BusinessMirror February 17, 2020

TAIWAN FLIGHTS RETURN, BUT SLOWLY L OCAL carriers are resuming their flights to and from Taipei following the decision of the Inter-Agency Committee for the Management of Infectious Diseases to lift the ban on travel to and from Taiwan. The restoration of flights is on staggered basis, however, with both the Philippine carriers and those of Taiwan still assessing the situation and their schedules, as some cancellations—the result of Manila’s sudden expansion of its travel ban over COVID-19—were already made to last until June or July.

Philippine Airlines ( PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Taiwanese carriers China Airlines (CAL) and Eva Air said they will continue their reduced flight operation to and from Taiwan despite Malacañang’s lifting on

In this BusinessMirror file photo, passengers of Eva Air from Taipei wear masks to protect themselves from the 2019 coronavirus as they arrive at the Naia Terminal 1.

Philippine and Taiwanese carriers resumed some flights at the weekend after Manila lifted a hastily imposed travel ban, but restoration is not yet 100 percent. NONIE REYES

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Friday (February 14) of the travel ban to Taiwan.

It was reported last Saturday that the Taiwanese government’s CAL flights CI0701 and CI0702 between Taipei and Manila will remain canceled.

The airline said it is evaluating whether those flights could be restored, adding that it will update its flight services depending on the situation.

On February 13, CAL delayed the launch of the Taoyuan-Cebu route on March 29 until June 12, because of the Philippine government’s ban on Taiwanese travelers entering the Philippines while preventing Filipinos from going to Taiwan, due to the coronavirus epidemic.

Taiwan’s private carrier EVA Airways,

Monday, February 17, 2020 Vol. 15 No. 130

With industries hurting, virus seen to hit tax take

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is expecting to lose billions in tax revenue as different industries are already hurting from the impact of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19).

BIR Officer in Charge-Assistant Commissioner Manuel V. Mapoy of the Large Taxpayers

Service (LTS) told the BusinessMirror that they are looking at a “very gloomy” picture, especially

Govt confirms new ASF cases in report to OIE

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

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@jearcalas

HE Philippines has confirmed more outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in Luzon, including new cases in Malabon, Rizal, Isabela and Cavite, affecting over 17,00 hogs.

In a follow-up report to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on February 13, Philippine Chief Veterinarian and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Ronnie D. Domingo confirmed there were 38 more ASF outbreaks in 11 provinces.

The report noted that 17,406 hogs in backyard farms were susceptible to ASF in Rizal, Pampanga, Malabon City, Cav ite, Benguet, Kalinga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pangasinan, Quezon and Isabela with at least 252 pigs already infected.

It also indicated that 105 hogs in the affected areas died from ASF, while the remaining 17,283 pigs were culled while five heads were slaughtered.

In its seventh follow-up report,

PESO exchange rates n

in the tourism and the gaming industry.

Mapoy said several large taxpaying

₧1.6 trillion

The share expected from large taxpayers, in BIR’s overall collection target for 2020 of P2.576 trillion, per BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel SD. Guballa industry players, particularly hotels, malls, and even a distributor or manufacturer of alcoholic products, have informed them that they are experiencing weak customer demand amid the virus scare.

Continued on A2

See “Taiwan flights A12”

P25.00 nationwide | 5 sections 30 pages |

ALL ILLEGALLY DUMPED WASTE IN ’18 TO BE SENT BACK IN FEB–CUSTOMS

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HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said all the waste illegally shipped to the country in 2018 will be sent back to South Korea within the month.

In a statement on Sunday, BOC said a total of 101 containers were already reexported to South Korea in January 13 last year and January 19 this year.

Citing a statement from Port of Cagayan de Oro District Collector John Simon, the BOC said the remaining batches of waste that were scheduled to be shipped in Saturday, February 16, and February 23 shall bring the total reexported waste to 201 containers, “and shall finally rid the country of the illegally imported waste.”

“Collector Simon thanked all those involved in successfully sending back the wastes to South Korea and stressed that the Bureau, under

Commissioner Rey Guerrero, shall remain firm in its commitment in protecting the country’s borders from the entry of any illegal shipments including wastes that are harmful to the environment,” BOC said. In 2018, a shipment declared as plastic flakes was alerted and was verified to contain mixed nonbiodegradable waste.

A warrant of seizure and detention was then issued against the shipment and cases were filed for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) and RA 6969 or Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990, the BOC said.

BOC earlier said the waste materials were “unlawfully imported” by the Cebu-based Verde Soko Philippines Industrial Corp. in July and October 2018.

See “Waste,” A2

See “DTI,” A2

Manila Bay not 100% spared from reclamation

Manila confirmed that the fatal disease has found its way into the province of Isabela where 18 hogs died.

The number of hogs susceptible to ASF, as reported by the Philippines to the OIE, rose to 204,889 heads. Authorities have culled 208,924 pigs to contain and control the spread of the virus.

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Outbreaks in Quezon

The government also confirmed that Quezon is no longer ASF-free, as 636 hogs in two municipalities in the province were susceptible to the fatal hog disease, of which 13 were already infected.

The ASF outbreaks were confirmed in Mulanay and San Narciso, Quezon, and that the virus struck mostly backyard farms, according to the report. It added that the susceptible hogs in the two municipalities have been culled.

The outbreaks in Quezon province started as early as January 15 and are still continuing, according to the report.

See “ASF,” A2

meanwhile, said it will maintain its current operations of two Taipei-Manila flights and one Taipei-Cebu flight per day, and weighs the possibility of resuming full services of three Taipei-Manila flights and one TaipeiCebu flight daily.

Taiwanese start-up carrier StarLux Airlines, which announced on February 12 it will postpone the launch of its TaoyuanCebu route on April 6 until July 1, said it will maintain that decision although the Philippine government has lifted the ban to Taiwan.

The Philippine carriers, which decided to cancel their Taiwan-Philippines services after the February 10 ban was imposed, said they will restore services gradually.

JUST LIKE VENICE Local tourists enjoy the Venetian ambiance as they take a gondola ride inside the Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City. Alliance Global Inc. (AGI), the parent company of the mall’s developer Megaworld Corp., has committed to be carbon-neutral in about a decade by reducing the emissions of its units, while promising to use more of renewable energy in its mixed-use developments all over the country. Story in Companies, page B2. BERNARD TESTA

HERE may still be reclamation projects in Manila Bay under the current administration, after all.

During his speech at Sangley Airport’s inauguration for commercial use on Saturday, President Duterte said government projects will be exempted from the moratorium for reclamation initiatives in Manila Bay. “I will only allow, maybe, plans of whatever reclamation if it is in connection with a government project,” Duterte said.

He reiterated his position to ban “massive reclamation” projects for the private sector in said location because of its possible harmful environmental effects on Manila.

“If I do that [massive reclamation]... which I am [not] wont to do, I will choke Manila,” Duterte said.

“The old city...will decay if you add so many things in front of Manila Bay,” he added.

This, despite Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) General

Manager Joselito Gonzales’s previous assurance, that any reclamation projects in Manila Bay will not cause any flooding in Manila.

As of December 2019, the PRA confirmed there were four approved reclamation projects in Manila Bay: the Navotas City Coastal Bay Reclamation Project; the Pasay 360-Hectare Reclamation Project; the Pasay 265-Hectare Reclamation Project; and the Horizon Manila 418-Reclamation Project.

Duterte transferred last year control of the PRA from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to the Office of the President because of his concerns over many parties eyeing to have reclamation projects in the Manila Bay. Duterte said he will leave it to the next administration to allow further reclamation in Manila Bay. “You wait until the next president who would be.... They might look at it kindly [through] a different lens,” Duterte said. Samuel P. Medenilla

US 50.5040 n japan 0.4599 n UK 65.8976 n HK 6.5023 n CHINA 7.2381 n singapore 36.3574 n australia 33.9286 n EU 54.7615 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4659

Source: BSP (14 February 2020)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Monday, February 17, 2020

Senators filing SC petition on role in VFA termination

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By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

ENATE leaders are spearheading a bipartisan move to challenge before the Supreme Court Malacañang’s termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) without the concurrence of the members of the treaty-ratifying chamber.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon confirmed over the weekend he is joining Senate President Vicente Sotto III and “other administration senators” set to formally file a petition in the High Tribunal questioning the Executive’s solo act.

“This will be a bipartisan move to assert the Senate’s role in foreign policy,” said Drilon, pointing out that “while the President is the chief architect of foreign policy, the Constitution is clear that such

Waste. . .

Continued from A1

Manila and Seoul are signatories to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, more popularly referred to as the Basel Convention.

The convention is designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries.

‘Ban imported waste’

Environmental groups based in Quezon City and Davao City on Sunday called on the Duterte administration to ban the importation of foreign waste.

At the same time, they also appealed to other countries to stop exporting their unwanted waste to the Philippines.

The appeals were made by environmental advocates led by Quezon City-based EcoWaste Coalition and Davao City-based Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) at the send-off ceremony held at the Mindanao International Container Terminal (MICT) for the third batch of illegal South Korean waste shipments to be reexported.

They pushed for preventive measures to halt the entry of hazardous waste and other refuse, including household and plastic trash, into the country’s ports.

In a statement, the groups quoted Port Collector Simon, who said that “the reexportation of the remaining wastes from South Korea this month signifies our nation’s steadfastness to protect public health and the environment from the deceptive trade in hazardous waste disguised as plastic waste for recycling.”

The BOC official also stressed that “as guardians of our ports, we [the BOC] are

ASF. . .

Continued from A1

The Philippine report also indicated that ASF outbreaks in Malabon City are continuing, with the latest outbreak occurring in backyard farms in Barangay Baritan.

a very critical role is shared with Congress, particularly the Senate.”

At the same time, Drilon disclosed in an interview with radio station DWIZ that Senate President Sotto conveyed plans by majority senators to file the petition, and had invited him to be a coauthor —an offer he accepted, he said.

A former Justice Secretary, Drilon stressed that since the Constitution is silent on the termination of treaties and international agreecommitted to curb illegal trade and halt all forms of customs fraud, including the practice of falsely declaring hazardous waste and other wastes as recyclables.”

Environmental advocate Aileen Lucero, the National Coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition, said “the chain of foreign waste dumping incidents that sparked national outrage warrants the imposition of tougher policies that will effectively deter the illegal traffic of hazardous waste and other wastes, especially those from developed economies who have more resources to safely manage their own wastes.”

Chinkie Peliño-Golle, IDIS executive director, agreed: “We must not allow countries to continue exporting their waste problem to the Philippines.

To send a clear signal to these countries that we do not want their waste, the government has to fast-track the adoption of preventive measures banning the entry of wastes in whatever form of disguise.”

The groups specifically pointed to the need for the Duterte administration to proceed with the long-overdue ratification of the Basel Ban Amendment (an international law banning the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes from developed and developing countries), and to ban the importation of waste altogether.

“These environmental justice measures will protect our country and our people from the negative consequences of global waste trade,” the groups insisted. The groups, likewise, asked the government to ensure that all parties behind the unlawful waste shipments from South Korea to be held fully accountable, and for the national government to extend full assistance to the local government unit affected by the illegal traffic of waste, including the conduct of environmental sampling to assess the contamination of the storage area for illegal waste and its cleanup and rehabilitation. Bernadette D. Nicolas and Jonathan L. Mayuga

Rizal’s dilemma

The Philippines told the OIE that there were new ASF outbreaks in Rizal province—considered the country’s ground zero of the outbreaks.

The new outbreaks started last month and are still ongoing.

Based on Domingo’s report, about 1,501 hogs in backyard farms were susceptible to ASF

“While the President is the chief architect of foreign policy, the Constitution is clear that such a very critical role is shared with Congress, particularly the Senate.”—Drilon

ment, “it is only the Supreme Court that can rule with finality on the issue.”

He added: “The Supreme Court should rule on this issue once and for all. We cannot continue putting the fate of critical treaties such as the VFA, which termination has far-reaching consequences, in the hands of one man.”

Drilon declared, “it is our firm belief that if treaties and international agreements the President entered into cannot be valid without the approval of the Senate, the termination of, or withdrawal from, the same should only be effective with the concurrence of the Senate.”

Moreover, he a rg ued t hat “once ratified and concurred in by the Senate, a treaty or an interna-

POEA. . .

Continued from A12

He said the labor attachés will verify the reports submitted by PRAs and the FRAs. Bello issued the statement amid allegations from the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) that the decision of POEA to remove the partial deployment ban last week for Kuwait, despite the pending full compliance by the Kuwaiti government with the set conditions for its lifting, favored recruiters.

Bello earlier said the ban will only be lifted once the Kuwaiti government fully implements the 2018 MOA, and necessary charges are filed against the people behind the killing of Jeanelyn Villavende, a Filipino HSW, in December 2019.

POEA imposed the partial deployment ban last month after the reported brutal killing of Villavende in Kuwait.

In a statement, TUCP President Raymond Mendoza questioned POEA’s decision, claiming there are still “contentious items” in Philippine talks with the Kuwaiti officials with regard to the protection of OFWs in Kuwait. Among these is Kuwait’s demand that Manila stop operating half-way homes for “runaway” OFWs. He also said justice has yet to be secured for Villavende even if Bello said that “appropriate” charges in Binangonan, Antipolo and Angono, Rizal. Of the total figure, 18 pigs were infected by the disease. The government culled all 1,501 hogs.

The confirmation of new outbreaks in Rizal pushed back the province’s timetable for regaining ASF-free status.

Under the government’s ASF contingency plan, an area may be declared free from

tional agreement becomes part of the law of the land. Hence, a treaty may not be undone without that shared power that put it into effect.”

It will be recalled that Drilon, in 2018, was joined by Minority Sens.

Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Antonio Trillanes IV in filing before the Supreme Court a petition to declare the Philippines’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) “invalid or ineffective.”

Drilon declares that “once the SC ruled in favor of the ICC petition, the termination will be deemed invalid and the membership of the Philippines in the ICC will continue,” adding that “the VFA will benefit if the SC upholds the power of the Senate.”

In a statement, Drilon renewed his call for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by administration senator Aquilino Koko Pimentel III, to finally report out Senate Resolution 305 seeking to assert the role of the Senate in treaty termination or withdrawal. were already filed against her suspected killers.

Premature lifting

On Thursday, a video of Bello announcing before recruitment representatives the POEA-GB resolution lifting the ban sparked criticism from migrant advocates, including Mendoza.

“Bello [announcing] the lifting of the ban in his meeting with local recruitment agencies leaves a bad taste in our mouths. This is a disservice to our President’s advocacy for OFW rights and welfare.

It is glaring in so many instances that the DOLE/POEA places the business interest of recruiters first while the welfare of HSWs an afterthought,” Mendoza said in a statement.

Bello denied the allegations of Mendoza. He said stating the POEA GB decision was based on their consultations with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and their assessment of the Kuwaiti government’s compliance with their set conditions.

Mendoza, who is also the concurrent representative of the TUCP party-list in Congress and the chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, said he will ask the POEA GB to explain its side on the matter.

“The committee will summon Bello and the POEA officials and members of the board this week,” Mendoza said.

ASF if laboratory tests in the affected area yield negative results for three consecutive months.

In December, the Department of Agriculture noted that Rizal may be technically considered free from ASF after it has not detected the presence of the virus in the province since August 2019.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

With industries hurting, virus seen to hit tax take Continued from A1

“The other night, I had a discussion with some of the executives of the hotel industry and they are saying that the occupancy [rate] is 30 percent to 35 percent only.... Now, they are looking at 30 percent to 35 percent occupancy rate from as high as 70 percent to 85 percent occupancy before the [coronavirus]. So definitely this will run into billions; and also the shopping malls, the shopping malls, wow, [their] traffic is talagang bagsak [truly in plunging mode],” Mapoy said in a phone interview with BusinessMirror.

According to Mapoy, a decline in tax collections from large taxpayers due to the virus scare could deliver a “tremendous” blow to the total BIR collections since 65 percent to 66 percent of the total BIR collections comes from the LTS. Meanwhile, BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel SD. Guballa told reporters LTS is targeting to collect P1.6 trillion out of the P2.576 trillion overall BIR collection target for the year.

One shopping mall that recently had a three-day sale informed the BIR that the result was negative, Mapoy said.

Mapoy said they expect that the impact on tax payments could go as far as hitting their collections of income taxes, value-added taxes, and even excise taxes.

“Even the distributor or manufacturer of beer and other alcoholic products informed us that we cannot expect [an] increase in payment, or maybe, [even see] reduced...payments because there are no orders from bars, night clubs and restaurants [since business is down],” he said.

Aside from Covid-19, the BIR is also seeing some revenue losses due to the impact of the Taal Volcano eruption, although Mapoy said this would be “minimal or negligible.”

Not much impact—Guballa While Guballa said they are still in the process of collecting data on the impact of the Taal Volcano eruption and Covid-19 on the bureau’s revenue collection, he surmised that that there would not be that much of an impact from the virus scare but he said they are still thinking of alternative ways to raise the revenues.

“Magkakaroon siya ng effect by next month kasi ’yung for the month of February, ireremit sya ng March [The effect will be seen in March because collections from February will be remitted in March],”he said.

For his part, Mapoy said the BIR targets to compensate the losses by strict enforcement of their collection, including investigation of taxpayers in a bid to prevent revenue leakages.

Despite the foreseen impact of the revenue losses from the two unfortunate events, Mapoy still expressed optimism that the BIR could hit its revenue target for the year at P2.576 trillion.

“This is just the second month. I always believe in miracles. Maybe, who knows? Matatapos na naman itong coronavirus [This coronavirus is expected to be over in] in the coming days. Nobody can tell because this is just the beginning of the race. Huwag muna maging pessimistic kaagad [Let’s not be prematurely pessimistic],” he said.

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) earlier said the tourism sector could lose as much as P22.7 billion a month and shed as much as 95,000 jobs.

Nonetheless, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said last week the country’s economy still has a “fighting chance” to expand by around 6 percent in the first quarter.

Govt limits working hours of AV industry employees

By Samuel P. Medenilla

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@sam_medenilla

orkers in the audiovisual (AV) industry will no longer be allowed to work indefinitely following the issuance of a memorandum circular by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Under Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 1-2020 of the DOLE and the FDCP, the employees in the AV industry will now only be allowed to work for at least eight hours and a maximum of 16 hours in a 24-hour cycle.

In an interview, Labor Assistant Secretary Benjo M. Benavidez told the BusinessMirror this was among the highlights of the JMC. He noted that prior to its issuance, employees in the AV industry would work anywhere from 20 to 24 hours.

Benavidez said the computed work hours under the JMC do not include rest periods.

Another highlight of the new industry-specific JMC, he said, is its definition of a “talent,” which it defined as independent contractors with special skills or have a celebrity status, who in the performance of their work, are free from the control of the engaging party.

Benavidez noted that many com-

panies in the AV industry tend to mislabel their employees as “talents” so they will not be covered by the Labor Code.

He said the JMC also requires AV companies to inform the DOLE regional offices if they will conduct shoots outside of their principal place of business.

In this way, Benavidez said, the DOLE will be able to keep track of their location shoots, which are still considered as workplace.

He said the other provisions contained in the new JMC such as standards in handling pyrotechnics, firearms, animals, and shooting in the wilderness are already industry standards, which he said the circular merely institutionalized.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III ordered the crafting of the JMC due to its unique nature, which often relies on on-site shoots.

Benavidez said any violations of the occupational safety and health (OSH) standards of the JMC will be penalized by the DOLE as stipulated

by Republic Act 11058, or the OSH law.

He said the FDCP will come out with a schedule of penalties for the violation of the JMC’s general labor standards provision.

The JMC will take effect 15 days after it was published on February 14.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

Drug dealers nabbed in Marawi City

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EARLY three years after the siege of Marawi City, authorities announced the arrest there of two alleged notorious drug dealers by a composite team of soldiers, policemen and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives.

Jamil Khalid and Saranganu Bangcorong Khalil alias Nur-Yahya and Marlon, both residents of Barangay Kiratan, Molundo, Marawi City were arrested on Saturday during a buybust operation. The two were nabbed by a joint team from the military, the Philippine National Police during the operation along the Amai Pakpak National Highway at Barangay Datu Saber, Marawi City at around 11:45 a.m.

Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command Commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana said that seized from the suspects were two jumbo size plastic sachets and one large zip lock transparent plastic sachet containing more or less 1 kilo of shabu

(methamphetamine hydrochloride) with an estimated value of P6.8 million.

The team also seized genuine P1,000 bills placed on top of 15 bundles photocopied P1,000 bill that were used during the buy-bust operation, six identification cards and two wallets.

“This is a very commendable accomplishment of our troops, and our partners, from the PDEA and PNP,” Sobejana said.

The suspects and the confiscated items were placed under the custody of the PDEA for documentation and filing of appropriate charges.

It was on May 23, 2017, that the first clash in Marawi City between government troops and armed members of several alleged terrorist groups began. A month later, soldiers raided a safehouse and confiscated bags of shabu, denoting that the drug was used by the armed groups so they can endure long battles. The siege lasted for five months or until October 2017. Rene Acosta

DOH: Poliovirus continues to spread

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EALTH Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said the Department of Health (DOH) has “evidence that the poliovirus continues to spread” as the DOH confirmed a case of poliomyelitis in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.

“It is important that we are able to timely detect any acute onset of paralysis in children, especially within our communities,” Duque said in a statement. “We have evidence that the poliovirus continues to spread. Our aim is to promptly diagnose and treat all possible polio cases.”

The DOH on Sunday reported that the total number of polio cases in the country already reached 17 following a report that a one-year-old boy from Nueva Ecija manifested with fever and sudden onset weakness of the left lower limb.

The case was detected through surveillance by barangay health workers of cases of acute flaccid paralysis in the communities.

The DOH also reported that environmental samples collected from Butuanon River, Cebu, tested positive for the poliovirus as confirmed by the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine.

The DOH said it is closely coordinating with the World Health Organization for an appropriate

vaccination response. The DOH added it is assisting the local government units of Cabanatuan and Mandaue in strengthening their respective staff capacity in the surveillance, identification and reporting mechanisms of acute flaccid paralysis.

The DOH said it continues to implement its vaccination campaign, called “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio,” or SPKP, in the National Capital Region (NCR) and all regions of Mindanao. The succeeding SPKP round will run from February 17 to March 1 in all regions of Mindanao, and February 24 to March 8 in Metro Manila.

“We need the participation of everybody to successfully end this outbreak,” Duque said.

The DOH said it has successfully conducted last year several vaccination rounds.

In early January, the DOH announced additional vaccinations in all regions of Mindanao and the NCR. The health department extended this campaign until April 2020. Thus, the DOH said it aims to achieve at least 95-percent coverage in all identified areas for every SPKP round “to ensure that there will be no child missed.”

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, February 17, 2020 A3

DDB decision seen hastening okay of medical cannabis bill

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By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

lawmaker said on Sunday that the move by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to green-light the use of cannabidiol should pave the way for the swift congressional approval of the measure allowing medical cannabis.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte issued the statement in response to a report quoting Undersecretary Benjamin P. Reyes, a DDB permanent member, that the DDB recently approved, in principle, a resolution allowing the local use of cannabidiol—an active ingredient in cannabis derived from the hemp plant—to alleviate severe forms of epilepsy.

“This game-changing decision by the DDB should serve as a strong impetus to Congress to act soon enough on a pending legislative measure creating a state agency to oversee the development of what could be a legitimate multibillion-dollar export industry focusing alone on the production and marketing of CBD [cannabidiol] or the kind of medical cannabis from this strain of the cannabis plant that is not addictive and does not produce the so-called buzz or high for users,” Villafuerte said.

During the 17th Congress, the lower chamber approved the bill allowing medical cannabis. But the Senate failed to approve it due to strong opposition from senators.

According to Villafuerte, his proposed

creation of the Philippine Cannabis Development Authority (PhilCADA)—as contained in House Bill 3961—should not be deemed in any manner to promote or legalize the recreational or nonmedical use of the cannabis plant. He also reiterated his full support for President Duterte’s all-out war on illicit drugs and narco-trafficking.

Among the active components of the cannabis plant are the nonaddictive pain reliever CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the kind that produces the high, or its psychoactive effects for marijuana users.

Villafuerte said the World Health Organization has recommended to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) to allow CBD with 0.2 percent THC to be reclassified in the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances as “Schedule 4.”

Schedule 4 reportedly refers to the substance now accepted for medical treatment and that has a low potential for abuse. CND is the DDB’s counterpart in the United Nations.

In HB 3961, Villafuerte said that the

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved the first and only prescription medicine using 100 percent CBD called Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures.

Multibillion-dollar

Villafuerte also said that the kind of CBD he wants the government to develop and market from the cannabis plant for its multibillion-dollar export potential “is the same ingredient found in carrots, black pepper and Echinacea tea, among others.”

Villafuerte said HB 3961 will benefit “not only ailing Filipinos in need of the medical treatment offered by CBD, but also the government in terms of export revenues that can be tapped from its potential $57-billion global market.”

Medical cannabis is now legal and used for health, scientific and research reasons in 60 countries across the globe, he said.

Citing published data, Villafuerte noted that the global legal medical cannabis market is expected to reach $55.8 billion by the end of 2025. Villafuerte reiterated that the medical cannabis in HB 3961 refers to CBD, “the nonaddictive, nonintoxicating strain of the cannabis plant, which is different from THC, which is classified in the Philippines as illegal as it delivers the euphoric high or buzz leading to addiction.”

He said the proposed PhilCADA will ensure that all medical cannabis products from the farm all the way to the finished products are of pharmaceutical grade.

He added that under PhilCADA, a special panel of technical experts will be set up to monitor cannabis farms, the processing or manufacture of cannabis products and its use that may be authorized by PhilCADA.

Economy BusinessMirror

A4 Monday, February 17, 2020 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Govt to develop feeds from sugarcane waste

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

PHL natgas production lower in 2019

he Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said it is developing animal feeds and fuel briquettes using waste from sugarcane fields, a move that would help reduce the contribution of farms to global warming.

PhilMech said converting agricultural wastes from sugarcane fields, which are mostly comprised of leaves and stalks, into animal feeds and fuel briquettes would also allow planters to earn additional income.

“Based on research conducted by PhilMech, 1 hectare of land planted with sugarcane can produce 11 to 21 tons of agricultural wastes in the form of leaves and stalks. However, most of the agricultural wastes from sugarcane farms are either left to rot in the field or burned, which could contribute to global warming,” it said.

PhilMech, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, said one of the viable solutions they have initially identified is to convert the wastes into animal feeds and fuel briquettes.

“Hence, the study is being

conducted to develop sugarcane crop waste-based silage and pelleted feeds for animal consumption, and an environment-friendly fuel briquette suitable for domestic cooking and industrial application,” it said.

“PhilMech believes producing animal feeds and fuel briquettes from sugarcane farm wastes will also benefit the farmers themselves, as they could earn additional income from processing and selling those two products,” it added.

PhilMech said it has already developed a forage chopper and feed pelletizer for the processing of sugarcane tops into animal feed. PhilMech added that proximate and nutritional analysis of the produced silage is being done to determine the best formulation out of the 13 formulations it has developed to date.

“In many rural areas in the

‘House all set to approve bill revising Public Service Act’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

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he chairman of the House Committee on Economic Affairs on Sunday said the lower chamber is now ready to approve a measure amending the 84-year-old Public Service Act, which seeks to define “public utility.”

AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin, the panel chairman, said before approving the substitute bill of House Bill 78, the plenary will consider the individual amendments that would be introduced by lawmakers.

The lower chamber has moved closer to amending the 84-year-old Public Service Act by terminating plenary debates on the measure last Wednesday.

The termination capped six months of discussions on HB 78, which seeks to limit the definition of a public utility.

The next step in the process is the presentation of committee and individual amendments, after which the bill is put to a second reading vote. Final and third reading vote takes place after three days.

“I am hoping to finish it on second reading but it will depend on the schedule of the plenary, as many bills also need to be taken up,” said Garin, the sponsor of the bill.

“We have a substitute bill, [there were changes] incorporated. More on the format than substance. But some members may have individual amendments,” she added.

Under HB 78, the definition of a public utility is limited to electricity distribution, electricity transmission, and water pipeline distribution or sewerage pipeline system.

The proposed law would amend Commonwealth Act 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act of 1936. The bill distinguishes “public service,” whose definition under the law is retained, from public utility.

Earlier, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, one of the principal authors of the measure, said competition and foreign investments are inhibited because limitations that should only apply to the operation of a public utility are applied to all public services.

“This situation is caused by the ambiguity in the definition of public utility that is often used interchangeably with public service under Commonwealth Act 146. The key to fixing this problem is to develop a clear statutory definition of public utility,” he said.

“This legislative reform will significantly contribute to increasing competition, as well as protecting the public interest. More competition among providers would result in lower prices and improved quality of basic services, creating a more competitive economy toward a better quality of life for all,” Salceda added.

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

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This March 2018 photo shows paka or cane points ready for planting. Department of Agrarian Reform photo

Philippines, wood is still utilized as fuel for cooking which contributes to deforestation. But with products like briquettes, rural households need not rely on wood anymore for cooking,” it said.

“Also, PhilMech is studying alternative or supplementary feeds for livestock, and sugarcane wastes could be a raw material for silage as

feed for animals,” it added.

Some 490,000 hectares of farmlands in the Philippines are planted with sugarcane, according to the latest estimates of the Sugar Regulatory Administration.

Based on PhilMech’s estimates, the sugarcane farms leave about 4.5 million metric tons to nearly 8.6 MMT of agricultural wastes,

according to the BusinessMirror’s computations.

“Instead of throwing away or burning their farm wastes, sugarcane farmers could definitely earn from processing, and selling, animal feeds and fuel briquettes made from sugarcane wastes,” said PhilMech Executive Director Baldwin G. Jallorina.

Online jobs, perks to help women stay in labor force–study

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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iving incentives to working couples and increasing work-from-home opportunities would allow more women to participate in the labor force, according to a study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

In a policy note, titled “Why and how should we value unpaid work?,” PIDS Research Fellow Connie Bayudan-Dacuycuy noted that housework and care work in the home keep many women out of the labor force.

Based on the merged Labor Force Survey data from 2003 to 2009, Bayudan-Dacuycuy said around 82 percent of women have experienced market work interruptions due to housework.

“When push comes to shove, they opt out of the labor market. The society then misses out on their contribution, and this is a compelling reason for recognizing the value of unpaid work,” she said.

Bayudan-Dacuycuy said giving incentives for working couples will discourage women from quitting their jobs. This incentive, she said, can be extended to couples who are both working and are of a certain income bracket. These couples must also have preschool children to avail themselves of the incentive.

The incentive can then be used for day-care services or the payment of a nanny’s wages. This can be deductible from the income of couples or be extended as subsidies to tax-exempt workers.

The study said the Department of Labor

and Employment (DOLE) can create a labor platform that facilitates information between the supply and demand of service jobs that can be done at home.

Bayudan-Dacuycuy said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) can also help micro and small enterprises become more visible in local markets. She said the government can take the lead by scaling up the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s digitaljobsPH Program.

“DigitaljobsPH is a program that aims to promote and develop online freelancing industry and home-based outsourcing through advocacy workshops and technical trainings in rural communities, and is intended to create meaningful information and communications technology-enabled jobs in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in the country,” she said.

Bayudan-Dacuycuy said around 90 percent of women workers have experienced one or two interruptions due to housework. She added that workers who experienced four or more interruptions due to housework are women.

This does not help considering that the Philippines has one of the highest fertility rates in the region at 2.7 children born per woman.

Bayudan-Dacuycuy said policy-makers also need to consider the proportion of the elderly in the country, which is expected to increase to 10 percent by 2025, and 16 percent by 2045.

“Design systems for elderly care. This will help the country prepare for an increasing elderly population. The increase in caregiving

demands due to aging or health deterioration can lead to low labor productivity and, therefore, should be included in policy discussions,” she said.

PIDS Senior Research Fellow Michael Abrigo earlier said the monetary value of women’s time spent on child care, elder care, and house chores, like cleaning, cooking and washing, makes up 20 percent of the country’s GDP. Based on 2018 data, the BusinessMirror estimated that using constant 2000 prices, this could reach P1.84 trillion given the economy was worth P9.2 trillion. But using current prices, the value of women’s unpaid work could reach P3.48 trillion since GDP was at P17.42 trillion.

Abrigo said he and his coauthor used the National Transfer Account and the National Time Transfer Account to measure the worth of unpaid work. The NTA captures the productive activities within the production boundaries of the GDP while the NTTA estimates the time spent on unpaid work.

To entice women to spend more time on paid market activities, Abrigo urged the government to look for ways to improve their labor participation like the implementation of flexible working arrangements, telecommuting, and extended maternity leave, according to Abrigo.

Based on the latest Labor Force Survey, nearly 11 million Filipinas have stopped looking for jobs in January as they were forced to just stay in the house and perform their domestic duties, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

HE country’s natural gas output last year stood at 150,495 million cubic feet, lower than the previous year’s production of 150,804 MMcf, based on data released by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Figures from the DOE showed that the Philippines consumed 149,007 MMcf of last year’s output, higher than the 2018 record of 145,273 MMcf. Natural gas production in the country is mainly consumed by the power, industrial and transport sectors. Of which, 146,365 MMcf was utilized to boost the country’s power generation. The industrial sector took up 2,642 MMcf. The transport industry recorded zero consumption.

Last year’s data brings the total output to 2,247,582 billion cubic feet while consumption stood at 2,164,788 billion cubic feet.

Of the total output, the power sector consumed 2,125,483 billion cubic feet, while 39,121 MMcf went to the industrial sector.

DOE officials said the country’s natural gas is being consumed domestically. It relies on the Malampaya Deep Water Gas field.

At present, the Malampaya Deep Water Gas to Power project is producing 3,400 megawatts.

The gas field in offshore Palawan fuels three natural gas-fired power stations with a total generating capacity of 2,700 MW to provide 30 percent of Luzon’s power generation requirements.

The agency highlighted the need for the country to expand the country’s gas facility before the depletion of the Malampaya gas reserves.

The Malampaya gas field is being maintained and operated by a consortium led by Shell Philippines Exploration BV, with 45 percent in SC 38; Chevron Malampaya LLC, 45 percent; and state-led Philippine National Oil Co. Exploration Corp., with the remaining 10 percent.

Davao businessman Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp. is acquiring the Chevron Malampaya’s entire stake in the gas project. The deal is still subject to regualtory approvals.

SBMA lifts travel restrictions on Taiwanese businessmen, cargo vessels

By Henry Empeño Correspondent

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UBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said it eased the entry restrictions on travelers and vessels from Taiwan late Friday after Malacañang announced that it has scrapped the temporary travel ban which has affected the operations of some investor-companies here.

SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said the Subic agency followed suit in lifting the ban after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases eased travel restrictions “because of strict measures being undertaken by Taiwan to contain the spread of the new coronavirus or COVID-19.”

She added that the travel restrictions on Taiwan which was affirmed by the SBMA only last Tuesday “will now be rescinded pursuant to this new directive.”

Sources at the SBMA Business and Investment Department said some Taiwanese businessmen in Subic had asked for assistance to

reenter the Philippines after being caught in Taiwan when the ban was imposed.

Currently, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone hosts more than 50 Taiwanese firms with over $500 million worth of investments and about 15,000 jobs generated.

Last Friday, a group of prospective Taiwanese investors resorted to teleconferencing in order to discuss investment proposals with SBMA officials when the ban was still in place.

Eisma said the SBMA board of directors formally approved a temporary travel ban on China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as other countries affected by COVID-19 in face of the growing threat of infection.

“While Subic is a global trade gateway, we have to enforce this ban on persons and ships from affected countries, and other safety precautions to protect the stakeholders of Subic Bay,” Eisma said in a statement released early Friday.

Subic toed the national government’s line imposing the temporary travel ban in the face of World Health Organization’s assessment placing more than 43,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the world and more

than a thousand deaths since the outbreak early this year in Wuhan, China.

The affected countries included the Philippines, which recorded the first COVID-19 death outside of China, and 23 others—South Korea, Nepal, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Australia, Canada and the United States.

Under Board Resolution 20-02-1610, the SBMA imposed a temporary ban on the entry of persons, regardless of nationality, who come directly from China, or any of its special administrative regions (SARs), or had traveled to these places within 14 days prior to arrival in the Philippines.

