BusinessMirror March 29, 2022

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are eager to spend Christmas

this could help prevent placing the country in another strict lockdown,

this newspaper, is for travel restrictions to be put in place swiftly and

quences on the economy.”

See “Omicron,” A2

‘INFLATION PRESSURES NATL GOVT BORROWINGS LEAVE BSP NO CHOICE’ FOR 10 MOS DIP TO P2.75T w w

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n Tuesday, March 29, 2021 2022 Vol. 17 No.52 No. 172 Monday, November

P25.00 P25.00 nationwide nationwide || 22 sections sections 20 20 pages pages ||

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

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Omicron risk spurs revival of quarantine rules in PHL

@BNicolasBM

HE national government’s gross borrowings as of end-October shrank by almost 6 percent year-on-year to P2.75 trillion.

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

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NTER NATIONA L concerns over the possible spread of the more infectious Omicron Covid-19 variant prompted the govLatest data from the Bureau of the ernment to reimpose mandatory Treasury showed that the governfacility-based quarantine for all ment’s gross borrowings during the arriving passengers in the country.

10-month period fell by 5.99 percent Acting Presidential spokesperfrom P2.92 trillion a year ago. son Karlo B. Nograles announced With only two months left for on Sunday that the Inter-Agency this year, the latest figure is already Task Force for the Management equivalent to 89.6 percent of its of Emerging Infectious Diseases P3.07-trillion borrowing program.

(IATF) suspended the implemenBroken down, gross domestic bortation of its Resolution No. 150rowings from January to October A (s.2021), effectively imposing settled at P2.23 trillion, down by stricter protocols for all inbound 5.08 percent from P2.35 trillion travelers. in 2020.

To note, IATF Resolution 150The bulk of the amount was A had allowed fully vaccinated PEOPLE walk past the mural of Gat Andres Bonifacio at Manila City Hall Underpass. sourced from Fixed Rate Treasury non-visa travelers from Green List The country will celebrate the 158th birth anniversary of Filipino revolutionary Bonds (P1.19 trillion), followed by areas to enter the country withhero Gat Andres Bonifacio on Tuesday, November 30. ROY DOMINGO short-term borrowings from Bangout the need for facility-based ko Sentral ng Pilipinas or BSP (P540 quarantine as long as they secure billion), Retail Treasury Bonds/Prenegative Reverse Transcriptionmyo Bonds (P463.3 billion), Retail Polymerase Chain Reaction (RTOnshore Dollar Bonds (P80.84 bilPCR) test within 72 hours prior lion). In the same period, there was to their departure.

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas dating its registry following the them. This allows everyone to see programs as President Duterte also a net redemption of Treasury “Except for countries classified @jearcalas enactment of the Coconut Farmwho are listed in the registry and if is expected to sign the industry Bills amounting to P43.94 billion. as ‘Red,’ the testing and quarantine ers and Industry Trust Fund law. farmer doesn’t see his name then he development plan in early 2022.

Net debt redemption means protocols for all inbound internaORE than 3 million Rosales explained that about shall coordinate with the PCA imRosales said the PCA will not there were more debts repaid comtional travelers in all ports of entry coconut farmers and 500,000 coconut farmers and mediately,” he explained at a recent stop updating its list of coconut pared to the amount borrowed durshall comply with the testing and workers are now regisworkers were added to the PCA’s dialogue with coconut farmers. farmers and enjoined them to reging the period. quarantine protocols for ‘Yellow’ tered with the government’s reg2018 list that had about 2.5 million “On the other hand, if people ister in order to reap the benefits Meanwhile, gross foreign borlist countries,” Nograles said, citing istry, which serves as the basis coconut farmers and farm workers. would see names on the list and of the decades-long idled coconut rowings in the same period also the provision of IATF Resolution for the number of people to be The PCA’s next step is to conthey think they are not coconut levy fund. “We will not stop at 3.1 contracted by 9.7 percent to P518.7 No. 151-A. covered by the utilization of the duct an exclusion-inclusion profarmers or their details are incormillion. We hope that more indibillion from last year’s P574.4 billion.

He noted Hong Kong, which has DESPITE gas prices, traffic jams and costly airlineP75-billion tickets, rail, aircoconut and bus passengers are nearing prepandemic withthe the easing of travel restrictions.

Clockwise from top A sign announcesviduals free rideswill for Metro Rail in Transit 3 commuters; local air travelersaflock theof Naia Terminal 4 in levy fund. cedure bynumbers making updated rect, they can report itleft: to the PCA register ourLine coconut Thisspiraling was raised through global confirmed case the Omicron NONIE REYES, ROY DOMINGO Pasay City, reopened after two years; provincial buses are allowed back on Edsa, from 10 am to 5 pm, in a two-week dry run which started last Thursday.

Philippine Coconut Authority farmers’ registry public, providfor immediate action,” he added. farmers registry,” he said. bonds (P146.17 billion), program variant, will also fall under the Yel(PCA) Deputy Administrator Roel ing everyone the opportunity to The PCA official noted that The updating of the coconut loans (P139.98 billion), euro-delow list countries.

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM M. Rosales said about 3.11 million check the veracity of the list, Rothe completion of the initial list farmers registry is mandated by nominated bonds (P121.97 billion), The suspension of the rules for coconut farmers and farm worksales added. of coconut farmers registry would Republic Act (RA) 11524 or the a project loan (P86.41 billion), and “Green List” countries will be in ers have been registered with the “The list will be posted in public be just in time for the expected Coconut Industry Trust Fund Act. yen-denominated samurai bonds effect from November 28, 2021 to government since it started upSee “3-M farmers,” A2 spaces where people can easily see rollout of coconut levy-funded (P24.19 billion).

December 15, 2021.

OVER 3-M FARMERS LISTED FOR P75-B COCO LEVY FUND

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PINOYS 3RD TOP SPENDER ON UTILITIES VS. INCOME

NTERNATIONAL think tank Fitch Solutions said the Bangko Sentral ng RATES Pilipinas (BSP) will PESO EXCHANGE n US 50.4600 n JAPAN 0.4374 n UK 67.2329 n HK 6.4722 n CHINA 7.9013

By Cai U. Ordinario have no choice but start signaling tighter rates later this year due to ILIPINOS are among the highest-paying consuminflationary pressures. ers in terms of the share See “Borrowings,” A2

In its research note published on Monday, Fitch Solutions—the research arm of the Fitch Group —said they maintain the forecast for the BSP to hike its policy rate by 75 basis points to 2.75 percent by end-2022.

Fitch Solutions expects a com-

@caiordinario

F

bination of rising inflationary pressures, continued economic recovery, and rising interest rates around the world to prompt the BSP to tighten its monetary policy over the coming months.

See “Inflation,” A2

Luzon’s derated power plants back online–DOE

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HE Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday there is sufficient power generating capacity in the Luzon grid as most of the power plants that delivered reduced capacity are now back online.

“As of Sunday, most of the derated plants are already back to normal and the largest plant on outage has also already returned to service. We expect to have sufficient capacity in the system moving forward,” said the agency.

Last March 26, a tota l of 2,834MW was shaved off from the

grid due to forced power plant outage and derated power plants.

Those that went offline are GNPD Unit 1 (668MW), SLTEC Unit 2 (123MW), SLPGC Units 2, 3, 4 (200MW), Kalayaan (720MW), and Calaca 2 (300MW).

Meanwhile, the power plants that delivered less output are Sual Unit 1-220MW (derated by 380MW), Sual Unit 2-570MW (derated by 30MW), SLTEC Unit 1-91MW (derated by 30MW ), and Ilijan-817MW (derated by 383MW).

of utilities to their income, according to a UK-based energy consultant Utility Bidder.

The Philippines ranked third globally in terms of spending for gas and water; electricity; broadband; and mobile needs relative to their income.

The study showed households in the Philippines spend 61.5 percent of monthly income on utilities. Of this percentage, some 38.9 percent were spent on gas and water.

“The Philippines [has] under 39 percent of their average monthly wages paid out on gas and water. The island country in South East Asia also ranks in the top 3 for broadband, spending 18 percent of their monthly salary on an internet connection,” Utility Bidder said.

In terms of electricity expenses, Filipinos spend 3.3 percent of their income on this utility while 0.50 percent is spent on 1 GB of Mobile Data as a percentage of their income.

The data showed Pakistan ranked first, with households

GOCC dividends sent to NG plunge 57.4% Continued on A2

n spending SINGAPORE 36.8968 n AUSTRALIA 36.2807Byn EU 56.5758D. Nicolas n SAUDI ARABIA-controlled 13.4531 Source: BSP (November 26,(GOCCs) 2021) a whopping 82.9 perBernadette corporations cent of their income on utility bills, the majority of which is spent on gas and water.

In Nigeria, the country that came in second in the ranking, citizens pay more than half of their monthly wages purely for internet access.

Other countries in the top 10 include Bangladesh which spends 46.8 percent of its income on utilities; South Africa, 46.6 percent; Ukraine, 43.1 percent; Vietnam, 40 percent; El Salvador, 38.1 percent; Bolivia, 36 percent; and India, 35.6 percent.

The country with the lowest household expenditure on utilities is Switzerland, which has the highest monthly income on the study’s list, of £5,069.

In second place, Singapore also has one of the highest incomes on the list of £3,370 per month, resulting in utility bills only adding up to 6.3 percent of this total. Next up, utility bills in Ireland take 6.5 percent of the average monthly income.

“With energy bills on the rise and set to continue on the same course thanks to the recent hike in gas prices, it’s important that you consider these handy tips on cutting down your energy bills.

@BNicolasBM

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IVIDENDS remitted by state-run corporations to the national government in 2021 plunged by 57.4 percent to P57.55 billion from P135.08 billion in the previous year.

The latest dividend remittances from government-owned and

excludes the dividends foregone in the 2020 income of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), which retained their dividend contributions to continue boosting their capital requirements, the Department of Finance’s (DOF) Corporate Affairs Group

See “Pinoys,” A2

See “GOCC,” A2

See “Dole ncr,” on A6-A9

See “Power,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.2110

n JAPAN 0.4279 n UK 68.8768 n HK 6.6699 n CHINA 8.2011 n SINGAPORE 38.4526 n AUSTRALIA 39.2209 n EU 57.3694 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.9188

Source: BSP (March 28, 2022)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, March 29, 2022

www.businessmirror.com.ph

400 OFWs displaced in Macau, Thailand, Vietnam back in PHL

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By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

@maloutalosig

HE Covid-19 pandemic is still taking its toll on the economy in Macau, Thailand and Vietnam, and hundreds of Filipino workers there still cannot find work and have opted to repatriated to the Philippines.

A total of 398 Filipinos were repatriated from Macau, Thailand and Vietnam last Friday, mostly OFWs laid off by their employers as a result of the pandemic.

In Macau, the Philippine Consulate General conducted its 29th repatriation on March 25. The chartered flight carried 203 Filipinos; three as cadavers, having died of non-Covid related causes.

Macau has been practically Covid-19 free, with only 82 infections

GOCC...

since the pandemic began in 2020 and 95 percent of its population vaccinated, but China imposed very strict lockdowns in the mainland and its territory, and still aims for zero Covid-19 incidence. Thus, casinos which rely mostly on foreign tourists had to shut down or reduce operations.

Since 2020, the Consulate General has already repatriated 5,781 Filipinos in Macau.

“The Philippine Consulate Gen-

Continued from A1

(CAG) said in its report to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III. In 2019, GOCC dividend remittances amounted to P52.59 billion,

excluding the dividend relief for LandBank and DBP. Should the dividend relief granted to select GOCCs be included,

eral will continue organizing similar flights until the Macau Government has declared it safe to allow international commercial flights to operate again,” the DFA said in a statement.

Those still in Macau and want to be repatriated may fill up this e-form https://tinyurl.com/repatMacau.

Labor Attaché, Ma. Nena G. German and Welfare Officer Zosima Maria P. Santos also distributed hygiene kits to women who joined the repatriation flight.

Meanwhile, the DFA has also arranged a chartered flight for Filipino workers in Thailand and Vietnam last Thursday.

There were 53 overseas Filipinos, mostly working in Thailand ’s education and tourism industry but who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. They would have wanted to stay but they were “facing difficulties in supporting themselves while looking for new employment.”

The latest repatriation flight brings the total number of repatriates from Thailand to 808 since the Embassy’s first repatriation flight in April 2020. The Embassy also fa-

total dividend collections last year would amount to P84.72 billion, a 46-percent drop from record-high P157 billion in 2020.

To recall, bulk of the GOCC dividend remittances in 2020 or P119.1 billion partly funded the

cilitated commercial airlines’ applications with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for special flight permits and additional seat allocations to accommodate distressed Filipino travelers over the last two years of the pandemic.

Aside from the OFWs, infants, children of OFWs and those with medical conditions were also included among the repatriates.

From Bangkok, the chartered plane flew to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, were an additional 142 overseas Filipinos joined the flight to Manila.

Cases of Covid-19 in Thailand and Vietnam have been relatively high these past two weeks, after dropping their zero Covid-19 policies that severely impacted their economy.

The recent surge is attributed to the Omicron variant. On Friday, Thailand reported 26,050 confir med new cases and 69 more Covid-19 fatalities. Vietnam, on one hand, recorded an average of 130,146 cases per day for the past 7 days, with 51 Covid deaths. social amelioration program that the government implemented to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

R ecent ly, Dom i ng uez a l so said they are eyeing to tap GOCC dividend collections apart from additiona l va lue-added ta xes on fuel that will be collected amid higher oil prices to fund the higher cash aid of P500 per month for each household belonging to the poorest 50 percent of the population.

Finance Assistant Secretary Soledad Emilia Cruz of the CAG said in a statement they expect to collect at least P32 billion in GOCC dividend remittances for the remaining period under the Duterte administration, which is set to end in June this year.

Under Republic Act (RA) 7656 or the Dividends Law, GOCCs are required to remit at least 50 percent of their net earnings to the national government.

The BusinessMirror sought out the DOF to know the reason behind the significant drop in GOCC dividend remittances to the national government, but had yet to receive a response as of press time.

However, the DOF said the average total dividend collections inclusive of dividend relief stood at P68.7 billion annually, more than double the annual average under the past administration of P27.5 billion worth of dividends.

Cruz said the “high level of compliance” by GOCCs with the Dividends Law resulted from DOF’s persistent efforts to ensure that even state-run firms with dividend deficiencies and arrears are able to remi—either through staggered remittance arrangements or other payment options that may be warranted.

Power...

Continued from A1

The available capacity last Saturday stood at 10,487MW while demand was at 9,998MW, resulting in 100MW of net operating margin. The yellow alert warning took effect at 6 p.m. It was lifted as of 11 p.m . due to receding system demand, the NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines) reported.

The DOE said Monday that power plants deliberately derate their units on weekends for them to conduct minor maintenance work without the need to shut down the plant.

As summer approaches, low water levels also result in derating or the unavailability of hydro plants.

These have been considered in the scheduling of the maintenance activities of the power plants.

“Last Saturday evening, however, the largest plant in the grid also went offline, resulting in a Yellow Alert. It can be noted though, that there is still enough capacity in the system as it did not result to any power interruption,” said the DOE. Ironically, the yellow alert incident coincided with the Earth Hour

Senate...

2022 celebration. The annual celebration encourages everyone to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour in the evening as a symbol of commitment to the planet.

The DOE said a total of 65.32MW were saved for the entire country during the one-hour switch-off of non-essential lights, with the largest savings of 35.26 MW from Luzon, followed by 15.3 MW for Mindanao, and 14.76 MW for Visayas.

“We hope to sustain this reduction through consistent energy efficiency and conservation practices.

The first step is to be mindful of our energy consumption habits, especially during periods of high demand such as this summer season,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

With the current reopening of the economy under Alert Level 1, select representatives from the private and public sectors conducted ceremonial switch-offs in public and communal grounds, along with private individuals who participated in this event in the safety of their homes.

Continued from A12

During the hearing, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Frederico Laciste admitted that the DA’s data system is not yet centralized, thus, resulting in delayed analysis on the arrival of farm products in the country.

“One of our recommendations is to have fully automated trade transactions and monitoring. Currently, we do not have a way of monitoring how much volume has arrived in contrast to the volume issued as per sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances,” Laciste told the committee.

Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, proposed that the DA require importers to provide them with real-time reports regarding their import arrivals or utilization of SPS-ICs. If the importers refuse to submit the reports, the DA must not issue new SPS-ICs to them, Villar added.

“Tell them that they have to give you real-time arrival data. You can enforce that because you are issuing import permits. If they do not want to follow then don’t issue SPS-ICs to them in the future,” she said.

Benguet farmers

DURING the hearing, Agot Balanoy of the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas disclosed that Benguet farmers

Pinoys...

are losing P2.5 million per day due to smuggled vegetables.

Balanoy pointed out that they have observed a 20-percent to 40-percent decline in daily orders since last year. Balanoy emphasized that the entry of smuggled vegetables in the country depresses farmgate prices to the point that farmers are forced to give away their produce.

For example, the price of carrots from August to December last year ranged from P7 to P95 per kilogram for big-sized carrots, while it was zero to P50 per kilogram for medium-sized, Balanoy said. From January to present, the price of bigsized carrots range from P7 to P65 per kilogram while medium-sized ones range from zero to P35 per kilogram, she added.

International Trade Centre (ITC) data analyzed by BusinessMirror showed that China exported $4.679 million worth of fresh or chilled carrots and turnips to the Philippines from January to November of last year. However, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that the country did not import a single carrot and turnip from China during the 11-month period.

The ITC data is based on General Customs Administrative of China statistics while PSA data is based on documents from the Bureau of Customs. With a report by Butch Fernandez

Continued from A1

Making these small changes to your habits or to your home can be kinder to your wallet and reduce your carbon footprint too,” Utility Bidder said.

Utility Bidder said turning lights off every time they are not in use could save up to £20 a year while dialling down the temperature on your washing machine to 30 degrees celsius could save up to £28 a year. Reducing the number of washing cycles to one a week could knock another £8 from monthly bills.

Further, opting for drying your clothes on clothes racks or outside

in the sun could save up to £55 a year and turning down the thermostat by only degree celsius can reduce heating bills by around £80.

The company used data on average monthly income according to World Data; the monthly cost of gas and water according to Numbeo; and the monthly cost of electricity based on yearly electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours per capita according to The World Bank divided by 12.

Utility Bidder also used the monthly Cost of Broadband and the cost of 1 GB of Mobile Data in each country according to Cable.

Inflation...

Continued from A1

Just last week, the BSP moved to maintain all monetary policy levers but said its annual inflation forecasts now exceeds the ceiling of its 2 to 4 percent target range at 4.3 percent.

“Should the BSP stand pat as the rest of the central banks tighten monetary policy, a narrowing of real interest rate differentials could lead to hot money outflows and downside volatility for the peso, particularly given weakening risk sentiment globally,” Fitch Solutions said.

The global think tank said the ongoing economic recovery will likely provide the BSP with more

room to normalize its monetary policy over the coming months.

Fitch Solutions also revised their average 2022 inflation forecast for the Philippines up to 4.5 percent, from 3.7 percent previously. This is slightly higher than the BSP’s revised average 2022 inflation forecast.

“We expect the disinflationary pattern to reverse quickly over the coming months as commodity prices have surged following the RussiaUkraine war and deeper disruptions to global supply chains due to China’s zero-covid policy have pushed up logistics cost,” Fitch Solutions said.

“According to Bloomberg, congestion in the key Chinese ports of Shenzhen and Hong Kong has risen to the highest level in five months due to Covid-19 lockdowns, while the queue of ships is also growing at Shanghai. Furthermore, a release of pent-up demand in the Philippines following continued easing of Covid-19 restrictions and stillnegative real interest rates will also feed into higher price pressures over the coming quarters,” it added.

The BSP is expected to hold its next monetary policy meeting on May 19.

The Nation BusinessMirror

A3

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Lorenzana: NPA has nothing to celebrate on its 53rd year

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

D

EFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the New People’s Army (NPA) has nothing to celebrate as it commemorated its 53rd year anniversary on Monday.

“We are once again reminded of the lives lost and the suffering caused by the communist terrorists, particularly their armed wing, the New People’s Army,” the defense chief said in a news statement.

“Over the years, the NPA took pride in committing lawless activities such as extortion, destruction of civilian-owned properties, and undermining the government, all in the name of their so-called ideology,” he added.

Traditionally, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines would go on alert when the NPA celebrates its anniversary as the rebels would stage formations and even carry out attacks.

However, the police and military leaderships have not issued any alert orders yet as of this writing.

Despite the rebels’ marking their anniversary, Lorenzana said the government is working for a more progressive and developed country, one by way of its counterinsurgency programs.

“Under the inter-agency Task Force BalikLoob [TFBL], thousands have been given the chance to live their lives anew and become productive members of society through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program [E-CLIP]. They have given their firearms in exchange for more peaceful tools of trade, and I am encouraged by the success stories of our former rebels,” the defense chief said.

Lorenzana encouraged other rebels to rejoin the government by availing of its assistance programs.

“Even as we enjoy the dividends of peace, we continue our mission to secure our communities, encourage Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army members to avail of the E-CLIP, and finally put a stop to the decades-long communist armed conflicts in the country. It is our hope that whoever comes next will continue what we have started and sustain our peace initiatives,” he said.

PNP backs mandatory SIM card listing to deter crimes, track down criminals

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HE Philippine National Police (PNP) is fully supportive of the implementation and signing into law of the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) Registration Act as a tool to deter crimes and track criminals in the course of a police investigation.

“We have seen how the criminal elements maximized the anonymity of pre-paid SIM cards, thus it was easy for them to constantly change SIM cards for communication and transaction without being identified,” PNP Chief General Dionardo Carlos said in a news statement issued on Monday.

He said the SIM Registration Act carries the feature of securing the identity of every pre-paid SIM card subscriber.

Under the proposed law, Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs) must require the registration of SIM cards for collection in a centralized database as a prerequisite to the sale and activation of SIM cards.

Direct sellers will require the end user to present their valid identification with a photo along with an accomplished control-

numbered registration form provided by the PTE. A person who intends to purchase a SIM card but unable to personally register for some valid reason may opt to authorize another person to buy but with a Special Power of Attorney and proper identification of the principal buyer and representative.

Carlos believed that the SIM card law would give the PNP direct access to vital information involving any criminal and would ensure that the possible commission of crime by the same person would be prevented.

The PNP also noted that PTEs and direct sellers would really be compelled to strictly adhere to the provisions to avoid being penalized according to the law.

“We ask for the public’s cooperation as this will be an added security against those who will attempt to commit crime against a person,” Carlos said.

“The PNP sees no breach in the privacy of information as collection of identification has been a practice already for postpaid applications,” he added. Rene Acosta

‘Pandemic, disasters should not be used as excuse in missing SDG goals’

By Cai U. Ordinario

T

@caiordinario

HE Covid-19 pandemic and recent disasters such as Typhoon “Odette” (international code name Rai) should not be used as an excuse in failing to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the United Nations (UN).

In a briefing at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Monday, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director and UN Undersecretary General Natalia Kanem said efforts to achieve the three zeroes on maternal mortality, gender violence, and unmet need for family planning, should continue and be accelerated.

“The pandemic has been a big setback in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. The pandemic has been a big setback in terms of 2030, but it cannot become an excuse for us to give up on the understanding that inequality is at the root of a lot of difficulties that you face in the world today,” Kanem told reporters on Monday.

