BusinessMirror June 09, 2022

IT-BPM sector posts growth in revenue, jobs T

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HE IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector’s revenues rose 10.6 percent from 2020 levels to $29.49 billion in 2021, eclipsing its recalibrated target for 2022, according to the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).

Employment figures in the industry also increased, recording a 9.1-percent growth compared to 2020, the IBPAP said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The number of full-time employees [FTEs] in the country increased by 120,000 in 2021, bringing the sector’s total headcount to 1.44 million and recording a growth of 9.1 percent compared to 2020,” said IBPAP. Such robust growth in both employment and revenues, according to IBPAP President and CEO Jack Madrid, “validates what we had projected—that 2021 performance was beyond recovery; it marks a resurgence for the Philippine IT-BPM sector.”

Madrid added: “Preserving jobs, driving investments, stimulating countryside development, and cre-

ating demand for real estate—these are the unequivocal contributions of the industry to nation-building.”

The IBPAP attributed the growth to pent-up demand from global customers; higher confidence in work-from-home (WFH) setups by clients in contact centers and business process services; and growth in emerging sub-segments like e-commerce, fintech, health care, and technology.

The enabling association for the IT-BPM sector noted that “more and more organizations in global business services [GBS] are also incorporating offshoring and outsourcing into their strategic initiatives to improve efficiencies and optimize costs in multiple geographies.”

As such, the IBPAP chief stressed that this will spill over into 2022 and continue to boost demand for ITBPM services worldwide. Madrid said, “we should not miss out on this opportunity to capture a bigger slice of the global market.”

However, the sustained growth of the sector will rest on several factors. In the IT-BPM sector’s case,

further reliance on offshoring and outsourcing will be driven by next-generation business models and assets.

Addressing talent and skills shortage and competitive pricing models can also be among the factors to consider.

Expansion across select horizontals and verticals and increased digital adoption by traditional players will also be potential drivers of growth in 2022.

Still, the industry stakeholders need to watch out for three things to maximize the country’s growth potential and strengthen its global competitiveness in 2022, industry leaders said.

The IBPAP noted that supply chain resilience from a talent perspective will be critical amid the talent competition that was worsened by higher attrition rates and growing requirements for emerging and niche skills such as automation, cloud, data and analytics, and cyber security.

The second factor to watch out for is the integration of hybrid work models in business strategies.

IBPAP emphasized that this will also become more

prevalent.

“Globally, 70 percent of IT-BPM enterprises are saying that they will be implementing hybrid work arrangements. Locally, 80 percent of Filipino IT-BPM employees have expressed their preference for a hybrid work model over returning fully onsite,” IBPAP noted.

In fact, government agencies have addressed several concerns on the return-to-office arrangement, as opposed to working from home.

IBPAP said another factor to consider to sustain the growth of the sector is “location adversity” since it has also become a priority after the onslaught of the pandemic. “Given this, companies will need to leverage off alternative locations and adopt small-scale centers of microsites to achieve more robust business continuity plans [BCPs],” IBPAP emphasized.

Apart from the three watchouts, IBPAP said, the future of the Philippine IT-BPM sector will also depend on the country’s ability to take advantage of emerging

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Thursday, June 9, 2022 Vol. 17 No. 244

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

Return to ’19 debt-to-GDP levels need not be rushed

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@BcuaresmaBM

HE country’s dollar defenses against economic imbalances fell to its lowest in more than a year in May, due largely from lower proceeds from foreign investments and the drop of gold prices in the international market.

In a recent report, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) slipped to $103.53 billion in end-May. This is a $1.87 billion drop in a month’s time from the $105.4 billion recorded in endApril.

It is also the lowest level for the country in 15 months, or since September 2020 when it hit $100.49 billion; and the third consecutive month of decline for the country’s GIR. The GIR is the level of foreign exchange holdings the Central Bank has during a given period. It is a crucial component of the economy as it is often used to manage the country’s foreign exchange rate against excess volatility.

According to the BSP, the month-on-month decrease in the GIR level reflected mainly the national government’s (NG) foreign currency withdrawals from its deposits with the BSP to settle its foreign currency debt obligations and pay for its various expenditures.

The downward adjustment in the value of the BSP’s gold holdings due to the decrease in the price of gold in the international market also contributed to the decline in the GIR. Foreign investments still accounted for the largest part of the GIR during the month, albeit lower at $87.87 million from the $89.56 million seen in end-April.

Meanwhile, the BSP’s gold holdings also dipped in value in May to $9.03 billion from $9.28 billion in the previous month.

Despite the dip, the BSP said the latest GIR level represents a “more

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COUNTDOWN TO FREEDOM A visitor at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite takes a selfie using the mural of the Philippine flag and the signage of the Philippine Independence Day date and year as backdrop.

The country will celebrate its 124th year of independence on June 12, 2022, marking the day when General Emilio Aguinaldo displayed the Philippine flag outside his home in Kawit, making the Philippines the first independent republic in Asia. NONIE REYES

ETURNING to the prepandemic debt-to-GDP level should not be rushed as the government should prioritize spending for the country’s economic recovery, researchers from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said.

PIDS Senior Research Fellow Margarita Debuque-Gonzales said the government may also implement a “light” fiscal consolidation plan to reduce debt as a share of the economy in the near term, as the government may also need to spend to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The national government’s debt-to-GDP ratio in the first quarter of the year rose to 63.5 percent, the highest since 2005’s 60.5 percent under the Arroyo administration. This is also above the internationally recommended 60-percent threshold by multilateral lenders for emerging markets like the Philippines.

“What we’re saying is that you can have a light fiscal consolidation right now because we need to spend so that we don’t need to be too hung up on that in the near term because we also need to spend for recovery,” Debuque-Gonzales told reporters in an interview after S “R,” A

POVERTY REDUCTION IN RURAL AREAS SLOW: WB B C U. O @caiordinario

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URAL areas nationwide where food is usually grown will remain laggards in terms of poverty reduction, according to the World Bank.

In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, World Bank Philippines Office Senior Economist Kevin C. Chua said poverty incidence is projected to decrease to 21 percent this year and continue to decline through 2024.

However, the reduction in poverty will be slower in rural areas where there are less employment opportunities compared to urban areas such as economic centers in Luzon.

“Recent official employment statistics suggest that sectors associated with rural employment are recovering slower than other sectors, indicating that poverty reduction will likely be slower in rural areas,” Chua said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said based on the 2018 poverty data per basic sector, farmers, fisherfolk, and individuals residing in rural areas are the poorest nationwide.

Poverty incidence among farmers was at 31.6 percent and 26.2 percent among fisherfolk. The poverty incidence rate among individuals residing in rural areas was at 24.5 percent.

Uncertainties that would also slow poverty reduction include the

ongoing war in Ukraine that has already affected food and fuel prices.

Chua said food for poor households accounts for 64 percent of total household consumption while cereals comprise 44 percent.

“The looming uncertainties on the ongoing war in Ukraine will slow down the decline in poverty mainly due to the direct effect of higher food prices and the knockon effect of fuel price increases,” Chua said.

Last Tuesday, the PSA reported that inflation rose to 5.4 percent in May on the back of higher food and transportation costs.

This marked a 37-month high in inflation and was the highest since S “P,” A

S “GIR,” A

PESO EXCHANGE RATES

■ US 52.9220 ■ JAPAN 0.3990 ■ UK 66.6500 ■ HK 6.7449 ■ SINGAPORE 38.5336 ■ AUSTRALIA 37.2732 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 14.1084 ■ EU 56.6742 ■ CHINA 7.9329

Source: BSP (June 8, 2022)

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Thursday, June 9, 2022

IT-BPM...

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trends and bypass mounting threats on a global and local scale.

For the government, the IBPAP recommended aiming for a sustainable talent supply, predictable regulatory environment, and more enabling infrastructure, as these top considerations of potential investors and locators.

The association is set to publish this year the Philippine IT-BPM industry Roadmap 2028—a blueprint for the sector’s priorities in digitization, talent, policy shaping, infrastructure, and country branding over the next six years.

Among these initiatives is the legislation that will enable the long-term implementation of hybrid work given its widespread adoption in competing locations such as India, Poland, and Malaysia. IBPAP highlighted that they have placed this area under the microscope in the last few years, when it proved commendable beyond its initial purpose as a business continuity plan.

IBPAP has been working with the incumbent and incoming governments to discuss the steps needed for a consistent and comprehensive policy on hybrid work and to improve ease of doing business for new investors.

“The launch of the Roadmap is very timely because 2022 is a banner year for the Philippines and the IT-BPM industry. Not only are we welcoming a new administration, but we’re also at the precipice of a new age that will reimagine, rethink, and re-envision everything that we know about the sector,” the IBPAP chief said.

“We are pleased to share that earlier this year, we selected the Everest Group, a renowned global services advisory and research firm with a deep understanding of the global IT-BPM industry, to be our partner in this critical undertaking,” added Madrid.

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November 2018 when inflation averaged 6.1 percent. (Story here: www.businessmirror.com.ph/2022/

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No more quarantine for Filipino, alien sailors arriving in seaports

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@maloutalosig

UARANTINE requirements have been lifted for Filipino and foreign seafarers disembarking at seaports or at seas within the Philippines, as long as they have been vaccinated with at least three doses of Covid-19 jabs, and tested negative for the virus.

Bureau of Quarantine Director Ferdinand Salcedo’s Memorandum Circular no. 2022-07, dated June 6, informed all manning, recruitment agencies and shipping agencies of cargo vessels, quarantine medical officers, and quarantine nurses, outlining the guidelines for arriving seafarers at seaports in the country for a crew change on the easing of the rules.

One of the guidelines says that seafarers undergoing crew change in the middle of the sea

in the Philippines will be required to show an acceptable proof of vaccination and a negative test, either RT-PCR or antigen.

The RT-PCR test should be done upon arrival at their designated quarantine facility by the DOH-approved laboratory.

The antigen test should be supervised by the Quarantine Medical Officer on duty at the designated area of One-Stop-Shop for crew change.

06/07/slowing-poverty-war-seen-on5-4-inflation/)

mitigate the adverse impact of shocks and the pandemic, including rising prices.

Given the government’s fiscal constraints, Chua said, the assistance must be timely and targeted and should prioritize those who are most in need of help.

Safety nets

IN order to help Filipinos cope, Chua said the government must improve the targeting of social assistance to households. This will

Foreign seafarers, meanwhile, should also be checked by the BOQ’s Quarantine Boarding Officer at sea and be issued Quarantine Medical Clearance.

There should also be “profiling” to be done before disembarkation. The profiling is only valid for 24 hours.

Since the pandemic, the Philippine government has opened its seas in 12 seaports where foreign ships can change Filipino as well as foreign crew members. The 12 crew-change hubs are Port of Manila, Currimao (Ilocos Norte), Poro Point (La Union), Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Bataan, Batangas, Palawan, Iloilo, Cebu, Davao, Port of Zamboanga, and Port of Cagayan de Oro. The health protocol for the entry of crew change as well as for foreign nationals on board vessels joining military exercises with Philippine military in the Philippines were stated in a resolution by the Inter-Agency Task Force Against Emerging Diseases No. 164-B. Meanwhile, quarantine will still be required for seafarers who were not vaccinated, partially vaccinated or fully vaccinated but without boosters in a DOH-approved facility.

If they test positive for Covid-19 upon arrival in the Philippines, they will be required to

undergo mandatory quarantine. Their manning agencies or shipping companies should provide the BOQ with proof of reservation in a DOHapproved stringent quarantine facility.

For fully vaccinated seafarers who test positive for Covid-19, the quarantine period is seven days. However, if they manifest Covid-19 symptoms starting on the fifth day, their quarantine period shall be extended.

Seafarers who were not vaccinated will be quarantined for 10 days. If they manifest Covid-19 symptoms starting on the 8th day of quarantine, their stay shall also be extended.

If a ship or vessel has at least one documented positive of Covid-19, all crew members will be required to undergo five-day quarantine in an “accredited stringent facility” and undergo RT-PCR testing on the fifth day of quarantine.

A vessel with a reported infection “is required to undergo disinfection under the supervision of the Bureau of Quarantine personnel,” the memo reads.

Association Licensed Manning Agencies (ALMA) president Cristina Garcia welcomed the new BOQ guidelines but called it overdue. “We are thankful that the BOQ aligned with the IATF resolution 168-B,” Garcia said.

Better targeting mechanisms, therefore, must be put in place.

Chua said one way is to fast-track the use of the Philippine National ID system (PhilSys) which can easily identify social safety net recipients.

“There is no single targeting method that is universally preferred or equally effective across countries, as methods must be adjusted to the purpose of the program, availability of data, and institutional capacity,” Chua said.

Apart from cash transfers, Chua said, efforts to tame inflation must continue. This can be done through the use of other monetary tools at the disposal of monetary authorities.

This can be coupled with undertaking supply-side measures that support agriculture production through extension services, seeds, and fertilizer provision.

Chua added that government’s recent move to lower tariffs and remove non-tariff barriers for key food commodities are measures that can also keep food prices low.

The temporary increase in the minimum access volume and lower tariffs raised on pork imports amid the outbreak of African swine fever will also help Filipinos have cheaper access to food, he added.

“It is important to diversify their sources through trade to help ensure local produce, where inadequate, is augmented by foreign supplies,” Chua said. “Food security is tied to the ability to draw from diversified sources both local and international.”

5.7 percent in 2022 and 5.6 percent on average in 2023-24 amidst intensifying global uncertainties, according to the Philippines Economic Update (PEU) released today by the World Bank. (Story here: www.

Growth

THE Philippines is poised to grow

businessmirror.com.ph/2022/06/08/ world-bank-cuts-growth-forecast-forphl-citing-supply-disruptions/)

Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, said developing measures to reduce budget deficit and the country’s debt will ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.

He said these measures should focus on prudent spending, improved revenue collection through reforms in government procurement, and greater private sector fi nancing to ensure that government allocations for education, health, other social services, and infrastructure are not sacrificed.

“Continuity of reforms in the last six years promoting greater competition and attracting foreign investments will further boost the country’s growth outlook in the coming years,” Diop said.

“In the context of narrowing fiscal space, the authorities can encourage public-private partnerships to sustain improvements in the country’s infrastructure assuming financial risks to the government are managed and the quality of services for the citizens are secured,” he added.

The PEU, however, flagged several risks to the outlook, including rising inflation and geopolitical uncertainty brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

These risks also include tightening global financing conditions, and weaker growth of trading partners like the United States and China.

While the country has entered a benign phase of the pandemic, the threat of a new variant-driven surge also hangs over the growth outlook.

The report says that prolonged war in Ukraine and the continuing sanctions on Russia could further disrupt global economic activity, slow down growth of major economies in the world, and impair trade and financial flows.

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briefing officials from the Department of Finance (DOF) on their study “Fiscal Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessing Public Debt Sustainability in the Philippines.”

PIDS Research Fellow and Philippine Economic Society President Charlotte Justine Diokno-Sicat, one of the study authors, said that what they specified in their study are possible scenarios on how long will it take and what fiscal adjustments are needed per scenario to bring down debt-to-GDP ratio to prepandemic level of 40 percent.

“But there’s really no rush. We have to take care first of the economy...,” Sicat said.

In their study, PIDS researchers said “reaching the target debt ratio by 2031 may be difficult given the large fiscal adjustments that this would involve,” particularly annual primary balance increases from 1.4 percent to 3.4 percent of GDP (from the most optimistic scenario to the most pessimistic scenario). Primary balance refers to fiscal balance excluding net interest payments on public debt.

To achieve annual primary balance increases, the government can resort to increasing revenues, cutting primary spending, or a combination of both. Given this, the researchers said “achieving the debt target later than 2031 appears more feasible, especially as there is need for further spending to prevent economic scarring.”

Should the country not immediately revert to the prepandemic debt ratio, DebuqueGonzales said there might be a risk of a credit rating downgrade, but added that the government and economic managers may address this by showing the credit raters that the country’s fiscal situation is still fine even at that rate, and that there is a commitment to bring down the debt as a share of the economy.

The DOF recently unveiled its proposed fiscal consolidation and resource mobilization plan seen to generate a total average of nearly P350 billion per year from 2023 to 2027 to help the country outgrow its debt at a faster rate.

The three-package proposed fiscal consolidation and resource mobilization plan includes the imposition of several taxes, 3-year deferment of the second tranche of reduction in personal income tax rates, and the expansion of valueadded tax (VAT) base and removal of VAT exemptions—except for education, agricultural products, health, financial sector, and raw food, among others.

Estimated to generate an annual average of P349.3 billion in revenues, the proposed fiscal consolidation plan will not only help the government accomplish this but it will also help the country reduce its debt as a share of its economy from the projected 60.7 percent this year to 55.4 percent in 2025. Without the reforms, the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio in 2025 is seen to reach 58.2 percent.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III earlier warned that there may be “serious and spiraling consequences” to the country’s financial and economic health if the fiscal consolidation plan is not pursued.

Finance Officer-In-Charge Undersecretary Valery Joy Brion of the department’s Strategy, Economics, and Results Group said fiscal and economic crises may ultimately result from doing away or even just diluting the proposed fiscal consolidation plan. However, incoming Finance chief Benjamin Diokno, who is currently the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor, said he intends to focus on streamlining tax administration before deciding on whether the country needs new taxes as part of its fiscal consolidation plan.

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than adequate” external liquidity buffer equivalent to 9.1 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It is also about 6.6 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.5 times based on residual maturity.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said that for the coming months, the country’s GIR could still increase, especially after the May election month.

The Nation BusinessMirror

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BBM confirms attendance to Apec F-to-F meet in Nov

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NCOMING President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday accepted an invitation to attend the planned face-toface (F-to-F) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in Thailand this coming November 18 and 19, 2022.

Marcos Jr. was personally invited

by Thai Chargé d’ Affaires Thawat Sumitmo to the Apec Summit, in his capacity as representative of Thailand, which is the current Apec Chair.

The annual summit will return into a F-to-F meeting since 2018, after the 2019 summit in Chile was canceled due to protests in the said country, while the last two editions were held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Apec Summit, which was established in 1989, has become the pre-eminent economic forum in the Asia-Pacific region.

Its primary purpose is to promote sustainable economic growth, trade and investment, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Thailand government sent its

DOLE slates jobs and jabs for Independence Day fair

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

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ROUND 123,000 job vacancies and free novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) jabs will be up for grabs during the nationwide Independence Day Job Fair of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Citing the latest data from the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), DOLE spokesman Rolly Francia disclosed that of the said vacancies, 95,476 would come from 926 local employers.

The remaining 27,509 employment opportunities will be from overseas employers.

The top local vacancies are for production operator, customer service representative, jail officer, micro finance officer/loan officer, and sewing mechanic, while for overseas vacancies the indemand positions are for nurses, factory worker, household worker, carpenter/electrician/mason, and cleaner.

“There will be simultaneous job fairs on Sunday as part of the celebration of the 124th Independence Day in 25 job fair sites across the country,” Francia said in a virtual news conference on Wednesday.

There will also be Covid-19 vaccination drives in the said events.

“In the said job fair sites, people can go and be vaccinated with their primary dose or booster shots,” Francia said.

The labor official said interested jobseekers can check the available vacancies for the Independence Day Job Fairs in the web sites of their regional offices as well as the concerned Public Employment Service Offices (PESO).

He said the main event for their Independence Day Job Fair celebration would be held at the provincial gymnasium in Malolos, Bulacan.

Among the invited guests for the event is President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. Francia, however, said the incoming President has yet to confirm his attendance in the event.

“Several thousands of beneficiaries will [also] be given bikes and other livelihood packages [during the event],” Francia said.

invitation during the courtesy call of Asean Ambassadors to Marcos Jr. last June 6.

To recall, the ambassadors of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Singapore, Vietnam and the Chargé d’ Affaires of Thailand recently paid a courtesy call to Marcos Jr. at the latter’s campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

Marcos Jr., who was grateful to the Heads of Missions for paying him a visit, said that while he has already met some of the ambassadors in the past, he was glad to meet them as a group noting how Asean has become a very important regional organization.

He is also confident that Asean will play a vital role in the region’s quick economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thailand will host the Apec 2022 summit, which will focus on the importance of facilitating the resumption of safe and convenient crossborder travel to hasten the region’s speedy and robust economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, June 9, 2022 A3

Lamudi bullish on PHL real-estate industry prospects after elections

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

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FTER experiencing some uncertainties caused by the recently concluded elections, online real-estate platform Lamudi is bullish on the real-estate industry.

Lamudi said it expect activities to pick up with more positive developments from post-pandemic recovery initiatives with more clarity as economic agendas and housing plans from the new administration are unveiled.

“Property buying and selling activities may have taken a pause during these periods as offices close and clients schedule meetings before or after the festivities. Property seekers and sellers alike are out and about and partaking in the holiday activities during these weeks,” Lamudi Philippines CEO Kenneth Stern said in a recent webinar.

In general, he said, elections cre-

ate market uncertainty as project and policy continuity hangs in balance. It is also expected for investors to take a wait-and-see attitude as economic agenda, Cabinet appointments and post-pandemic recovery plans from the incoming President are rolled out.

The property seeker market on Lamudi assumes the same position.

Leads attracted by the platform dropped by 3 percent (April 25-May 1, 2022) and 12 percent (May 2-May 8, 2022), respectively, in the two weeks leading up to election day.

However, property-seeking activity on the platform improved as leads picked up by 8 percent during the week of election day (May 9 - May 15, 2022) and has remained stable in the week since.

Meanwhile, Colliers Philippines said the office market is showing signs of recovery as it recorded a positive net take-up in first quarter of 2022 after seven consecutive quarters of negative absorption.

“Traditional and BPO [Business Process Outsourcing] firms continue to dominate demand as they take advantage of the rental correction and availability of new office buildings in major business districts,” said Colliers associate director for research Joey Roi Bondoc told reporters in a recent webinar.

“Colliers sees the office market finally turning a corner as it recorded a positive net take-up in first quarter 2022 after seven consecutive quarters of negative absorption. Traditional [companies in various sectors, such as legal, engineering and construction, government agencies and flexible workspace operators] and business process outsourcing companies continue to dominate demand as they take advantage of the rental correction and availability of new office buildings in major business districts. Companies’ return-tooffice mandates should also support office absorption over the next 12

months,” he explained.

“In 2022, we see the completion of 821,900 square meters of new office space, nearly 60 percent of which will likely come from the Ortigas Center, Makati Fringe, and the Bay Area.

Office rents, meanwhile, dropped by an average of 3.1 percent QoQ in Q1 2022. We project a slow recovery in lease rates starting in 2023 as we see a pick-up in demand from outsourcing and traditional firms. Vacancy reached 17.3 percent in Q1 2022 from 15.7 percent in Q4 2021. Colliers revises its year-end projection of an 18.2 percent vacancy from 18.9 percent due to tapered new supply,” he added.

Bondoc urged tenants that are still in a wait-and-see mode to consider occupying flexible workspaces.

Those with long-term occupancy plans should lock in spaces in new and sustainable office buildings and take advantage of rental corrections and other concessions given by landlords. With Roderick L. Abad

DENR backs call for Basel Ban Amendment approval

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

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EPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna on Wednesday threw his support behind calls for the ratification of the Basel Amendment to prohibit the dumping of hazardous waste from developed countries to developing countries like the Philippines.

Sampulna believes that once ratified, it would effectively address the illegal traffic of imported hazardous waste into the Philippines.

On Tuesday, the group Ban Toxics warned that the Philippines continue

to risk becoming the world’s dumping ground unless it ratifies the Basel Ban Amendment. The statement was issued following the commencement of the second segment of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions’ Triple Conference of Parties, hoping to press the government to act with dispatch and finally ratify the amendment to the treaty.

“In previous years, we have strongly fought against the import of hazardous wastes from countries who regarded our country as their dumpsites. Ratifying the Basel Ban Amendment will protect the Philippines from being a destination of hazardous wastes again,” Sampulna said in a news statement.

In 2019, the DENR through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) had successfully coordinated the return of 69 international container units of mixed wastes to Canada, which were illegally imported to the Philippines after being declared as waste plastics for recycling.

The DENR-EMB, in cooperation with the Bureau of Customs, had also successfully repatriated 6,400 metric tons of mixed wastes in Misamis Oriental to South Korea in 2020.

The Basel Ban Amendment, adopted by the parties to the Basel Convention, would restrain the member-states of the European Union, Organization for Econom-

ic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and Liechtenstein, from exporting hazardous wastes either for recovery, treatment, or disposal to developing countries or countries with economies in transition.

The Philippines is a Party to the 1989 Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

The treaty was ratified by Congress on October 21, 1993, and entered into force on January 19, 1994, but the country has yet to ratify the Basel Ban Amendment.

Among the wastes covered in the Ban Amendment include those listed in Annex I, Annex II, and Annex VIII

(List A) of the Basel Convention such as used lead-acid batteries, electrical and electronic equipment, and metalbearing sludge.

Non-OECD countries such as the Philippines are allowed to export hazardous wastes to OECD countries if it has no existing capacity to treat and dispose of the specific hazardous waste in an environmentally sound manner.

The DENR-EMB may request to the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Convention that the national version of the Ban Amendment will exempt certain hazardous wastes such as used lead-acid batteries, which are being utilized by the local recycling industry.

SC junks fishermen’s mandamus Philippine Red Cross sustains Mt. Bulusan eruption response petition to address illegal fishing

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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HE Supreme Court has dismissed the petition filed by Navotas fisherman and an internal nongovernment organization (NGO) seeking the issuance of a writ of continuing mandamus to compel concerned government agencies to implement measures that would address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, particularly by commercial fishing vessels.

In a resolution made public on Wednesday, the Court en banc held that it would not interfere with the respondent’s exercise of administrative discretion.

Fishermen Arnulfo Febria, Edgardo Leongson and Bernardo Rondon Jr. and Oceana Philippines International filed the petition for a continuing mandamus in 2018.

