BusinessMirror November 20, 2020

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Friday, November 20, 2020 Vol. 16 No. 43

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 20 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

BSP TO CUT RATES ANEW ECONOMIC MANAGERS WILL ASSESS BAYANIHAN 3 IMPACT ON FISCAL HEALTH

E

A VEGETABLE seller tends to her stall at the Las Piñas Market on Thursday (November 19). Prices of vegetables have gone up after a succession of strong typhoons battered Luzon, particularly those described by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto as the “agri powerhouses,” prompting President Duterte to declare a state of calamity. The government has also formed the Bantay Presyo Task Force to ensure that wet markets and other platforms follow the government’s suggested retail price. NONIE REYES

I

By Bianca Cuaresma

N an unprecedented move, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) decided to cut its interest rates anew on Thursday as threats to the economy’s recovery pile up.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno announced a 25-basispoint cut in its main policy rate, pushing the country’s overnight reverse repurchase facility to its

lowest at 2 percent, effective Friday, 20 November. The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were likewise reduced to 1.5 percent and

DIOKNO: “Muted business and household sentiment and the impact of recent natural calamities could pose strong headwinds to the recovery of the economy in the coming months.”

2.5 percent, respectively.

According to Diokno’s statement, the Monetary Board sees a “critical need” for continued policy support to boost economic activity and market confidence.

“The Monetary Board also observed that global economic prospects have moderated in recent weeks. At the same time, the Monetary Board noted that while domestic output contracted at a slower pace in the third quarter of 2020, muted business and household sentiment and the impact of recent natural calamities could pose strong headwinds to

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

CONOMIC managers are set to assess the fiscal impact of the proposed Bayanihan 3.

Budget Undersecretary Laura B. Pascua told the BusinessMirror that the proposed measure was “mentioned in passing” during the Economic Development Cluster (EDC) meeting on Wednesday.

However, she said the proposed third Bayanihan law will “need further study,” particularly its fiscal implication and whether the country needs it.

Sought which agency will lead the study of the measure, Pascua said: “DBCC [Development Budget Coordination Committee] will follow through with analysis.”

DBCC Chairman and Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado also confirmed to the BusinessMirror that the EDC has yet to make up its mind on the proposed measure, but they will likely do so during the DBCC meeting.

“Yes, [it was discussed during the meeting], but no decision yet. When the DBCC meets,” Avisado said.

Avisado said the EDC has yet to decide on the proposed Bayanihan 3 because they are “still waiting for data from other agencies.”

On Tuesday, Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo filed House Bill 8031 providing for a P400-billion Bayanihan to Arise as One Act to give additional funding and strengthen government efforts and response to the ongoing health crisis, complicated by the recent typhoons that battered most parts of Luzon.

Quimbo, who cochairs the House Economic Cluster, said the P400 billion in spending package seeks to ensure help is available under the state’s social amelioration program, rehabilitate areas damaged by natural calamities, sustain delivery of basic goods and services, implement high-impact infrastructure projects, assist businesses to keep them afloat, and bring the economy on the right track.

The bill proposes to allocate P100 billion to subsidize businesses’ payments of wages, or other worker-related expenses, P100 billion for capacity building to impacted sectors, P90 billion for additional social amelioration to impacted households (of which P20 billion is targeted to households in typhoon-devastated areas), P30 billion for assistance to displaced workers (including cash-for-cleanup and cash-for-home building in typhoon-devastated areas), P50 billion for the rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas, P25 billion for Covid-19 treatment and vaccines, and P5 billion for the provision of Internet allowances to teachers and students.

The measure will also put to task the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) to craft a long-term plan, which shall be resilient from future shocks such as pandemics and typhoons. It also mandates the agency to review the Flood Management Master Plan for Metro Manila and surrounding areas to improve disaster risk reduction and resilience.

The proposed Bayanihan 3 also seeks to extend the effectivity of the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan II) as its provisions remain to be critical for recovery beyond December 2020.

Quimbo has also pointed out that the money allotted to fight Covid-19 under the 2021 spending plan is minuscule, representing only P248 billion out of the total P838.4 billion earmarked for the pandemic response that also included some P590 billion for infrastructure under the government’s centerpiece program, the Build, Build, Build program.

For the country to fully rise from the Covid crisis, Quimbo said the Bayanihan 3 ensures adequate funding for vaccine procurement and steady stream of aid, or ayuda to low-income families.

Continued on A2

Covid drugs, gear shielded from trade curbs

By Elijah Felice Rosales

T

HE Philippines has reached an agreement with its Southeast Asian neighbors to refrain from imposing trade measures against a total of 152 drugs and health equipment crucial in the fight against Covid-19.

At the Asean Economic Community Council Meeting last week, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the implementation of nontariff measures (NTMs) on essential Covid-19 goods.

The MOU is a product of ne-

gotiations conducted by Asean economic ministers in August, focusing on how they can put in place a focused and targeted work program to address NTMs, particularly on essential goods.

In general, the memorandum seeks to ensure the smooth flow of critical goods associated with fighting the contagion across Southeast Asia. It also aims to facilitate information sharing among Asean economies on trade-related measures, particularly NTMs. Most important, the MOU asks Asean states to refrain from introducing or maintaining trade-restrictive measures

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.2650

on essential goods, except for instances wherein there is a public health emergency.

Under the MOU, Asean members that will implement an NTM should conform with the rights and obligations spelled out in World Trade Organization rules.

NTMs should also comply with the provisions of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement.

The MOU covers the whole list of Asean’s essential goods in the fight against Covid-19, which includes 152 tariff lines of medicines, medical supplies and health equipment.

See “Covid,” A2

LOPEZ: “This action is a clear manifestation of Asean’s shared commitment in keeping markets open, ensure the unhampered flow of essential goods, and show economic resiliency amid Covid-19.”

n JAPAN 0.4648 n UK 64.0718 n HK 6.2257 n CHINA 7.3586 n SINGAPORE 35.9677 n AUSTRALIA 35.2576 n EU 57.2182 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.8707

Source: BSP (November 19, 2020)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Friday, November 20, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Amid typhoons, DOF chief pitches urgent reforestation F

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

INANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III has joined calls for forest restoration and conservation following the devastation caused by the recent typhoons.

Dominguez, recently appointed by President Duterte as chairman of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), said the Philippines loses billions every year in damage to crops and infrastructure, which dampen the country’s overall economic progress.

The country’s finance chief noted that five strong typhoons in the last five weeks wreaked havoc in 12 out of 17 regions of the country, and claimed dozens of lives on top of damage to their livelihoods and properties.

“Our recent experiences with severe weather events underscore the urgency—as well as the complexity—of our tasks. In the midst

of a protracted battle against Covid-19, we are beset by challenges that are symptoms of a long-term climate crisis,” he said in his prerecorded message to the CCC as it celebrated the 13th Climate Change Consciousness Week.

“An integral part of our disaster risk reduction strategy should be the restoration and conservation of existing forests. It is time to update our agroforestry policies to prevent the clearing of mountain slopes to make way for agriculture,” added Dominguez, a former agriculture secretary.

On Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that

DOMINGUEZ: “Our rule should be simple: projects that are not green and sustainable should not see the light of day.”

damage to infrastructure brought

by Typhoon Ulysses alone has risen to P6.1 billion, while damage to agriculture is now at P4 billion.

In the same forum, Dominguez also prodded the CCC to more “aggressively advocate protection of the environment” and “advance concrete proposals while building public awareness and public support.”

“I also urge the Commission to help us pursue climate justice from the international community. The Philippines is definitely not one of the world’s heaviest emitters

of greenhouse gases, but it is undoubtedly among the most vulnerable to their harmful effects,” he said.

On top of this, he said the Covid-19 crisis can also be used as an opportunity to tailor-fit economic recovery programs to mobilize investments in domestic renewable energy, sustainable urban planning and climate-smart agriculture.

“Our rule should be simple: projects that are not green and sustainable should not see the light of day,” he said.

He cited the need for the government to ensure the coherence of national and local strategies for adaptation, mitigation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, as well as the deployment of financial tools to build resiliency from the household to the national levels.

“The Philippines is well-positioned to make a difference in this battle against the climate crisis. Let us work hand in hand to achieve a new, low-carbon economy and a greener future for all,” he said.

On Monday, the Asean Centre

for Biodiversity said it is also high time to push for the restoration of degraded ecosystems and conservation of existing ones as part of disaster reduction strategies.

ACB Executive Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim said natural ecosystems like the Sierra Mountain Range in the Philippines, which runs from Cagayan province in the north to Quezon province in the south and is strategically located in the Philippines’s eastern seaboard, require protection.

Lim also noted that Sierra Madre can weaken strong weather disturbances and absorb large amounts of rainfall.

In his speech at the plenary session of the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit last week, President Duterte also called on other vulnerable countries like the Philippines to demand climate justice from developed nations, which are the most responsible for fueling the climate crisis.

He said developed countries are morally bound to cut their carbon emissions to prevent severe climate-related disasters.

VILLA CACERES HOTEL MOUNTS RELIEF OPS FOR BICOL VICTIMS

WHILE Bicolanos were dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, three strong typhoons—Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses—devastated many parts of the region.

These left many people dead; hundreds more homeless, and without access to food or water; and many parts of the region flooded and cut off from power and other utilities.

Seeing the direness of the situation, Villa Caceres Hotel, under the leadership of its owner Robert L. Obiedo, organized a relief operation, working with various groups to gather donations in cash and kind for distribution to affected areas.

Villa Caceres Hotel thanked those who donated through the hotel for its Typhoon Relief Operations.

The cash bought relief goods, that were distributed in

Catanduanes, Buhi, Bula, Naga City, and in the coastal areas of Camarines Sur. The Villa Caceres Hotel thanked these donors: Philippine Chinese General – Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc. Executive Squadron through the leadership of Dr. James G. Dy—P600,000; Roquinmar John “RJ” Obiedo—P200,000; Shao and Friends—P120,000; and Mr. and Mrs. Jean Lui— P30,000.

The hotel also thanked the following: [Anonymous] a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P30,000; [Anonymous] a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan— P25,000; Mr. Gorio —P10,000; Mr. Melecio Go— P20,000; Nancy Tan—P20,000; Mr. and Mrs. Santiago Tan—P20,000; Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Wong—P20,000;

Ms. Susan Choy—P10,000; K. Kaw—P10,000; Tino and Josie Muñoz—P10,000; Ms. Zarla Po—P10,000; Engr. and Mrs. Dominador Ragas—P10,000; Engr. and Mrs. Don Santy—P10,000; Engr. Tito Simando—P10,000; Mr. Anthony Sy—P10,000; Mr. Jerry Tan—P10,000; N. Tan—P10,000; R. Tan— P10,000; Mr. Richard Tan—P10,000; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard and Vanessa Uy—P10,000; BMC—P10,000; V.S.—P10,000; [Anonymous] a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P10,000; [Anonymous] a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P10,000; [Anonymous] a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P10,000; Alex - a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P5,000; Jay and Dada Bautista— P5,000; Albert and Aisha Chua—P5,000; Marcelo and Annabelle Co—P5,000; Mr. Noel - a friend of Mr.

Bomcerek Tan—P5,000; Mr. Gerry Qua—P8,600; Ed and Precious Masamayor—P5,000; Mr. Raymond Siy—P5,000; Mr. Bomcewill Tan —P5,000; Michael and Liza Tan—P5,000; Mr. Alexander Uy—P5,000; Jonathan and Jane Yu—P5,000; [Anonymous] - a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P5,000; Mr. Edmund - a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan —P4,000; [Anonymous] - a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P4,000; Mr. Andrew Yap—P3,800; Mrs. Teody Dale—P2,000; Mr. Mike Lu—P2,000; Mr. Dustin Uy—P2,000; [Anonymous] a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P2,000; [Anonymous] a friend of Mr. Bomcerek Tan—P2,000.

Dr. Lion Robert Sy of Manila Chinese Action Team donated 6,000 boxes of food supplement; and Producers Bank Nueva Ecija, several boxes of food items.

The Hotel also thanked the organizations who contributed manpower which sped up the distribution of these relief goods: Archdiocese of Caceres; Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ateneo Highschool Batch 85; Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Camarines Sur Medical Society; JCI Senator-Naga Chapter; Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers; Immaculate Concepcion Church; Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas-Camarines Sur; the LGUs of Lagonoy, Milaor, Pasacao and Fernando in Camarines Sur; the Naga Public Safety Office; Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Missionaries of the Poor; Peñafrancia Lion’s Club-Camarines Sur Chapter; Philippine Coast Guard and the Red Cross Camarines Sur Chapter.

Virus, storms force BSP to cut rates anew Continued from A1

the recovery of the economy in the coming months,” he said.

This puts the BSP’s total cuts to 200 basis points for the entire year.

In February, their first meeting of the year, they cut their rates by 25 basis points as the threat of Covid-19 emerges in other countries. In March, just days after the first implementation of community quarantine in Luzon, the BSP cut its interest rates by 50 basis points.

This was supplemented by another 50-basis-point cut in an off-schedule Monetary Board meeting in April, and another 50-basis-point cut in June.

In their last two meetings, the BSP moved to keep all interest rates unchanged for a “prudent pause” in monetary easing.

Economists had earlier forecast a “no move” from the BSP, citing the importance of fiscal stimulus at this point over monetary stimulus.

“A lower-than-expected thirdquarter gross domestic product print, a quintet of unexpected destructive storms and a coronavirus that is still there. BSP may have seen these as enough drivers to cut 25 basis points, bringing this year’s total rate reduction to 200 basis points,” Unionbank Chief Economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said.

“We expected a continuation of the BSP’s prudent pause, but it seems, just like the Magat Dam’s need to release water that flooded the plains of Isabela and nearby Cagayan, an overflow of warning signs may be too much to handle,” he added.

Inflation

INFLATION, meanwhile, continues to be stable.

In the BSP’s latest inflation models, price growth is still expected to remain within target up until 2022 albeit some slight changes in their actual forecast numbers.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila said they have revised the 2020 inflation outlook to 2.4 percent from the previous 2.3 percent. For the next two years, meanwhile, the BSP lowered its forecast: 2021 inflation is not expected to hit 2.7 percent from the 2.8 percent earlier forecasted, while 2022 inflation is expected to hit 2.9 percent from the 3 percent earlier expectation.

“With a benign inflation environment and stable inflation expectations, the Monetary Board sees enough policy space for a reduction in the policy rate at this juncture to uplift market sentiment and nurture the country’s economic recovery amid increased

downside risks to growth,” Diokno said.

ING Bank economist Nicholas Mapa said the BSP was likely “forced into action” as the economy reels from two large crises.

“Although real policy rates are now even deeper into negative territory at -0.5 percent, the Central Bank pressed on with a fresh round of rate cuts as fourth-quarter GDP is now expected to worsen from the third-quarter GDP of 11.5-percent contraction. Agriculture and real property damage from a string of violent typhoons is expected to shave off 0.15 percentage points from 2020 growth and may have convinced Governor Diokno to act while fiscal stimulus remains largely modest,” Mapa said.

Can cut churn economy?

THEORETICALLY, central banks use interest rate cuts to boost the economy. Lower interest rate cuts translate to the market as lower financing costs, thereby creating an encouraging environment for borrowing and investment.

However, despite the previous 175-basis-point cut by the BSP, bank lending continued to slow down in recent months.

Latest data show that bank lending—a primary driver of domestic liquidity—grew at 2.8 percent in

September, weaker than the 4.7-percent growth in August. This was attributed to banks’ reduced tolerance for risk, decline in loan demand due, in turn, to weak business and income prospects and an observed shift by nonfinancial corporates to alternative sources of funds.

Mapa believes the fresh interest rate cut won’t budge bank lending back up.

“Despite the fresh round of easing, we are not confident that bank lending will pick up anytime soon given the dimming growth outlook with unemployment elevated and consumer sentiment still negative. Meanwhile, the lack of fiscal stimulus may likely delay a sharp rebound in growth, which in turn will keep bank lending and investment appetite muted in the near term,” Mapa said.

However, in the post monetary policy press briefing, Deputy Governor Dakila said the cut is expected to restore confidence and increase market activity.

“What this interest rate cut does is to provide an impetus that people will be much more likely to have confidence to get into the financial system again when interest rates are around the accommodative side, and the low side. So that’s where it will happen. It will help to speed up the process of recovery,”

he said.

RCBC economist Michael Ricafort also said: “Extraordinary economic conditions largely brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic call for extraordinary measures such as more aggressive/preemptive monetary easing measures, such as the latest 0.25-percent cut in local policy rates, that definitely help boost economic recovery prospects, going forward.”

Last cut for the year?

THE BSP still has one more scheduled monetary policy meeting for the year on December 17.

“We believe that BSP will likely pause at its December meeting now that real policy rates have fallen even deeper into negative territory with the Central Bank likely calling for a renewed push for additional fiscal spending to address the freefall in economic activity as Covid-19 infections remain elevated in the country,” Mapa said.

However, Diokno expressed his openness to move further if needed.

“Looking ahead, the BSP stands ready to deploy its full arsenal of instruments as needed in fulfillment of its mandate to maintain price and financial stability conducive to sustainable economic growth,” he said.

SC: No violation of mandamus in dolomite dumping on bay Continued from A12

The SC noted, “It is a challenge that properly lies in the realm of political questions which the Court may not venture into even incidentally in a contempt proceeding under the given circumstances.”

Furthermore, the SC said Anakbayan can no longer intervene in the Manila Bay case since it has long been concluded with finality and is now on execution, although it is under judicial supervision as a consequence of the standing mandamus.

In 2008, the Supreme Court ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned government agencies to restore Manila Bay to a condition suitable for public bathing and swimming and for breeding bangus (milkfish) and similar fish species.

To ensure compliance with its ruling, the SC even issued a continuing mandamus—an order that compels the agencies of the government to perform acts which the laws specifically require them to do or to comply as duties emanating from the nature and mandate of their offices.

Aside from the DENR, the other agencies tasked to undertake immediate action on the Manila Bay problem are the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Budget and Management, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Ports Authority.

These government agencies were directed by the SC to submit a quarterly progressive report of the activities undertaken in line with the decision.

The petitioner claimed that dolomite contains varying levels of crystalline silica that can damage human lungs, cause cancer when breathed in, and irritate the skin and eyes.

It claimed the dumping of crushed dolomite boulders on the foreshore would destroy the Manila Bay ecological habitat that is home to various species of flora and fauna.

The petitioner also noted that building an artificial beach in Manila Bay is not in line with the duty of DENR in the continuing mandamus, as such artificial beach enhancement project is not in the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan.

Covid…

Continued from A1

“This action is a clear manifestation of Asean’s shared commitment in keeping markets open, ensure the unhampered flow of essential goods, and show economic resiliency amid Covid-19. We also see this as a positive development that will help the Philippine business community in trading with the region,” Lopez said in a statement on Thursday.

According to Lopez, the MOU is a step forward as well to removing the export bans applied by Southeast Asian nations at the onset of the pandemic to divert all of their critical supplies for domestic use.

Further, Asean ministers will be studying the coverage of the MOU and look into the possible expansion of the list to include other essential items, such as food and agricultural products.

The Nation BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, November 20, 2020 A3

Govt lists priority groups for Covid-19 vaccination

A

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

some three vaccine manufacturers for government to government procurement, domestic production and/ or foreign donation.

The funding sources from the vaccine procurement may be from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, local bank-facilitated loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines as well as direct contracting.

@joveemarie

FTER President Duterte’s approval of a P2.5 billion allotment for the purchase of Covid vaccines should one be made available, the House Committee on People’s Participation said the government has already identified 12 priority vulnerable groups that will be given shots against the virus.

During a hearing last Wednesday, panel chairman Florida Robes of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan said Dr. Aleli Annie Grace Sudiacal of the Department of Health’s Bureau of International Health Cooperation told the panel that the President has already approved the acquisition through the P2.5 billion allotted for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines under the proposed 2021 General Appropriations Act through the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) facility.

Sudiacal explained to the committee that Covax facility is a global sharing mechanism for pooled procurement and equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines once they are licensed and approved. It is expected to provide vaccination for 3 to 20 percent of the population, or 3.2 million to 22 million Filipinos.

She added that Covax facility

pools together the world’s philanthropists, international nongovernment organizations and other groups to be able to talk to manufacturers to produce vaccines based on the need of a country, regardless of their economic standing.

“This way we will be assured that manufacturers will produce the amount needed to vaccinate this eligible population,” she said.

She added that the Philippines is eligible under the Covax system because it is a low middle-income country, which signified its intention to be part of the system. However, the country needs to pay $1.6 to $2 per dose to be able to take part in it.

“As you all know, we have RA 9184, or the Procurement Act which prohibits advance payment for something that is still not there. That is why we had to seek the intervention

Study

IN this September 15, 2020, file photo, a Russian medical worker administers a shot of Russia’s experimental Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in Moscow, Russia.

Developers of Sputnik V, Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine, announced that the jab appeared to be 92 percent effective in advanced trials, in a statement that comes just two days after a similar one from Pfizer Inc. and indicates Moscow’s eagerness to get ahead in the worldwide race for a successful coronavirus vaccine. AP

of the President and it is very good news that the President has approved the use of the P2.5 billion allotted for the purchase of vaccines for the Philippines to have access to the Covax facility,” she told the committee.

With the President’s approval, the country may get access for around 20 percentofthepopulationonceavaccine, or several vaccines become available.

Sudiacal also told Robes that the Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19 has already identified 12 priority vulnerable groups that will be given vac-

cine based on the guidelines issued by the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE).

They are the frontline health workers from the public and private sectors, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, indigent population and uniformed personnel. Other priorities are teachers and school workers from public and private institutions, government workers, essential workers in agriculture, food industry, transportation and

tourism, socio-demographic groups at significantly higher risk like people deprived of liberty, people with disabilities and Filipinos living in high density areas, overseas Filipino workers, other remaining work force and students.

Venture

ASIDE from the Covax facility to ensure that vaccines will be made available to Filipinos, Sudiacal said the government is also venturing into other options like talking to

MEANWHILE, Department of Science and Technology Assistant Secretary Leah Buendia also told the committee that her department is currently studying the application of three vaccines for Phase 3 of clinical trials, namely, Sinovac from China, Sputnik V from Russia and Johnson and Johnson from the United States.

Buendia clarified that the Philippines has yet to evaluate the vaccine developed by Pfizer because the company has not submitted its application to the department.

Robes, for her part, expressed elation over the latest vaccine development, saying that it gives hope to the Filipino people who have long been hoping and praying for a vaccine for Covid-19 to come.

“We would like to commend the tireless efforts of the [government] to help our countrymen and find a vaccine. We are almost there I think.

With these new developments, we will be able to go back to normal very soon,” Robes said.

A4 Friday, November 20, 2020 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

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DAR launches ₧24.6-B WB-funded project to divide collective CLOAs under CARP

D

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

EPARTMENT of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John R. Castriciones on Thursday led the launch of a P24.6-billion project to split the collective Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) previously issued by the agency under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

In his keynote address during the Virtual Launching of Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project, Castriciones said in summary that the program is designed to uplift the lives of small Filipino farmers.

World Bank-funded project

THE SPLIT project is funded by the World Bank (WB) with a total project cost of P24.625 billion comprising 78percent loan proceeds amounting to P19.240 billion and 22 percent counterpart from the Philippine government amounting to P5.385 billion.

The project seeks to improve land tenure security and stabilize property rights of the targeted 1,140,735 agrarian reform ben-

eficiaries (ARBs), covering a total area of 1,368,883 hectares of land through the fast-tracking of land subdivision/parcelization of collective CLOAs and issuance of individual titles on lands awarded under CARP. The project will be implemented in 78 provinces in 15 regions across the country.

Vital for post-Covid-19 recovery

IN her message, Kathrine M. Kelm, a senior land administration specialist at the World Bank, congratulated the DAR for the successful virtual launching SPLIT project, saying it will keep the project moving forward amid the global pandemic.

“Land is a strategic national resource but more importantly, it is

the most valuable asset for farmers and for world citizens. Especially in the current global pandemic, land serves as an important safety net for food and communities’ security and it will play a vital role for families to bounce back in a post-Covid-19 recovery,” Kelm said.

She said the World Bank recognizes the importance of secured land rights for economic development, social stability and equity, for improving livelihoods and ensuring environmental sustainability.

She said SPLIT is the largest land project ever at the World Bank and it was prepared and approved as a fast-tracked project courtesy of the project proponents, which, she said, is really a direct recognition of the strategic importance of the project to the government to implementing agencies to the World Bank and for project beneficiaries.

Typically a new land project will take 18 to 24 months to prepare but SPLIT was approved in less than 12 months, she said, crediting the agency’s previous partnership with the World Bank and experienced and qualified staff with a proven track record of leadership and successfully implementing big financing project complying with the WB’s rules.

Win-win project

CASTRICIONES said with the help of the World Bank, the DAR, and other implementing agencies, will

finally launch a program that will address the concerns of small farmers “who have long suffered and endured the difficulties” in life due to lack of resources.

He reiterated that the problem with collective CLOAs is not unique to farmers alone but all other stakeholders in the agrarian reform sector, such as the DAR, local government units and even banking institutions and even the Land Bank of the Philippines.

“We all know that collective CLOAs do not specifically identify the area, or portion, which the farmers are supposed to own. Because of this, sometimes, there are irritants that exist among our farmers. It also defeats the very essence of the program, because in all programs, we need some funding but farmers are unable to pay for their amortization and we cannot specify which portion of the land they own,” he said.

He said banking institutions are likewise having problem from collecting amortization due to the setup.

The local government units, he added, are also unable to collect real property taxes which added to the problem.

Because of these hindrances, he said the supposed economic growth is stunted.

“With the parcelization, they will now be able to use the property as collateral to obtain loans from banks,” he said.

Fieldwork amid Covid

HE said the parcelization calls for a lot of sacrifices and a lot of risk to DAR field personnel and employees because of the pandemic as they will be forced to do the legwork on the ground more in the process.