Kanem said in the Philippines, efforts have been supported by the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) law, which she said gives women their rights and shields children from becoming pregnant too soon.

Further, Kanem said, the President’s executive order to speed up the law’s implementation to achieve and sustain zero unmet need for modern family planning by 2022 not only helped the country’s efforts but also is consistent with the “global picture that UNFPA has.”

UNFPA Leila Sajil Joudane said during the briefing that the UN agency has continued its efforts even during humanitarian crises in terms of meeting the three zeroes. When Typhoon Odette hit, she said, the UNFPA stepped in to provide family planning supplies that were destroyed by the typhoon.

Joudane also said the UNFPA provided facilities for women to deliver their babies safely through the Women’s Health on Wheels (WHoW). The UNFPA also recently replaced these WHoW in Leyte that was destroyed by the typhoon.

A4 Tuesday, March 29, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

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IFC raises addl $77.5M for local MSMEs

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By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE International Finance Corp. (IFC), along with other investors, raised additional funds for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines.

The funds, raised through KKR and Pavilion Capital of the Temasek Group and provided to e-commerce start-up GrowSari, aims to increase access to finance the digital transformation of MSMEs, most of which are women-led.

With the additional funds, this brings the total investment to $110 million, the largest amount ever in the business-to-business

(B2B) and MSME space in the Philippines as well as in the region.

“The pandemic has fundamentally changed how business works,” said Stephanie von Friedeburg, IFC’s senior vice president for Operations. “Businesses that ignore digital technology put themselves at an immediate disadvantage. Our investment will enable GrowSari to expand digital adoption and financial services for MSMEs, which is critical to keep them competitive, and for a resilient and inclusive recovery.”

This effort also aims to increase access to the supply chain for informal retailers, especially women. IFC said the informal retail sector plays a key role in the country’s economy with MSMEs accounting for 63 percent of employment.

However, informal retailers face a range of challenges due to inefficient and fragmented supply chains. In response, digital supply chain platforms can enhance efficiency and enable suppliers to expand, spurring adoption of digital platforms in the country.

Founded in 2016, GrowSari is a techenabled B2B platform that supports small physical retail stores in the Philippines (sari-sari stores, carinderias, pharmacies, and other roadside and market shops) with tools to manage and grow their business.

Currently, GrowSari offers services including telco loading and bills payment for local stores, while equipping MSMEs with credit to ease working capital constraints.

“We are very grateful for the confidence shown by existing and new investors as we try to transform the MSME space in the Philippines. Not only will this funding al-

low us to fuel our growth, but this will also help us bring top global quality talent in operations, technology, and data science into the start-up ecosystem of the Philippines,” said GrowSari CEO and Cofounder Reymund “ER” Rollan.

“We are strategic in choosing investors, and we have deepened our partnership with those who can support this next phase of growth, on core as well as financial services. We remain open to partnering with all other local and international companies as we transform this MSME space,” he added.

The company plans to leverage funding to accelerate its national expansion. From a base of 1,000 sari-sari stores in three cities back in 2018, Growsari has grown to service more than 100,000 stores in over 220 municipalities across Luzon.

GrowSari Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer Siddhartha Kongara said the firm also launched in the Visayas, with Iloilo as the first city. It also plans to launch in Mindanao soon in its efforts to strengthen its position as the country’s largest B2B fulfillment network with over 50 centers nationwide.

“We are fast progressing on our vision to use the GrowSari technology stack to help other companies in their logistics and e-commerce journeys. We already have more than 10 traditional companies that are leveraging the platforms to improve their business operations,” Kongara said.

IFC is also helping GrowSari develop an accurate credit scoring model, which will accelerate access to credit for stores, spur financial inclusion, and promote gender parity as more than 75 percent of its stores are female owned.

Everyone is born with dignity—It begins with you

Let’s have a look at the 10 essential elements of dignity

By Henry J. Schumacher

S

OME months ago, I wrote about the interesting subject: Are we born smart, or do we learn to be smart? The answer: People aren’t born smart. People learn how to work with what they’ve got and become smart as a result.

Today, I am attracted by the fact that everyone is born with dignity. It is our inherent value. Dignity is an inextricable part of what it means to be a human being. There is so much that divides us: ethnicities, religions, skin color, gender, politics, borders, and status. But dignity is the great equalizer. It cuts through all divisions and unites us around our shared humanity.

Dignity starts with recognizing our own inherent worth and the fundamental value of others. Recognizing everyone’s dignity impacts the way we treat ourselves and others and motivates us to build cultures of dignity in our organizations, workplaces, and communities. At the highest level, the principles of dignity would create new politics and economic systems and, ultimately, societies and nations that are more just, open, and peaceful. Hopefully Putin will read this.

To truly transform ourselves and our communities, it’s important that the principles of dignity be manifested in some areas. It starts with recognizing our own inherent dignity. Then, it’s critical that we also acknowledge the fundamental value of others—and that our individual humanity is bound up in the humanity of all people.

When we honor someone’s dignity, WE: 1. Accept their identity and give them the freedom to express their authentic selves without fear of being negatively judged.

2. Recognize their unique qualities, talents and ways of life, and give them credit for their contributions, ideas and experience.

3. Acknowledge them and make them feel seen and heard. We validate and respond to their concerns and what they have been through.

4. Include them and make them feel that they belong and are part of a community.

5. Make them feel safe—both physically and from fear of being shamed or humiliated.

6. Treat them fairly and with equality.

7. Give them a sense of freedom a nd i ndependence a nd empower them to experience a sense of hope and possibility.

8. Seek understanding and give them the chance to explain their experiences and perspectives.

9. Give them the benefit of the doubt by starting with the premise that they have good motives and are acting with integrity.

10. Apologize and take responsibility when we have violated their dignity. We make a commitment to change hurtful behaviors.

In conclusion, let’s accept that: Dignity is inherent. We are all born with dignity, and it cannot be taken away. It is the core of our identity and self-worth. Respect is earned. It is given to you by others based on your actions, abilities, or achievements.

You don’t need to respect someone’s behavior, but you should always remember their inherent dignity. This helps you break free from cycles of revenge, hatred, and resentment that lay at the heart of so many conflicts within families, communities organizations, and society.

Please remember that dignity is an inextricable part of what it means to be a human being. It’s the core of our identity and self-worth. And please, it should also drive our integrity! I look forward to your feedback; contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Solon asks IATF to adjust pandemic curbs in Albay

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

A

LEADER of the House of Representatives is urging the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to adjust the alert level status of the Province of Albay from Level 2 to Level 1 to boost its domestic economy.

In a letter to IATF Chairman and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque, House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said that the province has zero Covid-19 hospitalization rates and almost zero infection rates for the past several weeks.

“Albay has very low health-care utilization rates as documented by the personnel of the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital and has very low Covid-19 case counts. As of March 27, 2022, Albay has zero Covid-19 ICU admissions, and practically zero Covid-19 hospital utilization rate,” he said.

“You have areas like Naga City where the Alert Level is now at Level 1. We are not much worse in terms of capacity and utilization. So, I think a readjustment for the sake of the economy is in order,” Salceda added.

Areas under Alert Level 1 are allowed 100 percent capacity in public transport, while all other areas are only allowed 70 percent capacity.

“Of course, the classification has implications on allowed economic

activity, particularly for the public transportation sector. As you know, public transport is critical for the local economy of Albay, with public utility jeepneys being the primary mode of inter-local travel,” Salceda wrote in his letter.

Meanwhile, Salceda said that the alert level should be “proportional to the area’s capacity to treat its Covid-19 patients. Covid-19 is only scary if it’s lethal. If the health-care system can handle the infections, it should not be any scarier than the flu at this point. We made sure to make vaccines free and widely available for that reason.”

“That line of thinking about Covid-19 is consistent with President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 166 on accelerating economic recovery,” Salceda added.

“We needed restrictions then, when we knew very little about this disease and how to treat it. Now, we do know how to contain and treat Covid-19 infections. It’s no longer a mystery to fear,” Salceda added.

Salceda also noted that public transport capacity is especially crucial during this period of high fuel prices.

“Besides, jeepneys and tricycles, which are main transport options in provinces like Albay, are well-ventilated. So, they should be far safer than even options like taxis and buses, which are now allowed free rein in Metro Manila,” Salceda added.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 A5

Oil firms hike fuel pump prices a week after ‘big time’ rollback

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

L

OCAL pump prices are on the rise again.

On Monday, oil companies announced they would increase the price of gasoline products by P3.40 per liter, diesel by P8.65 per liter, and

kerosene by P9.40 per liter. This is the 12th price increase for the year.

Seaoil, Caltex, PTT Philippines, Unioil, Shell, Petron, Phoenix, and Total Philippines said they will implement the price adjustment at 6 a.m. of Tuesday, March 29.

Cleanfuel, meanwhile, will adjust

its prices at 8:01 a.m.

Prior to this week’s price adjustment, oil firms reduced pump prices

by P5.45 per liter for gasoline, P11.45 per liter for diesel, and P8.55 per liter for kerosene. The oil price rollback last March 22 came after 11 consecutive weeks of oil price increases.

Warning vs ‘undernourished’ N. Mindanao workers, TUCP to file ₧413 wage hike bid

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

T

HE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is set to file for a P413 pay hike in Northern Mindanao on Tuesday.

The country’s largest labor group said the amount aims to give minimum wage earners enough income to buy their food requirements amid its rising prices and address effects of inflation this year.

It cited the rising cost of living as well as the low union density due to a supposed “anti-union environment” and collective bargaining agreement in the region as the

basis for its wage petition.

It noted the P331 to P365 daily minimum wage rate in Region 10 is insufficient to keep workers above the poverty threshold and provide them with nutritious meals.

TUCP President Raymond C. Mendoza said the existing minimum wage rate in Region 10 will create “an army of undernourished Filipino workers,” if left unaddressed.

If approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Region 10 (RTWPB-Region 10), it will raise the daily minimum wage rate in the region to P778.

TUCP earlier filed similar wage petitions in the National Capital Re-

gion (P470), Central Visayas (P430), and the Davao region (P418).

The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) had previously said the RTWPBs are targeting to complete the review of their existing

Relaxed mobility restrictions to spur Natl ID registration, processing–PSA

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is confident that less stringent mobility restrictions currently in place would encourage more Filipinos to register for a National ID. As of March 16, some 60.48 million Filipinos completed the PhilSys Step 2 Registration, which involves capturing biometric information, such as fingerprints, iris, and front-facing photographs at registration centers.

PSA Undersecretary Dennis S.

Mapa, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, said more Filipinos will be able to register to PhilSys and allow PSA to meet this year’s target on time.

“Despite the previous challenges posed by Covid-19 during the early implementation of the PhilSys program, the PSA achieved its targets successfully. We thank our partners and the millions of Filipinos for their cooperation despite the limitations brought about by the pandemic. With their continued support, the PSA is confident that we will be able to register more Filipinos in the next

months,” Mapa said.

In February, Mapa told the BusinessMirror that the PSA is targeting to register the demographic and biometric of 92 million by the end of 2022. The PSA aims to distribute National ID cards to 31.3 million Filipinos by year-end.

PSA said registration centers nationwide continue to operate in compliance with the protocols of the InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and guidance from their respective local government units.

Amid the changes in quarantine

restrictions, registrants are still required to observe safety protocols such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and regular sanitation.

Meanwhile, Malacañang recently released a memorandum circular directing all government establishments to prepare for PhilSys integration into their processes and services.

Moreover, in a separate executive order, all government agencies and private establishments are mandated to accept the Philippine Identification (PhilID) card and PhilSys Number (PSN) as sufficient proof of identity and age for various transactions.

Mabalaqueños converge for Team Cops deployed in five Batangas MCG’s massive proclamation rally towns affected by Taal eruption

M

ABALACAT CITY—Thousands of blue and white clad supporters of Team MCG marched on Saturday from north and south portions of MacArthur Highway to support the reelection bid of incumbent Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, Vice Mayor Gerald Aquino, and their entire council slate.

Converging at a vacant lot in Mabiga, the huge crowd in the Unity Walk marked the opening salvo of Team MCG as it became a symbol of the overwhelming support of Mabalaqueños’ to the current administration’s brand of leadership and public service anchored on “Bayung Mabalacat” battlecry.

Mayor Garbo, who is gunning for his second term as local chief executive, said that the massive crowd in attendance represents a crusade for continuing reforms in governance and upliftment of public welfare.

Organizers of the proclamation rally estimate the total number of attendees peaking at 10,000 during the main program. Given the attendance, Team MCG regards this as the biggest political rally in the history of Mabalacat City to date.

Also, during the said political rally, Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda accompanied the entire Team MCG slate. The governor has praised Garbo and his team for their accomplishments.

“The provincial government, along with Nanay, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, supports the candidacy of Mayor Cris Garbo. His administration has accomplished a lot, a far cry from the previous leadership,” the governor said in Pampango.

Team MCG’s performance for the past three years is regarded as a “game changer” in the city’s local governance.

T

HE Calabarzon police deployed policemen to secure homes that have been left by evacuated families threatened by Taal Volcano following its phreatomagmatic eruption on Saturday.

The deployment was issued as evacuations continued in villages that may be affected by Taal, which continue to discharge hot volcanic liquid in its crater.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the “upswelling” of volcanic liquid persisted although Taal has ceased from generating earthquakes.

In a related development, former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday urged the members of the next Congress to act swiftly on proposals to establish a Department of Disaster Resilience.

Cayetano made a statement after some Batangas residents have been ordered to evacuate after Taal Vol-

cano’s renewed activity.

Quoting a report of the Police Regional Office 4A, PNP Public Affairs Office chief Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Balba said policemen were deployed in deserted villages in the towns of Agoncillo, Laurel, Balete, Talisay and Cuenca.

At least 1,228 families or 4,143 individuals from eight barangays in the five towns have been evacuated due to the eruption and persistent activity of Taal.

Balba said preventive evacuation is being undertaken by the police as authorities are keeping watch of the volcano’s activity.

Policemen have also been deployed to secure evacuation centers while regular patrols were undertaken in the evacuated barangays along with the deployment of anti-looting teams.

The Calabarzon police is also on a full alert status. Rene Acosta and Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Pacquiao: Only ‘clear sign from God’ can make me quit presidential race

A

MID poor rankings in most surveys, relatively few political endorsements while some of his rivals are experiencing shakeups in their base of support, Sen. Manny Pacquiao said only God can make him back out from the presidential race. He said he is not ruling out that possibility despite saying earlier he will stick it out till the end.

Campaigning in Manila on Monday, the world’s only 8-division box-

Movements in the world oil market affect local pump prices, which are adjusted every week.

An oil storage facility in Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest crude exporter, was reportedly hit by a drone attack, sending oil prices higher.

DEPUTY Speaker Lito Atienza (left) and Sen. Manny Pacquiao (right) as seen when they filed their certificates of candidacy in October. PNA PHOTO BY FERDINAND PATINIO

ing champion turned politician said he was willing to shelve his candidacy if he gets a “clear sign” from God to back out, according to a CNN Philippines report.

A devout Christian, Pacquiao said he will not dispute a clear instruction from God to back out. He said he could withdraw even if “it’s just two days before the election” if he gets a clear sign that this is God’s plan for him.

wage rates by next month.

It noted the review will cover both those with existing or no wage petitions, since the RTWPBs are authorized to conduct adjusted minimum wage rates on their own.

A6

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

ASIAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. 11/f Tower 2, Double Dragon, Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City LEE, DAEHEE Customer Service Representative 1.

Brief Job Description: To assists customers regarding their queries, complaints and promotions

No.

JIANG, BO Procurement Deputy Manager 12.

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

2.

TSUCHIYA, YOSHIHIRO Limited First Officer - A320

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree

Brief Job Description: Pilot flight crew

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

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

3.

4.

SITTHIKAI, SOMRUETHAI Thai Language-officer Fund Management Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

PHAM VU CUONG Vietnamese Language-officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

13.

5.

Brief Job Description: Monitor and maintain the computer systems and networks of an organization

Basic Qualification: Strong troubleshooting and critical thinking skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BRENPRO INC. 6f & 7f Nexus Center, 1010 Metropolitan Ave. & Kamagong St., San Antonio, City Of Makati NGO DUY HOANG Technical Support 6.

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

Basic Qualification: Degree in computer science or information technology

7.

Brief Job Description: The Human Resources (HR) Generalist Senior is an intermediate level position responsible for the delivery of day-to-day HR support in coordination with the Human Resources team.

14.

15.

LI, MEILIANG Mandarin Cost Control Specialist 8.

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

16.

17.

9.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the operation and overall execution of test suites for new or modified software product, detect defects and ensures that the product increment shipped to production is of good quality.

19.

10.

CHAN, IENG CHONG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Manage Incoming and Outgoing Calls Chats and Emails

11.

Brief Job Description: Assists with daily tasks for the Korean teachers

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

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

SAITO, FUJIICHI Account Manager 20.

Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Graduate of Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications or similar relevant field or any related course.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate of Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or any related course.

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (Korean and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

No.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (Korean and English) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: speaks and write fluently (Korean, English & Mandarin)

25.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the sales and marketing operations of the company

WANG, LEI Consultant 21.

Brief Job Description: To share his expertise and knowledge to help business attain goals.

CAO DANG CONG Chinese Customer Service 26.

27.

LI, YANSONG Mandarin Marketing Specialist 22.

Brief Job Description: Conducting research and marketing strategies to develop areas of the business opportunities

CAI, YINGJIE Mandarin Operations Specialist 23.

Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and operational efficiency

TIAN, HUIYANG Mandarin Operations Specialist 24.

Brief Job Description: Committed to improving customer experience and operational efficiency

28.

29.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DUONG VAN DUC Chinese Customer Service

30.

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

31.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DUONG VAN LOI Chinese Customer Service

32.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DUONG VIET NGHIA Chinese Customer Service

33.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries DUONG XUAN QUAN Chinese Customer Service

34.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HA THI HIEU Chinese Customer Service

35.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG PHUONG THAO Chinese Customer Service

36.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HOANG THI NHO Chinese Customer Service

37.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LA TRUNG QUYEN Chinese Customer Service

38.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LAM THI DUYEN Chinese Customer Service

39.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE MINH THU Chinese Customer Service

40.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE THI MONG HUYEN Chinese Customer Service

41.

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DUONG MANH DAT Chinese Customer Service

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

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DINH THI MAI Chinese Customer Service

Basic Qualification: Chinese speaking with strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower, 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer system

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; 3 + years of progressive accounting experience; proficient in speaking, reading & writing

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CAO, MIN Mandarin Technical Support

Basic Qualification: College graduate, speaks and write fluently (Korean and English)

MF CONSULTANCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES INC. Unit 1001 10/f Antel 2000 Corporate Centre, 121 Valero St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

EASY TALK LANGUAGE LEARNING CENTER FOUNDATION, INC. G/f Mezz, 2/f, 3/f & Penthouse 95, Sen Gil Puyat Ave., Palanan, City Of Makati

JEONG, JINHO Korean Admin Help Desk

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

KDDI PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Units A, B, C, & D, 25/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro blogs and forums YI, HYUNJU Korean Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 DIGICHROM INC. Unit 2602 & 2603 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro blogs and forums KIM, SEONGHWAN Korean Customer Service Representative

COLLABERA TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED, INC. U-40 A-d, 40/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

MAHALE, SNEHA SANDIP Test Automation Engineer

Brief Job Description: Track main industry trends in Korean through blogs, micro blogs and forums JUNG, TAE SOO Korean Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Must be fluent in English and can speak Indian Language; Must have at least College degree or above and have at least 2 years of experience in the same field as Test Automation Engineer in a staffing industry with indian clients

Brief Job Description: Achieve favorable financial results with respect to sales, profitability, cash flow, mergers and acquisition, systems reporting and controls.

CHUNG, MYUNG OH Korean Customer Service Representative

18.

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

Basic Qualification: Job-relevant degree/ 5-10 yrs. Supervisory/ managerial experience in logistics or operations/ multilingual

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

Basic Qualification: 8+ years of Financial and US Regulatory Reporting, US GAAP and experience working in large Financial Services or Banking Multinationals;

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Cost Control Specialist, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and electrical products use by company.

Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

Brief Job Description: Planning, Implementing and Overseeing all global marketing and advertising campaign and budget management.

CHO, JIHYUN Operations Manager

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

CMEC OFFICE IN PHILIPPINES Unit 717 High Street South Corporate Plaza, Tower 2 26th Street, Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Brief Job Description: Sourcing, attracting, interviewing, hiring and on boarding employees.

KIM, SUHWAN Marketing Manager

CITIBANK N.A. 16th Floor, Citi Plaza, 34th St. Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

JENA, GOBINDA GOSWAMI HR Generalist Senior

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

HITEJINRO PHILIPPINES INC. U-9b 9f Palisades Condo., 107 Perea St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

BRENMEDIA INTERNATIONAL INC. 10/f Unit Q, Cyber One Bldg. Eastwood Cyberpark City 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City CHEN, WEI-LI IT Support

Brief Job Description: Strategizing to find cost-effective deals and suppliers and to discover the best ways to cut procurement expenses.

LI, YURUN Talent Acquisition Specialist

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

FLASH EXPRESS SOFTWARE (PH) CO., LTD. INC. 11/f Cybersigma, Lawton Ave., Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: 21 years old and above, fluent in Korean language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE TIEN LUAN Chinese Customer Service

42.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LE VAN TUONG Chinese Customer Service

43.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LUONG THI THANH THAO Chinese Customer Service

44.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LY VAN CHINH Chinese Customer Service

45.

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

46.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NGUYEN TIEN DAT Chinese Customer Service

47.

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

48.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAM TRI VINH Chinese Customer Service

49.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAN DUY KHANH Chinese Customer Service

50.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAN THI HONG Chinese Customer Service

51.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PHAN VAN BINH Chinese Customer Service

52.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SONG, WEIDA Chinese Customer Service

53.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SY KIM ANH Chinese Customer Service

54.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries TRAN CUN CHANH Chinese Customer Service

55.

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZIN HLAING NYEIN Chinese Customer Service

56.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires

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

57.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems

FENNY Indonesian Customer Service Representative 58.

Brief Job Description: Provide product/services, information, answer questions and resolve emerging problems

64.

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

65.

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

66.

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

67.

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

59.

60.

61.

62.

63.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHEN, MINGHUI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHEN, ZEBIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHENG, GONGQUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

DAI, HONGCUI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

FU, CHUNYU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

GAO, ZHENYAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

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

68.

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

69.

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

70.

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

GU, YUE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HE, YUNCHUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HU, HONGJIA Chinese Customer Service

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

71.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

HUANG, GUOZHOU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HUANG, JUNTING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

JIANG, WEIQIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

72.

LI, QIANGBING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

73.

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

74.

Basic Qualification: Graduate 4 years bachelor degree with critical thinking and problem solving skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

75.

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION 1331 Pearl Plaza Bldg., Quirino Ave., Tambo, City Of Parañaque

BAI, YU Chinese Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

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

MPOTECH DIGITAL SYSTEM INC. 2/f 331 Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati EDWARD VALENTINE Indonesian Customer Service Representative

No.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

76.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

77.

LI, SHAOHUA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIN, HUALIAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LIU, FENGWEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MA, CONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NIE, LINGE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

78.

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

QI, XIANGYANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

79.

QIN, HONGYU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

No.