The temporary ban applied as well to cruise ships and airplanes coming from COVID-affected countries, or carrying passengers from any country affected by the virus. The ban, however, did not cover Filipino citizens and holders of permanent residency visas issued by the Philippine government.

Eisma said that as part of precautions in

Subic, she had asked offshore gaming operators here not to hire workers from China at the moment, while requiring foreign nationals applying for Alien Employment Permit to submit a medical certificate that he/she has no symptoms indicative of COVID-19 for the past 14 days.

The SBMA also ordered the mandatory physical inspection of all foreign nationals entering SBMA gates to check for body temperature, cough, colds and other symptoms associated with COVID-19, and required Subic residents, locators and employees who traveled from China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan in the past 14 days to stay at home for self-quarantine even if they did not exhibit any sign or symptom of respiratory infection.

The SBMA has also asked business locators to undertake daily thermal scanning of personnel in their offices and facilities, and to observe disinfection practices, for schools in the free port to suspend all off-campus activities, and for hotels operators to report any guest who has traveled from China, or any other affected countries in the past 14 days prior to check in for monitoring purposes.

Agriculture/Commodities BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Monday, February 17, 2020 A5

Brussels asks Manila anew to lift ban on pork imports

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

russels again appealed to Manila to lift the import ban it slapped on Belgian pork products, saying it has been able to contain the outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) among wild boars in Belgium.

Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines Michel Goffin raised the matter with Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar during their recent meeting, according to a statement issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“Ambassador Goffin [sought] for the lifting of the temporary ban on the importation of pigs and pork products from Belgium issued by the DA in 2018, as well as the accreditation of Belgian fruits,” the DA said.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Livestock William C. Medrano committed to review the report submitted by Belgium to the department and cross-check it with the information from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

“We do not want it [Belgian import ban] to impede trade but food security is still our priority,” said Dar.

Belgian live hogs and pork products are not allowed to enter the Philippines since October 2018, after Brussels confirmed ASF outbreaks in its wild boar population.

Brussels has been urging Manila to lift the blanket import ban, saying Belgian traders have been losing millions of euros due to the trade restriction.

Prior to the import ban, Belgium ships some 15,000 metric tons of pork products to the Philippines.

The country’s pork imports from Belgium in 2018 declined by 7.34 percent to 13,995.328 MT, from 15,103.634 MT recorded in 2017, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) data showed.

“It is unfair to embargo the whole country when it was only a localized outbreak and has already been contained. It doesn’t make any sense, and it is against the standards of the [OIE] and even

against the spirit of the World Trade Organization,” Goffin told the BusinessMirror in an interview in February 2019.

Last year, BAI told the BusinessMirror that it is being “prudent” when it imposed the blanket ban on Belgian pork products as ASF could cripple the P200-billion local hog industry.

In response to the appeal of Belgium, BAI Director Ronnie D. Domingo said the BAI would seek more information from Brussels on the actions it has undertaken to contain ASF, particularly measures to ensure the safety of the Belgian animal feeds. This is because ASF could thrive even in animal feeds and plants, he said.

“We want to be guaranteed by other countries that even the plants that grew within the area of the affected farms have been secured or cleared of ASF,” Domingo told the BusinessMirror last year.

“We want Belgium to prove that the source of their feed ingredients is safe. It’s true they have showed their laboratory results, biosecurity measures and control measures, [and they] are okay. But our other concerns include the handling of Belgium’s animal feeds,” he added.

Nonetheless, Dar and Goffin agreed to pursue better cooperation to support the livestock development of the Philippines, particularly in improving the country’s cattle stocks through crossbreeding, according to the DA.

Bayer faces more Monsanto pain with $265-million dicamba award

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ayer AG’s first United States trial over the dicamba herbicide resulted in a $265 million damage award to a Missouri farmer who blamed the company and its competitor BASF SE for destroying his peach orchards.

The jury verdict is the latest litigation hit for Bayer, which is also seeking to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming exposure to its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. The German drug and chemical giant faces more than 140 lawsuits over allegations that dicamba wreaked havoc across the Midwestern US when it drifted onto crops that weren’t engineered to resist the herbicide. Both dicamba and Roundup are produced by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018.

Adding to Bayer’s legal woes in the US, it’s set to go to trial in March in the first of thousands of lawsuits claiming it hid safety risks of its Essure birth-control device. It’s also battling suits by numerous cities alleging that Monsanto contaminated waterways with toxic PCBs, a chemical compound widely used in industrial applications before it was banned in 1979 over environmental concerns. Bayer has denied wrongdoing over both of the weedkillers, as well as Essure and PCBs. Saturday’s decision by jurors to impose $250 million in punishment

damages on Bayer and BASF on top of $15 million to compensate farmer Bill Bader for losses to his peach crops may encourage other commercial growers from Arkansas to Illinois to pursue trials rather than settle their claims over ruined crops, including corn, cotton and soybeans.

Bayer vowed to appeal, with US spokesman Chris Loder saying “the evidence presented at trial demonstrated that Monsanto’s products were not responsible for the losses sought in this lawsuit.”

Each of the three Roundup trials Bayer has lost so far—resulting in combined damages of $191 million after jury verdicts totaling more than $2.4 billion were reduced—has triggered thousands of additional claims from consumers. The court-appointed mediator overseeing settlement negotiations said in mid-January he was “cautiously optimistic” a comprehensive deal will be reached in about a month.

Several trials have been put on hold as talks continue.

Monsanto has been fighting lawsuits since 2015 over its dicamba product, now called XtendiMax. BASF makes its own dicamba-based herbicide for use on its genetically modified seeds.

The companies say the crop damages stem from farmers applying the

chemical incorrectly, and that dicamba’s current formulations won’t drift if proper procedures are followed.

In Bader’s trial in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the peach farmer said neighbors planted dicamba-resistant cotton engineered by Monsanto and sprayed it with the older, easy-drift version of the weedkiller made by BASF. The herbicide enveloped his peach orchards, curling leaves and killing trees.

He testified that he tried to get Monsanto to inspect his damaged trees, but was told by a company representative that it didn’t have the manpower to make it out to his farm, about 180 miles (290 kilometers) south of St. Louis.

The companies’ lawyers presented statistical evidence showing that Bader’s peach yields had begun to fall prior to 2015. They cited weather events, such as hail storms and late freezes, as the cause for declining peach production.

Donna Jakubowski, a US-based spokesman for BASF, didn’t respond to a phone calls seeking comment on the jury award. It’s unclear how the award will be split between Bayer and BASF. Bev Randles, one of Bader’s lawyers, said the $265 million verdict sends a message to all US corporations.

“There is no giant too big,” she said.

“Everyone has to follow the law.”

Bloomberg News

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Business

Monday, February 17, 2020

Xi’s involvement in virus outbreak raises questions

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EIJING—A recent speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping that has been published by state media indicates for the first time that he was leading the response to a new virus outbreak from early on in the crisis.

The publication of the February 3 speech was an apparent attempt to demonstrate that the Communist Party leadership acted decisively from the beginning, but also opens Xi up to criticism over why the public was not alerted sooner.

In the speech, Xi said he gave instructions on fighting the virus on January 7 and ordered the shutdown of cities that began on January 23 at the epicenter of the outbreak. His remarks were published by state media on Saturday.

“On January 22, in light of the epidemic’s rapid spread and the challenges of prevention and control, I made a clear request that Hubei province implement comprehensive and stringent controls over the outflow of people,” he told a meeting of the party’s standing committee, its top body.

China’s National Health Commission on Sunday reported a drop in new virus cases for the third straight day. There were 2,009 new cases in mainland China, bringing the total to 68,500.

The mortality rate remained stable with 142 new deaths, the commission said, raising the death toll from COVID-19, a disease caused by a new coronavirus, to 1,665. Another 9,419 people have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Four people have died outside of mainland China, with the most recent fatalities in France and Japan last week.

About 400 Americans on a quarantined cruise ship in Japan were awaiting charter flights home, as Japan announced another 70 infections had been confirmed on the vessel. Canada and Hong Kong said they were planning similar flights.

Xi’s role was muted in the early days of the epidemic, which has grown into one of the biggest political challenges of his seven-year tenure.

The disclosure of his speech indicates top leaders knew about the outbreak’s potential severity weeks before such dangers were made known to the public. It was not until late January that officials said the virus can spread between humans and public alarm began to rise.

Trust in the government’s approach to outbreaks remains fractured after the SARS epidemic of 2002 and 2003, which was covered up for months.

The outbreak began in December in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei, which has the bulk of infections and deaths.

On January 23, Wuhan became the first city to impose an unprecedented halt on outbound transportation,

since expanded to other cities with a combined population of more than 60 million.

Authorities in Hubei and Wuhan faced public fury over their initial handling of the epidemic. The anger reached a peak earlier this month following the death of Li Wenliang, a young doctor who was reprimanded by local police for trying to spread a warning about the virus. He ended up dying of the disease himself.

In apparent response, the Communist Party’s top officials in Hubei and Wuhan were dismissed and replaced last week.

Even as authorities have pledged transparency through the current outbreak, citizen journalists who challenged the official narrative with video reports from Wuhan have disappeared and are believed to be detained.

The fall in new cases follows a spike of more than 15,000 on Thursday, when Hubei began to include cases that had been diagnosed by a doctor but not yet confirmed by laboratory tests.

Overwhelmed by the number of suspected cases, the province has not been able to test every person exhibiting symptoms. The clinical diagnosis is based on doctors’ analyses and lung imaging, and is intended to allow probable cases to be treated as confirmed ones without the need to wait for a lab result.

The virus has spread to more than two dozen countries and prompted many to place entry restrictions on people from China and recent visitors to the country.

About 400 Americans aboard the cruise ship docked at Yokohama, near Tokyo, were told to decide whether to stay or take chartered aircraft arranged by the US government to fly

them home, where they would face another 14-day quarantine. Those going were to begin leaving the ship on Sunday night. People with symptoms were to be banned from the flights.

About 255 Canadians and 330 Hong Kong residents are on board the ship or undergoing treatment in Japanese hospitals. They, too, would face a second quarantine.

The 70 new cases on the Diamond Princess raised the number of infected to 355.

American passenger Matthew Smith told The Associated Press that he and his wife were not taking the flights, because the 14-day quarantine for the ship is set to end on Wednesday. The evacuees will be taken to Travis Air Force Base in California, with some continuing to Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, where they will have to undergo another quarantine.

Malaysia said it would not allow any more passengers from another cruise ship to transit the country after an 83-year-old American woman from the MS Westerdam tested positive for the virus.

She was among 145 passengers who flew from Cambodia to Malaysia on Friday. Her husband also had symptoms but tested negative for the virus. The Westerdam was turned away from four ports around Asia before Cambodia allowed it to dock in Sihanoukville late last week.

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said that her country would bar cruise ships that came from or transit any Chinese ports from docking.

Cambodia said earlier that all 1,455 passengers on the Holland America-operated ship had tested negative for the virus. AP

France announces 1st death of virus patient outside Asia

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ARIS—France on Saturday reported the first death outside Asia of a person infected with the new virus from China, an 80-year-old Chinese tourist who two French hospitals initially turned away, and also reported a new confirmed case that brought the country’s total to 12.

Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said she learned on Friday night about the death of the patient, a man who tested positive for the virus in late January and had been isolated in intensive care at a Paris hospital.

The patient, who was from the province in central China that’s been hardest-hit by the virus, had a serious lung infection. All the previous deaths outside mainland China due to COVID-19, the disease the virus causes, were in Asia: one each in Japan, the Philippines and Hong Kong.

The Health Ministry announced on Saturday night that France’s latest case is a British person who, like five other infected Britons, had stayed in an Alpine chalet with a businessman from England who had attended a conference in Singapore. The ministry said the new patient been tested daily while in isolation at a Lyon hospital before testing positive on Saturday.

There were contradicting reports about the timing of when the Chinese tourist who died in France became ill and started to receive treatment.

Buzyn said he arrived in France on January 16 and was hospitalized on January 25 under strict isolation measures but his condition deteriorated rapidly.

Other French medical officials had said previously that the patient arrived in France on January 23 and quickly fell ill.

France’s Health Minister Agnes Buzyn arrives to a meeting, at the Hôtel Matignon, Paris, on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The announcement by Buzyn brings the total number of people with the virus in France to 12. Buzyn said they appear linked to a British person who stayed there in late January, and was later on confirmed to have the virus after returning to Britain. AP Photo/Thibault Camus

Dr. Yazdan Yazdanpanah, head of Bichat’s infectious diseases unit, said the man visited two French hospitals. Because he “didn’t fulfill the definition” of someone considered at risk of infection with the virus, the hospitals decided it was unnecessary to test him, Yazdanpanah said.

The man did not live in Wuhan, the Chinese city that was the epicenter of the outbreak, but was from Hubei province, which includes Wuhan. He later tested positive and was put in isolation at Bichat Hospital on January 28, Yazdanpanah said.

The man’s daughter also tested positive for the virus and admitted to Bichat Hospital for treatment, but is doing well and should be able to leave soon, the French health minister said.

As of Saturday, four of France’s 12 confirmed virus cases were in people since declared “cured” and released

from the hospital, including a French doctor who was allowed to go home Friday, Buzyn said. A total of seven others remained hospitalized.

Buzyn said she had no news about a French person who was among the 285 people from a cruise ship near Tokyo who tested positive for the virus and was hospitalized in Japan.

Three other French are on the ship, which is in quarantine in Yokohama.

Germany’s dpa news agency reported on Saturday that two infected passengers on the quarantined Diamond Princess are German citizens, according to the German Embassy in Tokyo.

Nine European countries collectively have 46 cases of the virus that first emerged in central China in December, with Germany having the most at 16.

The virus has infected more than 67,000 people globally and has killed

at least 1,526 patients, the vast majority in China. The World Health Organization has called the virus a threat to global health.

Chinese authorities have placed some 60 million people under a strict lockdown, built emergency hospitals and instituted controls across the country to fight the spread of the virus. Restaurants, cinemas and other businesses have been closed nationwide, and sports and cultural events have been canceled to prevent crowds from gathering.

In Munich on Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a gathering of the world’s top defense officials and diplomats that his country was “determined to fight and win this battle” against the virus, and suggested that its efforts were paying off.

“Dawn is breaking and we are seeing light coming through,” Wang said through a translator.

He said the epidemic has presented a “severe challenge” to China’s economy growth but said it was well positioned to rebound.

“The fundamentals sustaining strong economic growth have not changed, and will not change,” he said. “After the storm comes the rainbow, and we are confident that China will emerge stronger from the epidemic.” Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said all Italians who sought repatriation from Wuhan due to the coronavirus have returned to Italy. The last was 17-year-old student who arrived on a military flight early Saturday after being twice refused passage due to a fever. The teen has tested negative for coronavirus, and will now spend two weeks in quarantine at a military facility near Rome. AP

China moves to ease mounting anger with reset of virus fight

Government workers wait for patients to arrive at a tumor hospital newly designated to treat COVID-19 patients in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on Saturday, February 15, 2020.

As of Sunday, the virus is thought to have infected more than 69,000 people globally and has killed at least 1,665 people in China, as the Chinese government announced new anti-disease measures while businesses reopen following sweeping controls that have idled much of the economy. Chinatopix via AP

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hina took action on two fronts to gain control of the spiraling coronavirus outbreak gripping the country: reporting a dramatic increase in cases and ousting top officials who failed to check the disease’s expansion.

First, health authorities revealed on Thursday that cases in Hubei province, where the disease first emerged, had surged by 45 percent to almost 50,000 after they included a new group of patients. That raised the global tally to almost 60,000, dashing hopes that the epidemic might be easing. Additional cases announced on Friday by China increased the total further to more than 64,000 worldwide.

Authorities also announced the replacement of the two most senior Communist Party officials in Hubei and its hard-hit capital, Wuhan. Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong—a former top judge who once served under President Xi Jinping—was named to replace embattled provincial boss, Jiang Chaoliang.

The shake-up represented the biggest political fallout yet from an outbreak that has in a little over two months shaken confidence in China’s leaders and caused countries from the US to Japan to restrict or block visits by its citizens. The decision on the heels of the expanded case tally was reminiscent of a boardroom reset, in which bad numbers are disclosed first to give the new team a clean slate.

“First of all, they are trying to clean up the backlog of untested people who haven’t been confirmed,” said Ether Yin, partner at Beijing-based consulting firm Trivium China. “It’s politically important for them to get the number right before the new party boss comes in, so that all the new confirmed cases happened under Jiang Chaoliang’s watch. The new party secretary needs a new starting line.”

The surprise revision came amid mounting speculation that China was undercounting cases of the new coronavirus strain, as countries around the world struggle to contain a disease that appears to spread when patients show only mild symptoms. Daily declines in new cases in Hubei earlier this week helped push US equity markets to record highs on Wednesday.

Asia stocks were mixed on Friday as traders continued to digest China’s latest coronavirus data, after most global equity markets fell on Thursday. The moves came hours after Xi urged a meeting of the Politburo’s supreme Standing Committee to follow through on epidemic-control efforts, which he said had achieved “positive” results.

‘All-out’ efforts

Xi has ordered “all-out” efforts to contain the disease and forcibly

quarantined more than 40 million people in Hubei, while the party appointed a task force led

by Premier Li Keqiang to coordinate the nationwide response. In recent days, the central government sent two senior officials to help lead the response in Hubei, and removed two top members of the provincial health commission from their posts.

Pressure has increased on the party after a nationwide outpouring of grief and fury over the death of Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang, who was accused by local police of spreading rumors after sounding one of the first warnings about the outbreak of the disease now known as COVID-19. Indications that news of Li’s death from the disease was also censored by Chinese authorities prompted further outrage on social media.

“With the full support of the central leading team, the new frontline commanders, together with some newly appointed officials to head the local disease control and prevention systems, have been entrusted with the urgent mission of getting to grips with the situation in the hardest-hit region,” the China Daily, a state-run newspaper directed at an Englishspeaking audience, wrote in a commentary published on Thursday.

The reset met was with skepticism on Chinese social media, where residents had long speculated based on anecdotes reported in local media and shared online that case numbers were higher than the official tallies. Many compared the approach to the actions of a troubled company.

“Past liabilities got cleared, so the new officials can start afresh, unburdened by the prior failures,” wrote a Weibo user named Maitian with more than 200,000 followers. The post was widely shared on the Twitter-like platform before disappearing. By early Friday, “Wuhan case number unclear” had become a top trending topic on Weibo.

The reshuffle raises the stakes for Xi as he takes greater personal responsibility for the response.

Ying was appointed mayor of Shanghai in January 2017 after a career spent mostly in the financial center and neighboring Zhejiang province, including stints under the future president.

Jiang, a former governor of Jilin province who’s held posts at several banks, has led Hubei’s provincial party committee since October 2016. He had previously led the People’s Bank of China’s Shenzhen and Guangzhou branches during the Asian financial crisis.

Local officials often bear the brunt when crises threaten the ruling party. China fired more than 100 officials, including the health minister and the mayor of Beijing, after allegations that local governments suppressed information about a similar outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, in 2003. Bloomberg News

World

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news@businessmirror.com.ph | Monday, February 17, 2020

Cost of China’s antivirus H fight rises with workers idle

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HK facing ‘tsunami-like’ shocks–Finance chief

In this photo taken on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, a woman walks past Lunar New Year décor and shuttered bars at a retail district in Beijing, China. Millions of Chinese workers and entrepreneurs are bearing the rising costs of an antivirus campaign that has shut down large sections of the economy. The government has imposed restrictions nationwide that have stalled travel and sales of real estate and autos. AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

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EIJING—Real-estate agent Du Xuekun’s sales usually jump after the Lunar New Year holiday. But this year, Du has been at home for a month with no income after vast swathes of China’s economy were shut down in a sweeping effort to contain a virus outbreak.

Du, who lives in Jiaozhuo, near the central city of Zhengzhou, is one of millions of people who are bearing the soaring cost of the most extreme anti-disease measures ever imposed. Some businesses are reopening, but Beijing has told the public to stay home if possible.

“People will buy food and clothes online but for sure won’t buy an apartment without seeing it,” said Du. Industries from auto sales to travel to retailing effectively shut down after curbs were imposed starting January 23 with the suspension of most access to Wuhan, an industrial metropolis of 11 million people at the center of the outbreak.

Travel restrictions expanded to cities with more than 60 million people, while curbs on business spread nationwide. The Lunar New Year holiday was extended to keep factories and offices closed. Nationwide, thousands of restaurants and cinemas have been shut to prevent crowds from gathering.

The rising losses threaten to become a political liability for the ruling Communist Party. Local officials have been ordered to revive business activity but are moving cautiously.

By Sunday, some 1,665 deaths and 68,500 cases had been reported in the two months since the first infections in December.

Economists warn optimism that the disease might be under control is premature. Even if auto manufacturing and other business resumes as planned, activity won’t be back to normal until at least mid-March.

Losses are expected to be so large that forecasters have cut estimates for China’s economic growth.

Forecasters, including Capital Economics,

say growth, already at multi-decade lows, might fall to 2 percent in the three months ending in March, down from the previous quarter’s official figure of 6 percent.

“If the economy really gets into a tailspin, the challenge for the party will be substantially increased,” said Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at London’s School of Oriental and African Studies.

Locking down Wuhan might have hurt more than it helped by causing panic and was “very damaging to the economy,” said Tsang.

“They will have to rethink the lockdown approach,” he said.

The ruling party has responded to the mounting economic pressure by promising tax breaks and subsidies to companies hurt by the anti-disease measures.

The government needs to “maintain stable economic operation and social harmony,” President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday.

On Friday, the Ministry of Finance announced that companies with monthly sales below 100,000 yuan ($14,000) will be exempt from value-added and other taxes.

It said companies that cannot repay loans might be allowed to invoke “force majeure,” a last-resort legal measure that can waive obligations in disasters.

Travel and hospitality were hardest-hit after the government canceled group tours and told businesspeople to put off travel.

Airlines canceled thousands of flights and hotels closed.

The manager of a travel agency in Shenyang, the biggest city in China’s northeast, said its monthly revenue, usually 100,000 yuan ($14,000), fell to zero. He said the agency still is paying rent and wages of 20,000 yuan ($2,800) a month.

“We don’t expect to see a recovery until May or June,” said the manager, who would

give only his surname, Xu. “We do hope the government can give us a tax exemption or reduction, but we still have seen no subsidies.”

Property sales have fallen to almost zero over the past three weeks. The industry employs millions of people and drives demand for appliances, furniture and other consumer goods.

Du, the real-estate salesman, said he usually closes two sales a month and earns 7,000 yuan to 8,000 yuan ($1,000 to $1,100). He needs to make a 3,000-yuan ($430) monthly loan payment whether he works or not.

“I have no base salary and live on commission,” said Du, 27. “Without sales, there will be no income.”

Chinese leaders already were struggling to shore up economic growth that slowed to 6.1 percent last year thanks to weak consumer demand and a tariff war with Washington. Some economists, citing industry surveys and other data, say real growth already was much weaker than that.

The anti-disease measures closed factories that supply the world with smartphones, furniture, shoes, toys and household appliances. That sent shockwaves through other developing countries that supply industrial components and iron ore, copper and other commodities.

South Korea and other economies that rely on China as an export market face potential job losses.

E-commerce companies are hiring extra workers to cope with a flood of demand as families stay home and buy groceries online.

But streets in Beijing and other major cities are still empty and eerily quiet.

Auto sales plunged 20.2 percent in January from a year earlier, deepening a two-yearold decline in the industry’s biggest global market. Sales fell 9.6 percent last year to 21.4 million, well below their 2017 peak of 24.7 million.

That is squeezing global automakers that look to China to drive revenue as they spend billions of dollars to develop electric vehicles to meet government sales targets.

“Enterprises are under huge pressure,” said a statement by an industry group, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

China rebounded relatively quickly from its 2002-2003 outbreak of SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, but economic conditions now are less rosy.

SARS struck when China was entering a history-making boom powered by construction and exports. Growth peaked at a blistering 14.2 percent in 2007. By contrast, the latest virus hit in the midst of a slowdown.

In smartphones, Apple, Huawei and other brands face a potential hit because China is both their No. 1 market and global production base. Shipments might fall as much as 50 percent this quarter compared with the final three months of 2019, according to research firm Canalys.

There is a “high risk” that component suppliers, with factory workers still stranded in their hometowns by travel bans, “will not be able to ramp up to normal capacity if the outbreak is prolonged,” Canalys said in a report.

Apple and other global vendors face a “serious impact” if the virus spreads and those suppliers close, the report said.

“The current situation will likely lead to some of the worst ever shipment numbers,” it said. AP

Opec underestimates China virus T he Covid-19 virus is a human tragedy for many who have been affected by it and it’s having a profound impact on the lives of a large part of the Chinese population. The impact on the rest of the world of the disease’s dislocation of the Chinese economy is yet to be fully felt. Forecasts of only a modest impact on oil demand worldwide are far too optimistic.

A comparison of the latest forecasts from the world’s three big oil agencies— the International Energy Agency (IEA), the US Energy Information Administration and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries—highlights the huge uncertainty that exists over the virus’s repercussions for oil demand. As

may be expected for a body representing oil producers, Opec sees the impact as minimal, having just cut its firstquarter forecast for global oil demand by only 400,000 barrels a day. That looks like wishful thinking. The IEA’s revision is three times as big, and if its forecast bears out, it’s deep enough to tip the world into its first year-on-year drop in demand in more than a decade.

China’s own oil consumption is down sharply as factories stay closed and travel restrictions remain in place even after the extended Lunar New Year holiday comes to an end. Congestion on roads in major cities is far below normal levels. BloombergNEF estimates that China’s jet fuel use is now

down by 240,000 barrels a day from previrus levels, with departures from Chinese airports down by around 80 percent.

Pollution statistics also capture the slowdown in economic activity and fuel use—something that under different circumstances might be reason to celebrate. China’s nitrogen-dioxide emissions fell 36 percent in the week after the holiday from the same period a year earlier, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. A slowdown of 25 percent to 50 percent across industrial sectors, such as oil refining, coal-fired power generation and steel production contributed to the drop, according to the independent research organization. Bloomberg News

ong Kong is facing “tsunami-like” shocks, and may incur a record-budget deficit in the next fiscal year as the city counts the costs of the coronavirus outbreak after months of social unrest, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said.

The impact of the epidemic on the Hong Kong economy is being felt beyond retail, food and beverage, and tourismrelated industries, Chan said in a blog post on Sunday. The shortterm economic outlook is “cautious,” and shocks can cause the unemployment rate to “deteriorate rapidly,” Chan said.

“In addition to launching countercyclical relief measures to support the economy, the government’s recurrent expenditure in the past 10 years has continued to increase

significantly, and the weakening economy has significantly reduced government revenue from tax and land,” Chan wrote, elaborating on the deficit.

The budget shortfall will likely continue for a period of time, he said.

Economists are revising down their forecasts for Hong Kong’s economic growth in 2020, with the virus worsening the current recession which was a fallout from the city’s political crisis. The government will seek approval from the territory’s legislature for at least HK$25 billion ($3.2 billion) in fresh funding to reduce the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in the city, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Friday. Bloomberg News

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Monday, February 17, 2020

The World BusinessMirror

Foreign ministers seek to reinforce drive to cut Libya’s arms supplies

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UNICH—Foreign ministers and other top officials from about a dozen countries gathered on Sunday in Germany to keep up the push for peace in Libya after countries with interests in its longrunning civil war agreed to respect a much-violated arms embargo and back a full cease-fire.

With this meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Germany and the United Nations were seeking to keep up a drive to cut off outside military support for the warring parties.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said the January19 agreement by leaders in Berlin has been repeatedly violated by continuing arms deliveries and escalating fighting.

Libya has been in turmoil since 2011, when a civil war toppled longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed.

A wea k UN-recog nized administration that now holds the capital of Tripoli and parts of the

country’s west is backed by Turkey, which recently sent thousands of soldiers to Libya, and to a lesser degree Qatar and Italy as well as local militias.

On the other side is a rival government in the east that supports self-styled Gen. Khalifa Hifter, whose forces launched an offensive to capture the Libyan capital of Tripoli last April. They are backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France and Russia.

Since the Berlin summit, the rival Libyan military factions have met in Geneva in a UN-led effort to forge a lasting truce. A first round faltered when officials concluded negotiations without signing an

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (right) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shake hands before a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, in Munich, Germany, on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Cavusoglu said the difference of opinion in Syria would not affect the Turkey-Russia relations. Turkish Foreign Ministry via AP

agreement, though another round of talks is expected next week.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war in Libya and condemned the recent increase in violence in the oil-rich North

African country.

The European Union, whose foreign ministers are set to discuss Libya on Monday, is considering whether and how to have naval ships enforce the UN arms embargo against Libya. AP

UN official says air strikes kill more than 30 civilians in Yemen

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ANAA, Yemen—Air strikes killed more than 30 civilians in a mountainous northern Yemeni province on Saturday, the UN humanitarian chief for the country said, calling the attack “shocking.”

The Yemeni rebels, known as Houthis, accused the Saudi-led coalition of launching retaliatory airstrikes, after they shot down a coalition warplane over the province of Jawf.

Saudi Arabia’s state-run news agency quoted Col. Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the coalition, as saying it was investigating “possible collateral damage” from a rescue operation in the area after the downing of the Tornado warplane late Friday.

Al-Maliki was quoted as saying the plane was providing air support for Yemeni government forces fighting the Houthis.

He said the two-pilot crew of the Tornado managed to eject safely before the crash, claiming that the Houthis opened fire on them. He said the Houthis were responsible for the pilots’ “life and safety,” according to Saudi Arabia’s official

news agency.

He did not say whether there were causalities or provide further details.

The UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Lise Grande, said “these terrible strikes” in alMaslub district killed at least 31 civilians and wounded 12 others, according to preliminary field reports.

“So many people are being killed in Yemen—it’s a tragedy and it’s unjustified....Five years into this conflict and belligerents are still failing to uphold this responsibility,” she said. “It’s shocking.”

She said many wounded were taken to hospitals in Jawf and Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

Youssef al-Hadri, spokesman for the Houthi-run health ministry, said the airstrikes killed at least 32 people including women and children.

The Iranian-backed rebels released graphic images showing a destroyed building and vehicles, as well as bodies described the attack’s victims.

They also released footage allegedly showing the downing of

the Saudi aircraft and its wreckage.

The humanitarian group Save the Children condemned the airstrike, saying it showed that the conflict in Yemen was “not slowing down.”

“This latest attack must be urgently and independently investigated, and perpetrators held to account,” said Xavier Joubert, the charity’s country director in Yemen.

He called for halting arms sales to the warring parties in Yemen’s conflict.

“Those who continue to sell arms to the warring parties must realize that by supplying weapons for this war, they contribute to making atrocities like today’s all too common,” Joubert said.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the pillars of the US-backed coalition, have purchased billions of dollars’ worth of weapons from Western countries, particularity the US. The warplane’s crash and the airstrikes came amid heavy clashes between the government forces and Houthis in the provinces of Marib, Jawf and Sanaa. Hundreds

of people, mostly fighters, were killed in the recent clashes that have also forced at least 4,700 families to f lee, according to the UN. The Yemen conflict began with the 2014 takeover of the capital by the Houthis, who control much of the country’s north along the border with Saudi Arabia. The Saudiled coalition of mostly Arab states intervened in March 2015 trying to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to power.

In a relentless campaign, Saudi-led airstrikes have hit schools, hospitals and wedding parties and killed thousands of Yemeni civilians. The Houthis have used drones and missiles to attack Saudi Arabia.

The war has killed over 100,000 people, including fighters and civilians, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, which tracks violence reports in Yemen. The war also created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, leaving millions suffering from food and medical shortages. AP

Editor: Angel R. Calso

N. Korea seen violating sanctions–UN experts

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N I T ED NAT IONS — U N experts say North Korea has increased imports and exports of banned and restricted goods, such as coal and petroleum products as it continues to enhance its illicit nuclear and ballistic missile programs in violation of sanctions.

The experts identified new methods that the country is using to evade UN sanctions, including transferring 2.8 million metric tons of coal from North Koreanflagged vessels to Chinese barges that then headed to Chinese ports.

This would be a violation of an August 2017 Security Council resolution that bans all exports of coal, North Korea’s largest source of foreign exchange.

The experts said the figures came from an unidentified member state, adding in a footnote: “A couple of experts are of the view that this information can be further corroborated.”

The Chinese UN Mission strongly rejected any claim that China violated sanctions, saying earlier this week that the country “has always faithfully and seriously fulfilled its international obligations and sustained huge losses and tremendous pressure in the process.”

The mission expressed “indignation and concern” at the leaking of the experts’ report, which is not due to be made public until next month.

The summary and parts of the 67-page report, seen on Friday

by The Associated Press, said the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or DPRK—the country’s official name—ontinued the construction and maintenance of nuclear facilities, though it didn’t carry out any nuclear tests or tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles last year. It did conduct 13 other launches of at least 25 missiles, including new types, the experts said.

The panel stressed the link between North Korea’s nuclear program and its illegal exports, especially of coal.

“The DPRK’s continued violation of commodity export bans not only flouts Security Council resolutions but serves to fund a revenue stream that has historically contributed to the country’s prohibited nuclear and ballistic missile programs,” the experts said.

The panel said North Korea also continues to violate UN resolutions through its illicit import of refined petroleum products through ship-to-ship transfers and direct deliveries by foreignflagged vessels. These vessels sail directly into Nampo, the main North Korean port for petroleum deliveries, it said.

“In some months between June and October 2019, the estimat-

ed deliveries by foreign-flagged tankers exceeded deliveries made by the DPRK tankers,” the experts said.

The panel said it received a report from the United States containing imagery, data and calculations of petroleum imports from January through October 31, 2019.

According to the experts, under three different scenarios based on how full tankers were, the US said the deliveries would have amounted to between three and eight times more than the 500,000-barrel annual cap on refined petroleum products set by the Security Council in December 2017.

“The Russian Federation and China requested more conclusive evidence to make a judgment,” the experts said.

The experts said Russia reported exporting 30,886 tons of refined petroleum products to North Korea during the first 11 months of 2019 and China reported exporting 22,739 tons during the year. The panel said it calculated that the total of Russian and Chinese export amounts would equal 408,576 barrels of refined petroleum products—below the annual limit.

As for coal, the panel said that according to the unidentified member state North Korea “exported 3.7 million metric tons of coal between January 2019 and August 2019, with an estimated value of $370 million.”

Discussing new sanctions evasion methods to export coal, the panel first cited the use of “selfpropelled barges” that are over 100 meters (330 feet) in length and can undertake ocean voyages.

It also cited the use of larger foreign-flagged bulk carriers to deliver coal from North Koreanf lagged vessels, as opposed to transferring coal to smaller lighter vessels for delivery. It said a bulk carrier destined for scrap is suspected of being acquired by North Korea to illicitly export coal.

The panel said North Korea also continues to use previous evasion tactics such as “indirect routing, detours, loitering and the use of false documentation when transporting DPRK origin commodities,” to make it appear banned commodities were loaded in ports other than in North Korea.

North Korea also continues to import other banned items such as luxury vehicles, alcohol and robotic machinery, and it continues to send information technology workers abroad, including to Nepal, the experts said.

The panel said it also investigated several advertisements and exhibitions in China and Hong Kong of the artwork of North Korea’s Mansudae Art School, which is on the sanctions blacklist. AP

‘Taliban deal promising but not without risk’

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UNICH—US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Saturday that a truce agreement between the United States and the Taliban that could lead to the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan is not without risk but “looks very promising.”

Ahead of a formal announcement of the seven-day “reduction in violence” deal, Esper said it was time to give peace a chance in Afghanistan through a political negotiation. He spoke a day after a senior US official said the deal had been concluded and would take effect very soon.

Expectations are that agreement will be formally announced on Sunday and that the reduction in violence will begin on Monday, according to people familiar with the plan.

“So we have on the table right now a reduction in violence proposal that was negotiated between our ambassador and the Taliban,” Esper told

an audience at the Munich Security Conference. “It looks very promising.”

“It’s my view as well that we have to give peace a chance, that the best if not the only way forward in Afghanistan is through a political agreement and that means taking some risk,” he said. “That means enabling our diplomats and that means working together with our partners and allies on the ground to affect such a thing.”

Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met on Friday in Munich with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who has been skeptical of the scheme, which, if successful, would see an end to attacks for seven days and then the signing of a US-Taliban peace deal. AllAfghan peace talks would then begin within 10 days as part of the plan, which envisions the phased withdrawal of US forces over 18 months.

