BusinessMirror May 20, 2021

Higher pork MAV panel pitches 1-yr period B J E Y. A @jearcalas

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ALKS on the implementing guidelines of the increase in minimum access volume (MAV) of pork or MAV plus have progressed, with the MAV Advisory Council recommending that the 200,000 metric tons be equally imported and sold across 12 months.

MAV-AC members told the BM that the consultative body has approved at least three recommendations for consider-

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SUPPLY STIFFNESS TO STAY AS SHIPMENT ISSUES SEEN SPILLING PAST YULE SEASON

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ation of the MAV Management Committee (MAV-MC), which will have the fi nal say on the implementing rules and regulations of the pork MAV+. The BM learned that the MAV-AC, voting 7-2, recommended to divide the importation and distribution of the 200,000 metric tons of pork MAV+—as ordered by President Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 133—across 12 months or about 16,666 MT per month.

Furthermore, the MAV-AC approved the proposal to allocate the 200,000 MT pork

MAV+ accordingly: 25 percent to regular MAV licensees, 25 percent to local pork producers and 50 percent to other interested eligible importers.

Likewise, the consultative body recommended that importation per company shall be limited to 500 MT per month, subject to its actual utilization and distribution of the applied volume.

8 months or 12 months

ONE of the sticking discussions during the MAV-AC meeting on Wednesday was whether the MAV+ volume shall be divided across eight

months or 12 months.

Meat importers proposed, and this was supported by meat processors, that the volume be allocated across 8 months, as EO 133 stipulated that the increase in MAV is only for MAV year 2021, which started last February and will end in January 2022.

However, local pork producers pushed that the MAV+ be divided across 12 months in parallel with the 1-year tariff reduction.

The body voted on the matter, with 7 members favoring C  A

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BIR APRIL TAKE UP 142% BUT MISSES P235-B GOAL www.businessmirror.com.ph

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GOVT BOOSTS FUND FOR YOUTH WORKERS AS COVID IMPACTS NEXT LABOR FORCE

RESIDENTS of Taguig City who have been vaccinated stay inside a cinema while they are being monitored by medical personnel during the opening of the 9th vaccination hub of the city at the Venice Grand Canal Mall cinemas 1 and 5. At least 800 persons for the two cinemas are targeted for Covid-19 jabs daily in the vaccination area. All malls in Taguig promised to help put up vaccination hubs for city residents. NONIE REYES

B S P. M @sam_medenilla

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B B D. N

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) fell short of its P235.23-billion revenue collection goal for April due to the reimposition of stricter lockdown measures in the National Capital Region Plus (NCR Plus).

Citing final data, BIR Deputy Commissioner for Operations Group Arnel SD. Guballa told the BM that the bureau collected P219.04

billion in April, missing its monthly goal by 6.88 percent.

However, BIR’s revenue take for April this year jumped by 142 percent

from only P90.5 billion in the same month last year.

Unlike last year, BIR did not extend this year the April 15 filing deadline for the annual income tax returns.

Asked for the reason behind the BIR missing its monthly goal this year, Guballa said “business [was] not fully operational” during the period owing to the reimposition of stricter lockdown measures in NCR Plus to address the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Metro Manila and four nearby provinces Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan were placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine starting March 22 until April 11. After that, the government eased the restrictions

in NCR Plus to Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine starting April 12 and this lasted until May 14.

It was only last Saturday, May 15, when NCR Plus shifted to General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions. This is set to last until May 31.

From January to April this year, BIR also missed its revenue collection target of P698.79 billion.

During the four-month period, Guballa said their cumulative revenue take settled at P689.53 billion, 1.3 percent short of its goal.

Nonetheless, this is still up by 23.3 percent from P559.29 billion it colC  A

Senate OKs retail trade lib changes on 2nd, 3rd reading B B F @butchfBM

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HE Senate unanimously passed Wednesday the bill updating the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000, lowering the required paid-up capital for foreign retail enterprises.

With 20 affirmative votes, zero objection and no abstention, the Senate approved on second and third reading in one sitting Senate Bill 1840 amending the existing Retail Trade Liberal-

ization Act of 2000 (RA 8762).

The Senate approval paves the way for the bill’s speedy passage as the House has already passed its version, inching closer for submission to Malacañang for signing into law

by President Duterte. The second and third reading approvals were made possible by Duterte’s earlier move to certify the bill as urgent.

Senate Bill 1840 lowers the existing $2.5-million paid-up capital investment required for foreigners putting

PESO EXCHANGE RATES ■ US 47.8610

up retail business, such as convenience stores, down to $1 million or P50 million.

In the original proposal, the amount was pegged down to $300,000 but Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto moved to amend the amount, saying this was too low and would make it easy for large foreign retailers to beat the local businessmen. As the bill on Retail Trade Liberalization Law was certified by Malacañang as an urgent measure it was included in the list of

priority legislation adopted by the Senate in its priority agenda.

Hontiveros warning

EARLIER, Sen. Risa Hontiveros warned against removing restrictions to widen foreign ownership of domestic retail trade, saying it is “not the wisest option” amid an economic crisis.

She aired apprehensions that the proposed amendments to the Retail

HE government is eyeing to pump in additional cash for its youth-oriented program next year to address the negative impact of the pandemic on the country’s next-generation work force.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) made the pronouncement as youth unemployment, particularly of senior high-school graduates, continued to rise during the first quarter of the year.

In a Viber message, Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique R. Tutay told the BM they will be requesting P840 million for their “Tier 1” Government Internship Program (GIP) next year.

DOLE will also propose an additional P3.7 billion for their regular GIP and P120.9-million budget for their JobStart program for 2022.

The GIP provides qualified youth beneficiaries with temporary employment in government offices through DOLE, while JobStart provides trainings and on-the-job training to disadvantaged youths.

For this year, DOLE’s budget for GIP is only at P637.7 million, while its JobStart funding is only at P41.4 million.

“We have requested for additional funds to ensure skills acquisition [of the youth] towards 2022,” Tutay said.

Pandemic impact

SHE said this is part of interventions for the growing number of youth who are now having a hard time getting employed as the Covid-19 crisis led to the closure of thousands of establishments.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Tutay noted the number of unemployed senior high students last March reached 325,000, which is higher than that from 2019 (107,000) and 2020 (231,000).

“I would say [that] between now and maybe next year, it is going to be a tight labor market for the new entrants to the labor force, including the K-to-12 graduates since they will be competing with those who are unemployed and overseas Filipino workers,” Tutay said.

Aside from employment opportunities, DOLE also expressed concern on how online learning will affect the quality of the country future workers.

“There will be challenges for those students who have been deprived now of such opportunity like use of connectivity and communications. This is on top of the effects of mental anxiety for being quarantined at home for over a year already,” Tutay said.

The labor official pointed out the trend could impact the “fruits of the country’s demographic dividend”—where its large work force will lack the necessary skills to be employed if not addressed by the government.

“We see the impact [of Covid-19] will be long term and will last not just year or the next, but in the next 10 to 20 years. We project it will affect the kind and quality of the labor force,” Tutay said.

S “S OK,”  A

■ JAPAN 0.4396 ■ UK 67.9052 ■ HK 6.1633 ■ CHINA 7.4492 ■ SINGAPORE 36.0074 ■ AUSTRALIA 37.2933 ■ EU 58.5149 ■ SAUDI ARABIA 12.7622

Source: BSP (May 19, 2021)

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Thursday, May 20, 2021

Senate OKs...

C  A

Trade Liberalization Law, which senators continued deliberating on, “would only put at a disadvantage” Filipino owners of momand-pop shops, sari-sari stores, carinderias, and even public market stalls, effectively making them “second class citizens.”

“They [Filipino traders] will become second-class citizens in our own business sector if the Retail Trade Law is amended,” the lawmaker lamented. Hontiveros added: “Right now, this not our wisest option. Instead of our businessmen and sellers being able to recover, they will instead be hit with this.”

She cited key provisions of Senate Bill 1840 proposing to “remove all capital restrictions to foreign ownership of retail trade” by amending the Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA) of 2000.

Moreover, the senator added that while the proposed RTLA of 2000 still imposes a $2.5-million minimum capital requirement on 100 percent foreign ownership of retail businesses in the country, a smaller requirement ($250,000) is imposed on 100-percent foreign ownership for retailers of luxury goods.

Stressing that she is not against foreign investments, Hontiveros noted, however, that the Philippine Retailers Association aired concerns that once the minimum capital requirement for foreign investors is lowered, “it will defeat the local MSMEs,” adding that “these amendments will not help Filipinos.”

Hontiveros added: “More than ever, the wholesale and retail sector should feel the government’s support now. That’s why we continue to call for more ayuda and support for them, like wage subsidy and soft loans.”

The senator stressed that “we must listen to and support our MSMEs, who are actually keeping the country afloat despite being one of the hardest hit by the economic downturn.”

www.businessmirror.com.ph

WB launches Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund

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B C U. O

@caiordinario

HE Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) will help former combatants and their communities attain peace and prosperity, according to the World Bank.

On Wednesday, the World Bank and their development partners such as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the national government, and embassies launched the BNTF. In his welcome remarks, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand Ndiame Diop said the BNTF will operate as a pooled fund composed of a multidonor trust fund (MDTF), administered by a third party suitable to the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“The BNTF is about funding transformation—transforming former combatants and their communities into productive elements of Bangsamoro society,” Diop said.

Diop said the BNTF will help finance, coordinate, and oversee delivery of assistance from international partners and other donors in the implementation of the normalization process.

These will be dedicated to the rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of Bangsamoro communities with special regard to decommissioned MILF combatants and their communities, and vulner-

able sectors.

The fund will also finance efforts to assist MILF combatants and their communities and develop six previously acknowledged MILF camps with the view of transforming these areas into peaceful and productive communities.

“We thank our partners that have already pledged their support, including the Government of Australia, thanks Ambassador Steve [Robinson], and the European Union, thanks [Head of Cooperation] Christoph [Wagner],” Diop said.

The creation of the Bangsamoro Normalization Trust Fund (BNTF) was mutually agreed upon by the Government of the Philippines and the MILF in the Annex on Normalization of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which the parties signed on January 25, 2014.

The World Bank was selected as the international administrator of the fund by agreement of the respective GPH and MILF Joint Implementing Panels.

Japan to release P10B to PHL for post-disaster standby loan

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HE Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), will release P10 billion to the Government of the Philippines this month under the Post-Disaster Stand-by Loan Phase 2 (PDSL 2).

Jica said the loan will finance the government’s pandemic response including testing and quarantine facility expansion as well as social amelioration program for vulnerable people and sectors.

The loan, Jica said, was needed after the reimposition of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in

the NCR Plus last March 29.

“Upon the disbursement request of the GOP, the approval of this third tranche came as a result of the successful summit teleconference between Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte held on May 19,” Jica said in a statement.

Since the PDSL 2’s signing on September 15, 2020, the GOJ has disbursed a total of P10 billion out of the P25-billion-yen loan agreement between Jica and the Department of Finance (DOF).

The PDSL aimed to facilitate the swift recovery of the Philippines after the onslaught of natural and health-related disasters.

The first tranche of the PDSL 2 worth P5 billion was made available on October 27, 2020 following the extension of the state of calamity in the country due to Covid-19.

The second tranche, also amounting to P5 billion, was issued on January 5, 2021 in light of the declaration of a state of calamity in Luzon due to Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses. Cai U. Ordinario

BIR APRIL TAKE UP 142% BUT MISSES P235-B GOAL C  A

lected from January to April 2020.

Guballa also hopes they can still hit their full-year 2021 collection goal of P2.081 trillion.

Last year, BIR collected P1.95 trillion, exceeding its downscaled revenue collection target of P1.686 trillion.

The government hopes to raise more revenues this year to cover the expected higher budget deficit which is now projected by the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) to reach P1.86 trillion or 9.4 percent of the country’s GDP. On Tuesday, the DBCC slashed its growth projection for the Philippine economy this year to 6 to 7 percent from its previous forecast range of 6.5 to 7.5 percent also due to the implementation of stricter lockdown measures in NCR Plus during the second quarter of this year. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua has said the economy needs to grow an average of 10 percent in the next three quarters to achieve the low-end of the government’s target.

Last week, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that GDP contracted 4.2 percent in the first quarter of the year, marking the economy’s fifth consecutive quarter of decline.

For next year, the DBCC also downgraded its forecast for the country’s GDP growth to 7 to 9 percent, lower than its previous projection of 8 to 10 percent.

For 2023 and 2024, it also expects the economy to grow by 6 to 7 percent.

Higher pork MAV panel pitches 1-yr period C  A

Peza firms...

C  A

the 12-month division instead of the 8-month allocation.

The 7 members that voted in favor of the 8-month allocation were: representatives from grain sector, hog sector, other MAV products sector, non-meat processing sector, consumers sector, sugar sector, and national agriculture and fishery councils. The two members that supported the 12-month allocation were the meat traders and meat processing sector representatives.

Meat Importers and Traders Association President Jesus C. Cham, who represents the meat traders in the MAV-AC, said the EO was clear that the increase in MAV is only effective for the MAV year.

Cham told the BM that allocating the MAV+ across 12 months would mean “less supply and more chances for higher prices” especially as the country is approaching the -ber months.

Cham noted an urgent need to bring in imports since the country is continuously reeling from the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) which continues to spread nationwide, thus, exacerbating the country’s pork deficit.

“I hope the management committee chooses the right mechanism and overrules the recommendation.

Besides, it is clear in the EO that it says MAV year, so why insist on 12 months?” he said.

However, Nicanor Briones, Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. chairman, argued that dividing the pork MAV+ across 12 months would help in mitigating the anticipated impact of higher imports on local production.

Briones explained that EO 135, which amended the tariff rates, was the latest executive order issued

by Duterte; hence, its effectivity of one calendar year must be followed instead of the EO 133 timeline.

However, sources told the BM that Department of Agriculture (DA) officials present at the MAV-AC meeting told the members that the EO on tariff reduction and MAV+ are two separate matters, thus, with distinct timelines.

Briones disclosed that Cham proposed the arrival of the 55 percent of the MAV+ within the next three months—something that Briones said would be too detrimental to the hog sector.

“Besides, they can always import through the outquota which has a minimal tariff difference with the in-quota. Imported pork is cheap anyway,” Briones

told the BM.

“The 12-month allocation is the best we can do to protect the pork producers and avert oversupply.

It will also somehow mitigate the [sense of] discouragement among producers to restock amid influx of imports,” he added.

Raul Q. Montemayor of the Federation of Free Farmers, who represents the grains sector at the MAV-AC, backed the proposal of Briones to avert an oversupply in the country “since the out-quota imports are unlimited” anyway.

Montemayor told the BM that they also agreed that MAV licenses for the MAV+ will only be issued upon presentation of bills of lading, meaning, the imports are ready to shipped from the country of origin.

Allocation, distribution

THE MAV-AC also agreed to recommend the allocation of MAV+ per type of importer: 25 percent for pork producers, 25 percent for importers and 50 percent for other eligible parties.

The MAV-AC voted on the matter unanimously, which was a proposal coming from the DA. Last, the MAV-AC will recommend that importers would have a volume limit of 500 MT per month. However, Cham said the issue of volume limit per importer was not clarified and argued that the limit shall be for the whole year and not per month. Cham said allowing companies to import again under MAV+ may result in dominance by certain companies, thus creating a cartel that may defeat the purpose of the measure.

“That issue was not clarified, but doing the math it seems unlikely. Theoretically one company can import 500 x 8 = 4000 metric tons. 50 companies can take control/dominate,” he said.

“My secondary goal is to not to have cartels arise.

If cartelized, then price targets would be at risk,” he added.

Cham said he earlier proposed that the MAV+ allocation must be on a “first-come, first-serve” basis since there is already a 500 MT limit per company, instead of dividing the total volume across pork producers, existing MAV licensees and other interested parties.

For his part, Briones said pork producers that import under MAV+ must not have any limits to their import volume, as a way of helping them recover losses from ASF. Industry sources told the BM the MAV-AC did not have any recommendation on whether to allocate further the MAV+ according to the regions of the country. Earlier MAV+ guidelines obtained by the BM showed there was a proposal to allocate the MAV+ across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The MAV-AC recommendations will be subject to the approval of the MAV-MC, which Duterte had directed to “ensure that the allocation of the volume importation is fair and open to all qualified importers of pork meat” and in accordance with existing rules and regulations regarding MAVs. Duterte’s EO took effect last week but is still pending implementation pending issuance of the final guidelines approved by the MAV-MC.

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PNP chief opens camps for Covid-19 vaccination

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

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ATIONAL Police chief General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar has ordered all police regional and provincial directors to closely coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) in identifying police camps that can be used as vaccination sites, as the government prepares for the inoculation of essential workers and indigent Filipinos.

At the same time, Eleazar directed police officials to prepare for contingencies with the possible utilization of camps for the vaccination program, including assisting those who would undergo inoculation.

“All police camps are open to host this endeavor, and if needed, the PNP [Philippine National Police] is ready to assist in transporting those who will take a part in the inoculation program,” Eleazar said in Filipino.

“We in the PNP are always ready to serve the public, and our countrymen are assured of our help no matter the time and place. We have been and we should always be helping each other,” he added.

The PNP chief’s assurance came after vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. announced that police and military camps would be used as vaccination sites for the A4 priority sector as more Covid-19 vaccine shipments arrive in the country.

Inoculation for the A4 category in the vaccine priority list, which includes security forces, fire personnel, and those working in Customs and immigration, is expected to commence by the end of the month.

“I had already issued orders to all regional and provincial directors to list the camps and offices that could be able to serve as venues for vaccination, and also be prepared to implement the directive of Secretary Galvez that the mass vaccination would be launched probably early next month. We will submit the list to the NTF [National Task Force] Covid-19 of all the camps that could be used, including the protocols that we would implement for the vaccination,” the country’s top cop said.

Eleazar pointed out that police camps would make good vaccination sites because of their big and open spaces where proper physical distancing can be observed once the administration of vaccines takes place in these areas.

The PNP chief added he plans to confer with Galvez on the use of police camps as inoculation hubs.

As for the possible use of police stations as vaccination centers, Eleazar said that the PNP has to wait for further guidance from President Duterte who had previously floated the idea.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police-Medical Reserve Force (PNP-MRF) was deployed to various Quezon City vaccination centers to assist in the inoculation of Covid-19 vaccines and prevent long queues and overcrowding.

Members of the PNP-MR F were assigned at the San Francisco High School, the Project 6 Elementary School and at the Masambong Elementary School, all in Quezon City which are all being utilized as vaccination centers for city residents.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, May 20, 2021 A3

Offshore firm seeks environmental clearance for P12-B seabed quarry project in Manila Bay

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

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ILVERQUEST Mining Resources Inc. (SMRI), an offshore mining firm, is eyeing the massive extraction of sand and other quarry materials in the municipal waters of Ternate and Naic in Cavite.

The firm is currently in the process of securing its environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the P12-billion SMRI Government Seabed Quarry Project.

The project involves the dredging of mud, silt, sand and dredged materials from the seabed for the 318-hectare Manila Waterfront Project, a 5-year, P34.377-billion land reclamation and development project of the local government of Manila and Waterfront Manila Premier Development in Manila’s South Harbor.

The document prepared by Prism Express Consulting Inc. in collaboration with Environment & Climate Change Advisers Inc. for the SMRI, which was submitted the DENR-EMB is part of mandatory requirements for such environmentally critical project under Environmental Impact Statement law.

The execution of dredging works could only be undertaken upon securing a Government Seabed Quarry Permit, or GSQP, from Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), but other major requisites are the ECC, Letters of No Objections or LONO from concerned government entities; and the approval of Design and Engineering Details (DED), which are typically undertaken after the ECC is secured.

The quarry site is 42 kilometers away from the Manila Waterfront Project, which got its ECC from the DENR-EMB in 2018.

The proposed seabed quarry site has an area of 2,124.3581 hectares

off the coast of Cavite in Manila Bay and has a deposit of some 2 billion cubic meters (cu. m.) of quarry materials.

The Manila Waterfront Project, which would require massive land reclamation and also referred to dump-and-fill, needs at least 60 million cu. m. of backfilling materials, according to the document.

“The primary aim or objective of the SMRI Seabed Quarry Project is to provide the suitable dredge fill materials to the planned Manila Waterfront City Reclamation project, which already secure ECC from EMB sometime July 18, 2018. Thus, the fill materials for reclamation must be composed of the same or similar materials as specified by reclamation design. It must be economical, environmentally safe, and expeditious to develop. The materials to be dredged are mostly made of mud, silt, sand and some rocky materials, which specifications are shown be-

low,” SMRI document stated.

According to the seabed quarry project proponent, the environmental effects of sand and gravel extraction may include physical effects such as the modification of sea bottom topography, the creation of turbidity plumes, substrate alteration, changes in the local wave and current patterns, which may reach near the coast and the distance is relatively close to Ternate or Naic.

The proponent also said that biological effects of dredging might include changes in the density, diversity, biomass, and community structure of the benthos or fish populations as a consequence of the physical effects on the quarry site.

A total of four sea vessels or ships will be used to dredge into the designated quarry area, which is devoid of coral cover.

According to SMRI, it would not be the first time that such area for seabed quarry was considered for the source

of dredging materials in Manila Bay. The firm said that a previous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) done in 2007 has identified the San Nicolas Shoal (SNS) as a prime area for dredging.

Subsequently, a Government Seabed Quarry Permit was issued to the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) in August of 2008, which an Environmental Impact Statement Report noted the absence of major marine species in the area.

“It also indicated no coral cover in the area except for some 2 percent to 4 percent coral cover in the Municipality of Ternate; the rest of the SNS quarry area has no coral communities,” it added.

According to the proponent, considering a yearly production rate of 8,932,000 cubic meters, the total dredging operations will take some six years and seven months and would yield about 60 million cubic meters of dredged materials.

Napolcom OKs recruitment House minority vows ‘proper procedure’ of at least 17,314 new cops in Leonen impeachment proceedings

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

The 17,314 attrition recruitment quota, on the other hand, is intended to replace uniformed personnel losses due to separation from the service [retirement, designation, death, dismissal from the service, absence without leave].

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Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Vitaliano N. Aguirre

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HE National Police Commission (Napolcom) has approved the recruitment of 17,314 new policemen to replenish personnel losses, increase personnel strength, enhance police visibility, and improve police-to-population ratio and peace and order condition in the operational areas covered by the respective police regional offices (PROs) and national support units (NSUs).

The Napolcom en banc, headed

by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and Napolcom Chairman Eduardo M. Año, issued Resolution 2021-0475, dated April 27, 2021, approving the calendar year 2021 Regular and Attrition Recruitment Program of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Vitaliano N. Aguirre II said that the 1,000 regular recruitment quota shall be allotted to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in the first recruitment cycle to improve the police-to-population ratio in the region, address personnel losses due to localization program, and satisfy the personnel requirement of the office.

“The 17,314 attrition recruitment quota, on the other hand, is intended to replace uniformed personnel losses due to separation from the service [retirement, designation, death, dismissal from the service, absence without leave],” Aguirre said.

The attrition recruitment quota for the PROs for the first and second cycles shall be distributed, as follows: PRO1-350; PRO2-400; PRO3-750; PRO4A-750; PRO4B-450; PRO5-

BM

850; PRO6-100; PRO7-650; PRO81,200; PRO9-100; PRO10-150; PRO11-100; PRO12-100; PRO13100; PRO COR-100; PRO BAR- 1,700; and, NCRPO-5,000; For the NSUs, following is the allotment of the attrition recruitment quota for the first and second cycles: Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG)-200; Communications and Electronics Service (CES)-350; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)200; Crime Laboratory (CL)-500; Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group (EOD/K9)-100; Health Service (HS)-500; Headquarters Support Service (HSS)-150; Intelligence Group (IG)-100; Legal Service (LS)100; Maritime Group (MG)-1,000; National Police Training Institute (NPTI) - 250; PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP DEG)- 514; PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS)-100; Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG)-150; Special Action Force (SAF)- 100; and PNP Training Service (PNPTS)-150.

Vice Chairman Aguirre said that chiefs of PNP Offices/Units and members of the Screening and Selection Committee, including the head and members of the Secretariat, are required to strictly follow the existing rules and regulations on the recruitment, selection and appointment of patrolmen and patrolwomen, as well as the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Omnibus Guidelines in the implementation of community quarantine in the Philippines; otherwise, they would be subjected to administrative sanctions.

HE House minority bloc on Wednesday vowed to ensure that “proper procedure” would be followed in tackling and deciding the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen.

House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano made the assurance following the referral of the complaint against Leonen to the House Committee on Justice last Tuesday.

The magistrate has been accused for alleged failure to file statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) for 15 years during his previous tenure with the University of the Philippines.

When asked if the minority has reached a consensus on a vote, the minority leader emphasized that each member of the minority with voting rights in the committee is free to deliver their conscience vote on the impeachment case.

The House Committee on Justice is tasked with initial deliberations to determine sufficiency in form and substance of the complaint.

Last March 25, Speaker Lord

Allan Velasco transmitted the impeachment complaint filed by Mr. Edwin M. Cordevilla and endorsed

by Ilocos Sur Second District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba to the House Committee on Rules.

The rules committee, chaired by House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, had already endorsed the impeachment complaint to the justice committee.

According to the rules, the Speaker should have an impeachment complaint included in the order of business, or agenda of the House session, 10 days from receipt. It shall be referred then to the House Committee on Justice within three session days.

Earlier, Velasco promised to be “fair” in tackling the impeachment complaint lodged against Leonen.

Constitutional duty

FOR his part, Romualdez said the lower chamber has only performed its constitutional duty when it referred to the House Committee on Justice the impeachment complaint filed against Leonen.

Under Section 3, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, “the House of Representatives shall have the ex-

clusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.”

The same section of the constitutional provision mandates the House to act on a verified complaint for impeachment filed by any member of the House of Representatives or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any member thereof.

