BusinessMirror October 25, 2021

WIN AT WORLDS: YULO SECURES GOLD IN VAULT

Inflation seen higher than ’21 target band

By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

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CARLOS YULO triple twists in the air with a flourish and lands excellently on both feet with a smooth flair and unbent poise to clinch the men’s vault gold medal on Sunday in the 50th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan. And to underscore his drive, Yulo annexes the parallel bars silver medal, more than enough to offset the missed gold in floor exercise.WC PHOTOS FROM FIG WEBSITE

RIVATE economists in the country see inflation hitting higher than earlier expected for this year, a recent Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey showed.

As of September this year, a survey of 21 bank economists forecasted average inflation in the country to hit 4.3 percent —further away from the 2 to 4 percent target band for 2021 and higher than the 4.1 percent average forecast just three months prior.

According to the BSP, analysts expect inflation to remain above the upper end of the government’s

target range in 2021, with upside risks including supply disruptions brought about by the reimposition of stricter quarantine measures, adverse weather conditions during the rainy season, persistence of the African Swine Fever, rising global crude oil prices, and weakening of the peso against the US dollar.

The expectation could be tempered, however, by potentially subdued domestic demand due to low purchasing power brought about by high unemployment and the prolonged and stricter lockdown measures amid the local transmission of the Delta variant, which could weigh down on recovery efforts.

For next year, the average in-

flation forecast based on the survey was unchanged at 3.2 percent, while the mean inflation forecast for 2023 was higher at 3.2 percent from 3.1 percent.

Based on this analysis, private economists forecast the BSP keeping current policy settings unchanged for the rest of 2021 to support the economy’s gradual recovery.

Meanwhile, most of the analysts anticipate the BSP to end its accommodative stance by end2022.

BSP Gover nor Benjamin Diokno earlier said the BSP’s assessment continues to show inf lation taming back to within target levels in the coming months.

Monday, October 25, 2021 Vol. 17 No. 17

“The BSP staff forecasts that average inflation this year will be about 4.5 percent, slightly above the upper range of the target 2 to 4 percent. Inflation is expected to settle at an average of 3.3 percent in 2022,” Diokno said.

“W hat’s the implication on monetary policy? Since the inflation pressures are coming from the supply side, there appears to be no justification for monetary intervention.

For example, would an interest rate hike bring about higher world crude supply? Of course not,” the governor added.

The BSP has been keeping its record-low monetary policy rates for the entire year in an effort to support the country’s recovery.

‘SIN’ TAX COLLECTION UP

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P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 18 pages |

18.9% FROM JAN-SEPT

STORM DELAYS WORK AT MALAMPAYA FACILITY

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

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HE Malampaya gas field is expected to resume operations Monday (October 25), three days after it was supposed to go back online.

According to Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), repair at the platform’s flare tip was affected by typhoon Maring. “Winds of 25 knots and higher prevented us from safely doing work in the offshore platform for around four days during the week of October 11-15,” SPEX explained at the weekend.

Maintenance work was scheduled from October 2 to 22. “So, there’s a two- to three-day delay in the platform’s start up,” added SPEX. The operator of the gas field explained that the main activity during the 20-day shutdown is the replacement of the flare tip, which weighs about 4,500 kilograms and had to be lifted to a height of 55 meters, during the typhoon.

The maintenance work, it added, will “most likely be finished by October 25” and, there-

A BARANGAY worker in Himlayang Palanyag in San Dionisio, Parañaque holds a placard reminding early visitors of the cemetery to observe proper health protocols. People flocked to cemeteries on Sunday, it being the last weekend before authorities impose a ban on visits marking the traditional celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. At least 29 cemeteries in Metro Manila will be closed from Oct. 29, to Nov.2 to prevent mass gatherings. NONIE REYES

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By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

S mobility restrictions eased, excise taxes from “sin” products from January to September this year rose to P230.9 billion, posting a double-digit growth from the same period in 2020.

Latest preliminary data obtained by the BusinessMirror showed that the sin tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau

of Customs went up by 18.9 percent from P194.2 billion they collected in the nine-month period last year.

See “Sin tax,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.8150

after, steadily ramp up gas production to normal levels.

During the shutdown, the gas plants fueled by Malampaya had to run on liquid fuel, which is more expensive than gas. These are 1,000-megawatt (MW) Santa Rita and 500MW San Lorenzo electric generating facilities of First Gen. This will result in higher electric bills for consumers. The agencies in the power sector have yet to calculate the impact on power rates during the Malampaya shutdown.

This early, however, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said average WESM (Wholesale Electricity Spot Market) prices reached P6.75 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of October 20.

The figure is double the previous months’ WESM average price of P3.30 per kwh.

According to the WESM operator, the scheduled shutdown of the Malampaya gas facility, increasing demand and the forced outage incidents of other power plants led to higher WESM rates.

Luzon peak demand rose by 3.36 percent or by 352 MW.

Jobs at stake in march to zero-carbon shipping

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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F the local maritime industry fails to adjust to the changing global landscape, jobs could be lost and products could become more expensive, according to economists.

Last week, in a BBC report, major firms Amazon, Ikea and Unilever pledged to support zero-carbon shipping by 2040. They intend to only ship goods through shipping lines that use zero-carbon fuel in

“Those [shipping companies] who can’t [adjust] will exit and some of our seafarers would lose jobs.

Whatever raises the cost of trade, [raises the cost of] goods.” —Former UPSE Dean Ramon Clarete

two decades.

Former Dean of the University of the Philippines School of Economics Ramon L. Clarete said changes that could lead to greater trade costs could impact jobs, such as those of seafarers, and the cost of goods.

“Seafarers are employees of international shipping companies.

The latter will have to adjust. If they can, seafarers would have to retrain themselves based on how shipping firms adjust,” Clarete told this newspaper.

“Those [shipping companies] who can’t [adjust] will exit and some of our seafarers would lose jobs. Whatever raises the cost of trade, [raises the cost of] goods,” he added.

No alternative

AT this point, however, Clarete said there is no known alternative to fossil fuel for ships. While Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LNG) is an alternative to fossil fuels, it will not lead to zero carbon footprint.

n JAPAN 0.4458 n UK 70.1095 n HK 6.5357 n CHINA 7.9498 n SINGAPORE 37.7245 n AUSTRALIA 37.9436 n EU 59.0877 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5481

See “Jobs,” A2

Source: BSP (October 22, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Monday, October 25, 2021

Hotels, restos may reopen with vaxxed staff–DOT

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

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@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

HE Department of Tourism (DOT) is not yet keen on requiring tourism enterprises to vaccinate their employees as a condition of their accreditation with the agency.

Howe ve r, Tou r i s m S e c re tary Bernadette Romulo Puyat stressed, in a virtual presser on Saturday, that, “In NCR [National Capital Region], under an Alert Level System, you can only open if all your employees are fully vaccinated, and you can only accept dine-in [guests] if [staff] are fully vaccinated.”

She added, “Same with Bohol, it’s now under Alert Level 2, that’s the condition under IATF [Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases]. You can only open [your tourism enterprises] if your employees or the ones facing your customers are

fully vaccinated. Those are labor laws; but this is the condition for the safe reopening, that people be vaccinated.”

Tourism leaders shared with the BusinessMirror that a number of resort workers in Bohol, for instance, refuse to get vaccinated. “Either they lose their jobs, or get assigned somewhere else where they don’t interact face-to-face with guests,” said one who requested anonymity, when the matter was raised with DOT officials.

Health officials in Central Visayas have reported a surplus in vaccines due to the slow response of their residents to vaccination. Bohol,

along with Cebu are being eyed by the DOT and the tourism stakeholders for reopening to vaccinated foreign travelers. (See, “Select ‘gateways’ mulled for international tourists,” in the BusinessMirror, October 21, 2021.)