In remarks later to a group of reporters, Esper declined to say whether

the US had agreed to cut its troop levels in Afghanistan to zero. He said if the seven-day truce is successful and the next step toward Afghan peace talks begins, the US would reduce its troop contingent “over time” to about 8,600.

There currently are about 12,000 US troops in the country.

Ghani also refused to comment on many specifics of the plan but said the time had come “find a political solution to stop the war.”

He said it was impossible to know whether the Taliban might take advantage of a draw down in American military power in Afghanistan to reassert its their own presence, but said the only way to find out was to “engage in the peace process.”

“The critical test is going to be: will the Taliban accept an election?”

Ghani said.

The president rejected the idea that the Taliban could be granted greater influence in certain regions of

Afghanistan, saying it was “antithetical to the Afghan vision because we are a unified country.”

“The scope of the peace must be national. It cannot be sub-national because otherwise it will be a recipe for another round of conflict,” he said.

The US has not agreed to suspend or end its counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, which have been focused mainly on an Islamic State affiliate, known as ISIS-K, and al-Qaida, said Pentagon spokeswoman Alyssa Farah, who was traveling with Esper.

“Under any agreement, General Miller retains the authorities necessary to protect US national security interests, including the authorities and capabilities to strike ISIS-K and al-Qaida,” she said, referring to US Gen. Scott Miller, the commander of American and coalition forces in Afghanistan.

The agreement was finalized last week by US special envoy for Afghani-

US Secretary for Defense Mark Esper speaks during a press conference on the first day of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Friday, February 14, 2020. AP Photo/Jens Meyer stan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar. Esper said Ghani was supportive of the deal and had pledged to do his best to support it.

“I think he is fully on board,” Esper said of Ghani. “He wants to lead his

part of the process, which if we get to that would be a a peace deal that would involve very soon afterward an inter-Afghan negotiation. He wants to be clearly a full partner in that and wants to lead on that and make sure that all Afghans come together.” AP

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Monday, February 17, 2020 A9

Plea aired on full House debate on ABS-CBN

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By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

ITIZEN groups on Sunday urged lawmakers to consider the 11,000 regular and contructual employees of the ABSCBN as the leadership of the House of Representatives vowed to do an impartial job in considering bills seeking to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Also on Sunday, a leading lawmaker sought a full debate by all 300-plus members of the House on ABS-CBN’s case.

Bantay Konsyumer, Kuryente, Kalsada (BK3); CitizenWatch Philippines (CWP) and Democracy

Watch Philippines (DWP) made statements amid what is widely seen as the administration’s crackdown on network giant ABS-CBN. BK3, through Lead Convenor Louie Montemar, said the revocation of the franchise would lead to

“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises.”—Atienza

a loss of jobs for ABS-CBN’s 6,730 regular employees—a threat not just to the workers but their entire families, who are all consumers.

CWP convenor Orlando Oxales placed the number of potentially unemployed to 11,000, to include regular and other workers of the network.

Oxales said this would threaten to widen anew the rate of adult joblessness in the country, which had already improved to 17.5 percent in December 2019 from 21.5 percent the previous September.

“Are we this shallow in making decisions?” Montemar said. “Must we trifle with the jobs of the many

just because of a personal grudge?” he asked, in apparent reference to President Duterte’s oft-repeated remarks that he will block the franchise of the network even if Congress decides to renew it after its expiration on March 30.

Meanwhile, BK3’s Montemar said investors will have no certainty in doing business here in the Philippines, because regulations can change depending on the whim of the incumbent.

Also, Oxales assailed the usurpation of Congress’s mandate to grant or reject franchises because of the filing by the Office of the Solicitor General last week of a quo warranto petition blocking ABSCBN’s franchise renewal, citing the network’s alleged viiolation of its franchise.

Eleven bills pending at the House Committee on Legislative Franchises are seeking its renewal.

Moreover, the organizations called upon legislators to exercise their power to renew franchises, to

Bill mandates setting up of EMSS nationwide

Open debate—Atienza

Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said on Sunday said all 302 members of the House should be given the chance to vote on the bill seeking to extend ABS-CBN Corp.’s franchise by another 25 years.

“The entire House should openly debate on the bill, and then vote on it. This will allow every member to be heard, and to freely decide on the franchise,” said Atienza.

“We cannot just wash our hands of the bill. That would be tantamount to Congress renouncing its exclusive power to grant legislative franchises,” he added.

Atienza also rejected as a “pipedream” the claim of some of his colleagues that even without a renewed franchise, ABS-CBN could still operate until March 2022 by obtaining a two-year provisional authority from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

“That is a fantasy. The NTC will simply say we cannot possibly give you a provisional authority because the Chief Lawyer of the republic wants to shut you down,” Atienza said, referring to Calida’s petition before the Supreme Court.

Earlier, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano urged critics and supporters of ABS-CBN to send to the lower chamber their position papers and comments on the proposed renewal of the radio-television network’s broadcasting franchise.

Nasecore asks Cusi to fire NEA’s chief

By Lenie Lectura

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A

S the country continues to battle the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), a lawmaker has filed a bill institutionalizing emergency medical services system (EMSS).

In House Bill 5788, House Deputy Majority Leader and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar said EMSS would constitute the comprehensive policy framework governing the provision of emergency medicine (EM) in each of the country’s local government units (LGUs).

Villar, citing the 2013 Asian Conference on Emergency Medicine, said the Philippines only has 3,300 recognized Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel, saying out of a reported 1,795 hospitals in the country, only 200 (or 11 percent) may be considered “emergency hospitals”—that is, facilities that are capable of providing quality EM care.

“Emergency medicine is a specialized discipline in the medical field focused on giving timely and coordinated health and safety services to victims of sudden illness or injury, prior to them reaching hospitals, health centers or other brick-and-mortar health-care facilities,” Villar said.

Villar added that creating more facilities would provide quality EM against the deadly virus.

“There’s still so much we don’t know about Covid-19 as far as treatment is concerned. But having a strong EMSS in the background can help save lives and ease the public’s paranoia on this new virus. As with any viral infection, the first few hours is always important and this bill ensures that we have the infrastructure to respond to it,” said Villar.

The bill mandates the creation of the National EMSS Advisory Committee, to be cochaired by the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The committee will be tasked to establish a nationwide EMS network.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is also called on to develop a working system for a national emergency number, such as the 911 emergency hot line rolled out under the Duterte administration.

Under the proposal, local government units shall create their own Dispatch Centers with adequate and qualified personnel. The Dispatch Centers shall follow the prescribed guidelines on dispatch protocol.

It said all LGUs shall establish their respective Command Centers with designated qualified EMS medical director.

Command Centers shall govern the EMS systems based on the prescribed operational guidelines. The Command Center can be colocated with the Dispatch Center.

The measure also ensures the availability of emergency transport vehicle or ambulance with qualified EMS personnel. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

defend the right to a free media and to stand up for their constituents’ right to be truthfully informed.

The groups also assailed Solicitor General Jose Calida’s quo warranto petition against the giant network, saying it threatens the livelihood of thousands of families/ consumers.

While Calida has denied the hand of the President in his move, Duterte has, on several occasions, attacked ABS-CBN, supposedly for not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign.

The popular UnliCity food hub opens its Subic Freeport branch at the Greenwoods Park district.

HENRY EMPENO HENRY EMPEÑo

UnliCity launches Subic Freeport branch

By Henry Empeño

S

Correspondent

U BIC BAY FR EEPORT— Popular food hub UnliCity recently launched its newest branch at the Greenwoods Park here, giving Subic Freeport diners the opportunity to partake of its signature three-in-one restaurant combo offering.

The newest addition to Subic’s growing Asian-themed restaurants, UnliCity offers a wide variety of unlimited food, from Korean barbeque and Japanese dishes to coffee and desserts.

To set the “unli” tone, UnliCity offered during the launch a one-day promo called Unli 1, for five kinds of pork for only P399; and Unli 2, which is a mix of pork and beef for only P449.

“It’s all unlimited and very cheap, that’s why we call it UnliCity,” explained General Manager Mae

Gamir.

But with all the Asian-themed restos crowding out each other for public attention, UnliCity introduces something different to make its mark: the food hub exudes a cozy ambiance that is missing in fastfood diners.

The place also provides unlimited Wi-fi for the convenience of all customers, Gamir pointed out.

The flavorful fare, of course, is the real standout. At Unlicity’s Samgyupsalamat, for example, charcoal is used in cooking to enhance the taste of meat and give it a distinctive flavor, Gamir explained.

The place run by Korean Alley also offers a la carte orders, and unlimited Korean barbeque served with several dishes, vegetables and soups on top of the signature samgyeopsal package.

Like its other branches, UnliCity’s Subic branch also rolls out the

trademark Jinsei Sushi Bar, which offers modern and authentic Japanese food. Its best sellers include unlimited sushi and yakitori, as well as unlimited desserts and beverages, like the famous Melona ice cream, soju and beer.

To complete the UnliCity setup, the pet-friendly café, Kissaten, is set to be established soon to provide customers with Japanese specialty “coffee-all-you-can” and pastries and snacks.

The new food hub is the brainchild of Zoomanity Group President Robert L. Yupangco, who first brought UnliCity to life in Makati two years ago with his concept of “a city of unlimited favorites.”

Zoomanity also operates the Zoobic Safari theme park in the Subic Freeport, as well as similar tourism destinations, like the Zoocobia Fun Zoo in the Clark Freeport and the Zoocolate Thrills in Bohol.

DMCI-PayMongo tie-up ensures easy, fast payments

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UADRUPLE A developer DMCI Homes has teamed up with fast-rising Filipino start-up PayMongo to provide its clients and residents with an easier and more convenient option to pay their monthly association dues. DMCI unit owners and tenants can now pay their dues and amortization fees using debit or credit card, and e-wallets.

PayMongo is hailed by those in the tech industry as a Filipino startup to watch for in 2020, given its thrust to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) integrate their respective businesses in the growing digital economy.

Launched in June 2019, PayMongo has over 5,000 merchants on its platform.

Its growing product line—payment links,

APIs among others—provides its merchants with simple but secure ways to accept payments for their businesses.

“We’re looking forward to a fruitful partnership with PayMongo. With the rise of Gen-X and millennials as residents in our communities, we want to adapt and use technology that would make paying for condo dues much simpler,” DMCI Homes’ Operations Manager Frederick Rapiñan said.

“We believe that PayMongo’s easyto-use platform will help improve our tenants’ payment experience, and will integrate well with the systems that we currently have,” Rapiñan added.

DMCI Homes is currently onboarding 11 of their condominium complex communities and their respective prop-

erty management offices to introduce this new payment method. Unit owners and tenants will be sent payment links directly via SMS or chat, and they can choose their preferred payment method for their dues.

PayMongo’s Chief Growth Officer, Luis Sia, said that with the venture, PayMongo can provide “tenants and condominium owners with practical options for handling their monthly dues.”

PayMongo has no setup, monthly or hidden fees. It supports e-wallets like Visa, MasterCard, and GCash.

PayMongo last year raised $2.7 million in seed funding to give merchants in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian markets simple ways to set up online payments.

@llectura

HE National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. (Nasecore) strongly urged Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi to recommend the immediate removal of National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Edgardo R. Masongsong for grave abuse of authority and, consequently, file the necessary cases against the latter.

“In the public interest and in the interest of justice, we seek your immediate intervention as the ex-officio chairman of NEA,” said Nasecore Executive Director Raffy Acebedo in his letter to Cusi dated February 10, 2020.

N a s e c o r e ’s a l l e g a t i o n stemmed from Masongsong’s issuance of Memorandum 2018-003 dated January 17, 2018, which extends the retirement age of electric cooperative (EC) general managers from 60 to 65, and NEA Memorandum 2019-008 dated January 24, 2019, which revised their salary scale.

Acebedo said the memoranda were not approved by the NEA Board. “Said issuances are beyond the power and authority of the NEA Administrator and therefore, a usurpation of authority and violation of PD 269 as the power of policy making resides exclusively with the NEA Board,” he added.

Acebedo also questioned the timing of the issuance of the January 2019 memorandum, four months before the May 2019 elections.

“Could this have been an inducement for the management of the ECs to support the electoral campaign of four Party-Lists, where all the nominees-turnedcongressmen are former, if not still the current, president and general managers of electric cooperatives?” the Nasecore official wondered aloud.

The memorandum that increased the salaries of general managers is “also prejudicial and inequitable” to the EC member-consumer-owners as the salary scales are grossly out of proportion to the market share of the ECs in the power industry in terms of its combined revenues.

In the letter, Nasecore said that under the NEA memo

that increased the salaries of EC GMs, the average monthly salary scale of EC GMs is P194,125.00/month. If multiplied by 121 ECs, the said average monthly EC-GM salary will result in the total average salary of P 23,489,125.00 per month.

Compared with the salary of the president of the largest distribution utility, Meralco, which is approximately P2 million per month, the combined salary of the 121 EC-GMs of P23.295 million is “grossly and unconscionably high in proportion to their monthly consolidated revenues. This is clearly prejudicial to the ECmember-consumer-owners.”

The Nasecore letter also cited NEA Administrator Masongsong for grave abuse of authority because, they said, he has no authority fixing the salaries and retirement benefits of ECGMs. These matters are outside the operation and internal administrative functions of the NEA administrator and also because EC-GMs are not subordinate officers of the NEA, added Nasecore.

“The issuance of said memorandum is tantamount to a usurpation of authority and violation of PD 269, which vests all the powers in making and setting policies, plans, programs, rules and regulations, on the NEA Board,” he said.

The letter also urged Cusi to review all memorandums and policies issued by Masongsong and file the necessary cases against the NEA Administrator for violation of the law.

Masongsong denies allegations

In a text message, Masongsong denied NEA’s allegations.

“Walang katotohanan ang akusasyon dahil ang NEA ay tagapatupad lamang ng mga aprubadong polisiya ng Board of Administrator na kung saan ang DOE secretary ay siyang Chairman. Kung hindi siya maka-attend, meron siyang Alternate Chair formerly in the person of Usec Fuentebella and currently Usec Juaneza [There’s no basis for NEA accusations because the NEA is only the implementor of the approved policies of the Board of Administrators, where the DOE Secretary sits as chairman. If he cannot attend, he has an alternate chairman— formerly Usec Fuentebella and now Usec Juaneza],” he said.

A10 Monday, February 17, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

COVID-19: Could the impossible happen?

W

E are witnessing a once in a lifetime event, hopefully the only one ever like this. While the borderline hysteria in the Philippines has died down a little—probably because of gaining little desired political traction— COVID-19 is still front-page news.

Several global financial firms are offering observations on the Chinese economic situation. The Beijing government—as all governments can—is able to adjust the big picture numbers to suit their agenda. However, accurate raw data continues to come out because local business transactions cannot be successfully hidden. The department store chain can say business is great. But all that has to be done is count the number of customers coming through the doors.

Since the beginning of the year, Chinese demand for steel used in construction—rebar, girders and plating—has fallen by 90 percent.

The Lunar New Year holiday is a two-week national vacation. Economic activity is expected to come to a standstill. But since New Year’s Day, the Chinese real-estate sector has seen property sales across 30 major cities basically frozen.

There is total collapse in passenger traffic (measured in personkilometer year-on-year percentage change), largely due to the quarantine that has been imposed on hundreds of millions of Chinese.

As a result, Morgan Stanley’s real-time measurements of Chinese pollution levels of the top China cities found air pollution only 20 percent to 50 percent of the historical average.

Opec cut its oil demand forecast last week, and Goldman Sachs has cut its oil price target by $10, down to $53 for the year as a result of a “demand shock” that is set to cut Chinese oil consumption by 20 percent. Oil tankers are parked in Singapore and other Asian ports, like cars at a mall during a three-day sale. Shipping rates for VLCC (very large crude carriers) from the Middle East to China have gone from 125 down to 40 “Worldscale points.” Last October, these rates were at a three-year high.

Estimates of the eventual spread of COVID-19 infections are about as good as an economist’s one-year currency prediction. These now range from 500,000 to 4.4 million, globally. Nonetheless, there are some serious people in epidemiology saying the virus is gaining steam as it spreads.

James Howard Kunstler is an American author who drives the “Speculation Highway,” sometimes in the “Conspiracy Lane” and occasionally takes the “Doomsday Scenario” off-ramp. But he writes interesting and provoking ideas. Concerns have been expressed that if the COVID-19 infections grow and linger, will the Beijing government be able to survive?

Kunstler writes: “What if the coronavirus turns out to be a genuine pandemic with legs, not some punk-ass, flash in the pan bug like SARS and infects hundreds of millions around the world? And what if it happens to go logarithmic in the United States, as in China now?

And what if it takes a few months, or half a year, to do that? And what if Americans will not get on airplanes when that happens? Or gather together in large numbers? Or if government imposes quarantines?

Might the November presidential election have to be postponed?”

One thing is obvious at this point. The worst is yet to come. By the end of the month, it will also be obvious if the Philippines has dodged a bullet even if we do not have a good handle on the potential economic consequences.

Preparing for a COVID-19 outbreak Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

L

ooking at how COVID-19 is spreading in other countries, like Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Germany, Australia and France, it is wise to expect local community transmission to happen. All the better for everyone to be prepared, from the government and hospitals to the different institutions and households.

The Department of Health assures us that hospitals are presently prepared to handle increased cases of the disease. Isolation rooms are in place, as well as testing centers that can carry out testing and diagnosis on possible COVID-19 cases. The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) says it has four subnational reference

Until divorce do we part Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan

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centers that can do this—the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao del Sur (Mindanao), Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City (Visayas), Baguio General Hospital (Northern Luzon) and the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. It is, likewise, in the process of accrediting private laboratories that have capabilities to do the testing.

legally speaking

T

he Absolute Divorce Bill was first filed in 2005 under the 13th Congress and subsequently refiled in the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th Congress, and again refiled in this 18th Congress. The current House Committee on Population and Family Relations approved a bill instituting absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines.

Oppositors to the proposed bill (including Catholic and Christian leaders) lamented the lack of opportunity for a comprehensive deliberation which was supposed to be done in a scheduled committee hearing last week. Instead, the House Committee, chaired by Guimaras Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava, approved the measures in just one hearing.

A technical working group (TWG) was tasked to consolidate House Bills 100 of Rep. Edcel C. Lagman, 838 of the Makabayan Block and 2263 of Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez. The proposed measures provide that the existing grounds in the Family Code for legal separation, declaration of nullity of marriage and annulment are now all grounds for absolute divorce: Thus: (a) The grounds for legal separation under Article 55 of the Family Code of the Philippines, modified or amended, as follows: (1) Physical violence or grossly abusive conduct directed against the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner;

(2) Physical violence or moral pressure to compel the petitioner to change religious or political affiliation; (3) Attempt of respondent to corrupt or induce the petitioner, a common child, or a child of the petitioner, to engage in prostitution, or connivance in such corruption or inducement; (4) Final judgment sentencing the respondent to imprisonment of more than six years, even if pardoned; (5) Drug addiction or habitual alcoholism, or chronic gambling of the respondent; (6) Homosexuality of any of the spouses; (7) Contracting by the respondent of a subsequent bigamous marriage, whether in the Philippines or abroad; (8) Marital infidelity or perversion or having a child with another person other than one’s spouse during the marriage, except when upon the mutual agreement of the spouses, a child is born to them by in vitro or

There is a rapid testing kit that is currently awaiting validation from the World Health Organization (WHO). When this gets approved, it will help to strengthen testing capabilities for faster diagnosis.

While a community-level transmission is yet to happen in the country, several groups and organizations have already started to limit public events and gatherings. There is a strong information campaign to guide citizens as to how they can avoid infection.

The main message is to keep your hands always clean and disinfected; avoid touching the face; and to keep away from crowded areas. There is also a call for everyone to maintain healthy habits to boost the body’s immunity.

One important point that I would like to emphasize is that experts are still learning about this new virus and its behavior. For example, there is new research that suggests incubation period may last

for more than the initial 14 days.

A few days ago, there was some evidence that the virus travels via aerosol transmission and not necessarily through large droplet sprays, as previously believed. Some evidence also show that asymptomatic individuals are able to transmit the virus to others, making it very difficult to contain.

These are just some of the questions being answered now, months after the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China. It is better to err on the safe side, and take conservative precaution in light of these recent announcements.

We are in support of our scientists and health workers who are racing against time to find a vaccine and effective treatment for COVID-19. We also strongly express our gratitude to those who are directly working with the patients, and those who are making sure that structures are being built in the event of a local outbreak.

a similar procedure or when the wife bears a child after being a victim of rape; (9) Attempt by the respondent against the life of the petitioner, a common child or a child of the petitioner; and (10) Abandonment of petitioner and/or their children under the custody of the petitioner by respondent without justifiable cause for more than one year; When the spouses are legally separated by Judicial decree for more than two years, either or both spouses can petition the proper court for an absolute divorce based on said Judicial decree of legal separation; (b) Grounds for annulment of marriage under Article 45 of the Family Code of the Philippines restated as follows: (1) The party in whose behalf it is sought to have the marriage annulled was 18 years of age or over but below 21, and the marriage was solemnized without the consent of the parents, guardian or person having substitute parental authority over the party, in that order unless after attaining the age of 21, such party freely cohabited with the other, and both lived together as husband and wife; (2) Either party was of unsound mind, unless such party after coming to reason, freely cohabited with the other as husband and wife; (3) The consent of either party was obtained by fraud, unless such party afterward, with full knowledge of the facts constituting the fraud, freely cohabited with the other as husband and wife; (4) The consent of either party was obtained by force, intimidation

or undue influence, unless the same having disappeared or ceased, such party thereafter freely cohabited with the other as husband and wife; (5) Either party was physically incapable of consummating the marriage with the other, and such incapacity continues or appears to be incurable; and (6) Either party was afflicted with a sexually transmissible infection found to be serious or appears to be incurable: Provided, that the grounds mentioned in Nos. 2, 5 and 6 existed either at the time of the marriage or supervening after the marriage; (c) When the spouses have been separated in fact for at least five years at the time the petition for absolute divorce is filed, and reconciliation is highly improbable; (d) Psychological incapacity of either spouse as provided for in Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippines, whether or not the incapacity was present at the time of the celebration of the marriage or later; (e) When one of the spouses undergoes a gender reassignment surgery or transitions from one sex to another, the other spouse is entitled to petition for absolute divorce with the transgender or transsexual as respondent, or vice versa; and (f) Irreconcilable marital differences and conflicts which have resulted in the total breakdown of the marriage beyond repair, despite earnest and repeated efforts at reconciliation, shall entitle either spouse or both spouses to petition for absolute divorce.

Safeguard guidelines are enumerated in the proposed measures: Thus: See “Kapunan,” A11

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A behavioral approach to traffic

Dog Samaritans Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

Thomas M. Orbos

THE PATRIOT

have always espoused the notion that government alone cannot resolve this problem of traffic. The government may or may not even provide the proper policies and infrastructure, but unless we have a conscious and participative citizenry in the traffic resolution, then no matter what government does, it will all go to naught. It starts with us. We bear both the problem and the solution. This behavioral approach to resolving traffic begins with our individual resolve and works its way up to a collective behavior of a nation of commuters, regardless of politics. We all share this common experience no matter who is in Malacañang.

he Taal Volcano eruption coupled with some heavy ash fall, about 400 seismic earthquakes, and compounded by a frightening Alert Level 4 adversely impacted people’s lives in the towns adjacent to the Taal Volcano. In the town of Agoncillo, in particular, several houses caved in as residents evacuated to the nearby towns. In their haste, some residents left most of their belongings, livestock and pets included. Cattle, pigs, and even horses, were on a fire sale to allow these farm animals to survive under new owners. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has reportedly rescued over 100 animals from ground zero. They, themselves, were stranded for a while and had to be rescued by the Coast Guard. Ad hoc groups also rescued animals, although not too many were publicized.

STREET TALK

I

In his book, Upheavals, renowned historian and author, Jared Diamond talks about past crisis events of developed nations that became their turning points toward redemption and, eventually, progress. Citing the historical cases of several countries, he identifies common factors that determined the outcome of their crisis experiences. Although, he cited 12 factors these can basically be grouped as follows—First is admitting that there is a crisis. Second is identifying and resolving the doables and separating them from the bigger ones, which he terms as “building a fence,” third, is searching for a similar model or experience, of others or maybe of one’s past wherein that similar crisis was resolved, and last, building the inner confidence that such crisis can indeed be resolved.

For the author, these character traits provided the pivot that turned things around for these countries—what were seemingly in a hopeless situation to an opportunity and to the road of recovery.

It may well be that this methodology of realization can be applied to our nation’s traffic and transport situation, and provide the resolution to our own traffic problem. And this self-reflection is not for government alone. It is for all of us, as commuters, to ponder and to survive this crisis, and move toward recovery.

First step is admission. Forget whether government wants to admit it or not. More important is do we admit it and what do we do about it. And admittance is not acceptance. Acceptance connotes passiveness and giving up to our dire traffic situation. Admission brings the firm resolve to fix it. It will lead us not to be hopeless and dependent on government.

Next is building a fence or cordoning off the small problems—the doables, the so-called low hanging fruits, and what we can do on our own. Planning our trips, carpooling, telecommuting—these are examples

Kapunan. . .

continued from A10

(a) Absolute divorce shall be judicially decreed after the fact of an irremediably broken marital union or a marriage that is defective from the start; (b) The state shall assure that the court proceedings for the grant of absolute divorce shall be affordable and inexpensive, particularly for court assisted litigants or petitioners; (c) Concerned spouses have the option to file for absolute divorce under this Act or seek legal separation, annulment of marriage, or nullification of marriage under the pertinent provisions of Executive Order 209, otherwise known as the Family Code of the Philippines; (d) The option of absolute divorce is a pro-woman legislation because, in most cases, it is the wife who is entitled to a divorce as a liberation from an abusive relationship and to help her regain dignity and self-esteem; (e) A six-month cooling-off period is instituted after the filing of a petition for absolute divorce as a

of individual fences we can immediately do. On the next scale, community, village or barangay-wise—let us get involved in fencing our communal traffic problems. It may be addressing the influx of tricycles in the area or resolving parking issues. Does a village go for a basketball court or garden landscaping, or would they put up a parking lot that they direly need? I remember a good friend, Eduardo Blanco, who belongs to an active group of BF residents. Amid the growing commercialization of their village, their solid front had steadfastly opposed any move that will add to their village traffic congestion. Yes, it does takes a village to undertake change.

It would also help to look at parallel experiences outside to help resolve our traffic problem. To know that there is a shared “crisis” experience leads to shared solutions. Take the case of the problem of our buses where we have too many operators competing on one corridor, thus, leading to competing unnecessarily for the same number of commuters.

Such a problem existed some 20 plus years ago in Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore. Developed countries now with solutions. We can learn from them, and be assured that our learning curve will be shortened and avoid possible mistakes.

The last step is believing that change can happen. Believing in ourselves that we can institute the change we want in our traffic situation will lead to a collective attitude that will realize the change we need.

In the end, we may not see the immediate change we want to happen, but it will come to that. The resolution to traffic begins with us—“Be the change that you want to be.” As they say, “Ang trapiko ay trapik mo!”

Thomas Tim Orbos was former DOTr undersecretary for roads and general manager of the MMDA. He is currently undertaking further studies at the McCourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University. He can be reached via e-mail at thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu

final attempt for reconciliation of concerned spouses; (f) A divorce decree shall include provisions for the care and custody of children, protection of their legitime, termination and liquidation of the conjugal partnership of gains or the absolute community, and alimony for the petitioner; and (g) Even as absolute divorce is instituted, the state has the role of strengthening marriage and family life by undertaking relevant prenuptial and post-matrimonial programs and activities.

The framers of the 1987 Constitution left the wisdom of legalizing divorce to Congress. Thus, the 1987 Constitution does not prohibit the legalization of divorce. Indeed, as pointed out by various women’s groups time and again, “divorce must be restored as rights-based option for majority of Filipinos, an option based on the recognition that the right to enter into a marriage contract has the corresponding spousal right to end such contract when it has reached the point of irresponsibility” (Explanatory Note, HB 838, p. 3).

Divorce does not kill a marriage. It just buries a marriage that has been long dead!!

T

One of these ad hoc rescue groups include Clarizza Orcine and Ross David. Seeing a few pets (dogs and cats) buried alive by massive deposits of ash, Clarizza, a nurse by profession but an avid pet lover, braved the dusty roads of Batangas purposely to see what she can do to help. Pity and mercy made her participate in animal rescue operations, only a few days after the eruption. On the other hand, realizing that a multitude of relief operations have already been conducted to alleviate the plight of the people affected, Ross, a dive instructor by profession and another pet lover, decided to go to Batangas and find ways to help animals. Clarissa and Ross met for the first time one fateful morning when they were supposed to join a bigger and more organized group. Tired of waiting, both Clarissa and Ross took the initiative to do the rescue on their own. The two ladies initially rescued

around 25 different animals (goats included), but ended up rescuing 40 animals, mostly dogs, on their own.

Aside from using their own personal pick-up trucks, the delivery truck of Kwin JCo packaging, another unsung Samaritan, was used during the rescue effort.

The rescue procedure entailed instant nourishment first—food and water—as the animals have not eaten for days. Focusing their efforts on dogs, Clarizza and Ross (dog Samaritans) had them vaccinated immediately with anti-rabies and dewormed before the dogs joined the rest of the pack in a makeshift shelter in the area. The effort would have been futile were it not for the dedicated attention of veterinarian Edgar Domingo, and some staff of the Petville Animal Clinic. The last and most important part of the rescue, yet the most often forgotten, is the profiling of the rescued dogs where

Nurturing start-ups Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT

W

E all know what it takes to nurture a baby. It is both a pleasant and difficult experience. We are exhilarated as we see the smile and antics of a baby in the family. On the other hand, it is difficult taking care of the requirements of a baby, including putting the baby to sleep, providing milk, food, vitamins, and being alert on the hygienic needs of the baby. As the baby grows, more care and attention have to be provided as the baby learns how to talk, walk and play.

Start-up businesses also require the same degree of nurturing. I have been involved in providing assistance to people trying to put up businesses—from the biggest to those newly formed, or contemplating to start. From the days when I was a partner in two of the biggest accounting firms, and until now that I am dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business (UP Business School), I find fulfillment in mentoring people and organizations that are just starting up their business operations. I see the enthusiasm and vision on how to grow their business and, certainly, what they hope will be successful business ventures. However, a large number of studies indicate that only a small percentage of start-up

businesses can sustain their operations during the initial years.

My advice to the aspiring entrepreneur is to get the fundamentals right from day one. These include a lot of things. Being passionate on the business venture to pursue is paramount . Nowadays, a lot of people are interested and competent to engage in innovative and technology-based businesses. In a recent pitching session of budding business owners in an event organized by an incubator in UP, 90 percent of them presented projects that are for the digital and e-commerce economy. I am sure that the passion and knowledge presented by the pitchers during that event will provide the momentum for them to do good in their business.

Having able mentorship during the start-up phase will also greatly

Monday, February 17, 2020 A11

the Dog Samaritans documented each rescued dog, similar to a “baby book,” where all kinds of information are kept—place of rescue, name and contact number of the owners, health of the dog when rescued, and even some pictures, before and after the rescue. However, when these dog Samaritans reached the place where the dogs would eventually be sheltered, they had an epiphany that their own rescue was not nearing the end but was in fact only the start of a longterm plan. They both knew that there must be a better, safer, and more permanent place for these pets. In a matter of weeks, other samaritans kept showing up. One donated sacks of dog food and medicines while another built a dog shelter in his farm big enough to accommodate around 100 dogs. More are expected to help with this initiative.

These dogs now have a more stable shelter, aptly called as Perro Abrigo, in Silang, Cavite. As soon as their owners recover from the impact of the eruption, these pets will be reunited with their masters. In case some dogs will be unclaimed, Clarizza and Ross are both committed to look after them until they find new owners, which Perro Abrigo will facilitate. Long term, Clarizza and Ross aim to provide shelter to all dogs abandoned or left behind by their human masters and, at the same time, offer them either for adoption or as a temporary relief against stress, anxiety, and even depression.

One interesting anecdote that Clarizza experienced during the rescue was when one pet lover hesitantly “surrendered” his seven dogs and two cats to her. Realizing that he could not bring his pets to the evacuation center since pets are not allowed and since his entire family

could barely fit in his tricycle, the owner literally bade farewell to all nine of them, one by one. Just like a father would say goodbye to a son, this owner felt compelled to give up his pets knowing that they will have a better chance to survive with these dog Samaritans. He loved his pets so much that he had to give them up for their safety.

Best-selling author Norman Vincent Peale said that true believers cannot engage in the inconsiderate treatment of animals.

Since animals are God’s creation and mankind was given dominion over the animals, we are to provide them with God-like care. In the Bible, Proverbs 12:10 tells us, “The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.”

Love is the basic premise of how God takes care of His creation. Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Albert Schweitzer said that humans were compelled by the commandment of love to respect all forms of life, plants and animals included. He wrote: “A man’s religion is of little value unless even seemingly insignificant creatures benefit from it.”

While there are so many ways to love people, there are only a few ways to love animals. Loving animals can be as simple as providing them attention, shelter and protection—the few things that Clarizza and Ross have done for the dogs in Perro Abrigo. If there is such a thing as dog heaven on Earth, Clarizza and Ross made one. To Ross, seeing the dogs, once sad and abandoned, and now barking energetically and happily, makes her want to take care of dogs once she retires. After all, dogs are man’s best friend!

benefit the business venture proponent. The entrepreneur can approach mentors coming from his communities. A relative, friend, former teacher, or neighbor involved in business can readily provide business advise.

One can also approach the various Negosyo Centers throughout the Philippines. These centers were created pursuant to Republic Act 10644, otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act.” The Negosyo Centers are responsible for promoting ease of doing business, and facilitating access to services for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

There are also organizations called incubators or accelerators that provide various support to startups. These provide various support, including technical, legal, business mentorship, and sometimes even financial, to the incubatees. These assistance will be extended for about two years during the “growth pain” years of the start-ups before these are left on their own to advance their business ventures.

It is good that two measures were signed into law in 2019 that promote ventures in the innovation arena.

One of these is RA 1137, or the “Innovative Startup Act” that aims to strengthen, promote and develop an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, and culture in the Philippines. The other law was RA 11293, or the “Philippine Innovation Act,” which is intended to formulate a “broader view in developing its innovation goals and strategies cover-

ing all potential types, and sources of innovation.” Some of the implementing rules have been released.

The operational guidelines and budgetary support are forthcoming. It is good to follow developments on these two laws.

I also advocate that all businesses should be able to put up a responsive tool or system to have the essentials of business of accounting, financial management, purchasing, production, inventory control, accounts management, marketing, customer relations, personnel or human relations, research and development, regulatory compliance, governance, and data analytics and security.

There are automated applications or software that provide these functionalities, and are available in the market. However, the cost to acquire these can be quite prohibitive for a start-up business.

But would it not be nice if a government agency can provide this support for free for the aspiring start-up?

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

Joel L. Tan-Torres is the dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business.

He was the former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue , the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy and partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co., and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a certified public accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979.

This column accepts contributions from the business community. Articles not exceeding 600 words can be e-mailed to boa.secretariat.@ gmail.com

Ukraine sees chance for peace as Putin sidelines hawkish envoy

By Henry Meyer & Ilya Arkhipov Bloomberg Opinion

U

k r ainian P r e s i d e nt Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he’s committed to ending the conflict with Russia, after the appointment of a new Kremlin envoy signaled a possible opening for peace efforts.

“On the first day of my presidency, I said openly—we didn’t start this

war, but we have to end it,” Zelenskiy, elected in a landslide election last year on a pledge to stop the fighting, said in a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. “And we’ll do it.”

The Kremlin offered grounds for encouragement on Tuesday when it handed control of Ukraine policy to Dmitry Kozak, a senior official with a reputation for pragmatism. He replaces Vladislav Surkov, a hardliner who held the role throughout six

years of war between the Ukrainian army and Russian-backed separatists that has left at least 13,000 people dead.

Kozak negotiated a mass prisoner swap with Kyiv in September and Zelenskiy’s office says that the Ukrainian leader discussed possible new exchanges with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Friday.

The two presidents agreed to intensify work on existing peace accords.

