly effective opportunity.

The US Department of Education has offered guidance on how to help students navigate the stress and trauma of the pandemic and readjust to in-person schooling after long periods of closed schools. But as someone who studies recess in connection with child development, I couldn’t help but notice recess was missing from the federal guidance and from many local efforts to support students as the pandemic continues to unfold.

The physical activity and social connection that take place at recess help children’s brains work and develop properly by lowering their levels of stress, regulating their nervous system and allowing them to be more engaged once back in the classroom.

emotions. This makes it possible for people to follow instructions, use context clues to solve problems, pay attention and incorporate new information into existing knowledge. People with higher levels of executive function tend to perform better in school and feel better about themselves.

The brain function of a person under high levels of distress shifts to less advanced areas of the brain that handle more reactive behaviors.

This disrupts those executive functions and can make the person withdrawn, distractible or hyperactive. All of those can interfere with the person’s ability to learn.

This stress-related shift in brain function can also affect students’ motivation. Chronic, prolonged and unpredictable stress inhibits the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that helps people feel a sense of pleasure and reward during learning. In this state, learning challenges are likely to be perceived as threats, which will continue to activate more reactive brain regions and more deeply hurt the person’s ability to learn.

StreSS and the Brain THE brain function of a person in a calm state is largely governed by the prefrontal cortex, which handles what are often called “executive functions” and the ability to regulate behavior and

3 WayS receSS helpS learning THE opportunity to spend time outdoors playing is so important that the United Nations has declared it a right of every child. My research collaborators and I have found that when children have recess in a safe

A

environment that includes positive interactions with adults and peers, students have fewer problems with executive functions and better classroom behavior.

Brain science research supports this by showing how three different aspects of recess decrease stress and improve executive function, helping children learn more successfully throughout the school day. n My research shows kids get a large proportion of their outdoor and movement time at recess. We know that getting more physical activity at school is better for executive functions and can actually increase academic performance n My research also shows that recess is full of repetitive and patterned movements—running and chasing, swinging, playing ball games and jumping rope—which restore students' access to higherlevel brain functions. This is why multiple recess opportunities each day, at regular intervals, can improve students' attention, learning and overall well-being. n Recess is a time when kids can form meaningful relationships and practice social skills—which can be critical to success in school.

Research clearly shows the benefits of recess for children. Consistent, predictable recess time—even more than once a day—helps children reduce stress, form social connections at school and get their brains more ready to learn. THE CONVERSATION

Spread the love TOP global beauty brand The Body Shop customers helped spread the love to medical frontliners and Grab riders over the holidays.

In partnership with SM Cares, The Body Shop was able to spread the love to medical frontliners through The Body Shop’s Buy 1 Donate 1 Body Butter to a Medical Frontliner promotion.

A total of 1,500 Body Butters amounting to P1,275,000 were given to medical frontliners from 14 partner hospitals.

Hospital partners include Quezon City General Hospital, VRP Medical Center, The Medical City Pasig, San Juan De Dios Hospital, Las Piñas City Medical Center, Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center, University of Sto. Tomas Hospital, Manila Doctors Hospital, Mission Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Marikina Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, The Premier Medical Center, South Super Highway Medical Center, and Medical Center Parañaque.

❶

QUEZON City Gen. Hospital Doctor-on-Duty Representative Dr. Ruzzel Adraygo received The Body Shop’s Body Butters donation from SM City North Edsa Mall Manager Don Edward B. Vijandre and Carpark Operations Manager Frederick Ramos.

❷ VRP Medical Customers also shared the joy with 700 Grab riders through The Body Shop Call to Deliver orders made over the holidays. Through this, Grab riders received a Goldilocks Bitbit pack from The Body Shop.

The Body Shop continues to spread the love in the new year. The Body Shop stores can be found nationwide, plus an online store (www.thebodyshop.com. ph) and a Call-to-Deliver service at 0917-1800259.

Virus surge begins to overwhelm Hong Kong’s Covid measures HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s leader on Tuesday said a surge in coronavirus cases is overwhelming the city’s emergency resources, but defended the strict measures that have been imposed.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the Chinese central government was extending help to the city, which remains a nominally autonomous enclave.

Despite its varying success, Hong Kong has stuck with China’s zero-tolerance strategy requiring lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing for Covid-19.

“So far, our measures to contain the spread of the disease remain legitimate and valid,” Lam told reporters.

“The problem we are facing is given the magnitude, the pace of and the severity of this fifth wave,” she said, “It has outgrown our capacity.”

City health officials later reported a daily tally of 1,619 new cases, on top of a record 2,071 the previous day.

The Hospital Authority announced that it will dedicate seven clinics to seeing Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms. Other medical services at the clinics, including Covid-19 vaccinations, will be suspended.

The authority said the clinics and a new telephone hotline were “to cope with the rapid and huge increase in the number of confirmed patients, which has overwhelmed the capacity of isolation facilities of

public hospitals and the community treatment and isolation facilities.”

Lam added that authorities will designate as quarantine stations new public housing units that have yet to be occupied, along with about 10,000 hotel rooms. Hong Kong requires confirmed coronavirus cases to isolate.

The city’s restrictions extend to limiting inperson gatherings to no more than two households, allowing only vaccinated people in shopping malls and supermarkets, and closing places of worship, hair salons and other businesses.

Authorities have imposed lockdowns on residential buildings wherever clusters of infections

are identified, and have banned public dining after 6 pm. Schools have extended a suspension of in-class teaching until March 6.

