BusinessMirror March 25, 2022

BPOs: Better to lose tax perks than workers

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

S

@jearcalas

OME business-process outsource (BPO) companies are willing to forego their tax incentives rather than lose employees because of the return-to-office work requirement imposed by the government on locators, an industry group said.

This comes amid a trend of high attrition rates in the sector, as BPO workers are willing to sacrifice their current jobs for other work that allows a work-from-home ( W FH) or work-from-anywhere (WFX) arrangement.

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The Alliance of Call Center Workers (ACW), a newly formed group of over 1,500 BPO employees, disclosed that some workers are already planning to resign should they be mandated to return to office starting April 1.

C it i ng re por t s f rom t hei r members, the g roup a lso revealed that about four to six BPO companies in the country have decided to forego their tax incentives just to prevent massive resignation from their employees. ACW did not name the BPO firms.

“Some of our members are planning to resign already if they will be asked to return to office

“We’re gonna see major attrition rates go fly high...And it’s quite scary, really. So we're hoping that the Request for Reconsideration gets approved and we come to an amicable agreement with the government.”

–Mitch Locsin, PLDT First Vice President and Enterprise Revenue Group Head

by their employers. Some companies have actually deferred the return to office and allowed us to continue with the WFH arrangement,” ACW co-convenor Emman David said in a press briefing on Thursday.

“Some smaller BPO companies have decided to forego the t a x incent ives because t heir employees are not ready yet for the return-to-office mode. They weighed the impact of losing the tax incentives versus the amount of workers that they might lose,” ACW co-convenor Lara Melencio said.

See “BPO,” A2

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Sunday, December 5,2021 2021 Vol. 17No. No.5858 Friday,December March 25,5,2022 Vol.Vol. 1717 No. 168 Sunday,

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10-pt agenda for recovery blunts Ukraine war impact

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) moved to leave all monetary policy levers unchanged on Thursday, but announced that annual inflation is expected to breach the target band for the second year in a row in 2022.

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

E

‘DIGITAL DIASPORA’

In their second monetary policy meeting for the year on Thursday, the Monetary Board decided to maintain the interest rate on the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase facility at 2 percent, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said.

The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were likewise kept at 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.

The governor also said the latest baseline forecasts have increased from the previous monetary policy meeting, reflecting the impact of higher global commodity prices.

“Average inflation could breach the upper end of the 2 to 4 percent target range in 2022 at 4.3 percent, higher than the February forecast of 3.7 percent,” the governor said.

“Nevertheless, average inflation is projected to decline and settle within the target band at 3.6 percent in 2023. Inflation expectations have likewise risen but continue to be anchored to the 2 to 4 percent target band,” he added.

CONOMIC managers said President Duterte’s adoption of the 10-point policy agenda to sustain the country’s economic recovery will also help the country mitigate the impact of the RussiaUkraine war.

In a joint statement on Thursday, the government’s economic team hailed the President’s signing of Executive Order No. 166, which mandates the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) and the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 to ensure the proper implementation of the 10-pointpolicy agenda and the alignment of all measures relating to the national government’s pandemic response.

A FATHER and son visit the urban community farm located at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City at the launch of the BGC Community Farm by Urban Farmers, where residents and guests are Socioeconomic Planning Secrewelcome to grow their food with the help of volunteer partner farmers. NONIE REYES tary Karl Kendrick Chua said the country has already made significant progress on the implementation of the 10-point policy given that 70 percent of the economy has already shifted to Alert Level 1.

Chua said this has paved the way OUNTING panwere reduced by a percentage global demand, insufficient recession this year and have for the economy to gain around demic debts, rispoint to 2.6 percent this year policy coordination at the global implications, particuP10.8 billion per week of economing commod it y from the initial estimate of international level and ellarly in terms of commodity ic activity and an unemployment prices, and tightening mon3.6 percent. evated debt levels from the prices and monetary tightreduction of around 195,000 over etary policy this year has Grow th in Southeast pandemic, will generate fiening to fight off inflation the next quarter compared to Alert prompted the United NaAsia, which includes the nancial shockwaves that can pressures.

Level 2.

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1.3 percentage points lower of insolvency, recession and “face severe constraints to guests providing more details ing and we maining agenda items to help imgiving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening Based on its latest Trade at 3.4 percent this year from arrested development,” Uncgrowth” as their private ad prove our growth prospects would alsohelp help brandsand intheretail retailsector sector that completely ItItwould also brands inininUpdate, the completely and Development thethat initial estimate of 4.7 tad said in a statement. public debts have increased safeguard domestic novateon onour flexible saleseconomy promoreimagine thepercent. shopping experiexperinovate flexible sales promoreimagine shopping the UN Conference on Trade the Unctad said the war in due to the pandemic. against external shocks, such as the tions,such such givingdiscounts, discounts, ence,” GunjanSoni, Soni, chief executive tions, asasgiving Gunjan chief executive and Developmentence,” (Unctad) “[We are] worried that a Eastern Europe will send the Russia-Ukraine crisis,” Chua said. and offering easier and attracofficer of the Zalora Group, told an and offering easier and attracofficer of the Zalora Group, told an See “Unctad,” A2 global growth estimates combination of weakening Russian economy into a deep tivepayment paymentoptions optionssuch suchasasthe the onlinepresentation presentationofofits itsTrender Trender tive online See “10-pt,”(BNPL) A2 buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) opopReport2021.

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BANG OLAND | DREAMSTIME.COM BANG OLAND | DREAMSTIME.COM

The governor said upside risks over the near term By Manuel Cayon continue to emanate from the shortage domestic By Manuel T.T.in Cayon pork and fish supply as well as from the potential impact of higher oil prices on transport fares.

“In this regard, the BSP supports the implementation of social protection measures to alleviate the impact of rising crude oil prices on vulnerable sectors,” Diokno said.

NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM NMEDIA | DREAMSTIME.COM

Onlineshopping shoppingplatform platformnotes notesbehavioral behavioralshift shift Online M makers amongconsumers, consumers,brand brand makersamid amidCovid Covid among

Inflation factors

@BNicolasBM

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, March 25, 2022

90% of ballots printed, but only 39.4M are good for deployment

By Samuel P. Medenilla

T

@sam_medenilla

HE Commission on Elections remains on track in its ballot printing targets, as the National Printing Office (NPO) reported having completed printing of around 90 percent of the 67.44 million ballots to be used for the 2022 polls.

However, Comelec Comm issioner George M. Garcia disclosed only about 39.43 million of the 58.83 million printed ballots declared “good ” are now ready for deployment.

“Good ba l lots mea ns [t hey] passed throught the highest quali-

Unctad...

Continued from A1

Verification process

Over 13.24 million ballots are still going through the verification or qualification control process.

The other 6.16 million ballots were placed under “quarantine” after some of the ballots in this pr inted batch showed defects such as smudges and miscut.

Of the quarantined ballots, Garcia said 105,853 were declared defective and are set to be destroyed.

He said they will be reprinting ballots to replace the defective ones.

Comelec earlier announced it is eyeing to wrap up the ballot printing by next month.

fied control,” Garcia said at a press conference last Thursday.

Come lec conduc ted ra ndom checks on the good ballots to make sure they were accepted by the vote counting machines (VCM) to be used for the May 9 National and Local Elections (NLE).

Garci a announced all of the Voter Information Sheets (VIS) for voters were also printed and are ready for d istr ibution by Comelec personnel.

Unctad said they are projected to require $310 billion to meet external public debt service requirements in 2022—equivalent to 9.2 percent of the

outstanding stock of external public debt at the end of 2020. “ T he economic effects of the Ukraine war will compound the ongo-

VIS distribution

The VIS includes the voter’s name, address, the precinct and the place where he is registered, and simplified instructions for casting of votes.

Comelec spokesman Ja mes Ji menez sa id t he y included unique mark ings in the VIS so voters could determine if it is authentic or not.

He said they implemented the measure to prevent unscrupulous individuals from spreading fake VIS, which could confuse voters come election day.

“The problem we foresee is some people may distribute bogus VIS with wrong precinct assignment as a means of voter suppression. So we come out with said markings to serve as proof that the VIS a voter recieved is authentic and orginal,” Jimenez said.

ing economic slowdown globally and weaken the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic,” Unctad Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan said.

“Many developing countries have struggled to gain economic traction coming out of the Covid-19 recession and are now facing strong headwinds from the war. Whether this leads to unrest or not, a profound social anxiety is already spreading,” she added.

The increase in inflation will significantly reduce households purchasing power worldwide.

Unctad noted that countries who are reliant on food and fuel imports will see a profound increase in inflation.

T his, unfor tunately, w i l l “threaten livelihoods, discourage investment and raise the specter of widening trade deficits,” based on the Unctad report.

Net oil, food importer

The Philippines is a net oil and food importer. The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) earlier estimated that a jeepney fare hike will increase inflation by 0.4 percentage points while a wage hike will lead to a 1-percentage-point increase in inflation.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua recently said these estimates took into consideration a P1.25 increase in jeepney fares to P10.25 from the current base fare of P9 and P39 increase in wages to a minimum wage of P576 in the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila.

If inflation rises by 1.4 percentage points, Chua said, this means the projected inflation rate of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) of 3.7 percent will be higher at 5.1 percent. Chua said this would not only affect sectors like transportation but all Filipinos.

This level of inflation will be the highest using the 2018-based Consumer Price Index. Under the current series made available by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the highest inflation rate recorded was at 4.4 percent in August 2021.

To address the challenges, Unctad recommended that more concessional and less conditional multilateral financial support be extended to developing countries to allow them to withstand financial and economic shocks.

Unctad said immediate debt relief should also be extended to Ukraine alongside discussions on a multilateral mechanism that promotes the fair and orderly restructuring of their sovereign debts.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BPO...

Continued from A1

Resignations

David said a “significant number” of their members are willing to resign as the government’s April 1 mandate for them to return to work looms. However, David pointed out that the resignation is not a “mass resignation” but a sign of “protest.”

The Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) has twice rejected a plea by the IT-BPO sector, backed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) for them to be allowed to continue the WFH setup until end-2022, saying many firms have invested in such setup, and the workers have made arrangements for this.

“For our members the transition to work on site is not that easy. Most of the BPO workers went back home to their province during the pandemic and gave up their living arrangements in Metro Manila,” he said.

“Some of our members would rather take chances working elsewhere that allows work from home arrangement than return to physical offices,” he added.

A n i n it i a l s u r v e y b y AC W showed 157 of their members will resign if they are required to return to office, which is at least 10 percent of the group’s total membership. David added that 117 BPO employees remain undecided while 37 answered that they will not resign even if they work onsite.

Health, expenses

Melencio said they are concerned about their health and safety since the country is still under a pandemic. He also pointed out that working onsite is challenging to BPO employees amid high diesel prices, rising food costs and persisting traffic congestion in the metros.

“We urged the Department of Finance to reassess their goals and how it will affect the estimated 1.3 million BPO workers when it comes to this decision. Forcing us to rush back to the Metro will not lead to much economic activity,” she said.

“It is inhumane how we are being treated as mere numbers that provide results. We have worked day in and day out, paying our taxes non-stop. It is time that our welfare is looked after,” she added.

Melencio argued that much of their income would just be spent on transportation costs and housing arrangements instead of having extra savings from the WFH set-

10-pt...

Continued from A1

However, he also reiterated his call to fully resume face-to-face classes under Alert Level 1, lamenting that the economy is short of around P12 billion per week since schools are largely closed.

“We urgently call for the full resumption of face-to-face learning in areas under Alert Level 1. We already have most elements in place to enable our full recovery in 2022. The biggest piece missing is our education sector. More than the foregone economic activity, we are concerned for the learning and future productivity of our children,” he said.

“Under Alert Level 1, children are allowed to engage in leisure and recreational activities for all indoor and outdoor venues, but the most important activity of children—going to school and learning fully—continues to be restricted,” he added.

For his part, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III vowed no letup in their efforts to deliver the policies and programs under the EO to sustain the “encouraging results” that they have seen from further reopening the economy amid the pandemic.

“We laud the President for taking decisive steps to align our economic recovery programs. These strategies

up—savings that they can spend on local businesses in their localities.

Higher attrition

Mitch Locsin, PLDT First Vice President and Enterprise Revenue Group Head, said the Philippines will not only see higher attrition rates in the BPO industry but it may also lose its competitiveness because of other countries that have adopted the WFH arrangement as part of the new normal for their BPO industries.

Citing the case of the United States, Locsin said employees now prefer WFH, especially if the nature of their work allows them to do so. Locsin added that employees in the US are now “demanding” that employers either allow them to continue working from home or they would find another job that allows this.

“We’re gonna see major attrition rates go fly high,” Locsin said in a webinar on Thursday.

“It’s gonna cause a lot of issues for our BPOs in the country. And it’s quite scary, really. So we’re hoping that the Request for Reconsideration gets approved and we come to an amicable agreement with the government,” Locsin added.

IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President Jack Madrid said the government and the BPO industry must find the “optimal balance” on the number of workers that will work onsite or what the industry is proposing as a hybrid work arrangement.

“It is clear to me that we are not going back 100 percent on site. I think we have to find that balance and we need enlightened legislation from the government to help shape that future because the future work is already here. It’s happening,” Madrid said.

Madrid disclosed that IBPAP has an ongoing dialogue with the government to provide the industry with a “longer runway for a smooth transition” toward what they proposed as a hybrid work environment.

IBPAP earlier pitched three hybrid work arrangements for the BPO industry: 60 percent (onsite)-40 percent (WFH), 40 percent (onsite)-60 percent (WFH) or an equal 50-50 percent share for onsite and WFH arrangement. This was supported by Peza.

Last week Peza said it supports the adoption of a hybrid WFH arrangement for the IT and businessprocess outsourcing industr ies until the end of the year. (Related story: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2022/03/14/peza-pushes-hybrid-wf h-for-i-t-bpo-until-yearend/)

will sustain our strong rebound from the pandemic and restore our path to rapid and inclusive growth this year and beyond,” Dominguez said.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the country is now in a much better position than at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic as more businesses are operating and more Filipinos can work.

“Through the EO, we will be able to help more firms adapt and pursue the full and safe reopening of the economy,” Lopez said.

The 10-point-policy agenda proposes to: 1) strengthen healthcare capacity, 2) accelerate and expand the vaccination program, 3) further reopen the economy and expand public transport capacity, 4) resume face-toface learning, 5) reduce restrictions on domestic travel and standardize LGU requirements, 6) relax requirements for international travel, 7) accelerate digital transformation through legislative measures, 8) provide for enhanced and flexible emergency measures through legislation, 9) shift the focus of decision-making and government reporting to more useful and empowering metrics; and 10) enhance medium-term preparation for pandemic resilience.

The Economic Development Cluster (EDC), through the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance, and Department of Trade and Industry, shall be consulted prior to the implementation of all such measures.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

OFWs’ support for UniTeam gains; thousands attend rally

T

HOUSANDS of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) worldwide expressed their support for the BBM-Sara UniTeam despite the inability of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and running mate Inday Sara Duterte to campaign abroad because of the pandemic.

In Tokyo, Japan, thousands of Filipinos marched along major thoroughfares while chanting the name of Marcos and Duterte.

Reports also indicate that hundreds of BBM-Sara UniTeam supporters gathered in one of the most popular promenades in Rome, while another group of OFWs assembled in Milan to express their support for the tandem.

Both events went viral on Facebook.

In London, a sea of humanity clad in red and green gathered in front of the London Bridge while dancing and prancing to the tune of “Bagong Lipunan.”

A group from the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) in Rome

declared that only the UniTeam can continue the “Build, Build, Build” projects of President Duterte.

“I am calling on my countrymen not to neglect them [UniTeam] because they will continue the legacy of President Duterte,” said Marlon Malinay, an OFW based in Rome.

“The UniTeam will continue what President Duterte has started. Do we want drugs to return? Do we want to return to the days of ‘ laglag-bala?’

There is no other hope but the UniTeam,” Kali Istukada Miranda said.

The OFWs urged compatriots in other countries around the world to go out and vote starting on April 10 at the embassies of their respective countries.

Marcos thanked all his supporters worldwide and asked them to understand why he can’t campaign outside of the country.

In the end, Marcos assured the OFWs that they will be among the priorities of his programs when he sits as president.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, March 25, 2022 A3

Ex-NSCB head notes ‘overregistration’ of voters for May 9 polls in 7 regions

T

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE number of eligible Filipino voters has exceeded the total number of the voting population in at least seven regions, based on the estimates made by the former head of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB).

In a public social media post, former NSCB Secretary General Romulo A. Virola said “overregistration” for the May 2022 polls was observed in 7 out of 17 regions nationwide.

Virola said the percentage of “overregistration” ranged from at least 1 percent in Central Visayas to at most 11 percent in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim

Mindanao (BARMM).

“Obviously, something must be awfully wrong. Either the population projections of the PSA [Philippine Statistics Authority] are on the low side, or the Rappler/Comelec [Commission on Elections] voters’ list is padded,” Virola said.

However, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa told the Busi-

nessMirror that one explanation for the discrepancy could be that voters who are residents in places they work but vote in their province of origin.

Mapa said PSA’s Census Technical Team said there are instances when the place of residence of a person is Quezon City but his or her voting registration is in Tarlac City or vice versa.

“Place of residence is not always the same as place of [voting] registration. [But] at [the] national level, it should be more or less the same,” Mapa explained.

The BusinessMirror tried to get the side of the Comelec on the issue raised by Virola but they were unavailable for comment as of this writing.

Based on the estimates of Virola, the number of voters exceeded 100 percent of the 18-year-old Filipinos in BARMM at 110.59 percent; Caraga, 109.79 percent; Eastern

Visayas, 107.7 percent; and Bicol, 105.54 percent.

The data also showed the same trend in Mimaropa Region at 103.67 percent; Ilocos Region at 101.86 percent; and Central Visayas at 101.22 percent.

“Worth noting is the fact that the three regions with the largest voting age population, namely, Region 4A, NCR [National Capital Region], and Region 3 are underrepresented, by 10 percent, 12 percent, and 6 percent, respectively,” Virola said.

Virola called for greater transparency, particularly on the part of the Comelec. He said the election body should upload on its web site the latest figures on the number of registered voters for May 2022.

T his list, Virola said, should be disag gregated by region and by age group in accordance with the pr inciples of Freedom of Infor mation.

Comelec tells Smartmatic: Submit report on ‘breach’ It also stressed that its existing contracts with Comelec does not involve any storage of personal data of voters.

Comelec’s automated election sys-

tem (AEP) came under public scrutiny after a newspaper published a report claiming the poll body’s servers were hacked.

The report prompted the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Senate to investigate the incident.

Based on the result of its prelimi-

nary probe on the incident, NBI said it found no proof that Comelec’s servers were hacked.

Pangarungan ordered the Execu-

tive Director of the Comelec to secure a copy of the NBI report once it becomes available. “Although we maintain that the Comelec has not fallen victim to

continued from a12

any attacks that will amount to a security breach, we will not take these allegations sitting down,” the poll official said. Samuel P. Medenilla

A4 Friday, March 25, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL aims to close CEPA talks with UAE by next year–DTI

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

M

@jearcalas

ANILA is aiming to conclude its comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with Abu Dhabi next year, which would improve trade and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a trade official said on Thursday.

“As to the timeline, the shortest possible time where I hopefully, that we can conclude this [CEPA], hopefully by next year, if time, resources and of course, other factors would permit,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Allan

B. Gepty said in a virtual news briefing on Thursday.

Gepty noted that the CEPA with the UAE could be the first free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and a Middle Eastern country.

“This is the first time that is why

this is also a good opportunity for us. That is why we also look at this from a strategic point of view. In other words, this will be, I would say, the platform by which we can reach out to the vast market of the Middle East including the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council],” Gepty said.

Gepty said the government would conduct a series of consultations with different stakeholders, business organizations, civil society organizations, farmers and producers, regarding the proposed CEPA. Last December 2021, the DTI announced that the Philippines and UAE have started scoping discussions for the potential trade deal.

The trade negotiations will be guided by the parties’ proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Economic and Technical Cooperation and the Investment Promotion and Protection Agree-

ment (IPPA).

Last month, the Philippines and UAE concluded IPPA after earlier expressing an intent to pursue a potential trade deal.

The two countries are eyeing to sign the IPPA this month. Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez earlier noted that the “very comprehensive” agreement includes the national treatment, most favored nation treatment, freedom from expropriation, transfers and access to investorstate dispute settlement mechanism, among others.

“It is even a more opportune time now for UAE investors to invest in the Philippines as recent economic and regulatory reforms are now set in place, such as the liberalization of public services act, retail trade and the foreign investment act and improvement in the tax and incentives regime of the Philippines,” Lopez said.

The IPPA seeks to boost UAE

investors’ engagement in the Philippines in agribusiness, energy efficiency technologies and renewable energy, infrastructure, information technology-business process management, oil and gas and tourism.

“The agreement is an important pillar for realizing investments from UAE, especially those that will utilize their sovereign fund,” he told the BusinessMirror.

Meanwhile, Lopez said that the Philippines and UAE have signed the launch of their CEPA. The DTI official said that the CEPA w ill “strengthen trade, enhance investment f lows, remove unnecessary barriers to trade and create new business opportunities.”

The UAE ranks 23rd among the Philippines’s overall trading partners in 2020 and is its 21st largest export market and 26th largest import supplier, according

to DTI. The UAE is the country’s largest export market in the GCC, accounting for 58.26 percent of the Philippines’s total exports to the region. In terms of investments, UAE ranked 17th among t he Phi l ippines’s invest ment partners in 2019, with around 87 percent of investments going into manufacturing.

“Philippine interests based on initial assessment include fresh and processed fruit, seafood, food products, beverages, electronics, appliances, machinery, personal care goods, iron and steel, wood, cement, chemicals, automotive and automotive parts, ships and aircraft, textile and garments, footwear, and leather. The proposed comprehensive economic partnership agreement with the UAE is envisioned to cover the usual elements of an FTA and other areas of emerging interests,” DTI said.

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BSP keeps rates, but sees inflation breach continued from a1 In their analysis postmonetary policy, Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) said oil prices are not the only ones affecting inflationary pressures for this year.

BPI said the local currency depreciation and global supply chain issues are also significant factors that will likely push inflation upwards in 2022.

“The Peso has weakened further due to a combination of factors, namely the increase in imports, tighter Dollar liquidity due to Fed hikes, and the jump in oil prices. All of these were the same drivers back in 2018 when the Peso depreciated significantly and inflation reached 6 percent. The pass-through effect of the Peso on inflation might be bigger now because of the country’s increasing reliance on imports, especially food like pork and rice,” BPI said.

