BusinessMirror July 16, 2020

PHL dollar reserves rise by $30M in June L

OOKS like the Philippine economy is building up its “immune system,” too.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported a $30.5-million increase in the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) in June, allowing the Philippines to hit an all-time-high level of dollar defenses amid the global pandemic.

The $30.5-million increase brought the Philippine GIR level to $93.29 billion, the highest on record anew, surpassing the already all-time-high GIR in the previous month.

The country’s GIR is the level of foreign-exchange holdings the Central Bank has during a given period. The GIR is a crucial com-

THE BROADER LOOK » B4-B5

PANDEMIC HIGHLIGHTS PHL PROPERTY PROBLEMS FOR POOR PINOYS

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ponent of the economy as it is often used to manage the country’s foreign-exchange rate against excess volatility.

The GIR represents the BSP’s first line of defense against a run on the currency, with the Central Bank drawing down on its reserves in times of stark Philippine peso depreciation and building up reserves when the Philippine peso enjoys an appreciation bias,” ING Bank Economist Nicholas Mapa said.

“The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected inflows mainly from the national government’s foreign currency deposits with the BSP. These inflows were offset, however, by the foreign currency withdrawals made

by the national government to pay its foreign currency debt obligations,” the BSP said in a statement.

At this level, the BSP said the Philippines has enough reserves to cover 8.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It is also about 7.3 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.8 times based on residual maturity.

According to ING’s economist, the country’s GIR is expected to rise further in the coming months despite the global economic slump brought about by the global pandemic.

“For the moment, BSP is not busy defending the peso, with the

currency one of the best performing currencies in the region despite the projected drop in OFW remittances. Meanwhile, a narrowing trade deficit has been positive for the Philippine peso and the external position, although it may have medium-term implications on the growth trajectory,” ING’s Mapa said.

“Thus, BSP will continue to remain present in the market to smooth out any sharp fluctuations in PHP spot trading and will likely look to build GIR further with the peso likely to retain its strengthening bias with global central banks opening the taps to help combat the fallout from the pandemic,” he added.

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

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DBM FLAGS BAYANIHAN ‘LOW UTILIZATION RATE’ www.businessmirror.com.ph

n

Thursday, July 16, 2020 Vol. 15 No. 280

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 20 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi are seen in split images of their virtual meeting on Tuesday (July 14). The Department of Foreign Affairs said they discussed Philippines-China relations, two days after Locsin, in a statement marking the fourth anniversary of the UN arbitral tribunal ruling on the South China Sea, said the award was “non-negotiable.” Story on A12. DFA PHOTO BY NILO PALAYA

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday prodded local government units (LGUs) to speed up their utilization of their respective allocations from the P37-billion Bayanihan Grant earlier released by the national government to help them better respond to the impact of Covid-19.

In Circular Letter No. 2020-10 signed by Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado, the DBM lamented the “low utilization rate” of the allocations of the LGUs from the Bayanihan Grant, citing initial reports on fund utilization and status of implementation of programs, activities and projects submitted by LGUs to the department.

Budget Undersecretary Laura B. Pascua told the BusinessMirror that 23.57 percent or about P8.72 billion of the P37 billion released to LGUs has already been liquidated with the department as of Wednesday.

“But actual utilization likely to be higher,” Pascua said in a message.

In the same circular dated July

10 but only uploaded on the website on Wednesday, the DBM noted a “low number” of LGUs that send a written notice to the DBM regarding the posting of their respective reports on fund utilization and status of implementation of programs, activities and projects, which is required under Local Budget Circulars (LBC) No. 125 and 126.

“Accordingly, this Circular Letter is issued to remind the LGUs to: (i) expedite the utilization of their respective allocations from the Bayanihan Grant; (ii) efficiently identify and implement P/A/Ps that are responsive in addressing the Covid-19 situation in the LGU; and (iii) strictly comply with See “Bayanihan,” A2

S&P: Banks to absorb Covid-19 pressure

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

M

OST banks in the AsiaPacific region can withstand the financial shocks brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, S&P Global Ratings said.

“In our base case, we expect that most banks in Asia-Pacific will absorb the hits from Covid-19,

and start to recover by the end of 2021,” the debt watcher said.

In the Philippines, analysts agreed that the local financial system is well-capitalized to endure the pressure from this crisis.

Preliminary data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show that the banking sector has capitalization amounting to P2.37 trillion as of May. This translates to

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 49.5440

a capital adequacy ratio of 12.62, which is above the regulatory requirement, for the same period.

However, S&P said this does not shield the banking industry from increased credit losses, lower earnings and other heightened risks amid the pandemic.

“The extent of defaults from borrowers, and banks’ credit losses, Continued on A2

JAIN: “The main risks are that the pandemic lasts longer and is more severe than we now estimate, and that no vaccine or treatment will be available before the second half of 2021.”

AFTER SHUTDOWN, ABS-CBN FREQUENCIES EYED FOR EDUCATION

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

A

DEPUTY speaker is pushing for the passage of a resolution recommending the temporary use by the government of ABS-CBN’s former television and radio frequencies as a means to provide alternative distance learning modalities to students this coming school year.

In filing House Resolution 1044, Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte—one of the 70 legislators who voted in the House committee on legislative franchises to deny ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal—said his proposal seeks to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the education system.

Villafuerte filed the resolution as the Department of Education (DepEd) is currently working to transition the modality of teaching from the conventional “face-to-face” learning to blended learning, or a combination of online distance learning and in-person delivery of learning materials to the homes of the learners.

Classes start on August 24, with a clear directive to shun faceto-face classroom encounters as part of health safeguards against Covid-19.

Villafuerte’s pitch comes a day after some quarters pointed out how one of ABS-CBN’s units, the multiawarded Knowledge Channel, had such a good reach and network and had been very helpful to the education department and private schools in conveying good content to learners.

“Exhausting all possible delivery modes such as the use of untapped television and radio frequencies as those vacated by ABSCBN is important in keeping students engaged amid the learning Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4620 n UK 62.2372 n HK 6.3920 n CHINA 7.0701 n SINGAPORE 35.6124 n AUSTRALIA 34.5520 n EU 56.5000 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.2096

Source: BSP (July 15, 2020)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Thursday, July 16, 2020

Search by house legal, but has no IATF nod yet Continued from A12

IBP chief

INTEGRATED Bar of the Philippines (IBP) national president Domingo Egon Cayosa also said that the house-to-house visits would be in accordance with RA 11332, which gives authorities the power to quarantine, isolate and penalize those who do not cooperate.

He explained that while human rights are guaranteed, they are “not absolute” if the welfare of the greater majority is at stake.

Noncooperation and other prohibited acts in RA 11332 are punishable by a fine of P20,000 to P50,000 and/or imprisonment of one to six months.

Cayosa said if a person has been clearly identified with the use of medical data as being positive, yet still refused to go to a medical facility, then the person may be charged for violating the law.

On the other hand, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said in a statement that using policemen to conduct house-to-house search for infected persons shows “the Duterte government’s continuing reliance on police and militaristic approaches to solve a public health emergency.”

“Although we are calling on the government to apply the find, test, treat and isolate strategy, arming law enforcers with another tool to sow fear in our communities and trample on our rights is worrying and disturbing,” NUPL said.

“In reality, what is prone to abuse is not home quarantine but this unnecessary power of the police to conduct home visitations,” the lawyers’ group added.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PhilHealth Q1 net income dips 83% as expenses outpace collections

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

TATE-RUN Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) suffered an 83.39-percent drop in its net income for the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2019.

Based on its financial statement as of end-March this year, PhilHealth saw its net income plunging by over P2.03 billion to P404.977 million as of end-March this year from P2.439 billion at the end of the first quarter in 2019.

PhilHealth Spokesperson Shirley Domingo, vice president of corporate affairs, told the BusinessMirror this was because of the increase in benefit expenses compared to

their collections. While there was an increase in total premium contributions as of end-March this year, this was outpaced by the surge in benefit claims expenses.

For the first three months of the year, total premium contributions rose by 13.17 percent to P38.077 billion from P33.644 billion as of end-March 2019.

However, benefit claims expenses jumped by 21.58 percent

to P38.813 billion as of the end of the first quarter this year from P31.923 billion last year.

Benefit claims expenses are benefits incurred by the corporation for health-care services, inpatient, out-patient, PCB, and Z benefit packages availed by the members and their dependents.

Of the total P38.077-billion premium contributions as of endMarch this year, P21.656 billion came from direct contributors, while P16.42 billion was sourced from indirect contributors.

Direct contributors include government, private, citizens of other countries working/residing in the Philippines, informal sector, self-earning individuals, among others.

On the other hand, indirect contributors include senior citizens, indigents, special government programs and “sponsored” members.

Premium contributions recorded as income for indigents,

special government programs and senior citizens come from the national government, while those for the sponsored members are being paid by another individual, government agency or private entity.

To recall, PhilHealth last month recommended postponing the implementation of the expanded primary care benefit package or Konsulta, which covers more illnesses, disabilities and maintenance medicines of members.

No less than PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Morales admitted that the agency expects to run a fund deficit by the end of 2020 and will be maintaining a shortfall of up to 2024.

Based on Morales’s presentation, the deficit will reach less than P100 billion every year starting 2021.

Thus, Morales said PhilHealth is asking for a P138-billion subsidy from the government for next year.

OVER 20-M LEARNERS NOW ENROLLED FOR 2020-2021

Joel R. San Juan

Displaced…

Continued from A12

BELLO issued the statement when asked about the possible government intervention of the government for the Covid-affected workers.

Based on its latest available data, DOLE registered over 121,000 displaced workers nationwide since the onset of the Covid-19 this year.

It also earlier noted it tallied around 400,000 Covid-affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Aside from providing these workers with alternative employment opportunity, Bello said there are also programs to provide them livelihood and loans.

Labor undersecretary officer in charge Benjo M. Benavidez said they will be assisting them so they will get their legal entitlements like severance pay, as well as unemployment insurance, if they are qualified for it.

Benavidez said they hope the number of displaced workers will be minimized in the coming weeks as the government gradually relaxes its quarantine restrictions to allow more businesses to resume their operations.

AP/AARON FAVILA

Other interventions

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VER 20 million learners have registered on the last day of enrollment nationwide, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday.

As of 8 a.m. of July 15—the last day of enrollment—a total of 20,220,507 learners or 72.7 percent of last year’s 27.7-million student population have already enrolled for School Year 2020-2021.

Of the total number of enrollees, 1,050,437 students enrolled in public schools across the country.

Education Undersecretary Jesus Mateo said that late enrollees in the

After shutdown, ABS-CBN frequencies eyed for education Continued from A1

crisis sweeping across the globe as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 [Covid-19] outbreak,” he said.

“The unused frequencies may also be used for information on Covid-19 prevention and control, risk reduction and preparedness,” Villafuerte said.

According to Villafuerte, the Philippines is among the countries experiencing a “learning crisis” because of the pandemic.

Citing a World Bank report, Villafuerte said the pandemic “is causing more than 1.6 billion children and youth to be out of school in 161 countries or around 80 percent of the world’s students.”

“Inequality and inaccessibility of opportunities such as those pertaining to Internet connectivity and possession of a laptop pose a variety of challenges for teachers and learners,” he said.

Moreover, Villafuerte said the former frequencies used by ABS-CBN will be especially useful in areas not yet reached by digital infrastructure, such as some of the communities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Earlier, Villafuerte noted that the decision of the House committee on legislative franchises not to renew the franchise of ABS-CBN

was a “tough and difficult” one.

“The 70 legislators who voted against renewal had arrived at a difficult decision in upholding the Committee Report, as it was convenient and popular to just vote for renewal, given the sustained media offensive of the TV network and its allies in the media—along with members of the political opposition who had shrewdly capitalized on this issue to score pogi points in the press by foisting phony issues upon the public at the expense of President Duterte,” he added.

Cayetano refutes Poe

MEANWHILE, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano refuted the claim of Sen. Grace Poe that the denial of ABS-CBN’s corporation franchise application was a “dangerous precedent for all other franchises.”

Contrary to Poe’s allegation, Cayetano said the recent action of the House panel has set strong precedent wherein the House of Representatives “will never tolerate anyone, including oligarchs, who will abuse the system and cheat both the government and our people.”

Cayetano said the denial should have a “chilling effect” only on those who would abuse the system and hold cavalier attitudes toward our laws, and even the Philippine Constitution.

public schools would still be accepted until last week of September based on Department Order (DO) 13 s. 2018.

Mateo quoted the order: “Schools may accept late enrollees provided that the learner will be able to meet 80 percent of the prescribed number of school days for each school year and the quarterly requirement to pass the grade level as governed by the latest existing applicable DepEd issuances.”

Exodus from private schools

MEANWHILE, Mateo also said that over 320,000 learners have transferred to public elementary and high schools from pri-

vate schools, state universities and colleges (SUCs) or local universities and colleges (LUCs) offering basic education.

“Transferees from private and SUCs/LUCs to public schools [are] 323,524—of which 300,877 [came] from private schools,” Mateo said.

Earlier, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones assured the public they are doing everything to be ready

by August 24 with the help of concerned government agencies, the private sector and nongovernment organizations.

“Every day there’s a challenge, every day an answer has to be found, ev-

ery day there’s a new development, every day there is a new question and the department has responded heroically and we are most grateful to each and every one of them,” Briones said, as she thanked her hardworking officials.

She also expressed gratitude to those who have given their trust to the department.

“It’s a question of trust: do you think, do you believe that we can deliver? We believe that we can deliver, thank you for believing along with us. Thank you,” the DepEd chief said.

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Wang, Locsin in ‘frank, cordial’ talks amid US-China word war Continued from A12

At the moment, he said the US remains an economic superpower and the current trade war is one of its attempts to prevent China from overtaking it economically.

Elon Musk, the American entrepreneur behind Tesla and Space X CEO, had predicted that the Chinese economy will surpass the United States’ at least twofold.

The two are the world’s two largest economies, although the US economy is currently larger.

Musk said China overtaking the American economy would likely cause increased tension between the two countries, which are already at odds on issues such as trade and 5G technology.

Sta. Romana, on the other hand, noted that the United States has also declared that it will not give up its primacy in the South China Sea, deeming it part of the Indo-Pacific strategy by the US, in its attempt to contain China.

“After World War II, the SCS was an American lake,” he said, adding, “the US statement pertains to maritime claims and not territorial claim.”

However, he said that although both sides don’t want to go to war in the SCS, there remains

the risk of an unforeseen incident or miscommunication that could accidentally lead to a shooting war—one that could possibly involve the Philippines.

He cited the example of what happened on Hainan Island on April 1, 2001, when a United States Navy EP-3E Aries II signal intelligence aircraft and a People’s Liberation Army Navy J-8II interceptor fighter jet collided in midair.

“Our role would be to prevent both sides from going to war by engaging in diplomatic, legal and political sphere to prevent bloodshed,” Sta. Romana said.

He warned those expressing a confrontational approach toward China to reconsider their stance, insisting that “the Philippines should want to approach our problem through diplomatic means in asserting our territorial rights.”

In our dealings with China, he wanted to clarify that “we do not want to give up an inch of the maritime features under our control.”

He said, “We try to do that through negotiations and to build up our deterrence capability, which is why we improve Pagasa Island, which is under our control.”

He said Manila has reached a modus vivendi with China that

there would be no reclamation in Scarborough Shoal, no blockade in Ayungin, and no objection to improve Pagasa,” which recently has completed a beaching ramp to accommodate ships.

“The Chinese will react if we build permanent structures in Ayungin and Sandy Cay, which were not there two years ago,” he said. The cay is a sand bar which is believed to have been part of the atolls and rocks that China excavated to create their man-made islands.

“Basically there have been red lines drawn,” the ambassador said, saying, it is important “to understand what we’re claiming, and that our stand in the Kalayaaan Islang Group (KIG) is [that it is] part of our territory.”

“The Chinese claim the whole SCS, including Kalayaan islands, that’s why there’s a conflict, so we do it through quiet diplomacy, bilateral consultation.”

“But this is not enough. Our point is that we’re doing the best under the circumstances. We lost Scarborough Shoal because of wrong tactics,” he said, adding that if the Philippines makes another wrong move in the SCS, “It will pounce on you, simply because they’re stronger.”

S&P: Banks to absorb Covid-19 pressure Continued from A1

will become clearer when governments unwind fiscal support, and banks end their loan repayment moratoriums,” said Sharad Jain, a credit analyst at S&P Global Ratings.

Jain is expecting “most institutions in the region will show a multifold rise in credit losses and a sharp drop in earnings in the next two to three years due to the Covid19-induced economic downturn.”

BSP data show that gross nonperforming loans (NPL) of the local banks reached P262.68 billion in May, which is 20 percent more than the P218.89 billion notched in the same period last year.

This is already 47.19 percent of the estimated amount of bad loans computed by BSP for this year. The Central Bank in May said the financial system is expected to book P556.6 billion worth of NPLs in 2020 amid the economic downturn.

S&P said it has already taken 50 negative rating actions on banks in the second quarter, adding it may downgrade more.

The debt watcher stressed that its ratings are dependent on the economic condition of the region.

S&P sees the Asia-Pacific economy normalizing only by 2023, noting that the region is expected to lose $2.7 trillion of economic output until next year.

“The main risks are that the pandemic lasts longer and is more severe than we now estimate, and that no vaccine or treatment will be available before the second half of 2021,” it explained.

Bayanihan…

Continued from A1

the posting and reporting requirements as prescribed under LBC No. 125 and LBC No. 126,” read the circular letter.

In line with the implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, the DBM, upon approval of the Office of the President, released the P30.824-billion Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities and the P6.197-billion Bayanihan Grant to Provinces.

Under LBC No. 125 and 126, the allocations of the recipient LGUs from the Bayanihan Grant may be utilized for the duration of the State of Calamity as declared by the President by virtue of Proclamation No. 929 dated March 16, 2020.

Funds which remain unutilized after the lifting of the State of Calamity, by Presidential Proclamation, shall revert to the National Treasury by the recipient LGUs. The DBM also said the LGU concerned shall immediately submit to the DBM a complete report on fund utilization of its allocation from the Bayanihan Grant.

Upon reversion of the undisbursed allocation of the LGU from the Bayanihan Grant to the National Treasury, if there is any, the LGU concerned shall formally notify the DBM and the Bureau of the Treasury of the details of said reversion, such as the amount reverted and the date of reversion.

Lastly, the DBM reminded local officials of their responsibility and accountability in their implementation of projects, activities and projects and proper utilization and disbursement of their allocations from the Bayanihan Grant.

“Failure on the part of the local officials concerned to comply with the pertinent provisions of existing and applicable budgeting, accounting and auditing laws, rules and regulations shall subject the erring local officials to penalties under existing laws,” it said.

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, July 16, 2020 A3

Subic Freeport posts 1st Covid-19 positives

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By Henry Empeño | Correspondent

UBIC BAY FREEPORT—After being free of Covid-19 infection under four months of quarantine restrictions, the Subic Bay Freeport reported its first positive cases on Tuesday, just two weeks after it eased into modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

According to Wilma T. Eisma, chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), a total of eight positive cases have been recorded here from the Covid-19 testing facility jointly set up by Philippine Red Cross and the Subic agency.

On Tuesday afternoon, Eisma said two residents of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone had contracted the virus. By Tuesday night, however, six more cases were known, as results from the SBMA-Red Cross testing laboratory came in, Eisma added.

“While there has been no recorded local transmission of Covid-19 in the free port, we have now two residents who have tested positive of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the infection,” Eisma said in her news statement issued

on Tuesday.

She said the first patient is a 22-year-old female, who received a visitor from Manila recently, while the second one is a 42-year-old male, who works in Laguna and comes home to Subic on weekends.

“Both are asymptomatic and in self-quarantine pending their transfer to an isolation and care facility,” Eisma said.

On the other hand, she said the six other cases “are just visitors in the free port, who were tested at the SBMA-PCR testing facility.”

Eisma said two of those who tested positive had reportedly left the Subic Freeport before their swab test results came out, while the other four are under quarantine here.

According to records, the six new cases are all female. The first two, aged 40 and 45, are residents

A MEMBER of the SBMA Fire Department disinfects the premises of a hotel in the Subic Bay Freeport under the SBMA’s heightened Covid-19 response.

of one address in Quezon City; the third is a 67-year-old from Palauig, Zambales; while the rest, aged 46,

17 and 14, are all residents of one address in Subic, Zambales.

Eisma said in the same state-

ment that she had also gone into voluntary quarantine as a precautionary measure after attending

the commissioning ceremony of BRP Jose Rizal, the country’s first missile frigate, here at the Alava Pier last Friday.

Eisma said she was informed that one of the Philippine Navy officials present in the ceremony had recently tested positive of Covid-19.

The SBMA official also noted that all the positive cases in Subic seemed to be “imported,” as six of them involved visitors to the free port, while the two residents either had an outside visitor, or had history of travel to other places.

“So we’re confident that there is still no community transmission here in Subic and we want to keep it that way,” Eisma added.

She said that the SBMA is doing all necessary contact tracing and other safety procedures like disinfection of public facilities and offices “to ensure the continued safety of all.”

“While this may be the price of economic revival when we have to open our gates to help heal the economy, it becomes clearer that our only road out of this crisis is eternal vigilance and mutual responsibility,” Eisma said in her statement.

“I reiterate my call for vigilance and strict adherence to established health and safety protocols,” Eisma also told Subic stakeholders. “We need your support now, more than ever, as we can overcome this pandemic only if we are stronger together.”

The Nation BusinessMirror

A4 Thursday, July 16, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

RTC judges told to strictly adhere to rule on expeditious destruction of seized drugs

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By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Office of the Court Administrator on Wednesday directed regional trial court (RTC) judges to strictly adhere to the provision of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, on the disposal of confiscated illegal drugs.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez issued the directive after a recent meeting with Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa where the latter disclosed that illegal drugs confiscated in their operations remain in their custody due to the delayed issuance of court orders for the mandatory destruction.

Marquez said judges should strictly comply with the requirements set forth in Section 21 (4) of the said law which mandates that after the filing of the criminal case, the court shall within 72

hours conduct an ocular inspection of the confiscated illegal drugs and paraphernalia and that through the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency proceeded with the destruction or burning of the same within 24 hours.

Marquez also reminded the court that under the said provision, “a representative sample, duly weighed and recorded, must be retained.”

“If, for some justifiable reason, full compliance with the above is not always feasible, judges hearing drug cases are strongly advised to prioritize and comply with the

above when the dangerous drugs seized amount to 5 kilograms, or more, conduct an ocular inspection within 72 hours from the filing of the information in court, then issue the order of destruction within 24 hours from the conduct of the ocular inspection, after retaining the required representative sample,” Marquez said in OCA Circular 118-2020.

He said that in cases where the illegal drugs seized is physically brought to the court, the court shall issue the order of destruction within 24 hours therefrom.

DND building, premises placed under lockdown for disinfection

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HE Department of National Defense (DND) has shut down its offices in Quezon City on Wednesday after one of the staff of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was found positive for Covid-19.

The DND imposed the lockdown as its employees also underwent testing for the coronavirus at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

“In accordance with prescribed biosecurity protocols, the Department of National Defense Proper will effect a lockdown beginning 12 noon today, 15 July 2020, in order to give way to the disinfection of the DND’s Main Building and premises,” the DND said in a news statement.

“Normal office operations will resume on Friday, 17 July 2020,” it added.

On Tuesday, Lorenzana disclosed that his military staff tested positive for the Covid-19. The officer however only learned about it while he and Lorenzana were already on their way to Sulu on Monday.

The defense chief was among the officials who showed up in the province in connection with President Duterte’s visit there.

Another official, Armed Forces Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Felimon Santos Jr., was also present during the visit of the Commander in Chief.

Lorenzana, who went on a selfimposed quarantine beginning on Tuesday, said his military staff went on isolation while they were

in Sulu and the officer returned to Manila wearing personal protective equipment.

Like the defense chief, Santos also went on a quarantine.

Staff and other people who were with Lorenzana and Santos in the trips going to and returning from Sulu have been advised about the case.

Lorenzana said that the same officer was also with him on Friday during the christening of the Navy’s brand new frigate BRP Jose Rizal at the Alava Wharf in Subic.

Following the reported case and the lockdown of the DND, medical personnel from the VMMC conducted mandatory rapid testing for DND employees on Monday.

A total of 294 DND employees underwent rapid testing. Rene Acosta

TFBM chief assures VIRUS HALTS OPERATIONS Marawi City rehab OF DAR CENTRAL OFFICE remains on track IN Q.C. UNTIL AUGUST 2 despite contagion

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

By Cai U. Ordinario

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@caiordinario

HE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) remains confident that the government would be able to substantially complete the rehabilitation of the war-ravaged Marawi City despite the raging virus pandemic.

In a news statement, DHSUD Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said the government will be able to meet its December 2021 target, which, he pointed out, is well within the Duterte administration’s term.

This will be aided by the P3.56 billion worth funds that has been approved by the President to Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) implementing agencies to continue its projects and programs.

“As committed, almost all infrastructure projects within MAA [most affected area] are now in full blast,” del Rosario said. “Our timetable for completion will be within the term of President Duterte. And we are on target.”

Among the key public structures soon to rise inside MAA are the Grand Padian Central Market, the Marawi City Museum and some 24 new barangay halls with each having its own health center and madrasah.

Del Rosario also said the government continued to provide relief aid and housing assistance to families displaced by the siege despite the pandemic.

He, likewise, stated during a previous Senate online hearing that Marawi’s rehabilitation, as well as the funds allotted for the rebuilding program, remains on track in spite of the health crisis.

The TFBM chairman is currently in Marawi City to inspect rehabilitation works within the MAAs and to break ground on several other infrastructure projects.

He will lead a lighting ceremony organized by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc., which had started setting up power distribution lines inside the MAA last month ahead of Ground Zero’s nearing full energization.

Del Rosario will also grace a demolition ceremony of the Bato Mosque in Barangay Dansalan with members of a royal clan before leading the groundbreaking of a fire station in Barangay Moncado Kadingilan.

The historic mosque was where the group of Catholic priest Fr. Chito Suganod were held for days at the height of the five-month siege laid by the Daesh-inspired Maute terrorist group.

O

@jonlmayuga

PER ATIONS of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office in Quezon City, including its regional offices in Region 4A and 4B were suspended on Tuesday due to Covid-19 concerns.

DAR Secretary John R. Castriciones has ordered an immediate lockdown of the DAR Central Office (DARCO) in Quezon City around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, upon learning that one of the DAR officials is positive of the dreaded disease.

Castriciones issued a memorandum ordering the immediate closure of the DARCO, including its regional offices in Region 4A and 4B, since both offices are also housed in the DARCO compound, from July 15 to August 2, 2020.

During the lockdown, period, all personnel shall be working from home.

Castriciones also ordered a complete disinfection in the whole DAR building during the lockdown.

At the same time, the DAR chief instructed Administrative Services Director Primo Lara to closely coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) for the swab testing of all DAR employees who had direct contact with the official who contracted the virus.

These employees will be tested from July 16 to July 18, 2020.

Castriciones said the Chief Protocol Officer for DAR would conduct a comprehensive contact tracing for the purpose of reporting findings to the DOH. Castriciones also instructed all DAR employees to report their health status to their respective section heads for monitoring and safety protocols.

For the time being, the agrarian reform chief assured that critical office functions shall be manned by a skeletal work force during the lockdown period.

Castriciones, however, noted that the lockdown may be lifted, or extended, depending on the health emergency situation and results of the swab tests.

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the DAR has not slowed down its land-distribution effort, with Castriciones himself, even going on house-tohouse visits to personally hand over Certificates of Land Ownership Awards, especially to aged beneficiaries, or awardees, of parcels of land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

Court blocks departure of ship officers in sea mishap

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

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LOCAL court in Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro has granted the petition of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to issue a hold departure order (HDO) against the top officers of a Hong Kong-flagged carrier vessel, which collided with a local fishing boat last month in the waters of the province.

The order was issued by Judge Ulysses Delgado of Regional Trial Court, Branch 44 against the key officers of the Australian-bound MV Vienna Wood, which collided with the F/V Liberty 5 in the waters of Mamburao on June 27.

All the 12 crewmen and two passengers of the local fishing boat, which sank as a result of the collision, have not been recovered despite a weeklong search by the Coast Guard, maritime policemen and even by the Navy.

“In relation to the Criminal Complaint for Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Multiple Homicide and Damage to Property against Nomikos Transworld Maritime; Ship Captain Zhang Wei Wei; Shi Bin, third officer; Yang Xifeng, chief officer; Yi Lie second officer, the Precautionary Hold Departure Order that our legal team filed against the Respondents was granted,” said Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo.

Nomikos is the owner of the MV Vienna Wood, which sailed from the Subic Freeport before the incident.

Earlier,PCGCommandantViceAdmiralGeorgeUrsabiaJr.assuredthefamilies of the 14 missing crewmen and passengers of F/B Liberty 5 that they would help them in filing a civil case against Nomikos and the officers of the Vienna Wood.

RITM slows down testing anew due to breakdowns

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco Correspondent

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HE Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) suffered another setback after some of its personnel have to undergo quarantine amid equipment breakdowns, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

“Actually the RITM scaled down [its operations ] again the other day [after] some of their staff have to undergo quarantine,” Vergeire said in a virtual media forum with health reporters on Wednesday morning.

She added that they have been monitoring the situation in RITM since last week.

There are currently almost 12,000 testing backlogs in the labs across the country and half of these samples are in RITM. She said that they have already coordinated with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to accommodate the samples from RITM. Sen. Richard J. Gordon, chairman and chief executive officer of the PRC, said that they will help process 6,500 specimens from RITM. Meanwhile, the health official also noted an increase in the number of samples being submitted and processed to expanded testing protocol.

“When RITM announced the scale down, we already identified zones that can help process the samples so that the backlog will be cleared,” Vergeire said.

In April, the RITM had to scale down its laboratory operations for decontamination of its facilities and thorough testing of its employees after 43 of them tested positive for Covid-19.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

such as aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces and first cousins.

3.7 Coupon Use Sequence 3.7.1 Lanmei Airlines will honor flight coupons, or in the case of an electronic ticket, an electronic coupon, only in sequence from the place of departure as shown on the ticket.

Lanmei Airlines (Cambodia) Co.,Ltd. General Conditions of Carriage of Passengers and Baggage 2.0 Version

Article Revised

1.0

9.1.3,

2.0

Article 9

3.7.2 Lanmei Airlines may not honor the passenger’s ticket if the first flight coupon for travel has not been used and the passenger commences his journey at any stopover or agreed stopping place.

Details of Revision

Revisedby

Issuing Date

The first version

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Sep, 2017

Patrick YIN

Apr, 2019

Specify “4 or more than 4 hours” Revise “flight accommodations” to be “traffic options”

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS 1. The definitions of the following expressions in the “Lanmei Airlines (Cambodia) Co.,Ltd. General Conditions of Carriage of Passengers and Baggage” (hereinafter referred to as the Conditions), except where the specific article otherwise requires or where it is otherwise provided, are as follows: 1.1 “Convention”, refers to the instrument(s) used according to the stipulations of the contract: “The Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air”, signed in Warsaw, October 12, 1929 (hereinafter referred to as the Warsaw Convention); “The Warsaw Convention as Amended at The Hague”, signed in The Hague, September 12, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as the Hague Protocol); “The Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air”, signed in Montreal on May 28, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as the Montreal Convention).

