BusinessMirror February 20, 2021

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The Navy responds to China’s ‘fire at will’ law in West Philippine Sea by deploying its recently acquired war ships

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By Rene Acosta

ORE warships have been deployed to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as part of the Philippine Navy’s continued maritime operations in the disputed area to ensure the safety and security of Filipino fishermen who make a living in the territory that China claims, following the operation of Beijing’s controversial Coast Guard law.

The additional ships were sent to the WPS following the orders of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana to the military to increase its presence and visibility in the resource-rich waters of WPS, a traditional fishing ground for Filipinos. This, in the aftermath of the issuance of the Chinese communist government edict to shoot at foreign vessels even in maritime waters that it is contesting.

“The Navy [has] deployed a sufficient number of ships in order to protect our interests in the WPS,” Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo told the BusinessMirror. He had even said earlier that they will not be deterred in carrying out their mandated duties in that area before Sobejana ordered the increased presence of the military there.

“The sovereignty patrols were increased as per direction of the CSAFP [Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines] to ensure that our fishermen and their livelihood are protected in the area,” Bacordo said.

BACORDO: “The Navy [has] deployed a sufficient number of ships in order to protect our interests in the WPS.”

No ‘significant’ changes “AS to the situation in the WPS, no significant changes were observed,” Bacordo said, apparently referring to the security situation and the presence of Chinese paramilitary and military ships in the waters that are part of China’s expansive and overlapping maritime claims.

In ordering the military’s in-

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.4050

THE South Korean-built BRP Jose Rizal steams toward Hawaii from Subic Bay’s Alava Wharf, where it was christened and commissioned into service. SBMA

creased visibility in the WPS, Sobejana ordered the deployment of the Navy’s newest assets for maritime patrol operations there, including the BRP Jose Rizal, the brand-new frigate the Navy acquired from South Korea and is capable in four dimensions of warfare—anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine and electronic.

Jose Rizal’s sister ship, soon to be officially christened into the Navy’s service as BRP Antonio Luna, was also acquired from South Korea, and is expected to join the patrols in the WPS. However, the military is not only making itself visible in the WPS, but even in the country’s maritime waters, including in the northern portion of the country, which, according to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, is also covered by Jose Rizal, the Antonio Luna and other bigger vessels of the Navy.

“That will be one of their duties, but the West Philippine Sea is not the only area that they will patrol. We have the Sulu seas where we are also very concerned about the egress and ingress of terrorists from Sabah and Indonesia,” Lorenzana recently told one of ANC’s public affairs shows.

“We also have the Benham

Rise and the East Philippine Sea, which are also vast; we need also huge vessels because of the turbulent seas there. Smaller ships cannot work there, so we need bigger ships,” the defense chief pointed out.

Possible ‘miscalculations’ 1 Another new study THE country’s vast maritime territory, according to Lorenzana, makes necessary for the Navy to acquire additional vessels under the military’s modernization program.

China’s authorization for its Coast Guard to fire at vessels— even in waters claimed by others— and smash structures in islets and features it disputes has prompted the military to step up its patrol, both for maritime security and the protection of Filipino fishermen.

Lorenzana earlier raised concern that the law could lead to a direct confrontation in waters by way of a miscalculation, a belief shared by Sobejana also earlier.

“The miscalculations involve warships, naval ships, coast guard ships, because the Chinese have deployed quite a number of coast guard ships and maritime militia ships in the South China Sea, excluding their naval ships,” Lorenzana said.

The huge number of ships had

been predicted way back in 2012 by the then Navy flag officer in command, Alexander Pama. Pointing to a report by Jane’s Defence Weekly, he noted that Beijing had drawn up a security blueprint that entailed the deployment, over six to 10 years, of an increasing number of coast guard vessels and militia ships, warning in an interview that this indicated a calibrated move to steadily stretch its power over the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the miscalculation that experts warn about could also pit China against the United States and other modern navies, which are involved in patrols in the South China Sea in order to keep it open, both for international navigation and overflight, and whose effects Lorenzana fears.

The miscalculation, he said, could happen “between other na-

tions like the US and other countries who would like to patrol in the area.”

If China shoots any Filipino vessel, the Philippines’s 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the US will automatically come into full operation. The Philippines, under the same pact, is also obligated to assist the US if it goes into a shooting war with Chinese forces.

By all accounts, most analysts see the ramped up presence by both China and the US is mostly an exercise in projecting power. Still, most experts concede that a miscalculation is always possible and this part of the world could become a powder keg in the worst possible scenario. It’s a scenario no one, least of all the thousands of fishermen who have lived off the sea for the longest time, would want to be caught in.

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A2 Saturday, February 20, 2021

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EXPLAINER

Why the power grid failed in Texas and beyond

By David Koenig & Michael Liedtke

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The Associated Press

ALLAS—The power outages tormenting Texas in uncharacteristically Arctic temperatures are exposing weaknesses in an electricity system designed when the weather’s seasonal shifts were more consistent and predictable—conditions that most experts believe no longer exist.

This isn’t just happening in Texas, of course. Utilities from Minnesota to Mississippi have imposed rolling blackouts to ease the strain on electrical grids buckling under high demand during the past few days. And power outages have become a rite of summer and autumn in California, partly to reduce the chances of deadly wildfires.

But the fact more than 3 million bone-chilled Texans have lost their electricity in a state that takes pride in its energy independence underscores the gravity of a problem that is occurring in the US with increasing frequency.

WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS?

PLUNGING temperatures caused Texans to turn up their heaters, including many inefficient electric ones. Demand spiked to levels normally seen only on the hottest summer days, when millions of air conditioners run at full tilt.

The state has a generating capacity of about 67,000 megawatts (MW) in the winter compared with a peak capacity of about 86,000 (MW) in the summer. The gap between the winter and summer supply reflects power plants going offline for maintenance during months when demand typically is less intense and there’s not as much energy coming from wind and solar sources.

But planning for this winter didn’t imagine temperatures cold enough to freeze natural gas supply lines and stop wind turbines from spinning. By Wednesday, 46,000 MW of power were offline statewide—28,000 from natural gas, coal and nuclear plants and 18,000 from wind and solar, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which operates the state’s power grid.

“Every one of our sources of power supply underperformed,” Daniel Cohan, an associate pro-

SNOW and ice grips a neighborhood in East Austin on February 16, 2021. Day six of the statewide freeze and still millions of Texans are without power. AP

WHEN DO THEY OCCUR?

fessor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University in Houston, tweeted. “Every one of them is vulnerable to extreme weather and climate events in

CARLOS MANDEZ waits in line to fill his propane tanks on February 17, 2021, in Houston.

Customers had to wait over an hour in the freezing rain to fill their tanks. Millions in Texas still had no power after a historic snowfall and single-digit temperatures created a surge of demand for electricity to warm up homes unaccustomed to such extreme lows, buckling the state’s power grid and causing widespread blackouts. AP

different ways. None of them were adequately weatherized or prepared for a full realm of weather and conditions.”

The staggering imbalance between Texas’s energy supply and demand also caused prices to skyrocket from roughly $20 per megawatt hour to $9,000 per megawatt hour in the state’s freewheeling wholesale power market.

That raised questions whether some power generators who buy in the wholesale market may have had a profit motive to avoid buying more natural gas and simply shut down instead.

“We can’t speculate on people’s motivations in that way,” said Bill Magness, CEO of ERCOT. He added he had been told by generators that they were doing everything possible to provide power.

WHY WASN’T THE STATE PREPARED?

GAS-FIRED plants and wind turbines can be protected against winter weather—it’s done routinely in colder, northern states.

The issue arose in Texas after a 2011 freeze that also led to power-plant shutdowns and blackouts. A national electric-industry group developed winterization guidelines for operators to follow, but they are strictly voluntary and also require expensive investments in equipment and other necessary measures.

An ERCOT official, Dan Woodfin, said plant upgrades after 2011 limited shutdowns during a similar cold snap in 2018, but this week’s weather was “more extreme.”

Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the University of Houston, rejected ERCOT’s claim that this week’s

freeze was unforeseeable.

“That’s nonsense,” he said. “Every eight to 10 years we have really bad winters. This is not a surprise.”

In California, regulators last week ordered the state’s three major utilities to increase their power supply and potentially make plant improvements to avoid another supply shortage like the one that cropped up in California six months ago and resulted in rolling blackouts affecting about 500,000 people for a few hours at a time.

“One big difference is that leadership in California recognizes that climate change is happening, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in Texas,” said Severin Borenstein, a professor of business administration and public policy at the University of California, Berkeley who has been studying power supply issues for more than 20 years.

WHY THE NEED FOR ROLLING BLACKOUTS?

GRID operators say rolling blackouts are a last resort when power demand overwhelms supply and threatens to create a wider collapse of the whole power system.

Usually, utilities black out certain blocks or zones before cutting off power to another area, then another. Often areas with hospitals, fire stations, water-treatment plants and other key facilities are spared.

By rolling the blackouts, no neighborhoods are supposed to go an unfairly long period of time without power, but that was not always the case this week in Texas. Some areas never lost power, while others were blacked out for 12 hours or longer as temperatures dipped into the single digits.

ROLLING blackouts are usually triggered when reserves fall below a certain level. In Texas, as in California last August, grid operators tell utilities to reduce load on the entire system, and it is up to the utilities to decide how to do that.

In Texas this week, grid operators and utilities knew about the dire weather forecast for at least a week. Last weekend they issued appeals for power conservation, and ERCOT tweeted that residents should “unplug the fancy new appliances you bought during the pandemic and only used once.”

The lighthearted attempts at humor were lost on residents; few if any of whom were told in advance when their homes would lose power.

Once the outages started, some utilities were unable to provide information about how long they might last.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE ROLLING BLACKOUTS?

START with the obvious steps: When power companies or grid operators warn about trouble coming, turn down your thermostat and avoid using major appliances. Of course, those steps are sometimes easier said than done, especially during record-breaking temperatures.

Like in other places, Texans might be more willing to adjust their thermostats a few more notches if regulators imposed a system that required households to pay higher prices during periods of peak demand and lower rates at other times.

“People turn up their furnaces now because there isn’t a financial incentive for them not to do it,” Borenstein said.

Experts also say more fundamental—and costly—changes must be made. Generators must insulate pipelines and other equipment. Investments in electricity storage and distribution would help. Tougher building codes would make homes in places like Texas better insulated against the cold.

Texas, which has a grid largely disconnected from others to avoid federal regulation, may have to rethink the go-it-alone strategy. There could be pressure for the state to require power generators to keep more plants in reserve for times of peak demand, a step it has so far resisted.

“The system as we built it is not performing to the standards we would like to see,” said Joshua Rhodes, an energy researcher at the University of Texas in Austin. “We need to do a better job.

If that involves paying more for energy to have more reliability, that’s a conversation we’re going to have to have.”

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Data analysts track national soul poured out on FB in 8 mos of Covid

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By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

FTER a colossal effort—545 million times— of posting and reacting to the Covid-19 issue on their Facebook accounts from May 2020 to January 2021 this year, Filipinos have slowed down the pace of discussions 10 months after the state of global pandemic was declared, according to data gathering and analysis agency BluePrint.PH. The campaign consultancy firm focuses on sentiment analysis, audience research, social network engineering, and campaign planning.

In a webinar held Friday, BluePrint.PH Chief Executive Officer Eero Brillantes said 1.2 million posts were made by Filipino users of Facebook on Covid-19 from May 2020 to January 2021, with 545.07 million comments and reactions or emoticons: “like,” “love,” “haha,” “wow,” “sad” and “angry.”

Brillantes pointed out that discussion of Covid-19 constituted 23 percent of all their posts, comments and reactions on Facebook during May 2020, then 16 percent in June, rising again to 19 percent in July with the rise in Covid-19 infections, then down to 15 percent in August, down to 9 percent in September, and gradually declined to only 4 percent in January 2021.

Nevertheless, Brillantes expressed concern over the scenario unfolding in Facebook as the country has been pummeled by the pandemic.

“The dwindling numbers of Covid-19 interactions in Facebook is a matter that the government must consider especially with the low interest shown by the Filipino public in the vaccination program,” said Brillantes.

In a related development, Dr. Anthony Leachon said in one of his webinars that there must be

education, motivation and a blueprint on spreading awareness of the impact of the pandemic. “There must be a blueprint not only on the local level but on the national level as well,” he said.

Starting from May 2020 to January 2021, Brilliantes pointed out that there were more than 545 million data points gathered from 1.2 million posts, 48.3 million comments, 81.6 million shares and 414 million reactions, he pointed out.

With close to 2 million data points, the top Facebook stor y was President Duter te’s announcement of cancellation of face-to-face classes without vaccines, followed by the expression of sympathy to Lloyd Café Cadena, a young social-media influencer who died from Covid-19.

Brillantes said the communique from President Duterte’s in May 2020 of the suspension of face-toface classes generated the most number of “love” reactions, followed by the announcement of the K-pop superstar group BTS that it was performing an online concert to make up for its postponed concert at the start of the pandemic.

Other posts with high “love” reactions were Anne Curtis’s online greeting on Breastfeeding Month, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto’s announcement of 100 newly regularized Pasig City Hall employees, and the willingness of Russia to give vaccines to the Philippines.

“Filipinos reacted positively to authoritative solutions to the pandemic,” as shown, he said by the concerns for students as “schools were supposed to reopen in June last year.”

Brillantes said, “We are also good at coping with our problems, as many among us dealt with our fears by turning to positive actions like that of the BTS giving an online concert to its global fans.”

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Pork shock sets inflation test for Philippine debt P

hilippine bonds are coming under threat as surging pork prices drive inflation to the highest level in two years, but support from the central bank should help limit further losses.

The spike in consumer prices has pushed real yields on the nation’s 10year debt below zero, the only market in major emerging Asian countries with a negative reading. Philippine local bonds have started the year on a weak note, handing investors a loss of 1.4 percent in dollar terms since the end of December, a far cry from their 19 percent return in 2020.

“From a real-yield valuation perspective versus regional peers, peso bonds would not be attractive by this metric,” said Ng Kheng Siang, Asia Pacific head of fixed income at State Street Global Advisors in Singapore.

“But, that doesn’t mean peso bonds will be a significant underperformer going forward.”

Ng said the “inflation shock” may turn out to be short lived given that overall domestic demand remains weak. This should allow the central bank to keep an accommodative monetary policy, limiting any increase in bond yields, he said.

The Philippines is considering tripling imports of pork and has placed a cap on prices after the African swine fever cut supplies of one of the nation’s most popular foods. The cost of pork products has risen to as high as P400 ($8.3) a kilogram in Manila from P225 last year, helping push the inflation rate to 4.2 percent last month, above the central bank’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Despite quickening inflation, the

central bank believes it’s “too early” to think about raising interest rates, Governor Benjamin Diokno told Bloomberg Television this week. While consumerprice gains will remain elevated in the first half, they should taper later on in the year, he said in an interview.

Bonds are likely to be supported as the monetary authority still has room for further monetary easing by lowering the level of banks’ reserve requirements, according to Irene Cheung, senior strategist for Asia at Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Singapore.

“We are not overly bearish,” she said. “We continue to see multiple channels, which will contain pressure on the Philippine government bonds.”