The Kremlin said Putin “directly

raised the question of whether Kyiv really intends to implement the Minsk agreements” negotiated in 2015. Following talks in Paris, in December, the two leaders plan a second meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, in April.

Negotiations remain deadlocked over when Russia is ready to return control of the border with the rebelheld eastern Donbas region.

A12 Monday, February 17, 2020

POEA: Onsite inspection of OFW now mandatory

O

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

NSITE inspection on the status of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will soon be made mandatory by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) to ensure their welfare abroad.

In a phone interview, POEA administrator Bernard P. Olalia told BusinessMirror they will be coming up with the guidelines regarding

the new policy so it could be implemented by recruitment agencies.

Estrelita S. Hizon, Private Sector Representative at the POEA

Governing Board (GB), said in a separate phone interview the new issuance will make the existing regular monitoring procedures for Philippine recruitment agencies (PRA) and foreign recruitment agencies (FRA) much stricter.

Under the new arrangement, FRAs will now be made to visit the deployed OFWs in their respective workplaces to check on their status.

They will then transmit the report to their counterpart PRAs so it could be reported to POEA via its new online reporting system.

“The report should be based on actual knowledge on the condition of the OFWs.... Those which will not be able to submit will face

suspension [of their license to operate],” Olalia said.

He explained that the joint solidary liability rule will ensure that PRAs of FRAs, which will fail to conduct on-site visits, will also face sanction from POEA.

MOA enforcement

Labor Secretary and POEA-GB Chairman Silvestre H. Bello III earlier said the measure is part of their initiative to ensure that the provision of the 2018 Philippine-Kuwait Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the protection of Filipino household service workers (HSW) will be implemented.

See “POEA,” A2

WELCOME BACK! BusinessMirror Publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon (left) and President Benjamin V. Ramos give SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio a copy of her column in the BusinessMirror during courtesy call at the SSS’s main offices last week. Ignacio resumed writing for the paper recently. BERNARD TESTA

Grab forays into SJDM Bulacan as city gears up to be ‘digital ready’

Q2 groundbreaking seen for Sangley airport S

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

M

@lorenzmarasigan

ACROASIA Corp. and partner China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) should be able to break ground for the P208.5billion Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) project by the second quarter of 2020, a ranking local

government official said.

Cavite Gov. Juanito Victor C. Remulla Jr. said the government eyes to soon complete all documentary requirements for the contractor to start the first phase of the airport development deal. With the completion of these requirements sometime this month, the consortium can launch the groundbreaking ceremonies by the second quarter of the year.

EASTERLIES AFFECTING THE COUNTRY as of 4:00 am - February 16, 2020

“It’sgonnahappen[by]secondquarter. Hopefully the consortium signs everything by this month,” he said.

The terms of reference for the deal were already sent to the consortium, and it has two weeks to comply with the conditions set forth in the terms. However, as the partner of MacroAsia in the deal is Chinese, rudimentary financial guarantees that require face-to-face meet-

ings may be delayed by the novel coronavirus outbreak in China.

“But they have expressed it — in all our meetings they have guaranteed it,” he said. Friday saw the official awarding of the SPIA deal to the consortium. It was the only group that submitted a bid last December.

The government opened Sangley, a former military base, for commercial use on Saturday with President Duterte leading the ceremonies.

The contract that the consortium won involves the construction of a first runway and the development of a passenger terminal building that can handle about 25 million passengers per year.

This capacity, according to Remulla, should be fully maxed out by the first year. Hence, the government will enter into a renegotiation with the consortium for the second phase of the project, which costs roughly P220 billion. The whole project involves the provision for four runways and terminals that can handle up to 130 million passengers per year through 2050.

SPIA is part of the government’s efforts to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It has been criticized by some observers as not commercially viable given its location and its concurrent construction with the Bulacan International Airport as well as the government’s plans to redevelop Naia.

Taiwan flights. . .

Continued from A1

Philippine Airlines spokesman Cielo Villaluna said PAL will start offering one Manila-Taipei flight on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between February 21 to 29.

These services will be provided daily from March 1, and its standard regular schedule of twice daily flights between Manila and Taipei will take place from March 29 and onward.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) said it will resume its Flight 5J310 from Manila to Taipei starting February 17, and Flight 5J311 from Taipei to Manila beginning February 18.

CEB’s Manila-Taipei Flights 5J310, 5J311, 5J312 and 5J313 will be restored from February 21 onward, the carrier said.

AirAsia Philippines said it’s still finalizing its flight schedule following the government’s decision on Friday to lift the ban.

‘Strict, excellent protocols’ Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said the ban was lifted “after it was established that Taiwan has been implementing very strict and excellent protocols in handing travelers,” amid the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis.

In its memorandum on the expanded travel ban issued on February 10, 2020,

UPER app Grab is set to launch its services in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, as the city gears up to be “digital ready” to harness the economic potential of digital economy.

Next month, Grab will be introducing three of its services to San Jose del Monte, namely: GrabTrike, GrabFood and GrabExpress.

This, according to Grab Philippines President Brian Cu, will create thousands of livelihood opportunities for the residents and could help the local economy grow.

“We aim to continue the use of technology to help improve our access to public service and commercial services,” Cu said.

For his part, San Jose del Monte City Mayor Arthur Robes said Grab’s entry into the city will provide a boost in its digital initiatives.

“This will be a significant step

the Civil Aeronautics Board said the move was implemented based on government’s “One-China Policy.” Immediately thereafter, Taipei issued a veiled warning that it was holding off any countermeasures, to enable Manila to reconsider the ban. There are some 160,000 Filipinos who work in Taiwan.

Ban wrong from start—Locsin OnTwitter, commenting on the announcement of the travel ban’s lifting, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. said, “there was never any reason to ban it.”

He also said, “We must look at the sturdiness or flaccidity of a country’s demonstrated health and disease containment capability before so much as thinking of any action regarding access to and from it.” He also took a jab at the Department of Health, which chairs the Task Force, but still has a difficult time tracing the contacts of Covid-19 confirmed cases.

“Most countries now afflicted appear to have sturdy systems; ours is still a question mark,” Locsin added.

In a news statement, the Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the lifting of the travel ban on Taiwan to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on the local tourism industry.

“The lifting of the travel ban on Taiwan is highly assuring, and we hope that the Covid-19 crisis would soon be resolved, worldwide. Ultimately, the recovery of all affected countries is a universal prayer,

in our goals of becoming a digitalready city while remembering our city’s rich history and recognizing the deep traditions of our people,” he said.

Grab and the local government have also agreed “to build a hyper-localized mapping system of the city to effectively identify significant points-of-interest in the communities to help improve the accuracy and efficiency in delivering public and commercial services to its residents such as food delivery, parcel delivery, and pickup and drop-off points.”

The partners will also share relevant data on the updated base map or satellite imagery of San Jose del Monte City.

Robes noted that his office also hopes that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will allow Grab to introduce GrabCar services in the city. Lorenz S. Marasigan

especially that tourism is an inclusive and sustainable business for and of the people,” said Romulo Puyat.

Stakeholders’ call At the joint hearing of the Committees on Economic Affairs, and on Tourism at the House of Representatives last week, tourism stakeholders led by the Tourism Congress of the Philippines made an appeal to the government to lift the travel ban on Taiwan.

The DOT had projected additional losses in tourism revenue to reach P5 billion from February to April, due to the ban on travel from Taiwan, on top of the P38.2billion estimate from the travel ban on mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Taiwan is the country’s fifth-largest source market for tourists, with arrivals up an impressive 37 percent to 305,570 from January to November 2019. It was only last year that the market recovered after previous years of sluggishness due to the apparent hate of Taiwanese for the Philippines. (See, “DOT pushes marketing amid decline in Taiwanese arrivals,” in the BusinessMirror, June 29, 2018.)

The DOT underscored tourism establishments and other allied services are currently implementing strict protocols in handling guests during the global emergency, by using infrared thermometers and making more hand sanitizers available to guests and clients.

Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo and Recto L. Mercene

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, February 17, 2020

B1

AyalaLand income up 13% despite slim revenue hike

P

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

ROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. said its income jumped 13 percent last year to P33.2 billion from the previous year’s P29.24 billion, driven by office and commercial lot sales while it also had contributions from other formats.

The company said that for the second straight year it was able to spend more than P100 billion in a single year, reaching P109-billion capital expenditures in 2019 or about 64 percent of its revenues.

NTC ordered to issue CPC to Newsnet

“We continue to serve new areas in the country and reach out to a broader market with more affordable products. This is in line with our mission to enrich the lives of more Filipinos. Furthermore, we

T

HE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has been instructed by the Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) to immediately issue a certificate of public convenience (CPC) for the use of certain frequencies to News and Entertainment Network Corp.

(Newsnet), an affiliate of publicly listed Now Corp.

continue to invest in all our existing estates which help spur economic activity in their respective localities,” Bernard Vincent O. Dy, the company’s president and CEO, said.

Total revenues reached P168.8 billion, a slim 2-percent increase from the previous year’s P166.24 billion.

Property development revenues reached P117.6 billion, while sales reservations amounted to P145.9 billion, 3 percent higher than last year. Meanwhile, newly opened malls, offices and hotels drove the expansion in commercial leasing revenues, which increased 13 percent to P39.3 billion.

Shopping center revenues grew 11 percent to P22 billion on the back of increased contributions from Ayala

Malls Feliz, Capitol Central and Circuit Makati. The company opened three new shopping centers during the year with a total gross leasable area (GLA) of 213,000 square meters, increasing its malls footprint to 2.12 million square meters.

Office revenues totaled P9.7 billion, a 12-percent increase from the improved performance of office assets in Ayala North Exchange, Vertis North, and Circuit Makati.

Total office GLA reached 1.17 million square meters from the completion of Ayala North Exchange BPO Tower, Manila Bay BPO Tower and Central Bloc Corporate Center 1 in Cebu.

Meanwhile, revenues from hotels and resorts rose 19 percent to P7.6 billion on strong patronage of

Seda Ayala Center Cebu and Seda Lio. About 797 rooms were opened to the public in 2019, bringing total hotel and resort rooms to 3,705.

The company launched P158.9 billion worth of property development projects last year and P15.1 billion in malls, offices, and hotels and resorts in 2019 as it continued on its thrust to build sustainable,

integrated, mixed-use communities across the country.

The company also continues to extend its reach to serve the cheaper housing market. Its Avida, Amaia and Bellavita residential brands delivered 11,476 units in 2019 and have, over the last five years, increased its delivered units by 28 percent year on year.

Arta found out that the NTC has violated particular provisions of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, as well as its implementing rules and regulations after the latter was not able to provide said CPC within the time required by law and the IRRs despite Newsnet’s compliance with

all the requirements.

Per the order signed by Arta Director General Jeremiah Belgica promulgated on February 12, the NTC, through its Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, was cautioned that failure to comply with the order to issue the CPC will compel the anti-bureaucracy body to file the appropriate case

or action in the proper forum.

The Arta confirmed as complete Newsnet’s application for a CPC to install, operate, and maintain a local multipoint distribution system (LMDS) to provide interactive pay television and multimedia services in South Luzon, North Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the 25.35 gigahertz to 26.35 GHz

frequency range with the authority to charge rates therefore.

Based on its affidavit forwarded to Arta, Newsnet claimed on January 31 that it already submitted all the requirements for the CPC issuance. Such requirements were duly admitted by the NTC via an order dated October 19, 2018. Roderick L. Abad

B2

Monday, February 17, 2020

Companies BusinessMirror

Andrew Tan companies vow to be carbon-neutral in 10 yrs STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

SHARE prices fell again last week, erasing most of the gains from the previous week, still on the lingering uncertainty caused by the Covid-19.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index fell 225.20 points to close at 7,282 points.

Most of its losses came on Friday, in anticipation of weak earnings set to be released this week and the MSCI rebalancing.

“Equity funds that track the MSCI’s weighting on PSEi shares have begun to anticipate which companies will get a reduction, thus the losses last week. The main index ended the week at its low after ending at its high in the previous week,” Christopher Mangun, research head at AAA Securities Inc. Foreign investors were net buyers at P815.47 million, while average value of trade for the week was at P5.44 billion.

Most of the sub-indices ended on the red, led by the broader All Shares index that fell 103.53 to 4,319.11. The Financials index dropped 52.14 to 1,738.95, the Industrial index plunged 455.04 to 8,936.64, the Holding Firms index declined 94.04 to 7,051.97, the Property index was down 108.15 to 3,928.65, the Services index retreated 62.57 to 1,440.30 and the Mining and Oil index lost 324.83 to 7,058.64.

For the week, losers edged gainers 152 to 70 and 25 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers for the week were the A and B shares of Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp., Euro-Med Laboratories Phil. Inc., Philippine Estates Corp., Holcim Philippines Inc. and Premium Leisure Corp.

Top losers, meanwhile, were Manila Broadcasting Co., ISM Communications Corp., Boulevard Holdings Inc., Jackstones Inc. and Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corp.

This week

Trading at the stock market may remain volatile this week mainly on the impact of the Covid-19 in the region, while the expected weak financial earnings of the corporates is not helping to boost market sentiment.

“The market remains volatile as investors try to figure out how to position themselves in this market with all the uncertainties and external headwinds. We are expecting a minor bounce next week as bargain hunters take advantage of extremely depressed prices,” Mangun said.

The PSEi will begin to trade within this new range of support at 7,200 and resistance at 7,475 in the medium term, he said.

Meanwhile, 2TradeAsia said the market is generally in a weak pattern, and there may be a chance for the main index to fall further near 7,000 points.

“Scout for good entry points and aim for stocks with good dividend yield,” the broker said.

It sees immediate support for the main index at 7,200 and resistance at 7,450.

Stock picks

Broker Regina Capital Development Corp. gave a buy recommendation on the stock of Eagle Cement Corp.

“Given that Eagle posted growth largely in line with our estimates, we are maintaining our fair value of P18 apiece. We reiterate our buy recommendation on the stock, since prevailing market prices still provide significant upside,” the broker said.

Eagle’s share price recently hit a new 52-week low at P11.80 and has since then consolidated sideways. With this low now considered to be the nearest support level, selling pressure has started to die down a bit as momentum flattens, the broker said.

Eagle’s share price closed Friday at P12 apiece.

Meanwhile, it gave a hold recommendation on the stock of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., since despite the heavy selldown last week, price movement remained almost insignificant, trapped between the consolidation range of P3.13 and P3.30.

“Momentum has dissipated in the previous weeks, making MPI sluggish between the price parameter. The selldown, however, pushed the stock closer to a bearish bias, and testing the support. If this trend will continue, MPI will likely break this stalemate via a breakdown. In that case, movement and momentum will return to the stock bearish, at least. But until then, participants have no wiser course but to wait,” it said.

Shares of MPIC closed last week at P3.07 apiece. VG Cabuag

T

HE companies led by businessman Andrew Tan have committed to be carbon-neutral in about a decade by reducing the emissions of its units, while promising to use more of renewable energy in its mixed-use developments all over the country.

“We must start to become more conscious and responsible for the long-term social, economic, and environmental impact of our businesses.

As a responsible corporate citizen, our decisions should no longer just be driven by what is good and profitable, but by what is right,” Kevin L. Tan, CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), said during the company’s oneday conference on sustainability.

AGI, Tan’s holding firm, currently employs over 80,000 people in its various businesses across the country.

The company, however, did not provide yet the nitty-gritty of how it will be able to be carbon-neutral by 2030, but outlined the efforts of its units on how to care more about the communities that they serve and the environment.

Its property development arm, which employs about 5,000 people, has promised to use renewable energy and promote ‘plastic neutrality,’ or measuring all the plastic that it has used or produced and offset these by doing other things such as plastic recycling or reusing measures.

mutual funds

It also commits to create around 3 million direct and indirect jobs in its various developments across the country within 10 years.

Liquor arm Emperador Inc., with its vineyard properties in Spain and distilleries in Scotland, vowed to continue utilizing technologies that save water and reduce emission.

These include the use of renewable energy, particularly biomass and solar, for their vineyards and distilleries in Spain, Mexico, and the Philippines; and the use of water conservation methods for irrigation of vineyards in Spain and Mexico. The company also maintains vineyards and forest lands in Spain totaling around 1,500 hectares.

Gambling arm Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. will use more renewable energy such as solar, and employ more local hires in its casino and hotel operations.

Golden Arches Development Corp., which operates McDonald’s Philippines, now advocates the use of reusable cutlery, and the minimized use of plastics through the introduction of paper bags, straws and lids. The company also started rolling out reusable packaging, solar rooftops and pushed the use of ecobricks in some of its stores, as well as reinforced waste segregation system.

“Our collective strength as a conglomerate certainly gives us the ability to make these positive changes happen,” Tan said. VG Cabuag

February 14, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

February 14, 2020

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK SECURITY BANK UNION BANK COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

52.5 148.5 86 24.95 11.3 58 11.2 32 51.5 170 58.3 17.98 3.51 0.415 841 0.76 173 1850 1.13

53 148.8 86.6 25 11.34 59 11.5 32.1 53.8 174.7 58.9 18.36 3.79 0.42 850 0.82 175 1859 1.14

53 152.5 87 25 11.2 59.3 10.78 32 53.8 175 58.5 18.38 3.51 0.435 858 0.76 176 1859 1.14

53 152.5 87.1 25 11.3 59.85 11.5 32.2 53.8 175 59 18.38 3.79 0.45 858 0.82 176 1859 1.15

53 148.5 85.55 24.85 11.14 58 10.78 32 51.5 170 58.5 17.98 3.51 0.41 858 0.76 176 1859 1.14

53 148.5 86 25 11.3 58 11.2 32 51.5 170 58.9 17.98 3.79 0.42 858 0.82 176 1859 1.14

210 2483650 1777060 64400 691600 3016760 74700 271400 450 165420 16840 7500 2000 2190000 80 7000 180 10 40000

11130 369840409 153366110.5 1606740 7722152 176629592.5 826940 8686955 23254 28228160 985544 135006 7300 944950 68640 5650 31680 18590 45830

31178683 66471222.5 -262254 25090542.5 2156 160255 -7078116 530595 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 2.1 2.11 2.03 2.12 2.02 2.11 1334000 2782900 34960 ABOITIZ POWER 32 32.55 32.4 32.7 32 32 931900 29869015 -18364735 0.217 0.225 0.22 0.225 0.216 0.225 840000 184370 BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN 19.86 19.9 19.9 20.4 19.7 19.9 2996800 59,736,006( 7,015,823.9996) 66.85 66.9 67 67 66.8 66.85 889170 59404109 -13394951 FIRST PHIL HLDG 262 264 263.2 270.4 262 262 291130 76746282 -23389432 MERALCO MANILA WATER 12.4 12.42 11.98 12.6 11.98 12.42 7656500 95059706 -21661764 3.46 3.48 3.5 3.5 3.46 3.46 459000 1597840 -270900 PETRON PETROENERGY 3.18 3.74 3.74 3.74 3.74 3.74 51000 190740 11.72 11.9 11.86 11.9 11.6 11.9 30600 363272 PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL 29.15 29.35 29.5 29.75 29.1 29.35 301000 8819305 -4728975 SPC POWER 9.1 9.11 9.15 9.2 9.09 9.11 175600 1600489 1089340 7.16 7.23 7 7.23 7 7.23 2393300 17114545 -4478196 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 2.82 2.84 2.82 2.86 2.78 2.82 926000 2610070 274550 CENTURY FOOD 15.02 15.1 15.02 15.02 15 15.02 125600 1885724 99164 4.48 4.59 4.48 4.5 4.48 4.5 3000 13480 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 8.6 8.64 8.89 8.89 8.5 8.6 1231900 10573617 -980962 7.26 7.29 7.26 7.28 7.25 7.26 292200 2120712 329025 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 75 75.5 75.95 75.95 75 75 266060 20003221 -19140339.5 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.64 0.65 0.63 0.66 0.62 0.65 5415000 3477360 -6500 1.86 1.87 1.83 1.88 1.83 1.87 16693000 31006070 237480 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 34.25 35.9 36 36 36 36 400 14400 185.2 186 194.9 194.9 185.2 185.2 727570 136821335 -95347972 JOLLIBEE MAXS GROUP 9.81 9.82 9.98 9.98 9.82 9.82 213500 2109345 510683 MG HLDG 0.162 0.182 0.163 0.163 0.163 0.163 120000 19560 1.83 1.84 1.84 1.85 1.83 1.83 637000 1165910 PEPSI COLA SHAKEYS PIZZA 9.45 9.5 9.48 9.5 9.42 9.42 2164800 20473816 5721432 1.5 1.52 1.47 1.56 1.46 1.51 112000 168270 ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP 5.08 5.2 5.05 5.23 5.05 5.2 19800 101151 -88840 SWIFT FOODS 0.118 0.12 0.116 0.12 0.116 0.117 250000 29120 148.9 149 150 150 148.4 149 4091020 609,096,795( 179,313,831.0001) UNIV ROBINA VITARICH 1.11 1.12 1.08 1.12 1.08 1.12 11668000 13017830 2.4 2.53 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 3000 7200 7200 VICTORIAS 61.05 64.5 67.7 70 61.05 61.05 2740 180267 CONCRETE A CONCRETE B 62.35 70 64 80 62.25 62.25 1230 83876 1.47 1.48 1.46 1.47 1.42 1.47 3052000 4438710 -1090660 CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT 12.02 12.4 12.02 12.4 12 12 21400 258536 8.31 8.7 8.46 8.7 8.31 8.31 240800 2013433 -1930608 EEI CORP 11.54 11.58 10.38 11.54 10.38 11.54 636900 7102504 171080 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 14.76 14.8 14.94 14.96 14.76 14.8 325500 4820636 -3553606 9.62 9.74 9.75 9.75 9.7 9.74 6000 58384 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.91 0.95 0.89 0.96 0.89 0.96 5000 4570 VULCAN INDL 0.98 1 1 1 0.98 0.99 497000 494460 172 188 171 171 171 171 70 11970 CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA 2.13 2.14 2.14 2.14 2.13 2.14 25000 53420 2.8 2.81 2.49 3.3 2.3 2.8 16699000 50008110 177850 EUROMED MABUHAY VINYL 3.06 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 6000 18600 -18600 PRYCE CORP 4.73 5.09 4.73 4.73 4.73 4.73 4000 18920 1.58 1.59 1.55 1.61 1.52 1.59 1592000 2471980 -199710 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 6.12 6.14 6.18 6.2 6.1 6.12 162800 998301 82266 1.19 1.25 1.17 1.25 1.16 1.25 171000 208700 IONICS PANASONIC 4.8 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 1000 5200 SFA SEMICON 1.15 1.17 1.14 1.24 1.14 1.15 1779000 2089350 9.14 9.15 8.86 9.28 8.65 9.15 2765100 25135655 -11048 CIRTEK HLDG

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.88 0.89 0.89 0.92 0.88 0.89 24589000 22139610 ASIABEST GROUP 9.98 10 10.14 10.16 9.98 9.98 1500 15015 745 750 752 754.5 745 745 253720 189931425 AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY 49.4 50.25 49.8 50.95 49.4 49.4 1328500 65930550 10.3 10.48 10.36 10.48 10.3 10.3 11605300 119815408 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 2.48 2.5 2.55 2.55 2.5 2.5 588000 1476760 AYALA LAND LOG ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.68 0.7 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.68 66000 44880 0.89 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.88 0.9 2705000 2402920 ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B 0.91 0.93 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.91 5000 4550 6.28 6.3 6.38 6.38 6.29 6.29 686100 4332167 COSCO CAPITAL 5.84 5.87 5.8 5.97 5.79 5.84 5435000 31742749 DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV 12.02 12.68 12.6 12.6 12.6 12.6 8300 104580 0.213 0.227 0.22 0.22 0.213 0.213 2010000 442130 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 721.5 737 740 740 721.5 721.5 64820 46980310 JG SUMMIT 74 74.5 73.75 74.7 72.2 74.5 1846560 137355403.5 6.13 6.67 6.72 6.72 6.16 6.69 7200 45525 JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR 0.485 0.49 0.495 0.495 0.485 0.49 30000 14700 3.8 3.81 3.8 3.8 3.77 3.8 1324000 5029660 LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 10.4 10.48 10.54 10.54 10.4 10.4 1253500 13,087,970( METRO PAC INV 3.07 3.1 3.05 3.16 3.05 3.07 27641000 85481750 4.34 4.5 4.33 4.5 4.33 4.5 11000 48480 PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA 1.13 1.14 1.13 1.14 1.13 1.14 48000 54630 1.11 1.17 1.12 1.17 1.11 1.17 53000 59450 SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID 170 183 173 183 173 183 20 3560 SM INVESTMENTS 992 995 1008 1010 992 992 569085 566401482.5 132.7 134 136 136 132.7 132.7 194590 26152793 SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES 0.78 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 2000 1640 2 2.39 2.01 2.01 2 2 12000 24010 SEAFRONT RES TOP FRONTIER 164.5 165 167.5 169.9 165 165 2850 473319 WELLEX INDUS 0.205 0.221 0.215 0.221 0.206 0.206 1030000 221430 0.183 0.189 0.189 0.189 0.189 0.189 20000 3780 ZEUS HLDG

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.78 0.79 0.78 0.8 0.78 0.79 212000 165500 ANCHOR LAND 8.76 9.67 9.67 9.67 9.67 9.67 100 967 41.1 42 42.95 43.05 41.1 41.1 8647600 360287305 AYALA LAND BELLE CORP 1.61 1.62 1.63 1.63 1.59 1.62 1231000 1983200 0.63 0.66 0.64 0.66 0.64 0.66 90000 57890 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.79 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 24000 19680 CROWN EQUITIES 0.174 0.179 0.174 0.174 0.174 0.174 50000 8700 6.2 6.58 6.62 6.62 6.62 6.62 300 1986 CEBU HLDG CEB LANDMASTERS 4.5 4.54 4.5 4.55 4.48 4.5 966000 4348040 0.47 0.475 0.475 0.48 0.47 0.47 8140000 3847350 CENTURY PROP 0.355 0.36 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 400000 140000 CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON 18.46 18.5 18.44 19 18.14 18.5 359200 6613688 9.01 9.02 8.97 9.09 8.97 9.02 33400 302361 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.385 0.39 0.385 0.385 0.38 0.38 370000 141850 FILINVEST LAND 1.41 1.42 1.43 1.44 1.41 1.41 34752000 49549560 1.1 1.11 1.1 1.13 1.09 1.11 796000 875920 GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG 14.7 14.76 14.72 14.74 14.7 14.7 755500 11115870 1 1.02 0.97 1.02 0.93 1.02 3365000 3256890 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.76 0.73 0.76 2000 1490 MEGAWORLD 3.86 3.9 3.82 3.9 3.79 3.9 31468000 121411590 0.201 0.203 0.201 0.207 0.2 0.203 4080000 823040 MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES 0.425 0.46 0.425 0.46 0.425 0.46 680000 304500 2.08 2.09 2.05 2.09 2.05 2.08 101000 208300 PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND 24.5 24.65 24.7 25.45 24.5 24.5 1039400 25513280 PHIL REALTY 0.305 0.315 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.31 240000 74400 1.91 2.07 2 2.08 1.9 2.07 2870000 5624040 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 3.07 3.14 3.07 3.14 3.07 3.07 63000 194530 2.41 2.53 2.55 2.55 2.4 2.53 123000 304980 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 41.65 41.7 42.05 42.25 41.5 41.7 28469100 1189166665 VISTAMALLS 5.03 5.23 5.06 5.24 5.04 5.23 129700 665329 1.75 1.76 1.72 1.8 1.72 1.76 2667000 4672160 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 6.28 7.29 6.4 7.29 6.25 7.29 13884200 100024856

-7890 4148285 -12315870 57096076 343588 -20728768 -440000 1815675 -48404515 -1309660 3,903,006.0001) 22196450 13500 -57110 76532205 7449331 -471651 -215000 -99261885

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D 421380 per share Return* Return 19680 Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 239.94 -9.61% -1.89% -2.73% -4.74% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.2354 -20.63% -3.96% -5.18% -10.61% 9400 ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.3645 -18.48% -6.01% -5.54% -8.53% 381248 Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.8341 -11.23% n.a. n.a.

-7.02% -222600 First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.8104 -6.46% n.a. n.a.

-4.58% -48890240 First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 5.0644 -8.29% -0.57% -2.75% -4.95% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,6 0.8057 -8.26% -4.41% n.a.

-5.61% 47000 MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 95.34 -21.16% n.a. n.a.

-7.73% -46685430 PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 48.4861 -6.82% 0.2% n.a.

-5.45% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 506.22 -6.71% -0.58% -2.38% -4.99% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,8 0.9879 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-4.1% -9188905 Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.2259 -6.47% 0% -1.38% -4.74% -3655570 Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 35.986 -6.73% 0.92% -1.2% -5.04% 50240 Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.9706 -6.01% n.a. n.a.

-4.67% -487409000 -5.41% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.9411 -5.96% 0.81% -0.64% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 825.11 -6.02% 0.75% -0.78% -5.39% -15668053 Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.7803 -13.6% -2.88% -4.58% -8.35% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.9443 -7.83% 0.07% -1.55% -6.29%

SERVICES Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9469 - 6.29% 0.6% n.a.

-5.39% ABS CBN 17.1 17.14 16.94 17.4 16.94 17.14 732500 12528500 GMA NETWORK 5.39 5.4 5.4 5.44 5.4 5.4 448500 2422863 United Fund, Inc. -a 3.4823 -5.53% 2.07% 0.16% -4.68% 0.465 0.47 0.45 0.54 0.45 0.465 11160000 5511200 MANILA BULLETIN Exchange Traded Fund GLOBE TELECOM 1944 1960 2006 2006 1944 1944 32555 63693915 -16630735 1000 1014 1034 1039 1000 1000 98315 99230865 4779930 PLDT First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 110.7372 -5.68% 1.45% 0.15% 0.047 0.048 0.049 0.049 0.047 0.048 4300000 203700 APOLLO GLOBAL -5.32% ISLAND INFO 0.1 0.101 0.102 0.103 0.1 0.1 1760000 178010 1.9 1.92 1.8 1.93 1.76 1.9 42900000 80856660 548710 ISM COMM ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0253 3.26% 4.32% 0.54% -0.3% NOW CORP 2.06 2.07 2.05 2.1 2.04 2.06 463000 949840 17.36% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.4323 9.95% n.a.

3.89% 0.239 0.245 0.237 0.245 0.237 0.238 1120000 271670 TRANSPACIFIC BR Balanced Funds PHILWEB 3.25 3.26 3.18 3.26 3.11 3.25 1021000 3250200 6060 2GO GROUP 8.6 8.9 8.9 8.9 8.5 8.5 23300 204490 -65860 Primarily invested in Peso securities 4.43 4.46 4.5 4.5 4.43 4.43 652000 2901560 -274190 CHELSEA ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.5279 -11.18% -3.97% -4.82% -2.23% CEBU AIR 78.2 79 79 80 78 78.5 55890 4406932 -295807 INTL CONTAINER 119 124 121.4 124.7 119 119 1399580 168536438 -2157826 ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.094 -8.86% -2.84% -2.58% -3.99% 12.12 12.56 12.14 12.4 12.14 12.4 1600 19450 LBC EXPRESS First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5581 -3.18% 0.64% -2.63% -2.79% MACROASIA 11.08 11.1 10.18 11.4 9.97 11.1 9903100 107760852 1300144 1.22 1.28 1.05 1.55 1.05 1.28 6576000 8986770 METROALLIANCE A First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,5 0.2161 n.a. n.a. n.a.

METROALLIANCE B 1.21 1.38 0.96 1.44 0.96 1.39 728000 978680 -104000 -5.43% PAL HLDG 7 7.3 7.3 7.3 7 7 2700 19245 4900 NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9291 1.13% 1.67% -0.03% -1.73% 1.14 1.15 1.12 1.16 1.1 1.15 223000 252180 HARBOR STAR ACESITE HOTEL 1.32 1.46 1.29 1.48 1.29 1.32 501000 705540 PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.6875 1.79% 0.56% -1.06% -2.68% 0.045 0.046 0.048 0.049 0.045 0.045 13200000 612900 -19200 BOULEVARD HLDG Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.5008 0.57% 0.5% -1.14% -2.71% DISCOVERY WORLD 1.79 1.97 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1000 1800 WATERFRONT 0.54 0.57 0.58 0.58 0.53 0.54 202000 109640 Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a -3.36% 0.09% -0.28% -2.48% 2.0731 0.57 0.58 0.57 0.58 0.57 0.57 809000 462740 STI HLDG Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.7135 -2.46% 0.78% -0.87% -3.89% BERJAYA 2.67 2.73 2.78 2.8 2.64 2.67 1345000 3624970 8100 8.66 8.9 8.93 8.93 8.6 8.66 4015800 34865528 11863280 BLOOMBERRY Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9882 -0.16% n.a. n.a.

-2.71% 2.06 2.07 1.97 2.09 1.9 2.06 130000 266420 -41420 PACIFIC ONLINE Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9538 -3.14% n.a. n.a.

-4.28% LEISURE AND RES 2.08 2.14 2.08 2.08 2.08 2.08 56000 116480 2.96 3.05 2.97 2.97 2.97 2.97 10000 29700 MANILA JOCKEY Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d,2 0.9486 -3.6% n.a. n.a.

-4.49% PREMIUM LEISURE 0.54 0.55 0.52 0.56 0.52 0.55 34394000 18612060 -32920 Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.9276 -3.57% -0.1% -2.22% -4.84% 8 8.96 8.96 8.96 8.96 8.96 100 896 PHIL RACING Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALLHOME 9.68 10 9.69 10 9.29 10 2367600 23416216 -3883357 METRO RETAIL 1.8 1.82 1.88 1.95 1.8 1.8 1164000 2108370 -62670 Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03889 8.97% 3.28% 2.15% 1.73% 38.2 38.3 38.3 38.5 38.15 38.2 1387400 53,064,880( 9,217,110.0003) PUREGOLD PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -a $1.037 6.41% 0.92% -0.09% 4.06% ROBINSONS RTL 71.65 71.95 71.6 74.5 71.6 71.65 579850 41779943 18912762.5 140 145.2 149 149 140 145.2 150 21682 16030 PHIL SEVEN CORP Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.026 13.26% 7.77% 4.48% 2.95% 2.24 2.25 2.25 2.28 2.19 2.24 416000 930030 -150219.9998 SSI GROUP Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,7 $1.1513 9.24% 4.61% n.a.

