BusinessMirror July 07, 2022

Digital payments share in retail rises to 30% B B C @BcuaresmaBM

T THE WORLD »A10

NATO NATIONS SIGN ACCESSION PROTOCOLS FOR SWEDEN, FINLAND

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS

2006 National Newspaper of the Year 2011 National Newspaper of the Year 2013 Business Newspaper of the Year 2017 Business Newspaper of the Year 2019 Business Newspaper of the Year 2021 Pro Patria Award PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY 2018 Data Champion

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is inching closer to its target for its digitalization efforts in 2023, as total digital payments hit about 30 percent in 2021.

In a report on Wednesday, the BSP said the share of digital payments to total retail payments volume in the Philippines rose to 30.3 percent in 2021 from 20.1 percent last year.

Meanwhile, the value of digital payments in the country represented 44.1 percent of total retail

payments in 2021, also up from the 26.8 percent recorded a year earlier.

BSP Governor Felipe Medalla said the latest results affirm that they are on the road to meeting their objective of converting at least 50 percent of retail payment transactions to digital form by the end of 2023, under the BSP Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap.

According to the Central Bank, the key contributors to the overall growth of digital payments were merchant payments, peer-to-peer (P2P) remittances, and business payments of salaries and wages to

employees, all of which are highfrequency, low-value retail transactions.

The volume of merchant payments also increased by 43.8 percent, while P2P remittances grew by 268.6 percent.

Business payments of salaries and wages, meanwhile, grew by 170.2 percent during the period.

This indicates that for salary disbursements, businesses are transitioning from cash to digital channels, such as electronic fund transfers to bank or e-money accounts.

Moreover, the significant rise in the use of account-to-account

electronic fund transfers could be seen as a result of expanding access to transaction accounts and the shifting preference of consumers toward the use of digital modes for payments.

“This capability for digital transactions should be within reach of every Filipino in our increasingly digital economy,” Medalla said.

“Hence, the BSP, with the support of the payments industry led by the Philippine Payments Management Inc., continues to promote a vibrant and inclusive digital payments ecosystem where every Filipino can actively participate and enjoy its benefits,” he added.

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

EJAP JOURNALISM AWARDS

BUSINESS NEWS SOURCE OF THE YEAR

(2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2018 BANTOG MEDIA AWARDS

ECONOMIC TEAM LOWERS ’22 GROWTH PROJECTION www.businessmirror.com.ph

■

Thursday, July 7, 2022 Vol. 17 No. 272

P.  |     | 7 DAYS A WEEK

Channel tariff take to aid for farmers— agri leaders

B B D. N

P

@BNicolasBM

RESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s economic team is now expecting the Philippine economy this year to grow 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent— slightly lower than the projection of the previous administration.

Despite this, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said the Philippines is still projected to have the highest growth in the region not only for this year, but also next year among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Plus Three despite the risks posed by “elevated” inflation.

“When I say Asean Plus Three, that Plus Three means Japan, South Korea, and China, okay. So we are—the Philippines is expected to have the highest growth rate for the next two years,” Diokno said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday.

Citing figures from their Medium Term Fiscal Framework that the economic team submitted on Tuesday to President Marcos Jr., Diokno said they expect the economy to grow 6.5 to 7.5 percent this year as he expects the country to grow at a faster pace in the second quarter, compared to the first quarter’s 8.3 percent on the back of the full reopening of the economy.

“Q2 2022 will hit double-digit growth. That’s my bet,” Diokno separately told finance reporters in a message.

While Diokno said he considers their GDP growth expectation for the year “conservative,” this is lower than the 7 to 8 percent projected by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) in May this year.

Sought whether the new DBCC under the Marcos administration will likely adopt these growth assumptions on Friday, Diokno separately told the BM that they “will discuss” this.

Starting next year until 2028, Diokno said they expect the country’s economy to grow by 6.5 to 8 percent annually. This is even more C  A

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

B J E Y. A @jearcalas

S

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes China’s top diplomat, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on Wednesday (July 6, 2022). They were expected to take up, among others, disputes in the South China Sea, as Wang waded into foreign policy dilemmas that include the US-China rivalry in the region. Wearing a native Filipino formal shirt, the Chinese foreign minister earlier met his counterpart, Secretary Enrique Manalo, for talks at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila. Story on page A2. MALACAÑANG PRESIDENTIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS DIVISION VIA AP

OME agriculture industry leaders and experts proposed that the government allocate tariff collections for farmers’ assistance to help them cope with the rising production costs and boost their production in the short term.

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. President Danilo V. Fausto proposed that the government earmark all tariff collections from imported commodities to develop domestic agricultural industries.

“Just like in the [Rice Trade Liberalization] law, most important to this is the support to the corn industry,” Fausto said in a 14-point paper outlining his recommendations to government for the development of the agriculture sector.

Monetary Board member V. Bruce J. Tolentino told the BM that the government must cut tariffs drastically and channel the collected tariffs as assistance to Filipino farmers.

“To help Filipino farmers and consumers, tariffs should be cut drastically, and ayuda provided to farmers in the short term. For the long term, the focus must be on rapid increases in productivity and open markets,” Tolentino said.

“The ayuda can be generated C  A

‘PRICES, COVID TACK KEY TO RECOVERY’ B J M N. D C @joveemarie

A

N economist-lawmaker on Wednesday welcomed the upgrading of the country’s growth outlook from 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent by the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), but says the country should keep Covid-19 response “proportional” and prices under control to cement economic recovery.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda, in a statement, said the upgrade signals that the country’s macrofiscal framework is “very strong.”

Quoting AMRO, a regional mac-

roeconomic surveillance organization, Salceda said “the driver for this growth is really the reopening of the economy.”

“We have very good cooks in the economic kitchen, headed by Finance Secretary [Benjamin] Diokno. Should the threat of global economic troubles materialize, we should perform better than the world, as we did during PGMA’s [Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] management of the global financial crisis,” Salceda said.

“The real trouble remains inflation and a disproportionate response to Covid-19 infections.

Economic recovery is typically accompanied by an upward demand shock. But what’s different now is that we have an external military

issue that’s affecting global supply chains. The Philippines must be ready to adapt,” he added.

According to Salceda, the country’s growth prospects “are contingent on a proportional Covid-19 response.”

“Lockdowns at early stages are good. Lockdowns at this late stage, when the virus is becoming endemic, are bad—costly and ineffective. We need a more proportional, more rational approach. Th at means protecting the vulnerable through vaccination, continuing the mask mandate in enclosed spaces, and preparing our preventative health care units such as BHWs [baraC  A

■ US 55.0840 ■ JAPAN 0.4055 ■ UK 65.8639 ■ HK 7.0199 ■ SINGAPORE 39.1918 ■ AUSTRALIA 37.4351 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 14.6738 ■ EU 56.5603 ■ CHINA 8.1983

Source: BSP (July 6, 2022)

A2

BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Remulla names Gevero OIC immigration chief, for now

J

News

USTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has appointed Bureau of Immigration (BI) Chief of the Immigration Regulation Division Rogelio D. Gevero Jr. as officer-in-charge (OIC) commissioner of the immigration bureau.

Gevero will replace BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, who was appointed by former President Duterte to head the graft-ridden agency in July 2016.

“As such, Mr. Gevero is hereby authorized to discharge the powers and mandates of said position, in addition to his existing duties and responsibilities,” Remulla said in his Department Order No. 299-A dated July 4, 2022.

As OIC of the BI, Remulla said Gevero will perform and discharge the duties and responsibilities of the office until July 31 or until a replacement has been appointed. “This order takes effect immediately, amends all previous inconsistent issuances, and shall remain in force until sooner revoked,” the order read.

Remulla’s order was in line with the June 30 Memorandum Circular No. 1 issued by the Office of the President to declare vacant certain positions in the departments, offices, agencies and bureaus in the Executive department to ensure the continuous effective delivery of service.

BI Spokesman Dana Sandoval earlier said the bureau would cooperate with the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. During Morente term, 43 BI officers were charged for graft before the Sandiganbayan, for their participation in the so-called “pastillas” scheme where Chinese nationals allegedly bribed officers for easy access into the country.

Subsequently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it ordered the dismissal of 18 officers and employees of the agency after they were found administratively liable in relation to the pastillas bribery scheme. Joel R. San Juan

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi meets PBBM, SFA Manalo

C

B M T-B

@maloutalosig

LAD in Barong Tagalog, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met separately with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo in Manila on Wednesday.

Wang is on a five-nation swing in Southeast Asia in a bid to ramp up his diplomatic offensive to elevate the level of China’s relationship as a “comprehensive and strategic partner” of Asean, amid recent American overtures to reinvigorate ties in the region.

This is the second high-level delegation that came to Manila in less than a week after President Marcos took office on June 30. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, together with other Chinese officials, attended Marcos’s inaugural as President Xi Jinping’s special envoy.

“These two high-level delegations by China are very very important to the Philippines,” Marcos

said during their initial tête-à-tête in Malacañang Wednesday afternoon.

Vice President Duterte also met Wang in a hotel in Makati.

In the morning, Manalo welcomed Wang Yi as his first guest since he assumed the post of foreign affairs secretary last Friday.

Before their bilateral meeting, the 3.86-kilometer Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project was launched. The project was finalized weeks before President Duterte stepped down from office last month. It involves a RMB2.34billion or approximately P17.39billion loan to finance the construction of a two-way, four-lane bridge connecting Davao City and

the Island Garden City of Samal in Mindanao.

Both ministers also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on providing financial services to promote cooperation between the Stock Exchanges of the Philippines and China.

“There is no doubt that the security situation surrounding our countries and our region has become more complex, as political, economic and socio-cultural landscapes continually shift. We also find ourselves rebuilding after the pandemic, which has ravaged our economies and as well as our efforts to reach development goals, such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” Manalo said.

Wang seconded Manalo’s observation on the “uncertain, unstable and complex regional and international dynamics.”

“Given the current circumstances...it is even important that China and the Philippines, as two close neighbors, join hands and further enhance mutual trust, expand mutual beneficial cooperation,” Wang stressed.

The DFA is mum on issues discussed during their expanded bilateral meeting, including whether Manalo has raised again the recent

harassment of Filipinos by the Chinese Coast Guard off Ayungin Shoal, Reed Bank and north of Cagayan Valley.

Manalo acknowledged China has been a “good friend and close partner of the Philippines,” especially during the pandemic and recovery from it.

“We have stood shoulder to shoulder in times of great difficulty, helping one another so that we may both bring progress to our respective nations,” Manalo said.

The Chinese state councilor— the highest rank for a Cabinet official in China—said Marcos’s recent assumption into office “has turned a new page” towards what he call a “new Golden Era” of the PhilippineChina bilateral relationship.

He stressed that Beijing “highly appreciate[s]” the recent pronouncement of Marcos that China is the Philippines’s “strongest partner.”

“We are ready to work towards that same direction with the Philippines and to plan for our cooperation going forward in all areas of our comprehensive strategic partnership,” he added.

Wang Yi just came from Myanmar and Thailand. He is expected to visit Malaysia and Indonesia after his stint in Manila.

Economic team lowers ’22 growth projection C  A

bullish than the DBCC GDP growth assumptions previously adopted under the Duterte administration of 6 to 7 percent for 2023 to 2025.

Meanwhile, Diokno said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects “elevated inflation for the next few months,” pushing the annual average inflation this year to 5 percent.

This will then taper down to 4.2 percent in 2023 before settling within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target band at 3.3 percent in 2024.

“This is a problem faced by many countries. You cannot cut inflation overnight. It has to be gradual,” Diokno said.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s inflation rate in June hit 6.1 percent, the highest since October 2018 when inflation averaged 6.9 percent. Year-to-date, inflation averaged 4.4 percent as of June.

‘Misunderstood’

LATER on the day, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. disagreed with the 6.1-percent inflation rate reported by the PSA, saying “we are not that high.” But Diokno said Marcos was just “misunderstood,” noting that what the President had in mind was the full-

year inflation figure of 4.4 percent.

Nonetheless, the finance chief assured the public that the government is doing its best to arrest the quickening inflation through addressing constraints in food, energy, transportation and logistics sectors, such as continuing the government’s importation of products that are short in supply.

As a form of targeted relief to those reeling from rising transportation costs, Diokno also said the Marcos administration will continue the government’s grant of P6,500 fuel subsidies to drivers, farmers, and fisherfolk.

In March this year, the Department of Budget and Management under the Duterte administration released a total of P3 billion for the implementation of Department of Transportation’s Fuel Subsidy Program (P2.5 billion) and the Department of Agriculture’s Fuel Discount Program (P500.0 million) to provide targeted assistance to affected sectors and cushion the impact of the consecutive oil price hikes.

“Now, considering that all prices are expected to remain elevated in the near term, the government will expedite the release of the second tranche of subsidies for the transport sector,” Diokno said. “This will be funded from the windfall tax from fuel oil.”

CHANNEL TARIFF TAKE TO AID FOR FARMERS— AGRI LEADERS C  A

from tariffs like the RCEF (rice competitiveness enhancement fund). The earmarking of tariff collections for particular uses is not favored in fiscal practices.

However, in our case, it may be necessary to assure the players that they can expect support,” he added.

The Philippine Maize Federation Inc. has also been pushing for the allocation of collected revenues from corn importation for the development of the domestic corn industry, especially in light of the reduction on corn tariffs.

The former Department of Agriculture (DA) leadership proposed that the Marcos Jr. administration certify as urgent the livestock development bill, which would create a RCEFlike fund for the domestic livestock sector. Tolentino also supports the certification as urgent of the livestock and corn bills.

Former agriculture officials and incumbent senators earlier pointed out that the proposed livestock development and competitiveness (LDC) bill is long overdue in the effort to develop the local livestock industries, which have relied on private investments.

The proposed LDC bill seeks to “promote the development and competitiveness” of the livestock, poultry and corn industries by creating an earmarked fund to these respective industries akin to the RCEF. Economist Karlo Adriano estimated that the livestock competitiveness enhancement fund would have an earmarked fund of P6.3 billion based on the average tariff collections from 2015 to 2020.

The corn competitiveness enhancement fund (CCEF), which will comprise both the tariff collections from corn and feed wheat imports, would amount to P2.8 billion, Adriano added.

“On a macro level, if we want to solve our problem in hog and poultry, we have to increase the productivity and expansion of our corn industry [currently at measly 57 percent sufficiency level], to ensure nutritious feed supply,” Fausto said.

The RCEF, a mechanism created by Republic Act 11203 or the rice trade liberalization law, is a guaranteed P10-billion annual funding for the rice sector from 2019 to 2024.

Furthermore, the law stipulated that rice tariff collections exceeding P10 billion must also be allocated for the development of the domestic rice industry.

‘Prices, Covid tack key to recovery’ C  A

ngay healthcare workers]. Of course, boosting healthcare capacity above all is the most im-

portant intervention,” he said.

“I would say the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau will be crucial right now, as well as our health facilities management offices,” Salceda added.

If the government overreacts on the basis of cases alone, Salceda said it will only “sabotage” the country’s own economic recovery.

“A proportional response is not a lax response. It simply means the proper response, the response that will work considering the costs and the benefits,” he said.

Meanwhile, Salceda said that he has submitted to the emerging supermajority coalition’s leadership a package of interventions under the “Bayan Bangon Muli”

package.

In his note to the next leadership of the House of Representatives, Salceda explained that “Government must ensure a firstdo-no-harm policy.”

“That means interventions must remain market-oriented, and government efforts must be focused on increasing constrained supply rather than imposing price restrictions. On the price side, high prices per se may not necessarily be unjust, so we have to have price abuse prevention mechanisms, instead of brute-force price ceilings. This bill provides the president marketoriented but abuse-preventing powers within prudent limits and periods,” said the lawmaker.

Salceda proposed to include in the Bayan Bangon Muli package the anti-hoarding powers, powers to incentivize production, powers to provide loans and guarantees to suppliers of essential goods, anti-price-gouging powers, motu proprio powers to investigate market abuse, transport emergency powers, and power to mobilize uniformed personnel to expedite programs and projects.

Under his proposal, the BBM bill will have a validity of 18 months.

“Within those 18 months, the President can invoke certain powers, the duration of which he can decide, as long as it falls within those 18 months.”

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DND’s Faustino slams rebel landmine attack in N. Samar

By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

T

HE Department of National Defense (DND) condemned on Wednesday the landmine attack perpetrated by New People’s Army soldiers against government troops in Northern Samar that left seven soldiers were wounded.

“This is a very isolated case and a clear violation of the International Humanitarian Law, more specifically, an incontrovertible violation of the Ottawa Convention, which bans and condemns the use of landmines,” said DND Senior Undersecretary and Officer in Charge Jose Faustino Jr. in a news statement.

Elements of the Army’s 20th Infantry Battalion were negotiating a trail by foot in Barangay Magsaysay, Mapanas, Northern Samar on Tuesday when the rebels detonated a landmine that woundedthesoldiers,twoofwhomwere earlierreportedtobeincriticalcondition.

Despite the attack, Faustino said the government would strengthen its counterinsurgency efforts under the guidance of the Commander in Chief.

“Under the wisdom and guidance of His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we shall continue to strengthen our efforts under the NTF-ELCAC, which is fully functional and highly effective in delivering essential services to our communities nationwide, especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” he said.

“We will relentlessly support the whole-of-nation approach to the government’s counterinsurgency operations to address the root causes of the insurgency, and finally end the scourge wrought by these terrorists on the Filipino people,” he added.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) is currently in the country as the Philippine Army (PA) and its Thai counterpart are meeting to map out activities involving both forces next year.

ArmychiefLt.Gen.RomeoBrawner Jr. welcomed Royal Thai Army (RTA) Deputy Director-General for Operations Maj. Gen. Thongchai Rodyoi at the Army headquarters as the 7th PARTA Steering Group Meeting draw up plans for bilateral activities next year.

Sandiganbayan declares ex-AFP comptroller retired Gen. Garcia guilty of direct bribery

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

T

HE Sandiganbayan has declared retired Major General Carlos Garcia guilty beyond reasonable doubt of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering.

In an eight-page decision promulgated on July 5, 2022 but released to the media on Wednesday, the anti-graft court’s Second Division sentenced Garcia to suffer imprisonment of four to eight years for direct bribery under Article 210 of the Revised Penal Code.

For the crime of facilitating money laundering, Garcia was sentenced to a maximum of six years of impris-

onment. He was also ordered to pay a fine of P406.3 million for direct bribery and P1.5 million for facilitating money laundering.

Garcia, who belongs to the Philippine Military Class of 1971, was sentenced to the lesser offense of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering from a charge of plunder after entering into a plea bargaining agreement with the Office of the Ombudsman on December 16, 2010.

Garcia was originally charged with the capital offense of plunder for allegedly acquiring more than P300 million in unexplained wealth when he was the Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller in 2004.

His wife, Clarita, and children Ian

@jonlmayuga

T

HE group BANToxics on Wednesday warned consumers against mercury-laced products that are still being sold online despite the push for a worldwide ban in using the hazardous toxic heavy metal.

A member of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Philippines recently deposited the instrument of ratification of the Minamata Convention, the first really binding treaty to phase out mercury. In doing so, the Philippines became the 123rd country to join the treaty, which is designed to protect human health and the environment against mercury and mercury compounds.

In a news release, BANToxics said one of its BT Patrollers, Mary Kate San Juan recently conducted another online monitoring for the upcoming 7.7 Mega Sale of online shopping platforms and discovered the violation.

Discovered during the online survey were 26 product listing of mercur y-containing sphygmomanometers, six mercury thermometers, and 16 mercury dental amalgam from the online platform Shopee. Meanwhile, the online platform Lazada had 21 product listing of mercur y-containing

Carl, Juan Paulo and Timothy Clark, who all had fled to the United States, were also included in the case.

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the cases against Garcia’s wife and children be archived, “To be revived upon their arrest or voluntary surrender.”

It can be recalled that the Supreme Court upheld the plea bargaining agreement in a decision promulgated on September 16, 2020 and became final and executory on July 15, 2021.

In the plea bargaining agreement, Garcia withdrew his plea of not guilty to the crime of plunder and offered to enter a plea of guilty to the lesser offense of indirect bribery.

In addition, Garcia entered a plea

of not guilty to the charge of money laundering, but then withdrew it for purposes of plea bargaining and offered to enter a plea of guilty to the lesser offense of facilitating money laundering.

He also insisted that his family members, who were charged in the same cases, had no participation in the case filed against them.

As part of the plea bargaining agreement, Garcia offered to return P135,433,387.84 worth of cash, real and personal properties owned by himself and his family members in favor of the government.

In defending the plea bargaining agreement, the Ombudsman noted that such an agreement was

allowed when there was no “sufficient evidence to establish the guilt” of the accused.

“At this juncture, it must be emphasized that this Court will not interfere with the substance of or the wisdom behind the plea-bargaining agreement as that falls squarely within the Office of the Ombudsman’s mandate of investigating and prosecuting erring government employees,” the decision read.

“Absent any blatant evidence or irregularity or grave abuse of discretion, this Court will generally confine itself to the legal and technical issues surrounding a pleabargaining agreement or any similar agreement,” it added.

SC halts proclamation of winner in Agoo, La Union mayoralty race

T

HE Supreme Court has issued an order enjoining the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from implementing its order naming Stefanie EriguelCalongcagon as the new mayor of Agoo, La Union, after canceling the certification of candidacy (COC) of winning candidate Frank Ong Sibuma upon learning that he falsified his place of residence in his COC filed last year.

In a two-page resolution issue on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, the Court en banc granted the petition filed by Sibuma for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) and status quo ante order (SQAO) to stop the respondent Comelec from implementing its assailed May 13, 2022 Resolution in SPA No. 21-172 and the corresponding Writ of Execution dated June 29, 2022.

“Accordingly, the Comelec directive to the Municipal Board of Canvassers [MBOC] of the Municipality of Agoo, La Union to reconvene at the Session Hall, 8th Floor, Palacio del Gobernador, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila, on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and thereafter is

restrained,” the Court said.

The SC said the TRO and SQAO will take effect immediately and to continue until further orders from the Court.

The Court noted that the TRO and SQAO were issued without giving due course to the petition.

Aside from the Comelec, also named respondents in the case are Alma Panelo and Calongcagon.

Likewise, the Court ordered the respondents to submit their comment to the petition within a non-extendible period of 10 days from notice.

Last Tuesday, the Comelec’s Second Division granted the petition filed by Panelo to cancel the COC of Sibuma for Agoo mayor over issues surrounding his residency.

Panelo alleged that Sibuma committed material misrepresentation in filing his COC when he claimed to be residing in Agoo for a year and three months before the May 9 elections when in fact he is a resident of the neighboring town of Aringay.

The Municipal Board of Canvassers proclaimed Calongcagon mayor at 2 p.m. of July 5, 2022. Joel R. San Juan

Mercury-laced products still being sold online despite DOH-FDA ban

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, July 7, 2022 A3

sphygmomanometers, 50 mercury thermometers, and 18 of mercury dental amalgam.

Another revelation is the continued sale of banned mercury-laden skin lightening creams in both online shopping sites despite public health advisories issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), says BANToxics.

The group cited a World Health Organization Fact Sheets on Mercury and Health, which stated that mercury is considered as one of the top 10 chemicals of major public health concern. Exposure to mercury, even in small amounts, may cause serious health problems. “ The chemical also poses a threat to the development of the child in utero and early stages in life. Mercury may also have toxic effects to the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin, and eyes,” BANToxics warned.

On June 10, 2022, the Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration (DOH-FDA) issued FDA Circular No. 2022-003 which bans all mercury-added thermometers, sphygmomanometers, dental amalgam capsules, and liquid mercury for use in dental restorative purposes.

The circular totally prohibits the manufacture, importation, exportation, distribution, sale,

offer for sale, donation, transfer, and where applicable, the use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of mercury-added thermometers, sphygmomanometers, dental amalgam capsules, and liquid mercury for use in dental restorative purposes to protect human health from adverse effects of the chemical.

Any establishment found to be in violation of the provisions of this issuance shall be subjected to sanctions and penalties as prescribed under Republic Act 9711, otherwise known as the Food FDA Act of 2009, and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), the circular stated.

“We are dismayed by the proliferation of illegal mercur yadded products being offered for sale in both Shopee and Lazada shopping sites. It’s about time for these e-commerce sites to comply with the prohibition and regulation issued by the Food and Drug Administration,” Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner at BANToxics said.

The group further urged the DOH-FDA to conduct post-marketing surveillance for the two biggest online shopping platforms in the country and immediately call their attention to remove all mercuryadded products that are prohibited and restricted.

DENR UNION’S REQUEST TO PBBM The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Employees Union voiced their

request to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to appoint a DENR Secretary from the ranks. The union maintains that a secretary with a proven and established good relationship with employees is of foremost importance that would ensure full cooperation and inspire the willingness of employees to work hard for the administration. The union also reiterated the significance of continuity of implementation of good programs. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

25-hectare forest park seen to rise within upper Marikina river basin

A

25-HECTARE forest park will soon rise within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL) to boost efforts to protect and conserve this environmentally critical area.

The Regional Development Council (RDC) Forest Park Project was launched on June 25, 2022, at Sitio San Ysiro, Barangay San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal, as part of the celebration of the 159th Year of Philippine Forestry Service and Arbor Day. During the event, 110 individuals from various government agencies and private sector representatives planted a total of 1,500 seedlings of Bani, Narra, Malaikmo, Lanete, Bitaog, and Batino.

“We hope that our Forest Park will be replicated in other areas, inside and outside Calabarzon, so we can contribute to the rehabilitation and conservation of our environ-

ment. We have to collectively help shift the intrusive mindset of the people from the destructive attitude towards our forest to rehabilitation and conservation, as well as encourage low-impact ecotourism, community-based non-timber enterprises, new research, and new and innovative forest products value-adding and facilitating market linkages, so our people will protect our forest rather than destroy it,” Engr.

Ladislao Andal, co-chairperson of the RDC 4-A said.

The RDC Forest Park will be divided into 24 parcels to be adopted by member agencies of the RDC IV-A for its sustainable management in the next 5 to 10 years.

As per approved UMRBPL Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Resolution No. 2 series of 2021, the forest park shall be established within the Multiple Use Zone

of the Protected Area and necessary coordination with the stakeholders must be conducted while following the Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System (e-NIPAS) Act conditions.

The upland portion of the Forest Park will be planted with indigenous forest species while Dipterocarpaceae species will be planted in the lowland areas. Other parcels of the Park will be planted with fruit trees such as Mango (Mangifera indica), Calamansi (Citrofortunella microcarpa), Lukban (Citrus maxima), Lipote (Syzygium polycephaloides), and Kasoy (Anacardium occidentale).

DENR Calabarzon Regional Executive Director, Nilo B. Tamoria highlighted the contribution of the RDC’s project for the environment and the critical role of UMRBPL as the water source of the neighboring region. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Free computer tablets for public school learners, students pushed

I

NVOKING the need to ensure quality education in all public schools, Senator Loren Legarda is prodding Congress to frontload passage of an enabling law providing computer tablets for all public school students and learners.

In filing Senate Bill No. 1, to be known as the “One Tablet, One Student Act of 2022,” Legarda asserted the importance of providing quality education for all Filipino students in helping them cope with challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The senator stressed the proposed “One Tablet, One Student Act of 2022” was crafted to “give each elementary and secondary level student in public schools, as well as those enrolled in State Universities and Colleges [SUCs], a tablet to help them adapt to the online learning system being implemented by the Department of

Education [DepEd] since early 2020 due to the current health crisis.”

“By giving students their muchneeded device for learning, they would be able to participate effectively in their classes, and thus, we give them the opportunity to acquire more knowledge and become skilled after they graduate.

It is one way of making quality education accessible to all, especially to those who cannot afford to buy their own gadgets,” the senator said.

In turn, Legarda proposed that those students who already have their learning gadgets should “instead be provided with internet allowance to cover the cost of connectivity.”

As provided in the Legarda bill, the DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall be tasked to implement the program, determine the eligibility of students who will qualify, develop an effective

distribution system, “and formulate guidelines on the usage, maintenance, and accountability for the tablet.”

Under Legarda’s Senate Bill No.1, the DepEd and CHED, in coordination with the local government units through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), shall be tasked to disseminate the implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the program.

Recalling that the DepEd earlier announced the implementation of full face-to-face classes in November, Legarda stressed that the “One Tablet, One Student” program would still be “necessary and beneficial” as she noted the number of Covid-19 cases and the positivity rate in the country has been increasing. Butch Fernandez

A4 Thursday, July 7, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

IPOPHL bares new lobby plan to ‘modernize’ IP Code of 1997

T

By Andrea San Juan

HE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said it will renew its lobby effort to amend the Intellectual Property (IP) Code of 1997, which will help the country keep pace with global legal and technological developments while boosting its attractiveness for tech businesses.

“Modern IP laws and efforts could be a point of attraction for foreign start-ups and big tech companies to set up shop in a country,” said IPOPHL Director General

Rowel S. Barba in a news statement issued on Wednesday.

The IPOPHL chief stressed that the IP Code amendments are also seen to expand Filipinos’ own IP as-

set portfolios.

The enhancements that they are pushing for will enable flexible protection mechanisms that will encourage greater commercialization of inventions.

For instance, protective forms of trademarks will be expanded to create more tools for competitiveness, while IPOPHL establishes clearer provisions on copyright and aims to provide ease in doing business among artists.

The IP Code was passed into law in June 1997. It was last amended in 2013 to grant IPOPHL enforcement powers and strengthen copyright protection, among others.

