BusinessMirror July 14, 2021

June GIR down by $450M but ‘adequate’ 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 No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 5th-6th-7th Flr. 81 Newport Bl Newport City Brgy. 183 Pasay City

1.

GAO, MENGMENG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

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

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Tuesday that the country’s dollar defenses declined in June this year, but remained “more than adequate” for the country’s external liquidity needs.

The central monetary authority said Philippine gross international reserves (GIR) hit $106.8 billion in June this year, down by some $450 million from the previous month’s level.

Compared to its level in endJune 2020, the current GIR level is $13.33 billion higher than the $93.47 billion level during the period.

The country’s GIR is the level of foreign exchange holdings being managed by the Central Bank during a given period. The GIR is a crucial component of the economy as it is often used to manage the country’s foreign exchange rate against excess volatility.

The Philippines’s GIR has been rising steadily for the whole of 2020 amid the pandemic, as the local currency remained strong against the US dollar.

While the GIR settled slightly at the end of the first half of the year, the BSP said this level remains more than adequate external liquidity buffer

equivalent to 12.1 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It is also about 7.8 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 5.2 times based on residual maturity.

The BSP attributed the GIR month-on-month decline to the downward adjustment in the value of the BSP’s gold holdings due to the decrease in the price of gold in the international market, foreign currency withdrawals of the national government (NG) from its deposits with the BSP

to pay its foreign currency debt obligations and various expenditures, and BSP’s foreign exchange operations.

Data showed that the country’s gold holdings declined to $8.87 billion in June this year down from the $9.9 billion level in the previous month.

The decline could have been larger, the BSP said, if not partly offset, however, by the inflows from the BSP’s income from its investments abroad.

In its statement on Monday, Fitch Ratings said the Philippines’ external finances remain a “credit strength” for the economy. Bianca Cuaresma

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REMITTANCES GROW DOUBLE-DIGIT IN MAY www.businessmirror.com.ph

By Bianca Cuaresma

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See “Remittances,” A2

PESO exchange rates

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 273

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 22 pages | 7 days a week

AMID FITCH’S NEGATIVE OUTLOOK, GOVT UPBEAT

@BcuaresmaBM

ILIPINO migrant workers cont inued to send home more money in May t h is yea r, susta ining t he r ise of to t a l rem it t a nces in t he cou nt r y in recent mont hs.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno told reporters on Tuesday that overseas Filipino workers’ (OFW ) remittances hit $2.38 billion in May this year, rising by 13.1 percent from the same level in 2020.

This is the second consecutive month that remittances from Filipino migrant workers grew at a double-digit pace this year. In April, remittances from OFWs hit $2.3 billion, up 12.7 percent from its level in the previous month.

Broken down, the increase in receipts from land-based workers was at 16.2 percent to $1.89 billion during the month. Sea-based workers’ rem it t a nces, mea nwhile, grew 2.7 percent from its year-ago level to hit $488 million.

T he st rong rem it t a nce per for m a nce of t he cou nt r y i n M ay pu shed t he f ive - mont h tot a l to $12.28 bi l l ion, up 6. 3 percent f rom its year-ago level of $11. 55 bi l l ion.

The BSP said the growth in cash remittances from the United States, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore and Canada contributed largely to the increase in remittances in the first five months of the year.

In terms of country sources,

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OLLOWING Fitch Ratings’ latest move to revise its outlook on the Philippines to negative on Monday, the government’s economic managers expressed confidence that the pandemic’s effect on the economy is just “transitory.”

The Senate Finance panel chief deemed the revision a “cause for concern” but said there are several steps the Philippines can take to redress this.

Private economists warned of further negative actions from Fitch and from other agencies if the country fails to control the number of Covid-19 cases in the country

and its effect on the economy.

In a statement from the Investment Relations Office (IRO) after Fitch’s statement, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno came to the defense of the economy, saying the drag caused by the pandemic to the Philippine economy is expected to be transitory.

“The sharp economic contraction last year was caused primarily by strict containment measures to prevent the spread of the virus, save lives and increase the capacity of the Continued on A2

Premium on flexibility vital to SEA workers

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

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As the government eases quarantine rules, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed the fully vaccinated to do their jobs outside of residence.

In photo, workers are seen rushing a project at a construction site on Edsa in Quezon City. NONOY LACZA

AJORITY of employees in Southeast Asia (SEA) are considering quitting their jobs if not given the flexibility as to when and where they work after the pandemic, according to a survey by Ernst & Young (EY) Global Limited.

The EY 2021 Work Reimagines Employee Survey revealed that nine in 10 SEA employees seek work flexibility, which is a deal breaker for 60 percent of them if

not provided post-pandemic.

“Given the choice between two jobs, their preferences were evenly split: 49 percent would choose flexibility in when they work and 48 percent would choose f lexibility in where they work,” the survey noted.

EY shared that employees, on average, want to work two to three days remotely after the pandemic, with 35 percent of them even wanting to have a shorter working week.

See “Workers,” A2

n US 50.1110 n japan 0.4542 n UK 69.6042 n HK 6.4523 n CHINA 7.7377 n singapore 37.0726 n australia 37.4780 n EU 59.4467 n SAUDI arabia 13.3604

Source: BSP (13 July 2021)

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BusinessMirror

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Semiconductors sector frets over revenue losses on new tax policy

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

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imposed on exports and sales of services by June 27. These items were not ta xed previously as stated in Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law. “As of writing, we have already received information from some members that volumes from domestic constructive exporters

will be transferred to foreign suppliers due to additional cost caused by the 12-percent VAT,” Seipi President Danilo C. Lachica said. “Despite the risks of lost export revenues and increased unemployment, the BIR has so far been unresponsive regarding our request for reconsideration.”

He was also seeking a clarification as the new revenue regulation contradicts a section of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. It notes that the sale of goods and services that are directly and exclusively used in registered activity should not be subject to VAT. “We understand that there are outliers who abuse the VAT zerorating but penalizing the industries will only decrease the competitiveness of the Philippines for investors,” Lachica added.

Emirates (UAE), Canada, South Korea, Qatar and Taiwan.

T he combined remittances from these 10 countries accounted for 78.2 percent of total cash remittances during the period.

Economists had earlier projected that cash remittances to the country will continue to grow

in the coming months as economies around the world reopen and start to normalize.

Projected growth in remittances is also likely due to the low base in 2020 as well as higher needs of Filipino families in recent months, especially during the renewed lockdowns earlier this year.

@Tyronepiad

HE semiconductor and electronics industry warned that local players will incur revenue losses from the recently implemented tax regulation on exports.

Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (Seipi), in a recent letter to the Trade department, said the Revenue Regulations (RR) 9-2021 by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is already adversely affecting the industry.

Based on RR 9-2021, a 12-percent value-added tax is set to be

Remittances. . .

Continued from A1

the US registered the highest share of overall remittances at 40.1 percent, followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab

Prev iously, t he Ph i l ippine Ex porters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) called on the government to prevent the new tax regulation from becoming an additional burden.

Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Philippine Exporters Confederation (Philexport) president said that both the exporters and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will potentially be affected by RR 9-2021.

He said the implementation procedures and requirements, particularly on filing for VAT refunds, worry the companies. He said that it could “consume more time and money, both of which they are short of.”

The exporters’ group is seeking for a “a favorable and urgent response on these issues” as it seeks to recoup losses and maintain operations amid the pandemic.

Workers. . .

Continued from A1

Majority or 32 percent of the respondents prefer to work anywhere, 29 percent wants to have full-time remote work and some 23 percent seeks hybrid work arrangement.

Only 15 percent wants to work in office full time.

“Organizations need to understand the ‘new normal’ has not only impacted the way people work, but in fact the very concept of how they can work.... Organizations will now need to include workforce transformation strategies in their post-pandemic planning,” said Lisa Escaler, People Advisory Services—Workforce Advisory Leader for SGV, a Philippine member firm of EY. The survey concluded that remote working amid the mobility restrictions has been “broadly positive.” Over half of the respondents claimed their organizational culture improved while 31 percent said it has worsened.

Among the observed changes include “meeting/email-free” times for the company, setting aside time for individual or focused work, implementing clear working hours to allow work-life balance, using productivity tools and reducing meeting periods.

“Employers that promote hybrid work arrangements and provide the flexibility for employees to work anywhere and anytime, are ahead of the curve,” said Tan Lay Keng, EY Asean People Advisory Services Leader.

“These employers are likely to have better employee attraction, retention and satisfaction in the long run, which could positively impact the business.”

Tech investments

Meanwhile, EY also highlighted the need to increase technology investments on the part of the companies amid work-from-anywhere arrangements. The demand, the multinational professional services firm said, is coming from both on-site and home office.

Majority or 73 percent of the respondents want better technology in the workplace, including faster internet and videoconferencing. Some 52 percent said they want companies to upgrade at-home hardware while 51 percent sought reimbursement for internet and phone expenses.

“Employers will need to constantly review their employee engagement strategies, the impact of employee sentiments on culture and productivity, and the technological investments that are needed to sustain an optimized in-person, hybrid and digital work experience,” the EY official concluded.

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Amid Fitch’s negative outlook, govt upbeat Continued from A1

healthcare system. When the daily tally of cases showed a sustained decline and the government started to relax the mobility restrictions, the surveys showed the economy was able to generate jobs quickly,” Diokno said.

“As the government accelerates the vaccination program and implements recovery measures, we expect the green shoots of recovery to further strengthen and the economy to return to its robust growth path. Of course, we recognize that there are risks to our growth outlook. However, our solid fundamentals and ongoing reform initiatives should carry us through toward a solid rebound—to a state that is well-calibrated to the emerging new economy,” the BSP governor added.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez echoed this statement and expressed confidence that the country’s fiscal side remains strong and resilient amid the pandemic.

“Although the negative impact of the pandemic on the Philippines has been significant, this will only be temporary. In fact, the economy is already en route to a solid recovery path and is seen to have posted double-digit growth in the second quarter of this year amid the fast-track implementation of the vaccine rollout and economic recovery measures,” Dominguez said.

Economic managers expect the country to grow between 6 and 7 percent this year and 7 to 9 percent next year.

“These upbeat growth projections take into account the continued relaxation of mobility restrictions, higher spending on Covid response and economic recovery programs, and the faster rollout of the mass vaccination program. We target to achieve ‘population protection’ by having 70 million Filipinos, or 100 percent of our adult population, inoculated by the end of this year,” Dominguez said.

On Monday, Fitch also said while supplies of vaccination have been coming to the country in recent months, these 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.

ING Bank, RCBC experts

In a separate analysis, ING Bank Manila economist Nicholas Mapa said Fitch’s outlook revision reflects the growing attention ratings agencies are likely giving to the protracted rise in Philippine debt while recognizing the “slowing momentum of the economic engines.”

“Despite showing some green shoots, the overall growth trajectory is likely less vibrant compared to pre pandemic levels as consumption remains constrained by high unemployment and investments are held back due to poor sentiment,” Mapa said.

“If trends continue we could see other ratings agencies follow suit in the next three months with a possible downgrade by year end if fiscal metrics worsen further,” he added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) economist Michael Ricafort, meanwhile, said Fitch’s decision could lead to some adjustments on the risk premiums in the Philippines in terms of some uptick in local interest rates/credit costs and some healthy profit-taking in the local financial markets.

He hoped, however, these would be minimal or negligible, since there is still a chance to prevent an actual downgrade of the credit rating in the coming months.

Ricafort said the country could avert seeing the outlook fully turn into a downgrade if economic recovery prospects improve with more vaccine arrivals to better manage, if not reduce, new local cases, and justify additional measures to reopen the economy.

“These would help increase the government’s tax revenue collections, reduce the government’s spending on social amelioration, financial assistance, and other Covid-19 programs, and in turn, help...narrow the country’s budget deficit and slow the growth in the country’s debt stock, while faster economic recovery/growth would help reduce the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio in the coming months/quarters,” the economist said.

Overall, Fitch said a sustained rise in the government or debt-to-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.

Still a vote of confidence

Despite the negative outlook, the credit rating of BBB given by Fitch Ratings remains a vote of confidence in the Philippine economy, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua told reporters on Tuesday the negative outlook highlighted the risks the economy faced due to the pandemic.

However, Chua said, they will endeavor to open the economy safely and manage the risks from Covid-19 while speeding up vaccination efforts to boost the country’s economic prospects.

“The rating kept at BBB is a vote of confidence in the country’s economic and fiscal management despite the worst effects of the pandemic,” Chua said.

“The negative outlook flags the risks that we are aware of, and the economic team will continue to exert effort to open the economy safely, manage risks from Covid [and] accelerate vaccine deployment,” Chua said.

Angara: Cause for concern

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, the chairman of the Senate Finance committee, acknowledged on Tuesday Fitch’s revision of its outlook on the Philippines is “definitely a cause for concern.”

However, Angara quickly asserted that “we can probably do something about the situation.”

Angara acknowledged the basis for Fitch’s revision of its outlook, noting that, “Economic recovery has been slower than expected so government can help the recovery by pump priming and taking up the slack in activity of the private sector.”

The senator suggested “more robust public sector spending starting with the 2021 budget implementation and fast-tracking any applications of the private sector that are pending with any government agencies.”

Angara added: “We are dependent on the vaccine rollout for our recovery but there are ways to speed this up if all hands are on deck, so to speak.” Bianca Cuaresma, Butch Fernandez and Cai Ordinario

The Nation BusinessMirror

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More volcanic quakes, tremors rock ‘edgy’ Taal

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OLCANIC earthquake and tremors continue to rock the Taal Volcano area as the country’s most active volcano continues to show signs of magmatic unrest.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported in its 8 a.m. Volcano Bulletin on Tuesday that in the past 24-hour period, the Taal Volcano Network recorded 171 volcanic earthquakes, including 13 low frequency volcanic earthquakes and 157 volcanic tremor events having durations between a minute to as long as 97 minutes.

Phivolcs said high levels of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emissions and steam rich plumes that rose 1,500 meters before drifting southwest were generated from the Taal Main Crater.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 6,134 tonnes/day on 12 July 2021.

Taal Volcano was placed under Alert Level 3 on July 1 following a short-lived phreatomagmatic eruption. According to Phivolcs, at Alert Level 3, magma extruding from the Main Crater could drive a possible explosive eruption.

The Taal Volcano Island, a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), has been declared “off limits” since the volcano erupted in January 2020.

With the recent volcanic activity, Phivolcs reminded the public that entry into the island, as well as into the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited due to the hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami in case of an abrupt explosion.

All activities on Taal Lake are also prohibited while shoreline communities are advised to prepare for safe evacuation to avoid possible airborne ash and vog in case of intensified unrest.

Flying over the volcano is also prohibited to avoid airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges that may pose hazards to aircraft. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Defense chief tells parties in SCS dispute: Avoid actions that may heighten tension

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

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EFENSE Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana has called on countries with contending claims in the South China Sea (SCS) to observe international norms and refrain from taking actions that may exacerbate the tense security situation in the territory.

The defense chief issued the statement on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the decision of the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration that

junked China’s expansive claims in the SCS, including on the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“On this anniversary, we once again urge all interested parties to heed the call for a rules-based international order and refrain from acts that may exacerbate the tense situation in the area,” Lorenzana said in a news statement issued on Monday night.

The statement, issued through Department of National Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong, called the ruling as a milestone “in

our country’s history as it affirms our claim over the West Philippine Sea.” He also said the “award is final and executory.”

Lorenzana declared that the UN decision “provided not only the Philippines but the rest of the world, with a framework for greater cooperation and understanding of complex maritime conflicts.”

Consistent with Philippine national policy, he said, the Department of National Defense and the government would continue to seek all avenues “to achieve a peaceful and

SC bans unauthorized sale, use of items bearing its seal

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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HE Supreme Cour t has banned the production, distribution and sale of any items or merchandise bearing its seal, or similar items indicating any connection with the judiciary without its permission.

In its Resolution in A.M. 2106-07-SC (Re: Unauthorized Online Selling of Merchandise Bearing Supreme Court Seal and/or Insignia), the Court also warned individuals and entities including various online platforms such as Shopee Philippines Inc. and Lazada Group that those who will be found guilty of the illegal act may be facing a prison term of not more than six months under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

The said provision of the RPC states that “[t]he penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any per-

son who shall publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class of persons of which he is not a member.”

The duration of penalty for arresto mayor is one month and one day up to six months.

The Court said it has furnished the Philippine head offices of Shopee and Lazada of its resolution.

Prior to the issuance of the resolution, the Office of Administrative Services (OAS) through Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Maria Carina M. Cunanan, brought to the attention of SC the sale by various vendors of merchandise bearing the official Supreme Court seal, such as ID, lanyards, car stickers, emblems, and license plates, in online platforms without authorization from the Court.

The SC acknowledged the probability that these merchandise

would be used by unscrupulous individuals or entities.

“Whereas, even in the absence of a constitutional or statutory provision on the matter, the Court has inherent and inalienable right to regulate, prohibit, or restrict its use only to specific individuals or entities it authorizes, as well as to dictate and enforce conditions of such use,” the Court said in a fourpage resolution.

The Court directed all individuals or entities currently engaged in the production, sale, or distribution of the aforesaid items to immediately cease and desist from engaging in the said activities; otherwise, they will be held accountable for indirect contempt of court.

The Court also directed the OAS to strictly monitor and regulate the unauthorized selling inside and outside the Court premises of the said items, especially during Court anniversary and Christmas fairs.

DOH readies Covid delta variant breach ‘scenarios’

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

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O prepare the country for the potential entry of the dreaded Delta variant, the Department of Health (DOH) has assured that the government remains to be on alert by strengthening the “Door 2” policy to get the country’s system ready for four “possible scenarios.”

Dr. Alethea de Guzman, DOH Epidemiology Bureau director, said that the Door 2 policy or the “Point of Entry” (Prevent entry/contains/ mitigate cases), “continues to buy us time to strengthen the PDITR (Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration) plus Vaccination strategies.”

De Guzman said that the government is strengthening the Door 2 policy to prepare the country’s system for the following scenarios: • Delta variant of concern (VOC) detected locally Increasing cases clusters observed

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, July 14, 2021 A3

• Sharp spikes signaling faster transmission • Swiftly increasing admissions especially at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) “Pero ngayon [As of now], as we want to further prevent/delay entry, and win this race against Covid-19 and its variants, napakahalaga ng pagpapalakas natin sa ating [It is very important that we strengthen our] Door 2 which is our border,” de Guzman said during the online Kapihan Session of the DOH. She emphasized that border control is very vital for “we are delaying [the possible entry of variants]. Potentially papasok talaga itong Delta, Gama and other variants of concern pero bago yan pumasok sapat na, malakas na ang ating sistema at nakahanda tayo sa mga scenarios [Potentially, variants like Delta, Gama and other variants of concern will enter the country, but before that we should make sure that we have enough capacity, our system is strong, and we are prepared to face the four scenarios].”

• Door 2 is just one of the policies.

Other three “Door” policies are: • Door 1 (Point of Origin)—prevent Returning overseas Filipinos/ overseas Filipino workers from leaving the country • Door 3(Point of Care)—prevent further local spread • Door 4 (Epidemic Surge)—contain widespread and overwhelmed health system “Door 1: Travel restrictions as initial responses to new VOCs and VOIs; Door 2: Safeguards for when we ease Door 1 due to the economic costs; Door 3: PDITR; and Door 4: Strong health and critical capacity and systems versus a surge to ensure proper and timely Covid-19 management and continuity of essential services,” de Guzman explained.

For her part, Dr. Eva Cutiongco-Dela Paz, executive director of the University of the Philippines Manila-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), said that “there are no local cases of Delta variant” yet in the country.

Theta variant

HOWEVER, she stressed that the public should remain vigilant and practice the minimum public health standards.

She also emphasized the importance of vaccines to protect the people against the Covid-19 and its variants.

“Vaccines work against the viruspreventing severe disease and death,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said that the P.3 or Theta variant, which was first detected in the country, is no longer a “variant of interest.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is now reclassified as variant under “alerts for monitoring.”

“The reason for this is its reported detection has decreased over time,” she said adding, “There have only been sporadic detections or small clusters of cases that have been reported globally, justifying its classification.”

friendly management of all standing maritime disputes.”

The defense secretary welcomed the support of other countries, which considered the award as having the “force of international law,” while appreciating their serious concerns over “excessive maritime claims in the South China Sea.”

‘Incorrect’ photo

MEANWHILE, Lorenzana branded as incorrect a photo that was used by the media to illustrate the violative acts of Chinese vessels of dumping

human waste in the West Philippine Sea as claimed by firm Simularity, which used satellite images from the European Space Agency.

“The reported dumping of waste in the WPS is not true. That photo is from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia,” he said.

Simularity bared the disposal of sewage by Chinese vessels in the country’s exclusive economic zone during a forum by the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute marking the anniversary of the UN ruling.

Fauci lauds PHL’s work in biomedical research, urges support for R&D

IN this May 11, 2021, file photo, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing to examine an update from Federal officials on efforts to combat Covid-19, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Fauci has lauded Filipino scientists on Tuesday for their accomplishments in the global advancement of biomedical research. AP

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R. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Chief Medical Adviser to President Joe Biden lauded Filipino scientists on Tuesday for their work in the global advancement of biomedical research.

In a news statement, Dr. Fauci, an American physician-scientist and immunologist, gave this remark during the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting held by the Department of Science and Technology-National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST).

In his keynote speech, Dr. Fauci commended the collaborative research done over the years between the Philippines and NIAID funded programs focusing on human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and tuberculosis co-infections.

He cited the participation of the Philippines in multi-country networks, which helped ensure Filipino scientists to be part of the core contributors in advancing biomedical discoveries that have made AIDS a preventable chronic disease.

“Filipino scientists have helped lead the way in the studies of tuberculosis— particularly multi-drug resistance TB. The work in the Regional Prospective Observational Research on Tuberculosis Network has been especially

important and promising,” related Dr. Fauci. “With continuing support from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, the Philippines is sure to make significant contributions to the global fight against TB.” Dr. Fauci also highlighted the key role of Philippine institutions in infectious diseases research in dengue, malaria and other infectious pathogens. In particular, he lauded the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine that receive NIAID funding in the past as a center of excellence in research in tropical medicine.

“Hopefully, this institution and others will continue to receive Philippine government support so that they will remain competitive for both funding and talent,” shared Dr. Fauci. “Given its track record, I also can foresee great value in the Philippines expanding its scientific leadership role in the Asia Pacific region.”

The Philippines, through the DOST, is set to be a co-host in the upcoming 2022 Emerging Infectious Diseases of the Pacific Rim conference along with the US NIH and Japan’s Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). The event is expected to strengthen the longstanding global scientific partnership and highlight the continuing commitment of the Philippines to the research enterprise worldwide.

Vaccine supply deficit, virus mutations threaten PHL, other Asian nations–ADB

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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EW and more contagious Covid-19 variants pose a threat to Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

In a Q&A Feature, Director of Human and Social Development in ADB’s Southeast Asia Regional Department Ayako Inagaki said the virus mutation is a concern given the slow vaccine rollout due

to global supply constraints.

Inagaki said at present, the pandemic has already had a “devastating impact on Southeast Asian economies, mainly because of mobility restrictions and border closures.”

“The threats posed by more contagious virus variants and the public’s demand to lift mobility restrictions have put an enormous strain on countries’ ability to contain outbreaks and save lives, prompting governments to accelerate national vaccination plans,” Inagaki said.

Inagaki said Indonesia and the

Philippines are among the hardest hit by the pandemic. These countries have recorded the highest number of daily new cases in the region.

She also said Malaysia has recorded significantly more Covid-19 cases, especially since April 2021.

Further, Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Thailand, and Vietnam, which managed to contain the virus, have reported a surge in cases starting in the first few months of 2021.

“Countries in the region are strengthening containment measures

and enhancing disease surveillance, but their vaccination efforts have been slowed down by a severe vaccine shortage among several Southeast Asian countries,” Inagaki said.

Inagaki said ADB’s response to the growing threat is to provide emergency assistance grants to Developing Member Countries (DMCs).

The assistance has been provided through ADB’s $20-billion Covid-19 Pandemic Response Option (CPRO) announced in April 2020 to offer budget support to governments as they address the severe macroeconomic and

health impacts caused by Covid-19.

ADB is also supporting vaccine programs through its $9-billion Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX), which was announced in December 2020 to help DMCs procure safe, effective vaccines.

The assistance through CPRO includes the $5 million worth grant provided to the Philippines to facilitate the delivery of food to vulnerable households.

In addition, ADB has also assisted the Philippines in offering low-cost education technologies

for distance learning.

Inagaki said the first two APVAX loans approved by ADB were for vaccine procurement in the Philippines and Indonesia.

ADB also made its first loan disbursement under APVAX in June 2021 to the Philippines. More disbursements are expected in July to finance contracts to vaccinate about 30 million Filipinos.

New projects for Cambodia and Indonesia are expected to be considered by ADB’s Board of Directors later this year.

A4 Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

DTI chief seeks revisions on business closure policy

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

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HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for a revision of policies on business closures amid concerns over related expenses on top of financial burden that forced firms to shut down amid the pandemic.

Trade Secretar y R amon M. Lopez said in a TV interview on Tuesday that he is “aware of that problem,” which is mostly faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that folded up operations during this crisis.

He said that MSMEs closing their businesses are finding it difficult to settle the concomitant expenses—or spending related to business closure.

“We have to revisit the procedure of closure,” he said. “There has to be a change in the process, or change in the law.”

Lopez said a discussion with the

BI tells foreign vloggers: Don’t violate conditions of stay in PHL

By Recto Mercene @rectomercene

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HE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned foreign vloggers in the country not to engage in any activity that may violate the conditions of their stay.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente issued the reminder after noticing numerous foreign vloggers posting videos in the Philippines.

While vlogging in itself is not prohibited, endorsing a product or using their platforms to sell products could be considered a violation of the conditions of their stay, Morente said.

“Online videos of these influencers bring entertainment to many, which could be a source of much-needed relief from the stress brought about by the pandemic,” said Morente.

“Vloggers promoting the beautiful places in our country could even help revive and boost tourism.”

“However, vlogging should not be used as a means to sell products. Accepting local endorsements, selling products, and engaging in other activities for profit while holding a temporary visitors’ visa is considered a deportable offense,” he warned.

“Vloggers should not overstep their boundaries and perform actions only within the activities allowed in their visas,” Morente added. “If found guilty, violators can face deportation and blacklisting from the Philippines.”