While the central bank trimmed the reserve ratio by 200 basis points last year, it is still at 12 percent, which

Chinoy bizmen back easing of restrictions, Commemorative Lapulapu bills and medals are now available for public purchase starting Friday, Feb. 19 laud govt loan initiative to meat traders

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By Jonathan L. Mayuga

he Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) has expressed suppor t behind calls to “deescalate” most parts of the country from general community quarantine to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

In particular, the group said it supports the proposed easing of restriction being pushed by the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Economic and Development Authority, saying the move will help quickly and decisively revive the Philippine economy, while still upholding health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and social distancing to control the spread of Covid-19.

“We need to ideally implement a balance of economic survival and public health safeguards.

We support initiatives and progressive reforms to accelerate Philippine economic recovery and sustainability,” the group said.

All sectors should support reforms that promote our Philippine food security, and cooperate to help ensure stable food prices as we start to work Philippine economic recovery this year,” FFCCCII President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong said in a news statement.

Under Section 5 of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, areas under MGCQ should comply with minimum public health standards.

Outdoor activities such as sports and recreation are allowed under the MGCQ. More importantly, it states that work in all public and private offices may be allowed to resume physical reporting to work at full operating capacity, with alternative work arrangements for persons who are 60 years old and above, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks and pregnant women.

Lim also hailed the Department of Agriculture led by Secretary William Dar ‘s plan to offer

loans to market vendors and financial aid to hog transporters severely affected by the two-month price cap on pork and chicken products in Metro Manila.

“We also commend the government strategy of allocating P27 billion worth of assistance for commercial hog raisers to help them repopulate in their area. The temporary pork supply shortfall is not just here in the Philippines, it is a regional challenge since 2018, so government reforms seeking to boost hog production are very positive steps,” said Lim. Lim said he is hopeful of 7.5-percent economic growth this year due to improving domestic and global conditions. Among these positive factors include the coming of various anti-pandemic vaccines, gradual reopening of the Philippine economy while still upholding health safeguards, the country’s excellent macroeconomic and fiscal fundamentals, the end of Trump’s chaotic trade war pitting the world’s two biggest economies US and China with the recent Chinese New Year phone call by President Joe Biden to President Xi. “We support policies and reforms by the government to increase the production of our hogs, chickens, and other foods, for the sake of the continued stability of supplies and prices, such as financial and technical assistance to producers and farmers, modernization of rural infrastructures under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. Congratulations to DA, Secretary William Dar and our Filipino farmers that despite the global crisis and economic slowdown last year 2020, Philippine agriculture still registered positive growth last year and will have still a good year this 2021. One reason for this success is Secretary Dar’s ‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ program to promote food sufficiency. Congratulations also for the successful cooperation of SL AgriTech, Go Negosyo led by Secretary Joey Concepcion and DA under Secretary Dar for last year launching the Masagana 300 project to encourage and honor Filipino rice farmers who achieve 300 cavans harvest per hectare utilizing modern hybrid rice technology,” he said.

Snakes on travel: Naia Customs seizes reptiles bound for Taiwan

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By Recto Mercene

irport Customs authorities seized various species of reptiles while being exported to Taiwan through an international cargo forwarder.

The authorities found spitting cobras, 8 pit vipers, and 15 sailfin lizards concealed in bamboo chimes and lanterns for export to Taiwan in a DHL warehouse.

The package was declared as “souvenir items” by a certain “Adrian Lim” from Pasig City, and was consigned to a certain “Ryan Su” of Taiwan.

The wildlife species were discovered and apprehended through the joint efforts of the Port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and offices under the Export Division, Enforcement and Security Service, Environmental Protection and Compliance Division.

Representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) estimated the seized reptiles could be sold for as much as P300,000.

The Port of Naia said it remains vigilant not only in the interception of illegal drugs but also on illegal wildlife trade.

The Naia Customs district, last March 2019 and September 2020, was commended by the Traffic Asia for the confiscation of 1,529 freshwater turtles and tortoises concealed in suitcases.

The district was also praised by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for the interception of a reticulated python concealed in a rattan basket, recently.

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SP Governor Benjamin Diokno announced in their “Ulat ng BSP sa Bayan” event that they have opened the Central Bank web site to facilitate the public purchase of the collector’s item.

The Lapulapu commemorative banknote and medal were launched last month to kick off the 99-day countdown to the 500th anniversary of the “Victory at Mactan.”

The Lapulapu Commemorative Banknote can be purchased for P5,500, while the Lapulapu Commemorative Medal is priced at P3,500 per piece.

According to the BSP’s web site, each order form can only accommodate one order of a banknote, one order of a medal or one of both.

Upon the submission of the order form, the

BSP will send a confirmation e-mail for orders received, along with a New Order of Payment System (NOPS) Form indicating the NOPS Reference Number and the amount to be paid.

The BSP only accepts online payments, either via over-the-counter (OTC) payment through any Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) Branch or mobile application, or via Visa or Mastercard through one of the quick links found on the BSP’s web site.

On its obverse, the banknote depicts a young Lapulapu, an image of the battle of Mactan, the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines (QCP) logo, and the Karaoka—the large outrigger warships used by native Filipinos.

Meanwhile, the reverse shows the Philippine

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he owners of an online lending app allegedly found to be violating data privacy rules is now facing the full force of the law and may end up getting six years of jail time and paying up to P6 million in fines.

The National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Friday recommended the prosecution of Fynamics Lending Inc., the operator of PondoPeso, an online lending app. Scores of borrowers have filed complaints against the app for reportedly subjecting them to public shaming to pressure them to pay.

In a 40-page decision, the NPC concluded Fynamics and its board of directors should be made to face charges of breaching Section 25 of the Data Privacy Act (DPA).

Criminals found guilty of unauthorized processing of personal information could be imposed with three years of imprisonment and P2 million in fine. Further, violators could be sentenced with up to six years behind bars and made to pay as much as P4 million in penalty.

eagle, or the Manaol, which symbolizes clear vision, freedom, and strength; and which embodies the ancient Visayan belief that all living creatures originated from an eagle.

Also featured are a coconut tree—which was food the people of Samar provided to Ferdinand Magellan and his crew—and Mount Apo—the mountain where the circumnavigators found directional clues to their intended destination of Maluku or the Spice Island.

The medal, on the other hand, features the markings “Lapulapu” above an image of the LapuLapu Shrine in Cebu and the logos of the QCP and the BSP on the obverse. Its reverse shows the markings “Battle of Mactan,” a rendition of the said battle, and the date “27 April 1521.”

Exec: PMI keen on having a smoke-free Philippines

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n executive of Philip Morris International (PMI) said the company is on track to a smoke-free Philippines in the near future as part of its vision to provide smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke with better alternatives to cigarette.

Tommaso Di Giovanni, vice president for global communications at PMI, issued the statement during the 27th National Public Relations Congress held virtually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP). Di Giovanni spoke about how PMI is delivering a smoke-free future.

“Hopefully one day, yes,” said Di Giovanni, responding to a question on whether PMI plans to stop selling cigarettes around the world.

He said, “The question is more when do we want to stop selling cigarettes, because we want cigarettes to be replaced everywhere” with better alternatives based on science.

“There’s no doubt, there’s no question. We even had that voted by our board of directors,

written in black and white, and shared with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the US and reported in the US. So definitely that is our ambition,” said Di Giovanni.

He said PMI believes that for smokers and for the company, “the best thing to do, now that we have products that are better choices, is to switch completely to them.” he said.

Di Giovanni was referring to smoke-free alternatives such as PMI’s heated tobacco product IQOS which heats, instead of burns, tobacco and in the process significantly reduces the production of harmful compounds found in smoke from burning tobacco.

“Today we have almost 18 million smokers worldwide who have switched to our heated tobacco products,” he said, adding that in Japan, more than a quarter of smokers have already switched.

“Today, our leading heated tobacco product is sold in 64 countries around the globe. Almost

Online lending company faces data privacy raps for allegedly ‘shaming’ borrowers to settle debts

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

A3

The NPC is submitting its findings and pertinent case papers to the Department of Justice, as it proposes to prosecute the respondents on charges of unauthorized processing under Section 25 of the DPA. Based on complaints filed before the NPC, PondoPeso allegedly used personal information from the borrowers’ contact list without their consent or authority. Worse, these personal information were allegedly shared with third persons, including friends, relatives and colleagues.

In some cases, these third persons were allegedly compelled by PondoPeso to settle the loan on behalf of the borrowers.

L i ke w i s e , Po n d o Pe s o a g e n t s w e re accused of allegedly using the personal information of the borrowers to damage their reputation to the point of coercing them to pay their loan. In the worst scenarios, sensitive information against the borrowers were allegedly shared on social media by PondoPeso, which the NPC ruled as excessive

beyond what is agreed upon by parties.

Privacy Commissioner Raymund E. Liboro reminded firms to comply with the provisions of the DPA and to uphold the data privacy rights of their clients.

He warned the NPC will hunt down business owners and operators who exploit their borrowers by stealing their personal information and using it against them. He added firms should abide by the DPA to protect products and services from any doubts on data privacy.

From July 2018 to July 2019, the NPC received a total of 689 complaints against online lending firms and their apps, of which at least 113 were made against PondoPeso.

In 2019 the NPC issued a direc tive prohibiting 26 online lending apps from processing personal information on charges of breaking the DPA. D ownload store Google Play then took down these apps from its platform to prevent any fur ther users from accessing them.

18 million smokers use it, and 72 percent of them abandoned cigarette completely. We’re now expanding the portfolio because we also know that smokers have different preferences,” he said.

About 25 percent of PMI’s current revenues a l re a dy co m e f ro m b e t te r a l te rn at i ve s to cigarettes, he said.

PMFTC Inc., an affiliate of PMI, opened its heated tobacco stores in Metro Manila last year in a bid to reduce smoking rate in the country for the benefit of the public.

Di Giovanni said that quitting smoking remains the best option, however today, there are options that are much better choice for smokers who would still choose to use cigarettes.

is more than three times that of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Real yields are likely to turn positive again by the second half of the year as food supply bottlenecks are expected to normalize in the next few months, said Michael Enriquez, chief investment officer at Sun Life of Canada Philippines Inc. in Manila.

Stabilizing food prices should help keep the 10-year bond yield around 3 percent, and the five-year yield in a range from 2.625 percent to 2.75 percent, he said.

“We still expect rates to continue to stay low as the government wants to support the economic recovery,” Enriquez said. While there is growing concern about inflation, the central bank should also continue with its open-market operations to cushion any yield spike, he said. Bloomberg News

Mayor bares IKEA plan to build biggest branch in Pasay, hiring of 500 residents

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

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t least 500 Pasay City residents will be hired by the Swedish furniture-maker IKEA once it starts its operation in the city by August this year, Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano has announced.

The officials of IKEA paid a courtesy call to Rubiano on Monday and discussed various ways on how the local government and the multinational firm could work together and create more opportunities for the city and its people.

IKEA Pasay is the biggest branch anywhere else that the world’s top home furnishing retailer has ever opened.

“This is a big opportunity for the people of Pasay,” Rubiano said, adding that “some of them [have] lost their jobs during the pandemic.”

During their discussion, it was revealed that IKEA opted to open its biggest branch in Pasay believing that it has the potential to grow and be successful in the city because of its strategic and prime location.

Likewise, Pasay City is fast gaining a reputation to be a very important center of business and development mainly because of the efficient and effective leadership of Rubiano.

Aside from the reserved 500 jobs, there are also other openings for local residents to apply to.

Also, it was learned that as par t of its recruitment drive, IKEA will assign in Pasay branch some 20 Filipino staff who work from IKEA’s various stores abroad—primarily from the Middle East.

A4

Saturday, February 20, 2021

The World BusinessMirror

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

G-7 nations boost Covax in global vaccine effort

G

roup of Seven nations are giving a major boost to Covax, the global initiative to fund vaccinations in lower-income countries, indicating momentum may be building toward a coordinated effort on the part of advanced economies to address the pandemic.

The US plans to contribute as much as $4 billion to the initiative, while France will donate 5 percent of its secured supplies. The UK also will announce its commitment during a G-7 call Friday. Novavax Inc. separately said it will supply 1.1 billion doses of its shot to Covax.

The vaccine supply in the US is poised to double, according to an analysis by Bloomberg, though winter storms across the country continue to slow the inoculation drive. A single dose of the Pfizer Inc. vaccine significantly reduced symptoms in the first four weeks, a study showed. Brazil became the third country in the world to breach 10 million cases.

Kenya approves AstraZeneca shot: ‘Daily Nation’ Kenyan regulators approved the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca Plc for use in the East African nation, the Daily Nation reported. Kenya will start receiving the doses next week and start its inoculation program in March, the Nairobi-based newspaper said, citing Health Chief Administrative Secretary Mercy Mwangangi.

It’s procuring the vaccine despite concerns about its limited efficacy against mild to moderate illness caused by a variant identified in South Africa.

US reiterates food is unlikely Covid source The US reiterated that food and food packaging are highly unlikely sources of coronavirus transmission, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saying there is “no credible evidence” to support a link.

The FDA noted in a statement Thursday that Covid-19 is a respiratory illness spread from person to person, unlike food-borne diseases spread through contaminated food. While there have been a few reports of the virus detected on food and packaging, the FDA said “the chances of infection by touching the surface of food packaging or eating food is considered to be extremely low.”

T he statement is in contrast to the approach ta ken by China, which has been testing food impor ts and banning suppliers w ho s e s h ipme nt s we re fou nd to be cont a m i n ated . A World Hea lt h Orga ni zat ion-led tea m investigating the or ig ins of the

v ir us said last week that coldchain food products were a likely transmission route.

South African vaccine rollout seen slower A top coronavirus adviser to South A fr ica’s gover nment ex pects a slower vaccine rollout than what has been officially mapped out. The start of the program was delayed this month after studies showed AstraZeneca Plc’s shot, the first to arrive in South Africa, provided little protection against mild forms of the disease caused by a variant of the virusidentified late last year.

The government is targeting inoculating about 67 percent of the population this year. That time-line may be too ambitious, said Salim Abdool Karim, who co-chairs the health minister’s ministerial advisory committee on Covid-19. Instead, South Africa should aim to complete the first two phases, which would cover about 43 percent of almost 40 million people it plans to vaccinate this year, he said in an interview.

Philippines finds mutations The Philippines has detected Covid-19 virus mutations in its central Visayas islands, the Department of Health said, while adding that more data are needed to determine if these make the coronavirus more transmissible and if they will be considered a new variant. The development won’t affect the push to further reopen the capital region, which is away from the area where the mutations were found, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said at an online forum Friday.

Clinical trials for the vaccine from Janssen, a division of Johnson & Johnson, have started in the Philippine capital, the Science Department said separately.

WHO team focuses on ferret badgers, rabbits: ‘WSJ’ A team of World Health Organization scientists is focusing on two animal types—ferret badgers and rabbits—in the search for the origins of the coronavirus, the Wall Street Journal reported. The animals can carry the virus and were sold at a market in Wuhan, China, where the earliest cases of the coronavirus emerged.

T he researchers say further

investigation is needed into suppliers of those and other animals at the market, the Journal reported. Team members have yet to establish all the animals sold at the market.

UK plans to donate surplus vaccines Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce on Friday that the UK will donate surplus coronavirus vaccines to developing countries to boost the global battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The “majority” of any future UK surplus coronavirus vaccines will be shared with the World Health Organization-backed Covax program, Johnson’s office said late Thursday in a statement. That’s on top of the 548 million pounds ($766 million) the country has already donated to the program, which is aimed at supplying some of the world’s poorest nations with inoculations.