A rush of worried parents brought young children to vaccination centers on Tuesday, public broadcaster RTHK said. It was the first day a vaccine was available to children as young as 3 years old. The previous lower age limit was 5. Lam said China’s central government is working to “enhance the capacities at various parts of this anti-epidemic effort,” but ruled out placing Hong Kong under a complete lockdown as has been done in various Chinese cities, where millions of residents have been confined to their homes in recent months. AP

Center Medical frontliner Melanie Elegado was one of the 1,500 medical frontliners who received Body Butter from The Body Shop Spread the Love Body Butter campaign in partnership with SM Cares.

B6 Thursday, February 17, 2022

Corner Pizza introduces Detroit Style pizza flavors

Bolster your enterprise’s digital transformation with Beeinfotech PH

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ELCO-NEUTRAL data center operator Beeinfotech PH has announced the general availability of its first data center (DC) in the Philippines. Dubbed “The Hive,” it is currently the largest operating telconeutral data center facility in the country, with three floors capable of housing at least 3,000 server racks of up to 45U rack height. Combined with its network interconnect capabilities, Disaster Recovery Seats, and Security and Network Operations Centers (SOC/NOC), The Hive is ready to answer the colocation needs of hyperscalers expanding global footprint and enterprises undergoing digital transformation.

First announced in August 2021, The Hive’s arrival follows the growth of the data center market in the Philippines, which is becoming one of the most preferred nations in the APAC region to host data centers. According to a report from Research and Markets, the Philippine data center market will experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.40% between 20212026, with investments reaching up to $535M by 2026. Research and Markets also cited Beeinfotech PH as one of the new notable players joining the booming market. Furthermore, the expansion in the country is in line with the APAC region’s considerable growth in data center spending, with the market research firm expecting that the region will spend around $94B by 2027.

“With the increased demand for digital services under the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent efforts to improve the nation’s connectivity and IT infrastructure, now is the perfect time to welcome hyperscalers and other largescale partners to the Philippines. Telconeutral data centers with significant and flexible rack space such as The Hive are suitable colocation facilities for hyperscalers since they enable enterprises to quickly scale resources and establish a local footprint without the arduous and time-consuming process of building a DC from scratch,” said Beeinfotech PH

SUPPORTING the company’s sustainability goals while still delivering optimal service to clients, the company's data center is purposely built with an open design concept to ensure environmental sustainability. The Hive is designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification that recognizes its ability to reduce carbon emissions and power consumption. The Hive is located at the Bridgetowne Destination Estate spanning the border of Pasig and Quezon City, Metro Manila President and CEO Reynaldo Huergas.

As a testament to the facility’s colocation capabilities, The Hive can host advanced solutions such as AWS Outposts, which allows hyperscalers and enterprises to run popular AWS applications locally.

The Hive also has other world-class services courtesy of its advanced cybersecurity suite powered by Continent 8. Included among them is BProtect DDoS Mitigation, which can fend off powerful DDoS attacks, and BProtect SIEM, a Security Information and Event Management solution that constantly scans for malicious activity within a client’s infrastructure.

Emphasizing Partner-driven colocation and Sustainability

THE Hive follows an Open Design concept, enabling it to meet specific colocation requirements of clients, such as special enclosures and cages for racks. Beeinfotech PH also adheres to a Shared Responsibility model in maintaining infrastructure, where maintenance duties can be done by either Beeinfotech PH or a client’s in-house staff.

The said model also allows the possibility of the two sharing maintenance duties.

Beeinfotech PH’s partner-driven

philosophy also extends to The Hive’s telco-neutral connection delivered under BConnect Managed Connectivity. Being telco-neutral, The Hive brings together all telecommunications and internet service providers under one roof, thus assuring that clients can leverage maximum access to all connectivity options.

Beeinfotech PH is likewise keen on partnering with regional and global data center gb operators who intend to extend their footprint in the region. “Our facility is configurable to the point where other DC operators can structure the facility using their existing designs, similar to a plug-and-play model of service that gives more freedom and customization,” added Mr. Huergas.

Supporting the company’s sustainability goals while still delivering optimal service to clients, The Hive is designed to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification that recognizes its ability to reduce carbon emissions and power consumption. It is located at the Bridgetowne Destination Estate spanning the border of Pasig and Quezon City.

Bolster your enterprise’s digital transformation. Visit beeinfotech.ph or facebook.com/BeeinfotechPH

Mondelēz ensures food supply continuity during the pandemic, receives award as top importer

RECEIVING the award for Mondelēz International were (2nd from left) Jensen Garcia, Import-Export and Inbound Operations Manager; Marilou Salomon, and Aaron Lozano, Logistics Operations Manager. They were joined by (left) District Collector Romeo Allan R. Rosales and (right) Chief Customs Operations Officer Antonio Meliton T. Pascual.

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ONDELĒZ International in the Philippines was once again named the Top Importer under the Formal Entry Division by the Manila International Container Port (MICP) of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) for the year 2021. This marks the 4th year in a row when the snacks company, maker of beloved brands such as Tang, Eden Cheese, Cheez Whiz, Toblerone, Cadbury, Oreo and Tiger, has been given this distinction.

The BoC recognizes Mondelēz International for its valuable support to the MICP, contributing to the collection

efforts of the latter for the year 2021.

The award was conferred this past February 2, 2022 at the MICP offices by its officials District Collector Romeo Allan R. Rosales and Chief Customs Operations Officer Antonio Meliton T. Pascual.

“Maintaining the continuity of food supply, especially during the past two years, for our retail partners and consumers is essential,” shared Marilou Salomon, Customer Service and Logistics Lead for Mondelēz International in the Philippines. “The pandemic has resulted in global logistics challenges, as such

building the resilience of our supply chain is as important as ever. One of the ways we achieve this is by working closely with agencies like the Bureau of Customs and the Manila International Container Port, ensuring full compliance with the agencies’ laws and regulations.

This allows us to deliver the right snack at the right moment to consumers and retail partners in the different regions where we are available. We are thankful for this recognition from the BoC and MICP and aim to continue our bestin-class partnership for the Filipino consumers.”