According to Romualdez, the impeachment complaint filed by private citizen Cordevilla, secretary-general of Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government, was properly endorsed by Rep. Barba in accordance with the aforementioned constitutional provision.

“The ball is now in the hands of the House Committee on Justice, ably chaired by Leyte Rep. Vicente ‘Ching’ Veloso III who had served as Justice of the Court of Appeals [CA],” the majority leader said.

“The Constitution and the House Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings are clear on the timetable for acting on such complaint.

The Committee on Justice, after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its members, shall submit its report to the House within 60 session days from such referral, together with the corresponding resolution,” he added.

1.053 million sign up for National ID

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

O

VER a million Filipinos have registered for Step 1 of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) through the online system of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

PSA said that as of Monday, May 17, 2021, around 1.053 million Filipinos registered online for Step 1 of the National ID registration process.

Initially, the online registration of the National ID crashed due to the sheer number of Filipinos who accessed the site.

However, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Claire Dennis S. Mapa earlier said the

PSA had made adjustments to the site to allow online registration to continue.

“This is yet another milestone in implementing this national priority program that will usher our country to a digital society. We are grateful for the patience and trust of Filipinos who registered, even though we encountered technical difficulties when we started the pilot. With the support of our citizens, we remain optimistic that we can register 50 to 70 million Filipinos to the PhilSys this year,” Mapa said.

He added the PSA would soon roll out Step 2 Registration in all provinces nationwide. Step 2 requires registrants to validate their demographic information and cap-

ture their biometric data such as iris scans, fingerprint scans, and frontfacing photographs at designated local registration centers.

The final step to PhilSys is the issuance of the PhilSys Number (PSN) and the Philippine Identification (PhilID) card in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost).

The PSN is a randomly generated number that will serve as a permanent identification number for the registrants, which must be kept private and confidential.

To protect the permanent PSN when transacting, registrants are highly encouraged to use the PhilSys Card Number (PCN), the public version of the PSN, which is printed in front of the PhilID.

Retired SC Associate Justice Brion appointed as new PhilJA chancellor

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

T

HE Supreme Court announced on Wednesday the appointment of retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo D. Brion as the new

Chancellor of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PhilJA) starting June 1.

Brion will replace retired Associate Justice Adolfo S. Azcuna, who has served as PhilJA Chancellor since June 1, 2009.

His appointment was contained

in a notice dated May 11, 2021 and issued for the SC by Clerk of Court Marife M. Lumibao Cuevas.

Under Republic Act 8557 that created PhilJA, Brion will serve as chancellor for two years, a term of office that can be extended by the SC.

PhilJA was created by the SC in 1996. After two years it got its mandate under RA 8557, which institutionalized the academy as “training school for justices, judges, court personnel, lawyers, and aspirants to judicial posts.”

PhilJA has a governing board known as Board of Trustees, which is composed of the Chief Justice as ex-officio chairman; senior associate justice as ex-officio vice chairman; the chancellor of the academy; the presiding justices of the Court of Appeals and

the Sandiganbayan, the Court Administrator, the president of the Philippine Judges Association, and the president of the Philippine Association of Law Schools, as ex-officio members; and a judge of a first level court, as appointive member.

A4 Thursday, May 20, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

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PHL seeks OIE certification as CBPP-free country

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

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HE Philippines is eyeing to secure a certification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as a Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP)-free country, according to a Department of Agriculture (DA) document.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 8 which outlined guidelines for the conduct of seroprevalence of CBPP in cattle and water buffalo in the country project.

“The project aims to determine the seroprevalence of CBPP in cattle and water buffalo in the Philippines using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA] test,” Dar said in his MC issued recently.

Dar said results of the study would be used by the government to “substantiate” its application to the OIE to certify the Philippines as a CBPPfree country.

“The long-term aim of the project is to support the development and expansion of the livestock industry amid the recovery efforts of the country from the devastation caused by African swine fever, to attain food sufficiency goals as well as improve its competitiveness in the international market,” Dar said.

The project will run for 2 years to be undertaken by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), and National Dairy Authority (NDA) in coordination with the DA regional field offices and local government units.

Dar noted that the Philippines is “historically free from CBPP, thus, vaccination nor any eradication measures against CBPP has never been conducted nationwide.” However, Dar pointed out that there is a need to establish the baseline status in the country for the effective development of animal health and disease control programs, particularly on emerging diseases.

“Nevertheless, BAI is cogni-

zant of possible disease incursion or introduction of this novel disease, thus CBPP is included in the list of important diseases for monitoring and immediate notification,” he said.

“The current disease surveillance programs of the government do not include pathogen-specific for CBPP as the disease has never been observed in the country,” he added.

CBPP is a highly contagious disease of cattle and water buffalo caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp.Mycoides and listed as one of the notifiable diseases by the OIE, according to the DA. “Historically, CBPP is among the causative agents for the world’s great cattle plagues, which was known to have occurred as early as the 16th century. Susceptible animals to disease include bovids,” it added.

The OIE said the CBPP, which is a prominent cattle disease in Africa, is highly contagious with a mortality rate of up to 50 percent, causing significant economic losses.

Lacson presses ‘due diligence’ of GOCCs prior to any auction

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

S

EN. Panfilo Lacson pressed Wednesday for full “audit and inventory” of state-owned assets before these are sold in auction to bankroll the Duterte administration’s ongoing efforts to contain the deadly Covid-19 pandemic.

The senator stressed that prior to the sale “an audit and inventory of all these assets should be conducted posthaste,” even as he reminded that the state should also retain “only

those government-owned and -controlled corporations [GOCCs] that generate revenue, and sell the rest.”

He reminded that “while it is a mark of a true leader to consider any measure—no matter how extraordinary—to save us all, proper and prudent steps must be taken in consideration of the country’s long-term survival, thus avoiding that future generations of Filipinos will be left with nothing.”

Lacson lamented in a statement there are a number of GOCCs with real estate and other assets, that “still receive subsidies

from the national government year in and year out, mainly because they are mismanaged— if not being used as cash cows by unscrupulous officials.”

“An audit and inventory of all these assets should be conducted posthaste,” Lacson said as he prodded the Duterte administration to “retain only those that generate revenue, and sell the rest.”

The senator added, “It bears repeating that this is an extraordinary time that calls for extraordinary measures, for the survival of our people and the whole country.”

House panel approves measure institutionalizing PPP program

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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HE House Committee on Public Works and Highways on Wednesday approved a Duterte administration’s priority bill institutionalizing the private and public partnership (PPP) program.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, one of the principal authors of the unnumbered substitute bill, said the measure aims to foster competitiveness, efficiency, and ease of doing business, while supporting the private sector without endangering the country’s fiscal strength.

The substitute bill or the proposed PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) Rationalization Act is a consolidation of House Bills 77, 1244, 4873, 5452 and 6575 authored by Salceda, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Cagayan de Oro Rep.RufusRodriguez,BataanRep.Geraldine Roman and AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin.

Under the substitute bill, implementing agencies would include development plans, strategies, and investment programs in the identified priority PPP projects. This ensures that PPPs are aligned with the national and local development objectives of the government.

Salceda explained that a project would be considered as a priority based on the following principles: a) effectiveness in meeting government objectives, b) value for money, c) accountability and transparency, d) consumer rights, e) affordability, f) public access, and g) safety and security.

Salceda said blended finance, co-financing, and green finance are set as policy objectives that can guide the framework-setting for PPP screening.

The bill refers to blended finance as to the strategic use of combined concessional funds from development institutions or partners and commercial funds from lenders and private investors to provide financing for PPP projects.

It refers to co-financing as collaborative financing of the same PPP project by two or more banks or other lending institutions, while green finance refers to investments that create environmental benefits in support of green growth, low-carbon, and sustainable development.

Empower

THE bill also empowers the PPP Center as an approving body, an institutional strength not

present under the present system.

It said national PPP projects costing up to P5 billion shall be approved by the PPP Center unless overturned by the Investment Coordination Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority (ICC-Neda) within 30 days from the date of approval.

It added projects costing more than P5 billion shall be approved by the Neda Board upon prior recommendation by the ICCNeda. The bill, however, allows the Neda to adjust thresholds based on evolving socioeconomic circumstances.

To promote local autonomy, local PPP projects shall be approved by the local Sanggunians, regardless of the project cost. Provided, that local PPP projects involving government undertakings using national government funds shall require the approval of the PPP Center for projects up to P5 billion in project cost and by the ICC-Neda for projects with project cost of above P5 billion.

In approving PPP projects, the measure said, the approving body shall assess all PPP projects based on its overall feasibility analysis and accord paramount importance on the affordability of user fees and efficiency in public service.

To ensure that all risks associated with PPP projects are managed and mitigated accordingly, the bill also said all PPP contracts to be entered into by the implementing agency shall adhere to the principles stipulated under the Generic Preferred Risk Allocation Matrix (GPRAM) issued by the ICC-Neda.

Moreover, Salceda said the implementing agency shall set the financial bid parameters to determine the most advantageous bid.

“The criteria are all consistently guided by two key considerations: the end user pays the lowest viable fee and the government is safeguarded from being financially disadvantaged,” he added.

Approval

MEANWHILE, the bill said the appropriate approving body shall act on the project within 30 working days upon satisfactory compliance by the concerned implementing agency with the requirements of the appropriate approving body.

It said failure of the appropriate approving body to act on the project within the specified period shall be deemed an approval thereof and the concerned implementing agency may proceed with the procurement of the PPP project.

Serious side effects uncommon in vaccination drive–DOH exec

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VER 30,000 adverse events following immunization (AEFI) were registered by the Department of Health (DOH) in the government’s on-going Covid-19 inoculation drive.

Of these cases, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said only 10 to 20 have serious side effects.

“So far, there are no serious side effects traced to the vaccine. Many were just coincidental,” Cabotaje said during an interview with PTV on Wednesday.

Lulu Bravo, a member of the government's AEFI committee, said among those reported adverse events are fever and an increase in

blood pressure.

But she explained such symptoms are common for those who would get themselves vaccinated “The average number of days they will have these [adverse events] is two to three days. If it persist beyond that and the person experiences anything severe and intolerable, they should immediately report it to the vaccination center,” Bravo said.

She said some of the symptoms come from existing health conditions of persons before they got vaccinated such as hypertension, or they were already infected with Covid-19 before being vaccinated. Samuel P. Medenilla

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

The World

Thailand plans to borrow $22 billion for Covid relief

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hailand plans to borrow an additional 700 billion baht ($22.3 billion) to fund measures to counter the worst wave of Covid-19 outbreak to hit Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, people familiar with the matter said.

A meet i ng of t he c abi net chaired by Prime Minister Pray ut h C ha n- Oc ha on Tuesd ay approved the new bor row ing plan from the finance ministr y, the people said, declining to be identified before a public announcement.

The government proposes to spend 400 billion baht of the new borrowing to help various sections of the society affected by the new outbreak, while 270 billion baht will be used to revive the economy, the people said. About 30 billion baht will be set aside to finance medical supplies and vaccines to contain the latest outbreak, they said.

The fresh borrowing can be completed before Sept. 30 next year, and is on top of an ongoing 1-trillion baht debt plan authorized by the cabinet last year to fund pandemic relief measures, they said.

Kulaya Tantitemit, a spokesperson for the Finance Ministry and head of its Fiscal Policy Office, declined to comment.

Anucha Burapachaisri, a government spokesman also declined to comment.

T ha i l and ’s publ ic debt-to gross domestic product ratio may r ise to 58.6 percent by September with the additional borrowing, but would still be below the nation’s 60 percent debt ceiling, the people said.

The government will need to issue an emergenc y law that needs to be endorsed by the king before the public debt management office can begin raising fresh debt, they said.

Debt ceiling

S tandard C h a r tered B a n k Plc expects a Prayuth-led fiscal policy committee to raise the debt ceiling to 65 percent of the GDP by year-end when a

clearer picture of the domestic Covid situation and effectiveness of fiscal measures in the short- and medium term is expected to emerge. Additional bor row ing may be through ex isting instr uments inc luding treasur y bills, promissor y notes and savings bonds, Tim L eel a haphan, Bangkok-based economist at the bank, said in a note Wednesday.

T he y ield on 10 -year T hai gover nment bonds rose four basis points to 1.82 percent, while the benchmark SET index of stocks rose 0.1 percent, set for a second day of advance.

The baht rose 0.1 to 31.422 to a US dollar, poised to snap six days of losses, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Thailand, which is grappling with the deadliest Covid wave to hit the nation so far, slashed its growth outlook for this year earlier this week, citing the delay in reopening borders to foreign tourists and slow vaccination. The economy may expand between 1.5 percent and 2.5 percent this year, less than the 2.5 percent-3.5 percent forecast in Februar y, the National Economic and Social Development Council said Monday.

The country’s budget deficit soared almost 17 percent in the first half of the fiscal year that began in October as revenue tumbled, prompting the government to almost triple borrowing to meet the shortfall. The cabinet this month gave in-principle approval for a $7.2 billion assistance package that included short-term financial relief for those affected by the virus, as well as measures to stimulate consumption once infections abate.

Thailand has imposed curbs on bu si nesses a nd t rave l to contain the resurgence in the pandemic that has seen the nation’s total caseload almost quadruple since the start of April.

The country has vaccinated only about 2 percent of its population, trailing the pace of countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Bloomberg News

China protests latest US Navy passage through Taiwan Strait

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EIJING—China on Wednesday protested the latest passage by a US Navy ship through the Taiwan Strait, calling it a provocation that undermined peace and stability in the region.

The US Navy’s 7th Fleet said that the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Tuesday in accordance with international law. The passage “demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The United States military will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows,” the Navy said in a statement.

While the strait is in international waters, China claims self-governing Taiwan as its own territory and regards the US Navy’s presence in the area as a show of support for the island’s democratic government.

In a statement on the Defense Ministry website, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command Col. Zhang Chunhui said the US actions

were “sending wrong signals to the ‘Taiwan independence’ forces, deliberately disrupting and sabotaging the regional situation and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

He said Chinese forces tracked and monitored the ship and “strictly guarded against all threats and provocations.”

China last month complained that activity by US military ships and surveillance planes directed at it has increased significantly under President Joe Biden.

It was particularly disturbed by close-in observation of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and its battle group by a US destroyer in the South China Sea, as advertised by a widely distributed photo of US officers relaxing on deck with the Chinese flattop well within sight.

China accused the US of having “seriously interfered with the Chinese side’s training activities and seriously threatened the safety of navigation and personnel on the both sides.” AP

BusinessMirror

Thursday, May 20, 2021

A5

Covid restrictions reimposed as cases surge in much of Asia

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AIPEI, Taiwan—Taxi drivers are starved for customers, weddings are suddenly canceled, schools are closed, and restaurant service is restricted across much of Asia as the coronavirus makes a resurgence in countries where it had seemed to be well under control.

Sparsely populated Mongolia has seen its death toll soar from 15 to 233, while Taiwan, considered a major success in battling the virus, has recorded more than 1,000 cases since last week and placed over 600,000 people in two-week medical isolation.

Hong Kong and Singapore have postponed a quarantine-free travel bubble for a second time after an outbreak in Singapore of uncertain origin. China, which has all but stamped out local infections, has seen new cases apparently linked to contact with people arriving from abroad.

The resurgence hasn’t come close to the carnage wrought in India and parts of Europe, but it is a keen reminder that the virus remains resilient, despite strict mask mandates, case tracing, mass testing and wider deployment of the newest weapon against it— vaccinations.

That’s setting back efforts to get social and economic life back to normal, particularly in schools and sectors like the hospitality industry that are built on public contact.

In Taiwan, the surge is being driven by the more easily transmissible variant first identified in Britain, according to Chen Chienjen, an epidemiologist and the island’s former vice president, who led the highly praised pandemic response last year.

Complicating matters are some senior citizens who frequent slightly racy “tea salons” in Taipei’s Wanhua neighborhood. They accounted for about 375 of the new

cases as of Tuesday, Chen said. The tea shops are known for providing adult entertainment with singing and dancing.

“These seniors, when they go to these places, want to keep it veiled,” Chen said. “When we are conducting the investigation, they may not be honest.”

In Wanhua, normally a bustling area with food stalls, shops and entertainment venues, the Huaxi night market and historic Longshan Buddhist temple are closed.

Kao Yu-chieh, who runs a breakfast shop in the area, said business is down at least 50 percent since last week.

Cab driver Wang Hsian Jhong said he hasn’t had a customer in three days. “Everyone is affected.

This is a Taiwan-wide problem. We have to get through it,” he said, puffing on a cigarette on a street in Wanhua.

Schools, gyms and pools are closed in Taipei, and gatherings of more than five people indoors and more than 10 people outdoors are banned. The island shut all schools starting Wednesday.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has sought to reassure a public that is reverting to panic-buying and shunning public places.

“We will continue to strengthen our medical capacity,” Tsai said, adding that vaccines are arriving from abroad.

Malaysia unexpectedly imposed a one-month lockdown through June 7, spooked by a sharp rise in cases, more-infectious variants and weak public compliance

with health measures.

It was the second nationwide lockdown in just over a year and came after the country’s cases shot up fourfold since January to more than 474,000. Interstate travel and social activities are banned, schools are shut, and restaurants can provide only takeout service.

The government has warned that hospitals have almost maxed out their capacity to take new coronavirus cases.

Singapore has imposed stringent social distancing measures until June 13, restricting public gatherings to two people and banning dine-in service at restaurants.

That came after the number of coronavirus infections of untraceable origin rose to 42 in the past week, from seven the week before.

Singapore had previously been held up as a role model after keeping the virus at bay for months.

Schools moved online after students in several institutions tested positive. Wedding receptions are no longer allowed, and funerals are capped at 20 people.

For wedding planner Michelle Lau, at least seven clients either canceled or postponed weddings meant to take place over the next month. Other couples have opted for a simple ceremony without a reception, she said.

Janey Chang, who runs two Latin dance studios in Singapore, says that the tougher restrictions have drastically reduced class size.

“We are taking on fewer students, but the costs such as rent remain the same,” Chang said.

“Whether we can continue to operate is highly dependent on the number of coronavirus cases.”

Hong Kong has responded to fresh outbreaks by increasing the quarantine requirement from 14 to 21 days for unvaccinated travelers arriving from “high-risk” countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Japan, and, farther afield, Argentina, Italy, the Netherlands and Kenya.

China has set up checkpoints at tol l boot hs, a i r por t s a nd

ra i lway stat ions in Liaoning province, where four additional cases were reported Tuesday.

Travelers must have proof of a recent negative v ir us test, and mass testing was ordered in part of Yingkou, a port city with shipping connections to more than 40 countries.

Thailand reported 35 deaths on Tuesday, the highest since the outbreak started. That brought its number of fatalities to 649, of which 555 have been reported in the latest wave. About threequarters of Thailand’s 116,000 cases have been recorded since the beginning of April.

Thailand had about 7,100 cases, including 63 deaths, in all of last year, in what was regarded as a success story.

The resurgence has posed difficult choices for governments, particularly in poorer nations where lockdown restrictions can increase financial suffering for those already living on the edge of starvation.

In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has eased a lockdown in the bustling capital and adjacent provinces to fight economic recession and hunger but has still barred public gatherings this month, when many Roman Catholic festivals are held.

Covid-19 infections started to spike in March to some of the worst levels in Asia, surging beyond 10,000 a day and prompting Duterte to impose the lockdown in and around Manila in April. The Philippines has reported more than 1.1 million infections with over 18,800 deaths, though the surge has begun to ease.

Health Secretar y Francisco Duque III said the partial resumption of economic activities, increased noncompliance with restrictions and inadequate tracing of people exposed to the virus combined to spark the steep rise in infections.

Experts said the delivery of vaccines, however delayed and small in amount, also fostered false confidence the pandemic might be ending. AP

EU seeks Mideast cease-fire, concerned conflict will spread

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RUSSELS—European Union foreign ministers ca lled Tuesday for a cease-fire to end days of heavy fighting between the Israeli armed forces and Palestinian militants, but said that a longer-term political solution must be found to end decades of conflict between them.

More than 200 Palestinians have been killed in heav y airstrikes so far, including dozens of children, and over 1,400 people wounded. At least 12 people in Israel, including a five-yearold boy, have been k i l led in rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip toward civilian areas in Israel.

After chairing the videoconference meeting, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said there was widespread agreement among the ministers that “the priority is the immediate cessation of all violence and the implementation of a cease-fire.”

Then, Borrell said, “we need to restore a political horizon” by “exploring space for reengagement between the parties” and devise confidence-building measures to help get talks started. He said that could pave the way for “the potential launching of the peace process, which has been in a stalemate for too long.”

The EU’s traditional divisions over policy toward Israel and the Palestinians got an unusual public airing Tuesday after Borrell said that Hungary was alone among the 27 member-countries not to endorse his remarks. He didn’t provide details.

French Foreign Minister JeanYves Le Drian warned that the conflict could spread throughout the region if no cease-fire is agreed. He also said he hoped that Israel wouldn’t launch a ground operation in Gaza.

“Each day brings greater risks: the risk of the conflict spreading to the West Bank, the risk of violence inside Israel itself, the risk that the conflict becomes a regional one,” Le Drian told reporters in Paris during a break in the meeting.

Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on what it said were militant targets in Gaza, leveling a six-story building in downtown Gaza City, and Palestinian militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel on Tuesday, the latest in the fourth war between the two sides.

“The situation on the ground is extremely worr ying. There is a heavy casualty toll. Israeli and Palestinian families are in mourning. The images are terrible and cannot leave anyone indifferent. Waiting is not an option,” Le Drian said.

He also said that “one of the reasons for the dramatic situation today is precisely because there is no perspective for a political process. What we need to do is find the path to a political process, but before anything else, to ensure that there is an end to the hostilities.”

G er m a n Fore ig n M i n i ster Heiko Maas also said that “the weapons must finally fall silent.”

Maas emphasized the role of the diplomatic Quartet, in

which the EU is represented by its new Middle East peace envoy Sven Koopmans, and said “we are in favor of further expanding his mediation efforts.” The Quartet’s other three members are the United Nations, the US and Russia.

“We must use our relationships with both sides to encourage confidence-building steps that could lead to calming the situation both inside Israel and in the West Bank,” Maas added. “Only that way will it be possible to talk again about a lasting solution to the Middle East conflict.”

Both ministers said that the bloc has a role to play in helping

end the conflict, but while the EU is the biggest aid donor to the Palestinians it holds little sway over the militant group Hamas or Israel, despite having some trade arrangements that are favorable to the Israelis.

EU nations are also divided in their approach to the conflict, even though the bloc as a whole remains committed to a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians based on the 1967 lines, with the possibility of mutually agreed land-swaps.

Recently, officials have voiced growing concern that Israeli settlement expansion is undermining that possibility. AP

A6 Thursday, May 20, 2021

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www.businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Thursday, May 20, 2021 A7

Fuel-marking program nets P229.5B from Sept.

2019 to May 2021–DOF

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

he government has so far collected P229.5 billion in duties under its fuelmarking program since the start of its implementation in September 2019.

Broken down, the bulk of the amount or P201.58 billion in duties and taxes was collected by the Bureau of Customs from September 2019 to May 13 this year while the remaining P27.92 billion in excise tax was collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue from December 2019 to May 6 this year.

Data from the Department of Finance showed the government has so far marked 23.59 billion liters as of May 13.

Most of the fuel marked was diesel, cornering 60.76 percent or 14.34 billion liters followed by gasoline with 38.69 percent or 9.13 billion liters and kerosene with 0.54 percent or 127.9 million liters.

By region, Luzon has the lion’s share of fuel marked with 73.54 percent or 17.35 billion liters of fuel. Next is Mindanao with 21.13 percent or 4.99 billion liters and Visayas with 5.33 percent or 1.26 billion liters.

There are now 24 companies participating in the fuel marking program.

Petron Corp. still led the list of companies that had their fuel marked with a 22.32-percent share in the total volume of marked fuel or 5.27 billion liters.

Trailing Petron are Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. (19.62 percent or 4.63 billion liters); Unioil Resources & Holdings Co. Inc. (10.4 percent or 2.45 billion liters); Seaoil Philippines Inc. (8.27 percent or 1.95 billion

liters); and, Insular Oil Corp. (7.65 percent or 1.8 billion liters).

In February, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Albay Rep. Joey Salceda revealed that the government lost P357 billion from 2010 to 2019 due to fuel smuggling.

While Salceda said fuel marking helped lower smuggling, foregone revenues are still rising because the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law raised taxes on fuel products in 2018.

Fuel marking makes use of a unique chemical marker that can be embedded at a molecular level in petroleum products— gasoline, diesel, and kerosene—thereby enabling authorities to test, identify and distinguish petroleum products with paid excise taxes.

Under Republic Act 10963 (or TRAIN law), petroleum products that are refined, manufactured, or imported to the Philippines such as, but not limited to, unleaded premium gasoline, kerosene and diesel, shall be marked by an official marking agent after payment of taxes and duties.

The fuel-marking program was launched to curb illegal importation, manufacturing, and other fraudulent activities relating to the use and sale of petroleum products in the country.

Taguig opens 9th vaccination site as DOH logs 4,700 add’l Covid cases on Wednesday

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

T

he Taguig City local government opened on Wednesday its ninth vaccination site as it sticks to its target to finish fully vaccinating eligible individuals by December 2021.

In partnership with Megaworld Corporation, the mall’s cinemas—Cinema 1 and Cinema 5—will serve as among the city’s main vaccination hubs.

This, as the Department of Health (DOH) logged 4,700 additional cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 1,159,071.There were also 6,986 recoveries and 136 deaths. The country now has 1,089,613 recoveries and 19,507 deaths.

The addition of the Venice Grand Canal Mall Vaccination Hub will further expedite the city’s ongoing vaccination rollout with two vaccination teams per cinema conducting inoculations to an estimated of 400 persons capacity daily.