Citing an IATF Resolution issued on October 13, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III recently gave the private sector a legal justification to require their employees to get vaccinated, or else they won’t get paid their salaries,

‘It’s more fun with you’

THE news conference was held to launch a new video welcoming back domestic tourists to leisure destinations. Created by BBDO Guerrero for the DOT and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the “It’s More Fun with You” video is part of the agency’s domestic tourism campaign dubbed “Have A Safe Trip, Pinas.” (View it on the TPB page https://bit.ly/3b7ocvw) The ad encourages Filipinos to travel and explore the country again now that pandemic restrictions have been eased. The campaign also supports recovery initiatives and efforts of the tourism industry. The ad was shot in Ilocos Sur, Baler, and other destinations

in Northern Luzon. It “will be rolled out not just on social media but on TV as well,” according to TPB COO Ma. Anthonette C. VelascoAllones.

“Our latest ad highlights the joy of reuniting with loved ones and traveling with them to their favorite places, or visiting new spots where more memories will be made. ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ and it’ll even be more fun with you,” said Romulo Puyat.

“With health and safety protocols in place, we can look forward to opening more tourism destinations in time for the holidays, and shift recovery into high gear,” she stressed.

DOT officials, however, ignored questions on how the agency would set up the scandal-riddled Dolomite Beach in Manila Bay this Christmas, or if the location would ever make an appearance in the agency’s ad campaigns.

Tourism stakeholders have been privately calling out the DOT-NCR for constantly pushing the Dolomite Beach as a major tourism attraction on its Facebook page. They also noted the regional office’s live-streaming of political events unrelated to tour ism promotions. “Shou ld the DOT-NCR be streaming the PDP-Laban oath-taking?” asked a veteran tour operator.

Meanwhile, Romulo Puyat noted, “Our tourist sites are gradually opening,” citing the Aklan governor’s recent announcement that Boracay Island will start accepting vaccinated tourists without requiring negative RT-PCR test results. She said, “In a month’s time, the tourism workers and residents will be 100-percent vaccinated.” Bohol has also done away with requiring negative RT-PCR test results if domestic tourists are vaccinated, she said.

Sin tax...

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“Compared to 2020, there is more economic activity this year.

Increased mobility, too,” Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Habitan told BusinessMirror.

So far, the government’s sin tax collection is already equivalent to 77.5 percent of its P297.8 billion goal for this year.

Bulk of the sin tax collections during the period came from tobacco products, which yielded P141.9 billion. This was also a 23.5-percent spike from last year’s P114.9 billion.

The second-biggest share of sin tax collections came from alcohol products, with the tax haul amounting to P63.1 billion. This is 21.6 percent higher than P51.9 billion a year ago.

Collections from sweetened beverages, however, fell by 5.7 percent year-on-year to P25.8 billion from P27.4 billion.

A substantial portion of total sin taxes collected goes to the implementation of the universal healthcare program.

In 2020, total sin tax collection dropped by 3.27 percent to P260.58 billion from P269.4 billion in 2019 amid the economic recession caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite this, the government exceeded last year its downgraded goal of P235.3 billion.

Under Republic Act (RA) 11346 signed into law in July 2019, excise taxes on tobacco products were further increased to P50 per pack this year from P45 per pack a year ago.

Excise taxes on alcohol, heated tobacco products, and vapor products were also further raised under RA 11467.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Jobs…

Continued from A1

Former Ateneo Center for Ecoto adjust to this is to forge partnernomic Research and Development ships with countries when it comes (Acerd) Director Alvin P. Ang told to the use of energy sources.

BusinessMirror that given the “We can forge partnerships with uncertainties surrounding the situcountries like us for special and ation, providing recommendations differential treatment. Like they would require further study of the give us 20 more years to meet the possible impacts, especially when standard,” Clarete said. “We can do it comes to the jobs of seafarers. that and at the same time invest to Ang said regardless of who wins build more hydros and geothermal in the next elections, the governplants.” ment must determine the impact of the decision of these major firms on RE jobs the shipping industry and prepare.

He said the national government LAST week, the International Remust adopt a “two steps a[head] newable Energy Agency (IRENA) mindset” when it comes to this in collaboration with the Internamatter. It is fortunate, however, tional Labour Organization (ILO) that there is still time to study the reported that renewable energy implications and prepare. employment worldwide reached 12 million last year, up from 11.5 milAdjust or perish lion in 2019, according to the eighth “THE adjustment...especially for edition of Renewable Energy and the maritime private sector will of Jobs: Annual Review 2021. course entail huge investments. But The report confirmed that Codo we really have a choice?” Action vid-19 caused delays and supply for Economic Reforms Coordinator chain disruptions, with impacts on Filomeno Sta. Ana III told Busijobs varying by country and end use, nessMirror. and among segments of the value “Technology is the driver of suschain. tainability and growth. The private While solar and wind jobs consector, enabled by government ditinued leading global employment rectives and nudges, really has no growth in the renewable energy secoption but to comply, lest it be left tor, accounting for a total of 4 milbehind,” he said. lion and 1.25 million jobs respec Sta. Ana said these along with other tively, liquid biofuels employment climate change-related issues should decreased as demand for transport also concern the Philippines, includfuels fell. Off-grid solar lighting ing the local maritime industry. sales suffered, but companies were He said the Department of Trade able to limit job losses. and Industry (DTI) “is acutely aware China commanded a 39-percent of the problem” and that its priority share of renewable energy jobs plan already gives serious attention worldwide in 2020, followed by to green technology.

Brazil, India, the United States, and Nonetheless, the bigger intermembers of the European Union. vention that is needed is on fossil Many other countries are also crefuels, given the amount of investating jobs in renewables. ments this will require in order for Among them are Vietnam and the country to help eliminate the Malaysia, key solar PV exporters; use of this source of energy.

Indonesia and Colombia, with large Clarete noted that renewable agricultural supply chains for bioenergy sources could drive down fuels; and Mexico and the Russian the country’s competitiveness. This Federation, where wind power is should prompt the Philippines to growing. In Sub-Saharan Africa, start thinking of ways to adjust solar jobs are expanding in diverse given the calls for zero carbon. countries like Nigeria, Togo, and He said one way for the country South Africa.

Parents…

The campaign aims to reach children under two years old with missed vaccine doses, including those for polio.

“Once a commonplace illness, polio has been eliminated from most countries, including now again in the Philippines. This shows the power of vaccines to save lives and protect people from diseases such as polio,” said World Health Organization Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe.

Abeyasinghe said that every disease outbreak strains a nation’s resources—most importantly its health workers—especially when they are challenged with responding to a pandemic.

“We should do everything necessary to prevent another outbreak of polio or any other vaccine-preventable disease such as measles, rubella, diphtheria. The lives and health of our children are at stake.

Our plea to parents: please ensure that your children have received all the routine childhood vaccines including polio doses as we prepare for them to go back to schools and early learning centres,” Abeyasinghe added.

Polio is a highly infectious, crippling, and sometimes fatal disease that can be avoided with a vaccine.

Children under the age of five are most vulnerable to contracting polio.

In the Philippines, children under one year old receive their primary doses of the polio vaccines during routine immunization— three doses of polio drops and one dose of inactivated polio vaccine. However, in 2020, nearly half a million Filipino children missed out on oral polio drops for routine immunization due to challenges in accessing health services during the pandemic.

“We have already come so far

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in our fight against vaccine-preventable diseases. We call on the whole of society to intensify polio immunization to sustain our gains and prevent the further decline of polio immunization coverage. Our shared accomplishments solidify the message that with our joint efforts, vaccines can be delivered safely even during the pandemic,” UNICEF Representative Ms. Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.

Vaccine works

FOR her part, Mary Anne Alcordo Solomon, Rotary International Zone 10A (Philippines) End Polio Now Coordinator assured, “Vaccines work— the fact that we are close to ending polio is proof of this.”

“However, we are not yet there and we must fulfill our promise to children to make the world poliofree. We still need to intensify our campaign to raise awareness and raise funds for polio. By doing these together, we can end polio now,” said Solomon.

WHO, UNICEF and Rotary International are among the partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a public-private partnership led by national governments. Other GPEI partners are the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Aside from vaccination, DOH is also working with partners to strengthen environmental and Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance throughout the country to detect polioviruses.

