BusinessMirror March 10, 2021

More women dropping out of the labor force–PSA

By Cai U. Ordinario

O

VER 19 million women aged 15 and over are not part of the labor force based on the latest results from the Labor Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

On Tuesday, the PSA reported that the number of jobless Filipinos reached 4 million in January and the underemployed, 6.6 million.

Data showed that while there are a total of 37.2 million women in the 15 years old and over age group, only 17.455 million are in the labor force in January.

“The top five reasons why women opted to be out of the labor force in January 2021 based on the LFS were schooling (especially for

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ages 15 to 18 years old); household family duties (especially for ages 25 to 44 years old),” PSA Assistant National Statistician Wilma Guillen said. “[Other reasons include the] ECQ/lockdown/Covid-19 pandemic; temporary illness/disability; [and] awaiting results of previous job application,” she added.

Guillen said the number of women who are not part of the labor force in January—which reached 19.745 million—was higher than the 18.708 million in January 2020.

This meant there were 1.037 million more women who dropped out of the labor force in January 2021 compared to January 2020.

In terms of the labor force participation rate (LFPR), more men were in the labor force compared to

women in January 2021. The LFPR among men was at 73.9 percent while for women it is at 46.9 percent in January 2021.

The employment rate of men was also slightly higher at 91.3 percent; women registered an employment rate of 91.2 percent in January 2021.

The unemployment rate among women, however, was higher at 8.8 percent in January 2021 compared to men, 8.7 percent.

In terms of underemployment, nonetheless, there were more men who were underemployed at 17.6 percent, significantly higher than the 13.4 percent posted by women in January 2021.

“The crisis and lockdowns really hit women hard, particularly among mothers and single-mother breadwinners. Some of the activities that

they did and are doing to cope with the crisis and keep the family intact or surviving are usually not reflected in the PSA data, such as networking to get social amelioration,” former dean of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (Solair) Rene E. Ofreneo told the BusinessMirror in an e-mail.

Ofreneo noted that while there was an increase in the number of women who joined the labor force in January 2021 compared to October 2020, this is not something to celebrate.

Based on PSA data, in January 2021, there were 17.455 million women in the labor force, 851,000 more than the 16.604 million in the labor force in October 2020.

On an annual basis, Ofreneo added, 107,000 women dropped Continued on A2

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RALLY STALL RECOVERY LET PALACE DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY OVER ASF, D.A. TOLD

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

S POLICE trainees conduct foot patrol in Provident Village, Marikina City, on Tuesday, March 9, to ensure that social-distancing protocols and wearing of face mask and face shields are followed. A surge in Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila has prompted authorities to consider increasing police visibility in public places. NONOY LACZA

T

By Cai U. Ordinario

HE recent oil price rally could make the recovery of the manufacturing sector and consumption spending even more challenging this year, according to local economists.

This after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s manufacturing output continued to decline and posted a contraction of 16.7 percent in January 2021.

The sector’s average capacity utilization rate was at 46.1 percent.

It is already the second consecutive month that the average capacity uti-

lization rate was below 50 percent.

“Global oil prices have surged about 30 percent this year due to coordinated supply constraints by oil producers. This price level is the first time since January 2020,” UnionBank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion told the BusinessMirror.

Continued on A2

Remittances to bounce back in 2021, say experts

By Bianca Cuaresma

A

FTER a year of contraction, remittances to the Philippines will likely bounce back this year as advanced economies, especially those in the Middle East, are expected to recover.

Analysts from the University

of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) and First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) said they expect Filipino migrant workers to send more money this year compared to last year.

“OFW remittances will retake the positive territory even as the 2020 record showed only a slight

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.5640

0.8-percent dip,” FMIC and UA&P analysts said in the latest issue of The Market Call.

Just last month, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) cash remittances to the Philippines hit $29.9 billion for the full year of 2020, only

$230 million short of what they sent when the global economy was not affected by the pandemic yet in 2019 at $30.13 billion.

The 0.8-percent decline in remittances also exceeded the BSP’s expectations that remittances will decrease by about 2 percent.

ENATORS on Tuesday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to request President Duterte to declare a state of emergency due to African Swine Fever (ASF) to access additional funds to support the domestic hog industry against the fatal disease.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform passed a resolution urging the DA to recommend to the Office of the President (OP) the declaration of a state of emergency nationwide due to the consequences of ASF.

The declaration of a state of emergency would allow the realignment or release of additional public funds to address the problems caused by ASF, such as dwindling pig herd, the senators said.

“We are urging the DA to [ask the OP] to declare a state of emergency against African Swine Fever, so we can allocate more funds to solve the problem,” said Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, the committee's chairman.

The senators also moved for the inclusion of an indemnification fund for both the backyard and commercial hog raisers that were affected by ASF upon the declaration of a state of emergency.

The senators made the resolution as they indicated dismay with the amount that DA is allocating for its programs to combat ASF and help the hog industry recover.

“The public emergency declaration will now address the miniscule funds allocated [by the DA for solving ASF problems]. The tariffs collected from the imports could also be added to the fund under the public emergency,” Sen. Francis N. Pangilinan said.

The DA supported the senators’ proposal and told them that the agency will follow the resolution of the committee.

During the hearing, the DA officials disclosed that it would need at least P34.333 billion to bankroll its three-year ASF recovery program that seeks to bring back and even exceed the country’s pre-ASF pork production level.

The DA said for 2021 it would need a total budget of P9.161 billion, P13.561 billion for 2022 and P11.611 billion for 2023.

The funds would be used to finance the four DA programs: calibrated repopulation and intensified production; establishment of swine breeder multiplier farms; provision of insurance premium; and biosecurity and surveillance programs.

For 2021, the DA said it only has P2.372 billion of available funds, thus, it will request an additional P6.789 billion to fully finance its interventions.

See “ASF,” A2

See “Remittances,” A2

n JAPAN 0.4461 n UK 67.1543 n HK 6.2512 n CHINA 7.4403 n SINGAPORE 35.9786 n AUSTRALIA 37.1466 n EU 57.5338 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.9449

Source: BSP (March 9, 2021)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Wednesday, March 10, 2021

ASF… Continued from A1

Based on its presentation, the DA said it aims to produce 440,563 breeders in the next three years, which is more than enough to compensate for the estimated 332,928 breeders lost as of January 1.

The DA added that by 2023 about 10.5 million finishers would be already produced, which would be equivalent to 738,805 metric tons (MT) of pork.

Also by 2023, about 90 percent or 2,100 of ASF-affected barangays will be released from quarantine through the use of the sentinel approach, according to the DA.

The DA has pegged the pork production shortfall this year at 388,790 MT as the country lost at least 3.08 million pigs as of January 1 based on latest PSA data.

The DA said its interventions would result in the additional pork output of 84,000 MT for 2021, 238,192 MT by 2022 and 474,012 MT by 2023.

Furthermore, the DA said the interventions would lead to further pork output for the years 2024 and 2025 with additional production volume of 809,172 MT and 1.144 MMT, respectively.

“Based on our projections it will take a minimum of three years to fully recover if all safeguards and investments and budgets are properly and timely implemented,” Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock William Medrano said.

“By the fifth year, we will have more than enough supply to satisfy the demand and reduce or stop the reliance from imports. This will only be made possible if the budgetary requirements will be made available,” Medrano added.

Based on the DA’s presentation, the three-year intervention would benefit at least 115,800 farmers resulting in a production value worth P157.5 billion.

The DA said its interventions would be complemented with the P27.5-billion loan facility by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council, Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, that would be available to hog raisers.

ERC refund order pulls down Meralco rates to four-year low

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By Lenie Lectura

LECTRICITY rates for this month will go down by P0.3598 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to P8.3195 per kWh, the lowest since August 2017.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said on Tuesday the downward adjustment is equivalent to a decrease of around P72 in the total bill of residential customers consuming 200 kWh. Last month’s power rates stood at P8.6793 per kWh. The rate reduction was brought about by a refund order of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which provisionally approved Meralco’s proposal to refund around P13.9 billion over a period of 24 months or until the amount is fully refunded.

This amount represents the difference between the Actual Weighted Average Tariff and the ERC-approved Interim Average Rate for distribution-related charges for the period July 2015 to November 2020.

For residential customers, the refund rate is P0.2761 per kWh and will appear in customer bills as a

line item called “Dist True-Up”.

This month’s rate also still includes the ERC-approved adjustments for pass-through over/ under-recoveries for the period January 2017 to December 2019.

The ERC ordered Meralco last December 29, 2020, to refund overrecoveries in transmission and other charges over a period of approximately three months and to collect an under-recovery in the generation rate for approximately 24 months.

Meralco implemented the ERC-approved adjustments starting January 2021. The impact on residential customers, from the months of January to March 2021, is a net refund of around P0.1150 per kWh.

The March power rate also reflects a lower generation charge of P4.3749 per kWh, P0.0403 lower than February’s P4.4152 per kWh. The reduction was due to the

OIL PRICES, SLOW GLOBAL

RALLY STALL RECOVERY Continued from A1

“As a net oil importer, the Philippines will definitely have to deal with higher prices (and Consumer Price Index) if this oil price rally will be sustained in the medium term. If prices of manufacturing inputs also rise, we will definitely see capacity utilization rate challenges,” he explained.

Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) President Calixto V. Chikiamco told this newspaper that, unfortunately, the government cannot do much to mitigate the impact of high oil prices.

Chikiamco said higher oil prices will affect commodity prices leading to more expensive food items. “The market can’t absorb price increases due to the increase in oil input prices.”

Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (Acerd) Director Alvin P. Ang told the BusinessMirror the manufacturing sector’s performance is also significantly affected by the slow recovery in the country’s trade partners.

“It is a function also of the improvement of our international value chains. It may imply that international orders are still not back at their preCovid levels,” Ang said.

“Our recovery is really slow because 40 percent of our economy is dependent on international trade, so our recovery is also dependent on our neighbors,” he added.

Hope in 2nd quarter

HOWEVER, Ang said, the manufacturing sector may see some improvement particularly in the second quarter when the economies of the country’s trading partners are expected to do better.

For some economists such as former University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE) Dean Ramon L. Clarete, the increase in oil prices may not necessarily be bad for the global economy.

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The increase in oil prices, Clarete said, could already be a sign that the global economy is recovering. This bodes well for countries like the Philippines that also depend on trade partners to boost growth.

Nonetheless, Clarete said the country’s average capacity utilization rate of 46.1 percent in January is already cause for concern.

“The increase brings both good and bad news. Economic activity is picking up in the world, so we could expand our manufactured exports. Bad because we may not be ready for that because of the continuing pandemic.

Industrial policy [is needed] to stimulate faster manufacturing exports,” Clarete said.

University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) School of Economics Dean Cid Terosa told this newspaper that more expensive oil products would also lead to higher inflation and weaken Filipinos’ purchasing power.

Terosa said this could also lead to higher interest rates with lower real money supply due to inflationary pressures. It could also lead to a wider trade deficit and weaker peso, he added.

While a weaker peso could boost consumption spending, it may not bode well for the manufacturing sector. The industry largely depends on imports to produce goods.

In January, the PSA reported that the low average capacity utilization rate was due to seven of the 22 industry divisions having at least 50 percent average capacity utilization rate.

These included the manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations (67.5 percent); manufacture of wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles, and related products (56.6 percent); and printing and reproduction of recorded media (56.1 percent).

The PSA said the list included the manufacture of paper and paper products (55 percent); manufacture

of computer, electronic and optical products (52 percent); manufacture of rubber and plastic products (51.6 percent); and manufacture of furniture (50 percent).

“The proportion of establishments that operated at full capacity (90 percent to 100 percent) was 20.9 percent of the total number of responding establishments. Meanwhile, 40.5 percent operated at 70 to 89 percent capacity, while more than onethird (38.6 percent) operated below 70 percent capacity,” PSA said.

The data also showed that the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) contracted 16.7 percent in January 2021. This decline was faster than the 12-percent decrease posted in December but lower than the 1.9-percent growth in January 2020.

“The faster downturn in VoPI was brought about by the annual decreases of 18 industry divisions led by manufacture of wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles and related products (-53.4 percent), manufacture of machinery and equipment except electrical (-48.9 percent), and manufacture of tobacco (-42.6 percent),” the PSA said.

The PSA data also showed the Value of Production Index (VaPI) contracted 21.1 percent in January 2021. This was a deeper decline from the 15.4 percent contraction in December and decrease of 1.7 percent in January 2020.

The PSA said the faster decline of VaPI for the manufacturing sector in January 2021 were the reductions in the indices of 18 out of the 22 industry divisions.

The industry divisions that led the contraction of VaPI were manufacture of wood, bamboo, cane, rattan articles and related products (-53.5 percent), manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (-53.1 percent), and manufacture of machinery and equipment except electrical (-51 percent).

higher share of supply from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), which registered the lowest charge among suppliers.

Despite an increase in Luzon peak demand from 9,162 MW to 9,574 MW, charges from the WESM remained relatively stable at P2.4609 per kWh. WESM share was up from 7.1 percent last month to 11.7 percent this month.

The low WESM charges offset increases in costs from Power Supply Agreements (PSA) and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) of P0.0175 per kWh and P0.1338 per kWh, respectively. The higher PSA and IPP charges were the result of the peso’s depreciation and lower average plant dispatch. The shares of PSAs and IPPs went down this month to 52.5 percent and 35.8 percent, respectively, from 53.4 percent and 39.5 percent, respectively, last month.

Meanwhile, transmission charges for residential customers inched up by P0.0022 per kWh, while taxes and other charges registered a net decrease of P0.0456 per kWh. The collection of the Universal Charge-Environmental Charge amounting to P0.0025 per kWh remains suspended, as directed by the ERC.

Unchanged

MERALCO’S distribution, supply, and metering charges, meanwhile, have remained unchanged for 68 months, after these registered reductions in July 2015.

The utility firm does not earn from the pass-through charges, such as the generation and transmission charges. Payment for the generation charge goes to the power suppliers, while payment for the transmission charge goes to the NGCP. Taxes and other public policy charges like the Universal Charges and the FIT-All are remitted to the government.

Meralco reminded its seven million customers to continue practicing energy efficiency initiatives at home and to be ready in managing their consumption.

The summer season normally results in an increase in residential electricity consumption by 10 percent to 40 percent versus average consumption during the cool months of January and February.

As temperature increases, appliances that have compressors, like air conditioners or refrigerators, will have to work harder. Electric fans are also used longer than usual, and often at “high” setting to beat the summer heat.

Remittances…

Continued from A1

By country source, cash remittances from Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Germany and Kuwait declined, while those from the United States, Singapore, Canada, Hong Kong, Qatar, South Korea and Taiwan increased.

The US posted the highest share of the total remittances at 39.9 percent, followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the UK, the UAE, Canada, Hong Kong, Qatar and South Korea. The combined remittances from these countries accounted for 78.6 percent of the total cash remittances during the year.

FMIC said the expected recovery of remittances for this year will likely be driven by the recovery of Middle Eastern economies, most of which are havens for Filipino migrant workers.

“The nascent economic recovery in the advanced economies and the Middle East [due to higher oil prices] will provide the boost,” economists said.

While remittances are expected to bounce back this year, FMIC and UA&P analysts said this does not assure a recovery for the Philippine economy this year.

“OFW remittances held on to its upward streak, but headwinds remain. Foremost would be the acceleration of headline inflation to 4.2 percent year-on-year in January 2021 from 3.7 percent a month earlier which promises to persist due to supply-chain disruptions and higher input prices,” economists said.

“Exports will likely take a tad faster pace, while OFW remittances’ growth should remain positive. The exchange rate will tend to flatten in the first quarter with a slight upward bias as the quarter ends,” it added.

More women dropping out of the labor force–PSA Continued from A1

out of the labor force in January 2021 compared to January 2020.

“The faster rate from October 2020 to January 2021 means catch-up. The latter part of the year is also Christmas season (think of work in gift-giving industry, etc.),” Ofreneo said.

“The severe loss of jobs for women during the harsh lockdowns from March to the third quarter of 2020 naturally affected women in the large services sector,” he added.

Questionable data

HOWEVER, Ofreneo said the latest employment data is also not encouraging. Given that the unemployment rate for January 2021 is 8.7 percent, around 4 million still did not have jobs.

Ofreneo said with the figure of those not in the labor force increasing by 1.6 million and the “natural labor force increase” year on year, the country’s true unemployment rate could reach at least 10 percent.

The Nagkaisa labor coalition estimated that this true unemployment rate was at 10.3 percent, which means that some 4.5 million workers were rendered jobless in 2020, the highest in 15 years.

The country’s biggest labor coalition renewed its call for the government to make public employment a recovery strategy in the face of a lingering job crisis.

Nagkaisa labor coalition said it is only through employment that household income and the economy can be sustained in the short and longer term as the rollout of Covid-19 vaccine and reviving the private-led economy is taking longer than expected.

Under its proposed Unemployment Support and Wage Assistance Guarantee (USWAG) agenda that it has already submitted before the labor department and the National Tripartite Industrial Council (NTIPC), Nagkaisa called for public employment programs (PEPs) on mounting social tasks in the health sector, the environment, food security, and the social housing sector, among others.

“With the snail-paced rollout of vaccination and the threat of Covid-19 surges which continues to dampen the market, expecting the private sector to solely address the jobs crisis is not an

option. It is time for the government to be the biggest employer on social tasks that need to be done and levelled up, with or without the pandemic,” said Nagkaisa chairman Sonny Matula.

Defend Jobs Philippines also questioned the recently released LFS data by the PSA, insisting that the true unemployment rate of the country was at 10.3 percent.

The labor group cited various independent survey firms which revealed “comparably far” data on unemployment in contrast with the PSA. Defend Jobs Philippines Spokesperson Christian Lloyd Magsoy said that a Social Weather Stations Inc. (SWS) survey revealed a 45.5-percent unemployment figure, which is equivalent to 27.3 million unemployed Filipinos due to the pandemic.

According to SWS, the jump in adult joblessness in July 2020 was a 28-point increase from the 17.5 percent in December 2019 and a record-high increase since 34.4 percent in March 2012.

“While we are one with the PSA’s analysis that last year’s joblessness figures marked the highest recorded annual unemployment rate in history since 2005, we express uncertainty over the concrete and actual figures of this labor force survey,” Magsoy said.

Signs of growth

IN terms of overall employment, the President’s economic team said in a joint statement that the unemployment rate averaging 8.7 percent in January is a sign that the economy is slowly recovering.

The economic team noted that between October 2020 and January 2021, a total of 1.4 million jobs were created. This increased the proportion of the working-age population to 60.5 percent in January 2021 from 58.7 percent in October 2020.

They added that the biggest improvement was observed in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila, where 269,000 jobs were created between October 2020 and January 2021.

Outside NCR, the picture was not as rosy. The economic team said unemployment increased to 8.7 percent and underemployment increased to 17.1 percent in the same period.

The President’s economic

team traced this to weather disturbances and flooding, the African Swine Fever that badly affected livestock production, and mobility restrictions.

“While the data show that across sectors, we are gradually getting back the jobs we lost due to the pandemic, the smaller progress in the past quarter suggests that we still need to address the remaining restrictions before the economy can get closer to normal,” the economic team said.

To accelerate economic growth and job creation this year, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), citing the economic managers, said a threepronged strategy is needed.

The first is to safely reopen the economy while maintaining health protocols; implement the recovery package; and ensure the timely implementation of the vaccine program to cover the entire adult population.

The economic managers emphasized that full and fast implementation of the recovery package would underpin economic growth this year and onwards.

The higher stimulus through the Bayanihan II, the 2020 budget extension, the 2021 budget, as well as the swift enactment or implementation of key legislations, such as the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act, the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, and the Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiative to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) Act, are all crucial.

With the employment numbers and the call of the economic team, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the country has a better chance of seeing improvements in the labor situation in the country.

“Improvement in the employment situation shows that businesses and workers are starting to regain confidence with the safe reopening of the economy,” Bello said.

“We expect a better and more improved employment performance in the coming months with the vaccine being made available and more Filipinos under the priority categories getting inoculated,” he added.

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The Nation BusinessMirror

NDRRMC alerts LGUs amid Taal’s restiveness

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HE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday reminded all local government units (LGUs) and residents near the Taal Volcano Island (TVI) to take necessary precautions due to the volcano’s increased unrest.

“The NDRRMC is constantly monitoring the situation of Taal, and our regional DRRMC for Calabarzon [Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon] has already reminded all LGUs around the volcano island to ensure readiness for any possibility,” said NDRRMC deputy spokesman Mark Cashean Timbal, in a message to reporters. Preparations include the activation of evacuation sites and relief support. “[These include] preparations for evacuation activities, evacuation centers, relief support, etc., [aside from] integrating Covid-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] protection protocols,” Timbal said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised the alert level for Taal Volcano from Alert Level 1, or low level of unrest, to Alert Level 2, or increasing unrest on Tuesday morning.

In its Volcano Bulletin Issued at 8 a.m. on November 9, 2021, Phivolcs said since February 13, 2021, Taal Volcano has been exhibiting increased unrest based on a number of monitoring parameters, namely, volcanic earthquakes, changes in the main crater lake, ground deformation and microgravity changes.

According to Phivolcs, the Taal Volcano Network (TVN) recorded a total of 28 volcanic tremor episodes,

4 low frequency volcanic earthquakes (LFVQs), and 1 hybrid earthquake at shallow depths of less than 1.5 kilometers beneath TVI in the past 24 hours.

Compared to previously recorded episodes, volcanic tremors have increased seismic energy and ranged between three to 17 minutes in duration.

Phivolcs had also recorded a continuing increase in acidity from January to mid-February.

“Increasing acidity is caused by sustained volcanic gas input into the shallow hydrothermal system that feeds into the lake, signifying degassing of magma intruded at depth during the January 2020 eruption,” it said.

Phivolcs also noticed there is an ongoing slight deformation of TVI centered on a pressure source on its southeast sector.

Last, Phivolcs said campaign surveys have measured positive microgravity changes across Taal Caldera after the 2020 eruption consistent with density changes caused by magma migration, magma degassing and hydrothermal activity.

In raising the alert level status of Taal Volcano, Phivolcs said “this means there is probable magmatic activity that may or may not lead to an eruption.”

It also said that under Alert Level 2, evacuation is not yet recommended.

“However, the public is reminded that Taal Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone [PDZ] and that entry into the TVI, especially the vicinities of the main crater and Daang Kastila fissure must remain strictly prohibited,” it added. PNA with Jonathan L. Mayuga

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, March 10, 2021 A3

DOJ chief directs NBI to probe Samar ‘gunfight’ that left mayor, 5 others dead

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By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573 & Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Calbayog City Mayor Ronald Aquino and five others in Samar last Monday.

Guevarra said the NBI should take over the investigation on the incident since members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) were among the parties involved in the deadly shootout.

Aquino was on his way to attend his son’s birthday party in Samar last Monday when the incident occurred.

Aquino, who was on board a white van with his aides, were traveling north along the Laboyao Bridge in Lonoy village when they were allegedly fired upon.

This allegedly prompted one of Aquino’s security personnel to fire shots at the van that they allegedly thought were tailing them.

It turned out the occupants of the other vehicles were PNP personnel

from the Integrity, Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) and the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU).

Dead on the spot were Mayor Aquino, S/Sgt. Rodeo Balonzo, S/Sgt. Romeo Laoyon, and Dennis Abayon, the mayor’s driver.

Wounded were S/Sgt. Neil Cebu; Mansfield Labonite, the mayor’s aide; and Clint John Paul Yauder, a local government employee.

Laoyon was onboard in one of the vehicles reportedly tailing the mayor’s car while Balonzo, Cebu, and Labonite were in the same car with Aquino.

Yauder, whose car was just passing by but got caught in the shooting, later died while under treatment at St. Camillus Hospital in Calbayog.

Rentuaya said the body of Capt.

Joselito Tabada, chief of Samar PNPDEU and acting chief of police of nearby Gandara town, was recovered under the bridge on the same night.

Tabada was onboard a van said to be tailing the mayor’s car. His death was not included in the spot report due to the late discovery of his body.

“We would refer the matter to the NBI for the simple reason that the other party involved is from the PNP [Philippine National Police]. The information that we have gathered so far is that the [group of Mayor Aquino] had an encounter with alleged police officers,” said Guevarra.

“So since there are different versions, in order to have an objective and impartial investigation, I will direct the NBI today to investigate the incident,” Guevarra said.

Who fired the first shot?

AT Camp Crame, meanwhile, the PNP maintained that the first gunshot that triggered the gunfight between the convoy of Aquino and a team of policemen came from the group of the late mayor.

A news statement released by the PNP, through its spokesman, Brig.

Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, said the gun battle allegedly transpired after the group of Aquino fired at the convoy of the joint IMEG and PDEA team.

“There was an exchange of gun-

fire between the two groups that resulted to casualties on both sides…,” Usana said.

Usana said that while the details of the incident remain sketchy, investigation reports have so far established that the shot, which triggered the gun battle came from the convoy of Aquino.

“The group of Mayor Aquino was alleged to have initiated the shootout when his close-in security fired at the unmarked vehicle of the IMEGPDEU group that was travelling in the same direction along the road,” Usana said.

“The IMEG-PDEU group denies that Mayor Aquino was a subject of their operations or that he was targeted. The SITG [Special Investigation Task Group] shall confirm the veracity of this statement,” he added.

Usana said the joint IMEG-PDEU team was conducting “Red Teaming inspection on the operational readiness of PNP units in the area” when the firefight happened.

“The PNP personnel involved also claimed they were initially unaware of the passengers on board the vehicle that fired upon them. It was only after the firefight that the said vehicle was identified to be owned

by Mayor Aquino. The same remains to be validated,” the PNP spokesman also said. With PNA report

A4 Wednesday, March 10, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

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IFPB okays rules on Bangsamoro grants, donations

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

T

HE Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB) has approved the guidelines on the acceptance of foreign grants and donations by the Bangsamoro government.

Co-chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, the IFPB greenlighted the set of guidelines during its second meeting on February 5.

Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said the guidelines issued by the IFPB are similar to the protocols provided under the law that other government agencies have to follow when receiving grants or donations.