Castriciones said he does not see any negative impact on the implementation of the program. Some “apprehensions,” he said, are “unfounded” such as reducing the awarded land to subsistence farming size, saying the DAR will continue to provide services through the agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations (ARBOs).

He said through the different ARBOs, the DAR will help strengthen the individual and collective capacities of small farmers, citing plans to promote block farming by establishing mega-farms.

With the mega-farms concept, Castriciones said farmers with individual land titles can come together and form one big unit to do farming on a massive scale. Under such a program, or scheme, he said foreign assistance can be extended to them through the DAR “even if their titles are already subdivided.”

He said even with the land titles being parceled, farmers are bounded by the 10-year restrictive period and precondition of paying the entire cost of land before they are able to sell these and that the land will not be used for purposes other than for food production.

SMC unit buys 524,155 MT of corn yield to cushion Covid-19’s impact on farmers

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

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AN Miguel Corp. (SMC) said it has bought over 500,000 metric tons (MT) of corn from local farmers as part of its support to the agriculture sector to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on food production.

In a news statement, SMC said its food division, San Miguel Foods Inc., has purchased 87,946 MT of corn in October to early November, bringing its total year-to-date

volume to 524,155 MT. “This is by far the largest volume ever that we have sourced directly from farmer cooperatives.

This is part of our continuing efforts to help boost the incomes of our farmers, who have also been affected by the pandemic,” said SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang. SMC made its commitment earlier this year that it would boost sourcing of raw materials from farmers cooperatives in order to

help secure the country’s food supply, and ensure better income for farmers’ following the imposition of lockdowns nationwide.

Ang said the higher local corn procurement came at a time that it has completed many of its new modern feed mills nationwide.

Ang added that they have bought from farmers in Isabela, Pangasinan and Mindanao.

“The new facilities, equipped with large silos with aerators, are capable of stockpiling and storing corn and

other grains for a year, Ang said. This will enable the company to buy and store bulk corn longer, giving more income to local farmers, and boosting food security,” the company said in a news statement.

The country’s corn output from January to September increased by 6.465 million metric tons from 6.32 MMT recorded volume in the same period of last year, based on latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.

Aside from corn, Ang said the

company’s local cassava procurement under its Cassava Assembler Program has more than doubled to 102,608 MT from their purchases last year.

Ang said the company’s cassava program “serves as a platform for small farmers to earn stable and reasonable income from SMC.” The country’s cassava production from January to September declined by 1.5 percent to 1.829 MMT from last year’s 1.857 MMT, PSA data also showed.

DOLE program finds jobs for 29K workers in storm-hit areas

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

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ROUND 29,000 workers in the informal sector, who were displaced by recent typhoons in Luzon, were given emergency employment by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In an interview with PTV on Thursday, Labor Undersecretary Ana Dione disclosed this was around 30 percent of their targetted 126,000 beneficiaries of DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Worker (TUPAD) in typhoon-hit areas.

The said beneficiaries were tapped to help in the repair and maintenance of common public facilities, tree planting, assisting local government units (LGU), transportation services for setting up mobile markets, and disinfection and sanitation of community for 14 to 16 days.

To fast-track the pace of TUPAD implementation, Dione said they hired additional job order employees to augment existing personnel in their regional offices.

Instead of delegating the TUPAD enforcement to LGUs, she said, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III instructed DOLE’s regional offices to “directly” implement the program.

The measure is expected to cut the processing time for the beneficiaries of TUPAD. After graduating from TUPAD, the said beneficiaries will be given livelihood opportunities by DOLE, according to Dione.

DOLE earlier said it is targeting to provide emergency employment to 863,867 workers before the end of the year using funding from the Bayanihan to Recover as One (Bayanihan 2).

DTI pledges ₧2-million aid to Ulysses victims in Marikina Rice inventory jumps to 5-month high 16.1% to 2.647 MMT as of October 1

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SSURING the recent typhoon victims of the government’s support, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez joined other national government officials in the simultaneous visit to several evacuation centers in Marikina City last November 16. The visit coincided with the relief operation organized by the Office of Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go. Typhoon Ulysses hit Marikina along with the neighboring towns of San Mateo and Cainta last November 12, which submerged the areas in nightmarish floods. This caused severe damage to private properties and infrastructures in the city and forcing deeper into hardship industries that are still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.

Lopez assured the evacuees of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) commitment to help them, particularly the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) whose livelihoods were devastated by the flooding.

DTI is ready to assist those affected through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) and Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) programs.

“Naglaan po ang DTI ng dalawang milyong pisong ayuda para sa mga kababayan natin na sinalanta ng bagyo at nawalan ng kabuhayan. Hinihikayat din po natin sila na mag-loan sa ilalim ng P3 program ng walang interes,” said Secretary Lopez.

Under the PPG program, the DTI is extending livelihood support to MSMEs affected by different calamities. The program has provided training and seed capital to thousands of

T

TRADE Secretary Ramon M. Lopez shares a light moment with Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in one of their visits and relief distribution to evacuation centers in typhoon-hit Marikina City.

MSMEs in distress throughout the country. Meanwhile, the department is supporting the financial requirements of MSMEs through the P3 Cares program.

Joining the secretary at the visit are other DTI officials led by Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, Assistant Secretaries Dominic Tolentino and Niño Contreras, and DTI-NCR Director Marcelina Alcantara. The team led the turnover and distribution of 70,000 pieces of face masks to the evacuees. These face masks are part of those procured by the

government through the DTI’s initiative to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“DTI, through the Regional Operations Group, has been very responsive to the needs of our fellow countrymen greatly affected by the calamities like this. Under PPG and P3 programs, we help the communities especially MSMEs to recover their livelihoods or businesses after the devastation left by the catastrophes,” ROG Undersecretary Lantayona expressed her compassion and support to the vic-

tims of Typhoon Ulysses.

“Batid po ng DTI ang pangangailangan ng mga kababayan natin na labis naapektuhan ng nagdaang bagyo at nitong pandemya. Kaya naman makakaasa sila na tuluy-tuloy lang po ang tulong ng Kagawaran para muling ibangon ang kanilang nasirang kabuhayan,” ROG Assistant Secretary Tolentino added.

Among those visited were evacuation centers located at Malanday Elementary School and Concepcion Integrated School which houses 481 and 393 families, respectively.

HE country’s total rice inventory as of October 1 rose by 16.1 percent to a five-month high of 2.647 million metric tons from last year’s 2.279 MMT, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

Likewise, the latest rice stocks estimate was 45.2 percent higher than the September record of 1.823 MMT, the PSA added.

“Of this latest rice stocks inventory, 54.8 percent were from households, 36.2 percent were from commercial warehouses, and 9.1 percent were from NFA [National Food Authority] depositories,” the PSA said in its monthly rice and corn inventory report published on Thursday.

Rice stocks held by households reached 1.45 MMT while those stored in commercial warehouses was estimated at 957,750 MT, based on latest PSA data. PSA data also showed that rice kept by the NFA was at 239,890 MT. “Rice stocks from households and commercial warehouses increased by 37.8 percent and 15.0 percent in contrast with their respective levels in the preceding year. On the other hand, stocks in NFA depositories showed a decrease of 39.2 percent,” it said.

“Relative to the previous month ’s level, rice stocks in all sectors showed increments

in inventories. In particular, stocks in the households, commercial warehouses, and NFA depositories were up by 70.9 percent, 22.4 percent, and 24.6 percent, respectively,” it added.

The country’s corn inventory, meanwhile, showed mixed trends during the reference period.

Total corn stocks reached 985,540 MT as of October 1 which was 10.1 percent lower than last year’s 1.095 MMT but 23.6 percent higher than September’s 797,370 MT level, according to the PSA. The PSA said bulk, or about 57.4 percent of the latest corn inventory, was held by commercial warehouses while the remaining 42.6 percent were in households.

The PSA said corn stocks in commercial warehouses stood at 565,230 MT while those in households were at 420,310 MT. “In contrast with the previous year’s level, stocks in the households rose by 37.7 percent while stocks in commercial warehouses declined by 28.5 percent,” the PSA said.

“This month’s corn stocks inventory levels in both households and commercial warehouses were higher compared with the previous month’s records by 37.7 percent and 14.9 percent, respectively,” the PSA added.

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, November 20, 2020 A5

Ulysses death toll now 73; Luzon farm, infra damage, P10B

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By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM & Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

YPHOON Ulysses (international code name Vamco) has left at least 73 people dead and at least P10 billion worth of crops and government projects were damaged, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Thursday.

The NDRRMC, citing results of the continuing assessments, said a partial damage of P4.017 billion in the agriculture sector was reported by officials in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B and 5 and in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Another P6.097 billion in infrastructure was also damaged in the regions cited, including in the National Capital Region. At least 65,222 houses were also damaged.

The typhoon affected at least 835,599 families or 3,512,783 individuals in 5,898 barangays.

The NDRRMC said that 98 roads and highways and 48 bridges have been cleared and are already passable out of 249 roads and 120 bridges

that have earlier been closed due to flooding and landslides.

Power has also been restored in 126 cities and municipalities out of the 360 cities and municipalities whose electricity were shut down

by Ulysses.

The NDRRMC also reported that 51 cities and municipalities still have no telecommunications signal, especially in Quezon.

Water supply is yet to be restored also in 50 municipalities in Regions 4A and 5.

Soldier engineers deployed

THE commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) ordered on Thursday the deployment

of military engineers to Cagayan Valley to help in the rehabilitation of the region following the massive flooding in the province.

The deployment of soldier-engineers to Region 2, especially in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, followed the mobilization of reservists from NOLCOM’s area of operations to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in the region.

Maj. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr., commander of NOLCOM, said that the deployment of military engineers was in response to President Duterte’s directive to utilize all available assets to hasten recovery efforts in the Cagayan Valley.

According to NOLCOM spokesman Major Mikko Magisa, there are three engineering construction battalions that are strategically deployed across Central and Northern Luzon.

Burgos said the deployment of engineers showed NOLCOM’s “commitment to provide assistance and help our constituents go through this challenge” and “hasten the relief efforts as well as the eventual rehabilitation operations.”

Similar to the regular and reserve forces, the military engineers additional and their equipment will be under Joint Task Force Tala, NOLCOM’s operating arm in Region 2, which is work-

ing in close coordination with the Emergency Operations Center of Cagayan Valley’s Office of Civil Defense as well as the governors of Cagayan and Isabela through their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

“This crisis showed our nation and the international community that the AFP’s state of the art equipment acquired through the modernization program are not only tools for war but, more importantly, they are tools to save Filipino lives and tools that give hope amidst the uncertainties of calamities,” Burgos said.

Catchment basins

THE House of Representatives will study the creation of new catchment basins to prevent massive flooding in several areas in the country.

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera made the proposal as the lower chamber begins next week its formal investigation into the massive flooding that submerged the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.

Herrera said the country has only 21 catchment basins.

“Imagine the typhoons that we have in the country every year, I think we can say that there will be flooding with the number of catchment basins we have,” she said.

“If we have additional catchment

basins, the dam will not be filled,” Herrera added.

Herrera said the purpose of the investigation is to dig on facts that could lead to corrective actions, not to find fault.

Herrera, however, said that while natural disasters could not be prevented from happening, these are usually aggravated by manmade activities.

The House Committee on Agriculture and Food, chaired by Quezon First District Rep. Mark Enverga, has set on November 24 the public hearing on House Resolution 1348 filed

by House leaders led by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco last Monday.

Velasco, along with Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano, has called for a congressional probe into what triggered the widespread flooding that killed at least 29 people in Cagayan Valley Region.

Meanwhile, the black sand mining activities in Cagayan is also to be blamed for the worst flooding that hit Cagayan and Isabela at the height of Typhoon Ulysses, a group told the lower chamber.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) also said aside from black sand mining, logging operations, both legal and illegal, are widespread in the province, which have also contributed to the

severe flooding.

The group said both the House and the Senate had already conducted investigation on the issue of black sand mining in Cagayan, however, no one has been held accountable.

CIAC relief for Cagayan

AROUND P50,000 worth of assorted goods were donated by employees of the Clark International Airport Corp.(CIAC) on Wednesday for flood victims in Cagayan Valley, one of the hardest-hit regions by the recent typhoon.

“This is CIAC’s modest contribution, our personnel’s own donation, to help ease the misfortune of Cagayan victims and lift up their spirits,” CIAC President Aaron Aquino said.

The goods were turned over to Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., represented by city hall officer Reina Manuel, and officials from the city’s Social Welfare and Development Office.

The local government unit of Angeles City will also conduct its own relief donation drive and delivery to Cagayan.

Cagayan Valley ended up as catch basin as of voluminous rain water from nearby provinces during Typhoon Ulysses. Magat Dam overflowed resulted in what has been described as the worst flood to hit the region in 40 years.

NSC chief singles out communists as hindrance and threat to progress

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N pushing for the budgetary allocation for the redevelopment of some areas nationwide under the Barangay Development Program (BDP), the National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday said the remaining members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) are the primary political threat and hindrance to peace and economic prosperity in the countryside.

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon also slammed the CPP-NPA’s acts of reinforcing the true criminal and terrorist nature of the group, masquerading under the guise of a revolutionary armed government.

The vice chairman of the National Task Force-End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) is pushing for the P16.44-billion budget allocation for recovery of 822 barangays from the impact of insurgencies in their areas. But he earlier said the task force will respect the decision of Congress if it will slash the budget for BDP.

Prove

ESPERON, in a news statement, challenged CPP-NPA founder Jose

Maria Sison to prove his innocence and “why he should not be held accountable for the misery and suffering of his members that had lasted for decades now.”

Esperon took the witness stand at the Manila Trial Court (MTC) Branch 32 last Monday as the government’s 29th and final witness against Sison’s murder case in connection with the so-called Inopacan massacre.

On August 28, 2006 patrolling soldiers discovered a mass grave in Mt. Sapang Dako in Inopacan, Leyte.

Out of the 103 remains, only 15 were identified by their relatives and former comrades in the NPA. Esperon, the Armed Forces chief of staff during that time, has filed cases against Sison, his wife Juliet, and 36 others. They are now facing 15 counts of murder before the MTC under Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina.

“Sison’s trial for 15 counts of murder for the Inopacan Massacre is an opportune time for him to exhaust all the legal and constitutional right afforded to him by the very democracy he wished to destabilize, even as he enjoys luxuries in The Netherlands. He and his

lot are now given the opportunity to stand in court, to present their defense, and respond to the accusations against them,” Esperon said.

During the trial, Esperon said he has presented numerous pieces of evidence to prove that Sison and his co-accused are accountable for the said massacre such as videos and photos detailing the manner in which the victims were brutally executed.

According to Esperon the Inopacan mass murder is part of the CPP-NPA’s brutal attempt to purge its ranks of suspected government informants in the 1980s.

The official added that from 1984 to 1986, numerous eyewitness accounts have told the story of how the CPP-NPA launched a nationwide purging of their ranks. Oplan Venereal Disease, as it was named in the Visayas, claimed the lives of around 3,000 people merely suspected of being government assets, embedded within its organization.

Esperon expressed confidence that after two decades of grief and despair, justice will be served for the victims and their relatives.

Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

CLEAN-UP TIME

Volunteer teachers and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel lend their hand in cleaning the premises and facilities of Industrial Valley Elementary School in Marikina after the devastation brought by Typhoon Ulysses. Industrial Valley is among the areas in the city hit hard by a massive flood. NONOY LACZA

DHSUD’s del Rosario finally gets CA confirmation

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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HE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said over P50 million was raised from the sale of scrap metal from the Most Affected Area (MAA) in Marawi.

During his Commission on Appointments hearing on Thursday for his confirmation, DHSUD Secretary Eduardo del Rosario said the amount is now lodged in the coffers of the local government.

San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo B. Zamora, who raised the issue, said the amount should have been given to homeowners in the MAA and not to the local government.

“The money should not remain with the local government. It should be distributed to the homeowners whose buildings were flattened,” Zamora said.

Del Rosario explained that the bidding for the scrap metal was

not done by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), of which he is the chairman.

The local government’s efforts to sell the scrap metal was conducted accordance with government’s procurement rules. The contract to buy the scrap metal was granted in the third bidding for the project.

Del Rosario said the scrap metal was sold at P8 per kilo. The proceeds of the sale, he said, is being used by the local government to finance a trust fund for the war-torn city.

He explained that after two failed bids, the winning bidder offered to buy the scrap metal for P10 per kilo.

The local government also created a committee to monitor the use of the trust fund.

The committee tasked to oversee the funds will consult with the barangay captains on how best to use the amount raised by selling the scrap.

“It’s the local government unit which conducted the auction,” del Rosario, who was later confirmed

by the powerful appointments body, said. “I can say that everything was conducted above board and everything was conducted properly by the local government, Mr. Chairman, your honors.”

Upon completion of the rehabilitation of Marawi City, del Rosario earlier vowed that the Islamic City will rise again before the term of President Duterte ends.

Confirmation

ON Thursday, the CA confirmed the ad interim appointment of del Rosario as the first-ever head of the DHSUD. Del Rosario expressed his gratitude to all CA members, particularly the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement Chairman Sen. Francis Tolentino, for his confirmation by the CA. He also thanked President Duterte for trusting him to handle the housing portfolio that went on full operation only last January.

“I would like to thank President

Rodrigo Duterte for his trust and confidence in me. I would also like to express my gratitude to the members of the CA. Rest assured that I will exert my best effort in fulfilling my tasks as head of the housing department,” del Rosario said.

“My confirmation will serve as a challenge for me to lead government efforts in bridging the country’s housing need which is pegged to reach 6.5 million units by 2022,” he added.

As housing czar, del Rosario advocated close collaboration with partner-developers to ensure synchronized public and private efforts in the housing sector.

Currently, DHSUD is crafting a 20-year national housing road map to institutionalize pro-active measures.

Meanwhile, del Rosario rallied all DHSUD personnel to join hands in pursuing DHSUD’s mandate of providing sustainable, resilient and more affordable housing communities to Filipinos, especially the underprivileged.

Rapid test on Marikina evacuee shows he may be Covid-positive

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco Correspondent

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68-YEAR-OLD man at a Marikina City evacuation center has tested positive for Covid-19 following a simultaneous conduct of rapid testing at temporary shelters in the city to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said the patient, before he tested positive, was staying at Barangay Barangka Elementary School, a temporary evacuation site. The mayor described the suspected Covid positive elderly man as symptomatic.

Teodoro said there are currently over 15,000 individuals staying at evacuation sites in the city.

He said that they immediately isolated the patient and was given medical supportive treatment for his fast recovery.

“He is under quarantine there for

14 days until he gets well,” Teodoro said.

The mayor added that a contact tracing team of the city immediately identified 13 evacuees that he had close interaction with.

“Lahat ng mga nakasalamuha niya at nakasama niya sa evacuation center batay dun sa contact tracing na 13 katao ay negative naman [All the persons that he interacted with, and as per our contact tracing, there were 13, they turned out negative],” he said, including his 62-year-old wife and his three children.

According to the mayor, the strategy they are employing the prioritization of immune-compromised evacuees, other vulnerable individuals, such as elderlies, and those with Covid-like symptoms.

“For practical intent and purposes, uunahing i- test ’yung may mga [we will test first those with ] symptoms, Covid-like symptoms,” he added.

BusinessMirror

A6 Friday, November 20, 2020

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BAHASA INDONESIAN LANGUAGE - OFFICER FUND MANAGEMENT

LI, FANG Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE OFFICER CUSTOMER SERVICE

BREEZY VALLEY SPA INC. G/f Skyland Plaza Tower B Bldg. 112 Malugay St. San Antonio Makati City 112.

LU, XIANHUA Chinese

MASTER THERAPIST

113.

LUO, LIN Chinese

MASTER THERAPIST

114.

PAN, CHANGLIANG Chinese

MASTER THERAPIST

115.

WANG, YINHUAN Chinese

MASTER THERAPIST

116.

XU, BANGGEN Chinese

MASTER THERAPIST

CAPSLOCK INC. 7th & 8th Flr. Y Tower Bldg. Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal Brgy.

076 Pasay City CAO, LONG, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

DONG, PU, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

119.

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

GUAN, GUOQIANG, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

120.

WANG, CHENGSONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

HUANG, CHAOLU, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

121.

69.

WANG, HONGQI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

PU, HUAN, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

122.

70.

WEI, GUIBIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

WANG, RUI, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

123.

71.

WU, CHAORUI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHANG, ZHIGANG, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

124.

72.

WU, LIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHOU, QUAN, Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

73.

WU, XIAOWEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

74.

XIE, YUNXIA Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

75.

XIE, ZEBING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

76.

XU, JINGCHENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

77.

YANG, YIXIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

78.

ZENG, HONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

79.

ZHANG, XUNHAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

80.

ZHANG, YILONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

81.

ZHAO, DEHAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

82.

ZHAO, RUKUAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

83.

ZHAO, XIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

68.

BAYVIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 43/f Yuchengco Tower Rcbc Plaza Ayala Ave. Cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City 84.

AJI SATRIA PERDANA PUTRA Indonesian

CS ASSISTANT MANAGER (MULTI-LINGUAL)

27.

CHONG SUET LING, Malaysian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

85.

CS CONTENT ADMINISTRATOR (MULTI-LINGUAL)

28.

HOANG HUU UT Vietnamese

GRACE ANASTASIA Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

86.

29.

JIANG, ZUO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

YANG, DEFENG Chinese

CS SHIFT SUPERVISOR (MULTI-LINGUAL)

30.

JIANG, LI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

31.

LI, ZHANWEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

32.

TONI , Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

33.

WANG, YUANJI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

34.

ZHANG, HONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

35.

ZHENG, FAFA, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

ASIAN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC. 11/f Tower 2 Double Dragon, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 87.

NGUYEN THI NHAI Vietnamese

COMPUTER SYSTEM ANALYST

88.

HUANG, WEIDONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

89.

LI, JIAYANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

90.

LI, GUOHUI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

CASPO INCORPORATED 43f, 45f, 49f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Avenue Corner V.a. Rufino Street Bel-air Makati City 125.

EVI PUSPITA SARI, Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CCT CONSTRUCTORS CORPORATION 3/f Planters Products Bldg. 109 Esteban St. San Lorenzo Makati City 126.

TAKEDA, AKIO, Japanese

PROJECT MANAGER

CEBGO, INC. Cebu Pacific Bldg. Domestic Rd. Brgy. 191 Pasay City 127.

LEE, JOOHWA, South Korean

128.

SUNTORNPAWIT PATINYA, Thai

THAI SERVICE DESK

129.

NGUYEN THI NGAN, Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE SERVICE DESK SPECIALIST

DAXIFA CORPORATION Mpire Center 93 West Avenue Project 7 Bungad 1 Quezon City 130.

HUANG, JIANYI, Chinese

CSR MANDARIN SPEAKING

131.

HUANG, LU, Chinese

ONLINE SUPPORT ANALYST

132.

WU, RUI, Chinese

ONLINE SUPPORT ANALYST

DELUXE HOTELS AND RECREATION INC. U-b 9/f Necc Bldg. Newport Ci Newport Blvd. Vab Brgy. 183 Pasay City CHARGY, BENOIT, French

EXECUTIVE CHEF I/C FOOD & BEVERAGE

DYNA BINARY HOLDINGS INC. 18/f Tower 2 The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave., Cor. Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City 134.

135.

136.

GUO, QIAN, Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING ADMIN ASSOCIATE

MOU, TIANYU, Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING ADMIN ASSOCIATE

SHENG, CHUANYI, Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST

ENVIROKONSULT EQUIPMENT & SERVICES INC. 9030 A. Feria Rd. Dela Paz St. Old Balara 3 Quezon City 137.

WONG YEW FEI Malaysian

CHIEF MICROTUNNELING OFFICER

138.

ZACHARIA, SIMSON Indian

MICRO-TUNNELING BORING MACHINE OPERATOR

36.

HAN, BYEONGSUN South Korean

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

91.

TANG, FUYOU Chinese

FIRST GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. Lot 5 Sta. Agueda Cor. Queensway Pagcor Drive Sto. Niño Parañaque City

37.

IM, MINSEOK South Korean

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

92.

WEI, DANLU Chinese

139.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

HUI, HAIFENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

38.

JEONG, JAEYONG South Korean

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

93.

WU, QINGLIANG Chinese

140.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LI, KAI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

39.

KIM, YOUNGCHAN South Korean

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

94.

XIN, ZHIYANG Chinese

141.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LIAO, WEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

40.

LEE, CHAE WON South Korean

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

95.

XIONG, JIAZHI Chinese

142.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LIN, KUNFENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

41.

SON, JUNHYUK South Korean

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

96.

ZHANG, XIA Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

143.

LIU, WEIWEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

97.

ZHANG, ZHAOJIE Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

144.

MO, ZIXIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

98.

CHEN, JING Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

145.

REN, QIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

BAOLONG TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP LIMITED INC. 20-29th/f Century Diamond Tower Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Salamanca St. Poblacion Makati City

CHEN, YAN-LIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE SPEAKING

156.

LIM CHUN LIANG Malaysian

CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE SPEAKING

157.

PEH JIA HAO, MELVIN Singaporean

CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE SPEAKING

158.

TSAI, HO Taiwanese

CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE SPEAKING

159.

I GUSTI AGUNG BAGUS WIRAKUSUMA Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE INDONESIAN SPEAKING

160.

TOMMY Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE INDONESIAN SPEAKING

161.

BOONTIA, WARALID Thai

CUSTOMER SERVICE THAI SPEAKING

162.

LERDPEERAKORN, NANTANIT Thai

CUSTOMER SERVICE THAI SPEAKING

163.

MUANGTHONG, WARAPORN Thai

CUSTOMER SERVICE THAI SPEAKING

164.

LE NGOC PHUONG ANH Vietnamese

CUSTOMER SERVICE VIETNAMESE SPEAKING

GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING 3rd & 6th Flr. Ortigas Technopoint 2 Ortigas Home Depot Complex #1 Doña Julia Vargas Ave. Ugong Pasig City 165.

