BusinessMirror March 02, 2023

THE Philippines’s budget deficit last year fell by 3.35 percent to P1.614 trillion from P1.67 trillion as total revenues of the national government outpaced its expenditures, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said.

With the decline, the national government’s budget deficit last year narrowed to 7.3 percent of the country’s GDP from 8.6 percent in 2021, according to the Treasury.

Furthermore, the full-year budget deficit also fell within the national government’s target of P1.7 trillion ceiling.

“ e fi scal outturn was driven by revenue growth of 17.97 percent outpacing the 10.35-percent expansion in government spending,” the Treasury said in a statement on Wednesday.

Given last year’s performance, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno on Wednesday said the national government is “on track” with its medium term fi scal framework target to slash the budget deficit to 3 percent of GDP by 2028.

e national government collected P3.5 trillion of total revenues last year, nearly 18 percent higher than the P3 trillion it

THE Philippine Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped from January’s seven-month high of 53.5 to 52.7 in February, with port congestion, among others, weighing on vendor performance which is resulting in further deterioration, according to Standard & Poors (S&P) Global Market Intelligence.

While the S&P Global noted that “solid demand” continues to drive growth across the Philippine manufacturing sector, it said February data did reveal some “areas of concerns.”

“According to the latest PMI data, growth across the Filipino

manufacturing sector remained solid midway through the fi rst quarter of 2023, albeit easing slightly from January,” Maryam Baluch, Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence said.

However, Baluch noted that ongoing supply chain concerns “continued to remain a drag on the sector,” adding that “supplier performance worsened further, and to a greater extent, as material scarcity, port congestion and difficult transportation conditions resulted in a further lengthening of average lead times.”

With this, Baluch noted that higher prices at suppliers directly “fed into cost burdens, causing input price infl ation to rise at a rapid and accelerated pace.”

Moreover, with production requirements increasing at a “softer” pace in February, employment fell slightly for the fi rst time in three months, Baluch said.

S&P Global said greater production requirements meant that fi rms also raised their purchasing activity, with input buying increasing for the sixth straight month.

“Although sharper than the series average, February data signaled a softer rise in acquisitions of raw materials and semi-fi nished goods,” S&P Global added.

RCBC economist: Optimistic MEANWHILE, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) Chief Economist Michael Ricafort said the country’s manufacturing per-

formance may have slowed monthon-month after accelerating for 3 months, to 52.7, but he said the February PMI is still in expansion mode or above 50, for the 18th straight month and for most months since 2021.

e RCBC Chief Economist attributed his optimism to the reopening of the economy, particularly the resumption of nationwide face-to-face classes, among others. “ e latest local manufacturing PMI gauge generally improved in recent months amid measures to further reopen the economy towards greater normalcy, such as the further improvement of local and foreign tourism in recent months

earned in 2021, based on Treasury data.

Treasury data showed that the national government surpassed its programmed revenue collection for 2022 which was pegged at P3.3 trillion.

“Ninety-one percent [91 percent] or P3.2 trillion of the total was derived from tax revenues, exceeding the target by 2.57 percent and growing by 17.41 percent [year-on-year],” the Treasury said.

“Non-tax collections comprised the balance of 9 percent while also registering a 23.74 percent [yearon-year] growth and surpassing the 2022 program by almost 98 percent or P160.7 billion,” the Treasury added.

e Treasury said the national government’s revenue effort, which measures total collections against the country’s GDP, im-

B S P. M @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday he can curb high infl ation and minimize its impact on consumers without getting special powers from Congress, as suggested by some leaders of the House of Representatives.

In a chance interview with reporters after the launch of Halina’t Magtanim ng Prutas At Gulay, Kadiwa’y Yaman, Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement (Hapag Kay PBBM) at the Rizal Park in Manila, Marcos said he already enough power to temper high infl ation, which reached 8.7 percent in January, and is seen to breach 9 percent in February.

“I already have the power to declare an emergency and to control the prices of commodities. So I don’t think there is any need for more than that, that is sufficient,” Marcos said.

He attributed the rise in infl ation to high fuel prices in the world market, which he admitted the government cannot do anything

about, and food prices.

e President made the pronouncement after House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Jose “Joey” Sarte Salceda and House Committee on Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Stella Luz Quimbo said they are open to providing Marcos special powers on Tuesday.

Salceda noted his proposed special powers, which will last 18 months, will help address the “structural issues,” which cause high infl ation such as hoarding, price gouging, and market abuse.

It will also enable the President to provide loans and guarantees to suppliers of essential goods and mobilize uniformed personnel to expedite government programs.

Food accessibility

BUT rather than using the special powers from Congress, Marcos said he is pushing for initiatives to boost local food production such as their Hapag Kay PBBM, which aims to increase the number of commu-

NEW trade and investment opportunities as well as peace and security topped the issues raised during the bilateral meeting of President Ferdi-

nand R. Marcos, Jr. and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday. In their joint press conference, Marcos said he discussed the ex-

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[group tours from China already resumed since the latter part of January 2023] and the resumption of the nationwide face-to-face/in person schooling since August 22, 2022, the first time since the pandemic started more than two years ago, with a target of 100 percent full resumption by November 2022 for government schools but blended learning still allowed for private schools; thereby supporting the recovery of many affected businesses/industries, including some manufacturers,” Ricafort said.

In contrast, offsetting risk factors that could be “drags” for manufacturing growth for the coming months are, Ricafort said, the “relatively higher prices/inflation, rising interest rates that increase borrowing/financing costs including for new investments/expansion for some manufacturers.”

More risk factors, he noted, are the risk of recession in the United States, which he said is the world’s biggest economy that could slow down global trade, exports, manufacturing, investments/foreign direct investments (FDIs).

Ricafort also cited other global economic factors that could weigh on the manufacturing growth of the Philippines such as the “complicated economic reopening narrative in China,” which Ricafort said is the second biggest economy.

He also pointed to the RussiaUkraine conflict which persisted since February 24,2022, as he said this led to “relatively higher global commodity prices and some disruption in the global supply chains and sanctions on Russia by some countries and some global companies stopped doing business/investments with Russia.”

Senate grills defense brass on plans for EDCA expansion, sites

DEFENSE Secretary Carlito Galvez

Jr. led a team that updated senators on Wednesday on the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, but was confronted with questions from the chair of the Foreign Relations committee about the selection of new EDCA sites.

Galvez briefed members of the Committee on Foreign Relations on the status/completion rate of the five EDCA sites; proposed location of the new EDCA sites; purpose of each site (both old and new); benefits and risks of the sites; and other matters related to

EDCA. The committee chairperson, Sen. Imee Marcos, asked for details the latest plan to construct four more US military bases in the Philippines as part of EDCA’s implementation. She echoed concerns from local government officials

whose jurisdictions were reportedly designated as new EDCA sites.

At one point, she also questioned the inclusion of one unnamed northern province among the sites, wondering aloud if this was meant to provide the US forces a footstool in case of conflict over Taiwan—something that deviates from the understanding that the Philippines is expanding ties with treaty ally the US mainly because of a need to boost security in the West Philippine Sea.

Marcos also told the Executive to prioritize the construction of unfinished EDCA bases, noting that only five of the 21 sites previously agreed upon were so far completed.

For her part, Sen. Risa Hontiveros called for a broader security coalition to ensure peace and security in the West Philippine Sea (WPS),

Marcos...

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nity gardens.

saying the EDCA is not the only solution to attain this goal.

In her opening statement during the Committee on Foreign Relations’ public hearing, Hontiveros pointed out that it is in the interest of many countries to maintain order in the entire South China Sea since around 80 percent of the global trade passes through the region.

The deputy minority leader said the government should focus on forging multilateral partnerships that could provide joint patrols and training of Philippine troops. “This means that we have to depend not only on the help of our former colonizers—the United States—but instead have security arrangements with the wider international community that is more than willing to support our cause,” Hontiveros said. Butch Fernandez

Marcos, Anwar tackle trade, investment, security issues

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pansion of the country’s existing trade with Malaysia.

“We agreed to reinvigorate trade and investment exchanges with a special focus on halal industry, agriculture and food security and the digital economy,” Marcos said.

Ibrahim said they explored pos -

sible people-to-people exchanges particularly in tourism, education, and sports. He also committed that Malaysia is ready to continue extending capacity-building assistance to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other areas in Mindanao through its Malaysia Technical Cooperation Program.

Marcos recognized the important role of Malaysia in brokering the peace deal between the Philippine government and Islamic rebels.

Peace and security matters

ALSO discussed at the meeting were measures to ensure peace and security in the Southeast Asian region, which includes rekindling the Philippine-Malaysia “joint commission meetings and initiatives to combat transnational crime and terrorism.”

“We have thus resolved to support development and peacebuilding initiatives within this group, including the importance of achieving a resolution to the situation in Myanmar,” Marcos said.

Ibrahim expressed his concern with the “contentious and unresolved” issue in Myanmar after its military junta talked over its government in 2021, which has led to

Budget...

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proved to 16.1 percent from 15.489 percent in 2021 and surpassed the 15.17 percent program for 2022.

The Treasury added that the national government’s tax efforts surpassed both 2021 performance and 2022 target as it reached 14.62 percent of GDP. In 2021 the national government’s tax effort was at 14.13 percent while it programmed a 14.42 percent tax effort target for last year.

Collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenues in 2022 rose by 12.39 percent year-on-year to P2.335 trillion but failed to meet the P2.4 trillion target set by the national government of the bureau last year.

Customs revenues

MEANWHILE, tax revenues attributed to the Customs Bureau rose 34 percent on an annual basis to P862.4 billion from P643.6 billion, according to the Treasury.

“BOC’s robust revenue performance was supported by efforts to ensure the recovery of deficient duties and taxes, improve tax compliance, tariffs on rice imports, and public auctions of overstaying cargo,” it said.

The Treasury said the income it collected and generated hit P154.8 billion last year, 23.48 percent higher than its 2021 revenue performance of P125.3 billion. The Treasury also exceeded its P63.4billion full-year income target for 2022.

“BTr’s robust collection was largely driven by higher remit-

“This program encourages our people to grow their own food and other kitchen ingredients close to home, which improves access to affordable, safe, nutritious meals every day,” Marcos said. He also said they continue to make affordable agricultural products accessible to consumers through the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo,” of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Kadiwa program allows producers, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) to directly sell their produce to consumers. Marcos visited the Kadiwa ng Pangulo program at the Rizal Park in Manila and in Santo Tomas Municipal Grounds in Batangas.

“We must do this since we will not allow our citizens to go hungry. I have mentioned this several times already, the aspiration of my administration is to make sure no Filipino will be hungry,” Marcos said during the Kadiwa program in Manila.

over 200,000 refugees escaping to Malaysia.

While Marcos suggested that Malaysia support the five-point consensus of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) to address the matter, Ibrahim urged the President to help him come up with ways to persuade the Myanmar junta to collaborate with other ASEAN member states.

The consensus includes putting an end to violence in Myanmar and for the junta to allow ASEAN to send humanitarian aid and special ASEAN envoy to its territory.

Both state leaders agreed to address China’s territorial dispute with ASEAN member states in the South China Sea at the multilateral level. Ibrahim is the first head of state who was received by Marcos during his administration.

The Malaysian leader is scheduled to end his two-day visit to the country on Thursday.

tances of dividends on shares of stocks, income from Bond Sinking Fund investments, and interest on national government deposits,” it said.

Meanwhile, the national government’s total expenditures last year expanded to P5.159 trillion, P484 billion higher than the P4.675 trillion recorded in 2021 because of larger national tax allotment shares of local government units in line with the implementation of the Mandanas ruling.

The Treasury also cited higher capital expenditures from the road and transport infrastructure program, defense modernization projects, personal services expenses due to third tranche of Salary Standardization, release of other personnel benefits and interest payments as factors to the higher disbursements by the national government last year.

“Compared to the program, the full-year actual disbursements outperformed the P5.0-trillion target for 2022 by 4.14 percent, largely attributed to the faster execution of capital outlay projects amid the lowest Covid-19 alert level classification for most parts of the country; implementation of targeted subsidy programs to mitigate the impact of higher food and fuel prices; and payment of compensation and other benefits for Covid-19 healthcare workers in health facilities,” the Treasury said.

The Treasury said the bulk or about 90 percent of the total national government disbursements last year went to primary expenditures (net of interest payments) amounting to P4.7 trillion while interest payments amounted to P502.9 billion.

300 delegates expected to attend national Shari’ah forum

AROUND 300 members of the legal profession, including justices, judges, prosecutors, and lawyers from major branches of government, are expected to attend the first National Shari’ah Summit: Forging the Role of Shari’ah in the National Legal Framework on March 5 and 6, 2023 in Cagayan de Oro City.

Also expected to attend the summit at Limketkai Luxe Hotel are Shari’ah counselors, Shari’ah judges, members of the academe, representatives of non-governmental organizations, as well as foreign delegates from countries, which implement Shari’ah laws.

The event is organized by the Supreme Court in cooperation with its judicial education arm, the Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJA), and in partnership with the Support to Bangsamoro Transition (Subatra), the Justice Sector Reform Program: Governance in Justice (GOJUST), the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID), National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), Cooperación Espańola, and the European Union.

The SC said the summit aims to be a venue for knowledge sharing of ideas and the best practices involving Shari’ah and equip all participants with the basic principles of the Shari’ah justice system.

It will serve as a platform to address issues challenging the country’s Shari’ah legal and judicial system and to explore opportunities on how to strengthen the support for Shari’ah justice.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who will lead a roster of speakers, will discuss SC’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) on Strengthening the Foundations of Shari’ah.

Officials from the Executive and Legislative branches of government will deliver messages of support.

Among the topics on the first day of the summit are “Brief History of Muslim Filipinos,” “Updates on the Peace Process,” “Shari’ah in the Philippine Legal Framework,” “Shi’a and Sunni, and the Four Sunni Madhab [Schools of Thought],” “Concept of Halal,” and “Islamic Banking in the Philippines.”

A panel discussion focusing on “Women in Islam” is scheduled.

The topics for the second day include “The Muslim Code and the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” “Supreme Court Decisions on Shari’ah,” “Salient Provisions of the Proposed Revised Special Rules of Procedure in Shari’ah Courts,” and “Islamic Banking and Finance.”

The Nation

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

PBBM urges PUJ drivers to reconsider plan for transport strike next week

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla & Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

President Ferdinand r. Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday the government will review the timetable for the implementation of the jeepney modernization program, which has drawn opposition from some transportation groups.

The President said the program is “not urgent for now” since the country still relies heavily on fossil fuel instead of renewable energy.

This, he said, beats the purpose of replacing the diesel fuel-reliant jeepneys with those, which are electric-powered. a s th ose who have studied climate change said, electric vehicles w ill charge using electricity from coal-fire plants. s o i t will be the same. we ju st moved [the source] of the pollution,” m ar cos told reporters in Filipino in an ambush interview after attending the Halina’t m a gtanim ng Prutas a t G ulay, k a diwa’y Yaman, Plants for Bountiful Barangays m o vement (Hapag k a y PBB m ) event at the r iz al Park in m anil a last we dnesday.

“Only 30 percent of our power now is renewable. s o th e [modernization program] is not urgent. Our [p ower] infrastructures still cannot handle it. s o w e have to build that up,” he added.

Senate initiative

s enaT O r s on Tuesday adopted r es olution n o . 44 embodying a consensus to ask the e x ecutive to scuttle the looming June 30 deadline for jeepney modernization, s aying it will disrupt the lives of thousands of transport workers and cause unspeakable misery to millions of commuters.

In separate manifestations, senators supported a call made by s en. G race Poe to ask the Department of Transportation and the L and Transportation Franchising and r e gulatory Board (LTF r B) t o forgo the arbitrary deadline, which has prompted a call for a weeklong transport strike starting, m o nday, m ar ch 6.

The senators urged the LTF r B to defer its planned phase out of traditional jeepneys pending the resolution of valid and urgent concerns raised by affected operators an d drivers regarding the financial viability of the program.

Poe, Committee on Public s ervices chairperson, earlier proposed s en ate r es olution n o . 507 strongly urging the LTF r B t o postpone its June 30 phase out of traditional jeepneys. In her sponsorship speech, Poe said the planned phase out would be "inhumane" amid the concerns of public utility vehicle (PUV)

Free annual med exam for all Pinoys pushed

jeepney units, securing the route rationalization plan, and requiring drivers to join or form a cooperative.

“ m ay I ask that these discussions, on top of approving or adopting the resolution filed by s e n. Grace Poe, be referred to the Committee on Public s er vices. This, I believe, needs an in-depth hearing on the matter so that all sides will be heard,” e scudero said.

op erators and drivers on the cost of modern jeepneys, on top of the cost of forming a transport cooperative. s h e also stressed the lack of a route rationalization plan from the LTF r B. The LTF r B, in a memorandum circular, compelled PUV op erators to join or form consolidated entities by June 30 or risk th e revocation of the franchises should they fail to do so. “To enforce a deadline is not only insanity, b ut also inhumane...It is contrary to the constitutional directive to promote social justice in all phases of national development,” Poe said in her speech.

Her resolution was subsequently adopted as sr 44.

Presidential appeal

m a r CO s noted that the implementation of the modernization program, which was started by the previous administration, has “issues,” w hich still needs to be addressed.

He said they would look into how to make the new electric jeepneys be more affordable to jeepney operators and drivers as well as the possibility of allowing well-maintained t raditional jeepneys to continue their operations.

"Just because [a jeepney] is already five years old or 10 years old, it c an no longer [be used]. we w ill look into the condition [of the jeepney]. If it is well-maintained, it can still be used," the President said.

Pending the implementation of the said initiatives, he urged transport groups to reconsider their p lanned strike next week since it will be detrimental to commuters.

"I'm hoping through these initiatives we are now considering, we c an convince transport groups to forgo their strike since it will be an additional burden for those going to work," m ar cos said.

Are we ready to do away with jeepneys?

In reaction to Poe’s speech, s en.

Francis “Chiz” G. e scudero called for an in-depth s en ate hearing on the government’s jeepney modernization program and the impending p hase out of the iconic traditional jeepneys in June.

e scudero lamented the problematic implementation of the jeepney m odernization program, especially when it comes to financing the new

m a jority Leader Joel Villanueva weighed in, saying that in his home province of Bulacan, the cost of modern jeepneys is on average at an unaffordable P2.4 million, and even if drivers are forced to meet so many requirements for joining or forming cooperatives, they are told to procure the modern jeepneys from only a select list of suppliers, prompting him to blurt out that it looks like a “mafia” setup.

s en. r af fy Tulfo also spoke up against the LTF r B p lan. He stressed that jeepneys are part of the country’s culture and are used as a tourist attraction. “ we ar e proud of our jeepneys and we just phase them out just like that? Those from other countries praise our jeepneys,” Tulfo said in Filipino. He also noted the high cost of the modernized vehicle that would replace the traditional jeepney and pointed out the meager earnings of jeepney drivers.

s en. Fr ancis “Tol” Tolentino raised several questions which, he believed, once answered in a committee hearing would simplify and explain why the process (phasing out PUJs) should be stopped, improved, or should be given a longer transition period. “How much was the government expenditure? If any, what is the total amount if there were contracted loans made concerning this jeepney modernization program? was there a revision of the current car-manufacturing program to include a hybrid j eepney modernization program? a re there current importation programs underway or approved previously that would impact on this p rogram?” Tolentino asked.

a s a C aviteño, I grew up in an era wherein Leonardo s ar ao from s il ang, Cavite was really the king of jeepney manufacturing and the same is true with m al agasang Jeepney coming from Imus. s o , I believe that we should give this a second look,” Tolentino said.

For his part, s en ator Jinggoy e j ercito e strada asked to be made co-author and co-sponsor of s en ate r es olution 507. Like his colleagues, e strada acknowledged that, “it is imperative that we implement the public utility vehicle modernization program,” but added in Filipino, that this need not be a means “for strangling them,” but a “lifeline” to serve them and put them under government’s patronage.

He noted that, “our public transport sector caters to the most n umber of Filipinos— a ng m a sang Pilipino,” who have patiently plied

their routes despite rising prices of petroleum and most basic goods.

e strada added: “I am also of the belief that certain considerations have to be made. we h ave just started to recover from the pandemic; the p osition and appeal of our transportation sector is clear enough, a ccording to the chairperson of the Committee on Public s er vices,” referring to Poe, thus justifying their c all to delay implementation of the June 30 phase out.

His brother s e n. JV e j ercito, who was presiding, also strongly supported Poe’s call.

SDG goals s en. Pia s . C ayetano credited Poe for promptly “taking up this resolution. a l though this starts with a transportation issue, I would like to point out, what our colleagues have also discussed, is that this affects not just transportation.”

The senator noted: “Obviously, it affects the jeepney drivers and their families. a n d this goes directly to s DG 1 which is n o Poverty.”

“Clearly, our jeepney drivers are contributing to our economy. a n d therefore, this also includes s DG 8, Decent wo rk and e conomic Growth. But your honors, they cannot contribute to economic growth if they d o not have decent work, when they will be losing their jobs,” she added.

Cayetano clarified that she wanted to “put on record... that as we discuss the issue of sustainable transportation, which I would assume is th e objective of DOTr, people’s lives are affected. a n d that’s where s DG 1 and s DG 8 come in.”

s h e stressed that, “when the government determines that it will subsidize the jeepney drivers with a measly P160,000 when the total cost [of a modern jeepney] is P2 million, it’s a joke, your honors. It does not clearly allow our drivers to make a decent living. a n d it is contrary to s DG 8, which we are committed to. we ar e a signatory to these s DGs, your honors.”

e j ercito said the jeepney modernization program can wait considering that there are still lots of problems to fix for its implementation. “ There’s still a long way to go before the jeepney modernization program can be realized,” e j ercito said, citing the ongoing construction of the n o rth- s o uth Commuter r ail way line, other railway projects and the halting of the Philippine n a tional r ail ways operations to give way to the modern railway.

s en. C hristopher Lawrence

“Bong” T. Go stressed that the Filipino commuters suffer with jeepney dr ivers because of the impending phase out. “ w hil e we understand the need to evolve given the newer challenges of the environment, climate change, and the economy, let u s not transfer the burden to the poor who need our help,” the senator said

Pipe leak repair to affect Maynilad customers in at least 4 Metro cities

ma Y n IL a D w a ter s erv ices Inc. ( m a ynilad) an -

nounced on Tuesday that a major leak on a primary line along Osmeña Highway corner Zobel r o xas, m a kati near the boundary of m anil a will be repaired, and may severely affect water services to its customers in m anil a, m a kati, Pasay, and Parañaque.

In a statement, m a ynilad said the repair would cause 20-hour to 57-hour water service interruptions starting at 3 p.m. on m a rch 5, 2023, until 11:59 p.m. on m ar ch 7, 2023.

a ll in all, m a ynilad said around 114,000 water service connections will be affected.

The leak—which m a ynilad discovered during a pipe network in -

spection using various acoustic leak detection equipment—appears to be coming from the lower end of a blow-off assembly connected to a 2,200mm-diameter steel pipe located 7 meters underground.

m a ynilad has to expose the underground pipe to properly assess the extent of the damage. Its workers will need 52 hours to excavate the site, drain the primary line, repair the damage, and energize the affected pipeline.

Once this leak is repaired, m aynilad estimates to recover around 20 to 30 million liters per day of lost water, which could thereafter be put back into the system to help boost water pressure in adjacent areas and effectively increase available supply

for distribution to customers.

w h ile the service interruption is in place, m a ynilad said they would also take the opportunity to conduct parallel activities—including leak repairs and pipe inspections in other areas, and maintenance works at the Villamor and e spiritu Pumping s ta tions—which would otherwise require the implementation of separate service disruptions.

To mitigate the impact of the pipe repair activity, m a ynilad is installing seven stationary water tanks and deploy 30 mobile water tankers to serve affected areas, particularly those that will experience 57 hours straight of interrupted supply. It will also tap the assistance of local government units

Lawmakers are asking the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to provide free annual medical checkups for all its members to ensure that every Filipino could access preventive care, and are able to address potentially serious health conditions in the early stages.