1.2 “Carrier” means the public air transportation corporation who issues the Ticket, transports or commits to transport the passenger listed on the ticket and their baggage.

1.3 “Code Shares or Code Share Flights” means a carrier uses its flight number on the other operating carrier’s aircraft or many airlines use their unique flight number on the same aircraft by agreement.

1.4 “Issuing Carrier” means a carrier, whose Designator Code appears on the Coupon.

1.5 “Lanmei Airlines” – an abbreviation of Lanmei Airlines (Cambodia) Co.,Ltd. 1.6 “Lanmei Airlines Regulations” means those regulations, which will be in effect for both sides once the ticket is issued, and are legally formulated and released by Lanmei Airlines for the purpose of supervision of its passengers and transportation of their baggage. Effective applicable ticket fares and conditions are included.

1.7 “Authorized Sales Agent” means a passenger sales agent who has been appointed by the carrier to represent the carrier in the sale of air transportation and also, having gained its authorization, for other carriers.

1.8 “Passenger” means any person, except members of the crew, carried or to be carried by an aircraft with the consent the Carrier.

1.9 “Children” means any person whose age is above two (2) years and below twelve (12) years on the date of the commencement of travel.

1.10 “Infant” means any person whose age is above fourteen (14) days and below two (2) years on the date of commencement of travel.

1.11 “Ticket” means a valid document sold or approved and ensured by the carrier or its authorized agent, including paper tickets and electronic tickets. A paper ticket is proof of the so-called “Ticket” and the baggage check, which is issued by the Carrier or its authorized agent. A paper ticket contains information including the conditions of the contract of transport, statements, notices, and the flight and passenger coupon. An electronic ticket is an electronic replacement for an ordinary paper ticket.

3.7.3 Each flight coupon, or in the case of an electronic ticket, an electronic coupon, will be accepted for carriage by Lanmei Airlines in the class of service specified therein on the date and flight for which accommodation has been reserved. When flight coupons, or in the case of an electronic ticket, electronic coupons, are issued without a reservation being specified thereon, space will be reserved on application subject to the conditions for the relevant fare and the availability of space on the flight applied for.

3.7.4 If the passenger fails to or has failed to use the flight coupons in sequence, Lanmei Airlines is entitled to re-compute the fares in accordance with the Regulations for the use of said coupons and the passenger is liable to pay Lanmei Airlines for any difference between the recomputed fares and the fares already paid by or due from the passenger.

ARTICLE 4 FARES AND FEES

4.1 General Fares apply only for carriage from the airport at the point of origin to the airport at the point of destination. Fares do not include ground transport service between airports and between airports and town centers.

4.2 Applicable Fare Applicable fares for carriage are published by Lanmei Airlines or those on behalf of Lanmei Airlines or, if not so published, constructed in accordance with Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations. Except where it is otherwise expressly provided, the applicable fare is the fare for the flight or flights in effect on the date of commencement of the carriage covered by the first flight coupon of the ticket.

If the itinerary or the date of travel changes after the passenger purchases the ticket, the difference shall be paid by the passenger, or, except where it is otherwise expressly provided, refunded by Lanmei Airlines, in accordance with Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

4.3 Routing Fares apply only to routing published in connection therewith. If there is more than one routing at the same fare, the passenger may specify the routing prior to issue of the ticket. If no routing is specified, it is up to Lanmei Airlines to provide routing for the passenger to select and confirm.

4.4 Taxes and Charges Any tax or charge imposed by a government or other relevant authority, or by the operator of an airport, in respect of a passenger or the use by a passenger of any services or facilities will be in addition to the published fares and charges and shall be payable by the passenger. It is up to Lanmei Airlines to collect the payment. When the passenger purchases tickets, Lanmei Airlines will inform of the specific taxes and charges not included in the ticket price.

4.5 Currency Except where otherwise provided, passengers should pay fares and charges in the currency of the place of issuance of the ticket.

When payment is made in a currency other than the currency in which the fare is published, such payment will be made at the rate of exchange displayed after calculation on the information system.

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When travelling with Lanmei Airlines, in the event of the carriage of a passenger or baggage being refused, the carriage service department will carry out the necessary post-processing for passengers and baggage that have been refused carriage in accordance with the relevant provisions of Lanmei Airlines’ Ground Service Guarantee Handbook.

8.1 Items Prohibited and Limited as Baggage

ARTICLE 8 BAGGAGE

8.1.1 Items which are unacceptable as baggage 8.1.1.1 Items which do not constitute baggage as defined in Article 1 hereof.

8.1.1.2 Items which are likely to endanger the aircraft or persons or property on board the aircraft specified in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, the Dangerous Goods Regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and in Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations. Especially those following prohibited articles: explosives, compressed gases, corrosive substances, oxides, radioactive or magnetized objects, flammable, poisonous, dangerous or irritating substances. For more information about the relative substances, please contact Lanmei Airlines.

8.1.1.3 Items whereby the carriage of which is prohibited by the applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state to be flown from, to or as part of a stopover.

8.1.1.4 Items which are unsuitable for carriage by reason of their package, shape, weight, size or character.

8.1.1.5 Live animals, except as provided for in 8.12 of this Article.

8.1.2 Items which are not transported as checked baggage The passenger shall not include in checked baggage fragile or perishable items, money, jewelry, antiques, precious metals, gold and silver products, negotiable papers, securities, bank cards, credit cards or other valuables, business, government or private documents, passports and other identification documents, samples, medicine or medical devices or equipment, keys, computers, video cameras, cameras, mobile phones or other valuable electronics. Lanmei Airlines is not liable for losses or expenses caused by a passenger’s negligence.

8.1.3 Items which are limited in transportation The following items, which may be agreed to by Lanmei Airlines and in accordance with Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations, are permitted to be transported.

8.1.3.1 Guns and ammunition for hunting and sporting purposes may be accepted as Checked Baggage with a gun carriage permit or proof of approval from the State General Administration of Sports. Guns must be unloaded with the safety catch on, and be suitably packed. Carriage of ammunition is subject to ICAO and IATA regulations, as well as applicable national laws, regulations, or orders from countries of departure, arrival and those in passing.

11.5.2 If a portion of the Ticket has been used, as provided in Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations, the refund amount is equal to the applicable fare for the part of the journey not traveled. No cancellation charge will be collected.

8.2.2 Lanmei Airlines may refuse to accept baggage as checked baggage unless it is properly packed in suitcases or other similar containers to ensure safe carriage with ordinary care in handling.

11.6 Voluntary Refunds

5.4 Seating Except for providing seats for passengers who have a reserved flight and class of cabin, Lanmei Airlines does not guarantee to provide any particular seat in the aircraft. Because of the need for travel, safety and security, the carrier will maintain his/her allotted or reallotted seating right on the plane, even after the passenger has boarded the plane.

5.5 Reconfirmation of Reservation Lanmei Airlines does not require reconfirmation of reservations for continuing or return flights that have already been booked.

However, if the ticket contains flights which connect to another carrier’s flight, it may be subject to the operating carrier’s requirement of reservation reconfirmation. In the event of failure to comply with any such requirement, the carrier has the right to cancel the passenger’s reservation and Lanmei Airlines is not liable to the passenger for loss or expense resulting from this. Passengers should first inquire about reconfirmation of reservation requirements of the other relevant carriers, and if reconfirmation of reservations is required, the passenger should comply with the reconfirmation rule directly with the carrier whose code is shown on the ticket.

6.1 Check-in

The passenger shall arrive in sufficient time at Lanmei Airlines’ given boarding gate after check-in and completing all government formalities. If the passenger fails to arrive in time or appears improperly documented or not ready to travel, Lanmei Airlines may cancel the reserved space for the purpose of not delaying the flight’s departure, and without the liability to the passenger for loss or expense due to the passenger’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Article.

7.1 Right to Refuse Carriage

ARTICLE 7 CARRIAGE REFUSALS AND RESTRICTIONS

1.20 “Unchecked Baggage” means any baggage of the passenger which the passenger takes sole custody of other than checked baggage, also referred to as “carry-on baggage”.

7.1.2 Except to the extent caused by a physical or mental disability as required by applicable law, the passenger is not fit for travel because of his/her conduct, age, or mental or physical state, or discomfort by making himself objectionable to other passengers, or involvement of any hazard or risk to himself or herself or to other persons and property.

ARTICLE 2 SCOPE OF USE

2.1.1 Except as provided in 2.1.2, 2.2 and 2.3, these Conditions apply to all domestic and international carriage by air of passengers and baggage performed by Lanmei Airlines for monetary compensation.

2.1.2 These Conditions also apply to no-charge and reduced fares carriages except to the extent that Lanmei Airlines has provided otherwise in its regulations or in the relevant contracts or tickets.

2.1.3 Unless otherwise provided, in the event of any inconsistency between these any other regulations Lanmei Airlines may have dealing with particular subjects, these General Conditions of Carriage shall prevail.

2.2 Charter According to the transportation incorporated in the charter agreement, passengers and baggage that have been accepted to transportation by charter should accord with Lanmei Airlines’ charter agreement provisions. These Conditions shall be taken as final when the context is outside the charter agreement.

2.3 Exceptions To the extent that any provision contained or referred to herein is contrary to anything contained in the Conventions, laws, government regulations, orders or requirements, those Conventions, laws, government regulations, orders or requirements shall be taken as final. The other provisions of these Conditions remain valid.

ARTICLE 3 TICKETS 3.1 Ticket is Preliminary Evidence of the Contract of Carriage The ticket is the preliminary evidence of the contract of carriage between the issuing carrier and the passenger. The carrier will provide carriage only to the passenger holding such a ticket, or any other carrier document issued by the carrier or its authorized agent and will assume liability pursuant to these carriage provisions. The ticket remains at all times the property of the issuing Carrier indeed. The Conditions of Contract contained on the ticket are a summary of some of the provisions of these Conditions of Carriage.

3.2 Provisions for Using Tickets 3.2.1 A person who uses a paper ticket shall not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless that person presents a ticket that is valid and duly issued in accordance with Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations and contains the flight coupon for that flight and all other unused flight coupons and the passenger coupon. A passenger shall furthermore not be entitled to be carried if the ticket presented is damaged and incomplete or if it has been altered otherwise than by Lanmei Airlines or its Authorized Agent.

7.1.3 The passenger has failed to observe the instructions of Lanmei Airlines or the government, or has not abided by the Lanmei Airlines crew’s arrangement and advice.

7.1.4 The passenger has refused to submit to a security check (personal or baggage).

7.1.5 The passenger has not, according to the regulations, paid the applicable fares or taxes or Lanmei Airlines does not accept his/her credit payment.

7.1.6 The passenger does not show his passport, visa or other valid travel documents.

7.1.7 The passenger may seek to enter a country illegally through which he is in transit, or may destroy his documentation during the flight, or will not surrender travel documents to be held by the flight crew, against receipt, when so requested by Lanmei Airlines.

7.1.8 The ticket has been acquired unlawfully or has been purchased from an entity other than the issuing Carrier or its Authorized Agent, or has been reported as being lost or stolen, or is a counterfeit ticket, or has been altered by anyone other than the Carrier or its Authorized Agent, or has been mutilated. Lanmei Airlines reserves the right to retain such paper tickets.

8.3 Right of Check For reasons of carriage safety and security, Lanmei Airlines can check passenger’s baggage according to the regulation. For the purpose of determining whether passenger carried or carried secretly items in the baggage described in 8.1.1and 8.1.3 above, Lanmei Airlines may check, scan or X-ray check the passenger’s baggage even if he or she does not present. If any damage occurs because of the X-ray check or scan, Lanmei Airlines takes no responsibility unless the damage is the result of a Lanmei Airlines negligence. If the passenger is unwilling to comply with such a request, Lanmei Airlines may refuse to carry the passenger or the baggage.

8.4 hecked Baggage 8.4.1 Upon delivery to Lanmei Airlines of baggage to be checked, Lanmei Airlines shall take custody thereof and issue a baggage identification tag for each piece of checked baggage.

7.3.1 Unaccompanied Minors Children aged below 12 shall not be accepted for carriage unless they are accompanied by a person of at least 18 years old.

7.3.2 Young Passenger Travelling Alone (YPTA) Children aged between 12 and 16 shall be accepted for carriage only if a parent or a legal guardian signs a Limited Liability Statement upon check-in.

7.3.3 Pregnant Guests 7.3.3.1 Pregnancy up to 27 weeks (inclusive): Guest must sign Lanmei Airlines Limited Liability Statement at the time of check-in to absolve Lanmei Airlines against any liabilities arising there from

In case of loss or mutilation of a ticket (or part of it) or non-presentation of a Ticket containing the Passenger Coupon and all unused Flight Coupons, the passenger shall take full responsibility.

3.3.2 Reporting the Loss of Tickets 3.3.2.1 In case of loss or mutilation of a ticket (or part of it) or non-presentation of a Ticket containing the Passenger Coupon and all unused Flight Coupons, the passenger should file a written loss report at a ticket office of Lanmei Airlines or its sales agent.

3.3.2.2 When reporting the loss of a ticket, the passenger should show his or her valid identification and provide the date, place and itinerary of the ticket that was originally purchased. If the person who reports the loss of ticket is not the actual passenger, the valid identification card of this person and a notarized letter which the passenger has signed should be presented.

3.3.3.3 Before the passenger reports the loss of a ticket, in case of any fraud or use of the whole (or part) of the ticket by a third party, Lanmei Airlines will not be liable and may refuse a refund for the lost ticket or a replacement for the ticket.

3.3.3 Repurchasing Tickets Passengers can repurchase the ticket according to the original schedule and date and apply for a refund of the lost ticket.

3.3.4 Refund for Lost Tickets If passenger wants to refund the lost ticket directly, he or she must report the lost ticket according to 3.3.2. The lost ticket will be refunded provided no fraud or use by a third party has been confirmed by Lanmei Airlines.

3.4 Ticket not Transferable 3.4.1 Tickets are not transferable.

3.4.2 If someone other than the person entitled to be carried on a ticket travels pursuant to that ticket or is given a refund in connection therewith, Lanmei Airlines shall not be liable to the person with the original right to use of the ticket.

3.4.3 If a ticket were to be used or refunded by any person other than the person entitled to be carried, Lanmei Airlines would not be liable to the person entitled to be carried or refunded.

3.5 Period of Validity of the Ticket 3.5.1 A ticket is valid for carriage for one year from the date of commencement of travel or if no portion of the ticket is used, from the date of issue thereof, except as otherwise provided in the ticket, these Conditions or Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

3.5.2 The validity period of a special fare ticket is calculated according to Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

3.5.3 The validity of a ticket is calculated from the date of commencement of travel or 00:00 of the next day upon which a ticket is issued to 00:00 of the next day of the expiration date.

3.6 Extension of Validity of the Ticket 3.6.1 If for the following reasons, the passenger is prevented from travelling within the period of validity of the ticket, the validity of the passenger’s ticket will be extended until Lanmei Airlines’ first flight on which space is available in the class of service for which the fare has been paid: 3.6.1 .1 Cancellation of the flight on which the passenger holds a reservation; 3.6.1 .2 Omission of a scheduled stop, being the passenger’s place of departure, place of destination or a stopover;

are scabbed over

Measles

5 days after the rash first appeared

3.6.1 .4 Causing the passenger to miss a connection flight;

Mumps

5 days after the swelling first started

3.6.1 .5 Inability to provide a previously confirmed space.

Rubella

5 days after the rash first appeared

Tuberculosis

If medical certificate proves that the guest is not infectious

3.6.1 .3 Failure to operate a flight reasonably according to schedule;

3.6.2When a passenger, after having commenced his/her journey, is prevented from travelling within the period of validity of his/ her ticket by reason of illness, Lanmei Airlines will extend the period of validity of that passenger’s ticket until the date when he/she becomes fit enough to travel according to a medical certificate, or until Lanmei Airlines’ first flight after such date from the point where the journey is resumed on which space is available in the class of service for which the fare has been paid, except where Lanmei Airlines regulations provide otherwise. When the flight coupons remaining in the ticket include one or more stopovers, the validity of the ticket, subject to Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations, will be extended for not more than three months from the date when the passenger becomes fit to travel according to the medical certificate. In such circumstances, Lanmei Airlines will extend similarly the period of validity of tickets of other members of his or her immediate family (a maximum of two) accompanying an incapacitated passenger.

3.6.3 In the event of the death of a passenger en route, the Tickets of persons accompanying the passenger may be modified by waiving the minimum stay or extending the period of validity. In the event of a death in the immediate family of a passenger who has commenced travel, the validity of the passenger’s ticket and those of his or her immediate family who are accompanying the passenger, may likewise be modified. Any such modification shall be made upon receipt of a valid death certificate and any such extension of validity shall not be for a period of longer than forty-five (45) days from the date of the death shown on the death certificate.

Accompanying passengers are limited to two. The family members described above include: spouses, parents, offspring, brothers and sisters, grandparents, grandchildren, sons or daughters in law, parents-in-law, and other blood relatives to three generations,

Whooping Cough

5 days after starting antibiotic treatment or 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms if not treated

7.3.6 Passengers with specific requirements requiring special assistance and passengers with medical conditions / illnesses including those that may require administering or carrying medication / syringes onboard are requested to contact us via our website or our call center at least 72 hours before the scheduled flight departure date to make prior arrangement for the type of special assistance required.

7.4 Arrangements for Passengers Refused to be Carried

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ARTICLE 9 SCHEDULE, DELAYS, CANCELLATION OF FLIGHTS

9.1.1 Lanmei Airlines makes every effort to abide by the published timetable transporting passengers and their luggage within a reasonable period of time. Flight time and plane model shown in schedule or other places are not guaranteed, but just predetermined time and models and do not form part of the contract of carriage. Timetables or other publications of schedules or statements and representations made by employees, agents or representatives of Lanmei Airlines as to the dates or times of departure and arrival or the operation of any flight are just for reference.

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9.2 The Cancellation and Changes of Flights

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9.1.3 Lanmei Airlines may change flight schedules after selling tickets. Lanmei Airlines attempts to contact passengers about schedule change information, if passengers provide valid contact information. If Lanmei Airlines makes a change of 4 or more than 4 hours about the STD (Scheduled Time of Departure) of a flight that passengers cannot accept and Lanmei Airlines cannot arrange acceptable alternative traffic options for customers after selling the tickets, passenger can request a refund in accordance with the provisions of 11.5, Article 11.

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9.1.2 Lanmei Airlines will not be liable for errors or omissions in timetables or other publications of schedules or in statements or representations made by employees, agents or representatives of Lanmei Airlines, unless the errors or omissions are caused by Lanmei Airlines intentionally or a knowingly reckless act or omission.

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According to the aircraft conditions, animal carriage is not permitted on Lanmei Airlines.

9.1 The Schedule

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8.9.1 The Passenger must have a valid passenger ticket to transport checked baggage.

8.9.2 After baggage delivery, the passenger receives a baggage identification tag for each piece of Checked Baggage, which must be used for baggage collection.

8.11.1 Seat Baggage 8.11.1.1 If the baggage has to take up a seat, the passenger should request space in advance when reserving the seat, and the baggage can only be transported with the permission of Lanmei Airlines.

8.11.1.2 The passenger takes responsibility for the seat baggage he or she carries. The weight of seat baggage for each seat may not be in excess of 75kg and the baggage should be properly packed. To guarantee the safety of the flight, the seats of the passengers and their seat baggage shall be designated by Lanmei Airlines and for the entire trip the baggage should be secured by safety belt.

When necessary, the baggage should be fastened by a cross arm brace.

8.11.1.3 Seat baggage is not included in free baggage allowance and the fare is charged according to the adult ticket fare of the passenger.

8.11.1.4 If the transportation is managed by successive carriers, the agreement of the corresponding successive carriers should be obtained.

8.11.2 Fragile or valuable baggage will be dealt with in addition to the regulations in these conditions; if the baggage requires a seat, management should follow 8.11.1.

8.11.3 Diplomatic bags 8.11.3.1 According to the request of diplomatic couriers, Lanmei Airlines can treat this as checked baggage and the carrier bears only the normal checked baggage responsibility.

8.11.3.2 If diplomatic bags require seats, 8.11.1 is applied.

Chicken Pox

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8.9 Collection and Delivery of Baggage

For safety reasons Lanmei Airlines can carry only a maximum of 3 passengers per flight who have required wheelchair service. We may require that you travel with a companion, and you are requested to contact us via our website or our call center at least 72 hours before the scheduled flight departure date to make prior arrangement for the type of special assistance required.

5 days after the rash first appeared, providing the spots

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8.8.1 A passenger may declare a value for checked baggage if the value of the baggage is more than USD20.00 per kilogram or its equivalent currencies.

8.8.2 The value declared cannot be in excess of the real value of the checked baggage. Lanmei Airlines may refuse carriage of certain high value items.

8.8.3 Lanmei Airlines will charge additional value declaration expenses if the value declared by the passenger is over 0.5% of the highest value declared regulated in 8.8.1.

8.8.4 Lanmei Airlines does not apply value declaration to unchecked baggage, seat baggage, diplomatic bags and other special items, for example musical instruments. For specific inquiries, please contact Lanmei Airlines or its authorized agent.

8.8.5 Lanmei Airlines does not apply value declaration to any small animal carried by a passenger.

8.8.6 If partial transportation of the baggage with value declaration is carried by other carriers that do not offer a value declaration service, Lanmei Airlines has the right to refuse the offer value declaration service for Carried Baggage.

8.11 Seat Baggage – Special Regulations for Carriage of Fragile, Precious Objects and Diplomatic Bags

When may guests travel?

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8.7.1 Excess baggage can be carried only after the passenger pays the excess baggage charge and Lanmei Airlines issues an excess baggage check.

7.3.4 Wheelchair Guests

Illness

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8.7 Excess Baggage

8.10.4 When passengers claim baggage and do not offer a written objection, it will create a rebuttable presumption that the baggage has been delivered according to the transportation contract.

7.3.5.3 Medical Conditions/Illnesses That Requires Proof of Medical Certificate: The following table includes, but not exhaustive, a list of infectious, contagious and chronic diseases that requires a medical certification. It also states the safe travel period.

ARTICLE 12 CONDUCT ABOARD AIRCRAFT 12.1 General Provisions

8.6.4 Baby buggies, manual wheelchairs, mobility devices and walking frames are carried free of charge provided these items are used by passengers in the course of travelling.

7.3.3.3 Pregnancy 35 weeks and above: carriage not permitted on Lanmei Airlines

• A heart attack or angioplasty • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Pulmonary Embolism (PE) • Stroke (CVA) or head injury • Surgery on the heart, chest or abdomen • Joint replacement or amputation

11.7.2 Lanmei Airlines may refuse a refund on a ticket which has been presented to Lanmei Airlines or to government officials of a country as evidence of intention to depart therefore, unless the passenger establishes to Lanmei Airlines’ satisfaction that he/ she has permission to remain in the country or that he/she will depart therefore by another carrier or another means of transport.

8.6.3 When two or more passengers, travelling as one party to a common destination or point of stopover by the same flight, present themselves and their baggage for travelling at the same time and place, their free baggage allowance is permitted to be calculated together according to the standard ticket price level regulations of each.

8.10.3 When claiming the baggage without showing the baggage check and identification tag, a proof approved by Lanmei Airlines should be presented, or agreement of the compensation of possible damage to Lanmei Airlines according to regulation should be declared when necessary, then he or she can claim the baggage.

A guest also does not need to show any medical certificate for any of the following medical conditions/illnesses, as long as it has occurred more than three (3) months prior to the applicable flight departure date, is stable and the guest feels well (provided no oxygen is required during the flight):

11.7.1 Lanmei Airlines may refuse refunds when a ticket is not permitted to be refunded according to applicable fares or Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

8.6.2 Each passenger occupying seats is entitled 15kg checked baggage allowance. An excess baggage fee will be charged based on the regulation stated in 8.7.2 by Lanmei Airlines.

• Submit a doctor’s medical certificate confirming the number of weeks of pregnancy and the certificate shall be dated not more than thirty (30) days from either the scheduled outbound or the scheduled inbound flight departure date as the case may be.

• Sign Lanmei Airlines Limited Liability Statement at the time of check-in to absolve Lanmei Airlines against any liabilities arising there from.

7.3.5.2 Medical conditions/illnesses that does not require proof of medical certificate: As long as the condition or injury is stable and the guests feels well.

• Paralysis • Motor Neurone Disease • Multiple Sclerosis • Parkinson • Allergies to certain food • High blood pressure or high cholesterol • Diabetes •Blood disorders such as anaemia (provided no oxygen is required) • Epilepsy (only if you have not had a seizure within 24 hours prior to your flight departure time) • Arthritis • Insect bites • Minor injuries such as: toe and finger injuries; twisted ankles; pulled muscles; small cuts • Sunburn • Hepatitis B or C • Dengue fever • Viral Meningitis • Malaria • Cholera - when the symptoms have settled and guest feels well enough to travel and the public health authority in the destination country allows travel.

• Hepatitis A - when guest feels well enough to travel • Shingles - if the rash is not weeping or is covered • Yellow Fever - Once the guest feels well enough to travel and the public authority in the destination country allows travel • Flu - once the symptoms have resolved

11.7 Right to Refuse Refunds

8.6.1 Passengers should comply with the free unchecked (carry-on) baggage allowance according to the conditions stated in 8.5.

8.10.2 It is only the person with a baggage check and baggage identification tag who has the right to collect the checked baggage.

Please note that due to our operational set up, we are not able to accept guests requiring a continuous flow of oxygen during the flight.

11.6.1 If no portion of the Ticket has been used, an amount equal to the fare paid, less any reasonable service charges or cancellation (refund) fees.

11.6.2 If a portion of the Ticket has been used, the refund will be an amount equal to the difference between the fare paid and the applicable fare for travel between the points for which the Ticket has been used, less any reasonable service charges or cancellation fees.

8.6 Free Baggage Allowance

• Submit an approved doctor’s medical certificate.

7.3.5.1 Definition of medical conditions/illnesses: • A pre-existing medical condition; or • An unstable medical condition; or • A recent illness, injury, surgery or hospitalization; or •Intention to seek treatment overseas; or •An infectious, contagious or chronic disease.

If the passenger wishes to refund his/her ticket, the amount of the refund shall be calculated in following regulations:

8.5.4 If the weight or size of the passenger’s baggage goes against the regulations of 8.5.2, and is unsuitable to be transported in the cargo compartment, such as a delicate musical instrument, the passenger shall inform Lanmei Airlines in advance if he or she wants to carry it as unchecked baggage. Only after receiving consent from Lanmei Airlines may the baggage may be carried into the cabin. Charges will be issued according to the seat space taken up in the cabin.

8.10.1 Passengers shall claim their baggage at the destination or stopover with their checked baggage identification tag as early as possible.

3.3 Loss of Tickets

11.4.3 Except in the case of lost tickets, refunds will only be made on surrender to Lanmei Airlines of the passenger coupon or passenger receipt and surrender of all unused flight coupons. The passenger who buys an electronic ticket should show his or her valid identity card.

8.5.2 Unless otherwise specified, the weight of carry-on baggage should not exceed 7kg, and the maximum volume should not exceed 20cm x 40cm x 55cm. Under the piece calculation system, unchecked baggage taken into the cabin may not exceed 7kg and the total length of its three edges may not exceed 115cm. Baggage which exceeds the above regulations should be transported as checked baggage.

7.3.3.2 Pregnancy between 28 weeks and 34 weeks (inclusive): Guest must:

7.3.5 Guests with Medical Condition/Illness

11.4.2 If a ticket has been paid for by a person other than the passenger named in the ticket, the person applying for the refund must provide an original copy of an identification document of the person named on the ticket as well as a letter of authorization from that person while providing an original copy of his/her own identification document.

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8.8 Value Declaration and Charge

Acceptance for the carriage of unaccompanied-children, incapacitated persons, pregnant women, persons with an illness or those passengers requiring special assistance may be subject to prior arrangement with Lanmei Airlines, in accordance with Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

11.4.1 Lanmei Airlines shall be entitled to make a refund to the person named in the ticket.

8.5.1 Baggage which the passenger carries on to the aircraft must fit under the seat in front of the passenger or in an enclosed storage compartment in the cabin.

7.2 Lanmei Airlines has the right to determine the carriage of passenger and baggage when the actual passengers exceed the maximum load of the aircraft. Lanmei Airlines will inform such passengers before the airplane takes off and the ticket will be dealt with as an involuntary endorsement or involuntary refund.

7.3 Limitations on Carriage

11.4 Person to Whom Refund Will Be Made; Documents Needed and Discharge

8.5 Unchecked (Carry-On) Baggage

8.7.2 Unless otherwise specified, if baggage exceeds the weight limit specified, the excess baggage charge per kilogram is 1.5% of the highest valid adult direct one way fare on the day of the issuance of the excess baggage check.

To make air travel safe and comfortable, guests with medical conditions, unless otherwise determined by us, are required to produce a valid medical certificate dated no more than 7 days from the date of travel and sign a Limited Liability Statement upon check in confirming that they are fit to travel.

3.3.1 General

8.4.4 Unless otherwise specified, the weight and dimensions of checked baggage may not exceed Lanmei Airlines’ regulations.

Those that exceed the regulations should be transported as cargo.

7.1.9 The person presenting the ticket cannot prove that he is the person named in the ticket. Lanmei Airlines reserves the right to retain such paper tickets.

3.2.2 A person who uses an electronic ticket shall not be entitled to be carried on a flight unless that person provides valid identification and valid status of the electronic ticket checked by Lanmei Airlines or its ground service agent. The electronic ticket itinerary only records the passenger’s travel information, and cannot be regarded as the necessary evidence for the passenger to check in and have security inspection.

The following regulations are used for the loss of tickets and baggage checks issued by Lanmei Airlines and its authorized sales agent.

All refunds will be subject to government laws, and related regulations of the country in which the ticket was originally purchased and of the country in which the refund is being made. Refunds will be made in the currency in which the ticket was paid for, or in the currency of the country where the ticket was purchased or where the refund is being made.

11.5.1 If no portion of the Ticket has been used, the entire paid fare will be refunded.

7.1.1 In order to comply with any applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state or country to be flown from, into or through.

2. 1 General

11.3 Currency

8.2.1 Lanmei Airlines may refuse carriage of baggage of such items described in 8.1.1 of this Article and may refuse further carriage of any such items on discovery thereof during carriage.

1.19 “Checked Baggage” means Baggage of which the carrier takes sole custody and for which the carrier has issued a baggage check.

1.29 “SDR” means a Special Drawing Right as defined by the International Monetary Fund.

A refund should be made at the place where the ticket was issued or another place agreed by Lanmei Airlines.

8.2 Right to Refuse Carriage

Lanmei Airlines may refuse carriage of any passenger or passenger’s baggage for reasons of safety or in the exercise of its reasonable discretion due to following circumstances:

1.28 “Special Fare” refers to fares other than normal fares.

11.2 Place for Refund

The passenger recognizes that personal data has been given to Lanmei Airlines for the purposes of making a reservation for carriage, obtaining ancillary services, facilitating immigration and entry requirements. For these purposes the passenger authorizes Lanmei Airlines to retain such data and to transmit it to government organizations, its own offices, other carriers or the providers of such services, in whatever country they may be located.

1.18 “Baggage” means such articles carried by a passenger that are necessary or appropriate for his/her wear, use, comfort or convenience in connection with the trip. Unless otherwise specified, it shall include both checked and unchecked baggage (carry-on) of the passenger.