CHEN, JIELIN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

166.

GAO, HONGJUN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

167.

HUA, BINBIN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

168.

HUANG, QIAOYUAN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

169.

HUANG, XIN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

170.

JIANG, JIANSONG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

171.

LI, HUI Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

172.

LIN, GUILIN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

173.

YANG, QILIANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

CHE, JIAXUN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

CHEN, XUANBIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

CHEN, YU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

CHENG, YONGJIAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

DAI, ZUSEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

DENG, XIAJIE Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

GAO, SHUAIHE Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

HE, YANJIA Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

LI, MUQIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

LIN, YAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

LIU, XIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

LU, YOUYAO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

PENG, JIAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

SU, WENKUN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

TANG, ZHAOYU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

TAO, YULEI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

TAO, WEIXIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

WAN, LONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

WANG, MINGZHI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

WANG, PENGYU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

XI, HAILONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

XIE, QIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

174.

175.

176.

FIRST OFFICER

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

133.

155.

42.

ALBERT Indonesian

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

99.

SUN, ZEHUA Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

43.

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

146.

CHAO, JIHUA Chinese

FENG, WENBIN Chinese

100.

FENG, LIN Chinese

147.

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

SUN, XIANPING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

44.

CHEN, CHANG Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

101.

GUO, YUN Chinese

MANDARIN LANGUAGE SPECIALIST

148.

TENG, NA Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

177.

178.

179.

180.

181.

182.

183.

184.

185.

186.

187.

188.

189.

190.

191.

192.

193.

194.

195.

BusinessMirror

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

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

XU, WEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

253.

CONG, LEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

365.

XU, YANXIU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

434.

254.

DU, DONGDONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

366.

XU, YIDAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

HUANG, WENHUI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

255.

FAN, LIZHI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

367.

XU, PEIPEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

435.

YANG, CANDI Chinese

256.

HU, PU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

368.

YANG, FAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

HUANG, ZHIPING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

257.

HUANG, YONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

369.

YANG, MIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

436.

258.

HUANG, LILAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

370.

YANG, FANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

YE, TIANHE Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

REN, WANBING Chinese

259.

LI, XUELONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

371.

YANG, TONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

437.

SHANGGUAN, FUJIAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHANG, MINGZHU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

260.

LI, XIAOQIANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

372.

YANG, BIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

438.

261.

LI, QINBO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

373.

YE, YANHUA, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

SU, JIANQIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LIN, XIAOWEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

374.

YE, JIANPING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

439.

ZHAO, WEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE MANDARIN SPEAKING

262.

263.

LIU, JIANHONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

375.

YU, WEIBO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

SU, CHEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

264.

LIU, LIRONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

376.

YU, XINER, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

440.

XU, XUEFANG Chinese

201.

BI, WEICHENG Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

265.

LIU, QINGLIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

377.

266.

LIU, TAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZENG, GUANGMING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

441.

YANG, HAIYANG Chinese

202.

CHENG, ZHUOWEN Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

267.

LIU, CHAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

378.

ZENG, YILE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

269.

LIU, QIANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZHANG, CHENGGUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

DENG, JIANTING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

YANG, CHUANXIN Chinese

203.

LIU, ENKANG, Chinese

379.

442.

268.

204.

HUANG, XIANGRU Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

270.

LUO, SUJIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

380.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

271.

MA, CHUANHENG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZHANG, CHIYUAN Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

LIN, SONGJIE Chinese

MA, XIUJUAN, Chinese

ZHANG, JIAWEI, Chinese

205.

272.

381.

273.

MA, JINLONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

382.

ZHANG, MIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

LUO, WEISHUI Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

274.

MA, ZHUANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

383.

ZHANG, QIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZHANG, CHUNXIAO Chinese

444.

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

MO, SHAOWU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

XIE, XIAOLING Chinese

275.

384.

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

276.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

385.

ZHANG, CHUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

XU, LONGCHAO Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

NGUYEN TRONG QUYEN Vietnamese

277.

NI, HAIYAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

386.

ZHANG, ZHEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

YANG, WEICONG Chinese

NOVIANTI , Indonesian

ZHANG, RUOLIN Chinese

209.

278.

387.

TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4, Bayfort West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City

279.

PENG, XIAOYANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

388.

ZHANG, XIANGYUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

210.

YU, LIANG Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

280.

PENG, XIAOYANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

389.

ZHAO, YIHUA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

QIN, FEI, Chinese

ZHAO, BINYU Chinese

ZENG, FAN Chinese

281.

390.

211.

282.

QIN, PAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

391.

ZHANG, XIAODONG Chinese

MARKETING STAFF MANDARIN SPEAKING

SHI, RUILONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

212.

283.

ZHONG, HUAGEN Chinese

284.

SONG, YU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

392.

ZHOU, SEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

285.

SU, ZHICHAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

393.

286.

SUI, LEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZHOU, WENWU Chinese

287.

SUN, QIYING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

394.

288.

TANG, HONGSHUAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

289.

TUO, YUANLONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

290.

WANG, QIANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

291.

WANG, MINJING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

292.

WANG, BAOYU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

INTEGRITY GLOBAL GROUP, INC. 2/f-3/f Ayala Malls Circuit A.p. Reyes Ave. Carmona Makati City

293.

WANG, HAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

294.

WANG, RONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

216.

295.

WANG, SIYU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

296.

WANG, TING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

297.

WANG, YANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

298.

WEI, BING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

299.

WU, RENDONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

300.

WU, XINGGUO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

301.

YANG, QINGLONG Chinese

302.

197.

198.

199.

200.

206.

207.

208.

HAOLI BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION CO. INCORPORATED 1219 Soler Cor Masangkay St. 028, Bgy 294 Binondo Manila 213.

LIU, YI, Chinese

LEADMAN (STEEL WORKS)

214.

ZHANG, YANLING, Chinese

WAREHOUSE WOMAN

INFOVINE INC. 9/f Y Tower, Moa Complex Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal Brgy. 076 Pasay City 215.

217.

218.

219.

220.

221.

222.

HAO, JIAO Chinese

JIN, XIN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LI, SHENGYAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

YANG, JUN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHOU, WEN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

447.

CHEN, YARUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

448.

FAN, ZHENZHEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

449.

ZOU, XIANGKAI Chinese

GUO, JIAJIA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

450.

395.

ZOU, XIAOJUN Chinese

HU, RUNHUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

451.

396.

LIEW KEAN BOON Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

LINGHU, YAYA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

452.

397.

ONG CHIN BOON Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

LIU, DE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

453.

398.

TAN KAE LOON Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE

LUO, ZHAOLUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

454.

399.

LA JAR Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

WANG, QIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

455.

400.

SAN SAN Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

WANG, XINLU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

456.

401.

SOE WIN Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

YANG, TIANCI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

457.

402.

TUN TUN WIN Myanmari

MYANMARI CUSTOMER SERVICE

YANG, RUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

458.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

403.

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

459.

YAP KHING YEUNG Malaysian

HOANG TRONG HUNG Vietnamese

YUAN, TAOTAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

404.

460.

YU, ZHENHUA, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

303.

NGO THANH TRUNG Vietnamese

ZHANG, QISHUN Chinese

ZHANG, XIAOJIAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

THI DIEU PHAT Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

304.

405.

ZHANG, JIAN Chinese

461.

406.

TRAN DUC LONG Chinese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

DUONG VAN DAI Vietnamese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

407.

TRAN HUU TRUNG Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

TS TECH BUSINESS SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. 6/f 6780 Ayala Ave. Bldg. 6780 Ayala Avenue San Lorenzo Makati City 462.

UNICORN COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION Rm.7 3/f Enzo Bldg. 399 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHENG, QIAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

305.

ZHANG, XINZHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZHANG, ZHIJIE, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

GUO, BAOFENG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

306.

307.

ZHU, ZHENYU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

HE, SHIYA Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

HOANG THI DIEU Vietnamese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

HU, MENGMENG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

409.

TRAN THUY HONG Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

308.

WANG, HONGXIU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE

410.

TRAN VAN CHUNG Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

309.

CHEN, SHAOYING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

310.

CHEN, WEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

311.

CHEN, XIAOYI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

NOVO NORDISK PHARMACEUTICALS (PHILIPPINES), INC. Unit 2101 21/f Twenty Four Seven Mckniley Bldg. 24th St., Cor. 7th Ave. Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

312.

CHEN, JIE, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

313.

CHEN, BO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

314.

CHEN, WEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

315.

DENG, YANFENG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

316.

FENG, ZHENCHAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

317.

GAO, WENXIU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

318.

GUO, YUE, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

319.

HAN, ZIQI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

320.

HAO, FEINAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

321.

HOU, XU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

322.

HUANG, KAIMING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

323.

HUANG, JINXIAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

324.

JI, YU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

325.

JIANG, XIDONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

326.

LI, HAILI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

327.

LI, HANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

328.

LI, YONGLI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

JTI GBS PHILIPPINES, INC. Makiling Room Penthouse W Office Bldg. W Office Bldg. 28th St. Cor. 11th Ave. Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

329.

LI, ZHAOYANG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

330.

LI, ZHEN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

232.

331.

LI, CHAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

332.

LI, XIAOLI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

333.

LIAO, MEILI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

334.

LIN, XING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

335.

LIN, JINGMIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

336.

LIN, QUIHONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

337.

LIN, YING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

338.

LIU, ZHEN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

339.

LIU, HUIQIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

LAN TIAN ZI XUN INC. Rm. 2510 25/f Zen Tower 1111 N.lopez St., 071 Bgy. 659 Ermita Manila

340.

LIU, SIQI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

341.

LIU, QI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

235.

LIU, ZHENQIAO, Chinese

CHINESE IT SPECIALIST

342.

LIU, HAIOU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

236.

YU, CHIH-HUNG, Taiwanese

CHINESE IT SPECIALIST

343.

LIU, YUSU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

237.

YU, LIJUAN, Chinese

CHINESE IT SPECIALIST

344.

LU, YANWEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

238.

ZHANG, JING, Chinese

CHINESE IT SPECIALIST

345.

LUO, BIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

346.

MENG, XIANGLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

347.

MENG, LYUYU, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

348.

PAN, KELONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

349.

PEI, CANBIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

350.

PEI, YANQING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

351.

PENG, HANJUAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

RUBICON OFFSHORE INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LIMITED 5/f, Richville Corporate Tower 1107 Mbp Ayala Alabang Muntinlupa City

352.

TANG, YUAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

429.

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

353.

TU, ZHE, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

242.

CHAI, HONGXING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

354.

WAN, JING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

243.

CHANG, PENGXIN,Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

355.

WANG, PENG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

244.

CHEN, LEI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

356.

WANG, GUILIN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

245.

CHEN, LONG, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

357.

WANG, YA, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

246.

CHEN, QIAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

358.

WANG, JIANPING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

247.

CHEN, SHENGTIAN, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

359.

WANG, CHENKE, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

248.

CHEN, ZHAO, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

360.

WEI, YINGJUE, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

249.

CHEN, CI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

361.

WEI, SHAOHUI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

250.

CHEN, JIANHE, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

362.

WEN, LIPING, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

251.

CHEN, JIADA, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

363.

XIA, XINKAI, Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

252.

CHEN, LI,Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

364.

XIONG, CHENGYANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

227.

228.

229.

JIN, YINGYING Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LIANG, HUI Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LIU, HUAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

WAN, JIAN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. 10/f Aseana I Bldg. Bradco Avenue Aseana Business Park Tambo Parañaque City 230.

231.

233.

KU, HSIEN-WEN Taiwanese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

ZENG, JIANPENG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

PORNPHATTANASUKSAKUL, SOMRUTHAI, Thai

PHAM HOANG MY KHANH , Vietnamese

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST - THAI ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST - VIETNAMESE

JUMPHIGH ACADEMY INC. Units 2103-2104 Prestige Tower Don Francisco Ortigas Jr. Road San Antonio Pasig City 234.

LEE, MUJIN, South Korean

VICE PRESIDENT

LERIB SERVICES CORPORATION U-3d Rose Industries Bldg. Choice Market Ortigas Kapitolyo Pasig City 239.

240.

241.

MA, KEON SEOK South Korean

COMPUTER TECHNICIAN

PARK, JINSUNG South Korean

COMPUTER TECHNICIAN

PARK, HAESUNG South Korean

COMPUTER TECHNICIAN

DIGITAL EXPERIENCE SENIOR TRAINER

CHEN, JIANBO Chinese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

226.

IWASAKI, ARISA, Japanese

MANDARIN FINANCE STAFF

446.

TRAN NGHE DUNG Vietnamese

225.

CHEONG KAR HONG, Malaysian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

408.

224.

443.

BIAN, ZHAOYANG Chinese

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg. Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City Tambo Parañaque City

223.

SKYLUSTER TECHNOLOGY, INC. 26/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City

445.

CHEN, YUE Chinese

411.

WIEBOLS, PAUL ERIK HERMAN, Dutch

BUSINESS UNIT DIRECTOR, GLP-1

OKKDA ASIA TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 5b 5/f Marvin Plaza 2153 C. Roces Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City 412.

413.

LIANG, JIAQUAN Chinese

MULTILINGUAL GLOBAL SALES AND MARKETING CONSULTANT

TAN WEI SIANG Malaysian

MULTILINGUAL GLOBAL SALES AND MARKETING CONSULTANT

POWERPORT DATA SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY INC. 16/f, 17/f, 18/f & 19/f Corporate Tower Alphaland, Makati Place, 7232 Ayala Avenue Extn. Bel-air Makati City

463.

INOUE, TAKAYUKI, Japanese

ZAZUETA MONTOYA, JESUS ENRIQUE Mexican

PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER

OPERATIONS MANAGER

VAN GOGH BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING INC. 5th To 8th Flr. Sm Southmall Tower 2 Alabang Zapote Rd. Almanza Uno Las Piñas City 464.

CAO, HAILONG Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

465.

SHENG, SIQING Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

466.

TANG, YANG Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

467.

WU, HAIYUAN Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

468.

YU, JIAKUN Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

469.

JIAN, XIAOQIANG, Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

470.

SONG, ZHIPENG, Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

KANG, PENGQI, Chinese

QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE) SPECIALIST

471.

414.

CHEN, RUIJIE Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

472.

415.

JIANG, HUANLIN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

YU, XIAOHAI Chinese

QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE) SPECIALIST

473.

416.

LAN, YINGJIE Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHANG, YIBO Chinese

QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE) SPECIALIST

417.

LIU, JIAJIE Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

418.

WANG, HUZI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

419.

XU, WEIHONG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

PRIME GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. 3/f To 8/f, Nissan Sucat Zentrum Building 8390 Dr. A Santos Avenue Bf Homes Parañaque City

VIVO MOBILE TECH., INC. Unit 3302c, 3302d, 3303a, 3303b, 3303c, 3303d, 3304a, 3304b, & 3304c E Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 474.

475.

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

421.

SHAO, MAOCHEN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

476.

422.

FU, HONGMIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

477.

423.

HUANG, SHIFU Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

424.

LIU, MING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

425.

MO, LIFANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

426.

YANG, TIANZHI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

427.

YUAN, YONGNING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

428.

YUAN, ERDONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

SHEVRONE INC. Unit No. 2c Floor No. 4/f, Zone 10 Barangay 76, District 1 Pasay City 430.

LIU, CUI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

SKY DRAGON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES CORP. # 103 Mezzanine Floor Edsa Mandaluyong City 431.

WANG, SHENGSHUAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

432.

WU, LIANGDE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

433.

DUAN, PINGLANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

HWONG, YIN-LOOM, Taiwanese

WLS ONLINE SALES EXECUTIVE

WISEFENCE INC. Level 40 Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City

HUANG, PINWEN Chinese

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR

ENGLISH - CHINESE MANDARIN SPEAKING - AFTER SALES OPERATIONAL CONSULTANT

LIN, RENXIONG Chinese

W-TECH SOLUTIONS INC. 5/f Eco Plaza Bldg. 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extn. Magallanes Makati City

420.

BRUMMER, PIETER WILLEM ADRIAAN South African

A7

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

POSITION

196.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

Friday, November 20, 2020

GUO, SHUGEN, Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS ANALYST

YIN, LIFEN, Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS ANALYST

XIONWEI TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. INCORPORATED 2/f Upsi The Pearl Manila Hotel 1121 Gen. Luna St. 073, Bgy. 676 Ermita Manila 478.

CAI, XIAOYUAN, Chinese

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

YNT ENTERPRISE CO. INC. Unit 101 Residencia 8888 Condominium Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 479.

KIM, TAE HYUN, South Korean

INTERNATIONAL SALES MANAGER

*Date Generated: Nov 19, 2020 Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

News

BusinessMirror

A8 Friday, November 20, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Spiking teen pregnancies among poor deepening poverty–Popcom

M

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

ILLIONS of Filipinos are caught in a poverty trap because of teenage pregnancies that prevent many women from maximizing the economic opportunities available to them, according to the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom).

Popcom Executive Director and Undersecretary Juan Antonio Perez III told BusinessMirror on Thursday that 57 percent of teen moms already belong to the bottom 40 percent of the population.

This will become a problem in terms of poverty estimates, particularly next year.

Estimates made by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) showed that the lockdowns increased teen pregnancies by 21.04 percent.

“This is where intergenerational poverty comes in. Adolescent mothers who are poor inherently have lower incomes, drop out of school and are dependent on their nuclear family. This makes it difficult to get out of the poverty trap,” Perez told this newspaper.

Based on the UPPI estimates, the com-

munity quarantines will lead to 102,000 adolescents aged 15 to 19 years olds could become pregnant. This is 18,000 more than the 84,000 expected teen pregnancies without the lockdowns.

One of the things that should also be monitored with this number, Perez said, is the observation that there is a high chance that a second or third pregnancy could follow.

With this, Perez said, there is a need to attain zero repeat pregnancies nationwide. In order to address this, Perez said that apart from national governments, the local government units (LGUs) have an important role to play to prevent even more adolescents from getting pregnant.

Currently, Perez said LGUs invest 15 percent of their budgets for programs to help achieve better health outcomes. Increasing the budget of LGUs for health, particularly reproductive health, could be done through The Challenge Initiative (TCI).

TCI in the Philippines is co-managed by Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (Gates Institute), in collaboration with Popcom.

“The goal is zero repeat pregnancies and 50-percent reduction in teen pregnancy overall, nationally. To get to zero repeat pregnancies all LGUs would need to join TCI or increase investments. By investing now, we can accelerate the success of the program by 5 to 10 years,” Perez told BusinessMirror.

The TCI entails improvement in access to modern contraceptives and develop positive health-seeking behaviors among adolescents and youth.

Popcom said the cities of Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog have committed to reduce teenage pregnancies as they work their way toward becoming adolescent and youth friendly cities.

Other cities invited to join the program include 42 other localities; at least two in every region are included, except for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

These include Dagupan City, Tuguegarao City, Balanga City, Biñan City, Naga City, Iloilo City, Talisay City, Tacloban City, Zamboanga City, Davao City, Cotabato City, Butuan City, Manila, Baguio City, and Marawi City.

“TCI’s approach is founded on the premise that solutions are more sustainable when local governments take the lead. Local leaders are excited by a model that enables cities design and lead their family planning and ASRH programs with a clear path to scale and sustainability,” TCI Executive Director Kojo Lokko explained. “Given the worrying state of teen pregnancies in the Philippines, TCI believes it can help cities address the problem through right-fitting and best practice approaches, with appropriate partners in Popcom and ZFF.” Participating cities under the initiative will be given technical assistance and guidance on TCI’s proven high-impact approaches and will be part of the global community of practice with TCI’s’ network of 95 cities across 10 countries.

Red Cross deploys caravan to N. Luzon

T

HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC), under the leadership of its chairman and CEO, Sen. Richard Gordon, is set to visit Cagayan and Isabela to assess the damage and provide assistance for the vulnerable who were affected by typhoon “Ulysses.”

“Our response is always fast—for speed is the name of the game. We rush and double our efforts after all disasters came one after another,” Gordon said.

The PRC earlier deployed a humanitarian caravan to Cagayan and Isabela to intensify the rescue and relief efforts.

“Based on the initial assessment done by our volunteers and staff, this caravan, composed of rescue vehicles, equipment, relief items and manpower, will strengthen our response to the ongoing operations,” Gordon said.

The caravan consists of a 10,000 literwater tanker, a food truck, an ambulance, a rescue boat, a Land Cruiser for assessment, and two 10-wheeler trucks for nonfood items. Part of the caravan are 500 sets of sleeping kits, jerry cans, and hygiene tarpaulins which benefit the stricken.

The caravan’s manpower consists of 17 persons, including a 5 man-water search and rescue (Wasar) team.

PRC teams mobilized among houses, and among they had rescued are a monthold infant and a 14 day-old baby, and an 8-year-old girl from Gran Vitoria Lodge, Brgy. Pengue Ruyu, Tuguegarao.

Among the services PRC made available is providing hot meals to 2,193 persons.

“Our relief operations are real-time.

We always ensure that aside from rescue, relief is provided after, for we know that under such circumstances these people are hit hard and left with nothing,” Gordon said. Aside from rescue and food relief, PRC provided psychosocial first aid to the residents.

As Covid-19 is still a big threat in the country, PRC distributed 406 face masks to the affected communities of the said regions. All relief operations are reviewed to lessen the risk of coronavirus for the communities and PRC staff working on the field. “The Philippine Red Cross will pursue helping the affected until they get back on their feet. More help is definitely on the way,” Gordon assured.

In its overall relief operations nationwide, PRC was able to provide hot meals to 31,227 individuals, including 5,149 face masks and 470 face shields. At least 570 families and 4,239 individuals received hygiene kits and undergone hygiene promotion lecture. For its psychological assistance, PRC helped 1,973 individuals, with 1,475 children benefiting from a child-friendly set-up and activities.

PRC resorted to multiple response and relief efforts. The Red Cross’ Disaster Management Services augmented its operations, marshalling all the organization’s available services from rescue to response and relief, to help Cagayan and Isabela residents who are in hazardous situation after the onslaught of Ulysses and release of water from dams. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

BBM VOLUNTEERS’ RELIEF Preparations are seen in full swing for delivery of relief donations for Tuguegarao, Cagayan, flood victims organized by volunteers and leaders for former senator Bongbong Marcos. Badly needed items like food—rice, noodles, bread—and blankets are being readied for loading.

The BBM Leaders and Volunteers led by Alarice Gadon also donated Marcos-inspired nutribuns to the flood victims. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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

The World BusinessMirror

China’s Xi vows no decoupling in call to reject protectionism

P

r esident X i J i n p i n g pledged that China wouldn’t engage in decoupling, in an address to Asia-Pacific leaders in Kuala Lumpur just days after the region inaugurated the world’s largest free-trade agreement.

“We will not reverse course or run against the historical trend by ‘ decoupling’ or forming a small circle to keep others out,” X i said.

Xi spoke by video on Thursday morning as part of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summits hosted by Malaysia, an annual gathering being held virtually this year due the pandemic. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was slated to speak later Thursday, while his counterparts from Japan and New Zealand were expected to address the gathering on Friday.

Xi’s speech came as he—and the world—awaits clues on how US President-elect Joe Biden will approach Beijing. The White House declined to say whether President Donald Trump plans to address the summit.

Trump left National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien to represent the US at a separate gathering of Southeast Asian nations last week. Xi and Vice President Mike Pence traded sharp barbs in back-to-back speeches at APEC meetings two years ago, a confrontation that prevented the forum from issuing a joint statement for the first time.

Asia-Pacific nations including China, Japan and South Korea

signed the world’s largest regional free-trade agreement over the weekend, encompassing almost a third of the world’s economic output. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, almost a decade in the making, has raised questions over whether the US would move under Biden to counter China’s growing regional influence, especially as Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017.

“In today’s world where economic globalization has become an irreversible trend, no country can develop itself by keeping its doors closed,” Xi said Thursday.

Last year’s APEC summit in Chile, where Trump had expected to sign a preliminary trade accord with China, was canceled as host city Santiago struggled with street protests. That puts greater onus on reaching a Leaders’ Declaration this year—a non-binding statement covering topics such as urbanization, sustainable tourism and natural disasters.

Ma l aysia n Pr ime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, the event’s host leader, told APEC gatherings Thursday that the “most important priority” was to “reaffirm our support and commitment for the rules-based multilateral trading system.”

“This is essential for our businesses,” Muhyiddin said in a speech, “as market stability and productivity are the central pillars which ensure that trade investment continue to flow even during times of crisis.”

Bloomberg News

‘Five Eyes’ alliance urges China to keep Hong Kong commitments

T

he “Five Eyes” intelligence partnership called on China to “live up to” its duty to the people of Hong Kong after Beijing moved to demand loyalty from the city’s lawmakers, prompting its opposition to resign en masse.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK, the countries that make up the alliance, reiterated “serious concern” over China’s new rule in a joint statement on Hong Kong.

“We call on China to stop undermining the rights of the people of Hong Kong to elect their representatives in keeping with the Joint Declaration and Basic Law,” the statement said, referring to the city’s mini-constitution. “For the sake of Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity, it is essential that China and the Hong Kong authorities respect the channels for the people of Hong Kong to express their legitimate concerns and opinions.”

The group called on China’s central government “to re-con-

sider their actions against Hong Kong’s elected legislature and immediately reinstate the Legislative Council members.”

China’s move to disqualify lawmakers not deemed sufficiently loyal was one of its strongest yet to stifle protest and dissent in the former British colony. The measure has fueled concerns about basic freedoms in the city and its future autonomy from the mainland.

The Five Eyes has increasingly expanded beyond intelligence cooperation to weigh in on geopolitical issues of shared concern, and is a potential platform for Presidentelect Joe Biden’s incoming administration to rally its allies against a more assertive Beijing.