Davao City r e p. Paolo Duterte, Benguet r e p. e r ic Yap and aCT-CI s Party-list r e p. e dv ic Yap have filed House Bill (HB) 5074 with the goal of automatically entitling every Filipino to free blood sugar and cholesterol level tests each year.

w i th all Filipinos automatically becoming PhilHealth members under the Universal Health Care a c t, free medical checkups should form part of their benefits, Duterte said.

“To promote health, identify risks, and ensure early diagnosis, PhilHealth shall establish a system that allows access to a free annual medical checkup and ensure that Filipinos shall be accorded the quality health-care services that they deserve,” the bill read.

Duterte said  “investing in free medical checkups for every Filipino will help save lives

and ensure that no one gets left behind when it comes to health care.”

Detecting potentially serious medical conditions in its early stages will not only benefit every Filipino but also PhilHealth, as this would bring down the costs of providing coverage for expensive medical procedures that usually come with treating life-threatening diseases, Duterte added.

Under the bill, Filipinos can avail of the free medical checkup at any government-run hospital or medical institution.

On top of free cholesterol and blood sugar tests, the three lawmakers also proposed the inclusion of expanded laboratory and diagnostic tests in the free annual medical checkup benefit, “subject to the availability of PhilHealth funds.”

“The s ta te is tasked to institutionalize regular checkups for its citizens in order to determine their potential health concerns and avoid further complications. e v ery citizen must be able to exercise his or her right to health without incurring any financial burden,” the bill’s authors said.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Ferry runs aground in Bohol as PCG steps up measures to prevent oil spill in Mindoro

By Rene Acosta

ar O LL - O n r O LL - OFF

vessel carrying 12 rolling

cargo ran aground in the shallow waters of Bohol on Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (P CG) reported on we dnesday, even as the command said it has tapped several groups to stop an oil spill from a tanker that earlier sank in Oriental m in doro in a separate maritime incident.

The m V s tarli te s a turn, with 86 passengers and 55 crewmembers, ran aground at around 4:15 p .m. on Tuesday at the Danajon Bank, Calituban, and Talibon in Bohol while en route to Pier 5 in Cebu City from a port in surigao. Two PCG sea marshals were also aboard the ill-fated vessel.

PCG spokesman Commodore a r mand Balilo said that five hours after the incident, the PCG command center established contact with one of th e two sea marshals on board identified as s e aman First Class Cliftun Bert e tull e, who reported that all the passengers and c rew members of the s tarli te s a turn were safe and in good physical condition.

Two hours after the contact with e tulle, the Coast Guard ship B r P m al amawi (FPB-2403) arrived at the Danajon Bank and r escued the passengers and crewmen.

and local fire bureaus to expand the available fleet of water tankers that can help deliver water to affected communities.

The complete list of affected areas and their corresponding water interruption schedules may be viewed in m a ynilad’s web site (https://www.mayniladwater.com. ph/) and social media accounts, Facebook (www.facebook.com/ MayniladWater) and Twitter (@ maynilad). m a ynilad is also publishing a copy of the interruption schedules in select newspapers and tabloids, posting announcements in barangay/community chat groups, and disseminating sms and email advisories to customers enrolled in m a ynilad a l erts.  Jonathan L. Mayuga

On Thursday, the passengers and crewmembers were transferred from m al amawi to m V s t . Camael, the rescue ship provided by the shipping line of the distressed vessel.

“Two PCG sea marshals and 14 truck drivers and operators remained on board to secure the rolling cargoes and m V s tarli te s a turn,” Balilo said.

In m in doro, Balilo said the PCG is working with a rescue and salvage ship sent by the owner of mT Princess empress in their effort to stop the oil spill from the vessel, which completely sank in the waters of na ujan, Oriental m in doro on we dnesday.

The tanker, with 20 crewmembers and carrying at least 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil, was en route to Iloilo from Bataan when it developed en -

gine trouble due to overheating, an d drifted toward Balingawan Point in na ujan, Oriental m indoro on Tuesday.

T he ship was still half submerged on Tuesday afternoon b efore it went into the bottom of the sea on we dnesday.

Balilo said that what initially leaked from the tanker w as not the fossil fuel cargo that it was carrying but diesel oil, which as of we dnesday morning has already stretched about 6 kilometers long and 4 kilometers wide.

“The oil spill assessment by the PCG is continuing together with the m al ayan Towage that was contracted by the r DC r e ifield m ar ine s er vices Inc. (shipping company) to help in the oil spill response operation,” it said.

The PCG said that aside from the other vessels that it has already deployed in the area, it h as also sent the B r P Habagat (TB-271) to serve as a marine pollution platform.

a l so on Tuesday, the PCG rescued six passengers on board a distressed motor banca in the waters of Pandak Island, Hadji m uhtamad, Basilan.

The motor banca, skippered by 38-year-old Gabby m undih, left Jolo, s ulu and en route to Zamboanga City when it encountered big waves that damaged its hull, causing it to submerge.

m e anwhile, the military joined other officials in welcoming the Philippine Inter- a g ency Humanitarian Contingent (PIa HC) to Turkey upon their return to the country following th e contingent’s successful deployment on February 8 to the qu ake-ravaged country.

The team, composed of 82 members, went to Turkey to extend humanitarian assistance and disaster response op erations following the magnitude 7.8 quake that hit the c ountry.

The contingent conducted urban search and rescue in a diyaman City, Turkey wherein it a ssessed 36 buildings, retrieved six cadavers and extended medical assistance to 1,022 ambulatory cases.

Asean-BAC offers help to develop PHL MSMEs

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

The a s ean-B a C l eadership, which is also composed of top officials of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia), visited Manila last week as a continuation of its chairmanship roadshow across the region. a s ean-B a C an d Kadin Indonesia Chairman a r sjad r a sjid said the Manila roadshow seeks to boost trade and investment within the a s ean region and foster the bilateral partnership between

the Philippines and Indonesia. Indonesia is one of the Philippines’ major trading partners with a total trade value of $9.5 billion per year. Jakarta also implemented a Philippines First Policy, which prioritizes Philippine agricultural goods for importation.

“We are doing a roadshow in every a s ean country because we want to really hear the voice of business from each country. We need to make sure that we

can make more trade and investment within us [ a s ean]. The goal is a s ean centrality. Innovation towards greater inclusivity. It means we cannot leave anybody behind,” r a sjid stressed.

d ur ing the roadshow, the a s ean-B a C leaders met with e n vironment Secretary Maria a n tonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Trade Secretary a lfr edo Pascual, and a s eanB a C C hairman for the Philippines Jose Concepcion III, a si an d e velopment Bank officials, and the leadership of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

a s ean-B a C a l ternate Chair Bernardino Vega said the chairmanship roadshow focuses on five key priorities, including digital transformation, trade facilitation, health, food security, and sustainable development.

To enhance their digital capabilities, Vega said the roadshow seeks to introduce to the Philippine MSM e s the Wiki Wirausaha (WIKI) platform, which aims to provide MSM e s a digital space where they can market their products and ser -

vices, not just to Filipinos, but also to Indonesians, and eventually, to the entire a s ean region. Further, the a s eanB a C h opes to link up the WIKI platform with the existing a s ean Mentorship for e n trepreneurs Network ( a M e N) in th e Philippines, a modules-based training program for MSM e s facilitated by accredited mentors.

a M e N is a  brainchild of Concepcion when he held the a s ean-B a C c hairmanship in 2017.

“We [the a S ea N-B a C an d Concepcion] had a discussion on Friday morning and our Chair directed the WIKI team and the a M e N t eam to work together. It will allow better market access to a s ean countries and MSM e s can find lower cost of products. WIKI will provide a wide variety of services that the MSM e s need beyond the current mentorship program. Loans are also available there,” Vega explained.

MSM e s comprise more than 90 percent of the businesses in the a s ean region, which employ more than 85 percent of the region’s work force.

Caloocan-España section of Nlex Connector ready for launch on March 27–DPWH chief

NL ex Corp. will open the first section of the Nlex Connector within the month, company and government officials said on Wednesday.

d e partment of Public Works and Highways ( d PW H) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the first 5 kilometers—from Caloocan to e spaña—of the Nlex Connector would be opened on March 27 following government approval for the launch of the road section on Wednesday.

“We will be opening the project before the Holy Week. This is a very important project that we have been looking forward to. It will improve traffic congestion problems and will serve the west corridor of Metro Manila,” the d PW H chief said.

Now 98 percent complete, the Nlex Connector españa section is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the City of Manila such as españa Boulevard, abad Santos avenue, r iz al avenue and Lacson avenue as it will divert trucks and other vehicles from the capital’s major roads.

The elevated expressway is being eyed to provide greater access to several areas in Manila, including the University Belt.

“We started constructing the Nlex Connector e spaña Section in February 2020, and construction was continuous despite the Covid-19 pandemic. d es pite the many challenges, we are pleased that the project is almost complete. We will continue to be a strategic partner of the government and focus on our goal of completing this infra -

structure that will facilitate greater connection between the north and south,” said Nlex President Luigi Bautista.

The four-lane Nlex Connector intends to stimulate economic growth by significantly improving the mobility of motorists and boost overall productivity.

“The Nlex Connector augurs well for the agency’s mandate of providing convenient access for road users as it will address traffic congestion. We will ensure that a holistic traffic management plan will be in order so motorists can travel safely and seamlessly,” d e partment of Transportation ( d O Tr) Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

a r ound 35,000 vehicles daily are anticipated to benefit from this new road that is

DOE spearheads massive drive for safe LPG use

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

TH e de partment of e n ergy ( d O e ) is spearheading a campaign on proper LPG (liquefied Petroleum gas) use and consumer awareness about illegal refilling and under-filling as well as the sale of counterfeit LPG products.

Two LPG regional summits were already held in San Fernando, La Union, and the City of San Fernando, Pampanga this year.

The third LPG Summit will be held at the SMx Convention Center in Pasay City on March 2 and 3. The d O e said there are more LPG r egional summits to be held soon.

The d O e is the primary agency tasked to implement the r e public a c t ( ra ) No. 11592, which sets the conduct and best practices for all domestic industry players and institutionalizes the cylinder exchange and swapping program to allow consumers to purchase any LPG cylinder brand.

The d O e will present the recently issued d e partment Circular 2022-11-0037 or the “Guidelines on the r e gistration and Issuance of License to Operate to Qualified d O e -regulated LPG Industry Participants” and the d Oede partment of Trade and Industry ( d Oe - dT I) Joint de partment Circular 2022-11-0002, or the “LPG Cylinder e xchange, Swapping, and Improvement Programs, and its Implementing Guidelines, during the summit in Pasay City.

The circular also establishes an LPG Cyl -

seen to provide infrastructure support to decongest local roads and enhance the operations of various businesses, especially those in logistics sector as cargo trucks can pass through the road 24/7 without having to worry about the truck ban.

Nlex Connector is envisioned to be an eight-kilometer expressway running from Caloocan Interchange on C3 r oa d, d im asalang, e spaña Blvd., r . M agsaysay Blvd., up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

“The next phase of this project is the threekilometer section from e spaña to Sta. Mesa, which d PW H and Nlex are accelerating so we can finish by the second quarter of this year,” Bonoan said.  Lorenz S. Marasigan

inder Improvement Program to ensure that unsafe cylinders will be immediately removed from circulation and replaced with new ones to reduce LPG-related explosions and fires.

Based on the data from the Bureau of Fire Protection, a total of 158,266  fire incidents were recorded from 2010 to 2021. Of which, 1,254 incidents  were LPG-related. Meanwhile, Petron Corp. said it would implement a P3.5 per kilogram (kg) rollback in LPG prices effective March 1. auto-LPG prices will likewise rollback prices by P1.95 per liter. Phoenix Petroleum would implement the same price rollback.

“These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of March,” they said.

By Andrea E. San Juan

Trade Secretary a lfredo e . Pascual is eyeing Central Luzon as an “industrial heartland,” which he said has a geographical role in attaining the government’s goal of “solid” economic recovery post-pandemic.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the de partment of Trade and Industry ( d T I) said Pascual tackled the agency’s drive towards industrialization, its priority industry clusters, the aim to develop the country’s local industry, and the contributions of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSM e s) in pursuit of regional development.

Further, the trade department noted that it has expanded the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program into a “regional scope.”

“We are partnering with research institutions in innovating OTOP. There are already OTOP Hubs in some of our provinces, particularly a urora, Tarlac, Bulacan, Zambales, and Pampanga. The OTOP Showroom in d T I’s r e gional Office III exhibits products made with the ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness of MSM e s in the region,” Pascual said during the Second Subic/ Clark Business Conference (SCBC) on Tuesday.

In his message, d T I said the trade chief recognized the importance of Central Luzon as a “strategic” business location and its contributions to the Philippine economy.

a ccording to the d T I, Pascual reiterated that the agency is committed to promote an “enabling” business environment for potential investors in Subic, Clark, and other “strategic” areas.

“With the support of partner government units and agencies, d T I envisions Central Luzon as the industrial heartland of the Philippines and the a si a Pacific,” the trade department said in the statement.

Meanwhile, in line with the issuance of e xe cutive Order ( e O) No. 18, which mandates the establishment of Green Lanes for Strategic Investments, Pascual said, “ d T I, with the support of the Philippine government, is also enabling cross-cutting mechanisms to ease investments.”

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” r . M arcos Jr. recently signed the e O that mandates the establishment of Green Lanes for strategic investments.

Pascual emphasized that this measure will fast track the processing of permits and licenses and offer the Board of Investments as a single point of entry for strategic investments.

a ccording to d T I, the SCBC event aims to showcase investment opportunities, discover the insights of local businesses, and analyze trends in the Subic/Clark area.

“It is envisioned to connect companies in the region that venture into creative industries, advanced technology and innovation, sustainable business practices, real estate, infrastructure, aerospace, renewable energy, and manufacturing industries, among others, to other parts of the world as a potential investment area for global corporations and investors,” the department said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Business Advisory Council (Asean-BAC) on Tuesday said it would push for a partnership arrangement with the government to help develop local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMes).

DTI grooms Central Luzon as next ‘industrial heartland’

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Extortion of Thai visitor ‘another black eye’ to Philippines, tourism leaders say

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

THE latest incident of extortion involving security screeners at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) and a Thai tourist is painting a negative image of the Philippines anew, and local tourism leaders are not happy about it. Videos of the incident have been going viral since last week.

“This incident is another black eye to our tourism industry,” said Roberto Zozobado, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP). “These unscrupulous individuals at the OTS [Office of Transportation Security] should realize that their misdeeds put to waste the valuable gains we, tourism stakeholders, work so hard to achieve for our industry, especially now that we’re still recovering from almost three years of forced hibernation.”

He urged Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, whose agency oversees the OTS with whom the

DA allocates 440K MT of refined sugar imports to 3 handpicked entities

Continued from A14

What went before lAST w eek, it was revealed that Executive Secretary l u cas P. Bersamin wrote a memorandum to Panganiban in January ordering the implementation of a sugar import program to pull down the elevated prices of the commodity and dampen its inflationary pressure.

In a press conference last week in Malacañang, Panganiban said he picked the three “capable” sugar importers from a list of accredited importers to bring in 450,000 MT of sugar even without an approved SO authorizing an import program yet.

Panganiban confirmed the details of the earlier exposé of Senator Risa Hontiveros, saying the said firms were allowed to do so on the condition they “reduce the prices of sugar, sell the commodity, and shoulder the cost of warehousing.”

“In response to the directive of the President to address inflation and create a buffer stock and given that sugar is one of the components of most of commodities that drives the consistently high inflation rate, I acted with haste and interpreted the memorandum issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary as an approval to proceed with the importation,” he said.

“The directive was for them to bring it at a time that the sugar in the country is being harvested and that will be coming in February, March, and April,” he added.

Earlier last month, Hontiveros revealed that the DA allowed All Asian Countertrade, Sucden Philippines Inc., and Edison l e e Marketing Corp. to import about 450,000 MT of sugar, supposedly upon the instructions of President Marcos, Jr. through a memorandum signed by Bersamin.

Certain sugar shipments consigned to one of the three entities have arrived in the country as early as February 9, almost a week before the SO 6 was approved by the SRA board.

Hontiveros argued that the importation might be considered as “government-sponsored” smuggling since it did not go through the usual procedures.

However, Panganiban said that Marcos, who chairs the SRA board in his concurrent capacity as the agriculture secretary, was well aware of the arrivals of the sugar imports.

“Yes, he was aware. The sugar arrived on February 9. He was properly informed that the sugar had already arrived,” Panganiban said.

screeners were employed, to show “an iron hand at our airports to rid them of these shameless employees. We, at TCP, would be happy to offer training programs for OTS personnel, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism’s [DOT] ongoing training seminars on the Filipino brand of service.”

Prior to the extortion of the Thai tourist, a New Zealand tourist was fatally shot as he tried to protect his girlfriend from robbers, as the couple was walking along a street in Makati City. (See, “NZ govt keeps Level 2 travel advice for PHL after Kiwi slay,” in the BusinessMirror, February 27, 2023.)

Viral videos

T HE v ideos of the extortion at Terminal 2 of the Naia were uploaded on Facebook by Thai tourist Piyawat Gunlayaprasit on February 22. He said the female screening officer initially denied she had pocketed ¥20,000 (P8,000) in cash from another Thai tourist Kitja Thabthimm, until he confronted her with the video he took of the incident. She then pleaded Piyawat to delete the video (https://bit.ly/3IYPUfq).

For her part, Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) President Fe Abling-Yu said in Filipino, “This is not a good image for the country for visiting foreign tourists…. [The OTS] should instead be helping because they are in the gateway to the country. We in the private sector have been pushing so tourist arrivals increase in our country, but because of these incidents, foreigners are losing confidence in us.”

Speaking on Teleradyo’s SRO late Monday, the tourism leader said, “If the [security screeners’] violation is proven, maybe they should be given the appropriate punishment, so they are made examples [and] the others won’t be brazen enough to do the same.”

‘Isolated incidents’

A B l IN G -Yu said the tourism industry “regularly coordinates with our partners in other countries in different parts of the world to continue bringing tourists to our country and we always assure them that these are just isolated cases and our government will [crack down] on such incidents,” also referring to the

killing of the New Zealand tourist. The DOT is targeting an increase in foreign visitor arrivals to 4.8 million this year, up 81 percent from last year’s 2.65 million arrivals.

Prior to the pandemic, the Philippines attracted a historic-high of 8.3 million foreign tourists in 2019. It was among the first countries in Asia to reopen to international travel last year.

In a news statement on Monday, the OTS said five security screeners on duty during the extortion incident had already been placed under preventive suspension. Appropriate administrative cases will be filed against them, as well as possible separate criminal charges in court.

(See, “Aplasca vows to rid OTS of ‘scalawags,’ in the BusinessMirror, February 27, 2023.)

This is the second time in just a month that the OTS found itself in hot water after one female officer was caught on video maliciously frisking members of the Korean boy band Enhypen. (See, “Netizens in uproar over Enhypen frisking, filming,” in the BusinessMirror, February 6, 2023.) The OTS has yet to give an update on said incident.

Speaker dangles ₧500,000 reward for arrest of fratmen in fatal Cavite hazing

House

Ferdinand Martin G.

SPEAKER

Romualdez on Wednesday of -

fered a P500,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that will lead to the arrest of those responsible for the death of John Matthew Salilig, a chemical engineering student of Adamson u n iversity who allegedly died of fraternity hazing.

Romualdez said the reward is to encourage individuals to come forward and coordinate with the authorities to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of the suspects or those who have knowledge behind the death of Salilig whose body was dumped on an open field in Imus, Cavite.

He condemned the gruesome killing, stressing, “A loss of life is not acceptable in a civilized society like ours.”

“Brothers do not kill brothers,” Romualdez said. “Frat-related or not, any crime that results to death deserves utmost condemnation.”

The Speaker said the House of Representatives is committed to working with concerned law enforcement agencies to ensure a safer and more secure environment for Filipinos.

“It is important that we take a proactive step to help our law enforcement agencies bring criminals to justice.

Wala silang pagpapahalaga sa buhay. Sa ospital nila dapat dinala ang biktima ,” Romualdez said.

‘Zero tolerance’ B AGONG Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel called on authorities to exercise zero tolerance on all forms of hazing by fraternities, sororities, and other groups.

Pending final autopsy results, the family suspect Salilig may have probably died due to hazing.

“I am calling on the DI l G [Department of the Interior and l o cal Government], CHED [Commission on Higher Education], as well as DepEd (Department of Education), to exercise zero tolerance on all forms of hazing by fraternities, sororities, and other groups. Zero tolerance through a ‘one strike policy’ that results in the blacklisting and ‘persona non grata; status of any group and persons who conduct, authorize, protect, or provide assistance to conduct hazing,” said Herrera.

According to Herrera, the Anti-Hazing law has enough provisions, measures, and safeguards.

She said it is now up to concerned authorities to tighten the implementation at the local government level and with better execution with local government units ( l G u )

“Apparently, the fraternities are more active now outside of campuses since the Anti-Hazing law took effect because they may have observed they can move more freely outside of the campus than on campus,” she said.

“It is now up to the DI l G m ainly to improve the capacity of l G u s t o implement the law, especially on community-based fraternities, sororities, and gangs. Help the l G u s , especially the barangays, to register all of these groups and their members. Identify them so it will be easier to monitor and make arrests when there are violations,” she added.

For his part, Manuel called for the prompt and fair investigation to achieve justice after Salilig’s death.

“Back-to-school really should be safe for everyone. Violence has no place in the university,” he said.

“Hazing is part of the culture of abuse, violence and blind obedience to

authority. It should not be allowed…,” he said.

NBI parallel probe

T HE N ational Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will conduct a parallel probe into death of Salilig, who is believed to be a victim of hazing, a criminal offense punishable by reclusion perpetua under Republic Act No. 11053 or the Anti-Hazing law.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who is currently in Geneva, Switzerland for the 52nd Session of the u n ited Nations Human Rights Council ( u N HRC), ordered the separate probe.

“The Secretary [Remulla] has already asked NBI to conduct a parallel probe into the death of John Matthew T. Salilig. We hope to shed light on this issue,” DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV said.

Clavano said the Department of Justice (DOJ) condemns any violation of the Anti-Hazing law.

However, he said, the DOJ will await for the filing of any case against the suspects in Salilig’s death.

“Rest assured, any forthcoming case will undergo diligent evaluation. If probable cause with reasonable certainty of conviction is found, we will prosecute the case until perpetrators of this crime are finally brought to justice,” the DOJ spokesman said.

Salilig’s decomposing body was found buried in a shallow grave in Barangay Malagasang I-G in Imus, Cavite on February 28 or 10 days after he was reported missing by his family.

He was believed to have died due to injuries he sustained during initiation rites conducted by alleged members of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz & J oel R. San Juan

House panel OKs human rights defenders bill

The other HRD protection bill authors are Makabayan bloc Reps. Raoul Manuel, France Castro, and Arlene Brosas.

“The substitute bill is largely based on the Model l a w for the Recognition and Protection of Human Rights Defenders with respect to the rights of HRDs and the corresponding duties and obligations of the State and public authorities,” said l a gman.  According to l a gman, the emergence of HRDs is both an indictment and a symptom of the failure and neglect of the government to fully protect, pro -

mote, and fulfill human rights. HRDs are surrogate defenders due to the government’s default in its primary obligation as the official protector of human rights.

“The tragic plight of Filipino HRDs as a result of the relentless persecution against them by the government shamefully aggravates the State’s culpable non-compliance with the constitutional mandate that the ‘State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights’ ”, l a gman added.

Continued from A14

HRDs’ work embraces the gamut of human rights advocacy: articulation of human rights from civil liberties to health, economic, and cultural rights; training and education; formation of associations; peaceable assembly; monitoring of violations; demands for investigation and accountability; ending impunity; counseling and lawyering; lobbying for protective legislation; coordinating with kindred domestic and international groups; and supporting human rights-based governance and policy.  Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Labor

groups press for wage increase amid rising inflation

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

WORKERS d eserve to get an additional pay amid the high cost of living for their contribution to the country’s record-breaking economic growth last year, labor groups said on Wednesday.