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RAVING for something out-ofordinary? Switch up your usual pizza fix with the new mouthwatering flavors of Detroit-Style Pizza from Corner Pizza: Super Hawaiian and The Everything Pizza.

Get a taste of the tropics with the new Super Hawaiian, baked with 50 perccent more cheese and abundantly topped with pineapples, ham, and bacon bits for that sweet and savory flavor.

Can’t decide which toppings to match your vibe? You can have everything you love about pizza with The Everything Pizza as your new favorite. It is generously topped with flavorful premium ground beef, ham, bacon bits, sausage, and pepperoni to perfectly suit every true pizza lover’s taste.

For loyal and biggest fans of the classic Pepperoni topping, you can still enjoy your go-to pizza flavor generously topped with 50 flavorful pepperoni slices on a chewy and cheese-crusted pizza layered with rich tomato sauce.

Each flavor gives an extra cheesy pizza experience, with its chewy crust that balances its rich sauce toppings. These Detroit Style Pizza flavors are sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

The Detroit Style pizza sets itself apart from traditional style pizzas with its distinctive rectangular shape, cheesy crusted edge, and layered with mozzarella and cheddar cheese. The pizza crust is made extra thick and has edge-to-edge toppings.

The Detroit Style pizza is made richer with a heaping of tomato sauce on top to balance the deliciously cheesy and appetizing pizza.

Baked to perfection to bring out the best and full experience that true pizza lovers long for.

Dare to be square today! To taste the pizza goodness of this cheesy and squarecut Detroit Style Pizza, you can grab a box available thru take-out, pickup, and delivery.

Visit www.cornerpizza.com.ph or order via Grab Food and Food Panda.

CSC clarifies employment policy for dual citizens

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EPUBLIC Act No. 9225 or the “Citizenship Retention and ReAcquisition Act of 2003” states that natural born Filipinos who were naturalized in other countries could retain or re-acquire Philippine citizenship and may only be appointed to any public office after (1) taking an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities prior to their assumption to office, and (2)

renouncing their oath of allegiance to the country where they took the oath.

However, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) clarified in its Resolution No. 2101052 dated 7 December 2021 that said requirements do not apply to dual citizens whose foreign citizenship was acquired under the following circumstances: a. by birth through the jus soli (right of soil) principle or the citizenship by virtue of just being born in a nation’s territory; b. through derivative naturalization or the citizenship given to minors through the naturalization of parents; or c. through adoption of Filipino minors by alien adoptive parent/s provided that the alien adoptive parents complied with the provisions of Adoption Law. The renunciation of foreign citizenship applies only to those with dual allegiance such as dual citizens whose foreign citizenship was acquired through naturalization or at their own volition.

CSC Resolution No. 2101052 was published on 4 February 2022 in Business World and takes effect after 15 days from said publication.

SSS refunds 2020 loan payments of PLP borrowers

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HE Social Security System (SSS) announces that it started refunding one to two months of loan payments collected from its pension loan borrowers under the Pension Loan Program (PLP) in 2020 effective January 20, 2022.

PLP was launched in September 2018 to help retiree pensioners with their short-term financial needs by offering a loan at a lowinterest rate of 10 percent per annum with a maximum loanable amount of P200,000.00 payable in 6, 12, and 24 months.

The pension loan payment refund is based on Circular No. 2022-002 in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. Under the said law, banks, quasi-banks, financing companies, lending companies, and other financing institutions, both public and private, were directed to give a 30-day grace period for borrowers’ loan payments without incurring any interest on interest, penalties, fees, and other charges. The provision covered loan payments with dues that fall within September 15 to December 31, 2020.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said that the pension fund will refund P105 million worth of pension loan payments to 25,231 pension loan borrowers.

“We understand the predicament faced by our PLP borrowers which is why they opted to file their loans to SSS to further finance their medical and immediate financial concerns brought about by the current pandemic,” Ignacio explained.

Ignacio added that PLP offers financial assistance to retiree pensioners for their short-term needs and the refund of their pension loan payments will greatly help them cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligible SSS retiree pensioners are those who are currently amortizing as of the implementation date and those who started their monthly amortization in October 2020. They will receive loan payment refunds for their loan payments in October and November 2020.

For pensioners who started their monthly amortization in November 2020, they will get a refund for their loan payments in November and December 2020 while those who only started paying their loan amortizations in December 2020 will only get a one-month refund for December 2020.

“We advise our pensioners that they no longer have to visit SSS to apply for the said refund. Like the refund of the April and May 2020 loan payments last December 9 and 10, 2021 under Bayanihan 1, these pension loan payment refunds will automatically be credited to qualified pensioners through their respective SSS UMID-ATM card or Union Bank QuickCard savings accounts where they already received the proceeds,” Ignacio added. said.

In addition, SSS would also extend the pensioner’s loan payment term by one or two months without any additional interest or penalty. Suppose a pensioner’s loan payment term is until September 2021 and received a two-month refund; their payment terms will be until November 2021 without any interest or penalties.

From January to December 2021, the SSS has released P3.09 billion worth of pension loans to 69,111 pension loan borrowers.

For more information, visit the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph, follow the SSS on Facebook at “Philippine Social Security System - SSS,” Instagram and YouTube at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” or join its Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Covid-19 meds to help PHL exit from pandemic

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By Rory Visco Contributor

octors have said that selfmedication is dangerous, especially in these times that the pandemic is still in our midst.

Just because someone recommended a certain type of medication does not mean it’s effective and safe, not unless they are doctors.

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña, Adult Infectious Disease Specialist, Director, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, said that medications for Covid-19 are meant to decrease mortality or morbidity from the disease’s effects, where the highest mortality happens in the most vulnerable population. He said that we are lucky because of the presence of vaccines, which has decreased mortality by at least 90 percent.