“The IFPB’s goal in issuing the guidelines was to streamline the process for the Bangsamoro government in receiving grants and make it more efficient,” Agabin said in a news statement sent through the Department of Finance (DOF).

Under Republic Act 11054, or the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), the IFPB is tasked to deal with revenue imbalances and fluctuations in regional financial needs and revenue-raising capacity of the Bangsamoro government.

Dominguez and BARMM Public Works Minister Eduard Guerra, who was Minister Ebrahim’s representative, also agreed during the February 5 meeting that the Bangsamoro government should inform DOF when initiating talks with potential foreign donors so

that processing of grants can be done simultaneously with the national government.

Under the approved guidelines, Bangsamoro government shall coordinate closely w ith DOF before the negotiation and signing of foreign grants “to facilitate issuances of request for Office of the President Approval or Special Authority.”

The guidelines on foreign grants to the BARMM shall take effect 15 days following the filing of its three copies with the Office of the National Administrative Register of the University of the Philippines Law Center.

Under BOL, the BARMM shall enjoy fiscal autonomy and have the power to create its sources of revenues as provided under this law. The BOL also provides

that the Bangsamoro government shall exercise authority over grants and loans, without prejudice to the general supervision of the President of the Philippines, and that its acceptance of foreign grants shall be subject to the prior clearance and approval by the President or his authorized representative.

In the same meeting, the IFPB also discussed the ongoing work being done by the BARMM Tax Study Group (TSG) and the establishment of the Shari’ah Supervisory Board in the BARMM, along with the creation of a regional office of the DOF-attached Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) in the autonomous region.

Doming uez told Guer ra to start digitalizing the tax processes of the BARMM to ensure

ef f ic ient re venue - generat i ng operations and funding for its priority projects.

“If there’s any more help you need from us on taxation, please let us know because this is so important. Without good taxation and a good collection agency, you cannot get anything done. Nice engine, but no gasoline,” Dominguez told Guerra.

The finance chief also ordered Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Napao to track the timeline of the studies being done by the TSG and to align this task with the timeline of the parliamentary approval of the BARMM Revenue Code.

BARMM Deputy Minister Ubaida Pacasem, who is also the Minister of Finance and Budget and Management, informed the IFPB that the

Bangsamoro government expects the proposed Revenue Code to be presented to its Cabinet in May and to the Parliament by the third quarter of this year.

Represent at ives f rom t he Bangsamoro government and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas held their first meeting last January 26 to discuss the framework for the Shari’ah Supervisory Board.

The BOL provides for the establishment of the Shari’ah Supervisory Board and the promotion and development of Shari’ah compliant financial institutions in the BARMM. As for the establishment of the BLGF regional office in the BARMM, Agabin said the creation of 18 staff positions for this office was already approved by the Department of Budget and Management.

Senate approves BFP modernization bill

By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

T

HE Senate passed by unanimous vote the proposed Bureau of Fire Protection Modernization Bill providing modern firefighting tools and life-saving equipment, as well as additional firemen mandated to undergo relevant training.

Embodied in Senate Bill 1832, the enabling legislation sponsored by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa breezed through with 23 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstention.

To be known as BFP Modernization Act once enacted into law, it is aimed at helping the bureau pursue its mandate of promoting public safety by saving lives and protecting property in times of emergencies.

Dela Rosa, in sponsoring the measure, said the enabling legislation is intended to “ensure that the BFP will be “well-quipped and sufficiently manned to suppress fire and respond to calamities.”

The senator assured that “we will not allow the BFP to prevent and suppress destructive fires alone.”

“With the help of Senate Bill 1832, we can ensure there will be enough fire officers, fire trucks, personal protective equipment and other equipment needed to promptly put out deadly fire incidents,” he said.

Apart from that, the senator added that BFP personnel can better perform their task as “ first responders” in case of accidents and other emergency incidents.

With the help of Senate Bill 1832, we can ensure there will be enough fire officers, fire trucks, personal protective equipment and other equipment needed to promptly put out deadly fire incidents.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa

Moreover, Dela Rosa pointed out that Senate Bill 1832 expands the BFP’s functions to include prevention and suppression of fire in all buildings, houses and other structures located inside economic zones, agro-industrial economic zones, free ports, and special economic zones, IT parks/ centers, tourism economic zones, and other similar entities.

In addition, the bureau’s functions include responding to “natural and man-made disasters and assist in rescue and emergency medical services” provided that the BFP would coordinate and cooperate with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and local government units (LGUs).

As passed, the BFP Modernization Bill also provides for a modernization program consisting components, such as “fire protection service, force

BM

restructuring and organizational development, capability, material, and technology development, specialized services development, and human resource development.”

Dela Rosa added: “With the help of Congress we can fulfill a dream for all localities to have their own fire station and fire truck and provide all firefighters with protective equipment while putting out deadly fire incidents.”

“Again, with the help of Congress, our dream to have fire trucks and fire stations in every municipality could be achieved; hopefully, we can see firefighters with protective equipment while suppressing deadly fires; no more stories of fatalities due to lack of ambulances during accidents and emergencies,” the senator said, even as he assured the public that the Senate will ensure proper funding for the modernization of the BFP.

House finalizes measure to discard old LPG cylinders, but group calls for ‘further study’

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

T

HE House Committee on Energy is now finalizing the LPG Cylinder Replacement and Recovery Program, which would replace around 6 million LPG cylinders being used in Philippine households.

However, in a letter to House Committee on Energy Chairman Juan Miguel Arroyo, the LPG Refillers Association (LPGRA) appealed to the committee to “further study” the impact of the program to poor households.

Engr. Bernardo Bolisay, chairman and president of LPGRA, said the proposed LPG Cylinder Replacement and Recovery Program needs millions of pesos in gov-

ernment subsidy, which would replace around 6 million LPG cylinders, adding nothing has been mentioned about subsidy in the consolidated measures under House Bills 302, 5642 and 7251, which are all pending in the committee.

Under the proposals, Bolisay said substandard LPG cylinders would have to be replaced in three years.

“That is not possible,” Bolisay said. He noted that a similar program took three years to replace 1.2 million cylinders in Thailand.

“In Thailand, the government subsidizes such a program so consumers don’t have to suffer,” he said.

Without a subsidy some 6 million poor families would have to shoulder the expense of a brand-new cylinder, which

costs around P1,500.

The group, meanwhile, proposed a longer transition period for the program, which, he said, may take six years and three months under the present circumstances.

He said the two cylinder manufacturers can only produce 40,000 cylinders each per month for a total of 80,000 cylinders per month.

“At that rate, replacing 6 million cylinders would entail six years and three months,” he said.

“The recovery and replacement of these six million substandard LPG cylinders undoubtedly need the active cooperation of our poorest and poor Filipino families by surrendering their substandard LPG cylinders in order to be replaced by new standard LPG cylinders,” Bolisay said.

DFA launches system for quick documents process continued from a10 Once the document is issued an Apostille certificate, the applicant may submit the document directly to the concerned party, phasing out the “red ribbon” certificate.

“Authentication services are crucial for the Filipino public, particularly our overseas Filipino workers [OFWs] and students abroad. It is for them that we continue to think of ways to do things better and make their lives a bit easier,” said Secretary Locsin.

The newly launched system will allow applicants who wish to submit their documents for authentication at DFA Aseana

to register for an appointment at http:// dfa.gov.ph/apostille-appointment, beginning Monday. By April 2021, applicants may also register online for authentication appointments at select Consular Offices nationwide.

Undersecretary Dulay said that “today’s launch of this online appointment system for authentication services is a concrete, tangible and self-evident example of how we operationalize this commitment [to an effective, efficient and timely delivery of consular services that are responsive to the needs of Filipinos here and abroad].”

The step-by-step process of using the newly launched online Apostille Appointment and Verification System may be viewed here: https://bit.ly/2POySaT. Those who wish to know more about the Authentication through Apostille may check https://tinyurl.com/DFAApostilleAuthentication.

For DFA’s Authentication services and which Consular Offices offer the service, visit the consular web site at https://consular. dfa.gov.ph/services/authentication/authentication-general-info.

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www.businessmirror.com.ph

Senate okays measure dividing Maguindanao into 2 provinces

T

HE Senate on Tuesday passed on third and final reading the bill which seeks to create the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur in Mindanao.

House Bill 6413, sponsored by the chairman of the Committee on Local Government Sen. Francis “Tol” Tolentino, seeks to divide the present Maguindanao province to pave the way for the creation of two provinces.

Tolentino said the measure seeks to accelerate the political, social and economic development of the new provinces and ensure that government services are more accessible and more responsive to theneedsoftheirrespectiveconstituents.

On a broader perspective, the creation of more public offices as a consequence of the division will further expand the democratic space for qualified and dedicated public servants to participate in the governance of the provinces.

Once enacted into law, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed of the following towns: Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay.

Maguindanao del Sur will consist of Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdulla Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Sharif Aguak, Sharif Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan and South Upi. Under the bill, the capital towns and seats of government of the two new provinces will be Datu Odin Sinsuat for Maguindanao del Norte and

Buluan for Maguindanao del Sur. Tolentino noted that Maguindanao has a population of 1,173,933 based on the 2015 official population count of the Philippine Statistics Authority and an estimated average annual regular income is P714.56 million as certified by the Bureau of Local Government Finance. Moreover, Tolentino pointed out that the two new provinces, likewise, comply with the minimum land area requirement of 2,000 kilometers (200,000 hectares) as certified by the Land Management Bureau.

According to Tolentino, Maguindanao is blessed with rich and abundant natural resources. Despite the existence of this vast potential, political and economic barriers persist. The size of the province remains to be a challenge for the provincial government to provide basic services like public health care, education, and transportation to the most remote villages.

In his co-sponsorship speech, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. said the legislative measure is “an embodiment of the aspiration of our brothers and sisters in Maguindanao to create a new province.”

For his part, Sen. Joel Villanueva said that through this legislation he is co-sponsoring, he is one with the leaders of Maguindanao in accelerating their economic progress while ensuring lasting peace and stability for their fast-growing population, which is projected to reach 1.4 million in 2023.

Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri—who moved for an omnibus amendment for Northern Maguindanao and Southern Maguindanao be renamed to Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur, respectively—and Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian are also co-sponsors of the bill. Butch Fernandez

PHL, Novavax to sign supply deal for 30-M Covid jabs today–Palace

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Philippines is expected to sign today (Wednesday, March 10, 2021) the supply agreement for the procurement of 30 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine developed

by American vaccine maker Novavax manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced this in an online Palace briefing on Tuesday.

“Pipirma na rin bukas, ika-10 ng Marso with Novavax, 30 milyon po ’yan,” Roque said.

Vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez is currently in India for the expected signing of the supply deal for Novavax Covid-19 vaccine doses. Galvez will be in India until March 12.

The supply agreement is the final phase of the government’s vaccine procurement process.

The government earlier said Novavax vaccines from SII, are expected to start arriving in the country by May this year.

Aside from Novavax vaccines, Roque also said the government has also signed the supply agreement for 13 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from American pharmaceutical firm

Moderna, as well as the “purchase order” for 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine CoronaVac from Chinese pharmaceutical company Sinovac.

Roque said the signed supply agreement for 13 million doses of vaccines from Moderna is separate from the 7 million doses also eyed to be procured by the private sector also from the same firm.

As for the procurement of 1 million doses of Sinovac vaccines, this will also be on top of the 600,000 doses donated by China to the Philippine government on February 28.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier announced it is eyeing to use its savings for the procurement of additional Sinovac vaccines.

Meanwhile, Roque said the country’s supply deal with American pharmaceutical firm Johnson & Johnson is still “in progress.”

Lawyers urge SC to mandate use of body cams in serving of warrants

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

S

EVERAL lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court on Tuesday to impose a “no body camera, no service of search warrant” rule for law enforcers to address the issue of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during police operations.

The call was made following the death of nine activists and the arrest of several others in simultaneous police and military operations conducted in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal (Calabarzon) last Sunday, as well as, several other alleged EJK incidents allegedly perpetrated by law enforcers.

At a news conference, lawyer Evalyn Ursua, one of the legal counsels and petitioners before the SC seeking the scrapping of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, said compelling law enforcers to wear body cameras during service of search or arrest warrants to ensure proper police protocols are observed.

She added this would also prevent speculations of summary killings or EJKs against law enforcers in case a shootout ensues during service of warrants.

The police maintained that the nine activists were killed after they fired at the raiding team which was supposed to implement search warrants for explosives and several firearms allegedly from target individuals.

“If the Supreme Court would require that all those who would serve the search warrants would have body cameras, the police

officers, the law enforcers, we would avoid those inaccurate stories. We would not just rely on the testimony of the law enforcers, there should be evidence,” Ursua said.

Requiring police officers to wear body cams, according to Ursua, would also prevent parties from issuing false accusations or accounts of what transpired during the implementation of the warrants.

She said if law enforcers would fail to comply with the policy during its operations once it is approved by the SC, there would be an automatic assumption of irregularity.

Meanwhile, another lawyer-petitioner in the ATA case and chairman of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) Neri Colmenares, suggested that if the service of a warrant would result in a fatality, the SC should get the records of the case from the judge for review.

He added law enforcement officers should be required to submit a report on the facts that led to the death of a person aside from submitting a list of items found or confiscated from the subject of the search warrant.

The issue on EJKs of activists, according to Colmenares, should be actively discussed or asked during the Judicial and Bar Council’s (JBC) scheduled interview of candidates for SC Chief Justice post.

The issue on the killing of judges and lawyers handling sensitive cases was also brought up during the news conference.

Ursua noted that the number of lawyers and

judges killed has reached 54 under the Duterte administration but one of them has been solved.

Ursua said this should be enough to serve as a “tipping point” for all those in the legal profession to go on strike.

“I agree that this should be the tipping point. Actually, we have already said before, it was proposed that we need to go on strike because if we are already being killed, what are we expecting even if we put our lives on the line for our work,” she said.

“So yes we shall all actually go on strike and I am willing to do that if all the lawyers all over the country would say that we should go on strike,” Ursua added.

Howard Calleja, who is also one of the lawyers of petitioners in the ATA, said that when lawyers are under attack, the Filipinos are also under attack.

The lawyers said they are willing to sit down with the SC to discuss all their proposals on how to prevent EJKs during service of search warrants and on other related issues.

Lawyer Angelo Karlo Guillen was the latest victim of an attack against those in the legal profession.

Guillen, was stabbed in the head Wednesday evening. An initial report from the police said it was a robbery.

Guillen is the NUPL assistant vice president for Visayas and a fellow legal counsel for the ATA representing the petitioners in the 11th petition filed by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

Meanwhile, petitioners against the ATA and their lawyers reiterated their plea to the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the controversial in light of the attack against Guillen, one of their co-counsels in the case.

In a five-page joint manifestation and further reiterative motion for issuance of injunctive relief, the petitioners and their counsels asked the SC to issue a status quo ante order and/or a TRO pending the resolution of the consolidated petitions against the ATA. “It is with much outrage and alarm that petitioners and their respective counsels respectfully bring to the attention of this Honorable Court the brazen and premeditated attacks on Atty. Angelo Karlo Guillen,” they said.

They explained that the attack on Guillen is a grim reminder of the conditions of the social environment that they are litigating against the ATA. “It is one where activists and human-rights defenders not only pray that they do not fall prey in the first place to such relentless incitements to violence and assaults. It is one where every inch of democratic space must be defended to the teeth lest the lofty tenets of the Constitution be mangled into mere hortatory aspirations that shall fail at every turn to keep brutes and assassins, under the badge of authority, at bay,” they added.

On the other hand, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra expects to receive the inventory on the killings of lawyers soon.

Incentives eyed for firms aiding lawmen to track down online sexual abuse cases

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

C

ONGRESS was asked to frontload legislation granting incentives to private companies aiding law enforcers tracking online sexual abuse cases and exploitation of minors.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros stressed the need for early enactment of remedial legislation to assist law enforcers “in clamping down on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children [OSAEC].”

“We need companies to be proactive in the fight against OSAEC,” the senator said. “Providing incentives may be the most effective way to ensure this,” Hontiveros added, asserting the need to be sure commensurate penalties are

We need companies to be proactive in the fight against OSAEC. Sen. Risa Hontiveros

applied to those who violate the law.

In a parallel effort, Hontiveros earlier filed Senate Bill 2068, to be known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation law, imposing penalties on

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 A5

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private companies that fail to comply with their obligations under the bill.

She noted “both incentives and penalties can encourage more synergy between private companies and

government agencies.

Moreover, Hontiveros reminded that under Senate Bill 2068, “Internet service providers [ISP] that do not give notice of exploitation on their services will suffer a penalty of P2 million but not more than P5 million.”

In addition, she noted that the bill also provides that social-media networks that are not compliant with the requirements will suffer a penalty of P10 million, while banks, money services, and other financial intermediaries not fulfilling their reportorial obligation shall suffer the penalty as provided under the law.

According to Hontiveros, “the private sectors’ products are the main channels through which exploitation occurs.

Sought how much will the government spent for the procurement of these Covid-19 vaccines, Roque said they are expecting to spend P700 million for the additional 1 million doses of Sinovac’s vaccine and $5 each for 70 percent of 17 million doses of vaccines from British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

Out of the 17 million doses from AstraZeneca that the Philippines expects to receive through the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) facility, the government has so far received P525,000 doses.

The Philippines is eyeing to inoculate 50 million to 70 million people to cover the country’s adult population.

The country’s vaccination program is expected to cost around P82.5 billion.

To raise the bulk of the amount, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III earlier said it is targeting about $1.3 billion (roughly P63 billion) in loan financing from multilateral lenders, which includes the Philippines’s contribution of $84 million to the Covax facility.

As for the remaining P12.5 billion, P10 billion will be sourced from funds allocated for the Covid-19 vaccination program under Republic Act (RA) 11494 or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act (Bayanihan 2), while P2.5 billion already forms part of the budget of the Department of Health under the 2021 national budget.

World Health Organization (WHO) Philippine representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, meanwhile,

disclosed on Tuesday that at least 117,000 doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine from the Covax Facility may arrive in the country either in March or April.

Abeyasinghe also said that 4.5 million more doses of AstraZeneca vaccine are expected to arrive in the country before the end of May. “We are looking at up to 4.5 million doses which will come during April and May,” Abeyasinghe said.

The WHO official reminded the government anew to follow the prioritization list.

On Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines in the country are not yet enough for the 1.8 million healthcare workers (HCWs).

“We have 1.8 million estimated health-care workers from hospitals down to the community across the different regions of the community kaya kulang pa po para makumpleto ang health workers natin [We still lack vaccines for them],” Vergeire said.

Vergeire also warned that the dependents of medical frontliners are not allowed to receive Covid-19 vaccine.

The dependents or family members , she said, cannot act as replacement for they are not part of the “priority list.”

If the prioritization list will not be followed, Vergeire stressed, the vaccine allocation from the Covax facility may be jeopardized.

With Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

DOTr orders ‘strict’ enforcement of health protocols amid reported uptick in virus cases

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

& Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

D

EPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade has ordered the strengthening of enforcement of protocols for health and safety in public transport terminals and vehicles amid a noted spike in the number of daily cases of Covid-19 in the country.

He said he has “directed all transport sectors to ensure that their respective enforcers and transport marshals assigned on the streets and in various transportation hubs are strictly enforcing the health protocols and stem the further spread of the virus.”

“The safety of commuters is paramount. I am ordering all transport sectors to strictly enforce the health and safety protocols in order to help prevent the spread of Covid,” Tugade stressed.

Over the past few days, the number of new cases of Covid-19 rose to close to 600,000 cases, after posting a steep increase of over 3,300 cases two days ago.

OCTA Research thinks that the Philippines may record as much as 6,000 new cases per day by the end of March.

Tugade said he has ordered enforcers from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and train marshals to make sure that proper social distancing is being observed inside public transport vehicles and inside transport terminals.

Enforcers and marshals, he said, have to ensure that commuters entering terminals and boarding public transport are also wearing masks and face shields. They should also remind commuters not to talk or eat while inside trains.

Tugade also ordered public transport operators to ensure that their

vehicles are safe and are properly disinfected.

“Operators must disinfect their vehicles. Terminals should also be able to enforce health safety protocols. Drivers also have the responsibility to protect the life, safety, and health of their passengers,” he said.

Unified contact tracing pool

TWO committees of the House of Representatives on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging the Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to establish a unified national contact tracing protocol.

House Resolution 1536 was adopted by the House Committees on Health and on Information and Communications Technology, chaired by Quezon Fourth District Rep. Angelina Tan and Tarlac Second District Rep. Victor Yap, respectively, to ensure a more effective health emergency data monitoring system in the country.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, author of the resolution, underscored the need to strengthen the government’s contact tracing efforts using the most effective and safest system to further boost its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said an effective and safe contact tracing system would help control the spread of the virus that has already claimed more than 12,500 lives and infected more than half a million people nationwide.

Contact tracing is the process of finding out who has recently been in close contact with a person infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, and reaching out to those people to let them know they may have been exposed and guide them on what to do next, which may include self-isolating to prevent further spread of the virus.

Velasco said the Philippines is only able to identify at least seven contacts per coronavirus-infected person when the ideal contact tracing ratio should be 1:35 for urban areas and 1:30 for rural communities.

BusinessMirror

A6 Wednesday, March 10, 2021

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NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

WEI, QIAN MANDARIN CUSTOMER Chinese SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WU, JIARUI MANDARIN CUSTOMER 51.

Chinese SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ZHANG, XIANGGUO MANDARIN CUSTOMER 52.

Chinese SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D. Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street Tambo Parañaque City DENG, CHENGYU 53.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese NAN KAY THI KHAING 54.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari NGUYEN DIEU LINH 55.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Vietnamese NONG DINH TAM CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 56.

Vietnamese PHAN VUONG THI MY 57.

DUYEN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Vietnamese TANG, LEI CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 58.

Chinese BAUER FOUNDATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. Unit A To K 12/f Cyberone Bldg. 11 Eastwood Ave., Eastwood City Cyberpark Bagumbayan 3 Quezon City MOHAMMED ELSAYED ELARABI ELHUSSIENY 59.

SAYED AHMED HEAD OF OPERATIONS ELMELHAT Egyptian BETCONSULT INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING, INC. Office #01 20a/b Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. San Lorenzo Makati City HUANG, KAI CUSTOMER CARE ASSOCIATE 60.

Chinese (MANDARIN SPEAKING) BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. 5f-13f, Jiaxing Tower Building Aseana Avenue, Aseana Business Park Tambo Parañaque City JIANG, ZHICHUN CHINESE SPEAKING 61.

Chinese TRANSLATOR NANG HTWE 62.

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST Myanmari GAO, PENGXIANG MANDARIN CUSTOMER 63.

Chinese SERVICE GONG, WEIJIE MANDARIN CUSTOMER 64.

Chinese SERVICE HUANG, HONGBING MANDARIN CUSTOMER 65.

Chinese SERVICE JIA, JIANJUN MANDARIN CUSTOMER 66.

Chinese SERVICE LIU, SHUANG MANDARIN CUSTOMER 67.

Chinese SERVICE SHI, MIN MANDARIN CUSTOMER 68.

Chinese SERVICE SU, RUFANG MANDARIN CUSTOMER 69.

Chinese SERVICE TAN, ANAN MANDARIN CUSTOMER 70.

Chinese SERVICE TAN, YUHUA MANDARIN CUSTOMER 71.

Chinese SERVICE ZHU, HENGJIAN MANDARIN CUSTOMER 72.

Chinese SERVICE BAO, FEI MANDARIN LANGUAGE 73.

Chinese SPECIALIST CHEN, HAO MANDARIN LANGUAGE 74.

Chinese SPECIALIST DONG, XILONG MANDARIN LANGUAGE 75.

Chinese SPECIALIST HUANG, JIALING MANDARIN LANGUAGE 76.

Chinese SPECIALIST LI, JIALIANG MANDARIN LANGUAGE 77.

Chinese SPECIALIST LI, MENGYUAN MANDARIN LANGUAGE 78.

Chinese SPECIALIST LIU, XING MANDARIN LANGUAGE 79.

Chinese SPECIALIST LUO, ZHIQIANG MANDARIN LANGUAGE 80.

Chinese SPECIALIST OU, HAIMAO MANDARIN LANGUAGE 81.

Chinese SPECIALIST RU, JUNHAO MANDARIN LANGUAGE 82.

Chinese SPECIALIST WANG, ZHICHANG MANDARIN LANGUAGE 83.

Chinese SPECIALIST WANG, XINMING MANDARIN LANGUAGE 84.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHANG, YANG MANDARIN LANGUAGE 85.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHAO, TONG MANDARIN LANGUAGE 86.

Chinese SPECIALIST BUDDHIST COMPASSION RELIEF TZU CHI FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES, INC. 1000 Bldg. A Cordillera Cor. Lubiran Sts. Sta.mesa, 062 Bgy. 621 Sampaloc Manila LO, YU-CHING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT / 87.

Taiwanese CONSULTANT CANTIER SYSTEMS, INC. 4/f Nol Tower Commerce Ave., Madrigal Business Park Alabang Muntinlupa City KUTHALINGAM, 88.

SUBRAMANIAN GENERAL MANAGER & COO Indian CAPGEMINI PHILIPPINES CORP. 12f, Ten West Campus Bldg. Le Grand Avenue, Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City ATTUNURU, 89.

VENKATESWARA REDDY SENIOR CONSULTANT Indian CAPSLOCK INC. 7th & 8th Flr. Y Tower Bldg. Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal Brgy. 076 Pasay City SUN, PENG CHINESE IT SUPPORT 90.

Chinese SPECIALIST TAN, CHAO CHINESE IT SUPPORT 91.

Chinese SPECIALIST CHINA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 12/f One/neo Bldg 26th St. Cor 3rd Ave., Bgc Fort Bonifacio Taguig City WU, GUOJIE 5G NETWORK PLANNER 92.

Chinese (MANDARIN) CHEN, RUI 5G TECHNICAL CONSULTANT 93.

Chinese (MANDARIN) LYU, QIANG 5G TECHNICAL CONSULTANT 94.

