BusinessMirror June 18, 2021

Brace for higher fuel, food prices–experts

By Cai U. Ordinario

F

@caiordinario

ILIPINOS should brace for higher fuel and food prices in the coming months as international oil prices already hit a record of $75 per barrel on Wednesday, according to local economists.

Former University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) School of Economics Dean Peter Lee U said that while pump prices in the Philippines are not based on Brent Crude—where oil was reported to have already hit $75 per barrel—but on the Mean of Platts Singapore, Brent Crude and MOPS “normally move together.”

This leads him to believe that local oil prices may soon follow suit in

w

terms of increasing prices.

“As some countries like the United States are starting to open up again and their economies recover, there will be support for oil prices,” U told the BusinessMirror on Thursday.

Ateneo Eagle Watch Senior Fellow Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. told the BusinessMirror that higher fuel would also mean higher food prices. This will also not bode well for economic recovery.

Lanzona said this makes it necessary for the government to ensure that a tight food supply will not worsen the situation. Sufficient food supply will not lead to higher prices and cushion the impact of an increase in pump prices.

He recommended that the gov-

ernment provide supply-side interventions by focusing on agro-based industries that will help keep food supply sufficient. He said government assistance in inputs for industries is also important.

“Given the current mobility restrictions, we can still do so [absorb increase in pump prices]. It depends on how long this will be. Many parts of the world are now recovering. Production of oil may have decreased at the height of the pandemic. It is likely that production of oil may also increase in the coming months,” Lanzona said.

Meanwhile, with reports that Brent crude oil prices have increased to $75 per barrel, UA&P economist Victor A. Abola told the Business-

Friday, June 18, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 247

Mirror that inflation may not go below 4 percent in the third quarter.

UnionBank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion told this newspaper that rising oil prices have been flagged as an upside risk for inflation.

This is expected given the recovery happening in many countries.

Asuncion said while it is possible that oil prices may reach $100 per barrel, this will be transitory.

This, Asuncion thinks, will have a negative impact not only on prices but also economic growth. However, he said with the rise in renewableenergy sources and the proliferation of electric vehicles, the demand for oil will be eased.

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P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 22 pages |

ROTARY CLUB’S 2021 JOURNALISM AWARDS ANCHORED ON JUNE 12

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

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HE Rotary Club of Manila on Thursday gave out 2021 PRO PATRIA Journalism Awards to media institutions, including sister media companies the BusinessMirror and CNN Philippines. The RCM, the first in Asia, dedicated the awards to this year’s Independence Day last June 12.

The BusinessMirror Publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon and CNN

An aerial view of Skyway Stage 3 from the G. Araneta Avenue segment in Quezon City provides contrasting relief to the continuing traffic problems at ground level Edsa. The Skyway system is a 38-km elevated expressway with 36 on- and off-ramp access points that San Miguel Corp. projected will greatly improve accessibility, transportation, and traffic conditions throughout Metro Manila. NONOY LACZA

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By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

HE Philippines is trailing its Asia Pacific neighbors after falling by seven notches to 52nd position out of 64 countries in the 2021 Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Competitiveness Ranking—a fall that economists attributed to restrictive lockdown measures.

See “Lockdowns,” A2

PESO exchange rates n US 48.1280

Benjamin V. Ramos

Philippines President Benjamin V. Ramos (also BM’s president) delivered acceptance speeches at the virtual awards ceremonies.

Several print, TV and radio networks were awarded for their “resiliency in disseminating fair and truthful information resulting in an informed and enlightened citizenry in these critical times.”

See “Rotary,” A2

Move to exempt AS deals from CSP nixed

By Lenie Lectura

L

@llectura

AWMAKERS have rejected the suggestion of the Department of Energy (DOE) to temporarily exempt the conduct of a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) for the procurement of ancillary service (AS) or power reserves.

Instead, they want the DOE to fast-track the CSP guidelines on

AS for new contracts and conversion of non-firm AS contracts to firm contracts.

“I don’t support that exemption.

What we want is transparency. Accelerate instead of exempt. The best case is for DOE and ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] to sit down,” said Senate Energy Committee chairman Win Gatchalian.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said during the committee hearing—

the second called in response to the recent unscheduled brownouts— that “under extreme measures” his office could grant exemptions to CSP to hasten the procurement of power reserves. “This is just to make sure that we will have the power reserve when we need it. We can issue certain exemptions up to a certain period, but that does not mean we will longer conduct CSP,” said Cusi.

This argument caught the ire

of other senators. Senators Nancy Binay and Risa Hontiveros said the proposed CSP exemption is “bothering.”

“The CSP rule is there so the guidelines must be there already and yet we hear exemption from the DOE, and the ERC is waiting for the DOE to issue a policy. Before you issue a policy, the data must all be there,” said Hontiveros.

n japan 0.4350 n UK 67.3311 n HK 6.2000 n CHINA 7.5237 n singapore 36.0374 n australia 36.6302 n EU 57.7343 n SAUDI arabia 12.8338

See “Move,” A2

Source: BSP (June 17, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, June 18, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BSP: Liquidity infusion of ₧2.2T will prevent economic scarring

By Bianca Cuaresma

B

@BcuaresmaBM

ANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor B enja m i n E . D iok no reported that the Central Bank has infused a total of P2.2 trillion of liquidity into the country’s financial system as of June 3.

Diokno told reporters in a briefing on Thursday that the P2.2-trillion total liquidity injection through the BSP’s policy and liquidity-easing measures has provided “significant support” to the local economy.

In 2020, the BSP reduced the

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Continued from A1

Gatchalian noted “loopholes” and “lack of details” in the existing CSP policy issued by the DOE. “There are a lot of important things that the DOE and ERC need to iron out as soon as possible.”

NGCP committed

The ERC has already directed the Na-

country’s policy rate by a cumulative 200 basis points. It has also made provisional advances to the national government (NG) and purchased government securities in the secondary market.

Diokno also moved to cut the reserve requirement ratios (RRR) by 200 basis points for universal and commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions with quasibanking licenses, as well as by 100 basis points for thrift banks and rural/cooperative banks.

The governor said the BSP’s total liquidity injection amounted to 12.13 percent of the country’s fullyear nominal GDP for 2020.

“Amid heightened uncertainty in the Covid-19 pandemic, monetary policy has continued to focus on supporting economic activity and market confidence. Thus, the BSP decided to mobilize its monetary instruments and other extraordinary measures to avert liquidity strains and to prevent long-lasting scarring in the domestic economy,” Diokno said.

Going forward, Diokno said the BSP will continue to “prioritize” the use of monetary policy space to “provide support to economic activity amid the pandemic as key sectors transition to the post-pandemic phase.”

For 2021, the BSP retained its record low interest rates on hold in its first three meetings of the year despite inflationary pressures. Diokno said the decision to maintain low rates is anchored on their focus to support the economy while inflationary pressures continue to be “transitory” in nature.

However, Diokno said that the BSP continues to be mindful of emerging price conditions.

“The BSP shall remain vigilant to ensure that policy responses will neither lead to excessive inflation nor trigger financial stability risks, especially as economic recovery gets under way,” Diokno said.

The BSP monetary board is expected to have its next Monetary Policy meeting on June 24.

This will be the Central Bank’s fourth policy meeting for the year.

tional Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to conduct a competitive bidding for all AS contracts. The NGCP, for its part, has committed to do it.

However, the ERC raised concerns during the hearing. It said that under existing CSP rules crafted by the DOE, the competitive bidding takes 180 days.

Lawmakers, however, want to shorten this to 30 days to immediately help plug the power deficit in the Luzon grid.

“We already gave instructions to NGCP to come up with new contacts and finish the CSP within 30 days. May we have from DOE something written

because we can’t refer to existing rules, which take 180 days, and not be able to address the emergency. The DOE has the power to issue CSP rules. We want to have clear rules with no ambiguity and within the 30-day timeframe,” said ERC chairman Agnes Devanadera.

She pointed out that under a competitive bidding, a committee has to be formed and approved by the DOE. Thereafter, the CSP terms of reference must also be approved prior to the conduct of the CSP. “Under existing CSP, these must be undertaken in 180 days. So, we are asking the DOE

now to put into writing all details for the CSP for AS,” said the ERC chief.

Cusi assured her and senators the guidelines would be promulgated within the month.

Gatchalian stressed that the conduct of a CSP for AS procurement, saying this is a best practice to assure robust competition and transparency. “I believe we will get the best price if the AS contracts are subject to CSP. We will even get below the estimated 28 centavos per kilowatt hour level shown earlier because competition via CSP will definitely bring down prices,” he said.

Gatchalian: Give contingency plans

Meanwhile, Gatchalian also pressed Cusi to submit by next week a clear road map of contingency measures for looming brownouts to avert a repeat of the disruptions from May 31 to June 2 that derailed operations of businesses struggling to reopen after the lockdowns and imperiled the cold storage of Covid vaccine supplies.

“I am concerned right now because a lot of things are at stake...and we are not getting a clear picture of what the [players] plan to do to avert brownouts,” Gatchalian said, presiding as chairman of the Senate Energy Committee hearing.

Cusi promised to comply even as he lamented that power companies, in turn, have yet to fulfill firm commitments to ensure power reserves, adding that “rotational brownouts would not happen” if only stakeholders complied.

“We want to hear from regulators at the succeeding Senate hearing next week how they intend to ensure compliance with commitments to avert crippling brownouts stunting economic activities and inconvenience to consumers,” said Gatchalian.

For her part, Senator Nancy Binay shared concerns on the need for long-term solutions to a power supply shortage, as earlier sought by a Senate Resolution filed by Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, even as Binay cited reports that eight plants are on track to go online. Also at the hearing, Pacquiao reminded Cusi to promptly resolve power supply problems to ensure brownouts are not frequently repeated.

Pacquiao prodded Cusi to accept responsibility and not pass the blame to others.

The senator assured Cusi this was “nothing personal” between them, adding it was just meant to ensure consumers can rely on a steady power supply, especially since millions of students and workers have been forced by the pandemic to do their chores from home. With Butch Fernandez

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Continued from A1

Dean Amado D. Valdez, former chairman of the Social Security Commission and Chairman of the 2021 RCM’s Journalism Awards, cited these print, TV, and Radio institutions for committing valuable resources to protect free expression, and for encouraging as well adequate and competent scrutiny of private enterprise.

Businessman and environmental advocate Robert L. Joseph, the Club president, said that for love of country, the awardees promoted public and private sector collaboration in building a strong nation of healthy, peaceful, confident, and dynamic people.

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This is the lowest ranking of the Philippines for the metric in five years. Last year, the country slightly improved to 45th rank from 46th position in 2019.

In Asia Pacific, the top performers are Singapore (5th), Hong Kong (7th), Taiwan (8th) and China (16th).

The Philippines only outperformed Mongolia (60th) in the region.

The Philippines, IMD noted, had the sharpest drop in ranking in the region. It cited the country’s decline in economic performance, government efficiency and business efficiency as the primary reason for the lower ranking.

“The decline experienced by The Philippines was driven by a deterioration in several indicators related to the domestic economy, the job market [e.g., unemployment rate doubled from around 5 percent to more than 10 percent], public finances and productivity of firms in the private sector,” it explained.

“A sharp drop in its domestic economy and employment subfactors has signaled an economy suffering from the crisis as its citizens struggle to find employment from a poorer labor market of 27th position after a 17-position drop,” it added.

For economic performance, the Philippines slid to 57th rank from 44th rank, considering the lower position for the following subfactors: domestic economy, international investment, employment and prices. But it ranked higher for international trade.

The country’s ranking for government efficiency fell by three notches to 45th position as its subfactor rankings for public finance and institutional framework slipped as well. Tax policy, business legislation and societal framework improved in this cycle.

The Philippines’s business efficiency ranking plunged to 37th rank from 33rd as a result of the worse ranking for productivity and efficiency, labor market, finance and management practice.

It registered the lowest ranking for infrastructure at 59th, which the country has maintained for three cycles now.

The country showed minor improvement in ranking for basic infrastructure, technological infrastructure, scientific infrastructure and education. For health and environment, its position slipped by two notches.

The respondents of the Executive Opinion Survey, meanwhile, picked a skilled work force, open and positive attitudes, high educational level, cost competitiveness and dynamism of the economy as the top key attractiveness factors.

Disrupted business activities

RCBC Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort and ING Bank Manila Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said the strict lockdown protocols implemented last year, especially during the onset of the pandemic, impacted the country’s competitiveness.

“The lockdowns in the country are among the longest in the region as new Covid-19 cases remained relatively higher compared to other countries in Asean/ Asia, thereby reflecting the drag in the competitiveness ranking for 2020,” Ricafort told the BusinessMirror.

Mapa explained that the lockdown measures and mobility restrictions hampered efficiency of both the government and business in delivering goods and services.

“Thus, we can also tie the loss of efficiency to the pandemic and to the inability of the Philippines to effectively snuff out the virus and deal with its negative implications,” he said.

Both economists noted that further reopening of the economy can help the country improve its competitiveness ranking. “Government must do all it can to jumpstart the economic engines as well as to work to quell the ongoing spread of the virus, as the prevalence of such invariably leads to the imposition of these ECQ [enhanced community quarantine] lockdowns which knock out growth momentum and hinder the efficiency of both business and government,” Mapa said.

The RCBC economist said passage of more structural reforms that encourage foreign investments, further ease of doing business and improve governance, among others, would also help.

Apart from mobility restrictions, the lower competitiveness ranking may be attributed to delayed passage of new corporate tax reform and “weak internet” Infrastructure, according to Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Alegria Sibal-Limjoco.

Challenges to overcome

This year, the international think tank listed among the country’s challenges “ensuring inclusive economic recovery and quickly reviving business and consumer confidence.”

This goes together, IMD noted, with effective management of the Covid-19 pandemic and full rollout of the vaccination program.

The survey noted the country may also find it challenging to build resilient social infrastructures, especially in health and education, and to sustain more investments in physical and digital infrastructure.

Lastly, IMD said the Philippines should focus on “maintaining fiscal health while adequately providing stimulus and support especially for vulnerable sectors.”

Overall, the world competitiveness index for 2021 was led by (in order) Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands and Singapore.

“This year the rankings expose the economic impact of pandemic across the globe,” IMD said, adding that investment in innovation, digitalization, welfare benefits and leadership resulting in “social cohesion” have boosted the countries’ competitiveness amid an ongoing crisis.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

Palace says ICC prosecution request based on ‘hearsay’

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

& Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

A

DMINISTRATION Sen. Francis Tolentino aired “some doubts” over the credibility of a retired International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor pressing for a full investigation into President Duterte’s deadly war on drugs amid mounting body counts.

“I still have some doubts as to the official credibility of the former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s ICC recommendations announced hours before she retired from the ICC last Tuesday [June 15],” Tolentino said.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said President Duterte is now confident that the ICC will junk the request seeking for an investigation against him.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said this was the reaction of the President after reviewing the 52-page opinion of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, which relies heavily on media reports that are widely considered as “hearsay evidence.”

“You know, he [President Duterte] shrugged [it]off. The opinion, after checking the sources, [which are] media sources,” Roque said.

“Lawyers know that you cannot start any proceedings on the basis of hearsay evidence,” he added.

Roque said he shared the assessment of the President on the opinion and apologized for his uncalled for “emotional outburst” last Tuesday, where he slammed Bensouda for pursuing her investigation on the government’s alleged killing of drug suspects.

He said the opinion would not likely get pass the “confirmation of charges” stage before the ICC.

Instead of focusing on Bensouda’s case, he said, the government through the Department of Justice (DOJ) will not just focus on investigating the alleged killings perpetrated by police in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

In a Viber message, Tolentino suggested “we should note that previously Madame Bensouda was included in the Specifically Designated National [SDN] list of the US government under President Trump.”

Moreover, Tolentino reminded that “Bensouda, as a designated terrorist, was considered as a threat to US national security and foreign and economic policies and, though a former bank manager, her financial transactions and those dealing with her were blocked by the US Treasury.”

“How can she, during her tenure, objectively conduct an investigation when some members of the international community considered her as persona non grata for terrorist links?” Tolentino asked.

He added: “A lot of questions will have to be answered first whether a retired prosecutor can still recommend the prosecution of a head of state of a non-Treaty of Rome signatory.”

Roque added: “We will file charges and punish those who are guilty of murder. And the President has also repeated he will support the police if what they did is legal. But if it is illegal, they will not get his support.”

In a related development, Roque confirmed he was nominated to become a member of the International Law Commission with the approval of Duterte.

He noted that even if he accepted in the commission, it does not bar him from possibly running in the 2022 national and local elections.

Doctors appeal for tighter curbs in Bicol, but DILG says IATF may consider only Legazpi for MECQ

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

A

S doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals in all six provinces in the Bicol region appeal for stricter quarantine rules, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said given the numbers, only Legazpi City would be qualified for modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

An average of 183 cases daily have been logged in the region with Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon being the top 3 provinces with the most number of cases.

Health-care workers’ capacity is also affected by the high rate of Covid infection that compound the situation wherein most hospitals are understaffed, undermanned even before the pandemic. They warned that if the situation is not addressed, what is happening in India “is not far behind.”

Sought for reaction, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, concurrent spokesperson of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año via text message said the appeal from Bicol health professionals through a letter to the DILG chief is now being considered by the IATF. “I personally don’t have a copy [of the letter]. I was just told of the contents. It’s now being considered by the IATF but given the numbers, only Legaspi would be qualified for MECQ,” he said.

In their letter dated June 14, 2021, the presidents of 5 medical associations, namely, Carlsen B. Antonio of Albay Medical Society, Susana Baesa of Camarines Sur Medical Society, Eloisa E. Pornillos of the Philippine College of Physicians-Bicol Rufo T. Llorin and Ricardo Isip, Governor-Elect and

Interim Governor, respectively of the Philippine Medical Association-Bicol, expressed alarm over the high rate of infection in all six provinces of Bicol and enumerated the possible causes.

The Bicol doctors said what is apparent is that there is localized transmission sweeping in most areas of the provinces in Bicol and attributed these to the laxity in the implementation of the minimum health standards in a number of major business establishments, inadvertent lenient application of minimum health standards in LGUs, disregarded IATF regulations set by the DILG by some local officials; the slow inaccessible, and inadequate testing and much slower and poor contact tracing efforts being conducted at the local level; unconducive and congested isolation and quarantine facilities of LGUs, and lack of personal protective equipment of health workers security, and monitoring staff.

They suggested that private companies and national or local agencies be allowed to provide their own isolation and quarantine facilities for their own personnel.

They suggested that all positive cases, especially mild and asymptomatic ones, must be isolated in a dedicated Covid recovery and recuperation facility, augmentation of healthcare workers not just in public and government hospitals, but in private hospitals as well to expand their capacity to admit more Covid patients.

Also, they said that the possibility of reverse isolation wherein members of the family who is negative for Covid are separated from the other family members who are positive of the virus and are instead isolated in a designated accommodation must be explored.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, June 18, 2021 A3

Cops kill ex-Maguindanao mayor linked to ’16 Davao blast, say he tried to escape

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

A

FORMER town mayor of Talitay, Maguindanao, facing drug charges and previously tagged as a supplier of weapons to an outlawed Moro group was shot and killed on Thursday by operatives of the Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).

Ex-mayor Montasser Sabal died at the San Juan Medical Center after he was shot by his escorts who were bringing him to the CIDG headquarters at Camp Crame following his arrest in Batangas.

In his report to PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar, CIDG chief Major General Albert Ignatius Ferro said that Sabal grabbed the service firearm of his police escort, who was seated beside him, while they were on their way to Camp Crame at around 5:20 a.m. The incident occurred in San Juan City.

“The suspect grabbed his police escort’s firearm while on board the vehicle which resulted in a scuffle wherein he was able to shoot the police officer beside him. Posing dan-

ger, the accompanying police officers [had] to use reasonable force that resulted in wounding the arrested person through the use of his firearm,” said Ferro.

Sabal had been tagged as among the suppliers of firearms and explosives to the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which the government said was among the groups allied with the international terrorist group Islamic State.

The former mayor was also tagged as among the planners of the bombing in Davao City in 2016.

Eleazar said Sabal was arrested at around 7 p.m. on Wednesday aboard the Reyna de Luna 4 at the Batangas Port in Batangas City after CIDG operatives learned of his arrival from Mindanao. The policemen were armed with an arrest warrant for the former mayor’s two pending criminal cases.

Seized inside his vehicle, a white Toyota Innova with conduction sticker SOU 770, were firearms and assorted magazines that included a Colt AR 15, a Glock 9mm, fragmentation grenade, two folded knives, two vehicle

plates, P48,000 in different denominations, five mobile phones, more than 28 grams of shabu and assorted identification cards.

The CIDG operatives also arrested Norayda Nandang, 43, house helper; Muhaliden Mukaram, 36, driver; and, Aika de Asis, 34, house helper, who were with Sabal.

Ferro said that CIDG operatives carried out pursuit operations against another vehicle, which was at the parking lot of the Batangas City port and was believed owned

by Sabal that resulted in the arrest of Ailyn Compania, 45, house helper; Zuharto Monico, 28, driver; and Wilson Santos, 41, driver.

Confiscated from the vehicle, a white Nissan Navarra with conduction sticker F1R917, were a 50 caliber crew served weapon; a Colt AR 15 with serial no. ML 63501; a magazine for Colt AR 15; a Garand rifle with built in magazine; a Glock 9mm; a rifle grenade; mortar accessories and various types of magazines and ammunition.

The operatives also seized shabu with an estimated street value of P2.5 million and P582,000 in different denominations.

Eleazar, who was showed with the haul, said Sabal was a former policeman assigned to the Special Action Force from 1998 to 2008 and served as mayor of Talitay from 2010 to 2013 and vice mayor of the same town from 2013 to 2016.

“Accordingly, Sabal was former member of PNP SAF from 1998 to 2008 and with specialized trainings on Intelligence, Urban Counter Revolutionary Warfare Course, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Sniper’s Course,” Eleazar said.

He said Sabal was also listed under the National Watchlist on Illegal Drugs (NWID).

During his term as a local official, he was charged by the Office of the Ombudsman and eventually suspended for failure to disclose his properties and business interests in his Statement of Liabilities and Net Worth from 2011 to 2015.

The CIDG said that intelligence reports showed that Sabal was among those involved in the Davao City bombing that happened in September 2016 and was a full time supporter and served as among the supplier of armaments and explosives to the BIFF.

1.5-M doses of Sinovac vaccine arrive at Naia

By Recto Mercene @rectomercene

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HE Ninoy Aquino International Airport Customs district cleared and released within an hour some 1.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccines that arrived from Beijing aboard a Cebu Pacific flight early Thursday morning.

Health Secretar y Francisco Duque III, National Task Force Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. and members of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. welcomed the 1.5 million doses of Sinovac at the premier airport.

The 1 million doses of the latest shipment was consigned to the Department of Health (DOH), while the rest of the 500,000 doses ordered by the Filipino-Chinese community is for the inoculations of their employees.

The 1.5 million doses were transported to PharmaServ Express cold storage in Marikina City.

The DOH said the 1 million doses have been earmarked to cities and

provinces experiencing a surge of the coronavirus.

Galvez said the arrival of more doses of Covid-19 vaccines will address the high-risk areas in Mindanao, even as he assured members of Congress that they will not neglect the southern regions.

Galvez added that 6 million more doses of Covid-19 vaccines will arrive before the end of this month.

He said 4.3 million doses have been delivered in the past two weeks.

“The bulk of our vaccine shipments started to arrive only in May. The vaccine deployment was based on the government’s risk assessment as well as our prioritization categories for the most vulnerable populations,” Galvez said.

Galvez said some 250,000 doses of Moderna vaccines will arrive in the country on June 25.

He said he is also expecting to receive around 2.5 million additional doses of Sinovac this month.

“Some 55,000 of the 250,000 doses of Moderna vaccines will arrive on June 25 will proceed to the

HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. and Federation of FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.representative Francis Chua lead a group welcoming the arrival of 1.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccines from Beijing Thursday morning at the Naia. PHOTO COURTESY OF MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEDIA AFFAIRS DIVISION

private sector and another batch of AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX facility will arrive in the third or fourth week of June,” Galvez added.

The Philippines is expected to receive as much as 11.6 million doses of Covid-19 shots next month as wealthy nations vowed to donate surplus vaccine doses to developing and poor countries.

Galvez said rich countries have reached an “ inf lection point” wherein vaccine supplies are higher than the demand. He noted that the G7—a bloc composed of industrialized nations like the US, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan—have pledged to donate 1 billion doses of Covid-19 jabs to developing countries, including the Philippines.

SC junks petition vs MMDA’s coding scheme on PUBs

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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HE Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the validity of the orders issued by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) imposing the number coding scheme on publicutility buses (PUB) to ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

In a 28-page decision penned

by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Court junked the petition filed by bus drivers Samson Pantaleon, Eduardo Tacoyo Jr., Jesus Bautista and Monico Agustin seeking to enjoin the MMDA from implementing its Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, otherwise known as the number coding scheme, as embodied in Metro Manila Development Authority Resolution l0-16 and Metro Manila Development Authority Memorandum Circular 08, Series of 2010 (challenged issuances) and to declare the nullity of said issuances.

It can be recalled that on October 15, 2010, the Metro Manila Council adopted MMDA Resolu-

tion 10-16, Series of 2010 re-implementing the number coding scheme for all PUBs, both provincial and city, on experimental basis due to the recurring heavy traffic along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila, partly due to rampant traffic violations committed by their drivers.

On October 27, 2010, MMDA issued Circular 08, removing all PUBs from the list of vehicles exempted from the number coding scheme.

This prompted the petitioners to seek redress from the SC through a petition for injunction seeking to declare null and void the said issuances.

In their petition, the petitioners argued that MMDA Resolution 1016 and Memorandum Circular 08, Series of 2010 contravene Republic Act 7924, as well as decisions of this Court, which held that the MMDA and MMC have no legislative and police power, as all its functions are administrative in nature.

The petitioners said the administrative issuances constitute an exercise of rule-making authority that is beyond the powers of the

heads of the Metropolitan Manila Commission and MMDA. They added that a legislative enactment from the respective local government units is necessary to uphold the implementation of the challenged issuances.

Furthermore, even if the issuances were supported by the appropriate local ordinances, petitioners posited that they would still be invalid and ineffective because they unduly encroached upon the powers and prerogatives of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Petitioners argued that under Section 16 of Commonwealth Act 146, it is the LTFRB which has the exclusive jurisdiction “ to grant, amend, modify or revoke franchises issued to public utility operators.”

However, the SC declared that the assailed MMDA issuances “were validly issued” pursuant to the agency’s power to regulate traffic under Republic Act 7924, the law that created MMDA. It added that its discretion to reimpose the number coding scheme on PUBs was a reasonably appropri-

ate response to the serious traffic problem pervading Manila.

“The arbitrariness, oppressiveness and unreasonableness of the implementation of the issuances have not been sufficiently shown.