Johnson on Friday will host a video call among the leaders of the Group of Seven nations, during which he’ll encourage them to increase their Covax funding, according to the statement.

Single Pfizer shot reduced illness in health workers A single dose of the vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE significantly reduced Covid-19 symptoms in the first four weeks after injection, according to an analysis.

Among health-care workers who got the vaccine, symptomatic infections were reduced by 85 percent in the 15 to 28 days after the first dose, compared with those who didn’t get a shot, according to the report in The Lancet medical journal. While most workers received a second dose on schedule—about three weeks after the first—the booster would only have just started to kick in by the end of the study, so it was essentially looking at the effects of one dose, researchers said Thursday.

The result gives support to health officials who recommend postponing second shots to quickly get first doses to as many people as possible.

Novavax to supply 1-billion doses to poorer countries Novavax Inc. will supply 1.1 billion doses of its experimental Covid-19 vaccine to Covax, a global alliance many low and middle-income countries are relying on to protect their populations from the virus.

The Covax Facility is an effort led by the World Health Organization, The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and Innovations, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Novavax, along with its manufacturing and distribution partner the Serum Institute of India, announced the commitment in a statement on Thursday, sending shares of the US drugmaker up 7 percent in postmarket trading. Novavax and Gavi haven’t yet finalized the advanced

purchase agreement for supply of the two-shot regimen.

Biden to pledge $4 billion to vaccines for poorer nations The US will contribute as much as $4 billion to Covax, the global effort to fund vaccinations in lower-income countries, but doesn’t plan on shipping any of its own vaccines abroad until the nation’s own demand has been met, officials familiar with the matter said.

President Joe Biden will announce during a Group of Seven call on Friday that the US will commit $2 billion immediately to the program and pledge another $2 billion with conditions designed to spur contributions from other countries, said the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.

Brazil hits 10 million Covid cases Brazil cases surpassed 10 million, with infections picking up speed in recent weeks as a new variant spreads amid a shortage of vaccines.

Latin America’s largest nation reported 51,879 new cases Thursday, pushing the total confirmed to 10,030,626, according to Health Ministry data. It’s a toll that lags only the US and India. Deaths rose by 1,367 to 243,457, the second-highest globally.

A US vaccine surge is coming The US vaccine supply is poised to double in the coming weeks and months, according to an analysis

by Bloomberg, allowing a broad expansion of doses administered across the country.

Currently, the US is administering 1.6 million doses a day, constrained by the recent supply of about 10 million to 15 million doses a week. But Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers and US officials have accelerated their production timelines and signaled that the spigots are about to open, providing hundreds of millions of doses to match the growing capacity to immunize people at pharmacies and mass-vaccination sites.

A review of drugmakers’ public statements and their supply deals suggests that the number of vaccines delivered should rise to almost 20 million a week in March, more than 25 million a week in April and May, and over 30 million a week June. By summer, it would be enough to give 4.5 million shots a day.

France to donate 5% of vaccine to poorer countries France is committing to donate 5 percent of its secured Covid-19 vaccine supplies to poorer countries through the World Health Organizationbacked Covax program.

A mu lti latera l approach v ia Covax—a global alliance many developing nations are relying on for inoculations—is the most efficient way to show solidarity, a French official who asked not to be named in line with protocol, said Thursday.

Bloomberg News

Bitcoin nears $1-trillion value as crypto jump tops other assets

B

itcoin is closing in on a market value of $1 trillion, a surge that’s helping cryptocurrency returns far outstrip the performance of more traditional assets like stocks and gold.

The largest token has added more than $415 billion of value in 2021 to about $956 billion, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index, which includes Bitcoin and four other coins, has more than doubled.

Speculators, corporate treasurers and institutional investors are thought to have stoked Bitcoin’s volatile ascent. Crypto believers are dueling with skeptics for the dominant narrative around the

climb: the former see an asset being embraced for its ability to hedge risks such as inflation, while the latter sense a precarious mania riding atop waves of monetary and fiscal stimulus.

FOMO—fear of missing out—may be at play, said Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy with AMP Capital Investors Ltd. in Sydney, adding that “in times of easy money this gets magnified and it’s partly what’s driving the current interest.”

Bitcoin traded at around $51,300 as of 1:30 p.m. on Friday in Hong Kong after quintupling in the past year. The crypto index’s performance towers over stocks, gold, commodities and bonds in 2021.

This month, Tesla Inc. disclosed a $1.5-billion investment and MicroStrategy Inc. boosted a sale of convertible bonds to $900 million to buy even more of the token. That brought the coin closer to corporate America.

“If companies’ fundamentals are going to become closely tied to movements in Bitcoin because they’ve suddenly become speculators on the side, we’re going to be in bubble territory before you know it,” said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst with Oanda Europe Ltd. Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk posted a somewhat cryptic tweet Friday that appeared in part

to defend the company’s action, saying Bitcoin “is simply a less dumb form of liquidity than cash” while adding that the electric vehicle maker’s decision isn’t “directly reflective of my opinion.”

The “long Bitcoin” trade is seen as among the most crowded in the world alongside technology exposure and dollar shorts, according to the February edition of Bank of America’s global fund manager survey.

AMP’s Oliver said if Bitcoin “falls out of favor—for example due to government regulation or investors just moving on to the next new thing— then it could quickly plunge.” Bloomberg News

A body bag, containing the remains of a young woman, is brought out of the 1,000-Bed General Hospital, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on February 19. The woman who was shot in the head by police during a protest last week against the military’s takeover of power in Myanmar died Friday morning, her brother said. AP

Myanmar protester shot in head expires, first fatality since coup

Y

ANGON, Myanmar—A young woman who was shot in the head by police during a protest last week against the military’s takeover of power in Myanmar died Friday morning, her brother said.

Mya Thwet Thwet Khine was shot during a demonstration in the capital Naypyitaw on February 9. She had been on life support at a hospital with what doctors had said was no chance of recovery.

Video of the shooting showed her sheltering from water cannons and suddenly dropping to the ground after a bullet penetrated a motorcycle helmet she had been wearing.

The woman is the first confirmed death among the protesters who have faced off with security forces after a junta took power February 1, detained Myanmar’s elected leaders and prevented Parliament from convening.

Her brother, Ye Htut Aung, who spoke to The Associated Press from a mortuary, said she died at

11:05 a.m. Friday. A source at Naypyitaw’s 1000Bed General Hospital, speaking on condition on anonymity because of fear of harassment from the authorities, confirmed the death.

A spokesman for the ruling military at a news conference this week did not deny the 19-year-old woman had been shot by security forces, but said she was one of the crowd that had thrown rocks at police, and the case was under investigation. There were no independent accounts of her taking part in any violence.

Protesters had already hailed Mya Thwet Thwet Khine as a hero and commemorated her during demonstrations earlier this week.

Since the coup, the US and British governments have imposed sanctions targeting the new military leaders, and they and other governments and the United Nations have called for Aung San Suu Kyi’s administration to be restored. AP and Bloomberg

Massive breach fuels calls for action on cyber security

W

ASHINGTON—Jolted by a sweeping hack that may have revealed government and corporate secrets to Russia, US officials are scrambling to reinforce the nation’s cyber defenses and recognizing that an agency created two years ago to protect America’s networks and infrastructure lacks the money, tools and authority to counter such sophisticated threats.

The breach, which hijacked widely used software from Texas-based SolarWinds Inc., has exposed the profound vulnerability of civilian government networks and the limitations of efforts to detect threats.

It’s also likely to unleash a wave of spending on technology modernization and cyber security.

“It’s really highlighted the investments we need to make in cyber security to have the visibility to block these attacks in the future,” Anne Neuberger, the newly appointed deputy national security adviser for cyber and emergency technology said Wednesday at a White House briefing.

The reaction reflects the severity of a hack that was disclosed only in December. The hackers, as yet unidentified but described by officials as “likely Russian,” had unfettered access to the data and e-mail of at least nine US government agencies and about 100 private companies, with the full extent of the compromise still unknown. And while this incident appeared to be aimed at stealing information, it heightened fears that future hackers could damage critical infrastructure, like electrical grids or water systems.

President Joe Biden plans to release an executive order soon that Neuberger said will include about eight measures intended to address security gaps exposed by the hack. The administration has also proposed expanding by 30 percent the budget of the US Cyber security and Infrastructure Agency, or CISA, a little-known entity now under intense scrutiny because of the SolarWinds breach.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress have called for expanding the size and role of the agency, a component of the Department of Homeland Security.

It was created in November 2018 amid a sense that US adversaries were increasingly targeting civilian government and corporate networks as well as the “critical” infrastructure, such as the energy grid that is increasingly vulnerable in a wired world.

Speaking at a recent hearing on cyber security, Rep. John Katko, a Republican from New York, urged his colleagues to quickly “find a legislative vehicle to give CISA the resources it needs to fully respond and protect us.”

Biden’s Covid-19 relief package called for $690 billion more for CISA, as well as providing the agency with $9 billion to modernize IT across the government in partnership with the General Services Administration.

That has been pulled from the latest version of the bill because some members didn’t see a connection to the pandemic. But Rep. Jim Langevin, co-chair of the Congressional Cyber security Caucus, said additional funding for CISA is likely to reemerge with bipartisan support in upcoming legislation, perhaps an infrastructure bill.

“Our cyber infrastructure is every bit as important as our roads and bridges,” Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat, said in an interview.

“It’s important to our economy. It’s important to protecting human life, and we need to make sure we have a modern and resilient cyber infrastructure.”

CISA operates a threat-detection system known as “Einstein” that was unable to detect the SolarWinds breach. Brandon Wales, CISA’s acting director, said that was because the breach was hidden in a legitimate software update from SolarWinds to its customers. After it was able to identify the malicious activity, the system was able to scan federal networks and identify some government victims. “It was designed to work in concert with other security programs inside the agencies,” he said.

The former head of CISA, Christopher Krebs, told the House Homeland Security Committee this month that the US should increase support to the agency, in part so it can issue grants to state and local governments to improve their cyber security and accelerate IT modernization across the federal government, which is part of the Biden proposal.

“Are we going to stop every attack? No. But we can take care of the most common risks and make the bad guys work that much harder and limit their success,” said Krebs, who was ousted by then-President Donald Trump after the election and now co-owns a consulting company whose clients include SolarWinds.

The breach was discovered in early December by the private security firm FireEye, a cause of concern for some officials.

“It was pretty alarming that we found out about it through a private company as opposed to our being able to detect it ourselves to begin with,” Avril Haines, the director of national intelligence, said at her January confirmation hearing.

Right after the hack was announced, the Treasury Department bypassed its normal competitive contracting process to hire the private security firm CrowdStrike, US contract records show. The department declined to comment. Sen. Ron Wyden, Democrat-Oregon, has said that dozens of e-mail accounts of top officials at the agency were hacked.

The Social Security Administration hired FireEye to do an independent forensic analysis of its network logs. The agency had a “backdoor code” installed like other SolarWinds customers, but “there were no indicators suggesting we were targeted or that a future attack occurred beyond the initial software installation,” spokesperson Mark Hinkle said.

Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said the hack has highlighted several failures at the federal level but not necessarily a lack of expertise by public sector employees. Still, “I doubt we will ever have all the capacity we’d need in-house,” he said.

There have been some new cyber security measures taken in recent months. In the defense policy bill that passed in January, lawmakers created a national director of cyber security, replacing a position at the White House that had been cut under Trump, and granted CISA the power to issue administrative subpoenas as part of its efforts to identify vulnerable systems and notify operators.

The legislation also granted CISA increased authority to hunt for threats across the networks of civilian government agencies, something Langevin said they were only previously able to do when invited. AP

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5th-10th/f Tower 3, Pitx #1 Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City

NO.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

51.

YANG, YUFENG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MAERSK GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRES (PHILIPPINES) LTD. Levels 5-8 North Wing, Estancia Offices Capitol Commons Meralco Ave. Oranbo Pasig City

LIU, CHUNHONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

52.

YI, ZHUO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

2.

TRAN THI NHU QUYNH Vietnamese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

53.

ZHOU, BU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

3.

SAKAUE, JINICHI Japanese

EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore Brgy. 076 Pasay City 4.

DANG HA NGOC MAI Vietnamese

SELLER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE

5.

DO NGOC HUNG Vietnamese

VIETNAM PAYROLL

ANDES CONSULTING ADVISORY INC. 22/f Robinsons Summit Center 6783 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City 6.

CHEN, YU-JEN Taiwanese

MANDARIN SPEAKING FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

7.

LIAO, YI-LING Taiwanese

MANDARIN SPEAKING FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

BAUER FOUNDATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit A To K 12/f Cyberone Bldg. 11 Eastwood Ave., Eastwood City Cyberpark Bagumbayan 3 Quezon City 8.

SANDOVAL PORRAS, JULIAN ANDRES Colombian

IN-HOUSE DESIGNER

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

DEXIN INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CORP. 534 Tomas Mapua St. 029 Bgy. 298 Santa Cruz Manila 54.

CHEN, JINGJING Chinese

CHINESE CARGO OFFICE AGENT

DYNA BINARY HOLDINGS INC. 18/f Tower 2 The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave., Cor. Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City 55.

ZHU, BAOCHANG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING ADMIN ASSOCIATE

FIRST GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. Lot 5 Sta. Agueda Cor. Queensway Pagcor Drive Sto. Niño Parañaque City 56.

NONG, WEI, Chinese

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

57.

XIAN, ZHOUDONG, Chinese

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

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

96.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

1.

ACOM CONSUMER FINANCE CORPORATION 10/f Unit A, 45 San Miguel Bldg. No. 45 San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City

Saturday, February 20, 2021

CARVALHO ARAUJO E COUTO JORGE, MARIANA Portuguese

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SENIOR SPECIALIST COLLECTIONS PORTUGUESE SPEAKER

MELCO RESORTS LEISURE (PHP) CORPORATION City Of Dreams Aseana Ave. Cor. Roxas Blvd. Tambo Parañaque City 97.

ROBINSON, MICHAEL DAVID Australian

DIRECTOR, SLOT OPERATIONS

MITSUBISHI CORPORATION 14/f L.v. Locsin Bldg. 6752 Ayala Cor., Makati Aves. San Lorenzo Makati City 98.

HAMADA, TAKAMASA Japanese

DIVISION HEAD FOR POWER SOLUTION DIVISION

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

153.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

LOH SIE HUNG Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 9-11 Flr., The Biopolis Bldg. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 154.

ANI KURNIASARI Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

155.

LI, SONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

156.

TAI THU KIM Vietnamese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

157.

WANG, XIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

158.

ZENG, CUIHONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

SAINATH TRADING INC. Unit P-10-a 343 West Service Road Sun Valley Parañaque City 159.

THEVAR, SAPANI Indian

DIRECTOR

99.

AN, NA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

SHELL SHARED SERVICES (ASIA) B.V. 16/f-25/f Solaris One Bldg. 130 Dela Rosa St. San Lorenzo Makati City

100.

CHEN, JIANFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

160.

101.

LI, MEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

PINO ASTUDILLO, IGNACIO JAVIER Chilean

CUSTOMER OPS SPECIALIST - DEAL TO CASH (SPANISH SPEAKER)

58.

CHEN, XIAOFEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

59.

HUANG, JUNZENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

102.

60.