During the IP Code’s 25th anniversary commemoration last month, Barba said that they would intensify work in lobbying with legislators as they hope to see the realization of a new IP Code in the next Congress, as the new IP Code provisions that they will push for will make the country more competitive and attractive to foreign investors.

Meanwhile, Barba said IPOPHL

will also intensify its efforts to help the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) recover and more homegrown names to scale up in global markets as this is aligned with Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual’s vision.

“In aligning with Secretary Pascual’s vision, we will equip more MSMEs with the sufficient knowledge and capacity to develop their IP protection strategies,” said Barba.

The IPOPHL chief added that entrepreneurs, local businesses, start-ups, innovators and artists must turn to IP in building competitiveness and resilience in a knowledge economy.

“The borderless digital world is also a bright spot for recovery, with opportunities for local high-value brands, innovative IP products and creative outputs to become a profound part of global supply chains,” said Barba.

Apart from free IP webinars, IPOPHL also boasts of a pool of programs designed for MSMEs and

independent inventors and artists.

Among them are the Juana Make a Mark, Juana Patent and Juana Design Protection Incentive Program, Juan for the World, Patent Cooperation Treaty Inventor Assistance Program and Copyright Plus Program.

Barba also extended his support to the new Trade chief as one of his priorities is boosting local and foreign investments in the technology space.

The IPOPHL chief highlighted that the Philippines’s status as an “innovation achiever” in the Global Innovation Index, where it ranks as the 51st most innovative out of 132 economies, is also seen to lure innovation-based investments.

“IPOPHL extends its full support in advancing the new secretary’s goal of enabling innovation. There is already growing recognition of our country as a champion of IP protection and enforcement, both in the region and the world,” said Barba. He added that the IPOPHL would continue to build on this

“positive reputation.”

By being an innovation achiever, Barba stressed, a countr y signifies its ability to generate relatively high innovative and creative products despite having scarce resources.

“As a member of the National Innovation Council [NIC], IPOPHL is steadfast in its commitment to work closely with fellow NIC members and help close the gaps that stifle the full transformation of our innovation and creative industries,” said the IPOPHL chief.

Barba also cited fiscal and nonfiscal perks waiting for projects that will commercialize “uncommercialized” patents and derive from Innovation and Technology Support Offices—patent libraries that provide training on patent search and drafting.

The patent-generating activities are covered under the Board of Investments’ current Investment Priorities Plan, which aims to modernize the Philippine economy and create high-value jobs.

One more time: Senators reviving bill on listing of prepaid SIM cards

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

S

ENATORS are mulling over options to revive a bill mandating the registration of SIM cards used in cellphones and electronic gadgets in a bid to fight steadily rising incidents of cybercrime.

Deleted in the revived SIM card registration bill is an

earlier provision requiring mandatory registration of social media accounts in the latest version submitted for Senate deliberations.

The move is backed by incoming Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Grace Poe who championed the measure in the 18th Congress, and administration Senator Ronald de la Rosa.

According to Zubiri and de la Rosa, their proposal is similar to the earlier SIM Card Registration Bill, but this time, without the provision that prompted the earlier Presidential veto because it required social media platforms to get the real names and phone numbers of people when they create accounts.

That obligation pertains to social media and no longer to the

SIM card, so it violated the rule that one law can only cover one topic, the veto message explained.

Poe said she is open to crafting a separate bill covering social media registration.

Most lawmakers agree that mandatory SIM registration can help stop cybercrime, especially since prepaid SIM cards are known to be the favorite tools of scammers.

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thursday, July 7, 2022 A5

DTI courts Italy minerals supply market for EV battery production

By Andrea San Juan

T

HE Philippines is aiming to be Italy’s strategic partner in supplying critical minerals needed for the Italian electric vehicles (EV) and battery production sector, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

At the high-level dialogue on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Italy Economic Relations on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said the Philippines could be Italy’s partner in supplying critical minerals as the country has abundant resources of nickel, cobalt, and copper. Apart from this, Pascual stressed, the Philippines is also a dominant supplier of nickel ore, not only in Asia but the rest of the world.

“It accounts for 31 percent of global exports. But of course, we now want to have greater value addition locally for our mineral resources,” said Pascual.

The Trade chief added that the country is also moving towards an innovative and greener economy by taking advantage of the increasing global demand for green metals.

“The Philippines holds considerable potential

in green metals production,” added Pascual.

At the turnover ceremony last week, Pascual said that among the priorities under his watch are utilizing the Philippines’s vast resources of green metals such as nickel and cobalt which, he said, are key inputs for battery manufacturing and copper, which is an essential input for the production and manufacturing of technology products.

During the ceremony last week, he emphasized that the Philippines can be a vital partner for these critical minerals not only as exporters of ore minerals but as processors and producers of semi-finished and finished products.

In February 2022, IHS Markit Executive Director Rajiv Biswas, at a briefing with the Board of Investments (BOI), said rising EV market would result in more demand for batteries, whose primary components include nickel that is a mineral that is largely available in the Philippines.

On EVs, Pascual shared that the country’s Tariff Commission has recommended eliminating tariffs on electric vehicles. He pointed out that approval of this recommendation would put Italian e-vehicle makers on

Amid inflation, DOLE eyeing CSR funds to provide non-wage perks to workers

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) may tap the assistance of the private sector to provide nonwage benefits to workers amid the rising cost of living.

At a virtual forum on Wednesday, Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma disclosed they are considering the option as labor groups complained the value of the new wage increases implemented by the regional wage boards this year were already eroded by the high inflation rate.

“We will guide foreign investors and businesses. Maybe we can network with them to tap their resources or funds from their corporate social responsibility,” Laguesma said.

He said the cooperation could translate to providing non-wage benefits to workers like free rides on trains for students, which is being provided by the government.

“We should give attention not only to wage, but also non-wage benefits...These should also

be quantified,” Laguesma pointed out.

The labor chief issued the statement when asked about the possibility of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) issuing a second wage order this year to raise minimum wage rates.

All of the 16 wage orders have taken effect just last month.

Under the rules of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), the RTWPBs cannot entertain new petitions for wage increase within the 12-month period from their current wage order, except when there is a supervening condition.

A supervening condition is declared by the RTWPB and may include an extraordinary increase in prices of petroleum products and basic goods and services for an extended period.

Last Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation rate has reached 6.1 percent last month, which is the highest since November 2018.

It noted the accelerating increase in inflation rate to the rise in food prices and transportation costs.

PCC officer-in-charge sets resolution of 6 competition cases before year-end

T

HE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) aims to conclude the investigation on six ongoing enforcement cases before the year ends.

At a virtual news conference on Wednesday, PCC Commissioner Johannes R. Bernabe, who will serve the unexpired term of former PCC Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan, said, “There are a number of targets which we have set for our enforcement office for 2022 and this is for six statement of objections or show cause order or some form of remedy or conclusion to any investigation that is ongoing whether two years old or more or less than two years and for these to be concluded, six cases to be concluded before the end of the year.”

Currently, Bernabe said, there are four statements of objection arising from investigation by their enforcement office that are already before the commission for final ruling. Specifically, he added, these involve various sectors “ranging from tourism to medical services to trade associations and property development arrangements with Internet service providers.” With these statements of objection that have been filed, Bernabe emphasized that they are bound to render decisions on these before the year ends.

However, he stressed, “Of course the appropriate due process that is to be accorded the identified respondents will be followed in which case verified comments will be filed by them if not already filed.”

On that basis, the PCC officer-in-charge said the commission will either adjudicate or if necessary conduct hearings and later on proceed with reasonable haste towards a conclusion by issuing rulings or decisions on these cases.

Another priority for the competition watchdog is to ensure that whatever cases that are still pending before the enforce-

ment office, particularly those which have been ongoing for more than two years in terms of investigation, shall be concluded by the enforcement office either by way of termination, archiving by filing statement of objections when warranted, or pursuing some form of “non-adversarial” remedies to put a stop to any anti-competitive practice if such is discovered by the enforcement office.

Further, Bernabe said that the commissioners have internally imposed on themselves to observe the “two-year limit” to conclude these investigations.

However, he added, “Of course that twoyear limit is subject to exceptions,” citing difficulty to obtain necessary evidence; conducting the economic analysis which might lead to a finding of either concerted practice leading towards collusion or possible abuse of an entity’s dominant position. In these cases, the officer in charge stressed that the two-year limit could be extended.

Bernabe also reminded that the moratorium on compulsory notification of mergers and acquisitions with transaction values below P50 billion which took effect in September 2020 under the Bayanihan 2 Act, lapses in September 2022. Prior to this, the PCC set the thresholds at P2.4 billion for transaction size and P6 billion for size of party.

However, Bernabe said that given the adjustment in inflation rates and other economic indicators, “We may see that these thresholds that we applied prior to the Bayanihan 2 will be revised as well.”

“But nonetheless we expect that voluntary notifications will also continue as they have materialized in the past two years but we expect that more of the mandatory notifications of transactions which exceed these old thresholds will resume and so we are preparing for this as well,” added Bernabe. Andrea San Juan

a level-playing field alongside the country’s free trade agreement partners.

“We are opening our EV market to help develop an ecosystem for a viable market that can support the production of electric vehicles in the Philippines,” said the Trade chief.

In relation to energy, Pascual said the Philippines is on the verge of massive adoption of renewables for energy security. However, Pascual said, renewable energy is characterized by an intermittent power supply. “Thus, our legacy base load grid needs to adapt to more intermittent power sources,” said Pascual.

The Trade chief added that the Philippines is looking forward to technical cooperation with Italy in digitally supported grids for dealing with intermittent power. Moreover, he said, the country needs such solutions “for our small island grids, our off-grid communities, and our priorities on a national scale.”

Pascual also urged Asean and Italy to consider collaboration in terms of aerospace parts manufacturing; aircraft maintenance, repair,

and overhaul (MRO); and aerospace research and development.

On smart technologies that paved the way for 4.0 production models, Pascual highlighted two factors that create ample opportunities for Italy and Asean to advance their cooperation—the strength of Italy in manufacturing and the growing interest of Asean in “Agriculture 4.0.”

Under the first factor, which is about the strength of Italy in manufacturing, Pascual said the Philippines views Industry 4.0 as an opportunity to leapfrog to industrialization through the accelerated adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.

The Trade chief added that the country is focusing on three strategic industry clusters that would drive the country’s hi-tech industrialization namely: Industrial Manufacturing, and Transport Cluster; the Technology, Media and Telecommunication; and Health and Life Science cluster, which includes pharmaceutical products.

Meanwhile, on Agriculture 4.0 as both Italy and the Philippines face the challenge of climate change, Pascual said that this situation creates an opportunity for the two countries to tackle the problem together.

At the forum, Italian Deputy Minister Manlio di Stefano said Northern Italy has been experiencing its worst drought for over 70 years. Meanwhile, the Philippines is similarly facing the threat of climate change to food security.

“Thus, we look forward to technology cooperation on the future of food, be these plant-based alternatives, health and safety certifications, urban agriculture, or innovation centers focused on the food industry,” said Pascual.

The Trade chief also said that the country is looking forward to technology and policy cooperation with Italy on the Circular economy, especially in green product innovation, clean production technology, and sustainability mechanisms.

A6

BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 7, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

24 INCH GAUGE CONSTRUCTION INC. L4 Blk. 4, Near Kay Buboy Bridge, San Dionisio, City Of Parañaque

CAO, TINGTING Marketing Specialist 1.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for coordinating with other marketing and sales professionals to implement innovative campaigns for branding or product launches

Basic Qualification: Ability to work under pressure and motivation to succeed in a competitive environment; Should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications or a related field; Good communication and interpersonal skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NGHIEM THI HOANG YEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 15.

2.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

DO THUY HANH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 3.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

DONG PHUC TAI Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 4.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

HOANG DUC HUNG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 5.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

HOANG TRUNG DUNG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 6.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

JANTHASEN, KANNIKA Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 7.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

LANG THI HUYEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 8.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

LE CONG SON Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 9.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

LE THANH NGUYEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 10.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

LE VIET HIEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 11.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

LU MANH TIEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 12.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

LUU TRUNG KHANH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 13.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

MAI THI NGOC ANH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 14.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

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

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

SAE TUAN, KANOKWAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 28.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

PHAN THI MANH HUONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

NGUYEN VAN NHAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

NGUYEN VAN DIEP Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

NGUYEN THUC ANH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

NGUYEN THI THUY DUNG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THI THUY Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THI THOAI LINH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THI THANH PHUONG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THI MINH TAM Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THI HAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THI DUNG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking.

NGUYEN THE DUNG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque DO THI QUYNH HOA Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

VO THI HONG OANH Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 29.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

No.

VO VAN HAI Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 30.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

31.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

32.

WANG, ANBIN Baler Machine Specialist 33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

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

Brief Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

WANG, MEITIAN Roller Machine Specialist 38.

Brief Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

WANG, SHAOAN Roller Machine Specialist

39.

Brief Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

YANG, JIFENG Roller Machine Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

LIN, SHANGYU Roller Machine Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for ensuring that the supply chain is efficient and effective throughout their organization.

LI, ZHIYONG Roller Machine Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for ensuring that the supply chain is efficient and effective throughout their organization.

ZHENG, DUNJIAN Logistics Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Set up, operate, and perform basic adjustments to the equipment per the individual job requirements, operating characteristic, and capabilities of the equipment.

LIN, XUEYING Logistics Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

VU NGUYEN HIEU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking.

VU DINH PHI Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

40.

Brief Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

ZHANG, JIANQIAO Roller Machine Specialist

41.

Brief Job Description: Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate; at least 1-2 years of working experience in the related field; fluent in Chinese/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

AB LEISURE EXPONENT, INC. 5/f Sm Megamall Bldg. D, J Vargas, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong YIN, BANGQI Business Unit Head 42.

Brief Job Description: You undertake to perform other duties falling within the scope of your skills

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Written and Verbal Communication Skills and Outstanding Leadership Skills Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

ADP (PHILIPPINES), INC. 6/f-9/f Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

SHARMA, RAVI Director For Field Enablement 43.

Brief Job Description: Focus will be towards ADP’s digital transformation which is a key part in the strategic plan preparing for the future of the organization

Basic Qualification: At least 8 years of experience; MBA or advanced degree; Proficiency and in-depth knowledge of all pertinent ADP HR Payroll and Benefits systems policies and procedures Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FADNIS, SWAPNIL VILAS Scrum Master

44.

Brief Job Description: Provide recommendations to the software engineering manager for estimates, resource needs.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree, knowledge in the BSS domain (technology and Amdocs products Ordering CRM)

No.

ZHOU, JING Chinese Business Consultant 60.

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

BHP SHARED SERVICES PHILIPPINES INC. 27f, Arthaland Century Pacific Tower, 5th Ave. Cor. 30th Street And 4th Ave. Cor. 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig

OGILVIE JARED MILES Manager Ethics And Compliance

45.

Brief Job Description: Leadership and design of anti-corruption and trade sanctions programs to support the global Procurement sub function and Global Business Services (GBS) team in Manila and KL. Engagement with Procurement and GBS colleagues to embed understanding of legal compliance and control obligations within BHP. Support the Procurement and GBS Leadership teams to champion Ethics and Compliance risk identification, assist in providing recommendations, advice and guidance as required.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in finance, legal or business administration disciplines. At least 10 years’ experience in risk, governance or finance functions.

Mature / expert knowledge of Compliance risks and regulations and can evidence ability to apply solutions in a range of business settings to a consistently high standard.

Experienced in engaging with and influencing those outside direct line responsibility including peers, team members, superiors and senior management; experience.

61.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in Indonesian language.

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

HUANG, FAN Chinese Speaking Cabling Infrastructure Technician 62.

47.

48.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for resolving all technical issues HOSSAIN, MANJUR Soil Improvement Superintendent Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing and supervising the execution

63.

64.

49.

Brief Job Description: Provide technical expertise for the implementation of a work plan to take care of hazards and repairs of plant machinery; train maintenance team on basic maintenance techniques to save time and improve performance; and conduct on-site visits, provide seminars and trainings to other maintenance personnel and other departments that may need technical expertise.

Basic Qualification: Collecting relevant information and drawing up an activities list

Basic Qualification: Leading and managing the onsite local operations team Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

50.

Brief Job Description: Oversees accounting personnel to ensure smooth flow of their work. Ensures all expenditures are accurate. Maintains financial security by adhering to internal controls. Provides accounts receivable reports to management on a regular basis. Reviews Expenditures and Disbursement Report and recommend improvement. Responds to financial inquiries by gathering, analyzing, summarizing, and interpreting data.

65.

51.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction CHEN, JIANMING Chinese Business Consultant

52.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction CHEN, XIANGYUAN Chinese Business Consultant

53.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction CHEN, YONG Chinese Business Consultant

54.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction CHENG, FENG Chinese Business Consultant

55.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction FAN, MINGKUAN Chinese Business Consultant

56.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction FAN, XUXING Chinese Business Consultant

57.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction FENG, JINPENG Chinese Business Consultant

58.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction GAO, JIANFENG Chinese Business Consultant

59.

Brief Job Description: Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction

Brief Job Description: Work with others across markets, functions, and disciplines to inspire and drive digital proposition strategy and emerging technologies including but not limited to artificial intelligence, distributed ledger technology, internet of things. Execute data based, strategic analysis for new value proposition, positioning, pricing, competitive benchmarking and forecasting.

Basic Qualification: Experience in installation, operation, and maintenance of plant machinery; can operate machinery and computers in chinese mandarin characters; and must be able to speak and communicate in fluent chinese mandarin.

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent analytical skills. Good math skills and the ability to spot numerical errors. Handson experience with MS Excel.

Organization skills. Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information.

66.

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

Brief Job Description: Provide support to all major issues and releases, issue handling, root cause, analysis and providing technical solutions.

LIM ZHEN HUI Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 67.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information About Product And Services

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication both in English and Mandarin Chinese; strong public speaking skills

68.

Brief Job Description: Addressing Customer Concerns and Issues Thru Phone Call and Email TRAN HAI YEN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

69.

Brief Job Description: Addressing customer concerns and issues thru phone call and email.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or professional qualification in the relevant discipline (accounting/finance/ business/economics/ financial engineering/applied mathematics/actuarial science) Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Bachelor of Science in IT, at least 6 years of experience in Data warehouse projects.

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good In Oral Communication And Written

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

72.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience 73.

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

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

79.

LENG, MINGLEI Project Manager 80.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issued on materials, equipment being used PENG, JINGJING Project Manager

81.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issued on materials, equipment being used YE, BIN Project Manager

82.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issued on materials, equipment being used

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

HUI, HO WONG HENRY Operations Associate Brief Job Description: Responsible In Conducting Accurate Individual Verification Of The Details Provided By The Candidate With The Respective Source On A Timely Manner Within The Agreed Service Level Agreement

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

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

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

85.

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

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas, and research to help develop marketing strategies; can help to detail, design, and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English language both verbal and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English language both verbal and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English language both verbal and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: N/A Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate sales record.

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

TRAN SY SANG Chinese Speaking Customer Financial Officer 86.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate from reputed university. Prior experience in banking domain/ industry Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GRAND PREMIUM CREST HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati VERA CHANDRA Chinese Speaking Customer Financial Officer 87.

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

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HUAYI GLOBAL VISA INC. Unit No. C-118, Flr. No. Ground, Six Senses Residences Bldg., Metrobank Ave St., Metropolitan Park Subd., Barangay 76, Pasay City

LI, LINGYUN Chinese Speaking Marketing Officer 88.

Brief Job Description: Coordinates internal and external marketing promotional efforts. Develops marketing strategy and written action plans. Measures, evaluates and analyzes the marketing program. Research and uses industry sources.

Basic Qualification: Demonstrable experience in marketing together with the potential and attitude required to learn. Numerically literate, can process figures with spreadsheets. Up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in online marketing and measurement.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas and researches to help develop marketing strategies; Can help to detail, design and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English language both verbal and written.

GRAND EVEREST HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral Communication and Written

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

TANG, YUN-CHI Mandarin Operations Specialist

GENPACT SERVICES LLC 5f Genpact Bldg., Cyberzone Northgate, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and ENGLISH language both verbal and written

FLYING FUTURE SERVICES INC. 3/f Salcedo One Center, 170 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral Communication and Written

Basic Qualification: With 15 years of experience in banking, insurance and client servicing industry with proven expertise in migrations/transitions, operations management (voice, back end and blended) client and team management.

Performance management, process development and improvement, driving initiatives and employee engagement activities, risk management. Hiring and management information system (mis). Hands on experience in managing voice/ non voice migrations and six sigma projects.

FIRST ADVANTAGE PHILIPPINES, INC. 7-8th Floor Kingston Tower, Acacia Avenue, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

Brief Job Description: Collaborate with senior manager as it management as it relates to business growth, strategy and operational planning. Take a lead work with digital teams to introduce breakthrough technology solutions

CHEN, LILI Marketing And Sales Agent 75.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issued on materials, equipment being used.

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

AU-YEUNG, KING FUNG Marketing And Sales Agent

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience

CHEN, MIAO Project Manager

84.

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St., Barangay 289, Binondo, City Of Manila

74.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing and growing key customers of FIBERHOME in PH

Brief Job Description: Customer Service

WANG, QINGLONG Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

78.

NAGPAL, PARIKSHAT Vice President-global Operating Leader

GAO, YANSHUN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

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

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

TENG, YUQI Account Manager

Basic Qualification: Mandarin speaking customer service representative.

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/ Good in Oral Communication and Written

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

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

83.

Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking CUstomer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas and researches to help develop marketing strategies; Can help to detail, design and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

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

Basic Qualification: Handling inquiries phone calls

DUONG THANH LONG Chinese Speaking Program Designer 71.

Brief Job Description: Identify and define business case, define project tasks and resource requirements, develop detailed project charter, project plan, and transition plan depending on solution complexity, priorities and deliverables. Combine process migration activities along with it implementation. Optimize the transition methodology to reduce time, costs, risks and retain, improve quality.

ZHENG, LINBIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience

77.

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

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

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

MITTAL , MAYANK Assistant Vice President - Transitions

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

EXLSERVICE PHILIPPINES, INC. 6th Floor, One E-com Center, Harbor Drive, Mall Of Asia Complex, Pasay City

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

70.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience

76.

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

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, 1, Bungad, Quezon City LI, CHUANRUN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

JIN, YAN Marketing And Sales Agent

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication both in English and Mandarin Chinese; strong public speaking skills

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience

No.

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

CRONYX INC. Flr. No. 4th-10th, Yinhope Bldg., Dela Rama Cor. Zoili Hilario St., Seascape Village, Ccp Complex Subd., Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business management or related field 1-2 years of experience

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 3rd, And 4th Floors, Science Hub Tower 4 Bldg., Mckinley Hill Cyberpark, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig SUBRAMANIAN, SARANYA Associate - Projects

CHINA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 21st Floor Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig CEN, JIASEN Chinese Business Consultant

Brief Job Description: Ensuring all cables are neatly tied and bundled according to safety regulations

DION ACHMAD Lending Product Manager (u6)

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

BSV BIOSCIENCE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3805, 38/f One San Miguel Avenue Condo., San Miguel Ave. Cor. Shaw Blvd. Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig DE, SAURAJIT Indian Finance Consultant

Brief Job Description: Ensuring all cables are neatly tied and bundled according to safety regulations

A7

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

CIMB BANK PHILIPPINES INC 28th Floor, Ore Central 9th Ave. Cor. 31st St., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

BOUNTY FRESH FOOD INC. 179 M. Ponce Street,, District 1, Barangay 134, City Of Caloocan ZHANG, YANZHEN Technical Consultant

Brief Job Description: Ensuring all cables are neatly tied and bundled according to safety regulations

LIN, XIAO Chinese Speaking Cabling Infrastructure Technician

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig BOJDA, PRZEMYSLAW WIKTOR General Technical Superintendent

Brief Job Description: Ensuring all cables are neatly tied and bundled according to safety regulations

NIU, FENG Chinese Speaking Cabling Infrastructure Technician

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center, Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City

46.

Brief Job Description: • Provide in-depth operational information and advice regarding the primary industry in the project’s jurisdiction

HONG, KANG Chinese Speaking Cabling Infrastructure Technician

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

SUMITRO T Indonesian Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Thursday, July 7, 2022

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION 3rd Floor, E Six West Campus Le Grand Avenue, Mckinley West,, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

TAN ENG HOOI Malaysian Customer Support Representative 89.

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

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

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

BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 7, 2022

A6 A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION DANG VAN SY Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

90.

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

DIEP VAN BINH Vietnamese Customer Support Representative 91.

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

DO TIEN THANH Vietnamese Customer Support Representative 92.

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

PHAM THI LIEN Vietnamese Customer Support Representative 93.

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

NGUYEN THANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Support Specialist 94.

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

PHAN NGOC ANH Vietnamese Customer Support Specialist 95.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Vietnamese and at least college level with related BPO experience.

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

96.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

97.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

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

98.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

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

99.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

ZHANG, WEI Customer Support Specialist 104.

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

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

105.

CHIA CHENN HWAN Malaysian Technical Support Representative 106.

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

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

100.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, excellent communication skills in chinese, both spoken and written.

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

TIANG JIIN WEI Customer Support Specialist 101.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

102.

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

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

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

WIJESUNDARA, CHANDANA SUDATH BANDARA Chief Executive Officer 107.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

122.

123.

124.

125.

126.

127.

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

Brief Job Description: Provide vision, direction and goals for the relevant divisions along with and overall responsibility for the whole group to ensure people related and business objectives are me as well as the continuous growth of the organization

Basic Qualification: BSc in business administration, FCA,FCMA,MBA

CHEN, REN Chinese Speaking Customer Relations Officer 108.

Brief Job Description: Deal directly with costumers either telephone, electronically or face to face.

128.

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

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

129.

Basic Qualification: Chinese speaking with excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

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

130.

MIRACLE K TRAVEL AND TOURS CORPORATION 4/f Unit 2c, One E-com Bldg., Ocean Drive St., Mall Of Asia Complex, Barangay 76, Pasay City

109.

CHO, SEONGJUN Marketing Officer

Basic Qualification: Bachelor degree

Brief Job Description: Promotion of Services, Visa Processing

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

131.

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City LI, HAO Chinese Customer Service Representative 110.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

132.

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

111.

112.

113.

114.

115.

116.

117.

118.

119.

WEN, KE Customer Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective Native Language for the position applied for; Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage

120.

121.

WANG, HONGBIN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, JINGSHENG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WEI, XIAOCHAO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YANG, JUN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZENG, FANLONG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHAO, XUEYAO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHENG, ZHIMENG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SUHATI Indonesian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries GOH CHENG KIM Malaysian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WONG THIAN SHING Malaysian Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN THI VAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

133.

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

134.

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

135.

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

136.

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

137.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

138.

JIANG, PENGYONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LEI, GUYONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LI, KAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LI, ZHE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XIA, ZHONGCHANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YANG, CHUNFEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ANDRO Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

JUNAIDY Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

JURIANA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

KRISTY ANGELINA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

STANLEY Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VIVIAN Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

AUNG KYI HTUN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PHONE MYINT NAING Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PYAE YAN AUNG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SAI AUNG NAING HTOO Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SONG OO PANG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

139.

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

LE TRONG NAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

140.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 8/f Ecoplaza, 2305 Don Chino Roces Ave., Magallanes, City Of Makati

MCKUPLER INC. 2508 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 2,, 26th Corner 11th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

Basic Qualification: Superior customer service skills, Nice to have experience working with online gaming/offshore gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written.

No.

JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 31/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Avenue, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati CHEN, WEN-YANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

SAM CHEW ZHEN YEN Customer Support Specialist

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

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

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

PEI, BINBIN Customer Support Specialist

Brief Job Description: To work with a variety of customers and use your expert relationship-building skills to provide world-class service.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

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

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

LEE TAT MING Customer Support Specialist

103.

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

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

HE, YONGJIAN Customer Support Specialist

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ZHANG, JIAN Customer Support Specialist

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

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 24/f Yuchengco Tower I, Rcbc Plaza, Bel-air, City Of Makati

CHEN, YI TING Customer Support Specialist

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

141.

LOC HUOI YUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MONG THI LANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

142.

143.

144.

145.

146.

147.

148.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI MINH TRAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN TUONG AN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN VAN TAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PHAN TRAN PHAT Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PHU VY MAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRINH XUAN THU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VANG A PHA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

149.

Brief Job Description: Oversee and Analysis financial reports in relation to current budget and prior year information department employees, including financial assistants and accountants.

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

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

160.

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

161.

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor degree in Management in Finance.

162.

Basic Qualification: University Degree

Brief Job Description: Oversee the financial operations

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

SHAO, SHUAIPENG Chinese Speaking Business Consultant 163.

DINH DUC PHUNG Mandarin Business Consultant 151.

Brief Job Description: Helps a business owner improve his or her business operations. The overall goal of a small business consultant is to help make the company better through addressing problems and recommending solutions.

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

RICEMAC PHILTRADE CORP. #190, A1 Gen. Luis, Nagkaisang Nayon, Quezon City KIM, YOUNGJIN General Manager 152.

Brief Job Description: Chalk out or improve operational systems, processes and best practices that guarantee organizational well being

Basic Qualification: College graduate Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

SHSY ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION 3/f Salcedo One Center, 170 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati DUAN, LIJUN Chinese Project Manager

164.

153.

Brief Job Description: Participating in scheduling for a project

165.

154.

YIN, ZHICHAO Chinese Project Manager Brief Job Description: Participating in scheduling for a project

KIM, JAYOUNG Korean Marketing Consultant 155.

Brief Job Description: Make initial prospecting and qualifying of leads via consultative approach

166.

167.

156.