The buses driven by petitioners have not been totally banned or prohibited from plying the Metro Manila roads. However, as in private vehicles, the operation of public-utility buses in Metro Manila was merely regulated with a view to curb traffic congestion,” the Court ruled.

While it recognizes the possible adverse effect of the inclusion of PUBs in the number coding scheme on the petitioners’ livelihood, the SC said the general welfare of the public is of paramount importance.

“Hence, petitioners’ individual interests must be subordinated to the benefit of the greater number,” the Court stressed.

The Court stressed that “there is no outright deprivation of property but merely a restriction in the operation of PUBs along the major roads of Metro Manila through the number coding scheme.”

A4 Friday, June 18, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

PHL frozen pork inventory jumps 8%, hits 11-month high of 49,849.76 MT

T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE country’s frozen pork inventory as of June 7 rose by nearly 8 percent to 49,849.76 metric tons (MT), the highest weekly inventory recorded in almost 11 months, National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) data showed.

Latest NMIS data showed that the nationwide frozen pork inventory in accredited cold storages was 3,683.26 MT higher than the 46,166.5 MT recorded inventory on June 8, 2020.

Furthermore, the latest pork inventory level was 16.74 percent higher than the 42,699.68 MT recorded in the last week of May, based

on the same set of data.

On a monthly basis, the June 7 frozen pork inventory was 39.83 percent higher than the 35,649.97 MT recorded on May 10, data further showed.

Historical NMIS data showed that the June 7 frozen pork inventory was the highest since the 51,960.81 MT recorded on July 13, 2020.

NMIS data showed that 96 percent of the frozen inventory as of June 7, or about 47,924.02 MT, were imported while the remaining volume of 1,925.74 MT were locally produced.

Imported frozen pork inventory during the reference period was 22.57 percent higher than last year’s 39,097.99 MT and was 45.16 percent over the 33,013.43 MT recorded in the same week of May, NMIS data showed.

NMIS data showed that the highest frozen imported pork inventory was recorded in Region 3 at 18,737.26 MT followed by Region 4A at 10,812.29 MT. NCR was third in terms of frozen imported pork inventory as of June 7 at 10,673.09 MT. The NMIS noted that its frozen pork inventory data covers pork carcass, primal parts and specialty cuts.

The Philippine government is banking on imported pork to augment the shortage in domestic supply and

to arrest rising pork retail prices.

The Executive has implemented a twin measure that seeks to achieve this short-term solution: lowering pork tariffs to as low as 10 percent and hiking minimum access volume (MAV) for pork imports.

The BusinessMirror earlier reported that the country’s imports of pork bellies and cuts are on-track to reach a record-high after Januaryto-May volume surged by nearly 330 percent to 98,369.608 MT, surpassing total purchase last year.

Industry players attributed the increase to the need to plug the shortfall in domestic supply that raised pork retail prices to unprecedented levels.

They also noted that the lowered pork tariffs contributed to the quadrupling of imports of prime cuts of pork.

(Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/06/10/philippine-pork-imports-may-reachrecord-high-this-year-bai-data/).

House panel eyes creation of body to ‘screen’ DepEd modules

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has created a technical working group to craft a substitute bill providing for a third-party external auditor that would ensure the accuracy, quality, and effectiveness of learning materials for the K to 12 curriculum.

Panel chairman and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo approved last Wednesday the creation of a TWG that would consolidate House Bills 6247 and 6417.

He said the two measures seek to reform the country’s basic education system by introducing structural and institutional adjustments to the K to 12 curriculum.

Romulo cited the need for a third-party external auditor in light of errors being discovered every year in the learning materials and modules of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The TWG would use the proposal of Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, as embodied in his HB 6247, to create a Learning Materials Development Center (LMDC) attached to the University of the Philippines, which would ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of nationally procured and nationally distributed learning materials, including textbooks and modules in public elementary and secondary schools.

No textbook could be procured

by DepEd unless certified accurate by the LMDC, the bill provides.

“The problem with materials produced by the Department of Education is really quality assurance. I have not seen a textbook produced by the DepEd that compares with the quality of learning materials typical in more sophisticated public school systems. Instead, what we see are materials that jump too high, steep too low, or are just plain inaccurate or objectionable,” Salceda said.

“So we need an independent center to act as a sort of content and quality ombudsman for our learning materials.”

Salceda said that because testing is standardized in the country, “textbooks are crucial, because public schools don’t deviate from them.”

“If you spread inaccuracies with one textbook, it spreads all over

the country. And because we keep these books for a while, you could be misinforming or miseducating a generation with a bad textbook,” Salceda added.

Despite the presence of an external auditor, Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo, for her part, said there has to be accountability that clearly rests on the DepEd. DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali said that personally, he is in support of the proposal that would ensure provision of error-free learning materials for children.

On the issue of K to 12 curriculum review or assessment, Umali requested the committee to give them 15 days to submit a partial or complete report on the DepEd’s review of the K to 12 Program.

Incineration banned under our new energy policy–ADB continued from a14 “ADB is not really harmonizing their assistance to countries like the Philippines in terms of trying to help these countries attain carbon neutrality,” Osorio said.

Osorio, a lawyer, added that the ADB can even be held liable for its actions in terms of violations of existing laws such as the Clean Air Act.

She added that incineration also violates the Solid Waste Management Law or Republic Act 9003 which was signed into law in 2001.

Section 2 of the law provides that the country’s solid waste management program shall “Ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and

disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the best environmental practice in ecological waste management excluding incineration.”

“These waste to energy facilities actually encourage more waste to be produced rather than stopping waste at the source,” Osorio said.

She said about 600 metric tons of feed stock are required to run these WTE facilities. This means more waste is needed to continue operating them.

Osorio said this will also become a burden to cash-strapped local government units because they need to pay for these facilities in the long run.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Too costly to pull out coal-fired power projects in the pipeline–ADB expert

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has admitted that it may be difficult to cancel coal-fired power plant projects that have been included in the pipeline of countries at this time.

During a session at the 16th Asian Clean Energy Forum (ACEF), ADB Southeast Asia Department Senior Energy Specialist David Elzinga said it may already be too costly to pull out these contracts.

Elzinga said this means that governments must not only impose moratoriums on the use of coal but also provide alternatives such as investing in renewables.

“Imposing a moratorium is a good start but [governments must also] provide alternatives,” Elzinga said in the open forum of the session on Thursday. “Reliability and adequacy are important.”

In his presentation, Elzinga said the “coal fleet” of Southeast Asia, which includes the Philippines, is set to significantly increase in the medium term.

“Large-scale solution is needed to simultaneously rapidly decarbonize and build-up clean energy in Asian developing countries,” Elzinga said.

This is the reason for an upcoming technical assistance (TA) project, which aims to accelerate the clean energy transition of countries in Southeast Asia.

The project will include investments in new renewable-energy (RE) capacity and create opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.

The TA will also create a mechanism for accelerating the phase out of coal and other fossil fuel-based generation assets; promote energy sector governance and transparency; and regional power grid integration.

Meanwhile, Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) coordinator Lidy Nacpil challenged participants of the ACEF to aim for a fossil fuel free-Asia way before 2050, if the world is to keep on track for keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Nacpil said that this will not happen if many of the governments, institutions, and corporations participating in the forum, including the host itself, still insist on supporting the expansion of fossil fuel energy in the region.

“The cost of developing and using clean and renewable energy technologies no longer remains a barrier to a swift and just transition out of fossil fuels. There is no need to lock in Asian economies to many more decades of dirty energy by continuing to build new fossil fuel projects,” Nacpil said.

“The International Energy Agency, in its latest report, affirms what we have been saying—there should be ‘no investment in new fossil fuel supply projects’ and that ‘no new oil and natural gas fields are needed,’” Nacpil said.

Pandemic offers way to solve development woes in region–Neda continued from a14

On Wednesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said it has expanded Registration Centers for Step 2 of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys).

PSA said another 219 registration centers across 21 provinces are now open for online appointment for Step 2 Registration. Previously, there were only 16 registration centers in 13 provinces.

Online registrants who reside in select cities and municipalities may now register at PhilSys registration centers in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Quezon and Albay.

Registrants in Camarines Sur, Masbate, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Leyte may

also register for the National ID’s Step 2.

Step 2 Registration involves the capture of biometric information and validation of demographic data.

The online Step 1 Registration for additional registration centers offer June 18, 2021 as the earliest date for an appointment.

Online booking of appointments is part of PSA’s strategy to ensure that a manageable number of registrants visit a registration center at any time during operating hours, in compliance with health and safety standards of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). PSA strongly advises the registrants to follow their chosen schedule to avoid problems with their registration. Cai U. Ordinario

DOLE widens livelihood program to include former drug dependents and extremist groups

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ORMER drug dependents and extremists groups could now avail of the livelihood program being offered by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

This after it expanded the list of beneficiaries of its DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) through its Administrative Order 126.

Also to be included in the new list of qualified DILP recipients are applicants of Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa program, and dependents of casualties in legitimate police and military operations, parents of profiled child laborers who are beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), family

members of probationers/parolees, and indigenous people who are also beneficiaries of 4Ps. “I issued supplemental guidelines on the implementation of the DILP to expand its covered beneficiaries, and we are reaching out to more members of our society for a truly inclusive development,” Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said in a news statement.

DILP beneficiaries could avail a group micro-livelihood, which has a maximum grant assistance ranging from P250,000 to P500,000, depending on their members.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Brace for higher fuel, food prices–experts continued from a1 “As more economic activity happens, we expect more upward pressure on oil prices in the coming months until it reaches some normalization—pre-pandemic level and demand,” Asuncion said.

“Remember that we are coming from a very low base of demand and with the easing of more restrictions, economic activity and demand is sure to rise. This, however, I believe will be transitory in nature,” he added.

Meanwhile, Action for Economic Reforms (AER) Coordinator Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III told this newspaper that a new study published in December 2020 on oil and food prices found no long-term link between fuel

and food prices.

With that, Sta. Ana said, the Philippine experience in the pre-pandemic period of rising food prices could be attributed to factors like a rice shortage, and was independent of the increase in global pump prices.

However, the recent spike in oil prices will still see the country being affected. Nonetheless, Sta. Ana said it will not be the primary concern as the country’s challenges in terms of making food affordable are varied.

On Thursday, a Reuters report said oil prices increased for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday at $75 per barrel. The report attributed the increase to the recovery that is happening in the United States.

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel Calso

Fed signals earlier time frame for rate hikes with inflation up

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ASHINGTON—The Federal Reserve signaled Wednesday that it may act sooner than previously planned to start dialing back the low-interest-rate policies that have helped fuel a swift rebound from the pandemic recession but have also coincided with rising inflation.

much faster than the Fed's policymakers had forecast in March. Inflation jumped to 5% in May compared with a year earlier—the largest 12-month spike since 2008.

The increase was driven partly by a huge rise in used car prices, which have soared as shortages of semiconductors have slowed vehicle production. Sharply higher prices for car rentals, airline tickets, and hotel rooms were also major factors, reflecting pent-up demand as consumers shift away from the large goods purchases many of them had made while stuck at home to spending on services.

Powell stuck with his long-standing view that those spikes will have only a temporary impact.

"The prices that are driving higher inflation are from categories that are being directly affected by the recovery from the pandemic and the reopening of the economy," he said. "Prices that have moved up really quickly because of the shortages and bottlenecks and the like, they should stop going up. And at some point, they in some cases should actually go down."

The central bank on Wednesday raised its forecast for inflation to 3.4% by the end of this year, from 2.4% in its previous projection in March. Yet the officials foresee price increases remaining tame in the following two years.

Fed officials also expect the economy to grow 7% this year, which would be the fastest calendar-year expansion since 1984. They project that growth will slow after that, to 3.3% in 2022 and 2.4% in 2023.

Economists generally expect the Fed to continue discussing tapering its bond purchases and then—by late August or September—to outline specifically how and when it would begin. That would set the stage for a reduction in bond purchases to actually begin near the end of this year or in early 2022.

Another key consideration for the Fed is whether inflation persists long enough to affect the public's behavior. If Americans begin to expect price increases, those expectations can trigger a self-fulfilling cycle as workers demand higher wages, which, in turn, can lead their employers to keep raising prices to offset their higher labor costs.

Powell said that measures of longer-term inflation expectations have increased in recent months, after falling at the outset of the pandemic. But they mostly remain in a range consistent with the Fed's 2% inflation target.

"It's gratifying to see them having moved up off of their pandemic lows," he said. AP

The Fed's policymakers forecast that they would raise their benchmark short-term rate— which affects many consumer and business loans, including mortgages and credit cards— twice by late 2023. They had previously estimated that no rate hike would occur before 2024.

At a news conference, Chair Jerome Powell said the Fed's policymaking committee also began discussing when to reduce its monthly bond purchases. But Powell made clear that the Fed has yet to decide when it will do so.

The purchases, which consist of $120 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds, are intended to keep longer-term rates low to encourage borrowing.

The Fed has made clear that its first step in slowing its support for the economy will be to pare its bond purchases—and that it would begin to raise rates only sometime after that.

Its key rate has been pinned near zero since March 2020.

The central bank's new forecast for rate hikes starting in 2023 reflects an economy that's achieving faster progress than was expected earlier this year.

At the same time, Powell sought Wednesday to dispel any concerns that the Fed might be in a hurry to withdraw its economic support by making borrowing more expensive. The economy, he said, still hasn't improved enough to reduce the pace of the monthly bond purchases, which the Fed has said it intends to continue until "substantial further progress" has been made toward its employment and inflation goals.

"We are a ways away from substantial further progress, we think," Powell said at his news conference. "But we are making progress."

Soon after the Fed issued its statement Wednesday, US stocks fell further from their record highs, and bond yields rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose from 1.48% to 1.55%.

Sung Won Sohn, an economist at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, sug-

gested that the markets' initially negative reaction to the Fed's statement might have caused Powell to take a more dovish tone at his news conference. ("Doves," in Fed parlance, typically focus on the Fed's mandate to maximize employment and worry less about inflation. "Hawks," by contrast, tend to concern themselves more with the need to prevent high inflation.)

"We got two different messages from the Fed today," Sohn said. "The interest rate projections were a bit more hawkish than the market expected."

But at his news conference, Sohn said, Powell "emphasized that the economy is still not where it should be, especially in terms of unemployment....and the Fed still thinks the economy needs stimulus from the central bank."

Still, Powell also sketched an overall optimistic picture in his remarks Wednesday. The inflation spikes of the past two months, he said, will likely prove temporary, and hiring should accelerate through summer and into the fall as Covid-19 recedes further with increased vaccinations. That will allow schools and day care centers to reopen, which will enable more parents to work, while supplemental federal aid for the jobless ends.

"There is every reason," Powell said, "to think that we will [soon] be in a labor market with very attractive numbers, with low unemployment, high participation and rising wages across the spectrum."

His comments suggested that the Fed chair isn't concerned that hiring this spring, while solid, has fallen shy of forecasts. Powell had said in early spring that he would want to see a "string" of hiring reports showing about 1 million added jobs each month. The job market has yet to reach that total in any month this year, though employers have posted a recordhigh number of open jobs At the same time, inflation has shot up

Covid-19 infections rise in Missouri tourist areas

Heat wave grips US West amid fear of a new, hotter normal

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’FALLON, Mo.—A swath of southern Missouri is seeing a big rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations at just the wrong time—as tourists eager to get out after being cooped up for a year make their way to popular destinations like Branson and Lake of the Ozarks.

Data from the state health department’s Covid-19 dashboard on Wednesday showed 206 people hospitalized with the virus in southwestern Missouri—nearly double the 111 hospitalizations from that region at the start of May. The number of people in intensive care units in the region has tripled—from 22 a month-and-a-half ago to 65 now. Meanwhile, statewide hospitalizations have remained steady since March.

Health experts cite two factors driving the surge: The presence of the faster-spreading Delta variant, and reluctance among residents to get vaccinated.

While 52.6% of Americans have initiated vaccination, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most southern Missouri counties are well short of 40%.

Branson sits in Taney and Stone counties, where the vaccination rates as of Wednesday were 27.4% and 28.4% respectively. Miller County, at Lake of the Ozarks, had a vaccination rate of 22.9%.

“We think that with the Delta variant here, those that aren’t vaccinated are just sitting ducks,” said Steve Edwards, CEO of CoxHealth, which operates several hospitals in the region.

Memorial Day marked the unofficial beginning of the tourism season, and big crowds are gathering again at Branson’s popular shows and attractions, and at the beaches, resorts and entertainment areas around the Lake of the Ozarks. AP

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HOENIX—An unusually early and longlasting heat wave brought more tripledigit temperatures Wednesday to a large swath of the US West, raising concerns that such extreme weather could become the new normal amid a decades-long drought.

Phoenix, which is seeing some of the highest temperatures this week, tied a record for the second day in a row when it reached 115 degrees (46 Celsius) Wednesday and was expected to hit 117 (47 Celsius) each of the next two days, the National Weather Service said.

Scientists who study drought and climate change say that people living in the American West can expect to see more of the same in the coming years.

“Heat waves are getting worse in the West because the soil is so dry” from the region’s megadrought, said Park Williams, a University of California, Los Angeles, climate and fire scientist who has calculated that soil in the western half of the nation is the driest it has been since 1895. “We could have two, three, four, five of these heat waves before the end of the summer.”

A few clouds were holding the temperatures down slightly in the desert region of southwest Arizona and southeast California. But there was no real relief expected from the excessive heat warning in effect until at least Sunday. Palm Springs hit a high of 120 degrees on Tuesday, The dome of high pressure spread over the West the week before the official start of summer, causing unusually hot days and warm evenings.

Expecting crowds trying to cool off, a half dozen lifeguards in wide-brimmed straw hats and red T-shirts over swimsuits waited for people to arrive at a city pool in downtown Phoenix that features a water slide and several fountains.

Several blocks away, outdoor misters spritzed diners on restaurant patios.

In California, the operator of the state’s power grid is asking residents to voluntarily conserve power for a few hours Thursday evening as re-

cord-breaking heat blankets the West this week.

The California Independent System Operator issued the alert to help relieve stress on the grid.

It asks people to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, turn off unnecessary lights and avoid using major appliances. CEO Elliot Mainzer said the grid was stable and there was no expectation of rotating power outages, but that could change as temperatures spike in the coming days.

Higher temperatures also were felt in the normally temperate San Francisco Bay Area. A few cooling centers were open but mostly empty by the afternoon.

Kathleen Craft, shelter coordinator for the city of Livermore, California, said temperatures had reached 99 degrees (37 Celsius) shortly after midday but only one woman had shown up at the city’s cooling center.

“We’re anticipating we’ll see more people tomorrow when a temperature of 108 degrees is forecast,” Craft said.

Elsewhere in the West, triple-digit heat was forecast in Denver, which saw a record high of 101 degrees (38 Celsius) Tuesday. The weather service issued an excessive heat warning for parts of western Colorado, most of which is experiencing extreme drought conditions.

Bekka Hamburg was trying to beat the heat by paddle-boarding on a lake just west of downtown Denver on Wednesday.

“I rented this (paddleboard) a week ago knowing that it would be like 100 degrees,” the 24-year-old visiting from Indianapolis said. “I didn’t pack any pants, didn’t pack any T-shirts.

I just packed tank tops and shorts.”

Hamburg said it was the first time she had experienced Colorado’s “dry heat,” adding that it’s much easier to manage than the humid heat common in the Midwest.

In Nevada, Las Vegas hit 116 degrees (46.6 Celsius), breaking the record of 114 degrees (45.5 Celsius) for the date set during a record hot spell on June 16, 1940. AP

Friday, June 18, 2021 A5

Let the recovery begin: EU chief OKs first virus plans

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa at the Center for Living Science in Lisbon on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. The president of the European Commission has started in Lisbon a tour of some European Union capitals to announce the initial endorsement of their plans for spending the bloc’s massive economic recovery fund. AP Photo/Armando Franca

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ADRID—The European Union moved a step closer Wednesday to deploying the bloc’s massive pandemic recovery fund, with a top executive going to Portugal and Spain to announce the bloc’s initial endorsement of their national spending plans.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen first visited Portugal, which was the first of the EU’s 27 countries to formally present ideas for spending its share of the 800 billion euros ($970 billion) earmarked last year to help countries out of a sharp economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She then crossed the border to visit Madrid, where she met with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to give the stamp of approval to Spain’s plan to use nearly 70 billion euros ($85 billion) in grant money.

The commission highlighted Spain’s emphasis on the environment with investments in renewable energy and climate-friendly technologies like electric cars.

“This plan will deeply transform Spain’s economy, make it greener, more digital, more resilient,” von der Leyen said. “We have endorsed this plan because it is ambitious, far-sighted and will help build a better future for the Spanish people.”

The commission’s green light for the proposals will have to be ratified by the leaders of the member states within four weeks.

In the coming years, Spain is also to receive an additional 70 million euros in loans, leaving it only behind Italy as the biggest

beneficiary of the funds after both southern European countries were the first of the bloc to be pummeled by the pandemic.

In Portugal, von der Leyen told Prime Minister António Costa that his government’s plan for how to use its 16.6 billion-euro windfall ($20 billion) in grants and loans has ear ned the commission’s blessing.

Portugal says much of its spending will go to improving the public health network, reducing pollution from public transportation, making housing more energy efficient and buying computers for schools.

So far, 23 of the EU’s 27 countries have submitted their spending plans to Brussels authorities, which vet them to ensure they are in line with the bloc’s policy goals.

EU officials will follow up later to check whether nations are abiding by their commitments.

The EU’s 1.1 trillion-euro ($1.3 trillion) seven-year budget from next year will also help national economies recover from the economic hurt caused by Covid-19.

Von der Leyen also plans to visit Greece, Denmark and Luxembourg later this week.

She started her tour of member states a day after the bloc launched its bond sale for the EU Next Generation funds.

Johannes Hahn, the European Commission for Budget and Administration, said Tuesday that the issue of 20 billion euros in bonds was “the largest ever issuance from a European public sector institution and the largest amount the EU has raised in a single transaction.” AP

A6

The World BusinessMirror

Friday, June 18, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Junta soldiers burn Myanmar village in escalation of violence Ryan Law, second from right, Apple Daily’s chief editor, is arrested by police officers in Hong Kong on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Hong Kong police on Thursday morning arrested the chief editor and four other senior executives of Apple Daily under the national security law on suspicion of collusion with a foreign country to endanger national security, according to local media reports. AP Photo

Apple Daily editors arrested under Hong Kong security law

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Smoke rises from smoldering houses in Kinma village, Pauk township, Magwe division, central Myanmar on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Residents said people are missing after military troops burned the village the night before. AP Photo

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ANGKOK—Government troops have burned most of a village in Myanmar’s heartland, a resident said Wednesday, confirming reports by independent media and on social networks. The action appeared to be an attempt to suppress resistance against the ruling military junta.

The attack is the latest example of how violence has become endemic in much of Myanmar as the junta tries to subdue an incipient nationwide insurrection.

A fter the army seized power in February, overthrowing the elected gover nment of Au ng San Suu Kyi, a nonviolent civil disobedience movement arose to challenge military rule, but the junta’s attempt to repress it with deadly force fueled rather than quelled resistance.

Photos and videos of devastated Kinma village in Magway region that circulated widely on social media showed much of the village f lattened by fire and the

charred bodies of farm animals.

One report said the village had about 1,000 residents.

A villager contacted by phone said only 10 of 237 houses were left standing. The villager, who asked that his name not be used because of fear of government reprisals, said most residents had already f led when soldiers firing guns entered the village shortly before noon on Tuesday.

He said he believed the troops were sea rc hing for members of a village defense force that had been established to protect against the junta’s troops and police. Most such local forces are very lightly armed with home-

made hunting rif les.

T he v i l l a ge defe n se force wa r ned residents before t he troops arrived, so only four or five people were left in the village when they began searching houses in the afternoon. W hen they found nothing, they began setting the homes on fire, he said. “ There are some forests just nearby our village. Most of us f led into the forests,” he said.

The villager said he believed there were three casualties, a boy who was a goat herder who was shot in the thigh, and an elderly couple who were unable to f lee. He believed the couple had died but several media reports said they were missing.

Asked if he planned to go back to the village, he said: “No, we dare not to. We think it isn’t over. We will shift to other villages. Even if we go back to our village, there is no place to stay because everything is burnt.”

Vi l l age defense forces a re committed to forming a future opposition federal army, and some have a l lied t hemselves w ith ethnic minor it y g roups in border areas that have been fighting for decades for autono-

my from the central government.

Most of the fiercest fighting takes place in the border regions, where government forces are deployed in areas controlled by ethnic groups such as the Chin in the west, the Kachin in the north and the Karenni in the east.

T he incident in K inma attracted specia l attention because the Burman, or Barmar ethnic group, the country’s power-holding majority, is predominant in the Magway region and it is unusual for them to be targeted for such severe measures.

The army burned many villages of the Muslim Rohingya minority in 2017 in a brutal cou nter i nsu rgenc y c a mpa ig n in the western state of Rakhine that drove more than 700,000 to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh.

There is widespread prejudice against the Rohingya and few in Myanmar protested the army’s treatment of them, though international courts are now considering whether it constituted genocide. Some people commenting Wednesday on social media said the burning of Kinma made Rohingya claims of mistreatment more credible.AP

Macao closing office in Taipei amid rising Chinese pressure

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ACAO, China—The tiny Chinese autonomous region of Macao has joined its larger neighbor Hong Kong in closing its representative office in Taiwan as China seeks to intensify the diplomatic isolation of the self-governing island democracy.

Macao gave no reason for the closure, which was announced Wednesday and takes effect from Saturday. As with Hong Kong, Macao is setting up a telephone hotline to provide service for any of its residents in Taiwan.

The closure comes a month after Hong Kong, another semi-autonomous Chinese territory, shut its office in Taipei, accusing Taiwan’s government of having “grossly interfered” in Hong Kong’s internal affairs.

Ta iw a n’s gover n ment h ad

voiced support for pro-democracy protests that roiled Hong Kong in 2019 and extended assistance to asylum seekers from Hong Kong fleeing a hash crackdown backed

by Beijing.

Relations between Taiwan and Beijing have deteriorated in recent years as China ratchets up diplomatic, military and economic pressure on the island and also tightens its control over Hong Kong, a former British colony that was promised it could maintain many of its freedoms when it was handed to Chinese control in 1997.

What happens in Hong Kong is of great interest in Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. Beijing has proposed Taiwan be governed under its so-called “one country, two systems” framework that has been in

place for Hong Kong and Macao.

Macao is a former Portuguese colony and gambling enclave that was handed to Chinese rule in 1999, In closing its office in Taipei, Hong Kong cited actions that have “severely damaged Hong KongTaiwan relations. The Taiwanbased Hong Kong Aid Project and Taiwan-Hong Kong Office for Exchanges and Services had provided assistance to “violent protesters and people who tried to shatter Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” the Hong Kong government said.

Taiwan’s Mainland A f fairs Council, responsible for relations with China, said Hong Kong would bear the consequences of the disruption in contacts, and that Taiwan’s office in the city would continue its work.