1.27 “Normal Fare” means the highest fare established for a first, business or economy class service during the period of applicability, including the corresponding fares of children’s and infant’s tickets.

11.1.4 Infants are exempt from refund fee.

5.3 Personal Data

6.2 Boarding

1.26 “Damages” refers to losses incurred through bodily injury or death of a passenger sustained and caused in or related to the transportation provided by the Carrier, damage to or destruction of Checked Baggage and other damages.

11.1.3 The passenger should request a refund within the validity period of the Ticket. Lanmei Airlines may refuse a refund where application is made after the expiry date of the validity of the Ticket.

11.5 Involuntary Refunds Because of one of the reasons about involuntary refunds listed in 3.6.1 of Article 3, 9.1.3 of Article 9, 9.2 of Article 9 and 11.1.2 of Article 11, refunds will be made according to following regulations upon the passenger’s request:

1.15 “Passenger Coupon” means that portion of the Paper Ticket, which is so marked and which is to be retained by the passenger for the duration.

1.25 “Stopover” means a deliberate interruption to the journey by the passenger, at a point between the place of departure and the place of destination, which has been agreed to in advance by the Carrier.

11.1.2 Ticket returns include voluntary return and involuntary return. Voluntary return means a passenger requests for a refund due to his or her own reason. Involuntary return means a passenger requests for a refund due to carrier’s reasons, weather reason, government reason and other force majeure reason. Carrier’s reasons include improper flight maintenance, wrong flight deployment, dereliction of commercial or maintenance duty and other reasons that can be expected, addressed and avoided by Lanmei Airlines.

If the passenger has not paid for his/her ticket within the prescribed ticketing time limit, the reservation may be cancelled by Lanmei Airlines or its Authorized Agent.

5.2 Ticketing Time Limit

6.1.2 The passenger who has made a reservation can check-in directly at the check-in counter, while those who haven’t made a reservation shall be processed as a a standby at check-in according to Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

1.24 “Agreed Stopping Places” means those places, except the place of departure and the place of destination, set out in the Ticket or shown in the carrier’s timetables as scheduled stopping places on the passenger’s route.

11.1.1 On failure by Lanmei Airlines to provide carriage in accordance with the contract ofcarriage, or where a passenger requests a voluntary change of his or her arrangements, a refund for an unused ticket or portion thereof shall be made by Lanmei Airlines or its authorized agent in accordance with this Article and with Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

8.1.4.1 Fragile and easily damaged baggage 8.1.4.2 Improperly packed baggage 8.1.4.3 Small animals, fresh and alive objects, perishable goods or perishable goods carried in the baggage 8.1.4.4 The passenger was late in presenting the baggage for transportation 8.1.4.5 Damaged baggage 8.1.4.6 Checked Baggage whose weight and size is out of the limitation regulated by the carrier or oversized baggage 8.1.4.7 Unlocked baggage or baggage with a broken lock 8.1.4.8 Unchecked Baggage whose size exceeds the limitation of the baggage in the cabin

1.14 “Conjunction Ticket” means a ticket issued to a passenger in conjunction with another ticket, which together constitute a single contract of carriage.

1.23 “Excess Baggage” means the portion of baggage which exceeds the free baggage allowance calculated by weight or piece.

Article 11 Ticket Returns

11.1 General

5.1.2 As provided in Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations, certain fares may have conditions which limit or exclude the passenger’s right to change or cancel reservations. For specific provisions regarding such ticket prices, please refer to the corresponding transportation price provisions.

8.4.3 Best efforts should be made by Lanmei Airlines for checked baggage to be carried on the same aircraft as the passenger, however for the purpose of safety, security or transportation, in the event passenger’s checked baggage cannot be transported with the same aircraft, Lanmei Airlines should explain to the passenger its intention to carry the checked baggage on the next flight on the condition that the security is confirmed and space is available.

1.22 “Baggage Ticket” means the document released by the carrier used especially for identification of Checked Baggage.

10.4.1 The Carrier’s flight does not stop at the destination or stopover of the passenger.

10.4.2 The Carrier does not provide the travelers with pre-reserved seats.

10.4.3 The Carrier causes the passenger to miss the reserved connecting flight.

8.1.4 Items that shall have an exemption baggage tag attached Due to the value, nature of contents or possible passenger negligence which would lead to controversy when accepting baggage, Lanmei Airlines shall attach an exemption baggage tag to exempt the corresponding responsibility of Lanmei Airlines. Such baggage may include:

6.1.1 Cut-off times for check in are different at each airport. The passenger shall arrive at the airport within the prescribed time limit to complete ticket inspection, baggage checking and boarding pass issuance with valid personal identification.

1.21 “Baggage Tag” refers to the label that distinguishes the baggage and the document that allows the passenger to receive checked baggage.

10.4 When the Carrier causes the passenger to change his flight involuntarily; the Carrier should handle the problem according to the regulations of 10.3.1, 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 in this article. In addition, such services as a rest area, beverages, meals, accommodations and some other necessary services shall be provided to the passenger at no charge in accordance with Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations.

5.1.1 A reservation is not confirmed until it is recognized by Lanmei Airlines or its Authorized Agent. Only when the passenger has paid for his ticket within the reservation and ticketing time limit prescribed in Lanmei Airlines’ Regulations and the ticket is issued by Lanmei Airlines or its Authorized Agent, and the reservation entered on the appropriate flight coupon, is a reservation considered valid and effective.

1.13 “Electronic Ticket Itinerary” means a paper document that contains information such as passenger name, route and price, etc.

1.17 “Days” means calendar days, including all seven days of the week; provided that, for the purpose of passenger notification, the day upon which notice is dispatched shall not be counted; and provided further that for purposes of determining duration of validity of a Ticket, the day upon which the Ticket is issued, or the day upon which the flight commences, shall not be counted.

10.3.4 Assist the passenger in services such as accommodation and ground transfers. The expenses of the passenger from departure are the responsibility of the passenger.

8.1.3.2 Antique swords or knives considered tourist souvenirs and similar objects may only be transported as checked baggage within the relevant regulations.

8.4.2 Passengers shall label the name, contact method or other personal identification mark on the inside or outside of the checked baggage.

1.16 “Flight Coupon” means that portion of the Paper Ticket that bears the notation “good for passage”, indicating that this flight coupon is used for transportation between two appointedplaces.

10.3.3 Handle the problem according to the regulations 11.5 of Article 11 (involuntary refunds) of these conditions.

ARTICLE 5 RESERVATIONS

5.1 General

ARTICLE 6 CHECK-IN AND BOARDING

1.12 “Electronic Ticket” is a replacement for a paper ticket, whereby the information on the paper ticket is stored in the system database in the form of electronic data, and serves as proof of sale, account and transportation.

10.3.2 Change the passengers’ flight and arrange the passenger’s flight to send the passenger to the destination or stopover.

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As one of the following conditions, Lanmei Airlines may cancel, terminate, modify, extend or delay the flights without prior notification. m

9.2.1 To abide by the laws, regulations and orders of the state.

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9.2.2 To guarantee the safety of flight m

9.2.3 A reason carrier cannot control or predict 9.3 Arrangements for Irregular Flights

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9.3.1 Rebook the passenger on its first subsequent flights on which space is available.

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9.3.2 Change the itinerary and arrange Lanmei Airlines flights delivering passenger to the destination or to a stopover point. The differences of the ticket fare, excess baggage fare and other service will be paid by Lanmei Airlines.

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9.3.3 Provide a refund according to the relative regulations about involuntary refund in 11. 5 of Article 11.

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Due to one of the 9.2 listed reasons, if Lanmei Airlines cancels or delays its flight or fails to provide an already reserved seat to the passengre（ i n cluding desired class); or causes passengers fail to arrive at the point of stopover or destination, or causes passengers holding reserved seats flight to miss connections, it will consider the reasonable needs of travelers to take the following measures for passengers to select:

9.4 Limited Liability In addition to those measures above, Lanmei Airlines takes no further responsibility to the passenger unless otherwise stated in the Convention.

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ARTICLE 10 TICKET CHANGES 10.1 When a passenger who has not yet begun travelling or has begun travelling but has not yet reached their destination requests to change the specified unused flight, destination, seat class, flight or the validity period of the Ticket, it is defined as a voluntary itinerary change. When the Carrier cancels the flight for which space is reserved, cancels the landing at the destination or the stopovers of the passenger, does not fly reasonably according to the schedule, or cannot provide reserved space, and causes the passengers to change their itinerary, it is defined as an involuntary itinerary change.

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10.2 The handling of voluntary itinerary changes of flight and date will be carried out in accordance with the following regulations:

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10.2.1 Infants are exempt from charges of ticket change.

10.2.2 After the itinerary change, the validity period of the new ticket shall be the same as the original one and it will be counted from 00:00 of the following day after the beginning of transportation specified on the first flight coupon of the original ticket.

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10.2.3 If a flight or date change is requested after the passenger purchases the ticket, Lanmei Airlines and its sales agent enterprise will handle the arrangements provided there is a usable seat on the flight and time allows.

10.3 If the execution of 9.2 in Article 9 causes the passenger to have an involuntary itinerary, the Carrier shall, with due consideration to the passenger’s reasonable needs, either: 10.3.1 Rebook the passenger on the first flight where space is available.

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A4 Thursday, July 16, 2020 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug A6

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Value of PHL banana exports down 10% to $758.112M from Jan to May–PSA data

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE value of the country’s banana exports from January to May fell by 10.7 percent to $758.112 million, from $849.113 million recorded last year due to lower volume of shipments, preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed.

Latest PSA data showed that volume of banana exports during the five-month period declined by 2.63 percent to 1.81 million metric tons

from 1.859 MMT recorded in the same period of 2019.

BananashipmentstoChina,thecountry’s top market in the past two years,

postedthesteepestdeclineat26.8percent as volume only reached 518,391.813 MT comparedto708,182.233MTrecordedin the January-to-May period of 2019, PSA data showed.

Due to this, the value of banana exports to China declined 31.3 percent to $211.62 million from last year’s $307.903 million, PSA data also showed.

PSA data indicated that banana exports to Japan rose by 10.3 percent to $317.745 million from $287.974 million as volume of shipments grew by 13.5 percent year-on-year.

The country shipped 647,245.751 MT of bananas to Japan during the reference period, which was nearly 77,000 MT higher than the 570,245.909 MT recorded volume in the five-month period of 2019, based on PSA data.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) sees total banana exports this year to decline by 17 percent to 162.2 million boxes from 195.5 million boxes last year.

Value of shipments are projected to fall by $300 million to $1.65 billion from $1.95 billion last year, according to PBGEA’s latest estimates.

PBGEA said homegrown bananas, the country’s banner agricultural export crop, may be progressively losing their share in the world market due to a range of issues ranging from high tariffs, plant infections, rising competition and an aggressive, government-subsidized foray by Latin American producers into traditional Philippine markets.

For one, banana exporters have sounded the alarm over the loom-

ing threat of a shrinking share in the Chinese market due to rising competition with Asian neighbors like Vietnam and Cambodia, which have also started to “pirate” local industry experts to develop their plantations.

Worse, the spread of Fusarium wilt and detrimental effects of climate change on banana production have resulted in lower output, hence, reduced volume of exports, according to PBGEA. PBGEA estimates that 20 percent of the country’s area planted to bananas have been damaged by Panama disease.

As of March, PBGEA Executive Director Stephen A. Antig said the disease has already affected about 30,000 hectares to 40,000 hectares of banana plantations in Mindanao.

Amid rise in online fraud, public Travel industry grapples with vouchers told to practice ‘cyber hygiene’ vs refunds dilemma due to cancellations

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

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ILIPINOS are reminded to practice “cyber hygiene” as online fraud and scams increase amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Jose Paolo G. Rufo, Union Bank of the Philippines’s chief information security officer, said in a webinar on Wednesday that the lockdown measures during the pandemic has prompted the public to use digital platforms to accomplish different tasks.

“The Covid-19 crisis has pushed us all to do our transactions online at the convenience and more importantly, at the safety of our homes,” he said. “We can buy our grocery, buy our medicines, our food without exposing ourselves and our families unnecessarily to the threats of the virus.”

However, along with this is the rise of threats to cyber security, he said, noting that 73 million Filipino Internet users are at risk of being scammed online.

Rufo reminded the public to never share username, password and one-time password (OTP) to anyone. “Keep your information private,” he said.

It is also wise to use different email addresses for banking, social media and personal use to protect your accounts from total breach, Rufo added.

He also said that customers should always check for spelling variations when checking for web site links as these can be confused with the legitimate ones.

Among the usual scams now are phishing cases, Rufo said, noting that such schemes trick the customers into giving their personal and bank-

ing information.

Citing data from security firm Kaspersky, Rufo said there were 1 million phishing attempts in the Philippines last year, with 17 percent falling victims to fraud.

UnionBank, for its part, is also placing a system to protect its customers from potential scams.

Rufo said that UnionBank is employing banking industry practices, including 24/7 security operations center monitoring and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS).

PCI-DSS outlines guidelines on information security for firms handling credit cards to increase data control and avoid fraud.

To boost customer protection, Rufo shared that UnionBank online application requires biometrics and in-app OTP. Its digital platform is also continuously subjected to vulnerability management and penetration testing, he added.

Moody’s Investor Services, in a news statement last week, said that the increased use in digital banking has made the banking sector more vulnerable to cyber attacks.

Scammers, for example, are baiting customers through phishing emails, or social engineering to acquire bank information, Moody’s said.

The debt watcher, citing VMware Carbon Black, said that the most common cyberattack vector was wire fraud transfers. Fraudsters usually take the opportunity to infiltrate the wire transfer verification process should they find gaps.

Moody’s said that cyberattacks usually go for personal data (77 percent), credentials (35 percent) and bank data (32 percent).

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

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LEXIBLE contracts, or payment arrangements, should be the “new normal” in a post-Covid environment, to help regain consumer confidence in travel.

In a webinar on Tuesday hosted by the World Travel Market, titled “Paying for travel: the customer impact during and post Covid-19 experience,” Paulo Salvador, senior lecturer of the Innovation Track, ESSEC Paris Master Hotel Program, stressed that hotels should “ just end with any restriction and provide the maximum flexibility of the rate. Whenever the guest is booking via their direct web site, they will be assured that they will get reimbursed for what they pay.”

In the case of bookings using multi-currencies between hotels, tour operators and online travel agencies, Salvador proposed a “one single method of payment, centralized, that will allow us, whenever the client books, no matter which channel, they will be able to get his money reimbursed, because flexibility is going to be the world-mandatory for travel.”

In the Philippines, members of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Inc. have paid out some P30 million in refunds to their guests due to Covidrelated cancellations. However, airlines, travel agencies, and tour operators have been having

some difficulty in reimbursing their customers. (See, “Hotels refund close to P30 million due to Covid-canceled bookings,” in the BusinessMirror, July 8, 2020.)

The webinar also tackled the challenges of the different travel and tourism sectors in dealing with chargebacks, or refunds, while maintaining good relations with the customers.

Shiv Bhatt, merchant and acquirer solutions for Visa, said disputes have risen dramatically in their payment network due to Covid-related cancellations. “The challenge is in understanding the rights of the consumer and the merchant in the refund process, and what the needs of the consumer and merchants are in the process.

What are the rules governing consumer rights in each of the countries that they’re operating in, and therefore what are the legal liabilities that they face if they decide to refund 100 percent? Do they have enough cash flow today to support 100 percent of those consumer needs, or if a voucher is offered, then can we support the incoming consumer demand if it comes all together in the next three months?”

Nevertheless, Bhatt said he hoped to see more innovations in terms of say, issuing vouchers tied back to the payment card used to make the original payment, “so it’s a lot more friction-less for the consumer and provides a better assurance and visibility to the consumer that they have been issued a voucher that’s usable.”

Another is to offer incentives to consumers to accept vouchers, like increasing the value of the airfare, “so instead of offering a 1:1 voucher which is, $100:$100, what if they could have said, ‘if you take a refund you get $100, but if you take a voucher, then you could get $125 worth money in the future?’”

However, Mikko Turtiainen, vice president of Global SalesMarket Management of Finnair Plc., said they already tried such a tack, where they increased the value of the travel voucher by 10 percent, “and at least for us, this approach didn’t really change the consumer behavior in regard to decision making and clearly, [the customers] desired the refund versus the voucher.”

He said Finnair is currently operating only 5 percent of their total flights which has resulted in a lot of refund processing. “Over the past three months, we’ve encountered 300,000 refund requests which equals about a threeyear amount of refunds. We’ve processed about 160,000 refunds equalling 250 million euros in regard to refunds we’ve paid out, and we’re averaging about eight weeks per refund, which is slightly longer than the normal.” Finnair offers consumers to move their travel bookings into the future, vouchers, or refunds.

Bhatt said digital payments would be the norm post-Covid, as customers prefer more hygienic methods to pay for their travel bookings.

Drilon: Dismantling oligarchs is fine, but not if they’re replaced by new set

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ENATE Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on Wednesday backed the Duterte administration’s avowed bid to dismantle oligarchies, but warned that Palace cronies may take over as the new set of oligarchs “if reforms are not in place.”

Effectively dismantling oligarchy in the country requires “structural reform and overhaul of existing laws” that allowed oligarchs to persist, Drilon said.

“Without these necessary structural reforms,” the senator feared that old oligarchs “would only be replaced by cronies.”

Reacting to President Duterte’s claim he had dismantled oligarchy in the country without declaring martial law, Drilon declared that “it takes more than that.”

Duterte’s recent speech before soldiers, where he boasted about having dismantled oligarchy, raised eyebrows because it came just days

after the House of Representatives franchise committee rejected the franchise application of Lopezled ABS-CBN, dooming the jobs of 11,000 workers.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, who insisted the President had not lifted a finger to influence congressmen, was put on the spot by journalists who asked who Duterte meant when he bragged about defeating “oligarchs.”

Roque pointed to the Ayala and Lucio Tan conglomerates, and the MVP Group, with which Duterte had tussled previously, but insisted that Duterte did not mean the Lopezes.

Interviewed at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay webinar, Drilon wondered aloud, “what is it in our legal system that makes oligarchy possible? To me, we must study that. Structural reform is necessary.”

Drilon pointed out that as a matter of policy, “we are against

oligarchy and the remedy is to look at our legal structure to see why oligarchy persists,” stressing that “we should not have oligarchs because that is not good and is bad for governance. We should adopt policies to prevent or dismantle these oligarchies.”

The opposition leader, however, assured he is “willing to work” with the incumbent administration to review the current system and enact measures that can prevent all forms of oligarchy, saying: “I am willing to sit down with the Duterte administration to examine the laws that we have and find out which laws should be amended or which laws should be enacted in order that we can remove or dismantle structures that made possible the oligarchy.”

At t he sa me t ime, Dr i lon stressed the need for lawmakers to “make sure that the oligarchs are not substituted” by a new set

of cronies” by enacting an antidynasty law and reforming the political party system in the country as measures that can prevent oligarchy.”

The Minority Leader pointed out that “it is the lack of an antidynasty system or provision in our system that allows oligarchy to continue.”

He said “political dynasties allowed oligarchs to thrive,” adding, “They have made our national and local offices extensions of their household. They wield power for their own benefit. It has gone so bad that these dynasties now hold simultaneous national and local positions.”

The opposition lawmaker lamented that while in the past, members of political dynasties would take turns succeeding each other in holding public office, now they are occupying seats of power at the same time.

In a bid to address the issue, Drilon authored Senate Bill No. 11 seeking to prohibit political dynasties and a companion Senate Bill No. 12 to strengthen the political party system in the country and discourage political turncoatism.

“As part of the political reform to prevent oligarchy, maybe we should look at our political party system, because that is not helpful. Our present system cannot be cited as an anathema or a check on oligarchs,” said Drilon, noting that given the popularity rating of the incumbent President,” he [Duterte ] has the capacity to push the passage of the anti-political dynasty law in Congress” even as he acknowledged in his statement that “the Duterte family is a member of a political clan.”

Drilon declared that “when you want to remove oligarchy as a power structure, then you should rise above all of these.” Butch Fernandez

Rural ecozones to boost BP2 program, expert reminds govt

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

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LONG-TERM rural industrialization program could just be the key to boost the government’s “Balik Probinsya” program as it can address the increasing number of unemployed and underemployed in rural areas. “ Thus, if the countryside is invigorated with rural industrialization schemes, it can provide substantial employment and income to surplus labor and hopefully attract the redundant labor in the urban sector,” De La Salle University economics professor Tereso Tullao Jr. told the BusinessMirror in a recent e-mail interview.

Right now, Tullao pointed out that the industrial economic zones operating in several provinces and regions can enhance the Balik Probinsya program as these zones can serve as pull factors that can attract program participants.

Proper t y developers Aya la Land and Aboitizland have established economic zones in different parts of the country as part of their efforts in jumpstarting rural industrialization.

Ayala Land, in partnership with Mitsubishi Corp., established the Laguna Technopark Inc. (LTI) in Biñan. The locators are engaged in the manufacturing of electronic components, aut o m o t i v e p a r t s , c o n s u m er products, food processing, phar maceutica ls, and others.

L a st Se ptember, Ay a l a L a nd launched Cavite Technopark in Naic. It is expected to generate approximately 20,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, AboitizLand has expressed its support through the development of its industrial zones in Cebu and Batangas. The 540-hectare West Cebu Industrial Park (WCIP) in Balamban, a joint venture between Aboitiz and Japan’s Tsuneishi Holdings since 1992, has transformed the sleepy coastal town into the shipbuilding capital of the Philippines. The complex hosts 11 industrial and eight commercial locators, employing 14,000 employees.

Moreover, AboitizLand has transfor med the 700 -hectare LIMA in Malvar, Batangas, into a mixed-use estate, hosting 111 locators generating more than 50,000 jobs in export-driven production industries.

Tullao explained rural industrialization is a process that must involve several stakeholders. He stressed the private sector will have an important role since it provides the needed capital, technology and physical plant for enterprises to commence.

“However, before the private sector can operate in these areas there should be adequate physical and human infrastructure in the area.

This can be done by the national government, LGUs [local government units] and training institutions.

The availability of hard and soft infrastructures can serve as magnets for the private sector to establish industrial zones in the rural areas,” Tullao stressed.

Tullao said the LGUs can provide business climate conducive to private initiative, including minimal local taxation, efficient renewal of licenses, absence of red tape, maintenance of peace and order, and provision of efficient public services, including garbage collection.

Meanwhile, he said higher educational institutions, particularly state colleges and universities, can provide companies with adequate supply of capable manpower drawn from among their graduates. In addition, qualified faculty members can serve as consultants to private enterprises in addressing business problems and issues.

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Trump ends Hong Kong’s special status with U.S. to punish China

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resident Donald J. Trump ordered an end to Hong Kong’s special status with the US and signed legislation that would sanction Chinese officials responsible for cracking down on political dissent in the city, drawing a rebuke from China and adding fresh uncertainty for businesses including banks in the financial hub.

“No administration has been tougher on China than this administration,” the US president said on Tuesday, announcing the two moves in the White House Rose Garden. Trump also said he had no plans to speak with President Xi Jinping, deviating from his pattern of criticizing Beijing while tempering it with warmth and respect for the Chinese leader.

Trump had threatened to take action ever since Chinese officials imposed the sweeping national security law on Hong Kong about two weeks ago.

China’s implementation of the law, and the reaction of major trading partners who have criticized it, could have a substantial impact on a Hong Kong economy already battered by months of historic anti-government protests and coronavirus restrictions.

On Wednesday, China vowed to take strong countermeasures and sanction US officials and entities over the Hong Kong law, without elaborating.

It urged the US to “correct its wrongdoings” and to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs.

“If the US continues such action, China will resolutely take countermeasures,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “To safeguard China’s legitimate interests, we will take necessary measures and impose sanctions on relevant individuals and entities from the US.” Under the law, banks are granted a kind of year-long grace period to stop doing business with entities and individuals the State Department determines to be “primary offenders” when it comes to undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy. Neither Trump nor his administration specified which Chinese officials might be sanctioned.

After that period, the Treasury Department can impose a variety of penalties on those institutions, including barring top executives from entering the US and restricting the ability to engage in US dollardenominated transactions, according to Pat Toomey, a Pennsylvania Republican who co-sponsored the legislation.

“These measures, alongside Beijing’s own crackdown, place Hong Kong at the very front lines of the increasing tensions between the US and China,” said Antony Dapiran, a Hong Kong-based lawyer and author of “City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong.”

Equities in Hong Kong slipped on Wednesday morning, with the benchmark Hang Seng Index losing 0.5 percent to head for the lowest close since July 2. Chinese technology firms led the losses, along with Hong Kong property developers. Shares on the mainland fell for a second session.

Prominent pro-establishment Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip pushed back against Trump’s measures, saying they would “only end up diminishing US influence” in the city.

“It will only drive more Hong Kong people to rely more and more on mainland China for support for our prosperity and stability,” Ip, a member of leader Carrie Lam’s advisory Executive Council, said in an interview with Bloomberg. “This will not really affect the foundations of Hong Kong’s success as an international financial center, because the financial measures will only be imposed on individuals and entities identified under the act—it’s not as sweeping as some have suggested.”

Provisions revoked

Under the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992, the US treats Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous part of China with its own legal and economic system, differently than the Chinese mainland in trade, commerce and other areas. An executive order

released later revoked several of those provisions: n Eliminate preferences for Hong Kong passport holders. n Revoke license exceptions for certain exports. n Suspend the US’s extradition agreement with Hong Kong. n End training for police and security service members. n Terminate the Fulbright scholar exchange program. n Threaten sanctions against certain individuals. n Reallocate refugee slots to Hong Kong residents.

But neither the president nor the White House offered specifics about how his order would affect certain major sectors, such as Hong Kong’s financial industry. Trump decided against a more extreme measure to undermine the Hong Kong dollar’s peg to the greenback, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The US has led foreign governments in criticizing the national security legislation, enacted by China just before the July 1 anniversary of the city’s return from British rule. Fears have since grown about how the law will be interpreted by authorities on the ground: People found guilty under the law could, in some cases, face life imprisonment.

Trump highlighted China’s controversial law in a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence attached to a copy of the order and posted by the White House. He wrote that sanctions would target anyone involved directly or indirectly “in the coercing, arresting, detaining, or imprisoning of individuals” under the security law, or anyone found to have been responsible for or involved in developing or implementing it.

Same treatment

Trump approved the legislation on Tuesday after spending weeks blaming Beijing for the coronavirus pandemic and criticizing its handling of Hong Kong and treatment of minority groups in western China.

The president has faced widespread criticism over his response to the virus, with cases once again surging as businesses reopen.

Trump on Tuesday also veered into a winding attack on his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, portraying him as having been cozy with China during his time as vice president. He went on to blast Biden on everything from climate policy to criminal justice and immigration—delivering a predominantly political speech from a podium traditionally reserved for policy.

Still, Trump on Monday said the trade deal reached earlier this year was still “intact” because China was purchasing the promised agricultural products. But Trump also expressed frustration with the country over the spread of the coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan.

The “phase one” pact, which took effect in mid-February and has become a cornerstone of his re-election campaign, is falling short on a number of fronts, including Beijing’s promises of large agriculture and energy purchases. The Trump administration so far has been hesitant to ramp up the pressure or back away from the deal altogether, even as the rhetoric on both sides heats up.

The US legislation would require the State Department to report to Congress every year about officials who seek to undermine the “one country, two systems” model that applies to the special administrative region. It also gives the president the power to seize the assets of and block entry to the US for those individuals.

Trump last month also signed legislation aimed at punishing Chinese officials for oppression of Uighurs and members of other Muslim minority groups. The tougher stance toward Beijing represents a pivot for Trump, who largely avoided human rights-related interventions as he was negotiating the first phase of his trade deal. Bloomberg News

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global trade and has territorial disputes involving six governments, marked the fourth anniversary of a ruling by a United Nations tribunal in favor of the Philippines against Beijing. China has said the tribunal had no jurisdiction, as Beijing had earlier said it wouldn’t abide by dispute settlement mechanisms under the UN Convention for the Law of the Sea, known as Unclos.

‘Maritime empire’

“The world will not allow Beijing to treat the South China Sea as its maritime empire,” Pompeo said.

Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell singled out Chinese state-owned companies on Tuesday.

Describing them as “modern-day equivalents of the East India Company,” he said China uses the firms as “battering rams” for influence in the region.

Asked about the possibility of US sanctions against individuals or companies, he told a conference of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington that nothing was off the table.

China has fired back, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Tuesday rejecting Pompeo’s statement and accusing the US of “doing all it can to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and drive a wedge between regional countries and China.” Another spokesperson, Hua Chunying, said China has no working oil rigs in disputed areas of the South China Sea and said the country is committed to upholding freedom of navigation and overflight.

The risk of an accident in the South China Sea leading to a larger standoff has risen “as deescalation will be complicated by the deteriorating relationship,” the Eurasia Group said in an analysis published on Tuesday. It also said that China might be more likely to declare an air defense identification zone over the waters, “which would attempt to force international commercial and military jets to recognize China’s sovereignty.”

“The US and China do not want to have an open conflict or a war over this issue, but the problem is on the ground,” said Zheng Yongnian, director of

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First Covid-19 vaccine tested in US poised for final testing

By Lauran Neergaard

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Ap Medical Writer

he first Covid-19 vaccine tested in the US revved up people’s immune systems just the way scientists had hoped, researchers reported on Tuesday—as the shots are poised to begin key final testing.

“No matter how you slice this, this is good news,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s top infectious disease expert, told The Associated Press.

The experimental vaccine, developed by Fauci’s colleagues at the National Institutes of Health and Moderna Inc., will start its most important step around July 27: A 30,000-person study to prove if the shots really are strong enough to protect against the coronavirus.

But on Tuesday, researchers reported anxiously awaited findings from the first 45 volunteers who rolled up their sleeves back in March. Sure enough, the vaccine provided a hoped-for immune boost.

Those early volunteers developed what are called neutralizing antibodies in their bloodstream— molecules key to blocking infection—at levels comparable to those found in people who survived Covid-19, the research team reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“This is an essential building block that is needed to move forward with the trials that could actually determine whether the vaccine does protect against infection,” said Dr. Lisa Jackson of the Kaiser Permanente Washington Research Institute in Seattle, who led the study.

There’s no guarantee but the government hopes to have results around the end of the year—record-setting speed for developing a vaccine.

The vaccine requires two doses, a month apart.

U.S. shift in South China Sea raises risk of clash on water he Trump administration’s move to brand most of Beijing’s claims in the South China Sea a violation of international law doesn’t mean much on its own: China has repeatedly refused to acknowledge the 2016 tribunal ruling that the US finally just endorsed.

But analysts say they fear it could lead to a miscalculation at sea if it prompts the Communist Party to more aggressively assert its claims, both to rebuff the US and to deter other claimants in Southeast Asia from taking action. China’s campaign to build and later militarize artificial structures intensified after the Obama administration announced a “pivot” to Asia in 2011.

“This may not necessarily change the texture of what the US military is already doing in the South China Sea,” said Collin Koh Swee Lean, research fellow at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. “The concern we have is the Chinese may decide to step up their challenge against these US activities in the SCS, thus increasing the risk of incidents.”