80.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

81.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

82.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

83.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

84.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

85.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

86.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

87.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

88.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

89.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

90.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

91.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

92.

93.

94.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

95.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QIN, QIAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

QIU, SHENGLAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SHI, LEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SONG, HUILI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SONG, LI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SU, GUJIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SUN, YU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TAN, ZURONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TIAN, SHUHAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TIE, YU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

TJENG, JULIANTO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, HAITAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, JINGWEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

WANG, LINA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

WANG, SHUO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, TENGFEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

A7

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

A8

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

WANG, ZE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WANG, ZHIQIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WEI, MINEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WU, BINBIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WU, JIAHAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

WU, TING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

WU, WENFENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XU, CHUNLI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XU, JIAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

XU, KAIQING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YANG, DONGDONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YU, YING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ZHANG, JIFA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ZHANG, JINPING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

ZHOU, XIAOMING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

FUJIANTO Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

112.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

113.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

114.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

115.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

116.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

NADIA Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

OKTAVIANUS Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VINCENT KWOK Indonesian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHONG CHIN POH Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOW CHENG TECK Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

117.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

118.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

119.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

120.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

121.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

122.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

123.

NG WEN NEE Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

PO TUN LIN Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

AUNG SAN OO Myanmar Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

HNIN YUZANA AUNG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HTAY HTAY MYINT Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

KYAW SOE THEIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

KYAWT THANDAR ZAW Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

124.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

125.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

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

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

MYO MYINT AUNG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

128.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

129.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

130.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

131.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

132.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

133.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

134.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

135.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

136.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

137.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

138.

126.

127.

NWE NWE WIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

PETER Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

SAI KYAW THIHA MIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SAI TOM KHAM LOM Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SOE THU LWIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

THET AUNG Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TIN LAY NWE Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TIN TIN WIN Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

YAN RONG JIAO Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ZAW MIN NAING Myanmari Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

CHANG, CHUN-YU Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

LI, PEI-JUN Taiwanese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

BUI DUC THIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

139.

BUI THI THUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

140.

CHUONG LY CHANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

141.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 142.

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

MAY MI MI HEIN Myanmari Customer Service

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

DANG THI CHUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

DANG VAN DEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

HOANG DINH PHU Vietnamese Customer Service 143.

144.

Brief Job Description: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

HUYNH LOI HOA Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Customer support and data base services Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

145.

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NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HY CHAN LIN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

KIM THI HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LAM THI ANH TUYET Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LAM THI NGOC ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE HAO HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE THI QUYNH ANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LE THU TRANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LEO VAN HAI Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LO THI HUONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

NGUYEN HUU NAM Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

NGUYEN SY DUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer Support and Data Base Services

NGUYEN VAN HONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

SIN CA PHONG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

161.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

162.

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

158.

159.

160.

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TANG SAU DIN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRAN THANH DUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

TRAN THU HUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

VO VAN THANH Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills

163.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

QIU, SHUJIN Mandarin Financial Specialist 164.

Brief Job Description: Providing financial analysis to prioritize and lead cost reduction

165.

Brief Job Description: Executive manager are responsible for the smooth operation of their company. While working as an executive can be financially and personally gratifying, the job generally entails long working hours and is no- weekend type of work in most cases.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

YE, ZHIJIANG Executive Manager 166.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: Executive manager are responsible for the smooth operation of their company. While working as an executive can be financially and personally gratifying, the job generally entails long working hours and is no- weekend type of work in most cases.

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

CHEN, BIN Financial Manager 167.

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

Brief Job Description: The Financial Manager is responsible for all areas relating to financial reporting. This the position will be responsible for developing and maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements.

Basic Qualification: Ensure quality construction standard s and the use of proper construction techniques both internal and external. Plan, coordinates organizes, oversee and directs activities regarding the construction and maintenance of assigned structures, facilities and system.

Basic Qualification: Ensure quality construction standard s and the use of proper construction techniques both internal and external. Plan, coordinates organizes, oversee and directs activities regarding the construction and maintenance of assigned structures, facilities and system.

Basic Qualification: Supervise and participate in the preparation of various financial statements, management and statutory report for the business unit and company. Provide oversight and support to the field finance staff to assist country program and ensure an accurate and timely month-end/ year-end close, financial performance reporting, invoicing and funder reporting.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledge in Computer Applications with Good Oral and Written Communication Skills

Basic Qualification: Supervise and participate in the preparation of various financial statements, management and statutory report for the business unit and company. Provide oversight and support to the field finance staff to assist country program and ensure an accurate and timely month-end/ year-end close, financial performance reporting, invoicing and funder reporting.

XIE, JIANGUO Financial Manager

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

168.

Brief Job Description: The Financial Manager is responsible for all areas relating to financial reporting. This the position will be responsible for developing and maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ROHM SEMICONDUCTOR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 4b, 4/f Frabelle Alabang Bldg, Mbp Ayala, Alabang, City Of Muntinlupa

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

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer applications with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

YOKOE, KYOICHIRO Sales Manager Brief Job Description: Manage/ supervise general tasks of sales people

174.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of Bachelor’s Degree in Administration/ management degree can speak and write in Japanese with excellent customer service

175.

BRILLIAN HARTANTO Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff 170.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignment CALVIN DILLON ENGGORO Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff

171.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignment EFFENDI NANDO Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff

172.

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignment

ELVIN Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff

Basic Qualification: a native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written)

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignment

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignment

Brief Job Description: Serves as primary contact for problem resolution and information gathering regarding customer complaints and work assignment

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: a native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: a native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 9-11 Flr., The Biopolis Bldg., Macapagal Blvd., Barangay 76, Pasay City

176.

KIM, SUNGYONG Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SEAGULL-WORLD INC. Unit 2807 28/f Cityland, Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

177.

178.

TIAN, LEI Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Brief Job Description: Responsible for IT system management

YAO, XINDE Mandarin Speaking Technical Support Brief Job Description: Responsible for IT system management

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

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE CO. (PHILS.), INC. 5f-10f Nex Tower, 6786 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

BOWYER, NEIL ROBERT Chief Of Partnership Distribution 179.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for developing plans, implementing, & delivering operating results for Banca partnerships

Basic Qualification: Professional financial qualifications, marketing, business administration or related field; at least 10 years of experience in financial industry Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati SOO SIEW MUN Bilingual Finance Support Specialist 180.

Brief Job Description: Process and Prepare Financial and Business forms for the Purpose of Checking Accountable Balances Facilitating Purchases ETC. NGUYEN VAN HOAN Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

181.

Brief Job Description: Prepare Product or Service Reports by Collecting and Analyzing Customer Information NGUYEN VAN MINH Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

182.

Brief Job Description: Prepare Product or Service Reports by Collecting and Analyzing Customer Information TRAN MINH DUC Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

183.

Brief Job Description: Prepare Product or Service Reports by Collecting and Analyzing Customer Information TRAN MINH HIEU Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

184.

Brief Job Description: Prepare Product or Service Reports by Collecting and Analyzing Customer Information TRAN QUOC TRIEU Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

185.

Brief Job Description: Prepare Product or Service Reports by Collecting and Analyzing Customer Information

Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WORLD MEDICAL RELIEF-PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BUSINESS AND COORDINATION CENTER FOUNDATION, INC. 14-d 14/f Ocean Tower Condo, Roxas Blvd., 077, Barangay 701, Malate, City Of Manila CAI, XIAOCHI Executive Assistant 186.

Brief Job Description: Develop and sustain level of professionalism among staff and client

Basic Qualification: Ability to multitask and priorities tasks Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XUSHENG TECHNOLOGY CORP. Flr. No. 1-5 Bldg., No. 0050 F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Williams And Roberts St. Zone 4, District 1, Barangay 13, Pasay City JUN, TAE HA Bilingual Customer Service Representative 187.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 RUNNINGMAN CORPORATION 8/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

XAFVIERO KHOSASI Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

MICHAEL Indonesian-language Customer Support Staff

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

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking

POWERCHINA PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit 2101 21/f Bdo Equitable Tower, 8751 Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

GUO, MINGYU Executive Manager

173.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Resolve technical issues w/ patience and understanding

No.

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

NOONA BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES INC. 10th & 31st Floor Ore Central Tower, 9th Ave. Cor. 31st St., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig MA, PINGJIANG Bilingual Technical Support

A9

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

169.

TA HONG DONG Vietnamese Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Brief Job Description: Build strong and lasting relationship with customer and provide excellent customer service experience KIM, CHAEYUN Bilingual Customer Service Representative

188.

Brief Job Description: Build strong and lasting relationship with customer and provide excellent customer service experience

Basic Qualification: Excellent in bilingual languages speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent in bilingual languages speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: a native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written)

YILV SUNNY TRAVEL CORPORATION Unit 25d 2/f Zeta Ii Bldg., 191 Salcedo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

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

189.

Basic Qualification: a native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: a native speaker of the Indonesian language (spoken and written) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LIANG, XUANFEI Mandarin Travel Specialist Brief Job Description: Ticket booking, hotel reservations, and organize transportation

Basic Qualification: Able to speak mandarin Chinese and English Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 *Date Generated: Mar 28, 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.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A10 Tuesday, March 29, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

How to make foreign investors stay in PHL

‘I

have tears in my eyes! So, I beg you. Let us watch every step we make.” These were the emotional words of Sen. Richard Gordon in 2020 at the Senate’s plenary session when he objected to the inclusion of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the country’s other Freeport zones under the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. The senator objected to the power being given to the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) in approving tax incentives under the bill.

Fast-forward to March 2022: The FIRB has rejected the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s request to allow the extension of the implementation of work-from-home arrangement for 10 percent of the workers of the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector companies beyond the end of March. This means that starting April 1, they are required to go back to their offices. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, FIRB chairman, said the WFH arrangement is only a time-bound temporary measure adopted during the surge of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Employing 1.3 million people and contributing about $29 billion to the economy, the IT-BPM sector is one of the primary pillars of the Philippine economy. The sector contributed 7.3 percent to the country’s GDP in 2019, according to a World Trade Organization report.

In the BusinessMirror’s March 14 Editorial, we wrote that the FIRB decision obviously disregards the welfare of the IT-BPM workers who have embraced remote work without affecting efficiency and company bottom line. Worse, it comes at a time when oil prices are skyrocketing. We said a good compromise would be to allow WFH arrangement for 10 percent—or even 20 percent—of the workers of IT-BPM companies. This way, we can help small businesses that depend on IT-BPM employees for their livelihood, and at the same time free some workers from commute-related stress.

Now the problem rears its head. Some IT-BPM companies are willing to forego their tax incentives rather than lose employees because of the returnto-office work requirement imposed by the government on locators. This comes amid a trend of high attrition rates in the sector, as IT-BPM workers are willing to sacrifice their current jobs for other work that allows WFH or work-fromanywhere (WFX) arrangement. The Alliance of Call Center Workers (ACW), a newly formed group of over 1,500 employees, said that some workers are already planning to resign should they be mandated to return to office starting April 1 (Read, “BPOs: Better to lose tax perks than workers,” in the BusinessMirror, March 24, 2022).

“Some of our members are planning to resign already if they will be asked to return to office 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. “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 smaller IT-BPM companies have decided to forego the tax incentives because their 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.

The FIRB has twice rejected a plea by the IT-BPM sector, backed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, for them to be allowed to continue the WFH setup until end-2022. This intransigence is sending a bad signal to foreign investors, who might just choose to invest elsewhere if the FIRB continues to ignore the appeals of IT-BPM companies. Government has no business meddling with the work arrangements adopted by private companies and their workers to sustain productivity and efficiency. Taking care of foreign companies operating in the country by helping them navigate the challenges arising from the pandemic is a great way to attract more foreign investors.

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Green investments Manny B. Villar

THE Entrepreneur

I

N the not-so-distant future, motor vehicles running on Edsa and other thoroughfares will be fueled by biomass, hydro dams, geothermal energy, and wind and solar power. Electric-powered vehicles and public transportation, and renewable energy sources are the new normal and the wave of the future.

They should be among the growth drivers of the Philippine economy tomorrow. And as the Ukraine-Russia conflict heats up and affects commodity prices, we need to invest in our future and reduce our reliance on fossil fuel.

We still depend heavily on imported fuel to power our transport and power sectors. We tap diesel generators in case of emergencies or power blackout. This dependence has exposed us to the vagaries of the global crude market caused by geopolitical tensions and thinning supply.

Even our own reserves of natural gas are nearing depletion, raising concern on our energy security in the coming years.

We should not be many years away from massively adopting electric vehicles, in place of traditional gasoline-fed or diesel-powered au-

tomobiles. Some of our Asian neighbors are already following in the footsteps of the United States and Europe. Hyundai of South Korea last week launched the first electric car assembly plant in Indonesia. Our neighboring nation is taking advantage of its rich natural resources used in the production of electric vehicles.

Indonesia, apart from being the largest nickel producer in the world, has rich deposits of copper ores, cobalt and bauxite—the crucial raw materials used in the production of EVs. In India, Suzuki Motor is investing $1.3 billion on electric vehicle and battery production to help the South Asian country in its bid to achieve carbon neutrality. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi signed the investment agreement in the Indian state of Gujarat

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John Mangun

Lourdes M. Fernandez

OUTSIDE THE BOX

T

here is—or should be—a special section in hell for someone making this statement. But here goes. I do not care even an iota about who you are going to vote for to be the next president of the Philippines.

Having lived through the administrations of 14 US presidents and seven Philippine presidents, I am not convinced that the world is a better place because of any of them having occupied The Big Chair. Of course, you can say that most all of them had good hearts and good thoughts.

But the reality is that most all of them were elected for the wrong reasons and “The People” paid for the mistakes and errors in judgement that these presidents made even if done with the best intentions. But it is our own fault.

We do not—actually no one— live in a democracy, which means a form of government where the people make the decisions. We live under a

Republic where “supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.” That definition is nonsense because power is held and wielded by the “elected representatives” which is not even in the same room as “By the People.”

We like to fool ourselves that “Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” which we incorrectly translate as the “voice of the people is the voice of God.” In fact, the full quote is in a letter to Charlemagne or Charles the Great from Alcuin of York, an English scholar and clergyman in 798.

What Alcuin wrote was, “And those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God (Vox Populi, Vox Dei),

to showcase India’s fight against climate change.

The Philippines can receive this kind of foreign investment through the right mix of fiscal incentives and other business-friendly policies. If there is an economic activity that can attract more foreign capital, protect our environment and support growth in a sustainable manner at the same time, it is the development of renewable energy projects, or simply green power plants, along with the promotion of EVs. If we are to become a high-income country, we must draw more foreign capital on top of the $10 billion that we generate annually. Singapore, a high-income Southeast Asian country with a population of just over 5 million, gets $100 billion in foreign direct investments each year.

But the Philippines, as I’ve said in my previous column, is now in an ideal position to fully reopen the economy and lure foreign investments. Our improving health situation will help us in our goal to attract more foreign capital, especially in the renewable energy sector. For one, foreign investors look for the stability and affordability of power supply, especially if they want to build energy-intensive projects, such as hyperscale data centers.

Our private sector is very receptive to green energy, or indigenous power sources such as solar, wind and hydropower, in support of their

We like to fool ourselves that “Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” which we incorrectly translate as the “voice of the people is the voice of God.” In fact, the full quote is in a letter to Charlemagne or Charles the Great from Alcuin of York, an English scholar and clergyman in 798. since the noisiness of the crowd is always very close to madness.”

As a side note, “The voice of the people is the voice of God” was first used by the English Archbishop of Canterbury Walter Reynolds during a sermon in 1327 against King Edward II whom the Archbishop wanted removed from the throne. Reynolds was backing the wife, Queen Isabella, in her rebellion against King Edward II. “What has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”

By every meaningful measure, the world is a much better place than it was 100 years ago. Life expectancy, absolute poverty, childhood nutrition and mortality rate, food supply and hunger, literacy and education, and even the price of basic commodities have dramatically improved. Now is even better than 20 or 30 years ago.

At the least, 108 million people

sustainability objectives. Many local power companies are also up to the task of meeting the rising demand for clean power from natural sources.

My own PAVI Green Renewable Energy Inc., for one, looks to expand its clean energy portfolio, especially solar, wind and hydropower projects.

It is a part of our environmental responsibility, which has always been at the heart of our operations, to support sustainable and resilient communities.

Financing support and tax incentives from the government will make the renewable energy sector economically feasible. We need to ensure that we have adequate, affordable and clean power to meet the requirements of our growing economy, including the transportation sector, which is now partly run by electricity in the forms of mass transit systems and a few personal mobility vehicles.

If we are able to fully transition to electric vehicles in this decade and most of our power plants produce clean energy, we will be in a better position to protect our economy from the fluctuation of global fuel prices and mitigate the impact of climate change for a more sustainable future.

Energy security and environment protection are critical components of economic expansion.

For comments, send e-mail to mbv_secretariat@vistaland.com.ph or visit www.mannyvillar. com.ph

were killed in wars in the twentieth century and another 100 million killed or allowed to die by “human decision.” But we are still in much better condition than during the pre-20th century period.

However, most if not all of the improvements came because of massive advances in technology in all fields, from electricity and communication to medicine and agriculture.

Government did help in supporting the technology. But if you are reading this on a computer or similar device, thank Alexander Graham Bell who used the $280,000 in today’s value from his winning the Volta Prize to create the Volta Laboratory (Bell Labs) in 1880.

In 1926, the laboratories invented an early synchronous-sound motion picture or “talking pictures.” In 1947, the transistor was invented and in 1954 the first modern solar cell was created. Bell Telephone Laboratories was entirely privately funded until 1984.

Government leaders and those who make the decisions are a necessary part of modern society. But it is impossible to quantify how much of the advance of civilization was “because of” or “regardless of” See “Mangun,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Due process in collection of taxes

A tale of two US presidents Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

Atty. Rodel C. Unciano

Tax Law for Business

U

nder the Tax Code, one great power that the Commissioner may exercise in the administration of taxes is the remedy for the collection of internal revenue taxes, fees, or charges resulting from delinquency. Under this provision, the Commissioner may enforce collection of taxes by way of distraint of goods, chattels, or effects, and other personal property of whatever character, including stocks and other securities, debts, credits, bank accounts, and interest in and rights to personal property, and by levy upon real property and interest in or rights to real property.

As the law is worded, this remedy may be resorted to by the Commissioner for the collection of delinquent taxes. Under Revenue Regulations No. 04-19, delinquent account has been defined as pertaining to a tax due from a taxpayer arising from the audit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) which had been issued Assessment Notices that have become final and executory due to the following instances: Failure to pay the tax due on the prescribed due date provided in the Final Assessment Notice (FAN)/ Formal Letter of Demand (FLD) and for which no valid Protest, whether a request for reconsideration or reinvestigation, has been filed within 30 days from receipt thereof; Failure to file an appeal to the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) or an administrative appeal before the Commissioner of Internal Revenue within 30 days from receipt of the decision denying the request for reinvestigation or reconsideration; or Failure to file an appeal to the CTA within 30 days from receipt of the Decision of the CIR denying the taxpayer’s administrative appeal to the Final Decision on Disputed Assessment (FDDA).

Thus, the Commissioner’s power to exercise summary remedy in the collection of tax including his right to issue warrants of distraint and/ or levy applies only to taxes that have become delinquent. This power cannot therefore be exercised when an assessment remains disputed or when an assessment is pending judicial review since the tax assessment under review is not yet final and executory.

I am aware of recent cases where the BIR has been very aggressive in collecting taxes even in assessment cases that have not yet become final, executory, and demandable. While the government is in dire need of revenue to defray its expenses, the tax collector’s power in the collection of taxes must be exercised with caution and within the bounds of the law, otherwise, the collection effort of the government will be a failure, resulting to the failure of the country’s economy as a whole.

Of course, the taxpayer is not left without option in contesting unlawful collection cases. As a rule, injunction is not available to restrain the collection of tax pursuant to Section 218 of the Tax Code. However, Section 11 of Republic Act 1125 as amended by RA 9282 allows the suspension of collection of taxes if in the Court’s opinion, the collection may jeopardize the interest of the government and/or the taxpayer.

But this taxpayer’s remedy against unwarranted collection cases is not as swift as it is necessary. Under the Rules of the CTA, the aggrieved taxpayer has to file a motion for suspension of collection of tax before the CTA. The motion shall be verified

Mangun. . .

Continued from A10

government.

While totally inaccurate as it is not found in the ancient Hippocratic Oath, doctors are supposed to live by the admonition “First do no harm.”

But it is a nice thought. For govern-

While the government is in dire need of revenue to defray its expenses, the tax collector’s power in the collection of taxes must be exercised with caution and within the bounds of the law, otherwise, the collection effort of the government will be a failure, resulting to the failure of the country’s economy as a whole. and shall state clearly and distinctly the facts and the grounds relied upon in support of the motion. Affidavits and other documentary evidence in support thereof shall be attached thereto. The motion shall likewise be set for hearing.

So, it is a lengthy process before the tax court can finally determine if, indeed, the Commissioner’s collection effort may jeopardize the interest of the government and/or the taxpayer. And by the time the Court issues the suspension order, if warranted, the taxpayer may have already ceased business operations for not being able to meet its operational requirements.

Further, under the current rules of the CTA and subject to certain exception, the Court may grant the motion for suspension of collection of tax if the movant shall deposit with the Court an amount in cash equal to the value of the property or goods under dispute or filing with the Court of an acceptable surety bond in an amount not more than double the disputed amount. So, while the Court may find that the Commissioner’s collection effort may jeopardize the interest of the taxpayer and should be suspended, the suspension order cannot proceed without the required taxpayer’s cash deposit or bond. So, if the taxpayer has no sufficient resources to post a bond, the taxpayer has no choice but to close business operations, hurting the country’s economy.

Taxpayer’s right to due process cannot be set aside in the administration and collection of taxes. No less than the Constitution guarantees this right. And as the High Court declared in an old case, the power of taxation should be exercised with caution to minimize injury to the proprietary rights of a taxpayer. It must be exercised fairly, equally and uniformly, lest the tax collector kills the “hen that lays the golden egg.”

The author is a partner of Du-Baladad and Associates Law Offices (BDB Law), a member-firm of WTS Global.

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at rodel.unciano@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 140.

ment, maybe the “oath” should be “Try not to screw it up too much.” I would be interested in a candidate that promised that, rather than guaranteeing the sun and the stars.

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

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 A11

N

o two American presidents differ as night and day in their dealings with Russia than that of President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump. Their contrasting styles are made more pronounced by the fact that they succeeded each other and their posture toward President Vladimir Putin during their term of office are too recent to be overlooked. Biden is an implacable foe who never hesitates to call out Putin’s despicable conduct, while Trump is a condescending figure who never misses the opportunity to prostrate himself before the Russian ruler despite the latter’s egregious behavior.

Biden minces no word in criticizing Putin. Short of calling for a regime change, which his government is careful to avoid making, the American president strongly exhorted: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power!,” in reference to his Russian counterpart. This quotation, no doubt, will reverberate throughout history much in the same way as former President Ronald Reagan’s famous Berlin Wall Speech: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Putin’s place in history was damaged beyond repair when Biden described him as a “dictator” and a “butcher,” when either term would be enough to ruin one’s name.