JIANG, YUBING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LI, QINGYANG Chinese

103.

61.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

161.

KANG, LIFENG Chinese

ZENG, DONGFU Chinese

104.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

62.

LI, HUACHANG Chinese

ZHANG, WENHUI Chinese

63.

LI, NING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg. Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City Tambo Parañaque City

SYCIP, GORRES, VELAYO & CO. 6760 Ayala Avenue San Lorenzo Makati City

105.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

64.

LIANG, JUNCHEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHEN, YANGHUA Chinese

106.

CHEN, XUEYAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

107.

DONG, HAICHUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

108.

GUO, YU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

109.

HE, WENPIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

110.

HUANG, JUNWEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

JIA, HU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

HOANG TRONG HOAN Vietnamese

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

10.

LAI CHOON KIT, Malaysian

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

11.

LIU HY DIN, Vietnamese

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

12.

BOEY THONG THYE Malaysian

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

65.

LIU, MEIMEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

13.

THET HTAR MAY Myanmari

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

66.

LUO, JIAJUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

14.

CHEN, PEIJIAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

67.

MIAO, TENGFEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

15.

DU, YUHUA Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

68.

MO, WUCONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

111.

112.

LI, YUTAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

16.

FANG, DEWU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

69.

MU, CHUNSHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

113.

LI, TAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

17.

HU, HAORAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LIU, YU, Chinese

70.

QI, YING Chinese

114.

115.

LIU, RUQIANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

71.

SONG, PANFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

116.

MA, ZHUANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

18.

LAO, JUNJIE Chinese

117.

RAN, QIBIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

LEI, YUNLONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

72.

WU, DONGLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

118.

SUN, LONGYUAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

19.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

73.

TANG, XIAODONG Chinese

20.

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

WU, ZHUO Chinese

119.

LI, JINPENG Chinese

120.

TONG, SEN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

21.

LIN, AOXIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

74.

XU, HONGXIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

121.

WANG, LINXU, Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

75.

ZENG, YU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

122.

22.

LIN, SHIPENG Chinese

23.

LIU, DEXIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

76.

ZHANG, YONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

24.

WANG, QINGYAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

77.

ZHAO, PENGFEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

25.

YANG, LIANSHENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

26.

ZOU, WEIWEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

27.

HONG, LIUSHUI Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

28.

JIANG, SHAOBING Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

29.

LIANG, QIUYING Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

30.

LIN, ZHENHONG Chinese

31.

9.

NO.

GWANGSHIN CORPORATION Unit 703, 7th Floor Primeland Tower Madrigal Business Park Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City 78.

KIM,YONGSU,SouthKorean

ROW SUPERVISOR

INFOVINE INC. 9/f Y Tower, Moa Complex Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal Brgy. 076 Pasay City

SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 12th Floor Philplans Corporate Center Kalayaan Avenue & Triangle Drive Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

162.

KWANOU NGASSOM, JACQUES MARTIAL Cameroonian

ESCALER, LISA MARIE TERESA, American

ASSOCIATE - IT HELPDESK

WORKFORCE ADVISORY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 163.

HABA, ROGER, Guinean

FRENCH OPERATIONS CSR

TOPKING TECHNOLOGY INC. U/604 6/f Itc Bldg. 337 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City 164.

GUO, WENFANG Chinese

MANDARIN I.T. TECHNICAL SUPPORT

165.

HU, PEILIN Chinese

MANDARIN I.T. TECHNICAL SUPPORT

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City 166.

CHEN, SHAOCAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

167.

HUANG, LINGCHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

168.

LIU, YUNXIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

169.

WANG, HAILONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

170.

WANG, XINGTANG Chinese

WANG, HUOXING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

171.

123.

WU, TIANZI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

WANG, YONGJIAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

124.

XIE, JINKAI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

172.

ZHAO, XINAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

125.

ZHANG, HAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

173.

126.

ZHANG, XIAOTONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

NANG MOON OO Myanmari

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

127.

ZHAO, JUAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

UNIVERSALPEARL INC. Unit 25d 2/f Zeta Ii Bldg. 191 Salcedo St. San Lorenzo Makati City

128.

ZHAO, ENLI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

174.

CHINESE SPEAKING IT PROJECT ASSOCIATES

129.

ALEX , Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

WEI, TAO Chinese

175.

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE SPEAKING IT PROJECT ASSOCIATES

130.

PATRICK KOK FOOK YUN Malaysian

WU, YUCHUAN Chinese

VAN GOGH BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING INC. 5th To 8th Flr. Sm Southmall Tower 2 Alabang Zapote Rd. Almanza Uno Las Piñas City

79.

CHEN, JIAN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

131.

132.

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

81.

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

133.

INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST

82.

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

134.

32.

LIU, WEI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZHAO, ZHIQIANG Chinese

LIN, CHIEN-YU Taiwanese

KHIN SANDAR AYE Myanmari

177.

LIU, SHIXIAN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

HEIN HTET ZAW Myanmari

FENG, SHUIJIE Chinese

HEIN HTET AUNG Myanmari

176.

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

80.

DICKSON CHIN Malaysian

AUNG SAN OO Myanmari

33.

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

135.

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

136.

34.

TAO, XIANGWEI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

84.

YE, SHENGHONG Chinese

KYAW HTUN AUNG Myanmari

WETALK EDUCATIONAL CORP. Unit No. 7 G/f Park Triangle 34th St. Cor. 11th Ave. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

TANG, ZHENG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

83.

SHAO, YIFENG Chinese

KIT KIT Myanmari

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

137.

35.

WANG, FUQIN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

85.

ZHOU, WANYING Chinese

SAUNG MIN OO Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

138.

NGUYEN THI THUY LINH Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

179.

36.

WANG, HAIFU Chinese

INTEGRITY GLOBAL GROUP, INC. 2/f-3/f Ayala Malls Circuit A.p. Reyes Ave. Carmona Makati City

WAI YAN OO Myanmari

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

139.

37.

YAN, XIANGZHI Chinese

NGUYEN VAN SOAI Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

140.

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

180.

38.

YANG, TAO Chinese

NGUYEN VAN THUAN Vietnamese

ZXY ECOMMERCE PLATFORM & CONSULTANCY INC. 1960 A Mabini St., 067 Brgy. 078 Malate Manila ZHANG, WEN, Chinese

CHINESE PRODUCT MANAGER

141.

ZHAO, SHUO, Chinese

CHINESE PRODUCT MANAGER

39.

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

181.

ZHAO, CHUANWEI Chinese

PHU MAN SOI Vietnamese

142.

TRAN VIET HOANG Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

182.

WU, FANXINRAN, Chinese

EXECUTIVE CHINESE ASSISTANT

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

YANG, LEI, Chinese

MARKETER

143.

TSAN CA DAU Vietnamese

183.

144.

VI VAN HUAN Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

BOWENHILLS TECH INC. 19/f Lepanto Bldg. 8747 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City

86.

ZHOU, NING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

INTERQUEST MANPOWER INC. Unit 602 6/f Richville Corporate Tower Madrigal Business Park Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City 87.

NGUYEN THI MUI Vietnamese

ACCOUNTING STAFF

88.

ZHENG, YONGXING Chinese

FINANCE EXECUTIVE OFFICER

40.

LAWRENCE TOH Singaporean

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

JINDINGYUAN BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 3-9/f Filinvest Cyberzone Bldg. A, Bay City Brgy. 076 Pasay City

41.

WANG, QING Chinese

CHINESE- SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

42.

HUANG, XIN Chinese

CHINESE-SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

89.

CONSULTING SUPERIORS INC. Unit No. 2c, Flr. No. 4/f, One E-com Center Bldg. Ocean Drive Mall Of Asia Complex St. Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1 Pasay City 43.

LIN, YE Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING ADMIN ASSOCIATE

COSMOLINK GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC. 11 Ortigas St. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 44.

CHEN, SHAOJING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

45.

DU, JUNCHAO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

46.

GUI, CHANSOTHEARY Cambodian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

47.

LI, JIAYUAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

48.

LUO, HUAWEI Chinese

49.

50.

GAO, QINGSEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.- PHILIPPINE GLOBAL SERVICE CENTER 23/f Net Plaza 31st St. E-square Zone Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 90.

LOHANA, PRATIK RAM Indian

ASSOCIATE

KONGANBUDDIES MARKETING INC. 12/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City 91.

JULIANA Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LUFTHANSA SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 8th Floor Aeon Center Northgate Cyberzone Alabang Muntinlupa City 92.

IM, SANGROK South Korean

CUSTOMER SERVICE CONSULTANT

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

93.

KIM, DONG SUN South Korean

CUSTOMER SERVICE CONSULTANT

MENG, XINYI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

94.

OPERATION MANAGER

SUN, JIE Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MORALES BAUTISTA, JAIME FRANCISCO Mexican

95.

HONG(SPOUSEOFLEE), YOUNKYOUNG,SouthKorean

TEAM LEADER

OKKDA ASIA TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 5b 5/f Marvin Plaza 2153 C. Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City 145.

SU, HONGDONG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING WEB SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT

146.

YEE KEE Malaysian

PRODUCT SPECIALIST

PRIME GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. 3/f To 8/f, Nissan Sucat Zentrum Building 8390 Dr. A Santos Avenue Bf Homes Parañaque City

178.

WANG, LILONG Chinese

CHINESE INSTRUCTOR

WUHAN FIBERHOME INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. San Lorenzo Makati City LI, YANG, Chinese

DESIGN MANAGER

*Date Generated: Feb 19, 2021 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on January 27, 2021, the position of WANG, QIANG under DAXIFA CORPORATION, should have been read as MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on July 22, 2020, the position of LAU GIA HAN and TRUONG CHI TAN under ACSTREAM MANAGEMENT INC., should have been read as VIETNAMESE ONLINE PAYMENT SPECIALIST and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on February 19, 2021, the position of CHOI, SUNGHO under SAMSUNG SDS GLOBAL SCL PHILIPPINES CO., LTD. INC., should have been read as MANAGING DIRECTOR/TREASURER and not as published.

147.

CUI, GUANGLEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

148.

LIU, DONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

149.

NIU, LIKE Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

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

RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP. 5e-1 Electra House Bldg. 115-117 Esteban Street San Lorenzo Makati City 150.

TANG KIAT YAN Malaysian

ACCOUNT OFFICER

151.

LIU, ZHISONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SUPPORT

152.

ZHONG, ATING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SUPPORT

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A5

A6 Saturday, February 20, 2021

ExportUnlimited BusinessMirror

Local coconut products featured in Biofach 2021

By Roderick L. Abad

C

Contributor

OCONUT—one of the Philippines’s top export products—was showcased in the just concluded first online edition of the world’s leading trade fair for organic food, Biofach 2021.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem), in coordination with the Philippine and Investment Center in

Berlin, led a delegation of five home food companies featured under the FoodPhilippines banner during the three-day digital event that was held

from February 17 to 19.

This included AG Pacific Nutriceuticals, Brandexports Philippines Inc. Filipinas Organic Coconut Product Corp., Pasiolco Agri-Ventures, and Tongsan Industrial Development Corp.

Together with all the participants worldwide, these homegrown firms were screened and passed Biofach’s strict standard for organic food exports, as all products in the show must be certified organic by the European Union.

According to Citem Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan, locally produced organic coconut products were exhibited as the tropical fruit continues to be among the

country’s top performers in terms of export sales.

AG Pacific Nutriceuticals featured, among others, its coconut cacao chips and coconut aminos, which is a blend of coconut nectar, fermented coconut skim milk, locally grown organic spices.

Local organic coconut-based ingredients, likewise, were displayed, ranging from coconut creme/milk and coconut sugar from Brandexports Philippines Inc., desiccated coconut and coconut flour from Filipinas Organic Coconut Product Corp., and coconut sap syrup and coconut sweetener from Pasiolco Agri-Ventures.

Tongsan Industrial Development

Corp., on the other hand, presented a couple of its four flagship products’ virgin coconut oil and refined deodorized bleached coconut oil.

Apart from showcasing their products, the exhibitors got the chance to network via video meetings and chats with various stakeholders, including policy-makers and organicfood advocates and enthusiasts.

“We applaud our Philippine delegation for braving this new world that we’re in,” said Abdulgani Macatoman, Department of Trade and Industry undersecretary for the Trade Promotions Group.

“As the world’s second-largest coconut producer, coupled with the caliber of our delegation’s organic

coconut products, we’re confident that one of our signature agricultural products will once again account for the strong export performance of the Philippines,” he added.

As of 2018, the Philippines has grown about 338.7 million fruitbearing coconut trees, with 68 of the 81 provinces considered as coconutproducing areas.

Two years ago, the local coconut industry accounted for an estimated export volume of 2 million metric tons and brought in more than $2 billion in export revenue annually.

The Philippine participation in Biofach 2021 was organized in coordination with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Berlin.

From grains to beef, deep freeze upends US agri market S. Cotabato eyes sisterhood pact

T

HE deep freeze that has left almost 5 million Americans without power is snarling shipments of goods from corn to soybeans, shutting meat plants and curbing ethanol production.

Traders say it’s increasingly hard to move grain to ports in the Pacific Northwest, and ice warnings are restricting navigation on the Illinois River. Energy costs soared, prompting some ethanol and soybean processing plants to slow down, said the traders, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. Cargill Inc. is curbing energy use while Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. slowed production at several locations due to gas shortages. Tyson Foods Inc. was among meat producers forced to shut plants in Texas.

The Arctic freeze gripping the central part of the US comes just as China is loading up on American crops. The world’s largest commodities importer has already bought a record amount of corn, while soybean purchases are running at their fastest pace in three decades. Combined shipments of US corn and soybeans climbed to a new peak in the fourth quarter, driven by China.

“I am hearing of delayed shipments of soybeans and grain due to the extreme winter weather,” said Mike Steenhoek, executive director lobby group Soy Transportation Coalition in Iowa. Testimonials point to the journey to the Pacific Northwest as “being the biggest challenge,” he said.

A large part of grain that travels to Pacific Northwest ports goes via

rail and the need to clear ice from tracks is “an obvious disruption,” he said. The cold weather also impacts the efficiency of a train’s braking system, which in turn reduces the capacity of a single train, requiring more locomotives.

Some soybean processing and ethanol plants have also slowed production due to skyrocketing energy costs, according to traders.

“We’ve heard from numerous producers here in the last several days that many of them have had to drop to 50 percent to 60 percent of their normal run rates because they are trying to conserve natural gas,” Geoff Cooper, chief executive officer of the Renewable Fuel Association, told reporters Tuesday.

‘Voluntary’ reductions

CARGILL, the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader, is reducing its energy usage and working with suppliers and customers to minimize disruptions.

“We are voluntarily doing our part to reduce our usage to help states get through this cold snap,” Cargill said in e-mailed response to Bloomberg questions.

ADM said it slowed production at several locations due to reduced gas supplies. The Chicago-based company also temporarily idled a few grain elevators, adjusted some transportation routes and is taking

extra precautions for employees that may be exposed to the weather during the work day.

Dairy farmers are also taking a hit, in some cases being forced to dump milk that they can’t get to market.

Pam Selz-Pralle, owner of SelzPralle Dairy in Clark County, Wisconsin, which has 470 milking cows, said her daughter, who farms nearby, couldn’t get into her snowy driveway because of the harsh weather and had to dump milk because of the delay.

“They had to actually dump milk outside because if it’s so cold and windy that milk trucks are freezing up on the highway and can’t get to you to pick up the milk, where is it going to go?”