In February, a socmed influencer was charged by BI this year for engaging in gainful activity without the necessary permit or visa after allegedly selling online notebooks, bags, and toiletries charged a socialmedia influencer.

Similarly in India, New Zealand YouTuber Karl Rock has recently made headlines after he was reportedly denied entry and blacklisted for violating the terms and conditions of his visa for doing business activities on a tourist visa.

Bureau of Internal Revenue should be launched to address the matter given that financially distressed businesses, which have to close shop, also have to settle certain obligations with the agency.

A survey conducted by the DTI in June noted that the number of businesses that closed operations slowed down to 10 percent from peak of 40.20 percent in August last year following the easing of mobility restrictions.

Less than half or 44 percent of the MSMEs surveyed have maintained full operations while the remaining 46 percent are only partially operating. The June data also showed that 53.8 percent of the MSMEs reported decline in sales, Lopez said.

The DTI chief explained that some of the business owners who chose to fold up have shifted to other ventures already. Lopez said they opted to start a new one, which can potentially thrive amid the pandemic.

Lopez said earlier that certain

industries are struggling more compared to other sectors because of the restrictions imposed on them. He cited tourism, recreation, entertainment, live performances and amusement parks as examples of these.

Meanwhile, Lopez shared that the DTI has been doing its part to help the MSME sector recover in pandemic. This includes providing training and marketing support, among others, he said. “[It is] all about partnership and creating market access for MSMEs,” Lopez stressed, noting that DTI has been conducting virtual trade fairs.

Micro-herd immunity

PRESIDENTIAL Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Maria A. Concepcion, meanwhile, reiterated his call for micro-herd immunity, which refers to a close system that has achieved 80 percent vaccination rollout already.

Micro-herd immunity, he said,

can help the economy recover safely because it will allow more mobility.

Concepcion previously explained that promoting herd immunity in a smaller and controlled environment is feasible because they have implemented health protocols already. It includes offices, factories and commercial spaces.

“I believe that if we are able to vaccinate 80-plus percent of employees in a building, that means herd immunity is achieved in that group, so why don’t we increase their capacity?” Concepcion said earlier.

“We know we have to live with [Covid-19] until we are 100 percent vaccinated but remaining at a standstill is something that the Philippines cannot afford to do,” he added.

Last month, Concepcion said that the private sector is finalizing a proposal for new Covid-19 guidelines to allow more mobility and business activities, which can boost the economic recovery of the country.

LGUs told to expedite crafting of devt plans ahead of new phase of devolution

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HEAD of further devolution under the Mandanas ruling, a lawmaker on Tuesday called on local chief executives to speed up the crafting of their development plans, transferring basic services and facilities from the national government (NGs) to their respective local government units (LGUs).

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte issued the call after President Duterte issued Executive Order 138 (EO) approving the devolution of more functions of the NG to LGUs. In preparation for the implementation of the EO, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) subsequently ordered LGUs to craft their respective Capacity Development Agenda (Caop Dev) and Devolution Transition Plans (DTPs).

Villafuerte, a former governor, said the Caop Devs and DTPs will help ensure the seamless transition of functions to the LGUs. “The LGUs should work double time in crafting these development and devolution plans so that these can be submitted to Malacañang and the Committee on Devolution can then begin its job of monitoring the implementation of the DTPs, including the administrative and

fiscal decentralization aspects of devolution as stated in EO 138,” Villafuerte said.

Under EO 138, the ComDev will be chaired by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and co-chaired by the DILG. Its members include the secretaries of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda); Department of Finance (DOF); Executive Secretary; and presidents of the Leagues of Provinces, Cities, and Municipalities of the Philippines, Liga ng mga Barangay ng Pilipinas (LNB) and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, the Local Government Academy (LGA) shall oversee the provision of capacity development interventions for local governments, and shall develop the appropriate mechanisms to ensure efficient utilization of government resources on this effort.

Año has said EO 138 will ensure that the policy of decentralization as enshrined in the Constitution and the Local Government Code (LGC), as well as the increase in just share in national taxes for LGUs as provided for in the Mandanas ruling of the Supreme Court, will be carried out systematically and smoothly.

In Mandanas et al. v. Executive

Secretary et al. case, the SC held that all collections of national taxes, except those accruing to special purpose funds and special allotments for the utilization and development of the national wealth, should be included in the computation of the base of the just share of the LGUs. Villafuerte also threw his support behind the President’s proposal under the EO for Congress to create the Growth Equity Fund (GEF), which will cover funding requirements of the projects of low-income and “lagging” LGUs to enable them to implement the functions and services devolved to them.

“We need to increase the fiscal resources of LGUs to free them from their dependence on imperial Manila,” said Villafuerte.

Earlier, the DOF estimated the national tax allotment (NTA)—formerly called the IRA— which LGUs will divide among themselves next year would hit P986.44 billion, based on the agency’s computations.

The computation takes into account the implementation of the Mandanas ruling.

This is higher than the P841.3billion allocation for the local governments if the Mandanas ruling would not be implemented and their 2021 allotment of P695.49 billion, according to the DOF.

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Senate panel eyes penalties for ‘hoax’ delivery orders

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

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HE Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship has endorsed for plenary deliberation and early approval an awaited remedial legislation penalizing “hoax ordering” to protect riders delivering food, grocery and pharmacy items amid rising incidents of “unjust cancellations and bogus transactions.”

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, panel chairman, confirmed the transmission of Committee Report 273 to be fine tuned in plenary debates soon as senators reconvene regular sessions on July 26.

In endorsing the remedial leg isl at ion, Pimentel underscored “the urgent need to protect delivery riders of all food, grocery and pharmacy delivery services in light of the rising cases of unjust order cancellations and bogus transactions.”

Once enacted into law, as proposed, the senator said the remedial legislation will “prohibit food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service app providers from requiring their delivery riders and drivers to advance money for the fulfillment of orders.”

Moreover, it likewise requires delivery service app providers to establish a mandatory reimbursement scheme in favor of delivery riders and drivers in case of cancellation of confirmed orders.

In a news statement, Pimentel pointed out that “we need a law protecting our delivery riders and drivers; it is very timely and relevant,” noting that “even after the pandemic, this measure will be relevant because we have now grown accustomed to online services.”

He noted that in order to facilitate collection against cancelling customers, the bill requires the implementation of Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules, which entails submission and verification of proof of identity and residential address of customers, subject to compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Recalling recent incidents of fake booking and hoax orders he deemed “quite alarming,” Pimentel asserts that “those acts must be criminalized.”

According to the senator, the affected workers are just trying to earn a living, adding: “Nagtatrabaho ang ating mga riders nang maayos. ’Yung iba ay inaabot pa ng madaling araw sa kalye para kumita ng pera.

Hindi sila dapat linoloko.”

Pimentel ’s bill, once enacted into law, criminalizes several prohibited acts such as placing of hoax orders, cancellation of confirmed orders, and refusal to receive unpaid order.

In addition, the senator said the proposed law likewise penalizes “the act of using another person’s personal information when registering for any food, grocery, and pharmacy delivery service.”

Solidarity trial also seeks to identify Covid-19 vaccine suited for Filipinos

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

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HE Philippines and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed the agreement on the conduct of solidarity trial on Covid-19 vaccines in the country.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said Health Secretary Francisco Duque and WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan already inked the agreement on the solidarity trial seen to pave the way for the determination of the most effective Covid-19 vaccines suited for Filipinos.

While Guevarra said four brands of Covid-19 vaccines would be studied under the Vaccine Solidarity Trial with WHO, she did not identify the specific brands pending the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

WHO had also sent to the Philippines the final clinical trial proto-

col, standard operating procedures and investigational brochures on Covid-19 vaccines that will be studied in this trial, Guevarra said.

In the same public briefing, Guevarra also said they have already started the preparation for the conduct of mix and match vaccine trials last month, adding that DOST, Department of Health and the Philippine Society for Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology are set to meet on July 15 (Thursday) to discuss extensively the implementation.

The vaccines to be studied under the mix and match trials are those that are already available in the Philippines, such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V and Sinovac, she said.

Some 3,000 people will participate in the mix and match vaccine trials, which will be conducted in eight proposed sites across the country, including Manila, Pasig, Antipolo, Marikina City, Makati, Pasay, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Cebu, and Davao.

Food-insecure Pinoys rise by 4M in ’20—FAO. . .

However, in terms of stunting, there was a decline. Data showed 3 million children below five years old were stunted as of 2020, lower than the 3.6 million recorded in 2012.

The number of adults, 15 to 49 years old, who were affected by anemia declined to 2.5 million as of 2019 from 4.2 million in 2012.

The report noted that despite the pandemic, countries like the Philippines were able to create global best practices in terms of addressing hunger and malnutrition.

A law in the Philippines extends to products marketed or labelled as being suitable for infants and children up to 36 months.

The Philippines also prohibits advertising, provision of samples or gifts, point-of-sale promotions, with robust provisions to keep industry at arm’s length from health workers/facilities, and strict rules on product labelling, as well

as the use of cartoons.

“Protecting children of all ages from the harmful impacts of food marketing is an essential food system action, a moral imperative and a human rights obligation. It can be done through a combination of legislation on marketing of breastmilk substitutes, foods for infants and young children, and marketing to which children are exposed in general,” the report noted.

The report noted that between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020—or 161 million more than in 2019.

Nearly 2.37 billion people did not have access to adequate food in 2020—an increase of 320 million people in just one year.

Further, millions of under-5 children affected by stunting reaching 149.2 million; wasting, 45.4 million; and overweight, 38.9 million.

More than half of all

undernourished people or 418 million live in Asia; more than a third or 282 million live in Africa; and a smaller proportion of 60 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean.

FAO noted the sharpest rise in hunger in Africa, where the estimated prevalence of undernourishment—at 21 percent of the population—is more than double that of any other region.

“On current trends, (the report) estimates that Sustainable Development Goal 2—Zero Hunger by 2030—will be missed by a margin of nearly 660 million people. Of these 660 million, some 30 million may be linked to the pandemic’s lasting effects,” FAO said.

The report is jointly published by the FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), the UN World Food Programme

(WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

WB report

LAST month, a report from the World Bank said healthy diets remain elusive for many Filipinos as these prove costly even for the average Juan.

In a report, titled “Undernutrition in the Philippines: Scale, Scope, and Opportunities for Nutrition Policy and Programming,” the World Bank said this conclusion is based on the cost of the recommended diet (CoRD) methodology.

CoRD estimates showed a healthy diet costs P68 per day but households only spent P48 per adult per day. The report noted that this is based on 2015 data.

The World Bank recommends that the country invest in nutrition. They estimated that every dollar invested in “high-

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impact, nutrition-specific interventions” by the Philippines will increase adult incomes by $66, one of the highest in 34 countries.

Due to the high cost of a healthy diet, Filipinos mostly consumed rice or starches. Based on 2015 data from the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES), Filipinos consumed 159 percent of the recommended consumption of starchy staples (particularly rice).

However, Filipinos consumed only 22 percent of the requirement for vegetables, 10 percent for fruits, 12 percent for eggs, 79 percent for meat and pulses, 33 percent for milk, and 29 percent for fats and oils.

This may lead to what is termed as “hidden hunger.” The report called this “a form of malnutrition caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet such as vitamin A, iron, zinc, folic acid, and iodine.”

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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Sydney’s Covid outbreak puts 65 in hospital as Delta variant spreads

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he number of Sydney residents hospitalized from Covid-19 increased to 65 as the Australian city struggles to contain an outbreak of the Delta variant.

Australia’s most-populous city recorded 89 new cases in the community on Tuesday from 112 the day before, with 21 infectious in the community, New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters. A man in his 70s has died, the second fatality in the past week from the outbreak that’s grown to more than 700 cases since mid-June.

“In the next few days we want to see those numbers go in the same direction,” Berejiklian said of the fall in cases from the day before, while emphasizing a 24-hour drop did not indicate a trend. “Our efforts will allow us to leave the lockdown in a timely way, but that is dependent on all of us doing the right thing at all times.”

The hospitalizations are a worrying sign that authorities may impose tighter movement restrictions since being placed into a lockdown on June 26, as Sydney battles its largest coronavirus outbreak in more than a year. The outbreak is highlighting the problems in the nation’s tardy vaccine roll-out, which has been hit by supply-chain hold-ups from contracted drug-makers amid accusations from political rivals that Prime Minister Scott Morrison failed to secure enough doses from a wide-enough

range of suppliers.

Australia’s government Tuesday increased support to companies and workers affected by extended lockdowns, including up to A$10,000 a week to businesses that have lost more than 30 percent of revenue. The increased support will kick in should a lockdown enter a fourth week in any state or territory, Morrison said in a statement.

Even as other developed economies such as the US and the UK open up, Australia is further isolating after imposing strict border restrictions when the pandemic began. The lagging vaccination rate—the second-slowest among the 38 OECD nations—has made it particularly vulnerable to the Delta variant, which is increasingly leaking out of the quarantine system for international arrivals.

The Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker shows Australia has administered enough doses for just 18 percent of its population, compared with the UK with 61 percent and the US with 52 percent. While Sydney’s lockdown is due to end Friday, Berejiklian has indicated it is likely to be extended in an announcement on Wednesday.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” she said. Bloomberg News

Johnson’s virus gamble sparks fear and unease as cases grow

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oris Johnson’s decision to ease remaining coronavirus restrictions in England is prompting growing fear and calls for caution, fueling worries that a surge in infections will strain hospitals and undermine Britain’s economic recovery.

Doctors are warning that the fresh toll of the pandemic will overburden an already beleaguered National Health Service that’s struggling to clear a large backlog of other operations, while economists expect a dip in consumer confidence in the coming weeks due to the greater perceived threat to public safety.

With social distancing and the mandatory wearing of masks due to end on July 19, Johnson is pushing ahead with dropping virus measures even as a new wave of the pandemic takes hold.

Daily hospital admissions are expected to hit 1,000 to 2,000 per day at a peak in August and there are expected to be as many as 200 daily deaths, according to modeling by the U.K.’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).

Announcing the decision on Monday, Johnson urged caution, appealing to the public to wear masks in crowded indoor spaces and on buses and trains.

He said that while the general instruction to work from home would end, “we don’t expect that the whole country will return to their desks as one from Monday.” He added that businesses should plan for a “gradual return to work over the summer.”

‘Unfolding disaster’

The question is whether Johnson’s move is too much of a gamble: Though the nation’s vaccination rollout has significantly weakened the connection between rising virus cases and hospitalizations and deaths, a resurgent pandemic would mean greater pressure on the NHS and added uncertainty for businesses.

Doctors’ Association UK, a nonprofit organization, said an increase in coronavirus cases would be a “disaster” for hospitals because the NHS is already facing an unprecedented workload, with many staff self-isolating. A surge in cases will mean more disruptions to services and delays to routine treatments, DAUK said.

“ The unfolding disaster which awaits us in autumn and winter is the biggest public health experiment ever seen,” said Elizabeth Toberty, a general practitioner and spokesperson for DAUK. “The government’s strategy for opening up is completely lacking in logic and stands to put both patients and public services at risk.”

A survey of 2,500 doctors by the British Medical Association found that 90 percent wanted masks to continue to be mandatory on public transport, and 78 percent wanted them to continue to be worn in shops.

Not making masks mandatory will “see a sustained and even steeper rise in infection rates across the summer,” said Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chair. Johnson’s easing of restrictions will “mean more patients on waiting lists will suffer and wait longer for treatment,” he said.

Economic headwinds

A growth in coronavirus cases is also likely to carry an economic cost. While households have begun to spend savings accumulated during lockdowns, consumer confidence is due to take a hit in the near-term as infections rise, said Suren Thiru, head of economics at the British Chambers of Commerce.

“That can be quite a drag on the recovery,” Thiru said. “There’s no doubt headwinds to the economy have increased.”

Defending the decision on Monday, England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said an “exit wave” of infections was inevitable, but delaying lifting the restrictions would not make much difference to case levels.

Johnson said July 19 was “as good a time as any” to ease the rules.

News of restrictions ending was welcomed by England’s hospitality sector, which has had to operate at reduced capacity and with some venues closed due to virus measures. As part of the easing, nightclubs and other venues hosting large crowds should ask customers to show the NHS “Covid pass” as proof of vaccination, a recent negative test or natural immunity, as a “matter of social responsibility,” Johnson said.

Bloomberg News

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021

WHO says rich countries should donate vaccines, not use boosters

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ONDON—Top officials at the World Health Organization say there’s not enough evidence to show that third doses of coronavirus vaccines are needed and appealed Monday for the scarce shots to be shared with poor countries that have yet to immunize their people instead of being used by rich countries as boosters.

At a press briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the world ’s grotesque vaccine disparity was driven by “greed,” as he called on drugmakers to prioritize supplying their Covid-19 vaccines to poor countries instead of lobbying rich countries to use even more doses.

His plea comes just as pharmaceutical companies are seeking authorization for third doses to be used as boosters in some Western countries, including the US. “ We are ma k ing conscious choices right now not to protect those in need,” Tedros said, adding the immediate priority must be to vaccinate people who have yet to receive a single dose.

He called on Pfizer and Moderna to “go all out to supply CO VA X, the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team and low and

middle-income countries with ver y little coverage,” referring to the UN-backed initiative to distribute vaccines globally.

After a 10-week drop in global coronavirus deaths, Tedros said the number of Covid-19 patients dying daily is again beginning to climb and that the extremely infectious Delta variant is “driving catastrophic waves of cases.”

B ot h P f i z er a nd Moder n a have ag reed to supply sma l l amounts of their vaccines to COVA X, but the vast majority of their doses have been reser ved by rich countries. The UN-backed effort has faltered badly in recent months, with nearly 60 poor countries stalled in their vaccination efforts and their biggest vaccine supplier unable to share any doses until the end of the year.

In this July 11, file photo, a doctor fills a syringe with the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Kabul, Afghanistan. Top officials at the World Health Organization said on, July 12, there is not enough evidence to show that third doses of coronavirus vaccines are needed and appealed for the scarce shots to be shared with poor countries who have yet to immunize their populations instead of being used by rich countries as boosters. AP/Rahmat Gul

Pfizer met with top US officials on Monday to discuss its plans to seek authorization for a third dose. Last week, the company said the booster could dramatically ramp up immunity and perhaps help ward off worrisome variants—even as US health authorities stressed that fully vaccinated Americans are strongly protected and don’t need boosters yet.

“Both Pfizer and the US government share a sense of urgency in staying ahead of the virus that causes Covid-19, and we also agree that the scientific data will dictate next steps,” the company said in a statement late Monday.

It’s not unusual for manufacturers to brief regulators before filing new data, and a US government spokesperson said the information is just one piece of evidence authorities will use in deciding if, when and for whom a booster might be necessary.

Britain is also considering a possible booster vaccination plan in the fall, which would likely target those over 50 and the most vulnerable.

But WHO’s top experts disputed the need for a booster in fully immunized people.

“At this point... there is no scientific evidence to suggest that boosters are definitely needed,”

Myanmar’s Suu Kyi to face more corruption charges

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A NGKOK—L aw yers for ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Ky i said Monday they have been informed by the military-installed government that four new charges of corruption have been filed against her.

The military overthrew Suu Kyi’s elected government in Feb-

ruary and arrested her and top members of her National League for Democracy party, including President Win Myint. Widespread popular resistance against the military takeover is continuing, despite harsh measures by the security forces to quash it.

Since the takeover, the new government has filed a number of

criminal charges against Suu Kyi, who is in detention, and several of her colleagues.

Suu Kyi’s supporters as well as independent analysts say all of the charges are politically motivated and an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the military’s seizure of power.

She is currently on trial in the capital Naypyitaw on charges of sedition—defined as spreading information that could cause public alarm or unrest—two counts of f louting breaking Covid-19 pandemic restrictions during the 2020 election campaign; illegally importing walkie-talkies that were for her bodyguards’ use; and unlicensed use of the radios. Win Myint is her co-defendant on several of the charges.

Suu Kyi has also has been facing additional charges that have yet to be tried: accepting bribes, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, and violating the Official Secrets Act, which carries a maximum term of 14 years.

One of her lawyers, Min Min Soe, told reporters Monday that there would be a first hearing on the new charges on June 22 in the High Court in Mandalay, the country’s second biggest city. She said two of the charges are solely against Suu Kyi, and the other two include additional people, but no other details were given her team.

A lengthy wide-ranging news conference held Monday by the government made no mention of the new charges.

On June 10, official media reported that the state Anti-Corruption Commission had found that Suu Kyi accepted bribes and misused her authority to gain advantageous terms in real estate deals. Suu Kyi’s lawyers already

said Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, WHO’s chief scientist. Swaminathan said WHO would make recommendations on booster doses if they were needed, but that any such advice “has to be based on the science and data, not on indiv idual companies declaring that the vaccines should now be administered as a booster dose.”

D r. Mic h ae l Ry a n, W HO’s emergencies chief, sug gested that if rich countries decide to administer booster shots rather than donating them to the developing world, “we will look back in anger and I think we will look back in shame.”

He sa id t he fa i lu re to increase vaccine-manufactur ing c a p a c it y, c ou p l e d w it h r i c h c o u nt r i e s ’ r e f u s a l t o s h a r e shots w ith poor countr ies, was e x t remely d isappoint ing.

“This is people who want to have their cake and eat it,” he said.

“Then they make some more cake and they want to eat that as well.”

Some have called the idea of booster shots morally repugnant, given the increased spread of Covid-19 now being seen in some African countries.

Tom Hart, acting CEO of the ONE campaign, an advocacy group, noted that just 1 percent of people in poor countries have received even one Covid-19 vaccine dose.

“The idea that a healthy, vaccinated person can get a booster shot before a nurse or grandmother in South Africa can get a single jab is outrageous,” he said. AP

denied the allegations when they were first made in March.

Reports in state media including the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said the anti-corruption body had found that Suu Kyi illegally accepted $600,000 and seven gold bars from the former chief minister of Yangon Region, a political ally.

The report also said the commission had found that Suu Kyi has misused her position to obtain rental properties at lowerthan-market prices for a charitable foundation named after her mother that she chaired.

The report said that the action deprived the state of revenue it would otherwise have earned.

State television has presented videos of testimony by alleged witnesses to the payoffs in cash and gold, but there was no explanation of the circumstances in which the videos were made or evidence to back up what was said. AP

US cites China, Myanmar, Ethiopia in genocide report

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A S H I NG T ON —T he Biden administration on Monday renewed genoc ide a l legat ions aga inst China for repression of Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in its northwest Xinjiang region. It also warned Eritrea, Ethiopia, Myanmar and South Sudan of possible further sanctions for ethnic cleansing in conflicts they are involved in.

The administration sent the messages in the release of the State Department’s annual report to Congress on genocide and atrocities prevention, which calls for the federal government to outline steps it is taking to prevent and halt such actions abroad.

“This administration will defend and protect human rights around the world, and recognizes the prevention of atrocities is a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility,” it said.

The report said the US continues to believe that China’s actions against the Uyghurs constitutes a “genocide.” That finding was first announced by former President Donald Trump’s administration, as was a determination that Myanmar was engaged in “ethnic cleansing” against Rohyinga Muslims in its northern Rakhine state.

The report noted that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has several times reaffirmed the previous administration’s claim that “the People’s Republic of China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs, who are predominantly Muslim, and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang.” AP

Japan’s gov’t sees rising Taiwan tensions as regional security risk

T In this December 14, 2018 file photo, ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives to attend the Myanmar Entrepreneurship Summit at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. Lawyers for Suu Kyi said on, July 12, they have been informed by the military-installed government that four new charges of corruption have been filed against her. The military overthrew Suu Kyi’s elected government in February and arrested her and top members of her National League for Democracy party, including President Win Myint. AP/Aung Shine Oo

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OK YO —Japa n bel ieves rising tension surrounding Taiwan requires its attention “with a sense of crisis” as China intensifies military activities in the area and the United States steps up support for the self-governing island.

Japan’s concerns about Taiwan, Beijing’s growing rivalry with the United States and China’s increasingly assertive military actions in the region were added in an annual Defense Ministry paper that was adopted Tuesday by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s Cabinet.

“Stabilizing the Taiwan situation is important for Japan’s national security and stability of the international community,” the paper said. “We need to pay close attention with a sense of crisis more than ever before.”

As China flexes its muscle in the Taiwan Strait and the AsiaPacific region, Taiwan has become a regional flashpoint, as Japan, the United States and other democracies develop closer ties with the self-ruled island that Beijing regards as a renegade territory to be united by force if necessary.

“As China rapidly enhances its military power, changes in the military power balance between the United States and China may possibly affect the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region,” the report said. “It is necessary to pay greater attention to the military trends of the two countries in areas such as the South China Sea and Taiwan.”

China has continuously expanded its military capability over the past 20 years, with its defense spending amounting to 16 times or larger than that of Taiwan, with their gap growing every year, the paper said. China’s military budget of $181.6 billion is four times that of Japan, according to the

defense paper.

China has also increased Taiwan’s diplomatic isolation, leaving it with just over a dozen formal diplomatic allies. Taiwan still operates a network of trade offices that act as de facto embassies, including in the United States, Japan and most other major nations.

Japan is increasingly worried about Taiwan’s security implications amid rising tension between Beijing and Washington. The United States, Japan’s most important ally, has increased military support for Taiwan, including dispatching warships to the Taiwan Strait and arm sales.

China’s increased military capability and the lack of clarity to its defense spending “have become a matter of grave concern to the region including Japan and the international community,” the paper said.

It also criticized China over its “relentless attempts to unilaterally change the status quo” of disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands called the Senkaku, which China also claims and calls the Diaoyu, and called it “a violation of international law.”

Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said Chinese vessels have remained just outside Japanese territorial waters around Senkaku for 150 straight days Monday, describing it “an extremely grave situation.”

China also claims almost all of the South China Sea, has built military bases on artificial islands in the disputed area and routinely objects to any action by the US military in the region. 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

A7 Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

How PHL can wipe out hunger, poverty

T

he Philippines will continue to rely heavily on imported food until 2030, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a joint report they released last week (See, “PHL reliance on food imports seen to stay high until 2030–report,” in the BusinessMirror, July 6, 2021). OECD and FAO projected that the Philippines will increase its purchases of rice, pork and poultry to meet the expected increase in demand of a growing population. The import volume, they said, would depend largely on the initiatives that the Philippines would put in place to transform its food systems, as well as the factors beyond its control such as climate change.

