BusinessMirror July 13, 2021

Fitch revises PHL’s outlook to negative

By Bianca Cuaresma

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S) Notice is hereby given that the following companies/Employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s: ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

No.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 11/f Capella Bldg. L-3&4 B2, Asean Drive Filinvest Alabang Muntinlupa City HAN, TIANYU Mandarin Customer Service Representative 1.

Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure customer representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

See “dole ncr” on A10-A13

@BcuaresmaBM

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NTERNATIONAL credit watcher Fitch Ratings revised its outlook on the Philippines’ current rating, citing the strong impact of the pandemic on the economy, which could potentially result in scarring effects for the country.

In a statement late Monday, Fitch Ratings affirmed the country’s rating at ‘BBB”, but revised its outlook from the assigned “stable” in January this year down to a “negative” outlook.

A negative outlook on a sovereign’s credit rating means that it could potentially face a downgrade if its economic dynamics and metrics continue to deteriorate in the

policy horizon.

“The revision of the Philippines’ Outlook to Negative reflects increasing risks to the credit profile from the impact of the pandemic and its aftermath on policy-making as well as on economic and fiscal out-turns,” Fitch Ratings said.

“Fitch believes there are downside risks to medium-term growth prospects as a result of potential scarring effects, and possible challenges associated with unwinding the exceptional policy response to the health crisis and restoring sound public finances as the pandemic recedes,” it added.

The ratings agency said the merit behind the maintained credit rating reflects the Philippines’s “robust external buffers” and projected

government debt levels that, while rising, “should remain just below the median for ‘BBB’ rated peers”.

‘Ambitious’ vaccination goal

THE credit watcher said the Philippine economy has been hit “particularly hard” in 2020, and recovery is still uncertain.

“New daily infections have been declining from their peak in April, but are still relatively high,” the credit watcher said.

Fitch also said while supplies of vaccination have been coming to the country in recent months, it may not be enough to reach the government’s target.

“The authorities aim to vaccinate up to 70 percent of the eligible population by end-2021, which

Fitch views as ambitious because under 3 percent of the population was fully vaccinated as of the end of June,” Fitch said.

Weaker fiscal finances

THE credit watcher also said the country’s fiscal finances have weakened, both in absolute terms and against peer medians, as a result of the pandemic.

“Under our baseline assumptions, we project general government debt-to-GDP [gross domestic product] to rise to 52.7 percent and 54.5 percent in 2021 and 2022, respectively, modestly below the corresponding ‘BBB’ medians of 57 percent and 58.7 percent,” Fitch Ratings said.

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FDI SOAR 114% IN APRIL ON BETTER PROSPECTS

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n Tuesday, July 13, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 272

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 22 pages |

AS the economy slowly reopens, vehicle traffic on Edsa, Metro Manila’s busiest thoroughfare is also returning to prepandemic levels. Actually, officials earlier predicted heavier traffic on Edsa, as Skyway Stage 3 started charging toll, prompting budget-conscious motorists navigate the for 19 years, is one of the recipients of a housing unit at Basecommunity. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Monday inaugurated the Basecommunity housing project, the in-city townhouse project for poor families, giving homes to 229 families. The ABULHASAN IBAMA, who has lived in Baseco, to Tondo, Manila, ground level.

Pedestrian traffic increased, as floor people project, with 229 two-story unitshas of also 42 square meters area, is one of City Hall’s housing projects for indigent families. Construction on Basecommunity started in December 2020. NONIE REYES wait in line for free bus rides at the Edsa Bus Carousel on Monday, July 12, 2021. NONOY LACZA

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By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

ONG-TERM investments placed by international players in the Philippines continued to soar in April this year, indicating sustained positive sentiment of foreign investors for the country’s recovery prospects.

Foreign direct investments (FDI) posted a 114.4-percent growth in April this year to hit $679 million during the month, up from the $317 million in the same month last year.

The strong April FDI performance pushed the total FDI numbers of the country to $3.06 billion in the first four months of the year, growing by 56.3 percent from the $1.96 billion in January to April in 2020.

FDI are investments made by foreign players in the Philippines in the hopes of long-term return.

Since these are in the country for a longer term compared to their short-term counterpart, the foreign portfolio investments (FPI), the FDI usually create jobs for Filipinos and have a multiplier effect on the economy.

“FDI net inflows in April 2021 rose on the back of positive foreign investor sentiment on the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals and strong growth prospects,” the BSP said in a statement on Monday.

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Lifting rules on kids aids consumption, but…

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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LLOWING children to visit open spaces is still not enough to boost consumption spending but vaccination progress will allow more businesses to stay open, according to economic managers.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua told the BusinessMirror on Monday that allowing children to go to open

spaces is a step toward improving the overall well-being of children and families.

Chua noted that this policy, recently approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), will also allow parents to increase their productivity.

“It will take higher confidence to increase consumption, which means accelerating vaccine deployment and ensuring that the health

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.0830

system is adequate for those who get very sick,” Chua, however, told this newspaper.

In a briefing on Monday, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez agreed and said vaccination is the way to economic recovery.

This is why he welcomed the initiative of some stores and local governments to declare that the staff of establishments have received anti-Covid-19 vaccines.

Lopez said by declaring that

their staff is 100-percent vaccinated against Covid, an establishment would be able to allay the fears of consumers and encourage them to buy from these stores.

“This eases the anxiety of our people. And of course, this is a big boost to our economic recovery, for which we are starting to see some signals now. But of course, we have to do it at the City, Municipality level,” Lopez said.

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CHINESE SHIPS DUMPING SEWAGE: NEW DANGER TO REEFS IN SPRATLYS

By Recto Mercene @rectomercene

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CATASTROPHE of epic proportions and we are close to the point of no return,” is how an expert has described the continuing damage to the marine ecosystem due to human activities in the South China Sea (SCS).

Speaking at the webinar, “Reinforcing the 2016 Arbitral Victory: The West Philippine Sea in the Convergence of Strategies,” Liz Derr, founder and chief executive officer at Florida-based Simularity, made the assertion as the Philippines on Monday marked the 5th year of its arbitral victory over China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Simularity is a geospatial intelligence company that uses AI

to detect important changes on the ground through a variety of data from optical satellites, radar satellites, drones, RF data, multispectral imagery, AIS ship location tracking, and more.

Tracking the progress of about 300 ships parked around a lagoon in the Spratlys, Derr said, “Human activity in the Spratly islands is damaging the coral reefs that supply food for millions of people in the region.”

She said the hundreds of ships anchored in the Spratlys are dumping raw sewage onto reefs they are occupying, and the excess nutrients in sewage are causing elevated concentration of algae called chlorophyll, “leading to a cascade of reef damage that can take decades to recover from even with active mitigation.”

See “Chinese,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4548 n UK 69.5853 n HK 6.4478 n CHINA 7.7299 n SINGAPORE 37.0793 n AUSTRALIA 37.4721 n EU 59.4836 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.3530

Source: BSP (July 12, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, July 13, 2021

SRA clears auction of imported sugar

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) board has approved the “B” classification and the floor price of P1,650 for the seized imported refined sugar from Thailand by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the BusinessMirror learned.

Voting 3-1, the SR A board approved the market classification of the 10 20-foot container vans of seized imported sugar as “B” or domestic market sugar and its

f loor price of P1,650 per 50-kilogram bag (LKg).

Based on existing rules, the SRA has the authority over the d isposition of smug gled and

confiscated sugar by the BOC to ensure that such external supply would not distort and depress domestic sugar prices.

The BOC Port of Manila (BOCPOM) requested for the market classification and floor price from the SRA for the seized sugar containers.

Documents obtained by the BusinessMirror showed that the volume being subjected for auction is at least 5,100 LKg. The SRA regulation department took samples from the confiscated shipment with the laboratory results later on showing that the imported sugar met the requirements of the Philippine National Standard for white sugar.

The SRA management recommended to the SRA board the approval of the market classification of “B” with a floor price of P1,650 per 50-LKg. SRA Administrator and board vice chairman Hermenegildo Serafica voted affirmatively on the request for market classification and the proposed floor price.

Agriculture Secretary and SRA board chairman William D. Dar

threw his support behind the vote of Serafica, thus, voting affirmative as well.

SRA board member (planters’ representative) Emilio Bernardino L. Yulo III also voted affirmative as he “agreed” with the recommendations made by the SRA management regarding the seized imported refined sugar.

Only SRA board member (millers’ representative) Roland B. Beltran thumbed down the proposal and “manifested” that the seized imported refined sugar must be destroyed.

The BusinessMirror learned that the resolution formally approving the “B” classification and the floor price of the seized imported sugar is being circulated already among the SRA board members for their signature.

Yulo told the BusinessMirror that he supported the recommendation as the auction of the smuggled sugar would be an additional supply to the domestic market, given that the industry “cannot afford prices to go up at this time.”

FDI SOAR 114% IN APRIL ON BETTER PROSPECTS Continued from A1

The higher FDI net inflows in April were due to the improvements in most components, led by non-residents’ net investments in debt instruments.

T his subsector rose by 121.2 percent to $500 million

from $226 million during the month.

Foreign investors’ net investments in equity capital also rose to $97 million in April 2021 from $3 million in the same month last year.

This developed as equity capi-

tal placements increased by 131 percent to $108 million from $47 million, while withdrawals decreased by 75.1 percent to $11 million from $44 million.

Equity capital placements during the month originated primarily from Japan, the United States, and

Singapore.

These were invested largely in the manufacturing and real estate industries.

Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings declined by 6.2 percent to $82 million from $88 million in April 2020.

Fitch revises PHL’s outlook to negative Continued from A1

“Nevertheless, the rise in the debt ratio from 34.1 percent in 2019 is large and exceeds the median increase for ‘BBB’ peers. Fitch will monitor the evolution of the fiscal deficit and debt levels, as the balance between fiscal consolidation and ongoing government spending to support economic recovery will be an important consideration for the rating,” it added.

‘Credit strength’

ON the other hand, Fitch Ratings said the Philippines’s external finances remain a “credit strength.”

“Foreign-currency reserves are high and gross external debt levels are manageable. Foreign-exchange reserves rose to $110 billion by end-2020 from about $90 billion in 2019, supported by proceeds from borrowing from multilateral institutions and bond issuances, for pandemic-related spending,” the credit watcher said.

Rating Sensitivities

OVERALL, Fitch said a sustained rise in the government or debtto-GDP ratio associated, for example, with a reversal of reforms or departure from a prudent macroeconomic policy framework could push the negative outlook to a full downgrade of the country’s rating.

The ratings agency also said weaker medium-term macroeconomic prospects combined with diminishing policy credibility and a deterioration in external indicators could also invoke a negative action.

On the other hand, a sustained broadening of the government’s revenue base that will enhance fiscal finances and place the government debt-to-GDP ratio on a downward trajectory will trigger a positive rating, along with strengthening of governance standards towards those of the ratingcategory peer median.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Lawmakers…

The tribunal said China’s expansive claims to historic, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the resources and area covered by its 9-dash-line—encompassing almost the entirety of the South China Sea, and encroaching on maritime entitlements of other coastal states, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf (ECS) of the Philippines—was incompatible with the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

Drilon lamented, however, that five years following the Permanent Court’s award, the country’s leaders “failed to assert and fully leverage the same in bilateral or multilateral talks with China.”

Moreover, the resolution pointed out that “China’s expansionist tendencies have only grown bolder despite the Arbitral Tribunal’s clear rejection of its broad claims.”

As additional proof of China’s expansionist tendencies, the Senate resolution noted, was China’s passage of its Coast Guard Law in January 2021. This allows the use of lethal force against anyone found in waters over which it claims jurisdiction, its operation of research stations in the Kagitingan and Zamora Reefs, its ongoing reclamation activities within the Philippine EEZ, and the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen by large Chinese vessels, the recent mooring of 240 People’s Liberation Army vessels in the Philippine EEZ. Drilon stressed that “international law is a mechanism which allows smaller states, despite lack of military prowess, to stand on equal footing with wealthier, more powerful states, which the Philippines has aptly and bravely utilized without having to incite war when it brought China to court in 2013.”

House resolution

MEANWHILE, members of the House of Representatives want to declare July 12 of every year as National West Philippine Sea Victory Day while asking the Duterte administration to invoke the arbitral

Chinese…

The damage to the reef “in just 5 years is visible from space,” she said, showing satellite photographs of Chinese militia vessels trailing chlorophyll concentration visible in their wake. She said vessels that have been staying for months in the area have visible chlorophyll trails, “but not all ships have chlorophyll trails possibly due to recent arrival.”

The trails, she noted, “are shit coming out of ships.” The photographs were taken in June 2021, and the new form of damage to the environment is “in addition to the well-documented reef destruction wrought by China’s giant clam harvesting and artificial island building.”

She said damaging these reefs directly affects the fish stock in the entire South China Sea and can lead to a hunger crisis in coastal regions and a collapse of commercial fishing in the South China Sea “This is a catastrophe of epic proportions and we are close to the point of no return.”

Food source for fish

THE SCS, Derr pointed out, is an important food source for migratory fish like tuna that travel through the area and “the health of the Spratly Reef feed inhabitants of coastal region in SCS.” According to Derr’s study, phytoplankton and algal bloom are excess nutrients in the water, primarily along coastline coming from runoff from fertilizer, soil erosion of riverbank and sewage effluent. This echoes what happened in the pristine waters and sand of Boracay in 2018, when President Duterte said the famed tourist spot in the country “had become a cesspool.”

To arrest its decline, the President closed Boracay island to tourists and initiated a rehabilitation on the island to resolve the worsening sewage conditions there. After two years,

Continued from A14

win in the Philippines’s continuing engagement with China.

House Resolution 1975 filed by Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro said this declaration will celebrate the 2016 triumph before the United Nations PCS, which upheld our country’s sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, “much of which our frenemy China is illegally claiming as part of its territory.”

According to Rodriguez, it is clear that under Unclos, the Kalayaan Island group and portions of the Spratly islands in the Palawan area and Panatag Shoal off Zambales and Pangasinan are part of the Philippines’s 200-mile EEZ. He said China is illegally occupying some of these islands, including Panatag or Scarborough Shoal, which Filipino fishermen call Bajo de Masinloc and which Beijing seized in 2012 after a standoff between the Chinese Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard.

He said Filipino fishermen have long been fishing in the West Philippine Sea, which has a reported annual fish yield of 5 million tons that sustains coastal communities on the western coasts of Luzon and Palawan.

He noted that the WPS is also reported to contain up to 55.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 5.4 billion barrels of oil, an abundant source of energy which could address the energy requirements of the country and reduce dependence on crude oil imports.

“Because of the rich natural resources in the West Philippine Sea, China has made untenable claims of indisputable sovereignty over the entire South China Sea based on its so-called ‘nine-dash line’ that encroaches on 80 percent of the Philippines’ EEZ in the WPS,” Rodriguez added.

For his part, Magdalo Rep. Manuel Cabochan III said the administration should strongly invoke the arbitration win and reflect this in its policies and rhetoric.

Cabochan earlier filed House Bill 1947 to declare July 12 a special working holiday to mark Manila’s victory.

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Boracay was opened in October 2020, following the approval of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in its Resolution 74.

However, Derr pointed out that because the Spratlys is in the middle of the ocean, “there are no runoff from river bank erosions in the area.” “However, there is sewage effluent coming from ship wastewater and human habitation [excrement] without sufficient treatment.”

She added, “When the ships don’t move about, the shit piles up.” As of June 2021, a total of 236 vessels are parked in the Union Banks, comprising several reefs system like Hughes Reef, Ross Reef, Tetly Reef, Lansdown Reef, Johnson South Reef, and Collins Reef.

She said the excess nutrients in the ocean water increase the chlorophyll which is produced by plants of all sizes, “whose concentration can indicate harmful algae activity and is generally accepted measure of water quality, which can be observed and measured in multispectral satellite images.”

Further tipping the balance towards algae bloom causes increased acidification of the water, increasing coral erosion and tremendous damage to reefs that can take generations to recover from and hasten the fish stock decline.

Derr reported a 67-percent decline in the coral reef system in the SCS, adding that, “we have to do something and we have to do it together,” to stop the coral degradation.

She said the Chinese militia vessels are “just sitting there but it is damaging the environment and they need to leave, as it is also against China’s interest.”

China has been reported to have the largest fishing fleet in the Asian region.

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Phivolcs records 186 volcanic quakes caused by ‘restive’ Taal

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HE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Monday said Taal Volcano continues to show signs of magmatic unrest that cause volcanic earthquakes and tremors.

Taal, which has been placed under Alert Level 3 since the phreatomagmatic explosion on July 1, also spewed high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes, according to Phivolcs.

In its Volcano Bulletin for Taal issued at 8 a.m., Monday, Phivolcs said the Taal Volcano Network recorded 186 volcanic earthquakes from 8 a.m. of July 11 to 8 a.m. of July 12.

It also recorded a total of 176 volcanic tremor events having durations of 1 to 16 minutes.

Meanwhile, high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam-rich plumes that rose 1,500 meters were generated from the Taal Main Crater. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 6,421 tonnes/day on 11 July 2021, according to Phivolcs.

At Alert Level 3, magma extruding from the Main Crater could drive explosive eruption. As such, Phivolcs maintained that the entire Taal Volcano Island, which is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), should be kept a “no man’s land.”

It says entry into the island as well as into the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited due to the hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should strong eruptions occur.

Phivolcs said all activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time as the state agency monitoring volcanic activities nationwide warned communities around the Taal’s lakeshores against possible airborne ash and vog.

Since July 1, flying over Taal Volcano Island is prohibited as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft.

Taal Volcano last erupted in January 2020, which sent thousands of residents scampering away from the volcano for safety. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, July 13, 2021 A3

‘Exceptional response:’ SC upholds procurement, inoculation of Sinovac

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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HE Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by former Boac, Marinduque Mayor Pedrito Nepomuceno seeking to stop the government from purchasing and allowing the emergency use (EUA) of Chinese manufactured anti-Covid-19 vaccine Sinovac.

In a 17-page resolution penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Lopez, the Court unanimously held that President Duterte has been granted the discretion under Republic Act 11494 (Bayanihan to Recover as One Act) on how to address the pandemic brought about by the spread of Covid-19.

The law, according to the Court, paved the way for the President to exercise powers that are necessary and proper to undertake and implement Covid-19 response and recovery interventions.

“In the case of Sinovac vaccine, while many doubt its efficacy, it is not within the office of this Court to issue an order compelling the government to conduct further tests before the same can be distributed to the Filipino people,” the Court declared.

“In the absence of proof that the grant of an EUA was not made in accordance with law and prescribed procedure, this Court cannot issue an order that would stop the procurement and use of the Sinovac vaccine or require additional trials that are not mandated by law,” it added.

In his petition for mandamus,

Nepomuceno sought the Court’s issuance of an order to compel the government to observe the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules on the acquisition, procurement and use of drugs, particularly on the issue of trials and procurement and use of Covid-19 vaccines, specifically Sinovac, and for them to properly observe the procurement law.

He also asked the Court to direct the Department of Health-FDA to issue a cease and desist order for the purchase and use of the Sinovac vaccine.

The petitioner asked the Court to demand that Sinovac and all other vaccines undergo the required trials in the country before they are given the go signal for emergency and/or regular use.

Nepomuceno named President Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases and Chief Implementer of the National Task Force Against Covid-19 retired Gen. Carlito Galvez.

In junking the petition, the Court held that the petitioner failed to prove that the respondents have the ministerial duty to perform with regard to the conduct of trial and procurement of vaccines for Covid-19.

The SC noted that during the time when the national government planned to procure and enter into contracts for the procurement of the Sinovac vaccine, there was no law in effect that required the mandatory conduct of clinical trials for the pro-

curement of any Covid-19 vaccine, including that produced by Sinovac.

“On the contrary, the requirement for the completion of clinical trials before a vaccine may be used in the Philippines as required by the Universal Healthcare Act was suspended for a period of three months,” the Court said.

“Further, discretion was given to the government officials in addressing the spread of Covid-19, giving them enough leeway to decide the interventions they may see as proper by adopting, as a basis, guidelines issued and the best practices adopted by the World Health Organization [WHO] and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” it added.

The Court further explained that granting the petition would render irrelevant Executive Order (EO) 121 which was issued in line with the authority granted by Congress to the President under RA 11494.

EO 121 seeks to hasten the availability and use of Covid-19 drugs and vaccines as a measure to prevent and suppress the spread of the virus as mandated under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. The Court added that the issuance of an EUA excluded the need for the completion of the conduct of clinical trials prior to the use of the anti Covid-19 vaccines.

Likewise, the Court noted that Republic Act 11525, or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, which was signed into law on

February 26, 2021 exempted the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, including subsidiary supplies and services, from the general procurement requirement of public bidding and allowed its negotiated procurement under emergency cases.

The Court further explained that RA 11525 also provides that only Covid-19 vaccines that are registered with the FDA or have EUA can be validly procured.

Considering that the FDA had already issued an EUA in favor of the Sinovac vaccine on February 22, 2021 pursuant to EO 121 and through the allowed negotiated procurement, the SC said there is “no valid ground exists to require the conduct of further clinical trials and public bidding.”

“Extraordinary times that present an invisible threat to the health of individuals, unbeknown to humanity, require an immediate, exceptional response from the government. This exceptional response must of course be in line with the guidelines and actions undertaken by an international central authority which, in this case, is the WHO and trusted international agencies,” the SC said.

“In all, petitioner failed to point out any provision of law that imposes a ministerial duty on the part of the respondents to perform an act in compliance with a specific mandate for conduct of clinical trial and procurement of Covid-19 vaccines, specifically that produced by Sinovac,” it added.

DOH airs warning on Covid ‘booster’ jabs

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EALTH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday warned doctors giving booster shots to follow government protocols or face sanctions.

The warning was given by Vergeire in an online media forum after she was asked to comment on the admission of San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora in an event in San Juan that he had received two booster shots.

He said that he received Sinopharm vaccine in December and was given two Pfizer booster shots later after he

completed his 2 doses of Sinopharm.

On the reported booster shots of Zamora, Vergeire said: “Hindi kami na-inform [We were not informed].”

“Uulitin ko, mixing and matching and booster doses ay hindi pa po nirerekomenda sa ngayon. Sana wag muna mag-embark dito. [I would like to repeat this, mixing and matching and booster doses are not yet recommended as of now. I hope that we will not embark on this],”Vergeire said.

The DOH official reminded doctors that “Meron tayong emergency

use authority. Kung ano ang nasa EUA, ’yan ang gamit ng bakuna. Magingat tayo dahil kapag may violations, maaaring magkaroon ng sanctions [We have an emegency use authority (EUA). What is stated in the EUA, that is how vaccine should be used. Let us be careful because if there are violations, there would be sanctions].”

“Sana ay sumunod tayo sa protocols ng gobyerno dahil ito ay base sa siyensya [I am hoping that we all follow the protocols of the government because this is science-based],”Vergeire re-

minded physicians.

She also emphasized that there is still an unstable vaccine supply in the country and that the importance of ensuring equitable vaccine distribution should be prioritized before giving booster shots.

She added that even for healthcare workers, a booster shot is not yet recommended.

“Let’s give everybody a chance to get vaccinated first before we think about having booster doses,” she emphasized. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

BIR swoops down on retail shops selling ‘unregistered’ heated tobacco products

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TASK force created by Revenue Region No. 6-Manila headed by Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Director Jethro M. Sabariaga through, the Regional Investigation Division (RID) led by Division Chief Atty. Maria Haidee Lourdes C. Organo, along with the Legal Division OIC-Chief Atty. Ramon B. Lorenzo, conducted investigations and took legal action against taxpayers within the jurisdiction of the Manila Region engaged in the sale and distribution of heated tobacco and vapor (Vape) products.

Discreet surveillance and testbuy operations undertaken by the task force on various dates identified two taxpayers registered under the region that are selling heated tobacco and vape products that are unregistered with the bureau.

A Certification obtained by the task force from the bureau’s Excise Large Taxpayers Regulatory Division disclosed that these taxpayers—Gizmobile Ventures Inc. and Luxecity Manila Inc.—are not registered as dealers/traders of these items, nor are Relx and Snowplus++, the brands in their inventories registered as excisable products.

On July 1, 2021, the RID, together with the assistance of the Legal Division, conducted a Tax Compliance

Verification Drive (TCVD) operations and seized thousands of Relx and Snowplus++ heated tobacco and vape products being sold in several establishments, branches and kiosks around Manila, particularly in major shopping malls such as Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Otis, Robinsons Metro East Pasig, Met Live Macapagal and Shopwise Makati.

Director Sabariaga urged all taxpayers to comply with their tax obligations. “These are very challenging times, and the government needs all the help we can give through our taxes. As a former US Attorney General once said, ‘If you think compliance is expensive, try non-compliance!’ We have everything to gain by complying with our responsibilities as taxpayers.”

Records from the BIR showed that two years after the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11346, which imposed excise taxes on vapor products and heated tobacco products, the two distributors are still not paying the excise taxes due. Upon internal verification, the BIR National Office confirmed these goods as non-tax paid, and their respective distributors as not duly registered with the BIR Excise Tax division.

As of August 2020, the Department of Finance’s (DOF) “sin” tax

collections reached P140.1 billion.

Despite higher tax collections in 2020, rising illicit trade and production constraints at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown had resulted in low yields from vapor products and heated tobacco products.

Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Habitan previously stated that collections from these products did not even reach P1 billion, far from the P3.2 billion collection previously estimated by then Finance Undersecretary now Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua during the 2019 Senate deliberations on taxing the category. BIR records also indicate that of the leading industry manufacturers and distributors, only the distributors of Philip Morris and Juul products have been paying their taxes since the passage of the new law.

Considered as a landmark legislation under the Duterte administration, RA 11346 imposed excise taxes on vapor products and heated tobacco products for the first time, at the base rate of P10/ml. Later on, the law was amended by RA 11467, which increased the tax rates to P37/ml in order to help boost the government’s excise tax revenue collections. Currently, vapor products are taxed at P42/ml.

END OF FREE TOLL

Unlike in previous past weeks, only a few motorists opted to avail of the Skyway Stage 3 in Puyat Avenue, Makati City, after the tollway management started the collection of toll fees on Monday. In a news statement, however, tollway owner and operator San Miguel Corp. assured toll rates would be priced lower than originally proposed, particularly for motorists traveling shorter distances, even as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority advised motorists to brace for heavy traffic along Edsa beginning this week. ROY DOMINGO

Missing Sinovac vaccine probed JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra assured on Monday that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will look into the alleged illegal transfer of 15 doses of Sinovac vaccines from the provincial vaccination center to a politician’s home in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Guevarra said the investigation on the illegal sale of anti-Covid-19 shots and slots as well as the unauthorized distribution, purchase and inoculation are within the scope of the instructions he earlier gave to the NBI. “The NBI has a standing order from the DOJ to investigate the sale or administration of Covid-19 vaccines outside the authorized channels of distribution,” said Guevarra.

“It will be ready to assist the PNP and the Provincial Board of Northern Samar in any investigation of the subject incident,” he added.

Based on reports, the Northern Samar provincial bureau has started its investigation on the allegations that 15 doses of Sinovac vaccines were illegally taken from the provincial vaccination center and brought to a politician’s home.

The 15 doses were reportedly leftovers of the 50 doses for the scheduled vaccination last June 10.

Only 35 doses were administered to listed recipients while the rest failed to show up.

Gordon urges IATF to allow conduct of Board exams for doctors, nurses

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

T

O raise the number of medical professionals to attend to sick patients amid the pandemic, Philippine Red Cross Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard J. Gordon is urging the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow the conduct of licensure examinations for doctors and nurses during the period of community quarantine.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous strain on the country’s health-care system, we need more doctors, nurses, we need them as fast as we can get them.

People die because they do not get help fast enough,” Gordon urged.

The PRC chairman and senator also recommended allowing the examinees to work in health-care facilities to care for Covid-19 patients on a limited basis and supervised by licensed health-care professionals, pending the release of their results.

It may be recalled that Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the number of applicants to the Department of Health’s hiring program remains low. She said that they are hoping that the exams be moved to an earlier schedule.

‘Microplastics invade ocean food chain’

M

ICROSCOPIC life, such as zooplanktons often confuse microplastic particles for food, thus contributing to their malnutrition and exposing the fish and the entire food chain, including fish eaters, to toxic chemicals.

The warning was raised by Top Australian fishery veterinarian Dr. Matt Landos during a recent webinar that microplastics and plastics in general contain hazardous chemical additives and can acquire other

toxic chemicals from other sources of aquatic pollution. Worse, he said, some of these toxic chemicals remain in the environment for decades and buildup in the food chain.

This is the reason why plastic materials and microplastic particles polluting the waters were found to be responsible for serious harm to aquatic life that then threatens the country’s food safety and security, Landos, director of the Future Fisheries Veterinary Service based in New

South Wales, said in a news release.

“Zooplanktons are important in the aquatic food chain as these provide the ‘first meal’ for the fish in their early life. Those aquatic creatures that rely upon these zooplanktons further up the food chain suffer in a knock-on domino effect of starvation. Microplastics have already been detected in marine organisms from plankton to whales, in commercial seafood, and even in drinking water,” Landos explained. Jonathan L. Mayuga

A4 Tuesday, July 13, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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Manufacturers told: Allot medical oxygen supplies for Indonesia

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has called on local manufacturers to allocate medical oxygen supplies to Indonesia which has been besieged by a spike of Covid-19 Delta variant cases for the past few weeks.