Medications for Covid-19, he said, are meant for mild or moderate cases but with high risk of progression and for those with severe disease. “But more importantly, not all people need medication. About 99 percent of those who are vaccinated with breakthrough infection will recover from Covid-19 without the need for medication. Only symptomatic treatment should be okay,” he explained.

Right now, Dr. Salvaña said the focus of treatment are those in the high- and mediumrisk categories, particularly the unvaccinated 60-year-olds and above and anyone with comorbidities, those above 60 years old who are vaccinated, the 20 to 59-year-olds who are unvaccinated, and those with comorbidities and are vaccinated.

What are the Covid-19 medications?

Dr. Salvaña said there are three types of medications: the antivirals (which kill the virus and prevent it from replicating), immunomodulators (steroids and some monoclonal antibodies that target the immune response), and monoclonal antibodies, or direct-acting monoclonal antibodies, which were not discussed.

As per US NIH guidelines, which look at people outside the hospitals, Dr. Salvaña said there are four medications that work for patients who do not require hospitalization or supplemental oxygen—Ritonavir-boosted

Nirmatrelvir or Paxlovid; Sotrovimab, the antiviral monoclonal antibody that is not available here; Remdesivir, used only for severe disease but now being used for mild to moderate disease and people with risk of progression, and Molnupiravir, which, is the lowest in terms of preference and in preventing hospitalization.

He said the IV-infused Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral, an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor. For mild to moderate high-risk patients, it is given only for three days, and should be given within seven days of symptom onset. This, however, should be used with caution for patients with hepatic and renal disease.

One of the first trials that showed Remdesivir works was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Salvaña said.

It showed a decrease in the time to recovery for patients given Remdesivir and more likely to have clinical improvement but no difference in mortality.

Paxlovid is made up of two drugs: Nirmatrelvir (two 150 mg tablets) and Ritonavir (one 100 mg tablet), used for confirmed Covid-19 with mild disease and with high risk progression, and reduces hospitalization by 88 percent. All three tablets are taken together twice daily for five days for mild to moderate and in vulnerable population, and need to start within five days from symptom onset. “The biggest problem is that Ritonavir reacts with a lot of drugs, especially statins and has to be adjusted renally for severe impairment, may induce HIV drug resistance, and should not be used beyond five days or for prophylaxis,” he said.

Using Paxlovid, hospitalization or death was 88-percent lower versus placebo, and early trials showed no effect in hospitalized patients, is not recommended for severe disease, and should not be used longer than five days.

Molnupiravir, on the other hand, was the first effective oral drug against Covid-19 for confirmed Covid-19 cases with mild disease and high risk of progression, and reduces hospitalization by 31 percent. Four capsules should be taken for five days and started from five days of symptom onset. “Really no major issues in terms of side effects but should be avoided for use in pregnant women, and not to be used beyond five days or for prophylaxis,” Dr. Salvaña again noted.

Are there others?

The use of Dexamethasone (a steroid used only for severe/critical cases and before vaccination), the earliest drug proven to decrease mortality, resulted in 28-day mortality for those under invasive mechanical ventilation or oxygen but not for those receiving respiratory support. “If you’re not severe, don’t take it. As we all know, steroids are a double-edged sword since it can reduce immunity to other diseases,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tocilizumab showed clear benefits in reducing the risk of death, with data showing that patients under Tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from the hospital alive within 28 days, at least in patients with severe disease, including those receiving noninvasive respiratory support.

Medications matter

The target for endemic diseases in general, Dr. Salvaña said, is a mortality rate of less than 0.1 percent. As such, for patients in the vulnerable population, the residual risk of death after vaccination goes down from 10 percent to 1 percent. This can be brought down further to 0.1 percent through medications.

However, there is a need for more evidence, he said, for vaccinated people because trials were done on unvaccinated people. He added the emergence of resistance is possible because these are RNA viruses. “Again, these medications should be used properly since not all people need treatment. Those who need treatment are the high-risk ones,” he noted.

But medications are really very important for those who can’t get vaccinated for medical reasons. Dr. Salvaña said this is their chance to increase their survival, but medications’ most important effect is that it is another layer in terms of preventing death and bringing down those in the high-risk level to an even lower level to that of the seasonal flu. When that happens, the focus can be shifted to other chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart problems, cancer, and others that were neglected during the lockdowns. People can have themselves screened so they can undergo medical management with their doctors.

“What is essential now is that with vaccines and medications, we minimize the societal impact of Covid-19, and we can exit the pandemic since these decrease mortalities from Covid-19 to near that of the flu,” he said.

Takeda launches Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma initiative

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iopharmaceutical leader Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc. (“Takeda Philippines”) has launched the “Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma” initiative to answer the call of the government’s National Integrated Cancer Control Act for medical stakeholders to come together and work towards a cancer-free Philippines.

The initiative led by Takeda Philippines and supported by Lymphoma Philippines, and several medical societies aims to raise awareness about lymphoma and improve access to lymphoma treatments in the Philippines by providing free testing to patients, partnering with relevant organizations and institutions, and sponsoring talks and seminars to educate the public about the disease.

What is lymphoma?

Lymphoma is the most common type of blood

cancer in the world. According to a study by the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan), over 600,000 new cases of lymphoma were detected worldwide in 2020, making it the 11th most common cancer in the world.

In the Philippines, there were over 4,000 new patients diagnosed with lymphoma, making it the 10th most common cancer in the country.

This might seem like a small fraction of the population, but if left untreated, lymphoma can be deadly for the people who live with it, with nearly 300,000 deaths from the disease in 2020 alone.

Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma

As part of this initiative, Takeda has continued its partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society to provide support and financial assistance to patients through free CD30 testing to help detect Hodgkin lymphoma. To date, the

partnership has provided free testing to over 60 patients gathered with the help of the Philippine General Hospital, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and other hospitals across the country.

Given the rarity of their condition, Hodgkin lymphoma patients may feel isolated as they are less likely to meet other people with the same form of their disease. With the Spot Lymphoma, Stop Lymphoma campaign, Takeda and its partners hope to raise public awareness, inform the public about treatment options and make information about the disease more readily available.

If you or someone you know has been experiencing any symptoms associated with Hodgkin lymphoma, please consult with your local oncologist or hematologist.

For more information on lymphoma and Takeda’s initiatives, visit www.takeda.com.

Novartis committed to help close the gap in cancer care

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s Novartis continues to work to develop therapies for cancer and other lifethreatening diseases, the researchdriven Swiss health-care company is also striving to ensure its innovative treatments are accessible to those who need it most. Together with its partners, Novartis is working tirelessly to connect patients to care, resources and each other.

“This World Cancer Day, we are helping to put the original C Word—Cancer—back in the spotlight. The pandemic has impacted progress and exacerbated existing disparities in cancer care. Now is the time for the world to come together to close the gap and to create a better normal of cancer care, not just a new normal,” said Dr. Susanne Schaffert, President, Novartis Oncology.

World Cancer Day is observed on February 4 of every year. Its theme for 2022 to 2024 is “Close the Care Gap.” Many cancer patients are denied basic care, despite the fact that we live in a time of awe-inspiring advancements in cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, according to the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

“In the Philippines, we have a long-term

commitment to collaborate with health authorities, policy-makers, health-care professionals, patient groups, and other stakeholders who share a common goal of improving access to health care and medicines. We continuously aim to make more innovative medicines available in the country as soon as possible for the benefit of Filipino patients. There will be one for breast cancer in 2022,” said Joel Chong, Oncology General Manager, Novartis Healthcare Philippines Inc.

Price reduction

In observance of World Cancer Day last year, Novartis voluntarily reduced the prices of its medicines used in the treatment of breast cancer, kidney cancer, aplastic anemia, leukemia, gastrointestinal tumors, among others.

Novartis also implements various access programs that provide an effective and sustainable way of helping Filipino patients gain access to effective cancer treatments.

Novartis partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) and patient group Touched By Max Inc. in leading the country’s observance of World CML Day through a webinar held on September 22, 2021. The webinar also served

as the venue for the launch of the DOH Cancer, Supportive Care, and Palliative Care Medicine Access Program (CSPMAP) in 26 government hospitals.

CSPMAP aims to provide free medicines for the identified priority set of cancer types that are not yet fully covered by PhilHealth and to minimize or eliminate out-of-pocket costs among the target population.

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October last year, Novartis and Docquity launched an electronic patient access program for advanced breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Filipino women, and the third leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in the country, next to lung and liver cancer. The program is designed to help advanced breast cancer patients sustain their prescribed treatment and support achievement of better treatment outcomes.

Also in October 2021, Novartis joined forces with the DOH, cancer patient support group ICanServe Foundation, and Philippine Hospital Association to promote awareness on breast cancer through the dissemination of a series of patient education videos on breast self-examination and advanced breast cancer.

Thursday, February 17, 2022 B7

Experts call for increased awareness to save patients with heart failure

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

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his love month, let us not only think of romance but how to take care of our heart.

Heart failure is a condition that develops when the heart fails to pump the needed blood to keep the body strong and healthy.

It follows a continuum of cardiovascular events which may begin with risks factors, including diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, hypertension, other related conditions like previous heart attack, as well as poor lifestyle choices.

In a press briefing, the Heart Failure Society of the Philippines shared its commitment to cardiovascular health programs dedicated to create awareness and address the other side of heart diseases: heart failure.

In the Philippine Statistics Authority’s 2021 report, heart disease is identified as the top cause of mortality across the country, taking up 18.7 percent of the past year’s total deaths. Incidentally, the top cause of death in 2020 was also due to heart disease.

Undeniably, we need to improve care and access to life-saving interventions for these patients because every beat matters!

While early diagnosis, goal-setting, adherence to medication, and patient education are key to improving treatment outcomes, reality tells us that many patients continue to struggle.

Burden

A failing heart immensely burdens the patient and their loved ones. Many experience physical and emotional difficulties such as fatigue, insomnia, depression, chest pain, and more.

Simple activities that we often take for granted like dressing up, taking a shower, doing household chores, and even walking, are not without a struggle for heart failure patients.

Slowly, the opportunity to create life memories for these patients are taken away. This eventually leads to repeated hospitalizations until the heart beats its last. Data revealed and emphasized the need to elevate the care and treatment that heart failure Filipino patients receive.

Hence, the Heart Failure Society of the Philippines (HFSP) has spearheaded several programs toward the journey to realize their vision to produce a community where patients with heart failure shall have better quality of life and possibly improved survival with compassion,

humane treatment and ethical practice.

Keeping the Filipino heart beating

“Act Now for Heart Failure” is one of the programs of the Heart Failure Society of the Philippines and is supported by AstraZeneca Philippines. It is a step toward improving the care patients receive from their physicians and encourages support from the community.

United by the objectives to enhance expertise on management, focus on symptom improvement, inspire better quality of life and drive awareness through data generation, “Act Now for Heart Failure” is envisioned to save every beat of a failing heart.

“We’re working towards creating a network of credible partners among physicians and cardiologists committed to giving heart failure patients the support they need to live quality lives. Through this program, the entire HFSP team will work towards this goal together with our partners for heart failure patients all over the country,” pledges Dr. May Donato-Tan, president of Heart Failure Society of the Philippines.