They urged the Court to compel respondents Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to enforce monitoring rules for fishing vessels weighing 3.1 to 30 gross tons.

The petitioners also asked the Court to direct the DA and BFAR to draft rules for Vessel Monitoring Measures (VMM) as mandated under the amended Fisheries Code and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

The VMM is a system for tracking the location of vessels.

The fishermen complained that unregulated and unmonitored operations of commercial fishing vessels have led to dwindling catch as these big vessels allegedly encroach into municipal waters reserved for small-time fishermen.

However, the SC explained that the writ of mandamus lies to require the execution of a ministerial duty

and cannot be used to control the judgment and discretion of an officer in making decisions on matters within his jurisdiction.

“Verily, the promulgation of fisheries policies and regulations is not ministerial duty and entails the exercise of the respondents’ technical expertise and judgment in light of numerous considerations, which include the possible impact on aquatic resources and marine ecosystem,” the SC pointed out.

“The Court recognizes the expertise of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources which the Congress expressly authorized to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and mandated to ensure compliance of fishing vessels with conservation and management resources,” it added.

Furthermore, the SC branded as “unsubstantiated” the petitioners’ claim of inaction against the respondents in connection with the illegal fishing activities of commercial fishing vessels.

The SC noted that the respondents, through the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Council, adopted and implemented measures to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

“The respondents fulfilled the mandates and objectives of Republic Act No. 8550, as amended and its implementing rules and regulations.

More telling is that the respondents presented to the petitioners their programs and continued efforts to comply with the requirements of the law,” the Court noted.

The SC also said the petitioners’ claim that the respondents alleged inaction adversely affected the country’s marine resources is insufficient for the Court to grant the mandamus.

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HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed volunteers and members of its basic services teams to Juban, Sorsogon, in the wake of Mt. Bulusan’s eruption last Sunday, June 5.

The PRC Welfare Services Team, which set up two Welfare Desks, provided psychosocial first aid (PFA) to 699 adults and childfriendly activities designed as PFA to 76 children who fled the Mt. Bulusan eruption.

A PRC food truck, called Hot Meals on Wheels, was deployed when the volcano erupted on Sunday, June 5, and has served hot meals to 714 individuals as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

The PRC Safety Services Team, which sent one ambulance unit with trained emergency medical services personnel, set up a First Aid station and is on standby to treat and transport patients to medical facilities if needed.

The team has served 59 individuals who had their blood pressure taken and has treated three patients for minor injuries. The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Unit has conducted a hygiene promotion activity for 136 individuals.

A PHILIPPINE Red Cross volunteer serves hot meals to evacuees following the eruption of Mt. Bulusan.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Senate welcomes filing of raps vs BI officers in ‘pastillas’ racket

S

ENATE probers backed the Ombudsman’s filing of criminal charges against Bureau of Immigration (BI) officers linked to the “pastillas” human trafficking racket.

This, even as Sen. Risa Hontiveros rued that the mastermind and other members of the racket has not yet been caught and charged, even as she shared hopes they would eventually be prosecuted.

In a radio interview, the op-

position lawmaker struck a positive outlook, relying on a surprise whistle-blower who was “one of those included in the charges filed by the Ombudsman” and who she hoped “would be properly tagged as a whistle-blower since he fully cooperated and helped the investigators.” She earlier named him as Jeffrey Dale Ignacio.

“Masaya talaga ako na ’yung aming mga findings sa Senate Committee on Women, dito sa pastillas scam,

ay fundamentally sinangayunan ng Ombudsman,” she said.

She added: “Tinuturing ko talaga na tagumpay ng mga kababaihan at mga bata na biniktima ng human trafficking, lalo na po ’yung mga naglakas loob na magsalita gaya nung si batang alias Carina, si Ms. Ivy na taga-Taiwan, pati po ’yung mga taga-BARMM na trinaffic sa Syria, sina Omaima, Aleah, saka Lenlen. Tagumpay po talaga nila at masaya ako dito sa pagtaguyod sa kanila.” Butch Fernandez

A4 Thursday, June 9, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL at center of ‘seismic shift’ in global outsourcing industry–expert

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

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@brownindio

HE Philippines should keep on promoting its outsourcing industry as this could serve as its “gateway” to First World status, according to an author of the outsourcing industry.

“The outsourcing is hiding in plain sight as Filipinos are not realizing it is the golden goose just like oil to the Arabs,” said Derek Gallimore, author of the book Inside Outsourcing: How Remote Work, Offshoring & Global Employment is Changing the World in a news briefing on

Wednesday in Pasig City.

He stressed that the future of employment is headed towards outsourcing as the massive resignation in Western countries enabled outsourcing companies to access an almost limitless talent pool of around 88 million registered profession-

als across the world.

The Philippine business-process outsourcing industry is worth $24 billion. Along with the remittances of 10 million overseas Filipinos, outsourcing is one of the legs of the Philippine economy.

While this “seismic shift” in employment is profitable for foreign firms, Gallimore said this development offers great opportunities for leading outsourcing destinations like the Philippines.

Gallimore pointed out that the Philippines is in a very good position to be the “global hot spot” for outsourcing.

With a great majority of its population being English-speaking professionals and whose median age is within 23 years, he stressed the Philippines’s outsourcing industry is “ripe.”

He believes that the Philippines could be heading towards the apex of providing this service to the rest of the world. To walk the talk, Gallimore recently opened a Philippine office of Outsource Accelerator’s office to local and global clients to serve as an “out-

sourcing showroom.”

He said Outsource Accelerator’s office is going to debunk misconceptions alleging outsourcing firms of “poor working conditions” and “sweatshop-like facilities.”

“Your team’s need for proper employment and facilities is often an overlooked and undervalued aspect of running a business. Yet, it is a basic constitutional part of building a work force. It is possible to get by without these things, but I would argue that if you are focused on building a reliable, repeatable, scalable, and productive team—then ensuring that they have proper employment and facilities is a baseline requirement,” he notes in his book, which reflects the importance of having a head office during these times.

Gallimore acknowledged the competition in the outsourcing industry is escalating as more and more countries like Jordan and South Africa are stepping up in improving their capabilities. For the Philippines, Gallimore said, the country needs to raise the bar to become the “Swiss banking” of the outsourcing industry.

ADB commits $650-M loan for climate change programs

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

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HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted the Philippines a total of $650 million or around P34.32 billion in loan commitments to support the country’s climate change adaptation and mitigation programs and to strengthen domestic capital markets, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) announced on Wednesday.

Department of Finance Secretary and Climate Change Commission (CCC) Chair-Designate Carlos G. Dominguez and ADB Deputy Director General Winfried Wicklein exchanged loan documents for the Climate Change Action Program 1 (CCAP1) and Capital MarketGenerated Infrastructure Financing Program, Subprogram 2 (CM-GIF2) in a ceremony held last Friday.

The CCAP1, amounting to $250 million, is the ADB’s first climate change policy-based loan program. It recognizes the Philippines as a pioneer in climate policy development finance and encourages other nations to design their own multi-sector climate programs.

In a news statement, the CCC said the program demonstrates the Philippines’s commitment to provide longterm attention to the climate crisis, which has had a significant impact on the country. The Philippines has taken the initiative to be one of the first AsiaPacific countries to implement climatechange policies.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to build the nation’s resiliency against climate change. We cannot wait for the industrialized economies to break their inertia and accept the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing climate finance to vulnerable countries,” Dominguez stressed.

Meanwhile, the CM-GIF2, amounting to $400 million, supports the government’s initiative of funding infrastructure at a lower relative cost and connecting private sector infrastructure to capital markets.

It builds on the accomplishments of Subprogram 1, which intended to increase the availability of long-term finance to support investments, as well as the ADB’s decades-long engagement in the Philippines’s capital market.

Meanwhile, CCC Secretary Robert E.A. Borje welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that support for the Philippines’s climate change adaptation and mitigation programs is key to ramping up national resiliency.

Borje also stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation and climate finance to enable developing and vulnerable countries to further strengthen the adaptive capacities of developing countries and sustain economic growth and development.

The ADB’s policy-based lending modality, which not only mobilizes funding for continued Covid-19 response obligations, but also supports green, resilient, and inclusive development in key priority sectors, bolsters the country’s post-pandemic growth momentum.

“We, at the ADB, are honored and proud to partner with the Philippines, to partner with you, including also through these difficult times in the pandemic. We are fully committed to supporting the Philippines and improving the livelihoods of all the Filipinos and creating a stronger, green, and resilient economy,” said Deputy Director-General Wicklein.

“The two programs are not unrelated.

An improved infrastructure backbone will increase the efficiency of our economy. It will enable us to improve our climate resiliency and spur sustainable growth,” said Dominguez.

Officials and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Securities and Exchange Commission, Insurance Commission, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Social Security System, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Laguna Lake Development Authority, and the Climate Change Commission, represented by Commissioner Rachel Anne S. Herrera, were present in the ceremony.

DPWH allots ₧98 million for flood control project in Dagami, Leyte

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

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HE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has allotted P98 million to build a flood control structure along the Binahaan River in the municipality of Dagami in Leyte.

Public Works Secretary Roger G. Mercado said the project “involves the construction of 5-meter tall gabion walls measuring 350 lineal meters downstream and 366 lineal meters upstream of Binahaan River.”

“The gabion walls and drainage system will prevent overflow from

entering residential areas, help reduce erosion and scouring on river banks due to high-velocity river streams, and avoid further damage to water-logged areas,” added DPWH Region 8 Director Allan S. Borromeo.

The project, funded through the 2022 general appropriations, is expected to benefit the residents of Barangay Balilit and other nearby communities.

“Aside from ensuring the stability of terrain along the riverbanks, the flood walls are placed to prevent possible loss of lives and destruction to properties, especially in the occurrence of flash floods,” said Borromeo.

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Solon urges national govt to adjust indigency ceiling

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE chairman of the House Committee on Senior Citizen on Wednesday urged the national government to widen indigency limits and parameters in the availment of charity social services.

Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes of Senior Citizen partylist made an appeal to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Health (DOH) to change expand qualifications amid the increasing prices of basic commodities.

“I address this appeal to PCSO, Pagcor, DSWD, DILG, and DOH. Most indigency standards and qualifications can be revised upward administratively, no need for new laws,” he said.

“More inclusive indigency standards and qualifications can be

implemented faster because only administrative changes are needed,” Ordanes added.

Currently, the lawmaker said the indigency limits and parameters for availing of government charity social services are too low.

“The new minimum for indigency qualification should be either the minimum wage rates or the nontaxable income rate,” he said.

With prices of most goods and services being so high now, he said the purchasing power of minimum wage earners is severely eroded.

“They do not have disposable income left for the daily cost of sending their kids to school, for going to and coming from work everyday, and for the needs of household members who are sick, senior, PWD, or with special needs,” added the lawmaker.

Republic Act 10606 or an act amending the Republic Act 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act of 1995 as amended, defines indigent as a person who has no visible means of income, or whose income is insufficient for the subsistence of his family.

AHW outlines qualities of next DOH chief they would prefer

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

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HE Alliance of Health Workers (AHW) is hoping Presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. will appoint a pro-health worker and pro-people secretary of the Department of Health (DOH), who stands against the privatization of public hospitals and prioritizes health over profit.

“Our prospect is a DOH chief who is audient and responsive to the legitimate issues and concerns of the health workers for safety, protection, rights and welfare as well as the health of the people. A DOH chief who sees us health workers as partners in providing quality health services for the people,” Robert Mendoza, AHW national president, said.

Mendoza added, “We prefer a health chief who has an excellent track record on good governance, accountability and integrity, and one who will wholeheartedly serve the people.”

He said they would strongly reject a DOH chief who has a track record of being involved in “anomalous” transactions like the Pharmally deal. “…And one who has a record of gross negligence in the disposition of medicines and medical supplies as many of these were only stored in DOH warehouses and eventually expired and wasted, even as many patients are deprived of accessing free medicines, supplies and medical health services,” he said.

Moreover, Mendoza added, health workers are deeply disappointed knowing about the “injustice” done in tackling the Pharmally case.

“We will never forget that during the earliest surge of the pandemic,

many have died, including our fellow health workers due to negligence and incompetence of the DOH and Duterte administration. It is just so frustrating and infuriating that these demise happened amidst the P42 billion anomaly in the Pharmally deal,” Mendoza stated.

He said that the P42 billion in question should have been utilized for the purchase of Covid-19 and non-Covid medicines, medical supplies and equipment, health workers’ protective gears and payment for the health workers unreleased Covid-19 benefits.

“Many poor patients could have benefited from it for their hospitalization and treatment,” he added.

AHW reiterated, “They want a DOH secretary who will push for the provision of 10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product health budget in order to ensure free supply of medicines, modernization of health facilities and provision of free health services in all public hospitals.”

“The provision of enough budget for health would prevent commercialization and privatization of health services in government hospitals. A DOH chief who will address the chronic understaffing and contractualization among health personnel as these are obstacles in providing quality health care,” he said.

“We need a health secretary who can guarantee and will respect our constitutional right to self-organization, collective negotiations, peaceful concerted activities, security of tenure, and to petition the government for redress of grievances,” Benjamin Santos, AHW secretary general, for his part, said.

BRP ‘Antonio Luna’ leaves PHL for ‘Rim of the Pacific’ drill

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HE BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), one of the two guided-missile frigates of the Philippine Navy (PN), left its base in Subic Bay, Zambales Wednesday to join this year’s edition of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

RIMPAC, which will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii from June 29 to August 4, is an international maritime exercise led by the United States Navy and is done to promote stability in the Pacific Region.

Navy spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza, in a media interview, said the ship left Naval Operating Base Subic around 10:30 a.m.

PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado and the

Naval Task Group (NTG) 80.5 graced the send-off ceremonies for the ship.

He added the ship would make a stopover in Guam for refueling.

“Ang start ng exercise is [June] 29, ang ine-expect namin mga three days before nandun na sya, dadaan pa ’yan ng Guam, tapos diretso na siya ng Hawaii [The exercise will start on June 29 and we expect the ship will be there three days before that. BRP Antonio Luna will also make a stopover in Guam before proceeding to Hawaii],” Negranza said.

He said the Philippines is participating in the RIMPAC to show its commitment to “regional stability and cooperation and commitment" to allied navies. PNA

Thursday, June 9, 2022 A5

Popcom chief calls for new wage policy to achieve PHL demographic dividend

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

I

F the minimum wage nationwide is at par with the country’s poverty threshold, the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) said the Philippines might have a better chance of attaining the demographic dividend.

On the sidelines of the State of the Population report launch on Wednesday, Popcom Executive Director and Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III told the BusinessMirror that ideally, the country should adopt a living wage, which is about P15,000 a month.

However, given the consequences of such a move, one of which is inflation, it may be a low hanging fruit to adjust minimum wages to at least be at par with the poverty threshold which was pegged at P12,082 a month in the first half of 2021 by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

“I’m no economist but the problem is the minimum wage is below the poverty threshold set by the PSA. The food sustainability threshold is P8,000 that is for Filipinos to be able to eat, poverty [threshold] is P12,000, and a living wage is higher than that so we should be working toward it. We need a new wage policy,” Perez told the BusinessMirror.

Perez said the Philippines already had the “right numbers” to achieve

the demographic dividend except for the living wage.

He earlier explained that the three conditions in reaping the demographic dividend include the reduction of the total fertility rate (TFR). The country’s total fertility rate is now at 1.8 children per woman, which is an achievement from 2.7 five years ago.

The two conditions are that the majority of the population is of working age while the third is having a dependency ratio of 50 percent. In terms of the working age population, Perez said there is a need to improve the employment among women and the youth.

However, in terms of the dependency ratio, Perez said it is not enough to use the dependency ratio and that the country should use the support ratio. He said the dependency is “just numbers” as opposed to the support ratio.

Perez explained that the support ratio matches “effective workers with consumers and coming up with the regional wage policy” that can approximate the wages at the national level.

“I know trickle down is the principle but this is not trickle down. We are asking for an improvement from the bottom up so I hope there is a way to meet in the middle where you continue to encourage investment and grow the economy,” Perez said.

“Hopefully, the economy grows with increasing equity in terms of wage income. That is the key to the demographic dividend, it’s a key to reducing the gap between the regions,” he added.

Unwanted pregnancies

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 2022 State of the World Population report (SWOP) more than half or 51 percent of pregnancies in the Philippines are unintended.

The Philippines ranked 56th among 150 countries in terms of the number of unintended pregnancies at 71 per 1,000 women annually.

However, Perez said during the pandemic, the country was able to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. This was mainly due to the reduction in the number of births.

Perez estimated that the country was able to avert 200,000 unintended pregnancies from happening. He attributed this to the efforts of local government units (LGUs), especially health workers who were willing to provide services amid the lockdowns.

He recounted in his presentation on Wednesday the effort of a health worker who received a call from a woman in need of injectable. The health worker agreed to provide the service by meeting the woman and administering the dose at a nearby convenience store.

Nonetheless, Perez said, Popcom estimates there are still about 300,000 unintended pregnancies in the country and 150,000 of these pregnancies involve adolescents.

Of the 150,000, some 60,000 unintended pregnancies are among adolescents below the age of 18.

“So that is still the story of adolescents and women in this country, still working toward a better life, working toward more choices and agency,” Perez said in his speech.

Globally, the report stated, there are roughly 121 million unintended pregnancies annually. Some 257 million women worldwide want to avoid pregnancy but are not using safe and modern methods of contraception.

In 47 countries, UNFPA said some 40 percent of sexually active women were not using any contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy. This becomes a major challenge given that nearly a quarter of women were not able to say “no” to sex.

The report added that over 60 percent of unintended pregnancies and almost 30 percent of all pregnancies end in an abortion. UNFPA said 45 percent of all abortions globally are considered unsafe.

These unsafe abortions cause the hospitalization of 7 million women annually and 5 percent to 13 percent of all maternal deaths. This made abortion one of the leading causes of maternal deaths globally.

OPAPP chief rues ‘irresponsible’ attempt Non-transmittal to put South in bad light to foreign tourists of Vape Bill leaves health groups worried

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

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AVAO CITY—The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) reacted strongly on Wednesday to a Twitter post by a government critic about taking caution on opening up Mindanao to foreign tourists.

OPAPP said its chief, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., had raised “serious concerns” over a tweet of an column writer who he said “cast Mindanao in a bad light and disregarded multi-sector efforts to secure peace in the area.”

“We are not quite sure about Ms. Robles’ intentions, but she is instilling fear among local and foreign travelers who wish to visit Mindanao. By doing so, she is creating a negative image of the place in the public’s eye which I find worrisome,” he said.

Ms. Robles had been posting criticisms against the administration of President Duterte, including her daughter, incoming Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. She actively campaigned for losing Presidential candidate Maria Leonora “Leni” Robredo. The incoming VP’s spokesman, Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco, was the latest to take a hit from Ms. Robles.

“Apparently, Frasco would like to open up Mindanao to tourism.

I’m sure the extremist Abu Sayyaf Group [ASG] and other bandits would be pleased by the prospects of so many potential kidnap victims. Way to go, Frasco. Prep yourself for ransom negotiations. ASG might ask you to nego personally,” Robles said in her June 2 post, criticizing Frasco’s alleged plan as an incoming Secretary of the Department of Tourism.

Galvez said Robles’ views were unfair to the current and previous administrations, local government units and the security sector “which have for years been working very hard to put a stop to lawless elements and improve the overall peace and order situation in the area.”

“Ms. Robles claims that she has been covering terrorism in Mindanao for the longest time. If this is the case, then she must know that the attacks perpetrated by terror groups have significantly gone down during the term of President Duterte,” Galvez said.

Galvez attributed this downtrend in violent incidents to the heightened presence of military forces in the Sulu Archipelago, particularly through the military brigades and battalions that have been strategically deployed in the island-provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

“As the former commander of the Western Mindanao Command [WestMinCom], we focused on addressing the threat posed by the ASG and other terror groups by making our presence felt and working closely with LGUs [local government unit] to ensure peace and security in their areas,” he said.

“The numbers of the ASG are dwindling. Hundreds have already surrendered and are now living peacefully with their families. They no longer have the influence over the communities particularly in Basilan and Tawi-Tawi,”he said.

Duterte-Carpio described the tweet as demonizing Mindanao “and an insult to its people.” She said Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman has confirmed that “there had been zero kidnapping incidents since President Duterte came into office.”

Robles clearly wanted to undervalue everything that the Duterte administration has done in keeping the peace and security in Mindanao and ensuring that concerns caused by terrorist organizations, including kidnap for ransom groups, are addressed appropriately with the help of local governments and leaders of communities.

Since 2016, kidnapping operations by ASG in Mindanao have been significantly reduced compared to the previous years—and tauthorities have successfully rescued all victims.

“All other incidents concerning ASG had been about the arrests and surrenders of their members and leaders. As a Filipino, Robles should be ashamed of herself for danger-

ously trying to stoke and encourage terrorist groups to target tourists in Mindanao,” Galvez said.

Galvez said that it was during his stint with the military where he saw first hand the determination of LGUs to rid their communities of lawless elements, address the roots of armed violence, and bring genuine peace and sustainable development in their localities.

“Having previously worked closely with local chief executives and other community leaders for many years, I could really sense their commitment and desire to present their areas in a better, more positive light.

There was even a catchphrase: from terrorism to tourism,” he said.

Galvez said Robles is trying to conjure images of the “wild wild west” in describing Mindanao when in reality, the island-region is now emerging as a leading eco-tourism, trading and commercial hub.

“This is an anachronistic way of picturing Mindanao. It is a throwback to the Mindanao of old when armed encounters used to be a regular occurrence. This is the image of Mindanao which we would like to put behind because genuine peace is now upon us,” he said.

The peace adviser noted that the dividends of peace are now being felt across Mindanao, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which is the second fastest growing region in the country in terms of economic growth.

“The BARMM’s economy grew by 7.5 percent in 2021, which is remarkable considering that we were still in the midst of a pandemic. This is not only a testament of the region’s vast economic potential, but also an indication of stable peace and order conditions,” Galvez said.

Robles defended her views in her recent tweets saying she did not “wish to offend people residing in Mindanao. But I just want DOT (Department of Tourism) officials to be aware that opening up Mindanao to tourism is something they should cautiously approach, When tourists come to PHL, we are responsible for their safety.”

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EALTH professional organizations led by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Wednesday expressed worries that the non-transmittal of the controversial Vape Bill may be a delaying tactic by the tobacco industry to ensure that the measure is transmitted right before the term of President Duterte ends.

“This would restrict the space for President Duterte to review or veto the vape bill, hence allowing it to lapse into law by default, the group said stressing that a delay in the transmittal of the Vape Bill may deprive the President of his “Constitutionally mandated function of review, approval and/or veto of any bill before it becomes a law.”

In December 2021, leaders of these 59 duly recognized health professional organizations signed a petition strongly urging Duterte to veto the Vape Bill (SB 2239), which relaxes regulations on vape products.

They oppose the bill for the following reasons: It strips the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its regulatory powers on vape products and lowers the age limit of access from 21 to 18 years old.

“This is in sharp contrast to the position of a handful of doctors supporting the bill, purportedly as a regulatory measure. Vape supporters repeatedly claim that vaping is a form of harm reduction, but in truth, it is a form of harm introduction. When taken by the youth, studies show that vaping increases the risk of smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and illicit drug use in the future,” they said.

The bill was ratified by Congress’ bicameral conference committee on January 25, 2022. Almost 150 days thereafter, it has yet to be transmitted to the Office of the President.

The group noted that June marks “National No Smoking Month in the Philippines” and they strongly urged Duterte to veto the Vape Bill in its entirety once transmitted to his office. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

The World BusinessMirror

Thursday, June 9, 2022

A6

Russia draws closer to goal of capturing Donbas region

By John Leicester & Hanna Arhirova

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The Associated Press

YIV, Ukraine—Russia drew closer to its goal of fully capturing Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories as the Kremlin claimed to have taken control of 97 percent of one of the two provinces that make up the Donbas region.

Ru ssi a n Defense Mi n ister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that Moscow’s forces hold nearly all of Luhansk province. And it appears that Russia now occupies roughly half of Donetsk province, according to Ukrainian officials and military analysts.

After abandoning its bungled attempt to storm Kyiv two months ago, Russia declared that taking the entire Donbas is its main objective. Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian government forces in the Donbas since 2014, and the region has borne the brunt of the Russian onslaught in recent weeks.

Early in the war, Russian troops also took control of the entire Kherson region and a large part of the Zaporizhzhia region, both in the south. Russian officials and their local appointees have talked about plans for those regions to either declare their independence or be folded into Russia.

But in what may be the latest instance of anti-Russian sabotage inside Ukraine, Russian state media said Tuesday that an explosion at a cafe in the city of Kherson wounded four people. Tass called the apparent bombing in the Russian-occupied city a “terror act.”

Before the February 24 invasion, Ukrainian officials said Russia controlled some 7 percent of the countr y, including the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, and areas held by the separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

said Russian forces hold 20 percent of the country.

While Russia has superior firepower, the Ukrainian defenders are entrenched and have shown the ability to counterattack.

Zelenskyy said Russian forces made no significant advances in the eastern Donbas region over the past day.

“The absolutely heroic defense of the Donbas continues,” he said late Tuesday in his nightly video address.

Zelenskyy said the Russians clearly did not expect to meet so much resistance and are now trying to bring in additional troops and equipment. He said the same was true in the Kherson region.

Speaking earlier to a Financial Times conference, Zelenskyy insisted on Ukraine’s need to defeat Russia on the battlefield but also said he is still open to peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But a former senior US intelligence officer said the time isn’t right.

“You’re not going to get to the negotiating table until neither side feels they have an advantage that they could push,” said Andrea Kendall-Taylor of the Washington-based Center for a New American Security.

The Russians “think they will be able to take the whole of the Donbas and then might use that as the opportunity to call for negotiations,” Kendall-Taylor said at an online seminar organized by Columbia and New York universities.