1.99% WILCON DEPOT 18.88 18.9 18.86 18.9 18.86 18.88 2852700 53828480 5121422 0.39 0.4 0.38 0.395 0.38 0.39 730000 284900 APC GROUP Bond Funds EASYCALL 7 7.29 7.58 7.58 7 7 11900 86291 Primarily invested in Peso securities PRMIERE HORIZON 0.31 0.315 0.315 0.32 0.3 0.31 7380000 2252900 -94500 ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 358.71 3.86% 2.69% 2.24% 0.25% 8.68 8.98 8.95 8.98 8.66 8.98 20600 178987 SBS PHIL CORP ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9079 2.54% 0.49% -0.61% 0.31%

MINING & OIL Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.1352 4.91% 5.15% 5.17% 0.61% ATOK 11 11.3 10.86 11.3 10.84 11.3 13600 150694 Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.235 4.17% 2.07% 1.84% 0.45% 0.97 0.99 0.96 0.99 0.96 0.97 177000 172020 -960 APEX MINING ABRA MINING 0.0013 0.0014 0.0014 0.0015 0.0013 0.0014 335000000 468000 First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.3628 6.04% 2.21% 1.26% 0.16% 2.22 2.35 2.23 2.23 2.2 2.21 990000 2183940 -1985040 ATLAS MINING 2.35% 1.5% 0.29% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.3854 11.97% 2.95 3 2.95 3 2.94 3 559000 1664010 930220 CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES 6.55 6.65 6.5 6.85 6.5 6.55 36400 241508 Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.7844 5.72% 2.8% 1.21% -0.1% 1.28 1.29 1.27 1.3 1.27 1.28 816000 1043930 -107810 FERRONICKEL Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 0.97 6.59% 1.35% 0.08% 0.59% GEOGRACE 0.198 0.208 0.21 0.21 0.197 0.197 110000 21820 0.093 0.095 0.095 0.095 0.093 0.095 3690000 347810 A LEPANTO Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.0866 9.03% 4.11% 2.33% 0.35% LEPANTO B 0.092 0.093 0.089 0.093 0.089 0.092 1370000 124680 -62790 Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.6981 7.93% 3.42% 1.64% -0.18% MANILA MINING A 0.0075 0.0078 0.0077 0.0077 0.0076 0.0076 6000000 45900 0.99 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.01 1.01 2000 2030 NIHAO Primarily invested in foreign currency securities NICKEL ASIA 2.56 2.58 2.56 2.6 2.55 2.56 980000 2519580 -8830 ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $471.3 4.55% 2.71% 2.75% 0.66% OMICO CORP 0.475 0.5 0.46 0.49 0.46 0.47 31000 14405 ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є220.77 3.03% 1.81% 1.3% 0.47% 2.86 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.82 2.86 81000 230090 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 19.9 20.1 20.2 20.25 19.8 19.9 1260400 25,224,393( 13,411,918.0003) ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2149 6.07% 3.15% 2.43% 0.64% 0.0054 0.0055 0.0054 0.0055 0.0054 0.0054 6000000 32700 UNITED PARAGON 1.45% 1.36% 0.78% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.026 4% ACE ENEXOR 6.9 6.99 7.18 7.18 6.85 6.99 144200 1006712 -48507 ORNTL PETROL A 0.0096 0.0098 0.01 0.01 0.0098 0.0098 2500000 24590 PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -a $1.1061 5.61% 1.41% -0.03% 1% 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.01 0.01 36900000 385900 PHILODRILL Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4471 10.28% 3.69% 2.98% 1.8% PXP ENERGY 8.45 8.49 8.43 8.58 8.41 8.45 62000 522387 6720

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0607848 5.94% 2.36% 1.93% 0.78% PREFFERED Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2544 11.31% 3.48% 2.95% 2.49% HOUSE PREF A 98 100 100 100 99 99 24380 2434300 Money Market Funds 500 505 500 500 500 500 3400 1700000 AC PREF B1 DD PREF 100.4 101 100.9 101 100.9 101 59760 6035260 Primarily invested in Peso securities 103.6 107.9 107.9 107.9 107.9 107.9 90 9711 FGEN PREF G ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 126.34 3.88% 2.91% 2.23% 0.45% GTCAP PREF B 972 987 988 988 987 987 2200 2171600 MWIDE PREF 100 100.2 100 100 100 100 8000 800000 First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a,3 1.0311 2.94% n.a. n.a.

102 102.8 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 1500 153750 PNX PREF 3A 0.47% PNX PREF 3B 106.2 109 109 109 109 109 70 7630 Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.2552 5.84% 3.03% 1.66% -0.12% 1031 1050 1032 1050 1030 1050 16805 17347920 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 2B 1020 1049 1030 1030 1030 1030 495 509850 3.65% 2.94% 2.44% 0.38% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2694 PCOR PREF 3A 1050 1051 1051 1051 1050 1050 19900 20899900 -21020 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities 1063 1070 1062 1063 1062 1063 1060 1125780 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C 77.6 78 77.5 77.5 77.5 77.5 87970 6817675 Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0396 2.03% n.a. n.a.

0.23% SMC PREF 2E 74.85 76 75.05 75.05 75.05 75.05 27000 2026350 Feeder Fund 76.5 77 76.85 77 76.85 76.95 161950 12464588.5 SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G 75.1 75.9 75.1 75.1 75.05 75.1 10200 765770 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities 75.45 76 76 76 75.45 76 155320 11804309 SMC PREF 2I ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,4 $1 n.a. n.a. n.a.

1.01%

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

1 - Launch date is January 3, 2019. 2 - Launch date is January 28, 2019. 3 - Launch date is February 1, 2019. 4 - Launch date is November 15, 2019.

5 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 6 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.).

7 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019. 8 - Launch date is December 09, 2019.

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PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 15.3 15.6 14.86 15.6 14.84 15.6 22700 342420 5.2 5.31 5.2 5.34 5.2 5.21 5300 27638 GMA HLDG PDR

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 1.12 1.14 1.14 1.15 1.12 1.13 114000 128180

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 3.21 3.26 3.18 3.26 3.18 3.26 36000 115710 9.8 9.92 9.94 9.98 9.63 9.92 89900 878858 8685 KEPWEALTH XURPAS 0.78 0.79 0.78 0.8 0.78 0.78 667000 522510 -3900

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 109.2 111 111.8 111.8 109.2 109.2 10110 1112524 49225

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Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

₧69-B dividend from GOCCs ‘unprecedented’–DOF exec

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

IVIDEND collections from government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) have reached a record-high figure in 2019, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said.

In a speech during a forum last week, Dominguez said this development was “unprecedented.”

“Dividend collections from GOCCs reached an unprecedented P69 billion last year,” the finance chief said comparing the P30 billion in dividends collected by government in 2015.

The total 2019 dividend collection is 34.77 percent up from P51.2 billion collected in 2018.

As of July last year, GOCC dividend collections have reached P61.3 billion.

For t he Januar y-Ju ly 2019 period, the top dividend contributors

include the following: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp.; Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas; Philippine Ports Authority; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.; Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; Manila International Airport Authority; and the National Power Corp.

In the same forum, Dominguez said the DOF is also expecting tax collections from sin products to increase by at least 130 percent this year compared to that in 2015, as he cited preliminary figures showing

sin taxes almost doubling in 2019 compared to that in 2015.

“We are the first administration to raise excise taxes on tobacco products twice in a single term,” he said.

“Within the first three years of this administration, a new set of sin taxes was imposed on electronic cigarettes and on alcohol. The additional revenue from these measures will help fund the Universal Health Care program that primarily benefits lowincome families.”

Dominguez also said he believes the passage of the remaining tax reform packages, including the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira), will further improve the “inclusiveness” of the country’s economic growth, help produce a more business-friendly environment for investors, and empower about 1 million micro-scale enterprises, small-scale enterprises and medium-scale enterprises.

Dominguez added remains hopeful the Citira will be enacted into law this March.

“It will bring down our corporate income tax rate from the highest

in Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] to the regional average,” he said. “Our high corporate tax rate has been an effective deterrent to foreign investments, making us the regional laggard in this regard.”

From the current 30 percent, the corporate income tax is seen to be reduced to 20 percent under the bill.

This despite Senate President Vicente Sotto III earlier expressing doubt that the Citira and the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (Pifita) will be passed before Congress adjourns on March 14.

The Pifita wants to “simplify” a complicated tax structure by cutting half of 80 combinations of tax base and tax rates on passive income and financial transactions. It also wants to remove tax on initial public offerings and reduce the stock transaction tax from six tenths of one percent to one tenth of one percent to further encourage capital market expansion.

Tax burdens on bank deposits, insurance premiums will also be reduced under the measure.

Bir district office launched in clark

Recognizing Clark as a strategic location in delivering quality government services to its stakeholders, the Bureau of Internal Revenue recently launched its Revenue District Office-21C inside Clark Freeport Zone. Meanwhile, the Clark Development Corp. represented by Assistant Vice President for Business Development Department 1 Thelma C. Ocampo (fourth from right) and CDC Assistant Vice President for Business Development Department 2 Rodem R. Perez (fourth from left) joined the BIR officials composed of BIR Commissioner Caesar R. Dulay (center), BIR Regional Director Edgar B. Tolentino (fifth from right), BIR Assistant Regional Director Claire B. Corpuz (fifth from left) and Revenue District Officer Gerardo C. Utanes (third from left) during the blessing and inauguration of the new BIR district office in Clark. Also in photo are Foton Motor Philippines Inc. President Rommel L. Sytin (rightmost) and other CDC officers. Photo by CDC

Bank launches aid drive for Taal disaster-hit Pinoys

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ARCELONA, SPAIN—BDO Unibank’s remittance office in Barcelona, Spain, announced it has organized a donation drive to the distressed victims of the Taal eruption by putting up dropoff boxes for Filipinos who want to donate in kind.

BDO Unibank said these donation boxes will then be delivered to BDO Foundation Inc. in the Philippines for distribution to the affected areas.

Filipinos living in Barcelona are mostly from Batangas and Cavite, which were significantly affected by the volcanic eruption on January 12.

Officers and staff of BDO Remit Spain have also visited Filipino communities in Barcelona including Filipino Asian stores, restaurants, medical

providers, clinics, freight forwarders, travel agencies and grocery stores to promote their donation campaign, according to BDO Unibank.

It added that the Saint Agustin Parish in Barcelona has likewise utilized the parish community to spread the word on the said charitable efforts. They posted BDO Remit’s materials about the donation drive within church premises and regularly announced during the Sunday mass that drop-off donation boxes were put up.

“We have already filled up the first box of donations and [are] now on our second box. More people are now donating and sending as a result of our info drive,” Gerard Ian M. Belarmino, marketing officer in BDO Remit Spain,

was quoted in a statement as saying.

“We are receiving positive responses from our Kabayans [compatriots] for our efforts especially the waived fees for those who want to donate anonymously. Filipino community leaders are also grateful to us for accepting coin donations to be remitted to the Philippines.”

Local banks in Spain charge commissions for coin transactions. By remitting this through BDO instead, every Euro cent would be sent to the Taal victims, BDO Unibank said.

These coin donations have totaled 700 Euros to date.

Last January 14, BDO waived its remittance fees on cash donations sent through the different BDO Remit offices abroad for the victims of the Mount

Taal eruption. The campaign runs up to March 31, 2020, the bank said.

Cash donations sent through BDO Remit offices will then be coursed through different foundations. In turn, these foundations will facilitate the purchase and distribution of relief goods in evacuation centers that temporarily house the Taal victims.

BDO has extensive remittance coverage across the globe, with overseas remittance offices and partners across Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Aside from the different BDO Remit offices, the bank said its global remit partners are also receiving cash donations for the benefit of the Taal eruption victims. Regular remittance charges apply, it noted.

Cebu co-ops gear up to improve lending efficiency through CIS

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S part of their commitment to comply with Republic Act 9510 or the Credit Information System Act (CISA), co-operatives based in Cebu—including the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative—and those from other nearby locations underwent a technical training for submitting entities of the Credit Information Corp., the CIC said in a statement issued last February 14.

In response, the governmentowned and-controlled corporation CIC spearheaded the workshop to provide hands-on training for the cooperatives and assist them with the technical requirements for submission and compliance.

Department Manager for Credit Information Management System (CIMS) Ma. Bernadette Bautista led the technical workshop and discussed the ease of submission to the CIC. “Submission to the CIC only requires a spreadsheet, an internet

connection, and some freeware.

The system was designed for small and big lenders alike,” Bautista said.

“This assures an equal level of participation no matter how big or small they are.”

CIC President and CEO Jaime Casto Jose P. Garchitorena expressed his gratitude to the participating cooperatives for reaching out to the agency.

“The old idea was that small cooperatives would have no use of the CIC, with nay-sayers claiming that credit report and risk-based lending were only for ‘sophisticated’ banks,” Garchitorena said. “In fact, some of the CIC’s most enthusiastic supporters are small lenders because the risk of lending to known bad borrowers poses a great risk to their sustainability.”

To date, 40 percent of the financial institutions submitting live credit data of borrowers to the CIC database are cooperatives that are often designated as conduits of funding, especially to the

underserved and unserved markets.

Under the law, submitting entities refer to any entity that provides credit facilities. Broadly covered under this definition are lending institutions regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Securities and Exchange Commission, including cooperatives and micro-financing institutions.

Garchitorena also emphasized that “the cooperatives’ inclusion in submission data will fuel economic progress. Through using the credit reports of existing and potential borrowers, bad debt is reduced and more cooperative funds are made available to new borrowers.”

He added that the cooperatives’ compliance with the Cisa is a significant step towards improving the access to credit of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The CIC likewise lauded the support of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), especially with the issuance of its Memorandum Circular 2019-01 enjoining lending cooperatives to submit factual basic credit data of all their borrowers to the CIC. “Having the full support of the CDA—being the cooperatives’ regulatory agency—is crucial in inculcating a truly inclusive lending environment,” Garchitorena ended.

Monday, February 17, 2020 B3

Perspectives Planners and consumers align

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S areas once dominated by government services and infrastructure become increasingly decentralized, governments are having to rethink their longer-term plans.

Expect to see greater focus on aligning the ‘micro’ decisions of technology-enabled consumers with the “macro” decisions being made by infrastructure planners and decision-makers.

The decentralization of infrastructure is not a new trend, but it is rapidly picking up pace.

Consider, for example, the widespread adoption of ride-sharing; the spread of decentralized consumer power generation sources; the shift towards more ‘circulareconomy’ waste practices. New models that put the consumer in the driver’s seat continue to emerge.

While many governments are keen to encourage this type of innovation—in part to meet evolving consumer demands and in part to reduce their own investment requirements—the shift away from the more traditional “command and control” macro approach is creating some difficult long-term planning challenges.

In particular, some governments and infrastructure planners are struggling to understand how these new economy models will influence the value and usefulness of their existing “old school” assets and services.

Will the falling price of home solar kits eventually result in stranded generation assets? If so, how quickly will demand drop?

Who will be the residual supplier?

How will they be compensated and what role will government play in ensuring or providing a level of ‘baseline’ services? Some are asking themselves if they should be investing any taxpayer dollars into a centralized energy grid at all.

Governments will need to become much better at understanding and responding to consumer preferences, needs and expectations.

Look back: What did we predict?

In 2019, we predicted that “infrastructure authorities and planners [will] move towards more holistic and evidence-based decision-making processes… to deliver on society’s needs and expectations.”

Evidence-based decisionmaking and continuous public consultation/listening/engagement will be key to understanding future trends and demand.

Yet government will still need to take the lead: few citizens truly understand the full breadth of considerations that go into long-term planning. Basing decisions purely on what the data says citizens want today is not a recipe for long-term growth and sustainability. Infrastructure plans must be made within the broader context.

Over the coming year, expect to see governments investing more time and effort into understanding how these trends are influencing behavior and how that, in turn, is shaping demand. The more advanced markets (in this regard) are already creating long-term strategies that balance new models against existing traditional asset investment and planning expectations.

Ultimately, this should lead to much greater alignment between the micro decisions being made by consumers and the macro ones being made by governments. Whether that will be enough (or will happen quickly enough) to satisfy the public’s demand for greater influence is anybody’s guess.

The excerpt was taken from the KPMG article “Emerging Trends in Infrastructure.” © 2020 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG network of independent memberfirms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

Printed in the Philippines For more information on KPMG in the Philippines, you may visit www.kpmg. com.ph.

Green Monday BusinessMirror

B4 Monday, February 17, 2020

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Handicrafts can help solve plastic woes

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By Jonathan L. Mayuga

Members of agrarian reform beneficiary organizations undergo training to enhance the designs of their handicrafts and be on a par with other products in the market.

@jonlmayuga

s countries around the world experience population increase, and accelerated growth and development, the world also faces a new, and more serious, problem as a consequence of so-called growth and development: ocean plastic pollution.

Nevertheless, with scientific and technological advancements come a mix of environment-friendly solutions, each offering a unique way of crushing the growing menace.

While science and technology experts are working on biodegradable plastics, manufacturing companies are work ing on var ious residual waste-recovery programs to reduce, reuse and recycle single-use plastics.

Recycled plastics are being used to produce chairs and tables for schools, while eco-bricks from hard plastics are used for building parks pavement and concrete plant boxes for added clean-and-green effect.

For the Philippines, however, these actions will not suffice. The country is the world’s third-largest ocean polluter.

Fortunately, there’s one possible long-term solution that might work wonders for the Philippines and the rest of the world.

In the country’s rural areas, the slogan is simply going back to the good old days when plastics have not been invented yet or, at least, not as widely used and popular as they are today.

It is popularizing handwoven bags and baskets made of indigenous materials, like bamboo, rattan or vines, and the use of banana leaves for food packaging the way our elders used to.

Dying tradition, industry Filipinos are k now n for hand icrafts, possessing unique sk i l ls to produce indigenous products using their bare hands and simple tools; sk i l ls t hat have been trad itiona l ly passed on f rom generation to generation.

Many rural communities have kept it as part of community or family tradition, and a way of life.

Over the years, however, as more and more plastic products are developed, and introduced, the oncethriving handicrafts industry faded.

Today, some government agencies are, in their own little way, trying to revive the trade.

The Department of Agrarian Reform is working with agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations in various parts of the country to revive this tradition.

Skills training In Eastern Visayas, agrarian reform beneficiaries from four different organizations completed a skills training to enhance the quality and designs of

Handicrafts made from romblon, an indigenous material, produced by agrarian reform beneficiary members of the Cabacungan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Allen, Northern Samar.

A woman farmer proudly shows a fashionable hat made from crop-based materials. Photos courtesy of DAR Public Assistance and Media Relations Service

their handicraft products as part of a nationwide training program to boost the marketability of the handicrafts manufactured by farmers with the use of available raw materials in the area.

Members of the Macalpi Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MCMPC) in Carigara, Leyte; the Hantag Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (HFMPC) in Maasin City, Southern Leyte; the Villahermosa Oriental Farmers and Fisherfolks Association (VOFFA) in Pagsanghan, Samar; and the Cabacungan MultiPurpose Cooperative (CMPC) in Allen, Northern Samar, are known to produce various products.

Crop-based materials Cynthia Zacate, senior Agrarian Reform Program officer of the Livelihood and Enterprise Development Division of the Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development, said the training is for development of crop-based products from agricultural wastes—such as coconut coir, coconut husk, rice straw or anything usable that, otherwise, end up in the garbage dumps.

For instance, members of the MCMPC, who are into plant holdermaking venture, use coconut coir as raw material.

HFMPC members, who are into sinamay weaving use abaca; VOFFA members, who make bags and hats, use buri; CMPC members, who are also into bag and hat making, make use of romblon or a variety of pandan leaves as their raw material.

“We want to train farmers on how to make something out of agricultural waste for them to earn extra income while properly disposing their agricultural wastes,” Zacate said in Filipino.

DAR Region 8 Director Stephen Leonidas said the training helps farmers improve their simple and limited

designs, and in the use of other raw materials available in their area.

From crab baskets or containers, which are sold at P40 each, some VOFFA members have learned to make fashionable bags and other accessories, and sell them at a higher price.

Besides plant holders, those who have undergone training are now producing lamp shades.

Plant-based products The Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), as part of its program in mainstreaming biodiversity, promotes the production of plant-based or biodiversity-based products in Southeast Asia.

ACB Executive Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim said through this, ACB can help member-countries address individual country problems on plastic pollution.

“Plant-based products are biodegradable, so they do not contribute to waste in the environment, including the destructive plastic debris in our oceans,” Lim said.

According to Lim, our great grandparents have used the plant-based materials for centuries, such as buri, or pandan, for bayong or market bags, and banana leaves as plates.

The dawn of plastics gradually resulted in the public shifting to this more convenient and cheaper, yet environmentally harmful material, she added.

Making a comeback “Now, as the impact of plastics is being felt more ‘close to home,’ including ending up in the food we eat, and affecting our health, the use of biodegradable alternatives has since been making a comeback and is starting to become popular again.

“The only main difference today from yesterday’s plant-based utilities is that technology and innovation are increasingly being applied today to make plant-based products as convenient, easy-to -use and, hopefully, cheaper and more accessible as plastics,” she said.

“It is hoped that, eventually, this will encourage more people to go back to biodegradable materials, and contribute to less marine debris in our oceans and environment,” she added.

Biodiversity-based products One o f t h e p r o g r a m s o f A C B i s a n c h o r e d o n B i o d i v e r s it y - b a s e d

P r o d u c t s ( B B P) a s a n e c o n o m i c sou rce for t he i mprovement of livelihoods and biodiversit y protection.

The project takes advantage of Asean’s rich natural resources and biodiversity, which offer a huge potential for the region’s socioeconomic development.

Asean’s 10 member-states—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam—accommodate about 18 percent of the species of the Earth.

T he reg ion h a s t h ree of t he 18 mega-biod iversit y cou nt r ies; about 35 percent of t he g loba l mang rove forests; and 30 percent of the cora l reefs.

Further developing trade relations for bio-products or organic trade nationally, regionally and, possibly, globally, is one of the goals of the program.

Cambodia success story At the Phnom Kulen National Park in Cambodia, a park named after the evergreen lychee trees, stretches up to 37,000 hectares. It is rich in biodiversity and home to more than 800 species of plants, approximately 40 species of mammals and an estimated 200 species of birds.

As life in the area is difficult, locals paid more attention to the cultivation of cashew and lychee trees, which can only be harvested during summer months.

The high demand for space for cultivated plantations is taking the toll on its forest areas.

The ACB project linked economic development for the people living around the national park, while conserving its precious biodiversity.

The project: “BBP as an economic source for the improvement of livelihoods and biodiversity protection” is supporting local communities in the buffer zones of protected areas to generate sustainable income through the promotion of biodiversity-based value chains.

Two biodiversity value chains were supported under the project—the production of black ginger tea, and handicraft items from vine/climbing fern.

Black ginger tea is cultivated in the villages around the Phnom Kulen National Park. The black ginger, also known as Thai ginseng, is acknowledged to have health benefits, such

as cure for liver problems, digestive and stomach disorders, and as “natural Viagra.”

Vietnam success story In Vietnam, one of the region’s richest countries in terms of biodiversity, life is not easy for the local people living in and around the mountainous national parks in Vietnam’s northern area.

The lack of agricultural land and low level of education lead to high poverty rate, which often leads to unsustainable exploitation of the forest areas.

Under Project BBP, four biodiversity value chains were supported in Vietnam, all aimed at increasing income through sustainable production of biodiversity-based products.

They are the Bo Khai Vegetable in Ba Be National Park; Honey Production in Ba Be National Park; Giao Co Lam Tea in Hoang Lien National Park; and the Medicinal Bath Herbs in Hoang Lien National Park.

The projects help increase the incomes of people living in Vietnam’s national parks, hence, reduce their dependence on the country’s threatened resources.

Biodiversity-friendly enterprise The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been promoting biodiversity-friendly enterprises to sustain growth, and development, in rural areas, particularly in coastal communities, said Energy Assistant Secretary Ricardo Calderon.

“We have been promoting biod iversit y-f r iend ly enter pr ises through livelihood support. We have that last year. [Currently,] biodiversit y-fr iend ly enter pr ises are being pursued in partnership with the United Nations Development Prog ramme [UNDP],” sa id Calderon, also the director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau.

“We have an ongoing search to give due recognition to communities in protected areas for biodiversityfriendly enterprises, including the use of materials that are abundantly found in their areas without necessarily affecting the ecosystem,” he added.

He said the objective of the program is to reduce the community’s dependence on natural resources, especially within protected areas and, hence, avert further destruction of

forest ecosystems.

According to Ca lderon, the DENR, through the various fields or satellite offices in the regions, continue to educate the communities about the importance of not on ly protect ing a nd conser v ing biodiversity, but of how to sustainably manage the natural resources to promote inclusive growth.

“We also support the use of biodiversity-based materials to produce products, like the weaving of mats, bags and baskets, because it helps reduce their dependence on our natural resources in the forest,” he said.

According to Calderon, part of their activities is to promote access to markets for biodiversity-based products and to look at strengthening its partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to help in popularizing unique products that are natural and environment-friendly.

Communicating biodiversity The Philippines, being a member of the Asean, has the resources to promote biodiversity conservation and protection, as well as sustainably manage its abundance.

However, Lim said there’s a need to work across sectors, underscoring further the need for effective communication, to make people better understand and absorb the message.

“If you want to advocate biodiversity, do not talk about biodiversity.

More often you speak about ecosystem-based adaptation, about natural capital, about non-timber forest products, wild relatives of commercially important crops, protection of artisanal fisheries, nature-based tourism, traditional medicine, and other terminologies that will resonate more to the sector you want to engage,” she said.

“In the process, you inject the word biodiversity in the conversation, and soon you find that they are beginning to use biodiversity in their dialogues and statements, as well. In the end, the term will not matter, for as long as the bottom line will be the same,” she said.

Lim said mainstreaming biodiversity in various fields is a significant step in achieving our much-desired sustainable development, where the goal is striking the balance between socioeconomic growth and environmental protection.

Certification system helps in green building development

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

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green building certification system helps provide an advantage in developing green buildings. It allows a developer to determine faster the best combination of design strategies for the best return on investment.

Engr. Giuseppe Garofalo, project manager for Construction of Italpinas Development Corp.

(IDC), said the company chose International Finance Corp.-backed Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) for their certification because it gives them an advantage in developing sustainable projects.

EDGE guarantees savings of 20 percent on energy compared to the regular buildings, and 20 percent on the materials.

“In order to be certified, you have to meet

the standard. Compared to the regular buildings, you can say our buildings are energy- and waterefficient,” Garofalo told the B usinessM irror in a recent interview.

To achieve energy efficiency, Garofalo said IDC uses water ventilation, using a shading system from the sun, water recycling from the sewage treatment plant and rainwater harvesting.

Moreover, the tap water (regular water supply) being used by the residents is being recycled to water the plants.

To make a building green, Garofalo said IDC gathers all the information and data from the wind, the sun and air exposure in the area of their project to factor them in the overall design.

“After putting all these considerations, we put the best design for the building in the particular location,” he said.

IDC is integrating passive green architecture

features to a building that can result in saving energy and provide a cooler environment.

It uses the energy sourced from the solar panel to maintain the quality of the common area.

Garofalo also added that one advantage of IDC from its competitors is its green commitment. It is the only developer in Cagayan de Oro City that seriously thinks of sustainable development.

“We are the only developer that delivers a true green building, and this is why IDC stands out among the rest. IDC’s projects are meticulously designed to conserve energy and enhance natural resources, such as ventilation and sunlight. Its Italian influence is an undeniable add-on feature,” Garofalo said.

Claire Marie Asuncion Elizaga, director for corporate affairs and branding of Primavera City IDC, said Primavera has been receiving a warm reception from the market because it is

pioneering in the development of sustainable projects in the country.

“We know other developers have integrated green components in their projects, but for IDC, all our projects are green-centric,” Elizaga explained.

“The reception of the market is enthusiasm over a new innovation, because we were the first in developing this type of building in Mindanao.

All our properties are green. We have both active and passive green technologies to date,“ she said.

At the same time, Elizaga said IDC has a social obligation in the need to keep educating the public because the technology is new in the market. Moreover, IDC is not only into selling but also educating the public.

It is through the implementation of their “informal” corporate social responsibility (CSR) program that the company is promoting sustainable architecture to students

pursuing the course.

“Whenever we are able to touch base with students, it is the company’s passion to share what it is,” Elizaga added.

Currently, IDC has par tnerships with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro, Xavier University and Lyceum University of the Philippines in Alabang.

Furthermore, the company is also conducting talks with students in real-estate management courses about green building, and its advantages in conserving and reusing energy and water.

Elizaga said being an EDGE-certified building gives a high-resale value for the owner because it can withstand the impact of climate change.

“If you look 10 years from now, IDC is confident that their buildings will be in a better shape compared to the standard buildings,“ she said.

Both Elizaga and Garofalo agreed “that people are leaning more on green development and healthy options now.“ Though initially, “educating“ the buyers on green buildings 10 years back was much harder, it is now a conscious decision on the part of the buyer to buy a green project, they observed.

Meanwhile, building owners also gave their approval to EDGE rating standard because it gives them confidence in the investments they made.

One of the most frequent complements IDC gets from the buyers is its efficient energy conservation.

Elizaga said living in an IDC project develops a unique experience of living in an eco-friendly condominium. A buyer can practice genuine energy conservation because it basically enables a resident to save electricity and water due to the good design of the building.

Biodiversity Monday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Monday, February 17, 2020

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

B5

Fake ‘tahong’ invades Bacoor mussel farms

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By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

t looks like green mussel, locally known as tahong. It feeds like it, too. However, mussel growers said this invasive species is definitely not your favorite tahong, and it may soon be flooding the wet market as it continues to proliferate and invade mussel farms in various parts of the country.

Bahong (left) is smaller compared to the typical and marketable tahong (green mussel). Photos from Pamalakaya Public Information Office

Called as bahong in Bacoor, Cavite, this invasive species has put a stiff competition against the green mussel, which commands a higher price because of its taste.

Joel Falcis, a fisherman and green mussel grower based in Bacoor, said the fishermen noticed the occurrence of bahong more than a decade ago.

“In the last three years, we noticed that it has become massive.

Now, we have almost nothing to harvest,” he said in Filipino.

The spokesman of the Cavite

Chapter of the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), Falcis said bahong can easily be mistaken by has consumers for tahong.

“The only problem is that it has no commercial value,” he said.

“People won’t buy them,” he added.

Although it is smaller and darker than the green mussel, bahong is being sold in the market, but at a much lower price.

Falcis said the proliferation of bahong in Bacoor mussel farms has led the fishermen to con-

spikes of extreme heat contributing to massive die-off of wild bumblebees

Bahong, which fishermen also call “fake tahong,” dominate bamboo poles at green mussel farms in Bacoor City.

clude that despite the government ’s ef for t to rehabi l itate Manila Bay, its water remains pol luted, enough for a more sturdy filter-feeder to emerge and dominate their farms.

He also blamed the massive development activities in Manila Bay for the adverse impact on the coastal and marine ecosystem that has taken its toll on the livelihood of small fishermen.

Falcis said buildings and houses have come closer to the coastal area now because of land reclamation.

Road bridges like Cavitex R1 Extension also caused irreversible damage to breeding grounds of fish, and other seafood, resulting in fewer fishes to catch and fewer or no shellfish and crabs to gather by coastal communities.

Sought for expert opinion, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through Ashley Salinas of the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center (NIFTDC) based in

Dagupan City, Pangasinan, said bahong, scientifically named Mytella charruana or charru mussel, originated in South America.

It has been obser ved in Philippine waters, most probably through shipping in 2012, particu larly in Cav ite, which, she sa id , “where m ajor sh ippi ng activ ities happen.”

Bahong has also started to invade the provinces of Pangasinan, Bulacan and Cagayan four years ago, she said.

This sturdy species is also found in parts of Colombia, South America, she said.

Since its appearance in Pangasinan, Salinas said the BFARNIF T DC conduc ted t he f i rst study to identify the species of this mussel, which was previously unknown to the country.

The study described the morphological characteristics of the mussel compared to the farmed green mussel, which is smaller in size, has a dark brown to a black

outer shell and bluish to a purple interior shell.

Salinity tolerance experiments were made on charru mussel to determine at which salinity it could tolerate. The experiments revealed that it can withstand a wider range of salinity (5ppt to 30ppt) compared to green mussel which gives it the upper hand in the natural ecosystem.

“C h a r r u dom i n ate d g re e n mussels because it can tolerate a nearly freshwater up to saline water. Also, reviewing the surface salinity profiles of the municipalities affected by the invasion of these mussels, it turned out that the rainy months in which salinity level drops are also the time of the appearance of charru mussels,” she said.

Meanwhile, Salimas said that during the hot season, where salinity become higher, charru mussel naturally dies and the green mussel resurfaces resulting in an alternate peak season.

‘Wildlife Treasures’ promotes environmental, biodiversity protection and conservation Impact of the project

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

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S

pikes of extreme heat caused by warming temperatures are a critical factor in the widespread die-off of wild bumblebees, according to a study published last week in the Science journal—even beyond the effects of pesticides.

“We are not saying pesticides are not a factor,” said Jeremy Kerr, a biologist at the University of Ottawa and the senior researcher on the study. “We are confirming positively that climate change is a factor.”

Bumblebees are different from honeybees.

The former is a wild species, while the latter is cultivated for agricultural production.

Both are imperiled, but in different ways. Some 50 percent of 49 native bumblebee species in the US are declining, according to Leif Richardson, an ecologist at the University of Vermont and a bumblebee expert who did not work on this paper.

Some species’ populations, however, are growing. Wild bumblebees have been studied less than farm bees. The fate of honeybees is particularly well monitored by the government since they’re credited with fertilizing roughly $15 billion worth of crops yearly in the US alone, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Honeybees have been dying off at an alarming rate. Beekeepers across the United States lost 40.7 percent of their honeybee colonies from April 2018 to April 2019, according to the latest annual nationwide survey

conducted by the University of Maryland-led nonprofit Bee Informed Partnership.

Recent research has linked farm bee die-offs to insecticide use.

But for this paper, contributors Peter Soroye, Tim Newbold and Kerr, looked at wild bumblebees, which scientists note also perform critical pollinating functions.

To evaluate climate impacts on wild bee sites, they developed records of bee occupancy at 550,000 locations across North America and Western Europe of 66 bumblebee species. They used a baseline period of 1901 to 1974 and compared it to 2000 to 2014.

They found declines of 17 percent in Europe and 46 percent in North America.

Controlling for other factors, they concluded that “climate change has driven stronger and more widespread bumblebee declines than have been reported previously.”

Richardson said the paper may actually underestimate the extent of the change.

“In the end,” he said, “lack of data, particularly in Northern climes, only allowed them to consider a small percentage of land mass.”

Kerr said that knowing about bumblebees’ sensitivity to heat spikes is helpful prevent their decline. “Just like we would plant a shade tree to help protect humans from heat, we could manage habitat to shield bees from extremes.”

Bloomberg News

Despite its different characteristics compared to green mussel, according to Salinas, charru mussels are edible and safe to eat, as long as it is thoroughly cooked and harvested from red tide, and heavy metals-free culture grounds.

In fact, she said this type of mussel is marketed in Pangasinan, but at a lower price than green mussels.

According to Salinas, exterminating the charru mussels in green mussel farms is next to impossible because it is an invasive species, or would not be a wise decision because of the costs, and time and effort involved.

“There is no single silver bullet that is 100 percent effective in killing any invasive mussel in all situations that won’t harm other species, and keep our waters safe,” she said.

“We have few methods of dealing with charru mussels, [such as] manual, chemical, biological, but these can either be uneconomical or hazardous to other species or the environment,” she said.

Salinas added she has recommended to use these mussels and put them into good use instead of trying to exterminate them.

“For example, this mussel is also edible like the green ones, hence, it can be sold in various forms when marketed properly,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said the smaller ones can be used as animal feed especially in poultry farms as its shell is a good source of calcium while its meat can be a good alternative source of protein. “ The green mussel was also once an invasive species to oyster growers in Cavite during the 1960s. But after learning to culture and market them alongside oysters, green mussels became one of the easily gathered and widely accepted seafood in the country,” she noted.

uring his lifetime, the late Dr. Perry S. Ong was hailed as one the country’s top wildlife biologists. He championed several causes on biodiversity and conservation of nature.

Last January 29, the Energy Development Corp. (EDC), and the University of the PhilippinesInstitute of Biology (UP-IB) launched the book, Wildlife Treasures, Ong’s pet project, to promote protection and conservation of the environment, and biodiversity.

Published by EDC in cooperation with UP-IB, Wildlife Treasures is proof of their long-standing and fruitful partnership that began 10 years ago when EDC tapped the university to help firm up their biodiversity conservation and monitoring program (BCMP).

“We owe whatever success and positive impact that our BCMP has to the environment, and to our stakeholders to UP-IB’s former head and one our country’s foremost scientists, Dr. Perry S. Ong,” said Richard B. Tantoco, president and COO of EDC in his remarks during the book launching held at the UP-IB auditorium in UP Diliman.

Biodiversity conservation champion

Doc Perry, as he was fondly called by friends and students, was the dean of UP Diliman’s College of Science and one of the country’s biodiversity conservation champions before he passed away last year.

His legacy, that includes spreading awareness on the importance of caring for nature, will now be carried on by his students, colleagues and partners, like EDC. Tantoco said the meeting with the former dean of UP-IB made the company realize that their efforts were not sufficient in the areas of operation of their geothermal plants.

EDC is the country’s largest 100-percent renewable-energy company. Moreover, it produces 1,457.8 megawatts of installed capacity,

Energy Development Corp.’s and the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Institute of Biodiversity launch Dr. Perry S. Ong’s book, Wildlife Treasures, that documented the wildlife biodiversity thriving in EDC’s numerous powerplant sites. accounting for 37 percent of the Philippines’s total generated renewable energy.

Tantoco said Ong’s passion and dedication to wildlife conservation inspired EDC to raise the bar on biodiversity conservation. As a result, EDC adjusted its policies, budget and focus.

Thus, it started the long partnership with Ong and UP-IB. The two organizations conducted biodiversity surveys as part of a long-term effort to establish a baseline of biodiversity resources in order to have a basis on which they can direct their efforts to further improve what they can do.

“This commitment gave birth to Wildlife Treasures, the book we are launching today,” Tantoco said.