The alliance in August issued a statement saying it was “gravely concerned” about candidate disqualifications in Hong Kong and the postponement of the city’s legislative election. The Chinese Foreign Ministry pushed back, saying it “deplores” the statement and that it had interfered in China’s internal affairs. Bloomberg News

Key Trump aide taking China message on Vietnam, PHL trip

U

nited States National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien is traveling to Vietnam and the Philippines this week as the Trump administration continues its efforts to counter China and deepen ties with the Southeast Asian nations, according to two US officials.

O’Brien has meetings with Vietnamese security officials in Hanoi on Saturday and will give remarks to students at Vietnam National University on Sunday.

O’Brien’s visit will make him the second high-level Trump administration official to travel to Vietnam in the past month. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo was there in late October to discuss the US strategy

toward the Indo-Pacific region, just days after Vietnam freed an American who had been jailed since 2019.

US-Vietnam ties have improved notablyinrecentyears.USNavyshipsnow do port calls in Vietnam, and the two nations in July jointly protested Chinese military drills in the South China Sea. Nevertheless, Vietnam was part of a 15-nation trade deal reached this week that includes China, Japan and South Korea—but not the US. After visiting Vietnam, O’Brien will travel to the Philippines on Sunday evening and Monday, laying a wreath at an American cemetery and meeting with national security officials in Manila, the officials said.

Bloomberg News

Friday, November 20, 2020

A9

Pfizer says Covid-19 shot 95% effective, protects older people

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fizer said on Wednesday that new test results show its coronavirus vaccine is 95 percent effective, is safe and also protects older people most at risk of dying—the last data needed to seek emergency use of limited shot supplies as the catastrophic outbreak worsens across the globe.

The announcement from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, just a week after they revealed the first promising preliminary results, comes as the team is preparing within days to formally ask US regulators to allow emergency use of the vaccine. Anticipating that, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel is on standby to publicly debate the data in early December.

The companies also have begun “rolling submissions” for the vaccine with regulators in Europe, the UK and Canada and soon will add this new data.

P f i z e r a nd B ioN Te c h h a d initia l ly estimated the vaccine was more than 90 percent effective after counting a group of the earliest infections that occurred in its final-stage testing. With the new announcement, they have accumu lated m o r e i n f e c t i o n s —17 0 — a n d sa id on ly eight of t hem occur red in volunteers who got the actua l vaccine rather than a comparison dummy shot. One

of those eight developed severe disease, the companies said. “ This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO and co-founder, told the Associated Press.

Even if regulators agree, he dispelled any notion that an end to the pandemic is around the corner, warning “we are now awaiting a hard winter.”

“The available vaccine doses are just too small to ensure that we could make a significant difference to the society” right away, Sahin said. But next year if several companies’ vaccine candidates also work, “we might be able to get control of this pandemic situation late summer 2021.”

The companies have not yet released detailed data on their study, and independent experts have not analyzed results. Also still to be determined are important questions such as how long protection lasts and whether people might need boosters—leading experts to caution that people should focus less on the specific

numbers and more on the overall promise.

Earlier this week, competitor Moderna Inc. also announced similar effectiveness of its own Covid-19 vaccine candidate, which is made with the same, brand-new technology—using a snippet of the genetic code of the coronavirus to train the body to recognize if the real virus comes along.

For both, “there’s every reason to be enormously optimistic,” said Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of FDA’s advisers.

“When these vaccines roll out, you’re only going to know it’s effective for a limited period of time,” he cautioned, adding that more follow-up information will come. “You don’t want to oversell it, but you don’t want to undersell it.”

All eyes are on the progress of potential vaccines as the grim infection toll jumps in the US and abroad as winter weather forces people indoors, in the close quarters that fuels viral spread.

Pfizer and BioNTech said the vaccine was more than 94 percent effective in adults over age 65, though it is not clear exactly how that was determined with only eight infections in the vaccinated group to analyze and no breakdown provided of those people’s ages.

Sahin said there were enough older adults enrolled in the study and among the placebo recipients who became infected that he is confident “this vaccine appears to work in the higher-risk population.”

While initial supplies will be scarce and rationed, as the supply grows Sahin said the companies have a responsibility to help ensure access for lower income countries as well.

In the US, officials expect enough doses of both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines to vaccinate only about 20 million people at first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will determine who is first in line, expected to include health workers and older adults.

Whatever that prioritization, Gen. Gustave Perna of the Trump a d m i n i s t r a t i o n’s O p e r a t i o n Warp Speed pledged a “fair and equitable” distribution across the US of FDA-authorized doses as they become available. Pfizer would handle shipping of its own doses; the warp speed program will help with support and distributing additional companies’ vaccines if and when they become available.

In addition to the protection findings, Pfizer and BioNTech also said no serious vaccine side effects have been reported, with the most common problem being fatigue after the second vaccine dose, affecting about 4 percent of participants.

The study has enrolled nearly 44,000 people in the US and five other countries. The trial will continue to collect safety and effectiveness data on volunteers for two more years.

Pfizer and BioNTech said they expect to produce up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021. AP

3 dead in protests in Uganda’s capital as Bobi Wine arrested

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AMPALA, Uganda—Police in Uganda said three people died and 38 were injured in protests that broke out on Wednesday in Uganda’s capital after police arrested Bobi Wine, a musician and opposition politician who is seeking the presidency in next year’s election.

Wine’s supporters blocked roads and burned tires in Kampala, prompting police to fire tear gas and bullets to disperse the protesters, after Wine was arrested in the eastern town of Luuka and taken to a police station in the city of Jinja.

Police spokesman Fred Enanga said Wine, whose real name is Rober t Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, was arrested for violating Covid-19 guidelines that require

Protesters supporting opposition presidential candidate Bobi Wine, seen on placard, gather around the dead body of a man who they claimed had been shot by police but which could not be immediately verified, during clashes with security forces in Kampala, Uganda on November 18. Police in Uganda said three people died and 38 were injured in protests that broke out on Wednesday in Uganda’s capital after police arrested Bobi Wine, a musician and opposition politician who is seeking the presidency in next year’s election. AP

presidential candidates to meet or address less than 200 people.

“We have not been allowed to see him and we don’t know what is happening,” asserted Joel Ssenyonyi, the spokesman for Wine’s political par ty, the National Unity Platform.

Meanwhile it was “total chaos” in the capital, said the chairman of the Kampala City Traders Association, Evarest Kayongo. “The streets are empty...We have closed business because of tear gas and bullets,” he said.

Wine, who has been arrested many times in recent years, has captured the imagination of many Ugandans with his persistent calls for President Yoweri Museveni to retire after 36 years in power. AP

UAE escalates Opec+ dispute as tensions on output quotas grow

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he United Arab Emirates ratcheted up tension with oil allies Saudi Arabia and Russia, with officials privately floating a surprising idea: the Gulf producer is even considering leaving the Opec+ alliance.

The move is unusual because the UAE has for a long time avoided public clashes, preferring to solve disputes quietly behind closed doors. It’s unclear whether the warning is a maneuver to force a negotiation over production levels, or represents a genuine policy debate.

UAE officials have not given any indication in public that the producer is debating its membership in Opec, let alone planning to leave, and officials briefed the media under condition they would not be named, allowing room for maneuver if the state later wants to distance itself from the comments.

Tension between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi has been growing since

late summer, when the UAE increased its production above its Opec+ quota, prompting a stern warning from its neighbor. Now, it appears to have escalated as Emirati policy makers grow increasingly frustrated by what they see as an unfair allocation of production targets.

It comes at a delicate moment for Opec+, which has propped up oil prices with a historic agreement to cut supply to offset the impact of the pandemic on demand. Any signs of cracks in the alliance would undermine an already fragile market.

Next meeting

The group needs to decide in the next two weeks whether to go ahead with a production increase set out in the April deal, or to delay it. So far, Riyadh and Moscow have signaled they are prepared to delay the hike as the pandemic continues to sap demand.

Earlier, Energy Intelligence reported the country was weighing up the pros and cons of Opec membership. No one was available to comment at the oil ministry.

The United Arab Emirates is taking a line unusually distant f rom that of its Gu lf neighbor—and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ de facto leader—Saudi Arabia.

While Riyadh has said the group needs to be proactive and ready to act, UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al-Mazrouei has sounded more circumspect, saying everyone must first be convinced of the need to delay a production increase initially scheduled for January 2021.

Earlier this week, a panel of Opec+ ministers told the group to be vigilant about the market despite a rally in oil prices. “All participating countries need to be vigilant, proactive and be prepared to act, when necessary, to

the requirements of the market,” the panel said in a statement.

Oil rose to its highest since early September on Wednesday on further signs of stronger demand in China, India and other Asian nations, and the prospect of a Covid vaccine. West Texas Intermediate settled at $41.82 a barrel, while Brent crude closed at $44.34.

Al-Mazrouei also insisted that straggling producers should implement unfinished supply cuts— possibly a barb related to the public rebuke he received from the kingdom in the summer, after the UAE flouted its own commitments.

Saudi Arabia has also said that all members, collectively, need to keep to their pledges.

The lead-up to Opec meetings often features last-minute dramas, and this tussle may dissipate, as others have before. But cracks emerging in a key partnership would be an alarming development for the cartel. Bloomberg News

A10 Friday, November 20, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Wipeout of several Cagayan towns seen

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he recent floods that submerged many parts of Luzon were considered extreme in terms of the number of families affected and rendered homeless. Cagayan Valley specifically suffered its worst flooding in history, ​which caused unbearable economic pain. On Sunday, President Duterte assured the flood victims that government is working hard to “rebuild the lives of Cagayan Valley residents who were affected by the massive flooding.”

“I also urge the LGUs to actively collaborate with the task force created to lead the rehabilitation efforts because your lives including your good health, safety, and improved welfare are the government’s highest priority,” he said.

The President added that the government is likewise working to prevent a repeat of such disaster, through forest protection efforts against illegal logging and mining.

May 12, 2014 news report: “The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Cagayan Valley region has a high record of convictions on anti-illegal logging cases. The DENR said Cagayan Valley is known as the land of notorious Timber License Agreement. DENR Regional Director Benjamin Tumaliuan disclosed that for the last three years, Cagayan Valley has 90 recorded cases, with Nueva Vizcaya having the most number of convictions. ‘This record is a result of a massive and heightened anti-illegal logging campaign of the agency which likewise resulted in the loss of lives among our employees while on the job,’” Tumaliuan explained.

May 5, 2015 news report: “The DENR in Cagayan Valley is filing a case against a landowner in the town of Santa Ana in Cagayan province after a natural forest was razed in the property to give way to a development project.

Benjamin Tumaliuan, regional director of DENR-Region II, said his team is inspecting the area in the village of Patunungan after a barangay captain in the same town reported the cutting of trees. He also confirmed that no permit to cut trees in the area was issued, especially since the area is classified as ‘natural forest,’ where tree cutting is ‘strictly prohibited’ by the law.”

November 19, 2020 Regional Development Council Report: “DENR warns possible wipeout of several municipalities in Isabela and Cagayan during flooding: The DENR Regional Executive Director Benjamin T. Tumaliuan stated that the rainfall measurement in a given time can determine the amount of water outflow, the rise of the Cagayan River at a certain level, and the barangays that will be affected by the flooding as exemplified in his study, ‘Development of Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System for Cagayan Valley.’ Tumaliuan said that if the rainfall level in Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya exceeds 50mm, inflow to Magat Dam ranges from 4,000 to 5,000 m3/sec and outflow reaches 5,000 m3/sec with no rainfall in Cagayan, 17 municipalities in Isabela will be flooded within 12 hours and Tuguegarao City within 24 hours. Likewise, in case of heavy rainfall throughout the region with more than 50mm level and the outflow of Magat Dam reaches 5,000 m3/sec, 18 municipalities will be flooded especially those below 35m above sea level in Cagayan and 45 in Isabela. Tumaliuan also said the siltation problem in Cagayan River is not only caused by deforestation but also due to economic activities such as road construction and farming. Note that the heavy siltation in said river has been causing the flood in Cagayan especially in low-lying areas. He also called for a more intensified IEC campaign on weather information, and disaster responses and mitigation and urged the region to create a model of communication channel to effect an efficient early warning, contingency planning, and quick response during natural disturbances. The system shall be composed of concerned Regional Line Agencies and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council 2.”

December 10, 2019 BusinessMirror report: “An official of the DENR on Monday said the flooding in Cagayan and Isabela provinces early this month cannot be blamed on illegal logging activities. Antonio A. Abawag, DENR regional executive director in the Cagayan Valley, said based on the assessment made by the DENR which he personally led, there’s no evidence of new or freshly cut, or illegally cut trees in the area, even as piles of driftwood were seen floating along with other debris in the floodwaters in the City of Ilagan in Isabela during the flood after heavy rains brought about by the northeast monsoon.”

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Economic opportunities and challenges in the next normal Sonny M. Angara

Better Days

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ow that we are adapting to the “Next Normal” as required by the Covid-19 pandemic, assessing the opportunities for our economy to recover is imperative. However, there are many challenges to surmount in our bid to recover and move forward from the pandemic.

In the recent Covid-19 Response Report by the Oxford Business Group and their research partner, Reyes Tacondong & Co., the Philippines and Malaysia were projected to have the strongest economic rebounds in the Asean come 2021, each moving forward with a 6.50 percent gross domestic product growth. This is all the more encouraging, as while Malaysia is projected to suffer a 5 percent drop in its GDP this 2020 because of the pandemic, the Philippines is currently projected to have a 7.30 percent drop in the same time frame.

The report also shows data that Filipinos are currently embracing

B

In Montalban and San Mateo, the quarrying or large-scale breaking of mountains to gather rocks and other materials still continue. DENR suspended these operations after the floods brought by one strong typhoon in 2018, but these operations truly didn’t stop. Montalban is also considered as one of the many illegal-logging hot spots.

Seeing our fellowmen who had no means to fight against the rising flood mixed with mud, oil, and garbage is quite tragic. Seeing the elderly, children and infants, pregnant women, and those bearing illnesses and disabilities that were in danger while trying to reach evacuation centers or going to higher grounds, as well as our fellowmen who chose not to leave their homes, is a pitiful site. It is worrying for these events to occur during the time of a pandemic. The authorities continue to give updates on how many Filipinos have been affected, including those who perished, and the gravity of the damage left by the supertyphoon that hit our country this year.

There are some who say that the

ing chain of Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Tonyo, built up and accumulated even if these typhoons didn’t directly hit Metro Manila.

The mountains just couldn’t absorb the water brought by heavy rain.

Aside from the saturated land, it is visibly obvious that the mountains surrounding Metro Manila are severely destroyed.

In Montalban and San Mateo, the quarrying or large-scale breaking of mountains to gather rocks and other materials still continue. DENR suspended these operations after the floods brought by one strong typhoon in 2018, but these operations truly didn’t stop. Montalban is also considered as one of the many illegal-logging hot spots, which is why there are many lost trees that caused the soil to erode; the effect of this can be seen through the color of the floodwater. In many areas in

Rev. Fr. Antonio Cecilio T. Pascual

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rothers and sisters, this past week, memories of our grueling experience during Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 horribly resurfaced. On Wednesday, a major part of Metro Manila and neighboring areas have been submerged due to the flooding caused

by Typhoon Ulysses. The following day, Thursday, the overflowing rivers and canals drowned villages and houses, forcing people to go to their roofs to shout for help.

Ruben M. Cruz Jr. Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes D. Edgard A. Cabangon Judge Pedro T. Santiago (Ret.) Aldwin Maralit Tolosa Rolando M. Manangan

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estingly, despite these figures, only 42 percent of Filipino respondents said they prefer paying with cashless methods, compared to the global average of 59 percent.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank also released in July the results of their enterprise survey concerning the impact of Covid-19 on the Philippine economy. The survey was conducted from April 28 to May 15, and spanned 2,481 enterprises, 92.4 percent of which were micro, small and medium enterprises. Two-thirds of the businesses surveyed closed temporarily due to the quarantine, with the remaining 29 percent having reduced operations. Of those still in operation, 78 percent operated at half capacity or less, while only 4 per-

The fruit of nature’s neglect

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Publisher

online spending and digital payment services: digital transaction users are projected to rise from 38.9 million to 53.6 million by 2024. In fact, the Philippines is expected to perform better than the global average in certain metrics. For example, according to a survey cited by the report, up to 70 percent of Filipino respondents expect to continue using digital payment platforms after the pandemic— slightly higher than the average of 68 percent. Meanwhile, up to 73 percent of respondents said they will most likely increase or sustain their current level of online shopping—where the global average is 72 percent. Inter-

We have already seen a glimpse of how an economy with digital transactions and online services and platforms looks like, thanks to the need for social distancing.

Now that we are coming out the other side of this turning point in world history, it is up to us to take the right and proper steps to a better future.

floods caused by Typhoon Ulysses are worse compared to the one caused by Typhoon Ondoy. If the flood is greater, we would assume that the rain that poured during the typhoon is greater as well.

However, this is not the case, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). If we talk about the amount of rain that poured, Typhoon Ondoy still brought in more water.

But why was the flood caused by Typhoon Ondoy more devastating?

As PAGASA said, it is possible that the water came down from Sierra Madre, particularly from the area called the Marikina watershed.

The water brought by the succeed-

cent had full operational strength.

When it came to liquidity, one third of the respondents had already exhausted their monetary resources when the survey was done; another third expected to be in the same situation in about three months after. Wages and social security payments for employees were the biggest payment issue for 37 percent of the enterprises.

Of the surveyed enterprises, 57 percent supported the idea of a government wage subsidy, followed by deferment on tax payments (52 percent), and then low-interest or subsidized loans (36 percent). Only 14 percent of the enterprises sold products or services online.

Based on the survey, a threephase process was suggested for economic recovery. The first phase is relief and support; access to financing and wage subsidies should be made easier, businesses should be assisted in setting up online platforms, and tax-filing deferrals should be considered. The second phase is for reopening and bounce-back initiatives; aside from continuing first-phase actions, easing mobility restrictions for those who cannot work from home, See “Angara,” A11

Rizal, there are resettlement sites and private subdivisions, which are needed to be constructed with concrete, are seen left-and-right.

So instead of the rainwater being absorbed, it flows down to nearby rivers.

In other words, we are gathering the fruits of violating nature, and many innocent people are affected.

Pope Francis said in Laudato Si, if we treat our environment as a way to make profit, there will be serious consequences. Which is why both environmental and social crises can never be separated. These create one complex crisis, and addressing the needs of small communities is accompanied by preserving nature.

Brothers and sisters, if we allow nature to be destroyed, let us not be surprised if we experience heavy floods like what we just did these past weeks and for the years that came in our “world filled with His unfailing love” (as said in the book of Psalms 33:5). Despite this, we have faith in God’s love that we are blessed through helping each other and every one in need during these times of tragedy.

Make it a habit to listen to Radio Veritas 846 Ang Radyo ng Simbahan in the AM band, or through live streaming at www.veritas846.ph, and follow its Twitter and Instagram accounts @veritasph, and YouTube at veritas846.ph. For your comments, e-mail veritas846pr@gmail.com.

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What can tame the Virtual anger and sadness furious wrath of Ulysses?

Tito Genova Valiente

annotations

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

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o one has put it more aptly than Charles Dickens who once wrote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

It was the.... epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” No events have placed our people’s will to withstand trial and misfortune amid a raging pandemic than the series of violent typhoons which devastated our hapless country in a span of two weeks. The last one, Ulysses, will no longer be the beloved legendary Greek hero who vanquished the Trojans but will be remembered more as a weather disturbance, which has brought tragedy to millions of Filipinos.

As of this writing, floodwaters have not yet receded in many parts of Luzon and the immense debris of destruction it had left remained uncleared. The wide swathe of despoliation it had caused covering the entire expanse of Luzon Island from Sorsogon to Cagayan will be a grim reminder of nature’s merciless fury. Scores of people who could not climb to the roof of their houses drowned and many of those who managed to evacuate to safer places were unreachable to rescuers and inaccessible to relief assistance.

Practically they were submerged in water but not a drop to drink. Yet, despite the unmitigated disaster all over us, the tragedy has brought us a spring of hope as Dickens had said. The overwhelming pleas for relief have not fallen on deaf ears.

Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, in their own way, big or small, have hearkened to their calls. Filipinos all over the world have generously responded and voluntarily pitched in. All forms of assistance—cash, food, building materials, clothing, drinking water, and prayers poured to the hapless victims of calamities. A couple of my friends from the insurance industry have donated cash to purchase relief goods to be distributed in my hometown in Bicol, which was severely damaged by Rolly and Ulysses. My own law class in San Beda has also contributed money to send to Bato, Catanduanes residents, where Typhoon Rolly made its first landfall. And more are coming. Another friend from abroad has started a fund-raising campaign to send relief to his community in Cagayan. This is not to mention countless others whose kind souls have provided more relief and comfort to our unfortunate brothers and sisters in Bicol, Marikina, Rizal, Quezon, Isabela, Cagayan and many other devastated areas. As one writer has said: “The darkest nights produce the brightest stars.” And our firmament is bedecked by a constellation of stars that are selfless in brightening up the lives of our stricken countrymen.

The English alphabet is barely enough to name all the tropical storms that enter our country making the Philippines, as the Time Magazine once labeled it, the “most exposed country in the world to tropical storms.” But sad to say, we never learned. After every Ondoy, Yolanda, Reming, Glenda and other severe

Angara. . .

continued from A10

and support for companies that emphasize local employment should be prioritized. The third phase is for recovery programs and policies; this is where debt restructuring, digitization, online business transaction services, technological advancements, and the reskilling and upskilling of the work force come into play.

All these papers and reports point out that contrary to what some people may think, the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic is one that offers many opportunities for our country not only to recover, but also to improve in terms of global economic standing. At the same time, though,

cyclones which ravaged our country, we still hear the same refrain from the government: stop illegal logging, regulate mining, build sturdy public structures, construct more evacuation centers, reforestation, ad nauseam, as if they are newly conceived ideas whose time has just come. Administrations come and go but they remain bright ideas crying to be pursued and implemented. Now everyone remembers our dear departed former DENR Secretary Gina Lopez.

It seems that in our fight for climate change, the first salvo is to jettison our champion environmentalists.

The Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) has claimed that the Philippines has recorded 46 deaths in 2019 involving environmental activists and defenders. Even forest rangers and other environmental enforcers have not been spared from violent attacks, prompting DENR to renew its call for the creation of an enforcement bureau within the department that will train and arm enforcers. It’s not yet late for the President to relentlessly pursue his vow to prosecute illegal logging and illegal mining in our country, which undoubtedly are blamed, among others, for worsening floods in many parts of our country. Protecting our country’s natural resources is one of his campaign promises. Appointing Gina Lopez as Environment Secretary who waged a war against the twin evils of illegal mining and logging had initially earned President Duterte a lot of kudos. But it was a losing fight against the windmills. Vested interests and powerful politicians behind the influential agribusiness, logging and mining were so mighty and invincible to confront even a strong-willed woman. We trust that our President truly means business this time. Let’s not wait for another Ondoy or Ulysses to demonstrate the folly of our environmental and climate change policies. President Duterte does not lack the nerve to stop illegal logging and illegal mining. All he has to do is to adopt the same resolve and robust efforts he has employed to go after the drug syndicates and dealers who have destroyed our youth. If that happens, President-Mayor “Rody” or “Digong” will be the greatest phenomenon, human or natural, that can overcome the cruelest wrath and untamed fury of a Ulysses. they also show that we must address many issues so our country’s economic recovery will take off sooner, rather than later.

We have already seen a glimpse of how an economy with digital transactions and online services and platforms looks like, thanks to the need for social distancing. Now that we are coming out the other side of this turning point in world history, it is up to us to take the right and proper steps to a better future.

Sen. Sonny Angara has been in public service for 16 years—nine years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and seven as Senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 200 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate.

E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara.

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he Internet has developed my anger at anything. Online, I am always angry. Save for the time when I greet friends or acquaintances on their birthday, anger or rage is my default emotion as I engage the social media. This is not unique to me.

There are more anger out there shared by others, screamed out for the world to hear or, at least, see. While I contend with Messenger and Facebook, other angrier individuals can tweet messages or exhibit more images than my otherwise more formal approach to virtual communications.

My generation relies on clear messages the way we write out formal essays or business communication.

We are condemned to follow the protocols in human living as if going virtual is akin to being virtuous.

As I write this, I am enraged by the fact that there is no Internet connection available. I am so desperate I am thinking of who to pray for. I do not buy the cult built around that young Italian boy who is really more the patron saint for cool rubber shoes than for desperate measures. And yet disconnection means death.

In a world where people are not connected to social media, the facea-face dealings have more articulated mediations. Kin groups are nets that are able to catch frustrations; clustering according to age can soften people’s shoulders. Feelings of anger do not easily spill out venoms and spite. There is more caring for each other—or a more calculated pretense to show others things are alright.

To some, this gesture of always being accommodating may be hypocritical. To some, however, the question is why do we need to discover always the motivations behind every act? Life is short and overthinking short-circuits the very life in which the real, more practical questions are prioritized over fraudulent meditative status.

Was the social media born to release all our pent-up anger or emotions? The anonymity and the massive population into virtual relationships are two reassuring elements that threaten to become the act of faith.

The possibilities online are infi-

nite. The list of characters for us to assume is eternal.

Are you the relentless advocate or the insidious lover of Nature? Are you the political pundit issuing threats to corrupt politicians or the ponderous philosopher reciting quotes you wish you had asked your favorite student to remember by heart?

Presently, the online universe is saddled by complaints (mine included) about how the government has forsaken its citizens during a series of super storms. The serial complainers are numerous—this group is composed of those persons who take note of everything, has comments about any issue.

This person believes s/he has to be heard always. It is his/her way of reminding the world out there that s/ he knows what is happening to our planet, in the big way, or to our small community, in the small way.

The multitudinous exposures online make us believe we are all enablers even if the technology that makes us momentary heroes are the same tools that can disable our deeds anytime.

We are all brave online. Our courage comes from the reality that online is not real.