Civilian militiamen hold rifles during training at a shooting range in outskirts Kyiv, Ukraine on Tuesday, June 7, 2022. AP/Natacha Pisarenko

Shoigu, the Russian defense minister, said Moscow’s forces have seized the residential quarters of Sievierodonetsk and are fighting to take control of an industrial zone on the city’s outskirts and nearby towns.

Sievierodonetsk and nearby Lysyc hansk have seen heav y fighting in recent weeks. They are among a few cities and towns in the Luhansk region still holding out against the Russian invasion, which is being helped by local proKremlin forces.

Shoigu added that Russian troops were pressing their offensive toward the town of Popasna and have taken control of Lyman and Sviatohirsk and 15 other towns in the region.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak urged his people not to be downhearted about the battlefield reverses.

“Don’t let the news that we’ve ceded something scare you,” he said in a video address. “It is clear that tactical maneuvers are ongoing. We cede something, we take something back.”

Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai conceded that Russian forces control the industrial outskirts of Sievierodonetsk.

“The toughest street battles continue, with varying degrees of success,” Haidai said. “The situation constantly changes, but the Ukrainians are repelling attacks.”

Moscow’s forces a lso kept up their artillery barrage of Lysychansk. Haidai said Russian troops shelled a market, a school and a college building, destroying

the latter. At least three people were wounded, he said.

“A total destruction of the city is under way. Russian shelling has intensified significantly over the past 24 hours. Russians are using scorched-earth tactics,” Haidai said.

Meanwhile, the US military has begun training Ukrainian forces on the sophisticated multiple rocket launchers that the Biden administration agreed last week to provide. The Pentagon said the training is going on at a base in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, is mounted on a truck and can carry a container with six rockets, which can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometers). Officials said it would take about three weeks of training before they could go to the battlefront.

In other developments, Zelenskyy said Ukraine planned to publish a special “Book of Executioners” next week with information about war crimes committed by the Russian army.

“These are specific facts about specific people who are guilty of specific cruel crimes against Ukrainians,” he said. Those named would include not only people who carried out the crimes but their commanders, he said.

The Associated Press journalists David Keyton and Oleksandr Stashevskyi in Kyiv; Yuras Karmanau in Lviv; Andrew Katell in New York; and Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this story.

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

Treasury head expects inflation to ‘remain high’

By Fatima Hussein The Associated Press

W

A SHINGTON—Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledged Tuesday that she and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell “could have used a better word” than “transitory” when describing the expected run of inflation in the US economy. She added that she was hopeful it would soon be on the decline.

“I do expect inflation to remain high although I very much hope that it will be coming down now,” Yellen told the Senate Finance Committee during a hearing on the agency’s latest budget request. “I think that bringing inf lation down should be our number one priority.”

T h e Fe d e r a l R e s e r v e a n d Treasury Department have been increasingly blamed by legislators and the public for allowing inf lation to reach record highs—notably an 8.3 percent leap in consumer prices over the past year.

She told CNN last week that she did not fully understand the impact that unanticipated large shocks and supply bottlenecks would have on the economy.

“Look, I think I was wrong then about the path that inflation would take,” she said.

The hearing was an opportunity for lawmakers to press Yellen on the causes for inflation, when it may decline and the administration’s plans to reduce the pain on Americans.

“We now are entering a period of transition from one of historic recovery to one that can be marked by stable and steady growth,” she said. “Making this shift is a central piece of the president’s plan to get inflation under control without sacrificing the economic gains we’ve made.”

As for earlier pronouncements

by Yellen and Powell that the US inflation problem was transitory, Yellen allowed, “Both of us could have used a better word than transitory. There’s no question that we have huge inflation pressures. Inflation is really our top economic problem at this point.”

Inflation has shown signs of moderating but is likely to remain far above the Fed’s 2 percent target through the end of this year.

The Congressional Budget Office released an economic outlook this month saying high inflation will persist into next year, likely causing the federal government to pay higher interest rates on

its debt.

The nonpartisan agency expects the consumer price index to rise 6.1 percent this year and 3.1 percent in 2023. This forecast suggests that inflation will slow from current annual levels of 8.3 percent, yet it would still be dramatically above a long-term baseline of 2.3 percent.

Yellen was asked about her support of last year’s American Rescue Plan relief package, also known as ARP, which has come under fire by some economists who claim the $1.9 trillion program has worsened price spikes.

Because inflation is high globally, Yellen said, it “can’t be the case” that ARP is largely to blame for the bulk of US inflation.

Over the weekend, Yellen was forced to defend her support of ARP after Bloomberg wrote about an excerpt from an upcoming biography on the secretary that said she privately agreed with former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers “that too much government money was flowing into the economy too quickly which is why she had sought without success to scale back the $1.9 trillion relief plan by a third early in 2021 before Congress passed the enormous program.”

Yellen said in a statement on Saturday that “I never urged adoption of a smaller American Rescue Plan package, and I believe that ARP played a central role in driving strong growth throughout 2021 and afterwards, with the United States real GDP g row t h out pac i ng ot her advanced economies and our labor market recovering faster relative to historical experience.”

Yellen said during the hearing that Congress also should have a role in bringing down prices through enacting legislation that increases taxes on high-wealth individuals—and by passing language for a global tax deal that has stalled in Congress, previously included in the now-dead Build Back Better plan.

The global tax deal is designed to subject large multinational firms to a 15 percent tax rate wherever they operate. It also would provide for taxing part of the profits of the largest global companies in countries where they do business online but may have no physical presence.

“As prospects of recession and stagflation rise, this is no time to consider raising taxes or resurrecting reckless spending from the House-passed Build Back Better plan,” Republican Sen. Mike Crapo said.

FDA advisers back Novavax Covid vaccine as 4th US option for adults

By Lauran Neergaard

A

AP Medical Writer

merican adu lt s who haven’t yet gotten vaccinated against Covid-19 may soon get another choice, as advisers to the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday backed a more traditional type of shot.

Next, the FDA must decide whether to authorize the protein vaccine made by latecomer Novavax as the nation’s fourth coronavirus shot for adults. It’s made with more conventional technology than today’s dominant Pfizer and Moderna shots and the lesserused Johnson & Johnson option.

Novavax shots are already available in Australia, Canada, parts of Europe and multiple other countries, either for initial vaccinations or as mix-and-match boosters. But US clearance is a key hurdle for the Maryland-based company.

FDA’s vaccine chief Dr. Peter

Marks said another choice in the US may entice at least some vaccine holdouts—whatever their reason—to consider rolling up their sleeves.

“We do have a problem with vaccine uptake that is very serious in the United States,” Marks said.

“Anything we can do to get people more comfortable to accept these potentially life-saving products is something that we feel we are compelled to do.”

A final FDA decision isn’t expected immediately, as the agency finishes combing through the data.

Nor is it clear how widely a Novavax vaccine would be used, at least right away. Only about 27 million US adults remain unvaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eventually, Novavax hopes also to become a choice for the millions more who haven’t yet had a booster dose of today’s vaccines, regardless of which shot people

got originally.

The FDA advisory panel voted that the benefits of two primary Novavax doses outweigh its risks percentbut they had a lot of questions about the shots’ role at this point in the pandemic.

“This vaccine does indeed fill some unmet needs,” such as an option for people with allergies to competing shots, said Dr. Michael Nelson of the University of Virginia.

But the FDA is considering two adult doses for now, when other Covid-19 vaccines have needed a third dose, he said.

And while “this vaccine has incredible potential,” there’s no clear evidence yet of how well it works against the more contagious omicron variant and its siblings, added fellow adviser Dr. Bruce Gellin of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Large studies in the US, Mexico and Britain found two doses of the Novavax vaccine were safe and about 90 percent effective

at preventing symptomatic Covid-19. One complication: Those studies were done far earlier in the pandemic.

Novava x chief medica l officer Dr. Filip Dubovsky said tests of a booster dose rev ved up v ir us-f ight ing a nt ibod ies that could tackle the omicron mutant, data that FDA will have to consider later.

This type of vaccine “we think generates a broad immune response against a broad array of variants,” he told the FDA advisory panel.

Trial participants generally experienced only mild reactions such as injection-site pain or fatigue, but the FDA did highlight a possible concern: six cases of heart inflammation, known as myocarditis, found among the 40,000 people who received the vaccine in studies.

Covid-19 vaccines are coming under close scrutiny for the possi-

bility of heart inflammation after the Pfizer and Moderna shots were linked to that rare risk.

Novavax argued there were other potential causes for the reports. Other infections including Covid-19 also can cause heart inflammation. The company said more than 744,000 vaccinations in other countries so far support the shots’ safety.

Several of FDA’s advisers said t he Novava x vacc i ne shou ld come with a warning until more is known but cautioned against comparisons with the Pfizer and Moderna shots’ estimated rate of the rare side effect.

“I don’t want to stigmatize this vaccine inappropriately,” said Dr. Cody Meissner of Tufts University.

The Novavax vaccine is made of copies of the spike protein that coats the coronavirus, packaged into nanoparticles that to the immune system resemble a virus.

Then an immune-boosting ingre-

dient, or adjuvant, that’s made from the bark of a South American tree is added that acts as a red flag to ensure those particles look suspicious enough to spark a strong immune response.

Protein vaccines have been used for years to prevent hepatitis B, shingles and other diseases.

That’s very different than the vaccines currently used in the US. The most widely used Pfizer and Moderna vaccines deliver genetic instructions for the body to produce its own copies of the spike protein. J&J uses a cold virus to deliver those instructions.

Manufacturing problems held up Novavax’s vaccine but the company said those problems have been resolved. Novavax, a small biotech company, created the vaccine in its research lab. But the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine maker, produces most of its shots including those slated for the US.

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www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Thursday, June 9, 2022 A7

Planters skeptical about DAR’s rice project

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

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ARMERS’ groups have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of achieving the president-elect’s campaign promise of reducing the price of rice, but Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Bernie F. Cruz insists that it can be done via the agency’s project.

Cruz has invited various farmers’ groups to join the DAR and discuss with them the agency’s project that may bring down rice prices to around P20 per kilogram.

“We invite them to join our project and discuss with them the details, so we can serve our country and the people,” he said in a statement.

It will be recalled that the DAR conducted a news briefing last June 6 where it announced its plan to submit a proposal to President-elect

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for a project called “Programang Benteng Bigas sa Mamamayan” (PBBM) under the “Mega Farm” project.

Some farmers’ groups, however, laughed off such plan and chided the DAR chief for his optimism. Others chided the Department of Agriculture (DA) for making a statement that would purportedly justify an increase in the price of rice.

Instead of making promises he can’t keep, the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) said the DAR chief should focus on installing agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in their CARP-awarded lands. UMA cited the case of the 236 ARBs who have been deprived of their piece of land in Tinang, Concepcion in Tarlac.

UMA Chairman Antonio Flores also noted that the DAR’s main mandate is to distribute lands to farmers

and agricultural workers as part of the government’s land reform program, and not to lower the price of an agricultural commodity.

‘Mind conditioning’

THE Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and rice watch group Bantay Bigas lambasted Cruz.

The groups also criticized the DA for allegedly justifying an increase in the price of rice, saying the agency is “conditioning the minds of the people.”

The groups said the DA’s mandate is to achieve food self-sufficiency, but it is “acting as a mouthpiece for the interests of private and foreign traders and defender of import liberalization.”

Cathy Estavillo, Secretary-General of Amihan, and Spokesperson, Bantay Bigas meanwhile, pointed out the “contradicting pronouncements” of the DA and DAR chief on the issue

of rice affordability and accessibility.

Amihan and Bantay Bigas noted that the current retail prices of commercial rice were already a burden to many poor Filipino families.

The groups also accused the DA of “misdirecting” the public’s attention towards price trends abroad instead of admitting the “detrimental impact” of the rice trade liberalization law on the livelihood of rice farmers.

“Farmers have already suffered from depressed palay farm gate prices, high cost of production from fertilizers, and other farm inputs, and continuous oil price hikes,” Estavillo said.

In a previous speech, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the rice trade liberalization law made rice cheaper and led to the creation of a P10-billion fund that seeks to make rice farmers more competitive.

Mega farms

CRUZ said the mega farm project of the DAR entails the formation of contiguous farms that are consolidated to form a sizeable plantation capable of producing a large volume of farm products to meet the demands of consumers.

The concept of mega-farms is used to consolidate small farm lots into mega-farms for rice production.

“From the studies, we conducted in the mega-farms project, we found out that not only is the P20-a-kilo rice achievable, but it will also be profitable for our agrarian reform beneficiaries [ARBs],” Cruz said.

He also said the DAR, through the Mega Farm project calls for the provision of subsidies to augment the cost of the production inputs of the farmers.

Cruz said the project needs the full support of the national government.

“It is integrated with values of land tenure security, adoption of modern and mechanized farming practices and farmer entrepreneurship, and holistic support services by the government with the participation of the local and foreign investors.”

“Other farmers’ concerns can be inputted into the DAR’s proposal before this will be presented to the President-elect.”

Under the Mega Farm project, DAR is proposing the inclusion of an initial 150,000 hectares of rice land under the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and its adjacent small farm lots in the project.

According to studies made by the DAR, the project can produce an average of 142 cavans of rice per hectare per cropping season. This translates to a gain of P76,501 annually for ARBs.

ASF test kit of BioAssets out by next year–DOST BAI bolsters biosecurity measures @sam_medenilla

T

HE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the research firm, which received a P16-million grant from the government, is expected to release a testing kit for African swine fever (ASF) by next year.

DOST Undersecretary Rowena L. Guevara revealed the timeline for the completion of BioAssets Veterinary Research and Diagnostic Laboratory’s ASF-related projects during a televised interview last Thursday. “[They] will prioritize the test kit, which may be completed by the end of the year or early next year,” Guevara said.

She also said there are two other ASF test kits that are currently under development, including the ASF Nano Gold, which makes use of isothermal loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology.

“These are still under development and still need to be registered.”

She said the test kits will be crucial for the early detection of ASF and to minimize the number of animals to be culled in areas where the disease will be detected.

“You can detect which of the pigs are infected and need to be disposed of. But for those who are not sick, they will no longer be culled.”

As for the ASF vaccine also being developed by BioAssets, the DOST official said this will take longer to complete.

“It will take about two years to develop. So we may see the vaccine by the end of 2023 or 2024.”

While both the test kit and vaccine are under development, Guevara said BioAssets deployed its first high-containment mobile laboratory unit in Mindanao to boost the early detection of the ASF there.

“Currently, when they test suspected ASF cases, they will get the sample

to keep monkeypox at bay

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

T

BUSINESSMIRROR FILE PHOTO

By Samuel P. Medenilla

then bring it to the laboratory. We will flip that process. Instead of bringing [the sample] to the laboratory, we will bring the laboratory to areas where there are suspected ASF cases.”

The Food and Agriculture Organization reported that 51 of the 81 provinces in the country already have ASF, which resulted in the deaths of at least a million hogs.

Bulusan eruption damages rice crops, vegetables–DA

P

LANTERS and fishers in the Bicol region lost at least P16.85 million due to the eruption of Bulusan Volcano, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“DA Regional Field Office 5 has reported damage and losses for rice, lowland vegetables and fisheries amounting to P16.85 million affecting 473 farmers and fishers and 389 hectares of agricultural areas with volume of production loss at 695 metric tons in the municipalities of Juban, Casiguran, and Irosin in Sorsogon,” the DA said in its latest

damage report issued on Wednesday.

“These values are subject to validation.”

The DA said it has been coordinating with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Sorsogon and Municipal Local Government Units (MLGUs) affected in monitoring the situation in Bulusan.

The DA said 90.64 percent or about P15.28 million of the reported total agricultural damage and losses was recorded in the rice sector. The DA added about 686

metric tons (MT) of rice from 343 hectares of land were affected by the volcanic eruption.

The Bulusan eruption destroyed at least 8 MT of high value crops from 47 hectares valued at P1.48 million, according to the DA report. The DA added that about 1.7 MT of tilapia worth P100,000 were also damaged.

The DA said it will assist affected farmers and fishermen by distributing rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry.

It said the Philippine Crop In-

surance Corp. has available funds to indemnify affected farmers and that it has a standby quick response fund for the rehabilitation of the affected areas.

The DA said farmers and fishermen may also avail of the survival and recovery loan program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.

“The DA through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management [DRRM] Operations Center will continue to issue bulletins regarding the Bulusan Volcano Eruption.”

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

HE Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) on Thursday said the country’s animal population remains free from monkeypox amid rising global cases.

In an advisory, BAI said it continues to coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) in protecting the country’s borders against monkeypox.

BAI, an attached bureau of the Department of Agriculture, added that it strengthened its biosecurity measures in airports and seaports to ensure that animals entering the country are properly documented and free from diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

“Patuloy din ang pagsubaybay sa sitwasyon ito sa ating bansa, kasama ang mga DA-Regional offices at inyong lokal na pamahalaan,” the BAI said in its Advisory No. 2022-003.

(We continue to monitor the country’s situation together with the Department of Agriculture Regional offices and local government units.)

BAI advised people interacting with monkeys and taking care of rats and rabbits to observe Good Animal Husbandry practices and implement strict biosecurity measures in their farms.

“Ugaliing maghugas ng kamay pagkatapos hawakan ang inyong mga alaga [Practice proper handwashing after touching your pets],” BAI said.

BAI asked the public to inform the bureau or nearby agricultural offices should they observe unusual mortality or sickness among their pets.

As of June 2, a total of 780 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported to or identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

WHO said the confirmed cases of monkeypox were from 27 countries, including the United States and Spain, where the virus is not considered endemic.

“Most reported cases so far have been presented through sexual health or other health services in primary or secondary health care facilities and have involved mainly, but not exclusively, men who have sex with men,” the WHO said in its June 4 report regarding the global monkeypox situation.

WHO said the global risk of monkeypox is “moderate considering this is the first time that many monkeypox cases and clusters are reported concurrently in non-endemic and endemic countries in widely disparate WHO geographical areas.”

It said various wild animals have been identified as susceptible to monkeypox virus, especially in endemic areas, such as rope squirrels, rats, non-human primates, rodents, among others.

“Thus far, there are no reports of domestic animals being affected by the monkeypox virus. There are also no reports of human-to-animal transmission of Monkeypox,” WHO said.

World’s primary forum for fisheries, aquaculture High gas prices force UK fertilizer plant to shut for good meets for first time since pandemic–FAO

F

ISHERIES and aquaculture still face sustainability challenges, but as trade in the sector continues to grow, its contribution to food security and the safeguarding of livelihoods remains critical, according to QU Dongyu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

He made the remarks at a recent virtual meeting of the 18th Session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee on Fish Trade, the world's primary forum for fisheries and aquaculture trade discussions and decisions. More than 300 delegates registered from 65 Members and Observers for the meeting of this Sub-Committee, the first since the pandemic outbreak.

Fisheries and aquaculture products are among the most internationally traded food commodities, involving more than 225 countries and territories, and are worth some $150 billion a year.

“The pandemic’s effects on pro-

duction, supply systems and markets caused significant disruptions and changes in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Now, the sector’s resilience is being tested again as the effects of the war in Ukraine, as well as other conflicts around the world, are adding to the complexity of global operations of fisheries and aquaculture products,” the FAO Director-General told the meeting.

“Supply shortages for traditional fish species, rising transportation and fuel costs, and an overall price increase have resulted in changed consumer behaviour and demand adjustments, which have affected how fisheries and aquaculture products are produced and traded,” he added.

Nevertheless, Qu was upbeat about what the sector has to offer, saying it can bring positive change in terms of social inclusion, poverty alleviation and food security where new markets can generate income for small-scale producers, boost nutrition and reduce global imbalances. He also said it is a

very inclusive sector for women, especially in processing activities. “FAO is committed to continue supporting Members to create a sustainable, inclusive, resilient and empowering fisheries and aquaculture sector,” the Director General said.

Plenary session

THE Virtual Plenary session kicked off on June 7. This session includes 10 working documents. Among the documents typically submitted to members during Sub-Committee sessions are a wide range of fisheries and aquaculture trade-related themes. An overview of production patterns, trade and consumption, the work of FAO on trade-related issues, as well as the most recent FAO data, the links with other international organizations, and the FAO food safety work analysis are some of the perennial subjects.

The previous Sub-Committee meeting took place in Vigo, Spain, at the end of 2019.

C

F Industries Holdings Inc. will close one of its fertilizer plants in the United Kingdom permanently as it struggles with high energy costs.

The company is proposing to shutdown the Ince facility as it restructures operations in Britain, it said Wednesday. The site, which hasn’t produced ammonia since September, was one of CF’s plants halted last year as soaring gas costs squeezed profitability. That prompted the government to step in to help keep some operations going.

The move to close the factory highlights the challenge that expensive gas poses to European industries. The threat to fertilizer output has also been bad news for the food and drink sector, because the factories produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct. That gas is used to stun pigs and chickens for slaughter, extend the shelf life of fresh food and give beer and soda their fizz.

Fertilizer output at CF’s Billingham and Ince sites has provided as much as 60 percent of Britain’s CO2

production. The UK government has called the gas an “essential component of the national economy.”

Gas prices have eased from a record, but are still 50 percent above usual for this time of year. High prices are expected to continue into winter and the risk still remains of further supply cutoffs from Russia.

Prices will stay high for the next two years, according to ING Bank NV. CF said it would focus its UK manufacturing operations at its Billingham plant, which is the UK’s largest

ammonia, ammonium nitrate and CO2 site. That facility is better positioned for long-term sustainability as it has sufficient capacity to meet all domestic demand, it said.

Even before the energy price crisis, the company’s fertilizer sales were lagging behind due to competition from lower-cost international supplies.

Muted demand in the UK has meant that CF has been forced to export at “unsustainably low margins” in order to continue to operate both facilities, the company said. Bloomberg News

A8 Thursday, June 9, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Looming global food crises will affect PHL

T

wo UN food agencies on Monday issued stark warnings about multiple, looming food crises in the world, driven by conflict, climate shocks, the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, and exacerbated by the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine, which pushed food and fuel prices to record highs in many nations across the globe.

The ‘Hunger Hotspots—FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity’ report issued on Monday calls for urgent humanitarian action in 20 “hunger hotspots” where acute hunger is expected to worsen from June to September 2022—to save lives and livelihoods, and prevent famine.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said the war in Ukraine has exacerbated the already steadily rising food and energy prices worldwide, which are currently affecting economic stability across all regions. The effects are expected to be particularly acute where economic instability and spiraling prices combine with drops in food production due to climate shocks such as recurrent droughts or flooding.

The report finds that—alongside conflict—frequent and recurring climate shocks continue to drive acute hunger and shows that we have entered a “new normal” where droughts, flooding, hurricanes, and cyclones repeatedly decimate farming and livestock rearing, drive population displacement and push millions to the brink in countries across the world.

“We are deeply concerned about the combined impacts of overlapping crises jeopardizing people’s ability to produce and access foods, pushing millions more into extreme levels of acute food insecurity,” said FAO Director General Qu Dongyu. “We are in a race against time to help farmers in the most affected countries, including by rapidly increasing potential food production and boosting their resilience in the face of challenges.”

“We’re facing a perfect storm that is not just going to hurt the poorest of the poor—it’s also going to overwhelm millions of families who until now have just about kept their heads above water,” warned WFP Executive Director David Beasley. “Conditions now are much worse than during the Arab Spring in 2011 and 2007-2008 food price crisis, when 48 countries were rocked by political unrest, riots and protests. We’ve already seen what’s happening in Indonesia, Pakistan, Peru, and Sri Lanka—that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

We have solutions. But we need to act, and act fast,” he warned.

According to the report, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen remain at “highest alert” as hotspots with catastrophic conditions, and Afghanistan and Somalia are new entries to this worrisome category since the last hotspots report released in January 2022.

The UN food agencies report said Congo, Haiti, the Sahel region, Sudan and Syria remain “of very high concern” with deteriorating critical conditions— with Kenya a new entry to the list. Sri Lanka, West African coastal countries (Benin, Cabo Verde and Guinea), Ukraine and Zimbabwe have been added to the list of hotspots countries, joining Angola, Lebanon, Madagascar, and Mozambique, which continue to be hunger hotspots.

Although the Philippines is not included in the FAO and WFP hunger hotspots report, there are worrying developments that could threaten the food security of poor Filipinos. For example, even before the Philippine Statistics Authority announced an inflation rate surge to 5.4 percent in May from 4.9 percent in April, Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Research Fermin D. Adriano said the price of locally produced rice may increase by P4 to P6 per kilogram in the fourth quarter as a result of higher production costs and lower output. (Read, “Higher rice production costs seen to spur P6/kilo price hike,” in the BusinessMirror, June 6, 2022).

The government, Adriano said, has two options to cushion the impact of various global economic challenges on domestic rice prices: Increase local production through subsidy and import rice to plug shortfall in supply. Adriano said raising local rice farmers’ productivity is the other option that the government has on table. But doing so, he said, would require a budget of at least P18 billion to subsidize farmers’ fertilizer costs.

“The government really needs to subsidize the fertilizer or else our production would fall. Like what our agriculture secretary is saying, we have to brace for a looming food crisis,” Adriano said.

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BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business ✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Founder Publisher Editor in Chief Associate Editor News Editor

I

t’s tough out there in the real world and getting depressed about the situation is perfectly justified.

I go to the supermarket—Shopwise or SM—about three times a month and what I saw again last Saturday was dismal. I saw very ordinary carrots selling at P150 a kilo with the cheapest at P140. I am told that one reason vegetable prices are high is that certain blackmarket vegetable “importers” have been shut down.

Higher fuel costs are driving prices for consumers through the roof and there is little end in sight.

Oil producers, oil transportation companies, oil refiners, oil product dealers, and governments are fully exploiting the situation both politically and economically.