At news briefing on Monday, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said at least two oxygen manufacturers have agreed to send their excess output to Indonesia.

Reports stated that hospitals in Indonesia have ran out of oxygen, prompting them to refuse the admission of patients. Meanwhile, deaths have also been reported due to shortage of oxygen supply.

“Sabi namin kung may excess supply kayo, at may sigurado pa din kayong supply locally, ay pwede ho kayong mag-supply sa Indonesia [We told them that if they had excess supply and had enough supply locally, they

can supply to Indonesia],” Lopez said.

Lopez said the DTI has already met with oxygen manufacturers and encouraged them to expand their capacity in the event that another Covid-19 surge occurs in the Philippines.

Three to four months ago when the country saw a surge in cases, Lopez said the country had an excess supply of oxygen. He estimated the excess anywhere between 20 percent and 30 percent.

“Pero ’yung kailangan natin ’yung preparation ng kung kailangan doblehin ang capacity nung ating mga malalaking oxygen manufacturer. Ang ginawa ho natin, inengganyo natin sila na mag-expand na in preparation for a possible surge [What we need is to determine if oxygen manufacturers needed to double their capacity. What we did is we encouraged them to expand (their capacity) in preparation for a possible surge],” Lopez explained.

Since last year, the DTI has en-

couraged the local manufacture and supply of medical supplies. The country has also been exporting medical supplies globally.

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures, the total export value for personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies amounted to $1.61 million in May 2021.

This, however, represents a year-on-year contraction of 93.1 percent from the $23.36 million worth of shipments posted in May 2020. In April, the country shipped $2.74 million.

The export of surgical face masks contracted 98.3 percent and protective clothing at 19 percent, contributing to the decrease of export value for PPE and medical supplies in May 2021.

On the other hand, the export value for other face mask (non-surgical/non-medical masks including masks made of cloth) increased by 275.2 percent in May 2021.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Entrepreneurs want to change the future

By Henry J. Schumacher

E

NJOY this wonderful sentence from the investor Guy Kawasaki: “Entrepreneur is not a job title. It’s a mindset of people who want to change the future.”

I had to think of that sentence when a German Business Paper honored outstanding entrepreneurs last week. But it is not only the mindset that unites great entrepreneurs, it is also the desire to create lasting structures. While I am focusing here on the German entrepreneurs and family businesses, I would like to clearly state that there are plenty of good examples of successful entrepreneurships and lasting family businesses in the Philippines.

Let’s look at some findings of the

German entrepreneur scene:

Around 90 percent of all companies in Germany are controlled by families.

Many industrial medium-sized companies have carried the country through the crisis.

58 percent of employees work for family businesses.

While family businesses sometimes have difficulties with digitization, they play a leading role in environmental technologies. In the most important environmental sectors, the average share of family businesses is around 90 percent.

And because of their long-term orientation, they get through economic crises better, as several studies show.

To find out how family entrepreneurs succeed, you just have to listen to Reinhold Würth. In his acceptance speech at the “Hall of Fame” on entrepreneurship, he said: “It will then no longer be my business, but I am currently thinking intensively about what my company will look like in 2050.

That is why I am currently rounding up my people to talk about artificial intelligence and the consequences of digitization.”

Please take note: Würth is 86 years old.

It is in these long perspectives that real entrepreneurs think. Per-

spectives, that in the best of cases, extend over many generations.

From Germany back to the Philippines: a. I am convinced that Socorro Ramos of the National Book Store would have said the same! b. I don’t have research data on hand, but I believe that we have a similar entrepreneur/family business situation and orientation here. I am sure you have no problem to name good examples along these lines where you shop, bank, dine, spend your vacations, get insured, etc.

We are aware of a number of successful entrepreneurs who started small, like Socorro Ramos—National Book Store...

Tony Tan Caktiong—Jollibee...

Edgar Sia—Mang Inasal...

There are many more, but I am now more interested in entrepreneurs who are on the way to become “unicorns” or have become unicorns already.

I would be delighted if you were to list companies you feel belong to this environment of “Entrepreneur is not a job title. It’s a mindset of people who want to change the future.”

Please be kind enough to respond and e-mail your views to hjschumacher59@gmail.com

Lawmaker sees passage of bill on CSOs’ role in budget preps DepEd, Tesda begin final survey on ‘employability’ of SHS graduates

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

W

ITH start of the annual budget deliberations next month, the House of Representatives is a step closer to the final approval of a bill institutionalizing people’s participation in the annual budget process in Congress.

House Committee on People’s Participation Chairman Florida P. Robes of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, one of the authors of the bill, said the measure would be an important component in the budget process because it will make the process more transparent and participatory through the involvement of grassroots organizations in all aspects of the budget cycle.

Before the sine die adjournment in June, the House approved on second reading House Bill 7407, or an act institutionalizing the participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), in the preparation and authorization process of the annual national budget, providing effective mechanisms and for other purposes.

The bill is expected to be approved on third and final reading when session resumes on July 26.

Meanwhile, the Executive is expected to transmit the National Expenditure Program for 2022, or the annual budget after the last State of the Nation of the President also on July 26.

“One of the critical aspects of the budget process that we are doing in Congress is to ensure its transpar-

ency and accountability. Providing for a mechanism to ensure that people’s organizations participate in the process and give them a voice on how public funds will be spent is a giant step towards ensuring that the budget we pass in Congress is not only transparent, accountable but also inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people,” she said.

Under the bill, accredited CSOs will be given a right to participate in the budget preparation of government agencies, including constitutional bodies and government-owned and -controlled corporations, similar to the rights accorded to nongovernment organizations (NGO) in local development councils.

They shall also be entitled to

notices of hearings and receive budget documents as well submit their own alternative budget proposals or position papers. They shall be vested with the right to observe the budget deliberations, including the bicameral conference committee meetings.

They shall also be allowed to participate as resource persons during budget deliberations in Congress.

In order to participate, people’s organizations need to be accredited by their respective offices they intend to take part with. Any government officer who restrains any CSO from participating in the process will be penalized with a suspension ranging from one month to six months or a fine of P30,000 to P100,000 or both.

Teachers’ SIM for online classes comes with 34GB load

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HE Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday announced that it has started to turn over SIM cards with connectivity load to 1 million teaching and non-teaching personnel in the Central and Field Offices as part of the agency’s commitment under the Bayanihan 2 Act. “…Through the support of our President, our lawmakers, and our field offices, DepEd has ensured that our personnel and teachers can efficiently provide basic education services to our learners despite the situation,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.

According to a memorandum

from the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) released on July 1, permanent, contractual, local government unit-paid personnel working under DepEd schools and offices are eligible to receive SIM cards.

The Asset Management Division (AMD) will distribute the cards to DepEd Central Office personnel, while the Regional Supply Officer will issue them at the regional level.

The DepEd also reminded the issuing authority to distribute the said grant to all teaching and nonteaching personnel until July 23.

Moreover, the Division Supply Officer is tasked to give the grant

to Schools Division Office (SDO) personnel and Schools Property Custodians. At the same time, the latter will allocate the data allowance to school personnel.

All SIM cards will be activated with an initial 34GB load, which is consumable for one year. The Supply Officers and School Property Custodians shall also register the SIM cards to https://depedconnect.com.ph to allocate load for the second month.

“The department has procured the SIM cards and connectivity load from our external partner for all the teaching and non-teaching personnel to ensure ease in communication and unhampered delivery of services

amid the crisis,” shared Undersecretary Alain del B. Pascua.

DepEd-Calabarzon will receive a total of 119,909 SIM cards that will load connectivity for its teaching and non-teaching personnel. In comparison, DepEd-Central Luzon will acquire 101,616 SIM cards, and DepEd-National Capital Region will receive 88,781 SIM cards.

The DepEd said that SIM cards that are not distributed to schools and SDO personnel by the end of July 2021 will be returned to the Division Supply Officers for appropriate accounting. The same applies to the Regional Supply Officers for regional personnel. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

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HE Department of Education (DepEd) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) in the Philippines are conducting the final survey on the “employability” of the Senior High School (SHS) graduates to gauge the long-term impact of SHS graduates in the labor market compared to those who did not proceed to Grade 11 and 12 during the K to 12 program policy transition period.

“We appreciate Jica’s support and collaboration in conducting this survey that will aid the department determine the effectivity of the curriculum in making every graduate a contributor to social development and nationbuilding,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said on the final survey on “Impact Evaluation for Industrial Human Resource Development Policy.”

The DepEd said that the impact evaluation survey is in relation to the former technical cooperation project, “Supporting Senior High School [SHS] Program in Technical Vocational High Schools” conducted by Jica Ogata Sadako Research Institute in 2012 as a baseline survey and the subsequent 2015 mid-line survey.

With this, DepEd and Jica are calling the attention of the graduates of the 29 senior high schools that were included in the previous surveys to take part in the final survey.

For his part, Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said that ever y c u r r ic u lum created by DepEd would always be based from various data and researches from their stakeholders.

“Conducting this survey on the employability of our graduates is welcome as this will serve as inputs and references in crafting education policies,” San Antonio said.

Target respondents of the survey were the 2,313 graduates of 29 SHSs who were interviewed in the previous survey in 2015.

Jica identified seven participating schools from Region 3, six from National Capital Region (NCR), four from Region 10, and three each from Regions 2, 4, 6, and 7.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Curriculum Development Director Jocelyn D. R. Andaya noted that the K to 12 curriculum made their graduates more equipped in the field they wish to take.

“Our office is calling on the participation of everyone concerned in this survey and help us in improving the curriculum that will cater to the needs of our learners, the labor market, and our country,” she said.

In 2012, DepEd implemented the K to 12 Basic Education Program in close coordination with the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and representatives of the business community to produce locally and globally competitive individuals.

Not mandatory: Standards for Pinoy cuisine like adobo meant for intl promo

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HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) clarified on Monday that setting a standard for the adobo recipe was not mandatory and would only be necessary for international marketing purposes.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, at a news briefing, said the agency conducted a consultation with local chefs to identify what constitutes a Philippine adobo recipe.

Lopez said this aims to avoid other countries from claiming the Philippines traditional adobo recipe as its own. The country is not the first to identify a certain recipe as a traditional recipe since this is being done by other countries.

“Alam niyo naman, pag abroad, sa-

sabihin ng iba ay may Mexican adobo, baka may umangkin pa nung Philippine adobo. So kailangan lang meron tayong i-promote at ’yun ang ginagawa ng ibang bansa, meron silang traditional recipe,” Lopez said.

“Consultation lang po ’yun at saka hindi po ito standard, hindi po ito mandatory. We encourage creativity, innovation, kahit milyun-milyon na ang recipe nyan, we all welcome that,” he stressed.

The Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) earlier disclosed that it had plans to develop Philippine National Standards (PNS) on popular Filipino dishes such as adobo, sinigang, lechon, and sisig.

In a news statement, the BPS

established BPS/TC 92, a technical committee on Filipino Dishes,

mainly composed of local chefs and chefs association, to discuss these

standards, taking into consideration variations in cooking techniques observed in various regions. “’Pag tinanong mo lahat dito, lahat sasabihin nila ang pinakamasarap na adobo ’yung luto sa bahay namin, luto ng nanay ko, tatay ko, lola ko, lolo ko. Ibig sabihin, hindi ho natin istandard [ang] isang timpla, obvious ba? Hindi naman mandatory ’yan,” Lopez stressed.

Lopez said having a traditional recipe for adobo will also help the country’s bid to boost its creative industry exports. The creative industry is said to be one of the sunshine sectors for the country.

The outputs of the creative industry are mainly protected by intellectual property. One of the ways to protect intellectual property is

through the use of geographical indications (GIs).

Based on the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a GI is “a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.”

A GI right, WIPO said, can prevent the use by a third party whose product does not conform to applicable standards. GIs are protected by a number of laws and treaties globally.

WIPO said products that can be provided a GI include those used for agricultural products, fo o d s t u f f s , w i ne a nd s pi r it drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products. Cai U. Ordinario

News BusinessMirror

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Tuesday, July 13, 2021 A5

West hails arbitral ruling on SCS, but warns China

By Recto L. Mercene @rectomercene

& Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

T

HE Philippines yesterday celebrated the 5th year of its victory in its case against China’s “excessive” claims in the South China Sea, handed down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague.Democratic countries sent their congratulations, expressing a desire to keep the strategic waters peaceful and open to commerce and trade.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, led the celebratory mood, saying: “Five years ago today, the Philippines scored an important victory for the rule of the law in the South China Sea. The United States stands by its allies and partners in defending their maritime rights and standing up for freedom of the seas.”

Canada followed its congratulatory message: “This decision is a significant milestone and a useful basis for peacefully resolving disputes in the South China Sea. “On the fifth anniversary of the decision by the tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [Unclos] in the matter of the South China Sea Arbitration, Canada reiterates the need for all involved parties to comply with it.

“It is imperative that all parties in the region demonstrate restraint and avoid taking action unilaterally, as this would exacerbate tensions and threaten regional stability.

“Canada is particularly concerned by China’s escalatory and destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas, including, recently, off the Philippine coast, and by the militarization of disputed features and the use of naval, coast guard and maritime militia vessels to intimidate and threaten

the ships of other states.

“We call on all states, including China, to live up to previous commitments made in the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the South China Sea.” Meanwhile, Canada noted that Asean members and China have resumed negotiations to develop a code of conduct for the South China Sea. “We encourage transparency in these negotiations and reiterate that the agreement should not derogate from the rights that parties enjoy under international law or prejudice the rights of third parties.”

Canada affirmed its commitment “to defending and revitalizing an effective rules-based international order, including for the oceans and seas, and to the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.”

The German Embassy in Manila said in a statement: “Today is the 5th Anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitration ruling. It confirmed the relevance of a rules-based international maritime order in the context of increasing globalization and international relations.

“The entire world benefits from a peaceful, safe and stable South China Sea, an important maritime trade route, where international law including Unclosis observed and a rules-based order respected. The ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration is a significant milestone towards that achievement.”

However, Germany noted that, five years since the ruling, “the work for a stable and peaceful Indo-Pacific must continue.”

On January 22, 2013, the Philippines instituted arbitral proceedings against China under Annex VII of Unclos.

The proceedings, called the South China Sea Arbitration, concerned, among others, China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea, the

status of certain maritime features there and the lawfulness of certain actions by China there that the Philippines deemed violations of Unclos.

EU greeting

THE European Union also sent its greetings on the ruling’s anniversary via Twitter: “What happens in the South China Sea matters to the EU, Asean and the whole world.

“We further reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, safety, and the right of freedom of navigation and in overflight above the South China Sea, as well as the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly Unclos.

This was agreed by EU and Asean senior officials on July 8, 2021.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., thanked all of those who congratulated the country for its victory in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.

He said “The Award conclusively settled the status of the historic rights and maritime entitlements in the South China Sea. It declared as without legal effect claims that exceed geographic and substantive limits of maritime entitlements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

Washington’s security vow

THE United States affirmed its security commitment to the Philippines on the fifth anniversary of the arbitration ruling, a victory that a group said has “eroded” and softened under the Duterte presidency.

“The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020 policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, referring to the previous statement of his predecessor, Mike Pompeo, who called China’s claims in the South China Sea as

“completely unlawful.”

“We also reaffirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” Blinken added in a statement issued on July 11, US time, which was provided by the US Embassy.

Meanwhile, statement from 1Sambayan headed by retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio lamented that while the UN has ruled in favor of the Philippines and “invalidated China’s nine-dash line which it had been using to justify its encroachment into the country’s territory and maritime zone, Manila’s position gradually weakened under the current administration.

The group deplored that “the five years that followed that decisive event led to a gradual erosion of our strong position in the WPS and a continued diminution of our maritime rights. Yes, we won in 2016. But today, not only has the Duterte administration allowed a growing Chinese presence in WPS, but it also has—in the eyes of every patriotic Filipino —refused to assert and defend our sovereign territory and sovereign rights,” the group said.

“Instead of capitalizing on our victory five years ago and building on the gains, President Duterte worsened our position,” it added.

Chinese vessels, it noted, still loitersin the KIG and in the WPS, the latter of which had been earlier conceded by Duterte as in the “physical control” of China due to the massive presence of Chinese maritime militia ships in those waters.

Carpio’s group urged Filipinos to look for leaders who could assert the country’s rights over its territorial waters.

“It is not too late. We hope to

Love is safety: 42% would only date someone who is vaccinated or has antibodies

NEW global survey commissioned by Kaspersky explores the role of dating apps and the current state of technology and relationships

I

N an era of self-isolation and restrictions, consumers are paying more attention to their health and personal safety while dating, according to a new report commissioned by Kaspersky. Four-in-10 (42 percent) prefer to only meet with someone in person who has antibodies or a vaccine certificate. Consumers have generally become more anxious about meeting face-to-face since the start of the pandemic. The number of people who do not meet any of their dating matches offline has more than doubled (from 16 percent to 35 percent).

The events of the global pandemic have significantly changed many of our daily activities, and dating is no exception. During enforced selfisolation periods, people spend more time on dating apps and the number of users is growing.

Demands to see a potential date’s vaccination status is an obvious impact of the pandemic, however, meeting an online date in person appears to generate more concerns than just

worrying about getting sick. Overall, 50 percent of users feel nervous or unsafe (18 percent) when they meet a date in person for the first time.

In order to alleviate some of these worries, the majority (72 percent) of those who use online dating sites and apps want to first talk by phone or video with a date before they agree to meet.

With all the stay-at-home policies and restrictions around the world, online dating seems to play a major role in people’s lives today. Still, the transition from “online” to “offline” is a leap of faith for many: there isn’t only the health-care situation to consider, but also more evergreen risks of meeting with a stranger.

In order to continue enjoying online and offline dates in confidence, it’s important to be mindful of the data “you share with your potential date so that if you change your mind about meeting someone, you are always in control of the situation, know how much information you’ve shared about yourself, and how it can

be used,” comments David Jacoby, security researcher at Kaspersky.

“After all, it is the most human need to meet in person after months of isolation. Humans are social creatures, we need companionship, exchange and closeness, even physical closeness. Sure, dating apps have made it possible to connect with new people during the pandemic.

Virtually. A physical encounter is something else entirely. It’s about body language, smell, and touch.

Only when these components come together can we really decide how we feel about that person. The pandemic has shaken us. Many things we took for granted pre-pandemic have imploded, the insecurities, especially on the level of physical contact are enormous. That’s why it’s a normal reaction for dating app users to play it safe “by insisting on meeting only those who take their need for security and safety seriously. Because feeling like you’re being taken seriously is an essential aspect of building a successful partnership,” comments

therapist Birgitt Hölzel from the Munich practice Liebling + Schatz.

Kristy Stahlberg, Head of Corporate Communications at Fun Factory, says, “A safe tip until you want to meet someone who is fully vaccinated or has proven antibodies…Ideally, make sure you’re not recognizable in the pictures, and never let yourself be pushed into something that makes you uncomfortable. On the other hand, don’t go too far. Your counterpart might find overly provocative poses offensive. In short, you might have missed the point. Instead, play with indirect image details that promise more than they show.”

Here are a few simple tips Kaspersky recommends, to help you keep your personal data private while dating online: Share photos that don’t give away information such as your address or employer, for example. Instead use photos from trips or landmarks, with no personal data or other people shown.

Use the built-in messenger function of dating platforms instead of sharing your phone number or other messaging apps. If you decide to move to another messenger, don’t forget to set it up to keep your data private and secure.

Use an effective security solution that offers advanced protection across multiple devices. Kaspersky Security Cloud can help manage your apps and remove permissions where this is not necessary.

To make offline dating safe and enjoyable, you can follow simple tips, recommended by therapist Stefan Ruzas from the Munich practice Liebling + Schatz: Always meet in public the first few times, whether it’s at a restaurant, going for a walk or to the movies.

Give someone you trust all the details of your meeting when, where, and who Do not meet near to where you live. This way you cannot be followed.

change that by finding leaders who will not betray our nation nor surrender our sovereignty and sovereign rights in the WPS, who will fight for what is ours, and who will continue the gains we won in 2016,” it said.

Blinken called on China to honor its commitment under international law, adhere to the UN ruling and stop harassing its smaller neighbors in pursuit of its claims which had been firmly rejected as it had “no basis in international law.”

“We call on the PRC [People’s Republic of China] to abide by its obligations under international law, cease its provocative behavior, and take steps to reassure the international community that it is committed to the rules-based maritime order that respects the rights of all countries, big and small,” he said.

“The Tribunal stated that the PRC has no lawful claim to the area

determined by the Arbitral Tribunal to be part of the Philippines’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. The PRC and the Philippines, pursuant to their treaty obligations under the Law of the Sea Convention, are legally bound to comply with this decision,” he added.

The US official said that the rules-based maritime order is greatly threatened in the South China Sea by way of China, which it noted “continues to coerce and intimidate Southeast Asian coastal states, threatening freedom of navigation in this critical global throughway.”

At Camp Aguinaldo, a military official said that while the Armed Forces of the Philippines has no “official” statement on the marking of the ruling’s anniversary, its “personnel, units and other resources” are… “safeguarding our interests not only in the WPS but also in other areas.”

News

BusinessMirror

A4 Tuesday, July 13, 2021 A6

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Villanueva warns vs troll farms peddling ‘deadly’ misinformation

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

S

ENATE probers are poised to mount an inquiry into alleged misuse of public funds bankrolling so-called troll farms “to sow misinformation” in time for the upcoming 2022 elections.

Joining calls for a Senate inquiry,

Senator Joel Villanueva acknowledged the need to verify “allegations of public funds financing troll farms purportedly established to sow misinformation in time for the coming elections in 2022.”

Villanueva, labor committee chairman, noted that “organized trolls are weapons of mass distraction,” warning that “the seeds of

falsehood they plant ripen into hate ready to be harvested by those who are harmed by the truth.”

Joining 11 other senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto in filing Senate Resolution 768, Villanueva confirmed the Senate probers are all set to “investigate reports that public funds were

used to finance troll farms propagating fake news.”

In a news statement, Villanueva reminded that “misinformation could lead to serious consequences, sometimes even fatal,” warning that “when trolls peddle anti-vaccine information, the repercussions are literally deadly.”

Calling on political groups to publicly denounce these troll farms and abandon plans, if there are any, to utilize them in the 2022

elections, the senator suggested that “all political groups should commit to a troll disarmament.”

Villanueva added: “Democracy can only flourish under the free and frank exchange of ideas, that may clash as they often should, but always must be anchored on facts.”

The Villanueva Resolution defined a social-media troll as “someone who creates conflict on sites like Twitter, Facebook and Reddit by posting messages that are particularly controversial or inflammatory with the sole intent of provoking an emotional response

from other users.”

It noted that “these messages from trolls distract and take focus away from the subject at hand, sending a rational discussion down a rabbit hole of obscenities, personal attacks, and jokes.”

Moreover, the resolution warned that “most trolls also post misleading statements or outright lies [on] the Internet to manipulate public perception of issues or persons.

Usually, trolls would set up fake social-media accounts in order to retain their anonymity and escape prosecution.”

Children’s toys parcel conceals ₧9 million worth of party drug

A CUSTOMS officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport conducts an inventory of some P9 million worth of the party drug Ecstasy following a “controlled delivery operation” at the Quezon PhilPost office. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

By Recto Mercene

@rectomercene

A

IRPORT Customs authorities arrested on Monday the claimants of more than 5,000 tablets of the party drug Ecstasy concealed in a foot spa machine with an estimated street value of P9 million.

The arrest was made during a joint controlled delivery operation at the Quezon City PhilPost office.

Records show that the parcel arrived on June 28, 2021 at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) from Neuss, Germany, and was declared as “children’s toys, sandals, bag, socks, pants, rain boots, and birthday stock.”

The parcel was consigned to a resident

of Quezon City.

The illegal drug was initially discovered during a non-intrusive x-ray scanning of the subject package.

According to Mark Almase, Customs sub-port collector, the parcel was subjected to physical examination conducted by an examiner.

The package was found to contain 5,637 tablets of Ecstasy classified as a dangerous drug under the RA 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The claimants are currently undergoing investigation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for violation of RA 9165, also known as the Dangerous Drug Act, and the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Pricier fuel on the pump for the 6th straight week

By Lenie Lectura

L

@llectura

OCAL fuel pump prices will rise again for the sixth consecutive week.

Gasoline products will go up by P1.15 per liter, diesel by P0.60 per liter and kerosene by P0.65 per liter.

The price adjustment takes effect at 6 a.m. of July 13. This was announced on Monday

by Seaoil, Total, Shell, Phoenix Petroleum and PTT Philippines.

Cleanfuel will also implement the same price adjustment at 4:01 p.m.

Other oil firms will follow suit.

The year-to-date price adjustments stand

at a total net increase of P13.5 per liter for gasoline, P10.60 per liter for diesel and P9 per liter for kerosene.

Oil firms adjust their pump prices weekly to reflect movements in the world oil market.

Prices of oil climbed to their highest since October 2018 on expectations that demand growth will exceed supply. Moreover, OPEC+ will be careful in returning more crude to the market from August.

The key factors OPEC+ will reportedly consider are the strong demand growth in the US, Europe, and China, bolstered by vaccine rollouts and reopening economies.

A7 Tuesday, July 13, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

Why you need 2 full doses of Covid jab

T

he Delta variant is spreading fast in many countries. France warns of a “fourth wave” due to the contagious variant, as it reported 4,256 new cases in 24 hours, up 60 percent in a week. Sydney had a 45 percent spike in daily cases due to the Delta variant, and Tokyo entered its fourth state of emergency. Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam toughened social-distancing rules as the fast-spreading Delta variant continues to make gains.

The G-20 finance ministers expressed alarm on Saturday that the Delta variant could derail a fragile recovery as they concluded a meeting that sought to start reshaping the post-pandemic economic order.

“New variants and an uneven pace of vaccination could undermine a brightening outlook for the world economy,” according to the G-20 communiqué.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the G-20 can set us on the road to recovery. But he warned that a global vaccination gap threatens us all.

“While Covid-19 circulates among unvaccinated people, it continues to mutate into variants that could be more transmissible, more deadly, or both. We are in a race between vaccines and variants; if the variants win, the pandemic could kill millions more people and delay a global recovery for years,” the UN chief said.

The Delta variant is currently sending Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and parts of Portugal into some form of lockdown. Even Israel, where more than half of the population is vaccinated, is reimposing a mask mandate in enclosed public places.

From Bloomberg: “Sydney’s lockdown is ‘highly unlikely’ to be lifted as scheduled next week as virus cases continue to rise, authorities said Sunday.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she expected cases to top 100 a day soon, as she again called on the community to respect lockdown rules. The total number of cases reported during the spread of the Delta variant is 566.”

In the US, Bloomberg reported on Sunday that Covid cases remain elevated, as the Delta variant was declared the nation’s dominant strain and is spreading largely in areas with low vaccination rates. Weekly cases were above 100,000 for the second consecutive week, the most since early June. Slightly more than 23,000 new cases were reported on Friday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg.

World leaders became more worried about the Delta variant after scientists agreed that it’s not only hyper-contagious but it also grows faster inside an infected person.

In an article published by npr.org, Michaeleen Doucleff said that after months of data collection, scientists agree that the Delta variant is the most contagious version of the coronavirus worldwide. It spreads about 225 percent faster than the original version of the virus.

A new study, published online Wednesday, said the Delta variant grows more rapidly inside people’s respiratory tracts and to much higher levels, according to researchers at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“On average, people infected with the Delta variant had about 1,000 times more copies of the virus in their respiratory tracts than those infected with the original strain of the coronavirus,” the study reported.

After someone catches the Delta variant, the person likely becomes infectious sooner. On average, it took about four days for the Delta variant to reach detectable levels inside a person, compared with six days for the original coronavirus variant.

The new study suggests that people who have contracted the Delta variant are likely spreading the virus earlier in the course of their infection.

Scientists and health experts said the Delta variant underscored the need for full vaccination. They said the variant is capable of infecting individuals only vaccinated with one dose, but not people with two full doses.

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he new sets of economic figures officially released by the government last week are very impressive, to say the least. They indicate the economy is not only on the mend—it is powering through the pandemic after months of varying degrees of lockdowns.

Of course, everybody knew the economy recovered in the second quarter of this year mainly because of the low base effect (the economy shrank 16.5 percent in Q2 of 2020).

But the 265-percent rise in the May volume of production index and the double-digit growth rates sustained by exports and imports in the same month could be signs of a quick economic recovery.

I may sound so optimistic after seeing a few sets of economic data, but the numbers are telling us that easing the lockdown rules to further reopen the economy is working. More Filipinos re-joined the labor force and contributed significantly to an improvement in the manufacturing index.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show the volume of production index jumped 265 percent in May, faster than the 155.6-percent increase registered in April. The VoPI, in contrast, sank 73.2 percent in May last year. The

value of production index for manufacturing, meanwhile, surged 249.5 percent in May from a year earlier, faster than the 145.5-percent increase in April.

The higher manufacturing index is reflected on how our trade sector performed. Exports and imports climbed at a double-digit rate for the third straight month in May due to the gradual opening of major global economies and the improving manufacturing sector.