We can rant; we can shout; we can cry, but

Friday, November 20, 2020 A11

the technology allows us not to listen to the voice and not to feel the tears.

Thus, we light candles for the death of someone who we may never know at all. The availability of lovely, well-designed candles and wreaths makes it easy for us to join the world in a procession of sympathies without us leaving the comfort of our cozy, happy rooms. We jump on board the ship of affection not because we care but because we want to be visible to those who take online presence as an index of technical affluence and acumen.

Geography is blurred online.

The person who is in touch every minute with the social ills of this country may be somewhere where poverty is a mere point to ponder while contemplating the allure of éclair over home-baked muffins.

And who knows that the politics of an activist we have developed an ideological fondness for is in reality an academic exercise fueled by a tendency to enjoy ideas rather than fight for ideals.

The Internet, it is said, was created for the world to maintain its lines of communications among those who will survive a cruel nuclear war. To-

day, the Internet is the survivor of our own passion and highly evolved trait to hate each other for the sake of being charming and cute.

If there is something beneficent about online discourse, it is in the power of the virtual to make moving on achieve a non-territorial trait.

Online, we move on. No one tarries.

We see a problem, we post a solution.

We read a remark that seems to address our weakness, we answer back with an insult. But we do not wait for responses. More remarks cascade; a thousand problems appear.

But we move on, to the next world problem, to the next threat to world peace and our own contribution to a body of knowledge that does not really care if the universe is listening or asleep.

It is a lovely, silly world out there.

The ideologue frothing at the mouth may, in the next post, be the music lover in tears over Chopin’s Ballade; the existential thinker despondent over hunger may be the soul delirious over his Colombian coffee. It is a hopeful world desiring its own hopelessness.

E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

Vaccine side effects are the next big challenge

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By Therese Raphael | Bloomberg Opinion

egulatory authorities are gearing up for a deluge in people reporting side effects when the new Covid-19 vaccines go into use. Even if the vaccines prove safe—a reasonable assumption based on current information—managing the reporting and follow-up of what are known as adverse drug reactions will be critical to keeping to the high levels of public participation needed for a vaccination program to be successful. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plans to send daily texts to those who are vaccinated for the first week and then weekly texts for six weeks, while the Food and Drug Administration will also be monitoring side effects in real time.

It’s not clear if the UK’s monitoring system will have similar capabilities by the time the vaccine is rolled out.

The country’s Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency issued an urgent tender notice (recorded last month in a European Union public procurement journal) for an artificial-intelligence software tool to help deal with the expected high volume of reported effects. (The roughly $2 million contract went to outsourcing firm Genpact.)

The agency didn’t mince words in explaining the reasons for the urgency: Its legacy system would be overwhelmed by the volume of reports and could not be retrofitted to cope with the new vaccine. The absence of a new tool would “hinder its ability to rapidly identify any potential safety issues within the Covid-19 vaccine.” That in turn would represent a “direct threat to patient life and public health.”

Even if the language may have been partly crafted to exempt it from

normal EU tender requirements, it underscores what’s at stake for governments around the world as these brand new vaccines are rolled out with unprecedented speed to a far wider public than ever before.

As with any new drug, the range of these adverse drug reactions —unintended, harmful events linked to the medication — will only be known when a very large number of people have been vaccinated.

A reported adverse effect doesn’t mean a vaccine isn’t safe, and in some cases it may not be related to the inoculation at all. But ADRs help doctors, pharmaceutical companies and regulators monitor the impact of licensed drugs. They can identify misuse of a drug, compromised batches or simply side effects that need to be disclosed even if it doesn’t change the safety profile.

Effective monitoring is especially important given these vaccines will be released with less safety follow-up than is typical for widely used shots.

Having a robust system to log, analyze and allow for prompt feedback from reported side effects is essential to ensuring public safety. Combined with clear communication, it will also be central to building confidence in the new vaccines.

In general, most side effects appear soon after an injection and remain only for a short period. A small percentage of people will experience them from any well-established vaccine, or even your typical pain relief medication. Most people are willing to accept that small level of risk for massive benefit—to their children and public health generally—from vaccination programs.

The UK’s Yellow Card system might receive one report per 1,000 immunizations. But if you dramatically increase the number of people being vaccinated, the amount of reported effects can be expected to increase proportionately. With Covid vaccines likely to go to the oldest and most vulnerable first, there may be even more ADRs reported than usual. Even if they aren’t related to the vaccine, they can spook the public.

The side-effect reports have the potential to be a gold mine for antivaxxers. Vaccine skepticism is higher in the US, but the UK bears the scars of the now thoroughly debunked linking of the MMR vaccine to autism. In a survey last week by the London Assembly Health Committee, only three in five respondents said they are likely to or will definitely get vaccinated; almost half of those who said they wouldn’t or might not do

so cited lack of trust in government guidance or drug companies.

Such concerns aren’t entirely irrational. If vaccines have traditionally taken up to a decade to win approval, people wonder how can we trust the safety of one produced in a small fraction of the time.

One answer is that in the battle against Covid, no effort, brainpower or resource was spared. That intense, global competition has borne impressive fruit. The technology has also advanced so rapidly that past timetables aren’t a very good guide. The so-called messenger RNA technology used by the two leading inoculation candidates from Moderna Inc. and the partnership of Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE, is already revolutionizing vaccine development, as my colleague Max Nisen explains.

With all of this in mind, it’s vital governments educate the public about what they might expect. The side-effect profiles so far seem nothing to be concerned about. Still, they may be a bit harsher than a typical flu shot, which is the only reference point most of us have. If people know what to expect, they’ll be less likely to worry or flood hotlines.

These may well be modern day miracles, but as the saying goes, vaccines don’t save lives, vaccinations do. With vaccines expected to cover as much as a third of the population by the first part of next year, effective monitoring and total transparency will be essential if we are to defeat not just this pandemic, but the next one too.

A12 Friday, November 20, 2020

SC: NO VIOLATION OF MANDAMUS T IN DOLOMITE DUMPING ON BAY

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Supreme Court has junked the petition of the Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party seeking to intervene in the Manila Bay case, with a plea to cite the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in contempt for dumping dolomite sand—said to be hazardous to health and the environment —on Manila Bay. In an En Banc resolution promulgated

on November 17, 2020, the Court held that the case has been rendered final and executory and that its jurisdiction is limited only to the full implementation of the decision.

Despite the dolomite sand controversy, the Court insisted that it has not found any violation of the continuing mandamus it issued more than 10 years ago mandating concerned government agencies to rehabilitate the Manila Bay. The Court held that it has not yet found any violation of the continuing manda-

mus amid the quarterly reports submitted by concerned agencies and the on-site ocular inspection conducted by the Manila Bay Advisory Committee (MBAC) chaired

by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.

“The specific directive to the DENR and the concerned agencies and departments is simply to clean the waters of the bay and perform maintenance measures to keep it within the legal standards of cleanliness fit for recreation,” the SC said in a statement released by its Public Information Office (PIO).

“The contention is bred only when the alleged hazardous potential of the component dolomite enters the picture, whereby it becomes clear that the bone of contention all along is not the project per se but the material used to carry it out,” it added.

It said the petition by Anakbayan dwelt on the propriety of the use of dolomite for the project, “which is a factual issue not ordinarily entertained by the Court.“

Continued on A2

Companies BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

AC Energy expects to hit half of 5,000MW RE goal in 2021

A

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

C Energy Philippines (ACEN) said it expects to achieve half of its 5,000megawatt (MW) target renewable energy (RE) capacity by next year.

“The plan is to scale up our RE to 5,000MW or even more. We are feeling confident that we will exceed our RE target. Next year, we expect our RE to reach 2,500MW. So, we expect to be halfway through our 2025 target as early as 2021,” said AC Energy President Eric Francia.

Of the 2,500MW target, Francia said 1,500MW of RE projects are lined up next year.

“We have 1,500MW worth of projects in the region including Philippines [500MW], Australia [500MW] and the remaining 500MW in India and Vietnam. Those four markets, we expect to build 1,500MW.” ACEN, which has 1,000MW of capacity in

its portfolio, will integrate its international business, which currently has 900MW RE capacity.

“Once we infuse our international platform into ACEN next year, ACEN will have a total of 1,900MW,” he said. Of which, Francia said RE capacity is about 1,350MW. ACEN aspires to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia, with the goal of reaching 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025.

“Basically, we are very much prepared. We are prepared in our balance sheet and cash that’s why we’re active in the capital market because we really want to be prepared. We’re

really very bullish about the energy transition. We’d like to play a leading role in energy transition, particularly towards shifting to RE technologies,” said Francia.

“To us, it’s a very unique window of opportunity and we will be there to make sure we will be leaders in the RE space. Our aspiration is to be the largest listed RE in Southeast Asia.”

To make it happen, the company needs equity of $1.8 to $2 billion. Francia had said that the company has lined up various sources of capital requirements.

“We have existing cash reserves of about $700 million and then we have a series of fund raising activities, such as stock rights offerings, private placement and follow-on offering, which we are targeting next year.

Among those three fund raising activities, we expect to raise an additional $500 to $600 million to add to our existing cash reserves of $700 million today.

So, if you add all, that’s $1.2 to $1.3 billion.

So, we need $500 to $600million more. We will deal with that later on because we don’t need all that cash until 2024 to 2025,” he said.

Januarius acquires stake in Laguna developer

By VG Cabuag

J

@villygc

anuario Jesus Gregorio Atencio III, a former housing executive who has been in the industry for more than two decades, on Thursday said he is buying a minority stake in a Laguna-based property developer.

Atencio’s Januarius Holdings Inc. is taking in 13 percent in Ovialand Inc., signaling his return to the industry. He, however, declined to disclose the amount of his investment.

Atencio, who remained active in the association of mass housing developers, a group that he helped established, said he has the option to increase the size of his stake in Ovialand to 20 percent within 3 years.

Atencio said he will not be in charge of the day-to-day activities in the company and that this will be handled by the company's officials led by its chairman Giovanni J. Olivares and his daughter Pammy Olivares-Vital, the company's president.

“It’s time for me to have a strategic mentoring role, allowing other younger people to push the mass housing company forward,” he said.

“I never stopped being involved in real estate. Aside from pursuing my own pocket developments, I opened my doors to developers who seek mentoring and advisory about the

PAL to resume flights to Bohol on Nov. 22

By Recto L. Mercene @rectomercene

L

egacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it will resume regular commercial services between Manila and Panglao, Bohol, on November 22, with thrice weekly flights.

PAL said the Manila-Bohol flights are every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

PR4773 departs NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) T2 every Wednesday at 1 p.m. and arrives in Panglao Airport at 2:20 p.m., while PR2777 leaves NAIA T2 every Friday and Sunday at 2:40 p.m. and touches down in Panglao at 4 p.m.

Flights to Manila fall on the same days. PR4774 departs Panglao Airport every Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. and arrives in NAIA T2 at 4:30 p.m. while PR2778 leaves every Friday and Sunday at 4:40 p.m. and touches down in Manila at 6 p.m.

The restoration of Panglao flights is timely in view of the reopening of Bohol to domestic tourism.

Domestic tourist travelers to Bohol must register at Bohol's website tourism.bohol.gov.ph. before their flight.

Travelers must take a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test within 72 hours before departure from Manila. Once a negative test result is secured, they can register and get their QR codes via tourism.bohol. gov.ph. A confirmed booking at a DOH-accredited hotel in Bohol is also required.

The local government of Bohol will provide guided itineraries to travelers and will implement strict health protocols.

Travelers who will stay in Panglao, Bohol, for more than 5 days will have to get another RT-PCR test from accredited service providers stationed in the island.

PAL Spokesman Cielo Villaluna explained that the requirement was one of the stringent measures adopted by the provincial government.

“Philippine Airlines supports the government’s campaign to restore and rejuvenate domestic tourism,” she added.

business,” Atencio said, noting that Ovialand's owners have a solid realestate foundation.

Ovialand is expecting some P4 billion in revenues between 2020 and 2023 from a current land bank of 32 hectares. Its projects are concentrated in southern Luzon with projects such as Sannera and Savana in San Pablo, Laguna as well as Cailya in Candelaria, Quezon.

Vital said the entry of the former president and CEO of 8990 Holdings in the company was a “welcome surprise.”

“We believed in quality developments and giving added value to

the communities we build. One of the things that really surprised me is when [Atencio] shared that he is open to be contacted by their clients anytime because he wants to know about their concerns. This really surprised me and at that moment, I knew that we shared the same idea when it comes to building quality developments,” Vital said.

Ovialand said it was able to secure two additional properties to be used for development. These are the 5.1 hectares of land in Brgy. Soledad in San Pablo, Laguna, and 6.7 hectares of land in Brgy. Malabanban in Candelaria in Quezon.

Friday, November 20, 2020

B1

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Friday, November 20, 2020

Tarlac Electric seeks SEC approval for sale of shares

T

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

arlac Electric Inc. has filed its registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the sale of 1.75 million common shares as its primary offer.

In its documents, the company said it will sell shares at an offer price of P345 apiece, for a total of P603.75 million.

The public offer is in line with its Tarlac Electric’s franchise, which requires the company to publicly offer 30 percent of its outstanding capital stock to Filipino citizens on or before the fifth year of its operations.

Net proceeds from the offer will be used to fund the company’s expansion projects, to retire maturing short-term debt or obligations, and

to fund its general working capital.

Penta Capital and Investment Corp. has been chosen as sole underwriter for the deal.

The company is selling a minimum of 400 shares for individuals and 5,000 shares for corporations, associations, and partnerships.

Of the estimated net proceeds, P175 million will be booked as capital stock in the books of the corporation. The remainder shall be booked as additional paid-in capital.

Tarlac Electric said it will use

about P150.93 million of the proceeds to construct its three-storey headquarters, P90.56 million each for the construction of its various network projects, to acquire and install network equipment and for its information technology and communications projects.

“Thus, in addition to the proceeds of the offer, the company also intends to secure long-term loans for additional funding for the projects above listed and other projects,” it said.

The company will also use the proceeds to pay some P97.6 million in debt with Development Bank of the Philippines that will mature early next year.

The company is consistently posting profits over the last few years since it has a natural monopoly of the market. It posted a profit of P212.34 million in 2017, P180.62 million in 2018 and P173.22 million last year. For the first six months of the year, it earned P68.53 million.

Formerly known as Tarlac En-

terprises Inc., the company received its franchise to operate as a private electric distribution utility serving the electric power requirements of the Municipality of Tarlac, now the City of Tarlac, in the Tarlac Province in 1949, by virtue of the Manila Franchise and the reconstituted Certificate of Public Service and Necessity transferred from its former owner, Manila Electric Co. In October 2016, its franchise was renewed for 25 years under Republic Act 10795. Among the conditions set in the franchise is the public offer.

Initially, the company’s market was mostly residential but as its franchise area developed from a town to a city, its market was transformed into a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. Last year, the company services 82,632 customers from six different customer classes. Its energy sales last year was at 438,802 megawatt hours.

Firms urged to reduce carbon footprint L mutual funds

opez-led Energy Development Corp. (EDC) strongly urged businesses and individuals to pursue forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future.

Company president Richard B. Tantoco explained that being regenerative means uplifting EDC stakeholders and the environment beyond compliance, especially in times of crisis.

This mission, he said, helped the company in attaining lower carbon intensity in its operations.

EDC’s carbon footprint, being a 100 percent renewable energy company, is only a tenth of an average coal power plant’s carbon footprint. This is on top of EDC’s efforts to be carbon neutral year after year, with its annual carbon sequestration of 3.9 metric tonnes of CO2 from the watersheds that it manages in its geothermal reservations and carbon

emissions of only 865,652 tonnes from its operations.

It has been nine years since the company started reporting on its sustainability performance following the Global Reporting Initiative’s framework.

The framework is set forth by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and seeks to go beyond organizational impact on the “triple bottom line” of people, planet and profit, extending to how the company intends to create value in the short to medium and long term. Apart from reforesting close to 10,000 hectares of land and planting over six million seedlings in the past 11 years, EDC has been able to partner with 178 various public and private organizations to help restore 96 threatened native tree species—making BINHI the country’s biggest and most extensive private sector-led greening programs. Lenie Lectura

November 19, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

November 19, 2020

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 PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

44.5 99 86.6 24.85 11.3 45.65 9.53 19.88 29.5 52.75 96 17.88 107.2 63.3 0.9 28 0.6 7.01 1.21 0.335 758 0.63 160.1 2000 1.05

44.8 99.75 86.7 24.9 11.32 45.7 9.6 20.5 29.55 53.3 99.9 17.9 107.5 64.05 0.95 28.3 0.66 7.49 1.24 0.34 800 0.64 162 2040 1.07

44.45 97.95 85 24.75 11.4 45.6 9.55 19.86 30 53.3 96 17.74 106.2 62.95 0.96 28.35 0.6 7.49 1.23 0.31 800 0.63 162 2000 1.07

44.5 100.8 86.85 24.95 11.4 46.3 9.55 19.88 30 53.3 96 17.9 107.9 64.5 0.96 28.35 0.66 7.49 1.26 0.35 800 0.64 163 2000 1.07

44.45 97.15 84.55 24.55 11.24 45.05 9.52 19.86 29.35 52.3 96 17.5 106 62.7 0.95 27.9 0.6 7.49 1.23 0.31 800 0.62 160 2000 1.07

44.5 99 86.7 24.9 11.3 45.65 9.52 19.88 29.5 53.3 96 17.9 107.5 64.05 0.95 28 0.66 7.49 1.24 0.335 800 0.64 160 2000 1.07

2100 12045930 7000690 109000 682700 7159100 6200 2900 494700 950 10 178400 3562440 22990 30000 8400 101000 100 123000 3900000 70 336000 11480 275 13000

93365 1196984877 605209667 2704425 7704134 327580890 59108 57624 14634880 50385 960 3178022 381608277 1463393 28510 235945 60660 749 152490 1306450 56000 212070 1838945 550000 13910

-8900 34208782.5 99819732.5 390395 554222 -199780070 57624 -6857895 -1065332 -83425916 -213197 9600 32000 32400 400000 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 5.18 5.19 5 5.24 4.93 5.18 43205000 221289660 ALSONS CONS 1.33 1.34 1.37 1.37 1.31 1.33 5620000 7512450 ABOITIZ POWER 26.85 26.9 27.05 27.05 26.85 26.85 4507600 121602645 BASIC ENERGY 0.206 0.212 0.21 0.212 0.201 0.212 1800000 372940 FIRST GEN 28 28.15 28.7 28.7 27.55 28 1407400 39691030 64.9 65 65.6 66.2 64.2 65 78420 5107405 FIRST PHIL HLDG 300 302.4 309 309 300 300 234940 70869882 MERALCO 15.52 15.64 15.48 15.86 15.42 15.64 3368800 52591872 MANILA WATER 3.36 3.37 3.35 3.4 3.32 3.36 2133000 7186580 PETRON 3.43 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 3.45 20000 69000 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 12.8 12.98 13 13 12.64 12.98 59600 765148 PILIPINAS SHELL 17.8 17.84 17.9 18 17.6 17.84 2489800 44456362 SPC POWER 10.26 10.28 10.4 10.4 10.1 10.28 366400 3760054 VIVANT 13.34 13.94 13.94 13.94 13.94 13.94 1000 13940 AGRINURTURE 8.2 8.25 8.35 8.39 8.18 8.2 463300 3836304 2.92 2.95 2.95 2.95 2.92 2.95 1825000 5356030 AXELUM BOGO MEDELLIN 74 87 88 88 88 88 10 880 CNTRL AZUCARERA 17.8 18 18 18 17 17.8 159800 2810354 CENTURY FOOD 17.68 17.7 18 18 17.7 17.7 1029200 18291206 5.25 5.26 5.21 5.28 5.21 5.26 44300 232566 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 7.18 7.2 7.28 7.28 7.13 7.2 2039900 14670046 EMPERADOR 10.06 10.08 10.06 10.08 10.02 10.06 4995800 50153174 SMC FOODANDBEV 64.4 64.5 64.5 64.7 64.3 64.5 266630 17191386 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.68 0.69 0.66 0.69 0.66 0.69 3171000 2155030 1.4 1.41 1.43 1.44 1.4 1.4 19022000 26866340 FRUITAS HLDG 51.6 51.65 52.4 52.4 51.5 51.65 114700 5945019 GINEBRA 193.8 193.9 196.5 196.5 193 193.8 501090 97119598 JOLLIBEE 59.5 60 52.15 60 52.15 59.5 3380 185344 LIBERTY FLOUR MACAY HLDG 7.68 8 8 8.17 8 8 19900 160364 MAXS GROUP 7.08 7.12 7.2 7.21 6.85 7.08 1415400 9964162 MG HLDG 0.176 0.177 0.175 0.177 0.162 0.177 5450000 927530 SHAKEYS PIZZA 8.2 8.25 8.4 8.44 8.2 8.2 3364300 27935087 ROXAS AND CO 1.26 1.27 1.24 1.27 1.24 1.27 8168000 10241450 ROXAS HLDG 1.78 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 8000 14400 0.112 0.116 0.111 0.117 0.111 0.112 470000 52910 SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA 147.9 148 148.1 149 146.7 148 1035510 153234112 0.87 0.88 0.89 0.9 0.87 0.88 5124000 4504540 VITARICH 53 54.65 52 53 52 53 240 12520 CONCRETE A CONCRETE B 52.05 55.1 52.05 55.2 51.8 55.2 1260 65423 CEMEX HLDG 1.75 1.76 1.79 1.81 1.72 1.75 21953000 38726810 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.21 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.21 5.21 35400 186762 EAGLE CEMENT 15.54 15.9 15.94 15.94 15.48 15.9 293800 4623970 EEI CORP 7.64 7.65 7.64 7.65 7.5 7.64 494400 3770449 7.09 7.1 6.85 7.2 6.76 7.1 6782900 47757301 HOLCIM 9.53 9.55 9.32 9.68 9.26 9.55 5647500 53695944 MEGAWIDE 8.64 8.74 8.74 8.74 8.51 8.74 2100 18124 PHINMA TKC METALS 0.81 0.83 0.82 0.83 0.8 0.83 346000 280820 VULCAN INDL 1.14 1.15 1.13 1.23 1.13 1.15 13171000 15582610 CROWN ASIA 1.9 1.92 1.91 1.91 1.9 1.9 338000 644410 EUROMED 2.14 2.15 2.17 2.19 2.08 2.14 1084000 2328560 PRYCE CORP 4.6 4.62 4.37 4.6 4.37 4.6 1777000 8040980 CONCEPCION 21.95 22 21.8 21.95 21.75 21.95 178600 3889330 GREENERGY 2.72 2.73 2.73 2.74 2.67 2.73 5999000 16243390 7.63 7.66 7.82 7.82 7.6 7.66 595100 4557087 INTEGRATED MICR 1.08 1.09 1.08 1.1 1.07 1.09 249000 270260 IONICS PANASONIC 5.2 5.45 5.18 5.45 5.18 5.45 1100 5779 SFA SEMICON 1.56 1.58 1.57 1.6 1.56 1.56 1494000 2361450 6.65 6.66 6.37 6.69 6.37 6.66 12449500 82095816 CIRTEK HLDG

-3156080 27000 -13194180 -21116050 -1772345.5 -41120584 -1349206 233480 543594 -521858 -215809 -1687022 -140258 3954393 11984564.0001 3936112 6680 444620.5 -48437911 109082 250 -17844 741770 -30187318 42090 -2024120 331140 552915 2748289 -11425264 307100.0002 2210 -6423270 -503780 663930 -1206925 -7820 2910533

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.58 0.59 0.55 0.58 0.54 0.58 24662000 13941850 -978530 ASIABEST GROUP 8.7 8.93 8.87 8.93 8.51 8.93 28200 247881 AYALA CORP 837.5 850 862 862 835 850 313520 264525100 -103297625 ABOITIZ EQUITY 47.05 47.5 47.95 48.1 46.65 47.5 914800 43386390 -24189055 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 9.8 9.9 9.49 9.9 9.42 9.9 9904500 95641651 4991950 3.01 3.05 3.06 3.07 2.97 3.05 6832000 20690300 6662550 AYALA LAND LOG 6.37 6.4 6.41 6.41 6.37 6.37 16100 102997 -100 ANSCOR 0.68 0.69 0.67 0.69 0.66 0.68 289000 192720 32830 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.9 0.91 0.85 0.91 0.84 0.91 6504000 5732500 ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B 0.9 0.93 0.88 0.93 0.88 0.9 3182000 2861380 2640 COSCO CAPITAL 5.38 5.43 5.38 5.49 5.36 5.38 4515100 24311990 -9298956 DMCI HLDG 5.37 5.38 5.39 5.4 5.35 5.38 6070000 32585906 2228600 FILINVEST DEV 9.09 9.14 9.09 9.15 9.09 9.09 63500 578510 -432846 FJ PRINCE A 3.3 3.79 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 5000 19000 FJ PRINCE B 3.2 3.95 3.83 3.83 3.83 3.83 2000 7660 0.215 0.232 0.215 0.215 0.215 0.215 100000 21500 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 556 560 548 560 547.5 560 287170 159739190 29504720 3.38 3.58 3.5 3.5 3.36 3.38 131000 444610 -363180 HOUSE OF INV 72.15 72.25 73.85 73.85 72.05 72.15 1241450 89,996,534( 56,208,574.5002) JG SUMMIT 4.63 5.28 4.06 5.28 4.06 5.28 5300 24700 JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A 5.01 5.46 5 5 5 5 3000 15000 LODESTAR 0.82 0.84 0.85 0.86 0.83 0.84 249000 208510 LOPEZ HLDG 2.69 2.71 2.69 2.71 2.68 2.69 2181000 5886150 -3001310 LT GROUP 13 13.02 13.06 13.2 12.96 13 7706600 100234972 -65347076 0.54 0.56 0.57 0.58 0.53 0.56 1194000 662670 MABUHAY HLDG MJC INVESTMENTS 1.74 1.86 1.74 1.75 1.74 1.74 19000 33100 METRO PAC INV 4.15 4.16 4.26 4.27 4.15 4.15 42735000 178160310 -6798650 4.13 4.4 4.3 4.3 4.3 4.3 7000 30100 PACIFICA HLDG PRIME MEDIA 0.82 0.84 0.82 0.84 0.82 0.84 76000 63040 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.65 2.97 2.61 2.98 2.6 2.98 14000 37190 SOLID GROUP 1.24 1.29 1.18 1.39 1.15 1.24 1342000 1641580 1193430 SYNERGY GRID 280 282 308 308 265.2 280 8400 2394078 SM INVESTMENTS 1005 1013 1004 1020 995.5 1005 486255 488553137.5 -252647012.5 SAN MIGUEL CORP 115.6 116 117 117 115.1 116 358280 41671200 -2888464 0.7 0.71 0.73 0.73 0.7 0.71 639000 451560 SOC RESOURCES SEAFRONT RES 1.9 2.3 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 8000 15600 TOP FRONTIER 137 138.1 136 138.1 135 138.1 10130 1387794 -885223 0.23 0.238 0.23 0.24 0.23 0.239 340000 78950 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG 0.16 0.162 0.149 0.16 0.146 0.16 6630000 1035390 -

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds

PROPERTY ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 226.76 -10.67% -7.06% -1.38% -9.96% ARTHALAND CORP 0.68 0.69 0.65 0.68 0.65 0.68 3426000 2280920 ANCHOR LAND 7.8 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 2000 16400 ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.2193 -17.81% -8.6% 0.4% -11.77% AYALA LAND 39.25 39.3 38.7 39.65 38.7 39.25 12962400 508845135 ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1288 -17.92% -10.8% -3.17% -14.94% ARANETA PROP 1.06 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.05 1.1 175000 186610 AREIT RT 26.55 26.6 26.5 26.65 26.45 26.55 1253800 33256355 Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7859 -13.83% -8.06% n.a. -12.48% 1.6 1.61 1.61 1.62 1.6 1.61 288000 463990 BELLE CORP 0.84 0.85 0.84 0.85 0.83 0.85 1781000 1492670 A BROWN First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7367 -14.2% n.a. n.a. -13.26% 0.81 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 13000 10660 CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES 0.15 0.156 0.15 0.156 0.15 0.156 2300000 351370 First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 4.9048 -8.66% -5.56% -1.37% -7.95% CEBU HLDG 5.8 5.98 5.8 6 5.8 6 200 1180 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.71 4.74 4.77 4.77 4.7 4.74 155000 732800 First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,4 0.7615 -11.74% -7.65% n.a.