The pass-through effect is the magnitude of the effect on the peso depreciation on local commodity prices.

“The BSP’s inflation target is also at risk because of global supply

chain issues. The recent Covid surge in China has further disrupted the global supply chain given the Chinese government’s zero-Covid policy and the lockdowns it has implemented,” BPI said.

Considering all of these, BPI said they continue to expect a 75-basis-point adjustment in the policy rate this year from 2 percent to 2.75 percent.

“Even with this magnitude of increase, the policy rate will still be below historical levels and it may not have a substantial impact on growth and employment.

Furthermore, the impact of rate hikes is usually gradual and the economy has the capacity to absorb slightly higher interest rates especially now that demand is almost back to pre-pandemic level,” the BPI said.

Going forward

EARLIER this year, economists said the market will be on the lookout for Diokno’s forward guidance on potential changes in the timing and magnitude of monetary policy normalization as

inflation starts to rise.

Asked whether they are looking to tighten monetary policy levers sooner than expected, the governor said: “While sustaining the economic recovery remains a priority, the BSP stands ready to move should potential second round effects arise from the inflation pressures. At the moment, we continue to see scope for maintaining our policy settings to allow the economic recovery to fully gain traction.”

“We are keenly aware that inflation is likely to remain elevated in the coming months due mainly to domestic and global supply side pressures. Under these circumstances, it is still best to address these inflationary pressures through direct nonmonetary intervention. At the same time, however, the BSP is prepared to act as necessary should we see stronger indications of second round effects such as when there are already broadbased price pressures and inflation expectations become disanchored,” he added.

Friday, March 25, 2022 A5

Job recruiters’ ‘misinformation’ blamed for long queue at Aseana

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome @maloutalosig

T

HE Department of Foreign Affairs has identified three recruitment agencies involved in spreading “misinformation” among applicants for authentication of public documents, which is believed to have caused the influx of 800 people, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFW), camping outside the DFA Aseana Business Park building in Parañaque City, Tuesday night.

In a news statement, the DFA said it did a preliminary investigation on the cause of the incident, having been surprised at the number of people who patiently queued, slept on the sidewalk overnight, just to get a slot at the walk-in Apostille application.

Apostille is the term used for public documents whose signatures are certified by the DFA as authentic and can be accepted overseas for

work, business, study and other legal purposes.

“DFA’s preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that several recruitment agencies had disseminated misinformation among their applicants regarding the Department’s walk-in policy. According to accounts of applicants, their recruitment agencies urged them to line up and stay overnight at DFA Aseana so that all their travel documents could be expedited. Other applicants conveyed that their agencies instructed them late at night to proceed to DFA-Aseana immediately,” said the DFA statement.

It added: “DFA considers this behavior of certain recruitment agencies highly irresponsible and malicious, not only for disregarding the DFA’s announced limits for walk-in applicants and attempting to monopolize DFA’s walk-in services to the detriment of other eligible ap-

plicants, but also for disregarding the welfare of our OFWs whom they ought to protect by putting them out in the streets in the middle of the night,” the DFA statement added.

The DFA identified the recruitment agencies, which allegedly gave their applicants instructions to proceed to DFA as: Silver Skilled Recruitment Inc., First Select International Manpower Services Inc. and J.A.S. Empire International Promotion Corp.

BusinessMirror tried to contact Silver Skilled, First Select and J.A.S. Empire, but J.A.S. Empire denied giving wrong advice to its applicants.

Unlike passport services, which have a backlog of 4 million applications after two years of pandemic lockdown, the DFA clarified they have no backlog for Apostille application, Christian de Jesus, executive director of the DFA Office of Consular Affairs, said in a news briefing.

A6

BusinessMirror

Friday, March 25, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1, Pitx Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque CHU KONG MING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 1.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

YOU, KAIXING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 2.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ALL ASIA AIR CENTRAL, INC. Unit 4a & 5a Bldg. 4, Salem Complex Bldg. Domestic Rd., Barangay 191, Pasay City SATO, ETSUHIRO Airport Operations Consultant 3.

Brief Job Description: Evaluating effective program & formulates strategies to achieve annual goals of the company

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable with aviation industry

LEE, CHANGJE Limited First Officer - A320

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree

Brief Job Description: Pilot flight crew

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

RICHARDSON, DANIEL MARK Soil Specialist 15.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

BONG KA HIN Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

CALVIN JANUARDY Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

16.

CHEN, JIESHI Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

17.

DESMANTO Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

DICKSON Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

ELLEN Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

FRANGKY HARYADI Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

HERRY SETIAWAN Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

IVAN YONATA Customer Service Representative (CSR) Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for leading the strategy and technical design for each project

YU, FUCHENG Chinese Customer Service Representative

18.

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of support for clients and customers and they help ensure that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features.

VU THI VUI Senior Process Executive 19.

Brief Job Description: Service Support Solution includes diagnosis, resolution and reporting of customer issues and questions relating YouTube paid content products.

Service is Tier 1 end user support with escalations to Google in Vietnamese language

27.

20.

Brief Job Description: Ensure service delivered to our customers meets contractual Key Performance Indicator (‘KPIs’)

Brief Job Description: Ensuring manufactured products meet set standard, quality, reliability, and performance LIN, GUANGMING Production Manager

28.

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

Brief Job Description: Coordinating all production activities and operation

LONG, HUA Quality Control Supervisor

21.

Brief Job Description: Provide Valuable Information About Products and Services to Consumers

23.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English both verbal and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls

30.

Basic Qualification: Monitors, evaluates and/ or audits a sampling of inbound and/or outbound calls and other contract methods including chat and email

Brief Job Description: The candidate will work closely with VP for planning, engineering and operations of HGC Philippines

CHEN, LINHUA Customer Service Representative

31.

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of support for clients and customers and they help ensure that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features.

LI, MEILING Customer Service Representative

32.

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

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of support for clients and customers and they help ensure that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features.

YU, LIBO Customer Service Representative

33.

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Handling inquiries phone calls

Brief Job Description: Customer Service

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

LIU, DONGDONG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Handling inquiries phone calls

Brief Job Description: Customer Service

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

25.

Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to deal with NGUYEN CHON LINH Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to deal with

DIGILAB TRADING PHILS.INC. 50, Magsaysay Ave., San Bartolome, Quezon City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: In-depth knowledge of production management, risk management, and safety regulations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge of specification on materials and parts

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, preferably electronics and communications engineering Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

Brief Job Description: A customer service representative supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints. They’re the front line of support for clients and customers and they help ensure that customers are satisfied with products, services, and features.

Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor, Silver City 4, Ortigas East, Ugong, City Of Pasig LI, DONGYING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 34.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

LI, ZHENG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 35.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

LI, ZHIYUAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 36.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

GATEWAYSOLUTIONS CORP. Unit 2306 Antel Global Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Ave., San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

Basic Qualification: BA or BS Degree Holder; Minimum 2-year(s) customer service support experience (voice, e-mail, or chat), working with direct consumers preferably in a B2C environment; Native Viet Speaker

Brief Job Description: Oversee and monitor the inspection.

ZHANG, JINGJING Project Liaison Manager

DIGICHROM INC. Unit 2602 & 2603 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

24.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Quality Manager

DIGITAL WELL INFRASTRUCTURE CORP. V & A Law Center, 11th Avenue Corner, 39th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

KE, XINXIN Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

LU KIM PHUNG Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

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

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue, Project 7, 1, Bungad, Quezon City

22.

Basic Qualification: Typically hold a high school diploma

29.

CURRENTCORE SERVICES INC. Unit 2c, Flr. No. 4f, One Ecom Center Bldg. Ocean Drive St., Barangay 76, Pasay City LI, WUKE Mandarin Field Marketing Officer

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and English both verbal and written

CONCENTRIX SERVICES CORPORATION 18th, 20th, 21st Floor, Tera Tower, Bridgetown Along C-5 Road, Ugong Norte, Quezon City

LUONG MINH GIANG Quality Analyst

Brief Job Description: Responsible for keeping track of customer feedback ZENG, JICHU Manager Of Quality Control

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters

26.

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

Basic Qualification: Experience as soil specialist in dredging and land development industry

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION GAN, YONG Assistant Quality Control

CLICKPLAY SOLUTIONS CORP. 11 Ab Cyberzone Plaza Bldg., Eastwood Ave., 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters

Brief Job Description: Oversee the design and building of large construction of project WANG, YOUCHENG Technical Adviser

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters

Brief Job Description: Conducting feasibility studies for project developments, designing solutions and project support in the preparation and execution phase

CHEN, CHANGJIN Senior Civil Technical

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters

No.

CHINA CONSTRUCTION FRONT GENERAL DEVT. CORPORATION Unit 3001, Atlanta Center, 31 Annapolis St., Greenhills, City Of San Juan

BILLION DRAGON OUTSOURCE PHILS., INC. One Townsquare Place Bpo Bldg., Alabang Zapote Rd., Almanza Uno, City Of Las Piñas Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin

Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

ASTRO AIR INTERNATIONAL, INC. (PAN PACIFIC AIRLINES) Unit 1401 & 1411 Aseana 3 Bldg., Macapagal Cor. Aseana Ave. Aseana City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

4.

14.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIU, ZHIJIA Customer Service Representative (CSR)

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

SUN, MINGYANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 37.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting custome information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting custome information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting custome information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting custome information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

HECTECHURE CORP. Units A&b 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati YU, YING Mandarin Human Resources Supervisor 38.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Human Resources Supervisor will be a Strategies and a Leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision mission and long term goals

Basic Qualification: Proven Experience as Mandarin Human Resources Supervisor, Excellent Communication Interpersonal and Presentation skills

39.

Brief Job Description: To summarize and evaluate the q4 marketing budget, plan, and final performance XU, ZIXUAN Medium Financial Specialist

40.

41.

42.

Brief Job Description: Performing operational analysis by revealing operating risks/opportunities and proposing professional financial NICOLE LEE KAH YEE Network Consultant For Carrier Network Transport Network Transformation (TNT) Project Brief Job Description: Upgrading data servers and network equipment such as router, switch TEH KIAN YING Project Manager For Carrier Network Transport Network Transformation (TNT) Project Brief Job Description: Review on exiting network high level design (HLD) and low level design (LLD)

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in foreign language

43.

Brief Job Description: Track Main Industry Trends in Chinese Through Blogs, Micro Blogs and forums

58.

59.

60.

61.

44.

Brief Job Description: Working as per the requirements of the clients and performing all kinds of general installation Programming and Setting up the Machineries and Equipment along with experimenting on the same

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

62.

45.

Brief Job Description: Acknowledging and resolving customer complaints

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin

63.

A CIANG Chinese Customer Service 46.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

64.

ABDUR RAYSID Chinese Customer Service 47.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

65.

ANGELINE Chinese Customer Service 48.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

66.

ANGGA ISMAIL SATRIA LILO Chinese Customer Service 49.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

67.

AUNG MYAT SWE Chinese Customer Service 50.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires BERINARDI Chinese Customer Service

51.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires CAO MINH HAI Chinese Customer Service

52.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires CHAI MING PEW Chinese Customer Service

53.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries CHARANE PHO Chinese Customer Service

54.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires CHEONG KENG SOON Chinese Customer Service

55.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries CHUNG MUN KEONG Chinese Customer Service

56.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

68.

69.

70.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

71.

72.

73.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LUONG VAN SON Chinese Customer Service

74.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries MEILISA Chinese Customer Service

75.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGO CHI NGUYEN Chinese Customer Service

76.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGO DUC MANH Chinese Customer Service

77.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGO VI THANH Chinese Customer Service

78.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU MY HUONG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries LINH HAI DANH Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries LEI, LEI Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries LEE WEN HAN Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LEE TUCK NOH Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LE TUAN ANH Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries LE QUOC DUNG Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires LE NGOC HIEU Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries KHAING ZAR NI KYAW Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires KAUNG HTET HEIN Chinese Customer Service

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

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower, C4 Rd. Edsa Ext., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires KARLINA Chinese Customer Service

KING-MERCHANT BUSINESS TRADING INCORPORATED Unit 2505-f, The Finance Centre 26th St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig LONG, GAIYOU Mandarin Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries JIAO, CHENHAO Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Speaks And Write Fluently Mandarin and English

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English Language both in Written and Verbal With Working knowledge in Construction

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries GAN CHUN HONG Chinese Customer Service

JIANGSU DIBANG CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2106-a West Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig DINH ANH TU Equipment Installation Specialist

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DINH VAN DUOC Chinese Customer Service

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

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DEWI RATNA Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in foreign language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires DAM VAN SAM Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in foreign language

J-NA ALLOUT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP. 3/f Lipams Bldg., #48 President Avenue, B. F. Homes, City Of Parañaque ZHU, DONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

57.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in foreign language Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CONG HUU UY Chinese Customer Service

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

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati HE, PAN Business Development Philippines Device Ecosystem And Operations Dept

No.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN CAO CUONG Chinese Customer Service

79.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

Friday, March 25, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

No.

NGUYEN CONG KHANH Chinese Customer Service 80.

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

81.

82.

83.

84.

85.

86.

87.

88.

89.

90.

91.

92.

93.

94.

95.

96.

97.

98.

99.

100.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TAN HUEY WEN Chinese Customer Service

101.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SAI SAING LINN Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries RIO RENATO Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries PHAN XUAN HIEP Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries PHAM THI THU HIEN Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM MANH TRUONG Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries NURISTA DEWA PURBAYA Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NONG TRUONG SON Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NONG THI XANH Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NONG THI THUY Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN VU Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN VAN TOAN Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries NGUYEN VAN SON Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN TIEN VU Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN THI PHUONG THAO Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN THI HONG NHAM Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries NGUYEN THI HANH Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries NGUYEN THI DUNG Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN PHUOC NHAN Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN MINH TUAN Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires NGUYEN MANH CUONG Chinese Customer Service

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries TANG SUONG SAU Chinese Customer Service

102.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

A7

BusinessMirror

Friday, March 25, 2022

A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION TEH ENG SENG Chinese Customer Service

103.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries TRAN MANH QUYET Chinese Customer Service

104.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN THI TRINH Chinese Customer Service

105.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN TRONG VINH Chinese Customer Service

106.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN VAN HUNG Chinese Customer Service

107.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRUONG NGOC QUANG Chinese Customer Service

108.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries TUN LINN Chinese Customer Service

109.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VO TUNG DUONG Chinese Customer Service

110.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU DINH DEN Chinese Customer Service

111.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries VU HONG MY LE Chinese Customer Service

112.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries VU KIM DUNG Chinese Customer Service

113.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries VU LINH TAM Chinese Customer Service

114.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, XIUHAO Chinese Customer Service

115.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries WEN, SHICHAO Chinese Customer Service

116.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YIN, ZHIYONG Chinese Customer Service

117.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHENG, PENGPENG Chinese Customer Service

118.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries ZHENG, RIDONG Chinese Customer Service

119.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries YUAN, HAO Chinese Customer Specialist

120.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

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

121.

Brief Job Description: Manage large amounts of incoming calls. Generate sales leads. Identify and assess customers’ needs. Handle customer complaints. Follow communication procedures, guidelines and policies.

123.

122.

Brief Job Description: Customer service representative to manage customer queries and complaints.

Brief Job Description: Identifying & reaching out to highly skilled candidates, communicating with applicants in both languages

AN, BYUNGCHAN Technical Superintendent 124.

Brief Job Description: Supervise actions related to preventive maintenance and monitor vessels’ performance

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

ARMSTRONG, PATRICK ANTONY Forensics Senior Manager 125.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

Brief Job Description: Conducts fraud and forensic investigations in commercial disputes, forensically obtains data from computers, servers and mobile devices to ensure evidential integrity of data.

NAKAMURA, TERUYUKI Director, Chairman Of The Board Of Directors, And President 126.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

127.

128.

129.

Basic Qualification: With background in a related position, college graduate, proficient in speaking, writing in English & Korean hangul Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ONWARD WORLDWIDE MANAGEMENT & CONSULTANCY SERVICES CORP. 5/f Greensun Bldg., 2285 Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Magallanes, City Of Makati

RONG, DONGLING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: with high Chinese Speaking Skills

Brief Job Description: Responsible for Drafts and Publishes Safety Protocols Maintains Safety Records

WANG, XIAOYU Quantity Engineer 130.

Brief Job Description: Assist Project Engineer with Consultant Regarding Joint Surveys Assist

YU, XIANGYUN Quantity Engineer 131.

Brief Job Description: Assist Project Engineer with the Consultant Regarding Joint Surveys Assist

ZHAO, XIAOZHENG Site Engineer 132.

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

Basic Qualification: Must be a College graduate; Can Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information; Can contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed; Can Manage large amounts of incoming calls

Brief Job Description: perform daily functions related to financial and accounting activities

ZHAO, WEIXIN Equipment Supervisor

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

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

Basic Qualification: Minimum 6-8 years of relevant experience in consulting/advisory work, specifically in areas of digital forensics or law enforcement.

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

Basic Qualification: Graduate of Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance or any related course; with leadership and strategic planning skills; knowledgeable in contracting, negotiating, policy making and financial & change management; can speak & write Japanese.

Basic Qualification: B.A from four year college or university in accounting and with experience in foreign currencies Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: w/ knowledge in Computer

Brief Job Description: Responsible for Organizing and Ensuring Site Safe and Clean

GUO, DASHUANG Survey Engineer 133.

Brief Job Description: Responsible of Conduct Surveys and Provide Guidance to Field Staff

Basic Qualification: College Graduate with Suitable Experience and Reliable of Assigned Works

134.

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner LEE, JAEWOOK Korean Marketing Consultant

135.

136.

137.

Brief Job Description: Make initial prospecting and qualifying of leads via consultative approach

HONG, SUNG WON Korean Technical Support Staff Brief Job Description: Apply diagnostic utilities to aid in troubleshooting

JOO, CHANGHWAN Korean Technical Support Staff Brief Job Description: Apply diagnostic utilities to aid in troubleshooting

MOON, HYUNGHO Korean Technical Support Staff Brief Job Description: Apply diagnostic utilities to aid in troubleshooting

CHENG, QI Mandarin Technical Support 140.

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

TANDEM LANGUAGE AND TRAINING CENTER CORPORATION 4/f Great Wall Bldg., 1624 F. Agoncillo St., 075, Barangay 694, Malate, City Of Manila LANFERMANN, FELIX German Language Specialist 141.

Brief Job Description: Deliver German language courses at a1, a2, b1 or b2 level

VERHOVNIK, IVANA German Language Specialist 142.

Brief Job Description: Deliver German language courses at a1, a2, b1 or b2 level

Basic Qualification: Knowledge of basic teaching principles and pedagogy or willing to be trained Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge of basic teaching principles and pedagogy or willing to be trained Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

THERMA LUZON INC. 14/f Nac Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig ARSHAD KAMAL Quality Assurance/quality Control Expert 143.

Brief Job Description: Developing quality assurance and control plans outages

Basic Qualification: At least 7-10 years experience as QA/ QC expert in power genearation industry Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

TRANSCOSMOS ASIA PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 3201-3205, 32/f One Corporate Center, Doña J. Vargas Cor. Meralco Avenues, Ortigas Ctr., City Of Pasig

MITAMURA, KEI Sales And Marketing Director 144.

Brief Job Description: Handle selling of various outsourcing services, for example Call Center services, BPO services, Digital Marketing services and other

Basic Qualification: Can speak and understand Japanese language as the Team will render services to Japanese Headquarters and clients Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West, Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque HUANG, XIAOLONG Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

145.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate with Suitable Experience and Reliable of Assigned Works

XIANG, YUWEN Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

146.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate with Suitable Experience and Reliable of Assigned works

YOU, ZHILI Mandarin Customer Support Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Basic Qualification: College Graduate with Suitable Experience and Reliable of Assigned Works

VU THI THUY TRANG Vietnamese Customer Support Representative

147.

148.

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

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in VIETNAMESE and at least college level with related BPO experience.

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate with Suitable Experience and Reliable of Assigned Works

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

149.

NGUYEN DANG PHUC VINH Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

SKYLUCK CORPORATION #360, Unit 243 Shaw Center Mall, Shaw Blvd., Addition Hills, City Of Mandaluyong PARK, DOYOUNG Korean Customer Support Staff

Brief Job Description: Field incoming help requests from end users via both telephone and work orders in a courteous manner

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SOLIDLEISURE SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 2602-d & 2603-a West Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

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

SINO ROAD AND BRIDGE GROUP CO. LTD. Suite 701 Ma Natividad Bldg, 470 T M Kalaw St., Barangay 666, Ermita, City Of Manila

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

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

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

139.

SHIBUYA SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 903-c Vicente Madrigal Bldg., 6793 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the overall direction and administration of all company operations, programs and services.

NAKAHASHI, SAMUERUYOSHIMI Finance Manager

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

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

138.

SAMARITAN’S PURSE (PHILIPPINES) INC. 6/f Philcox Bldg., 172 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

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

Basic Qualification: With onboard technical and superintendent experience

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION KIM, YONGKI Korean Technical Support Staff

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to Speak, Read and Write Chinese Language

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin, familiarity with the entire recruitment life cycle is an advantage

No.

ROHM SEMICONDUCTOR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 4b, 4/f Frabelle Alabang Bldg, Mbp Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS CONSULTING SERVICES PHILS. CO. LTD. 25/f Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

PHELIPPE BARKO MANAGEMENT, INC. 4/f 107 The Exchange Corner Bldg., V.a Rufino St. Leg. Vill., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

VONG GIA HAO Customer Service Representative

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HALIMAH Multilingual Recruiter

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

OMNIWEALTH ENTERPRISE INC. 17th Flr. Citibank Square Bldg., No. 188 Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Eastwood City Cyberpark 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

HERIANTO Customer Service Representative

No.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information NGUYEN THIEU VU Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff

150.

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

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp., 213 Buendia Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Korean language / preferably six (6) months experience in office staff Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

151.

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information

CHOO WIL FRED Chinese Language - Customer Service Staff Brief Job Description: Deal w/ and resolve customer complaints

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

Basic Qualification: Proficient in foreign language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Mar 24, 2022

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

Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

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

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Friday, March 25, 2022

A9

Biden and Western allies gather at tense moment in Ukraine war B

RUSSELS—As the war in Ukraine grinds into a second month, US President Joe Biden and Western allies are gathering to chart a path to ramp up pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin while tending to the economic and security fallout that’s spreading across Europe and the world.