Globally, polio remains endemic in only two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan. When these countries become polio-free, polio will be only the second disease next to smallpox to be eradicated. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

Prioritize mental health bills, Bulacan solon asks

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

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MID the growing incidence of depression and suicide amid lockdown measures, the chairman of the House Committee on People’s Participation on Sunday called on Congress to prioritize mental health bills.

Lone San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes made the call during the Philippine Press Institute online forum entitled “Nakakaloka, A Silent Pandemic: The Impact of Covid-19 on mental health” in which she was one the guest speakers.

Robes said she has been receiving various reports on mental health issues due to the uncertainties created by the pandemic.

She reiterated that mental illnesses have been on the rise the past decades and the pandemic has made it even worse.

But the problem has been less prioritized by the government with only around five percent being allotted to mental health in the overall budget of the Department of Health.

This is the reason, she said, why she filed House Bill 9980 establishing a mental health clinic in San Jose Del Monte City, which will be the first of its kind in the country if passed into law.

The House of Representatives has approved the said bill last month on third and final reading and is waiting for Senate approval.

Robes said the mental health clinic in San Jose Del Monte will be funded and managed by the city government in conjunction with the DOH. It will provide services that include counseling and therapy, crisis counseling and intervention, medication, evaluation and management, group therapy, mindfulness medita-

tion, after-hours care and other psychiatric services.

It will also provide psychotherapy services to patients on a multiple of issues including the management of difficult emotions, anxiety and stress, childhood trauma, cross cultural issues, life transitions, depression, parenting issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic abuse and family and interpersonal conflicts.

Robes said she also co-authored several bills which aim to strengthen mental health services in schools, colleges and universities. She said HB 10284 (An Act Strengthening the Mental Health Services of State Universities and Colleges) and HB 10327 (An Act Strengthening the Promotion and Delivery of Mental Health Services Through Hiring and Deployment of Mental Health Professionals) had been approved by the Committee on Health and is up for approval on second reading when session resumes next month.

She hopes “these two bills get approved by the House of Representatives when session resumes next month and that the Senate moves in the same direction on mental health issues.”

“This is an issue that is close to my heart because I know many people who are experiencing depression, anxiety, helplessness at this very difficult time,” Robes said. “I myself have experienced those feelings when Covid-19 came close to our home.”

The lawmaker added she believes that “as much as we work to address Covid-19, we should also give the same attention to our mental health because this is what will have a greater impact on our well-being as we recover from this pandemic.”

Robes said this “is what I will continue to advocate in Congress and for the people of San Jose Del Monte City.”

DOJ alerts public on fake couriers

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

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HE Department of Justice (DOJ) has warned the public against unscrupulous individuals who collect payments from unsuspecting recipients of fake deliveries.

Reports reaching the DOJ-Office of Cybercrime (OOC) said some crooks have taken advantage of the current’s online shopping trend triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic to dupe people.

How? By using the victim’s personal information on previously delivered pouches and/or boxes and then pretending to deliver items to

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ULIAN ROBERTO S. ONGPIN, the son of billionaire-businessman Roberto V. Ongpin, has asked the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando, La Union, to suspend proceedings, including the possible issuance of an arrest warrant, in connection with the drug charges filed against him by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a 16-page motion filed last October 21, Ongpin through his lawyer, Dennis P. Manalo, told the court that he was not given the opportunity to file a motion for reconsideration of the DOJ’s resolution indicting him for illegal possession of cocaine, a non-bailable offense.

Ongpin said that under the DOJ rules for preliminary investigation, an accused has 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration of the resolution issued by the justice department or to file a petition for review with the office of the justice secretary.

“Accused, therefore, implores the Honorable Court to afford him of a

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We can even use the planes to airlift and bring home distressed Filipino workers abroad.

Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel

The accident killed all 50 soldiers on board, including the crew, who were being flown in from Cagayan de Oro City. Three people on the ground were also killed.

Pimentel said the House of Representatives earlier approved a P5.5billion supplemental budget for the DND in the 2022 national budget.

He added the amount is meant to enable the PAF to make the initial payment for the procurement of new C-130J aircraft from American aerospace and defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp.

“We are all for the purchase of the

and collect payment from the victim who never ordered such item.

“The DOJ-Office of Cybercrime (OOC) received reports regarding the current modus operandi of perpetrators representing themselves as couriers [who] target victims by delivering and demanding payment for parcels that were allegedly bought online by the latter,” it said.

In order to avoid being victimized, the DOJ-OOC posted on its Facebook page some suggestions for the public to apply in order to protect themselves from such modus operandi.

The DOJ-OOC advised the “to properly dispose pouches and/or boxes of the parcels containing your personal information.”

“Parcels containing personal and sensitive information should be shredded in a crosscut, diamond-cut or confetti-cut manner,” the DOJ-OOC said. “As an alternative, the information on these pouches and/or boxes may also be retracted by covering the same using pens or markers with dark permanent ink.”

They should also refrain from sharing personal information online, especially if their online account is not set in private.

Online users are also advised to check their account with the official online selling platform to verify existing orders for delivery.

If they are not expecting any

delivery, they should not receive the parcel or box, and should not pay for the item, according to the DOJ-OOC. Members of the household should also be warned against accepting parcels without verifying the delivery from the supposed recipient.

“This serves as a stern reminder that perpetrators engaged in such unlawful actions may be held liable either for violation of Section 25 of Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act of 2012, under the offense ‘Unauthorized Processing of Personal Information and Sensitive Personal Information’ or for estafa under the Revised Penal Code,” the DOJ-OOC added.

Ongpin asks La Union court to suspend case proceedings

House to approve funding commercial flights to transport soldiers­—Pimentel HE chairman of the House Committee on Strategic Intelligence on Sunday urged to the Department of National Defense (DND) to use commercial airlines to fly soldiers pending the acquisition of five new C130J Super Hercules aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

Assuming Camp Aguinaldo is in a rush to deploy soldiers somewhere and no military aircraft is readily available, Congress recommends and would fund the use of either commercial or chartered flights, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel, the panel chairman, said.

Pimentel said the military’s use of commercial flights would not only allow soldiers to fly safely and comfortably but would also help local airlines recover financially from the Covid-19 crisis. “If necessary, Congress can provide the DND the extra funding to pay for the commercial flights,” Pimentel said.

On July 4, one of the PAF’s two newly-refurbished C-130H aircraft crashed due to “a combination of material, human and environmental factors” while trying to land at the Jolo Airport in Sulu province.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, October 25, 2021 A3

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new aircraft. Besides their military use, the new planes will improve our capacity to swiftly deploy emergency first responders as well as relief supplies to provinces hit by typhoons, earthquakes, and other natural disasters,” Pimentel said.

The Super Hercules is a versatile 4-engine turboprop troop and cargo transport aircraft that can land in short and rough runways even in the mountains, according to Pimentel.

“We can even use the planes to airlift and bring home distressed Filipino workers abroad,” Pimentel pointed out. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

chance to avail all remedies in the preliminary investigation of this case and respectfully moves to defer the issuance of a warrant of arrest during the period within which he may still file a motion for reconsideration or a petition for review from his receipt of the DOJ’s resolution,” Ongpin appealed.

He noted that while the DOJ has immediately released to the media its resolution recommending his indictment, it has yet to furnish him a copy of the said resolution.

“To deny petitioner’s claim for a preliminary investigation would be to deprive him of the full measure of his right to due process. Hence, if there is a pending motion for reconsideration or motion for reinvestigation of the resolution of the public prosecutor, the court may suspend the proceedings upon motion by the parties,” Ongpin stressed.

As an alternative, Ongpin’s camp is seeking the outright dismissal of the complaint for lack of probable

cause or to order the DOJ to present additional evidence within five days from notice to establish probable cause against him.

The accused claimed that the evidence relied by the DOJ in indicting him for possession of illegal drugs were not sufficient to establish probable cause that he was in possession of the subject drugs.