CENTURY PROP 0.415 0.42 0.415 0.42 0.41 0.42 10420000 4327400 -10.79% CYBER BAY 0.37 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.37 0.375 1830000 686900 DOUBLEDRAGON 14.68 14.7 14.5 15.7 14.5 14.68 22079700 329215498 MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

92.27 -17.05% n.a. n.a. -10.61% DM WENCESLAO 5.83 5.89 5.75 6.2 5.75 5.83 2972800 17,680,965( 0.315 0.32 0.31 0.325 0.31 0.315 7550000 2403450 EMPIRE EAST PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 46.3338 -10.49% -5.13% 0.27% -9.65% 0.087 0.09 0.088 0.089 0.088 0.088 1260000 111060 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.03 1 1.02 33319000 33948910 Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 487.9 -9.41% -4.98% -0.41% -8.42% 0.88 0.89 0.88 0.89 0.87 0.89 940000 832270 GLOBAL ESTATE 8.3 8.38 8.23 8.4 8.23 8.39 21000 174111 8990 HLDG Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d,5 1.0543 n.a. n.a. n.a.

2.35% PHIL INFRADEV 1.59 1.6 1.61 1.62 1.58 1.6 3391000 5423550 Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.148 -11.94% -5.61% -0.12% -10.79% KEPPEL PROP 2.94 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 3.24 1000 3240 CITY AND LAND 0.7 0.73 0.7 0.73 0.7 0.73 3000 2130 Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 34.1901 -10.76% -4.92% 0.63% -9.78% MEGAWORLD 3.82 3.83 3.88 3.88 3.75 3.82 34701000 131700360 0.53 0.54 0.48 0.54 0.47 0.54 321590000 165795750 MRC ALLIED Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9136 -10.96% n.a. n.a. -10.26% 0.41 0.42 0.41 0.42 0.41 0.42 170000 69800 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 1.29 1.3 1.34 1.34 1.25 1.29 1459000 1849380 Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 4.7361 -10.06% -4.55% 1.02% -9.33% 16.3 16.46 16.16 16.5 16.04 16.46 4405700 72079358 ROBINSONS LAND 0.27 0.275 0.26 0.275 0.26 0.275 1310000 352200 PHIL REALTY Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 792.21 -9.9% -4.44% 0.94% -9.15% ROCKWELL 1.54 1.56 1.54 1.57 1.54 1.54 291000 448470 Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.7177 -18.58% -8.52% -3.23% -15.7% SHANG PROP 2.68 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 113000 305100 STA LUCIA LAND 1.87 1.92 1.92 1.92 1.88 1.92 22000 42100 Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.5852 -15.62% -6.68% -0.82% -14.82% SM PRIME HLDG 38 38.05 38.1 38.5 37.6 38 9494600 360480360 VISTAMALLS 4.49 4.5 4.27 4.49 4.27 4.49 343000 1498100 Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9073 -10.15% -4.75% 0.81% -9.34% 1.5 1.51 1.44 1.55 1.43 1.5 7794000 11683590 SUNTRUST HOME 4.19 4.2 4.1 4.23 4.1 4.19 15054000 62681820 VISTA LAND United Fund, Inc. -a 3.2774 -11.24% -4.12% 1.09% -10.29%

SERVICES Exchange Traded Fund ABS CBN 11.3 11.32 11.36 11.46 11.28 11.32 412600 4671608 First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c 106.4926 -9.67% -4.12% 1.76% -8.94% GMA NETWORK 5.63 5.64 5.49 5.65 5.49 5.64 4312000 24099415 MANILA BULLETIN 0.415 0.425 0.41 0.43 0.41 0.425 810000 337800 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities MLA BRDCASTING 10.94 11.3 10.92 11.3 10.92 11.3 4800 53406 GLOBE TELECOM 2006 2020 2018 2040 2006 2006 72635 146647070 ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $1.154 17.03% 1.92% 5.26% 12.21% 1370 1374 1399 1399 1368 1370 187275 257313760 PLDT 0.052 0.053 0.053 0.054 0.052 0.053 42420000 2237980 APOLLO GLOBAL Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.5897 19.45% 9.1% n.a.

15.3% 15.84 15.86 15.7 15.86 15.7 15.84 3935600 62041868 CONVERGE 4.25 4.29 4.25 4.28 4.25 4.25 12000 51070 DFNN INC Balanced Funds 6.39 6.4 6.53 6.53 6.31 6.39 35412600 227044931 DITO CME HLDG Primarily invested in Peso securities IMPERIAL 1.38 1.47 1.45 1.46 1.45 1.45 69000 100110 ISLAND INFO 0.112 0.115 0.115 0.116 0.11 0.115 7300000 831710 ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.6405 4.14% -3.24% -0.77% 4.97% JACKSTONES 1.65 1.69 1.7 1.7 1.69 1.69 32000 54260 NOW CORP 4.3 4.33 4.32 4.35 4.26 4.33 6089000 26158920 ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.239 0.09% -2.3% 0.93% 2.65% TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.305 0.31 0.285 0.32 0.28 0.305 97790000 29374300 3.01 3.04 3.14 3.14 2.92 3.01 2509000 7557570 PHILWEB First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.61 -1.04% -1.37% -0.56% -0.82% 8.98 9 9.14 9.15 8.98 8.98 110900 1002691 2GO GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS 15.6 15.98 15.52 15.98 15.52 15.98 240900 3738860 First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a,1 0.1978 -14.92% n.a. n.a.

CHELSEA 5.5 5.53 5.7 5.7 5.49 5.5 7951200 44018552 -13.44% 49.5 49.55 48.55 49.9 48.55 49.55 2184000 108222755 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 125 128 127.5 128 120 128 2176750 273915803 NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9549 -0.51% 0.34% 2.06% -0.34% LBC EXPRESS 14.04 16.26 16.28 16.28 16.26 16.26 800 13014 SHIPPNG LORENZO 1 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 2000 2080 PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.7705 -0.78% -0.53% 1.37% -0.49% MACROASIA 7.51 7.53 7.36 7.7 7.36 7.53 7775500 58845043 2.02 2.03 2.12 2.13 1.99 2.02 1783000 3628660 METROALLIANCE A Philam Fund, Inc. -a 16.8696 -0.78% -0.62% 1.3% -0.54% METROALLIANCE B 1.92 2.14 2 2.01 2 2 44000 88080 Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a -2.52% -1.67% 1.03% -1.57% 2.0888 PAL HLDG 7.38 7.39 7.38 7.42 7.35 7.38 186600 1378116 HARBOR STAR 1.5 1.51 1.49 1.53 1.45 1.51 6159000 9140920 Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5446 -8.55% -3.11% 0.01% -8.25% 1.42 1.55 1.47 1.56 1.42 1.55 485000 722920 ACESITE HOTEL BOULEVARD HLDG 0.03 0.031 0.031 0.032 0.029 0.031 74500000 2279800 Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d 1.0132 -0.56% n.a. n.a.

-0.25% GRAND PLAZA 10.72 11.74 11.18 11.18 11.14 11.14 2200 24532 WATERFRONT 0.71 0.72 0.73 0.75 0.7 0.72 34337000 24731870 Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9418 -6.11% n.a. n.a.

-5.48% FAR EASTERN U 590 639 576 590 576 590 250 145000 STI HLDG 0.38 0.385 0.37 0.38 0.365 0.38 15470000 5800700 Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9256 -7.46% n.a. n.a.

-6.81% 3.99 4 4.04 4.04 3.92 4 481000 1909430 BERJAYA Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.8785 -10.43% -3.93% -0.82% -9.88% BLOOMBERRY 8.38 8.49 8.5 8.62 8.3 8.49 2803600 23587719 1.93 1.97 1.93 1.96 1.93 1.93 92000 177590 PACIFIC ONLINE Primarily invested in foreign currency securities LEISURE AND RES 1.64 1.65 1.65 1.65 1.6 1.65 251000 410270 MANILA JOCKEY 2.23 2.47 2.47 2.47 2.47 2.47 1000 2470 Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03918 3.3% 2.75% 2.03% 2.57% PH RESORTS GRP 2.97 2.98 3.05 3.08 2.92 2.97 25700000 77108820 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.41 0.415 0.41 0.42 0.395 0.415 28910000 11701300 10.92% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b $1.1127 2.32% 4.53% 9.95% PHIL RACING 6.66 7 6.66 6.66 6.66 6.66 8400 55944 ALLHOME 7.74 7.75 7.75 7.99 7.7 7.75 1341100 10419886 Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.3118 13.05% 6.58% 6.76% 10.26% 1.55 1.56 1.55 1.57 1.54 1.55 5687000 8862860 METRO RETAIL Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,3 $1.1917 7.23% 3.65% n.a.

5.58% 43.55 43.6 43.6 43.6 43.1 43.55 1685900 73178555 PUREGOLD 69.5 69.85 67.55 69.85 67.5 69.85 357170 24697249 ROBINSONS RTL Bond Funds 109.1 110 110 110 109 110 10880 1196741 PHIL SEVEN CORP 1.65 1.66 1.67 1.67 1.62 1.66 6101000 10011970 SSI GROUP Primarily invested in Peso securities WILCON DEPOT 16 16.02 15.8 16.12 15.8 16 3654800 58456330 APC GROUP 0.365 0.37 0.365 0.37 0.365 0.37 1350000 494050 ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 369.62 3.77% 3.23% 2.76% 3.26% EASYCALL 7.15 7.2 7.29 7.3 7.12 7.13 86400 621703 IPM HLDG 3.57 3.74 3.52 3.76 3.52 3.56 13000 47890 ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.8961 -1.55% -0.08% -0.03% -0.31% PRMIERE HORIZON 0.77 0.78 0.61 0.82 0.58 0.77 629010000 460334050 Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.2081 3.32% 4.63% 4.9% 2.89% 4.65 4.66 4.47 4.7 4.47 4.65 73000 335870 SBS PHIL CORP Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.2891 3.41% 2.81% 2.38% 2.95%

MINING & OIL ATOK 9.42 9.69 9.6 9.75 9.5 9.69 18200 173543 First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.4448 4.26% 3.37% 2.07% 3.63% APEX MINING 1.84 1.85 1.92 1.93 1.84 1.85 29504000 55082280 ABRA MINING 0.001 0.0011 0.001 0.0011 0.001 0.001 9450000000 9451400 Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.6156 6.46% 4.38% 3.03% 5.55% ATLAS MINING 5.02 5.07 5.18 5.18 5.01 5.02 637500 3211448 3.09 3.23 3.2 3.24 3.09 3.23 191000 597080 BENGUET A Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a,6 1.3142 5.3% 4.37% 2.51% 4.58% BENGUET B 3.1 3.2 3.12 3.12 3.11 3.11 25000 77800 Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.9618 5.34% 4.28% 2.78% 4.58% COAL ASIA HLDG 0.255 0.265 0.26 0.265 0.255 0.265 1390000 355400 CENTURY PEAK 2.47 2.48 2.51 2.51 2.47 2.47 51000 126010 Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 1.0351 8.47% 3.92% 2.47% 7.34% DIZON MINES 8.11 8.33 8.3 8.33 8.1 8.33 7400 60349 FERRONICKEL 1.75 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.69 1.75 9111000 15713980 Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1819 4.48% 4.64% 3.42% 3.46% GEOGRACE 0.26 0.265 0.246 0.27 0.243 0.26 4620000 1172790 LEPANTO A 0.15 0.152 0.155 0.155 0.15 0.15 70120000 10623310 Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7394 3.49% 3.92% 2.81% 2.25% LEPANTO B 0.155 0.157 0.157 0.157 0.157 0.157 490000 76930 MANILA MINING A 0.0097 0.0099 0.01 0.01 0.0097 0.0097 10000000 97800 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 600000 6000 MANILA MINING B ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $481.75 3.3% 2.7% 2.9% 2.86% MARCVENTURES 1.09 1.1 1.12 1.12 1.1 1.1 3818000 4212340 NIHAO 2.63 2.65 2.67 2.68 2.63 2.65 142000 375350 ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є218.37 -0.56% 0.81% 1.16% -0.65% NICKEL ASIA 4.19 4.2 4.27 4.27 4.15 4.19 14674000 61426080 0.335 0.35 0.335 0.365 0.335 0.35 2030000 703350 OMICO CORP 4.51% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.2616 4.88% 3.58% 2.87% ORNTL PENINSULA 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.68 0.7 167000 115510 PX MINING 4.91 4.95 5.18 5.18 4.9 4.91 9495300 47012034 First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0265 2.71% 1.96% 1.66% 2.71% SEMIRARA MINING 11.42 11.44 11.3 11.52 11.3 11.44 1811800 20735784 UNITED PARAGON 0.0051 0.0052 0.0052 0.0052 0.0052 0.0052 1000000 5200 PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b $1.0904 -0.2% 0.31% 0.82% -0.29% 6.56 6.62 6.5 6.62 6.2 6.62 711300 4661480 ACE ENEXOR Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.5216 5.78% 4.06% 3.57% 4.91% ORNTL PETROL A 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.0099 0.01 25300000 254580 ORNTL PETROL B 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 3600000 38500 Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0620217 2.97% 2.57% 2.27% 2.86% 0.0082 0.0085 0.0083 0.0084 0.0082 0.0083 58000000 481900 PHILODRILL PXP ENERGY 11.92 11.96 12.04 12.2 11.72 11.96 1683700 20047682 Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.2193 2.26% 2.26% 2.63% 1.39%

PREFFERED Money Market Funds HOUSE PREF A 100.1 101.2 100.1 101 100 100 2360 237020 AC PREF B1 512 520 519.5 520 512 512 13900 7117585 Primarily invested in Peso securities ALCO PREF B 101 104.7 101 101 101 101 300 30300 ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 129.47 3.33% 3.35% 2.54% 2.89% AC PREF B2R 506 510 506 506 506 506 8760 4432560 CPG PREF A 101.3 102 101.2 102.2 101.2 102.2 600 60820 First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0466 1.79% n.a. n.a.

1.98% 100.5 103 100.8 100.8 100.5 100.5 36260 3649646 DD PREF 110.4 110.5 110.4 110.5 110.4 110.5 51500 5685750 FGEN PREF G Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2939 2.67% 3% 2.62% 2.28% FPH PREF C 500 620 500 500 500 500 20 10000 GLO PREF P 505 510 502 502.5 502 502.5 6030 3027075 Primarily invested in foreign currency securities GTCAP PREF A 1000 1007 1007 1007 1007 1007 10 10070 Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0513 1.55% 1.76% n.a.

1.25% GTCAP PREF B 1029 1034 1029 1029 1029 1029 100 102900 MWIDE PREF 100.6 101 101 101 100.6 100.6 200 20136 Feeder Funds PNX PREF 3B 100.4 103 100.4 103 100.2 103 6700 673217 PNX PREF 4 987 990 990 990 986 986 8340 8225400 Primarily invested in Peso securities PCOR PREF 3A 1050 1055 1055 1056 1055 1055 2715 2864940 1090 1100 1096 1100 1090 1100 1500 1641960 PCOR PREF 3B Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d,7 1.0831 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

SMC PREF 2C 78.15 78.4 78.25 78.25 78 78 24910 1944072 76.2 76.85 76.2 76.2 76.1 76.2 91000 6931510 SMC PREF 2E Primarily invested in foreign currency securities SMC PREF 2G 76.05 76.15 76.15 76.15 76.15 76.15 1450 110417.5 ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -b,d,2 $0.97 -2.02% n.a. n.a.

-2.02% SMC PREF 2H 76.1 76.2 76.85 76.85 76.2 76.2 80590 6143351.5 SMC PREF 2J 76.1 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.1 76.1 1010 76867

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."

-6390 3737010 -116130 -7332030 -125550 8400 71250 -223656116 3,647,114.9997) -35250 -13752450 96800 7900 -7620260 4358050 112500 -13008066 -395720 -51300 19100 -66188565 -7260 -1174820 935840 -25928520 -27469700 8320 15673442 -4250 3557618 -40250 287599.9999 -284550 134400 -4903992 -26832475 -59824245 194968 154970 14000 -2237300 -15652413 -1285940 -191850 699506 -3552770 -6202505 -6719632 -195800 -834120 5675448 -4744880 -323430 354000 -992254 972780 275000 10456540 -500 773749 -2613588 -2200 -1031700 488431 2010 31220 381000 -

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 11 11.2 11.2 11.2 11 11 8300 91440 GMA HLDG PDR 5.45 5.48 5.39 5.48 5.39 5.48 718400 3913754 432272

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 0.83 0.86 0.84 0.84 0.83 0.83 117000 97930

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 12.96 12.98 13 13.2 12.9 12.98 356400 4641380 -160478 ITALPINAS 3.19 3.2 3.2 3.23 3.12 3.19 2464000 7831630 49720 KEPWEALTH 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.4 6.1 6.2 141300 875711 MAKATI FINANCE 2.17 2.49 2.17 2.2 2.17 2.2 26000 57170 MERRYMART 5.34 5.35 5.22 5.49 5.22 5.34 42909200 229582404 3280294

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 105.7 105.9 107 107 105.6 105.9 12340 1308099 9531

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Japanese firm increases ownership in JV with BPI

J

apanese leasing firm Tokyo Century Corp. (TCC) is bound to become the majority shareholder in its joint venture with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) after deciding to acquire additional 2-percent stake.

Following the transaction, the Ayala-led bank said that TCC will own 51 percent in BPI Century Tokyo Lease and Finance Corp.

(BPICTL).

The Japanese firm’s board of directors decided to increase its ownership in the joint venture last November 9. The BPI, meanwhile, approved the acceptance of the offer on November 18.

The transaction is subject to requisite approvals and documentation.

It is eyed to be completed before the year ends.

“With TCC as majority shareholder, this allows the joint venture to optimize the value of TCC’s expertise in the full service operating lease industry while capitalizing on BPI’s customer base,” the listed bank said in a disclosure.

Shares in BPI climbed by 2.66 percent, or P2.25, to close at P86.70 each amid the 0.77-percent drop for the main index on Thursday.

BPI sealed the strategic partnership with TCC in 2014, which allowed

the bank to improve its asset financing products.

Earlier this month, the Ayala-led bank signed an agreement with financial technology startup JazzyPay Inc. to provide digital payment scheme for online bank users.

BPI Chief Digital Officer Noel Santiago said that the pact is seen boosting customer-to-digital payments, which he considered a significant aspect of the current business environment.

He added that the partnership is eyeing to “to build on our digital ecosystem securely, enable clients to transact efficiently, and facilitate contactless payments for small and big online businesses alike.”

As of end-September, BPI saw its net earnings decline by 22.1 percent to P17.17 billion from P22.03 billion year-on-year because of higher provisions for potential credit losses. The nine-month revenues, meanwhile, climbed by 9.7 percent to P77.88 billion.

Total assets increased by 3.6 percent to P2.2 trillion as of endSeptember. This, as the common equity tier 1 ratio and capital adequacy ratio stood at 15.46 percent and 16.35 percent, which are both above minimum regulatory requirements. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

DBP inks agreements for seed distribution

Shown in photo are Development Bank of the Philippines Executive Vice Presidents Susan Z. Prado and Jose Gabino D. Dimayuga representing the DBP during the virtual signing of the memorandum of agreement among the Philippine Rice Research Institute, the Nueva Ecija Seed Growers MultiPurpose Cooperative, PayMaya Philippines Inc. and the state-run bank.

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top official of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) announced the state-run bank has signed an agreement with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) for the implementation of a program designed to enhance the delivery and distribution of seeds to rice farmers through digital technology.

DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel G. Herbosa said the agreement is a joint initiative with PhilRice along with PayMaya Philippines Inc. and the Nueva Ecija Seed Growers Multipurpose Cooperative (NESGMC). Its pilot implementation is expected to benefit 5,000 farmers who are based in the traditional rice-producing provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, the DBP said.

“DBP lauds this initiative as it presents a new and exciting development in the use of financial technology to improve and innovate traditional practices in the agriculture sector,” Herbosa was quoted in a statement as saying.

The DBP is the seventhlargest bank in the country in terms of assets and has a branch network of 129 offices and 11 branch-lite units, which are located mostly in underserved areas of the country.

During the past year, DBP has worked closely with the

Department of Agriculture in disbursing cash aid to farmers and liberalizing access to credit of aspiring entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector.

Herbosa said that under the seed distribution system, farmer-beneficiaries will receive an SMS-based notification from PayMaya containing codes that farmers are expected to use in claiming the inbred rice seeds from NESGMC. He added that all codes used to claim the seeds can be easily monitored and reported to facilitate payment to NESGMC through DBP as the authorized government depository bank for the project.

“Through this new approach, we can expect a more efficient and effective implementation of seed distribution activities, which is a boon to scaling up production for a valued staple such as rice,” Herbosa said.

The new system is expected to be pilot-tested in select cities and municipalities, which include Aliaga, Bongabon, Cabanatuan City, Cuyapo, General Natividad, Guimba, Licab, Llanera, Lupao, Nampicuan, Quezon, Rizal, San Jose City, Science City of Muñoz, Santo Domingo, Talavera and Talugtug in Nueva Ecija. The system will also be implemented in Gerona, Paniqui, Pura, Ramos, Tarlac City and Victoria in Tarlac, according to the DBP.

Friday, November 20, 2020 B3

3 provinces’ access to clean water seen via ₧870-M grant

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By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

he United States Agency for International Development (USAid) is extending a multimillion peso grant to achieve water security in three Philippine provinces.

In a statement, the USAid said it will extend P870 million to help the provinces of Palawan, Negros Occidental and Sarangani obtain access to clean water and sanitation services.

The project also aims to improve water resource management to ensure sustainable supply and strengthen water sector governance in these provinces.

“The US government is proud to support the efforts of Palawan, Negros Occidental and Sarangani to achieve water security. [The] USAid will work with partners to maximize the use of data and sound

analytics to guide informed decision making, identify lasting solutions, and prioritize investments,” USAid Acting Mission Director Patrick Wesner was quoted in the statement as saying.

USAid said the grant will be used to finance the 5-year “Safe Water” project. The provinces currently face recurring water shortages amid rising water demand, degraded watersheds and inadequate access to water supply and sanitation services.

The project will involve private sector and non-government organizations. These are: DAI Global LLC;

Philippine Business for Social Progress; Water.org; Mahintana Foundation Inc.; Conrado and Ladislawa Alcantara Foundation Inc.; and, the Foundation for a Sustainable Society Inc. Through these organizations, USAID said the project will “empower communities to become better environmental stewards, build local capacity to deliver clean drinking water and improved sanitation services and strengthen stakeholder engagement toward long-term water security.” “(This project is) a milestone and a significant step towards a more serious and in-depth water governance for more inclusive and sustainable development in the province of Negros Occidental,” Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson said.

Lacson was one of the representatives from the Philippine government and private sector during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that Wesner led.

The representatives include Lac-

son, National Economic and Development Authority Assistant Director General Roderick M. Planta, Palawan Governor Jose Chaves Alvarez and Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon.

As of December 2019, the USAID provided the grant financing for the Protect Wildlife Project implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The financing amounted to P1.125 billion.

The US government extended $577.71 million worth of grants as of December 2019. This financed 52 projects and accounted for 2.67 percent of the country’s total Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio in 2019.

In terms of utilization level or the cumulative disbursements of grants reckoned from grant agreement effectivity dates, the US had the highest at $266 million.

This was followed by Australia and the UN System with $153.09 million and $135.6 million, respectively in 2019.