National Federation of l ab or u n ions-Kilusang Mayo u n o (NAF l u - KM u ) i ssued the statement as members vented their frustration on the opposition of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) on proposed wage increases.

During the Development Budget Coordination Committee briefing at the House of Representatives last Tuesday, Neda warned that pay increases right now will only worsen inflation.

It noted the increase should be instead based on high labor demand and improved productivity.

NAF lu however, pointed out Filipino workers have remained productive even during the pandemic citing the high economic growth, which reached 7.6 percent last year—the highest in 46 years.

“We became productive even during the pandemic and paved the way towards the new normal,” NAF l u said in Filipino in its statement.

“If that is the case, where is the contribution of workers’ economic growth?” it added.

The group stressed workers are in dire need of additional pay as inflation reached 8.7 percent last January and is projected to reach 8.5 to 9.3 percent last month by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

“If they want real and sustainable productivity, they should

recommend policies for economic growth, which establish and improve local industries and have a corresponding and living wage for workers,” NAF l u said.

System failure

F OR its part, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) pointed out how the existing minimum wage setting system of the regional wage board failed to address the plight of workers, who are struggling to cope with the high cost of living.

“For years, real wages have not kept up with increasing productivity, and the wage-setting mechanisms put in place in 1989 have failed to deliver for workers. It failed to live up to its mandate of providing a fair share of the fruits of their labor to workers,” FFW said in a separate statement.

It called on the Department of l a bor and Employment (DOl E) to expedite the review of wages by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

It noted that while it understands the concern of economic managers on the inflationary impact of wage increase, it should not discount the need for the said measure.

The labor group said the RTWPB should start consultations with the labor sector to come up with the amount acceptable to employers.

An increased income for workers, it said, could help stimulate the economy and attract more investments.

“We urge the government to engage in a dialogue with labor to address the country’s economic challenges and ensure that no one is left behind,” FFW said.

PHASEOUT OF OLD JEEPS NOT JUNE 30–BAUTISTA

Continued from A14

Several transport groups earlier this week warned the government that they will conduct a nationwide transport strike for a week starting March 6 to protest against the Public ut ility Vehicle (P u V ) Modernization Program.

Commuter network The Passenger Forum (TPF) supports the transport strike, even if this will mean “temporary inconvenience for commuters.”

“The transport strike is the last resort of drivers and operators affected by the P u V M odernization Program. While this means temporary inconvenience for commuters, we support their right to conduct protest actions as the immediate and long-term effects of a haphazard modernization scheme will not be helpful to our aim to make commuting safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable,” TPF Convener Primo Morillo said in a text message.

He added that given that the transport strike will involve those who are expected to be grossly affected by the P u V MP, “the effects of this week-long strike is a glimpse of what will happen once the government’s modernization plan is forced upon the transport sector.”

“We, thus, appeal to the government to conduct thorough consultations with the affected sectors, to provide more economical and viable modernization options, and to provide higher state subsidy to ensure just transition in our modernization program,” Morillo said.

“Commuters are not against modernization. We just want to remind the government that any attempt at modernization will fail if it will not take into consideration the social costs and the effects of modernization on the lives and livelihood of marginalized sectors.”

Bautista said he has since extended an invitation to these groups for an urgent meeting to discuss their issues on the program.

“I am awaiting their response to my invitation. I have also talked to other organizations of jeepney

operators and they were very supportive of the modernization program,” he said. “We are hoping that we could sit down and talk.”

The modernization program calls for the consolidation of the fleet of transport franchise owners, operators, and drivers, to form a business transport cooperative in different areas. This, according to the program’s goals, will allow transport cooperatives to “broaden their financial capacity” in purchasing new units that pass the new standards.

Transport cooperatives are also required to provide drivers with a fixed salary, social security, and health insurance, as they are now considered regular employees. They are also entitled to a loan subsidy of P160,000 per unit vehicle purchased.

Bautista noted that the government is beefing up its subsidy program for the modernization program.

“We have an existing subsidy, but we do have a limited budget for 2023,” he said, noting that the allocation for this year is about P3 billion.

The transport chief expressed hope that P u V s takeholders will support the program moving forward.

“There are areas in the country where they have modern equipment and we are happy that they are supportive of the project. But we acknowledge that there are areas that will be hard to implement this program,” Bautista said.  l a test data from the lT FRB showed that out of 158,000 units of jeepneys in the Philippines, around 96,000 have already consolidated, representing 61 percent of the total.

Out of the 19,000 units of u V Express, 72 percent has already consolidated.

“So far our target is to implement the consolidation. Hopefully, it won’t take three years. However, it’s hard to provide a timeline because there are many different parts to this equation. We really need the support of operators and drivers,” Bautista said.  Lorenz S. Marasigan

35.

online/offshore gaming platform, stay on track with the game updates, implementing procedures to support players, work creatively across multiple projects and platforms at the same time.

LUU TUYET NHI Gaming Support Specialist

Brief Job Description:

Being the voice of our players within our fast-growing online/offshore gaming platform, stay on track with the game updates, implementing procedures to support players, work creatively across multiple projects and platforms at the same time.

TING YEW WEI Gaming Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: A passion for delivering excellent customer service, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written, Previous experience in a similar role in the offshore/online gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn.

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

Basic Qualification: A passion for delivering excellent customer service, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written, Previous experience in a similar role in the offshore/online gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn.

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

36.

Brief Job Description: Being the voice of our players within our fast-growing online/offshore gaming platform, stay on track with the game updates, implementing procedures to support players, work creatively across multiple projects and platforms at the same time.

A passion for delivering excellent customer service, Excellent communication skills in Chinese, both spoken and written, Previous experience in a similar role in the offshore/online gaming industry or less experience but a good attitude and motivation to learn.

Apple suppliers racing to exit China, AirPods maker says

By Nguyen Xuan Quynh & John Boudreau

Apple’s capacity outside of China.

The GoerTek executive argues it’ll be far quicker.

Most Chinese tech manufacturers are experiencing the same pressure. “I would say currently 90 percent of them, they’re looking at that,” he added. “It’s the brand companies’ decisions.”

India is high on clients’ wish lists—a reflection of its potential both as a market and a manufacturing base.

AirPods maker GoerTek Inc. is one of the many manufacturers exploring locations beyond its native China, which today cranks out the bulk of the world’s gadgets from iPhones to PlayStations. It’s investing an initial $280 million in a new Vietnam plant while considering an India expansion, Deputy Chairman Kazuyoshi Yoshinaga said in an interview. US tech companies in particular have been pushing hard for manufacturers like GoerTek to explore alternative locations, said the executive, who oversees GoerTek’s Vietnamese operations from northern Bac Ninh province.

“Starting from last month, so many people from the client side are visiting us almost every day,” Yoshinaga said from his offices at GoerTek’s sprawling industrial complex north of Hanoi. The topic that dominates discussions:

“When can you move out?”

The expanding conflict between the US and China, which began with a trade war but has since expanded to encompass sweeping bans on the exchange of chips and capital, is spurring a rethink of the electronics industry’s decades-old

Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu declared winner of presidential vote

By

Chinedu Asadu

The Associated Press

ABUJA, Nigeria—Nigerians awoke to a new president Wednesday, with ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu declared the winner of the country’s election. As he thanked his supporters he appealed for reconciliation with his rivals, who are already demanding a revote in Africa’s most populous nation.

The announcement by election officials overnight was likely to lead to a court challenge by the second- and third-highest finishers in the weekend vote, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi. Abubakar also finished second in the previous vote in 2019, and appealed those results although his lawsuit ultimately was dismissed.

Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress party urged the opposition Tuesday to accept defeat and not cause trouble after they had demanded a revote, saying that delays in uploading election results had made room for irregularities.

Tinubu received 37 percent of the votes, or nearly 8.8 million, while main opposition candidate Abubakar won 29 percent with almost 7 million. Third-place finisher Obi took 25 percent with about 6.1 million, according to the results announced on live television by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The president-elect thanked his supporters in the capital, Abuja, after his victory was announced and struck a reconciliatory tone in a message directed at his political adversaries.

“I take this opportunity to appeal to my fellow contestants to let us team up together,” Tinubu said. “It is the only nation we have. It is one country and we must build together.”

The Associated Press journalists Taiwo Ajayi in Abuja, Nigeria; Krista Larson in Dakar, Senegal; and Sam Mednick in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso contributed

supply chain. The world’s reliance on the Asian nation became starkly clear during the Covid Zero years, when Beijing’s restrictions choked off the supply of everything from phones to cars.

Apple’s suppliers rarely comment on its thinking, in part because of the US company’s famous insistence on secrecy across its global supply chain.

The iPhone maker has kept mum on whether it plans to diversify out of China, which would entail revamping a model Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook pioneered under Steve Jobs. The US giant has been careful to avoid suggestions it might reduce its investment in China, where it’s built an ecosystem centered on companies such as GoerTek and Foxconn Technology Group, which collectively employ millions.

Behind the scenes, 9 out of 10 of Apple’s most important suppliers may be preparing large-scale moves to countries like India, which is dangling incentives to drive Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates it could take eight years to move just 10 percent of

“We get requests from our clients almost every month. ‘Do you have any plans to expand to India?’” Yoshinaga said. “If they decide to build up the production lines in India, we may have to think about it seriously. Currently we are focusing on developing our Vietnam production facilities.”

Vietnam for now is the company’s sole manufacturing site outside of China. The envisioned new 62-hectare complex in Bac Ninh will make products for major US brands and is expected to be operational within a year, Yoshinaga told Bloomberg News. That investment will add to the $1.06 billion of commitments that GoerTek’s made in Bac Ninh and the north-central province of Nghe An, he added.

GoerTek, which also plans to manufacture virtual reality headsets in Vietnam from 2024, expects the Southeast Asian country to produce more than half of its global revenues in three years, up from one-third now, Yoshinaga said. The company is also asking its own suppliers to scout northern Vietnam for new factories, he said. It makes Quest virtual reality headsets for Meta Platforms Inc. and Sony Group Corp.’s PSVR devices.

GoerTek set up operations in Vietnam a decade ago to make

acoustic products at the request of Samsung Electronics Co., he said. The supplier now operates eight plants in the country, and expects to double its local workforce to 40,000 as soon as May to ramp up for Christmas, Yoshinaga said.

Vietnam’s proximity to China, a coastal network of ports, young educated workforce and relative political stability make the Southeast Asian country an ideal hub, he said. But an anticorruption campaign, which led to the recent dismissal of the president and two deputy prime ministers, is unsettling, said Yoshinaga, who said he’s expressed that concern to officials.

Led by Communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the effort has rattled markets and investors. In 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption probe aimed at the nation’s $60 trillion financial sector.

“They learn too much from China,” Yoshinaga said of Vietnam’s leadership. “Doing something about corruption is good. But don’t go too far and create an unstable political environment.”

For now, Vietnam remains an attractive location. Apple may be looking to make the country a manufacturing hub for AirPods, iPads and MacBooks. AirPods orders are dominated by GoerTek and fellow Chinese firm Luxshare Precision Industry Co., which too has a complex in north Vietnam.

Many US companies are planning to shift production there, regardless of cost, Yoshinaga said. Others like Jabil Inc. are considering India. But overall, the flow is consistently going to be outward from China, he said.

“I don’t think it’s going to return. It’s one-way.” With assistance from Debby Wu and Gao Yuan/Bloomberg

Fiery Greece train collision kills 26, injures at least 85

By Costas Kantouris & Derek Gatopoulos The Associated Press

TEMPE, Greece—A passenger train and an oncoming freight train collided in a fiery wreck in northern Greece early Wednesday, killing 26 people and injuring at least 85, Fire Service officials said.

Multiple cars derailed and at least three burst into flame after the collision near Tempe, some 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens. Hospital officials in the nearby city of Larissa said at least 25 people had serious injuries.

“The evacuation process is ongoing and is being carried out under very difficult conditions due to the severity of the collision between the two trains,” Fire Service spokesman Vassilis Varthakoyiannis said.

Hospital units used to treat burn victims had been alerted in the area, he said, and dozens of ambulances were involved in the rescue effort.

Rescuers wearing head lamps worked in thick smoke, pulling pieces of mangled metal from the rail cars to search for trapped people.

Passengers who received minor injuries or were unharmed were transported by bus to Thessaloniki, 130 kilometers (80 miles)

Taiwan says 25 Chinese planes, 3 warships sent toward island

TAIPEI, Taiwan—China sent 25 warplanes and three warships toward Taiwan on Wednesday morning, the island’s Defense Ministry said, as tensions remain high between Beijing and Taipei’s main backer Washington.

The ministry said 19 of those planes crossed into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone while the ships were continuing to operate in the Taiwan Strait. It said Taiwan responded by scrambling fighters, dispatching ships and activating coastal missile defense systems to “closely monitor and respond.”

China stages such incursions on a near-daily basis, part of what are termed “gray zone” tactics, aimed at intimidation and wearing down Taiwan’s equipment, exhausting its personnel and degrading public morale. Those also include cyberwarfare and disinformation campaigns, along with a relentless drive to deprive Taiwan of diplomatic allies.

Taiwan has responded by upgrading its fleet of F-16 fighter jets and ordering 66 more of the planes from the US, while purchasing a range of other weaponry and extending its mandatory term of military service for all males from four months to one year.

Relations between Beijing and Washington, Taiwan’s primary ally and source of defensive weaponry, have spiraled over China’s actions toward the island, trade, technology and the South China Sea.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a visit to Beijing last month after the US shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the US east coast, drawing furious protests from China.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary, and has been rapidly expanding its military to meet that challenge should it arise.

In memos and testimony, top US officers have called for heightened preparations, saying China sees a shrinking window for action and may move on Taiwan within a few years.

China says it prefers peaceful unification between the sides, but the Taiwanese public overwhelmingly favors the current state of de-facto independence.

Wednesday’s incursions were relatively modest by recent standards. During China’s National Day weekend in 2021, Beijing dispatched 149 military aircraft southwest of Taiwan in strike group formations. In August, in response to a trip to Taiwan by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China

blockade

island

Pacific Ocean. Along with ordering new hardware from the US, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has been pushing for a revitalization of the domestic defense industry, including producing conventionally powered submarines. AP

World’s biggest chemical firm says China demand yet to recover

By Fahad Abuljadayel & Paul Wallace

THE world’s biggest chemicals maker said profit margins would remain tight with the Chinese market yet to recover and the global economic downturn weakening demand for plastics and building materials.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp.’s net income dropped to 290 million riyals ($78 million) in the fourth quarter, down 94 percent year-on-year and the worst figure since the height of the coronavirus pandemic in mid-2020.

The stock fell 2.7 percent by 1 p.m. in Saudi Arabia to 89.40 riyals, the biggest decline on a closing basis this year.

north of the incident. Police took their names as they arrived in an effort to track anyone who may be missing.

A teenage survivor who did not give his name told Greek reporters as he got off one of the buses that just before the crash, he felt a strong braking and saw sparks and then there was a sudden stop.

“Our carriage didn’t derail, but the ones in front did and were smashed,” he said, visibly shaken.

He added that the first car caught fire and that he used a bag to break the window of his car, the fourth, and escape. In comments to state television,

Costas Agorastos, the regional governor of the Thessaly area, described the collision as “very powerful” and said it was “a terrible night.”

“The front section of the train was smashed.... We’re getting cranes to come in and special lifting equipment clear the debris and lift the rail cars. There’s debris flung all around the crash site.”

Officials said the army had been contacted to assist.

Rail operator Hellenic Train said the northbound passenger train from Athens to Thessaloniki had about 350 passengers on board when the collision occurred. Gatopoulos reported from Athens

The ending of Covid lockdowns in China hasn’t led to rapid rebound in consumption in the world’s second-biggest economy, according to Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, Sabic’s acting chief executive officer.

“Things in China are still roughly the same as they were in 2021,” he said to reporters. “So far we have not seen the high demand that was expected. It seems to me that the second quarter or the second half may witness the return of the Chinese market.”

The company’s results were similar to those of rivals such as BASF SE, which last week said it would cut 2,600 jobs, and Dow

Inc. The firms have been hit by lower sales as central banks raise interest rates to combat inflation. Their margins were also squeezed when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago triggered a surge in prices for natural gas, a crucial feedstock.

While gas prices have decreased significantly this year, they remain well above historical averages.

“Margins will continue being under pressure in the first half of 2023,” Sabic said.

The firm, based in Riyadh and majority owned by state oil company Saudi Aramco, said average sale prices between October and December dropped 9 percent from the previous quarter.

Its full-year net profit was $4.4 billion, down 28 percent from 2021. The company announced a $3.4 billion annual dividend, up 6.25 percent.

‘Relentless growth ambitions’

SABIC has a market valuation of $73 billion, more than that of any other listed chemicals firm.

It said it will continue with its “relentless growth ambitions” in the kingdom and abroad. Last year, it signed a deal with Aramco and China’s Sinopec to build an oil-topetrochemicals plant in western Saudi Arabia. It’s also looking at projects in Poland and elsewhere in Eastern Europe.

APPLE Inc.’s Chinese suppliers are likely to move capacity out of the country far faster than many observers anticipate to preempt fallout from escalating BeijingWashington tensions, according to one of the US company’s most important partners.

staged war games surrounding the

simulating a

and fired missiles over it into the

TWO soldiers lower the national flag during the daily flag ceremony on Liberty Square of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan on July 30, 2022. China sent 25 warplanes and three warships toward Taiwan on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the island’s Defense Ministry said, as tensions remain high between Beijing and Taipei’s main backer Washington. AP/CHIANG YING-YING

SMOKE rises from trains as firefighters and rescuers operate after a collision near Larissa city, Greece, early Wednesday, March 1, 2023. The collision between a freight and passenger train occurred near Tempe, some 380 kilometers (235 miles) north of Athens, and resulted in the derailment of several train cars. AP/VAGGELIS KOUSIORAS

Agriculture/Commodities

PHL wants to cut chemical fertilizer imports

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

tilizers,” Marcos said.

The government will tap the technology and research units of the University of the philippines l os Baños and other state colleges and universities for biofertilizers, which will be distributed to local farmers, according to Marcos.

The department of Agriculture (dA) started promoting the use of "Bio N," a microbial-based fertilizer last year.

non-organic fertilizers.

He said his state visit to China last month resulted in the signing a cooperation agreement with the ph ilippine International Trading Corp. ( pI TC) and two Chinese fertilizer manufacturing companies which will allow the ph ilippines to gain access to cheap non-organic fertilizers.

The p r esident made the pronouncements amid the high price of urea in the world market.

d u ring a meeting with government officials last Tuesday, Marcos said the "policy shift" aims to reduce the country's dependence on "expensive, imported petroleum-

based fertilizers."

"Hopefully, this will ease our concerns when it comes to the supply of fertilizer. And we can fully control the availability of biofer-

The agency said 6 sachets of Bio N can replace two 50-kilogram bags of urea, a petroleum-based fertilizer, used for every hectare of land planted with rice.

However, Marcos said, the government will still allow the use of

"We will lessen our dependence on importation when it comes to fertilizer supply."

According to World Bank economists, fertilizer prices have already eased from the peak levels recorded

First Gen, PCAARRD ink MOU on agribusiness projects

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Lopez-led First Gen Corp. and the ph ilippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and development (pC AARR d) will jointly explore and support agribusiness technologies and projects that seek to improve the livelihood of small farmers and fishermen.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU ), both committed to identify and agree on prior-

PhilRice:

fertilizer.

in 2022 but prices remain high due to disruptions and restrictions that make it more expensive.

In January, World Bank d ev elopment e c onomics p r ospects Group Senior Agriculture e conomist John Baffes and Centre for Strategic and policy Studies Brunei d a russalam Researcher Wee Chian Koh said in a blog that the production crunch in eu rope; trade disruptions caused by the UkraineRussia war; and export restrictions in China continue to affect fertilizer prices.

These developments are a cause for concern for countries like the philippines which are heavily reliant on imported farm inputs like

ity projects and activities related to agri-aqua production, harvesting and post-harvesting systems.

pC AARR d is a multi-sectoral research and development body under the department of Science and Technology (doST).

d o S T- p C AARR d e x ecutive

d i rector Reynaldo V. e b ora and First Gen Vice president Shirley H. Cruz signed the MoU with doST-

pC AARR d deputy executive director Melvin B. Carlos and First Gen Senior Manager Janice o r tañezdugan as witnesses.

Planters to

In the M o U, both parties also have agreed that each will allocate and release funds to support the objective of the M o U and to collaborate in the implementation of the priority activities. Beneficiaries of the projects will be First Gen host communities and other areas to be agreed upon by both parties.

pC AARR d formulates policies, plans, and programs for science and technology-based research and development and spearheads technology transfer initiatives in the

agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sector.

First Gen owns and operates 31 power plants located in Ilocos Norte, Batangas, Bicol, leyte, Negros Island and North Cotabato. It is a subsidiary of First philippine Holdings Corporation (FpH), one of the oldest and largest conglomerates with a strong environmental advocacy. Both may also enter into other agreements for other special projects that will promote and advance First Gen’s advocacies and promote doST-pC AARR d’s mandates.

get certified inbred rice seeds this month

“The industry is also affected by supply-side issues, including a production crunch in europe, disruptions due to sanctions on Russia and Belarus, and trade restrictions in China,” they added. They said the supply disruptions from the Ukraine-Russia war came in the form of sanctions on Russia and Belarus by the european Union and the United States.

As a result, potash exports from Belarus declined by over 50 percent while lithuania halted the use of its railway network to transport Belarusian potash to the port of Klaipeda, which typically handles almost all of Belarus exports.

Sales of Kadiwa stores hit ₧136.14M in Nov-Dec–PCO

MA l A CA ñ A NG said on Wednesday that government-organized Kadiwa activities are a boon not only for consumers, but also for its participating local agriculture producers.

The p residential Communications of fice (pCo) noted that sales of the Kadiwa Store, Kadiwa popup Store, Kadiwa on Wheels, and Kadiwa ng pasko reached p136.14 million from November 5 to december 31 alone.

Currently there are over 500 Kadiwa stores nationwide.

The latest addition to the list of Kadiwa stores was the one opened in Cebu during the visit of president Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the province last Monday.

during the first two days of its operations, the said "Kadiwa ng pangulo" activity in Cebu generated over p931,000 worth of sales.

Marcos earlier said the Kadiwa activities are meant to help consumers not only to gain access to affordable

food, but also to raise the incomes of local farmers, fisherfolk and small enterprises.

He said the government will hold more Kadiwa activities in the coming months.

l a st Wednesday, Marcos witnessed the opening of Kadiwa stores at the Rizal park in Manila and at the Sto. Tomas Municipal Grounds in Batangas.

He said the department of l abor and employment (dole) is also planning a Kadiwa event together with the department of Trade and Industry (dT I) and the department of Agriculture (dA), which will cater to workers.

“So this is what we are trying to make now,” Marcos said. l a bor groups have been demanding government action to provide aid to workers to cope with rising cost of basic necessities, particularly food, through a minimum wage hike, price control, and tax exemptions. Samuel

P. Medenilla

Jollibee buys more onions, other veggies from producers via farm program

THe social development arm of the Jollibee Group said planters participating in its Farmer entrepreneurship p rogram (Fep) delivered 680,000 kilograms (680 metric tons) of white onions to the local fast-good giant last year.

Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) also said Fep farmers also supply green bell pepper, tomatoes, calamansi and ginger, which are used for Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking and Mang Inasal products nationwide.

JGF said 18 Fep farmer groups from across the ph ilippines have become accredited suppliers of the Jollibee Group, resulting in over 9 million kilos or 9,000 tons of vegetables worth more than p360 million delivered to the company since 2008.