Crude prices came up to the prepandemic price of $70+ a barrel in May 2021. After Biden’s energy policies that shut down the Keystone pipeline and restricted drilling on US government lands kicked in, oil moved to $105, up 40 percent.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has taken the price up another 20+ percent to $122.

There is only a little that the Philippine government can do to

mitigate high oil prices, such as targeted subsidies for transport operators and the agricultural sector. These, unfortunately, provide a limited amount of short-term relief and not solutions.

We the People are faced with the same situation as government. Limited resources require reallocation to soften the oil price explosion. The government could subsidize the price of fuel by P50 a liter, for example, which would be great for “tomorrow” and maybe “next month.” But there would be long-term negative consequences.

That would be like you and me using a credit card to keep household spending at the same high level and still having to pay the debt in the

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While it might be true that the peso exchange rate could go to 60 to one US dollar and oil could trade above $180 a barrel, there are certain economic “laws” that come into play. “The first rule of economics: our desires are insatiable. Second rule: we can eat only three Big Macs at a time.” future. It is not sensible.

While it might be true that the peso exchange rate could go to 60 to one US dollar and oil could trade above $180 a barrel, there are certain economic “laws” that come into play.

“The first rule of economics: our desires are insatiable. Second rule: we can eat only three Big Macs at a time.”

A chart of the price of oil from 2004 to 2007 ($40/$75) looks like 2016 to 2018 ($35/$80). The price from 2007 to 2009 ($55/$140) looks like 2020 to 2022 ($38/$120). Prices in 2009 collapsed back to $40 because of “demand destruction.”

This “demand destruction” is a variation on the “first rule of economics” that at some price point you stop buying Big Macs no matter our desire. And it is already happening.

The swarm of what has been called “revenge buying” after the lockdowns is stopping. After 18 months of huge US imports, contracted container shipments from all countries of ori-

gin bound for the US have dropped 36 percent since May 24. Part of this is due to oil-related price increases for goods. Inflationary pressure is forcing consumers globally to cut spending, and that will cause demand destruction for oil also.

“JPMorgan has cut 1.1 mpd (million barrels per day) off its 2Q22 demand forecasts, followed by about 0.5 mbd cuts to both 3Q and 4Q. On net, this trims the bank’s expectations for 2022 global oil demand as high prices, Covid restrictions, and geopolitical conflict drive demand destruction in Russia, China, India, and Europe.”

Governments and businesses can manipulate prices all they want, but eventually they cannot fight the ultimate economic law—supply and demand.

Maybe the average citizen knows more about expectations in the real world than the average economic expert. “Consumer confidence for the next 12 months soared to its highest level in more than four years after dipping in the second quarter, according to the results of the latest consumer expectations survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.”

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

Protecting intellectual property rights in the Philippines Dennis Gorecho

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wenty five years ago, the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (IP Code), or Republic Act 8293, authored by the late Senator Raul S. Roco, was signed into law in June 6, 1997 and took effect on January 1, 1998.

The term “intellectual property rights” consists of (a) copyright and related rights; (b) trademarks and service marks; (c) geographic indications; (d) industrial designs; (e) patents; (f) layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits; and (g) protection of undisclosed information.

As industries and technology evolve, intellectual property continues to play a prominent role.

The law has adopted certain changes aimed at streamlining administrative procedures of registration and enhancing the enforcement of intellectual property rights in the country. One of its salient feature is

the shift from the “first-to-invent/ use” to “first-to-file” system.

The IP Code lays down the remedies available to the IP owner in case of a violation of his rights through administrative, civil and criminal sanctions against violators.

The law aimed to protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the people, for such periods as provided in the law. Nobody else can copy or reuse that creation without the owner’s permission.

It consolidated existing laws in line with the Philippines’s adherence

The Supreme Court explained that between the dominancy test and the holistic or totality test, only the former has been incorporated in the IP Code.

to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property Rights, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the TRIPS Agreement and the WIPO Copyright Treaty, among others.

One of the persons who actively worked for the enactment of the IP Code was Atty. Ignacio Sapalo, who was then the director of the Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer (BPTTT), now the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). He is currently the managing partner of Sapalo Velez Bundang and Bulilan (SVBB) law offices.

Established on August 1, 1976, SVBB law offices became one of the front-running law firms in the country engaged in intellectual property prosecution, maintenance, licensing, and enforcement.

One of the cases SVBB handled involved coffee trademarks in the

case of Societe des Produits Nestle, S.A. v. CFC (GR 112012 April 4, 2001) where the Supreme Court applied the dominancy test and not the totality or holistic test.

The Supreme Court held that the term “MASTER” has acquired a certain connotation to mean the coffee products MASTER ROAST and MASTER BLEND produced by Nestlé.

As such, the use by CFC of the term “MASTER” in the trademark for its coffee product FLAVOR MASTER is likely to cause confusion or mistake or even to deceive the ordinary purchasers.

The totality or holistic test only relies on visual comparison between two trademarks whereas the dominancy test relies not only on the visual but also on the aural and connotative comparisons and overall impressions between the two trademarks.

The Supreme Court explained that the application of the totality or holistic test is improper since the ordinary purchaser would not be inclined to notice the specific features, similarities or dissimilarities, considering that the product is an inexpensive and common houseSee “Gorecho” A9

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China fears wind is blowing Covid virus in from North Korea

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fficials in a Chinese city on the border with North Korea say they can’t figure out where persistent new Covid-19 infections are coming from—and suspect the wind blowing in from their secretive neighbor.

Despite being locked down since the end of April, daily cases have been trending up in Dandong, a city of 2.19 million. Most of the infected people found in the community during the past week hadn’t been outside of their housing compounds for at least four days prior to their diagnosis, according to the city’s Center for Disease Control.

While the virus is flaring elsewhere in China, including in its northern regions, officials say they’re unable to establish a chain of transmission. Their suspicions have instead settled on their neighbor, with authorities urging residents living by the Yalu River that runs between the two countries to close their windows on days with southerly winds, according to a government notice.

They’re also being asked to go for more frequent testing, said a Dandong resident, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

There isn’t any clear scientific evidence backing up the theory. Research shows that infections through airborne transmission are unlikely over long distances, particularly in outdoor settings without repeated exposure. And not everyone in China is convinced. Many social media users scoffed at the suggestion that the virus could travel in the air for hundreds of meters.

Still, some residents suspect authorities are considering the possibility that the virus is being carried through the air from North Korea, the person said. The isolated nation is experiencing a full-blown crisis with suspected cases topping 4 million since late April, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

Representatives from the Dandong and Liaoning health authorities said they had no details about the virus spreading through the air when reached by phone.

North Korea and China share a porous 1,300-kilometer (807 mile) border, in some areas separated by the Yalu River that is less than one kilometer wide in parts of Dandong.

The city is a key trading hub for the two countries. Around 70 percent of North Korea’s foreign trade went through Dandong prior to the pandemic. Rail freight between Dandong and neighboring Sinuiju city in North Korea has been suspended for much of the pandemic.

Ben Cowling, chair of epidemiology at The University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health, said it is unlikely that the infections could spread over long distances, carried by the wind. Viruses don’t survive particularly well under sunlight and in open air, he said.

It’s more likely that the movement of people, either across the border or

Gorecho . . .

continued from A8

hold item.

The Dominancy Test considers the dominant features in the competing marks in determining whether they are confusingly similar. Courts give greater weight to the similarity of the appearance of the product arising from the adoption of the dominant features of the registered mark, disregarding minor differences.

In the recent case of Kolin Electronics Co. Inc. (KECI) v. Kolin Philippines International Inc. (KPII) (GR 228165, February 9, 2021), the Supreme Court emphasized the abandonment of the “holistic test” and the adoption of the “dominancy test” in evaluating trademark resemblance.

“The court hereby makes it crystal clear that the use of the holistic

The flareup underscores the challenges China faces in adhering to its Covid Zero goal as the virus becomes ever more transmissible and contact tracing breaks down.

China’s border towns have been subject to some of the harshest containment measures of the pandemic as the virus persistently seeps in. Ruili, a city on China’s border with Myanmar, has been in lockdown intermittently for more than 160 days, according to local media reports. within the city, is causing spread, said Peter Collignon, professor of infectious disease at the Australian National University. Just because Dandong has been in lockdown for more than a month doesn’t mean no human contact at all; essential workers would be out and about for example, Collignon said.

The advice to close windows “might be detrimental, you are better off having fresh and open air,” he said. “If that theory is promulgated, it makes people stay inside more, where you’re more likely to get infections from other people.”

Border problems

The flareup underscores the challenges China faces in adhering to its Covid Zero goal as the virus becomes ever more transmissible and contact tracing breaks down. China’s border towns have been subject to some of the harshest containment measures of the pandemic as the virus persistently seeps in. Ruili, a city on China’s border with Myanmar, has been in lockdown intermittently for more than 160 days, according to local media reports.

A new resurgence in Inner Mongolia is also centered on a border city Erenhot, the largest port city between China and Mongolia, with a population of 74,179. It has been in lockdown for the past week and authorities started a dragnet operation on Sunday aimed at checking every household to verify virus information and register residents.

Inner Mongolia reported 81 of the country’s 124 local cases for Tuesday.

Beijing reported 8 infections for Tuesday. The capital started to roll back more virus restrictions on Monday, including resuming public transport and allowing people to move around more freely. Shanghai recorded 15 infections on Tuesday.

Relief over last week’s lifting of a grueling lockdown has been curtailed somewhat by an uptick in cases outside government-mandated quarantine, with four cases found in the community on Monday.

Bloomberg Opinion

test in determining the resemblance of marks has been abandoned,” the Court said when it rejected the “kolin” trademark application filed

by KPII for its television and DVD players.

Applying the dominancy test, KPII’s kolin mark resembles KECI’s KOLIN mark because the word “KOLIN” is the prevalent feature of both marks. Phonetically or aurally, the marks are exactly the same.

The Supreme Court explained that between the dominancy test and the holistic or totality test, only the former has been incorporated in the IP Code.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho is a junior partner of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. He is also an officer of the Intellectual Property Association of the Philippines. For comments, e-mail info@ sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 09088665786.

Of media, wise, and fools Dr. Carl E. Balita

Entrepreneurs’ Footprints “He who knows not and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him.

He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a student; teach him.

He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him.

He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise; follow him.”

T

his ancient Arabian saying seems to capture the essence of what complicates the issue of whether the vloggers and bloggers in social media should be legitimatized alongside journalists and traditional media practitioners in the new and emerging mass media. There is a fear to mix the fools and the wise, and the students and the asleep, which are found in both camps.

Yes, there are very legitimate, highly educated, and intelligent writers and content creators, who, for lack of some traditional affiliation and media institution, are mere vloggers and bloggers. And surely, there are anonymous attack dogs and highly opinionated virtual personalities whose only reason for being is their self-professed freedom of speech, which in their limited understanding is an absolute right. They are called by many names. Vloggers, bloggers, influencers, content creators, or to some, trolls.

On the other hand, there are highly intelligent journalists and media practitioners, who, by education and training, are great advocates and competent vanguards of truth and who make their media institutions an essential pillar of democracy, history, and humanity. And surely there are also crooked elements in the media who co-exist mutually with corruption and other social evils. They feed on, either, where corruption is in the system, or where corruption is the system. And by institutional affiliation, they are classified as journalists, or carrying an identification card tagged as “media.”

In the modern society where social media has become the new media of anyone for everyone, the traditional media needs to clarify its role, not only to the society for which they exist, but to itself so it can revisit its emerging role in the times when the noise they make may become a whisper in the wilderness of social dynamics. And when the traditional media enters the realm

of social media’s virtual space, its traditional nature, synonymous with the professional essence of the traditional media, fades in the eyes of the public that may not anymore know how to draw the line. The needs, preferences, tastes, and ethics of the public shift at their own choice, and advertising, even political supports, follow.

On professionalizing journalists

The State creates professionals to ensure the safety of the public they serve. The practice of doctors who heal, engineers who build, nurses who care, teachers who teach, etc., is governed by professional standards of practice. In doing so, the State also prohibits and penalizes the practice of the profession by just anyone, regardless of how competent the person is, without the privilege of being a professional.

And experience, affiliation, and “competence” alone do not make a professional.

The professionals in our society are existing under the regulated practice from education, licensure, organization, and continuing lifelong learning. The journey to being a professional begins with a degree through a curriculum executed by government-accredited higher education institution. Upon academic completion, a graduate takes a wellestablished licensure examination by a board of professional experts from the field of practice. A professional is granted a credential, which is a privilege (not a right) to qualify and practice the professional upon dem-

Thursday, June 9, 2022 A9

In professionalizing the discipline, we are able to separate the fool, the student, the asleep and the wise. In clearly defining the professional nature of a discipline, the profession and the State are able to protect not only the public that professionals serve but also the profession itself to exclude those who do not belong to the circle as licensed and registered practitioner of the discipline. onstration of a set of competencies that render such service safe for the public that the State is protecting in the entire process. Autonomous practice is granted upon the professional subject to administrative, civil, and criminal liabilities, which may cause the professional to lose the license, pay damages, or be imprisoned. Continuing professional education is mandated for the renewal of a professional license every three years, a proof that the public remains safe in the hands of a professional.

In some degree, the professional practice is self-regulated but supervised by the State. This is demonstrated by the professional organization nominating, from its rank, the members of a Regulatory Board that is given executive, legislative, and quasi-judicial power to oversee the practice of the professionals based on pre-set standards of practice under its supervision.

In the case of the Philippines, the Professional Regulation Commission is created and mandated by law to supervise 46 regulated professions in the country. In the case of the lawyers, the Supreme Court gives the Bar Examination. The Civil Service Commission conducts examinations for eligibility in government service.

In journalism, it is different.

There are various academic preparations and trainings for its practice. It is self-regulated at the level of the media agency, which for its own purpose and intent impose standards, values, ethics, and practices. For sustainability purposes, advertising support fuels the media entities’ operation.

There are laws that regulate ownership, registration, and operations of these media agencies. Journalists are also governed by laws for their

WTO dysfunction marks turning point to new era of trade tensions

By Bryce Baschuk Bloomberg Opinion

I

F you’re not seated at the table, you’re on the menu.

That old saying about the cutthroat nature of trade negotiations will be put to the test next week when officials gather in Geneva for the first meeting of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) highest decisionmaking body in nearly five years.

The goal of the WTO’s 12th ministerial conference is to conclude small but symbolically important deals to show that the headquarters of rulesbased globalization is still capable of rallying countries to act together to solve problems.

The WTO’s leader, Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has urged nations to conclude a handful of deliverables at the meeting, namely: n An agreement to curb harmful fishery subsidies. n A framework to expand global access to vaccines. n A package to help address the global food crisis. n A renewal of the WTO’s ban on e-commerce duties. n A work program to improve the WTO’s functioning.

But the backdrop of these talks is marked with division and urgency. It will take place amid the simultaneous crises of surging inflation, war, disease and potential famine -- when the need for collective action couldn’t be higher.

“The current geopolitical situation shows that the WTO is needed, and provides the WTO with an important opportunity,” European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told parliamentarians last month.

Global fragmentation

While the WTO is no stranger to disappointment, any failure to reach agreements aimed at increasing vaccine production, averting a food crisis, or curbing overfishing will further cement the view that the WTO is no longer a viable forum to address the shortcomings of international commerce.

To be sure, a busted conference won’t be fatal to the WTO’s system of rules that govern more than $17 trillion worth of trade flows each year. But it could be the clearest sign yet that the world’s trading partners are redrawing allegiances along geopolitical lines—a new phase where might equals right and weak nations get trampled.

For some observers, this era began when the Trump administration raised tariffs on billions of dollars worth of goods shipped between America and its largest trade partners—namely China and the European Union.

Then, during the pandemic, many nations pursued their own nationalistic tendencies, like prioritizing the sourcing of critical health products, food supplies and vaccines for their

own citizens instead of sharing them for the greater good.

The latest turn came when Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military started a war in Ukraine, marking a paradigm shift: For the first time, one WTO member invaded another.

Russia’s assault and the West’s sanctions have further disrupted the global economy by increasing the costs of doing business, pushing up the cost of living, and adding pressure to the world’s historically stressed supply chains.

‘Friend-shoring’

“Fragmentation is going to stay,” said Robert Koopman, the WTO’s chief economist. “What we’re going to see is this reorganized globalization, with this recognition that there are these additional costs around uncertainty.”

The trend isn’t entirely new, but events of the past few years have accelerated the move away from multilateralism toward regional blocs of influence.

Key examples in the trade world include the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for a Trans-Pacific Partnership, the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the 54-nation African Continental Free Trade Area.

The US and others are pursuing an agenda of “friend-shoring,” which aims to shift manufacturing and trade flows away from authoritar-

administrative, civil, and criminal liabilities. There are also accreditation agencies and organizations where the media practitioners, journalists and media entities belong.

Furthermore, there are professional best practices, codes of ethics, and standards that journalists and media practitioners follow, as imposed by their personal choices, organizational norms, and organizational culture.

Are journalists and media practitioners’ practice worthy of being classified as a profession, which the State may need to regulate and regard similar to the professions that define licensed doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, and others?

In professionalizing the discipline, we are able to separate the fool, the student, the asleep and the wise.

In clearly defining the professional nature of a discipline, the profession and the State are able to protect not only the public that professionals serve but also the profession itself to exclude those who do not belong to the circle as licensed and registered practitioner of the discipline. In the early dawn of every profession, there were disruptions and quandaries, which creatively prompted some social order. The professional stature separates the doctors even from the trusted quacks, the engineers from the efficient foremen, the nurses from the caring nanny, the teachers from anyone else who can teach, and more.

Will journalism take the same path to separate itself from the bloggers and vloggers that have exponentially outnumbered them in social media and in the infinite digital space? Will licensed professionalism in media practice separate, or at least classify, practitioners? Is the interest of the general public threatened enough to prompt the government and the best practitioners in media and journalism to come together and agree on some terms not to regulate, necessarily, but to put some social order in this disrupted practice of public communication or mass media?

Will professionalism in the practice of journalism and media shun the fool, teach the student, awaken the asleep, and follow the wise?

Only time, the media, and the State can tell.

For feedback, please send e-mail to drcarlbalita@ yahoo.com.

ian regimes like China and Russia, to countries that share the same economic and security concerns.

WTO irrelevance

IN the face of all these sweeping changes, the WTO—an organization founded on the premise that trading nations don’t go to war with each other—is practically helpless.

Under Trump, the US paralyzed a key component of the WTO’s dispute settlement system, which has prevented nations from obtaining final trade justice and increased the risk of tit-for-tat trade wars.

And the WTO’s consensus principle—whereby multilateral agreements must be approved by all 164 WTO members—is simply not working.

“It is very difficult to agree to things multilaterally and that has been plaguing the WTO,” OkonjoIweala acknowledged during this year’s World Economic Forum.

Many nations, India in particular, have found it to be more advantageous to block consensus WTO agreements in order to subsidize and protect their domestic industries.

But India isn’t entirely to blame.

The US, which was the original architect of the global trading system, “has not demonstrated a willingness to make the necessary investment in the WTO to revive it as a negotiating forum,” former WTO Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff wrote last month.

A10 Thursday, June 9, 2022

‘COLLECTIVE BRANDING TO BE USED BY PHL IPAs

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HE Philippines’s 19 Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) have agreed to use a collective branding in promoting the country as an investment destination choice in the Southeast Asian region.

The country’s IPAs, which are all members of the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan (PIPP), conducted their first face-to-face meeting on April 21 in Clark, Pampanga after two years of virtual coordination.

The meeting was organized by the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI), the country’s lead IPA which spearheads both the Technical Working Group and Steering Committee.

In the meeting, the investment promotion agencies agreed to raise a single yet captivating message for target audiences including foreign and local investors, armed with the investor-friendly laws now in place that allow the country to attract more investments: the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE), the amended Foreign Investment Act, the Public Service Act (PSA), and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA).

These are all seen to help companies realize goals and drive their businesses’ growth.

Meanwhile, BOI Director Maria Rosario J. Dominguez introduced BOI Executive Director for Investments Promotion Evariste Cagatan as the new Chair of the PIPP-Technical Working Group.

For her part, Cagatan highlighted the importance of the Foreign Investment Act (FIA) including the creation of an Inter-Agency Investment Promotion Coordination Committee (IIPCC) which institutionalizes the PIPP as a group and formalizes the investment pro-

motion activities of the IPAs. The new Chair urged the IPAs to go the extra mile in terms of promoting the Philippines and in developing the locations to be offered to investors.

The growing investor confidence, as evidenced by the 2021 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report, boosted the pentup demand for the PIPP face-toface meeting. Based on the PSA data, the approved foreign investments last year increased by 71.5 percent, hitting P 192.34 billion from the 2020 level of P112.12 billion. In the fourth quarter alone, approved investments soared by nearly 270 percent to P133.47 billion from the P36.49 billion in the same period in 2020.

These investment commitments were pushed through the BOI, BOI-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA).

Present at the meeting were representatives from the following IPAs: Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), BOI, CDC, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), PEZA, Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), Bangsamoro Board of Investments, SBMA, Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD), and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) / Mt. Samat Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (MSFTEZ).

Andrea E. San Juan

Farmers seen to benefit soon as PRRD inks coco fund plan

F

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

ILIPINO coconut farmers will soon benefit from the P111.25billion coconut levy fund after President Duterte approved the program that would facilitate the disposal of decades-long idled assets.

Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) 172 series of 2022 that approved the coconut farmers and industry development plan (CFIDP) that will serve as the overall utilization plan of the coco levy fund. Duterte signed EO 172 on June 2 but this was only made public on June 8.

The CFIDP was adopted by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) board and eventually endorsed the

plan for Duterte’s approval.

“There is a need to approve the coconut farmers and industry development plan to increase overall productivity and income of coconut farmers, alleviate poverty, and achieve the twin objectives of rehabilitating and modernizing the coconut industry to attain social equity,” EO 172 read.

The CFIDP was the result of a se-

ries of consultations conducted by the PCA with concerned government agencies, coconut farmers, farmers organizations, industry associations, civil society groups, academe and other stakeholders. The Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry and the National Economic and Development Authority provided “advisory opinions” on the development of the CFIDP. “After more than four decades of waiting, the law for the management and utilization of the coco levy fund that was enacted last year will now be finally implemented in fulfillment of President Duterte’s campaign promise to our coconut farmers,” PCA Administrator Benjamin R. Madrigal said in a statement on Wednesday.

“As the Duterte administration comes to a close, this shall be the lasting legacy of the President in improving the lives and the livelihood of our dear coconut farmers,” Madrigal added.

Under the CFIDP, the coco levy fund will be utilized for the follow ing nationa l prog rams: es-

tablishment of community-based enterprises; provision of social protection for coconut farmers, farm workers, and their families; organization and development of coconut farmers; conduct of innovative research on coconut processing, production, and distribution; and integrated processing of coconut and downstream products.

The creation of the CFIDP was mandated by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 11524.

“The CFIDP shall be reviewed annually to ensure its effective implementation, taking into consideration the absorptive capacity and performance of implementing agencies, as well as the outputs and outcomes of programs based on key performance indicators,” EO 172 read.

“To ensure that strategies and programs are responsive to evolving industry needs, the PCA, in consultation with concerned agencies and stakeholders, shall revisit and update CFIDP every five years, subject to the approval of the President,” EO 172 added.

Inflation busters, food affordability should top Marcos agenda’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

A

N economist-lawmaker on Wednesday said anti-inflationary measures and keeping food affordable should be the immediate economic priority of the incoming Marcos administration and the next Congress.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Joey Sarte Salceda made the statement as the country’s headline inflation quickened to 5.4 percent in May from 4.9 percent in April, based on reports from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Inf lation levels are seen to persist as the Russia-Ukraine conf lict rages.

“It’s the most propoor policy the new President can take on his first few days in office. I am also recommending a package of bills, which could perhaps be integrated into the Bayan Bangon Muli law,” he said.

Apart from funding provisions and provisions allowing the President to redirect some unused appropriations and resources, Salceda is proposing that Congress enact a package of inflation-busting measures, such as anti-price gouging in the food and fuel sectors, price unbundling for fuel, some key tariff removals for imported farm inputs such as fertilizers and equipment, and boosting the production of domestic energy sources, such as coal, until the country can overcome this global price problem.

Salceda earlier warned that “food inflation is the most regressive of all economic phenomena, because it tends to hit the poor the most.”

“We already see that in the of-

ficial statistics. The inflation rate for the bottom 30 percent of households, year to date, has been 4.3 percent, whereas general inflation has been 3.5 percent year to date. This emphasizes the need to expedite any subsidies still undistributed,” Salceda said.

NEW CABINET MEMBERS

Expedite ayuda

AMID surging commodity prices, Salceda also called on the administration to expedite the release of still undistributed subsidies, particularly the P500 monthly subsidy promised earlier by President Duterte.

“The Energy department has warned that more fuel hikes are coming next week. You will also see price increases in other commodities, such as bread and fish, in the coming months. So, we really need the aid to be released as soon as possible,” Salceda said.

“I think the aid is coming this week or next week, as long as the proper authorization is already made. I just confirmed this also with some sources in the Department of Social Welfare and Development,” Salceda added.

According to Salceda, “the subsidies that can still help are the unconditional cash transfers under the TRAIN law. Around 10 billion pesos of that is still up for release. There are some balances from the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance program of the DA, which can also help farmers facing the brunt of fuel hikes.”

Salceda added, “The promised P2.5 billion in ayuda to farmers and the transport sector also needs to be released soon. President Duterte can order their expedited release within a certain date.”

Retired UP Professor Clarita Carlos, along with ABONO Partylist Rep. Conrado Estrella III, meet with President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. as both accepted the offer to become new members of the Cabinet. In a nearly two-hour meeting Wednesday in Mandaluyong City, Carlos and Estrella were appointed as National Security Adviser (NSA) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary, respectively.