While the US and China are sparring on everything from trade to Covid-19 to Hong Kong, the South China Sea remains the most likely spot for the two powers to have their warships and fighter jets actually collide.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper has said he wants to deploy more US forces to confront China, and the US Navy appears to be stepping up“freedom of navigation” operations challenging Beijing’s territorial claims.

Earlier this month two US aircraft carriers conducted exercises in the South China Sea. “The Trump administration is trying to find all the nails they can to hammer into the coffin,”said Zhu Feng, executive dean of the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies at Nanjing University. “On the one hand it’s exploiting the China factor for the elections, but in general the US has fundamentally changed its attitude toward China.”

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s statement on Monday denouncing what he called a “completely unlawful” campaign by China over fish and energy deposits across most of the sea, which is vital for

Thursday, July 16, 2020

the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore. “If there is no effective communication between top leaders on the issue, it is easy for the situation to get out of control.”

The South China Sea encompasses an area roughly the size of India, and China claims more than 80 percent of the waters. So far, Beijing has reclaimed some 3,200 acres (1,290 hectares) of land on seven reefs or rocks in the Spratly archipelago, constructing ports, lighthouses and runways. It has installed missile batteries and other military equipment.

The US stance marks the first time it has explicitly endorsed the substance of the tribunal ruling and declared that China has no right whatsoever to waters and seabed off its neighbors’ coasts, according to Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative in Washington.

That should lead to stronger objections to China’s moves to intimidate on fishing and oil and gas drilling, he said, as well as adding pressure on other countries to speak up more.

“It’s a bigger deal than it might seem at first,” he said. “The US is still neutral on who ultimately owns which disputed island, but it’s now firmly on the side of the Southeast Asians when it comes to most of the waters.”

Still, at least one key claimant didn’t see things spinning out of control. Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin, whose country has moved closer to China in recent years, said on Twitter that the world’s biggest economies still needed each other to recover following the global pandemic. Later on, China said Locsin spoke with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and both sides agreed to hold “peaceful negotiations” to resolve differences in the South China Sea. The US move would be effective only if it follows up with claimant states in the region to find ways to exert more pressure against China, Murray Hiebert, BowerGroupAsia’s head of research and a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies’s Southeast Asia Program, said during a virtual briefing on the South China Sea. Bloomberg News

There were no serious side effects. But more than half the study participants reported flu-like reactions to the shots that aren’t uncommon with other vaccines—fatigue, headache, chills, fever and pain at the injection site. For three participants given the highest dose, those reactions were more severe; that dose isn’t being pursued.

Some of those reactions are similar to coronavirus symptoms but they’re temporary, lasting about a day and occur right after vaccination, researchers noted.

“Small price to pay for protection against Covid-19,” said Dr. William

Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a vaccine expert who wasn’t involved with the study.

He called the early results “a good first step,” and is optimistic that final testing could deliver answers about whether it’s really safe and effective by the beginning of next year.

“It would be wonderful. But that assumes everything’s working right on schedule,” Schaffner cautioned.

Moderna’s share price jumped nearly 15 percent in trading after US markets closed. Shares of the company, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have nearly quadrupled this year.

Tuesday’s results only included younger adults. The first-step testing later was expanded to include dozens of older adults, the age group most at risk from Covid-19.

Those results aren’t public yet but regulators are evaluating them.

Fauci said final testing will include older adults, as well as people with chronic health conditions that make them more vulnerable to the virus—and Black and Latino populations likewise affected.

Nearly t wo-dozen possible Covid-19 vaccines are in vari-

ous stages of testing around the world. Candidates from China and Britain’s Oxford University also are entering final testing stages.

The 30,000-person study will mark the world’s largest study of a potential Covid-19 vaccine so far.

And the NIH-developed shot isn’t the only one set for such massive US testing, crucial to spot rare side effects. The government plans similar large studies of the Oxford candidate and another by Johnson & Johnson; separately, Pfizer Inc. is planning its own huge study.

Already, people can start signing up to volunteer for the different studies.

People think “this is a race for one winner. Me, I’m cheering every one of them on,” said Fauci, who directs NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“We need multiple vaccines. We need vaccines for the world, not only for our own country.”

Around the world, governments are investing in stockpiles of hundreds of millions of doses of the different candidates, in hopes of speedily starting inoculations if any are proven to work. AP

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Thursday, July 16, 2020

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Speaking in tongues: The Pope as documentary POPE Francis in the documentary Pope Francis: A Man of His Word, now streaming on Netflix.

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

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CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Gareth Bale, 31; AnnaLynne McCord, 33; Corey Feldman, 49; Will Ferrell, 53.

Happy Birthday: Think about what you can do. How you direct your energy this year will make a difference to the outcome. Don’t waste time living in the past or making up excuses for not living up to expectations.

Opportunity is knocking; recognizing it is one thing, but taking advantage of it is another. Make your move. Your numbers are 9, 17, 24, 27, 31, 33, 40.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep busy. If you have too much time to think, you will end up feeling angry. Instead of stewing about a problem, look for a way to resolve issues that bother you. Offer alternatives and incentives, and be mindful of others. HHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change will turn out to be beneficial. Make suggestions, and be a part of the unfolding of something new and exciting. A chance to make a positive change to the way you live or work is within reach. HHH

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HERE are two things needed for a documentary to work: truth and sincerity.

Two things work for Pope Francis in the documentary Pope Francis: A Man of His Word: his words and the truths that are in those words.

There have been documentaries about the Pope, and many films already about this present pope.

A major social and political figure, the Pope is part of both the secular and sacred affairs of the world.

Where the theme is about the “sacred,” the Pope gets a default treatment—that of an infinitely good man, an extremely spiritual character, and the much debated infallibility. He does not make mistakes when declaring matters for the Roman Catholic Church.

This “perfection,” while assuring to those who rely on him for salvation, makes the Pope a boring subject matter. There is no more that exciting gray; he is either likeable or ignorable. It is thus with that challenge that I approached this documentary about Pope Francis.

What would I be seeing that I had not seen in the past when he travelled around and delivered speeches or spoke via that huge balcony of Saint Peter’s Basilica?

But when was the last time you watched a film starring Pope Francis as Pope Francis?

The presence of a pope who happens to be the first Jesuit and the first pope to use the name of Saint Francis is not enough. There’s got to be that elusive X factor unneeded and heretical to mention perhaps.

And the good news is that Pope Francis knows how to work the cameras. This does not make him less truthful; this makes us rethink that old adage how the camera can capture everything—from the lack of sincerity to the pretend sympathy.

The documentary follows the Pope as he travels around and talk about social inequality, injustice and the need for change. Infinitely earthbound, the documentary allows a conceit for its opening: a landscape that materializes gradually from the whiteness of thick clouds clearing slowly to reveal buildings and habitation. The scene moves from daybreak to bright noon to dark night with neon and lights glimmering below. We are looking down as if we are swooping from heaven.

These images of watching from above and speaking from below runs like a motif in the documentary. It creates perspectives broken every now and then by the Pope staring to the camera, as if he is looking at you, talking with you, waiting for your response. Pope Francis, indeed, looks to the camera many times as he sits in a chair out in the garden. It is a personal look, hard but friendly. When he is in this position, he talks in Spanish; when he is on a pastoral and state visit, the uses Italian.

In the opening, he talks about actions needed of priests: to talk less, listen a lot. This leads to what he calls in Spanish, “ternura espiritual” or spiritual tenderness.

Pope Francis is an eloquent speaker and can be very persuasive. He does not cultivate the sacerdotal image of a soft communicator. In fact, he uses tough

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Put your energy where it counts. If you feel passionate about something, take action. Stand up for your beliefs, and make a difference. Don’t let anger consume you.

Be smart, come up with a workable solution and forge ahead. HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Figure out what you want. Look around you, and consider what motivates you. Take the plunge, and do whatever it takes to bring you one step closer to your goal. A change will be a beautiful thing in hindsight. HH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Connect with someone through social media who will be able to help you with something you want to pursue. Call in favors, or be ready to offer an incentive.

A kind gesture will lead to an exciting partnership. HHH

f

words or, at the very least, brutal observation, He recalls how in the 1970s, he traveled to a place and for the first time, he saw “gated communities.” He calls them “un barrio protegido.” He uses this community as an example of exclusion where inclusion is really the better option.

The marvel of good editing is manifested in how one thought of Pope Francis seems to have a dialogue with another. The wonder of this is that for all the complex array of concepts, there is never any moment where the earlier words of Pope Francis cancel the subsequent words.

A great deal of editing makes the speeches seamless as Pope Francis moves from a favela or slum to a hall where children are asking him with innocence why he became a pope, from the United Nations to the US Congress, where his speech is interrupted by several standing ovations, and in a rainy parade in Tacloban days after it was devastated

by Yolanda.

It should interest the Filipino audience how we can be so relentless with our folkdances to welcome guests. As the lingering wind and rain from Yolanda threaten to blow crowds away, our dancers sway and gracefully move their hands.

As a footnote to the Papal visit to Tacloban, please note the all-yellow raincoats worn by the Catholic audience. Only Filipinos will notice this color phenomenon, which adds to the rich materials of the documentary.

Filmmakers know this: you can edit only well if there are good materials to edit.

The good materials are all there in the Pope quoting Dostoevskys’s question why do children suffer. It is there in his very brave and combative response to pedophilia in the church. Calling it a tendency and a disease that requires zero tolerance, Pope Francis is angry when he stresses how the victim of abuse is left alive but destroyed.

Let us not forget also that a documentary is still

part of the film industry where there are actors and production people, where PRs remain active to drum up interest for a film project. So, how do we sell this documentary? Easy, just tell everyone that this film stars Pope Francis. Then, we can enumerate the bit players and walk-on parts. They include the following: Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, Donald J. Trump and Melania Trump, Joe Biden, John Kerry, the King of Jordan, and many others.

There is Mahmuud Abbas, too, President of the State of Palestine, and Shimon Perez, former President of Israel, meeting, hugging each other and exchanging greetings while Pope Francis gazes with a lopsided padrino grin on his face.

So, how is Pope Francis and his words? Toward the end, he talks about one of the two most contentious concepts in Catholic theology—freedom and choice.

He simply puts it this way: without freedom, there is no love...because love is choice.

The same words will never work when uttered by other actors. But with Pope Francis, and the character of Saint Francis in a supporting role, those words are the most natural, most logical things to say.

There is another factor that should draw audiences to this documentary: Wim Wenders, who directs Pope Francis: A Man and His Word. A major figure in the socalled New German Cinema, I would not connect him with the subject matter, a religious figure made bigger by the institutional religion which he heads. But it is precisely that expected critical eye for the Pope that the documentary in its moving scenes—and there are many—is never cloying.

As a filmmaker, Wenders has won in all three top festivals: the Golden Lion for The State of Things in 1982, Venice; Golden Palm for Paris, Texas in 1984, Cannes; and Silver Bear (Jury Prize) for The Million Dollar Hotel in 2000, Berlin. His documentaries have been nominated for awards also.

The documentary Pope Francis: A Man and His Word is currently streaming on Netflix. n

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Keep emotions in check, walk away from irrational people and finish what you start. Change begins within, so pursue what makes you happy. People in your life will offer exciting insight into the situation you face.

HH

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LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do something that brings you joy. Don’t let those you live or work with disrupt your life. Know when to say no and when to walk away. An argument will leave you vulnerable, but pursuing something you enjoy will build confidence. HHHHH

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SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You’ll learn plenty if you research or talk to someone who can provide you with firsthand information about something you want to pursue. Let your imagination wander, and you’ll come up with a vision that tweaks your passion. HHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Let your passion lead the way. Whether you direct your energy into a cause you believe in, a relationship you cherish or doing whatever it takes to be the best that you can be, your dedication and drive will help you succeed. HHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll crave change today. Make arrangements to shake things up and do things differently. Put routine aside in order to focus on something that excites you, and you will come to realize a permanent adjustment is in order. HHH

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You need a pick-me-up. Do something that makes you feel good about yourself. Start a project, spend more time with your lover or do something that will challenge you emotionally, physically and intellectually. You’ve got what it takes to win. HHHHH

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PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Choose your words wisely when dealing with a friend, relative or lover. If you give someone the wrong impression, it will take a long time to reverse the message you send. Work on self-improvement, not trying to change others. HH Birthday Baby: You are reliable, astute and persistent.

You are helpful and ambitious.

‘pet carriers’ by al hollmer and zhouqin burnikel The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Geographical reference book 6 Subject where you may be graded on a curve?

10 E’en so 13 Fuss in front of a mirror 14 Salk vaccine target 15 Cut with an ax 16 Pretends (see letters 6 to 9) 18 Traveler’s stop 19 The Holy ___ 20 Postmortem bio 21 React to a cringeworthy comment 23 “Good question!” (2 to 5) 26 Cuts with scissors 29 “Extreme” prefix 30 Glaswegian girl 31 Umami, for example 33 Understood 36 www.harvard.___ 37 Multiarmed ocean critter (3 to 6) 39 Beach ball filler 40 “That ___ a close one!”

41 Euphonium relatives 42 Submit to the IRS

3 Gem in an oyster 4 45 Detect 46 Faces off (8 to 11) 51 Prince William, to Archie 52 Has regrets about 53 Pitcher’s stat 56 Allow 57 Junkyard warning, and a hint to the starred answers’ hidden category members 61 Faux ___ 62 Amino and acetic 63 Garnish on a toothpick 64 ___-pitch softball 65 Mechanical learning 66 Post-it messages DOWN 1 Google Play buys 2 ___-or-false quiz 3 Low-cal 4 Breakfast hrs.

5 Sewing kit items 6 ___ Python 7 In the manner of 8 What the odd letters in “twitch” spell

9 Serious trouble, so to speak 10 “Not a good idea!”

11 Ergo 12 Possessed 14 Picked up the tab 17 Org. of Magic and Mavericks 22 Tel Aviv’s land: Abbr.

23 Directions device 24 Ejects from office 25 Sephora rival 26 Boatload 27 Zilch 28 “Seems likely” 31 Set aside 32 Words in many similes 34 Sesame and sunflower 35 Peach or plum 37 Attorneys’ association 38 Currency in Cologne 42 Start of a giant’s chant 44 Certain immigrant’s subj.

45 “Leaving already?”

46 Swallows hard 47 Paper Moon Oscar winner Tatum 48 Baseball or baseball card transaction

9 Yours and mine 4 50 Rock concert souvenir 53 Tweak, as crossword clues 54 Wander around 55 Years and years 58 ___-friendly 59 Joke writer’s forte 60 Progressive woman?

Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

Parentlife BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Is it safe to form a Covid-19 ‘support bubble’ with friends?

YES, if done correctly.

Support bubbles, also known as quarantine pods, may help fend off loneliness and anxiety after months of social distancing. The idea, which originated in New Zealand, calls for two people or households to agree to socialize in person only with each other to limit the risk of infection.

Experts say don’t do it unless everyone agrees to follow social distancing guidelines while outside the bubble.

“You are now swimming in the same pool with not just that person, but all the people those people are interacting with,” said Dr. Aaron Milstone at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Support bubbles are already catching on in the US with reopenings under way. And earlier this month, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that adults living alone or single parents can form support bubbles with another household. Members of a bubble can meet, indoors or out, without remaining two meters (6 ½ feet) apart.

It’s too soon to know whether the strategy will work on a broad scale. But a recent study indicated that bubbles with more limited contacts worked better to flatten the curve of infection compared with other strategies, such as limiting contact to one’s neighborhood.

“I don’t think we can promise people complete safety when they have face-to-face contact with others outside their household,” said study coauthor Per Block of Oxford University.

But he said limiting interactions to one other family poses a much smaller risk than resuming previous socializing habits. AP

Superstore promotes safe shopping in all branches WITH the easing of quarantine regulations, Landers Superstore (www.landers.ph) is expecting an influx of excited members looking forward to enjoy its exclusive sales and promos, wide range of products, and different food and pastry shops.

As part of its initiative to promote safe shopping, the country’s fastest-growing membership shopping establishment reminds members to follow store policies for the safety of both its customers and employees.

At the entrance, alcohol dispensers are ready for use and shoppers are required to step on the disinfecting mats before proceeding into the store premises. The shopping carts are regularly disinfected, as well as the checkout counters after every transaction.

Shoppers and employees are required to wear face masks all the time, and to strictly observe social distancing. At the checkout counter, everyone is encouraged to stay behind the yellow lines when waiting for your turn.

Store management is also limiting the number of people inside the shopping area. In case the store is at full capacity, shoppers will have to patiently wait for their turn while maintaining a distance of at least 1 meter from other customers.

In case you get hungry and decide to grab a bite, food stores within Landers Superstore, including Landers Central with their delicious New York offerings, Dough and Co. with their tasty pastries, and Doppio with their fresh brews and ice cream, are open for takeout services only.

To enroll or not to enroll?

F

OR the past month, I have been speaking to several moms with kids aged eight years and below about this coming school year. As a parent, I see their point regarding fees, screen time for younger kids, and especially the effectivity of online learning. As an educator who specializes in early child development (ECD), I feel doubly concerned over how putting a school year off due to this pandemic may affect the critical years of child development. I wanted to find the answer myself.

After speaking with several educators and attending talks from experts, below are my thoughts on some of the questions we may have regarding our child’s enrolment this school year. n Can my toddler (2-3 years old) skip this year since it is still a few years before he/she goes to big school? The first 1,000 days of a person is when a child learns and absorbs information at a faster rate. It is good to develop motor skills, basic phonics and numeracy, as well introduce good values. I remember focusing a lot on my kids’ first words at this stage. I saw how school helped my kids develop their language skills. Having said that, I also know this is the best time to teach my kids life skills. I injected a lot of pretend play as I introduced them to chores at home.

For me, I believe this can be blended learning. I

would set up time blocks for my kids like I mentioned in my June 4 column, which included learning, creative, active, chore and reading times. I would allot the online classes for learning and reading times. The other time blocks can be filled at home in their own time through a D.I.Y. learning corner. Most parents I spoke to were afraid to lose the initial social skills developed in an onsite toddler class. I was glad to discover that online toddler classes have activities like, “Who is here today?” or group musical activities. n The average age for kids to go to big school kindergarten is 5 years old. Is there a way for me to prepare my child, now that he/she is 3.5 to 4 years, to be big school-ready for this school year? For me, this age is the most critical to enroll. Aside from preparing our kids to be big school-ready in content, I believe building confidence is equally important.

Online classes still allow a child to be among other kids, as well as answer questions when prompted by the teacher. We must try to keep our “eye on the ball” that our kids must be ready to go to big school.

We need to be able to teach the value of discipline and punctuality especially at this age. My only requisite would be that the online class needs to be a small class size of maybe maximum of four to five kids. As parents for this age, we must be realistic that direct supervision from parents is necessary. The online school you choose must be ready to work side by side with you as co-educators. It’s also good to know that customized blended learning classes are available.

The one I researched was GLC (0929-8001701), where you can opt to have onsite classes with a maximum of four children per class, thrice weekly for two hours; or also an option for online classes on days not attending the onsite class. n What should I do if my child is entering big school kindergarten? Knowing how 5-year-olds need teacher supervision, should I push through with enrolment in big schools? What are my

options? At this age, I would push through with enrolment depending on how the school will conduct the kindergarten class. I know my kids have to learn to write more and be exposed to subject learning. I would ensure the school provides learning tools for exercises. I also need to prepare myself to be able to supervise my kids in doing their homework.

If a parent chooses to take a gap preschool year from big schools, there are also preschools now that offer intermediate preparation with curriculum based on the Department of Education requirements to properly prepare your child for Grade 1. This can be a good option especially if you aim for small class sizes.

It would also be great to enroll your kids to schools that are able to hold events like Literacy Day or Christmas celebrations online.

Regardless of age group, it boils down to the institution you will entrust your child, and the teachers they will assign to the class. These would be my criteria or questions to ask the online school to ensure maximum effectivity: n Did the school and the teachers undergo official and ample training in digital education? n Do they use tested e-learning platforms like Google Classroom and the like? n Does the school do goal-setting with you for your child? n Does the program include learning worksheets, where they arrange for easy pick-up or delivery? n Does the program offer a tracking system that monitors the progress of your child like individual goal charts? n Do they conduct parent check-ups?

I would choose a school which has a good credibility, undergone ample training in digital education, and, more important, can “virtually handhold” me and my child in this new online experience.

I would give it a try for at least three months. n

Making learning more fruitful and banana-mazing FOR the past few months, parents and kids alike have had to stay safe at home together, finding ways to bond and learn more about each other. Parents in particular have had to become more creative in coming up with solutions to keep their children entertained, while fostering their development at the same time. With the wide range of resources available on the Internet, it can sometimes be difficult to find the right balance between the two.

Making learning more fun and fruitful is part of the mission of The Catsup Museum (www.nutriasia.com/ catsup-museum).

Founded in 2017 by NutriAsia in partnership with The Mind Museum, the establishment opened its doors to immortalize the story of the well-loved and uniquely Filipino banana catsup, giving visitors a deeper understanding of its history and how it is made, with rich visuals and impressive displays.

Home to beloved household names like UFC, Papa, Jufran and Mafran, NutriAsia set up The Catsup Museum in order to promote the Filipino virtues of ingenuity, resourcefulness and hard work, which all go into each bottle of banana catsup.

This month, The Catsup Museum goes online, hosting a virtual tour and an interactive module to provide banana-mazing learning resources for kids of all ages. The virtual tour will take viewers around the interactive exhibits of the museum, while giving in-depth commentary and even mini-quizzes per area. With a trusty banana acting as a guide, the tour also offers 360° viewing, allowing the audience to click and drag their mouse or move their mobile phone around to see every angle.

Giving a closer look into each hall and exhibit, The Catsup Museum virtual tour starts off at the Hall of the Natural History of Banana. Here, parents and their kids can learn more about the condiment’s main ingredient, including where it was first planted, its life stages and the nutrients it gives. Following this is the Maria Ylagan Orosa Hall, named after the Filipina food technologist, chemist, humanitarian and war heroine who invented banana catsup. Then, viewers are taken behind the scenes into how

each bottle of catsup is made in the Manufacturing Hall, a replica of the factories used by NutriAsia. Rounding up the tour is the Banquet Hall, which features larger-than-life food displays representing dishes banana catsup can be enjoyed with.

For kids who love videos and games, The Catsup Museum will also be launching an interactive module, titled Banana 101. Centered on the wonder fruit, kids can enjoy a series of entertaining activities that will teach them everything about the banana, from its history and life cycle, to how they are grown and processed into the food they eat.

The Catsup Museum’s digital resources are all part of Homeschool: Masarap Matuto, Masaya MagAral, NutriAsia’s first-ever learning platform made to spark curiosity in every child.

Carving a new path to learning for parents and children alike, the selection of educational materials will cover topics, such as health and nutrition for yourself and the family sponsored by Papa, and an introduction to beloved Philippine fruits care of Locally.

A9

A10 Thursday, July 16, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

We can avoid another electricity ‘bill shock’

W

hen something goes wrong, weak leaders play the “blame game” to avoid responsibility. Meralco President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Espinosa did a class act last week when he apologized to the public for the inconvenience brought about by the confusing electricity bills during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. He could have chosen to explain how the “bill shock” came about and deflect most of the blame.

Espinosa told the Senate Committee on Energy there was a “failure to clarify” to customers which part of their bills was based on actual meter reading and which part was based on an “estimate” (distribution utilities and electric cooperatives nationwide were ordered to adopt “estimate billing” during the ECQ to protect their meter readers from the virus). “For that, I wish to apologize to you and to all similarly situated customers. It is necessary now for Meralco to send each of our customers a separate clarificatory letter to show the reading in February, in May or in June and explain to them clearly,” he said.

Espinosa added: “It is not Meralco’s business to charge customers beyond what they consumed.” Translation: Meralco meters are accurate, that’s why there were no complaints from its 6.3 million customers before the ECQ. He also told the Senate that Meralco has set a moratorium on service disconnection until September 30 this year. And to help lighten customers’ financial burdens during the pandemic, Meralco has invoked the “force majeure” provision of its power supply agreements, which effectively kept electricity rates low in March and April, and even lower in May and June.

Meralco customers were not the only ones that were shocked by huge electricity bills after the ECQ. Rep. Angelo B. Palmones of AGHAM Party-list said consumers in other regions are also victims of the electricity “bill shock.” He said: “My family also experienced a high rise in electricity prices being charged

by COTELCO of Cotabato and SAJELCO of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.”

In Bolinao, Pangasinan, one customer complained that her electric bill surged to P23,000 for the months of April and May when she usually only pays P6,000 per month. The Pangasinan I Electric Cooperative Inc., however, explained that the bill was an “average,” where the April billing was based on January to March 2020 consumption in accordance with the guidelines issued by the ERC to all electric cooperatives.

Laban Konsyumer Inc. (LKI), a consumer advocacy organization committed to assist consumers against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices, conducted its own investigation on the surging electricity bills. It blamed regulatory lapses, particularly by the ERC, for the “bill shock” currently hounding power consumers nationwide.

In a letter to Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, chairman of the House Committee on Energy, in connection with the committee’s public hearing on electricity bills, LKI said the “bill shock” came as a result of ambiguous advisories issued by the ERC allowing distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to use “estimate billing.”

“The lack of implementing details created confusion among the distribution utilities and electric cooperatives around the country. These DUs and ECs nationwide were left to implement their own estimation without any clear guidelines by the ERC, and this may have brought about confusion both on the part of the DUs and ECs, and also on the part of the consumers. If there was more clarity in the guidelines, the confusion and stress consumers are feeling now with their electricity bills may have been avoided,” LKI said.

The country’s shared experience of higher electricity bills during the ECQ deserves deeper study and investigation. For starters, the ERC’s Distribution Services and Open Access Rules on the use of estimated billing should be scrapped to give way to better guidelines during times of crisis. We have seen its adverse effect on power consumers—an Internet café that was closed during the ECQ, for example, still gets a billing based on average consumption.

This is not fair. Anything that causes national pain should be excised.

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spox

T

he struggle to win votes in the Philippines remains largely an in-person affair, where politicians routinely get mobbed by supporters. Social distancing, after all, is a brand-new concept to the typical Filipino. With the coronavirus on the loose, however, things have to be drastically different. For starters, the precautionary measures we are now very familiar with—social distancing, the wearing of face coverings, and frequent hand hygiene—will inevitably put a damper on traditional forms of in-person campaigning.

Political rallies and other mass gatherings will most likely be officially discouraged. In those few cases where they are held—assuming that people aren’t too scared to go to begin with—they will have to conform to social distancing guidelines. Political parades and caravans will probably also be officially discouraged.

About the only thing that will survive the transition to a new normal of political campaigning will be posters and banners. And with recent amendments to the law increasing the spending limit of candidates, it is inevitable that posters and banners—already a perennial problem to police—will be even more widely used and abused. But these traditional paper posters might just be getting some competition in 2022 as a bill, currently pending in Con-

gress seeks the legitimization of the use of billboards—like the kind you now see lining Edsa—for political campaigning.

Coming from more than 15 years of haranguing politicians and political parties for using posters in excess of the mandated maximum dimensions, the thought of seeing propaganda plastered across these massive billboards made me worry at first. But the more I studied the arguments in favor of the idea, the more I came to realize that there was a good point being made. Apparently, as the proposal’s author put it, “the amount of contracting or leasing a billboard space is substantially lower compared to advertisement in radio or television or newspaper.” If that were so—and I have no reason to believe otherwise—then billboards

Bridges to cross

T. Anthony C. Cabangon Lourdes M. Fernandez

John Mangun

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace Angel R. Calso Ruben M. Cruz Jr. Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes Judge Pedro T. Santiago (Ret.) Benjamin V. Ramos Adebelo D. Gasmin Marvin Nisperos Estigoy Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

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Campaigns during lockdown

OUTSIDE THE BOX

W beat us.

E, humans, genuinely believe that we are the masterpiece of all of the Creator’s works. Our intelligence is so great that we fictionalize only aliens could match or

Certainly, we know that physically we are no match to the noble lion. But the lion, while having more intelligence than a chicken, is far below a pig. A lion looking out over the African savannah thinks “Zebra. Run. Eat.” Of course, that also describes the average young heterosexual male at a bar on Ladies’ Night. Or me on first seeing a five-star hotel dinner buffet.

But in truth, we humans are often not much more sophisticated in our intelligence than the lion looking at the zebra.

There are only two local newspaper columnists that I read regularly.

One is a voice “crying in the wilderness:” the other has been “crying”

since the 2016 election. But they are both articulate, do good research, and have historical perspective.

Most of the rest of us are scribblers who rant and rave whatever comes to mind.

I mention that for two reasons.

Humans are hardwired—like the beasts of the field—to “Zebra.

Run. Eat.” Obviously there is a survival purpose to that. Unlike humans, though, beasts are more adequately prepared to adjust to their environment. Therefore, one of the dumbest attitudes possible is found in this human statement.

“We will cross that bridge when we come to it.” Perhaps that is why lions rarely fall off the cliff while

do have the potential to be more easily accessible to a political candidate with limited funds.

Of course, if billboards are legitimized for election propaganda purposes, it is highly probable that it won’t remain cheap for very long. To begin with, billboards are an inherently scarce resource; the number of available billboards is far lower than the number of candidates who might want to use them. The competition caused by this scarcity will drive up the cost of using the billboards, making it likely that they will quickly be priced out of the reach of candidates with small budgets, defeating the laudable objectives of the proposal.

Apart from printed campaign materials, however, the inescapable fact is that all other traditional avenues of campaigning are shrinking. And with broadcast advertising still costing as much as it does, we can expect that more political parties and candidates will be resorting to the use of social media and teleconferencing.

Social media and teleconferencing

Social media has been around for quite some time now, and it has proven to be a powerful tool for political campaigns. But social media’s greatest strength has, up to this point, been its ability to effectively mobilize partisans. Both in 2016 and in 2019, rallies were organized and coordinated using social-media platforms. And recently, apps that focus on sharing ultra-short videos

humans do all the time.

In an editorial on February 14 titled “Covid-19: What if...?,” I quoted American author James Howard Kunstler: “What if the coronavirus turns out to be a genuine pandemic, not some punk-ass bug like SARS...and goes logarithmic in the USA? Might the November presidential election have to be postponed?”

As the clock ticks down and the pandemic rages on, that “bridge” is starting to show on the horizon. Is the US ready to cross it?

A brilliant columnist—by my standards—is virtually unheard of locally although he is a Filipino by birth, living in Australia since 1997.

Richard Fernandez wrote a few days ago about the Revolutions of 1848 that swept across Europe, creating new nations, breaking monarchies and establishing republics. There were “political” reasons. But one catalyst was the Irish potato famine or The Great Famine, a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1849. From 1841 to 1851, the Irish population fell by 20 percent from deaths and immigration.

Fernandez writes, “After the potato famine, the Irish ruling elite

have gotten tremendous success as a means of capturing the attention of the public.

As effective as these platforms are, however, they address only one aspect of campaigning: the need to build name and face recall. Communicating anything of substance is a challenge, to say the least, when you’re on a platform designed precisely to take advantage of short attention spans. This is where teleconferencing comes into its own.

Prior to the pandemic, teleconferencing wasn’t really something that ordinary people would be aware of. The pandemic has changed that. With television stations and employers everywhere resorting to online apps that offer seamless teleconferencing to get around quarantine restrictions to productivity, words like Teams and Zoom are quickly becoming part of the popular lexicon. It is almost a certainty that this popularity will receive an even greater boost once the campaigns start in earnest.