However, concerns have risen about the future of Taiwan’s de facto consulate in Hong Kong, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, with Hong Kong refusing to issue visas to several of its officials, reportedly because they refused to sign declarations endorsing Beijing’s contention that Taiwan belongs to China.

If it closes, Taiwan’s office in Macao may find itself in similar straits.

Chinese pressure has steadily narrowed Taiwan’s ability to take part in international organizations and reduced its number of diplomatic allies to just 15.

On Tuesday, China flew a record 28 fighter jets and other military aircraft toward Taiwan, the largest such display of force since Beijing began sending planes on a near daily basis last year. AP

ONG KONG—Five editors and executives at pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper were arrested Thursday under Hong Kong’s national security law, its stock was halted and police were searching its offices in moves raising concerns about the media’s future in the city.

Apple Daily is known for its strong pro-democracy stance and often criticizes and condemns the Chinese and Hong Kong governments for tightening control over the city.

Hong Kong authorities have been intensifying a crackdown on dissent following months of mass anti-government protests in 2019.

Apple Daily’s chief editor Ryan Law, Next Digital CEO Cheung Kimhung, the publisher’s chief operating officer and two other editors were arrested, according to Apple Daily, the South China Morning Post and other local media.

The government said security police had arrested five directors of a company for “suspected contravention” of the national security law.

The four men and one woman aged between 47 and 63 were arrested on suspicion of collusion with a “foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security” according to the statement, which did not name those arrested.

More than 200 police officers were involved in the search of Apple Daily’s offices, and the government said a warrant was obtained to look

for evidence of a suspected violation of the national security law.

Trading in the shares of Next Digital was halted Thursday morning, according to a notice on the Hong Kong stock exchange. No reason was given for the halt.

When Hong Kong was handed over to China by the British in 1997, Beijing had promised that the territory that it could retain its freedoms not found on the mainland for 50 years.

Critics now say that those freedoms are diminishing as China tightens its grip over the territory, following the implementation of a sweeping national security law, which outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign collusion. The law has been used to arrest over a hundred pro-democracy figures since it was first implemented in June last year.

The arrests of the paper’s editors have also sparked concerns about the future of Hong Kong’s press freedom. It is the second time that Hong Kong’s police have conducted an operation on Apple Daily, with police arresting founder Jimmy Lai and other executives last year on suspicion of national security law violations or fraud.

L a i is c u r rent ly ser v i ng a 20-month prison sentence for his role in unauthorized assemblies in 2019, during a period when Hong Kong saw massive anti-government protests. Last month, authorities froze Lai’s assets and shares in Next Digital. AP

Thailand to reopen in October to vaccinated foreign visitors

B

ANGKOK—Thailand plans to fully reopen to vaccinated foreign visitors by mid-October as the government seeks to restart the crucial coronavirus-devastated tourism industry, the prime minister announced Wednesday.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha said fully inoculated foreign visitors and returning Thai citizens must be allowed entry “without quarantine or other inconvenient restrictions,” and that his goal is to open up the country within 120 days.

Prayuth acknowledged that the push to re-open might create problems.

“I know this decision comes with some risk because, when we open the country, there will be an increase in infections, no matter how good our precautions,” he said. “But I think when we take into consideration the economic needs of the people, the time has come for us to take that calculated risk.”

Tourism is a major contributor to Thailand’s economy and employs millions of people. The country attracted nearly 40 million foreign arrivals in 2019, which plunged in 2020 because of an entry ban to control the coronavirus.

Prayuth said the government would reconsider the reopening only if a serious situation develops.

The government had previously targeted next January for reopening the country. Thailand is in the midst of a surge in coronavirus cases that

started in April and has accounted for more than 80% of the country’s 204,595 total confirmed cases and 90% of its 1,525 deaths.

The surge has caused special concern because Thailand has been late in securing and deploying vaccine supplies. So far it only has supplies of Sinovac from China and AstraZeneca, which is beginning to be produced locally under license. Just over 7% of the country’s 69 million people have had at least one dose.

Prayuth, who has come under fierce criticism over the vaccine supply situation, said his government is making progress in obtaining other vaccines, including those from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna.

“To date, we have signed reservation and supply contracts for 105.5 million doses to be delivered this year, putting us ahead of our target for vaccine supplies,” he said. “Based on our current plans, we will administer an average of about 10 million shots a month from July, so that by early October almost 50 million people will have had at least their first shot administered.”

Thailand plans to begin a trial project next month in which it will allow fully vaccinated visitors from abroad to enter Phuket without quarantine. But the so-called “Phuket sandbox” still entails restrictions, including a requirement to stay on the island for 14 days before heading to the mainland. AP

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Friday, June 18, 2021

A7

BusinessMirror

A8 Friday, June 18, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

WANG, WEIMIN Customer Service Representative - Bilingual Speaking (mandarin & Fookien) 1.

Brief Job Description: Communicates directly with clients and encourage trusting relationships. Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information. Maintains customer records by updating account information.

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Mandarin & Fookien; Can speak/ understand English too.

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

2.

Brief Job Description: Provide telephone voice/email/chat support to resolve customer’s concerns following pre-defined support procedures and policies using support channels and tools provided by Rio Tinto with a primary focus on achieving customer resolution and satisfaction

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree graduate.

Undergraduates are welcome to apply. Can communicate effectively in both oral and written English and French, with a valid certification of TEF/CEFR of at least B2.

Knowledgeable or with experience in Service Desk Management. Willing to work on holidays, weekends, shifting schedules and extended working hours, as needed.

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

3.

Brief Job Description: Fluent in mandarin and English speaking, maintaining procedure manuals for all HR admin duties

SALA-NGAM, URAIWAN Thai Speaking Customer Service Representative 4.

Brief Job Description: Deal with all customers queries/complaints, should be Vietnamese speaking SINGNOI, NIRINCHANOK Thai Speaking Customer Service Representative

5.

Brief Job Description: Deal with all customers quiries/complaints, should be Vietnamese speaking HOANG THI LAN THI Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

6.

Brief Job Description: Deal with all customers quiries/complaints, should be Vietnamese speaking

Basic Qualification: Preferably with 7 years and above experience in a Senior Management position Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

15.

16.

17.

7.

Brief Job Description: Communicate with buyers, merchants and internal customers and take appropriate action to identify and help minimize the risk posed by fraud patterns and trends HO THI THANH HON Investigation Specialist I

8.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for a wide range of duties related to the investigation and elimination of online e-commerce risk.

NGUYEN THI KIM THUY Investigation Specialist I

9.

Brief Job Description: Communicate with buyers, merchants and internal customers and take appropriate action to identify and help minimize the risk posed by fraud patterns and trends NGUYEN THI PHUONG THAO Investigation Specialist I

10.

Brief Job Description: Communicate with buyers, merchants and internal customers and take appropriate action to identify and help minimize the risk posed by fraud patterns and trends MA TUONG LINH Seller Onboarding Associate

11.

Brief Job Description: Liaise with compliance operations and/or seller support teams to effectively and efficiently resolve seller queries IAMNAMKUL, NATCHANON Seller Support Associate

12.

Brief Job Description: Provides prompt and efficient service to amazon sellers and merchants including the appropriate escalation of sellers issues where required VAJARODAYA, TATPOL Seller Support Associate

13.

Brief Job Description: Provide service to amazon sellers and merchants including escalation of sellers’ issue.

ANCHOR LAND HOTELS & RESORTS, INC. G/f 69 Solemare Park Suites Bradco Avenue Tambo Parañaque City

18.

19.

Basic Qualification: Preferably with 6 months to 1 year customer service experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

20.

Basic Qualification: Preferably with 6 months to 1 year customer service experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Preferably with 6 months to 1 year customer service experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore Brgy. 076 Pasay City HO THI HONG VI Investigation Specialist I

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management or Hotel and Restaurant Management, at least five years’ experience in the same capacity preferably in a luxury setting, strong leadership & organizational skills.

21.

22.

KHAING THWE THWE OO Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KO KO LATT Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries KYAN SHWIN CHIKE Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI CHEIN KAUNG Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PAN SEIN Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries THU ANNE Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAN, BEI Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHONG, WEN Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

LIU, YAN Vice President Of Operations Department 23.

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Vietnamese Language.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluency in both English and Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluency in both English and Vietnamese

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

Brief Job Description: Provides operational guidance and development support to the Operation Department

SUN, WEI Mandarin Marketing Supervisor 24.

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

29.

30.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Marketing Supervisor will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

FERRER WOLF, ALEXANDER Process Specialist 25.

Brief Job Description: Service support solution includes diagnosis, resolution and reporting of customer issues and questions relating to Youtube paid content products. Service is Tier 1 end user support with escalations to Google.

26.

27.

Brief Job Description: Assisting clients by providing information on services.

LI, ZHIMIAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Assisting clients by providing information on services.

SONG, WEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Assisting clients by providing information on services.

TANG, LIQIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Assisting clients by providing information on services YANG, DONGBO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Assisting clients by providing information on services.

FENG, ZUXIANG Chinese It Support Specialist 31.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

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

HE, MAOJIE Chinese It Support Specialist 32.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

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

HU, WANG Chinese It Support Specialist 33.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

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

LI, TAO Chinese It Support Specialist 34.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

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

REN, TONGSHENG Chinese It Support Specialist 35.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

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

XIE, CHANGHAI Chinese It Support Specialist 36.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

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

XU, WEIWEI Chinese It Support Specialist 37.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in both Mandarin/English language with working experience in Mainland China, knowledgeable on Operation procedure & with at least 20 years’ experience in bank operations

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Marketing Supervisor, Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

38.

39.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

ZHU, MINGMING Chinese It Support Specialist

40.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

HOANG QUOC CUONG It Support Specialist

41.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality IT Support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele LAM MY PHUONG It Support Specialist

42.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality IT Support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele MYO MYINT AUNG It Support Specialist

43.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality IT Support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele

PHUNG NGUYET THU It Support Specialist 44.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Oral and written Mandarin and English

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

ZHANG, PENG Chinese It Support Specialist

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Oral and written Mandarin and English

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele.

ZHANG, MING Chinese It Support Specialist

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

Basic Qualification: Tech-savvy and able to troubleshoot personal devices (computers, smart phones, tablets)

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in Oral and written Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Oral and Written Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Oral and written Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 9/f 100 West Building Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City 7/f Aseana I Bldg. Bradco Avenue Aseana Business Park Tambo Parañaque City

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. Malate Bayview Mansion 1781 M. Adriatico Street 076, Brgy. 699 Malate Manila LI, JIANGFA Chinese Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

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

Basic Qualification: Fluency in both English and Thai Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

CBMI CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD. Unit 37-b Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. San Lorenzo Makati City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluency in both English and Thai

28.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluency in both English and Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

BANK OF CHINA (HONG KONG) LIMITED - MANILA BRANCH G/f, 2/f, 28/f, West Retail The Finance Centreblock 55 Lot 1 & 2 26th St. Cor 9th Ave. Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

Basic Qualification: Fluency in both English and Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

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

ALFANET GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC. Flr. No. 4th & 5th W Mall Bldg. Diosdado Macapagal Ave. St. Zone 10. Barangay 076, District 1 Pasay City MENG, PEI-YAO a.k.a. ANNIE MENG Head Of Human Resources And Admin

Brief Job Description: Overall in charge of the food and beverage operations of the Hotel

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1 Pioneer St Mandaluyong City

NGUIMBOUS MASSO, JOSEPH FRANCOIS Bilingual Service Desk Analyst - French

VENGADABADY, BRUNO SHIV Director Of Food & Beverage 14.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5th-10th/f Tower 3, Pitx #1 Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality IT Support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele

TRENH NGOC LIEN It Support Specialist 45.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing quality IT Support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Chinese writing and speaking language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and read Cantonese, Mandarin and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and read Cantonese, Mandarin and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and read Cantonese, Mandarin and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and read Cantonese, Mandarin and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and read Cantonese, Mandarin and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg. #48 President Avenue Bf Homes Parañaque City SOFYAN Indonesian Customer Service Representative 46.

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Indonesian through blogs, micro blogs and forums.

MIN, MUNKYU Korean Customer Service Representative

47.

Brief Job Description: Create and manage product in conjunction with marketing strategies to Korean Customer Service Representative BERNARD CHIN JUN TIN Malaysian Customer Service Representative

48.

Brief Job Description: Create and manage product in conjunction with marketing strategies to Malaysian Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: At least college graduate; Indonesian speaking Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: At least college graduate.

Speaks and write fluently (Korean & English)

65.

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

49.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company HU, QI Strategic And Facilitation Officer

50.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its chinese clients to generate more income for the company LI, XIAOYU Strategic And Facilitation Officer

51.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company LI, YONGJIE Strategic And Facilitation Officer

52.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company LIU, SHUANGWEI Strategic And Facilitation Officer

53.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

LIUFU, PING Strategic And Facilitation Officer

54.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its chinese clients to generate more income for the company QIAN, BIN Strategic And Facilitation Officer

55.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

TONG, JIANCHANG Strategic And Facilitation Officer

56.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

WANG, XIN Strategic And Facilitation Officer

57.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company WANG, ZHAOXIN Strategic And Facilitation Officer

58.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company WU, WEIZHAO Strategic And Facilitation Officer

59.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

XU, ZHIJUN Strategic And Facilitation Officer

60.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

YANG, YUNFEI Strategic And Facilitation Officer

61.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

YE, BIN Strategic And Facilitation Officer

62.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its chinese clients to generate more income for the company ZHANG, KANG Strategic And Facilitation Officer

63.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

ZHANG, ZHEN Strategic And Facilitation Officer

64.

Brief Job Description: Your primary function is to help the company and its Chinese clients to generate more income for the company.

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

Basic Qualification: must be fluent in Chinese language

66.

67.

68.

69.

70.

Basic Qualification: must be fluent in Chinese language

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: must be fluent in Chinese language

77.

78.

Basic Qualification: must be fluent in Chinese language

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

79.

80.

81.

DU, GAOQIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services GU, YUEQUN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing HE, CHAO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer service inquiries identifying and assessing customer’s needs HUANG, CHENGZHI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need LEONG PUI MUN Chinese Customer Service Representative

82.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need LIM ZU WIL Chinese Customer Service Representative

83.

84.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 85.

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need

LEONG FOOK WENG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing

LEE, KYUNGJOO Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: must be fluent in chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries , identifying and assessing customer’s need

HUANG, BANGSHUAI Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

HE, SINI Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

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

CHEN, MIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

HAN, LIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

DONG, BINGXIONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in Chinese language.

Basic Qualification: must be fluent in chinese language

CHE DOAN ANH Chinese Customer Service Representative

CHUNG, JUNGHOON Chinese Customer Service Representative 71.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need

CHENG MY SAU Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

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

Brief Job Description: Manage accounts and concerns of clients from German market

ALICIA FEBRRIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: must be fluent in Chinese language

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

No.

87.

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

Basic Qualification: German language skills (written and spoken), good oral and speaking skills.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need LIU, HUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services LOK CHIN XIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services MAO, TAIYUN Chinese Customer Service Representative

86.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English

88.

89.

90.

91.

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

92.

93.

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

94.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English

95.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English.

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

96.

97.

98.

99.

100.

101.

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

102.

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

103.

104.

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English

105.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English

106.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NGUYEN THUY DUONG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need NI, ZHIXIN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services PARK, HYOKYOO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services PENG, ZHIWEI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services SANG, JINYANG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services SHI, RONGJIA Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need TEO HONG PENG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services TRAN QUOC LOI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services TRUONG GIA MAN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need WEI, ZHIWEI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

XIN, JIE Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer service inquiries: identifying and assessing customer’s needs XU, HUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

107.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing

XU, ZHI Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

WANG, HUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English.

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

NGO VAN ANH Chinese Customer Service Representative

SOO SIEW MUN Chinese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Fluenlt Speaking inmandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing

SHIN, JEONGSEOP Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

NGUYEN VIET DUC Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Vietnamese and English

MYO WIN HLAING Chinese Customer Service Representative

NGUYEN LE CHAU Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

MYUNG, KOOKRYONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

NOCMAKATI, INC. 8,9,10,11,12,14,15,16,17,18 & 19 Floors Century Diamond Center Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Salamanca St. Poblacion Makati City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: must be fluent in chinese language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

DARFSCHLAG, SVEN Customer Support Advisor - German

JDB MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY CORP. 107 T & D House Magallanes St. 069, Bgy. 655 Intramuros Manila GUO, SHUANG Strategic And Facilitation Officer

LI, MEILING Chinese Customer Service

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NCH CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC. 6f, 7f, Tower 3 West Bldg. Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Ext. Cor. Macapagal St. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: At least college graduate speaks and write fluently (Malay & English)

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Friday, June 18, 2021 A9

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need XU, ZHIHUAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

108.

109.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need XU, LIANG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A10 Friday, June 18, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION XU, ZIHAO Chinese Customer Service Representative

110.

111.

112.

113.

114.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing XUE, FEI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services YANG, XIAOMEI Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services YANG, JU Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services YE, XIONGHAO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services YEAP WAI HON Chinese Customer Service Representative

115.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need YU, QING Chinese Customer Service Representative

116.

117.

118.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing YUAN, TIANHAO Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services YULYANA Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services ZHANG, GUANGSHOU Chinese Customer Service Representative

119.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need ZHANG, HAO Chinese Customer Service Representative

120.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need ZHANG, WEI Chinese Customer Service Representative

121.

122.

123.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need ZHANG, JING Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services ZHANG, MINGZHEN Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services ZHANG, CHUTIAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

124.

125.

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries; identifying and assessing ZHAO, HENG Chinese Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services ZHAO, LURAN Chinese Customer Service Representative

126.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Managing calls and customer services inquiries and assessing customer’s need

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English.

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

130.

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

127.

Brief Job Description: Set up technical center and back office to support Onduline development in North East Asia

132.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin and English

128.

Brief Job Description: Are in charge with promoting organization and developing effective branding strategies

CHEN, YOUBIN Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant 129.

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business process in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business process in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English

LI, JIAJIA Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant 133.

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

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

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business process in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

MIAO, JIWEN Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant 134.

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business process in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

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

WU, QIUTING Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant 135.

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business process in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English LUC A PHUNG Product Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English

136.

Brief Job Description: To ensure excellent product delivery, They have wealth or knowledge about a product or range they should have strong customer service analytical

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English

KIM, HYEONGCHAN Content Analyst Language Specialist - Korean

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

137.

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

Basic Qualification: Manage Onduline Philippines organization and develop sales and profitability Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with at least 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with at least 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Processes and maintains data accurately and in timely manner into refinitiv database using technical and financial knowledge.

GOTO, TSUTOMU Regional Manager 138.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with atleast 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with atleast 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications

Brief Job Description: Leads and manages regional operation and collaborate in the planning and project implementation

139.

140.

141.

142.

143.

144.

145.

DU, PENGYANG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service MICHAEL LOOI SOON ONN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

NING, SIMIN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

REN, JIE Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

TRAN HUYNH THIEU BAO Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

TRINH GIAO TIN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

TRUONG CHI TINH Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

No.

146.

147.

Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with atleast 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

YANG, LIANGYU Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

ZHANG, TONGJUN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

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

SUPER CUT MING JIANG SALON INC. Unit 209-210 Monarch Parksuites Condo. Bradco Ave. Tambo Parañaque City

148.

Basic Qualification: Expert in hairstyling, fluent in Mandarin (Both oral and Written)

YE, MIAO Chinese Beauty Consultant Brief Job Description: Beauty parlor activities.

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

SUTHERLAND GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 12th Floor Philplans Corporate Center Kalayaan Avenue & Triangle Drive Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

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

SUKPASIT, PLOYPAPHATCH Associate - Account Management 149.

Brief Job Description: Answer account management concerns and assist client in options of domain purchase

TAHA AHMED ABDELAZIM MOUSSA Business Development Analyst

Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with atleast 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications

Brief Job Description: Develop and communicate metrics reporting processes and documentation across plants and companies in collaboration with operations, marketing, and sales functions. Leading and executing various special projects with senior leadership primarily related to the evaluation of possible growth strategies or driving personal operational improvement

150.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with atleast 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications

SHILOVA, KARINA Financial Services Consultant 151.

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree, proficiency in english and any of the abovementioned languages, amenable on any shift.

152.

153.

155.

156.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in speaking Chinese / Mandarin

Brief Job Description: Maintain a content database of all online and offline content

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

Brief Job Description: The Chinese IT Support is an integral of the company infrastructure, application support and of the IT division and is responsible for providing quality IT Support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Fukien language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: To implement administrative and operational policies of the corporation under your supervision and control;

Basic Qualification: • JLPT N1 passer; Fluent in Japanese and English (Speak, read and write) • At least 5 years working experience as a Top-Level Position in a Japanese Company • Extensive knowledge in the same industry is required Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

YONGFU PHILIPPINE NEW ENERGY MANAGEMENT LTD. INC. Units A&b, 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo Makati City WANG, BIN Chinese Technical Consultant 157.

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

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

Brief Job Description: The Chinese IT Support is an integral of the company infrastructure, application support and of the IT division and is responsible for providing quality IT Support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientelle

NEGISHI, RYO Treasurer / Deputy President

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Basic Qualification: strong knowledge of consumer industry, strong range management, ability to think critically and creatively, fluency in English and mandarin language is a must

WEBLIO PHILIPPINES INC. U-601 6/f Itc Bldg. 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

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

Brief Job Description: Develop, implement and communicate metrics reporting processes and documentation across plants and companies in collaboration with operations, marketing and sales functions, and fluency in English and mandarin language is a must, leading and executing various special projects with senior leadership primarily related to the evaluation of possible growth strategies or driving operational improvement.

TANG THUC NHI It Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

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

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

XU, LIJUAN Chinese It Support Specialist

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

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

Brief Job Description: Perform commendable sales specializing in Financial services and in Corporate Banking or Wealth Management or in Financial planning services to high net net worth clients

CHEN, CHANG Chinese It Support Specialist

154.

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

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in English and Arabic. Must be flexible, analytical and good communicators.

TIANYU TECHNOLOGY INC. 16/f Socialdesk Tower H.v. Dela Costa St. Bel-air Makati City 42/f Pbcom Tower Ayala Avenue Cor. V.a Rufino Street Bel-air Makati City

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

Basic Qualification: University Graduate; At least with N2 level in Nihongo; Preferably with minimum of 10 to 15 years’ experience under the same capacity.

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

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in English and Russian Language

XU, ZHAOXIN Trade Marketing Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: -55 y/o with atleast 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication skills in Mandarin/Thai language

TANZILA TRADING INC. U-29 3/f Bac. Bagong Milenyo F.b. Harrison St. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

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

SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 20/f Techzone Bldg. 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. San Antonio Makati City 3/f Eco Plaza Bldg. 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extn. Magallanes Makati City

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: 15-55 y/o with at least 5 months experience with good oral and written communication skills knowledge in computer applications

SMCC PHILIPPINES, INC. 6/f Peninsula Court Bldg. 8735 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City

Basic Qualification: Fluently speaking in Mandarin and English.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

REFINITIV ASIA PTE. LTD. - PHILIPPINE BRANCH Ground Floor 18/20 Building Upper Mckinley Hill Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

OKKDA ASIA TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 5b 5/f Marvin Plaza 2153 C. Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City

THAN VAN CONG Brand Specialist

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business process in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

LI, DANYU Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant

OFIC PHILIPPINES, INC. #73 Bayani Road Blk. 36 Lot 27 Afpovai Phase 2 Western Bicutan Taguig City

GUILLUY, OLIVIER JACQUES PAUL Country Head / APAC Director / President

Brief Job Description: To analyze and design business process in collaboration with stakeholders and subject matter experts for both sales and marketing organizations

LI, HAOMING Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant 131.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HE, GANG Multilingual Business Process Development Consultant

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Performing analyses on hardware, software and network capabilities.

WU, WEIKANG Chinese Technical Consultant 158.

Brief Job Description: Performing analyses on hardware, software and network capabilities.

Basic Qualification: Advance knowledge of hardware and software solutions and network maintenance.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Advance knowledge of hardware and software solutions and network maintenance.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Jun 17, 2021

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

Please inform DOLE-NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362

25.

Mr. YICHENG LIU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

26.

Mr. TUCHENG SHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

27.

Mr. ZENGQIANG ZHOU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

28.

Mr. YUFENG ZHU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

29.

Mr. XUFEI ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

30.

Mr. SHUAI CHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

31.

Mr. QUAN DU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

32.

Mr. LONG YANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

33.

Mr. MENGFEI JIAO Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

34.

Mr. PENG ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

35.

Mr. HAO ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

36.

Mr. GEMING LAN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

37.

Mr. BO DENG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

38.

Mr. FANGMING ZHANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

39.

Mr. BAOXIN LI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

40.

Mr. CHENLONG HUANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

June 18, 2021

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP)

Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s.

Name and Address of Employer: RELIANCE PRODUCERS COOPERATIVE (RPC) CEZ, Rosario, Cavite Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

2.

Mr. LUPING DU Chinese

Ms. XIAOHONG XIAO Chinese

Position and Job Description

Technical Consultant – Pattern Review, plan, organize and manage technical package.

Technical Consultant – Sewing Ensure accurate pattern fit to model body or dress form.

Salary

USD3,600.00/month

USD3,600.00/month

Name and Address of Employer: MITSUBISHI MOTORS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION GAP-SEZ, Santa Rosa City, Laguna Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

1.

Mr. KOJI SUNOUCHI Japanese

Position and Job Description

Salary

Senior Expert-Manufacturing Division Advise and coordinate the activities of the logistics Php145,000.00/month department to obtain optimum efficiency and economy of operations.

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

Position and Job Description

1.

Mr. YUTAO LI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

2.

Mr. XIANQIANG HUANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

3.

Ms. XI HU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

4.

Mr. JIAWEI YANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

5.

Mr. QIANG FU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

6.

Mr. WEI SUN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

7.

Mr. SONGTAO LI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

8.

Mr. WANG LIAO Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

9.

Mr. YU LIANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

10.

Mr. XINGWEI CHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

11.

Mr. YOUYUE XIAO Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

12.

Mr. XIANDA MENG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

13.

Mr. SHULIN XIAN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

Mr. SHENGFU CHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

15.

Ms. SHIMIN XIONG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

16.

Ms. SHAOXIA WU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

17.

Mr. KAI LIU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

18.

Mr. SHAOLIN HUANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

Ms. LIEW CHING YOKE Malaysian

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

20.

Mr. FENG XIN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

21.

Mr. HAIYANG WANG Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

22.

Mr. CHAOYI DAI Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

23.

Mr. JIE LIU Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

24.

Mr. QINGCHENG CHEN Chinese

Mandarin Customer Service Manage incoming calls and customer service inquiries.

Php30,000.00/month

14.

19.

Friday, June 18, 2021 A11

Salary

Name and Address of Employer: MECHATRO TECH PHILIPPINES, INC. LISP1, Bo. Diezmo, Cabuyao, Laguna

1.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary

Mr. TOSHIYUKI KAWAI Japanese

General Manager Oversee the company’s cash flow and cash balance.