Merchandise exports grew 29.8 percent in May to $5.89 billion from $4.54 billion a year ago, while imports jumped 47.7 percent to $8.64 billion from $5.86 billion. The May figures are a continuation of the bullish figures in April when exports climbed 74.1 percent and imports surged 152.8 percent.

I expected Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez to be elated at the trade numbers. He remains upbeat that the Philippines will be able to sustain the upward exports trajectory

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What’s happening in our neighbors is a reminder that we cannot lower our guard yet. Filipinos should remain vigilant and continue to observe the health protocols of wearing face mask, washing of hands, and social distancing until we reach herd immunity.

given the improving situation in our major trading partners. The US, China and Japan are opening up their borders and easing travel restrictions because of their aggressive and successful vaccine rollout programs. The Philippines, meanwhile, eased its lockdown rules and even allowed 100-percent operating capacity during the enhanced community quarantine and modified ECQ months of March and April this year.

More positive numbers are coming up that compliment our improving Covid-19 data. The inflation rate slowed down in June to 4.1 percent after hitting 4.5 percent in the previous three months. Timely state interventions to stabilize rice prices, and lately those of pork, have worked.

The government earlier eased rice importation and allowed meat imports to address supply constraints in the market.

The previous week’s statistics on the unemployment rate, as I discussed previously in this column, is equally significant. The unemployment rate eased to 7.7 percent in May from 8.7 percent in April, as

Cuba Libre and other ‘drinks’

Lourdes M. Fernandez

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror

MEMBER OF

Solid economic figures a precursor of strong recovery

‘T

his tropical refresher is a cocktail that typically contains cola, lime juice, rum, and a garnish of lime.” The most popular origin story of the Cuba Libre involves a Captain Russell at the American Bar in Havana. Captain Russell requested his usual: Bacardí Rum and Coca-Cola with a squeeze of lime. This order got the attention of others at the bar and earned its name with the captain’s toast, “Por Cuba Libre!”

The Cubans have another name for Rum Coke: “Cuba Mentira,” meaning “Cuba Lie” as Cuba is not free at least in the perception of the Cuban people. The Western press thinks otherwise.

The last few days have seen thousands of Cubans in Havana streets, raising their fists in protest of the government. There are several important dynamics about this, the least of which is that the last time

Cubans protested was in 1994 when hundreds—not thousands—battled the government.

Alexandre Krauss, senior advisor at EU Parliament, tweeted. “Thousands are mobilizing across #Cuba demanding the end of the communist dictatorship while screaming ‘We are not afraid…We are not afraid.’” The government has cut the Internet to stop the world from seeing the images, as well as to break

“Covid” may be the excuse for the trigger. But the cause is bad government, and there will be more to come. The chaos cycle continues. You might hate 2022.

communication between the several cities that are in protest.

The Western press has been blindsided by this event from Cuba. How could anyone protest “Castroism,” which has provided free health care and offers “free education from cradle to grave”?

Fortunately, there is Covid that can be blamed and used as an excuse for almost anything, from a politician’s infidelity to obesity (Fact: Covid didn’t make you eat chocolate cake all day). The Cuban protests are no exception as cases have been surging since mid-June and skyrocketed this July. Active cases and hospitalizations are up 500 percent in a month, and protestors are angry about the health care system having problems. But vaccination is at 15 percent, much better than many other countries.

the number of jobs increased by 1.45 million with the easing of the quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

The Philippines is registering these positive economic numbers because we have managed well the spread of Covid-19. Our Covid-19 cases are averaging 4,000 to 5,000 daily. The lower figures will give our authorities the confidence to fully reopen various economic sectors, including services and tourism, to bring back more jobs to our people.

Unfortunately, our neighbors in Asia are not doing well in managing the spread of Covid-19. Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand had daily cases of 38,124, 9,180 and 9,276, respectively. The Covid spike in these three Southeast Asian nations will ultimately slow down their economy.

The lockdowns that Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are applying now to contain the virus infections will restrict the economy and increase unemployment.

What’s happening in our neighbors is a reminder that we cannot lower our guard yet. Filipinos should remain vigilant and continue to observe the health protocols of wearing face mask, washing of hands, and social distancing until we reach herd immunity, or full vaccination to 50 million Filipinos.

We have grabbed the upper hand in the fight against Covid-19. We should preserve our gains and learn from our recent experience.

For comments, e-mail mbv.secretariat@gmail. com or visit www.mannyvillar.com.ph.

Cuba is experiencing both food shortages and high food inflation.

People are angry. But the Western press narrative is ridiculous. “People are helping spread awareness on the impact of Covid-19 in Cuba as cases hit an all-time high in the country,” says one US news outlet. Apparently, that is why protestors are waving US flags and shouting, “We are not afraid…we are not afraid.”

The New York Times writes: “Shouting ‘Freedom’ and other antigovernment slogans, hundreds of Cubans took to the streets in cities around the country on Sunday to protest food and medicine shortages.”

Dear New York Times, “Freedom” is only an “anti-government slogan” if you live under a Communist dictatorship. P.S. Only 28 percent of Americans trust the US press. You are a big part of the reason why.

However, Cuba is not alone with its protests. “Hundreds of Palestinians have gathered in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to demonstrate against President Mahmoud Abbas, hoping to inject new See “Mangun,” A8

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Opinion

Taking back control

The 50th State and the aborted 51st State of the US

BusinessMirror

Manny F. Dooc

Lyca Balita

TELLTALES

Onwards

H

elplessness has been so easy recently. It’s been hard to feel in control over our own lives, especially when there’s always someone or something to blame—the pandemic, government, bosses, and other external causes out of our control. Even goal-setting has become strange because of the uncertainty of when this pandemic will even end. Still, it helps to remember that despite all this, there is still one thing we can control: ourselves.

Conclusion

U

ndeniably, Filipinos learned the art of government from the Americans. The US taught us the concept of liberal democracy and offered the Filipinos practical experience in running the affairs of the colonial government. The freedom-loving Filipinos who revolted against the tyrannical rule of the previous regime welcomed the transformation and radical change. Thus, even rabid nationalists, particularly the Filipino elites, who fought the Spaniards, had chosen to serve the Americans.

I had an “e-numan” (online drinking over Zoom) night with my friends some time ago, and one of them, a med student, said something that I haven’t stopped thinking about: “You know, they say that the next pandemic is a mental health pandemic.” Honestly, this is not difficult to imagine. Staying stuck at home, knowing the pandemic is far from over, and hearing all the bad news happening all over the world—this is not exactly the formula for a happy and healthy mind. All this, while others we know are proudly violating health protocols to go out with friends, which is sometimes enviable and understandable (although not excusable) but more often frustrating and exhausting. It’s easy to feel like everything is out of control, so we wait for that day when everything will be okay again.

I was stuck in this mindset for almost a year, with this dull, overwhelming nothingness of routine and growing obligations, although on paper I’d been doing great. My procrastination was insane, and I attempted so many projects I couldn’t finish because of lack of motivation.

Then I recently found an old book I read half a decade ago, when I was in pre-law school with bright eyes and a heart full of big dreams. It was this very small book, Just Shut Up and Do It by Brian Tracy. It contained very simple principles that I’d long forgotten probably due to adulthood and the soul-draining power of social media and law school. Put simply, one of the most important lessons that I really needed to remember was this: I am responsible.

There truly are uncontrollable factors that stop us from doing some things we want. Some of them are safety protocols, fear of the virus, and unmet vaccination targets, to name a few, which prevent us from going outside like before. However, this shouldn’t be used to excuse responsibility over acts and habits within our control, such as something as simple as sleeping earlier, using social media less, and saying no to “one more game” or “one more video.” We have to remember that we are responsible, and we are in charge.

And it’s true: we are responsible for who we become. The factors around

In my experience, a lot of the haziness that the pandemic brings is the perceived lack of control it has caused. But we still have freedom, we have choices. When we realize that we are in charge of so many aspects of our lives, we take the reins and stop fruitlessly waiting for someone to rescue us.

Mangun. . .

Ultra vires VAT

Continued from A7

momentum into a protest movement sparked by the death of an outspoken critic in the custody of security forces.”

“Thousands of protesters gathered in Peru’s capital Lima Tuesday to express frustration with the delay in announcing results of the presidential election which took place a month ago.” “ColombiaDemonstrations since April 28, leaving more than 60 dead, are calling for police reform and more social justice in the face of the consequences of the pandemic which has caused an increase in the poverty rate among the 50 million inhabitants of the country, from 37 percent to 42 percent.”

“Covid” may be the excuse for the trigger. But the cause is bad government, and there will be more to come.

The chaos cycle continues. You might hate 2022.

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 may be uncontrollable and significant, but what we decide to do with these factors can make the difference. Once we stop blaming others and focus on what we can control (rather than on the uncontrollable), no matter how small, life becomes much easier to navigate.

In my experience, a lot of the haziness that the pandemic brings is the perceived lack of control it has caused. But we still have freedom, we have choices. When we realize that we are in charge of so many aspects of our lives, we take the reins and stop fruitlessly waiting for someone to rescue us. In Tracy’s words, “You are responsible. No one is coming to the rescue. It is all up to you.” This is a pretty effective wake up call. We feel frustrated because maybe the government isn’t performing effectively, the virus keeps mutating, and our protests have not been heard. Therefore, it is all up to us to take charge and take action to change what we can change. Simply putting the blame on circumstances and people has not worked, so maybe the best solution is to take responsibility and to take charge over what we can.

Of course, this isn’t a magical principle that automatically fixes mental health or systemic problems, or removes factors such as stress, anxiety, and dysphoria. Still, it may help in making every day easier, and in creating actual positive change in our own lives. When we realize that blaming others just ends there— just naming someone or something else as a cause, with no change to accompany it—taking charge makes more sense. It’s time we decide to accept full responsibility and take control of our lives, and actually start living.

For feedback, send an e-mail to lyca.balita@ gmail.com.

The pacification drive of the Americans had borne fruit. Filipino leaders willingly collaborated with the Americans. As General Emilio Aguinaldo and his forces retreated to the hinterlands, the Americans established civil government in the areas they captured. The illustrados, represented by Trinidad Pardo de Tavera, Cayetano Arellano, Benito Legarda, Gregorio Araneta, etc.,… were easily co-opted by the Americans during the American occupation. The elite did not trust the masses that they regarded as inferior to them. They were afraid to lose their wealth and privileges since the peasants were demanding the redistribution of economic wealth. These illustrados founded the Partido Federal in 1900, the first political party in the Philippines, to promote political collaboration with the colonizers. It eventually advocated statehood. Later, the Nacionalista Party and the Partido Democrata were founded to pursue Philippine independence. They were led by Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Juan Sumulong, Claro M. Recto, and other stalwarts.

Americans advocated annexation of the Philippines for various reasons—for US strategic

then served as the Upper House and Cabinet, and the Council of State.

He appointed more Filipinos in government so that by the time he completed his term in 1921, only 6 percent in the Civil Service were Americans. The Jones Law of 1916 was passed under a Democratic administration and it promised independence once a stable government was established. It created the Senate to replace the Philippine Commission. The date when independence would be granted was, however, not specified. World War I broke out and both sides were distracted by the global conflagration. After WWII, sustained and determined efforts were exerted to pressure the US to fulfill its promise to give us independence. Independence missions were sent to the US to convince the US government that a stable government mostly run by Filipinos had already been set up and that the US should fulfill its promise.

There was a clash of cultures—a collision of democratic values and the traditional practices indigenous to Filipinos such as “utang-na-loob, pakikisama, kamag-anakan, atbp.”

After the term of Harrison, the Republican successors like Governor General Leonard Wood accused the Filipinos in government of incompetence, corruption, laziness and other derogatory conduct.

Wood stressed that the natives were unfit for self-government and he remained unsympathetic to the grant of immediate autonomy to the Philippines. This was countered

by Quezon, who declared: “I prefer a government run like hell by the Filipinos to a government run like heaven by the Americans.” The Filipino leaders accused Wood of too much interference on the insular affairs of the country. On the other hand, Wood considered the leaders advocating independence as selfcentered politicians who wanted to capture the imaginations of the voters. Wood was replaced by Henry

L. Stimson, who immediately established cordial relationships with the Filipino leaders. Stimson was credited for ending the “acrimonious deadlock” between the American authorities and the Filipino leaders. This was the prevailing atmosphere in the country that paved the way for the enactment of the Philippine Independence Act, the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934. The setting up of the Commonwealth government was the culmination of our struggles to obtain a definitive promise of independence from the US. The US was the first country in the world to voluntarily give up its sovereignty over its colony. It taught other imperialist countries that democratic self-rule is best imparted through education, training and involvement in public governance and active participation in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. It was a successful colonial experiment, which could serve as a template on how to prepare a dependent state for self-government. However, from what is happening now, I wish Quezon had been more careful with what he wished for.

Our Founding Fathers had opted to pursue independence when they could enjoy a better and more comfortable life under a prosperous and powerful nation, like what Hawaii did. But our paladins of freedom were determined and uncompromising in seeking immediate, complete and absolute independence. There is no greater glory for any self-respecting state than to achieve freedom, and protect and preserve it. Next year, our resolve to stay free and independent from any demagogue or tyrant will again be put to a crucial test. Let’s repudiate them by electing our next president who will truly represent the ideals and principles that our forefathers have valiantly fought and stood for. That’s the only way we can demonstrate that we deserve the hard-earned independence that our heroes have won for us.

China’s slowing V-shaped economic recovery sends global warning

C

hina’s V-shaped economic rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic is slowing, sending a warning to the rest of world about how durable their own recoveries will prove to be.

The changing outlook was underscored Friday when the People’s Bank of China cut the amount of cash most banks must hold in reserve in order to boost lending. While the PBOC said the move isn’t a renewed stimulus push, the breadth of the 50 basis-point cut to most banks reserve ratio requirement came as a surprise.

Data on Thursday is expected to show growth eased in the second quarter to 8% from the record gain of

Atty. Irwin C. Nidea Jr.

Tax law for business

P

EZA has temporarily conceded to the directive of the Bureau of Internal Revenue that purchases by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) entities outside the customs territory is subject to value-added tax (VAT) at 12 percent. It is for good measure since as we know, issuances by the BIR are valid until the court says otherwise. This includes Revenue Regulation (RR) 9-2021.

This RR was promulgated to implement the imposition of 12 percent VAT on certain transactions previously taxed at zero rate under the Tax Code, after satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law. As a recap, the following conditions were allegedly satisfied: (1) the successful establishment and implementation of an enhanced VAT refund system, and (2) all pending VAT refund claims

defense, raw materials and new markets. Those with imperialist designs argued that if America does not occupy our country, other states with territorial ambitions like Japan, Germany and France, shall take over. Others thought that Filipinos were incapable of self-government and the US’s noble goal of spreading democracy and promoting free trade would suffer a severe setback. Under the Republican administration, expansionism and acquisition of overseas colonies by the US was pursued. The occupation of both Hawaii and the Philippines took place in 1898 during the term of Republican President William McKinley, who succeeded Democratic President Grover Cleveland. After a succession of Republican presidents, McKinley, Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, a Democratic president occupied the White House, President Woodrow Wilson. He sent the first Democratic Governor General to the Philippines, Francis Burton Harrison, considered as the most liberal American governor general.

Harrison promoted greater Filipino participation in government. He appointed a Filipino majority in the Philippine Commission, which

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 A8

as of December 31, 2017 were fully paid in cash by December 31, 2019.

It is important to note that based on the wordings of RR 9-2021, what it implements is the TRAIN Law. There is no question that the TRAIN Law has imposed the above conditions before VAT zero-rating is scrapped on certain transactions. But the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act Law was enacted after the TRAIN Law and the former has provisions that are contrary to

18.3% in the first quarter, according to a Bloomberg poll of economists.

Key readings of retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment are all set to moderate too.

The PBOC’s swift move to lower banks’ RRR is one way of making sure the recovery plateaus from here, rather than stumbles.

The economy was always expected to descend from the heights hit during its initial rebound and as last year’s low base effect washes out.

But economists say the softening has come sooner than expected, and could now ripple across the world.

“There is no doubt that the impact of a slowing China on the

global economy will be bigger than it was five years ago,” said Rob Subbaraman, head of global markets research at Nomura Holdings Inc. “China’s ‘first-in, first-out’ status from Covid-19 could also influence market expectations that if China’s economy is cooling now, others will soon follow.”

Group of 20 finance ministers meeting in Venice on Saturday signaled alarm over threats that could derail a fragile global recovery, saying new variants of the coronavirus and an uneven pace of vaccination could undermine a brightening outlook for the world economy. China’s state media also cited several analysts

Monday saying domestic growth will slow in the second half because of an uncertain global recovery.

China’s slowing recovery also reinforces the view that factory inflation has likely peaked and commodity prices could moderate further.

“China’s growth slowdown should mean near-term disinflation pressures globally, particularly on demand for industrial metals and capital goods,” said Wei Yao, chief economist for the Asia Pacific at Societe Generale SA. The changing outlook reflects the advanced stage of China’s recovery as growth stabilizes, according to Bloomberg Economics. Bloomberg News

RR 9-2021. In CREATE, it stated that sale to PEZA entities that are directly and exclusively used for its registered activities are considered zero-rated.

Does this mean that sale to PEZA entities is still zero-rated, subject only to the condition that they are directly and exclusively used for its registered activities? Is this an implied repeal of the conditions set under the TRAIN Law, which RR 9-2021 now seeks to implement?

CREATE has affirmed the VAT exemption on importation and VAT zero-rating on local purchases. Again, the only limitation is that it shall only apply to goods and services directly and exclusively used in the registered project or activity by a Registered Business Enterprise (RBE). There is no reconciling provision that I know of between TRAIN and CREATE on this aspect. Thus, it may be argued that even if the conditions laid down in TRAIN Law were actually met, CREATE has made it irrelevant. The new law now categorically brings back the VAT zero-rating incentive with a new condition, i.e., the purchase must be directly and exclusively used for the

registered activity.

Interestingly though, the implementing rules and regulations of CREATE added a provision acknowledging RR 9-2021 and the VAT burden it carries. Is this an ultra vires act by the offices that crafted the IRR? The additional provisions in the implementing rules of CREATE may be considered as unauthorized administrative legislation. It may be considered as alteration of the application of VAT zero-rating, and restriction of incentives not contemplated by the legislature.

In the larger scheme of things, the policy direction may really be the imposition of VAT on certain export sales. But the conflicting provisions of TRAIN and CREATE will most probably derail this. As stated earlier, CREATE has even affirmed zero-rating of export sales subject to the only condition that the sale must be directly and exclusively used for its registered activity.

Also, what happens now to the cross-border doctrine? PEZA entities under this doctrine are considered as separate from the customs territory.

It is considered as “another country.”

So, any sale by an entity inside the customs territory to a PEZA entity is considered zero-rated. This was affirmed by the Court of Tax Appeals and even the Supreme Court in many cases. This principle also applies when a company that is located in Singapore or any other country, sells to a PEZA entity. No VAT will be paid.

Amid the confusion and reservations by the PEZA locators, the BIR must step in and clarify all the confusions with finality. I hope the new regulations or further clarifications will be consistent with the letters of the law and fair to all stakeholders.

The author is a senior partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices, a member-firm of WTS Global.

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at irwin.c.nideajr@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 330.

News BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

A9

TPB’s subsidized swab project shows Pinoys Popcom lists Philippine regions with notable hike in population heading for Boracay for their pandemic break

By Cai U. Ordinario

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

C

LOSE to 41,000 domestic tourists have been approved for Covid-19 tests subsidized by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Topping the list of destinations where the tourists went was Boracay Island, where almost 84 percent or 34,293 individuals were approved for the RT-PCR test subsidy. This was followed by 2,355 who went to Bohol; 2,105 to Palawan (Coron, Busuanga, El Nido, Puerto Princesa); and 793 to Siargao.

Other destinations on the list were Baguio, Cebu, Ilocos Norte/Sur, Zambales, Bataan, and Batangas.

In a Viber message to the BusinessMirror, TPB Chief Operating Officer Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones said, “The TPB considers its RT-PCR subsidy program as a key step in supporting the restart of domestic tourism.”

She added, “The consistent number of tourists wanting to avail of the subsidy affirms its value in helping rationalize the cost of travel. Equally important is the fact that this measure helps ensure that our primordial concern for safe travels is concretized.”

Safe destination

Boracay was just awarded the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp, acknowledging it as a safe destination to visit amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The WTTC Safe Travels Stamp was awarded by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat to Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores and Malay Mayor Fromilo Bautista on July 7, as the island started vaccinating A4 tourism workers.

“As early as now, we need to prepare our facilities and destinations to be visitor-ready, with health and safety as key concerns. The WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, on top of our accreditation, will hope to restore travelers’ confidence in the Philippines as a ‘safe and fun’ destination,” Romulo Puyat said in a news statement.

The stamp was also given to 11 Department of Tourism-accredited accommodation establishments, namely Le Soleil de Boracay, Discovery Shores Boracay, Shangri-la Boracay, Hue Boracay, Wald's Place, Amable Suites, Lime Hotel, The Lind Boracay, Movenpick Resort and Spa Boracay, Villa Caemilla Beach Boutique Hotel, and Belmont Hotel Boracay.

How to apply for test subsidy

Meanwhile, under the TPB project,

the cost of RT-PCR nasal swab tests were 50-percent subsidized and were carried out at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in Manila, and Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City from Dec. 18, 2020 to July 7, 2021. Of the total Covid-tests subsidized, 17,320 were administered at UP-PGH, and 23,637 at the PCMC. However, the TPB and UP-PGH have already stopped accepting applications for subsidized swabs since July 8, said Velasco-Allones, “as the number of approved applications has already reached the allocated slots for the subsidy.”

Last month, the DOT and TPB renewed its partnership with the PCMC for the second phase of the subsidized RT-PCR tests project. From July to December 2021, she said, 13,333 qualified domestic tourists will be able to tap the subsidy window.

To avail themselves of the subsidy, travelers must first register online to pre-schedule their RT-PCR test at http://www.tpb.gov.ph/rtpcrphtravel/ and submit a valid government-issued identification card, proof of hotel booking in a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment, and proof of mode of travel such as airline or bus ticket. PCMC will accept RT-PCR test applications on a first-come, firstserved basis.

A

@caiordinario

growing population reflects unmet family planning needs and could lead to an increase in poverty, according to the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom).

Popcom noted that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Central Luzon and Calabarzon continued to see “significant” increases in their population.

The population of BARMM reached 4.4 million between 2015 to 2020, and had the fastest annual population growth rate (PGR) of 3.16 percent.

Calabarzon gained the most population, with an additional 1.78 million persons from 2015.

“BARMM is already the poorest region in the country with a 53 percent poverty rate in 2018.

The increasing numbers do not bode well for the region,” Undersecretary for Population and Development Juan Antonio Perez III told the BusinessMirror on Monday. “Fertility is still the greatest contributor to (population) growth in Calabarzon because of so many women with unmet need for FP (Family Planning).”

Popcom said the growth in the BARMM population translated to about 31 persons added per year for every 1,000 persons in the said area’s population.

Perez said the increase in the population is not good news, especially since BARMM only contributes 1.4 percent to GDP but accounts for as much as 4.2 percent of the Philippine population.

Calabarzon had the highest population in 2020 with 16.195 million people. Perez said apart from high fertility rates, the population in the region increased due to its proximity to Metro Manila.

“Calabarzon has in the last three censuses contributed the largest numbers to population growth in the country, primarily due to large unmet need for family planning -- 20 percent of married women -- which leads to high fertility -- 2.6 children per woman, just a tad below

the national average. Of secondary importance is internal migration as people tend to migrate to Calbarzon because of low poverty,” Perez explained.

Popcom recently urged the national government to implement far-reaching and holistic approaches to further strengthen population and development programs on the ground.

While the growth in the population remains primarily driven by fertility or number of live births, albeit decreasing, Perez said the return migration of overseas Filipino workers to the country may also have contributed to the movement in the Philippines’ population count.

It added that the country’s PGR of 1.63 percent between 2015 and 2020 was lower compared with that of 2010 and 2015, which was 1.72 percent.

The PSA report revealed the majority of the Philippine population resides in Luzon at 57 percent, followed by Mindanao at 24 percent, and the Visayas, 19 percent.

“The steadily growing population implies the need for more resources and opportunities for development to ensure the wellbeing of all Filipinos. While it denotes increasing human resources that can contribute to socio-economic development of the country, it also calls for actions from governments at all levels to intensify their initiatives to ensure that all Filipinos are healthy, educated, resilient and able to contribute to national development,” Perez explained in a statement on Monday.

Earlier, Popcom said that despite the increase in the country’s population, the Philippines can still achieve a replacement rate by 2025.

Perez said, monitoring the 2021 birth rate will be crucial in achieving replacement rate by 2025. Bringing down the total fertility rate is necessary for reaping the demographic dividend.

Ideally, Perez said, there should only be 1.5 million to 1.6 million births by the end of 2021. This is the best-case scenario for the Philippines.

Perez said the worst case would be for the country to register 1.8 million to 1.9 million births at the end of 2021.

DOH says unstable vaccine supply won’t hinder herd immunity goal by November AFoCO spins off sustainable forest

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

N

otwithstanding the uns t a b l e s u p p l y o f C o v i d -19 vaccines, the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday expressed optimism that the target of herd immunity by November 2021 would still be achieved.

“If it’s [the delay in the vaccine supply] going to be affecting our herd immunity goals? Sa tingin ko hindi...kasi ang delay natin is just one or two weeks.

Dadating na ulit ngayong linggo ang mga Sinovac vaccines at iba pang mga bakuna [For me, no...because the delay that we are experiencing is just a matter of one or two weeks. This week, Sinovac vaccines will arrive and also other vaccine brands],” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire responded to the question of the BusinessMirror during an online media forum.

Vergeire said that the country is expecting 11.5 million vaccine doses for this month according to National Task Force Chief Implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. “A n d I t h i n k , t h a t i s a l r e a d y e nou g h [v a c c i ne] s up pl y t h at w e need for this month,” Vergeire said.

Vaccine rollout update

As of July 11, 2021, a total of 13,196,282 doses have already been administered.

Of these, 9,669,940 have received their first doses, while 3,526,342 have already completed the required 2 doses.

The total doses administered in the 19th week of our national vaccination reached 1,488,253 doses “To win our race against Covid-19 variants, we encourage senior citizens to get vaccinated and take their second dose as scheduled. Regardless of vaccination status, everyone is urged to continue practicing the minimum public health standards as you may still get infected with Covid-19 and infect other people,” the DOH said.

Steady supply of vaccines

Meanwhile, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO Senator Richard J. Gordon has reiterated the request to have a steady supply of vaccines to Galvez.

The request comes after PRC has administered 7,000 vaccines in Mandaluyong alone. PRC already has 23 additional vaccination centers nationwide with 1,110 staff and volunteers trained as vaccinators.

“We target to have 12 vax centers in Metro Manila and 103 in the provincial chapters,” said Gordon adding, “Right now we have five mobile buses in Metro

Manila and Metro Cebu, and that is why we are requesting the government to have a steady supply of vaccines. We need to vaccinate more people and faster,” Gordon stressed.

The PRC said that the need for vaccines echoes the fear of the population of the new and more virulent variants, especially the delta variant.

It noted that since July 6 of this year, there have been 19 cases of this virus type in the country.

San Juan City ‘milestone’

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora is targeting to achieve herd immunity by end of August this year after the city reached a “milestone” of vaccinating 100 percent of their target population with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccines.

Zamora said that they were able to vaccinate 96,610 individuals or 104.15 percent of its target population as of July 12, 2021 based on the population projection of the Asian Development Bank and prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH).

The city started its vaccination program last March 6, 2021, exactly a year after the first Covid-19 local transmission was reported in San Juan City.

“Nag-usap-usap kami sabi ko sa ating Muslim brothers and sisters, to Ortigas Mall, [that] we have to close down the mall. Dito na po nagsimula na ang kalbaryo ng bawat Pilipino [I talked to our Muslim brothers and sisters at the Ortigas Mall that we have to close down the mall. This is where our agony started],” said Zamora, who was emotional, recalling the time when he was informed by the DOH of the first local transmission of Covid-19 in the Philippines that happened at Greenhills Shopping Center, the same mall where the ceremony was held on Monday.

Zamora was joined by San Juan City Rep. Ronny Zamora, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, National Action Plan against Cov id-19 Deput y Chief Vince Dizon, Vice President of Or tigas Ma l ls A rch. Renee Bacani, Vice Mayor Warren Villa, members of the City Council, several City Hall department heads, and San Juan City barangay chairpersons in announcing the breakthrough.

Duque lauded Zamora and the entire vaccination team for the feat.

Meanwhile, Dizon posed a challenge to Zamora, “29,313 or 30 percent ang fully vaccinated sa San Juan, ang aming hihilingin ni Sec. Duque ay sa loob ng buwan ng Agosto ay 100 percent

na ang fully vaccinated [29,313 or 30 percent are already fully vaccinated in San Juan, what we are asking, together with Sec. Duque, is that by August, 100 percent of the people of San Juan will already be fully vaccinated].”

Zamora gladly accepted the challenge and also offered the city’s vaccination site and team to help out other Metro Manila cities once it is done vaccinating its qualified residents.