“We have a good number of vaccine supplies as of now. We were told by the national government that will be more in June. With that, the job of the local government is to make sure that vaccination is safe, fast and accessible. The city of Taguig wants to focus on those three things. So, we will continue to aggressively plan our vaccination rollout,” said Mayor Lino Cayetano.

Safety is also ensured as air exchange is monitored in both cinemas in accordance with Department of Labor and Employment’s Department Order 224, Series of 2021.

Taguig had earlier established mega vaccination hubs at Vista Mall, SM Aura, and another in BGC High Street to ensure that all vaccinees may feel comfortable and safe during vaccination. The city is looking to partner with more malls and other spacious

establishments to provide safe and spacious places where citizens may get vaccinated swiftly.

Taguig was also recently commended for its extensive preparation with attention to detail of its Covid-19 vaccine rollout by World Health Organization (WHO) Head in the Philippines, Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, during a symbolic vaccination using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on May 13 at the Lakeshore Mega Vaccination Hub. “Mr. Mayor, sincere thanks for your leadership. We really appreciate this initiative on your part. Installing a training center and having an excellent process, we encourage other local government units to possibly learn from your experience and duplicate such processes that already have been established. It is commendable, and we really salute your leadership and initiative,” said Dr Abeyasinghe.

By December this year, Cayetano said the city is targeting to vaccinate 5,600 individuals per day starting June 1 in the city’s “short-term” projection. This week, the city expects to hit 65,000 of the 650,000 individuals eligible for vaccination.

Taguig City reiterates that only those with confirmed vaccination schedule will be accommodated in our vaccination sites.

Strictly no walk-ins. Citizens can schedule their own vaccination appointment online or through the Taguig TRACE self-service kiosks located in the barangays.

To date, the city government of Taguig has established nine operational vaccination hubs throughout the city with more sites under way.

A total of 54,287 individuals belonging to the A1 (medical frontliners), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities) categories have been vaccinated as of May 18, 2021.

TheBroaderLook BusinessMirror

A8 Thursday, May 20, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Supply stiffness to stay as shipment

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario & Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

S

Reporters

UPPLY constraints were already a given before the Ever Given blocked the Suez Canal: lockdowns are to blame and exporters are seen to put up with the setback for a long term. And merchants relying on revenues from sending goods out of the country’s borders—nay, the whole economy itself have no other choice but to adjust operations and hold on tight during this bumpy ride.

The Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP) told the BusinessMirror that the concern regarding shipment delays is not going away any time soon.

“We have been told that these issues may persist even after the Christmas rush,” the group said.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) Assistant Vice President Flordeliza C. Leong told the BusinessMirror that exporters started dealing with shipment delays in the last quarter of 2020 when production began picking up anew.

While there is no conclusive report yet, Leong said that delays usually range from two weeks to a month.

The bottlenecks were caused by the schedule changes, occasional vessel omissions and increasing shipment rates, Leong’s group said.

“However, in recent months these issues have gotten worse, with shipping lines not confirming space beyond contracted allocations and rates going up as high as three times more, especially for long-haul shipments,” the group told the BusinessMirror.

Book shipments

LEONG explained that the delays are also being caused by the piling up of goods in the shipping lines and the traffic going to the ports.

In addition, she noted that ports have no regular operations at the moment and employees are working in shortened hours amid the pandemic, among others.

The Philexport official said that she already talked to traders and logistics service providers to find solutions to the shipping delays.

But it appears that the sector is on a deadlock.

“There is nothing to do but to wait [if there is a shipping container already],” she lamented.

However, Leong said it may help if exporters consolidate their orders and book early shipments.

End-customers

A SI DE f rom e x por t- or iented firms, importers have also experienced delays in shipments, which are seen to impact manufacturing and, ergo, consumption of the country, SCMAP Executive Director Corazon C. Curay told the BusinessMirror.

The shipments that are taking a longer time to deliver include raw materials; and finished goods, which are usua l ly purchased through e-commerce, Curay said.

There could also be potential shortage of stocks and price increases that the customers have to deal with as a result, she added.

“For our end customers, this will result in products missing

from shelves and higher prices, which is not ideal considering our continued battle against Covid-19 and its long-term economic impact,” SCMAP added.

But Leong said that it is fortunate that customers understand the shipping delays.

“The good thing about this is it is a global thing,” Leong said.

“Alam din ng mga buyers nila na this is happening.” [The buyers are aware of the situation.]

Imports arrangement

SOME importers manufacturing for exports are negotiating with their buyers to have a longer turnaround period, she explained. If the buyers agree with the arrangement, orders will not be cancelled anymore—and buyers are ready to deal with the delays as well.

In general, Philexport said that exporters have accepted that they have to adjust their production timeline as no concrete and longterm solution is in place yet.

However, there are still concerns for perishable items, Leong noted, adding that air shipment is usually the solution to make sure the products arrive fresh. This may not be applicable to some nonperishable items as fees could be higher if ever, she said.

Leong, on the positive side, said that she has not encountered an exporter who decided to cut production because of the shipment delays.

A garment exporter, the Philexport official, is even seeing continuous flow of orders from the US. However, “they have to decline orders only because of order capacity, not because of the shipping problem,” she added.

Manufacturing issues

REPORTS from the BusinessMirror stated that shipping costs for exports have increased “10-fold.”

Henry Basilio, chairman of the networking committee on transportation and logistics of the Export Development Council (EDC), flagged in a recent statement the increasing freight rates amid imbalances in the repositioning of empty containers.

Basilio noted that the cargo handling cost has doubled with the cranage fee amounting to P1,587.

This is on top of the arrastre fee of P1,575, Basilio said.

Cranage fee is the price paid for the use of cranes when loading and unloading ships. Arrastre fee is charged for the handling, receiving and custody of shipments.

Basilio also noted that the proposed increase for out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo is 300 percent. OOG cargo refers to shipments that cannot fit into 6-sided shipping containers because of their larger size.

Among Southeast Asian coun-

tries, standard OOG surcharge is only 50 percent based on Association of International Shipping Lines tariff comparison, Basilio noted. An exception is Tanjung Priok, the busiest Indonesian seaport.

“The proposed rates are exorbitant and will increase the cost of doing business, drive away investors, and unduly burden existing manufacturing industries and export companies,” he said. “While these intended charges are billable to the shipping lines, this will directly impact the logistics cost and will ultimately be borne by the end consumers.”

Meanwhile, Basilio expects the container imbalance to normalize this month amid increased shipping logistics costs.

Affecting winners

DESPITE the exorbitant rates, University of the Philippines Professor Emeritus Epictetus E. Patalinghug believes the increase in these costs were mainly due to the low volumes and a select few ocean shipping carriers that dominated the market. This would not likely affect the country’s export winners.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), exports in January dipped by 5.2 percent to $5.49 billion from $5.79 billion for the same month last year.

Based on preliminary data from the PSA, the country’s top export remains to be electronic products.

This brought in $3.24 billion in earnings for the country and accounted for 59.1 percent of the country’s exports in January 2021.

The commodity is also the country’s top import. PSA data showed imported electronic products were valued at $2.34 billion or a share of 29.6 percent to the total imports in January 2021.

But “because of low volume and despite excess capacity, shipping costs have increased by 10 percent—due to the market power of the dominant few ocean shipping carriers. Electronics exports can

be shipped via air, they are not affected,” Patalinghug told the BusinessMirror.

Going bananas

FORMER dean of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (Solair) Rene E. Ofreneo shared Patalinghug’s view, saying that among electronic exports and imports, the top product are semiconductors, particularly microchips, which can easily be transported.

“Pwede kasing isakay sa maleta [This can be transported through your luggage],” Ofreneo explained to the BusinessMirror.

Based on the January data, semiconductors accounted for 43.2 percent of total exports. This amounted to $2.37 billion in 2021, a 4.4-percent decline from the $2.48 billion posted in the January 2020.

Ofreneo said it is reasonable to expect exports of goods shipped in bulk, such as bananas, to sag.

To note, the country’s banana exports in January plunged 51 percent to 186,419.019 metric tons (MT), from last year’s 384,151.173 MT. PSA data earlier analyzed by the BusinessMirror showed that the latest figure is the steepest decline in January banana shipments since 2006.

Ofreneo added that bulky auto parts and electronics assemblies may also be affected by the logistics nightmare.

Exports of other electronic products such as electronic data processing amounted to $557.66 million while automotive electronics amounted to $8.06 million in January 2021 based on the PSA’s report. While electronic data processing saw a 24.4-percent growth in January, automotive electronics suffered a 61.6-percent decline value.

Issued order

TO ease the cargo traffic, the SCMAP said government agencies should still implement the measures they placed in response

last year.

“We also call for the continued enforcement of the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) issued by various government agencies at the beginning of the pandemic to facilitate movement of cargo from Manila’s ports,” Curay told the BusinessMirror.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), along with several agencies, agreed to release an order in April last year to decongest the ports of Manila to allow inbound shipments of food, medicine and personal protective equipment.

These government agencies include Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Bureau of Customs, the Department of Finance and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Prior to this, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases had instructed the PPA to remove the overstaying containers in the ports to make way for incoming cargo containing essential goods.

Under the JAO, all cargo remaining beyond 30 days from discharge should be withdrawn within five days from the effectivity date of the order. Containers scheduled to arrive after the issuance of order are required to be withdrawn 10 days from discharge.

The JAO also expedites customs clearance and streamline the process of applying for import permits and clearances online.

“While these issues are out of our control due to its global nature, we believe our local authorities can help reduce its impact,” Curay added. “The PPA and the Marina [Maritime Industry Authority] must continue efforts to ensure sufficient capacity in ports across the country, as well as improved efficiency.”

Needs slowdown

THE shipment delays may potentially cut the country’s export

revenues this year.

“Definitely, the lockdown will affect our export target this year,” De La Salle University (DLSU) Economist Maria Ella C. Oplas told the BusinessMirror.

According to the DTI, the goods and services exports were expected to drop by 14.7 percent to $80.5 billion in 2020 before growing by 12.4 percent to $90.5 billion this year.

Figures are anticipated to further rise by 14.8 percent to $103.9 billion in 2022, lower than the earlier target of $130 billion as the pandemic severely impacted business activities.

Oplas said shipment delays have affected the whole value chain. In addition, she noted that manufacturing companies may need to slow down production because employees cannot come to work, which meant fewer goods to be shipped out as well.

“It’s a domino effect on them,” she said.

On the demand side, the DLSU economist pointed out that orders from abroad could have been fewer as well, as companyclients potentially scaled down their operations, or worse, were forced to shutter.

Philexport’s Leong noted that shipment delays could also explain the lower export revenues because the earnings will not be reflected immediately.

Added bottlenecks

FOR the semiconductor sector, a major contributor to the Philippines’s export industry, shipment delays usually take weeks.

Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (Seipi) President Danilo C. Lachica told the BusinessMirror the industry’s supply chain has been disrupted with the implementation of lockdowns.

Lachica noted that the reduced flights and ships have been causing bottleneck to the shipments

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace

TheBroaderLook BusinessMirror

Thursday, May 20, 2021

A9

issues seen spilling past Yule season

of semiconductor players.

But Seipi is not worried about not meeting the 7-percent growth forecast for this year. Lachica said the Seipi has factored in this forecast.

Data from Seipi shows that electronics accounted for 65 percent of the total Philippine exports in January. Exports for the segment inched up by 1.48 percent to $3.55 billion in the first month of 2021 from $3.50 billion year-onyear, supported by growth in four sectors.

Medical and/or industrial instrumentation led the sector with 84.31-percent growth to $22.99 million for the period. Consumer electronics, electronic data processing and control and instrumentation, grew by 28.2 percent, 24.38 percent and 8.89 percent, respectively.

Meanwhile, automotive electronics declined by 61.64 percent; telecommunication, 27.24 percent; office equipment, 4.59 percent; components or devices, 4.37 percent; and, communication or radar, 3.47 percent.

Last year, total electronic exports dropped by 8.8 percent to $39.67 billion from $43.39 billion.

The top destinations for Philippine electronics exports are China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the United States of America.

Earlier, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said electronic exports were expected to register further growth this year with the opening of more economies.

Temp checks

THE government recently extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measure in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cavite, Rizal, Laguna and Bulacan for another week or until April 11 amid surging Covid-19 cases.

While Seipi understands the rationale behind the move, Lachica said allowing full occupancy of shuttle buses that follow the health protocols for the electronics sector would be a big help.

“For elec t ron ics, a l low i ng 100-percent occupancy for shuttle buses with plastic partitions would help relieve the mounting costs,” he explained.

Lachica said the infections do not spread in such “clean shuttles,” even during an upsurge of cases, because Covid-19 protocols are strictly enforced.

He noted the passengers wear face masks and face shields and are not allowed to talk, eat or make

phone calls. There are also disinfection and temperature checks, among others, as safety measures.

“The pandemic affects the volume of exports and imports. Since our exports are import-dependent, our net exports—exports less imports—will be down. On the other hand, an import declining more than export declining means we have net dollar inflow and is good for our balance of payments,” Patalinghug explained.

“Less trade volume, less shipping activities mean less port congestion. Less port congestion means less logistics problems— there is excess capacity for logistics given less goods to move to and from destinations and/or origins,” he added.

Impacts OFWs

HOWEVER, despite the numbers, Patalinghug said the Philippines is still not an export-oriented economy. This means that the country’s recovery from the recession will not depend on trade but on consumption.

Patalinghug said remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and revenues from business process outsourcing (BPO) matter more to the recovery. He noted that despite the mobility restrictions and economies going into recession, earnings of these sectors did not decline that much.

As such, he said these can fuel domestic consumption, which represents 72 percent of gross domestic product in Luzon, determining the pace of the recovery.

One caveat, Ofreneo said, is that global trade also affects OFWs. Many global shipping and logistics firms employ Filipino seafarers. The perfect storm in global trade, Ofreneo said, would add to the existing challenge of the shipping and logistics industries to automate and even use artificial intelligence (AI) in the hope of making their operations more efficient.

“The only thing I know re shipping and logistics is the adverse impact on our seafarers who are working in this sector. For example, Maersk, maraming [there are a lot of] Pinoy. Jobs falling due to global recession. Also there is the trend towards leaner and leaner ship cargo operations, facilitated

by AI,” Ofreneo said.

Vegetables, rice

IN terms of food security, Patalinghug believes that rice and vegetables are still in adequate supply in the country. While the African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to ravage hog farms nationwide, there are pork substitutes such as poultry and fish that can be consumed by Filipinos.

He added that the recent move by the agriculture department to recommend a higher minimum access volume (MAV) quota for pork imports will help address the shortage from domestic pork suppliers. This shortage has been blamed for the surge in pork prices.

The PSA said the price of pork in the National Capital Region (NCR) averaged P329 per kilo in March, a 59-percent increase from the P207 per kilo recorded in March last year. Compared to February, when the price of pork averaged P323 per kilo, the increase was slower at 1.8 percent.

In Areas Outside NCR (AONCR), pork prices averaged P312 per kilo in March, a 50-percent increase from the P208 per kilo in the same period last year. However, compared to February, there was a 1.6-percent decline in pork prices.

The average price of a kilo of pork in these areas was pegged at P317.

Easing situation

“IN short, there is no probability of a food shortage—unless there is a food riot due to fake information in the social media, but this possibility is remote,” Patalinghug, nonetheless, told the BusinessMirror in April.

He cited the “maximum” inflation target of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) at “only 4 percent.”

Last week, monetary authorities slashed the central bank’s average inf lation forecast for this year from 4.2 percent to 3.9 percent.

Prior to this, Patalinghug said: “Let’s see if they can hit this target [4 percent].

“Reaching 10 percent—double digit—from 4.7 percent for this year is less of a possibility, unless there is a food shortage—an unlikely scenario,” he added Ofreneo added that a food shortage may not be possible given the high availability of food imports in markets nationwide, particularly rice, pork and chicken.

To find a more sustainable solution, he said there is a need to increase support for local producers.

This support should help them and their products better compete with imported goods that are currently available in the market.

Patalinghug believes the government has sufficient tools to address any shipping and logistics problem. However, he emphasized, “there are no shipping and logistics problems at present.”

Should a shipping or logistics problem arise, Patalinghug said the completion of Harbor Link Road and Skyway Stage 3 will ease the situation. “[This] despite the inefficiency of the DOTr [Department of Transportation] top leadership, particularly its clueless Secretary,” Ofreneo said.

“If the government gets the competence to learn how to manage well the pandemic problem, then the economy will be on the trajectory to growth, even without active government intervention in terms of fiscal and monetary policy,” he added. “Certainty, instead of fear due to the virus, and macroeconomic stability are the prerequisites for recovery.”

A10 Thursday, May 20, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

How we can achieve global herd immunity

A

S the speed of Covid-19 vaccinations around the world accelerates, people are now asking: How much longer will this pandemic last? After more than a year of pain and suffering, people are eager to know how Covid will play out this year and beyond.

Unfortunately, this is an issue surrounded with uncertainties because health experts can’t seem to agree on the idea that enough people in the world will eventually gain immunity to block most transmission of the virus.

The World Health Organization said “herd immunity,” also known as “population immunity,” is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that happens when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through previous infection. WHO supports achieving “herd immunity” through vaccination, not by allowing a disease to spread through any segment of the population, as this would result in unnecessary cases and deaths.

Dr. William Petri, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Virginia, helped the global program to achieve herd immunity for polio as the chair of the WHO Polio Research Committee. Asked whether herd immunity has been achieved globally for other infections, Dr. Petri said this has happened only once on a global scale, with the eradication of smallpox in 1980. This was after a decade-long worldwide intensive vaccination campaign.

In the US, Dr. Petri said two factors could lead to failure to achieve high enough levels of immunity: not every adult receiving the vaccine because of “vaccine hesitancy” and the likely need to vaccinate adolescents and children.

“But an added barrier is the constant pressure of reintroduction of infection from other countries where vaccination is not as readily available as in the US. Achieving herd immunity to the extent of totally blocking new infections is therefore, while a laudable goal, not easily achievable. I think that for Covid-19 at this time, it will be possible only with the concerted global effort over years, similar to what led to smallpox eradication,” Petri said.

He added: “At least into 2022 and likely for much longer, I do not expect there will be herd immunity for Covid-19. What there will be, probably by the end of this summer in the US, is a new normalcy. There will be far fewer cases and deaths due to Covid-19. We cannot let down on the research and development of treatments and new vaccines, as studies show that Covid-19 is here to stay.”

From Nature.com: “In February, independent data scientist Youyang Gu changed the name of his popular Covid-19 forecasting model from ‘Path to Herd Immunity’ to ‘Path to Normality.’ He said that reaching a herd-immunity threshold was looking unlikely because of factors such as vaccine hesitancy, the emergence of new variants and the delayed arrival of vaccinations for children.”

From the Associated Press: “We’re moving away from the idea that we’ll hit the herd-immunity threshold and then the pandemic will go away for good,” said epidemiologist Lauren Ancel Meyers, executive director of the University of Texas at Austin Covid-19 Modeling Consortium. This shift reflects the complexities and challenges of the pandemic, and shouldn’t overshadow the fact that vaccination is helping. “The vaccine will mean that the virus will start to dissipate on its own,” Meyers said. But as new variants arise and immunity from infections potentially wanes, “we may find ourselves months or a year down the road still battling the threat, and having to deal with future surges.”

Although experts are saying herd immunity appears unlikely for Covid-19, the world can draw inspiration from the eradication of smallpox. We are also approaching global herd immunity for polio. When the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was formed in 1988 there were 125 countries with endemic polio and over 300,000 children paralyzed annually. Today, after 33 years of immunization campaigns, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries with wild poliovirus—with only two cases of paralysis due to wild poliovirus in 2021. There’s still hope that herd immunity can be achieved worldwide, but only through extraordinary efforts with global collaboration.

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Free or controlled markets John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

R

egardless of the terms used—particularly the “isms”: capitalism, socialism and communism—there are only two economic choices.

An “economy” is not production like growing vegetables and making plows. The “growing” and the “making” parts only apply to personal consumption. “Economy” can only refer to the “market” of a person transferring those vegetables and plows to another in return for compensation, be it cows and chickens or paper dollars and silver.

There is no such thing as an economy of subsistence farmers who individually consume what they individually produce. An economy is trade—or a market—in goods and services that are produced. The definition that “an economy is the large set of inter-related production and consumption activities” is not accurate because the “activities” refer to trade—“market”—not the production or consumption.

The two economic choices are fundamentally a free market or a controlled market—again regardless of any hybrid that utilizes both concepts while favoring one over the other to a degree.

Writing during the first industrial revolution of the early to mid-1800s, Karl Marx believed that companies would, in the quest for higher profits, exploit workers through lower wages.

In some aspects he was correct, as industry was labor intensive with all manufacturers paying the same amount for basic raw material and non-labor production costs.

But what Marx did not understand was how the market works, because he never had a “real” job where there was competition for labor. He sold his words and ideas to newspapers where there was

no competition at all. We all learn quickly the fact that no matter our profession, there is always someone who can do the same job we are doing at the same skill level or better and who is willing to work for a lower compensation.

That fact is part of a “free market.”

The labor movement—trade unions—was the way the workers organized to collectively force companies—by threat of work stoppage— to have better conditions and salary.

But also, the unions controlled the free market of labor by stopping a worker from accepting a lower wage than the union deemed acceptable.

In Das Kapital (1867), Marx says capitalism’s—free market—motivating force is in the exploitation of labor, whose unpaid work is the source of surplus value. The owner of the factory claims total right to this surplus value and is legally protected by the government through property rights.

Prior to trade unions, there were only two “horses” pulling the labor market wagon—corporations and government. With the advent of unions, a “troika” was formed. This traditional Russian harness driving combination, using three horses abreast at full speed can reach 45 to 50 kilometers per hour, which was a very high speed for land vehicles in

the 17th to 19th centuries. But the horses had to cooperate.

The government protected and legally validated the unions in return for votes. The corporations contributed to the government through taxes and political contributions and retained their property rights.

The unions also made political contributions and ultimately kept wage demands favorable for corporate profits.

Sometimes the cooperation failed. But for most of the early 20th century there was stability and balance that kept the labor market functioning, although it was far from “free.”

Marx believed that the only solution was collective (read government) ownership of the “means of production” that is the factories.

He did not believe in the free market whatsoever. It is easy to find examples of where both the free and controlled markets failed to provide for an effective exchange and transfer of goods and services.

But is there a long-term evidence that shows which one—free or controlled—is better for humanity?

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.

Meeting the Philippines at a crossroads in tackling the AIDS and Covid pandemics

By Winnie Byanyima

T

he Philippines is an inspiring, tenacious, resilient country and a proud nation. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to embark on a two-day virtual mission to the Philippines this month, meeting with representatives from the government, civil society and to meet people living with HIV. Despite the physical distance, I felt close to the Filipino community as they opened their hearts and shared their stories of courage and resilience.

Despite having a strong, community-led response to HIV, and active government engagement, the Philippines has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world. New HIV infections have soared by 237 percent from 2010 to 2020, with almost 50 percent of new HIV infections occurring among young people. AIDSrelated deaths have also rocketed by a staggering 450 percent in the last 10 years, despite life-saving treatment being available free of charge in more than 160 treatment facilities across the country. So, what is going wrong?

The spread of HIV in the Philippines is being fueled by inequalities. Forty-seven percent of new HIV infections are among young, key populations, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers and prisoners. Stigma

and discrimination are still pervasive in health-care settings, in the workplace, at home and in society. Legal and policy barriers are also a determining factor. Sex work is criminalized as well as drug use, meaning that these key populations are unlikely to come forward to access HIV testing or treatment. In addition, under the Reproductive Health Law young people below 18 years old cannot access contraceptives including condoms without parental consent.

The impact of the colliding pandemics of Covid-19 and HIV has further intensified social and economic disparities, exacerbated the vulnerabilities of the country’s health system and disrupted HIV services. Compared to 2019, HIV testing dropped by 61 percent in 2020. Treatment enrolment also fell

by 28 percent as people living with HIV met additional challenges in accessing treatment due to lockdowns and movement restrictions.

But there is good news. The government has confronted HIV with a bold action plan, which sets the basis for high impact HIV prevention, testing and treatment strategies. A recent amendment to the Philippine National AIDS Law in 2018 reduced the age of consent to HIV testing from 18 to 15 years old, a decisive move to increase access to HIV testing by giving greater freedom to young people to take control of their sexual health and rights.

To advance the response further a number of steps need to be taken.

Firstly, ramp up community engagement. UNAIDS is already actively supporting this action in the Philippines because communities have the know-how and experience to reach the most vulnerable and ensure that no one is left behind.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, communities delivered HIV treatment to people’s doorsteps, established hotlines to offer psychosocial support and mobilized partners to help people displaced by the pandemic.

These approaches now need to be

institutionalized and scaled up.

Secondly, efforts need to be redoubled to ensure that by 2025, less than 10 percent of people living with HIV and key populations experience stigma and discrimination. To achieve this, all legal and policy barriers that block access to HIV services need to be removed, and stigma and discrimination reduction interventions scaled-up.

Thirdly, young people should be at the center. I had the privilege of meeting with some young people and hearing about their concerns and ideas firsthand. A wealth of ideas can be gained from them to identify what interventions work best for them. For example, they have pinpointed that one single HIV prevention approach alone cannot stop the epidemic. Meeting the ambitious 2025 targets requires focused combination packages that offer a mix of proven high-impact HIV prevention interventions, including PrEP and self-testing. Likewise, comprehensive sexuality education in and out of school and sexual and reproductive health services should be provided nationwide.

Lastly, as the world confronts the See “Byanyima,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Thursday, May 20, 2021 A11

It’s time to eliminate the Who is hurting the most in this pandemic? unacceptable; together Juan Antonio A. Perez III, MD, MPH we can end child labor

Eye on population

By Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa

S

ome 62 million children in the Asia-Pacific region are in child labor. It is a simple sentence to write but far harder to comprehend: 62 million children. Spend a moment to think just how big that number is—roughly similar to every child aged under 14 in the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan combined. Meanwhile, 28 million of them undertake hazardous work, risking their lives and health daily in sectors such as mining, agriculture and construction.