The ability to address large groups of people remotely—one teleconferencing service claims its meetings can include up to thousand participants—and still retain direct interaction with the audience is a game changer. And it’s cheap too. There is absolutely no question about it: the combined the mobilizing power of social media and the ability to have meaningful conversations via teleconferencing will define the new normal of election campaigns.

was never the same again but that was the least of it. The subsistence failure of 1845 led to 1848, known as “the year of revolutions.”

He quotes philosophy professor Michelle Maiese from 2003. “Intractable conflicts—conflicts that stubbornly seem to elude resolution—are ones that remain unresolved for long periods of time and then become stuck at a high level of intensity and destructiveness.” Fernandez ends with: “The petty disputes of our own time are destined to unfold into the great questions of the future. We just don’t know what they’ll be yet.”

The Philippines has these also and the sides are blurred. “Oligarch-busting” or petty politics? Sacrifices for the nation or losing human rights?

Flexible foreign policy or bowing to another master?

Fernandez: “Natural disasters not only cause their own devastation, they accelerate underlying trends.”

We have many bridges to cross in the future.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Visit my web site at www.mangunonmarkets.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis tools provided by the COL Financial Group Inc.

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Education for all being tested in Covid times

Divine initiative and human response

freedom that can also lend itself to what is contrary and evil.

Msgr. Sabino A. Vengco Jr.

Alálaong Bagá

Dr. Rene E. Ofreneo

LABOREM EXERCENS

T

he school year 2020-2021 is extraordinary. Instruction for the Covid generation will be conducted under new teaching formats using new education technologies and tools.

Hence, the education vocabulary now carries terms such as distance education, flexible learning, blended learning, online teaching, e-learning, and so on. Instead of chalks, blackboards and notebooks, students are being asked to be ready with their computers and tablets. But for those who cannot afford such gadgets, they are told not to worry because they can still get instruction via their family television and radio sets.

It is a brave new education world.

We can only sympathize with the leaderships of Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education in their courageous efforts to push for the opening of classes this August amid a pandemic and the limited time to prepare the teachers, the host communities/local government units and the country as a whole to the new education setting. Their uniform battlecry: learning must continue.

However, making learning continuous under Covid circumstances, difficult as it is, is not the only policy issue facing the education planners. There are other equally important concerns, foremost of which is the inclusionary/ exclusionary impact of the instruction and curricular adjustments being made or adopted in response to Covid-19.

In a webinar conducted by the Freedom from Debt Coalition, Raquel Castillo of the Sustainable Partnership through Education and Lifelong Learning (SPELL) and Student Regent Ellenor Bartolome of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines pointed out that, education, a great equalizer, has the potentials of becoming a great social and economic divider under the pandemic.

Historically, the poor’s lack of access to education was at the roots of social and economic inequality in the country. This was the situation during the Spanish and American colonial periods.

When the country gained political independence, access became a question of affordability. Children of poor families accounted for the high dropout rates in the public elementary and secondary schools. And from the fraction of those who were able to finish high school, only a handful were able to continue to college, validating the observation that education was a preserve for the rich. Thus, the popular demand articulated by social reformers through the decades: “universalization” of education captured in the slogans “education is a right” and “education for all” (EFA).

After Edsa I in 1986, the EFA demand got enshrined in the Constitution. The then Department of Education, Culture and Sports formally embraced the EFA goal, prodding a succession of governments to allocate more and more funds for the public schools.

Later, subsidies for those enrolled in private schools were also developed via the voucher system.

And then the World Bank came up with an “education inclusion” package: conditional cash transfer. Poor families with three school-age children can receive a maximum of P1,400 a month allowance based on two CCT conditions: the mothers must have regular checkups in the health clinics and the children must attend schooling without fail.

Thus, by 2019, total K-12 enrolment had swelled to over 27 million, a mindboggling number representing onefourth of the total Philippine population.

Enrolment at the tertiary level had also risen to over three million. Clearly, education, especially at K-12 level, had become more and more accessible except for the very poor who are “invisible” to the barangay/LGU officials and who have no permanent address such as those living along the pavements, in cemeteries and isolated upland areas.

Now with Covid-19, a major reversal in the education universalization campaign is happening. Latest reports indicate that almost 80 percent of the K-12 students (around 7 million) are dropping out. The No. 1 reason is well-known: families impoverished by Covid-19 cannot afford the expenses

involved in enrolling children, especially the purchase of electronic gadgets and getting Internet connectivity under the various e-learning schemes.

There are other economic reasons.

In the old studies on the school dropout phenomenon, the most frequent answers given by parents on why their children had to stop schooling was the lack of funds for school materials (uniform, books, pencils, etc.) and the need to have extra hands in the conduct of family business such as farming, street vending and home-based production.

This time the economic situation is terribly acute; hence, the precipitous drop in enrolment.

However, the exclusionary process does not end in the non-enrolment of the 20 percent. Dr. Ciel Habito called our attention to a recent study by Cymon Kayle Lubangco, a masteral student of Ateneo, on the implications in the adoption of the new teaching instruments or modalities being espoused by DepEd for the K-12 learners. Her study shows that households in the Philippines with “schooling members” numbered around 15.8 million in 2015. Out of this total, only 9.7 percent of the families have Internet connection and only 25 percent have computers. Thus, immediately, large areas of the country are excluded in the learning process if the preferred method is to go digital.

As to radio, television and cellphone cited by DepEd as alternative means for the delivery of instruction, the Lubangco study gave higher percentages—40, 79 and 89, respectively. However, the quality of instruction or learning delivered through radio, television and cellphone certainly cannot match that of the Internet/computer-based education which involves a virtual “face-to-face” interaction as if one is in a classroom.

Raquel Castillo of SPELL and Regent Ellenor Bartolome of PUP cited other problems. One the tendency of the education planners to focus primarily on the formal side of education and the economy. This explains the overwhelming focus on going digital. The situation of learners belonging to families residing in poor communities and who cannot afford to buy the electronic gadgets tends to be ignored. Castillo has also observed that the “alternative learning system” has seen limited growth in enrolment and has not received sufficient attention, budget- and administrationwise, from the education planners. ALS is a special education program that targets the out-of-school youth, former rebels, displaced workers and disabled.

Relatedly, the education planners seem to be continuing with the old education theme advanced by the previous Administrations—aligning the Philippine education system with the global and regional standards on education in terms of schedules (hence, the changes in academic calendar), quality and qualifications. The Philippines subscribes to the Asean Qualifications Reference Framework, which the Asean liberalizers see as a means to ease the “free flow” of skills and talents regionwide. Global aligners claim that upgrading the educational system to be at par with other countries in the region and in the world make the Philippines globally competitive.

However, Castillo and Bartolome ask: should we not focus our attention first on the needs of the country, especially the poor segments of society, given the social and economic realities under the pandemic? And with the flattening of the global and Asean/East Asian economy, why not focus first on the domestic social and economic needs of the country?

Thursday, July 16, 2020 A11

S

taying within the agricultural experience of His audience, Jesus tackles the issue of the presence of evil persons in God’s creation with His parable of the weeds among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-43).

Children of the evil one

Earlier in the parable of the sower, Jesus describes the seed sown on the path, that is the one who hears the word of God without understanding, as being snatched away by “the evil one [who] comes and steals away what was sown in His heart” (Matthew 13:19). Now it is the program of the evil one mimicking the activity of the sower that comes under scrutiny. The Son of Man is the one who sows good seed in the world in establishing the reign of God. The good seed are the children of the kingdom.

But the enemy comes under cover of darkness to sow weeds among the good seed; it is the devil at work multiplying his children of darkness. Good wheat and

weeds in the same field: sinners side by side with saints, a mix of goodness and evil in the world.

Some people naively think that God as the creator of this world should have arranged things better, like having all sinners eliminated early on and so maintain an evil-less universe. Some conclude that there is really no God, or that God is not really good or all-powerful. We need to understand that because God is good and omnipotent He alone conceives of humankind in His likeness with the calling to and perfection in His divine love and with the freedom that it takes.

As with His angels, so with His human beings: the fundamental freedom they have to be able to love is necessarily the

The sower’s mercy and compassion

IN the reign of God where there is always the interplay between divine initiative and human free response, the end is never in doubt. Relentlessly, the will of God will be done; the completion of the work of Jesus in the eternal reign of God will come through the power of the Holy Spirit. Meanwhile people listen to or reject God’s word as they will. We will always have scammers who gleefully watch the city burn for a song, side by side with heroes who labor assiduously for the good of the many and willingly sacrifice in defiance of evil in its various forms. Our need to separate one from the other is not always possible or easy; we go by appearances and are ourselves oft tainted. God has a distinctive take on this: uprooting the weeds should not risk taking out the good as well.

Human justice is not the last instance for the good, or against evil. We are only too familiar with the inadequacies of our justice system, where the powerful can flaunt the law and where the innocent can rot in blatant injustice. We are aware that what is said among us as legal is not always truly moral and right in accord

with God’s will. It must strike us according to Jesus that God does not rush to sort out the weeds from the wheat. God is aware that we all need time for growth and conversion. There is proper time for judgment. In the light of divine mercy and compassion, and amid human faltering response to God’s initiative, life on Earth is clearly better off with a second chance available.

Alálaong bagá, God’s patience with us in this life arise from His wisdom and mercy that does not give up hope on us, even as to the very end He provides the grace that can work miracles. Waiting is not inaction or helplessness, but unyielding charity to all. When people are murderously impatient with those perceived to be evil, they are evidently too sure of themselves and of their intelligence and power to the extent that they conveniently forego of the ground rules of God-given human rights and dignity.

They play impatient gods instead of being true hearers of God’s word; they usually end up devoured by the mindless tiger they choose to ride—what God does not also want to happen.

Join me in meditating on the Word of God every Sunday, from 5 to 6 a.m. on DWIZ 882, or by audio streaming on www.dwiz882.com.

Will the curtain stay closed on ABS-CBN? Val A. Villanueva

Businesswise

W

hat I personally believe is a done deal has come to pass.

From where I sit, ABS-CBN, which has courted the ire of President Duterte, has no chance of renewing its franchise.

The die is loaded against its bid, and it was excruciating for me to watch how Congress tossed it on the table.

Was it a fair hearing as House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano promised it would be? Not by any chance. True, the granting of a franchise is a Congress prerogative, but ABS-CBN has a vested right over its franchise. That right cannot be taken away, either by expiration or revocation, without justifiable grounds. No substantive evidence was presented to prove that the giant network violated any of its obligations and undertakings under its franchise. Not only did the testimonies of competent quasi-judicial regulatory agencies, notably the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Securities and Exchange Commission, clear ABS-CBN on tax issues and the use of Philippine depositary receipts, respectively, but the network also competently answered all the charges hurled against it, from which Rep. Edcel Lagman drew his conclusion that ABS-CBN deserved a franchise extension. Salt on ABS-CBN’s wound was the narrow legal elbow room it was given to reverse the decision.

A legal eagle whom I consulted said that the issues thrown against ABSCBN were better decided in the proper forum—which is not the halls of Congress—noting that, “Weighing in on its implications on the constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression, Congress should have been more circumspect in its decision.”

He added: “It is exactly within the realm of judicial review [Supreme Court] to void actions made by any branch or instrumentality of the government with grave abuse of discretion amounting

to lack or excess of jurisdiction. Given recent Supreme Court decisions that this power applies only to quasi-judicial functions, and the current constitution of the Supreme Court [unfortunately], it is unlikely that we would expect an ‘activist’ judiciary at this time. Yes, the decision can be appealed under Rule 65 of the Rules of Court, but again, it is unlikely that the courts will meddle with the prerogative of Congress on the basis of the ‘political question’ doctrine: that is, the Judiciary will not interfere with issues that are within the sole prerogative or discretion of a co-equal branch.”

With 75 percent of Filipinos in favor of giving ABS-CBN another 25-year franchise extension as per the SWS survey results released on July 11, the broadcast giant’s loyal supporters are pushing for a people’s initiative as a means to meet their objective. Election lawyer Romulo Makalintal noted however that such an initiative involves a very long process that could easily fail if even just one condition were not met. The signing of the petition alone and verification of signatures may take a year. If it does not get 3 percent in one legislative district, the petition [becomes automatically] dead.” The initiative organizer said his group was aware of the tedious process, but believed that it was doable.

The “demise” of ABS-CBN which some groups relish does not only affect its 11,000 employees, but thousands more who depend on it for a living. The multiplier effect on the supply chain is just too expansive to gloss over. Unem-

ployment in the midst of this pandemic is just too difficult to bear. Making it worse is the lamentable loss of the taxes being paid by ABS-CBN, and the thousands of companies and people dependent on it—taxes that our nation’s extremely diminished coffers badly need. Moreover, the embattled network is a publicly listed company, and its closure means inopportune losses to its countless shareholders.

The closure of ABS-CBN is a boon to rival GMA Holdings where, ironically, foreign monies are allowed to invest in Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs), the financial instruments that foreign funds can buy into, which allow media and other Filipino firms to raise funds globally by keeping foreign ownership at 40 percent. GMA shares went up as high as P6.30 from the P5.32 on July 10, although it lost 0.2 percent at closing.

The closure also prompted the Philippine Stock Exchange to suspend the trading of ABS-CBN shares, requiring it to submit a detailed report on the impact of the nonrenewal of its legislative franchise on its business, financial condition, and operations. Moving forward in the interest of the investing public, ABS-CBN has to disclose its prospects and business plans.

The suspension will be lifted one trading day after media dissemination of the full disclosure. The Philippine Competition Commission in an earlier Senate hearing also said that, with ABS-CBN off the air, Filipino consumers would have fewer options for news and entertainment, and GMA-7 may get 55 percent of the total market share due to the shutdown.

What also confounds me is the accusation hurled by some groups that the network’s reporting is biased against the present dispensation and some people who are closely associated with President Duterte. Lest they forget, the press and news media, otherwise referred to as the Fourth Estate, is not and should not be the government’s public relations arm. In a democratic country like ours, the Constitution guarantees protection to media so that it can perform its role of providing unhampered, accurate and relevant information to improve the quality of public life and offer critical collaboration with the government.

A free, objective and competent media serves as a beacon of truth, and acts as the people’s watchdog against the excesses of

government and state actors. Pray tell, when ABS-CBN’s news anchors Noli de Castro and Ted Failon, and commentator Anthony Taberna regularly hurled a barrage of vile commentaries at then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, neither gutter-language lambasting nor shutdown threats were directed at the giant network by the previous administration. Up until the election of President Duterte, the three relentlessly pursued Aquino and wanted him jailed on account of the Dengvaxia dilemma.

Quo Vadis? The legal eagle told me that, since only the network’s franchise was revoked, ABS-CBN has the option to merge with TV-5 or any other network with an existing franchise, “subject to limitations under competition law and those stated in the existing franchise holder’s franchise.” Of course, under such a merger, Congress must be notified or its consent secured. There are also ways for ABS-CBN to continue showing its content in other media platforms that do not require it to have its own franchise.

My source said that the network “may continue to show its content online, [or] consider time-blocking or showing its content through a digital sub-frequency, [or the] sub-channel or content stream of an existing franchise holder.”

Unlike analog, digital frequency can be split into multiple sub-channels. For a fee, the current holder of a digital frequency may allocate or “time block” a sub-frequency to ABS-CBN. Obviously, the question is whether any current franchise-holder would be willing to offer a sub-frequency to ABS-CBN, given the current political climate. Assuming that an existing franchise holder would be willing to allocate a time block to ABS-CBN, the network’s reach through a sub-frequency would depend on the franchise holder’s infrastructure. ABS-CBN may lease its current infrastructure to the franchise holder for expanded reach.

I’m sure that ABS-CBN’s legal team is already exploring ways for the network to go back on air. Despite the obstacles, there could still be novel ways to do so. I just hope that acquiescence or kowtowing to the powers-that-be would not be part of the deal.

For comments and suggestions, e-mail me at mvala.v@gmail.com

Sual operates at the highest levels of environmental compliance MAIL

W

e write in reaction to a BusinessMirror news story published on July 14, 2020—Reject 2nd coal-fired plant in Sual—written by Mr. Jonathan L. Mayuga, where passing mention was made of TeaM Energy’s Sual

Power Station.

Mr. Mayuga quotes a Ms. Rossana Soriano as saying that they have “lived with the smoke and pollution of the Sual Power Station, causing much suffering and health problems among residents.”

We feel that the quote attributed to Ms. Soriano regarding our power plant, as published in your newspaper, is not an accurate reflection of reality, and is devoid of any factual basis.

At TeaM Energy, we take great pride in generating the needed electricity to address the country’s development needs, while strictly adhering to all pertinent environment laws and regulations. We have

in place an environmental management system that has been ISO 14001 certified since 2002. This helps us ensure that we continuously operate at the highest levels of environmental compliance.

Back in 2012, the Sual Power Station was named by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as one of the 18 greenest companies in the Philippines in recognition of our environmental performance. We continuously monitor our environmental performance in real time using the best available technologies. It is a matter of public record, and it is something we are proud of.

Currently, Sual is a thriving

first-class municipality—several notches higher than its fifth-class standing before we began plant operations. Our facility has helped create economic opportunities while being mindful of the need to safeguard the environment, and give utmost priority to the health and well-being of residents of our host community where our employees work, and where many of them reside.

Thank you for giving us the chance to clarify this matter.

Froilan Gregory H. Romualdez III Head of External Affairs TeaM Energy

A12 Thursday, July 16, 2020

Wang, Locsin in ‘frank, cordial’ talks amid US-China word war F

By Recto Mercene

@rectomercene

OREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., who said on Sunday the UN arbitral award favoring the Philippine position in the South China Sea is “nonnegotiable,” held a “frank but cordial” virtual discussion on Tuesday with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The video call, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), was made starting at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and lasted one hour.

Journalists requested the DFA to provide a more substantial context of the discussion, as they wanted to find out how the Chinese envoy reacted to Locsin’s strong statement, but the response was in broad terms.

Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, executive director of the Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, replied, saying “the matter was raised, among others, during the discussion.”

“Both sides articulated their

respective positions in exchanges that were frank, open but cordial throughout,” Fernandez said in his brief reply.

US-China cold war?

A DAY after the two foreign minister’s video call, Manila’s ambassador to China said the relations between the United States and China are now at their lowest point.

The trade war between the two superpowers is an attempt by the US to roll back China’s rise, Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana said during a zoom forum organized by the Association for Philippines-China

Understanding (APCU).

He said 60 percent of the intellectuals he talked to in China believe that a new Cold War between the two superpowers has started, but 90 percent of the Chinese are confident they would be able to withstand the American pressure.

Asked what is behind America’s unwillingness to see that China had achieved economic supremacy, the ambassador said the United States remains the sole superpower in the world following World War II and the collapse of the Soviet Union, “and the United States is not willing to be number 2.”

He said it is possible that any wrong move by any side can result in further conflict. “Given the current situation, it bears watching in the next few months.”

He added: “I hope the rivalry will not lead to wider conflict but serve us a point of reflection; they want to resolve this through more discussion.”

Ties in ‘new normal’

ON the Wang-Locsin video call on Tuesday, the DFA statement said “Secretary Locsin reiterated the importance of continued dialogue to propel Philippines-China

cooperation forward across various fronts, under the “new normal” brought about by the global Covid-19 pandemic.”

It added that the two foreign ministers recognized that Philippines-China bilateral relations have achieved a positive turnaround and a sound momentum of development through the joint efforts and mutual trust of both sides.

“Both sides reaffirmed that contentious maritime issues are not the sum total of the Philippines-China bilateral relationship. With mutual respect, sincerity, and adherence to sovereign equality, both sides will continue to manage issues of concern and promote maritime cooperation in friendly consultation. Both sides agree to strengthen Philippines-China comprehensive strategic cooperation,” reported the DFA statement.

The Philippines and China, despite the friendly attitude between President Duterte and President Xi Jinping, continue to be at loggerheads on the South China Sea (SCS) issue.

The Philippines claims victory over the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration dismissing China’s “excessive” claim over

the disputed waters, believed to harbor vast marine resources and untapped oil and gas reserves. The tribunal had shot down China’s repeated reference to its “historical claims” on which it anchors its expansion in the SCS. However, China rejected the tribunal’s ruling, first by not participating in the deliberations, and second by ignoring the final decision, sticking to its historical claim of the vast sea, marked by a nine-dash line.

And, despite both sides agreeing in principle to a joint development of the West Philippine Sea in an area the country calls Recto Bank (Reed Bank), China’s militia continues to harass Filipino fishermen. Resupply missions to another Philippine occupied island, called Ayungin, are being blocked. A rusty transport ship, the BRP Sierra Madre was intentionally grounded there to serve as an outpost of the Philippine Navy in Ayungin Shoal.

China still cautious

STA. Romana said at the moment, China at least is deterred not make further advances given the current balance of power.

Continued on A2

DUQUE: PHL SUCCESSFULLY FLATTENED THE CURVE IN APRIL

A

FTER he mistakenly said in May that the country is actually on the second wave, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III made another controversial claim on Wednesday. He said the Philippines had “successfully flattened the curve”since April.

While he made the pronouncement that the curve has flattened, the number of infections in the country hit 58,850, with 20,976 recoveries and 1,614 deaths.

“We have successfully flattened the curve since April. The metrics for arriving at that conclusion of flattening the curve is actually, one, the case doubling time of the Covid-19 infection has actually become longer,” Duque explained during the government’s Pre-Sona forum.

Later, Duque clarified that what he meant was “we bent the curve in April after the March ECQ [enhanced community quarantine], but we are seeing an increase in cases due to the expanded testing capacity and community transmission as we allow movement of people.”

His statement was read by Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire during the Department of Health’s (DOH) Beat Covid-19 televised press conference.

“Our case doubling time in April passed the three-day doubling time mark; Now, July 15—it is at eight days CDT [case doubling

time], past the seven-day doubling time mark.”

Although he received criticisms, for Duque, what is important is to maintain the number of cases and that should be in manageable levels so as not to overwhelm health-care workers.

“That’s why it is so important for us to observe minimum health protocols— wear a mask, wash hands frequently, and do physical distancing,” the health chief stressed.

Covid cases

AS of 4 p.m. of July 15, a total of 1,392 positive cases were reported based on the total tests done by 73 out of 82 current operational laboratories.

Vergeire said there were 517 recoveries and 11 deaths were reported.

Of the 11 deaths, 5 (45 percent) in July and 6 (55 percent) in June.

Deaths were from the National Capital Region (8 or 73 percent) Region 3 (1 or 9 percent), Region 4A (1 or 9 percent) and Region 9 (1 or 9 percent). Eighty-seven duplicates were removed from the total case count.

The total cases reported may be subject to change as these numbers undergo constant cleaning and validation.

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Search by house legal, but has no IATF nod yet

J

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Wednesday the planned house-to-house search for Covid-19 infected persons has no go-ahead yet from the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Guevarra, a member of the IATF, said he was not aware of the new measure to combat the continuing spread of the virus and that it has yet to be discussed by the members of the task force, which is the policymaking body for the pandemic.

However, the DOJ chief admitted that transferring infected persons to government quarantine facilities who have no means of voluntarily isolating themselves has legal basis under the Republic Act 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.” “Under the law on Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases, it is the duty of the person afflicted or his family to report or give notice of his communicable disease to prevent any contagion,” he said.

“On the other hand, it is the duty of the government, for public health reasons, to place the afflicted person in a quarantine facility if there is no adequate isolation area in such person’s home,” Guevarra added.

Guevarra clarified that the legality of the “house-to-house” search strategy may be taken up by the IATF in its next meeting.

Even if such method will get the nod of the IATF, Guevarra said he believes that barangay officials and health workers would be at the forefront of its implementation, and not the police.

“Should the IATF agree there is a need for a house-to-house search of a Covid-infected persons, it should be the barangay health workers, and not police officers, who should do that,” Guevarra said.

“Health workers are in a better position to determine if transfer to a government quarantine facility is appropriate,” he added.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said police authorities along with local government units will go house-to-house for patients with mild symptoms, adding that home quarantine is no longer allowed if their houses are ill-equipped as isolation facilities.

The Palace, however, clarified that there will be no houseto-house search for coronavirus patients as authorities will only transfer reported patients who are unable to have a proper home quarantine from their homes to government quarantine facilities.

Continued on A2

Displaced workers offered 400K job vacancies in construction

By Samuel P. Medenilla

O

@sam_medenilla

VER 400,000 job vacancies in the construction industry could soon provide alternative employment to the thousands of workers displaced by the business disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it is now in talks with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to tap Covid-af-

fected workers for the construction of big-ticket government infrastructure projects under its “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said they are also coordinating with leaders of the construction industry for hiring of displaced workers.

“We hope to generate not less than 400,000 work opportunities [in the construction industry],” Bello said during the second Pre-State of the Nation Address (Sona) forum organized by the Presidentia l Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Wednesday.

The labor chief explained the vacancies will be generated from the more manual labor-intensive construction operations.

“They will see to it they will maximize the availability of work by manualizing work rather than mechanizing it. So instead of buying a backhoe for example they hire additional workers instead,” Bello said.

Another employment generator during the Covid-19 crisis is the business-process outsourcing Industry (BPO), which will be offering 6,000 job vacancies, Bello said.

Continued on A2

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Companies BusinessMirror

SMIC seeks SEC approval for debt securities issuance

By VG Cabuag

S

@villygc

M Investments Cor p.

(SMIC) on Wednesday said it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its P30-billion debt offering under the shelf registration program, half of which will be issued immediately.

In its disclosure, the company said it will issue some P15 billion in bonds, some P10 billion of which are its principal amount and the rest will be its oversubscription option.

The conglomerate said its P15billion issuance already received high ratings from a local credit rating agency.

SMIC can float the remaining amount within three years.

The company's net income in the first quarter fell 16 percent to P9 billion from the previous year's P10.69 billion, reflecting the impact of the enhanced community quarantine and effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Consolidated revenues rose 2 percent to P111.2 billion, from last year’s P109 billion.

Banks contributed 46 percent of net income, while property and retail added 44 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

“The ECQ and broader pandemic started to weigh on our performance during the first qu a r ter. Ou r st rong ba l a nce sheet, capabilities and partnerships provide us with the flexibility to anticipate and adapt to changes in customer needs and behaviors,” SM President Frederic C. DyBuncio said.

“We are actively enhancing digital and delivery services across all

our core businesses, while also working to support and protect our employees, customers, MSMEs [micro, small and medium enterprises] and business partners.”

Retail operations under SM Retail Inc., which consist of both food—SM Markets, WalterMart and Alfamart—and non-food— department store and specialty retail—posted revenues of P81 billion, still up 3 percent from P79 billion in the previous year.

Net income of the retail group stood at P1.2 billion, down 56 percent from last year's P2.7 billion.

Cirtek Holdings reissues commercial papers

L

aguna-based Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. on Wednesday said it reissued P494million worth of commercial papers maturing on February 18, 2021.

In its disclosure, the company said the debt reissue is part of the P2-billon commercial paper program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in February.

The reissued papers were listed at the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. (PDEx) earlier this week.

Multinational Investment Bancorporation acted as the sole arranger and lead underwriter for the

transaction.

“The company intends to use the proceeds from the offer to partially retire its short-term obligations maturing in 2020 and to finance working capital requirements of its subsidiary, namely Quintel USA as it takes part in the creation of a truly 5G enabled world,” the company said.

In February, the company listed in PDEx its series A, three-month paper worth P769 million, which already matured in March; series B, six-month debt worth P545 million, maturing in August; and series C, one year notes worth P685 million.

The company's commercial paper issuance earlier received a credit rating of PRS A (corp.) rating with a stable outlook with a local rating firm.

A company rated PRS A (corp.) has an above average capacity to meet its financial commitments relative to that of other Philippine corporates while a Stable Outlook indicates that the rating is likely to be maintained or to remain unchanged in the next 12 months.

Cirtek reported an income of $2.4 million in the first quarter, a turnaround from a mere $27,000 last year.

Revenues rose 6 percent to $22.3 million, from last year's $21.02 million, mainly as a result of the increased orders of antenna products.

Quintel, its United States-based unit, had a revenue contribution of $6.9 million for the period, a 3-percent increase from last year.

Revenues from antenna and other manufacturing business before consolidation rose 37 percent to $5.7 million, from $4.2 million in 2019.

Meanwhile, revenues from the semiconductor business reached $9.7 million, down from $10.1 million last year. VG Cabuag

Thursday, July 16, 2020

B1

Apple wins fight over $14.9-billion tax bill

A

pple Inc. won its court fight over a record €13 billion ($14.9 billion) Irish tax bill in a crushing blow to European Union antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager’s crackdown on preferential fiscal deals for companies.

The EU General Court sided with the iPhone maker, saying the European Commission failed to show Ireland’s tax arrangements with the company were illegal state aid. The decision can be appealed.

The court said the EU’s competition authority “did not succeed in showing to the requisite legal standard that there was an advantage.”

The Apple case is the hallmark of Vestager’s five-year campaign to get rid of allegedly unfair tax deals that some EU governments dole out to favored multinationals including the likes of Amazon.com Inc. Apple’s fury at its 2016 tax bill led Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to blast the EU move as “total political crap.”

Apple welcomed Wednesday’s ruling, saying the case “was not about how much tax we pay, but where we are required to pay it.”

The company added that it “has paid more than $100 billion in corporate income taxes around the world in the last decade and tens of billions more in other taxes.”

The Irish finance ministry said the nation “has always been clear that there was no special treatment

provided to the two Apple” units in the EU’s state-aid case.

The ruling comes as Apple is getting close to overtaking Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company in market valuation, a milestone that would make the technology giant the world’s largest company by that measure. Its shares have rallied about 30 percent this year on broad optimism about its businesses.

Apple’s huge sales—like those of other US tech giants—have attracted particular scrutiny in Europe, focusing on complicated company structures for transferring profits generated from intellectual property.

Before today Vestager already had a mixed record in the court cases that followed her tax orders. She suffered a setback last year when judges faulted a decision targeting Starbucks Corp. over its tax deals with the Netherlands. But the tribunal upheld the EU’s decision concerning Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV’s tax affairs in Luxembourg.