To further increase its vaccination capacity from 3,000 to 4,000 jabs per day to 5,000 jabs, another vaccination site at VMall Greenhills was also officially opened on Monday, July 12.

Mayor Zamora is confident that this will pave the way for the city to achieve 100 percent of its second dose of vaccine for residents and eventually help other cities in their vaccination program.

After the announcement, the city was awarded the “100% Vaccinated Seal ” which was installed to the stalls with staff who are all fully vaccinated.

Taguig resets Sinovac administration

While San Juan may have reached a milestone, Taguig city has deferred the administration of the second doses of Sinovac on July 12 and 13 “until further notice.”

“We will resume as soon as supply becomes available. The Department of Health assured that the interval of Covid-19 vaccines is acceptable 3 to 6 months after administration of the first dose. Per National Task Force Against Covid-19 Advisory No. 62, Sinovac vaccines are expected to arrive not later than 2 weeks. We will prioritize and expedite its administration as soon as it arrives,” the Vaccination Task Force Advisory read.

In the next few days, Taguig will focus on the administration of Astra Zeneca first doses.

“We continue to work on our goal to administer 55,000 jabs this week, to achieve our target to inoculate 70 percent of our eligible population by the end of November. We are on track,” the advisory added.

To date 40.76 percent (277,191 individuals) of our eligible population have received their first dose and 18.15 percent or 123,390 Taguigueños are now fully vaccinated.

“We remind everyone to stay vigilant and observe health protocols. May we continue the spirit of trust and cooperation be tween the government, the private sector, and citizens of the City of Taguig,” the advisory said.

management projects in 2 provinces

A

wood processing project is seen to create jobs and new export-oriented industries producing furniture and veneer that will tap unused wood from a 2,115 hectare community forest in Agusan del Sur and 1,932 hectares in Negros Oriental.

The pilot “vertical integration” project is envisioned to be replicated in logging areas all over the country once proven successful under a project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

It is funded for $1.118 million by the South Korea-based Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO).

Participating farmer groups are the Nalundan United Farmers’ Association (NUFAI) in Barangays Nalundan, Bindoy, Negros Oriental and Mindanao Timberland Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (MATILFAMCO) in Barangay Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the project with AFoCO will be the start of a sustainable forest management project in the two provinces.

Cimatu stressed that the wood processing plants to be put up will tap raw materials from CBFM areas (community-based forest management). It will raise the income and livelihood levels of POs (people’s organizations) in the grassroots.

“The Philippines needs five million cubic meters of wood or lumber per year. Only one million is from the Philippines. The rest is imported.

Those that come from the Philippines are from private forests, not CBFM,” Cimatu said during a project launch At present, NUFAI and MATILFAMCO only earn from round timber (lumber of Acacia mangium and of Falcata) since they do not yet have wood processing plants.

Lumber of Acasia mangium only sells at P7 per board feet or P84 per 12-foot length, according to Richard Fabre, city environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) in Bindoy, Negros Oriental.

Given the presence of a factory, NUFAI expects its farmers to become traders themselves of their own value-added products.

“With the wood processing plant from the AFOCO project, we will be able to produce furniture. PO members will go through training under TESDA (Technical Education and Skills development Authority) and DTI (Department of trade and Industry),” said Fabre.

Despite their small earnings from logs, it is just good that through DENR’s initiative NUFAI (with 160 beneficiaries) was supported by the Department of Agriculture with another livelihood source, a 200-head cattle inventory.

“This is the reason why NUFAI was chosen in the AFOCO project—because they have been successful in using the CBFM area government gave them,” said Fabre.

MATILFAMCO has a CBFM contract over a total of 2,115 hectares in Agusan del Sur and NUFAI, 1,932 hectares in Negros Oriental.

NUFAI presently has a harvestable Acacia mangium area of 300 hectares. But only 75 hectares has a cutting permit.

In Agusan del Sur, MATILFAMCO farmers look forward to producing finished product veneer wood from Falcata trees, according to Forester Leonito Ramos of DENR-Caraga.

Veneer is an engineered wood where thinly sliced wood is bonded with a substrate to produce higher-end solid wood used in interiors or as construction material. Raw materials for veneer wood will come from Falcata trees currently planted on 680 hectares in Brgy Mabuhay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. “The farmers will enjoy a 60 percent increase in their net income once the wood processing plant is constructed,” said Ramos. “Right now 40 percent of their income from selling logs goes to traders.”

At present, MATILFAMCO sells their raw logs (26 centimeter diameter), called “export,” at P150,000-P180,000 per 30 to 35 cubic metertruck. The Falcata logs called “pulp” (24 centimeter diameter and below) sell at P80,000 to P100,000 per 30 to 35 cubic meter truck.

The MATILFAMCO farmers also earn from growing rubber, corn, and saba or lakatan banana.

However, with the wood processing plant, the farmers will be able to enjoy additional income from tapping a separate 100-hectare Falcata plantation. This new area was planted with an assistance from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

“They wanted to harvest this 100-hectare Falcata area as early as in 2019. But we told them to wait for the wood processing plant of the AFOCO project so they will earn higher,” said Ramos.

With the wood factory, MATILFAMCO farmers (with 84 beneficiaries) will be able to also produce packaging boxes for bananas and other fruit-vegetable products from the scrap.

Cimatu expressed satisfaction that after a two-year delay due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the project will now start. It will be implemented over five years until 2026, More especially, it is with partnership with AFoCO which is based in South Korea, a leader in reforestation. It was noted that Korea once had very low forest cover due to a civil war. But it bounced back as one of the countries in Asia with the highest forest cover due to its aggressive reforestation that Philippines can emulate.

In the implementation of the AFoCO project, there will also be collaboration with other national government agencies like the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) and Local Government Units (LGUs).

The POs will undergo capacity building on product’s value-addition. They be provided with access to machineries and equipment for the wood processing plant. They will be assisted in establishing links with potential wood product buyers/traders in the domestic market.

In relation to the DENR’s intention to strengthen forest management, Cimatu said that the DENR will also push for the legislation of a forest law enforcement arm. DENR will create at least a 2,000-strong forest guard workforce. Similar to Korea where illegal loggers are automatically driven away by the presence of forest guards in uniform, Philippines will employ this practice.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION QUALIFICATION AND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION SALARY RANGE 24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 11/f Capella Bldg. L-3&4 B2, Asean Drive Filinvest Alabang Muntinlupa City Basic Qualification: HAN, TIANYU Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 1. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HE, PENGHAO Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in mandarin 2.

Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HE, RONGFANG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 3.

Mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer satisfaction Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HUANG, YONGFENG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 4. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, JUNYUAN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 5. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NING, SUAN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in mandarin 6.

Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: PIAO, GUANGBIN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in mandarin 7.

Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: PU, HUAQIN Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 8.

Mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer satisfaction Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: WANG, LEI Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 9. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHOU, WEILIANG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 10. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LY DIN LAN Proficient in speaking, Vietnamese Customer Service Representative reading and writing in 11. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responding promptly to the inquiries to ensure Salary Range: customer representative Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 No.

No.

17.

18.

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3D ANALYZER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES INC. 7-8/f Double Dragon Plaza 255 Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City BUI DINH CONG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

12.

13.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

BUI DUC ANH Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management CHEN, HAO Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

14.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

CHENG, SILONG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

15.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

DANG THI THAO NHI Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

16.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management

Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

24.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HU, YONGSAN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

LE VAN THI Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

LI, LIANGSHAN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

LIN, YUANFEI Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

LIU, CHAO Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

LU, YIFU Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

LU, YANXIA Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

25.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

LAN, PING Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

19.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management

MAC THE HIEN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

26.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

PHAM HAI YEN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

27.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

HUI, HENG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 A10

No.

PHAM HUY HOANG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

28.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

29.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

30.

31.

32.

Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

TRINH NGOC THACH Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

33.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management TRUONG MAI KHAN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

34.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

WANG, WEIWEI Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

35.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management WEI, JINGSHA Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

36.

Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

TENG, JIN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

TRAN NGOC MINH Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

TAN, YALING Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

PHAN THE UT VUONG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management XU, WEIDONG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

37.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management XU, YUSHUANG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

38.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A11 Tuesday, July 13, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YANG, JUAN Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

39.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information maintains customer records by updating account information in mandarin format , resolves product or services problems , maintains financial account, recommend and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management YANG, BO Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

40.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

YU, FUQIANG Customer Service Representative - Mandarin Speaking

41.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions, opens customer accounts by recording account information, maintain customer records by updating account information in Mandarin format, resolves product or service problems, maintains financial account, recommends and prepares products and performs other related duties as assigned by management.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education preferably with 6 months to one year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of china Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China

Basic Qualification: Having finished at least a secondary education, preferably with 6months to 1 year customer or sales experience fluent in spoken and written Mandarin and other dialects spoken in other parts of China Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

42.

Brief Job Description: Answer customer inquiries via phone, email, and in person.

LI, BIN Chinese Customer Officer

43.

Brief Job Description: Answer customer inquiries via phone, email, and in person.

MU, ZIZHONG Chinese Customer Officer

44.

Brief Job Description: Answer customer inquiries via phone, email, and in person.

SHU, HAOHAO Chinese Customer Officer

45.

Brief Job Description: Answer customer inquiries via phone, email, and in person.

WANG, XIAOFANG Chinese Customer Officer

46.

Brief Job Description: Answer customer inquiries via phone, email and in person.

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1 Pitx Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City LI, YAHUI Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 47.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

LIU, JIANHUA Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

48.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

NANG MYA WIN Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

49.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

PAN, SHIFANG Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

50.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all Marketing activity and result.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KANG, MIHEE International Business Development Associate (Korean)

56.

Brief Job Description: Develop and maintain relationships with local and foreign customers/patrons by equal application of professionalism and personality KIM, GUNOH International Business Development Manager

57.

Brief Job Description: Search new and existing accounts in the international market to expand business profitability specifically for international player development - Korea team UMSTAD, CRAIG JOHN Vice President For Table Games

58.

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

66 A-IDEA CONSULTING INC. Rm. 404 Caeg Building Dela Rosa St. Pio Del Pilar Makati City LI, DONG Chinese Customer Officer

No.

Brief Job Description: Develop and implement the overall strategy for table games in line with the company objectives to increase market share and optimize gaming revenues LEE, YOUJEONG Vip Executive Host Marketing International - Korea

59.

Brief Job Description: Maximize the marketing international - korea departments individual turnovers and buy-ins developing customers/patrons playing activity LAU KAR WAI Vip Host International

60.

Brief Job Description: Provide high quality services to our VIP/VVIP customers/patrons

C'EST LA VIE EVENT MANAGEMENT INC. 230 Narra Street Marikina Heights Marikina City Basic Qualification: Proficient in Mandarin speaking.

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

HUANG, JIEKUI Field Sales Consultant 61.

Brief Job Description: The one responsible to "Get the sale" using various customer sales methods.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Mandarin speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Mandarin speaking.

LIN, MING Field Sales Consultant 62.

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

Brief Job Description: The one responsible to "Get the sale" using various customer sales methods.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Mandarin speaking

LIU, ZHIGUO Field Sales Consultant 63.

Brief Job Description: The one responsible to "Get the sale" using various customer sales methods.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyse the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyse the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

SHEN, HAISHENG Field Sales Consultant 64.

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

AJINOMOTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 11th Floor, V Corporate Centre 125 L.p. Leviste Street Salcedo Village Makati City KAMEUE, KOJI Executive Professional - Solutions And Ingredients Basic Qualification: Department background in the sales/ food service industry 54.

Brief Job Description: Spearhead the development of new accounts in the Salary Range: industrial and food sector Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 BLOOMBERRY RESORTS AND HOTELS INC. Solaire Resort And Casino 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City Tambo Parañaque City LEE HENG MUN Basic Qualification: International Business Development Associate (Chinese) preferably with three to five years of casino host or Brief Job Description: sales experiences 55.

Develop and maintain relationships with local and foreign customers/patrons by equal application of Salary Range: professionalism and personality Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: The one responsible to "Get the sale" using various customer sales methods.

SUN, JINGCE Field Sales Consultant 65.

Basic Qualification: preferably with three to five years of casino host or sales experiences

Brief Job Description: The one responsible to "Get the sale" using various customer sales methods.

No.

70.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: with at least three (3) years of experience in the gaming industry

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: preferably with three to five years of casino host or sales experiences

CHEN, LANG Customer Service Representative 71.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can research accounts and generate or follow through sales leads; Can valuate customer’s skills, needs and build productive long lasting relationships; Can meet personal and team sales targets.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can research accounts and generate or follow through sales leads; Can valuate customer’s skills, needs and build productive long lasting relationships; Can meet personal and team sales targets.

Basic Qualification: Can research accounts and generate or follow through sales leads; Can valuate customer’s skills, needs and build productive long lasting relationships; Can meet personal and team sales targets.

Basic Qualification: Can research accounts and generate or follow through sales leads; Can valuate customer’s skills, needs and build productive long lasting relationships; Can meet personal and team sales targets.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can research accounts and generate or follow through sales leads; Can valuate customer’s skills, needs and build productive long lasting relationships; Can meet personal and team sales targets.

YANG, KAIXIANG Field Sales Consultant 66.

Brief Job Description: The one responsible to "Get the sale" using various customer sales methods.

72.

73.

67.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Project Planning and Design Coordinator will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal.

74.

WANG, SU Freight Coordinator

79.

68.

Brief Job Description: Processes orders and oversees cycle of order fulfilment

WANG, XIAOBO Freight Coordinator 69.

Brief Job Description: Processes orders and oversees cycle of order fulfilment.

FILIPINAS TEKNOMED MARKETING CORPORATION 150 Kamias East Kamias 3 Quezon City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and with at least 6 months experience in logistics industry.

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints, They're the front line of support for clients and customers and the help ensure that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

INDI-PHIL. MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY INC. Unit 308 Mtf Bldg. Dr. A. Santos Ave. San Isidro Parañaque City ALAMEH, JINO Lebanese Marketing Executive (lebanese Client)

81.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin and with at least 6 months experience in logistics industry

Brief Job Description: Customer service

LUO, WEI Customer Service Representative

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

COCOPIG DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit F 20/f Marajo Tower 26th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

Basic Qualification: The ability to provide excellent customer service.

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. 4th-11th Floor Aseana 3 Building Aseana Avenue Corner Diosdado Macapagal Tambo Parañaque City Basic Qualification: YUAN, FEI College graduate/level and Customer Service Representative fluent in Mandarin/basic English 75.

Brief Job Description: Customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, ZHIHAO College graduate/level and Customer Service Representative fluent in Mandarin/basic 76.

English Brief Job Description: Customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 FWD LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION 19/f W Fifth Ave. Bldg. 5th Ave. Cor. 32nd St. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City ROWLEY, DAVID ALLAN Basic Qualification: Chief Risk Officer 15+ years insurance experience in actuarial Brief Job Description: and/or risk management 77.

Provide and independent risk appraisal, construct ERM functions function, and assist to construct and effective1st line risk management function for the business Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2306 Antel Global Corporate Center Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center, San Antonio Pasig City Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; LU, ZHIGUO Can prepare product Customer Service Representative or service reports by collecting and analyzing Brief Job Description: customer information; Can A customer service representative supports customers contribute to team effort 78. by providing helpful information, answering questions, by accomplishing related and responding to complaints, They're the front line of results as needed; Can support for clients and customers and the help ensure manage large amounts of that customers are satisfied with products, services, and incoming calls features.

80.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer service QIAN, YUBO Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Reach out to the market and cultivate the customer's interest

Basic Qualification: College graduate and fluent in English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

INQUICK SERVICES INC. Unit 606 6/f Itc Bldg. 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City JIN, HONG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction LI, XIANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY 5/f Rm 501 Ramon Magsaysay Center 1680 Roxas Blvd. 076, Bgy. 699 Malate Manila ZHU, TUYUN Mandarin Project Planning And Design Coordinator

Brief Job Description: Customer service

LONG, YUNHE Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Can research accounts and generate or follow through sales leads; Can valuate customer’s skills, needs and build productive long lasting relationships; Can meet personal and team sales targets.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Project Planning and Design Coordinator, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

Brief Job Description: Customer service

LI, WEIHAO Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to effectively communicate in English and other languages (mandarin, Korean, Japanese etc.)

Brief Job Description: Manage all aspects of the product or project implementation.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: with at least twenty (20) years of progressive international experience in the casino industry with minimum 0f 5 years in a director capacity

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NATARAJAN, ARUN Country Manager

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyse the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ACCIONA CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES INC. 21/f Tower 2, The Enterprise Center 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City Basic Qualification: GONZALEZ RUA-FIGUEROA, ALBERTO 10 years of experience Project Control Manager on managing schedule on complex civil engineering.

Brief Job Description: University degree in Civil 51.

Implementation and management of Project Controls Engineering. policies and procedures across projects Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: RAMIREZ ASTACIO, JULIO CESAR 10 years of experience Project Control Manager managing schedule on complex civil engineering.

Brief Job Description: 52.

University degree in civil Identification, analysis, and provision of innovate engineering solutions to cost engineering and planning/scheduling problems on projects Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Minimum of 15 years’ VELASCO ALONSO, SOFIA experience in Civil Surveyor Manager Construction in General, with focus on highways 53.

Brief Job Description: bridges and special Perform topographical surveys and calculate quantities structures for earthworks and other type of project materials.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyse the productivity of the Marketing plans and projects, recommend to Senior Management.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Mandarin speaking.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

82.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction SU, RONGLIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

83.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor Eight West Campus Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: SANTONY Able to speak and write in Indonesian Customer Support Representative INDONESIAN and at least college level with related Brief Job Description: 84.

BPO experience.

Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: SHANGGUAN, XIAONA Able to speak and write in Mandarin Customer Support Representative MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with 85.

Brief Job Description: related BPO experience.

Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YE, YE Able to speak and write in Mandarin Customer Support Representative MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with 86.

Brief Job Description: related BPO experience.

Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg. #48 President Avenue Bf Homes Parañaque City

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KIM, SEONAH a.k.a. SPOUSE OF KANG Korean Customer Service Representative

87.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written

88.

Brief Job Description: Managing Proof and Control Reconciliation for Wholesale Payment Operations

101.

OOI WEIJIE Consultant 89.

Brief Job Description: In charge with company regulations for foreign employees

103.

Basic Qualification: Can speak Chinese, English and Malay

90.

Brief Job Description: The President/CEO is the face of the coordinating center, responsible for the overall leadership and strategic planning, selected by the board of directors the President/CEO has the responsibility to carry out the mission and is responsible for the overall management and operation.

Basic Qualification: Must be bachelors / college degree in any fields, fluent in English, reading and writing.

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

KONGANBUDDIES MARKETING INC. 48/f Lower Ground Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City

ANDI WIJAYA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 91.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

HENDRA GOZALI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 92.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

HENDRI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 93.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

LEODOFI NG Indonesian Customer Service Representative 94.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

SUSANTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 95.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

TONY Indonesian Customer Service Representative 96.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

VINCENT Indonesian Customer Service Representative 97.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

WILLIAM Indonesian Customer Service Representative 98.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

YOHANNES ELLGARR SIDAURUK Indonesian Customer Service Representative 99.

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customers' needs to achieve satisfaction

LOVE TRAVEL AGENCY, INC. 2f-9 Gateway Bldg. Cartimar, Taft Ave. Brgy. 039 Pasay City LI, HUITAO Chinese Speaking - Customer Service 100.

Brief Job Description: Inform customer of deals and promotions; resolve customer complaints visa phone, email

MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg. Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, Mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, Mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, Mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, Mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, Mandarin, multi-lingual language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate / preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience proficiency to Indonesian, Bahasa, mandarin, multi-lingual language

105.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls ZHU, PAN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

106.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City DANG, WEN Customer Service Representative 107.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service ERWIN Customer Service Representative

108.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service FU, GUFAN Customer Service Representative

109.

Brief Job Description: Customer service GUO, XINGFENG Customer Service Representative

110.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service HARTONO Customer Service Representative

111.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service HE, XIANGZHAO Customer Service Representative

112.

Brief Job Description: CUSTOMER SERVICE HUANG, MIANYONG Customer Service Representative

113.

Brief Job Description: Customer service KAW SU SHWIN Customer Service Representative

114.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service KYAW ZIN MOE Customer Service Representative

115.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service LAI, YUJIN Customer Service Representative

116.

Brief Job Description: Customer service LE THI OANH Customer Service Representative

117.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service LIN, CHUNMING Customer Service Representative

118.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service LIU, GONGSHENG Customer Service Representative

119.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service NGUYEN VAN HIEN Customer Service Representative

120.

Brief Job Description: Customer service PHAM THI NHAN Customer Service Representative

121.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,99

Basic Qualification: Excellent in written and verbal communication skills in Mandarin and Cantonese

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls WANG, BIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

K-ONSTYLE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 9th Floor One Orion 11th Ave. Cor. University Parkway, Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City CHUNG, JIN WOO President & CEO

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls LIN, SHUCHANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

104.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls HUI, WU Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 JSLINK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 803-804 Ri-rance Building Aseana Enclave Aseana City Tambo Parañaque City

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling service support calls

GUO, ZE Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider 102.

Basic Qualification: Holds a post graduate degree in Management Studies’ (Executive MBA) from ‘Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research’. Been with the firm for 16.5 years

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION BOON EE MEI Mandarin Speaking Customer Relations Service Provider

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

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

No.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service PHAN DANG HUONG Customer Service Representative

122.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service SAI AUNG MAIN Customer Service Representative

123.

Brief Job Description: Customer service

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 A12

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking , Reading and writing in mandarin

No.

SHANG, JINPENG Customer Service Representative 124.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin

125.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking , Reading and writing in mandarin

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking , Reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English

126.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer service

Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WANG, ZHONGSHAN Customer Service Representative 127.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service WANG, FANG Customer Service Representative

128.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service XIE, YAO Customer Service Representative

129.

130.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 YAN, DONGXU Customer Service Representative

131.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service YANG, LE Customer Service Representative

132.

Brief Job Description: Customer service YANG, YONGTUN Customer Service Representative

133.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service YU, ANJIE Customer Service Representative

134.

Brief Job Description: Customer service ZENG, TIAO Customer Service Representative

135.

Brief Job Description: Customer service ZHANG, HUI-YU Customer Service Representative

136.

Brief Job Description: Customer service ZHANG, SIHUI Customer Service Representative

137.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service ZHANG, JUNJIE Customer Service Representative

138.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service ZHAO, MEIMEI Customer Service Representative

139.

Brief Job Description: Customer service ZHAO, DONGFANG Customer Service Representative

140.

Brief Job Description: Customer service ZHONG, BINI Customer Service Representative

141.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English

Brief Job Description: Customer service

SU, PEIZHI Customer Service Representative

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 mandarin

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Customer service ZOU, NINGHUI Customer Service Representative

142.

Brief Job Description: Customer service

OAMPI INC. 8/f 6780 Ayala Ave. Ayala Ave. San Lorenzo Makati City MENESES SILVA, JESSICA ELLEN Portuguese Content Moderation Analyst 143.

Brief Job Description: To organized by its community of users provide quality service support in variety of areas.

PERFECTZEST INC. 16th Floor Tower 6789 6789 Ayala Avenue Bel-air Makati City YANG, QING Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 144.

Brief Job Description: Prepare and maintain company documents and reports and coordinate for daily administrative reports

LIU, YANG Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 145.

Brief Job Description: Planning maintaining and coordinate the development of primary and secondary market research.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College Graduate/Level and Fluent in Mandarin/ Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin / basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/level and fluent in Mandarin/basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Question and answer flatform using english and portuguese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer question about services or products excellent mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A13 Tuesday, July 13, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

146.

Brief Job Description: Technical support service LIANG, HAIYAN Mandarin Technical Support

147.

Brief Job Description: Technical support service

Basic Qualification: Skills in Computer Networking and Hardware Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Skills in Computer Networking and Hardware Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

RED DOT MARKETING AND BRANDING INC. Unit 1514 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila FENG, LAN Basic Qualification: Mandarin Operation Specialist Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Brief Job Description: Mandarin 148.

Committed to improving customer experience and operational efficiency Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 QI, DENGHUA Basic Qualification: Mandarin Technical Support Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in 149.

Brief Job Description: Mandarin To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer system Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 REDSHIELD SERVICES INC. Rm. 127 12/f Times Plaza Bldg. Un. Cor . Taft Ave. 072, Bgy. 666 Ermita Manila HUANG, TAO Admin Staff - Mandarin 150.

Brief Job Description: Support the development and implementation of admin initiatives and systems

RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP. 5e-1 Electra House Bldg. 115-117 Esteban Street San Lorenzo Makati City HE, WENXIU Chinese Customer Service Representative 151.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base HUANG, ZIKAI Chinese Customer Service Representative

152.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base SU, MINGZHEN Chinese Customer Service Representative

153.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base SU, YONGCHUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

154.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base XIE, QIUHONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

155.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base YAN, SHIJIE Chinese Customer Service Representative

156.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base ZHANG, HUIMENG Chinese Customer Service Representative

157.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems. fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service

166.

Brief Job Description: Promoting efficiency by implementing improved operational procedures

168.

Basic Qualification: excellent in multiple languages

No.

185.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in multiple languages

LI, YAHUAN Mandarin Operations Specialist 169.

Brief Job Description: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) MENG, FANZHI Mandarin Technical Support

170.

Brief Job Description: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) ZHANG, WEN Mandarin Technical Support

171.

Brief Job Description: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) ZHU, QIAOQIAO Mandarin Technical Support

172.

Brief Job Description: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

THE PENBROTHERS INTERNATIONAL INC. 6/f Opl Bldg. 100 C. Palanca St. San Lorenzo Makati City JIMENEZ POLANCO, AIDA CRISTINA Brandcrowd Marketplace Manager 173.

Brief Job Description: Focused on identifying talented designers and working with them to develop company's logo.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Skills in computer networking and hardware Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Skills in computer networking and hardware Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Skills in computer networking and hardware Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong written and verbal communication, graphic design degree, knowledge of graphic design trends, reasonable MS Excel skills for analysis deals.

BIAN, HAINAN Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

187.

175.

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

DENG, TIANFU Mandarin Customer Support Representative

176.

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

GUO, XIAOMENG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

178.

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

LAI, WEIXIU Mandarin Customer Support Representative Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

WEI, FEIYAN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 179.

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

YANG, QIANG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 180.

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO experience.

188.

189.

AHN, BANG HWAN Construction Supervisor 181.

Brief Job Description: Will manage construction crews, inspection & ensure adherence

190.

191.

192.

182.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining the operations of all electronic gaming devices.

ZHANG, BAITAO Chinese It Specialist 183.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining the operations of all electronic gaming devices.

NELLYANA It Specialist 184.

Brief Job Description: Maintaining the operations of all electronic gaming devices.

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp. 213 Buendia Ave. San Antonio Makati City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming device; Fluent in Mandarin & English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming device; Fluent in Mandarin & English speaking

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported LIU, QIANG Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

193.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

LYU, ZHIJIA Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

194.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported MA, YUE Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

195.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

MAO, YANBIN Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

196.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

PENG, JINGWEN Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

197.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

WANG, CHUNLIN Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

198.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

XU, MINGWEI Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

199.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

ZHU, BAOZHU Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

200.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing Thai language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

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

YOFC INTERNATIONAL (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION U-307-309, #99 Reliance It Center Bldg. E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Ugong Pasig City DENG, FUJUN Project Controller Manager

Basic Qualification: well-experienced and can speak Korean & English

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College graduate with experience in maintaining gaming device; Fluent in Mandarin & English speaking

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported LI, LONG Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

Brief Job Description: Track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of each projects SUN, YONG Project Controller Manager

202.

VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Dd Dragon Plaza Dd Meridian P Edsa Ext. Cor. Macapagal Ave. Brgy. 076 Pasay City WANG, LIHONG Chinese It Specialist

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

HU, QINGBO Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

201.

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

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

GUO, XIN Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

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

VENTANAS PHILIPPINES CONSTRUCTION INC. 9/f Philamlife Tower 8767 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported GOU, JINXIU Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

GAO, CHUANZHI Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City THOR PEK YEAN Malaysian Customer Support Representative

Brief Job Description: Deals with hardware and application support queries and issues reported to the support desk.

CHEN, NA Mandarin Speaking Technical Support

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

TRI7 SOLUTIONS, INC. Unit 9-a 9/f Marvin Plaza Bldg. 2153 Don Chino Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City Basic Qualification: YEO GUAN KIET Proficient in writing, Malay Language Customer Service Representative reading and speaking in both English and Brief Job Description: Bahasa/ Thai/ Chinese/ 174.

Report on daily operation of call center activities Vietnamese/ Malay. performing customer oriented telephone activities and various background operations duties.

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

Brief Job Description: Identify and assess customer's need to achieve satisfaction

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

XUSHENG TECHNOLOGY CORP. Flr. No. 1-5 Bldg. No. 0050 F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Williams And Roberts St. Zone 4, Barangay 013, District 1 Pasay City

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

Basic Qualification: Project management experience

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION PANGSRISAN, MORAKOT Thai Language- Customer Staff

TELOQUET OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. Upper 2/f Unit B 2444-a Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy 727 Malate Manila

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

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

Brief Job Description: Promoting efficiency by implementing improved operational procedures

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

186.