Php30,000.00/month

Name and Address of Employer: SIMA TECHNOLOGY (PHILIPPINES) INC. Green Stone Bldg, Lot 2 Block 10, Laguna Techno park Brgy. Mamplasan, Biñan City, Laguna

1.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary

Mr. GONGYONG SHI Chinese

PMC Supervisor Ensure the effectiveness of the production department and its capacity.

Php26,296.00/month

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

Position and Job Description

Salary

Mr. HARUYUKI KURIHARA Japanese

Vice President - SSD, PCD, SQA & MPD Manage, supervise and administer the SSD, PCD, SQA & MPD departments of the corporation which is primarily responsible

Php170,000.00/month

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary

Mr. JONG YEOL SEO Korean

Chief Operating Officer Design and implement business strategies, plans and Php110,000.00/month procedures.

Php30,000.00/month 1.

Name and Address of Employer: YEGA GARDEN RESORT INC. Brgy. San Jose, Mabini, Batangas

1.

Name and Address of Employer: NISSIN PRECISION PHILIPPINES CORPORATION FPIP, Brgy. Sta. Anastacia, Santo Tomas, Batangas

1.

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Position and Job Description

Salary

Mr. TSUYOSHI HIRAIRI Japanese

Sr. Technical Adviser Act as technical adviser for production concerns related to mold handling and maintenance.

Php360,000.00/annum

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication.

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

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph

A12 Friday, June 18, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

How the rich manipulate the poor

‘M

oney isn’t everything, but happiness is.” “If money isn’t everything, work at McDonald’s.”

One statement was made by a member of one of the most successful “boy bands” in history. The other was from a man who started as a doorto-door meat and seafood salesman.

The wealthier elite economic and social class has always set the tone and aspirations for all those underneath them. There is nothing wrong with having the desire and ambition to be successfully rich. Part of that includes trying to emulate if not imitate the rich. The individuals on the list of the “Richest in the World” would probably all give the good advice to, for example, “work hard; work smart.”

But it is easier to “look” like the rich rather than adopt the behavior that helped make the people wealthy. “Fake it until you make it.”

Notice that the lower groups try to mimic the upper group, never the other way around. Fashion does not go down to the street level to get ideas to sell to the rich. However, Amancio Ortega built a multi-billiondollar retail clothing empire (and personal net worth) by doing the opposite. Within weeks of the top high fashion couturiers showing their new designs, Ortega had factories in Asia cranking out copies of those designs made for sale to the masses.

Displays of wealth though has become easier and more common for the “less-rich”. Back in the 1980s, “rich” businesspeople from London were packing their suitcases with fake Rolex watches from Thailand to give as gifts to their less-wealthy associates and employees. One even bragged that his fakes were better than someone else’s since he paid a few hundred baht more to have an extra layer of gold paint applied.

The fake handbags, shoes, and clothes gave the “poor” people a chance to look and feel rich without going through all the hard work of actually getting rich.

As that trend continued, the richer people have had to change the way they manipulate the poorer ones. From physical wealth, the trend has been to social status behavior that has nothing to do with money.

In other words, look at the way the rich are telling the poor how to behave. Research indicates that respect and admiration from our peers are even more important than money for our sense of well-being. If everyone in the neighborhood has a fake Rolex and imitation Hermes Birkin Bag, how can you stand out and act rich?

Writing in the New York Post, Rob Henderson said: “The upper classes have found a clever solution to this problem: luxury beliefs. These are ideas and opinions that confer status on the rich at very little cost, while taking a toll on the lower class. One example of luxury belief is that all family structures are equal. This is not true. Evidence is clear that families with two married parents are the most beneficial for young children. And yet, affluent, educated people raised by two married parents are more likely than others to believe monogamy is outdated, marriage is a sham or that all families are the same. This ‘luxury belief’ helps contribute to the erosion of the family.”

Research shows that before the 1970s the vast majority of Americans got married, and most children lived in stable, two-parent families. But since then, there has been a substantial marriage divide by class. First, poor Americans became markedly less likely to get married, now at 26 percent. Then, starting in the 1980s, working-class Americans became less likely to get married (39 percent). For the upper economic class, the figure is still 56 percent.

In the past, upper class Americans used to display their social status with luxury goods. Today, they do it with luxury beliefs.

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Unspent Bayanihan 2 funds Sonny M. Angara

Better Days

W

hen we passed the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2) back in August of 2020, every one of us in Congress understood that we had to act swiftly in order to address the urgent needs of all the sectors affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of P165.5 billion was allocated for Bayanihan 2, a significant portion of which went to the health sector for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, support for our frontline health workers and for building up our health system as a whole.

Particular emphasis was also given to assisting the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whose operations were drastically affected by the imposition of strict community quarantines in the National Capital Region and other parts of the country. A huge sum was provided to our government financial institutions—Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Small Business Corporation and the Philippine Guarantee Corporation as capital infusion so that they could provide low-interest loans to the affected entrepreneurs.

Apart from helping the MSMEs to resume their operations, the provision of loans by the GFIs is also intended to support the continued payment of salaries of their employees so that no jobs will be lost.

The transport sector was another target beneficiary of aid under Bayanihan 2. For several months, public utility vehicles were not allowed to ply their routes, forcing the hardworking drivers of jeepneys and tricycles to resort to asking for alms on the streets just to feed their families.

Education also received its share of the Bayanihan 2 funds to assist the Department of Education in the implementation of its alternative modes of teaching since face-toface learning is still not allowed. For higher education, funds were provided for the development of smart campuses in the state universities

and colleges. We also included funding for the provision of subsidies for qualified students.

Bayanihan 2 was signed into law in September last year and expired on December 19. This apparently was too short a period for the different implementing agencies to utilize the funds allocated to them and so upon the request of the Executive Branch, Congress extended the availability of the appropriations under Bayanihan 2 until June 30, 2021.

We now have less than half a month left before the Bayanihan 2 extension expires and what we are seeing in terms of fund utilization is not encouraging.

Based on data provided by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as of May 18, 2021, there are still around P61 billion of the P165.5 billion Bayanihan 2 funds that have not been obligated by the implementing agencies.

When you say that funds are obligated, this means specific programs or projects have been identified and commitments have been made for their implementation.

The data shows that there are a number of agencies with obligation rates below 50 percent and a few that went even below 10 percent.

Underspending has long been an issue with the government and is usually an indication of poor absorptive capacity by the implementing agencies. There are a variety of rea-

Iran’s gamble on hardline president narrows nuclear-deal window

By Golnar Motevalli Bloomberg Opinion

T

he frontrunner in Friday’s presidential election in Iran is an austere cleric and judiciary chief hostile to the West, who’s expected to prevail as millions boycott a vote their favored reformist candidates weren’t allowed to contest.

The stage-managed elevation of Ebrahim Raisi, 60, carries risks for the country’s guiding hand, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, given the ayatollah’s desire to quickly rid Iran of US sanctions and a history of political unrest. But the 82-year-old Khamenei is eyeing a sweep of leadership positions for ultraconservatives, and Raisi’s widely considered his preferred successor.

A Raisi victory would ensure a “level of harmony” among the establishment, said Foad Izadi, associate professor at Tehran University’s Faculty of World Studies, after a maximum eight years under the more moderate Hassan Rouhani punctuated by rancor.

What it might mean for those outside Iran’s power structure is less clear. Rouhani remains in office un-

til August, giving his negotiators a few more weeks to revive the 2015 agreement with world powers that lifted penalties on Iran’s economy and curtailed its atomic program until Donald Trump withdrew the US. The diplomacy is being watched by oil traders eager to understand when Iranian crude might flood the market, and Iran’s neighbors after the standoff with Trump pushed the region close to war and Tehran to enrich uranium near the level required for a bomb.

Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, foresees a grand bargain.

“The system probably prefers the deal to be restored under Rouhani, so that he shoulders the blame for any shortcomings but Raisi reaps the economic dividends,” he said. Raisi’s

unlikely to make compromises the Rouhani administration couldn’t accept, so “if the nuclear deal isn’t restored by August, it’s probably beyond repair.”

Raisi’s nearest rival is Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati, who’s backed by some prominent reformists. Saeed Jalili, another leading religious hardliner, withdrew on Wednesday.

If turnout exceeds expectations and boosts one of Raisi’s opponents, he may face a run-off. But a Monday poll found just 42 percent of roughly 5,000 respondents definitely planning to vote, with 60 percent backing the cleric.

Conscious that many dispirited Iranians are predicted to sit out the election, Raisi’s been attempting to rehabilitate his image as an out-oftouch conservative with little understanding of government.

In his campaign, he supported the nuclear-deal diplomacy but downplayed the accord as a “marginal matter.”

Raisi has touted his management of Iran’s wealthiest religious endowment, the Astan Quds Razavi,

sons for the inability or inefficiency of an agency in utilizing the funds allocated to it. Take for instance public works. Several projects identified under the General Appropriations Act end up not being implemented due to right-of-way issues. This has an impact on the economy because public spending is one of the biggest drivers of growth.

In the case of Bayanihan 2, the urgency of spending the remaining funds is more pronounced. We are far from returning to normalcy. The economy is opening up again but not as fast as we would like it to be. Unemployment has worsened at a rate of 8.7 percent in April from 7.1 percent in March. Our teachers and students are struggling to cope with online learning. Businesses have used up all their savings. Farmers and fisherfolk are struggling to make ends meet.

The implementing agencies need to act swiftly. For most of the funds under Bayanihan 2, anything unspent would revert to the National Treasury. This is a disservice to all the Filipinos who badly need the helping hand of the government during this pandemic.

Sen. Sonny Angara has been in public service

for 16 years—nine years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and seven as Senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

which owns land and has stakes in companies, as evidence of his business savvy.

He’s vowed to prioritize trade with Iran’s neighbors and overhaul management of the currency, echoing Khamenei’s “resistance economy” built on domestic manufacturing and supportive partners such as China and Russia.

And he wants to build one million affordable homes, increase taxes on the wealthy, and improve cash handouts for the poor cut under Rouhani as oil revenue plummeted. Conservatives tend to use populist policies to preserve support among a workingclass base.

Sara Zahiri, a journalist supporting Raisi’s campaign in Tehran, said the cleric can bring together religious and more secular Iranians.

“Reformists use these differences in thinking to divide me from the woman who wears a chador,” she said, referring to the long, black cloak worn by pious women in Iran.

“We want this dividing wall to be taken down.”

Officials with strong security ties See “Iran,” A13

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Opinion

A looming battle royale

The loneliness that kills

BusinessMirror

Manny F. Dooc

Tito Genova Valiente

TELLTALES

annotations

N ominous clash between two women with sharply contrasting styles in politics and public service is threatening to erupt in the not too distant future. I may be wrong but Vice President Leni Robredo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte appear to be crossing their swords this early, more than three months before the official filing of the certificates of candidacies in October. It may be recalled that Mayor Sara lashed out at VP Leni over the surge of Covid-19 cases in her home city.

he Japanese have a term for it—kodokushi, or lonely death.

This refers to, in the context of Japanese culture, people dying alone, with the body not discovered for a considerable period of time. The phenomenon has another name, koritsushi, which means “isolation death”.

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The feisty hizzoner did not look kindly on VP Leni’s remark about the spike of the pandemic in Davao City. In her weekly radio show, the VP commented that Davao City could learn from the Cebu experience, which has succeeded in containing the spread of the virus. She also said that Cebu has done many things to contain the spike and heaped praise on the strong partnership between the LGU and the medical community in Cebu. Reacting strongly to VP Leni’s comments, which Mayor Sara considered as an affront to her and her medical team in Davao, Mayor Sara said: “There will be a proper time to attack my performance as a Local Chief Executive in this pandemic if she dares to run for president.” Mayor Sara’s office further added that VP Leni “should refrain from giving advice if she knows nothing about what is happening on the ground.” She then accused the vice-president of cheap politicking. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque joined the fray by saying: “Patuloy po ang aming pagtatrabaho, samantalang si VP Leni po ay namumulitika at nangangampanya na para maging presidente sa pamamagitan ng kayang walang tigil na birada sa administrasyon.” This elicited a quick retort from Barry Gutierrez, VP Leni’s spokesman, who tweeted articles about the tarpaulins sprouting around the country urging Mayor Sara to run for president. He then asked: “Who again is politicking and campaigning in the middle of a pandemic?”

The campaign period for national offices starts only in February 2022 but we are already hearing about these fireworks. If the two run against each other, it will be the first time that two women on top of their game will go head to head against each for the presidency. It will be an interesting contest. Mayor Sara is supported by the incumbent president and the vast resources of the ruling party. Hopefully, VP Leni is backed up by all the opposition forces and the disgruntled elements of business and society. If all the anti-Duterte elements unite and throw their support behind VP Leni, she will be a viable challenger. The only way to beat President Duterte’s anointed candidate is by fielding a single opposition ticket. Let’s hope that there will be no spoilers this time. This was the winning strategy adopted by the anti-Marcos forces in the 1986 snap election, which eventually installed President Cory Aquino in Malacañang. She and Doy Laurel coalesced, with the latter sliding down to be President Cory’s running mate under a political party ominously named United Nationalist Democratic Organization or UNIDO. We can expect more skirmishes between the two camps as the battlelines are drawn. Temperature will rise with every heated exchange. No quarter asked, no quarter given. Everything will be a fair game. President Duterte has warned that he will be VP Leni’s nightmare if she seeks the presidency. I hope VP Leni can handle it and all the brickbats that

Iran. . .

continued from A12

from the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could be asked to run the Oil Ministry. Candidates include Masoud Mir Kazemi, oil minister from 2009 to 2011, Abdol Hossein Bayat, ex-head of National Petro-

will be thrown at her during the campaign. As Senator Panfilo Lacson has reminded VP Leni, “goodness of the heart” is not the only criterion to win the presidency. The candidate must also possess “toughness” to get the job. On the other hand, Mayor Sara should take the high ground and keep her independent mind and be her own person. Mayor Sara’s apparent interest to pursue the presidency despite her father’s admonition that the presidency is not for women and her repeated statement of “No to Duterte-Duterte” tandem are earning her some plaudits.

The two are both trained lawyers. VP Leni’s father was an RTC judge in Bicol and her late husband, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, was a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for public service. Her successful initial foray in politics reflects the love and support of her constituency to her beloved husband. No question that she has gained her own following and national support with her lowkey but effective approach to governance. Mayor Sara will always be a formidable opponent. She’s the chief executive of the biggest and most prosperous city in the south. Even before President Duterte became president, she was already making a name for herself as a no-nonsense mayor of Davao City. She’s well respected by her constituents and feared by erring subalterns and political opponents. Earning her wrath could cost one his powerful position, like the speakership of the House. She has not lost an election and maintains the fabled Duterte’s clout in and outside of her bailiwick. Her Hugpong ng Pagbabago exerts strong influence among many government officials around the country. Although she’s not a member of PDP-Laban, she has considerable supporters inside the party, which could give Senator Manny Pacquiao sleepless nights.

The coming days will tell us if VP Leni and Mayor Sara are headed towards the warpath. So far, VP Leni appears headed to clinch the nomination of 1Sambayan as its presidential standard bearer. If drafted, I don’t think she will decline to run. VP Leni has admitted that she has a great sense of public service and it would be difficult for her to turn her back against the people. And what greater service can she render to the Filipinos than holding the reins of the national government. For Mayor Sara, her recent outburst against VP Leni is seen by many political observers as an indication that she’s running for president. Mayor Sara’s challenge for the former to seek the presidency so that VP Leni can criticize her fairly is another way of saying that they meet as presidential contenders so that they can freely ventilate their position on all issues. It will be a much-awaited event. Every pretender should give way to the battle of the titans. Everyone should brace on their seat for we will soon be watching the biggest blockbuster of all time not on NetFlix or HBO Max. It will be the battle royale between VP Leni and Mayor Sara for the presidency of our Republic. chemical Co., and Mehdi Doosti, who held a senior position at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp’s construction conglomerate, according to an official not authorized to speak publicly.

If control of the portfolio shifts to a hardliner, Iran could shun deals with European majors such as Total SA, which abandoned a $5 billion

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The said phenomenon had a significant airing from CNN by multiawarded journalist, Blake Essig, in a news feature, “Inside Japan’s growing ‘lonely death’ clean-up service”.

The video shows a team of cleaners arriving in an apartment where a body was discovered days back.

The job of these cleaners is to pack up all the things left by, in this case, an old man of 70 who passed on without anyone inquiring about his situation for a long time. The fact that cleaners from a company called Memories Co. are there only imply that the deceased do not have a kin to even clear or claim what the man has left behind.

From the interviews in the feature news, we learn more about loneliness, the type that kills. Essig talks next with Michiko Ueda of Waseda University. The political scientist, who authored a book, Economic Analysis of Suicide Prevention, begins to speak about loneliness and suicide.

In her study, she shares a finding indicating how 40 percent of the Japanese people express loneliness.

When the investigation and analysis focused on respondents whose ages were below 40, the percentage increased to 50 percent.

When economic crisis hits a country, middle-aged men are affected, Ueda says. In Japan, however, more and more young people are expressing loneliness and, from this number,

arises figures correlated to suicide.

Similarly, in BBC News, another writer, Rupert Wingfield-Hayes, has reported from Tokyo about the relationship between Covid and suicide, posing the question about whether the rise in the number of deaths from suicide is a warning to the world.

Why Japan? In the CNN news, the anchor was circumspect in saying how deaths by suicide have increased also in other countries. But following the BBC article, something is underscored, a factor unique to Japan, which is that the authorities report suicide faster and “more accurately than anywhere else in the world.”

In many reports it is thus stated how in 2020, in 11 years, the incidence of suicide has gone up.

For all the difficulties posed by the practice and science of correlation, it is safe at this point to mark the pandemic as a factor common among the many deaths by suicide in Japan and in other countries as well. What is extraordinary though—and interesting for social scientists —is the element of loneliness and isolation.

Pardon the detachment, but Japan has always been a significant fieldsite for the study of aloneness, depression and suicide. A society that has thrived on what those

Friday, June 18, 2021 A13

from outside sense as a rigid moral order, to complain about emotional disturbance has remained stigmatized. It is a culture that upholds the value of the gaman, which is translated as “persistence” or “tolerance.” The English equivalent does not quite capture it especially when the word, gaman is combined with tsuyoi or strong. In gamanzuyoi, we can locate endurance with stoicism.

In our country, suicide has always been whispered about. We hide it, if we are able to. Families do not talk about it; the person who commits it, or fails to die by suicide is subjected to a judgment harsher even than the

loss or damage that occurs after the act. In the grim scenario, we own the guilt but one, to reverse Kafka’s words, that we, ineluctably, doubt.

In the ’70s, two celebrated suicides took place in Japan: those of Yukio Mishima and Yasunari

Kawabata. Mishima committed seppuku or ritual disembowelment, observing the Bushido, or the way of the Warrior. During the funeral ceremony for Mishima, Kawabata presided the event and was quoted saying: “Quiet praying, apart from discussing wrong or right upon Mishima’s death, is a traditional emotion of the Japanese people.”

In 1972, Kawabata committed suicide. No suicide note was left.

But Japanologists—and the many who admire the writer—can always go back to the speech Kawabata delivered when he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1968. In that speech, Kawabata mentions an essay he wrote, “Eyes in their Last Extremity.” That title, according to the Nobel laureate, comes from the suicide note of the writer Akutagawa Ryunosuke (1892-1927). Part of the note states: “I am living in a world of morbid nerves, clear and cold as ice… I do not know when I will summon up the resolve to kill myself. But nature is for me more beautiful than it has ever been before.

I have no doubt that you will laugh at the contradiction, for here I love nature even when I am contemplating suicide. But nature is beautiful because it comes to my eyes in their last extremity.”

Akutagawa committed suicide in 1927; he was 35.

Kawabata in the said essay would comment on the life of Akutagawa, considered to be the father of the Japanese short story: “However alienated one may be from the world, suicide is not a form of enlightenment.”

In October 2020, noting the dramatic surge in suicide cases, the Japanese government appointed its first Minister of Loneliness.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Race for a global tax revolution faces hurdles in final stretch

By Isabel Gottlieb & William Horobin Bloomberg Opinion

T

he world’s richest nations have set the stage for a revolution in corporate taxation, but they still have their work cut out to actually achieve that overhaul.

Talks in coming weeks between more than 100 governments before a Group of 20 meeting in July will build on the outlines of a deal earlier this month by Group of Seven finance ministers.

Despite their breakthroughs on a minimum global corporate tax rate and a shift in philosophy allowing one country to apply levies to profits of another’s national champions, multiple technical details remain unresolved.

Agreeing which companies will be covered, and deciding how governments can still use tax incentives to encourage virtuous economic activity despite a minimum rate, are among several other challenges that have overshadowed years of talks hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Implementation of any accord may take years, requiring treaty amendments and domestic legislation, and concerns over whether it can stick could yet hamper a deal too.

“It’s a month already that we’ve had little sleep,” Pascal Saint-Amans, the official running the OECD talks, told French television on June 14.

“The next two weeks will be very important.”

Scoping a deal

project after Trump’s sanctions, and turn to Russian and Chinese developers and the Guard’s engineering firms. Defense and foreign policy is largely decided by the Supreme National Security Council—usually chaired by the president with its decisions approved by Khamenei—and the military.

Born into a clerical family, Raisi

entered a top seminary at 15. Five years later, and with the Islamic Republic just 12 months old, he was appointed a judge near Tehran, beginning a rise through the judiciary.

When he first ran for president in 2017, the incumbent Rouhani summed up his rival’s achievements as “38 years of executions and jailing.”

The G-7 accord agreed principles on transferring some profits from companies’ home countries for taxation in nations where they make sales.

But deciding exactly which corporations to include—those said to be “in scope”—is still a challenge.

A Biden administration proposal in April would use revenue and profitability measures to limit the list to about 100. That defused conflict over more qualitative criteria, or singling out tech companies, but countries still need to reach a final agreement on the thresholds determining which companies should qualify.

The Intergovernmental Group of 24 developing countries, which includes Brazil, India, and South Africa, wants the scope to gradually broaden to include more than 100 companies, according to a policy note it sent to other governments last month.

Nations must also decide how much tax revenue to share after the G-7 agreed to reallocate “at least 20 percent” of profits above a 10 percent margin. Developing economies want the biggest possible wedge of tax income from multinationals operating in their territories.

Negotiators are also revisiting

controversial qualitative criteria to keep low-margin Amazon.com Inc. in scope by separating out its profitable business lines. Companies have complained such segmentation can be overly complex, particularly if they do their own financial reporting differently. If financial services are excluded from a deal as expected, that poses another challenge since drawing a clear line between them and tech companies is getting harder.

Minimum tax

The so-called second pillar of the talks would create a global corporate minimum tax, an opportunity to boost government revenues that is a priority for the US, with broader backing elsewhere. The OECD estimates an extra $150 billion a year could be generated from tougher US rules on foreign income and a 15% global minimum rate.

That will be a hard sell for Ireland, whose corporate rate is 12.5 percent.

In addition, some countries including China want exclusions in the rules that allow them to attract high-tech investment with tax incentives.

“Minimum tax is devolving part of tax sovereignty and how you maintain incentives over a particular kind of foreign investment,” said David Linke, Global Head of Tax & Legal at KPMG. “That’s a difficult issue.”

prompted US threats of retaliation.

To restore trust, negotiators must agree on which measures will be rolled back and when. Countries aren’t keen to abolish such taxes until they’re receiving extra revenues from the OECD deal, and getting developing economies on board may be particularly challenging since they won’t gain much in the process.

“Every country will have to weigh the cost and benefit,” said Marilou Uy, director of the Group of 24. “In particular because it will be asked to forego unilateral tax measures.”

Uncertain implementation

AN OECD deal could eradicate a host of levies on mainly American tech firms that countries enacted unilaterally in recent years and which

Implementing new rules agreed at G-20 meetings in July or October will require many changes to treaties and domestic laws.

That is thorny for the European Union, where directives on tax changes throughout the bloc require unanimity, and several countries may object to such legislation enforcing an OECD deal. Aside from Ireland’s reservations on a 15 percent minimum tax, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called that plan “absurd.” The US will face challenges too, since a deal may need legislation in Congress, and treaty changes in the Senate that require a two-thirds majority.

Democrats largely support Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s efforts to overhaul international taxes, but party leaders want assurances on other countries’ commitments before asking members to vote on controversial minimum taxes.

Raisi has never publicly commented on accusations by human-rights groups that he was a presiding judge in mass executions of political prisoners in 1988. The US, sanctioning him in 2019, cited his role in a deadly crackdown a decade earlier on protesters alleging vote fraud.

Despite his record, Vaez at Crisis Group doesn’t see Iran reentering

a period of extreme confrontation with the West under Raisi.

“If they’re seeking consolidation at home, they would need de-escalation with the outside world,” he said.

And unencumbered by domestic infighting, hardliners might be more “capable of delivering on any future commitments than their pragmatic rivals.”

Digital dilemma

A14 Friday, June 18, 2021

BIR misses ₧203-B target in May on new lockdowns

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) missed its P203.15-billion collection target in May as the economy slowed following the reimposition of stricter lockdown measures in National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus).

The BIR fell short of its revenue goal by 8.93 percent, collecting only P185.01 billion, based on the final data shared by BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations Arnel SD. Guballa with BusinessMirror.

The bureau’s collection target for May was its third biggest monthly goal for this year, next to P235.2 billion for April and P213 billion for November.

Despite missing its goal for May, BIR’s revenue take was still a 61.68-

percent jump from P114.43 billion in the same month last year.

Guballa said BIR failed to hit its monthly target due to the “slowdown of the economy” as the government had to revert to stricter lockdown measures in NCR Plus to address the surge in Covid-19 cases.

Met ro Ma n i l a a nd nea rby provinces Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan were placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine from March 22 until April

11. After that, the government eased the restrictions in NCR Plus to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine from April 12 to May 14. NCR Plus was then placed under General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions during the last two weeks of May. From January to May this year, BIR also failed to hit its P901.94billion collection target.

The bureau’s revenue take in the five-month period settled at P874.55 billion, below its collection goal by 3 percent.

Still, this is higher by 29.8 percent than the P673.73 billion collected in the same period a year ago.

Guballa remains optimistic BIR will still be able to hit the full-year 2021 collection goal of P2.081 trillion.

Last year, BIR collected P1.95 tr il lion, exceeding its dow nscaled revenue collection target of P1.686 trillion.

The government hopes to raise more revenues this year to cover the expected higher budget deficit. The Cabinet-level Develop-

ment Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) now projects this to reach a new record high of 1.86 trillion or 9.3 percent of the country’s GDP. The DBCC slashed its growth projection for the Philippine economy this year to 6 to 7 percent, from its previous forecast range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent—also due to the implementation of stricter lockdown measures in NCR Plus in the second quarter.