“Second, while the DOJ conceded that the subject drugs were not in the ‘actual possession’ of the accused, it jumped to the conclusion that the subject drugs where in the ‘constructive possession’ of the accused. This leap in logic and evidence is judicially unacceptable there being a demonstrable absence of any proof of the subject drugs were in his possession, dominion or control,” Ongpin’s motion read.

“Indeed, the DOJ was unable to present any evidence that the accused is the owner, custodian, or possessor, of the black pouch, brown pouch or white pouch or bag, where the subject drugs were supposedly

recovered,” he added.

The complaint against Ongpin was filed after a panel of prosecutors found probable cause to indict him for violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2022) after two preliminary investigation hearings.

The case stemmed from the recovery of 12.6 grams of cocaine in the room that Ongpin shared with his girlfriend 30-year-old Bree Jonson at the Flotsam and Jetsam Resort in La Union last September 18.

The cocaine were discovered after authorities responded to a report of attempted suicide at the resort and found Jonson unconscious in a room.

Jonson was brought to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Ongpin claimed that Jonson committed suicide as he found her hanging inside the bathroom, prompting him to seek assistance in bringing the latter to the hospital. Joel R. San Juan

Masbate cop linked to gunrunning slain New Covid

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

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POLICEMAN reportedly involved in gunrunning activities in the province of Masbate was killed on Saturday by his colleagues in a shootout during an entrapment operation.

The Philippine National PoliceIntegrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (PNP-IMEG) headed

by Col. Flynn E. Dongbo identified the policeman as Staff Sergeant Garfilo N. Pahilino Jr., who was assigned as an intelligence operative of the Placer, Masbate Municipal Police Station.

PNP-IMEG operatives were about to arrest Pahilino after he allegedly sold three .38-caliber revolvers and one .45-caliber pistol to a poseurcop buyer when the suspect drew a gun and started shooting at the arresting officers.

This resulted in a shootout which resulted in Pahilino’s death.

PNP-IMEG director Brig. Gen. Dongbo said the suspect was allegedly involved in selling loose firearms to criminal elements in Masbate.

According to the IMEG, Pahilino had also links with the Bustillos drug

group and was suspected to have operated a protection racket for some drug suspects in the province.

Aside from the firearms Pahilino sold to a poseur buyer, police operatives were also able to recover the suspect’s service 9mm pistol with two extra magazines and the buy-bust money topped by a marked bill.

PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar said the operation was part of the efforts by the PNP to ensure the credible and orderly holding of elections in May next year.

The PNP chief earlier ordered aggressive operations to account for loose firearms and members and leaders of private armed groups as part of the early election security preparations.

“This will serve as a strong message to those who plan to undermine our democratic process that the Philippine National Police will not hesitate to use the full force of the law against anybody even if they are our colleagues just to ensure that our communities are safe and the true will of the people shall reflect in the Halalan 2022,” Eleazar said.

T he PNP c hief l auded t he IMEG operatives for the successful operation.

cases hit above 5,000

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HE Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday there were 5,279 additional Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 2,756,923.

There were also 7,312 recoveries and 208 deaths.

Of the total number of cases, 2.2 percent (60,957) are active, 96.3 percent (2,654,173) have recovered, and 1.52 percent (41,793) have died.

Twenty-three duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 16 are recoveries.

Moreover, 154 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

All laboratories were operational on October 22, 2021 but 2 labs were not able to submit their data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System.

Based on data in the last 14 days, the 2 non-reporting labs contribute, on average, 0.3 percent of samples tested and 0.8 percent of positive individuals. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Cimatu: Dolomite beach to spark positive environmental behavior

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

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NVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Roy A. Cimatu believes the controversial Dolomite Beach project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will inspire positive environmental behavior among Filipinos.

During the launch of the DENR’s Solid Waste Management Advocacy

Campaign last October 15, the DENR chief reiterated the importance of the dolomite beach in the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, noting how the P389-million beach enhancement project can positively shape the mindset of the public on proper solid waste management.

The Beach Enhancement Project is just part and parcel of the bigger P1.2 billion DENR-DPWH Manila Bay Rehabilitation program that breathed life to the Battle for Manila Bay launched in January 2019.

Cimatu said he envisions the full restoration of the historic bay as a way to inspire Filipinos’ behavioral change towards the environment.

Cimatu was quoted in a statement as saying that in making Manila Bay more attractive and clean, the public will be inspired to practice proper solid waste management and shun environmentally destructive habits.

“Why did we beautify the Baywalk when we can have just settled with its old appearance? You see, our intention is to dramatically change it

so that when you enter there, your mindset and attitude will improve,” Cimatu said a day before the dolomite beach at Manila Bay was reopened to the public last October 16.

“This is really our intention for doing this, for us not to go back to the old, dirty Manila Bay,” he said.

He also underscored the importance of instilling behavioral change among Filipinos as he pointed out that solid waste management remains “one of the biggest challenges” faced by the DENR.

In line with this, the DENR had launched the “solid waste management advocacy campaign,” a youthfocused advocacy drive that aims to spur behavioral change towards the environment and mobilize the citizenry on the proper handling and disposal of solid waste.

Cimatu also enjoined Filipino families to be DENR’s partners in this and other similar efforts and programs. He said that good practices instilled by parents on their children can positively contribute to the care

and restoration of the country’s environment and natural resources.

The DENR, together with its “Estero Rangers” and government and non-government partners, likewise continues to implement the Manila Bay rehabilitation program through various cleanup activities in the historic bay and its connecting waterways.

Once the rehabilitation project is done,Cimatuexpressedconfidencethat theFilipinoyouthwillsomedaybeproud of Manila Bay and the culture change that, hopefully, he said, they will inherit.

A4 Monday, October 25, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

Govt investment promoters rake in ₧5B worth of projects

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

I

NVESTMENT promotion agencies (IPAs) recently raked in over P5-billion worth of projects, including electronic vehicle (EV) manufacturing and parent stock breeder farms for chickens.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with Korean EV firm Enplus Co. Ltd. to provide and manufacture fuel-saving EVs in the economic zones.

Enplus, which is the first elec-

tronic vehicle manufacturer to become a Peza locator, is set to invest P5 billion for a facility producing electric cars and electric jeepneys. It will be located in Negros Occidental.

“Using EVs is better for our environment as they emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than vehicles using petrol or diesel. In the global context, electric cars have yet to be mainstream,” Peza Director General Charito Plaza said.

Meanwhile, the Board of Investments (BOI) approved the projects of Broilers Club Inc. (BCI) and STMP Agri Business Corp. amounting to a

total of P168 million. They are recognized as new producer of eggs of broiler chicken and new producer of parent stock hatching eggs integrated with growing of grandparent stock, respectively, based on the Investment Priority Plan.

The P87.8-million project by BCI includes three poultry houses in Davao del Sur. With a capacity of 4.9 million eggs annually, it seeks to employ 43 personnel.

STMP’s P80-million project in Batangas will have a capacity of 2.15 million intact eggs annually and will employ 25 workers. In addition, it also seeks to produce 1.9 million

hatching eggs along with growing grandparent stocks of 17,820 female breeders and 1,782 male breeders per year.

“These projects add essential support to the meat processing industry as parent stock breeder farms are considered vital links to the country’s poultry supply chain and broiler chickens are reared and prepared for meat consumption,” Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said.

Both companies have entered into a contract agreement to supply food giant San Miguel Foods Inc., BOI noted.

Lumad schools, AdDU program receive new aid from Davao Light

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

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AVAO CITY—Lumad, or tribal, schools in two northern barangays got fresh school supplies for tribal students from the social arm of the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Co., which also extended financial assistance to a university tribal program.

The Davao Light said it donated 150 bags that include notebooks, yellow pad papers, ballpens, pencils,

erasers, ruler, crayons, and reams of bond paper under the Tabang Pa-eskwela sa Tribu 2021 project of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

It said its donation was an annual commitment to the NCIP since 2015 for the educational support of indigenous students.