177.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in multiple languages

Brief Job Description: Promoting efficiency by implementing improved operational procedures ZHAO, CHUNYU Multiple Languages Operation Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in Mandarin and English, preferably 6mos to 1year customer service

S AND C CONSULTANCY INC. U-214 Manila Executive Regency 1200 J Bocobo St. 072, Bgy. 670 Ermita Manila ZHOU, DU Basic Qualification: Mandarin Supervisor Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Brief Job Description: Mandarin 158.

Manage and develop employee performance expectations Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 SEAGULL-WORLD INC. Unit 2807 28/f Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City LIN, YOU-SI Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Excellent in reading, writing and speaking in Mandarin 159.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for inbound and outbound service calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 WANG, KAIQUAN Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Excellent in reading, writing and speaking in Mandarin 160.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for inbound and outbound service calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TSENG, CHIA-CHING Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Brief Job Description: mandarin 161.

Analyse and report on the performance and efficiency of the campaigns Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YAN, PENG Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist reading and writing in 162. mandarin Brief Job Description: Analyse and report on the performance and efficiency of Salary Range: the campaigns Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 YE, TING Basic Qualification: Mandarin Speaking Marketing Specialist Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in 163.

Brief Job Description: mandarin Analyse and report on the performance and efficiency of the campaigns Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: TSAI, JIA-HE Proficient in speaking, Mandarin Speaking Technical Support reading and writing in 164. mandarin Brief Job Description: Responsible for IT system management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LUO, PEIQI Basic Qualification: Multiple Languages Operation Officer Excellent in multiple languages 165.

Brief Job Description: Promoting efficiency by implementing improved Salary Range: operational procedures Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 WANG, WEI-HAN Multiple Languages Operation Officer

167.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHANG, QIAN Multiple Languages Operation Officer

PRANCING DESEN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES INC. Unit 1620 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila GUO, HANG Mandarin Technical Support

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of each projects YANG, XIAOWEI Project Controller Manager

203.

Brief Job Description: Track, monitor, and evaluate the progress of each projects

Basic Qualification: College degree; Fluent in Mandarin language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College degree; Fluent in Mandarin language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College degree; Fluent in Mandarin language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZTE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 1201 & 1202 12th Floor Fort Legend Towers 3rd Ave. Corner 31st St. Bgc, Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

204.

Basic Qualification: At least graduate of any business course

SUN, CHUXIONG Fdd-lte Optimization Manager Brief Job Description: Monitor and optimize clients network in Phil.

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

*Date Generated: Jul 9, 2021 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on July 09, 2021, the name of LIU, LANG under MOA CLOUDZONE CORP., should have been read as LIU, LIANG and not as published.

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

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

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A14 Tuesday, July 13, 2021

REPEATED BREACH OF DATA PRIVACY PROMPTS NPC ORDER VS. WEBSITE

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE National Privacy Commission (NPC) has issued a cease-anddesist order (CDO) to the website PiliPinas2022.ph for multiple violations of the Data Privacy Act. The NPC has also urged the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to take down the website.

NPC issued the order after the Complaints and Investigation Division (CID) scrutinized PiliPinas2022.ph amid concerns that the website’s continued operations could violate the privacy of voters who were enticed to participate in the survey.

“Not only are data subjects misinformed about the true purpose and further processing of their personal information, but they are also left in the dark as to who will be held accountable in case their personal information is used for unlawful purposes,” the CID findings stated.

“The website’s continued operation is a palpable risk that can cause grave and irreparable injury to affected data subjects,” it added.

In a statement, NPC quoted the CID as concluding the website did not meet the “lawful criteria” needed to process personal information.

NPC also said PiliPinas2022.ph failed to comply with “the general data privacy principles of transparency, legitimate purpose, and proportionality.” This indicates that the processing of collected personal information

is not being done fairly and legally.

The agency also said the website’s processing of personal information was “detrimental to national security or public interest” because it did not specify the purpose of collecting information from survey respondents.

NPC said the CDO was signed by Privacy Commissioner Raymund E. Liboro, and Deputy Privacy Commissioners John Henry D. Naga and Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre.

Naga, who penned the order, said the NPC would not tolerate the act of misinforming data subjects, especially voters, on how and why their personal information was being collected.

“We also call on voters to be more vigilant and cautious in joining initiatives or campaigns that collect their personal data with questionable intentions,” Naga added. The NPC directed PiliPinas2022.ph to file a comment within 10 days from receipt of the order, and to stop processing personal data on its database until the Commission issues a decision on the submission of the comment.

The agency also sent the CDO to the email address of PiliPinas2022.ph whose owners and operators have remained unidentified.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier said that PiliPinas2022.ph was not affiliated with the election body.

The Comelec reminded the public to think twice before clicking “online survey” websites created and managed by unknown entities as these may pose security risks.

Lawmakers: PHL win on West PHL Sea must be maximized

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

& Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

L

@joveemarie

AWMAKERS in both chambers have moved to firm up the country’s victory in The Hague as the nation marked the fifth anniversary of the arbitral tribunal ruling upholding Manila’s case in the South China Sea. In filing Senate Resolution 769 commemorating the historic legal victory before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon credited the late former President Benigno Simeon Aquino administration for pursuing the claim.

Under Senate Resolution 769, the Philippines’s victory at the Hague should be “a lasting reminder that the Filipino is never cowed or daunted, that false promises of economic largesse and military might will not serve to defeat what is right, and that our claims should be valiantly and relentlessly fought for, to ensure that future generations can benefit from the bounty of what is legally ours.”

At the same time, Senator Panfilo Lacson, in a separate statement on Monday, acknowledged that “much remains to be done” amid China’s increasing presence in the Southeast Asian region.

“Whatever we have done, or have failed to do, and what we must continue to pursue as part of our prerogatives as a lawabiding, democratic, and sovereign nation under this administration—unfortunately —has accrued little to our ‘accumulated advantage’ in the South China Sea and in the context of Philippine-China relations.

On the contrary, we may have done very little in stemming the tide of an increasing Chinese footprint into the Asean region’s foreign policy, economy, and security.”

Lacson added: “Thus, let us see this day for what it truly is: Commemorating a hard-

won battle, but a victory still incomplete.

We must, therefore, press on to complete the victory.” On July 12, 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s claim of historic rights to resources within the sea within its “nine-dash line” had no basis in law.

However, Lacson noted that the Philippines has “yet to come up with a comprehensive pro-Filipino policy to complete the victory we achieved five years ago today.”

“Our country needs a foreign policy that is neither pro-China or pro-US. It must only be pro-Filipino. We need a foreign policy that unites us as Filipinos, not divides us into red and yellow,” he added.

Lacson cited the need to maintain a balance of power in the South China Sea region, to be achieved through stronger ties between the Philippines and more militarily powerful allies including the United States, Australia, Japan and some European Union countries.

“No doubt, we are committed to a peaceful South China Sea, where nations follow the rule of law and are guided by the Award. But what we face now is the threat of a resurgent China pursuing its own ‘China dream’ under Xi Jinping—at the expense of our sovereign rights and patrimony in the South China Sea and other areas,” Lacson said.

He asserted “it is wrong to assume that there are only two ways to secure the West Philippine Sea—war or silence. Between war and timidity, there is the Arbitral Ruling. Let us stop snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. An opportunity exists to work with other countries, especially those in the Asean region, to find a way for us to effectively invoke the verdict we won in The Hague.”

The Drilon resolution recalled that the arbitral award by the International Court, promulgated two weeks after the term of the second Aquino administration ended, was “hailed as a victory not just for the Philippines but also for other coastal states.”

See “Lawmakers,” A2

₧5-B fund for repatriation of OFWs to run out in Sept

T

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

HE over P5 billion in government funding for the quarantine facilities of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are expected to be exhausted by September, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OWWA Administrator Hans J. Cacdac issued the statement as the projected number of repatriated OFWs who are expected to be repatriated this year reaches 100,000 to 130,000.

Of which, he said, 70,000 to 80,000 were affected by the economic disruption of the Covid-19 crisis worldwide, while the rest are

due to causes not related to the pandemic.

Last week, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) estimated that only around 30,000 to 40,000 more OFWs are expected to return home this year.

“So we have a P5.2 billion approved by President Duterte through the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) so

we are really thankful for it.... This will last until September. After that we will need additional funding,” Cacdac said in an interview with PTV last Monday.

This will be the second time OWWA sought additional funding from DBM. During the first half of the year, the OWWA had asked for a bigger budget when its quarantine expenses skyrocketed after the government opted to prolong the quarantine period for inbound passengers from two to three days to as long as 10 days.

The longer period led to OW WA reducing its P11-billion budget for quarantine expenses under the 2021 national budget.

DOLE has asked for a shorter quarantine period for inbound travelers to allow OFWs to go home earlier; however, health officials and experts are against such proposal especially amid the spread of the more infectious variant of Covid-19.

MEMBERS of the Akbayan party list, and of cause-oriented groups like Anak Pawis, Sentro and Pamalakaya stage a picket in front of the Chinese consulate at The World Centre building along Gil Puyat (Buendia) Avenue in Makati City on Monday (July 12), as the nation celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling that invalidated China's “excessive” claims in the South China Sea. BERNARD TESTA

Central banks backing more green bond issuances

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

C

ENTRAL banks in the region are pushing for sustainable investing, particularly through the issuances of so-called green bonds in the market.

In a statement, the Executives’ Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks (EMEAP) announced that its members have reached an agreement to promote investment in green bonds through the Asian Bond Fund (ABF).

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is a member of the EMEAP along with the Reserve Bank of Australia, People’s Bank of China, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Bank Indonesia, Bank of Japan, Bank of Korea, Bank Negara Malaysia, Reserve

Lifting…

Continued from A1

Earlier, the DTI encouraged stores to apply for safety seal certification to enable them to expand their capacity.

The safety seal allows establishments to expand their operating capacity to around 30 percent. This is 10 percentage points higher than the current minimum of 20 percent under the IATF guidelines.

Open spaces

IN a briefing on Monday, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said the Metro Manila Council (MMC) met on Sunday and agreed

Bank of New Zealand, Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Bank of Thailand.

The group said this move is aimed at helping to catalyze further the deepening of local currency-denominated green bond markets in the region.

Green bonds are investment vehicles that specifically target support for sustainability or environmental causes.

From this viewpoint, the EMEAP ABF Oversight Committee has requested IHS Markit, an index provider of the iBoxx ABF Index, to review the rules of the Index to promote the inclusion of green bonds.

EMEAP said the details will be based on the outcome of the review and will be disclosed once confirmed by IHS Markit.

Just last month, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said more than $1 billion and P85.4

billion worth of green, social, and sustainability bonds have already been issued by “first mover” banks since 2017 The governor also urged local financial institutions to get into sustainable finance as part of broader efforts to promote a resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon economy.

“The BSP and financial institutions play a crucial part in mobilizing funds to finance green and sustainable projects, and at the same time, in safeguarding financial stability from shocks coming from climate and other environment-related factors. We expect more banks to follow suit as enabling regulations had been laid down complemented by continued capacity-building activities for the industry,” the governor said.

to draft a resolution on the areas where children will be allowed.

Zamora said the MMC agreed that cities will be the ones to determine which parks and open areas children can go to.

“This is just a proposal now. We will have to discuss further with other Mayors as to what will become policy. But of course, the IATF has released guidelines on that, so we will just have to reconcile whatever guidelines they have versus the Metro Manila Council guidelines,” Zamora said.

He added that they will follow “whatever is the policy of the national government.

We just need to ensure proper implementation in our cities,” he added.

In January, Chua said imposing mo-

bility restrictions on children affects the economy’s ability to recover from the pandemic.

He noted that preventing families, including children, from leaving their homes during the pandemic significantly affected the country’s consumption spending.

Consumption spending is the primary driver of the Philippine economy, accounting for about 70 percent of economic growth.

Chua said the economy is strong enough to recover if the government allows it to. He also reiterated the need for sufficient and safe public transport as well as the need to boost demand by allowing family activities with strict enforcement of minimum health standards.

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

B1

Meralco needs 3,920MW until 2030 to meet demand

By Lenie Lectura

T

@llectura

he Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will need 3,920 megawatts (MW) of capacity from 2021 up to 2030 to meet the projected 4.12-percent increase in peak demand every year.

Of the figure, 2,270MW would be sourced from baseload plants, 300MW from renewable energy (RE) baseload and 1,350MW from RE mid-merit, according to the utility firm’s 2021-2030 Power Supply Procurement Plan (PSPP).

“The forecasted supply considered a capacity allocation for baseload, intermediate and peaking requirements that would result [in] a least generation cost for Meralco’s captive customers,” the utility firm said.

Baseload plants are those that run optimally flat all throughout the day, such as coal, nuclear, and geothermal.

Mid-merit plants are those that

can ramp up and ramp down faster than baseload plants. These are more flexible and could run during the day when load is increasing and approaches peak. These could be gas and hydro plants.

Peaking plants, meanwhile, can rapidly ramp up and down. They operate only within a limited time during the day that the peak occurs.

Oil-based plants, gas and other very flexible plants are considered peaking plants.

All 3,920MW of capacity requirement to service Meralco customers until 2030 would be procured via Competitive Selection Process (CSP), starting with 70MW of baseload sup-

ply this year. Meralco may publish the bid invite this month.

Other Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) tentatively lined up for CSP this year are 100MW RE baseload, 850MW RE mid-merit and 500MW RE mid-merit.

For 2022, Meralco intends to conduct a CSP for 1000MW baseload and 200MWRE baseload.

The CSP for the remaining 1,200MW baseload has yet to be scheduled by Meralco.

“The actual conduct of CSP will be staggered,” said Meralco Utility Economics head Lawrence Fernandez.

Meralco’s PSPP indicated that peak demand is expected to grow at a rate of 4.12 percent annually over the period of 2021 to 2030. This year, peak demand was expected to increase by 2.2 percent as some businesses have reopened, albeit at limited capacity. In 2020, peak demand reached 7,614MW in March. This was lower than the 7,740MW in 2019.

“The long-term forecast of the movement of peak demand will also be affected by how much renewable energy systems are introduced into the system; by the effectiveness of new energy efficiency measures put in place; and by the changes in con-

sumption behavior arising from the new normal post-quarantine. The magnitude of these will only be realized as the industry continues to develop,” Meralco said.

Peak demand, according to Meralco, was assumed to occur during the month of May due to the seasonal increase in electricity consumption during the hot dry season. Monthly peak demand is projected to be at its lowest during the month of January due to cooler temperature.

The PSPP also indicated a projected deficit capacity, which could last for two to three hours. Based on increasing demand trend in March, an interim PSA may be executed to address additional peaking requirements during the hot dry season.

The capacity and duration of this interim PSA will be finalized pending official metering data from the March power bills.

Meralco’s residential customers are expected to grow at an average rate of 4 percent annually until 2030.

Captive commercial connections are also expected to increase at a rate of 3.2 percent during the 10-year period. Captive industrial connections, meanwhile, are expected to grow at a slower rate of 0.3 percent.

MerryMart acquires majority stake in Carlos SuperDrug

Photo from the Facebook page of Carlos SuperDrug

M PSE clears IPO of Filinvest REIT

By VG Cabuag @villygc

T

he Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) on Monday said it has approved Filinvest REIT Corp.’s P14.35-billion initial public offering (IPO), making it the third real estate investment trust (REIT) company to be listed on the PSE. Filreit, formerly known as Cyberzone Properties Inc., is set to offer 1.63 billion secondary shares and up to 163 million over-allotment option shares at an indicative price of up to P8.30 per share.

The final offer price will be deter-

Tencent to give up exclusive music rights

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hinese regulators are set to order Tencent Holdings Ltd. to give up exclusive rights to music labels, Reuters reported, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

The company will also receive a 500,000 yuan ($77,227) fine for misreporting the acquisition of two apps, according to the report. The penalties are the result of an investigation by the State Administration of Market Regulation into affiliate Tencent Music Entertainment Group.

SAMR, Tencent and TME didn’t respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on Monday. Reuters added it couldn’t determine whether Tencent faces any further antitrust penalties beyond the expected ruling on TME. Tencent shares fell as much as 3 percent in Hong Kong, before paring losses to close 0.7 percent lower.

Its affiliate’s shares slid in New York pre-market trading.

The move comes as Beijing accelerates a campaign to curtail the growing influence of China’s powerful internet corporations over every aspect of Chinese life from online shopping to chatting and ride-hailing. That crackdown has already led to a record antitrust fine against fellow giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and is now extending into the arena of data security, with Xi Jinping’s government said to be exploring a number of models and actions to open up their information hoards. Bloomberg News

mined on July 19 after the company conducts its book building process.

The offer period is scheduled on July 26 to August 3 while its tentative listing date is on August 12. Shares will be traded under the symbol FILRT. “The third REIT company is set to join our roster of listed firms and we trust that this will send a strong signal for more companies to consider REIT listing as a viable mechanism to raise capital for their expansion plans; as well as provide our investors alternative investment opportunities,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said.

Filreit will offer 10 percent of its shares to local small investors, who may subscribe to the IPO through the PSE EASy website (http://easy. pse.com.ph) or mobile application.

Filreit’s portfolio consists of 17 office buildings on prime property totaling over 300,000 square meters of gross leasable area (GLA).

The 16 buildings are in Northgate Cyberzone within Filinvest City in Alabang while one is in the gateway of Cebu IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City.

Filreit’s sponsor, Filinvest Land Inc., has 14 operational office buildings and 11 more under construction in key central business districts,

which may form additional pipeline acquisitions for the company. These buildings are expected to total approximately 315,000 square meters of GLA. BPI Capital Corp. and UBS AG Singapore Branch are the joint global coordinators and bookrunners for the offer. BPI Capital is also the sole local coordinator and local lead underwriter while UBS AG Singapore Branch is the international bookrunner. China Bank Capital Corp. is a local lead underwriter while First Metro Investment Corp. and SB Capital Investment Corp. are local co-lead underwriters.

Converge ICT partners with TCS

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

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onverge ICT Solutions Inc. has tapped Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to “enhance the customer experience” for its subscriber base through the deployment of a “future-ready digital core.”

By creating a digital core, Converge CEO Dennis Anthony H. Uy said the group will be able to “offer new and enhanced digital services” to its customers.

Converge tapped Tata for the deployment of Tata’s hosted operations and business support (HOBS) system, a plug-and-play digital business platform for subscription, device, and data management offered in a system as a service (SaaS) model.

Uy said this will help Converge “reimagine customer journeys with simplified processes and hyperpersonalization based on customer lifetime value.”

“Converge is implementing our growth strategy within our existing service areas and into new provinces such as those in Visayas and Mindanao. As we embark on this expansion, we cannot sacrifice what matters to us most—our customers.

We must ensure that our operations and internal processes can scale to address future growth so that our customers continue to experience better,” he said.

HOBS, according to TCS Philip-

Photo from www.convergeict.com

pines Country Head Shiju Varghese, will enable Converge to venture into integrations with other businesses through a location independent agile model via the cloud.

“We will use our deep domain knowledge, expertise in digital technologies, and investments in innovation and intellectual property to help Converge accelerate their transformation journey and achieve their aspiration to be a world-class ICT provider that empowers people, businesses, and the nation. Our digital business platform will speed up deployment, improve user adoption, enhance customer experience and provide a competitive edge,” Varghese said.

Converge saw its profit tripling to P1.55 billion from P574 million thanks to growing demand for Inter-

net connectivity to the home during the first quarter.

The rise in net income was complemented by the enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Law, which reduced the company’s taxes to 21 percent during the quarter under review.

The company’s top line rose by 83.6 percent to P5.55 billion from P3.02 billion, driven by its residential and enterprise businesses.

Converge expects to end the year with about 1.6 million to 1.7 million subscribers by year end.

Converge is gearing up to corner a chunk of the highly-unsaturated home broadband market by 2025.

It is currently building a national backbone that will allow it to reach approximately 55 percent of the total households in the Philippines.

erryMart Consumer Corp., the grocery chain led by businessman Edgar Sia II, on Monday said it has signed an agreement with Carlos Drugs-Lucena Inc., which operates Carlos SuperDrug, to acquire a majority stake in the pharmacy chain.

The company said it will acquire a minimum post-investment stake of 67 percent of Carlos SuperDrug. It did not disclose the cost of the acquisition.

The deal will enhance the company’s range of pharmacy offerings, allow MerryMart to expand its market share in the region and increase its competitiveness while strengthening its supply chain, the company said.

Carlos SuperDrug, the biggest pharmacy chain in Quezon Province, is set to celebrate its 75th anniversary next month. It was founded in 1946 in Lucena City by the husband and wife team of Diomedes and Generosa Carlos.

Carlos SuperDrug has 27 operating branches to date and is net

income positive, MerryMart said.

The current management team of the pharmacy chain will continue to run the operations of the company in tandem with the Merrymart team.

“We are excited to soon work with the Carlos Group to further grow the business and at the same time welcome the Pharmacy DNA to MerryMart ecosystem,” Sia, the company’s chairman, said.

“While the MerryMart Group continues on with its organic expansion, MerryMart will continue to keep its eyes open for M and A [mergers and acquisition] opportunities in both the grocery and pharmacy space that would accelerate its growth to capitalize on the continued consolidation from traditional to modern retail in the Philippines.”

Under its “Vision 2030,” MerryMart is targeting to open a total of 1,200 branches nationwide and to generate P120 billion in system-wide recurring consumer sales revenue. VG Cabuag

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Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

July 12, 2021

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

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

42.2 112.2 87.95 25 10.04 48.15 10.86 19.06 22.5 55.9 100 21.5 118 76.95 1.59 4.33 3 1.29 0.385 0.7 223.8 2,420 0.96

48.5 112.3 88 25.3 10.14 48.2 11.18 19.68 22.6 56 103 21.8 118.8 77 1.65 4.4 3.14 1.35 0.39 0.73 227.6 2,550 0.99

47.6 111.5 88 25 10.04 47.7 11.02 19.06 22.5 55.9 100 21.5 116.6 77 1.58 4.34 3.01 1.35 0.39 0.7 225.4 2,420 0.96

47.6 113 88.4 25.5 10.18 48.8 11.02 19.06 22.6 56 100 22.1 118.9 77 1.65 4.42 3.01 1.35 0.39 0.7 225.4 2,420 0.96

47.2 111.1 86.5 25 10.04 47.6 11.02 19.06 22.25 55.9 97.1 21.5 116.6 76.5 1.51 4.28 3.01 1.35 0.385 0.69 223.6 2,400 0.93

47.4 112.5 87.3 25.5 10.16 48.8 11.02 19.06 22.35 56 97.1 21.75 118.1 76.5 1.55 4.42 3.01 1.35 0.385 0.69 223.6 2,400 0.93

2,000 1,580,470 2,084,810 25,600 162,500 825,900 900 20,000 289,300 2,710 3,000 93,800 689,770 12,860 1,004,000 391,000 5,000 7,000 250,000 74,000 7,400 15 86,000

94,870 177,954,914 183,027,989.50 649,085 1,646,612 39,931,390 9,918 381,200 6,476,055 151,746.50 291,761 2,058,670 81,500,982 985,270.50 1,575,300 1,717,120 15,050 9,450 96,450 51,560 1,667,624 36,200 81,190

-9,520 -34,222,390 1,597,929.50 -113,940 -101,600 -7,108,055 -49,490 -2,200 -34,390,823 497,600.50 -6,360 -87,800 35,000 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.79 8.8 8.71 8.94 8.71 8.86 38,028,200 337,248,972 1.3 1.33 1.3 1.31 1.3 1.31 198,000 257,620 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 24.95 25 25 25.2 24.85 25 968,700 24,266,515 0.73 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.72 0.74 18,562,000 13,560,130 BASIC ENERGY 29.45 29.5 29.35 29.5 29.35 29.5 2,432,500 71,650,330 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 77.85 77.9 77.9 78.2 77.9 77.9 28,050 2,187,021.50 275.4 275.6 275.8 280 274.4 275.4 294,850 81,132,738 MERALCO MANILA WATER 18.3 18.32 18.32 18.4 18.1 18.22 877,000 15,959,830 PETRON 3.6 3.62 3.6 3.62 3.55 3.6 1,104,000 3,972,870 12.4 13.04 13 13 13 13 10,000 130,000 PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL 20.85 20.9 20.85 20.9 20.6 20.6 130,800 2,706,320 12.9 13 13 13 12.7 12.84 133,100 1,715,812 SPC POWER 16.18 18.28 17.5 17.5 17.5 17.5 200 3,500 VIVANT AGRINURTURE 6 6.09 6.14 6.14 5.96 6.07 8,573,400 51,539,519 2.87 2.9 2.87 2.9 2.86 2.89 150,000 433,020 AXELUM CNTRL AZUCARERA 14.5 14.68 14.68 14.9 14.5 14.78 4,700 68,928 23.5 23.55 23.5 23.9 23.3 23.9 1,044,100 24,724,480 CENTURY FOOD 14.9 15.1 15 15.18 14.9 15.12 134,100 2,020,006 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 8.28 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.28 8.5 4,112,700 34,811,918 12.58 12.6 12.66 12.82 12.36 12.36 2,573,400 32,492,840 EMPERADOR 83.1 83.75 83.8 85 82.05 85 270,400 22,808,262 SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT 0.63 0.67 0.66 0.66 0.63 0.66 1,638,000 1,079,800 1.36 1.38 1.36 1.39 1.36 1.37 2,163,000 2,969,680 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 96.1 97.95 96.1 97.75 95.25 96.8 17,940 1,727,370.50 JOLLIBEE 205.6 205.8 203.4 210 203.4 209.8 271,390 56,444,008 29.05 30.95 29.05 30.95 29.05 30.95 600 18,000 LIBERTY FLOUR MACAY HLDG 7.55 7.99 7.99 7.99 7.55 7.99 26,900 204,119 6.8 6.85 6.8 6.85 6.65 6.77 85,600 576,956 MAXS GROUP 0.28 0.285 0.28 0.28 0.26 0.275 9,790,000 2,611,550 MG HLDG MONDE NISSIN 16.88 16.9 16.9 17.02 16.8 16.92 5,044,300 85,519,166 7.95 7.97 7.95 8.2 7.95 8.2 505,300 4,099,097 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 1.03 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.02 1.03 2,332,000 2,409,490 4.55 4.75 4.75 4.75 4.56 4.74 7,000 32,500 RFM CORP 1.43 1.48 1.43 1.43 1.41 1.41 316,000 449,600 ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS 0.153 0.155 0.156 0.156 0.145 0.145 28,520,000 4,239,120 142.7 142.9 142.9 143.3 142.4 143 593,960 84,907,988 UNIV ROBINA VITARICH 0.83 0.85 0.83 0.85 0.83 0.83 462,000 385,790 52 55.25 52 52 52 52 335,160 17,428,320 CONCRETE A 59.9 62.95 59.9 59.9 59.9 59.9 50 2,995 CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG 1.32 1.33 1.32 1.37 1.32 1.37 5,299,000 7,098,770 15.6 15.7 15.7 15.7 15.1 15.5 158,800 2,465,872 EAGLE CEMENT 8.26 8.28 8.25 8.31 8.25 8.3 159,900 1,326,026 EEI CORP HOLCIM 7.37 7.4 7.37 7.42 7.24 7.4 1,503,900 11,108,658 6.75 6.78 6.65 6.8 6.65 6.77 452,700 3,046,696 MEGAWIDE PHINMA 14.8 15 15 15 14.84 15 166,000 2,487,484 1.03 1.05 1.05 1.06 1.03 1.06 213,000 222,020 TKC METALS 144.1 174 174 174 174 174 20 3,480 CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA 1.72 1.76 1.72 1.76 1.71 1.72 579,000 998,720 1.95 2.01 1.96 1.96 1.95 1.95 45,000 87,930 EUROMED 4.29 4.64 4.28 4.28 4.28 4.28 5,000 21,400 LMG CORP MABUHAY VINYL 4.9 5.4 5.27 5.4 5 5.37 4,700 24,451 5.39 5.43 5.43 5.45 5.39 5.4 24,700 134,312 PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION 21.4 21.75 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.4 1,000 21,400 GREENERGY 3.84 3.85 3.79 3.9 3.48 3.51 30,549,000 111,493,510 10.06 10.08 9.97 10.3 9.97 10 1,057,300 10,653,626 INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 1.08 1.1 1.08 1.1 1.07 1.08 256,000 275,750 5.75 5.94 5.9 5.9 5.9 5.9 3,400 20,060 PANASONIC 1.39 1.4 1.38 1.4 1.35 1.36 571,000 785,680 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 5.44 5.45 5.52 5.52 5.42 5.52 3,071,900 16,804,898

-30,347,350 -8,855,270 -37,500 -1,897,660 -889,089 -12,281,330 -1,589,162 -761,820 -719,530 -1,115,916 -413,757 271,620 4,076,865 -904,110 -22,003,562 4,067,390 249,368 -86,100.00 -151,292 17,457,896 141,773 -16,527,676 1,180,880.00 -510 42,225,558 1,352,160 -249,710 1,024,611 5,281,792 -314,634 2,140 3,533,670 62,364.00 127,320 929,724