Over the course of Thursday, the European diplomatic capital is hosting an emergency Nato summit as well as a gathering of the Group of Seven industrialized nations and a summit of the 27 members of the European Union. Biden will attend all three meetings and plans to hold a news conference at the end of the day.

Biden arrived here late Wednesday with the hopes of nudging allies to enact new sanctions on Russia, which has already seen its economy crippled by a steady stream of bans, boycotts and penalties over the past four weeks.

While the West has been largely unified in confronting Russia after it invaded Ukraine, there’s wide acknowledgement that unity will be tested as the costs of war chip at the global economy.

The bolstering of forces along Nato’s eastern flank, almost certainly for at least the next 5-10 years if Russia is to be effectively dissuaded, will also put pressure on national budgets.

“We need to do more, and therefore we need to invest more. There is a new sense of urgency and I expect that the leaders will agree to accelerate the investments in defense,” said Nato SecretaryGeneral Jens Stoltenberg before chairing the security alliance’s summit.

En route to Brussels aboard Air Force One, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters that “what we would like to hear is that the resolve and unity that we’ve seen for the past month will endure for as long as it takes.”

The energy crisis exacerbated by the war will be a particularly hot topic at the European Council summit, where leaders from Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece are hoping for an urgent, coordinated bloc-wide response. EU officials have said they will seek US help on a plan to top up natural gas storage facilities for next winter, and they also want the bloc to jointly purchase gas.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has dismissed calls to boycott Russian energy supplies, saying it would cause significant damage to his country’s economy. Scholz is facing pressure from environmental activists to quickly wean Germany off Russian energy, but he said the process will have to be gradual.

“To do so from one day to the next would mean plunging our country and all of Europe into recession,” Scholz said Wednesday.

Poland and other eastern flank Nato countries will also be looking for clarity on how the United States and fellow European nations can assist in dealing with their growing concerns about Russian aggression as well as a spiraling refugee crisis.

More than 3.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine in recent weeks, including more than 2 million to Poland.

Biden is scheduled to travel to Poland on Friday, where both issues are expected to be at the center of talks with President Andrzej Duda.

Another significant moment could come shortly before Biden returns to Washington on Saturday.

The White House said he plans to “deliver remarks on the united efforts of the free world to support the people of Ukraine, hold Russia accountable for its brutal war, and defend a future that is rooted in democratic principles.”

Sullivan said that Biden and fellow leaders would aim to “set out a longer-term game plan” for what forces and capabilities are going to be required for the alliance’s eastern flank countries.

Four new Nato battlegroups, which usually number between 1,000-1,500 troops, are being set up in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is expected to address the Nato summit by video, said late Wednesday that he wants the alliance to “declare that it will fully assist Ukraine to win this war” by supplying any weapons necessary.

All the while, national security officials from Washington to Warsaw are increasingly worried that Putin might deploy chemical, biological or even nuclear weaponry. Sullivan said the allies would consult on how to respond to “potential contingencies” of that sort, including “this whole question of the potential use of nuclear weapons.”

Biden, before departing for Brussels on Wednesday, told reporters that he believed the possibility of Russia deploying chemical weapons was a “real threat.”

Stoltenberg would not be drawn Thursday on whether such a strike is a red line that would draw the alliance into war with Russia. “I will not speculate beyond the fact that Nato is always ready to defend, to protect and to react to any type of attack on a Nato allied country,” he said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in a CNN interview this week said that Russia could consider using its nuclear weapons if it felt there was “an existential threat for our country.”

The head of the European Union’s executive arm said she wanted to discuss with Biden the possibility of securing extra deliveries of liquefied natural gas from the United States for the 27-nation bloc.

Speaking at the European Parliament ahead of Biden’s visit, Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was seeking a a commitment for additional LNG supplies from the US “for the next two winters.”

The EU imports 90 percent of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40 percent of EU gas and a quarter of its oil. The bloc is looking at ways to reduce its dependence on Russian gas by diversifying suppliers.

Sullivan said the United States was looking for ways to “surge” LNG supplies to Europe to help make up for supply disruptions.

Biden, for his part, was expected to detail plans for new sanctions against Russia and humanitarian assistance for the region.

One new sanctions option that Biden is weighing is to target members of the Russian State Duma, the lower house of parliament, according to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The official added that a final decision hadn’t been made and that the new sanctions would be rolled out in coordination with Western allies.

Biden arrived in Brussels with Americans increasingly accepting of the need for the US to play

Stoltenberg says chemical attack would change war B

RUSSELS—Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says any chemical attack by Russia on Ukraine would change the course of the war but he is not saying whether Nato would take military action.

Asked whether a chemical weapons attack is a red line for Nato, Stoltenberg said, “I will not speculate beyond the fact that Nato is always ready to defend, to protect and to react to any type of attack on a Nato-allied country.”

Stoltenberg says “any use of chemical weapons would fundamentally change the nature of the conflict. It would be a blatant violation of international law, and it will have widespread and severe consequences.”

His remarks Thursday came as he arrived at Nato headquarters in Brussels to chair a summit of the military organization’s 30 national leaders, including US President Joe Biden.

Nato allies are worried about Russian rhetoric and fears that Moscow might want to create a pretext to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. The leaders are likely to agree to send equipment to help Ukraine protect against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.

They’re also set to endorse a move to set up four new multinational battlegroups in eastern Europe to deter Russia from attacking any Nato members.

Key developments:

Ukraine’s navy destroys Russia’s landing ship

LVIV, Ukraine—Ukraine’s navy on Thursday

reported destroying Russia’s large landing ship, Orsk, near the port city of Berdyansk.

A short Facebook statement about the ship was accompanied with photos and videos of fire and thick plumes of smoke in the port.

The Russian military has not commented on what happened to the ship.

Berdyansk has been under Russian control since Feb. 27.

US says Russia starts expelling diplomats

WASHINGTON—The US State Department says Russia has begun the process of expelling several more diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow.

The department said it received a list of diplomats on Wednesday who have been declared “persona non grata” by the Russian foreign ministry.

It didn’t say how many diplomats were affected by the order, which generally results in the expulsion of those targeted within 72 hours.

The Russian foreign ministry summoned US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan on Monday to protest President Joe Biden’s description of Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a “war criminal” over the invasion of Ukraine. After that meeting, Russia warned that it was close to severing diplomatic relations with the United States, which would be unprecedented.

The State Department called Wednesday’s move “Russia’s latest unhelpful and unproductive step” in relations between the countries. It urged Russia “to end its unjustified expulsions of US diplomats and staff.” AP

a role in stopping in Putin, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

But even as concern among Americans has swelled and support for a major US role in the conflict strengthened in the last month, Biden’s negative approval rating has not budged, the AP-NORC poll found. Few are very confident that he can handle a crisis, and a majority thinks he lacks

toughness in dealing with Russia.

Biden promised voters that he had the experience to navigate a complicated international emergency like the one unfolding in Europe now, and his trip will be the latest test of that proposition as he tries to maintain unity among Western allies and brace for potentially even bigger challenges.

At a time when it is essential to avoid fissures in what’s been a largely unified

Western response to Russia, the US president will look to press important allies like Poland to dial back the idea of deploying a Western peacekeeping mission to Ukraine. It’s an idea that the US and some other Nato members see as too risky as they seek to deny Russia any pretext to broaden the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.

For his domestic audience, Biden is expected to once again underscore the

heroics of the Ukrainian military and volunteers who have managed to hold off an imposing Russian military. He will highlight those remarkable efforts—as well as the generosity of the Poles and other allies at the front lines of the humanitarian crisis—as he redoubles his calls for Americans to stand firm against a Russian war that is spurring gas price hikes and adding to inflationary pressures in the US. AP

A10 Friday, March 25, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

We can help sustain our economic growth

W

hile Covid infections continue to rise and fall around the world, the Philippines has opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers. As we start welcoming thousands of foreign visitors, however, we must not let our guard down. The pandemic is far from over and we must not throw caution to the wind and put ourselves at risk of infection.

Associated Press headlines: “Biden press secretary has Covid-19, won’t travel to Europe.” “Hillary Clinton tests positive for Covid; Bill quarantining.”

“German president and his wife test positive for Covid-19.” “Norway’s king tests positive for Covid, has mild symptoms.” “Shanghai Disneyland closes as virus rises.”

A recent Bloomberg report said Europe is trying to leave Covid-19 behind, but the rush to unwind restrictions is now setting the stage for a revival of pandemic risks. “Newly confirmed cases climbed to 5.4 million in the past seven days, up from 4.9 million at the end of February, according to World Health Organization data. More than 12,400 people died from Covid in the past week.”

Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s director for Europe, told a recent briefing that a third of European nations are seeing a surge in Covid infections after removing restrictions. “The countries where we see in particular an increase in cases are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, France, Italy and Germany,” Kluge said. “Those countries are lifting restrictions brutally from too much to too few.”

We can learn from the experience of countries that removed Covid restrictions, thinking they’re over the worst, only to see cases rise again. The Omicron and other new variants are still piling up infections in countries that have largely managed to keep the virus in check. Experts fear that the new infections may signal another wave of Covid-19, a surge that could threaten countries just coming out of their own Omicron experience.

From Bloomberg: “China’s worst Covid outbreak in more than two years continued to fester, with daily infections nearing 5,000 on Wednesday. The northeastern province Jilin, which has been put under lockdown, reported some 2,800 cases. Infections in Shanghai rose to almost 1,000 after testing was expanded. Cases appear to be declining in Shenzhen, which ended a weeklong lockdown earlier this week. The flare-up, fueled by the highly infectious Omicron variant, has been spotted in 28 out of 31 provinces on the Chinese mainland.”

In the country, the Department of Health reported a total of 3,572 new Covid-19 cases from March 14 to March 20, 2022, or an average of 510 new cases per day. The DOH said that on March 13, there were 805 severe and critical Covid cases admitted to the hospitals.

The Asian Development Bank recently said the outbreak of a new variant that would disrupt economic activities for two quarters could reduce the country’s economic growth by 0.4 percentage points. At the launch of the report titled “Southeast Asia: Rising from the Pandemic,” ADB Southeast Asia Department Senior Economist James Villafuerte said this projection is based on a new pessimistic scenario used to estimate growth in the region.

Villafuerte said one risk factor this year is for more Covid-19 variants and Covid-19 waves to enter the countries in the region, including the Philippines. (Read, “New Covid variants pose risk to growth,” in the BusinessMirror, March 16, 2022) “If we factor in at least two waves, that could disrupt activities for two quarters in 2022. What we are seeing actually is that the outlook for 2022, as we predicted in December last year, could be 0.8 percentage points lower,” Villafuerte said. “This is actually quite large.”

Many countries are lifting Covid mandates and trying to live with the virus in their desire to return to the routines and joys of everyday life. But the pandemic is not yet over, and we shouldn’t let our guards down just yet. As the Asian Development Bank said, the outbreak of a new variant could derail our economic growth. Two years of pandemic life have given us some strategies to avoid infection. We can all help sustain our economic growth by continually taking appropriate precautions.

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Dennis Gorecho

Pinoy Marino rights

T

he sea-based sector’s remittances comprise at least 22 percent of the total dollar remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which was recently greatly affected by the pandemic.

Unlike land-based OFWs, the sea-based workers’ POEA Standard Employment Contract (SEC) mandates that the seafarer is required to make an allotment, which shall be at least 80 percent of the seafarer’s monthly basic salary, payable once a month to his designated allottee in the Philippines.

After dipping low for almost two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sea-based remittances bounced back in 2021.

Data from the website of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed the fluctuation in dollar remittances of OFWs. In 2017, the sea-based remittances reached $6,870,827,000 out of the total OFW remittances of $28,059,789,000.

In 2018, the sea-based remittances reached $6,139,512,000 out of the total OFW remittances of $28,943,112,000.

In 2019, the sea-based remittances reached $6,539,246,000 out

of the total OFW remittances of $30,133,300,000.

In 2020 the sea-based remittances reached $6,353,522,000 out of the total OFW remittances of $29,903,256,000.

In 2021 the sea-based remittances reached $6,545,002,000, out of the total OFW remittances of $31,417,614,000.

From the BSP records since 2017, the sea-based sector’s remittances increased in 2018 by $731,315,000, then increased in 2019 by $399,734,000, then decreased in 2020 by $185,724,000, and increased in 2021 by $191,480,000.

In terms of deployment, the records from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) show that the total number of seafarers deployed overseas reached 376,663 in 2017, 337,502 in 2018, 469,996 in 2019 and 217,223 in 2020.

The world supply of seafarers, including those from the Philip-

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pines, was greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that caused extended lockdowns and border closures, and the resulting crew change crisis.

The Philippines is still considered as one of the major suppliers 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.

According to the BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2021, the largest supplier for both officers and ratings was the Philippines, followed by the Russian Federation, Indonesia, China, and India. Together, these countries supplied 44 percent of the global seafarer workforce.

In 2021, the report noted that there were 1,892,720 seafarers around the world, of whom 857,540 were officers and 1,035,180 were ratings.

It added that the world could face a shortage of merchant sailors within five years, raising risks for global supply chains.

The report pointed out that there was a particular shortage of officers with technical experience, especially at management level, and in the tanker and offshore sectors there was a reported shortage of management level deck officers Presidential candidate Leni Robredo said that one of her economic platform is the empowering and strengthening of the maritime industry as a national imperative.

She stressed that there must be a focus on the maritime industry

as the core industry, not just for the maritime sector but also for the recognition that will help the economy of the entire country.

In order to increase the maritime sector’s size from 6 percent to 12 percent of the economy, there is the need to modernize and renovate the ports and harbors to make the infrastructure more integrated.

She stressed that “this serves a purpose that permeates beyond the maritime sector—a stronger national link through an integrated intermodal national logistics system allows trade to grow at the community level, which feeds into our strategy of looping the grassroots into the economic ecosystem.”

In order to address the inefficiencies in the regulatory framework, particularly on the matter of ship registration, there must be genuine stakeholder engagement, a stocktaking process, and a proper road map to introduce new policies.

Robredo added t hat t here must be a push for industries where Filipinos can maximize their abilities, like in the maritime industry, as Filipinos are known for being great seafarers.

“We have a natural advantage because of the abilities of the Filipino mariners. We would focus on the people: we would set our training with the global standards,” Robredo said.

Atty. Dennis 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.

People make decisions based on recent data

Lourdes M. Fernandez

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Philippines still a top supplier of seafarers

EAGLE WATCH

T

he war in Ukraine has definitely pushed oil prices up. Have these prices really reached an all-time high?

The current price levels based on world crude oil price per barrel reached $124 on March 8, 2022. However, this is not the peak.

The highest oil prices on record reached $140 per barrel in June 2008, but only a few remember the conditions that shaped that year preceding the Global Financial Crisis.

This short memory explains how people perceive things today. A classic example of people’s short memories is the continuing revival of the same scams (mostly Ponzi-style) affecting a number of people. It makes us wonder why people seem to never learn from the same get-rich-quick schemes.

An explanation from behavioral economics suggests that people are mostly inductive thinkers—they pick up from specific observations and generalize from there. This is

where the world of influencers reign supreme. The pattern of scams shows sellers/influencers displaying stacks of earnings or brandishing new cars to attract new investors. This is observable in people buying real estate without doing much research.

So, when the uninitiated commit resources into these assets, they create a bubble until no one can afford them anymore, or there are no more new recruits. Then, the bubble bursts. Influencers play a major role

in short-cut decision making. Hence, modern social media rely a lot on the role of influencers who shape people’s decisions ranging from consumer items to politics.

Linking these thoughts to the impact of the oil price increases should make one think differently. The government initially considered giving P200 per poor family per month for a year. There have been complaints about the small amount that will be given to cushion the impact of price increases. These complaints prompted the President to instruct the Department of Finance (DOF) to increase the subsidy to P500.

Nevertheless, the main reason for the small, targeted subsidy is understandable from a finance perspective.

The government cannot afford any higher. Of course, there are other solutions, but all must consider our delicate fiscal position, which could erode our ability to fund our committed programs, as well as our credit standing, which could even make it more expensive to service debts in the future.

But that is beside the point. Using the argument in the preceding para-

graph, almost all of us were forced to stay at home. Majority, in fact, had no work and no regular income in the last two years. The “ayuda” was also not big. It was given twice, ranging from P4,000 to P8,000 per month for two months in 2020 and 2021.

But people were creative enough to think of other ways to earn for almost 24 months. There were the community pantry and other initiatives to help those severely affected by the pandemic. Then, when the economy reopened and faced the new challenge of rising prices, people are now considered “kawawa” with the small “ayuda” that government can give.

Come to think of it, we all were able to get through the lockdowns without being able to earn consistently. Now that the economy is open, and people are able to work, we forget that we have just experienced the hardest season of our lives. It is yet another classic example of short memory.

Why is this so? The Economist published a story in April 2019 discussing the findings of a study in the Czech Republic. It analyzed historical and archeological records on the See “Eagle Watch,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Tagging literacy and freedom

When the US invaded Russia

Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

R

ussia has been very much in the headlines today. Its unprovoked and unjustified invasion of its neighbor and former member of the Soviet bloc has been unparalleled in recent history. The atrocities it has committed—ruthlessly bombing civilian targets including schools, hospitals, cultural centers, children’s hospices, humanitarian corridors for fleeing children and women, etc.— in prosecuting the war will be unmatched in the history of warfare.

Guided missiles and powerful artillery rain on Ukraine everyday leveling to dust its entire cities. Russia, next only to the US, is the second strongest military power in the world but it has the largest number of nuclear warheads in its stockpile.

Thus, all countries don’t want to draw Russia into a nuclear war, which may result in a cataclysm unseen by mankind. US President Joe Biden has made it clear that the Americans will not go to war in Ukraine. He has even declined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request to declare a “no fly zone” over Ukraine’s airspace and to send jet fighters to the beleaguered country. He averred that such moves would be tantamount to engaging in a war against Russia. Except for Poland, Biden’s NATO allies supported his position although they continue to pour other military aids like antitank and anti-aircraft missiles into Ukraine. Lately, Biden has rejected the suggestion to send a peacekeeping force to Ukraine. Is the US afraid of Russia? Despite Biden’s claim that President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, are the Americans intimidated by Russia’s military power?

Russia appears invincible if you consider that two famous conquerors, Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler, had failed to defeat Russia despite assembling the biggest invasion forces during their time. The two invasions were set more than a century apart (1812 and 1941) but oddly enough, France and Germany were fighting a war on two fronts —both against Britain on the west and Russia on the east at the time of their conquest. The Grande Armée of Napoleon consisted of 600,000 soldiers, a matching number of horses, powerful artillery and cannons and large contingents of fighting men from Allied countries. Nazi Germany’s invasion army was made up of 3 million soldiers, close to 4,000 tanks, 1,830 planes, 7,200 artilleries and almost a million horses. The massive French and German forces leveled the ground as they marched towards Moscow—their prize objective. Napoleon’s invasion began on June 12, 1812 and Hitler’s invasion started on June 22, 1941, both at the peak of summer. The invaders thought that the invasion would be over quickly. Napoleon was hoping that his forces would be back home after a month while Hitler did not even provide winter clothing for his soldiers. Both were dead wrong. They did not expect to encounter fierce resistance from the Russians and they were vanquished by the harsh and long Russian winter. Aside from being killed in battle, French and Russian soldiers died from lack of food and intense cold. They could conquer opposing armies but not the brutal weather. Napoleon lost over 400,000 men and less than half of Hitler’s invasion forces remained when his army retreated from Russia. And in the end, they both lost the war.

History is replete with events where Russia suffered a defeat in war. The Mongols, for one, occupied Russia for hundreds of years. Even the Vikings of yore invaded it. In modern warfare, Japan defeated Russia during the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-1905. In fact, it was the first time in modern history that an Asian country had defeated a powerful European country in a war. However, Japan failed to invade Russia since the battle mostly happened in neighboring Korea and in China where the warring countries competed for territorial control.

Friday, March 25, 2022 A11

Little is known about the fact that the US had occupied Russia during the closing months of World War I in 1918. You may not believe it but American military forces had landed in Siberia, occupied Vladivostok and camped in the city for several months to fight for and against the Russians.

This may sound strange but during WWI a civil war was raging in Russia between the Reds or communists (known as Bolsheviks), which gained control of the government after they deposed the Tsar, and the Whites (the Mensheviks and all the anticommunists elements). Russia was supposed to join the allies against Germany in the war but the Bolshevik government under Vladimir Lenin, instead of fighting, surrendered to the Germans. This act of betrayal angered the allies so they decided to send troops to Russia to encourage the Whites to continue the war against Russia. US President Wilson decided to deploy 9,000 (other reports indicated 13,000) American soldiers under the command of Major General William Graves. Part of the mission was to reinforce or rescue the Czech legion consisting of 30,000 troops who volunteered to fight the Germans in support of the Russians and who were now in control of Vladivostok and the major segment of the Trans-Siberian railway. The American expedition, which traveled halfway around the world, did not get clear instruction about their orders. All that General Graves received was a brief order written on a note that allegedly stated: “Overthrow the Russian government (the Bolsheviks).” They were hurriedly sent to rendezvous with the other Allied forces from Britain and France who were deployed there earlier for the same mission. But obviously the Czech legion did not need any help and they were zealous of their position. They did not want to share or relinquish their control over the city with their allies. On a few occasions that the Bolshevik forces attacked them, the Czechs repulsed them and the Reds suffered heavy losses.

But everyone was happy because they protected the railway and kept the trains running. So, what did the invading American forces accomplish? They were ordered to oust the Bolsheviks from power but they landed in Siberia, which is 5,000 miles, more or less, from Moscow. They could not even share power with the Czechs who had established firm control of Vladivostok. All they did was to patrol the streets together with the local police force organized by the Czechs. Finally, when WWI ended, the Czechs left for home boarding a ship sent by the Allied forces. The French and British contingents followed suit. Finally, the Americans sailed home in November 1919. A total of 137 American soldiers died in action, mostly from the hands of snipers and local bandits. However, more died from other causes (216) mainly from accident and sickness, with sexually transmitted diseases as the common causes. Instead of waging war in the battlefields, they were making love in the brothels of Vladivostok. Maybe this is the reason why the American invasion of Russia is hardly published and found in the pages of history.

W Judged.

E should grieve over these: to wake up one day with not one but two independent bookstores viciously vandalized, the signages ruined by red letters. Tagged. Branded.