She adds: “This Valentine’s season, it’s important to truly keep the love alive by taking care of our hearts, and helping others take care of their hearts, too. Beyond showering loved ones with romance and gifts, we encourage everyone to join this national movement to make sure every failing heart stays beating.”

Movement

Through these key initiatives and partnership, HFSP and AstraZeneca aim to inspire a National HF Movement to forge anew the heart failure landscape across the country.

“AstraZeneca fully supports the Heart Failure Society of the Philippines in its commitment to save more heartbeats this Valentine’s season with this national initiative towards better health care for Filipinos suffering with heart failure,” added Lotis Ramin, Country President of AstraZeneca Philippines.

The program was officially introduced at a public briefing on February 15, 2022, to highlight the partnership’s commitment toward keeping the love alive on Valentine’s Day. As they rally support for the initiative, HFSP and AstraZeneca remind us all to save heartbeats where it matters most this season.

Heart failure requires medical attention. There is no intent to replace the advice of a healthcare professional. Always consult your doctor.

Filipino nurses remain in demand overseas

By Roderick L. Abad

Contributor

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HE ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has driven the exodus of many Filipino nurses, who sought not only greener pasture and better benefits package, but also a safer working environment.

In fact in 2019, the year when the health crisis started, roughly 17,000 nursing professionals from the Philippines signed work contracts in hospitals abroad.

This number is expected to increase as many of these institutions offer great salaries, which are well above the rate in their native country, among other attractive benefits.

Alejandro Coca, co-head of TrueProfile.io, cited some of the reasons why Filipino nurses and doctors are continuously in-demand overseas.

“The Philippines is home to a number of excellent medical universities and nursing colleges. TrueProfile.io has close working relationships with these institutions in order to help students secure opportunities abroad,” he said.

He added that Filipinos had traits that are valuable in the medical field, such as compassion, hard work, adaptability, and a generally positive disposition.

Another good attribute of medical professionals in the country is their being highly proficient in English, enabling them to communicate easily with any nationality.

“Filipino health-care workers uphold an excellent standard of the English language—which makes them extremely employable in a number of countries,” Coca said.

What’s hindering the Filipino nurses to pursue their dreams of working abroad, however, are likely delays they may encounter during the whole application process.

“Delays caused by bureaucratic processes can be frustrating for both employers and Filipino health-care

workers. Not only that, the lengthy ´time-to-hire’ can be off-putting when professionals consider the application process—which often has multiple phases,” he explained.

Right partner

GIVEN these problems, having the right partner can make the entire application easier for them. This is where TrueProfile.io, which provides Filipino healthcare professionals with the tools they need to get a lucrative job abroad, comes in.

“We have strategically partnered with an agency in the Philippines to help cover the full recruitment process from initial recruitment to licensing and deployment, for health-care staff who are keen to expand their professional horizons,” said the company’s co-head.

The firm ensures that every user can enjoy a simpler and more convenient application process through its platform.

To get started, applicants must gather all the basic requirements, which include either a 1x1 or 2x2 ID picture, a birth certificate authenticated by the Philippine Statistics Authority, a resume, college diploma, transcript of records, employer contract, marriage contract (if applicable), NBI clearance, a passport (valid for at least six months), as well as licenses and certifications. They must also apply for a working visa once the employer offers the job.

All these documents must be verified. TrueProfile.io can easily do this for the applicants via its block chain technology. By signing up, a member can avail of a number of career solutions, including a free digital curriculum vitae that can be shared with employers, regulators, and recruiters, and can also be posted on their social-media accounts.

Interested applicants can create an account on TrueProfile (https://member.trueprofile.io/register), build a myTrueProfile page, and then set contact settings to the “Recommended” option to attract job offers from abroad.

UYTENGSU

ALASKA QUITS PBA AFTER 35 SEASONS

Sports

Valieva case boosts campaign to raise age limit at Olympics

BusinessMirror

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| Thursday, February 17, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

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LASKA’S campaign in the ongoing Governors’ Cup will be its last after 35 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

But for Wilfred Uytengsu, chairman of the Alaska Milk Corp., it will be one “last dance” to remember for the franchise that’s been a pillar and owner of one of the

more illustrious reputations in the 46-year-old league.

“We still have one conference to get for our 15th ring. I am not throwing in the towel yet,” Uytengsu told a virtual press conference that was assembled minutes after the franchise announced its retirement from the league.

“I don’t know if we will have that many fans watching the finals but I hope Alaska is there,” added Uytengsu, whose team known for the mantra “Wala pa rin tatalo sa Alaska” that was culled out of a popular TV commercial in the 1970s, has won 14 PBA championships highlighted by a grand slam in 1996.

The team, known earlier in the league as Milkmen and recently Aces, made the finals 31 times.

“You know us as a franchise, we will do the right thing,” added the 61-year-old Uytengsu, who’s other passion included triathlon and even the strength-sapping Ironman.

The Aces are currently 3-2 wonlost in the Governors’ Cup that’s midway its elimination phase.

“It’s really, really tough decision,” Uytengsu said of Alaska quitting the PBA. “It has been an amazing journey.”

“I appreciated my partnership with the PBA and having served the PBA to help make it a better organization,” he said. “As I say, all good things come to an end and at the end of the season, it will be our 35th and final season in the PBA.” Business wasn’t that healthy for Alaska. In pandemic year 2020, the company’s net sales were flat at P20.41 billion from the previous year’s P20.65 billion.

Net income fell 36 percent to P885.66 million in 2020 from the previous P1.38 billion.

The company is owned by FC Philippines (FrieslandCampina). FC BV became the immediate holding corporation of the company and Dutch firm Royal FrieslandCampina as the ultimate parent company, It has a manufacturing plant in San Pedro, Laguna.