But behind the big numbers are individual children, each with hopes and dreams for the future.

Children like Min Min who scavenges for scraps of jade but dreams of buying his own house; Shahid collecting waste plastic bottles but longing for an education; and Bhiti, toiling on sewing machine but yearning to become a doctor.

Wherever child labor takes place it has devastating consequences for a child’s education, skills acquirement and future possibilities to overcome the vicious circle of poverty, incomplete education and bad jobs.

The persistence of child labor in today’s world is unacceptable. As ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said recently, “There is no place for child labor in society. It robs children of their future and keeps families in poverty.”

The good news is that at a global level over the last 20 years almost 100 million children have been removed from child labor, bringing numbers down to the current figure of 152 million worldwide.

Although numbers have fallen, the trend has slowed significantly and the Covid-19 pandemic threatens to further reverse years of progress made. With schools closed and the challenges of distance learning and economic crisis, many children may see themselves pushed into child labor to support household income.

The United Nations has declared 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor. New global estimates of child labor will be announced on June 10 to mark World Day Against Child Labor. We sincerely wish to see a continuation of the downward trend, despite the ongoing impact of Covid-19.

A main purpose of this year is to foster policy responses and undertake initiatives to achieve Target 8.7 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. That is to “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labor in all its forms.”

At the global launch of the International Year in January 2021, UN agencies, governments from different continents, business and civil society organizations committed to step up efforts during 2021 and to send a clear signal that the elimination of child labor is possible.

Under the slogan “Take action to end child labor,” governments and other partners are committing to action pledges that pave the road towards 2025.

From past experience we know

Byanyima. . .

continued from A10

challenges of the difficult fiscal situation exacerbated by Covid-19, we see a growing recognition that investments in health are not unaffordable expenditures but vital investments for recovery and development. Together, we must find and allocate money to ensure we leave no one behind, not in rhetoric but in reality.

The Philippines has the means to turn around its HIV epidemic.

My virtual mission came at an opportune time, just before the United Nations Member States, including the Philippines, will come together on June 8-10, 2021 for the

There can be no one-size-fits-all solutions; responses need to be adapted to the very diverse environments in which child labor still occurs. Each and every action—whether taken by a government or an individual—helps lay the foundations for a world in which children enjoy their childhood. I encourage you to join us and to take action now. Let’s end child labor by 2025. that in order to be successful, root causes of child labor need to be addressed, clear decisions taken and budgets mobilized. More coherent action is required, ensuring the availability of quality education, social protection for all, and decent work for parents.

Governments, business, civil society and other partners are encouraged to raise awareness on the importance of the eradication of child labor and to share good practices and lessons learnt – at national, regional and global level. A number of high-level events over the year will also provide governments, social partners and civil society with possibilities of engagement.

The work is supported by the Alliance 8.7, a global partnership to end child labor, forced labor, human trafficking and modern slavery. The Alliance is actively working with 22 “pathfinder countries,” including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Fiji in the Asia-Pacific region, and over 200 partner organizations to accelerate action, share knowledge and implement innovative solutions on the ground. It is important to develop these solutions together with schools, families, local authorities and organizations while also listening to the voice of children.

The International Year provides an extraordinary opportunity to bring partners together, to learn from each other and to put proven and innovative measures into practice to protect the rights of children.

There can be no one-size-fitsall solutions; responses need to be adapted to the very diverse environments in which child labor still occurs. Each and every action—whether taken by a government or an individual—helps lay the foundations for a world in which children enjoy their childhood. I encourage you to join us and to take action now. Let’s end child labor by 2025.

Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa is ILO’s Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. The United Nations has declared 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor.

United Nations High-level Meeting on HIV and AIDS. World leaders must seize the opportunity offered by this new highlevel meeting to maintain their focus and commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

AIDS is unfinished business and must be ended for everyone everywhere. As the United Nations, we are not only by your side right now, but also for the years ahead. We are with you as you work to tackle inequalities, to tackle HIV and to tackle Covid-19.

Together, in solidarity, we can do this.

Winnie Byanyima is the Executive Director of UNAIDS

A

S we are well into the second year of the pandemic, it is time to take stock. And in a long list of priorities, we all need to know who is hurting the most—a year and two months after the government declared a public-health emergency when it detected a few cases of local transmission of Covid-19.

At the onset of year one, it was clear that the threat of Covid-19 was entirely external, initially brought by nationals of neighboring China.

Cases were next seen in other nationals from Asean countries. Eventually, overseas Filipino workers and seafarers started coming home, initially as stranded individuals in quarantine hotels before being sent all over the country as locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

At that stage, early in the pandemic, the Department of Health was literally doing contact tracing through about a dozen or less contact tracing teams run from the central office—although the government had declared a national public-health emergency.

A second wave of cases in August 2020 showed that Covid-19 had reached all regions of the country.

The “Balik Probinsiya” program was nipped in the bud, as local chief executives grew suspicious of LSIs from Metro Manila coming home by busloads or shiploads.

These days, well within our “third wave” (which has far exceeded last August’s surge), national agencies fret about the need for more inten-

sive-care units (ICU) beds and more isolation wards (which also begs the questions: how many restaurant tables can be filled, and whether taipans can buy vaccines for their employees (and of course, donate some for the poor….) Yet, the poorest Filipinos are continuing to bear the burden of the pandemic.

While people write about the difficulty of getting an ICU bed, or even to gain admission to emergency rooms, the poorest among us are dying in even greater numbers in densely populated communities; more so, in the far-flung barangays where death is almost as common as in city barangays, because they have no means to bring their patients to the cities.

Narrative of the spread

For the poor in Barangays Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City, Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City, and Commonwealth in Quezon City, nearby medical centers could just as well be “on the moon”; they would not even dare approach these hospitals without seeking first the sponsorship of a politician.

The result is that in the Philippine

The story of Covid-19 in Mandaluyong City is a microcosm of the way the contagion invaded our communities, and eventually dug deep roots in our poor urban barangays. The first case came from a foreign national (Singaporean, I believe) who played in the Wack Wack Golf Course on March 21.

Other cases also were reported within days in Highway Hills, which has a large number of highrise condominiums.

Statistics Authority’s 2020 reports, two out of every three deaths from the pandemic were not even tested to confirm a “Covid” diagnosis. Doctors had to use their clinical acumen to confirm what the families knew: the virus had descended their homes.

The story of Covid-19 in Mandaluyong City is a microcosm of the way the contagion invaded our communities, and eventually dug deep roots in our poor urban barangays. The first case came from a foreign national (Singaporean, I believe) who played in the Wack Wack Golf Course on March 21. Other cases also were reported within days in Highway Hills, which has a large number of high-rise condominiums.

Since the Singaporean had apparently gone home, Mandaluyong City was now reporting infections among local residents from Wack Wack and Highway Hills. Within a month, Covid-19 had jumped from gated subdivisions and condos to urban poor communities, which were seeing more infections.

By the time the first enhanced community quarantine in May 2020 was lifted mid-month, Barangays

Mauway and Addition Hills were competing for the top spot for the most number of Covid-19 cases in Mandaluyong City, while cases in Wack Wack and Highway Hills had flatlined. By the end of May—when the general community quarantine was imposed—Addition Hills had taken the top spot for the most number of cases and deaths.

What happened in Mandaluyong?

Within a week of the first local transmission, the virus in Wack Wack—a barangay which occupies one-fourth of the land area of the Mandaluyong City with a population of over 3,000, had jumped the fence literally and crossed Shaw Boulevard to find more hosts. By August, Covid-19 infections were highest in Addition Hills, which has a land area half that of Wack Wack, but with a population of almost 70,000.

Today, all barangays in Mandaluyong City continue to grapple with Covid-19. By the second year of the pandemic, Addition Hills had seen 52 deaths from the contagion and Wack Wack, four casualties.

Covid-19 has come to roost in the teeming, makeshift houses in Addition Hills, where only the small streets full of vendors break the monotony of tin roofs competing for a small share of the visible sky.

It is in communities like Addition Hills where Covid-19 has, regrettably, found a home—and continues to hurt the most vulnerable Filipinos.

The lines of defense need to be drawn in our communities to win this battle.

Undersecretary Juan Antonio “Doc Jeepy” Perez III is the executive director of the Commission on Population and Development, or POPCOM. For comments and reactions, e-mail juan.perez@popcom. gov.ph.

OBITUARY

Irreplaceable: Arnold Moss, newsroom’s top cop

By Lourdes Molina-Fernandez

T

HE red, fine marker pens now lie untouched in his pencil case.

The dictionary, Thesaurus, style books, the books of idioms and the Zinsser series sit in a corner, long freed from the constant thumbing-through of fingers racing to find allies for a brilliant mind and a sharp eye.

The trademark beret, half-concealing the handsome face but not the slight smile of a congenial man —he was a terror as grammar police but the kindest of souls—has long been retired, since the man was forced by nature to stop going out, as he once did, daily, on a punishing commute that included jostling through the MRT crowd.

The white sheets of story printouts, with his precious edits for young, stumbling journalists—ahh, there must have been hundreds of thousands of those sheets—have long faded. But the red marks of the perfectionist are, hopefully, embedded in the memory of all those he mentored so patiently, and sometimes, sent away with a scolding. A repeated error is forgiven the first time, but in subsequent instances, could merit a thump on one’s desk, or—I swear this is true—even a rare gentle pinch on the arm by an impatient teacher with a “puede ba tandaan mo iyan para di na maulit [please remember this rule so you don’t commit the same mistake].”

In the work-from-home pseudo newsroom that the pandemic made unavoidable and technology made possible, it is his presence that would have been missed the most, because it is irreplaceable.

Editors, reporters, photographers, layout artists, social-media managers—all could be connected in a virtual network made necessary by Covid-19. But that network could never quite make up for the absence of an Arnold Moss, the old man with his multicolored pens and sandwich box quietly working in a corner desk, making sure we didn’t embarrass ourselves the next day when the paper hits the streets.

Mercifully, he was retired when

this blight took over our lives, because Arnold would never conceive of correcting copy on a computer.

He had always told us, and no one could argue with it, that printing out copy and going over it with his favorite red pen ensured nothing could escape a sharp eye unhindered by screen glare.

Their generation of editors were perfectionists to a fault, and they never apologized for that. In the TODAY newsroom, and before that, the Daily Globe, Arnold Moss held sway as the dreaded grammar police. One could argue with the editors or one’s peers, but never with this cop who made it his job 24/7 to keep the peace between subjects and predicates that frequently disagreed. TODAY publisher Teddyboy Locsin installed Arnold Moss as THE newsroom’s top cop, working with his fellow Hong Kong media alumni Manny Benitez and editorial consultant Viswa Nathan. And then there was Guiller de Guzman of Philippines Free Press.

Sometimes, the newsroom cops themselves fought with each other on how to resolve disputes between Subject and Verb, or over spelling.

The most memorable of such arguments, which nearly went out of control, was the afternoon Arnold and Manny argued over whether “yakuza” should be spelled with a capital “Y.” Arnold, who routinely asks Manny to enter into the computer’s news folders his red corrections in the story printouts, told Manny one day, “oh, Manny, I think you forgot to enter my correction making ‘y’ in yakuza lower case.”

Manny replied, “because that’s how it’s spelled. With a capital Y.” Arnold kept quiet. But the next day he showed Manny his Oxford

dictionary and a photocopy of a New York Times article that spelled “yakuza” with lower case. Manny gently shoved aside the dictionary and xerox material, muttering, “I’ve always spelled it like that for the last 20 years.” Then Arnold shot back, “well, you’ve been wrong for 20 years!” The two old men glared menacingly at each other, fists clenched at the side, and TODAY’s younger journalists held their breath.

Finally, the irrepressible Nonnie Pelayo stood up and said, “gentlemen, please restrain yourselves. We can’t afford to have anyone of you buried beneath the epitaph, “here he lies, killed over the capital Y!” And that ended the epic feud of the newsroom gods.

But Arnold never behaved like a god, even though he knew in his heart Teddyboy Locsin’s unwritten rule handed out to everyone: Arnold will always have the last say.

In fact, no one ever saw in Arnold’s discipline the mold of a tyrant. Once, when Arnold stumbled in the MRT platform and hit his face, requiring at least 10 days of absence, everyone in the newsroom so missed the man that when he returned to work, we all clapped and cheered heartily.

This good-looking “god” with the kindly mien, occasionally marked by a scowl over an unpardonable error, routinely shared with his newsroom companions: the healthy sandwiches prepared so lovingly by wife Cynthia or croissants he liked to buy on the way to work; a new brand of pen; and even old versions of his many reference books once new editions were printed. One time, he even shared his medicine with me, the first time I felt symptoms of vertigo on the eve of an overseas coverage. “Take Serc, and you’ll be fine.” Hallelujah, I became so well with Serc, indeed, that I was even able to take a wild “desert safari” ride on a Toyota Land Cruiser in Dubai. Most of all, Arnold shared his editing wisdom. In the jungle of language, Arnold always led

the way, wielding his pens like the sharpest machete so we all could have a clear trail. Every one of the journalists who worked with him in the newsroom remembered at least one exchange between teacher and student, often on mistakes so routinely made and rarely caught even in the biggest, prestigious publications. “Barking UP, not barking AT the wrong tree.” It’s “on a par with” not “at a par.” His eternal lament: the Revised Penal Code that immortalized “reckless imprudence resulting TO homicide.”

Up there, he might be insisting, even now, that the boss give him free rein to edit the Ten Commandments. Or the holy book.

Who knows? But then, Arnold and Manny might be arguing even as I write, and I doubt that would sit well with the Lord. At least, neither the two friends and colleagues will be laid to rest with the epitaph of the “capital Y.” Farewell, Arnold, our mentor and tormentor. You are irreplaceable. Thanks for everything. nnn

This is Arnold’s obituary, as shared by his family: VETERAN journalist and book editor Arnold B. Moss died in his sleep on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

He was 92.

Moss, a product of the University of Santo Tomas, joined the Manila Chronicle even before graduation. He was also the chief copy editor of The Asia Magazine based in Hong Kong.

Upon his return to the Philippines, Moss was recruited to the Bureau of National and Foreign Information. He later joined the staff of Editorial Associates.

Moss was also the copy editor of Observer newspaper and later the Daily Globe.

When the newspaper Today was established in the 1990’s, Moss was recruited to be its copy editor. He later joined the Manila Times.

Moss is survived by his wife Cynthia, sons Jason and Nelson, and grandson Ethan.

A12 Thursday, May 20, 2021

‘BOOST LNG SOURCES TO AVERT CRISIS WHEN MALAMPAYA DRIES UP’

W

ARNING against a looming energy crisis, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian pressed Congress to frontload passage of a “landmark energy legislation” billed to boost the country’s supply of natural gas from liquefied natural gas (LNG) sources in order to “avert a possible energy security crisis from happening when operations of the Malampaya gas field project close for good” in the near future.

In sponsoring his Committee Report on Senate Bill 2203 seeking to put in place a national energy policy and framework, Gatchalian cited projections that “we could be facing a major energy crisis less than six years from now unless we find alternative sources to supply our country’s demand for natural gas.”

The senator stressed the remedial legislation, once enacted into law, will fasttrack “development and regulation of the Philippine midstream natural gas industry.”

He said the crippling brownouts that hit Luzon in the past, are “likely to recur when the Malampaya source is depleted, affecting not only households but also industries.”

“The dreaded widespread brownout in Luzon could recur

when the supply from Malampaya dries up,” said Gatchalian, noting this will “affect not just households but also industries,creating a wide gap in the economy.”

The Philippines’s energy security, he added, depends largely on the available supply of natural gas, especially in Luzon where more than a quarter of the island’s power source is sourced from the Malampaya gas field located off the coast of Palawan.

Unfortunately, he added, its service contract is set to expire in 2024 and the estimated 858,834 million standard cubic feet remaining in the Malampaya field would be completely exhausted by the first quarter of 2027.

At the same time, Gatchalian affirmed the need to enact “a legal and regulatory framework to be established by the Midstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act to unlock the untapped potential of natural gas, especially LNG to achieve greater Philippine energy stability, sustainability, and savings.” He projected that liquified natural gas will “unlock new potential for consumer power savings as natural gas steadily catches up to coal as the most cost-efficient dispatchable power source.” Butch Fernandez

AFP chief to Nolcom: Keep watch on maritime waters

A

By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

RMED Forces chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana has ordered the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) to continuously ensure that the country’s maritime waters in the northern part of the country are secured and safe for Filipino fishermen, as he lauded the command for its success in its counterinsurgency operations.

“We must continually patrol our maritime territories, closely coordinate with other government agencies and offer support to the people who are affected. I urge you to continue excellently performing your mandate,” the top military chief said during his visit to the command, where he talked with soldiers led by Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr.

In Central Luzon—under the operational command of the Nolcom—Brig. Gen. Andrew Costelo, commander of the Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade, also reported the dismantling of the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya Sierra Madre (KLG Sierra Madre), the biggest operational front of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Central Luzon.

The dismantling of the KLG Sier-

ra Madre, which formerly operated in the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija and parts of Nueva Vizcaya, followed the earlier dismantling by the 703rd Brigade of two other NPA commands in the region, the KLG Caraballo and Larangan Gerilya sa Patag 1 (LGP1).

During his meeting with Burgos and other officials of Nolcom, Sobejana conveyed the military leadership’s appreciation for the command’s success in counterterrorism and anti-insurgency operations. More than half of the rebels’ existing front committees in northern and central Luzon has been neutralized.

‘North Shield’

“THE Nolcom’s accomplishments clearly manifest our troops’ dedication and commitment to continuously pursue their core functions notwithstanding the prevailing health crisis brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Their perseverance and hard work are what made all these successful operations possible,” said Sobejana, noting that the feat was done while the command was also carrying out its territorial defense campaign plan

“North Shield.”

The Nolcom heads the Area Task Force-North (ATF-North), which includes other government agencies and is tasked with securing the northern maritime territories, including the Philippine Rise, the Batanes waters, the country’s eastern seaboard and even Scarborough Shoal.

Sobejana said that while Nolcom’s effort to achieve its mission and strategic objectives, especially against the rebels, remains paramount, it is also pushing the country’s “rightful assertion” of Philippine sovereignty over its maritime territories in the West Philippine Sea. T h e d i s m a nt l i n g b y t h e 703rd Brigade of the KLG Sierra Madre was officially declared following joint validation by the military and the Philippine National Police.

“This accomplishment was made possible through the efforts of soldiers, with the support of the Police Regional Office 3 and key stakeholders who quietly worked and made their presence felt mostly in the hinterlands of Central Luzon,” Costelo said.

3D aerodrome tower simulator fast-tracks air traffic training

By Recto Mercene

T

@rectomercene

HE training of prospective air traffic controllers in the country has been elevated to a new level with the introduction of a state-of-the-art “3D aerodrome tower simulator,” which recreates virtually the environment that places a trainee in the thick of the action without having to endanger the life of anyone.

Designed to artificially recreate the control tower environment, the tower simulator is also cost-efficient as it offers lower expenses than conducting training in actual air traffic control conditions.

The apparatus was inaugurated on Wednesday by the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Secretary, Arthur Tugade, at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Training Center in Parañaque City.

The use of the simulator mitigates certain risks while allowing trainees to practice handling flight emergencies and other aviation situations without putting any one in real danger.

It is the first of its kind in the Philippines and the supply, installation and testing of the simulator was completed in March, 2021.

The computer allows the supervisor to simulate any airport scenario of any country as if the trainee is actually viewing the actual airport from the window of the control tower “cab.” This is a specially-built room surrounded by glass panels that also houses the air traffic controllers and related radar screens, weather information, flight plans, telephones or hotlines to associated controllers.

In the Philippines, the CAAP has installed in the simulator data bank the program of six actual airports that can be used to test the air traffic controller’s proficiency. These are the airports of Manila, Clark, Mactan, Plaridel, Davao and one generic single-runway airport.

In a room that simulates the actual condition of a cab, a computer projects on a series of huge screens the views, for example, of the Ninoy

Aquino International Airport (Naia), when looking out of the windows, including the airplanes in the air, on the ground and other obstacles.

The CA AP Aerodrome Tower Simulator features a 315-degree horizontal field of view designed to aid the trainee, or even professional traffic controllers who are undergoing refresher courses.

The instructor can simulate various weather conditions, and the number of air traffic elements in the training, testing, and maintaining proficiency in the aerodrome without risking property or lives.

Modern aviation safety training

ACCORDING to CAAP, the use of this ultramodern facility has now become common in advanced economies.

“The aerodrome simulator will eliminate the obsolete training methods used in the aerodrome laboratory training module of the Civil Aviation Training Center (CATC), such as the use of miniature model airplanes that instructors manipulate to simulate air traffic,” the CAAP said.

The overall aerodrome training module for the Comprehensive Air Traffic Service usually takes six weeks, with two weeks allocated for lectures and four weeks for the laboratory phase.

Before the 3D Aerodrome Tower was introduced, the CATC usually turned out new graduates after a much longer training period of four to six months.

“Instructional methods will be enhanced and shall give ATC trainees the appropriate impression of the airport environment by recreating real-time visual scenarios from a control tower,” the CAAP said.

The facility can be used by fullfledged ATC and trainees, who can now experience the environment of an aerodrome control tower safely and efficiently.

The CAAP said the 3D aerodrome simulator was made by Singapore Technologies Engineering Electronics (STEE) Training & Simulations Systems PTE. LTD.

THIS is the view atop the Manila Tower of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from the computer projections of the 3D aerodrome tower simulator. CAAP PHOTO

400 PHL caregivers to be sent to 'safe sites' in Israel

By Samuel P. Medenilla

O

@sam_medenilla

VER 400 Filipino caregivers will soon be deployed to Israel despite the ongoing armed conflict in the West Asian country, according to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

In an online press briefing on Wednesday, POEA Administrator Bernard P. Olalia said they will push through with the deployment since they have yet to receive any advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to stop sending overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Israel.

“They will be deployed as homebased care givers under our bilateral labor agreement [with Israel].

Their processing will soon be completed,” Olalia said.

He said they will start the recruitment for the second batch of another 500 Filipino caregivers, who will also be deployed in Israel under a government-to-government arrangement.

ably by July or August, we will be able to deploy them,” Olalia said.

Currently, around 600 people have already applied as caregivers bound for Israel.

Olalia explained that the Filipino caregivers are not covered by the 5,000 deployment cap for health-care workers under POEA Resolution No. 9.

Qualifications

DUE to the high demand of caregivers in Israel, Olalia said the Israeli government lowered the previous educational attainment requirement for its caregiver applicants —from having completed at least two years in college to being a high school graduate.

However, applicants must register with POEA’s website, submit the necessary requirements and skills certificate for caregiving to qualify

New precautions

OLALIA: “They will be deployed as homebased care givers under our bilateral labor agreement [with Israel]. Their processing will soon be completed.”

for the vacancies.

“The whole process takes about two months. So if we complete the selection process this May, prob-

POEA said the Israeli government has committed that the Filipino caregivers who will arrive there will be deployed in areas far from the conflict areas.

Some areas in Israel and the Gaza strip are affected by the rocket exchange between Israelis and Palestinian forces, raising concerns on the safety of Filipinos in both areas.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, May 20, 2021

B1

Cornerstone investors back Monde Nissin’s ₧56-B IPO

M

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

onde Nissin Corp., the maker of Lucky Me! instant noodles and SkyFlakes biscuits, on Wednesday said it has secured international and domestic cornerstone investors for its record-breaking initial public offering (IPO).

The cornerstone investors are A I A Investment Management Private Limited, Stichting Depositary APG Emerging Markets Equity Pool, Avanda Investment Management Pte. Ltd., The Capital Group Funds, Eastspring Investments (Singapore) Ltd., FIL Investment Management (Hong

Kong) Ltd, GIC Private Ltd, Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., M and G Investment Management Ltd., NS Partners Ltd and RWC Asset Advisors (US) LLC. Eduardo V. Francisco, president of BDO Capital and Invest Corp., one of the local underwriters, said

they were also able to secure local cornerstone investors.

“Their commitment is a strong vote of confidence in our company, strategy and talented team. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we accelerate our growth plans for our meat alternative business Quorn, which is a global player in the transformation of sustainably produced healthier food, and extend our leadership position in the AsiaPacific Food and Beverage business through continued innovation and constant dialogue with our consumers,” Henry Soesanto, Monde Nissin’s CEO said.

The company’s IPO consists of 3.6 billion common shares and an overallotment option of 540 million common shares to be sold at P13.50 apiece, a step-down from the P17.50 maximum offer price it announced previously.

At P13.50 per share, however, the

company will still raise some P55.9 billion in proceeds, the largest ever IPO in the country. The deal is also the largest ever food and beverage IPO in Southeast Asia. Some 57 percent of the proceeds will be used to fund the company’s capital expenditures, 29 percent will be used to redeem convertible notes it gave to Arran Investment while the rest will be used for the repayment of loans.

In April 2019, the company issued convertible notes in favor of Arran Investment at an issue price of P9.1 billion. The said notes are convertible into common shares of the company representing approximately 6.44 percent of the total issued and outstanding capital stock of the company on a fully-diluted basis.

The domestic offer period for its IPO started on Wednesday through May 25, while listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange will be on June 1 under the stock symbol MONDE.

First Gen allots $530M for capex

By Lenie Lectura

IRST GEN Corp. of the Lopez Group is setting aside about $530 million in capital expenditures (capex) this year to mostly fund geothermal, gas and hydro projects.

During the stockholders’ meeting held Wednesday, First Gen Chief Financial Officer Emmanuel Singson said $280 million will be utilized by Energy Development Corp.

(EDC), $120 million for its LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal and $60 million for its 100megawatt (MW) pumped-storage project.

“In 2021, we are expecting to spend $530M in capital expenditures mainly driven by EDC, the LNG terminal, and the Aya

Pumped Storage Project,” said Singson.