Chinese (MANDARIN) CONCENTRIX CVG PHILIPPINES, INC. 25/f Ayala North Exchange Tower 2, 6796 Ayala Ave. Cor. Salcedo & Amorsolo Streets Makati City UDAYAGIRI GURUVAIAH, SENIOR MANAGER, 95.

SAPTHASHYLA, Indian OPERATIONS CREDITACCESS PHILIPPINES FINANCING COMPANY INC. (ONEPUHUNAN) 42nd Floor One San Miguel Ave. Condominium San Miguel Ave. Ortigas Center, San Antonio Pasig City 50.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

ROVERE, DANIELE PRESIDENT/GENERAL Italian MANAGER DAELIM MANILA BRANCH Unit 2204a West Tower Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City CHO, HOJIN 97.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGER South Korean OH, DONGHYEON COST CONTROL MANAGER 98.

South Korean PARK, JOOTAEK ERECTION, JACKING & 99.

South Korean GROUTING MANAGER SHIN, JINHO 100.

SENIOR MANAGER South Korean CHUN, SUNGHO 101.

TECHNICAL MANAGER South Korean DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue Project 7 Bungad 1 Quezon City MANDARIN SPEAKING ZHAO, LEI 102.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese REPRESENTATIVE EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503 Nueva St Binondo Manila HAO, TAO MARKETING AND SALES 103.

Chinese AGENT WANG, YANJUN MARKETING AND SALES 104.

Chinese AGENT ZHENG, YU MARKETING AND SALES 105.

Chinese AGENT EASTVANTAGE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INC. 11/f Fort Legend Tower 3rd Ave. Cor. 31st St., Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City GIRON, LUCUS MANUEL CUSTOMER SUCCESS 106.

American MANAGER ECFULFILL INC. Unit 210,2nd Flr., Gold Condo 15 Annapolis St. Greenhills,2 San Juan City BASAK, JISHU 107.

DATA SCIENCE MANAGER Indian ECHOTECH SERVICES INC. 18/f Philamlife Tower 8767 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City ZHANG, HONG MANDARIN SITE TECHNICAL 108.

Chinese OFFICER ELABRAM SYSTEMS, INC. U-1602 Antel 2000 Corporate Center 121 Valero St. Bel-air Makati City ALI, MD AKBAR 109.

TOWER SUPERVISOR Bangladeshi FREYSSINET INTERNATIONAL MANILA, INC. U-5b-9 5/f The Pearl Bank Centre 146 Valero St. Bel-air Makati City VU TRONG DUC CABLING SPECIALIST 110.

Vietnamese DELILLE, LUDOVIC 111.

STAY CABLE SPECIALIST French GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. 8/f Edsa Cor. Sultan Brgy. Highway Hills Mandaluyong City CHE, GUIHONG CUSTOMER SERVICE 112.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE CHEN, XU CUSTOMER SERVICE 113.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE CHEN, GUANYI CUSTOMER SERVICE 114.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LEI LEI YIN CUSTOMER SERVICE 115.

Myanmari REPRESENTATIVE LI, BIQING CUSTOMER SERVICE 116.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE WAN KYIN PAUNG CUSTOMER SERVICE 117.

Myanmari REPRESENTATIVE WU, ZHAOJIE CUSTOMER SERVICE 118.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor Silver City 4, Ortigas East Ugong Pasig City CUSTOMER SERVICE DU, YIN 119.

REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE GE, CHEN 120.

REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE LI, EREN 121.

REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE LIU, DEFU 122.

REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE MENG, LINGYOU 123.

REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE OU, ZHENGBO 124.

REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING GAO, MINGGEN MARKETING STAFF 125.

Chinese MANDARIN SPEAKING GLOBE TELECOM, INC. 2/f, Globe Telecom Plaza Pioneer Cor. Madison Brgy. Barangka Mandaluyong City RAE, DONALD JAMES 126.

CONSULTANT Canadian IKANO (PHILIPPINES), INC. U-17b 17/f, 8 Rockwell Bldg. Hidalgo Drive, Rockwell Center Poblacion Makati City WALLIN, ANNA FRIDA IKEA BUSINESS NAVIGATION 127.

Swedish MANAGER INNOVANTAGE INC. 8/f Kalayaan Bldg. 164 Dela Rosa Cor. Salcedo Sts. San Lorenzo Makati City TIMLE HAENDEL, ADAM 128.

SALES DIRECTOR GRIM, Swedish INTEGRITY GLOBAL GROUP, INC. 2/f-3/f Ayala Malls Circuit A.p. Reyes Ave. Carmona Makati City CUSTOMER SERVICE CHEN, JIANYU 129.

REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING) CUSTOMER SERVICE HAN, LIN 130.

REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN Chinese SPEAKING)

TIAN, GUANGBIN CHINESE IT SUPPORT Chinese SPECIALIST WANG, DINGPENG CHINESE IT SUPPORT 140.

Chinese SPECIALIST WANG, YING CHINESE IT SUPPORT 141.

Chinese SPECIALIST WU, XU CHINESE IT SUPPORT 142.

Chinese SPECIALIST YAN, YUZHI CHINESE IT SUPPORT 143.

Chinese SPECIALIST YIN, TIANJUN CHINESE IT SUPPORT 144.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZENG, LIQIANG CHINESE IT SUPPORT 145.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHAO, YINAN CHINESE IT SUPPORT 146.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHOU, DONG CHINESE IT SUPPORT 147.

Chinese SPECIALIST FAN KYEE YONE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST 148.

Myanmari JFE TECHNO MANILA, INC. 23/f, Robinsons Cyberscape Alpha Building Sapphire And Garnet Road Center Pasig City NOMURA, TOMOKO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER/ 149.

Japanese TREASURER ITO, YUSUKE DIRECTOR / TECHNOLOGY 150.

Japanese PLANNING OFFICER JIANGSU DIBANG CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2106-a West Tower Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig YANG, CANDI EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION 151.

Chinese SPECIALIST JIANG, JIANSONG PIPING INSULATION 152.

Chinese SPECIALIST JOHN CLEMENTS CONSULTANTS, INC. 12b Lkg Tower 6801 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City SUENAGA, EISUKE JAPANESE CLIENT 153.

Japanese COORDINATOR HOFFMANN BIGALKE, MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL JULIANA 154.

SPECIALIST Deutsch JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.- PHILIPPINE GLOBAL SERVICE CENTER 23/f Net Plaza 31st St. E-square Zone Fort Bonifacio Taguig City JAIPAL, ROHAN CHRISTANAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 155.

Indian LOGICDOSE INC. 19f Marco Polo Ortigas, Sapphire Road Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City PAN, HAICUI 156.

CHINESE IT SPECIALIST Chinese LIN, JIEHAO CHINESE IT SUPPORT 157.

Chinese SPECIALIST LUO, YING CHINESE IT SUPPORT 158.

Chinese SPECIALIST HUANG, ZHANHAO 159.

CHINESE SYSTEM ANALYST Chinese ZHU, DI 160.

CHINESE SYSTEM ANALYST Chinese LY MY NGOC VIETNAMESE SYSTEM 161.

Vietnamese ANALYST LUCKY365 CONSULTING LIMITED CORP. U/18a 18/f 18/f Trafalgar Plaza 105 H.v. Dela Costa St. Bel-air Makati City LIANG, SHENGREN MANDARIN SPEAKING 162.

Chinese MARKETING SPECIALIST MAX INFOTECH ACCENT INC. 18th Flr. Vector 3 Bldg. Northgate Cyberzone Fcc Alabang Muntinlupa City HU, JIE CHINESE CALL CENTER AGENT 163.

Chinese (MANDARIN SPEAKING) JIA , JIANXI CHINESE CALL CENTER AGENT 164.

Chinese (MANDARIN SPEAKING) JIANG, YONG CHINESE CALL CENTER AGENT 165.

Chinese (MANDARIN SPEAKING) LEI, MING CHINESE CALL CENTER AGENT 166.

Chinese (MANDARIN SPEAKING) LYU, WULONG CHINESE CALL CENTER AGENT 167.

Chinese (MANDARIN SPEAKING) MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg. Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City MANDARIN SPEAKING CAO, MAN 168.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CHEN, XIAOWEN 169.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CHEN, YANG 170.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CHEN, LINJIE 171.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING DIAO, PEISHEN 172.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING DONG, YONGYOU 173.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING GUAN, TING 174.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING HE, MENGTING 175.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING HO, CHIA-HSUAN 176.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Taiwanese SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING HUANG, YUXIAO 177.

CUSTOMER RELATIONS Chinese SERVICE PROVIDER

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 7/f Aseana I Bldg. Bradco Avenue Aseana Business Park Tambo Parañaque City

178.

LI, CHANG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

179.

LI, HUAIYUAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

180.

LI, SHUGUANG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

181.

LIU, JIAPENG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

182.

LU, HONGSHENG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

183.

MO, LIXU Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

96.

131.

132.

133.

134.

135.

136.

137.

138.

HUANG, WENLIN Chinese JIN, BANGLIN Chinese LAN, YUANHAO Chinese LU, HEHUI Chinese LUO, JUNWEI Chinese SONG, YIHAO Chinese SU, TIANQUAN Chinese SUN, CHENGHUI Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

139.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

184.

QIN, ZHONGLIANG Chinese

185.

RONG, ZEXIN Chinese

186.

TANG, ZHENG Chinese

187.

WANG, MINGHONG Chinese

188.

WANG, XUANMIAO Chinese

189.

WANG, HUIHONG Chinese

190.

XIE, JINLONG Chinese

191.

YANG, ZISHEN Chinese

192.

YANG, YUNLIANG Chinese

193.

YANG, SONGJIE Chinese

194.

YI, SHANGDI Chinese

195.

YU, HAIBO Chinese

196.

ZHAN, TANG Chinese

197.

ZHANG, XINYU Chinese

198.

ZHOU, LIYANG Chinese

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City YANG, SHAOMIN MANDARIN OPERATION 199.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHANG, SAI MANDARIN OPERATIONS 200.

Chinese SPECIALIST YANG, SUNG-HUA A.K.A MANDARIN TECHNICAL 201.

YANG, SONG-HUA SUPPORT Taiwanese MITSUI & CO. MINERAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT (ASIA) CORP. 22 Flr. Nac Tower 32nd St., Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City FUJITA, TAISHI ASSISTANT GENERAL 202.

Japanese MANAGER MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City AUNG MYINT THEIN 203.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari BAI, QING 204.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese BI, JIANJUN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 205.

Chinese CHEN, RU 206.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese CHEN, ZUYI 207.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese CHEN, HUZAI 208.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese CHEN, JIUZHEN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 209.

Chinese DENG, JIE 210.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese DOAN VAN TAM 211.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Vietnamese FENG, JIUYUAN 212.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese FENG, QUANXING 213.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese FU, YUNFENG 214.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese FU, GUOBING 215.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese GUO, HU 216.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese GUO, XIAOJIAN 217.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese GUO, CHAOJIE 218.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese HAN KO KO OO 219.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari HE, XIYU 220.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese HTWE MYINT 221.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari HU, HUI 222.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese HUANG, YINGDI 223.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese HUANG, YU 224.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese HUANG, BIN 225.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese HUANG, JINBIN 226.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese HWAM PHYIN @ YIN YIN 227.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari JIANG, ZHIWU 228.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese JIN, LEI 229.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese JU JU 230.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari KYAN KHAN 231.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari KYI PHYAR PHYO 232.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari LAI NGAN PHAN 233.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Vietnamese LAUK AE 234.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari LE SHAUK PHAE 235.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari LEE KYAR KAI 236.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Myanmari LI, NA 237.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, WENYI 238.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, ZHIKE 239.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, RONGSHOU 240.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, XIAOHUA 241.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, ZONGSHUAI 242.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, MINGLIANG 243.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, JIUYANG 244.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LI, PINGGUI 245.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LIANG, TAO 246.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese LIANG, HUI 247.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese

NO. 248.

249.

250.

251.

252.

253.

254.

255.

256.

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258.

259.

260.

261.

262.

263.

264.

265.

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268.

269.

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282.

283.

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306.

307.

308.

309.

310.

311.

312.

313.

314.

315.

316.

317.

318.

319.

320.

321.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY LIAO, JIANQIN Chinese LIN, WENHUO Chinese LIU, YUANYING Chinese LIU, ZHANWEI Chinese LIU, JUNHUI Chinese LIU, MINGSHENG Chinese LIU, YONGZHI Chinese LIU, JIANWEI Chinese LIU, FENG Chinese LONG, YE Chinese LONG, JUNDONG Chinese LOU, YU Chinese LUO, JIABAO Chinese LYU, SHIGUI Chinese LYU, QIANG Chinese LYU, KUNKUN Chinese PHAN VAN PHUC Vietnamese QIAN, JIMING Chinese QU, XIA Chinese QU, YONGZE Chinese REN, YALONG Chinese SAI KAM HLA Myanmari SHAO, HAONAN Chinese SHI, WEICONG Chinese SHUN LAE LAE SOE Myanmari SHYAMA PRASAD VAZHAYIL CHELLAM Indian SU HUE PHUONG Vietnamese SUN, JING Chinese SUN, MENGKE Chinese SUN, YU-HSUAN Taiwanese TENG, QIFENG Chinese THIRI SAN Myanmari TI HA Myanmari TIAN, LINFEI Chinese UNG CAM PHUNG Vietnamese VICTOR CHANG CHING HAW Malaysian VONG LY LAM Vietnamese WAN, CHENGXIN Chinese WAN FA TAW Myanmari WANG, XINLI Chinese WANG, DI Chinese WANG, GUOJI Chinese WANG, XIAOLONG Chinese WANG, NANYA Chinese WAR PAYAY Myanmari WEN, HUAZHEN Chinese WU, TIANCI Chinese WU, QUANFA Chinese XIANG, JILIANG Chinese XU, WENLONG Chinese XU, ZHENJUN Chinese XU, XIANGYUAN Chinese YAN, WEIWEN Chinese YANG, LIFEN Chinese YANG, HONGSHUAI Chinese YAO, YUANYANG Chinese YE, ZHENHAI Chinese YIN PYINT Myanmari YOU, CHUANMING Chinese ZAW MIN HTET Myanmari ZAW MIN OO Myanmari ZAW WIN HTET Myanmari ZHANG, KAI Chinese ZHANG, LEI Chinese ZHANG, YAN Chinese ZHANG, JINGGEN Chinese ZHANG, YAN Chinese ZHANG, WEIJIAN Chinese ZHANG, HONGYUN Chinese ZHANG, WENCHAO Chinese ZHONG, HUAGEN Chinese ZHOU, CHENG Chinese ZHU, WEIQUN Chinese ZHU, HAIHUA Chinese

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

ZHUO, QIANLONG CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese CHEE WEE CHAI CHINESE CUSTOMER 323.

Malaysian SPECIALIST FRANCIS YIEW SHU CHINESE CUSTOMER 324.

HIENG SPECIALIST Malaysian LIN, YUJIE CHINESE CUSTOMER 325.

Chinese SPECIALIST LU, JIANBO CHINESE CUSTOMER 326.

Chinese SPECIALIST SUK PIN CHINESE CUSTOMER 327.

Indonesian SPECIALIST WANG, PENG CHINESE CUSTOMER 328.

Chinese SPECIALIST YANG, TAO CHINESE CUSTOMER 329.

Chinese SPECIALIST YU, FEI CHINESE CUSTOMER 330.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHU, LIN CHINESE CUSTOMER 331.

Chinese SPECIALIST OYO TECHNOLOGY AND HOSPITALITY PHILIPPINES INC. 3/f Corinthian Plaza 121 Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City GOPALAN KANNAN, 332.

PRANAV SURYA COUNTRY REVENUE HEAD Indian SATHYAN KIZHAKKIDATH, HEAD OF BUSINESS 333.

AADERSH DEVELOPMENT - SOUTH Indian LUZON PHIL-BEST WELDER AND HEATER, INC. Unit 101 Ground Flr. Prime Land Tower Market St. Mbp Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City CHANG, YU-WEI SENIOR OPERATIONS 334.

Taiwanese MANAGER PROCTER & GAMBLE PHILIPPINES, INC. 10f Seven/neo 5th Ave., Crescent Park West Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio Taguig City SINGH, AMANDEEP COUNTRY FINANCE LEADER, 335.

Indian P&G PHILIPPINES RED DOT MARKETING AND BRANDING INC. Unit 1514 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila CHAROENKARN, ATIT FOREIGN LANGUAGE 336.

Thai MARKETING SPECIALIST WEI, XINGCHEN MANDARIN OPERATIONS 337.

Chinese SPECIALIST REFINITIV ASIA PTE. LTD. - PHILIPPINE BRANCH Ground Floor 18/20 Building Upper Mckinley Hill Fort Bonifacio Taguig City SHI, CANCAN CONTENT ANALYST 338.

Chinese MANDARIN RENOIR IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES, INC The Enterprises Center 28/f 6766 Ayala Avenue San Lorenzo Makati City BARCA, MATTHEW 339.

JOSEPH COUNTRY MANAGER American SECURE SMARTER SERVICES INC. Unit A 9/ F Bpi-philam Life Bldg. 6811 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City LIU, BING CHINESE SPEAKING SITE 340.

Chinese TECHNICIAN SHA LONG BEAUTY SALON, OPC G/f 142 Amorsolo Bldg. 142 Amorsolo St. San Lorenzo Makati City RUAN, LANG CHINESE BRANCH CHIEF 341.

Chinese FINANCE OFFICER ZHAO, XINGQIANG CHINESE BRANCH CHIEF 342.

Chinese FINANCE OFFICER LI, HAO 343.

CHINESE BRANCH MANAGER Chinese TANG, MIN 344.

CHINESE BRANCH MANAGER Chinese CAO, LIANG 345.

CHINESE SUPPLY OFFICER Chinese LI, CHAO 346.

CHINESE SUPPLY OFFICER Chinese SKY DRAGON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES CORP. 2f-5f Unit 710 Shaw Blvd. Global Link Center, Brgy. Wack Wack Mandaluyong City LIU, QINGANG 347.

CHINESE RESEARCH ANALYST Chinese SKYLUSTER TECHNOLOGY, INC. 26/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City CHAU TINH NGOC 348.

MANDARIN FINANCE STAFF Vietnamese WANG, ZHEN MANDARIN HUMAN 349.

Chinese RESOURCE STAFF TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City BANS - MINATA, 350.

CHALDANC VENUS FRENCH OPERATIONS CSR Congolese GOUMBI EPSE PFIRMAN 351.

JEFFREY, FRANCINE FRENCH OPERATIONS CSR Cameroonian LEMNYUY, LOUIS KPULA 352.

FRENCH TEAM LEADER Cameroonian TIANYU TECHNOLOGY INC. 23/f Pbcom Tower Ayala Avenue Cor. V.a Rufino Street Bel-air Makati City CHEN, XIAOFENG CHINESE IT SUPPORT 353.

Chinese SPECIALIST LIU, XIAOLONG CHINESE IT SUPPORT 354.

Chinese SPECIALIST PENG, LIYUAN CHINESE IT SUPPORT 355.

Chinese SPECIALIST YAO, SHIYU CHINESE IT SUPPORT 356.

Chinese SPECIALIST WANG, SIOU-RU 357.

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST Taiwanese TIGERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Unit A Mezzanine 319 San Nicolas St. 026 Bgy. 284 San Nicolas Manila XU, JINLONG 358.

MARKETING SPECIALIST (MS) Chinese TPPH-FHCS, INC. Teleperformance Center Ayala Corner Sen. Gil J Puyat Avenue Makati City JANG, SUNKWAN CUSTOMER SERVICE 359.

South Korean REPRESENTATIVE TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City CAI, YAPENG CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 360.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE HE, YIXIAN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 361.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE HU, ZHIDE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 362.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE HUANG, ZHENRONG CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 363.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE KONG, WENQI CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 364.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LEI, ZHICHAO CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 365.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LI, SHA CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 366.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LI, WANLONG CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 367.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LI, SENBIN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 368.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LI, ZHIXIN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 369.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LIAO, WEIFAN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 370.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LIU, YUDE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 371.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE LIU, GUOXIANG CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 372.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE PENG, MENGYANG CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 373.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE SUN, WEIBING CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 374.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE 322.

A7

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

SUN, WEI CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE Chinese REPRESENTATIVE WANG, CAN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 376.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE XIE, JINYAN CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 377.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE ZHANG, CHUNZHOU CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 378.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE ZHENG, CHUANJING CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 379.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE ZHENG, XING CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 380.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE ZHOU, SONG CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 381.

Chinese REPRESENTATIVE GOH CHEK NENG CUSTOMER SERVICE 382.

Malaysian REPRESENTATIVE NAY TUN OO CUSTOMER SERVICE 383.

Myanmari REPRESENTATIVE UNITED MOTION BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. U-2215 22f Cityland 10 Tower 2 154 H.v. Dela Costa Cor. Valero Sts. Bel-air Makati City LE NGUYEN DAI VINH VIETNAMESE COLLECTION 384.

Vietnamese OFFICER NGO DINH THE THAO VIETNAMESE VISA 385.

Vietnamese CONSULTANT VAN GOGH BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING INC. Starmall Las Piñas It Hub Alabang-zapote Rd. Cor. C.v. Starr Ave. Pamplona Dos Las Piñas City CAI, JIANHUI INFORMATION SECURITY 386.

Chinese ANALYST CAO, LONG INFORMATION SECURITY 387.

Chinese ANALYST WU, QIONG INFORMATION SECURITY 388.

Chinese ANALYST FANG, SHOULONG IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN 389.

Chinese LU, MI 390.

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN Chinese QIN, QUHUA 391.

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN Chinese SU, KEYI IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN 392.

Chinese YIN, MENGNAN QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE) 393.

Chinese SPECIALIST VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1439 Adriatico Cor. Sta. Monica St. 072 Bgy. 669 Ermita Manila WANG, JIAYU 394.

CHINESE IT SPECIALIST Chinese VN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., INC. U-1202 Bonifacio High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 1 Fort Bonifacio Taguig City NGUYEN THI CAM VAN 395.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER Vietnamese VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor. Washington St. Pio Del Pilar Makati City CAI, WEIYONG BILINGUAL MARKETING 396.

Chinese SPECIALIST DAI, SIYUAN BILINGUAL MARKETING 397.

Chinese SPECIALIST HE, DANHUA BILINGUAL MARKETING 398.

Chinese SPECIALIST LI, XINYU BILINGUAL MARKETING 399.

Chinese SPECIALIST SU, CHEN BILINGUAL MARKETING 400.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHANG, JINPING BILINGUAL MARKETING 401.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHANG, QIONGYAO BILINGUAL MARKETING 402.

Chinese SPECIALIST ZHONG, RIHUA BILINGUAL MARKETING 403.

Chinese SPECIALIST MARSHEN DIYANTI INDONESIAN - SPEAKING 404.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER WENDY GUNAWAN INDONESIAN-SPEAKING 405.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER VIETNAM - SPEAKING NGUYEN HOANG QUAN 406.

CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER Vietnamese NGUYEN LUONG NGOC OANH VIETNAM - SPEAKING 407.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER VU MINH PHUONG VIETNAM - SPEAKING 408.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER DAO ANH TUAN VIETNAM-SPEAKING 409.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER DAO QUYNH ANH VIETNAM-SPEAKING 410.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER HO THI KIM CHAU VIETNAM-SPEAKING 411.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER MAI MINH KHANH VIETNAM-SPEAKING 412.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER NGUYEN HOANG XUAN VIETNAM-SPEAKING TRANG 413.

CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER Vietnamese NGUYEN THANH CUONG VIETNAM-SPEAKING 414.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER NGUYEN TRONG LINH VIETNAM-SPEAKING 415.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER NGUYEN TUAN DUC VIETNAM-SPEAKING 416.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER NGUYEN VAN HOAN VIETNAM-SPEAKING 417.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER PHAM DUY HIEU VIETNAM-SPEAKING 418.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER TRAN KIM BANG VIETNAM-SPEAKING 419.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER TRAN THI PHUONG NGA VIETNAM-SPEAKING 420.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER VO VAN TINH VIETNAM-SPEAKING 421.

Vietnamese CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER WNS GLOBAL SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 9/f 1880 Bldg. Eastwood City Cyberpark Bagumbayan Quezon City GANESHAN, SENIOR GROUP MANAGER422.

KARTHIKEYAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Indian ZAPPORT SERVICES, INC. 36/f Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City ANDREW KUSUMA INDONESIAN SPEAKING 423.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER DARWIN INDONESIAN SPEAKING 424.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER EWIN SUSANTO INDONESIAN SPEAKING 425.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER MARSELLA SANJAYA INDONESIAN SPEAKING 426.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER MARVEL ANDY CHANDRA INDONESIAN SPEAKING 427.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER ORYZA IMMANUEL INDONESIAN SPEAKING 428.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER STEPHEN INDONESIAN SPEAKING 429.

Indonesian CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER 375.

*Date Generated: Mar 9, 2021 Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A8 Wednesday, March 10, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Rabies–What pet owners should know

T

he Philippines is a dog-loving nation, according to data cited by a bill filed at the House of Representatives in 2014. House Bill 4436 noted that there is one pet dog for every eight people in the Philippines as of 2009. The figure may have dramatically gone up in recent years, when more and more Filipinos have adopted not just dogs but also cats, particularly during the pandemic.

It is relatively easy to adopt a dog or cat in the Philippines—one can get a puppy or kitten from the pets of relatives or friends. There are also organizations and shelters where prospective pet owners can source their furry friends. Sometimes, prospective pet owners go to shops if they’re looking for a particular cat or dog breed.

When it comes to responsible pet ownership, however, a survey conducted by Royal Canin revealed that many Filipino pet owners have failed in this area (See, “Low awareness on responsible pet ownership in the Philippines,” in the BusinessMirror, July 10, 2019). The findings indicate that pet medicalization remains relatively low as only 20 percent of local pet owners bring their pets to veterinarians at least once a year. The remaining 80 percent, according to the survey, would only bring in their pets when they are already sick or in need of immediate care.