BBM MEDIA BUREAU

Napocor gets to own land near Naga Thermal

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

P

R E SI DEN T D ute r te g ave the National Power Corporation (Napocor) ownership of 253,751 square meters of public land near the Naga Thermal Power Plant Complex Site in Cebu.

In his Proclamation No. 1382, Duterte stopped any sale or any form of the disposition or settlement of the said parcel of land underlying the Naga Thermal Power Plant Complex in Baran-

gay Colon, in the City of Naga of Cebu.

He then ordered the land to be given to NPC, a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) with the mandate to provide electricity in isolated parts of the country, subject to private rights.

“The DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) Secretary is hereby authorized to issue the corresponding Special Patent in favor of the National Power Corporation for the Naga Thermal Power Plant Complex site,” Duterte said in

his three-page proclamation.

According to the website of the Land Management Bureau, the special patent will allow its holder full ownership of “alienable and disposable lands of the government upon promulgation of a special law or act of Congress or a proclamation by the President of the Republic, authorizing the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources to issue such patent.”

Duterte said he made the decision upon the recommendation of the

Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Currently, DENR is headed by its undersecretary, Jim O. Sampulna, following the resignation of Secretary Roy A. Cimatu in February.

In 2018, Aboitiz Power Corporation took over control of the National Power Plant Complex and committed to sell the power it will produce to Napocor. Duterte signed Proclamation No. 1382 on June 2, 2022 with only a few weeks before the end of his term on June 30, 2022.

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ABB, INC. Km 20 West Service Road, South Super Hi-way, Marcelo Green Village, City Of Parañaque

SENGUPTA, SITANSU Local Division Controller 1.

Brief Job Description: Acts as business partner to the relevant business manager and local leads, supports business decisions by monitoring, analyzing, and interpreting financial data.

STEINER, RUDOLF Regional South East Asia And Local Product Line Manager 2.

Brief Job Description: Management of the regional product line; experience in business development, marketing and sales strong technical.

Basic Qualification: In-depth knowledge of controlling, finance and accounting in a matrix style organization, sap proficiency, tertiary education in business and finance related field.

3.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires PHAM GIA HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

4.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

15.

5.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

NGUYEN THI BICH PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Relations Officer 6.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

PHAN THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Relations Officer 7.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

HOANG THI THUY Vietnamese Customer Service 8.

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

KNAI Y THOEN Vietnamese Customer Service 9.

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

LUONG THI BACH CUC Vietnamese Customer Service 10.

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

LY VAN TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service 11.

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

LY VAN VIET Vietnamese Customer Service 12.

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

PHAM NGUYEN TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service 13.

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

VUONG KHA DUONG Vietnamese Customer Service 14.

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

JENLY REINALDY HENDRIE ULUS Bahasa Indonesian Language - Officer Fund Management Brief Job Description: Must ensure their funds reporting are met.

Basic Qualification: Engineering background management experience.

DAVID VALENTIANUS Bahasa Indonesian Language - Officer Marketing 16.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

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

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Vietnamese, with related bpo experience.

17.

18.

19.

20.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

KIETUDOMPHAN, PATTANAPONG Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer 21.

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

KUNSITTISCHOT, KORAKOD Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer 22.

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

MEEFAK, PANUPONG Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer 23.

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

PHINIJSORRASART, NORRAWIT Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer 24.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

KHUENKAEW, SOMRUETHAI Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Provides quality services to gaming customers.

KHANARSA, NATSAWIN Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in Vietnamese language.

LEE, WONSANG Agent, Casino Services - Korea

HONGMAHARSIRIPONG, THANAPOL Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in Vietnamese language.

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

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

YANYONG, ONANONG Thai Speaking Customer Service Officer 25.

Brief Job Description: Serve as the first point of contact for the Thai speaking-customers

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write in Bahasa Indonesian to cater foreign market.

27.

Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written)

ZHAO, LULU Importation Consultant 28.

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

LIAN, ZHENGJIE Chinese Speaking Cabling Infrastructure Technician 29.

FRANCO CARRILLO, LUIS GUILLERMO President & Chief Executive Officer 26.

Brief Job Description: Oversee the operations of the company and its various subsidiaries and affiliates.

30.

31.

Brief Job Description: Ensures all work is completed safely and adheres to company standards for quality of work CAI, SHULAN Mandarin HR Officer Brief Job Description: Monitoring staff performance and attendance

NGO QUOC CUONG Bi-lingual Speaking Customer Service Officer 32.

Brief Job Description: Resolves product or service BT clarifying the customers complaint

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in mandarin language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YAP FOOK CHOY Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Executive 33.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written)

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English with good communication skills and preferably 5 years of experience as Chinese speaking cabling infrastructure technician

CHROMELAB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 25/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

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

CHANG CHUN LEONG Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 34.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

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

Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHANG CHUN VUI Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer

Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written)

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 DICKSON LING JIN PIEW Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 36.

Basic Qualification: Diverse, cumulative knowledge and/ or fundamental understanding of concepts, principles and practice.

Knowledge is acquired through comprehensive business experience or very deep development in a highly specialized field.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

CHEVRON PHILIPPINES INC. 6750 Ayala Ave. Bldg., 6750 Ayala, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Installs Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and fiber optic cabling system

WU, PRIMO Chinese Speaking Infrastructure Technician

Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written)

Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written)

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

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

Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Preparing and processing all documents and permits, maintaining records of all transactions, assessing the products qualities for import and export

Basic Qualification: Require a strong logistics background and experience with moving an assortment of goods across borders

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Strong English and mandarin communication skills (both oral and written)

Basic Qualification: Identify important date for decision making; marketing experience and commercial acumen; set clear expectations and align teams on charred goals & outcomes

CHG GLOBAL INC. 19 V. Mapa St., District 2, Barangay 122, City Of Caloocan

Basic Qualification: Proven professional experience in the related field.

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

Brief Job Description: Executing and communication Philippines business plans and sales strategies in line with overall IF&L

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

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

CEMEX HOLDINGS PHILIPPINES, INC. 34/f Petron Mega Plaza Bldg., 358 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

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

Basic Qualification: Must fluently speak and write in chines, Bahasa Indonesian, Bahasa Malaysian, Vietnamese and Thai to cater foreign market.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIU, BILLY TSUNG-LIN President, General & Country Manager

35.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in Vietnamese language.

No.

BOWENHILLS TECH INC. 16/f Bdo Towers Valero, 8741 Paseo De Roxas Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Vietnamese, with related bpo experience.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BLOOMBERRY RESORTS AND HOTELS INC. Solaire Resort And Casino, 1 Asean Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Has excellent problemsolving and communication skills in Vietnamese, with related bpo experience.

Brief Job Description: Create specific promotion for affiliates; Promote business and products.

A11

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center, Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City NGUYEN NGOC DIEM Vietnamese Customer Relations Officer

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque CHONG KOK WAI Malaysian Customer Service Representative

No.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

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

DO LE LINH Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 37.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A12 A6 Thursday, June 9, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HUYNH VINH TUONG Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 38.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LIEU SU TOAN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 39.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LIU VINH KIET Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 40.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NG WAI TECK Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 41.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

No.

CHEN, WEIAN Customer Service Representative 52.

SOO WAN CHUN Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 42.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

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

TAN YEAT CHEW Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 43.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

ZHANG, XIAOYU Channel Sales Specialist 53.

WANG KEAN PING Bi-lingual Speaking Data Analyst Officer 44.

Brief Job Description: Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques and provides ongoing reports.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 CLICKPLAY SPORTSGAME CORP. 3/f, #119, Dr. Lazcano St., Laging Handa, Quezon City NGUYEN HUU NGHIA It Support 45.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem NGUYEN MANH LINH It Support

46.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem VO VIET LOI It Support

47.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem CHEN, SHI-QI a.k.a. CHEN, NIAN-CI Technical Support

48.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem HO THI THUONG Technical Support

49.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem LIN, HUI-CHUAN Technical Support

50.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem

SUN, WAN-YEN Technical Support 51.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problem

Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

Brief Job Description: Build and develop detailed business plans, identify plans, identify key partners, accounts (System Integrators, Big Plans, Installers, Distributors) and End-users.

HO, CHIH-CHIA Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 54.

Brief Job Description: Manage incoming and outgoing calls, chats and emails.

SUN, HAIDI Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 55.

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

SHI, RUI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 56.

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

LI, XINLEI Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 57.

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

LYU, SHUJIANG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 58.

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

ZHOU, YONGSHENG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk 59.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

60.

61.

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

NGUYEN THU HANG Bilingual It Support Specialist Brief Job Description: Providing IT assistance to staff and customers

62.

63.

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

COSMOLINK GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC. Flr. No. 6th, 7th & 8th Bldg., No. 100 Necc Bldg., Andrews Ave. St. Newport City Subd., Barangay 183, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Providing IT assistance to staff and customers

Brief Job Description: Recommends potential products or services to management by collecting information and analyzing customer needs

MALHOTRA, SAURABH Senior Manager - Operations

Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

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

Basic Qualification: Experience for CCTV Industry and Strong understanding of Local Security Market.

65.

66.

Brief Job Description: Client relationship management at the program level performance & people management capacity planning and staffing plans for the process based on medium term business forecast, negotiating and finalizing SLA’S with the client establishing a review/ reporting mechanism with the client developing and approving incentive plans be a champion for process a performance improvement projects, develop case studies, show case the business and participate in business acquisition, review progress of attrition action plans and check effectiveness, provide leadership to team de lead assistant managers, team leaders and agents. Setting goals that align with organizational objectives, develop and implement actionable strategies to help team meet targets and client expectations, ensure compliance with internal policies and procedures, external regulations and information security standards,

Brief Job Description: Language fluency Mandarin & English.

Brief Job Description: Language fluency Mandarin & English.

ZHANG, YI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Language fluency Mandarin & English.

67.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin.

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

DANG HAO QUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 68.

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

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

69.

70.

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

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

DANG QUANG PHU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

DANG NGUYEN KIM NGAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

DO VAN THIEM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 71.

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

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

DOAN VAN PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 72.

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Reading, Writing and Speaking Bilingual Languages

73.

Basic Qualification: Excellent in Reading, Writing and Speaking Bilingual Languages Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

74.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in written and oral Mandarin and English.

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

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

MAN QUAY VA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking, Reading and Writing in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: With 10 years of work experience in business process off-shoring, passionate manager adept at communicating with primary clients to ensure that all outsourced processes meet quality and efficiency standards, capability to prepare and conduct business reviews, outstanding leadership, people management and communication skills outstanding conflict resolution skills, business perspective and a capability to drive improvement based on benchmarks, good crossfunctional appreciation and capability to team with relevant others to drive business or objectives.

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

HUA THANH NGOC THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Malate Bayview Mansion, 1781 M. Adriatico Street. 076, Barangay 699, Malate, City Of Manila

64.

OUYANG, XINJIANG Chinese Customer Service

BUI THI BICH TUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

NGUYEN NHAT TRUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 75.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in written and oral Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in written and oral Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an advantage.

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

GREAT EMPIRE INTERNATIONAL SMART TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. INC. Level 40, Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

76.

CHEN, SHIZHONG Bilingual General Manager Brief Job Description: Planning ,Directing and overseeing the operations

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, knowledgeable in electronic equipment Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HELLOCONNECT, INC. 7/f Inoza Tower, 40th St., Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

CHEN, YONGJIN Chinese Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

GAO SHOU TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. 52/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

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

Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

WONG CHIU FONG Bilingual It Support Specialist

WANG, SUO Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

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

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

No.

EASYTECH SUPPORT INC. 9-11/f, 14/f Capella Bldg., Asean Drive Filinvest, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

Basic Qualification: Fluent In speaking, writing and reading (mandarin, folkien & Cantonese) at least college graduate 2-3years work experience or fresh graduates

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

DIGICHROM INC. Unit 2602 & 2603 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

Brief Job Description: Interacting w/ customers via email, assists w/ complaints, orders, and other queries.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

DAHUA TECHNOLOGY (HK) LIMITED (PHILIPPINE REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE) 19/f Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the ff. languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Korean, Spanish and Portuguese.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ASPEN, NIKITA Sales Representative - Norwegian 77.

Brief Job Description: Able to communicate to customer in highly positive manners

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent Norwegian Speaker; above average English communication skills, demonstrates confidence while using all different channels ( phone, emails, chat, Facebook direct messenger ) ; strong customer service attitude Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

HMN PHILS. INC. U-a&b 20f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6754 Ayala Ave. Cor. V. A. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WEN, XIAOZHUANG Mandarin Project Manager

78.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Project Manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

79.

Brief Job Description: Monitoring daily operations, including server hardware, software and operating system

PENG, JIANBO Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 80.

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

TAN ZHIQI Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 81.

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

82.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive details of marketing and are familiar with ways to analyze market research and customer’s behavior JANG, SUNGHO Marketing Associates

83.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive details of marketing and are familiar with ways to analyze market research and customer’s behavior JIN, WONCHANG Marketing Associates

84.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive details of marketing and are familiar with ways to analyze market research and customer’s behavior LEE, EUNJOO Marketing Associates

85.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive OH, INCHAN Marketing Associates

86.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive details of marketing and are familiar with ways to analyze market research and customer’s behavior PARK, GWONYOUNG Marketing Associates

87.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive

SHIM, MUNSUB Marketing Associates 88.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive SONG, JAECHUL Marketing Associates

89.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning and implementing marketing and advertising activities. They understand the extensive details of marketing and are familiar with ways to analyze market research and customer’s behavior

92.

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

93.

94.

95.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications

96.

97.

98.

90.

Brief Job Description: Provide daily support to users of various computer systems including answering questions, analyzing problems, and quickly forming solutions to return systems to proper operation

99.

91.

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative request & queries from senior officer

100.

LIN, SHISHUI Chinese Project Supervisor Brief Job Description: Create a project plan and outline the resources

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI PAN CHAN Burmese Customer Service Representative

101.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires THANT ZIN OO Burmese Customer Service Representative

102.

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

CHEN, BIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

103.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HONG, DESHUI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires HU, CHUNLI Chinese Customer Service Representative

105.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

HU, XINGQI Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

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

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

EI HNIN PHWE Burmese Customer Service Representative

106.

CON LE BINH Vietnamese Admin Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: University/College Graduate, at Least 1yr.

Professional Relevant Work Experience, Able to Speak Korean and English (or Filipino) Fluently, Able to Read and Write Korean and English With Clarity.

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

HUANG, YUYING Chinese Customer Service Representative 107.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LEI, ZELONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

108.

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

LI, BING Chinese Customer Service Representative

109.

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

110.

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

111.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LIN, HUAJIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

112.

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

113.

114.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires WU, JIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

115.

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

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

LU, YONGCHAO Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LU, HENG Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

YANG, LEI Chinese Customer Service Representative

116.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, HE Chinese Customer Service Representative

117.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires ZHU, ZHENXIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

118.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HARTONO Indonesian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin and fluent in English. At least 5 years experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

119.

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

120.

121.

122.

123.

124.

125.

126.

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

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

LE VAN HAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 127.

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

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

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

LE THE HOA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

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

LE THANH HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

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

CONG VAN DAU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires PANG LIK HAU Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIM CHEE WEE Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LEE JO SEPH Malaysian Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires IVAN CHAI KHIEN HUANG Malaysian Customer Service Representative

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City

104.

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

No.

MEGACON BUILDERS CORP. 129 6th St., 9th Ave., Barangay 104, City Of Caloocan

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

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

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

ZOU, GAOPU Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant

JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 31/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Avenue, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

HSU, HSIAO-HSUAN Chinese Technical Support Representative

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

WANG, QIANCHUAN Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications

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

QIU, ZUWEI Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications

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

LUO, QING Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant

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

Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications

Brief Job Description: Business Development Managers are concerned with improving and growing a business, by establishing and developing relationships with customers, suppliers and other partners.

LI, HUI Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant

Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications

Basic Qualification: 18-50 y/o, good organizational skills, proficient in relevant computer applications

Basic Qualification: University/College Graduate, at Least 1yr.

Professional Relevant Work Experience, Able to Speak Korean and English (or Filipino) Fluently, Able to Read and Write Korean and English With Clarity.

MACRO EXCEL CONSULTANCY INC. 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

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

Brief Job Description: Should possess extensive experience as a business consultant in a related industry and the ability to lead optimization initiatives.

CHOI, ILWOO Business Development Manager

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

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

JUNG, HANSOO Business Consultant

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering

INFOVINE INC. 9/f Y Tower, Moa Complex, Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal, Barangay 76, Pasay City

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

KOREA SME BUSINESS CENTER CORP. U-1807 18/f One San Miguel Avenue Condo., San Miguel Ave. Cor. Shaw Blvd., Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

INFINITECHNOLOGIES VENTURES INC. Room 506 Estuar Building, #41 Timog Ave., South Triangle, Quezon City

HUANG, ZONGWEI Information Technology Manager

No.

Thursday, June 9, 2022

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

LUONG THI DUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 128.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A13

BusinessMirror

A14 A6 Thursday, June 9, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN DUC HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

129.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN TAT TOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

130.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN THI LE Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

131.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN VAN HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

132.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN VAN TIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

133.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires PHAN THI TINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

134.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN PHUONG NAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

135.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires TRAN THI THANH HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

136.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires TRUONG THI TU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

137.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VI THI NGOC THAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

138.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires VO VAN THANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

139.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

140.

141.

142.

143.

144.

145.

146.

147.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PAN, ZHILONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHEN, QIANYI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

FENG, PENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HUANG, QIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

MENG, XIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

QIU, CHUNGUI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

148.

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

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

149.

150.

151.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

JENO Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services.

SUBAGIO Indonesian Customer Service 152.

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

VANN, HUYKHIM Chinese Customer Service

XU, BINBIN Chinese Customer Service

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

WANG, ZHAO Chinese Customer Service

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

153.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

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

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

154.

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

155.

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

HOO CHENG XI Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

156.

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

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., Quirino Ave., Tambo, City Of Parañaque Sky Garage Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

KONG, DEZHENG Chinese Customer Service

No.

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

157.

158.

159.

160.

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

161.

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

162.

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

163.

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

164.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SEOW CHEE SON Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services.

TAM WEI LONG Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

TAN SIEK CHEE Malaysian Customer Service

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

LILY NG HUIYI Malaysian Customer Service

165.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

BUI THI THANH HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

BUI VAN TRUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

DUONG PHAT TSIN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

DUONG THI THU HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HO PHUOC VINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HO THI THANH NHAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services.

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

No.

166.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

167.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HOANG CHI NGUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

HOANG THI ANH TUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

168.

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

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

169.

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

170.

171.

172.

173.

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

174.

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

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

175.

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

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

HOANG THI MICH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

HOANG THI PHUONG LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOANG THI THU Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOANG THI NGOC LUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

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

HOANG THI BE Vietnamese Customer Service

176.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

HUYNH QUOC DINH ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

KIEU VAN THINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LAC LY THE Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LANG KHAM HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

177.

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

178.

179.

180.

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

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

LE DANG THONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

LE HOANG TRUNG TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE THI THANH HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service 181.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills LE VAN SY Vietnamese Customer Service

182.

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE DINH TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LANG THI THU MAI Vietnamese Customer Service

183.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

LENH LAP XUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

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

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

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

184.

185.

186.

187.

188.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LO THI ANH HONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LO THI LAN HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LUONG NGOC HOAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LUONG NGUYET NHU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LUONG SI HOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

LUONG THI THAO Vietnamese Customer Service 189.

190.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NGAN MY LINH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

NGUYEN THAO HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service 191.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills NGUYEN THI KHANH LY Vietnamese Customer Service

192.

193.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NGUYEN THI MEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NGUYEN THI NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service 194.

195.

196.

197.

198.

199.

Brief Job Description: knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

NGUYEN THU TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

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

NONG VAN THIET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PHAM CONG QUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledge in computer applications with good oral and written communications skills

No.

202.

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

203.

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

204.

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

205.

206.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

207.

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

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

208.

200.

201.

Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services.

PHAN ANH QUANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAN THI HONG THU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

PHAN THI THU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

PHU VONG BAU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

POC SOI PHONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

THONG CHU HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

209.

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

VI THI KIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

210.

VONG KOK QUAY Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

211.

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

VONG NGOC PHAT Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services.

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

BONG HERMAN Customer Service Representative 212.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in Computer Application With Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

213.

214.

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

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

FU, XIAO-QI a.k.a. IRIS FU Mandarin Speaking Admin Manager Brief Job Description: Guiding the organization activities

LY TUYET HUE Mandarin Speaking Financial Officer Brief Job Description: Keep accurate records for all day transactions

CHIU, I-FENG Mandarin Speaking It Specialist

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

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

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

No.

218.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services

219.

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

Brief Job Description: Offer technical support to company staff and troubleshoot computer problems

WU, YI-KAN Mandarin Speaking It Specialist 216.

Brief Job Description: Offer technical support to company staff and troubleshoot computer problems

WAI LIN HTUN Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist 217.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for management of workflow throughout all departments within a business

Brief Job Description: Responsible for management of workflow throughout all departments within a business XU, LIANG Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Manager

220.

Brief Job Description: Manages departmental budget and tracks spending on equipment

AZHAR BIN MAHMOOD Financial Controller 221.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills.

WU, MEIMEI Chinese Speaking HR Specialist 222.

Brief Job Description: Assist in hiring process by coordinating in job on websites, reviewing resumes, performing telephone interviews

SUN, WEI-WEI Senior Finance Specialist

223.

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls

Basic Qualification: Good Oral and Written Communication Skills in Mandarin

224.

225.

226.

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

HAN, YEONGWOO Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer relations service provider

KIM, YONGNAM Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer relations service provider

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

BUI VAN DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

227.

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

DANG QUANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

228.

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

DANG Y NGHIA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

229.

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

DINH THI NHU QUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

230.

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

DOAN THANH DO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 231.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good Social and Presentation Skills

Brief Job Description: A senior finance specialist implements a strong set of controls and provides compliance monitoring to create improvements in sap’s processes for higherrisk sales transactions; serves as the first line of defense for anti-corruption controls, collaborating with numerous internal stakeholders to acquire adequate information to establish transaction compliance status, identify remedial measures, and handle escalation with team leads; responsible for proactively identifying sales transactions that may pose an unacceptable level of compliance risk; maintains communication with the organization to manage risk before deals are signed.

BUI MANH TUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good Oral and Written Communication Skills in Mandarin

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Good Oral and Written Communication Skills in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services.

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

Basic Qualification: At Least 6 Months Workrelated Experience.

Good Oral and Written Communication Skills in Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Business education (preferred); with 3-5 years relevant work experiences; fluent in English with excellent communication skills; team player and highly accountable for every task assigned; extremely detail-oriented, organized and with strong follow-up skills; must be able to multitask, prioritize and solve problems with minimal supervision; strong work ethics; agile ways of working and positive approach.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin, both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin, both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SOMI UNLIMITED SOLUTIONS, INC. 10/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza Bldg., Edsa Corner Macapagal Ave. St. Zone 10, District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Good Oral and Written Communication Skills in Mandarin

Basic Qualification: Good Social and Presentation Skills

SKY DRAGON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 2f-5f, Unit 710 Shaw Blvd., Global Link Center, Wack-wack Greenhills, City Of Mandaluyong

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Good Oral and Written Communication Skills in Mandarin

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

SAP PHILIPPINES, INC. 27/f Nac Tower, 32nd St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

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

Basic Qualification: Good Social and Presentation Skills

PLATINUM PROVIDERS TECHNOLOGIES INC. 7/f Salamin Bldg.,, I97 Legaspi St.,, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

PERDANA HOTEL PHILIPPINES INC. (BERJAYA MAKATI HOTEL-PHILIPPINES) 7835, Eduque Cor. Makati Ave., Poblacion, City Of Makati

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for management of workflow throughout all departments within a business CHEN, YI-RU Mandarin Speaking Operations Supervisor

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YIN, CHIN-HUI Mandarin Speaking Operations Specialist

OUTWIT, INC. 2/f Marvin Plaza, 2153 Chino Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming calls. Generate sales leads. Identify and assess customers’ needs.

Handle customer complaints. Follow communication procedures, guidelines and policies.

A15

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

OMNIWEALTH ENTERPRISE INC. 17th Flr. Citibank Square Bldg., No. 188 Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Eastwood City Cyberpark 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

215.

PHAM VAN DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service

PHAN LINH CHI Vietnamese Customer Service

PHU MAN CHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Thursday, June 9, 2022

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

HO QUOC SI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 232.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A16 A6 Thursday, June 9, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HOANG DINH THUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

233.

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

HOANG MINH TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

234.

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

HOANG VAN PHUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

235.

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

HUYNH NGOC AN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

236.

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

LE VAN QUANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

237.

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

NGO THI LAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

238.

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

NGO VAN DONG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

239.

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

NGUYEN CONG HAU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

240.

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

NGUYEN LAM THIEN NHI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

241.

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

NGUYEN THANH BAO HUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

242.

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

NGUYEN THI HANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

243.

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

NGUYEN THI NGOC Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

244.

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

NGUYEN THI NHUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

245.

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

NGUYEN TUAN THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

246.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services NGUYEN VAN TOAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

247.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services NGUYEN VU BINH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

248.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services PHAM VAN NGHIA Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

249.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services TRAN MAI ANH TUAN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

250.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services VO QUOC ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

251.

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

No.

HE, SHUAI Chinese Construction Technician

252.

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

Brief Job Description: Manage and supervise facility development and image enhancement projects. Coordinate logistics and communication between clients, vendors, and stakeholders. Follow all state and safety requirements to implement good safety conditions at work site.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) LI, MENG Chinese Construction Technician

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

253.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

Brief Job Description: Manage and supervise facility development and image enhancement projects. Coordinate logistics and communication between clients, vendors, and stakeholders. Follow all state and safety requirements to implement good safety conditions at work site.

ZHAN, XUNFU Chinese Construction Technician

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 254.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

Brief Job Description: Manage and supervise facility development and image enhancement projects. Coordinate logistics and communication between clients, vendors, and stakeholders. Follow all state and safety requirements to implement good safety conditions at work site.