The Philippine Statistics Authority has reported that GDP contracted 4.2 percent in the first quarter of the year, marking the economy’s fifth consecutive quarter of decline.

To achieve the lower end of government’s GDP growth target, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua has said the economy needs to grow an average of 10 percent in the next three quarters.

For next year, the DBCC also downgraded its forecast for the country’s GDP growth to 7 to 9 percent, lower than its previous projection of 8 to 10 percent.

PANDEMIC OFFERS WAY TO SOLVE DEVELOPMENT WOES IN REGION–NEDA

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SIA and the Pacific countries can recover from the pandemic through collective effort, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

In his speech at the 2021 Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting session of the APEC, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said like many countries in the region, the Philippines is using the pandemic as a unique opportunity to address its development constraints.

T hese development constraints, the Neda Director General said, include institutional weaknesses that prevent the efficient delivery of services such as social protection and lack of financial inclusion.

“Our story is a collective effort to turn this crisis into an opportunity to correct long-standing constraints that have hindered our economies from achieving more inclusive growth,” Chua said.

“Our collective effort to share our experiences and learn from

each other today will help pave the way for a stronger recovery and a more resilient region,” he added.

Financial inclusion

THE pandemic, Chua said, allowed the country to address these challenges through the National ID system. He said as of April 2021, over 36 million Filipinos have registered for a PhilSys ID. Further, a total of 3.7 million households have also registered for a LandBank account. This means these households now have the opportunity to access social protection such as financial assistance from the government.

“Our goal is to register at least 50 million individuals and achieve 100 percent financial inclusion at the family level by the end of 2021,” Chua said.

“The Philippines’s story is not unique as many economies in the region have faced similar challenges and did their own reforms to prepare for shocks or address this present crisis,” he added.

Continued on A4

Domestic tourism’s recovery in 2023 at earliest, 2024 at worst

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

T

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) is forecasting the recovery of the domestic travel sector by 2023 at the earliest, when demand returns to 90 percent of the 2019 level, and at worst, by 2024, when demand returns to the 2019 level.

In its reformulated National Tourism Development Plan for 2021-2022, the DOT also indicated under a medium or harsh scenario, partial recovery may happen in 2023, when demand returns to 70 percent of the 2019 level.

It also targeted domestic trips to grow to 75 million this year from the 43.1 million estimated for 2020, and 100 million in 2022. Both targets are under the upside or mild scenario.

Under a medium/harsh scenario, domestic trips may reach 36.5 million in 2021, and 84.8 million in 2022. Under a downside/severe scenario, domestic trips may only hit 14.1 million this year, and 18.8 million in 2022. Domestic trips in 2019, before Covid-19 wreaked havoc on the global and local tourism industry, was recorded at 109.8 million, already breaking the 89.2-million targeted for 2022, in the earlier NTDP 2016-2022.

Under a severe scenario, the DOT forecast the ineffective containment of Covid-19 while major destinations continue to be under strict quarantine, restricted crossborder travel due to “surges,” very weak investment appetite with hotel rooms still dedicated to Covid-19 quarantines, poor implementation of health and safety protocols along with lower travel demand due to restrictions, and air seat capacities are just 30 percent of pre-Covid levels.

Gargantuan task

WITH the recent report by the Philippine Statistics Authority of the 61.2-percent contraction in the Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) in 2020, the al-

ready reformulated NTDP targets for 2021-2022 may yet again be revised downward. DOT Spokesman and Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito C. Bengzon Jr. told the BusinessMirror, “We will review [the targets] with the team.”

On Wednesday, the PSA reported TDGVA falling to P973.31 billion last year, from P2.51 trillion in 2019. This is only 5.4 percent of the industry’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), a steep decline from the 12.8 percent in 2019. (See, “PSA: Worst performance for tourism courtesy of Covid,” in the BusinessMirror, June 17, 2021.)

In a news statement, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat said, “The dismal figures reflect the gargantuan challenge that the DOT and the entire tourism industry is faced today. This compels us to explore all means possible, within the imposed government restrictions, to facilitate the gradual recovery of the tourism industry.”

Revenue may reach P3B in 2022, or not…

THE DOT pins hopes of a recovery in the tourism sector on domestic travel with many overseas source markets still closed, and the Philippines’s own travel restrictions, meant to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Under the reformulated NTDP 2021-2022, the DOT also targeted revenue from domestic trips at some P2.2 trillion in 2021 and almost P3 billion in 2022 (mild scenario), P1.06 trillion in 2021 and P2.53 billion in 2022 (harsh), or P442 billion in 2021 and P603 billion in 2022 (severe). Domestic revenue was recorded at P3.14 trillion, pre-pandemic, in 2019.

For the next two years, the DOT chief stressed, the Philippines will be positioned as a “safe, fun, and competitive destination rooted in strong partnerships with communities and visitors. This will be achieved by developing and marketing portfolio of products that harness the natural and cultural endowments to benefit the present and future tourism generation.”

WALK FOR ‘FREEDOM’ A man walks his Siberian huskies in Taytay, Rizal, on Thursday, as the government eases quarantine restrictions in the NCR bubble, with the announcement that Covid-19 cases are “plateauing.” BERNARD TESTA

Incineration banned under our new energy policy—ADB

By Cai U. Ordinario

T

@caiordinario

HE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained that incineration will not be allowed under the new energy policy of the Manila-based multilateral development bank.

In an e-mail to BusinessMirror, ADB Energy Sector Group Chief Yongping Zhai said the policy will not allow incineration, which is defined as the uncontrolled combustion of waste and absence of pollution control technology.

However, Zhai said Waste to Energy (WTE) projects will be allowed under the new energy policy. He said these facilities should “include flue gas emissions and air pollution control residue capture and treatment complying with international standards and best

international practice.”

“The energy policy will encourage integrated actions starting with waste avoidance and waste minimization, including the use of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) apps to encourage higher reuse, recycling, and upcycling rates,” Zhai said.

“As we move down the waste hierarchy pyramid, there are 30 activities which can be implemented to make better use of waste and reduce its impacts on our environment,” he added.

WTE projects, Zhai said, are preferred over uncontrolled combustion in landfills, combustion of plastics in industrial boilers, and dumping of waste in uncontrolled non-sanitary landfills.

Citing 2016 World Bank data, Zhai said uncontrolled non-sanitary landfills account for 93 per-

cent of waste handling in the developing world.

He added that while certain countries including the Philippines ban incineration, the bank’s safeguards policy will be applied to projects, including on Waste-toEnergy projects.

Section 20 of the Clean Air Act of 1999 bans incineration. Incineration is defined by law as “the burning of municipal, biomedical and hazardous waste, whose process emits poisonous and toxic fumes is hereby prohibited.”

The only exceptions are “traditional small-scale method of community/neighborhood sanitation siga, traditional, agricultural, cultural, health, and food preparation and crematoria.”

The ADB, Zhai said, “does not work around local laws. We note that robust policy, regulatory

and compliance frameworks are required and ADB will continue to support capacity development across waste management activities in our DMCs.” Zhai added that, “ADB’s safeguards policy is applied to all loans and investments including Waste to Energy. Compliance with international standards is part of the safeguards process,” he added.

Meanwhile, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific in a recent briefing expressed concerns over the support extended by ADB in its Energy policy for all kinds of WTE projects.

Philippine Earth Justice Center Rose Osorio noted that such support will not help DMCs attain carbon neutrality since WTE uses incineration as a technology to process waste.

Continued on A4

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Imported car sales surge in May as restrictions ease

I

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

mported vehicle distributors saw their sales grow by over threefold in May as all segments recorded three-digit increases, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID) reported on Thursday.

AVID said sales improved by 293 percent to 4,864 units in May from just 1,239 units a year ago. The gradual reopening of the economy and easing of mobility restrictions supported the increase in sales, it added.

The light commercial vehicle (LCV) comprised bulk of the sales for the month at 3,814 units, which is 335 percent more than the 876 units sold last year.

Sales of passenger cars (PC) im-

proved by nearly threefold to 1,029 units from last year’s 354 units.

Commercial vehicle (CV) segment saw its sales reach 21 units, which is 133-percent higher than the previous year’s 9 units.

In January to May, sales of imported car dealers rose by nearly 60 percent to 25,217 units from 15,811 units sold a year ago.

LCV sales surged by 68 percent to 18,128 units for the 5-month period from last year’s 10,782 units. Ford Group Philippines led this segment with 7,692 units sold, followed by Suzuki Philippines Inc. and Hyundai Asia Resources Asia Resources Inc. with sales of 4,933 units and 2,450 units, respectively.

The PC segment sold 6,357 units,

which is 29 percent higher than the 4,928-unit sales last year. Suzuki and Hyundai sold the most in this segment at 3,259 units and 2,170 units, respectively.

CV sales grew by more than seven times to 732 units in January to May, all of which are accounted for

by Hyundai.

“We attribute the gradual improvement in AVID sales to our members’ tireless commitment to provide customers with quality vehicles and after sales service that will see them safely through life’s many journeys.

We all must keep on pitching in to weather this storm and to bring us all closer to our dreams in the new normal,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

Globe, PhilTower to build 500 cell sites

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

G

lobe Telecom Inc. has partnered with PhilTower Consortium Inc. to put up 500 new cell sites this year in its bid to give its subscribers “better, reliable, and accessible connectivity in the new normal.”

“Our partnership with PhilTower will help us accelerate our cell site expansion. Consequently, this will bring better services to Globe subscribers in more locations in the country,” Vincent Tempongko, Globe VP for Site Acquisition, said.

PhilTower President Devid Gubian said the company will use new technologies to make the towers more environmentally friendly, while ensuring efficiency.

“As a communication solutions enabler and digital infrastructure provider, we help power critical digital network expansion needs through our innovative cell site technologies. We are introducing new and innovative solutions like the Micro Cell Poles that have a low

impact and small footprint with capability to load in radios, battery backup within the pole for network densification,” he said.

The towers will be deployed in Metro Manila, Northern Luzon, and Southern Luzon. ”We look forward to working with Globe Telecom in providing 4G and 5G coverage to ensure connectivity to many Filipinos,” said Peter Wong, Country Director of PhilTower.

PhilTower plans to focus on supporting coverage improvements in suburban and rural areas through micro cell poles, while also improving in-building coverage with small cells-based digital shared infrastructure.

Carbon fiber tower

Globe said it is eyeing to equip more of its new cell site builds with carbon fiber tower solutions on rooftops due to the success of its maiden installation in Bolinao, Pangasinan, which is the first build of its kind in the country.

Despite being near the sea, the

VEC allots ₧5B for capex

V

ivant Energy Corp. (VEC) is earmarking P5 billion for capital expenditures to increase its power portfolio to 500 megawatts (MW) by 2023.

Vivant Energy Chief Operating Officer Emil Andre Garcia, during a press briefing after the company’s stockholders’ meeting, said bulk of the amount would be allocated for renewable energy (RE) projects, mostly solar and wind. “That’s not pure RE but also conventional. Large chunk of that is allocated for RE.” Of the P5 billion, Garcia said P3 billion is allocated for this year.

The power firm’s capacity is expected to hit 500MW from the current 387MW with new RE projects in the pipeline. “More than 95 percent of the 387MW is conventional technology. That’s why our focus now is RE. We are allocating a lot of resources in order to hit this goal,” commented Vivant Corporation president Arlo Sarmiento.

The power firm is studying several sites for its planned RE projects. Garcia did not mention specific locations but said these will be put up in Luzon and Visayas. “Premature to disclose right now but we may close them by the year-end. For wind, we have enough data set in Eastern Visayas, hoping to break grounds sometime next year,” he said.

For solar, Garcia said Vivant Energy intends to beef up its solar rooftop projects “to end with 11MW this year and another 13MW by next year.”

Aside from RE, the company is planning to put up hybrid solar-diesel-battery system.

“We are quite comfortable with hybrid technology especially diesel because of our expertise in SPUG [Small Power Utilities Group] markets,” said Sarmiento. “SPUG market is something that we want to maintain our market share.”

Vivant Energy is the holding arm of power-related investments of publicly listed Vivant Corp. Lenie Lectura

company said the carbon fiber solution installed in the Bolinao cell site has proven to be durable against rust and damages brought by natural calamities.

“Our initial deployment was a greenfield site in Bolinao, Pangasinan. The solution was installed near the sea to test its anti-corrosive characteristics. Despite being light, we were able to test it against the typhoons that passed the area last year and it was able to withstand them all, it is durable and stressresistant. Moreover, it also provided the barangay around the area with connectivity during the pandemic and during inclement weather,” said Peter Tan, Globe Senior Vice President for Network Operations.

Aside from providing connectivity in the area, the Bolinao carbon fiber installation has complemented the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through use of fuel cell, lilon batteries, DC generator sets, solar power, Inverter ACUs and free-cooling systems.

“We are developing solutions for roof top applications. Also in the

pipeline is a tower in a box application where we can put up temporary structures to support temporary coverage requirements. Given that these kinds of towers are light and easy to move around, it is also cheaper when it comes to hauling costs and faster to deploy,” said Tan. Like other solutions, Globe said carbon fiber towers also have their disadvantages and downsides.

Foremost is its acquisition cost, which is higher, but its advantages on specific site situation requirements today merits its deployment.

“The cost of carbon tower acquisition is higher than traditional steel structures which mitigate the savings from hauling. However, a request to build a plant locally from the distributor is also in place to support our local requirements.

Currently, the product is made in the United States. Aside from import costs, tax duties and time considerations, a local production of carbon fiber materials will enable us to build more and deploy them anytime there is a need in our network rollouts,” said Tan.

PayMaya expands mobile shopping offers D

igital financial services platform PayMaya has expanded its mobile shopping offers under its PayMaya Mall feature that will cover more than 350 brands.

Launched last February as a pioneering innovation, the PayMaya Mall tile in the PayMaya app enables customers easy access to leading brands, such as Jollibee, McDonald’s, Chowking, Burger King, Bonchon, Mercury Drug, Rose Pharmacy, AllDay, Landers, FreshMart, Boozy, National Bookstore, Shein, and Rustan’s.

“We are making everyday mobile shopping more exciting with PayMaya Mall as we add partner brands and promos daily. The response from our customers has been amazingwe have seen huge jumps on average online shopping transactions via the in-app feature,” PayMaya President Shailesh Baidwan said in a statement.

With a huge list of mobile shopping choices, Baidwan said customers can now have more convenient search and buying groceries and other essentials, ordering food, and checking out beauty or home improvement products and pay seamlessly—all via the PayMaya app.

Aside from the convenience, Baidwan said customers can also avail of up to 100 percent cashback, outright discounts, freebies, and free delivery when using their PayMayalinked mobile number to pay for purchases through PayMaya Mall.

“Because we are also the fintech enabling the payment gateway and processing for the

country’s top enterprises, we are able to bring the most trusted brands and offer the best deals to our mobile app customers. On the enterprise side, our partners get access to our over 35 million consumer base. This is the power of PayMaya’s end-to-end platforms,” Baidwan said.

Meanwhile, PayMaya and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) recently formed a partnership to enable people in the countryside to conduct digital payments and transactions.

With this initiative, the DBP will now be able to provide PayMaya’s end-to-end digital payment solutions to its partners in the public sector, such as national government agencies, local government units, water districts, electric cooperatives, as well agricultural and industrial enterprises, including small and medium-scale businesses.

PayMaya, through DBP, will be enabling these institutions and enterprises with the means to accept any credit, debit, and prepaid card or e-Wallet for both online and physical locations. With this initiative, more Filipinos across the country can experience safer and more convenient transactions when settling their dues and taxes at their LGUs, local utilities, and businesses. Rizal Raoul Reyes

Friday, June 18, 2021

B1

CEB ‘cautiously optimistic’ about recovery in 2022

G

iven the pace of the vaccine rollout at the local government level as well as the launch of the vaccination programs of the private sector, Cebu Pacific is “cautiously optimistic” that it can bounce back to its pre-pandemic operating levels by 2022.

Cebu Pacific VP Candice Iyog said the average daily vaccination rate of 130,000 jabs is giving the company “hope and optimism that in due time our network will recover to pre-pandemic levels.”

“To be honest, initially when the vaccination started rolling out and we were monitoring the inoculation rate, we were pleasantly surprised with 130,000 a day. Now that A4 is already in and with private vaccinations, we’re cautiously optimistic,” she said.

Iyog added that the group is sticking with its projections that by next year, the budget carrier will have normal operations, but noted that “so many things can still happen.”

“What we do right now is we prepare for the bounce back and do everything that is within our control to support and aid that.”

Currently, Cebu Pacific oper-

ates at around a fifth of its preCovid network, flying to 32 local destinations and 5 international destinations.

For now, Iyog said Cebu Pacific will focus on the revitalization of domestic travel, as international flights are still marred with various levels of intricacies, including border controls here and in airports abroad.

However, she said the airline is seeking the removal of the arrival caps in Philippine gateways to reintroduce international traffic. The group is also looking at the implementation of the travel pass developed by the International Air Transport Association (Iata) to facilitate seamless international travel.

The Iata pass is a mobile platform that includes a registry of health requirements, specifically for verified certifications of Covid-19 tests and vaccines. Cebu Pacific plans to integrate this by the fourth quarter of the year, should international travel be encouraged.

Cebu Pacific has also amped up its digital initiatives, launching a revamped portal for booking and partnering with Grab, GCash, and PayMaya for more contactless payment options. Lorenz S. Marasigan

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, June 18, 2021

AGI banking on international operations to anchor growth

A

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

lliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), the holding firm of businessman Andrew Tan, said it is banking on the growth of its foreign operations, as it struggles to regain its footing in the domestic market during the pandemic.

Last year AGI received a big boost from the increasing contribution of its foreign operations, particularly from the global liquor businesses and international property sales, even amid the global pandemic, Kevin Andrew L. Tan, the company’s CEO, said.

“The pandemic brought us a lot of learnings—the most important of which is that it allowed us to validate the soundness of our businesses, as well as the effectiveness of the group’s strategies,” Tan said.

At the height of the pandemic and

the hard lockdowns that brought economic activity in the country at a standstill last year, AGI’s revenues received a significant uplift from its international whisky and brandy operations under Emperador Inc. Its whisky business is held by wholly-ow ned Scotland-based Whyte and Mackay, while its premium Brandy de Jerez operations are carried out by Bodegas Fundador in Spain. Emperador contributed the biggest share of 41 percent to AGI’s consolidated revenue during the pe-

riod. The company said its single malt and blended whisky brands continue to enjoy prominence in the global market. “To date, The Dalmore, Jura and Tamnavulin have joined the list of the Top 25 Global Single Malt Brands, while all of Whyte and Mackay’s single malt whisky brands are growing in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Canada and Asia,” Tan said.

AGI’s foreign property sales, through Megaworld International, also delivered significantly for the group despite the pandemic.

Megaworld International, the global sales and marketing arm of Megaworld Corp., which has presence in more than 60 countries around the world, typically contributes a quarter of total real estate sales every year.

About 50 percent of its foreign sales come from North America, with the balance accounted for by homebuyers in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

At the height of the community lockdowns in several countries abroad, the group also contributed support to many Filipino communi-

ties who were affected by the mobility restrictions as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Aside from international sales, Megaworld also derived increased contribution from its residential projects outside of Metro Manila as part of its geographic diversification strategy. At a time when consumer preference has shifted to the areas outside of the metro, which can offer more open spaces, Megaworld’s provincial residential projects served as its primary source of reservation sales.

“AGI is set to pursue more township projects outside of Metro Manila, contributing strongly to future sales, backed by over 4,300 hectares of developable land throughout the country,” Tan said.

AGI has varied interests spanning real estate developments through Megaworld, liquor maker Emperador Inc., gambling and leisure arm Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., Golden Arches Development Corp. which owns McDonald’s Philippines and infrastructure development through Infracorp.

Eusebio Tanco declines nomination to PSE board

B

usinessman Eusebio H. Tanco on Thursday said he turned down his nomination as director of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) for the board elections on July 1, citing issues raised against his brokerage Venture Securities Inc. “Recent events which, unfortunately and unjustifiably, have besmirched the reputation of Ventures Securities and its officers and employees compel me, out of delicadeza, to decline the nomination for membership in the board of the exchange,” Tanco said in his June 16 letter to PSE Chairman Jose T. Pardo.

Tanco is a board member of the PSE since 2007, representing the brokers.

His companies include STI Education Holdings Inc. and port operator Asian Terminals Inc. “The exchange, after all, is bigger than any individual broker and it is my belief that all our efforts should be directed to the protection and preservation of the image of the exchange.

My only wish is I or an acknowledgement that the real guilty parties will be called to account for this sorry state of affairs,” he said.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), meanwhile, has upheld the findings of the PSE’s independent audit, surveillance and compliance arm that Venture Securities violated multiple trading rules in facilitating transactions that eventually wiped out client shares in R&L Investments Inc. In a decision dated June 15, the SEC en banc denied the appeal of Venture Securities to reverse and set aside the resolution issued by Capital Markets Integrity Corp. (CMIC), which found the stock brokerage in violation of the self-regulatory organization’s

rules and imposed a penalty of P5.16 million.

The CMIC issued the resolution on July 10, 2020 following the discovery of fraudulent transfers of client shares from R&L to the account of Julieto Sulapas in Venture Securities.

Tanco said in the same letter that Venture Securities, of which he is chairman, intends to contest the findings of the special hearing panel of SEC, which ordered the revocation of the license of the brokerage firm in connection with its role in the fraudulent transactions of people connected with of R&L Investments.

“The investigation into the anomalous conduct of one Marlo Moron of R&L Investments has unnecessarily dragged Ventures Securities. Records show that Moron, acting as both trader and settlement clerk, in violation of the SEC rules for a brokerage firm, executed EQ trades indicating that he has the access code of R&L Investments to utilize the PCD [Philippine Central Depository] system,” Tanco said.

‘Fraudulent scheme’

Tanco said the fraudulent transfer took place exclusively within R&L and that no broker dealing with the shares of Julieto Sulapas would know that the shares do not belong to him.

“Venture was never involved in the fraudulent scheme of Moron and R&L and is, therefore, as much a victim as the clients of R and L.” He said it was “a complete surprise” for his company that it became the subject of an investigation and has been made to appear as complicit in the anomalous schemes of Moron.

He also said for years, his brokerage has been audited by the CMIC

and it has found no evidence of any wrongdoing. As a broker, he said Venture Securities had every right to be protected by the CMIC and to rely on CMIC’s findings.

The CMIC said it takes exception to the statements made by Tanco’s group against the body on its previous regular audit examinations and the lack of a finding of any wrongdoing on Venture Securities’ part.

“CMIC’s audit findings of any TP [trading participant], Venture includ-

ed, should not be construed as relieving any such TP of its accountabilities and its responsibility to answer for its violations of the pertinent securities laws, and for matters which were and are within its power, control or management. Adopting effective internal/ financial controls including compliance therewith and adherence to good corporate governance standards and practices are properly the responsibilities of the owners and management of a company, not its auditor.” VG Cabuag

mutual funds

June 17, 2021 NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

224.13

9.11%

-3.2%

-1.36%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.4051

34.86%

-2.85%

2.06%

7.01%

10.67%

-9.33%

-5.44%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.0828

-4.89%

-1.6%

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7866 10.31%

-4.66% n.a.

-2.15%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7276 5.96%

-4.82% n.a.

-1.89%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

4.9142

11.49%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

0.7152

-2.82%

-1.74%

-0.55%

2.49%

-6.49%

-6.39%

-4.24% n.a.

-2.84%

99.04

23.17%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

45.9135

10.89%

-3%

-2.02%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

482.04

9.44%

-3.03%

-2.41%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5

1.0846

20.75% n.a. n.a.

-1.16%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.1516

10.56%

-2.97%

-1.72%

-1.42%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

34.3681

11.96%

-2.42%

-0.95%

-1.16% -1.62%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.8982

10.06% n.a. n.a.

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.7036

11.48%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

-2.39%

-1.24%

-1.99% -1.42%

-1.83%

787.78

11.61%

-2.27%

-1.34%

-1.73%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7155

11.02%

-6.58%

-4.55%

-0.47%

9.33%

-4.79%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.5585

-2.78%

-1.8%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8998 10.99%

-2.63%

-1.5%

-1.95%

United Fund, Inc. -a

-2.74%

-0.6%

-1.11%

-2.05%

-0.74%

3.2821

10.69%

-5.87%

Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

105.7327

11.57%

-1.69%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.2676

35.31%

4.61%

9.04%

5.38%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7873

34.55%

10.78%

12.41%

6.84%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.6897

8.65%

-0.22%

-1.2%

1.26%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2604

8.21%

-0.55%

-0.28%

-1.09%

0.19%

-0.44%

-0.45%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6152

6.91%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1959

2.89% n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9637

5.92%

1.87%

0.76%

-0.02%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7067

5.69%

0.77%

-0.37%

-2.15%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.6266

6.29%

0.89%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.0735

-0.37%

-1.83%

6.42%

-0.24%

-0.15%

-0.98%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5367

6.17%

-1.41%

-1.29%

-1.02%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9909

4.51% n.a. n.a.

-3.1%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9145

6% n.a. n.a.

-3.66%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9028

7.2% n.a. n.a.