This is problematic, particularly if pet owners live in crowded areas and there’s a big chance that the dog or cat can be exposed to stray animals that have rabies. According to the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development under the Department of Science and Technology, rabies is still a public health problem in the country. PCHRD also noted that rabies account for around 200 to 300 deaths each year.

PCHRD said most reported cases of rabies infections are caused by domestic pets, such as cats, dogs and rabbits. The rabies virus comes from the animals’ saliva, but it can also be transmitted to humans through biting and scratching. Rabies is a fatal but preventable viral disease, which is why the government is encouraging pet owners to vaccinate their pets and to report stray animals to local government authorities.

The government is targeting to rid the Philippines of rabies by 2022, but it remains to be seen whether this target is feasible given the mobility restrictions during the lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19. For one, the Bureau of Animal Industry under the Department of Agriculture has sounded the alarm over the shortage in animal and human vaccines in 2019 (See, “Shortage in vaccines may swell rabies cases,” in the BusinessMirror, March 31, 2019). BAI has been banking on the possible increase in the budget of the DA so its rabies program could get additional funds.

Rabies cases may still be few but this should not be overlooked because the virus that causes the disease has a long incubation period. The education and information campaigns of the national and local government units must continue to emphasize prevention and early treatment to prevent deaths from rabies.

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Aurora C. Ignacio

All About Social Security

L

iving in the so-called new normal altered the way we learn, socialize, and work as the current health and safety protocols have forced us to limit physical and social interaction.

These unprecedented changes also caused a shift in the dynamics of branch operations at the Social Security System (SSS).

Necessary adjustments had to be made in the delivery of services as we prioritize our members, pensioners, and the public in keeping them from contracting the dreaded Covid-19. Almost all government agencies had to use their digital resources to provide more accessibility to transact with their clients.

But with the emergence of these online services, also came online scammers and fixers who are taking advantage of our members, especially the digitally challenged.

Just recently, the SSS Special Investigation Department interviewed five unemployment benefit claimants who admitted paying P3,000 to a fixer to help them with their online transactions. It is unfortunate that these members inappro-

priately shelled out a huge amount for a service that is free of charge in the first place.

Personal information must never be given to anyone who claims they can assist you with any SSS transactions in exchange for a fee.

The state fund does not charge any payment for services such as registration to My.SSS, disbursement account enrollment processing of benefit claims and loan applications.

It goes without saying that members should direct their SSS concerns only to authorized personnel. Never entertain anyone who offers help, especially for online transactions with the state pension fund.

There are also transactions that cannot be made in absentia. For in-

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Dennis Gorecho

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

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stance, applications for the UMID Card requires personal appearance for data capturing at SSS branches.

Do not join unauthorized online groups on Facebook or other socialmedia platforms as these might be used to clone accounts.

If someone is requesting for additional information and other documentary requirements through calls or SMS, members are urged to contact SSS branches to confirm the identity of the said personnel.

We would like to remind everyone that fixing or involvement with fixers is a violation of Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 and RA 11032 or Ease in Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018. These violations are punishable by imprisonment or fine.

SSS will also not be held accountable for members who sought the assistance of fixers. This is the reason why general reminders must be taken seriously.

Given the existing predicament, we encourage the younger generation to assist their digitally challenged parents, aunties, and uncles, as well as their grandparents, when using online SSS services.

All advisories are posted in official social-media platforms of SSS, namely: facebook.com/SSSPh on Facebook, twitter.com/PHLSSS for

Challenges women seafarers face in a male-dominated maritime industry

T. Anthony C. Cabangon

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror

MEMBER OF

SSS members and pensioners: Be wary of online fixers

Pinoy Marino Rights

T

he word “seafarer” has replaced the word “seaman” in the male-dominated maritime industry, often considered as politically correct word due to the increasing presence of women in the profession in recent decades.

In older times, the term “seaman” was widely used to describe anyone working at sea while the term “seawoman” was alternatively used.

The word seafarer came from the combination of the words “sea” and “farer” (from the Old English “farere” meaning to journey or travel). The Badjaos (men of the seas or sea gypsies) are sometime identified as seafarers since members of this tribal group are known to move with the wind and the tide on their small houseboats called vintas.

However, the term “seaman” has not totally been pushed into oblivion as some still call the Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book (SIRB) as

“seaman’s book.”

The SIRB is a document provided by the flag state for travel to or from an assigned vessel that also indicates the continuous record of the seafarer while he is onboard a ship, and specifies the particular category or rating, which the holder is qualified to serve.

The usage of seafarer as a politically correct word can partly be attributed to the actions of the United Nations (UN) in promoting gender equality. Women have been taking part in industries that once solely belonged to men, the maritime industry included.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) noted that

women represent only less than 2 percent of the world’s estimated 1.2 million seafarers as 94 percent of them are working in the cruise industry and 6 percent are employed on cargo vessels, container ships or oil tankers.

Within the historically maledominated industry, IMO stressed it has been making a concerted effort to help the industry move forward and support women to achieve representation in keeping with current expectations.

IMO Secretary General Kitack Lim earlier said the maritime industry needs more women because of the quality work they provide, as they are very important human resources.

During the recent episode of the online show Amigos Marino, Merle San Pedro, Women in Maritime Philippines (WiMaPhil) president, pushed for better protection for women seafarers.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, she made the call as part of their campaign not only to promote women as seafarers but also as part of the whole maritime industr y—shipping, ports, maritime administration, maritime education and training,

Twitter, youtube.com/MySSSPhilippines for YouTube, and MySSSPh Updates in Viber Community.

For queries and concerns, our SSS Call Center may be reached at (632) 8920-6446 to 55 or send us an e-mail at member_relations@sss.gov.ph.

They may also access our electronic facilities at My.SSS through our official web site (sss.gov.ph) or download the SSS Mobile App on Google Play Store for Android users, the App Store for Apple users, and the Huawei App Gallery.

Cognizant of these threats, SSS is also taking countermeasures to keep members and retirees from being victimized by high-tech fraudsters.

We hope our members and pensioners will be more vigilant so as not to become potential victims of these unscrupulous scammers.

Just like what America’s 4th President James Madison said: “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

Have a happy week ahead!

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

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

and logistics.

Women seafarers face not only the general challenges of weather, hard work and rough seas, but also inordinate amounts of discrimination, exploitation, sexual harassment, violence and limited opportunities for promotion. These can affect their dignity, security, health, and well-being.

San Pedro stressed that employers must have effective mechanisms and guidelines to promptly address sexual harassment and violence incidents committed against female seafarers and cadettes.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) called on industry stakeholders to prioritize a range of women seafarers’ issues, including (a) reducing gender stereotypes within the industry; (b) provision of sanitary items on board ships; (c) access to confidential medical advice and contraceptives; (d) consistent and improved approach to maternity benefits and rights; and (e) development of sexual harassment policies and appropriate training, including within cadet training and education.

In the Philippines, the Maritime See “Gorecho,” A9

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Gibraltar, a vaccine champion, launches ‘Operation Freedom’

Appreciating the pandemic: Four questions to ask

By Aritz Parra | Associated Press

G

IBRALTAR—Maskless parents pick up smiling Cinderellas, Harry Potters and hedgehogs from schools that reopened after a two-month hiatus just in time for World Book Day’s costume display. Following weeks under lockdown, a soccer team resumes training at the stadium. Coffee shops and pubs have finally raised their blinds, eager to welcome locals and eyeing the return of tourists.

There’s an end-of-hibernation feeling in Gibraltar. The narrow British overseas territory stretching between Spain and the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea is emerging from a devastating virus surge. Covid-19 has killed 93 people, nearly all of them in January and February this year, and infected over 4,000 of its 33,000 residents.

But the compact, high-density geography that is blamed—together with new virus variants—for the surge of infections has also been key to Gibraltar’s successful vaccination campaign, with word-of-mouth facilitating the rollout.

The recent easing of restrictions— what Gibraltar authorities have dubbed “Operation Freedom”—also owes much to the steady delivery of jabs from the UK. By the end of March, Gibraltar is on track to have completely vaccinated all residents over 16 and its vast imported workforce, Health Minister Samantha Sacramento told The Associated Press.

That’s over 40,000 people. Only 3.5 percent have so far rejected the vaccine.

But Gibraltar’s struggle to regain normality is only just starting. It still faces the many challenges of reopening in a globalized world with unequal access to vaccines and new virus variants emerging. Sacramento has been working on contingency plans, including topping up vaccinations with a booster.

“Being vaccinated is absolutely no carte blanche to then behave without any restrictions. But then, we also have to go back to being a little bit more human, being able to breathe fresh air,” the minister said in an office atop the local hospital.

“It’s ‘Operation Freedom,’ but with caution,” she added.

Finding that balance can be tricky for a territory linked to both Spain and the UK. As a British territory, Gibraltar has received five vaccine consignments from London, mostly the Pfizer-BioNTech jab. A handful of AstraZeneca shots have also been reserved for those possibly vulnerable to severe allergic reactions.

Expanding Gibraltar’s limited flights with the UK, which is also rolling out vaccinations at high speed, could in theory be done by mandating tests and quarantines upon entry. But the contagious virus variant first found in Britain has been a source of concern.

In Spain, restrictions have tamed an end-of-the-year coronavirus surge that strained public hospitals. But, like much of the European Union, Spain is struggling with a slow vaccine rollout that hopes to immunize 33 million residents, or 70 percent of its population.

Most Gibraltarians are eager to travel. With an area of only 6.7 square kilometers—a territory only a little bigger than The Vatican and Monaco, most of it dominated by the imposing presence of its famous Rock—Gibraltar can sometimes feel claustrophobic.

“I’ve been on the Rock now for a couple of months, without having stepped foot on Spain. That’s a big part of our lives, going across the border, visiting new cities each weekend. That’s what I’m looking forward to most,” said Christian Segovia, a 24-year-old engineer who works at a shipping company.

Gorecho. . .

continued from A8

Industry Authority has recorded 73,027 women seafarers—almost 10 percent of approximately 1 million Filipino seafarers issued with Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book as of December 2018. For the school year 2015 to 2016, there are 4,791 female students out of the 219,722 enrollees in maritime schools.

The growing number of female seafarers encourages a competitive environment for the ability of women to work at an equal footing with men in a purely male-dominated profession.

With over 15,000 people fully vaccinated and an additional 11,000 awaiting their second dose, people in their 20s are now being called in for their first shots. Non-Gibraltarians who come in to work in health care or other frontline jobs are already vaccinated, and authorities are now trying to inoculate all the remaining trans-border workers.

Vanesa Olivero commutes every day, crossing on foot the airport landing strip that separates Gibraltar from Spain’s La Línea de la Concepción. Some 15,000 workers were making the same trip before the pandemic, but the numbers are lower now because tourism remains closed.

The 40-year-old, who sells tobacco and spirits in one of Gibraltar’s many duty-free shops, says she can’t wait to get her shots because facing customers puts her at risk. She suffers from asthma, has two daughters and older relatives to take care of.

“Just tell me where and when and I’ll present both of my arms,” joked Olivero. “I want all this to be over, to return to normality, to be able to give a hug, to give a kiss, to go for some drinks with friends.”

Gibraltar has issued vaccination cards to people who get their second shot. It’s also developing an app storing vaccine data and test results that authorities want to link with other platforms elsewhere to revive international travel. Critics, though, say such passports discriminate against those unable to access vaccines, especially in poorer countries. Gino Jiménez, president of Gibraltar’s Catering Association, harbors some doubts but welcomes the app if that helps bring back foreign tourists. His restaurant, a popular local hangout for breakfast and lunch, is following health guidelines to draw back those who “are still testing the waters to see if it’s safe to go out.”

“We are a very close, very sociable community. And there’s nothing like sitting around the table having a cup of coffee and talking,” said Jiménez, who is lobbying the government to quickly vaccinate the nearly 2,000 employees of restaurants and pubs, most of them Spaniards. Waiters wear two masks, tables are reserved for a maximum of six and there are no afternoon alcohol sales.

After re-opening schools, pushing back the night-time curfew from 10 p.m. to midnight and lifting mandatory mask-wearing in low-density, non-commercial areas, the next big thing The Rock is looking forward to is Gibraltar’s soccer match against the Netherlands on March 30. The World Cup qualifier will be a test for the resumption of mass events, allowing 50 percent stadium capacity and requiring fans to prove immunity.

While they wait, Gibraltarians are enjoying their new normality. At the Chatham Counterguard, an 18th-century defensive bastion now turned into a strip of pubs and restaurants, a dozen teammates of the Collegians Gibraltar Hockey Team celebrate over pints their first training session since November.

“This is what normality is...to be able to get a beer with your own people,” said Adrian Hernandez, 51. “God, did I miss this!”

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 A9

Dr. Carl E. Balita

Entrepreneurs’ Footprints

H

ow can an experience as worse as the Covid-19 pandemic be worthy of being appreciated? The pandemic afflicted and killed millions, rendered us captive in our homes for safety, changed the way we live, and disrupted economies and countries. It took modern science months to understand it (slower than the time it takes for the virus to mutate). In what way can these continuing health, education and economic crises be perceived as something we can cherish now and in the future? How should we make the most of this unprecedented human experience?

To those who will choose to see through the positive, generative and constructive lens, appreciation is possible—not as a “sweet lemonading” use of defense mechanism called rationalization but as a genuine worldview that recognizes the best in everything around us. Appreciative inquiry may lend to us its theoretical assertion so we can move forward faster and farther and change positively through this experience.

Appreciative Inquiry in a nutshell

Traditional organizational development looks for problems to fix and prescribes solutions around it.

The old journey was through and around cycles of exhausting process of eliminating what is “wrong-here” and fixing what is broken. Then came a new paradigm that proposes to look for something different—the positive “what-works-here.” And this was called Appreciative Inquiry (AI).

AI as a strength-based organizational development approach may give lessons to persons, families and companies in navigating productively through the pandemic.

David Cooperrider, the originator of the AI, proposes the identification of and focus on the positive core strengths to design and redesign the human system to achieve a more effective and sustainable future through deeper and more meaningful change.

To appreciate is to recognize the best in people, or the world around us. Human systems grow in the direction of their persistent inquiries.

What we focus on becomes our reality. Should we focus on and sow our desperation and limitation, such become the reality we harvest. The language we use creates our reality.

AI proposes a careful use of language as building blocks of social reality. So we better choose our language before they become our reality.

AI is a way of being and seeing. It is both a worldview and a process of facilitating positive change. Its assumption is that there is something that works right—things that give it life when it is vital, effective and successful. It is a radical shift from trying to fix what does not work to the discovery of the process around what works. Assumption of AI is that there is something that works. And for us to have survived for months through this pandemic, there must be something that works.

AI is affirming the past and the present strengths, successes and potentials. It engages positive conversations to perceive those that give life, referred to as “life giving force.” It draws from the positive psychology and storytelling to create an alignment of strengths that render weaknesses irrelevant, hence, empowering individuals to enact desired change. The weakness indeed can be paralyzing influence to our retreat and surrender.

In the middle of this pandemic experience, the “life-giving force” remains available to make us rise up from our bed each morning and fight through the emerging mastery of fear. There are things that “work

here” in the middle of the restrictions, limitations and disruptions.

There were past victories and successes that unfold our potentials to succeed amid adversities. The core strengths remain and which power must have been amplified by the adversities.

The AI presents the four D frameworks, namely: discover, dream, design and destiny.

Discovering best of what is

Choosing the positive is the focus of inquiry in AI. This is the question that identifies stories and factors that give life. It leads to the grounded exploration and appreciation of the “best of what is.”

In this pandemic experience there are stories that give life. If people are grounded on these stories, they become rooted on the positive. We need to explore the peak experience, which is the time in which we felt most alive, engaged and energized. It grounds us on what we value most as it uncovers what we aspire to thrive and prosper in the future?

The importance of discovery is that it reminds us of what success looked and felt like by activating our vivid memories of experiencing it. Discovery also reminds us that they are powerful—they are capable of experiencing success.

It will help us if we appreciate the past victories and the current resources that can propel us forward.

Dreaming what might be

Dreaming is envisioning and articulating “what might be” and “what could be” using the images of a preferred future. It builds around the best to unleash possibilities.

Amid the pandemic, dreaming and visioning may encourage us to be both bold and realistic by stretching our imaginations. It engages the enlisting of creative faculties towards the projected futures by building on known strengths and by imagining the consequences of extraordinary efforts.

The benefit of visioning is that it allows us to create a vivid picture of a desirable future. Amid the pandemic, we are still capable of dreaming and envisioning the future ideal state.

Indeed, if we do not know where we are going, we will never get there.

Designing what should be

Designing identifies the goals and the next steps. This is a provocative stage when creativity, innovation and improvisation of ways to create the future determines “what should be.”

Designing is the bridge between the current (known) state and the future (imagined, desired) state over time. The point here is to connect “what is” with “what might be” through the concept of creative architecture—those things present within the person’s influence that are necessary for implementing its desired future state.

Designing enables us to explore the passion within and the resources around towards the achievement of that future that is as exciting as the current moments. This is an intentional pursuit of what one is passionate about using what is available within reach.

Creating the destiny of what will be

AI translates the intent to action through implementation so that destiny is in our hands in creating “what will be.” This encourages us to build upon the work they have accomplished in the earlier phases of our AI journey as well as celebrate the victories at hand. It brings forward what is learned and gained already, as well as tools that facilitate achievements.

It brings forward the anticipatory celebration as well as high degree of awareness and recognition for achievements that could sustain the excitement for sustained action. It is realistic at recognizing the constraints and enablers, as well as resources that includes time.

Recognizing that we are indeed the master of our fate and the captain of our soul is an energizing reminder that there is a great future that lies ahead through our choices and action.

Time indeed is the wisest counsellor of all. Our footprints through the past determine what we are capable of having, being and becoming today in a continuum towards the future and beyond.

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

Oil flirting with $70 challenges world’s economic recovery

By Enda Curran & Michelle Jamrisko Bloomberg Opinion

T

he spike in oil prices has focused attention on how the steady rise in energy costs is threatening to create a drag on the global economic recovery and stoking fears of inflation.

After surging more than 30 percent this year on coordinated supply constraints by major exporters and demand returning from the depths of Covid-19 crisis, a missile attack Sunday on a key Saudi Arabian export facility sent Brent crude, the international benchmark, above $70 a barrel for the first time since January 2020.

While prices have since pulled back, the impact on inflation and the overall global recovery depends on how sustained the underlying rally proves to be.

Here’s a look at some of the factors at play: What does it mean for global growth?

For economists, the cause of higher prices is what matters, rather than the price itself. Rising energy costs on the back of strong demand normally indicate robust and resilient growth, while a surge from crimped supply could weigh on a recovery. Morgan Stanley economists estimate that oil would need to average $85 a barrel for the global oil burden to rise above longer-term averages.

“For context, the global oil burden last rose above its long-term average in 2005, but with the backdrop of strong global growth, economies were able to withstand the impact

of higher oil prices until 2007, when global growth momentum was already weakening and yet oil prices shot up rapidly,” the bank’s economists wrote last week.

What about inflation?

The run-up in oil prices comes against the backdrop of a global inflation debate that has heated up over the past month. With spikes in bond yields, investors continue to test policy makers, including Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, on their insistence that inflation isn’t a threat this year, even with trillions of dollars of stimulus being pumped into the global economy.

Oil and food costs are both bubbling, though as the two most volatile categories of consumer prices they’re easier for policy makers to look past as transitory. And while costs for homes and semiconductors also are on the rise, the prevailing trend worldwide is still one of damped price growth.

“As good economists, we stand somewhere in the middle: The era of meager inflation seems to be over, but that doesn’t necessarily mean hyperinflation is around the corner,” ING global head of macro Carsten Brzeski said in a March 5 report.

What does it mean for central banks?

While energy is a prominent component of consumer-price gauges, policy makers often focus on core indexes that remove volatile components such as oil. If the run-up in prices proves to be substantial and sustained, those costs will filter through to transportation and

utilities. That scenario would pressure central banks to rein in their support for the economy, though for now officials continue to stress that high unemployment will offset any inflation pressure.

Emerging markets “with below-target inflation, stable price expectations, commodity-linked currencies or high real rates could look through the oil-driven price increases without tightening. Others will probably either raise rates (Brazil and Nigeria) or face a higher likelihood of delayed rate cuts (India, Mexico and Turkey) to stem the oil-fueled price gains,” said Ziad Daoud, Bloomberg chief Emerging Markets economist.

Who wins from higher prices?

Exporting nations—including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Norway and Nigeria—will enjoy a boost to corporate and government revenues that will help repair budgets and improve current-account positions, allowing them to increase spending to drive the recovery. Emerging economies dominate the list of oil producers, which is why they’re affected more than developed ones.

Who loses?

Consuming nations will bear the cost of pricier energy, potentially fanning inflation and hurting their recoveries. Those emerging economies that rely on imported energy could see their current account positions and fiscal deficits come under pressure. That could trigger capital outflows and weaker currencies, laying the groundwork for inflation and potentially forcing governments and central banks to consider raising

interest rates despite slow growth.

That includes Turkey, Ukraine and India. As the world’s biggest oil importer, China is also vulnerable to higher prices.

What’s Opec’s role in the latest price run-up?

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia delivered a shock decision last week to continue with output cuts that have buoyed the market. Saudi Arabia also raised pricing for next month’s shipments to the US and Asia, signaling it sees demand holding up despite the cost increases. The bullish producer policies come even as Brent easily passed $60 a barrel last month, roughly the annual average level needed for the cartel’s largest producers to balance their budgets this year.

What about geopolitics?

Despite a surge in US output, the price of oil remains tightly linked to fragile geopolitical relationships in the Middle East, which is home to most of the world’s major exporters.

The responsibility for Sunday’s attack was claimed by Houthi fighters in Yemen, who are backed by Iran, and comes as the Biden administration has started to revise US relationships in the region.

The US recently rescinded a terrorist designation for the Houthis, and released a report that concluded Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The US defense chief said Sunday that relations with Saudi Arabia are likely to be “good” but “different.”

A10 Wednesday, March 10, 2021

117K Pfizer doses due under Covax –WHO exec

A

T least 117,000 doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine from the Covax facility may arrive in the country either in March or April, World Health Organization (WHO) Philippine representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe disclosed on Tuesday.

Abeyasinghe also said that 4.5 million more doses of AstraZeneca vaccine are expected to arrive in the country before the end of May. “We are looking at up to 4.5 million doses which will come during April and May,”Abeyasinghe said.

The WHO official reminded the government anew to follow the prioritization list. On Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines in the country are not yet enough for the 1.8 million health-care workers (HCWs).

“We have 1.8 million estimated health care workers from hospitals down to the community across the different regions of the community but we still lack vaccines for them,”Vergeire said.

Vergeire also warned that the dependents of medical frontliners are not allowed to receive Covid-19 vaccine.

The dependents or family members, she said, cannot act as replacement for they are not part of the “priority list.” If the prioritization list is not followed, Vergeire said, the vaccine allocation from the Covax facility may be jeopardized.

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

BOC audit of importers nets ₧247.4M in taxes

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

T

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) post-clearance audit verification and investigation of importers from January to February this year has so far resulted in the collection of P247.37 million in duties and taxes.

In a statement on Tuesday, the BOC said six outstanding final demand letters were collected and 48 applications were filed from January to February this year.

Of the 48 total PDP applications filed, 31 were from Mechanically Deboned Meat importers under audit, tallying a total amount of P67.6 million; 13 PDP applications were from rice importers under audit, amounting to P6.74 million.

Under Customs Administrative Order No. 01-2019, PDP refers to the program authorizing the Customs Commissioner to accept, as a

potential mitigating factor, prior disclosure by importers of errors and omissions in goods declaration that result in deficiency in duties and taxes on past importations.

This may also include disclosures on royalties and other proceeds of any subsequent, resale, disposal or use of the imported goods that accrues directly or indirectly to the seller.

On the previously issued audit notification letters (ANLs), PCAG also said six PDP applications were approved while seven final audit reports were completed. These resulted in the issuance of six

new demand letters amounting to P41.17 million and one clean report finding. The demand letters shall become final and demandable upon the lapse of 15 days from receipt thereof by the importer.

From Januar y to Februar y this year, 28 ANLs were issued, of which 17 are importers in the coffee industry, 10 are in the oil and petroleum industry, and 1 consignee issued with ANL due to compliance issues based on the profiling conducted.

Moving forward, BOC-PCAG expressed optimism that additional revenues will still be collected from post-clearance activities for the rest of the year.

At present, there are still 11 outstanding final demand letters amounting to P6.9 billion which remain unpaid and will be referred to the BOC Legal Service for the filing of the necessary collection suit.

For this year, the BOC targets to collect a total of P616.7 billion, significantly higher by 21.84 percent than the downgraded 2020 target set for BOC at P506.15 billion.

Last year, the bureau’s total revenue collection reached P539.7 billion, above its revised revenue collection target by 6.6 percent or P33.5 billion.

DFA LAUNCHES SYSTEM FOR QUICK DOCUMENTS PROCESS

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (right) tries out the online Apostille Appointment and Verification System with the assistance of Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (left). PHOTO BY DFA-OPCD VANESSA UBAC

F

ILIPINOS based abroad no longer have to go through a tedious process of getting vital documents and having them certified, as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched on Monday the online Apostille Appointment and Verification System at the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) in Aseana.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., with Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs

Brigido J. Dulay and Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, led the launching ceremony.

Since the Philippines’s accession to the Apostille Convention on May 14, 2019, applicants who need to submit Philippine documents abroad will only need to apply for an Apostille certificate instead of having the documents authenticated in the foreign embassy or consulate.

Continued on A4

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

B1

Big firms seen tapping debt market before end of H1

B

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@TyronePiad

ig corporates are likely to issue bonds before the first half ends despite recently recording lower trading volume, according to First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).

In the February issue of “Market Call” by FMIC and UA&P, it was noted that there was still an interest among firms to tap the debt market.

“Top corporates may hurry up their bond issuances in [the first half] which would likely contribute to sustain the momentum for the

increase in yields,” the report read.

Earlier, the think thanks said the large companies were expected to “aggressively” raise funds via the bond market given the low interest rate environment.

Overnight reverse repurchase facility currently stands at 2 percent

after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) cut it by a total of 200 basis points to inject more liquidity in the financial system.