Brief Job Description: Developing, implementing sales strategies, client service and analyzing sales data.

PARK, HEE JIN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 157.

Brief Job Description: Developing, implementing sales strategies, client service and analyzing sales data.

CHEN, YUFENG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 158.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills.

168.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills.

176.

177.

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills.

178.

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written

179.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients / customers through mandarin to English translation.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients / customers through mandarin to English translation.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients / customers through mandarin to English translation.

180.

181.

CHEN, JIE-TI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services.

Basic Qualification: - Atleast 19y/old - Ability to speak write and communicate in Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

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

170.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to english translation.

HUANG, PENGHUI Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

171.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to english translation.

HUANG, WENHUA Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

172.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to english translation.

LUONG GIA QUYEN Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

173.

Brief Job Description: Handle service support calls, emails and chats related to inquiry from clients and/or customers through mandarin to english translation.

Basic Qualification: Through extensive and fluency in mandarin language and characters.

183.

Brief Job Description: Controlling flows of equipment and supplies

184.

Brief Job Description: Revolve around the management, supervision, and provision of technical advice on telecommunication system.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming requests from customers and ensure that issues are resolved both promptly and thoroughly GHALANG DAMAR RIYALDI Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

185.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming requests from customers and ensure that issues are resolved both promptly and thoroughly

CHANG, WEN-TING Chinese Customer Service Representative 174.

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

WEN, SIMIN Chinese Customer Service Representative 175.

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

HANDIKA DWI PUTRA Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative 186.

187.

188.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

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

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming requests from customers and ensure that issues are resolved both promptly and thoroughly

WILLSEN Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Thorough, extensive & fluency in mandarin language and characters.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, Fluent n Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming requests from customers and ensure that issues are resolved both promptly and thoroughly

MARIO BONISA SIDABUTAR Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Through extensive and fluency in mandarin language and characters.

WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 6-9/f Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Cor. Macapagal Ave., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Revolve around the management, supervision, and provision of technical advice on telecommunication system.

FELIX CHRISTOPER EFFENDI Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Through extensive and fluency in mandarin language and characters.

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

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

Basic Qualification: At least five (5) years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin, Chinese, and English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least five (5) years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin, Chinese, and English language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZIMI TECH, INC. 29th/f Burgundy Corporate Tower 252, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

Basic Qualification: Great written and verbal communication

SVIATOVA, VIKTORIIA Inventory Specialist

VICCI BUSINESS CONSULTANCY CORP. 10/f Liberty Plaza, 102 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati HUA BICH THUY Customer Relation Representative (mandarin Translation)

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

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

WANG, XIAOGUANG Telecommunication Consultant

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

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

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

HU, WENBIN Telecommunication Consultant

Basic Qualification: Thorough, extensive & proficiency in mandarin language and characters.

Basic Qualification: Thorough, extensive & proficiency in mandarin language and characters.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

YTO EXPRESS (PHILIPPINES) TECHNOLOGY GROUP CORPORATION Unit 2501 The Finance Centre, 26th Street Corner 9th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

182.

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

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

XIN TAI CONSTRUCTION CORP. U502 Ctc Bldg., 2202 Roxas Blvd., St. District 4, Barangay 13, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: Thorough, extensive & proficiency in mandarin language and characters.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in english and their respective native language for the position applied for; fluent in chines/mandarin is an advantage.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

TRAN VAN TU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Degree in business studies or management, office administration or similar relevant fields

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

TRAN VAN LUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

NGUYEN THI THUY HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LE VAN TRUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HY SIU LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

TIAN XIA TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. Bldg. B Filinvest Cyberzone 6, Bay City, Barangay 76, Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills

Brief Job Description: Coordinate general business matters of employer

CHEN, LI-WEI Mandarin System And Support Specialist

SOCIALATEMYIND INC. Unit No. Unit 2c Flr. No. No. 4/f, One E-com Center Bldg., Lot No. 4/f Mall Of Asia Complex Ocean Drive St. District 1, District 4, Barangay 76, Pasay City

CHEN, SI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

IWATA, YUMA General Management Specialist

LYE LI WERN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relation Representative

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

LUONG THU VY Mandarin Speaking Customer Relation Representative

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

SKYLUCK CORPORATION #360, Unit 243 Shaw Center Mall, Shaw Blvd. Penthouse Shaw I.t. Center, Addition Hills, City Of Mandaluyong

No.

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

TECHMAVE SERVICES INC. 11/f Liberty Plaza Bldg., 102 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent skills in Project Management, AutoCAD, SketchUp and MS Office

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills.

SUMITOMO METAL MINING PHILIPPINE HOLDINGS CORPORATION 24th & 25th Floor Nac Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

169.

Basic Qualification: Excellent skills in Project Management, AutoCAD, SketchUp and MS Office

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

XING, QUANKUN Chinese Speaking Business Consultant

REVON MOTION BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. G/f Pmj Bldg., Evangelista Cor. Cuangco Sts., Pinagkaisahan, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Cantonese, Taiwanese and mandarin language. Excellent communication skills. At least 1-year experience relevant to the position.

Brief Job Description: Enters customer and account data and keeping and maintaining information confidential.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SPEEDWELL INC. 5/f King’s Court 2 Bldg., 2129 Chino Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

TRAN THI MAI AN Manager Finance

Brief Job Description: Enters customer and account data and keeping and maintaining information confidential.

LO, WEN-TING Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

Brief Job Description: Enters customer and account data and keeping and maintaining information confidential.

CHU, YU-TSUNG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

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

CHIANG, PEI-TZU Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

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

PUMA SPORTS PHILIPPINES, INC. ( PUMA,PUMA SELECT AND COBRA GOLF ) G/f Bdo Equitable Bank Tower,, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

150.

159.

A9

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION DENG, YUHONG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. 11th Floor, The Marajo Tower, 26th Street Cor. 4th Avenue Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig YU, HAI Mandarin Finance Supervisor

No.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming requests from customers and ensure that issues are resolved both promptly and thoroughly

LEE, KYOUNGSUN Korean Language Customer Service Representative 189.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming requests from customers and ensure that issues are resolved both promptly and thoroughly

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Writing, Reading and Speaking in Both English and Korean/Bahasa/Chinese/ Vietnamese/Malaysian/ Cambodian Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Writing, Reading and Speaking in Both English and Korean/Bahasa/Chinese/ Vietnamese/Malaysian/ Cambodian Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Writing, Reading and Speaking in Both English and Korean/Bahasa/Chinese/ Vietnamese/Malaysian/ Cambodian Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Writing, Reading and Speaking in Both English and Korean/Bahasa/Chinese/ Vietnamese/Malaysian/ Cambodian Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Writing, Reading and Speaking in Both English and Korean/Bahasa/Chinese/ Vietnamese/Malaysian/ Cambodian Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Writing, Reading and Speaking in Both English and Korean/Bahasa/Chinese/ Vietnamese/Malaysian/ Cambodian Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Jul 6, 2022

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

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A10 Thursday, July 7, 2022

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

Nato nations sign accession protocols for Sweden, Finland

By Raf Casert

B

The Associated Press

RUSSELS—The 30 Nato allies signed off on the accession protocols for Sweden and Finland on Tuesday, sending the membership bids of the two nations to the alliance capitals for legislative approvals—and possible political trouble in Turkey.

The move further increases Russia’s strategic isolation in the wake of its invasion of neighboring Ukraine in February and military struggles there since.

“This is truly a historic moment for Finland, for Sweden and for Nato,” the head of the alliance, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, said.

The 30 ambassadors and permanent representatives formally approved decisions made at a Nato summit in Madrid last week, when the leaders of member nations invited Russia’s neighbor Finland and Scandinavian partner Sweden to join the military club.

Securing parliamentary approval for the new members in Turkey, however, could still pose a problem even though Sweden, Finland and Turkey reached a memorandum

of understanding at the Madrid summit.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that Ankara could block the process if the two countries failed to grant Turkey’s demands for the extradition of people it views as terror suspects. The people wanted in Turkey have links to outlawed Kurdish groups or the network of an exiled cleric accused of a failed 2016 coup in Turkey.

He said Turkey’s Parliament could refuse to ratify the deal. It is a potent threat since Nato accession must be formally approved by all 30 member states, which gives each a blocking right.

Stoltenberg said he expected no change of heart. “There were security concerns that needed to be addressed. And we did what we always do at Nato. We found common ground,” he said.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has given the process added urgency.

It will ensconce the two nations in the Western military alliance and give Nato more clout, especially in the face of Moscow’s military threat.

“We will be even stronger and our people will be even safer as we face the biggest security crisis in decades,” Stoltenberg said.

At a news conference, the foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland were asked whether the memorandum specified people who would have to be extradited to Turkey. Both ministers said no such list was part of the agreement.

“We will honor the memorandum fully. There is, of course, no lists or anything like that in the memorandum, but what we will do is to have better cooperation when it comes to terrorists,” Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde said.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto was equally adamant.

“Everything that was agreed in Madrid is stated in the document.

There are no hidden documents behind that or any agreements behind that,” Haavisto said.

Every alliance nation has different legislative challenges and procedures to deal with, and it could take several more months for the two Nordic nations to take their place as official Nato members.

Denmark and Canada were quickest out of the blocks. They handed over their ratification documents in Washington as the first Nato countries just hours after the accession protocols were signed in Brussels, Danish Foreign Minister

Jeppe Kofod told The Associated Press by phone.

“It was a good signal not only to Sweden and Finland, but to other Nato countries that the speed of ratification is important,” he said.

“We hope this inspires other countries to react fast.”

The documents need to be handed over in Washington because Nato’s founding treaty was signed there in 1949.

Germany’s parliament is set to ratify the membership bids Friday, according to the Free Democrats, a partner party in the country’s coalition government. Other parliaments might only get to the approval process after long summer breaks.

“I look forward to a swift ratification process,” Haavisto said.

In the meantime, the protocols approved Tuesday bring both nations deeper into Nato’s fold already. As close partners, they already attended some meetings that involved issues that immediately affected them. As official invitees, they can attend all meetings of the ambassadors even if they do not yet have any voting rights.

Geir Moulson in Berlin, and Karl Ritter in Unterseen, Switzerland, contributed to this report.

Parade shooting suspect legally bought 5 weapons

By Michael Tarm, Kathleen Foody & Stephen Groves The Associated Press

H

IGHLAND PARK, Ill.—A man charged Tuesday with seven counts of murder after firing off more than 70 rounds at an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago legally bought five weapons, including the high-powered rifle used in the shooting, despite authorities being called to his home twice in 2019 for threats of violence and suicide, police said.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said the suspect, if convicted of the first-degree murder charges, would receive a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. He promised that dozens more charges would be sought.

A spokesman for the Lake County Major Crime Task Force said the suspected shooter, who was arrested late Monday, used a rifle “similar to an AR-15” to spray more than 70 rounds from atop a commercial building into a crowd that had gathered for the parade in Highland Park, an affluent community of

about 30,000 on the Lake Michigan shore.

A seventh victim died of their injuries Tuesday. More than three-dozen other people were wounded in the attack, which Task force spokesman Christopher Covelli said the suspect had planned for several weeks.

The assault happened less than three years after police went to the suspect’s home following a call from a family member who said he was threatening “to kill everyone” there. Covelli said police confiscated 16 knives, a dagger and a sword, but said there was no sign he had any guns at the time, in September 2019.

Police in April 2019 also responded to a reported suicide attempt by the suspect, Covelli said.

The suspect legally purchased the rifle used in the attack in Illinois within the past year, Covelli said. In all, police said, he purchased five firearms, which were recovered by officers at his father’s home.

The revelation about his gun purchases is just the latest example of young men who were able to obtain guns and carry out massacres in recent months despite glaring warning signs about their mental health and

inclination to violence.

Illinois state police, who issue gun owners’ licenses, said the gunman applied for a license in December 2019, when he was 19. His father sponsored his application.

At the time “there was insufficient basis to establish a clear and present danger” and deny the application, state police said in a statement.

Investigators who have interrogated the suspect and reviewed his social media posts have not determined a motive or found any indication that he targeted victims by race, religion or other protected status, Covelli said.

Earlier in the day, FBI agents peeked into trashcans and under picnic blankets as they searched for more evidence at the scene. The shots were initially mistaken for fireworks before hundreds of revelers fled in terror.

A day later, baby strollers, lawn chairs and other items left behind by panicked parade goers remained inside a wide police perimeter. Outside the police tape, some residents drove up to collect blankets and chairs they abandoned.

David Shapiro, 47, said the gunfire quickly turned the parade into “chaos.”

“People didn’t know right away where the gunfire was coming from, whether the gunman was in front or behind you chasing you,” he said Tuesday as he retrieved a stroller and lawn chairs.

The gunman initially evaded capture by dressing as a woman and blending into the fleeing crowd, Covelli said.

The shooting was just the latest to shatter the rituals of American life.

Schools, churches, grocery stores and now community parades have all become killing grounds in recent months. This time, the bloodshed came as the nation tried to celebrate its founding and the bonds that still hold it together.

A police officer pulled over 21-year-old Robert E. Crimo III north of the shooting scene several hours after police released his photo and warned that he was likely armed and dangerous, Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen said.

His father, Bob, a longtime deli owner, ran for mayor in 2019. The candidate who won that race, current Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering, said she knew Crimo as a boy in Cub Scouts.

Ukrainian servicemen strengthen trenches on their position near the frontline in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on Tuesday, July, 5, 2022. AP/Andrii Marienko

Ukrainian governor in east urges evacuation of 350,000 residents

By Francesca Ebel The Associated Press

K

RAMATORSK, Ukraine—The governor of the last remaining eastern province partly under Ukraine’s control urged his more than 350,000 residents to flee as Russia escalated its offensive and air alerts were issued across nearly the entire country.

Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said that getting people out of Donetsk province is necessary to save lives and enable the Ukrainian army better to defend towns from the Russian advance.

“The destiny of the whole country will be decided by the Donetsk region,” Kyrylenko told reporters in Kramatrosk, the province’s administrative center and home to the Ukrainian military’s regional headquarters.

“Once there are less people, we will be able to concentrate more on our enemy and perform our main tasks,” Kyrylenko said.

The governor’s call for residents to leave appeared to represent one of the biggest suggested evacuations of the war, although it’s unclear whether people will be willing and safely able to flee. According to the UN refugee agency, more than 7.1 million Ukrainians are estimated to be displaced within Ukraine, and more than 4.8 million refugees left the country since Russia’s invasion started February 24.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy said air alerts were issued Tuesday night in nearly all of the country, in many places after a long period of relative calm during which people searched for an explanation.

“You should not look for logic in the actions of terrorists,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address. “The Russian army does not take any breaks. It has one task—to take people’s lives, to intimidate people—so that even a few days without an air alarm already feel like part of the terror.”

Much of the military activity appeared concentrated in Ukraine’s east. The Kramatorsk governor said that because they house critical infrastructure such as water filtration plants, Russia’s main targets are now his city and a city 16 kilometers (10 miles) to the north, Sloviansk. Kyrylenko described the shelling as “very chaotic” without “a specific target—only to destroy civilian infrastructure and residential areas.”

Sloviansk also came under sustained bombardment Tuesday. Mayor Vadim Lyakh said on Facebook that “massive shelling” pummeled Sloviansk, which had a population of about 107,000 before Russian invaded Ukraine more than four months ago. The mayor, who urged residents hours earlier to evacuate, advised them to take cover in shelters.

At least one person was killed and seven were wounded Tuesday, Lyakh said. He said the city’s central market and several districts came under attack, adding that authorities were assessing the extent of the damage.

The barrage targeting Sloviansk indicated Russian forces were advanc ing farther into Ukraine’s Donbas region, a mostly Russianspeaking industrial area where the country’s most experienced soldiers are concentrated.

Sloviansk has previously taken rocket and artillery fire during Russia’s war in Ukraine, but the bombardment picked up in recent days after Moscow took the last major city in neighboring Luhansk province, Lyakh said.

“It’s important to evacuate as many people as possible,” he warned Tuesday morning, adding that shelling damaged 40 houses on Monday.

The Ukrainian military withdrew its troops Sunday from the city of Lysychansk to keep them from being surrounded. Russia’s defense minister and Putin said the city’s

subsequent capture put Moscow in control of all of Luhansk, one of two provinces that make up the Donbas, but the regional governor said Tuesday that fighting was continuing on Lysychansk’s outskirts. He said Russian forces were moving weaponry to Donetsk.

The question now is whether Russia can muster enough strength to complete its seizure of the Donbas by taking Donetsk province, too. Putin acknowledged Monday that Russian troops who fought in Luhansk need to “take some rest and beef up their combat capability.”

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Moscow’s main priorities are “preserving the lives and health” of its troops and “excluding the threat to the security of civilians.”

When Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine more than four months ago, his stated goals were defending the people of the Donbas against Kyiv’s alleged aggression, and the “demilitarization” and “denazifaction” of Ukraine.

Pro-Russia separatists have fought Ukrainian forces and controlled much of the Donbas for eight years. Before the invasion this year, Putin recognized the independence of the two self-proclaimed separatist republics in the region. He also sought to portray the tactics of Ukrainian forces and the government as akin to Nazi Germany’s, claims for which no evidence has emerged.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian military said Russian forces also shelled several Donetsk towns and villages around Sloviansk in the past day but were repelled as they tried to advance toward a town about 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the city’s north.

South of the city, Russian forces were trying to push toward two more towns and shelling areas near Kramatorsk.

Meanwhile, Moscow-installed officials in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region on Tuesday announced the formation of a new regional government, with a former Russian official at the helm.

Sergei Yeliseyev, the head of the new Moscow-backed government in Kherson, is a former deputy prime minister of Russia’s western exclave of Kaliningrad and also used to work at Russia’s Federal Security Service, or the FSB, according to media reports.

It wasn’t immediately clear what would become of the “military-civic administration” the Kremlin installed e a r l i e r. T h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s h e a d , Vladimir Saldo, said in a Telegram statement that the new government was “not a temporary, not a military, not some kind of interim administration, but a proper governing body.”

“The fact that not just Kherson residents, but Russian officials, too, are part of this government speaks clearly about the direction the Kherson region is headed in the future,” he said. “This direction is to Russia.”

K h e r s o n ’s R u s s i a - i n s t a l l e d administration previously stated plans for the region to become part of Russia, either through a referendum or other means.

There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials.

Meanwhile, Spain boosted military spending in an attempt to reach its commitment to NATO to dedicate 2 percent of gross domestic product to defense. Spain’s Cabinet approved a one-off Defense Ministry expenditure of almost 1 billion euros ($1 billion) that the government said was necessary to pay for unexpected expenses from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Spain has sent military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and deployed more troops and aircraft to NATO missions in Eastern Europe.

Agriculture/Commodities BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Thursday, July 7, 2022 A11

‘Vaccines to fight fowl adenovirus urgently needed’

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

BUSINESSMIRROR FILE PHOTO

P

OULTRY industry players are urging the government to fast-track the importation of vaccines against fowl adenovirus to curb the spread of inclusion body hepatitis (IBH).

Gregorio San Diego, chairman of the United Broiler Raisers Association and the Philippine Egg Board Association, said the country is in dire need of vaccines against fowl adenovirus, which causes IBH. The spread of IBH is now a growing concern for the industry and authorities.

“The government should fasttrack the approval and importation of vaccines [against fowl adenovirus] just like what it did against Covid-19. One of the problems in addressing adenovirus is the lack of vaccine supplies,” San Diego told the BusinessMirror in an interview.

The government recently confirmed the rising cases of IBH in the domestic poultry population, exacerbating the production woes of fowl raisers who continue to reel from high input costs due to disruptions to global supply chains. (Related story: https://businessmirror.

com.ph/2022/06/30/poultryraisers-issue-warning-on-spreadof-fowl-adenovirus/) The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, earlier

issued special import permits for autogenous vaccines against IBH. University of the Philippines-Los Baños Professor Sherwin Camba said autogenous vaccination is the best option to combat IBH. Autogenous

vaccination involves administering a vaccine that is made out of the specific serotype of IBH affecting a given poultry population.

Camba, who is part of the technical group conducting surveillance

on IBH, disclosed that the country’s available killed vaccine against IBH is only effective against two serotypes of the virus.

IBH has 12 serotypes and the locally available killed IBH vaccine is effective against serotype 4 and 8, but the prevailing serotype affecting domestic poultry farms today is 8-B, Camba added.

“That is why we need to import [the autogenous vaccines] if we want to do the vaccination against the same serotype,” he told the BusinessMirror.

“The best way to control the disease is vaccination. Poultry raisers are willing to vaccinate their flocks but the problem is supply.

There is demand but there is a supply problem.”

San Diego also warned that fowl adenovirus could spread faster than the bird flu virus as some infected poultry show no symptoms or are “asymptomatic.”

“The virus spreads both horizontally and vertically, meaning it can spread across other poultry and can spread from the parent stocks,” he said.

“I am worried that the situation may worsen since this disease spreads faster since some infected

poultry do not exhibit symptoms, thereby putting at risk other birds.”

San Diego also noted that the government does not have an indemnification system for fowl adenovirus, which discourages poultry farm owners from collaborating with the government.

He said the government should consider putting in place an indemnification system similar to that created for farms hit by bird flu to encourage poultry raisers to report unusual mortality in their farms.

BAI Executive Director Reildrin G. Morales said IBH has always been considered as a “disease of farm concern.” However, the industry saw an uptick in IBH cases this year.

The disease, which is caused by fowl adenovirus, is not harmful to humans since it is not zoonotic, government and private experts said.

“Our data shows that we have concerns with IBH. The cases are quite high,” said Morales, who also serves as the country’s chief veterinary officer.

“This disease [poses] a threat to our poultry production due to the high mortality rate. And all threats that will affect our harvest and growth of chickens will have an impact on our supply.”

6 in 10 Pinoys back repeal of law deregulating rice sector–survey World at serious risk of a

S

IX out of 10 Filipinos support the repeal of Republic Act (RA) 11203 or the rice trade liberalization (RTL) law, which deregulated the local rice industry, according to a survey conducted by PUBLiCUS. In a statement, PUBLiCUS Asia Inc. said 63 percent of the 1,500 respondents of its PAHAYAG 2022 Second Quarter Survey conducted last June 16 to 22 said they “approve or strongly approve” of the repeal of RA 11203.

PUBLiCUS said 8 percent of the respondents “disapprove or strongly disapprove” of amending RA 11203 while 29 percent were “neutral” about it.

It said the respondents were registered Filipino voters that were randomly sampled by PureSpectrum, a United States-based panel marketplace with multinational presence, from its national panel of more than 200,000 Filipinos.

The sample-wide margin of error is +/- 3 percent, according to the survey firm.

Marcos on RTL law

AURELI SINSUAT, PUBLiCUS Ex-

ecutive Director, said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not taken a “firm” stance on the proposal of certain quarters to repeal the RTL law.

One of the campaign promises of Marcos was the amendment of the RTL Law to reinstate the regulatory and price stabilization functions of state-run National Food Authority (NFA). (Related stor y: htt ps:// businessmirror.com.ph/2021/12/06/bbmwa n t s - n fa- b a c k-to - e n s u reprice-stability/) “While President Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture [DA] to conduct a reassessment of the [rice trade liberalization] law, with particular emphasis on the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund or RCEF for farmers, he has not made any public statement clearly supporting repeal of the law since taking office,” Sinsuat said.

“However, it is likely that President BBM will face significant pressure from farmers’ groups and their allies to adopt a more protectionist stance on agriculture in the

coming months.”

Calls for the repeal of RTL law gained traction this year after former Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the commercial functions of the NFA should be reinstated. (Related story: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2022/05/26/farmersurge-president-elect-bbm-to-prioritize-review-of-rtl-law/)

Rice prices

DAVID BARUA YAP JR., Chief Data Scientist of PUBLiCUS, warned that repealing the RTL law and “reintroducing” rice import restrictions anew “would result in higher rice prices.”

Yap said the RTL law paved the way for the entry of “cheaper” foreign rice.

“Repealing the RTL and reintroducing quantitative import restrictions would significantly reduce the supply of cheaper foreign rice on the market, and the overall available supply of rice in general,” he said.

“In essence, repealing the RTL in favor of a return to quantitative import restrictions would likely result in higher rice prices for con-

sumers in the short term, or during the time when domestic supply is ramping up to compensate for the reduction in imports.”

Yap said the DA should be “prudent” in its reassessment of the RTL law by taking into account the possible inflationary consequences of a repeal of the landmark law.

It was revealed recently that Marcos asked current agriculture officials to submit to him an assessment of the RTL law’s implementation. (Related story: https:// businessmirror.com. ph/2022/07/05/marcos-as-agriculture-chief-food-supplyprices-first-priority/) “In a recent report, the Philippine Statistics Authority noted that the relatively high 6.1 percent inflation rate recorded in June 2022 was driven by rising food prices,” Yap said.

“Repealing the RTL would exert additional inflationary pressure on rice, the primary food staple of Filipino families. This is something the Department of Agriculture should consider during its reassessment of the law.” Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

China’s reprieve from global inflation threatened by pork

C

HINA has largely escaped the crippling consumer inflation afflicting other major economies, but that may be starting to change as pork prices surge.

The government has embarked on a campaign to rein in the market for pork, just as higher costs of its staple meat threaten to breach inflation targets and complicate efforts to stimulate growth. Hog futures in Dalian have risen to their strongest in a year, while wholesale meat prices are at a six-month high.

Beijing has been trying to subdue commodities prices for well over a year as the pandemic and then the war in Ukraine caused shortages of materials from copper to coal. But the surge in pork looks to be the start of a wellestablished domestic cycle that usually lasts three or four years. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimates it could push consumer price growth above the central bank’s 3 percent target.

In a sign that authorities are getting worried, the nation’s top economic planner said it’s studying selling pork from state reserves to prevent prices from rising too quickly. It asked hog farmers to maintain normal output and not to hoard supplies. It’s also working with the Dalian exchange to strengthen supervision of the spot

and futures markets, according to a statement Tuesday.

Officials have extensive experience of trying to tame the pork market in recent years, after prices spiked to an all-time high in 2019 in the wake of a nationwide outbreak of African swine fever, a fatal pig disease. They can try and manage herd numbers with farmers directly, encourage banks to lend to breeders, and release pork held in state reserves. However, they’ll be working against powerful forces.

“The market is always self-reinforcing,” said Lin Guofa, head of research at consultancy Bric Agriculture Group. “When everyone believes prices will go up, they tend to hoard, and things can get out of control. But once expectations reverse, prices can dive deeper as well.”

More expensive pork is an obvious drag on household budgets already strained by the government’s Covid Zero restrictions, which have hit the economy. In addition to that direct impact, the staple is the biggest food component in the consumer price index, amplifying the effect of rising prices.

As of May, pork prices in the CPI basket were still lower than they were a year ago. Without that, consumer prices would have risen 2.4 percent

instead of 2.1 percent, but that effect could reverse as prices continue to rise.

In a note last week, Goldman Sachs joined other economists in predicting pork prices could push consumer price growth above the central bank’s 3 percent target in the second-half of the year, making it more difficult for the People’s Bank of China to continue easing policy without risking inflation getting out of control.

Just like any other commodity, the main driver of pork prices is supply and demand. The central issue is that the supply of piglets has been lacking after a collapse in prices last year forced a more extensive cull of sows than usual.

Sow numbers fell from the end of the third quarter last year through the end of March, and with breeding to gestation, birth and slaughter taking about 10 months, the lack of fresh meat is now starting to become apparent. That’s especially true as China’s economy revives after lockdowns in Shanghai and elsewhere forced consumers into hibernation.

Feed costs are another important factor for pig numbers, and are currently a cause for concern.

The ratio of hogs to corn prices is a closely watched gauge, with a lower number meaning breeders are making less profit on each animal and are therefore less willing to boost production. Bloomberg News

food access crisis now–FAO

T

HE pandemic, global interruption to supply chains, rising costs of major primary commodities, conflicts and humanitarian crises threaten the functioning of world agrifood systems, according to QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

“We are at serious risk of facing a food access crisis now, and probably a food availability crisis for the next season. All this has put at risk our efforts to achieve the SDGs,” Qu said at the opening of the 2022 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York last Tuesday.

The HLPF is the main United Nations platform for following up and reviewing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on the global level.

“We must prevent the acceleration of acute food insecurity trends in the coming months and years,” Qu said.

The FAO Director General outlined measures to be taken by the international community to address this situation: Food production at the country-level must be expanded.

Cash and critical inputs are needed for cereal and vegetable production and to protect livestock with treatments, vaccinations, feed and water.

Agrifood supply chains and value chains must be strengthened with the engagement of the public and the private sectors, to support smallholder farmers and households.

In addition, livelihoods, agrifood systems and economies need protecting against future shocks.

Increased sustainable productivity, strengthened capacities to deliver services and commodities, and increased access to innovative financial tools and digital services are required to mitigate the impacts of conflict on food insecurity.

No time to lose

SPEAKING at the FAO-led Side Event: Agrifood Systems Transformation for a Resilient World: Responding to Global Crises, Qu said, “We only have eight years before our agreed timeline to implement the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. We have no time to lose.”

Qu summarized the scale of the task ahead, pointing to the impacts of the pandemic, conflicts, and the cumulative loss to the global economy of more than $12 trillion in 2020 and 2021, setting back progress on the SDGs. To overcome these problems, he outlined four main areas that need attention: investment in the countries most in need; policies that increase productivity and protect natural resources; ensuring more efficient use of available inputs and outputs; and the importance of innovation, science and research.

Timely food aid is required but there needs to be more attention on producing nutritious food locally, FAO said. Only 8 percent of all food security funding in emergencies goes to assist agricultural production but investing in agriculture and rural livelihoods is seven to 10 times more cost-effective than traditional assistance.