Wildlife Treasures, according to Tantoco, was Ong’s choice for the book’s title.

“Perry taught us to treasure the wildlife around us, and reminded us of our duty as Filipinos to preserve what we have for future generations,” he said.

Wildlife Treasures, a brainchild of Ong, was conceptualized in 2017 as a fauna equivalent of the flora-focused EDC’s Binhi greening legacy program.

He believed it was high time for the company

to chronicle the wildlife biodiversity in its sites to complete EDC’s legacy.

Binhi was a holistic effort to identify, rescue, propagate and chronicle 96 vanishing, endangered and endemic tree agencies.

The result was a publication of vibrant photos and information on the robust habitat of fascinating species surrounding EDC’s power plants all over the country.

Helping hand

Tantoco recalled that he would often call Ong when he had some questions. Among them was when he caught a snake, a spider or even a turtle in his farm.

At one time, he sent Ong a video of a 2-foot long baby cobra with an expanded neck, and also asked him about spiders.

As a parent, Tantoco’s initial instinct was to kill the creatures for fear they would endanger his children. But Ong had an opposite view.

Tantoco recalled Ong’s reply: “Catch it carefully, Ricky. Put it in a sack, and release it in the most isolated place nearby.”

He added: “He [Ong] believed that since nature serves man well, it is everyone’s duty to care for it in return, be it a snake, a rodent or a spider.”

Today, EDC’s areas of operation are home to a myriad of wildlife species—291 birds, 43 bats, 25 other mammals, 46 reptiles and amphibians, majority of them endemic to the country.

The species include the flying foxes in EDC’s Bacon-Manito Geothermal Reservation in Bicol; the flying lemur in its largest geothermal reservation in Leyte; the owl and hornbill of Negros Island where its second-largest geothermal reservation is located; and the iconic Philippine eagle on Mount Apo. Tantoco said their success in the conservation would not be achieved, would not be successful, if EDC had not met Ong. With guidance from Ong and his UP-IB team, EDC continues to manage the key biodiversity areas and protected areas where they operate, such as Bacon-Manito in Bicol; Anonang-Lobi mountain range in Leyte; Mount Kanlaon Natural Park and Cuernos de Negros in Negros Oriental; Mount Apo Natural Park in Mindanao; and the PantabanganCarranglan Watershed Forest Reserve in Nueva Ecija.

EDC and UP-IB will donate copies of Wildlife Treasures to universities, other institutions, groups and individuals in the hope that more people will be inspired to commit to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

The publication of the book and its launching was the company’s tribute to Ong. “No kind is left behind in EDC’s mission to build a clean-energy future. EDC powers, and protects, people and the planet, striking the right balance between energy, biodiversity and community,” Tantoco said.

In her emotionally filled acceptance speech, Ong’s wife, Dr. Susan Aquino-Ong, told the audience that biology was really the passion of her late husband.

“Perr y dedicated his life to biology, biodiversity and to the conservation of nature,” she said.

She added that the Ong family is happy that her husband’s advocacies are alive through the dedication and support of his students, colleagues and organizations like EDC.

B6 Monday, February 17, 2020

Oilatum’s ProtectKNOWLogy bath time summit empowered mothers to show their love through healthy skin

Ford Philippines boosts pickup truck portfolio with new ranger FX4, upgraded ranger lineup

F

ORD Philippines today launches the new Ford Ranger FX4 to boost its best-selling Ranger portfolio, making it the automotive company with the widest lineup of pickup trucks in the country with 13 available variants.

The new Ford Ranger FX4 boasts of a bold design inside out and features that will help widen the appeal of the Ranger among customers seeking for a versatile and capable pickup truck.

“The new Ranger FX4 is a strong addition to our Ranger lineup as we continue to offer a variety of our ‘Built Ford Tough’ pickup trucks to customers with different needs,

budget, and lifestyle, clearly signifying that there is indeed a Ford Ranger for everyone,” said PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines.

Bolder look and design Instantly recognizable is the Ranger FX4’s eye-catching design that distinguishes itself across the entire Ranger lineup.

Unique 18-inch black alloy wheels, new mesh grille, extended steel sports bar, and ebony black accents on side mirror caps, door handles, front and rear bumpers and fender features give the Ranger FX4 a distinctive look and style.

The standout decals along the lower doors

and a 3D badge on its tailgate complement its attractive design.

On the inside, the Ranger FX4 retains its refined look with FX4-embossed leather seats, FX4-branded floor mats, and sporty dark environment highlighted by race red stitching accents on the soft top instrument panel, center console, gear shifter, and door trims.

Comfort and convenience The Ranger FX4 is also equipped with a selection of features that enhance the driving experience for both drivers and passengers.

It offers entertainment through an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, including a new 8-inch full color touchscreen.

The Ranger FX4 is also packed with driver-assistance technologies (DAT) that include Cruise Control, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing Wipers, Power Folding Mirrors, and Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS), collectively bringing in comfort, safety, and convenience in every drive.

Proven performance Powering the Ranger FX4 is Ford’s proven 2.2L Duratorq diesel engine mated with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, delivering an impressive 160PS and 385Nm of torque.

Availability and pricing

T

HE ever-changing weather makes it Mothers learned more about skincare quite a challenge for us to take care of our and its effects to children through the guest little one’s skin. The cold weather makes dermatologist and psychiatrist. Oilatum invited their skin dry while too much heat causes sun Dr. Wilsie Salas-Walinsundin , a pediatric damage. We cannot control the weather, but we dermatologist and she discussed common can control what we put on our children’s skin. pediatric skin conditions and what could be Oilatum, a globally trusted skin care brand, done to avoid and treat them. Dr.Antonio has recently launched ProtectKnowlogy Bath Sision on the other hand, shared his expertise Time Summit to help parents protect their on the psychiatric effects of skin problems on children's skin. The summit is part of STADA’s children and maternal mental health. game plan to help improve healthcare in the There were games and fun activities for both Philippines by providing quality products to moms and kids in between discussions. Oilatum the Filipinos such as Oilatum. lived up to its promise of coming up with a fun“With Oilatum, we believe that high quality filled, educational, event where mothers could skin care for toddlers is within reach. We know bond with their kids and other moms with their this would be great news to Filipino moms, and, children! Oilatum’s ProtectKnowlogy Bath as the brand promise says, another amazing Time Summit is definitely a success! We can’t way to show their love to their child” shared Mr. wait for the next one!

Gary Clark, APAC Regional Head of STADA. Held last February 6, Thursday at Shangri-la The Fort in Taguig, it was a fun learning event for moms and kids alike on keeping their skin healthy. Lots of mothers and kids attended and enjoyed the said summit, which was dressed up as a kid’s playroom. There were several instagrammable spots where moms and kids had a blast taking photos.

There were a few designated From left to right: Genielyn Lorenzo, Business Unit Manager, STADA Philippines, areas for children to play while their mothers listened to seminar Inc. together with Dr Antonio Sison, Psychiatric Dermatologist and Dr Wilsie Salas-Walinsundin, Pediatric Dermatologist answer questions from the media speakers as well. during the Oilatum's ProtectKnowLogy; Bath time summit.

A new decade welcomes Panasonic Air Conditioning Philippines

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N this age of innovation, change is inevitable.

Panasonic reiterates its commitment to create “A Better Life, A Better World” as it aims to contribute to the progress and

development of society and to the happiness of people around the globe. They do this through highlighting their expertise in the Air Conditioning business in over 120 countries globally.

As we enter a new decade, Panasonic launches a new company-the Panasonic Air Conditioning Philippines (PACPH).

PACPH promises to provide the best air conditioning solutions with innovative technologies and services to suffice every Filipino’s need from home to business solution.

Air conditioning nowadays does not only settle on cooling alone. As the name implies, air conditioners’ main purpose is to condition your indoor air, thus, Panasonic developed nanoe™ Technology that deodorizes, inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses, and is effective in dust removal to create a fresher and cleaner living environment.

Panasonic Air Conditioner Philippines Top Management

BEAUTY CARES. St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) inked its partnership with Miss Universe Philippines as the official healthcare partner of the pageant organization. Candidates of the pageant will take part in the hospital’s medical mission and other charitable endeavors. On the hospital’s end, they will be providing the candidates with their world-class services, including regular medical examinations. Present at the signing of the memorandum of agreement were SLMC President and CEO Dr. Arturo De La Peña (left), former beauty queen and Miss Universe Philippines National Director Shamcey Supsup-Lee (center), and Miss Universe Philippines Creative Director Jonas Gaffud (right).

Two students from Mindanao’s conflict-affected area win first JICA video blog contest

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HE Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) first video blog contest for youths in the Philippines attracted students from different universities and young professionals sharing their views on the value of JICA and the Philippine relations in their lives.

Students from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology – Shannefamel Almazan, 20, and Prince Loyd Besorio, 20 won the contest with their entry on their experience from the Marawi conflict, and the Japanese government’s support in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Marawi City

and surrounding areas.

Their video blog talked about witnessing the effect of the armed conflict in Marawi City in 2017 and their wish for peace and solidarity in Marawi. The vlog said the assistance from Japan is an answer to a young person’s “senbazaru” (Japanese belief of granting someone’s wish).

"The projects of JICA made me realize that people you don’t even know are willing to help. As a Filipino, the rehabilitation help from other countries is a call for us to unite and strengthen the spirit of bayanihan (collective help) and our role as peace makers in

our country,” said Almazan in the video blog.

The winning video blog entry may be viewed here: https://youtu. be/8y00bfs_mPo Other entries will be uploaded on the JICA Philippines website.

Sports BusinessMirror

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| Monday, February 17, 2020 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

I.O.C.: NO CASE Japanese officials, led by Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, vow to step up testing and other efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus so it does not affect the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee Senior Official John Coates and Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori criticize suggestions that the Games could be canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak as “irresponsible rumors” after the first day of the project review.

TO CANCEL TOKYO 2020 I

NTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission Chairman John Coates claimed the World Health Organization (WHO) has told the body there is “no case” for canceling or postponing Tokyo 2020 because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Coates claimed the IOC is confident “we’ll be able to ensure that the Games go ahead in a way that’s safe for the athletes and spectators” because of cooperation between the Tokyo 2020 virus task force, and other authorities involved.

The senior IOC member also insisted most Chinese athletes have been preparing for the Olympics and Paralympic Games overseas, and would, therefore, not need to be quarantined when they arrive in Japan.

Concerns over the impact of the coronavirus, given the official name of COVID-19 by the WHO, on the Games in the Japanese capital have grown in recent weeks.

The death toll has risen to 1,380, according to

Chinese authorities, while there are nearly 64,000 infections in the country.

Japan the other day reported its first death from the virus, which originated in Wuhan, and there are more than 251 cases in the Olympic and Paralympic host nation. A total of 218 of these are linked to a cruise liner quarantined in a Japanese port.

Japanese officials vowed to step up testing and efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which has infected around 450 people in 24 other countries and territories.

A host of events in numerous sports, including qualifiers for Tokyo 2020, the Formula One Grand Prix in Shanghai and the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Nanjing, have been canceled, postponed or moved outside of China because of the outbreak.

“We received the report on the task force implemented

by Tokyo 2020, its coordination with the task forces implemented by the national government and the Tokyo Municipal Government, and their relationship with the

Japan health authorities,” Coates said following the conclusion of a two-day project review of Tokyo 2020.

“And pleasingly, there has been very, very good coordination between the two, sharing of information, which is so critical,” he said. “Certainly the advice we’re received externally from the WHO is that there’s no case for any contingency plans, or canceling the Games or moving the Games.”

Tokyo 2020 President Yoshirō Mori, who reiterated Coates’s comments today, criticized suggestions that the Games could be canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak as “irresponsible rumors” after the first day of the project review.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzō Abe promised earlier this month that the country would “respond appropriately,” and work closely with the WHO to ensure preparations for Tokyo 2020 are not affected by the virus.

Tokyo 2020 Chief Executive Toshirō Mutō, however, admitted last week that he was “seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on

the momentum toward the Games.”

Tokyo 2020 Athletes’ Village Mayor Saburo Kawabuchi conceded during the project review meeting that organizers “don’t have any clue when this issue will be resolved.”

“The biggest concern is the coronavirus and the infection,” he said. “Based on various pieces of information we receive, it seems that this virus is not as strong as the influenza virus. The virus is susceptible to humidity and heat.

“In Japan, we have the rainy season which could defeat the virus,” he added.

A group of Olympic Winter Sports Federations, meanwhile, expressed its support for the work in China in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic.

The presidents of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, International Biathlon Union, International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), International Luge Federation, International Skating Union, World Curling Federation (WCF) and the International Ski Federation (FIS) all released statements

supporting the nation as it continues preparations for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing.

China’s Winter Sport Management Center sent letters to the international federations regarding the national teams’ prevention measures for the moment and received positive responses from everyone.

“Everyone applauds the Chinese health authorities for the quick and efficient measures they have put in place to prevent the spread of this dreadful virus,” Kate Caithness, president of the WCF, said in the letter.

IIHF President René Fasel expressed the wish to work with China for Beijing 2022 promising that they will do their best to “build and preserve a positive legacy for Chinese ice hockey for the future.”

“It is impressive to see the extensive and meticulous measures you are taking,” Sarah Lewis, secretary-general of the FIS, said. “The rest of the world can learn many things.”

Insidethegames

LIST OF SPORTS EVENTS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 ATHLETICS World indoor championships in Nanjing from March 13 to 15, postponed to March 2021.

Asian indoor championships in Hangzhou on February 12 and 13, canceled.

AUTO RACING Formula One’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on April 19, postponed. New date not set.

Formula E’s Sanya E-Prix in Sanya on March 21, canceled.

BADMINTON China Masters in Hainan from February 25 to March 1, postponed. New dates not set.

Asian team championships in Manila from February 11 to 16: China and Hong Kong withdrew.

BASKETBALL Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament moved from Foshan to Belgrade, Serbia, from February 6 to 9.

Asian Cup qualifier between China and Malaysia on February 24, postponed. Matches scheduled for Hong Kong moved to opponents’ homes.

BIATHLON Olympic test event in Zhangjiakou from February 27 to March 2, canceled.

BOXING Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifier moved from Wuhan to Amman, Jordan, from March 3 to 11.

SPORT CLIMBING Asian Championships in Chongqing from April 25 to May 3 to be relocated.

World Cup in Wujiang on April 18 and 19, canceled.

World Cup in Chongqing on April 22, canceled.

EQUESTRIAN Hong Kong showjumping leg of Longines Masters Series from February 14 to 16, canceled.

FIELD HOCKEY Hockey Pro League matches by China against Belgium and Australia in March, postponed.

India women’s tour of China from March 14 to 25, canceled.

Ireland women’s tour of Malaysia in March to April, canceled.

GOLF n US LPGA Tour—Honda LPGA Thailand in Pattaya from February 20 to 23, canceled.

HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore from February 27 to March 1, canceled.

Blue Bay LPGA on Hainan Island from March 5 to 8, canceled. n European Tour—Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from April 16 to 19, postponed.

China Open in Shenzhen from April 23 to 26, postponed.

GYMNASTICS A Chinese team, which includes several Olympic

champions, withdraws from a World Cup tournament in Melbourne next week due to Australian governmentimposed travel ban on travelers from China.

HANDBALL Olympic women’s qualifying tournament in Montenegro from March 20 to 22: China withdraw. Hong Kong declines invitation to attend.

ICE HOCKEY Chinese clubs in Supreme Hockey League playing home games in Russia.

Women’s Challenge Cup of Asia in Manila, Philippines, from Februaey 23 to 28, canceled.

JUDO Paris Grand Slam on February 8 and 9: China team withdraw.

RUGBY Hong Kong Sevens moved from April 3 to 5, to October 16 to 18.

Singapore Sevens moved from April 11 and 12 to October 10 and 11.

SKIING Alpine World Cup in Yanqing on February 15 and 16, canceled.

SOCCER Asian Champions League: Matches involving Chinese clubs Beijing FC, Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG postponed to April or May. Asian women’s Olympic qualifying Group B tournament relocated from Wuhan to Sydney from February 3 to 13.

AFC Cup: All group stage and playoff matches in east zone delayed to April 7.

Chinese Super League, due to start February 22, delayed.

SWIMMING Diving world series event in Beijing from March 7 to 9, canceled.

TENNIS Fed Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tournament moved from Dongguan to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from March 3 to 7.

OTHERS Chinese Anti-Doping Agency suspends testing from February 3.

Winter X Games events in Chongli from February 21 to 23, postponed.

Singapore athlete of the year awards on February 26, postponed.

World Chess Federation’s presidential council meeting moved from China to United Arab Emirates on February 28 and 29.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Para Games in the Philippines from March 20 to 28, postponed.

New dates not set.

Snooker’s China Open from March 30 to April 5, canceled.

SportAccord summit in Beijing from April 19 to 24, canceled. New site to be determined.

Singapore bans spectators at National School Games from January to August.

Kazakhstan will secure a berth in the men’s competition after claiming the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

Fina forced to use 2018 Asiad results for Olympic berths

T

HE International Swimming Federation (Fina) will use results from the 2018 Asian Games to determine Tokyo 2020 qualifiers following the cancellation of the Asian Water Polo Championships over coronavirus fears.

The Asian Championships is set in Kazakhstan this week, and would determine the qualifiers for the men’s and women’s Olympic tournaments.

China, Iran, Kazakhstan and South Korea were supposed to contest the men’s event, while China, Japan, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Singapore and Uzbekistan were to scheduled compete in the women’s competition.

Kazakhstan withdrew from hosting the event because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Kazakhstan is one of several countries to have introduced travel restrictions on people traveling from China in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The cancellation of the Asian Water Polo

Championships reportedly followed Fina proving unable to find a replacement host, with other countries reluctant to step in due to concerns over coronavirus.

According to Swimming World magazine, Fina will instead use results from the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang to determine the Asian qualifiers for the Olympic Games.

Kazakhstan will secure the berth in the men’s competition after claiming the gold medal at the Games.

It would join hosts Japan, Serbia, Italy, Spain, the United States, Australia, South Africa and Hungary in the Olympic tournament.

China would secure the women’s spot after topping a round-robin group at the Asian Games ahead of Kazakhstan. Japan, the US, Spain, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Russia have already earned places in the women’s event at Tokyo 2020.

The Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association

(HKASA), meanwhile, said its upcoming Festival of Sport—Long Course Time Trial will go ahead as planned, but warned it may need to hold the event behind closed doors if the coronavirus outbreak is not contained in the city.

The annual competition is set at the Sports Institute in Fo Tan on April 11 and 12, and will serve as a qualifier for this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“There are still two months to go, and we have no plans to call off the event at the moment,” HKASA President Ronnie Wong Man-chiu was reported as saying by the South China Morning Post.

“We understand many of our swimmers have already set their sights on this competition as it’s their major target to achieve Olympic qualification,” he said. “They do not want any changes to their schedule as time for reaching the standard is running short.”

Insidethegames

Spo

Business

C2 Monday, February 17, 2020

SILVER: NBA-CHINA CRISIS AIN’T OVER C

HICAGO—The National Basketball Association (NBA) and USA Basketball are still considering playing in China later this year, though the complexities of both the political rift caused by a tweet last fall and the ongoing health concerns in the world’s most populous country are making those plans seem decidedly uncertain.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the discussions in both cases—pre-Olympic games for USA Basketball and the preseason games for the NBA—are ongoing, and said the decisions are not necessarily linked. It’s possible the US may play there this summer and the NBA does not send teams this fall, Silver said.

“Those are issues that haven’t been decided, yet,” Silver said Saturday night at his annual AllStar weekend news conference.

Things are not back to normal for the league when it comes to relations with China. The strain started October 4, when Houston General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted an image that read “Fight for Freedom. Stand with Hong Kong,” referencing several months of pro-democracy demonstrations in the semiautonomous Chinese territory.

The tweet wasn’t up for long. The fallout was massive and continues. A pair of preseason games between the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers in China were played days after

Morey’s tweet, though without the support of several sponsors and with both teams playing in silence—none of the customary pre- and postgame media availabilities were held. The Chinese Basketball Association suspended its relationship with the Rockets, Chinese media giant Tencent and Chinese state television pulled some NBA broadcasts, and Silver said the NBA quickly began experiencing significant financial losses.

Silver said it’s possible the NBA could lose as much as $400 million in revenue this year because of hits to the China market.

“Our games have not returned to CCTV, the government broadcaster,” Silver said. “My sense is they will at some point in the future. We are not pressing them. It’s a decision that is outside of certainly our control and I’m often not even sure where that decision lies.”

The NBA and Chinese officials have been talking, or at least were talking until much of the Chinese resources were redirected toward dealing with COVID-19, a disease stemming from a new form of coronavirus.

Basketball, understandably, has been pushed aside while the Chinese deal with a massive crisis.

“This game of basketball is a huge game, and I’ve been blessed and fortunate enough to travel to China a number of times,” All-Star Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who also is president of the National Basketball Players Association,

said on Saturday. “A friend of mine, Pooh Jeter, plays over in China, and I actually wrote ‘Wuhan’ on my shoes the other night in a game in New Orleans. [But] this isn’t just a Wuhan problem. It’s an everyone problem.”

Wuhan is the city at the center of the outbreak. China’s government suspended most access to Wuhan on January 23. Restrictions have expanded to cities with a total of 60 million people in the broadest anti-disease measures ever imposed. Restaurants, shops and other businesses nationwide were ordered to close.

Through Friday, China reported a total of 66,492 cases of the virus, officially saying it was responsible for 1,523 deaths. Japan—which will play host to this summer’s Tokyo Olympics—reported about 259 cases through Friday, with one death.

International competitions in at least 14 different sports have been affected by the virus and the resultant concerns. Tokyo Olympic organizers and the International Olympic Committee have insisted that there are no plans to cancel or relocate the games.

“It’s impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization.

It also makes it impossible to predict when matters between the NBA and China return to normal. AP

Commissioner Adam Silver unveils the All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award. AP

Kobe casts shadow as league’s best meet in All-Star Game

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HICAGO—Kobe Bryant always seemed to be in top form when he stepped onto the court for the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game. The league’s current best will try to match his effort when Team LeBron and Team Giannis meet on Sunday.

The All-Star festivities returned to Chicago for the first time since 1988 when Michael Jordan beat Dominique Wilkins in a slam dunk contest that remains the standard and scored 40 points to lead the East over the West.

But Bryant is casting a huge shadow over the events this weekend, just weeks after he and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed when their helicopter crashed into the side of a mountain near Los Angeles.

Commissioner Adam Silver announced Saturday night that the All-Star Game MVP award has been renamed in Bryant’s memory.

“We know that he’s watching over us,” the Lakers’ LeBron James said. “It’s our responsibility to just represent the purple and

gold not only for him but for all the greats, everybody that’s ever come through the Lake Show. I really don’t want to sit up here and talk about it too much. It’s a very, very sensitive subject, but he’s with us every day.”

Bryant played on five NBA championship teams, won a league MVP award and two scoring titles in a career that spanned 20 seasons and has him poised to enter the Hall of Fame after he was announced Friday as one of eight finalists.

He was the youngest All-Star in league

history, ranks second with 18 selections and took game MVP honors a record-tying four times, including on his home court in 2011 when he dazzled with 37 points and 14 rebounds. Bryant scored 20 or more seven times.

“The whole thing of paying respect to Kobe is awesome, so I think it’s going to be fun,” said Toronto’s Kyle Lowry, making his sixth straight All-Star appearance. “I’m hoping it’s really, really intense. Hopefully, we’ll give the fans one of the best All-Star Games ever.” AP

Obama panel celebrates stars’ off-court endeavors C

HICAGO —Giannis Antetokounmpo is passionate about helping children in Greece and Africa. Kevin Love is trying to shine the brightest light he can on mental health by sharing his own struggles. Chris Paul is aiming to ensure that technology comes to schools where it hasn’t been affordable.

Former President Barack Obama is aware of all those endeavors.

And he’s trying to make sure plenty of other people find out, as well.

That’s why Obama invited that trio of National Basketball Association (NBA) stars to sit alongside him for a panel discussion hosted by his foundation on Saturday, saying he invited that trio of basketball stars to laud what he called their “extraordinary leadership” when it comes to their off-court work.

“It’s so much bigger than basketball,” Love said.

Obama clearly agrees. The foundation that was created in 2014 has championed causes like the ones that are near and dear to

Antetokounmpo, Paul and Love, which is why the 44th President decided to invite them to sit for what was called a “fireside chat.”

Most of the conversation had nothing to do with basketball, which is exactly the way it was planned.

“Part of the reason I wanted to convene these three, in addition to being amazing athletes, they’re good people and each of them are at different stages in their careers,” Obama said.

“You’ve got old Chris Paul down at the end, the young guy [Antetokounmpo] here and Kevin somewhere in the middle. But each of them has shown character on the court but also off the court. And the work I’m doing after the presidency is entirely focused on how do we lift up and identify and amplify and support the amazing next generation of leaders that are coming up.”

Obama is a longtime and passionate basketball fan—this event, in his hometown of Chicago, was his second official event during NBA All-Star weekend in the Windy City after one with children and first- and

second-year players Friday—and he has aligned with NBA players many times before to highlight certain messages.

In February 2019, Obama sat with Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry to mark the fifth anniversary of My Brother’s Keeper—an initiative he launched after the 2012 shooting death of unarmed Florida teen Trayvon Martin.

The death of Martin, a 17-year-old AfricanAmerican, sparked protests over racial profiling.

This time, it was for other issues, all important, as well. Love told the story of why he decided to take his long struggle with mental health and battle against depression public.

Paul talked about why it was important for him to make sure schools in poorer neighborhoods aren’t left behind. Antetokounmpo told the story of how neighbors—in a predominantly white neighborhood—helped make sure that his parents, who moved to Greece from Nigeria in search of a better life, thrived.

“All I know is, people gave to me,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’ve got to give back.” AP

SLAM DUNK KING

Miami Heat’s Derrick Jones Jr. celebrates his 23rd birthday by winning the National Basketball All-Star Slam Dunk Contest—edging Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon in a memorable showdown that required two tiebreaker jams—at the United Center in Chicago on Saturday. AP

Former President Barack Obama is aware of the players’ endeavors. AP

MCILROY, SCOTT, KUCHAR AHEAD; WOODS FALTER

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OS ANGELES—Put together the best field of the year on a course players regard as one of the ultimate tests, and the result is a final round at Riviera loaded with possibilities.

Rory McIlroy kept patient through some

Missing in the mix is Tiger Woods. AP

missed opportunities by making enough birdies for a three-under 68. Adam Scott, motivated to get a victory at Riviera that the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour counts, rolled in a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole Saturday for a 67.

Matt Kuchar recovered from three bogeys in a four-hole stretch to make one last birdie for a 70.

They were tied for the lead at the Genesis Invitational.

Within striking distance was Dustin Johnson, who overwhelmed Riviera in 2017 for a five-shot victory that could have been more, finished birdie-eagle-par for a 67 and was two shots behind.

Sixteen players were separated by four shots with 18 holes to play.

“I think you just have to worry about yourself, concentrate on what you’re doing, do it well, set yourself a target, don’t think about anyone else,” McIlroy said. “And you know, if that’s good

enough at the end of the day, then great. If not, then someone just played better than you and hats off to them.”

McIlroy returned to No. 1 in the world this week and is playing as though he plans to stay there. This was his 17th time in his last 18 rounds on the PGA Tour that he shot in the 60s dating to his victory in the Tour Championship.

Kuchar has led since a 64 in the opening round, and now he shares it with McIlroy and Scott, two players who have won majors and reached No. 1 in the world.

They were at 10-under 203.

Missing from the mix was Tiger Woods, who went the other direction, and quickly. He shot 41 on the back nine and held it steady from there for a 76 to wind up 15 shots behind.

“Well, that was a lot of shots...and it was a long day,” Woods said.

Scott won at Riviera in 2005 and has the trophy to show for it, just not a spot in the PGA Tour record book. The tournament was shortened to 36 holes by rain, and it was deemed unofficial.

This is his first competition in some two months, dating to his victory in the Australian PGA Championship three days before Christmas.

“I almost feel like I know what I’m doing

after 20 years of having a season and having a break and coming back out,” Scott said. “I know what this course kind of demands of you. It’s not necessarily the easiest course to show up, but I was in a good place finishing last year, too, so I think I managed that well.”

Harold Varner III birdied his last two holes for a 69 and was one shot behind, along with Russell Henley (68). Dustin Johnson, who won at Riviera three years ago, had only two pars over his final 12 holes. That stretch also featured five birdies and an eagle for a 67. He was two shots behind, along with Joel Dahmen (66).

Still in the mix was Hideki Matsuyama, who bogeyed his last hole Friday and was the last player to make the cut. Matsuyama played in the final group off the back nine, away from all the attention, and posted a 64. He was four shots behind and very much in the picture. AP

Rory McIlroy hits his second shot on the second hole during the third round of the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club. AP

Man City stained future mired in u

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ONDON—Manchester City is now a tainted champion.

A club transformed by lavish investment in part to promote the emirate of Abu Dhabi on the world stage is damaged by deceptions in the pursuit of glory on the soccer field.

Cut through all the raging against the footballing prosecutors by City, UEFA showed there is a price to pay for misleading the governing body of European soccer.

If you don’t play by the rules, you don’t get to play in the Champions League. For two seasons in City’s case.

It doesn’t matter if Pep Guardiola is the coach or you have some of the world’s most expensive players in the team.

Banishing such a wealthy, powerful club from its elite competition was a test of resolve.

Not for the leadership of UEFA but the independent investigatory and adjudicatory bodies, with the final verdict decided by a panel headed by a European Court of Justice judge.

When City complained on Friday night that “this is a case initiated by UEFA, prosecuted by UEFA and judged

by UEFA,” it was a statement seemingly as misleading as some of its financial reporting.

City appeared to hope the public and UEFA would never discover it was allegedly funneling money around Abu Dhabi to fund sponsorships that helped to ensure it complied with Champions League spending rules.

Already there were questions about the club’s reliance to raise revenue on sponsorships from Abu Dhabi when it has been owned since 2008 by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and a member of Abu Dhabi’s royal family.

The alleged scheming was only discovered thanks to leaked internal correspondence that City believes should be inadmissible because it is “hacked or stolen” materials. The club has never disputed the authenticity of the documentation gained by German publication Der Spiegel and published in 2018. Nor has it publicly challenged Financial Fair Play rules.

In fact, City accepted the need to be monitored by rules restricting losses and the ability of owners to pump money into clubs for spending on players when it first reached a settlement in 2014 to avoid a Champions League ban.

It is the 2012-16 financial submission from City that became subject to UEFA scrutiny again when the trove of leaks was published appearing to show how the true source of income was being allegedly covered up. Even though Etihad Airways was paying for naming rights and jersey sponsorship, the company appeared to receive most of it back from City’s Abu Dhabi holding company.

According to UEFA City overstated sponsorship revenue and break-even information in documentation. With City planning to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the Champions League ban and €30-million fine, more

orts

sMirror

Monday, February 17, 2020

Southwoods Invitational up

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anila Southwoods Golf and Country Club will showcase the spruced up Masters and Legends courses to 400 registered participants for Wednesday’s Invitational.

The Masters and Legends were affected

by Taal Volcano’s eruption in early January but John Cope, the club’s grounds director, and his maintenance team, hastened rehabilitation for Manila Southwoods’s annual member-guest tournament that will run up to February 22.

“The courses are in pristine condition.

John [Cope] and his crew, did a splendid job in bringing them back to immaculate status the Masters and Legends that they are known for. I hope everyone enjoys playing them next week,” Manila Southwood’s Chairman Robert John Sobrepena said.

General Manager Mark Watson said the club prepared in earnest to ensure a smooth staging of the Invitational, and was able to come up with a handsome lineup of prizes—for the raffle and hole-in-one.

Up for grabs for aces are a Mitsubishi Mirage G4 from Mitsubishi Motors and Alpine Motors, and a seven-night Western Mediterranean Cruise on board the Allure of the Seas for two with airfare courtesy of Royal Carribean and Baron Travel.

Also up for grabs are Ogawa Smart Vogue— an intelligent automatic massage chair valued at around P250,000, a 1.5HP Inverter-type air-condition unit from Mit-Air plus P100,000 cash from Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp.

There will be five men’s divisions and one ladies class, plus the overall net and gross teams champions during the tournament that has Agrexplore, Nutranta and The Turf Co. as platinum sponsors, while HBW Enterprises and Suzuki are the renowned Southwoods club fitter as gold supporters.

d by scandal, uncertainty extensive details from the case should become public.

City is not a club that likes to be challenged, favoring annual in-house gentler “interviews” with its chairman rather than open news briefings.

When it comes to legal cases, spending on a strong squad is the answer just like on the field.

Legal representatives from three different firms were deployed by City at CAS in a hearing last year attempting to get the case thrown out. UEFA was outnumbered, 8-2, by City lawyers.

It was the type of defeat City has not become accustomed to in the Sheikh Mansour era.

It was a team that for years wearily watched neighbor Manchester United dominate the Premier League, partly while playing in the third tier before beginning the ascent back to the Premier League in 1999. Abu Dhabi wealth ensured City could compete with United to spend on players in a manner unimaginable before 2008.

When City beat United to the Premier League title in the closing minutes of the 2011-12 season it ended a 44-year title drought. The Premier League trophy has been collected three times more since then, and it’s currently in City’s possession after edging Liverpool by a single point last season. AP

Barcelona hacked

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ARCELONA, Spain—Barcelona’s Twitter accounts were hacked after the team’s 2-1 home win over Getafe in the Spanish league on Saturday.

A group calling itself “OurMine” took over Barcelona’s accounts, and posted a fake image hinting that the club had resigned Brazilian forward Neymar.

It also posted a message noting that it was the second time it had hacked the club.

It said that “the security level is better but still not the best,” and added information on how it could be contacted to help “improve” the accounts’ security.

The messages were later deleted, and Barcelona eventually retook control of its accounts.

The group had also hacked Barcelona in 2017.

Some of the Twitter accounts belonging to the International Olympic Committee were also hacked by the same group on Saturday, with similar messages. AP Manchester City’s goalkeeper Ederson (left) and John Stones converse during a match. AP

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o for Gold will compete against the country’s best cyclist teams with an intact roster in the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 10th anniversary race unfurling on February 23 in Sorsogon and ending on March 4 in Vigan City.

Ronnel Hualda is captain of the squad composed of Daniel Ven Cariño, Jonel Carcueva, Ismael Grospe Jr., Jericho Jay Lucero, Marc Ryan Lago, Ronnilan Quita and Rex Luis Krog.

“The guys have improved since we first took them and while our target is modest this year, I will not be surprised if we will give the favored teams serious challenge,” Go for Gold Coach and Manager Eds Hualda said.

Hualda said they remained focused on their goal of discovering, tapping, and honing young talents who have the potential to succeed and make the national team in the future.

“That has been the goal by Go for Gold since the team was first formed. And we will never stop until we find and make them champions,” Hualda said.

Carino, Carcueva and Grospe are Go for Gold’s best hopes to contend in the race staking a whopping P1 million to the champion. The three were consistent top 10 finishers in past races.

SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-GUAMANIAN K

ristin Oberiano gears up for a spirited duel with a slew of local top guns and foreign aces hopeful, but wary of her chances in the Philippine Ladies Open (PLO) which unfolds on Tuesday at Manila Golf Club in Forbes Park, Makati City.

Born to Filipino parents and raised in Guam, Oberiano won the Nissan Guam Amateur title and topped Guam’s bi-annual World Amateur Golf Ranking Championship late last year, making her one of the players to watch in the 58th staging of the country’s premier championship.

But she will be up against the best and the brightest of local amateur golf, led by 30th Southeast Asian Games team gold medalist Abby Arevalo and Rianne Malixi, the hottest among the bumper crop of rising stars who edged Arevalo to claim the National Stroke Play diadem at Rivera last month.

Eagle Ace Superal, holder of a number of low amateur honors in the country’s ladies pro circuit, is, likewise, tipped to contend for the championship in the 54-hole event organized by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines and sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Diamond Motors, Sunsports and Eva Air. Superal is going all out to duplicate

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older sister and now Japan Step Up Tour campaigner Princess’ feat in 2016 at Tagaytay Midlands and keep the PLO crown at home for the fifth straight year.