In January, corporate bond trading volume fell by 14.1 percent to P5 billion from P5.8 billion in the previous month. It is also lower than last year’s monthly average of P5.6 billion.

SMC Global Power Holding Corp. took the lion’s share—17.7 percent— of trading volume for the period at P882.6 million, the report noted.

This was followed by Ayala Land Inc. which registered P474.4 million in volume.

The other top corporates in terms of trading volume in January were SM Prime Holdings, Ayala Corp. and Aboitiz Power Energy.

Last year, the full-year trading volume for corporates improved by

65.9 percent to P75.9 billion, from P67.1 billion in 2019.

Issuances from the local debt capital market, meanwhile, nearly doubled to P1.22 trillion last year from P630 billion in 2019.

The bulk, or 68 percent of the issuances last year, came from government bonds amounting to P830 billion, which is more than threefold compared to P241 billion in 2019.

This was followed by bank issuances of P259 billion—nearly flat from P260 billion in 2019—accounting for 21 percent. Corporate bonds, comprising nearly 9 percent, grew by over 20 percent to P104 billion last year, from P86 billion in 2019.

Preferred shares accounted for the remaining P22 billion of issuances.

Offshore issuances, meanwhile, doubled to nearly $9 billion year-onyear in 2020.

HPC plans to assemble LENUS in PHL

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

A

manufacturer of bathroom equipment in the Philippines is planning to produce a device that serves as a thermal scanner and alcohol dispenser, and detect people in public spaces who are not wearing a face mask.

In a meeting with the Board of Investments (BOI) in February, Hocheng Philippines Corp. (HPC) relayed its plan to assemble here its LENUS. LENUS is an anti-virus guard that can scan body temperature and dispense alcohol, as well as detect people who are not wearing a face mask.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the expansion plans of HPC fits

the agency’s thrust toward making the Philippines an investment destination for the manufacture of medical equipment critical in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are positioning the Philippines as a complementary host country to target companies, particularly those looking into diversifying their business locations to sustain and enhance competitiveness. HPC’s expansion plans additionally strengthen this positioning”, Rodolfo said.

Rodolfo said it is important to attract investments such as HPC’s into the Philippines, as they don’t just add on to capital inflows, but supply the population as well with critical products.

“By enticing them to invest in these industries, the outcome is a win-win for both businesses and

the country. While we make their enterprises grow, we attract the highly-desirable investments that will serve the public interest especially in this time of the health crisis,” Rodolfo said.

HPC demonstrated in the meeting how the LENUS device works, particularly how to refill its alcohol and reconfigure thermal scanner settings.

Rodolfo and other BOI officials also tried using LENUS, with the voice prompt set in the Filipino language. The voice prompt alerts the users when approaching LENUS without a face mask, reminding them to wear one before entering the establishment, a feature of the technology that can be used especially in crowded places.

The firm is targeting to introduce

LENUS into the country’s hospitals, health care facilities, business establishments and even consumer users.

Hocheng Corp., the parent company of HPC, is a Taiwan-based company that makes and sells hygiene porcelains; water supply copper wares; bathtubs and table boards; toilet covers; kitchenware and ceramic plates, among others. The firm put up HPC in 1995.

In 1997 it opened a 10-hectare plant in First Cavite Industrial Estate in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

Since then, HPC has been providing total bathroom solutions as well as kitchen fixtures to diverse residential, commercial, institutional and tourism structures in the country. It earns about P1.7 billion yearly, and employs roughly 850 workers in its Cavite plant.

Gap to weigh ‘Dito launch to improve telco services’ sale of China business

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

G

ap Inc. is weighing options including a potential sale for its China business, according to people with knowledge of the matter, as the United States clothing retailer looks to revamp the operation in the world’s second-largest economy.

The company is working with Morgan Stanley to study options and has reached out to prospective suitors to gauge interest for the business, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the information is private.

Deliberations are at an early stage and the company could decide to keep the operation, the people said. Representatives for Gap and Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

Shares in Gap rose 5.8 percent to close at $28.88 each in the US, their highest level since March 2019.

The San Francisco-based firm, which owns Banana Republic and its namesake Gap brands, entered China in 2010. Apart from its brickand-mortar stores, Gap’s products are also available on Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Tmall online shopping platform. Gap last year pulled its Old Navy brand out of China after scrapping a plan to list the brand as a standalone public company. Gap last week posted fourth-quarter sales that missed estimates as impacts of the pandemic continue to hurt its performance. It said it’s starting a strategic review of options for its business in Europe, including possible closure of companyoperated stores in the United Kingdom, France, Ireland and Italy in the second quarter. Bloomberg News

T

he chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) believes that the roll out of the commercial operations of Dito Telecommunity Corp. will foster a healthier competition in the telco market, eventually resulting in lower prices and better service.

ICT Secretary Gregorio B. Honasan II said he is “optimistic” that telco services will improve “in the coming months” as Dito launches its commercial services in its service areas in the next few weeks. “[W]e are confident that the Filipino people can sooner expect sustainable improvements in connectivity services moving forward,” Honasan said.

Dito introduced on Monday its commercial services in 15 cities and municipalities in the Visayas and Mindanao. It will start selling its sim cards nationwide before the end of the first half of 2021.

The third telco’s initial offer is seen to be very competitive. Its so-called “welcome offer” allows subscribers to enjoy unlimited uncapped data access with unlimited on-net calls and texts for P199 good for 30 days.

Honasan noted that Dito’s entry will force other telcos to continue to ramp up investments in the space, so as to level their services similar to the commitments of Dito, which committed to cover 84 percent of the population with a minimum average speed of 55 Mbps within its first five years of operations.

“With the private sector in-

PHL Infradev unit, Richer Today sign subway term sheet

Makati City officials, led by Mayor Abby Binay, and the city's private sector partners conducted a ceremonial drilling in front of the Old City Hall building to mark the start of the Makati subway project in December 2018. Former Vice President Jejomar Binay also attended the event. Photo from www.pia.gov.ph

By VG Cabuag @villygc

P

hilippine Infradev Holdings Inc. on Tuesday said its unit, Makati City Subway Inc., has executed a legally binding term sheet with Richer Today Inc. to fund the acquisition of properties in its main construction site in Makati.

In its disclosure, the 2 companies will form an unincorporated joint venture for the financing and acquisition of lots in and around Station 5 of the Makati City Subway Project.

Richer Today obligated itself under the term sheet to release at least P775.88 million within 120 days from signing of the deal, the company said in its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

At least P234.73 million of the said fund must be released within 10 business days from Tuesday’s signing.

Station 5 has been identified as the main construction site where the tunnel boring machines will be assembled and lowered, the company said.

The first batch of engineers from China State Engineering Second Bureau Ltd., the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor engaged by Makati City Subway, recently arrived from China and are currently finalizing the construction plan for Station 5.

Philippine Infradev, the firm led by businessman Antonio L. Tiu, also disclosed that it has terminated its investment deal

with Hong Kong Binjiang Industrial Ltd. and also its transport oriented development agreement.

The said agreement was terminated by the two parties on February 18, the company said in its disclosure.

“It has been almost one year since the transactions contemplated in the agreement were submitted to the Philippine Competition Commission [PCC] for approval, and to date, the same are still pending review,” the company said.

“The effectivity of the transactions contemplated in the agreement, specifically the release of funds earmarked by HK Binjiang, was conditioned on the PCC’s approval of the transactions. The termination of the agreement likewise results in the termination of the shareholders’ agreement and transit oriented development agreement executed with HK Binjiang on even date.”

The proposed subway would connect key points in Makati like the current Central Business District at the corner of Ayala and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues, Circuit City, Makati City Hall, University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati and other new growth areas within the city.

According to its initial plans, the $3.5 billion, 10-kilometer Makati subway will have up to 10 air-conditioned, underground island stations. It can accommodate up to 6 car trains, with room for over 200 persons per car and more than 700,000 passengers per day can be accommodated.

Philweb buys e-bingo outlets from Palmary

P BusinessMirror file photo

vesting in digital infrastructure to upgrade the competitiveness of the Philippines, we hope to attract more opportunities, create more jobs, and generally improve the lives of our countrymen,” Honasan said.

He noted that the ICT department and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will regularly check on developments in the sector, particularly investment programs of all telecom operators.

“The DICT is continuously coordinating with the NTC in monitoring the roll-out plans of all telco players following the directives of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for telcos to improve their services amid the new normal,” Honasan said.

Dito said it plans to meet its commitments ahead of schedule, as this will allow the company to capture a third of the telco market,

which, according to a ranking official, is sufficient to make the third telco profitable.

Rodolfo Santiago, the company’s chief technology officer, said Dito is taking a more aggressive stance in its network rollout program, and is aiming to deliver its commitment of covering 84 percent of the population with 55 Mbps of average minimum speed “very, very early on.”

This, he said, will enable Dito to corner 30 percent of the telco market, as it expects Filipino mobile subscribers to migrate to Dito.

Santiago said Dito is banking on its service offerings at lower costs to see this shift happening.

“Our target is to get 30 percent of the market as soon as possible. The easiest way to achieve this is when population coverage is at 84 percent or higher. We will be fighting toe to toe for market share,” he said.

hilweb Corp., which operates its own gambling assets, on Tuesday said it acquired 16 electronic bingo outlets and 2 e-bingo machine suppliers from the Palmary Group.

The company said it executed on March 8 deeds of sale for the acquisition of the entire total issued capital stocks of 16 eBingo companies for P450 million and two accredited e-bingo machine supplier companies for P280 million.

“With Philweb’s growing electronic games business, it now has an expanding, two-fold footprint in the whole electronic gaming sector,” the company said in its disclosure.

The company is an accredited gambling service provider with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. with a network of 85 electronic game outlets.

The acquisition of the 2 accredited eBingo machine supplier companies allows Philweb to expand its portfolio of gaming services into eBingo outlets, it said.

At present, the 2 companies are accredited suppliers to 64 eBingo outlets across the country.

Philweb’s unit, Big Game Inc., di-

rectly operates 31 Pagcor-licensed eGames outlets.

It has another wholly owned subsidiary, Easy eBingo Inc., which has gaming licenses for eBingo outlets.

Following this acquisition, Philweb now operates 22 eBingo outlets.

The 16 eBingo outlets acquired

by Philweb generated a combined approximate gross gaming revenue of P1.19 billion in 2019 while the two accredited eBingo machine supplier companies generated a combined estimated gross gaming revenue of P364.9 million in 2019.

The acquired e-bingo centers were NDM Bingo Center AGP Inc., NDM Bingo Center Antipolo Inc., NDM Bingo Center Anonas Inc., NDM Bingo Center Bagbag Inc., NDM Bingo Center Blumentritt Inc., NDM Bingo Center LGP Inc., NDM Bingo Center Miramar Inc., NDM Bingo Center North Edsa Inc., NDM Bingo Center Tomas Morato Inc., NDM Bingo Center Visayas Inc., NDM Bingo Center 1 Inc., NDM Bingo Center 2 Inc., NDM Bingo Center 3 Inc., NDM Bingo Center 5 Inc., NDM Bingo Center 7 Inc., NDM Bingo Center 8 Inc., XO Corp. and UMIAC Inc. VG Cabuag

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 9, 2021

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALs

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

43.2 108.8 82.1 23.9 8.49 9.9 48 24.65 54.5 96.45 17.22 125 74.2 1.58 3.87 0.61 3.21 1.41 0.4 900 0.72 150.3 2,200 1.01

44.45 108.9 82.2 24 8.5 9.92 48.1 24.75 55.6 114.9 17.28 125.1 74.25 1.6 3.97 0.63 3.31 1.48 0.42 945 0.77 150.4 2,280 1.08

43.2 106 82.15 23.95 8.49 9.93 48.5 24.8 54.5 96.45 17.22 125.8 74.2 1.62 3.98 0.61 3.25 1.44 0.4 900 0.75 150.6 2,200 1.01

44.5 109.3 82.85 24.1 8.49 9.93 48.55 24.95 55.1 96.45 17.3 125.8 74.2 1.62 3.98 0.61 3.37 1.49 0.425 900 0.76 151 2,200 1.01

43.2 104.4 82.1 23.8 8.49 9.8 47.85 24.55 54.5 96.45 17.18 122 74 1.46 3.8 0.58 3.2 1.41 0.4 900 0.71 150.1 2,200 1.01

44.5 108.9 82.1 24 8.49 9.92 48 24.75 55.1 96.45 17.22 125.1 74.2 1.6 3.97 0.61 3.21 1.48 0.42 900 0.76 150.4 2,200 1.01

9,800 2,916,960 1,856,630 122,000 100 201,600 5,080,600 163,100 2,230 130 24,100 996,040 14,060 712,000 346,000 404,000 77,000 252,000 430,000 310 61,000 21,300 265 204,000

423,490 314,091,032 152,819,797.50 2,926,685 849 1,991,470 244,978,500 4,043,130 121,687 12,538.50 415,100 123,760,729 1,042,953 1,110,710 1,361,280 240,640 248,120 357,700 175,350 279,000 45,490 3,204,788 583,000 206,040

-2,164,379 -60,438,050.50 -7,300 -116,734 115,649,555 30,720 -51,840 -35,764,631 -191,306 270,000 -2,640,161 583,000 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 6.54 6.55 6.73 6.94 6.39 6.55 39,703,100 263,705,438 ALSONS CONS 1.24 1.26 1.26 1.27 1.24 1.24 2,098,000 2,629,860 24.85 25 25.1 25.1 24.5 24.85 898,000 22,359,685 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.97 0.99 0.92 1.08 0.8 0.99 139,227,000 134,744,500 30 30.05 30.05 30.1 29.55 30 760,200 22,810,005 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 73.3 75 72.95 75 72.75 75 36,960 2,734,718 277.2 278 275.4 279 272 277.2 112,390 31,157,150 MERALCO MANILA WATER 14.76 14.78 14.9 14.98 14.78 14.78 1,819,300 27,039,530 3.42 3.44 3.5 3.5 3.4 3.44 1,005,000 3,453,850 PETRON PETROENERGY 3.7 3.86 3.67 3.67 3.66 3.66 53,000 194,020 12.16 12.38 12.16 12.4 12.16 12.4 19,700 242,518 PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL 21.95 22 21.7 22 21.6 22 147,900 3,221,095 10.12 10.18 10.08 10.2 10.06 10.1 158,700 1,600,932 SPC POWER AGRINURTURE 7.07 7.2 7.14 7.23 6.9 7.2 554,700 3,920,795 3.43 3.44 3.46 3.46 3.32 3.43 1,434,000 4,882,180 AXELUM CNTRL AZUCARERA 12.94 13 13 13 13 13 1,100 14,300 17.36 17.46 17.7 17.7 17.32 17.36 1,013,600 17,748,704 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 8.7 8.75 8.7 8.88 8.62 8.7 103,900 905,414 7.41 7.45 7.39 7.49 7.27 7.45 2,166,700 16,049,717 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 10 10.04 10.22 10.22 9.98 10 1,200,500 12,004,574 65 65.25 65 65.25 64 65 50,180 3,238,499.50 SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT 0.62 0.63 0.63 0.63 0.62 0.62 494,000 306,710 1.4 1.41 1.4 1.45 1.4 1.4 9,923,000 13,990,850 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 50.65 51 52.2 52.2 50.6 51 28,980 1,472,169.50 182.5 183 181.2 183 180 183 1,128,380 205,302,274 JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR 31.5 31.95 32.1 32.1 30.9 31.95 4,300 135,120 5.2 5.88 6.4 6.4 5.2 5.2 2,262,600 13,108,576 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.32 0.325 0.34 0.35 0.305 0.325 16,910,000 5,588,850 7.07 7.2 7.12 7.2 7 7.2 53,800 380,205 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 1.1 1.13 1.12 1.14 1.1 1.1 3,280,000 3,638,590 4.61 4.77 4.73 4.78 4.73 4.78 29,000 137,940 RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG 1.5 1.52 1.56 1.56 1.5 1.52 816,000 1,252,140 0.136 0.14 0.135 0.141 0.131 0.136 9,320,000 1,254,740 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 129.9 130 127.1 130.1 126.5 129.9 3,696,140 479,795,425 VITARICH 0.82 0.83 0.85 0.85 0.81 0.83 4,884,000 4,075,780 2.19 2.25 2.19 2.19 2.19 2.19 5,000 10,950 VICTORIAS CONCRETE A 52.65 54.95 52.7 52.7 52.6 52.6 450 23,700 55.4 65.1 66.8 66.8 65 65.4 80 5,268 CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG 1.2 1.21 1.23 1.24 1.14 1.21 12,185,000 14,425,400 3.37 3.38 3.58 3.92 2.98 3.37 68,060,000 232,785,780 DAVINCI CAPITAL EAGLE CEMENT 12.1 12.2 12.5 12.5 12.12 12.2 570,800 6,973,266 7.46 7.7 7.82 8 7.22 7.46 623,900 4,695,025 EEI CORP HOLCIM 5.75 5.76 5.9 5.9 5.75 5.76 688,300 3,986,228 6.79 6.9 6.75 6.9 6.5 6.9 1,400,000 9,425,656 MEGAWIDE PHINMA 12.22 12.38 12.4 12.4 12.22 12.24 95,700 1,174,196 1.16 1.18 1.2 1.24 1.14 1.16 1,622,000 1,883,220 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 2.34 2.4 2.35 2.57 2.24 2.4 15,664,000 38,088,870 2.03 2.07 2.01 2.09 2.01 2.07 384,000 795,580 CROWN ASIA EUROMED 2.01 2.04 2.05 2.05 1.93 2.01 376,000 756,660 4.56 4.97 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 79,000 363,400 LMG CORP PRYCE CORP 5.4 5.52 5.64 5.64 5.4 5.52 79,300 429,383 20.35 20.95 21 21 18.1 21 464,400 9,594,600 CONCEPCION GREENERGY 4.06 4.07 3.93 4.26 3.71 4.07 20,590,000 82,990,190 10.28 10.48 10.5 11.2 9.66 10.28 8,877,800 90,415,313 INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 1.15 1.16 1.13 1.19 1.12 1.15 489,000 556,480 5.82 5.97 5.82 5.97 5.75 5.97 27,800 160,759 PANASONIC SFA SEMICON 1.35 1.38 1.38 1.44 1.33 1.38 2,251,000 3,079,890 5.9 6 5.85 6.1 5.54 6 2,741,100 16,087,508 CIRTEK HLDG

-11,147,062 -12,241,690 -2,413,360 2,526,270 1,514,527 -4,824,542 -1,088,766 -811,700 161,040 36,600 -545,640 656,316 -52,550 -5,067,626 380,291 4,472,831 -472,083.00 -1,447,039 26,470 50,600 1,789,963 228,772 348,400 -40,172 -182,840 128,480 32,171,950 -16,800 10,950 -2,916,530 3,222,730 -1,383,850 -52,074 -634,712 367,791 -664,220 57,500.00 2,153,070 -10,350.00 20,000 10,820 2,387,335 3,551,530 2,265,890 8,120 100,640 388,036

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.01 1.03 1 1.08 0.93 1.01 39,160,000 39,327,060 ASIABEST GROUP 6.92 7.3 6.89 7.38 6.87 7.3 28,900 201,177 761 779 761 779 750 779 223,540 171,880,380 AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY 40.95 41 42.75 42.75 40.85 41 985,800 40,492,560 10.34 10.36 10.14 10.38 9.93 10.34 2,968,300 30,061,219 ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG 2.86 2.9 2.93 2.93 2.71 2.89 1,641,000 4,699,730 7.31 7.4 7.4 7.4 7.2 7.31 81,500 600,869 ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.74 0.75 0.71 0.8 0.69 0.75 9,737,000 7,265,460 0.87 0.88 0.87 0.89 0.85 0.88 7,228,000 6,250,320 ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B 0.85 0.92 0.87 0.92 0.83 0.92 46,000 39,270 5.3 5.32 5.4 5.45 5.26 5.3 708,900 3,761,327 COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.27 5.2 5.22 4,239,000 22,165,226 8.5 8.8 8.7 8.8 8.5 8.7 2,600 22,454 FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A 2.77 3.25 2.81 2.81 2.75 2.75 10,000 27,970 0.238 0.25 0.237 0.238 0.237 0.238 60,000 14,270 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 545 547 545 548 533.5 545 73,770 39,965,890 3.6 3.73 3.95 3.95 3.6 3.6 140,000 529,420 HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT 62.5 63.45 62.95 63.45 61.85 63.45 2,025,280 127,379,634.50 1.42 1.43 1.5 1.55 1.37 1.43 36,310,000 52,168,210 LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG 3.75 3.79 3.79 3.79 3.75 3.75 36,000 135,190 13.22 13.48 13.1 13.48 12.9 13.48 3,534,100 46,786,300 LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.54 130,000 69,500 1.75 1.87 1.77 1.77 1.75 1.75 15,000 26,330 MJC INVESTMENTS METRO PAC INV 3.96 4 4 4.04 3.95 3.96 24,227,000 96,669,960 4.1 4.14 3.94 4.14 3.94 4.1 117,000 475,970 PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA 3.29 3.3 3.02 3.39 2.71 3.29 8,869,000 27,941,680 2.65 2.73 2.69 2.75 2.69 2.69 21,000 56,850 REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP 1.31 1.32 1.28 1.35 1.28 1.32 265,000 343,610 315 330 313 330 312 312 810 257,480 SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS 1,036 1,040 1,030 1,042 1,023 1,040 232,385 241,268,030 123.7 124 123 124.4 122 124 165,000 20,392,058 SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES 0.74 0.77 0.73 0.78 0.73 0.74 142,000 105,850 2.2 2.38 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2 1,000 2,200 SEAFRONT RES TOP FRONTIER 137 140 136.1 140 136.1 140 3,900 541,790 WELLEX INDUS 0.235 0.241 0.234 0.235 0.234 0.234 170,000 39,830 0.214 0.229 0.228 0.23 0.21 0.214 12,440,000 2,819,970 ZEUS HLDG

862,240 6,900 -58,465,000 -20,221,065 -7,694,808.00 -209,680 4,400.00 -753,759 -767,232 7,006 -109,475 -156,620 -74,269,287.50 405,600 11,250 -5,949,632 -46,290,020 -24,600 678,150 2,600 1,405,895 -980,209 152,157 75,950

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND ARANETA PROP AREIT RT BELLE CORP A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CEBU HLDG CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV KEPPEL PROP CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.65 37 1.29 33.05 1.58 0.9 0.79 0.139 7.01 5.21 0.405 0.33 14.26 6.86 0.29 0.088 1.16 0.91 7.19 1.45 2.41 0.96 3.59 0.405 0.395 1.51 18.96 0.285 1.41 2.77 2.24 35.6 3.78 1.63 4.15

0.66 37.9 1.33 33.2 1.6 0.91 0.82 0.141 7.15 5.25 0.42 0.34 14.4 6.95 0.295 0.092 1.17 0.92 7.47 1.47 2.9 0.97 3.61 0.41 0.4 1.56 19 0.29 1.42 2.79 2.25 35.85 3.9 1.68 4.21

0.63 37.6 1.27 33.55 1.58 0.88 0.83 0.142 7 5.26 0.4 0.33 14.4 6.96 0.3 0.09 1.14 0.92 7.2 1.42 3 1.2 3.59 0.42 0.4 1.43 19.18 0.29 1.41 2.8 2.28 35.75 3.85 1.6 4.23

0.67 38.2 1.33 34 1.59 0.92 0.88 0.143 7.15 5.38 0.425 0.355 14.72 6.96 0.3 0.093 1.17 0.92 7.2 1.51 3 1.2 3.61 0.425 0.435 1.56 19.18 0.29 1.42 2.8 2.32 36 3.9 1.69 4.23

0.63 36.6 1.25 32.8 1.57 0.86 0.78 0.139 7 5.12 0.395 0.31 13.98 6.86 0.285 0.087 1.13 0.91 7.19 1.41 3 0.91 3.5 0.35 0.365 1.4 18.18 0.285 1.4 2.66 2.14 35.35 3.75 1.51 4

0.65 37 1.33 33.05 1.58 0.91 0.82 0.141 7.15 5.25 0.42 0.34 14.4 6.95 0.295 0.088 1.17 0.92 7.2 1.45 3 0.97 3.59 0.405 0.395 1.56 19 0.29 1.42 2.79 2.25 35.85 3.9 1.68 4.21

1,704,000 7,633,800 80,000 1,730,100 82,000 2,544,000 2,029,000 2,700,000 335,500 1,065,400 11,970,000 7,270,000 3,006,500 149,200 2,320,000 4,370,000 12,301,000 40,000 22,900 7,304,000 15,000 10,899,000 11,826,000 104,850,000 13,630,000 3,185,000 2,523,300 360,000 175,000 59,000 324,000 5,909,700 113,000 1,436,000 1,946,000

1,120,780 285,473,950 101,100 57,484,810 129,500 2,257,810 1,644,340 380,000 2,391,173 5,554,384 4,933,900 2,427,450 42,694,536 1,033,546 675,450 386,050 14,109,290 36,790 164,871 10,556,990 45,000 11,075,040 42,271,870 41,803,250 5,485,950 4,682,390 47,545,250 104,050 247,300 162,320 715,170 211,167,475 429,310 2,301,980 8,039,640

-152,866,255.00 -38,561,770.00 -102,640 130,680 91,050 140,000 2,234,014 103,102 -83,400 -98,400 -273,670 -58,444 38,200 4,243,300 -252,620 -3,210 -6,829,440 409,350 1,580,030 -24,239,398 -55,080 2,700 45,150 -76,503,665 -472,340 -1,074,990