“We must put policies in place that both increase productivity and protect natural resources,” Qu said.

Significant financial investment —estimated at 8 percent of the size of the agrifood market—is needed to transform agrifood systems to deliver healthy, nutritious diets, and to ensure equitable outcomes.

Combatting waste

QU also spoke of the need to ensure better and more efficient use of available outputs and inputs, citing the examples of global water stress, food loss and waste, and using fertilizer more efficiently.

Around 1 billion hectares of land face severe water constraints and almost 800 million hectares of rainfed cropland and pastureland are severely affected by recurring drought.

Better use of the best technology and regulation for the efficient use of water in agriculture is needed.

The FAO Director-General also highlighted the issue of food loss and waste.

Current levels of food lost and wasted could feed around 1.26 billion people per year.

Qu also stressed the need to use technology to improve the efficiency of fertilizer use.

The FAO Director-General pointed out that innovation, science and research are a key accelerator for all these points.

A12 Thursday, July 7, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

editorial

Can President Marcos revive PHL agriculture?

T

he Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations publishes an annual report called the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. The most recent addition from 2021 reported that the global prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity has been slowly increasing. The alarming news, according to FAO, is that the increase in 2020 was equal to the previous five years all added up. Before the pandemic, the UN estimate for the number of people suffering from severe food insecurity was 135 million. Today, that number swelled to 276 million.

As the world faces skyrocketing food prices, poor and developing countries suffer the most. The International Food Policy Research Institute, a non-profit organization that focuses on ending hunger and poverty, said the long-term relief from rising food prices can only be possible with increased agricultural production.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as concurrent agriculture chief, is right on track when he issued his first marching order to the Department of Agriculture to ensure the country’s food supply for the rest of the year, especially for rice, corn and even pork and chicken meat. “We have to attend to the impending food crisis that it seems will be visiting us in the next two quarters. When we look around the world, everyone is preparing for it,” Marcos told high-ranking agriculture officials at an executive committee meeting on Tuesday at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (Read, “Marcos as agriculture chief: Food supply, prices first priority,” in the BusinessMirror, July 5, 2022).

Marcos added: “We are already in a disadvantageous position in terms of food supply. We should really pay very close attention to what we can do. I think the conclusion we have come to here is that we have to increase production.”

The President reminded the agriculture officials that on top of making food supply sufficient is ensuring that they would be affordable to the Filipino consumers. “We have to think very hard about making sure that people have the same sufficient food. And number one, at a price that they can afford. Because, again, it is useless to have food if you cannot afford it.”

Here’s one way to quickly improve production and lower prices of farm products: Provide small-scale farmers with improved seeds, fertilizer, credit and other resources they need. There’s no better time for the DA to bring extension and advisory services, and other innovations to our farmers.

To help strengthen the government’s food sufficiency program in the long run, an official of the Department of Education in Antique is seeking President Marcos’s support to strengthen the farm school in the province and other parts of the country, as these farm schools serve as good training grounds for the new breed of Filipino farmers.

DepEd-Antique Superintendent Felisa Beriong, in extending her congratulations to the President, said she was elated to know that food sufficiency is a priority of the new administration. “With Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio as our DepEd Secretary and President Marcos heading DA, we could really look forward to more support to our farm schools,” Beriong said.

Antique has a farm school in Barangay Aningalan, San Remigio but there are plans to also open farm schools in other municipalities. Learners, mostly children of farmers in the upland barangays, are being taught how to cultivate rice and other crops, as well as entrepreneurship to teach them how to market their products.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said 23 percent of the country’s workers are active in the agriculture sector. Those employed in agriculture comprised of 7.46 million males and 2.24 million females in 2019. Unfortunately, most Filipino farmers do not want farming for their children, according to a study published in the Philippine Journal of Science. Among the interviewed farmers, 73 percent of them believed that their children would not have a future if they become rice farmers like them. The farmers commonly pointed out how rice farming is “physically tiring and not economically rewarding.”

Pundits said weak government policies and programs, the country’s excessive reliance on agricultural imports and widespread corruption have taken their toll on the agriculture sector.

During the administration of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, the Philippines attained rice self-sufficiency in 1975–1976, and the country exported rice to neighboring Asian countries in 1977–1978 when farmers under the Masagana 99 program produced a surplus of some 89,000 metric tons.

Can the President duplicate what his father has done?

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor

Lourdes M. Fernandez Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso

Online Editor

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Chairman of the Board President Advertising Sales Manager Group Circulation Manager

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror Publishing, Inc., with offices on the 3rd floor of Dominga Building III 2113 Chino Roces Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Makati City, Philippines.

Tel. Nos. (Editorial) 817-9467; 813-0725. Fax line: 813-7025.

(Advertising Sales) 893-2019; 817-1351, 817-2807.

(Circulation) 893-1662; 814-0134 to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

Printed by brown madonna Press, Inc.–Sun Valley Drive KM-15, South Superhighway, Parañaque, Metro Manila MEMBER OF

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

L

udwigshafen, a German city across the river Rhine from Mannheim, was founded in 1844. With a population of less than 200,000, it is home to the largest chemical plant in the world. The facility is owned by German multinational company BASF (founded in 1864), the largest chemical producer in the world.

BASF was started in Mannheim as a dye factory, but the city fathers were afraid of air pollution and moved the plant to the other side of the river. A few blocks down the road from the 10 square kilometers BASF Ludwigshafen is the company’s corporate restaurant. Built in 1900, it has 100 private dining rooms as well as six ballroom venues. Reservations are mandatory.

There is also the company’s wine cellar, a four-story building constructed after the restaurant was built, holding some one million bottles of wine. The opulent décor, innumerable staff, superb cuisine, and size are reminders of an era when monuments to corporate power were critical investments in company prestige. Google’s office “ball pit” and adult-size swings are no comparison.

The 2,000 buildings and 200 production plants are connected by 2,850 kilometers of pipelines,

106-km of roads, and 230-km of rail track. The Ludwigshafen site is roughly a third of the company’s total global production and revenues of over $80 billion. Over 8.5 million metric tons of 8,000 different products from industrial petrochemicals to “care chemicals” used in cosmetics are made there every year. Further, all these serve as the starting material for countless global supply chains.

The Wall Street Journal wrote last week how sanctions on Russia are beginning to backfire in ways Western leaders were unable to figure out in advance. The West forced Russia to default on its debt repayments as it will not let Russia buy dollars/euros to pay on the loans and then refused to allow lenders to accept rubles. If you don’t repay your personal loan, who loses? You or the bank?

The experts like Nasir Aminu, Senior Lecturer in Economics and

German leaders mocked Trump’s warning in 2018 that they were becoming too dependent on Russian gas and oil. They replied that gas only makes up less than 20 percent of Germany’s energy mix for power production. What they chose to ignore, BASF must deal with and that is methane (natural gas) has the most embedded energy and is the crucial feedstock.

Finance, Cardiff Metropolitan University, say, “The most worrying consequence of debt default for Russia will be the loss of access to global investors through the international capital markets. The default will tint Russia’s reputation.”

External debt in Russia decreased to $453 billion in March. Spain’s total external debt is $2.6 trillion. Austria owes $646 billion. There may be a reason why Putin does not look worried.

However, BASF executives are worried. For decades, the company’s business model centered on less expensive and readily available Russian natural gas to generate its power and for feedstock for its products. As the sanctions game ramps up, a reduction in its gas supplies from Russia are a major threat.

Company executives are doing what was unimaginable a few months ago. They are considering how to potentially shut down the complex if Russian natural gas supplies are reduced further.

June 29: “The EU is committed to reducing gas imports from Russia by two-thirds within a year.

Germany recently had to limit gas use in electricity production and appeal to citizens to conserve.” July 5: “Russia is poised to temporarily shut down the Nord Stream 1 pipeline— the European Union’s biggest gas import infrastructure—for annual maintenance.”

German leaders mocked Trump’s warning in 2018 that they were becoming too dependent on Russian gas and oil. They replied that gas only makes up less than 20 percent of Germany’s energy mix for power production. What they chose to ignore, BASF must deal with and that is methane (natural gas) has the most embedded energy and is the crucial feedstock.

Energy runs the factory, but methane is the raw material for production of goods. Ethane is isolated from natural gas (methane).

Its chief use is as feedstock for ethylene production. Ethylene is made into Polyethylene and the world uses one metric ton of Polyethylene per person per year.

Chemical products from BASF are Germany’s third largest export.

July 4: “Germany posts first monthly trade deficit in 30 years as exports fell 0.5 percent from April, while imports rose 2.7 percent.”

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

US wants Dutch supplier to stop selling chipmaking gear to China

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

Senior Editors

Creative Director Chief Photographer

War continues as Putin wins

By Jillian Deutsch, Eric Martin, Ian King & Debby Wu Bloomberg Opinion

T

he US is pushing the Netherlands to ban ASML Holding NV from selling to China mainstream technology essential in making a large chunk of the world’s chips, expanding its campaign to curb the country’s rise, according to people familiar with the matter.

Washington’s proposed restriction would expand an existing moratorium on the sale of the most advanced systems to China, in an attempt to thwart China’s plans to become a world leader in chip production. If the Netherlands agrees, it would broaden significantly the range and class of chipmaking gear now forbidden from heading to China, potentially dealing a serious blow to Chinese chipmakers from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. to Hua Hong Semiconductor Ltd. American officials are lobbying their Dutch counterparts to bar ASML from selling some of its older deep ultraviolet lithography, or DUV, systems, the people said.

These machines are a generation be-

hind cutting-edge but still the most common method in making certain less-advanced chips required by cars, phones, computers and even robots.

ASML’s American Depositary Receipts extended losses to as much as 8.3 percent, the biggest intraday drop since March 2020, after Bloomberg’s initial report. Shares in Nikon Corp., a smaller rival to the Dutch firm in that sphere of chipmaking gear technology, slid as much as 8.6 percent in Tokyo—heading for their biggest drop in almost two years. SMIC and Hua Hong also fell more than 1 percent in early Hong Kong trading on Wednesday.

The issue arose during US Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves’s visit to the Netherlands and Belgium in late May and early June to discuss

supply chain issues, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions were private.

During that trip, Graves also visited ASML’s headquarters in Veldhoven and met Chief Executive Officer Peter Wennink.

“ASML’s sales could narrow by 5%10 percent if it’s banned from selling deep ultraviolet tools in China. As the chip equipment maker’s revenue already reflects a ban on extreme ultraviolet tool shipments to the country, it may experience less impact vs. peers such as Applied Materials, which derives 25 percent to 30 percent of its sales from China,” said Masahiro Wakasugi and Brian Moran, Bloomberg Intelligence analysts.

The Dutch government has yet to agree to any additional restrictions on ASML’s exports to Chinese chipmakers, which could hurt the country’s trade ties with China, the people said. ASML is already unable to ship its most advanced extreme ultraviolet, or EUV, lithography systems, which cost about 160 million euros ($164 million) per unit, to China as it cannot obtain an export license from the Dutch government.

The US push on ASML comes as President Joe Biden separately considers easing some of the Trump-era tariffs on consumer goods from China. While China may welcome such a move at a time of tense relations between the two powers, Biden’s administration has continued his predecessor’s efforts to restrict China’s access to US technology.

The US Department of Commerce and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment.

“The discussion is not new. No decisions have been made and we do not want to speculate or comment on rumors,” an ASML spokeswoman said.

ASML is the world’s top maker of lithography systems, machines that perform a crucial step in the process of creating semiconductors.

ASML’s dominance of the market for that type of equipment means that further cutting China off from access to its products would undermine the Asian country’s ambitions to make itself more self-sufficient in production of the crucial electronic components.

“China’s share of the global See “US” A13

www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com

High cost of Russian gains in Ukraine may limit new advance

By The Associated Press

A

fter more than four months of ferocious fighting, Russia claimed a key victory: full control over one of the two provinces in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland.

But Moscow’s seizure of the last major stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in Luhansk province came at a steep price. The critical question now is whether Russia can muster enough strength for a new offensive to complete its capture of the Donbas and make gains elsewhere in Ukraine.

“Yes, the Russians have seized the Luhansk region, but at what price?” asked Oleh Zhdanov, a military analyst in Ukraine, noting that some Russian units involved in the battle lost up to a half their soldiers.

Even President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Monday that Russian troops involved in action in Luhansk need to “take some rest and beef up their combat capability.”

That raises doubts about whether Moscow’s forces and their separatist allies are ready to quickly thrust deeper into Donetsk, the other province that makes up the Donbas. Observers estimated in recent weeks that Russia controlled about half of Donetsk, and battle lines have changed little since then.

Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko urged 350,000 people to evacuate the province to save lives and to enable the Ukrainian army to better defend towns from the Russian advance.

“The destiny of the whole country will be decided by the Donetsk region,” he said in Kramatrosk, the province’s administrative center and home to the Ukrainian military’s regional headquarters. “Once there are less people, we will be able to concentrate more on our enemy and perform our main tasks.”

The governor’s call appeared to represent one of the biggest suggested evacuations of the war. According to the UN refugee agency, more than 7.1 million Ukrainians are estimated to be displaced within Ukraine, and more than 4.8 million refugees left the country since Russia’s invasion started on February 24 If Russia succeeds in the Donbas, it could free up its forces to grab even more land and dictate the terms of any peace agreement. If Ukraine, on the other hand, manages to pin the Russians down for a protracted period, it could build up the resources for a counteroffensive. Exhausting the Russians has long been part of the plan for the Ukrainians, who began the conflict outgunned—but hoped Western weapons could eventually tip the scales in their favor.

They are already effectively using heavy howitzers and advanced rocket systems sent by the US and other Western allies, and more is on the way. But Ukrainian forces have said they remain badly outmatched.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said recently that Russian forces were firing 10 times more ammunition than the Ukrainian military.

After a failed attempt at a lightning advance on the capital of Kyiv in the opening weeks of the war, Russian forces withdrew from many parts of northern and central Ukraine and turned their attention to the Donbas, a region of mines and factories where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting the Ukrainians since 2014.

Since then, Russia has adopted a slow-and-steady approach that allowed it to seize several remaining Ukrainian strongholds in Luhansk over the course of recent weeks.

While Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that their troops have withdrawn from the city of Lysychansk, the last bulwark of their resistance in Luhansk, the presidential office said Tuesday the military was still defending small areas in the province.

Zhdanov, the analyst, predicted that the Russians would likely rely

on their edge in firepower to “apply the same scorched earth tactics and blast entire cities away” in Donetsk.

The same day that Russia claimed it had taken Lysychansk, new artillery attacks were reported in Donetsk.

But Russia’s approach is not without drawbacks. Moscow has not given a casualty count since it said some 1,300 troops were killed in the first month of fighting, but Western officials have said that was just a fraction of real losses. Since then, Western observers have noted that the number of Russian troops involved in combat in Ukraine has dwindled, reflecting both heavy attrition and the Kremlin’s failure to fill up the ranks.

The limited manpower has forced Russian commanders to avoid ambitious attempts to encircle large areas in the Donbas, opting for smaller maneuvers and relying on heavy artillery barrages to slowly force the Ukrainians to retreat.

The military has also relied heavily on separatists, who have conducted several rounds of mobilization, and Western officials and analysts have said Moscow has increasingly engaged private military contractors. It has also tried to encourage Russian men who have done their tour of duty to sign up again, though it’s is unclear how successful that has been.

While Putin so far has refrained from declaring a broad mobilization that might foment social discontent, recently proposed legislation suggested that Moscow was looking for other ways to replenish the ranks.

The bill would have allowed young conscripts, who are drafted into the army for a year and barred from fighting, to immediately switch their status and sign contracts to become full professional soldiers. The draft was shelved amid strong criticism.

Some Western officials and analysts have argued that attrition is so heavy that it could force Moscow to suspend its offensive at some point later in the summer, but the Pentagon has cautioned that even though Russia has been churning through troops and supplies at rapid rates it still has abundant resources.

US director of national intelligence Avril Haines said Putin appeared to accept the slow pace of the advance in the Donbas and now hoped to win by crushing Ukraine’s most battle-hardened forces.

“We believe that Russia thinks that if they are able to crush really one of the most capable and well-equipped forces in the east of Ukraine ... that will lead to a slump basically in the Ukrainian resistance and that that may give them greater opportunities,” Haines said.

If Russia wins in the Donbas, it could build on its seizure of the southern Kherson region and part of neighboring Zaporizhzhia to try to eventually cut Ukraine off from its Black Sea coast all the way to the Romanian border. If that succeeded, it would deal a crushing blow to the Ukrainian economy and also create a corridor to Moldova’s separatist region of Transnistria that hosts a Russian military base.

But that is far from assured.

Mykola Sunhurovsky, of the Razumkov Center, a Kyiv-based think tank, predicted that growing supplies of heavy Western weapons, including HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, will help Ukraine turn the tide of the war.

“The supplies of weapons will allow Ukraine to start a counteroffensive in the south and fight for Kherson and other cities,” Sunhurovsky said. Associated Press journalists Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Ukraine, and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report

Opinion BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 7, 2022 A13

ECB test of bank climate risk deals softer blow than feared

By Nicholas Comfort & Steven Arons Bloomberg Opinion

E

urope’s landmark test of banks’ resilience to global warming was far softer than many lenders had expected, according to people familiar with the matter.

Even the toughest hypothetical scenarios in the European Central Bank’s climate stress test didn’t result in losses that would make a meaningful dent in capital buffers, said officials at six big euro-area banks that took part. The ECB is due to publish aggregate results of the test on July 8.

Banks participating in the exercise had to estimate how events such as floods would impact mortgage values, or how big a hit they faced if corporate clients defaulted after a spike in carbon prices. The test has been presented as a learning exercise for banks and regulators alike. But the industry is already using the results to lobby against efforts by some ECB officials keen for lenders to set aside more money to cover climate risks.

Bloomberg spoke to banks from four countries who said they would remain above their minimum regulatory capital levels in the various scenarios in the ECB test. That includes the so-called hot-house world, in which political leaders fail to act and global warming reaches around 3 degrees Celsius.

The hypothetical results come as a relief to bankers used to stress tests that factor in economic shocks to assess their financial strength, with

outcomes usually feeding through to capital requirements. Executives at the banks said they benefited from mitigating factors in the scenarios, the spread-out nature of losses and the ability to adjust their balance sheets over the coming decades.

The ECB has said it won’t break out figures for individual banks when it publishes the results at the end of the week. An ECB spokesman declined to comment.

The ECB has publicly faulted banks for not having enough data or adequate models for calculating the risk they face from climate change.

The scope of the test is also limited to a portion of banks’ balance sheets, meaning it doesn’t give a complete picture of the risks they face.

“I’m not sure we have a concept of accuracy as yet on this topic,” said Fernando de la Mora, a managing director at Alvarez & Marsal who is advising banks on the test. “There’s a wide array of outcomes at the banks for individual clients they share, major data gaps and the models are untested or developed just for this exercise.”

Top ECB officials had previously said that the test would only have an indirect effect on bank capital requirements this year, but that they

The ECB has publicly faulted banks for not having enough data or adequate models for calculating the risk they face from climate change. The scope of the test is also limited to a portion of banks’ balance sheets, meaning it doesn’t give a complete picture of the risks they face.

plan to eventually treat global warming as they would any other risk.

The bankers Bloomberg spoke to said they don’t expect the test to have any impact on their individual capital requirements this year. And while they argued that the results aren’t sufficient to justify a new capital framework, some of the executives expect the ECB to continue work in that direction.

In the hot-house scenario, lower energy prices helped offset severe hits to the economy, one banker said.

Slower loan growth over the period also meant banks had less to lose, said another.

“I don’t think banks take account of all the second-order impacts, with what happens to the business models of their clients, if we go into that hot house scenario,” said de la Mora.

“Banks don’t have a good understanding of the location of the assets of their corporate clients unless it’s part of their collateral.”

The disorderly transition scenarios, in which governments are forced to ratchet up carbon prices after failing to take action sooner, result in a

comparatively higher share of bad loans, said the people.

The banks said the earnings they expect to generate over the horizon of the exam’s various scenarios would be sufficient to mop up losses.

Softer scenarios

A key factor in the long-term scenarios was that banks were able to assume they would reduce loans to riskier clients like steel-makers or firms engaged in intensive agriculture, said the people.

Several banks said they were disappointed by the level of interaction with the ECB on the assumptions related to how their balance sheets will evolve. That’s likely to be an area the ECB follows up on with the banks, given a planned legal requirement for lenders to develop so-called transition plans.

Banks are braced for the possibility that the next climate stress test they face—potentially next year by the European Banking Authority—will use tougher parameters, the people said. One expressed surprise the exam didn’t take a harsher view of transition risk and the impact of extreme weather in the hot-house scenario.

Banks initially pushed back against the ECB’s plans for the climate test, citing the lack of available data. Yet several of the firms Bloomberg spoke to said the exam has helped them improve their ability to plan the evolution of their balance sheets and manage risks, notably from the risk of disruption to Europe’s energy supply.

January 6 panel: More turning up with evidence against Trump

W

By Hope Yen | The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—More witnesses are coming forward with new details on the January 6 US Capitol riot following former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s devastating testimony last week against former President Donald Trump, says a member of a House committee investigating the insurrection.

The panel already has subpoenaed former White House counsel Pat Cipollone, who investigators remain hopeful will appear Wednesday for a deposition, and said it would also welcome follow-up details from Secret Service members with Trump that day.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., cited Hutchinson’s testimony that Trump wanted to join an angry mob of his supporters who marched on January 6, 2021, to the Capitol, where they rioted, as particularly valuable in “inspiring” more people to step forward as the committee gets set for at least two public hearings this month.

“Every day we get new people that come forward and say, ‘Hey, I didn’t think maybe this piece of the story that I knew was important,’” he said Sunday. “There will be way more information and stay tuned.”

The committee has been intensifying its yearlong investigation into the January 6 attack and Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The next hearings will aim to show how Trump illegally directed a violent mob toward the Capitol on January 6 and then failed to take quick action to stop the attack once it began. Over the weekend, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the committee’s

US . . .

continued from A12

chip-equipment market is negligible,” said Alex Capri, a research fellow at the Asia-based Hinrich Foundation, characterizing chip production as “a choke point” in China’s plans to bulk up its semiconductor muscle.

The older generation of machinery, DUV, is less capable than more advanced EUV lithography equipment but remains indispensable in manufacturing many of the types of chips that are currently experiencing acute shortages. Washington is focused on banning sales of the most advanced type of DUV technology, immersion lithography machines, the people said.

vice chair, made clear that criminal referrals to the Justice Department, including against the Republican former president, could follow.

The committee also has been reviewing new documentary film footage of Trump’s final months in office, including interviews with Trump and members of his family.

Kinzinger, in a television interview, declined to disclose the new information he referred to and did not say who had provided it. He said nothing had changed the committee’s confidence in her credibility.

“There’s information I can’t say yet,” he said. “We certainly would say that Cassidy Hutchinson has testified under oath, we find her credible, and anybody that wants to cast disparagements on that, who were firsthand present, should also testify under oath and not through anonymous sources.”

In a separate interview, another committee member, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said: “We are following additional leads. I think those leads will lead to new testimony.”

In Hutchinson’s appearance before the committee, she painted a picture of Trump as an angry, defiant president who was trying to let armed supporters avoid security screenings American officials are also trying to exert pressure on Japan to stop shipping the same technology to Chinese chipmakers, one of the people said. Japan’s Nikon competes with ASML in this area.

Immersion lithography is also known as argon fluoride immersion, or simply ArFi. According to China-based Founder Securities, ASML sold 81 ArFi systems in 2021, compared with four from Nikon, giving the Dutch firm a 95 percent market share.

“We have no information regarding this matter,” a Nikon spokeswoman said.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in June he is against reconsidering trade relations with China and called for the EU to develop its own

The committee has been intensifying its yearlong investigation into the January 6 attack and Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The next hearings will aim to show how Trump illegally directed a violent mob toward the Capitol on January 6 and then failed to take quick action to stop the attack once it began.

at a rally on the morning of January 6 to protest his 2020 election defeat to Democrat Joe Biden.

According to Hutchinson, Cipollone was concerned that Trump would face criminal charges if he joined his supporters in marching to the Capitol.

Legal experts have said Hutchinson’s testimony is potentially problematic for Trump as federal prosecutors investigate potential criminal wrongdoing.

Cheney said in an interview aired Sunday that the committee was still considering whether to issue recommendations to the Justice Department, indicating “there could be more than one criminal referral.”

Committee members said they are hopeful Cipollone will come forward.

“He clearly has information about concerns about criminal violations, concerns about the president going to the Capitol that day, concerns about the chief of staff having blood on his hands if they didn’t do more to stop that violent attack on the Capitol,” Schiff said. “It’s hard to

imagine someone more at the center of things.”

In her testimony, Hutchinson recounted a conversation with Tony Ornato, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for operations, who, she testified, said Trump later grabbed at the steering wheel of the presidential SUV when the Secret Service refused to let him go to the Capitol after the rally.

That account was disputed, however. Bobby Engel, the Secret Service agent who was driving Trump, and Ornato are willing to testify under oath that no agent was assaulted and Trump never lunged for the steering wheel, a person familiar with the matter said. The person would not discuss the matter publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“We had interviewed Mr. Ornato several times,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and member of the panel.

“His memory does not appear to be as precise as hers. We certainly would welcome them to come back if they wish to do that.”

The committee has also been working on setting up an interview with Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, the conservative activist and wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. She was asked to speak to the committee after disclosures of her communications with Trump’s team in the run-up to and on the day of the insurrection at the Capitol.

Kinzinger appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Schiff was on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Cheney appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and Lofgren spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

policies toward Beijing. China is the Netherlands’ third-biggest trade partner after Germany and Belgium.

ASML opposes a ban on sales of DUV lithography equipment to Chinese customers because it is already a mature technology, Wennink said earlier this year. Chinese-based facilities, run by either domestic or foreign companies, account for 14.7 percent of ASML’s total revenue in 2021, according to company disclosures and data compiled by Bloomberg.

ASML is also alleging potential IP infringement by a Chinese tech firm supported by the country’s government. US efforts to block the export of chipmaking equipment began under the Trump administration. Washington pressured the Dutch government to prevent sales

of EUV lithography systems, which are required to produce the most sophisticated semiconductors and in which ASML has a monopoly.

Major US chip-equipment makers including Applied Materials Inc. and Lam Research Corp. are already banned from selling certain advanced products to SMIC due to national security concerns. The potential DUV ban could further hit SMIC and its Chinese peers.

“Lithography equipment is the most difficult equipment for China to replace when it comes to semiconductor production,” said Johnson Wang, an analyst at Taiwan Institute of Economic Research. “Without access to foreign DUV lithography equipment, the progress of China’s chip industry could come to a halt.”

A14 Thursday, July 7, 2022

TELECOMMUTING LAW REVIEW TO START SOON

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is now set to review the effectiveness of Republic Act No. 11165 (RA) or the Telecommuting Law to determine gaps in its implementation in the last three years.

In an online forum on Wednesday, Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma disclosed the legislation is now due for its first review after it was passed in 2019.

The assessment will be conducted by DOLE in coordination with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“We are now fixing the schedule [for the review], which will be convenient for DOF and the DTI since presently they are preoccupied. But it will be ASAP (as soon as possible),” Laguesma said in an SMS when asked about the timeline for review.

The labor chief finds the work arrangement—where workers could perform their duties away from their workplaces—desirable due to the advantages it provides to both employees and management.

He said the implementation of RA 11165 was timely, since it coincided with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic,

which forced many employees to work from their homes as lockdowns were in place for extended periods.

However, Laguesma said he wants to “firm up” its implementation, specifically by clarifying the “deliverables” for employees while working remotely.

As for employers, Laguesma said he wants to know how they are ensuring the occupational safety and health of their workers engaged in telecommuting.

Laguesma said he also wants to look into the potential impact of telecommuting on businesses that depend on workers’ activity for market traffic.

He said he got some feedback on the potential reduction in business activities around offices, which are implementing telecommuting, since there will be fewer workers onsite.

“So they have a perceived loss [in revenue]. But that is just potential. It also has potential [revenue] gain, which will be transferred to other establishments near the homes of workers,” Laguesma pointed out.

Under RA 11165, DOLE should establish a telecommuting pilot program for some sectors for a period of not more than 3 years to review the implementation of the law.

The results of the review will then be submitted to Congress.

ADB: green recovery to create 30.1-M jobs in Southeast Asia

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

P

ROMOTING a green recovery will create 30.1 million jobs in Southeast Asia by 2030, according to a study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In the report titled, “Implementing a Green Recovery in Southeast Asia,” ADB said these jobs can be created if ASEAN governments invest $172 billion a year on five green growth opportunities.

These opportunities are clean energy transition; circular economy models; sustainable urban development and transport models; productive and regenerative agriculture; and health and productive oceans.

“This report highlights key policy priorities for Southeast Asian economies that can help ensure that both socioeconomic and environmental aspirations are served in their pursuit of economic recovery,” ADB Director General for Southeast Asia Ramesh Subramaniam said at a webinar jointly organized by ADB and ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.

“While several countries in the region have begun to support a green recovery, more needs to be done. We must encourage additional green stimulus, design carbonpricing schemes, reduce dependence on fossil-fuel intensive power, and attract private sector investors to large-scale renewable energy, sustainable transport, and clean urban projects,” he added.

Based on the study, investing $82.5 billion a year on clean energy transition annually will create 6.7 million jobs in the region by 2030, while an annual investment of $54 billion on circular economy models will create 6.6 million jobs across the ASEAN. The data also showed that investing $26.8 billion annually on sustainable urban development and transport models will yield 7.4 million jobs. Investing in this sector creates the most jobs.