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.03 1.04 1.03 1.04 1.01 1.02 5,157,000 5,266,720 7.05 7.29 7.29 7.29 7.05 7.2 2,400 17,007 ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP 795 796.5 790.5 800 790 800 87,050 69,446,100 41.7 41.8 41.5 41.9 40.6 41.75 195,200 8,108,240 ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL 10.16 10.18 10.14 10.28 10.14 10.18 2,611,900 26,610,524 AYALA LAND LOG 4.16 4.18 4.2 4.57 4.18 4.57 21,677,000 95,915,050 6.96 7.1 7.1 7.1 6.96 7 7,500 52,894 ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG 1 1.01 0.99 1.03 0.99 1.01 3,169,000 3,191,190 ATN HLDG A 0.7 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.7 0.7 665,000 466,380 0.7 0.74 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 10,000 7,000 ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL 5.19 5.2 5.19 5.22 5.18 5.2 10,776,300 55,987,550 6.56 6.57 6.55 6.61 6.49 6.6 5,630,100 37,011,818 DMCI HLDG 8.13 8.2 8.13 8.3 8.13 8.2 168,100 1,377,532 FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A 2.91 3.19 2.91 2.91 2.91 2.91 6,000 17,460 587.5 590 592 600 586 600 68,170 40,562,270 GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV 4.02 4.14 4.1 4.2 4.08 4.08 155,000 637,990 JG SUMMIT 60.6 61 60.4 61.5 60.4 61.5 435,600 26,723,812.50 5.63 6 5.63 5.63 5.63 5.63 500 2,815 JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR 0.83 0.86 0.83 0.86 0.82 0.83 424,000 349,380 3.33 3.36 3.33 3.36 3.33 3.36 401,000 1,347,330 LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 12.36 12.38 12.28 12.58 12.1 12.2 1,694,900 20,713,102 MABUHAY HLDG 0.51 0.55 0.51 0.53 0.51 0.52 33,000 17,150 3.78 3.79 3.78 3.82 3.78 3.78 8,696,000 32,998,590 METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG 3.57 3.62 3.57 3.61 3.5 3.61 51,000 181,320 2.97 2.98 2.98 2.98 2.8 2.85 3,199,000 9,174,050 PRIME MEDIA 1.27 1.3 1.26 1.26 1.21 1.21 486,000 601,920 SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS 1,001 1,006 999 1,019 992 1,019 126,810 128,727,862.50 116.5 117 118 118 116.3 118 170,590 20,104,038 SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 80,000 59,200 TOP FRONTIER 137.8 138 138 139.5 137.8 139.5 5,820 807,626 0.28 0.295 0.28 0.29 0.28 0.29 580,000 163,800 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG 0.231 0.239 0.24 0.24 0.23 0.239 540,000 126,100

429,420 12,624,695 -3,643,395 -7,212,946.00 982,330 47,010 -4,468,959 -11,141,658 -1,640.00 -15,367,600 132,010 1,221,154.50 8,300 -1,344,000 -15,761,024 -19,510,710 24,060 57,936,370 612,448 59,200 13,800 -

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.68 0.69 0.69 0.7 0.68 0.69 757,000 521,420 36 36.05 36 37 35.9 36.95 6,670,400 243,513,105 AYALA LAND ARANETA PROP 1.17 1.23 1.17 1.22 1.17 1.22 160,000 187,250 36.5 36.75 36.3 36.8 36 36.4 771,100 27,962,690 AREIT RT BELLE CORP 1.45 1.47 1.46 1.49 1.46 1.49 1,366,000 2,015,270 A BROWN 0.92 0.94 0.92 0.93 0.91 0.93 284,000 259,280 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.07 0.99 1.01 4,135,000 4,197,100 CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES 0.132 0.136 0.136 0.14 0.132 0.135 40,220,000 5,334,080 3.54 3.55 3.54 3.55 3.48 3.5 1,702,000 5,963,640 CEB LANDMASTERS 0.5 0.51 0.51 0.53 0.5 0.53 15,121,000 7,848,830 CENTURY PROP DOUBLEDRAGON 11.94 11.96 12.08 12.18 11.8 11.8 3,202,000 38,013,324 2 2.01 2 2.02 1.99 2 9,584,000 19,200,290 DDMP RT DM WENCESLAO 7.02 7.2 7.02 7.2 7.02 7.1 60,300 428,589 0.295 0.305 0.305 0.305 0.3 0.3 870,000 262,400 EMPIRE EAST 0.47 0.475 0.47 0.475 0.435 0.445 43,990,000 19,667,400 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND 1.13 1.15 1.14 1.16 1.13 1.16 12,790,000 14,703,910 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.89 0.91 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 154,000 138,600 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.3 7.14 7.16 23,100 166,974 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 1.34 1.36 1.34 1.36 1.33 1.33 2,030,000 2,703,590 1.72 1.74 1.74 1.75 1.71 1.73 561,000 966,310 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 3.15 3.16 3.15 3.18 3.12 3.12 27,315,000 85,677,460 MRC ALLIED 0.375 0.38 0.38 0.385 0.375 0.38 9,790,000 3,701,350 0.67 0.68 0.66 0.69 0.66 0.68 10,201,000 6,873,400 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 2.88 2.89 2.81 2.89 2.61 2.61 1,345,000 3,666,240 ROBINSONS LAND 17.58 17.66 17.52 17.8 17.52 17.6 1,844,800 32,575,978 0.38 0.39 0.38 0.39 0.365 0.37 6,930,000 2,575,200 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.56 1.57 1.59 1.6 1.55 1.6 86,000 136,630 2.65 2.7 2.66 2.69 2.66 2.69 48,000 128,620 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 3.05 3.09 3.1 3.1 2.98 3.05 669,000 2,049,280 SM PRIME HLDG 36.1 36.15 36 36.15 35.8 36 6,399,100 230,384,245 3.83 3.95 3.95 3.95 3.8 3.94 46,000 175,830 VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME 1.62 1.66 1.62 1.67 1.61 1.66 227,000 366,250 3.71 3.74 3.75 3.75 3.66 3.68 2,022,000 7,466,190 VISTA LAND

SERVICES ABS CBN 12.44 12.5 12.38 12.68 12.32 12.32 314,700 3,906,630 14.02 14.06 13.96 14.1 13.8 13.86 1,483,100 20,641,692 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.42 0.435 0.425 0.435 0.425 0.43 90,000 38,700 9.79 10.48 9.81 9.81 9.81 9.81 1,900 18,639 MLA BRDCASTING GLOBE TELECOM 1,983 1,984 1,965 1,989 1,953 1,983 95,555 189,295,345 PLDT 1,291 1,293 1,300 1,300 1,286 1,290 100,105 129,199,685 0.167 0.168 0.169 0.176 0.165 0.175 436,230,000 73,761,880 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 23.05 23.1 22.7 24.1 22.7 23.35 12,160,100 286,287,320 DFNN INC 4.81 4.9 4.75 4.92 4.73 4.79 798,000 3,806,430 8.73 8.74 8.86 8.86 8.6 8.63 12,375,600 107,165,174 DITO CME HLDG JACKSTONES 2.23 2.36 2.23 2.25 2.19 2.25 44,000 97,270 2.44 2.45 2.48 2.5 2.41 2.43 1,164,000 2,846,790 NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.49 0.495 0.49 0.5 0.475 0.485 14,460,000 6,972,250 PHILWEB 2.45 2.48 2.45 2.48 2.4 2.45 1,214,000 2,942,990 8.37 8.38 8.38 8.5 8.35 8.36 41,600 348,345 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 14.64 14.86 14.8 14.8 14.5 14.5 27,800 405,558 3.05 3.06 3.05 3.06 3.05 3.05 265,000 808,310 CHELSEA 50.7 50.8 49.8 51 49.8 50.05 244,000 12,246,560 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 161.2 161.9 160 164 159.7 164 614,250 99,333,647 17.4 17.96 17.96 17.96 17.94 17.96 17,800 319,686 LBC EXPRESS LORENZO SHIPPNG 1 1.06 1 1 1 1 3,000 3,000 5.28 5.29 5.2 5.32 5.2 5.24 1,059,000 5,576,066 MACROASIA 2.11 2.12 2.12 2.13 2.11 2.13 186,000 394,270 METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 2.1 2.46 2.11 2.11 2.11 2.11 6,000 12,660 1.21 1.23 1.25 1.25 1.2 1.21 286,000 347,690 HARBOR STAR 1.93 1.99 1.97 1.99 1.97 1.99 75,000 148,710 ACESITE HOTEL BOULEVARD HLDG 0.144 0.145 0.144 0.153 0.143 0.149 831,610,000 124,022,080 3 3.1 3 3 3 3 34,000 102,000 DISCOVERY WORLD WATERFRONT 0.57 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.56 0.57 446,000 254,370 0.38 0.385 0.385 0.385 0.375 0.375 2,800,000 1,053,650 STI HLDG 5.26 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 1,900 10,450 BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY 6.69 6.7 6.8 6.84 6.6 6.84 4,311,100 29,059,240 PACIFIC ONLINE 2.06 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.05 2.05 120,000 246,100 1.63 1.66 1.63 1.63 1.6 1.61 344,000 554,090 LEISURE AND RES PH RESORTS GRP 1.88 1.9 1.92 1.92 1.88 1.88 1,739,000 3,281,880 0.45 0.455 0.445 0.46 0.445 0.455 8,790,000 3,996,000 PREMIUM LEISURE ALLHOME 8.13 8.15 8.15 8.29 8.06 8.06 968,000 7,902,149 METRO RETAIL 1.4 1.43 1.43 1.43 1.39 1.39 293,000 407,380 40.85 40.9 39.85 41 39.85 40.7 3,054,400 123,355,595 PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL 56.85 56.9 55.55 57.2 55.55 56.95 863,840 49,162,536 PHIL SEVEN CORP 96 100 100 100 96 96 4,490 432,047.50 1.28 1.29 1.27 1.3 1.26 1.27 1,554,000 1,991,310 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 21.05 21.2 20.95 22 20.9 22 1,472,200 31,629,750 0.38 0.39 0.39 0.39 0.375 0.375 1,770,000 666,800 APC GROUP EASYCALL 5.95 6.05 5.99 6.05 5.9 5.9 41,700 247,500 430.2 447 447 447 447 447 10 4,470 GOLDEN MV 5.6 5.8 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 1,400 7,840 IPM HLDG PRMIERE HORIZON 1.62 1.63 1.62 1.63 1.57 1.58 13,550,000 21,682,410 SBS PHIL CORP 4.45 4.5 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.45 30,000 133,500

197,170 36,226,320.00 1,464,500 -444,000 6,370 -959,210 45,540 -16,452,436 7,299,890 148,600 -3,072,260.00 1,330 -1,740 -26,952,670 11,400 54,400 -50,830 -23,391,376 26,350 5,200 -68,680,715 -3,851,130 26,436,420 33,946,755 -794,260 -9,723,325 -285,000 4,309,787.00 -114,990 -394,900 2,514 0 161,380 -27,543,014 -222,612 -65,360 7,600 -7,893,293 6,150.00 102,280 -13,650 -1,109,101 -1,606,970 3,381,679 -89,209 12,900 -3,918,445 14,950 -113,550 -

MINING & OIL ATOK 8.01 8.24 8.15 8.38 7.96 8 371,400 3,017,675 -22,194 APEX MINING 1.68 1.69 1.67 1.74 1.67 1.73 7,605,000 13,012,320 5,967,040 6.33 6.36 6.37 6.37 6.23 6.28 748,800 4,697,395 -135,055 ATLAS MINING BENGUET A 5.53 5.84 5.76 5.88 5.53 5.53 31,400 176,372 5.41 5.87 5.76 5.87 5.53 5.73 16,600 96,433 BENGUET B 0.3 0.315 0.31 0.31 0.3 0.3 210,000 63,500 COAL ASIA HLDG CENTURY PEAK 2.85 2.9 2.85 2.85 2.83 2.83 412,000 1,167,600 465,390 DIZON MINES 6.36 6.49 6.5 6.5 6.32 6.32 24,000 152,087 2.48 2.5 2.46 2.52 2.46 2.48 1,634,000 4,059,840 726,210 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.33 0.335 0.33 0.335 0.33 0.33 150,000 49,550 0.156 0.157 0.157 0.157 0.156 0.156 30,450,000 4,758,200 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.159 0.164 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 1,250,000 200,000 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 35,300,000 413,300 MANILA MINING A 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 500,000 5,600 MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES 1.18 1.22 1.18 1.22 1.15 1.15 1,310,000 1,537,590 -526,790 NIHAO 1.47 1.49 1.49 1.49 1.46 1.46 257,000 377,380 5.47 5.53 5.42 5.55 5.42 5.51 3,210,200 17,674,735 1,736,526 NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.98 1 0.97 1 0.95 0.97 890,000 863,860 6.56 6.57 6.5 6.62 6.5 6.62 766,100 5,052,209 -326,886 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 16.8 16.84 16.8 16.9 16.72 16.8 1,330,300 22,342,054 -657,368 UNITED PARAGON 0.0092 0.0094 0.0092 0.0094 0.0092 0.0094 89,000,000 823,000 27,600 17.9 18 17.8 18 17.48 17.48 70,200 1,241,640 -122,180.00 ACE ENEXOR ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 60,500,000 728,600 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 5,300,000 64,200 ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 7,600,000 86,100 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 7.77 7.94 7.9 7.9 7.77 7.8 138,400 1,081,051 -81,628

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 100.4 101 101 101 101 101 14,280 1,442,280 523 525 523 523 523 523 100 52,300 AC PREF B2R CEB PREF 48.5 48.9 49 49.1 48.5 49 199,300 9,763,480 -6,211,725 102 104 104 104 104 104 670 69,680 CPG PREF A DD PREF 101.2 102 102 102 102 102 210 21,420 505 516 505 505 505 505 970 489,850 GLO PREF P 995 1,010 995 995 995 995 15 14,925 GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B 1,020 1,049 1,034 1,034 1,034 1,034 1,120 1,158,080 100.7 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.1 101.1 3,010 304,411 MWIDE PREF 100.7 101.8 101.8 101.8 101.8 101.8 220 22,396 MWIDE PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B 104.7 106.7 106.7 106.7 104.7 106.7 110 11,717 1,003 1,005 1,005 1,005 1,003 1,005 45 45,205 PNX PREF 4 1,020 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 100 103,000 PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A 1,114 1,116 1,114 1,114 1,114 1,114 4,000 4,456,000 1,149 1,170 1,169 1,169 1,148 1,148 2,080 2,409,390 PCOR PREF 3B SFI PREF 1.66 2 1.66 1.69 1.66 1.69 7,000 11,800 78.75 78.8 78.8 78.8 78.7 78.7 32,160 2,531,697 SMC PREF 2C 76.8 77.8 76.8 76.8 76.8 76.8 100 7,680 SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2I 77.4 78.3 78.05 78.3 78 78.3 184,700 14,446,870 76 78 76 76 76 76 2,000 152,000 SMC PREF 2J 75.95 76.45 75.95 76 75.95 76 14,120 1,073,065 - SMC PREF 2K

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 12 12.14 12.14 12.16 12 12 96,700 1,162,834 -112,800 12.84 13 12.82 12.9 12.8 12.82 66,400 851,726 21,794 GMA HLDG PDR

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 1.8 1.84 1.8 1.81 1.75 1.75 1,322,000 2,338,210 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 16.82 17.4 16.62 17.4 16.62 17 392,700 6,812,348 2.35 2.38 2.36 2.38 2.33 2.38 285,000 668,950 4,700 ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH 5.1 5.24 5.1 5.24 4.83 5.17 69,300 347,238 -50,675 3.97 3.98 3.97 4.15 3.92 4.14 18,701,000 75,016,070 480,720 MERRYMART

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 104.1 104.5 103.8 104.8 103.8 104.5 10,840 1,130,700 111,197

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Sta. Lucia targeting to raise ₧9.87B from follow-on offer

P

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

roperty developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc. (SLI) has set its sights on raising as much as P9.87 billion from the sale of additional common shares, according to the registration statement the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In its prospectus, the company, whose developments are mostly in the second- or third-tier municipalities, said it plans to sell some 2.5 billion common shares at an offer price of P2.38 to P3.29 per share, with an

overallotment option of up to 500 million common shares.

Sta. Lucia’s shares were last traded at P3.05 apiece.

China Bank Capital Corp. is the follow-on offering’s sole issue

manager, lead underwriter and sole bookrunner.

The company will issue up to 3 billion in new shares from its authorized and unissued capital stock by way of a primary offer.

Upon completion of the offer, assuming the over-allotment option is fully exercised, the total outstanding shares of the company shall be up to 11.19 billion common shares, and the offer shares will comprise up to 26.79 percent of the outstanding capital stock.

Assuming it sold the shares at P3.29 apiece with the over-allotment option exercised, the company said it would spend some P5.57 billion or more than half of the total proceeds for its capital expenditures for the ongoing projects, P3 billion to pay for its short-term debts, P500 million for landbanking and P477.65 million for general corporate purposes.

“Aligned with the company’s growth objectives, SLI continues to pursue real estate deals which can be developed into future residential and commercial projects. The company’s strategy for development is to focus on provincial areas that are largely ignored and under-served by its bigger competitors whose projects have, until recently, been concentrated in Metro Manila which is already congested and near saturation,” it said.

Sta. Lucia is present in 11 regions across the country.

“The company believes that sustained growth will come from the provinces and major cities outside of Metro Manila and have therefore prioritized establishing its presence there. The company believes that its expertise and knowledge in these areas will prove significant as it continues to expand its property footprint in these largely under-served areas.”

Cirtek US unit extends supply deal with telcos

Q

uintel USA Inc., a unit of Laguna-based Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp., on Monday said it has extended its master supply agreement with two major leading carriers in North America.

The extension of the agreement allows Quintel another 5 years of secured business with these two telcos, the firm said.

“Quintel is poised to grow its business in the near to medium term as evidenced by the relevance of its pioneering products that has been well received by our customers. Our products allow carriers to stay ahead of their game and maximize 5G services in the quickest and most cost economical manner. We are preparing our supply chain, planning, capacity expansion and capital expenditures to fully support the demand

as we look to grow our market share to double digit figures in the next three to five years,” group vice chairman Jorge Aguilar said.

“Quintel’s 5G products are precisely designed with the customer’s network architecture in mind allowing synergies in terms of backwards compatibility to existing infrastructure while providing 5G capability at a fraction of the cost against competitor products.”

The global 5G base station market is anticipated to grow by a compounded annual growth rate of around 32 percent from 2020 to 2028 and is estimated to cross market valuation of $177 billion by 2028, according to a market study published in March.

Cirtek is targeting to raise some P1.37 billion from its stock rights

PTT Global buys European chemicals maker for $4.75B

T

hailand’s PTT Global Chemical Pcl will acquire Allnex Holding GmbH, a European specialty chemicals maker owned by private equity firm Advent International, for 4 billion euros ($4.75 billion) to scale up its presence in the high-value chemicals products.

PTT Global will acquire 100 percent common stocks of Allnex Holding for 132.6 billion baht, or 3.58 billion euros, from Advent International and also assume 426 million euros of loans, it said in an exchange filing on Monday. The company will finance the acquisition through own cash and with support from its parent PTT Pcl, it said.

“PTT Global has so much excess cash that would help fund their aggressive expansion and acquisitions,” said Naphat Chantaraserekul, an analyst at Krungsri Securities Co. “The acquisition cost looks high from our review of Allnex’s recent earnings.”

PTT Global dropped 6.4 percent, the most since April 2020, to close at 54.75 baht. Shares of PTT, Thailand’s biggest company by market value, closed 0.7 percent lower at 37 baht.

PTT Global and its main local rivals—Indorama Ventures Pcl and Siam Cement Pcl—have stepped up overseas acquisitions and investments in recent years to expand their production of chemical materials used for plastic packaging, bottles and other products. PTT Global’s Allnex purchase will be the biggest overseas acquisition by

offering (SRO) with bonus detachable warrants. The company has set a final offer price at P5.50 for both per entitlement right of its SRO and final exercise price for the bonus detachable warrants.

The company intends to list some 249.44 million in common shares for the rights shares and 249.44 million in detachable warrants with

249.44 million in underlying common shares.

“Net proceeds will be used to primarily finance the working capital of Quintel USA Inc., Cirtek Electronics Corp. and Cirtek Advanced Technologies and Solutions Inc., as well as to refinance the existing debt/payout short-term obligations of Cirtek Electronics Corp.” VG Cabuag

mutual funds

July 12, 2021

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

219.37

8.14%

-4.39%

-4.22%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4217

34.08%

-0.18%

1.29%

8.28%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.03

10.18%

-8.6%

-6.47%

-3.29%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7692 10.5%

-4.22% n.a.

-4.32%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7579 12.03%

-2.89% n.a.

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

-2.26%

-2.37%

-2.02%

3.55%

-5.67%

-6.61%

-0.74% n.a.

1.22%

4.8414

11.34%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.7122

-3.45%

2.2%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

103.18

27.26%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

44.9711

10.05%

-2.5%

-3.11%

-4.01%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

471.79

8.24%

-2.55%

-3.51%

-3.52%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5

1.0726

19.84% n.a. n.a.

-2.25%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.1415

10.83%

-2.34%

-2.48%

-2.29%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

33.6874

11.11%

-1.98%

-2%

-3.11%

8.98% n.a. n.a.

-4.21%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.8746

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.6099

10.75%

-1.88%

-2.35%

-3.78%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

771.86

10.77%

-1.78%

-2.47%

-3.72%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7036

10.84%

-5.84%

-5.48%

9.12%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.4964

-2.13%

-4.24%

-3.81%

-3.52%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8814 10.24%

-2.15%

-2.61%

-3.96%

United Fund, Inc. -a

-2.57%

-1.62%

-3.11%

-1.57%

-1.9%

3.2157

10.81%

Exchange Traded Fund

a Thai company since Thai Beverage Pcl’s takeover of Fraser and Neave Ltd. in 2012, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.6787

6.8%

0.53%

-1.88%

0.61%

Searching profit

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2228

6.88%

-0.28%

-1.18%

-2.74%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5886

6.18%

0.57%

-0.68%

-1.46%

Global refiners have been making inroads into the plastic and specialty chemical sectors in search of better profit margins. With the rising electrification of cars and a slowdown in oil-demand growth, more fuel producers across China and India are also turning their focus to petrochemicals rather than gasoline and diesel.

Petrochemicals are set to be the biggest source of oil-demand growth over the medium-term, overshadowing an increase in transport fuels consumption, according to the International Energy Agency.

Demand for raw materials used to make petrochemicals—namely ethane, liquefied petroleum gas and naphtha—is expected to expand through 2026, it wrote in a report.

PTT Global expects to complete the Allnex transaction in December.

The company signed a agreement with PTT, the state-controlled energy giant, for as much as 73.9 billion baht of loans to fund its investment in high-value business, it said in a separate statement. The 2-year loan will have an interest rate of as much as 2.5 percent a year, it said.

The company’s cash and new loans will be enough for Allnex Holding acquisition, PTT Global it said in a separate statement, adding it will not seek to sell new shares to fund the purchase. Bloomberg News

-6.26%

103.6283

10.77%

-3.65%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities $1.22

16.95%

5.66%

7.77%

1.42%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7982

ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

25.62%

11.58%

12.46%

7.5%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1942

3.74% n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

4.95%

2.06%

1.9463

0.15%

-0.9% -3.24%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.6654

3.99%

1.23%

-1.13%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.4312

4.84%

1.36%

-1.09%

-2.98%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0474

5.67%

-0.07%

-0.81%

-2.23%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4954 5.66%

-1.02%

-2.12%

-2.18%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9838

2.95% n.a. n.a.

-3.79%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.8999

4.51% n.a. n.a.

-5.19%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8868

6.01% n.a. n.a.

-4.96%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

7.25%

-1.21%

0.877

-1.4%

-2.38%

-2.22%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a

$0.03845

-0.26%

3.14%

1.34%

-1.71%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1105

8.77%

3.25%

4.48%

-3.45%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7384 19.34%

8.88%

8.59%

5%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.2184 9.75%

5.18%

4.77%

1.36%

0.42%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

372.62

1.61%

3.2%

2.42%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9236

-1.04%

1.07%

0.18%

1.23%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2313

1.16%

3.7%

4.29%

0.52%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2645

-1.71%

2.23%

1.2%

-1.37%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4413 -0.55%

3.28%

1.64%

-0.49%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.4738

-3.52%

4.32%

1.12%

-3.47%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6

1.3174

1.26%

4.03%

2.69%

-0.29%

4.48%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.983

0.18%

1.93%

-0.45%

1.0349

-0.06%

4.72%

1.5%

-0.68%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.2136

1.09%

5.38%

2.16%

0.24%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

0.15%

4.65%

1.44%

-0.34%

1.7491

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$486.33

2.48%

3.16%

2.11%

0.51%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є220.09

2.08%

1.08%

0.97%

0.42%

$1.2

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

-2.01%

2.54%

1.29%

-6.28%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0261 0.38%

1.85%

0.78%

-1.88%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$1.0659

-0.56%

1.03%

-0.76%

-2.45%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.5168

2.79%

5.24%

1.73%

-0.74%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.0630141

3.83%

3.56%

2.16%

1.12%

0.17%

3.47%

0.57%

-0.98%

2.53%

0.42%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1921

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

130.35

1.61%

3.02%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0533 1.07% n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.3058

1.68%

2.83%

2.55%

0.5% 0.71%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0578

1.18%

1.66% n.a.

0.51%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.3016

31.49% n.a. n.a.

15.23%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2

$1

7.53% n.a. n.a.

2.04%

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

1 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 2 - Launch date is November 15, 2019. 3 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019.

4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 5 - Launch date is December 09, 2019.

6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund).

7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance

Weak peso pushes T-bill rates up; govt bags ₧15B

A

LL tenors of Treasury Bills (T-bills) fetched higher rates on Monday as the Philippine peso already breached the P50-level mark against the greenback.

Despite this, the Bureau of the Treasury fully awarded P15 billion in T-bills during the auction.

Total bids for debt papers hit P42.1 billion, making the auction nearly thrice oversubscribed.

While the T-bills recorded higher average rates compared with the previous auction, these are all below the secondary market levels.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said “rates moved slightly higher as peso breached 50/1$ mark.”

On Friday, the peso closed at P50.08 per dollar, its weakest performance in more than a year or since June 23, 2020 when it finished at P50.19.

The 91-day T-bills’ average rate stood at 1.068 percent, inching up by 2.4 basis points from 1.044 percent in the previous auction. The debt paper attracted total bids amounting to P14.7 billion, nearly thrice the

P5-billion offer.

Meanwhile, the 182-day T-bills’ average rate rose by 3.3 basis points to reach 1.384 percent from 1.351 percent previously. Tenders for the security reached P14.8 billion, also thrice the P5-billion program.

Lastly, the 364-day T-bills had an average rate of 1.593 percent, 2.5 basis points above the previous auction rate of 1.568 percent. Bids for the tenor capped at P12.59 billion, three times the equivalent of P5-billion offer.

For July, the Treasury has set to borrow P235 billion from the local debt market, slightly bigger than the P215 billion it programmed in June.

The national government programmed to borrow a total of P3.1trillion, of which around 75 percent is expected to be raised through domestic sources.

Outstanding debt of the national government as of end-May this year has already ballooned to a record P11.07 trillion, up by 13 percent from P9.795 trillion as of end-2020.

Bernadette D. Nicolas

Why financial planning is important?

D

ID you experience having a hard time in managing your finances? Having debts due to excessive expenses or maybe because of unforeseen events in your family? Do you want to achieve your goals of buying your own home or car in the near future? These are just some of the things that we are considering once we started working or doing business.

Financial planning helps you determine your short term and long term financial goals.

After determining your goals, you will be able to plan and set actions on how you can achieve it.

But before that, establishing your why is also important. The reason why we do financial planning is to be a good steward of the resources entrusted to us so we can bless our family, the people around us, our community and contribute in nation building.

Consulting a finance professional can help you on mapping out your roadmap since this is a step by step process. It’s not about getting rich quick but combining discipline, hard-work and of course trusting the source of our income.

Here are some of the reasons why we need financial planning: 1. Managing household expenses. Since money is a medium of exchange in our society, having the right strategies on producing, preserving and growing it will make an impact in our day to day expenses.

This includes your basic needs, food, clothing and shelter.

If you’re a parent, educational expenses and needs of your children will add up from the basic needs. The lack of financial planning can cause our family to face difficulties in the long run. Having the right foundation can give us an advantage to achieve our goals and create a better future for our next generation.

2. Avoiding or Getting out of debt. Being in debt can oftentimes paralyze us in achieving our goals. Knowing the techniques in avoiding and getting debts such as increasing cash flow to manage increasing needs in a family can be an advantage.

Try to list down the opportunities that you can take to increase income by also growing your skills. This way you can add more value to the organization where you belong or maybe you can offer sideline services too.

If you’re already in debt, one technique that you can apply is the so called “Snow Ball” method.

In this approach, you will list down all your debts, pay the smallest consistently until you pay the next one and eventually be debt free. If your other debts have interest, and if possible to pay the interest consistently as well til you have big chunk that can deplete it.

Karlo Biglang-Awa

personal finance 3. Increasing your savings.

Building an adequate amount of savings in the bank can be difficult if we do not have discipline and consistency. I remember when I started saving 10 percent of my income every cut-off, I started with P2,000 then eventually it grow little by little.