LandBank’s ₧5B debt papers oversubscribed by 5x

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

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HE recently-listed P5-billion maiden offering of sustainability bonds by the Land Bank of the Philippines was met with robust demand during the offer period.

“Amidst the backdrop of a recovering economic environment, we are pleased with the strong investor confidence in LandBank’s stable financial position,” LandBank President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo was quoted in a statement as saying. “The strong interest is also a clear reflection of the conscious and growing demand for environmental and socially responsible programs and initiatives that LandBank promotes.”

The issuance was oversubscribed by more than five times, with total bids reaching P16.6 billion. This resulted in the total issue size increasing to P5 billion from P3 billion.

LandBank closed the offer period on October 26—the first day of offering—after being welcomed by an “overwhelming” market demand.

The bonds carry a coupon rate of 2.5872 percent annually and have a tenor of two years. LandBank said

the minimum investment amount is P50,000 and in multiples of P10,000 thereafter.

The state-run bank tapped Standard Chartered Bank to be the sole lead arranger and bookrunner of the transaction. Both banks are the selling agents.

The proceeds from the transaction will finance loan programs supporting green and social projects identified in the bank’s sustainable finance framework.

Among the green projects are climate change mitigation and adaptation, natural resource and biodiversity conservation and pollution prevention and control.

Meanwhile, LandBank cited programs for basic infrastructure, food security, essential services, affordable housing, employment generation and food security as some of the social projects.

Premyo bonds

Recently, LandBank announced that it is offering online placements for “Premyo Bonds Para sa Bayan 2” launched by the Bureau of the Treasury.

The low-risk government securities have an interest rate of 1.25 percent annually, which is subject

to 20-percent final tax.

“We have seen a growing public interest for the Premyo Bonds, and by making available online channels, more Filipinos both here and abroad will be able invest in government securities,” Borromeo said.

The bank is selling the Premyo Bonds over the counter at all its branches.

The Landbank said it is also giving Filipinos abroad a platform to participate in the Premyo Bonds offering through the mobile banking application of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank), the bank’s digitalonly branchless bank subsidiary.

Through the OFBank mobile banking application (app), Filipinos across the world may invest in the Premyo Bonds in as fast as five minutes or less through their smartphones, the bank said.

The bank said it app accepts placements of up to P500,000 per transaction. For investments more than this amount, investors may do multiple transactions as long as each transaction is up to P500,000 only, the Landbank said.

Similar to those issued last year, the second Premyo Bonds are sold at only P500 each. These low-risk government securities have an interest

The agile association leader

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he Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), dubbed as the “association of associations,” with the support of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), will hold its eighth annual convention, the Associations Summit 8 (AS8), on November 25 and 26, 2020.

The event, which gathers association leaders and professionals from here and abroad, will be held virtually for the first time, with the theme, “Leading with Agility.”

Agile leadership traces its history back to the agile software development era in the 1970s and has since evolved as a management concept in recent times. At the core of agile leadership is the creation of the right environment for self-managing teams.

In essence, it is where agile teams collaborate, learn from each other, get quick feedback from users, and are focused on quality and continuous learning, with a strong emphasis on culture, ownership, mindset, feedback, and long-term goals.

The agile leadership style fits

Association World Octavio Peralta the “new normal” and today’s culture of giving autonomy to employees to do their work, of creating clarity on the objectives and desired outcomes, and of letting people and teams discover the best ways to achieve them.

It also augurs well with the importance given to customercentricity. With the rise of the internet and mobile phones, more and more organizations, including associations, are undertaking digital transformation initiatives that aim to contribute to overall agility and ability to stay in business for the long-term.

What are the traits of an agile association leader? Below is my own list of traits, using the first five letters of the word, “agile”: Adaptable—Adaptability is the most apt trait nowadays for association leaders because of the

circumstances around this ongoing pandemic. Being flexible and versatile in decision-making and in taking action is required to survive and thrive in this environment. This can relate, for example, to granting relief to members hardpressed to pay their membership dues or event registration when they needed to; caring for their staff; or simply being with them “in the trenches.”

Genuine—Authenticity is another characteristic that is always mentioned as a good trait. Being transparent and credible in reporting what is the true state of the association; in working with others when the need arises; and in asking for assistance, when warranted.

Insightful—Intuition with discernment is a must in planning actions for the short-term, as well as for the long haul. Scanning the environment and what the future will look like present opportunities for associations with foresight.

Leapfrogging—Making small and incremental innovations leads to a dominant position to stay ahead. Innovation is the

rate of 1.25 percent per annum, subject to a 20 percent final tax.

The offer period for the Premyo Bonds 2 will run until December 11, 2020, with settlement on December 16. Proceeds from the issuance will be used to fund government programs on the response for the Covid-19 crisis, education and healthcare, among others, the Landbank said.

On top of quarterly interest payments, investors of Premyo Bonds 2 will have the chance to win cash rewards of over P1 million, as well as brand new cars during the quarterly rewards draws. Each P500 investment entitles the eligible bondholder one bond unit with an electronic rewards number, which will serve as one entry in the quarterly draws.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said that the Premyo Bonds issuance aims to familiarize more Filipinos with government securities, while getting them into the habit of investing and helping the government expand its financing footprint in the retail sector. De Leon added that investors with P20,000 or below will be qualified for a special rewards draw with 20 winners of P50,000 each per quarter.

name of the game for associations right now.

Entrepreneurial—Being pioneering, taking risks, and doing experimentation are hallmarks of being forward thinking. What products and services need to be developed and be relevant to members? What other sources of revenues are out there to sustain your mission? How do you run your operations more efficiently?

These are some of the questions you may ask.

Being nimble, sharp, and skilled are synonyms of agile.

These and the above are exactly the traits an agile leader needs to have, not only in this trying time but every time!

The column contributor, Octavio “Bobby” Peralta, is concurrently the secretary-general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific and the Founder & CEO of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives. PCAAE is holding the Associations Summit 8 on November 25 and 26, 2020 with the theme, “Leading with Agility.” The two-day virtual event is supported by Adfiap, the Tourism Promotions Board and the PICC. E-mail inquiries@adfiap.org for more details on AS8.

B4

Relationships

Friday, November 20, 2020 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

z

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Ashley Fink, 34; Dan Byrd, 35; Joel McHale, 49; Ming-Na Wen, 57.

Happy Birthday: Be methodical when making plans this year. Choose to be practical, but don’t deny your curiosity the luxury of researching every possibility.

What you discover will whet your appetite for adventure while sticking to a budget. Exploring new possibilities will be enlightening as well as help you choose a path that has limitless potential. Leave the past behind you.

Your numbers are 7, 12, 20, 24, 31, 33, 40.

Social media promised to connect us, but left us isolated, scared and tribal

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By Arash Javanbakht Wayne State University

BOUT a year ago I began to follow my interest in health and fitness on Instagram. Soon I began to see more and more fitness-related accounts, groups, posts and ads. I kept clicking and following, and eventually my Instagram became all about fit people, fitness and motivational material, and advertisements. Does this sound familiar?

While the algorithms and my brain kept me scrolling on the endless feeds, I was reminded of what digital marketers like to say: “Money is in the list.”

That is, the more customized your group, people and page follows, the less time and money is needed to sell you related ideas. Instead, brand ambassadors will do the work, spreading products, ideas and ideologies with passion and free of charge.

I’m a psychiatrist who studies anxiety and stress, and I often write about how our politics and culture are mired in fear and tribalism. My co-author is a digital marketing expert who brings expertise to the technological-psychological aspect of this discussion.

With the nation on edge, we believe it’s critical to look at how easily our society is being manipulated into tribalism in the age of social media. Even after the exhausting election cycle is over, the division persists, if not widening, and conspiracy theories continue to emerge, grow and divide on the social media. Based on our knowledge of stress, fear and social media, we offer you some ways to weather the next few days, and protect yourself against the current divisive environment.

THE PROMISE, THE MATRIX THOSE of us old enough to know what life was like before social media may remember how exciting Facebook was at its inception. Imagine, the ability to connect with old friends we had not seen for decades!

Then, Facebook was a virtual dynamic conversation.

This brilliant idea, to connect to others with shared experiences and interests, was strengthened with the advent of Twitter, Instagram and apps.

Things did not remain that simple. These platforms have morphed into Frankenstein’s monsters, filled with so-called friends we’ve never met, slanted news stories, celebrity gossip, self-

aggrandizement and ads.

The artificial intelligence behind these platforms determines what you see based on your social media and web activity, including your engagement with pages and ads. For example, on Twitter you may follow the politicians you like. Twitter algorithms quickly respond and show you more posts and people related to that political leaning. The more you like, follow and share, the faster you find yourself moving in that political direction. There is, however, this nuance: Those algorithms tracking you are often triggered by your negative emotions, typically impulsivity or anger.

As a result, the algorithms amplify the negative and then spread it by sharing it among groups. This might play a role in the widespread anger among those engaged in politics, regardless of their side of the aisle.

THE DIGITAL TRIBE EVENTUALLY, the algorithms expose us mostly to the ideology of one “digital tribe”—the same way my Instagram world became only superfit and active people. This is how one’s Matrix can become the extremes of conservatism, liberalism, different religions, climate change worriers or deniers or other ideologies. Members of each tribe keep consuming and feeding one another the same ideology while policing one another against opening up to “the others.”

We are inherently tribal creatures anyway; but particularly when we’re scared, we regress further into tribalism and tend to trust the information relayed to us by our tribe and not by others. Normally, that’s an evolutionary advantage. Trust leads to group cohesion, and it helps us survive.

But now, that same tribalism—along with peer pressure, negative emotions and short tempers— often lead to ostracizing those who disagree with you.

In one study, 61 percent of Americans reported having unfriended, unfollowed or blocked someone on social media because of their political views or posts.

THE MATRIX DOES THE THINKING HUMAN thinking itself has been transformed. It’s now more difficult for us to grasp the “big picture.”

A book is a long read these days, too much for some people. Scrolling and swiping culture has reduced

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Expect inconsistency from others. Be prepared to rely on yourself, and it will help you raise your game and ward off becoming disgruntled. An energetic, positive approach will help you outmaneuver any competition you encounter. Get the facts and avoid uncertainty. HHHH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Emotions will interfere with your ability to get things done quickly. Face sensitive issues head-on and get on with your day. A change in the way you feel will lead to greater freedom and peace of mind. HH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take care of your responsibilities without making a fuss, and you’ll gain respect and the chance to excel.

Fact-check what others say to avoid being put in a precarious position. A romantic gesture will cause confusion or uncertainty. HHHHH

d

our attention span (on average people spend 1.7 to 2.5 seconds on a Facebook news feed item). It has also deactivated our critical thinking skills. Even really big news doesn’t last on our feed longer than a few hours; after all, the next blockbuster story is just ahead. The Matrix does the thinking; we consume the ideology and are bolstered by the likes from our tribemates.

Before all this, our social exposure was mostly to family, friends, relatives, neighbors, classmates, TV, movies, radio, newspapers, magazines and books.

And that was enough. In that, there was diversity and a relatively healthy information diet with a wide variety of nutrients. We always knew people who were not like-minded, but getting along with them was normal life, part of the deal. Now those different voices have become more distant—“the others” we love to hate on social media.

IS THERE A RED PILL? WE need to take back the control. Here are seven things we can do to unplug ourselves out of the Matrix: n Review and update your ad preferences on social media at least once per year. n Confuse the AI by flagging all ads and suggestions as “irrelevant.” n Practice being more inclusive. Check other web sites, read their news and do not “unfriend” people who think differently from you. n Turn off cable news and read instead. Or at least put a disciplined limit on hours of exposure. n Check out less biased sources of news such as NPR, BBC and The Conversation. n If you think everything your tribe leaders say is absolute truth, think again. n Go offline and go out (just wear your mask).

Practice smartphone-free hours. n Finally, remember that your neighbor who supports the other football team or the other political party is not your enemy; you can still go for a bike ride together! I did today, and we didn’t even have to talk politics.

It’s time to take the red pill. Take these seven steps, and you won’t give in to the Matrix. n This piece was coauthored with Maryna Arakcheieva, who is expert in digital solutions and marketing.

THE CONVERSATION

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Talk personal matters through before you make a move.

Having the approval of someone you love will make a difference in the way you move forward. Shared finances will be a problem if someone isn’t able to contribute as much. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Go on a journey that will lead to information, new possibilities and choices. Don’t feel you have to follow in someone’s footsteps. Do your own thing, and don’t begrudge others if they take a different route. HHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Set the stage for success. Preparation, detail, and developing something marketable will lead to new beginnings and a better lifestyle. The adjustments you make will teach you that you can do anything you set out to achieve. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): An emotional plea will help you uncover a sensitive issue you face with someone close to you. Be wise to manipulative tactics used to make you feel guilty. It’s time to make clear what you can and cannot do. HHHH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Use discretion when dealing with friends and relatives.

If you share your opinions or plans, it will affect the way someone feels about you. Give others the same respect and freedom you want in return. A unique lifestyle change looks inviting. HH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you don’t like something, make a change. Stop letting others put demands on you and start picking what you want to do and who you want in your life. Love and romance are in the stars. HHHH

j

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be careful how you handle emotional matters. Be mindful of the way others feel. Go about your business, and take care of your responsibilities. An unusual offer can change your direction. Take better care of your health.

Moderation will be necessary. HHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Concentrate on what you have to do to remain current.

Don’t let important documents or contracts lapse. Stay on top of your responsibilities, and don’t take on more than you can handle. Stick to a budget, and avoid indulgent behavior. HHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t share information regarding your finances, health or intentions. Listen more and reveal less, and you’ll have the upper hand when it comes to competitive situations. A joint venture with someone you love will improve your life. HHH Birthday Baby: You are unique, creative and mindful.

You are resourceful and adventuresome.

‘small screen’ by adam aaronson The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Actor Driver 5 Musician whose stage name was inspired by a whale 9 Depletes, as energy 13 ___ California 14 Spanish “goodbye” 16 Bring on board 17 “This 2009 animated movie is too complicated!”

19 Pennsylvania city by a lake 20 Cabs 21 Google Maps guess, briefly 22 Per unit 23 With 54-Across, “Don’t eat all your popcorn during this 2019 thriller’s first scene!”

27 Brand for “choosy moms” 30 Race, like an engine 31 Renamed Mac platform 32 Bone in a cage 34 Must pay 36 ___ Grande 38 “Impossible” part of an impossible burger 40 “We gotta discuss this 2017 horror

movie!”

4 Ludicrous 4 45 Litigate 46 Male ___ (objectifying perspective) 47 Series-ending abbr.

48 Sun Devils’ sch.

51 Vietnamese New Year 53 Eliminates, with “out” 54 See 23-Across 58 Chopped contestant 59 Flow back 60 Comedian O’Donnell 64 Back of a boot 65 The movies at the starred answers’ ends, based on their titles’ lengths?

68 Bear in space 69 Ahi and albacore 70 Object in the Pixar logo 71 Come to a point?

72 Release with bugs, often 73 Full duration DOWN 1 Sort of 2 Policy for “Dreamers”: Abbr.

3 Powder cleanser maker 4 Filing jobs, informally?

5 The Atlantic, e.g., briefly 6 Work requiring dedication?

7 Hike “souvenirs” 8 Response to “Have a nice day!”

9 Bundle of grain 10 Added fee before flying 11 Put first 12 Permeate gradually 15 Inundates with messages 18 Bygone Russian ruler 24 Fashion’s Wang 25 Sinister 26 World’s fair 27 Angelina who played Lara Croft 28 “You heard me right!”

29 Greek salad topper 33 Units that sound like 7-Down 35 Fig. to keep secret 37 Green-lights 39 Eighth mo.

41 Rip 42 ___ parts (fenders and such) 43 Informal feud 49 View, as thou would 50 Connection point for multiple dongles 52 Steak, often, in a combo dish

5 D sharp equivalent 5 56 Hearty steak 57 Dirties 58 Buddy 61 High-five sound 62 “___ Be” (Black Eyed Peas hit) 63 Fox Sports alternative 66 Maze runner 67 They’re not lax at LAX Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, November 20, 2020

Critics online: Gawad Urian in the pandemic world

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N November 10, 2020, our group, the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, set a sort of record: we conducted the annual Gawad Urian online.

It was not easy reaching this decision but it was easy recognizing the limitations of the times leading to that optimum decision.

After a series of deliberations, which included our own discussion of the merits of the films and their nominations, there were conversations as to how this online recognition of excellence in the field of cinema could be conducted.

There were concerns, too, we had to deal with: Do we tell the winners in advance so they could prepare their speeches? If we do this, do we also inform those who were not selected? We were imagining the scenario and we thought it was not good.

Do we hand out the award even without any assurance that the nominees—or at least some of them—would be watching the awards night in anticipation? Up to that moment, we did not have any idea how the nominees would react to the ceremonies.

But we were excited to pull through with the act, anxious even. I had my worries that the event, at a certain juncture, would just hang or stop. What do we do then?

The fact is, except for the greater mediation of Zoom technology, the whole deliberation leading to the awarding did not really change much.

Let me go first to the selection of winners. In the pre-Covid selection night, the Manunuri began always with, for lack of a better, more politically correct term, a curated dinner at about seven in the

evening. For this year, there was no food as we were not physically together. Among us, I felt the most isolation as I was back in Naga City in Bicol, where I am spending a more pastoral time in these Covid days (or months). The rest of us were scattered north, east, west and south of the metropolis.

In our second week of deliberations, many of us felt the absence of feast in front of us. To this newfound depressing state, someone talked of having food individually delivered to each member. Was it Gary Devilles, the present chair, who proposed we allot a particular amount for each member? It followed also that I should do my own request for a snack or early dinner through any food delivery in the area. See, we are not that academic.

To be systematic about our judging, we agreed to do our own revisiting of the nominees in each category. There was also a suggestion that if we could decide already on our choices, we could fill out the form that was sent to us online. Gary would tabulate them.

On the day of the selection of winners, Gary placed on-screen the list of nominees. At the start, some of us checked the names that corresponded to our winner for the different categories. Most of us left the forms blank. This meant that while we had already our choices in our mind, we would rather go through them again by way of listening to the choices of the other members. This meant as well that we would sit and face the screen with our minds cleared of previous judgment. This further meant that we were open to changes depending on how a member or members articulated on the merits of those they felt should get the award.

This act of surrendering one’s biases in favor of responding to other members’ ways of seeing is, I believe, the Manunuri way.

I do remember the first time I participated in the selection of winners. I arrived in Nic Tiongson’s home bearing a bottle of wine (we bring always something for the members to share during post-prandial sessions) and a notebook with my own set of winners.

I thought they would be proud of me, the newest member then, ready and confident with his artistic conscience all laid out, written clearly, documented.

That night, I noted that even those members who were openly admiring some films only weeks before, were now expressing their rhapsody for another film. Questions were being hurled against one’s obsession (translation: a repeated, constant reference to one film); sarcastically funny remarks were being made when one seemed to stick to a name for a category.

It was terrifically enchanting to witness one member critique or even have fun at the expense of another member. As the night went on, I was getting the hang of it. I was enjoying the process. I was learning so drastically to see what makes a good film.

I was listening!

When the voting time came, I took note of changes, of shifts in the final judgment. How did I know members were being fluid with their decision? Very simple: voting for the Gawad Urian is never done anonymously.

When the night ended, there was only one name in my list that I stuck with. I (oh, please allow me to be Lilian Hellmanish) did a pentimento. I repented, changed my mind.

If last year we used a small sheet of paper on which we wrote the category, the name of our winner, and our signature at the bottom of the paper, this time we used Microsoft Excel. On-screen, Gary flashed the completed form with our name and our winner for each category. In the last cell was the tally of the votes acquired by a film for each category.

The selection and the accomplishment of the tabular form was so brisk that we were talking about films rather than the persons behind the technology at stake. Except for the actors who were duly named, we did not readily identify the other winning persons.

As with any technology-driven process, the selection of Gawad Urian winners this year happened faster than those in the last 40 or so years of being critically judgmental by the Critics of the Philippine cinema.

Next week, I will share the discussion on the merits of the Gawad Urian winners for 2020, who will all go down in history as the first set of excellent actors and filmmakers whose achievements were all vetted online. n

THE biggest stars of GMA’s entertainment and news departments in the network’s 2020 Christmas ID special.

GMA unites all hearts with ‘Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko’ THIS year has been exceptionally challenging for us Filipinos. We have braved the effects of the Taal Volcano eruption, the continuing global pandemic, and, most recently, the onslaught of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.

As 2020 draws to a close, media giant GMA ushers the holiday season by unifying our hearts’ utmost desire that amid the circumstances, better days will be ahead through its Christmas Station ID, “Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko.”

“Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko” puts the spotlight on the innate kindness of Filipinos and the love we have for each other that fuels our resilience, and, most importantly, the strength of our faith in God.

The network’s heartwarming campaign features its various artists and news-and-public affairs personalities expressing their sincerest gratitude to everyone who extended their hand to those in great need, most especially to the frontliners who continue to help fellow Filipinos battle the Covid-19 pandemic, the first responders who rushed to the scenes of devastation to rescue and evacuate those in peril, and to Filipinos who opened their hearts in their own simple ways.

Moreover, the station ID shows the various initiatives of the network’s artists to help and uplift the spirits of their kababayans—a lot of them gave out food for the frontliners, such as couple Dingdong Dantes and

Marian Rivera, who even prepared the meals herself; Alden Richards, who donated food from his restaurant; Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado who contributed essential supplies for the frontliners; the Eat Bulaga hosts who gave 3D printing machines for personal protective equipment production; Heart Evangelista who provided tablets for students to use for remote learning; Willie Revillame who gave generous donations to jobless jeepney drivers and to the people of Catanduanes; and many others who extended help in their own meaningful ways.

And with everything unfolding amid the pandemic and numerous natural disasters, the men and women of GMA News and Public Affairs

were also able to step up to the plate as they took their vow of “Serbisyong Totoo” to the next level by delivering timely news and information to the Filipinos.

The network, through GMA Kapuso Foundation, likewise tirelessly provided aid to the medical frontliners and Filipino families in need, emulating true bayanihan spirit.

“Isang Puso Ngayong Pasko” brings together all hearts this Christmas and no pandemic will stop the network from remembering the true reason for this season.

GMA Network’s 2020 Christmas Station ID can be viewed on the network’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts, or on www. gmanetwork.com.

MMFF goes online

I HAVE always loved films. The joy in the communal experience of laughing, crying, getting shocked, feeling kilig and many more eatching a movie in a dark theater is really something I have always enjoyed.

The recent pandemic has, of course, put this love on hold. Many predicted the demise of films but there have been outliers. Last summer, Trolls World Tour was was the first mainstream movie that was supposed to have had a theatrical release but instead of pushing back its release, the film distributors took a bold move and went directly to streaming and video-ondemand. Did that audacious move work?

Yes! In three weeks of its digital release, Trolls World Tour has made more money for Universal Pictures than the original Trolls movie did during five months in theaters. So far, it has generated around $100 million in rental fees from nearly 5 million customers.

Truly, the future of cinema has arrived.

While I am glad some giant movie chains like SM has opened its theaters in select branches and even introduced a drive-in cinema, I am still afraid to go out and have accepted the fact that streaming is the way to go. Recently, I was able to stream a lot of films and while the experience may not be the same, pwedeng pwede na s’ya actually.

So it is no surprise that the biggest, most popular and longest-running film festival in the country, the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is pushing through despite moviehoused remaining locked down until the end of the year.

Covid cannot dampen the Filipino Christmas spirit, and that is why the MMFF Executive Committee has decided to bring this holiday tradition to every Filipino home across the globe.

After careful and thorough deliberation on the five proposals for online streaming, the MMDA and MMFF Executive Committee have engaged the services of Globe and Upstream to be its partner.

With this partnership, the reach of the MMFF will be expanded to include Filipinos abroad who cannot go home for the holidays but can still have a Filipino Christmas complete by watching MMFF movies.

As the MMDA/MMFF Execom Chairman Danilo Lim said in a statement: “We enjoin the public to be one with the entertainment industry and the other stakeholders including the MMFF beneficiaries who have been hit hard by the pandemic to make this online MMFF 2020 a success.”

People can access the eight entries to this year’s MMFF in digital form through Upstream while in the comfort of their homes.

Meanwhile, Atty. Romando Artes, MMFF coexecutive chairman, said regular activities such as the Parade of Stars and the Awards Night ceremony will also be done virtually and streamed online in compliance with the health and safety protocols to avoid further Covid-19 transmission.

Ernest Cu of Globe Telecom said the undertaking aims to maintain the holiday Filipino tradition of watching movies as families and bring cheer to the Filipinos. It also intends to bring Filipino audiences to a worldwide audience.

Metro Manila has been under general community quarantine and restrictions on mass gatherings remain in place. While the government is gradually opening up the economy, Metro Manila mayors have recommended keeping the National Capital Region under the general community quarantine status until the end of the year.

So, continue to support the MMFF in the comfort of your own homes. This sure beats wading through heavy holiday traffic and lining up for hours for a ticket, right?

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B6 Friday, November 20, 2020

SMHCC launches its first-ever online GC sale in time for the holiday season

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S the Christmas season ushers in, the nostalgia of family traditions and reunions awaited year-long come into play. To further complement all these is the opportunity to have a relaxing and rewarding getaway with your loved ones to create new memories to cherish.

As part of the company’s unending commitment to go beyond and in response to the call of the times, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) GC Sale returns, now fully automated and online this year! SMHCC’s participating hotels including: Conrad Manila, Taal Vista Hotel, Pico Sands Hotel, Park Inn

by Radisson Clark, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Park Inn by Radisson Iloilo, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA, and Radisson Blu Cebu, will be offering a variety of gift certificates up to 70% off for overnight stays, special offers for food and beverage, unique packages for meetings and events, and discounts at the hotels’ various facilities and activities like spa treatments and pool day bundles.