EDC, he said, is targeting a higher capex this year and is planning to spend about $280 million to catch up on its drilling and investments, as the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement of key activities last year.

The amount also includes spending for its planned binary growth projects—3.6MW Mindanao 3 and the 29MW Palayan Bayan project.

“For First Gen’s LNG terminal, the company has earmarked about $120 million in capex in 2021 as it begins construction at the site to be ready to declare commercial operations by third quarter of 2022. For Project Aya, we expect to spend about $60 million this year as we continue de-

STI swings to profit in Jan-March

‘New Maynilad concession deal to ensure water security’

@llectura

F

S

TI Education Systems Holdings Inc., the operator of a chain of schools in the country, on Wednesday said it had a net income of P82.6 million for the three months ending March 31, a turnaround from last year’s net loss of P211.6 million.

The increase in net income follows the group’s decision to prioritize students’ and employees’ welfare a year into the Covid-19 pandemic and related quarantines through different measures, including the implementation of work-from-home arrangements for employees and the continuation of its online classes for students, the company said.

Revenues, meanwhile, fell 16 percent to P606.59 million from last year’s P720.68 million.

“While it is vital to continue with the education of our youth even amid the pandemic, it is equally important for us to help make sure that our students and employees can continue doing their respective activities in a safe environment. This way, they can continue having the potential of achieving their goals even after the pandemic,” STI President and CEO Monico V. Jacob said.

The company’s cash and cash equivalents increased by P669.3 million or 80 percent due to the collection of tuition and other school fees from students and collection from the Department of Education for the senior high school vouchers and the Commission on Higher Education for the tertiary education subsidies. VG Cabuag

velopment work for the project,” said Singson. The development of First Gen’s Interim Offshore LNG Terminal (IOT Project) in the First Gen Clean Energy Complex in Batangas is “on track.”

The completion of the LNG Terminal is very timely, given that the Malampaya gas field appears to be declining more quickly than anticipated, the company said.

Officials also said the development of the LNG Terminal will pave the way for the Santa Maria gas project, a 1,200-MW natural gas-fired power plant that could go online by late 2024 or early 2025.

Meanwhile, the 100-MW Lake Aya pumped storage project is envisioned to be the county’s pioneering variable-speed pumped storage facility. The preliminary assessment

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

T

he signing of the new concession agreement (CA) between the government and Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) has put on track the Duterte administration’s water security program, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Chairman and Acting Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco said.

“The signing of the new concession agreement is a big step towards water security and it’s a win-win for all stakeholders,” Velasco said in a statement.

He said he is optimistic that with the new agreement, various water security projects can now move forward.

Velasco said public-private partnership is still the “best option” for water infrastructure, noting that Maynilad’s capital expenditure projects will rehabilitate and replace old pipelines, install new pipes in unserved areas, construct new pumping stations, reservoirs, and treatment facilities, that will result in better service to its customers.

Maynilad services the west zone concession area which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain areas), Quezon City (certain areas), Makati (certain areas), Caloocan,

Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon—all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite Province.

It operates and maintains over 6,800 kilometers of pipelines and delivers over 2,000 million liters of potable water daily to its customers. It has 35 pumping stations, 32 water reservoirs and 28 in-line boosters across its service area. Its reservoirs have a total holding capacity of over 700 million liters of potable water.

The government earlier signed a renegotiated CA with Manila Water Company Inc. Following the template of the new Manila Water CA, the new Maynilad CA eliminated “onerous” provisions detrimental to the interests of the government and the consumers even as it guarantees the economic viability of the concessionaire’s capital investments, Velasco said.

According to Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevara, head of the panel that reviewed the CAs of Manila Water and Maynilad, “onerous”

and feasibility study have been completed, officials said. The company booked P4.04 billion in net income at end-March this year, up by 28.9 percent from the same period last year.

“We expect recurring net income to be flat or slightly higher in 2021 compared to 2020. We expect better performance from our natural gas platform in 2021 driven by the full-year ASPA contract of Avion, higher WESM prices, as well as the enactment of the CREATE law, which lowers the income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent,” said Singson.

“This is expected to be partially offset by higher O&M [operation and maintenance] costs at EDC as they target to catch up on drilling and maintenance activities this year.”

provisions, such as the non-interference clause and “burdening consumers with corporate income tax” were removed.

“Contingent liabilities of the government have been substantially reduced, and a framework for better service to the public has been put in place.”

With the signing of the new agreement, Maynilad will impose a tariff freeze until December 31, 2022.

It will also forego collecting the P3.4-billion compensation from the government.

To recall, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore has ordered the government to pay for the losses incurred by Maynilad because of Manila’s refusal to approve a water rate hike.

The revised CA was the outcome of a thorough review and negotiations conducted by a government panel led by the Department of Justice based on an order from President Duterte last year.

The 1997 CAs with water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad were signed and took effect during the Ramos administration, ushering a private-public partnership for the water sector.

The 25-year 1997 CAs were extended for another 15 years pursuant to MWSS Board Resolutions in 2008 and 2009.

GMA Network sets sights on 15% hike in earnings this year

BusinessMirror file photo

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

W

ith the gradual reopening of the economy and the easing of restrictions, GMA Network Inc. hopes to grow its earnings by as much as 15 percent by the end of 2021.

Felipe L. Gozon, the company’s chairman, told stockholders on Wednesday that his group continues to grow its top line while minimizing costs, as the economy continues to reopen with the inoculation programs being rolled out.

“Based on the past months, where I said that we have increased our gross revenues by 55 percent and have caused our costs to be kept at bay at 5 percent, we feel confident that we might still increase our total gross revenues and net income for 2021,” he said.

Gozon added that his group is seeing “indications that the effects of the pandemic are easing up and as a consequence, the government is also easing up on the restrictions.”

“With the reduction in the rate of infections and with the increase in vaccination towards herd immunity, and if we are optimistic on the optimistic side, I think we can project, hopefully, a 15-percent increase in 2021 over 2020,” he noted.

In the first quarter, the listed broadcaster recorded profits reaching P2 billion, a three-fold increase from the P583.41 million the year prior, as revenues rose to P5.46 billion, while total operating expenses settled at P2.84 billion.

Gozon added that his group plans to spend P20 billion in capital expenditures (capex) and production costs over the next 3 years— similar to what he announced for the outlays and content costs in 2020.

“We will continue to invest in long term sustainable value creation and proof of this is our capital allocation for the next three years.

We earmarked more than P20 billion for our capex and content cost for 2021 to 2023. This includes cost for construction of a new building and state of the art studios inside of our complex,” Gozon said.

For 2021, he said GMA will be launching 100 programs, including network-produced and acquired foreign shows.

Gozon also seemed unfazed by the fact that its original competitor, ABS-CBN Corp., has been buying block time from TV5 and A2Z Channel 11.

“Without sounding immodest, it has not really adversely affected our ratings and revenues,” he said.

AC Energy to build ₧11.4-B wind farm in Ilocos Norte

A

C Energy Corp. (ACEN), the energy arm of Ayala Corp., will put up the country’s biggest wind farm in Ilocos Norte worth P11.4 billion.

The 160MW Balaoi and Caunayan wind farm in Pagudpud will be completed in the last quarter of 2022, in time for full year operations in 2023, when supply in the Luzon energy market is expected to be tight.

“We are very excited to begin the construction of the Balaoi and Caunayan wind farm, which will be the largest and lowest cost renewable energy producer in the country,” said Jose Maria P. Zabaleta, Chief Development Officer of AC Energy.

“This project will further augment AC Energy’s generating capacity, following our recently completed solar farms and battery storage plants, and will contribute to the growth of our renewables share as we scale up our sustainable investments.”

The project will be the third wind development of AC Energy in Ilocos Norte, along with the NorthWind wind farm in Bangui and the North Luzon Renewables wind farm in Pagudpud.

The latest wind farm project

is a joint undertaking with UPC Renewables. ”The site of the Balaoi and Caunayan wind farm has one of the best wind resources in the country and its construction marks the culimation of over ten years of development work. We are grateful for the continuing support of the Ilocos Norte provincial government and the municipality of Pagudpud in helping to bring this project to fruition” said David Sutton, CEO of UPC Renewables Philippines.

The wind farm will utilize turbines from Siemens Gamesa, which will supply, install and commission a total of 32 SG 132 and 145 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 5 MW each.

Once completed, AC Energy will double its wind energy capacity in the country. Upon completion of the infusion of AC Energy International into ACEN, its total renewables capacity will be over 2,000 MW. The company is targeting 5,000MW of renewable energy by 2025.

AC Energy remains committed to play a meaningful role in the country’s green-led recovery, and work towards its aspiration of becoming the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia. Lenie Lectura

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Thursday, May 20, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

May 19, 2021

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FILIPINO FUND MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

43.2 102.6 81.45 24 9.35 45 20.15 54.8 17.3 116.5 74.8 1.26 3.92 7.48 0.38 930 0.69 160.2 2,450

44 102.7 81.6 24.15 9.38 45.15 20.4 57.55 17.94 116.7 74.9 1.37 3.95 7.99 0.41 980 0.7 160.9 2,498

44 102.8 80.95 24.6 9.34 45.65 20.85 54.9 17 115.8 75 1.26 3.9 7.48 0.41 950 0.7 156 2,470

44 103.6 81.6 24.6 9.42 45.65 20.85 57.7 17.96 117 75 1.28 3.96 7.48 0.41 950 0.7 165 2,498

43.2 102.3 80.3 23.9 9.34 45 19.98 54.9 17 115.8 74.8 1.25 3.9 7.48 0.37 950 0.7 156 2,450

43.2 102.7 81.6 24 9.36 45 20.2 57.7 17 116.7 74.9 1.25 3.95 7.48 0.41 950 0.7 161.1 2,498

3,100 2,459,380 787,370 22,100 85,600 2,517,700 2,134,300 220 2,000 208,620 3,870 65,000 171,000 500 60,000 500 6,000 65,500 195

136,320 252,530,083 63,750,409.50 531,630 800,445 113,737,150 42,952,320 12,162 34,480 24,342,677 289,926 81,960 674,650 3,740 23,400 475,000 4,200 10,621,534 480,370

-4,320 -54,553,847 -8,509,909.50 -9,575 -409,894 -55,479,325 -12,644,379 -8,980 4,291,721 31,600 9,970,558.00 294,000

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 6.93 6.94 6.96 7 6.9 6.93 30,486,000 211,745,818 ALSONS CONS 1.31 1.33 1.34 1.34 1.32 1.33 714,000 943,140 22 22.1 22.2 22.3 22 22.1 2,148,100 47,568,075 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.77 0.78 0.75 0.79 0.74 0.77 18,759,000 14,447,030 30.45 30.6 30.3 30.6 30.25 30.6 129,900 3,959,140 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 69.6 70 68 70 68 70 103,230 7,182,300 273.8 274 273.8 273.8 272 273.8 73,030 19,952,162 MERALCO MANILA WATER 14.7 14.72 14.26 14.72 14.26 14.72 417,500 6,130,046 PETRON 3.12 3.2 3.09 3.21 3.09 3.12 7,664,000 23,953,810 3.9 3.98 3.99 3.99 3.9 3.98 18,000 71,250 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 13.22 13.5 13.58 13.78 13.2 13.5 364,400 4,961,588 20.55 20.9 21.55 21.55 20.5 20.9 634,100 13,107,310 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 10.44 10.46 10.4 10.5 10.38 10.44 63,700 662,328 14.1 15.04 14.1 14.1 14.1 14.1 100 1,410 VIVANT AGRINURTURE 6.36 6.4 6.41 6.59 6.3 6.4 1,292,200 8,323,483 3.01 3.05 3 3.09 3 3.05 337,000 1,016,750 AXELUM 77 77.75 79.3 79.3 77.75 77.75 150 11,761.50 BOGO MEDELLIN CENTURY FOOD 21.95 22 22 22.4 21.75 22 1,093,100 24,062,310 12.24 12.32 12.36 12.4 12.2 12.24 167,100 2,049,990 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 7.46 7.47 7.35 7.48 7.35 7.47 2,658,200 19,810,440 9.34 9.35 9.48 9.48 9.32 9.35 4,387,400 41,027,623 EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV 69.5 69.6 69 69.5 68.3 69.5 266,190 18,434,001 0.61 0.63 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61 52,000 31,720 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.35 1.37 1.33 1.4 1.33 1.35 13,357,000 18,154,300 GINEBRA 65 65.4 63.3 65.4 63.3 65.4 228,080 14,759,189 175 175.4 170 175 170 175 815,740 141,145,596 JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG 7.21 7.64 7.21 7.67 7.21 7.67 200 1,488 5.87 5.9 5.93 5.93 5.8 5.87 76,900 452,174 MAXS GROUP MG HLDG 0.24 0.245 0.24 0.25 0.24 0.245 4,110,000 994,600 7.91 7.95 8.1 8.1 7.91 7.91 318,600 2,533,608 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 1.04 1.05 1.02 1.09 1.02 1.05 4,855,000 5,113,980 RFM CORP 4.54 4.65 4.75 4.75 4.65 4.65 1,523,000 7,082,050 0.128 0.133 0.128 0.13 0.127 0.129 2,110,000 270,260 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 132 133 131 133.4 131 133 189,410 25,154,632 0.81 0.82 0.83 0.86 0.8 0.82 7,582,000 6,330,520 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.46 2.55 2.44 2.5 2.44 2.5 64,000 158,360 53.2 56.8 52.2 53.25 52.2 53.2 1,180 62,651 CONCRETE A CONCRETE B 60.2 63.75 60.1 60.1 60.1 60.1 60 3,606 1.17 1.18 1.18 1.19 1.17 1.17 680,000 798,170 CEMEX HLDG 2.44 2.48 2.43 2.51 2.4 2.44 1,630,000 3,978,940 DAVINCI CAPITAL EAGLE CEMENT 12.14 12.2 12.24 12.3 12.18 12.2 1,111,500 13,583,028 6.72 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 11,300 76,840 EEI CORP HOLCIM 5.4 5.48 5.4 5.41 5.4 5.4 44,100 238,488 6.1 6.19 6.31 6.31 6.1 6.1 1,648,600 10,151,740 MEGAWIDE PHINMA 12.3 12.34 12.3 12.3 12.3 12.3 129,300 1,590,390 1.03 1.04 0.98 1.03 0.98 1.03 178,000 177,600 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 2.17 2.2 2.17 2.22 2.11 2.17 2,726,000 5,925,590 CROWN ASIA 1.79 1.81 1.81 1.81 1.8 1.81 85,000 153,560 1.86 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 1.9 33,000 62,700 EUROMED PRYCE CORP 5.45 5.5 5.45 5.5 5.45 5.5 91,800 504,150 20.55 21 20.55 20.95 20.55 20.55 14,700 302,720 CONCEPCION GREENERGY 3.98 3.99 3.9 4.07 3.87 3.99 21,433,000 85,049,780 8.7 8.75 8.67 8.87 8.59 8.7 515,600 4,475,190 INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 1.04 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.05 1.05 27,000 28,490 PANASONIC 5.6 5.83 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.6 6,900 38,640 1.28 1.29 1.3 1.31 1.29 1.29 280,000 362,660 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 5.39 5.49 5.39 5.5 5.25 5.39 2,168,300 11,645,388

22,593,465 -29,856,280 -38,840 1,899,925 -574,525.50 -10,587,930 -1,513,852 -19,978,590 -15,510 26,440 -197,990 -10,410 539,930 -1,639,465 122,200 -3,975,770 -1,504,780 3,972,938 76,310 5,451,884 45,004,055 130,427 757,182 1,055,490 -9,300 -2,607,430 -29,360 82,560 -12,820,002 -17,680 -57,870 -5,607,094 -1,476,000 27,610 -35,780 14,420 -251,810 -2,809,132 114,700 10,094

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.02 1.03 0.94 1.04 0.94 1.03 11,713,000 11,863,750 ASIABEST GROUP 6.86 7.3 7.35 7.37 7 7 3,800 26,708 714.5 719 714.5 719.5 707 719 160,830 114,523,360 AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY 34.7 35 34.85 35.15 34.65 35 339,200 11,819,610 10.44 10.48 10.5 10.5 10.24 10.44 1,544,000 16,090,424 ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG 3.01 3.02 2.98 3.04 2.94 3.01 595,000 1,787,140 6.65 6.8 6.81 6.81 6.63 6.63 4,600 30,576 ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.71 0.72 0.7 0.72 0.69 0.71 1,283,000 902,620 ATN HLDG A 0.66 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.64 0.66 571,000 370,750 0.65 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 0.72 16,000 11,520 ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL 4.96 4.98 4.94 4.98 4.94 4.96 1,060,000 5,258,070 5.46 5.47 5.45 5.47 5.42 5.46 1,185,600 6,467,525 DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV 7.92 8 8.48 8.48 8 8 49,900 399,884 0.26 0.275 0.255 0.28 0.255 0.26 700,000 184,000 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 537.5 539 530 539 520.5 539 115,970 62,101,965 49.75 49.8 51.25 51.25 49.65 49.8 1,504,980 75,169,137 JG SUMMIT 0.8 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.75 0.8 2,420,000 1,893,290 LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG 3.1 3.15 3.09 3.13 3.09 3.1 115,000 356,620 13.1 13.26 13 13.26 12.98 13.26 1,137,200 14,809,934 LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG 0.415 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 10,000 4,600 3.6 3.62 3.75 3.75 3.6 3.6 41,148,000 149,539,930 METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA 2.79 2.8 2.65 2.79 2.65 2.79 731,000 2,003,550 2.36 2.72 2.38 2.38 2.35 2.35 31,000 73,120 REPUBLIC GLASS SYNERGY GRID 375 400 370 407 370 400 300 119,530 SM INVESTMENTS 916 924 927 936.5 909 924 199,940 183,765,620 112.8 112.9 114.5 115 112.7 112.9 169,470 19,175,557 SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER 130 131.6 133.6 133.6 132.4 132.4 2,770 366,832 0.238 0.249 0.255 0.26 0.236 0.238 480,000 115,540 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG 0.205 0.218 0.191 0.218 0.191 0.218 1,000,000 205,080

-298,180 16,800 -36,897,255 -8,701,460 10,054,204 -47,680 -1,420 -1,527,710 -11,602 28,000 19,128,300 -26,474,257.50 22,500 -347,230 -2,298,560 -65,300,830 134,680 -82,132,355 -4,129,321 357,480 -

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.61 419,000 257,570 AYALA LAND 31.35 31.55 32.2 32.2 31.25 31.35 7,006,500 220,774,560 1.16 1.27 1.26 1.28 1.26 1.27 13,000 16,560 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 35.9 35.95 35.25 36.5 35.25 35.9 1,888,300 68,272,045 1.34 1.36 1.36 1.36 1.34 1.36 797,000 1,072,380 BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.94 0.9 0.93 801,000 742,390 0.84 0.85 0.85 0.87 0.85 0.85 279,000 237,680 CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES 0.12 0.124 0.125 0.125 0.117 0.124 35,940,000 4,312,530 CEB LANDMASTERS 5.98 5.99 5.98 5.99 5.88 5.99 1,118,500 6,649,904 0.395 0.405 0.4 0.42 0.385 0.395 16,540,000 6,690,300 CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY 0.315 0.325 0.31 0.325 0.31 0.325 30,000 9,450 12 12.04 12.2 12.2 11.96 12.04 372,800 4,477,610 DOUBLEDRAGON DDMP RT 1.96 1.97 1.95 1.97 1.93 1.96 7,574,000 14,723,250 6.89 6.9 6.91 6.91 6.9 6.9 27,100 187,020 DM WENCESLAO EMPIRE EAST 0.26 0.265 0.265 0.265 0.265 0.265 160,000 42,400 0.138 0.14 0.142 0.144 0.137 0.138 11,150,000 1,545,810 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND 1.09 1.1 1.09 1.1 1.07 1.1 2,568,000 2,798,310 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.82 0.85 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 598,000 490,360 7.3 7.4 7.1 7.3 7.1 7.3 36,200 263,735 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 1.34 1.35 1.39 1.39 1.32 1.35 396,000 533,450 1.49 1.5 1.45 1.51 1.39 1.5 1,717,000 2,504,320 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 2.82 2.83 2.86 2.89 2.8 2.82 34,913,000 99,099,620 0.36 0.365 0.35 0.37 0.35 0.365 27,170,000 9,748,700 MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES 0.485 0.49 0.5 0.51 0.48 0.49 4,608,000 2,275,000 PRIMEX CORP 3.19 3.21 3.3 3.3 3.15 3.2 2,448,000 7,805,370 15.98 16 15.64 16 15.64 15.98 2,451,300 39,134,348 ROBINSONS LAND PHIL REALTY 0.236 0.249 0.244 0.249 0.235 0.249 540,000 130,010 1.5 1.53 1.49 1.5 1.49 1.5 31,000 46,390 ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 2.6 2.61 2.6 2.6 2.59 2.6 32,000 83,170 2.33 2.38 2.37 2.46 2.37 2.4 220,000 527,310 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 33.25 33.75 33.7 33.9 33.1 33.75 2,422,500 81,441,115 VISTAMALLS 3.65 3.77 3.62 3.8 3.62 3.79 18,000 65,860 1.4 1.41 1.4 1.41 1.4 1.4 135,000 189,080 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 3.45 3.46 3.48 3.48 3.42 3.45 1,171,000 4,022,850

SERVICES ABS CBN 10.94 10.98 10.9 11 10.9 10.94 31,700 347,392 GMA NETWORK 8.93 8.94 9.11 9.35 8.85 8.94 4,992,100 45,633,901 0.425 0.455 0.435 0.435 0.42 0.42 80,000 34,150 MANILA BULLETIN GLOBE TELECOM 1,861 1,865 1,846 1,868 1,830 1,861 16,010 29,772,665 1,275 1,277 1,290 1,290 1,270 1,275 68,830 87,771,125 PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.178 0.179 0.172 0.179 0.169 0.178 332,150,000 58,134,000 19.5 19.54 19.36 19.64 19.18 19.5 11,215,800 218,572,542 CONVERGE DFNN INC 3.91 3.97 3.9 4.04 3.88 3.97 585,000 2,297,030 DITO CME HLDG 9.83 9.84 7.8 9.9 7.8 9.84 105,671,900 946,036,278 2 2.14 2.06 2.14 1.98 2.13 77,000 154,680 JACKSTONES NOW CORP 2.29 2.3 2.22 2.32 2.19 2.29 3,054,000 6,875,360 0.365 0.375 0.355 0.37 0.345 0.37 5,930,000 2,138,650 TRANSPACIFIC BR PHILWEB 2.45 2.47 2.56 2.56 2.41 2.47 791,000 1,938,600 8.09 8.1 8 8.3 8 8.09 53,000 436,377 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 14.9 15.28 15 15.28 14.8 15.28 4,900 73,328 2.88 2.9 2.67 2.88 2.67 2.88 1,145,000 3,202,880 CHELSEA 45.1 45.45 46.2 46.3 45.1 45.1 329,700 15,096,545 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 139.5 140 140.1 140.1 139.3 140 1,049,980 146,884,663 15.82 16.8 16.9 16.9 16.8 16.8 5,100 86,126 LBC EXPRESS LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.96 1.03 0.96 1.03 0.96 1.03 47,000 45,260 4.34 4.35 4.25 4.35 4.1 4.35 1,014,000 4,345,750 MACROASIA METROALLIANCE A 1.96 2.03 2.08 2.08 1.95 2.03 12,000 24,070 5.54 5.55 5.79 5.79 5.53 5.55 27,500 154,305 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 1.18 1.2 1.19 1.23 1.16 1.2 466,000 548,130 ACESITE HOTEL 1.51 1.59 1.51 1.6 1.51 1.6 31,000 46,900 0.077 0.078 0.077 0.079 0.076 0.078 38,700,000 3,018,160 BOULEVARD HLDG DISCOVERY WORLD 2.61 2.8 2.84 2.84 2.8 2.8 8,000 22,630 0.5 0.51 0.51 0.53 0.5 0.51 1,901,000 967,880 WATERFRONT CENTRO ESCOLAR 6.49 7.29 6.51 6.51 6.49 6.49 118,500 769,325 6.88 7.85 7.86 7.86 7.86 7.86 300 2,358 IPEOPLE STI HLDG 0.33 0.34 0.335 0.34 0.33 0.34 420,000 140,500 BLOOMBERRY 6.3 6.35 6.4 6.41 6.25 6.35 633,600 4,011,900 2.05 2.17 2.12 2.17 2.04 2.17 13,000 26,810 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 1.44 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2,000 3,000 2.04 2.09 2.04 2.04 2.04 2.04 506,000 1,032,240 MANILA JOCKEY PH RESORTS GRP 1.8 1.82 1.75 1.89 1.74 1.82 1,486,000 2,676,680 0.4 0.405 0.395 0.405 0.395 0.405 2,020,000 799,450 PREMIUM LEISURE PHIL RACING 5.8 5.95 5.9 5.9 5.8 5.8 22,600 131,190 7.53 7.79 7.39 7.9 7.39 7.79 392,800 3,044,544 ALLHOME 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.25 1.24 1.24 332,000 412,300 METRO RETAIL PUREGOLD 34.9 35 34.65 35.8 34.65 35 3,044,300 106,640,775 48.3 48.5 50 50.1 48.5 48.5 750,500 36,949,915 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 108 111 108.7 110 107.4 109.5 64,110 6,972,125 1.14 1.15 1.13 1.15 1.13 1.14 479,000 543,570 SSI GROUP WILCON DEPOT 17.62 17.88 17.94 17.94 17.48 17.62 223,800 3,941,922 0.35 0.36 0.355 0.36 0.355 0.36 280,000 99,800 APC GROUP EASYCALL 5.91 6.39 6.48 6.48 5.9 5.9 41,200 243,868 PRMIERE HORIZON 1.71 1.72 1.5 1.77 1.48 1.71 45,822,000 74,770,350