This can be possible if we prioritize our needs and set aside a budget for our wants. Since one of the struggles of many Filipinos is budgeting, it can result to zero savings even in years of hard-work. When we commit to a savings goal, we can take small steps and achieve it for a particular period of time.

4. Prepare for emergencies.

Creating an emergency fund equivalent to six months of your monthly expenses can give us buffer funds in case of job loss or family emergency.

On the other hand, getting protected from life risks such as life, accident or health insurance can prevent financial distress due to unforeseen expenses resulting from accidents or medical emergencies. Through this protection, if you’re investing in the stock market or real estate, you can still pursue your goals without withdrawing your investments. There are a lot of people who lost their investments or assets because of the said emergencies.

5. Attaining life goals. Each of us have goals in life. This could be having a comfortable retirement, sending our kids in top Universities or even creating assets that we can even transfer to the next generation.

This thing will not happen overnight but with consistent small steps and having the right financial instruments. Knowing the platforms such as mutual funds, investing the stock market, real estate or creating multiple income streams are some of the factors that we should take to attain such goals.

If you are not yet sure which path to take, make sure to consult a professional to know your current financial status. If we plan an hour, we will save 10 hours of doing. Nowadays, we need to work smart by strategizing so we can maximize our resources and achieve efficiency in our career and business income.

Though as much as we plan, there will still be uncertainties that we cannot control.

Karlo Biglang-Awa is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. To learn more about personal-financial planning, attend the 90th RFP program this June 2021. To inquire, e-mail info@ rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, July 13, 2021

B3

Sugar smuggling suspected from SRA export refill plan

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM & Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

HE Department of Finance (DOF) has ordered the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to sniff out sugar smuggling following reports that certain traders are exceeding their allowed import volume under the export replenishment program of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero was informed the DOF has received reports from officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Cebu that a company authorized to export sugar has been “shrewdly” replenishing the shipments of sugar it sent overseas by importing more than the volume it had exported.

“Please keep an eye on those gaps,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told Guerrero during a recent DOF Executive Committee meeting.

Dominguez, who was a former agriculture secretary under the administration of former President Corazon Aquino, said during the meeting that the sugar price domes-

tically is much higher than the world market price.

“So there is going to be an incentive for people to smuggle in sugar,” he said.

For his part, BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel SD Guballa said during the meeting that he has long been coordinating with the SRA to ensure that traders secure prior clearance from the Bureau to be able to import sugar, in compliance with Dominguez’s earlier directive.

The program

UNDER the export replenishment program of the SRA, exporters of “A” sugar/quedans, which is for sale to the United States at a preferen-

tial rate, may import the commodity in raw or refined form to replace the volume they sold overseas. This replenishment scheme ensures that the supply of sugar remains stable in the domestic market.

The importation is allowed provided that the volume of sugar that an exporter may import shall not exceed the volume of “A” sugar/quedans it exported. The SRA classifies sugar into “A” for sugar for export to the US, “B” for domestic consumption, “C” for reserves, “D” for export to countries other than the US and “E” for food local processors.

The Philippines is one of the select countries given an annual allocation of sugar exports to the US market.

Customs Assistant Commissioner and spokesman Vincent Philip C. Maronilla told the BusinessMirror that Guerrero has already instructed the bureau’s Intelligence Group to investigate.

“As soon as the directive was given, a corresponding instruction to investigate was given by the Commissioner,” Maronilla said in a message.

While he said they cannot disclose anything yet regarding the investigation, Maronilla said these traders “maybe held liable for fraudulent practices and/or illegal importation” if found in violation of existing laws.

Sought for comment by BusinessMirror, Guballa also refused to identify the company that has been reported to have been engaged in this practice, citing the data privacy act.

However, he said they are currently looking into the impact of this practice to the government’s revenue collections.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) welcomed Dominguez’s statement, noting that the latter’s directive would ensure that sugar imports will be consistent with the government’s rules on the ongoing replenishment program.

“The directive will ensure that the imports that come in as replenishment will be consistent with the program of SRA under Sugar Order #3 series of 2020-21, that exporters of the A sugar/quedans are allowed to bring in the sugar and corresponding to the volume that they exported to the US quota,” PSMA Executive Director Jesus L. Barrera told the BusinessMirror via SMS. The sugar replenishment program officially started last July 1 and shipments under the program must arrive no later than October 31. Imports under the replenishment program would be initially classified as “C” or reserve until the importer requests for reclassification of the concerned shipments.

Reclassification of “C” sugar requires a formal written request to the SRA board, which has the authority to approve such matter based on existing rules and regulations. Sources told the BusinessMirror that nobody has applied to date for reclassification of “C” sugar to “B” sugar.

Sluggish credit growth threatens recovery–Salceda

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

W

ithout a right stimulus program, the sluggish credit growth of the Philippines can further threaten the country’s economic recovery, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda of Albay said.

Salceda, an economist-lawmaker, issued the statement on Monday in response to a July report by market watcher Capital Economics that pointed out the “extreme weakness of credit growth” in countries like the Philippines and Mexico among peers in emerging markets.

“We can’t afford low growth. That has implications on revenue, socioeconomic programs, job creation and overall quality of life. And credit is always a good indicator of growth expectations,” Salceda said.

According to the lawmaker, the country needs a stimulus program with an attached “credit refinancing and restructuring program” to address this “extreme weakness of credit growth.”

“We still need programs that will lower the costs of borrowing, make debt restructuring easier, and improve business appetite to borrow for expansion or recovery. The level

of hesitancy of our financial system to expand its lending operations is now extreme, especially compared with our peers,” Salceda said.

The lawmaker noted he has consistently proposed three key solutions to address this issue.

Proposals

THE proposals include the following: a credit mediation and refinancing system which will assist businesses refinance or restructure their debts; the condonation of agrarian reform debts to release land currently used sub-optimally from liens and other encumbrances; and, an investment portfolio system for micro-scale, small-scale and medium-scale enterprises, or MSMEs, where banks can lend to diverse portfolios invested into small and medium enterprises and startups.”

The Capital Economics report stated that “the extreme weakness of credit growth in other emerging markets such as Mexico and the Philippines threatens to further hold back economic recoveries.”

“The numbers look particularly worrying in countries where credit growth is has fallen precipitously and/or is extremely weak. Mexico and the Philippines stand out,” the report added. “Loan officers’ surveys from both countries suggest that de-

mand and supply are both concerns that are weighing on lending.”

The report further said that “a prolonged period of extremely weak credit growth is likely to result in reduced investment. That will result in slower economic growth.”

It cited a 2011 study by the International Monetary Fund that suggested gross domestic product growth in countries that experience “credit-less” recoveries from recessions “is, on average, a third lower than during ‘normal’ recoveries.”

“And lower investment and a reduced capital stock raises the risk of longer-term damage to the supply potential of these economies,” the report added.

Worryingly low

AMID interest rates already at historic low, Salceda said outstanding loans of large banks collapsed 5 percent year-on-year in April, marking the fifth straight month of decline.

“This is the worst credit decline since the -7.2 percent recorded in June 1999 in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis,” Salceda pointed out.

Also, the lawmaker said the proposed Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery, or Guide, bill should be

enacted immediately when session resumes on July 26.

“That’s trouble unless we do something. The credit mediation and refinancing scheme is stuck with [the] Guide [bill], still pending in the Senate,” Salceda said. “We need to see that enacted soon.”

The Guide bill seeks to provide financial assistance to distressed enterprises critical to economic recovery through programs and initiatives to be implemented by Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, for purposes of addressing liquidity or solvency problems of MSMEs and strategically important industries, encourage their continued operations, and maintain employment levels.

“The economic managers prefer refinancing over condonation with agrarian reform loans. But I will keep trying to pitch it, as do our friends in the Foundation for Economic Freedom. A fund for bundled MSME investments is probably something we could take up in Bayanihan 3,” Salceda added.

“The point is that these levels are worrisome, and because credit is an indication of future growth prospects, if we don’t do something here, there is a risk that we might see lackluster growth over the next five years,” he warned.

LandBank awarded top taxpayer by Manila LGU

S

tate-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) was awarded as one of the “Top 10 Business Taxpayers for the Year” 2020 by the City of Manila during the Outstanding Manilans Awarding Ceremonies held last June during the 450th Founding Anniversary of the City of Manila.

“The award recognizes corporations and institutions in the City that have consistently fulfilled the timely payment of business taxes according to the local government code schedule,” a statement by LandBank said.

“Out of the 10 awardees, Landbank was the only government

institution to receive the award.”

“Katangi-tangi ang kanilang debosyon sa pagtupad ng kanilang obligasyon bilang mga indibidwal, korporasyon, o negosyante, sa kabila ng pandemya, at patuloy ang kanilang pagtupad sa kanilang pananagutan sa pamahalaan,” said Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno during his speech. [Their devotion to fulfilling their obligations as individuals, corporations, or entrepreneurs is unique, despite the pandemic, and they continue to fulfill their responsibilities to government.]

LandBank North National Capital Region Branches Group Head Senior Vice President Mar-

ilou L. Villafranca received the award on behalf of the state-run bank, which was conferred by Moreno, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and City Treasurer’s Officer-in-Charge Maria Jazmin Talegon.

“We are committed to fulfill our obligation to the City of Manila through the timely payment of LandBank’s dues and taxes, even during this pandemic. Together with the City Government of Manila and other LGU partners, we continue to work towards accelerating the collective recovery of our economy and local communities,” LandBank President and CEO Cecilia C. Bor-

romeo was quoted in the statement as saying.

The Outstanding Manilans Awarding Ceremonies, which was held at the newly renovated and historic Metropolitan Theater in Ermita, Manila, recognized outstanding individuals, government and private institutions in the City.

A total of 50 awards were conferred during the ceremony, that included Posthumous Awards for medical frontliners who serviced during the pandemic, the Top 10 Real Property Taxpayers of 2020, and ‘Outstanding Manilan’ awards recognizing exemplary citizens in their respective fields.

B4

Art

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

❷

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ken Jeong, 52; Cheech Marin, 75; Harrison Ford, 79; Patrick Stewart, 81.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Be charming, helpful and open to suggestions, and the barricades will disintegrate.

A positive attitude is infectious, and new ideas and beginnings will thrive in such an environment. The choice is yours to make. Step into the future with optimism, hope and faith. Strive to excel; don’t let the past hold you back and harvest regret. Take ownership of what’s to come. Your numbers are 7, 13, 19, 22, 25, 36, 48.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Don’t limit the results you get because you take on too much.

Channel your energy where it counts and will bring the highest return. Change begins with you, and your success depends on finishing what you start.

Romance is on the rise. ★★★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Spend more time gathering information and studying the possibilities and less time on what others are doing. Be a leader, not a follower, and you will avoid getting involved in something that isn’t good for your ego or your health. ★★

❶

❶ HUMBLE But

Solitary, Reynard Borillo, 2021, oil on fiberglass resin and goldleaf, 48”x48”

❷ THOR, Richard Buxani, 2020, brass on stainless steel, 25”x19”x16”

Local talents to be on display in joint showcase of two galleries

E

STABLISHED and emerging Filipino artists take centerstage in a week-long collaborative showcase between Art Anton and Art Elaan, opening this Friday at S Maison.

The joint event, titled Art in the Atrium, will occupy the Main Atrium of the Pasay City mall with a collection of solo shows and group exhibitions, featuring artists from the two galleries’ roster of talents. Art in the Atrium runs from July 16 to July 23.

Comprising Art Anton’s lineup are three solo exhibitions and one group show.

Part of the gallery’s one-artist presentations is Ardour, the latest exhibition of sculptor and jeweler Anita del Rosario. The artist began her artistic career as a comics illustrator for several publishing

groups, before transitioning into the field of jewelry design, and then into sculpture. Del Rosario rose to fame with her imaginative iterations of the cross

using a motley of materials. One of her featured works in the show is a twisting, zippy image of Christ, titled Redemeer Ver.2, made of resin, copper, mother of pearl and wood.

Another renowned sculptor featured in a solo show is Richard Buxani. In Kira Kira, the artist offers new products of his ever-evolving relationship with raw brass. Thor, for instance, is Buxani’s electric take on the famous Norse god of thunder and lightning, depicted in mid-swing of his mighty Mjolnir.

Rounding up the gallery’s solo show offerings is Khervin Gallandez’s Between Horizons. The self-taught painter comes through yet again with his

CONTINUED ON B5

SEIFRED GUILARAN of Angono, Rizal, won first prize in the NonRepresentational (Abstract) Painting category for his piece, titled Brush Stroke Imitation.

number of submissions since GSIS launched the art tilt in 2004.

A cash prize of P300,000 was awarded to each of the top winners of the Representational and Non-Representational (Abstract) Painting categories, while P250,000 was given to the winner of the Sculpture category. Second and Third Place winners in all three categories were granted P200,000 and P100,000, while four Honorable Mentions in all categories received P25,000 each.

The winning artworks are now part of the GSIS art collection, and shall be on display at the GSIS Museo ng Sining in Pasay City until December 29, 2021. The awarding ceremonies can be accessed on the GSIS Museo ng Sining Facebook account until August 31.

To view the winning artworks at the GSIS Museo ng Sining, guests must e-mail museum@gsis.gov. ph or museongsining@gmail.com to schedule their visit. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the museum is open on limited

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Spend time fixing up your space and putting things in order. Don’t let outside influences override what you know in your heart is best for you. Gauge your success by the happiness you achieve. ★★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Explore the possibilities, associate with like-minded people and see what you can achieve. Your happiness is in your hands; choose the path that makes you feel good about who you are and what you do to make the world a better place. ★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do your best to make a difference. Make suggestions and offer your services, but don’t make donations because someone makes you feel guilty. Your time and effort are as valuable as providing the cash. ★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Discuss matters of concern openly and honestly.

Taking charge will help you bring about positive change and gain respect from your peers. A professional incident will strike an emotional chord that will help you find alternative opportunities. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A disciplined approach to whatever you do will help you reach your goal. Take good care of your health and physical well-being. Staying in shape and avoiding situations that pose health risks or injuries are encouraged. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ve got all the right moves and mental capability to bring about positive lifestyle changes. Stop dreaming about what you want; begin the process that will lead to better days ahead. ★★★★

GSIS reveals 2021 National Art Competition winners THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced the winners of its 16th National Art Competition held last June 25, with the theme “Alay na Ginhawa sa Panahon ng Pandemya.”

In the Representational Painting category, John Mhar Santos bagged the first prize for Parcel No. 143. Ryan Joseph Casiles and Edu Perreras placed second and third for Yakapsul and Doble Kayod, respectively. Winning top honors in NonRepresentational (Abstract) Painting category was Seifred Guilaran for Brush Stroke Imitation, followed by second-placed Rick Hernandez for Tale of Two Variants and third-placed Herbert Pajarito for Look Up in the Sky. Meanwhile, Sariel Armando Ancheta topped the Sculpture category for Tatsulok.

Coming at second was Dante Blanco for Dalangin, and at third was Wilfredo Custodio for Ang Hardinera.

GSIS received a record-setting total of 1,451 art entries this year across the three art categories. The figure is the highest

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Emotionally manipulative situations will be costly. Distance yourself from people who try to take advantage of you or who are misleading. Look inward and consider what will make you happy. ★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): An unexpected change will take you by surprise and encourage financial gain. An investment, major move or upping your earning potential looks promising. Pay attention to detail; focus on what you can do to get ahead. Negotiate on your behalf. ★★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Do your best to get along with others. Look for common ground, and you will overcome setbacks. Put your skills to the test, and implement adjustments if you aren’t up to speed with what’s trending. ★★★

capacity and by session with 25 visitors only starting today, July 13. Special access is given Tuesdays to Saturdays 9 am to 2:30 pm except on holidays and dates reserved

for special functions/activities.

More information can be had via 8859-0395 or the aforementioned e-mail addresses.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Embrace opportunities. Engage in the process of bringing about positive change. Home improvements, discussions with loved ones and plans that entail social events or doing things you enjoy with people you love will brighten your day. ★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are intelligent, curious and imaginative.

You are compassionate and affectionate.

‘postseason’ BY ELLEN CHEN AND JEFF CHEN The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Moves, like a tail 5 Includes on an e-mail 8 What a balloon or showoff is full of 14 Spilled salt, to some 15 Break ground?

16 Brother of Artemis 17 “Hilarious!,” in a text 18 Hockey great Bobby 19 Hawaiian verandas 20 Somersault’s kin (Theme hint: Think “spring”) 23 Memorial Day’s month 24 Angle measure equal to about 57 degrees 25 Ground cover?

26 Trait transmitters 29 The Wasp’s partner 32 Eve’s partner 33 Some tennis routs (...“summer”) 37 Disregard 40 Portray 41 Omits (...“fall”) 45 Workplace safety org.

46 Bank patron’s ID

47 Bed/sofa hybrid 48 2001: A Space Odyssey computer 50 Like Death of a Salesman, lengthwise 52 Evil...or so good 53 Smart casual jackets (...“winter”) 58 “Same here!”

60 ___ for the moon 61 Sheet that won’t keep you warm?

62 Rich Uncle Pennybags wears one 63 Dessert within “whoopie” 64 Ain’t, alternatively 65 Goes in 66 Use a needle and thread 67 “Little piggies” DOWN 1 Wild animal in the dog family 2 Peas or Nerf darts 3 Stick shift selection 4 Job for a plow 5 C-E-G, e.g., in music 6 Warm, or something that makes you warm inside 7 Red hot chili pepper, maybe 8 It frequently connects rooms

9 10 11 12 13 21 22 25 26 27 28 30 31 34 35 36 38 39 42 43 44 47 48 49 51

Gem such as the Olympic Australis Truck weight unit Car rental company Homer epic Like pink cheeks Flashlight batteries, perhaps As Seen ___ “Stop that right now!”

Oprah’s middle name Feature of a cube but not a sphere “Grammy” Dr.’s study What wines do over time Spray that keeps produce fresh Alexa’s home?

Obsessive fan DVR button for taping a show Key you may push frantically Apt-sounding name for a driver?

Opens, as a present ___ Roll (chewy candy) ISP regulator Wore Embrace as one’s own Crooked

52 53 54 55 56 57 59

Orthodontist’s concern Rise rapidly Partners of pans “I’m not done yet...” ___ down (soften) Drops below the horizon Most common English word

Solution to Friday’s puzzle:

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Show BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, July 13, 2021

B5

‘Black Widow’ soars to pandemic box office record Scarlett Johansson as the title character in a scene from Black Widow, which scored pandemic record numbers this weekend in North American box office.

E

By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press

VEN with an option to watch Black Widow at home, audiences went to the movie theater in pandemic record numbers this weekend to catch the first Marvel movie released in two years.

The Walt Disney Co. said on Sunday the superhero pic generated an estimated $80 million in ticket sales in North America. Combined with $78 million from international theaters and at least $60 million in Disney+ Premier Access rentals, Black Widow grossed over $215 million in its first weekend. The studio said it’s the largest domestic opening weekend since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker debuted in 2019, prepandemic.

It’s a massive win for coronavirus-era moviegoing.

In North America, the previous pandemic recordholder was Universal’s F9, which debuted to $70 million a few weeks ago. But unlike Black Widow, which is playing on 4,100 screens, the ninth Fast & Furious movie was exclusively in theaters.

“This was a pretty monumental weekend for the industry,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s senior media analyst. “Black Widow played well on big screens and small screens. And it actually strengthens the case for movie theaters.”

Dergarabedian noted that the vast majority of profits, $158.8 million, came from theaters. Around $12 million of that came from IMAX screens, too.

“Hollywood blockbusters continue to gain ground at the box office with each successive release, and that bodes very well for the many films lined up for exclusive worldwide theatrical release this fall and beyond,” said Rich Gelfond the CEO of IMAX. Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johansson, has had a long journey to theaters. Originally slated to come out in May of 2020, the blockbuster was delayed because of the pandemic. Disney ultimately

Local talents to be on display in joint showcase of two galleries Continued from B4 textured landscapes, as is the case with his Sunset at Pangil Rock Formations, which evokes an intense feeling of longing.

Together with Art Anton’s solo shows for Art in the Atrium is a group show that gathers five artists. Collective Mindscape will feature the works of Louie Ignacio, Rico Lascano, Jay Ragma, Eddie Santillan and Aner Sebastian.

Meanwhile, Art Elaan will be mounting one group exhibition for the week-long event. The show, titled Empire, presents a plethora of different styles and mediums.

Sculptors Ferdinand Cacnio and Marge Organo offer new works that clash in terms of visual texture: Cacnio’s sharper and more rugged leaves and shoes in brass versus Organo’s softer and warmer blocks of optical glass.

Elsewhere in the show are the gentle portraits of women by prolific painters Ronnie Lim and Reynard Borillo. While a bashful geisha in Borillo’s Humble But Solitary shies away from the audience, turning her head down with her eyes covered by flowers, a woman blooms in confidence and shows off her accessory in Lim’s The Earring 1.

Also part of Art Elaan’s Empire are Mario de Rivera, Lorebert Maralita, Emil Alarcon, Bryan Apolinario, Nelson Ricahuerta and Ricky Natividad.

For inquiries on Art in the Atrium, contact inquiry.artelaan@gmail.com or inquiry.artanton@ gmail.com. Follow the galleries on Facebook at www. facebook.com/ArtElaanGallery and www.facebook.com/ ArtAntonGallery.

decided to release it “day and date,” meaning it came out on more than one platform at the same time.

Black Widow is in theaters and for a $30 rental on its subscription streaming service Disney+. Although not unprecedented for pandemic movie releases, or even for Disney, which did the same for Cruella, it’s the first Marvel movie to attempt the hybrid strategy. And it’s by far the biggest earner to date.

It is unusual for studios to release grosses from streaming profits in real time. Many never do so, and some release figures weeks after the fact.

“Black Widow’s strong performance this weekend affirms our flexible distribution strategy of making franchise films available in theaters for a true cinematic experience and, as Covid concerns continue

globally, providing choice to consumers who prefer to watch at home on Disney+,” said Kareem Daniel, the chairman of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, in a statement.

The film was liked by audiences, who gave it an “A-” CinemaScore, and critics. Black Widow currently boasts an 80 percent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Men made up some 58 percent of the opening weekend crowd.

F9 came in second place with an estimated $10.8 million, bringing its domestic total to $140.8 million in its third weekend out in North America. Globally, it’s grossed $541.8 million. Universal also held the third and fourth place spots with the animated sequel The Boss Baby: Family Business, which added $8.7

million, and the horror The Forever Purge, with $6.7 million. A Quiet Place Part II rounded out the top five with $3 million.

Currently, 81 percent of North American theaters are open, and most are operating at full capacity.

Overall the films this weekend grossed a total of $117 million. It’s the first time since the beginning of the pandemic that a moviegoing weekend has surpassed $100 million.

And while it’s promising for the industry as a whole, Marvel films have always been in a box office category of their own. Overall, they’ve grossed nearly $23 billion. “Marvel films are a unique monster,” Dergarabedian said. “I don’t know that you’ll see this for every release.” n

Forward without fear CLOCKWISE: Paul Jake Paule, Paolo Gumabao, Jeff Carpio, Alan Paule, and Jojo Barron & Joel Lamangan.

THE brave, daring and intrepid men involved in the movie Lockdown know that film has important stories to tell.

And they themselves have their own wonderful anecdotes about facing challenges and emerging victorious from their respective personal battles.

The joy that actor Jeff Carpio felt when his baby Jaden Lui was born in 2017 was suddenly tainted with immeasurable sadness when the baby’s mother passed away due to birth complications. “It was a most difficult time in my life. There were a lot of emotions that I wasn’t ready for. There are a lot of questions that remain unanswered up to now. I am just glad I kept the faith and tried to be resilient for our baby,“ Carpio recalled.

That same year, Carpio’s manager Alfie Lorenzo also passed away, leaving the actor’s already slow-paced acting career in total limbo. He sought and found refuge in theater work, and took on whatever acting jobs that he could find.

“Acting was a venue for me to release all the suppressed emotions I had inside. It was not easy being an actor and playing both father and mother to a newborn baby at the same time,” he added.

Over the years, Carpio worked hard and like a twist in a modern-day romance movie, he found love again and just recently he married Joanna and they both welcomed their new daughter Jadore in California. Lockdown was the last movie that Carpio did before he flew to the United States, and he shed off all inhibitions and gave a truly spot-on performance in the film.

A staple in gay-themed movies, Alan Paule always adds spice to the many characters he takes on. Memorable were his performances in films, like Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya, Sa Paraiso ni Efren and Masahista, so when he was offered the role of the brutally sex-starved military officer in Lockdown, he immediately said yes.

“I like to give each new role I get a different spunk. I’ve done many characters with same-sex encounters and relationships but the spectrum is still wide and there are still many facets to be explored. The viewers will not like my character in Lockdown,” he shared.

The pandemic have put a halt to Paul Jake Paule’s many activities and assignments in theater which of course is marked by live performances. He is glad there are other platforms like television and films where he can showcase his promise as an actor.

In Lockdown, he and lead actor Paolo Gumabao give the audience the first no-holds-barred kissing scene that leads to steamy sex. “I believe actors need to be brave before they can be brilliant, and I am glad that despite the many restrictions brought about by this pandemic, there are still projects like Lockdown that remain undaunted and are brave.”

Producer Jojo Barron has always been passionate about films. During the initial assault of pandemic, Barron mustered enough guts to give the green light for the production of Lockdown and made sure that he will have a timely movie that will not only be talked about but also be remembered long after its commercial release.

Barron has already produced two feature films but Lockdown is the first under his newly formed For the Love of Art Productions. “I’m glad that we found a material that is timely and teeming with the many present realities we have. It is important that during these times, we continue to cautiously move forward without fear. More than being bold and edgy, I think that Lockdown is a very brave film.“ he said.

No director comes close to the number of movies that prolific filmmaker Joel Lamangan has finished during the pandemic. For someone who has caught and hurdled the virus, Lamangan continues to work very hard to be able to tell wonderful stories on-screen. He’s happy he found a producer that feels passionate about movies, the reason why Lockdown had a very smooth production.

In his first lead role, Paolo Gumabao will make viewers take a longer look at his many gifts as a new actor. More than skin, Gumabao exhibited his raw but resplendent range in the movie and many are betting on him as an actor to watch out for in the coming years.

A love child of former actor Dennis Roldan, Gumabao got more than just recessive genes from his father. A lot of us were impressed with this very gifted, first-time lead actor that we saw during the special invitational screening of Lockdown at the SinePop boutique cinema in Quezon City.

The uncut version of Lockdown will stream worldwide starting July 23 via www.ktx.ph and www.upstream.ph.

B6 Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Gov’t agencies have until 30 July to submit collated SALNs

J&T’s Bayani sa Makabagong Panahon campaign honors contributions of riders

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OT all heroes wear capes.

Sometimes, they wear helmets and ride motorcycles.

From hundreds of nominations for outstanding delivery riders nationwide, e-commerce logistics leader J&T Express Philippines recently awarded its top three “hero riders” last July 2 during the Facebook and Youtube livestream of J&T Heroes: Bayani sa Makabagong Panahon which was watched by more than 190,000 viewers.

J&T Express Philippines Vice President Zoe Chi said the event is part of the company’s bayanihan spirit that aims to uplift the dignity of delivery riders as frontliners and modern heroes by recognizing their hard work, dedication, and contributions on the field every day.

“They have shown valor, creativity, ingenuity, and resilience in every parcel delivered. We are honored to have them in our J&T family. May you continue to serve as inspirations to every person you meet on the road,” she said.

Edison Awa, a J&T delivery rider based in Muntinlupa for two years now, garnered the top spot out of the final seven nominees and was named J&T Hero of the Year. According to his branch supervisor, Awa could deliver 100-300 packages in a day, or five or sometimes six days a week, making him one of the top couriers in his branch.

As a breadwinner for his aging parents and siblings in the province as well as his own family of four, Awa used to rely on uncertain odd jobs in construction and agencies, but now

EDISON Awa is J&T Hero of the Year. finds fulfillment and steady income from being a J&T delivery frontliner. “Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa J&T. Ang mensahe ko sa aking co-riders, kahit gaano kahirap ang trabaho sa araw-araw, kahit gaano karami, isipin na ginagawa natin ito para sa ating mahal sa buhay.” As J&T Hero of the Year, Awa received a brand-new motorcycle and smart phone.

Daryl Ocenar from Tacloban and Ricky Frias representing the J&T Taguig Branch won second and third place respectively. They also received smartphones and corresponding prizes to include wireless earphones, Php5,000 worth of gift certificates, and an action camera. Other J&T Heroes finalists which include Raniel Pawilan (Quezon City), Russel Agullo (Makati City), Alan Guillen (Cebu City), and Jecel Beniga (Davao City) also took home gift certificates and special items from J&T. Aside from the awarding ceremony, the livestream engaged viewers with

games facilitated by J&T’s official celebrity host Xian Lim while the performance of singer and former Tawag ng Tanghalan contestant Gigi de Lana with the GG Vibes Band was equally anticipated by fans. Local leaders also sent their special messages of support including Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, Cebu Mayor Edgardo Labella; Jaen, Nueva Ecija Mayor Sylvia Austria, and Cabanatuan Mayor Myca Vergara.