The letters are done in a hurry as if illicitly committed by phantom markers. Or thieves ready to run. Or mad men. They are not real judges or arbiters of what these stores carry or else they would not have rushed things. They should have taken their time, unafraid to be questioned of their authorities.

Who possesses the power to pass judgement on Popular Bookstore and Solidaridad if not those who read their books. But for those who read, judgment is never passed on books and reading materials but an understanding, or an opposition to the ideas therein or, at gut level, the celebration of the joys that words can bring to a human being.

Who brands a bookstore with one ideology? Not the regular reader who is certain the shelves in his favorite shop contains tales of lust and love, of kinship and adventures, of romance in meters, and poems as free as the many forms they follow. Not the scholar who is ready always with his critique of the positionalities contained in books and books about gender and government, politics and faiths, society and solitude.

To carry a single ideology is a kiss of marketing death for a bookstore.

Any kind of bookstore sells different ideologies, some difficult to comprehend, some easily adaptable to the social environment. Ideological, the contents of these books are, in fact, not necessarily in agreement with each other.

What is the mark of a good independent bookstore then? There are

many good traits expected of a functioning bookstore. First, it should contain books that can explain societies from different perspectives.

All the isms should be there. For inspection and introspection. The good bookstore should provide a room where the writers and the readers (and every now and then a beloved critic, which is rare) meet for a conversation. Or debate. A good bookstore should be about the inalienable liberty to peruse materials or even to condemn then. So long as you read the book first.

You cannot condemn a book if you have not read and understood it.

The scholars of these decades and the past would remember how the Popular Bookstore, with their old branch in Doroteo Jose, at the corner of Avenida, and Solidaridad along P. Faura were the go-to places for rare books especially in the field of social sciences. They were rare only because rare were the bookstores that would invest on titles that have no critical mass support. These would include what students of politics, sociology, anthropology, economics and literature would call Marxist literatures.

They should include Marx’s “Capital,” not an easy read. And yet these literatures cover also books written

by Neo-Marxists and French Marxists, which to me remain exciting

reading materials.

In these bookstores, Marx and his theories that have evolved in other thinkers’ minds or been subverted through the imaginations of other intellectuals, are not default guide to revolution, peaceful or violent. These literatures are used to articulate and crystallize researches on cinema and cultures, rituals and religions, myths and metaphors. Even dance.

With all the schools of thought represented in any independent bookstore, what dominant ideology can be pinpointed by those who may not have even swam through the waves of ideas in said place? In the splendor of colors present in the hundreds of books, a single color is a dumb choice to tag a place where minds are nurtured to respect var-

ied worldviews. Within the limited spaces of bookstores and libraries can be found an endless area for individuals to elevate their thinking to one that is critical, daring, enjoyable and adventurous.

Let us situate this situation deeper in the context of what we are as a country. We are not a society of readers. Crucial to our education is the proliferation of reading programs, with the participation of nongovernmental development institutions at the forefront. It is not enough that a child learns lessons

in a classroom; we expect the child to grow into one who reads and accumulates more information. We do not discriminate with regard to reading materials. Our educational system, both formal and non-formal, is so impoverished that we are happy enough that a citizen reads.

Eurocentric as it may be but the thoughts of John Locke remain relevant to our crisis when he said: “Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him.”

We know why some individuals are into controlling bookstores, spaces that are already controlled by the realities of loss and profit. These men and women either do not believe in production of knowledge or they are deathly scared of knowledge because it is power. The pathos in the situation is how in the darkness of widespread illiteracy obscuring the development of our society, there exist enabling structures snuffing the tiny light of intellection present in reading, and propagated by books.

Bookstores in all forms proliferate freely in civilized, literate worlds. It is in our world that these bookstores are scarce and, where found, are threatened with cancellation or control. This threat began with individuals and small organizations and now it is moving into shelves of learning and thinking.

Are we moving out of the lockdowns of pandemic into another lockdown, one where masks are worn by those enforcing the control?

The case of the two independent bookstores happened while we were sleeping. The order seemed hurriedly issued, or surreptitiously enforced.

Like rush jobs done, the acts of these men or women have only anonymity on their side. Or ignorance. Or ignominy.

One morning, we wake up with grief. One day, we should wake up with rage.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Dialing up pressure, North Korea tests long-range missile

By Kim Tong-Hyung & Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

S

EOUL, South Korea—North Korea fired a suspected long-range missile toward the sea Thursday in what would be its first such test since 2017, according to its neighbors’ militaries, raising the ante in a pressure campaign aimed at forcing the United States and other rivals to accept it as a nuclear power and remove crippling sanctions.

The launch, which extended North Korea’s barrage of weapons tests this year, came after the US and South Korean militaries said the country was preparing a flight of its biggest-yet intercontinental ballistic missile.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff didn’t immediately say whether the weapon involved in the launch was ballistic or how far it flew. But Japan’s Deputy Defense Minister Makoto Oniki said the missile, which traveled 1,100 kilometers (660 miles) while reaching a maximum altitude of over 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles), likely was a new ICBM. The flight details suggested that the missile was fired on a higher-thanusual angle to avoid reaching the territorial waters of Japan.

Japan’s coast guard, which warned vessels in nearby waters about the potential for falling objects, said it believed the missile flew about an hour before landing in waters outside the country’s exclusive economic zone.

There were no immediate reports of

Eagle Watch. . . continued from A10

extreme flooding in the Vltava River Basin over a period of 900 years.

They found that the generation after a flood would move their settlement upward and away from the river.

However, just a generation after, the grandchildren who had never

damage to boats or aircraft.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in called an emergency National Security Council meeting where he criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for breaking a self-imposed moratorium on ICBM tests and posing a “serious threat” to the region and the broader international community.

Moon instructed officials to pursue “all possible response measures” based on its alliance with the United States and cooperation with other international partners, his office said.

“Even when the international community is responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, North Korea has been forcing its missile launches, which could one-sidedly escalate provocations,” Oniki said.

Following a highly provocative streak in nuclear explosive and ICBM tests in 2017, Kim unilaterally suspended such testing in 2018 ahead of his first meeting with then-US President Donald Trump.

North Korea’s slew of weapons tests reflects a determination to cement its status as a nuclear power and wrest badly needed economic concessions from Washington and others from a position of strength, analysts say.

Kim Jong Un may also feel a need to trumpet his military accomplishments to his domestic audience and drum up loyalty as he grapples with a broken economy worsened by pandemic border closures.

“Despite economic challenges and technical setbacks, the Kim regime is

determined to advance its missile capabilities,” said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Seoul’s Ewha Womans University. “It would be a mistake for international policymakers to think the North Korean missile threat can be put on the back burner while the world deals with the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

The Biden administration’s passive handling of North Korea so far, while it focuses on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and an intensifying rivalry with China, is allowing more room for the North to dial up its testing activity, some experts say. The administration’s actions on North Korea have so far been limited to largely symbolic sanctions imposed over its recent tests and offers of openended talks that were quickly turned down by Pyongyang’s leadership.

There are views in Seoul that Washington is slipping back to the Obama administration’s “strategic patience” policy of ignoring North Korea until it demonstrates seriousness about denuclearization, although that approach was criticized for neglecting a gathering nuclear threat.

It was North Korea’s 12th round of weapons launches this year and came after it fired suspected artillery pieces into the sea on Sunday.

The North has also tested a variety of new missiles, including a purported hypersonic weapon and its first launch since 2017 of an intermediate range missile with a potential of reaching Guam, a key US military hub in the Pacific.

It also conducted two medium-range tests in recent weeks from Sunan, home to the country’s main airport, that the US and South Korean militaries assessed to have involved components of the North’s largest ICBM. The allies had said the missile, which the North calls Hwasong-17, could be tested at full range soon.

Those tests followed another launch from Sunan last week. But South Korea’s military said the missile likely exploded shortly after liftoff. Details of the explosion and the possibility of civilian damage remain unknown.

North Korea’s official media insisted that the two successful tests were aimed at developing cameras and other systems for a spy satellite. Analysts say the North is clearly attempting to simultaneously resume ICBM testing and acquire some level of space-based reconnaissance capability under the pretense of a space launch to reduce international backlash to those moves.

The launch may possibly come around a major political anniversary in April, the birthday of state founder Kim Il Sung, the late grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un. The North’s previous ICBMs demonstrated potential range to reach the American homeland during three flight tests in 2017. Its development of the larger Hwasong-17, which was first revealed in a military parade in October 2020, possibly indicates an aim to arm it with multiple warheads to overwhelm missile defenses, experts say. Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo

experienced flooding would start to rebuild downward again near the flood risk areas. This study showed that people’s memory is short-lived, and people base their decisions on what they face today without going back to the past.

According to the authors of the study, the best way to deter a disastrous event from happening again is to allow “people to hear disaster

tales from eyewitnesses who can convey the visceral emotion of having lived through them.” The conclusion is that the short-term collective memory of people who have not lived through the experience could lead to other man-made challenges, such as vaccine hesitancy and extremism, as the generation of those who suffered under that condition eventually die.

We should all learn from history and recall experiences we have recently gone through. Otherwise, we are all bound to go down the level where the flood risk is high, exposing us to a potential destruction that we could have avoided.

Dr. Alvin P. Ang is a Senior Research Fellow at the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development.

A12 Friday, March 25, 2022

COMELEC TELLS SMARTMATIC: SUBMIT REPORT ON ‘BREACH’

T

HE Commission on Elections is now looking into the allegation that its long-time service provider, Smartmatic-Total Information Management, was hit with a security breach.

In a statement on Thursday, Comelec Chairman Saidamen B. Pangarungan said he ordered Smartmatic to submit its internal investigation report on the claims of Senator Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos.

He also directed the Comelec Law Department to conduct a “review” of the poll body’s con-

tract with Smartmatic and “to advise the courses of action to be taken by the Commission as may be provided by law and jurisprudence.”

Pa nga r unga n made t he pronouncement after Marcos expressed concern in a Senate hearing on how a contractual Smartmatic personnel supposedly helped leak online Comelec information after getting hold of company laptops. Smartmatic denied the incident, which was based on a Facebook post of a supposed hacker’s group.

Continued on A3

PHL-MOROCCO TIES Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. and Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita sign the Air Services Agreement, MOU on Political Consultations, and Cooperation Agreement between the Philippine Foreign Service Institute and Moroccan Academy for Diplomatic Studies. Locsin was on a recent official visit to Morocco, to strengthen and promote bilateral cooperation on areas covered by these agreements, as well as contribute to the overall development of both countries. PHOTO COURTESY OF @MAROCDIPLO_EN

‘Sleeping giant’ agriculture needs RCEP, says DA chief

A

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

GRICULTURE Secretary William D. Dar on Thursday said it is high time the country ratifies the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as the trade deal would improve the country’s agriculture sector, particularly its food trade with members of the agreement.

Dar said he “fully agrees” with Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez that the benefits of RCEP to the Philippines “far outweigh the cost of not joining.”

Addressing the Management Association of the Philippines’ General Membership meeting on Thursday, Dar said, “Our participation in this mega trade pact is imperative to our economic growth, which is set to boost the state of our trade and investments.”

He added, “RCEP is arguably our best response in recovering and re-

energizing our economy especially after this pandemic.”

Dar noted that the Philippines secured “improved” tariff concessions under RCEP with China, Japan and South Korea for various agricultural products such as fruits, dairy and fisheries.

“We are positive that more partner-countries will come forward as free trade areas—a historic breakthrough in this plurilateral agreement,” he said.

Dar listed some of the notable benefits of RCEP to the domestic

agriculture sector—wider area for cumulation of raw materials, enhanced rules on nontariff measures, strong customs cooperation, time-bound consultations to resolve issues on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, among others.

“As the Philippines pursues new trade agreements, it is crucial to shape our framework based on trade rules, economic integration, and industrial policies that will be beneficial to various sectors in our country, including agriculture,” he said.

“I have always said that agriculture is a sleeping giant and it’s time that we view this sector as such. It needs to conform to existing business realities. With RCEP, we are on our way towards transforming agriculture—making it prosperous and world class,” he added.

However, the agriculture chief said joining the RCEP comes with a caveat: We cannot ride the saddle without grooming the horse. Dar emphasized that the government must provide the necessary attention that agriculture needs, particularly in terms of funding.

“Our national leadership must pan the attention to agriculture sincerely and wilfully. It must become a budgetary priority, if not

the topmost one,” he said.

“The budget of our high-value crops industry is only P1.5 billion.

This is peanuts considering the potentials in coconut, bananas, pineapples, mangoes. I might add that some of our competitive export crops, such as coconut, are also needing massive scale rehabilitation and modernization,” he added.

Dar said the RCEP made the Philippines “conscious” of its “straggler status” as an agricultural country, “not only in the Asean region but in Asia.”

“Much younger countries have managed to pour substantial fiscal resources into their own agriculture sectors, even twice or thrice the budget for Philippine agriculture.

As a result, they are set to overtake the Philippines in the exports game,” he said.

“We do not want to be left behind.

We have to make agriculture a priority, and align our national priorities towards improving local productivity before we can truly become an export-oriented sector,” he added.

“So, as far as your question goes, ‘Should we get in now?’ My answer will be a resounding YES. Let’s create and boost agricultural trade,” Dar said.

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice Presidential candidate Inday Sara Duterte greet supporters at a rally Wednesday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City. They were joined by Quezon Rep. J.J. Suarez and Governor Danilo Suarez, and UniTeam senatorial candidates Herbert Bautista, Larry Gadon, Jinggoy Estrada, Robin Padilla, Migz Zubiri, Dante Marcoleta, Win Gatchalian and Mark Villar. Related story in Nation, A3. ROY DOMINGO

PHL’s household size shrinks to 4.1

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE Philippines is now in a demographic transition after data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the average size of households has declined to 4.1 persons as of 2020.

The latest PSA data showed the average household size (AHS) of the country decreased from 4.4 persons in 2015 and 4.6 persons on average per household in 2010.

Undersecretary for Population and Development Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III told BusinessMirror that this decline reflects lower fertility rates of women to less than 2 children per woman nationwide.

“This means the country is now in demographic transition—our goal was 2.1 children per woman by 2022, which means we attained it two years in advance,” Perez told this newspaper on Thursday.

Perez said he expects the country’s fertility rate to continue to go down but population growth is expected to be “slightly higher” due to the reduction in Covid-19-related deaths.

“Covid-related concerns on fertility will be replaced by concerns on

household economies; those without savings/resources and low income will probably continue to avoid having more children,” he said.

The PSA data showed six of the 17 administrative regions posted an AHS higher than the national AHS of 4.1 persons. These are the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) with 5.9 persons and Region V (Bicol) with 4.4 persons.

The data also showed AHS was higher in Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) with 4.3 persons; and Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Region X (Northern Mindanao, and Region XIII (Caraga) with 4.2 persons each.

Eight other regions posted an AHS equal to the national level while three regions with the smallest AHS were Region IV-A (Calabarzon) with 4 persons, Region XI (Davao) with 3.9 persons, and the NCR with 3.8 persons.

26.39-M households

MEANWHILE, the PSA data showed the total number of households in the country reached 26.39 million in 2020. This is higher by 3.42 million than the 22.96 million households in 2015, and by 6.22 million com-

pared with 20.17 million households in 2010.

As of 01 May 2020, the Philippines had a total population of 109.035 million persons. Of this total, the household population comprised 99.7 percent or 108.67 million persons.

This is 8.09 million higher than the 100.57 million household population in 2015, and 16.57 million more than the 92.098 million household population posted in 2010.

“The remaining 0.3 percent of the total population is the institutional population, or those residing in collective or institutional living quarters such as hospitals, orphanages, and military camps; and of Filipinos in Philippine embassies, consulates, and missions abroad,” the PSA said.

The 2020 Census of Population was conducted in September 2020. It is a nationwide government undertaking that involves the collection, compilation, evaluation of data on population and socioeconomic characteristics of the Philippines.

The Philippines conducted its first census in 1903 and the 2020 Census is the 15th census of population and 7th census of housing in the Philippines.

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, March 25, 2022

AllHome: Foot traffic back to pre-pandemic levels

F

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

oot traffic at the stores of Villarled listed retailer AllHome Corp. has returned to pre-pandemic levels after the government eased mobility restrictions.

Manuel B. Villar Jr., the company’s chairman, said the lowering of Metro Manila’s quarantine status to Alert Level 1 has prompted more people to return to shopping malls and other retail establishments, which could indicate the country’s gradual return to normalcy.

“As we anticipate the post-pandemic scenario, we are pleased that mall traffic is returning to pre-pan-

demic levels. We even see some days exceeding the pre-pandemic foot traffic. This bodes well for AllHome stores, especially our locations that serve as retail anchors to our Vista Malls as conditions normalize,” Villar said.

“We look at 2022 with more positivity as the vaccination rate in the country increases and the restrictions ease up, further more propel-

ling the re-opening of the economy.”

The company cited a study from Euromonitor International, a global marketing research firm, which showed that consumers are craving for convenience, from always available to pre-planned experiences. It also reported that close to half of Filipino consumers look for convenient store locations if they are to buy in that store.

AllHome President and CEO Benjamarie Therese N. Serrano said “revenge shopping” will benefit the company as the market is hungry for experiences, after a prolonged period of various lockdowns.

“Revenge shopping has gained traction in many of our AllHome stores,” she said.

AllHome said its officials are also confident that the opening up of the economy will pave the way for heightened construction activities

in the summer months.

The company has stores in standalone park and shop format, which makes its stores independent from the mall that benefit from the mall foot traffic as mall activities normalize.

Since AllHome’s mall-based or free-standing stores are located near the Villar Group’s housing communities and high-density populated areas, Serrano said its stores can cater to the needs of the consumers.

In February, AllHome said it will boost the sales of its hard categories as it expects construction activities to resume during the dry season.

The company said it saw a resurgence in its hard categories, such as construction materials, hardware, tiles and sanitary wares, during the nine months of 2021, when the Philippines was under a series of strict lockdowns.

Monde Nissin income dips by 5% M

onde Nissin Corp. said its core attributable net income last year slid 5 percent to P8.18 billion from the previous year’s P8.65 billion, mainly due to one-off items, including the payment of its convertible notes from Arran Investment.

Its reported net income recorded a much steeper decline at 60 percent to P3.2 billion which the company attributed to expenses related to its initial public offering and the weak performance of its meat alternative business.

Revenues were almost flat at P69.28 billion from the previous year’s P67.94 billion.

“All the work initiated in 2021 has set us up for growth in 2022. We will continue to innovate for upcoming product launches, improve distribu-

tion in key channels, and market to drive more consumption moments for our products,” Henry Soesanto, Monde Nissin’s CEO, said.

Sales from the company’s AsiaPacific branded food and beverage business rose 2 percent to P54.03 billion as the international business grew 21 percent to P3.7 billion despite continued shipping challenges.

Meanwhile, the domestic business earned P50.4 billion on sustained volumes for noodles and recovery in the biscuits segment in the fourth quarter, when it posted a 3.2-percent growth.

Gross profit fell 6 percent to P19.56 billion due to continuing commodity cost pressures, as gross margin fell by 3.3 percent to 36.2 percent, mitigated by price increases taken in the second half of 2021.

Its meat alternative business under Quorn Foods, had sales of P15.24 billion, a decline of 4 percent from the previous year, despite stable market share in the United Kingdom. Favorable foreign exchange reversed such decline to a 1 percent growth to P15.24 billion from the previous year.

The company said the reduction in the meat alternatives category in the United Kingdom and the United States, following high growth in 2020, and challenging macroeconomic conditions in the UK, including labor shortages, resulted in the weak performance of its meat alternative revenue.

Gross profit grew 8 percent to P6.02 billion, but core net income, or the company’s operating profit after tax, fell 41 percent to P651 billion.

“Quorn remains to be the strongest meat alternative brand in the UK with the highest market share, brand awareness, and repeat purchase. Seven of the top 11 rate of sale performers are Quorn’s new product launches,” Soesanto said.

“Increased global warming and acute commodity inflation show our aspiration to create sustainable food security solutions is more important than ever. Our conviction in Quorn’s production of protein and our determination to play a role in development of the overall category continues.

Meanwhile, our new production facility in Southern Luzon, which will also produce our lower oil content noodles, will help us address continued strong demand in our (Asia Pacific) business.” VG Cabuag

GOLDEN WHEEL AWARD. The Rotary Club of District 3780 presented the Golden Wheel Award to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (3rd from left) for his unwavering support to the education sector.

Present during the awarding rites are District Governor Edgardo Ayento, Past Governor Samuel Pagdilao, Governor elect Florian Enriquez, President of the Rotary Club of Diliman Central Rhodora Gonzales, (the nominator) and Past President Jojo Mejia.

Luzon power demand rises

The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said Thursday the highest peak load in Luzon for the year was recorded at 11,513 MW last March 22.

Although the demand has yet to reach the Department of Energy’s (DOE) projected Luzon annual peak demand of 12,387 MW this hot dry season, the 11,513 MW peak demand is already near

the 2021 actual peak demand of the region which was at around 11,601 MW. Likewise, the peak demand recorded for the month has already surpassed its counterpart figures during the same month last 2020, which was during the pre-pandemic period.

The operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) attributed this to the increasing demand in the grid

since the lowering of alert levels and easing of community quarantine restrictions within the major areas in Luzon.

The same pattern was seen in the Visayas, which recorded its highest peak load on the same day, by far, at 2,124 MW – almost within the pre-pandemic levels. The figure is yet to coincide with the DOE’s Visayas annual peak demand forecast of 2,528MW. Lenie Lectura

B1

PLDT: Revenue of fixed wireless business surges

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

P

LDT Inc. said on Thursday its fixed wireless business grew by almost half in 2021, as the pandemic compelled people to conduct their businesses at home.

The company said its fixed wireless business, operated by Smart Communications Inc., posted a 47-percent increase in revenues to P3.3 billion, “as limited mobility confined customers to their homes and increased the demand for more affordable and accessible fixed wireless broadband internet solutions, particularly in areas not yet served by fiber.”

As of year-end 2021, Smart’s fixed wireless subscriber base reached approximately 1 million subscribers.

“Our fixed wireless solutions catered to the requirements of our subscribers who need shared broadband connectivity or simply to power high-draw devices such as laptops, but with the flexibility provided by wireless mobility for work or study from anywhere applications,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

The increase in Smart’s mobile

data traffic, Basas added, was supported by the 75,400 base stations deployed nationwide, which also includes the 7,200 5G base stations of the telco.