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

LUO, XINDI Chinese Finance Accounting Staff 255.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

Brief Job Description: Maintains financial records and reports, performs account reconciliations, assisting with budget and close processes, conducting internal audits, and maintaining accounts payable documentation.

PI, BENCHU Software Development Specialist 256.

257.

258.

Brief Job Description: Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.

SHIINA, TSUBASA Chief Marketing Officer Brief Job Description: Overseeing marketing activities.

HASEGAWA, YUMI Marketing Manager Brief Job Description: Promotion.

CHEN, HUI-TING Chinese Admin Support Specialist 259.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and Written Skills)

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative request and queries from senior managers/officer.

WU, SAO WAI DIANA Assistant Director Of Gaming OS&E Control 260.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for day to day operation including staffing, administration, training and team development.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and Written Skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LAI DUC MANH It Specialist 261.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 NGUYEN VAN TUAN It Specialist

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

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

Basic Qualification: Overseeing working with various marketing tools; proficiency in both oral and written Japanese.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: At least 3 years of marketing experience; proficient in both oral and written Japanese.

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

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

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

Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in bilingual languages

Brief Job Description: Evaluates expansions or enhancements by studying work load capacity pf computer system

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in bilingual languages

LIN, HUNG-CHIH Bilingual Technical Support Specialist 265.

Brief Job Description: Evaluates expansions or enhancements by studying work load capacity pf computer system

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

HUANG, I-WEN Mandarin-speaking Customer Service Officer 266.

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information

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

WESERV SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL, INC. 11f Net 2 Square, 3rd Ave. Crescent Park West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: Experience in systems integration for the securities and exchange industries for 15 years

HIRAHARA, KAZUHIKO JDU Service Head Brief Job Description: Promotion of cross-organizational business operations of the GDC (such as promotion of shared services and standardized across the GDC)

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: With good English and Japanese communication skills both written and verbal

SUZUKI, REINA Nihongo-skilled Project Coordinator/bridge Se 268.

Brief Job Description: The role holder provides business consultancy to our client base, they will work as part of a team requiring a moderate level of supervision

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

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp., 213 Buendia Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese.

MACH VAN NAM Vietnamese Language - Marketing Staff 269.

Brief Job Description: Providing details to clients relative to services being offered.

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

XDNA DIGITAL AGENCY INC Unit 22, 2f Legaspi Suites Bldg.,, 178 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

270.

CONNOLLY, ASHLEY THOMAS Chief Technology Officer

Basic Qualification: Expert in programming

Brief Job Description: Expert in all programming languages

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

XINCHUAN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL PHILIPPINE PROJECT LTD CORP. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin electrical commissioning analyst, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

FANG, TIANHANG Mandarin Electrical Commissioning Analyst 271.

Brief Job Description: The mandarin electrical commissioning analyst will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

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

ZHOU, HONGFEI Mandarin Electrical Commissioning Analyst 272.

Brief Job Description: The mandarin electrical commissioning analyst will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

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

Basic Qualification: Must have at least 5 years of experience in management role in significant international gaming.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin electrical commissioning analyst, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

CHA, XIAOBIN Mandarin Quality Inspector 273.

Brief Job Description: The mandarin quality inspector will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin quality inspector, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company. Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

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

*Date Generated: Jun 8, 2022

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and Written Skills)

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and Written Skills)

Basic Qualification: At least two (2) years of working experience in the related field; fluent in mandarin/Chinese language

VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1439 Adriatico Cor. Sta. Monica St., 072, Barangay 669, Ermita, City Of Manila

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and Written Skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

264.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and communicate in Mandarin is an advantage. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Excellent use of MS Word and Excel. Strong numeracy and analytical skills. Highly organized and detail-oriented.

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

LI, BING Bilingual Technical Support Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin is an advantage.

Able to explain problems simply and clearly.

Proficient in MS Office.

Able to follow health and safety regulations.

Excellent mathematical and problem-solving skills.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

TIGER RESORT, LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Okada Manila, New Seaside Drive, Entertainment City, Tambo, City Of Parañaque

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and Written Skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin is an advantage.

Able to explain problems simply and clearly.

Proficient in MS Office.

Able to follow health and safety regulations.

Excellent mathematical and problem-solving skills.

263.

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

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

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

TRUONG VAN THUAN It Specialist

THE PHILIPPINES PLATFORM OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY JAPAN, INC. ( PBI JAPAN ) Unit 1 G/f La Plaza Building, 38 Presidents Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and communicate using Mandarin is an advantage.

Able to explain problems simply and clearly.

Proficient in MS Office.

Able to follow health and safety regulations.

Excellent mathematical and problem-solving skills.

SUPREME CHENGHAO MANAGEMENT OPC Level 26-a Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

No.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

267.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills).

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

STC BUILDERS AND DEVELOPMENT CORP. 38 Atok St., 1, Santo Domingo, Quezon City

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

262.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operations of electronic gaming devices.

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate with experience in maintain gaming devices; fluent in mandarin and English speaking.

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

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on MAY 27, 2022, the position of HTIN AUNG KYAW of MOA CLOUDZONE CORP., should have been read as BURMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on JUNE 8, 2022, the name of CHENG, WANFA of NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION, should have been read as CHENG, WANFA and not as published.

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

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

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Thursday, June 9, 2022

B1

Shell to build LNG terminal

T

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he P3.5-billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal of Shell Energy Philippines Inc. (SEPH) will be ready for start-up by the third quarter of 2025.

SEPH said in a regulatory filing that it has allotted approximately P3.5 billion for the project, excluding the lease cost for the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU)—a storage ship capable of transiting and transferring LNG directly into the gas network.

The LNG terminal will be put up within the vicinity of the Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.’s (PSPC) Tabangao refinery, which is now be-

ing converted as an import facility.

“The Project will supply natural gas for power use with the impending depletion of the Malampaya gas field by 2024. With its development and operation, the Shell LNG Project will be able to address the anticipated deficit in electrical generation capacity and avoid adverse impacts to economic growth within the region,” it said.

Based on the proposed time-

line, pre-construction will take place in 2023, followed by actual construction from the first quarter of 2024 all the way to the second quarter of 2025.

“Project construction will begin once the necessary permits and ECC [environmental compliance certificate] have been obtained from the designated regulatory bodies. During this period, the detailed engineering design will be utilized to implement the final design in laying out all the project facilities required by the LNG import terminal. This stage will involve all the necessary dredging activities for the project,” SEPH said.

SEPH will lease the FSRU from another company. The FSRU will arrive as a complete unit and will be stationed to its Jetty 4 to be able to send out gas to onshore through a pipeline system.

Previously, Shell (through Tabangao Realty Inc.) proposed an LNG project in 2013 which was granted an ECC by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau Central Office. However, the project did not proceed to construction and was put on hold due to development costs, market conditions, and other factors.

She l l conduc ted tec h n ic a l studies to investigate more costeffective schemes to develop the project that included alternative alignments to the new jetty and mooring location of the FSRU as well as alternative drilling and construction methods for the placement of the jetty and subsea pipeline.

SEPH was awarded a notice to proceed with its LNG project by the Department of Energy in March last year.

ARQ Capital ready to fund mid-size firms

A

RQ Capital Partners, a local venture capitalist for medium-sized firms, said it was able to raise some P1.5 billion in funding, which it will use to bankroll some 50 enterprises over the next two years.

The company said it is also raising additional capital from development institutions to fund its investments.

ARQ founding partner and CEO Edmund M. Solilapsi in an online news briefing said there are only a few “smart capital investors” in the country today and that this space has yet to be institutionalized. He said a number of enterprises are encountering capital funding hurdles due to more stringent bank requirements.

“The Philippines continues to be

second to the lowest in ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nation] in terms of private sector credit as a percentage of gross domestic product, domestic credit to private sector by banks and domestic credit provided by financial sector,” Solilapsi said.

He said the country’s financing market is dominated by banks and non-bank financial institutions,

which are primarily passive capital providers and predominantly asset-backed.

Continued on B2

SGP added to MSCI World Small Cap Index

Photo from www.ngcp.ph

S

ynergy Grid and Development Philippines Inc. (SGP), the indirect controlling shareholder of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), has been included in the MSCI World Small Cap Index.

The MSCI World Small Cap Index captures small cap representation across 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries. With 4,502 constituents, the index covers approximately 14 percent of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country. With its current market capitalization of about $1.24 billion, SGP sits above the median capitalization of the MSCI World Small Cap Index which is currently at around $963.76 million as of April 29.

“The inclusion of Synergy Grid in the Index in a short amount of time from its listing late last year is proof of the notable performance of its

main asset, NGCP. It is an affirmation as well that the route taken to list at the time we did was well-received by the market,” said SGP Vice-Chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr. SGP’s inclusion comes after the successful listing of its shares from its follow-on offering in November last year. The company indirectly controls 60 percent of the outstanding capital stock of NGCP, SGP’s sole operating asset, with an effective equity interest of 40.2 percent.

NGCP holds a 25-year concession and a 50-year Congressional franchise to expand and operate the country’s power transmission grid. NGCP is the sole and exclusive operator of the Philippines’s nationwide transmission network linking power generators and distribution utilities to deliver electricity to endusers across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Lenie Lectura

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Thursday, June 9, 2022

Companies BusinessMirror

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Prime Infra unit to put up solar power facility, BESS

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By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

rime Infrastructure Holdings, Inc. (Prime Infra), led by businessman Enrique K. Razon, Jr., said on Wednesday its power unit is building a massive solar power facility and a battery energy storage system (BESS).

The solar power facility will have a capacit y of 2,500MW to 3, 50 0M W combi ned w it h 4,000MWh to 4,500MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS).

The project will be undertaken

by Terra Solar Philippines (Terra Solar), a unit of Terra Renewables Holdings, Inc., which is a renew-

able power subsidiary under Prime Infra’s control and in partnership with Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, Inc. The company said 850MW will be supplied to the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

Earlier last year, Terra Solar submitted its bid as an original

proponent and following the Department of Energy’s (DOE) approval, went through the competitive selection process. Two entities challenged the bid but failed to submit, paving the way for Terra Solar to seal the power supply agreement with Meralco.

For the Meralco power supply agreement, 600 MW will be available by 2026, while the additional 250 MW will be delivered in 2027.

“We, at Prime Infra, are delighted to move forward with Meralco on this record-breaking project that highlights solar power’s important contribution to strengthening the country’s energy security—solar, which is normally looked at for peaking, is now being made available by Terra Solar to answer Meralco’s mid-merit requirement, thereby addressing

both the need for additional capacity and compliance with RPS [Renewable Portfolio Standards],” said Guillaume Lucci, Prime Infra President.

The Terra Solar project is a model of dependable renewable energy, which represents a stable price not subject to fuel imports volatility for the rest of its 20-year contract. According to Terra Solar’s projection, the 850MW supply can displace an annual consumption of approximately 1.4 million tons of coal or 930,000 liters of oil. This means reduction in both greenhouse gas emissions and import dependency for the country from 2026 to 2046.

Renewables in the Philippines accounts for 29.1 percent of installed capacity and could still be ramped up with the contribution of solar energy.

Sale of Air21 shares to AC Logistics gets PCC’s green light

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he Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved the proposed acquisition by AC Logistics Holdings Corp. of at least 60-percent interest in Air 21 Holdings Inc. “In this proposed transaction, AC Logistics entered into an Exchange Note Agreement for Conversion Shares with Air 21 Holdings, its owner Mr. Alberto D. Lina, and its eight logistics companies in the network, subject to certain conditions,” PCC said in a statement.

“The Conversion Shares will result in at least 60-percent stake in Air 21 Holdings, which in turn controls Airfreight 2100 Inc., Air 2100 Inc., LGC Logistics Inc., Cargohaus Inc., U-Freight Phils. Inc., U-Ocean Inc., Waste & Resources Management Inc., and Integrated Waste Management Inc.” The PCC said AC Logistics’ acquisition of shares in Air 21 Holdings will not likely result in substantial lessening of competition within the logistics sector.

The country’s antitrust agency said this is due to “substantial” competitive restrictions argued by other market players in the logistics sector nationwide.

For the customers of the relevant services, PCC said they were also found to engage with multiple service providers, which is an indication of competition in the industry in terms of price and service quality.

Since operations by AC Logistics and Air 21 Holdings were found to intersect in some markets, PCC’s review looked into the competition effects

in the national markets of domestic courier and messengerial services; domestic air, sea, and road freight forwarding; nationwide or regional market for trucking services; general warehousing and storage services in Luzon, and cold storage services in Metro Manila and Southern Luzon.

Based on its analysis, the PCC Mergers and Acquisitions Office said the merging parties would not result in a dominant market position given its resulting market shares in the relevant markets.

The agency also said AC Logistics and Air 21 Holdings have no increased ability to engage in anticompetitive foreclosure, such as exclusively supplying its own downstream customers or limiting its services to other downstream markets or players.

PCC said it is unlikely for the transaction to effectively restrict access of other players to a particular customer base in the same relevant markets.

AC Logistics is the logistics arm of Ayala Corp., while Air 21 Holdings has a logistics network offering door-to-door service deliveries, international and domestic freight forwarding, and warehousing and waste logistics management.

As the country’s antitrust authority, PCC is mandated under the Philippine Competition Act to review mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures of firms across all sectors that meet the threshold to ensure that these deals do not harm the interest of consumers. Andrea E. San Juan

ARQ Capital ready to fund mid-size firms Continued from B1

He said venture capital firms focus on early-stage startups and techdriven companies while private equity investors and strategic investors focus on larger investments and more mature enterprises.

This environment leaves little wiggle room for small and medium-sized enterprises to find the right capital partner to fund their growth.

ARQ said it has invested some P1 billion in 33 firms since 2016 through its ARQ SME Business Development

Co. and through co-investment partners.

The company said it plans to fund 10 more medium enterprises by year-end to add to its current portfolio, which now stands at 22 medium firms.

ARQ co-founder and managing partner Abigail D. Tan said the market base for capital investors could be worth over P25 billion.

Tan said this is the equivalent of 20 percent of 4,800 medium enterprises in the Philippines that may have highgrowth potential, which is one of ARQ’s fundamental requirements. VG Cabuag

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Banking&Finance

BIR urged to crack down vs mulcting officials, staff

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

S

ENATOR Sherwin T. Gatchalian pressed the top leadership of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) to mount a massive crackdown against its “notoriously corrupt” personnel, including “mulcting officials and personnel victimizing not just large corporations but even small businesses.”

The Senator cited mounting taxpayers’ complaints reaching his office that “many small businesses were targeted for extortion” by wayward BIR personnel.

“Marami sa ating mga maliliit na negosyante ay kinikikilan ng ilang hindi matitinong kawani ng gobyerno,” Gatchalian said even as the senator clarified he was not referring to the entire bureau.

[Many of our small businesses are being mulcted by some unscrupulous government employees.]

“Hindi ko nilalahat pero alam naman natin na meron tayong mga BIR officials na nangha-harass o tinataas ’yung tax assessment para makahingi sila ng pera kapag nakiusap na babaan ang tax assessment. Ito muna ang unahin natin, ’yung sugpuin iyong ganitong korapsyon,” Gatchalian said last Wednesday. [This isn’t a judgment on the institution but we know that we have BIR officials who harass or raise the tax assessment so that they can ask for money when asked to lower the tax assessment. And this should be our top priority: to stamp out corruption.]

At the same time, Gatchalian, incoming chairman of the Senate Ways and Means committee, pressed for a clampdown against erring officials and employees of revenue collection agencies. He said he’s affirming his stand that instead of introducing new taxes to

fund services and address the country’s P12.763 trillion debt as of April, “it is more efficient to improve tax collection and fight corruption in the government. “ Moreover, the senator cited a recent series of reports on alleged extortion cases involving BIR personnel in Ilocos Sur, Dipolog City and Zamboanga City as well as the purported “pabaon” scheme of some outgoing officials of the agency.

He asserted that “before talking about raising tax rates, the government should first eliminate corruption as only corrupt officials benefit from it.” (“Bago natin pag-usapan na taasan ang buwis o taasan ang mga singilin, dapat sugpuin muna natin ang korapsyon dahil ang makikinabang lang dyan ay ’yung mga corrupt officials na tinataas naman ang mga pekeng assessments nila.”) the senator said, adding: “Dapat tuloy-tuloy lang ang laban natin sa korapsyon hanggang sa maayos ang sistema.” [We must continue to fight corruption until we can fix the system.]

The senator suggests that “a drastic approach is needed to carry out an internal cleansing of the bureaucracy to rid government agencies of rotten eggs.”

Gatchalian also recalled that a similar campaign had already been carried out by the BIR at the onset of the Duterte administration. This campaign, he said, saw the resignation and early retirement of hundreds of BIR employees. Gat chalian noted that the “deluge of resignations was in response to the call against those involved in corruption charges.”

“If there’s political will, we can improve tax collection, build taxpayers’ trust in government and ensure increased revenue,” Gatchalian said.

“People are willing to pay when they know that their taxes are well spent on services due them.”

BusinessMirror

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By Cai U. Ordinario

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Mora said these opportunities can be harnessed through recent efforts to address climate change by financial institutions such as sustainable bond issuance that has reached $1 trillion in 2021 alone.

While Asia’s cities consume 80 percent of the region’s energy and create 75 percent of its carbon emissions, climate-smart technologies abound in the region, according to the private sector arm of the World Bank Group.

In a recent press briefing, IFC Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific Alfonso Garcia Mora said the East Asia and the Pacific region offers $18 trillion worth of opportunities for climate-smart technologies.

These climate-smart technologies, Mora said, include those on

the Bilateral Swap Arrangement with Japan.

“We also engaged with other central banks and financial service authorities in and out of the region to further strengthen bilateral ties through knowledge sharing and information exchange,” the Governor added.

The BSP has various agreements in force with its counterparts in Indonesia, Mauritius, and Singapore in the areas of payments, banking and sustainable finance.

UnionBank’s blockchain tech patented

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HE Mosveldtt Law firm announced it successfully patented the Financial Supply Chain platform of UnionBank of the Philippines under Patent No. PH 2/2021/050850 entitled “Computer-implemented System for a Financial Supply Chain System through Blockchain Technology.”

UnionBank’s patented Financial Supply Chain platform utilizes blockchain technology to enable seamless transactions without compromising security, efficiency, and customer experience, the law firm said in a statement issued last Wednesday.

“The immutable character of the blockchain enables secure high-value transactions through sensitive data and information exchange through blockchain and smart contracts,” the firm said.

According to the firm, the technology ensures 100-percent visibility over the transactions among suppliers, distributors, and buyers and allows for automated processes mitigating risks of fraud and human error. This enables UnionBank to offer non-traditional payment options to small and medium enterprises, distributors, suppliers and dealers while digitising the invoice presentment and demand order processing.

Businesses, particularly medium small

and micro enterprises are given greater access to working capital and to more strategic cashflow management.

“This patent continues UnionBank’s trailblazing achievements consistent with its standing as the Best Digital Bank in Southeast Asia,” the law firm added.

This is the 9th patent that the Firm has secured for UnionBank.

@caiordinario

INANCIAL institutions, especially their efforts to address climate change, are expected to grab opportunities offered by climatesmart technologies, officials of the International Finance Corp. (IFC) said.

This June 8, 2022, photo courtesy of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) shows BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno presenting a slide during the Maybank Investment Asean PH Conference last Wednesday. Photo courtesy of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

finance, payment connectivity, and trade facilitation during the recent meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Asean+3. The latter consist of ten Asean Member States and the People’s Republic of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The BSP also actively participated in negotiations intended to enhance regional and bilateral safety nets, such as the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization and

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Financial groups seen harnessing climate-smart tech opportunities

BSP to keep forging strong regional ties

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) stressed the importance of forging strong regional partnerships during the Maybank Investment Asean PH Conference held today.

“Our regional cooperation continues to thrive with ongoing and new initiatives which will cement the groundwork for future aspirations,” said BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno.

The Governor shared that the BSP discussed sustainable

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Thursday, June 9, 2022

Mosveldtt continues to work with UnionBank to secure its place as the country’s leader in digital innovation.

The law firm said it “shall continue supporting UnionBank technological innovations in digital banking and fintech as we continue to revolutionize the way Filipinos and the world do business.”

waste management and renewable energy, green buildings, electric vehicles, and public transportation, among others.

“This [climate] crisis is the investment opportunity of our lifetime,” Mora said. “We estimate that cities in the East and the Pacific alone offer $18 trillion in climate-smart investment opportunities by 2030.”

Mora said these opportunities can be harnessed through recent efforts to address climate change by financial institutions such as sustainable bond issuance that has reached $1 trillion in 2021 alone.

“We will not be able to achieve an equitable long-term solution to this crisis without a climate finance ecosystem that many of you here today, and your organizations, have committed to building,” Mora said.

On Tuesday, five of the world’s leading financial institutions became cornerstone members of the Alliance for Green Commercial Banks (the Alliance).

The Bank of China (Hong Kong), Citi, Crédit Agricole CIB, HSBC, and Standard Chartered, which collectively represent more than $7 trillion in assets, have become cornerstone members of the Alliance.

The Alliance is an initiative established by the IFC, the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets.

It aims to bring together pioneers in green finance to catalyze the financial innovation, investment, and leading practices in emerging markets that are urgently needed to address climate and environmental risks.

The Alliance’s Asia chapter was jointly launched in 2020 with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the chapter’s founding member and first regional anchor.

“The HKMA is committed to

making Hong Kong SAR a leading global hub for green finance,” said Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the HKMA. “Building the capacity of commercial banks and other financial institutions in Asia will help to scale up green finance markets and increase the risk resilience of the sector.”

The Alliance also brings together financial and research institutions and innovative technology providers to develop a green community in emerging markets to collectively finance the infrastructure and business solutions needed to advance sustainable economic development.

Its five cornerstone members are demonstrated leaders in green finance that have already achieved significant milestones that align with the Alliance’s objectives.

The banks will work closely with IFC and the HKMA to advocate client adaptation to green strategies, promote best practices in green products and services, and unlock new business opportunities that will enable the green transition of economies.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

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Thursday, June 9, 2022

US sends pandemic-relief assistance to Zamboanga

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HE Embassy of the United States recently shipped medical aid and reinforced its government’s vow to broader security and sustainable peace in Mindanao.

Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava handed over on May 31 essential Covid-19 medical equipment from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to Zamboanga City’s molecular testing center in Barangay San Roque that will help boost the city’s capacity to manage and mitigate the negative effects of the ongoing pandemic.

The US government, through USAID, has supported Zamboanga City’s pandemic response and vaccination rollout since June 2020.

USAID has deployed mobile-vaccination teams composed of three emergency medical technicians and one information technology (IT) personnel to boost the city’s vaccination capabilities. In addition, USAID deployed six consultants in

major vaccination sites to support data encoding and reporting.

In all, USAID provided a total of 19 health professionals and IT personnel to enhance Zamboanga City’s human-resource capacity to fight Covid-19.

“Combating the…pandemic requires collective action,” Variava said. “I am pleased that the enduring partnership between our two nations has fortified Zamboanga City’s pandemic response. In collaboration with national and local governments, the private sector, and other key stakeholders, the US will continue to implement adaptive solutions to strengthen local communities in the Philippines.”

In a meeting, Variava thanked Zamboanga City’s Mayor Beng Climaco for supporting US part-

U

CHARGÉ d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava (left) turns over essential medical equipment for Zamboanga’s molecular testing center.

nerships, as she reaffirmed her country’s commitment to security cooperation in the area. Alumni from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative and Philippine Youth Leadership Program joined them, as the latter discussed activities undertaken by the US Government Alumni Association in Zamboanga City.

In 2020 Climaco participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program: “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive

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AMBASSADOR Evan Garcia (third from left) and the Philippine Mission in Geneva’s Jeffrey Valdez (rightmost), with the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s directors Amelia Dean, Evamay de la Rosa (first and second from left), Cheryl Ortega and Maria Teresa Camba (second and third from right). GENEVA PM

Diplomat visits 1st Filipino-owned food enterprise in South Africa

FIRST Secretary and Consul Maurice Tiempo (left photo, from left), Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja and Liwayway Food South Africa executives PRETORIA PE

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RETORIA—Part of their economic diplomacy program, Ambassador of the Philippines to South Africa Noralyn Jubaira Baja and embassy officials visited the manufacturing plant of Liwayway Food South Africa (Pty) Ltd. in Centurion, South Africa on May 17.

Liwayway Corp.’s South African Plant led by Operations Manager Kyle Sy, together with Filipino employees, warmly received the envoy and the embassy’s delegation. They toured the facility and were briefed

on the company’s operations and performance in South Africa. Top management also shared their plans on expanding operations to promote its diverse product line in the Southern African region.

Liwayway Food Company is the first Filipino-owned firm that invested in South Africa. It currently employs 250 South African nationals, produces the iconic Philippine snack food Pillows for South Africa and other neighboring African countries, which is marketed in the continent as Oozies.

Iranian envoy pays courtesy call on DFA undersecretary

ACTING Undersecretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (left) and Ambassador Alireza Tootoonchian DFA-OPCD/PHILIP ADRIAN FERNANDEZ

Approach to Preventing Terrorism in Southeast Asia,” which brought together mayors and other localgovernment officials to exchange best practices on counterterrorism.

Variava also toured the American Corner at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, which the school has been hosting since 1987. The space shares American culture with students and faculty, providing free access to American books, movies, programs, and information on US exchange opportunities.

Ambassador receives UN award for free Internet-access program in W. Mindanao

ENEVA—The Philippines was recognized by the International Telecommunication Union during the final week of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum at the ITU headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from May 30 to June 3.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) “#FreeWifi4All Program for Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA)” was awarded the WSIS Prize by the ITU under the Information and Communication Infrastructure Category. The project provided connectivity to the BASULTA area with 275 hotspots linked via the Zamboanga-Basilan Broadband Network, giving 2 million residents of the re-

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gion Internet access for education and crisis-communication services.