THe philippine Rice Research Institute (philRice) said it will distribute certified inbred seeds to rice-producing regions in the country starting March 16 under a program that seeks to increase the production of the staple.

philRice, an attached agency of the department of Agriculture (dA), said some 4.27 million bags (20kg/ bag) of certified inbred rice seeds are ready for distribution. It is also expanding its program coverage to 77 rice-producing provinces, from the current 42.

Some p3 billion came from the Rice Competitiveness enhancement Fund (RCeF) Seed program and while the dA’s National Rice p rogram (NR p) allocated p700,000 for the distribution of the rice seeds.

Flordeliza Bordey, director of the RCeF program Management of fice at ph ilRice, said the amount will allow farmers to plant rice in 1.97

million hectares in 1,319 cities and municipalities nationwide during the 2023 wet season and the 2024 dry cropping season.

However, Batanes, Basilan, Tawitawi and Sulu are not included because of limited rice areas.

“Through the integrated efforts of RC e F Seed p r ogram and the dA -NR p s inbred seed strategy, we are expecting to serve 1.69 million farmers starting March 16," said Bordey.

"dA-philRice will handle the planning, acquisition, and delivery of the certified seeds in coordination with the dA Regional Field of fices, while the provincial, city, and municipal local government units [C/MlGUs] will help in dispensing the seeds to the farmers."

The RCeF Seed program distributed more than 11.7 million bags of certified inbred seeds in 42 provinces since its first implementation during

the 2020 dry season.

Results of the seasonal monitoring and evaluation of the program showed that the adoption of certified inbred seeds in its covered provinces doubled to 84 percent from more than 40 percent to 84 percent, leading to increased average yields.

“Farmers’ experience in continuous use of certified inbred seed has somehow prepared them to also adopt hybrid seeds in production,” Bordey said.

ph ilRice said the inbred rice varieties to be distributed were selected based on their adaptability to the local conditions and resistance to insect pest and disease outbreaks.

Varieties that are adaptable to less favorable environments, including drought-prone areas are also allotted for specific locations, the agency added.

Also, varieties such as NSIC Rc

506, Rc 508, Rc 512, and Rc 534 that have comparable yields with hybrids are also being introduced through RCeF

Harvests from NSIC Rc 506 ranged from 7 to 8.6 tons per hectare (t/ha) in RCeF pa laySikatan technology demonstration areas including l a Union, Albay, Sorsogon, zamboanga Sibugay, zamboanga del Sur, lanao del Norte, davao del Sur, davao del Norte, davao de oro, South Cotabato, and Agusan del Norte.

Across all sites, it has an average yield of 7.76 t/ha during the 2022 dry and wet cropping seasons.

The RC e F Seed p r ogram is a component of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication l a w, which allocates p 3 billion every year for the development, propagation and promotion of high-quality inbred rice seeds to help improve the competitiveness of Filipino rice farmers. Raadee S. Sausa

"JGF is looking at ways to further expand Fep and provide more value-adding support to our partnerfarmers,” the foundation's executive director Gisela Tiongson said in a statement.

“We continuously work with Jollibee Group Business Units such as p u rchasing, Research and de velopment, and Supply Chain to discuss more options for farming communities on how to maximize their profits. We’ve also worked with the de partment of Agriculture ( dA) to study soil samples and recommend practices to Fep farmers to make soil healthier and more viable for greater yield."

World Bank report

T He World Bank recently released a report citing how the p h ilippines has made headway in reducing poverty in the country. In its report “o vercoming poverty and Inequality in the ph ilippines: pa st,

p resent, and p rospects for the Future” launched in November 2022, the World Bank said the country’s poverty rate fell to 16.7 percent in 2018 from 49.2 percent in 1985.

It noted though that inequality remains high and needs to be addressed. Among its key recommendations is to promote an inclusive strategy in rural development. despite the sector employing a sizeable share of the country’s workforce, the productivity of the farmers remained low and upgrading the connections of farmers to markets should be explored,” the report further noted.

“It is this reality that has existed even before the pandemic that has prompted the Jollibee Group to direct its Foundation to invest its resources in helping smallholder farmers in the country,” said Tiongson.

Since 2008, JGF through Fep has been helping smallholder onion farmers improve their livelihood so they can better support their families. The foundation works with partners to train farmers to become agro-entrepreneurs, enabling them to increase their income by delivering quality produce directly to institutional buyers such as Jollibee Group.

Farming as a business

Under Fep, JGF and its partners organize smallholder farmers as clusters and hone their business and leadership skills so they can build agro-enterprises that can transact with corporate markets. Trainings in business include teaching farmers how to correctly compute their costs and price their goods to help ensure that they make a profit.

Photo shows the beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Seed Program from Los Baños, Laguna. From www.philrice.gov.ph

To provide a cheaper alternative to imported petroleum-based fertilizers, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he is keen on mainstreaming the use of "biofertilizers" nationwide.

editorial

Putting the ball in Beijing’s court

‘APPeAsement.” that’s the name given to Britain’s policy of allowing Hitler to expand German territory unchecked in the 1930s. British Prime minister neville Chamberlain believed he could avoid war through the use of negotiation, agreements and diplomacy. His appeasement policy meant giving in to Hitler’s territorial demands. Chamberlain signed the munich agreement, which resulted in Germany taking the sudetenland from Czechoslovakia, hoping this would be the end of Hitler’s demands. It was a big mistake. Appeasement is now widely discredited as a policy of weakness.

“Containment” is a strategic foreign policy pursued by the United States in the late 1940s to check the expansionist policy of the Soviet Union. The term was coined by American diplomat George F. Kennan, who wrote in an anonymous article in the July 1947 issue of Foreign Affairs that the United States should pursue a “long-term, patient but firm and vigilant containment of Russian expansive tendencies” in the hope that the regime would mellow or collapse.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s China pivot was an attempt to appease Beijing, with the hope of mitigating China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea. Duterte’s Beijing-friendly postures hardly changed China’s territorial advances in the South China Sea.

In a BusinessMirror article—“Right is might”—former ambassador Albert del Rosario said President Marcos is taking proper steps in defending the rights of the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. “In particular, we welcome that President Marcos Jr.’s administration is allowing joint patrols with likeminded nations in the West Philippine Sea and establishing additional locations under the US-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. If successfully done, these are steps that have the effect of deterring Chinese aggression against the Philippines,” he said.

Del Rosario added: “We fully encourage President Marcos, as well as the leaders of the international community, to uphold the Rule of Law, where sovereign equality of states is observed in the sense that small nations like the Philippines are protected in their rights against the aggression of bigger nations. Where Right is Might remains the global norm, not Might is Right.”

From the Associated Press: “President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed the urgency of shifting the military’s focus to external defense in a speech before troops Monday afternoon. He spoke two weeks after summoning China’s ambassador to protest the use of a military-grade laser by the Chinese coast guard that briefly blinded some of the crew of a Philippine patrol vessel in the South China Sea. The Philippines condemned the February 6 incident in one of the more than 200 diplomatic protests it has filed against Beijing’s increasingly aggressive actions in the disputed waterway since last year.”

“I’m saying that your mission in the AFP has changed,” Marcos told the troops, referring to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “For many, many years, we were able to maintain that peace and maintain that understanding with all of our neighbors. Now things have begun to change and we must adjust accordingly.” The President said that the country’s boundaries were being put into question, “and there are many things that are happening so the Air Force has a very big mission to fully secure the Philippines.” Despite being a relatively small country, “we still have to fight for the rights of every Filipino because the Philippines is a sovereign nation and the Philippines has a functioning government,” he said.

As China continues to press on its illegal nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea despite the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal’s ruling that said it has no basis in international law, the Marcos administration has a very challenging task ahead. Currently, the Philippines is hoping that Australia and Japan will participate in planned joint South China Sea patrols with the United States, according to Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

These are welcome developments for the Philippines, which needs all the assistance it can get from its allies to help defend its interests in the West Philippine Sea and prevent Chinese incursions into its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

However, it would do well for the Marcos administration to keep the situation from simmering, given the risk of escalatory incidents at sea. We do not want to sever economic ties with China, our largest trading partner. To keep tensions below boiling point, pundits said the Philippines should push for a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea between China and Asean, as well as greater regional cooperation. This will firmly put the ball in Beijing’s court.

Bulls and bears

John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Almost all that you need to know about pricing in general and for stock markets in particular come from a 1950s “Dennis the menace” cartoon.

Dennis and his pal Joey have set up a stand on the sidewalk selling lemonade. A hand-painted sign says “Lemonade—$1.00 per glass.” To put this price in perspective, a barrel of crude oil at the time was selling at $1.63. Dennis turns to Joey and says, “It’s all right Joey. We only have to sell one glass.”

If Dennis and Joey are going to sell their lemonade, it is the buyer that is going to determine the price, not the seller. No matter how much the boys want to sell their product for a dollar, it is the buyer that will determine if that price transaction happens, not the seller. We read and hear stock market commentary such as, “Prices went down because sellers dominated the

market.” Note this revelation. Sellers always “dominate” the stock market. At the beginning of every day, there are selling posts. Every day. Every market. Never in the 400-year history of the modern stock market did a single day begin with an investor saying, “That’s strange. No one wants to sell their shares this morning.”

“Selling” is the default setting for the stock market because a) you cannot take a profit until you sell, and b) you cannot turn shares back into cash until you sell.

Imagine the t-shirt manager at SM saying to his or her boss: “No sales today. Sellers dominated the market.” Why weren’t any t-shirts sold? Because there weren’t any buyers. No buyers mean no sales, and the

same is true for the stock market. If there is a long period of lack of sales, t-shirt prices are lowered until buyers come in. The same is true for the stock market.

We use the terms “Bull” for a rising market and “Bear” for falling prices. One suggestion is that those terms come from the blood sport of bull and bear fighting during Elizabethan England in the 1300s. Bulls fight by lowering their heads and charging; bears fight by standing upright and waiting for the opponent to attack. Bulls make a decision and then attack. Bears prepare and wait to see what develops. Stock market buyers and sellers do the same thing. Buyers charge in; sellers wait to be taken out.

Stock prices go down when buyers walk away. Occasionally, there will be a rush of selling when holders cannot or do not want to hang on any longer and that creates a short-term sell off. The most recent major decline in local stock prices happened from the week of February 17 to March 16, 2020, with the main PSE index down 35 percent. The close on February 21 was at 7,370. The following two weeks both saw the close at 6,800.

The week of March 9, 2020 came

and buyers started getting very worried about Covid with the PSEi opening at 6,500, hitting a low at 5,100 but managing to close at 5,800. March 16 opened at 5,550, went to a low of 4,040 but moved to 10 percent higher than the low, closing at 4,800. That was the end of the 2020 stock market collapse. Buyers came in at certain price points all through the 35 percent decline and finally started strong buying at the 4,040 low. Note this revelation also. The overwhelming majority of stock holders did not sell out on the way down. In fact, during that month, trading volumes were not significantly higher than in the previous weeks except after the bottom. This created a “selling climax” and confirmed the bottom.

Currently, buyers are becoming less and less frequent market participants. We see that in declining prices for the blue-chip issues. Are there profits to be made right now? Foolish question. You can always make money in the stock market if you know what to do.

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

Celebrating partnerships for wildlife conservation

By Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim

BAseD on fossil records and current data, scientists have determined that we are already losing a substantial number of species within a short geological period, suggesting that we may be on the verge of a sixth mass extinction. But unlike prehistoric extinctions, the dire situation we are in now, as far as species diversity is concerned, is highly avoidable.

What brought us here can be traced to the choices we, as humanity, have made throughout our history.

Now, with the wisdom of hindsight and the benefit of modern research and science and technology, we have a better appreciation of how having a harmonious co-existence with nature and other species is vital to our survival and our way of life.

A region brimming with life

W ITH the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation,” this year’s World Wildlife Day is a celebration of multi-stakeholder collaborations for the protection and conservation of the planet’s plant and animal species.

As a region as biodiverse as Asean, with over 25 percent of the world’s known plant and animal species, we really need to work together to significantly reduce the risk of extinction of these species, as they are essential to the health of ecosystems from which we derive all of our needs to survive.

The Asean region’s high species diversity and high mean country endemic proportions emphasize the region’s significance for conservation. New species members under major taxa continue to be discovered in the remaining intact natural ecosys-

tems in the region. In fact, in 2020, a global report revealed that over 200 new species were discovered in the Greater Mekong region alone. Just last year, two new hedgehog species were discovered in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines.

However, the conservation of this myriad of species remains a challenge since we are still faced with enormous threats such as poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss.

Asean’s response

THE A sean Centre for Biodiversity, together with the Asean member states, implements a number of initiatives for wildlife conservation.

These include the Asean Flyway Network that is being led by Singapore, a project that is designed to protect migratory birds and the wetlands that serve as their habitats.

The ACB also serves as the secretariat of the Asean Heritage Parks (AHP) Program, a flagship initiative of the Asean that promotes effective protected area management and the conservation and preservation of both the cultural and natural heritage of this network of outstanding PAs. To date, there are 55 AHPs in the region that have been recognized for their

biological and ecological abundance and diversity. The AHPs are being supported by various partners of the ACB such as the European Union through the “Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in Asean (BCAMP)” project; and the Federal government of Germany through the KfW by providing small and micro grants for conservation and livelihood projects for local communities within and around the AHPs. These projects support activities focusing on effective park management, law enforcement, ecotourism, habitat and species management, policy development, wildlife research and monitoring, community development, and community outreach and conservation awareness.

The Asean Green Initiative, a recognition program intended to promote the restoration and conservation of habitats by planting native species of trees, is another effort of the region to keep its wild flora and fauna in their natural environment.

Through collaboration with Japan, Asean is also enhancing the taxonomic capacity of the member states by conducting training sessions on DNA barcoding and by producing taxonomy manuals and field guides. This is the region’s effort to promote the use of technology to better comprehend our biological resources and the numerous physical and intangible benefits humans may obtain from them. Taxonomic information is also useful in identifying proper conservation measures, as well as in detecting and controlling invasive alien species.

In all of these undertakings, we recognize that no single generation should have the monopoly of the benefits we derive from our wildlife resources; thus, the Asean considers the youth as vital partners in meeting our biodiversity goals. In consonance with this, the ACB is institutionalizing its Asean Youth Biodiversity Program (AYBP), which engages the youth in the region to more actively participate in biodiversity action. Under AYBP are notable sub-programs such as the Young Asean Storytellers, where 20 talented and skilled young leaders created powerful stories of conservation from 11 Asean Heritage Parks. There is also the Young Biodiversity Leaders cohort, which provides in-depth capacity building and mentorship for youth leaders in biodiversity and increases youth participation in biodiversity governance while strengthening youth-led conservation efforts.

The region is also pushing for mainstreaming biodiversity within and across sectors such as business, tourism, agriculture, and health, among others, to ensure that conservation measures are incorporated into development processes.  Addressing illegal wildlife trade, as this year’s theme connotes, requires strong partnerships. For the ACB, we highlight the value of engaging as many sectors as possible in protecting our wildlife resources in their natural habitat, and preventing wildlife trafficking at source.

Biden bars companies from using US Chips Act cash for buybacks

By Ian King and Eric Martin

SC Chief Justice Gesmundo to maritime lawyers: ‘Serve with courage, strength, and clarity’

The

Biden administration warned

companies lining up for funding from the US Chips and Science Act that the money will come with major strings attached, including restrictions on investing in other countries and a limit on much-prized stock buybacks.

The Commerce Department released the rules Tuesday ahead of doling out $39 billion in incentives, which are aimed at helping pay for semiconductor factories in the US. Some of the biggest chip producers such as Intel Corp. had lobbied for the funding package, which passed last year, but now they’re learning the consequences and risks of taking the cash.

That includes having to return the money if projects don’t meet certain milestones or don’t get completed as planned. Companies also have to limit funding production in “countries of concern”—implicitly, China—for a decade.

“I suspect a lot of companies are going to have to work harder than they thought they would in order to receive the funding,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “We need to see the financial model for each of these projects, and we need to be confident that these projects are sustainable and financially viable and will be successful. Companies are going to have to show us why these projects wouldn’t be possible without government investment.”

The hope of the Chips and Science Act is to revitalize US chip manufacturing after decades of production shifting to Asia. But the Biden administration also sees it as an opportunity to implement some of its social policy priorities. For instance, the White House has said that companies accepting the money must require day-care activities near new manufacturing sites.

But restrictions on dividends and buybacks may be a harder pill for companies to swallow. Intel and peers such as Texas Instruments Inc. have relied heavily on such tactics to keep investors happy.

US companies aren’t the only

ones standing to benefit from the funding package. Asian chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics Co. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. are looking to expand their production in the US, and the legislation should help them on their way—assuming the hurdles aren’t seen as too onerous. In addition to showing that production plans are commercially viable, companies will need to demonstrate that plants wouldn’t be possible without public money.

Companies that get more than $150 million in direct funding will also be required to share with the US government a portion of any cash flows or returns that exceed their projections by an agreed-upon threshold.

These are some key provisions and how they might influence applicants:

National security CoMpA n I ES will have to return all the funding they receive if they “knowingly engage in any joint research or technology licensing effort with a foreign entity of concern that raises national security concerns.” They also can’t expand their manufacturing capacity in one of these “countries of concern” for 10 years beginning on the date they get the money.

China would be the biggest target of this provision. The Biden administration has sought to limit US chipmakers from exporting technology to the Asian nation. That’s caused upheaval for a semiconductor industry already coping with a slowdown in the past year.

Still, US companies such as Intel and Micron Technology Inc. will be relatively free from any burden imposed by this rule since they don’t operate advanced production sites in China. That contrasts with Asian

manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix Inc. and others. But there may still be some wiggle room. The precise definition of “significant transactions” will be provided later, Commerce officials said.

Shareholder rewards

THE rules go further than just prohibiting companies from using the funds for dividends or buybacks. The government will “require all applicants to detail their intentions with respect to stock buybacks over five years.” They’ll have to show whether they intend to limit or cease the practice, and the review process will include looking at how much companies have relied on stock repurchases in the past.

Chipmakers such as Texas Instruments have won over investors with long-term commitments to return all of their surplus cash to shareholders in the form of dividends and repurchases. ot hers, such as Intel, have long offered generous dividends— though that company has had to pare back its payout to preserve cash for its turnaround plan.

You have to need it

R A IMonDo wants applicants to explain why they need government money, rather than just why they want it. That could force deep-pocketed companies to come up with reasoning that might ultimately prove tough to sell.

While some producers of the electronic components are already reporting losses because of slumping smartphone and computer sales, others continue to report strong profitability and robust finances. Even Intel, which has been struggling, may have a harder case to make under these rules.

Chief Executive of ficer pat Gelsinger, one of the biggest industry proponents of the bill, has repeatedly said that Intel’s planned projects in Arizona and ohio will go ahead regardless of government funding. Still, the timing and scale of those efforts will depend on the level of government support, he has said, and that will likely be how he petitions for funding. Bloomberg

Dennis Gorecho

Pinoy Marino Rights

MAriTiMe lawyers play crucial roles in the Philippines because “our nation’s collective destiny, as an archipelago, is deeply tied to the sea.”

Thus said Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo during the induction of the new Board of Trustees and Executive of ficers of the Maritime Law Association of the ph ilippines (MARLAW ph) on February 22, 2023.

Chief Justice Gesmundo underscored that “the domestic shipping industry is a critical component of our economy…. And disputes even out in far seas tangibly affect the daily lives of our people here at home.”

MARLAW ph is an organization of lawyers and other professionals engaged in maritime practice that helps spur the development and advance the interests of the various stakeholders in the philippine maritime industry, as well as the maritime interests of the country.

MARLAW ph was established in 1982, which aims, among others, to maintain the highest ethical standards in the practice of maritime law.

MARLAW membership grew to cover other areas of practice like crew claims, salvage, territorial jurisdiction disputes, academe, and the public sector.

Through the years, various activities are organized to foster closer fellowship among MARLAW members and networks, by way of advocacy, education, dissemination of information and sponsorship of relevant seminars.

MARLAW has been actively involved in the campaign on the West philippines Sea (W pS) issue.

I was the 2016 MARLAW president when the five-member Arbitral Tribunal released its July 12, 2016 decision in favor of the philippines on most of its submissions. The

board then had the induction before my Up Law professor and International Criminal Court Judge Raul pangalangan.

The decision declared that China’s historic rights claims over maritime areas inside the “nine-dash line” have no lawful effect as they exceed what they are entitled to under U nCLoS There was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources in areas falling within the “ninedash line”.

The decision likewise noted that China violated the philippines’s sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by construction of artificial islands at seven features in the Spratly Islands, interfering with philippine fishing and hydrocarbon exploration, and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the philippines’s EEZ.

Chief Justice Gesmundo also thanked MARLAW for its various activities focused on issues that affect the maritime sector, such as the conduct of a webinar that helped ensure the health and safety of maritime frontliners and passengers at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

M A R L AWph is one of the coorganizers of the Boses ng Marino videoke challenge and Harana sa Inang Dagat during the annual celebration of national Seafarers Day ( nSD) and national Maritime Week ( n M W).

nSD is held during the last Sunday of September that aimed at giving due recognition to the vital role of Filipino seafarers towards the development of the philippines as a maritime country. The Stella Maris philippines was tasked to coordinate

China’s growth target, stimulus in focus for new leadership

AfTer three years of turbulence under the Covid pandemic, China’s leaders are expected to lay out economic goals to get growth back on track, restore confidence and avoid a buildup of financial risks.

Economists expect p remier Li

Keqiang—who will deliver his last government work report on Sunday when the annual national people’s Congress kicks off—to outline a target for gross domestic product growth for this year of higher than 5 percent. That’s after the economy expanded just 3 percent last year, missing the official goal by a wide margin.

The economic recovery is likely to come from a pickup in consumer spending and a return to normal for many businesses after years of Covid controls, rather than another big stimulus package. Faster growth this year may in fact prompt the central bank to move to a more neutral policy stance from its easing bias.

A strong rebound is far from certain though. There are signs that consumer spending on restaurants and travel has climbed, but export demand continues to languish and the property market remains weak.

Key to the outlook will be how fast business and consumer confidence can bounce back from very low levels.

This year’s congress also takes on an added significance as it will usher in a new set of leaders responsible for economic policy—like the premier and economic czar—who are now closely tied to president Xi Jinping. Analysts are watching for any possible policy shifts.

Here are some of the key issues to watch in the government’s work

report, scheduled for release on Sunday, March 5:

A growth target above 5 percent

THE centerpiece of the government report would be the GDp growth target, a figure that’s used by other government agencies and local authorities for their planning. of the 24 economists surveyed by Bloomberg, eight expect the government to adopt a growth target of “above 5 percent” and eight predict “around 5.5 percent.” Five of those surveyed see a lower target of “around 5 percent” and only one forecasts “above 6 percent.”

A relatively conservative target would be easily achievable and leaves room for the government to exceed the goal, considering a low base of comparison from last year. An optimistic target—of 6 percent or above—would suggest Beijing is determined to ramp up growth support, which could help lift market confidence.

The economy is forecast to expand 5.2 percent in 2023, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists, compared with just 3 percent growth last year, which was the second-slowest pace since the 1970s.

The Central Economic Work Conference in December already hinted at more business-friendly policies and a focus on reviving domestic spending and confidence this year.

“In this context, we expect the government to set reasonable and

ambitious economic targets to stabilize market expectations,” Standard Chartered plc. economists including Ding Shuang wrote in a note.

Muted monetary and fiscal stimulus

AU THoR ITIES are likely to keep monetary and fiscal policy supportive this year, while at the same time avoiding any big stimulus that could fuel inflation and debt down the road, economists said. That means the people’s Bank of China could keep banks relatively flush with cash, possibly reduce the reserve requirement ratio for banks again or make use of its structural tools to spur lending.

If the economy rebounds faster than expected, the central bank could shift tack, moving to a neutral policy stance. That would imply keeping interest rates and the RRR unchanged, as well as guiding credit and money supply growth so they trend lower and expand in line with nominal GDp Fiscal stimulus could also be scaled back.

Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expect the government to set a deficit target for the general budget at 3 percent of GDp, slightly higher than the 2.8 percent set last year.

The quota for special local government bonds, the main source of infrastructure funding, is likely to be 3.8 trillion yuan ($548 billion), a modest rise from the 3.65 trillion yuan in 2022, the survey showed. of ficials may also offer less tax breaks and rebates—which reached a record 4.2 trillion yuan in 2022— after the broad measure of fiscal deficit surged to a record 8.96 trillion yuan last year due to slowing growth, spending on Covid controls

and plunging land sale income.

Expectations for the pBoC to cut policy interest rates in the short term is declining, after the central bank gave a more positive outlook of the economy and vowed to provide “sustainable” support to growth.

“The room for policy rate cut is very slim in our view,” Citigroup Inc. economists including Yu Xiangrong wrote in a report Sunday. “Staying alert to inflation risk, the pBoC could switch to a ‘wait-and-see’ mode quickly if growth is back on track and prepare for policy normalization.”

Plans for driving consumption

Top leaders may play up any measures intended to lift consumer confidence and private investment, given the focus this year on boosting domestic demand. So far that talk has been mostly limited to broad pledges to drive demand—making any detailed plans at the npC key to look out for.

Unlike in the US and elsewhere, China has shunned stimulus checks and consumer subsidies as a way to fuel the post-pandemic economic recovery.

The government is clearly concerned about how to boost spending: Xi vowed in December to increase resident income, putting a particular focus on low- and middle-income households that have the propensity to spend but which have been greatly affected by the Covid pandemic.

While Xi cited “multiple channels” by which that income can be improved, though, he offered little in the way of specific detail.

The recovery has so far appeared uneven, with services activity picking up but spending on big-ticket

with the public and private sectors in activities related to the celebration of said event. The nSD coincides with the nMW celebrated every last week of September, spearheaded alternatively by the government agencies Maritime Industry Authority (MARInA), philippine Coast Guard (pCG), and philippine ports Authority (ppA).

The Chief Justice shared how the Court’s adoption of A.M. no. 19-0814-SC, or the Rules of p rocedure for Admiralty Cases, will enhance the administration of justice in admiralty cases, providing a fast, reliable, and efficient means of recourse to ph ilippine courts. Since the Rules took effect in 2020, 10 Regional Trial Courts nationwide have been designated as “Special Admiralty Courts”. The Rules cover civil actions filed under shipping and other related laws, rules, and regulations, while allowing international shipping norms and standards to apply. Innovations from foreign jurisdictions are introduced, such as the arrest of a vessel, cargo or freight to secure a maritime claim, and the appointment of appraisers to determine a vessel’s or cargo’s value when sold to satisfy a final judgment.

MARLAW members must continue “to serve not only those within your ranks or the industry you work with, but all those whose lives you touch…[with] courage, strength, and clarity to steer your association, the industry it serves, and the nation, through the challenges that lie ahead,” said Chief Justice Gesmundo. Atty. Carlo Ybanez is the current MARLAW president, while Atty. pedrito Faytaren and Atty. Rodney Velicaria are the Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice president, respectively.

Two other former presidents, Atty. Eugene Tan (1986-87) and Atty. Augusto Bundang (2012-13), came from our Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law firm.

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

items like cars and homes remaining weak. It may still be another month or so before the trajectory of the consumption rebound becomes clearer.

Still, many economists are betting on a pickup this year, including JpMorgan Chase & Co. economist Zhu Haibin. He projects that consumption will contribute 4.1 percentage points to GDp growth this year, compared to just one point last year.

Further support for property market

A STABLE property market will be key for China’s recovery this year, given the sector’s weight in the national economy, estimated to be anywhere from about 15 percent to 25 percent of GDp

T he nation’s leadership is expected to stress support for meeting the basic need of its citizens and improving demand for housing. Helping developers fix their balance sheets and satisfying their financing needs are also likely to be priorities.

The government is likely to discuss the need to devote more resources toward developing a rental market that addresses housing issues among migrants and young people, too.

China isn’t likely to abandon its mantra that “houses are for living in, not for speculation”—a pledge Xi has been touting for years to enforce the idea that the housing market needs to avoid bubbles and that risks need to be curbed.

Xi has called for efforts to prevent systemic risks caused by the property sector, citing the impact that those could have on economic growth, employment, fiscal income, residential wealth and financial stability.  Beijing is also likely looking for

ways to help developers smoothly transition away from a “high debt, high leverage, high turnover” model to something more sustainable.

There are tentative signs the housing market slump may be easing. Home sales by the 100 biggest real estate developers rose in February for the first time since June 2021, signaling a recovery in demand after the government boosted support for the industry.

New leaders with close ties to Xi

THE legislature is set to approve the appointments of a slew of senior officials—including the premier, vice premiers and ministers—in the final days of the npC Li Qiang, a close ally and former subordinate of Xi, is expected to succeed Li Keqiang as the premier. He Lifeng, another longtime associate of Xi who runs the economic planning agency, will likely take on Liu He’s position as the vice premier overseeing economic work.

The pBoC is expected to have new leadership as well. Veteran banker Zhu Hexin is now being considered to replace Yi Gang, who dropped from a list of senior officials at the ruling party’s congress last year. He Lifeng may be appointed to the influential position of party chief at the pBoC , the Wall Street Journal has reported. Finance Minister Liu Kun could also step down.

Authorities are also considering reviving the long-disbanded Central Financial Work Commission, which would centralize decision-making of the financial system under the top leadership of the Communist party, Bloomberg news reported last week. Bloomberg

A14 Thursday, March 2, 2023

PHASEOUT OF OLD JEEPS NOT JUNE 30–BAUTISTA

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) clarified on Wednesday that the supposed “phaseout” of old jeepneys is not slated for endJune. Instead, the deadline is for the consolidation of jeepney entities into cooperatives.

B eyond the June 30 deadline, jeepney drivers may still utilize their old vehicles to ply their routes, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a chance interview on Wednesday.

I n an apparent acknowledgement of the concerns raised by many quarters, Bautista said operations of the old vehicles cannot be stopped “if we don’t have an ample supply of modern ones,” as this would injure the interest of commuters. “ We will not implement the phaseout of the old equipment on June 30—that deadline is for the operators to consolidate as cooperatives or corporations,” he said.

O rganizing themselves as cooperatives or corporations, Bautista said, allows jeepney drivers and operators to work as a group to gain access to loans for the acquisition of modern vehicles.

“ We are not asking them to immediately buy modern equipment. What we just wanted to

see was they are working to be part of the modernization program,” he added.

T he transport chief noted that this is the “fourth time” that the government has extended the deadline for consolidation.

To recall, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) issued in December 2019 a timeline for the consolidation of franchises of land transport operators.

T he timeline specified June 2020 as the deadline for consolidation, but the pandemic forced the government to extend it to December 2020.

T he regulatory body further extended the deadline to March 2021, and ultimately decided to implement a June 30 cutoff.

T he board is also allowing the extension of provisional authorities (PAs) until December 31.

B autista noted that this can still be extended.

We can still extend that. We cannot simply stop the operations of the old vehicles if we don’t have an ample supply of modern ones. Our commuters will suffer if we will unilaterally put their operations to a stop.

That is why the implementation of the program is in different phases,” he said.

Continued on A5

DA allocates 440K MT of refined sugar imports to 3 handpicked entities

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

THE Department of Agriculture

(DA) is allocating the 440,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar imports to only three entities —All Asian Countertrade Inc., Edison Lee Marketing Corp. and Sucden Philippines Inc.—which were earlier revealed to have been “handpicked” by a high-ranking official.

I n a memorandum to Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator David John Thaddeus

P. Alba, Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban directed the issuance of clearance for release of imported sugar under Sugar Order (SO) 6.

P anganiban’s memorandum, dated February 27, stipulated that the SO 6 import volume shall be allocated to the three entities following the Memorandum issued by the Office of Executive Secretary last January 13.

T he memorandum, a copy of which was obtained by the BusinessMirror , showed that All Asian Countertrade Inc. shall import 240,000 MT, while Edison Lee Marketing Corp. and S&D Sucden Philippines Inc. shall import 100,000 MT each.

Furthermore, Panganiban said the sugar shipments consigned to All Asian Countertrade Inc. that have already arrived in the country shall be part of the importer’s 240,000-MT allocation under SO 6.

A SRA clearance is necessary to allow the entry of imported sugar to the country as it certifies that the shipments are legitimate or part of an authorized import program, which is usually done through an SO.

A n SRA clearance usually bears the initial classification of the imported stocks as well as the total import volume allocated to an importer.

However, an SRA clearance does not automatically mean the imports can be directly sold to the local market as the shipments would have to undergo the so-called reclassifica -

semiconductor exports up 6.88% to $49B–SEIPI

By Andrea E. San Juan

country produces.”

W ith this, SEIPI divulged that it continues to voice legislative and regulatory concerns in order to enhance the industry’s competitiveness and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors.

I n fact, the organization said it devoted the first quarter of the year to meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Finance (DOF) Secretaries as well as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) officials to discuss the industry’s concerns and recommendations.

A ccording to SEIPI, this was 62.27 percent of the US$78.84billion total Philippine commodity exports.

T he major organization of foreign and Filipino electronics companies in the Philippines said in a statement on Wednesday the local semiconductor industry, together with its 3 million direct and indirect workers and opportunities brought by the developments in the global industry, remains as a “significant driver” of economic growth that can support the Philippines in sustaining its growth momentum.

For 2023, SEIPI President Danilo

C. Lachica has set the export growth target for the industry at 5 percent, citing slower global demand as the reason. In 2022, SEIPI set its growth target at 10 percent.

A ccording to  an Oxford Economics report released on December 5,2022, “The semiconductor cycle has already turned and is likely to continue softening into next year. As the world’s largest producer of chips, Asia is set to bear the brunt of the hit to growth, although this unlikely to be uniform overall and will depend on the type of chips each

A mong the concerns, SEIPI revealed, are the low electronics industry foreign direct investments (FDIs), high operating costs, issues on the BOC’s X-Ray Selectivity System and implementation of the Electronic Tracking of Containerized Cargo (ETRACC) system.

M ore concerns are the appeal to adopt the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for nonmanufacturing departments, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s imposition of the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on constructive exporters and production support functions.

Moving forward, the organization said its technology-related initiatives are guided by the electronics industry roadmap called the Product and Technology Holistic Strategy (PATHS).

The roadmap includes plans to set up an IC [Integrated Circuit] Design Training Laboratory (ICDL) and a lab-scale wafer fab,” SEIPI said.

Moreover, SEIPI said its members have identified additional products and advanced technologies to include in the roadmap and have the potential to move the industry up the global value chain.  T he organization also unveiled that its Parts Localization Technical Working Group (TWG) has tapped more “local suppliers and manufacturers to enhance their capacities to supply critical materials for the electronics membercompanies.”

It stressed that the linkage aims to minimize “dependence”  on imported materials under three categories.

A fter localizing P321.3 million worth of imported parts and materials last year, SEIPI said TWG targets to locally source more items this year, focusing on chemicals, plastics, and packaging materials.

tion process of the SRA board.

I mported sugar stocks are automatically classified as “C” sugar or reserved sugar and should be reclassified by the SRA board as “B” sugar, or sugar meant to be used for domestic consumption prior to local market sale or use.

Only one import program

SRA board member Pablo Azcona, who represents the planters sector, said Panganiban’s latest memorandum clears the air that there is only one sugar import program, which is the one authorized under SO 6.

Panganiban’s press conference last week stirred confusion in the sugar industry on whether the import program he disclosed was separate from SO 6. If there were two separate sugar import programs, the total import volume would have reached nearly 900,000 MT.

For Azcona, Panganiban’s memorandum to Alba already represents the final approved allocations under the SO 6 sugar import program.

S ection 5 of SO 6 stipulated that the allocation of import volumes per importer shall be approved by the DA. The SRA board shall only recommend the allocation per eligible importer.

A zcona said the SRA board recommended about 8 to 10 accredited importers to receive allocations.

He pointed out that the number of entities allowed to import under the import program is not an issue, since the imported stocks would still have to be reclassified by the SRA board before they can be sold to the domestic market.

The farmers’ main concern is volume and re-classification into B sugar. Arrival is not a concern since the sugar is C or Reserved, and cannot be sold. It cannot be sold unless reclassified by the Sugar board,” he explained. Farmers are not traders or importers, so the only people who might complain are those who trade or those who wish to have been importing too,” he added.

House panel OKs human rights defenders bill

THE House Committee on Human Rights has  passed the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Act (HRDPA), a measure that seeks to protect the rights of Human Rights defenders—any person who, individually or in association with others, acts or seeks to act to protect, promote, or strive for the protection and realization of human rights.

House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Bienvenido “Benny” M. Abante Jr., said the objective of the measure “is to ensure that human rights defenders are able to undertake their activities freely and without fear.”

“ For them to be effective, HR defenders need to work in a safe and enabling environment, and that is

what we want to cultivate with the passage of this measure,” he said.

A mong the rights the HRDPA seeks to protect are: right to promote and protect human rights; right to form groups, associations and organizations; right to seek and receive and disseminate Information; right to communicate with non-governmental, governmental and intergovernmental organizations; right to  peacefu assembly; right to  freedom  of  movement; right  to  privacy; and right against vilification.

Per the HRDPA, the right against vilification states that “a person, individually and in association with others, has the right against any act of false labeling, red-tagging, name-calling, or malicious and fabricated accusations against him

or her of any offense, or from any other kind of vilification.”

T he HRDPA also establishes a Human Rights Defenders Protection Committee composed  of one chairperson  and  six members. The Chairperson  shall  be  selected by the Commissioners of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) from among themselves in an en banc session.

T he six  members, on the other hand, shall  be jointly nominated by two representatives  each of  the Philippine Alliance for Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Karapatan Alliance for  the  Advancement  of  People’s  Rights (Karapatan),  Free  Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), and the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL).

The aforementioned nominees

shall be appointed by the CHR in an en banc session.

“As we stressed when our friends from the EU visited, the Philippines has always been at the forefront of advancing human rights,” said the lawmaker.

“

This measure makes it clear that we stand steadfastly behind those who work to champion human rights, and shows the world that we will do what is necessary to enable human rights to flourish in our country.”

A lbay Rep. Edcel. C. Lagman, one of the authors,  said the bill provides for rights and guarantees to fully safeguard the efforts and activities of HRDs in promoting, protecting, and fulfilling human rights.

THE Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) reported on Wednesday that it recorded US$49.09 billion worth of exports in 2022, a 6.88-percent annual growth from 2021.

’22

THE CONNECTOR NLEX Corporation President and General Manager Luigi Bautista, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan inspect the first five-kilometer section of the NLEX Connector between Caloocan and España interchanges, which is scheduled for opening on March 27, according to DOTr. Now 98 percent complete, the connector is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the capital’s major roads, such as España Boulevard, Abad Santos Avenue, Rizal Avenue and Lacson Avenue. NONOY LACZA

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies

B1

Thursday, March 2, 2023

‘Mega’s new Batangas plant enhances appeal of agribiz’

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

in modern technology from outside. We have to improve the situation here." t h e Mega Manufacturing Plant was registered with the Board of investments last February 28. according to Mega Prime Foods inc. (MPFi), one of the subsidiaries of Mega Global Corp., the opening of the “state-of-the-art” Mega plant is a “testament” to MPFi’s “enduring commitment” to support the country.

Marcos said the Mega Manufacturing Plant in Batangas, which was formally opened on Wednesday, will contribute to government efforts to ensure food security and create more jobs.

“it is an example of what we in agriculture and agribusiness are hoping to demonstrate to all our investors, the ability to scale up from what can be a backyard kind of business slowly building it up to a very modern and very, very high production capacity

like we see here today,” he said in his speech during the inauguration of the manufacturing facility.

trade Secretary a lfredo E. Pascual said the new plant in Batangas will boost the country's food supply and "will cover the deficit that we have on seafoods."

Pascual said the plant, which uses modern technology, should serve as a model for other Philippine manufacturing companies.

“We should not be afraid to bring

Once fully operational, MPF i said, the manufacturing plant is expected to create over 1,000 jobs and livelihood opportunities which will “reinvigorate” the local community and further boost the economy of Batangas.

MPFi said the company invested P1 billion in the construction and development of the Mega Manufacturing Batangas Plant.

Marvin tiu Lim, Chief Growth and Development Officer of Mega Global, said its one production line of its manufacturing facility in Batangas is capable of churning out 300,000 cans per day.

“Currently we only have one line

Cebu Pacific to lease more jets

here and then we ordered another two lines coming. So we’ll beef it up to 900,000 (cans)."

He also said the company did not file a petition for a price increase. “We do not want to increase our prices as the fishing season has just started. if t he fish catch is abundant, we might not have to increase prices."

t he company is banking on its new manufacturing plant to grow sales by as much as 18 percent this year. it intends to beef up its sales team and distribution system and increase its investments in its downline operations to make their products more accessible to consumers.

Meanwhile, William t iu Lim, the new chairman of Mega Global, announced during the event that Michelle tiu Lim-Chan will take over his previous role as CEO. Prior to assuming his father's position, Chan was the company's chief operating officer.

i’m stepping down as CEO of Mega and has taken on the position of chairman. We would like our children, our younger generations, to take over.”

Vivant acquires Bulacan solar plant

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

Vivant Corp., through its energy arm vivant Energy Corp., recently acquired a 22-megawatt solar power plant and its ancillary facilities in San i ldefonso, Bulacan.

vivant Energy said it acquired San i ldefonso a lternative Energy Corp. (Si a EC), the company developing the solar power plant.

“Our investment in Si a EC is in line with our goal to increase our renewable energy portfolio to 30

percent by 2030,” said vivant President Emil a ndre M. Garcia. “We will continue to look for opportunities, not just in solar but also in other technologies as part of our thrust to support countrywide development and improve everyday living in our communities.”

t he Si a EC project is designed to generate approximately 30 gigawatt hours (GWh) every year, which translates to preventing around 18,000 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted annually. t he solar project sits on a 24.5-hectare site. v ivant is a professionally run

publicly listed holding and management company with interests in infrastructure development, mainly but not limited to various segments of the power value chain.

v i vant Energy holds publicly listed vivant Corp.’s investments in energy generation, retail electricity supply and energy-related engineering solutions in Luzon, the visayas and Mindanao. it combines emerging and existing technologies to provide "adaptable and innovative energy solutions."

t he company reported that its net income in January to September

2022 fell 24 percent to P943.28 million from the previous year's P1.23 billion on the impact of typhoon Odette and challenging macroeconomic conditions.

total revenues grew 16 percent to P4.32 billion as of end-September from P3.72 billion in 2021, driven by the fresh contribution from power generation plants in Bantayan, Cebu as well as the improved solar rooftop business of wholly owned subsidiary COREnergy.

vivant reported that the sale of power grew by 34 percent year-onyear to P3.1 billion from P2.3 billion.

BUDGEt carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) said on Wednesday it is leasing an additional five jets in 2023 to boost its capacity amid the growing demand for air travel.

in a statement attached to a disclosure, Cebu a ir inc. said these are “on top of the 10 new a irbus nEO aircraft that will be delivered in 2023 to expand the airline’s entire fleet.”

“Cebu a ir confirms an additional five aircraft will be entering its fleet in 2023 on operating leases. t hese fleet are in addition to the orders that will be delivered from its a irbus contract,” Cebu Pacific President Xander Lao said. “ t hree of the aircraft will be used to re-start the Clark base. t he two other aircraft will be used to support overall growth ambitions as CEB recovers fully from the pandemic.”

Clark is “an important gateway” for Cebu Pacific. t he carrier considers this as its third operating hub after Manila and Cebu.

i n December, Lao said the group will receive 10 n E O planes from a i rbus: Four a 3 30s, four a 321s, and three a 320s. a 3 30 neo has a

list price of roughly $296 million, $129.5 million for a 321 neo, and $110.6 million for a 320 neo. With an order of 11 aircraft for 2023, Cebu Pacific is expected to cough up as much as $2.03 billion for the new jets, based on the BusinessMirror’s estimates. a s of end-September, Cebu Pacific operates a fleet of 77 aircraft which comprises of 21 a irbus a 320 CEOs, seven a irbus a 321 CEOs, eight a irbus a 320 nEOs, 10 a irbus a 321 nEOs, six a irbus a 330 CEOs, three a 330 nEOs, eight atR 72-500s, and 14 atR 72-600 aircraft.

So far, the Gokongwei-led carrier has restored 92 percent of its pre-pandemic system-wide capacity with the continuous increase of its domestic and international routes, flying 355 flights per day on average. it now flies to 34 domestic and 19 international destinations or about 64,000 seats per day.

Lao said the carrier is expected to return to its pre-pandemic full operations by the first semester of 2023. Lorenz S. Marasigan

CHEM i C a L manufacturer

D&L industries inc. (D&L) on Wednesday said its manufacturing facility in Batangas is "spearheading a paradigm shift" in its approach towards sustainability.

COn v ERGE iC t Solutions inc. said on tuesday it signed a collaboration deal with South Korea’s K t Corp. that aims to “extend digital tools and innovations to enterprises in the Philippines and to explore new digital transformation solutions for the evolving needs of iC t customers.”

t he two companies signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the sidelines of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

a s businesses continue to move their operations online, the demand is strong for cutting-edge enterprise solutions that would enable their different business processes. t his potential partnership with K t will allow us to co-innovate and deliver advanced technologies suited for the needs of Philippine businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” Converge President and Co-Founder Maria Grace Uy said.

Both companies also plan to jointly pursue digital transformation solutions in the country, including a cloud-based video surveillance solution called video Surveillance as a Service ( vSaaS) and a transportation management technology, Mobility as a Service (MaaS), among others. Lorenz S. Marasigan

AS ransomware continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, there is a growing need for Philippinebased organizations to boost their capabilities to detect and quickly address these kinds of cyberattacks that could potentially go for as high as billions of dollars in repercussions.

in a press briefing on tuesday, Kaspersky executives highlighted that ransomware, which essentially is malware that locks a device or files and is used by bad actors for payments to unlock, has turned into a more serious threat for many organizations.

From 2020’s pressure tactic, which involves an attack on the organization’s reputation, bad actors are now using ransomware to add a new extortion mode to milk more money from their victims. Dubbed Ransomware 3.0, the new tactic is to resell the data or files hacked, conduct attacks against their victims’ customers, or use the data to conduct follow-up attacks like targeted phishing.

“Malicious actors, like the Lockbit ransomware group, invest considerable time in up-front intelligence gathering to determine who they will target, how they will target them, and the optimal timing of their attack,"

Kaspersky General Manager for

attacks more sophisticated and therefore harder to catch. Combine this with their double and now the emerging triple-extortion models, modern targeted ransomware groups are set to disrupt more enterprises in Southeast a sia if we are not equipped enough to nip them in the bud."

Fresh statistics from Kaspersky revealed that a total of 304,904 ransomware attacks eyeing businesses here have been blocked by Kaspersky’s business solutions last year. indonesia recorded the highest number of incidents foiled by Kaspersky B2B solutions at 131,779, followed by t hailand (82,438), and vietnam (57,389).

t he Philippines logged a total of 21,076 ransomware attacks; Malaysia had 11,750, and Singapore had 472.

“Our 2022 data reveals this threat will continue to be a menace for enterprises in SE a because it makes good money for cybercriminals because some business executives think ransomware is just overhyped by the media, and because enterprise security teams are actually overwhelmed and undermanned to detect and respond against it,” Yeo said.

He noted that Kaspersky has developed a new solution to help organizations combat these attacks.

“ to help the overwhelmed and undermanned enterprise security teams, we consolidated our multiple

security tools into a coherent, unified security incident detection and response platform—our Kaspersky Extended Detection and Response or XDR. t his new platform provides multi-layer protection for enterprises, as well as threat hunting capabilities for their existing Security Operations Center,” Yeo said.