J&T’s bayanihan spirit empowers and prioritizes customers and employees. Early this year, the company released a second tranche of groceries and essentials as employee “ayuda” to help team members affected by the lockdown. J&T has also extended help through various logistics services for COVID response and immediate disaster relief. The company is also dedicated to helping local online businesses grow by providing quality delivery services. Visit https://www.jtexpress.ph/.

Power firm lights up 20 public school computer laboratories with solar energy

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HE Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminded government agencies to submit the collated 2020 Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) to the proper reposaitory agency until 30 July.

Physical or electronic submission to the repository agencies is allowed for the 2020 SALNs, this according to CSC Resolution No. 2100339, circularized via Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2021, containing guidelines for the filing and submission of the SALN during exceptional circumstances.

For agencies opting physical submission, the existing guidelines on the filing and submission of the SALN shall apply. SALNs for physical submission includes both physical SALNs filed and printed copies of SALNs electronically filed.

In the case of electronic submission, the electronic SALNs may be submitted or transmitted to the proper repository agency using a USB flash drive or disc storage. SALNs covered under this mode of filing include those electronically transmitted as well as scanned copies of physical SALNs filed.

In both modes, government agencies are required to submit a list of SALNs electronically and physically filed.

For agencies submitting to the CSC, one of the repository agencies identified in Republic Act No. 6713, SALNs may be submitted either through physical or electronic modes to the CSC Regional (RO) or Field Office (FO) having jurisdiction over them. The CSC RO/FO will, in turn, transmit them to the CSC Central Office’s Integrated Records Management Office.

The complete text of CSC Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2021 may be accessed at www.csc.gov.ph.

Celebrity mom Anne Curtis enjoys great deals, reliable food and essentials deliveries

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ULTI-TALENTED actress Anne Curtis is tickled pink to share the good news about foodpanda’s great promos that will feed your appetite and fit your budget while you stay safe at home.

She shares great deals and discounts in the foodpanda app, where you can find a wide variety of good food discoveries coupled with the convenience that foodpanda’s delivery service brings. Think: shops for groceries and pandamart for everyday essentials to keep you worry-free from sunrise to sundown.

Ever the go-getter, Anne enjoys the convenience of ordering through foodpanda, as it allows her to have more time to spend with her family. “With so many restaurant choices, it’s so easy to find what I am craving for on the foodpanda app and there are great deals to choose from every day! As a new mom, I also find it important that our food delivery is reliable and safe. With foodpanda, I am assured of quality service from our

friendly riders that put safety as a priority.

Kaya, tap mo na yan!”

It-girl Anne amps up the fun as she keeps you updated on everyday savings, with foodpanda promos. Mega Mondays can be a great way to jumpstart your week with 30% off and more on your favorite restaurants and thousands of other choices for new cuisines to try if you book from 12 noon to 6 pm. Find Epic Deals every day on different brands with 50% off, and pandapro members can also enjoy up to 40% off on exclusive deals with only P50 a month! While Super Sundays that lets you feast with your family at 40% off and more on thousands of restaurants if you book between 12 noon to 6 pm.

“We are happy to have Anne on board to share the great deals and discounts we have for our foodpanda customers. We believe that she represents our savvy foodies who want to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines that can be delivered straight to your doorstep from our thousands of partner restaurants,” shares foodpanda Philippines managing director Daniel Marogy.

It’s a comeback for sure, as the multi-hyphenate entertainer stages AnnePagbabalik with her popstar persona as she shares foodpanda’s promos, with video clips and more exciting appearances on the app. Catch Anne as she shares more of the great deals that are only a few taps away on the foodpanda app. For more details, visit the official foodpanda Facebook page or its official website www.foodpanda.ph

Gusta! Foods PH: Your online kitchen pantry for your family’s best meals

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THE SOLAR POWER SYSTEM EQUIPPED COMPUTER LAB OF THE MODESTO FERRER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SUAL, PANGASINAN. Attending the turnover ceremonies are, from left: Kent Sabido, Sual Assistant Municipal Engineer; Miriam Navato, former Head Teacher; Daniel Dela Cruz, Sual Municipal Administrator; Froilan Gregory Romualdez III, TeaM Energy Head of External Affairs; and Roger Untalan Public School District Supervisor for Sual.

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HE computer labs in all 20 public elementary and high schools in the municipality of Sual in Pangasinan are now powered by solar energy. This is after the installation of on-grid solar energy systems was completed through a program funded

by TeaM Energy and TeaM Energy Foundation Inc. (TEFI), in partnership with the Sual local government and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“All 22 computer labs in the 20 public schools in Sual are equipped with solar power systems capable of powering the computer systems of these schools.

This should result in significant savings in their electric bills,” said Ma. Teresa C. Lopez, Vice President, TEFI. “We would like to thank Sual Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay for helping us make this project possible,” she added.

TeaM Energy made possible the installation of 22 units of 4.6 kilowatts peak (kWp) grid-tied photovoltaic systems in each of Sual’s public schools.

Each unit is capable of energizing 8 computer units, reducing dependence on electricity from the grid.

The schools can also use the generated electricity to light up the facilities and power small equipment such as printers, photocopiers, in case the computer lab is not being used.

This results in instant savings for the schools as the computer labs are currently being used in the production of learning modules.

Sual, a first-class municipality which hosts TeaM Energy’s 1,200 MW Sual Power Station has a total of 20 public schools, with 17 of them elementary schools, 2 integrated schools, and 1

high school. The two integrated schools were each provided with 2 solar power systems for their 2 computer labs, while all the remaining schools received one solar power system for their respective computer labs.

“TeaM Energy is committed to working with our stakeholders in implementing high-impact CSR programs to further bring sustainable development to our host communities,” Lopez stressed.

TeaM Energy operates two coalfired power plants: the 1,200 MW Sual Power Station in Pangasinan and the 735 MW Pagbilao Power Station in Quezon Province. It also has a 50% stake in the 420 MW Pagbilao Unit 3 Power Project in Quezon, and a 20% stake in the Ilijan natural gas project in Batangas.

S we’re given more time to be at home, we savor the moments with our friends and family.

Indeed, these past months have given us a unique and precious opportunity to reconnect and explore our passions – most especially when it comes to our talents in the kitchen!

As Filipinos, we show our love and appreciation for others through memorable meals made with love. And Gusta!, the country’s newest online kitchen pantry by the category creator of frozen-fresh Jimini Foods Group, has become the ever-so-reliable partner of every aspiring cook and homemaker, bringing convenience and delicious dishes straight to your homes.

Gusta! guarantees fresh, exciting flavors, and amazing foodie finds all in one place. Discover a great selection that will truly delight your taste buds – from ready-to-heat meals to frozen-fresh goods, to ready-to-cook international and local dishes, snacks, desserts, beverages, and more.

For those who are looking for a quick and delicious meal, Gusta! introduces its “Chef's recommendations,” which include selections from well-known restaurant brands such as CIBO, Chili’s, Casa Reyes, Max’s Group (Max’s, Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy, and Dencio’s), Nanbantei, XO 46 Heritage Bistro, Rico’s Lechon, and Cusina by Albergus, to name a few.

If you’re craving for some of your favorite

snacks, Gusta! also carries selections from local iconic brands and favorites such as Jimini Whole Pizza, Potato Corner, and Nathaniel’s.

If you’re feeling kind of creative and want to whip up a delicious meal of your own, Gusta! also lends a hand, offering you the essentials you need – from kitchen ingredients to supplies and cooking tools.

Whether you’re prepping for a snack or a feast, find it here on Gusta! Simply add to cart and have all of your orders delivered conveniently to your home. Delicious food and meals on your plate with just a few easy clicks are now available only at Gusta!

Head on to www.gustafoods.ph and have your orders delivered now! Signup to the newsletter and receive a 10% discount voucher on your first purchase.

For updates, follow Gusta! on Facebook: Gusta Foods PH and Instagram: @ gustafoodph.

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

The World BusinessMirror

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

B7

France warns of ‘fourth wave’ due to Delta; cases surge 60%

A firefighter sprays water while trying to stop the Sugar Fire, part of the Beckwourth Complex Fire, from spreading to neighboring homes in Doyle, California on July 10. Pushed by heavy winds amid a heat wave, the fire came out of the hills and destroyed multiple residences in central Doyle. AP/Noah Berger

California and other parts of the West broil and burn

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irefighters working in searing heat struggled to contain the largest wildfire in California this year while state power operators urged people to conserve energy after a huge wildfire in neighboring Oregon disrupted the flow of electricity from three major transmission lines.

A large swath of the West baked during the weekend in triple-digit temperatures that were expected to continue into the start of the workweek. The California Independent System Operator that manages the state’s power grid issued a five-hour “flex alert” starting at 4 p.m. Monday and asked consumers to “conserve as much electricity as possible” to avoid any outages.

California and other parts of the West are sinking deeper into drought and that has sent fire danger sky high in many areas. In Arizona, a small plane crashed Saturday during a survey of a wildfire in rural Mohave County, killing both crewmembers.

The Beech C-90 aircraft was helping perform reconnaissance over the lightning-caused Cedar Basin Fire, near the tiny community of Wikieup northwest of Phoenix.

Officials on Sunday identified the victims as Air Tactical Group Supervisor Jeff Piechura, 62, a retired Tucson-area fire chief who was working for the Coronado National Forest, and Matthew Miller, 48, a pilot with Falcon Executive Aviation contracted by the US Forest Service. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

In Oregon, the Bootleg Fire exploded to 224 square miles (580 square kilometers) as it raced through heavy timber in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, near the Klamath County town of Sprague River. The fire disrupted service on three transmission lines providing up to 5,500 megawatts of electricity to neighboring California.

The largest wildfire of the year in California was raging near the border with Nevada. The Beckwourth Complex Fire percenta combination of two lightningcaused blazes burning north of Lake Tahoe percentgrew by a third Sunday to 134 square miles (348 kilometers). However, firefighters working in temperatures that topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) were able to gain some ground, doubling containment to 20 percent.

Late Saturday, flames jumped US 395, which was closed near the small town of Doyle in California’s Lassen County. The lanes reopened Sunday, and officials urged motorists to use caution and keep moving along the key north-south route where flames were still active.

“Do not stop and take pictures,” said the fire’s Operations Section Chief Jake Cagle.

“You are going to impede our operations if you stop and look at what’s going on.”

C ag le sa id st r uc t u res h ad burned in Doyle, but he didn’t have an exact number. Bob Prary, who manages the Buck-Inn Bar in the town of about 600 people, said he saw at least six houses destroyed after Saturday’s flareup. The fire was smoldering Sunday in and around Doyle, but he feared some remote ranch properties were still in danger.

“It seems like the worst is over in town, but back on the mountainside the fire’s still going strong,” Prary said.

A wildfire in southeast Washington grew to almost 60 square miles (155 square kilometers) as it blackened grass and timber while it moved into the Umatilla National Forest.

In Idaho, Gov. Brad Little declared a wildfire emergency Friday and mobilized the state’s National Guard to help fight fires sparked after lightning storms swept across the drought-stricken region. AP

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s the French government warns of a “fourth wave” due to the now-dominant Delta variant, France reported 4,256 new cases in 24 hours, up 60 percent in a week based on a seven-day rolling average. There were four deaths, though the number of patients needing intensive care continues to fall.

President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to address the nation Monday evening, when he’s expected to speak about the risks of the Delta variant and measures to counter its rapid spread, including mandatory vaccination for healthcare personnel.

A key Macron ally said France must “live with the virus” rather than count on a new lockdown.

Key developments:

Taiwan makes progress on vaccines

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.’s Yonglin Healthcare Foundation agreed to buy 10 million doses of BioNTech SE’s vaccine, which they will donate to Taiwan. The deal ends a monthslong impasse over the island’s attempts to get doses from the German firm, and is a massive boost to its lagging vaccination efforts.

The island’s government also announced it plans to buy at least 15 million doses of Moderna Inc. vaccines in 2022 and 2023.

UK Johnson to urge caution

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will warn people to stay vigilant as he prepares to lift virtually all remaining virus curbs in England.

In a news conference on Monday, Johnson is expected to confirm that mandatory curbs will end as planned on July 19, including a legal requirement to wear masks indoors. But he’ll also warn that the change will spark new cases and that people must “all take responsibility” to keep infections at a manageable level, his office said in an e-mailed statement.

The main opposition Labour party accused the government of sowing confusion over Covid rules, not least with its stance on masks. New guidance being issued on Monday will include an “expectation” for people to keep

wearing masks in many indoor spaces, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi told BBC TV.

India nears 31 million cases

India added 37,154 Covid-19 cases on Monday, taking the total count to almost 31 million confirmed cases. The secondworst-hit nation has administered 377.4 million vaccine shots so far but only 5.3 percent of its population is fully inoculated against the virus, according to Bloomberg’s vaccine tracker.

Many Indians are selling their gold jewelry to make ends meet as the pandemic devastates the economy. Daily Covid-related deaths rose by 724 to 408,764 according to the latest data from the Indian health ministry.

Backlash stops Indonesia plan

Indonesia’s state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Kimia Farma is delaying a plan to sell Covid-19 vaccines amid a backlash.

Kimia Farma was set to market Sinopharm Group Co. shots, which were ordered for a private vaccination program, as soon as Monday.

The plan met with questions on why the shots are being sold and why any company should profit.

Tokyo enters state of emergency

Tokyo entered a state of emergency for the fourth time on Monday, with Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga having decreed it will run through August 22, covering the entire duration of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Japan has plenty of vaccines, but faces a slowing inoculation rate due to distribution issues. Just 11 days before the games, Japan has given enough shots to cover about 23 percent of its people, with some Olympic volunteers still awaiting second shots.

Organizers decided to ban all spectators from the Olympics after the state of emergency was an-

nounced last week. Though Japan has done better than most rich nations in the pandemic, polls show the public is concerned about the safety of the games.

Lagos may face third virus wave

L agos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, is seeing a sharp rise in infection rates. “From the beginning of July, we started to experience a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1 percent at the end of June 2021 to its current rate of 6.6 percent,” Babajide SanwoOlu, the governor of the state, said in an e-mailed statement.

Lagos is Africa’s biggest city, but only 1 percent of its more than 24 million residents are fully vaccinated.

Sydney surge may prolong curbs

Austr ali a’s most-popu lous city had 112 new coronavirus cases on Monday, and at the weekend recorded its first death since April.

The Delta strain leaked into the local community in mid-June and the city has been in lockdown since June 26. New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian indicated that the current stayat-home orders may be extended beyond Friday. “We just want people to stay at home,” she said.

“The virus won’t spread if people don’t leave home. That is the bottom line.”

Thailand has 80 deaths, economy is hit

Thailand reported 8,656 new infections on Monday, taking the nation’s cumulative cases to 345,027, according to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration. It had 80 fatalities.

The greater Bangkok area, accounting for about 50 percent of Thailand’s gross domestic product, will shutter shopping malls, spas, massage and beauty clinics for at least two weeks starting today. A mandatory work-fromhome rule for most government staff, overnight curfews and curbs on domestic travel are set to hurt retailers, airlines and restaurant operators, already reeling from some form of Covid restrictions for more than a year.

Vietnam imposes stay-home curbs in south

Authorities across Vietnam’s south issued social-distancing curbs following last week’s imposition of a stay-home order in Ho Chi Minh City. In Binh Duong

province, home to 30 industrial parks, stay-home orders were issued for seven of nine localities as virus infections topped 1,500 cases. Authorities in the nation’s Mekong Delta rice bowl put in place similar anti-virus measures.

Seoul under tighter curbs from today

A ban on private gatherings of more than three people after 6 p.m. goes into effect in the greater Seoul area today, with night-time entertainment businesses closing after a recent surge in coronavirus cases.

Daily Covid-19 cases hit a record of more than 1,300 on Saturday.

Amid government warnings that the country is undergoing its worst surge since the first confirmed case almost a year and a half ago, many Seoul residents appeared to stay home over the weekend with malls and restaurants reporting scant crowds.

Cubans protest as outbreak grows

Thousands of Cubans demonstrated to protest food shortages and high prices as the pandemic devastates an economy already suffering from US sanctions.

The mass gatherings came even as Cuba grapples with a serious coronavirus outbreak.

The country of 11 million people has about 32,000 active cases of Covid-19 and reported 6,923 daily cases and 47 deaths on Sunday, breaking a record set Friday, the New York Times reported, citing the health ministry. Only about 15 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

US cases jump

The US reported 33,933 new cases Saturday, the most since mid-May, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg. New infections rose for a third week as the Delta variant hit unvaccinated Americans, jumping to almost 134,000 for the week ending Saturday from about 92,400 in the previous week.

Another 319 deaths were reported Saturday. Weekly fatalities were up slightly from the previous seven days.

The US recorded 599,000 vaccinations on Saturday, the lowest level since early January, according to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker. President Joe Biden missed his goal of administering at least one dose of vaccine to 70 percent of adults in the US by July 4. That number is now 67.5 percent, according to the CDC. Bloomberg News

Biden backs Trump-era rejection of China’s South China Sea claim

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A S H IN G T ON —T h e Biden administration on Sunday upheld a Trump-era rejection of nearly all of China’s significant maritime claims in the South China Sea. The administration also warned China that any attack on the Philippines in the flashpoint region would draw a US response under a mutual defense treaty.

The stern message from Secretary of State Antony Blinken came in a statement released ahead of this week ’s fifth anniversary of an international tribunal’s ruling in favor of the Philippines, against China’s maritime claims around the Spratly Islands and neighboring reefs and shoals.

China rejects the ruling.

A head of the fourth anniver-

sar y of the ruling last year, the Trump administration came out in favor of the ruling but also said it regarded as illegitimate virtually all Chinese maritime claims in the South China Sea outside China’s internationally recognized waters. Sunday’s statement reaffirms that position, which had been laid out

by Trump’s secretar y of state, Mike Pompeo.

“Nowhere is the rules-based maritime order under greater threat than in the South China Sea,” Blinken said, using language similar to Pompeo’s. He accused China of continuing “to coerce and intimidate Southeast Asian coastal states, threatening freedom of navigation in this critical global throughway.”

“The United States reaffirms its July 13, 2020 policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea,” he said, referring to Pompeo’s original statement. “We also reaffirm that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke US mutual defense commitments.”

Article IV of the 1951 US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty obligates both countries to come to each other’s aid in case of an attack.

Prior to Pompeo’s statement, US policy had been to insist that maritime disputes between China and its smaller neighbors be resolved peacefully through UNbacked arbitration. The shift did not apply to disputes over land features that are above sea level,

which are considered to be “territorial” in nature.

A lthough the US continues to remain neutral in territorial disputes, it has effectively sided with the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, all of which oppose Chinese asser t ions of sovereig nt y over maritime areas surrounding contested South China Sea islands, reefs and shoals.

China reacted angrily to the Tr u mp ad m i n i st r at ion’s a nnouncement and is likely to be similarly peeved by the Biden administration’s decision to retain and reinforce it.

“We call on [China] to abide by its obligations under international law, cease its provocative behavior, and take steps to

reassure the international community that it is committed to the rules-based maritime order that respects the rights of all countries, big and small,” Blinken said in the statement.

China has rejected the tribunal’s decision, which it has dismissed as a “sham,” and has refused to participate in arbitration proceedings. It has continued to defy the decision with aggressive actions that have brought it into territorial spats with Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia in recent years.

As last year’s statement did, Sunday’s announcement came amid heightened tensions between the US and China over numerous issues, including the coronavirus pandemic, human

rights, Chinese policy in Hong Kong and Tibet and trade, that have sent relations plummeting.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea and routinely objects to any action by the US military in the region. Five other governments claim all or part of the sea, through which approximately $5 trillion in goods are shipped every year.

China has sought to shore up its claims to the sea by building military bases on coral atolls, leading the US to sail its warships through the region on what it calls freedom of operation missions. The United States has no claims itself to the waters but has deployed warships and aircraft for decades to patrol and promote freedom of navigation and overflight in the busy waterway. AP

Sports BusinessMirror

FILIPINO boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and unified world champion Errol Spence Jr. are at backstage before the press conference. COURTESY JHAY OH OTAMIAS

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| Tuesday, July 13, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Govt almost done with P1.1-B bicycle lane network program

By Lorenz Marasigan

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HE government is almost done with its P1.1-billion nationwide bike lane network program at around 93-percent completion rate, the chief of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Monday.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said he will lead the inauguration of the 497-kilometer bike lanes that were completed this month. The program involves the deployment of physical separators and road signages and the use of pavement markings for bike lanes.

Of the total, 313 kilometers were in the National Capital Region (NCR), amounting to a total of P801.83 million in disbursements. In Metro Cebu, the government completed 129 kilometers of bike lane for P150 million, and 55 kilometers in

Metro Davao, for P145.37 million.

“It is in fulfilling the desire of the public, and commuters, the Department of Transportation has been implementing projects geared towards that end,” Tugade said.

The government’s plan is to complete almost 535 kilometers of bike lanes before the year ends.

“We intend to provide commuters with access to faster, and efficient means of mass transportation; and to open infrastructure for active transportation such as walking and cycling,” Tugade added.

The DOTr is targeting to inaugurate completed bike lanes in Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, and NCR within this month.

Active transport is currently being promoted due to the limited capacity and supply of transportation in the country. It also helps reduce the risk of viral transmission of Covid-19.

NAVY RIDERS RULE ROAD RACES

PACQUIAO: SPENCE

BETTER THAN FLOYD

By Josef Ramos

E

IGHT-DIVISION champion Manny Pacquiao formally announced his August 21 fight against undefeated unified titlist Errol Spence Jr. on Monday in Manila.

But somewhere in the press conference that happened at dawn Manila time, the topic veered

R

ONALD ORANZA and Kate Jasmin Velasco made Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance look so good on an ideal day of racing on Sunday in the PhiCycling National Trials for Road at the Clark Freeport Zone.

Oranza ruled the men’s road race and Velasco collected her second gold medal in the twoday trials presented by Standard Insurance, Smart, MVP Sports Foundation, Bases Conversion and Development Authority and Clark Development Corp.

The pride of Villasis (Pangasinan), Oranza led a 1-2-3 finish by the Navymen in the 147.6-km road race that started and finished at the Clark Parade Grounds. He clocked three hours, 18 minutes and 25.80 seconds with George Oconer bagging silver with a time of 3:18:32.15 and Ronald Lomotos setting for the silver with a 3:18:35.23 clocking.

“We did our best to protect each other throughout the race,” Oranza, 28, said “And we managed to book a 1-2-3 finish.”

“I am praying this trials will mark the return of cycling events all over the country,” added Oranza, one of several national team mainstays whose performance were evaluated in the trials also supported by Go for Gold, Chooks-to-Go, GAC Motor, Gatorade, Versa, 7-Eleven, Le Tour de Filipinas, UBE Express Inc., Powerade, Wilkins, Coca-Cola, Shimano, Bike-X and MadCrank.

The women’s race also displayed an almost similar complexion as the men’s competition of the event organized by the PhilCycling headed by Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also

toward Floyd Mayweather Jr., who Pacquiao fought in a blockbuster showdown six years ago.

Mayweather offered to teach Spence on how to handle Pacquiao in their fight set at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

But the 41-year-old Pacquiao gave the 31-year-old Spence his own piece of advice.

“Errol [Spence] doesn’t need to get an advice from Mayweather,” Pacquiao said in the presser FOX organized in its Los Angeles studios. “Errol Spence is better than Floyd Mayweather. Maybe he can teach Floyd how to fight toe to toe.”

Pacquiao nursed a shoulder injury he refused to make public then when he lost to Mayweather via unanimous decision in their May 2015 fight. Mayweather retired after that opting for exhibition bouts, but Pacquiao continued his career.

Spence also gave his advice— to himself.

“It’s a great compliment, but Manny Pacquiao is the kind of guy that can lull you to sleep,” said

Spence, owner of a 27-0 won-lost record with 21 knockouts. “He’ll give you a lot of compliments, gratitude and things like that.

Then as soon as the bell rings, he’s jumping all on you.”

Spence also revealed Mayweather has yet to reach out to him.

Pacquiao also said he chose Spence because of the “greater challenge that awaits him.”

“There was a lot of opportunity for me to pick a much easier fight compared with Errol Spence,” he said. “I decided to pick Errol Spence because I want a real fight.”

“It’s one of the biggest challenges in my career,” Pacquiao said. “I cannot say the biggest challenge because I have fought the best fighters in the world like Keith Thurman, Oscar Dela Hoya, Miguel Cotto, a lot of those fighters. But one of the best I can rate.”

Spence is staking his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation welterweight titles in the fight.

Bambol talks Olympics in forum

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HILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino graces the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum webcast edition Tuesday exactly 10 days before the country embarks on its campaign in the Tokyo Olympics.

RONALD ORANZA leads a 1-2-3 finish by the Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance team.

president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Velasco, winner of the individual time trial on Saturday, clocked 2:15:17.62 to rule the 80.70-km race, with teammate Mathilda Krogg making the podium with a 2:15:19.75 clocking.

Avegail Rombaon, switching her MTB with a road bike, broke a Navy domination by outsprinting Krogg in the final 50 meters to

snatch silver, crossing the line 1.76 seconds behind Velasco.

“I never expected to win today [the road race]. It was Marianne [Dacumos], our senior, who’s in our game plan, but I got the opportunity, so we didn’t let that slip away,” Velasco, of nearby Floridablanca also in Pampanga, said. “This title is very important to us, and we dedicate this to our sponsors.”

The congressman from the Eighth district of Cavite will talk and evaluate the Filipinos’ chances of finally nailing the elusive Olympic gold medal behind the 19-man athlete that will represent Team Philippines in the quadrennial meet.

The public sports program

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Najorda-led Petra-Cement Roxas in overtime, 82-80, last Thursday.

Homegrown Von Lloyd Dechos hit the biggest shot of the night when he drained a corner triple to give Pagadian the lead for good.

Head coach Harold Sta. Cruz praised Dechos and also noted that their defense gave them the win.

“I am a defensive coach. I get mad if my players don’t go down on defense,” Cruz said.

The Explorers will have their hands full on defense as they will face an extremely hot Zamboanga

City which routed Kapatagan, 8953, last Friday The wealth was spread around for Zamboanga City with eight players tallying at least seven points apiece, led by Gino Jumaoas’ 13.

Basilan, meanwhile, targets a piece of the top spot when it tangles with the winless Vanguards at 2 p.m.

The Peace Riders did not break a sweat in the league’s opening game, crushing ALZA Alayon Zamboanga del Sur, 82-48.

starts at 10 a.m. and is presented

by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The weekly Forum is powered

by Smart and Upstream Media as official webcast partner. It is being livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and officially being shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 Facebook page.

DJOKOVIC RULES WIMBLEDON W

IMBLEDON, England— The Wimbledon final was locked up at a set apiece after nearly two-and-ahalf hours, and Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record-tying 20th Grand Slam title was at a critical juncture, when he faced two break points while thousands in the full-capacity crowd at Centre Court chanted his opponent’s first name.

Bothered, perhaps, by the

challenge he was facing between the lines Sunday, and, perhaps, by the support being thrown behind Matteo Berrettini, and, perhaps, by the weight of the milestone he was pursuing, Djokovic shrugged all of that off and steeled himself, as he’s done so many times at so many moments on so many stages.

On each of the next two points, Djokovic, known for his baseline supremacy, charged forward. On

Explorers vs Zambo 5 in VisMin hoops in Ipil HE homegrown-loaded Pagadian Explorers will try to continue shocking the field when they collide with powerhouse JPS Zamboanga City in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg on Tuesday at the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Gymnasium in Ipil.

Tip-off is at 12 noon as both teams aim for their second win in as many games.

The Explorers are coming off a stunning victory over the Leo

Pacquiaohasn’t fought since July 2019, when he beat Thurman by split decision for his third consecutive victory.

Spence, on the other hand, will be in the ring for only the second time since October 2019, when he survived a single-car crash in which he was ejected from his Ferrari 488 Spider.

Spence was convicted of driving while intoxicated, but received no jail time.

He returned last December in his native Dallas area with a unanimous decision over Danny Garcia.

Pacquiao has been stopped just once since 1999, but Spence said he won’t enter the ring looking for a highlight-reel knockout.

Spence is 3 1/2 inches taller than Pacquiao, and his frame was significantly larger during their ceremonial faceoff.

“I definitely have the ability to finish him,” Spence said. “But for me, it’s about winning the fight.”

The pay-per-view event will be telecast by Fox Sports. With AP

AFTER snatching his 20th major crown, Novak Djokovic says he wants more. AP

each, Berrettini’s passing attempt found the net. After the second, Djokovic stared into the stands and pointed to his ear, then waved his racket. He got what he wanted; a chorus of his nickname broke out: “No-le! No-le!” Two points later, when he grabbed the game with a 118 mph ace, Djokovic put his racket behind an ear, heard more noise, nodded and smiled.

An hour later, the match was finished—Djokovic won 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3—and so, too, was his stated desire to equal the total of major championships collected by his biggest rivals, Roger Federer (who reached 20 in 2018) and Rafael Nadal (who did it last year).

No other male tennis player has more than 14.

Djokovic, of course, wants more.

“I consider myself best, and I believe that I am the best, otherwise I wouldn’t be talking confidently about winning Slams and making history,” said Djokovic, a 34-year-old from Serbia who is ranked No. 1 and has spent more weeks in that top spot than any other man. “But whether I’m the greatest of all time or not, I leave that debate to other people.” AP