-3.25%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.8928

9.04%

-1.77%

-1.42%

-1.36%

0.57%

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

June 17, 2021

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH

43 116.3 86.85 24.85 9.89 49.4 10.92 23 55.8 97.25 17.3 122.7 77.7 1.28 4.1 3.01 7.33 1.4 0.7 201.4

44.65 116.4 87.5 24.9 9.9 49.45 10.98 23.05 55.9 114.5 17.5 123.4 77.75 1.3 4.18 3.09 8.66 1.42 0.72 208

43.3 117.7 87.5 24.8 9.89 50 10.9 23.25 55.9 97.25 17.24 124.1 77.1 1.29 4.07 3.01 7.3 1.41 0.72 207

43.3 117.7 87.9 24.95 10 50.1 10.98 23.25 55.9 97.25 17.26 125 77.7 1.3 4.2 3.01 7.3 1.42 0.72 208

42.5 115.4 86.1 24.8 9.88 49.45 10.9 22.9 55.6 97.25 17.2 122.6 77 1.25 4.07 3.01 7.3 1.4 0.72 201

43 116.4 87.5 24.85 9.9 49.45 10.98 23 55.9 97.25 17.26 122.7 77.7 1.3 4.15 3.01 7.3 1.4 0.72 208

3,100 3,815,180 468,520 32,900 108,800 3,734,450 7,000 626,900 7,520 100 116,500 834,050 51,500 108,000 201,000 17,000 1,200 123,000 55,000 24,100

132,810 443,559,443 40,798,404.50 817,845 1,080,069 184,879,677 76,788 14,403,605 420,358 9,725 2,006,490 102,827,255 3,988,494 136,210 840,110 51,170 8,760 173,050 39,600 4,998,708

-4,300 220,077,444 11,060,069 -49,900 60,706,707 -2,806,985 -5,160 -7,604,929 2,307,265 21,000 8,760 -1,420 4,769,772

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.16 8.17 8.43 8.43 8.12 8.16 39,531,100 325,218,487 1.32 1.33 1.32 1.34 1.32 1.32 1,638,000 2,168,250 ALSONS CONS 23.95 24 24.3 24.3 23.85 23.95 4,083,000 98,254,130 ABOITIZ POWER 0.82 0.83 0.89 0.9 0.82 0.82 99,500,000 85,102,740 BASIC ENERGY 30.3 30.35 30 30.35 29.95 30.3 597,800 18,056,720 FIRST GEN 75.5 76 76 76.4 75.5 75.5 106,490 8,083,110 FIRST PHIL HLDG 278 278.4 279 279.2 277.2 278 167,050 46,482,676 MERALCO 17 17.02 17.02 17.3 16.84 17 2,775,300 47,156,636 MANILA WATER 3.33 3.34 3.42 3.42 3.32 3.34 1,898,000 6,391,690 PETRON PETROENERGY 4.05 4.1 4.11 4.11 4.05 4.05 152,000 623,080 12.4 12.82 12.62 12.82 11.2 12.82 308,600 3,783,556 PHX PETROLEUM 21.05 21.1 21 21.5 20.75 21.1 397,000 8,354,150 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 11.3 11.32 11.26 11.3 11.26 11.3 70,300 794,054 VIVANT 14.64 15 14.6 15 14.6 15 3,800 56,600 6.35 6.37 6.47 6.5 6.3 6.35 4,082,100 26,280,465 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 2.92 2.98 2.95 2.98 2.9 2.98 695,000 2,034,440 BOGO MEDELLIN 67.55 77 67.55 67.55 67.55 67.55 10 675.5 13.54 14.34 14.34 14.34 14.34 14.34 1,000 14,340 CNTRL AZUCARERA 22.95 23 22.2 23.25 22.2 23 2,710,600 61,984,040 CENTURY FOOD 16.1 16.2 15.58 16.78 15.56 16.1 824,200 13,165,438 DEL MONTE 8.01 8.03 8.15 8.15 7.96 8.01 2,594,500 20,794,905 DNL INDUS 10.08 10.1 10.18 10.18 9.96 10.08 2,344,300 23,626,386 EMPERADOR 71.5 71.6 71.1 71.75 71.05 71.6 98,310 7,036,154.50 SMC FOODANDBEV 0.63 0.65 0.68 0.68 0.65 0.65 256,000 169,690 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.42 1.43 1.42 1.44 1.41 1.43 4,046,000 5,760,580 FRUITAS HLDG 89 90 84 90 83.95 90 297,230 25,977,422 GINEBRA JOLLIBEE 202 202.4 206.2 211 200 202 755,470 153,806,742 LIBERTY FLOUR 30.5 31.65 30.45 32 30.45 30.5 6,100 188,855 6.8 6.88 6.84 6.9 6.76 6.8 163,300 1,112,154 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.31 0.315 0.325 0.325 0.305 0.31 6,210,000 1,965,650 MONDE NISSIN 14.58 14.6 14.76 14.78 14.42 14.6 8,647,800 126,083,214 SHAKEYS PIZZA 7.76 7.8 8 8.01 7.7 7.76 783,200 6,097,445 ROXAS AND CO 1.08 1.09 1.08 1.11 1.05 1.09 3,123,000 3,372,390 RFM CORP 4.51 4.55 4.52 4.55 4.52 4.55 4,000 18,110 1.43 1.46 1.46 1.46 1.43 1.43 92,000 132,760 ROXAS HLDG 0.14 0.144 0.143 0.148 0.14 0.144 10,040,000 1,443,140 SWIFT FOODS 139.1 140.7 145.1 146.9 139.1 139.1 1,476,280 208,228,006 UNIV ROBINA 0.87 0.89 0.9 0.9 0.87 0.87 3,316,000 2,900,630 VITARICH 2.32 2.42 2.42 2.42 2.4 2.4 105,000 252,040 VICTORIAS 1.28 1.29 1.32 1.32 1.27 1.29 2,972,000 3,816,650 CEMEX HLDG 2.92 2.93 2.98 3.04 2.91 2.92 1,627,000 4,804,800 DAVINCI CAPITAL 14.48 14.5 14.48 14.48 14.3 14.48 143,700 2,061,000 EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP 7.42 7.74 7.75 7.75 7.42 7.74 14,900 115,341 6.17 6.19 6.3 6.3 6.12 6.17 431,100 2,650,418 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 6.91 6.92 7.12 7.12 6.87 6.91 1,516,200 10,530,645 PHINMA 12.74 12.78 12.7 12.78 12.7 12.78 100,900 1,284,234 TKC METALS 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.09 1.05 1.05 330,000 350,980 2.13 2.14 2.22 2.22 2.14 2.14 2,703,000 5,855,750 VULCAN INDL CROWN ASIA 1.76 1.77 1.78 1.78 1.76 1.77 406,000 720,360 1.91 1.94 1.95 1.95 1.91 1.91 31,000 59,890 EUROMED 4.59 4.65 4.65 4.65 4.58 4.58 47,000 217,180 LMG CORP 5.41 5.47 5.41 5.48 5.4 5.47 82,000 445,340 PRYCE CORP 21.3 21.95 21.95 21.95 21.95 21.95 3,600 79,020 CONCEPCION 4.16 4.2 4.4 4.42 4.05 4.2 12,902,000 54,728,410 GREENERGY 10.38 10.4 10.8 10.92 10.34 10.38 950,800 9,953,322 INTEGRATED MICR 1.14 1.15 1.12 1.14 1.11 1.14 211,000 239,040 IONICS 5.8 5.85 5.88 5.88 5.75 5.8 6,500 37,680 PANASONIC 1.37 1.38 1.36 1.39 1.32 1.37 367,000 494,840 SFA SEMICON 6.15 6.16 6.25 6.43 6.13 6.15 5,200,500 32,663,326 CIRTEK HLDG

13,512,048 -24,712,885 -909,420 4,208,265 -114,035 -11,696,246 8,329,374 -534,850 -4,283,570 -552,570 6,139,514 368,320 -47,763,260 -83,140 4,653,416 -83,372 -5,648,080.50 -95,810 -2,800,548 -42,853,546 58,045 -217,450 13,935,948 224,582 -28,670 17,460 145,000 -56,079,948 150,000 385,280 -5,800 -14,260 143,916 -191,100 15,120 1,012,420 -524,670 18,430 6,029,301

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.07 1.08 1.12 1.12 1.05 1.07 14,112,000 15,332,330 7.27 7.38 7.3 7.45 7.3 7.38 12,800 94,105 ASIABEST GROUP 806 808 818 818 805 806 149,400 120,624,465 AYALA CORP 42.65 42.85 43 43.05 42.6 42.65 943,100 40,324,650 ABOITIZ EQUITY 10.26 10.28 10.3 10.36 10.28 10.28 2,107,200 21,699,710 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 3.66 3.68 3.7 3.7 3.58 3.66 5,215,000 18,948,420 AYALA LAND LOG 6.8 6.94 6.95 6.95 6.94 6.94 8,800 61,103 ANSCOR 0.96 0.97 0.99 1.01 0.95 0.97 7,042,000 6,831,460 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.74 0.72 0.73 615,000 443,640 ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL 5.4 5.41 5.42 5.42 5.31 5.4 1,724,000 9,304,370 DMCI HLDG 6.14 6.15 6.35 6.35 6.15 6.15 9,881,000 61,209,456 FILINVEST DEV 8.12 8.15 8.12 8.16 8.12 8.15 10,500 85,544 FORUM PACIFIC 0.27 0.28 0.275 0.295 0.26 0.285 1,430,000 393,850 598 599.5 611 612 597 598 132,520 79,451,245 GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV 3.81 3.97 3.8 3.8 3.78 3.8 57,000 216,510 62 63 62.75 64.9 61.4 63 3,034,700 190,891,842.50 JG SUMMIT LODESTAR 0.96 0.98 1.03 1.03 0.95 0.96 3,727,000 3,650,700 3.25 3.3 3.32 3.32 3.23 3.23 8,000 26,290 LOPEZ HLDG 13.28 13.4 13.46 13.48 13.28 13.28 1,009,400 13,443,276 LT GROUP 0.52 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 2,000 1,120 MABUHAY HLDG 1.52 1.57 1.52 1.57 1.52 1.57 7,000 10,740 MJC INVESTMENTS 4.01 4.03 4.09 4.09 4.01 4.03 10,349,000 41,685,280 METRO PAC INV 3.87 3.93 3.85 3.95 3.85 3.94 72,000 280,240 PACIFICA HLDG 3.05 3.06 2.97 3.11 2.9 3.05 4,502,000 13,564,290 PRIME MEDIA 2.55 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.69 2.7 37,000 99,840 REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP 1.21 1.22 1.21 1.21 1.21 1.21 17,000 20,570 996 999 1,002 1,007 991 999 226,945 226,643,967.50 SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP 116 116.1 117.5 118 116.1 116.1 166,890 19,480,360 SOC RESOURCES 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 14,000 10,360 130 134 130 134 130 134 2,470 330,300 TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS 0.26 0.27 0.26 0.26 0.26 0.26 610,000 158,600 0.228 0.237 0.228 0.237 0.228 0.237 30,000 6,930 ZEUS HLDG

5,064,560 -6,249,860 10,600,155 1,082,002 465,710 3,813,062 12,058,337 -51,332 14,470,995 17,322,811 -8,422,050 -15,386,370 -3,940 -314,380 49,383,070 -3,502,509 22,100 -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.62 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.62 0.64 1,386,000 863,390 36.65 36.7 37.4 37.4 36.6 36.65 9,864,700 362,749,430 AYALA LAND 1.18 1.2 1.22 1.22 1.2 1.2 2,000 2,420 ARANETA PROP 36.35 36.4 36.5 36.6 36.3 36.4 481,800 17,576,820 AREIT RT 1.5 1.53 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 200,000 300,000 BELLE CORP 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.04 1.01 1.02 2,901,000 2,968,160 A BROWN 0.93 0.96 0.93 0.98 0.9 0.95 1,162,000 1,083,220 CITYLAND DEVT 0.126 0.129 0.129 0.129 0.125 0.129 840,000 106,460 CROWN EQUITIES 6.64 7 7 7 6.64 7 2,300 15,380 CEBU HLDG CEB LANDMASTERS 3.67 3.68 3.9 3.9 3.65 3.67 4,373,000 16,277,230 CENTURY PROP 0.44 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.44 0.45 61,460,000 27,076,100 CYBER BAY 0.33 0.335 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33 200,000 66,000 12.04 12.06 12.2 12.28 12.06 12.06 633,400 7,715,690 DOUBLEDRAGON DDMP RT 2.06 2.07 2.07 2.16 2.03 2.06 20,380,000 42,840,700 DM WENCESLAO 6.98 7 7.06 7.06 6.9 7 105,000 736,080 EMPIRE EAST 0.295 0.3 0.29 0.295 0.29 0.295 770,000 224,850 0.66 0.67 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.67 523,372,000 341,998,640 EVER GOTESCO 1.12 1.13 1.12 1.14 1.11 1.13 7,046,000 7,915,120 FILINVEST LAND 0.89 0.9 0.91 0.91 0.9 0.9 13,000 11,720 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.42 1.44 1.4 1.44 1.38 1.42 2,915,000 4,114,960 PHIL INFRADEV 1.94 1.95 2 2 1.92 1.95 2,503,000 4,854,400 CITY AND LAND 3.19 3.21 3.29 3.29 3.19 3.19 33,887,000 108,897,160 MEGAWORLD 0.4 0.405 0.395 0.415 0.395 0.405 68,760,000 27,813,150 MRC ALLIED 0.54 0.55 0.57 0.59 0.54 0.55 20,939,000 11,536,660 PHIL ESTATES 3.66 3.67 3.68 3.69 3.54 3.67 1,224,000 4,425,010 PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND 17.54 17.56 17.98 17.98 17.52 17.54 3,487,900 61,622,782 PHIL REALTY 0.243 0.249 0.242 0.249 0.241 0.249 1,920,000 469,080 ROCKWELL 1.49 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.49 1.5 244,000 364,690 2.62 2.72 2.74 2.74 2.63 2.72 47,000 126,920 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 3 3.01 2.65 3.31 2.64 3 7,250,000 21,251,550 SM PRIME HLDG 36.9 36.95 37.8 37.8 36.85 36.95 7,035,700 260,992,905 VISTAMALLS 3.8 3.9 3.89 3.95 3.8 3.91 13,000 50,780 SUNTRUST HOME 1.8 1.81 1.76 1.81 1.72 1.8 4,506,000 8,067,130 PTFC REDEV CORP 43 49.9 42.1 42.1 42.1 42.1 100 4,210 3.78 3.79 3.9 3.9 3.77 3.79 12,616,000 47,968,560 VISTA LAND

SERVICES ABS CBN 11.36 11.4 11.4 11.44 11.36 11.4 102,100 1,162,244 12.58 12.6 12.88 13.3 12.1 12.6 6,107,100 76,219,658 GMA NETWORK 0.45 0.46 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 90,000 40,500 MANILA BULLETIN 9.79 10.56 9.79 10.56 9.79 10.56 1,700 17,470 MLA BRDCASTING 1,836 1,840 1,879 1,880 1,840 1,840 63,740 118,207,705 GLOBE TELECOM 1,285 1,287 1,289 1,302 1,282 1,287 107,130 138,041,000 PLDT 0.183 0.184 0.191 0.194 0.184 0.184 251,240,000 46,849,720 APOLLO GLOBAL 23.05 23.1 22.65 23.45 22.55 23.05 15,644,000 360,681,230 CONVERGE 4 4.08 4.02 4.14 4 4 772,000 3,139,850 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 9.48 9.49 9.72 9.75 9.47 9.48 5,797,500 55,581,160 JACKSTONES 2.3 2.32 2.3 2.32 2.3 2.32 3,000 6,920 2.36 2.37 2.42 2.42 2.36 2.36 557,000 1,323,840 NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.4 0.405 0.41 0.41 0.395 0.4 14,910,000 5,997,650 PHILWEB 2.61 2.62 2.49 2.63 2.49 2.62 1,378,000 3,542,180 2GO GROUP 8.5 8.52 8.58 8.58 8.5 8.5 28,200 240,185 ASIAN TERMINALS 14.76 14.78 14.78 14.78 14.78 14.78 6,600 97,548 CHELSEA 3.23 3.24 3.37 3.38 3.23 3.23 1,658,000 5,459,190 53.25 53.35 54.2 54.25 52.8 53.25 725,150 38,661,456 CEBU AIR 152.7 153 152 157.5 151.9 153 1,501,390 229,939,195 INTL CONTAINER 1.01 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 5,000 5,350 LORENZO SHIPPNG 5.69 5.7 5.85 5.86 5.55 5.7 3,365,800 19,127,587 MACROASIA 2.2 2.22 2.29 2.29 2.19 2.22 52,000 114,690 METROALLIANCE A 1.23 1.25 1.23 1.26 1.22 1.25 728,000 903,410 HARBOR STAR 1.7 1.76 1.72 1.77 1.68 1.77 98,000 166,140 ACESITE HOTEL 0.117 0.118 0.115 0.12 0.11 0.117 693,900,000 79,753,500 BOULEVARD HLDG 3 3.1 3.11 3.11 2.98 3.1 250,000 762,980 DISCOVERY WORLD WATERFRONT 0.55 0.56 0.55 0.57 0.55 0.56 857,000 472,920 6.51 6.73 6.73 6.73 6.73 6.73 300 2,019 CENTRO ESCOLAR 7.55 7.58 7.11 7.69 7.11 7.59 16,100 118,345 IPEOPLE 0.38 0.385 0.38 0.39 0.38 0.385 1,720,000 658,900 STI HLDG 6.78 6.83 7 7 6.73 6.78 4,940,000 33,605,933 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 2.08 2.12 2.11 2.12 2.11 2.12 95,000 200,880 1.65 1.68 1.65 1.65 1.64 1.65 103,000 169,730 LEISURE AND RES 2.08 2.1 2.08 2.08 2.08 2.08 2,000 4,160 MANILA JOCKEY 2.06 2.07 2.16 2.16 2.05 2.07 2,966,000 6,181,820 PH RESORTS GRP 0.42 0.43 0.425 0.435 0.425 0.425 2,040,000 868,300 PREMIUM LEISURE 8 8.15 8.02 8.15 7.95 8.15 3,336,300 26,775,257 ALLHOME 1.35 1.36 1.38 1.38 1.35 1.36 412,000 562,620 METRO RETAIL 40.65 40.75 40.65 40.75 40 40.75 2,435,400 98,766,605 PUREGOLD 50 50.5 51.1 52 50 50 1,892,190 95,922,335 ROBINSONS RTL 101.7 103.9 101.6 104 101.6 101.7 370 37,860 PHIL SEVEN CORP 1.27 1.28 1.3 1.31 1.26 1.28 2,199,000 2,813,530 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 18.1 18.12 18.3 18.32 18.04 18.12 1,246,400 22,618,166 APC GROUP 0.38 0.39 0.38 0.39 0.38 0.39 1,800,000 698,300 6.01 6.2 6 6.26 6 6.01 22,100 133,813 EASYCALL 410.2 435.8 436 436 436 436 120 52,320 GOLDEN MV 1.68 1.69 1.76 1.77 1.68 1.68 13,558,000 23,055,950 PRMIERE HORIZON SBS PHIL CORP 4.2 4.34 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 1,000 4,200

18,600 -34,054,135 -6,624,240 8,900 -34,040 249,200 -2,313,466.00 1,141,640 -112,640 -1,850,730 -2,166,470 -24,190 71,990 -44,181,380 -1,105,250 -6,380 604,720 -10,805,180 150,500 -27,300 13,800 -32,179,070.00 -7,820 -36,000 -2,280,780 -22,170,965 3,968,360 1,735,830 113,613,880 2,153,250 -3,039,156 73,520 56,250 192,500 8,500 7,390 32,500 -6,948,043 -18,821,222 -158,451 -11,070 3,440 665,940 103,160 -9,777,020 108,370 3,225,814 13,800 17,997,720 343,251.50 5,158 -1,324,540 -16,174,782 -1,289,140 -

MINING & OIL ATOK 9.4 9.42 9.8 9.8 9.24 9.42 445,900 4,216,116 -417,653 1.69 1.7 1.73 1.73 1.68 1.7 2,849,000 4,846,070 218,580 APEX MINING PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.1466 19.36% 2.83% 5.48% -0.31% 6.88 6.9 7.06 7.06 6.61 6.88 3,985,700 27,284,861 -1,139,256 ATLAS MINING 5.16 5.27 5.49 5.49 5.15 5.27 757,800 3,933,778 BENGUET A Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7243 25.46% 8.46% 8.93% 4.68% 5.03 5.24 5.3 5.3 5.03 5.03 21,000 109,039 30,180 BENGUET B Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.2163 13.08% 4.94% 4.98% 1.18% 0.305 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.31 0.32 590,000 186,400 COAL ASIA HLDG 2.8 2.84 2.76 2.87 2.76 2.87 6,000 17,090 17,090 CENTURY PEAK Bond Funds 6.65 6.9 7.07 7.07 6.65 6.89 157,200 1,052,297 114,018 DIZON MINES Primarily invested in Peso securities FERRONICKEL 2.48 2.5 2.45 2.51 2.43 2.48 2,245,000 5,532,270 228,520 GEOGRACE 0.33 0.335 0.33 0.34 0.33 0.33 1,360,000 449,250 ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 371.96 1.91% 3.19% 2.44% 0.24% 0.153 0.154 0.154 0.154 0.152 0.154 47,160,000 7,233,480 LEPANTO A ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9261 -0.63% 1.19% 0.2% 1.36% 0.156 0.16 0.157 0.16 0.155 0.156 5,040,000 788,400 -113,150 LEPANTO B Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2276 1.35% 3.81% 4.35% 0.4% MANILA MINING A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.012 252,700,000 3,041,700 0.013 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.014 2,000,000 28,000 MANILA MINING B Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2597 -0.99% 2.24% 1.41% -1.58% 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.25 1.21 1.23 668,000 814,350 13,700 MARCVENTURES First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4408 0.26% 3.25% 1.74% -0.51% NIHAO 1.45 1.46 1.47 1.47 1.42 1.45 349,000 499,600 5.2 5.22 5.1 5.23 5.09 5.2 9,179,100 47,409,652 11,372,587 NICKEL ASIA Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.4936 -1.32% 4.26% 1.49% -3.04% 0.41 0.42 0.415 0.465 0.4 0.41 6,150,000 2,702,000 300 OMICO CORP Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3249 2.78% 4.29% 2.8% 0.28% 0.97 0.98 1.04 1.04 0.96 0.98 5,752,000 5,661,710 ORNTL PENINSULA Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9731 1.21% 4.41% 2.43% -0.7% 6.68 6.7 6.77 6.77 6.63 6.68 2,060,600 13,769,417 -672,395 PX MINING 14.28 14.32 14.62 14.68 14.16 14.32 1,057,900 15,221,998 1,579,158 SEMIRARA MINING Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0352 1.18% 4.54% 1.75% -0.65% 0.0092 0.0093 0.0093 0.0095 0.0091 0.0092 151,000,000 1,390,500 195,300 UNITED PARAGON Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.2115 1.66% 5.44% 2.71% 0.17% 18.2 18.24 18.28 18.8 18.2 18.2 233,800 4,278,980 12,748 ACE ENEXOR 0.011 0.012 0.013 0.013 0.011 0.012 281,000,000 3,118,000 ORNTL PETROL A Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7477 0.78% 4.69% 2.05% -0.42% 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 9,600,000 115,500 14,400 ORNTL PETROL B Primarily invested in foreign currency securities PHILODRILL 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 34,400,000 425,800 -28,400 ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $485.78 2.78% 3.2% 2.32% 0.39% PXP ENERGY 8.08 8.14 8.35 8.55 8.07 8.14 833,500 6,953,428 -595,177

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є220.13 2.31% 1.17% 1.15% 0.43% PREFFERED ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1871 -2.15% 2.22% 1.22% -7.29% HOUSE PREF A 100.1 101.5 100.1 101.5 100.1 101.5 7,830 786,380 526 530 526 530 526 530 15,000 7,906,000 AC PREF B1 First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0261 0.77% 1.85% 1.11% -1.88% 523.5 530 523 530 523 530 1,200 634,600 AC PREF B2R PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0514 -1.3% 0.54% -0.71% -3.78% 51.4 51.5 53.05 53.35 50.25 51.5 151,390 7,822,416.50 -280,498.50 CEB PREF Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.5073 3.28% 5.41% 2.25% -1.12% 103.5 104 104.4 104.4 104.4 104.4 4,100 428,040 CPG PREF A 101.4 102.2 102 102 101.4 101.4 9,010 914,311 -5,095 DD PREF Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0629737 4.12% 3.55% 2.25% 1.05% 1,000 1,001 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,015 1,015,000 GTCAP PREF A Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1823 0.63% 3.34% 1.1% -1.28% 100.6 101 101 101 101 101 770 77,770 -4,040 MWIDE PREF 100.5 101.7 101 101 101 101 500 50,500 MWIDE PREF 2B Money Market Funds PNX PREF 3B 104 106.9 106.9 106.9 106.9 106.9 930 99,417 Primarily invested in Peso securities 1,006 1,008 1,005 1,008 1,005 1,008 680 685,350 PNX PREF 4 ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 130.25 1.77% 3.07% 2.53% 0.34% 1,027 1,037 1,037 1,037 1,037 1,037 15 15,555 PCOR PREF 2B 1,115 1,117 1,115 1,115 1,113 1,115 30,160 33,612,400 PCOR PREF 3A First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0525 1.16% n.a. n.a.

0.42% 79.5 79.6 79.6 79.9 79.5 79.6 67,970 5,409,240 SMC PREF 2C 1.77% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.3048 2.86% 2.56% 0.63% 77 78 78 78 76 78 20,010 1,542,457.50 SMC PREF 2H 78.3 78.5 78 79 78 78.1 73,760 5,782,740 SMC PREF 2I Primarily invested in foreign currency securities 76 77 76 77 76 76.9 11,000 846,417.50 - SMC PREF 2J Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0574 1.25% 1.68% n.a.

0.48%

Feeder Funds PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 10.66 11 11.2 11.2 11 11 9,300 102,500 5,500 Primarily invested in Peso securities 11.04 11.1 11.38 11.5 10.92 11.04 466,400 5,162,076 -3,415,806 GMA HLDG PDR Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.2585 n.a. n.a. n.a.

11.41%

WARRANTS Primarily invested in foreign currency securities LR WARRANT 1.86 1.89 1.95 1.97 1.85 1.89 1,263,000 2,376,410 18,800 ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $1 7.53% n.a. n.a.

2.04%

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

ALTUS PROP 18 18.02 17.36 18.88 17.36 18 480,800 8,670,938 2.47 2.5 2.52 2.53 2.44 2.47 741,000 1,836,590 -12,650 ITALPINAS 1 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 2 - Launch date is November 15, 2019. 3 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019.

4.37 4.38 4.43 4.6 4.38 4.38 7,485,000 33,421,620 1,061,480 MERRYMART 4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 5 - Launch date is December 09, 2019.

6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund). 7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020.

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the FIRST METRO ETF 104.5 105 105.9 106 104.5 104.5 31,870 3,358,720 592,291 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a

$0.03819

-0.21%

3.06%

1.4%

-2.38%

newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

Banking& Finance BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, June 18, 2021

B3

₧242.25 billion in govt coffers via marking fuel

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE government has so far collected P242.25 billion in duties and taxes since the fuel marking program started in September 2019.

A total of 25.03 billion liters of fuel has been marked as of June 11, according to an infographic shared by the Department of Finance.

During the period, the Bureau of Customs collected duties and taxes amounting to P213.87 billion while the Bureau of Internal Revenue accounted for P28.39 billion.

Based on the numbers, the government was able to collect an average of P11.011 billion a month in the past 22 months of applying the fuel marking program. Also, based on the figures, the government was able to collect an average of about P9.68 in duties and taxes for every liter of fuel marked.

By fuel type, diesel comprised the bulk or 60.9 percent (15.25 billion liters) of the total marked-volume of fuel. It was followed by gasoline at 38.6 percent (9.65 billion liters) and kerosene at 0.5 percent (136.02 million liters).

Most of the fuel marked by the government was located in Luzon (73.36 percent or 18.37 billion liters). Trailing Luzon is Mindanao with 21.35 percent or 5.35 billion liters out of the total marked-volume of fuel followed by Visayas at 5.29 percent or 1.32 billion liters.

About 24 petroleum companies have so far participated in the fuel marking program.

Taking the lead was Petron Corp., cornering 22.36 percent (or 5.6 billion liters) of the total marked fuel.

Next is Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

with 19.31 percent (4.84 billion liters), Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. with 10.33 percent (2.59 billion liters), Seaoil Philippines Inc. with 8.13 percent (2.03 billion liters) and Phoenix Petroleum Inc. with 7.94 percent (1.99 billion liters).