Juxtapose Biden’s belligerence with Trump’s condescending attitude towards Russia and its supreme leader and one will be aghast to find a yawning difference. For a start, Trump’s misplaced opinion on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine betrays his fawning reverence to Putin. He called Putin a “genius” and “pretty savvy” for declaring the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk independent before launching his unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine. Then he used them as launching pads to invade Ukraine. While he was all praise for the Russians, Trump condemned Biden for his alleged incompetence: “The problem is not that Putin is smart, which of course he’s smart, but the real problem is

our leaders are dumb.” Trump also belittled the economic sanctions imposed by the US and the NATO countries against Russia as ineffective when even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has been asking for more sanctions to cripple the Russian economy.

When Trump ran for president the first time around in 2016, he caused the removal from his party’s platform of the giving of military armament to Ukraine after its southern territory, Crimea, was annexed

by Russia. When he became president, he proposed the recognition of Crimea as a part of the Russian territory and asked for the return of Russia to the Group of 7 countries after it was expelled for invading Crimea. And he was impeached for the first time after he withheld the release of $400 million as security aid to Ukraine duly approved by the US Congress in exchange for a political favor from the Zelenskyy government. In 2019 while he was campaigning for his reelection, Trump specifically asked Zelenskyy if the latter could dig up incriminating information on his political nemesis, Biden, and his son Hunter, who had done business in Ukraine.

It seems that the only language that Putin understands is force. Biden called Putin a “war criminal” without batting an eyelash. This is a stirring endorsement of the move to hale Putin before the

International Criminal Court (ICC) for the alleged war crimes he has committed in Ukraine. During his recent visit to Poland, Biden branded Putin “a butcher” who has killed thousands of innocent civilians.

He assailed Putin’s brutal and barbaric conduct of the war, which has shocked the civilized world. Addressing the Nato members in Brussels, he warned his allies to be ready for a long haul. “This battle will not be won in days, or months, either. We need to steel ourselves for the long fight ahead.” Biden emphasized that the battle for freedom is neither simple nor easy. It will “be fought over not days and months, but years and decades.” And he invoked the late Pope John Paul II’s bold and prophetic words when he visited his home country Poland in 1978 in the midst of its fight to regain freedom from the clutches of the Soviet Union’s iron rule. “Be not afraid!” Biden said that it was the message that ended the Soviet Union’s repression of Poland and the rest of Central and Eastern Europe, and that the same message will help overcome Russia’s evil design in Ukraine.

Throughout history, right has prevailed over wrong and freedom over bondage. The victory of the Union Army during the US Civil War, the defeat of Germany at the hands of the pro-democracy forces in WWI and the triumph of the Allied Powers over the Axis Powers during WWII all attest to this fact. Expressing unbridled optimism, Biden intoned that the democratic forces shall once more emerge triumphant in Ukraine and anywhere where “the great battle for freedom, a battle between democracy and autocracy, between liberty and repression, between rules-based order and one governed by brute force” is waged. Wherever he goes, Biden rallies the free world to “sustain unity and resolve in the face of Russian aggression.” He asserts that “we not only lead by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.” These are words that we won’t hear from Trump. Instead, Trump is spineless when it comes to confronting Putin. In his first State of the Union address, Biden vowed that “the United States and our allies

will defend every inch of Nato territory with the full force of our collective power—every single inch.” And where was Trump all this time? In the past he has shown that he would sell his country short to appease Putin. In the infamous Helsinki Summit with Putin, against the verified findings of the US intelligence, Trump backed Putin’s claim that there was no truth in the claim that Russia had interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. As usual, he has been busy making political rounds rallying his Make America Great Again (MAGA) followers to return him to the White House in 2024. He never gets tired of claiming that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him and that Putin would not have the gumption to invade Ukraine had he been the president of the US. Trump reserves his best overtures toward Putin. He once claimed that Putin had been a far better leader than Barack Obama. “Certainly…he’s (Putin) been a leader, far more than our president has been.” And he has not let up even in the face of Putin’s boorish and bestial behavior.

Mary L. Trump, the daughter of Trump’s older brother Frederick, said that Trump’s pathologies, dysfunctional character and hubris make him the world’s most dangerous man. In her top-selling book, Too Much and Never Enough, she recalls that she did not take seriously Trump’s announcement that he would run for president on June 16, 2015 but when his poll numbers started to rise she got alarmed. It was about this time that she suspected her uncle Donald “may have received the tacit assurances from Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia would do everything it could to swing the election in his favor.” And all her fears had come to pass during Trump’s 4-year presidency, which she deftly chronicled in her book. And we have not heard the last from Trump. Outside of the White House, he continues to weave tales and spread lies about the events in Ukraine. An unabashed Russophile, Trump keeps his love affair with Putin who he hero-worships. I’m glad the Americans dumped him in favor of Biden.

Ukraine pleads for help, says Russia wants to split nation

By Yuras Karmanau | The Associated Press

L

VIV, Ukraine—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the West of cowardice Sunday while another top official said Russia was trying to split the nation in two, like North and South Korea.

Zelenskyy made an exasperated plea for fighter jets and tanks to help defend his country from Russia’s invading troops. Russia now says its main focus is on taking control of the eastern Donbas region, an apparent pullback from its earlier, more expansive goals, but one that is raising fears of a divided Ukraine.

Speaking after US President Joe Biden said in a lacerating speech that Russian President Vladimir Putin could not stay in power—words the White House immediately sought to downplay—Zelenskyy lashed out at the West’s “ping-pong about how and who should hand over jets” and other weapons while Russian missile attacks kill and trap civilians.

“I’ve talked to the defenders of Mariupol today. I’m in constant contact with them. Their determination, heroism and firmness are astonishing,” Zelenskyy said in a video address, referring to the besieged southern city that has suffered some of the war’s greatest deprivations and horrors. “If only those who have been thinking for 31 days on how to hand over dozens of jets and tanks had 1 percent of their courage.”

Zelenskyy also told independent Russian journalists Sunday that his government would consider declaring neutrality and offering security guarantees to Russia, repeating earlier statements. That would include keeping Ukraine nuclear-free, he said.

He told the reporters that the is-

sue of neutrality—and agreeing to stay out of Nato—should be put to Ukrainian voters in a referendum after Russian troops withdraw. He said a vote could take place within a few months of the troops leaving.

Russia quickly banned the interview from being published. Roskomnadzor, which regulates communications for Moscow, issued the ban, saying there could be action taken against the Russian media outlets that took part, which included “those that are foreign media outlets acting as foreign agents.”

Russia-based outlets appeared to comply with the ban although the interview was published abroad.

Zelenskyy responded by saying Moscow was afraid of a relatively short conversation with journalists. “It would be funny if it weren’t so tragic,” he said, according to the Ukrainian news agency RBK Ukraina.

At the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, attendees expressed support for Ukraine by falling silent for 30 seconds. Some arrived wearing blue-and-gold ribbons, the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Actor Sean Penn had unsuccessfully campaigned for Zelenskyy—a former actor—to speak at the ceremony.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has stalled in many areas. Its aim to quickly encircle the capital, Kyiv, and force its surrender has faltered against staunch Ukrainian resistance — bolstered by weapons from

the US and other Western allies.

Moscow claims its focus is on wresting the entire eastern Donbas region, which has been partially controlled by Russia-backed separatists since 2014. A high-ranking Russian military official on Friday said that troops were being redirected to the east from other parts of the country.

Russia has supported the separatist rebels in Luhansk and neighboring Donetsk since the insurgency erupted there shortly after Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine. In talks with Ukraine, Moscow has demanded Kyiv acknowledge the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, accused Russia of seeking to split Ukraine in two, making the comparison to North and South Korea.

“The occupiers will try to pull the occupied territories into a single quasi-state structure and pit it against independent Ukraine,” Budanov said in a statement released by the Defense Ministry. He predicted that guerrilla warfare by Ukrainians would derail such plans.

A Ukrainian delegate in talks with Russia on ending the war, Davyd Arakhamia, said in a Facebook post the countries would meet in Turkey beginning Monday. However, the Russians then announced the talks would start Tuesday. The sides have met previously with no deal reached.

Ukraine’s priorities at the talks will be “sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zelenskyy told his nation in his nightly address.

“We are looking for peace, really, without delay,” he said. “There is an opportunity and a need for a faceto-face meeting in Turkey.”

Zelenskyy also signed a law that

bans reporting on troop and equipment movements that haven’t been announced or approved by the military. Journalists who violate the law could face three to eight years in prison. The law does not differentiate between Ukrainian and foreign reporters.

Ukraine says that to defeat Russia, the West must provide fighter jets and not just missiles and other military equipment. A proposal to transfer Polish planes to Ukraine via the United States was scrapped amid NATO concerns about being drawn into direct fighting.

In his pointed remarks, Zelenskyy accused Western governments of being “afraid to prevent this tragedy.

Afraid to simply make a decision.”

His plea was echoed by a priest in the western city of Lviv, which was struck by rockets a day earlier. The aerial assault illustrated that Moscow, despite assertions that it intends to shift the war eastward, is willing to strike anywhere in Ukraine.

“When diplomacy doesn’t work, we need military support,” said the Rev. Yuri Vaskiv, who said fearful parishioners were staying away from his Greek Catholic church.

On the road to Kyiv, residents of a village combed through the wreckage of Russia’s ongoing attacks. Locals in Byshiv, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) from Kyiv, walked through buildings torn open and destroyed by shelling to salvage what they could, including books, shelving and framed pictures.

Standing in what used to be a kindergarten classroom, teacher Svetlana Grybovska said too many children have fallen victim. Andrea Rosa in Kharkiv, Nebi Qena in Kyiv, Cara Anna in Lviv and Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report

A12 Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Senate eyes private-sector agenda vs food smuggling

S

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

ENATORS on Monday lined up recommendations to improve the country’s trade system to curb agricultural smuggling, such as implementing a sound data system and empowering government agencies to seize contraband food products.

The Senate Committee of the Whole, presided by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, resumed its oversight hearing on the unabated agricultural smuggling in the country on Monday.

The hearing, which lasted for three hours, ended with preliminary recommendations that included proposals from industry stakeholders on how the government could improve its efforts against smuggling.

In wrapping up the hearing, Sotto vowed that Senate probers won’t stop until the rampant food smuggling is resolved, setting up meetings with private sector groups on their concrete recommendations

to fight the menace.

“We have numerous laws in place,” the Senate leader observed, reminding concerned authorities that “what is needed is full implementation.”

The Senate, he said, has been trying to help, but concerned “agencies must do more to protect farmers.”

He lamented, speaking mostly in Filipino, “Behind all these, there’s always big money and that is what is disgusting.” Earlier, the lawmaker lamented no food smuggler has been arrested.

He cited earlier data that at least P6 billion was lost “from misdeclaration or technical smuggling of

agricultural products which can infect humans and livestock.”

Nonetheless, he vowed: “We will not end this investigation and exercise our right of congressional oversight until we put an end to this perennial problem.”

At the same time, he also assured that “we will talk to the private sector for their proposed solutions.”

Recommendations

THE recommendations raised at the hearing included strengthening of interagency coordination efforts against smuggling as he noted that the current collaboration among government agencies are not sufficient to curtail smuggling.

“Since we do not have an interagency corporation, the interagency efforts have resulted in pinpointing, what Sen. [Panfilo] Lacson described as ‘ping-pong’ strategy,” Sotto said.

Sotto said agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) must have police powers so that they can seize smuggled goods outright without prior coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

During the hearing, it was revealed that the DA and the DTI do not have police powers to immediately seize smuggled products under present rules and regulations. The two agencies must flag the alleged smuggled goods to the BOC, which will then determine if the goods were indeed illegally imported.

“We want that all of them have power to confiscate the widespread proliferation of contraband goods in the market. In that way, our efforts to help the affected farmers would be hastened,” Sotto said.

Sotto said the Senate will also call the attention of the Department of Health (DOH) to be part of interagency efforts against smuggling since the reported smuggled carrots in the country are laced with formaldehyde.

Data trade

ANOTHER recommendation that came up from the hearing was improving the country’s data trade system, including the automation of import and export figures, to allow the government to monitor the entry of farm goods real-time.

See “Senate,” A2

OFFICE RENT, LOANS UP AS ALERT LEVELS EASE

O

FFICE space rent and approved loans have started to pick up as more establishments resume their operations amid lower alert levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other parts of the country this month.

Since the government started implementing Alert Level 1 this month, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Sec. Jose “Joey” A. Concepcion disclosed discounts for office rent have gone down as demand for such facilities gradually increased.

“Discount was as high as 50 percent, now it is [down] to 25 percent. Soon there will be no more discounts,” Concepcion told BusinessMirror in a Viber message.

He noted that financial institutions are now extending loans to more micro and small entrepreneurs as business confidence rises alongside lower Covid-19 cases in the country despite the increased public mobility.

Under Alert Level 1, businesses and public utility vehicles are now allowed to operate with 100-percent operating capacity.

Concepcion stressed, though, that extending this duration of the booming business operation in the country will only be pos-

sible if infections are kept at bay throughout the year.

Low booster availment

THE business leader expressed concern over the low number of Covid booster availment in the country.

Based on the report of the National Vaccination Operations Center (NVOC) last week, only 11.7 million of the 65.5 million people, who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 have availed of their booster shots.

This trend could leave the country vulnerable to a spike in Covid-19 cases by the second half of the year, when many effects of the jabs for many fullyvaccinated individuals begin to wane, according to Concepcion.

“So our citizens need to avail of their boosters because some of those [jabs] will expire by June. So that is only two and half months. And there is no clarity on whether additional doses will arrive,” Concepcion said in a television interview on Monday.

He noted that while large companies could afford to buy more booster shots for their employees, it might not be possible for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Companies

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

B1

Easing of virus curbs allows Pilipinas Shell to post profit

By Lenie Lectura

P

@llectura

ilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

(PSPC) posted a net income of P3.9 billion last year, from a loss of P16.2 billion in 2020.

It said Monday that its approach in marketing its premium products, customer-centric integrated fuel and non-fuel products, and sustained network growth have put the company on the recovery path.

Core earnings jumped to P2.3 billion from the previous year’s P300 million. Fuel marketing volumes, which started increasing after the government lifted Covid-19 restrictions and ramped up its campaign

to get more people fully vaccinated, remain 7 percent below 2020 levels.

In terms of volume, the oil company’s lubricant business went up by 30 percent, and bitumen sales by 12 percent versus 2020. The company, it claimed, remained the preferred supplier of fuels for customers in essential industries such as power and construction.

At end-2021, the oil firm has put up over 1,100 service stations.

“Our strategy of powering progress for the Philippines is working, despite the challenges brought by an unprecedented global health crisis and the lockdowns it triggered,” said PSPC President and Chief Executive Officer Lorelie Quiambao-Osial.

Quiambao-Osial, the first woman to hold the highest leadership position in Pilipinas Shell, expressed the hope that “marketing volumes (will) continue to improve as more people get fully vaccinated, feel safer and get back on the road”.

The oil firm’s non-fuel-retail (NFR) profitability reached prepandemic levels, enjoying doubledigit growth across its segments. It has 87 Shell Select stores, 225 Select Express, 75 Deli2Gos, 455 Lube bays, and 370 Shell Helix Centers.

The company has continued to advance its sustainability agenda,

evolving its operations across the company’s diverse businesses to lower its carbon footprint. Advocacy of low-carbon product lines has resulted in higher sales.

“We are a steadfast partner in providing high-quality, reliable energy for the Philippines and our customers, and we remain committed to supporting government’s efforts at nation-building through current and future challenges,” said Quiambao-Osial.

The oil firm added that it marked the biggest growth in the number of company-owned sites with the opening of its first Site of the Future in Silang, Cavite in September last year and 42 other new mobility stations nationwide not just to provide fuel, but to also provide products and services for drivers, passengers, commuters, and pedestrians.

PSE unveils 2 new subindices

By VG Cabuag @villygc

T

he Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) launched on Monday two new subindices— the PSE MidCap Index and the PSE Dividend Yield Index—in a bid to diversify the market's investment portfolios.

“Ever since, we only have the main composite, All Shares and sectoral indices in the PSE. These thematic indices are long overdue and we are pleased to finally make available the first two sets of new indices,” PSE President and CEO Ramon S. Monzon said.

“In developing these indices, we consulted with market participants to ensure that the selection criteria and methodology are acceptable to those who want to track or benchmark on the new indices."

Both indices have 20 constituents and the index members are as of the February 2022 recomposition, which stemmed from a review of companies from January to December 2021. The base date and level for both indices is December 30, 2010 at 1,000.

At the launch, the MidCap Index and the Dividend Yield Index will have 1,195.10 and 1,708.56 as their starting levels, respectively, representing an increase of 19.5 percent and 70.9 percent from their base lev-

els, based on the 11-year backtesting conducted by the PSE. The subsequent levels will be computed at the end of every trading day.

For inclusion in the PSE MidCap Index, a company must be listed for at least 12 months during the review period and must have a free float of at least 15 percent of its outstanding shares at the end of the 12-month period. Market capitalization, liquidity and financial performance are the other criteria considered.

The companies included in the Mid Cap Index are AREIT Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Corp., Cebu Air Inc., Century Pacific Food Inc., Cosco Capital Inc., Double Dragon Corp., DMCI Holdings Inc., D&L Industries Inc., Filinvest Land Inc., GMA Network Inc., AllHome Corp., Manila Water Co. Inc., Nickel Asia Corp., Petron Corp., Philippine National Bank, Philex Mining Corp., Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. Meanwhile, to qualify for inclusion in PSE Dividend Yield Index, companies should have regularly issued cash dividends for the past three consecutive years. Companies must also be listed for at least 12 months during the review period and at least six months for Real Estate Investment Trusts. The

free float, liquidity and financial performance of companies are also evaluated.

The companies included in the Dividend Yield Index are Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Aboitiz Power Corp., AREIT, Bank of the Philippine Islands, DMCI, DNL, Globe Telecom Inc., GMA, International Container Terminal Services Inc., LT Group Inc., Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., Manila Electric Co., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Nickel Asia Corp., Robinsons Land Corp., Robinsons Retail, Semirara Mining, Security Bank Corp., PLDT Inc. and Universal Robina Corp.

“The PSE Dividend Yield Index will create a proper benchmark for existing dividend-based mutual funds and UITFs [unit investment trust fund]. Currently, the performance of these funds are compared with the PSEi because the stock market does not have a dividend index to match it to,” Monzon said.

“With the launch of these two indices, we hope to see more funds created that will track these new benchmarks. We think this will also provide fund managers and investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolio."

The PSE MidCap Index closed higher by 0.39 points to 1,195.49 while the PSE Dividend Yield Index ended lower by 0.56 points to 1,708.

SEC keeps ISO certification for core services

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday said the agency kept all of its ISO management system certifications on all its core services in its main and extension offices.

“Once again, the SEC has demonstrated its global competitiveness as the premier investor champion and catalyst of a deep, broad and informed investorbased capital market and more empowered business sector,” SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino said during a ceremony in its main office in Pasay last week.

“As we celebrate this achievement, we are working on more breakthroughs for the commission in line with our SuperVision 2025 to be the premier investor champion and catalyst of a deep, broad and informed, investorbased capital market and more empowered business sector considered among the best in the Southeast Asian region."

The agency already has its ISO 9001:2015 Certification, but it will need to undergo a review regularly if it is adhering to the standards set, and this case is on its regulatory services over the corporate sector, the capital market participants and the securities and investments instruments market in the Philippines, as well as the protection of the investing public.

The certification also covers the provision of registration of partnerships and corporations doing business in the Philippines in all SEC Extension Offices in Baguio, Tarlac, Legazpi, Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga.

The SEC first obtained ISO 9001:2015 Certification in 2018 for its quality management system covering the registration of partnerships and corporations doing business in the Philippines, and the licensing of capital

market institutions and professionals.

The SEC then secured a recertification for ISO 9001:2015 in 2020, where it expanded the scope of its ISO-certified quality management system to cover 122 document procedures from the initial 59.

“The ISO 9001:2015 Re-Certification is exceptionally meaningful to the SEC. As a customercentric organization, we appreciate that it has provided us with an external and objective evaluation of the quality of our services based on international standards,” SEC commissioner Karlo S. Bello said in his opening remarks.

“We also take pride in the consistent assessment that we have been compliant with ISO 9001:2015 standards for the past three years and confident that we will continue to be so in the next three years and beyond, pandemic or no pandemic.” VG Cabuag

China oil giant plans record capex on energy security push

S

inopec will spend record amounts this year to increase oil and gas drilling as China aims to bolster its energy security and insulate itself from volatile global commodity markets.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., as it’s officially known, will increase capital expenditure 18 percent to 198 billion yuan ($31 billion), including a 22-percent boost in drilling, it said in its annual report Sunday.

Shares rose as much as 5.9 percent in Hong Kong on Monday, extending a rebound from a bottom earlier this month to 18 percent.

“The company will redouble its efforts in exploration, especially in shale oil and shale gas,” Sinopec said in the report. The company plans to develop reserves now that would have been unprofitable in recent years with lower oil prices, Chairman Ma Yongshen said on a conference call Monday.

The announced increase comes just weeks after China’s leaders made it clear the nation’s top energy priority this year is securing fuel supplies.

The world’s biggest energy importer

is trying to prevent soaring costs of oil, gas and coal from derailing efforts to keep its economy on a stable footing. Sinopec is the first of China’s three state-owned oil majors to announce earnings, and the spending boost could augur similar actions from competitors. Cnooc Ltd. reports Wednesday, while PetroChina Co. files on Thursday.

Cnooc said in January it planned a modest increase in spending this year, but that was before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent energy prices to stratospheric heights.

Sinopec is best known for its oil refining business, but has had success in recent years drilling for natural gas in China’s hard-to-crack shale fields. The company aims to increase gas output by 4.8 percent this year after a 12-percent jump last year.

Annual net income for 2021 rose to 72 billion yuan from 33.4 billion yuan a year earlier, as Sinopec’s core refining business experienced a strong recovery on a rebound for travel and freight.

That compares with an estimate of 70 billion yuan from analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Bloomberg News

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

FNI income rises on surge in nickel prices last year

D

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

espite experiencing bad weather conditions throughout last year's mining season, Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. (FNI) said its net income rose by nearly 6 percent to P1.98 billion in 2021, from the previous year's P1.87 billion.

The country's second-largest nickel ore producer said its revenues last year were up by P445.5 million, or 6.1 percent, to P7.71 billion in 2021 versus the P7.26 billion recorded in 2020.

“2021 has been a good year for FNI as we received the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award. It is the highest honor bestowed upon responsible mining companies by the Department

of Environment and Natural Resources,” FNI President Dante R. Bravo said.

“We are also delighted with the continued surge in nickel prices, which has allowed us to grow our top and bottom line despite having experienced relatively bad weather conditions throughout last year’s mining season."

Bravo said bad weather caused the company's shipment volume to fall by 13.1 percent as it managed to ship 90 vessels of nickel ore for a total of 4.887 million wet metric ton (WMT) in 2021 against the 103 vessels totaling 5.625 million WMT in 2020.

The resulting product mix was 77 percent (3.761 million WMT) low-grade ore and 23 percent (1.126 million WMT) medium-

grade ore in 2021 versus last year’s mix of 68 percent (3.831 million WMT) low-grade ore and 32 percent (1.794 million WMT) medium-grade ore.

FNI’s overall average realized nickel ore price for the year ended December 31, 2021, was higher by 21.5 percent, $31.78/WMT compared to $26.16/WMT for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Meanwhile, low-grade ore was 22.2 percent higher at $30.07/ WMT in 2021 compared to $24.61/ WMT in 2020. Medium-grade ore was 27.2 percent higher at $37.47/ WMT in 2021 compared to $29.47/ WMT in 2020.