The report noted that the country’s rice consumption per capita is expected to increase to 129 kilograms per person by 2030 from an annual average estimate of 120.3 kg per capita between 2018 and 2020.

Rice consumption was forecast to go up to 18.249 million metric tons by 2030, 19.81 percent higher than the annual average consumption of 15.232 MMT between 2018 and 2020. While OECD-FAO projected that imports will increase to 3.459 MMT by 2030, this would largely depend on the outcome of the government’s programs to boost rice production using the tariffs collected from imports.

Many experts have said before that self-sufficiency in rice—the country’s staple food—is an expensive proposition. There is basis for this as attested by the size of investments made by the government over the years to produce rice. The rice sector usually corners the bulk of the Department of Agriculture’s annual budget, and a chunk of the amount goes to the construction and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities, particularly in rainfed areas.

Now that the government can tap tariffs collected from rice imports, it is time for policy-makers to bankroll initiatives that will strengthen other agricultural subsectors and allow the Philippines to increase its food exports (See, “Govt rice tariff collections rise to P5.67B in 4 months,” in the BusinessMirror, May 12, 2021).

Increasing local supply of certain foodstuff like poultry would fill domestic demand and benefit local producers. Also, the joint OECDFAO report indicated that the world’s need for food presents trade opportunities for countries like the Philippines, particularly if trade barriers are reduced or removed altogether.

Asean members like Indonesia and Malaysia have been benefiting from their agricultural exports, such as coffee beans and palm oil. Vietnam is a major rice exporter, while Thailand has earned the enviable distinction of being the food kitchen of the world. Experts have been urging the government to follow the lead of our Southeast Asian neighbors, but the Philippines remains unable to diversify its food exports.

Propping up the domestic production of key commodities that the country needs, including products that can bring in export receipts, would go a long way to enabling the Philippines to wipe out hunger and poverty. This strategy would not just feed millions of Filipino families but also allow the government to support other industries and meet all the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

The perks of voluntary SSS membership Aurora C. Ignacio

All About Social Security

A

few weeks ago, I received a call from a former colleague who recently retired from the company where we previously worked together. After talking about developments in our personal lives, she asked me if she can continue paying her Social Security System (SSS) contributions voluntarily since she just turned 58 and she’s not yet qualified to avail herself of the Retirement Benefit Program.

Voluntary SSS membership is open to members who were previously covered as employed, self-employed, or overseas Filipino worker (OFW) with at least one monthly contribution.

I also explained to my friend that there are a few other conditions: n The member who is 60 years old and above (but not to exceeding 65) with 120 or more monthly con-

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Apart from meeting the required total number of contributions, members must also be able to reach the required number of contributions for a given period preceding a contingency in order to qualify for a specific benefit or loan program.

We have made it easy to become a voluntary SSS member as previously employed, self-employed, and OFW members no longer have to register or submit documents to be one.

To resume payment of contributions, they only need to register or log in to their My.SSS account, which is now mandatory to all SSS members.

Once at the My.SSS account, they can generate a Payment Reference Number (PRN), choose “voluntary” as membership type, and then select the applicable month and monthly salary credit.

Effective January 2021, SSS has increased its contribution rate from 12 percent to 13 percent and adjusted the monthly salary credits (MSC) for members to P3,000 as minimum See “Ignacio,” A8

Sea Sunday, fishermen and the West Philippine Sea

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tributions may continue to pay his/ her contributions to qualify for SSS benefit programs, and n The member who is 65 years old and above with less than 120 monthly contributions may continue to pay contributions until he/ she reaches the required minimum of 120 monthly contributions for retirement pension.

In her case, she still has to wait

for two more years to be qualified for retirement. The good thing is, she is willing to pay for additional SSS contributions in case contingencies crop up such as sickness, etc.

As a result of the health, economic, and social effects of Covid-19, social security protection is everyone’s priority nowadays. As we are facing such uncertainties—especially in job security—a safety net such as the one offered by SSS coverage is one of the best decisions a Filipino can make.

This is the primary reason I always encourage our members who are separated from employment or those who have stopped being self-employed to continue paying their SSS contributions as voluntary members.

I explained to my younger colleague that continuous payment of contributions allows members to remain or be qualified for the benefit programs being offered by the SSS such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and funeral, as well as loan programs for calamities, among others.

Dennis Gorecho

Pinoy Marino Rights

M

atamlay. Sluggish.

This was how Taytay Apostolic Vicar-designate Bishop Broderick Pabillo described the government’s treatment of Filipino fishermen despite the favorable arbitral tribunal’s ruling on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) territorial dispute.

During his homily last Sea Sunday, Bishop Pabillo challenged the government to stand up for Filipino fishermen as part of its duty to protect its citizens and its territory.

“Matamlay ang panindigan ng ating pamahalaan para sa kanila,” Bishop Pabillo said. “Nandiyan ang mga maliliit nating mangingisda. Isa sila sa sector ng ating lipunan na pinakamahirap. Wala silang proteksyon na natatanggap sa ating pamahalaan.

Ang issue ng West Philippine Sea ay nagpapakita na hindi naipagtatanggol ang ating mga mangingisda kahit na sa territory mismo natin.”

Pabillo has been vocal in reminding the Philippine government not to allow itself to be bullied and let its people suffer, as he cited the partial sinking of a Philippine fishing boat, F/B GEM-VER, near Recto Bank on June 9, 2019.

Pabillo earlier criticized the government’s attempt to downplay and sanitize the issue by calling it “a simple maritime incident” in contrast to

the initial statement of the Filipino fishermen that the Chinese vessel rammed and partially sank the Philippine fishing boat.

The homily was delivered a day before the fifth anniversary of the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration on July 12, 2016, favoring the Philippines on most of its submissions on the West Philippine Sea dispute.

The Philippines initiated in January 2013 the arbitration case (Philippines v. China, PCA Case 201319) wherein it sought, among others, a declaration that the countries’ respective rights and obligations regarding the waters, seabed, and maritime features of the West Philippine Sea are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The decision declared that China’s historic rights claims over maritime areas inside the “nine-dash line” have no lawful effect as they exceed what they are entitled to under UNCLOS.

There was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources in areas falling within the “ninedash line.”

The decision likewise noted that China violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone by the construction of artificial islands at seven features in the Spratly Islands, interfering with Philippine fishing and hydrocarbon exploration, and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the Philippines’ EEZ. President Duterte said that his promise during 2016 election to ride a jet ski to challenge Chinese incursions in Philippine waters was a “pure joke” and that those who believed it were “stupid.” The dispute has greatly affected the livelihood of Filipino fishermen.

Pope Francis earlier said that “without the people of the sea, many parts of the world would starve.”

People depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their sustenance as the fishing industry employs, directly or indirectly, more than 200 million people.

Sea Sunday is set every second Sunday of July by many Christian Churches as an international day of remembrance, prayer and celebration, and an opportunity to thank seafarers and fishermen who work tirelessly throughout the year, bringing us more than 90 percent of the goods we need.

In a statement, the chaplains of Stella Maris Philippines offered their holy masses and prayers for the safety of the people of the sea.

“The sea has a sense of mystery.

Its depth is a sight to behold. The sea sometimes is calm and placid.

Sometimes it is violent and dangerous, striking fear in us. But the sea always returns to her former self, quiet, calm and reassuring. Our life is like a sea. Life presents many cruel trials and costly troubles. There is the term ‘rough sailing’ to describe a turbulent life.”

The Philippines is considered as the major supplier of maritime labor globally as it is estimated that there is one Filipino seafarer for every four to five complements on board a vessel at any time.

The estimated 519,031 deployed Filipino seafarers in 2019 per Philippine Overseas Employment Administration data remitted $6.539 billion or around P326.95 billion.

The sea-based sector’s remittances comprise at least 22 percent of the total dollar remittances of overseas Filipino workers.

Despite its glorification due to economic returns, the job of a seafarer is not exactly a walk in the park.

While delivering a key service to society, the maritime profession is not without incident or peril since it has always been identified as a high-risk workplace replete with health and safety hazards in relation to accidents, illnesses and mortality.

Let us pray for the safe voyage of seafarers and fishermen.

Atty. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.

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Wednesday, July 14, 2021 A8

UN: World hunger was dramatically Protect the consumers, protect the worse in pandemic year environment, and save the economy

By Frances D’emilio & Edith M. Lederer Associated Press

R

OME—The United Nations on Monday lamented a “dramatic worsening” of world hunger last year, saying much of that is likely connected to the pandemic, and it urged billions of dollars to save millions of people from starving.

A report issued jointly by five UN agencies said hunger outpaced population growth in 2020, with nearly 10 percent of all people estimated to be undernourished.

It said the sharpest rise in hunger came in Africa, where 21 percent of the people—282 million—are estimated to be undernourished.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the new “tragic data” shows that between 720 million and 811 million people in the world faced hunger last year—as many as 161 million more than in 2019.

More than 2.3 billion people, which represents 30 percent of the global population, lacked year-round access to adequate food, according to the report. This indicator, known as the prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity, leaped in one year as much as in the five previous years combined.

“Despite a 300 percent increase in global food production since the mid-1960s, malnutrition is a leading factor contributing to reduced life expectancy,” the UN chief said. “In a world of plenty, we have no excuse for billions of people to lack access to a healthy diet. This is unacceptable.”

Emily Farr of the humanitarian organization Oxfam said the pandemic was the last straw for millions of people already battered by the impacts of conflict, economic shocks and a worsening climate crisis.

Children paid a high price, with 149 million of those younger than 5 estimated to have stunted growth since they are too short for their age, and more than 45 million children are too thin for their height, the report said. It also noted the paradoxical problem of nearly 39 million children being overweight.

“A full 3 billion adults and children remain locked out of healthy diets, largely due to excessive costs,” the UN agencies said, and Covid-19 made things worse.

“In many parts of the world, the pandemic has triggered brutal recessions and jeopardized access to food,” the United Nations said in a summary of its findings. “Yet even before the pandemic, hunger was spreading; progress on malnutrition lagged.”

“Disturbingly, in 2020 hunger shot up in both absolute and proportional terms, outpacing popula-

Ignacio. . .

continued from A7

and P25,000 as maximum. This is equivalent to a monthly contribution of P390/month or P3,250/month, respectively.

As voluntary members, they will now shoulder the entire 13 percent contribution rate, unlike previously when employed members share this monthly contribution with their employer—broken down as 8.5 percent (employer) and 4.5 percent (employee).

Voluntary members who have contributions based on the MSC above P20,000 to the prevailing maximum (currently at P25,000), and with no final claim under the regular SSS program are automatically covered in the Workers’ Investments Savings Program (WISP).

WISP—which we started implementing just this January—offers a safe, convenient, principalprotected, and tax-free individual retirement savings plan for qualified SSS members. This is designed to augment members’ benefits in addition to the regular program. Qualified voluntary members are now assured of higher ad-

tion growth,” the report’s authors concluded. The report said some 9.9 percent of the world’s people were estimated to have been undernourished last year, compared to 8.4 percent in 2019.

Geographically, in addition to the surge of Africans facing hunger, more than half the undernourished people—418 million—live in Asia, while 60 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the report.

Oxfam’s Farr said the new figures “are a somber reminder of how broken our global food and economic systems are.”

“More than half the world’s population did not have social protection to cope with the adverse effects of the pandemic,” she said. “Small farmers were forced to watch their crops rot during the pandemic, even when global food prices rose by 40%, while the biggest food companies have amassed over $10 billion of additional revenues last year.”

The United Nations said the pandemic undercut a key UN goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030. Based on current trends, it estimates that the goal will be “missed by a margin of nearly 660 million people,” and that some 30 million of that figure “may be linked to the pandemic’s lasting effects.”

Guterres said he is convening a global Food Systems Summit during this September’s annual meeting of world leaders at the General Assembly “to urgently make a change.” He said a pre-summit meeting in Rome at the end of this month is to work out “how we must address hunger, the climate emergency, incredible inequality and conflict, by transforming our food systems.”

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report was prepared by UN agencies including the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Program and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The other two agencies were the United Nations Children’s Fund, commonly known as UNICEF, which is based in New York, and the World Health Organization, headquartered in Geneva.

Among the UN’s recommendations was one calling for strengthening “the resilience of the most vulnerable to economic adversity,” such as through programs to lessen the impact “pandemic-style shocks” or steep food price increases.

Maximo Torero, the UN FAO’s chief economist, said removing 100 million people from chronic undernourishment would require an additional $14 billion a year until 2030—and to achieve the goal of zero hunger by 2030 “we were talking about $40 billion.”

ditional benefits when they retire.

Several SSS payment channels are also made available for secure and convenient remittance of their voluntary contributions. They have the option to make use of over-the-counter transactions in partner banks and non-banks, Internet banking, mobile facility, My.SSS account, and the SSS Mobile App via PayMaya and BPI Online.

Once they pay using the unique PRN for the transaction, they will automatically be registered as Voluntary SSS members.

As of May 2021, SSS has recorded around 1.9 million voluntary paying members. We know these numbers will still increase as we continuously promote to our members who have temporarily stopped their SSS contributions to resume their payments to be able to enjoy the offered benefits.

We often hear our elders telling us: “Kapag may isinuksok, may madudukot.” This age-old adage remains true until this day.

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.

We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss. gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.

W

Remember that the recent collapse of a condominium in Florida that killed 94 people as of this writing, with 22 more still missing, was caused by the faulty installation of reinforcement steel bars. Imagine how dangerous it would be if substandard steel bars are used in the construction of buildings and residential homes in the country.

In 2002, China started shutting down factories using induction furnaces, not only because they were found to be energy inefficient and highly polluting but, most importantly, because they produced substandard steel products.

Declared illegal by Chinese authorities, some of these old and obsolete induction furnaces of China’s over 600 steel plants have found their way into the country. How these old and harmful induction furnaces were able to get through our ports is a big mystery.

Unfortunately, China’s old induction furnaces are already in the Philippines. And the residents of San Simon, Pampanga can best relate their debilitating experience with the induction furnaces of three steel plants in their community. Residents

I Chair. The IATFS could put a stop to the controversial importations of antiquated and harmful induction furnaces from other countries like China.

The importation of antiquated and banned induction furnaces from China by some traders is a very serious issue. This is worse than smuggling substandard steel bars. With some local steel manufacturers now able to produce cheaper but low quality steel bars, these steel products would not only pose a big risk to Filipino consumers but will also damage the nation’s economy.

Remember that the recent collapse of a condominium in Florida that killed 94 people as of this writing, with 22 more still missing, was caused by the faulty installation of reinforcement steel bars. Imagine how dangerous it would be if substandard steel bars are used in the construction of buildings and resi-

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

MAKE SENSE

ith the first induction furnace steel made in a Colby furnace in the United States of America in 1907, metal melting induction furnaces have been with the world’s steel industry for more than a century. But technology, consumer safety and environmental issues have changed the steel industry’s global landscape. began to suffer from respiratory illnesses and tin roofs corroded because of acid rain.

To address the health and economic concerns brought about by the importation by some traders of used and harmful induction furnaces, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) created the Inter-Agency Task Force on Steel (IATFS). This is needed because these induction furnaces mainly worsened the proliferation of substandard steel products, particularly steel bars (kabelya) in the local market.

Headed by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, the Task Force has for its members some select executive departments of the government, including the country’s steel industry leaders and the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), which

Summer camps hit with Covid outbreaks–are schools next?

By Heather Hollingsworth, Kantele Franko & Lindsey Tanner Associated Press

T

he US has seen a string of Covid-19 outbreaks tied to summer camps in recent weeks in places such as Texas, Illinois, Florida, Missouri and Kansas, in what some fear could be a preview of the upcoming school year.

In some cases the outbreaks have spread from the camp to the broader community.

The clusters have come as the number of newly confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the US has reversed course, surging more than 60 percent over the past two weeks from an average of about 12,000 a day to around 19,500, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

The rise in many places has been blamed on too many unvaccinated people and the highly contagious Delta variant.

Gwen Ford, a 43-year-old science teacher from Adrian, Missouri, was cautiously optimistic when she eyed the dropping case numbers in the spring and signed up her 12-year-old daughter for the West Central Christian Service Camp.

But one day after the girl got home from a week of playing in the pool, worshipping with friends and bunking in a dormitory, Ford got an e-mail about an outbreak and then learned that her daughter’s camp buddy was infected.

“It was very nerve-wracking. It kind of seems like we finally felt comfortable and it happened,” Ford said, adding that her daughter ultimately tested negative.

Ford said she definitely plans to get her daughter vaccinated but hadn’t done so because there wasn’t much time between the start of camp and the government’s authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds in May. A note posted on the camp’s Facebook page showed that the camp nurse and several other staff members and volunteers were among those infected. Staff members at the camp did not return a call for comment.

JoAnn Martin, administrator of the public health agency in surrounding Pettis County, lamented the difficulty in getting people to

take the virus seriously and get vaccinated.

“It has been a challenge since the first case,” she said. “You have people who still say it is not real.

You have people who say it is a cold.

You have people who say what is the big deal. You have people who say it is all a government plot.”

Dr. William Schaffner, a Vanderbilt University infectious disease specialist, said he isn’t surprised by the outbreaks as camps reopen this year after being closed last summer. He said he had his doubts that some camps “thought through all the implications of camping during Covid.”

Ideally, he said, camps would require vaccinations for adults and for campers who are old enough, and would take other measures such as serving meals in shifts, putting fewer youngsters in the cabins and requiring anyone unvaccinated to wear masks indoors.

In the Houston area, health officials reported more than 130 youths and adults tested positive for the virus in cases connected to a church camp. The pastor of Clear Creek Community Church in League City said the outbreak happened in two waves, first at the camp and then when people returned home in late June.

“In some cases, entire families are sick,” pastor Bruce Wesley said on the church’s Facebook page.

In Illinois, health officials said 85 teens and adults at a Christian youth camp in mid-June tested positive, including an unvaccinated young adult who was hospitalized, and some people from the camp attended a nearby conference, leading to 11 additional cases.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said all the campers were eligible for the vaccine, but only “a handful” of campers and staff had received it. The camp didn’t check people’s vaccination status or require masks indoors, accord-

Summer camp outbreaks “certainly could be a precursor’’ to what happens when youngsters return to classrooms in the fall, said Dr. Michelle Prickett, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The outcome will depend on vaccination rates and which virus variants are prevalent, she said. ing to the department.

The health department in Leon County, Florida, which includes Tallahassee, tweeted this month that an increase in cases there also was tied in part to summer camp outbreaks.

And in Kansas, about 50 people have been infected in an outbreak linked to a church summer camp held last month not far from Wichita.

Elsewhere the situation is better. The roughly 225 overnight camps and thousands of day camps run by local YMCAs are mostly open this summer, though with slightly reduced capacity, said Paul McEntire, chief operating officer for YMCA of the USA. McEntire said he is aware of a few cases of Y camps where people tested positive for the virus, but no instances of significant spread. He said many camps are taking precautions such as serving meals in shifts or outside and trying to keep youngsters in separate groups. Most are requiring masks indoors, but he acknowledged it can be a challenge.

“To be frank, there are some parents that didn’t want to send their kids unless they were assured that masking was being used indoors,” he said. “There were others that took the exact opposite viewpoint.”

Ahead of the school year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance last week to say vaccinated teachers and students don’t need to wear masks inside and 3-foot distancing of desks is not necessary for the fully vaccinated.

On Monday, California announced rules for public schools that let students and teachers sit as

dential homes in the country.

Consumers should be watchful of substandard steel bars. If you’re a victim of this form of illicit trade, report it to the authorities. Moreover, consumers should call for a review of the country’s consumer protection laws and product standards, if only to ensure that the safeguards for consumer safety and the government’s revenue collection are in place.

With that, we will not only be saving consumers’ lives if these substandard steel bars would cause the collapse of a building, like the Florida condo accident. We will also be helping the government’s revenue collection, which will hasten economic recovery from the pandemic-triggered recession.

For my next column, I will discuss the harmful effects of the importation of antiquated manufacturing equipment. I will show the debilitating effects of the importations of old induction furnaces on the country’s economy. And I will explain how the substandard steel products produced by these antiquated manufacturing equipment will greatly compromise the safety of Filipino consumers.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.

close to each other as they want but still require them to wear masks.

Other state and district officials have adopted a patchwork of coronavirus regulations for schools.

Summer camp outbreaks “certainly could be a precursor’’ to what happens when youngsters return to classrooms in the fall, said Dr. Michelle Prickett, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. The outcome will depend on vaccination rates and which virus variants are prevalent, she said.

“We just need to be vigilant,’’ Prickett said.

Schaffner said he thinks schools won’t face similar outbreaks because they tend to be more structured and disciplined than camps and because most got used to making adjustments over the past year and a half. But he said the best way to reduce the risk is to get most people vaccinated.

“There are many parts of the country that simply have not grasped this,’’ he said.

It could be several months before regulators make a decision on authorizing shots for children under 12. Studies on such youngsters are still going on.

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, the state’s top vaccination official was fired Monday after facing scrutiny from Republican state lawmakers over her department’s outreach efforts to vaccinate teenagers against Covid-19. Dr. Michelle Fiscus told The Tennessean newspaper about her termination. A Health Department official said the agency would not comment.

The Department of Health instructed county-level employees recently to stop vaccination events aimed at teens and to halt any online outreach to them, The Tennessean previously reported, citing e-mails it obtained.

Ford, the teacher whose daughter narrowly escaped getting Covid-19 at a Missouri summer camp, is worried.

“With the uptick in cases, I am concerned that we won’t be able to go back to normal, and we will have to ask people to mask and stuff,” she said, “and I have a feeling that there is going to be a huge argument.”

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

July 14, 2021 NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP) Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s.

Name and Address of Employer: H.R.D. SINGAPORE PTE., LTD. CEZ II, General Trias, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National 1.

Mr. KEISUKE NAKATA Japanese

Position and Job Description Adviser-R&D Housing Structure Assist in developing new models and structures that may be presented to the customers.

Name and Address of Employer: TOSHIBA INFORMATION EQUIPMENT (PHILIPPINES), INC. SEPZ, Laguna Technopark, Biñan City, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

2.

3.

Mr. KOICHI Japanese

KITAMURA

Mr. YASUTAKA FUJIMORI Japanese

Mr. CHITOSHI GOTO Japanese

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Assistant to the General Manager cSSD Engineering, Solid State Department Formulate the policies and procedures to be followed and implemented in the Solid State Drive Department of the corporation.

Assistant to the General Manager Assist department’s Vice President and Senior Manager in formulation of the policies and procedures to be followed and implemented in the department Assistant to the General Manager SSD and EPP Undertake administration, supervision and management of the Solid State Drive and EPP departments

Php150,000.00 Php200,000.00/month

Php150,000.00 Php200,000.00/month

Php150,000.00 Php200,000.00/month

–

–

–

Name and Address of Employer: FUJISASH PHILIPPINES, INC. FCIE-SEZ, Brgy. Langkaan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Mr. JUNICHI KITANI Japanese

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Director and Treasurer Oversee and present budgets, accounts and financial statements to the management committee

Php50,000.00 Php100,000.00/month

–

Name and Address of Employer: YAMAICHI SEIKO PHILIPPINES INC. FPIP-SEZ, Sta. Anastacia, Santo Tomas, Batangas Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Mr. KAZUYUKI CHIKAMORI Japanese

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

General Manager In-charge of business support and production planning and control

Php50,000.00 Php100,000.00/month

Name and Address of Employer: RELIANCE PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE (RPC) GMBP, Maduya, Carmona, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Mr. PINGSHENG GUO Chinese

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Technical Consultant – Pattern Reviews, understands and interprets buyer technical instructions and specifications as it relates to over-all fit and appearance that the customer wants per style

USD750.00USD800.00/month

Name and Address of Employer: BRICKHARTZ TECHNOLOGY INC. Lot 4044 Molino Blvd. Niog III, Bacoor, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Mr. YUCHENG ZHENG Chinese

Position and Job Description

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

–

Salary Range

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month 39.

Mr. JIUXING ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

Mr. CHAOMING PANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

4.

Mr. LIN LIU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

5.

Mr. DABAO LAI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

6.

Mr. DAVID LIM Indonesian

Indonesian Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

7.

Mr. EFFENDY Indonesian

Indonesian Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

8.

Mr. PENG ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

9.

Ms. GUOMEI LIAO Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

10.

Mr. SHENG YANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

11.

Ms. HAIXIA SHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

12.

Ms. XIANGRU HUANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

2.

3.

A9

Ms. YEYAO YANG Chinese

40.

Mr. YONGHUI CUI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

41.

YUETENG CAI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer inquiries.

Php20,000.00Php50,000.00/month

Name and Address of Employer: C-JOY POULTRY MEATS PRODUCTION, INC. Brgy. Sta. Teresita, Santo Tomas, Batangas Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Position and Job Description

Salary Range

Managing Director Mr. PING KIT ANTHONY Responsible for business performance management, in-market balance sheet/profit and loss, business WU Canadian continuous excellence, customer engagement improvement, and commercial process optimization.

CAD150,000.00CAD200,000.00/month

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 the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. nationals.

Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign

EXEQUIEL RONIE A. GUZMAN Regional Director

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION 24/7 BUSINESS PROCESSING INC. 5th-6th-7th Flr. 81 Newport Bl Newport City Brgy. 183 Pasay City No.

1.

GAO, MENGMENG Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

HOANG THI YEN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) 2.

Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LIU, DONG Chinese Equipment Supervisor

13.

Brief Job Description: Provide effective leadership and supervision for the assigned team.

SONG, RENHUI Chinese Equipment Supervisor 14.

Brief Job Description: Provide effective leadership and supervision for the assigned team.

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

MU, XING Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) 3.

Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

YANG, BIAO Chinese Equipment Supervisor 15.

Brief Job Description: Provide effective leadership and supervision for the assigned team.

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

NGAN COONG PHAN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) 4.

Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

CAI, CHENGGANG Logistic Supervisor 16.

Brief Job Description: Oversee and supervise logistics personnel

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

TANG, HUIJIAN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) 5.

Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

TRAN THI PHUONG THAO Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) 6.

Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

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

VONG LY KIN Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) 7.

Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

LI, FAHONG Logistic Supervisor 17.

WEI, JINTAO Customer Service Representative (Chinese Accounts) 8.

Brief Job Description: Assists clients will all their concerns.

18.

9.

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

SONG, DAN Mandarin Customer Service Representative 10.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing Mandarin

19.

20.

11.