In February, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda revealed that the government lost P357 billion due to fuel smuggling from 2010 to 2019.

While fuel marking helped lower smuggling, foregone revenues are still rising, Salceda said, because the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law (Republic Act 10963) raised taxes on fuel products in 2018.

Fuel marking makes use of a unique chemical marker that can be embedded at a molecular level in petroleum products— gasoline, diesel, and kerosene—thereby enabling authorities to test, identify and distinguish petroleum products with paid excise taxes.

Under the Train law, petroleum products that are refined, manufactured, or imported to the Philippines such as, but not limited to, unleaded premium gasoline, kerosene and diesel, shall be marked by an official marking agent after payment of taxes and duties.

The fuel-marking program was launched with the aim of halting illegal importation, manufacturing, and other fraudulent activities relating to the use and sale of petroleum products in the country.

Walking in your members’ shoes

Y

istics and creating them helps OU may have encounyou understand them better tered the phrase or exand, eventually, create a deeppression “take a walk in er connection with them with your customer’s shoes.” Figuratively speaking, it means Association World an extensive understanding of their demographic profile, stepping into your custombehaviors, and pain points. ers’ world to understand and Octavio Peralta 3. I—Identify all your appreciate their needs and/or touch points with members, e.g., your web site, their pain points to serve them better. In the marketing channels (social media, print advercontext of associations, we will change the word tisement, e-mails, partnerships); direct interac“customers” to “members” as members of an tion (landing pages, follow-up e-mails and marassociation are its main customers. keting automation, call centre); customer service I recently attended a webinar entitled “Mem(purchase process, payment, cancellations, inber Digital Journey” organized by Member voicing); indirect contacts (word of mouth, recBoat, an Australia-based digital marketing ommendation sand customer reviews). agency dedicated to helping associations in 4. D—Determine the different stages of their digital transformation initiatives. It was the member journey, typically divided into six presented by its founder and principal consulimportant stages—discovery, consideration, tant, Olena Lima, who outlined a framework of service use (trial), membership, retention, and a workbook called “member journey mapping,” advocacy/contribution—and analyze each of a visual representation of what members go these to map your member’s journey with your through from the moment they have first heard association. about your association to eventually becoming 5. E—Experiment the member journey, loyal and engaged volunteers and ambassadors. identify the gaps, and address any issues.

To create a powerful and insightful “members 6. R—Review, validate and repeat. map,” Olena cited the following steps, which I “Walking in your members’ shoes” is maptermed “Guider” for easy recall and reference: ping your member journey to better under1. G—Gather qualitative and quantitative stand your members, as well as to personalise data on your members such as digital data from communication, content and offers based on your existing database, from your web site and where they are. Member journey mapping is a from your social-media account. powerful tool your association can use to creFor instance, analyzing your web site’s user ate a highly personalised member experience flow or user experience is a critical step in data that makes a difference. collection. Web sites are a great source of information about your members’ demographThe column contributor, Octavio ‘Bobby’ Peralta, is concurics, among others. Your membership team is rently the secretary-general of the Association of Development also a rich data source since they talk to your Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific, Founder & CEO of members, listen to their feedback, and know the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executheir main pain points. You can also collect data tives and President of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Associafrom member surveys and forms they fill up. tion Organizations. The purpose of PCAAE—the “association 2. U—Use the collected data to build your of associations”—is to advance the association managemember persona which is a character derived ment profession and to make associations well-governed and from research insights, demographic data, and sustainable. PCAAE enjoys the support of Adfiap, the Tourism member interviews created to represent a comPromotions Board, and the Philippine International Convention mon group of people. Unlike traditional member Center. E-mail: obp@adfiap.org. segments, personas have all human character-

B4

Friday, June 18, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

Women are as likely as men to accept a gender pay gap if they benefit from it

W

OMEN are just as inclined as men to vote against a policy to reduce a gender pay gap if they are personally benefiting from the status quo. This is one of the main findings of my new study, which was published in January 2021 in the journal Applied Economics Letters.

I conducted a series of laboratory experiments in which I recruited participants to do a 30-question quiz. The participants knew from the start that they would be paid based on the number of questions they answered correctly. In roughly half of the sessions, the quiz was written in a way to give men an advantage. I achieved this by choosing questions that were mainly on topics that surveys show men tend to be more interested in than women, such as sports and certain movie genres. The quiz for the

receive just 85 cents.

In all three votes, which had similar results, I found that women were actually more likely than men to vote against the policy that would have led to a narrowing of the pay gap when they earned more money in the quiz. On average, 96.8 percent of women’s votes were against the proposed corrective payment policy when they were more likely to correctly answer the questions, compared with 90.5 percent of the men’s votes when they had the edge.

In addition, when women were at a disadvantage, they were more likely to vote in favor of the corrective policy, with 79.5 percent supporting it versus 73 percent for the men.

While social science laboratory experiments like mine cannot fully capture every nuance, I believe my qualitative results are similar to what we would find in the real world.

Debate over the gender pay gap can become quite heated.

The latest data from Pew Research Center show women make 84 cents on the dollar of what men earn—a gap that hasn’t changed much in recent years.

And surveys have found that men are more likely to oppose measures to correct this gap and even question whether the gap exists in the first place. A 2019 SurveyMonkey poll showed that 46 percent of men believe the gender pay gap “is made up to serve a political purpose” rather than a “legitimate issue.”

My research suggests women might feel the same if the positions were reversed. Additionally, it suggests that men would also likely be equally vociferous in calling for a narrowing of the gap if they found themselves in a world where they were holding the short end of the stick.

Ideally, I hope this research will lead people to reexamine the positions they hold on issues like this one and consider how self-interest may be driving their arguments. Maybe it can lead to more understanding and increase the focus in these debates on the available evidence.

In my current and future work, I seek to experimentally determine people’s willingness to sacrifice personal financial gains in favor of an outcome that they see as serving the common good. This involves, for example, testing how much income the average employee or executive is willing to sacrifice to reduce income inequality. The Conversation

other half of the sessions were designed in a similar way to give women an advantage.

In the version with a male bias, men answered an average of 21 questions correctly, while women answered only 13 right. This was meant to mimic the current real-world situation in which men, on average, earn more than women. The questions were carefully chosen so that the quiz that favored women had mirrored results: the average woman answered 21 correctly, the average man just 13.

Three times at different stages of the experiment participants voted to either be paid $1 for every correct answer or to give the group that was at a disadvantage a leg up. If the second payment option won the majority vote, the disadvantaged participants would get $1.25 per right answer, while those who benefited from the biased test would

Filipino chef features ‘halo-halo’ in Lexus digital cookbook

FROM the humble ube to adobo, lechon, sisig and lumpia, Filipino food has indeed tickled the taste buds of many foodies around the world. Now, it’s time for the classic halo-halo to shine as it was recently featured in the second volume of Culinary Perspectives, a global digital cookbook produced by Japanese luxury carmaker Lexus.

“The traditional halo-halo normally contains seven or eight components including crushed ice, beans, jellies, nuts, puffed rice, and much more,” said Top Chef

Canada finalist Chef Mark Singson. “For this version, I simplified the components to four and looked to my home of Vancouver for inspiration. This recipe uses the beautiful local stone fruit of British Columbia as a garnish but during the fall months, I might use pumpkin or whatever else inspires me from the area. If you’re in a rush, this is a perfect dessert since all ingredients can be made ahead of time.”

Drawing from his lively heritage and childhood years in Manila, Chef Singson utilizes skills refined in esteemed kitchens to honor Filipino cuisine. His time on Top Chef Canada in 2018 challenged his experience built from cooking in restaurants such as Boneta and AnnaLena inVancouver and Vue de monde and Saint Crispin in Melbourne, inspiring him in his independent career as a private chef to make confident, charismatic dishes which leave a lasting impression.

Chef Singson joins an exclusive list of world-renowned chefs, who are also culinary partners of Lexus, featured in the cookbook. They all shared enticing menus of robust dishes which have been enjoyed at Lexus events around the world.

First introduced in July 2020, Culinary Perspectives is part of the social media-driven program, called Lexus

Creates, which aims to both inform and delight with topics related to the Lexus brand hallmarks of design and craftsmanship. It is available as a free download on lexus.com.ph under the “Discover Lexus” tab.

“Culinary Perspectives enables Lexus to connect with our audience on a topic of deep personal interest to them. We hope our audience will embrace this opportunity to explore their own epicurean artisanship,” said Brian Bolain, general manager of Lexus International.

Creating food and elevating it to culinary art is fundamentally human, and a highly evolved level of craftsmanship and thoughtfully detailed execution are basic pillars of the Lexus brand. The 10 recipes in the collection provide a menu for a multi-course meal across a range of difficulty levels that can be mastered by novice chefs or expert culinary architects in the comfort of their homes.

Lexus Creates: Culinary Perspectives Volume 2 was written by Joshua David Stein, a James Beard Awardnominated author whose work has appeared in Best American Food Writing, and a former restaurant critic for the Village Voice and New York Observer. He has been the editor-in-chief of BlackBook magazine and a senior editor at Departures, Eater and Black Ink magazines.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

z

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Meaghan Rath, 35; Blake Shelton, 45; Carol Kane, 69; Paul McCartney, 79.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Concentrate on what’s important to you. Stay away from situations that confuse and cause uncertainty. Carefully pick and choose the people you associate with. Focus on using your skills and attributes to excel. Revenge will stand between you and achieving your dreams. Let go of the past and head into the future with optimism, honesty, trust and hope. Your lucky numbers are 4, 11, 16, 20, 27, 32, 43.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Clear up any uncertainty you face quickly and intelligently.

Ask questions, summarize what’s required to reach your objective and finish what you start. An energetic outing will help you get back to nature and the meaning of life. HHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Tie up loose ends and enjoy the finer things in life.

Plan to spend time doing something you can enjoy with someone you love. A change will be revitalizing and encourage you to do something that has an impact on your community. HHHHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Persuasive tactics may work initially, but they will eventually affect your reputation if you don’t deliver. Protect your integrity by making a point to stick to the truth. Put in the necessary time to do the best job possible. HH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put your energy where it will do some good.

Concentrate on home improvement projects that will encourage you to be more aggressive when earning a living and handling your financial future.

Fitness and romance are in your best interest. HH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Share your plans with someone special. The interest you receive will increase your enthusiasm and help you complete what you set out to do. Make a commitment that honors your long-term goals, and take action to ensure you reach your destination. 4 stars

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Tidy up loose ends, and make changes that will give you the freedom to do things that bring you joy.

An open mind will lead to prospects far beyond your initial plans. Put your energy where it will do some good. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Think, research and turn your plans into a reality.

A passionate approach will lead to new beginnings and a stable future. Refuse to let anyone mess with your mind. Trust facts, and do what feels right and best for you. HHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Make the most with what you’ve got. Expand your plans to include fixing up your space to accommodate your goals. Creating a place of learning and enlightenment will help you as well as others. Personal growth and love are on the rise.

HHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take one step at a time. Don’t rush into something under the advice someone offers. Do your due diligence and sort through the pros and cons before you venture down a different path. Choose intelligence over risk. HHHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’ll gravitate toward change and adventure.

Someone or something unique will spark your imagination and encourage you to engage in a lifestyle that will disrupt your emotions before you encounter stability. Live life. Learn as you go. HH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You are heading in the right direction. Follow your heart, and you’ll discover your true calling.

Weather the storm; the calm that follows will lead to the happiness you desire. Intelligent decisions will result in added stability. HHHHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Expand your interests, take on a new hobby and engage in pastimes that allow you to use your attributes to build strength and courage. Put more into meaningful relationships, and you will find peace of mind and tranquility. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are engaging, convincing and appealing. You are insightful and sensitive.

‘lgbtq firsts’ BY DALLAS FLETCHER The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Dad 5 Some have x, y and z axes 11 Roast beef au ___ 14 Middle of Caesar’s boast 15 Marilyn who had a signature mole 16 Choose 17 She played Princess Aurora in “Maleficent” 19 “How was ___ know?”

20 It forms the tip of the Horn of Africa 21 Slob’s opposite 23 “Bye for now,” in texts 24 Hosts, briefly 25 Mochi ingredient 26 Pickling containers 28 “You really shouldn’t have!”

30 Be in the red 31 Work with yarn 33 Friend, in France 34 Fixation 40 “___ It Go” (Frozen song) 41 Some whiskeys 42 Hostel director Roth 43 What psychics read

7 Viral cat photo, maybe 4 48 Part of a predicate 49 Pitiful 50 Vinegar, chemically 52 Medicine with a PM variety 54 Anthem in Manitoba 57 Eggs on blini 58 Start playing a soundtrack 60 “Where ___ you?”

61 “Queer Eye” food guru Porowski 62 Speed dial, briefly?

63 Money in Tokyo 64 Expensive Super Bowl purchase 65 Dueling sword DOWN 1 Slapstick desserts 2 Capital of Norway 3 Shade source at an oasis 4 Comfy pants 5 App whose logo is a colorful M 6 Name that anagrams to “Nora” 7 Raggedy Andy’s sister 8 Handsome character in many Disney films 9 Lincoln nickname

0 Nintendo rival 1 11 Start singing along, say 12 Slight increase 13 Adds fuel to, as a fire 18 The old lady swallowed one 22 Line of cars?

24 Like many urban parking spots 26 Real piece of work?

27 Amazement 28 Negroni liquor 29 Med. insurance groups 31 An athlete may take one in protest 32 “Shh!” 35 Cry of amazement 36 The “S” of macOS: Abbr.

37 Urgently require 38 Shade source in Central Park 39 Rare Final Jeopardy outcome 43 Couch potato’s table 44 Pooh pal whose tail often comes off 45 Sorkin who co-hosted “America’s Funniest People” 46 Parking lot?

47 Maximum length of many TikToks 50 Nail a test

1 High-tech doorbell part, informally 5 53 Stanford Cardinal’s org.

54 “We’re doomed!”

55 Cube, like onions 56 Throb painfully 59 Add sprinkles to, say

Solution to Wednesday’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Friday, June 18, 2021

Wanted: ‘Extinct or Alive’ R. KELLY

R. Kelly seeks to shake up defense team ahead of NYC trial NEW YORK—Jailed R&B singer R. Kelly wants to shake up his legal defense team two months before he is set to go on trial in New York on federal racketeering charges.

His top two attorneys, Steve Greenberg and Michael Leonard, of Chicago, filed a motion this week seeking to withdraw from the long-delayed case, saying it would be “impossible” for them “to properly represent Mr. Kelly under the current circumstances.”

US District Judge Ann Donnelly did not immediately grant the motion, requesting more details about the apparent falling out among Kelly’s team of lawyers.

“Sometimes you can’t save someone from themselves,” Greenberg wrote on Twitter this week, “no matter how hard you try.”

A request for comment was sent Thursday to Greenberg and Leonard.

Two other attorneys for Kelly, Thomas A. Farinella and Nicole Becker Blank, told the judge the shakeup won’t affect Kelly’s August 9 trial date in Brooklyn federal court. They said Kelly fired Greenberg and Leonard.

Kelly, 54, is accused of leading an enterprise made up of his managers, bodyguards and other employees who helped him recruit women and girls for sex. Federal prosecutors say the group selected victims at concerts and other venues and arranged for them to travel to see Kelly.

The Grammy Award-winning singer denies ever abusing anyone.

Kelly also faces numerous sex-related charges in Illinois and Minnesota and is scheduled to stand trial in September in Chicago federal court. AP

F

ORREST GALANTE is an American biologist and conservationist. But he has been called many names, like “international adventurer” and “parachute scientist”. The adventurer part is self-explanatory but a scientist who parachutes? It is a critique of what he does, which is to go to a foreign country or some isolated forest, and with the help of his own staff and crew tap local resources, document wildlife there, collect specimens, and then leave.

But isn’t that what all other sciences do—from history to anthropology, from botany to zoology?

Without foregoing that critique, it cannot be denied that Forrest Galante, as the host of Extinct or Alive, brings into our living rooms a new way of looking at conservation and wildlife.

The premise is simple, which is to look for animals deemed extinct; the process, excruciatingly difficult and dangerous. The program has a simple aim: find that animal feared to be gone, take a photograph or video of it, and the mission is accomplished. For scientific purposes, a specimen is taken from the animal, which presupposes that Forrest has indeed not only captured the animal but touched it for a considerable time.

In the episodes I watched, these elements are apparent: the personality of this scientist; the bewildering location; and the discovery that all animals—and all plants—are crucial to the life of our planet. Those elements make up the big picture. The details—the small pictures—are intriguingly breathtaking.

Was it my luck that the first episode I saw was a search for the Malagasy hippopotamus? Known as Malagasy dwarf hippopotamus, the animal lived on the island of Madagascar. Before Forrest ventured into this quest for the animal, there was only a fossil record suggesting that the dwarf hippo existed until some 1,000 years ago.

In the Season 2 of Extinct or Alive, Forrest Galante travels with another scientist, to several forested areas of Madagascar. As they explore the place, they pass by the most unusual landscapes and witness the alarming deforestation of the areas. The aridity of the land gives them hope that where there is water, the hippo must

be there. Finding a murky pond, Forrest uses a device in the form of a synthetic hippo head and submerges it in the water. Nothing happens. They go to another spot and feel with their hands a muddy area. There they pull out a non-fossilized skull of the Malagasy dwarf hippo, which turns out to be less than 200 years old. The disclosure does not end there, for the biologists believe the animal may even be living up to this day. And I am hooked on this novel exploit!

The next episode, also from Season 2, takes me to the island of Borneo.

Considered to be the third-largest island in the world and the largest in Asia, Borneo’s proximity to the Philippines should interest us Filipinos about its wildlife conservation and diversity. Here in this episode, we see the persistence and the courage of Forrest. Whether it is staged for the camera, his logic and systematic inquiry into the wildlife is nothing short of amazing. In Borneo, Forrest is about to embark on a search for the Miller’s grizzled langur. The monkey, which is noted for its white beard and sideburns, is said to have lived in Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of Borneo. Declared extinct for a long time, it was rediscovered in 2011 and was not seen again.

There are findings showing how in 2012, the Miller’s grizzled langur was photographed by other primatologists. Forrest’s version, however, gives us a ringside view of how to track an animal that can be easily dismissed as long vanished. Knowing that the monkey is an arboreal animal, which means it inhabits trees, Forrest harnesses himself up a tall tree and waits for hours to see if that monkey would show himself.

Going to another part of the forest, Forrest and the crew simulate a leafy covering and hide there while the biologist plays the sound or call of the langur, or leaf monkey. This sound gets a response and the whole team goes crazy. Searching for the source of the sound yields no result.

The team goes deeper into the forest. Following a forest guard’s instruction, they try to locate waterfalls flowing into a sepan, a waterhole with minerals. They do not see any grizzled langur but they place at strategic points cameras hoping to capture images of the elusive primate.

Those devices would be collected the next day.

Indeed, on the next day, Forrest goes back into the area and collects all the cameras. Short of cinematic, the biologist ensconces himself on a porch with his laptop and what looks like a mug of beer. He starts to view the camera now attached to his computer. And there, drinking from the sepan is what looks like a monkey, his neck graced by white hair. His excitement palpable, Forrest waits for the monkey to turn around. It takes a while for the small monkey to move his head up from

the water source. Then as if teasing us, it raises its head, turns toward the camera and all we hear is Forrest shouting at the discovery. The Miller’s grizzled langur is extant, not extinct! The team is ecstatic. We are filled with joy. We are part of this discovery.

There are more “discoveries”, some of them contentious and controversial. At this point though, there is an important lesson we can get from this program.

One is that the disappearance or extinction of animals has greatly something to do with their habitat disappearing, or going extinct as well. This documentary is fun but cautionary.

Extinct or Alive is a documentary TV program produced for Animal Planet by Hot Snakes Media of New York City. Credited as directors are Thomas Backer and Patrick DeLuca.

More exciting adventures and inspiring stories on ‘Amazing Earth’; Michael V’s ‘Family History’ on Sunday DINGDONG DANTES continues to explore unchartered territories and discover fascinating stories told through the work of local heroes in the three-part anniversary special of GMA’s award-winning infotainment program, Amazing Earth.

The first airing last June 13, the show—directed by Rico Gutierrez—is seen on Sundays at 7:40 pm.

Since the program’s debut, Dingdong has shown his immeasurable commitment to deliver exciting adventures and stories to viewers every week as he treks dirt roads, wades in rivers, and climbs mountains. Even with the health concerns brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, Dingdong proves to be a faithful eco-warrior through and through.

The award-winning actor-TV host shares that a great deal of destinations await viewers in their three-part anniversary episodes: “Team Amazing Earth has a lot in store for our viewers in celebration of our third anniversary. We know na with the pandemic, hindi lahat ay nakakapasyal to explore the many beautiful sights this planet has to offer. Kaya naman our program is excited to take our viewers to more breathtaking

destinations across the country and around the world.”

Dingdong also expresses his take on how their program can be of help in advocating environmental protection: “We feature local heroes para makita natin kung ano ba ‘yung mga puwede nating gawin for our environment and it’s not just limited to tree planting; it could be as simple as educating everyone tungkol sa mga kuwentong bayan na may kinalaman sa kalikasan.”

Now on its new prime-time timeslot, Amazing Earth’s special episodes feature wildlife stories from the BBC nature documentary Seven Worlds, One Planet, presented by renowned narrator David Attenborough and filmed across 7 continents in 41 countries.

Don’t miss out on Dingdong’s exclusive interview with Mayor Vico Sotto in the Pasig Rainforest Park.

The millennial mayor talks about the inroads they are making environment-wise in Pasig, spearheaded by their constituents’ floating farm concept.

Meanwhile, revel in the beauty of Bohol and discover the

mysterious Tambuko cave and underwater lagoon.

Meanwhile, GMA celebrates Father’s Day with the TV premiere of multiawarded comedian and content creator Michael V’s directorial debut film Family History on GMA Blockbusters, showing right after All-Out Sundays.

Michael V’s labor of love garnered good reviews from viewers when the film played in theaters in 2019. It tells the life of Alex de la Cruz (Michael V), a happily married man who finds himself at a crossroad when a life-changing disease challenges his marriage to his wife May (DawnZulueta).

This family drama also stars Miguel Tanfelix, Bianca Umali, John Estrada, Paolo Contis, Ina Feleo, Kakai Bautista and Nonie Buencamino. Joining them are Nikki Co, Mikoy Morales, Vince Gamad and Jemwell Ventinilla.

Family History is a co-production between Mic Test Entertainment and GMA Pictures. In 2020, it took home the Natatanging Pelikulang Pampamilya special award from the 4th Guild of Educators, Mentors and Students (GEMS) Awards.

DINGDONG DANTES

Bianca is in on the streamer

IF you haven’t met Bianca Gonzalez and get to meet her for the first time, you would think she’s a shy, unassuming timid girl. Well, it’s kind of true as Bianca is indeed quiet—but she’s more of the silent but deadly type. Because when she’s at work and when the lights hit her and the director shouts, “Action!” Bianca is a woman transformed. She shows her gregarious, witty and brilliant side in a charming way that just captivates you.

That is why she’s the perfect partner for MJ Felipe in the very exciting celebrity-centric talk show, titled FYE Channel’s PopCinema, streaming on Kumu. They’re very fun to watch and they have great chemistry, that’s why it’s no wonder the show is now on its third season and has even given a better timeslot which is every Wednesday at 7 pm.

FYE Channel’s PopCinema promises A-list celebrity guests. Last Wednesday, it started with soughtafter Kapamilya actor Joshua Garcia, who shared

BIANCA GONZALEZ

details of his upcoming TV series Viral, an upcoming Kapamilya show also starring Charlie Dizon, Jake Cuenca and Dimples Romana.

It was also in this season premiere that Bianca and MJ introduced its new regular segment “TBH”, where they will mention a trending topic on which a chosen streamer will share his opinion.

Aside from featuring stars who take on fun games with hosts Bianca and MJ to reveal exciting bits about themselves, FYE Channel’s PopCinema also provides the latest showbiz news and happenings to its livestream viewers.

Meanwhile in other Kumu news, Awra Briguela’s new show Rated Z will take over PopCinema’s original timeslot and will go live Saturdays at 7 pm on the FYE Channel starting June 19.

Catch the new season of FYE Channel’s PopCinema with Bianca and MJ, Wednesdays at 7 pm, on Kumu. nnn SKY and Swiss game developer N-Dream lets SKY Fiber subscribers nationwide add gaming to their entertainment choices for the family as they are now entitled to six months of free premium subscription to AirConsole Hero.

“SKY has decided to join AirConsole in its mission to bring happiness into every household.

SKY being an innovative company in the Philippine market and relentlessly searching ways to improve their offerings in terms of entertainment, it made a lot of sense to us to work together to provide these games to all its subscribers,” Anthony Cliquot, chief operating officer and strategic partnership development of AirConsole said.

The first of its kind in the Philippines, AirConsole will excite casual gamers as it offers multiplayer games and serves as an online crossplatform video game console that transforms mobile phones as gamepads, and computer web browsers, Android TVs, or SKY Evo as the main screen.

AirConsole’s edge over other online multiplayer gaming platforms is that any person aged six to 90 years old can play a game on AirConsole without asking how it works, according to Cliquot.

“Aside from recently upgrading our speeds at affordable prices, we want to continuously level up our subscribers’ digital lifestyle by partnering with AirConsole Hero. In this way, SKY Fiber subscribers can gather their family and friends, choose from over 160 online games, and play at fiber-fast speeds. This will help them in creating stronger bonds at home during the new normal,” said Alan Supnet, SKY head for Consumer Broadband Products.

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B6 Friday, June 18, 2021

Sun Life honored for service excellence Choose comfort and style for your home with Mariwasa’s new flooring solution

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EOPLE value their personal space that they make sure it achieves the ideals of their dream home. Be it for a new family or a simple home improvement, they stay on the lookout for better but affordable products or technologies to attain a more comfortable and convenient living space, while maintaining a high aesthetic standard.

One aspect that gets a lot of attention is the flooring. Not only does it affect the overall design of a home, the functionality and accessibility of the space also rely heavily on the material used.

That is why Mariwasa, the country's leading home-building solutions provider, has recently come up with a new flooring solution that is longlasting and gives you a high-end appearance with more practical benefits and also lets you stay on your budget.

To continue their goal of becoming a one-stop-shop with all the essentials needed to build a quality household, Mariwasa released the Luxury Vinyl Tile or LVT Dry Back and the Stone Plastic Composite or SPC Easy Click floor planks as a part of their flooring solution for modest families.

Mariwasa LVT Dry Back is designed to replicate hard surface flooring materials, such as stone or wood, but is more practical than the mentioned materials. The tile uses a real photographic print film and a clear vinyl layer with a wide variety of design concepts such as Sierra Grey, Sierra Beige, Sierra Ivory, and Sierra Brown.