Prices for hard red winter wheat delivered in May rallied as much as 3.7 percent to $6.4525 a bushel on Tuesday. Corn for May delivery climbed as much as 2.5 percent, while soybeans for May delivery rose as much as 1.6 percent. Ethanol and cattle prices also jumped.

The weather has sent US oil output plummeting and driven up prices for natural gas.

“Coldweatherhas,ononehand,sent natural gas prices surging and probably encouraged ethanol producers that couldsloworidletoselltheirfixed-price supply for a windfall,” independent renewables trader Neil Shah said in an email. “On the other hand, rationing of natural gas or rolling blackouts have hobbled plants.” Bloomberg News

with Indonesia’s North Kalimantan

G

ENERAL SANTOS CITY— The provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for the forging of a sisterhood agreement with North Kalimantan province in Indonesia as it moves to open up exchanges between the two areas.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said Wednesday they are set to embark on exploratory discussions with their counterparts in North Kalimantan for the planned partnership in coordination with the Indonesian Consulate in Davao City.

He said they are mainly considering possible linkages on trade, investment, tourism, education, and other aspects.

The governor said Indonesian Consul General Dicky Fabrian initially presented these opportunities during a recent courtesy visit to the province.

“We talked about plans and programs in exploring investment and trade opportunities as well as strengthening economic ties through a sisterhood agreement, ideally with North Kalimantan,” he said in a news statement.

Tamayo said the sisterhood or twinning arrangement may be formalized later on through the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two areas.

Sisterhood agreements are mainly designed to pair geographically and

politically distinct areas to foster exchanges among the people, especially on culture, business, trade, education, and other aspects.

During their meeting, the governor said Fabrian vowed to help the province in whatever means necessary to enable local businessmen to export their products to Indonesia.

The consulate will also assist in persuading more Indonesian investors to locate and open up ventures in the province, he said.

“He [Fabrian] saw the potentials that we have here, especially in terms of agriculture and tourism,” he said.

Tamayo said they could look into opportunities in medical tourism, which is currently among the local government’s investment priorities.

He said they may also consider exchanges in education like study programs through school-to-school partnerships.

“Our universities and colleges could link up with their Indonesian counterparts for study abroad programs. The consulate is offering scholarships for a one-year study in one of its universities,” he said.

The province is among the areas in Mindanao that had long been hosting Indonesians who traveled to the area via the “southern backdoor” or the open coastal areas and eventually settled. PNA

WTO calls on nations to end Covid-19 export restrictions W

ORLD Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged the European Union (EU) and all other WTO members to end export restrictions on vaccines and other medical goods needed to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is the only way we can get

a freer flow of goods and get them to countries that don’t have access,” Okonjo-Iweala told Bloomberg in a phone interview late Tuesday.

Lastmonth,theEUannounced new requirements to force drug companies to obtain prior authorization before sending shots manufactured in the EU to other countries.

The move, which was aimed at addressing the slow rollout of vaccines across Europe, quickly sparked condemnation from the World Health Organization (WHO) and EU trading partners that feared a wider spiral into protectionism.

“If you restrict access then later on down the line it will be a problem,”

Okonjo-Iweala said. “Variants materialize quickly and then they come and maybe you have to start all over again. So, it is actually in the self interest of each member not to have these prohibitions and restrictions.”

Globally, the latest vaccination rate is 6.4 million doses per day, on average, according to the Bloom-

berg Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker. At this rate, it will take an estimated 4.9 years to cover 75 percent of the population with a two-dose vaccine.

Yet there are vast difference between countries with the US and the UK on track to reach herd immunity in less than a year, while India, Mexico and Russia are among nations where

that would take 10 years or more.

The WTO’s 164 members formally selected Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister, as leader of the Geneva-based trade body on Monday to serve a four-year term.

Until December she was chair at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization. Bloomberg News

OurTime BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

10 quincentennial markers to be unveiled in E. Visayas

T

By Sarwell Meniano

ACLOBAN CITY—Ten historical markers will be unveiled in Leyte and Samar provinces between March and April this year in areas that were part of the world’s first circumnavigation.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) has picked these sites given their direct links to the events in 1521, Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said.

“These markers play a significant role in making people aware that these communities were part of the first circumnavigation. This is part of telling our story as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s landing in Eastern Samar and the First Mass in Southern Leyte,” Tiopes said in an interview.

Markers will be unveiled in Calicoan and Suluan islands in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, as well as at the newly restored Guiuan Church on March 16.

On March 18, a marker will be unveiled in Homonhon Island also in Guiuan, marking the 500th anniversary of the PhilippineSpanish Contact.

Markers will also be unveiled in Hinunangan, Leyte (March 25); Limasawa, Southern Leyte (March 29); Combado, Maasin City in Southern Leyte (April 4); Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte; Himokian Islet in Hindang, Leyte; and Baybay City, Leyte (April 5).

THE historic island of Limasawa in Southern Leyte is the site of the First Mass in the Philippines and Asia held on March 31, 1521. The town is identified as one of the locations of historical markers that will be unveiled this year in time for the Quincentennial celebration, according to Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes. PNA TACLOBAN PHOTO

Limasawa Island, the smallest town in the province of Southern Leyte, is the site of the First Catholic Mass in Asia, officiated on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1521, by Father Pedro de Valderrama under the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan.

Two weeks before the mass on March 16, 1521, Magellan landed in Homonhon Island in Guiuan, East-

ern Samar where his crew managed to gather some food and water.

Since last year, the National Quincentennial Committee of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines has planned several activities for the celebrations but some non-religious activities may not proceed due to movement restrictions. PNA

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, February 20, 2021 A7

NHCP orders halt to rehabilitation of heritage church plaza in Antique

By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay

S

AN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique—The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has ordered the Antique District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to stop the rehabilitation of the church plaza of the St. John Nepomuceno Parish in Anini-y town.

In a letter addressed to DPWH Antique officer in charge Engr. De Joselito Antonio dated February 9, NHCP Chairman Dr. Rene Escalante said it came to his attention that the ongoing rehabilitation is desecrating the spacious and magnificent facade of the church.

“Please be informed that the abovementioned structure has a historical marker installed by the NHCP in August 2004,” he said.

He added that all Spanish and American period plazas and public squares are declared as National Historical Sites through the Board Resolution 7, Series of 2018.

“Therefore, any untoward alteration or modification that might affect the historical and structural integrity of this church must be coordinated first with the national cultural agencies,” Escalante said.

By virtue of Republic Act 10066,

Article VII, the cease and desist order (CDO) is issued suspending all activities involving the rehabilitation of the Anini-y Church Plaza, he added.

Meanwhile, Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, in a phone interview said that she supported the move of Lone District Rep. Loren Legarda, who requested the CDO. “I go with the proposition of Congresswoman Legarda to maintain the national heritage,” she said.

She added that no coordination was done with her office before the implementation of the project, hence, she only knew about it later.

“We are open to new development but we also have to take care of our past and the Aniniy church stands witness to our past,” she said.

Cadiao called for the removal of structures that had been put up, particularly the covered walkway, as part of the rehabilitation project that obstructs the magnificent view of the Baroque church.

Meanwhile, Legarda in a press statement said that she was “aghast upon hearing the recent disrespect for our built heritage.”

Legarda and Cadiao welcomed the swift issuance of the CDO by the NHCP. PNA

Nursing home disclosures taint Cuomo’s pandemic performance

By Michael Hill, Marina Villeneuve & Jennifer Peltz

Top aide Melissa DeRosa told lawmakers the data was delayed because officials worried that the information was “going to be used against us” by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice.

The new salvos from Republicans and Cuomo’s fellow Democrats mark a stark turnaround from the early days of the pandemic, when Cuomo’s daily briefings helped cement a national reputation for leadership. The briefings, in which he promised to deliver “just the facts,” won him an International Emmy and helped lead to his book, American Crisis.

“He stepped in it, more than a little bit. It would be bad enough if this had come out and he had not been publicly sort of celebrating, and been celebrated, for his handling of

The Associated Press

A

LBANY, N.Y.—New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote a book on managing the Covid-19 crisis. Now he faces intensifying accusations that he covered up the true death toll of the pandemic on nursing home residents, attacks that challenge his reputation for straight-shooting competency and could cloud his political future.

State lawmakers called for investigations, stripping Cuomo of his emergency powers and even his resignation after new details emerged this week about why certain nursing home data was kept under wraps for months, despite requests from lawmakers and others.

Of titles and entitlements

By Nick Tayag

MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH

D

AY in and day out, we address people of rank who answer to various honorific titles such as general, colonel, judge, doctor, attorney, engineer, mayor, congressman, kapitan, and so on.

Nothing wrong with that. It’s a given in life. My problem with titles is that it is now synonymous with enjoying a set of special privileges, which can be abused by any corruptible or immature person placed in a position of rank.

Many titled individuals believe they deserve automatic respect, privileges or recognition for things that they sometimes did not earn or they don’t deserve.

That’s when the sense of entitlement becomes unhealthy.

While I have to admit that “privilege” and “entitlement” have uses that go alongside the position, they can also be wielded in ways that hurt, intentionally or not. I’ve seen

it happen many times. A certain public relations man once lost a major account because the news release he put out to the publications got the position title of an important person wrong. One letter “S” was missing from VP. People can change because of a title. A sense of entitlement creeps into the person who suddenly possesses certain power over other people. Suddenly the title of his position becomes a powerful wand in his hands. Worse, his position lets him enjoy a set of perks and privileges that can be intoxicating to an immature person.

There once was a film director who was involved in a video production project that I was a part of.

His portfolio included awards for some commercials and videos he made and probably because of these awards, he began to up his talent fee and tacked a list of conditions

the pandemic,” said Jeanne Zaino, political science professor at Iona College. “But putting that aside, it doesn’t get more serious than this.

You’re talking about the deaths of 15,000 people.”

The Cuomo administration for months dramatically underreported the statewide number of Covid-19 deaths among long-term care residents. It is now nearly 15,000, up from the 8,500 previously disclosed.

The new toll amounts to about one-seventh of the roughly 90,000 people living in nursing homes as of 2019 in New York, which has among the most care home residents in the nation.

Cuomo has pointed to a small but growing body of research suggesting unchecked community spread is the

and privileges on his contract. For one thing, he specifically wanted to be fetched by an SUV, not a utility vehicle, from his condo located far south of Manila and brought back every time there’s an activity related to the production. During production, he wanted a specially prepared lunch in a separate table and would sit only together with the Executive Producer, client or staff of his choice.

He would bark orders in a loud angry voice while shooting, keeping the crew always on edge, some of whom mouthed expletives in a low voice behind his back. Soon the said project bogged down because of the “uncooperative” crew and technical problems, which mysteriously cropped up in the middle of the shoot. To make the long story short, the director eventually got sacked and replaced.

I later on learned from friends that “Direk” wasn’t like that before. As a production assistant, he used to ride the jeepney and would eat packed lunches with the crew during shoots. He was ka-barkada. What caused the change? The awards? The title of “Direk”?

But sometimes a title can bestow an illusionary sense of importance even to those who don’t deserve it. I know of another person who loves to be called “Direk” even if he does not actually know

biggest factor in nursing home outbreaks, and he has said inadequate federal government help with travel restrictions, testing and protective gear left New York City and its suburbs particularly vulnerable.

He has dismissed criticism as political and noted that the thousands of nursing home residents’ deaths in hospitals were always counted in the state’s overall tally.

“Died in a hospital, died in a nursing home—they died,” he said January 29.

The uproar might not have the same impact on the third-term Democrat as it would if he were facing reelection for the first time this year, Zaino said. But it could make him less likely to be tapped for a post in the Biden administration.

And Cuomo—who says he will

how to direct. But he is a slick talker and entertainer. Talents gravitate towards him because of his title.

Yet people close to him know that he is a “fake.” He has a superficial understanding of scripts and storyboards he is supposed to bring to life. During shoot, his cinematographer would do all the lighting and blocking arrangements. As his scriptwriter, I would sit beside him and tell him if the take is good or bad and he would then bark “good take” or “let’s do it again.” The funny thing is he knows his limitations. He just loves the title, as well as the built-in appeal and privileges that go with it, and most of all, the deference shown to him by anyone mesmerized by the glamor of film production. I wonder when his masquerade will last.

That’s the degree of obsessive and exaggerated sense of self-importance a title can give an individual. Together with it is the focus on the power and its trappings and privileges that a title brings.

The truth is a title brings with it the duties and responsibilities of leadership. This is what certain individuals who get appointed or elected to a position of rank begin to forget, overlook or neglect.

In fact, the paradigm of leadership is now changing. It is no longer about titles, least of all entitlements and perks. It is not

run again in 2022—is now facing criticism that is increasingly coming from members of his own party.

“The governor’s lack of transparency and stonewalling regarding his administration’s nursing home actions is unacceptable,” said state Sen. John Mannion, one of 14 Democratic state senators who said Friday that Cuomo’s expanded emergency powers should be repealed as soon as possible.

The higher death tolls were only divulged hours after a report late last month from Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James examining the administration’s failure to include nursing home residents who died at hospitals. The updated numbers backed up the findings of an As-

even just about barking orders.

I once heard a term called “leadership without a title.” That captures the essence of what true leadership is. The goal is to get others to willingly cooperate and engage, rather than following directives because you’re the boss. In fact, don’t try to be a boss. Instead, be a catalyst. For a real leader has a sense that we are all in this together, but we simply have different roles.

This is what American President John Quincy Adams had in mind when he said: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

Think about this. Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi never gave themselves fancy sounding titles, and never demanded special entitlements, yet they are now revered as great leaders.

This is why I am utterly disappointed by young graduates who want to start at the top, and be a boss immediately. They fail to realize that one needs to earn the title first, by starting from the bottom.

Fancy titles do not necessarily make you a leader. It’s the other way around: an authentic leader makes the title he deserves.

There are people who are “humble of heart” silently doing their tasks with passion and enthusiasm.

sociated Press investigation last year that concluded the state could have been understating deaths by thousands.

Nursing home residents’ advocates and relatives have questioned whether the virus’s spread in nursing homes was fueled by a March 25 state directive that barred the facilities from refusing people just because they had Covid-19. The directive was intended to free up space in rapidly filling hospitals.

Debra Diehl, 62, who lost her 85-year-old father, Reeves Hupman, to presumptive Covid-19 in May at a nursing home outside Albany, wants to know why Cuomo and the state didn’t do more to separate residents who may have had the virus, perhaps by putting them in field hospitals.

They know that their roles are important to the success of the team.

In contrast, nothing fosters distrust and demoralization more than an uncaring, self-absorbed boss who only cares about his image and his sense of entitlement and who views his people as nothing more than a tool to get something done. These petty executives in lofty positions divide rather than unite the people under them.

I am sure that somewhere in your workplace, or in your organization or establishment there must be someone or individuals who are taking action to initiate meaningful change in the way things are done. They lead just by doing their task as best as they can. They help move the job forward. They make a difference in their own quiet way. Many times these unsung heroes are overlooked because they don’t possess the necessary title that is used to describe a leader in a traditional sense. In fact, the credit for their work sometimes goes to their titled superiors.

Invest in such individuals wherever you find them. They not only make the best spouses, teammates, colleagues or friends, they also make the most effective leaders, with or without titles and special privileges.