ADB said in its report that between 2 percent and 5 percent of GDP is lost in Asian economies due to congestion.

Other studies estimate that 2.5 percent of GDP in cities are lost due to flooding.

The study also stated that investing $6.9 billion annually on productive and regenerative agriculture creates 6.5 million jobs while pouring $1.8 billion worth of investments on healthy and productive oceans will create 2.9 million jobs.

The report noted that investing in regenerative agriculture is imperative for the Philippines given that mangrove destruction in the country since the 1950s has already cost the country $450 million annually in flood damage.

“The green growth opportunities bear strong relevance to the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals).

An analysis of their potential relevance to the full list of 169 targets under the 17 SDGs reflects that they are somewhat or highly relevant to almost 60 percent of these targets,” the report stated.

Investing in green recovery, the report stated, is crucial for Southeast Asia. Investing in green growth would help the region recover from the pandemic and make ASEAN economies resilient in the face of shocks.

In a forum, ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute Senior Fellow and Coordinator Sharon Seah said a survey conducted by the institute revealed that renewables were the only subsectors that experienced capacity gains during the pandemic.

In 2020, the ISEAS data showed that in the Philippines alone, the installed capacity of renewables (RE) grew 2.84 percent.

Other ASEAN countries like Vietnam saw its installed RE capacity increase significantly at 129.57 percent year on year followed by Lao PDR at 117.5 percent.

Further, the ADB report noted that it is in the region’s best interest to invest in a green recovery given that two of its members, Myanmar and the Philippines, are among the top five countries affected by climate change globally.

Climate change has already made heat waves, droughts, floods, and tropical cyclones have also become more intense and frequent in Southeast Asia, threatening the region’s biodiversity and economic growth.

ADB said climate change could cost ASEAN economies an estimated 11 percent loss to their combined GDP in the year 2100, while land use change (typically driven by urbanization) caused the emergence of more than 30 percent of all new diseases reported since 1960.

“Without concerted actions to address the environmental crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, the region’s long-term growth prospects could be constrained. A green recovery from Covid-19 is crucial to ensure an economically and environmentally resilient future,” ADB said in a statement.

“Other policy options identified in the report include intensifying research on green technologies, encouraging women entrepreneurs to participate in green business opportunities, and managing biodiversity better through open and integrated data systems,” it added.

To implement a green recovery, Southeast Asian governments need to identify sustainable sources of financing that will fund climate-friendly infrastructure investments and leverage green growth opportunities.

According to the report, financing approaches should include mobilizing domestic resources through environmental and carbon taxes, reducing subsidies for fossil fuels, mobilizing private investors by addressing risks related to green investments, and leveraging public and private finance through green funds such as the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility.

Finally, strong collaboration among neighboring economies and new partnerships with various stakeholders should be forged to ensure that benefits accrue throughout the region.

ERC recomputes, orders ₧21.8-B refund by Meralco

T

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

HE Manila Electric Company was ordered by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to return to its customers a total of P21.8 billion after the agency recomputed the numbers submitted by the utility firm.

The 68-page decision in ERC Case No. 2020-043 RC directed Meralco to refund its customers an average of P0.4790 per kilowatt hour (kWh), covering the period from July 2015 to June 2022. The refund will be implemented in the next billing cycle from Meralco’s receipt of the decision.

Meralco, for its part, said it has received the ERC’s order on the refund of distribution-related charges. The refund order, it added, is equivalent to 87 centavos per kWh for residential customers. “We will comply with the ERC’s directive. We are currently

studying the order so we can start reflecting this in the power bills this month,” it said on Wednesday.

In its decision, the ERC further directed Meralco to effect the refund in approximately 12 months or until the amount is fully refunded to its customers, and to reflect the refund rate as a separate line item in the bills of Meralco’s customers during the refund period.

“The Commission endeavored to review the rate components that can be adjusted under the existing rules. In particular, we

made adjustments on the Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) and recomputed the Interim Average Rate (IAR). We wanted to ensure that all over-recoveries shall be refunded complete with interest,” ERC Chairperson and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera said.

The ERC’s refund directive is the fourth since January 2021. The three other refund orders include the P13.9 billion as per ERC order dated January 27, 2021; P4.8 billion as per supplemental order dated February 23, 2022; and P7.7 billion as per ERC order dated March 8, 2022.

Meralco’s previous refunds are to be implemented until 2023. Thus, the updated total refund for residential consumers is now at P1.8009/kWh to include the latest P21.8billion refund.

“The Commission has carefully evaluated the ease at hand of Meralco and considered the views and concerns of the various stakeholders. We are confident that our Decision exercised fairness, and promoted the interests of the consuming public who bears the brunt of all these electricity charges. Let’s not forget that the provision of electricity is a public service and providers should only earn just and reasonable return on their investments,” Devanadera added.

Meralco said the latest refund order will likely result in lower power rates. “While we have yet to receive suppliers’ billings, there is a possibility that the refund can offset the expected increase in generation charge and lead to a reduction in the overall power rates for July,” it said.

CEBU Pacific officers Xander Lao, chief commercial officer; Candice Iyog, VP for marketing and customer experience; and Mark Cezar, chief financial officer, field questions from the media. The airline company said it has restored 88 percent of its prepandemic systemwide capacity following the continuous ramp-up of its domestic and international routes.

However, officials conceded that the leading budget carrier will still bear losses this year, despite a steady flow in domestic revenues with Filipinos going on revenge travel mode.

Story in Companies, B1. NONIE REYES

19th Senate panel chairmanships sewed

S

ENATE leaders are close to wrapping up the distribution of chairmanships for over 40 working committees and the formal ascension of longtime Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri to the Senate presidency.

This, after two batches of meetings and socials among senators at the invitation of Zubiri, who was designated Senate officer-in-charge for the transition from June 30 to July 25, before the 18th Senate adjourned sine die on June 1.

The veteran lawmaker from Bukidnon is expected to ascend

to the Senate presidency in the 19th Congress, taking over the post of long-time Senate President Vicente Sotto III. According to Zubiri, it was decided in a separate meeting that Senator Francis Tolentino would be the incoming chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the Justice and Human Rights committee, both held in the last Congress

by Sen. Richard Gordon.

Senator Chiz Escudero will chair the Committee on Higher Education and hold a seat in the bicameral Commission on Ap-

pointments.

At the same time, Senator Imee Marcos, elder sister of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., will chair the Committee on Foreign Relations, Committee on Electoral Reforms, Committee on Social Justice and Commitee on Cooperatives.

Senator Nancy Binay will chair the Committee on Accounts that handles the budget of the entire Senate with Senator Ronald de la Rosa sitting as its vice chairman. Senator Joel Villanueva will sit as Majority Leader. Butch Fernandez

ZUBIRI

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Revenge travel fails to perk up profits of Cebu Pacific

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

L

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

EADING budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) will continue to rack up losses this year, despite a steady flow in domestic revenues with Filipinos going on revenge travel mode.

Mark V. Cezar, CEB Chief Financial Officer, made this confirmation to the BusinessMirror, saying, “We also need more international passengers,” adding that the higher fuel surcharge “cannot cover for the increased fuel prices and the weaker peso.” Earlier, CEB announced that it already reached 100 percent of its pre-pandemic capacity, adding flight frequencies in key domestic destinations like Cebu and Caticlan (Boracay). So far, the carrier has reached 88 percent of its pre-pandemic capacity for international flights, with Singapore, Dubai, and Bali as their most popular destinations.

Last year, CEB recorded some P25 billion in losses. Cezar said, “There’s

dependency on fuel and forex, but yes, we’re still optimistic about a registering smaller loss than last year.”

Effective July 1, carriers are now allowed to impose a Level 11 fuel surcharge on booked flights, which translates to anywhere from P355 to P1,038 per passenger for domestic flights, and P1,172.07 to P8,714.84 for international flights, depending on the distance.

Previously the fuel surcharge was at Level 7, or between P201 and P769 per passenger. For CEB to have some breathing room in terms of its flying costs, Cezar said, ideally, the fuel surcharge should be at “Level 20,” or between P661 and P1993.

He noted at the end of 2021, jet

fuel prices were at $80 per barrel. But as of June, CEB was paying $160 per barrel for jet fuel. Each barrel is equivalent to 159.1 liters.

An A320 which has 180-seat capacity consumes 3,5004,000 liters of jet fuel an hour, underscoring the increased cost of operating an aircraft.

While he declined to reveal their internal projection on the foreign exchange rate, he said, “We see further weakness [in the peso] for the end of the year.” The peso breached the P55 to the US dollar mark on June 29, closing at P55.06, its weakest since October 2005.

CEB held its first inperson news briefing on Wednesday, as it announced a new round of seat sales for both domestic and international routes starting July 7. Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience, said the carrier is offering a base fare as low as P188, one-way, for domestic destinations, and as low as P499,

one-way, to international destinations.

The sale period is from July 7 to 11, while the travel period is from September 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023.

Despite the higher cost of operating aircraft due to the increased fuel costs, the carrier is still offering affordable fares. “Part of our objective is to try and stimulate travel. We are still seeing lower fares compared to 2019,” said CEB Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao. CEB will take delivery of four more aircraft, A330neo, this year, after three were already delivered earlier. The new aircraft is more fuel efficient and offers a more efficient layout. The carrier has one of the youngest fleet in the world, said Iyog, with an average age of 6 years.

With the increase in both domestic and international flights, the carrier is now on a hiring mode, “for cabin crew and ground service agents,” she said.

Thursday, July 7, 2022 B1

AirAsia to beef up Sabah operations PHOTO shows (from left) Datuk Dr Jelani Hamdan, deputy chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board; Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board; AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla; Datuk Jafry Ariffin, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah; Datuk Surveyor Haji Mohamad Yusrie Abdullah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, Airasia Super App Managing Director Ray Berja; and Noredah Othman, Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Tourism Board. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

S

ABAH, Malaysia­— Budget carrier AirAsia Philippines plans to beef up its Manila-Kota Kinabalu operations here by the fourth quarter.

In a press conference Tuesday evening, AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said the airline will double the capacity of its Manila-Kota Kinabalu flight from twice weekly to four times per week as early as October.

“Our [current] capacity is approximately between 1,800 to 1,900 using our Airbus 320. To date, you can just compute our load factor has improved significantly to 70 percent and we expect to increase capacity by the fourth quarter going back to pre pandemic levels,” he said.

AirAsia is boosting its operations to Sabah given the huge demand for the destination.

“There’s a lot of Filipinos whose routes are coming from the Sabah side. That is the most important. They already have families. They have already expanded their family and relatives. Secondly, I think is tourism,” Isla said.

Isla said the group is optimistic given the revenge travel phenomenon, which is expected to peak by the fourth quarter.

AirAsia Philippines has also reinforced its partnership with the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to market the Manila-Kota Kinabalu flights to both Filipinos and Malaysians.

“In line with the transition to an endemic phase, I believe that this resumption of international flights comes at the right time for both tourists and locals in Sabah, who have been excitedly anticipating and planning their travels” said Datuk Jafry Ariffin, Sabah Minister of Tourism Culture and Environment.

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 7, 2022

B2

ACEN to sell green bonds to complete solar projects

A

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

C Energy Corp. (ACEN), the Ayala Group’s listed energy platform, is set to offer up to P10 billion in green bonds, proceeds of which will be used to finance the completion of three solar power projects.

The amount is part of the P30billion debt securities under shelf registration that was approved by the company’s executive committee.

In a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday, ACEN said it was “authorized to offer and issue, out

of the debt securities to be shelf registered, up to P10 billion pesodenominated ASEAN Green Fixed Rate 5-year Bonds as first tranche of the debt securities program, and to apply for the listing of the bonds with the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEX).”

SEC issues cease and desist order against Wellcons

By VG Cabuag

T

@villygc

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered Wellcons Unlimited Systems Inc. to stop offering investment packages, saying the system it created is akin to pyramiding.

The SEC ordered Wellcons, led by its president Merarie E. Pailagao, to immediately cease and desist from engaging in the unlawful and unauthorized solicitation, offer and sale of securities until it has filed the requisite registration statement and secured the necessary approval from the commission.

The SEC issued the cease and desist order after the agency’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department found that Wellcons has been offering investment packages worth P2,500 to P13,890 under a so-called binary system, with guaranteed returns of up to P9,000 to P32,000 per day.

Each member also has to recruit members for them to get direct or indirect referral bonuses.

Members who availed investment packages under the system can further earn through Wellcon’s Pangkabuhayan Program, where they can supposedly double their money within six months based on investment packages worth P1,500 to P5,000.

In addition, Wellcons promised leadership bonuses and referral fees.

The scheme involves the sale and offer of securities to the pub-

lic in the form of investment contracts, whereby a person invests his money in a common enterprise and is led to expect profits primarily from the efforts of others, according to the SEC. “[T]he commission finds that Wellcons is engaged in the unauthorized sale and/or offer of securities in the form of investment contract in violation of Section 8 of the [Securities Regulation Code (SRC)] because it has no license to carry out the same,” the SEC order read.

While Wellcons is a duly registered corporation with the SEC, it has never secured a secondary license from the commission to operate as a broker/dealer of securities, nor is it a registered issuer of any securities.

The SEC has issued an advisory against Wellcons as early as February 2, to warn the public against investing in the group and similar entities. “[I]t is clear that Wellcons’ business model which promises high return of investments is not sustainable, and can only be carried out as long as new investors continue to come in,” the SEC said.

“This is a fraudulent scheme which will likely cause grave or irreparable injury or prejudice to the investing public. Thus, we hold that the act of Wellcons in selling/offering unregistered securities operates as a fraud to the public which, if unrestrained, will likely cause grave or irreparable injury or prejudice to the investing public.”

The committee approved the list of renewable energy projects with a total capacity of 458MW that are eligible to receive proceeds from the bonds. These are the expansion of the Arayat-Mexico solar farm, the Cagayan Solar 1, and Phase 1 of the San Marcelino solar project.

The existing 133MW ArayatMexico solar project of ACEN and Citicore Solar Energy Corp., will be expanded by 72MW. The first phase of the solar farm in Pampanga has an estimated cost of P2.75 billion.

The 133MW solar project in Cagayan between ACEN and CleanTech Global Renewables Inc. will be constructed by their joint venture company Natures Renewable Energy Development Corp. (Naredco).

The 283MW solar farm in San Marcelino, Zambales is touted to be the country’s largest solar

farm in the country. The project is owned by ACEN’s wholly-owned unit Santa Cr uz Solar Energ y Inc., which recently contracted the services of Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd. and PowerChina Philippines Corp. for its eng ineer ing proc u rement a nd construction.

ACEN President Eric Francia said these solar power projects are set to be completed next year.

The company aspires to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia, with a goal of reaching 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025.

The company has 3,800 MW of attributable capacity in the Philippines and across the region, of which 3,300 MW are renewable, putting the company in a strong position to reach its capacity target earlier than 2025.

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

MUTUAL FUNDS

NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D

PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES (SHARES) ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 202.67 -10.25% -9% -5.81% -13.05% ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 1.3201 -8.93% -7.47% -4.07% -20.68% ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 2.7822 -10.73% -12.65% -8.37% -14.07% CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP. -A 0.6944 -11.6% -10.21% N.A. -8.21% FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. -A 0.6491 -15.72% -9.91% N.A. -15.8% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC. -A 4.5757 -7.87% -6.24% -3.89% -11.71% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.6794 -7.06% -8.71% -6.68% -13.26% MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. -A 76.09 -25.79% -14.76% N.A. -19.42% PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC. -A 41.6685 -9.99% -7.82% -4.31% -13.42% PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 434.89 -10.45% -7.67% -4.4% -13.14% PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC. -A 1.2368 5.85% -2.82% -1.03% -8.81% PHILEQUITY FUND, INC. -A 31.7829 -8.22% -7.03% -3.4% -13.15% PHILEQUITY MSCI PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.8257 -8.5% -8.18% N.A. -12.29% PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC. -A 4.3147 -9.03% -7.19% -3.69% -13.02% PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 718.87 -9.53% -7.26% -3.77% -13.23% SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 0.639 -11.79% -12.24% -6.63% -15.09% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC. -A 3.2317 -9.95% -9.83% -5.14% -14.4% -4.02% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.8183 -9.82% -7.54% -13.36% UNITED FUND, INC. -A 3.016 -8.72% -7.28% -3.01% -12.26% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES (UNITS) PHILEQUITY ALPHA ONE FUND, INC. -A 1.014 -7.98% N.A. N.A. -12.79% PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 875.13 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (SHARES) FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC. -A,C 96.906 -9.15% -7.05% -3.39% -13.07% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES (SHARES) ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. -B $0.9326 -26.25% -2.59% -1.14% -17.21% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC. -A $1.4492 -20.09% 3.1% 4.62% -21.51% BALANCED FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES (SHARES) ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC. -A 1.5373 -9.39% -4.35% -2.84% -9.14% ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 2.0767 -8.49% -3.99% -2.56% -8.98% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC. -A 2.4898 -5.5% -2.52% -1.16% -7.48% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN F.O.C.C.U.S. DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.1922 -2.73% N.A. N.A. -8.04% NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC. -A 1.8671 -5.38% -1.54% -0.38% -7.42% PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC. -A 3.4074 -8.62% -3.39% -1.8% -9.5% PHILAM FUND, INC. -A 15.2666 -8.66% -3.58% -1.87% -9.37% SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC. -A 1.9503 -6.41% -3.43% -1.9% -8.07% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 3.2688 -8.1% -5.94% -2.83% -10.37% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.8508 -5.21% -5.47% -2.43% -10.84% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES (UNITS) SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2028, INC. -A 0.8918 -10.35% -4.66% N.A. -9.9% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2038, INC. -A 0.815 -11.51% -7.49% N.A. -13.71% -7.84% N.A. -14.02% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2048, INC. -A 0.803 -11.72% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES (SHARES) COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. -A $0.03305 -13.32% -4.22% -1.56% -12.89% PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC. -B $0.9217 -18.17% -2.71% -0.97% -13.63% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. -A $3.9416 -17.31% 1.18% 2.95% -17.92% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC. -A,2 $1.0144 -15.56% -1.97% 0.15% -15.37% BOND FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES (SHARES) ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 373.14 0.16% 2.12% 2.25% -0.31% ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC. -A 1.8905 -1.99% -0.17% 0% 0.31% COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 3.2232 -0.22% 1.86% 3.23% -0.64% EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC. -A 2.1652 -4.32% -0.37% 0.56% -3.83% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED INCOME FUND,INC. -A 2.3974 -1.85% 1.15% 1.6% -1.18% PHILAM BOND FUND, INC. -A 4.1869 -6.69% -0.05% 0.53% -4.75% PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 1.3207 -0.05% 2.78% 2.8% 0.12% PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.8869 -2.48% 1.82% 2.18% -1.99% SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. -A 1.0085 -2.86% 2.42% 1.67% -1.92% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.1281 -2.8% 1.77% 2.56% -1.86% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC. -A 1.6947 -3.21% 0.93% 1.9% -2.07% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES (SHARES) ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $481.26 -1.02% 1.59% 1.79% -1.7% ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. -A Є210.59 -4.35% -1.16% -0.08% -4.28% ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -B $1.0731 -10.02% -3.26% -0.9% -10.86% -0.49% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $0.0243 -6.9% -1.85% -6.54% PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC -B $0.8943 -14.73% -6.38% -3.56% -12.56% PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $2.2067 -12.15% -2.18% -0.11% -11.93% PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.0607314 -3.6% 0.78% 1.2% -2.51% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC. -A $2.7491 -13.71% -3.91% -1.65% -13.99% MONEY MARKET FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES (SHARES) ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 132.21 1.43% 2.27% 2.55% 0.78% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.0639 1.02% 1.57% N.A. 0.59% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PESO STARTER FUND, INC. -A,1 1.3261 1.57% 2.12% 2.47% 0.8% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES (SHARES) SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC. -A $1.064 0.59% 1.14% N.A. 0.32% FEEDER FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES (UNITS) ALFM GLOBAL MULTI-ASSET INCOME FUND INC. -A 43.5006 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD EQUITY INDEX FEEDER FUND, INC. -A 1.2076 -6.74% N.A. N.A. -12.68% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES (UNITS) ALFM GLOBAL MULTI-ASSET INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.8102 -18.98% N.A. N.A. -16.47%

A - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY. B - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO. C - LISTED IN THE PSE.

1 - RENAMING WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST JULY 8, 2021 (FORMERLY, SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC.).

2 - ADJUSTED DUE TO STOCK DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST NOVEMBER 25, 2021.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www.pifa. com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

July 6, 2022

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK COMMERCE BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL IREMIT NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH

44 119.2 8.01 88.85 26.85 6.99 48.55 7.01 18 55.15 19.52 89.2 80.8 1.9 3.41 0.73 0.6 181.1

44.9 119.5 8.29 88.9 27 7 49 7.19 18.08 56.5 19.86 89.3 81.4 1.95 3.47 0.82 0.64 185

44.95 118.9 8.04 89.45 27.05 7.05 49.1 7.19 18 56.9 19.88 88 82.25 1.96 3.41 0.73 0.6 188

44.95 119.6 8.04 90 27.05 7.05 49.85 7.19 18.2 56.9 19.88 89.4 82.4 2 3.47 0.73 0.6 188

44 117.5 8.01 88 26.8 6.98 48.55 7.19 18 56.5 19.88 87.75 80.8 1.9 3.41 0.73 0.6 180

44 119.5 8.01 88.9 27 7 48.55 7.19 18.08 56.5 19.88 89.2 81.4 1.95 3.47 0.73 0.6 185

1,000 1,813,580 9,200 1,207,970 80,800 68,900 1,396,700 500 53,200 920 600 163,890 19,030 245,000 77,000 5,000 1,000 6,080

44,285 215,787,216 73,722 107,653,760.50 2,180,985 482,246 68,753,700 3,595 959,586 52,065 11,928 14,589,303.50 1,552,435.50 479,090 262,690 3,650 600 1,108,484

64,357,110 -19,224 3,180,411 16,200 -379,441 -9,501,285 10,870 572,138.50 973,639 -412,467

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.38 8.4 8.38 8.45 8.3 8.4 12,769,100 107,070,765 -16,116,427 0.91 0.95 0.93 0.95 11,000 10,270 950 ALSONS CONS 0.95 0.95 ABOITIZ POWER 30.3 30.3 30 29.45 29.4 30.3 877,700 26,289,240 2,214,845 1.99 2 2 1.95 2 5,384,000 10,714,190 2,010.00 RASLAG 2.01 BASIC ENERGY 0.4 0.395 0.385 0.4 0.385 0.4 2,130,000 827,850 17.82 17.84 17.3 17.98 17.28 17.84 342,100 6,096,714 2,108,050 FIRST GEN 61 62 61 62 61 62 2,450 150,485 FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO 358.4 358 358.6 359.8 353.6 358 124,410 44,594,132 7,090,754 17.18 17.2 16.8 17.18 16.7 17.18 2,903,200 49,231,330 -399,434 MANILA WATER 3.06 3.08 3.05 3.07 325,000 995,160 21,500 PETRON 3.08 3.08 PETROENERGY 4.83 4.83 4.55 4.65 4.4 4.83 152,000 698,020 22,000 9.26 9.2 9.2 9.99 1,700 16,430 PHX PETROLEUM 9.99 9.99 SYNERGY GRID 12.1 12.12 12.16 12.16 12.02 12.12 912,500 11,043,392 517,282 PILIPINAS SHELL 18.2 18.26 18.1 18.2 18.08 18.2 798,000 14,487,402 -3,349,028 9.09 9.15 9.08 9.18 9.05 9.09 121,800 1,106,958 SPC POWER SOLAR PH 1.71 1.78 1.7 1.75 1.71 1.71 44,993,000 78,447,930 162,160 5.35 5.3 5.23 5.38 1,488,400 7,888,053 676,304.00 AGRINURTURE 5.38 5.38 AXELUM 2.22 2.16 2.2 2.17 2.16 2.2 127,000 278,170 24.1 24.15 22.6 24.25 22.6 24.15 4,077,000 95,261,095 32,438,240 CENTURY FOOD 14.5 14.8 14.5 14.8 13.8 14.8 75,400 1,089,422 80,940 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 7.1 7.1 7.09 6.75 6.73 7.09 3,392,000 23,650,707 -1,544,394 17.86 17.9 18.12 18.46 17.86 17.9 2,321,500 41,774,858 EMPERADOR 12,995,326.00 45.9 46 46 47.45 46 46 92,400 4,274,440 -2,427,625 SMC FOODANDBEV FIGARO COFFEE 0.6 0.6 0.59 0.58 0.57 0.6 3,917,000 2,307,040 590 1.08 1.09 1.08 1.1 1.07 1.09 1,628,000 1,773,220 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 100 100 99.4 100 99.3 100 10,260 1,024,893 -585,620.50 JOLLIBEE 207.8 207 207.4 201.2 201.2 207 416,660 86,056,406 21,917,228 1.1 1.11 1.09 1.11 950,000 1,044,280 327,410 KEEPERS HLDG 1.11 1.11 MAXS GROUP 4.56 4.67 4.49 4.69 4.45 4.68 45,000 207,560 0.113 0.119 0.113 0.113 0.113 0.113 130,000 14,690 MG HLDG 14.3 13.98 13.9 14.4 7,629,700 108,421,124 38,147,618 MONDE NISSIN 14.4 14.4 SHAKEYS PIZZA 7 7.05 7 7.02 7 7 310,800 2,175,900 -2,170,300 0.53 0.55 0.53 0.57 0.51 0.55 2,928,000 1,548,710 30,800 ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG 1.23 1.28 1.3 1.3 1.23 1.28 22,000 27,300 0.088 0.095 0.096 0.096 0.095 0.095 40,000 3,820 SWIFT FOODS 118.2 118.4 113.5 120.3 113.5 118.2 4,377,860 517,202,200 113,332,273 UNIV ROBINA VITARICH 0.59 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.59 0.6 173,000 102,820 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.61 709,000 434,730 107,360 0.62 0.62 CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT 12.3 12.36 12.04 12.38 12.04 12.38 7,800 94,672 3.41 3.51 3.52 3.6 3.5 3.51 101,000 357,180 -71,780 EEI CORP 5.11 5.25 5.1 5.1 39,700 202,645 -195,490 HOLCIM 5.25 5.25 MEGAWIDE 4.85 4.81 5.1 5.24 4.78 4.81 2,158,900 10,743,622 -2,429,686 19 19.1 19 19.1 7,300 139,230 PHINMA 19.1 19.1 0.72 0.74 0.75 0.75 0.72 0.74 13,000 9,710 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 0.8 0.8 0.79 0.78 0.78 0.8 136,000 106,180 1.67 1.73 1.74 1.75 1.65 1.74 88,000 149,990 CROWN ASIA MABUHAY VINYL 5.59 5.59 5.4 5.59 5.59 5.59 2,000 11,180 5.48 5.54 5.43 5.5 5.43 5.5 154,600 847,178 847,178 PRYCE CORP 1.54 1.56 1.59 1.54 1.56 3,724,000 5,804,620 2,881,630 GREENERGY 1.56 INTEGRATED MICR 6.22 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.3 19,600 123,480 0.58 0.58 0.56 0.6 104,000 62,160 0.6 0.6 IONICS SFA SEMICON 1.16 1.16 1.11 1.16 1.16 1.16 1,000 1,160 0 2.87 2.88 2.9 2.98 2.81 2.88 4,615,000 13,453,170 -596,980 CIRTEK HLDG

HOLDING & FRIMS

July 6, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

1.52 648 49 9.8 8.6 0.75 0.41 4.49 8.95 0.209 487 52.1 8.01 0.55 2.97 8.46 3.59 2.31 2.68 0.89 830 104.6 107.1 0.27 0.157

1.53 650 49.4 9.84 8.98 0.8 0.415 4.5 8.98 0.27 488 52.5 9.7 0.6 3.12 8.49 3.64 2.4 2.7 0.9 839 104.7 116.5 0.29 0.17

1.5 618 48.45 9.67 8.98 0.75 0.405 4.43 8.94 0.209 480 51.25 9.7 0.59 2.97 8.49 3.57 2.29 2.7 0.9 799.5 106 117 0.29 0.16

1.53 650 49.55 9.9 8.98 0.8 0.41 4.5 9 0.209 488 54 9.7 0.62 2.97 8.5 3.64 2.47 2.83 0.9 839 106 117 0.29 0.17

1.49 618 48.45 9.67 8.6 0.75 0.405 4.37 8.92 0.209 477 50.4 9.7 0.58 2.97 8.47 3.55 2.29 2.68 0.9 793 104 106 0.27 0.16

1.53 650 49.4 9.8 8.98 0.8 0.41 4.49 8.98 0.209 488 52.5 9.7 0.61 2.97 8.49 3.64 2.47 2.68 0.9 839 104.7 117 0.27 0.17

13,985,000 307,290 761,600 2,636,600 2,800 14,000 170,000 71,000 4,844,000 40,000 146,650 2,643,360 2,500 376,000 9,000 3,419,100 7,769,000 9,000 826,000 10,000 375,910 67,700 167,860 820,000 30,000

21,152,250 198,402,915 37,432,175 25,843,498 24,266 10,750 69,200 315,740 43,462,281 8,360 70,795,874 137,875,529.50 24,250 225,150 26,730 29,052,033 28,029,290 21,710 2,249,500 9,000 309,842,915 7,085,523 19,639,510 235,000 4,900