In January, PLDT said it ended 2021 with a 73-percent increase in its fiber footprint to 743,700 kilometers with 14 million homes passed.

The figure is “significantly higher” than the 9 million homes passed the year prior.

Aside from this, the company built 1.7 million ports bringing its ports to 5.77 million to date, claiming to be the “largest number of ports in the Philippines.”

Smart, meanwhile, beefed up its wireless network with new 3G, 4G, and 5G base stations, which total to 75,400 as of end-December.

In November 2021, PLDT said its home and enterprise verticals will continue to drive the company’s growth, as it expects to ride on the persisting effects of the pandemic as well as the rising demand for solutions from so-called hyperscalers.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, the company’s chairman, said the group expects both business segments to “figure as major revenue growth drivers” for the company in the next three years.

DENR chief commends San Miguel

D

epartment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna has commended San Miguel Corp. (SMC) for the company’s pro-environment programs and projects.

Specifically, the DENR chief lauded SMC’s feat in dredging the 36.4-kilometer Tullahan-Tinajeros River System, one of the 17 principal river systems draining into Manila bay.

“Despite the setback brought about by the pandemic, SMC has proven its dedication in protecting and preserving our environment. We are very grateful for our partnership in securing healthier and cleaner waterways for a better future,” he said in a statement.

The partnership between DENR and SMC is part of the Adopt-an-Estero Program – one of the department’s priority initiatives and key strategies to comply with the continuing Supreme Court mandamus to clean up Manila Bay. To recall, then DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang signed a memorandum of agreement on March 14, 2019 for the rehabilitation of the TullahanTinajeros River System.

SMC pledged P1 billion for the dredging and clean-up activities starting from La Mesa Dam in Quezon City

and into Manila Bay at Centennial Park in Navotas City.

As of March 10, SMC reported it has finished dredging the portion of the river at Niugan, Malabon City using backhoes and recovered 93,393 cubic meters of dredged materials.

Meanwhile, it continued to conduct dredging operations in some portions of Catmon and Maysilo in Malabon City.

Since starting the project on October 12, 2021, SMC has dredged 155,113 cubic meters in the area and targets to finish the activity by the third week of March 2022.

It had also extended and prioritized the dredging of Sectors 3 and 4 – from Lambingan Bridge to Tinajeros Bridge Catmon/Maysilo in Malabon and from Tinajeros Bridge to Tullahan Bridge Tinajeros, Potrero and Marulas, respectively—to address flooding in these areas during the rainy season.

It has currently dredged 789,951 cubic meters and covered 7.71 kilometers of the river from Sector 1 (Manila Bay to Tonsuya Bridge Bangulasi, Tañong, Longos) to Sector 5 (Tullahan Bridge to NLEX Potrero, Marulas, Gen. T. de Leon).

Sampulna underscored the importance of dredging these areas to improve the quality of water draining into Manila Bay. Jonathan L. Mayuga

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, March 25, 2022

Power plant in Sarangani boosts Alsons net income

A

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

lsons Consolidated Resources Inc. (ACR), the publicly-listed company of the Alcantara Group, reported a 24-percent jump in its net income to P405 million last year from P325 million in 2020.

ACR’s 210 megawatt (MW) Sarangani Energy Corp.’s (SEC) baseload power plant continued to be the key revenue and income driver for the company. ACR’s revenues grew by 6 percent last year to P10.05 billion from P9.47 billion in the prior year. SEC currently provides power to key areas in Mindanao including Sarangani Province, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, and Iligan.

ACR, which is Mindanao’s first private-sector power generator, has a portfolio of four power facilities with an aggregate capacity of 468 megawatts (MW) serving over 8 million people in 14 cities and 11 provinces in the country’s second largest island.

In the long-term, ACR is set to focus on renewables with the company’s first renewable energy facility--a P4.5-billion 14.5 MW hydroelectric power plant currently under construction at the Siguil River basin in Sarangani Province.The Siguil Hydro Power plant will be the first of eight

hydropower facilities that ACR plans to develop.

The company recently received an issuer credit rating upgrade from the Philippine Rating Services Corp.

(PhilRatings) to PRS Aa minus (corp.) from PRS A plus (corp). The rating upgrade was made in relation to ACR’s issuance of up to P3 billion in commercial papers (CPs).

Among the factors cited by PhilRatings for the upgrade were: ACR’s “planned expansion projects which will further diversify its generation mix”; “the Company’s ability to establish joint ventures with strong partners for particular projects”; and ACR’s “strong profitability despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”

ACR listed last year its first tranche of CPs worth P1.4 billion on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. while the second tranche worth P600 million was listed in November last year. Proceeds are meant to mainly pay off the company’s shortterm obligations.

ERC announces green energy auction prices

T

he Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has released the preliminary Green Energy Auction Reserve (GEAR) prices for the upcoming Green Energy Auction for Renewable Energy.

The preliminary GEAR price for solar is P3.6248 per kilowatt hour (kWh), P5.2887 per kWh for wind, P5.5480 per kWh for biomass, and P5.8705 per kWh for run-of-river hydro.

T he Department of Energ y (DOE), which earlier promulgated the guidelines governing the policy for the conduct of the auction, defines GEAR price as the maximum price offers on a pesoper-k i lowatt-hour (PhP/ kW h) basis. It shall operate as the cap for the auction conducted for the period during which such tariffs are in effect.

The said rates would still be discussed with industry stakeholders during a public consultation on April 1. “All interested parties are required to submit their comments…on or before March 30,” the ERC notice, which was signed by chairperson Agnes VST Devanadera last March 23, read.

In January this year, the DOE issued bid invites for the bidding of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy supply.

The DOE said 1,400MW will be

auctioned off in Luzon, 400MW in Visayas and 200MW in Mindanao.

The agency has set an installation target of 900MW of solar in Luzon, 260MW in Visayas, and 100MW in Mindanao.

For wind, the target is set at 360MW for Luzon and 20MW for Visayas.

For hydro, the installation target for Luzon is 80W and 50MW for Mindanao.

The installation target for biomass, meanwhile, is set at 60MW for Luzon, 120MW for Visayas, and 50MW for Mindanao.

Department Circular No. 202111-0036 provides for the revised guidelines for the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP), which refers to the competitive process of procuring renewable energy supply.

It will be conducted for new and existing RE capacities duly registered with the DOE, provided the facilities have no purchase power agreement with distribution utilities at the time of the agreed delivery date.

The GEAP is a new market development support program introduced by the DOE to promote RE as one of the country’s primary sources of energy through the transparent and competitive selection of RE facilities.

This supports the government’s goal of attaining energy security through the entry of new capacities in the grid.

T he GE A P likew ise assists the mandated participants of the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) in complying with their prescribed minimum RPS requirements.

The implementation of GEAP is seen to encourage greater private sector participation in the generation sector through RE. With GEAP, the country’s renewable energy program will be met particularly in targeting attainment of 35 percent RE share in the generation mix by 2030. Lenie Lectura

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 24, 2022

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

64,830 208,399,622 117,673,158 1,984,845 1,243,407 310,183,516.50 1,972,070 440,080 326,030 25,661,040 2,208,583.50 339,960 302,400 208,750 291,720

89,884,958 29,981,274.50 747,665 -210,070 -127,410,721 -85,360 77,710 2,099,212 975,675 -99,850 4,000 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.15 8.16 8.05 8.23 8.03 8.15 27,349,500 222,149,513 ALSONS CONS 1.03 1.06 1.03 1.1 1.03 1.09 366,000 392,940 35.35 35.45 35.4 35.5 35.05 35.45 2,520,500 89,153,620 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.43 0.435 0.445 0.445 0.425 0.43 1,950,000 842,550 FIRST GEN 24.85 25.35 25.7 25.7 24.6 24.85 396,800 9,873,025 69.6 69.9 69.95 69.95 69.9 69.9 2,640 184,578.50 FIRST PHIL HLDG JOLLIVILLE HLDG 4.3 5.47 5.01 5.01 5 5 3,300 16,517 378.6 379 373.8 379.8 373 379 354,140 133,798,330 MERALCO 20.45 20.55 20.05 21 20.05 20.55 623,100 12,783,455 MANILA WATER PETRON 3.35 3.36 3.3 3.36 3.3 3.36 824,000 2,740,910 4.81 4.99 4.92 4.99 4.92 4.94 15,000 74,090 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 10.34 10.52 10.66 10.66 10.66 10.66 300 3,198 SYNERGY GRID 12.12 12.2 11.92 12.24 11.88 12.2 2,740,100 33,170,684 17.96 17.98 17.9 18 17.9 17.98 126,800 2,278,566 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 14.28 14.38 14.38 14.38 14.12 14.38 103,400 1,468,462 SOLAR PH 1.96 1.97 1.94 1.97 1.88 1.97 53,155,000 102,791,580 14.1 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 16.3 100 1,630 VIVANT AGRINURTURE 5.09 5.22 5.22 5.34 5 5.22 2,387,900 12,571,482 2.49 2.5 2.5 2.56 2.49 2.5 122,000 305,900 AXELUM 21.8 21.85 21.55 21.8 21.25 21.8 897,600 19,443,850 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 14.12 14.2 14.16 14.26 14.06 14.12 54,400 766,976 7.66 7.74 7.39 7.76 7.39 7.66 2,256,700 17,104,706 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 14.62 14.68 14.82 14.82 14.5 14.62 2,887,200 42,311,376 SMC FOODANDBEV 62.85 63 62.25 64.25 62.25 63 64,990 4,096,520 0.63 0.64 0.59 0.65 0.57 0.64 24,862,000 15,615,300 FIGARO COFFEE ALLIANCE SELECT 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.6 7,000 4,080 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.11 1.12 465,000 520,280 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 108.1 109 111.9 111.9 108 109 9,650 1,046,647 JOLLIBEE 212.8 213 211 213.6 210.4 213 1,054,910 224,354,968 1.19 1.2 1.2 1.21 1.18 1.2 1,488,000 1,782,100 KEEPERS HLDG 21.2 25 24.95 25 24.95 25 1,500 37,460 LIBERTY FLOUR MAXS GROUP 6.03 6.1 6.02 6.1 6.02 6.1 74,600 449,926 0.137 0.147 0.147 0.147 0.147 0.147 10,000 1,470 MG HLDG MONDE NISSIN 13.5 13.6 13.5 13.68 13.42 13.5 7,843,300 106,087,534 SHAKEYS PIZZA 7.77 7.79 7.8 7.8 7.76 7.79 591,100 4,602,658 0.59 0.6 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.6 119,000 70,400 ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP 4.31 4.54 4.31 4.31 4.31 4.31 1,000 4,310 1.3 1.4 1.33 1.42 1.33 1.42 16,000 21,460 ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS 0.098 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 20,000 2,000 UNIV ROBINA 112.9 113 109.2 112.9 108.5 112.9 2,062,710 230,894,919 0.61 0.63 0.61 0.63 0.61 0.63 246,000 150,380 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.42 2.45 2.45 2.45 2.45 2.45 5,000 12,250 CONCRETE B 46.35 51 50 59.8 50 51 100,330 5,996,320 0.89 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.88 0.89 648,000 577,090 CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT 12.96 13.54 12.82 13.6 12.82 13.6 62,900 840,136 EEI CORP 5.46 5.87 5.5 5.87 5.45 5.87 10,600 57,932 5.55 5.7 5.55 5.7 5.5 5.55 47,700 266,389 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 5.1 5.11 5.1 5.11 5.1 5.11 64,700 330,099 19.2 19.3 19.02 19.5 19.02 19.5 7,900 152,602 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.76 0.79 0.78 0.8 0.75 0.8 987,000 749,560 VULCAN INDL 1.06 1.07 1.04 1.08 1.04 1.06 1,608,000 1,695,280 1.8 1.85 1.82 1.88 1.82 1.88 431,000 792,930 CROWN ASIA EUROMED 1.15 1.19 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.17 10,000 11,700 PRYCE CORP 5.51 5.8 5.51 5.8 5.51 5.8 4,400 25,380 1.74 1.75 1.79 1.8 1.72 1.75 1,444,000 2,528,270 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 8.04 8.08 8.2 8.2 8.04 8.08 213,100 1,726,945 PANASONIC 6.19 6.2 6.19 6.19 6.19 6.19 10,000 61,900 1.03 1.04 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 32,000 32,960 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 3.1 3.18 3.21 3.21 3.06 3.18 427,000 1,346,050

56,587,945 11,287,115 -34,750 -4,389,715 6,990 23,395,460 5,788,130 -2,656,916 68,374 283,900 82,050 234,176 -220,050 -6,762,015 5,769,460 -18,104,964 341,877 286,630 -381,453 -38,402,078 -1,179,600 -12,040 -22,041,332 -4,495,146 17,400 -46,656,085 12,250 -123,990 -25,215 22,500 1,820 7,750 -293,068 15,800

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS

43.7 129.9 98.6 26.6 8.38 52.95 18.92 55.1 20.3 108.3 91 2.01 3.88 199.8 2,650

1 813 57.8 12.82 8.55 0.91 0.61 0.62 4.98 9.05 6.75 0.205 505 57.5 0.54 2.93 9.12 3.78 1.6 0.92 877 109 2.41 115.6 0.27

44.8 130.3 99 26.7 8.4 53.6 18.96 57.2 20.8 109.9 91.5 2.05 3.9 200 2,750

1.01 819 58 13 9 0.92 0.62 0.64 5 9.06 7.19 0.275 514 59 0.58 2.98 9.14 3.79 1.61 0.95 885 110 2.79 119.8 0.275

43.15 130.3 98.9 26.5 8.33 53.85 19 55.5 20.35 110 87.5 1.95 3.9 205 2,652

0.94 790 57.95 12.8 9 0.9 0.63 0.66 4.97 9.08 7 0.205 507 56.8 0.53 2.93 9.1 3.75 1.61 0.96 866.5 107.8 2.41 115.3 0.275

43.5 130.3 99.4 27 8.5 54.25 19.02 55.5 20.45 110 91.5 2.05 3.9 205 2,652

1.03 819 58.15 13 9 0.91 0.64 0.66 5.25 9.14 7.2 0.205 522 59 0.59 2.98 9.2 3.81 1.68 0.96 885 110 2.41 119.8 0.275

43.15 128.2 98.35 26.4 8.33 52.95 18.92 55 20.35 108 85.1 1.95 3.85 200 2,652

0.94 789 57 12.74 8.55 0.88 0.61 0.63 4.93 8.96 6.75 0.205 501 56.8 0.53 2.93 9.1 3.69 1.61 0.92 861 107.7 2.41 115.3 0.27

43.5 130 99 26.7 8.38 52.95 18.92 55 20.35 109.9 91.5 2.05 3.9 200 2,652

1.01 819 58 13 8.55 0.91 0.61 0.63 4.98 9.06 6.75 0.205 505 59 0.59 2.98 9.12 3.79 1.61 0.95 885 110 2.41 119.8 0.275

1,500 1,605,920 1,188,020 74,600 148,000 5,769,070 104,100 8,000 16,000 233,770 25,010 170,000 78,000 1,040 110

24,940,000 222,730 753,350 2,243,600 35,700 497,000 7,417,000 154,000 796,000 11,701,500 31,800 20,000 281,960 1,355,150 63,000 10,000 5,896,700 14,272,000 342,000 14,000 791,410 590,650 1,000 110 160,000

24,405,090 180,269,110 43,692,263 28,838,356 312,780 447,840 4,640,930 98,040 4,028,020 105,954,844 219,383 4,100 143,194,815 79,247,316.50 33,620 29,550 53,779,381 54,030,170 558,740 13,350 692,310,675 64,490,785 2,410 13,133 43,950

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.56 0.59 0.59 0.59 0.56 0.59 141,000 82,890 AYALA LAND 35.75 36 35.45 36 35.15 36 6,665,500 238,663,525 4.84 4.86 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.86 246,000 1,191,380 AYALA LAND LOG AREIT RT 45.3 45.65 45 45.8 44.85 45.3 436,800 19,744,320 A BROWN 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.91 0.92 1,020,000 935,630 0.7 0.71 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 63,000 44,100 CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES 0.089 0.09 0.094 0.097 0.089 0.09 2,690,000 240,850 2.96 2.97 2.98 3.01 2.95 2.97 1,753,000 5,231,640 CEB LANDMASTERS 0.4 0.41 0.4 0.41 0.4 0.41 120,000 49,000 CENTURY PROP CITICORE RT 2.61 2.63 2.66 2.67 2.61 2.61 5,101,000 13,428,850 8.97 9 9.1 9.14 9 9 121,000 1,095,041 DOUBLEDRAGON DDMP RT 1.58 1.59 1.58 1.6 1.57 1.58 2,302,000 3,633,730 DM WENCESLAO 6.85 6.89 6.9 6.9 6.89 6.89 23,300 160,650 0.236 0.24 0.24 0.24 0.236 0.24 130,000 30,880 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.275 0.285 0.26 0.28 0.26 0.28 9,200,000 2,521,900 FILINVEST RT 7.15 7.16 7.12 7.16 7.1 7.15 3,123,600 22,286,352 1.04 1.06 1.05 1.06 1.04 1.04 3,021,000 3,161,110 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.87 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.87 0.87 86,000 74,880 13.36 13.84 13.86 13.88 13.4 13.84 24,700 339,850 8990 HLDG 678 678.5 675 680 644.5 678 160 106,755 GOLDEN MV PHIL INFRADEV 0.94 0.97 0.94 0.94 0.93 0.94 51,000 47,450 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 2,000 1,640 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 3.05 3.1 3.05 3.1 3.05 3.1 2,757,000 8,513,340 MRC ALLIED 0.25 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.25 0.25 1,040,000 261,650 18.5 18.8 19 19.2 18.5 18.5 637,300 11,894,768 MREIT RT OMICO CORP 0.34 0.35 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 10,000 3,400 0.4 0.415 0.415 0.415 0.4 0.4 570,000 230,200 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 2.63 2.66 2.75 2.79 2.62 2.66 2,721,000 7,239,000 RL COMM RT 7.35 7.36 7.4 7.4 7.29 7.36 2,320,400 17,040,664 20 20.05 20 20 19.68 20 2,149,700 42,812,998 ROBINSONS LAND 1.36 1.4 1.49 1.49 1.47 1.47 15,000 22,220 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 2.55 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 16,000 41,600 2.65 2.72 2.68 2.74 2.53 2.65 1,203,000 3,167,040 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 37.75 37.95 38.75 38.75 37.35 37.95 11,336,100 431,229,375 VISTAMALLS 3.19 3.31 3.18 3.18 3.18 3.18 7,000 22,260 1 1.05 1 1.05 1 1.05 9,000 9,050 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 2.59 2.63 2.6 2.64 2.57 2.59 5,460,000 14,234,030

SERVICES ABS CBN 12.54 12.9 12.76 12.96 12.52 12.6 26,000 328,718 GMA NETWORK 15.76 15.78 15.5 15.8 15.5 15.78 1,639,700 25,756,348 0.365 0.4 0.4 0.425 0.38 0.4 1,030,000 405,200 MANILA BULLETIN MLA BRDCASTING 7.53 8 9 9 9 9 700 6,300 GLOBE TELECOM 2,554 2,560 2,440 2,590 2,430 2,560 75,300 190,448,020 1,820 1,831 1,785 1,831 1,760 1,831 174,965 317,316,440 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.043 0.044 0.044 0.045 0.043 0.043 99,500,000 4,328,800 27.75 27.85 26.85 28.75 26.6 27.8 18,806,500 525,776,595 CONVERGE 2.43 2.47 2.49 2.49 2.37 2.47 324,000 785,280 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 5.24 5.25 5.35 5.36 5.18 5.24 14,694,000 77,469,986 1.25 1.28 1.24 1.28 1.21 1.28 3,193,000 3,996,530 NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.335 0.34 0.355 0.355 0.335 0.335 5,400,000 1,835,400 CHELSEA 1.56 1.57 1.49 1.57 1.49 1.57 119,000 186,190 44 44.4 44.5 44.5 43.7 44.4 157,100 6,919,265 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 221 222 223.6 223.6 220.6 222 1,275,280 282,830,536 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.91 0.92 0.91 0.91 0.91 0.91 40,000 36,400 5.21 5.22 5.4 5.4 5.2 5.22 347,500 1,817,486 MACROASIA METROALLIANCE A 0.98 1.02 0.97 1.02 0.97 1.02 4,000 3,930 0.74 0.78 0.72 0.74 0.72 0.74 102,000 74,620 HARBOR STAR WATERFRONT 0.43 0.45 0.43 0.43 0.425 0.43 130,000 55,850 STI HLDG 0.34 0.355 0.355 0.355 0.355 0.355 100,000 35,500 1.31 1.33 1.33 1.35 1.29 1.33 363,000 484,150 BELLE CORP BLOOMBERRY 6.22 6.25 6.43 6.5 6.15 6.22 23,621,800 147,373,172 LEISURE AND RES 1.29 1.3 1.34 1.34 1.29 1.3 928,000 1,206,370 1.02 1.03 1.06 1.07 1.02 1.02 3,534,000 3,648,740 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.44 0.445 0.44 0.445 0.44 0.445 660,000 290,600 5.1 5.49 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 21,000 107,100 PHIL RACING PHILWEB 2.12 2.14 2.14 2.14 2.14 2.14 5,000 10,700 ALLDAY 0.47 0.475 0.475 0.48 0.465 0.475 18,900,000 8,951,300 7.4 7.53 7.5 7.54 7.4 7.4 235,000 1,741,110 ALLHOME 1.38 1.41 1.41 1.41 1.38 1.41 29,000 40,420 METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 32.5 32.55 32.5 32.7 32.4 32.55 1,912,600 62,227,970 54.4 54.45 55.5 55.5 54.25 54.45 417,130 22,770,740 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 65.05 65.95 63.55 66 63 65.05 10,230 673,170.50 SSI GROUP 1.05 1.06 1.05 1.06 1.05 1.06 169,000 177,590 26.1 26.2 26.1 26.2 26 26.2 648,200 16,963,615 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.227 0.24 0.227 0.228 0.227 0.227 1,000,000 227,100 6.6 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 1,500 10,050 IPM HLDG MEDILINES 0.86 0.88 0.84 0.89 0.84 0.86 684,000 588,000 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.55 0.56 0.56 0.57 0.55 0.56 2,235,000 1,243,850