Education BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, February 20, 2021

Editor: Mike Policarpio

PRRD declares May 18 as Natl Higher Education Day

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RESIDENT Duterte recently signed a law declaring May 18 of every year as “National Higher Education Day.” The Chief Executive signed Republic Act (RA) 11522 on February 5, when Malacañang released a copy of the law declaring the 18th day of May as “National Higher Education Day” to commemorate the founding anniversary of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Created on May 18, 1994, through the passage of RA 7722,

the CHED is the agency tasked to formulate and recommend development plans, priorities and programs on higher education.

It is also mandated to set minimum standards for programs and institutions of higher learning recommended by panels of experts in the field, and are subject to a public hearing.

“The CHED shall be the lead agency in-charge of the preparation and implementation of an annual program of activities and advocacy campaign for the observance of the ‘National Higher Education Day,’” the newly signed law read.

It said all higher education institutions (HEIs) shall provide full support and assistance on the preparation of the annual program of activities and events to be conducted by CHED, in observance of National Higher Education Day. RA 11522 also directs all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, public and private

educational institutions, private employers, and industry associations to accord sufficient time and opportunities for their students or employees to engage and participate in any activity related to the celebration.

The law takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette, or in at least two newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes first.

RA 11522 was passed by the Upper House as Senate Bill 1216 on August 19, 2020, and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill 4851 on November 16, 2020.

Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA

China donates tablets for Filipino students

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MBASSADOR Huang Xilian of China turned over 2,000 Huawei tablets to the Department of Education (DepEd) through Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones in Malacañan Palace on February 2.

The handover of the items, the ambassador said, was China’s way of supporting the rollout of the blended distance learning modality of the Philippines. “ W h i le t he pa ndem ic h a s brought severe challenges to traditional teaching methods, the donation is intended to help Philippine students overcome difficulties and get better access to distance learning resources,” Huang said.

“To the best of its ability, the Chinese Embassy will continue to support the education endeavors of the Philippines, and further implement the Chinese government scholarship and Chinese Ambas-

PRESIDENTIAL Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Eric A. Borje (from left), Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and Chinese envoy Huang Xilian CHINESE EMBASSY MANILA FB PAGE

sador scholarship projects.”

Magtolis Briones expressed her appreciation for the donation, and said it showcases the long-term valued friendship between China and the Philippines. “[It] is a great support for the implementation of the blended distance learning modality of the Philippines [despite the ongoing health crisis],” Briones said, then disclosed that the “tablets will be distributed to schools in geographically isolated, disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas.

The Philippines is also willing to learn from China’s successful experience in promoting online education.”

Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs and Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Eric A. Borje, as well as Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno A. Malaluan graced the event.

THE Casa Asia banner, with recipients of its award CASAASIA.EU

UST, Benavides Library cited for key roles in PHL education

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UBLIC consortium Casa Asia has recognized the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for “being a historical, academic and cultural reference, as well as playing a key role in education and training in the Philippines for more than 400 years.”

Out of 52 nominations, UST was chosen by Casa Asia in its Education and Science category for several reasons; among them: Being the oldest university in Asia, and for remaining as one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines; playing a key role in Philippine education since its foundation in the 1600s and having renowned personalities in various fields as alumni; and for having a library of great historical and cultural interest, with volumes dating back from the 17th century to the present.

The UST Library was also commended for its recent efforts in digitizing its library content to facilitate consultation and guarantee conservation.

In the official document announcing the winners entitled Galardonados Premios Casa Asia 2021, it was written in Spanish that “the University of Santo To-

mas—in particular. Its Miguel de Benavides Library—represent a historical and cultural benchmark of the first order and consequently a solid candidacy, in the opinion of this embassy, for the Casa Asia 2021 awards.”

The citation consists of a commemorative engraving and €1,500 per category, which will be bestowed at an awards ceremony in 2021 on a date and place to be announced later.

Established in 2001, Casa Asia is a public consortium consisting of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, the government of Catalonia, as well as the councils of Barcelona and Madrid City, where it has a base and center respectively.

According to its web site, Casa Asia aims to “recognize and disseminate the work of individuals and entities, both public and private, that have stood out for their work in the economic, social, educational, cultural or development-cooperation fields, favoring dignity and human rights, and have contributed to [promote] knowledge, dialogue and relations between Spain and…Asia-Pacific.”

BatStateU KIST Park forges ties with India

DLSU graduates push frontiers of learning despite the pandemic ‘Clear research focus’

ANIMO arises amid global anxiety: Bella Joy Bardollas (from left), Karl Patrick Mendoza, Neil Justin Romblon and Timothy Scott Chu

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HE global pandemic signaled a time of great challenges for countless students. Yet somehow, some Filipino graduate-scholars managed to flourish, as they turned their individual situations into opportunities to pursue knowledge beyond borders.

Computer Science scholar Neil Justin Romblon never imagined that his first time abroad would entail living on the other side of the world for an entire year.

He was concluding his undergraduate studies in 2018 when a professor shared about the new transnational Master’s programs offered by De La Salle University (DLSU), in alliance with Liverpool Hope University (LHU) in the United Kingdom.

Romblon gave it a try the following year, as he applied for dual Master’s degrees in data science and computer science, and a full scholarship from the Commission on Higher Education. Before long, he was 7,000 miles away from home for the first time, as he lived among a global community of learners in Liverpool.

“Abroad, LHU allowed me to set my own pace [and] explore ideas outside the curricu-

lum to expand my learning experience,” he shared. “Data science is a growing industry and a perfect option for me. My DLSU professors paved the way for this rare learning opportunity by igniting my enthusiasm to learn, and then showing me where I can fulfill my need for knowledge.”

Appreciation for this academic setup was shared by Timothy Scott Chu—a mechanical engineer who took up dual Master’s programs on his field specialization and robotics: “The program offered was an absolute ‘win’ [for me], since I wanted to pursue a Master’s degree in DLSU,” described Chu. “At the same time, I wanted to specialize in robotics, which was the partner program in LHU.” The Department of Science and Technology-Engineering Research and Development for Technology scholar took further studies to broaden his skills after he resigned from his job in Jazan, Saudi Arabia: “In a new learning environment, I was able to build connections, [as I collaborated] with colleagues and professors on projects that ended up getting published.”

THE two faced the challenges of the pandemic at the end of their respective terms abroad, making the situation manageable for both. But for DLSU graduate alumna and school teacher Bella Joy Bardollas (Master of Arts in History, 2017), the health crisis was a challenge to be met head-on when she commenced her second Master’s degree in Sweden’s Uppsala University.

She applied for a scholarship through the Swedish Institute in 2019, which was granted just as lockdowns were starting across the globe. The pandemic gave her doubts about pursuing the scholarship initially, but the uniqueness of her chosen specialization decided for her: “It’s fortuitous that there [was], under my current program, a specialization on the ‘history of educational systems.’ This is right along my research direction. As a teacher by profession, I focus on topics tackling the foundations of educational systems.”

Bardollas credits her Lasallian graduate experience for the opportunity. She claims her Master’s thesis mentor, Dr. Lars Ubaldo, helped her establish a clear research focus, which facilitated her scholarship application and admission to Uppsala. Grad school also filled in the required years to enter Sweden’s educational system—years she lacked, as she was not a product of the K-12 system.

“Also, in this competitive arena of international scholarships, universities look not just at the quality of your work, but also the credentials of the institution that gave you your degree,” she shared.

Overseas opportunities

THE grounding provided by a good university is understood well by DLSU graduate studies alumnus Karl Patrick Mendoza (Master of Arts in Political Science, 2018). He is currently a scholar at the University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch, New Zealand, taking up PhD in media and communications.

“Apart from giving me the confidence to apply for graduate programs abroad, my experience in DLSU allowed me to understand myself and the overseas opportunities available by providing a platform to connect with and work alongside professors who do not only teach research, but also do research,” Mendoza averred.

It was even his master’s thesis panel in DLSU who suggested his doctoral research topic: the politics of news coverage surrounding the Dengvaxia vaccine controversy.

It was a subject that became even more relevant with the pandemic, especially with the various discussions on vaccine acceptance.

Although he was in one of the few cities in the world that effectively controlled the spread of the virus, early restrictions in Christchurch had an effect on Mendoza, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and suffers from social anxiety disorder.

“The relatively brief lockdown period that we had here saw a period of decline in my motivation for studying,” he admitted. “As someone in constant need of occasional distraction through nonacademic activities, I found it hard to set up a daily work routine.”

Nonetheless, Mendoza was able to turn things around—even winning UC’s Judith Ensor Prize, which recognizes the achievement and commitment of students with a specific learning difficulty.

He went back to old habits, taking the discipline from years of learning to help himself get back on track, and showing that the thirst for knowledge—once planted—does not stop, and can only grow.

These graduate students all live by the said mantra, with encouragement and guidance from their mentors, as well as academic-support systems.

In the face of an existential threat such as the pandemic, continuous learning becomes a way for them to survive.

AMBASSADOR of India Shambhu S. Kumaran at the event INDIA IN THE PHILIPPINES FB PAGE

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ATANGAS CITY—The Batangas State University’s (BatStateU) Knowledge, Innovation and Science Technology (KIST) Park recently boosted its entrepreneurial activities by formalizing a cooperation agreement with the Embassy of India.

Ambassador Shambhu S. Kumaran visited the university’s Pablo Borbon Campus in this city for the cooperation agreement on February 15, the ceremonies of which were arranged by the embassy’s Economic and Commerce First Secretary Nishi Kant Singh and President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo of the university.

The partnership between BatStateU KIST Park and the Embassy of India envisions to take the cooperation between the Philippines and India to the next level by creating an ecosystem for leading Indian start-ups to establish their presence and investments in the KIST Park, which could also serve as their Asean regional base.

CEOs, presidents, leaders and

executives from Philippine and Indian companies, who are actual and potential locators of the KIST Park representing the electronics, information technology (IT)/business-process outsourcing, agri-tech and space-tech industries, inked several cooperation agreements with BatStateU. On May 22, 2020, President Duterte signed Proclamation 947, which designated the BatStateU KIST Park as a Special Economic Zone. Already open for locator companies and start-ups, the KIST Park offers income-tax holidays and other fiscal incentives. Business locators will also benefit from the knowledge-generation and commercialization initiatives of the university.

BatStateU is a Level-IV state university in Southern Luzon, and the only state universitycollege or SUC in the country accredited by the United States’s Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology for its engineering, IT and computerscience programs. It has a threestar rating in the Quacquarelli Symonds list of top universities.

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Saturday, February 20, 2021 A9

‘BALIK SA BOHOL’ program to boost local tourism I n an effort to jump-start the economy of Bohol via the restart of the tourism industry, the “Balik sa Bohol” program was initiated and will be held from February 21 to March 14, 2021.

LOBOC River Cruise offers private tours.

A trip to Hinagdanan cave is quick, and yet very interesting.

Bohol Bee Farm offers good eats at their restaurant, and an organic farm.

Get ready for a bike zip at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park.

BLUEWATER Panglao Resort, one of the establishments participating in the program.

This initiative is fully supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Board of the Philippines (TBP) and the Bohol Provincial Government.

According to the Tourism Board of the Philippines, Bohol remains in the top 3 tourist destinations in the Philippines, next to Boracay and Palawan. Tourism is one of the leading economic drivers of Bohol province.

The successful Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) in September; and the Philippine Tourism Destination Inventory and MICE+E Bohol Familiarization Trip, both held on the island in December; served to thrust Bohol’s tourism as it opened their shores to tourists.

The “Balik sa Bohol tourism” program, which aims to boost interest among free and independent travelers (FIT) to visit Bohol, features an online sale on tourism accommodation and packages up to 70 percent. The program was launched via a virtual meeting, participated in by members of the local media and tourism stakeholders, held on February 10.

The media launch started with welcome remarks by Margie Munsayac (VP-Sales and Marketing of Bluewater Resorts) and messages from Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones (COO-Tourism Promotions Board), Shalimar Hofer Tamano (DOT Region VII Director), Mayor Leonila Montero (Panglao mayor), and Gov. Arthur Yap (Bo-

hol governor).

The keynote speaker was Bernadette Romulo Puyat, secretary of the Department of Tourism.

This was followed by a question and answer segment and a raffle, for media participants, of two 3-day/2-night stays for two at select Bohol resort, and a grand raffle of another 3-day/2-night stay for two with airfare and PCR tests included. Atty. Lucas “Doy” Nunag (chairman of the Provincial Tourism Council) delivered the closing remarks. A Balik sa Bohol Online Sales video, Cebu Pacific Air video, and TBP’s Safe Trip Pinas video were also presented.

In his speech, Gov. Arthur Yap stated that Bohol has long been ready for FITs wishing to enter Bohol as health and safety arrival protocols have been modified and loosened to fit the needs of tourists in co-relation to the guidelines set by the Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). FITs may enter Bohol and stay within the travel bubble if they are able to secure a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken 72 hours prior to arrival here in the province.

A lso, according to Panglao Mayor Montero (whose town, Bohol’s premier tourist destination, suffered huge losses during the lockdown that turned the oncebustling island into a “ghost town”), measures to ensure safe tourism

THE restored Church of the Holy Trinity in Loay is a national historical landmark.

A visit in Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary is a must in Bohol.

in the island are constantly on the move to strengthen its policies to ensure the safety of tourists while still making it more convenient to its incoming and outgoing guests.

During tours, only accredited tourist transport services are allowed to accommodate tourists and a 24/7

tourist hot line has been placed to assist them with their concerns.

Participating companies in the online sale include The Acacia Glamping Park in Carmen, the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park in Batuan the Loboc River Resort in Loboc, plus six travel agencies and a

number of resorts and hotels within Panglao Island. For reservations and bookings visit: http://www. traveloco.ph/balikbohol.

The participating resorts and hotels are Amarela Resort, Amorita Resort, BE Grand Hotel, The Bellevue Resort, Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort-Panglao, Bluewater Panglao Resort, Bohol Beach Club, Donatela Resort and Sanctuary, Modala Beach Resort and South

Palms Resort Panglao, all in Panglao town; and Bohol Bee Farm and Mithi Resort & Spa, all in Dauis.

The participating travel agencies are Angel Wings Tours & Travel, Baclayon Travel & Tours, Bohol Holidays Travel & Tours Inc., Dagohoy Travel and Tours and Travel Village Tours and Travel, all based in Tagbilaran City; and Coordinates Tours & Travel based in Dauis, Panglao Island.

The Medical City and Robinsons Hotels & Resorts take health care and hospitality to a whole new level

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obinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) has partnered with The Medical City to provide a seamless and convenient health-care experience for every Filipino with its Hotel and Travel Care Packages. The Hotel Care Package 1 is recommended to those who plan to have their ECLIA Serological (antibody) test from The Medical City. This antibody test is a highly sensitive and specific chemiluminescent immunoassay test intended for identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection. And since the result will be released within 24 hours, the patient has the option to wait for the results in the comfort of Summit Hotel Magnolia and Go Hotels Ortigas Center, which are 20 minutes and 8 minutes away, respectively, from The Medical City.

For only P4,200 net per person (single occupancy), enjoy an overnight

stay in a single room with high-speed Wi-fi, international and local TV channels. Packed breakfast is included.

Just add P2,200 if you wish to stay for another night.

Package 2 (three days/two nights) is priced at P10,000 per person (single occupancy). Stay for two nights in a

Summit Hotel Magnolia - Deluxe Room.

single room with full board (packed meals), high-speed Wi-fi connection and international and local TV channels.