SERVICES ABS CBN 11.84 11.9 11.98 11.98 11.82 11.84 80,200 952,948 GMA NETWORK 7.14 7.16 6.95 7.2 6.76 7.16 1,225,500 8,553,249 0.425 0.475 0.45 0.465 0.42 0.425 740,000 328,650 MANILA BULLETIN MLA BRDCASTING 10.24 10.8 11 11 10.4 10.4 5,100 53,200 1,965 1,980 1,991 1,992 1,965 1,965 57,615 113,820,880 GLOBE TELECOM PLDT 1,296 1,300 1,295 1,306 1,295 1,296 160,690 208,705,710 0.209 0.21 0.21 0.23 0.196 0.21 2,070,230,000 444,962,970 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 16.96 16.98 17.12 17.12 16.6 16.98 8,345,100 141,364,630 4.04 4.05 3.91 4.16 3.87 4.04 625,000 2,543,240 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 11.98 12 12.8 13.6 12 12 125,552,600 1,609,161,698 1.58 1.66 1.61 1.65 1.53 1.65 89,000 143,070 IMPERIAL ISLAND INFO 0.161 0.162 0.155 0.165 0.15 0.161 6,130,000 958,650 2.1 2.13 2.11 2.17 2.11 2.16 75,000 160,100 JACKSTONES NOW CORP 2.88 2.89 2.95 3.1 2.85 2.89 4,915,000 14,606,260 0.465 0.47 0.46 0.49 0.405 0.47 41,360,000 18,763,100 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2GO GROUP 8.4 8.45 8.65 8.75 8.25 8.45 60,200 518,818 15 15.58 15.88 15.88 15.8 15.8 3,200 50,576 ASIAN TERMINALS CHELSEA 3.72 3.74 3.8 3.85 3.58 3.74 1,451,000 5,364,280 45.25 45.6 45 46 43.25 45.6 300,500 13,418,815 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 127.6 127.8 125.3 129.4 124 127.6 2,436,400 310,750,638 17.1 17.14 17.14 17.14 17.1 17.14 36,900 632,410 LBC EXPRESS LORENZO SHIPPNG 1.08 1.1 1.13 1.13 1.06 1.1 753,000 814,390 5.28 5.32 5.34 5.58 5.1 5.28 2,171,400 11,460,531 MACROASIA METROALLIANCE A 2.47 2.48 2.64 2.64 2.3 2.47 2,453,000 6,106,830 2.5 2.89 2.78 2.78 2.78 2.78 13,000 36,140 METROALLIANCE B PAL HLDG 6.12 6.24 6.01 6.55 6.01 6.24 33,800 210,390 1.27 1.28 1.31 1.31 1.25 1.28 791,000 1,004,140 HARBOR STAR ACESITE HOTEL 1.46 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.46 1.46 12,000 17,560 0.079 0.08 0.074 0.088 0.074 0.08 1,610,870,000 131,914,310 BOULEVARD HLDG DISCOVERY WORLD 5.21 5.23 5 5.33 4.71 5.23 1,099,000 5,699,414 10.28 10.76 10.28 10.28 10.28 10.28 200 2,056 GRAND PLAZA WATERFRONT 0.5 0.51 0.51 0.52 0.48 0.5 7,312,000 3,634,305 7.2 8.09 8.08 8.08 8 8 52,500 421,564 IPEOPLE STI HLDG 0.385 0.39 0.39 0.39 0.385 0.385 3,310,000 1,275,850 BLOOMBERRY 7.8 7.82 7.65 7.8 7.5 7.8 1,570,700 12,123,206 2.12 2.13 2.13 2.13 2.12 2.12 13,000 27,570 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 1.75 1.76 1.78 1.8 1.73 1.76 428,000 750,460 2.1 2.15 2.11 2.11 2.1 2.1 86,000 180,830 MANILA JOCKEY PH RESORTS GRP 2.21 2.24 2.27 2.3 2.15 2.21 4,143,000 9,269,630 0.42 0.425 0.44 0.44 0.41 0.42 8,730,000 3,687,650 PREMIUM LEISURE PHIL RACING 6.22 6.5 6.24 6.5 6.2 6.2 2,500 15,642 8.05 8.25 8.29 8.29 8 8.25 534,200 4,336,566 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.3 1.31 1.28 1.33 1.25 1.31 1,095,000 1,402,830 35.9 36 37 37 35.6 35.9 2,417,800 87,030,280 PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL 53.1 53.8 52.85 53.8 51 53.8 720,960 38,306,484.50 98.55 98.6 98.9 100 98.6 98.6 3,510 348,657.50 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.25 1.27 1.29 1.29 1.24 1.27 6,792,000 8,591,380 17.1 17.16 17.34 17.34 16.4 17.1 3,406,800 57,889,700 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.395 0.4 0.395 0.41 0.375 0.395 5,100,000 1,993,000 7.01 7.08 7.04 7.04 7.03 7.03 26,500 186,429 EASYCALL GOLDEN MV 433 450 433 450 433 450 390 173,970 2.39 2.4 2.37 2.6 2.16 2.39 172,108,000 412,728,660 PRMIERE HORIZON SBS PHIL CORP 4.35 4.39 4.33 4.35 4.33 4.35 48,000 208,320

-32,227,875 -81,479,095 27,579,400 -20,228,540 348,670 22,218,464 -160 -12,660 -317,850 22,500 -17,300 -724,090 1,318,045 169,465,521 -587,902 -7,389 -5,560 -153,590 190,740 -90,000 -403,788 227,150 195,823 73,420 252,780 88,750 848,169.00 -50,110 -29,309,280 -12,508,224.50 -218,894.50 97,700 -48,228,750 62,550 -352,240 -

MINING & OIL ATOK 8.74 8.78 8.7 9.28 7.75 8.78 4,273,800 36,802,873 -1,039,908 1.46 1.47 1.46 1.48 1.46 1.46 2,562,000 3,750,040 53,640 APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 6.41 6.45 6.28 6.46 6.27 6.41 386,900 2,456,967 647,436.00 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.295 0.3 1,590,000 473,150 COAL ASIA HLDG CENTURY PEAK 2.75 2.8 2.87 2.91 2.87 2.91 78,000 224,800 11.6 11.7 11.5 11.72 11.22 11.7 297,500 3,346,842 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 2.39 2.4 2.34 2.48 2.27 2.4 7,610,000 18,155,300 -327,710 0.4 0.405 0.42 0.43 0.405 0.405 3,910,000 1,626,500 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.14 0.141 0.142 0.145 0.138 0.14 15,530,000 2,184,120 0.146 0.147 0.147 0.147 0.145 0.146 110,000 16,020 LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A 0.0097 0.01 0.0099 0.01 0.0098 0.01 35,000,000 345,400 0.0099 0.01 0.0099 0.0099 0.0099 0.0099 6,700,000 66,330 MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES 1.28 1.3 1.21 1.33 1.11 1.3 1,580,000 1,987,280 98,740 2.28 2.35 2.26 2.39 2.25 2.36 489,000 1,108,740 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 5.2 5.22 5.05 5.28 5.05 5.2 4,071,600 21,144,575 4,805,333.00 0.43 0.48 0.43 0.43 0.425 0.43 200,000 85,650 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA 0.95 0.97 0.95 1 0.9 0.96 3,793,000 3,631,700 47,570 4.6 4.68 4.53 4.95 4.34 4.6 1,409,000 6,599,730 54,900 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 12.44 12.46 12.62 12.62 12.32 12.46 1,687,200 21,032,210 877,716 0.0089 0.009 0.0089 0.0093 0.0086 0.0089 114,000,000 1,013,600 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 22.95 23 23 24.45 21.2 23 812,800 18,727,920 603,575 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.013 0.011 0.012 543,600,000 6,487,500 ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 3,300,000 40,500 0.012 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.012 0.012 177,400,000 2,149,400 5,200 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 9.18 9.19 9.3 9.47 9.06 9.19 304,200 2,793,586 -122,960.00

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100.2 101 100.2 100.2 100.2 100.2 510 51,102 HOUSE PREF A 99.9 100 100 100.9 99.9 99.9 7,580 759,160 519 523.5 523.5 523.5 523.5 523.5 100 52,350 AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B 101.2 102 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.2 2,000 202,400 101.8 103.4 102 102 102 102 1,000 102,000 CPG PREF A DD PREF 101.5 101.7 102 102 102 102 10 1,020 1,029 1,036 1,029 1,035 1,029 1,035 2,140 2,208,060 GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF 100.5 101 101.5 101.5 101 101 650 65,900 100 101 100 100 100 100 1,000 100,000 100,000 MWIDE PREF 2A MWIDE PREF 2B 100.5 101.1 101.1 101.1 101.1 101.1 700 70,770 104 107.9 106.7 108 106.7 107.9 27,000 2,909,838 -2,150 PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 1,005 1,006 1,007 1,007 1,005 1,005 3,925 3,952,225 1,020 1,030 1,020 1,020 1,020 1,020 100 102,000 PCOR PREF 2B SFI PREF 1.71 2.28 1.61 2.49 1.61 2.28 122,000 284,390 78.5 78.75 78.8 80 78.75 78.75 30,930 2,438,082 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F 79 79.45 79.5 79.5 77.85 77.85 918,900 72,965,500 76.35 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 2,300 175,950 SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H 76.85 78.9 78.9 78.9 78.9 78.9 750,000 59,175,000 78 78.95 78.95 79 78.95 79 5,030 397,242 SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2J 76.2 76.4 76.3 76.4 76.2 76.2 24,100 1,838,020 76.2 76.85 76.25 76.25 76.15 76.2 5,830 444,168.50 SMC PREF 2K

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 11.78 11.96 12 12 12 12 200 2,400 GMA HLDG PDR 6.88 6.95 6.51 6.95 6.51 6.95 330,300 2,276,060 1,558,330

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 1.71 1.78 1.71 1.83 1.52 1.78 5,020,000 8,466,730 -17,500

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 21.4 21.5 21.7 22.4 20.3 21.5 262,900 5,653,950 ITALPINAS 2.46 2.5 2.55 2.65 2.3 2.46 2,602,000 6,455,400 40,260 5.5 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 11,100 62,160 KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE 2.54 2.6 2.65 2.65 2.51 2.54 135,000 347,770 5.01 5.04 5 5.45 4.73 5.01 64,476,700 329,828,849 -13,604,989 MERRYMART

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 102.3 103.4 102 104 101.5 102.3 58,330 6,012,959 89,017

www.businessmirror.com.ph

First PHL Holdings acquires 15.68% of parent firm shares

L

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

opez-led First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH), which already owns the family’s property development and energy units, has bought 15.68 percent of the shares of its parent, Lopez Holdings Corp.

In its disclosure, FPH said it is waiving its tender offer prerequisite of buying at least 20 percent of its parent firm and a maximum of 31.5 percent of the total issued and outstanding

common shares.

Based on its initial count, a total of 712.43 million common shares, or just over 15 percent, were offered for sale to First Holdings. The tender offer period

ended on Monday.

“FPH shall accept all the shares that have been validly tendered pursuant to the terms and conditions of the tender offer,” it said.

FPH is buying the said shares at P3.85 apiece.

In December, the Lopez holding company was supposed to offer most of its shares, except those being held by the family, to FPH and then be delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Shares of Lopez Inc., the ultimate parent of the two firms, comprise more than half of Lopez Holdings.

FPH was supposed to buy a minimum of 908.45 million common shares of its parent company,

or about 20 percent of the total issued and outstanding common shares to a maximum of 2.06 billion common shares, or 45.56 percent of the company.

In January, however, Lopez Holdings said it has against delisting from the local bourse and that the shares it will offer to FPH for sale will just be enough to keep it listed on the PSE. Lopez Holdings owns ABSCBN Corp., which holds its broadcast and telecom assets, and FPH. The Lopez family earlier decided to delist Energy Development Corp. from the PSE. Shares of Lopez Holdings were last traded at P3.75 per share and First Holdings at P75 apiece.

‘Clark airport can serve as vaccination hub’ mutual funds

The entrance to the Clark International Airport. BusinessMirror file photo

M

ABALAC AT, Pampang a — L u z on I nte r n a tional Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp., the private operator of Clark International Airport, said on Tuesday it is looking forward to see people getting inoculated at a vaccination hub it plans to put up inside the existing terminal.

During a media walk-through in the gateway’s upcoming passenger terminal, LIPAD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bi Yong Chungunco said the company has already presented its proposal to concerned government agencies, including the Department of Health Region 3, and touched base with the private sector.

“I’m very excited about it,” she said. “So, hopefully, the government or the private sector, if they need a mass vaccination center, we will be ready.”

LIPAD Corporate Communications Manager Teri Flores told the BusinessMirror that since the proposal is “already on the table”, they are now awaiting response from the national government, local government units, and the private sector.

“We have received positive feedback from the people who heard the proposal, but we understand that they have a lot on their plate at the moment given that the first stage of the vaccination program has already started,” Flores said.

With the limited passenger traffic at present, she said they can start this initiative anytime as they have also offered to dedicate a portion of the terminal that is ready for use.

What makes the airport suitable for immunization is that it can accept a lot of aircraft carrying vaccines and it is near the 3 locators in Clark Freeport Zone which are fully equipped with cold storage facilities of up to minus 20 degrees, according to Chungunco.

“So you can imagine, it’s very easy to just unload and just put it in a cold storage. And what’s important is once you want to use the vaccine the vaccination center is only five minutes away from the cold storage. So you minimize logistics requirements,” she said.

Around 10,000 people can be accommodated daily by the existing terminal, with a floor area of 25,000 square meters, once the proposed immunization center materializes.

Security-wise, the CEO noted that LIPAD can handle a large number of people as crowd management is part of its expertise as an airport operator.

“Therefore, if the vaccines arrive, we can manage the crowd,” Chungunco said.

The existing terminal will retire once the new aviation facility which can accommodate 8.2 million passengers becomes operational by July.

Built by Megawide-GMR, the new terminal of Clark International Airport was handed over to LIPAD, which was awarded the 25-year concession agreement to operate and maintain it.

LIPAD is the consortium of Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc., Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions Inc., and Changi Airports Philippines (I) Pt. Ltd. Roderick L. Abad

March 9, 2021

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 215.64 -1.88% -8.88% -2.4% -5.1% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.2631 15.13% -7.63% 2.32% -3.8% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.9522 -3.85% -13.15% -4.38% -5.77% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7547 -0.71% -8.47% n.a. -6.12% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6758 -9.57% n.a. n.a. -8.87% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.6848 0.04% -6.92% -1.65% -5.19% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.6859 -6.91% -10.45% -6.83% -9.73% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 100.36 11.1% -5.05% n.a. -1.55% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 44.3611 -0.01% -6.97% -0.88% -5.31% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 463.91 -0.72% -6.9% -1.57% -5.13% Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 1.0327 8.47% n.a. n.a. -5.89% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.112 -1.32% -6.7% -0.65% -4.81% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 33.0587 -0.09% -6.5% -0.12% -4.92% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8602 -3.68% n.a. n.a. -5.78% Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.5404 0.38% -6.5% -0.17% -5.23% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 759.62 0.6% -6.39% -0.27% -5.24% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.683 -4.15% -10.38% -4.13% -4.99% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.431 -5.06% -8.57% -1.81% -5.32% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8688 0.27% -6.7% -0.42% -5.33% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.174 -1.35% -5.7% 0.67% -4.37% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 101.947 0.6% -6.19% 0.44% -5.21% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.2811 33.48% 4.65% 9.42% 6.5% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.6542 25.41% -1.11% 8.56% n.a.

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.633 8.95% -3.36% -0.78% -2.13% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.1991 7.57% -3.07% 0.42% -3.78% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.5312 2.65% -2.46% -0.66% -3.65% First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1902 -6.12% n.a. n.a. -4.23% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9274 2.82% -0.56% 1.46% -1.86% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.6322 2.4% -1.8% 0.38% -4.12% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.2992 2.77% -1.71% 0.38% -3.76% 0.41% -2.85% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.0345 2.58% -2.68% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.4537 -2.04% -4.32% -0.7% -3.34% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9695 1.77% n.a. n.a. -5.19% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.8932 -0.22% n.a. n.a.

-5.9% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8791 -0.53% n.a. n.a. -5.79% Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8533 -2.2% -5.21% -1.44% -3.88% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03807 -3.33% 2.64% 1.4% -2.68% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.1414 12.38% 2.32% 5.58% -0.77% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.462 16.4% 6.38% 8.17% -1.13% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.1764 6.06% 3.13% n.a. -2.14% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 370.65 2.89% 3.19% 2.6% -0.11% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.9058 -0.33% 0.59% 0.18% 0.29% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2177 2.29% 4.19% 4.6% 0.09% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2523 0.15% 2.29% 1.82% -1.9% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4304 2.2% 3.19% 1.83% -0.93% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.4923 1.3% 4.02% 2.16% -3.07% Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3208 4.41% 4.38% 2.68% -0.03% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9659 4.01% 4.36% 2.81% -0.88% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0218 3.76% 3.92% 1.87% -1.94% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1837 2.16% 4.62% 3.21% -0.7% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7394 1.35% 3.95% 2.64% -0.89% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $481.54 1.77% 2.9% 2.52% -0.48% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є219.23 -0.81% 1.04% 1.22% 0.02% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1877 -2.61% 2.05% 1.47% -7.24% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0256 -2.29% 1.06% 0.88% -3.76% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0556 -6.43% 0.27% -0.5% -3.4% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.441 -1.6% 3.93% 2.23% -3.73% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0624292 2.36% 3.2% 2.23% 0.18% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.0738 -6.96% 1.48% 0.93% -4.65% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 129.92 2.56% 3.27% 2.54% 0.08% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0491 1.58% n.a. n.a.

0.1% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2997 2.19% 2.92% 2.59% 0.24% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0546 1.32% 1.77% n.a.

0.21% Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.1442 n.a. n.a. n.a. 1.29% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $0.98 1.03% n.a. n.a.

0%

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Launch date is September 28, 2019. 2 - Launch date is November 15, 2019. 3 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last October 9, 2019.

4 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). 5 - Launch date is December 09, 2019.

6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund). 7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Reissued 7-yr T-bonds fetches ₧30B in auction

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

T

HE Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) fully awarded P30-billion in reissued 7-year Treasur y Bonds (Tbonds) despite investors’ inflation concerns that fueled the spike in rates.

With a remaining term of 6 years and 1 month, the reissued T-bonds fetched an average rate of 3.732 percent, a 101.3-basispoint jump from 2.719 percent in the previous auction in January this year.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said the uptick in rates is already “expected as secondary levels climbed in tandem with inflation, higher oil prices and US Treasuries; with optimism on stimulus package.”

Following US Senate’s passage of a $1.9-trillion stimulus package over the weekend, the benchmark 10-year US Treasury yield rose to about 1.6 percent on Monday.

Nonetheless, the local Tbond auction was oversubscribed as the tenor attracted total tenders of P50.2 billion, way above the P30-billion offer.

The full award brought the total outstanding volume for the series to P174.9 billion.

Concer ns over inf lation

brewed as the February figure hit 4.7 percent. Monetary authorities sought to calm the market by saying the spike is supply-driven, temporary and may ease in the coming months.

While some analysts view inflation as helping the fiscal position, concerns are also being raised on government’s debt as the Duterte administration posted a record-high outstanding debt of P9.795 trillion on an annual basis and a 14-year-high debt-to-GDP ratio of P54.5 percent in 2020. This came a year after the country recorded an outstanding debt level of P7.73 trillion as it snatched a historic low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6 percent.

The national government’s full-year budget deficit last year also soared to a new recordhigh at P1.37 trillion, marking the first time since 1986 that it breached the trillion-mark.

As a percentage of gross domestic product, the government’s full-year 2020 budget deficit also reached an unprecedented 7.63 percent, even eclipsing the 5.02 percent recorded in 2002.

The Treasury said the wider fiscal gap in 2020 resulted from ramped-up state spending against the pandemic despite reduced tax revenue collections.

As banks pour investments into tech, lending seen rising

B

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

@Tyronepiad

Y midyear, financial technology (fintech) is expected to play a big role in the underwriting processes of borrowings by traditional banks as the majority of financial institutions in Asia Pacific turn to artificial intelligence (AI), a study noted.

The second edition of the Fintech and Digital Banking 2025 (Asia Pacific) report—conducted by International Data Corp. (IDC) Financial Insights and commissioned by Backbase Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd.—explained that the Asia Pacific conventional banks’ digital initiatives are expected to boost momentum in 2021.

In the past two years, the report noted these financial institutions’ technology spending on governance, risk and compliance grew by double digits already. As the traditional banks make greater strides toward digital platforms, the fintech sector has been developing new capabilities as well.

The study said that these banks stand to benefit from such developments by the fintech industry through strategic partnerships.

“IDC predicts by the middle of the year, 50 percent of lending decisions in retail banking will be supported by fintech propositions, underscoring accelerating bank-fintech collaboration,” the report said.

Philippine banks are anticipated to team up with fintech players and telecommunication firms to enhance the distribution and availability of banking products, such as payments and lending, it added.

Meanwhile, IDC revealed that the

majority or 60 percent of the banks in the region are seen leveraging AI or machine learning technologies to come up with data-driven decisions.

This is higher compared to 48 percent in the previous year.

Using such tools allow for a “more humanistic type of customer centricity,” the study said, noting that the banks were prompted to reach out to customers with empathy during an economic slump. This approach was also complemented by heightened integration of human agents into customer engagement strategies, it noted.

“To thrive in a post-pandemic world, organizations will need to keep their customers at the center by focusing on the removal of silos, providing greater levels of convenience, overcoming financial literacy challenges, and improving accessibility to lender and payment products,” Backbase Regional Director for Asean and South Asia Riddhi Dutta said in a statement.

Digital banking sector

IN the Philippines, two digital banks have shown “significant growth,” the report noted, adding that their customer bases are expected to grow by at least 80 percent annually until 2025.

Tax on carbon content BSP eyes 70% of population integrated in digital system of fuels remote–DOE T

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

I

MPOSING levies on the carbon content of fuels is far from coming into fruition, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said adding that a push on the imposition of carbon tax would “make the Philippines uncompetitive.”

During Tuesday’s international virtual conference of Asia Pacific Energy Week, Cusi went on to say that the country is “a victim of climate change and what I am asking is climate justice.”

The chief of the Department of Energy (DOE) asked for “support” so the country can properly transition to renewable sources of energy and veer away from fossil fuels.

A carbon tax is a form of carbon pricing. Carbon is present in every hydrocarbon fuel, such as coal, petroleum and natural gas; it is released as carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned. Renewable energy (RE) sources, on the other hand, do not convert hydrocarbons to CO2.

“When I assumed this position, we were short of capacity,” Cusi said noting that at that time, 2016 to 2017, “I said I will source power from any source.”

“So, we adopted a technology-neutral policy. Up to this moment, we still want to build capacity,” the DOE official explained. “Carbon tax, at this moment, is not… we’re not just ready for that. Burdening our generation with carbon tax will only make the country uncompetitive.”

“We are not ready for carbon tax,” replied Cusi when asked for his comment on carbon-tax imposition in the Philippines.

Coal still dominates the country’s power generation mix at 49 percent; followed by RE, 26 percent; gas, 21 percent; and, the remaining from other sources.

“So, we’re trying to develop our indigenous sources to ensure our energy security

and make the cost affordable.

Our energy landscape is at the hands of the private sector,” Cusi noted.

To promote renewables, the government will establish a Green Energy Option Program (GEOP) that gives end-users the option to source their energy requirements from renewable energy.

The agency is targeting to start bidding out the supply of RE by middle of this year.

Under the DOE’s green energy auction, qualified RE developers can offer to supply a specified volume of electricity generated from their facilities.

“We developed other ways to promote RE. One of them is the GEOP,” Cusi said. “We are also pushing for nuclear power plant. Looking at the future, we have signed an MOU [memorandum of understanding] with an Australian company to develop hydrogen to be used for power generation. We are also working with Japan for electrolysis type of hydrogen power generation.”

The DOE chief is hoping to be able to utilize hydrogen as fuel for electric vehicles and as part of the country’s future energy mix.

“I have often said that there could be a lot of potential for hydrogen for the local industry given that it is seen as the fuel of the future.”

Also, the country now allows full foreign ownership in large-scale geothermal projects, with an initial investment cost of $50 million.

These efforts are meant to increase the country’s RE portfolio to 40,000 megawatts in the future, the DOE chief said.

Cusi called on investors, particularly those advocating clean energy, to pursue RE projects in the country.

“We would like to invite investors to locate in the Philippines. Our problem is our energy tariff. To make our country competitive, we have to bring down that and have to find a balance,” he said.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is pushing for the digitalization of the Philippine banking sector to help the majority of Filipinos integrate into the financial ecosystem.

This was emphasized during a virtual town hall discussion hosted by think tank Stratbase ADR Institute (ADRi) on “The Importance of Trust and Security for Digital Financial Inclusion.”

BSP Director for Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department Melchor T. Plabasan said in the forum that the objective of the digital transformation roadmap “is to transition 50 percent of our retail payments to digital and to ensure that 70 percent of adult population has access to a transaction digital account, which they can use or their day-to-day transactions.”

“Going digital right now, it’s not just a matter of convenience, it has become a matter of necessity and for the BSP, we would like to sustain that momentum that’s why we crafted [this] ‘Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap 2023,’” Plabasan said.

The BSP official bared key policy reforms in the BSP roadmap: the National Retail Payment System, which gave birth to InstaPay and PesoPay; technology-aided “Know-Your-Customer” (KYC) that enabled Philippine citizens to open accounts remotely; Operator Payment System to oversee payment system operators and designate those considered systematically or prominently important; Formal guidelines for establishment of digital banks in the Philippines; and, QR (quick response) code for bank transfers and expansion to merchant payments.

“It’s not just about the BSP, it’s also about collaborating with the industry players, collaborating with other government agencies particularly in digitizing payments of government to people and people to government,” Plabasan said. “It is also about the digital transformation of the BSP. We also need to digitally transform.”

In the same forum, National Privacy Commission Policy Advisor, Attorney III, Anna Benjieline R. Puzon advised that banks adopt the best financial technologies that can provide bank accounts the following security features: multi-factor authentication to reinforce whatever security measures already established; timely notification of phishing e-mails or spoof banking web sites to data subjects and to relevant authorities for immediate take down; and, fraud detection and regular monitoring of accounts for suspicious activities.

“Innovation may prove to be boon and bane for the reason that while progress and development is assured, it likewise presents risks to the freedoms and privacy of the individuals availing of such services when the sale is left unbridled and unchecked,” Puzon said.