MINING & OIL ATOK 5.68 5.7 5.94 5.94 5.65 5.89 12,700 72,263 1.63 1.64 1.6 1.65 1.55 1.64 6,900,000 11,090,740 APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 7.02 7.08 6.8 7.08 6.8 7.08 832,800 5,775,200 BENGUET A 6.18 6.24 6.25 6.25 6.25 6.25 1,400 8,750 5.85 6.3 6.29 6.29 6.29 6.29 5,000 31,450 BENGUET B COAL ASIA HLDG 0.26 0.27 0.255 0.26 0.255 0.26 180,000 46,550 2.7 2.75 2.61 2.75 2.58 2.75 230,000 599,440 CENTURY PEAK 4.33 5.11 4.3 5.11 4.3 5.11 1,200 5,322 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 2.92 2.93 2.85 2.93 2.83 2.92 10,192,000 29,469,010 0.187 0.199 0.187 0.187 0.187 0.187 1,000,000 187,000 GEOGRACE LEPANTO A 0.154 0.158 0.157 0.16 0.152 0.158 18,630,000 2,901,970 LEPANTO B 0.16 0.161 0.16 0.16 0.158 0.16 420,000 67,110 0.01 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.011 25,200,000 277,700 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 16,000,000 176,000 MARCVENTURES 1.89 1.9 1.8 1.89 1.79 1.89 6,682,000 12,284,620 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.15 0.97 1.02 483,000 493,710 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 8.21 8.23 7.75 8.27 7.72 8.23 14,560,900 116,423,628 1.03 1.04 1.03 1.07 1.03 1.04 1,368,000 1,432,920 ORNTL PENINSULA PX MINING 5.74 5.75 5.7 5.79 5.61 5.75 1,090,800 6,245,781 SEMIRARA MINING 31.9 31.95 31.3 32.1 31.3 31.9 3,743,800 119,520,515 0.0064 0.0066 0.0065 0.0066 0.0065 0.0066 4,000,000 26,200 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 16.1 16.14 17.3 17.3 15.6 16.1 767,300 12,478,362 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.011 2,200,000 25,400 0.0094 0.0095 0.0094 0.0095 0.0094 0.0095 8,000,000 75,400 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 5.69 5.7 5.7 5.7 5.58 5.7 133,900 756,935

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 99.5 101 101 101 101 101 480 48,480 HOUSE PREF A 99.9 100.9 100 100 99.8 99.8 10,000 998,200 501 502 502 502 502 502 900 451,800 AC PREF B2R BRN PREF A 102.6 105 105 105 105 105 850 89,250 CEB PREF 43.6 44 43.55 43.6 43.55 43.6 500 21,785 101 103 103 103 103 103 40 4,120 CPG PREF A DD PREF 100.5 101 100.5 100.5 100.5 100.5 20 2,010 106.2 109.7 109.9 109.9 109.9 109.9 900 98,910 EEI PREF B 99.6 100.2 100.1 100.1 100.1 100.1 80 8,008 MWIDE PREF 4 PNX PREF 3B 100 102.1 100.3 102.2 100.3 102.2 220 22,256 979 980 980 980 970 980 230 224,480 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3B 1,082 1,100 1,082 1,082 1,082 1,082 70 75,740 SMC PREF 2F 76.25 78 78 78 78 78 820,000 63,960,000 75.8 76.25 76.25 76.25 76.25 76.25 100 7,625 SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I 76.25 78.25 78.25 78.45 78.25 78.25 20,010 1,565,784.50 SMC PREF 2J 76.25 76.8 76.25 76.25 76.25 76.25 2,500 190,625 74.1 76 76 76 76 76 850,000 64,600,000 SMC PREF 2K TECH PREF B2D 54 54.95 54.95 54.95 54.95 54.95 1,010 55,499.50

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 11.7 12.2 12.18 12.2 11.6 11.6 6,600 79,544 GMA HLDG PDR 15 15.08 14.68 15 14.64 15 148,500 2,215,432

WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.61 0.64 0.63 0.64 0.63 0.64 32,000 20,220

18,766,160 65,868,400 10,695,641 8,140,994 280,680 652,150 -2,328,387 23,619 -75,969,020 34,979,183.50 -20,101,301 6,779,340 -182,599,255 4,101,323 22,399,460 -184,000 481,480 10,500 29,860 -3,780 21,520 0 1,478,500 -3,185,182 692,290 53,496 1,182,920 -1,382,674.00 513,336 -7,439,136 -392,930 -4,481,320 2,648,970 112,663,495 21,700 72,479,825 238,080 450,531 46,600 40,200 -3,120 1,338,115 60,169,060 -7,274 21,300 -4,040 -42,473,486 4,090 8,900 -56,650 -192,595 -34,416,530 -4,782,423.50 -620,150 8,400 -6,276,740 52,200 29,130 86,880 550,497 366,090 -2,772,740 18,700 1,600 755,290 39,444,382 60,196 7,635,555 -61,312 127,430

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP HAUS TALK ITALPINAS MERRYMART XURPAS

16.46 1.15 0.91 1.86 0.33

16.7 1.16 0.92 1.87 0.34

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF

107.5

108

16.18 1.11 0.91 1.86 0.32

16.5 1.17 0.92 1.89 0.355

16.16 1.11 0.91 1.86 0.31

16.5 1.16 0.92 1.87 0.34

9,000 3,801,000 53,000 653,000 2,380,000

145,570 4,354,600 48,310 1,225,190 797,300

87,920 58,800 -19,778 --54,410 41,300 -

107.1 108 107.1 108 3,780 407,474 192,903

Banking&Finance www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, March 25, 2022

B3

BSP tells Russian tourists: Bring China-backed cards

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

R

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

USSIANS can use other foreign currencies or a China-specific card when paying for their vacation bookings and other purchases in the Philippines.

“We understand that Russian tourists in other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia are experiencing the same predicament [i.e., unable to access funds from their home banks],” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Gov. Chuchi G. Fonacier told the BusinessMirror in an email.

“Since Visa [Inc.] and Mastercard [Inc.] blocked certain Russian financial institutions from their network, Russian tourists will have to pay in cash or use other credit cards that have not imposed sanctions on Russia,” Fonacier explained. “We also urge Russian tourists to reach out to and inquire with their banks on how to have continued access to financial services.”

A financial expert who requested anonymity said that if the Russian tourists have cash in foreign currencies “they can covert these through

money changers.”

Aside from US dollars or euros, the expert suggested “yen or Aussie dollars.”

Visa and Mastercard have no longer been processing transactions of its cards issued in Russia, in keeping with US-led financial sanctions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bankers’ views

PHILIPPINE National Bank President Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso explained if Russian tourists try to withdraw money from their banks through local currencies, “they will be rejected; whether online or ATM transaction.”

“Mastercard and Visa switched off last March 10,” Veloso added. “Thus, whether debit or credit card, Visa and Mastercard, no way it [transaction] will be processed.”

He suggested these tourists secure

a “China Union pay card” so they can pay for their purchases here.

Recently, BDO issued an advisory to its merchant partners saying, “Effective March 10, 2022 the International Card Brands have suspended and blocked transactions of Russian member banks. This is in compliance to the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions.”

The bank warned: “Unsettled transactions of card payments from sanctioned Russian member countries will not be settled by the Brands effective March 17, 2022. Please ensure immediate settlement of your transactions before aforementioned date.”

Data provided by the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed from February 10 to March 22, there were 238 Russian tourists who arrived in the country. The bulk, at 178, arrived in the period between March 1 and 22.

In 2019, prior to the pandemic, arrivals from Russia grew by 20.5 percent to 36,111.

The government ordered the reopening of the country’s borders to fully-vaccinated leisure travelers from visa-free countries on February 10.

Opportunity market

DOT OIC-Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination and Resource Generation Christopher V. Morales said, so far, “there are no

feedback from our regional offices yet” regarding payment issues involving Russian tourists.

According to Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Chairman Margarita F. Munsayac, their members “have no Russian guests affected with the announcement of banks and credit cards blocking payments for purchases and transactions with Russian banks.”

Ging Salme, manager of Jony’s Beach Resort in Boracay, which had hosted Russian tourists prior to the pandemic, noted that, “Russians usually book their stays with Booking.com and they pay at the hotel using their credit cards.”

“But some bring US dollars and exchange these [for Philippine currency] at the money changer,” Salme said.

She added if the Russian visitors book their hotel stay via Agoda, “[The hotels] are fully paid prior to their arrival.”

Russia is considered an opportunity market by the DOT. It was targeted for special marketing programs as per the agency’s National Tourism Development Plan of 2016-2022. Most Russian tourists in the Philippines are interested in diving, shopping and entertainment, studying English as a second language, honeymoon vacations, beach relaxation and nature and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions).

What’s keeping you up at night?

T

HIS was the question I wanted to ask association leaders but haven’t had the chance to do until recently when it was answered in a webinar I attended.

The webinar, presented by Perthbased futurist Gihan Perera, was entitled “The Top Four Business Challenges for 2022.” This was largely based on the 2022 “Keeping Us Up at Night” survey that KPMG conducted to highlight key issues Australia’s business leaders face. I thought associations could learn a thing or two from these developments.

While the KPMG report lists and ranks more than ten issues and Gihan focused on four of them, I will cover three that resonates with associations, as follows: 1. Digital transformation and optimization. This No. 1 issue in 2020 has remained the top concern in 2022, but with a change. Two years ago, the digital transformation focus was on implementation: enabling the IT group to generate new productivity gains and bring about workplace flexibility. This time, the risk associated with digital transformation has moved to another level as many organizations were forced to adopt new technologies and ways of working to navigate the pandemic. Hence, the focus now is more about optimizing outcomes and extracting organizational value.

Gihan mentioned six levels of digital transformation, starting from the bottom: a. Atoms, e.g., physical assets like computers, scanners, office machines; b. Bits, e.g. website, search engine, digital photos, video games; c. Cloud, i.e., software and services that run on the internet instead on computers; d. Open, i.e., tools, code, knowledge and standards (machine-readable assets, not just documents); e. AI, i.e., ability of a computer or a robot controlled by a computer to do tasks that are usually done by humans; and, f. Platform, e.g. social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn; knowledge platforms like Quora and Yahoo!; media-sharing platforms like YouTube, Spotify and Vimeo; and, service-oriented platforms

Association World Octavio Peralta like Uber and Airbnb.

Many associations have embarked on their own digital transformation journeys. No matter where an association is in this digital landscape depends on the nature, talent and capacity of the organization.

2. Talent acquisition, retention and re/upskilling. Talent and digital transformation are interconnected in the sense that the need for re/upskilling to meet a more digitized future is one of the cornerstones of the concern over talent.

Climate change, AI, space exploration, renewable energy and circular economy are some of the sectors that demand a highly skilled, highly motivated workforce. In addition to the immediate work to ensure that workers retain the flexibility which contributes to their desire to work for an employer, the need for re training and re skilling will become the focus of business (and association) leaders. Capturing the best and brightest from these new cohorts of workers will be one of their top challenges.

3. Designing and implementing an ESG strategy. ESG is a methodology to measure the sustainability of a business or an investment in three specific key areas: environmental, social and governance.

These three non-financial metrics have come to the fore again during this pandemic as people around the world have focused on the threat of an ever-warming planet. Associations and membership organizations have contributed one way or the other in embedding ESG within their structures and those of their members.

Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of the Global Compact Network Philippines and founder and volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives, the “association of associations.” E-mail: bobby@ pcaae.org

SUN LIFE’S SEA EXPANSION Sun Life Financial Inc. is nearing an agreement to expand

its partnership in Indonesia with Malaysian lender CIMB Group Holdings Bhd., according to people with knowledge of the matter. CIMB, which owns a 91.5-percent stake in Indonesia’s PT Bank CIMB Niaga, is in advanced talks with Sun Life over the so-called bancassurance deal in the Southeast Asian country, the people said. Under such an agreement, an insurer typically pays an upfront amount to sell its products in the bank’s branches. A pact could be valued at about $400 million, said the people, who asked not to be identified as the process is private. Bloomberg News

Increase sin taxes to offset losses from fuel-levy cuts

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

A

deputy speaker on Thursday asked Congress to increase sin taxes to offset losses from reducing excise taxes on fuel.

This was suggested by House Deputy Speaker Bienvenido M. Abante Jr., who proposed raising the excise taxes on tobacco and alcoholic beverages—commonly referred to as “sin” taxes—to offset the losses from reducing the excise taxes on fuel.

“We can also consider adding taxes on healthy sweetened beverages to raise even more revenue,” Abante added.

The lawmaker said that “there is going to be a domino effect if fuel prices continue to soar, transportation costs will increase, which will add to the costs of goods and services.”

“It is also inevitable to ask for extra public utility vehicles’ fare, forcing ordinary workers to spend more out of their budget for transportation,” Abante said.

Abante cited data from the Department of Finance (DOF) to show the potential of sin taxes offseting the possible losses that could be incurred from suspending or reducing excise taxes on fuel.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, Abante said sin tax collections from cigarettes and alcoholic beverages rose from P224.6 billion in 2019 to P227.6 billion in 2020, which exceeded the DOF’s P201.5-billion target.

He said that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, National Economic and Develop-

ment Authority Director General Karl Kendrick T. Chua also revealed that the government could raise around P332.3 billion from taxes on ‘sin’ products—redefined to include sweetened beverages—as these would also cover electronic cigarettes such as heated tobacco products, vapor (vaping) products, as well as additional increases in the excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products.

Abante cited the DOF stance that suspending fuel excise taxes could lead to revenue losses amounting to P105.9 billion.

“I agree that these funds are needed for vital government programs,” he said. “But if we just reduce the fuel excise taxes to cushion rising oil prices, then collect additional taxes from sin products, our people will be spared from the hardship caused by these weekly rising gas prices.”

With their power of taxation and despite reservation from the government’s economic team, the Fuel Crisis Ad Hoc Committee has already recommended to the leadership of the House of Representatives to approve House Bill 10488 reducing excise tax on fuel products.

The bill aims to reduce excise taxes on diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas to zero.

Under the bill, excise taxes on lowoctane gasoline, used primarily by tricycle drivers, will also be reduced to P4.35 from the current P7, while taxes on premium gasoline will be retained at P10.

This proposal will cost the government around P45 billion.

B4

Friday, March 25, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

Relationships BusinessMirror

Finally, a sporty distraction

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Jenny Slate, 40; Sarah Jessica Parker, 57; Marcia Cross, 60; Elton John, 75.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN BAKER ON UNSPLASH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Keep life simple, change what’s necessary, and concentrate on maintenance, fair play and your reputation. Don’t look on the dark side or dwell on the past when the future depends on you embracing life with an open mind. Reassess your options, and put your energy where it counts. Use your skills to turn what makes you happy into a fruitful endeavor. Your numbers are 4, 18, 25, 29, 33, 42, 47.

O

NE of the best news I’ve read just recently, amid my usual doom-scrolling on Twitter, is an announcement of the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament.

After two years of the pandemic, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, which counts among its members the premier establishments for higher learning in the Metropolis, will finally kick off with the much-awaited sports season on March 26.

Like many UAAP fans, I have been longing for the loud cheers, applause and, yes, heckling that accompany these exciting games. Although the first round of the men’s basketball matches—all to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena—will be closed to the public for now, you can bet fans at home will be raring to give their all-out support to their respective teams. And by the second round, hopefully we shall be able to safely watch the games.

As a proud alumna of De La Salle University, I am anxious how the Green Archers are shaping up. We are the season’s host so it’s vital that we make a good showing.

Derrick Pumaren, who gave us our championship wins in 1989 and 1990, has returned to coach our brave and talented team once more. (Thank you, Lord!) And what is Gilas Pilipinas’ loss is our university’s gain: Justine Baltazar is expected to give it his all in his last season to ensure the team grabs the top trophy.

Having had the opportunity to train and play for the national team, his moves on the court bear watching.

He will likely be pairing up with another graduating senior, Raven Cortez.

With Pumaren now back at the Archers’ helm, hopefully, Baltazar, Cortez and other key players like Nigerian Bright Nwankwo, Ben and Michael Phillips, Evan Nelle, Mark Nonoy, along with Deschon Winston and other mates, are well-conditioned for the thrilling challenge ahead.

I look forward as well to the women’s volleyball tourney, which starts at the end of May. I have yet to read up on the Lady Spikers’ members this year, but I am aware it is a fairly young team, which means lots of growth and development. Win or lose, they will get many fans’ hearts pumping.

Next to men’s basketball, women’s volleyball has always been an exhilarating sport to watch. So much power comes off even from the tiniest of female players, with a lot of heart-stopping blocks and spikes.

And with the matches coming after the intense national elections, the women’s volleyball competition

ARIES (March 21-April 19): A force play has more to offer than you realize. Avoiding the inevitable won’t help you get ahead. Take a chance and try something you’ve never done. Don’t fear change or give up on your dreams when a detour offers a vision. HH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Work toward your goal by yourself. Delve into research that reveals potential pitfalls that can hinder your progress. Don’t let a change someone makes disrupt you and your plans. Do whatever will help you master skills that encourage your success. HHHHH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Keep secrets to yourself. If you reveal too much information, it will taint your reputation. Put your energy into a physical outlet that results in fitness, discipline, and looking and feeling your best. Adjust your spending to reflect your income. HHH

patrons especially on weekends at a branch near my home), so I don’t think I would miss its food.

But the day after, Frankie’s immediately posted a statement taking responsibility for the crew’s discourtesy and apologizing for the incident.

After further investigation, the restaurant said on Wednesday the offending crew members would be dealt with in accordance to the brand’s Code of Conduct. Also, the branch involved would be closed for two days “to conduct a comprehensive Sensitivity and Core Values training...” So, kudos to Frankie’s management for their prompt action and for having made immediate amends to the offended diners.

I am hoping the crew members involved were not fired, but given a stern warning. After all, they need jobs, too, and may have people other than themselves to feed. Yes, they were insensitive and rude, so hopefully the training will do them well. (Ironically, the brand’s owner, I am told, is a Robredo supporter and was actually at the #PasigLaban rally. Yet I am sure, he appreciates all diners, no matter what direction their politics lean to.)

In other words, there is no need for Frankie’s to be “cancelled,” as some netizens have urged. The restaurant industry has been severely affected by the pandemic, and restaurants are only now starting to get back on their feet. If at all, this incident should teach all those concerned, as well as diners like us, that there should be no political colors when it comes to food or feeding the nation. n

will likely be a welcome respite for everyone who worked hard for their respective candidates.

So animo, all! Get ready for some heart-pumping action. nnn SPEAKING of the elections (we really can’t get away from it, can we?), there was an incident at the Crossroads BGC branch of restaurant Frankie’s New York Buffalo Wings last Sunday, which should serve as a lesson to employees and management of any company, as well as supporters of any political candidate. A complaint surfaced on social media about some crew members of Frankie’s making fun of supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo, who’s running for President. This was after the #PasigLaban rally, and those who attended it just wanted a hearty meal of chicken wings after standing for nine hours waiting for their candidate.

But as one eyewitness reported on Facebook, one staff shouted “BBM!”—Robredo’s main rival—as he passed by the VP supporters’ table, with the rest of the crew just laughing. The Robredo supporters, known for their pink attire, were understandably offended, and asked to speak to the manager. Some of the restaurant’s crew even joked around saying they didn’t want to clean up after the Robredo supporters had left.

When I read about the incident, my immediate reaction was, I’ve never eaten at any Frankie’s branch (though I’ve always observed they have long queues of

More anniversary treats from CEB THE month-long Super Seat Fest for the 26th anniversary of Cebu Pacific continues with a surprise as the Philippines’s leading airline brings back the first-of-its-kind and highly sought-after CEB Super Pass, which is ongoing until March 27.

As travel restrictions continue to ease following the decline of Covid cases across the country, the airline is gearing up to cater to everyone’s long-overdue travel plans.

For just P99 (one-way base fare), the CEB Super Pass gives passengers the flexibility, convenience and affordability

to revisit their favorite local destinations, or explore new places across the airline’s widest domestic network, whenever they like—from March 28, 2022, all the way until April 30, 2023.

Now on its third run, the CEB Super Pass allows travelers to purchase as many vouchers without having to commit to a specific date or destination just yet.

These vouchers may be redeemed for travel from 30 days to a week prior to the intended date of departure—this means that the passes can be purchased way in

advance which enables you to lock-in that low fare ahead—even before you have a fully laid-out itinerary of where and when you want to fly.

“Now that skies continue to clear, we are happy to bring back this innovative product once again as we see people easing into making their travel plans a reality. These flexible travel vouchers will allow friends and families to reconnect and rekindle the love for travel in a very affordable way,” says Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience.

Passengers who hold existing Travel Funds are also encouraged to use these to purchase the vouchers. Whether travelers plan to fly to their favorite beach destinations like Bohol, Boracay, or Cebu for the summer; or want to cozy up with their loved ones in the provinces of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Tacloban, or Zamboanga for the Christmas season, holders of these travel vouchers can enjoy flexible travel dates and destinations all year-round.

More information can be found at bit.ly/ CEBSuperPass.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Someone will pull you in a positive direction. Don’t let your emotions ruin what’s good for you. Move forward with enthusiasm, and let your imagination and creativity help you gain the recognition you deserve.

Follow the path that leads to success. HHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Pick up information quickly. Educate yourself to accommodate a position that offers room to grow in a direction that interests you. Take responsibility for your life, future and the changes necessary to reach your goal. Raise your profile using self-promotion. HHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Embrace change and run to the finish line. You stand to make progress if you use your intelligence, money and originality to gain momentum and draw attention to what you have to offer. Honest communication will deter someone from raining on your parade. HHHHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Evaluate contracts and shared expenses. Show interest in the contributions others make, and do whatever it takes to maintain equality and avoid potential disruption of your current lifestyle. A romantic gesture or promise will keep you in the game. HH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Take the path most inviting. Put your heart into something purposeful. Share your thoughts, and use intelligence and imagination to reach your target. A unique, fun way to promote and present your plans will be hard to resist. HHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep busy; idle time will give others the chance to try your patience. An emotional issue will be difficult to resolve if you don’t share the same belief system with someone you encounter. Be a good listener and observer, and avoid conflict. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Observe the opposition, and you’ll gain insight into how to handle the changes going on around you. A positive change at home will help eliminate a problem you have with the decisions others make. Don’t take a health or financial risk. HHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Embrace the positive aspect of a situation, and find an outlet that suits you. Act and follow through with your plans. Be responsible for the outcome and unapologetic for doing what’s right and best for you.

HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Put what you want in motion. It’s up to you to fulfill your dreams. Think big, but stick to a budget you can afford. Balance and integrity will help you reach the finish line knowing you made it on your own. HHHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are passionate, thorough and responsive.