Brief Job Description: Provide effective leadership and supervision for the assigned team.

HE, JUNXUN Chinese Equipment Supervisor 12.

Brief Job Description: Provide effective leadership and supervision for the assigned team.

Brief Job Description: Oversee and supervise logistics personnel

AYE AYE MU Chinese Customer Service 21.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

DAM VAN TIEP Chinese Customer Service 22.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

GAO, MINGXING Chinese Customer Service 23.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a equipment supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

HERMANTO Chinese Customer Service 24.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL, POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LE THI YEN Chinese Customer Service 26.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a equipment supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a equipment supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English

LUONG VAN BINH Chinese Customer Service 27.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a logistic supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/basic English

NGUYEN THI NHU BINH Chinese Customer Service 28.

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

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

30.

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a logistic supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English

31.

32.

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

33.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VY DUC THANG Chinese Customer Service

34.

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

35.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XIE, FENZHANG Chinese Customer Service

36.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHAO, YI Chinese Customer Service

37.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VI VAN DO Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read, and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRUONG LE HONG Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

TRAN THI AI Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a logistic supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

TRAN THANH HUY Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a logistic supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

PHAN VAN DINH Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a logistic supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ZHUANG, YINGYING Chinese Customer Service 38.

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a equipment supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English

No.

Basic Qualification: College graduate; proven experience as a equipment supervisor; fluent in Mandarin/Basic English

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D. Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street Tambo Parañaque City

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

HAN, JIE Chinese Equipment Supervisor

Brief Job Description: Oversee and supervise logistics personnel

ZHOU, XING Logistic Supervisor

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

Brief Job Description: Oversee and supervise logistics personnel

TU, JIANJUN Logistic Supervisor

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 LI, XIANG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Oversee and supervise logistics personnel

OU, RENHUA Logistic Supervisor

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

29.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Any nationality who can speak and write Chinese fluently. *preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service experience. Detailoriented and has the ability to multi-task.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 A10

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

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

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

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

AO HAI ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY INC. 5f Phinma Plaza 39 Plaza Drive, Rockwell Center Poblacion Makati City HU, MINGXIANG Chinese Customer Service 25.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

NA, CHAOBING Marketing Manager 39.

Brief Job Description: Interviews, hires, and trains marketing staff members

AQUAXI INC. L7 B28 Job St. Bf Homes Martinville Subd. Manuyo Dos Las Piñas City

Basic Qualification: bachelor's degree in marketing , business or related field Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A11 Wednesday, July 14, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION MEYER, LIANA HELENE Public Relations And Communications Manager (prcm)

51.

KIM, EUN HONG Marketing Officer 40.

Brief Job Description: Organize and making activities and implementation of marketing strategies.

Basic Qualification: With experience on marketing officer works and related job functions Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Oversees communications and media relations. Develop communication strategies to engage customers and increase brand trust. Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with media contracts

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503 Nueva St Binondo Manila PAN, SHAOFEI Marketing And Sales Agent 52.

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

LEE, PO-LING Mandarin Customer Service 41.

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

CGI (PHILIPPINES) INC. 2/f One World Square Mckinley Hill Pinagsama Taguig City ANDERSSON, VIRGILIO ALACAR Multilungual Service Desk Member 42.

Brief Job Description: To support multilingual service desk TANGGARD, MAJA Multilungual Service Desk Member 43.

Brief Job Description: To support multilingual service desk

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

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

Basic Qualification: Language proficient Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Language proficient Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY 5/f Rm 501 Ramon Magsaysay Center 1680 Roxas Blvd. 076, Bgy. 699 Malate Manila Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Heavy ZHANG, GUOHUA Equipment Maintenance Mandarin Heavy Equipment Maintenance Analyst Analyst, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness Brief Job Description: on Machinery and The Mandarin Heavy Equipment Maintenance Analyst Heavy Equipment use by 44. will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company, Demonstrable company to the most profitable direction while also experience in developing implementing its vision, mission and long term goal. strategic business plan.

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

WANG, XIANGFU Mandarin Quality Assurance / Quality Control Analyst 45.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Quality Assurance / Quality Control Analyst 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.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Quality Assurance / Quality Control Analyst, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

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

46.

CAO, ZHONGLIANG Survey Manager Of PRDP

Basic Qualification: College graduate.

Brief Job Description: Be fully in charge of the survey work.

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

CITIBANK N.A 16th Floor, Citi Plaza 34th St. Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

DE FARIA CASTRO FLEURY, FERNANDO Banking, Capital Market And Advisory Head 47.

Brief Job Description: A senior level management position responsible for ensuring seamless delivery of investment strategies and advisory services to Citi's public and private clients.

Basic Qualification: A senior level management position responsible for ensuring seamless delivery of investment strategies and advisory services to Citi's public and private clients. 1. 15+ years of relevant experience as a credit officer 2. In-depth experience on debt and capital management client advisory 3. Demonstrated understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements (global and local) 4. Master's/MBA degree on economics, business, or financial engineering preferred

ESCLUSIVO INC. G/f & 2/f 1357 Candelaria St. Valenzuela Makati City MAZZOCCO, ALESSANDRO Business Development Manager 53.

SOLAI KUPPUSWAMY, JAWAHAR Chief Financial Officer / Finance Vice President

48.

Brief Job Description: Accountable for the administrative and financial, to include the development of a financial and operational strategy, and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results. Ensure compliance of the financial information with Sarbanes Oxley (SOX), International Accounting Standards (IAS) and Philippine Accounting Standards (PAS). Ensure proper preparation of financial information and analysis to enable timely and effective decision making, and monitoring and coordinating the preparation of: annual budget, Rolling Estimate and closing reports.

KIM, HYO MIN Signaling Manager 56.

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

XIAO, SHIWEN Mandarin Customer Support Representative 50.

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

EASIA OUTSOURCING AND MARKETING SERVICES Lrv Bldg. 5233 Fahrenheit St. Palanan Makati City

Brief Job Description: Managing the operation of the signaling center and staff on a shift basis, ensuring that adherence to operating standards and procedures

LI, FUSHENG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 59.

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

LIANG, WUNENG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 60.

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

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

LUO, XUEMEI Mandarin Customer Support Representative 62.

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

WANG, JINJING Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

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

MAZZOCCO, ALESSANDRO Business Development Manager Brief Job Description: Oversee day to day performance of Sales Department; Report directly to the Managing Director; and Plan and execute business plan to achieve the goal of the company.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

SHEN, JUNPING Technical Support-mandarin Speaking 66.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer software and networks for Chinese clients

SHI, WENHUA Assistant Marketing Manager 67.

Brief Job Description: To collaborate with marketing manager to initiate new consumer promotion campaigns and to develop consumer engagement plans

ENDAH SARI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 68.

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

FORRY FORTUNA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 69.

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

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

GLORIA VIRGINIA ZAGITARIS PANGARSO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 70.

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

64.

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

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

KORINTUS SUTEJA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 71.

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

PRYSILLIA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 72.

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

RUSLI Indonesian Customer Service Representative 73.

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SALIM WIKIANTO Indonesian Customer Service Representative 74.

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SUPRAPTO WIJAYA Indonesian Customer Service Representative 75.

Brief Job Description: Identify and Assess customer's needs to achieve satisfaction

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MALAYAN INSURANCE CO., INC. 5/f Y Tower Ii 111 L.p. Leviste St. (alfaro) Cor. Gallardo St. Bel-air Makati City YAMAZAKI, CHINATSU Japanese Desk Officer 76.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing activities of Japanese accounts to attain team's goals

MICHAELMAR PHILS. INC. 4723 Arellano Ave. Cor. Zobel Roxas St. Palanan Makati City RAVANOPOULOS, SOSIPATROS Consultant Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing consultancy services in relation to maritime industry.

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

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

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

78.

JSLINK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 803-804 Ri-rance Building Aseana Enclave Aseana City Tambo Parañaque City NGUYEN THI DIEM QUYNH Basic Qualification: Director Assistant - Bilingual Can speak English, Vietnamese and English Brief Job Description: 65.

In charge with the general assistance for the director Salary Range: and translator for the other nationalities employees Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: College Graduate , At least 6 Months to 1yr Experience in the related Field *Proficient in Mandarin bahasa, English and Any Other multi-lingual Language

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

77.

HTET MYAT HTAY Myanmari Customer Support Representative

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

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: Fluent in English and mandarin

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Basic Qualification: Can speak English and Chinese. With 5 years’ experience in IT company

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

KENDAWYNN CORPORATION 77 Cristobal St. Paco Manila, 071 Bgy 662 Ermita Manila

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

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Floor Six West Campus Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: Supports customers EDIANTO by providing helpful Indonesian Customer Support Representative information, answering questions, and responding Brief Job Description: 58. to complaints.

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

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

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

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

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

INTERQUEST MANPOWER INC. Unit 602 6/f Richville Corporate Tower Madrigal Business Park Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City Basic Qualification: YANG, TAI-WEN Can speak and write Sales Manager fluently in Mandarin 57.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Responsible in all sales marketing strategies Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

DEXIN 999, INC. Red Hotel No. 345 Edsa Cor. Don Carlos Revilla St. Barangay 147 Pasay City

49.

No.

Basic Qualification: Degree in Speech Communications

HYUNDAI ROTEM COMPANY MANILA BRANCH 3/f Unit B One Felicity Center Bldg. Commonwealth Ave. Holy Spirit 2 Quezon City KIM, HOJIN Civil Interface Manager Basic Qualification: College Graduate Brief Job Description: 55.

Support the continuity, quality and intent of the design Salary Range: through effective on-site construction administration Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 activities

63.

QU, CHONGYONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

61.

Basic Qualification: At least 15-20 years of work experience in a matrixed global organization. Strong background as Controller Commercial Finance Head with overall bottling experience of 15+years

Brief Job Description: Oversee day to day performance of Sales Department; Report directly to the Managing Director; and Plan and execute business plan to achieve the goal of the company.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2306 Antel Global Corporate Center Julia Vargas Ave. Ortigas Center, San Antonio Pasig City Basic Qualification: Must be a college TANG, LUN graduate; Can prepare Customer Service Representative product or service reports by collecting and analyzing Brief Job Description: customer information; Can A customer service representative supports customers contribute to team effort 54. by providing helpful information, answering questions, by accomplishing related and responding to complaints. They're the front line results as needed; Can support for clients and customers and they help ensure manage large amounts of that customers are satisfied with products, services and incoming calls. features.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above COCA-COLA BEVERAGES PHILIPPINES, INC. 28th/f Six/neo Bldg. 5th Ave. Cor. 26th St. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

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

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CHEN, SENJIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries FUNG JUN QI Chinese Customer Service 79.

Brief Job Description: managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Excellent communication skills in Japanese and English skills Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Previous experience in manning services.

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

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION GUAN, SAI Chinese Customer Service

80.

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

81.

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

82.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU, TAO Chinese Customer Service

83.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

SU, JINZHI Chinese Customer Service 84.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION JI, SHUAI Chinese Customer Specialist

101.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

KHAM MAI Chinese Customer Specialist

102.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KYAW HLA THEIN Chinese Customer Specialist

103.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KYAW MIN HTET Chinese Customer Specialist

104.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, LONGSHAN Chinese Customer Specialist

105.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

LIANG, JUNNING Chinese Customer Specialist

SU, HUIHUANG Chinese Customer Service 85.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

106.

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

MING, YAJUN Chinese Customer Specialist 107.

SUYANTO Chinese Customer Service 86.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

TANG, JIANLEI Chinese Customer Service 87.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

WANG, QIANG Chinese Customer Service 88.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ZHANG, YANXIA Chinese Customer Service 89.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries AKAR KYAW @ WAN SHIN HWAR Chinese Customer Specialist

90.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries AN, HUIYING Chinese Customer Specialist

91.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

AUNG MYAT NOE OO Chinese Customer Specialist 92.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

CHEN, MUZHI Chinese Customer Specialist 93.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHEN, ZHIWEN Chinese Customer Specialist

94.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

CHENG, LONGGE Chinese Customer Specialist

95.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

HE, YUANCHENG Chinese Customer Specialist

96.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HTIN HWAY HTEET Chinese Customer Specialist

97.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HUANG, WENSHENG Chinese Customer Specialist

98.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HUANG, HANQING Chinese Customer Specialist

99.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

HUANG, JIN Chinese Customer Specialist 100.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

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

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

108.

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

109.

110.

111.

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

112.

113.

114.

115.

116.

117.

118.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, XINLI Chinese Customer Specialist

119.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, ZHAOJUN Chinese Customer Specialist

120.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WIN NAING @ AUNG MYINT Chinese Customer Specialist

121.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires WU, WENZHI Chinese Customer Specialist

122.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires WANG, PENGJUN Chinese Customer Specialist

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN HOA THOM Chinese Customer Specialist

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires SUN, HAILIN Chinese Customer Specialist

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires SIENG, LAY Chinese Customer Specialist

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires SHAUK SHAN Chinese Customer Specialist

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SEIN LYAN Chinese Customer Specialist

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

QIN, FEI Chinese Customer Specialist

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PAN, GUANGLIANG Chinese Customer Specialist

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries OHNMAR AYE Chinese Customer Specialist

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NHAN HAO HUY Chinese Customer Specialist

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

NANG MYINT MYINT YEE Chinese Customer Specialist

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

YAN SHIN KAWE Chinese Customer Specialist 123.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 A12

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

No.

YANG, YANG Chinese Customer Specialist 124.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language 125.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

ZHANG, BAOPENG Chinese Customer Specialist 126.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

ZHANG, SUQIANG Chinese Customer Specialist 127.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

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

128.

ZHANG, XUEMEI Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

HAN, JINGYI Chinese Customer Service 129.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LI, BINGXU Chinese Customer Service 130.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LI, CHAO Chinese Customer Service 131.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language.

WANG, WEIWEI Chinese Customer Service 132.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, YAN Chinese Customer Service 133.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

WU, WEIXIN Chinese Customer Service 134.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YANG, SULI Chinese Customer Service 135.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

HO WUI WENG Malaysian Customer Service 136.

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

137.

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

138.

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

139.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

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

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

Brief Job Description: Provides financial projections by coordinating budget/ forecast preparation, collecting, analyzing, and consolidating financial information, and advising departments on the collection and analysis of data

Basic Qualification: Graduate of BS or BA in accounting; Accounting management experience; Experience supervising accounting staff; Experience in accounts payable and accounts receivables.

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

PRANCING DESEN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES INC. Unit 1620 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila XIAO, YAO Mandarin Process Management Specialist 140.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YU, HUAIRUO Mandarin Speaking Accounting Director

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

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

ORIENTAL POWER EQUIPMENT CORPORATION 1717 San Marcelino St. 075 Bgy. 694 Malate Manila

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SAI KAUNG MYAT OO Myanmari Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

KHIN PHU WAI Myanmari Customer Service

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Brief Job Description: Monitor management process and quality assurance XU, MINGMING Mandarin Product Developer

141.

Brief Job Description: Enhancing existing products in order to meet customer expectations

Basic Qualification: Knowledge of operation manuals and policies Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven working experience in related field Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A13 Wednesday, July 14, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION JIAN, LONG Mandarin Team Leader

142.

Brief Job Description: Maintain and drive program knowlede for the team

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: Knowledge of performance metrics Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHEN, DAHUI Chinese IT Specialist

160.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 2741 P. Zamora St. Brgy. 097 Pasay City HE, LIWEN Chinese Customer Service 143.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services

LYU, PENGCHENG Chinese Customer Service 144.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services WANG, WENQIANG Chinese Customer Service

145.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services ZHANG, LIANG Chinese Customer Service

146.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and database services

ZHANG, WENHAO Chinese Customer Service 147.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

GUO, TIANJIA Chinese IT Specialist 161.

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

HAN, CHUNYUN Chinese IT Specialist 162.

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

HUANG, HAINING Chinese IT Specialist 163.

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

164.

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

165.

TELOQUET OUTSOURCING SERVICES INC. Upper 2/f Unit B 2444-a Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy 727 Malate Manila

149.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate and complete accounts information.

QU, ZEKE Mandarin Accounts Staff 150.

Brief Job Description: Maintain accurate and complete accounts information.

FOONG THIN LOONG Mandarin Manager 151.

Brief Job Description: Leading and delivering complex client engagements.

Brief Job Description: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French speaking clients and customers

Basic Qualification: Strong mathematical and analytical skills.

WANG, ZHIGANG Chinese Inventory Manager 154.

Brief Job Description: Manages inventory tracking system to record deliveries shipments and stove levels

Basic Qualification: Strong mathematical and analytical skills.

166.

156.

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

VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1439 Adriatico Cor. Sta. Monica St. 072 Bgy. 669 Ermita Manila CHANG, QI Chinese IT Specialist 157.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

CHEN, SONG Chinese IT Specialist 158.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

CHEN, LIFEN Chinese IT Specialist 159.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

JIAN, FANG Chinese IT Specialist Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LI, ZHIPENG Chinese IT Specialist 167.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Professional experience in related field.

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

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

Basic Qualification: degree in Business administration with working experience in whole sale

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

168.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LI, JING Chinese IT Specialist 169.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LI, QINGMIN Chinese IT Specialist 170.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LIN, FUSHENG Chinese IT Specialist 171.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LIU, XINGYUN Chinese IT Specialist 172.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LUO, JIHUA Chinese IT Specialist 173.

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

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LI, QUANJI Chinese IT Specialist

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

VAN GOGH BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING INC. 5th To 8th Flr. Sm Southmall Tower 2 Alabang Zapote Rd. Almanza Uno Las Piñas City Basic Qualification: WANG, HANXU Able to speak and write in Mandarin Customer Support Representative MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with Brief Job Description: related BPO experience.

155.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ZHANG, ZHANQI Mandarin Customer Support Representative

HUANG, XIFENG Chinese IT Specialist

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

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City Basic Qualification: YEO SHU TING Able to speak and write in Malaysian Customer Support Representative MALAY and at least college level with related BPO Brief Job Description: experience.

153.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 UNITOP GENERAL MERCHANDISE INC. 12th Floor, Ri Rance Bldg. Aseana City Tambo Parañaque City

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LI, WEITAO Chinese IT Specialist

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City NGO MOKO, NADINE Basic Qualification: French Operations Customer Service Representative expert in French language 152.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

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

SEAGULL-WORLD INC. Unit 2807 28/f Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City CHANG, YEN-CHING Basic Qualification: Multiple Languages Operation Officer Excellent in multiple languages Brief Job Description: 148.

Promoting efficiency by implementing, improved Salary Range: operational procedures Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LAW HUI SHWAN Mandarin Accounts Staff

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LYU, LIJUAN Chinese IT Specialist 174.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking

QIN, JINGYAO Chinese IT Specialist 175.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QIU, XU Chinese IT Specialist 176.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking

No.

QUAN, KAIPING Chinese IT Specialist 177.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking

178.

179.

180.

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

181.

182.

183.

184.

185.

186.

187.

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

ZHOU, CHANGQI Chinese IT Specialist 188.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LIM GA SEN IT Specialist 189.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

LOH HOU SENG IT Specialist 190.

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

YU, FENZHONG Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

YIN, ZHENGHENG Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

YANG, BAOLONG Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

YANG, MINFENG Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

XU, YANHAO Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

XU, YUANBAO Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

XU, YING Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

WEI, FUSHUANG Chinese IT Specialist

Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

TAO, YUAN Chinese IT Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

SHI, JINPENG Chinese IT Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

RANI SAHARA IT Specialist 191.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 300 Vacancy/College Graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices fluent in mandarin and English Speaking 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.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A14 Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Amid sugar smuggle watch, no import clearances issued

T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has not issued any import clearance for sugar imports under its replenishment program amid reports that some traders are using the mechanism to smuggle the sweetener.

In a report to Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, SRA Administrator Hermenegildo R. Serafica said the SRA has not issued any import clearances to qualified traders under the replenishment program.

Under such program, only traders who have exported to the United States in the current crop year 2020-2021 could apply to import sugar in a 1:1 ratio.

“Any trader who will be importing sugar will need to secure an import permit from SR A,” Serafica said in his report to Dar, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror.

“All the traders that exported to the US are accredited with SRA.

Their exports and imports, if any, are strictly monitored,” Serafica added.

The SRA, an attached government-owned and -controlled corporation to the DA, has a standing memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) covering any importation of sugar in the country, based on Serafica’s report.

“Customs will always look for SRA import clearance and all import clearances that traders present to Customs are verified with SRA by the Customs before they release the imported sugar from the ports,” he said.

“If there is no SRA clearance to import, these sugar are confiscated by customs,” he added.

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 no party has applied to date for reclassification of “C” sugar to “B” sugar.

In a statement on Monday, the Department of Finance (DOF) directed the BOC to sniff out sugar smuggling following reports that certain traders are exceeding their allowed import volume under the SRA’s export replenishment program.

Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero was informed that the DOF has received reports from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials 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 at a recent DOF Executive Committee meeting.

Dominguez, who was a former agriculture secretary under the administration of former President Corazon Aquino, said at the meeting that the sugar price domestically is much higher than the world market price. “So there is going to be an incentive for people to smuggle in sugar,” he said.

The Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) welcomed Dominguez’s statement, noting that his directive would ensure that sugar imports are consistent with government 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.

FOOD-INSECURE PINOYS RISE BY 4M IN ’20–FAO

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

F

OUR million more Filipinos skipped meals as their food supplies ran out as of last year, according to the latest report from the United Nations (UN).

Based on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021, there were 46.1 million Filipinos who are considered moderately or severely insecure between 2018 and 2020, higher than the 42.1 million posted between 2014 and 2016.

The report noted that 4.3 million or a million more Filipinos experienced severe food insecurity between 2018 and 2020. In 2014 and 2016, the number was at 3.3 million.

“Moderate food insecurity (is) a state of uncertainty about the ability to get food; a risk of skipping meals or seeing food run out; being forced to compromise on the nutritional quality and/or quantity of food consumed,” the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) explained.

“Severe food insecur it y (means) running out of food; experienced hunger; at the most

extreme, having to go without food for a day or more,” it added.

The data showed that around 4 percent of the population was considered severely food insecure while 42.7 percent were considered moderately food insecure between 2018 and 2020.

As a result, the data showed that around 600,000 children aged five years old or younger were affected by wasting as of 2020.

There was also an increase in the number of adults, 18 years old and above, considered obese.

As of 2020, 4.1 million adults were obese in the Philippines, nearly a million more than the 3.2 million recorded in 2012.

“No region of the world has been spared. The high cost of healthy diets and persistently high levels of poverty and income inequality continue to keep healthy diets out of reach for around 3 billion people in every region of the world,” the report stated.

“Moreover, new analysis in this report shows that the increase in the unaffordability of healthy diets is associated with higher levels of moderate or severe food insecurity,” it added.

Continued on A4

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

B1

San Miguel to build ₧26.3-B hydropower plant in Aklan

By Lenie Lectura

S

@llectura

trategic Power Development Corp. (SPDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., will build a 300-megawatt (MW) pumped-storage hydropower facility worth P26.3 billion in Malay, Aklan.

quarter of 2022.

SPDC said the schedule is governed by the construction of the main access tunnel, the underground powerhouse and the installation of the pumping/ generation equipment.

The first unit of the pumped-storage plant would be ready for operation 54 months from the decision to commence construction of the project, with the full capacity to be available within 55 months.

Construction works for the powerhouse and power waterways, both with a duration of 45 months and will be simultaneously implemented, will have an estimated completion in the second half of 2025.

Construction works for the dams and reservoirs for both the upper and lower dam will take 46 months and will be completed in the third quarter of 2025.

“Commissioning will then start [in] the 3rd quarter of 2025 and the project will be operational at the start of the 2nd half of 2026,” it said.

SPDC said construction shall commence only after the issuance of all necessary permits including the environmental compliance certificate for the project.

The operational phase shall start as soon as the facility and its supporting facilities have been completed, established and duly commissioned.

The proposed project will cover 122.7

hectares of land that will accommodate its major components.

SPDC said the barangay and municipality will directly benefit from the project through additional financial resources provided by the development.

For instance, the municipality of Malay will directly benefit from the project because of the local taxes from the operational phase of the project. Also, the host community will be entitled to a share of P0.01/kilowatt hour of electricity sales.

SMC Global Power is transitioning to cleaner energy to reduce its carbon footprint while helping address the country’s need for reliable and affordable power.

Aside from hydro, it will put up solar plants combined with battery storage facilities at 10 locations throughout the country. These will be operational by 2023.

It will also build a 1,300-MW liquified natural gas (LNG) combined cycle plant in Batangas City and small-scale LNG plants in 8 to 10 islands in the Visayas and Mindanao to boost rural electrification.

“We’re executing our plans to move away from building new coal facilities despite new technologies that make them cleaner. It’s a company direction that is in line with all the major sustainability initiatives we have undertaken these past couple of years,” said SMC President Ramon S. Ang.

The multi-billion peso hydro power project is meant to cover a portion of the renewable energy requirement of the Visayas grid particularly during peak hours. This will also contribute to the stabilization of the grid by providing ancillary services and peaking power.

“Currently, hydroelectric power facilities account for the largest portion of renewable power source in t he countr y.

In this juncture, the de-

velopment of this project will provide Renewable Energy to the Visayas grid, particularly the Province of Aklan in Panay Island, during peak hours for the current and future peak load demand,” the power firm said in a filing with the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The project is designed to generate electricity during the peak period and pump back the water used during offpeak period through a reversible pumpturbine system on a daily basis.

Construction for the pumped-storage plant will take four years and five months, starting with site installation in the first

‘Cebu Pacific will comply with health protocols’

PLDT to govt: Tweak regulatory fees

C

ebu Pacific assured that it will comply with health protocols set by the government, including negative RT-PCR test results for fully-vaccinated passengers, should it be required by the local government of the airline’s destination.

A passenger is considered fully-vaccinated at least 14 days after having received the second dose in a two-dose series, or at least 14 days after having received a single-dose vaccine.

Among its destinations, the provinces that are accepting vaccination card as a travel requirement are Cauayan City of Isabela province, Cotabato, Dumaguete, Negros Occidental province (except Bacolod City), and Virac.

Dumaguete requires fully-vaccinated travelers to present their vaccination cards along with a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to entry. Apart from this, an approved S-Pass from the local government unit (LGU) of final destination will also need to be presented.

Virac requires fullyvaccinated indiv idua ls to upload their Covid-19 Vaccination Card on their S-PASS account 3 days before their scheduled trip to secure Approved Travel Coordination Permit. The approved permit and vaccination card will be presented upon check-in.