Kaspersky’s XDR, he explained, is a simple-to-use multi-layered security platform in the form of solutions and cybersecurity experts' services. it uses a proactive approach of coordinating siloed security tools into a coherent, unified security threat detection and response platform.

it consolidates a large volume of alerts into a much smaller number of incidents that can be prioritized for manual investigation while providing integrated incident response options that provide sufficient context so that alerts can be resolved quickly.

t he platform also provides response options that extend beyond infrastructure control points, including network, cloud, and endpoints, to deliver comprehensive protection; and automates repetitive tasks to improve productivity.

Yeo said bad actors that utilize ransomware is now localizing the attacks and without foiling these quickly, it could turn into another WannaCry incident, which cost $4 billion in 2017. Lorenz S. Marasigan

D&L said it aims to put the Philippines on the map as a quality manufacturing hub for sustainable, natural and organic products once its new plant in Batangas starts operations in the middle of the year.

in its disclosure, the company said it is gearing up towards launching a full range of shelf-ready products for its export customers, made from coconut oil, for the personal and baby care, cosmetics and beauty care, household cleaning, health and nutrition and food and vegetable oils categories that are sustainable, natural and organic.

“D&L envisions empowering brands globally to make a meaningful shift towards high impact sustainability initiatives in the manufacturing of their products by giving them the option to buy direct from source," it said.

t he direct-from-source approach simply means converting raw materials into finished goods in the country of raw material origin, instead of going through multi-leg production stages which usually happen across different locations in the globe.

t h is naturally translates into simpler logistics, less wastage, lower costs, higher efficiency and as such, significantly cutting down the carbon footprint of the entire supply chain.

D&L’s Batangas plant is set to expand the manufacturing capabilities of the company’s food, oleochemicals and consumer products original design manufacturing (ODM)

segments. it will operate under whollyowned subsidiaries natura aeropack Corp. (naC) and D and L Premium Foods Corp. t his plant will allow the vertical integration of sourcing, formulation, packaging, original equipment manufacturing/ODM, and export capabilities, enabling D&L to offer a one-stop shop, direct from source manufacturing solutions to global brands.

“We believe that having truly sustainable operations and product offerings are the way forward.

t here’s a lot of interest in the space and consumers are demanding businesses for their fair share of efforts in preserving the only planet that we have,” naC President Dean Lao Jr. said.

“Our Batangas facility and our high impact sustainability efforts put us in a very good position to capitalize on these trends. We believe that it is the next leg of growth for the company.”

Being in a Philippine Export Zone authority (PEZ a) location, D&L’s Batangas plant is required to maintain at least half of its export revenue contribution to be able to take advantage of PEZ a tax incentives. a s such, the said facility will be focused on developing new markets.

Coconut oil continues to gain traction globally as a sustainable, natural, and organic substitute for many petroleum or palm-oil based applications.

With D&L’s vertically-integrated plant in Batangas, the company’s goal is to bring home the higher valueadded processing of coconut oil, and in the process significantly reduce the total carbon footprint of its entire supply chain. VG Cabuag

Mega global Corp.'s new manufacturing plant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas will help the government achieve its goal of increasing approved investments in the agribusiness sector by 10 percent annually, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

‘Ransomware is a growing threat for SE Asian firms’ Converge inks MOU with KT

PHL can become hub for organic products–D&L

Low credit provisions boost SECB’s income

By VG Cabuag @villygc

SECURITY Bank Corp. (PSE:

SECB) said it posted a 53-percent increase in net income to P10.6 billion in 2022, from the previous year’s P6.91 billion, driven by growth in core businesses, lower credit provisions and normalized income tax provisions.

Total revenues grew 8 percent to P39.6 billion from the previous P36.81 billion, while net interest income increased 7 percent to P29.2 billion, the lender said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Net interest margin for the full year was 4.23 percent, lower compared to 4.43 percent in 2021. Total non-interest income increased 11 percent to P10.4 billion.

“We are encouraged by the underlying growth of the economy as it reopens and rebuilds. Our strong performance for 2022 reflects the fact that [SECB] is fully engaged to support our retail, wholesale and SME clients. We will sustain that intensity for 2023 as we help clients navigate the current inflationary environment and geopolitical uncertainties,” President and CEO Sanjiv Vohra was quoted in a statement as saying.

For the fourth quarter of 2022, net income was P2 billion, down from the previous year’s P2.1 billion.

Fourth quarter revenues increased 9 percent year-on-year to P10.2 billion, boosted by non-interest income which grew 26 percent.

The growth in non-interest income was driven by foreign exchange income, profits from assets sold, and recovery on charged-off assets. Preprovision operating profit for the quarter was P3.9 billion, up 2 percent year-on-year.

The bank set aside P1.2 billion as provisions for credit and impairment losses in the fourth quarter, bringing the figure to P2.8 billion for the entire year.

Low-cost savings and demand deposits grew 10 percent year-onyear and account for 58 percent of total deposits. Time deposits grew 34 percent, while total deposits grew 16 percent to P606 billion.

Net loans increased 12 percent year-on-year to P503 billion, driven by both wholesale loans which grew 10 percent and retail loans which accelerated to 16 percent growth.

The growth in retail loans was driven by home loans, which grew 21 percent, and credit cards, which rose 34 percent.

The tenth-largest bank in terms of total assets in 2022, SECB continues to be among the country’s best capitalized private domestic universal banks. Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio was 16.1 percent and total capital adequacy ratio was 16.6 percent.

BPI Wealth holds biggest portion of Pag-IBIG portfolio

STATE-OWNED Pag-IBIG Fund (Home Development Mutual Fund) has awarded to BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp., now known as BPI Wealth, to manage an additional P1-billion investment mandate, bringing its total managed fund to P2 billion.

The award comes after a 4-month bidding process. In 2019, Pag-IBIG Fund outsourced the fund management of its P5-billion portfolio. BPI Wealth was awarded the initial bid along with four other fund managers. With the recent landmark awarding, BPI Wealth now takes control of the biggest portion of Pag-IBIG Fund’s equity investment portfolio that is outsourced to domestic fund managers.

“To be selected in the initial bid back in 2019 was an honor as this was a testament to the trust and confidence given to us by one of the largest government financial institutions in the country. We are truly grateful to be awarded this second mandate, being selected among many others who participated in the second round of bidding,” BPI Wealth President and CEO Maria Theresa D. Marcial said.

“Through this renewed partnership between Pag-IBIG Fund and BPI, we are given the opportunity to further contribute to nation-building

Salary loans hit ₧120.819B in January, BSP data bares

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

BSP data showed that the salarybased general purpose consumption loan in January was P48.495billion higher than the P72.324 billion amount recorded in January last year.

The salary-based loans accounted for 11.75 percent of the total consumer loans made in January.

It also accounted for 1.1 percent of the total outstanding loans net of reverse repurchase (RRP) place-

ments with the BSP. BSP data also showed credit card loans grew by 30.7 percent to P560.38 billion from P428.799 billion.

Total consumer loans in January reached P1.027 trillion, 20.3 percent over the P854.473 billion recorded in the same month of last year, based on BSP data.

“Likewise, consumer loans to residents grew by 20.3 percent in January from 25.1 percent (revised)

in the previous month, driven by the faster year-on-year growth in credit card loans and salary-based general purpose consumption loan,” a statement from the BSP issued last Wednesday read.

U/KB loans

THE BSP said the outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), net of RRP, in January expanded by 10.4 percent to P10.705 trillion from P9.697 trillion a year ago.

“[It] expanded at a slower pace of 10.4 percent year-on-year in January 2023 from 13.7 percent (revised) in December 2022,” it said.

“On a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, outstanding [U/ KB] loans, net of RRPs, were broadly unchanged,” it added.

The BSP said outstanding loans to residents, net of RRPs, rose by 10.2 percent year-on-year in January to P10.393 trillion from P9.43 trillion.

It grew at a slower pace than December that saw outstanding loans to

residents, net of RRPs, expanding by 13.5 percent, according to the BSP.

“Outstanding loans for production activities grew by 9.2 percent in January from 12.4 percent (revised) in December, mainly due to the lending activities of major sectors including electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply (12.7 percent); wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (10.4 percent); manufacturing (10.3 percent); information and communication (21.4 percent); and real estate activities (3.5 percent),” the BSP said.

The BSP said the outstanding loans to non-residents expanded by 16.8 percent in January to P312.203 billion from P267.252 billion.

“Brisk credit growth and adequate liquidity will continue to sustain the momentum of economic growth. Looking ahead, the BSP will ensure that liquidity and lending conditions remain in line with its primary mandate of ensuring price and financial stability,” the BSP added.

AIA gets regulator’s nod to acquire Medicard PHL

AIA Philippines and General Insurance Co. Inc. (AIA PHL) announced last Wednesday it has finally acquired Medicard Philippines Inc. after securing all the necessary regulatory approvals from the government.

by growing the funds that enable Filipinos to live their dreams of having their own homes,” Marcial said.

The investment mandate by Pag-IBIG Fund is a pure Philippine equity portfolio. This bodes well for the agency as BPI Wealth positions to seize opportunities in the equity markets as the domestic economy sustains recovery post pandemic.

“The partnership between BPI and Pag-IBIG goes way back. We have experienced first-hand their passion for delivering excellent fund management, and we have full trust and confidence that they will help us realize our vision of inclusive growth for every Filipino. We are excited to continue to benefit from their expertise,” Robert John S. Cosico, deputy CEO for Support Services Cluster of Pag-IBIG Fund, said.

Earlier this month, Pag-IBIG Fund reported a record-high release of P117.85 billion in home loans to finance the housing units of 105,212 members in 2022, up by 21 percent from P97.28 billion released in 2021.

BPI Wealth, meanwhile, reported P875 billion in assets under management as of end 2022, making it the largest standalone trust corporation in the Philippines.

BPI Wealth is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of the Philippine Islands authorized to engage in trust and other fiduciary services. VG Cabuag

A statement issued by the insurer said the firm received a green-light from the Insurance Commission (IC) to acquire Medicard.

AIA Group Ltd. announced last September it has agreed to acquire 100 percent of the shares in health maintenance organization (HMO) MediCard. A statement on its website said Nicanor S. Montoya will continue to lead MediCard as CEO following the transaction, “which is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.”

The firm’s acquisition of the HMO

was approved by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) last December. The PCC said it decided that the takeover “will not likely result in substantial lessening of competition in the markets for individual and group health or medical coverage.” (Related story: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/01/06/ pcc-okays-medicard-acquisitionby-aia/)

“With AIA PHL and MediCard coming together, we will be in the best position to capture opportunities that will help us remain the leading brand that addresses the protection, long-term savings, and healthcare needs of Filipinos,” AIA PHL CEO Kelvin Ang was quoted in the statement as saying.

“This will go a long way towards the fulfillment of our purpose of helping more people live healthier,

longer, better lives,” Ang added.

‘Further expand’ MONTOYA was quoted in the same statement as saying the company will now be able to “further expand” its “propositions” following the acquisition.

“We are excited at the work ahead as part of AIA PHL, where we will be able to further expand our propositions, allowing us to address the ever growing needs of our customers. Filipinos can expect MediCard to provide broader, more efficient and more effective health coverage and care services in the future,” Montoya said.

Medicard is the third-largest HMO in the country as it held a 16.93-percent market share in 2021, lagging behind Maxicare HealthCare Corp. (36.29 percent) and Asalus Inc.

PSBank income hits record high in 2022

PHILIPPINE Savings Bank (PSBank), the thrift banking arm of the Metrobank Group, reported a record-high net income of P3.68 billion last year, more than double compared to P1.54 billion in the previous year.

The country’s largest thrift bank in terms of total assets said its performance is attributed to higher loan demand, better asset quality, increase in noninterest revenues and prudent expense management. Total revenues reached P15.02 billion, which include fees, commissions and other income amounting to Php 3.97 billion, higher by 34 percent year-on-year.

“Aside from a recovering economy which resulted in rising consumer loan demand, our financial performance last

year clearly is a reflection of our strategic resolve to consistently be customer-focused, and enable the power of technology to increase productivity and efficiency,” PSBank president Jose Vicente L. Alde was quoted in a statement as saying.

“We have a strong and retooled workforce which demonstrated how organizational flexibility can be a key differentiator in a volatile business environment. Even as we continuously make our digital services robust and reliable, our core service principle remains the same: always make it simple and effortless for our customers,” Alde said.

PSBank said its sustained efforts in productivity, process efficiency and automation has kept operating expenses under control, increasing by 2 percent

from the previous year and flat compared to the pre-pandemic level in 2019.

The bank saw a significant drop in credit provisions by 57 percent versus the same period last year due to improved asset quality complemented by efficient collection and recovery efforts. Gross non-performing loans ratio decreased to to 3.5 percent in December 2022 from 6.1 percent in the previous year.

Total assets reached P264.42 billion while total deposits were at P213.77 billion. Total capital was higher by 6 percent at P37.14 billion. The bank said its total capital adequacy ratio and tier 1 capital ratio also improved to 24.8 percent and 24 percent, respectively, both exceeding the regulatory requirements set by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. VG Cabuag

Review of drivers’ repayment of PUV modernization loan urged

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

REVIEW the business plan, but first hold the June 30 deadline for the jeepney modernization program. This was one solon’s suggested course of action a day after senators adopted a resolution urging the Executive to step back from its arbitrary deadline, which has raised concern for its impact on thousands of transport workers and disruptions for millions of commuters and national productivity.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said that while he supported the prepandemic blueprint for the multiphase program to phase out postwar jeepneys and replace them with modern units that use clean energy, so much has happened since then, especially with Covid-19 and Rus-

sia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“In 2017, the business plan was for modernization, with drivers being given equity and the balance of the bank loans to be repaid by them over time,” Gatchalian said mostly in Filipino.

At that time, he recalled in a radio interview, petroleum prices were “more or less at P20 per liter; P30 would be a high figure already.”

Now, however diesel is at P60 to P70 per liter. That means, the senator added, the driver has lost a huge chunk of his take-home funds, “almost half was lost,” rendering him incapable of repaying the huge loan under the modernization program.

Worst-hit sector

PUBLIC utility vehicle (PUV) drivers were among the worst-hit sector in the pandemic owing to the long,

extended lockdowns. Many permanently lost their livelihood. Those who survived the pandemic economically are still struggling to recover.

“More than half lost [their takehome] so hindi na nila mababayaran ang utang dahil lumiit yung kanilang take-home pay [they can no longer repay the loan because their takehome pay has shrunk].”

Thus, Gatchalian said, mostly in Filipino, “the point now is to review well the modernization program because times have changed; the situation is drastically altered.”

The senator said he “definitely” favors suspending the deadline while oil prices remain high and the Russian-Ukraine war continues to impact much of the global economy.

Meantime, he concedes, though, that “there are good results from modernization; first, the environ-

ment gets cleaner because of the use of Euro 4. Even better would be transitioning to electric vehicles so that the effects of a much cleaner environment are felt,” he added.

Moreover, he noted that the modern jeep “is bigger, can take 40 people to 50 people; thus, more sufficient in terms of passenger capacity.”

Suspend deadline

ASKED how long he thinks the suspension should be, Gatchalian replied, “while the Ukraine war, the Russian invasion is there, let’s suspend first since drivers won’t be able to pay back the loans anyway. Their arrears will pile up, penalties also;” thus, plunging them deeper into poverty.

On Tuesday, when senators were discussing Sen. Grace Poe’s proposed resolution (later adopted)

asking the Executive to suspend the June 30 deadline, several senators had noted that the impact of a forced modernization on an unprepared sector and government would put more people in poverty, thus violating a key commitment to the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Moreover, Gatchalian said that with the current fiscal deficit, the government itself would be hard put to raise funds for the subsidy. It had promised to defray by P160,000 the equity requirement of those availing of loans under the program—a measly amount for each borrower, given the P2-million-and-up going rate for modern jeepneys. But, taken collectively, the meager subsidy also impacts government’s fiscal balance substantially, the senator said.

(Intellicare) at 26.12 percent.

MediCard has over 920,000 members and has a medical service network of more than a thousand partner hospitals and clinics. It also has 26 MediCard-owned clinics located in key cities nationwide, the statement from AIA PHL read.

Meanwhile, AIA PHL, formerly AIA Philam Life (The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Co.), is the country’s tenth-largest life insurance company in terms of premium income as of December 31, 2021, according to the IC. AIA PHL said in a statement last September it has P276.73 billion in total assets and P72.21 billion in net worth as of December 31, 2021 while serving almost 800,000 individual policyholders and nearly 800,000 insured group members.

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Citi names Favila as PHL CEO

Favila CREDIT: CITIgRoup InC

CITIGROUP Inc. announced last March 1 it has appointed Paul Raymond Favila, a 29-year veteran of the foreign bank as new Citi Philippines CEO and Country Officer subject to regulatory confirmation.

Favila replaces Aftab Ahmed who was appointed Citi Taiwan CEO this January.

Favila is currently Head of Markets, in charge of Citi’s FX, Rates, Commodities and Structured Solutions businesses in the Philippines and Country Treasurer. He joined Citibank in 1993 as assistant portfolio manager for Citibank Global Asset Management. He then assumed various roles in Citi Markets ranging from fixed income sales, equity derivatives sales and structuring and FXLM (foreign exchange and local markets) Trading. Prior to assuming responsibility for Citibank Manila’s trading business in 2004, he was part of the first batch of the Citibank Asian Tiger Program. As part of the program, Paul spent time in the Singapore hub and Malaysia dealing rooms, before heading back to Manila to assume leadership of the trading business which he ran for 10 years up to 2014. He had responsibility for the country’s Securities Services business up until 2021.

THE amount of money borrowed by Filipinos through salary-based loans in January rose by 60 percent on an annual basis to P120.819 billion, latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed.

Health& Fitness

Pioneering micro lending app to help finance health care launched

By Roderick L. Abad Contributor

SURESERV,

“Looking at the health-care situation in the Philippines, we’ve noticed some pain points. So we’d liked to cover three of the major problematic areas in health care,” SureServ Chief e x ecutive Officer and Founder Johnny Bondoc said during their exclusive media kickoff event held recently in Quezon City. In relation to clinic services, he cited that only around 6 percent of Filipinos are covered by health maintenance organization ( h M O) insurance. For the rest of those not covered by h M Os, they think that health services and tests are luxuries they simply cannot afford.

“So this has led to the mindset that even if a doctor has prescribed a test, our kababayans  will not undergo the test even if the test will detect some of the bad health conditions they suffer from. That’s because they do not have the means to pay for it,” he said.

Prescription medicines

ANOT h e R c hallenge that SureServ seeks to address is the inability of 99 percent of the population to purchase the complete set of prescription medicines due to budget unavailability, based on a report by the D epartment of h e alth in September 2019.

e v entually, this has led to the “tingi” purchase of medicines, where those who have limited budget or no means at all are forced to buy only two to three days’ worth of antibiotics, rather than a supply good for seven to 14 days as the doctors prescribed.

“This results in even bigger, more serious problems. One of which is the emergence of antibiotics resistant pathogens, b acteria that are resistant to antibiotics,” Bondoc explained.

The low completion rate of the vaccination program for the newborns is also w hat the company wants to solve. A 2017

study done by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) shows that out of two million babies given birth annually, only five percent or about 107,000 are able to get all the 24 vaccine shots prescribed or recommended by the Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc.

“Thankfully, they have the LGUs [local government units] to provide support to give the five major vaccine shots. But still the gap exists even among the workingclass who are supposed to be comfortable and capable of providing all these vaccines,” he said.

But if the working-class accounts for 50 percent of our population, there stands to reason that around 50 percent of babies should be able to get all the vaccine shots prescribed. But sadly that’s not the case [per the GSK research],” he added.

Turning the other side of the picture, SureServ also observed that the financial services sector is not exactly in the best state as well since 40 percent of the population have no physical access to banks, 7 5 percent without bank accounts outside of their payroll, and 90 percent to 95 percent sans credit card.

I n a 2019 financial service study sponsored by Union Bank together with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, 54 percent of Filipinos’ borrowing are still being done through informal channels and lenders, families, friends, and the so-called 5-6 to make both ends meet and survive. Fortyeight percent of them are saying that it’s just too difficult to apply for a loan through formal channels, with 60 percent agree that the documentary requirements are the most difficult to comply with.

“So with not much choice, we have a scenario where oppressive interest rates further oppress the oppressed, and the oppressive interest rates oppress them even more,” Bondoc pointed out. “Putting these two realities side-by-side—the

he alth-care situation on one hand, and the financial services sector on the other hand—we have a scenario where the F ilipino working-class is not able to fully avail of all the health-care services that they need and to fulfill all the healthcare needs. Sure, they’re hard working, t hey’re very deserving, but it’s just beyond their reach.”

Mobile microfinance solution for health care

SINC e its conception in 2019 up to its proven application when the pandemic hit in 2020, SureServ has been finally introduced as a revolutionary microfinance m obile app for the health care.

“I believe we’ve come up with something special—one that’s potentially a g ame-changing solution to the healthcare and financial service issues confronting our kababayans today,” he said.

T his app initially focuses on corporate accounts or the employees coming from manpower agencies, manufacturing companies, and business process outsourcing f irms who are mostly exposed to various health risks. They can use the health-care credit line that starts from P3,000 up to P8,000 to cover vaccines and doctors’ fees, clinic and hospital services, and pharmacy or drugstore purchases. e v ery 15th day, the members are required to pay at least P300 through salary deduction. The credit is revolving, such that e very amount paid is added to the available balance. A 2.5-percent interest rate i s applied every cutoff.

“We want to help them the most to have a fighting chance to get their health-

care needs and comfort. For purposes of progressing gradually and taking all of we can handle, then at this point, we really want to focus on corporate accounts—the employees—those who have the capacity to repay obligations,” he said while reiterating their willingness to also cater it to t he open market to accommodate workers from other industries. “But by no means is it exclusive. We welcome any and all of the corporate accounts who desire to endorse their employees to become SureServ members.”

Accredited partners

CURR e N TLY, SureServ has 100 accredited doctors, four clinic- and diagnostic l aboratory-partners, one hospital-partner, and four online and brick-and-mortar ph armacy-partners. The company now has 47 service contracts with corporate merchants, covering 28,000 employees.

Seeing a lot of opportunities in the market, Bondoc told the BusinessMirror i n a sideline interview that they are still looking at growth areas in terms of their merchant-partners and members. By end of this year, he said that they are aiming to have 500 to 1,000 accredited doctors and 30,000 active members.

“Of course, it can be 50,000 or 100,000 because our long-term goal is to have a million users in five years. But if we can bring it earlier why not?” he stressed.

“We’ve certainly taken steps. At least, it’s not just a possibility anymore. It’s not ‘what if,’ or in the area of wondering. It’s already operational. It’s a reality. It’s actually an ongoing app that’s already serviceable.”

Doctors warn hypertension can be deadly, may show no symptoms

By Candy P. Dalizon

Most people look for warning signs of high blood pressure or hypertension like headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds.

Cardiologists however warn the public not to wait for symptoms because hypertension, considered as a silent killer, often does not present symptoms. And when it does, the condition may have already reached a severe or life-threatening stage. For this reason, it is important that blood pressure is measured regularly.

Meron tayong fake news and facts about hypertension. Fake news—hypertension is always headache plus or minus nape pain or sakit sa batok . Fact is maraming hypertensives na walang symptoms. Hinde nila alam hypertensive na pala sila kaya po tinatawag na silent killer. Paano po malalaman na may high blood pressure? Kelangan po magpa check ng BP. Huwag po mag rely sa symptoms [We have fake news and facts about hypertension. Fake news—hypertension is always headache plus or minus nape pain. Fact is many hypertensives have no symptoms. t h ey don’t know they are hypertensive, that is why it is called a silent killer. How do you know that you have a high blood pressure? Get a blood pressure check and don’t just rely on symptoms.],” said Dr. Jude Erric Cinco, Cardiologist-Intensivist at t h e Medical City ( t M C) and Assistant Professor at Ateneo s c hool of Medicine and Public Health (A s MP H).