You are appealing and tireless.

‘obscure musical acts’ BY CHASE DITTRICH AND JEFF CHEN The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Word before “easy” or “budget” 5 Test for purity 10 Greeting in Perth 14 Bit of cunning 15 Gaze 16 Irritate 17 Often-braised meat dish --> On the ___ (fleeing) + Actor in Big and Forrest Gump 19 The Last Dance channel 20 Abrasive powder 21 Unsaid yet understood 22 Martial arts star in Mulan 25 Graveyard sight --> Male cat + Sound quality 28 Anvil’s body part 29 ___ Vegas Raiders 31 Confident bettor’s words 32 Throngs 34 “Keep Austin ___” (Texas city’s slogan) 35 Really enjoying 36 Use a credit card 38 Washington-to-Idaho direction 42 Tantrum thrower

44 46 48 49 50

Olympic diver?

Be the go-between ___ Lingus Blasting letters Some pickup spots --> Mean dog + March 15, e.g.

52 Stopped sleeping 54 Usually Australian gems 55 In a fitting way 57 ___ golf (putt-putt) 58 Tribute groups, or a four-part hint to the starred clues’ answers 63 “Seriously?”

64 Madison Square Garden, for one 65 Hype up 66 Group of actors 67 Like fingers after eating wings 68 City that took in a wooden horse DOWN 1 Bird that flies silently 2 Traveling through 3 Shade tree 4 Fishing spool 5 Tennis legend Arthur 6 Begins 7 Japanese electronics giant

8 9 10 11 12 13 18 21 22 23 24 26 27 30 33 34 37 39 40 41 43 45 46 47 48 50

Where lions and zebras coexisted?

Positive response “I love that suggestion!”

Strobe spots Skiing type Fiddler on the Roof matchmaker Four laps on a track, say Road goo Luke Skywalker, e.g.

Merit Brisk pace Demeanor Chain of hills Birthplace of St. Francis Singer Exchange vows Responded, legally ___ clef (viola music symbol) Dirty dish’s destination French for “head” That guy’s Toothbrush brand Nyong’o of Us Neighbors of Pakistanis Trembling trees Ali Wong or Joan Rivers

51 53 56 58 59 60 61 62

Spots for icicles Earp of the Old West Aircraft carrier?

Video chat need, briefly 5-Across specimen Neither here ___ there Twosome Swine’s home

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, March 25, 2022

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ALDEN RICHARDS (left) and Bea Alonzo (right)

BEA, ALDEN LEAD SEARCH FOR NEW ‘SUPERBODS’ RYAN REYNOLDS (left) and Mark Ruffalo (right) in The Adam Project, which is now streaming on Netflix.

Time flies for ‘The Adam Project’

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OW would you feel seeing your 12-yearold tiny self when it should already be just memory?

Those questions have been explored in many time travel films in the past. In The Adam Project, those questions get to be explored more.

Such wonderment cannot just remain within the perspective of our protagonist, who is all grown-up and adult. To complete the inquiry, we could twist the curious lens and be amazed at how a scenario could bring a father to meet up close and personal the son he never saw grow up into his 20s or 30s. As to the other question, we could add a view of the little boy looking up at this handsome guy, all ripped muscles, and admiring not the person but the future that he will be.

When the boy grins and asks, “We got all the girls?” and “Did I get laid?”, there lies the newfound power, a tad cute perhaps, of time travel, the various related literature on sci-fi and that magic called Hollywood.

Again, that sentence is incomplete: The Adam Project is Hollywood at one of its entertaining best.

With due respect to the wondrous and eyecatching special effects of spaceships unseen unless they are activated by one’s genes, and to warriors who slash through the air as metallic beings—halfshadow and half-laboratory mutation—the most awesome, and I would insist on abusing that muchabused modifier, are the scenes where the young Adam and older Adam meet each other. Those scenes would further bring us to that encounter at the bar, where the older Adam sees his mother (just a lovely, lonely woman who does not recognize him) fondly sharing her experiences with the bartender about her son, who was this Adam who had gone back to a past. Adam inserts himself in the conversation even as he acutely looks at this young mother, insecure and loving him as a child. To find sentiment in that preposterously impossible event—after all, not everyone is into time travel—is the gift of this film.

There are more of these subtly moving encounters

between the past and the present beings of the characters that when the narrative goes back to the sci-fi action of the film, I am always caught half-wishing to return to the human aspect of this adventure. This sense or feeling, I attribute to how the plot is unfolding. In the film, the characters soon regain their fondness for each other, meaning the old self and the young self, the one in the other dimension and the one which we are witnessing now.

The scientific conflict about how one “evil” being has distorted the technologies of time travel does not matter anymore as we live in this dynamic fiction: memories are no more metaphors than life wishes come true. How would you want to be back in the past so that you could embrace a beloved that has passed on?

Providing magic to this film set in a dystopian 2050 is a cast of characters essayed by actors seemingly born to portray with such aplomb these personas. There are the villains, of course, led by Christine Keener who, as Maya Sorin, also has double moments. As the funder of the time travel technology, she looks to a future that she longs to lead. Keener plays herself simultaneously as the idealistic one by way of a “de-aging” technique and the person dark with ambition in the future. She is the one who runs after Adam Reed, the pilot who steals the time jet and manages to pass through time dimensions. Aiding Sorin is Christos, the Scarface of Dystopia, in the person of Alex Mallari Jr, a Filipino-Canadian.

As the wife of Adam, Zoe Saldaña is Laura Shane, also a time pilot. Stuck in 2018, she will play a great role in the last time jump of our characters.

Without being patronizing, I would want to call the other members of the cast, charming. And it is with them that the artifice of this film rises to pure magic.

We begin with Mark Ruffalo as Louis Reed, Adam’s father. He is the quantum physicist who wrote the algorithm, which is a requisite in manipulating time travel. As a man seen “alive” again, he stands for all the priceless value of time.

Jennifer Garner as Ellie Reed, Adam’s mother, is the fulcrum by which memories both sweet and bitter are balanced. Garner portrays her younger self in 2018, the enchanted time space where she is re-valued by her son, now mature beyond remembering because he is not supposed to be “here” yet.

For the two Adams, we need to equate two wonderful actors: Ryan Reynolds as Adam Reed and Walker Scobell as the young Adam Reed. Between these two are gems of remembrances that one has already and the other yet in the process of creating.

Having crash-landed in 2022, Adam/Reynolds meets Adam/Scobell and, in that brief time and space, there is mutual enlistment of each other’s skill—the young, asthmatic, bullied boy discovering for his older, mature edition the magnificent ephemera of childhood.

Ryan Reynolds, it seems, has cornered those characters filled with bravado, glowing imperfections and rakish appeal, which were perfected in another decade by Harrison Ford and, farther back, by Sean Connery.

Psychoanalysis, as when we return to childhood to make sense of our present anguish or unabated happiness, has never had this gracious field day.

Forget about physics. Be lost in time, with one hankie at least.

The Adam Project is directed by Shawn Levy from a screenplay written by Jonathan Tropper, T.S. Nowlin, Jennifer Flackett, and Mark Levin. It streams on Netflix. ■

THE summer season just got hotter this year, with registration now open for the year’s much-awaited fitness competition featuring two of the country’s biggest stars, Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards. With the powerful theme “Stay Strong to Love Strong,” this year’s Century Tuna Superbods 2022 (www.centurytuna.ph/superbods2022) promises to be a more inclusive competition that’s open to anyone who values health and fitness as a way to stay strong and care for the people they love.

“This year, we are making the application as easy as ever.

For the first time, we are opening the registration online so it’s more accessible for every Filipino who wants to share their health and fitness journey, and hopefully serve as an inspiration for others,” shared Carlo Endaya, Century Pacific Food vice president and general manager for tuna division.

Everybody can join regardless of age, height, and weight.

This opens the competition to any Century Tuna Superbod aspirant, from 18 to 60 years of age—they can be a parent, a student, an athlete, or anyone who leads a healthy lifestyle.

To register, interested applicants will need to upload a Superbods Audition Video. Entries can be submitted until April 17 on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube as a public post with the hashtags #SuperbodsAudition and #CenturyTunaSuperbods2022. More information about the mechanics can be found at bit.ly/3JGeAY8.

Two grand winners of this year’s Century Tuna Superbods will take home P500,000 tax-free. The two runners-up, on the other hand, will get P200,000 each, tax-free as well. All four winners will also get a year’s worth of Century Tuna products and other exciting prizes.

JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE, JESSICA VILLARUBIN, XIAN LIM HEADLINE GMA EXPO IN DUBAI AS the biggest global expo draws to an exciting close this month, GMA fans in Dubai will be treated to reinvigorating performances as the network’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV, will be holding a special concert on March 30 at Dubai Millennium Amphitheater, Dubai Expo Grounds. Doors open at 8 pm and show starts at 9 pm.

The musical extravaganza “Stronger Together: GMA Pinoy TV at Expo 2020 Dubai” will be headlined by Julie Anne San Jose, who sang GMA Pinoy TV’s latest station ID “Stronger Together” and popularized the Stronger Together TikTok dance challenge that has already hit more than 1 million views.

Joining this most-awaited comeback concert are The Clash Season 3 Grand Champion Jessica Villarubin and actor-filmmaker Xian Lim. This will mark Xian’s first GMA project abroad. Soon, he will star in GMA Pinoy TV’s upcoming series False Positive. Meanwhile, Jessica, who emerged as one of the promising vocal performers of GMA, will serenade thousands of concertgoers who are excited to hear OPM live once again. This is Jessica’s first international concert.

With the theme #StrongerTogether, the concert aims to share the message that Filipinos abroad, though separated by distance, can draw strength from each other and still unite in facing adversities in life.

This event is a highlight of GMA Pinoy TV’s “Stronger Together” campaign in the Middle East, and also supports the culmination of the Expo 2020 Dubai specifically for the

Filipino community in the UAE. The concert was made possible through the partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry.

The artists’ costumes will be sponsored by Filipino fashion designer Ryan Pacioles of Atelier Zuhra.

More information can be found at www.gmapinoytv. com.

Luis Manzano continues to be heard LUIS MANZANO has a lot of reasons to smile these days. His show I Can See Your Voice has returned on the air via A2Z and Kapamilya Channel, and is still rating like its previous seasons. People couldn’t get enough of the rib-tickling antics that he and his cohorts do every week, trying to help a celebrity contestant guess who among the studio participants are real singers or those pretending to be one.

He is also happily married to fellow celebrity Jessy Mendiola and based on their social-media accounts, both seem to enjoy their life as a couple.

About his happiness, I remember talking to Luis once in a TVC shoot and he said that while he doesn’t actively look for it, he is very appreciative of all the things in his life. Whether they’re big or small, he would like to think that everything around him contributes to his life outlook. That’s why as much as possible, he wants to remain positive about things.

Career-wise, Luis thinks he is already comfortable

with it. He told me once he’s not affected by talks about how a lot of younger personalities are coming out and that he might be clobbered. I know for a fact that he helps younger hosts and while he wouldn’t want to consider himself as their “mentor” and more of a “kuya,” he is only too happy to share knowledge to these up and coming personalities. “Bakit ba ako

matatakot masapawan. I think there’s enough space for all of us,” he shared.

This isn’t to suggest that he doesn’t take his career seriously. He loves his job and makes it a point to excel in it and protect his reputation. That is why he is very choosy with his endorsements and when Wilcon Home Depot approached him to be their ambassador for online shopping, he readily said yes as he knows Wilcon is a reputable company that offers top-notch products.

He is also very happy for the company’s continued expansion, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Recently, Wilcon Depot opened its 74th branch in Antipolo City (the third in the city of Antipolo). I attended the recent event and I was impressed with the store—boasting of 9,000 sqm that offers tiles, sanitaryware, plumbing, furniture, home interior, building materials, hardware, electricial, appliances and other DIY items.

Meanwhile, Spectrum, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Meralco that offers tailor-fit solutions for industrial, commercial and residential customers, has partnered with Wilcon Depot to support the latter’s push for sustainability. Spectrum was tapped

by Wilcon to install a total of 1,306.46 KW peak of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for its branches in Antipolo, General Trias, Cavite; Tayabas, Quezon; Jaro, Iloilo; and Makato, Aklan. The solar panels will have a combined annual generation of 1.7M KW hours of clean energy and are expected to reduce Wilcon’s carbon footprint by 1.222 tons annually. Wow, that’s like planting 2.5 million trees.

During the solar project launch held at their other Antipolo store in Brgy. San Isidro, Wilcon President and CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan said: “Wilcon Depots has partnered with Spectrum in support of our sustainability journey as they speak quality, character, and excellent service in each project.”

B6 Friday, March 25, 2022

Compounded meds provide modern solutions to women’s health concerns

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ANY Filipinas ignore health issues to focus on family or work. To help women look after their well-being and address any health concern, medical experts have developed modern solutions. One of these is compounded medicines, or medicines produced through the pharmaceutical process of compounding or customizing medicines based on a patient’s needs.

Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy (AIP), the pioneer specialty compounding pharmacy in the Philippines, is helping Filipinas look after themselves more easily and effectively through its wide range of compounding medicines and services.

Thyroid Issues

THYROID disorders continue to affect many Filipinas today. These oftenneglected disorders, which include goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules, affect more women than men, with incidence among women three times higher than for men.

Thyroid disorders and iodine deficiency are considered public health threats because when left untreated they can lead to more serious problems such as thyroid cancer, goiter, reproductive failure and even mental deficiency. Thyroid cancer, for one, is the most common cancer among women 15 to 24 years old, based on Department of Health (DoH) data.

Goiter, another common disorder in the Philippines, is linked to overproduction of thyroid hormones, called hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism can lead to a stroke, congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation if left untreated or undertreated.

AIP’s thyroid medications can address thyroid issues by stabilizing blood pressure, improving endocrine function and reducing hyperthyroid symptoms.

Hormonal Imbalance and Menopause

MANY Filipinas silently suffer from hormonal imbalance or do not realize they have it. Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS affects about 4.5 million Filipinas and is a major cause of infertility among women. Besides irregular cycle and weight gain, Filipinas with PCOS experience bloating, hyperpigmentation and baldness.

Meanwhile, the imbalance of hormones related to menopause creates harsh physical changes and can affect a woman’s mental health. During this stage, women

experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleeplessness, fatigue, memory loss and weight gain.

Women often turn to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat these symptoms. One form of HRT, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) or the process of replicating hormones using natural resources, supplements the body with the hormones it lacks. AIP’s BHRT replicates hormones such as liothyronine, levothyroxine, progesterone, melatonin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and pregnenolone.

Weight Management

OBESITY remains a major health issue among Filipinas as it can lead to other more serious concerns. The adult obesity increase rate in the country has been experiencing “very rapid growth,” according to the March 2021 report of the World Obesity Federation, with the growth rate among women between 1995 and 2015 at 3.7 percent. Obese women are at a high risk of developing diabetes, coronary artery disease, low back pain and knee osteoarthritis.

Compounded medicines are also used to treat obesity. AIP’s weight management services help patients lose weight easily by burning and breaking down fats within the liver to lower cholesterol, assisting the metabolism of fats and supporting the liver in excreting chemical waste products.

Skin Problems

ACNE, dry skin, hyperpigmentation and dark spots are just some of the common

skin problems that Filipinas face. Having sensitive skin is a major concern for many as it can also mean having to be very picky with skin care products to use.

Compounded dermatological preparations can cater to a patient’s hiyang and consider which ingredients might trigger allergies or negative reactions from a patient. These medicines can also be tailored to achieve the patient’s desired results.

AIP’s compounded dermatological preparations include tretinoin, vitamin C serum, glutathione and hair loss dermatology related products such as minoxidil, minoxidil with finasteride.

There are solutions to replace older skin with new skin and treat acne, whiteheads and blackheads, wrinkles, dark spots and rough skin.

AIP hopes to make a difference in Filipinas’ lives through its range of compounded medicines and services.

Among its 13,000 patients, 63 percent are female. AIP houses female doctors who specialize in gynecology, endocrinology and dermatology. It also has integrative and functional doctors.

“Everyone should have access to better healthcare,” said AIP Managing Director Sophia Lista. “We want to make it easier for our fellow Filipinas. Apotheca Integrative Pharmacy empowers women through better and accessible health. Through this advocacy, we hope to become a significant part in their journeys.”

To learn more, visit apotheca.com. ph and follow its Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn channels.

St. Luke’s Nurse Training Program sends 4 nurses to UK

THE first batch of nurses who recently completed St. Luke’s Nurse Training Program: UK Track are, from left: Jeanne Rose Lacdang, Aeron Dave Paris, Peter Jonathan Dela Cruz, and Michaela Olaguer.

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T. Luke’s Medical Center will be sending four nurses to the United Kingdom as part of its Nurse Training Program, a two-year structured program to prepare eligible and qualified nurse candidates for deployment in the UK. The training program was launched in partnership with British medical professional Resource Finder. This seeks to address St Luke’s nurse retention and provide employment opportunities for

nurses to work in the UK with government hospital clients of Resource Finder.

The program also aims to provide a structured programme of preparation for eligible and qualified nurse candidates to complete the UK’s Overseas Nurse Process (ONP), as stipulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of the UK, and support the ongoing promotional and recruitment campaigns of St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Nurses who are part of the Nurse Training Program are set to follow a series of coaching and learning sessions.

They are given “protected time” to attend to activities in preparation for their examinations: OET and CBT. Packets of educational materials are also given to ensure optimal preparation.

Prior to their arrival in the United Kingdom, the nurses are already receiving individual coaching opportunities and strategies learned by the point persons (AD CAI & DM CAI) from the Observership and OSCE Training (Northern Ireland).

“This started way back in June 2018 when Dr. Arturo De La Peña called for a meeting and discussed his vision on how to help in the retention of nurses and support them in achieving their dreams. This is why I would like to thank Resource Finder for this opportunity to provide an ethical and fully-funded employment program to our nurses in the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom,” said St. Luke’s Chief Nursing Officer Ms. Maria Martina Geraldine Q. Dimalibot.

“When we were able to identify an opportunity to help the nurses, we took the opportunity immediately and instituted this Nurse Training Program - UK Track. As such, we look forward to helping more nurses to enhance their skills and offering them diverse career development paths,” said St. Luke’s President and CEO Dr. Arturo De La Peña during the send-off program for the four nurses.

CEB issues advisory on transfer of Cebgo operations at NAIA Terminal 4 on March 28

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EBU Pacific (CEB) announces that beginning March 28, 2022, all Cebgo (DG) flights to and from Manila will be operating from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4 (NAIA T4).

In anticipation of increased passenger volume this summer season, Cebgo passengers are advised to be at the terminal at least three hours before their scheduled time of departure, to complete all predeparture requirements.

Affected flights of the said transfer are the following: Manila–Boracay flight numbers DG 6241, DG 6243, and DG 6247; Manila–Camiguin flight number DG 6703; Manila–Cebu flight numbers DG 6503 and DG 6505; Manila – Coron flight numbers DG 6041, DG 6043, DG 6047, DG 6051, and DG 6057; Manila–Kalibo flight number DG 6317; Manila–Legazpi flight numbers DG 6189, DG 6191, DG 6193, DG 6195, and DG 6197; Manila – Masbate flight numbers DG 6177

and DG 6179; Manila–Naga flight numbers DG 6111, DG 6113, DG 6117; Manila–San Jose flight numbers DG 6029 and DG 6031; Manila–Siargao flight numbers DG 6839 and DG 6841; Manila–Surigao flight number DG 6881; Manila–Tablas flight number DG 6073; Manila-Tuguegarao flight number DG 6012; and Manila–Virac flight number DG 6163.

Passengers are advised to update their contact details via http://bit.ly/ CEBUpdateInfo to receive email notifications on flight reminders and updates. Every juan is encouraged to check their flight itineraries before proceeding to their designated Airport Terminal.

Before going to the airport, passengers are urged to check the travel requirements, safety protocols, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the CEB website: http:// bit.ly/CEBFaqs For other questions or concerns, passengers may send a message via Charlie the chatbot on the Cebu Pacific website.

MRSGI upholds global certifications for food quality to strengthen consumer trust and safety

METRO Ayala Cebu Supermarket associates celebrate their recent recertification, led by (1st row, from left) Quality Assurance Manager Arlene Bustamante, Store General Manager Richard Cañete, Senior Quality Control Supervisor Mira Rulida, Support Service Manager Elsie Lisondra; (2nd row, from left) Selling Supervisor Melquiades Apat, Support Service Manager Charito Dagotdot, Quality Assurance Manager Florence Josephine Jorge, and Senior Quality Control Supervisor Catherine Damiles.

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ETRO Retail Stores Group, Inc.'s (MRSGI) adherence to food safety is of utmost priority, which is why it continuously implements the stringent procedures that have earned for some of its flagship supermarkets the HACCP and GMP certifications that have become synonymous with food safety globally.

HACCP, which stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, is a structured system for evaluating and controlling the various stages of the food production process, from the handling of the initial raw materials to how they are cooked, combined, packaged, shipped, and stored. GMP or Good Manufacturing Practice meanwhile is a complementary process to ensure that products meet food safety, quality and regulatory requirements. GMP is a must-have for every good food manufacturer.

“During recertification audits, our store's compliance from supplier accreditation of raw materials, products and packaging materials are rigorously checked. All established controls per our step-by-step process will be challenged by the independent third-party auditor to

verify if these are sufficient and effectively implemented,” said Florence Josephine Jorge, Quality Assurance Manager and HACCP team leader of MRSGI. MRSGI is the first retailer in the country to obtain both the HACCP and GMP certifications for the Fresh sections of four of its flagship supermarket chains. Metro Alabang, which obtained certification in 2013, is scheduled for recertification this year. Metro Ayala Cebu recently maintained its certification following a surveillance audit by global accreditor, BSI Group Philippines. The two other stores working on their recertification in succeeding years are Metro Market Market in Taguig and Metro Mandaue.

MRSGI President and COO Manuel C. Alberto notes that customers are increasingly learning to trust establishments and brands that exhibit these certifications, consequently leading to their uptake.

“Our food safety system in the Philippines is flourishing and many food companies are targeting to be certified as well. People are also becoming more conscious of food safety and recognize the value of HACCP and GMP,” he said.

‘Let‘s Talk About His Love’ graces ABS-CBN lobby

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N celebration of the ABS-CBN Fellowship's 22nd anniversary the members decided to turn over a huge masterpiece done by Artist on a Mission, Kristine Lim, that was a visual interpretation of a song by ABS-CBN Music’s Creative Director, Jonathan Manalo.