The Aboitiz Group’s social development arm, Aboitiz Foundation Inc., also contributed.

The schools were located in the interior villages of Marilog and Paquibato Districts.

OFW travel to Iraq allowed by POEA

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ETURNING overseas Filipino workers (OFW) could now freely travel again to and from Iraq after the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) eased their deployment restrictions.

Last Thursday, POEA issued its governing board resolution No. 09, series of 2021, which lifted the deployment ban for OFWs, who have existing employment contracts in Iraq, which conform with Philippine and Iraqi laws.

Other requirements for the said OFWs to be granted the exemption includes presenting proof of recent stay in Iraq and they will return to the same employer.

Their workplace must also be based outside the follow-

ing “no-go zones” in Iraq: the Province of Anbar, Nineveh, Kirkuk, and Mosul; Sadr City, Baghdad Province; Amedi, Erbil Province; and, Mahkmour, Erbil province.

The employers of the concerned OFWs must also have signed an undertaking guaranteeing they have secure work premises and be provided sponsorship and facilitation of their repatriation, which will cover both visa and airfare, to their personnel.

The returning OFW should also not be a household service worker.

POEA stressed that the deployment ban for newly-hired OFWs, who are bound for Iraq, will remain for now. Samuel P. Medenilla

Director Michael M. Mamukid and NCIP Provincial Officer Cristito D. Ingay said the donation would benefit “the indigenous students even in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”

The NCIP thanked Davao Light for being a part of the Tabang Paeskwela sa Tribu 2021 project of NCIP Region XI. The Davao Light, meanwhile, also extended financial assistance of P270,000 to supplement the Lumad scholarship program of the Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural

Dialogue (MICD), the community engagement arm of the Ateneo de Davao University.

MCID Director Perpevina Tio said the yearly support “helped Lumad scholars get their college degree, helping students in their expenses for transportation, dormitory, food and other needs.”

“On behalf of the Ateneo and Lumad scholars who have graduated through your help, we are so grateful,” she said.

Davao Light’s support to MICD’s program began in 2002.

‘Well funded’ suspects nabbed in Tubao River illegal quarrying

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

A

UTHORITIES believe that the suspects in the illegal quarry operations in Tubao River in La Union are well-funded and are being backed by an influential individual in Tubao town.

The suspects were operating heavy equipment such as a LiuGong payLoader, Hyundai excavator backhoe, Sinotruck dump truck and Isuzu minidump truck along the Tubao-Aringay River in the municipality of Tubao, in violation of national laws and provincial ordinances.

Documents provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP) named one of the suspects as Lito O. Panelo, 40, resident of Barangay Francia West, Tubao. The PNP said Panelo was the operator of the payloader.

The other suspects the PNP named included the following: Sammy L. Fernandez, 50, resident of Barangay Magsaysay, Tubao and operator of the excavator backhoe; Irzo M. Asuncion, 50, resident of Barangay Kagawad of Halog West, Tubao and driver of the dump truck; Rolly S. Laron, 37, resident of Barangay Francia West, Tubao and driver of the mini-dump truck; and, Michael O. de Guzman, 39, resident of Barangay Francia West, Tubao and helper assigned to the mini-dump truck.

The suspects, the police reported, failed to show corresponding permits for their operation in the area.

“They failed to show any pertinent documents with their quarrying activity,” the police stated in the initial investigation report.

The suspects were detained at the Tubao Police Station but they posted bail on the same day, the police reports said.

The arrest of the suspects came after the provincial government of La Union asked a certain Edelberto Garcia “to cease and desist your extraction activities outside the applied area.”

Police records showed that at 10:30 p.m. last October 19,

joint personnel from the 2nd La Union Provincial Mobile Force Company and Tubao Police Station, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) of La Union and the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB), responded to a reported illegal quarrying at Tubao-Aringay River in Barangay Halog West, Tubao, La Union.

The alleged illegal quarrying in Tubao was discovered after the provincial government received a report from a reliable source who said that the operation was allegedly led by Garcia in Barangay Leones East, the police reported.

The provincial government, together with the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesMGB (DENR-MGB) Region 1, conducted a joint investigation in the area last September 14.

Personnel from the DENRMGB Region 1 gathered global positioning system readings on the location of the extraction activities and based on the plotting, the extraction site was found to be outside the applied permit area of Garcia.

The environment officials recommended that Garcia stop his operation, rehabilitate the area where he extracted the sand outside his area and pay the penalty for violating Article 9, Section 2A of Provincial Ordinance 274-2021.

They also asked the local government unit of Tubao to monitor extraction along Aringay River to avoid illegal operation and extraction activities.

The shutting down of Garcia’s illegal quarry operations is in line with La Union’s Anti-Illegal Quarrying Task Force.

The task force was formed to inspect quarry operations, validate information, conduct investigation, monitor all reported illegal mining and quarrying operations, and set up necessary checkpoints and monitoring stations in the province.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

‘No vaccination, no pay’ policy upheld by DOLE

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

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OMPANIES with limited operational capacities in areas under Alert Level 3 could legally stop the payment of salaries of their unvaccinated workers, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In an online media forum last Sunday, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III explained the said policy will apply to establishments that were allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to operate provided all of their onsite staff are fully vaccinated.

He noted the said condition covers hotels, restaurants, barber shops, spas and other wellness establishments under Alert Level 3.

The said firms, Bello said, are entitled to ask their unvaccinated employees not to report for work so they could resume their operation at a limited capacity.

“Now, if their workers are unable to report for work, the policy ‘no work, no pay’ will be in effect,” Bello said.

Currently, areas, which will be under Alert Level 3 until the end of the month, include Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Siquijor, Davao City, and Davao del Norte

Legal issue

THE Federation of Free Workers (FFW) questioned the legality of the policy, which it said goes against Section 12 of Republic Act (RA) 11525, which barred the use of vaccine cards as a requirement for educational, employment and other similar government purposes.

Vaccine cards are the documentary proof issued by the government to prove that a person is fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“In my mind, it is illegal and such a policy should be abandoned. They did not show any pity to the ordinary people. His daily wage is his only source [of livelihood] and depriving him of such will starve him and his family. This is unacceptable,” Atty.

Jose Sonny G. Matula said in a statement issued last Sunday.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) also raised a similar concern on the so-called “no vaccine, no pay” scheme stated

by Bello as an overstretched interpretation of the IATF Alert Level System (ALS) Guidelines, “The DOLE Secretary calls it furlough when what it really means is that an unvaccinated employee can now be ordered not to work and denied the right to earn an honest living for his family,” the TUCP said in a separate statement.

“Bello’s heavy-handed interpretation of the guidelines is causing fear, demoralization, confusion and unrest among unvaccinated workers particularly those who are willing to be vaccinated yet could not access the inadequate supply of vaccines,” it added.

Voluntary vaccination

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) reiterated that RA 11525 does indeed ban companies from requiring their workers to get vaccinated, to obtain vaccine cards.

Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, however, said it is not illegal for companies to ask for the vaccine cards of their workers, who have already voluntarily availed of the Covid-19 vaccine.

“The vaccination card is the best proof of vaccination. So if requested to present it, then the employee may present it to the employer,” Guevarra told the BusinessMirror in a Viber Message.

“But if the employee is not yet vaccinated, the employer is not allowed under Sec. 12 of RA 11525 to compel the employee to get vaccinated in order to keep his/her employment,” he added.

Clarified position

THE head of the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued the statement after Bello said in a television interview last Thursday that employers could opt to fire workers, who will refuse to be inoculated against Covid-19 citing IATF’s ALS guidelines as “legal basis.”

But over the weekend, Bello apparently retracted the position stressing Congress must first pass a law before companies could start requiring their workers to be vaccinated.

He also said the requirement for the said policy would be for the majority of the country’s workforce to be already fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Currently, he said only 30 percent to 40 percent of the labor force or about 600,000 to 800,000 workers are fully vaccinated.