This package is ideal to those who are required to take the RT-PCR test, which is considered as the gold standard for confirming the presence of

SARS-CoV-2, since the results will be released after two days. Just add P2,300 net per person (single occupancy) to include private car pickup service from airport to hotel or hotel to airport. This package is designed for OFWs, seafarers and balikbayans, who are required to undergo swab

Summit Hotel Magnolia Lobby

test (RT-PCR) and have to wait for their test results and clearance to be able to return home.

Under the new normal, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts has elevated its standard of hygiene and cleanliness protocols with the “Circle of Clean” seal. Based on World Health Orga-

nization (WHO) and Department of Health’s new normal protocols, Circle of Clean provides a worry-free stay experience for RHR guests from prearrival to post-departure touchpoint implemented in all Go Hotels and Summit Hotels and Resorts around the Philippines.

In times of need, you can always count on your go-to hotels to do what they do best—hospitality. Hospitality is making your guests feel like they’re home.

To avail of the Travel Care Package, call Robinsons Hotels and Resorts at least three days from date of arrival.

For inquiries and reservations, please contact: RHR Happy to Care Hotlines: 0917 888 7788; 0998 888 7788; + 632 8 397 0111; Go Hotels Ortigas Center: +63 (2) 8 531 3585 ; +63 (2) 8 531 3591 ; +63 998 840 1719; Summit Hotel Magnolia: (02) 8 705-6300; 0998-8403677. E-mail: reservations@summithotels.ph | reservations@gohotels.ph.

BusinessMirror

A10 Saturday, February 20, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Major Australian media company strikes Google news pay deal C /

SAMSUNG’S The Terrace

FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND OUTDOOR, WEATHER-PROOF 4K SMART TV NOW IN PHL WHEN people think of “home entertainment,” they usually think of the living room, where electronic gadgets are safe from the elements. With the release of their new The Terrace line, Samsung breaks barriers to bring entertainment outdoors with the first-ever weather-proof TV and soundbar.

As a global leader in TV innovation, creating an optimal entertainment space outdoors has always been a goal for Samsung (www.samsung.com/ph). While a standard television could get the job done, The Terrace’s IP55 water-resistance build takes it a step further to give you peace of mind, especially with the unpredictable rainy season in the Philippines.

Despite its weather-proof design, The Terrace doesn’t sacrifice and scrimp on its quality either.

Equipped with wide viewing angle capabilities further improved with an anti-glare screen, not to mention Samsung’s signature QLED technology and Ultra Bright Picture Quality, The Terrace negates all the possible nuisances of outdoor lighting, ensuring a delightful viewing experience. In addition, The Terrace is a Smart TV, which can connect to the Internet for your video streaming needs, and comes with pre-installed entertainment apps, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Completing the outdoor home entertainment experience, The Terrace Soundbar provides optimized audio for each content, thanks to its Adaptive Sound feature. Plus, the WideSound Coverage feature provides surround-sound capability and can fill up any open space with its 210W powerful sound.

Now, who’s up for an al fresco dinner with the latest Netflix blockbuster?

BY ROD MCGUIRK The Associated Press

ANBERRA, Australia—Seven West Media has become the largest Australian news media business to strike a deal with Google to pay for journalism in a partnership announced on Monday before the nation’s Parliament considers draft laws to force digital giants to pay for news. Google and the publicly listed broadcast television, print and online publishing company jointly announced they had agreed on a “long-term partnership” after weekend discussions Australian government ministers had with media executives, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google.

Kerry Stokes, chairman of Seven West Media, which owns 21 publications, thanked the government and the Australian competition regulator for their proposed law that the Parliament will consider on Tuesday. “Their outstanding leadership on the implementation of the proposed news media bargaining code has resulted in us being able to conclude negotiations that result in fair payment and ensure our digital future,” Stokes said in a statement.

“The negotiations with Google recognize the value of quality and original journalism throughout the country and, in particular, in regional areas,” Stokes added. The deal was struck under Google’s own model, News Showcase. Google has reached pay deals with more than 450 publications globally since News Showcase was launched in October.

Google announced two weeks ago that it had begun paying seven far smaller Australian web sites under News Showcase.

Google regional director Mel Silva said: “We are proud to support original, trusted, and quality journalism and are excited to welcome Seven West Media today as a major Australian publishing partner to join Google News Showcase.”

The partnership was a substantial investment for Google in journalism not just in metro areas but in smaller communities, she added.

Neither Google nor Seven West Media mentioned how much the deal was worth. Rival media company Nine Entertainment reported, citing unnamed industry sources, that it was worth more than 30 million Australian dollars ($23 million) a year.

Swinburne University senior lecturer on media Belinda Barnet described the New Showcase deal as a “consolation prize” since it did not include news linked through Google’s search engine.

She expected Seven West Media’s main rivals, Nine and News Corp., would hold out for deals under the proposed code that would include all news.

“So far publicly they’ve said they support the code,” Barnet said of the two rivals. “They might feel some pressure now to get on board [with News Showcase].”

Australian media companies stood to make better deals under the code without Google “in the driver’s seat” of negotiations, she said.

“If it goes through as is, it will be very beneficial for Australian media,” Barnet said of the code. “Google will be lobbying very hard in the background...to confine it to News Showcase,” she added.

Seven West Media said it will release more details about the deal after those details are finalized within 30 days. Before the announcement, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg had said Google and Facebook were close to striking commercial deals, “which could be of real benefit to the domestic media landscape and

see journalists rewarded financially for generating original content, as it should be.”

Google and Facebook did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Frydenberg’s discussions with their leaders.

Google has ramped up its campaign against the proposed law, telling the Senate committee that scrutinized it that the platform would likely make its search engine unavailable in Australia if the code were introduced.

Facebook has threatened to block Australians from sharing news if the platform were forced to pay for news.

While the digital giants can afford the likely cost of paying for the Australian news they link to, they are concerned about the international precedent that Australia could set.

Google has faced pressure from authorities elsewhere to pay for news. Last month, it signed a deal with a group of French publishers, paving the way for the company to make digital copyright payments.

Under the agreement, Google will negotiate individual licensing deals with newspapers, with payments based on factors such as the amount published daily and monthly internet site traffic.

In Australia, the platforms can make payment deals with media businesses before the code is legislated. The legislation would create an arbitration panel to make binding decisions on payment in cases where a platform and a news business can’t agree on a price for news.

The panel would usually accept either the platform’s or the publisher’s best offer, and only rarely set a price in between.

This should discourage both the platforms and news businesses from making unrealistic demands. ■

Globe at Home tops Netflix’s Internet speed index in the Philippines GLOBE at Home, Globe’s broadband business, topped the latest Netflix ISP Speed Index, scoring 3.2 Mbps in the January 2021 index.

In its recent disclosure, Globe (www.globe.com. ph) said that 2020 was a banner year for its Home Broadband business, posting revenues of P26.8 billion, a 23-percent hike year-on-year from P21.7 billion in 2019. Total home broadband subscriber base now stands at 3.8 million, an 88-percent increase from 2019.

The telco said that it intends to rollout an

additional 1 million fiber lines in 2021. Globe earmarked an unprecedented P70 billion in CAPEX this year, 80 percent of which will be spent on data network builds.

The Philippines has been posting continued improvements in Internet speed for fixed wireline in 2020. In terms of fixed broadband, Ookla data shows that the Philippine average rose to 31.44 Mbps in December from 28.68 Mbps in November 2020.

“This recognition from Netflix shows our commitment to bring highly reliable Internet service

to our customers. Apart from providing relevant products and services, we strive to improve our customers’ overall experience on our network,” said Darius Delgado, vice president and head of Broadband Business at Globe.

Globe embarked on an aggressive build and network expansion program in 2020. The company posted the most number of new site builds according to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Globe built a total of 10,395 towers as of December 2020.

11 months of challenges and difficulties

UNLESS you’re a medical frontliner or someone whose job is in the service industry, it is likely that you’ve been working from home since March 2020.

The same goes for students.

I am grateful that I don’t work full time because it means I don’t sit in front of a computer the whole day attending virtual meetings. I do attend online events but not as many press conferences and launches as most members of the press.

There’s something kind of depressing about online events, especially if you need to unmute yourself and show your face on camera. I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Anyway, the months that most of us have spent in quarantine have given us the opportunity to reconnect with family members. We’ve all lived in the same house but our pre-pandemic fast-paced lifestyles somehow made us distant. Most of us were

lucky to share one meal a day with all family members pre-pandemic.

Another good thing that happened for those who work and/or learn from home is that, for those who live in the big cities, we’ve avoided the hellish commute.

But to be honest, being homebound has been disadvantageous for most other people. Not everyone is happy at home. Many young people, not necessarily minors, still live at home with their parents for economic reasons. Some of them don’t have good relationships with their parents. Pre-pandemic, they avoided this by always being out of the house. Being quarantined essentially meant being quarantined with those who they’ve avoided all this time. The same situation is true for women who live with abusive husbands.

I am not an authority on mental health but I do know that many people’s mental health situation has severely deteriorated in quarantine. If their way of coping is to make Dalgona coffee, bake bread, do yoga and make TikTok videos and posting everything on social media platforms, I will not judge anyone. The world is tough enough as it is for everyone. I will not add to any person’s hardship by judging them.

Parents of students are having a tough time, too, because now they have to be experts at difficult subjects like Math and Science. I know a mom who was in a meeting while her son was having difficulties with a Math lesson. So she was teaching him as she

also tried to do the meeting, and she had a mini meltdown. It was only later that she realized that her microphone was unmuted and everybody in the meeting heard her meltdown. One of her colleagues tried to message her about it but, not surprisingly, she didn’t look at her phone while all that was happening.

Another difficulty for those who work and learn from home is more technical in nature. Not everyone

has fast Internet and gadgets that are updated.

Internet signal is usually dependent on one’s location so imagine the nightmares of those who happen to have weak signal.

It has been 11 months of challenges and difficulties for everyone because of Covid-19. I truthfully see two to three more years of this before the global health crisis is over.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

YouTube’s quick-video answer to TikTok coming in March

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Saturday, February 20, 2021 A11

Jobs on the rise

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BY LUCAS SHAW AND NICO GRANT Bloomberg News YOUTUBE will introduce a short-form video feature called Shorts to the US in March, making its biggest move yet to respond to the growing challenge from TikTok. Americans will be able to use a preliminary version of Shorts while the company, owned by Alphabet Inc.’s Google, continues developing the feature, YouTube said on Wednesday in a blog post. Shorts lets users create and upload 15-second videos, the length of an average video on ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok. YouTube has been testing the feature in India since September, and said the videos are now being watched more than 3.5 billion times a day in the country, which is its largest market.

TikTok’s surge in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic has forced other socialmedia companies to adjust their strategy and come up with similar products. Facebook Inc.’s Instagram debuted Reels, while Snap Inc. introduced Snapchat’s Spotlight and YouTube unveiled Shorts.

YouTube is the largest video site in the world and the easiest way for an amateur filmmaker, comedian or musician to make money. But as YouTube has gotten bigger and more professionalized, many younger people have turned to TikTok to popularize dance crazes and lip-synch video challenges with only their smartphones.

“We know there’s still a huge amount of people who find the bar for creation too high” on YouTube, Neal Mohan, chief product officer, wrote in the blog post.

Mohan announced the expansion of Shorts as part of a new series giving people a look behind the scenes at technology and product development at YouTube. He also offered a few additional stats and changes coming to YouTube in 2021.

Thirty-five million people now use the YouTube Kids app every week, up from 20 million in June 2019. Though the company has tried to direct children to watch videos in the familyfriendly app, many of the most popular channels on regular YouTube still make videos tailored for kids. The company is readying a new option that will let parents add specific channels or videos from the flagship site to the service specifically for youngsters.

YouTube also said it is introducing new tools for creators to make money from their fans, including an applause feature, akin to a digital tip jar, and a new commerce plan. YouTube makes most of its money from advertising, generating about $20 billion in 2020. But channels are looking for additional ways to diversify their business and reduce their reliance on ads, including selling memberships, asking fans for tips and selling T-shirts and other merchandise.

The company said its TV product, which gives users access to more than 85 traditional television channels online, now has more than 3 million paid subscribers. The service has been a way to diversify the company’s revenue beyond advertising dollars.

L

AST year, about 4.5 million Filipinos became unemployed as the country suffered one of the worst job crisis because of the Covid-19 pandemic and extended lockdowns.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s Labor Force Survey (LFS), the unemployment rate jumped to 10.4 percent—the highest in 15 years, even reaching a high of 17.6 percent in April as business operations were forced to shutdown as various parts of the country were placed under quarantine.

Covid-19 brought significant disruption to the global economy, and with it came permanent changes to the jobs landscape. Even as quarantine restrictions are being gradually eased, many found themselves unemployed or forced to shift to different careers.

Some organizations streamlined their business functions, causing layoffs while others revamped, giving rise to the demand for professionals with a more diverse skills set. As we started working remotely, we saw a rise in demand for digital and soft skills, and rather than focus on credentials, employers began hiring based on skills.

As we move forward this 2021, workers and organizations need to know the emerging trends in the employment sector and what skills are needed to succeed in these roles. LinkedIn released a special edition of its yearly Emerging Jobs Report, titled “Jobs on the Rise,” to offer insights into the new employment landscape.

The following are the trends and in-demand jobs according to the report.

■ CONSUMERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA HAVE GONE INCREASINGLY DIGITAL: Technology has allowed people to work, stay connected to their loved ones and fulfill their daily needs like buying groceries, from the comfort of their own home. One in three digital service consumers in Southeast Asia were new to the service but 94 percent of these new digital users are likely to stick with the service moving forward.

As a result, demand for workers with tech skills will remain or even grow, from specialized engineers, to cyber security talent and data analysts, software and technology roles, and cyber security roles.

■ E-COMMERCE BOOMED IN 2020: While travel and transport services suffered, e-commerce, online media and food delivery services surged. The roles created by this boom do not require traditional educational degrees, or advanced technological skills.

The rise of e-commerce, for example, is fueling more demand in logistics for warehouse skilled talent. And it is these roles that may be filled by professionals of varying skills and experience. In fact, globally the majority of people who fill these roles often come from non-emerging jobs. As such, those in e-commerce, customer service, supply chain, business development and sales are going to be in demand.

■ TRADITIONAL ROLES HAVE EVOLVED: Jobs that were traditionally conducted in-person are now being done online and there was a growth in digital lending, education and healthtech services. With 70 percent of Southeast Asia now online, these sectors need to

master the basics of technology, from communication tools, to social-media platforms and basic office software. This will give more opportunities to health care and medical support roles, health care and medical frontline roles, education roles, finance and insurance roles.

■ BRANDS HAVE FOUND NEW WAYS TO CONNECT WITH CONSUMERS, LEADING TO A RISE IN DEMAND FOR DIGITAL MARKETERS AND CONTENT CREATORS: The shift online has brought about an evolution in how brands communication with their consumers. LinkedIn’s data shows a 48-percent increase in companies posting on the platform in June 2020, compared to a year earlier. This has led to growth in demand for digital marketers—professionals who seek to engage consumers effectively online—and digital content creators who are able to produce entertaining content across a range of channels. This opens opportunities for editors, copywriters, podcasters, YouTubers, video editors, public relations and digital marketing specialists.