-95,993,645 -3,253,090.00 -740,040 12,750 -68,224 -22,300 -451,492 1,339,110 -20,730 -17,080 -17,515 -32,090 202,420 27,366,500 80,100 -13,000 1,154,040 -27,454,940 52,000 -2,570,970 -607,670 -4,592,175 -45,652,710 1,115,730.00 -7,763,160 280,930 20,863,394.00 65,120.00 27,600 33,880 36,000 22,500 11,040 -2,796,220 33,585,964 368,800 -18,750 -511,540 608,762 -1,534,536 4,240 15,950 2,165,294 8,680 22,454,790 4,352,935 301,820 689.9997 -2,051,262 307,860

MINING & OIL ATOK 8.5 8.88 8.7 8.93 8.2 8.88 1,222,100 10,299,539 -44,630 1.69 1.7 1.68 1.7 1.64 1.7 2,786,000 4,660,670 -1,023,810 APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 7.67 7.7 7.78 7.78 7.63 7.67 637,200 4,895,590 -62,907 2.94 3.05 3.05 3.05 2.92 3.05 41,000 121,670 BENGUET A BENGUET B 2.82 2.95 2.89 2.95 2.89 2.95 12,000 34,800 0.31 0.32 0.31 0.32 0.31 0.32 40,000 12,600 COAL ASIA HLDG CENTURY PEAK 2.8 2.85 2.85 2.87 2.85 2.87 10,000 28,540 28,540 DIZON MINES 6.98 7 7 7 6.9 7 6,900 47,986 4,188 2.6 2.61 2.6 2.64 2.55 2.6 2,026,000 5,243,210 -644,870 FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.305 0.31 0.32 0.32 0.305 0.305 940,000 296,550 -38,400 0.157 0.158 0.156 0.16 0.152 0.157 46,870,000 7,299,220 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.157 0.163 0.157 0.157 0.156 0.156 430,000 67,280 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.014 0.013 0.013 79,900,000 1,111,100 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.013 0.015 0.014 0.014 0.013 0.013 119,500,000 1,668,700 1.29 1.3 1.28 1.33 1.28 1.3 1,056,000 1,386,790 -24,690 MARCVENTURES 1.42 1.45 1.49 1.49 1.38 1.42 112,000 158,470 -14,300 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 5.35 5.36 5.4 5.4 5.31 5.36 2,556,000 13,670,835 2,982,217 0.365 0.385 0.37 0.37 0.37 0.37 70,000 25,900 OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA 0.93 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.92 0.95 303,000 281,810 6.6 6.61 6.69 6.72 6.56 6.61 452,500 2,994,075 37,077 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 12.7 12.72 12.76 12.76 12.6 12.7 894,400 11,331,114 -5,914,488 0.0089 0.0093 0.0096 0.0097 0.009 0.009 217,000,000 1,976,900 9,500 UNITED PARAGON ACE ENEXOR 16.46 16.48 15.7 16.5 15.1 16.48 245,400 3,832,206 588,998 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.011 42,800,000 489,300 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 12,600,000 151,500 ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 48,800,000 558,100 6.2 6.22 6.4 6.4 6.2 6.2 1,371,100 8,589,007 -553,695 PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 101 101.2 101 101.2 101 101 152,140 15,368,110 AC PREF B1 520.5 534 520 532 520 532 1,360 723,075 723,075 43.1 43.2 43.95 43.95 42.9 43.1 81,100 3,523,010 -178,545 CEB PREF DD PREF 100.7 101.4 101.4 101.4 101.4 101.4 10 1,014 107.1 110.4 109.7 110 109.7 110 2,170 238,406 FGEN PREF G GTCAP PREF B 1,035 1,046 1,046 1,046 1,046 1,046 2,800 2,928,800 100.5 101 101 101 100.9 100.9 500 50,490 4,036 MWIDE PREF MWIDE PREF 2A 100 101 100 100 100 100 500 50,000 MWIDE PREF 2B 100.2 101.5 101.5 101.5 100.1 100.1 2,010 202,691 104 108 104.5 108 104 108 21,480 2,297,296 PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 1,002 1,005 1,005 1,005 1,002 1,002 130 130,290 1,020 1,037 1,037 1,037 1,037 1,037 50 51,850 25,925 PCOR PREF 2B PCOR PREF 3A 1,098 1,100 1,098 1,098 1,098 1,098 490 538,020 1,148 1,157 1,157 1,157 1,157 1,157 20 23,140 PCOR PREF 3B SMC PREF 2C 78.8 79.9 79.9 79.9 79.8 79.9 51,270 4,096,453 77 77.35 77 77 77 77 1,350 103,950 SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2H 77.55 78.45 78 78.5 78 78.5 64,000 5,020,950 SMC PREF 2I 78 78.5 78.5 78.9 78.5 78.5 29,800 2,340,020 75.95 76.9 75.95 75.95 75.95 75.95 550 41,772.50 - SMC PREF 2K

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS GMA HLDG PDR 8.6 8.74 8.6 8.85 8.6 8.74 179,400 1,563,736 -311,880.00

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 1.39 1.43 1.32 1.44 1.32 1.43 405,000 569,820 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 16.04 16.48 16.5 16.8 16 16.6 327,500 5,262,386 -3,245,104 ITALPINAS 2.35 2.39 2.25 2.39 2.15 2.39 377,000 851,030 5.1 5.35 5.08 5.1 5.07 5.1 3,100 15,758 5,100 KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE 2.53 2.54 2.54 2.54 2.54 2.54 1,000 2,540 4.2 4.21 3.94 4.2 3.94 4.2 18,693,000 76,939,630 1,573,140 MERRYMART

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 94.75 95.9 96 96 94.75 94.75 37,390 3,561,510.50 86,377

www.businessmirror.com.ph

NGCP to comply with ERC directive for maiden offer

T

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said Thursday that it would comply with the regulator’s directive to complete the requirements for its initial public offering (IPO) and pursue its maiden offering in 6 months.

“We will fully comply with the ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] order. This IPO is part of our franchise and we have been preparing for this. In accordance with the ruling, we will comply with giving (ERC) monthly updates and we are mindful of the six months deadline,” said NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza during a virtual press briefing.

According to the 14-page ERC order, the agency has verified that NGCP’s application for approval of its Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Listing with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) will be filed in June this year, while approvals from the SEC and PSE are expected to be issued towards the end of August.

“It can be deduced that NGCP has, in fact, started complying with the IPO requirement and only needs to complete the process.

NGCP is hereby directed to complete its compliance with the IPO

requirements until the successful listing thereof within six months from receipt of this order,” the ERC order, which was promulgated last May 14, stated.

The ERC also directed NGCP to submit a compliance report on its public listing activities on or before the 5th day of every month.

NGCP is to list at least 20 percent of its outstanding capital stock within 10 years from the commencement of its operations. Per NGCP’s 2019 audited financial statement, its outstanding capital stock is 2 billion valued at P1 apiece.

The value of the total shares to be listed is expected to reach $1 billion, according to BDO Capital President Eduardo Francisco, who testified for the grid operator during the ERC hearings.

NGCP has tapped BDO Capital as its financial adviser in the IPO process.

Meanwhile, NGCP said it continues to improve the overall per-

percent. For the SISI, Luzon only recorded 0.869 system minutes of interruptions in 2020 compared to 9.537 in 2008; 10.010 from 83.559 in Visayas; and 9.124 from 10.434 in Mindanao.

All three grids have significantly reduced, if not completely eliminated, violations on frequency and voltage limits. The Luzon grid in particular reported 100 percent, or no violations in frequency limit compliance (FLC) since 2010. FLC refers to the percentage of time where the system frequency is within the allowable range of 60 ± 0.3 Hertz, which is the optimal operating frequency of the transmission system.

“We are pleased to report that since NGCP commenced operations in 2009, we have continuously performed over and above our targets year-on-year. This is a result of the company’s relentless efforts to continuously upgrade, expand, and improve transmission facilities. We assure our stakeholders that our ongoing projects and programs seek only to further improve our services,” the company said.

NGCP’s performance indicator ratings are the basis of its incentives, as indicated in the Performance Incentive Scheme (PIS) which is approved every regulatory period and monitored by the ERC. NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned company in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority shareholders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto Jr.

formance of the transmission grid since taking over as the country’s sole transmission service provider in 2009.

Among the key indicators in which it continues to outperform is the Frequency of Tripping (FOT), which measures the number of times highvoltage transmission lines tripped or experienced forced outages for every 100 circuit kilometers (ckm).

NGCP’s 2020 performance shows a significant decrease in tripping incidents across all 3 major island grids.

In Luzon, the number has gone down significantly from 3.985 in 2008 to 0.932 in 2020, marking a 76.6-percent decrease in tripping incidents.

Visayas recorded 4.542 to 0.335, a decrease of 92.6 percent. For Mindanao, the number went from 7.951 to 0.504, a decrease of 93.6 percent.

“The FOT is the most tangible proof of our performance felt by endusers. Our improved numbers are attributed to the continuous improvement and upgrading projects such as wood pole replacement, substation additions, capacitor bank projects, and new transmission lines, effectively reinforcing the stability and reliability of the grid in any condition,” it said in a statement.

NGCP said it also improved the capability of the grid to mitigate the impact of power interruptions to overall grid operations, which are measured by the System Availability (SA) indicator and System Interruption Severity Index (SISI).

In 2020, Luzon’s SA scored 99.208 percent, Visayas at 99.764 percent, and Mindanao at 99.736

Prime Infra keen on building biorefinery plant

R

azon-led Prime Metroline Infrastructure Holdings Corp.

(Prime Infra) and partners are exploring the possibility of putting up a biorefinery plant in Luzon.

Prime Infra and US-based WasteFuel Global have established WasteFuel Philippines for its waste-to-fuel project.

WasteFuel Philippines is now evaluating the feasibility of putting up a biorefinery plant, which will transform landfill waste into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It would convert over one million tons of municipal waste into 30 million gallons of low-carbon synthetic crude oil annually.

The plant, which will be located in Luzon, is targeted for commercial operations in 2025.

“The Philippines’ capital region alone generates around 10,000 tons of municipal solid waste per day, equivalent to the weight of approximately 17 Airbus A380 planes. At WasteFuel Philippines, our goal is to turn waste into a valuable source of clean energy, thus improving waste management processes and reducing carbon emissions from transportation,” said Prime Infra President Guillaume Lucci.

WasteFuel Global Chairman and CEO Trevor Neilson said the project will help solve the municipal waste problem and minimize methane emissions from landfills.

“This is addressing sustainability in a whole different way and creates a profound social and environmental impact,” Neilson said.

NetJets, a leader in private aviation, has committed to purchase a minimum of 100 million gallons of SAF from WasteFuel over the next 10 years.

Utilizing the most effective technologies available, WasteFuel will produce fuels that burn up to 80 percent reduction in carbon compared to fossil-fuel based aviation fuels.

Prime Infra, the core infrastructure arm of Razon, is involved in construction, water and power segments.

It has a 50-percent interest in Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings Inc. (Solar Philippines), the owner of the largest solar farm in the country. Prime Infra paid P1.5billion for this.

This transaction is the first step towards Prime Infra building its power generation portfolio in the Philippines. Lenie Lectura

UnionBank expects to complete migration to the cloud by 2022

U

nionbank of the Philippines announced on Wednesday that it is migrating its IT infrastructure from on-premises to the cloud by 2022 in an effort to accelerate the bank’s digital transformation and improve customers’ digital banking experiences.

The bank chose Amazon Web Services Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com company, as its cloud platform. The bank is poised to become the first major Philippine bank fully hosted in the cloud.

Once the migration is complete, UnionBank will run almost 400 so-called “mission-critical applications” on AWS, including Finacle Core Banking and SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud, to further modernize its IT infrastructure, drive operational efficiencies, and innovate new services.

By scaling its operational workloads on demand using AWS, UnionBank expects to reduce infrastructure maintenance and operation costs by $1 million over the next 5 years. Bianca Cuaresma

mutual funds

May 19, 2021

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

201.84

11.32%

-8.49%

-5.07%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.2461

34.44%

-6.64%

-0.05%

-5.1%

13.24%

-13.08%

-7.53%

-12.05%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 2.7554

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7066 12.12%

-8.47% n.a.

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6726 1.69%

-7.72% n.a.

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

-6.39%

-3.68%

3.8%

-10.42%

4.4588

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

12.28% 0.6343

-11.17%

-12.1% -9.3% -9.76% -8.61%

93.17

25.99%

-6.68% n.a.

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

41.1941

13.93%

-6.83%

-4.05%

-12.07%

-6.71%

-4.39%

-11.21%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

434.16

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5

0.9991

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.0742

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

31.0813

11.1%

19.8% n.a. n.a.

14.85% 13.69%

-5.54% -6%

-3.08% -2.94%

-8.95% -8.05% -10.61%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.8019

11.89% n.a. n.a.

-12.17%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.2226

14.64%

-6.22%

-3.29%

-11.87%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

706.08

14.69%

-6.15%

-3.41%

-11.92%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.6387

12.47%

-10.32%

-6.73%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2192

10.79%

-8.23%

-4.72%

-11.17%

-6.52%

-3.58%

-12.16%

-2.18%

-10.07%

-5.98%

-2.8%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.8061 14.13% United Fund, Inc. -a

2.9848

12.29%

-6.08%

-16.52%

-8.6%

-11.16%

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

94.7266

14.74%

-11.93%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities $1.2234

39.02%

3.35%

8.51%

1.7%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7142

ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

36.94%

9.79%

11.46%

2.47%

-3.57%

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

1.6091

7.81%

-2.15%

-2.11%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.1152

9.17%

-3%

-1.57%

-7.45%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.4625

6.74%

-2.12%

-1.72%

-6.26%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1844

2.1% n.a. n.a.

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

1.8657

5.31%

-0.04%

-0.19%

-5.01%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.482

6.18%

-1.55%

-1.5%

-8.08%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

15.6133

6.42%

-1.43%

-1.53%

-7.81%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

1.9505

7.44%

-2.46%

-1.34%

-6.86%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.3092 6.98%

-3.81%

-2.58%

-7.39%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 0.9442

6.47% n.a. n.a.

-7.67%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.842

8.72% n.a. n.a.

-11.29%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.8226

9.77% n.a. n.a.

-11.84%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

0.8121

6.52%

-5.05%

-3.26%

-7.15%

-8.52%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a

$0.03792

0.24%

3.02%

1.23%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1232

21.17%

2.26%

5.09%

-3.07%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.5818 27.13%

7.64%

8.27%

1.53%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.1931 14.29%

4.31%

4.59%

-0.75%

-2.35%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

371.15

2.18%

3.13%

2.48%

0.02%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9135

-0.96%

0.92%

0.12%

0.69%

4.41%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2243

1.57%

3.89%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2594

-0.86%

2.26%

1.5%

-1.59%

0.41%

3.18%

1.75%

-0.78%

1.65%

-3.36%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.434

0.3%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.4787

-0.82%

4.19%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6

1.3234

3.25%

4.31%

2.78%

0.17%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9713

2.19%

4.4%

2.46%

-0.74%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0271

0.61%

4.26%

1.71%

-1.43%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1954

2.02%

5.23%

2.78%

-0.33%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

0.83%

4.52%

2.11%

-0.69%

1.7429

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$484.1

3.11%

3.13%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є219.59

2.52%

1.08%

1.18%

0.19%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1747

-1.8%

1.87%

1.07%

-8.26%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0259 0.78%

1.59%

0.95%

-2.63%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

2.31%

0.05%

$1.0489

-0.31%

0.7%

-0.71%

-4.01%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.4832

3.54%

5.16%

2.09%

-2.07%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

$0.0627691

5.07%

3.52%

2.2%

0.72%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1389 -0.66%

2.9%

0.92%

-2.63%

2.52%

0.22%

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

130.09

1.94%

3.1%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0514 1.25% n.a. n.a.

0.31%

Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

0.53%

1.3035

1.88%

2.89%

2.57%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0568

1.4%

1.71% n.a.

0.42%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.2146 n.a. n.a. n.a.

7.52%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2

$1

11.11% n.a. n.a.

2.04%

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

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

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

6 - Re-classified into a Bond Fund starting February 21, 2020 (Formerly a Money Market Fund).

7 - Launch date is July 6, 2020.

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

Agriculture/Commodities BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Thursday, May 20, 2021 B3

FFF may file case against TC over rice tariffs

T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) said it is planning to file a case against the Tariff Commission (TC) for its alleged failure to comply with the rice trade liberalization law (RTL).

FFF National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor told the BusinessMirror that his group is now talking with lawyers on how to proceed with filing a case against the TC. Montemayor added that their initial plan is to file a case before the Ombudsman.

“We are thinking of filing a case against them for dereliction of duty for not complying with RTL [rice trade liberalization law] in setting the bound rate at 180 percent or more and usurpation of power [for adopting the 50-percent bound rate with-

out any authority from the president or Congress],” Montemayor said.

Montemayor disclosed that his group wrote to TC last April 27 to air their concerns about the rice tariff rates but there was no response from the agency.

“We are just questioning the process by which they arrived at a 50-percent applied bound rate,” he said.

Montemayor said the Philippines does not need to wait for the approval of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to implement the bound rate for rice imports since domestic law “prevails.”

“That’s what Korea did. Since the RTL [law] set the bound rate at 180 percent or higher, there should have been a process followed to reduce the bound rate to 50 percent,” he said.

“They cannot say it is 50 percent just because it was the bound rate before the RTL law, the RTL law already changed the rates. It is a legal matter and we are thinking of forcing them to explain by filing a case, because they are ignoring our queries.”

The country’s rice imports remain unbound to date since the notified bound rates by the Philippines are not yet approved by the WTO. The bound rate is the ceiling or the maximum tariff rate that a country can apply.

Prior to the RTL law, the country’s rice imports had been under a quantitative restriction regime and had an applied tariff rate of 40 percent for in-quota imports and 50 percent for out-quota imports.

During the TC hearings in February, Tariff Commissioner Ernesto L.

DA order waiving pesticide testing fees takes effect

T

HE private sector welcomed the recent implementation of Department of Agriculture (DA) Administrative Order (AO) 11-2021, saying the order waiving pesticide residue analysis fees is a big help to thousands of struggling farmers, exporters and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

In an e-mail to exporters, farmers and growers, DA-attached agency Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) confirmed the implementation on May 9 of AO 11-2021.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar issued the AO last February 24, a move that was immediately hailed by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport), and Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization Inc. (Philfoodex).

BPI Director George Y. Culaste approved the recommendation letter of BPIPlant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD) chief Ma. Esperanza DG. Uy to implement the AO on May 9, 2021 and to undertake short- and long-term plans to get the necessary funding to increase laboratory capacity.

The AO 11-2021 removes the fee requirement for the pesticide residue analysis carried out by the BPI and its laboratories, resulting in savings of P5,250 per lot sample.

The AO states: “All pesticide residue analysis to be conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry and its satellite laboratories nationwide on fresh and primary processed [frozen, dried, puree, etc.] fruits and veg-

etables intended for commercial export shall be free of charge, provided that the requesting party is a duly accredited exporter or from an accredited farmer.”

Following the AO’s issuance last February, PCCI President Benedicto V. Yujuico said this “will have a positive impact on agri-food enterprises and exporters, which have been looking for a silver lining as they strive to recover from the impact of the current health crisis.”

Philexport President Sergio R. OrtizLuis Jr. also noted that the “competitiveness of our export sector will grow with the easing of the cost burden of our farmers and growers.”

For his part, Philfoodex President Roberto C. Amores commented that this “proves that when the public and private sectors work together, we can come up with measures that will help our industry compete in the international market and will provide the necessary support to improve the lives and livelihood of our farmers and MSMEs.” The business leaders added that the removal of the fees would benefit some 150,000 farmers and growers nationwide, including more than 1,000 small and medium-size processors and exporters that produce and process agricultural products.

The three organizations have long fought to have the pesticide sampling fees removed. In January this year, they jointly called anew to reinstate free pesticide residue analysis of all fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables for export.

DENR turns over JICA-funded projects to upland dwellers

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

T

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 2 has recently turned over to concerned local government units in Nueva Vizcaya agroforestry support facilities worth P58.3 million.

During separate ceremonies, DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan led the turnover and the signing of the tripartite memorandum of agreement for the operation and maintenance of the infrastructure support facilities.

These include the Buyasyas Irrigation Pipeline System in Brgy. Buyasyas, Kayapa town; and the Nantawakan Pathway in Barangay Nantawakan, Kasibu.

In Dupax del Sur, the local government and the people’s organizations (POs) accepted the responsibilities in the operation and maintenance of the Abuang Hanging Bridge in Brgy. Banila and the Canabay Access Road with Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert Structure in Barangay Canabay.

Constructed under the Forestland Management Project (FMP), the agroforestry support facilities partly aims to boost the protection and maintenance of about 3,000 hectares of reforestation and agroforestry plantations developed by the people’s organizations in the municipalities of Dupax del Sur, Kasibu and Kayapa.

A 10-year watershed rehabilitation project implemented by the DENR and funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under a loan agreement, the FMP provides infrastructure support facilities to upland dwellers depending on what the community needs the most.

“While we improve the forest condition of the province, we also uplift the life of the upland communities as their farm products will be easily transported to the Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural Terminal or to the nearest market,” Bambalan said.

The DENR Region 2’s top official added that the facilities will provide easy access to basic necessities and social services to at least 13,000 residents.

Meanwhile, she appealed for the support of the village chiefs in forest protection and in the restoration of the Cagayan River.

Aside from the four newly turned over projects, DENR provincial chief Edgar Martin reported that 26 more agroforestry support facilities are expected be completed until next year.

“These projects will also support our plantation areas established under our National Greening Program,” Martin said.

During the turnover ceremonies, the provincial and municipal local governments thanked the DENR and the JICA and vowed to support the watershed rehabilitation project.

They pointed out that there was neither merit nor legal basis for imposing the fees, saying that before 2019, no such fees were being collected in compliance with Executive Order 554 of 2006 and DA AO 7-2007.

Saddled by these fees, Philippine export products such as bananas, mangoes, pineapple, asparagus and other local produce have been losing volume and share

in their top markets to rivals like Thailand and Mexico.

The fees jeopardized livelihoods and incomes, especially amid the erratic demand for various fresh and processed produce due to the severe effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The extra expenses eat up the already small margins of growers and processors who are very sensitive to cost issues due to market competition,” the organizations said.

Albano said the 180-percent tariff rate or higher, as prescribed by the RTL law, is the bound rate and not the applied rate.

Albano said that there has been no petition to change the applied rate whichwaswhythe50-percentout-quota rate was retained “for many years.”

In fact, Albano disclosed that the bound rate notified by the Philippines to the WTO, as computed by the TC, is 198 percent.

The move of FFF comes after various industry groups have expressed opposition to the Executive’s decision to reduce the tariffs on rice imports to 35 percent, both for in-quota and out-quota imports.

Industry groups like FFF and the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura have sought lawmakers’ intervention

to void President Duterte’s Executive Order 135 reducing the tariffs on rice imports to 35 percent. They said the measure was “baseless and detrimental to farmers.”

In its letter to lawmakers, FFF said the reduction of rice tariffs is “totally unjustified” and the reasons cited by the Office of the President about the measure are “baseless.”

FFF said the country’s rice market is already “wide open” for imports from any country following the enactment of the RTL, which deregulated the industry.

“There is no need to reduce tariffs nor is there any assurance that imports from non-Asean countries will increase simply because of a lowering of tariffs on their rice exports,” it said.

Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror

B4

Thursday, May 20, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL, Australia light up ‘globe’ for 75th year of diplomatic ties

Indian community supports PHL frontliners with free meals

O

N the occasion of the 75th anniversary of PhilippineAustralian diplomatic relations, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and Ambassador Steven J. Robinson AO led the commemorative lighting of the SM Mall of Asia globe.

From May 13 to 23, the giant display will feature the 75th anniversary logo, as well as images of Australians and Filipinos exhibiting mateship and bayanihan.

The event is a highlight of a year-long anniversary commemoration in both countries, as Robinson said: “This year, we are celebrating the depth of the friendship and partnership between Australia and the Philippines which has stood firm through good times

and bad—including, especially, the events of the past year.”

The ambassador added, “Secretary Locsin and I launched the 75th anniversary celebration on Australia Day in January [through the web site] mateshipandbayanihan.com. I am confident that the Australian tradition of mateship, which admirably aligns with the Philippine spirit of bayanihan, will continue to form the bedrock of the mutual support we provide to each other.”

FREE meals for frontliners—courtesy of the local Indian community LOCSIN and Robinson

The Philippines is one of Australia’s longest-standing bilateral partners. Formal relations between the two countries were established when the latter opened a consulate general in Manila on May 22, 1946. The date is now celebrated each year as “Philippines-Australia Friendship Day” by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 1282.

Robinson also launched an on-

line campaign to inspire people across the Philippines to join the festivities by sharing their stories of friendship.

“This month of May, I invite everyone to join the celebration on social media by reflecting on our deep relationship and sending messages of friendship using the hashtags #mateshipandbayanihan and #FilAussieDay,” he said.

300 years in a monastery, 50 in ‘Hollywood’

by Chargés d’affaires a.i.

Jarosław Szczepankiewicz Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the Philippines

T

HE Philippines, with its more than 110 million citizens, is an important economic partner of Poland that, regretfully, we have been underestimating for many years.

The country displayed a very strong anti-Communist sentiment since its independence in 1946. At that time, relations with Poland— then dominated by the United Soviet Socialist Republic—were kept to a minimum. This state of affairs lasted until 1972, when former president Marcos issued a decree authorizing development of direct-trade relations with countries from the Communist bloc.

The following year, diplomatic ties with Poland were established.

The breakthrough was achieved following the fall of Communism in 1989. In 2020—for the first time in history—the modern office of the Polish Embassy in Manila was commissioned to be established.