Cebu Pacific urged travelers to always check with the LGU of their destination for the latest updates.

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

T

@lorenzmarasigan

he government must set “affordable and reasonable” regulatory fees to facilitate network rollouts in unserved and underserved areas in the Philippines, according to a ranking official of telco titan PLDT Inc. Roy D. Ibay, who sits as the head of regulatory affairs for Smart Communications Inc., said some regulatory fees imposed by local government units are “arbitrary,” listing them as tower fees, inspection fees, and audit fees.

These, he said, are “major roadblocks” to the growth of the sector.

"To be able to provide equitable and faster access to our services in priority rollout areas, there must be affordable and reasonable regulatory and radio spectrum fees," Ibay said.

He said his group proposes a uniform spectrum users fee based on a per kHz per

population. This, he said, will “encourage the rollout, instead of the prevailing wireless broadband formula that discourages and punishes deployment of more wireless facilities in using a per station, per kilohertz computation.”

“Last year alone, Smart spent P2.4 billion on fees, which could have been spent on actual physical facilities to improve telecom services,” he said.

He added that while the government’s initiative to speed up the approvals of permits of passive telecom tower infrastructure has helped the company secure around 22,000 fixed and wireless permits as of June, the telco still views that “permits and fees for fiber optic roll outs” should also be given priority.

PLDT said in March that it expects its telco core income to grow by about 6 percent to as much as P30 billion this year, driven mainly by the projected growth of its home, wireless and enterprise businesses.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, the company’s president and chairman, said the profit guidance of P29 billion to P30 billion is in line with the continued growth of the telco’s bottomline, as it continues to surmount the negative effects of the pandemic.

Pangilinan also reported that the telco core income for 2020 reached P28.1 billion, a 4-percent increase from P27.1 billion the year prior, as revenues climbed by 9 percent to P171.5 billion from P157.7 billion due to the surge in the demand for data and broadband as the pandemic-induced lockdowns brought much work and schooling to cyberspace.

Its net income reached P24.3 billion, an 8-percent increase from P22.5 billion the year prior, owing to the growth in revenues and the sale of some of its assets.

He described this financial performance as “stellar” despite what he called as the “year from hell,” when multiple calamities hit the country and the spread of Covid-19.

Yellow alert over Luzon grid lifted T HE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert Tuesday as four plants went on forced outage and three plants failed to deliver its full output.

The yellow alert was issued from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 12 noon to 2 p.m. However, the alert was lifted around 1 p.m. “due to low actual system demand.”

Earlier in the day, the NGCP said capacity stood at 11,967megawatts (MW) while demand was estimated at 10,924MW. The power plants that went on an unplanned outage were Quezon Power (460MW), Pagbilao unit 2 (382MW), GN Power Mariveles unit 1 (316MW) and Calaca unit 2 (300MW).

The power plants with derated capacity were the 145MW Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. (SLPGC) unit 1, which was derated by 5MW; 23-MW SLPGC unit 2, derated by 2MW; and 590MW SLPGC unit 3, derated by 57MW. These resulted in the loss of 1,522MW of power supply.

Meanwhile, the NGCP said it has sought the help of its partner to help repair the company’s 138kV high voltage submarine cable in Negros.

The facility was damaged during the dredging and re-channeling activities undertaken by

the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) along Bio-os River, Brgy. Jagna in Amlan, Negros Oriental last month.

The submarine cable, which interconnects Negros and Cebu, has two circuits of 138kV submarine cable with 90MW capacity each or a total capacity of 180MW. Because of the damage to one of the two circuits, transmission capacity is currently limited to 90MW between the two islands.

NGCP's System Integrity Protection Scheme (SIPS) was automatically activated after the incident to isolate the affected circuit and prevent overloading of the remaining cable.

Initial reports received by NGCP indicate that a contributing factor to the incident was the deviation on the agreed work site by the DPWH. NGCP has requested the local government of Amlan and the DPWH to temporarily stop their operations, and immediately implemented measures to contain the oil spill.

NGCP is a Filipinoled, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s electricity transmission grid, led by majority shareholders Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr. Lenie Lectura

Google fined $593M by French antitrust agency

G

oogle was fined 500 million euros ($593 million) in France after the search giant failed to follow an order to thrash out a fair deal with publishers to use their news content on its platform.

The Alphabet Inc. unit ignored a 2020 decision to negotiate in good faith for displaying snippets of articles on its Google News service, the Autorité de la concurrence said Tuesday. The fine is the second-biggest antitrust penalty in France for a single company.

France isn’t alone in trying to hold tech giants to account over their use of news.

Australia earlier this year required digital giants like Facebook and Google to pay local publishers for news. Google has been increasingly paying publishers but on its own terms, with a $1 billion Google News Showcase to point readers to news content.

The company is facing a global onslaught as regulators across the world sharpen scrutiny of the world’s largest tech firms, looking at its advertising business, apps and search.

In Russia Google is seeking an out-of-court settlement after a court ruling it must unblock the YouTube account of a TV channel owned by a United States-sanctioned backer of President Vladimir Putin.

“The sanction of 500 million euros takes into account the exceptional seriousness of the breaches observed,” said Isabelle de Silva, president of the French agency.

Google is “very disappointed” with the decision and considers it “acted in good faith throughout the entire process,” a spokesperson said. Google added that it’s about to reach an agreement with Agence FrancePresse (AFP) that included a global licensing agreement.

Google can appeal Tuesday’s penalty announcement.

The confrontation between Google and newspaper owners and wire services has been a long time coming. European publishers have been pushing regulators for over a decade to tackle the power of Google, which has lured away billions of euros in advertising revenue. Complaints were lodged in France in 2019 by groupings representing newspapers and magazines as well as AFP. Tuesday’s fine is the latest show of strength by the French regulator as it vies with its EU and German counterparts to be the region’s toughest watchdog of US tech firms.

In recent years, the authority has tended to order behavioral changes before the end of probes, which can drag on for years. While this has spurred other antitrust agencies to emulate the tactic, Google’s defiance risked jeopardizing it.

Earlier this year, Google reached a deal to remunerate a grouping of French newspapers—Alliance de la Presse d’Information Générale. There have also been talks with

magazine owners and AFP. But de Silva said that regulators dismissed the remuneration offered by Google as “negligible.” She criticized the tech giant for offering to pay the same amount for press content than it did for dictionary listings or weather information.

As part of Tuesday’s decision, Google was ordered to enter negotiations within two months of fresh requests from the plaintiff press publishers or face daily fines reaching as much as 900,000 euros a day.

Google may risk a further attack in the news case as French regulators are expected to issue a decision on the substance of the case, which may also include fines, at the end of the year.

Silicon Valley firms have been facing close French scrutiny in recent years, and Google.

The search engine agreed last month to pay a 220 million-euro penalty to settle a probe that struck at the heart of its power over online advertising and it got a 150 millioneuro fine in 2019 in a case focusing on its Google Ads platform.

The authority’s record 1.1 billion-euro fine was issued last year against Apple Inc. after the US firm was criticized for anti-competitive agreements with two distributors over the sale of non-iPhone products such as Apple Mac computers. Apple is appealing the penalty. Bloomberg News

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Red Cross gets ₧7-M donation from Lysol

T

he Philippine Red Cross (PRC) received a P7.046-million donation from Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare Inc., the manufacturer of Lysol, to support the operations of the PRC’s emergency field hospital and isolation facilities.

The donation turnover event was held at the National Headquarters and among the attendees are PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon, Secretary-General Elizabeth Zavalla, General Manager, RB Healthcare Philippines Inc. Ms. Aleli Arcilla, Director, Regulatory Affairs and Policy Alfred So, Manager, and Government Affairs,

and Consumer Relation Atty. Diana R. Mari.

Lysol previously donated a total of P39 million to establish the PRC Cagayan molecular laboratory, part of the donation goes to the Covid-19 Samaritan program that covered 4,500 individuals, and to drive awareness of Red Cross’s cause in-store in fighting the spread of Covid-19.

“Lysol has been a longtime partner of the Philippine Red Cross in battling this pandemic. I am very thankful for Lysol’s donation to further support the services of PRC to cater to the most vulnerable affected by Covid-19,” Gordon said.

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

July 13, 2021

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

ASIA UNITED 45.2 46.95 47.4 47.4 46.95 46.95 1,700 80,230 110.6 110.7 112 112 109.7 110.7 1,898,490 209,951,790 (31,988,710) BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS 85.25 86 87.95 87.95 85.25 85.25 1,967,070 169,940,839.5 56,988,770.5 CHINABANK 25 25.4 25.5 25.5 25.5 25.5 500 12,750 10.06 10.08 10.16 10.2 10.06 10.08 251,200 2,536,640 EAST WEST BANK 48.1 48.7 48.8 49 48.1 48.1 1,628,900 78,783,155 (8,006,360) METROBANK PB BANK 10.8 10.98 11 11 10.8 10.8 11,500 124,400 21.75 21.8 22.3 22.35 21.75 21.8 1,110,200 24,416,070 (2,435,580) PHIL NATL BANK 55.95 56 56 56 56 56 20 1,120 PSBANK 21.2 21.5 22 22.1 21.1 21.2 48,800 1,035,275 21,200 RCBC SECURITY BANK 117.9 118 118.5 118.9 116.9 118 553,460 65,224,873 7,089,860 UNION BANK 76.65 76.9 76.5 77 76.5 76.65 1,770 135,647 81,228 1.5 1.51 1.55 1.55 1.51 1.51 413,000 627,260 BRIGHT KINDLE 4.4 4.42 4.45 4.48 4.34 4.42 73,000 322,100 22,350 COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG 3 3.14 2.98 3 2.98 3 16,000 47,960 1.29 1.35 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 31,000 39,990 IREMIT 0.38 0.385 0.39 0.39 0.38 0.385 240,000 91,500 MEDCO HLDG 0.68 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.72 0.72 17,000 12,290 8,640 NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH 229.6 238 220 245 220 238 22,780 5,201,114 2,677,958 SUN LIFE 2,400 2,550 2400 2,400 2,400 2,400 90 216,000 0.94 0.96 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.94 8,000 7,520 VANTAGE

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.79 8.8 8.95 8.97 8.79 8.8 19,265,200 170,647,949 9,713,283 ALSONS CONS 1.29 1.3 1.3 1.31 1.3 1.3 230,000 299,020 26,000 ABOITIZ POWER 24.8 24.9 25.05 25.1 24.6 24.9 2,543,400 63,188,360 (14,693,240) 0.71 0.72 0.73 0.74 0.72 0.72 18,372,000 13,287,910 (6,580) BASIC ENERGY 29.55 29.65 29.8 29.85 29.4 29.65 640,600 18,982,730 3,381,425 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 77.65 77.9 77.85 78 77.5 77.65 272,050 21,126,667 (344,852.5) MERALCO 276.2 276.6 275.4 276.8 275.4 276.6 89,260 24,663,550 4,796,494 18.16 18.18 18.22 18.4 18.12 18.18 1,085,900 19,773,914 (3,002,290) MANILA WATER 3.54 3.55 3.6 3.6 3.55 3.55 990,000 3,530,380 (21,770) PETRON PETROENERGY 4.04 4.11 4.11 4.11 4.11 4.11 1,000 4,110 12.5 12.98 13 13 12.38 12.98 58,400 727,552 PHX PETROLEUM 20.25 20.35 20.6 20.6 20.25 20.35 227,800 4,634,290 ( 199,835.0003) PILIPINAS SHELL 12.76 12.82 12.86 12.86 12.7 12.82 76,200 973,844 2,568 SPC POWER AGRINURTURE 6.05 6.12 6.01 6.12 5.97 6.12 767,000 4,665,725 (11,628) AXELUM 2.87 2.93 2.9 2.92 2.9 2.92 41,000 119,460 78,780 70 72.1 69.75 69.75 69.75 69.75 60 4,185 BOGO MEDELLIN 14.12 14.88 14.88 14.88 14.1 14.8 2,200 32,226 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 24.5 24.55 23.9 25.05 23.85 24.5 2,534,200 62,048,635(23 ,544,830.0003) DEL MONTE 15.08 15.16 15.12 15.18 15 15.16 58,100 876,660 (302,040) 8.36 8.4 8.5 8.5 8.33 8.4 602,000 5,048,574 754,091 DNL INDUS 12.08 12.1 12.36 12.38 12.06 12.08 5,764,500 69,830,022 18,115,880 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 83 84 84.95 85.3 83 83 272,050 23,002,728.5 4,398,945 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.67 111,000 73,510 1.34 1.38 1.37 1.38 1.34 1.38 9,858,000 13,356,610 50,250 FRUITAS HLDG 93.5 98.5 95.2 98.5 93 98.5 182,420 17,341,418.5 1,632,420 GINEBRA JOLLIBEE 208.4 208.8 209.8 209.8 205.6 208.8 294,190 60,964,254 (6,925,984) LIBERTY FLOUR 29.1 30.85 30.9 30.9 29.1 29.1 1,900 58,530 7.63 7.99 7.59 7.59 7.59 7.59 300 2,277 MACAY HLDG 6.6 6.69 6.77 6.77 6.6 6.6 91,500 608,305 38,199 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.265 0.27 0.275 0.275 0.26 0.265 980,000 260,950 16.64 16.66 16.92 16.94 16.42 16.64 10,100,900 167,510,072 (28,426,236) MONDE NISSIN 8.12 8.2 8.2 8.25 8.12 8.2 158,100 1,296,266 1,240,660 SHAKEYS PIZZA 1.02 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.01 1.02 902,000 915,970 ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP 4.59 4.72 4.59 4.7 4.59 4.59 4,000 18,470 0.142 0.143 0.145 0.145 0.142 0.143 14,100,000 2,011,030 21,449.9997 SWIFT FOODS 138.5 139.7 142 142.1 138.5 138.5 1,204,130 167,620,320 (61,708,302) UNIV ROBINA 0.82 0.83 0.83 0.84 0.82 0.83 3,181,000 2,663,340 VITARICH CONCRETE B 59.9 62.95 59.9 59.9 59.9 59.9 1,000 59,900 1.33 1.34 1.37 1.37 1.33 1.33 2,208,000 2,944,360 (33,210) CEMEX HLDG 15.5 15.6 15.5 15.6 15.5 15.5 43,200 669,770 (156,550) EAGLE CEMENT 8.4 8.55 8.3 8.5 8.16 8.4 1,716,000 14,317,956 13,598,746 EEI CORP HOLCIM 7.14 7.2 7.4 7.4 7.1 7.2 1,196,800 8,606,162 (384,366) 6.67 6.68 6.8 6.8 6.67 6.68 643,000 4,303,855 (619,794) MEGAWIDE 14.9 14.98 15 15 14.9 14.98 58,200 869,670 PHINMA TKC METALS 1.03 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.02 1.07 46,000 47,690 144.5 173.9 144.4 144.4 144.4 144.4 1,000 144,400 CHEMPHIL 1.71 1.73 1.71 1.73 1.7 1.71 135,000 230,520 CROWN ASIA 1.92 1.97 1.95 1.99 1.92 1.92 45,000 87,160 5,760 EUROMED PRYCE CORP 5.39 5.48 5.4 5.4 5.39 5.39 30,700 165,566 21.5 21.8 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.4 1,900 40,660 2,140 CONCEPCION 3.6 3.62 3.51 3.67 3.41 3.62 22,251,000 79,390,550 16,948,100 GREENERGY 10.08 10.1 10.02 10.2 10.02 10.1 211,300 2,132,958 (539,886) INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 1.08 1.09 1.08 1.11 1.08 1.09 91,000 99,070 5.75 5.88 5.88 5.88 5.75 5.88 24,000 138,036 PANASONIC 1.35 1.36 1.37 1.38 1.33 1.37 309,000 420,440 60,170 SFA SEMICON 5.48 5.49 5.5 5.5 5.44 5.49 2,130,000 11,662,744 315,263 CIRTEK HLDG

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

1.03 7 789.5 41.7 10.24 4.54 6.98 0.95 0.69 5.2 6.38 8.15 2.91 0.29 595 4.08 59.8 5.67 4.83 0.81 3.32 11.44 0.51 3.79 3.56 2.88 2.87 1.21 990 116.6 0.275 0.229

1.04 7.28 790 41.75 10.28 4.55 7 0.96 0.7 5.23 6.39 8.2 2.93 0.31 600 4.16 61.2 5.83 5.56 0.82 3.33 11.52 0.52 3.8 3.61 2.89 2.88 1.28 998 116.7 0.295 0.23

1.02 7.29 798 41.35 10.18 4.57 7 1.02 0.7 5.25 6.64 8.2 2.95 0.29 600 4.15 61.5 5.63 5.43 0.81 3.33 12.2 0.51 3.81 3.61 2.82 2.87 1.22 1019 117.5 0.28 0.23

1.05 7.29 800 41.8 10.3 4.7 7 1.02 0.7 5.35 6.68 8.2 2.95 0.31 600.5 4.19 61.5 5.87 5.48 0.85 3.33 12.3 0.52 3.86 3.7 2.96 2.87 1.22 1,020 117.5 0.28 0.235

1.01 7.29 789 41.35 10.12 4.45 7 0.95 0.69 5.18 6.34 8.2 2.95 0.29 590 4.15 59.8 5.63 5.43 0.81 3.33 11.44 0.51 3.8 3.61 2.82 2.87 1.21 990 116.7 0.28 0.228

1.03 7.29 790 41.75 10.28 4.55 7 0.95 0.69 5.2 6.39 8.2 2.95 0.31 600 4.19 59.8 5.87 5.48 0.82 3.33 11.44 0.51 3.8 3.61 2.88 2.87 1.21 990 116.7 0.28 0.229

2,069,000 100 403,210 517,000 1,134,500 7,821,000 4,200 6,426,000 1,639,000 9,168,500 7,603,600 2,000 10,000 110,000 82,970 24,000 837,840 8,300 23,200 566,000 666,000 9,582,300 91,000 9,874,000 65,000 572,000 1,000 115,000 208,285 57,140 800,000 3,030,000

2,139,960 729 318,688,385 21,566,960 11,602,348 35,836,220 29,400 6,250,130 1,131,080 47,681,733 49,204,332 16,400 29,500 32,100 49,370,655 100,230 50,764,995 ( 47,069 126,626 463,580 2,217,780 112,097,626 46,630 37,701,310 237,130 1,638,100 2,870 139,220 207,834,482.5 6,676,656 224,000 694,480

PREFFERED

HOUSE PREF B ALCO PREF B AC PREF B2R CEB PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF MWIDE PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2K

100.5 102.5 523 47.55 105.6 504.5 993 1,020 101.1 101.5 106.5 1,004 1,149 78.65 79 76.05

101 103.5 530 47.6 109 505 1,010 1,049 101.2 101.8 106.7 1,005 1,167 78.9 79.4 76.4

101.2 102.5 523 49 105.6 505 995 1034 101.2 101.8 106.7 1005 1168 78.7 79 76

101.2 102.5 523 49 105.6 505 995 1,034 101.4 101.8 106.7 1,005 1,168 78.95 79.4 76.45

101 102.5 523 47.5 105.6 505 995 1,020 101.2 101.8 106.7 1,005 1,168 78.7 79 76

101 102.5 523 47.6 105.6 505 995 1,020 101.2 101.8 106.7 1,005 1,168 78.9 79.4 76.45

1,760 177,976 7,970 816,925 100 52,300 85,500 4,128,030 (954,205) 10 1,056 340 171,700 400 398,000 1,000 1,031,200 63,810 6,457,576 1,550 157,790 50 5,335 295 296,475 500 584,000 584,000 14,330 1,130,399 26,720 2,121,560 5,770 438,595.5 -

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

ABS HLDG PDR 11.86 11.98 12 12 11.84 11.84 37,000 440,000 12.6 12.7 12.82 12.9 12.6 12.6 159,500 2,018,870 GMA HLDG PDR

(88,000) 6,300

LR WARRANT 1.59 1.6 1.67 1.71 1.57 1.6 3,177,000 5,140,220

-

ALTUS PROP 16.98 17.02 17.14 17.48 16.98 17 72,700 1,237,652 2.32 2.36 2.38 2.43 2.31 2.37 330,000 765,710 ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH 4.87 5.14 4.85 4.87 4.82 4.87 23,100 111,681 MERRYMART 4.07 4.08 4.2 4.25 4.07 4.08 9,857,000 40,869,050

13,109 1,721,020

WARRANTS SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

103.5

105

104.6

105

103.5

103.5

22,560

2,349,066

Megawide books new deals worth ₧1.24B in Jan-March

By VG Cabuag

M

@villygc

egawide Construction Corp. on Tuesday said it bag ged new contracts worth P1.24 billion in the first three months of the year, bringing its total order book during the period to P66.1 billion.

Niche-market property developer Johndorf Ventures Corp. awarded a design, supply and build contract, using precast materials, for 350 housing units in its Coral Village Project in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

Last month, Megawide announced its sixth partnership with Phirst Park Homes of Century Properties Group Inc. for the supply and build of 1,974 units for their Batulao, Batangas site.

Meanwhile, Andrew Tan’s Travellers International Hotel Group

Inc. also awarded to the company the construction of a retail strip and theater mall at the Westside City complex in Entertainment City in Paranaque.

This will complement the Westside City Resorts World project by Suntrust Home Developers, Inc., which Megawide is also currently constructing.

“Right now, we are ramping up our precast capacity because we believe in its numerous applicability, especially in the residential and infrastructure space. The long-term goal is to transform this support service into a significant contributor to our business, given its various applications and suitability to the current industry demands,” Edgar Saavedra, Megawide chairman and CEO, said.

“We are banking on our technical expertise, vertical integration, and state-of-the-art technologies that our customers, whether first-

359,698

time or repeat, have come to expect.

We firmly believe that our track record of efficient, high-quality work, and on-time delivery are the very foundations why the proponent awarded the project to Megawide, because no other contractor can,” Frederick Tan, Megawide chief operating officer for engineering, procurement and construction.

Megawide currently operates its own industrial facility in Taytay, Rizal, housing its two precast factories. Combined, the company’s precast facility is the largest of its kind in the Philippines, and considered as one of the largest in Asia.

The company said an “emerging opportunity” lies in the horizontal infrastructure space, particularly rail networks, as property consultants expect private sector vertical developments to face soft demand due to the economic slowdown.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency-funded Metro Manila

mutual funds

170,400 87,780,460 (1,493,490) 3,126,746 10,427,560 2,920 (3,620,467) (10,967,665) 2,230,270 8,380 19,234,020.5) (522,810) (62,766,400) (9,590,670) (8,760) 2,728,455 (410,753) -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.66 0.68 0.69 0.69 0.66 0.68 268,000 179,640 AYALA LAND 35.65 35.85 36.9 36.9 35.65 35.65 7,817,700 281,364,170 (96,019,565) ARANETA PROP 1.17 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.22 1,000 1,220 36 36.2 36.4 36.4 36 36 1,044,900 37,745,155 (5,693,820) AREIT RT 1.43 1.46 1.49 1.5 1.41 1.43 826,000 1,193,910 (572,040) BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.92 0.95 0.91 0.95 0.91 0.93 340,000 313,770 33,670 CITYLAND DEVT 1.01 1.02 1 1.01 0.96 1.01 1,728,000 1,708,590 9,790 0.133 0.135 0.139 0.139 0.134 0.135 680,000 91,500 CROWN EQUITIES 6.37 6.8 6.6 6.8 6.6 6.8 200 1,340 CEBU HLDG CEB LANDMASTERS 3.41 3.42 3.47 3.49 3.41 3.41 897,000 3,078,400 278,080 CENTURY PROP 0.5 0.51 0.53 0.53 0.5 0.51 39,073,000 19,921,960 293,300 11.82 11.86 11.9 12.08 11.78 11.82 1,727,000 20,479,170 (4,730,244) DOUBLEDRAGON 1.99 2 2 2.01 1.99 1.99 11,698,000 23,376,730 7,335,900 DDMP RT DM WENCESLAO 6.92 6.98 7.02 7.08 6.92 6.98 77,700 543,717 (3,535) EMPIRE EAST 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 900,000 270,000 (60,000) 0.415 0.42 0.445 0.445 0.405 0.415 40,870,000 17,279,350 109,900 EVER GOTESCO 1.16 1.17 1.16 1.17 1.15 1.16 9,603,000 11,131,840 1 ,993,280.0003 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.89 0.9 0.9 0.91 0.9 0.9 560,000 504,640 7.13 7.14 7.3 7.3 7.14 7.14 41,900 300,362 8990 HLDG 1.35 1.36 1.34 1.35 1.33 1.35 312,000 419,510 PHIL INFRADEV 1.69 1.7 1.73 1.73 1.7 1.7 375,000 639,560 (19,030) CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 3.05 3.07 3.13 3.17 3.05 3.05 46,779,000 144,445,610 (35,362,590) MRC ALLIED 0.375 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.37 0.375 9,580,000 3,600,450 (206,800) 0.65 0.66 0.67 0.68 0.64 0.66 18,332,000 12,123,510 36,660 PHIL ESTATES 2.7 2.73 2.64 2.75 2.64 2.7 770,000 2,073,190 (16,860) PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND 17.32 17.46 17.6 17.8 17.32 17.32 2,242,800 39,224,416 692,132 PHIL REALTY 0.35 0.36 0.37 0.37 0.35 0.36 5,640,000 2,015,350 1.56 1.59 1.6 1.6 1.59 1.59 135,000 215,050 ROCKWELL 2.65 2.67 2.65 2.65 2.65 2.65 36,000 95,400 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 3 3.05 3.07 3.07 2.97 3.05 662,000 2,000,770 35.45 35.6 35.85 36 35.4 35.45 5,319,600 188,946,070 1,178,485 SM PRIME HLDG 3.81 3.92 3.94 3.94 3.8 3.92 106,000 403,760 VISTAMALLS 1.61 1.63 1.65 1.65 1.6 1.65 767,000 1,240,410 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 3.7 3.72 3.7 3.72 3.66 3.7 1,811,000 6,679,370 (3,725,040)