During the lockdown days, I think I spent more time listening to podcasts than music and among my homegrown favorites are The Halo Halo Show with Rica Garcia and JC Teves, Good Times With Mo, and The Wrestling-Wrestling show.

I’ve always wanted to start a podcast version of this column and with the continued success of Podcast Network Asia (PNA), it seems that there are still a lot of opportunities for aspiring podcasters.

Since its inception in August 2019, PNA has provided a foundation for the growing podcast industry by making sure that creators and hosts

have access to production support and monetization opportunities. Over the course of the pandemic, PNA has grown its roster to 93 shows. With four Spotifyexclusive shows, PNA is also home to the top podcasts in the Philippines, including Boiling Waters, Eve’s Drop, Kool Pals, and Walwal Sesh, and many more.

PNA recently received a new round of seed funding valued at $750,000 and the added capital can help extend PNA’s reach outside of the Philippines, exploring Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia for its expansion.

Part of the ambition behind PNA is to encourage more brands and advertisers to support podcasting as a channel to reach and engage their audience. Globally, podcast advertising has grown exponentially along with the increase of podcast shows which is estimated to be at $1 million.

From 2015 to 2020, podcast ad revenue grew exponentially from $69 million to a staggering $659 million. According to Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PwC, this growth shows little signs of stopping, with advertising revenue projected to surpass $1 billion in 2021.

“Podcasting is about to enter its golden age,” enthuses Ron Baetiong, CEO and cofounder of Podcast Network Asia.

“We are very excited with what this investment allows us to do—with the Philippines as the 6th fastest growing country in terms of listenership plus our own listenership, which already stands at 10 million. We can scale up and continue the momentum we’ve built in the Philippine podcasting industry and replicate it across the region.” ■

Social-media users must practice caution to protect their privacy

BY RIZAL RAOUL S. REYES USERS of social media for now must practice caution by carefully analyzing the messages on their accounts to avoid falling into scams perpetrated by cybercriminals.

“Before proceeding with an action, make sure to verify the actual sources first. Another good practice would be to ensure that all online accounts have two-factor authentication and try to include a mix of numbers, symbols, upper-case and lower-case letters in your password,” Kevin Shepherdson, CEO and founder of Straits Interactive, told BUSINESSMIRRO� in an e-mail interview.

As far as the privacy issue is concerned, Shepherdson said Facebook and its affiliate WhatsApp have to repair the impact of the negative

publicity generated by their initiatives on the privacy issue of users. For Facebook, he said the recent privacy controversy was an accumulation of various practices by the social media giant that have emerged including the Cambridge Analytics scandal complemented by WhatsApp’s failure to communicate effectively.

He said the controversy started when WhatsApp announced on January 6 this year announced its privacy policy update requiring its users to share information such as phone number and address with Facebook and its other companies if they want to keep using the service.

WhatsApp announced through their blog the delay of their privacy update from February 8 to May 15 due to the huge backlash it received from users. He added WhatsApp is expected to use this period to send a clearer message to users about its privacy update.

Moreover, Shepherdson said Facebook needs to address its reputational issues, while WhatsApp needs to communicate effectively to users to address the misconception that their messages can be read by WhatsApp. Shepherdson said WhatsApp has reportedly lost millions of users as a result of the recent privacy policy. However, he pointed out this was just a drop in the bucket as it represents a small fraction of its two billion user database. Meanwhile, Shepherdson said Facebook has experienced several challenges in the past with its stock price taking a hit—only for it to recover quite quickly and the stock remains on an upward trajectory.

Shepherdson said all organizations must comply with data protection/privacy laws that apply to them, and regulators much be quick to take action when

they recognize a compliance failure. The largest regulatory fine so far in relation to data protection in Europe is a 50 million Euro fine levied on Google by the French data protection regulator. Other actions are going through the regulatory processes, including actions against Facebook taken by the Irish data protection regulator.

As part of its analysis of data protection trends in 2021, Shepherdson said Straits Interactive expects more privacy breaches along with the usual data breaches. He pointed out it is a social engineering problem caused by user ignorance as users attach unsecured documents containing personal data in chat groups or sharing such information with the wrong recipient. “It’s more important than ever that users take care to download apps only where they are provided by organizations that users trust,” he said.

PHOTO courtesy of LinkedIn

Sports

BusinessMirror

A12 Saturday, February 20, 2021

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph / Editor: Jun Lomibao

DOMINANT FORCE W

HETHER or not Naomi Osaka claims the Australian Open championship—and make no mistake, she will be expected to win—this much seems certain: Tennis has a new dominant force.

Sure, it’s clearly possible that Osaka could be beaten by the 22nd-seeded American Jennifer Brady in the title match at Melbourne Park on Saturday.

Brady is, after all, emerging as a force on hard courts, too, thanks to a big serve and big forehand.

She pushed Osaka to three sets before losing to her in the US Open semifinals last September, then shrugged off a two-week hard quarantine in Australia to reach her first Grand Slam final.

It is the No. 3-seeded Osaka, though, who overpowered and overwhelmed Serena Williams in the semifinals Thursday.

Who is riding a 20-match winning streak dating to last season.

Who already has spent time at No. 1 in the rankings.

Who is seeking her second Australian Open title and fourth Slam trophy—and she is still only 23.

Like 23-time major champion Williams,

there is a determination that Osaka manages to display when the finish line is near on their sport’s most important stages: She has run her record to a combined 11-0 in Grand Slam quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

Osaka often speaks about wanting more consistency, whether that’s at lower-level Women’s Tennis Association tournaments or at every Grand Slam event.

She does occasionally stumble early at the majors, such as a third-round exit a year ago as the defending champion in Australia or a first-round loss at Wimbledon in 2019.

But once she gets close to the end, she seals the deal.

“For me, I have this mentality that people don’t remember the runners-up. You might, but the winner’s name is the one that’s engraved,” explained Osaka, who was born in Japan to a Japanese mother and Haitian father before the family moved to New York when she was three.

“I think I fight the hardest in the finals,” she continued. “I think that’s where you sort of set yourself apart.”

Williams had been 8-0 in Australian Open semifinals until Osaka put a stop to that by

winning, 6-3, 6-4, reeling off the last eight points of the match after the second set was even at 4-all.

When they hugged at the net at the end, this is what went through Osaka’s mind: “Always a surreal moment, just to see her in real life, like, close up.”

Osaka has long viewed the 39-year-old Williams as an idol.

Their games are quite similar at the most foundational level: speedy serves, dangerous forehands and that steely attitude on court.

Brady got a sense of that during the entertaining matchup in New York last year against Osaka.

“She just puts a lot of pressure on you to serve well, because she’s holding serve in, like, 45 seconds....

She’s coming at you with a lot of power, so it also puts a lot of pressure on you to be aggressive and try to get the first strike. Otherwise you’re the one running, and I don’t want to be running,” said Brady, a 25-year-old from Pennsylvania who played college tennis at UCLA. “She just puts a lot of pressure on you to perform well.”

Brady acknowledged that she expects to deal with some nerves against Osaka this time.

That’s only natural, given the stakes.

The key will be limiting how much—and for how long—that affects her play.

“Listen, I don’t know how I’m going to feel on Saturday. I can say I can enjoy the moment and just try to play tennis and not really think too much about it. But there’s going to be moments, there’s going to be games, there’s going to be points, where I’m going to be thinking about, ‘Wow, this could be my first Grand Slam title,’” said Brady, who needed five match points in the last game to close her three-set semifinal win over Karolina Muchova.

“Yeah, I will definitely have those thoughts,” she said. “But it’s more just trying to control the emotions, really.” AP

NAOMI OSAKA eyes fourth Grand Slam title in Australian Open. AP

Saludar targets 2nd world crown in fight vs Paradero

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San Miguel Corp. complex in Mandaluyong City on Friday afternoon where he is to meet his new teammates and coaches at San Miguel Beer and to get use to his new home after being traded from Terrafirma recently. IG PHOTO

By Josef Ramos

ORMER world champion Vic “The Vicious” Saludar tries to return to the world’s elite circle as he fights unbeaten Robert Paradero on Saturday for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight title at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Saludar climbs the ring for the first time since beating Mike Kinaadman on December 21, 2019, via a sixth-round knockout in Naga City, a few months after being dethroned by Puerto Rican World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Wilfredo Mendez via unanimous decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“I focused on training and sparring in six months in General Santos because I know Paradero is doing well in training,” Saludar told BusinessMirror on Friday. “He is also a tough adversary.

But I am determined to be a two-time world champion.”

The 30-year-old Saludar, who as an amateur clinched a bronze medal in the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, is known for his stinging jabs, just like his brothers Froilan and 2010 Asian Games gold winner Rey Saludar.

He is sporting a 20-4 win-loss record with 11 knockouts under trainer Jojo Palacios.

Paradero, undefeated in 18 fights with 12 knockouts, expressed his excitement at getting a shot at a world crown.

“I am 101 percent ready. This is what I have been waiting for a long time. Tomorrow will change everything, it will be my moment,” said Paradero, 24, who trains under Alfredo Singsing.

“Even though he [Saludar] is a veteran, I will never give up my 19th pro career fight to him. I will not waste this opportunity.”

Saludar weighed in 104 lbs, while Paradero tipped the scale at 104.4 lbs during the weigh-in.

Mbappé threatens Barca rival

B

PERFECT SHOT CJ Perez drives to the

ARCELONA—Agitated and in the heat of competition during a Champions League match, Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé possibly threatened Barcelona defender Jordi Alba.

The Marca daily and other outlets have posted a video online of Mbappé apparently saying “In the street, I’ll kill you.” The incident between the two players occurred during PSG’s 4-1 win at Barcelona on Tuesday.

Mbappé ended up scoring a hat trick in the match at the Camp Nou. Alba moved toward Mbappé after the PSG forward pushed Barcelona defender Sergiño Dest in front of goal while play was stopped in the first half. The players then started trash-talking.

It’s not totally clear in the video what Mbappé

PHL pair tries again in Naples

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NBA All-Star: James vs Durant

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HE voters have spoken: They wanted LeBron James of the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers to be an All-Star captain, again.

So, he is. And Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant will be his opposition.

James and Durant were revealed Thursday as the leading fan vote-getters in the Western and Eastern Conferences for the All-Star Game, meaning they’ll be captains for the matchup in Atlanta on March 7. James will start for the 17th time, extending his record, and Durant is an All-Star for the 11th time.

Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) and Kobe Bryant (18) have more total All-Star selections than James.

The other starters: Denver’s Nikola Jokic and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard join James as West frontcourt picks, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Dallas’ Luka Doncic are the starting guards from the West, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid are alongside Durant as the East frontcourt starters, while Washington’s Bradley Beal and Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving are the East

is saying, though it appears that the native French-speaker tried to say “In the street, I’ll kill you” in Spanish.

The 22-year-old Mbappé has been often linked to a move to Barcelona rival Real Madrid.

The second leg of the round-of-16 series between Barcelona and PSG is scheduled for March 10 in Paris.

While Mbappé was the talking point of the soccer world this week after his hat trick against Barcelona, the performance of his teammate Marco Verratti laid the foundations for his stellar performance.

Verratti’s virtuoso midfield display at Camp Nou on Tuesday was lost somewhat amid the flood of compliments for the destructive Mbappé.

Yet it highlighted just how crucial the injury-

starting guards.

Doncic and Portland’s Damian Lillard were tied in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) weighted system for the second West guard spot; Doncic got the nod because he got more fan votes. Fan votes counted for 50 percent of the starter selection process; player votes counted as 25 percent of the total, and votes from a media panel made up the other 25 percent.

Reserves will be announced Tuesday, to be decided by voting by NBA head coaches.

James—the leading overall vote-getter this year, with more than 5.9 million votes from fans—and Durant will then pick their teams, with the rosters for Team LeBron and Team Durant to be revealed March 4.

James is 3-0 since the NBA went to a playercaptain format, defeating Curry’s team in 2018 and Antetokounmpo’s team in each of the past two seasons. Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz will coach James’s team in Atlanta; Doc Rivers of the Philadelphia 76ers is currently the frontrunner to coach Durant’s team, with the standings after

prone Verratti is in making PSG truly competitive.

The 28-year-old Verratti has had four minor injuries this season and missed 14 matches. In previous campaigns, he was often sidelined by thigh, knee, calf and adductor injuries and since 2014 has had 23 separate injuries.

None of them have been career-threatening, but the constant injury doubts have posed a considerable headache to PSG’s managers over the years, who have never been able to feel certain that the Italy midfielder would be available for key games.

Add a volatile temperament—his continuing tendency to needlessly argue with referees leads to booking and suspensions—and it’s clear why PSG has not always been able to get the best out of Verratti.

Sunday’s games to decide that spot.

The starters were revealed on the same day the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced details for the game, saying it will generate more than $2.5 million for historically Black colleges and Covid-19 relief efforts.

The game has been

criticized by some of the league’s top players, James included, who voiced concerns about having it during a pandemic. It also drew concern from Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who made clear that fans shouldn’t come to the city for All-Star festivities since there won’t be public events surrounding the game. AP

THE Lakers’ LeBron James and the Nets’ Kevin Durant captain their respective teams. AP

But for defending champion PSG to really get its league campaign going, Coach Mauricio Pochettino needs a fully-fit Verratti.

PSG is in second place heading into Sunday’s home game against fourth-place Monaco, a high-scoring team which won eight straight games before drawing against Lorient last weekend.

A win for Niko Kovac’s vastly improved Monaco side would move it two points behind PSG, which trails leader Lille by one point and is only two ahead of third-place Lyon.

There are 13 rounds left, and still enough time for PSG to go on a decisive run of wins.

But it might not be so straightforward, because Lille has only lost twice and Lyon three times. AP

Kylian Mbappé is the talking point of the soccer world this week. AP

UBEN GONZALES and Francis Casey Alcantara are looking at their previous loss like a glass half-full with water when they vie in the second leg of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) ASC BMW $25,000 World Tennis Tour next week in Naples, Florida.

“The positive in losing a match is we get a lot of information on what we need to improve for the next match,” Gonzales, 35, said. “So we will take that info and work on it in practice so we can improve for next week.”

“Our game plan is to get better,” said Gonzales, ranked at 236th in the world doubles rankings.

The Filipino duo lost to the third-seeded pair of Alejandro Gomez of the United States and Israel Ore of Columbia, 4-6, 6-1, 10-1, on Naples’s clay court.

The national team mainstays were dominant in the first set where they broke their opponents’ serves twice. But the Filipinos suffered a meltdown after that and managed to win only two games to yield the match.

For Gonzales, they had no excuse for the setback despite coming off a yearlong layoff because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We played a really good first set which I was really happy with,” he said. “Unfortunately we lost three deciding points in the second set.”

“No excuses, I just feel they played well in the second set and carried that momentum into the super tiebreaker and kicked our butts unfortunately,” he added.

Alcantara, a former Australian Open boy’s doubles champion, and Gonzales will try to finish better in the second leg set from February 22 to 28 also in Naples.

The two paired in the Davis Cup World Group II match-up between Philippines and Greece, which brought in world No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas, in March 2020. They prevented a Greek shutout by beating Markos Kalovelonis and Petros Tsitsipas in straight sets.

They own a silver medal from the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, with Alcantara partnering with Jeson Patrombon in snatching the gold from Gonzales and Treat Huey in a historic all-Filipino final at the Philippines 2019 SEA Games.