‘Overpricing, bribery, tax issues in documents hidden by Pharmally’ continued from a10 A lso on ta xation issues, another Chinese supplier, Xuzhou Construction Company, which bagged over P2.2 billion from the government, is now in trouble. “We asked them how much they paid in ta xes. They said they have been in the countr y since 2012. It turns out wala silang binayaran kahit piso [they didn’t pay a single peso,]” the senator stressed.

Blue Ribbon probers, he said, are checking whether the foreign and local suppliers paid the right taxes, noting that “this Xuzhou admitted they did not.”

Replying to a question from DWIZ, Drilon said this is a clear case of “tax evasion,” adding that PS-DBM was dutybound to withhold taxes when paying to suppliers.

“We are talking big money here,” add Drilon, referring to the over P8.7 billion in awarded contracts given by PS-DBM under former Undersecretary Christopher Lao to Pharmally.

Drilon lamented that if funds were not stolen, they could have been used “for ayuda, vaccines

and our pandemic needs. In our view, the people were hoodwinked. The P42 billion that the Department of Health transferred to PS-DBM was not covered by a memorandum of agreement.” The absence of such Memorandum of Agreement was first flagged by the Commission on Audit in its 2020 report on DOH, sparking the Blue Ribbon inquiry.

Drilon, meanwhile, was asked if he was linking Duterte to the apparent anomalies.

“I can only speak for myself.

You won’t hear me say I am implicating President Duterte or Senator [Christopher “Bong”] Go. I’m just saying that Pharmally should reveal the documents on which it based its cost of sales so we can see if right taxes were paid and if there was overpricing.”

Meanwhile, the senator said the Bureau of Internal Revenue, “just focusing on this cost of sales, has the power—maybe they are already doing it—to conduct an audit of their income tax return. BIR has the authority to require the production of documents.”

Agriculture/Commodities BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Monday, October 25, 2021 A5

Govt rolls out new BSC management plan

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas @jearcalas

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HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has started to implement an industry plan which aims to make the production of blue swimming crab (BSC) more sustainable in view of the growing demand for the aquatic animal.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 22 Series of 2021 ordering the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to implement the new BSC national management plan (BSC-NMP) 2021-2025. MC 22 took effect on October 15.

Under the MC, Dar instructed the BFAR and its regional field offices to “incorporate into their plans the actions identified in the BSC-NMP.” “BSC industries in the value chain, including fishers, buyers, traders, processors and exporters, [will] support the implementation of the BSC-NMP, including co-financing fishery improvement and sustainability projects,” the MC read.

“BFAR and Stakeholders [will] institutionalize participative commodity platforms for the sustainable management of the BSC.” The DA said a comprehensive re-

view was undertaken a year before the completion of the implementation of the BS-NMP “to respond to emerging concerns and issues of the industry.”

“The next-cycle BSC-NMP for 2020 onwards established the regulations for the conservation and management of blue swimming crabs including the minimum carapace width to be traded, the protection of crab nursery areas, and the establishment of closed season and fishing grounds,” it added.

The DA said the BSC-NMP is aligned with the strategies and actions stipulated in the Comprehensive National Fisheries Industry Development Plan (CNFIDP) Medium Term Plan 2016-2020 and is guided by the provisions of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The DA said the BSC-NMP was updated through an in-depth and inclusive multi-stakeholder sector Root Cause Analysis conducted by the Global Marine Commodities (GMC) project.

The GMC project is a collaborative project of the United Nations’ Development Programme and the BFAR with support from the Global Environment Facility, with the goal of “mainstreaming sustainability in the value chain of important

marine commodities from the developing countries,” such as BSCs and octopuses.

“The updated BSC-NMP is an industry plan which provides for the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders of the industry, including support to co-finance sustainability programs, and other initiatives in the transformation process from business-as-usual fishery management to sustainable fishery management,” MC 22 read.

Under the BSC-NMP-RCA report, the country’s BSC production in 2019 declined by 12.53 percent to 29,677.14 metric tons (MT) from 33,930 MT in 2018.

“SC traders, processors, and exporters have been experiencing limited supply due to the increasing demand for crabs by the increasing population in the country and elsewhere,” the report read.

“In terms of value, there has been fluctuation but increasing production values from 2004 until 2016, with promising increases in the 2 succeeding years.”

The value of BSC production nationwide in 2019 fell by 16.82 percent to P4.55 billion from P5.47 billion in 2018, according to the BSC-NMPRCA report.

NTA holds consultations with farmers on adjusting tobacco floor prices

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HE National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has held consultations with farmers prior to the revision of tobacco floor prices next month.

The NTA, an attached government-owned and controlled corporation of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said the consultations were held in its branches in tobaccoproducing provinces.

“The consultative meetings were held simultaneously at the NTA Branch Offices in Ilocos Norte, Vigan, and La Union on October 11, in Cagayan on October 13, simultaneously in Abra, Isabela, and Pangasinan on October 14, and in Candon on October 15,” it said in a recent statement.

“After group consultation and deliberation, facilitated by NTA officials, representatives of tobacco farmers came out with a unified cost of production per tobacco type and sub-type, which will be a factor in the revision of the current tobacco floor prices.”

The NTA said the biennial tripartite conference, where the adjustments for the tobacco floor prices would be deliberated and agreed upon, will be held in its central office on November 10 to 11.

The NTA added that the review

and adjustment of floor prices will cover Virginia, Burley and Native types of tobacco as well as its various sub-types, such as neutral or filler and topped.

“Selected farmer leaders will present the consolidated cost of production for each tobacco type and sub-type and negotiate the floor prices in a conference in November with cigarette manufacturers, tobacco dealers, and exporters,” it said.

The new adjustment on the tobacco floor prices will be implemented during tobacco trading years 2022 and 2023, according to the NTA. The current floor prices of tobacco, which were approved in early 2020 following the 2019 tripartite consultative conference, are: P84 for Grade AA Virginia and P83 for its Grade A; P72 for Grade A Burley and P69 for Grade B; P73 for high grade of native.

The negotiations during the previous tripartite conference in September 2019 stretched to early 2020 as leaf buyers and manufacturers were lukewarm to tobacco producers’ initial proposal of a maximum P10 increase in floor prices.

Three years ago, tobacco

planters pushed for such an increase due to higher production and labor costs.

The private sector had wanted to maintain the status quo, but later on proposed a P1-price increase which was declined by farmers, the BusinessMirror learned.

The private sector made the proposal in view of the decline in cigarette sales due to higher excise taxes.

Eventually, industry players agreed on a P2 increase in floor prices across all types and grades of tobacco.

NTA data showed that the country’s tobacco output last year grew by almost 2 percent to 47.5 million kilograms from 46.6 million kg in 2019. Value wise, tobacco output last year reached P3.93 billion, slightly higher than the P3.92 billion posted in 2019.

“Number of tobacco farmers increased by 39 percent, or from 29,830 in 2018-19 tobacco season to 41,516 in 2019-2020, while tobacco farm area [in hectares] decreased by 7 percent, or from 29,839 to 27,765 in the same period,” the NTA said in its 2020 accomplishment report.

Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Asians urged to eat more fruits, veggies

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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XPERTS from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Asia’s carbon footprint could expand as higher incomes have allowed Asians to increase their meat consumption.

In an Asian Development Blog, ADB Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department Economist Manisha Pradhananga and Research Associate Daryll Naval said many Asians now enjoy higher incomes and urban lifestyles leading to a more meat-based diet.

Pradhananga and Naval said this highlights the need to adopt plant-based diets as well as reduce red meat consumption and food waste to make agriculture more environmentally friendly.

“It is important to move toward sustainable and healthy diets that are also socially acceptable and economi-

cally accessible for all,” they said.

“Some ways to achieve this are to promote mostly plant-based diets, reduce red meat consumption, promote fish obtained from sustainable stocks, and reduce food loss and waste throughout the supply chain.”

Pradhananga and Naval shared data that showed that in 1961, when food supply was still a problem in many economies, the daily calorie intake per capita in the region was 1,245 kilo calories (kcal).

Using 2018 data, the daily calorie intake per capita in the region increased to 1,914 kcal. The share of meat and animal products rose to 4 percent in 2018 from 1 percent in 1961.