“We are hoping to have more favorable weather conditions in our Cagdianao site this year to boost production,” Bravo said.

AirAsia restarts operations at Naia Terminal 4

B

UDGET carrier AirAsia Philippines expects to serve as much as 235,000 guests at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 4 within the first two months of the resumption of its operations at the domestic passenger terminal.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said the group sees its return to Naia Terminal 4 as “an indication of the strong recovery momentum of the travel industry.”

Also known as the Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal, Naia Terminal 4 reopened on Monday after two years of closure due to the low demand for travel amid the pandemic.

“The return of domestic operations to Naia Terminal 4 is a strategic move in managing the expected influx of passengers at Terminal 3 in

the coming months. This will optimize overall airline operations from check-in to boarding, helping airlines to significantly improve on-time performance,” he said in a statement.

Isla noted that AirAsia Philippines’ transfer to Naia T4 is expected to benefit guests with smoother check-in procedures.

"We consider foot traffic and increased passenger volume as happy problems for us in the airline industry. We've been preparing for this for the past months. We encourage our guests to check their booking itinerary to avoid confusion. Our domestic flights may be operating from a different terminal but we apply the same stringent measures to ensure guest safety and convenience with our multi-layered approaches to safety," Isla added.

He noted that enterprises within the terminal also stand to benefit from the increased foot traffic in the terminal.

Last month, the airline said it expects travel demand to pick up within the year after recording a 38-percent

increase in forward bookings.

Steve F. Dailisan, the spokesperson of AirAsia Philippines, said the carrier also observed an 18-percent growth in “15 to 30 days booking especially for top summer destinations.” Lorenz S. Marasigan March 28, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

229.45

8.62%

-4.48%

-1.88%

-1.56%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.477

18.21%

-2.56%

1.1%

-11.25%

10.04%

-8.08%

-4.57%

-1.89%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1767

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7473 0.97%

-7.16% n.a.

-1.22%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6809 2.45%

-7.59% n.a.

-11.67%

-2.01%

0.28%

-0.73%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.7667

14.64%

-4.19%

-3.25%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

87.33

-8.72%

-11.94% n.a.

-7.52%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

46.9265

8.23%

5.145

11.64%

-3.2%

-0.52%

-2.5% -1.62%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

492.57

8.4%

-3.1%

-0.65%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3835

26.32%

1.95%

2.57%

2.01%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.173

11.76%

-2.1%

0.71%

-1.15%

-3.27% n.a.

-0.79%

0.934

10.78%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

4.8645

9.61%

-2.43%

0.2%

-1.94%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

808.43

8.89%

-2.57%

0.11%

-2.42%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7336

-2.52%

9.84%

-7.13%

-2.72%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7027

10.11%

-4.85%

-0.99%

-1.93%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9209

8.48%

-2.88%

-0.15%

8.74%

-2.82%

1.15%

-1.57%

United Fund, Inc. -a

3.3835

-2.12%

-2.5%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.1854

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

986.51 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

16.71% n.a. n.a.

1.95%

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

109.0325

9.44%

-2.3%

0.57%

-2.19%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0362

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.6836

-15.45%

0.97%

2%

-8.02%

1.1%

10.23%

8.88%

-8.82%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.645

1.43%

-1.39%

-0.8%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2326

3.18%

-1.08%

-0.31%

-2.14%

6.9%

0.49%

1.65%

-0.57%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6757

-2.78%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2092

11.1% n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.36%

1.68%

1.9889

4.4%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.6983

3.63%

0.4%

0.69%

-1.77%

16.5772

3.57%

0.09%

0.62%

-1.59%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1018

-0.92%

4.82%

-0.54%

0.4%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5876 5.57%

-2.25%

0%

-1.63%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-1.28%

0.48%

-1.27%

0.9421

12.09%

0.1%

-1.38%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

0.9536

0.03%

-1.52% n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.9168

4.85%

-2.69% n.a.

-2.93%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.9064

5.48%

-2.98% n.a.

-2.94%

-3.66%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03527

-7.52%

-0.75%

-0.05%

$1.0172

-8.84%

1.15%

1.61%

-4.68%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.4233 -1.56%

6.63%

6.22%

-7.89%

2.3%

2.53%

-7.2%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.1123 -4.21%

-7.04%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

373.67

1.04%

2.5%

2.44%

-0.17%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8855

-1.13%

0.19%

0.05%

0.04%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2394

0.71%

2.55%

3.63%

-0.14%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2197

-1%

0.97%

1.21%

-1.41%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4184 -0.21%

2.27%

1.82%

-0.31%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

-2.94%

2.39%

1.31%

-1.99%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. - a

1.3146

-0.05%

3.29%

2.75%

-0.34%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9209

-0.84%

2.9%

2.48%

-1.13%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0147

-0.66%

3.36%

1.98%

-1.31%

4.308

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1531

-0.33%

3.09%

2.99%

-1.08%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-0.96%

2.27%

2.33%

-1.17%

1.7104

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$484.93

0.6%

2.26%

2.16%

-0.95%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є215.93

-1.62%

0%

0.58%

-1.85%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1095

-6.25%

-1.56%

-0.1%

-7.84%

-0.4% n.a.

-4.23%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0249 -3.49% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$0.9484

-10.23%

-3.79%

-2.31%

-7.27%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.3328

-5.46%

1.07%

1.16%

-6.9%

$0.0611591

-2.15%

1.75%

1.45%

-1.82%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.9164 -6.3%

-0.64%

-0.2%

-8.75%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

131.54

1.32%

2.5%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.0604

1.03%

1.77% n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3203

1.52%

2.36%

2.51%

2.54%

0.27% 0.26%

0.36%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.062

0.65%

1.29% n.a.

0.13%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

45.8993 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.3356

12.6% n.a. n.a.

-3.42%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 28, 2022

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

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

156,170,690 111,802,866.50 6,853,300 666,899 73,677,247 100,110 466,436 175,563 16,715 49,800,939 1,152,544 1,320,030 15,240 137,992

26,531,056 49,732,691 -258,881 -6,418,283 -75,504 -565,088 -649,613 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.38 8.39 8.33 8.42 8.3 8.38 13,369,300 111,953,412 1.01 1.04 1.04 1.05 1.01 1.01 67,000 68,350 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 35 35.5 35.55 35.55 34.75 35.5 1,861,300 65,585,585 0.415 0.42 0.425 0.43 0.415 0.42 3,400,000 1,430,950 BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN 25.9 25.95 25.65 26.2 25.65 25.95 77,800 2,019,600 69.55 69.95 69.9 69.95 69.85 69.95 19,300 1,349,201.50 FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO 373.2 373.4 369 373.2 360.2 373.2 238,460 88,258,468 19.98 20 20.3 20.45 19.98 20 568,300 11,381,085 MANILA WATER PETRON 3.3 3.31 3.31 3.33 3.3 3.3 991,000 3,283,090 4.8 4.95 4.96 4.96 4.8 4.8 21,000 101,360 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 10.24 10.6 10.22 10.6 10.22 10.6 17,400 180,096 12.44 12.46 12.28 12.48 12.26 12.44 1,037,100 12,867,174 SYNERGY GRID 18 18.1 17.98 18 17.72 18 171,500 3,076,486 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 14.38 14.4 14.28 14.4 14.28 14.38 50,900 731,750 2.02 2.03 2 2.02 1.85 2.02 246,204,000 476,595,400 SOLAR PH VIVANT 14.2 16.74 14.14 14.14 14.14 14.14 600 8,484 5.21 5.3 5.3 5.37 5.18 5.3 2,478,200 13,083,822 AGRINURTURE AXELUM 2.55 2.62 2.57 2.62 2.57 2.62 151,000 395,570 22.1 22.2 21.75 22.1 21.4 22.1 1,913,800 41,623,295 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 14.2 14.5 14.58 14.58 14.2 14.2 7,200 103,300 7.72 7.75 7.95 7.96 7.7 7.72 922,100 7,144,457 DNL INDUS EMPERADOR 14.56 14.58 14.64 14.7 14.4 14.56 2,061,800 29,999,918 SMC FOODANDBEV 62.2 62.45 63.2 63.2 62.15 62.45 56,810 3,544,241 0.65 0.66 0.62 0.66 0.62 0.65 11,696,000 7,565,520 FIGARO COFFEE ALLIANCE SELECT 0.58 0.61 0.6 0.62 0.6 0.61 6,000 3,660 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.13 1.11 1.12 1,416,000 1,583,590 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 107.9 109 108.1 110 107.9 109 22,220 2,402,586 218.8 219.8 214.2 220 214.2 219.8 354,140 77,623,354 JOLLIBEE KEEPERS HLDG 1.2 1.21 1.2 1.22 1.18 1.21 2,499,000 2,966,590 6.11 6.18 6.18 6.18 6.05 6.18 78,700 481,545 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.138 0.146 0.136 0.147 0.136 0.147 20,000 2,830 13.46 13.5 13.5 13.68 13.42 13.5 3,903,800 52,770,200 MONDE NISSIN 7.96 7.99 7.8 7.96 7.8 7.96 88,100 687,674 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.56 0.58 0.59 0.7 0.55 0.58 4,484,000 2,595,580 4.31 4.54 4.32 4.32 4.31 4.31 4,000 17,260 RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG 1.32 1.41 1.32 1.32 1.31 1.31 8,000 10,520 0.103 0.109 0.104 0.105 0.104 0.105 610,000 63,590 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 118.1 118.2 116.9 118.2 116.4 118.2 2,213,740 260,957,902 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61 295,000 179,950 VITARICH CONCRETE A 45.65 48 48 48 48 48 7,500 360,000 0.89 0.9 0.91 0.92 0.88 0.89 4,444,000 3,965,930 CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT 13 13.2 13.06 13.56 13 13.2 18,000 237,192 5.54 5.6 5.6 5.79 5.54 5.6 130,300 730,647 EEI CORP 5.54 5.74 5.66 5.66 5.52 5.54 28,200 157,027 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 5.02 5.1 5.07 5.1 5 5.1 91,300 462,620 19.12 19.48 19.48 19.48 19.48 19.48 4,300 83,764 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.76 0.78 0.76 0.78 0.76 0.76 130,000 99,170 1 1.01 1.02 1.04 1.01 1.01 1,100,000 1,120,250 VULCAN INDL CROWN ASIA 1.79 1.82 1.83 1.83 1.79 1.79 24,000 43,350 1.11 1.13 1.1 1.12 1.1 1.12 29,000 32,040 EUROMED PRYCE CORP 5.68 5.84 5.8 5.85 5.66 5.66 20,700 119,749 1.8 1.81 1.79 1.82 1.75 1.81 4,965,000 8,883,100 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 8.1 8.13 8.1 8.15 8.08 8.1 120,500 976,158 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.68 0.68 126,000 85,710 IONICS 6.2 6.24 6.24 6.25 6.2 6.2 12,000 74,490 PANASONIC SFA SEMICON 1.04 1.1 1.04 1.1 1.04 1.1 135,000 143,870 3.11 3.14 3.2 3.2 3.08 3.14 529,000 1,657,320 CIRTEK HLDG

10,770,968 6,403,095 21,050 197,690 1,203,809.50 20,241,158 8,723,565 -23,200 -128,742 356,214.00 -370,750 -3,755,538 13,071,040 1,349,033 -2,040,210 -1,901,944 810,390 -2,350 -137,024 10,192,910 -100,300 -29,652 -25,436,842 468,000 -17,260 10,818,829 -3,012,060 -15,600 -10,625 -986,270 16,200 168,600

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP WELLEX INDUS

131.5 98.75 26.4 8.39 54 9.1 18.88 55.1 20.2 111 90 2.13 3.81 201

1.04 3.5 797.5 57.9 12.48 9 0.9 0.6 0.61 4.96 9.17 6.86 526 58.7 8.78 0.33 3.76 1.51 0.91 895 109.3 0.27

131.6 100 26.95 8.4 54.4 9.49 18.94 57 20.85 111.4 91.3 2.17 3.9 205

1.05 3.8 806 59.1 12.5 9.1 0.91 0.61 0.63 4.98 9.2 7.17 528 59.95 8.8 0.37 3.79 1.52 0.92 900 111 0.275

132 99 26.4 8.4 54.6 9.11 19 55 20.9 109 90.95 2.13 3.81 200

1.03 3.86 817.5 58.95 12.9 8.55 0.91 0.63 0.62 5.02 9.06 6.79 515 58 9.03 0.33 3.78 1.57 0.92 897 110 0.27

132.1 100 26.95 8.45 54.6 9.11 19 56.65 20.9 111.4 91.65 2.19 3.81 200

1.06 3.86 818.5 59.1 12.9 9.1 0.91 0.63 0.62 5.08 9.25 7.19 528 59.95 9.03 0.33 3.79 1.57 0.92 900 111 0.27

130 98.45 26.4 8.39 53.5 9.1 18.82 55 20.85 108.7 90 2.12 3.81 199.8

1.03 3.52 785 57.95 12.42 8.55 0.9 0.6 0.61 4.83 9.05 6.79 514 58 8.7 0.325 3.72 1.49 0.92 882 109.3 0.27

131.6 100 26.4 8.39 54.4 9.1 18.88 55 20.85 111.4 90 2.17 3.81 200

1.05 3.52 806 59.1 12.48 9 0.9 0.6 0.61 4.98 9.2 7.19 528 59.95 8.78 0.325 3.79 1.52 0.92 900 111 0.27

1,189,190 1,126,500 257,400 79,200 1,359,810 11,000 24,700 3,190 800 448,950 12,740 610,000 4,000 690

10,063,000 23,000 257,020 763,660 1,633,100 12,500 525,000 6,243,000 23,000 140,400 6,348,400 1,100 141,490 917,370 4,039,100 100,000 3,305,000 659,000 90,000 301,460 131,550 10,000

10,485,930 83,600 206,272,515 44,696,681 20,431,546 111,060 476,850 3,805,900 14,220 696,050 58,241,442 7,509 74,021,810 54,608,295 35,742,108 32,700 12,456,690 994,320 82,800 268,929,085 14,489,563 2,700

PROPERTY

mutual funds

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

www.businessmirror.com.ph

$0.9108

-7.06% n.a. n.a.

-6.1%

-6.47% % a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.).

2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

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

ARTHALAND CORP 0.56 0.59 0.56 0.59 0.55 0.59 91,000 50,450 35.9 36 36 36.05 35.65 36 5,011,300 179,929,790 AYALA LAND AYALA LAND LOG 5.16 5.17 4.95 5.22 4.95 5.16 7,090,000 36,263,320 1.1 1.11 1.07 1.11 1.05 1.11 57,000 61,590 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 45.8 46 46.8 46.95 45.7 45.8 477,700 21,999,615 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 160,000 147,200 A BROWN CROWN EQUITIES 0.089 0.092 0.092 0.094 0.09 0.09 1,820,000 165,720 2.94 2.96 2.96 3 2.94 2.96 202,000 600,080 CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP 0.405 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.405 0.41 280,000 113,900 2.67 2.68 2.68 2.68 2.64 2.67 2,296,000 6,117,190 CITICORE RT DOUBLEDRAGON 8.88 8.92 8.88 9.1 8.88 8.88 152,700 1,360,986 DDMP RT 1.59 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.58 1.6 680,000 1,085,280 6.86 6.87 6.87 6.89 6.87 6.87 24,000 165,087 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.235 0.239 0.235 0.235 0.235 0.235 40,000 9,400 0.265 0.275 0.275 0.275 0.27 0.275 1,860,000 508,000 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST RT 7.29 7.3 7.18 7.3 7.18 7.3 993,900 7,193,500 1.07 1.08 1.07 1.09 1.06 1.07 8,762,000 9,445,440 FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE 0.87 0.9 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.87 6,000 5,220 13.22 13.66 13.72 13.86 13.34 13.34 105,300 1,409,768 8990 HLDG GOLDEN MV 620.5 685 679 685 679 685 100 68,110 0.93 0.94 0.94 0.94 0.93 0.94 199,000 185,930 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 0.82 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.82 0.83 272,000 223,690 MEGAWORLD 3.01 3.03 3.1 3.1 3 3.01 13,100,000 39,595,610 0.248 0.25 0.248 0.255 0.248 0.25 2,230,000 555,770 MRC ALLIED MREIT RT 18.66 18.68 18.9 19 18.68 18.68 563,300 10,568,934 0.34 0.385 0.34 0.34 0.34 0.34 10,000 3,400 OMICO CORP PHIL ESTATES 0.4 0.405 0.4 0.405 0.4 0.405 160,000 64,350 2.75 2.78 2.72 2.79 2.66 2.78 1,976,000 5,389,810 PRIMEX CORP RL COMM RT 7.38 7.39 7.4 7.44 7.38 7.39 5,858,700 43,335,827 20.2 20.4 20 20.4 19.82 20.4 3,191,400 63,997,271 ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY 0.215 0.219 0.216 0.216 0.215 0.216 280,000 60,380 1.36 1.47 1.47 1.47 1.47 1.47 1,000 1,470 ROCKWELL 2.56 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 10,000 28,000 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 37.5 37.6 37.6 38 37.35 37.5 5,359,600 201,382,325 0.56 0.62 0.57 0.57 0.56 0.56 137,000 76,860 SOC RESOURCES VISTAMALLS 3.23 3.31 3.23 3.31 3.23 3.31 4,000 13,160 1.02 1.05 1.06 1.06 1.02 1.05 113,000 118,490 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 2.57 2.62 2.62 2.65 2.56 2.57 5,086,000 13,260,290

SERVICES ABS CBN 12.9 12.94 12.92 12.94 12.72 12.94 38,100 490,598 15.36 15.4 16.04 16.1 15.2 15.36 5,261,800 81,778,592 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.375 0.385 0.37 0.385 0.37 0.385 380,000 142,400 2,570 2,622 2,638 2,638 2,518 2,622 49,330 126,741,410 GLOBE TELECOM PLDT 1,841 1,870 1,845 1,870 1,822 1,870 57,540 106,265,715 0.043 0.044 0.042 0.043 0.042 0.043 157,600,000 6,730,900 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 28.4 28.5 28.6 29.2 28.2 28.5 17,385,600 498,569,075 2.41 2.45 2.45 2.45 2.42 2.42 9,000 21,840 DFNN INC DITO CME HLDG 5.29 5.3 5.17 5.3 5.16 5.29 2,381,900 12,425,512 1.29 1.3 1.3 1.32 1.27 1.3 1,148,000 1,484,840 NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.325 0.33 0.33 0.335 0.325 0.33 3,820,000 1,249,200 7.18 7.45 7.4 7.45 7.17 7.17 4,900 35,862 2GO GROUP 13.6 13.88 13.6 13.6 13.6 13.6 4,000 54,400 ASIAN TERMINALS CHELSEA 1.56 1.57 1.55 1.58 1.54 1.57 67,000 105,310 44 44.1 44 44.1 43.5 44.1 47,500 2,073,720 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 218 220 224 224 218 218 1,111,500 244,231,902 22.55 22.75 22.15 22.95 22.15 22.95 500 11,395 LBC EXPRESS MACROASIA 5.29 5.3 5.22 5.38 5.2 5.3 239,700 1,269,036 6.61 6.62 6.05 6.96 6.05 6.61 147,300 977,604 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.73 81,000 59,130 1.82 1.97 1.64 1.99 1.53 1.97 2,139,000 3,901,160 DISCOVERY WORLD GRAND PLAZA 10.88 13.46 13.46 13.46 13.46 13.46 500 6,730 530.5 536 530 530.5 530 530.5 6,580 3,487,915 FAR EASTERN U 6.52 7.23 7.23 7.23 7.23 7.23 300 2,169 IPEOPLE STI HLDG 0.355 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 150,000 54,000 1.28 1.29 1.3 1.3 1.28 1.29 153,000 197,690 BELLE CORP BLOOMBERRY 6.4 6.42 6.29 6.42 6.25 6.4 3,886,000 24,742,129 1.56 1.78 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 3,000 5,100 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 1.28 1.3 1.34 1.34 1.3 1.3 59,000 76,740 1 1.02 1.04 1.04 0.99 1.02 1,393,000 1,407,310 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.45 0.455 0.445 0.45 0.44 0.45 2,900,000 1,282,800 5.1 5.4 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.1 19,000 96,900 PHIL RACING 2.15 2.17 2.15 2.17 2.15 2.15 77,000 165,850 PHILWEB ALLDAY 0.485 0.49 0.475 0.49 0.47 0.485 20,230,000 9,752,300 7.56 7.6 7.75 7.75 7.55 7.6 6,500 49,859 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.38 1.39 1.41 1.41 1.37 1.39 211,000 292,970 34.7 34.75 33.05 34.75 32.95 34.7 2,408,600 82,627,475 PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL 54.95 55 55 55.5 54.8 55 635,640 34,937,616 64.8 65 65.2 65.2 64.8 65 40,910 2,659,023.50 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.07 1.08 1.04 1.07 1.04 1.07 916,000 969,480 26.15 26.2 26.25 26.25 26.15 26.2 640,100 16,767,420 WILCON DEPOT APC GROUP 0.227 0.239 0.227 0.227 0.227 0.227 50,000 11,350 4.41 4.45 4.45 4.45 4.44 4.44 4,000 17,790 EASYCALL 0.91 0.92 0.86 0.92 0.85 0.92 11,865,000 10,497,530 MEDILINES PRMIERE HORIZON 0.54 0.56 0.55 0.56 0.54 0.56 2,891,000 1,571,220

MINING & OIL ATOK 5.6 5.87 5.89 5.9 5.6 5.87 40,000 226,823 APEX MINING 1.63 1.64 1.63 1.64 1.61 1.64 2,085,000 3,376,430 6.8 6.84 6.92 6.92 6.79 6.8 778,000 5,306,900 ATLAS MINING BENGUET B 5.9 6.29 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 7,000 42,700 2.65 2.71 2.71 2.71 2.71 2.71 20,000 54,200 CENTURY PEAK DIZON MINES 4.54 5.09 4.54 5.09 4.54 5.09 1,600 7,319 2.89 2.9 2.9 2.91 2.83 2.89 8,671,000 24,981,910 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.184 0.186 0.187 0.187 0.187 0.187 50,000 9,350 0.152 0.155 0.159 0.16 0.152 0.152 12,590,000 1,928,290 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.154 0.157 0.156 0.156 0.154 0.154 2,020,000 312,960 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 1,200,000 13,200 MANILA MINING A 1.81 1.82 1.85 1.85 1.78 1.81 1,477,000 2,670,860 MARCVENTURES NIHAO 0.97 1.03 1.03 1.03 0.97 1.03 11,000 11,130 8.12 8.14 8.21 8.21 7.97 8.14 2,272,700 18,364,710 NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.99 1.02 1.03 1.03 0.99 1 758,000 761,250 5.45 5.5 5.75 5.75 5.43 5.45 899,800 4,950,977 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 32 32.3 31.5 32.9 31.5 32 6,017,900 193,502,820 0.0063 0.0064 0.0064 0.0064 0.0064 0.0064 9,000,000 57,600 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 17.5 17.52 17.44 17.8 17.44 17.5 145,400 2,550,622 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 1,400,000 15,500 ORNTL PETROL A PHILODRILL 0.0091 0.0095 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 0.0091 1,000,000 9,100 5.61 5.62 5.62 5.74 5.61 5.61 156,700 883,971 PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 99 101 99.4 99.4 99 99 27,510 2,729,315 501 502 502 502 502 502 2,260 1,134,520 AC PREF B2R CPG PREF A 100.8 103 103 103 100.8 103 590 60,088 100.9 101.7 101 101.9 101 101.9 3,100 313,280 DD PREF GTCAP PREF B 1,020 1,039 1,039 1,039 1,039 1,039 10 10,390 926 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 300 300,000 JFC PREF B MWIDE PREF 4 100.2 100.3 100.2 100.3 100.2 100.3 2,020 202,406 100.8 101 101 101.9 100.6 101 1,980 200,208 PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 968 970 971 971 968 970 3,110 3,016,700 1,081 1,088 1,082 1,090 1,081 1,081 2,925 3,163,020 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2F 76.3 77.85 77.85 77.85 77.85 77.85 130 10,120.50 75.5 76 76.25 76.25 75.5 75.5 120,440 9,124,962.50 SMC PREF 2H 76.2 78.45 77 77 76.2 76.2 12,790 975,230 SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2J 76.25 76.9 76.25 76.25 76.25 76.25 62,000 4,727,500 52.5 52.85 51.5 51.5 51.5 51.5 2,200 113,300 TECH PREF B2C TECH PREF B2D 54.1 54.95 54.95 54.95 54.95 54.95 500 27,475

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 12.1 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.06 12.1 13,800 167,896 14.6 14.72 15 15 14.6 14.6 363,700 5,360,074 GMA HLDG PDR

WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.6 0.62 0.65 0.65 0.62 0.62 165,000 105,230

7,096,420 -59,367,630 14,840,741.50 -8,431,842 101,960 -523,258 -3,272,809 1,162,060 25,507,082 -8,080,215 2,778,360 -93,653,405 5,086,129 2,564,800 -774,250 -4,400 -1,964,270 5,920 10,640 -322,677 161,380 -410,000 2,185,756 8,622,350 -33,102 161,540 5,277,220 -2,534,500 -815,970 7,619,039 11,364,777 17,280 84,622,890 5,300 -295,920 -12,604,820 24,837,700 1,151,000 130,525,905 4,900 1,529,451 9,080 -1,027,880 -30,171,814 37,313 16,400 -1,811,530 3,600 -3,840 -975,095 31,500 49,710 1,860,300 -12,182 29,445,535.00 -5,780,729.50 -437,470 527,310 -5,890,545 -45,300 33,320 249,770 54,200 11,451,270 809,440 -1,116,438 -465,757 16,205,855 -3,500 -21,460 -41,016 342,220 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP HAUS TALK ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART XURPAS

16.5 1.21 0.91 2.41 1.82 0.325

16.7 1.22 0.92 3.49 1.83 0.34

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF

108.2

108.3

16.22 1.17 0.91 2.6 1.87 0.325

16.5 1.23 0.93 2.61 1.87 0.325

16.22 1.15 0.91 2.34 1.83 0.32

16.5 1.22 0.91 2.34 1.83 0.325

1,800 20,493,000 75,000 27,000 1,541,000 490,000

29,252 23,805,780 68,690 64,750 2,846,040 158,050

16,096,200 37,500 -44,300

108 108.4 107.8 108.2 8,850 955,894 83,296

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance

BOC’s reliance on rice import protocol flagged as deficient

A

FTER being accused by a farmers’ group of misclassifying rice imports under the wrong tariff lines, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said they rely on what is stated in the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC) since they lack the technical expertise to determine the rice variety and quality.