Cebuana Junia Gabasa is also expected to crowd the fancied names, along with Nicole Abelar, Sophia Blanco, Sam Dizon, Arnie Taguines, Mafy Singson and Rhea Langamin, ensuring a fiery duel in all three days of the championship backed by Copok (Seascape Village), New World Hotel, Pocari, Manila Golf Ladies, Regent Travel, Hyundai, Pascual Lab, Net25, Lake Shore CCY, FHLCI and Tagaytay Ladies.

But Oberiano, along with Aussies Charlotte Huynh, Prescilla Keogh, Dierdre Horan, Gillian Tidey and Susan Lomax, Cynthia Birch and Suzette Kirchner from the US, Indonesian Rita Horan, Teresita Blair from Guam, Japanese Katsuko Blalock and Wynnie Sim from Singapore are also all primed up for the event on a well-kept course that puts premium on shotmaking and putting.

The event actually suffered in terms of foreign participation due to the COVID-19 outbreak with a number of campaigners from the US, Taiwan, Singapore and other neighboring countries begging off at the last minute. But WGAP has assured all participants and guests of a safe, smooth staging for the duration of the tournament.

Go for Gold resumes quest to search for future champs They will face a field headed by a Standard Insurance (Navy) led by former titlists Jan Paul Morales and Ronald Oranza, and three more former Ronda winners Santy Barnachea of Scratch it, Mark Galedo of 7-Eleven Cliqq-Air21

by Roadbike Philippines and Reimon Lapaza of Celeste Cycles-Devel Project Pro Team.

The other teams joining this 10-stage race presented by LBC and supported by the Manuel V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation are Bicycology (Army), Bike Xtreme, Tarlac/Central Luzon, Ilocos Sur, South Luzon/Batangas and Nueva Ecija.

After the 137-kilometer Stage 1, Ronda will embark on a 163-km SorsogonLegazpi Stage 2 on February 24, 126.9-km Legazpi-Naga Stage 3 on February 25, 212.5-km Daet-Lucena Stage 4 on February 26, and 155.4-km Lucena-Antipolo Stage 5 on February 27.

February 28 will be a rest day, and the race will resume with a 128.9km Lingayen-Lingayen Stage 6 on February29, 171.9-km Lingayen-Nueva Ecija Stage 7 on March 1, 177.1-km Nueva Ecija-Baguio City Stage 8 on March 2, 176.4-km Pugo, La UnionVigan Stage 9 before closing out with a Stage 10 criterium in Vigan on March 4.

U.E. FENCERS REIGN SUPREME NIVERSITY of the East (UE) reigned supreme in the men’s division for the eighth straight year, while its women’s squad regained the throne Friday in University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 collegiate fencing action recently at the Paco Arena.

The Red Warriors defeated Ateneo, 45-42, in men’s team foil to complete a five gold- and one silver-medal haul for their 14th title overall.

Sammuel Tranquilan played his final season for UE with his third straight Most Valuable Player award.

Players come and go, but the Warriors’ fencing program is simply unbreakable.

“We have rising stars who are waiting for their time to shine,” UE Coach Amatov Canlas said. “Our training starts from the bottom up, giving us a deep pool of talent.”

A good example was Rookie-MVP winner Queen Denise Dalmacio, who led the Lady Warriors in collecting four gold, one silver and three bronze medals to claim a league-best 13th crown.

“These girls actually belong to the same batch—Queen [Dalmacio] and Sam [Catantan]. I recruited them when they were kids,” said Canlas, who also handled the national team that won two gold medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games last December.

“Queen leveled up when she joined the national team. And she got mentally tough from her SEA Games experience,” he added.

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The 20-year-old Dalmacio was impressive, especially in ruling the women’s individual saber on the second day of competition.

“I didn’t expect her to become Rookie-MVP. But she deserves that,” Canlas said.

UE topped De La Salle, 45-36, in women’s team epee, and returned in the afternoon with a 45-19 conquest of University of Santo Tomas in women’s team saber for two gold medals.

The Blue Eagles finished second in the men’s side with a 1-3-2 goldsilver-bronze haul, while the Green Archers had a 0-1-5 tally at third place.

De La Salle took runner-up honors with 1-2-1, while last season’s champion Ateneo settled for third with 1-1-2 on the women’s side.

MS VOLLEYBALL Sisi Rondina will

be crowned Ms. Volleyball in the San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards Night on March 6 at the Manila Hotel. Last year, Rondina helps the Philippines bag its first Southeast Asian Games women’s beach volleyball podium finish since 2005. A native of Compostela, Cebu, the 23-year-old Rondina hoists the Most Valuable Player honors of University of Santo Tomas as she leads UST to its first University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball finals appearance in eight years.

THE University of the East fencers celebrate their domination of the league.

Rick Olivares bleachersbrew@gmail.com

Bleachers’ Brew

A different Blue Eagles

I MUST say that I was impressed with the way the Ateneo Blue Eagles took down reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champions, Letran, 79-61, last Saturday to take the Philippine Collegiate Champions League NCAA-University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Challenge trophy.

From a 35-all tie in the first half, Ateneo dropped a 30-4 bomb in the third quarter to effectively seize control, 65-39.

It was an unlikely unit that Blue Eagles Head Coach Tab Baldwin sent in—Troy Mallillin, Tyler Tio, Jason Credo, Gian Mamuyac and Gio Chiu, that helped get Ateneo the lead.

Then William Navarro, Matthew Daves, and SJ Belangel returned and the three-time UAAP champions continued to roll.

While Letran was missing Larry Muyang and Ato Ular who both had Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League matches after that game, the Blue Eagles fielded several newcomers, including Dwight and Eli Ramos, Edward Maagdenberg and Inand Fornilos.

The halftime adjustments surely worked as the Blue Eagles played better defense as they denied the Knights lane incursions, they challenged the outside shots, and took care of the rebounds. Even better, they began to attack the basket of which they didn’t last for long stretches of the first half. Letran then began to miss from the field. It was essentially, lights out.

By the final whistle, Ateneo bagged its ninth consecutive trophy in all local competitions they have played—UAAP Season 80, City Hoops, Breakdown Basketball Filoil, UAAP Season 81, PCCL, D-League, UAAP Season 82 and UAAP-NCAA Challenge.

That is very impressive by any stretch. I do not know of anyone collegiate squad that has won in such dominant fashion without missing a beat.

Here are our thoughts about some of the Ateneo players: I like how Daves and Mallillin are moving on the court. They move with a sense of purpose and with confidence. No tentativeness. Very smooth.

Credo is also moving that ball better and showing what he can do on both ends of the court. He can play perimeter defense, interior defense and, well, can extend the defense if his shot is on. This guy is another creative player who will makes things happen. That is a luxury when you can add Belangel, Mamuyac, and Tio to the mix.

Dwight Ramos has the makings of a really good player. He can shoot, but still doesn’t have the confidence to go inside and take it strong. His dribbling needs work, but watching him...you can see the potential and there’s a lot. Wait until he gets his confidence going.

Speaking of moving around better. I wonder why people say that Chiu is the second coming of Isaac Go. Not yet. I don’t think he will extend defenses with his outside shooting. But he is moving better inside the paint. He still gets frustrated with the shenanigans of opposing players, but he will get better.

I like how Fornilos came in and immediately hit his first shot, a trey with the shot clock winding down. He still isn’t used to what the Blue Eagles are doing. But he will get there.

Maagdenberg and Ramos have shown some flashes, but you know they are young.

Can’t wait to see what they can really do.

Ateneo has looked good in this PCCL tournament (including its pocket NCAA-UAAP Challenge). And to think, they aren’t running any plays yet, and Jolo Mendoza and Raffy Verano will not yet suit up until the summer.

SUPER SWEDE!

Sports BusinessMirror

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| Monday, February 17, 2020 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

The American-born Swede Armand Duplantis eclipsed his own mark by a centimeter when he vaulted 6.18 meters at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix.

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LASGOW, Scotland— Armand Duplantis set the world pole vault record on Saturday for the second time in eight days.

The American-born Swede eclipsed his own mark by a centimeter when he vaulted 6.18 meters (20 feet and 3 1/4 inches) at the Glasgow Indoor Grand Prix.

“This was such a great competition,” Duplantis said as he was handed a world record bonus check for $30,000. “There was such great energy the crowd was giving me, and I really thrive off that.”

He opened at 5.50 meters

Israel Folau has been wildly condemned for posting homophobic comments on social media. AP

and then got over 5.75 on his second try. Twotime world champion Sam Kendricks led at that point, but exited the competition at 5.84.

Duplantis sailed over with his first attempt at 5.84. With no one else left in the event, he also flew over at 6.00.

The 20-year-old vaulter had the bar moved up to 6.18, and one attempt was all he needed.

Duplantis also set the record in Torun, Poland, last Saturday, when an effort of 6.17 bettered the 6.16 set by Frenchman Renaud Lavillenie in Donetsk, Ukraine, in

Armand Duplantis breaks own world record in a span of only eight days. AP

February 2014.

Duplantis reinforced his status as being at the vanguard of athletics’ new wave of super talents by breaking the world pole vault record for the second time in a week.

“It’s the best little split second that could ever be,” said Duplantis, describing how he felt once he was over the bar. “Everything builds up to that one tiny little moment. That little free-fall is a magical moment.”

The Swede has already had plenty of those moments in his fledgling career. He was a child prodigy took up the event aged four—it helped that his dad, who cleared 5.80 meters in the 1990s, built a pole vault pit in their back garden—and set world bests from seven to 12.

By 14, Duplantis had already vaulted higher than a London doubledecker bus. By 18, he had cleared 6 meters.

“Every competition I go into I want to win and that’s the main goal,” he said. “I want to jump high, I want to break the world record but first you’ve got to win, and that’s the main goal. But if I have a bit of energy left, I’ll try to crank it up.”

When asked about his brilliant run of form, Duplantis said that leaving Louisiana State University to turn professional had made a massive difference.

“I wasn’t going out every night, but I tried not to let athletics overpower me where I couldn’t live any life,” he said of his time as a student. “But since then, I’ve cut out a lot. This is my first year as a professional—I’m not a college kid any more—so I wanted to take it pretty professionally. I try to eat better, I have a better sleep schedule, take recovery more seriously and train harder. I feel great doing it.” AP

Fans told to remove rainbow flags on Folau’s debut A S Israel Folau made a try-scoring debut for his new club, Catalan Dragons, on Saturday, a man watching from the stands was told to remove a rainbow flag unfurled in support of the LGBT movement.

Folau has been widely condemned for posting homophobic comments on social media. It led to Folau—a former try-scoring star with Australia’s rugby union national team—being fired by Rugby Australia last year.

He was then hired by the Dragons. But the rugby league side, based in southern France, has faced a strong backlash for handing him a 12-month deal.

The security official asking the man to remove the flag—which was draped over a railing—appeared to suggest it was covering up a portion of an advertising hoarding, high up in the stands.

The rainbow flag is used as a symbol of the LGBT movement and promotes social equality.

A woman, who said she attended

Caster Semenya: Track and field, you will still see my face. AP

Saturday’s game with the flag, said that she was asked twice to remove it.

Alison Grey tweeted: “First as I was told, it was against health and safety. Second, because it is against club policy.”

The Dragons later issued a statement saying it was not club policy and they would look into the matter.

It read: “Rainbow flags are not banned at our club. It is not forbidden. We are gathering more information about what happened.”

Folau was left out of the squad for a match at Wakefield Trinity last weekend, but was given a friendly reception at the 10,500-capacity Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan. Young fans posed for photos with Folau afterward. He scored the team’s first try early on in a 36-18 win.

The Dragons’ chairman, Bernard Guasch, has said his club does not agree with Folau’s views and that it signed an agreement with the Rugby Football League that any transgression by him will immediately

terminate his contract.

Speaking after Saturday’s match, DragonsCoach Steve McNamara was reluctant to debate the issue of Folau’s signing.

“Is he a good person? Is he a good player?

Will he add value to the team, on and off the field, not judging on any political or religious belief that he’s got?” McNamara said. “We will not repeat anything that we’ve [already] said, whether you [the media] like that or not.... We’ve said quite clearly we don’t agree with [Folau’s views]. We’ve said that. Well, that’s it.”

In an Instagram post in April that caused widespread outrage and led to his firing, Folau condemned “drunks, homosexuals” and warned “hell awaits” them. He was fired before reaching an out-of-court settlement with the organization in December.

In November, Folau linked the bushfires that have devastated Australia as God’s punishment for legalizing same-sex marriage and abortion.

James Maloney, an Australian player with the Dragons, brushed aside any debate surrounding his countryman and new teammate Folau.

Maloney said he does not read or understand French newspapers, even though the Folau issue has grabbed widespread attention around the world on the same multilanguage social networks Folau has posted on.

“I think that you guys [the media] make a bigger deal out of it than we do. He’s just another player that’s come in and fit into the squad,” Maloney said after Saturday’s game.

“At least for me, personally, I don’t see the fuss. Because I can’t understand the news, and I can’t read the newspapers. So I just look at my business.”

The arrival of Folau was fiercely opposed by the Super League, the Rugby League and the majority of clubs. It led to an agreement, during a recent meeting of clubs in Europe’s Super League held in England, on how to deal with future signings. AP

Semenya runs again, says ‘I’m here to stay’

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aster Semenya ran her first public race in eight months and broke the national 300-meter record at a low-level meet at a South African university before proclaiming: “I’m here to stay.”

The Olympic 800-meter champion said the race Friday night at the University of Johannesburg, which also featured high-school students, was her season-opening event.

“Track and field, you will still see my face,” Semenya said after winning the 300 race in 36.78 seconds. “That is all I can say for now.”

It’s not the first time Semenya has guaranteed a comeback.

The Olympics are just five months away, and it’s doubtful if Semenya will be able to defend her title in the 800 meters. But maybe she has another plan.

Semenya is currently banned from competing in her favored event at major meets, and any distance from 400 meters to 1 mile, unless she follows World Athletics rules that require her to medically reduce her natural testosterone levels to compete in women’s competitions.

The regulations were designed for female athletes with differences of sex development, like Semenya, and have been severely criticized.

Semenya, who turned 29 last month, has twice appealed against the regulations.

She lost her first appeal at sport’s highest court. Her second legal challenge at the Swiss supreme court is still being considered. Her

chances of winning that second appeal are seen as slim.

Semenya has repeatedly refused to adhere to the testosterone regulations, and her decision to open the Olympic year with a 300-meter race might be significant.

The rules do not apply to races below 400 meters, and Semenya could compete in the 200 meters at the Olympics without having to reduce her hormone level.

Semenya didn’t indicate if that was her intention when she stated that her track career was not over. The South African has rarely run the 200 meters, and her personal best is 24.26 seconds. Semenya would have to improve that by nearly two seconds to meet the qualifying standard of 22.80 seconds for the Tokyo Olympics.

She’s previously tried distances longer than a mile with limited success.

Semenya’s last appearance on the track was in June last year when she won an 800-meter race at the Prefontaine Classic in the United States. Track and field’s new testosterone regulations then came into effect and prevented her from running the 800, a distance where she’d become utterly dominant. Semenya is a two-time Olympic and three-time world champion over two laps, and has won 31 straight races. She wasn’t able to defend her title at last year’s world championships because of the regulations.

The South African has become one of

track’s best-known athletes since winning the world title in 2009 at the age of 18. Her stunning debut unleashed a firestorm of controversy when it was revealed she had been forced to undergo sex tests during the meet by the world track and field body.

Semenya is the most high-profile, but not the only elite, female athlete with a difference of sex development. Court documents indicate she was born with the typical male XY chromosome pattern but also female traits.

She has been legally identified as female her whole life but World Athletics considers her “biologically male,” a description she has angrily railed against in what’s become a bitter battle.

Semenya’s story has presented track and field, and maybe sports in general, with one of its most difficult and contentious conundrums, and the debate has been raging for more than a decade. In essence, World Athletics says her high testosterone level gives her an unfair athletic advantage over other female runners.

Semenya says it’s a natural genetic gift.

In the midst of the battle with track authorities, Semenya has sometimes given confusing messages regarding her future.

Last year, she joined a soccer team in Johannesburg and announced she would play for it in the 2020 season. That seemed to suggest she was ready to give up track and field but she denied that, saying she could be a soccer player and a runner. AP

Jesus was a man with a mission

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ear God, we know that the most difficult and challenging mission is, in fact, was to save the whole of mankind!

Jesus’ mission had already been described by the prophet Isaiah when he spoke of the “Servant of the Lord” in the remarkable words that Jesus, Himself, proclaimed in the synagogue of His hometown, Nazareth. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; therefore He has annointed me. He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and release to prisoners; to announce a year of favor from the Lord.” With this knowledge, Oh Lord, we praise You forever. Amen.

Exploring God’s Word, Shared by Luisa Lacson, SF, MFC.

Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • lifestylebusinessmirror@gmail.com

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aLL ACCESS: Timeless songs of Basil and Ryan D3

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Monday, February 17, 2020 D1

Miss Universe Philippines 2020: Should a beauty queen also be a fashion icon?

TOTA PULCHRA

MISS CHARLIZE @misscharlize

I

ris Mittenaere, Miss Universe 2016 from France, sashayed alongside supermodels Erin O’Connor, Coco Rocha, Gigi Hadid, Jourdan Dunn, Estelle Lefébure, Noémie Lenoir and Farida Khelfa, at the final couture show of design legend JeanPaul Gaultier in the latest Paris Fashion Week.

A beauty queen that went toe to toe with runway queens is a rare occurrence on the international stage.

Hereabouts, however, our pageant royals are permanent fixtures on fashion shows, giving more glamor to the clothes they’re modeling.

We remember how MJ Lastimosa was forced to wear a gown unworthy of her front-runner status at Miss Universe 2014. We learned that painful lesson, when the Pia Wurtzbach-Albert Andrada delegate-and-designer

alliance proved instrumental in winning our third title.

Maxine Medina and Rhett Eala, and Rachel Peters and Val Taguba followed in the succeeding years.

Catriona Gray’s choice of Mak Tumang as her evening wear designer cemented couture’s place on the pageant stage. Gray’s collaboration with Jearson Demavivas was a part of a wave of resurgence for indigenous dressing.

On its first edition, the Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) Organization will ensure that being fashionable is an integral part of the search, which will culminate on May 3, 2020, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“Fashion is always as important as makeup and hairstyling for a queen. She plays an important role in inspiring other women, so it is equally important that she has to be a fashion icon, as well, a queen who could strongly promote Filipino fashion to the international stage,” declared Andrada, who is head of designers for the inaugural pageant.

With queen-maker Jonas Gaffud, Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee and Miss Universe 2006 Miss Photogenic Lia Andrea Ramos at the helm of the MUP Organization, the search is anchored on #inspiringwomenwithaction, #beautifultransformations, #beyondthecoastlines #onephilippines and #sustainabletourism.

Continued on D2 DAVAO CITY. Mark Bumgarner for Alaiza Malinao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY. Bea Bianca Mackey for Vincy Vacalares

PARAÑAQUE CITY. Mara Chua for Ysabella Ysmael

D2

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Monday, February 17, 2020

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Miss Universe Philippines 2020: Should a beauty queen also be a fashion icon?

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ed Sheeran, 29; Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 39; Billie Joe Armstrong, 48; Denise Richards, 49.

Happy Birthday: Check out all possibilities, but don’t try to take on too much. Your strength will be in using your skills masterfully to make a substantial leap forward. Concentrate on what will pay the highest return emotionally, financially and intellectually. Time spent nurturing a partnership will encourage stability, as well as help you maintain confidence and freedom to follow your dreams. Your lucky numbers are 3, 14, 17, 23, 28, 34, 42.

Continued from D1

An aspiring candidate with a modeling résumé, such as Alaiza Malinao of Davao City, has an added advantage. At the press presentation of candidates, which I closely followed vicariously, the former Binibining Pilipinas 2015 and Asia’s Next Top Model finalist, displayed a confident sense of personal style in her modern Filipiniana by Mark Bumgarner.

Mindanaoan damsels came prepared, Vincy Vacalares of Cagayan de Oro in a bespoke white cocktail by Bea Bianca Mackey, and Caroline Joy Veronilla in a red dress by Juniel Doring. Binibining Pilipinas alumnae Sandra Lemonon of Taguig was sensational in a barong-inspired outfit by Benj Leguiab IV, while Michele Gumabao of Quezon City scored stylish points in her gorgeous terno jumpsuit

by Pablo Cabahug.

The vivacious delegates from the Visayas were Rabiya Mateo of Iloilio City wearing Ram Silva, Skelly Ivy Florida of Biliran in Jeanom Ursua, and Apriel Smith of Cebu province in an off-white Filipiniana crop polo and neoprene slitted pants

by Yves Camingue. Florida and Smith are hoping to imbibe that “Black Girl Magic” exemplified by reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.

“In a society where skin color dictates your status in life, and where bullies and oppressors eat you alive, I moved forward and never let the color of my skin limit me from reaching my goals. As an athlete, defeat has taught me to get up eight times when I fall seven times. Being a model and a beauty queen, I’ve learned to see the beauty in failure. Perfection is unattainable, happiness and contentment is,” goes Smith’s feisty Facebook post.

Ysabella Roxas Ysmael, the ballerina from Parañaque, is a delegate who is a grand throwback to that bygone era when girls from a de buena familia joined pageants. From her regal bearing

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take the initiative to get things done. Look for ways to physically overcome whatever you don’t like about your life.

Whether you choose to change your vocation, appearance or how you live, it’s up to you to take charge. «««««

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t wait for someone to do things for you. Whatever you achieve or receive should be your responsibility. Believe in what you have to offer, stick to your plans and partner with people who share your vision. «««

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Show your competitive side when it comes to personal and professional opportunities. Leave nothing to chance, and play to win. Know when to say no, and focus on your success instead of helping someone else get ahead. «««

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Consider a partnership opportunity. Discuss your intentions, share your vision and see who contributes the most. Don’t let fear hold you back. Avoid indulgent behavior or overspending. Monitoring how and when to make a move will help you stabilize an unpredictable situation. «««

MISAMIS ORIENTAL. Juniel Doring for Caroline Joy Veronilla can be gleaned the genes that she shares with Miss Universe 1973 Margarita Roxas-Moran, the veteran actress Marita Zobel, and the legendary fashion icon Chona Ysmael Kasten.

But she downplays her “royal” provenance, as evident in her “irreverent and subversive” choice of dress, a “custom Filipiniana tutu with deep V neckline with exposed corset for that modern edge” by Mara Chua, and by boldly asserting that “to become a phenomenal woman, she must be willing to do everything to achieve her dreams and make it into a reality.”

To further spot that girl with a distinct personal style, the MUP will have an MUP Fashion Week from April 24 to 28.

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Personal improvements and gains are within reach.

Straight talk will help you avoid getting mixed up in someone’s business. A trip or creative pursuit will lift your spirits and inspire you to put more effort into achieving your dreams. «««««

f QUEZON CITY. Pablo Cabahug for Michele Gumabao

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Too much of anything will lead to uncertainty. Consider what you want, and do your best to make it happen. Your happiness is your responsibility, not someone else’s. Aim to feel good about yourself, your life and your future. ««««

‘Journey to Zero’

Bayo and Francis Libiran’s collection of zero-waste fashion pieces.

It’s the dawn of a new day for fashion. An industry where excess thrived, the sartorial scene is now making a U-turn and listening to the call of sustainability. Pioneering this new chapter locally is proudly homegrown brand Bayo and its sister organization, Bayo Foundation. With the joint goal of encouraging the modern Filipino to make smart, sustainable fashion choices and uplifting local craftsmanship, the “Journey to Zero” campaign was created.

Louie Lagon, managing editor of Bayo Foundation, admits that the Journey to Zero initiative was planted by the seed of self-awareness. Says Lagon, “We realized that we’ve been accumulating so much waste, and contributing so much to the problem of pollution.” Along with this realization came the opportunity to spark change. “We also realized that we had a greater capability to be part of the solution,” Lagon continues. “That’s when we really began to think about ways we can work to address these problems—and the Journey to Zero campaign began.”

Every step of the campaign is centered on achieving a sustainable approach to fashion—from spreading awareness on the growing need for sartorial consciousness, to designing zero-waste collections for the

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Pamper yourself.

Enjoy what life has to offer. All work and no play will not be an incentive to get ahead.

Some balance will be required if you want to establish a lifestyle that leads to happiness and longevity. Emotional deception is apparent. ««

Filipina consumer.

Earlier this year, Bayo took a major step in this direction by launching a collection made completely of upcycled and handwoven fabrics in collaboration with renowned fashion designer, Francis Libiran. With the designer’s trained eye and understanding of Bayo’s aesthetics, a comfortable, sophisticated collection was created without generating waste.

With the desire to weave sustainability in every piece, reducing textile waste was considered as the eco-fashion aspect in this special line—fabric scraps were turned into reusable fabrics or items. These upcycled weaves were then converted into stylish pieces and wearable clothing.

“While bearing sustainable fashion in mind, the design inspiration of the collection revolves around the idea of introducing consumers to fashion that is not only for cultural purposes, but also for everyday living,” Libiran shares. “The collection plays with the combination of different colors and patterns that resemble Filipino textiles with modern silhouette which will fit every Filipino.”

More information about the sustainable fabrics and where to source it is available at info_journeytozero@bayo.com.ph.

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Share ideas, and expand your interests, friendships and plans for the future. A unique connection will encourage you to try something new. Travel and personal growth are favored. Invest more time and money in honing your skills. «««

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Meddlers will slow you down. Be secretive regarding your plans until you have everything in place and are ready to present. Expect someone who is threatened by you or jealous of you to cause an emotional scene. Keep your distance, and do your own thing. «««

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Ask, and you shall receive. You don’t have to do everything on your own to prosper. Use what’s already in place, then add your fingerprint. A creative idea will lead to greater prosperity. Trust your gut, not your emotions. «««

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look for alternatives when faced with a setback. Using your intellect and your imagination will help gain ground. Do what comes naturally, and you will find it easier to get ahead. Embrace the unknown instead of running away. ««««

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Be open to new ideas, people and unfamiliar places. Consider the risk factor involved in any situation you take on, and make decisions that will not compromise your integrity, beliefs or a relationship that is essential to you.

Think before you take action. «« Birthday Baby: You are aggressive, fearless and playful. You are curious and helpful.

‘conjunction junction’ by conrad jones The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Like a bad computer error 6 “Shining ___” 10 Org. for Serena Williams 14 Echo voice 15 Preschooler’s taboo 16 Blueprint 17 Disperse 18 They may justify the means 19 Advanced, as money 20 Turkey hidden in “stomach” 21 Be in agreement (see letters 5 to 7) 24 Egyptian canal 25 Sporty Mazda model 26 2019 Raptors star (3 to 7) 31 “The Hollow Men” poet T.S. 32 “See if I ___!”

33 Pronoun for a ship 36 Trailing the pack 37 How kids often are on long drives 39 Like some coffee or tea 40 Chart type 41 Button whose image may contain an X 42 Become accustomed (to)

3 Chief helper (5 to 8) 4 46 Three-line poem 48 Web site for crafters 49 Memphis road in a 2018 film title (4 to 7) 52 Place of pampering 55 Queen Bey : Beyonce :: ___ : Rihanna 56 Mushroom-humanoid in Mario games 57 Ancient Mexican 59 Thick Japanese noodle 60 Strong desire 61 Ambient ___ 62 Small bell sound 63 Little bit of doubt, metaphorically 64 Wrongful acts DOWN 1 Word before “asleep” 2 High male voice 3 Time in office 4 Body spray choice 5 Court dispute 6 One may sound like “tissue” 7 Muscle quality 8 Raggedy Ann’s brother

9 Fragrant herb used in bread 10 Transfer, like data 11 Wintry precipitation 12 Roberts of That ’70s Show 13 It’s often upped 22 Slippery as an ___ 23 Whitewall, for one 24 Opportunity, informally 26 Large seaweed 27 Jai ___ 28 Smart, or just smart-mouthed 29 Group of eight 30 Rapper Lil ___ X 33 Aquarium concern 34 Sister of Hades 35 Biblical paradise 37 Emperor for whom a summer month was named 38 Ultimate degree 39 Archaeologist Jones’s nickname 41 Karaoke need 42 Like some gratification 43 Making mad 44 Listened to, as advice 45 Had fried rice, say

6 Swiss miss 4 47 Boy’s name near the beginning of the alphabet 49 Old Spice alternative 50 Ripped 51 Fuming feeling 52 Agitate 53 Ant or mosquito 54 Versatile blackjack cards 58 Where you might feed a giraffe Solution to Friday’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

Monday, February 17, 2020

Timeless songs of Basil and Ryan all access Ricky GallaRdo rickygallardoTFI@gmail.com

“Until that sometime, somewhere...

We just have to be content with stealing glances Content with saying nothing, smiles that are always wanting...”

S

ometime, Somewhere” is, perhaps, one of my all-time favorite compositions of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, who I still fondly call “Mr. C.” The song, given life and elevated to a musical pedestal by the esteemed, enigmatic and enduring Basil Valdez, is deep, soulful and

sad. “Sometime, Somewhere” was part of Valdez’s album called Corner of the Sky, released in 1980.

Come February 28 and 29, Valdez will be singing “Sometime, Somewhere” in a very special concert, titled And the Story Begins, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of the Resorts World Manila where Valdez and Cayabyab will be joined

by Lani Misalucha.

It’s a musical casting coup coproduced by Calvin Chua’s CCC Productions, a wonderful way to end the love month, and we are more than excited to see the three iconic musical personalities perform onstage.

Valdez, who recalled that “Sometime, Somewhere” was featured in one of his rare television specials shot in the United States, told us that he will open the show with original Cayabyab compositions, like “Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang,” “Paraisong Parisukat” and “Nais Ko.” “Heto ako’t sumasamo Dinggin ang aking pagsuyo Isang libo’t isang paraiso

Inaalay ko sa ‘yo...”

“Paraisong Parisukat” was the first-ever Cayabyab song that was recorded by Valdez and the singer remembers the year clearly: 1977.

“It was the theme song of a movie with the same title,”Valdez shared.

The movie, directed by the great, but now inactive, Elwood Perez, from the original story and screenplay of the late Orlando Nadres, starred Christopher de Leon and Alma Moreno, with some of local cinema’s gems: Eddie Garcia, Nova Villa, Anita Linda and Bella Flores.

“Kahit na di na gumising pa, Huwag lang malayo sa piling mo Iniibig kahit ika’y panaginip lang...”

A classic Filipino love song about a love that will never be, this original Valdez-Cayabyab collaboration includes the voice of Bambi Bonus, a respected music artist of the ’70s and ’80s. The song has been borrowed and recorded by music artists of different generations, including Regine Velasquez, Jolina Magdangal, Richard Poon and Nyoy Volante.

“Nais kong malibot ang mundo sa kanyang kasuluk-sulukan Nais kong makita ang paligid kong puno ng kagandahan Nais kong makadama ng kakaibang damdamin kahit minsan man lang Habang ako ay may buhay, wala nang hangarin pang tunay Nais ko...”

Backup vocalists Babsie Molina, Elise Cortez and Sylvia Macaraeg played a big part in the success of the song “Nais Ko,” and the three ladies have been Valdez’s chorus girls for many decades now. The song is a favorite in singing competitions and music festivals up to this day.

Now in his late ’60s, Valdez will be rendering the songs of other music masters, like those of George Canseco and Willy Cruz, for the two-night concert, but these original songs of Cayabyab will surely be special.

Valdez and Cayabyab have collaborated on many different songs that had different stories, but mostly about longing and loving. And these songs, like most of our own love stories that we will never ever forget, have truly become immortal.

Gabbi grateful for a huge jump-start this 2020 One of GMA’s prized artists is Gabbi Garcia. With her hosting, acting and performing skills, it’s no wonder she has built a great following and fan base for her to be dubbed as the “Global Endorser.”

At 21 years old, Gabbi has already starred in various TV series and movies where she received notable recognitions from several award-giving bodies. She is also the face of numerous brands here and abroad, which blessed her with a healthy and positive image in the industry.

Today, her influence continues to reach more. With 5 million followers on Instagram and more than 4 million on Facebook, Gabbi is considered as one of the most influential social-media celebrities and most trusted endorsers in the country.

Just recently, giant messaging app Viber chose her as one of the VIP guests to watch the FC Barcelona game in Spain.

The GMA Artist Center talent is also the newest face of Belo

Beauty’s Lumino Vita Glow treatment with her billboards lining Edsa. Aside from this, she will have a new Bench billboard for their exciting new product.

What’s more, Gabbi has been named as the first-ever Filipina Taiwan Tourism Ambassador. With her appointment, she is tasked to promote the beauty and culture of Taiwan, and inspire more Filipinos to visit the country.

“It’s another milestone for my career, I’m just so honored and happy to be the first Filipina to hold the position. I feel like it’s a responsibility to promote good tourism and all the positive things about Taiwan, and to be more relatable.”

After the recently concluded GMA primetime series Beautiful Justice, where Gabbi played one of the lead characters, she will be back on the big screen as part of the cast of an international movie to be shot in Europe.

With all these blessings and achievements, she has nothing but gratitude to those who continuously support and trust her: “I’m beyond thankful for my fans, and for the brands that have put me in this position. Without them, I wouldn’t be here living my dream and doing what I love most as an artist.”

Gabbi has definitely started the year with a lot of career milestones, making her busier than ever. She does not complain but treats every project with passion and responsibility to be an inspiration to her loyal fans and supporters.

Moreover, the GMA star looks forward to actively interacting with her followers through her work: “I choose to be relatable to people, especially when it comes to social media. You would want people to actually reach out to you. You would want them to see you behind the camera, and I feel relating to people is really important when it comes to projects.”

Gabbi Garcia

D3

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D4 Monday, February 17, 2020

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Dermatologists’ most prescribed brand launches face range

Cetaphil’s face range includes two cleansers, an eye cream and a night cream.

and then some diNNa chaN vasquez @dinnachanvasquez luckydinna@gmail.com

B

oard-certified dermatologist Dr. Mara Padilla Evangelista-Huber is one of my favorite resource persons for skin care. It’s a given that she’s knowledgeable but her approach is no-frills and very practical.

She believes that skin care is personal, and that not everything that works for one person will work for another.

During the Philippine launch of Cetaphil’s face range, she talked about aging and the different types of products we need to temporarily stop the signs of it, including fine lines and wrinkles, and dullness.

The last time I interviewed Mara (for the launch of Cetaphil’s body wash), she talked about cleansing and how it was the harshest step in any skin-care routine.

“It’s very easy to over-cleanse because we’re looking for that squeaky clean feeling. If our skin ‘squeaks’ when we rub it after cleansing, that means we’ve over-cleansed. We actually need a mild cleanser for our skin,” she said.

The Cetaphil face range has two gentle cleansers.

Gentle Foaming Cleanser is infused with skin conditioners and vitamin complex (vitamins B5 and E).

It is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and nonirritating formula, with a pH level of 5.5. This is ideal for use in the morning. The Daily Exfoliating Cleanser, which has a pH level of 5.3, is the gentlest exfoliating cleanser I have ever tried. It contains bamboo stem extract exfoliant and moisturizing ingredients like vitamins B5 and E. This is best used at night after you’ve taken off your makeup with micellar water or cleansing oil.

The Hydrating Eye Cream-Serum with Hyaluronic Acid has a cream-serum formula that absorbs quickly like gel but moisturizes deeply like cream for 24 hours.

It contains niacinamide, plant extracts, vitamin E and licorice extract. This is Cetaphil’s first-ever eye cream and I’m very excited to try it as soon as I’ve consumed the eye cream I am using.

Hyaluronic Acid helps keep skin soft and hydrated. It’s a humectant that helps hydrate skin and maintain that hydration. Niacinamide or vitamin B reduces the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion.

So far, my favorite in the Cetaphil face range is Rich Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid. I just came from a trip to Europe and this was what I used day and night (on top of La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream).

I’m proud to say that I came back from my winter trip with my skin intact (meaning no flakes, rashes or blemishes). I’m still using this at night on top of a serum and I’m liking this so far.

I read somewhere that Hyaluronic Acid holds a thousand times its weight in water to retain all that moisture in our skin and prevent all that moisture from evaporating into the air.

During the launch, Galderma Philippines also introduced actress and singer Toni Gonzaga as the face of Cetaphil’s face range.

Toni, who is married to Director Paul Soriano with whom she has a son, recalled that when she was younger, there was a time that she had a skin-care crisis.