In its challenge, Cupertino, California-based Apple claimed the EU wrongly targeted profits that should be taxed in the United States and “retroactively changed the rules” on how global authorities calculate what’s owed to them. The cases are: T-778/16, Ireland v. Commission, T-892/16, Apple Sales International and Apple Operations Europe v. Commission. Bloomberg News

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, July 16, 2020

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

July 15, 2020

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

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

45 89.5 70 20.4 7.37 35.9 17.02 19.98 47.2 16.76 99.55 52.3 20.5 2.42 7.8 0.94 0.28 0.57 159.5 1701 1.06

46.5 90 70.15 20.8 7.38 35.95 17.44 20 48 17 100 53 21 2.5 7.9 0.99 0.285 0.61 160 1739 1.1

45 92.85 71.25 20 7.42 36 17.06 20.1 47.95 16.72 102 52.9 21 2.42 8 0.94 0.33 0.59 160 1700 1.1

46.5 93.05 71.45 20.75 7.5 36.3 17.06 20.15 48 17.1 102 53.3 21 2.42 8 0.94 0.335 0.63 160 1700 1.1

44.15 89.5 69.2 20 7.37 35.85 17.02 19.98 47.95 16.72 99 52.5 19.9 2.42 7.8 0.94 0.27 0.59 159.5 1700 1.06

46.5 89.5 70 20.4 7.37 35.9 17.02 19.98 48 17 100 53 21 2.42 7.8 0.94 0.28 0.61 159.5 1700 1.06

12700 7240230 3250060 50700 297900 4978100 900 3070800 1200 1700 970080 6850 326200 4000 1100 1000 8220000 2031000 2050 5 28000

583695 654537009.5 226724853.5 1031540 2206514 179055185 15340 61461515 57590 28658 97001704 362708 6598136 9680 8600 940 2384000 1233860 327665 8500 29720

INDUSTRIAL

AC ENERGY ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO MANILA WATER PETRON PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER AGRINURTURE AXELUM BOGO MEDELLIN CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP MG HLDG SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VICTORIAS CONCRETE A CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP HOLCIM MEGAWIDE PHINMA TKC METALS VULCAN INDL CROWN ASIA EUROMED LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR IONICS PANASONIC SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG

2.16 1.18 25.75 0.152 22.3 57.4 260 13.16 3.06 3.15 11.06 18.06 7.93 7.39 2.34 76.05 11.32 14.48 3.98 4.72 8.78 65.05 0.57 1.19 30.7 136.2 6.43 5.03 0.125 6.09 1.32 4.11 1.47 0.104 119 0.82 2.22 55.85 0.92 9.8 5.03 5.24 7.2 8.35 0.69 0.78 1.85 1.88 4.5 3.75 4.1 20 1.51 5.38 1 4.42 1.23 6.62

2.18 1.2 25.8 0.158 22.35 58.4 260.2 13.18 3.1 3.24 11.42 18.1 8.05 7.49 2.35 84.75 11.5 14.5 4.18 4.75 8.79 66 0.6 1.2 31.5 137 6.89 5.08 0.137 6.1 1.33 4.2 1.51 0.11 119.4 0.83 2.3 60.85 0.93 9.88 5.05 5.25 7.21 8.99 0.7 0.82 1.96 1.9 4.54 3.91 4.15 20.3 1.53 5.4 1.01 4.56 1.25 6.63

2.2 1.21 26.5 0.165 22.7 60.1 270 13.62 3.14 3.11 11.38 18.52 8.15 7.6 2.44 76.05 11.5 14.6 4.1 4.72 8.7 67.1 0.6 1.27 31.6 140 6.88 5.13 0.129 6.14 1.36 4.21 1.51 0.104 124 0.81 2.24 61.9 0.96 9.76 5.05 5.47 7.07 8.39 0.72 0.83 1.85 2.05 4.45 3.91 4.15 20.3 1.55 5.8 1 4.42 1.25 6.65

2.25 1.22 26.9 0.188 22.75 60.15 270 13.64 3.14 3.24 11.42 18.56 8.15 7.64 2.44 76.05 11.5 14.6 4.1 4.98 8.8 68.05 0.6 1.28 31.6 140 6.89 5.25 0.137 6.2 1.36 4.21 1.51 0.104 124 0.86 2.24 61.9 0.96 9.81 5.09 5.7 7.21 8.99 0.76 0.83 1.85 2.05 4.54 3.91 4.15 20.3 1.6 5.83 1.03 4.57 1.3 7

2.16 1.18 25.6 0.151 22.1 57.4 260 13 3.05 3.1 11.36 18.04 7.95 7.39 2.3 76.05 11.5 14.48 3.98 4.7 8.5 65.05 0.57 1.18 31 136.2 6.88 5.03 0.125 6.08 1.31 4.01 1.51 0.104 118.2 0.8 2.2 55 0.9 9.75 5 5.2 6.85 8.39 0.7 0.78 1.85 1.85 4.1 3.75 4.1 20 1.5 5.32 0.99 4.41 1.2 6.5

2.16 1.2 25.8 0.159 22.3 57.4 260 13.16 3.1 3.24 11.42 18.1 7.95 7.49 2.35 76.05 11.5 14.5 4 4.74 8.78 65.05 0.6 1.2 31.5 136.2 6.89 5.03 0.137 6.1 1.33 4.2 1.51 0.104 119 0.82 2.22 55.85 0.92 9.8 5.05 5.24 7.2 8.99 0.7 0.78 1.85 1.88 4.54 3.75 4.1 20 1.53 5.38 1.01 4.56 1.25 6.63

11611000 423000 828700 7050000 2083700 287260 393890 5817300 1352000 56000 150700 480500 348900 112600 1094000 20 2700 2291600 94000 1046000 2004400 276290 473000 12945000 94300 1210440 5000 338200 580000 671800 2668000 37000 2000 370000 2692750 6739000 33000 1530 22011000 359900 667500 4546600 2736900 1100 488000 729000 2000 682000 25000 5000 681000 1000 4118000 607500 408000 17000 2409000 2752200

434050 -367493232 -114006412 -786539 -43228515 -45316917 1710 -96660.5 -13650 8400 -43800 -22340 -

25388380 508780 21543540 1204670 46643115 17028163.5 103430194 77134170 4175110 177300 1717322 8819216 2780981 841387 2558280 1521 31050 33230494 375110 4973080 17,504,349( 18,216,959( 273340 15805970 2966925 166092579 34404 1731645 74840 4090996 3554290 155230 3020 38480 323383435 5595290 73440 88093 20205670 3526191 3353849 24606801 19247633 9529 347320 581460 3700 1325130 107090 19070 2792150 20210 6369280 3354639 409790 75690 2997650 18472284

3712920 -11043030 -54300 -13574480 -3680661 -63265582 -15096932 -186170 1903745.9997 406376.0001 -15834 -637680 -28029668 -199600 -803700 6,724,574.9997) 8,990,536.4996) -7800 -189400 2305400 -39146506 -141084 852475 -473450 -142820 -160529233 -18060 -4824130 -1813050 -58274 130737 -1415541 8200 -48130 769170 -393086

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.46 0.465 0.475 0.475 0.46 0.465 8370000 3915200 ASIABEST GROUP 8.1 8.36 8.4 8.43 8.09 8.35 25600 208523 AYALA CORP 723.5 724 742 745 721 724 340830 247993255 48.2 48.7 49.3 49.4 47.95 48.2 1357110 65392175.5 ABOITIZ EQUITY 5.98 6 6.11 6.11 5.96 5.98 9433700 56738587 ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG 1.61 1.62 1.64 1.64 1.6 1.61 1067000 1726130 ANSCOR 6.08 6.23 6.23 6.23 6.23 6.23 200 1246 0.455 0.5 0.5 0.52 0.48 0.48 356000 176450 ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.61 0.55 0.57 2615000 1474490 ATN HLDG B 0.56 0.59 0.56 0.59 0.56 0.59 98000 55030 COSCO CAPITAL 5.15 5.16 5.23 5.23 5.15 5.15 369600 1923032 DMCI HLDG 3.81 3.83 4 4.01 3.8 3.81 13147000 50884110 8.5 8.81 8.85 8.89 8.81 8.81 21900 193800 FILINVEST DEV 0.175 0.209 0.175 0.175 0.175 0.175 140000 24500 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 430 431.8 455 455 421 430 179670 77841238 HOUSE OF INV 3.3 3.39 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 6000 19800 JG SUMMIT 67.25 67.6 68.1 68.1 67.25 67.6 2384450 161252642.5 4.38 5.17 4.32 5.39 4.32 5.17 9000 42100 JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR 0.58 0.59 0.6 0.63 0.57 0.58 5424000 3150320 LOPEZ HLDG 2.44 2.45 2.43 2.46 2.42 2.43 165000 400500 LT GROUP 8 8.04 8.18 8.18 7.95 8.04 2580000 20727266 0.465 0.5 0.46 0.51 0.46 0.5 190000 89940 MABUHAY HLDG 3.17 3.2 3.36 3.37 3.17 3.17 61764000 199405070 METRO PAC INV 3.25 3.29 3.05 3.35 3.05 3.29 90000 293120 PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA 0.8 0.83 0.85 0.96 0.8 0.83 1206000 1051620 SOLID GROUP 0.99 1 1.01 1.01 0.99 0.99 43000 42770 141 160 155 155 150 150 150 22700 SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS 911 920 938 938 910 911 521960 477854965 SAN MIGUEL CORP 98.3 98.65 102 103 98 98.3 167990 16656955.5 SOC RESOURCES 0.62 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.63 0.63 391000 250690 TOP FRONTIER 121 124 124.5 125 121 124 6490 801872 0.181 0.202 0.203 0.203 0.203 0.203 40000 8120 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG 0.138 0.14 0.145 0.189 0.135 0.14 21740000 3534400

-809250 -68314755 -15785508.5 -26090089 -630470 -5600 -279171 -21585720 -895 -11112634 -60898531.5 121600 -16149783 13800 -68914860 -27600 -293887685 -5954770 -437960 -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.53 0.55 0.54 0.55 0.52 0.53 551000 290470 ANCHOR LAND 8.16 8.84 8.16 8.16 8.16 8.16 3000 24480 AYALA LAND 32 32.1 33.75 33.85 32 32 11730000 380905350 1 1.01 1 1.1 0.97 1 841000 879540 ARANETA PROP 1.38 1.39 1.38 1.42 1.35 1.39 558000 768980 BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.71 0.72 0.75 0.75 0.72 0.72 2041000 1489550 CITYLAND DEVT 0.75 0.78 0.75 0.75 0.75 0.75 1000 750 0.123 0.125 0.13 0.169 0.121 0.123 131780000 19092860 CROWN EQUITIES 4.94 4.99 5 5.06 4.95 4.99 3805000 19035410 CEB LANDMASTERS 0.37 0.375 0.37 0.38 0.365 0.375 2390000 887900 CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY 0.26 0.28 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 320000 83200 DOUBLEDRAGON 16.36 16.78 16.86 16.9 16.32 16.78 298300 4950238 6.16 6.22 6.15 6.22 6.15 6.18 93100 575995 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.248 0.26 0.25 0.255 0.25 0.255 590000 147950 EVER GOTESCO 0.093 0.099 0.093 0.095 0.093 0.094 1790000 168720 FILINVEST LAND 0.97 0.98 0.99 0.99 0.96 0.97 13997000 13606180 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.8 0.84 0.81 0.81 0.8 0.81 402000 322100 9.11 9.35 9.7 9.8 8.9 9.39 38100 361442 8990 HLDG 0.77 0.8 0.88 0.9 0.75 0.77 5957000 4958420 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 0.72 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 5000 3700 MEGAWORLD 3 3.04 3.03 3.05 2.94 3 31898000 95748690 0.181 0.182 0.27 0.28 0.179 0.182 578900000 122011740 MRC ALLIED 0.285 0.31 0.285 0.285 0.285 0.285 60000 17100 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 1.38 1.43 1.36 1.43 1.36 1.4 29000 40440 ROBINSONS LAND 15.7 15.76 15.7 16.02 15.3 15.76 3371500 53035944 PHIL REALTY 0.23 0.235 0.233 0.233 0.231 0.231 170000 39330 1.5 1.51 1.55 1.55 1.5 1.51 790000 1196090 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 2.68 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.68 2.68 67000 179700 STA LUCIA LAND 1.82 1.83 1.88 1.88 1.83 1.83 6000 11030 SM PRIME HLDG 31.5 31.7 31.5 31.7 31.15 31.7 24563500 773707200 VISTAMALLS 3.72 3.88 4 4.03 3.71 3.72 94000 364310 1.14 1.19 1.25 1.25 1.14 1.14 9523000 11186340 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 3.55 3.58 3.72 3.72 3.5 3.55 1954000 7000000

-130323115 -3250 -336720 -44400 -137250 -8855460 -271250 -1624506 -2733660 -75257 132120 -56005570 683720 -34569412 456858940 -2703060

SERVICES GMA NETWORK 5.36 5.4 5.59 5.76 5.2 5.36 5889100 32078843 MANILA BULLETIN 0.385 0.395 0.4 0.435 0.38 0.385 7260000 2902550 MLA BRDCASTING 13.5 13.58 15.2 15.2 13 13.58 29800 395944 2006 2018 2072 2094 1980 2006 113080 229078170 GLOBE TELECOM 1360 1372 1361 1372 1305 1372 226630 305042285 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.049 0.051 0.05 0.052 0.049 0.051 19270000 955850 DFNN INC 2.8 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94 2.94 2000 5880 2.78 2.79 2.88 2.98 2.77 2.79 41910000 118928270 DITO CME HLDG 1.32 1.43 1.4 1.43 1.3 1.43 21000 28430 IMPERIAL ISLAND INFO 0.07 0.075 0.077 0.09 0.07 0.075 63380000 5259020 JACKSTONES 1.57 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.57 1.57 80000 127220 NOW CORP 2.04 2.05 2.15 2.22 2.02 2.05 15752000 32634400 - 0.175 0.204 0.22 0.175 0.175 123020000 23261440 TRANSPACIFIC BR 1.91 1.93 1.85 1.93 1.85 1.91 453000 861580 PHILWEB 2GO GROUP 9.15 9.25 9.2 9.5 9.2 9.25 66500 616016 ASIAN TERMINALS 15.52 16.78 15.42 15.42 15.42 15.42 1500 23130 CHELSEA 3.42 3.48 3.58 3.58 3.36 3.5 752000 2585110 39 39.1 40.15 40.15 39 39.1 177200 6968105 CEBU AIR 93 94.8 96.65 97.75 93 93 1292410 121855981 INTL CONTAINER LBC EXPRESS 12.8 13 12.82 12.82 12.82 12.82 4200 53844 MACROASIA 5.26 5.27 5.62 5.62 5.21 5.26 8514800 45537149 1.83 1.88 2.1 2.1 1.8 1.88 2216000 4197110 METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 1.92 2.15 2.16 2.16 2.16 2.16 1000 2160 PAL HLDG 6.11 6.15 6.12 6.19 6.1 6.15 19500 119339 HARBOR STAR 0.81 0.84 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.81 2506000 2095420 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.024 0.025 0.025 0.029 0.024 0.025 178700000 4730200 1.59 1.85 1.84 1.85 1.84 1.85 14000 25780 DISCOVERY WORLD GRAND PLAZA 11.02 11.98 11.04 11.98 11.04 11.98 1200 13436 WATERFRONT 0.375 0.39 0.4 0.46 0.375 0.39 5510000 2291650 FAR EASTERN U 588 629 550 629 550 629 350 203800 IPEOPLE 7.87 8.69 7.82 8.78 7.82 8.69 1900 15412 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.305 0.29 0.295 5280000 1551550 STI HLDG 2.12 2.17 2.18 2.18 2.14 2.18 9000 19420 BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY 6.65 6.7 7.6 7.6 6.62 6.65 8421400 58746354 PACIFIC ONLINE 1.89 2 1.89 1.89 1.89 1.89 27000 51030 1.31 1.37 1.33 1.37 1.3 1.3 299000 391070 LEISURE AND RES 2.2 2.21 2.12 2.2 2.12 2.2 87000 190350 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.3 0.305 0.305 0.31 0.29 0.305 9780000 2951150 ALLHOME 6.75 6.79 6.8 6.8 6.55 6.79 854700 5724185 METRO RETAIL 1.5 1.51 1.5 1.52 1.45 1.5 3187000 4758840 47.85 47.9 48 48 47.25 47.85 6352500 303101695 PUREGOLD 63.2 63.5 65 65 63 63.5 165990 10575313.5 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 125 125.5 125 125 124.8 125 3360 419910 SSI GROUP 1.11 1.12 1.16 1.17 1.11 1.11 1969000 2206100 16 16.04 15.98 16.1 15.9 16 1915900 30632892 WILCON DEPOT 0.3 0.305 0.315 0.315 0.3 0.305 370000 112950 APC GROUP EASYCALL 6.6 6.7 7.49 7.49 6.6 6.6 713600 4839557 PAXYS 2.04 2.09 2.1 2.1 2.09 2.09 14000 29350 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.214 0.218 0.23 0.23 0.212 0.214 16610000 3608570 4.49 4.97 4.98 4.98 4.98 4.98 600 2988 SBS PHIL CORP

-84120325 11560905 5880 2954940 -33250 721940 38930 -192620 -46000 -10500 -527160 -50919096.5 797356 64050 -109000 5710 -443850 -32094808 -1890 244400 -603150 1632942 2689840 67652655 -98678.5 363668 -594949.9998 -3319796 13320 -

MINING & OIL ATOK 7.7 7.99 8 8 7.7 7.99 87400 674413 APEX MINING 1.27 1.28 1.26 1.28 1.25 1.28 3910000 4958780 -2892300 0.0007 0.0008 0.0009 0.0009 0.0007 0.0007 840000000 672700 1400 ABRA MINING 2.5 2.59 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 219000 549280 -67560 ATLAS MINING BENGUET A 1.5 1.52 1.62 1.62 1.5 1.52 261000 397120 BENGUET B 1.52 1.63 1.54 1.62 1.52 1.62 107000 163090 0.178 0.186 0.183 0.183 0.178 0.178 710000 128730 COAL ASIA HLDG CENTURY PEAK 2.61 2.69 2.7 2.7 2.61 2.69 155000 413140 269000 7.15 7.37 7.37 7.48 7.15 7.15 170800 1227287 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 0.94 0.95 1 1.02 0.93 0.94 7568000 7240940 442740 GEOGRACE 0.223 0.23 0.235 0.241 0.223 0.229 920000 208710 0.102 0.104 0.108 0.109 0.101 0.102 6380000 657410 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.1 0.105 0.109 0.11 0.1 0.1 3730000 390400 -255060 MANILA MINING A 0.0074 0.0079 0.0074 0.0074 0.0074 0.0074 2000000 14800 MANILA MINING B 0.0076 0.0079 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 0.0075 2000000 15000 MARCVENTURES 0.61 0.62 0.63 0.63 0.6 0.62 332000 202510 26400 1.34 1.39 1.35 1.41 1.34 1.39 493000 680920 -1410 NIHAO 2 2.02 2.09 2.11 1.93 2.02 13313000 26770620 8912150 NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.5 0.54 0.51 0.54 0.5 0.54 479000 243870 PX MINING 2.73 2.78 2.77 2.8 2.7 2.78 1492000 4107120 -1452430 11.5 11.6 12 12 11.42 11.6 1136300 13218178 -4611620 SEMIRARA MINING 0.004 0.0042 0.004 0.0042 0.0038 0.004 29000000 114900 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 5.89 5.9 6.3 6.3 5.9 5.9 59100 353250 -3614 ORNTL PETROL A 0.0086 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.0086 0.009 13000000 115000 PHILODRILL 0.0075 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 0.0078 1000000 7800 5.72 5.8 6.1 6.18 5.72 5.72 2231200 13229423 -2024030 PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 100 101.9 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 420 42210 AC PREF B1 515 520 520 520 520 520 140 72800 DD PREF 101.4 101.5 101.2 101.4 101.2 101.4 41030 4152402 4048000 105.3 108.9 105.3 105.3 105.3 105.3 500 52650 FGEN PREF G GTCAP PREF B 1005 1019 1005 1005 1005 1005 50 50250 MWIDE PREF 101 101.5 101.5 101.5 101.5 101.5 20 2030 PNX PREF 3A 100.2 100.7 100.1 100.1 100.1 100.1 2000 200200 104.5 106.8 106.8 106.8 104.5 104.5 30 3158 -2090 PNX PREF 3B 1016 1024 1020 1020 1020 1020 300 306000 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 2B 1027 1035 1035 1035 1035 1035 40 41400 PCOR PREF 3A 1034 1049 1050 1050 1034 1034 650 672900 SMC PREF 2C 78.1 78.5 78.45 78.5 78.45 78.5 1390 109110 75 75.55 75 75 75 75 1000 75000 SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2G 76 77 76 76 76 76 2360 179360 SMC PREF 2H 75.95 77 76.1 76.2 76.1 76.2 250 19037 SMC PREF 2I 78.3 78.9 78.3 78.3 78.3 78.3 10000 783000

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS GMA HLDG PDR 5.15 5.2 5.16 5.25 5.15 5.15 61000 316348

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 0.67 0.7 0.67 0.72 0.66 0.67 179000 125140

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 17.2 17.26 17 20.4 16.1 17.26 5552400 101543341 -15251862 ITALPINAS 1.75 1.77 1.86 1.94 1.72 1.77 6181000 11122500 -674100 KEPWEALTH 5.01 5.32 5.45 5.5 5.32 5.32 39400 211137 2.5 2.51 2.65 2.76 2.47 2.51 40854000 105146830 1075160 MERRYMART 0.61 0.62 0.57 0.68 0.57 0.61 33889000 20903440 -4940 XURPAS

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 91 91.8 93.75 94 91 91 49360 4576140.5 157710

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Online trading drives growth of local stock market in 2019

T

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

otal stock market accounts in the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) expanded 12 percent last year to 1.22 million, from 1.08 million in the previous year due to the increase in online accounts.

According to the annual stock market investor profile report of the PSE, the number of online accounts grew 25 percent to 782,118 in 2019, from 625,763 in 2018.

Online accounts made up 63 percent of the total accounts while the remaining were investor accounts with traditional stockbrokerage firms.

“Online accounts have been the reason for the steady rise in total stock market accounts in the last 10 years. The shift in trading format preference of investors have encouraged stockbrokerage companies

that cater to retail investors to start offering online trading services to their clients,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said.

“While the data we have now is from 2019, we expect the online investor population to increase in 2020 mainly due to investors opening online accounts during the community quarantine period and as investors participate in initial public offerings through PSE EASy [Electronic Allocation System].”

The report cited a 13-percent and 6-percent increase in the number of retail and institutional ac-

counts to 1.2 million and 28,473, respectively. Retail investors made up almost 98 percent of total accounts while the remaining 2 percent was accounted for by institutional investors.

Local investors comprised 98 percent of total stock market accounts, with foreign investors owning the rest.

Female investors accounted for 50.2 percent of the total individual investors, while male investors accounted for 49.8 percent of total retail accounts. In 2018, female investors accounted for 48.4 percent of total market accounts.

Investors who are between 30 to 44 years old had the biggest share in total accounts among four age groups at 45 percent.

Investors with an annual income of less than P500,000 had the biggest share in total accounts at 59 percent, lower than the 62.4-percent share in 2018.

Investors earning more than P1 million annually cornered 21 percent of total retail accounts, an improvement from its 2018 share of 16 percent. Those with an annual

income of P500,000 to P1 million accounted for 19 percent of total retail accounts, lower than the 21-percent share it had in 2018.

In terms of location, most investors were based in Metro Manila, accounting for three quarters of total retail accounts, a big jump from the 62-percent share recorded in 2018.

The top five countries with the most number of retail investors in 2019 were the United Arab Emirates, Japan, United States, China and Singapore.

“We hope to see an increase in investors based in the provinces and overseas in the coming months especially as more online stockbrokerage firms validate client applications through videoconferencing platforms, eliminating the need for a face to face KYC [know your customer] procedure,” Monzon said.

“With the stock market still trading way below pre-Covid levels, we may see new investors who are looking for good buying opportunities open trading accounts. This may also help prop up our investor count for the year.”

‘Mass testing to hasten economic recovery’

By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

G

iven the continuous hike in Covid-19 cases in the country, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said mass testing is essential to contain the spread of the disease and fast-track the Philippines’ economic recovery.

“Test, test, test, and isolate is the only way to save the jobs and livelihoods of our Filipino people,” Concepcion told the health experts, government officials and businessmen during the recent Balik Kabuhayan webinar.

He cited Project ARK (Antibody Rapid test Kits), an initiative that is anchored on the combined efforts of both the public and private sectors to make massive testing possible at the community level, that has so far tested 107,782 individuals.

Private firms and local government unit (LGU) partners carried out 66,617 tests and 41,665 tests, respectively.

Noting the initial data from the first batch of results from the private sector and LGUs, the Go Negosyo founder said regular testing is a must and should involve even those who did not exhibit symptoms.

“We have to test millions of people. That’s the only way to create visibility,” Concepcion said. “The

results from the private sector show that if we did not test the asymptomatic, then this could have escalated to a worse situation.”

As the government gradually reopens the economy, he emphasized the urgency to come up with a “defense strategy” to co-exist with the virus, while maintaining the general community quarantine (GCQ) status and eventually move to modified GCQ. Meanwhile, making testing affordable, available and accessible to the public remains important to help contain the rapid spread of Covid-19, according to ARK PCR Private Sector Chief Implementer Janette Garin.

Garin said Project ARK is a good example of a private sector-led program aimed at reducing the cost of testing anywhere between P1,500 and P2,000 to P350 to P375 by the end of July via pooled testing.

“Pooled PCR testing allows us to balance health and economy. It will optimize the availability of test kits, reduce the workload on laboratory staff,” she said.

“When a workplace becomes infected or exposed, operations have to be suspended. This means loss of income, difficult life, small businesses will close down. When health meets the economy, when testing fills the gap in making social distancing, hygiene practices, and other new normal behaviors more effective, we can

MORE Power urged to improve service

T

he Iloilo Economic Development Foundation (ILEDF) has called on More Electric and Power Corp. (MORE Power) to implement the necessary “corrective measures” to improve the power distribution service in Iloilo.

In a statement, the business group said Iloilo City is now confident that MORE Power will fix the distribution system to give the city better electricity service.

It also expressed concern about the potential impacts of the current legal tussle between MORE Power and Peco (Panay Electric Co.).

“ILEDF is confident that MORE Power remains true to its commitment to provide transparent service,” the business group’s Executive Director Francis Gentoral, said.

Also, it is hopeful that MORE Power will conduct “corrective maintenance on the existing distribution facilities which had fallen into such serious state of disrepair brought about by years of neglect and lack of capital investments.”

It also asked Peco to accept it has lost the electricity distribution business and move on to spare the city the ongoing struggle to push out the new distribution utility.

“ILEDF calls for unity in the face of the global health crisis and for Peco to accept the things it can no longer change—expired franchise, revoked CPCN, revoked Mayor's Permit—for the

whole of Iloilo City to move forward and level up as envisioned by the city government,” it added.

Similarly, the Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association headed

by Raymundo Parcon lauded MORE Power for “diligently doing their upgrading and comprehensive preventive maintenance in all its substations and upgrading its distribution lines.”

The business group noted that for the first time, “Iloilo City consumers...finally, enjoyp[ed] a [per] kilowatt-hour [kWh] rate of less than P10 when MORE Power took over as distribution utility” as Iloilo City had recorded one of the highest power rates in the entire Philippines for more than 15 years under Peco.

ILEDF earlier commissioned Singapore-based electricity distribution expert and consulting firm WSP to undertake a review of the city’s power distribution performance in 2010.

Based on the study, WSP recommended significant investments in the city’s distribution system to provide the business and industry sector’s requirements.

Another study, conducted in 2018, noted that “the services of Peco lag behind what distribution utilities [DUs] in key Philippine cities like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, provide.”

“The gap widens even more when the comparison is made with DUs in the Asean region,” it said. Lenie Lectura

co-exist with Covid.” A study that could help increase the country’s testing capacity is now ongoing. Dr. Raymund Lo, head of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center Covid-19 Testing, said they are now in the initial phase of their research.

“As soon as the results are available we can roll out to other laboratories to dramatically increase capacity,” he said. “It can definitely be a

mutual funds

game changer because it will lower costs, speed in reporting and ability to test possibly 10 times or more the current capacity of our labs.”

Filinvest Development Corp. Chief Executive Officer Josephine Gotianun-Yap pledged support for the pooled testing study, noting that it will make a big difference in the national effort to address the pandemic.

July 15, 2020

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 202.22 -25.36% -9.81% -5.45% -19.7% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.0386 -38.1% -13.83% -5.62% -24.85% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.7323 -35.46% -14.42% -7.6% -25.72% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.6929 -28.71% n.a. n.a.

-22.84% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6743 -24.92% n.a. n.a.

-20.61% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.3401 -22.6% -8.27% -5.02% -18.55% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.6853 -23.92% -10.81% n.a.

-19.72% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

79.52 -34.53% n.a. n.a.

-22.96% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 40.7294 -24.12% -8.11% -4.1% -20.58% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 434.99 -22.08% -7.53% -4.59% -18.35% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 0.8828 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-14.3% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.026 -24.52% -8.06% -4.14% -20.27% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 30.1957 -24.26% -7.54% -3.86% -20.32% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8015 -25.63% n.a. n.a.

-21.27% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.15 -23.8% -7.63% -3.6% -20.55% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 694.62 -23.63% -7.61% -3.79% -20.34% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.6285 -34.54% -11.58% -7.88% -26.18% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1972 -28.22% -9.19% -5.08% -24.04% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.7968 -23.74% -7.78% -3.78% -20.38% United Fund, Inc. -a 2.8926 -24.32% -6.62% -3.44% -20.82% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 93.2524 -23.42% -7.12% -2.97% -20.27% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0303 3.92% 0.7% 0.74% 0.18% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.4385 8.73% 7.14% n.a.

4.34% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.5747 -11.07% -4.07% -3.36% 0.76% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.0767 -12.38% -4.43% -1.73% -4.79% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.4363 -9.99% -2.83% -2.97% -7.42% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1869 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-18.21% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.8523 -5.68% -1.07% -0.32% -5.57% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.5196 -7.51% -2.15% -1.44% -7.11% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 15.6723 -8.51% -2.44% -1.64% -7.6% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 1.935 -11.6% -3.56% -1.49% -8.82% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.3052 -16.45% -4.61% -2.77% -14.45% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9559 -7.61% n.a. n.a.

-5.89% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.8578 -17.23% n.a. n.a.

-13.91% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8334 -19.34% n.a. n.a.

-16.09% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8157 -19.82% -5.61% -3.91% -16.32% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03868 3.39% 2.63% 1.77% 1.26% $1.0208 2.2% 1.45% 1.19% 0.87% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $3.9954 5.25% 5.13% 4.09% 2.17% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.135 2.3% 2.73% n.a.

0.56% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 366.86 4.47% 3.18% 2.58% 2.49% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9439 2.25% 0.96% -0.04% 2.2% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.1947 4.59% 5.08% 5.08% 2.46% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.3057 5.12% 3.16% 2.39% 3.7% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4552 6% 3.5% 2.02% 4.07% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.6413 10.66% 4.41% 2.65% 6.14% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.301 6.87% 4.18% 2.3% 3.53% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.966 7.62% 4.4% 2.34% 4.69% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0395 10.73% 3.82% 1.92% 7.8% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1806 7.11% 4.88% 2.92% 3.41% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

1.7468 6% 4.24% 2.39% 2.69% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $474.84 3.38% 2.5% 2.75% 1.38% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є215.63 -1.11% 0.66% 1.02% -1.89% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.226 2.92% 2.59% 1.56% 3.39% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.026 1.56% 1.45% 1.28% 0.78% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0736 -1.09% n.a.

0.41% -1.83% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4534 4.64% 3.36% 3.17% 2.08% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0606983 2.35% 1.97% 1.86% 0.66% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1936 3.8% 2.2% 2.51% 0.58% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 128.39 3.78% 3.25% 2.45% 2.03% 1.57% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0424 2.63% n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2846 3.06% 3.04% 2.59% 1.55% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0457 1.63% n.a. n.a.

0.71% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.0116 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $0.93 n.a. n.a. n.a.

-6.06%

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."

Editor: Eleanor Leyco-Chua

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Study: PHL ranks last in cancer preparedness

W

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

hen it comes to cancer preparedness, how is the Philippines faring compared to its neighboring Asian countries?