While this represented over a sixfold increase in protein intake to 10 grams per person per day in 2018 from animal meat from 1.5 grams in 1961, the authors said this level of consumption remained below that

of advanced countries which was pegged at 34.6 grams.

“Instead of a diet heavy on traditional staples such as rice and wheat, consumers today prefer a more diverse diet. Per capita consumption of rice has leveled off; while that of fruit, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, as well as meat and seafood is increasing,” they said.

Plant-based diets, the authors said, consume less of the planet’s resources and lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Based on the data, greenhouse gas emissions caused by animal based food items can reach up to 226.3 per million kcal consumed for beef.

As for plant-based foods, pulses recorded the highest emission at 6.9 per million kcal.

Water resources used for meatbased productions are also bigger compared to plant-based products, according to the authors.

“As to the state of the BSC stocks, evidence reveals overexploitation.

For example, as shown in Figure 9, a

study on the BSC in the Western Visayas Sea shows a decreasing trend in catch per unit of effort (CPUE). The

CPUE in 2017 alone shows that, on an average, a bottom set crab gill net can catch 1 crab per panel.”

A6

Monday, October 25, 2021

The World BusinessMirror

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Chinese economy risks deeper slowdown than markets realize I

Erdogan orders removal of 10 diplomats, including US envoy

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hina’s economy risks slowing faster than investors realize as President Xi Jinping’s push to cut its reliance on real estate and regulate sectors from education to technology combine with a power shortage and the pandemic.

“preventing disaster” rather than supporting growth, Hofman said.

“As long as growth is above 6%, I think China would feel relatively happy,” he added.

People’s Bank of China Governor Yi Gang recently said he sees about 8% expansion for this year, and to achieve that, the economy would only need to expand 3.9% in the current quarter, according to calculations from Bloomberg Economics.

China’s slowdown comes as the global recovery from Covid-19 risks losing momentum.

“When China’s economic engine sputters, growth fizzles the world over,” said Frederic Neumann, cohead of Asian economic research at HSBC Holdings Plc in Hong Kong.

Among those at risk from less investment in China are commodity exporters such as Australia, South Africa and Brazil. Slower trade could also hit the likes of Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The impact could be felt further afield, according to Tuuli McCully, Singapore-based head of Asia-Pacific economics at Scotiabank.

“Countries such as Chile and Peru ship significant amounts of commodities to China and will feel the impact of weaker real estate and other fixed asset investment activity in China,” she said.

Financial market spillovers may be more contained given the 18% peak to trough correction in China’s CSI 300 Index this year did not spark global contagion, said Alvin Tan, head of Asia foreignexchange strategy at Royal Bank of Canada in Hong Kong. One possible upside from a cooling Chinese economy is that it could alleviate global inflation pressures, Tan said.

“Nonetheless, the net impact is decidedly negative for a world that is still recovering from the pandemic,” Tan said.

For now, even the most pessimistic economists expect growth to come in above 7.5% this year, a relatively rapid rate for an economy the size of China’s. Beijing has set a goal of doubling gross domestic product from 2020 lev-

els by 2035, which implies annual growth of around 5%. That may prove to be a floor for policy makers.

China could see real estate investment fall 10% in the first half of next year and still achieve 5% annual growth as its credit cycle is close to its bottom and fiscal policy could pick up ahead of a crucial Communist Party congress in the autumn, said Bo Zhuang, China economist at Loomis Sayles Investments Asia.

He predicts Beijing could set a growth target around 5.5% for next year.

Still, the recent weakness when combined with concerns over Evergrande is prompting analysts to wonder if they remain too sanguine on near-term prospects.

Bank of America’s strategists outlined a “bearish scenario” involving a disorderly adjustment to the real estate market in which property prices fall 10%, cutting sales and deterring banks from lending to the sector. In that scenario, growth could reach as low as 7.5% this year and 2.2% in 2022.

The other risk is that China’s policy makers may struggle to flick the switch back to growth mode if they feel that’s needed.

Citigroup economists led by Xiangrong Yu noted that the electricity shortages that are crimping industrial production will make it harder to cushion growth by boosting investment in infrastructure. That kind of policy could only work next year once the power crunch eases, they said.

Local governments are also struggling to find viable projects to invest in while property developers’ tight financing has slowed their land purchases, threatening to undermine a $1 trillion revenue source for local governments.

“Property and energy problems will continue to affect growth in the fourth quarter,” said Houze Song, a China economy researcher at US think tank, the Paulson Institute. It “seems likely that full year growth will end below 8%.”

Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc. are among those sounding the warning that expansion will fall short this year of the 8.2% anticipated by the consensus of economists. The slump could last into next year, forcing growth below 5%, they warn. Outside 2020’s 2.3%, that would be the weakest in three decades.

Strategists at Bank of America muse that Xi may even be embracing a once-in-two decades restructuring of the economy akin to Deng Xiaoping’s modernizations of the late-1970s and Zhu Rongji’s revamping of state-enterprises and finance in the 1990s.

“If so, the data flow from China could confound even the pessimists, and we are on guard for that scenario unfolding,” the strategists, led by Ajay Kapur, told clients in a report last week, in which they predicted growth of 7.7% this year and 4% in 2022.

Beijing is determined to shift its economic model from its boom years, in which the country loaded up on debt and propelled itself to become the second-largest economy.

Xi is now overseeing a plan to stabilize debt growth—in order to ease financial risks—curb inequality and channel financial resources into hi-tech manufacturing to counter the threat of technology restrictions from the US. Data released last week already showed a sharp slowdown in growth to 4.9% in the third quarter from 7.9% in the previous quarter, with more pain likely to come as electricity shortages persist.

Even before the pandemic hit,

China was surprising economists with slower-than-expected growth caused by Beijing’s resolve to ease debt risks, which meant it avoided broad stimulus even as the USChina trade war threatened expansion.

After modest easing to cushion the worst effects of the coronavirus, its debt-control policy resumed, with real estate companies such as China Evergrande Group feeling the biggest impact.

Xi also set about seeking to reshape the consumer technology, private tutoring and real estate sectors, with officials arguing they represent a wasteful use of the country’s limited resources. Officials have mostly embraced the resulting slowdown.

China’s Premier Li Keqiang in March announced a growth target of “above 6%” for the year. While analysts saw this as a signal that Beijing was prioritizing other policy goals such as financial stability and environmental protection above economic growth, most at the time saw the target as extremely conservative.

“I’ve joked that maybe Li Keqiang knew more than we did,” said Bert Hofman, a former director of the World Bank’s China office who now heads the National University of Singapore’s East Asian Institute.

But Beijing has signaled in recent weeks that it could loosen some policies, telling banks to pick up the pace of mortgage lending even as it repeated vows not to use the property sector as a short-term stimulus.

Any policy loosening in the next few months will be aimed at

Oklahoma lawmaker criticized for Asian American comment

US urges North Korea to stop missile tests, return to talks

O

KLAHOMA CITY — A Republican Oklahoma state senator is drawing criticism for referring to Asian Americans as “yellow families” during a legislative committee meeting on racial inequity.

Sen. Dave Rader of Tulsa made the comment Wednesday to Oklahoma Policy Institute analyst Damion Shade following Shade’s comments during an interim study on racial inequality in economics and the criminal justice system.

“It wasn’t until well into your presentation did you go to yellow families, you left yellow families out for quite a while,” Rader said.

“You mean Asian Americans?”

Shade replied.

“You use black term, white term, brown term so I was just gonna jump in there with you,” Rader said, then began asking questions about Black families.

The word “yellow” is considered a derogatory term when used in reference to East Asians. In the late 1800s, Chinese Americans were deemed the “yellow peril,” despite living in the United States for years.

Rader did not immediately reply to requests by The Associated Press for comment Saturday, but in a statement to KFOR said he has worked to remove barriers to success for all types of people.