The effort was with the cooperation of Art Lounge Manila, AOR Global and Art Plus.

The said song was composed specifically to be the official theme song of “Real Talk: The Heart of the Matter”; a Christian talk show by women and for women hosted

by Mikee Cojuangco -Jaworski, Pastora Monique Lopez – Ong, and Dyan Castellejo.

The said artwork, sharing the same title is now at the lobby of ABS-CBN. The formal turnover and unveiling were also attended

by Mark L. Lopez (Chairman of ABS-CBN Corporation), Carlo D. Katigbak (President and CEO of ABS-CBN Corporation), Cory V. Vidanes (COO of Broadcast & Head of CPI Inc. of ABS-CBN Corporation), Susanne Tiausas (Managing Director of Art Lounge Manila), together with Real Talk Volunteers and members of ABSCBN Fellowship; Chit A. Guerrero, Linggit Tan – Marasigan, Lita Teodosio, Dyan Castillejo – Garcia, and Ptra

Monique Lopez - Ong. Gracing the lobby of the corporation, it is meant to serve as a testament that God's Blessing is not hindered by any shutdown or lockdown. His love knows no boundaries and Hope is alive in Jesus Christ.

ABS-CBN (Active Believers Serving Christ Blessing Nations) began in December 2000.

It was a group of Christian employees that banded together, dedicated to spreading the word of God to other co-employees while being in other ministries that help spread the good news to the marginalized communities. In spite of the lockdown and the ABS-CBN shutdown, the members remained ever-committed to continue the Fellowship. The group continued on its weekly ministering to “Kapamilyas” and also to those in need, all the while fervently praying for ABS-CBN up to now. The Fellowship is also behind the show Real Talk.

The painting born out of the collaboration of the duo, Jonathan Manalo and Kristine Lim will also be part of the project that the two is currently working on to celebrate Jonathan's 20 years in the music industry.

The details and the official announcement of the said project will happen soon.

Sports BusinessMirror

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

MALIXI REIGNS IN LUISITA

Teng stands out as potential face of rookie team Converge

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By Josef Ramos

ERON TENG could be the face of new Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team Converge, according to former league commissioner Atty. Chito Salud.

“I think Jeron can be the team’s future franchise player, he has the talent, but let’s see,” Salud told BusinessMirror on Thursday a day after Converge announced its entry to the PBA after buying the Alaska franchise lock, stock and barrel early this week.

“I think he can be the team’s go-to-guy but we will still evaluate everything, their contracts, but he has the potential, although everybody else has the potential,” said Salud, Converge’s representative to the league’s board of governors.

Teng, 28 and playing out of De La Salle, expressed excitement on their first day meeting with Converge management.

“I’m really excited, the new owner is very promising and I’ll give it my best just like before with Alaska,” Teng said.

Teng was one of the cornerstones of the Aces franchise with averages of 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 13 games in the Governors Cup. Besides Teng, Salud said big man Abu Tratter, guard Robbie Herndon, veteran Maverick Ahanmisi, Mike Digregorio and Ben Adamos could be retained by Converge.

Salud said that Converge CEO and co-founcer Dennis Anthony Uy’s orders were clear: Make the team competitive right on Day One. “If we can win a title in our first season, why not? We are here to win a championship and not for anything else,” Salud said.

Salud said that with Converge inheriting Alaska’s two first-round picks in the 2022 Rookie Draft in May, they have a strong shot at becoming competitive in their debut.

He also said that the new team could also be retaining Jeffrey Cariaso as head coach.

Converge, according to Salud, will make major announcements in a news conference on April 5, including the team’s moniker and composition.

HOTSHOTS, GIN KINGS EYE 2-0 SEMIS LEADS

MAGNOLIA and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel shoot for commanding 2-0 leads when they clash against their separate rivals anew on Friday in the Governors Cup best-of-five semifinals series at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

But Calvin Abueva sees no reason to celebrate as he expects Meralco import Tony Bishop to bounce back in their 6 p.m. game after being limited to just 10 points on 5-of-19 shooting in Game 1.

“No time to celebrate at the moment even with that lead because we expect Tony Bishop to rebound from a poor performance,” Abueva told BusinessMirror after the Hotshots’ practice on Thursday. “We just have to take it one game at a time—Meralco can’t be taken for granted.”

Abueva said he’s also recovering fully from a strain in his left calf.

Magnolia Coach Chito Victolero said he’s alarmed by their slow start in Game 1 which they won, 94-80.

“We cannot afford another slow start or being down by 17 points,” he said.

“We expect the entire Meralco team to come back stronger, not only Bishop.”

Ginebra eyes also a 2-0 lead over NLEX in their game at 3 p.m. with the Road Warriors hoping for more local support to import Cameron Clark who scored 30 points in their 86-95 defeat in Game 1.

JERON TENG could be retained by Converge.

Editor: Jun Lomibao | Friday, March 25, 2022 B7

RIANNE MALIXI, only 14, dominates anew in Tarlac, while Michael Bibat is back in the hunt.

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OUNG Rianne Malixi showed the poise of a seasoned campaigner and with a couple of clutch shots beat Princess Superal by one in a gripping highnoon shootout for the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Luisita Championship crown in Tarlac on Thursday.

Malixi pulled through in crushing pressure with aplomb, birdying the parthree No. 17 for the second straight day then watching Superal fumble with a bogey on Luisita’s signature hole for the third straight time to nail her second Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) title after a near-record setting romp at Midlands to close out the 2021 season last December.

The decisive two-shot swing finally thwarted Superal as Malixi finished with a three-under 213 on three 71s in a victory that came three weeks after she dominated her peers in the SEA

Games qualifier at the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed layout.

Not even a closing bogey could foil Malixi’s claim on the coveted crown as Superal settled for par on No. 18 for a 70 and a 214 although she took the consolation of pocketing the top purse of P101,250 in the 54-hole tournament kicking off the new LPGT season put up by ICTSI. Superal, winner of three of the first five LPGT events under the bubble setup last year, came back from two strokes down to force a tie twice, the last on the par-5 16th, which she eagled that drew them level for the last time at three-under overall.

But that hardly rattled the 14-year-old rising star, who bucked the wind with a solid hybrid tee-shot on the water-laced 17th to within six feet and drained the putt, putting the pressure back to her fancied rival, who failed to get up and

down and holed out with a bogey.

“The goal was to win but my priority was to learn and experience playing with ate Cess and the other players, which is a rare opportunity,” said Malixi, who also ran away with the amateur honors and, like the rest, stayed hydrated through all three days to fight off the sweltering summer heat.

Having stamped her class in the amateurs and in the pro division, the 2020 national stroke play champion sets off for the US early next month to compete in the American Junior Golf Association circuit where she won one leg in Las Vegas last year.

She’ll be back on April 28 to train with the national team then leave for Hanoi in May to help spearhead the country’s title-retention drive in women’s golf with LK Go. It was a sorry setback for Superal, who trailed Malixi by two after 36 holes but forced a tie with a two-birdie feat after 12 holes as Malixi traded two birdies with the same number of bogeys in a roller-coaster ride.

But Malixi hit two birdies against one bogey in the next three holes and went 2-up again as Superal bogeyed the 15th. But an eagle-3 on the next by the 2019 LPGT Order of Merit winner set the stage for the pressurepacked ending to what had been a fierce battle for top honors in the P750,000 championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Touraments Inc. It was a two-player duel all day as Chanelle Avaricio, the first round leader and the third player in the championship group, reeled farther back with three bogeys at the front and limped with a 75. The RivieraCouples leg winner last year placed third at 220 worth P67,500.

Chihiro

OBIENA, 8 OTHERS EARN OLYMPIC SCHOLARSHIPS

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ORLD-RANKED pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and young golf sensation Rianne Malixi lead seven other Filipino athletes who were granted Olympic Solidarity Scholarships (OSS) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said that also making the list besides the 26-year-old Obiena and 14-year-old Malixi are Elreen Ando (23 years old, weightlifting), Samantha Catantan (19, fencing), Aira Villegas (27, boxing), Rogen Ladon (28, boxing), Patrick Coo (20, BMX cycling), Jericho Francisco (20, skateboarding) and Allen Arcilla (19, wrestling).

All the athlete scholars were endorsed by their respective national sports associations, except for Obiena, the most accomplished on the list as the Asian men’s pole vault record holder.

Under the scholarships, Tolentino said each of the athlete will receive a

grant of $833 a month until the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“The POC wishes to congratulate these nine promising athletes for earning scholarships as they focus on their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics,” Tolentino said. “This is the first time that our country had such number of scholars.”

Tolentino said Obiena’s inclusion even without the endorsement of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association is testament to the IOC respecting and honoring the decision of national Olympic committees (NOCs).

The scholarship includes access to appropriate training facilities, a coach who specializes in their respective disciplines, regular medical and scientific assistance and control, accident and illness insurance, board and lodging costs, pocket money and most essentially travel costs for the athletes’ participation in relevant competitions and

PE teachers, coaches in PSC show

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HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will feature Physical Education (PE) teachers and coaches in the “Rise Up Shape Up” program on Saturday.

The PSC values the contribution of the academe in the promotion and development of women in sports thus a feature on the PE teachers and coaches dubbed “Women Wielding Influence and Motivation in PE Classes and School Playing Fields.”

Making up the guests list are Dr. Lumna Trinidad of Tarlac State University and teacher-

coaches Marissa Austria, Stephanie Pagarigan and Anne Daphien Baisa.

The program airs starting at 7 p.m.

Lumna will share her experiences engaging in sports at an early age and how she was able to use her sports skills outside the playing field.

Austria is a Master Teacher II and MAPEH coordinator at the Las Piñas East National High School.

A former archer of the Philippine Normal University and national athlete from 1996 to 1998, she will give her insights on influencing and motivating children to be champions in sports and life.

Pagarigan and Baisa, on the other hand, will speak on the “Art of Planning and Establishing Influence Among Players.”

PSC Women in Sports Oversight Commissioner Celia Kiram will also present the history of PE in her regular segment “K-Isport.”

Ikeda hit a late birdie to match par 72 and finish fourth with 221 and received P60,000 while Pamela Mariano also closed out with an even-par card to post her best finish at joint sixth at 223 with Riviera-Langer leg titlist Daniella Uy, who also shot a 72.

Korean Jane Jeong placed seventh with 229 after a 77 while last year’s Order of Merit winner and two-leg champion Harmie Constantino skied to a 78 and drop to a share of eighth at 230 with Marvi Monsalve and Gretchen Villacencio, who carded identical 75s.

BIBAT TIES TABUENA ATOP MEN’S TILE LEADERBOARD

MICHAEL BIBAT cracked a mediocre frontside drive with a blistering backside finish, birdying four of the last seven holes to shoot a 68 also on Thursday and catch Miguel Tabuena at the helm in the ICTSI Luisita Championship heading to a two-man shootout also in Tarlac.

The first-round leader outshot Tabuena in their hunt for birdies at the tight Luisita layout, doubling up the latter’s two-birdie run in the last nine holes to get back into the thick of things and revive his hopes at ending a long title spell on the Philippine Golf Tour.

“It was fun to be able to play and compete against a player of Miguel’s caliber,” said Bibat of his seasoned rival and winner of three titles here at the Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed layout, including the Philippine Open in 2015.

Bracing for a tough final round battle with Tabuena, Bibat has drawn a different approach in an attempt to neutralize the former and nail his first victory since ruling the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro leg in 2013.

“I have to put the ball where I could score. I cannot engage Miguel shot-for-shot given his distance.

We also have different clubbing, so I need to put the ball on the right spots and hopefully the putts will go,” said Bibat, who drilled in a six-footer for birdie on No. 12, banged in a five-

footer on the next, holed in another putt from six feet on the 16th then capped his scorching finish with a 30foot putt on the 18th.

Bibat’s blazing backside 32 thus enabled him to match his solid opening four-under card Tuesday that netted him the first day honors marking the Tour’s resumption after a year-long break. But he stumbled with a roller-coaster one-over card in the next and slipped off the leaderboard in this kickoff leg of the PGT organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Tabuena took charge halfway through the P2 million championship with a plucky 71 Wednesday and looked headed to firming up his lead with a two-under card linking both nines. He, however, muffed a couple of birdie chances on the layout’s long holes but gained a stroke on the challenging par-3 17th to preserve a 69 and tie Bibat at seven-under 209.

“It was a bit better than yesterday (second round) although I still struggled with my drives,” said Tabuena, who overcame a bogey on No. 4 with birdies on Nos. 6, 9. 10 and 17 for a 35-34.

“But I’m very happy with my score and hopefully, if I play better tomorrow (today), it should be good enough.”

He also sees a challenging 18-hole duel with the former Asian Games bronze medalist, saying: “He’s one of my good friends on the local tour and it’s always nice to play with him.”

Sean Ramos joins the joint leaders in the championship flight but the rookie pro stood four strokes off the pace with a 213 after equaling Tabuena’s four-birdie, one-bogey round.

“I’m very happy with how I played.

I kept it steady, hit the fairways and greens and waited for putts to go,” said Ramos, who hopes to do an encore and fuel his drive for a crown in his first pro tournament.

“My plan is to do the same thing— try to be as steady as I can and be patient with my putts,” he said.

HD Spikers beat Lady Troopers, advance to playoffs unscathed

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ERNEST JOHN “EJ” OBIENA earns an Olympic scholarship despite the absence of the athletics association’s endorsement.

Paris 2024 qualification events.

The OSS is an IOC program that aims to assist elite athletes selected and proposed by their respective NOCs in their preparation and qualification for Paris 2024.

“All these athletes need to do is to focus on their training and set their goal toward the Paris Olympics,” said Tolentino, adding that the POC will liquidate the athletes’ expenses to the Olympic Solidarity on a quarterly schedule based on the submission of reports by the scholars and their NSAs. ROSELYN DORIA leaps high for a spike on her way to scoring 10 points for Cignal HD, which extends its amazing streak via a four-set win over Army.

IGNAL HD capped its remarkable sweep of group play with a 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19 victory over Army Black Mamba on Thursday to head to the knockout phase of the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference with a kind of momentum it perhaps never thought it would gain.

After stringing victories over teams rated higher than them in the pre-tournament run, the HD Spikers set out against the winless Lady Troopers as heavy favorites and the former played just well enough to get past their rivals and formalize their claim on the top seeding after the single round eliminations with a 4-0 won-lost card in Group A. “We were so happy although we played below expectations,” said Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos, noting his wards’ shaky performance in the second frame. “But the good thing is we were able to survive and overcome (Army’s challenge) and we thank God for guiding us.”

Ria Meneses, scoring on quick plays and power tips, came away

with a 15-point game while Rachel Anne Daquis, Ces Molina and Roselyn Doria backed her up with 13, 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the HD Spikers continued to improve on team chemistry heading to the next phase of the league’s second pro season organized by Sports Vision.

Delos Santos ruled out complacency as reason for his wards’ mediocre performance, particularly in the second set, saying: “It was probably more on the fatigue factor given the everyother-day schedule of games.”

“So, we really have to recover,” added delos Santos, whose wards will enjoy a twice-to-beat edge against Group B No. 4 BaliPure side at the start of the quarterfinal round on Sunday.

Army bowed out of the quarters picture with a 0-4 mark, leaving F2 Logistics, Choco Mucho and Chery Tiggo as the other teams advancing to the next round along with Group B topnotcher Creamline, Petro Gazz, PLDT and BaliPure.

“For now, we want to relish what we have just achieved,” delos Santos said.

“But there’s no reason for us to relax.

We need to prepare really well, work hard and triple our effort because every game counts in the quarters.

Honey Royse Tubino fired 21 hits, including 18 attack points, but failed to draw solid backup from the rest with Audrey Paran and Mich Morente finishing with eight points apiece and Ivy Perez, Jeanette Villareal and Lutgarda Malauan combining for 20 points.

Meanwhile, the league is set to return home to the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan starting Monday after a near three-year absence due to pandemic.

League commissioner Tony Boy Liao said the original plan was to mark the start of the playoffs back at the FilOil Arena on Sunday but they had to delay it due to the unavailability of the San Juan venue, which also served as a quarantine facility at the height of Covid-19 cases in the National Capital Region.

Fans will also be allowed to watch the games live but under strict safety and health protocols.

B8 Friday, March 25, 2022

Motoring BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Toyota introduces the new Camry Hybrid

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Story & photo by Randy S. Peregrino

FTER a series of successful new model introductions, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) further boosted its powerhouse roster by bringing the new Camry Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV).

Premium cabin.

The new Camry Hybrid.

Toyota Motor Philippines

The introduction of the latest hybrid model is the automotive leader’s latest addition to its growing Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) lineup. The premium sedan has become a global icon and stepped forward in re-establishing itself with the latest update. It carries forward-thinking specifications that will surely capture the aspirations and purpose of its customers.

“A favorite among customers worldwide, the Toyota Camry is well-loved for its powerful elegance that comes with quality, durability, and reliability. We have redefined greatness with this executive sedan. This is leadership that remains to be responsible,” said TMP President Atushiro Okamoto during the launch program of the vehicle streamed to online audiences The New Camry runs on Toyota’s revolutionary HEV Technology, offering peace of

mind while driving. Along with the Prius, Corolla Altis Hybrid, and the Corolla Cross Hybrid, the new Camry’s Hybrid system also provides innovative concepts. Its hybrid powerplant dynamically and seamlessly switches from gasoline engine to hybrid battery based on speed, acceleration, and driving conditions.

According to Toyota, to take steps to protect the environment, HEV is an ideal entry point towards vehicle electrification. With no additional infrastructure and change in driving habits, owners can quickly shift and immediately take steps towards sustainable mobility.

Moreover, the new Camry highlights nine-inch display audio with Apple Carplay and Android Auto functions. It also runs on a nine-speaker JBL sound system. A wireless charging pad is also available, along

Toyota Motor Philippines

with a convenient tilt and slide-adjusted moonroof.

Leadership that remains to be responsible The new Camry Hybrid brings it all together: the image of prestige, design for comfort, increased assurance, and sustainable technology. With a 16-Valve, 4-Cylinder, in-line engine partnered with a hybrid powertrain and EV mode, plus the latest version of the Toyota Safety Sense, with upgraded infotainment and convenience features, this executive sedan elevates the driving experience while caring for the environment. Indeed, a new milestone for mobility as executive standard goes electric.

The new Camry’s hybrid engine

Creating history, one more time

From “Kanmuri” in Japanese, Camry directly translates to “crown.” A jewel in its own right, it has been a top favorite among customers from around the world, receiving praises for its quality, durability, and reliability. It ruled among the executive classes throughout the years, earning its position as the symbol of strong leadership with a bal-

ance of style and comfort. With that and its rich history of iterations and inspirations, the Camry has rightfully made itself worthy of the “King of Sedans” dub.

In the Philippines, it remained a category leader for many years, standing at a substantial 71 percent segment share at the end of 2020. It has been imbued in the Filipino popular culture so well that it has influenced

Greed for profit, recovery & new HR-V GAS stations, oil companies and the government amassed each windfall profits when fuel prices increased 11 straight weeks recently. Why is that is no puzzle at all. Greed it must be?

In his recent editorial, “Think About It,” in his morning TV/Radio Program DJ Cha Cha & Ted Failon on Cignal’s OnePH and 92.3 FM kilohertz, Ted estimated millions of pesos had been stashed at the expense of the suffering public.

In only a week’s time, Ted computed that diesel dealers pocketed more than P848 million and gasoline sellers no less than P291 million. The government’s windfall profit is more than P115 million in gasoline sales and P39 million in diesel. Now we know why our officials refuse to lift the excise tax and the VAT (value added tax), even temporarily, to help ease the burden of grieving fuel users.

Those profits came from the bulk of the average daily fuel consumption of 10,590,000 diesel customers alone, according to the findings of Ted’s super-energetic staff.

The biggest anomaly is, the fuel that we’ve been captive of for a bit too long now are mostly old stock—meaning they were bought at low, low prices, only to be sold to us at sky-high prices due to the barrage of

rising prices attributed to “the increase of oil in the world market exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war.”

Really? Kiss my arse.

17 percent sales increase

RECOVERY is really fast gaining traction as February sales recorded a 17-percent growth, with 24,304 units sold compared with 20,765 units recorded a month ago.

In the same statement by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), a year-on-year decline of 7.3 percent was recorded from the 26,230 units sold in the same period a year ago.

CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez said: “The February 2022 sales have regained a double-digit growth amid the improved consumer confidence as the country has shifted to ‘low-risk’ for Covid-19 classification.”

Gutierrez, a lawyer and a ranking official of Toyota Motor Philippines, also said: “As the economy reopens, the safety and health of the public is paramount to prevent another wave of virus infections and cause disruption anew to the recovery of the industry, which targets to sell 336,000 units this year.”

Rooting for you, attorney!

many customers to regard it as the aspirational model.

The new Camry comes in Platinum White Pearl Mica, Metal Stream Metallic, Attitude Black Mica, with price points starting at P2.335 million. Toyota wants their customers to be a breed ahead with the 2022 Camry Hybrid – a new standard of supremacy that transcends style and purpose.

Honda HR-V launch April 19

EVEN as the All-New Honda HR-V will be launched on April 19, Honda’s 37 dealerships nationwide are already all set to accept reservations starting April 1.

Colene Jalalon said the new HR-V has stunning looks unprecedented in its history.

“Exterior-wise, the All-New HR-V is such a head-turner,” said Colene. “Notable design cues of the subcompact crossover include its striking front-end that features a pair of newly shaped headlights and a sporty grille. The rear door handles, on the other hand, are still integrated on the C-pillar for that two-door illusion, at the back, there’s a sloping roofline which gives the HR-V a coupe-inspired look.

Lastly, its exterior is then topped off with unified taillights, giving it modern and sleek touch.”

She added: “In pursuit of Honda’s 2050 global safety target to realize zero traffic collision fatalities, the new model is equipped with collision mitigation/braking system, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist System and lane departure warning, among other salient features.

It will have two variants—the S CVT and Turbo CVT—with prices ranging from P1,300,000 to P1,600,000. But the platinum white pearl and open white silver colors will each cost P20,000 more.

Stay tuned to www.hondaphil.com for more details.

PEE STOP As we have started enjoying a virtual return to the good ol’ days, let’s not forget to give thanks to Dear God. Also, let’s not be too overconfident. Maintain WDW: Wash-Distance-Mask. To God be the glory.