These exciting deals from SMHCC’s renowned hotels are tailored to fit seamlessly in guests’ holiday and staycation plans for this year and the next. Gift certificates purchased during

the sale period from November 30 to December 20, 2020 will have a validity of up to December 31, 2021, allowing guests to book and enjoy the offers at their leisure and utmost convenience.

As an additional bonus, SM Advantage Card (SMAC) and Prestige cardholders will also receive complimentary treats and the opportunity to earn points in applicable properties upon use of the gift certificates. Terms and Conditions apply.

Catch these valuable deals from November 30 to December 20, 2020 by visiting https://whyqueue.shop/smhotels Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB108727 Series of 2020.

EDC tagged as one of Asia’s Top Sustainability Advocates

KEITECH-construction

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TS pursuit to produce 100% clean and renewable energy as it enhances the environment and empowers its stakeholders accorded Lopez-led geothermal power leader Energy Development Corporation (EDC), the honor of being Asia’s Top Sustainability Advocate in the recently concluded 2020 Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards.

With over 400 nominees in this year’s awarding ceremony held virtually in Malaysia due to the constraints brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, EDC emerged as one of the top companies that has “genuine interest in the well-being of all its stakeholders.”

The ACES Top Sustainability Advocates award was conferred to companies that have embedded CSR initiatives into its policies and operations, and have a high level of employee and top management involvement in the programs.

“Ensuring inclusive growth among our partner communities has always been embedded in our operations. Transforming them into environmental stewards who help us maintain our BINHI reforestation projects in our areas of operation has made our efforts more meaningful and crucial to achieving our new mission of forging collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future,” Atty. Allan V. Barcena, head of EDC’s CSR-PR group, said.

This new mission that EDC and the rest of the Lopez group has committed to is all about elevating or improving the state

of everything they touch, including the communities, the environment, employees, co-creators, and customers.

Established in 1976, EDC is the world’s largest vertically integrated geothermal company and the largest diversified renewable energy producer in the country, with a total installed capacity of almost 1,500 MW of purely renewable energy.

Environmental conservation as well as community upliftment have always been embedded in its operation and are both integral to its long-term viability and success in addressing the energy needs of the Philippines.

Among the many CSR programs of EDC, its 30-year old coffee production project with the Baslay Farmers’ Association (BFA) in its geothermal site in Negros Oriental brought new life to the former kaingineros whose way of living then was through slash and burn farming.

Through the Baslay Coffee program, the kaingineros have been transformed into forest stewards who now make their living through production of premium grade Arabica and Robusta coffee grounds while protecting the environment as part of EDC’s BINHI greening legacy program.

Education is likewise one of the major pillars of EDC’s CSR program, with its KEITECH Educational Foundation, Inc (KEITECH) technical-vocational school being one of its primary programs that continues to play a vital role not only in the future of underprivileged youth but

also in forging a regenerative publicprivate partnership. Known for the consistent 100% passing rate of its students in all Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) National Certification exams for over 10 years, KEITECH has helped the poorest of the poor out-of-school youth from the municipality of Kananga and Ormoc City in Leyte acquire quality technicalvocational skills and good values, thereby making them highly in demand among employers here and abroad.

Organized by Malaysian-based sustainability network, MORS Group, ACES has developed instruments that propel companies in Asia towards sustainable growth since 2012.

Aside from the usual challenges faced by companies from different industries, 2020 has been a more difficult year given the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Shanggari B, Chief Executive Officer of MORS Group.

With more than 21 companies from the Philippines winning this year, EDC surfaced as one whose CSR focus area has always been a combination of employee engagement, community empowerment, and environmental preservation.

“The Filipino presence has been something of a given at each ACES. There is something about companies operating in the Philippines which have a predisposition towards a natural affinity for the common good of employees,” Shanggari B said.

“While it was a given that the number of nominees increased year-on-year, candidates for awards were put through an even more gruelling judging process, and by quite an unexpected ‘judge’ which is COVID-19 itself,” she added.

EDC generates over 40% of the Philippines’ renewable energy output and serves about 10% of the country’s overall electricity demand with its installed capacity of over 1,500MW. Its over 1,200MW geothermal portfolio accounts for 62% of the country’s total installed geothermal capacity, putting the Philippines on the map as the world’s third largest geothermal power producer.

Scholars’ group hosts webinar on law and economy amid COVID-19

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HE Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity Scholars’ Society (FLPSS) is hosting its first free virtual forum entitled “The Balance of Law and Economics in the time of COVID-19”. This event will be held this Saturday, November 21, 2020, from 2:00PM – 5:00PM. The forum aims to provide an avenue to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the most vulnerable sectors of society, its legal implications, and the economic challenges brought by the public health crisis.

The speakers for the event are Atty.

Rodel Taton, DCL, the dean of San Sebastian College–Recoletos (SSC-R) College of Law; Dr. Bryan Albert Lim, an infectious disease specialist; and JC Punongbayan, a teaching fellow at the University of the Philippines Diliman School of Economics and a current PhD Candidate.

Retired Supreme Court Justice SandovalGutierrez will also deliver her message in the same event. An open forum shall also be available during the event to facilitate further discussion.

You may reach Josiah Quising, Chairperson

for Education and Research (FLPSS), through email at josiahquising@outlook.com or through mobile number at 09171571918. You may also click the Facebook event page https:// fb.me/e/38c4Ss1YL for further details.

The FLPSS is the professional organization formed by law students, law graduates, and lawyers who have been awarded legal scholarships by Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity (FLP) and/or has won the FLP Law School Dissertation Contest. For more information about FLPSS, please visit the Facebook page “Foundation for Liberty & Prosperity Scholars’ Society”.

The FLP was founded in 2011 to perpetuate the core judicial philosophy of retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban — that jurists and lawyers should safeguard liberty and nurture prosperity under the rule of law. For more information, please visit www.libpros.com.

Plan your holiday gatherings at Phoenix Court

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HE home of authentic Chinese cuisine in Alabang is reopening on December 3, 2020!

Phoenix Court, the South’s premier fine dining Chinese restaurant, will be welcoming their dear guests and clients soon as they are opening their doors once again just in time for the holidays. Plan that much awaited intimate Christmas gathering with your loved ones and have a scrumptious feast of your favorite Chinese dishes – from their best-selling dim sum selection to their ala carte specials such as Beef Tenderloin with Black Pepper, Two Varieties of Chicken, Steamed Tiger Prawns with Garlic, and of course the crowd favorite; Yang Chow Fried Rice!

Celebrate the happiest season with all of these early presents from Bellevue as they are gifting their guests with special deals to celebrate the reopening. Head over to https:// onlineshopping.thebellevue.com and catch their November Promotions sale to purchase the vouchers for the restaurant’s well-loved dishes! A classic Phoenix Court special – for only Php 2,000 nett, you and your family can enjoy their delicious Peking Duck; or dine for 2 and enjoy their eat-all-you-can dim sum offer priced at Php 1,350 nett. They also have a special deal, perfect for families of 5 – have some of Bellevue’s signature dishes for only Php 3,500 nett!

With The Bellevue Manila’s updated precautionary measures, you and your family will be able to dine with ease. Their ultimate priority is to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy while at the hotel.

For inquiries and reservations, please call (+632) 8771 8181 or send an email to ird@ thebellevue.com For more information, follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram @BellevueManila.

11th Kutitap for indigenous children goes online on November 23 to 28, 2020

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N celebration of the 2020 National Children’s Month and National Indigenous Peoples’ Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) through its Cultural Exchange Department (CED) in partnership with the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) and Sinukwan Kapampangan Training Center for the Arts will hold the 11th Kutitap: Isang Piging ng Kabataang Makasining online from November 23-28, 2020.

One hundred twenty children and their adult guides representing various cultural communities all over the country will be gathered for a six-day celebration of arts, culture and traditions. Now on its 11th year, Kutitap aims to instill among the Filipino children and youth a deep sense of understanding, appreciation and pride for Philippine arts, indigenous culture, as well as to promote creativity and positive social values. Kutitap will conduct interactive activities to include mini-workshops and showcases (in dance, drama, music, rituals, visual arts, etc.), storytelling, crafting, traditional games, film viewing, group discussions, creative collaboration, educational-exposure tours, among others.

Since the first gathering in 2009, Kutitap has already reached over 2,904 children from 125 local communities nationwide. In 2011, the project was redesigned for the benefit of the children in Northern Luzon who were badly affected by typhoons Pedring and Quiel. For the first time in 2015, Kutitap was brought out of the CCP and was hosted by the City of Batangas. For the first time too, the program was filmed and presented as part of the Children of Asia research project under the Asian Culture Institute (ACI) in Gwangju, South Korea. The film made by Kevin K. Park was shown during the opening of the Asia Culture Center (ACC) in Korea. In 2016, Kutitap was brought to the Visayas under the hosting

of the Province of Capiz, in 2017 in Tagum City, in 2018 in Los Baños-Laguna and in 2019 in Koronadal City.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the project will be migrated online and will have for its theme “Mga Batang Makasining Para sa Isang Malusog at Malayang Kinabukasan” (Creative Children for a Healthy, Independent and Progressive Future). In line with this theme, the program was specially designed to include sessions on indigenous food, games, folktales, music, dance, herbal medicine, film and crafts.

This year’s participants will be children ages 7-12 years old from the following 12 cultural communities: Mindanao – Maguindanao, Tawi Tawi and Davao Oriental; Visayas – Ati of Iloilo, Antique & Aklan; Luzon – Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Laguna & National Capital Region - Quezon City, Manila and Marikina.

For more information, check the CCP Cultural Exchange Department FB account and/or email at ccp.ced2014@gmail.com

Sports BusinessMirror

Editor: Jun Lomibao

SUPERAL PREVAILS

Uichico named Gilas head coach

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oseph Enrique “Jong” Uichico will be calling the shots for Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the International Basketball UICHICO Federation (Fiba) Asia Cup qualifiers from November 27 to 30 in a bubble environment in Manama, Bahrain.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced the many-time national head coach’s appointment in an online news conference on Thursday.

“The national team director is Tab Baldwin and the head coach is Jong Uichico,” said SBP President Al Panlilio, who was joined by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, Baldwin, special Assistant Ryan Gregorio and Uichico during the news conference hosted by Paolo Del Rosario.

Uichico, 58, coached the non-professional national team that won the gold medal in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Panlilio also announced the appointments of San Beda Red Lions Head Coach Boyet Fernandez and TNT Tropang Giga Assistant Coach Alton Lister as Uichico’s deputies.

Uichico will be coaching an all-amateur team in Bahrain.

“We might lack experience. Yes, we might lack some size, but the energy that they will give us will be a positive advantage that we can use in our games. They will give us the energy that we need,” said Uichico, who also called the shots for the national team in the Busan 2002 Asian Games.

The 16-player pool is composed of Kobe Paras, brothers Mike and Matt Nieto, Angelo Kouame, Isaac Go, Justine Baltazar, Dave Ildefonso, Juan and Javi Gomez de Liaño, Calvin Oftana, Will Navarro, Dwight Ramos, Kenmark Carino, Jaydee Tungcab, Rey Suerte and Allyn Bulanadi.

The Philippines is in Bracket A with South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. Gilas will play Thailand on November 27 and then South Korea, Indonesia and again Thailand for the next three days. The team flies to Bahrain on Sunday. Josef Ramos

Online taekwondo championships up

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ORE than 2,000 young athletes are vying in the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA)-Milo National Online Taekwondo Championships set this Saturday and Sunday.

PTA Secretary-General Rocky Samson said that more than a thousand jins would go headto-head in the Speed Kicking event while more than 800 participants would take part in the Poomsae division.

“Through this competition, we are able to give our young taekwondo players the exposure to compete with their contemporaries, which is an important aspect to build their experience as athletes,” Samson said.

The championships would be broadcast live on the PTA’s Facebook page, YouTube channel and web-site. Video submissions of registered participants in both Poomsae and Speed Kicking divisions will serve as their official entries to the competition, where it will be judged and scored real time.

The top performers would each receive a Milo electronic medal, certificate and electronic voucher.

“The PTA has been our indispensable partner in inspiring the youth to engage in sports and nurturing them to become future champions,” said Lester Castillo, assistant vice president, Nestlé Philippines-Milo.

Earlier this year, Milo and PTA brought their well-known program to YouTube through the Milo Sports Clinics Online, providing kids short instructional videos that they can do at home with the guidance with their parents.

PRINCESS SUPERAL wins by five strokes as Tony Lascuña flashes vintage form to lead the men’s contest.

RINCESS SUPERAL shrugged off rookie Abby Arevalo’s early threat to rule the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour’s return in the new normal with a five-shot victory in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Riviera Invitational Challenge at the Couples course in Silang, Cavite, on Thursday.

Bracing for a cruise after staying on top by five through 36 holes Wednesday, the reigning Order of Merit champion saw Arevalo pull within three with back-to-back opening hole birdies which the latter, however, squandered with a double-bogey mishap on No. 3.

That all but settled the outcome of the 54-hole championship, the first of two bubble tournaments put up by ICTSI to mark pro golf’s resumption after an eight-month

Ginebra, TNT shoot for 2-0 lead

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By Josef Ramos

RAND slam Coach Earl Timothy “Tim” Cone and his Barangay Ginebra San Miguel eye a commanding 2-0 lead over Meralco in their best-of-five semifinal showdown in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Friday at the Angeles University Foundation gym in Pampanga.

But the winningest PBA coach with 22 titles—including two grand slam—reminded his wards to immediately focus on Game Two and forget the one-game advantage they took after routing the Bolts in Game One (96-79) last Wednesday.

“Yesterday ended last night. That’s what we need our guys to be thinking about. We have to quickly move forward from last night and get focused on today’s practice and tomorrow’s game,” Cone told BusinessMirror, who drew 19 points and seven rebounds from Stanley Pringle in Game One. Cone insisted they need to show hunger in this series.

“Everything went right for us and everything went wrong for them in the last game,” he said. “That’s not going to happen tomorrow. We are going to need to come out mentally stronger.”

Earl Scottie Thompson had an all-around performance of 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Ginebra.

After neutralizing San Miguel Beer’s twiceto-beat incentive thus ending the Beermen’s five-season dynasty, the Bolts looked sluggish at the start of their semifinals series against the Gin Kings.

Coach Norman Black, however, refused to give excuses after that one-sided loss. He said they need to come out stronger and smarter.

“It’s now pretty clear that we have to play at a higher level to beat Ginebra. Offensively, defensively we just have to execute better,” Black said. “More importantly, we have to play with more energy and match their intensity level on the court.”

TNT Tropang Giga Coach Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, meanwhile, said he wasn’t happy with the way they played Phoenix Super LPG in Game One, which they won by a hair, 95-93.

“We’re not happy at all with the way we played. We had many breakdowns,” Ravena said. “They played really well. We must play better or we will be in trouble.”

Matthew Wright, who suffered an ankle injury in the early part of Game One and didn’t return, believes his Phoenix team could win the series despite losing the opener.

“They played well enough to win and I’m proud of them,” said Wright, who will be a game-time decision on Friday.

The Ginebra-Meralco match is set at 3:45 p.m., while the TNT-Phoenix duel kicks off at 6:45 p.m.

GINEBRA Coach Tim Cone tells his wards to forget about Game One and focus on Game Two.

PFL players raise funds for Ulysses victims

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NITED City Football Club ace Stephan Schrock led Philippine Football League (PFL) players and officials in auctioning their jerseys, kits, boots and gloves to raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Ulyses.

Schrock initiated the fund-raiser after he saw a photo of man wading in chest-deep floodwater cautiously keeping a basin afloat in Cagayan. The football star’s heart was moved when he saw that there was a baby inside the basin.

“We tried to locate that baby in the photo but unfortunately we failed to locate the parents. So we have just decided to raise funds and just choose the benefactors. We want to help the victims so we are working on

it now,” Torre said.

“It is an auction. The proceeds of it will all go to the victims of Typhoon Ulyses. However, we are still undecided where to give it or what foundation should benefit from it. So we are still discussing it,” PFL Commissioner Mikahil “Coco” Torre said.

Schrock committed P50,000 on top of his kits and boots. His teammates Bienvenido Marañon and Anthony Pinthus followed suit, along with Anthony del Rosario of Maharlika Manila and Jarvey Gayoso of the Azkals Development Team.

Torre said that the PFL board will turn over the funds to a still undetermined foundation. Annie Abad

BEST Center named PHL representative to UN of Basketball

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HE Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training (BEST) Center founded by the late national coach Nicanor “Nic” Jorge in 1978 was designated by the United Nations of Basketball (UNB) as the only member organization representing the Philippines.

The UNB was recently launched to help develop the world’s future basketball stars while encouraging peace by bringing people and nations together through basketball. It aims to become the largest global basketball development network outside of the International Basketball Federation (Fiba).

As the exclusive representative of the country, the BEST Center could network and cross-promote with similar organizations

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Friday, November 20, 2020

around the world and compete in regional and global UNB championships.

“This latest development is a welcome leap for the BEST Center, which has taken the lead in youth basketball and volleyball development since it pioneered the scientific approach to young basketball development in the country,” BEST Center Executive Vice President Monica Jorge said.

The BEST Center has produced many of the biggest names to have played professional and amateur basketball in the country, as well as contribute to the development of young players who have played in the national teams.

BEST Center would also send players and coaches to take part in the UNB General

Assembly International Basketball Camp Experience, a five-day camp, as well as in NCAA exposure tournament and the NBA Summer League.

The UNB’s Coaches Without Borders program will also work with BEST Center players and coaches, who will also get the chance to join the Basketball Ambassadors program in the US and participate in the UNB Residential Academies education program, among others.

UNB is led by Secretary-General Alan Walls—an American international basketball coach and administrator with over 25 years of experience on the youth, high school, NCAA, professional and national team levels in 16 countries on five continents.

hiatus due to pandemic, as Superal birdied No. 6 and matched Arevalo’s birdie on the ninth to go 6-up again at the turn.

The multi-titled Superal, whose victories included last year’s romp at John Hay where she also reigned as an amateur in the Ladies Professional Golf Tour (LPGT) inaugurals in 2013, then switched off the attack mode at the back, settling for a onebirdie, one-bogey game for a 34-36. She wound up with a seven-under 209 worth P72,000, spiking her bid with a brilliant eagle-aided opening 67 that propelled her to a six-shot lead over Arevalo.

It was cruise control from there for the 2014 US Girls’ Junior champ as nobody from the compact field could mount any serious challenge with Arevalo ending up matching Superal’s final round output of 35-35 for a 214 for second, marking her maiden campaign with P52,000 in earnings.

Pauline del Rosario, who dominated her rookie season in 2017 with four victories on her way to clinching the OOM diadem, blew a two-

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under card at the front with three bogeys in the last nine holes, ending up with a 73 for third at 221 while Chanelle Avaricio, the other rookie in the fold, rammed in three straight birdies from No. 3 but dropped a stroke on the par-5 11th and finished with a 70 for fourth at 222.

Chihiro Ikeda, the OOM winner in 2016, limped with a second 76 in three days and wound up fifth at 227 followed by Marvi Monsalve, who pooled a 229 after a 75, threetime OOM titlist Cyna Rodriguez (75-233) and Gretchen Villacencio (75-237).

Superal, who missed out on her campaign in the Japan Step-Up Tour due to travel restrictions and quarantine procedures, seeks to sweep the next LPGT event slated from December 8 to 11 at the adjacent Langer course.

Tony Lascuña, meanwhile, flashed vintage form to fire a bogey-free 69 then watched Rupert Zaragosa fumble with a last-hole bogey to force a tie as Joenard Rates rallied late to stalk the leaders in the third round of the ICTSI Riviera Invitational Challenge at the Couples.

Lascuña rebounded from a par-game

SASO IN COMMAND

UKA SASO carded a six-under 65 to share the lead with Yuna Nishimura and Ayaka Furue in the Daio Paper Elleair Ladies Open at the Ehime Prefecture in Japan on Thursday.

Coming off a missed cut stint in the Itoen Ladies in Chiba last week, the 19-year-old Saso went bogey-free in her hot start in the 72-hole, Y100-million championship, the penultimate leg of the pandemic-hit Ladies Professional Golf Association of Japan Tour season.

The Filipino-Japanese, frontrunner in both the Player of the Year and money race, tamed the backside of par-71 Elleair Golf Club Matsuyama with

four straight birdies to launch her drive for a third title after the NEC Karuizawa and Nitori Ladies.

She slowed down a bit after that birdie-splurge from No. 10 and eight settled for pars before hitting another birdie on No. 4 and closing out with her sixth birdie on the par-5 ninth for a 33-32 on a course which hosted last year’s Japan Women’s Amateur Open where Saso wound up tied for 26th.

“But it was summer last year and the appearance [of the course] has changed. There are ups and downs and I had to be careful of the OB [out-of-bounds] since the fairways are narrow,” said Saso, who finished runner-up to

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(72) in the second round with three birdies and preserved a solid 35-34 card by rescuing a couple of pars that put the multi-titled Davaoeño back in the hunt for the crown in pro golf’s resumption after a long layoff due to the global health crisis.

Zaragosa, who got past first round leader Rates with a 69 Wednesday, threatened to pull away with birdies in the first two holes and clung onto a one-stroke lead despite slowing down with a two-birdie, two-bogey in the next 14 holes.

But he stumbled with a bogey on the 18th and finished with a 71, enabling the four-time OOM winner Lascuña to gain a share of the lead at 212 heading to the last 18 holes of the P2.5 million championship also put up by ICTSI and organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. Rates, who dropped off the leaderboard with a second round 73 after a 69, checked a roller-coaster round of three birdies against four bogeys with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 as he saved a 71 and stayed just a stroke behind the joint leaders at 213.

That set up a three-cornered fight for the top P350,000 purse although Dutch Guido Van der Valk and young Ira Alido stayed in the title chase with 215s after matching par 72s and former OOM winners Jobim Carlos and Miguel Tabuena stood four strokes off with even par 144s after a 70 and 73, respectively.

Korean Shin Jie at the Toto Classic two weeks ago after missing the cut in the Mitsubishi Electric the previous week that ended a remarkable run of nine consecutive cuts made.

Saso’s scorching start also came a day after she and the other leading JLPGA campaigners clinched berths in the LPGA Tour’s final major, the US Women’s Open set December 10 to 13 at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

Player of the Year rival Sakura Koiwai failed to match Saso’s hot start and settled for a 70, but Nishimura, the other player in one of the marquee flights, held her ground and matched the International Container Terminal Services Inc.-backed ace’s scorching start with her own version of a 31-34, also highlighted by four straight birdies, but from No. 1.

Motoring BusinessMirror

B8 Friday, November 20, 2020

Editor: Tet Andolong

Missing Toyota’s first ‘physical event’–sigh

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OYOTA took the lead again as it successfully gathered this week—after a commendable perseverance and painstaking patience, of course—a number of motoring journalists to a luncheon-based occasion, which was the first “physical event,” as Alfred Ty so aptly described it, to be cooked up by a car company. I am impressed.

To erase fears, if not doubts, about a guest getting possibly infected amid the pandemic scourge, all the government-decreed protocols on health safety had been

observed to the hilt—or so I was told by the likable Toyota frontliner Nadinne B. Capistrano. So that before an invitee gets to enter the Hyatt Hotel in the Global City

where the gathering was held, he is asked to undergo the highest standards of screening to ensure a virus-proof “bubble” to the ultimate satisfaction of everyone present.

It was just too bad that I wasn’t there. Sigh.

I missed the chance of seeing my pals, again. Big deal. It’s been almost nine months since I’ve last seen the warm body of a fellow motoring journalist. Sigh again.

Not of my own liking.

Likewise, I’ve hardly missed an event Toyota has hosted—whether for media or its dealerships— since its return to the carworld scene in 1989. Sigh yet again.

You want more history?

Since 1999, I’ve never missed a single Tokyo Motor Show as a Toyota delegate, the last one was in October 2019. That’s how much Toyota had glued me—lucky me, indeed—to the much-revered TMS in its last 11 editions, a biennial meet that assembles the world’s latest vehicle models and prototypes. Gratitude as the Rome of old would put it.

And why did I miss the Toyota event on Monday?

Don’t blame me.

My doctor did his best to prevent me, almost putting me in chains, let alone sedating me.

“You are vulnerable,” he said.

“Stay at home. Never argue. How old are you again?”

Age does matter.

Anyway, here’s what I missed, too—the speech of Alfred Ty, Toyota’s top gun himself. Here: “Good afternoon dear friends, thank you for joining us on our first physical event for the year after the pandemic. I appreciate that you took the time to go out of the safety of your own homes and be with us today. I understand that like everyone, health is our top priority. So I hope that we are able to give you peace of mind with the highest health and safety standards implemented today.

“In our 32-year history, 2020 is the most challenging by far. The year started with the eruption of Taal Volcano which had temporarily impacted some of our production, logistics, supply chain and dealer operations. Little did we know that it was some form of preparation on what is to happen next. From the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine 8 months ago…to where we stand today, we have experienced and learned so much.

“I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for standing with us all the way through these challenging times.

“Toyota Motor Philippines supports the country’s initiative to gradually open up the economy.

We understand that we have to co-exist with Covid while remaining vigilant and safe. We cannot stay in ECQ mode indefinitely.

We need to take small steps in line with the guidance of the government.

“We believe that it is our role to be drivers in restarting the economy. Today’s gathering is the first step. It is our goal, through today’s activity, that with you, we can experience for ourselves the reopening of the economy. We can go out, dine with friends, or hold business meetings physically and safely. With your help, we would like to promote awareness about the big role of the automotive industry towards economic recovery. We would like to send a message of hope that while there are continuing challenges brought about by the big volume reduction, the automotive industry is doing its best to gradually recover production, sales and service.

“So today’s lunch is really about appealing to you, to the Filipino spirit of BAYANIHAN and MALASAKIT, so that we can support our country and HEAL AS ONE. “So thank you again, thank you

for joining us and I look forward to a fruitful discussion on how to support our economy throughout this afternoon.”

Direct to the point. Just as the doctor ordered.

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