The basketball franchise is part of intangible assets of Alaska.

The team is measured at cost less accumulated value, if any.

“This is recognized at fair value at the time of its acquisition.

The company assessed the useful life of basketball franchise to be indefinite because this is expected to contribute to net cash flows indefinitely,” the company said.

“The basketball franchise is not amortized but is reviewed annually to determine whether the indefinite life assessment continues to be supportable,” it added.

Uytengsu said that there’s a possibility for the franchise to be sold until June to any interested party although he refused to name a price. When Blackwater and Terrafirma entered the league as an expansion teams eight years ago, they paid the league P125 millon each.

If there are no interested buyers of the franchise, the players will be sent to a dispersal draft based.

Running a PBA team at current costs could range from between P110 million to P 225 million annually. Josef Ramos

ASA MILLER just can’t get into the groove at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. AP

MILLER, AGAIN, YIELDS TO BEIJING SNOW

By Josef Ramos

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ANQING, China—For the second time in four days, the gods of the Chinese winter didn’t smile on Asa Miller as the 21-year-old Filipino-American bombed out of the first run of men’s slalom of Alpine skiing at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Thus, in two events—one better than during his Olympic debut in Pyeongchang four years ago—Miller will have a DNF (Did not Finish) across his name in the Beijing Games official result.

Unable to solve The Ice River’s mystique that was a puzzle, too, to countless former Olympic and world champions, Miller fell victim despite improved weather at the National Alpine Skiing Centre on the slopes of Xiaohaituo Mountain.

With heads bowed, Miller walked to the side of the track that was cruel to 34 skiers—him included—who failed to complete the race out of the 89 starters.

“I have a fault also,” said Miller, who was accompanied by American coach Will Gregorak at the Athletes’ Area before deciding to go by his lonesome to the wax cabin below the Finish Area.

Austrian Johannes Strolz topped the first run by a slim margin over Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen and Sebastian Foss-Solevaag. Strolz, 29, and already a winner of the Alpine

Magnolia defeats NLEX in Govs’ Cup

combined last week in his first Olympics, clocked 53.92 seconds.

Kristoffersen was .02 seconds behind and Foss-Solevaag by .06.

The Austrian described the snow as “a little uneven between being aggressive and icy in some spots,” but it was different for the two-time Olympian Miller who skied for 36 seconds before crashing out—more than twice the time he spent on the ice in the giant slalom at 15.90 seconds.

“With this type of snow, the skis were not responding very well for him so it’s very difficult to get his feeling on the skis and that’s how it goes sometimes,” Gregorak said. “You hoped that it wouldn’t happen in the Olympics, but that’s ski racing and that’s the nature of the sport, and that’s slalom racing.”

Miller was flagged off at No. 65.

In the end, 52 completed the race while one was disqualified. Another one didn’t start.

“Skiing is one of those things

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AGNOLIA erased a 14-point deficit to beat NLEX, 112-109, and stay unbeaten in five games in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Down 71-85 with 2:37 to go in the third quarter, import Mike Harris and Mark Andy Barroca joined forces for the final push in the fourth quarter as the Hotshots—without bruiser

Let’s move it, move it!

WITH much of the country still under Alert Level 2, and Iloilo and Guimaras in the Visayas and Zamboanga City, Davao De Oro, Davao Occidental and South Cotabato in Mindanao under a stricter Alert Level 3, looks like it’s best to still be spending more time at home than not.

Good thing that the Department of Education (DepEd) recently launched “Galaw Pilipinas,” a national calisthenics exercise program that aims to promote a healthy lifestyle—a treasure while

where you have to think about it as a season long thing,” Gregorak said.

“Nobody on any given day can guarantee what will happen to skiers or what they do over a season because there’s so much variability, where the Olympics is really the star of all races and that’s something we care about a lot.”

“But it’s still ski racing, you cannot put too much in one race,” he added.

Six different skiers won the six World Cup slaloms this season with Strolz hoping to break the norm.

He won the third World Cup leg in Adelboden, Switerland, last January 29.

World Cup veteran Lucas Braathen of Norway and 2017 world champion Manuel Ferrer of Austria were also DNF in the first round with British favorite Dave Ryding finishing 15th 1.48 seconds behind the Austrian, 2018 world junior champion Clement Noel of France better at sixth .38 second behind and Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics team event gold medalist Daniel Yule of Switzerland 1.14 slower at No. 13.

Later in the day, Alpine skiing proved its unpredictability once

forward Calvin Abueva (left calf strain muscle)—outscored the Road Warriors, 35-21, to register a 5-0 won-lost start.

Harris erupted with 10 of his 31 points in the last quarter, including two separate baskets at crunch time that gave Magnolia a 108-105 with 1:40 remaining and 112-109 with 12 seconds to go.

KJ McDaniels and Don Trollano muffed their game-tying threepointers for NLEX at the buzzer.

being grounded in our cribs for the past two years because of the pandemic.

What makes this exercise routine interesting and worth integrating into our daily schedules is that while it gets us moving, it keeps us in touch with our Pinoy roots and culture. The featured steps and movements come from cultural dances from all over the Philippines. Besides highlighting folk, cultural and tribal dances, there are exercises that are borrowed from our national sport, arnis.

In the YouTube instructional video (https://www. youtube.com/results?search_query=galaw+pilipinas+ins tructional+video) I saw movements from the Spanishinfluenced Rigodon, Samar’s Hapay An Marol, the Maglalatik, Tinikling, Kiwël-Kiwël, Sinulog and the Arnis Strike, and many more.

According to DepEd, the aim of the exercise program is to promote an active lifestyle among Filipinos that will benefit their physical and emotional wellbeing. The movements are meant to improve strength and flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, balance and coordination. Set to be implemented in public

EIJING—The doping case involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva has led to many more questions than answers.