7,585,470 61,409,960 9,286,295 7,125,792 860 800 480 10,327,740 -18,096,234 22,836,719.50 3,299,288 1,489,150 12,722,015 1,745,673 -19,637,280 -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.55 0.6 0.57 0.62 0.57 0.6 26,000 14,970 26.65 26.9 26.55 27.25 26.1 26.9 15,866,600 423,313,125 -210,477,340 AYALA LAND AYALA LAND LOG 3.22 3.25 3.38 3.38 3.25 3.25 1,405,000 4,654,250 -162,980 13.04 14.52 13 13.02 13 13.02 1,000 13,008 1,302 ALTUS PROP ARANETA PROP 1.6 1.64 1.69 1.69 1.6 1.6 920,000 1,524,800 37 37.1 37.65 37.9 37.1 37.1 271,800 10,191,990 -2,944,285 AREIT RT 0.75 0.76 0.72 0.75 0.72 0.75 42,000 31,470 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.68 0.68 0.68 41,000 27,880 0.086 0.089 0.086 0.09 0.086 0.089 1,600,000 142,350 CROWN EQUITIES 2.48 2.47 2.47 2.5 144,000 357,440 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.5 2.5 CENTURY PROP 0.38 0.38 0.375 0.37 0.37 0.38 620,000 234,800 2.42 2.43 2.46 2.47 2.43 2.43 2,740,000 6,706,870 -1,214,320 CITICORE RT DOUBLEDRAGON 8.35 8.26 8.33 8.16 8.15 8.33 93,100 765,807 22,958.00 DDMP RT 1.49 1.5 1.5 1.51 1.45 1.5 1,484,000 2,195,560 -61,030 6.78 6.8 6.84 6.84 6.8 6.8 53,200 362,535 DM WENCESLAO EVER GOTESCO 0.27 0.27 0.26 0.255 0.255 0.27 3,810,000 997,500 190,650 6.79 6.8 6.79 6.8 1,371,200 9,324,058 3,818,876 FILINVEST RT 6.8 6.8 FILINVEST LAND 0.89 0.89 0.88 0.88 0.87 0.88 1,486,000 1,308,260 -74,850 GOLDEN MV 644 659 659.5 670 659 659 80 52,835 0.97 0.99 0.92 1 0.92 1 3,014,000 2,816,460 1,678,650 PHIL INFRADEV KEPPEL PROP 3.85 3.85 3.6 3.73 3.73 3.85 54,000 202,620 0.7 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.7 0.7 77,000 54,260 CITY AND LAND 2.24 2.16 2.16 2.24 48,124,000 107,303,000 -7,996,300 MEGAWORLD 2.26 2.26 MRC ALLIED 0.183 0.185 0.182 0.186 0.181 0.185 990,000 180,900 16.02 16.04 15.46 16.18 15.36 16.04 1,444,500 23,070,504 3,140,604 MREIT RT PHIL ESTATES 0.37 0.385 0.37 0.37 0.37 0.37 50,000 18,500 1.98 1.99 2.02 2.02 1.98 1.99 1,846,000 3,706,630 -1,081,410.00 PRIMEX CORP 6.49 6.5 6.5 6.55 6.49 6.5 1,571,800 10,250,112 7,525,728 RL COMM RT ROBINSONS LAND 17.64 17.98 17.1 18 17.02 17.98 1,496,400 26,576,666 7,326,212 0.215 0.235 0.235 0.236 100,000 23,560 PHIL REALTY 0.236 0.236 1.21 1.2 1.22 1.2 1.22 47,000 57,300 6,100 ROCKWELL 1.23 SHANG PROP 2.55 2.55 2.47 2.55 2.55 2.55 11,000 28,050 -17,850 2.91 3.06 3.06 3.06 3.06 3.06 5,000 15,300 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 37.5 37.75 37.5 38.05 37.1 37.75 7,593,900 285,661,735 48,381,980 0.465 0.5 0.5 0.5 50,000 25,000 SOC RESOURCES 0.5 0.5 2.09 2.1 2 2.09 1.98 2.09 644,000 1,311,660 -34,100 VISTA LAND VISTAREIT RT 1.75 1.76 1.76 1.77 1.75 1.76 2,392,000 4,208,830 2,373,650

SERVICES ABS CBN 9.55 9.58 9.75 9.75 9.2 9.58 148,600 1,418,622 11.16 11.2 11.18 11.22 11.16 11.16 321,000 3,593,118 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.32 0.36 0.35 0.35 0.335 0.335 320,000 111,850 2,230 2,240 2,234 2,240 2,220 2,240 39,545 88,191,940 8,237,460 GLOBE TELECOM PLDT 1,773 1,755 1,758 1,773 1,712 1,758 120,515 212,012,050 -98,153,705 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.04 0.041 0.038 0.041 0.037 0.041 386,100,000 15,372,200 112,000 20.95 21 20.85 21.35 20.65 20.95 5,749,500 -12,791,050 CONVERGE 120,526,050 DFNN INC 3.15 3.16 3.33 3.33 3.09 3.16 1,031,000 3,285,820 703,480 4.29 4.3 4.41 4.42 4.27 4.3 2,758,000 11,914,930 1,337,550 DITO CME HLDG 1.2 1.21 1.23 1.24 1.2 1.21 813,000 984,940 -85,910 NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.29 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.285 0.295 3,220,000 936,100 6.35 6.8 7 7 6.1 6.8 96,400 614,142 9,670 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 13.88 13.88 13.52 13.88 13.88 13.88 600 8,328 1.35 1.35 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.35 238,000 314,450 CHELSEA 42.15 41.95 41.95 42.9 93,900 3,995,090 2,138,540 42.9 42.9 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 194.3 194.3 191.5 187.9 186.9 194.3 591,160 113,040,233 -26,885,951 0.54 0.7 0.7 0.7 1,000 700 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.7 0.7 MACROASIA 4.38 4.36 4.4 4.42 4.31 4.38 583,000 2,532,910 -266,120 METROALLIANCE A 0.9 0.94 0.9 0.98 0.9 0.98 7,000 6,380 5.65 5.66 5.65 5.7 5.65 5.66 12,100 68,390 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 0.9 0.93 0.9 0.95 0.88 0.93 1,128,000 1,031,490 40,920 1.37 1.71 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.36 3,000 4,080 ACESITE HOTEL 0.09 0.091 0.085 0.091 0.082 0.09 144,060,000 12,705,840 -17,930 BOULEVARD HLDG WATERFRONT 0.45 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41 130,000 53,300 6.54 6.83 6.83 6.95 3,800 26,023 6.95 6.95 CENTRO ESCOLAR FAR EASTERN U 530.5 588.5 588.5 588.5 588.5 588.5 20 11,770 6.8 6.8 5.66 6.53 5.08 6.8 92,200 492,152 IPEOPLE 0.325 0.33 0.34 0.34 0.325 0.33 850,000 279,250 -10,200 STI HLDG BELLE CORP 1.18 1.19 1.2 1.2 1.19 1.19 293,000 348,950 -33,600 5.98 6 5.99 5.94 5.98 671,000 4,018,931 -135,069 BLOOMBERRY 6.03 1.37 1.39 1.37 1.43 46,000 63,680 PACIFIC ONLINE 1.43 1.43 LEISURE AND RES 1.36 1.37 1.4 1.4 1.36 1.36 663,000 907,560 0.94 1.34 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 2,000 1,880 MJC INVESTMENTS PH RESORTS GRP 0.87 0.88 0.78 0.9 0.77 0.88 5,085,000 4,211,830 -1,007,490 0.395 0.4 0.4 0.395 0.4 390,000 155,850 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.4 4.3 4.32 4.5 4.3 4.3 2,725,000 11,960,650 267,340 PHILWEB 4.59 0.325 ALLDAY 0.315 0.32 0.32 0.315 0.315 14,390,000 4,585,100 265,300 4.53 4.55 4.56 4.53 4.55 596,000 2,711,010 -1,574,250 ALLHOME 4.58 METRO RETAIL 1.47 1.47 1.45 1.47 1.47 1.47 19,000 27,930 31.95 31.35 31.5 30.8 30.55 31.35 1,512,800 47,209,645 -26,579,565 PUREGOLD 51.85 51.9 51.35 52.45 51.15 51.85 191,740 9,878,439 2,219,692 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 55.55 59 55 57 55 55.55 6,090 335,951.50 1.31 1.34 1.31 1.33 1.3 1.33 1,248,000 1,655,070 746,200 SSI GROUP 23 23.1 22.5 23.2 22.5 23 268,300 6,181,900 35,675 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.192 0.192 0.181 0.185 0.18 0.192 4,070,000 738,120 6.8 6.95 6.95 7 10,000 69,940 7 7 IPM HLDG MEDILINES 0.62 0.62 0.63 0.59 0.57 0.62 2,352,000 1,414,700 -18,300 0.42 0.43 0.42 0.42 1,940,000 824,200 38,650 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.43 0.43

MINING & OIL

ATOK 6.81 7 6.8 6.8 6.81 1,600 10,892 6.81 APEX MINING 1.45 1.45 1.44 1.43 1.43 1.44 1,546,000 2,226,060 4.39 4.5 4.64 4.64 4.38 4.39 902,000 4,044,520 ATLAS MINING BENGUET A 5.41 5.54 5.65 5.65 5.41 5.41 53,100 293,185 5.6 5.6 5.53 5.6 5.6 5.6 9,000 50,400 BENGUET B 0.211 0.234 0.21 0.21 0.21 0.21 100,000 21,000 COAL ASIA HLDG FERRONICKEL 2.39 2.38 2.38 2.42 2.38 2.39 1,591,000 3,803,170 0.134 0.135 0.135 0.135 6,000,000 810,000 LEPANTO A 0.135 0.135 0.0096 0.0097 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 1,000,000 9,600 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.0094 0.0097 0.0094 0.0094 0.0094 0.0094 2,000,000 18,800 1.33 1.35 1.34 1.31 1.35 1,425,000 1,890,990 MARCVENTURES 1.36 NIHAO 0.94 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.91 1,000 910 6.09 6.1 6.19 6.28 6.1 6.1 3,923,300 24,106,419 NICKEL ASIA 0.7 0.69 0.69 0.73 125,000 87,120 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.73 0.73 PX MINING 3.19 3.2 3.27 3.29 3.19 3.2 1,279,000 4,114,080 36.35 36.5 37 37.4 36.35 36.35 4,984,900 183,357,255 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0059 0.0064 0.0059 0.0063 0.0059 0.0063 2,000,000 12,200 ACE ENEXOR 11.98 11.98 11.96 11.08 11.08 11.98 546,000 6,455,988 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 1,300,000 15,600 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 100,000 1,200 0.0088 0.0089 0.0088 0.0088 0.0088 1,000,000 8,800 0.0088 PHILODRILL 5.23 5.27 5.29 5.29 5.18 5.28 197,300 1,036,118 PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 98 99.5 99.5 99.5 99.5 99.5 150 14,925 501 502.5 501.5 501.5 501.5 501.5 9,180 4,603,770 AC PREF B1 BRN PREF A 104 106.5 104 104 104 104 3,000 312,000 41.95 42 41.95 42 41.95 41.95 17,600 738,980 CEB PREF DD PREF 97.6 99 98 98 96.1 98 3,000 289,880 99.8 100.5 100.8 100.8 100.8 100.8 40 4,032 FGEN PREF G 970 980 970 970 970 970 350 339,500 JFC PREF A JFC PREF B 960 965 965 965 965 965 820 791,300 97.55 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 100 10,050 MWIDE PREF 2B 974 976 974 976 974 976 490 477,710 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3A 1,041 1,046 1,043 1,043 1,041 1,041 1,500 1,564,220 1,063 1,070 1,063 1,070 1,063 1,070 1,015 1,079,050 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2F 76 76.2 76.2 76.2 76.2 76.2 320 24,384 75.1 75.6 75 75 75 75 1,130 84,750 SMC PREF 2H 76 78.35 76 76 75.5 76 42,000 3,188,171 SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2J 74.05 74.25 74 74.6 74 74.25 4,610 342,198.50 73 74 74 74 74 74 10 740 SMC PREF 2K

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 9.1 9.4 9.1 9.1 9.1 9.1 496,500 4,518,150 10.9 11.4 10.9 10.9 10.9 10.9 3,500 38,150 GMA HLDG PDR

WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.53 0.54 0.55 0.58 0.53 0.53 927,000 508,850

-574,920 -1,210,670.00 -21,000 2,086,390 -18,800 917,329 -1,318,730 14,445,180 6,300 -15,760 -10,050 -521,500 -878,150 -2,180 -22,600

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES BALAI FRUITAS CTS GLOBAL HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART XURPAS

0.71 0.92 0.95 0.76 1.29 0.29

0.72 0.93 0.98 0.78 1.3 0.3

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

98

98.5

0.7 0.95 0.99 0.76 1.3 0.29

0.73 0.95 0.99 0.84 1.32 0.3

0.69 0.93 0.95 0.76 1.25 0.29

0.72 0.93 0.98 0.78 1.29 0.3

16,083,000 845,000 266,000 2,093,000 1,559,000 580,000

11,484,090 790,660 253,830 1,659,390 2,012,040 171,050

-17,750 109,490 -750,050 11,670 -

96.45 98.5 96.45 98.5 9,910 971,793.50 45,913.50

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance

To enlarge fiscal space, govt eyes PPP for infra

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

A

ROUND 90 government infrastructure projects will be opened to public-private partnership (PPP) in the bid of the current administration to “enlarge” its fiscal space without sacrificing its infrastructure goals, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

In a news conference last Wednesday, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno disclosed they are considering the option to reduce government spending for such projects.

“So instead of the government spending 100 percent of the cost [of such projects], I think only a fraction thereof would be spent by the government for projects that will benefit the Filipino people,” Diokno said.

The chief of the Department of Finance said this will free the gov-

ernment budget for use for other purposes other than infrastructure.

Diokno noted that the previous administration was unable to make use of PPP since there were no projects available for the said scheme that time.

“Now we are able to develop some 88 or 89 major projects ready to go, shovel-ready,” Diokno said.

Diokno said they anticipate there will be more takers for the new PPPs compared to that from the previous administration with the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11659 or the Amended Public Service Act. RA 11659 allows foreigners to have 100 percent ownership in some sectors including telecommunication and tollways.

“I think we encourage them to come in, okay, and maybe choose some of those projects or develop their own and we will welcome the PPP arrangement,” Diokno said.

ADB, UK creating $134-M ‘green finance’ trust fund

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

T

HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Kingdom government are setting up a trust fund to support Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries achieve climateresilient development.

The ADB and London has signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the £107 million or $134 million UK—Asean Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) Trust Fund, a statement from the Manila-based multilateral lender read.

According to the ADB, the trust fund intends to leverage UK and ADB funds to create a pipeline of low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure projects and to catalyze financing from public and private capital sources. The fund will be part of the Asean Green Recovery Platform launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26).

“We are facing a climate crisis and Southeast Asia needs rapid and innovative solutions to help countries raise financing to deliver their climate targets and ambitions,” ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa was quoted in the statement as saying.

“This new fund will build on a longstanding UK–ADB partnership through an innovative revolving fund structure that will mobilize public and private funds and build a robust pipeline of climate projects in the region,” Masatsugu added.

The fund will leverage financial resources for the ACGF, an ADBmanaged regional green financing vehicle that is owned by Asean countries and the ADB. Since its launch in 2019, the

ACGF has attracted $2 billion in cofinancing pledges and included five projects in its formal financing pipeline.

It has also helped develop a longer pipeline of 29 green infrastructure projects and provided advisory support that has enabled countries to tap capital markets through the issuance of more than $5.6 billion in green bonds.

The UK–ACGF Trust Fund will build on these efforts and support countries through loans and technical assistance to mobilize capital, including through regional initiatives such as the Blue SEA (Southeast Asia) Finance Hub, based in Indonesia.

“As a trusted partner to Asean, this UK financing delivered through the ADB is imperative to help deliver new honest and reliable green investment—creating jobs and putting UK expertise at the heart of tackling climate change,” UK Minister for Asia Amanda Milling said. “It’s another step in delivering the UK’s commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow last year.”

Asean countries are grappling with increasing costs of climate change, which add to the existing investment needs of $210 billion per year for infrastructure in the region and exacerbate the heightened vulnerability of people and the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ADB recently elevated its ambition to deliver climate financing to its developing member countries to $100 billion from 2019 to 2030.

The ADB is committed to ensuring at least 75 percent of the total number of its operations will support climate change mitigation and adaptation by 2030. The UK is a founding member of the ADB.

‘No new PHL coin series released’

By Bianca Cuaresma

T

@BcuaresmaBM

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) clarified on Wednesday that they are not issuing new coin series, contrary to reports seen circulating on social media.

In a public advisory, the central bank said it is informing the public that it has not released a new Philippine coin series.

“Some images of coins circulating on social media are part of the ‘Ang Bagong Lipunan’ coin series issued by the central bank in 1975, and demonetized in 1998,” the BSP said in a statement. “Demonetized coins are no longer accepted as payment for goods and services.”

The New Generation Currency (NGC) is the latest legal tender coin series released by the BSP. The NGC coin series composed of the 10-Piso, 5-Piso, 1-Piso, 25-Sentimo, 5-Sentimo, and 1-Sentimo were launched in March 2018, while the 20-Piso and enhanced 5-Piso were introduced in December 2019.

The NGC coins are significantly more

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Thursday, July 7, 2022

B3

Diokno to push for passage of tax packages under CTRP

F

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

INANCE Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno vowed to push for the passage of the remaining two packages under the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) that failed to hurdle the legislative mill in the last Congress.

Diokno said he supports both the Real Property Valuation Reform program (Package 3) and the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act, or Pifita,” (Package 4) that were aimed to streamline the tax system.

“It will simplify a lot the tax system. So we will push for that. And then we expect that to be approved before the end of the year. And it will be implemented next year,” Diokno

said during a Palace briefing last Wednesday.

In the 18th Congress, both packages were passed and approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives. However, these remained pending at the committee level in the Senate.

This means that both bills would have to be re-filed again in the 19th Congress and hurdle once again the legislative mill before these can be

signed into law by the President.

The Real Property Valuation Reform Bill aims to adopt internationally-accepted standards and professionalize real property valuation to promote investor confidence.

On the other hand, Pifita targets to simplify the taxation of passive income, financial services and transactions to make the Philippines competitive in attracting capital and investments needed to finance largescale infrastructure, create jobs and boost economic growth.

In the same briefing, Diokno also reiterated he is in favor of imposing tax on digital services, which was a part of the proposed fiscal consolidation plan crafted by the Department of Finance under Diokno’s predecessor Carlos G. Dominguez III. While Dominguez’s team proposed new taxes, among others, to reduce the country’s debt as a share of the economy, Diokno earlier said he wanted to focus on streamlining tax administration before deciding on whether the country needs new

taxes as part of its fiscal consolidation program.

Despite this, Diokno said that by the end of Marcos administration’s term in 2028 the economic team aims to cut the deficit-to-GDP ratio to 3 percent, achieve upper-middleincome status and bring down poverty incidence to single-digits.

Last year, the country’s budget deficit as a share of the economy hit an unprecedented level of 8.61 percent.

Poverty incidence in the country also rose to 23.7 percent in the first semester of last year from 21.1 percent in 2018. This translated to 26.1 million poor Filipinos, a 3.9 million higher than the 22.2 million in the same period in 2018.

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua earlier said the country remains on track to becoming an upper middle income country by next year. But local economists said the government must not be fixated with this, given the fiscal challenges confronting the incoming administration.

Ayala Land utilized 90% of shelf registration bonds

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

P

ROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said it has utilized 90 percent of its P50billion shelf registration of bonds with the Securities and Exchange Commission in less than a year.

Earlier this week, the property developer listed its P33 billion on fixed-rate bonds due 2024, 2027 and 2029 at the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. (PDEx).

The Series A bonds due 2024 carry a coupon rate of 4.3969 percent per annum. The Series B pa-

per due 2027 has a coupon rate of 6.2110 percent. ALI’s Series C debt paper due 2029 has a coupon rate of 6.8045 percent.

The 2-year, 5-year and 7-year bonds are ALI’s largest issuance to date and its second for the year in the local capital debt market.

The company also issued P12billion 6-year fixed-rate bonds with a coupon rate of 5.8086 percent last May. “These twin offerings used the same set of financials which allowed for quicker execution,” Jose Emilio B. Jamir, the company’s deputy trea-

surer, said.

“With this latest bond offer, we raised P45 billion in debt capital, representing a 90 percent utilization rate of our P50-billion shelf registration in less than a year,” he said.

Proceeds of the offering will be used for refinancing, funding 2general corporate requirements and capital expenditures for upcoming real estate projects, the company said.

“This could only be a positive signal of the corporate sector’s continued thrust for economic revival even in the face of stresses brought

PDIC to bid out Luzon, Mindanao lots in August

T

HE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) announced it will sell 52 residential and commercial lots with an aggregate minimum disposal price of P71.5 million on August 5 by way of electronic public bidding (e-bidding).

To be sold on an “as-is, where-is” basis, these corporate and closed banks’ assets include 41 vacant residential lots, 10 residential lots with improvements and one commercial lot with improvements. The said properties are located in Apayao, Bataan, Batangas, Laguna, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, Rizal and Sultan Kudarat.

Lot sizes are between 107 square meters (sqm) and 1,079 sqm with minimum disposal prices ranging from P191,540 to P31.7 million.

Interested buyers may send their bids on-

difficult to counterfeit due to their stronger security features.

The BSP advises the public to always verify information found in social media regarding Philippine banknotes and coins.

The BSP also recently launched a webpage to increase public awareness of the new 1000-Piso polymer banknote.

The website showcases the polymer banknote’s design, benefits, and security features; guidelines on proper handling; and timeline of release of more notes into circulation. It also contains images of the new polymer banknote from varying angles to provide the public an opportunity to explore its key features.

Educational materials, such as information sheets and frequently asked questions, are also posted on the new webpage.

“The BSP intensifies its efforts to raise public awareness on the new polymer banknote to safeguard the integrity of Philippine currency and promote its proper use,” the BSP said.

line through the e-bidding portal of the PDIC starting at 9:00 a.m. on August 4, 2022, until 1:00 p.m. on August 5, 2022. The PDIC said bids will be opened at 2:00 p.m. of August 5.

A one-time registration is required from interested buyers, which may be completed via the e-bidding portal, according to the PDIC. Bidders may observe the e-bidding proceedings on the same portal that can be accessed by clicking the “Assets for Sale” icon on the PDIC website’s homepage.

The complete list and description of the properties, requirements, e-bidding process and “conditions of bid” are posted on the same portal. Bidders are reminded of their responsibility to determine the actual condition, status, ownership and other circumstances of the properties they wish to acquire.

Moody’s affirms rating of Baa2 for China Bank

I

NTERNATIONAL credit watcher Moody’s Investors Service recently announced that it has affirmed the credit rating of China Banking Corp. (China Bank) on the back of the lender’s strong capitalization and profitability.

According to Moody’s, the bank’s deposit and issuer credit ratings remain at Baa2, a notch above the minimum investment grade, with stable outlook.

A stable outlook means there is no expected change in the rating, whether upgrade or downgrade, in the policy horizon or in 12 months to 18 months.

Moody’s cited the bank’s stable capitalization and profitability, which support business expansion, and sound liquidity as China Bank’s credit strengths.

China Bank’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio rose from 13.8 percent in 2020, to 14.9 percent in 2021, and to 15.5

percent as of end-March 2022.

“The improvement in the bank’s capital since 2019 has been higher than the average of its peers, reflecting a combination of low loan growth from the pre-pandemic level in 2019 and increased profitability,” Moody’s noted in its report.

As of end-March 2022, the bank reported higher annualized core operating profitability (pre-provision income less trading gains as a percentage of assets) of 1.9 percent. “The improvement in profitability for the period was driven by higher NIM (net interest margin), which increased to 4.3 percent for the three months that ended March 2022 from 4.2 percent a year earlier. The improvement in NIM was largely because of the low interest and easy liquidity environment, which led to a significant reduction in funding costs,” the Moody’s report stated. Bianca Cuaresma

on by global events. Of course, this thrust should be led by a firm that has surpassed the ebbs of past cyclical downturns and crisis in its 34-year existence individually and 188 years in history as part of a conglomerate.

Such institutional memory would be important for continued corporate resilience, especially with the unfolding challenges,” PDEx President and CEO Antonio Nakpil said.

ALI’s total outstanding listed bonds are now at P120.3 billion, representing 8.9 percent of the total outstanding listed corporate bonds at the PDEx.

Bank of China-MNL, PSE ink financial services deal

O

FFICIALS of the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited-Manila Branch have signed last Wednesday a memorandum of understanding to provide financial services between the Philippines and China. The agreement is in support of bilateral investment and trade through capital market linkages between the two countries, the PSE said in a statement.

The agreement covers, for one, the creation of a working group from both parties to explore areas of cooperation and exchange of information on settlement infrastructure.

The MoU also prompts the creation of a group for account opening, foreign exchange and cross-border settlement. PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon welcomed “this strategic partnership.

“We look forward to working with Bank of China-Manila,” Monzon was quoted in the statement as saying. “This collaboration can potentially fast track the stock connect initiative between the PSE and the three stock exchanges in China.”

“The stock connect program is vital to PSE since this will open our stock market to more foreign investors and enhance liquidity in the stock market,” he said.

Bank of China-Manila will be providing the financial infrastructure to support the settlement of trading between the Philippine and Chinese

exchanges, as well as provide direct peso-renmimbi (RMB) conversion required for the settlements.

As the designated RMBclearing bank in the Philippines, the lender is in a unique position to make trading between stock exchanges easier, cheaper and more efficient.

“Our mission has not changed in terms of acting as a bridge between the Philippines and China to facilitate bilateral trade and investment.

The financial services we aim to provide to PSE, its brokers and other stakeholders will add more color to this mission,” Deng Jun, country head of Bank of China Manila said.

“We look forward to working with the PSE and other financial institutions to explore further cooperation of both countries through bonds issuance, stock exchange, and capital market trading, which may be another important step in the currency diversification of the local capital market.”

Aside from initiatives related to the stock connect, the deal will also cover other areas for cooperation such as the provision for banking services by Bank of China for the PSE and its stakeholders specifically listed companies and trading participants.

The agreement was signed with China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian as witnesses.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

B4 Thursday, July 7, 2022

GPCCI hails new Germany, PHL labor pacts for Pinoy HCWs, professionals

T

HE Philippines and Germany have just signed two new labor agreements that will enhance ties for the deployment of overseas Filipino workers in the health-care industry and other professions.

A

cruitment sector,” says German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) Executive Director Christopher Zimmer. “The deployment of Filipino HCWs in Germany has always been an important topic for us as a chamber…

This recent progress indicates a bright future for the sector, and also shows a significant milestone in the history of Philippine-German bilateral relations.”

CONGEN MEETS FIRST FIL-AM CATHOLIC PRIEST ORDAINED AT SANFO ARCHDIOCESE

ENVOYS PRESENT CREDENTIALS TO PRESIDENTS OF COMOROS, ERITREA

CONSUL General Neil Ferrer and Rev. Fr. Jerald Geronimo SAN FRANCISCO PCG

C

ONSUL General Neil Ferrer received Rev. Fr. Jerald Geronimo during the latter’s call at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on June 17. The prelate is the first Filipino-American to be educated and ordained as a Catholic priest at the Archdiocese of San Francisco since the church’s founding in 1853.

Ferrer congratulated Father Geronimo, who was ordained as priest by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone on June 4 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in the same city.

At the ordination ceremony Archbishop Cordileone himself cited the historical significance of Father Geronimo’s sacerdotal ordination to the Filipino American Catholic community.

Vice Consul Adrian Baccay attended the rite, as well as the newly ordained priest’s first Eucharistic celebration at the Church of the Epiphany on June 5.

As a gift, Ferrer gave Father Geronimo a copy of Rekindling Travel: The Third Edition, part of the “Bucket List Philippines” series of the Tourism Department.

Father Geronimo was born and raised in Daly City, California. His parents trace their roots in the province of Bulacan. In an interview posted on the San Francisco Archdiocese’s official web site, the 28-year-old priest said: “My Filipino culture has played a significant role in my upbringing. Through my culture, I have learned the values of family, communion and self-sacrifice. These… will be [important] as I soon embark on a vocation…precisely centered on sacrificial love, all for God and neighbor.”

Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona and Baccay joined Ferrer during the call, while Father Geronimo was with his family, as well as Peter and Estrelle Chan of the Filipino Catholic Ministry of the San Francisco Archdiocese.

Malou Talosig-Bartolome

THE GPCCI organized a virtual roundtable on June 17, with representatives from the German Embassy in Manila and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) as speakers. It saw the attendance of more than 77 participants from various healthcare recruitment firms.

“The aim in coming up with this MOU was to provide an avenue for deployment through private agencies despite the deployment cap.” said Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel in her keynote regarding the said labor agreements signed in Germany.

“This…will hopefully lead to expanding

OVERSEAS Workers Welfare Administration Hans Leo Cacdac (bottom row, from left) and German Federal Employment Agency representative Alexander Wilhelm sign the letter of intent. Former labor secretary Silvestre Bello III (top row, left) looks on. the exchange for a more mutually benefitting cooperation between Germany and the Philippines.”

On the salient features of the MOU on the HCWs, POLO Labor Attaché Atty.

Delmer Cruz stated that the pact will provide a common legal framework for both countries which will direct the recruitment and placement of HCWs. He also noted that the memorandum expands the coverage of skills and specialties covering physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, biomedical scientists

and other allied health professions.