SERVICES ABS CBN 12.32 12.38 12.66 12.66 12.38 12.38 248,600 3,094,202 GMA NETWORK 13.5 13.52 13.86 13.94 13.5 13.5 3,349,000 45,689,766 0.425 0.435 0.43 0.43 0.425 0.425 20,000 8,550 MANILA BULLETIN 1,978 1,979 1978 1,987 1,972 1,979 83,865 165,893,280 (10,966,495) GLOBE TELECOM 1,288 1,290 1290 1,299 1,286 1,290 103,540 133,577,745 (8,633,405) PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.171 0.172 0.175 0.177 0.171 0.172 111,420,000 19,299,860 (83,420) CONVERGE 23.55 23.6 23.35 23.85 23.15 23.6 1,605,100 37,824,720 (4,266,080) 4.42 4.45 4.65 4.68 4.37 4.42 11,964,000 53,279,600 (48,978,640) DFNN INC 8.65 8.66 8.65 8.75 8.65 8.65 4,535,900 39,335,843 (637,819) DITO CME HLDG NOW CORP 2.41 2.44 2.42 2.44 2.41 2.42 844,000 2,041,220 (135,170) TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.48 0.485 0.485 0.495 0.48 0.485 13,310,000 6,467,800 (68,600) 2.4 2.41 2.41 2.44 2.41 2.41 129,000 311,370 PHILWEB 8.35 8.36 8.36 8.36 8.35 8.35 29,100 243,204 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 14.56 14.76 14.76 14.76 14.76 14.76 100 1,476 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.05 3.03 3.03 309,000 938,500 CHELSEA 49.1 49.2 50.1 50.1 49 49.2 182,730 9,015,573 143,722 CEBU AIR 164.8 165.5 163.9 165.9 160.6 165.5 1,911,610 315,496,722 78,716,445 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 17.7 18.18 18 18.18 17.4 17.7 4,000 70,086 1 1.06 1.05 1.05 1.05 1.05 1,000 1,050 LORENZO SHIPPNG 5.15 5.16 5.24 5.24 5.13 5.15 1,951,200 10,077,187 (613,713) MACROASIA 2.04 2.07 2.12 2.12 2.03 2.04 179,000 369,580 METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 2.12 2.39 2.17 2.17 2.17 2.17 15,000 32,550 1.21 1.24 1.2 1.25 1.2 1.21 179,000 216,260 HARBOR STAR 1.93 1.99 1.99 2.01 1.94 1.99 86,000 168,890 ACESITE HOTEL 0.137 0.138 0.15 0.155 0.138 0.138 989,770,000 143,240,210 (19,390) BOULEVARD HLDG DISCOVERY WORLD 2.97 3.05 3 3.08 2.96 3.08 43,000 128,760 0.57 0.58 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 347,000 197,790 WATERFRONT 0.38 0.385 0.375 0.385 0.375 0.38 400,000 151,050 3,800 STI HLDG 5.25 5.5 5.25 5.5 5.24 5.5 15,100 79,262 BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY 6.75 6.8 6.84 6.85 6.69 6.8 2,843,100 19,304,824 (5,464,488) PACIFIC ONLINE 2.05 2.1 2.05 2.05 2.04 2.05 33,000 67,470 1.6 1.63 1.6 1.64 1.6 1.6 158,000 254,300 LEISURE AND RES 1.82 1.85 1.91 1.91 1.82 1.82 3,857,000 7,082,490 177,630 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.445 0.45 0.45 0.455 0.435 0.45 4,740,000 2,107,150 8,800 ALLHOME 7.72 7.75 8.1 8.2 7.72 7.72 3,100,400 24,260,317 4 ,040,151.0003 1.39 1.4 1.39 1.4 1.39 1.4 585,000 815,020 METRO RETAIL 39.45 39.5 41 41 39.5 39.5 1,888,500 75,279,480 (11,790,070) PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL 57 57.1 56.95 57.2 56 57.1 584,310 33,190,746 7,479,360.5 PHIL SEVEN CORP 96.1 98.95 96.2 98.95 96 98.95 38,520 3,707,098 (33,879) 1.24 1.26 1.29 1.29 1.24 1.26 2,200,000 2,756,770 187,500 SSI GROUP 21.85 21.95 22 22 21.75 21.85 302,600 6,613,930 3,905,430 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.39 0.395 0.38 0.39 0.375 0.39 1,540,000 598,000 (19,500) 5.9 6.09 5.9 6.09 5.9 6.09 12,800 75,691 EASYCALL 5.78 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.75 5.8 5,300 30,685 IPM HLDG PRMIERE HORIZON 1.6 1.62 1.65 1.68 1.6 1.6 11,809,000 19,162,960 (60,740) SBS PHIL CORP 4.37 4.64 4.5 4.64 4.38 4.64 245,000 1,077,630

MINING & OIL ATOK 8.09 8.17 8 8.17 7.97 8.17 47,400 380,499 4,764 APEX MINING 1.73 1.74 1.74 1.74 1.69 1.73 3,545,000 6,114,790 4,159,720 ATLAS MINING 6.27 6.28 6.37 6.37 6.24 6.27 367,700 2,301,592 (312,289) 5.36 5.55 5.8 5.8 5.45 5.55 825,600 4,575,616 BENGUET A 5.32 5.4 5.5 5.5 5.28 5.32 381,800 2,040,006 BENGUET B COAL ASIA HLDG 0.295 0.305 0.3 0.305 0.3 0.305 340,000 102,850 2.82 2.85 2.85 2.85 2.82 2.85 174,000 491,710 311,200 CENTURY PEAK 6.32 6.35 6.47 6.47 6.35 6.35 5,400 34,326 DIZON MINES 2.47 2.48 2.48 2.5 2.45 2.47 905,000 2,241,020 524,290 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.325 0.33 0.325 0.33 0.325 0.325 1,060,000 346,750 0.156 0.157 0.158 0.158 0.155 0.156 7,090,000 1,108,430 LEPANTO A 0.161 0.163 0.161 0.161 0.161 0.161 1,100,000 177,100 LEPANTO B 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.011 15,600,000 184,700 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 400,000 4,500 1.15 1.17 1.19 1.2 1.15 1.17 650,000 759,990 MARCVENTURES 1.43 1.44 1.45 1.49 1.42 1.43 491,000 702,910 (1,430) NIHAO 5.4 5.41 5.5 5.5 5.38 5.4 3,189,000 17,240,398 4,338,855 NICKEL ASIA OMICO CORP 0.395 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.395 0.395 90,000 35,650 7,950 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.95 0.96 0.96 0.97 0.95 0.96 312,000 299,450 6.45 6.48 6.61 6.61 6.44 6.48 1,017,700 6,585,291 (822,939) PX MINING 16.6 16.62 16.66 16.78 16.32 16.6 1,731,100 28,748,690 2 ,984,634.0003 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0095 0.0098 0 0.0095 0.0098 0.0094 0.0098 105,000,000 1,012,800 (29,400) ACE ENEXOR 17.5 17.9 17.96 17.98 17.5 17.9 121,900 2,158,652 0.012 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.012 0.013 75,000,000 903,200 ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 13,700,000 164,400 67,200 ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 23,200,000 263,000 7.62 7.65 7.8 7.8 7.65 7.65 171,400 1,318,894 (312,129) PXP ENERGY

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Foundations unite Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group partnered with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) to provide immediate relief for the families in the Municipality of Agoncillo in Batangas, affected by the continued unrest of Taal Volcano. LCF together with its members, Aboitiz Foundation, Manila Water Foundation, PHAPCares Foundation and Rebisco Foundation were able to mobilize and provide food, water, medical masks and face shields. The donation is expected to benefit 500 families. (Second from left) Joan Morte from the Municipal Social Welfare Department of Agoncillo, Batangas receives the donation from LCF represented by Fred Dalumpines, Aboitiz Foundation’s Supervising Project Officer and Chair of LCF’s Committee on Disaster Resilience (middle). Contributed photo

Governance body to convene global investors

T

he International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN), with investor members responsible for assets of $59 trillion, will convene on July 14 its members alongside Japan’s regulators and corporate community to discuss recent changes to the Japan Corporate Governance Code.

The meeting hosted by the Japan Exchange Group and Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) is endorsed by the Financial Services Agency (FSA), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Justice and Keidanren.

ICGN’s CEO, Kerrie Waring is a Member of the Council of Experts convened by the Japan FSA and TSE which advised on Code changes and noted: “The Revised Japan Corporate Governance Code has gone further than ever before with stricter governance requirements and innovations around climate related disclosure and human capital management.

ICGN provided a global investor view on Code changes and we are pleased to see many of our recommendations included: increased director independence, disclosure of mandates for Nomination and Remuneration Committees, measurable targets to encourage board diversity, and heightened focus on board responsibility for capital efficiency. While more progress can be made over time­— particularly around separation of leadership, board evaluation and majority board independence—the revisions are a positive step forward and ICGN looks forward to continued engagement in our mutual efforts to enhance governance and stewardship standards worldwide.”

As host of the meeting, Yasuyuki Konuma, Director, Senior Executive Officer of the Tokyo Stock Exchange commented: “In June 2021, the Corporate Governance Code was revised based on the recom-

mendations from the Council of Experts jointly hosted by the Financial Services Agency and the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). TSE greatly appreciates ICGN’s CEO, Kerrie Waring participating in the discussions leading up to the revision, and the Council benefitted greatly from valuable insights on the perspective of a global investor. The main points of this Code revision are ‘Enhancing Board Independence,’ ‘Promoting Diversity', and ‘Attention to Sustainability and ESG.’ In addition, the revised Code also highlights the ‘higher governance level’ required at the new ‘Prime Market,’ which is starting in April 2022.

TSE hopes that the revised Code will contribute to the progress of governance reform in Japan and companies and investors alike will take this revision as an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue, to achieve growth and increase corporate value over the medium to long term. TSE will continue to monitor the progress of the implementation of these revised Code.”

Changes to ICGN’s own Global Governance Principles (GGP) as part of a regular three-year review cycle will also be discussed at the meeting.

Published over 20 years ago, many ICGN Members default to the GGP as a bellwether for their own voting policies and company engagements.

The reviewed GGP will be published on July 30.

Following the meeting ICGN will deliver a four-part training course, in October, which aims to build an awareness of how institutional investors with globally diversified portfolios analyze corporate governance practices and a company’s approach to generating long-term value.

The faculty leading this course is a prestigious group of professionals with practical experience from the corporate and investment field.

Subway Project and the Asian Development Bank-financed NorthSouth Commuter Railway South Line projects are among those being eyed by Megawide for its infrastructure push.

The company said the risks associated with these ventures are well covered financially while execution risks are addressed by the expertise and experience of the participating bidders.

“We are very excited to participate in these projects knowing that, in terms of know-how, these will definitely boost our technical stock. Our current exposure in the MalolosClark Railway Project allows us to gain experience in elevated railway systems civil works. If we can secure packages in both the NSCR South Line and the Subway projects, this will provide us building blocks to develop our competencies in at-grade and underground rail developments, respectively,” Saavedra said.

July 13, 2021

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 221.88 9.42% -4.09% -4.15% -2.35% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.4537 37.41% 0.35% 1.6% 10.72% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0706 11.97% -8.31% -6.43% -1.99% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7741 12.03% -4.23% n.a.

-3.71% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7663 13.93% -2.63% n.a.

3.33% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.895 12.5% -1.98% -2.32% -0.94% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.7219 4.88% -5.31% -6.42% -4.99% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 103.21 28.23% -0.82% n.a.

1.25% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 45.4787 11.2% -2.2% -3.08% -2.92% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 477.19 9.42% -2.25% -3.48% -2.41% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 1.088 22.23% n.a. n.a.

-0.85% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.1486 11.53% -2.23% -2.56% -1.68% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 34.087 12.46% -1.67% -1.97% -1.96% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8848 10.16% n.a. n.a.

-3.09% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.6613 11.94% -1.59% -2.31% -2.71% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 780.68 11.94% -1.48% -2.41% -2.62% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.7142 13.13% -5.43% -5.38% -0.65% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.5433 10.63% -3.87% -3.74% -2.22% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8914 11.41% -1.85% -2.56% -2.87% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.2504 11.98% -2.34% -1.65% -2.07% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 104.8071 11.95% -1.27% -1.85% -2.55% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.2383 18.77% 6.73% 7.87% 2.94% 25.56% 11.97% 12.3% 8% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.8066 Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.6928 7.41% 0.77% -1.8% 1.45% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.2391 7.6% -0.1% -1.13% -2.03% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6092 6.93% 0.77% -0.54% -0.68% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1955 4.38% n.a. n.a.

-1.56% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9561 5.44% 2.2% 0.14% -0.4% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.6899 4.62% 1.41% -1.1% -2.59% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.5425 5.45% 1.53% -1.07% -2.33% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.0599 6.35% -0.8% -1.63% 0.08% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5258 6.6% -0.77% -2.05% -1.33% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9883 3.22% n.a. n.a.

-3.35% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9079 5.37% n.a. n.a.

-4.35% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8953 6.98% n.a. n.a.

-4.05% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8853 8.27% -1.13% -2.31% -0.27% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03828 -0.98% 2.94% 1.25% -2.15% -3.37% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.1114 8.29% 3.51% 4.24% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7535 19.18% 9.14% 8.54% 5.33% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.2201 9.51% 5.3% 4.69% 1.5% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 372.46 1.54% 3.18% 2.43% 0.37% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9238 -1% 1.07% 0.11% 1.24% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2316 1.16% 3.7% 4.3% 0.53% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2634 -1.85% 2.21% 1.21% -1.42% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4419 -0.59% 3.29% 1.65% -0.46% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.4729 -3.6% 4.29% 1.11% -3.49% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3173 1.23% 4.03% 2.69% -0.3% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9817 0.12% 4.49% 1.93% -0.48% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0344 -0.36% 4.69% 1.51% -0.73% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.2127 1.04% 5.34% 2.14% 0.21% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7488 0.13% 4.63% 1.44% -0.35% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $486.43 2.47% 3.17% 2.14% 0.53% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є220.14 2.07% 1.09% 0.99% 0.44% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1981 -2.16% 2.48% 1.25% -6.43% 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 $1.0577 -1.43% 0.75% -0.92% -3.2% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.5167 2.68% 5.24% 1.81% -0.75% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0630227 3.86% 3.57% 2.17% 1.13% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1929 -0.07% 3.49% 0.65% -0.95% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 130.35 1.59% 3.02% 2.53% 0.42% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0534 1.07% n.a. n.a.

0.51% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.3059 1.68% 2.82% 2.55% 0.72% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0579 1.19% 1.66% n.a.

0.52% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.3195 34.51% n.a. n.a.

16.81% 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."

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Banking&Finance

T-bonds fetch coupon rate higher than BVAL’s

I

NVESTORS continue to swamp the securities market with bids for the new 20-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) nearly-twice oversubscribed during its auction last Tuesday.

The security fetched a coupon rate of 5.125 percent, higher than the Bloomberg Valuation Service (BVAL) rate at 4.968 percent.

Usually, bonds with higher coupon rates are more attractive for investors.

But the Bureau of the Treasury only partially awarded P16.8 billion in the new T-bonds.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said the coupon rate was “aligned with the movement in secondary levels with curve extension.”

The auction was nearly-twice

oversubscribed as the debt paper attracted P63 billion in total bids but the auction committee rejected P46.27 billion. These bids may have been below the rate set for the bonds.

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.

The 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

SCB’s trading chief gets financial markets post

S

tandard Chartered Bank has appointed Marvin Eugene Antonio as Head of Financial Markets for the Philippines in addition to his current role as head of the bank’s FX (foreign exchange), rates and credit trading unit.

The bank said Antonio joined its Philippine office in 2012 “and brings with him over 20 years of experience in the financial markets in the Philippines.” Prior to joining the bank, Antonio was the head of rates and foreign exchange division, Treasury Group of the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. “In his role, Antonio will be responsible for driving the overall strategic direction of the financial markets business and ensuring seamless collaboration to support client needs across many aspects of business growth,” SCB said in a statement. Antonio should have been in this post

BusinessMirror

C

By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

iting the crippling economic backlash of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sen. Imee Marcos moved for a one-year suspension of the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on oil and petroleum products.

Marcos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, pointed out last Tuesday another round of price hike by oil companies that, she noted, reached per-liter increases of P1.15 for gasoline, P0.60 for diesel and P0.65 for kerosene.

The senator recalled that since January, fuel prices per liter were jacked up by P13 for gasoline, P10 for diesel, and P9 for kerosene. She suggests that suspending the VAT on oil products “will provide timely relief to various consumers, other

S

tate-run National Transmission Corp. (Transco) announced it is “open” to remitting all its 2020 net income to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) to help fund the government’s program against the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a letter to the chief of the Department of Finance (DOF), Transco president-CEO Melvin A. Matibag said the state-run firm will secure board approval to comply with the directive of Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III to increase the firm’s dividend remittance to 75 percent of its net earnings for 2020.

But Matibag said Transco is even looking into further raising its dividend remittance to 100

percent of its net income last year to contribute to the government’s Covid-response efforts.

“Transco supports the DOF in its revenue generation efforts for the government’s programs to alleviate the impact of the pandemic and, in fact, it is exploring the possibility of remitting 100 percent from the 2020 net earnings,” Matibag said in his letter.

Matibag added he would seek the approval of its board for an additional budget of P817.11 million for 2021 to cover the increase in the firm’s dividend contribution to P2.45 billion. Transco was given only until June 15 to remit 75 percent of its net earnings.

“Once the Board approval is secured, Transco will request for the approval of the additional budget

Dovish China tilt divides market on rate trimming

C

hina’s surprising dovish about-turn last week is dividing the market over the severity of the nation’s economic slowdown and how far its central bank will go in loosening policy.

Some such as UBS Asset Management and Citic Securities see interest-rate cuts in coming months as growth falters. Others like Nomura Holdings Inc. and NatWest Group Plc said Friday’s move doesn’t “prelude” any more aggressive easing, and authorities are likely to take more targeted measures, such as managing liquidity through the medium-term lending facility.

China’s gross domestic product data on Thursday, along with retail sales and industrial production numbers, may provide an answer to why policy makers suddenly loosened liquidity after months of warning about excessive leverage. One thing almost all analysts agree on is that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) is ready to deploy more tools from its arsenal as the recovery from the pandemic faces a risk of stagnating.

The PBOC surprised global financial markets last Friday, saying it would trim the reserve requirement ratio by 0.5 percentage point for most banks to free up long-term liquidity. The unexpected flip to an easing stance spooked many investors by fueling concern China’s rebound from the coronavirus pandemic may be faltering.

UBS is among the most hawkish, saying the central bank is now likely to lower its benchmark lending rate by year-end to support small and medium-sized companies.

“The PBOC has transitioned from a neutral stance to start an easing cycle, and this cycle has further to go,” said Hayden Briscoe, head of fixed income for Asia Pacific at UBS Asset, without specifying the amount of the reduction. “We will see more easing measures later this year, and in late 2022, we will see the real economy pick up.”

The rate cut should help push down the nation’s 10-year bond yields by as much as 100 basis points to a record low, he said.

Citic Securities also sees more easing. The loan prime rate, which is the base rate for new bank loans, will likely be lowered by lenders as Beijing seeks to reduce funding costs in the real economy, Ming Ming, head of fixed-income research at the firm in Beijing, wrote in a research note Tuesday.

Last week’s reserve-ratio cut will send the overall borrowing costs lower for lenders, allowing them

than just motorists.”

Marcos reminded in a statement that “oil price hikes have a domino effect on agricultural products and other essentials.” She also voiced concern that “the higher costs will be passed on to the ordinary consumer who may still not have a job but has no choice but to deal with rising prices of food, electricity and other goods.”

In a statement, Marcos recalled that the 12-percent VAT on fuel products was applied by the government in addition to the excise tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Republic Act 10963) law signed by President Duterte imposing excise taxes of P2.50 per liter of diesel and P7 per liter for gasoline in December 2017.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), headline inflation

from the DBM [Department of Budget and Management] to support the dividend remittance to the National Government,” Matibag said.

Under Republic Act 7656 or the Dividends Law, all governmentowned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) are required to declare and remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings as cash, stock, or property dividends to the national government.

Transco’s dividend remittance at 50 percent of its 2020 net earnings was computed to reach P1.63 billion.

The firm earlier remitted P8.32 billion to the BTr, representing 50 percent of its net earnings from 2016 to 2019 to help augment the government’s Covid-response fund.

Total dividend remittances of

The People’s Bank of China headquarters building in Beijing, China. Bloomberg News

to charge less for loans to corporates, he said.

“China’s goal of reducing financing costs for small- and medium-sized enterprises will be fulfilled smoothly, if the LPR is lowered as we expected and the costs on bank loans drop,” Ming said.

“Then, the need for Beijing to loosen monetary policy further this year will decline.”

ECONOMISTS at other firms, including Nomura’s Lu Ting and NatWest’s Liu Peiqian, said the PBOC is likely to use more targeted measures—rather than another broad reduction in reserve requirement ratio—to support growth for the rest of this year. Chang Jian, an economist at Barclays Asia Pacific, said Beijing will reduce the ratio by another 50 basis points in the fourth quarter as growth slows more significantly.

Before last week the PBOC had defied the trend among global central banks to send interest rates to ultra-low levels to counter the pandemic, with officials stressing for months how excessive liquid-

ity risked fueling asset bubbles. The authorities had done the minimum to add cash into the banking system, even as increasing issuance of local government bonds boosted demand for funds.

What’s changed the minds of policy makers may be a string of data suggesting the recovery is losing steam. Rising commodity costs pushed factory-gate prices to the highest level in almost 13 years in May, while a gauge of activity in the services industry slumped in June.

In a news briefing last Tuesday, the PBOC said that the reserve-ratio cut was only a step to enhance liquidity and the monetary policy will remain prudent.

China’s benchmark interest rate may be becoming less important to the PBOC as time goes on. In recent years, the central bank has adopted a more flexible policy rate—the cost of cash injected with its medium-term lending facility—to adjust borrowing costs. It lowered that gauge twice last year to help steer the economy out of the pandemic.

Bloomberg News

GOCCs reached P31.38 billion from January to May 31 this year. Transco topped the list of GOCCs that extended the biggest amount of dividend remittances at P8.32 billion, according to the DOF’s Corporate Affairs Group.

The other top dividend contributors were the following: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. with P7.1 billion; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., P4 billion; Philippine Ports Authority, P3.76 billion; Bases Conversion and Development Authority, P1.56 billion; Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, P1.21 billion; and, the PNOC Exploration Corp., P1 billion.

Under the Duterte administration, the DOF said an average of P57 billion in remittances was collected annually from these firms.

EU delays push for digital levy to focus on G-20 tax deal

T

Nomura, NatWest

slowed down to 4.1 percent year-onyear in June from 4.5 percent in the previous month and “was within the BSP’s monthly forecast range of 3.94.7 percent for the month.”

The BSP’s Investor Relations Office said that the deceleration of inflation in June was “due to the slower price increases for non-food items.”

“Non-food inflation was mainly pulled down by the slowdown in transport inflation due in part to base effects stemming from the substantial price increase in the previous year brought about by the higher tricycle fare,” the BSP IRO said last July 6.

“Meanwhile, food inflation was steady in June as meat inflation eased given additional supply from pork imports while rice inflation declined further, offsetting the higher yearon-year inflation for fish.”

Transco open to remitting all 2020 income to BTr @BNicolasBM

last June 14.

Standard Chartered Bank Philippines CEO Lynette V. Ortiz was quoted in the statement as saying that Antonio’s “extensive banking experience and deep knowledge of the markets will be an asset as we continue to bring our capabilities to our clients and strengthen our corporate and institutional banking business in the Philippines.”

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Suspend 12% VAT on oil products–Sen. Marcos

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

ANTONIO

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Wednesday, July 14, 2021

HE European Union said last Monday that it would postpone its push for a controversial digital levy to focus on a negotiation over a broader minimum global tax deal struck by the world’s largest economies.

The US has lobbied against the levy on digital sales that was likely to hit Silicon Valley giants’ business in Europe. The EU had pledged to introduce a levy if there was no progress on a sweeping effort to tax corporations more uniformly. Such a pact now seems more likely after the Group of 20 endorsed the principles of a globaltax agreement.

Taxation is a hot topic in Europe with officials in Berlin and Paris taking aim at complicated structures used by multinationals, many of them American, that allow them to reduce their effective tax rates.

A global deal may help governments capture more tax from sales in their countries.

EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said he’d already told US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen “of our decision to put on hold the proposal of the commission of a digital levy.” Delaying the EU plan will “allow us to be concentrated working hand in hand to achieve the last mile of this historical agreement” Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s technology chief, insisted that the EU would return to the digital levy plan in October after the final outcome of the global pact is clear. The levy has a different focus from corporate taxation and intends to take a cut of company revenue and not profit, she said.

“We will keep working on it, it has been a project in the pipeline for

quite some time,” she told an online event organized by the Washington Post. “It is really important to make sure that they remain two different things.”

Yellen, who is meeting with EU officials in Brussels on Monday, had warned last Sunday against “taxes that are discriminatory against US firms.” She declined to comment specifically on the EU move before her meetings.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, had already delayed the rollout of the plan amid pressure to withdraw it or show that it’s compatible with the global effort on how and where to tax the profits of multinational companies.

G-20 deal

OVER the weekend, G-20 nations agreed on the outlines of a global corporate-tax agreement. The deal is designed to stop major corporations from moving to low-tax jurisdictions and to establish a fairer system for distributing the taxation rights on multinationals, based on where they operate instead of where they are headquartered.

The latter component also includes an agreement to end socalled digital services taxes that several European countries have implemented to target the revenues of large tech companies like Facebook Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s Google.

The tax agreement doesn’t have the backing of all EU nations, with Ireland, Hungary and Estonia so far refusing to back it. Ireland, which has one of the EU’s lowest corporate tax rates, is the European base for many US tech giants, including Apple Inc., Facebook and Google.

Bloomberg News

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Show BusinessMirror

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

MAX COLLINS RENEWS TIES WITH GMA; ANNIVERSARY DISCOUNTS, GIVEAWAYS FOR NETWORK’S DIGITAL RECEIVER

MAX COLLINS

ACTRESS Max Collins remains with GMA as she renewed her contract with the network on July 9.

Present during the virtual signing ceremony were GMA executive vice president and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, senior vice president for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, first vice president and head of Regional TV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso, first vice president for drama productions Redgie A. Magno, vice president for corporate affairs and communications Angel Javier Cruz, and Max’s manager Perry Lansigan, among others.

In her journey with the network, Max has had her fair share of notable projects, including Pahiram ng Sandali, Ilustrado, Innamorata, Encantadia, The One That Got Away, Someone To Watch Over Me, Bihag, and Anak ni Waray vs.

Anak ni Biday.