Stratbase ADRi President Victor Andres C. Manhit called on the Philippine government to support and prioritize digital transformation by investing in a massive digital infrastructure program that will serve as a foundational long term national asset that empowers a digitized commercial, health, education and government

ecosystem.” “In so far as digitalization has become a reality of our everyday life and in so far as the prospects of the new normal have changed how we live; the digital push could be reinforced and actualized into public benefits not only through public-private collaboration, but with a participation of the whole population, as well,” Manhit said.

Lawyer Jose Jesus “JJ” M. Disini Jr., managing partner of Disini & Disini Law Office, pushed for the implementation of sound governance and its continuous enforcement for increased trust and security.

“When you’re thinking about information security compliance, it’s not just about installing hardware and installing your firewalls,” Disini, who is also Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law, added.

“It’s about putting sound governance in.”

B3

While it did not disclose the names, the digital banks in the country include ING Bank Manila and CIMB Bank Philippines.

The digital banking space is seen to grow bigger with six of the top 10 local conventional banks launching their own digital banking brands, the report said. Fintech players have also established a customer base higher than expected by 2019, the study said. The sector usually offers services in payments, wealth advisory, alternative data, lending and account origination.

With the digital space on the rise, the report said that 60 percent of the bankable customers in the Philippines are open to shifting to digital banks, resulting in the unbanked and underbanked segment being potentially cut to 20 percent of the bankable population.

“The events of 2020 have shown the resilience of the financial services industry, and that organizations must refocus their efforts on becoming even more customer-driven and platformoriented,” IDC Financial Insights Associate Vice-President in Asia Pacific Michael Araneta said.

B4

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Explosive Harry, Meghan interview reverberates across globe

By Danica Kirka and Jill Lawless The Associated Press

THE young actress celebrated her birthday recently and posted an overwhelming number of cakes and other gifts on her social-media page. But if you belong to this certain group of sellers on Facebook, you’ll know that the cakes and other stuff weren’t gifts.

The young actress messaged so many sellers soliciting freebies in exchange for a mention on her social-media page. In the said Facebook group, the sellers are wondering how the young actress got the idea for her birthday freebie extravaganza. It could probably come from being competitive with her BF’s ex, who has a strong social media following and

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Olivia Wilde, 37; Carrie Underwood, 38; Jon Hamm, 50; Sharon Stone, 63.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Set up interviews, send out your resume or take action to ensure that you make a difference. How you handle uncertainty and your relationships with others can alter the outcome. HHHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You’ll face opposition if you question what others do or you suggest something that isn’t popular.

Figure out the best way to get others to support what you are trying to accomplish, or prepare to move forward alone. HH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Participate, but first, be sure to back a group that shares your beliefs.

Your time is precious, and getting your facts straight will make a difference to what you are willing to contribute. HHHHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Put your unique spin on whatever you do, and you will succeed. Be willing to invest the time and effort into your ideas instead of helping someone else get ahead. HHH

Asked whether US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill had any reaction to the interview, White House spokesman Jen Psaki said Meghan’s decision to speak about her struggles with mental health “takes courage” and “that’s certainly something the president believes in.”

But she said she wouldn’t offer additional comment on the situation “given these are private citizens, sharing their own story and their own struggles.”

The allegations are especially damaging because many observers hoped Harry and Meghan, who is biracial, would help the tradition-bound monarchy relate to an increasingly multicultural nation. In the early days of their marriage, Harry and Meghan joined William and his wife, Catherine, in projecting a glamorous, energetic image for the young royals.

That partnership was severed when Harry and Meghan left the country, saying they wanted to earn their own living and escape what they called intrusive, racist coverage by the British media.

But the interview brought that criticism into the

palace itself, with the couple directing allegations of racism at an unidentified member of the royal family.

Meghan said that when she was pregnant with her son, Archie, Harry told her that the royal family had had “concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he’s born.”

Harry confirmed the conversation, saying: “I was a bit shocked.” He said he wouldn’t reveal who made the comment. Winfrey later said Harry told her the comment didn’t come from Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip, his grandparents.

Meghan, 39, acknowledged she was naive at the start of her relationship with Harry and unprepared for the strictures of royal life. A successful actress before her marriage, she said she bridled at the controlling nature of being royal, squirming at the idea that she had to live on terms set by palace staff.

This was compounded by the fact that the staff refused to help her when she faced racist attacks from

is sponsored by many brands. The sellers are now wondering if it was worth it.

really, it should have been obvious when he didn’t support calls for the the continued operations of his home network. He never shared any pictures of any rallies he was at, nor did he use his platform to say anything. What’s clear is that he earned money from his social-media pages by sharing fake news and other political propaganda. It’s just surprising that the actor has not been called out by anyone yet when others have been called out or canceled for doing so much less.

BECAUSE OF MONEY

FREEBIE GIRL

By Eugenia Last

z

Happy Birthday: You’ll face last-minute changes and indecisiveness this year. Having a clear-cut image of what you want to achieve will help you navigate your way to the higher moral ground when too many choices tempt you. Stabilization, security and information will help you maintain integrity, a good reputation, and a job or interest that has the potential to raise your standard of living. Your numbers are 8, 15, 21, 29, 36, 38, 44.

L

ONDON—Prince Harry and Meghan’s explosive TV interview divided people around the world on Monday, rocking an institution that is struggling to modernize with claims of racism and callousness toward a woman struggling with suicidal thoughts.

During the two-hour appearance with Oprah Winfrey, Harry also revealed the problems had ruptured relations with his father, Prince Charles, and brother, Prince William, illuminating the depth of the family divisions that led the couple to step away from royal duties and move to California last year.

The palace has not yet responded to the interview, in which Meghan described feeling so isolated and miserable inside the royal family that she had suicidal thoughts and said a member of the family had “concerns” about the color of her unborn child’s skin.

The family member was not Queen Elizabeth II or Prince Philip, according to Harry, sparking a flurry of speculation about who it could be.

Leaders around the world were asked about the interview, and citizens of many countries had an opinion.

In Accra, Ghana, Devinia Cudjoe said that hearing that a member of the royal family was worried about the color of the skin of an unborn child was insulting to people of the Commonwealth, the grouping of Britain and its former colonies that is headed by the queen. “That is pure racism,’’ Cudjoe said. “[The] Commonwealth is supposed to foster unity, oneness amongst black people, amongst white people. But if we are hearing things like this...I think that is below the belt.”

In Nairobi, Kenya, Rebecca Wangare called Meghan “a 21st- century icon of a strong woman. She has faced racism head-on.”

Asma Sultan, a journalist in Karachi, Pakistan, said the interview “is going to tarnish the image of the royal family.”

“There is so much controversy ever since Diana’s death, so it is new Pandora box which is opened up,” she said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson refused to comment on the interview, praising the queen but saying that “when it comes to matters to do with the royal family the right thing for a prime minister to say is nothing.”

Today’s Horoscope

THERE have been rumors that the marriage of the actor and his actress wife has been on the rocks even pre-Covid. But some of the wife’s actions have led people to conclude that their marriage is not just in trouble but over. So many have speculated that it’s because of money. The actor hasn’t worked in a while. The same is true for the actress but it’s been reported that her family is helping them financially. There are also rumors that the actor has a benefactor, someone from his days as an unknown, with whom he reportedly reconciled last year. The actor has always been bashed because of money issues. There are even rumors that the construction of their family home was financed by his wife.

HIS TRUE COLOR

Continued on B5

NEVER, HE SAYS

WHY is everybody surprised about this actor’s political leanings and what he has shared in his social-media platforms? The actor has never hidden his political leanings. He has not flaunted it either but

THE actress was hoping to get back with her exhusband as their marriage hadn’t been annulled yet. All these years, she has been trying to get his attention by repeatedly lambasting him in interviews.

But the ex doesn’t want to be with her anymore and would rather risk her attacks against him and not seeing their kids. In the time they were together, the ex-husband already dated other women. The actress was able to terrorize the first woman, who is now married. Will she be able to terrorize the current girlfriend? The ex-husband is reportedly so in love with the girl, who is also an actress, and will never allow that to happen.

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Evaluate your relationships with others before making promises you may not want to keep. If a change someone makes is questionable, don’t be afraid to walk away. HHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Put any pentup anger you are feeling to rest. Make the necessary adjustments to soothe your soul and to send you in a preferred direction. Partnerships based on shared interests and beliefs will encourage you to be your best. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Live life your way.

Learn from the experience you gain watching others. Take the initiative to educate yourself about the things you want to pursue before investing money or precious time. HHHHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Look for unique ways to set up your workspace or add comfort to your home. Incentives that will stimulate your imagination and creativity will help you bring about positive change. HH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Restrain yourself from flipping between truth and emotional desires. Don’t bank on someone being honest with you. Gather facts and verify the information before you take action. Use intelligence instead of emotion, and you’ll avoid being misled by someone’s persuasive charm and persistence. HHHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Pay more attention to money matters, your job and your responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to make a change if something isn’t working correctly. Putting up with a dysfunctional situation will stand between you and the success you want to achieve. HHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Make changes at home that will make your life easier, but don’t overspend unnecessarily.

In most cases, convenience is attainable using what you already own more efficiently. Recycle, reuse and redefine your lifestyle, and everything else will fall into place. HHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Reach out to someone you want to collaborate with, and you will both benefit from the encounter. An idea you have will spark an interest in something that encourages a positive change in how you live and how you handle your finances. HHH Birthday Baby: You are intuitive, persistent and convincing.

You are forceful and engaging.

‘it’s not about you’ by gary cee The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Kidder in Superman films 7 Bonobo and orangutan 11 The Talk network 14 “Me! Me!” 15 Obtain fraudulently 16 The Lord of the Rings humanoid 17 ABBA, for instance 19 Salmon ___ (sushi choice) 20 Round Dutch cheese 21 Horseshoe’s place 22 Toy vehicle with a handle 24 Half a Worcestershire sauce duo 26 The Simpsons block?

28 Tail off 30 Common deg. for a CEO 32 ___ next door 33 Athlete who uses irons 35 Common deg. for a professor 36 “Quickly!”

40 Facetious nickname for a singular couple 43 Former Giant Chris (SEEN anagram) 44 Female chicken 45 Reindeer part

46 Anesthetize 48 “Catch you later!”

49 Ballpoint filler 50 Round of buck-passing 54 Did a basic dog trick 56 Flood preventer 57 Japanese noodle 59 They may be bridged or filled 62 Ruckus 63 “I’m not done,” or a hint to both words in 17-, 26-, 40- and 50-Across?

66 Carp in a garden pond 67 Muslim prayer leader 68 Strongly opposed (to) 69 Call a halt to 70 Awkwafina Is ___ From Queens 71 Clears all data from DOWN 1 Boggy ground 2 What Ritalin treats: Abbr.

3 Color associated with Queen Charlotte 4 Super easy answer 5 One could be titled “To a Tee” 6 Reggae’s Peter

7 Loathe 8 Messy dessert battle 9 National Mall tree 10 Criticize harshly 11 Short-legged dog 12 Witch’s ride 13 “Don’t make a ___!”

18 NY nightclub in a Manilow song 23 “Finally...”

25 City north of Des Moines 27 Chicago airport 28 They’re often cracked before breakfast 29 Brought into being 31 Dudes’ embrace 34 Possible meaning of “Meow!”

35 Bill signer’s need 37 Game with no opponent 38 Congregant’s reply 39 Free lunch at the office, e.g.

41 Major celebrity 42 Small bills 47 Land, like a fish 48 Actress Neuwirth 50 Lively on TV?

1 Pretended to have feelings for 5 52 Shun 53 Poppa’s partner, perhaps 55 Choreographer de Mille 58 Miles away 60 (Hey, you!)

61 Spike Lee’s ___ Gotta Have It 64 Mopey music genre 65 “___ run out of ideas” Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Image BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Explosive Harry, Meghan interview reverberates across globe Continued from B4

IMAGE FROM MEDICAL NEWS TODAY

The perks of overcoming being a wallflower

I

WAS painfully shy in my early teens. Even during family gatherings, I would be in some corner, twisting the ends of my shirt while nervously darting short glances at everyone.

They told me it was normal, and I guess it was. But the issue persisted well into my high school days.

At first, I attributed it to being an introvert. But then, I discovered I was overly shy and socially anxious when I left for college and I had to deal with a new environment and different kinds of people every day. I panicked every time I went to class because I had different sets of classmates per subject. Had you been there, you would have seen me at the back corner nearest the exit—a typical wallflower.

In time, I outgrew the shyness, but not without help from college friends who knew I was excessively shy and helped me overcome it. They helped me meet new people and introduced me to some of their friends which eventually built my confidence and helped me understand how I can carry myself in a social setting.

The first thing I did was to understand where my shyness was coming from. I had to do that so I could see how I could overcome it, and if needed, accept that it was who I really was. I realized I was excessively shy because of how I looked as compared to everybody who looked so confident and polished. I felt like I was always the odd one out.

So, the next thing I did was to write down what I was excellent in and what made me unique. Every time I felt anxious before meeting new people, I would look at that list until I felt confident enough to face them. Listing down your achievements will give an added boost to your confidence and help you cope with feelings of inferiority. Reading the list helped me focus on my strengths, rather than becoming crippled with feelings of inadequacy.

Even now, I would still feel that dread but there are several things I do to ease off the social awkwardness.

One of them is to smile and fake it until I make it.

And when you smile, it helps to self-talk and tell yourself repeatedly that it will be fine. Your worst critic will always be yourself and we are all prone to self-sabotage by thinking of the worst-case scenario.

You will attract what you think of, so stop thinking of what could go wrong. It would do you good to keep calm, smile, and repeat to yourself that everything will be fine.

Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, focus on what you can control to overcome the social awkwardness. You can find someone you know and talk to them as a warm-up for talking to other groups.

You can also go around the room and have a feel of what the group’s interests are, and possibly join a

group of people and maybe offer a bit of what you think so you can get a feel of the conversation. Your aim is to find a group of people who have the same interest as you do.

People are often overly shy because they think that others are looking at them or even thinking about them in the worst possible way. I used to think that way too, but this is simply not true. People are much too preoccupied with their own lives to actually think anything about you. In fact, they might even be as anxious and nervous as you are. It is easier to talk to others than you think. You can start with small talk to put yourself at ease and find a common ground for conversation.

If you feel self-conscious, draw attention away from yourself by asking questions. This will not only lessen the pressure on you to talk but also give you an opportunity to catch your breath and maybe think of an answer to your own question, or think of new ones to keep the conversation going. Asking questions lessens the focus on you and helps you find a common ground. This helps build rapport and keeps you genuinely interested especially if they are talking about something you know about.

You also need to understand that not everybody will like you. And that is okay. You just need to be genuine to yourself and you will find the people who will like you for who you are. I used to think that people need to like me and that means I should not offend them. Turns out that people will not like me for a lot of reasons, most of which are trivial, or even something you cannot change about yourself. So, do not be bothered when some people do not like you.

Move on and talk to people who do.

And then there are those who are socially awkward because they feel that they will make a mistake or make a fool of themselves. The truth is, everybody makes mistakes. You should know that people are more tolerant than you think and will empathize with you when you commit a blunder.

They might even help you out of an embarrassing situation.

And even if nobody understands, learn how to laugh at yourself. Self-deprecation helps you cope with the uneasiness of a situation through humor. At the same time, it helps you establish authenticity by showing your flaws which, in turn, helps others lower their guard down. Laughing at our own mistakes helps diffuse tension in yourself as well as in others.

There are still times when I feel socially awkward especially when meeting a group I have not met before. It becomes doubly uncomfortable when they come from a different country, or when they come from an unfamiliar field. The universal language of friendship is a smile. Smiling puts you and the other person at ease and helps establish a connection for further conversation. So, when you find yourself becoming overly self-conscious, just smile.

Employing the tips cited above, you will eventually find yourself enjoying talking to people more and getting to know them. Meeting new people can be daunting, but it should not stop you from establishing real connections with others. It is okay to feel shy sometimes, but do not let that stop you from getting to know people and letting them discover the unique and wonderful you. n

the media and Internet trolls, she said. The situation became so difficult that at one point, “I just didn’t want to be alive anymore,” Meghan told Winfrey.

But when she sought help through the palace’s human resources department, she was told there was nothing it could do because she wasn’t an employee, Meghan said.

The implications for the interview—which was broadcast Sunday evening in the United States and will air in Britain on Monday night—are only beginning to be understood. Emily Nash, royal editor at Hello! Magazine, said the revelations had left her and many other viewers “shell-shocked.”

“I don’t see how the palace can ignore these allegations, they’re incredibly serious,” she said. “You have the racism allegations. Then you also have the claim that Meghan was not supported, and she sought help even from the HR team within the household and was told that she couldn’t seek help.”

Both Meghan and Harry praised the support they had received from the monarch.

“The queen has always been wonderful to me,” Meghan said.

But Harry revealed he currently has a poor relationship with William and said things got so bad with his father that at one point Prince Charles stopped taking his calls.

“There is a lot to work through there,” Harry said of his father. “I feel really let down. He’s been through something similar. He knows what pain feels like.

And Archie is his grandson. I will always love him, but there is a lot of hurt that has happened.” n

B5

B6 Wednesday, March 10, 2021

GOMO offers no-expiry and unlimited data deals for an awesome connectivity experience

All-New Isuzu D-MAX to take driving experience ‘Into New Heights’

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N March 4, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX made its much awaited debut to the Philippine market via a digital launch posted on the official Facebook and YouTube pages of the Japanese truck maker, Isuzu Philippines Corporation.

Carrying with it 6 years of research and 4 million kilometers of testing, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX is the most innovative and feature-laden iteration of the iconic pick-up truck, that has long set its reputation for its outstanding durability and reliability.

Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) President Hajime Koso said, “We are very excited to introduce this model to the Philippine market—a market that has been particularly special for us since there are a lot of scenic routes and challenging terrains all over the country that a pick-up and 4x4 enthusiast would love to traverse, especially on the weekends.

Because of that, we’ve made sure that the All-New D-MAX will have a wide range of choices to cater to every consumer’s needs.”

Designed ‘beyond the pick-up truck’

BUILT from the ground up, the AllNew Isuzu D-MAX breaks the barrier between trucks and passenger cars.

The exterior styling utilize the bold but emotional concept, giving the new D-MAX a powerful and robust appearance.

The D-MAX's interior cabin, on the other hand, is designed with Isuzu’s bold but smart concept which emphasizes on the sharp horizontal layers design theme, wherein most of the features has been redesigned under Isuzu’s universal design concept to minimize vibration, reduce cabin noise – ultimately giving the driver and passenger a more comfortable drive.

Exceptional power

UNDER the hood, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX is now powered by the new 4JJ3-TCX which uses a highly

advance Isuzu common rail system that can deliver responsive power and top performance capable of producing 190 PS of power and 450 Nm of torque.

Whereas the RZ4E-TC engine also boasts an improved engine performance, that promises faster acceleration and better overtaking performance that can produce 150PS of maximum power and 350 newton meters of torque.

Outstanding performance

WHERE the road ends, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX truly excels. Design and engineering innovations—such as the one-piece aluminum tail shaft, 800mm water wading depth capability, newly designed steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment, redesigned gear lever for better gear selection and control (for both MT and AT), Terrain Command Select Dial, and electronic differential lock—ensures that the D-MAX can overcome virtually all types of terrain.

Despite possessing new levels of comfort and convenience, this pickup can withstand the harshest conditions, thanks to its engineering innovations such as the new front suspension geometry, chassis design featuring larger side rails and 8 cross member for torsional rigidity, new rear leaf spring design, ultra-high tensile steel reinforced cabin structure, and a semi mid-ship engine design.

Top of the notch safety features

NO matter how rough and tough the going gets, the All-New Isuzu D-MAX keeps all its occupants protected, with its wide array of active safety features, which include the anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) with brake assist (BA), electronic stability control (ESC) with traction control system (TCS), hill start assist (HSA) and hill descent control (HDC), and the brake override system (BOS).

Safety goes a notch higher with the D-MAX 3.0 LS-E variant, with its new Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) that employs state-of-the-art sensors and a first in its class SMART DUO CAM that enables the D-MAX to constantly monitor the surrounding environment, thus offering the driver the following active and passive safety features: Forward collision warning (FCW); Autonomous emergency brake (AEB); Turn Assist; Pedal Mis-application mitigation; Adaptive cruise control (ACC); manual speed limiter (MSL); lane departure warning (LDW); blind spot monitoring (BSM); rear cross traffic alert (RCTA); parking aid, and multi-collision brake (MCB). On top these, the new D-MAX comes with 7 S.R.S Airbags and has been given a 5-star safety rating by the ASEAN New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

For more information, log on to www.isuzuphil.com, or get in touch with your nearest Isuzu dealership.

Subway offers new Products: Pandesal Sliders and Flavored Coffee you’re eating, or it could also refer to how they “slide” across the griddle before the toppings are added to make way for new patties.

Subway® is also serving four varieties of coffee that will go perfectly with the new pandesal slider. We love to consume coffee at least three times a day, this makes coffee the crown drink of the Filipinos. So, a pandesal and a cup of coffee are simply inseparable.

With all its good benefits, coffee is no doubt an instant pick-me-up beverage whenever you're feeling under the weather. Subway provides a good coffee cup that can help individuals perk up in the morning and start their busy day.

F

OR a limited time only from March 3, 2021, to April 30, 2021, Subway® offers a delicious food pairing with their New Subway Pandesal Slider and New Subway Flavored Coffee that's an excellent choice for people who are always on-the-go.

If the Philippines ever had a national bread, Pandesal would be on top of the list. It is affordable, relatively sweet. It is a Filipino breakfast staple, and Subway wants to offer this Pinoy favorite to their customers by offering pandesal with some of their unique and delicious fillings.

The Subway® Pandesal Sliders ala carte prices start from Php79 to Php89, where you can choose between a Pepperoni Delite, Sliced Chicken, Pulled Pork, and Bacon & Cheese as your fillings! You can also add Php20 to get a 12oz drink to upgrade it into a combo meal.

Ultimately, Subway's new menu is an affordable choice that can be consumed as a snack or as a quick breakfast on-thego that gives both the working class and students an exciting and nutritious boost every morning!

Why Is It Called Pandesal “Sliders”?

THE term “sliders” refers to miniature burgers. And the name dates back to the 1940s when U.S. Navy sailors would refer to their mini-burgers as sliders due to the fact that the fillings easily "slides" down as

Dine-In and Take-Out

FOR dine-in and take-out orders, the New Subway Flavored Coffee (Ala Carte) prices start from Php60 for Cappuccino and Cafe Latte, and Php70 for Mocha Latte and Hot Chocolate.

If you want to make it into a combo meal or enjoy coffee with toasties, you can avail of the Garlic Butter Toasties or Garlic Butter with Mozzarella Cheese Toasties starting from Php129 to Php149.

For delivery or pick-up via Grab app or Facebook Messenger ordering, the New Subway Flavored Coffee (Ala Carte) prices start from Php73.20 for Cappuccino and Cafe Latte, and Php85.40 for Mocha Latte and Hot Chocolate.

If you want to make it into a combo meal or enjoy coffee with toasties, you can avail of the Garlic Butter Toasties or Garlic Butter with Mozzarella Cheese Toasties starting from Php157.38 to Php181.78 (see in-store print material for details).

S

TAYING connected has been pretty high on our list of priorities nowadays.

Most of us have shifted a lot of our work and play online. We now pay our bills, do shopping, and work from home, among many other activities. Given our current situation, we saw the power of connectivity to navigate the next normal. And we continuously see the growing dependence of Filipinos on this.

This is what GOMO, the latest fully digital brand in the country, is all about.

Changing the game in connectivity, GOMO aims to provide simplicity and innovation to Filipinos with its three game-changers—a Fully Digital Experience, No Expiry Data, and ‘Mo Creds. In a nutshell, GOMO is making the whole telco experience brutally simple.

Eric Leif Tanbauco, Head of GOMO, explained that the digital brand was created specifically for today’s digital natives who utilize digital solutions in their work and play.

"Reinventing our business model allowed GOMO to provide innovative industry firsts: an all-digital approach to telco, no expiry data, and even the ability to convert data to calls and texts,” he said.

Fully digital, GOMO doesn’t have any physical stores or hotlines, which enabled them to minimize its operating costs. As an

innovative brand, its experience is designed to be simple and convenient for its customers by giving them everything they need in a mobile app—from buying a SIM, purchasing promos and even aftersales.

GOMO is 5G ready. Having its digitallysavvy customers in mind, the brand made sure that when it launched GOMO, its customers can already use the best connectivity, which is 5G. Recently, it upgraded its current offer to 30GB (from 25GB) with No Expiry, with the same price of P299.

GOMO also regularly does flash deals. Its ongoing 3.3 promotion offers UNLIMITED DATA for users, again simplifying their connectivity experience, so they have the freedom to access the internet without any restrictions.

To serve more Filipinos with its unlimited offerings, GOMO is extending its flash deals from March 8 to 10, to continue offering its UNLI promos: UNLIMITED DATA for 15 days for P299 and Unlimited Data for 30 days for P499.

GOMO will also launch an exclusive offer in key cities of Visayas and Mindanao on March 15. A regional exclusive, GOMO customers in the region will be able to subscribe to UNLI DATA for 30 days for only P199. Visit www.Gomo.ph.

Toyota holds Car Maintenance Weekend

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OYOTA owners are in for an early summer treat this March 11 to March 13, 2021 as Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) announces its Car Maintenance Weekend in all Toyota dealers and service centers nationwide.

During Toyota’s Car Maintenance Weekend, all Toyota customers who will avail of Periodic Maintenance (PM) or Express Maintenance (EM) service will automatically receive 40% discount on Toyota Genuine Motor Oil - Mineral Grade.

Full mechanics of the Car Maintenance Weekend Promo may be viewed at https:// toyota.com.ph/promos/maintenanceweekend or by inquiring at the nearest Toyota

dealership. Customers can easily book a service appointment with any dealership online by registering or logging in at https://www.mytoyota.ph

Dayaw’ marks 10th season, focuses on the lives of Filipino culture bearers

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WARD-WINNING documentary series “Dayaw” enters its 10th season with six new episodes focusing on the lives and struggles of Filipino culture bearers.

Hosted by three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker and Antique Representative Loren Legarda, “Dayaw” will air every Thursday on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, and the ANC Facebook page.