Ambassador Evan Garcia and Jeffrey Valdez of the Philippine Mission in Geneva, with the DICT’s Director Maria Teresa Camba, Directors Evamay de la Rosa, Cheryl Ortega and Amelia Dean accepted the award.

The WSIS Forum 2022 is the largest annual gathering of the ICT for community development. The WSIS Prize was created as a mechanism to showcase projects that leverage on ICT to advance sustainability. Last year the “Enabling Teachers on Remote Learning in the Time of the Pandemic” project of the DICT and the University of the Philippines Open University was shortlisted as a “champion project” under the Capacity Building category.

Japan’s NYK, San Miguel Corp., TDG lead Pasig, Tullahan Rivers rehab turnover rites

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MBASSADOR Kazuhiko K osh i k aw a joi ned Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) CEO Ramon Ang, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) CEO Hitoshi Nagasawa and Transnational Diversified Group (TDG) CEO Roberto Delgado for the Pasig and Tullahan River rehabilitation project turnover ceremony on June 6.

“I am both glad and proud that SMC and NYK-TDG made a bold stand against marine-pollution problems here in Metro Manila,” Koshikawa said in his speech.

“This particular project to rehabilitate the Pasig and Tullahan River systems will contribute not only to reducing plastic garbage, but also lessening the damage caused by flooding around Metro Manila.”

The ambassador continued: “As 70 percent of crew members of Japanese international-shipping lines are Filipino, I hope NYK’s dedication to promote a more intensified people-to-people exchange between Japan and the

NDERSECRETARY for Bilateral Relations and Asean Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro received Ambassador of Iran to the Philippines Alireza Tootoonchian in a courtesy call at the Department of Foreign Affairs Headquarters on May 27.

Lazaro and Tootoonchian discussed opportunities for cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, tourism, consular, as well as in multilateral issues.

The undersecretary also conveyed her appreciation for Iran’s assistance in facilitating the suc-

cessful visit of senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology, as well as experts from several Philippine universities to Iran last month. The visit was in accordance with the memorandum of understanding on Science and Technology Cooperation the two countries signed in 2019.

Meanwhile, the ambassador shared Iran’s interest in encouraging his compatriots to visit the Philippines for tourism.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitments to further bilateral relations between their countries.

German energy efficiency firms eye partners in local cold chain, cold storage industry

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ROMOTING energy-efficient technologies by supporting German companies exploring the local market and business partnerships, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) organized a virtual conference on Energy Efficiency in the Cold Chain Industry-Technologies and Solutions on May 17.

With the presentation of German firms and experts from the cold-chain and storage sector, the conference attracted 120 attendees.

The event was a part of GPCCI’s German business delegation under the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

“This business mission presents another opportunity for German businesses to explore the Philippine market and pursue partnerships that will strengthen its bilateral economic relations,” stated GPCCI Executive Director Christopher Zimmer. “We are also elated to see the interest and eagerness of the participating Philippine companies in engaging in the exploration of potential business opportunities with Germany, and we hope that this delegation will pave the way for more partnerships and cooperation for the two countries, es-

pecially in the cold-chain industry.”

The virtual business mission was an online conference, with over 50 business meetings for the German representation in the Philippines.

Anthony Dizon, chair of the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines, said the local cold-chain industry is projected to exhibit a continuing growth rate of 8 percent to 10 percent per annum in the next five years. With the enactment of new investment policies, the country is expected to gain interest from global players.

Dizon also stated that energy efficiency is a timely subject in the Philippines, given the recent implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, or Republic Act 11285. After listening to the presentations, he believes that German energy efficient technology and solutions are useful to the Philippine cold-chain industry, especially when it comes to complying with the aforementioned law.

The digital business mission consists of seven German companies, namely: C4CONSULT EffizienzNetzwerk, Eeaser GmbH, INDYON GmbH, Ingenieurbüro Meyer-Olbersleben, Hörmann Beijing Trading Co., Ltd., MIG mbH, Material Innovative Gesellschaft, and SolarNext AG.

EU supports DOJ’s digitization of prisoner records, contributes to prison decongestion

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ANG and Koshikawa

Philippines will set a precedent for more companies to follow.”

He also noted that the government of Japan is implementing a project through the United Nations Development Programme or UNDP that will monitor and evaluate plastic-waste pollution in the Pasig River using remote sensing from an artificial satellite, signifying Japan’s willingness to further tackle this issue in cooperation with the Philippine government.

NYK Line, one of Japan’s largest shipping companies, donated $1.5 million to SMC for the procurement of additional equipment needed for the cleanup project of the two waterways.

HE European Union recently turned over key informationtechnology (IT) equipment: laptops, webcams, high-speed digital scanners and biometric equipment worth P1.8 million to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), an agency of the Department of Justice, through the local delegation’s Governance in Justice Programme (GOJUST).

Said initiative will also fund the hiring of encoders to carry out the process of digitization for an estimated additional P4.8 million.

The turnover of IT tools happened on May 11, with a keynote address

by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra and a message by Ambassador Luc Véron.

“The EU has been a committed partner to the Philippines’s justicesector reform since 2006,” shared Véron. “Our engagement stems from the importance we attach to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. By working to strengthen institutions’ efficiency and effective-

ness in the delivery of justice services, we can help improve access to justice for all.”

The EU’s contribution will support the digitization of the paper carpetas, or folders containing institutional records of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). The work on paper carpetas is part of the implementation of the DOJ’s “Single Carpeta” System—a nationwide comprehensive case-monitoring and information-management system for the country’s correction facilities, which will ultimately contribute to prison decongestion.

Once the digitization project is completed, processing of early release for eligible PDLs will become faster and more efficient. By helping implement the “single carpeta,” GOJUST will also contribute to reducing the number of prisoners who are overstaying their sentence. Priority will be given to the digitization of the carpetas of PDLs in the Correctional Institution for Women.

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Parentlife BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Thursday, June 9, 2022

B5

Reducing pandemic-related harms to children

BY TAMMY CHANG | University of Michigan

A

S the Covid-19 pandemic extends into a third year, experts have gained a much better understanding of its consequences for the health and development of children and adolescents. They range from learning loss, mental health issues, housing and food insecurity, to contracting the virus itself.

We are a law professor who focuses on children’s rights and well-being and a practicing family physician who researches adolescent health. We and other researchers have found that over the past two years, governments have missed opportunities to better understand and address what young people have been going through as they navigate the pandemic.

A better understanding of the pandemic’s effects on young people is essential to developing policy responses that can address the breadth of harms children and adolescents are experiencing.

THE PANDEMIC’S IMPACTS ON CHILDREN RESEARCH has found that, on average, K-12 students fell behind by about five months in mathematics and four months in reading during the 2020-2021 school year compared with students before the pandemic. Many students lost the equivalent of half a year or more of learning, with students in low-income and majority-Black schools being hit hardest. This learning loss puts many students at risk of not finishing high school, and it jeopardizes their chances of attending college, all of which has adverse consequences for lifetime earning potential.

The pandemic has also adversely affected children’s mental health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 37 percent of high schoolers reported poor mental health and 44 percent reported that they “persistently felt sad or hopeless” during the pandemic. Other research, including a recent surgeon general’s advisory on young people’s mental health, has found higher rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness and other social-emotional issues among children since the pandemic.

Basic needs including food and housing have also been put at risk by the pandemic. Job losses, disruptions in school-based meal programs and other adverse impacts on families led to an increase in the number of families experiencing food insecurity, putting children at risk of being unable to get adequate nutrition for healthy development.

In addition, millions of children and their families have experienced housing insecurity. The Eviction Lab, which tracks evictions in six states and 31 US cities, reports that more than 939,000 evictions have occurred since March 2020. Even when families can stave off eviction, housing insecurity adversely affects children’s educational progress and well-being.

Finally, we know that many children have contracted Covid-19—more than 13 million by official counts—though research suggests the numbers are much higher.

CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN AND HEARD POLICYMAKERS frequently dismiss young people as too immature to participate in the “serious business” of policymaking. This attitude has persisted during the pandemic: Young people have seldom been consulted on public health policy changes that affect them directly, from schools to transportation to public parks. For example, most decisions regarding moves to virtual schooling and back to in-person learning were made without input from children— the very population most affected by these decisions.

This failure to engage young people stems largely from the conventional view that children and adolescents are “becomings,” not “beings”—that is, because they are developing, they lack maturity to make important decisions and thus should be “seen and not heard.”

However, we have learned through our own research and engagement with young people—as well as through other youth participation projects and reports—that this mindset is outdated and fails to recognize the knowledge young people’s lived experience offers. In our research and partnering with youths, we have found consistently that involving young people at all stages—from identifying issues to designing and implementing projects to developing policy recommendations— improves outcomes.

WHY CONSULTING WITH CHILDREN MATTERS THE United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes that young people have a right to be heard, and to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Research shows that that while young people may not want the burden of making the final decision, they do want a say in what happens in their lives and their communities.

Research has found that listening to and engaging young people helps adults better understand the

challenges children face. Giving young people meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives can lead to important insights about whether particular options will be effective and can help identify more promising solutions.

In addition, experience shows that involving youths in the development of policies and programs increases the likelihood of better buy-in from young

people on the final decisions. In turn, buy-in helps improve outcomes.

For example, while children may not be experts on education theory, they are the only ones alive today who have ever navigated school during a global pandemic. Their lived experience offers expertise that can help inform and improve policies and outcomes.

Moreover, involving young people now will help

them develop the skills they need to prepare for adulthood.

LISTEN, INVOLVE AND CREATE PATHWAYS OUR work suggests that there are various ways adults can partner with children on creating policies and programs during this pandemic, as well as in future public health crises. A few of these include: ■ Parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders can simply listen more often to children. This may best be done by “meeting them where they are,” which can include paying attention to what youths express on social media, to connecting with them through text messages or asking them more often how they are doing. Adults can ask them what they’re concerned about, what they want to see happen, or create supportive in-person and virtual groups.

■ Adults can actively involve young people in what is happening in their communities and engage them in responses to the pandemic in age-appropriate ways. There are good examples of children having an impact during the pandemic. With ideas originating from youths themselves, young people have taken on leadership roles in their communities, leveraging their skills to do everything from producing mask extenders for health-care workers to starting a food delivery business to aid elderly community members.

■ Schools, communities and policymakers can create permanent pathways for young people to participate in developing and implementing policies—and don’t have to wait for a pandemic to do it. In Colorado, the Growing Up Boulder initiative has successfully engaged young people on a breadth of policy issues including transportation, urban planning, housing and parks-related projects.

All three examples—from regular, informal checkins with youths to official youth commissions—can enable policymakers, parents, teachers and other adults to learn from young people and partner with them to develop more effective responses to the pandemic or any other issue.

THE CONVERSATION

The secret to not breaking the bank and keeping fur babies healthy DID you know that owning a dog in the Philippines roughly costs P12,000 to P50,000 in a year? This means providing the right essentials like food, regular check-ups with your vet, grooming, but also preparing for contingencies.

Whether you’re an experienced pet parent or a newly christened one, taking care of another living being can take a big chunk out of your finances. As a responsible pet owner, you need to plan ahead for what your fur baby might need because the commitment to look after them is long term.

But fret not: in a time where one can avail of services with just a tap or a click, you can also keep your pet (and your finances) ready for whatever happens so you have one less thing to worry about.

Founded by pet parents with a similar dilemma,

Life By Petto is the first app-based pet health plan service that provides affordable subscriptions to support health and wellness services from partner veterinarians, clinics and hospitals within Metro Manila. Life by Petto aims to provide preventive and quality care for your pets, especially since there is a gap in the local market for pet health and wellness services—despite the massive increase in pet owners in recent years.

The app can be downloaded at App Store and Google Play. For only P1,200 a month, you can get Life by Petto’s basic health plan that covers your pet’s primary health and wellness needs including diagnostics, vaccines, common illnesses, and accidents—services that most pets and their owners would greatly benefit from.

Want more customized coverage? My Petto Plan Add-ons also let owners top-up their basic plan to cover additional services including minor to major surgeries, like dental or spay/neuter services, cancer treatment, hospitalization, and other non-common illnesses. Life by Petto accepts cats and dogs from three months onwards, no matter the breed (yes, aspins and puspins included), and as long as they’re in good health upon registration.

Through the app, you can customize the plan you want for your fur babies (and, yes, you can get multipet plans), manage your balance, check available vet clinics, and file claims whenever and wherever you are.

More information is available at www.lifebypetto. com.

Let’s discover our child’s digital world: Part III

LET me continue with my son’s speech at school that I shared last week, where he wanted to defend why his playing online games was actually a good thing.

“Did you know when video games were created

by William Higinbotham, there was no intention of it help[ing] kids in school? Studies have shown that video games can help kids in many ways...not just educationally but also in social skills, and make them interested in many occupations. One of the reasons gaming can help kids in school is that 70 percent of gamers play with other people and the other 30 percent play alone.

This can help kids have better social skills because gaming is a highly social activity. It can also help kids understand gadgets that we use now in quarantine.

This is one of the reasons that younger generations are more interested and know how to work with gadgets better than other generations.

“Today, I want to tell all of you here that video games actually have value in the lives of the youth. To my fellow students here, video games can help you in school because these can help you relate with other

people, boost your understanding of math and science as well as your memory, and help you become more interested in possible future jobs.

“First, video games can help kids improve their social skills. One reason according to videogames.ord. au is that a lot of video games are team-based which means that the video game can include other people or your friends. This can help you to experience things that you can’t learn in school. For example, if you are in a team there will be a person who can lead the team to victory. This can develop leadership skills outside of video games.

“Another reason is that if you play video games with other people, it can expand friendships and help you meet friends that you can trust in real life.

Many of my very good friends came from playing video games with them. I also have made very good friends in other grades, such as the grade below and above me.

“Second, video games can help them study and memorize better in subjects, such as math and science. There are many examples of video games that can improve one’s study and memorization skills.

One example is Minecraft. It is a very popular video game that allows you to build things using weapons, items and blocks, because there are many ways you can play, [and what you build and how you build it] can make school projects very unique. Video games could also [help improve memorization]. Many video games have a lot of cosmetics, items, weapons, etc., and you need to know [and remember] what each one does.

One example is Fortnite—there are a lot of weapons and items that make the game fun but you need to know what item does what, so it makes you want to memorize these things so you can have even more

fun, and with many updates there are more items that you need to memorize. This could be a very good habit that kids could adapt.

“Third, video games can make kids interested in a variety of jobs or occupations. Many parents think that video games cannot interest kids in jobs but there are multiple web sites and articles that say [otherwise]. One example is a career in music, because the majority of gamers, [including] kids, know how to edit videos and many videos have music in them. This could inspire them to explore playing an instrument. Another example is for kids to be interested in becoming an animator or artist.

Many gamers now also know how to design or make artworks online.

“In conclusion, video games can help kids in studies, social skills, and interest them in occupations in the future.... Thank you for listening to my talk and I hope that you now have a more positive view of video games and how they can affect kids in good ways.”

Now that my son is 12, I realize it was good that we had our consistent one-on-one times, and that I have continually been open to his thoughts to appreciate the upside of video games. Today, he would take time out to find YouTube videos so I can understand the rules of his latest game. He is able to organize his thoughts and tell me the story or origin of the characters.

In the end, it is enlightening to discover that screen time can actually be a great socio-emotional learning tool if we as parents become pro-active in using this to develop their communication skills—and appreciate how this provides opportunities to understand and bond with our children. ■

PHOTO BY LISANTO ON UNSPLASH

B6 Thursday, June 9, 2022

Savoy Hotel Mactan offers ‘Feast for Heroes’

BSP, BFAR, USAID and BDO Foundation launch financial literacy game for fishers

BENEFICIARIES of the financial education program for fisherfolk welcomed the donation of more than 100 kits of the Fish N’ LEarn game developed by BSP, BFAR, USAID Fish Right and BDO Foundation

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HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Fish Right Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and BDO Foundation have collaborated for the development of an innovative training intervention designed to help improve the financial literacy of more than 1.9 million fishers across the country.

In commemoration of Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month this May and in support of the Department of Agriculture’s mission to achieve Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita, the partners launched Fish N’ LEarn in an event organized by BFAR as part of the financial education program for fisherfolk, the partnership project of the aforementioned organizations.

The event was led by BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, BSP Economic and Financial Learning Office Director Maria Farah Angka, BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona, USAID Fish Right Chief of Party Nygiel Armada, and BDO Foundation President Mario Deriquito.

Lauding the partnership of government

agencies, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to enhance the economic well-being of underserved sectors of society, Deriquito remarked, “Sana po ay maipalaganap natin sa mga mangingisda at kanilang mga pamilya ang wastong paghawak ng pera. Gamit ang game kits na ipinagkakaloob natin sa BFAR, inaasahan po namin na maraming mangingisda ang maaabot nito sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng ating bansa. Sa ngalan po ng BDO Foundation, nais kong magpasalamat sa ating mga kabalikat sa proyektong ito na Fish N’ LEarn.”

Co-developed by BSP, BFAR, USAID Fish Right and BDO Foundation, Fish N’ LEarn is a game that makes financial literacy lessons engaging for fishers and their families. Through the game, beneficiaries are expected to learn lessons on saving, budgeting, financial planning, expanding sources of income, debt management, entrepreneurship and insurance. Also embedded in the teaching tool are ways the target audience can conserve their source of livelihood by preventing the depletion of marine resources.

The launch of Fish N’ LEarn was

highlighted by the ceremonial turn over of 110 game kits to leaders of fishing communities.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, fisherfolk leader Rodolfo Rondon graciously welcomed efforts to support the financial future of Filipino fishers: “Kami po ay buong pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyong walang sawang pagtulong para maiangat ang kabuhayan ng sektor ng mangingisda. Umasa po kayo na ang inyong tulong ay hindi namin sasayangin. Ito’y aming mamahalin.”

Tomas Payumo, who heads a group of fishers in Pampanga, added, “Sa BSP, BFAR, USAID, at BDO Foundation, marami pong salamat sa suporta ninyo sa mga mangingisda.”

Supportive of BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, the financial education program for fisherfolk complements existing initiatives of the Department of Agriculture that help improve the financial literacy, productivity and income-generating capability of fishers. The initiatives help beneficiaries break the cycle of poverty and contribute to the government’s efforts to support low-income households.

Treat yourself with extra accessories of comfort with Serta pillows

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FTER a tiring day at work, it’s always nice to treat yourself with something good – a comfort food, a body massage or much better yet, a good sleep. Sleep plays an important role in our health as this allows our body and mind to recharge, leaving us refreshed and alert when we wake up for another day.

Sleeping in a healthy way helps our body to stay healthy and away from diseases. It also helps our brain function properly as it removes toxic byproducts we gain during awake time. But what if sleeping becomes a challenge, what can we do?

While insomnia tops the list of sleeping disorders in the world, professional also identified five other sleep disorders that have been increasingly causing an alarm to many people. The list includes sleep related breathing disorders, central disorders of hypersomnolence, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, parasomnias, and sleep related movement disorders. In the Philippines, experts identified that about 10 million Filipinos are experiencing sleep

disorders. The lack of sleep has been a major contributor to mental health problem that’s been affecting many people, young and adult.

The world’s leading sleep innovator and provider of comfort, SERTA, highlights the importance of having the perfect set of tools to achieve a restful and healthy rest. Aside from having the best mattress, which provides various health benefits to your mind, body and even soul while you sleep, having been surrounded by pillows that add comfort and function to your resting body will also allow you to achieve that healthy sleep quality you need every single day.

With each bed accessory made to add further convenience to our body as we rest, Serta highlights its Nanogel and Bolster Ball

Fiber Pillows that are set to give that cloud-like softness and comfort our tired body needs. Serta’s Nanogel Pillows offer a 100% cotton sateen dobby with 300 thread counts for ultimate softness and smoothness. Each pillow carries solid fiber that weighs about 1500 grams.

Aside from the comfort it provides, Seta’s Nanogel Pillows share a good head and neck support, thanks to its outer layer of silicone gel on the fiber, which creates toughness when each fiber overlaps with other fibers.

Meanwhile, Serta’s Ball Fiber Pillows are 100% cotton with 200 thread counts and contain ball-shaped fibers that are designed with a spiral shape for better volume and air circulation. Made to pamper you with maximum comfort and softness, this type of pillow has a very thin layer of polyester fiber with a siliconized outer layer for a longlasting and smooth experience.

To know more, visit https://serta. com.ph/ or follow Serta Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

More Metro Retail Stores receive DTI’s Bagwis Seals of Excellence

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STORE Manager Richard Ordillo and Floor Supervisor Felicidad Antisoda (center) holding the gold seals. They are flanked by (from left) DTI Consumer Protection Division (CPD) Support Staff John Paulo G. Panerio and Division Chief Lilibeth R. Chavez; HR officer Jennielyn Iglesia; Fresh Supervisor Albert Nuñez; Warehouse HR Manager Martina AguilMontalban; Store Nurse Mesielina Visaya; Dept. Selling Supervisor Celina Belotindos; and Cavite DTI Provincial Director Revelyn A. Cortez.

WO Metro Retail Stores in Luzon have joined the ranks of branches that have been granted the Bagwis Seals of Excellence by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Metro Imus in Cavite recently earned Gold Bagwis Awards for its Supermarket and Department Stores, in recognition of their compliance with the DTI’s fair trade laws, efficiency in customer relations and operational management, excellence in social commitment and responsibility, and adherence to quality management standards.

Meanwhile, Metro Angeles at the MarQuee Mall in Pampanga received two Silver Bagwis Awards, likewise under the DTI’s Department Store and Supermarket categories.

Other branches in Luzon that have earned the prestigious citation include Metro Market! Market! in Taguig, while branches in the Visayas include Metro Ayala Center Cebu, Metro Colon, Metro Mandaue, Super Metro Lapu-Lapu, Super Metro Bogo, Metro Fresh & Easy Mactan, Metro Carmen, Metro Banilad, and Super Metro Carcar.

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XPRESS your appreciation for the main man in your lives as Savoy Café curated an indulgent feast this coming Father’s Day. Located at the ground floor of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, bring your daddy’s day-out bonding over gastronomic feast serving Filipino specialty dishes prepared by its Executive Chef June Fernandez.

From appetizers to desserts, let him enjoy this sumptuous feast featuring Cebuano Porchetta Roasted Beef, Chicken Galantina, Pork Adobo, Manok Inasal, Pork Humba, Beef Kare-Kare and a lot more.

Enjoy these delish treats for only Php1,000 nett per person plus avail the special rate of Php850 nett per person for family members who will book for an early reservation between May 28 to June 10, 2022. Children 6 years old and below dine for FREE while kids 7 to 12 years old get 50%OFF. To complete the celebration, Dad will also get a complimentary bottle of beer at Patio Al Fresco Bar and may get a chance to take home a special watch from Timex Philippines on the raffle draw.

For more information, you may contact us through +032 494 4000 / +63 917 854

Executive Chef June Fernandez 0739 or email fbservice@savoymactan.com.

You may also follow us on our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) at Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown | Facebook / @savoymactannewtown / Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.

UN Philippines celebrates World Bicycle Day at SM

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NITED Nations Philippines recently celebrated World Bicycle Day with a Fun Bike Ride around the SM Mall of Asia. Joining the ride were around 250 cyclists from UN Philippines; the embassies of the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Indonesia, Netherlands and Poland; and cycling advocacy groups including Firefly Brigade, to highlight the bicycle as a healthy, sustainable and inclusive means of transportation.

Attending the celebration were United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo Gonzalez, Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin, SM Mall of Asia Senior Assistant Vice-President Perkin So, Pasay City Mayor’s Chief of Staff Peter Pardo, and French Ambassador Michèle Boccoz.

Caviteños celebrate love for food at the Grab Cavite Caravan

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HEN there is good food, Filipinos will surely be there! Southeast Asia’s leading superapp Grab goes to different areas of the Philippines to gather and celebrate their best local food choices with Grab Caravan. After a successful leg in Rizal on May 14, the Grab Caravan visited Cavite recently Grab Caravan using #CavEATe. The second leg of the Grab Caravan was held at Main Square Mall Activity Center, Bacoor, Cavite. Caviteño foodies got a bite of crowd-favorite food in one place, such as Korean food, Mozzarella bites, pizza, milk tea, popcorn, and green smoothies from Eomma Korean Foodie, Chizmozza, California Pizza Kitchen, Angel's Pizza Express, Chachago, Taters, and Go! Salads!

As the Caviteños eat their favorites, they enjoyed the program filled with music, prizes, games, and more!

Serenading them was RJ Jimenez, singer and guitarist who gained popularity from

reality show Pinoy Dream Academy.

Exclusive Grab promos were also made available all throughout the day for on-ground attendees and nearby customers.

Uniting more Filipinos for their love of food, Grab is also bringing the celebration to other cities! The Grab Caravan will soon be visiting Cebu and Pampanga in the coming months, so watch for updates as Grab continues to celebrate Filipinos’ love for food!

Follow Grab on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or visit grab.com.ph. for more details.

EVENT host Tanya Chinita

Max Mara opens its first store in Greenbelt, Makati

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AX Mara is pleased to announce the opening of its first store inside the well-known shopping mall, Greenbelt in Manila.

Placed in the financial centre of the capital, Makati, Greenbelt features a sprawling huge garden amidst an outstanding shopping and dining paradise: it is the best destination for luxury shopping in the city.

The new Max Mara store features around 100 square metres of show space, with one window on the inside of the mall and a glass facade with lightbox on the external side. It overlooks the main road, Makati Avenue at the entrance of Greenbelt mall.

Existing architectural elements of the

building, such as vaulted ceilings and a skylight, naturally embellish the rooms and interact with the Max Mara’s Italian heritage and contemporary spirit.

A well balanced mix of strain gré, brass, metal, oak wood, and colourful marbles, creates a welcoming atmosphere across the main living area, which is beautifully centred by a column in raw stone. Finally, sophisticated furnishings from leading Italian design brands make the new store evoke Max Mara’s fundamental brand values of Italian craftsmanship and timeless construction.