When asked what her secret was to keeping the fires burning in the industry for more than a decade now, Max shared the importance of respect: “Throughout the years, as a Kapuso, I’ve learned how important it is to give each project so much love, and how to give my coworkers, the staff, and the network the same respect I give my own family members.”

She looks forward to growing more in her craft: “With the world seemingly so uncertain with all of the chaos happening, I’m even more grateful to be in the position that I am in in terms of my career. I’ve come a long way since the day I first started, and I’m proud of my achievements. A decade is a long time to be in one industry, and I’m excited to begin a new decade doing what I love most, which is acting.”

Rasonable expressed her excitement for what’s ahead of Max’s career in GMA: “We are very happy that you love being a Kapuso because we also love having you here. We have always believed in your talent and of course, you are one of the most beautiful faces in entertainment. We are proud to have you here and we are excited to give you many more projects.” Max is one of the lead stars in the upcoming drama series To Have and To Hold, where she will play Dominique Ramirez. She will be working alongside Rocco Nacino, Rafael Rosell and Carla Abellana.

Meanwhile, the network’s digital TV receiver GMA Affordabox celebrates its first anniversary with lots of discounts and giveaways nationwide.

As thanksgiving for a successful first year, the receiver can be purchased at a special price of P799.20 in participating stores all over the country. More surprises will be waiting for buyers online, with the device becoming available on GMA Store (www.gmanetwork.com/ gmastore) where they can enjoy more discounts and freebies.

Officially unveiled in June last year, GMA Affordabox was one of the network’s 70th anniversary gifts to viewers and, at the same time, part of its initiatives to help bolster the country’s shift from analog to digital broadcast.

GMA Affordabox gained phenomenal success with 1 million units sold in seven months. A year later, it now offers more digital channels and is accessible to more areas thanks to the network’s continuous and efficient digital roll-out across the country.

The set-top box now has six GMA digital channels that viewers enjoy: GMA, GTV, Heart of Asia, Hallypop, DepEd TV, and I Heart Movies. It also has other free-to-air channels in digital broadcast available depending on their areas.

Apart from providing superior digital reception, GMA Affordabox also has unique features, such as Personal Video Recorder, which lets users record GMA programs or watch and rewatch highlights of the shows with instant or scheduled recording.

The device can also become a multimedia player through its USB port. It also has a nationwide Emergency Warning Broadcast System that receives alerts from the NDRRMC about any calamity warnings in their area as well as a functional auto-on alert feature.

More information is available at www. gmaaffordabox.com.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘The Queen’s Gambit,’ ‘Ted Lasso’ vie for Emmy nominations

BY LYNN ELBER | The Associated Press

L

OS ANGELES—The Crown and Ted Lasso, among the TV shows that helped distract America during an oppressive pandemic year, are in the hunt for Emmy recognition.

The nominations for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced Tuesday by father-anddaughter actors Ron Cephas Jones (This Is Us) and Jasmine Cephas Jones (Blindspotting), and TV academy chief executive Frank Scherma.

In its fourth season, the British royal drama The Crown moved closer to contemporary events with its version of the courtship and rocky marriage of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer, played by Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin. The actors are among the favorites for Emmy nods, along with Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II and Gillian Anderson as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

For Netflix, which led the way for the rise of streaming services but has yet to claim a top series trophy, The Crown may represent its best bet. It’s been nominated three times before.

Ted Lasso, a feel-good comedy about a middling American football coach abruptly imported to England to take over a soccer team, could snare nominations for star Jason Sudeikis and cast members including Hannah Waddingham and Nick Mohammed.

Contenders in the miniseries category, include The Queen’s Gambit, with breakout star Anya Taylor-Joy as a troubled chess prodigy, and The Underground Railroad, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson

Whitehead and created by Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight).

Thuso Mbedu and Aaron Pierre, who star in the wrenching depiction of US slavery combined with elements of magical realism, are potential nominees.

Lovecraft Country, which spins a tale about mid20th-century racism with elements of horror, is up for drama series honors despite its cancellation by HBO after one season.

The Mandalorian and WandaVision are among the sci-fi and fantasy genre shows in contention. Also vying for Emmy consideration are shows that made a splash and boast movie stars, including the crime miniseries Mare of Easttown with Kate Winslet and The Undoing with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant.

TV academy voters have a chance to build on the inclusiveness of last year’s acting nominations, which included a record number of Black nominees—35— among the 102 contenders for lead, supporting and guest performances in drama, comedy and limited series or TV movie.

At slightly more than 34 percent of nominees, that improved on the 2018 record of just under 28 percent of Black actors in those categories. Voters also have the chance to recognize other actors of color, including Rosie Perez for the comedy thriller The Flight Attendant, and trans actors Mj Rodriguez and Angelica Ross for Pose.

The September 10 ceremony, which last year was held virtually because of the Covid-19 pandemic, will air live on CBS from a theater and include a limited inperson audience of nominees and guests. Cedric the Entertainer is the host. ■ actress finally admit that she asked her hubby to leave the house because he had a fling with a sexy actress who also belongs to the same network? Will she risk losing her husband’s good showbiz connections? The husband and the sexy actress, by the way, did not have a relationship. It was just a locked-in taping fling.

NOT A NICE GIRL

BUSINESS WITH BOYFIE

THE actress has been in showbiz for many years and she’s now going into business with her rumored boyfriend. There are talks that she put up the business for her boyfriend who doesn’t have a job and there’s nothing wrong with that. It is a legitimate business and she has the money to put it up. The actress and the guy have been together for a while. In fact, he lives in a wing constructed for him in her house. He was already her BF when she was linked to her longtime costar, an actor who also has a girlfriend and a child with her. For a while, the actress was infatuated with her actor costar until she realized he was so set in his ways and she’s quite liberal. She knew that if they ever got involved, it wouldn’t last anyway. So it was the end of that and she left the show.

SHOWBIZ COUPLE

SO the showbiz couple was finally asked about the status of their relationship which has been a puzzle for netizens. Yes, they are separated because the guy cheated but his family, who is also showbiz in a way, has requested the actress if they could keep it under wraps for a while. She agreed because they also have a deal for a year with an appliance brand and it requires them to stay together. Now, we don’t know what happens after that year is over. Will the

THE actress was recently in the news because of a prank someone played on her and she remarked that she couldn’t understand why someone would do it to her because she is a nice person. People who have worked with the actress raised their eyebrows at the statement because for them, working with her was a nightmare and they knew exactly why such a prank was played on her. The actress used to own a restaurant and they remember that she invited them to eat there and they thought it was her treat but they were made to pay. That was OK until she remarked they shouldn’t expect things to be always for free.

These are people who earned so much less than her.

It was OK for them not to get a free meal but for her to bring them there, make them pay and say something like that was a different matter.

PROBLEMATIC

A YOUNG actor and a young actress are involved in a controversy where they allegedly were mean to a female colleague who is known for being a nice and sweet person. This is not first time that the young actor was mean to a colleague. He has always been problematic. He once bullied a young female star and also urged his other friends to do so by shading her on Twitter for her relationship with a male starlet (now the BF and baby daddy of another young actress). The young female star, who is wellliked, didn’t say anything. It was her friend who came to her defense. The young actor did it again to another young female colleague, who also happens to be his screen partner.

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Scott Porter, 42; Matthew Fox, 55; Jane Lynch, 61; Stan Shaw, 69.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: You’ll have plenty of options this year. Consider what will serve you best, and refuse to get bogged down with trivial matters. Keeping a clear head and staying focused on what you want to achieve will be your tickets to success. Rely on those who ground you and support and encourage your efforts, not those enticing you to be indulgent. Your numbers are 3, 10, 19, 22, 29, 35, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep the peace, use discretion, and avoid unnecessary changes at home or to the way you live. Pay more attention to getting along, spending time with someone you love and taking better care of yourself. ★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change will give you a new lease on life. Refuse to let the pettiness of someone stand between you and what you want to accomplish. Trust and rely on your ability to think matters through and get things done. ★★★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Be careful how you handle emotional issues. A discussion will turn sour if you aren’t careful how you explain your long-term plans. Discipline and paying attention to detail will help you overcome setbacks and avoid criticism and complaints. Work alone if possible. ★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Look for an unusual opportunity, and you’ll find something that intrigues you. Gather information, and study all the ins and outs before you take a leap of faith. ★★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Embrace change.

View life as an adventure, and turn any disappointment you encounter into a new beginning. Let go of what you cannot change and head toward the brighter side of life. ★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It’s up to you to make things happen. Don’t wait for someone to beat you at your own game or challenge you. Take a leadership position. By competing with yourself instead of giving others a chance to push you aside, you will excel. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do what needs to be done and keep moving forward.

Discussions will put you in an awkward position that requires you to make a premature decision.

Stabilize your financial situation rather than maxing out your credit. Physical fitness will ease stress. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Use ingenuity to develop the best way to use your skills without taxing yourself physically. Don’t let demanding people or an unexpected change cause you to miss out on something you want to pursue.

Expand your mind and options. ★★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Someone is likely to withhold information. Do your research, double-check essential details and question anything that sounds suspicious. Don’t rely on others, and be prepared to do the work yourself to avoid disappointment. ★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll be on the move and ready to take on the world. Ideas will come to you from a unique situation and help you bring about unprecedented changes that will improve your home life and your ability to use your skills uniquely. ★★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Put pressure on yourself to be and do your best. Set goals, get into a routine and aim to strengthen yourself physically. Don’t let changes at home bog you down or stop you from working toward being better and stronger. ★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You’ll be mesmerized by the unusual. Open discussions will encourage you to get involved in something that interests you. The suggestions you make will bring about positive change that will improve your life and the lives of others. ★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are dedicated, passionate and entertaining.

You are innovative and assertive.

‘ch-ch-ch-ch-changes’ BY KYLE DOLAN The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Instagram pictures, e.g.

6 A portion of 10 Pushup counts 14 “Inuyasha” genre 15 Bread with palak paneer 16 Highway sign 17 Cabinet at Domino’s?

19 Caesar’s accusation 20 Had a meal 21 Oldest March sister in Little Women 22 Bay Area metropolis, to nonlocals 24 Dejected 25 Cape Canaveral org.

26 Person who’s single, good-looking and irritable?

32 ___ for the course 35 Supports for certain swings 36 Chiwere-speaking tribe 37 Treat indulgently, with “on” 38 Shape of a watermelon’s shadow 39 At most, informally 40 Former Poet Laureate Dove 41 Opted (for) 42 Polo of Meet the Parents

43 ___ boom 44 “Dropped” drug 45 One with a black cat and mean canines?

47 Unwanted find in a stocking 49 Relieve (of) 50 Where to wipe your feet 53 “Every rose ___ its thorn” 54 Pollen pouch 57 ___ mater 58 Secret entrance to a rave?

61 Song such as “Islands in the Stream” 62 Law & Order: SVU actor 63 Kagan of the court 64 Miffed 65 Seated on 66 Worked with thread DOWN 1 NATO letter after Oscar 2 “Starting right away!”

3 Clothing tag number 4 People.com competitor 5 Charts for sailors 6 Cozy 7 Cereal grain

8 9 10 11 12 13 18 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 33 34 37 42 43 45 46 48 50

Safari runners?

Intensify, as an image Anemones’ homes Score after a touchdown Bread with tabbouleh Leave gawking Lamarr who held a patent for a Secret Communication System “No thanks” Use a blast furnace Guard dog’s warning Wanders Person showing a lot of potential One may streak past Earth Video game pioneer Platypus venom, e.g.

Upper storage space Extend your arms Sci-fi robot “Aquatic chicken” “Nothing but net” baskets Emeril’s exclamation Hair color associated with wisdom Give a keynote, say New ones often change many

51 52 53 54 55 56 59 60

diapers Ijeoma who wrote “Mediocre” Mediator’s skill URL opener Birria or bouillabaisse Common skin condition Neighbor of Cameroon ___ Speedwagon Bar offering

Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Image BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Wednesday, July 14, 2021

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Motivating tenured employees PHOTO BY MIMI THIAN ON UNSPLASH

W

HEN the majority of tenured employees leave an organization, it indicates changes in the management’s direction. It is possible that management deems some positions redundant, there are necessary changes in organizational culture, or the organization is cost-cutting because tenured employees are more expensive to keep. But when employees who have been with the organization for more than 10 years leave the company, they bring with them the wealth of knowledge from working with different units in the company.

Losing tenured employees can spell the difference between maintaining the quality of products and services an organization provides, and new employees who might not fully appreciate the background of the processes, workflows and professional relationships built over the years. When organizations focus more on profit than preserving institutionalized knowledge and maintaining their organizational edge over their competitor, you open the door for competition to take advantage of the experience and expertise of your people.

Maintaining tenured people in the organization helps keep it grounded on the basics of why the organization was built in the first place. But keeping them can also be costly especially if there are annual salary increases and if their total compensation and benefits are way higher than industry standards. And I guess that is the price an employer pays for the years of service, specialized knowledge, and discretionary effort from these employees.

You need to carefully consider not just the cost of keeping a tenured employee but also the knowledge and relationships they have developed over the years.

Replacing a tenured employee with two or more people sends a signal to others that you value profit more than their career development and professional aspirations. Getting someone in the same position with a lower salary also devalues their profession and demotivates incoming employees if they find out. But if you choose to keep tenured employees, there are several things you can do to increase their productivity and influence others to improve their performance. To help keep them aligned to the organizational changes and helping them adapt, provide refresher courses on their specialization and for them to keep abreast with emerging issues and how to address them. You can also encourage teambuilding activities to help them connect with new

members from different parts of the organizations, as well as reconnect and strengthen partnerships with other teams. This ensures your tenured employees are attuned to the whole organization and adapt as needed to organizational changes.

The challenge in disciplining tenured employees is when they rely on their tenure as a form of job security. This is especially dangerous when they keep the knowledge to themselves and refuse to teach others what they know. But there is really some institutional knowledge which cannot be taught to others. It would be good if your organization can codify those into processes and workflows but when it is heavily dependent on a personality, you increase the risk of losing that knowledge to other organizations, or, worse, your competitor.

Tenured employees also might develop an entitlement mentality because they have been with the organization for so long, while others resist change and defend what they have been accustomed to and thwart any organizational development. This can be prevented if changes are introduced gradually and people have a way of handling new changes in a safe environment.

An example is introducing a new software for

record keeping. The Information Technology group can create a testing environment where tenured employees can freely go through the software without affecting real data. This will help them get accustomed to the interface and at the same time see first-hand what happens when they use the new software. Change always comes with the risk of being rejected. But when people are provided a sandbox where they can safely interact with the change, it becomes easier for them to accept those changes.

Promote people based on proven competencies more than tenure. Organizations have the tendency to promote people based on how long they have been with them more than their skills or completed projects. Promoting performers helps people understand that tenure alone does not guarantee promotion but consistency in effort and accomplishments do. This will prevent people from slacking and relying excessively on years of service to the organization. Take note that some people stay in the organization because they have no other options outside, or they are not willing to develop their professional career. By promoting performers, you motivate those with longer tenure to perform better.

One of the effective ways we trained new leaders

in a previous organization was by sending them to cross-functional internships. We assigned them to a different unit where they will shadow and co-lead with the manager. Most of my management trainees told me that they had been with the organization for a long time, but they learned a different face of the organization on account of such internship. Sending them to different units expanded their view of the entire company and helped them appreciate their role in the entire organization. They were also able to pick up best practices and adopt them in their own unit. People might have been in the company for too long that they might not know other units. But when they are exposed to other units, they will appreciate their role in the organization better and find ways to contribute meaningfully.

Tenured employees offer more than their loyalty, expertise and the network they have built within the organization. They know how to get the work done properly and efficiently while keeping the peace in the workplace. They can become instrumental in motivating other employees to perform proficiently and eagerly. When motivated well, they can become the catalysts who will influence the entire work force. n

Ways mobile messaging can improve business performance

By Cristina Constandache Chief Revenue Officer, Rakuten Viber MOBILE marketing never stands still. Thanks to a potent mix of technological innovations and creative app implementation, marketing through mobile keeps evolving, bringing new, compelling ways for businesses to reach their customers. While once mobile marketing was a buzzword for showing ads optimized for mobile, now business messaging gives you one-to-one conversational marketing campaigns, transactional notifications, advanced automated AI tools like chatbots, and 24/7 customer support. Each of these tools lets businesses reach customers directly on their mobiles for unparalleled intimacy.

In fact, a single messaging app can handle your customers’ needs at every step of the customer journey, whether you are attracting new customers, converting them into paying customers, allowing transactions or staying in contact with them postpurchase. Messaging is an incredibly effective tool for reaching customers, too. Studies show messaging apps have an open rate as high as 75 percent, which is over 45 times higher than e-mail and nearly three times higher than push notifications. This is the power of personal, and that’s why mobile messages can help your business perform better. When you contact friends, you don’t e-mail them, you message them. Why would you treat customers any different?

Still not convinced? Here are seven best practice tips for using business messages to boost your profile, increase sales and delight customers. n Tell customers about a service they never knew existed. If your business has a new offering, why rely on ads to spread the word? Messaging can do the job so much better. That was the approach of Primer Group of Cos., a Philippine-based company engaged in the retail sale and distribution of consumer brands and products.

As most malls closed their doors because of the

pandemic and the corresponding quarantine orders, Primer enabled online purchases via Viber Business Messages to provide an alternative, safer avenue for customers to buy their needs during the lockdown.

To further encourage customers to shop through this platform, the retailer also ran an online voucher campaign, offering competitive discounts using the codes sent via Viber Business Messages. n Act as a personal shopper. Once they know about your offerings, customers need that personal touch to elevate the shopping experience. And just because they can’t get to the store, that doesn’t mean they should miss out on the expertise only a sales assistant can offer. In September 2019, Burberry started rolling out a messaging feature in partnership with Apple which allowed its best customers to

text sales associates to make appointments, ask for recommendations and even buy products. It’s the instore experience—wherever you are. n Upsell or cross-sell products. Once you have opened the channels of communication, it makes sense to capitalize by serving customers every which way you can, and that means offering complementary products and services. Upselling and cross-selling will not only increase engagement, they will also generate more revenue. Some e-commerce sites report that cross-selling and upselling account for 35 percent of their revenue. Look after your current customers, and they will look after your bottom line. n Enable frictionless ordering. Once customers are ready to buy, you need to make it as easy for them as possible. If you’re still asking them to log in to

your web site, and to confirm their delivery address, payment method and so on every time they buy, you’re taking up a lot of their time. And the more of their time you take up, the less likely they are to buy from you in future. But messengers make buying as quick and easy as messaging a friend. n Be there for them post-purchase. The customer experience shouldn’t end once they have made a purchase. Chatting through a messaging-forbusiness app is an invaluable way to boost customer lifetime value by making it easier for businesses to offer services and for customers to reorder items. It’s also a good chance to check in and make sure they are happy with their purchase. Because manners don’t cost a thing. n Provide delivery updates. Is there anything worse than waiting in for a delivery not knowing when—or if—it will arrive? Don’t keep your customers in limbo—keep them up to date with shipping updates. It will help them manage their expectations and keep them loyal. Because no one wants to wait in any longer than necessary, especially after a year of lockdowns. n Keep all related documents and conversations in a single chat. When it comes to future dealings with your company, a single messaging thread containing all your correspondence makes it much simpler to find relevant documents—for example, invoices, warranty documents, user manuals, and so on. It’s much easier than digging through multiple e-mail chains on various topics. Checking into a hotel? Just open your messaging thread with the hotel and quickly find your reservation details. Simple.

These are just some examples of how businesses can use messaging to win their customers’ hearts on every step of the customer journey. It’s impossible to predict what the future will bring, but one thing’s for sure—mobile marketing will keep evolving. Harness the power of messaging today and get a taste of the future of e-commerce.

B6 Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Sun Life products now available through Moneygment

GCash, Singlife give away free health insurance to over 20 million Filipinos

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ITH the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic had brought upon the country, digital financial service provider GCash has reported a massive increased interest in financial security among Filipinos. And to help everyone get on top of these new needs, GCash, together with mobile-first life insurer Singlife Philippines, are giving away free health insurance through GInsure to over 20 million eligible Filipinos for free.

With GInsure Cash for Dengue Costs with Free COVID-19 Coverage (CFDC) powered by Singlife, Filipinos can get cash allowance for tests and hospitalization costs related to COVID-19 and Dengue. The ongoing promo will give 3 free months of coverage to eligible TM, Globe Prepaid, Globe Postpaid, and Globe at Home Broadband subscribers.

“Our vision is Finance For All, and we do this by providing meaningful digital financial solutions that empower our nation – so we can make Filipinos’ everyday lives better,” Jean-Francois Darre, Chief Data Officer of GCash, stated. “Launching GInsure was a key element in fulfilling our financial inclusion mission as we are now able to provide Filipinos with access to relevant financial protection from unforeseen events.”

From 27 million registered GCash users reported in January 2021 to over 40 million in April – the demand for these online financial platforms as people continue to refrain from going outside is unmistakable. In fact, Darre disclosed that one of the key trends that GCash has observed is the increase of search queries on how Filipinos can get

easier access to wealth management and personal finance services.

He also shared that the younger generation attributes to most of the increased reception in financial security, wanting to preserve and grow their hard-earned money. Aside from savings and investments, insurance is also a top choice as it means having one less thing to worry about in the future.

“Previously, only a small percentage of Filipinos, usually the top percentile, had access to insurance. We want to change that by being the platform that connects all FIlipinos to accessible, affordable, and easy-to-purchase insurance products and services,” Darre claimed.

GInsure, like all financial services that GCash offers, may easily be availed via the app – ensuring that the entire application process and all approvals are secure. And with its current reach, GCash is opening the possibility for millions of Filipinos to gain financial security whenever and wherever, without the need to go out and meet agents, visit branches, and fill up long forms.

“Keeping Filipinos at the center of our mission, GCash and its partners seek to serve the interests and needs of Filipinos,” Darre shared “[And] one of the biggest fears of Filipinos has been unexpected medical costs due to illnesses.”

During this time where daily life is riddled with uncertainty, insurance can provide financial aid in case of unfortunate events – especially to those who are more vulnerable to sickness like frontliners and other Filipinos who need to go out to work in order to put food on the table. “Especially now that not all have the luxury to work from home,

we want to be able to help reassure them that despite placing themselves at risk, there is still a way for them and their families to stay protected with our affordable insurance platforms,” Darre commented.

For those who do not qualify for the free insurance promo, GInsure CFDC can be availed for as low as PHP 300 per year for up to PHP 140,500 of coverage, PHP 550 per year for up to PHP 281,000 of coverage, or PHP 700 per year for up to PHP 421,500. To reach more Filipino households, the insurance coverage may be extended to one’s family for up to one spouse and five children.

“In just a few months after launching inside the GCash app, we’ve already insured hundreds of thousands of Filipino lives,” Darre revealed. “But this is just one small step towards insuring the tens of millions of Filipinos nationwide and around the world.”

This is why GCash and Singlife has partnered with Globe to offer the free three-month promo. With the latter’s 80 million subscribers, the collaboration opens the doors for a lot of Filipinos to get financially protected – all but with just a few taps on their app.

“We believe every Filipino should have easy access to financial protection in the form of insurance. We want Filipinos to gain access to insurance products and services relevant in every aspect of their lives – so they can not only preserve, but uplift their current lifestyle,” Darre concluded.

If you’re a Globe or TM subscriber, head over to the GCash website to learn how you can avail your free 3 months of GInsure Cash for Dengue Costs with Free COVID-19 Coverage.

ABS-CBN foundation and Zarah Juan partner for the benefit of Benguet weavers

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HE ABS-CBN Foundation, in partnership with Zarah Juan, launched the limited edition Aduyon Sling, the product of a dynamic collaboration for the benefit of the Weaving Arts and Crafts of Tublay (WACoT). All profit from the sale of this special collection will be ploughed back to WACoT.

WACoT is a duly registered organization with the Department of Labor and Employment of 25 women weavers.

Zarah Juan, a social and cultural enterprise that supports communitybased social enterprises (CBSEs) all over the country, specially designed the Aduyon Sling using the products from the weavers of Tublay. This partnership

between ABS-CBN Foundation and Zarah Juan opened the opportunity for WACoT to turn their beautiful and vibrant weaves into a world-class product.

The WACoT weavers chose the name “Aduyon,” an Ibaloi word for the Filipino bayanihan, or working together as a community to achieve a common goal or dream. The Aduyon Sling is the fruit of the weaving organization, local government unit, the Foundation, and Zarah Juan all working together to achieve a shared vision of impact and transformation.

The seed fund for this project was given by Pride4PH through ABS-CBN Foundation International.

Part of the project is the facilitation of a community-based social enterprise training program for WACoT by the Integration and Area Development unit of ABS-CBN Foundation. The program touches on visioning and team building, as well as human resource management, operations, finance, and marketing and will provide all the basic skills so that they can scale their enterprise. This will not only facilitate knowledge transfer, capability building, but empowerment and support in an integrated approach to ensure sustainability to the partner community.

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ELF-EMPLOYED individuals, small to medium enterprises, OFWs who are currently in the Philippines, and unbanked Filipinos who are users of the financial app Moneygment will soon gain access to digital insurance products offered by leading life insurer Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. (Sun Life).

This is after Sun Life collaborated with Togetech, developer of Moneygment, to offer its Digital. Easy. Affordable. Life insurance (D.E.A.L.) products to the app’s users. These products include Life Armor, Personal Accident Armor, and Byahero Protect, all of which were designed to help Filipinos protect themselves and their loved ones financially, in case of life’s unexpected twists and turns.

For as low as PhP100 a year, Life Armor offers a one-year coverage worth PhP25,000 for death due to accident or illness. Byahero Protect, meanwhile, costs only PhP100 and comes with a PhP25,000 coverage for accidental death or dismemberment, with an additional payout if the cause of death is due to a land travel accident. As for Personal Accident Armor, it costs only PhP60 and offers PhP50,000 coverage for accidental death or dismemberment.

This announcement comes in the midst of the rising demand for digital insurance platforms.

“We at Sun Life understand that every Filipino’s priority is to secure his family’s future, and we are here to help them make it happen,” says Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head Benedict Sison. “This is what inspired us to expand our distribution channels and offer our most affordable and accessible products to Moneygment users.

We hope that by reaching more Filipinos, we can look to the future with hope, knowing that they have a partner in fulfilling their financial goals.”