Normal range

DR s . C inco and Albert Hans Bautista, a specialist in Advanced Echocardiography and in Vascular Cardiology, talked about hypertension during a virtual lay forum dubbed “Heart Essentials”

held last week in celebration of Heart Month at t h e Medical City o r tigas. t h e forum also tackled healthy heart tips and decoding diagnostics or the work-up for the cardiovascular system.

Dr. Cinco reiterated that blood pressure numbers of less than 120/80 mm Hg are considered within the normal range. Borderline blood pressure is when readings consistently range from 120-139 systolic and 80-89 mm Hg diastolic. Hypertension is defined as blood pressure that consistently ranges at 140/90 mm Hg or higher. At this stage, cardiologists are likely to prescribe a combination of blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes.

Dr. Bautista explained that a single reading of high blood pressure does not necessarily mean hypertension, citing factors like stress and diet.

If one has a high reading, the doctor will want to see if it stays high over time or three or more times in a week before diagnosing high blood pressure. t his makes regular blood pressure check or BP monitoring very important.

Both doctors stressed that untreated high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, heart failure, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and diabetes.

“As far as high blood is concerned, ang organ na pinaka naaapektuhan ay ang puso [the organ most affected is the heart],” said Dr. Bautista.

“Number one reaction ng puso sa high blood is heart enlargement or what we call Left Ventricular Hypertrophy or LVH. Pag lumaki ang puso you have the risk of having a heart attack with four times the risk of dying. Wag pababayaang laging mataas ang BP ninyo [Number one reaction of the heart to high blood is heart enlargement or what we call left ventricular hypertrophy or LVH. When the heart enlarges, you have the risk of having a heart attack with four times the risk

of dying. Do not let your BP get too high or stay high for a long time],” he added.

Untreated hypertension

DR. BAU t I s tA a lso said that with uncontrolled or untreated hypertension, the patient is also six times more likely to develop heart failure and seven times more likely to develop stroke.

“If you have diabetes or high blood sugar, you have a 70 percent chance of developing hypertension in five years. Diabetes with high blood pressure can destroy blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, heart, and nerves,” he added.

to d iagnose high blood pressure, the doctor will check the patient’s BP (using a cuff, usually placed around the arm) and ask questions about signs and symptoms, lifestyle, family and medical history.

t h e doctor may also order other tests such as blood test, urine test, cholesterol test, Electrocardiogram (ECG), treadmill stress test, 2D Echo, and coronary angiogram to check for the cause and for more signs of heart disease.

tr eatment and lifestyle changes can help control high blood pressure to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.

Quick guide to a healthy heart

HIGH blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death in the Philippines. t h e good news is high blood pressure can be prevented or reduced and treated through early diagnosis and heart-healthy lifestyle changes.

Dr. Cinco said it is important to stop smoking. If one does not smoke, do not start.

“ s m oking has 100 percent harm and zero benefit.” s t ick to a healthy diet. to h elp manage blood

pressure, avoid fast food, limit the amount of sodium (salt) and increase the amount of potassium in your diet.

“If you want to research about healthy diet, you can check the Mediterranean diet and o k inawan diet,” said Dr. Cinco.

Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure. Dr. Cinco said the exercise target is usually 10,000 steps in a day or 150 minutes of exercise or more a week.

PHA’s 52100

DR. CINC o who is the current president of the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), likewise shared PHA’s “Let’s do 52100 daily” movement or five servings of vegetables and fruits, two grams sodium or less than one teaspoon of salt, one hour of exercise, zero smoking, and zero sugary drinks. t h e Heart Essentials virtual lay forum was part of t M C Cardiovascular Institute’s week-long celebration of Heart Week 2023 with the theme t he Heart in s y nchrony: Multidisciplinary Care for the Cardiac Patient.”

Among the other activities were Basic Life s u pport tr aining for the Lay conducted on February 23, 2023 in Brgy. s an A ntonio, Pasig City; CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) tr aining and AED (automated external defibrillator) Awareness at the foyer of t M C o r tigas; free BP taking at the t M C lobby, and the Iron Heart competition. In the Iron Heart Competition, employees, medical trainees, and consultants compete via a stress test to promote and spread awareness on overall heart health. t he competitions were held on February 10, 17, and 24, 2023.

to i nquire about the services of t M C Cardiovascular Institute, call 8999-1000/ 8988-7000 ext. 6314.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

The Philippines, to date, still has one of the fastest growing number of hu man Immunodeficiency Virus or h I V cases in the Asia Pacific region.

As of November 2022, epidemiology data shows that there is an average of 42 h I V cases per day in the country.

The Department of h e alth (DO h ) t hrough its h e althy Pilipinas campaign commemorated its partnership with the “FR e e TO B e U” campaign through the Festival of Luv promoting healthy behaviors to protect Filipinos from the hu man Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS at a Pop-Up in Katipunan, Quezon City recently.

People living with h I V (PL h I V) need accessible and regular h I V preventive and treatment services to ensure that they live a healthy life by being “U e q uals U” or Undetectable e q uals Untransmittable.

Mix of fun, informative activities

T h e Festival of Luv aims to make health literacy fun and sexy, and aims to feature a mix of fun and informative activities through concessionaire setups and performances from the winners of Drag Den and Drag Race Philippines.

The local government of Quezon City likewise provided h I V testing, counseling for h I V, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (Pre P).

Similarly, a forum was also held by medical experts, advocates, and key resource persons who shared the latest updates, efforts, and pieces of advice to control the h I V epidemic in the country as well as for their journey towards being U e q uals U.

“We are thankful to the DO h for showing their strong support for PL h I V by partnering with the FR e e TO B e U campaign during this event. The inclusion of Free to Be U in DO h s comprehensive health education campaign h e althy Pilipinas is a major milestone that brings the country closer to the global goal of ending the h I V/AIDS epidemic by 2030,” said Teresita Marie Bagasao, Project Director of e p iC Philippines.

The “FR e e TO B e U” campaign, which was launched by e p iC Philippines in 2022, seeks to empower PL h I V to break free from labels and be free to enjoy life and love by providing information about available h I V prevention and treatment services, building up safe spaces and communities, and working with organizations and advocates from the PL h I V community in order to reduce stigma and promote free h I V services.

Global project

ePI C P hilippines, as part of a global project dedicated to achieving h I V epidemic control, is supported by the United States President’s e m ergency Plan for AIDS Relief (P e P FAR) and the United States Agency for International Development.

“With this campaign partnership we call #FreeToBeU para sa isang # h e althyPilipinas, we hope to reach more members of the PL h I V community and those who may need protection from contracting the virus and provide them with the necessary education and resources to lead healthy and full lives,” Bagasao shared.

“The DO h is an essential partner in our efforts to strengthen h I V service delivery in the country, which includes distributing the United States-donated h I V preventive three drugs Pre P a nd h I V viral load cartridges to the various government and community facilities throughout the country,” she added.

“FR e e TO B e U” is also part of the h e althy Pilipinas campaign which focuses on the seven priority areas of the h e alth Promotion Framework Strategy that includes sexual and reproductive health. Thanks to this partnership, we can encourage others by sharing the stories of people who have accessed free h I V services—services that empower them to live free from fear, free from stigma, and free to be themselves. “ Sa kampanyang ito, sama sama nating sabihin sa lahat na ikaw ay ‘FR e e TO B e U para sa isang h e althy Pilipinas!” said Director Rodley Desmond Carza of the DO h h e alth Promotion Bureau.

Joint effort

FOR her part DOh officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that we must all work together not just to implement the strategies and interventions, but to ensure that our PL h I Vs and other key populations—are able to access h I V services without difficulty or stigma.

“Beyond this, we must join our efforts to address the systemic and socioeconomic barriers that prevent our fellow Filipinos from leading healthy, productive lives free from the impacts of h I V—Only through collective action will we be able to end the h I V epidemic in the country,” expressed Vergeire.

For more information about the “Free TO B e U” Campaign visit our socials at Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @FreeToBeUP h

the first and only closed loop microfinance mobile app, has been launched to make health care accessible to more Filipinos, especially those who belong in the working-class sector.

HIV cases in PHL still growing at a fast rate; campaign launched to raise awareness

A family love and laughter ‘play list’: Infant edition

New pareNts’ fiNaNces Need NurturiNg, too

By Sara Rathner | NerdWallet

WHEN you’re caring for a newborn, it can be hard enough to carve out time to shower, let alone stay on top of money tasks. In the fog of sleep deprivation, you may miss a bill payment or impulse-buy random things online to help with infant care. Suddenly, your credit scores are down and your budget is stretched. Planning for the baby itself—the name ideas, the nursery themes—is certainly more adorable than developing a system to make sure you remember to open the mail, but the last thing you’ll want to do is leave money management up to chance when your baby arrives.

Here are ways to start financially nesting.

KNOCK OUT IMPORTANT TASKS

TAKE advantage of the pre-baby months to make some big decisions, including:

n Health insurance for the baby: Giving birth or adopting a child is considered a "qualifying life event" as far as health insurance coverage goes. That means you won't have to wait for open enrollment to add your child to your plan, but you'll have only a limited amount of time—about one or two months—after the birth or adoption to do so . Check your insurance plan's rules to know what your deadline would be. If you and your partner have separate plans, compare costs and decide who will take the baby on as a dependent.

n Estate planning: Talk to an estate attorney about drafting a will, selecting a power of attorney and health care proxy, and establishing a trust for your child if appropriate for your situation. "If something were to happen to one of you or both of you at the same time, it would just create a myriad of problems for your child," says Paul Sydlansky, founder and senior adviser at Lake Road Advisors in Corning, New York.

n Life insurance: A life insurance policy can provide vital funding for your family if something were to happen to you, your partner or both of you.

YOUR BUDGET BABY-READY

GET

FROM smaller ongoing purchases like diapers and formula to massive costs like child care, those baby expenses are going to add up. If you’re taking unpaid parental leave or one parent is leaving their job to handle caretaking full time, the money coming in is going to change dramatically. Start by identifying cuts you can make or bills you can renegotiate to bring down costs. If you have credit card debt and there’s room in your budget to pay it down aggressively, that can free up more money for necessities later. Begin to price out expected ongoing baby expenses, like the monthly cost of day care, so you can get a general sense of how your spending will change.

Next, automate bill payments for recurring costs, like credit cards, utilities and mortgage payments. If you rent your home and normally mail a check to your landlord, use your bank’s bill-pay feature so it’ll send checks on your behalf. Set up whatever you can in advance so these services will continue without interruption and late fees.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

DON’T neglect to make room in your budget for unexpected costs. Emily Rassam, a senior financial planner at Archer Investment Management in Charlotte, North Carolina, found herself spending more on self-care than she planned. “My interest level in grocery shopping and cooking plummeted during pregnancy,” she says. That meant more of her food budget went toward restaurants and takeout.

Rassam also recommends confirming child-birth expenses with your insurance company in advance. She learned, for example, that the hospital she planned to deliver at was in her insurance network but the anesthesiologist wasn’t. In that situation, getting an epidural would cost more than anticipated.

TAP INTO YOUR VILLAGE

YOUR loved ones aren’t just great sources of handme-downs, advice and free babysitting. They can also help with financial tasks, whether that’s checking in with you about your money goals or even reminding you of payment due dates. Lori Gross, a financial and investment adviser at Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio, says neighbors have the same deadlines for costs like property taxes and utilities, so ask them to text a reminder when they pay their bill so you don’t forget. “Family and friends are very good about helping out with those things, but a lot of parents hesitate to ask for help,” Gross says. “They don’t think they’re going to need it.” AP

LAST week, I continued with my perspective on the importance of and how to grow family love and laughter. My most important takeaway in raising our 16- and 13-year-old children is that building happy family memories since they were infants and toddlers paved the way for their emotional resilience today. I shared our various routine activities and adventures that I feel have gradually built the pillars of reference points for my children when they encounter difficulties in life. In the next coming weeks, I will share more agespecific tools and activities. This week, I will focus on parents with infants.

I remember after giving birth to my first baby, my main concern was how to produce enough milk for her. This meant me pumping every two hours over some weeks. Because I also knew I was going to be in business trips after my maternity leave, I also wanted to pump extra to be able to store enough milk. Since my whole day seemed to revolve around bathing, feeding and letting my baby sleep, I was trying to find a simpler way to inject developmental musts that I’d read. The SEL or Socio-Emotional Learning of my child has always been important for me. For my infant, my SEL goal was warmth, security and sensory development.

A “one solution” that I found for my infant was establishing routines while injecting play. According to Whattoexpect.com: “Routines are reassuring to babies and reinforce natural circadian rhythms, signaling that it’s time to go to sleep. A good baby bedtime routine might include a feeding with cuddles, bath, book, massage and lullaby. Abbreviate that routine (include just a book or a lullaby, for example) before naptime.” It also says that “babies feel comforted by the additional structure and rhythm of a rough daytime schedule, including the same waking time, nap times, feeding times and play times. A daytime routine can even make bedtime go smoother.”

According to the article “How Sensory Play Can Help Your Baby’s Brain Development” by Jackie Edwards: “Experts say that sensory play is important because play experiences, combined with the five senses, help build cognitive skills. Moreover, sensory play is the foundation of all the skills that your child will learn in school such as reading, writing, and

solving math problems. Cognitive skills such as math skills begin to develop once your baby recognizes patterns. Meanwhile, science and technology skills develop once your child learns to observe and experiment with the things around him.” I observed how doing sensory development exercises, religiously for a year, resulted to my kids being more receptive to new knowledge. Moreover, it allowed me to also know my child’s personality and learning “style”. This was especially helpful when my children reached school age.

Below are some of the “Simplifying Parenting” ways of how I incorporated my breastfeeding, hygiene and play time into a healthy routine that I believe started my children’s loving and laugh-filled learning journey:

n MORNING. After bathing, I felt that my baby was most alert, and I loved to sit with my baby under my nape or near my armpit, and I read a specific book. Then I would lay her on our bed and do some sensory exercises. My favorite was using musical toys or rattles that I would shake near each ear and see how she would turn her head toward the sound. I also loved how my baby’s eyes widened when I let her smell her baby shampoo or body wash. Then tummy

MakatiMed, uc davis cancer center partner for second-opinion consultations

tHe cancer specialty center of Makati Medical center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph) has partnered with uc davis comprehensive cancer center to offer patients and their families the option to seek second opinion consultations at this california-based leading cancer care facility. with this partnership, patients can now request a written opinion from or a 30-minute to 1-hour multidisciplinary consultation via video conference with experts from uc davis, designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National cancer institute (Nci), the top cancer organization in the us there are only 52 other comprehensive cancer centers in the us, proving the hospital’s highest standards and achievements in cancer research, outreach and education.

as an Nci-designated comprehensive cancer center, uc davis patients can get access to leading-edge treatments, including development of personalized therapies based on the unique molecular characteristics of individual patient tumors. they can also opt to participate in clinical trials in early phases

of drug development.

the partnership with uc davis comprehensive cancer center is an integral part of MakatiMed cancer specialty center’s multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment and management, which aims to give patients and their loved ones a strong support system by involving a team of medical experts from different fields working together for a single goal.

collaborating with a respected institution like the uc davis comprehensive cancer center is a testament to MakatiMed’s dedication and commitment to provide our patients with the best possible treatment and outcome against cancer,” says saturnino p. Javier, Md, MakatiMed’s Medical director.

“giving them access to uc davis experts for second opinion consultations can help them better understand their cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and perhaps allow them to evaluate and explore other treatment options that are available to improve their condition.”

time would be next. When my baby was able to sit on my lap or sit on her own, our favorite toy was wooden stacking blocks.

n AFTERNOON. I used breastfeeding as a time to relax, and introduce my voice to my baby. I would play soothing classical music or audio books. Other times I would talk or sing to my baby. After feeding, I would do an “around the house” time where I would bring my baby around the house and point to the basic objects in a certain room. I would start with her room and point out five familiar things like her crib, blanket, bed, or baby bottle. After a month, I would change some things in the room and point out another five different things. I also did a song game where I would sing a rhyme like “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and we would shake the rattle every time the word “lamb” was mentioned.

n EVENING. Sleep time is very important for infants so our evening ritual was “sacred”. It started with a nice bath time with a light massage on her feet. Then I would carry her to close the curtains and dim the lights. I read her a book, usually an SEL type of book about family love. Then I would play her constant classical music lullabies while rocking her to sleep in our rocking chair. n

gustatory must-try for the Lenten season

THE home of deliciously healthy offerings, Kenny Rogers Roasters is serving yet another delightful and filling meal for families with its new Grilled Salmon, the latest addition to its Fish Collection Menu now available in stores and for delivery (via GrabFood, Foodpanda or www.kennyrogersdelivery. com.ph).

In time for the Lenten season, this deliciously healthy dish is made with a special marinade with hints of lemon and garlic—a perfect salty-sweet complement to the rich salmon fillet with a garnish of lemon pepper bits.

PHOTO BY ZACH LUCERO ON UNSPLASH

ATI, Iris Lines launch historic inter-Asia trade link via Manila South Harbor

Looking for a venue for meaningful meetings in Cebu? Try Quest Hotel and Conference Center

DESIGNED for modern-day business travelers and executives, Quest Hotel and Conference Center - Cebu has designed its meetings and event packages to be more intentional and meaningful with memorable settings, thoughtful amenities with a nod to a more sustainable setup, and delectable food selection to fuel creative ideas, boost energy, and enhance focus.

The hotel answers the quest of many organizations searching for the right venue to conduct meetings and corporate functions of varying sizes and requirements. Quest Hotel & Conference Center - Cebu boasts of 10 meeting and function rooms all equipped with modern-day facilities to provide both organizers and delegates with seamless and hassle-free events.

With the hotel’s commitment to switch to a more sustainable operation, meetings and events now use re-fillable glass bottles, reducing single-plastic and PET bottle waste. Organizers, on the other hand, will have more opportunities to customize and personalize food choices with a create your own menu option. Dietary restrictions are addressed while food waste is minimized by making sure everyone’s preference and favorites are what’s served.

FASTER and smarter trade

connectivity options continue to expand through Asian Terminals Inc.’s (ATI) gateway port Manila South Harbor as more international shipping lines launch new services directly linking the Philippines to major port hubs in the Asian region.

Iris Lines, Inc., the shipping division of Royal Cargo, recently commenced its Singapore-Thailand Express (STX) Service through ATI’s premier port, marked by the historic sailing of MV Iris Paoay, the first Philippine-registered international container vessel to offer regional connectivity in decades.

STX connects Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, and Laem Chabang on a weekly

port rotation using vessels deployed by Iris Lines and its partner Pacific International Lines. Port stakeholders lauded the new service which facilitates greater market accessibility for Philippine importers and exporters at a time of trade recovery.

In a courtesy meeting with stakeholders, Port of Manila district collector Michael Angelo DC Vargas assured customers and shippers of the Bureau of Customs’ full support for the new trade service, guaranteeing seamless processing of cargoes and active coordination with ATI, which has remained the hallmark of efficiency and trade facilitation in the gateway port.

“We are very pleased to host another first for the industry through the

historic launching of the STX Service which utilizes Iris Lines’ MV Paoay, the country’s first Philippine-registered international container vessel. This milestone is another testament to the strong partnership between ATI and international carriers which enables us to make smarter and faster trade happen in support of the growing Philippine economy,” ATI director and DP World Philippines president and CEO William Khoury said.

Earlier, ATI welcomed MV Kota Hakim of Emirates Shipping Line and MV Kota Hapas of Pacific International Lines as they marked their maiden voyage and launched more inter-Asia connectivity via Manila South Harbor.

National Home Mortgage warns public against ‘fixers’

THE National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC) warns the public against transacting with “fixers’ who offer assistance to illegally facilitate their transactions at NHMFC.

NHMFC recently received reports that some persons, groups, or organizations have been, without the corporation’s consent and/or prior authority or knowledge, illegally representing NHMFC in order to exact payments from NHMFC

housing loan borrowers, buyers or clients.

NHMFC President Renato L. Tobias said that the corporation does not authorize any person or entity to negotiate for and in behalf of the corporation. He said that such act is strictly prohibited under R.A. No. 11032 otherwise known as the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”.

“The public is forewarned not to entertain or seek the services of any

Facilitators will have a worry-free event with a complete organizer’s kit that has everything needed to run your meetings and conduct activities. A dedicated meeting butler is also available throughout the event to make sure everyone’s event needs are provided without delay.

Whole day meeting package starts at P1,700 net per person inclusive of meeting room use, morning and afternoon snacks and lunch.

The package is designed for business travelers, tourists exploring Cebu, and locals on staycation looking for value for money. Located right at the heart of Cebu’s bustling business district, the 427-key property is considered home to many seeking for the ideal place offering premium facilities and consistent service quality.

Quest Hotel & Conference Center - Cebu heeds the call of business and leisure travelers for a comfortable yet enjoyable hotel that offers convenience and affordability.

It has delightfully furnished rooms and suites with unique and inspiring design elements ideal for travelers seeking for a stylish but unpretentious environment. It is strategically located at the Cebu Business District, a hub location taking you to the best the destination has to offer including, a shopping haven, tourist attractions, and business parks. Staying here takes you right at the pulse of all good things in Cebu. For meeting and event packages contact Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu at cebuinfo@questhotelsandresorts.com or visit the website www.questhotelsandresorts. com/cebu.

Savoy Hotel Mactan is the ultimate vacation destination for travelers and their furry friends

outdoor pool or take a stroll along the beach, indulge in the delicious cuisine at Savoy Café of enjoy a refreshing drink at Zabana Bar. For those looking for a little adventure, the hotel offers a variety of watersports and other activities.

person, group or organization relative to any transaction with NHMFC,” President Tobias stressed. He further advised all NHMFC clients to only transact with authorized NHMFC collection and counselling staff or employees directly in the NHMFC offices located in Makati City (head office), or its One-Stop Shop at DHSUD Building in Quezon City, various satellite and regional offices. and accredited collection partners.

Gen Zs are increasingly influencing how households are purchasing, consuming, says webinar speaker

“That means we need to be more creative, we need to be more exciting. A shorter attention span means that we need to capture their attention faster than your typical marketing strategies,” Yamsuan added.

In designing content, Yamsuan reminded that shorter is better given the short attention span of this demographic. Using slanguage such as FoMO (fear of missing out) and YOLO (you only live once) can also help a brand become more attuned to how Gen Z speaks. Also, using platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can reach more Gen Z than Facebook.

WITH its stunning views of the sea, world class amenities and impeccable service, Savoy Hotel Mactan is the ultimate destination for travelers looking to enjoy a comfortable and pet friendly vacation.

We understand that pets are part of the family, and it can be challenging to leave them behind while traveling. With the opening of our pet friendly rooms, guests can bring their furry friends along to enjoy a memorable vacation together, said PR and Marketing Manager Catherine Sison.

Apart from the pet-friendly rooms, Savoy Hotel Mactan also has a range of facilities that cater to guests of all ages. Relax in the

Savoy Hotel Mactan is committed to ensuring the safety and well being of its guests including their furry friends. All pets are required to have up-to-date vaccination records and the hotel has implemented strict cleaning and sanitation protocols to ensure a hygienic and safe environment for all.

So why not treat yourself and your furry friends to the ultimate vacation experience at Savoy Hotel Mactan? Book your stay today and experience the best of luxury, comfort and friendly hospitality.

For more information, you may contact us +032 494 4000 / +63 917 3127562 or email sales@savoymactan.com. You may also follow us on our social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) at Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown | Facebook / @ savoymactannewtown / Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.

Leading courier company JRS Express is the Supreme Court's official nationwide courier

THE Supreme Court of the Philippines aims to resolve and deliver resolutions to cases presented to them by the Filipino people in a fast and trustworthy manner, promoting honest service and nation-building, just like their official courier, JRS Express.

GENERATION Z (or Gen Z) is on the rise. And they’re increasingly influencing how households are purchasing and consuming.