The Max Mara store shows the latest collections including Max Mara mainline, ‘S Max Mara and offers a selection of accessories.

MAX Mara is now in the Philippines at Greenbelt 3 at Esperanza St. cor. Makati Ave., Ayala Center, Makati City.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Experts advise public to be vigilant about monkeypox

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By Rory Visco Contributor

e all know what chickenpox is. It is that highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) that can cause an itchy, blister-like rash on the chest, back, and face, and eventually the entire body.

But now here comes that monkeypox virus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) in May reported several cases in 12 countries across three WHO regions—Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the USA. The agency already reported a disease outbreak in order to raise awareness about this virus.

What is Monkeypox?

It’s a disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. Being a “zoonotic” disease, it means that it can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected animal or with another person through lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets or materials such as clothing or beddings contaminated with the virus.

It’s not necessarily a new virus since it’s been endemic in several countries in Africa for many years now but surprisingly, the virus cropped up in non-endemic countries as reported by the WHO. Should the Philippines be alarmed of this new virus, considering that the country is still in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic? Since there are also Filipino workers in Africa, should they be informed about the risks?

More info For Dr. Enrique “Eric” Tayag, Epidemiologist and Public Health Expert, Director IV of the Department of Health-Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service IV (DOH-KMITS), said that monkeys cannot be the natural reservoir of the MPXV since the natural history of the monkeypox is still unclear.

However, he cited examples of animals that may look cute, harmless and fun to be with, but may harbor the MPXV, such as the squirrel, the dormice, and the giant Gambian pouch rat. It seems the natural reservoirs of the MPXV, he said, are from the family of rodents, citing the prairie dog, which was implicated in the 2003 monkeypox outbreak in the United States.

Monkeypox is also quite difficult to spot. “Unless you report and notify health authorities and consequent epidemiologic intervention is done then you will never know for sure,” Dr. Tayag explained during the recent “Stop Covid Deaths” webinar organized by the University of the Philippines in partnership with the UP Manila NIH National Telehealth Center and in cooperation with UP Philippine General Hospit a l ( U P-PGH), a nd t it led “Monkey pox: Dapat bang matakot?” However, he mentioned that a

single confirmed case in a country where monkeypox is not endemic is already an outbreak.

The incubation period for monkeypox, he said, is from seven to 17 days, with a quarantine period of 21 days. The case, he said, remains infectious until the scabs fall off, though he cited some cases that remained infectious even after the scabs have fallen off. He also emphasized the importance that once a case is detected, contact tracing should be done immediately. “Better yet, report any unexpected rash, whether yours or from someone you may have contact with, to health authorities such as the Department of Health Epidemiological Bureau or the regional or local Epidemiology and Surveillance units.”

Not an international concern So, is monkeypox already a pandemic? The WHO Director General, he said, has not yet declared the monkeypox outbreaks as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern since it is present in only two continents.

For Dr. Joseph Adrian Buensalido, Clinical Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine of UP-PGH, said that we don’t have to be scared yet of the monkeypox. He said that though there are common symptoms, some may remain asymptomatic. There are also risk factors for severe illness, particularly among children, those with weak immune systems, those with invasive route of infection, or those infected with the Congo Basin clade variant, which Dr. Buensalido said has a higher mortality rate.

He also cited protective measures, particularly prior smallpox vaccination that provides up to 85 percent of protection. Treatment is mainly supportive and should target the symptoms such as fever and pain management through paracetamol since eventually, the immune system will beat the monkeypox disease. “Stud-

ies are also being done on specific antiviral treatments, but nothing is definite yet.”

Dr. Buensalido emphasized, however, that rehydration therapy and nutritional support are important.

Protective measures Dr. Merrill Van Yu, Adult Infectious Diseases Fellow, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine of the UP-PGH, emphasized that the protective measures against monkeypox should it become a concern in the country. To prevent transmission of monkeypox in the hospitals, contact, droplets and airborne precautions should be instituted such as wearing of protective equipment such as face masks or even face shields to protect against splatters, and frequent washing of hands. Contaminated linen and clothing should be collected and bagged before the room is cleaned based on standards in the cleaning of an isolation room.

For those in home isolation, Dr. Yu said persons with symptoms should avoid skin to skin or face-to-face contact, including sexual activity, wear long clothing to cover skin lesions, isolate in a separate room, and wear a surgical mask for those with respiratory symptoms, and stay home except when going to the hospital for follow-up medical care.

“Right now, we may be recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, but we still have to be vigilant and careful because there might be another one coming,” Dr. Yu said.

So, should we really be scared of the monkeypox? Dr. Tayag said that it is also good that the public is scared a little because it can help make people be more cautious and make efforts to be properly informed. “There is zero monkeypox case in the country so let’s make it stay that way by listening to correct information coming from the country’s health experts and authorities.”

SMFI to continue medical missions, wellness projects at grassroots level

By Leony R. Garcia

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uring calamities, SM is one of the first responders that provide immediate relief to affected individuals and families. Through its cor porate social good arm, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), SM activates Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) as the need arises.

When Super Typhoon Odette devastated the Visayas and Mindanao and left thousands homeless in December 2021, SMFI, together with SM Supermalls, SM Markets, and other SM affiliates and partners, immediately mobilized its relief operations in over 35 barangays in Butuan, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Palawan. The foundation gave out Kalinga packs, which consisted of rice, bottled water, and other basic essentials.

Indeed, to say that SM’s humanitarian response is already part of its culture is an understatement. The company has always been extending a helping hand to those in need, especially in grassroots communities.

As a company that has been committed to social good, it is part of SMFI’s vision to engage its employees through volunteerism. Volunteer employees can give back by spreading social good in the

communities where they personally live and work.

SM’s help, however, does not stop there. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, SM was the first to donate PPEs, face masks, and alcohol to the country’s medical frontliners. Later on, it donated medical equipment like ventilators and X-ray machines to hospitals and Covid-19 facilities.

Hospital supplies

Connie Angeles, Senior Assistant Vice President and Executive Director for Health, SMFI put it this way, “SM did their part in looking after not only the communities but the whole country.

In fact, during the pandemic, we really looked for the hospitals that needed our help. We noted the number of frontliners in the hospitals and we sent them the supplies that they needed.”

Angeles said that in all her 22 years as head of the health and medical programs of SMFI and more than 40 years in the public service through the TV show Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko, this was the first time for her to witness the devastation Covid-19 caused on the Filipino people.

“This pandemic, which affected the entire world, was hard to understand.

One day you see people you know who

are strong and healthy. The next day, you hear that they have died because of Covid. It reached the point that there were so many casualties and so many patients who required hospitalization. Even the owner of the hospital, who happens to be a friend, could not accommodate SMFI’s request. This is the reality of Covid. You will just find out that someone you know died in the parking lot because he could not be accommodated in the hospital,” Angeles said.

Inspiration

Thanks to the inspiration of the Sy family, Angeles said she and her staff were able to overcome their fear of contracting Covid-19.

“They keep asking us what we can do and what we can give. I’m grateful to the Lord that I’m part of this company because I can see how they cared for our employees, the communities and the families. SMFI did its share of conducting free Covid tests for the employees and providing medicines for the sick.

And I’m proud to say, that we were able to establish a temporary Covid facility for everyone,” she said.

Prior to the pandemic, the foundation renovated over 170 government and public hospitals many of which were uti-

DOH warns of increase in leptospirosis cases

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he rainy season can bring about a potential increase in the number of leptospirosis cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The bacterium that causes the disease can be spread through flood water, especially through wounds or breaks in the skin.

On June 1, the DOH reported that there were 631 leptospirosis cases from

January 1 to May 7, 2022.

Cumulatively, the number of casesthis year are six percent percent higher compared to the reported cases during the same period in 2021 (596).

Weekly cases were generally lower at the start of this year.

Higher number

However, the 338 leptospirosis cases

reported during the period March 13 to April 30, 2022 (or Morbidity Weeks 1117) were 193 percent higher when compared to the same period in 2021 (115).

From April 10 to May 7, 2022, where 154 cases were recorded, most of the cases were also from the same regions, with the following distribution: Region VI with 31 (20 percent) Region II with 23 (15 percent) NCR with 20 (13 percent)

lized during the pandemic to treat minor injuries and check-up for senior citizens.

The foundation was able to fully utilize its five mobile clinics located at the NCR, Visayas, and Mindanao, to help Filipinos.

“I’m so proud of the mobile clinics that we have because we give the complete dose of prescribed medicines and antibiotics after the checkup. Among other procedures, our mobile clinics do cholesterol counts, CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasounds. We don’t charge, everything is free of charge,” she said.

“For the past 10 years, SMFI conducted monthly medical missions all around the Philippines. The foundation hopes to be back to our usual schedules so we can extend medical assistance to our countrymen,” Angeles concluded.

Indeed, the former child star who rose to fame by playing the youngest sister of showbiz superstar Vilma Santos in “Trudis Liit” has come a long way. She entered politics in the 1990s and became a twoterm councilor and then the second female Vice Mayor of Quezon City.

Today, she remains to be the face of the longest-running public service show, Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko. Although she has long retired from government service, Angeles said, she shall be forever a public servant at heart through SMFI.

Regions II, V, VI, VIII, and CAR show case increases in the recent four morbidity weeks of April 10 to May 7, 2022.

The DOH reminded the public to avoid leptospirosis by staying dry and avoid wading in flood water.

“If it cannot be avoided, use sealed footwear like waterproof boots, and ask your doctor or health care provider about how to properly take post-exposure medicine after being exposed to flood waters, and if you get any signs or symptoms like fever or headache,” the DOH said. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Thursday, June 9, 2022 B7

Achieving diabetes resilience through lifestyle change, medical technologies

By Edwin P. Sallan

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lready considered as one of the leading causes of death on a global scale according to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is also not surprisingly a major health concern in the Philippines.

According to data from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the Philippines ranks behind China, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand among Western Pacific countries with the most number of diabetes patients. The IDF also revealed that 6.3 percent of the country’s adult population are afflicted with the chronic condition that over time takes an enduring physical, emotional and mental toll among families and communities.

There is still no known cure but with numerous complications that often include irreversible damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys and nerves, it is imperative for patients living with diabetes to properly and constantly manage the condition to prevent its devastating consequences.

In a recent interview with BM Health & Fitness, endocrinologist Dr. Juan Maria Ibarra Co from the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center Diabetes Center discussed how adopting lifestyle changes and diabetes technologies can help patients and families impacted by diabetes to build resilience to the condition.

Optimal outcomes

As defined by the Mayo Clinic, diabetes resilience involves achieving optimal diabetes outcomes despite the condition’s challenges.

Living with diabetes is a constant balancing act that involves not only the usual medications but also the proper diet and exercise to control the patient’s blood sugar and ward off complications. With healthier lifestyle choices and a positive mindset, diabetes resilience has been known to lower A1C levels which is an indicator of better diabetes control.

Dr. Co noted that when doctors, especially endocrinologists like himself, fully explain what diabetes is all about and what will happen to them if they do not properly manage their condition, many patients are then motivated to make the necessary lifestyle changes.

Unfortunately, many diabetes patients don’t realize that they need to sustain the changes they make as once diagnosed with diabetes, managing the condition is something they need to do for the rest of their life.

“Patients become afraid of the complications for a while, and then they do change their lifestyle. They start to eat healthier, they become more physically active and eventually lose weight.

But as time goes by, they stop those good habits and start going back to their old ways, their old habits,” Dr. Co lamented.

Because of this tendency, Dr. Co, who takes inspiration from the best-selling book, Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear underscores the importance of having a firm resolve not just for the diabetes patients but also for family members that comprise their support system.

“It’s really just a matter of thinking long term from the very start. You need to understand that you need to avoid sugary foods for the rest of your life. And no matter how busy you are with work, you need to find time to exercise on a regular basis. If you’re a smoker and drink alcohol, you need to eliminate them, too. And of course, you need to take your prescribed medicines to maintain healthy blood sugar levels,” he further pointed out.

30-day challenge

To further drive home the point where lifestyle changes and diabetes technologies can help build diabetes resilience, Dr. Co talked about his own involvement in

the 30-Day Challenge conducted

by Abbott Laboratories last year.

The challenge, which emphasized nutrition counseling, continuous glucose monitoring and nutrition supplements resulting in four out of five participants experiencing a significant reduction in their glucose levels.

“As you may remember, the Covid-19 pandemic was already upon us so a lot of us have neglected our lifestyle behaviors during that time. We’ve been eating too much. Whatever food is available at home, even if our choices are unhealthy. We’re not exercising as much because of the pandemic because of the stay-at-home orders,” Dr. Co recalled.

“But now that things have started to settle down, maybe now is the time to start to rethink our health and start concentrating on getting healthier again. We should be starting to visit our physicians again and to get screened for diseases and live a healthy lifestyle. Within the framework of Abbott’s 30-day challenge, those unhealthy and bad vices that we developed during the pandemic including poor choice of food and lack of physical activity can be fixed by simply eating right, exercise more and maybe even lose weight if you’re overweight.”

Even with the limitations and restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Dr. Co and many of his fellow endocrinologists personally found the time to attend to patients and to continue to remind them to keep their focus on managing their diabetes.

“Communication is very essential. We offered online consultation and telemedicine very early during the pandemic. My patients are lucky because all my patients got my personal cellphone which is written right in my prescription.

So during the pandemic when they couldn’t come to the clinic, they will be texting me, ‘Doc, how can we consult with you?’ I do have an online telemedicine practice so we were able to have these consultations even though patients could not personally come to the clinics,” he shared.

Glucose monitoring

Since Dr. Co did not get to see his patients as often he would have wanted, taking laboratory tests was also not easy since people don’t want to go out during the pandemic. What really helped them more was glucose monitoring devices that allowed them to constantly check their blood sugar levels at home.

Whether it was those usual glucometers that require fingerpricking or Abbott’s Freestyle Libre, a revolutionary sensor-based, pain-free and continuous glucose monitoring system that does away with fingerpricking, constant monitoring of blood sugar levels will allow doctors like Dr. Co to give or adjust prescriptions and give online advice that are of invaluable help to diabetes patients.

In addition to breakthrough technologies like Freestyle Libre, aggressive research has resulted in more treatment options than ever for diabetes.

“Because diabetes is a rapidly evolving field, there’s always something new that comes out that is introduced in our once or twice-a-year conventions. A lot of companies are putting out research on diabetes because there are really a lot of diabetes patients here in the Philippines. In recent years, we’ve seen the development of diabetes drugs that not only regulate blood sugar levels but also decrease the rate of cardiovascular as well as reduce mortality and kidney failure.”

“The management of diabetes in recent years has indeed vastly improved. There was a time when the only goal is to lower your high blood sugar. Now, our targets also include addressing the risks of heart and renal failure in general to reduce the clinical complications of diabetes, rather than just looking at the lab results and numbers,” Dr. Co concluded.

Sports

Ramos lone representative in world tilt

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OSE JEAN RAMOS will be the lone Filipino competitor in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth World Championships set from June 11 to 18 in Leon, Mexico.

Ramos, a neighbor of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz in Barangay Mampang in Zamboanga City, will try to duplicate the two gold medals she won in last October’s championships in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

She’s again competing in the girls’ 45-kg class.

“I will try to bring honor to our country again,” the 16-year-old weightlifter told BusinessMirror on Wednesday while in a layover at the Narita Airport in Japan. “This is also for my parents and brothers and sisters.”

Ramos is accompanied by her younger sister, Vietnam Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist Rosegie, and trainer Allen Diaz.

“She has a strong chance of winning a gold medal there. I believe she can duplicate what she did last October,” Allen Diaz, a cousin of Hidilyn Diaz, said.

Ramos will face weightlifters from Venice, Egypt, Poland and host Mexico.

Ramos dominated the Saudi tournament last year with a 147 kgs total lift, beating opponents from Poland, Spain and. Josef Ramos

Oftana lifts R’Warriors against Dyip

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ALVIN OFTANA put on a fourth-quarter show to help lift NLEX to a 105-102 comefrom-behind win over Terrafirma on Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Oftana scored 18 of his 20 points— he went 9 of 9 from the foul line—in the final quarter as the Road Warriors clawed back from a 25-41 second-half deficit to turn the tables around the the Dyip. He also grabbed five rebounds.

“Calvin Oftana is a true NCAA MVP,” said NLEX guard Kevin Alas of his teammate. “He brought us instant offense when it mattered most.”

Oftana, a former National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player with the San Beda Red Lions, was 1 of 7 from the field before his fourth-quarter explosion He engineered a 13-4 run that turned an 80-all deadlock to a 93-84 NLEX cushion capped by an Alas layup with five minutes remaining.

But Terrafirma didn’t yield easily and threatened at 102-103 with four second to go behind Ed Daquioag’s trey and Juami Tiongson’s technical free throw.

The Road Warriors secured the win with a defensive stop that forced Joshua Munzon to turn the ball over on the Dyip’s last offensive.

Alas led the Road Warriors with 24 points and six assists, while Jay-R Quiñahan added 18 points and Don Trollano made 15 points. Justin Chua had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds also for NLEX. “I’m very happy with the way we won the game. We knew how competitive Terrafirma is,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, who had Kiefer Ravena cheering the team from the bench.

Aldrech Ramos and Juami Tiongson scored 18 points each for the Dyip while Munzon got 15 points.

Josef Ramos

TERRAFIRMA’S Joseph Gabayni is trapped

by NLEX’s Celedonio Trollano (8) and Kevin Alas.

NONOY LACZA

BusinessMirror

B8

| Thursday, June 9, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

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NUMBERS FAVOR GSW IN GAME 3

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OSTON—Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors have no problem playing on the road.

The Celtics, meanwhile, haven’t been lights-out in Boston during these playoffs.

As the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals shift to TD Garden for Wednesday’s Game 3 with the series tied at 1, the Celtics ought to have the advantage, but recent numbers suggest otherwise. Boston is 5-4 at home and 8-3 on the road this postseason.

The Warriors, meanwhile, have won at least one away game in 26 consecutive playoff series.

“We always know how to find a way to win games no matter what style it is, high scoring, low scoring, defensive battle, shootout, whatever it is,” Golden State guard Stephen Curry said. “We find another level of grit and determination, just an ability to find a way to get it done. Being in hostile environments, you get tested, you get pushed. Our experience kind of shows at the right time.”

The previous 39 times teams have split the first two games of the Finals, the winner of Game 3 has gone on to win the series 82.1 percent of the time (32-7).

“I think just our playoff experience, our guys understand the importance of making sure you don’t let your guard down in that first (road) playoff game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We know they’re going to bring a level of physicality that we brought last game. We got to be prepared for that.”

The Warriors rediscovered their defensive toughness in their Game 2 win, limiting Boston to a playofflow 88 points. They also forced the Celtics into 19 turnovers. Boston is 1-5 in these playoffs when it’s had 16 turnovers or more—with 15 or fewer giveaways, the Celtics are 12-2.

“Unforced at times, but also overpenetrating. Have to have carryover

and consistency in that area,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “That kind of tells a story.”

Boston guard Marcus Smart said the Celtics need to match the intensity of Golden State’s Draymond Green, who got into a pair of skirmishes—first with Grant Williams and then with Jaylen Brown—that seemed to fuel his team.

“You respond to fire with fire, right?” Smart said. “We’ve just got to turn around and do the same thing. If he’s going to come in here and try to be physical, this is our house and we’ve got to protect it.”

NO WORRIES

KLAY THOMPSON doesn’t want anybody to worry about him.

The Warriors sharpshooter has struggled thus far this series, going 10 of 33 from the field and 4 of 15 from three-point range.

But he trusts that his routine and history will shake him from his latest slump. That, and watching some of his old highlights.

“That’s the beauty of playing in today’s age. You can go on YouTube and look up all your great moments,” he said.

His searches of choice?

“Probably just YouTube ‘Game 6 Klay’ because there were some very high-pressurized situations I was in,” Thompson said. “I ended up shooting the ball well. When you can do it when your back is against the wall, you can do it at any given moment. It’s just about keeping that mental strong.”

INJURY UPDATES

STEVE KERR said Andre Iguodala, who sat out Game 2 with inflammation in his right knee, is

THE Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green exchanges words with the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (7) during the second quarter of Game 2. AP questionable for Game 3. Iguodala played 12 minutes in Game 1, his first time on the floor since the Warriors’ opening-round series against Denver.

For Boston, Robert Williams III is on track to play after Smart inadvertently fell into his surgically repaired left knee in the third quarter of Game 2. Williams has had to adjust

Japanese, Thais train in earnest for VNL tourney

his approach while playing just 10 weeks after surgery.

“Just adding a little more technique, a little more thinking to the game,” he said. “Obviously...with the injury that I have, not being as explosive as I normally am. A little more physicality, using my body a little bit more.” AP

APAN and Thailand have already settled down in the official hotel as the two Asian powerhouse teams begin their preparation in earnest for Week 2 of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) set from June 14 to 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

First to arrive was Thailand on Tuesday afternoon, while Japan planed in at dawn Wednesday.

The Thais, who had a fantastic first week with a 3-1 winloss record capped by a stunning five-set win over China in Ankara, Turkey, are missing injured middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang, but the reigning Southeast Asian Games champions will have Pimpichaya Kokram and Ajcharaporn Kongyot leading the charge.

Coming off a perfect 4-0 record in Shreveport and Bossier City in the US, the Japanese will have new team captain Sarina Koga and Arisa Inoue leading the charge to protect their top ranking.

Before their first training session at the PhilSports Arena Wednesday, Thailand and Japan took Antigen tests for Covid-19 and all team players and staff yielded negative results.

Canada will arrive on Friday, followed by China on Saturday.

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and three-time VNL titlist USA, Belgium, Bulgaria and Poland complete the cast in the event that has Mikasa, Ganten, Gerflor and Senoh as global sponsors and global suppliers, PLDT Home as presenting partner, Rebisco, MG Philippines, TOP Speed Insurance, Asics and Maynilad as official sponsors; Havas Ortega, The Look Company, Summit Outdoor Media, Marketing Media Ventures, Strong Media Advertising Solutions. 91.5 Win Radio, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, City of Taguig, Quezon City and F2 Logistics as official suppliers.

Thailand and Japan will play the national team on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, in a side event dubbed the Philippine National Volleyball Federation International Challenge this weekend at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Donaire Sr. wants Jr. to retire after 2nd-rd TKO loss to Inoue

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By Josef Ramos

F Nonito Donaire Sr. has his way, he’ll tell his son Nonito Jr. to retire from boxing.

Donaire Sr., or Dodong, watched the fight on television the other night in Saitama where his son absorbed a second-round technical knockout loss to unified world champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue of Japan.

Donaire Sr. said that the knockdown his son suffered against Inoue “was the most sensitive in his career,” something that paled in comparison with the boxer’s knockout loss to Nicholas Walters in November 18, 2014, in Carson City in a World Boxing Association featherweight title fight.

“But it’s really up to him,” said Donaire Sr. of his 39-year-old son whose loss was the seventh against 42 wins in his professional career.

“I don’t want him to fight anymore.

But the decision will be with him and Rachel,” said the elder Donaire, who missed being at his son’s corner as he recuperates from a knee operation.

Donaire Sr. said he’s talked with his son and that he’s okay although Donaire Jr. has to undergo medical evaluation after being hit in the temple several times by Inoue.

“Bad positioning during the fight and he tried to engage early on,” Donaire Sr. said when asked what’s wrong with the his son’s strategy. “If Nonito trains very well with a good strategy, I won’t be scared.”

Top Rank chief Bob Arum, who promoted the fight, said the former four-division world champion Donaire Jr. should avoid Inoue if he still wants to continue fighting.

“Nonito is still at his best but obviously, he’s not on Inoue’s level anymore,” Arum told BusinessMirror from his las Vegas home on Wednesday. “He’s [still] a good fighter, he’s

probably that competitor fighter, but the only advice I can tell him is to stay away from Inoue.”

Inoue, who improved to 23 straight wins with 20 knockouts, grabbed Donaire Jr.’s World Boxing Council bantamweight belt to his International Boxing Federation and WBA titles.

“He [Inoue] is the strongest little fella that I have ever seen. When he’s prepared, nobody will beat him,” Arum said. “He’s the best pound-forpound king of this era so far.”

BusinessMirror tried to contact Donaire and Rachel but didn’t get any reply from the couple.

Before the fight, Donaire was the oldest WBC bantamweight world champion at 38 after he dethroned Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in May last year via third round knockout before defending his belt against countryman Reymart Gaballo via a fourth round TKO in December.

Asics RnR series to enforce safety measures

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RGANIZERS of the ASICS Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series will impose strict health and safety protocols before, during and after the race to ensure the troublefree staging of the event when it is held on June 19 in Manila.

The Ironman Group and Rock “n” Roll Running Series, organizers and producers of the event, have been coordinating to better protect not just the thousands of participants but also those involved in the staging of the world biggest running series, including the spectators.

“All the precautionary measures are in place.

With coordination in

the implementation of all health and social measures, we guarantee the smooth and safe conduct of the ASICS RnR running series,” said Dr. Carmelo Braganza and Dr. Jonathan Laya of the joint Medical Director team.

From the bib number pick-up to the collection of race kits at Mehan Garden to pre-event registration, all participants, organizers, sponsors and staff will be required to register at https://sunriseevents.com.ph/pre-event-attendance-registration/.

All entries will receive e-mail confirmation with their respective QR codes, which they, including organizers, sponsors and staff, will present (printout or on mobile phone) on race day at the check-in areas.

They will also be required to wear face masks on race day and present their QR code at entrance gates. However, runners will have the option to run with face masks.

After race completion, face mask will be available to all participants before entering the festival area, a mask zone area while physical distancing will be observed at all event areas.

VOLLEYBALL players from Asian powerhouse Japan and Thailand strike a pose upon their arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.