Also, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration represented by Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the German Federal Employment Agency led by Director for International Relations Alexander Wilhelm, signed a letter of intent that will facilitate the recruitment of Filipinos in other skilled professions such as cooks, electrical mechanics and fitters, electronics servicers, hotel receptionists, plumbers, and waiters.

A

MBASSADOR to Kenya and Nonresident Ambassador to the Union of the Comoros Marie Charlotte G. Tang presented her credentials to President Azali Assoumani on June 21 at the Beit-Salam, or Office of the President, in the capital city of Moroni.

Tang conveyed the warm wishes of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the government and the people of Comoros. She emphasized that as archipelagic states, both the Philippines and Comoros face similar challenges and share several opportunities for cooperation. She also expressed appreciation for the cooperation between the Philippines and Comoros in the multilateral fora.

Assoumani described the Philippines and Comoros as being “united by the sea,” and added that both countries should invigorate their relations.

The Filipino envoy also met with Foreign Minister Dhoihir Dhoulkamal and other key officials of the Comorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora. In these meetings, both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral engagements.

She also donated books on the Philippines to the National Centre of Documenta-

AMBASSADOR Marie Charlotte G. Tang (left) meets with President Azali Assoumani (right) of Comoros.

BEIT-SALAM, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF COMOROS/DFA

tion and Scientific Research, which houses Comoros’ National Museum, Library, and Archives.

Comoros, a small archipelago in the Indian Ocean between the coast of Mozambique and the island of Madagascar, is known for its pristine beaches and diverse marine life.

It is called the “Perfume Isles,” as it is the world’s leading producer of ylang-ylang oil which is used by major international perfume and cosmetic companies.

It is said that in the 19th Century, the French brought the ylang-ylang, which is native to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, to East Africa and culti-

AMBASSADOR to Egypt Ezzedin H. Tago presents his Letters of Credence to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. DFA

T

enables local governments to pursue and invest in resilient development.

Lauding the initiative, Año noted: “There are [local government units having] difficulties in accessing funds due to program viability and project-management readiness. SHIELD seeks to address these by providing other disaster-financing options for our LGUs, enabling them to implement more risk-informed measures.”

As lead government partner, DILG will provide oversight and strategic direction to facilitate achievement of SHIELD’s outcomes.

The initiative will also work with Philippine scientific agencies to produce tailored and accessible information to aid disaster-risk reduction (DRR) and resilience-building.

While the country has made significant progress in DRR and climate action, more work remains to strengthen resilience. The cost of disasters to the country is significantly high, with LGUs and communities bearing the brunt.

“SHIELD recognizes the vital role of local governments not just in responding to [emergencies], but also in driving transformative resilience actions that would ultimately benefit the communities,” said Carrié during the MOU signing. “[The program] aims to strengthen capacities at the

BU DH A BI—T he Ph i l ip p i ne s a nd t he United A rab Em i rates, re presented

by Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana and Assistant Undersecretar y Noora Karam of the latter’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on agricultural cooperation on June 27.

“As we grapple with the effects of climate change and international conflicts on our food security, this MOU on agriculture [brings the engagement between our countries] in this area of cooperation at a higher level,” said Quintana. “ The Philippines, being one of the countries most affected by climate change, views the sig ning…as timely and relevant, as it paves the way for a joint committee, where officials of the Philippines and the UAE will set directions for cooperation in soil science and management, biotechnology, postharvest, agriculture research and development, agri-innovation, protected agriculture technology, irrigation

and water resources.”

The MOU provides a strong framework for the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to work with UAE as a partner in the Middle East for agricultural innovation, especially as the new Chief Executive will be the concurrent agr iculture secretary, who indicated a strong focus on the sector.

T he ag reement w i l l build upon complementarities between the Philippines and the UAE, each having different climatic conditions and equipped with unique and specific areas of specialization that can be applied toward providing solutions in agricultural production for the benefit of both countries, as well as set the stage for maximum exploration of the huge potential for growth in agricultural cooperation.

The importance of the UAE to the Philippines in agricultural terms is vital, as the emirates was the latter’s largest market in the Middle East for agricultural food products, with exports amounting to almost $94 million in 2021.

BCCP launches British gin brands, trade mission set in September

vated large plantations, including Comoros.

Meanwhile, Ambassador of the Philippines to Egypt and Nonresident Ambassador to the State of Eritrea Ezzedin H. Tago presented his Letters of Credence to President Isaias Afwerki at the State Palace in Asmara on June 23.

During the meeting, Afwerki conveyed his desire to establish cooperation on human-resources development, particularly in education and health. In response, Tago conveyed the Philippine government’s desire to strengthen bilateral links with Eritrea.

The two countries formally forged ties 25 years ago on February 4, 1997.

UNDP, DILG REINFORCE LOCAL, COMMUNITY-LEVEL DISASTER, CLIMATE RESILIENCE

HE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) marked an important milestone in their partnership with an initiative to strengthen the disaster and climate resilience of targeted local governments in the next six years.

Former DILG chief Eduardo Año and UNDP-Philippines Officer-in- Charge Edwine Carrié signed in June a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities Against Disasters and Climate Change (SHIELD) Programme, which is designed to accelerate resiliencebuilding efforts at the local level by tying up with multiple stakeholders to unlock financing and implement risk-informed, inclusive resilience actions.

The program is being implemented in partnership with DILG, UNDP-Philippines and partners composed of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, National Resilience Council, Philippine Business for Social Progress, and UN-Habitat.

Through SHIELD, the Australian government has invested AUS$18 million to support its Philippine counterpart in building institutional and community resilience to natural hazards and climate change. It

PHL, UAE boost agri cooperation

AMBASSADOR Hjayceelyn M. Quintana and Assistant Undersecretary Noora Karam

One of the bilateral pacts signed by the German Federal Minister of Health Professor Karl Lauterbach and former labor secretary Silvestre Bello III was the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between their countries which came into force on June 3 with the deployment of Filipino health-care workers (HCWs) to Germany.

The accord aims to enhance the recruitment procedures for Filipino nurses under the private recruitment track Triple Win, and include more opportunities for Filipino health-care professionals. The agreement ensures the fair treatment and protection of Filipino HCWs who apply through the German Agency for Health and Care Professionals—a nongovernment institution.

“We are glad to see this agreement come to life after all the challenges brought about by the pandemic in the health-care re-

Health-care sector roundtable

www.businessmirror.com.ph

LGU and community-level, as they are usually the first responders in times of crises.”

Located along the typhoon belt, the Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons yearly. Last December Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) struck the country, made nine landfalls in seven provinces, and affected more than 8 million Filipinos. According to national records, the agriculture sector incurred damages worth almost P16 billion, while those to infrastructure topped P17 billion.

The six-year program will be implemented in 11 of the country’s most vulnerable provinces to help them counter disaster and climate-change impacts.

Among target provinces are Albay, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cagayan, Cebu, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Quezon. It will also cover Metro Manila, given its vulnerability to earthquakes and its economic significance, along with the Bangsamoro Region, with the increasing disaster and climate vulnerability of conflict-affected areas.

Apart from DILG, the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Science and Technology will also be jointly leading SHIELD components. The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government of the Bangsamoro will be the region’s lead focal.

BCCP Board Member and Coventry president Chris Ward (third from left) awards Jeremie Benisano (third from right) who won the chamber’s recent bartending tilt.

T

HE British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP) recently celebrated the 2022 World Gin Day, supported by the United Kingdom’s (UK) Trade Envoy Richard Graham MP and British Embassy-Manila Deputy Head of Mission Alistair White.

At the event the BCCP introduced the unique stories of carefully crafted, multi-awarded British gins that are exploring potential to enter the Philippine market such as Chatsworth Gin, House of Elrick, Forest Distillery, Bolney Estate Gin, Silent Pool, and Shivering Mountain.

Another highlight of the occasion was the fourth BCCP Bartending Competition which was won by Jeremie Benisano of SawSaw/Cafe Fleur Restaurant.

The BCCP also had the opportunity to serve culinary creations to its members and guests, courtesy of

renowned British pork exporter Dingley Dell. He was among the nine members of the British delegation who visited the Philippines for a trade mission in May led by the chamber.

In a report published by the Bureau of Animal Industry, the UK ranked sixth among sources of pork importation in the Philippines. The European country’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reports that its pig meat exports in the Philippines reached almost £17 million in the first four months of 2022—up 14 percent in the same period last year.

Committed to its advocacy to identify business opportunities for UK firms, the British Chamber is hosting its second trade mission in September, which will focus on the food and beverage sector, in partnership with Kent County Council.

Parentlife BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Thursday, July 7, 2022

B5

BECAUSE WE ALL FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED

KARTING fans and enthusiasts among families and friends now have a new home at the EKartRaceway at SM City North Edsa. Located at the third floor of SM City North Edsa’s City Center, the EkartRaceway is the country’s first all-electric indoor go cart racing experience. With a circuit covering an area of 2,091 square meters, the multi-level 300m-plus track was designed by seasoned professional drivers and designers from around the world to ensure racers to have the best experience possible.

It has 13 high speed straightaway and technical corners with different turning radius, speed and elevations, giving an awesome competitive karting experience to its racers.

“EKartRaceway was inspired by many passionate race car drivers and aficionados,” shares EKartRaceway founder David Hsu. “We had decided this venue will not just be another entertainment center with safe, serious fun for the whole family and motor heads, but also a sifting ground to discover the hidden gems of many young Pinoys’ natural talents.

These are those that never had the chance to become a race car driver due to the lack of opportunity and easy access to a track.”

EKartRaceway offers the latest in electric go karting technology with a fleet of 24 state-of-the-art BSR (Blue Shock Race) karts. These feature many proprietary advanced safety systems, with speed up to 90 km/h. Every kart is equipped with a safety harness and a roll bar. All karts use the latest innovations in technology to deliver the best go karting experience in the world.

Indoor go karting is safer than most sports. EkartRaceway supplies every racer with a DOT-approved helmet. Tracks are professionally designed to maximize speed and safety, and are accompanied by “impact absorbent” proprietary barrier systems.

If needed and in case of emergency, EkartRaceway management has the ability to stop all the karts remotely with the touch of a button. EkartRaceway is committed to excellence, and to provide a venue of safe and serious fun assuring that all racers are in good hands.

Watching the action is free of charge at the perimeter bench and viewing the whole track is best at the center bleachers. Due to safety protocols are still in place, only scheduled drivers, their companions and guardians will be allowed in the reception and mezzanine viewing deck areas.

Mallgoers can also view the action from the comfort of the mall hallway.

The EkartRaceway is open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, at P650 for a six-minute session, with discounts and packages available. Maximum weight limit for JRkarts is around 60+ kilograms and height 5’9. All ages are welcome. Larger adult BSR karts and double seater karts will soon be available.

EkartRaceway also recently launched their Driving lessons Cadet Driving school for beginners or Kids ages 4 to 10 and Jr. Kart Racing clinics. More information is available at www. facebook.com/EkartRaceway.

READY. SET. GO. The multi-level EKartRaceway at SM City North Edsa is the country’s first all-electric state-of-the-art indoor karting track.

YOUNG girl racers Adelle and Micah are right on track.

My post-pandemic back-to-school guide: Family communication never their age.” It is quite common for us to hear the phrase “During our time...” and use that as a point of judgment when we assess our child’s situations and reactions. I like the reminder of how important it is to give ample effort and time to listen, empathize and talk to our children. Below are some of the tips I learned for each:

L

AST week, I shared the first step in my post-pandemic back-to-school roadmap.

This was about finding context, accepting realities and listing down our own family worries and observations. There were issues on procrastination and time management for my teen.

There was affected motivation in academic work due to prolonged online learning from my 12-year-old.

This brings me to the second step in this roadmap, which is honest, supportive, “fun” and collaborative family communication. It might seem easier to sweep obvious issues under the rug and just wish these issues would fix themselves. In reality, it might.

However, I believe that because the pandemic has also put in the additional “ingredient” of some form of anxiety in our kids, as well as the absence of the physical school environment with teacher and peer support for almost two years, the odds of this happening is not too high.

I wanted my kids to go into the post-pandemic school environment with a calm and confident heart—to accept the changes of their performance and peer relationships, as well as know that it is not always about picking up the pieces, but also drawing a new canvas. I drew a lot from our past family communication times, as well as tips I learned from the book, titled A Mind of Their Own: Building Your Child’s Emotional Wellbeing in a Post-Pandemic World by Katherine Hill.

I learned a very important sentiment: “You were

ON LISTENING 1. Find a good time. Life is busy and our children rarely choose the best time to talk to us, particularly if they are upset. The book advises that if you can, push back your other commitments to make room for the conversation, or, if not, agree on a time with your child to revisit the issue.

2. Find a good place. It suggests a place free from distractions...somewhere familiar in the home, like using an old chair with fond memories of childhood, walking the dog, or going to a different place.

3. Focus. Listening to our children means turning off the running dialogue in our head, switching off our phone, pausing our to-do-list and giving our children our full attention. While young children need eye contact, listening to teenagers is often easier when they don’t feel put on the spot. Teenagers prefer any time or place that reduces the pressure. It gives practical examples, like sitting side by side in a cafe, going for a walk, or when perched on breakfast bar while you are cooking.

4. Listen out for how they are feeling. It’s important to try to understand the feelings behind our children’s words or behavior.

5. Don’t try to fix it. Even if we know the solution to our child’s problem, our aim isn’t to fix it, but simply to allow them to talk about it. Interrupting, being dismissive, or jumping in with instant solutions can make them feel that their own thoughts on the matter are falling on deaf ears.

6. Don’t have any no-go areas. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is allowing them to feel they can talk to us about anything, no holds barred.

ON EMPATHY 1. Don’t minimize your child’s feelings.

Ignoring or making light of how they feel won’t make those emotions go away, and they need us to acknowledge when they are in pain or struggling.

2. Accept that you might need to feel sad, too.

It might be easier for us if we jump in to save our child from tears and frustrations, but as long as they are not in danger, let them work through their feelings on their own, even if seeing them struggle makes us feel sad. It’s a life skill, and practice makes perfect.

3. Don’t give the impression that happiness comes with ‘things.’ If our reaction to our child being unhappy is to offer them a new toy or a trip to the cinema, we’re teaching them that the lack of happiness can be put right by things that come from outside.

4. Share your own experiences with your children. Talk to them about the times in your own life when you were sad or disappointed. As they grow older, you may be able to share with them disappointments that you are currently facing and what you are doing to help you get through.

5. Protect crying children from others who call them a cry-baby. Children need to know that crying is a good, healthy way for people to express their sad feelings.

ON TALKING TO OUR CHILDREN

n Use play to talk with younger children. n Don’t take things too personally, especially with teenagers. n Be prepared to apologize. n Concentrate on them and don’t interrupt. n Remember the acronym PLUC when talking to teenagers: Pause, Listen, Understand, Comment.

Pause—don’t just react; Listen—to what they are saying; Understand—ask questions to check with your child that you’ve understood them correctly; Comment—share what you think but only after you’ve done all the above, and only if you have permission. n

What you can do to counter misinformation on Covid-19 shots for young children

By Jaime Sidani University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences WHEN the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for all children ages six months to five years on June 18, 2022, it opened the door for nearly 20 million children to get vaccinated.

While this news comes as a relief to many parents who have been anxiously waiting to get their young children vaccinated, a May 2022 survey found that the majority of parents with children under 5 feel they don’t have enough information about the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines for this age group.

About 40 percent also said that information from federal health agencies, such as the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration, about vaccines for this age group was confusing.

This is particularly concerning because confusing messaging from public health agencies opens the door for anti-vaccine activities on social media that target vulnerable parents.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND VACCINE MISINFORMATION

ANTI-VACCINE activists are a small but vocal group.

According to research conducted by the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate, just 12 socialmedia accounts—the “disinformation dozen”— are behind the majority of anti-vaccine posts on Facebook.

Studies also show that only about 2 percent of parents reject all vaccines for their children. A larger group, or about 20 percent of parents, can more accurately be described as vaccine hesitant, which means they are undecided about having their children receive vaccines as recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It can be difficult for parents to sort through the large amount of information available about Covid-19 vaccines—both true and untrue. In their search for answers, some parents turn to social-media platforms. The problem is, these parents are often targeted by anti-vaccine activists who are better organized and more skilled at tailoring their messages to the varied concerns of people who are vaccine hesitant than are pro-vaccine activists.

Social media, in particular, has been a primary vehicle for the spread of misinformation. Although sometimes misinformation is blatantly false, other times it is more like a game of telephone. A kernel of truth gets modified slightly as it is retold, which ends

up becoming something untrue.

Unfortunately, exposure to Covid-19 misinformation has been shown to reduce people’s intent to get vaccinated.

ADDRESSING PARENTS’ VACCINE CONCERNS

SO how can pediatricians and other health-care professionals empower parents to feel confident in the choice to get their children vaccinated for Covid-19?

The answer may lie in working with communities to promote the vaccine as trustworthy instead of simply asking communities to trust it. We are part of the Pittsburgh Community Vaccine Collaborative, which is a community-academic partnership that seeks to ensure equitable access to the Covid-19 vaccines. Through that effort, we have focused on building trustworthiness of the vaccines, and of the providers and health systems that are offering the vaccines in their communities.

Health-care providers are a trusted source of information for Covid-19 vaccine information, but they are not the only sources. Research has found that it is important to lean on the expertise and voices of community partners, community health workers and religious leaders.

Our research suggests that pediatricians and public health professionals can effectively use social media to promote vaccination and provide families with reputable scientific information to address their questions and concerns.

Addressing Covid-19 vaccine misinformation can feel overwhelming. The American Academy of Pediatrics has helpful information for parents to support making decisions around the Covid-19 vaccine. Parents can also have conversations with their children about media literacy and evaluating information. And they can talk to their children— especially adolescent-age children—about how getting the Covid-19 vaccine can protect them and others.

For questions around Covid-19 vaccines for children of all ages, we recommend you talk with your pediatrician or another health-care provider.

During that visit, you can also make sure your child is up to date on other vaccines, as studies have shown that vaccine rates for routine childhood vaccines have decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Increasing Covid-19 vaccine rates for children is important to promote their health and wellness, as well as to move closer to ending the pandemic.

THE CONVERSATION

SOME of our family communication times: (from left) 12-year-old Meagan at our mom-anddaughter Sip&Gogh art session; family history sharing time with Marcus copying my expression from my childhood photo; Meagan with dad supporting him in one of his races.

B6 Thursday, July 7, 2022

Gaile Tan Chuacokiong vouches for CND Shellac shades every bride should wear on her wedding day

Canon partners with Yamaha Motors Philippines on its 25th anniversary

I

N the recent collaborative event of Yamaha Motor Philippines and Canon Marketing (Philippines) Inc., creative studios were made for Gen Zs to exhibit their creativity and be their most authentic self. In Canon Creative Studio, guests were able to explore their style and craft by trying out different Canon cameras, featuring the newest Canon EOS R7 and EOS R10.

Maris Favi, Canon Crusaders of Light Brand Ambassador, even gave a live workshop on Fashion and Portrait shoot featuring the all-new Yamaha Mio Fazzio and Canon Full-Frame cameras.

“Innovation, Authenticity and Creativity - these are the values that we share with the Yamaha team. We are pleased to collaborate with Yamaha for the first time because we were able to create a platform where Gen Zs can explore their passion and creativity. Just like Yamaha, Canon values the next generation.

Whether their interest is taking photos or riding motorcycles, we provide them with the adventure that they’ve been seeking for. We also aim to encourage content creators and Gen Zs to #CreateWithCanon using our new mirrorless cameras.” said Benny Yu, Head of Consumer Imaging and Information Division, Canon Marketing (Philippines) Inc.

#CreateWithCanon using Canon EOS R7 and EOS R10

The highlight of Canon Creative Studio experience is the first look or sneak peek of the newest Canon EOS R7 and EOS R10.

Canon EOS R7 is an instinctively reliable mirrorless camera with its new APS-C sensor. Users can get a telephoto effect of approximately 1.6x while maintaining a high resolution of 32.5-megapixels, allowing more creative freedom for post-processing.

On the other hand, Canon EOS R10 is a

lightweight camera (approx. 429g only) that can shoot 15 frames per second (up to 23 fps electronic shutter) with AF/AE tracker, almost on par with the EOS-1D X Mark III. It offers superior image quality with its 4K UHD (6K oversampling) and 4K 60p resolution.

To know more about Canon's latest products and updates on Canon’s 25th Anniversary activities, visit the official website (ph.canon) or follow @canonphils on Instagram and Facebook.

AN EXPRESSION OF THANKS AND APPRECIATION. A plaque of appreciation is presented to Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III by DOLE Senior Officials led by Undersecretary Renato L. Ebarle (left) and Undersecretary Claro A. Arellano (partly hidden) during a simple send-off ceremony which coincided with the Labor Chief’s natal day. Sec. ‘Bebot’ as he is fondly called by his DOLE family is recognized for his commendable leadership which has immensely contributed to the realization of the government’s labor and employment agenda through his dedicated promotion of employment and human resource development; advancement of workers protection and welfare; and the pursuit of sound, stable and dynamic industrial peace.

(Photo by Alejandro Echavez – IPS)

Go Hotels returns to regular operations nationwide

A

FTER serving as a quarantine hotel, Go Hotels has now returned to its pre-pandemic regular operations.

Go Hotels assures the public that, since coming back as a regular hotel in early 2022, it undertook strict standard measures in its shift from quarantine hotel to regular hotel as prescribed by the Philippine government protocols through the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The entire hotel property observed the required disinfection and established new standard protocol reminders. Just for this transition, for example, Go Hotels’ Timog Avenue property was closed for seven days for its decontamination and sanitation procedures.

Proof of its commitment and assurance of a worry-free stay experience is the brand’s Circle of Clean. It is the high standard of hygiene and cleanliness of the Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, which Go Hotels belongs to. Circle of Clean is based on the World Health Organization and Department of Health’s New Normal protocols.

Maria Clarissa Delos Ama, Go Hotels acting general manager, says, “We covered the preparation of our team, ensuring that they are healthy mentally, physically, and financially.

Refresher sessions were conducted to align the team to what the new normal meant to Go Hotels’ core service standard of excellent service at affordable prices.”

Go Hotels is leaving no stone unturned.

“Our employees are fully vaccinated and boosted. The standard requirements for guests such as vaccination cards, tests, temperature checks, among others are still practiced,”says Jon Marc Salvador, operations manager.

Location remains a strength of Go Hotels Timog. Guests who limit their exposure and travel time appreciate the hotel’s accessibility to commercial establishments, business offices, and social areas as evidenced by the bars and restaurants nearby. There are more reasons why Go Hotels is the preferred hotel of leisure travelers, backpackers, online travel agencies, corporate entities, and walk-in bar-hoppers.

Meanwhile, all the Go Hotels are exploring everything to jumpstart the tourism industry, she says. “We are focused on bringing back the guests’ confidence to

travel again. We will continue to explore how to do that in creative ways not limited to offering special rates.”

“Go Hotels is an essential value-based hotel. We are offering good prices while being able to provide basic guest needs,” states Salvador.

There are currently seven Go Hotels within Metro Manila. Four of them are owned by Roxaco Asia Hospitality Corporation (RAHC): Timog Avenue, Quezon City; Ermita, Manila; Manila Airport Road, Paranaque City; and North EDSA, Quezon City. Roxaco Asia Hospitality-Go Hotels is managed by the Anya Hospitality Group.

For inquiries and bookings, call 0917 862 0847 or 0917 828 5939 or e-mail at reservations@roxacoasiahospitality.com or reservation@roxacoasiahospitality.com.

Visit www.gohotelsmanila.ph / www. gohotels.ph

C

ND Philippines talked to White Label Bridal’s Designer Gaile Tan Chuacokiong to ask for her insight about the best colors a bride should wear as she walks down the aisle.

CND wanted to hear the beautiful story of White Label Bridal to inspire young and aspiring entrepreneurs to move up and fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams, knowing that Gaile started White Label Bridal when she was just 23 years old (young and of course gorgeous!). She was able to surmount the barriers of starting a new brand because of her supportive family and friends. Looking back, Gaile shared that when she sets a target, “I see to it that I give my best to achieve it.

Having those traits helped a lot to where I am today,” she ended.

Today, Gaile is one of the most sought after designers in the country; being a witness to 800 of wedding ceremonies, CND knows that Gaile is an authority on which shades will work best for that gorgeous white gown, CND showed 160 shades to Gaile, and her personal favorites are Bouquet & Veiled from CND, Yes I Do Bridal Collection, that will work wonders with a beautiful fresh manicure or a classic French Tips Manicure. CND‘s Romantic

Shades dubbed as YES, I DO, Bridal Collection, that’s inspired by the classic wedding color palette, drawing inspiration from the small details that come together to create a magical moment, such as the bride’s bouquet and an elegant veil flowing seamlessly over a gorgeous gown.

Start on your emergency fund the right way

L

IFE is indeed full of surprises, and this includes unexpected expenses – from the sudden ticket selling of your fave musician to fixing your vehicle and taking your pet to the vet.

Having a ‘rainy-day’ fund, which is money specifically saved for unplanned expenses, gives you a safety net so unplanned expenses won’t disrupt your budget or force you into debt.

The ideal rainy-day or emergency fund is usually at least three months' worth of your expenses. Here are small and practical ways to get started: Track your expenses. A key step towards having your finances sorted out is keeping track of your spending so you would know how much you can save and where to cut down.

Don’t be intimidated by keeping a record; figure out what works for you whether it’s a spreadsheet, a free expense tracking app or even your trusty planner.

Begin with a small goal or regular contribution. Start with a smaller goal like PHP 50 a week toward your rainy-day fund so you can manage your cash and prevent you from giving up altogether.

Automate your payments and transfers. If you have an ATM or a payroll account, set up an auto-debit feature that automatically transfers a certain amount from your paycheck to a savings account, with the option of choosing how much and how often.

Invest in your household items. Good appliances and kitchen equipment may have a higher one-off cost but won’t break down or even cause household accidents that will surely wipe out your savings.

Quality products mean you don’t need to shell out money for repairs, replacements, or refills.

Make sure your LPG tank delivers value for money by lasting as long as it should.

Having a safe and trusted kitchen fuel like Solane LPG guarantees you having the exact amount of content as promised. Solane’s 7-point Safety Check also ensures that your burner produces a blue flame to maintain the quality of your gas appliance.

To order Verified Solane LPG, call (02) 8887-5555, message 0918-887-5555 / 0917 8977555 or the Solane Facebook page, or through the Solane app.

Turkey sees its cosmetics market rising

T

URKEY’S cosmetics market is growing about 10 percent annually, providing opportunities for business growth. Deniz Kabaagac, managing partner at BKP Research & Consulting, said revenue in the beauty care segment in Turkey is projected to reach $265.7 million this year. “(The) number of people who are using cosmetics and beauty products is 18 percent and expected to reach 23 percent by 2025.

This number is much lower than other European countries and this tells us the market is expected to grow not only today or tomorrow, but in the coming years,” he said during the general membership meeting of the Chamber of Cosmetics Industry of the Philippines Inc. Kabaagac said that shaving and deodorant products and beauty/make-up products have the highest share with 24 percent in cosmetics sector exports.

He said Turkey is one of the biggest economies in the world supported with a large young population, boosting cosmetics consumption.

“Turkey is a rather easy place to do business and things have been improving on many fronts,” he added. Kabaagac said his company is helping exporters find potential buyers or distributors in Turkey, Middle East and North African countries, and Central and Eastern Europe regions in various sectors such as the beauty sector.

He said there are about 5,000 companies working directly on cosmetics, and Turkey is also a big exporter.

“The export level is 1.1 billion US dollars and this tells us that the Turkish market is not only a market itself but it may be a business sourcing place for some of the products that might be an interesting opportunity,” he added.

Experience FiberX plans with Converge XCLSV

C

ONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. is leveling up their lineup with its upcoming first-ever personalized plan, for a more meaningful and efficient human connection with its customers. This top-tier and premium service is committed to offering a hassle-free experience through personalized customer service and exclusive benefits only for Converge XCLSV (Exclusive) subscribers.

Soon, new and existing Converge subscribers can get their hands on the brand’s premium customer service experience.

There is no better indication of a company that cares for its customers than one that prioritizes connection and provides excellent customer service. With 15 years in the industry, Converge steps up its game with a better experience for what customers can expect from their internet plans. With Converge XCLSV, customers who choose to upgrade to this service get a prioritized and hyper-personalized service. More than just the connectivity, XCLSV subscribers can also look forward to a customer support

representative who can address concerns through direct email and dedicated phone lines exclusive only to them.

All part of the company’s overarching goal of letting Filipinos #ExperienceBetter, the upcoming Converge XCLSV fiber internet plan will allow even more customers to receive not only strong and consistent internet connectivity but also unparalleled support through hyper-personalized customer service.

Follow Converge on Facebook. For existing FiberX plans, check out https://www. convergeict.com/fiberx/ to find the right fiber internet plan for you.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Experts call on men to shed macho image, face health challenges frailties

M

By Rory Visco | Contributor

ANY societies see the man as the household’s pillar of strength. He works to provide for the family, makes the major decisions and protects the household from harm.

Anything that should require brawn and muscles around the house, the man is “the man.”

But not always. Despite being portrayed as a pillar of strength with an aura of invincibility, medical experts believe the man can be seen as the “weaker” sex in terms of medical issues. He is, after all, human.

If you ask the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), men are more prone to atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, as in 55.4 percent more at risk, much higher compared to women, and also with more prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors than women, partially due to the protective traits of some female hormones.