“I tried many products, from low-end to highend. As expected, my skin broke out and I went to my dermatologist, who said I needed to go back to basics and prescribed Cetaphil cleanser,” said the actress.

During the launch at the Garden Pavilion, Grand Hyatt, BGC, Toni said she has been using the Cetaphil face range for 3 to 4 months. She went through all the steps of her skin-care routine.

Toni also shared some of her fitness tips. The actress said she doesn’t eat anything heavy past 5 pm.

“It’s usually soup or a salad. As I’m now in my 30s, I take better care of myself. My advice to everyone is invest in yourself,” she added.

Netflix’s ‘Sex Education’ launches hilariously awkward merchandise line This month of hearts, get ready to fall in love all over again with Sex Education and the students of Moordale High School, as the official merchandise of the Netflix show launches at Case Study Atelier, BGC.

The official merchandise line includes t-shirts, tote bags, pouches, and sweaters with prints that are pop art-inspired and mainly in pastel colors. Graphics and texts such as “fierce,” “complex female characters” and “I don’t do boyfriends,” as well as Moordale Secondary

sweaters and more are among of the many exciting pieces available for sale at the pop-up venue.

The venue is dressed to replicate the theme of the show—fun, bright, sexy and, most important, comical.

Witty games are also ready to be played at the venue for visitors to enjoy. You may also cop the newly released products at The Rail in Glorietta 2, TriNoma, Robinsons Manila, UP Town Center, Festival Mall and Alabang Town Center.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Monday, February 17, 2020

Can Facebook’s Oversight Board Win People’s Trust?

F

Create KPIs That Reflect Your Strategic Priorities

By Graham Kenny

‘W

By Mark Latonero

hat do you think of our scorecard?” asked the CEO of the main roads department of a large Australian state, who had e-mailed me his organization’s scorecard of 29 key performance indicators, or KPIs, to review before a workshop I was to run for them. Unfortunately I could see that, aside from being on the long side, the list was skewed and biased, with large holes that would leave the department vulnerable to underperformance in critical areas.

acebook is a step away from creating its global Oversight Board for content moderation.

While there’s good reason to be skeptical of whether Facebook itself can fix problems like hate speech and disinformation on the platform, we should pay closer attention to how the board proposes to make decisions.

STRUCTURE IS PRIMARY

human-rights principles” and will provide an “analysis of how the board’s decisions have considered or tracked the international human rights implicated by a case.” While the language is slippery, if the board bases its decision-making more explicitly on international human rights, it could gain legitimacy. These rights aren’t defined by Facebook, but by the United Nations’ Universal Declaration on Human Rights, international treaties and human-rights courts.

Still, if the board were to agree to protect all human rights when making decisions, it could lead to novel opinions that could help others grappling with similar challenges. When I spoke with Noah Feldman from Harvard Law School, who came up with the Supreme Court for Facebook concept and advises Mark Zuck-

Tampatra1 | Dreamstime.com

Decisions by Facebook to limit content and speech are often met with intense public criticism.

Facebook wants the Oversight Board to take responsibility for these decisions. However, since Facebook will select the board’s initial slate of international experts, it risks becoming stacked with members who would be too deferential to the company. A more central problem is baked into the foundational charter that states the board “will review content enforcement decisions and determine whether they were consistent with Facebook ’s content policies and values.”

If the board becomes an echo chamber for values dreamed up in Silicon Valley, it will hardly be trusted on the world stage.

The bylaws contain a possible path forward. They say the board will “be guided by relevant

erberg, he imagined that other tech companies might one day bring their predicaments to the Oversight Board if they agreed the decision would be binding.

The more the board limits its scope, however, the more it will

miss the big picture. The board should be fully empowered to make policy recommendations, especially those that may directly challenge the inner workings of Facebook ’s revenue models or News Feed algorithm. If the board

fails to self-govern, it would leave one clear and extremely challenging message for lawmakers: Facebook must be regulated.

Mark Latonero is a Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.

What makes a family business last? We are nowhere near

By John A. Davis

T

persisted over generations despite changing conditions strive for operational excellence, but not exclusively. They also are sk i l led at m ig rat ing to new va lue-creating activ ities and at leaving activities and practices that destroy value. They don’t become stuck in traditional businesses or outmoded practices.

An Owner’s Mindset recognizes the importance of operational excellence, but insists on being in activities that create value (financial, social, relational and reputational) according to the key values of the owners. Those with an Owner’s

Nuthawut Somsuk | Dreamstime.com

he p e r f o r m a n c e e d g e family businesses have over t heir nonfami ly business counterparts has been explained by their dogged pursuit of operational excellence.

Family firms tend to take a longterm view of investments and relationships, stay in ownership control to do things their way, focus on persistent improvement and innovation, develop loyal stakeholder relationships, build key talent in select individuals, carry lower debt and build greater financial stability.

Family companies that have

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© 2020 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp. (Distributed by The New York Times Syndicate)

Mindset ask: Where are we creating value? Where should we invest our financial and human capital? How do we develop leaders and organizations with the right culture? All these questions are rooted in the values of the owners.

To develop and protect an Owner’s Mindset, key owners need to: n Develop family and company missions that focus on creating various kinds of value. n Design activities (an owners’ council, board meetings, conferences, meetings with experts) to gain a high-level view of firm and family assets, as well as changes in the size and nature of the family and its activities. n Develop an integrated plan for the family and its enterprise over time. n Develop family and nonfamily talent to support value creation. n Move thoughtfully into new growth opportunities by learning to experiment. n Challenge businesses and other activ ities that destroy value but remain because of old attachments. n Detach from businesses, i nv e s t me nt s , p r a c t i c e s a nd people that aren’t adding value.

If there is anything that families in business have to be good at in these disruptive times, it’s letting go of what isn’t working.

John A. Davis leads the family enterprise programs at the M.I.T. Sloan School of Management.

stakeholder capitalism

By Vijay Govindarajan & Anup Srivastava

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f you read the headlines coming from the 2020 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, you may start believing that public corporations have fundamentally changed their raison d ’être: from creating value for shareholders to benefiting society at large. In our opinion, this conclusion is premature.

It i s u n c l e a r h o w t h e s e praiseworthy objectives would be achieved without a unified f ra mework for e va lu at i ng a firm’s performance that combines financial and nonfinancial measures. No such framework yet exists, while a few have been proposed. So, how likely is it that a CEO would get up one day and suddenly change his or her focus from revenues, profits and stock prices toward wider environmental, social and governance, or ESG, goals? Some CEOs might, but for most, the predominant objective would continue to be to ma x imize shareholder value while keeping ESG objectives in mind, instead of the other way around.

Change also appears unlikely when you consider how businesses are funded and held accountable. Firms are funded by entrepreneurs by way of ideas and capita l; these entrepreneurs are later joined by second-

stage investors, public investors and banks—all of whom expect to be rewarded with financial returns. Government-mandated accounting systems, audits and financial disclosures are principally created with shareholders in mind.

T he summar y net income during a financial year is calculated based on the increase in a firm’s potential to pay dividends to shareholders, not its contribution to society. As far as the balance sheet is concerned, shareholders’ net worth equals book value of assets minus the book value of liabilities, not the value of ESG investments.

While we admit that considerable progress has been made in developing theory, models and disclosure norms for ESG objectives, we believe that we are nowhere close to achieving “integrated reporting,” as some people might claim.

CEOs continue to be fired for missing earnings targets. The Fortune 500 list continues to be based on revenues, profits and assets. As we praise the efforts of the Business Roundtable and the World Economic Forum, let’s not ignore just how much more needs to be done.

Vijay Govindarajan is a professor at Dartmouth. Anup Srivastava holds a research chair and is an associate professor at the University of Calgary.

I started with this fundamental question: Does the score card follow a key stakeholder structure? Organizations operate in environments defined by their key stakeholders. In fact, an organization is only as strong as its weakest link within its group of key stakeholders. That’s why I tell clients that “measuring performance is measuring relationships.”

APPLYING THE TEST

What the executive team had done was to break the organization into six programs. No mention of stakeholders. So, who are the key stakeholders of a main roads department? I happened to know the answer, since I had worked with an executive team in an identical organization in another state on the very same exercise. Here’s the result: road users, local government, affected community, service providers, central agencies and employees.

NOTE THE IMPACT

I categorized the main roads department’s 29 KPIs against the six key stakeholders and came up with startling results. Sixteen of the KPIs related to one stakeholder: road users. There were no KPIs for three key stakeholder groups: local government, affected community and employees.

CREATE THE SCORECARD

The first step, clearly, is to identify the key stakeholders of your organization or strategic business unit. Understand that your relationship with each is a two-way street, then develop measures on both sides of those relationships. On the other side of a relationship, look for the factors that make your organization competitive from the stakeholder’s perspective.

At the main roads department, I organized the 42 managers participating into groups focused on each of the six stakeholders we had identified, and they came up with an initial list of around 30 measures per stakeholder, for a total of around 180. The executive team selected just two or three per stakeholder group to end up with a balanced list of 17 KPIs. If you truly care about tracking the metrics critical to your group or organization’s success, I would recommend doing the same exercise.

Graham Kenny is managing director of Strategic Factors, a Sydney-based consultancy.

Education BusinessMirror

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Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Gatchalian backs PHL taking Pisa but sees no need to rush

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By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

en. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture, sees bright prospects for the Philippines taking part in the novel Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), but cautioned against rushing it.

“Good news,” Gatchalian told reporters after conducting a Senate hearing on the new program.

“Reforms are being started on what we can do in order to increase our ranking in Pisa,” Gatchalian said in Filipino.

For the first time, the Philippines in 2018 joined the Pisa, a program of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as part of the Quality Basic Education reform plan and a step toward globalizing the quality of Philippine basic education.

Released on December 3, 2019, the 2018 Pisa results revealed that the Philippines scored 353 in Mathematics, 357 in Science, and 340 in Reading, all below the average of participating OECD countries.

With the Pisa results also reflecting the learners’ performance in the National Achievement Test, the Department of Education (DepEd) recognizes the urgency of addressing issues and gaps in attaining quality of basic education in the Philippines, it said in its web site.

Gatchalian said that what is important is the performance of students. “It is important that they are getting intelligent and getting better.”

Citing the need for curriculum reform, Gatchalian said there is the need to address congestion.

“The curriculum is very congested.

On the average the schoolchildren are taught 300 competencies,” he said.

Moreover, the senator noted that with only 200 schooldays, which means “one competency per day [which is more than what the schoolchildren can take].”

“For the schoolchildren, that is difficult to absorb. One of the reforms the DepEd is doing, to which I agree, is decongesting the curriculum to make education better and attractive to children,” he said.

Asked about his recommendation for those taking Pisa next year, Gatchalian explained: “Since reforms are just being started, with curriculum and teachers’ training, it will take time [to improve the students’ performance in Pisa].”

He no t e d t h at t h e f i r s t implementation of the enhanced curriculum is set to start this

coming June.

He added: “There is not enough t i me bec au se t he ne x t P i s a w i l l be in Ma rc h ne x t yea r.

It will take time to make the schoolchildren learn and absorb the new curriculum.”

He recommended that the country should not take the Pisa next year to give time for the curriculum reform and for its implementation.

He said the DepEd officials are now discussing their options. “In fact, the DepEd management is discussing if we still have to take the Pisa or not.”

One Pisa exam costs $1 million or P50 million. “So it is not cheap.

That is why if we will not make reforms, I’m sure the result of [the country’s] Pisa rating next year will be the sane as last year’s,” he said.

The senator said there is no need to rush. “We can save the $1 million and use it for research, and other concerns that we need to correct. It has the support of the Senate in terms of budget. We increase the budget every year. We should study the 2021 Pisa and just take the next Pisa, or after three years, in 2024.”

Participating students from different schools are taking their written exams at Jose Rizal Elementary School in Pasay City.

2020 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd math challenge begins

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or e t han 450,000 st udent s t rooped to 2,000 testing centers nationwide to participate in the elimination rounds of the 2020 Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC) on January 17 and 18.

The first leg of the competition accommodated a total of 30,094 public and private schools nationwide.

MMC is an annual mathematics competition aimed at raising the competitiveness of elementary and high-school students. It is the longest-running math com-

petition in the country.

For 2020 MMC, all top scorers in the elimination rounds and division finals for both Grade 6 and Grade 10 shall automatically qualify for the region finals, and that no hurdle rate is required.

The Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979, by Dr. George S. K. Ty, 16 years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. MBFI env isions to be t he cou nt r y ’s prem ier cor porate phi lant hropic found ation contributing a significant impact on social development.

Done with homework: More than 250 UAE schools cancel it

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UBAI, United Arab Emirates—Students at more than 250 government-run schools in the United Arab Emirates are officially done with homework.

The National newspaper reports that, starting next week, the Education Ministry is abolishing homework in public schools in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to help students make the most of their time in school, and have more time for other activities and their families after school.

Other countries, like Finland, have had success with less homework, which proponents argue allows children more time to think creatively and play outdoors.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, field questions to Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones during the public hearing on Programme for International Student Assessment. Roy Domingo

13,000 public schools taught proper nutrition, healthy habits

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estle Philippines reported a 15-percent increase in nutrition knowledge among students in 13,000 schools nationwide following the SY 2018-2019 implementation of the Nestle Wellness Campus program, a continuing joint initiative with the Department of Education (DepEd).

Now on its seventh year, the program has reached over 200,000 teachers, 7.8 million students and 4.7 million parents nationwide.

Nestle Wellness Campus is a nutrition education activity in Philippine public schools which is embedded in DepEd’s Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health curriculum.

Currently widely implemented in the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Bicol and Central Visayas regions, the program imparts to Grades 1 to 10 public-school pupils and students, and their parents the importance of choosing healthier food and drink options, as well as engaging in physical activities and family mealtimes to promote healthy habits among students.

Apart from nutrition education for students, custom dance exercises became part of the school routine.

Expanded nutrition modules were cascaded to parents in the larger school community to ensure that what is being taught to children is also applied at home.

Schools are also encouraged to implement their own individual projects through the interschool, inter-region competition.

Some notable examples include providing more nutritious options in their cafeterias, starting up school gardens and providing clean drinking water for their student population.

Studies on the program showed 100-percent application of the program’s expanded nutrition modules among students and parents, following the 2018-2019 school year implementation.

These were based on Nestle’s Healthy Habits, including choosing nutritious and varied options, portion management, drinking water, active play and enjoying meals together.

Students showed a marked improvement in their nutrition behavior choosing to eat health-

ier food and increasing water intake.

Best of all, parents responded that they began preparing healthier meals for their families at home guided by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s Pinggang Pinoy.

“Our dream is to encourage more, and more Filipino children and their families to lead happier, and healthier, lives through proper nutrition. Over the last seven years, we are proud of the inroads that the Nestle Wellness Campus program has achieved in moving the needle in the right direction among students and their parents,” said Nestle’s Corporate Affairs Director Ernie Mascenon.

“We are working with our partners at the Department of Education to expand the program to more areas as we join forces with other like-minded organizations to help alleviate malnutrition.”

The Nestle Wellness Campus is a banner program under the larger corporate Nestle for Healthier Kids initiative, which aims to help 50 million children across the globe lead healthier lives by 2030.

The decision impacts 23 schools in Dubai, and 233 in Abu Dhabi.

As part of the changes, there will be no breaks between classes, which will stretch 90 minutes long for teaching, mental stimulation and practical activities.

The length of the school day will remain unchanged.

The National reported last week that some parents are happy about the changes, but others are worried their children will end up spending more time watching videos and playing games on devices.

Government-run schools in the UAE are free for all Emirati children, and open to foreign residents for a fee. AP

UE Caloocan Week 2020 to offer college entrance test for free

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he Caloocan Campus of the University of the East (UE) is inviting Grade 12 students of any school to take the UE College Entrance Test (UE-CET) for free from February 18 to 21 through the UE Caloocan Admissions Office.

This is in line with the celebration of UE Caloocan Week 2020, whose overall theme is “Rise On!” Applicants for the free UE-CET can apply online via www.UE.edu. ph/onlineadmission.

They must submit the following to the UE Caloocan Admissions Office: 1) a short bond paper

printout of their completed application form; 2) two pieces of their 2x2 latest ID photo (with white background); 3) Grade 12 school ID (for presentation only); and 4) a photocopy of the Grade 12 Card (featuring their first-semester or third-quarter grades) for the scholarship exam, if they would qualify.

Outside of UE Caloocan Week, the UE-CET can be taken through the Admissions Office of UE Manila and UE Caloocan on non-holiday Mondays to Saturdays. The students have to be in by 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. on their selected test date.

Among UE’s scholarship pro-

FOLK DANCING During their Physical Education class, Grade 8 students from the science curriculum of Santiago City National High School in Santiago City, Isabela, practice folk dancing on stage. Guided by their teacher, both male and female students will soon perform in colorful costumes. NONIE PERANTE II

grams are the University President Scholarship (UPS), College Scholarship and President Francisco Dalupan Sr. Scholarship (PFDS).

Students who have outstanding sports skills may qualify for the UE Athletic Service Grant, while those with cultural-artistic talent may qualify for the UE Cultural Service Grant.

Inquiries are welcome via the UE Caloocan Admissions Office at telephones 8-367-4572 local 160 or 8-3674787, or the UE Manila Admissions Office via telephone 8-735-5471 to 82 local 398 or 399, or 8-735-8577.

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Monday, February 17, 2020 E3

Communicating in the midst of a health emergency: Lessons being learned from the COVID-19 crisis PR Matters

By Karen Alparce-Villanueva

THE novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is still a continuing health crisis as this article is being written. At first, there were only snippets of information of an emerging virus as early as December 2019. Unfortunately, when the source of the virus is a huge country like China where media is shackled and dissent is punished, the medical community was severely censored even if they had raised concerns about the disease.

All these happened just before the Chinese New Year, when the country traditionally goes on a mass exodus to their home provinces or to different parts of the world. It seemed more expeditious to wait after the festivities and everything was done to contain the news but not the spread of the disease. So at 2 a.m. on January 23, authorities in Wuhan imposed a lockdown on the city, and two days later, 14 cities in Hubei province were brought in the quarantine zone.

The population of Hubei is 35 million, and to quote Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert from Vanderbilt University, “the lockdown is a public health experiment, the scale of which has not been done before.” For all intents and purposes, the situation was ripe for a global emergency.

Misinformation was also quick to spread

Ahead of the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement of January 30, there was a proliferation of inaccurate information which was difficult to discern by the ordinary person.

I, personally, had to verify the information with Dr. Edsel Salvana, infectious disease expert from the National Institutes of Health of UP Manila, who was quick to advise that the post of another doctor “was a mix of facts, unverified assertions and pseudoscience.” Thankfully, that post was deleted but not after it was shared and reshared,

Campaign Spotlight: Geometry Encompass pays gratitude to ‘Invisible’ Heroes of Magh Mela with Omnigel’s Rahat Ratan Mumbai—Geometry Encompass, India’s largest experiential marketing agency and a part of WPP Group, has conceptualized a one of a kind on-ground activation for Omnigel—India’s No.1 pain recovery gel from the house of Cipla Health.

Acknowledging the spirit of the helpers and workers at the Magh Mela, an annual gathering of Hindu pilgrims, the campaign highlights their selfless service, while equipping them with a unique solution that facilitates them with Omnigel to recover from everyday pain.

The annual event is held in the pristine city of Allahabad which hosts millions of devotees. The large gathering is managed by arduous efforts of policemen, boats-men, cleanliness crew and volunteers who come together to make the event a grand success.

While the devotees perform their religious duties at their own convenience, it is the Sahayaks that exhibit selfless devotion by making it easier for others to find salvation. Through this activation, Geometry Encompass throws

light upon these true “Ratans,” jewels, of Magh Mela, helpers and workers, hidden in plain sight by bringing out their story and recognising their efforts.

Geometry Encompass envisaged Rahat Ratan—an amulet holding the pain recovery gel that is being facilitated to the workers to wear around their neck. Giving them easy access to Omnigel at the very moment of pain. The activation also involves a support system facility called “Dard Mukti Kendra,” Pain Recovery Centers, to distribute Rahat Ratan to Sahayaks. These centers also have a team of licensed physiotherapists that recommend Sahayaks stretching exercises for pain relief.

Commenting on the campaign Shivam Puri, CEO, Cipla Health said, “We feel privileged to be a part of the Magh Mela, and to have the opportunity to service the undeterred Sahayaks. Our initiative aimed at generating greater awareness about the brand and informing a larger audience about its multidisciplinary uses, especially the community that usually suffer from body pain but end up overlooking it due to lack of knowledge. We are happy that we could be their friend all through the mela.”

Madhurya Alankaar, creative group head, Geometry Encompass, talking about the campaign, said—“Inspired by ornaments, keeping in mind the cultural significance a Ratan holds in every Indian’s life. Rahat Ratan serves as

Edita Meskoniene | Dreamstime.com

News blackout contributed to the spread of the disease

and taken for truth. Sadly, our people would rather believe the forwarded texts and viber messages than check the Department of Health (DOH) and WHO web sites, FB and Twitter pages.

Various stories asking for sympathy for the Chinese also found their way in social media which further heightened the online discussion because many felt that the concern for maintaining good relations was taking precedence above the health and safety of Filipinos.

Social media buzz increased in intensity when countries started imposing travel restrictions on flights to and from China. At this time, there was clamor for government to impose the same, knowing fully well the country’s special relationship with China.

On January 30 ,after a meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee on International health regulations, the WHO director general declared that the outbreak of 2019-nCoV constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

At this point, when the global health authority makes an announcement raising the risk and countries one after the other announce travel restrictions, you can be sure that the public’s

an innovative medium of sampling and ensures that Omnigel is always available in times of need for our real-life heroes, Sahayaks.” Adding to this, Sandeep Gaur, associate creative director, said—“It was pivotal we bring out the Sayahaks’ contributions within the journey of devotees in its natural environment, and this is what we have tried encapsulating in our film.”

Utsav Parekh, business director, Geometry Encompass, says, “The campaign is conceptualized in a way that addresses what is less obvious to the eyes. We wanted to appreciate the real heroes of a massive rural event, like the Magh Mela. We and the brand, both believe in the power of storytelling and connecting with our consumers on a deeper level.

It is all about using a platform to bring about a change, both from awareness, as well as an application perspective.”

The entire campaign has been further encapsulated into a digital film, which gives a firsthand experience of Magh Mela to the viewers showcasing the true spirit of Sahayaks and the impact the Rahat Ratan is making in enabling their everyday.

Film: D.O.L.E., FDCP Sign Landmark Agreement on the Working Conditions, Safety and Health of Audiovisual Workers MANILA, Philippines—Set working hours, social welfare benefits and the “no contract,

anxiety level will increase.

On Saturday, February 1, our government finally announced the travel ban and, soon after, the first death outside China was reported as a 44-year-old man who traveled to the Philippines with a companion, a 38-year-old woman who also tested positive for COVID-19.

Why misinformation is harmful

The misinformation ranged from outright fake news of supposed COVID-19 victims just dropping on the street to health advice that the Philippines is unlikely to be affected due to our warm climate to taking garlic as a cure. The speed by which the misinformation spread was so fast on social media that DOH continued to plead with the public to only get their information from them. The danger of misinformation was that it gave rise to irrational behavior either because of anxiety, a sense of complacency, and even anger. It didn’t help that the fake news machines were also working overtime fueling the confusion.

For the ordinary person, it was an effort to vet the information. Health literacy is low and there are few efforts to promote this. This crisis highlighted the importance of teaching people

no work” policy for members of the audiovisual industry are just some of the improvements that will be implemented soon, thanks to the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) signed by the heads of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) on February 7, Friday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, and FDCP Chairman and CEO Liza Diño joined forces to formalize JMC 1, Series of 2020, on the guidelines governing the working conditions, and occupational safety and health of workers in the audiovisual production. The JMC will take effect after 15 days following its complete publication in two national newspapers of general circulation, and its filing of three copies with the Office of the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center.

“We thank the FDCP for signing with us itong landmark agreement that will provide our people in the industry safe and wholesome workplaces para hindi na maulit ang nangyari kay Eddie Garcia,” remarked Bello during the historic signing at the OSEC Conference Room of the DOLE Building in Intramuros, Manila. Bello was referring to the unfortunate death of film and television icon Garcia, whom the labor secretary regarded as the greatest in the film industry. Garcia passed away on June 20, 2019, after suffering a neck injury while on the set, which

where to check health facts and data so they need not mindlessly forward information.

Communicate with clarity, authority and empathy

In the WHO web site, the current risk assessment status of COVID-19 is Very High for China, and High for both regional and global. The public health emergency continues to unfold and it is imperative that timely, accurate and succinct communication is given to the people.

Some observations and suggestions for our leaders:

n Put massive resources behind the DOH by hiring the best scientists, disease surveillance experts, consultants, and talents to manage the situation. It takes the perspective of an outsider to provide a counter view since the bureaucracy may tend to just anticipate what the secretary wants to hear. Get other government agencies and professional groups involved—Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and the academe, and from these, identify spokesmen who are effective and credible, and who can multiply the messaging.

caused him to fall into coma.

Diño, who agreed with Bello, noted that the groundwork for creating the JMC began even before the untimely death of Garcia. “But I would say malaking bagay talaga, unfortunate as it was, that it was through his death, pero parang nagising ang lahat,” she said. The FDCP chairman then regarded the JMC as a labor of love, particularly the love for the audiovisual industry. “Hindi po mabubuo ito kung wala lahat ng mga nagtulung-tulong. Kaya Sec. Bello at ang lahat ng nasa DOLE, maraming, maraming salamat,” she uttered.

Among those in attendance during the JMC signing were Labor Undersecretaries Ana Dione and Benjo Bernavidez, Labor Assistant Secretary Teresita Cucueco, FDCP Film Philippines Office Executive Director David Fabros, Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon or Actors Guild of the Philippines member of the board of directors (Ex-Officio) Rez Cortez, former Film Academy of the Philippines Director General Leo Martinez, and singersongwriter-actor Ice Seguerra.

Attendees were emotional during the signing because finally, changes will happen to protect the rights of audiovisual filmmakers. Diño shared, “Today is very historic kasi the closest that we ever got to having this was a labor advisory. A labor advisory just enjoins or encourages, but it never really sets rules. So ito, may karampatang penalties.

Atsaka iba rin kasi ‘yung merong

n Take charge and be proactive—Equip the government with the communication tools necessary to be successful. Find more effective spokesmen who can reach the masses with easyto-understand messages. Brief the other government bureaucrats, the Senate so they will be enablers rather than blockers.

Be more inclusive and reach out to your different stakeholders. Learn from the continuous release of AVPs similar to what Singapore is doing. The message from their prime minister was reassuring and factual. n Measure public sentiment and calibrate responses—Do a quick focus group discussion (FGD) to assess the sentiments of the public, the health-care community, doctors, nurses and allied workers, and tailor messages to address these. Do an assessment after and calibrate messages if needed. Act swiftly and with purpose. n Provide media resources that are helpful, accurate and timely. Be accessible. n Communicate what government is doing for the patients, families and health-care workers—Gather stories from the field and find ways to reward and recognize the unsung heroes.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association, the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Karen Alparce-Villanueva is a member of Ipra; patient advocate; board member of International Alliance of Patient Organizations, board member of Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations; and former PhilHealth board member, and consultant, of the DOH Health Promotions and Communications Services Unit.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

masasandalan ‘yung mga workers natin na patakaran para sa proteksyon nila.”

Many years in the making

The FDCP head went on to detail how the JMC came about.

“Napakatagal po nang hinintay namin para po marating itong pagkakataong ito,” she began.

“This day is not only the victory and joy of FDCP but ‘yung mga nandito ngayon na matagal na pong nagsulong nito. Gusto ko pong ibigay sa kanila ang pasasalamat dahil sila ang nag-umpisa nang pagsulong nitong guidelines para proteskyunan ang ating mga manggagawa. Sir Rez Cortez, Sir Leo Martinez and the rest of the Actors Guild of the Philippines, lahat ng guilds, the Film Academy of the Philippines, maraming, maraming salamat po for your relentless efforts.”

She also thanked her husband, Seguerra, her policy team composed of Apple Barbero and Rachelle Villaluna, Fabros and the FDCP National Registry Unit.

“This is a historic moment for the film industry, and the celebration of the 100 years of Philippine cinema. Napakalaking regalo po ito para sa aming mga manggagawa.”

Cucueco of DOLE echoed, “This has been many years in the making. We have lobbied for this, and it is now that we see the fruition of all of these efforts.

All stakeholders have worked together so that the audiovisual industry will have the optimum working conditions, safety and health for its workers.”

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MONDELEZ PHILIPPINES

CALLS FOR SUSTAINABLE SNACKING AND A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

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By Leony R. Garcia

BRAND is successful when it has withstood the test of time, and for years has become a household name. That is when one needs or thinks of a product, the brand automatically comes to mind and is the preferred choice among others.

Among many Filipinos and millions of consumers around the world, a cheese spread would mean Cheez Whiz and an instant orange drink would translate to Tang. Meanwhile, most overseas Filipinos would prefer Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk for chocolate ‘pasulubong’ to their families and loved ones back home.

Of course, the most popular cookie, Oreo, has also become the main ingredient of merienda as well as various milk teas, sundaes, shakes and cold coffee mixes. Known for its playful cookie moments especially among young children, it has even recently set the new Guinness World Records title with 5,066 people dunking cookies simultaneously all over the world.

In the Philippines, no one is happier than Ashish Pisharodi, the Country Director of Mondelez Philippines, Inc., for these positive developments. Mondelez Philippines is the maker of the abovementioned and beloved products Tang, Eden Cheese and Cheez Whiz. The Company has long been a leader in the powdered beverage and cheese categories in the country with these brands. More recently however, the Company has been gaining more ground in the broader snacking market, with its strong brands like Oreo, Tiger, Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk.

Ashish, or Ash as he is fondly called, is the Country Director, a position he has held since 2015. The Philippines operation includes Com-

mercial Functions as well as Manufacturing at the facility located in Sucat, Parañaque.

Ashish is single-mindedly focused on making bold moves to transform Mondelez Philippines into the best and most-loved snacking company in the Philippines, an agenda where remarkable progress has already been achieved in the last few years. The Company has also risen to become the #1 chocolates manufacturer in Modern Trade in the country (Nielsen Retail Data Full Year 2019).

Ashish says it’s a great blessing for the Company to have earned the consumers’ trust over the years. “It really makes us proud and grateful that we provide our consumers with something they enjoy. They reciprocate the love, and thereby make our products leaders in many categories,” he said. But more than anything else, Ashish said, the Company’s focus would always be on “Snacking Made Right”: To provide consumers with the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way.

Ashish knows the organization well, having held various formative and leadership roles across India and the Philippines over almost 20 years. He joined the Company in 2000 as the Head of Trade Marketing for India. After 11 years in various roles in India, he moved to the Philippines in 2011 as Sales Director. He was subsequently Director for Sales and Strategy for the Philippines and then went on to run the Meals Category, including Eden

and Cheez Whiz, as Category Director for South East Asia, before he was appointed the Country Director.

Mindful Snacking and Well-Being Snacks

“GLOBALLY, people are increasingly interested in well-being for themselves and for their families.

People are interested in and are more attuned to the connection between what they eat and their feeling of wellness. Their preferences are evolving, and they are demanding a more holistic approach to their well-being, which goes beyond just physical well-being,” he shares about the Company’s direction.

That’s why at Mondelēz International globally, Ashish said, the goal is to be a global leader in mindful and sustainable snacking. Helping people mindfully enjoy the snacks they love and stay in physical and emotional balance is the Company’s primary mission. Since 2013, the company has evolved its well-being portfolio approach to address those areas that are important to consumers: removing what they don’t want and adding more of what they do.

For instance, Mondelez Philippines locally has worked to reduce the sugar content of Tang, which now offers among the lowest sugar per 200 ml serving among beverages sold in the market.

And to continue to inspire Filipinos to snack mindfully, the company offers snacks with 200 kcal or less like Cadbury Dairy Milk 15g bar, Cadbury 5Star 15g bar, Mini Oreo pouch packs 23g, Oreo 3-piece packs 28g, and belVita single 20g among others.

“These are portion controlled packs, which means meeting specific Nutrition Requirements, with energy less than 200 kcal per serving and individually pre-portioned packs, which help consumers to snack mindfully. Consumers today no longer want to choose between snacking and eating right.” Ashish explained.

The company continues to redesign the snacking experience by evolving its portfolio and renovating the nutrition and ingredient profile of its bestselling brands. “We’re also growing our well-being brands faster than our base portfolio each year globally and innovating snacks for the future,” Ashish said.

“Globally too we work to ensure our prod-

“

We live up to our purpose: sustainable snacking. It is about creating a future where people and planet thrive by creating resilient ingredient supply chains, reducing our environmental impact and developing zero-net waste packaging. ucts are not only delicious but are made with ingredients that are sustainably sourced, produced and delivered, with positive impact along the supply chain,” he added.

A Delicious Career at Mondelez Philippines

A visit at the Company’s manufacturing facility in Parañaque gives this writer a deja vu of childhood dreams. The well-manicured garden is complete with colorful concrete seats made to look like Oreo biscuits, Eden cheese, and Toblerone, among others. Perhaps this refreshing environment mir-

rors the culture inside the Company. As Ashish shares, he said he finds it fulfilling whenever the Company dedicates time for family gatherings especially on special occasions like Christmas. “Almost every one of our 450 employees were here last Christmas, sharing foods, gifts, and happy moments with one another. It’s always a great experience for all of us. We also recognized loyal employees who have been with us for 5, 10, 20 years and so on,” he said.

Not known to many, one of Ashish’s ‘first missions’ as Country Director was to evolve further the Joy Schools program, to teach public school students along with their parents and teachers the value of a nutritious and balanced meal.

“We actually started off with a feeding program within the communities where we do business. We prepared meals for the kids and found out that the children kept coming back to school regularly because of the rice meal. Later, we learned that what we were giving them was pretty much the only decent, proper meal they are having for the day! So that’s how we started and eventually we taught the parents to prepare the right meal for their kids as well as the many little ways for them to earn and fend for their children,” Ashish reminisced.

And that simple program rose to become the company’s flagship CSR program across South East Asia. These days with the Joy Schools, Mondelez Philippines now partners with government agencies, and NGOs to provide quality, sturdy plastic play areas made of recycled plastic waste and packages, to select public schools. The latest beneficiary would be a school in Quezon City where the recycled plastic slide would be turned over this first quarter of 2020.

Moving on, Mondelez Philippines has also responded to the global call to save Mother Earth via a long-term vision for zero-net waste packaging.

Mondelez Philippines Commits to Recycling with PARMS

MONDELEZ Philippines joined the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS) in support of the company’s global commitment to make all their packaging recyclable by 2025.

PARMS is a multi-stakeholder coalition con-

sisting of members across the waste management value chain. It is premised on developing and implementing a holistic and comprehensive program to increase resource recovery and reduce landfill dependence, leading towards a zero waste Philippines.

Mondelez Philippines joined PARMS together with other corporations in the country to invest in a Php 25-M residual plastic recycling facility that will address the need to recycle plastics. To date PARMS has partnered with the Parañaque local government which will serve as the pilot site for the recycling program. Collection of plastic waste through seven schools in the City has already begun. These plastic wastes will be turned into recycled building bricks, which will be turned over to the schools for their use in facilities improvement.

With more than half a century of business operations in the country—57 to be exact— Mondelez Philippines has indeed provided Filipinos the well-loved snack products known all over the world, as well as the culture of mindful snacking.

Apart from this, the company has also worked to help protect the well-being of the planet. This includes continuous reduction of the Company’s use of water and energy, and carbon emissions.

In addition, the Company works to reduce the waste it creates through its manufacturing.

To date, 98% of the total waste generated from its Sucat, Parañaque plant are either recyclable or recycled, such as glass bottles or paper cartons. It also works with 3rd party partners to use product waste for animal feeds. Inside their plant, there is also a materials recovery facility (MRF) which properly handles, segregates and shreds any packaging waste and sent to a cement-industry partner.

The company also vows to eliminate 65 million kg of packaging material worldwide. “We live up to our purpose: sustainable snacking. It is about creating a future where people and planet thrive by creating resilient ingredient supply chains, reducing our environmental impact and developing zero-net waste packaging. We’re producing our snacks with less energy, water and waste; and sourcing our ingredients more sustainably,” the Country Director concluded.