During the Senate Committee of the Whole hearing on agricultural smuggling, Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor lamented that BOC’s failure to properly classify the rice imports results in a revenue loss for the government as it would not be able to properly impose the proper tariff rates.

For instance, Montemayor said 27 percent of the rice import volume in 2021 for semi-milled rice was misclassified as broken rice.

Responding to Montemayor’s remark, Assistant Commissioner and Spokesperson Atty.

Vincent Philip C. Maronilla said the agency based their classification of rice imports from the SPC-IC. The SPS-IC is a document issued by the government prior to importation to ensure that products being imported are free from pests or diseases that could harm the country’s agriculture sector and even human health.

“Yung SPS-IC po kasi nakalagay po doon kung ano yung classification at anong klase ng rice siya. Yun po yung sinusunod ng bureau of customs kasi po wala naman po kaming technical expertise kung determine kung anong klaseng bigas po ito,” he said.

[We follow the SPS-IC because it says what the classification is and what kind of rice it is. That’s what the customs bureau follows because we don’t have the technical expertise to determine what kind of rice it is.]

However, Maronilla’s response did not sit

well with Montemayor, saying that the bureau should instead rely on is what was declared by importers.

“Ninety percent po ng imports merong tamang grade and variety at dapat yun po yung dapat na pagbabasehan niyo dahil yun po ang declaration ng importer,” Montemayor added.

[Ninety percent of imports have the correct grade and variety and that should be the basis for you because that is the declaration of the importer.]

Apart from ensuring the classification of rice imports under the correct tariff lines, the FFF also recommended that the BOC establish reference prices for freight and insurance, automatically flag imports falling below reference price by setting a threshold, require the posting of bonds for flagged imports, among others.

Maronilla said most of the recommendations of the FFF are already being pursued by the BOC. The BusinessMirror has published numerous exclusive stories on the issue of undervaluation of rice imports, especially since the government deregulated the industry by enacting the rice trade liberalization law in March 2019.

Likewise, the BusinessMirror exposed the aggressive use of unscrupulous traders and importers of farmers’ cooperatives and associations as their fronts in importing huge volumes of staple.

Since late 2020, the government has suspended farmers’ cooperatives and associations as well as irrigators’ associations from importing rice.

In 2020, the BOC found over 40 rice importers liable for undervaluing their rice shipments from March to June 2019.

BSP crafting rules for ‘digital marketplace’ for innovation

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

T

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that it is crafting rules to establish a so-called “digital marketplace” for innovation between banks, electronic money issuers (EMIs) and financial service providers (FSPs).

BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said this digital marketplace is part of the central bank’s efforts to continue promoting financial innovation in the banking and payments system in the country.

The digital financial marketplace model is anchored on the “open finance framework,” which allows the sharing of financial data of consenting customers to create innovative financial solutions that cater to their needs.

“The BSP is crafting rules that will allow covered banks and EMIs to establish a digital marketplace where they can partner with FSPs to develop and offer a wide array of financial products and services to consumers under a one-stop-shop platform,” Diokno said.

“This arrangement is expected to promote a more competitive environment that will ultimately benefit financial consumers,” he added.

According to the BSP, a digital marketplace recognizes the right of clients to choose product offerings. Similarly, the bank or EMI shall be jointly responsible for providing consumers with necessary information to help them make informed choices.

The financial products or services to be offered include retail loan products, such as home mortgage loans, credit cards, motor vehicle loans, salary loans, and consumer credit for other purposes; other retail financial products, such as cash cards, debit cards and other related products; retail insurance products, collective investment schemes or pooled investment funds, such as mutual funds and unit investment trust funds; and other financial products or services as may be authorized by the Monetary Board.

These financial products or services should be duly approved or registered by the appropriate regulatory authority, if applicable.

“The BSP is coordinating with relevant stakeholders and financial regulators to ensure that the proposed digital financial marketplace model is consistent with existing laws, rules and regulations,” Diokno said. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to foster innovative regulations, while maintaining the stability of the financial system and upholding consumer rights.”

‘Congress has power to release unused funds of Bayanihan 2’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

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ORMER House Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano has reiterated his call for Congress to use its oversight powers in addressing the issue of unused funds intended for relief measures to assist small businesses under the Bayanihan 2 aid package.

Cayetano issued his statement after acting Budget Secretary Tina Rose Marie L. Canda said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will leave it up to lawmakers to open an inquiry into the unused funds.

Cayetano cited a report released by the Commission on Audit (COA) dated March 2, 2022, had flagged P4.99 billion in unused funds intended for the “Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises,” or Cares program, of the Small Business Corp. (SB Corp.), a state-run company under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“We need to review what went wrong so that this would not happen the next time we attempt a large stimulus bill like Bayanihan 1 and 2,” the lawmaker added.

Citing the COA, Cayetano said the SB Corp. used only P4.09 billion or 45.04 percent of the total budget of P9.08 billion allocated for loans to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises under the Bayanihan 2 spending bill, which expired on June 30, 2021.

Around P4.99 billion or 54.96 percent of the budget allocated went unused and was reverted

to the government’s General Fund, according to the DBM. Cayetano said they already filed House Resolution 1731 on April 28, 2021, urging the House of Representatives to exercise its oversight powers to probe the utilization of funds under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 spending bills. The resolution said Congress oversight will help the national government craft future stimulus programs.

“We’ve been saying that we need strong oversight for something as big and ambitious as Bayanihan 2, because it has so many moving parts,” the lawmaker added.

According to Cayetano, instead of letting the money go unused, Congress could have stepped in to reprogram the funds for more readilyavailable aid programs for the people.

Under House Resolution 1731, Cayetano and his allies said an inquiry “will shed light into which programs were effective, forming the basis for which ones should be extended, or included in future appropriations measures, or replaced with alternatives which Congress would deem to be effective.”

The resolution states further that it is necessary to determine the utilization rate of implementing agencies “not only to see how they performed, but also to help streamline the process of budget legislation, identify and solve problems in the budget execution stage, and strengthen the government’s ability to deliver services.”

The resolution has been pending with the House Committee on Rules since May 2021.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, March 29, 2022

B3

Treasury rejects all bids for 182-, 364-day T-bills

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

S market jitters prompted investors to safety their funds, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) fully rejected all bids for the 182-day and 364-day securities, awarding only P5 billion in 91-day Treasury bills (T-bills).

With only one auction day left for the month, the Treasury has raised just P56.7 billion, only a fourth of its P215 billion total offering for March.

Investors have sought higher rates beginning March as Russian forces plowed down Ukraine and the US Federal Reserve battled inflation that’s running at a faster pace in four decades. These factors challenged the Treasury’s bid to borrow a total of P250 billion from the domestic debt market.

“Market jitters continue with another round of oil price hikes and Fed aggressive tone including 50bps rate hike to tame inflation,” National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon told reporters following the auction.

However, De Leon was quick to assure the

public that the government remains in a good position to fund its spending requirements despite the bureau’s decision to reject bids in its recent auctions. “[The] recent success in [the] dollar market strongly positions [the] BTR to meet disbursements even with rejections in auctions, [especially] if markets demand an arm and a leg,” she added.

But as the local market already having dug its feet on the ground beginning March, the government turned to the offshore debt market, borrowing $2.25 billion (around P118 billion) by floating dollar-de-

nominated global bonds.

Nonetheless, Monday’s auction attracted bids amounting to P35.8 billion, more than twice the P15-billion offering.

The 91-day T-bills capped at an average rate of 1.587 percent, higher than the secondary market benchmark rate for the tenor at 1.321 percent based on the Bloomberg Valuation Service.

Had government awarded the 182-day and 364-day T-bills, the securities’ average rates would have reached 1.856 percent and 2.137 percent, respectively, higher than the secondary market benchmark rates for the tenors at 1.527 percent and 1.738 percent.

For this year, the government is set to borrow a total of P2.2 trillion, of which around 75 percent is expected to come from domestic sources.

As of end-January this year, the government’s outstanding debt has already hit a new record-high of P12.03 trillion as the country needed to borrow more to cover a wider budget deficit given bigger expenses and weaker revenue collections.

B4

Art

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Megan Hilty, 41; Lucy Lawless, 54; Amy Sedaris, 61; Eric Idle, 79.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Take the high road. Pursue your goals with strength, courage and intelligence. How you handle others and the team you put together will pay off. Aim for personal and financial stability, and put your mind at rest, knowing you have done the best you can.

Physical and emotional improvements are favored. Your numbers are 4, 12, 22, 24, 33, 38, 43.

A FORCE of Nature visual and sound installation replicating the damage brought about by Typhoon Odette in Siargao.

AN exhibit of photos and portraits taken during the aftermath of Typhoon Odette by Camille Robiou du Pont.

Grounded launches ‘States of Cadence II’

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RTIST network and wellness lifestyle brand Grounded rolled out recently States of Cadence II, the follow-up presentation to the group’s first online group exhibition

last year.

As part of Grounded’s exhibition series, and in partnership with Art Fair Philippines, the multisensory exhibit explores the “timelessness and the infinite evolution of the human spirit through connection, compassion and engagement with the natural world.” Whereas States of Cadence Exhibit I was presented solely online in September 2021, States of Cadence II is mounted on-site at Karrera

Showroom, a vintage car showroom and cafe in Alabang.

The exhibition opened on March 23 and will run until April 1, alongside several events that includes a wellness workshop, film night, watch showcase.

There is also a fundraiser for schools in Siargao Island affected by Typhoon Odette. A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition is dedicated to Grounded’s partner beneficiary, Oceanus Conservation.

“We wanted to take the opportunity of being a part of Art Fair Philippines to raise awareness and funds for Siargao, as it is a place that Grounded is deeply rooted in,” said Marika Manglapus-Ledesma, Grounded Holistic Arts Studio founder. “We have a number of artists that were based in Siargao, and the devastation really hit close to home.

Manglapus-Ledesma added that the featured artist for States of Cadence II, French photographer Camille Robiou du Pont, took “eerily beautiful photos” of the destruction of Typhoon Odette. Her works serve as the centerfold and inspiration of the fundraiser that will be exhibited at the fair.

Also featured in the exhibition are Maddie Camcam’s works that deal with the themes of

BRITISH MUSEUM TO REMOVE SACKLER NAME FROM GALLERIES EXTERIOR of the Serpentine Sackler Gallery in Hyde Park, London, July 21, 2019. The British Museum will remove the Sackler name from galleries, rooms and endowments following global outrage over the role the family played in the opioid crisis. AP

LONDON—The British Museum will remove the Sackler name from galleries, rooms and endowments following global outrage over the role the family played in the opioid crisis.

The museum is the latest cultural institution to cut ties with the Sacklers. The Sackler name has been removed in recent years from wings and galleries at institutions including the Louvre in Paris and the Serpentine Gallery in London.

The British Museum said it had mutually agreed on the move with trustees of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Foundation, which has supported the museum for more than 30 years.

“The British Museum is grateful for the Foundation’s past support, and the Trustees appreciate their cooperation in coming to this agreement as we now move the museum into a new era and present our incredible collections in different ways for new audiences,” museum Chairman George Osborne said in a statement.

The Sackler name has become synonymous with Purdue Pharma, the company that developed OxyContin, a widely prescribed and widely abused painkiller. Purdue has faced a barrage of lawsuits alleging that it helped spark an addiction and overdose crisis linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the

US over the past two decades.

The museum said it is developing a new master plan, making this is a “timely opportunity” for the change. AP

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Take stock of what you’ve done and what’s left to do. An energetic approach and reaching out to those who complement your skills and share your mindset will encourage success. Maintain a healthy fitness routine.

HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Control your emotions when working alongside others.

Making a change without consulting others will cause havoc. Use your power of persuasion to get others to do things your way. Protect against injury or insult by following proper protocol. HHHH

feminine strength, grace and sisterhood. Lucia Fischer presents the same, but focuses on gender rhetorics that have dominated cultural perceptions.

Painter and illustrator Ana Abigail dedicates her floral series on fragility to loved ones lost to the pandemic, while Toph Camcam’s pieces invigorate the soul as a visual feast.

Completing the lineup of participating artists for States of Cadence II are Alecca Adarna, Anina Rubio, Camilla Oster Yu, Carmen Araneta Villacorta, Chiara Capony, Corina Borromeo, Gringo Benedicto, Jose Mirasol, Lorenz Namalata, Lucia Fischer, Luis Antonio Pastoriza, Melissa Lara, Mike Eijansantos, Natalia Larrauri, Nick Daez, and Nikki Ocean.

Grounded supports grassroots and emerging artists. The arts and wellness platform aims to showcase their works through a holistic approach, reinventing the experience, for both artist and collector, through the practice of innovative and dynamic ways people discover and purchase artwork.

States of Cadence II is also available for online viewing at www.artfairphilippines.com. For purchasing inquiries and more information, e-mail contact@ groundedph.com. n

CCP THIRTEEN ARTISTS AWARDING CEREMONY AND EXHIBIT VERNISSAGE THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents the awarding ceremony and exhibition of the 2021 Thirteen Artists this month, featuring the works of Allan Balisi, Nice Buenaventura, Gino Bueza, Mars Bugaoan, Rocky Cajigan, Geloy Concepcion, Patrick Cruz, Ian Carlo Jaucian, KoloWn, Czar Kristoff, Lou Lim, Ryan Villamael and Catherine Sarah Young.

The awarding and exhibition opening were held recently at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Lobby (CCP Main Theater lobby) and streamed live via the Cultural Center of the Philippines’s and CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division’s Facebook pages. Attendees were given the first look at the specially designed 2021 Thirteen Artists trophy

by Mac Valdezco. The Thirteen Artists awarding ceremony and exhibit mark the first exhibition of the year for the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division, curated by Shireen Seno.

The exhibition is ongoing until June 5 at the CCP Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery), Pasilyo Juan Luna (Main Gallery Hallway), and Pasilyo Guillermo Tolentino (Third Floor Hallway). Public programs are going to be held throughout the exhibit duration to allow guests to learn more about the latest batch of awardees and their works.

To see the full roster of Thirteen Artists since 1970, visit thirteenartists.culturalcenter.gov.ph. More information is available at www.facebook.com/ccpvamd.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Stick to instructions when you barrel ahead with passion and conviction. Be wise to anyone who tries to lure you down a slippery slope. Temptation is the enemy, and intelligence and practicality are the ways to success. Romance and dedication will lead to happiness. HH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Keep your thoughts to yourself, and do your own thing.

Diversity will show your depth and keep others wondering what you’ll do next. A modern approach will capture the moment and put you in the spotlight. It’s what you do that counts. HHHHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A change based on emotions will turn out to be costly. Think matters through before you act. Run your ideas by someone you love and trust, and together you’ll come up with a plan that will help you get what you want. HHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Get into the groove and make your move. You have plenty going for you, so don’t let anyone stand in your way. Be a leader, look at the big picture and decide how long it will take to reach your goal. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Participate in events that give you the platform you need to show everyone who you are and what you have to offer. Share your thoughts and intentions with someone who can complement your plans. Look for equality in partnerships. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Refuse to let anyone goad you into an argument.

Gravitate toward people who encourage you to use your skills uniquely and live life your way. Make happiness your long-term goal, and you’ll find a way to make a difference. HHHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Listen carefully, but don’t get into a debate with someone looking for a fight. Focus on professional gains and taking care of your responsibilities at home. Don’t feel obligated to take on someone’s problems. Discipline and self-improvement are encouraged. HH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Play your cards close to your chest. Work behind the scenes putting together a foolproof plan that will tip the scale in your favor. Precision and detail, along with timing, will ensure that you gain momentum and reach the success you desire. HHHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Set your sights on accomplishment. Wasting time on something that doesn’t fit your lifestyle, budget or skill set will leave you in a vulnerable position.

Don’t be a follower; you will gain the most if you do what you do best. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Pay attention, and let your imagination churn out unique ways to improve your life. You are overdue for a change that will make you feel content and give you peace of mind. Follow a path that brings you joy. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are energetic, forceful and helpful.

You are demonstrative and engaging.

‘ok, i'll bite’ BY JULIA HOCHNER The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Entice 6 Actress Kendrick 10 Welcome site?

13 Many have snooze buttons 15 Minnesota’s state bird 16 NPR’s Glass 17 Proved useful (In this clue’s answer, note the first 2 letters + the last 3) 19 Title for David Attenborough 20 Frozen snowman 21 Soothe 22 Exam for a future atty.

23 Brother of Cain 25 Least clear 28 Chart-toppers (...first 2 letters + last 2) 32 Entertain 33 How most dogs are walked 36 Shoo-___ (obvious winners) 37 White elephant offerings 39 In the Heights director Jon 40 Daily Planet reporter 43 Some Alaskans 45 People who clean flues (...first 3

letters + last 2) 48 Indigo Girls hit inspired by an astronomer 50 “That really hurts!”

51 Legend 52 Aloe ___ gel 54 Founder of the Resistance 58 The Real World channel 59 You might need them when you’re hungry between meals, and a theme hint 62 Leader of the Three Stooges 63 Dog who visits Oz 64 Parts of drum kits 65 Goof 66 “So true!”

67 G-sharp equivalent DOWN 1 Tuesday food, perhaps 2 Tel Aviv airline 3 Mommy, ___, and Me (kids’ book) 4 Quick-to-assemble homes 5 “Spare me the details!”

6 “I’m sorry to say...”

7 It’s no big whoop

8 9 10 11 12 14 18 22 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 34 35 37 38 41 42 43 44 46

Doze (off) Whichever Doesn’t enter at the right time Opera solos The Goldfinch author Donna Grinchlike look Ring light?

Troubadour’s instrument Drone that doesn’t run on batteries?

Lightbulb moments Name that sounds like a fish organ Do perfectly “Yeah...definitely not” Person who might buy nice headphones Without a charge Catan: Seafarers vessel Modest dwellings Bananagrams, e.g.

Think outside the box Leg part ___ Nas X ___ Jima Something to turn over Part of NYC

47 48 49 53 55 56 57 59 60 61

Q-tips, e.g.

“I want it!”

Role-playing expert?

Subject of interest, for short?

Downton Abbey title Furniture store that sells “plant balls” CEO’s aide: Abbr.

R.R. stop Eating sound Molecule hidden in “internal”

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, March 29, 2022

B5

‘CODA’ wins best picture Oscar, marking a streaming first

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MULTI-AWARDED broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez

Mike Enriquez back in time for ‘Eleksyon 2022’ GMA News anchor and multi-awarded broadcast journalist Mike Enriquez is back on television and on radio just in time for GMA’s comprehensive Eleksyon 2022 coverage.

“It feels great to be back in harness, so to speak.

Paraphrasing one of my favorite World War II generals Douglas MacArthur, ‘People of the Philippines, I have returned!’” jested the veteran radio-TV anchor.

Yesterday, March 28, Mike was back as one of the anchors of GMA’s flagship newscast 24 Oras with fellow GMA News heavyweights Mel Tiangco and Vicky Morales. He also hosts the long-running public affairs program Imbestigador, which airs every Saturday.

Mike’s return could not have come at a better time.

In less than 60 days, the country is electing its next set of leaders and GMA is all set to deliver what it touts to be the most comprehensive election coverage across all platforms through Eleksyon 2022.

“We are now doing our preparations for our huge and, more importantly, credible election coverage. In God’s perfect time, He willed that I return to work on the air now that kailangan na kailangan.

“The preparations are going on full blast. So everybody now is, on a daily basis, working hard in preparing for the elections. I’m confident that it will be a good coverage simply because we have been preparing for it well in advance,” Mike added.

He is expected to again play a big part in Eleksyon 2022: The GMA News and Public Affairs Election Coverage on May 9, together with fellow GMA News anchors Tiangco, Morales, Arnold Clavio, Howie Severino, and Jessica Soho.

In December 2021, GMA announced that Mike was taking a leave of absence to undergo a medical procedure that required hospital confinement and a minimum of three months isolation period.