The Economist Intelligence Unit report “Cancer preparedness in Asia-Pacific: Progress toward universal cancer control” sponsored by Roche, examines the findings from the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Index of Cancer Preparedness and describes the complexities of the cancer challenge facing 10 Asia-Pacific countries: Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

Based on the study, the Philippines ranks last for cancer preparedness in the region with an overall score of 42.6 out of 100, well below the regional average of 66.5, while Australia (92.4), South Korea (83.4), and Malaysia (80.3) lead the region.

Asia-Pacific had an estimated 8.8 million new cases and 5.5 million cancer deaths in 2018. As of 2017, cancer was the third cause of death in the Philippines.

Changing demographics associated with aging populations and changing lifestyles mean this burden is only set to grow.

Countries in the vast Asia-Pacific region show great diversity in their healthcare needs, and responses to cancer are

highly influenced by their stage of economic development.

For high-income countries with established healthcare infrastructures, they are primarily dealing with qualityof-care concerns.

Upper-middle-income countries are refining their universal health coverage systems to close access gaps and ensure financial sustainability.

Meanwhile, lower-middle-income countries are setting up the foundations for an increasingly important cancer challenge.

The research found a strong association between income level and overall cancer preparedness as measured by the Index of Cancer Preparedness: that is high-income countries outperform upper- and lower-middle-income countries.

Furthermore, a strong correlation was seen between the overall score in the Index of Cancer Preparedness and cancer control outcomes as measured by the ratio of mortality to cancer incidence in the countries.

This demonstrates that, in broad terms, better preparedness to man-

age the cancer burden equates with achieving better cancer outcomes.

Differences were observed between countries’ ability to address the cancer burden. Given that as many as 70 people of cancer cases in low- and middle-income counties in Asia are diagnosed at a late stage, an emphasis on preventive services and moving from opportunistic to populationbased screening is needed.

While Indonesia and Malaysia have demonstrated strong growth in health spending, and China has the biggest reduction in out-of-pocket health expenditure in our analysis, it is still only high-income countries that meet World Health Organizationrecommended spending for universal health coverage.

Jesse Quigley Jones, editor of the report said: “While there is clear progress at the planning level, the translation of policy into health service delivery and improved cancer outcomes requires more emphasis.”

Jones added that while upper-middle- and lower-middle-income countries are pulling together more comprehensive cancer control plans, “our index showed weaker performance in health system governance and service delivery domains suggesting progress in addressing health infrastructure and service capacity is more limited.

A renewed political commitment is needed to address the cancer burden.”

The Philippines was recognized as the only lower-middle-income

country for a comprehensive national cancer control plan with its recent National Integrated Cancer Control Programme.

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programs in Southeast Asia such as the Philippines have shown remarkable progress toward increasing financial protection among the poor and previously uninsured population.

The UHC in the country also referred to as Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP), is the “provision to every Filipino of the highest possible quality of health care that is accessible, efficient, equitably distributed, adequately funded, fairly financed, and appropriately used by an informed and empowered public.”

It is a government mandate aiming to ensure that every Filipino shall receive affordable and quality health benefits. This involves providing adequate resources—health human resources, health facilities, and health financing.

Despite this, the country still faces the challenge to improve coverage and the quality of its data.

Like other lower-middle-income countries, the study suggests that the Philippines should focus its efforts in closing persistent access gaps and ensuring the quality of services across the cancer continuum through better infrastructure and service supply while prioritizing effective policies on tobacco control and healthy lifestyle promotion.

Doctors stress the importance of immunization during pandemic

I

mmunization efforts against other infectious diseases such as the flu is just one of the disrupted activities as the country is facing a health crisis.

This disruption in immunization is feared to increase the chances of a flu outbreak, an illness that affects over 480,000 Filipinos annually. In the Philippines, around 70 percent of households have children below 15 years of age, and they are considered one of the most susceptible groups to the influenza virus.

To remind Filipinos of the threat of the flu and its complications, the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV), through a webinar called “Fortify Your Child’s Health,” urged all parents to continue flu vaccination to keep children protected.

“Children are one of the high-risk groups in contracting the flu virus, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and heart failure, as their immune system is still developing,” Dr. Joselyn Eusebio said in the webinar.

Dr. Eusebio said that it is essential that the children will continue getting their flu shots “especially now that the flu season is upon us.

Filipino parents have concerns on the accessibility of the flu vaccine, especially while many parts of the Philippines are still under quarantine and have travel restrictions.

However, Dr. Eusebio mentioned that many doctors have already taken important steps to ensure that the public can still get their annual flu shots.

“Despite the challenges that the pandemic

brings, many doctors have taken the initiative to continue vaccination to prevent outbreaks of other diseases.” Dr. Eusebio added.

The webinar also assured parents about the

safety and effectiveness of flu vaccines.

For her part, Dr. Anna Ong-Lim said that the flu vaccine has already been proven to be safe and effective against the influenza virus.

In fact, she stressed, the World Health Organization promotes widespread immunization through vaccination as it is one of the most costeffective and most successful health interventions we have.

“Before it is given to the public, vaccines undergo multiple stringent testing to ensure its safety and effectiveness. It is also constantly monitored and studied even after it is certified for public use,” said Dr. Ong -Lim, a Philippine Pediatric Society fellow and Infectious Disease expert.

Meanwhile, PFV President Dr. Liza Gonzales recognized that Covid-19 has made Filipinos extra vigilant when it comes to health, but the spotlight on the virus has overshadowed illnesses that have been affecting many Filipinos for years.

“While Covid-19 is a pervasive problem here in the Philippines, we must not forget that there are still many infectious diseases that can severely affect our well-being,” she said.

She pointed that the country is very fortunate that the is a vaccine for the flu and that “it is best to maximize its availability to keep our children protected.” Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Novartis supports COVID-19 response IN PHL THROUGH DONATION

A

s the Philippines deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, Novartis Healthcare Philippines is taking concrete steps to help ensure sustained supply of essential life-saving medicines to patients and support the country’s Covid-19 response led by the Department of Health (DOH).

“Our main thrust is to protect our frontline health workers and support the expansion of the country’s treatment and testing capacity,” said Jugo Tsumura, Country President & Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

To help expand the country’s Covid-19 testing capacity, Novartis donated PHP19.3M to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Medical Foundation for the purchase of locally-produced Covid-19 test kits.

“PGH is waging war on Covid-19. The Novartis support for Covid-19 testing is valuable intelligence in this war. PGH is the biggest Covid-19 referral hospital in the country. To date, PGH has served more than 600 Covid-19 patients and over 3,000 patients with Covid-19 related conditions,” said PGH Director and PGH Medical Foundation Inc. Board of Trustee member Dr. Gerardo Legaspi.

“The donation of Novartis is very important to us, and we are grateful to have Novartis as one of our partners in the war against Covid-19.

I want to thank Novartis leadership team for making this donation possible. We look forward to our continuing partnership with Novartis,” said Dr. Carmencita Padilla, Chancellor, University of the Philippines Manila.

“The Novartis donation allows us to significantly step up our testing capacity both at the PGH and the NIH [National Institutes of Health].

To date, we have conducted 13,297 tests at the NIH which were made possible by the collective efforts of the PGH, the NIH, UP Manila and donors like Novartis who prioritize helping others during these extraordinarily trying times,” said NIH Executive Director Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz. “Pharmaceutical and biotech companies, including the Swiss company Novartis, are working hard not only to cater to the current needs and demand for drugs but also to share their knowledge and foster partnerships with different government entities. Swiss companies support manifold public health, Corporate Social Responsibility and charity activities to help alleviate the plight of many. Switzerland

is known for its humanitarian tradition and its companies for taking their societal responsibility at heart,” said His Excellency Alain Gaschen, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Philippines.

To support the country’s Covid-19 treatment capacity, Novartis and its generics and biosimilars division Sandoz donated a substantial volume of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to the Philippine Government in response to the DOH request for a potential treatment for about 1,000 hospitalized patients with moderate to severe Covid-19.

Novartis has started the Ruxolitinib compassionate use program for Covid-19 patients in the Philippines. Pre-clinical and preliminary clinical evidence suggests Ruxolitinib, a wellestablished Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, could reduce the number of Covid-19 patients requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation.

On April 2, 2020 Novartis Global announced its plan to initiate a clinical study of Ruxolitinib in severe Covid-19 patients.

Sandoz is also donating a year’s supply of medicines to the East Avenue Medical Center and other hospitals through the Philippine Red Cross, which will benefit almost 10,000 patients with

infections and 6,000 patients with hypertension.

The Swiss-based company donated P500,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) to PHAPCares Foundation for the benefit of frontline health workers in key Covid-19 referral hospitals.

To support the DOH Covid-19 response in the National Capital Region, Novartis Healthcare Philippines and Sandoz Philippines donated 8,800 pairs of gloves shared equally among Lung Center of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine General Hospital and Philippine Heart Center. Novartis also donated food packs to quarantined frontline healthcare workers of government hospitals, private hospitals and medical societies for five days.

To support the request for provision of PPEs to patient navigators and volunteer health-care workers who continue to help cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic, Novartis donated P88,000 to ICANSERVE Foundation.

The Novartis initiatives in the Philippines are part of the company’s a global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the creation of a global USD 20 million funds to support impacted communities around the world.

Thursday, July 16, 2020 B3

Survey reveals 60% of consumers lack nutrition knowledge P

remier global nutrition company, Herbalife Nutrition, today released additional findings from its Asia Pacific Nutrition Myths Survey 2020, uncovered that 60 percent of consumers were confused about nutrition facts.

The sur vey was conducted with 5,500 respondents from Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam in March 2020.

In a general nutrition knowledge quiz administered together with the survey, a total of 48 “True or False” questions spanning nine nutrition areas— general nutrition, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, caffeine, weight management and break fast—were presented to survey participants. The results revealed that less than a quarter (23 percent) of the respondents scored passing marks (answered half or more of the questions correctly).

The quiz also found that the top 3 areas with the biggest nutrition knowledge gaps were: n Minerals: only 28 percent of respondents answered the questions in the category correctly n Caffeine: only 33 percent of respondents answered the questions in the category correctly n Protein: only 34 percent of respondents answered the questions in the category correctly Based on the results from the quiz, Herbalife Nutrition also uncovered a list of the top nutrition myths commonly believed by Asia-Pacific consumers, with more than six in 10 consumers providing incorrect answers or said that they are unsure of the right answers to the nutrition statements presented to them.

“The prevalence of nutrition myths on the Internet has led to widespread confusion over nutrition facts versus fiction. Not only do the majority of consumers believe that consuming carbohydrates alone will result in weight gain, many of them also believe that less protein is required as they grow older—which is far from the truth,” said Stephen Conchie, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, Herbalife Nutrition.

“To help address these nutrition information gaps, we have been working with leading health and nutrition experts to make accurate nutritional knowledge widely available for AsiaPacific’s consumers. We believe a collective effort by governments, health-care institutions and the nutrition industry would be more effective in keeping consumers better informed in the long run, and hope more can partner with us on this journey to help people lead healthier lives,” added Conchie.

Top Nutrition Myths in Asia-Pacific Uncovered by the Survey Myth #1: Carbohydrates make you gain weight.

Fact: Carbohydrates alone don’t cause weight gain; consuming excess calories do. The Herbalife Nutrition Philosophy recommends that carbohydrates form 40 percent of daily calorie intake. Healthy sources

of carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains also provide important nutrients like calcium, iron and B vitamins.

Myth #2: Less protein is required as we grow older.

Fact: Starting in our early 40s, we may experience a gradual, progressive loss of muscle mass and function known as sarcopenia. This process can be mitigated by boosting protein intake and incorporating resistance exercise as we age.

Myth #3: Caffeine causes dehydration.

Fact: While caffeine has diuretic properties, moderate intake of between two to three cups of coffee, a day is unlikely to cause dehydration.

A study by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee also found that coffee can be as hydrating as water.

Myth #4: Peak bone mass can be optimized at any age with sufficient calcium intake.

Fact: Our peak bone mass (max bone size and strength) is dependent on calcium intake and reaches its peak by age 30.

However, sufficient calcium intake throughout life can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Calcium supplementation can protect against bone loss at older ages, especially for postmenopausal women who have higher calcium needs.

Myth #5: A ketogenic diet is a healthy way to lose weight.

Fact: Very low in carbohydrate, moderate in protein and very high in fat, the ketogenic diet forces the body to rely on body fat for fuel, resulting in weight loss. However, healthy carbohydrates are beneficial to the body, supplying energy, vitamins and minerals. To lose weight sustainably, adopt a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

Myth #6: A very low-fat diet is the best way to lose weight.

Fact: Studies have shown minimal reductions in weight after the first year from very low-fat diets, making it an ineffective long-term weight loss strategy. In fact, our bodies need some fat to stay healthy, as it helps to build cell membranes and hormones, and aids the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Myth #7: The Glycemic Index is a good tool for choosing the healthiest carbohydrates.

Fact: The Glycemic Index measures how the carbohydrate in a portion of food impacts blood sugar levels but cannot be relied on alone for choosing a healthy diet. The amount of carbohydrates you consume as well as what the food is being eaten with also needs to be considered in totality.

Myth #8: Protein powder is not a healthy source of protein as compared to protein from natural foods.

Fact: Protein powder can be as good as protein from natural foods if derived from high-quality sources. For instance, soy protein from soybeans is a complete protein, providing a full range of nine essential amino acids for the body’s nutrition requirements.

TheBroa

Business

B4 Thursday, July 16, 2020 | www.businessmirror.com.ph

Pandemic highlights PHL prop

By Cai U. Ordinario @cuo_bm

Reporter

Photo & additional reports by Nonilon Reyes

Chief of Photographers

L

Last of two parts

AND is a finite resource and, hence, makes it expensive. In mega cities like Metro Manila, available land is very costly given that the National Capital Region (NCR) is already home to at least 12 million Filipinos.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in 2016 that the NCR is the most densely populated among 18 administrative regions with a population density of 20,785 persons per square kilometer (sqkm). “This translates to an additional 1,648 persons per square kilometer (8.6 percent) from the 19,137 persons per sq-km in 2010,” the PSA has said.

Apart from this, many businesses are located in the NCR. This is why the region accounts for at least 30 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and is usually where most economic opportunities are located.

Karaos said not having a land use policy is a real problem for the country, particularly where lowcost housing is concerned. She said while Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act mandated Local Government Units (LGUs) to make land available for low-cost housing, LGUs are unable to do so because of the high costs.

“Our system favors making land easily available to private developers for malls and condominiums but not for social housing,” Marie A. Karaos of the John J. Carroll Institute on Church and Social Issues (ICSI), told the BusinessMirror.

Reaching segments

IN a video interview, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association Inc. (SHDA) Chairman Raphael B. Felix said, however, that the high cost of land does not benefit private developers. Felix said these are especially those trying to reach the low-cost housing segments where most, or 70 percent, of the housing demand comes from.

Felix said the high cost of land not only adds to their development cost but also prevents them from undertaking any low-cost or mass housing projects.

Under the law, private developers are mandated to build socialized housing projects; and the government even wants them to prioritize these projects. However, given the slim margins and their long business cycles, developers end up unable to meet these obligations.

Typically, SHDA President Rosie Tsai Wang said, their business cycle runs for 18 months to two years.

This takes into account the long process to secure permits to start a project to the time developers can sell the property.

Felix said the government even estimates that their business cycle up to the point of selling the project takes even longer, at three years.

Expenses, regulatory costs

IT would take a few more years before developers get paid and start on a new project, depending on the size of the project.

“It’s a very long business cycle

which is totally unattractive to any investor at all,” Wang said.

Felix said that before developers can lay down the foundation for a project, they need to secure the approval of no less than 27 different offices or agencies. This process allows them to secure 78 permits signed by 146 signatories and contained in 373 documents.

He said that, ultimately, this adds to the cost of building decent and affordable houses. Felix added that regulatory costs alone account for about 10 percent of every project. If the processes could be streamlined through a one-stop shop, developers would be able to make housing even more affordable for Filipinos.

With the high cost of land, Felix said, they can only bring down their production cost to around P975,000 (about $19,714), particularly for cities. This is still higher by P395,000 (around $7,987) than the P580,000 (about $11,727.30) maximum cost for socialized housing.

As it is, this cost ceiling is already higher than the previous one: the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) raised it to this level in 2018 from around P450,000 ($9,098.77).

Valuation, pricing

BASED on HUDCC Resolution 1 in 2018 (Price Ceiling for Socialized Subdivision Project), the socialized housing adopted a tiered price ceiling, which provides that the price ceiling for socialized subdivision projects from a minimum of P480,000 (9705.35) for a 24-square meter (sqm) property to as much as P580,000 for a 32-sqm property.

Wang said because of expensive land and regulatory issues, private developers find themselves in a “straitjacket.”

Felix and Wang agree with other experts that there should be a national land use policy; thus, passing this 30-year old bill is of utmost importance. Apart from that, they proposed that instead of land conversion being a matter for the national government, this power should be given to the LGUs. They added that due to the low yield of many agricultural lands nationwide, these lands would be better used by developers to address the housing gap. Felix said if farmers are able to access modern farming methods and equipment, they can increase their yields even without much land.

Objectives, roadmap

IN order to address the housing gap, the DHSUD decided to craft a 20-year housing roadmap. Del Rosario said the housing roadmap, slated to be released in October, will identify short-term, mid-term and long-term strategies that will help boost the country’s ability to close

Kids play on top of an owner type jeep in Road 10 Manila.

the housing gap.

Del Rosario told the BusinessMirror the government is currently working toward increasing the number of housing units that need to be produced annually.

To close the housing gap of 6.5 million between 2017 and 2020, the government, he said, needs to build 250,000 houses a year. Currently, however, the housing sector can build only 203,000 units to 205,000 units annually between 2016 and 2019.

The housing czar said that while this is still short of the target, this has already been improved from the 172,000 houses built annually prior to the Duterte administration.

Del Rosario said priorities that the roadmap seeks to focus on include the following: addressing the availability of funds for public housing; enacting measures to improve housing planning and development coordination; and, streamlining the process for permits and clearances including “unlocking government lands for housing.”

Low-income groups

“ANCHORED upon NEDA’s ‘AmBisyon Natin 2040’ and the country’s Sustainable Development Goals, the roadmap will re-examine existing policies to complement DHSUD’s strategies as well as streamline existing guidelines,” Del Rosario told this newspaper.

“We are doing this in consultation with our partner-developers

to ensure that changes are in-sync with the private sector. I believe that stakeholder engagement is a key strategy in achieving our administration’s flagship Balai [Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable and Inclusive] Filipino program, which aims to provide housing assistance to 1.5 million families, particularly the informal settlers by 2022 and onward,” he added.

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas told the BusinessMirror said that when creating housing policy, the government should focus on the needs of low-income groups and the poor.

This means the government’s budget for housing should substantially be increased, Canlas said.

He added that any credit or tax perks as well as investment incentives should be extended to housing developers, particularly those who are serving the lowincome market.

“Any credit, tax, or investment incentives currently accorded to big developers must be downsized,” Canlas said. “When big developers avail of these incentives, they crowd out the developers of low-cost housing for investment funds.”

Undertaking responsibility

THE incentives and tax perks is something that SHDA supports.

Wang said affordable sustainable financing is something that lowincome developers need to continue serving the market.

Resident of Tumariz Street in Barangay Tugatog Malabon City having a talk before the 15-days Special Concern Lockdown on July 16,2020 due to increase of cov virus pandemic case. Three other Brgy in the city will undergo the same lockdown, according to the city health office, there have been 936 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Malabon of which 365 have been recovered while 76 have died.

aderLook

sMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace | Thursday, July 16, 2020

B5

perty problems for poor Pinoys She explained that, usually, Filipinos in this segment of the housing market can only afford to pay 10 percent of the house cost spread over a period of 12 months or even 18 months.

With this, Wang said developers need to take up the slack on top of paying for land, constructing houses, processing loan applications and, at times, constructing road networks, especially in rural areas where there are no access roads to certain properties that are being developed.

“It’s a huge capital investment.

If the government doesn’t come in to support in terms of incentives, especially if we are called upon to undertake one of the basic responsibilities of the government, which is to provide housing to the low-income families and even those who cannot afford,” Wang said.

Further, Canlas said, to reduce the cost of housing particularly in the city, complementary investments must be made in public transport such as light railway transit (LRT) systems. This will allow more low-cost housing units to be built in areas where real estate values are not too high.

Taken equal

THE SHDA said it also supports complementary investments.

According to Felix, developers are even thankful that the government created the “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program. The infrastructure push of the current administration is, for SHDA, the key to unlocking the economic potential in rural areas.

It is only their hope that the government treats the housing sector as equally important as the BBB. Felix said the housing sector has a high multiplier effect that would be able to spur economic growth and development in the country.

“The BBB is a very welcome program of government. I guess what we’re trying to say in SHDA we’ve been saying this since last year is that SHDA would like the government to recognize the housing industry as important as the BBB” Felix said. “If they build all these roads, if there’s no housing, then what’s the use of the roads?”

“Second, as a pump primer, we feel that housing is even faster than BBB in pump priming. We don’t have right-of-way issues or Neda feasibility studies or government procurement processes to contend with. This is private money and developers are willing to go,” he added.

Canlas said it was also important for the government to assess if it has succeeded in its mandate, whether in terms of providing housing units or extending credit or purchasing mortgages. Good governance, he added, remains critical in delivering any public good.

Introspection, incentives

THIS “introspection” should include housing programs that have not been successful. Canlas said programs that have been devolved to LGUs should be discontinued because these have not helped address the urban sprawl.

“Slum and squatter areas are still prevalent, posing public- health hazards. This should not persist and be tolerated in an environment where threats of pandemics like the Covid-19 hover,” he said.

Wang added that the SHDA hopes that through the roadmap, the government could also prioritize data production and management when it comes to housing.

Currently, housing data is derived through the PSA’s FIES. But the data doesn’t take into account the housing gap, which leads to confusion on the numbers.

The SHDA said they hoped the

new roadmap will also update building and design codes in the country. These should not be placed in a law but be included in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) to make it more responsive to the housing needs of the time, the SHDA said.

According to Jessan Catre, Country Lead for Philippine Shelter Lab of Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Shelter for Innovation, “On its own, the private sector is also unable to address [the] backlog.”

Catre believes that “ incentives provided by the government will be helpful to spur” private sector actions.

“The government has also recently removed incentives like VAT [value-added tax] exemptions for socialized housing projects,” he said. “The private sector is faced with government-set price ceilings and increasing material and labor costs. Thus, they focus on the higher segments of the housing market, which are more lucrative and less regulated.”

Opportunities, access

ULTIMATELY, creating a roadmap, Karaos said, should include the following efforts: to prioritize land management to serve the public good; to upscale successful government housing programs; and, to give a leading role to LGUs in the country’s housing delivery system by providing them with land and resources for poor Filipinos.

She added it is also important for the government to recognize that housing for poor families is a public good that should be subsidized by the state.

Giving the poor more opportunities to access decent and affordable housing is fair given that these Filipinos are often underpaid for their labor and thus not be able to put up the funds needed for their housing needs.

“If the middle class and wealthy complain why the government should subsidize the poor, the answer is that the poor are providing many essential services to the operation of cities and to make the lifestyles of the middle class and wealthy comfortable,” Karaos said.

New hope

AS the rainy season ensues, Rodel and Ruben Mojica consider themselves lucky with a roof over their head in their pushcart home. (Update: Since the interview was done, the father and son have been evicted from their pushcart home during a clearing operation by Makati authorities).

This, despite earning only P150 ($3.03) a day through selling items like used plastic bottles. This is not enough to buy everything they need but enough for a meal sold on the streets.

Ruben’s father Rodel said that despite their humble means and his past criminal record, he could not bring himself to do something that would imperil his or his son’s life. He wants to only resort to honest means when feeding his child, even at this time of hardship.

Fortunately for him, news of his plight travelled fast, reaching an employer who is now willing to give him work in a construction site. The barracks of the construction site would become home for him and Ruben. There is hope, he thought.

With a brighter future to look forward to, he wonders about his neighbors living in condominium units across the Pasig River. “(Ang) sarap siguro tumira dyan, ang tataas nila. Ano kaya ang tingin nila sa amin dito sa bahay namin?

[It must be great to live there where you are so high up. I wonder what they think about us living in this house?],” he mused

Housing and Covid-19 response: Threats, opportunities

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HILE the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) exposed weaknesses in the health sector, the pandemic also highlighted threats and opportunities in the housing sector.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Eduardo D. del Rosario told the BusinessMirror that the health crisis has slowed the housing production of the government.

The work stoppage caused by the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has brought housing construction to a standstill.

Apart from the work stoppage, the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) expressed concerns regarding the size of houses, especially in Metro Manila.

Undersecretary and Popcom head Juan A. Perez III said nearly a third of Metro Manila’s population live in less than 20-square meter (sqm) homes, limiting the possibility of observing physical distancing.

In order to maintain the minimum health standards, houses need to allocate space of at least 6 sqm per person.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Perez said there were 3.785 million Filipinos or 27.2 percent of the metropolis’ 13.867 million population, who live in 812,584 housing units that are under 20 sqm each.

He said that with an average number of 4.7 persons in each household, that leaves a living space of only 4.25 sqm per person “making it nearly impossible to achieve physical distancing.”

Metropolis, city

THE Popcom Chief said the poorest in Metro Manila, estimated at 2.066 million or 14.9 percent of the megacity’s population, live in less than 20 sqm single-detached homes.

In this type of single-detached housing, the average number of persons in a household increases to 4.9 individuals.

This means the living space goes down to 4 sqm per person.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Vice President Marife M. Ballesteros told BusinessMirror that cities and metropolises are important hubs of trade and travel and thus have a greater concentration and connectedness of people that increases the speed at which new infections are spread.

However, Ballesteros said that when it comes to infectious diseases, the evidence would show that it is not high density that is the problem but inadequate water supply and the lack of effective ventilation systems as well as poor sanitation and waste management.

“Building regulations should be strictly enforced to avoid overcrowding.

Private condominiums are well regulated in terms of occupancy but this is not the case for public and informal housing,” she explained. “We also need to enforce the appropriate ratio of building footprint and green space in mixed-use developments.”

Cash matters

IF the government will turn its attention toward addressing these problems, this will also be good in terms of encouraging business activities, especially in areas like slaughterhouses and wet markets.

Essentially, urban planning is the key in making the housing sector and cities in general prepared for pandemics.

“Urban planning measures have to be supported by effective testing and contract tracing to immediately isolate carriers from the general population,” Ballesteros said.

Subdivision and Housing Developers

Association Inc. (SHDA) President Rosie Tsai Wang said government measures to address the pandemic also made it difficult for developers to collect payments.

This exposed the dire need for financing, especially during a catastrophic event such as a pandemic.

Wang said that while there are government schemes that allow Filipinos to borrow funds and pay for housing, these are not sufficient. She added that the PagIbig (Home Development Mutual) Fund alone cannot do it. Private banks must also contribute to these efforts, especially at this time, Wang said.

However, she admitted that the lockdown exposed other problems with housing finance. With the worst recession happening, Wang said both Filipinos and banks try to hold on to their cash.

Unleashing stimulus

WANG said real estate sales have dropped to as low as 15 percent for some developers, particularly during the ECQ months of April and May. Sales only recovered in June to at least 55 percent.

However, she said they are thankful for the assistance to developers during these times by Pag-Ibig. Pag-Ibig extended a P10-billion stimulus to developers to assist them during the 3-month lockdown.

Pag-Ibig also imposed a 3-month moratorium in paying loans benefitting 5.5 million Filipinos. Del Rosario said the payment for the moratorium granted to them will be payable after their amortization period.

This meant that if their Pag-Ibig loan is payable in 10 years, three months will be added to the end of the period.

However, SHDA Chairman Raphael B. Felix said the pandemic, particularly the work from home arrangements that were put in place to ensure that businesses continue operating during the lockdown.

Given the lack of a vaccine or medicine for Covid-19, work from home arrangements is now defining the new normal of Filipino workers. Felix said this has now opened the possibility for Filipinos to consider living outside of Metro Manila.

Optimism, budget

ThESE are just some of the encouraging trends coming out of the government’s actions against the Covid-19 spread.

Del Rosario said after government eased restrictions, around 60,000 workers have since returned to work.

Del Rosario said such easing immediately translated to 264,000 individuals, with an average of 4.4 per family size, who may not need government support to cope-up with the adverse effects of Covid-19.

As of June 30, Del Rosario said at least 234 developers with 661 condominium and subdivision projects have resumed construction activities. These activities cover 417,396 housing and condominium units that are currently being built.

While all this development is good, Del Rosario hopes that the country’s Covid-19 response will not dampen the prospects of the DHSUD to seek a higher budget for 2021 and 2022.

“Historically, budget allotment for housing has been very small compared to other agencies/sectors. Other countries provide around 10 percent of the national budget for housing,” he said.

“We hope that our proposed budgetary increase would be given priority for 20212022 despite efforts to prioritize COVID response, particularly for health-related programs and provision of stimulus package for MSMEs [micro-, small-scale and medium-scale enterprises],” Del Rosario added. Cai U. Ordinario

B6 Thursday, July 16, 2020

AIM holds first online convocation to welcome second cohort of disaster resilience champions

Toyota provides free booking service app to P2P commuters

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OYOTA Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) announces that it will be providing a free booking service application, SWATRide, for pointto-point (P2P) buses plying the UP Town Center – Glorietta 3 route from July 20, 2020 to October 20, 2020. With the gradual resumption of public transportation in Metro Manila, TMP expands its efforts to improve the commuting experience of Filipinos, especially as they transition and fully integrate into the “new normal”.

In consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), TMP aims to support government’s efforts in providing reliable, convenient and safe transportation for the commuting public, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, TMP worked with Delta Neo Solutions, the transport service operator of P2P buses of the identified high-ridership route, to seamlessly integrate SWATRide in the passengers’ experience.

SWATRide allows a convenient booking experience, as passengers can view seat availability and directly book their trip with preferred seats in advance. Likewise, this mobility solution enables precautionary controls that help both the public and the government in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

SWATRide is readily available for download from the App Store, Google Play and Huawei App Gallery.

All project partners have committed to ensure that the P2P buses will be well-sanitized and made compliant to safety and health guidelines mandated by the Government. With three (3) bus units running at 50% of regular capacity in observance of physical distancing protocols, over 300 passengers are expected to be served daily.

In May, TMP and Toyota Mobility Foundation started providing ten (10) free shuttles equipped with SWATRide booking service for use of around 200 healthcare workers of the Philippine General Hospital daily under the DOTr’s ‘Free Ride for Health Workers Program.’

GBP awarded ‘Investors in People’ silver accreditation

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LOBAL Business Power Corporation (GBP), a leading energy company in the Visayas Region with presence in Mindanao and Mindoro Islands, was awarded the ‘Investors in People’ Silver Level Accreditation for its continuing efforts and remarkable policies that develop and empower employees.

The award was presented by Investors in People Philippines (IiP) chairman Janet Webster in a virtual concourse which carried the theme, Leadership Innovation. “IiP is all about empowering people to innovate and do new things, to make mistakes, to take risks and learn from it,” said Webster.

Investors in People is an esteemed standard for people management that accredits organizations who adhere

to practices and outcomes under the performance principles of leading, supporting, and improving. “You are going to see these qualities – courage, caring, problem-solving, and real-life innovation – in companies that embody the IiP standard as they are the ones that are stronger in dealing with the pandemic,” Webster added.