Paying with EastWest card just got more rewarding

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HERE’S no denying that the pandemic has caused a lot of challenges on Filipinos, such as rising prices on just about everything. For motorists, increasing fuel prices are a cause for concern, and it would be great if they could find a way to save what they can on their fuel expenses and get greater value for their money.

Fortunately, there is a bank ready to help and ease the burden when it comes to rising fuel prices. EastWest has partnered with fuel company Unioil to provide exclusive discounts to both EastWest debit and credit cardholders gassing up at participating Unioil stations.

Getting the discount is simple. Just go to your nearest participating Unioil station and you’ll automatically get P2.50/L off for

Diesel, P3.00/L off for Gas 91, or P4.00/L off for Gas 95 and 97 when you inform the station personnel that you will be paying with your EastWest debit or credit card.

What’s better is that you can avail yourself of this discount three times and up to 80 liters every day!

This exclusive promo lasts until November 14, 2021, so gas up at Unioil using your EastWest credit or debit card today and start saving on fuel expenses!

For a full list of EastWest credit card promos, log on to https://www.eastwestbanker. com/Cards/CreditCardPromotions.

To apply for an EastWest credit card, log on to https://www.eastwestbanker.com/ info/ewcc_afnow.asp or visit your nearest EastWest store today.

MR. D.I.Y. Phils. opens 145th store in Alabang

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R. D.I.Y., one of the largest home and lifestyle improvement retailers in Asia opened its 145th store in the Philippines at Festival Mall Alabang. The celebration kicked-off with the store blessing and ribbon cutting attended

by MR.D.I.Y. Philippines and Filinvest Land Inc. executives.

The company’s first store with Filinvest Land Inc., started with the store blessing followed by the ribbon cutting. With 16,600 different products that every member of the family can choose from, MR.D.I.Y.’s product portfolio surely added excitement to Festival Mall Alabang’s customers shopping experience.

MR.D.I.Y. Philippines Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Roselle Marisol Andaya said, “we are very excited to open our 145th store here at Festival Mall Alabang. This is another milestone for us as this is our first

MR.D.I.Y. store in the Filinvest Land, Inc. and certainly not the last. So, I would like to sincerely thank all our business partners who are here today, thank you for giving us a chance to serve your customers by providing them with over 16,600 SKUs of products from 10 different categories. We are sure to cover the home and lifestyle improvement needs of each member of the Filipino family who Festival Mall Alabang serves. We hope to bring more excitement to the shopping experience of your customers when they step into our MR. D.I.Y. store.”

MR. D.I.Y. is currently offering the nationwide mid-year Mabuhay Super Sale with surprising big discount up to 30% on select products until July 31, 2021.

For more store opening updates and awesome promotions, visit MR.D.I.Y. official Facebook page at @mrdiyPH and corporate website at www.mrdiy.com/ph

AT the store opening from left: VP for Property Management and Mall Operation Cesar Francisco, Assistant Vice President - Lease , Filinvest Lifemalls Ms. Azl P. Narvaez, Chief Operating Officer of MR. D.I.Y. Philippines, Ms. Roselle Marisol Andaya, Assistant Vice President- Marketing, Filinvest Lifemalls Ms. Denise O. Lagayan, Senior Vice President - Mixed-Use, HRB, Retail Business Filinvest Mr. Joselito F. Santos, and Head for Business Development and Construction of MR. D.I.Y. Philippines, Mr. Ferdinand Gasis

Editor: Tet Andolong

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 B7

Tarlac City accelerates

economic activities with Cresendo

Build affordable housing within transit-oriented developments–Creba

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Artist perspective of Cresendo’s commercial district

At the heart of Cresendo is a 1.5-hectare central plaza with a church, school and a commercial district inspired by Tarlac City’s población.

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EW growth centers are emerging across the Philippines, propelled by economic dynamism, sustained demand for services, and strong investor sentiment. Despite the pandemic, the buzz of economic activity continues, and areas that are connected and easily accessible stand to become growth hubs.

Among the Philippines’s emerging business centers, Tarlac City stands unrivaled in terms of potential. Touted as a gateway to the North, Tarlac City is ready to benefit from the expansion of businesses from Metro Manila and is seen to attract more investors in the immediate future.

Located close to major air and sea ports like Clark International Airport, the Subic International Airport and Seaport, as well as expressways, such as the Nlex, SCTEx, CLLEx and TPLEx extension, Tarlac serves as a convergence point to service a multitude of industries. This leads to a greater concentration of socioeconomic activities in the area, providing it with a solid engine for progress.

“The strategic location of our city makes it a melting pot of different people and cultures. This diversity and accessibility will always open up the city to various opportunities and development,” said Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles.

A solid indicator of Tarlac City’s bright investment prospects is the establishment of Ayala Land’s Cresendo Estate. Reflecting its confi-

dence in the potential of Tarlac City, Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is investing P18 billion to develop the 290-hectare contemporary urban estate that will feature a 32-hectare Industrial Park, as well as a 42-hectare commercial district.

The estate will also host Don Bosco Cresendo, the newest campus of Don Bosco Tarlac, which will house its senior high school in 2023 and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Center in 2025. With these developments, Cresendo is geared to promote education, employment and enterprise, seen to propel Tarlac City’s progress in the years to come.

“Cresendo’s arrival in our city is a big boost to our economic activity—businesses will open, employment will open, and being in the heart of the province, all municipalities and [even] parts of Nueva Ecijia and Pampanga will gear towards Cresendo here in Tarlac City. In a way, Cresendo, I believe will be our partner in our development,” said Mayor Angeles.

More importantly, Cresendo’s entry will steer Tarlac on the path to economic recovery follow-

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cultural landscape. “When we talk about development, there is this fear that it might totally alter the historic landscape of an area along with its historical landmarks and identifying features, which is why we are glad to see that Cresendo adopted Tarlac City’s poblacion setup that has existed since the Spanish era, so instead of altering our historic landscape, Cresendo enhanced and complemented it, thus highlighting the rich history, culture, and heritage of Tarlac City,” added Mayor Angeles.

More importantly, Mayor Angeles believes Cresendo will be a driving force that will not just provide new opportunities for Tarlaqueños, but also serve as a pivotal partner to achieve the city’s long-term vision.

As the mayor shared, “Every new development brings within new opportunities for growth and progress.

I believe Tarlac City is on the right track towards becoming one of the top business hubs in the region and in the entire country,” she said. “Here in the city, we have the vision of one day becoming a clean and emerging economic giant at the heart of Central Luzon, so yes, we hope and we will continue to work hard to maintain and fuel this progress for the benefit of the people of Tarlac City.”

Open air cinema under the stars surrounded by nature

QC grants safety seal certifications to Araneta City

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By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

FTER complying with Quezon City’s strict compliance with minimum public health standards, Araneta City’s Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza recently received safety seal certifications from the city government.

“We are honored and proud to be among the establishments in the private sector to be given a safety seal from the government,” Senior Vice President for Operations of Araneta City Antonio Mardo said. “Since the start of the pandemic early last year, we have made it a point to ensure the strict implementation of minimum health standards set by our government, and to maintain the health and safety of everyone here in Araneta City.”

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte led the ceremonial turnover and posting of seal stickers on July 1 at the Gateway Mall. Other attendees were Margie Santos, department head of the Quezon City Business Permits and Licensing Department; Noel Leonor, chief of staff; Marjorie Go, assistant vice president for Marketing of Araneta City and Mardo.

The city government awarded the certificates to Araneta City after its malls passed the rigorous inspection of Quezon City’s Safety Seal Certification Committee. Moreover, Araneta City has been implementing the use of KyusiPass in mall and store entrances, and has been observing safety entrance protocols and regular

ing the challenges of the pandemic, opening up the city to more opportunities for its skilled labor force.

“One of the many treasures of Tarlac City that we can always boast about, is that we are rich in skilled manpower. Our work force is so diverse that we are capable of sending skilled workers here and abroad.

Agro industries, manufacturing, and the professional sector are some of the biggest work force recruiters in the city,” Mayor Angeles added.

Cresendo is seen to elevate and transform Tarlac City’s business ecosystem as it introduces world-class developments that will catapult the city among the ranks of Asia’s most dynamic cities.

“A major development, such as Cresendo, which is expected to increase local economic activities, provide enterprise and employment opportunities, and introduce innovations in education and sustainable development can help jump-start our recovery efforts, and usher in a new era of progress and development for Tarlac City seen and felt by each and every Tarlaqueño,” said Mayor Angeles.

Even as it gears Tarlac City for the future, Cresendo will be designed to complement the city’s historical and

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (left) and Araneta City Senior Vice President for Operations Antonio Mardo show the Safety Seal of Certification for Gateway Mall given by the city government of Quezon City. Other Araneta City malls were also given their Safety Seal of Certification.

sanitation in every establishment.

“This milestone signifies our continuous cooperation with the government in the fight against Covid-19. The Safety Seal reinforces our efforts to make sure that we minimize the threats of viral infection in the City of Firsts,” Mardo added.

Araneta City has recently partnered with Quezon City for the free use of Smart Araneta Coliseum and New Frontier Theater to assist in the faster rollout of Covid-19 vaccines.

Belmonte urged registered business establishments to apply and display the Safety Seal as proof that they comply with minimum health protocols, like the wearing of masks and face shields, and the use of KyusiPass. This was enshrined through the signing and implementation of Executive Order 13, s. 2021.

“As we proudly display the Safety Seal in Araneta City malls, our customers can be assured that their health and safety always comes first at the City of Firsts,” Mardo concluded.

ITH many people having no choice but to stay home and practice social distancing to curb the spread of Covid-19, homeowners of Amiya Raya (www.amiyaraya. com.ph), and their guests were treated recently to an outdoor cinema. The guests also enjoyed free unlimited popcorn, hotdog, mini waffles, and bottled water.

Health and safety marshals were present to ensure that everyone observed minimum health protocols that included the practice of social distancing and frequent use of alcohol-based disinfectants.

The outdoor movie screening was held just recently at Club Vihara’s open area, against the backdrop of scenic views for which the exclusive residential enclave is known.

Club Vihara is Amiya Raya’s clubhouse and sports and recreation facility. The north wing, scheduled to open mid-year, will host an indoor badminton court, a game room, a swimming pool, various fitness areas, event halls, and the Cafe Vihara.

At Amiya Raya located in San Mateo, Rizal, experience all these w ithout hav ing to maneuver through endless traffic in the metropolitan area. Only 15 minutes

away from the city, it is the perfect haven for those aspiring for a sanctuary that lets them take a breather from the daily rigors of work, but one that is also close enough to enjoy the modern comforts and conveniences of the city.

A 36-hectare master-planned resort community enveloped by nature, Amiya Raya is a place where you can invest in your dreams and wake up every day seeing them all come true.

Imagine a place where spending precious time with the family is not reserved exclusively for long weekends or holidays. Take them on cozy picnics on vast open spaces, or a day of adventure at San Mateo’s first nature park.

Enjoy a 270-degree panoramic view of nature’s masterpieces.

Watch the shimmering waters of Laguna de Bay and La Mesa Dam. Bask in the warmth of the sun as it rises from the peaks of nearby mountain ranges. Witness the sky display stunning colors as the sun sets over Manila Bay. Gaze at the scenic city skyline that seems to mirror a starry night.

Come home to beautiful views of the city. In a community surrounded by nature, where life is lively the way it’s meant to be.

Reni Salvador

By Roderick L. Abad

GROUP of real estate and housing stakeholders pushed for the building of affordable housing sites within transit-oriented developments (TODs) that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is either currently constructing, designing, or planning.

This was recently petitioned by the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations Inc. (Creba) to government’s transport and human settlements departments.

With the government providing the land, Creba National Chairman Charlie A. V. Gorayeb said that private housing developers can take care of constructing the residential units in these locations within or near mass transportation hubs.

This partnership, he added, can significantly increase the supply of decent housing and help improve the quality of life of a large number of still homeless Filipinos nationwide.

Approximately, the Philippines needs almost 7 million affordable housing units at present. This figure is expected to grow up to 20 million by 2040 if left unresolved by the government.

Of the 1.9 million informal settler families today, 478,899 of them live within Metro Manila, occupying many of our waterways and danger zones identified by the Department of Public Works and Highways as priority for clearing and improvement to avoid future widespread flooding in the metropolis.

Previous administrations have attempted but failed to address the massive housing need and relocate the informal settler families to disaster-free areas.

Gorayeb attributed this to the lack of available land in places where jobs and livelihood opportunities are concentrated.

The DOTr’s various transport projects, however, have opened up big opportunities to address the requirement for affordable housing with easy access to jobs and livelihood centers via improved mass transit systems.

Creba National President Noel Toti M. Cariño cited the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) that the agency has started to construct to connect the Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Calamba in Laguna presents a promising solution through a TOD. He said that under this concept, including sites for affordable housing near the stations upon land acquisition for the station buildings and its support facilities will provide private housing developers with sites to build the required housing units mandated of them by Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act, as amended by Republic Act 10884 in 2016, thus contributing to the reduction of the housing backlog, as well as to the resettlement of the families still living in danger zones.

Both the Creba officials envision that if only 10 percent of the 500-meter radius TOD areas of the six stations under Phase 1 of the NSCR were allocated for affordable housing, this can produce at least 37,000 housing units that can accommodate some 185,000 people.

This may be small compared with the housing backlog, but it can catalyze a continuous initiative to meet the increasing housing need all over the country.

Creba has tapped the support of the DOTr and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in recognition of the important roles that the two agencies play in national development, and the enormous potential contribution that they can both make in addressing the escalating problem of slums and homelessness.

It said that the mandates of these departments have direct impacts on the two crucial elements of affordable housing: land allocation and housing production.

Through the TOD approach, DOTr can provide the land necessary for the construction of the housing units, while DHSUD can facilitate the efficient delivery of the housing units in partnership with private housing developers.

The group is confident that this type of program, coupled with a creative longterm, low-interest and self-liquidating home financing scheme, which it has been pushing for Congressional approval, the government and the private developers sector can establish a solid foundation for effectively meeting the housing needs of Filipinos now and in the future.

Sports

PVL returns as pro league in Ilocos Norte on Saturday

BusinessMirror

By Josef Ramos

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IN a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and you go down as one—if not the most—of the most revered Filipino athlete or athletes ever.

Not only that. Win that mint and you’ll be financially secured for the rest of your life.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced on Tuesday that San Miguel Corp. big boss Ramon S. Ang upped the ante for an Olympic gold by offering a P10 million bonus to whoever wins gold in Tokyo.

“I officially announce that I am so thankful to Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel [Corp.] for committing P10 million for the first-ever Olympic Filipino gold medalist—the same bonus committed by MVP [Manuel V. Pangilinan],” Tolentino told the virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

“It’s now P30 million [cash] for an Olympic gold medalist as of today,” he added.

Doing the math, the P30 million extravaganza will be culled from RSA (Ang’s initials) and MVP’s total pledge of P20 million and the P10 million provided for by Republic Act 10699 or the Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act. RSA and MVP also pledged bonuses for a silver medal—P5

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RINCESS SUPERAL is ready for a repeat, Chanelle Avaricio is primed for a strong finish and Harmie Constantino is all geared up for a big rebound in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Eagle Ridge Ladies Classic that starts on Wednesday at Eagle Ridge in General Trias, Cavite.

Superal hit a clutch birdie to thwart Avaricio’s stab at a first Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) crown at Sherwood Hills last week with the multititled campaigner keeping herself in top form during the short break

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| Wednesday, July 14, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

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P30 MILLION FOR OLYMPIC GOLD IN TOKYO

million each—and bronze—P2 million apiece. Thus, adding the government incentive which the Philippine Sports Commission through Chairman William Ramirez will award, a silver medal will be worth P15 million and a bronze P6 million.

But wait, there’s some more.

The gold medalist, Tolentino said, will also be rewarded with a house and lot in Tagaytay City.

“If all of them win an Olympic gold medal each, we’ll give away 19 house and lots,” Tolentino told the forum presented by SMC, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. “We are ready.”

Tolentino said he expects a rainfall of rewards and bonuses in the next few days leading to the Tokyo Olympics which open on July 23 and end on August 8.

“There’s a lot more to come and maybe the rewards will rise to P50

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino also dangles a house and lot in Tagaytay City for every gold medal won in the Olympics.

million or the equivalent of $1 million,” he said. “That will inspire more athletes to work hard to give glory to our country.”

Nineteen Filipinos are competing in Tokyo. They are are runner Kristina Knott, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, rower Cris Nievarez, shooter Jayson Valdez, skateboarder Margielyn Didal,

taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, gymnast Carlos Yulo, swimmers Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule, weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Elreen Ando, golfers Juvic Pagunsan, Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan and boxers Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, and Nesthy Petecio.

Diaz became P7.5 million richer when he clinched silver in the Rio

Fiery showdown expected at Eagle Ridge in pursuit of another title at Eagle Ridge’s Norman course.

“Since we’re still under quarantine, I stayed in shape by training at home with a net and putting mat,” said Superal, who also won the first of two Riviera bubble tournaments late last year and finished second in two other LPGT events staged in new normal.

While opting to tone down expectations of another title conquest, Superal and the rest of the touring ladies expressed relief over the lifting of suspension of play due to pandemic that had kept them out of the fairways again the last three months.

“I have a goal this week but I don’t want to expect too much,” Superal said. “But we are all thankful (for ICTSI) for the tour resumption.

We’re very happy since there’s a number of tournaments lined up for us.”

Aside from the troika, Chihiro Ikeda, Gretchen Villacencio, Daniella Uy, Sunshine Baraquiel and Marvi Monsalve are also expected to contend for the crown in the 54hole championship held under strict health and safety protocols. Others in the fold are Pamela Mariano, Sheryl Villasencio, Lovelyn Guioguio, Sarah Ababa, Apple Fudolin and Eva Miñoza with Burberry Zhang going for a second straight low amateur honors against Korean

Jane Jeong and Arnie Taguines.

Avaricio, meanwhile, hopes to feed on her sterling windup at Sherwood where she nearly snapped a string of fourth places finishes and her closing 65 after back-toback 72s should further bolster her confidence this week as she shoots for that elusive victory, armed with a kind of motivation and a positive mindset that win championships.

“I’m gonna ride on this momentum and will continue to work hard for the tournaments to come,” said Avaricio.

On the other hand, Constantino, who beat Superal by two to mark her pro debut with a victory in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge last March, is eyeing a big comeback

CHANELLE AVARICIO is primed for a strong finish

Guinitaran lifts Pagadian against Zambo dribblers

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ICH GUINITARAN drained big buckets as Pagadian dropped the upset axe on powerhouse JPS Zamboanga City, 82-68, in the Chooks-toGo Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Leg on Tuesday at the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Gymnasium in Ipil.

Zamboanga rallied from as many as 13 points down to threaten by only three points on Jaypee

Belencions triple four minutes into the fourth quarter.

But Guinitaran had all the answers with him.

Guinitaran, a former Centro Escolar University standout who transferred to Arellano University late last year, scored eight straight points he capped with a putback off Mark Benitez’s miss to restore Pagadian’s lead to 11 with 1:51 left.

“What do you expect? Rich is

Home court keys Bucks’ rebound AL MENDOZA | alsol47@yahoo.com

THAT’S ALL THE Milwaukee Bucks bucked a looming sweep when they defeated the Phoenix Suns, 120100, in Game Three on Monday in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals.

No surprise there.

Before the victory, the Bucks held a 7-1, win-loss record at

Fiserv Forum, their home court where returning fans gave them their deserved dose of inspiration throughout the game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak, frolicked the most under the super friendly atmosphere, masterfully leading the must-win mission as the

LDT and Chery Tiggo gain the honor as the first two teams to play in the country’s first-ever professional volleyball league as the Premier Volleyball League sets off a milestone in the sport on Saturday with the Open Conference in Ilocos Norte.

Four other squads gear up for a spirited clash in the kickoff of the five-week tournament with Perlas slugging it out with Cignal HD and fancied Creamline testing the mettle of Sta. Lucia at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra.

Completing the 10-team roster are Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, Bali Pure and guest squad Philippine Army.

Play is a single round robin with the Top 4 teams advancing to the crossover semifinals, a pair best-of-three affair. Winners will then dispute the title, and the bragging rights as the first pro volley league champion, in another best-of-three series.

As part of the Regional InterAgency Task Force’s strict and health protocols together with the PVL Omnibus Guidelines, games will be held without audience although they will be telecast on One Sports (Free to Air) and One Sports+ (Pay TV) with both channels available for linear streaming on Cignal Play and on gigafest.smart.

The Crossovers and the Power Hitters usher in the inaugurals of the pro league held under the Games and Amusements Board 2016—P5 million from the PSC (incentives act), P2 million from President Rodrigo Duterte and P.5 million from the Zamboanga City local government.

Tolentino said the athletes who will represent the country are determined and highly motivated to win the gold.

“Definitely. This is our time,” he said. “We’ll win that gold as one.” after a final round meltdown at Sherwood where she led after 36 holes.

“I learned from my mistakes and took down some notes,” said Constantino, who closed out with a 72 and wound up third last week.

“I will definitely continue to work harder.”

This week’s event was actually scheduled after Constantino won at Aoki but the spike in coronavirus cases in NCR Plus had forced the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to suspend play due to heightened safety and health measures.

“But we’re really excited to be playing competitively again, so the next few weeks will be exciting,” added Constantino.

one of my main men,” Explorers head coach Harold Sta. Cruz said.

“Rich is a very versatile player and anytime he’ll deliver.”

Guinitaran was ultra-efficient with 26 points—on a hot 8-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc—to go with five rebounds and five assists for the Explorers who improved to 2-0 won-lost.

Keanu Caballero flirted with a

triple-double of 10 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Big men Gabby Espinas and Jerwin Gaco paced JPS (1-1) with 14 and 11 points, respectively, with Espinas adding 11 rebounds.

Playmaker Fran Yu did not play for Zamboanga due to a stiff neck, while Gino Jumao-as appeared to hurt his right knee after a collision down low only two minutes into the game.

Tuesday’s second game between Jumbo Plastic-Basilan and Petra Cement-Roxas ame, meanwhile,

was canceled because of the gym’s slippery floor.

The region has been experiencing incessant rains in the last several days causing the gym floor to be damped and slippey.

Bucks cut the Suns’ lead to 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

He recorded 41 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists, burying the stigma of a 118-108 loss despite his huge 42-point output in Game 2.

“I’m happy that I’m able to be out there playing my game,” said Antetokounmpo.

Right he was as gone were Phoenix’s piercing mocks of counting him out vociferously as he made his free throws in hostile Suns country two games in-a-row.

At Fiserv Forum, the chants of “MVP! MVP! MVP!” each time he stood at the line helped him produce a Finals best of 13-of-17

charities.

So aggression-driven was the two-time NBA MVP that he was driving, defending and dunking almost at will in spearheading a 54-40 edge at the paint.

While Antetokounmpo lacked scoring support from his teammates in the first two games, not in Game 3.

Jrue Holiday alone fired 21 points. He also helped immensely in starving Devin Booker, the hottest Sun averaging 29 points per game, to a paltry 10 points in 29 minutes. Booker would quickly become from scorer to spectator in the fourth quarter.

“They played with a great deal

of aggression than we did,” said Suns coach Monty Williams.

Since tomorrow’s Game 4 is at Fiserv Forum again, the Bucks can equalize? My gut feel rarely falters.

THAT’S IT By beating Italian dreamer Matteo Berrettini on Monday, 6-7(4/7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, Novak Djokovic did not only win his sixth Wimbledon but also scored his 20th major to tie Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the all-time best in men’s tennis Slams. If Djokovic, 34, wins the US Open in September, he does not only become the third man after Australians Roy Emerson

RICH GUINITARAN makes Pagadian look good.

supervision at 1 p.m. with Perlas Spikers and Cignal HD Spikers tangling at 4 p.m. and the Cool Smashers and the Lady Realtors mixing it up at 7 p.m.

The four other teams launch their respective bids on Sunday with the Angels and the Lady Troopers colliding at 3 p.m. and the Water Defenders squaring off with the Flying Titans at 6 p.m.

Games can also be viewed via live streaming on pvl.ph.

Though Creamline, which snapped a couple of third place finishes in its first foray in the then semi-pro PVL in 2017 with three title romps and a runnerup effort in the next two seasons before the league went on a hiatus due to pandemic, is tipped to lead the title chase with its stellar crew, the rest of the cast are ready and eager to prove their worth, whipping themselves up during the long break prolonged by a number of postponements due to the spike of coronavirus cases in the NCR Plus.

That also paved the way for the organizing Sports Vision to look for a venue that would meet the government’s specifics for holding such pro tournaments while conforming to the latter’s continuing effort to help stem the transmission of infections.

1st District Ilocos Norte Rep. Ria Fariñas first offered the province to host the launch of the pro league and worked with Gov. Matthew Manotoc to help facilitate the staging of the bubble tournament.

Thais dominate on home court

T

HE Philippines’s Jayrack de la Noche and Alexander Iraya dropped a 12-21, 14-21 decision to Thailand 2’s Netitorn Muneekul and Wachirawit Muadpha to open the country’s campaign in the Fourth Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, on Tuesday.

The seventh-seeded Filipinos kept the match close early in the second set only to lose steam against the sharper Thais who clinched a spot in the quarterfinals via a 2-0 (won-lost) sweep of Pool B. Seeded 10th in the 12-team tournament, Thailand 2 earlier scored a 21-19, 21-14 win over the second-seeded Australian pair of Ruben Gale and Connor O’Neill in last Monday’s opener.

Dela Noche and Iraya—whose participation is supported by Philippine National Volleyball Federation partners Philippine Sports Commission and Rebisco—must beat Gale and O’Neill at 9 a.m. [Manila time] on Wednesday to make it to the top eight.

“This is our last chance.

I hope we win through your prayers,” Iraya said.

The tournamnent is a qualifier for the FIVB U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Roi Et also in Thailand set from September 24 to 29.

Dela Noche and Iraya, standouts from University of Santo Tomas high school program, made their international debut in the Third Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships last week.

and Rod Laver to sweep the Grand Slam twice, but he will also emerge the undisputed GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in a sport he dreamed of dominating when he was growing up in Serbia, starting at age 7.

Likewise, if he captures both the Tokyo Olympics gold this month and the US Open, Djokovic, who took home the Australian Open in February and the French Open in June, will complete a rare Golden Slam—a feat achieved by pocketing all five majors in a calendar year. Steffi Graf is the lone author of that, recording it 33 years ago when she won all four women’s majors and the 1988 Seoul Olympics gold. OMG!