This was the central theme of the Zoom webinar held last February 17, 2023 by Araneta City for its lessees. Titled "The Gen Z Shopper,” the webinar tapped JP Yamsuan, Associate Director for Consumer Insights of Nielsen Philippines, to help the City of Firsts’ lessees garner the attention of this young, up and coming subsect of society.

According to Nielsen’s data, Gen Zs makes up one-fourth of the global population and they will comprise 27 percent of the global labor workforce by 2025. Though this demographic is still quite young, 70 percent of them are already driving family purchase decisions.

In the Philippines, Gen Zs comprise 30 percent of the entire population. This is why, according to Yamsuan, it is imperative to capture the attention of this generation of

people. “It is definitely a sizable market, it’s a sizable segment. We definitely have to make sure that we are seen and heard by the Gen Z population.”

Yamsuan also delved deeper into four characteristics that make Gen Z unique: digitally connected, visual creatures, craving authenticity, and woke. “It is important that we are aware of these macro level influences for us to identify how we can better attract them,” Yamsuan said.

He added that the attention span of Gen Z is very short, shorter than Millennials who have also grown up and matured around online content. According to data, Gen Z only has an average attention span of eight seconds, much shorter than the attention span of Millennials at 12 seconds. They are also faster when it comes to browsing content at just 2.5 seconds when using a desktop computer and 1.7 seconds when on mobile devices.

Yamsuan noted that this is where bitesized media can help capture their attention.

Another key characteristic of Gen Z is their longing to create a better world. They are socially aware because they have access to unprecedented information about social issues. They are inclined to support causes that promote social justice. This makes them favor brands that care about the issues they care about. This is why, Yamsuan said, brands should embed sustainability in all its endeavors and that they should be very sensitive to social issues.

“Gen Z are very discerning, because they are exposed to digital media and it makes them a population who will think about what they will buy or where they’ll go,” Yamsuan stressed. “We should make sure that whenever we communicate with them, we provide them with the right and necessary information to make their decisions.”

Meanwhile, the webinar also served as a platform for Araneta City to introduce to its lessees the soon-to-open Gateway Mall 2, and the commercial hub's marketing plans for 2023.

In accordance with Administrative No. 242-A2022, or Accreditation as Courier Service Provider of the Supreme Court, pleadings, motions, notices, orders, judgements and other court submissions may now be sent through JRS Express. Litigants or parties may also send court documents like pleadings and motions to the Supreme Court using the official courier. JRS Express is the leading courier company for next-day delivery services in the Philippines.

It is a 100 percent Filipino-owned business and has been serving the people for 62 years. JRS prides themselves for focusing on nation-building, no shortcuts, with over 450 branches situated in major towns and cities across all 7,000+ islands in the country, “Our primary purpose is to connect people and products with utmost efficiency and affordability” John Paul Claparols, Administrative Officer-JRS Business Corporation said.

For more information about its services, including sending court documents, customers can visit its website at www.jrs-express.com. ph and its social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

FROM left, Jerico Sacatropez (Sales Account Manager-JRS Business Corporation), Hon. Raul B. Villanueva (Court AdministratorSupreme Court of the Philippines), John Paul Claparols (Administrative Officer-JRS Business Corporation), Jose Alejandro Claparols (Business Development Officer-JRS Business Corporation), Jose Jaime Claparols (Sales & Marketing Head-JRS

IMPORTERS and exporters meet with Bureau of Customs Port of Manila district collector Michael Angelo Vargas along with officers of ATI and Iris Lines as the new inter-Asia TPS Service kicks-off via Manila South Harbor.

Envoys&Expats

CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and the Women Business Council of the Philippines will stage the “International Women’s Day: Women Lead Conference” on March 8 starting at 1 p.m. at the Dusit Thani Manila’s Mayuree Ballroom. The event aims to celebrate and recognize the social, economic and political triumphs of women. It also seeks to foster business ties, associations, and strategic alliances among top-level executives, government officials, and businesswomen in the country. According to organizers, the gathering will motivate and inspire young female professionals and business owners to excel in their careers and overcome challenges that everyday life poses, as it will push the initiative into encouraging and advancing Filipino women empowerment.

MINISTER VISITS

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense of Australia Richard Marles MP (right) traveled to the Philippines and Thailand from February 21 to 24, as he conducted high-level talks with counterparts. During his Manila visit, Marles met President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (left), Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Officer-in-Charge Carlito G. Galvez Jr. of the Department of National Defense. The Australian official averred that his country’s “relationships across our region are founded on history, personal connections and shared interests. I look forward to the opportunity to deepen Australia’s engagement with the Philippines and Thailand, including through our important cooperation on defense and security.” AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY

DONATION Philippine Red Cross chair Richard Gordon (left) and Canadian Red Cross counterpart Conrad Sauve graced the ceremonial turnover of water tankers at the PRC headquarters in Mandaluyong City on February 10. Gordon expressed the PRC’s gratitude for the continuous partnership with the Canadian group, which will help roll out the “Wash Development and Readiness” project in communities lacking clean water supply. PNA/AVITO DALAN

CALL FOR APPLICANTS Ambassador Peter Kell (left) promoted New Zealand’s “Manaaki 2023” scholarship program at a press briefing in Davao City earlier this month. Deadline for applications is on February 28, as 16 individuals would be selected for the scholarship grant that will start in January 2024. PNA/ROBINSON NIÑAL JR.

PHL, Japan boost amity, map future of mutual ties

economic recovery and robust human capital, I believe it…will show top-class growth among Asian countries and attract more Japanese investors in the coming years,” the envoy said.

At the National Day Reception of the Japanese Emperor’s 63rd birthday on February 22, Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa underscored that the bilateral relations binding his country and the Philippines are poised to reach even greater heights, especially in the areas of economics, defense, people-to-people exchanges, linkages like the Metro Manila Subway and North-South Commuter Railway, as well as Coast Guard Cooperation, to name a few.

Koshikawa also noted the tourism sector’s post-Covid-19 revival and growth, as well as the vibrant exchanges in sports, as promising avenues for the two nations.

He has bullish prospects on twoway tourism between both countries, bolstered by at least a 50-percent return of incoming Japanese travelers.

“I am confident that we will swiftly close that gap, and even overtake… prepandemic numbers,” he noted.

“The Philippines remains one of the [Japanese tourists’ favorite destinations because of] its spectacular natural wonders.”

The Japanese diplomat mentioned the successes of gymnast Carlos Yulo, golfer Yuka Saso, karateka Junna Tsukii, as well as the Japan B.League’s Filipino basketball players as prime examples. He also expressed optimism for the upcoming

FIBA World Cup, which his country will cohost with the Philippines and Indonesia.

On a global perspective, he noted that “the world today is facing unprecedented challenges from the pandemic and geopolitical shifts. As His Majesty the Emperor said in his New Year’s message, global cooperation is vital now more than ever to address urgent issues and protect universal values that underpin peace, progress, and stability in the international community.”

“Considering the Philippines’s

For his part, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extended during the occasion his well wishes of “abundant happiness and blessings” to the Emperor, as the latter leads Japan to “continued prosperity and the promotion of peace.”

Marcos also noted that the Philippines was committed to maintaining the “positive trajectory” of its bilateral relations with Japan, and described the Asian superpower as a “friend, neighbor, and strategic partner.”

Vice President Sara Z. Duterte also participated in the festivities virtually, as she shared a special video message.

At the reception, 29 Japanese companies and organizations installed booths and kiosks to promote their products and services. WITH A REPORT

FROM JOYcE ANN L. ROcAMORA/PNA

GPCCI commends RCEP ratification

THE German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI) has welcomed the inclusion of the Philippines in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which the Philippine Senate ratified on February 21.

“The inclusion of the Philippines in

RCEP would allow the country to finally access economic benefits, and will put us on equal footing with our [Asean neighbors]…as well as Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand,” said GPCCI president Stefan Schmitz.

RCEP is the world’s largest trading bloc representing 30 percent of the world’s global gross domestic product

and population. Signatory countries, according to GPCCI, enjoy importation and exportation of goods, with minimal to no restrictions on quantity, tariffs, or import taxes.

“We are confident that the Philippines’s entry into RCEP can finally complement the advantages brought about by the economic reforms such

as the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investments Act, and Public Service Act,” noted the chamber’s executive director Christopher Zimmer. “Furthermore, we are confident that RCEP shall further strengthen the Philippines position in the region, promote more investments, and improve market access.”

CHAMBER

HOLDS ‘FIESTA’ La Camara the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines recently celebrated its first “La Fiesta:” a business-networking dinner among its members and the expat community in Metro Manila. The event featured the Spanish region of Extremadura and featured its culinary specialties. In photo are AHG managing director Juan Roca (from left), Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado, Club Punta Fuego general manager Edgar Krohn, media specialist-historical reenactor Bernard Supetran, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar general manager Jorge Villanova, AHG director of sales and marketing Abigail Galguerra, together with Assistant Manager Kim Buot-Sindac, as well as sales account managers of Anya Resort Tagaytay—one of the event’s Gold sponsors, and an active chamber member.

CLASSIC ASTRONOMY REVISITED Conservators from the Department of Paper and Leather of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland performed their research last month at the University of Santo Tomas Central Library. Dr. M. Wachowiak, Dr. Jolanta Czuczko and Karolina Komsta-Sławińska conducted preliminary conservation work on Copernicus’ groundbreaking book: On the Revolution of Celestial Bodies (“De revolutionibus orbium coelestium”), with funding provided by Polish company PKN Orlen. FB: PLINPHILIPPINES

Israel, Germany mark International Holocaust Day with film screening

THE Israeli and German Embassies partnered to commemorate the International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a screening of the documentary film “Muranów.”

It tells the story of the neighborhood of the same name that was once a vibrant and flourishing community of Jewish life, which eventually turned into the Warsaw Ghetto during World War 2.

The documentary focuses on the current residents of the neighborhood who are being haunted by Muranów’s dark past and its ghosts. They serve as a metaphor for the life, culture, and memories of the Jewish people who were systematically killed under the Nazi regime.

“The Holocaust was an unprecedented genocide perpetrated by Nazi Germany. Six million Jews— one third of [their entire] population—were murdered just because they were Jewish. Today, we are witnessing voices of denial of the Holocaust and increasing anti-Semitism,” Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss said in his remarks. “This cannot be ignored;

we can never let it happen again.”

Fluss furthered: “That is why it is important that the United Nations designated January 27 as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.”

He expressed his appreciation to the German Embassy headed by Ambassador Anke Reiffenstuel for working together to make the film screening possible. “I believe that this joint event brings a very strong message.”

“[The annual commemorative day was introduced by former] German Federal President Roman Herzog on January 27th, 1996,” Reiffenstuel remarked, then said, “After the darkest days in [its history, Germany today] remains committed to, and lives up to its international responsibility, to prevent the resurgence of dictatorial regimes that violate human rights and destroy human lives.”

Both embassies thanked members of like-minded embassies and organizations who graced the event, including Senior Human Rights Adviser Signe Poulsen of the United Nations.

JAPAN’S envoy asserted that the recent official visit to his country of the Philippines’s Chief Executive reaffirmed their nations’ friendly ties, and charted their future course.

MARCOS JR. and Koshikawa EMBASSY OF JAPAN

AMBASSADORS Reiffenstuel and Fluss FB: ISRAEL IN THE PHILIPPINES

Sports

NU works hard in first 5-setter in three seasons

NATIONAL University

(NU) survived Adamson University’s tough challenge, 25-22, 25-19, 25-27, 22-25, 15-10, to go unbeaten in two matches in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday.

The Lady Bulldogs stretched their winning streak to 20 matches dating back to Season 82, while pulling the Lady Falcons down to 1-1.

But it was NU’s first five-setter since March 4, 2020 when it escaped past University of Santo Tomas, 2225, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-13.

University of Santo Tomas (UST), meanwhile, beat Far Eastern University (FEU), 25-16, 28-26, 2521, for its first win of the season.

The Tigresses forged a threeway tie at 1-1 wonlost with FEU and Adamson University.

“We were forced to our limit by Adamson University, but this is a good experience for the team because we didn’t play any five-setter last season,” NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan said.

Adamson University rushed to 16-0 in the third set but Alyssa Solomon took charge and ignited NU’s comeback to send the game to match point, 25-24.

JEN NIERVA sets the play for National University.

B8 Thursday, March 2, 2023

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

Editor: Jun Lomibao

PANLILIO ON KAI: IT’S UP TO HIM

By Josef Ramos

FIRST

it was head coach Chot Reyes and now, it’s basketball association president Al Panlilio who seems to have lost enthusiasm in a towering Kai Sotto presence in the national men’s basketball team.

“ I don’t know anything about his [Sotto] plans and it’s really up to him,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Panlilio told BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “If he has a lot of plans, it’s up to him. “

Reyes hinted on Monday of the possibility of a Gilas Pilipinas to the FIBA World Cup without the 7-foot-2 Sotto

“With all the uncertainty surrounding the Kai Sotto situation…if he’s not going to be available, we have to think about that,” Reyes said.“You just cannot come and show up and be on the team,” Reyes said. “It doesn’t matter who you are,

you have to be part of the preparation.”

Sotto didn’t suit up—nor did he come home to practice with the Gilas pool—for the Lebanon and Jordan games in the sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Sotto declared his plans to pursue his National Basketball Association (NBA) dream by trying his luck in the NBA Summer League Camp in. He used to play for the Adelaide 36ers in the Australia National Basketball League and signed up with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League.

Panlilio echoed Reyes’s desire for players to commit themselves to Gilas.

“He [Kai] and all the other players must practice together for a longer time,” Panlilio said. “They should make a commitment that they would join the team’s three to four months of preparation and training if they want to play for Gilas.”

He said that the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has

UCI president Lappartient vows support for PhilCycling-Tolentino

INTERNATIONAL Cycling Union

(UCI) president David Lappartient on Wednesday expressed support to the Philippine program as he and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president

Mendes showcases LaLiga tradition

individuals and communities.

REAL MADRID as well as Atlético de Madrid, LaLiga and M88 Mansion recently brought football star Tiago Mendes to the Philippines for the El Derbi de Madrid watch party celebrated at Mansion Sports Bar & Lounge in Makati City recently.

Thank you for this moment, the real warm welcome that you gave me tonight. It’s a pleasure to be here,” said Tiago, who visited the country for the first time.

Tiago Mendes joined Atletico de Madrid in 2010 and has been an important part of the most successful stages in the recent history of the team until he retired in 2017.

He also served as the team’s assistant manager until 2018.

L aLiga is Spain’s professional football league and a socially responsible organization devoted to promoting football locally and internationally not only as a sport but also as an avenue to create a positive impact to

“We believe that the appreciation and interest for football is increasing among Filipinos. It’s a great sport that brings people together that’s why we will continue to bring exciting events for the Filipino fans,” LaLiga Delegate to the Philippines Almudena Gomez said. LaLiga is more than just football. We go beyond what the sport has to offer to give back to the community,” Gomez added.

The El Derbi de Madrid or Madrid Derby is a special football fixture in the history of LaLiga highlighting the clash between two of the most lauded clubs across the globe. And on Saturday, fans in Manila got to celebrate with LaLiga at Mansion Sports Bar.

Filled with exciting trivia games and raffle, the fans and invited guests including the official Real Madrid supporters club—Peña Madridista de Filipinas—representatives from the Spanish Embassy.

a 21,750 square-meter baseball field that also follows international standards, four fast-surface tennis courts and a modern varsity training center post-pandemic.

Still in the works: a refurbished main gym and an Olympic-sized swimming pool in the main College of Human Kinetics (CHK) grounds.

W ith a stepped-up sports program best personified by the achievements of the UP Fighting Maroons, softball, fencing and the phenomenal support shown by the UP crowd in Maroon competitions, it looks like UP is now, finally, serious about sports.

180-degree turn for UP Sports

WITH the football, softball and baseball tournaments of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) all taking place at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, athletes, school officials and fans of the other universities can’t help but notice the spanking new sports facilities at UP.

It seems that as life passed by quietly during the pandemic, UP put on the finishing touches to a sports complex that yielded an elite FIFA-standard football pitch,

W hat a 180-degree turn! Up to the 90’s and early 00’s, sports was not quite the priority in UP. Stories of professors picking on student athletes just because they were student athletes were rife. Lukewarm or disinterested responses from UP students and alumni to support UP athletes was the rule and not the exception. Worse, for a time an attitude that jocks were academically inferior prevailed. No wonder sports achievements were exceptions, not the rule.

Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, sports official for various sports, tells a funny story that shows how lacking in facilities UP athletes were during his time as a junior player for UP Integrated School. “ We had a game at UST [University of Santo Tomas] and

committed itself to the World Cup campaign by sacrificing its Season 47 schedule.

“I think that’s the purpose why the PBA is stopping to make way for the World Cup preparation of our national team and really form the best combination,” Panlilio said. “We have to build a cohesive band of 12 players who will play at least five games of competitive international basketball.”

Panlilio noted that Utah Jazz combo guard Jordan Clarkson pledged to be available for the World Cup that the Philippines is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10.

“As early as June or July [last year], Jordan Clarkson already committed for the World Cup,” he said. “There is a three- to four-month of window preparations and training, where we also considered playing in several pocket tournaments before

the World Cup.”

The Filipino-American Clarkson, however, qualifies as a naturalized player under FIBA rules.

O n Reyes’s proposition to get another foreigner who’s at least 6-foot-10, Panlilio said it would take a lot of effort to complete naturalization procedures.

Ne wly-naturalized Justin Brownlee played true to form against Lebanon and Jordan—he and Clarkson are 6-foot-5. The other naturalized player, Ange Kouame, is 6-foot-10 but lacks experience in FIBA play.

Plana, Southwoods grab lead in PAL Men’s Interclub in Cebu

JUNJUN PLANA and Coby Rolida produced sub-par rounds to lift Manila Southwoods to the early lead in the 74th Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub golf team championships at the Cebu Country Club on Wednesday in Cebu.

P lana, the only senior in the youth-laden squad, birdied the ninth, his final hole, to secure 38 points while Rolida also closed with a birdie to turn in 37.

S outhwoods drew a pair of 33s from Gabriel Manotoc and Josh Jorge to launch its title-retention bid with 141 points.   We went into the round with a target of 140 points, so I think we did a good job,” Southwoods non-playing captain Thirdy Escano said.   Plana was 3-under when he hit his tee shot out of bounds on the penultimate hole, leading to a pickup.   I teed the ball a little higher,” rued Plana who nevertheless bounced back on the next hole.   Rolida, a Nomura Cup veteran, fired an eagle and four birdies against three bogeys and a pickup. He set up the eagle putt from under the trees on the par-five 11th, using a five-iron from 197 yards.

“It helped that we were allowed to lift, clean, and replace the ball,” Rolida said.

E astridge Golf Club moved into second place with 127 points behind Alexander Bisera’s 38 points.

L oyd Labrador and Joachim Alonso Yu each carded 30 points while Antonio Asistio chipped in 29.

Host Cebu Country Club took the third spot with 126, drawing 34 from Eric Deen and a pair of 31s from Mark Dy and Vincent Osmena. The 30s of either Jon Joseph Alvarez or Kyu Ok On counted.

R ounding out the standings in the championship division were Tagaytay Highlands 119, Valley 116, Sta. Elena 114, Del Monte 113, Pueblo de Oro 111.

I n the Founders division, Alabang took a four-point lead over Negros Occidental after scoring 120 points at Cebu Country Club. Riviera was running third with 114.   The annual event, held with the theme “Back to Ignite,” is supported by platinum sponsors ABS-CBN Global, Asian Journal, Airbus, and NUSTAR Resort and Casino.   G old sponsors include Radio Mindanao Network, Mastercard, Memories FM 89.9 Cebu, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, PLDT/Smart and Konsulta MD.

COACH ALLAN SHINES Allan de Leon (right) poses with (from left) Neel Ganesh, Bivab Chandra and Sai Ratan, whom the former Philippine Badminton Asso ciation and national coach has been handling since he moved to the US in September 2019. Now the Atlanta Badminton Club head coach, de Leon continues to develop and train future world-caliber players. Shankar and Liu, both 9 years old and ranked among the top 10 in the US Badminton Association, won the mixed doubles under-11 title in the Arena SoCal Open Regional Championships in Pomona, California, recently. Shankar also bagged the boys’ doubles trophy with Aditya Namboodiripad.

were already along España (Street) when our rickety coaster broke down right along the railroad track,” he said. “All of us players got off and pushed the coaster off the tracks... para hindi masagasaan ng tren. We kept pushing all the way to UST, so by the time we got to the gym to play the game, pagod na kami. We lost, of course.”

Former UP President Emil Q. Javier, who was a varsity athlete while still a student at UP Los Baños, revealed that UP athletes during his time didn’t even practice together. There was no serious preparation to be competitive, much less excel.

I was on a bus from LB on my way to Rizal Memorial [Coliseum] where we had our game. I saw a fellow student on the bus with a sports bag just like me and I asked him if he was also going to Rizal. It turns out he was my teammate. And we just met each other there!” He laughs about it now.

But things are looking up for sports and all student athletes of this university that went 0 of 14 games in basketball several seasons ago.

L ast Tuesday, February 28, an Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) was launched to focus on and take care of the needs of student athletes.

It will undertake and support comprehensive sports programs and look after student welfare, discipline, housing, and will assist students through academic and

Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino discussed “anything and everything about cycling” during the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Congress on Wednesday at The Stones Hotel in Bali, Indonesia.

We talked, discussed and expounded on anything and everything about cycling that he [Lappartient] highlighted by vowing to support our program,” said Tolentino, who’s attending the first in-person ACC Congress in three years.

Tolentino said Lappartient has fond memories of the Philippines for having been a part of the panel of commissaires during the country’s hosting of the Asian road and track championships at the Amoranto Velodrome and Subic in 1995. For started, Lappartient agreed to Tolentino’s proposal to send one athlete each in road, BMX and mountain bike to qualifying races for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The support will cascade to a UCI program through the World Cycling Center Asia headquarters in South Korea,” said Tolentino, the PhilCycling president since 2008.

Tolentino presented in the ACC Congress the country’s first-time hosting of the Asian BMX (Racing and Freestyle) Championships at the UCI-standard Tagaytay City BMX track on July 15 and 16.

T he BMX track in Tagaytay City is the sole UCI-standard track in the country and the first in Asia to have a roof. It hosted the BMX competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

Tolentino said Lappartient was in his comfort zone talking about the Philippines.

“

It’s something about someone from the UCI or Europe or elsewhere who’s worked with Pat McQuaid, who has adequate knowledge about our country, our hospitality and our people,” Tolentino said.

McQauid was the former UCI president who, as then head of the UCI Road Commission, spent months in the Philippines in each of the years from 1994 to 1998 setting up the Marlboro Tour as one of the biggest UCI multi-stage races in Asia.

T he 1998 Marlboro Tour, however, was to be the fabled race’s last after global restrictions on tobacco products sponsorship of sports events were imposed.

psychosocial support programs.

Not a recent development entirely, it started with an executive order issued in 2015 by then UP president Alfredo Pascual (now Trade and Industry Secretary) to create the office that would undertake and support comprehensive sports programs. Actual groundwork to establish the OASD began in 2022.

The OASD will emphasize the overall welfare of more than 1,000 UP student-athletes. It is a timely development that coincides with our efforts to enhance the breadth of the university sports facilities,” UP president Angelo Jimenez said.

Student-athletes bear a double load of academic and varsity responsibilities every day. Therefore they need our care and attention,” UPD Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo said.

A s of 2021, the UP varsity program was comprised of more than 1,000 student-athletes and coaches across 29 sports teams and three performing groups, namely the Pep Squad, Filipiniana Dance and Street Dance groups, Nemenzo said.

C HK Dean Francis Diaz will serve concurrently as the interim OASD director while business executive and sports leader Patrick Gregorio will be OASD interim associate director for external affairs and resource generation.

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino with International Cycling Union president David Lappartient in Bali.

TIAGO MENDES signs Atletico Madrid jersey for the lucky fans during the Madrid Derby Watch Party.

BASKETBALL Chief Al Panlilio wants unbending commitment from players.