Some skaters think it’s time to ask another: Should a 15-year-old be in the Olympics at all?

“You want these athletes to have an opportunity to have this be a profession, not a one-year run at it,” Mariah Bell, at 25 the oldest US national champion in nearly a century, said after skating Tuesday.

“If we had an age [minimum] limit, I think it would promote that idea of longevity and somebody being 25 wouldn’t be shocking at an Olympics.”

Valieva was allowed to skate Tuesday in the short program partly because her age gives her extra rights as a “protected person” in a doping case.

It comes as some skating officials push to raise the minimum age for her event from 15 to 17 in time for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Bell suggested a minimum of 18.

Reformers argue a change would protect the wellbeing of child athletes and reduce the risk of injuries from straining the body into ever-more spectacular jumps.

“I think that [the Valieva case] really will push this forward and hopefully it will also put this question forward to other sports federations,” Norwegian Skating

Federation president Mona Adolfsen, who supports the change, told The Associated Press.

Valieva, she added, “is a child, so whatever happened, we feel sorry for her.”

The issue is expected to go to a vote at the International Skating Union congress in June. It’s unclear if it will pass. Russia is opposed and the United States and Canada declined to say how they’ll vote.

The Valieva doping case has put the spotlight on Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze, who transformed the sport with a “Quad Squad” performing risky but high-scoring quadruple jumps. Her skaters often have blink-and-you’ll-miss-it careers, and it’s not unusual to retire at 18 or 19, sometimes with severe injuries.

Almost all quads ever landed in women’s international competitions were performed by under-18s.

“If they raise the age, the motivation to create a skater who has longevity is higher,” Swiss skater Alexia Paganini said. “You are forced to think about a technique that can be maintained throughout your entire adult career.”

Others argue younger skaters deserve the limelight and shouldn’t have to wait for an Olympic chance.

Raising the minimum could mean more cases like that of Alexandra Trusova, now one of Valieva’s teammates in Beijing. Trusova won the world junior title in 2018 at the age of 13, and her score would also have won the senior world title that year, but she wasn’t eligible. AP

SOME skaters think it’s time to ask another: Should a 15-year-old, like Kamila Valieva, be in the Olympics at all? AP

more as Noel clinched the gold medal with a 49.79-second performance in the second run, relegating Strolze to the silver medal by .61 second after the combined times.

Foss-Solevaag trailed by .70 seconds to clinch the bronze medal. Ryding was 13th at 1.48 seconds behind.

Despite failing to match his 72nd-place finish in his Pyeongchang debut four years ago, the Philippine Sports Commissionbacked Miller and his coach remained proud of representing

the Philippines in winter sports’ grandest stage.

“I’m really proud of Asa for the composure he showed this week,” Gregorak said. “The difficult hills, the difficult conditions and all the work and focus he put on to it—that’s all about being an athlete.”

“You cannot guarantee the result but Asa proved to be a formidable Olympian,” he added.

Philippine Ski and Snowboard Federation President Jim Apelar said he also remained proud of Miller for keeping the Philippines—a tropical nation—on the Winter Olympics map.

“It’s disappointing, but that’s part of the game and there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Apelar said.

“We are here for a couple of things: competition and representation. So we can see positive things. We were able to raise positive things by raising our flag in the Olympics.”

“Really? I think it is all about our effort after a bad start, our bench saved us today, they gave us a lot of energy to come back,” Magnolia’s Chito Victolero said after learning that the 5-0 record was his best start as PBA head coach. “We had a lethargic start but credit the players for the team effort and chemistry.”

Barroca, who posted nine of his 11 points in the last period in addition to his five assists, scored on a layup to put

Magnolia up, 110-107, with 1:06 to go.

Harris and the Hotshots answered every basket that the Road Warriors nailed in their effort to regain the lead.

Paul Lee added 21 points, Ian Sangalang had 14 points and Harris collared 10 rebounds for Magnolia.

The Road Warriors, who drew 35 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks from import McDaniels, fell to their third straight setback for a 4-3 card.

Josef Ramos

and private schools nationwide as part of flag ceremonies and early morning calisthenics, even Mom and Dad and everybody else can take advantage of it just by following the instructional on YouTube.

Galaw Pilipinas does get the energy up and moving as early as possible—a perfect way to de-stress, get fit, conquer boredom and be upbeat during these trying times. It is said to be inspired

by Japan’s Rajio taisō (or Radio Taiso), a 94-year old radio calisthenics broadcast that warms listeners up as they perform the moves to music and instructionals from radio broadcasts. Introduced in 1928, the exercises were intended to improve the overall health of Japanese soldiers at home and abroad in the 30s and 40s. They also became popular in China, North Korea and Taiwan.

Although Radio Taiso was discontinued for a while after the War, it was reintroduced in 1951 and is still used in schools and offices as a warm up for physical ed classes and sports day activities. That’s where the inspiration for similar warm-up exercises with a touch of Pinoy

dance and culture came from.

If you want to catch Radio Taiso on YouTube, click this link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=lgsh5vP54BM. Former Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Aparicio Mequi, however, has a few comments about the Pinoy’s version of Radio Taiso. “Most of its movements are angular,” he said. “It can be improved by adding circular and flowing movements. The models performing the exercises look too tense, tight [and] movements are forced rather than relaxed.

Exercises should be performed in a relaxed and joyful stance.”

He suggests that if we want children and more people to move, “popular and fun-filled Tik-Tok dances incorporating movements from our national folk dances like those of the Mountain Province, Visayan dances like Kuracha and Muslim dances like Singki— done in the current Tik-Tok style,” would be so much fun.

Well, in a take of what an old, old TV commercial used to say, “Galaw Pilipinas may not be everything. But it’s a good beginning.”