By Jake Coyle The Associated Press

OS ANGELES—After a movie year often light on crowds, the Academy Awards named an unabashed crowd-pleaser, the deaf family drama CODA, best picture Sunday, handing Hollywood’s top award to a streaming service for the first time.

Sian Heder’s CODA, which first premiered at a virtual Sundance Film Festival in winter 2021, started out as an underdog but gradually emerged as the Oscars’ feel-good favorite. It also had one very deeppocketed backer in Apple TV+, which scored its first best picture Academy Award on Sunday, less than three years after launching the service.

It also handed another near-miss defeat to Netflix, the veteran streamer that for years has tried vainly to score best picture. Its best chance, Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, came in with a leading 12 nominations.

But CODA rode a wave of goodwill driven by its cast including Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur and Daniel Durant. It’s the first film with a largely deaf cast to win best picture. CODA managed that despite being one of the least-nominated films with only three coming into Sunday. Not since 1932’s Grand Hotel has a movie won best picture with fewer than four nods.

Earlier, a 94th Academy Awards that steadily maintained a buoyant spirit was rocked by an unbelievable exchange after Will Smith took offense to a joke made by Chris Rock about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

After Rock joked to Smith that he was looking forward to a sequel to G.I. Jane, Smith stood up from his seat near the stage, strode up to Rock and slapped him. After sitting back down, Smith shouted at Rock to “keep my wife’s name out of your (expletive) mouth.” When Rock, who joked about Jada Pinkett Smith while hosting the Oscars in 2016, protested that it was just a G.I. Jane joke, Smith repeated the same line.

“That was the greatest night in the history of television,” Rock said, before awkwardly returning to presenting best documentary, which went to Questlove’s Summer of Soul (...or When the Revolution Was Not Televised).

The moment shocked the Dolby Theatre audience and viewers at home. At the commercial break, presenter Daniel Kaluuya came up to hug Smith, and Denzel Washington escorted him to the side of the stage. The two talked and hugged and Tyler Perry came over to talk as well.

Smith, who plays Venus and Serena Williams’s father in King Richard, later in the show won best actor, his first Oscar. It meant Smith again took the stage shortly after what seemed likely to be one of the most infamous moments in Academy Awards history.

Smith’s acceptance speech vacillated between defense and apology.

“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said in his first remarks. He continued: “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people.”

Smith shared what Washington told him: “At your highest moment, be careful because that’s when the devil comes for you.”

Ultimately, Smith apologized to the academy and to his fellow nominees.

“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father” said Smith. “But love will make you do crazy things.”

Up until that moment, the show had been running fairly smoothly. Ariana DeBose became the first Afro-Latina to win an Academy Award for supporting actress, while Troy Kotsur became the first deaf actor

THE slap heard around the world: Will Smith, right, hits presenter Chris Rock onstage while presenting the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP

to win an acting award.

Jane Campion won the Oscar best director for The Power of the Dog, her open-plains psychodrama that twisted and upended western conventions. Campion, who had been the first woman ever twice nominated in the category (previously for 1993’s The Piano), is only the third woman to win best director. It’s also the first time the directing award has ever gone to women in back-to-back years, after Nomadland filmmaker Chloé Zhao won last year.

Best actress went to Jessica Chastain, who also won her first Oscar. Chastain won for her empathetic portrayal of the televangelist Tammy Faye in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, a movie she also produced. The award was presented by Anthony Hopkins, who last year was absent when he surprisingly won best actor in that ceremony’s final award.

After record-low ratings and a pandemic-marred 2021 show, producers this year turned to one of the biggest stars around—Beyoncé—to kick off an Oscars intended to revive the awards’ place in pop culture. After an introduction from Venus and Serena Williams, Beyoncé performed her King Richard nominated song, “Be Alive,” in an elaborately choreographed performance from a lime-colored, open-air stage in Compton, where the Williams sisters grew up.

Hosts Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer and Regina Hall then began the telecast from the Dolby Theatre.

The first broadcast award went to Ariana DeBose, who became the first openly LGBTQ actor and first Latina to win best supporting actress. Her win came 60 years after Rita Moreno won for the same role

in the 1961 original West Side Story. DeBose thanked Moreno for leading the way for “tons of Anitas like me.”

“You see an openly queer woman of color, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength and life through art. And that is, I think, what we’re here to celebrate,” said DeBose. “So if anyone has ever questioned your identity or you find yourself living in the gray spaces, I promise you this—there is indeed a place for us.”

Later, Kotsur became the first male deaf actor to ever win an acting Oscar, and joined his CODA costar Marlee Matlin as the only deaf actors to win an Academy Award. He received a standing ovation while many in the Dolby gave the Deaf clap, waving both hands in the air.

“This is for the Deaf community, the CODA community and the disabled community,” said Kotsur, signing from the stage. “This is our moment.”

Encanto, the Disney hit propelled by its charttopping soundtrack, won best animated film. LinManuel Miranda, who penned the film’s hit songs, missed the ceremony after his wife tested positive for Covid-19. Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s three-hour Japanese drama Drive My Car, one of the year’s most acclaimed films, won for best international film.

Behind this year’s telecast changes was alarm over the Oscars fast-falling ratings. While drops have been common to all major network award shows, last year’s show attracted only about 10 million viewers, less than half of the 23.6 million the year before. A decade ago, it was closer to 40 million.

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITERS LINDSEY BAHR, JOCELYN NOVECK AND ANDREW DALTON CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT.

Foresight and fortitude, as Mowelfund celebrates 48th year

THE Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) turned 48 recently and celebrated it with the turnover of its newest building that includes a new state-of-theart theater.

At its special, by-invitation-only anniversary luncheon, the core executives of the Mowelfund, along with its key officers and guests, gathered at the new building to celebrate this new milestone.

Actress and philanthropist Boots Anson Rodrigo, who served as Mowelfund president for 18 long years,

said, “During the pandemic, a lot of organizations were affected. We took one step backward and later on, when more timely, we will take two steps forward.

While everything was on a pause during these trying times, the two mandates of our organization remained strong—welfare and film education. We made sure that the benefits reached our members, especially those who needed it most.”

“Meanwhile, film education took on a different slant during the pandemic. The film institute offered online services and masterclasses with Ricky Lee for scriptwriting, Joey Reyes for directing, Raymond Red for cinematography and acting by Leo Martinez.

We can happily say that while there was a slowing down, there was no halt in the activities of the Mowelfund.”

She added, “Let us also not forget to acknowledge the founder of Mowelfund. While he is not in the best of health these days, if not for his vision 48 years ago, there will be no Mowelfund today. I am referring to former President Joseph Estrada” Since its inception in 1974 by the now-retired actor

and former Philippine president, the foundation has consistently dedicated its services and thrust to the 4,000 members of the film industry, past and present, who belong mostly to the marginalized groups of the industry.

Respected industry stalwarts like post-production giant Jim Baltazar of CMB Film Services, who is also a member of the organization’s Board of Trustees also delighted the well-wishers as he led the showcasing of the very new and very comfortable 54-seater theater, with the latest in screen, light and sound technology. The theater is named Dengcar Theater, in honor of Baltazar’s late, iconic cinematographer-father Conrado, who was known in film circles as Dengcar.

CMB Film Services has been providing the Philippine film and television industry with avantgarde lighting and camera equipment that propels local production to international levels and standards.

Actor Dingdong Dantes also graced the occasion, in his capacity as president of AKTOR Inc., a nonprofit, non-stock organization of actors aimed to

promote better working conditions in the industry.

Dantes signed a memorandum of agreement with the Mowelfund officers led by the incumbent president Res Cortez, for the Platinum Membership Plan which is offered to film workers who can afford a higher annual premium with increased benefits and insurance.

“Our organization focuses on these salient points: security from all sources of instability, upscaling of our craft through training and education, instilling in ourselves on how to become more responsible citizens through our work, and, most importantly, health care.

And this partnership with Mowelfund is so timely through the Platinum Membership Plan that will benefit our members,” Dantes shared.

For her role as Mowelfund’s vice chairman and treasurer, award-winning actress-director Gina Alajar thanked all their benefactors, supporters and allies all these years. “We at Mowelfund look forward to more years of providing care, welfare, support and education to our members, with foresight, fortitude and gratitude in our hearts.”

B6 Tuesday, March 29, 2022

3M is one of the world’s most ethical companies

MIAS makes an exciting return on April 7-10 at World Trade Center

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HE Philippines’ biggest annual motoring event is making an onsite comeback. The Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) will feature the latest models from the country’s leading auto manufacturers and distributors.

Nissan will once again showcase its Intelligent Mobility technology as featured on its diverse fleet of vehicles.

This includes the Navara pickup, Terra SUV, all-new Almera sedan, and Urvan.

Car enthusiasts will be eagerly awaiting sightings of sports car icons 370Z and GT-R. The all-electric Leaf will highlight the possibilities of green mobility combined with alternative power options for households of the future.

Subaru, the brand known for sporty performance and premium practicality, will be highlighting the new Forester SUV and BRZ sports car. Subaru will also bring back the highly popular Russ Swift precision driving show. Guinness World Record holder Russ Swift will be putting the latest Subarus through heart-stopping maneuvers at the World Trade Center three times daily during MIAS. The best of French automotive design and technology will be at the Peugeot booth. Peugeot will be making a grand return to MIAS following its appointment of a new distributor earlier this year. Expected at the Peugeot booth are the new 5008 SUV and several other new models.

MG Cars will have in its MIAS booth the all-new HS compact SUV. The HS will be its largest SUV, slotting above the popular ZS. Cars from the strikingly-designed MG lineup such as the MG GS, MG GT, MG360, and MG3 may also be present during the fourday show.

Chevrolet will have the all-new 2022 Trailblazer, Tracker, and perhaps the extra-large Suburban SUV at its MIAS booth. Sports cars Camaro and the mid-engined Corvette will be the ultimate eye candy for MIAS exhibitors.

Speaking of sports cars, Italian supercar brand Maserati will be at MIAS with its stable of sport sedans and SUVs. The iconic Quattroporte and sedans may be rubbing wheels with the Levante SUV. Chery will welcome MIAS visitors by showing their all-SUV lineup. This ranges from the compact Tiggo 2 to the larger Tiggo 5X, Tiggo 7 Pro, and the Tiggo 8.

Foton will be featuring its lineup of commercial vehicles like the Thunder pickup, Toplander SUV, Transvan and Traveller. The large Toano van and Gratour mini-delivery van may also be at MIAS. Mitsubishi will be showcasing the new Xpander MPV. The new Xpander will likely be flanked by Mitsubishi’s sporty Black Series variants of the Montero Sport, Strada Athlete, and Xpander, as well as the Mirage hatchback and Mirage G4 sedan.

The brand that has been making good inroads into the Philippine market, Geely, will probably display its very popular Coolray and Okavango SUVs. It may also give a glimpse of the Emgrand sedan and Azkarra hybrid.

Volvo has likewise gone all-in on hybrid and electrified vehicles. The XC90 luxury seven-seat SUV, compact XC60 and XC40, as well as the S90 sedan, can all be ordered with self-charging hybrid or plugin hybrid options.

Changan made a splashy public debut at the online MIAS Wired in 2020. The Chinese brand is set to continue in the spotlight with cars which may include the Alsvin and Eado EV460 electric sedan; CS35 Plus, CS75 Plus, and CS95 SUVs. GAC will be featuring its value-formoney lineup of SUVs, sedan and MPVs at its MIAS booth. These may include the GA4 sedan, GS3, GS4 and GS8 SUVs. GAC’s van comes in two sizes: the sevenseat GN6 and larger, luxury-oriented GN8.

Motul Philippines will have a special treat for enthusiasts as it displays a trio of rarely-seen race cars: the Ferrari 488 Challenge, McLaren GT4 Sprint, and Mercedes SLS GT3. With a combined total of more than 1800 horsepower, the purebred trio will surely make your heart pump more petrol once you see them.

Mutt Motorcycles, a UK brand that merges vintage-bike styling and modernbike performance and reliability, will make its public debut at MIAS. Method Wheels, known for high-performance off-roader wheels for race and street use, will be showing its specially-equipped vehicles at MIAS. Porsche Design will be celebrating 50 years of the firm founded by the grandson and namesake of Ferdinand Porsche, Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche.

Novotel Manila welcomes summer, ready to showcase an all-safe dining hospitality

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HE Ethisphere Institute today recognized 3M for ethics and integrity in business conduct and compliance for the ninth straight year. 3M is one of only seven industrial companies worldwide to be honored this year.

“For the past 120 years, 3M has built its reputation on doing things ethically,” said Michael Duran, 3M senior vice president and chief ethics and compliance officer. “Our purpose as a company and unwavering integrity help us deliver to our customers and make 3M a great place to work. I am truly proud of our more than 90,000 3M employees who work to protect 3M’s reputation every day.”

3M’s Code of Conduct is what makes 3M’s ethical reputation strong among consumers and across many industries.

Company leaders create and promote a workplace environment where compliance and ethical business conduct are expected and encouraged by leading through example.

“3M takes pride in being an ethical and lawabiding company, with uncompromising honesty and integrity at the core of what we do,” said Reggie Pulumbarit, 3M Philippines Country Leader. “Through our Code of Conduct, we set an even higher standard that all employees must comply with, no matter their position in the company. Our employees and partners are expected to make good, ethical decisions based on 3M's

fundamental values of honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, concern for others, and personal accountability. For decades, we have built a reputation for integrity and doing business right, and no one at 3M is free to compromise it. We owe it to all who count on us—our colleagues and our partners—to do business the ethical and proper way, at all times and under all circumstances.”

3M is one of 136 companies around the world designated as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2022. The assessment includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance and diversity.

“The World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees understand the mandate today for business to be ethical, accountable, and trusted to drive positive change,” said Ethisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich.

Ovialand named as one of the awardees for highest loan value amounts in South Luzon

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VIALAND Inc. (OLI), a leading real estate mass housing company offering Premium Affordable house and lot products in the country, is one of the awardees for the “highest amount of housing loan take out in South Luzon” during the Pag-IBIG Fund Chairman’s Report for 2021 event held last February 24, 2022.

Ovialand Inc. also ranked 13th corporatewide among Pag-IBIG Fund's list of topperforming real estate developers in the country.

“It is both humbling and affirming to receive these awards from Pag-IBIG. We take this as an inspiration to strengthen our commitment of bringing the Premier Family Living experience to our clients,” said Ovialand president and chief executive officer Pammy Olivares-Vital.

Ovialand is focused on delivering

quality house and lot units in Southern Luzon. By 2023, Ovialand is set to begin its developments in the region of Northern Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

“We are also grateful to have Pag-IBIG as our partner in providing more than 1,000 housing units to our clients, making their dreams of owning a home a reality. Ovialand offers hassle-free loan applications with low down payment deals that allow Filipino homebuyers to move into their brand new homes within six to nine months after the reservation process,” Olivares-Vital added.

Ovialand’s master planned residential communities offer family-centered amenities, nestled in a safe, secure, and peaceful neighborhood located near essential establishments such as schools and supermarkets.

MPIC joins HRH The Prince of Wales’s exclusive A4S Roundtable on sustainability reporting

supports sustainable fishing, which is why the hotel offer responsibly sourced seafood like mussels, oysters, clams and prawns.

K (kalye) - POP!

OUR Culinary team brings you what's in and what's POPular from the streets of Asia! Kalye Pop (KPOP) is a must-try mouthwatering gustatory adventure that will transport you to your favorite Asian streets. The journey continues to Southeast Asia with a variety of staple street dishes from Manila, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta and Hanoi.

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HE way we eat outside our private spaces has changed dramatically.

Restricted seating capacity, strict safety rules, and all the fuss about wearing protective gear take the joy out of experiencing a real dining ambience.

While many hotel guests are relying on delivery services such as Novotel Manila’s very own Take Me Out, others are going above and beyond to welcome customers back to their dining outlets and provide a pleasant dining experience. Araneta City’s Novotel Manila is now ready to showcase an ALLSafe dining hospitality.

Vegan got fancy. Choose healthy yet fulfilling cuisines for a day as Gourmet Bar by Novotel brings you all new and revamped menu selections to stay true to our mission of serving you only the healthiest and freshest dishes featuring fresh harvest from the hotel’s very own organic farm in Rizal, the El Dorado, starting March 1, 2022. Gourmet Bar highlights dedicated Healthy Choice and Vegan Selections alongside your favorite healthy pizzas, gourmet bowls, and Filipino specialty.

Exchange Manila opens its doors with all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch dining concept that includes live cooking stations and platters. Enjoy delicious carvings such as crispy pork belly and the finest seafood selections from mud crab to prawns, cheese and charcuterie, and celebrated cuisines from across the region cooked by the culinary experts of Novotel Manila.

Ode to nonna by Chef Massimiliano

OUR secret ingredient has a very personal story to tell! Executive Chef Massimiliano Pauletto cherishes his memory of his (grandmother) Nonna Esterina's passionate cooking favorites and he's ready to share it with the world! A new spin on flavors on the hotel’s F&B outlets this March.

Fisherman's Catch

FROM the sea to your plate, Food Exchange Manila's Fisherman's Catch brings you the freshest flavors from the sea! Let's take your palates to an unforgettable ocean adventure.

Novotel Manila actively

Mumbai Express

DO you enjoy delectable Indian cuisine?

With authentic cuisine that pays homage to its traditional roots, our Indian-inspired Sunday brunch buffet will whet your hunger. Enjoy a wellbalanced selection of international and Indian cuisines. Favorites including lobster biryani, crab coconut curry, and roasted chicken tandoor are on the menu selection. When you dine at our Indian buffet, expect to order more than second and third helpings.

Amplify your Saturdays with an outdoor Weekend Barbecue Dinner Buffet at The 6th Manila for only PHP 1,688 nett per person. With a line-up of handpicked dishes and an intimate setting that encourages good conversations to flow like wine, it’s going to be a memorable family weekend to remember.

Ready to make a reservation? You can do that by reaching out to landline number 8990 7999 or mobile number 0949 886 5591 or email H7090-FB1@ accor.com.

AT ST. JAMES'S PALACE, DURING AN A4S ROUNDTABLE HOSTED BY HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: MPIC CFO, CRO, and CSO Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla meets with HRH The Prince of Wales during an A4S Roundtable at St. James’s Palace. Ms. Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla also met with Chanel CFO Philippe Blondiaux, International Organization of Securities Commissions Chairman for Sustainable Finance Task Force Erik Thedéen, Burberry COO Julie Brown, and Bank of America Vice Chair Paul Donofrio.

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ETRO Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), the country’s leading infrastructure investment company, was invited to an exclusive Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) Roundtable on sustainability reporting, hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales.

Represented by its Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla, MPIC joined various finance leaders from around the world, including other members of the A4S CFO Leadership Network, to shape the convergence and adoption of common goal sustainability metrics and standards. Held at St. James’s Palace last March 1, the roundtable served as an avenue for the network to talk about the next steps for the essential ‘plumbing’ needed to enable sustainable decision making.

“We at MPIC have taken significant strides towards reinforcing our sustainability

thrust and our inclusion in networks such as A4S elevate our knowledge of how best to integrate it into our corporate DNA,” says Cabal-Revilla. “Being part of this network under someone as passionate for the cause as HRH The Prince of Wales has further strengthened our purpose to put sustainability at the heart of what we do.”

Established in 2004 by HRH The Prince of Wales, A4S aims to make sustainable business, business as usual.

The organization works with the finance and accounting community to inspire finance leaders to adopt sustainable and resilient business models, transform financial decision making to reflect the opportunities and risks posed by the climate crisis and other environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, and scale up action to transition to a sustainable economy.

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

TheWorld

Nuclear fears in US amid Russia-Ukraine war: Poll W

ASHINGTON—Russia’s war on Ukraine has most Americans at least somewhat worried that the US will be drawn directly into the conflict and could be targeted with nuclear weapons, with a new poll reflecting a level of anxiety that has echoes of the Cold War era.

Close to half of Americans say they are very concerned that Russia would directly target the US with nuclear weapons, and an additional 3 in 10 are somewhat concerned about that, according to the new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Russian President Vladimir Putin placed his country’s nuclear forces on high alert shortly after the Feb. 24 invasion.

Roughly 9 in 10 Americans are at least somewhat concerned that Putin might use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine, including about 6 in 10 who are very concerned.

“He is out of control, and I don’t think he really has concern for much of anything but what he wants,” said Robin Thompson, a retired researcher from Amherst, Massachusetts. “And he has nuclear weapons.”

Seventy-one percent of Americans say the invasion has increased the possibility of nuclear weapons being used anywhere in the world.

The poll was conducted before North Korea test-fired its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday but also shows 51% of Americans saying they are very concerned about the threat to the US posed by North Korea’s nuclear program. An additional 29% expressed moderate concern.

Fear of nuclear war has been a fact of life for decades. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has published its “Doomsday Clock” since 1947, showing a theoretical countdown to nuclear annihilation. The latest update, in January, put the time at 100 seconds to midnight—unchanged since 2020, but still closer than ever to Armageddon.

It’s difficult to measure the public’s degree of fear over time because polls use different methodologies or pose questions in different ways. Alex Wellerstein, a nuclear historian at the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey, said people often won’t bring it up on their own but list it among concerns if given the choice.

The fear, naturally enough, also tends to rise and fall depending on what is happening around the world. “We have these moments that are sort of high crisis periods,” Wellerstein said. “And then they come and go, and people forget that we had them.”

One particularly high point, he said, was in 1983, a time of tension between the US and the Soviet Union and the year that a highly watched movie about nuclear war, “The Day After,” first aired on TV in the United States.

In the recent AP-NORC poll, close to

half of Americans say they are “extremely” or “very” concerned that the US might be drawn into a war with Russia. Roughly 4 in 10 Americans said they are “somewhat” concerned.

The findings reflect not just anxiety about what seems like a proxy war with Russia, even if the US isn’t directly involved in the conflict, but also the unprecedented saturation coverage of the war through traditional news outlets and social media.

“We are seeing almost moment by moment what’s happening to these poor people,” said Linda Woodward, a retired phone company technician from Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

The concern about nuclear war cuts across party lines and even resonates with some young adults who were born after the Cold War. Caleb Pack, a 21-year-old Republican from Ardmore, Oklahoma, was among those who said that they were “somewhat concerned” that the US would be drawn into the war and that Russia would target the United States with nuclear weapons.

“If Russia’s end goal is to reclaim Soviet Union territory, that means they’re going to push into Nato countries, which obviously I think could escalate very quickly,” said Pack, who works in information systems.

Certainly, Russia hasn’t taken steps to alleviate concerns. Putin issued what appea Nato red to be an ominous threat when he reminded the world in a speech the day he launched the invasion that his country is “one of the most powerful nuclear states.”

In that context, concern is justified, said Tara Drozdenko, director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Whenever you have nuclear-armed nations getting closer to conflict, there’s always a risk of nuclear escalation,” she said.

So far, Nato and the Biden administration have been careful not to escalate the situation, Drozdenko said. But she believes the public should use this time to push for changes to limit the risk. That would include adopting a formal policy that the US would not strike first with nuclear weapons, to reduce the risk of an accidental strike by an adversary, and taking the final authority for a launch out of the hands of the president alone.

Historian Wellerstein also sees a possible upside to the heightened state of concern. He cited research showing that a crisis can have the long-term effect of getting people more engaged with an issue.