The three most promising sectors that we wanted to devote most attention to in 2021 are food and beverages, cosmetics and information technology (IT). The food industry is important for Poland, as a quarter of the food in the Philippines is imported. It is also key that the local, fast-growing middle class has growing aspirations to quality and safety of food products. Online sales have also exploded.

Accordingly, in Poland in 2020, food and agricultural products made up 14.3 percent of its total exports, having an increased share from 13.3 percent from the previous year.

Although more than 80 percent of Polish food is exported to our European neighbors, in recent years the category has also been recognized for its distinctive quality and price in distant markets across the Americas, Africa and Asia—including here in the Philippines.

In fact, Filipino consumers have long appreciated the quality of our dairy products and meat. Currently, we are working on expanding access to the local market for Polish meat products, especially poultry and pork.

Another area where Poland is becoming a significantly important partner for the Philippines is in the cosmetics industry. Revenue in this sector is growing at a rate of 3.5 percent to 6 percent annually. In 2019 it amounted to $765 million.

The Philippine premium segment of the cosmetics industry, in particu-

SZCZEPANKIEWICZ

lar, is gaining more momentum and market share every year. In 2015 premium cosmetics comprised 20 percent of total sales across the country.

This figure is expected to increase to 30 percent by 2030.

Positive trends also persist in the sale of products with skin-whitening properties, antiaging cosmetics and preparations based on natural ingredients. Sales prospects in e-commerce channels are also growing. Estimated number of users of online platforms in 2024 is expected to cater to 53.6 million Filipinos.

Currently, there are 73 million Internet users in the Philippines. Perhaps most importantly, with English being commonly used here, it makes it easier for the IT to facilitate transactions, hire international talent, and service an international customer base. Estimated value of the local IT industry is currently at $4 billion.

Opportunities for the IT field can be found in data/analytics, software, mobility, food-tech, travel, “proptech,” health and education. With more than 52 million Filipinos falling into the “unbanked” category, there are also hugely rewarding opportunities for the financial-technology sector covering banking, cashless transactions, loans, insurance and investments. All these bode well for the Polish IT industry. Already, several Polish companies are operating in this sector in the Philippines, including Lingaro, Nextbank, PeraJet and TendoPay. Equally important areas where Poland can contribute are innovative technological solutions for treating wastewater, improving the quality of drinking water and reducing flood risks, with which the Philippines has serious concerns.

Total trade quadrupled

IN recent years, I have observed a clear expansion of Poland’s exports to the Philippines. The scale of this phenomenon is evidenced by the significant increase in export value in turnover from €80 million in 2018 to €179 million in 2020, while our imports slightly decreased in this

period from €460 million in 2018 to €454 million in 2020, which translated into a dip of Poland’s turnover balance with the Philippines from €380 million in 2018, to €275 million in 2020.

Overall, total trade between Poland and the Philippines has more than quadrupled over the past decade: from €130 million in 2010, to a staggering €633 million in 2020.

Last year our three largest export categories to the Philippines were airplanes and helicopters (export value of €70.3 million in 2020), milk and cream (concentrated or sweetened; export value of €22.5 million in 2020, and an increase from €15 million in 2019), orthopedic equipment and appliances, dentures and hearing aids (export value of €11.6 million in 2020—a jump of €3 million from 2019), as well as uncoated sulphate paper, cardboard in coils, and sheets (export value of €6.25 million in 2020—an increase from €2.8 million in 2019).

Likewise, the Top 3 import categories from the Philippines were magnetic tapes and disks for recording sound and other signals (import value of €127.8 million in 2020—a hike from €99.9 million in 2019), machines and devices for automatic data processing (import value of €60.3 million in 2020, but was lower compared to 2019’s €67.4 million), electronic chips and microassemblers (import value of €49.5 million in 2020, but a decrease from €60.7 million in 2019).

However, it is worth noting that perhaps the most spectacular export product made in Poland was the S70i Black Hawk multirole helicopter, manufactured by PZL Mielec. The Philippines purchased 16 of these machines under a bilateral contract signed in 2019 at the total value exceeding $250 million.

At the same time, the Polish defense industry is gaining more ground and recognition for the competitiveness of both the quality and price offer.

Polish investment in the Philippines is on the rise: Filipino investors recognize the value of our commercial real estate. Since 2014 Polish entrepreneurship presence in the Philippines has been steadily rising.

In addition to investments in business-process outsourcing or BPOs, there are more investments in industrial production such as building materials and packaging, while the value of services for the Philippine merchant fleet is also increasing. Important Polish investment projects are those of the Pietrucha Group (manufacturing) and Lingaro (IT services).

The Polish beauty brand Inglot, which has four franchise stores in shopping centers across Metro Manila, is also successfully operating in the local market.

The oldest example of the Philippine engagement in Poland is the investment of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. or ICTSI in the Baltic Container Terminal in Gdynia, completed in 2006, with an estimated value of approximately $100 million. The Filipino company ISOC Holdings Capital Fund, meanwhile, invested around $275 million in commercial real estate in Katowice, Gdańsk and Wrocław—a testament to the increasing perception of value foreign investors hold in Poland’s growing economy.

Polish entrepreneurs are interested in acquiring a labor force from the Philippines in the hotel, gardening and automotive sectors. Although Manila is located about 16 hours of flight from Warsaw, our borders are separated on land by only two countries: Russia and China. In 2017 Polish tourists spent around €3.5 million in the Philippines, meaning that Poles had spent more here than all of the citizens from Central and Eastern European countries combined.

The number of Polish nationals residing in this country in 2018 increased by 25 percent compared to the year prior. The upward trend continued in 2019. According to data from the Bureau of Immigration, nearly 16,000 Polish citizens—mainly tourists—came over two years ago.

Regretfully, last year, because of the pandemic, local authorities decided to completely suspend incoming visitor traffic. Thus, growth trends stopped.

Manila, as well as the Islands of Cebu, Bohol, Boracay and Palawan, were the most popular among Polish tourists.

A popular local saying is that the modern history of the Philippines is comprised of “300 years inside a convent, and five decades of ‘Hollywood’.” This illustrates well the way foreign cultures had become part of the Asian identity of the Filipinos.

(Few people today know that the well-known Christmas dish called “chicken galantine” came from Poland in the 19th Century.)

Similar to Poland, Christianity took root in the Philippines with the first outpost of Ferdinand Magellan.

And it is perhaps thanks to our common Christian Catholic denomination, which especially strongly links our two countries, that the central Polish figure of the first non-Italian pope Saint John Paul II, is still so popular here. It is our mission that his homeland—Poland—becomes well known to every Filipino.

R

ECOGNIZING the huge contributions of Filipino frontliners in the fight against the pandemic, Indian multinational firm Agri Exim Global Phils. Inc.—exclusive importer of Waah Organic in the Philippines—has collaborated with Bharati Manila and Indian Expat Women’s Association—a nonprofit, community-based charitable organization supported by the Embassy of India and assisted by Philippine Business for Social Progress—to distribute Waah Organic’s One-Day Meal packets containing Ready-toEat Indian meals and snacks.

The food packs were provided by members of Bharati to 2,688 medical workers in the Ospital ng Muntinlupa and Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

“Through this drive, [we] would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every individual who had served to combat this pandemic, and hopes to nurture more the good and healthy Indian-Philippine relationship,” said Agri Exim CEO Ro-

hit Dhawan. “[We wish] that these scrumptious meals are relished by our living heroes: our frontliners.”

Making waves in the US and other countries for years, Waah Organic has created a line of “certified organic, ready-to-eat” food which is easy-to-prepare, yet nutritious. The healthy meal is perfect for those who have become increasingly health-conscious—especially with the emergence and spread of the pandemic.

More than a range of ready-toeat meals made with the freshest ingredients, Waah Organic is considered “wellness in a box.” Authentic Indian recipes of dals, rice and simmer sauces have been created with organic ingredients handpicked from farms without traces of chemicals or synthetic pesticides. Ingredients are processed without additives or harmful preservatives to retain their natural taste and freshness. It was recently made available in the Philippines through shopping app Lazada.

Sri Lanka, DOT tackle initiatives on tourism sector recovery

BENGZON and Gunasekera

A

MBASSADOR Shobini Gunasekera formally discussed with Tourism Development Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr. the implementation of the memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Philippines signed in 2019 for the development of the industry.

As an initial step toward convening the joint working group between the two countries in the coming months, both officials committed to extend their full support by coordinating the conceptualization of a work plan and agenda which will serve as the framework of the “mutuallybeneficial engagement.”

Apart from the above initiative, the two expressed their interest to

pursue bilateral promotion activities, sharing of best practices and experiences, capability development, as well as other related collaboration in the sectors of wildlife, nature, cultural and heritage, ecotourism, community-based tourism, among others, as potential areas for convergence.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka acknowledges the Philippines’s “stunning tropical landscape, rich biodiversity, pristine beaches, unique adventures, as prominent cultural and heritage attractions embodying its centuries-long Western colonial history. The country is a popular tourist destination in...Asean, and has reached an industry milestone with a recorded 8 million tourist arrivals...in 2019.”

FILM FEST FOCUS: AUSTRIA Coinciding with the 75-year celebration of its bilateral relations with the Philippines, Austria’s embassy in Manila is kicking off a month-long film festival featuring nine online videos until June 12. They will cover relevant sociopolitical themes of diversity, mental health, democracy and the environment. Dialogues with a number of Austrian directors are also lined-up. For more information and direct links to the films, proceed to the Austrian Embassy Manila Facebook page.

Parentlife BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Thursday, May 20, 2021

Memories of May M

ay is a funny month for me. I remember in my childhood the many times when, after I was introduced myself, the next remark would be: “Your birthday must be in May.” I would say, “No, my birthday is in February and my name is spelled with an ‘e.’” That would lead to another question about why my name was pronounced as “May.” Even though my birth month is not May, the month has always been a special one for me. In particular, the date of May 8. When I was a kid, this date was the fixed date of Mother’s Day. This was the birthday of my beloved yaya, Manang Eyang, who was like a mother to me. Then, a few days later, we also celebrate my dad’s birthday.

These past few months have been filled with a lot of anxiety, so I fully utilize my weekends to charge up.

Each Saturday afternoon, I would consciously allot time to look back on good memories to refuel me. I started by going back to a good book I have read. It helps that I used to either Post-It the pages or put a fold on the pages I liked, so now I just go back to them.

I would also re-watch the best K-dramas I liked. So far, I have gone back rewatching Doctors, Dinner Mate, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo and Suspicious Partner.

When this year’s Mother’s Day fell on May 8, I felt like going back to my greatest memories with my Manang Eyang.

Manang Eyang and I were like partners in crime.

When I was in nursery, I would get teased a lot by boys. She would tell me, “Kapag niloko ka, buntalin mo!”

So I remember following her and actually challenging the biggest boy in our class in arm wrestling, which I then won. When she picked me up one day from school, I told her I wanted Chippy. She said our money was only enough to go home. So, she challenged me that if we bought that Chippy, was I game to walk all the way home? So we did. We walked from St. Jude to Legarda and I think we finally took only one jeepney ride from Espana to Agno St. I remember the first time I ever got a star in Chiang Kai Shek when I was 4. She bought me this pink colored milk-based treat with red sago outside school and told me she would try to give me a treat every time I bring home an award. Every day, I came home from school, it would be the most fun afternoon.

Since she was also our family’s labandera, I would wash clothes with her. That’s why I know that if you hand wash, you need to rinse the clothes thrice. She would also let me water the plants with her. She would climb the macopa and santol trees, then we would eat them with salt and vinegar. She taught me to eat tuyo with crushed tomatoes and shrimp paste with my hands, the Ilocano way. She also loved letting me sit on her shoulders even though she was only barely 5 feet. I think I did this till I was 8.

I remember Manang the most as my protector.

How motherhood is now different— yet still the same

My dad and my kids during a Thanksgiving ceremony for him in a school in Cavite for the annex he donated.

When I was being chased by our family dog, I can still vividly remember her like a female Hercules, simply lifting me from my behind as if I was sitting on her two palms. She relayed to me that she was not even supposed be my nanny. She said she fought with my original nanny, who brought me out on a windy day after I had just come from a fever. So, my mom told her to just be my nanny instead.

I was so attached to her that I remember at times going to her room at night to sleep with her on her wooden-planked bed with no mattress. My saddest moments as a child were when Manang had to go home to San Quintin, Pangasinan. I would sit at the third highest step from the inside, which had a window view to the gate, crying as I watch Manang leave. Whenever she came back, her pasalubong would always be Indian mango, which I love eating up to today.

When she got sick in 2009, she went home to her province for a check-up. It turned out her cancer had already spread throughout her body. I was extremely grateful that the day before she passed away, I was able to say to her, “I love you, Manang.” I heard her

also say, “I love you, too.” I am so proud that my son’s second name bears her name, Victoria.

May is also the birth month of my dad. I have shared many columns about my unique journey with my dad. I am so proud that in his golden years, he continuously sets an example of how to turn one’s purpose into action. We are all excited about the foundation he is formally setting up which focuses on B.R.I.G.H.T., or Boosting Right Infrastructure for Good and Happy Teaching.

These good thoughts give me a stronger motivation to focus on the good things amid this pandemic.

I believe drawing inspiration from both Manang Eyang’s and my dad’s efforts on education, really makes me feel lucky to be able to do something more tangible through every column and every teaching act I do.

Let’s have a happy May, everyone. n

Should my child get the Covid-19 vaccine? 5 questions answered THE US Food and Drug Administration has expanded emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to include adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention followed with recommendations endorsing use in this age group after their advisory group meeting. The American Academy of Pediatrics also supports this decision.

Dr. Debbie-Ann Shirley is an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia specializing in pediatric infectious diseases. Here she addresses some of the concerns parents may have about their teen or preteen getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

1. Does the vaccine work in adolescents? Yes, recently released data from Pfizer-BioNTech shows that the Covid-19 vaccine seems to work really well in this age group. The Covid-19 vaccine was found to be 100 percent efficacious in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 in an ongoing clinical trial of children in the US aged 12 to 15. Adolescents made high levels of antibody in response to the vaccine, and their immune response was just as strong as what has been seen in older teens and young adults 16 to 25 years of age.

2. How do I know whether the vaccine is safe for my child? So far, the Covid-19 vaccine appears to be safe and well tolerated in adolescents. All of the Covid-19 vaccines authorized for use in the US have undergone rigorous study, but

we don’t want to assume that children are little adults. This is why it is so important to study these vaccines just as carefully in children before health authorities could recommend use. Ongoing studies will continue to follow vaccinated children closely and robust safety monitoring will help rapidly identify rare or unexpected concerns if they emerge.

3. I thought children were low-risk— do they still need to get the vaccine?

Currently, children represent nearly one-quarter of all new reported weekly Covid-19 cases in the US. While serious illness from Covid-19 is rare in children, it does occur—thousands of children have been hospitalized and at least 351 children have died from Covid-19 in the US. Some children who get seriously ill from Covid-19 may have underlying health conditions, but not all do. Vaccination will help protect children from developing serious illness.

Additionally, since adolescents can transmit Covid-19 to others, vaccinating children may prove to be an important part of safely getting back to normal activities of life, including attending school in person, participating in team sports and spending time with friends.

4. What side effects might I expect for my child? Nonsevere side effects may be experienced following vaccination. The most commonly reported side effects have been pain and swelling at the injection

site. Other common side effects include tiredness and headache. Similar to young adults, some adolescents have experienced fever, chills, muscle aches and joint pain, which may be more common after the second dose. These effects are short-lived, however, and most resolve within one to two days.

Some adolescents may faint when receiving an injection. If this is a concern for your child, let your vaccine administration site know ahead of time— your child can be given the vaccine while they’re seated or lying down to avoid injuries from falling.

5. Have there been any severe reactions among children? No serious adverse events related to vaccination were reported in the Pfizer-BioNTech clinical trial. Anyone with a known severe or immediate allergy to the vaccine or any component of the vaccine should not get the vaccine. If your child has a history of any severe allergic reactions or any type of immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or injectable therapy, let the vaccine site administrator know so that your child can be monitored for at least 30 minutes after getting the vaccine.

Parents should talk to a trusted health care provider or allergist if they have specific questions about the possibility of an allergic reaction in their child.

THE CONVERSATION

IT has been said that the face of motherhood differs from one generation to another. A decade ago, moms would use film cameras to capture their child’s best moments.

Today, they turn to smartphones to upload photos on social media. To earn extra income, moms back then would visit their kumares to sell them goods.

These days, they can be more creative with their platforms, even using livestreaming tools to reach their market and provide for their families.

Modern parenting has indeed been both easier and harder in many ways. But like family traditions, a mother’s love and care remain as valuable, no matter how they change with the times.

On Mother’s Day this year, moms felt waves of nostalgia when Lactum 3+ released a video reminding everyone of a mom’s unchanging love.

Directed by award-winning director Pepe Diokno, the film presented side-by-side comparisons of a mom’s varying experiences throughout different eras as it underscored what has remained constant—a mother’s love.

Vitaminized Lactum 3+ has been a trusted partner of Filipino moms in the all-around development of their children for 30 years now. Since 1991, it has been a brand that grew with mothers from the start of their parenting journey, until their kids become moms themselves who are now living their own dreams. The formula, which has vitamin C plus prebiotic inulin for immunity, DHA for brain and calcium for bones, is available in all leading groceries and supermarkets nationwide, plus online retailers.

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Quest Plus Clark wins TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice

Sarangani launches Covid-19 target testing

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OR two years in a row, Quest Plus Conference Center Clark is recognized once again by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel platform, as a travelers’ favorite in Clark, Pampanga for 2021.

This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travelers around the globe, having earned exceptional traveler reviews in TripAdvisor over the past year.

Even with a challenging year for the tourism and hospitality industry, this did not become a barrier for Quest Plus Clark in providing the best quality service and its signature Filipino hospitality to guests and travelers.

“The Travelers’ Choice Awards highlight the places that are consistently excellent – delivering quality experiences time and time again even while navigating changing customer expectations and new ways of working. Based on a full year of reviews from customers, this award speaks to the great service and experience you provided guests

in the midst of a pandemic,” says TripAdvisor chief commercial officer Kanika Soni.

The hotel is managed by Chroma Hospitality, Inc. a young, forward-thinking company crafting bold, innovative hospitality brands owned by Filinvest Hospitality Corp. It is the management company behind Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Manila, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Quest Hotel and Conference Center in Cebu City, Quest Hotel Tagaytay, and Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay.

For updates, visit www.questhotelsandresorts. com/clark or like and follow Quest Plus Clark on Facebook and Instagram.

#HolyGrail of pads: Thousands of Filipinas switch to Whisper‘s new breathable pad BLUE Angels of Sarangani

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HE provincial government of Sarangani recently launched a province-wide Covid-19 target testing which will run from May 19 to 29 as part of its campaign to control transmission of the virus. The 10-days target testing aim to conduct 6,000 antigen and RT-PCR testing to probable patients infected by the virus to detect, isolate and treat them.

The province has 172 active cases, one of the lowest in Soccsksargen Region and the country, Leading the medical campaign are

the Diagnostic and Testing Support Teams or the so-called Blue Angels of Sarangani consisting of provincial and municipal teams of medical technologists, doctors, swabbers, and encoders. The group is led by medical technologist Federico Yadao of the Provincial Health Office.

The Blue Angels underwent the Orientation and Update on Biosecurity and Biosafety in Antigen Testing Protocol before they were sent off by Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon. Also turned over were jump kits

contain personal protective equipment (PPEs), disinfectants, vitamins, and specimen carrier.

Gov. Solon earlier released Executive Order No. 16 Series of 2021 strengthening the implementation of the Modified General Community Quarantine imposing tightened border control and other measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The EO also reiterated public adherence to health protocols such as wearing of facemask and faceshield, 2-meter distancing, and constant handwashing.

Experience cool, comfortable summer with Sharp J-Tech inverter refrigerator and air conditioner

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NJOYING the summer during this new normal situation will be a whole different dynamic. Due to travel restrictions, we cannot go to the beach or tour outside the country. But it also means that we can spend these hot days having fun and doing worthwhile things. This is a great opportunity to bond with our family or learn a new hobby.

As we do these things, Sharp Philippines wants to provide us a safe yet convenient experience as we stay inside our house within this hot weather.

With its elegant and functional refrigerators, no need to go out often for your ingredients when preparing a meal.

You can stock up your necessities and food items, without worrying about what to cook for the next few days.

Here are some of the state-of-the-art inverter refrigerators from Sharp that can surely maintain the freshness and quality of your meat, veggies, and snacks:

Sharp 5D French door Inverter Refrigerators

THERE are several valuable advantages to a French door refrigerator, the most obvious of those being its unique layout. Sharp 5 Door Refrigerators 26.8 cubic feet (SJ-FTW27CVPBK) and 27.1 cubic feet variant (SJFTF27CVP-BK) got a special compartment called FREX room. It can be adjusted in 4 temperature settings according to your needs.

Meanwhile, the 26.8 cubic feet variant (SJ-

FTW27CVP-BK) has hidden water dispenser for easy drinking water access.

Sharp 4D Glass French door Inverter Refrigerator (SJ-FLG16AVP-BK) This model boasts of spacious storage and shelves. In addition to that, it is equipped with Plasmacluster Ion Technology to eliminate mold and bacteria thus making the food fresh for a longer time.

Sharp Side-by-side Inverter Refrigerator (SJ-BLS20AVP-SL)

SIDE-BY-SIDE refrigerators are best for kitchens that are narrow since they take advantage of the vertical space. This sleek home appliance from Sharp highlights a LED touch screen panel so you don’t have to open it to adjust settings. Moreover, it came with a handy ice maker that lets you make ice cubes from the tray in just a quick twist.

Sharp 2 door No Frost Inverter Refrigerators (SJ-FTG21CVPBK/SL) (SJ-FTG18CVP-BK/SL)

THIS practical yet elegant appliance from Sharp covers basic yet necessary features in a refrigerator. It sports a freezer organizer case so you can store meats properly and also a moisture vegetable case to prevent them from rotting early. The Mega Freezer delivers bigger storage capacity to store more food.

This 2 door refrigerator comes in two variants in terms of size and color. The 20.1 cubic feet variant is available in black and silver and the same goes with the larger 23.2

cubic feet model.

Meanwhile, we all agree that air conditioners are no longer a luxury with this kind of heat and humidity. For your family’s comfort, Sharp offers a diverse range of inverter air conditioners that are all suitable for long hours of use.

With its J-Tech inverter technology, the company claims that it can lower your electricity consumption by as much as 65 percent. To effectively clean the indoor air from microbes and viruses, they equipped these air conditioners with PCI technology. These home appliances are also built to last for a long time with their self-cleaning function and copper tubes covered in anti-corrosion resin coating.

Sharp J-Tech Inverter Standard Split Type Air conditioners

THE standard air conditioners from Sharp also got amazing functionalities.

With its Baby Sleep Mode, this appliance is suitable for sleeping with toddlers or infants since it won’t disturb their slumber. Meanwhile, enabling its strong jet mode can bring a strong blast of chilled air to make the room temperature in just 5 minutes.

Sharp J-Tech Inverter Premium Split Type Air conditioner

FOR a more luxurious experience for a smart home, Sharp Premium Air Conditioner comes with motion sensor and AIoT. To simply put, the built-in motion sensor adjusts the temperature and airflow settings depending on the number of people it detected. On the other hand, the AIoT makes suggestions on how this appliance should operate, based on its users’ day to day activities.

Both standard and premium series of this inverter air conditioner are available in four variants: 1.0HP, 1.5HP, 2.0HP, and 2.5HP. Before purchase, you should consider the size of the area or room first.

This is to make sure the horsepower of the Sharp air conditioner you are buying is enough.

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F you’ve been out of the loop, hundreds of girls posted about their period problems last February, and least to say it was like unboxing Pandora’s box. Personal stories of lagkit, sweaty, and stuffy, pads came up — these girls were over and done with the uncomfortable period life. So were celebs like Andre Brillantes, Maris Racal, Kyline Alcantara, and Angelina Cruz. They can still very much relate to common period problems, and just like the hundreds of girls with period problems, they were on the hunt for the perfect pad.

The chase for a breathable pad was on.

From one girl to another, and on to Twitter, in just a few minutes thousands of tweets claimed that they have finally found the pad that made them say, “Hinga lang, girl.”

For three days in a row, the new Whisper Breathable trended on Twitter with tried and tested testimonials from hundreds of girls making the switch.

Girls tend to be very choosy of the products they use after years of being let down. That’s why when Kyline had her sister switch to Whisper, they knew it was the #holygrail of the many pads they’ve since tried.

Angelina didn’t even have to convince her sister to switch. “I just had her try the feeling of having thousands of airflow vents on your pad… Super presko. She shared on her IG post.

From one family member to friends, even Kakie’s picky friend, Farrah Laurel, made the switch to Whisper Breathable.

Andrea Brillantes’ period days has improved a lot since switching to Whisper.

Now, even her sister has switched and is experiencing the same presko period feeling.

Although hundreds of girls have raved and recommended Whisper pads, some girls like Maris Racal were still very much skeptical until she’s tried the product. She mentioned on her Instagram post, “I had my doubts in switching to Whisper's New Breathable pads.

But after a lot of thought, I finally decided to try it and was really amazed especially with the thousands of airflow vents on the pads giving me a super presko period feeling!”

These are just a few of the hundreds of testimonials and personal stories from girls that share the love for the presko with Whisper experience.

The new pad variant has presko vents with thousands of airflow vents that let air pass through for a presko, light, and airy feeling. And if you’re wondering how they’re able to move freely even on their period, the new pad has new soft wings that can help reduce thigh irritation.

To see and feel is to believe, and thousands of Filipinas proved that the new breathable pad definitely gave them a happier, more presko period by dancing along to the #HingaLangGirl Challenge on Tiktok.

Visit the Whisper Facebook page for more updates.

From Palawan to NCR: Fulfilling dreams with Frotea

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N September 2012, Ana Lustre Malijan excitedly opened the first Frotea store in Palawan, her first real step into fulfilling her dream of being an entrepreneur.