Meanwhile, the Mariwasa SPC Easy Click is an engineered luxury vinyl that combines limestones and stabilizers to create an extremely durable material, making it suitable for both residential

LUXURY Vinyl Tile Sierra Brown and commercial use. It also comes in different designs such as Avana Grey, Avana Beige, Avana Brown, and Avana Dark Brown.

Benefits of using Mariwasa’s floor tiles

ONE common concern among homeowners is how to apply their new fixtures. Mariwasa created a solution to this in their new floor tiles with the Mariwasa SPC Easy Click that is built with a click-lock system that makes installation easier and faster. Only a few tools are required to accomplish this task.

Apart from being easy to install, several other features make Mariwasa’s new floor tiles stand out. These products are also resistant to various factors that could affect the overall quality of the tiles.

This includes being scratch-resistant, water-resistant, spill and stain-resistant, as well as termite resistant.

Mariwasa LVT Dry Back and SPC Easy Click also prevent the growth of bacteria

on their surfaces and other areas to keep residents safe from bacteria or diseases that may harm their health and their pets as well. The tiles are also easy to maintain since it only takes a wet mop to wipe them down clean. The tiles also have an ultraviolet (UV) coating and wear layer that makes the floor easy to clean and protected for daily use. Most importantly, both Mariwasa LVT Dry Back and SPC Easy Click were designed to be more than just easy to maintain and comfortable. Mariwasa made sure that the welfare of the environment is also taken into account as it used 100% recyclable materials to make their floor tiles.

With their LVT Dry Back and SPC Easy Click, Mariwasa provides homeowners with a practical option with several other features that set the products apart from the market. Not only are these affordable and easy to maintain, they’re also easy to install as well!

For more information, visit www. mariwasa.com or www.facebook.com/ MariwasaTiles/.

“Futures” for Philippine creative industries to be explored in upcoming digital conference

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REATE Philippines is gathering the creative industry in a special twoday digital conference, featuring leaders and experts, to inspire and discuss the future of the Philippine creative economy.

In its fourth edition, CREATE Philippines presents Creative Futures on June 28 and 29. The online event promises to be a productive convergence of creatives in the fields of Animation, Advertising, Communication Design, Game Development, Digitalized Creative Content, and Comics and Illustration, among others. Furthermore, the event serves as both a celebration of the inherent creativity of Filipinos and a take-off point for realizing the economic potential and business viability of the creative industry.

With prolific editor, writer, and composer Erwin Romulo as the Program Director, Creative Futures is packed with a curated line-up of speakers, features, and panel discussions that will tackle the future of the creative industry. Notable industry champions in the public sector, business leaders, and key people in the

creative industry will share their stories of navigating the “new normal” and offer insight on how they see their industries advancing in the coming years.

The Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP) named 2030 as the target year for the country to become the top creative economy in the ASEAN region. For Creative Futures Program Director Erwin Romulo, the target year factored heavily in the selection of programs that shaped the conference. “We took that very seriously and started with the mindset of presenting case studies, presentations, and conversations that would help in creating an environment for that goal to be achieved,” he explains.

One of the highlights of Creative Futures is the presentation of the Philippine Creative Industries Act. Authored by Congressman Christopher "Toff" de Venecia and filed by the Arts and Culture, and Creative Industries Bloc of the 18th Congress (ACCIB), the bill aims to provide an enabling policy and governance framework that will shape the Philippine creative industry, make it globally competitive, and ensure a sustainable future for the country's local talents.

Recognizing the vital role the government has to play in the rise of Filipino creatives, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is pushing institutional support by fostering enabling environments where creatives can flourish and develop ways to support and encourage future creatives.

“We wanted to put together an event that would treat creativity in such a manner that it presents options about how creative assets can be treated as ‘futures,’” CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan says.

The first day of the event features the following line-up of activities and speakers: An adobo Magazine-produced panel of local creatives, including Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director Rhea Matute, Intramuros Administrator Atty. Guiller

Asido, Curiosity’s Kristine Layaoen, Design Advisory Council’s Architect Royal Pineda, and Plus63 Design Co. Founding Partner Dan Matutina, who will talk about the role of data and graphic design in enhancing Intramuros’ urban planning and user experience Trese creators Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, and director/showrunner Jay Oliva who will talk about the comic book’s journey to becoming a Netflix adaptation Filipino-American comic book writer and artist Whilce Portacio who will share insights on telling Filipino stories to a global audience

Scheduled on the second day are:

KIDDO Cosio's presentation of La Union's The Great Northwest and talk on how they’ve run and managed their business, and navigated the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic A presentation by Kumu Philippines, together with its Co-Founder and Social TV Chief of Content Angelo Mendez and Vice President for Marketing Vicky Herrera, on how it plans to make the country the region's latest technology hub.

A panel discussion on eSports with Evident Communications CEO Cecile Yujuico, Tier One’s Tryke Gutierrez, Gariath Concepts’ Joebert Yu, and eSports caster Mara Aquino National Artist for Cinema Kidlat Tahimik's short film about empowering communities in storytelling.

A two-part curated program of short films from different regions of the country, presented by the Film Development Council of the Philippines with introduction from Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra, will also be happening on both the first and second days of the conference.

For more information about CREATE Philippines and the Creative Futures 2021 digital conference, register at http://bit.ly/ creativefutures2021.

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UN Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. (Sun Life) was bestowed the highest honor in the insurance category of the 2021 Quality Service Awards.

The winner was determined through a market research conducted by international publication Reader’s Digest covering 30 categories in the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. Consumers were asked to vote which companies provided the highest level of service in the past 12 months based on the following pillars: Personalization, Understanding, Simplicity, Satisfaction, and Consistency. Sun Life was given the Gold Award after earning the highest rating in the insurance category.

“This recognition affirms that we are moving in the right direction as we strive to offer clients the best experience possible in their financial journey. What makes this even more meaningful is that it was achieved amid one of the most challenging years in our country’s history and in the same year we’ve kept our #1 position in the life insurance industry,” Sun Life Philippines CEO and Country Head Benedict Sison said.

Ever since the pandemic began in 2020, Sun Life has been taking steps to ensure seamless service for its clients. The company has made special accommodations for payments and claim forms submissions, and

SUN Life Philippines CEO & Country Head Benedict Sison has also launched innovations such as the Digitally-Enabled Selling process and Remote Online Medical Examination. Moreover, despite the restrictions brought about by the pandemic, Sun Life upheld its commitment to clients and paid a total of PHP 4.7 billion in claims and maturities in 2020, with a special expedited process for COVID-19 claims.

“We dedicate this recognition to our clients, who have trusted us to be their lifetime partner to a brighter future for over 125 years,” Sison said. “We also share this award with the Sun Life advisors and employees who, despite the various challenges, personify our company’s purpose and enabled Sun Life to maintain its standards of service.”

Scientists urge more action vs impending climate crisis

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NVIRONMENT scientists and advocates called for more aggressive climate resiliency interventions from government and the private sector to mitigate economic shocks because of worsening extreme weather and natural disasters.

In a recent online forum organized by Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute (ADRi), Dr. Carlos Primo “CP” David, ADRi Program Convenor and Trustee, and Convenor of the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship (PBEST) said, “Climate crisis is still, unfortunately, not a top-of-mind issue for many economies, including ours.”

Dr. David said, “Our window to address climate change is 30 years or roughly one generation. Not acting on climate change during this period may prove to be devastating for the planet.”

“It is our generation that is starting to occupy the leadership roles of society. It is up to us then to recognize this threat and seriously address the climate crisis,” David said.

Dr. Mahar Lagmay, Executive Director, Project NOAH presented how early warning systems should be data driven and “peoplecentered” to save more lives and livelihoods.

Dr. Lagmay stressed that, “We must specify what kind of hazard will hit a community, and we must be able also to specify when that will happen. It must be time bound, using sensors, there’s a technology already available.”

“Take for example the area that was hit during (typhoon) “Ompong”, we have this landslide map that accurately predicted where the landslide would happen. If the people moved just 200 meters away, or maybe 300 meters away, that’s the safest place in that area,

then they could have increased their chances of survival,” Dr. Lagmay said.

President of the Union of local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), National Chairperson of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, and Quirino province Governor Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua for his part said, “We use an advanced Geographical Information System (GIS) to aid decision making with accurate information in almost all aspects of planning.”

“We have readily available risk assessment, hazard, vulnerability, capacity and resource maps that identify immediately the number of males, females, PWD, senior citizen, pregnant, etc. who for example, may be affected by flooding and landslides,” Cua said.

“As we chart our way through the challenges toward a sustainable recovery from this pandemic, may we find a deeper resolve and greater determination to seize every opportunity to proactively gear up toward sustainable and environment-friendly practices at least for the sake of our children’s future,” Cua said.

Stratbase ADRi President Prof. Dindo Manhit in his statement said, “Initiatives need to put emphasis on advancing the incorporation of circular business and economic models, investments in ‘green’ and sustainable urban designs, and the incorporation of digital technologies into services and infrastructure developments.”

“Philippine communities will constantly remain vulnerable to shocks if immediate mitigation and adaptation of sustainable and best practices are not widely implemented,” Manhit said.

Guam Visitors Bureau launches new traveler technology through the EDF

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HE Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB), in collaboration with the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency (CQA), and the Guam International Airport Authority (GIAA) have officially launched the website for the Guam Electronic Declaration Form (EDF). This is the second and final phase of the EDF implementation, which was officially introduced earlier in March 2021. The first phase of the program had passengers in specific flights fill out the EDF through designated kiosks in the baggage claim area of the airport.

“Guam is one of the first destinations in the world to implement this type of technology.

Few countries, like Bali, are currently offering this convenient digital form for travelers. We want to thank Governor Lou Leon Guerrero for her continued support. She provided the resources to update our customs declaration forms and catapult the evolution of our tourism industry in this pandemic,” said

GVB President and CEO Carl T.C. Gutierrez.

“Si Yu’os Ma’åse’ to Ike Peredo and CQA, as well as John Quinata and GIAA for their collaborative efforts to help make our island run more efficiently.”

“After months of planning and testing, we are excited to move forward with the official launch of the mobile link for the EDF,” said Ike Q. Peredo, Director of CQA. With the mobile launch, all arriving passengers to Guam will be able to fill out the EDF on their personal computers or mobile devices up to 72 hours prior to their arrival on Guam. The mobile link marks the final phase of the EDF roll out which will enable global access to Guam’s mandatory declaration form. GVB encourages all travelers to take advantage of the three-day eligibility window prior to boarding for a completely touchless entry process with CQA. “We originally planned for a controlled roll out of the EDF to ensure the system’s integrity and to protect passenger information throughout the process,” said Nico Fujikawa, GVB Director of Tourism Research. “The EDF is the long-term touchless solution that Guam will provide to all local travelers and visitors as we move forward.” The EDF can now be accessed online at cqa.guam.gov or guamedf. landing.cards. Designated EDF kiosks within the baggage claim area of the Guam airport will also be accessible.

To watch the EDF tutorial video, go to https://youtu.be/9GkePhd40rc.

Editor: Jun Lomibao | mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Sports BusinessMirror

SJ BELANGEL: IT’S ALL ABOUT HEART C

FIVE-FOOT-10 Sam Josef Belangel defies the 6-foot-6 Seounghyun Lee sinks the win-clinching three-pointer off balanced. FIBA.BASKETBALL

By Josef Ramos

POOMSAE JINS BRING HOME 2 GOLDS, 3 SILVERS, 5 BRONZES FROM LEBANON

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ARIUS VENERABLE and the mixed freestyle team won gold medals while three clinched silvers and five bagged bronzes in the recent sixth World Taekwondo Asian Poomsae Championships at the Nouhad Naufal Indoor Stadium in Beirut.

Venerable scored 7.74 points in winning the over-17 gold medal, with South Korea’s Sam Yeop Kim (7.64) settling for the silver medal and Iran’s Mohammad Gomorian (7.30) bagging the bronze.

“It’s very fulfilling on our part to win medals because it’s a very different experience now… like you stay and train inside the bubble and take a lot of swab tests,” poomsae head coach Rani Ann Ortega said.

“The players trained in their respective homes, so when we went to Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba for the bubble training, it wasn’t hard anymore for us,” Ortega added.

Janna Olivia, Juvenile Crisostomo, Jeordan Dominguez, Justin Kobe Macario and Marvin Mori topped the mixed freestyle (over17) event and Pakistan (7.773.47). Only two countries participated in the event.

Venerable partnered with Juvenile Crisostomo and clinched a silver medal in the mixed pair over-17 category, while Oliva settled for another silver in the women’s individual freestyle over17 event. June Ninobla accounted for the third silver medal in men’s

World champions back Dasmariñas

Eala, partner out in quarters

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ICHAEL DASMARIÑAS climbs the ring an underdog against International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue this Sunday in Las Vegas.

But he has all the morale support he needs from Filipino world champions Johnriel “Quadro Alas” Casimero and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. “It’s time to show the world that he’s one of the best fighters in the world,” Casimero said on Thursday.

“I hope he will take advantage of this opportunity. I know he prepared so hard for this fight and I’ll be watching him from ringside.”

Casimero is currently in Las Vegas preparing for his August 14 showdown with Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic gold medalists Guillermo Rigondeaux. He was supposed to fight Inoue April last year, but the pandemic canceled the bout.

Donaire, on the other hand, advised Dasmariñas not to fear Inoue.

“He has to show his best and he shouldn’t be afraid with the name Inoue. Just like anybody else, he’s just a human being,” Donaire said.

“If Inoue can do it, I know Michael can also do it,” said Donaire, who lost to Inoue in November 2019 via unanimous decision in Saitama, Japan.

But Donaire redeemed himself with a devastating fourth-round technical knockout win against Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in Carson City to snatch the World Boxing Council bantamweight belt.

The Pili (Camarines Norte) pride Dasmariñas is fighting Inoue at the Virgins Hotel in Las Vegas with spectators. Josef Ramos

Friday, June 18, 2021 B7

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LEX EALA and partner Victoria Jimenez Kasintsevas saw their run come to an end after losing to American Ashley Lahey and Australian Olivia Tjandramulia, 5-7, 6-4, 6-10, in the doubles competition of the International Tennis Federation World Tennis Tour W25 Madrid at the Ciudad de la Raqueta in Spain.

The defeat ended a tough day for the talented 16-year-old, Eala, a Globe ambassador who earlier in the day lost to fifth-seed Andrea Lazaro Garcia of Spain, 6-2, 4-6, 4-6, in the singles competition.

In the doubles contest, Eala and Andorran Jimenez Kasintsevas got off to a fantastic start as they led 3-0. But Lahey-Tjandramulia found their bearings and won the next four games to surge in front, 4-3.

The set was tied at 5-5 but Lahey and Tjandramulia broke Eala and Jimenez Kasintsevas’s serve

individual under-60 class.

Jocel Lyn Ninobla settled for two bronzes in the women’s individual under-30 and women’s team under-30 event with Rinna Babanto and Aidaine Laxa.

Babanto grabbed a bronze in the mixed doubles under-30 event with Patrick King Perez.

Joaquin Tuazon, Perez and Rodolfo Reyes pocketed the bronze in the men’s team under-30, with Reyes also clinching a bronze medal in the men’s individual under-30 event.

Venerable and Crisostomo were named Most Valuable Players. Josef Ramos

to go up, 6-5, and then, held their serve to win the first set, 7-5.

Eala and Jimenez Kasintsevas found themselves in trouble in the second set, 1-3. Fortunately, they found their second wind and won four straight games, capped by a break of their opponents’ serve to move in front, 5-3.

Lahey and Tjandramulia retaliated with a break of their own to stay alive, 4-5, but Eala and Jimenez Kasintsevas answered with another break to capture the second set, 6-4, and force a third set decider In the race to 10 affair, Eala and Jimenez Kasintsevas jumped to a 3-0 lead but could not sustain their momentum, committing two double faults to trail, 4-5.

Lahey and Tjandramulia eventually cruised to the 10-6 win in the third set to secure the match and a place in the semifinals.

ALL him Mr. Stabilizer despite being diminutive at 5-foot-10 and young at 21.

On Wednesday night, Sam Josef “SJ” Belangel played like a giant, displayed the basketball IQ of a veteran and add to his CV—a pair of hot shooting hands that delivered the killer blow against a team that denied the Philippines of a win for a long eight years.

Belangel, Gilas Pilipinas’s wily point guard, received the inbounds pass with 2.7 seconds remaining and the score tied at 78-all.

The Ateneo standout had no recourse but to shake off his South Korean guard, Seounghyun Lee, who was practically all over him near the sideline. But Belangel wouldn’t be denied—with a 6-foot-6 Lee blocking his line of sight to the basket, the Ateneo Blue Eagle improvised with an offbalanced three-pointer.

Swoooshhh! The Filipinos edged the Koreans, 81-78, sending the country to the Fiba Asia Cup in Jakarta in August and ending an eight-year curse that hounded the country since that historic 2013 victory over the Koreans at the MOA Arena.

“I felt I had the confidence to make that shot,” Belangel told BusinessMirror on Thursday.

“You need that confidence inside the last three seconds. It’s all about heart and I’m happy we did it.”

That wasn’t even the play head coach Tab Baldwin designed after calling back-to-back timeouts in the game’s most crucial moment.

Dwight Ramos, Gilas’s top scorer with 16 points, was tasked to take the final shot—a quick two-pointer.

Ramos was the designated inbounder and was supposed to pass to either Ange Kouame or Carl Tamayo and get the ball back for a quick conversion. That didn’t happen and as they say, the rest is history.

Belangel finished with 13 points, five rebounds and two assists for Gilas which has gone undefeated in four games.

“He [Belangel] stabilized us a lot and made the big plays, especially the last shot,” Baldwin said. “We are very fortunate and I am happy for the players.”

On Friday, Belangel and his fellow Gilas cadets will face Indonesia, which reeled to its third loss in four Group A games at the hands of South Korea, 104-81, on Thursday afternoon.

The Koreans improved to 3-1

won-lost and are now also going to Jakarta.

For Belangel, the Indonesians are no easy foes.

“It’s not going to be easy facing Indonesia. We have to treat this as a championship game for us, we have to win every possession, step by step, and we must not be complacent,” said Belangel, an Interdisciplinary Studies junior who has three more years of eligibility for the Blue Eagles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

The Philippines-Indonesia match is set at 6 p.m. again at the Angeles University Foundation Gym. Japan and Chinese Taipei square off at 2:30 p.m. in a Group B match in the third and final window of the qualifiers.

The Filipinos will challenging an Indonesian side that has former Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman as tactician and exPhilippine Basketball Association import Lester Prosper as the team’s naturalized player.

And Belangel stressed that close victory on Wednesday reared cracks on the team that need mending.

“There’s a lot of things to improve. Yes, we celebrated the victory over Korea, but it’s now back to work for all of us,” Belangel said.

PHL beach volley teams start bid for Tokyo berths

DIJ RODRIGUEZ trains on Nakhom Pathom’s sand in Thailand.

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HE Philippine beach volleyball teams set in motion their bid for Tokyo Olympic berths in the semifinals of the Asian Volleyball Confederation Continental Cup on Friday in Nakhom Pathom, Thailand.

Bannered by Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, the women’s team will have its hands full against powerhouse Japan and New Zealand, with the men facing the same daunting task against Australia, Japan, Kazakhstan and Lebanon.

The other women’s pair of Dij Rodriguez and Babylove Barbon as well as the men’s tandems of Jaron Requinton and James Buytrago and Jude Garcia and Anthony Arbasto complete the Philippine campaign backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) partner Rebisco.

Rondina, the most experienced on the team having competed in the Rio 2014 qualifiers, said she will be treating every match like a championship game.

“In this set up, it’s a do or die game because one win, you’re in the final, and one loss, you’re out,” Rondina said. “This is a rare opportunity for us, facing very strong teams because we’ve been battling teams in the Southeast Asian regions.”

Charo Soriano, PNVF’s beach volleyball commission chair, thanked the federation’s supporters as the country goes for

potential berths in Tokyo.

“It’s really a collaborative effort among the PSC, PNVF, Rebisco, Taguig City, Ilocos Norte and all those who are supporting the sport,” Soriano said. “I have much respect for everyone who planned, strategized and made this opportunity possible for our athletes.”

The Philippines, according to PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, qualified for the Continental Cup semifinals by virtue of the bronze medal finishes in both the men’s and women’s divisions in the 2019 SEA Games.

Only the No. 1 teams in both genders will advance to the Tokyo Olympics. The finals are set on June 24.

This is the country’s first international competition in volleyball since the 2019 SEA Games and also for the PNVF since its establishment in January.

Joining the players and Soriano are national coaches Paul Jan Doloiras and Rhovyl Verayo as well as alternates Gen Eslapor and Mer Jauculan.

The Continental Cup are being played under strict safety and health protocols. The pairings will be determined after Thursday’s general technical meeting.

Japan looking to relax virus emergency ahead of Games

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OKYO—Japan is expected to ease a coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo and most other areas this weekend, with new daily cases falling just as the country begins making final preparations for the Olympics starting in just over a month.

Japan has been struggling since late March to slow a wave of infections propelled by more contagious variants, with new daily cases soaring above 7,000 at one point and seriously ill patients straining hospitals in Tokyo, Osaka and other metropolitan areas.

Daily cases have since subsided significantly and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is expected to downgrade the state of emergency when it expires on Sunday to a less-stringent

quasi-emergency for several weeks.

Despite concerns raised by medical experts and the public over the potential risks of holding the Olympics, Suga has said he is determined to hold a “safe and secure” games starting July 23.

Holding the Olympics before elections in the autumn is also a political gamble for Suga, whose support ratings have tumbled due to public dissatisfaction over his virus measures, a vaccination drive criticized as being too slow, and lack of a clear explanation of how he will ensure the virus doesn’t spread during the Olympics.

Government-appointed experts met Wednesday to analyze the situation ahead of Suga’s decision on the emergency measures and

expressed concern about the potential for infections to climb again after measures are eased. Suga is expected to make a final decision Thursday after more meetings.

Suga placed Tokyo, Osaka and two other areas under a state of emergency in late April and has since expanded the area to 10 prefectures and extended the measures twice. Japan does not enforce hard lockdowns and the state of emergency allows prefectural leaders to order closures or shorter hours for non-essential business in return for compensation to those who comply and fines for violators. Stay-at-home and other measures for the general population are only requests and are increasingly ignored. AP

DOMINANT RACING The GAC Motor Racing Team punctuates its durability and

outstanding performance following a dominant performance at the recent 2021 Petron Kalayaan Cup 12-hour Endurance Challenge at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga. Striking a championship pose are Patrick Mendoza, Brennan Lim, Kody Ng, Milo Rivera and Andre Tan.

B8 Friday, June 18, 2021

Motoring BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Suzuki brings in the new Vitara AllGrip

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an automatic wiper, illumination, dimming rearview mirrors, rear camera with parking sensors, and Push-Start System.

Story by Randy S. Peregrino

UZUKI Philippines Inc. (SPH) finally brought in the much-anticipated New Vitara AllGrip.

The introduction of this fourwheel-drive variant puts back the Vitara to its known staple since its introduction—a compact SUV capable of tackling off-road terrains.

While the newest variant now sports a unique and intelligent four-wheeldrive system, the new AllGrip variant retained the current yet efficient 1.6-liter gasoline engine producing decent torque to do the job.

“Ever since the new look of Vitara was launched in the Philippine market, we have seen enormous support for the model. One of the iconic models of the brand, this newest 4x4 vehicle provides individuality, stylish looks, and added confidence on the road. This car will definitely encourage people to drive and bring more fun into their lives,” said Suzuki, Philippines Vice President and General Manager for Automobile Division, Keiichi Suzuki.

AllGrip Select

With the AllGrip Select system, it provides the inherent values “Fun to drive,” “Peace of mind,” and “High

fuel efficiency” by allowing the driver to choose from four driving modes (AUTO, SPORT, SNOW, and LOCK).

The electronically controlled fourwheel-drive system with selectable driving mode uses a simple pushand-turn dial to experience different driving styles depending on the road surfaces or conditions—more important, to match every driving scenario and road condition.

In Auto mode, the drivetrain utilizes 2WD by default for fuel efficiency. But if the sensor detects slippery terrains, the system activates the rear wheels to add traction and control. The Sport mode, meantime, is for spirited driving and best utilize on winding roads. The sensor controls the torque distribution in front and rear wheels depending on the steering angle, throttle opening, and sensor detection.

As for the Snow mode, it enables all four wheels to produce maximum traction. In conjunction with the electronic stability program (ESP), the sensor detects slipping wheels to redirect torque to the non-slipping

Safety and control

one. Like the Auto mode, the sensor also detects steering angle and throttle opening to determine torque distribution on wheels.

Last the Lock mode. It is similar to the conventional 4WD locking differential that operates all four wheels at the same time. But with ESP and intelligent sensing, the system applies what ESP does to detect slipping wheels and redirects torque to the other wheels.

It assists and enables the vehicle to slice through muddy roads and alike while maintaining ideal traction and control. Motivation comes from the current 1.6-liter engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and paddle shifters.

Expressive exterior and superior interior

Keeping with Vitara’s authentic design, Suzuki chose to keep the traditional clamshell bonnet in the front. While from the rear, the New Vitara is stout and stable with trapezoidal lines toward the ground and a minimum ground clearance of 185mm. The flanks have smooth rooflines for better aerodynamics, and a kicked-up character line hints at the flared fenders.

Some upgrades to the Vitara’s body include front and rear skid plates, a front lower bumper garnish, chrome and black grained accents on the body’s side, and an improved rear edge spoiler. This model also comes with energy-saving LED headlamps

for low-beam, uniquely designed DRLs, and a vertical chrome grille for a more modernized look suitable for the current times.

As for the interior, the arrangement of the new model is a combination of Suzuki’s muscular contours and sporty design. While everything inside is the same with the 2WD variant, the 10-inch infotainment system now has a Clinometer function, which displays the vehicle’s position regarding pitch and roll angles, plus a range of personalization options. Of course, there is the iconic panoramic sunroof consisting of two glass panels. The Cargo area is still superior, with a total of 375 liters of space (rear seats folded) at your disposal. Additionally, there is

The new Vitara AllGrip has six SRS airbags, hill descent and hill hold control, and brake assist function.

It is also equipped with Electronic Stability Program, which detects over and understeering to help the driver maintain directional control.

Additionally, pedestrian protection through impact-absorbing structures, which mitigates the extent of injuries. Moreover, there is a cruise control system with a speed limiter ideal for long drives.

Color variants and pricing

The new Vitara AllGrip comes in two-tone colors Prime Solar Yellow (with Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic) and Solid Bright Red (with Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic), which retail at P1.468 million. The mono-tone colors Galactic Gray Metallic and Cool White Pearl are also available with a price tag of P1.458 million.

The new Vitara AllGrip is now available in all Suzuki dealerships nationwide to cater to the evolving needs of young and dynamic professionals as a reliable companion in exciting drives with family and friends. For more information, the customer may log on to http://suzuki.com.ph/auto.