Prioritize well-being

DR. Richard Tiongco II, a cardiologist-angiographer and the PHA’s Director/Advocacy chair, and Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo, a cardiologistelectrophysiologist and the PHA Communications co-chair, stressed that men should prioritize their well-being and understand the inter-connected relationship of the heart, mind and body.

“More importantly, they should stop displaying that ‘macho’ persona and face their frailties. They are superheroes in the eyes of their children as good providers and staunch protectors, but they should also be the family’s role model when it comes to healthy living,” the two doctors said during the recent PHA “Usapang Puso sa Puso” (UPP) webinar that addressed burning questions and misconceptions regarding men’s wellness and their nonchalant attitude towards their general health.

The hosts and their two guests­—Dr. Jonathan James Bernardo, a cardiologist-vascular medicine specialist and Dr. Joffrey Sebastian Quiring, a psychiatrist, acknowledged that genetically, boys are more vulnerable than girls to life’s hazards that target their brains and hormones.

They said that compared with men, women

have substantially higher levels of good cholesterol called HDL which protects against heart disease. “Obese women tend to accumulate excess pounds on their hips and thighs, while men store it in their waist, so this abdominal obesity is more damaging to health, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke among men.”

Dr. Bernardo said that men should watch their diet, eat wisely, and walk at least 6,000 steps a day. Sedentary living and an unhealthy diet as well as vices like excessive alcohol, smoking or vaping, substance abuse, can all have irreparable, adverse effects on the cardiovascular health.

Sinful practices

DR. Tiongco said “these sinful practices can trigger peripheral arterial disease [PAD] and coronary artery disease [CAD], which starts as atherosclerosis that are more common in men.”

They said that even erectile dysfunction (ED) can be vascular in origin. It can be just the tip of the iceberg, that’s why early intervention is particularly important because of the PAD, CAD, and ED links.

Bernardo, president of the Philippine Society of Vascular Medicine, said all veins and arteries are interconnected. He suggested to consult a urologist to check the urinary system or a vascular medicine doctor to check the so-called “third leg” in order to manage ED. “The presence of a blockage in your third leg can be an indication of more obstructions in the vital organs like the heart and brain, and this would require a work-up.”

He likewise urged men to stop self-diagnosing but better yet, to talk to their doctor and break the stigma of many men who feel they might lose their “macho” image if they ask for help, especially on health. Doctors

also noted that most men under medication may tend to miss their pills, so married men let their wives take care of their health care.

Dr. Segundo said it is also best for a lifestyle change that includes more exercise, eating healthy food and avoid fatty ones, avoid vices like smoking or vaping, in order to reduce the risk of CVD or ED. These are part of the PHA’s “52100” advocacy (five servings of fruits and vegetables, only two hours of screen time at the most, one hour of exercise, zero sugary drinks in one’s diet, and zero smoking).

Controlling chronic stress

FOR Dr. Quiring, a psychiatrist from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, and a fellow of the Philippine Psychiatric Association, “stress” is normal in life, where its positive forms can push a person to perform or achieve certain goals. “However, prolonged or chronic stress can get worrisome as it can take a toll on one’s mental health then eventually, their heart health because of the heart-mind-body connection. Chronic stress can cause hormonal imbalance, fast heart rate and high blood pressure.”

These can lead to anxiety and depression, and while women have a higher prevalence of depression at 1.5 percent, men showed a significantly high rate of suicide incidence at 1 percent. The Global Burden of Disease Study (2017) showed that suicide incidence in the country is at over 8 percent for males and 2.5 percent for females. “This can be tied to the socio-cultural belief that men are not supposed to experience mental health issues or be emotional and seek out help when struggling.”

While there are general guidelines, not everyone is able to achieve this balance alone and thus would require professional or psychological aid.

On the challenge of convincing a person, a relative or loved one to kick out smoking in their lives, it would need an understanding of how nicotine in cigarettes is a substance that attaches to neuro receptors in the brain and triggers the reward system involving dopamine, to keep the person coming back to it.

“We want to drum up men’s mental health.

We need more men to come out and say ‘hey, that’s true.’ Finding meaning in your spirituality, in what you are doing, looking at more motivations, values is also a good opportunity that could help you anchored on your purpose.”

World is now in the period of living with Covid-19, says Pharma exec

By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

O

N March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a pandemic as the agency was “deeply concerned by the alarming levels of spread and severity of the outbreak.” WHO also expressed concern about “the alarming levels of inaction.”

A lmost two years and four months later, William “Bill ” Anderson, Roche Pharmaceutical Inc.–Global CEO, said the world is “ in that living with Covid-19 period ” and that “we are not in the pandemic; we are in the endemic.”

Speaking at the “Healthcare Innovation Access Forum: Bringing Groundbreaking Advances Within Reach” at The Manila Hotel on July 4, Anderson said that while there are still people getting sick, not too many people are ending up in the hospital like before.

“And it is going to continue. For me, I would say we are not in the pandemic. We are in the endemic. This is a new reality. And then, hopefully over time, there will be less serious disease,” Anderson said.

Enough supply

HE added that Roche has enough supply of Tocilizumab, the drug that is given to patients with severe Covid-19, especially now that the disease is severely hitting fewer patients.

“We committed very quickly our largest facility in the world, plus we hired other facilities from two other bio pharmaceutical companies to produce Tocilizumab for the pandemic,” he said.

“Even with three facilities, it was not enough to supply all the needs when the Delta and Omicron waves hit. We were able to supply most of the countries but now we have enough to cover the need,” Anderson added.

The forum was part of Anderson’s twoday visit to the Philippines with the goal of better understanding the health and related industry situation in the country as well as have an exchange of ideas and sharing of the company’s current projects with country leaders and health-care ecosystem stakeholders.

Beacon of hope

IN his talk, Anderson pointed out that the passing of the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Law, the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and recently, the guidelines for the Reliance Pathway has brought a beacon of hope in the health-care system in the Philippines.

He emphasized that these policies will provide for timely access and financial support to patients to avail of innovative care that will give aspiration, gratitude and fuller lives to patients and their families.

“We have the frameworks and now, how do we really bring them to life with funding, with programs, with the tactical implementation across various geographic regions of the country and we are really pleased to be part of that.

We face a fundamental evolution of health care where partnerships are crucial,” Anderson said.

He assured everyone that Roche is committed to help improve access to health-care innovations with Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) with the goal of doubling the number of patients in LMIC with access to Roche innovative care.

Proof of concepts

WORKING proof of concepts which include the Mission Leapfrog, Project Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO), Roche Access Program (RAP), Project Bridge or Breast Cancer Integrated Disease solutions in a Guidelinedriven Ecosystem, Integrated Care Network for Lung Cancer (I CAN for Lung Cancer), among others, are impactful partnerships that require stakeholders working together to achieve the shared vision of each person with access to innovative diagnosis and treatment, whether they are city executives or farmers in provinces.

Present during the event were Department of Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Maria Francia M. Laxamana; Dr. Sunil Anand, Executive Director of ECHO India; Dante Torres, Former Mayor of Guagua, Pampanga; Dr. RJ Suguitan, Municipal Health Officer of Samal, Bataan; Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, Member of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act or NICCA Council, President of the Philippine Cancer Society, Member and Past President of the Philip-

pine Society for Medical Oncology; Teodoro Padilla, Executive Director, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP); Karen Alparce-Villanueva, President of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO); Atty. Mika Sollano and Atty.

Cyril Santiago, Representatives from the Office of Sen. Bong Go. “Gone are the days when a company like ours would come and hire I would say a bunch of salespersons who are going to sell medicines. That is not our business. We are bringing innovation. We are here to work with local stakeholders on how these patients get these medicines,” Anderson said.

Meeting

PRIOR to the forum, Anderson met, together with Dr. Diana Edralin, Roche (Philippines) General Manger, Dr. Teresa Diokno, Country Medical Director and National Ecosystem Lead and Heatlhcare Ecosystem Chapter Lead Sheryl Enriquez. Sen. Joseph Victor “JV Ejercito, the principal author of the UHC Law. During the meeting, Ejercito acknowledged that cancer as a priority issue for health care should be addressed by the Senate by providing more access funds for cancer treatments, inclusion of innovative treatments and diagnostics to the national formulary and more infrastructure for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

To end his talk, Anderson made two personal commitments. The first commitment was for Roche to continuously invest in research and development (R&D) to the point that it might eat up to two thirds of the budget.

“The pandemic showed us we desperately need great new innovations from life science companies,” he said.

Secondly, Anderson is committed to pricing responsibly. This means that Roche “is committed to prices that all stakeholders feel are reasonable and that requires dialogue, careful analysis.”

“We put health first, the health of patients first and our financials are second. And this means that if that is good for the patient, if that is prevention and that means they will never need medicine, we will do that,” Anderson said.

Thursday, July 7, 2022 B7

Global strategy developed to fight cervical cancer

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

G

ENER ALLY, all women who have had sexual intercourse are at risk of cervix cancer, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

However, rare types of cervical cancer can occur even in women who never had any sexual intercourse.

Second leading cancer in PH

THE cervix is part of the female reproductive system located at the junction of the vagina and the uterus (womb). It is often called the neck of the womb.

In the Philippines, cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cancer site among women.

During the webinar series on cervical cancer with the theme, “A Paradigm Shift in Cervical Cancer Care en route to Elimination,” Dr. Razel Nikka Hao, Director of Disease Prevention and Control Bureau of the DOH, said that cervical cancer ranks as the most frequent cancer among women and the second most frequent cancer among women aged 15 and 44 years of age.

“It is the most treatable and preventable form of cancer if detected early and managed effectively,” Dr. Hao said.

An estimated 7,277 new cases, and 3,807 deaths due to cervical cancer are expected to occur every year.

The cause

ACCORDING to the DOH, recent studies showed that there has been overwhelming evidence that an infectious agent, particularly the human papilloma virus (HPV) that is transmitted through sexual intercourse, causes cancer of the cervix.

The following had been established as possible causes of cervix cancer: n Have had multiple sexual partners; n Have had sexual partners (regular or casual) who themselves had several sexual partners; n Have had a sexual partner who is infected with human papilloma virus; and n Had first sexual intercourse at a very early age, possibly 15 or 16 years old

Symptoms

GENERALLY, the DOH said, cervix cancer does not have any symptoms. Often, the disease is detected during its advance stage.

However, the following impressions often lead to cervix cancer: n Unusual bleeding from the vagina at any time; and n Unpleasant vaginal discharge

Early detection

CERVICAL cancer when detected early is curable. At present, the most reliable and practical way to diagnose early cervical cancer is through a Pap smear.

A woman’s first Pap smear should be done three years after the first vaginal intercourse.

After that, it should be done every year for three years. If the Pap smear test is negative for the consecutive three years, then it can be done every two or three years.

In unmarried women who never had sexual activity in their life, Pap smear should be done at age 35.

Treatment

SINCE there is almost universal acceptance that cervical cancer is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse, the following preventive measures should be followed: n A one-partner sexual relationship should be observed; n A delay on the first sexual intercourse; and n Use of barrier contraceptives like condoms during sexual intercourse

Global strategy

THE World Health Assembly (WHA), meanwhile, adopted the global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.

The definition of the elimination of cervical cancer has been set up as a country reaching the threshold of less than four cases of cervical cancer per 100,000 women per year.

To reach this threshold by the end of 21st century, the World Health Organization has set up the “90-70-90 targets” to be reached by 2030 and to be maintained: n 90 percent of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15; n 70 percent of women are screened with a high-performance test by 35, and again by 45 years of age; and n 90 percent of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment (90 percent of women with pre-cancer treated; 90 percent of women with invasive cancer managed).

WHO noted that it has developed guidance and tools on how to prevent and control cervical cancer through vaccination, screening and treatment, management of invasive cancer.

Likewise, WHO works with countries and partners to develop and implement comprehensive programs in line with the global strategy.

Ultherapy, the ‘gold standard’ for non-invasive skin tightening

By Edwin P. Sallan

I

T is perhaps a common misconception that aesthetic treatments, whether of the surgical or non-surgical kind, are not only very expensive but also often results in an “overdone” appearance.

Advances in technology, however, have debunked this and many other misconceptions about skin enhancement procedures.

Non-surgical treatments have become extremely popular due to their non-invasive nature and proven efficacy.

One such treatment is Ultherapy, now considered the “gold standard” in non-invasive skin tightening and lifting and is currently being offered here by Merz Aesthetics Philippines. In a recent media briefing, the benefits of Ultherapy were demonstrated and extensively discussed by a panel of speakers composed of Merz Aesthetics Philippines General Manager Jorge Libanan and board-certified dermatologists Dr. Irene Gail Robredo-Vitas and Dr. Jonathan Yu. Dr. Robredo-Vitas said that with the proliferation of skin-care products in the market, “caring for the skin has become a trend especially in the last three to five years as more and more people are becoming aware of the importance of loving the skin.”

“In my practice, patients want me to help them formulate a skin-care routine. Also, people are now transitioning to preventive treatments with patients seeking interventions early on rather than having to deal with the signs of skin aging once they’ve formed. And rather than wanting to look like someone else, my patients want to look and be the best version of themselves,” she further noted.

Skin issues

BOTH Dr. Robredo-Vitas and Dr. Yu are one in saying that it is important to identify the specific skin issues before recommending the appropriate treatments. Aside from the skin concerns, several factors are also taken into consideration including “goals and expectations, tolerance for discomfort and downtime and of course, budget.”

“I like to give my patients a combination of treatments that give them both instant and lasting results. That is why I tend to use most if not everything in the Merz aesthetics portfolio. There’s Belotero Easy Adapt HA fillers and CaHa that give instant results. The effects of Xeomin Pure Anti-Wrinkle treatment injection are seen in a few days and Ultherapy and Radiesse biostimulation results are evident a few months after treatment but are longer-lasting,” Dr. Robredo-Vitas added.

Asked if age is a factor for deciding on which treatment is appropriate, Yu pointed out that a young patient in her mid-to-late 30s who wants to enhance her features and preserve smooth wrinkle-free and tight skin may benefit more from a combination of Xeomin Pure Anti-wrinkle treatment and Belotero Easy Adapt HA Fillers injections followed by Ultherapy.

“An older patient in their 50s and 60s without much volume depletion but has wrinkles and lax skin may respond better to Xeomin Pure Anti-Wrinkle and biostimulation with Radiesse and then Ultherapy,” Yu added.

Advantages

BEING the focal point of Merz’s treatments, Libanan explains the advantages of Ultherapy over other skin lifting and tightening treatments available in the market.

“It is the only Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization which can deliver the precise amount of energy needed at the proper depth to ensure the best treatment outcomes. With the ability to see in real-time, the treatment provider can maximize the value of each shot delivered while ensuring the safety of the patient,” Libanan explains.

As the only procedure with active visualization, Ultherapy can specifically target the essential layers of the skin with three treatment tips of varying depths to achieve superior results compared to the older and even newer competing devices. And with over 2 million treatments in more than 80 countries worldwide resulting in over 95 percent patient satisfaction one year after treatment, that is the reason it’s the gold standard.

Gibbons: Magsayo

by KO in 10th round

R

By Josef Ramos

EIGNING World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight titlist Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo will put Mexican challenger Rey Vargas to sleep in the 10th round, International matchmaker and Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions President Sean Gibbons said on Thursday.

“Mark Magsayo will knock him out [cold] in the 10th round,” said Gibbons, stressing that Magsayo’s in his best elements for the fight. “I hate to steal the cliché, but everything has gone better than expected.”

Magsayo defends his belt in a 12-round bout on Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and according to Gibbons, the 27-year-old fighter from Tagbilaran City is in the final phase of his preparations.

Magsayo’s team is composed of wife Frances, trainer and coach Freddie Roach, assistant trainer Marvin Somodio, dietician Jeaneth Aro and strength and conditioning coach Pedro Garcia.

“Everybody has done his or her job and now it’s up to Mark to do his job,” Gibbons said.

Before heading to Texas, the unbeaten Magsayo (24-0 win-loss record with 16 knockouts) engaged in four- and six-round sparring sessions with 28-year-old bantamweight Dominique Crowder (26-7 record with eight knockouts).

But the 31-year-old Vargas, also undefeated in 35 fights with 22 knockouts, is no pushover.

Magsayo snatched Gary Russell Jr.’s WBC belt last January 22 via majority decision in Atlantic City. A victory over Vargas would set him up for a unification bout with World Boxing Association featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz of Mexico late this year or early next year.

“It’s going to be amazing for sure and we’re looking to come full circle once Magsayo gets that ‘W,’” Gibbons said.

Ikeda jumps to 6-shot lead with 68; Go in control in men’s side with 66

C

HIHIRO IKEDA broke away from what had been a fierce, tight battle with a blazing backside finish that netted her a 68 to stay six strokes clear of Harmie Constantino and amateur Mikha Fortuna after two rounds of the Interna-

Sports BusinessMirror

B8

A

C

| Thursday, July 7, 2022

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

DJOKOVIC RISES FROM 0-2 HOLE NOVAK DJOKOVIC wins his 26th consecutive Wimbledon match. AP

W

IMBLEDON, England—It says a lot about Novak Djokovic that a two-sets-tonone hole at Wimbledon on a day he was hardly at his best never seemed insurmountable. Not to him. Not to anyone watching.

Says a lot about his history of overcoming that sort of deficit. A lot about his ability to adjust, to adapt and to right himself. A lot about his preeminence at the All England Club in recent years.

Djokovic spotted 10th-seeded Jannik Sinner of Italy the huge lead Tuesday, then worked his way back to win 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 at Centre Court, earning an 11th semifinal berth at Wimbledon with his 26th consecutive victory at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.

“I always believed,” said Djokovic, who faces ninth-seeded Cam Norrie of Britain next, “that I could turn the match around.”

Among men, only Roger Federer has made more semifinal appearances at Wimbledon with 13 and won more championships (eight) than the seven Djokovic could reach by lifting the trophy Sunday for what would be a fourth year in a row. tional Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational in General Trias, Cavite, on Thursday.

Unable to shake off first round co-leaders Constantino and Sarah Ababa in a fierce frontside skirmish, the Filipino-Japanese cranked up her game heading home, birdying the two par-5s and adding Nos. 13 and 15 while saving a couple of par putts for that scorching 32 and a 68.

With a 139 total and a huge lead, Ikeda moved 18 holes from nailing her second Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) victory this year after posting a three-stroke romp at Mt. Malarayat while battling wrist injury last May. “Happy to be on top but it’s tough at the front nine because of the pin positions,” said Ikeda, who after stopping Chanelle Avaricio in Lipa, struggled for joint fifth at Splendido

“He makes you play differently— well, not differently, but in a way that he likes,” Sinner said.

Djokovic was responsible for just one of Wednesday’s comebacks: In all four singles quarterfinals on a sunny day, the player who dropped the first set ended up victorious.

Norrie edged David Goffin of Belgium, 3-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, 7-5; No. 3 Ons Jabeur of Tunisia beat Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1; Tatjana Maria defeated Jule Niemeier, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in an all-German matchup.

Norrie, Jabeur and Maria all earned the right to make their debuts in a Grand Slam semifinal.

“Can’t enjoy it too much now,” said Norrie, 26, who was born in South Africa to British parents, grew up in New Zealand and played college tennis at Texas Christian University. “Just get ready for Novak in a couple days.”

The 103rd-ranked Maria is, at 34, the oldest first-time women’s semifinalist at a major and only the sixth woman at least that old to get this far at Wimbledon in the professional era, which began in 1968. The others? Quite a list: Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

Taal ruled by ICTSI amateur Mafy Singson before bouncing back to tie for second at Pradera Verde topped by Avaricio last month.

Despite the big gap, the Manila Southwoods and AsiaGlobal Technologiesbacked ace remains wary of her chances in this seventh leg of this year’s LPGT, saying:’ I hope to settle down and play steady tomorrow (Friday).”

GO GRABS LEAD WITH 66

LLOYD GO thrived in tough conditions, producing a near-impeccable six-under 66 to storm past Angelo Que by two halfway through the men’s contest that saw the fall of a slew of early frontrunners and the rise of a mix of bidders.

On target all day with a superb iron play that set up a number of tap-in birdie chances on Aoki’s undulating, sleek sur-

5150 BIDDERS SEEK ULTIMATE PRIZE: IRONMAN CEBU NUMBER of tri-sport athletes in the Sun Life 5150 unfolding Sunday are vying in the Olympic distance race in Panglao in Bohol to hone and toughen up for the grueling Ironman 70.3 slated in Cebu next month.

The long hiatus due to pandemic has created a split effect on active people and events like triathlon and

Van Aert ‘flies in style’ to win Tour 4th stage

BELGIAN Wout van Aert flaps his arms like a bird’s wings as he approaches the finish. AP

running races with the upcoming 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run marking the resumption of the multi-sports events in new normal.

It also gives a good number of the 562 bidders the chance to test their power, speed and staying power on an Olympic-style course setup as part of their buildup for the 70.3 meet on August 7 in Mactan, Cebu.

The Green Run WITH Covid-19 cases rising significantly again in Metro Manila, worries about impending stricter safety protocols surface anew. Freedom fighters, like most of us are, have started to replay scenes of higher alert levels being reimposed in our minds.

Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado is also joining the 5150 aimed at providing those wanting to get into triathlon a venue for training at the same time provide quality tri-sport experience.

While the event has drawn participants of various skills from the youngest 15-19 age category to the senior side of 65-69, focus will

But do you know an effective way to forget the worries, stave off paranoia and boost your immune system? Get physically active.

Over the weekend, Vermosa an Ayala Land Estate in Imus, Cavite held an event called The Green Run. The one-day, multi-level run consisting of 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K distance categories invited elite athletes, fun runners, fitness enthusiasts and families to get active for their physical and mental health. They could also enjoy the sun and rediscover the green outdoors by enjoying their 750-hectare property that is fast gaining fame as the new sports and fitness hub down south.

The running community and every freedom fighter who at last would have a venue and occasion to run loose and feel the wind in his/her face after two years of lockdown and restraint responded avidly to the invitation to “mask up, lace up and run.”

Targeting only 1,000 runners initially, 2,200 signed up and 1,800 serious, not-so-serious and new runners wound their way across the running routes amid wide open spaces and abundant greenery punctuated with wide pedestrian

“I always believed that I have something inside,” said Maria, who only once before reached as far as the third round. “That I can do this.”

Djokovic, a 35-year-old from Serbia, managed his seventh career comeback in a match in which he trailed by two sets—he last did it in the 2021 French Open final against Stefanos Tsitsipas—and improved to 37-10 in five-setters. That includes a 10-1 mark in matches that go the distance at Wimbledon, including nine straight victories; the lone loss came in 2006.

“He’s been in this situation many times,” the 20-year-old Sinner said.

“That definitely helps.”

Tuesday’s match brought Sinner’s major quarterfinal appearance total to three, which is exactly 50 fewer than Djokovic’s.

Sinner has shown enormous potential, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2020 French Open before losing to Rafael Nadal and the 2022 Australian Open before losing to Tsitsipas. As for grass? Sinner was 0-4 until last week.

But he got win No. 1 at Wimbledon by eliminating three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka and then beat a pair of seeded foes: No. 20 John Isner and No. 5 Carlos Alcaraz.

With his wide wingspan, and a Djokovic-style ability to slide into strokes, the 6-foot-2 Sinner gets to balls that appear out of reach and is able to reply with considerable power. That allows him to lengthen exchanges and make even a consummate baseliner like Djokovic put in extra work to earn a point.

On Tuesday, Sinner went up a set and a break when Djokovic sailed a backhand long, then bowed his head.

Sinner broke again for 5-2, and soon enough, one and a half hours in, was a set from the biggest triumph of his nascent career.

Before the start of the third, Djokovic headed toward the locker room for a bathroom break, just like he did at Roland Garros against Tsitsipas 13 months ago.

“You approach these particular situations when you’re two sets down a bit more calmly, a bit more confident,” Djokovic said, “with more self-belief.”

When play resumed, Djokovic was so much better than he had been. AP

face that bedeviled the games of majority of the field, Go flourished with seven birdies to negate a three-putt miscue on the par-three No. 7 as the former national champion charged from joint fifth to the top with a nine-under 135.

“I’ve been working on my (mid) irons for quite some time, so coming into this event, I was kind of confident,” said the former Seton Hall U standout, who topped the Philippine Golf Tour Q-School in 2018 but has opted to vie in the other regional tours to toughen up.

He rallied to earn a share of fifth at Splendido Taal last month on a closing 66, which he duplicated here at Aoki, which yielded to Go’s awesome form but bit back at some, including Que, who found the going a lot tougher and saved a 70 after kicking off his bid with a leadsharing 67 in his first PGT foray since March last year, also here.

be on those bidding in the 20-24, 2529, 30-34, 35-39 and 40-44 as they seek to sharpen up and reach high competitive level in time for the 70.3 meet on Aug. 7 in Mactan, Cebu.

They include bets from Norway, the Netherlands, Italy, United Kingdom, South Africa, Vietnam, Singapore, France, India, Malaysia, Denmark, Hong Kong, the US, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Korea, Guatemala and Japan and host the Philippines. walkways, bicycle and jogging lanes, and enhanced greenways.

The Vermosa Sports Hub which features a FINAstandard Olympic size swimming pool, a warm up pool, a World Athletics-standard 400m track oval and a football field, among others, was the center of operations for the one-day running celebration. It was one of the playing venues used during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Vermosa partnered with Pinoy Fitness, the running, fitness and multisport event organizer, to conduct the Run and with artist Cynthia Bauzon-Arre of Forest Foundation Philippines for the runners’ medal. Part of the Run’s proceeds will go to Haribon Foundation’s Adopt-a-Seedling Program, to build a greener tomorrow.

“We were overwhelmed with the response of the running community. (The number) went over our expectations. We’re glad that the community is gradually opening up to events like this in the new normal,” said Rina Reganit, Vermosa Marketing Manager.

Even media ran in the Green Run. Avid runners like John Mogol of Radyo Pilipinas Dos and Ian Suyu of the Daily Tribune pounded the pavement in the 10K category.

ALAIS, France—Belgian rider Wout van Aert won the hilly fourth stage of the Tour de France and extended his overall lead after attacking strongly on the day’s final climb on Tuesday.

The Belgian rider kept the leader’s yellow jersey for the Jumbo–Visma team after taking it for the first time on Saturday. He also extended his lead in the green jersey contest for best sprinter.

Van Aert shook up the peloton when he surged ahead up the last of the five climbs—a 900-meter ascent up Cote du Cap Blanc-Nez at a gradient of 7.5 percent—about 10 kilometers from the end.

He said he felt an early attack was the best way to avoid a mass sprint at the line.

“I didn’t want to take the risk of losing anymore. It was quite obvious that we were trying something with the team,” he said. “I went full gas to see what would happen. I went all out.”

The 27-year-old Van Aert is considered one of the best multi-skilled riders in the world and is a former three-time cyclo-cross world champion and a one-day classics specialist.

The Jumbo-Visma rider flapped his hands like a bird’s wings as he sat up on his bike. He crossed the line eight seconds clear of countryman Jasper Philipsen of the Alpecin–Fenix team, with Jumbo-Visma teammate Christophe Laporte taking third place in a sprint finish.

“This jersey gives wings. It was definitely a tough climb but this stage was very likely going to end up in bunch sprint,” Van Aert said. “It was difficult to finish alone, but thanks to the work of my teammates, I did it. It was up to me to finish it off.”

Van Aert picked up a 10-second time bonus and is now 25 seconds ahead of Yves Lampaert in the overall standings and 32 seconds clear of two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar.

Pogacar’s rival Primoz Roglic, the 2020 Tour runner-up and Van Aert’s teammate, stayed seventh overall and remained nine seconds behind Pogacar, with both finishing in the main pack.

After a travel day, riders tackled a sunny 171.5-kilometer route from the coastal city of Dunkirk to Calais, where riders could see the English coastline when they arrived into the much-used port location. Van Aert completed it in four hours, one minute and 36 seconds.

Danish rider Magnus Cort, who thrilled crowds with his breakaway rides during three intense days in Denmark, was again in the early breakaway—this time alongside Anthony Perez.

Perez pulled ahead some 45 kilometers (28 miles) out and Cort was caught by the peloton shortly after. Cort picked up more points in the polka-dot jersey bid but much more difficult climbs in the Alps and Pyrenees are still to come.

Wednesday’s fifth stage is a flat stage for sprinters over 157 kilometers (97 miles) starting at Lille Metropole and going over some of the feared cobblestones that feature on the Paris-Roubaix one-day classic.

The race ends on July 24 in Paris. AP

CHIHERO IKEDA and Lloyd Go surprise the field in the second round on Thursday. PHOTOS BY BERNARD TESTA

Motoring and lifestyle media partners Monch Henares and Arabelle Jimenez and the Southern Gaze group enjoyed themselves in the 3K. Bloggers Conan Altatis of Conan Daily and Rey “Boy Raket” braved the 21K and finished handily. Hats off to Rey Esteves who pedaled all the way from Caloocan to Imus, Cavite at 3 a.m. just to join the Run which clocked off at 4:30 and biked back home in the hot sun after his half-marathon feat. (What feet!)

Well, looks like Vermosa and the running community are on the right track when it comes to getting physically and mentally healthy. Medical experts say physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety about the coronavirus and also helps boost energy levels. Regular physical activity is good for body, mind and spirit. And going outdoors is an added plus. The sights and sounds in nature have been found to lower blood pressure levels as well. And the immune system gets a boost.

Doctors say physical activity like running isn’t a cure-all, but it can be a good antidote against Covid-19 concerns. For one, it can release those happy hormones. For another, you can literally run for your life.