Through it, she has found a unique way to connect with her community back home. Today, Frotea is a household name in Palawan, and Ana has since expanded operations outside of Palawan and into major cities in Metro Manila and Luzon.

Anna grew up in a family of engineers and witnessed her father running their familys construction business. “Before I started Frotea, I had some knowledge of running a business, but I still had to invest time to make sure I could grow the idea that I had and sustain it,” she says.

She decided to take the plunge and go into the food and business industry right after college, even if she was still working fulltime for her family.

During their first year, Ana and her husband would audit the store after working their day jobs. There were times when I would have to miss work so we could join school bazaars, she recalls. Whenever I saw an opportunity for Frotea to grow, I didnt think twice and took it right away.

After 6 years of operation, she finally decided to expand the business outside of Palawan. She knew that the competition would be much tougher, and she needed a product that could really compete with the other emerging brands in the market. In 2019, Frotea began importing all of their ingredients directly from Taiwan, while strategically maintaining prices for budget-

Cocoa Cream Puff conscious customers.

She also began to open the business for franchising, allowing many budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to purchase their own Frotea franchise.

Today, Frotea is considered one of the fastest growing milk tea brands in the country, thanks to their teams outstanding marketing efforts, quality drinks at prices everyone can afford, and passion for service.

Passion alone isnt enough, Ana says, dedication plays an equally essential role in succeeding. You have to continuously create value for your product. Determination, grit, and passion come together in Frotea's story, and for Ana, not letting doubt get in the way of her goals has multiplied her successes and accelerated her achievements.

Visit Frotea online at www.frotea. ph or follow them on social media @ froteaphilippines on Facebook and Instagram to know more.

Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

Health&Fitness BusinessMirror

Thursday, May 20, 2021 B7

NZ, Taiwan faced challenges in acquiring Covid-19 jabs

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

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ust like the Philippines, New Zealand and Taiwan admitted that the road to securing Covid-19 vaccines was not easy due to the global shortage.

During the BusinessMirror Coffee Club on May 14, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Representative Michael Peiyung Hsu added that after securing the Covid-19 vaccines, the next challenge they had to hurdle was the rollout.

“All governments are in the same boat,” Kell said referring to the challenges of Covid-19 vaccination program.

“We’ve been fortunate to observe what the government in other countries have done

in the rollout of vaccination.

And the backdrop is that— this is the largest immunization we’ve ever done and so, we’ve been working very hard to put in place a strategy that will make vaccination rollout effective and ultimately successful,” Kell said.

Kell said they imposed strategies which include registering and training additional 2,000 to 3,000 full-time vaccinator and purchasing nine large minus 80 degree freezers to store 1.5 million doses “on a daily time.”

“We’re also looking at what

this expansion would mean in terms of making sure that we have a cold chain network throughout our country that would allow distribution,” the New Zealand envoy said.

New Zealand’s vaccine rollout Kell said that New Zealand started its vaccination program on February 20 of this year.

“From that point on, we have a targeted rollout for about four months where we hope to reach two million people of the at most risk groups,” he stressed, recognizing that not all can be vaccinated because there are those who preferred not to be vaccinated and that vaccination is not mandatory.

He, however noted that people in New Zealand “are used of being immunized.”

“But the scale of this one [Covid-19 vaccine rollout] is the biggest ever,” he said.

Right after they were done

in giving jabs to the frontliners and other priority groups, Kell said that

by July onwards they target to “vaccinate the rest of the population.”

He said that they also want all people in New Zealand to be vaccinated to achieve the herd immunity.

As of May 4, he said that over 388,000 doses were already administered—over 268,000 received the first dose while about 120,000 received both two doses already.

New Zealand purchased Pfizer vaccines and they have “enough” supply.

Taiwan experience Hsu happily reported that their country was able to secure 20 million doses of different Covid-19 vaccine brands like Moderna and AstraZeneca while others would depend on the brand that the Covax Facility will send to them.

Taiwan started their vaccine rollout on March 22 using AstraZeneca vaccines.

“According to our Central Epidemic Command Center’s data, as of May 12, 2021, more than 120,000 people have been inoculated. In other words, an average of around 2,000 people are be-

ing vaccinated per day and the entire vaccination will run until all vaccines are used up,” the Taiwan official said.

Hsu said that they were able to secure the vaccines using two approaches­— from the pharmaceutical companies directly and from Covax.

He said that they want to achieve the herd immunity by the end of this year.

an improvement as the “vaccination rollout in Taiwan is already getting the momentum.”

“In the past, [there were] less than 10,000 people [who were] inoculated.

Now it’s more than 10,000. People are more aware of the inoculation,” he said stressing that they knew it is for the good of their health for it will protect them against the virus.

Vaccine hesitancy

Both Kell and Hsu assured that based on their personal encounter with Philippine officials, the country is doing its best to procure vaccines.

“Your officials, they are doing their best to procure vaccines. They are working very hard,” Kell said, stressing that the global supply shortage will have an impact on the rollout.

For his part, Hsu also said “the Philippine government has been doing its best to combat Covid-19.”

“Each country, they have different situations in securing the vaccines,” he said recalling the problem they also faced before when they were procuring the vaccines.

Due to their success to contain the Covid-19 pandemic last year, Hsu said that people in Taiwan “are not very willing to get inoculated.”

“That is why the inoculated people, the number is not really high but the government is trying very hard to encourage people to get inoculated,” he said.

In Taiwan, there are three vaccine manufacturers, two of which are planning to mass produce in July. If there would be any surplus, Hsu said that they are willing to share it with other countries like the Philippines.

However, he disclosed that recently they observed that there was

PHL government working hard

Nutritional intervention required Keep cool, drink lots of water, eat fruits and beat heat stroke to strengthen health in the elderly C

By Rory Visco Contributor

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mong older adults, ma l nut r it ion may bring several health related implications, and low muscle mass is among them.

Currently, malnutrition affects a third of older adults, and their numbers are expected to grow even faster, particularly in Asia. The Philippines is no exception to this situation, where malnutrition affects four out of 10 older adults.

Malnutrition happens when the body fails to get the necessary nutrients it needs. Underweight and overweight individuals are both affected by this and often goes undiagnosed since it is not assessed regularly during visits to doctors’ clinics.

As people age every year after they have reached 65, the odds of them having low muscle mass is 13 percent higher, even in older adults with normal nutrition status. The older they grow, the more they need protein in their diet—about 30 percent more—to retain muscle mass similar to that of a person in his twenties.

Thus, nutrition intervention is needed in order to strengthen the health of our elderly.

The SHIELD Study Now on its second phase, the SHIELD study, conducted

by Changi General Hospital (CGH), SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP), and Abbott, revealed that improved nutritional intake reduced the risk of malnutrition by almost three-fold and promoted better health.

The double-blind clinical study that involved 811 participants aged 65 and up and recently published in “Clinical Nutrition,” examined the effects of consuming oral nutritional supplements along with individualized dietary counselling to enhance health outcomes of older adults living in the community who are at risk of malnutrition.

The 811 participants were divided into two groups, and both groups were provided with dietary counseling. When compared to the control group who received individualized di-

etary counselling and a placebo supplement over six months, the other group of 405 participants, who also received individualized dietary counselling but were given two glasses a day of a specialized oral nutritional supplement with beta hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) instead, showed improvements in overall health outcomes without the need for hospital admission or readmission and weight gain of at least five percent, three times lower the risk of malnutrition, improved vitamin D status, and enhanced physical function, specifically increased leg and handgrip strength.

Low muscle mass is commonly associated with other adverse health outcomes and slower recovery rates among older adults. Other studies showed that loss of muscle mass may impact on the elderlies’ immune system that may tend to make them more defenseless to infectious diseases, especially now amid the Covid-19 pandemic. If unchecked, as an older adult loses more than 10 percent of their lean body mass, immunity will certainly be compromised. As people grow older, their bodies’ immune system will grow weaker and may lose its ability to fight pathogens and infections. Thus, building up muscle mass through diet, nutritional intervention, and exercise can help older adults retain their mobility, strength, energ y levels, and independence as they age.

“Given the Philippines’ aging population especially amid this pandemic, and the results from this SHIELD study, it is important to work to reverse the effects of malnutrition by developing interventions so that older Filipinos can continue to strengthen their immunity, and live healthy and active lives at home and in the community,” said Dr. Sandy Dumlao, President of the Philippine Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology.

Exercise and protein with HMB Protein needs increase with age, and muscle protein syn-

thesis can be more effective with the addition of regular and moderate exercise. A lack of protein may result in loss of muscle mass, leaving older adults more vulnerable to age-related symptoms such as frailty, sarcopenia, infections, and more. A high-protein, well-balanced diet plays an essential role in ensuring that the recommended daily intake of nutrients is met. Food types with lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, tofu, beans, and pulses, as well as cheese and other dairy products, are rich sources of protein. For older adults with chewing and swallowing difficulties, or having a loss of appetite, and those who are at risk of malnutrition, may be prescribed texture-modified diets or oral nutrition supplements that contain HMB during their dietary counselling to support proper dietary intake.

“Nutrition is fundamental for people to live well, particularly for older adults to maintain their strength and support their immune health, prevent disease and aid their illness recovery,” said Dr. Jose Rodolfo Dimaano Jr., Medical Director, Nutrition for Asia Pacific at Abbott. “ T hat’s why Abbott has been researching the impact of nutr ition in adu lts for more than 45 years. The latest clinical research on aging confirms that with specialized oral nutritional supplements cont a ining HMB toget her with dietary guidance, older adults—even those at risk of malnutrition—can improve their nutritional status, mobility and strength, and help them lead fuller lives with improved immunity, into their golden years,” he added.

“The findings of this study highlight the importance of early intervention, even for older adults living independently in the community,” explains Agnes Tey, SHIELD lead author and Senior Clinical Scientist at Abbott. “Assessing the nutritional status of the older persons in primary care is pivotal to their muscle health, making a big difference in their quality of life at the end of the day.”

onsume more fruits and dr ink plent y of water to avoid getting dehydrated as the country is currently experiencing very high temperatures.

This was the reminder of Department of Health (DOH)—Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo as the country has been experiencing very hot and humid weather the past few days.

“And it is best to keep the body cool by drinking plenty of fluids and eating fruits with high water content to stay hydrated. This will help prevent dehydration and will also keep your digestive system working well,” Janairo said.

Janairo also reminded nursing mothers to breastfed regularly as it provides 88 percent of water and gives the needed nutrition to a baby.

As the country has been experiencing high heat indices, Janairo reiterated that people should not stay out of the sun to avoid getting sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

“Don’t linger too long under the sun to avoid suffering from heat stress or heat exhaustion or worst getting a heat stroke,” Janairo said.

Underrated He said people underrated the effects of the summer heat on their health as too much exposure from the sun can cause serious heat-related illnesses.

While inside the house, “stay in the coolest part of the house and when you are outdoors, stay in the shade away from direct sunlight and wear light colored clothing to reflect the heat.”

“Don’t forget to drink plenty of water to keep your body cool,” he said.

On May 12, 2021, Sangley Point in Cavite registered a maximum heat index of 46 °C, Ambulong, Batangas with 42 °C and Tayabas City, Quezon with 37 °C. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) the highest heat index was recorded in Dagupan City, Pangasinan with a maximum of 51°C on May 8, 2021.

The heat index is the temperature that the body feels or the apparent temperature that gives the human body comfort.

“I urge everyone to take extreme caution as the hot temperature may continue during this summer,” he concluded. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

The Medical City South Luzon bags 2 awards in 2021 Healthcare Asia Awards

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he Medical City South Luzon (TMC South Luzon) was recognized by Healthcare Asia for its pioneering program in remote healthcare in the Philippines and employee engagement initiatives for the year 2020 during a virtual awarding ceremony conducted last May 12, 2021.

TMC South Luzon’s first Health care Asia award is the Service Delivery Innovation Initiative of the Year Award.

It was given for its innovative solution and contribution to public health in providing for patients’ continued access to safe and quality medical care during the pandemic.

As the Covid-19 scare and government-imposed lockdowns all but eliminated face-to-face consultations and treatments, TMC South Luzon initiated health-care delivery innovations to provide patients with options to access services and medical expertise.

At the height of the nationwide lockdown period, TMC South Luzon introduced its Virtual Clinic enabling patients to consult through various telehealth platforms. This was complimented by a Call Center that came with a call concierge feature and a Telehealth Hub where doctors would have private sessions with their patients.

The Telehealth Hub facilitates easy and efficient doctor-patient interaction as well as access to other hospital services, such as laboratory tests.

Another program under the Telehealth Hub is the TeleRehab Service, which enables patients to initiate and continue physical therapies at home.

In addition to virtual consultations, TMC South Luzon also realized

the importance of adequately and accurately informing its patients of the facts regarding issues of concern and of new developments. Misinformation about Covid-19 perpetuated online and this fueled a lot of anxiety and fear. Through its Social Media Doctor (SMD), the hospital provided its social media followers with a licensed doctor to respond to medical queries and to refer them to specialty doctors upon request.

“It is important for organizations to be innovative, responsive, and agile in order to provide solutions to challenges like forced restrictions of movement and the fear of exposure brought about by a pandemic. We knew that we had to provide health care outside of the traditional hospital setting because of this. We also envisioned that the future, even after the pandemic, would be remote health. Interestingly, Covid-19 sped up innovation in the health-care sector and shoved us into the future faster.” said Dr. Cesar Ramon G. Espiritu, TMC South Luzon President & CEO. TMC South Luzon was also one of the first and few facilities in Metro Manila to provide a Drive-Thru service not only for Covid-19 tests, but also for other services such as laboratory blood work, electrocardiogram (ECG), X-ray, and pediatric vaccinations. The hospital also re-launched their Home Care services for patients who were either still reluctant or incapable of going to the hospital for their nursing, physical therapy, nutrition management, and diagnostic needs.

Raising the bar even higher in remote health service delivery, TMC

South Luzon rolled out its Mobile Clinic in February 2021. Conceptualized, designed and constructed during the second half of 2020, the Mobile Clinic offers laboratory diagnostics, ECG, Xray, eye clinic consultations, physical and medical consultations via teleconsultations, and vaccinations, all in the comfort of their clients’ home or workplace.

As of December 2020, The Medical City South Luzon has served around 2,500 individuals using their new services.

“The Medical City South Luzon continuously strives to remain relevant and sensitive to the needs of our patient-partners. Innovativeness and accessibility are key priorities in our mission to serve.” said Dr. Espiritu.

The Medical City South Luzon also received the 2021 Healthcare Asia Award for Employee Engagement Initiative of the Year. TMC South Luzon always encourages positive changes in the workplace by keeping the employees engaged if not inspired.

By providing the needed tools and opportunities for development, TMC South Luzon nourishes a culture of engagement as well as an incentivized environment where everyone’s efforts are recognized and valued.

Exposed to such a positive workplace condition, employees develop a sense of pride, purpose, and pleasure in what they do. This resulted in an over-all performance at the end of a tumultuous year that exceeded all expectations. TMC South Luzon believes that investing in its people is an investment for success.

Sports BusinessMirror

Surfers feel at home on El Salvador waves

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| Thursday, May 20, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

SENATOR PIA JABS, STRAIGHTS PACQUIAO’S BOXING COMMISH CAYETANO

By Butch Fernandez

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HE bid of Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao to ensure passage of a law creating a Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission hit a snag on Tuesday night after Senator Pia Cayetano questioned the price tag—P150 million—just to set up a separate body that duplicates the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) but will serve only one sector in sports.

Cayetano, an athlete who said she had also taken up boxing to keep fit and fully appreciates Pacquiao’s concern for boxers, said she could not see budget authorities setting aside such a huge amount during a pandemic, when more urgent concerns in the government’s Covid-19 response are all crying for funding.

Cayetano interpellated the boxing legend on his Senate Bill 2077 or the “Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission Act of 2021.”

Pacquiao had been pushing for the legislation, saying it is needed to promote the safety and welfare, not just of Filipino boxers but also other combat sports athletes.

When Cayetano asked him, however, if he could cite instances of grave neglect by the present GAB of the boxers, the worldrenowned boxer did not cite any.

GAB currently supervises professional boxers and mixed martial arts participants.

Pacquiao just said, in reply to Cayetano, “many” boxers have suffered chronic ailments partly as a result of their sport, and many have died without any assistance from government despite their once having brought honor to the country.

Pressed to name recent notable cases, Pacquiao produced no list.

He had earlier reminded his peers that the Philippines has produced so many champions in professional boxing and other

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By Josef Ramos

HE six Filipino athletes vying in the World Surfing Games Olympic qualifiers at El Salvador’s Surf City are feeling almost right at home.

“The waves here are like those in La Union and Siargao,” national coach Ian Saguan told BusinessMirror on Wednesday. “In terms of the weather and the water, they’re no different from ours back home. Our surfers don’t need wetsuits in the competition.”

John Mark Tokong, Edito Alcala and Rogelio Esquivel Jr. are vying for

PACQUIAO

combat sports, and it was time to give them their due.

He had said earlier the Filipino boxers and combatants’ “superior physical strength, skills and talents,” given adequate State support, “will ensure our promising fighters top ranks in the world boxing and combat sports arena.”

The Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission that Pacquiao wants set up will “be the single agency” focusing on the “skills and talents of the youth towards its proper direction, to provide and implement the necessary welfare incentives and benefits long overdue to all professional boxers and combatants who have brought honor and prestige to our country.”

When Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Ways and Means committee, asked him if he had secured the nod of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for funding support for a new commission, Pacquiao said yes, he had been in discussions with them but offered no written commitment.

However, Cayetano said she had received clear signals from DBM that such a new commission cannot be given priority, given that the government is still scrounging for hundreds of billions to fund the Bayanihan 3, to help sectors pummeled by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She stressed that she appreciated Pacquiao’s generosity in helping all boxers in dire straits, including down-and-out has-beens struggling with hospital bills, but reiterated that it did not make sense to spend P150 million for a body catering to just one sport, while the existing GAB handles all the other sports.

“We need to have evidence that they’re [GAB] not doing their job well,” Cayetano said. “In the time of Covid, this is not the best use of P150 million.”

Tokyo Olympics slots in the men’s side, while 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Nilbie Blancada, Vea Estrallado and Daisy Valdez are competing in the women’s class.

Competition is expected to be tough in the May 29 to June 6 qualifiers set at Surf City’s La Bocana and El Sunzal—only the top placers of both genders will qualify for the Olympics.

But because of the conditions that are suited to the Filipino surfers, Saguan said he is confident of a successful campaign.

“We have three men and three women here. It’s survival to the fittest for everyone, but we went here as a team so we will emphasize teamwork,” he said. “If one wins, all of us are winners and I’m confident we can get the two spots for the Olympics.”

The team arrived in El Salvador on Tuesday night and are billeted at the Vaquero Surf Camp. The drawing for the heats is set on May 28.

“The competition is definitely the highest level that surfing can get to right now and our surfers are in the middle of it,” United Philippine Surfing Association President Dr. Jose Raul Canlas said.

“I think the whole country is praying for them. Any of them can get that Olympic slot.”

‘NO VACCINE, NO PARTICIPATION’ IN HANOI SEAG T

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino says the policy is good for everybody.

HE inoculation of national athletes and coaches bound for the Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games with anti-Covid-19 vaccine has become imperative after the Vietnamese organizers enforced a “no vaccine, no participation” policy in the November 21 to December 2 games.

The Vietnam SEA Games Organizing Committee made the announcement during an online SEA Games Federation meeting on Tuesday, according to Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Tolentino said the Vietnamese organizers assured in the meeting that the SEA Games will push through but stressed on the vaccine policy.

“Their policy [no vaccine, no

participation policy] is for the good of everyone,” said Tolentino, who wrote the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to prioritize the inoculation of SEA Games-bound delegates, especially athletes and coaches.

“Most of the athletes from our Southeast Asian counterparts are already vaccinated and we’re the only country that is left behind,” Tolentino said. “But we already wrote the IATF to prioritize the SEA Games-bound delegates.

We’re ready to take any vaccine [brand].”

The POC intends to send 626 athletes to the SEA Games. They will participant in all but one of the 40 sports on the Hanoi program.

Tolentino

said that the national sports associations (NSA) have been advised to identify the athletes who will be prioritized for the vaccination program.

“Before we fly to Vietnam, everyone should be vaccinated,” Tolentino said. “Or better yet, before the NSAs start training their athletes face-to-face.”

Tolentino said the POC has a $40,000 (P1.9 million) grant from the Olympic Council of Asia that would be used to purchase the vaccines.

POC first vice president Al Panlilio, who was tasked to purchase the vaccines, assured that the entire delegation would be inoculated as soon as the vaccines are available.

Only Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes Eumir Felix Marcial and Hidilyn Diaz have already been vaccinated.

Senators Francis Tolentino and Christopher “Bong” Go have earlier called on the earnest inoculation of athletes so they could begin face-to-face training.

Tolentino and Go called on the IATF to also prioritize athletes as vaccines of all brands have started to pour in.

Ports tycoon Enrique Razon also committed Moderna vaccines for all members of the Philippine delegation to the Tokyo Olympics, which are set from July 23 to August 8.

ASIAN WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY PREPS ON

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HE country’s hosting of the 21st Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in August has gone full swing with the provincial government of Pampanga and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) sealing their collaboration with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda and BCDA Vice President Arrey Perez laid the groundwork in a meeting early this week with PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara for the August 29 to September 5 championship.

“Governor Pineda is excited and supportive to host the

championship for the first time,” Suzara said. “He would like to have grassroots program for the youth volleyball in Pampanga and asked the PNVF to help him with getting coaches.”

Suzara said that the San Fernando Convention Center will be the main competition venue, while the Subic Gym and Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga serving as secondary halls.

“Renovation of SFCC is ongoing to meet the international volleyball standards,” Suzara said.

Jiangmen (China) withdrew from hosting the championship’s 21st edition, urging the International Volleyball

Novelty 1v1 matches up

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HE National Basketball League (NBL) and Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) get the cage fever rolling in Luzon when it holds the novelty 1v1 matches this weekend at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.

Three matches in the men and five in the women’s side are in store in the special event that showcases the individual skills and talent of players.

And instead of classifying both the men’s and women’s division through height limit,

the organizers classified the players according to weight— featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight.

“It’s like having a boxing but basketball is the game, so it’s going to be entertaining,” NBL/ WNBL Executive Vice President Rhose Montreal told the online Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday.

NBL 1v1 Commissioner Jerry Codinera and WNBL 1v1

Federation or FIVB to offer the task to the PNVF. “We [PNVF] saw the opportunity and we grabbed it,” said Suzara, who will also be meeting anew with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma.

The Philippines hosted the continent’s top-tier women’s championship way back in 1997 and in 2017. The week-long tournament will also serve as a qualifier for next year’s FIVB Women’s World Championship to be hosted by The Netherlands and Poland.

Japan won its fifth title two years ago in Seoul and in the 2017

edition in Biñan, Laguna.

Thailand, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalists in 2019 and runner-up to Japan in the past two championships, is also expected to compete.

The Philippines, which is making a return to continental play after missing the event two years ago, will start training in June for the tournament.

“We expect our young players in the national team to be promising and to have good experience before the SEA Games in Vietnam,” said Suzara, who was recently named secretary of FIVB’s newly-formed Volleyball Empowerment Commission for the term 2020-2024.

Commissioner Haydee Ong joined Montreal in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Ong said the women’s matches feature Allana Lim against Snow Penaranda (light heavyweight), Jhenn Chrystelle Angeles against Angelica De Austria (lightweight), Sthefanie Ventura against Nicole Cancio (welterweight), Jo Razalo against Girly Villaflores (heavyweight) and Jolina Go versus Nicole Delos Reyes (featherweight).

Codinera said the men’s contest include former

Barangay Ginebra player Teytey Teodoro against Arnaud Noah (heavyweight), Christopher Lagrama against Mark Tamayo (featherweight) and Raymart Amil against Marvin Baracael (welterweight).

The NBL 1v1 will feature three rounds of five-minutes games with no timeouts. In between rounds, there will be a two-minute interval in the race-to-30 contest.

The WNBL meanwhile, will have one timeout per round—although the first four minutes will be running time.

Championship belts will be given to all the winners per weight division.

PAMPANGA Gov. Dennis Pineda (center) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority Vice President Arrey Perez (right) meets with Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

$10K for gold in Dubai boxfest

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HE Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships offers not only medals but also cash prizes for the podium finishers.

A gold medal is worth $10,000 (roughly P480,000) in the tournament Dubai is hosting from May 21 to June 1. A silver medal, on the other hand, is worth $5,000 and a bronze $2,500.

The International Amateur Boxing Association raised the prize fund totaling $400,000.

The prizes could augur well for Tokyo Olympics-bound Eumir Felix Marcial, who only recently ranted on social media about a supposed lack of financial support from his national sports association and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The cash incentives are also an added motivation for the other Filipino boxers—fivetime Southeast Asian Games gold medalist light flyweight Josie Gabuco and Mark Lester Durens, lightweights Maricel dela Torre and Jere Samuel dela

Cruz, flyweight Marvin Tabamo, bantamweight Junmilardo Ogayre and light welterweight John Panuayan—who are also fighting in Dubai.

The team will fly to Dubai via an Emirates flight on Friday with coaches Roel Velasco, Joegin Ladon and Mitchell Martinez, sports psychologist Marcus Jarwin Manalo, masseur Herbert Manlangit, physiotherapist Rhodalyn Martinez and AIBA’s Ludy Therese Cariales.

Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions which signed Marcial to a professional contract last year, said the 25-year-old Zamboangueño would be going for the gold in Dubai.

“I will be very surprised if he [Marcial] doesn’t win the gold in Dubai,” Gibbons said. “His victory there will set the stage for his gold medal in Tokyo.”

Marcial has been advised by his buddies not to pour everything in Dubai so as not to risk his fists which ache and swell after every fight. Josef Ramos