“This thing with Ukraine will inevitably end, hopefully sooner rather than later,” he said. “This could be an opportunity for getting a lot more people, especially younger people, invested in this as a political issue.” AP

Australia, New Zealand worried

by China deal with Solomons

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ANBERRA, Australa—The Australian and New Zealand prime ministers on Monday voiced concerns about the potential for a Chinese military presence on the Solomon Islands.

A document leaked last week indicates that China could boost its military presence in the South Pacific island nation, including with ship visits.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had spoken to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over the weekend about the development and planned to speak to his counterparts in Papua New Guinea and Fiji later Monday.

“The reports that we’ve seen are not a surprise to us and are a reminder of the constant pressure and threats that present in our region to our own national security,” Morrison told reporters.

“This is an issue of concern for the region but it has not come as a surprise. We have been long aware of these pressures,” he added.

Ardern described the possibility of Chinese military forces stationed on the Solomons as “gravely concerning.”

“We see such acts as the potential militarization of the region,” she told Radio NZ. “We see very little reason in terms of the

Pacific security for such a need and such a presence,” she added.

Ardern urged Solomons’ leaders “not to look beyond our own Pacific family” when considering the country’s security relationships.

The Solomons revealed on Thursday it had signed a policing cooperation agreement with China. But more concerning to the Solomons’ neighbors was the draft text of a broader security arrangement that was leaked online.

Under the terms of the draft agreement, China could send police, military personnel and other armed forces to the Solomons “to assist in maintaining social order” and for a variety of other reasons. It could also send ships to the islands for stopovers and to replenish supplies.

The draft agreement stipulates that China would need to sign off on any information that’s released about joint security arrangements, including at media briefings.

Questioned about the agreement last week, China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing and the Solomons “conducted normal law enforcement and security cooperation on the basis of equal treatment and win-win cooperation.” AP

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

B7

Shanghai starts China’s biggest Covid-19 lockdown in two years

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EIJING—China began its most extensive lockdown in two years Monday to conduct mass testing and control a growing outbreak in Shanghai as questions are raised about the economic toll of the nation’s “zeroCovid” strategy.

China’s financial capital and largest city with 26 million people, Shanghai had managed its smaller, past outbreaks with limited lockdowns of housing compounds and workplaces where the virus was spreading. But the citywide lockdown that will be conducted in two phases will be China’s most extensive since the central city of Wuhan, where the virus was first detected in late 2019, confined its 11 million people to their homes for 76 days in early 2020.

Shanghai’s Pudong financial district and nearby areas will be locked down from Monday to Friday as mass testing gets underway, the local government said. In the second phase of the lockdown, the vast downtown area west of the Huangpu River that divides the city will start its own five-day lockdown Friday.

Residents will be required to stay home and deliveries will be left at checkpoints to ensure there is no contact with the outside world.

Offices and all businesses not considered essential will be closed and public transport suspended.

Already, many communities within Shanghai have been locked down for the past week, with their housing compounds blocked off with blue and yellow plastic barriers and residents required to submit to multiple tests for Covid-19.

Shanghai ’s Disneyland theme park is among the businesses that

closed earlier. Automaker Tesla is also suspending production at its Shanghai plant, according to media reports.

Panic-buying was reported on Sunday, with supermarket shelves cleared of food, beverages and household items. Additional barriers were being erected in neighborhoods Monday, with workers in hazmat suits staffing checkpoints.

Shanghai detected another 3,500 cases of infection on Sunday, though all but 50 were people who tested positive for the coronavirus but were not showing symptoms of Covid-19. While people who are asymptomatic can still infect others, China categorizes such cases separately from “confirmed cases”—those in people who are sick—leading to much lower totals in daily reports.

Nationwide, 1,219 new confirmed cases of domestic infection were detected on Sunday, more than 1,000 of them in the northeastern province of Jilin, along with 4,996 asymptomatic cases, according the National Health Commission report on Monday.

China has reported more than 56,000 confirmed cases nationwide this month, with the surge in Jilin accounting for most of them.

Jilin province is enforcing travel bans and partial lockdowns in several cities, including Changchun, one of the centers of the Chinese auto industry.

Residents wearing face masks to help protect from the coronavirus line up outside a supermarket at night to buy groceries on Sunday, March 27, 2022, in Shanghai, China. China began locking down most of its largest city of Shanghai on Monday as part of its strict Covid-19 strategy, amid questions over the policy’s economic toll on the country. AP Photo

Although the province has seen more than 1,000 new confirmed cases per day, prevention and control measures taken there do not appear to have been as extreme as in other places.

China has ca l led its longstanding “zero-tolerance” approach the most economical and effective prevention strateg y against Covid-19.

The new measures being enforced in Shanghai aim to “curb the virus spread, protect people’s life and health, and achieve the dynamic zero-Covid target as soon as possible,” the city’s Covid-19 prevention and control office stated in an announcement Sunday evening.

That requires lockdowns and mass testing, with close contacts often being quarantined at home or in a central government facility.

The strategy focuses on eradicating community transmission of the virus as quickly as possible.

While officials, including Communist Party leader Xi Jinping, have encouraged more targeted measures, local officials tend to take a more extreme approach,

concerned with being fired or otherwise punished over accusations of failing to prevent outbreaks.

With China’s economic growth already slowing, the extreme measures are seen as worsening difficulties striking employment, consumption and even global supply chains.

Shanghai’s announcement of the dates when the two lockdowns would be lifted appeared to show a further refinement in China’s approach. Previous citywide lockdowns had been open-ended.

Although China’s vaccination rate is around 87 percent, it is considerably lower among older people.

National data released earlier this month showed that over 52 million people aged 60 and older have yet to be vaccinated with any Covid-19 vaccine. Booster rates are also low, with only 56.4 percent of people between 60-69 having received a booster shot, and 48.4 percent of people between 70-79 having received one.

Older and unvaccinated people are more likely to become seriously ill if they contract the virus. AP

Myanmar leader vows to ‘annihilate’ all militia groups fighting army rule

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A N G KOK— My a n m a r ’s leader vowed Sunday to intensify action against homegrown militia groups fighting the military-run government, saying the armed forces would “annihilate” them.

Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, speaking at a military parade marking Armed Forces Day, also urged ethnic minorities not to support groups opposed to army rule and ruled out negotiations with them.

The militar y seized power last year from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Security forces used lethal force to suppress mass nationwide protests, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,700 civilians, according to a detailed tally compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Forced to turn away from peaceful protests, many of those opposed to military rule took up arms, forming hundreds of militia groups called People’s Defense Forces—better known as PDFs. In some parts of the country, they’ve joined forces with well-organized, battle-hardened ethnic armed groups, which have been fighting for greater autonomy for decades.

Min Aung Hlaing, addressing thousands of military personnel during the parade in the capital Naypyitaw, said he would not negotiate with “terrorist groups

and their supporters for killing innocent people” and threatening peace and security.

He said the military—known as the Tatmadaw—“will annihilate them to (the) end,” according to an official translation of his speech.

His government has declared major resistance organizations— regardless of whether they are directly engaged in armed struggle—as terrorist groups. Membership or even contact with them carries harsh punishment under law.

“I would like to highlight that there are no governments or armies worldwide that negotiate with any terrorist groups,” he said.

Despite a huge advantage in equipment and numbers, Myanmar’s military has struggled to crush the new militia units. Outgunned and outmanned, the PDFs have relied on support from local communities and knowledge of the terrain to carry out often surprisingly effective attacks on convoys, patrols, guard posts, police stations and isolated bases in remote areas.

The military is currently conducting operations in Sagaing, in upper central Myanmar, and in Kayah State, in the country’s east, using airstrikes, artillery barrages and the burning of villages. The army recently seems to have expanded its offensive into

Chin State in the west and Kayin State in the southeast as well.

Last year’s Armed Forces Day was the single bloodiest since the military’s Feb. 1, 2021, seizure of power. Security forces across the country opened fire on demonstrators, killing as many as 160 people.

Anti-military protests were held Sunday despite the risks in Yangon, the country’s biggest city, and elsewhere. To avoid arrest or injury, urban street protests usually involve flash mobs, which quickly disperse before security forces crack down.

The main opposition group, the self-styled National Unity Government, urged people to join a “Power Strike” Sunday night by switching off the lights and their televisions for 30 minutes while the military parade is broadcast on state-run TV channels.

The group said the strike also is intended to protest daily power outages. The blackouts started several months ago, and the government blames them on high gas prices and damage to power lines caused by sabotage.

The United States, the European Union and 20 other countries issued a statement marking Armed Forces Day by recalling “those killed and displaced by violence over the last year, including at least 100 people killed on this day alone one year ago.”

It called on the military to cease its violence and return to democratic rule, and urged countries not to supply arms to Myanmar.

The US, Britain and Canada on Saturday imposed the latest in a series of coordinated sanctions on senior military officials and business leaders who allegedly act as arms dealers for Myanmar’s army.

The new measures targeted three senior military officers including the newly appointed chief of the air force and four alleged arms dealers as well as the companies linked to them. Washington also imposed sanctions on the army’s 66th Light Infantry Division, which was accused of burning at least 30 civilians in their cars in Kayah State on Christmas Eve last year.

The fresh sanctions came the same week that the US announced it had determined the military’s actions in a crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim ethnic group in 2017 constituted genocide. A brutal counterinsurgency campaign compelled more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee from western Myanmar to Bangladesh, where virtually all remain.

The atrocities committed by the army against the Rohingya h ave been we l l doc u mented

by UN investigators, and the World Court is considering a charge of genocide against the Tatmadaw. AP

Blazers square off with Pirates

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EASON host College of St. Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University square off in a battle of opening-day losers at the resumption on Tuesday of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 97 seniors basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym. The Blazers of Charles Tiu bowed to defending champion Letran, 6367, while the Pirates of Gilbert Malabanan, also a first-time NCAA coach like Tiu, yielded to the San Beda Red Lions, 76-84.

The Blazers and Pirates clash in the 3 p.m. game after the 12 noon tussle between Jose Rizal University and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. “The positive is we were able to compete, but we’re not happy with the result,” said Tiu, whose Blazers led by as many as 12 points before fading in the stretch. “We were outworked and that was unacceptable.”

Arellano University big man Justin Arana, meanwhile, was diagnosed with a right partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear after a monster game last Saturday.

Chiefs Coach Cholo Martin told BusinessMirror on Monday that they are praying for a miracle now that Arana is ruled him out for the entire season.

“Doctor Raul Canlas will check if they can find a way to ease Arana’s injury so we need your prayers,” said Martin, who will be activating former Adamson University big man Lawrence Capulong from his reserve list to fill the void left by Arana, Arana had 16 points and 15 rebounds in the Chiefs’ 65-63 win over San Sebastian College but limped out of the game with two minutes left.

Blue Eagles seek win No. 2

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TENEO eyes victory No. 2 against a Far Eastern University (FEU) side that has a wily and explosive player who was on Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin’s Gilas Pilipinas cadets program just a few months back.

But Baldwin said the “three-peat” champions will not be tightening the noose on Abarrientos, but on the entire Tamaraws squad.

“Certainly, the game plan won’t just revolve around RJ [Abarrientos] although he will be a part of it,” Baldwin said. “It’s going to be the whole FEU team for sure.”

Abarrientos had 18 points in FEU’s 76-51 rout of University of Santo Tomas (UST) last Saturday.

Ateneo plays FEU at 1 p.m. in another compact four-game schedule of the season played under new normal conditions with fans and students barred from the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The other games pit winless Adamson University against University of the East at 11 a.m., De La Salle against National University in a 4 p.m. game between opening-day winners and University of Santo Tomas against University of the Philippines, also both suffering setbacks last Saturday, at 7 p.m.

Despite a 71-66 victory over UE, a team he used to play for and coach, Derrick Pumaren urged his Green Archers to execute their offense better against the Bulldogs, who are coming off a close 71-69 win over the Falcons also on opening day.

“We made a lot of mistakes in our offense, and I think that’s what we really have to work on,” Pumaren said. “We’re fine with our defense, it’s just that our offense isn’t there yet.” Josef Ramos

Sports | Tuesday, March 29, 2022 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

HD SPIKERS IN SEMIFINALS UNSCATHED

CES MOLINA stars in Cignal HD’s quarterfinals victory.

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HE fans were back roaring and so did the Cignal HD Spikers who extended their streak with a 25-14, 25-9, 25-14 rout of BaliPure to clinch the first semifinals berth in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference on Monday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The HD Spikers did everything they did right in sweeping the Group A preliminaries as they shrugged off an early skirmish to dominate the Purest Water Defenders with awesome spiking and superb blocking, court coverage,

digging, tipping and serving.

Top scorer Ces Molina credited their remarkable surge to the degree of confidence and belief that they have for each other and in the system.

“It’s all about trust to each other and in the whole process [of the team],” said Molina, who unleashed 11 attack points for a 12-hit output in the 69-minute match that marked the return of the fans to the league’s home in San Juan since the 2019 finals between Creamline and Petro Gazz.

They screamed as one in the early going marked by fierce exchanges

although the roars became subdued when the HD Spikers started to reassert their might and will midway through the opening set and throughout the 69-minute encounter.

“I feel proud (of this team). What we have worked for is already bearing fruit,” Cignal coach Shaq delos Santos said. “But of course, we still have a lot to improve.”

Roselyn Doria added 11 points, Ria Meneses dominated the net with her power tips and four block points for a nine-point production while Angeli Araneta and Rachel Anne Daquis put

NTERNATIONAL cycling action returns to the Philippines when Tagaytay City hosts the 2023 Asian BMX Championships and Asian Junior BMX Championships for Racing and Freestyle from March 3 to 6 at the International Cycling Union (UCI)-standard BMX track and at the Tagaytay City International Convention Center (TICC) complex.

The Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) announced during its Annual Congress in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Sunday the granting of the hosting rights to the Philippines through the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling).

“We thank the ACC for granting the PhilCycling’s bid to host the Asian championships,” said PhilCycling chief Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. “It’s been a while since we hosted international cycling events and with this privilege, PhilCycling, Tagaytay City and the entire country for that matter will put their best foot forward for this event.”

Tolentino said the PhilCycling will ask the UCI to calendar the 2023 Asian championships as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The last time that international cycling competitions were held in the country was in 2019 during

in eight and seven points, respectively, for the HD Spikers, who could only post one win in nine games and placed last in the league’s pro inaugurals under the bubble setup in Ilocos Norte last year.

This time, they’re unbeaten in five games with Cignal looking solid and in control as they gear against winner of the Choco Mucho-PLDT clash in the other quarters pairing of the league organized by Sports Vision.

So overpowering were the HD Spikers that they produced 40 attack points against the Water Defenders’ 17-attack output and finished with nine blocks, seven more than their rivals. They also pounced on BaliPure’s faulty reception and scored six aces in a match that also drew the attendance of cage legend and Philippine Sports commissioner Ramon Fernandez and celebrity Vice Ganda, herself a volley enthusiast.

Janine Marciano’s five-point game proved to be the best for BaliPure, which drew three points apiece from Patty Orendain and Norielle Ipac while Bernadette Flora, Jhoana Maraguinot and Gen Casugod struggled for two points apiece.

VICTOLERO: WE’RE DOWN, BUT NOT OUT

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By Josef Ramos

HE Magnolia Hotshots have their backs against the wall in their semifinals series with the Meralco Bolts but Head Coach Chito Victolero remained unfazed.

“We’re down, but we are not out,” said Victolero the morning after the Bolts went 2-1 in the short race-tothree series via a 101-95 Game 3 victory on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Clinching the series means beating Meralco twice, now a daunting task for a team that topped the eliminations with only one loss in 11

outings, booted out Phoenix in the quarterfinals in one game and won the series opener, 94-80.

“We need to improve our defense because right now, the Bolts are attacking and they are scoring a lot,” Victolero said. “We also need to execute consistently on offense.”

He added: “But we need to be more patient and we just have to grind again the next game. Just try to prepare hard and hopefully execute well.”

The Bolts only need to win Game 4—scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—to wrap up the series and potentially face the Barangay

Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings who are also 2-1 up on the NLEX Road Warriors who they face at 3 p.m. also on Wednesday.

Magnolia did a good job on limiting Meralco’s prolific import Tony Bishop to a 5-of-19 shooting for 10 points in Game 1.

But Bishop erupted for 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Game 2 and then had 27 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3 that put the Bolts closer to the Finals.

Victolero said his bench should step up and not rely solely on import Mike Harris, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, Calvin Abueva and Jio Jalalon.

Puerto Princesa gears up for Ironman 70.3

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Angkas enters moto racing scene to promote safety

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PALAWAN City Mayor Lucilo Bayron (fourth from left) and organizing Sunrise Events Inc. general manager Princess Galura hold the Ironman 70.3 logo. Also in photo are (from left) acting Philippine National Police city director Col. Roberto Bucad, Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Dean Palanca, City Administrator Atty. Arnel Pedrosa, Vice Mayor Maria Nancy Socrates, Executive Assistant and Sports Director Atty. Gregorio Austria and Assistant City Tourism Officer Demetrio Alvior Jr.

NGKAS has entered motorsports by sponsoring top Filipino riders TJ Alberto, Troy Alberto and EJ Sobretodo who will represent Filipinos in international motorcycle racing competitions.

Angkas’s riding safety advocacy ensures that all Angkas riders are thoroughly trained in safety and riding skills and it intends to drive home a message that motorcycle

PhilCycling hosts 2023 Asian BMX championships in Tagaytay City

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racing should be done on the track and not on the streets.

“Right now, we are sponsoring TJ, Troy and EJ. Coincidentally, EJ’s father is a hardworking Angkas riderpartner,” George Royeca, CEO of the app-hailing motorcycle taxi Angkas, said. “Angkas will be providing financial support to sustain the needs of these three top-caliber riders in global racing competitions.”

Royeca said that they will be

initiating a training program for potential racing champions to be undertaken in partnership with Ducati Philippines within the year.

“This program will be open to all potential champions, including Angkas riders,” said Royeca, an awardee of the Ten Outstanding Young Men 2020 for his innovations and effective campaign for alternative transport solutions in the country.

RONMAN Philippines levels up in the new normal with new challenges awaiting local and international athletes when the Ironman 70.3 holds its inaugural staging in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan in November.

The event is part of Ironman’s expansion in Asia with the host city guaranteeing smooth and successful staging of the event on November 13 with hopes of extending its hosting of the blueribbon endurance to next year and beyond.

“We’re very excited for the event.

It’s a big thing for Puerto Princesa.

We should be all ready for this, this is a big opportunity to pass up,” said Palawan City Mayor Lucilo Bayron during the event’s press launch at the Mayor’s Office at the Puerto Princesa City Hall on Monday.

“Sure, we will go far by hosting the event but we will need all the help of everybody to guarantee the successful staging of the event not only for this year but for the next few years,” added Bayron, who also thanked the organizing

MAGNOLIA Coach Chito Victolero stares at a daunting task to turn the tide against Meralco.

Sunrise Events Inc. for choosing the city for the hosting rights to the newest triathlon event on the Ironman race calendar.

Up to 1,400 athletes are expected to vie in the inaugural race. Registration starts Wednesday. For details, visit www.ironman.com/im703-puertoprincesa, puertoprincesa70.3@ ironman.com, or www.ironman.com for brand and global event series.

“We are excited to grow our portfolio of races in Asia. We are always on the lookout to create new race experiences that allow our athletes to compete in unique destinations, while pursuing their best performance,” said Jeff Edwards, managing director of Asia for the Ironman Group.

The 1.9-km (1.2-mile) swim course from the Puerto Princesa Bay Walk Park will serve as the kickoff event with the field next tackling a challenging 90-km (56mile) scenic three-loop bike-ride from the southern part of Puerto Princesa to the Iwahig Bridge.

The closing 21.1km (13.1-mile) run will be held along the bay to the city center all the way to the finish line at the Ramon Mitra Jr. Sports Complex.

the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Tagaytay City was the main hub of competitions for Road and BMX while nearby Laurel (Batangas) hosted the Mountain Bike (MTB) competitions.

At the forefront of the Philippines’s BMX Racing campaign is Daniel Caluag, a London 2012 Olympian and the country’s lone gold medalist at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games. Joining him are his brother CJ Caluag and 2019 Asian Junior Championships gold medalist Patrick Coo. BMX Freestyle, now an Olympic and UCI event, consists of Flatland and Street with 2019 SEA Games veterans Renz Viaje and Alan Ray Alfaro leading the charge.

A roof has been built over the BMX Track in Tagaytay City making it one of the most unique tracks in the continent.

The Flatland competitions will be staged at the Sigtuna Hall inside the TICC and the Street events at the existing skatepark facility at the Tagaytay City athletics oval.

The Philippines hosted continental cycling competitions in 2005 (Southeast Asian Games— Tagaytay City for Road, Amoranto Velodrome for Track and Danao City for MTB), 2004 (Puerto Princesa City for Asian MTB), 1997 (Danao City for Asian MTB) and 1995 (Amoranto Velodrome and Subic for Asian Road Championships).

Singson, Hernandez top Junior World elims

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AFY SINGSON clinched top honors in the premier division of the IMG Academy Junior World Qualifier despite a closing 76 while Jet Hernandez topped the boys’ side at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in General Trias, Cavite, last Sunday.

Singson also carded a four-over card in the opening round of the 54-hole tournament Friday and limped with an 80 in the second round as she and Burnberry Zhang shared the lead for the second straight day. But the latter fumbled with an 82 and Singson’s fellow International Container Terminal Services Inc.-backed Arnie Taguines failed to mount a big charge in the last 18 holes, enabling the SEA Games-bound Singson to cruise to victory with a 232 total.

That was six strokes clear of Taguines, who ended up with a 79, and Zhang in the girls’ 15-18 division of the tournament which also featured competitions in other agegroup divisions. The top four finishers in each category gained tickets to the annual Junior World Championships in San Diego, California in July.

Singson, winner of four low amateur honors in last year’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) and LK Go, member of the team that swept the SEA Games golf golds at Luisita in 2019, were named captain’s picks for the national team vying in the upcoming biennial games in Hanoi in May. Rianne Malixi, who topped the last LPGT event at Midlands last December and beat Princess Superal to reign in this year’s kickoff leg of the country’s premier pro circuit at Luisita last week, will spearhead the SEAG team following a dominant performance in the recent SEAG qualifier, also at Luisita.

Eagle Ace Superal took the fourth and last spot in the girls’ 15-18 play in the first Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines circuit for 2022.

Hernandez, who also topped the SEAG elims, dominated his side with a 215 total after a 72, while Miguel Ilas (79-222), Sean Granada (78-229) and Bobe Salahog (78-230) claimed the three other slots in the San Diego bash.

The others who gained Junior World spots were (13-14 division) Reese Ng (73-222), Lia Rosca (76-237), Mikhaella Constantino (84-242), Celine Abalos (88-263) and Shinichi Suzuki (70-219), Patrick Tambalque (78-231), Luis Ballesteros (82-239) and Zach Villaroman (80-241); (11-12 category) Francesca Gan (90261), Niña Balangauan (85-263), Lois Laine Go (90-283) and Isabella Tabanas (94-284) and Geoffrey Tan (85-246), Marc Nadales (87-251), Scott Ng (87259) and Emilio Hernandez (85-262); (9-10 group) Johanna Uyking (90-270), Brittany Tamayo (90-287), Margaux Namoco (111-321) and Jacqueline Garcia (123-356) and Ralph Batican (95253), Race Manhit (85-264), Jared Saban (90-266) and Jacobo Gomez (86-268).