With the theme “Salinlahi: Legacies for a Changed World,” “Dayaw Season 10” will go in-depth into the stories of Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees, as well as the students and protégés they are mentoring to carry indigenous Filipino traditions into the new world.

Legarda said the series will give a realistic view of the challenges faced by our National Living Treasures.

“Our very first season aired in 2015 talked about the natural elements that shaped traditional life. This tenth season talks about current, very real problems that affect the lives of our indigenous people,” she shared. “The GAMABA awardees face the same problems all Filipinos face - poverty, lack of economic prospects, growing old and being gradually displaced. Yet, they continue to create and teach,” she added.

Shot before the pandemic, “Dayaw Season 10” will take viewers all over the Philippines to explore and appreciate indigenous traditions that should be valued and preserved for the next generations of Filipinos. After all, Loren shared that they have always envisioned “Dayaw” to be an archive for the future.

“More than content for broadcast or for the internet, this archive is a record for future generations,” she said.

The first episode follows Alonzo Saclag, who passes on the way of the baglan, the warrior-headhunter of the Kalinga, through the dances and chants he teaches to young Kalinga men and women. Episode two is about Teofilo Garcia of Abra, who has devoted his life to making the tabungaw, a beautiful and functional hat that is a product of combining agriculture and ecology. The third episode is about Eduardo Mutuc and his sons’ quest to keep the legacy of pinukpuk alive.

In the remaining episodes, “Dayaw” will feature two legendary weavers, the late Lang Dulay, the T’boli dreamweaver known for her 100 patterns and designs; and Bai Yabing Masalon Dulo, who mentored young women in South Cotabato before she passed away. It will also listen to the voices of the young artisans, craftsmen, and technical workers of Escuela Taller, a training center for vocational skills especially for the poor, out-of-school youth.

“Dayaw,” a production of ANC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, was conceptualized by then Senator Loren Legarda, NCCA’s Dangal ng Haraya Patron of Arts and Culture awardee.

Watch “Dayaw Season 10” on ANC and the ANC Facebook page every Thursday at 8:30pm starting March 18. For updates, follow @ABSCBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit. www.abs-cbn.com/ newsroom.

LEGENDARY weaver Bai Yabing Masalon Dulo mentored young women in South Cotabato before she passed away

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Wednesday, March 10, 2021 B7

DTDC sees growth in suburban development

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By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

OCATING in the suburban areas is one of the in-things these days for homeowners mainly caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, this is also a window of opportunity for developers to grow the business.

Don Tim Development Corp.

(DTDC) is expected to benefit from this development as property buyers want to go to a safer and healthier place and at same experience spacious and classy neighborhoods.

In its February 2021 report, Cushman and Wakefield pointed out the interests in horizontal developments are likely to pick up in urban areas immediately outside Metro Manila as the result of the prevalence of blended and flexible working setup and preference for less crowded places.

Established in 1981, DTDC has a landbank of over 70 hectares of property in prime locations in Cavite. At present, the properties are divided among four residential subdivisions that are all known to be thriving, sustainable communities that foster family well-being: Monte Vista and Alta Monte, in Tagaytay City; Montebello in Alfonso; and South Midland in Silang.

After the successful development of its first residential project Monte Vista in 1990, DTDC has been on a roll by following up the first project with South Midland

Steady demand for residential properties to continue this year

Home

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By Roderick L. Abad

HE year 2020 was a tough time for the entire realestate industry due to Covid-19 pandemic, but signs of recovery emerged in the latter part of the year, thus increasing market confidence for 2021, according to Lamudi.

This trend boiled down to the housing sector when demand fell due to uncertainties of the health crisis at the beginning of last year and then rose when investors and homebuyers with more buying power started to regain their confidence.

Based on the property platform provider’s latest study, the growth in the demand for all types of housing was steady from the first half (H1) to the second half (H2) of 2020.

Houses registered the highest pageviews at 33.03 percent, followed by land at 30.24 percent.

Foreclosed properties saw an uptick at 16.86 percent while condominiums posted a 5.37-percent hike.

Meanwhile, pageviews on apartments were at 0.22 percent only.

In terms of leads, foreclosures increased at 43.08 percent; land, 37.22 percent; house, 36.52 percent; apartment, 11.33 percent; and condo, 9.43 percent.

Given their improved performances, the outlook for the residential market is bullish this year.

Lamudi expects a spike in pageviews across all kinds of housing properties in H1 of 2021 from H1 of 2020.

Foreclosed estates are deemed to experience a surge of 31.53 percent during the two periods in review.

Likewise, the number of property seekers looking at condos listed on the site is projected to go up by 17.62 percent, apartments by 11.95 percent, and houses by 3.01 percent.

Even when the market behavior shown in the property portal was favorable last year, Lamudi believes that there’s still a lot of work to do, particularly in making property seekers confident and comfortable in engaging in transactions that largely involve digital platforms.

“The new year will be the time the new normal will settle,” the company said.

Leisure Suites is Tagaytay’s first low density and multi-cluster condo in Tagaytay. It is the flagship project of Don Tim Development Corp., the company behind Monte Vista, Alta Monte and Montebello in Tagaytay and Cavite.

and its succeeding projects.

After their success in historic Cavite, DTDC went to Tagaytay and developed their flagship project- Alta Monte. Located on prime Tagaytay prime real estate, the 12.7-hectare village, Alta Monte allows residents some peace and privacy without being too far from the attractions and conveniences

of the city.

In response to the needs of the horizontal market, Alta Monte recently added a low-density condominium project: The Leisure Suites. Each Leisure Suites cluster contains six units—a combination of one-, two-, and three-bedroom condominiums. Each unit comes with a foyer, living area, dining

area, kitchen area, service area and carport, and ground floor units also come with a lanai and a pocket garden.

Right now, DTDC is currently developing Montebello—an expansive residential boutique development along Alfonso, Cavite—an easy drive from the attractions of Tagaytay on one end, and the

beaches of Batangas on the other.

The 15.4-hectare village is the site of two of its new offerings. First is the Lilac Twins- duplex bungalow units which are stylish and space-efficient. Each Twin, or half of the bungalow, consists of two bedrooms, one bathroom, service or drying area, a veranda, foyer entrance, garden, and a carport.

Then there is the larger Daisy, a 2-story single attached structure which boasts of the same amenities.

A family corporation that is currently managed by the second generation, DTDC has earned the buyer’s trust by offering functionalpremium housing developments, first rate features and amenities, reasonable prices, convenient locations, and customer-oriented service.

Founded by its chairman and president Agustin Leong, DTDC is composed of industry professionals dedicated to applying the values of teamwork, integrity, professionalism, and innovation. Now, more than ever, DTDC is ready to play an active role in helping Filipinos lead better lives in the “new normal” by providing better quality of homes.

R&R in the time of Covid W

ITH limited ways to safely destress, more and more people are beginning to shoulder the prolonged tension of the past year’s pandemic in their bodies and minds.

The monotony of a quarantine lifestyle can make it especially difficult to unwind at the end of the day.

Here are some tips to help you maximize energy, root out restlessness, and get some much-needed R&R while staying safe in the midst of quarantine:

Stay active

Move more, sit less. Work up a sweat and wake up your body for a jolt of energy that can last you through the day. Even light exercise can help boost your overall mood, improve your memory and ensure that you’re ready to sleep well when nighttime comes.

Whether you join an online fitness class, walk around your neighborhood, climb a flight of stairs or just jog in place, you can enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle at home.

Upgrade your mattress

It’s impossible to get a good night’s sleep if your mattress is not giving you the right support and comfort. The wrong bed can keep you tossing and turning all night, preventing you from finding a comfortable position.

A mattress that’s too soft can initially provide comfort but actually lacks the proper support, leading to back pain and other orthopedic problems. On the other hand, a stiff mattress won’t be flexible enough to adapt to your specific body type.

As the leading mattress manufacturer in the world, Sealy Posturepedic provides absolute quality conformance, unbeatable comfort and unparalleled support. Its revolutionary patented spring technology, perfected over a span of 140 years, is the most advanced spring system within the mattress industry.

You can choose from a wide collection of orthopedic mattresses and 5-star hotel bed sets.

For those who like their tech products, Sealy

Philippines also carries the first and only spring adjustable bed system in the country.

Elevate the quality of your sleep by switching to Sealy Posturepedic.

Stick to a schedule

Find a daily routine that makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning, and leaves you satisfied and ready to climb back in at night.

While you’re at home, focus on activities that you can achieve and practice consistently.

This could be as simple as eating a full breakfast, stretching before the workday, or reading a chapter of your book every night.

As you maintain a day-to-day schedule that works for you, you’ll become more efficient in accomplishing your tasks, leaving you ample time to rest and enjoy simple pleasures.

Start a passion project

This may be the perfect moment for you to put your passion into action. With the luxury

Your safe home away from home

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MID the ongoing pandemic, going about one’s day with ease has become increasingly important. Life, as they say, must go on. But while the global health crisis remains a threat, safety has become the quintessential measure of peace of mind these days: to live, work, and play in a safe space not just within the walls of one’s home but in the surrounding community as well.

What factors, then, contribute to a safe space? With the following attributes, one can breathe in a spirit of tranquility and security with each day.

Easy accessibility

Navigating the complex network of highways in Metro Manila can be a dizzying affair.

But with life beyond the Metro, one can take advantage of more closely interwoven roads and more efficient travels. Gaining easy access to expressways like the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax), Eton-Greenfield City exit, Greenfield Unilab exit, Sta. Rosa exit, and the

recent opening of the Skyway Stage 3, which connects the North and Luzon Expressways, help significantly cut the travel time between destinations from two hours to as little as 30 minutes. Easily transitioning from big city to suburban community provides a sense of comfort and familiarity, knowing that your primary needs and places of interest are close by and built on personal connections.

Wide, open spaces and low-density areas

With lockdowns relaxed and people acquainted with ways of keeping protected, stepping outside one’s door opens up avenues of socially distant recreation, from walking pets, enjoying the outdoors, soaking in the sunshine, or stretching one’s legs.

Wide, open spaces also allow for the optimal circulation of air and for maintaining proper distancing from other individuals. Identifying a low-density offering helps reduce the risk of exposure.

of free time and headspace, dive into what helps you relieve stress and express yourself comfortably.

Take this opportunity to set your goals, learn a new skill, build a small business, or jump start the tasks you’ve been putting off for months.

Celebrate the small wins

Being stuck at home with no new stimuli can be a mind-numbing experience, especially when endured for a prolonged duration of time. Make sure to celebrate small victories to keep you engaged and motivated throughout the day.

Were you able to finish your work task on time? Have a scoop of ice-cream. Reached your goal of 10,000 steps in a day? Take a long, luxurious bath. Finally start a new hobby? Celebrate by sleeping in this weekend.

The goal is to reward your success, so you have something to look forward to every time you accomplish it—no matter how small it may be.

It all starts and ends with your bed. Find the perfect match for all your mattress needs and give yourself the gift of rest and relaxation in the time of Covid.

TCRS Celtis Tower Project breaks ground

Commercial establishments within close vicinity

Knowing you can make a quick run to purchase necessities, enjoy a cup of coffee with a friend, or celebrate milestones with the family just a stone’s throw away from your abode speaks volumes when it comes to establishing a semblance of the “new normal.” For solo inhabitants and new residents, building friendships makes all the difference to feel more at home. As the contagion remains, guidelines must be in place to provide reassurance for all patrons.

A safe space at home

At the end of every day, one’s home is a sanctuary; a respite from the daily grind. Amid the pandemic and lockdown restrictions, a safe haven that not only houses life’s necessities but also ensures safety and wellness for the current generation and the next, is the most ideal.

Your safe home away from home

One such location that ticks all these boxes (and more) is master-planned development Greenfield City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. This 400-hectare township boasts a unique “city within a park” concept, giving visitors and residents alike a refreshing change of scenery—park-like greeneries that provide ample space for daily outdoor activities, interspersed with the comforts of urban living in the form of nearby commercial establishments. To top it all off, practical and safe residential offerings are treated as sanctuaries, hence, occupancy is firmly maintained to a certain threshold.

For more information, visit https://greenfield.com.ph/.

CitiGlobal’s technical team and engineers conducted the ground breaking for the Tagaytay Clifton Resort Suites’ (TCRS) Celtis Tower recently in Alfonso, Metro Tagaytay, Cavite.

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ITIGLOBAL Realty and Development, Inc., a top real-estate developer offering affordable and income-generating properties in the country, has officially started the construction of its Tagaytay Clifton Resort Suites’ (TCRS) Celtis Tower.

The Celtis Tower is one of Tagaytay Clifton Resort Suites’ (TCRS) condominiums and the third tower in development. The completion of TCRS is still under way and promises to provide deluxe amenities at an affordable price. Once completed, the TCRS project will feature a clubhouse, gym, library, swimming

pool, and other leisure facilities.

The project is among CitiGlobal’s realestate developments aimed at revolutionizing the Filipino mindset on leisure properties, giving new investment opportunities for ordinary working-class Filipinos, especially overseas Filipino workers. Other than the TCRS, the Tagaytay Fontaine Villas is also among CitiGlobal’s real-estate developments.

To learn more about CitiGlobal, visit its web site at https://citiglobal.com.ph/ or send them an e-mail at info@citiglobal.com. ph for inquiries.

Sports

Unfinished MPBL season resumes today in Subic bubble

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BusinessMirror

B8

| Wednesday, March 10, 2021

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

COMMISSIONER Kenneth Duremdes is glad that the league’s back.

HE Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Editor: Jun Lomibao (MPBL) is all set to complete its shuttered Lakan Cup season on Wednesday with do-or-die national finals matches that will be played inside a bubble at the Subic Bay Freeport gymnasium.

MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said all systems are go for the regional basketball league whose playoffs was halted in March 12 last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The four remaining teams are raring to restart their championship campaigns but they have to do it under an environment totally different from the past and without fans.

“The MPBL is ready 100 percent, but again all of this is new for us, even for the players,” said INT-SIZED Joenard Rates sizzled at a crowded leaderboard.

Duremdes straight from his quarantine room in Subic the finish to upstage the Philippine “Given the playing conditions, including on Tuesday in the online Philippine Sportswriters Golf Tour’s (PGT) big guns reminiscent wind and rain and pin placements, I’m happy RINCESS SUPERAL endured a wobbly Ladies Philippine Golf Tour season.

Association (PSA) Forum. of his exploits the last time out, with my game,” said the soft-spoken Bibat, frontside windup in tough conditions, Chanelle Avaricio actually crowded “We know that we are ready, but we are coming away with an eagle-spiked out to snap out of a long title spell in the ICTSIscrambling for an even-par 72 and a flightmates Superal and Constantino with a gutsy facing a lot of challenges,” he said.

69 to drive past Michael Bibat for a one-stroke sponsored circuit after scoring a breakthrough one-stroke lead over a hot-finishing 36 start on two birdies against the same number The South Division Finals between Basilan Steel lead in the first round of the International at Palos Verdes in 2013. rookie Harmie Constantino at the start of of bogeys. But the Alabama State product lost and Davao Occidental Tigers kick off hostilities at Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Eagle Just a stroke off the pace, the former Asian the International Container Terminal Services Inc. her focus, touch and momentum at the front, 4 p.m., followed by the San Juan Knights-Makati Ridge Challenge at the Aoki course on Tuesday in Games bronze medalist said he won’t be going on (ICTSI)Eagle Ridge Challenge at the Aoki course on fumbling with four bogeys in the first seven holes Super Crunch Northern Division showdown at 7 p.m.

General Trias, Cavite. the attack mode this early, stressing: “I’ll just take Tuesday in General Trias, Cavite. then holing out with a triple-bogey on the par-4 The first game will be shown live on A2Z, while the Rates birdied three of the last five holes at it one shot at a time, try to hit the fairways and Looking good with a four-birdie, two-bogey eighth. She limped with a 43 and a 79. second game will be aired on Facebook live. the front to jump from the middle of the pack greens and make the most of my birdie chances.” backside start in intermittent drizzle, Superal Amateur Laurea Duque, meanwhile, turned in Both best-of-three series are tied at 1-1 and into the lead in sun, rain and wind, spiking The way he did yesterday that saw him kept a two-under card with a birdie on a 77 while Marvi Monsalve and Sunshine Baraquiel before the season was suspended. his 33-36 card with a pitch-in eagle from 150 ram in four birdies inside six feet on Nos. No. 5 that negated a bogey mishap on struggled with identical 78s and former three-time “Both games are do-or-die, you lose, you go yards on the par-5 11th and capping with a tap12, 16, 3 and 9 that more than made No. 1. But she nearly lost her grip of the Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodriguez groped for home,” stressed Duremdes in the session presented in birdie on the ninth. up for his missed green mishaps on lead with back-to-back bogeys from form coming off a long layoff and skied to an 81.

by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie He said he didn’t expect to lead the Nos. 18 and 7.

No. 6 in windy conditions But Superal stayed in shape despite a Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine way he did in the first of two ICTSI Riviera As the fancied bets, including as Constantino three-month break after winning the first of Amusement and Gaming Corp. championships that marked PGT’s return after Riviera leg winners Tony Lascuña and blazed home with two Riviera titles in LPGT’s return in new normal “Imagine, after all those sacrifices from the an eight-month break due to pandemic last Ira Alido, and former Philippine Open back-to-back after an eight-month hiatus due to pandemic, players and team owners and the difficult process November but maintained he came into the P2 champions Miguel Tabuena, birdies to salvage a 73. birdying three of the first five holes against a to resume the season, and one miss you’re gone,” million event ready and in good form behind a Angelo Que and In a flight ahead, Pauline del bogey and staying on top of the compact field he added. series of practice and workouts.

Clyde Mondilla, Rosario, who bogeyed three throughout despite her shaky finish.

There is no confirmation that MPBL founder “I also worked on my stamina since we’re floundered of the first four holes at the “I just tried to control my shots and my putting and benefactor Manny Pacquiao will watch the playing sans caddies and under erratic weather in challenging back, birdied the fifth to clicked early on,” said Superal, who, however, games in person. conditions. But the rain is part of the game and I conditions, Paul save a 74 while Daniella downplayed her chances for another crack at the Game 1 of the best-of-five title series will really needed to work hard on every hole,” said the Echavez, Zanieboy Uy carded a 75 to stay crown in this Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.start on March 12.

5-foot-3 Rates, looking for his third career win after Gialon, Nilo Salahog and Manila-based American in the hunt in the first organized event. “I’m not expecting anything, I just All teams and league personnel were nipping Finnish Janne Kaske in a playoff to snare Lexus Keoninh all matched par 72s to take the of two Eagle Ridge want to play my game and try to enjoy the week.” quarantined after undergoing swab tests. The the PGT Asia crown at Summit Point in 2018. early challengers’ role at joint fourth. events, the other In contrast, Constantino struggled with her MPBL delegation entered Subic in batches, But he would need to work doubly hard Tabuena, who failed to figure in the title being the ICTSI Eagle putting stroke but came out of the challenging with defending champion San Juan and Davao to foil his pursuers and nail another victory in chase at Riviera, barely overcame a doubleRidge Championship day more than satisfied although she hinted at checking in last Friday and the rest coming in last new normal, and at least atone for his joint bogey start with a roller-coaster finish of three on March 23-25, modifying her gameplan in the next two days in an Monday, including Makati and Basilan. fifth finish at Riviera Challenge, as Bibat also birdies against two bogeys in the last seven kicking off the new attempt to nail a victory in her first pro tournament.

All 22 members per team were allowed in birdied his closing hole at ninth to shoot a 70 holes at the back, but his 73 still put him the bubble, while people inside the gym will be and Rufino Bayron birdied three holes in his within striking distance at joint eighth with limited to a hundred. closing frontside to save a 71 for third to make it Marvin Dumandan.

JEONARD RATES and Princess Superal hold on to fragile leads.

ONE-SHOT LEADS Rates surprises with 1-shot lead

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Superal works hard to grab upperhand

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TWO CONFERENCES IN PBA’S 46TH SEASON

By Josef Ramos

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HE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) intends to hold only two conferences— Philippine Cup and Governors Cup—covering a 10-month period for its 46th season.

Also, the PBA opted to forego Vargas with the bubble in favor of a closed-circuit home-venue-home setup in a still to be determined venue in Metro Manila.

The league set an April 11 opening for the Philippine Cup and the Governors’s Cup will feature the usual 6-foot-5 ceiling for imports. The Commissioner’s Cup was dropped for the season.

“We are already asking permission from the government to allow us to hold the games in the National Capital Region for the next season,” said PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT Tropang Giga, who

presided over the league board’s online meeting on Tuesday with Commissioner Willie Marcial, vice chairman Bobby Rosales (Terrafirma), treasurer Dickie Bachmann (Alaska) and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio (Meralco).

The PBA, Vargas said, will also open its inaugural 3x3 tournament composed of 16 teams on April 11.

Marcial said options are open to allow fans to watch the Governors’s Cup games live depending on the progress against Covid-19 pandemic.

Panlilio, meanwhile, said the federation will form an all-cadet national team for the International Basketball Federation Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, Pampanga, in June and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia set from June 29 to July 4.

Canlas talks about sports science

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PORTS science takes centerstage in the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) sixth session on Thursday of the National Sports Summit 2021 with Dr. Jose Raul Canlas as the main speaker.

Canlas, the only Filipino member of the International Basketball Federation’s Medical Commission since 1998, leads the 6th edition of the online sports conference.

He will discuss the fundamental role of sports science in harnessing elite talent and potential of the athletes.

Canlas is a decorated orthopedic who served in consecutive editions of the Fiba World Cup as part of its medical team. He also currently heads the United Philippine Surfing Association, the national association for surfing.

Alcantara, Lhuillier triumphs

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RANCIS CASEY ALCANTARA and young partner Sebastien Lhuillier beat the Americans duo of Noah Laber and Joe Mairs, 7-6, 6-3, to win the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Newport Beach Open crown on Monday in California.

Alcantara, a 29-year-old many-time national team campaigner, and Lhuillier, the 17-year-old son of former taekwondo Olympian and champion gymnast Bea Lucero, banked $4,000 for their successful debut as doubles partners.

“It was really good to play against younger players,” Alcantara told BusinessMirror Sports in a phone interview.

Alcantara, ranked 615th in the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) World Doubles ranking, praised Lhuillier, whose mom clinched a bronze medal in taekwondo

Al Mendoza alsol47@yahoo.com

THAT’S ALL

Another one bites bait—or why So defected WEEP for Philippine sports.

Wesley So, the Filipino chess genius, does not fight for his country, anymore.

He used to keep the Philippine flag flying by his side when playing chess overseas.

Then he moved to the United States, bringing with him his God-given gift.

But in his bag was also a wounded heart, triggering a switch of allegiance: He discarded the red-white-blue for the star-spangled-banner.

It had helped that he earned a chess scholarship in an American university, easing his entry into a land that is eternally enamored with anyone that has a Bobby Fischer affinity.

For some reason, So left his Canada-based family and shacked up with Renato “Bambi” Kabigting and Lotis Key in Minnesota after bolting his school in Missouri.

Such is the eccentric streak of chess prodigies.

So proudly considers Kabigting and Key as his adoptive parents.

Kabigting is a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player with Padim Israel and Joy Carpio as among his peers. (Padim and Joy are my buddies.) Key is a former movie actress in the Philippines.

The couple took So like their own son, nourished both his guts and gift. It bore fruition eight years later when, on February 26 this year, the kid was granted US citizenship.

“I still love the Philippines,” said So, who was Filipino but was representing America in all his tournaments since defecting in 2013.

He told the US Chess Federation (USCF): “I love that anyone can strive to succeed here. You are not held back by your color, lack of connections or the amount of money you have.”

That was an oblique jab at sports officialdom.

Years back, So was heartbroken when he was not given a perceived law-mandated P1-million incentive for a Filipino winner abroad after topping the Universiade Championships.

Officials said only medalists in the SEA Games, Asiad and Olympiad are qualified. Of course, that’s baloney.

“I did not have the connections,” So told USCF. “I was from the province (Bacoor, Cavite), not a city boy.”

Eugene Torre, the first Asian Grandmaster in 1974, had predicted early on that So would be “a great chess player.”

Only 27, So is now a super grandmaster. Ranked world No. 2 at one time, the Fide (World Chess Federation) puts him now at No. 9.

“I want to give back to a country that has been so good to me,” he said of the US. “From the moment I landed here, I was encouraged and enabled to become better than I was.”

Another case of one that got away. All because of the prescient tomfoolery in Philippine sports.

THAT’S IT Reigning back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the “Greek Freak” Milwaukee Buck, was shockingly perfect as he was 16-for-16 in powering Team LeBron past Team Durant 170-150 in the National Basketball Association All-Star last weekend. That was a record as the All-Star MVP stunningly doubled the 8-of-8 mark that Sixer Hal Greer set in 1968. Giannis’s feat included three triples—two of them bank shots. Simply amazing.

“We are very honored to have a worldclass Filipino doctor impart knowledge to our participating athletes, coaches, sports educators, and local government units, in this area (sports science) where we have a lot to develop as a sporting nation,” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said.

More than 900 participants joining the fifth session last March 4 which tackled clean and fair play sports with Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization President Dr. Alejandro Pineda as main speaker. in the Barcelona 1992 Olympics, for overcoming their higher-ranked opponents in his first men’s tournament.

“He played really well in holding our serves,” Alcantara said. “As a junior player and the lowest ranked among us, he played really well and executed the points perfectly today.”

Lhuillier is ranked deep at 5,939 in the world juniors rankings. Laber and Mairs, both 18, on the other hand, are No. 1,265 and 3,366, respectively.

“I am really happy for Sebastien winning his very first men’s tournament and I got to help him achieve that.” said Alcantara, who acted as the youngster’s mentor throughout the tournament.

Seven pairs took part in the tournament with Alcantara and Lhuillier getting a bye in the first round. They defeated Ben Keyser of the US and Alexis Delisle of France in the semifinals, 1-4, 5-4, 5-3.

Universal Tennis Rating rules governed the tournament, meaning a team could be composed of one juniors and one men’s players.

FRANCIS CASEY ALCANTARA and Sebastien Lhuillier bag crown in California.