The Silver accreditation recognizes that GBP is at an “Established” stage, which means that the company has people-related practices in place and are reaping the rewards by the engagement and teamwork shown by its employees.

“The people at GBP have a lot of autonomy as seen in the freedom they have in planning their work program, defining learning need, and the degree of responsibility they have in

their own work and in their team,” said IiP Philippines in presenting the accreditation.

“Our people are largely responsible for what GBP is today. That is why we prioritize establishing practices that promote growth and development while seeking to provide an ideal environment where our colleagues could feel secure and bask in the fulfillment of their work,” said GBP President Jaime Azurin.

“Receiving this recognition from IiP challenges us to keep moving forward amidst the global pandemic,” added Azurin. “This serves as a testament of GBP’s culture of excellence and our fervent commitment to serve –­­ as our tagline says – in the pursuit of enlightening lives and empowering the nation’s progress.”

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HE country’s premiere graduate school for business and management, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), held yesterday (July 6, 2020), its first online convocation to officially welcome the next cohort of students for its Executive Master in Disaster Risk and Crisis Management (EMDRCM) Program.

The two-hour event conducted via Zoom Conferencing had over a hundred attendees including members of the faculty, the Institute’s leadership team, students, alumni, staff, partners and collaborators of AIM who witnessed the 42 strong members of the EMDRCM Cohort 2 get introduced for the first time.

The EMDRCM Program, under the Stephen Zuellig School Graduate School of Development Management (ZSDM) was introduced last year and is the newest program offering of the Institute.

AIM Dean and President, Dr. Jikyeong Kang, PhD, delivered the welcome message where she congratulated the new students for taking the bold step into their academic and professional advancement especially amidst this ongoing global health disaster. She emphasized that as we navigate the complexities and uncertainties of this time where there are no

playbooks to guide our actions, we need more resilience leaders with the right mindset, skills and attitude to bring people together.

For his part, Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, ZSDM School Head and concurrent academic program director of the EMDRCM, shared the rich history of the Institute and the ZSDM, followed by a comprehensive overview of the 18-month part-time degree program.

After the incoming students introduced themselves, special guest speaker Mr. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and ARISE (a United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction network of private organizations) global member, delivered his inspirational message.

In his message, Mr. Sy shared some of his personal experiences dealing with disasters, as he reminded the students that the thankless (and at many times overwhelming job) of disaster management is not for the faint-hearted as there are so many expectations from all sides.

But he urged the group to persevere as there is much work to do and that the country as a whole really needs more disaster resilience leaders.

For more information about the EMDRCM program and the other offerings of the AIM check out emdrcm@aim. edu and www.aim.edu.

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls partners with The Medical City hospital to boost mall sanitation standards

Kasuso Foundation celebrates 19th anniversary with renewed commitment to help indigent Filipino breast cancer patients

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n a simple but meaningful gathering, the Kasuso Foundation celebrated its 19th anniversary by renewing its commitment to helping indigent Filipino patients receive quality and timely breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and care.

“We thank all our donors and partners who have stood by us and our advocacy through nearly two decades.

Our foundation’s focus moving forward is to form connections and partnerships so that we can help more underserved communities in the country by spreading health awareness, particularly on breast care for women,” said Malu CortezDel Rosario, founding chair of Kasuso Foundation, during the foundation’s anniversary celebration held at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

Established in January 2001, the Kasuso Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit, grassroots, volunteer-based organization, committed and dedicated to fight breast cancer and save lives. The foundation is the only patient advocate and support group that is based in a public hospital. It supports and assists patients of the Breast Care Center of the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City. Its comprehensive Boobie Programs include Boobs Balita (patient education), Bantay Bukol (breast self-exam training and free breast screening), Bigay Buhay (facilitates access to funding surgical, oncological and radiological services), Bukas Bintana (free counseling), Balik Breast Care Center (surveillance to improve treatment success and reduce lost to follow-up cases), Bahay Bisita (supportive home and end-of-life care), Buhay Bahay (a halfway house to support

patients from far-flung provinces receive treatment in Metro Manila), and Boobie Barkada (promote fellowships among patients/survivors and their families/ caregivers).

“The Kasuso Foundation is blessed with so many passionate and generous people who are committed to our advocacy. Through their unstinting support, we are able to serve as a patient navigator that lays out the pathways for patients to journey through the entire breadth of the healthcare system continuum—from diagnosis, treatment, surveillance and follow-up,” Del Rosario said.

She expressed gratitude to The Peninsula Manila, one of the foundation’s longtime partners. In 2015, the 5-star hotel hosted an exhibition of artworks by renowned Filipino artists such as BenCab, Plet Bolipata, Elmer Borlongan, Impy Pilapil, Ramon Orlina, industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue; and select pieces from some of the finest contemporary Filipino galleries such as Artinformal, Avellana Art Gallery, Galleria Duemila, Silverlens, The Drawing Room and Tinaw. All the art pieces were auctioned at the Art of Pink Auction Party held by leading global auction house Christie’s.

The creative theme "Art of Pink" aimed to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer in the Philippines.

Proceeds raised from the Peninsula in Pink campaign were donated to Kasuso Foundation for the rehabilitation and rebuilding the Breast Care Center of East Avenue Medical Center.

Del Rosario lauded the Tulay sa

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Malu Cortez-Del Rosario, founding chair of Kasuso Foundation: “Our foundation’s focus moving forward is to form connections and partnerships so that we can help more underserved communities in the country by spreading health awareness and breast care for women.

Thank you, our donors and partners for helping us in this advocacy."

Pag-unlad, Inc. (TSPI). “Through our 3-year partnership, TSPI gave us the opportunity to extend our breast care and health advocacy among its members living in remote barangays across the archipelago from Cagayan to South Cotabato. We focused on creating networks and partnerships to help enhance TSPI members’ access to health services.” TSPI is a Christian microenterprise development NGO that offers a variety of financial and non-financial programs and services to help microentrepreneurs and farmers grow their enterprises.

ALL sanitation protocols, technical consultation and staff training aim to provide a safer and happier experience for shoppers With everyone’s safety as the priority, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls has partnered with The Medical City, a trusted healthcare institution in the country, to ensure an extensive brand of safety that starts with its employees and extends to its valued customers.

The tie-up aims to refine and strengthen the precautionary and safety measures that have already been put in place since Megaworld Lifestyle Malls opened its doors to valued shoppers for their essentials and lifestyle needs.

Mall Sanitation Protocols, In collaboration with the premier medical network, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls was able to come up with comprehensive mall sanitation protocols that are backed by medical industry insights and methodologies.

Standards cover general prevention measures such as hygiene, social distancing and temperature check. Protocols also ensure thorough environmental cleaning and disinfection as well as waste disposal efforts.

Employee Training, The initiative also allows Megaworld Lifestyle Malls to ensure that its safety measures are up-to-date by providing access to medical and technical consultation with The Medical City.

To ensure the consistent implementation of sanitation, disinfection and infection control guidelines, online and on-site technical trainings were conducted for mall staff and employees using modules crafted by

The Medical City’s team of infection control specialists, occupational safety and health specialists, and quality specialists. Training modules were based on a thorough process of onsite assessment and protocol reviews conducted by TMC specialists. #SaferAndHappier, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls reopened its lifestyle malls on May 16, assuring guests of a safer and happier lifestyle shopping experience built on stringent safety guidelines. Going beyond safety guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls made use of intensified mall sanitation and safety protocols and innovative technologies, including the deployment of state-of-the-art disinfecting chambers and thermal scanners at mall entrances.

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls has 19 lifestyle malls across the country including Eastwood Mall, Eastwood Citywalk and The Clubhouse at Temple Drive in Quezon City; Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila; Uptown Bonifacio, Forbes Town, McKinley West and Venice Grand Canal in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City; Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City; Three Central Mall, Paseo Center and San Lorenzo Place Mall in Makati City; California Garden Square in Mandaluyong City; The Village Square Alabang and Alabang West Parade in Las Piñas City, Twin Lakes Shopping Village in Laurel, Batangas; Southwoods Mall in Binan, Laguna; Mactan Alfresco in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; and Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

For more information, check out Megaworld Lifestyle Malls on Facebook or visit www.megaworld-lifestyle.com.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘Team Europe’ leads blood donation amid pandemic

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By Recto L. Mercene

@rectomercene

IPLOMATS from the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in the Philippines injected much-needed “life-blood”— quite literally—into the local battle being waged against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Said donation, which addressed the scarcity of blood caused by the currently imposed community quarantines, took place at the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) headquarters in Mandaluyong City on July 7.

The EU’s Chargé d’Affaires a.i.

Thomas Wiersing, together with Ambassadors Saskia de Lang of the Netherlands and Harald Fries of the Kingdom of Sweden, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Mihail Sion of Romania, Consul General Fernando Heredia of the Kingdom of Spain, as well as colleagues from the Embassies of Belgium, the Netherlands

DFA enables synergies on vaccine production, aid vs Covid

and the EU Delegation, participated in the activity, which was witnessed

by PRC Chairman Sen. Richard J. Gordon.

“Team Europe in Manila stands in solidarity with Filipinos in their fight against Covid-19,” said Wiersing. “In response to the call of the PRC for blood donation, we have all come to donate our blood to avert the shortage of supply created by the pandemic.”

T he EU h a s b e e n a long standing partner and donor of the PRC’s movement in the Philippines through the European

PHILIPPINE Red Cross Chairman Sen. Richard J. Gordon and Delegation of the European Union (EU) Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Thomas Wiersing. EMBASSY OF EU IN THE PHILIPPINES

Commission Humanitarian-Aid Operations, or ECHO. During the Taal Volcano eruption early this year, the EU has provided more than P42 million to the PRC’s emergency response. ECHO also provided funding support during recent calamities, including the onslaught of Typhoon Tisoy (international name Kammuri), the local dengue outbreak, the Batanes earthquake, and the Marawi City siege.

The delegation has also been collaborating with the PRC in searchand-rescue as well as clearing operations; food assistance; multipurpose cash provision; water, sanitation and hygiene promotion; as well as the establishment of emergencyhealth units and welfare desks.

“We continue to express our support [united with the] ‘We Heal As One’ community,” Wiersing confirmed. “Together, we can fight this pandemic.”

PHL gets 2020-22 OPCW executive council seat T

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N line with the Philippine government’s efforts to ensure that a viable vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) may be available to Filipinos soon, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through its foreign service posts, has initiated coordination and exchanges of information with different jurisdictions across the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East regarding developments for the said cure.

Information on vaccine developments and potential international partners were endorsed by the DFA to the Department of Science and Technology as the chairman of the Sub-Technical Working Group on Covid-19 Vaccine Clinical Trials.

Based on gathered information by the DFA, collaboration with Philippine subsidiaries of vaccine developers, engagement with overseas entities for the conduct of clinical trials, utilization of multilateral efforts ensuring vaccine access and bilateral cooperation are key efforts that must be pursued to ensure a viable vaccine can be made available and accessible for Filipinos.

Further, the foreign affairs department has also been engaged in processing and facilitating international humanitarian assistance for the government’s Covid-19 response. As of July 6, it has processed and enabled assistance from nine foreign governments and six of their medical agencies, four international organizations as well as 33 private companies, groups and individuals.

The DFA had also assisted in obtaining flight clearances and issuing visas to foreign technical experts in relation to the Covid-19-related procurement of the Philippine Red Cross, as well as the Asian Development Bank’s grant to the Department of Health. The foreign affairs department is also facilitating the acceptance of Japan’s grant aid in support of the DOH’s response to the pandemic and other health emergencies.

According to the DFA, it stands ready to support and complement efforts of Philippine government agencies in addressing the current crisis as the whole nation strives to heal as one.

HE HAGUE—For the first time in 12 years, the Philippines assumed a seat at the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Permanent Representative to the OPCW Jaime Victor B. Ledda headed the Philippine delegation to the 94th session of the executive council, held from July 7 to 9 at the OPCW headquarters in the Netherlands’ city.

In its national statement, the Philippines expressed hopes that with its membership, it would be able to contribute substantially to the achievement of consensual decisions in making the world a safer place, while ensuring all countries are able to equitably reap the benefits of the peaceful uses of chemistry.

The executive council consists of 41 OPCW memberstates elected by the Conference of the States Parties with a term of two years. It is the primary focal point designated by the Chemical Weapons Convention for resolving concerns surrounding challenge inspections and investigations of alleged use, including by facilitating consultation and clarification among parties and states.

An implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW has 193 member-states sharing the vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and where chemistry is used for

PHILIPPINE Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Jaime Victor B. Ledda THE HAGUE PE

peace, progress and prosperity.

As a developing country with porous borders as well as a substantial number of its citizens working and residing in all corners of the world, Ledda said the Philippines recognizes the crucial importance of cooperation on global and regional matters that can only be effectively addressed through collaborative efforts. DFA

SFA bestows Order of Sikatuna on Hungarian envoy

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ECRETARY of Foreign Affairs (SFA) Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. conferred the Order of SikatunaRank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction on Ambassador of Hungary to the Philippines József Bencze during the latter’s farewell call at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters on July 6.

The SFA expressed his appreciation for the envoy’s initiatives and notable efforts in enhancing Philippine-Hungarian bilateral relations. He reaffirmed the Philippines’s commitment to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

Bencze’s tenure saw the reopening of the Hungarian Embassy in Manila in 2016 and its formal inauguration in 2017 during the visit of Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó to the country. Locsin had an official visit to the Central European nation in 2019.

Since 2016, the Philippines and Hungary were able to conclude 10 agreements spanning the fields of agriculture, investments, science and education, culture, sports, and economic cooperation.

The European diplomat is ending his tour-ofduty in the Philippines after almost four years as Hungary’s top envoy in the country.

Meanwhile, both diplomats signed on July 13 the Framework Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the governments of the Philippines and Hungary, also at the DFA headquarters.

Said agreement will facilitate the expansion of technical cooperation between the two countries. It will also enable the Philippines to access grants and loans offered by Hungary for

technical-cooperation projects, particularly in the areas of sustainable development, water treatment and management, agriculture, education, as well as sports.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Ma. Amelita C. Aquino, Acting Director for Central Europe Jeffrey Valdez and Economic Counselor Gábor Lehöcz from the Embassy of Hungary witnessed the signing. DFA

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PHL’s future floats in the West Philippine Sea

By Sung Y. Kim

Ambassador of the United States to the Philippines

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HE waters of the South China Sea are home to a dizzying array of marine resources, ranging from vast oil and gas reserves deep beneath the surface, to the complex and beautiful ecosystems capable of supporting international seafood markets and unraveling scientific mysteries.

This is the patrimony of Southeast Asian nations—the lifeblood of their coastal communities, and the livelihood of millions of their citizens.

T he Un ited St ates st a nd s alongside the Philippines and other Southeast Asian partners to uphold a rules-based order that ensures sovereign, sustainable and productive access to the South China Sea and its resources.

At last month’s Asean Summit, regional leaders have reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the South China Sea “as a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity.”

To strengthen our support for sovereignty and freedom of the seas, this week, the US announced an important change in its policy regarding maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Sovereign rights, jurisdiction

AS Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo explained, the US rejects any People’s Republic of China (PROC) maritime claims within the Philippines’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or continental shelf, and claims in waters beyond 12 nautical miles from the islands in the Spratlys. Beijing’s harassment of Philippine fisheries and offshore energy development within those areas is unlawful, as are any unilateral PROC actions to exploit those resources.

Under the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award, which is final and legally binding, the Philippines enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction with respect to the natural resources in its EEZ. As Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. remarked this weekend on the anniversary of the ruling, “The arbitral tribunal’s award of July 12, 2016, represents a victory, not just for the Philippines, but for the entire community of consistently law-abiding nations.”

Why is this important? Here in the Philippines, the West Philippine Sea epitomizes the rich marine diversity of this country. In its waters, scientists have discovered hundreds of species of fish, coral, seagrass, and other marine life existing in interdependent systems that teach us about the planet’s complexity, fragility, and resilience. These habitats not only provide the fish that fill Filipino fishing vessels (and Filipino plates); they also serve as spawning grounds for schools that populate seas throughout Southeast Asia. Philippine scientists believe some of the species unique to these waters may also hold the key to biomedical breakthroughs, while climate researchers can study ecosystem changes to measure human impact on the environment.

Territorial integrity

SECRETARY of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and Ambassador József Bencze. NILO PALAYA/DFA

Thursday, July 16, 2020

MARINE conser vation begins with securing territorial integrity. When any nation uses coercion, subversion, disinformation and other underhanded tactics to further its position in the South China Sea, it denies our friends and partners the right to build a sustainable future. Asean leaders have expressed concern over activities and serious incidents in the South China Sea which have “eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions, and may under-

Kim

mine peace, security and stability in the region.”

The US remains committed to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, and will continue to defend the right of freedom of navigation in international waters and airways. Earlier this month, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group conducted dual-carrier operations with the Ronald Reagan and Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carriers, demonstrating US commitment to mutual defense agreements and promoting peace and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The US supports Philippine Coast Guard capacity to defend its waters by supplying expert training and new equipment.

‘New pathways’

SINCE the 1990s, the US has suppor ted Phi lippine mar ine and biodiversity conservation efforts. Our P1.3 billion, five-year Fish Right project works alongside Philippine partners to strengthen the sustainable use of critical coastal and marine resources to benefit more than 2 million people.

W hen the coronavirus disea se 2019 pa ndem ic f u r t her threatened marine livelihoods, Fish Right helped develop “Fish Tiangge,” an online marketplace connecting buyers and 6,000 fisherfolk in three of the Philippines’s most important areas for marine biodiversity. American companies are also contributing, with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ global development alliance, promoting marine conservation and sustainable fishing in more than 150,000 hectares of biologically significant waters.

US scientists and innovators are eager to join their Philippine colleagues in researching these waters to build a sustainable maritime framework—one that protects the West Philippine Sea’s rich and irreplaceable biodiversity while ensuring new generations will benefit from its bounty and wonder. Through the recently ratified US-Philippines Science and Technology Agreement, we are building together new pathways to increased scientific collaboration in the West Philippine Sea and beyond.

The youth plays a central role in achieving long-term marine sustainability. We have partnered with alumni from the US Young South East Asia Leadership Initiative exchange program for Sea and Earth Advocates camps to train young conservation leaders, and sponsored programs like the Haquathon Summit, where 35 teams developed technology-based solutions to save the seas.

Through these activities and our commitment to a free and open rules-based order that upholds the sovereign rights of all states regardless of size, power, and militar y capabilities, the US will continue to support our Philippine friends, partners, and allies in conserving the rich marine biodiversity that make this island-nation so special.

Sports BusinessMirror

B8 Thursday, July 16, 2020

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

NBI VOWS TO DIG DEEP INTO PAYROLL FRAUD

By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

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HE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) vowed to dig deeper into the alleged payroll fraud at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), saying that the suspect, Paul Michael Padua Ignacio, could possibly have accomplices.

NBI Deputy Director Vicente de Guzman III met with PSC OIC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez at the NBI headquarters on UN Avenue in Manila for a follow-up on the investigation on Ignacio, who underwent inquest procedures on Wednesday.

“This is just the start of finding out other anomalous actions [of

this guy],” said de Guzman as he didn’t discount the possibility of Ignacio having connived with one or more individuals in pulling off the crime.

Ignacio was arrested on Tuesday at the PSC offices in Manila. He reportedly admitted to the crime and offered to return whatever he has taken from the sports agency.

But the NBI and the PSC said criminal cases bordering from falsification of

documents to qualified theft will be filed against Ignacio, who is said to have been siphoning as much as P14 million in PSC funds to his LandBank account since August 2015.

Operatives of the NBI Special

THE return of Tiger Woods is not the return to normal, except for those watching on television. AP

TIGER’S BACK, BUT IT AINT NORMAL YET

By Doug Ferguson The Associated Press

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UBLIN, Ohio—The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour has been back for five weeks and already has delivered a tournament scoring record one week, a former No. 1 winning another week, two sudden-death playoffs and a player who grew by two shirt sizes to try to change the game.

And it still felt as though something was missing.

Or someone.

That changed a few minutes past 7 a.m.

Tuesday when Tiger Woods pulled his courtesy car into the parking lot at Muirfield Village, changed his shoes and began preparations for his first PGA Tour event in five months.

He was wearing a mask.

The return of Woods is not the return to normal, except for those watching on television.

Woods had an idea of what to expect from

seeing empty golf courses at Colonial and Harbour Town and even last week at Muirfield Village. He has heard from friends on tour how eerie it is with no fans, no cheering.

“It’s a very different world out here not to have the distractions, the noise, the excitement, the energy that the fans bring,” Woods said. “It’s just a silent and different world.”

And it’s going to stay that way.

The PGA Tour returned June 11, and the Memorial was supposed to be the first tournament with fans, at 20 percent capacity, until coronavirus cases began to spike and the prudent action was to play it safe. The “Nicklaus Club” hospitality tent is still to the right of the 16th tee. A small grandstand overlooks the 18th green. There wasn’t time to dismantle them.

Four more tournaments announced Monday they won’t have spectators, all the way through the Tour Championship to end the FedEx Cup season.

They’re still playing, though. And now, so is Woods.

Action Unit seized Ignacio’s laptop and desktop unit and discovered suspicious entries that involved three unqualified coaches and also three unqualified athletes in the PSC payroll for June totaling P450,150. These were all directed to Ignacio’s payroll account.

PSC employees described Paul, as he is called at the agency, as a “kind and low-key person” and that his fellow employees “never assumed that he could do something wrong.”

He was initially hired at the PSC’s IT unit in 2011 as a Contract of Service employee and was with the Personnel Department at the time of his arrest.

BusinessMirror learned that Ignacio opened a motorcycle

spare parts shop in La Loma, Quezon City, in late June. A popular local hip hop artist and a well-known Internet influencer reportedly graced the shop’s inauguration.

Ignacio also engages in an apparel business, employing several personalities to promote his brand.

He also sells shoes online.

“Greed came in,” Fernandez, a Philippine Basketball Association Legend, said. “We have to check our records and know who are the inactive athletes and coaches who he used in his scheme.”

The ongoing investigation forced the PSC to withhold the release of the national athletes and coaches allowances for June.

“It was supposed to be released last July 10. Allowances are released every 10th of the month, but the investigation is ongoing,” Fernandez said.

“I think he was starting to get a little sassy,” Justin Thomas said over the weekend. “I was telling him he’s scared to come out and play against all of us when he’s sitting at home, just trying to give him a hard time. But yeah, we’re excited to have him out.”

Woods and Thomas played the back nine Tuesday morning with just over a dozen people watching, mainly media. That’s not entirely new for Woods. The final round of his victory in Japan had no spectators because of flooding. The third round of the AT&T National in 2012 had no fans because of a freak wind storm that toppled 75-foot trees at Congressional.

They were back the next day. They won’t be at Muirfield Village all week.

They will be missing as Woods, a five-time winner of the tournament Jack Nicklaus built, goes after his 83rd career victory to break the PGA Tour record he shares with Sam Snead.

Woods was last seen at a PGA Tour event on Feb. 16 at Riviera, where he shot 77 and finished in last place. His back felt stiff in the cold weather. He skipped the next four weeks to be in shape for the Masters, and then the pandemic happened.

Woods has barely been seen at all this year.

That much was clear when Woods was asked about his chances of winning after a five-month layoff. His intentions are to win, just like always. Can he do it this week? He went just over two months without playing last fall and won in his first tournament back at the Zozo Championship.

“Whether that plays out come Sunday, hopefully that will be the case,” he said. “It was that one particular week—well, three tournaments ago at Zozo. There’s no reason I can’t do it again this week.”

Three tournaments ago for Woods was nearly nine months ago.

Any tournament would love to have Woods in the field, but in this environment, does it even matter? It’s not like ticket sales would explode because there are no tickets to sell.

So it becomes a TV show, and that’s not bad, either.

The real adjustment for Woods is how he handles the silence. He has fed off the gallery longer than he’s been a pro. He was asked if he would have to go back to his Stanford days for the last time it was just him and other players on the course.

“Well, even in college I had a few people following,” he said with a laugh.

The chip-in from behind the 16th hole when he won the Memorial in 2012? The chip he made for par off the 14th green when he won in 1999?

Any birdie he’s ever made at Muirfield Village?

They all were followed by the loudest cheers.

“For most of my career, pretty much almost every competitive playing round that I’ve been involved in, I’ve had people around me, spectators yelling, a lot of movement inside the gallery with camera crews and media,” Woods said.

That was his world.

Not long after Nick Faldo helped Woods into the green jacket at the 1997 Masters, part of him wondered if that was the only major Woods could win. Faldo’s point was that while the course suited him, Augusta National was the only major that kept the horde of media at a distance. As it turned out, Faldo later realized, that became an asset.

“Everyone joining him now on the weekend at a major goes into his world. That’s Tiger’s arena,” Faldo said in a 2007 interview.

“Other guys will step into that arena one week and go back out.

He’s there all the

Koike claims holding Tokyo 2020 next year would be a “symbol” of world overcoming pandemic

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okyo Governor Yuriko Koike has claimed successfully holding the Olympics and Paralympics in 2021 would be a “symbol” of the world overcoming the coronavirus pandemic.

Koike, who was reelected as Governor in a landslide result earlier this month, revealed her determination to host the Tokyo 2020 Games next year.

“I want to host them as a symbol of the world coming together to overcome this tough situation and of strengthened bonds among humankind,” she said, as reported by Reuters.

Tokyo 2020 was delayed by a year by the International Olympic Committee and organisers in March due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Koike’s statement comes at a time when the number of coronavirus cases in the Japanese capital is high, with 143 confirmed today.

A record high of 224 cases was reported last week.

Koike claimed increased testing had led to the surge, with night-time businesses encouraged to have their staff tested.

She has so far rejected the idea of enforcing another state of emergency in Tokyo.

A total of 21,868 coronavirus cases have been reported in Japan since the outbreak began, resulting in 982 deaths.

Tokyo 2020 has vowed to prioritise the health and safety of athletes, spectators, stakeholders, volunteers and staff ahead of the Games.

Health officials in Japan have recently expressed concerns that the rescheduled Games could pose a greater health risk to the public, however.

Concerns have been raised that the global health crisis will not have subsided to a suitable level by 2021, particularly with countries at varying stages of managing their national response. AP

time. And good luck coming into his world.”

It’s a different world now, a phrase Woods used five times Tuesday.

It’s everyone’s world.

But just seeing him at Muirfield Village gave the golf world a slight sense of normalcy.

A WOMAN photographs a snow sculpture promoting the Tokyo 2020 during the 71st Sapporo Snow Festival at Odori Park in Sapporo, Japan, in February. AP

Tokyo Olympics could help Sapporo land 2030 hosting of Winter Games

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OKYO—The president of the Japanese Olympic Committee said Tuesday that if Tokyo can pull off next year’s Summer Games, then the city of Sapporo could be in good standing to hold the 2030 Winter Olympics.

Yasuhiro Yamashita, a former Olympic gold medalist in judo, acknowledged in a news conference that it will be difficult holding the Olympics next year. And he pointed out that nobody can know the state of the coronavirus pandemic in a few months or next year.

“We have heard many concerns about whether the Olympics and Paralympics can be actually held as well as suggestions for canceling the Games,” Yamashita said. “We are currently going through the situation that nobody has ever experienced before and we would like to focus on what we should do now.”

He added that if the Tokyo Olympics “are held successfully, then we can have a clear prospect for the possibility of hosting 2030” in Sapporo.

The marathons and race walks for next year’s Olympics have been moved to Sapporo because of cooler weather. That will give the northern Japanese city a chance to show off to

IOC officials.

Japan has already acknowledged its interest in 2030 but could get competition from Salt Lake City, or a Spanish bid linked to Barcelona and the Pyrenees.

Sapporo held the 1972 Winter Olympics, and Salt Lake was the host in 2002. Barcelona held the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Beijing will hold the 2022 Winter Olympics, followed in 2026 by the Italian cities Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Yamashita also said he backed proposals by the Tokyo organizing committee and the Switzerland-base International Olympic Committee to “simplify” next year’s Olympics.

Neither the IOC nor local organizers have offered any specifics about what will be eliminated. They have said that sports events will not be cut, nor will the quota of 11,000 Olympic athletes and 4,400 Paralympians.

Estimates in Japan suggest the one-year delay will cost $2 billion to $6 billion, with most of the expense falling to Japanese taxpayers.

“We will not gain support from Japanese citizens unless we simplify the games and focus less on flamboyancy and concentrate more on efficiency,” Yamashita said. AP

A long summer of basketball isn’t new for everyone in NBA

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AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida—Formulating a plan to get a team ready for the restart of the National Basketball Association (NBA) season wasn’t as difficult as one might expect for Indiana coach Nate McMillan.

Turns out, he’s been through something similar to this before.

Spending an extended stretch away from home during the summer, while unprecedented as part of an NBA season, isn’t exactly a foreign concept for those with USA Basketball experience like the Olympics and the World Cup. Plenty of players and coaches at Walt Disney World see parallels between those experiences and this challenge.

“I had that opportunity to work with the Olympic team and preparation was very similar to what we’re going through here,” said McMillan, who was an assistant under Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski on the USA Basketball staff from 2006 through 2012. “Having a training camp, basically, at a hotel and getting ready for a 45- to 60-day season.... We’re going to have three scrimmage games, eight so-called regular season games and then we’re in the playoffs so it’s very similar to preparing to play for the gold medal.”

Players who have been through the World Cup or Olympic grinds agree that there’s a level of familiarity with this sort of schedule and situation.

“It helps tremendously,” said Toronto guard Kyle Lowry, who was part of the US gold-medalwinning team at the Olympics in 2016. “In Rio it was a lot more strict and tighter because we were living on a boat. That experience was pretty awesome.... But living on a boat, to be

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in a smaller room and not have as many amenities it really kind of prepared me for this.”

Even players who have been part of USA Basketball’s events for younger players, like Under-18 or Under-19 tournaments internationally, know the drill when it comes to living in a hotel for a few weeks and not having a lot of latitude when it comes to being free to roam. Players at Disney cannot leave the campus because of coronavirus protocols, though the league has made plenty of entertainment options—fishing, golf, boating, table tennis and more—available to them.

Houston Coach Mike D’Antoni said he would follow much of the same policies that the U.S. program used when he was an assistant on those national-team staffs, such as a heavy reliance on medical personnel to determine what days to have a hard practice and what days to take it a bit easier. Phoenix coach Monty Williams said he also refreshed his memory on national-team days when putting together a plan for his team’s stay at Disney.

“It has forced me to dig into the archives of that time with USA Basketball,” said Williams, another former national team assistant under Krzyzewski. “I’ve heard a lot of the players say that it reminds them of AAU, but for me it reminds me so much of my time in Spain at the World Cup. It’s a bit longer than the Olympics... and you have a lot of free time.”

Pacers center Myles Turner was with the US team that competed in China last summer at the World Cup, a group that spent more than seven weeks together between training camp, exhibition games in the US and Australia, and then the tournament itself.

The Pacers have clinched a playoff spot, so they’re assured of spending at least seven weeks at Disney this summer. It’s another long summer for Turner, and he’s not complaining.

“There is a lot of similarity in how it’s set up, but for me personally, I just think that it’s a great time for everybody to kind of stay focused,” Turner said. “There’s no distractions. Everybody’s locked in and focused. So, there’s really not a lot that can go wrong in a basketball sense.” AP

Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic (left) tackles Norwich City’s Todd Cantwell during their English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London on Tuesday. AP