“I’ve spent my entire life as a football coach and educator, fostering opportunities for individuals of every race and background,” Rader said. AP

Bloomberg News

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EOUL, South Korea— A senior US diplomat on Sunday urged North Korea to refrain from additional missile tests and resume nuclear diplomacy between the countries, days after the North fired-off its first underwater-launched ballistic missile in two years.

Sung Kim, the top US official on North Korea affairs, spoke after meeting with South Korean officials to discuss North Korea’s recent missile tests that have come amid a long-running stalemate in nuclear diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang.

“We call on the DPRK to cease these provocations and other destabilizing activities, and instead, engage in dialogue,” Kim told reporters, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

“We remain ready to meet with the DPRK without preconditions and we have made clear that the United States harbors no hostile intent towards the DPRK,” he said.

Last Tuesday, North Korea fired a newly developed ballistic missile from a submarine in its fifth round of weapons tests in recent weeks.

South Korean officials said the submarine-fired missile appeared to be in an early stage of development.

That marked the North’s first underwater-launched test since October in 2019 and the most high-profile one since President Joe Biden took office in January.

Missiles fired from submarines are harder to detect in advance and would provide North Korea with a secondary, retaliatory attack capability.

US Special Representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, right, speaks during a briefing after a meeting with South Korea’s Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Noh Kyu-duk at a hotel in Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

Tuesday’s launch violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions that ban any activity by North Korea in the area of ballistic missiles. Kim said the test poses a threat to the international community and is “concerning and counterproductive” to efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim’s South Korean counterpart, Noh Kyu-duk, said the two had an “in-depth” discussion on Seoul’s push for a symbolic, political declaration to end the 1950-1953 Korean War as a way to bring peace. Noh said he and Kim also reaffirmed that North Korea’s issues of concern can be discussed once talks are restarted.

The US-led talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear program have been largely stalled since early 2019, when a summit between then President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un collapsed due to disputes over US-led sanctions on the North.

The Biden administration has repeatedly said it’s ready to meet North Korea “anywhere and at any time” without preconditions. But North Korea says a return to talks is conditional on the US dropping what it calls a hostile policy toward Pyongyang, an apparent reference to the sanctions and regular military drills between Washington and Seoul.

Before the submarine missile launch, North Korea had also tested several other new weapons systems over a six-week period, including its longest-range cruise missile and a hypersonic missile currently under development.

Those weapons potentially put US allies South Korea and Japan within striking range. Some experts say North Korea may also in coming weeks test a missile that could reach the American homeland in order to maximize its pressure campaign on the United States. AP

STANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that he had ordered 10 foreign ambassadors who called for the release of a jailed philanthropist to be declared persona non grata.

The envoys, including the US, French and German representatives in Ankara, issued a statement earlier this week calling for a resolution to the case of Osman Kavala, a businessman and philanthropist held in prison since 2017 despite not having been convicted of a crime.

Describing the statement as “impudence,” Erdogan said he had ordered the ambassadors be declared undesirable.

“I gave the instruction to our foreign minister and said ‘You will immediately handle the persona non grata declaration of these 10 ambassadors’,” Erdogan said during a rally in the western city of Eskisehir.

He added: “They will recognize, understand and know Turkey. The day they don’t know or understand Turkey, they will leave.”

The diplomats, who also include the ambassadors of the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and New Zealand, were summoned to the foreign ministry on Tuesday.

A declaration of persona non grata against a diplomat usually means that individual is banned from remaining in their host country.

Kavala, 64, was acquitted last year of charges linked to nationwide anti-government protests in 2013, but the ruling was overturned and joined to charges relating to a 2016 coup attempt.

International observers and human rights groups have repeatedly called for the release of Kavala and Kurdish politician Selahattin

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks up during a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel following their meeting at Huber Villa presidential palace in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.

The leaders discussed Ankara’s relationship with Germany and the European Union as well as regional issues including Syria and Afghanistan.

AP Photo/Francisco Seco

Demirtas, who has been jailed since 2016. They say their imprisonment is based on political considerations. Ankara denies the claims and insists on the independence of Turkish courts.

The European Court of Human Rights called for Kavala’s release in 2019, saying his incarceration acted to silence him and wasn’t supported by evidence of an offense.

The Council of Europe says it will start infringement proceedings again Turkey at the end of November if Kavala is not released.

The current US ambassador, David Satterfield, was appointed in 2019. The nomination of his replacement, Jeff Flake, was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.

After Erdogan’s order was reported, the State Department said in a statement, “We are aware of these reports and are seeking clarity from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” AP

Singapore to restrict workplace access for unvaccinated people

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ingapore is set to restrict access to the workplace for those who are unvaccinated from January unless they test negative daily as part of plans to resume normal activities in the pandemic.

“Unvaccinated employees will not be allowed to return to the workplace unless they have tested negative for Covid-19 before returning to the workplace, and they will need to pay for the costs of these tests,” the health ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

Singapore joins Italy in introducing tough Covid rules for workers by mandating vaccinations for those planning to enter workplaces, while most countries either leave such decisions to companies, or require only selected groups such as healthcare workers and civil servants to be inoculated.

The island currently bars those not inoculated from malls, food centers and local attractions, seen as a way to prompt more people to follow through with vaccinations. In Italy, effective Oct. 15, anyone entering a workplace, public or private, must present a digital “Green Pass” or face a fine. The pass can be obtained after vaccination or after testing negative for the virus, and employers will be responsible for checking certificates.

Singapore said only employees who are fully vaccinated, or have recovered from Covid-19 in the past 270 days, can return to the workplace from Jan. 1. Those who haven’t been jabbed will have to test negative on an antigen-rapid test carried out by an approved provider, with such results only valid for 24 hours.

Sub-continent travel

Authorities on Saturday also announced that a resumption of travelers from South Asian nations including India and Bangladesh, and Myanmar from Oct. 26 after recent reviews. Arrivals from the regions will be still subject to strict border measures that are applied to areas deemed as high-risk from the virus.

The city-state also added Sinovac

Biotech Ltd.’s shot to its national vaccination program to allow those who cannot take the mRNA doses to become fully inoculated. The current program has approved only those from Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. Sinovac will be used in a threedose regime, and won’t be eligible for those below 18 years old, the health ministry said.

Earlier this week, the city-state extended tight virus restrictions for about another month as authorities warned the current surge of infections threatened to overwhelm its health-care system.

T he surge in infections has thwarted the government’s resolve to ease domestic restrictions, even with 84% of the population fully vaccinated and 98.7% of Covid patients experiencing only mild or no symptoms. The restrictions implemented last month were originally slated to be in place until Oct. 24.

Easing curbs?

The government will consider easing the current restrictions on three criteria—the rate of infection increase, the proportion of those falling very ill, and hospital occupancy rates, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said at a briefing on Saturday. Wong cochairs a government taskforce that deals with the virus.

While the number of cases is still increasing at a slower rate, this still puts the health-care system under pressure, Wong said. The weekly infection rate now hovers just above the ratio of above one, from 1.5 when cases were doubling every week, he said.

“If the ratio comes below one, and our hospital and ICU situation remain stable, we will make some calibrated easing in three areas,” Wong said. These are resumption of team sports, more activities in schools and institutions of higher learning, as well as the ability for family members from the same household to dine together in a group of up to five, Wong said. Current restrictions limit the number of diners at two per table.

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Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia report raging daily infections

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ELGR A DE, Serbia—Serbia on Saturday is set to launch partial Covid-19 passes while Croatia and Slovenia reported high daily rates of infections, as countries with low vaccination rates grapple with a persisting virus surge.

Serbia has seen thousands of news cases daily for weeks now and recorded more than 50 deaths each day, in the country of 7 million where about half of adults have been fully jabbed and tens of thousands have received booster doses.

On Saturday, authorities reported an additional 6,748 new infections in the past 24 hours and 60 fatalities from Covid-19.

The Balkan nation has confirmed more than 1 million infections since the start of the pandemic and nearly 10,000 deaths.

Experts have harshly criticized the government decision to introduce Covid-19 passes for indoor spaces only from 10 p.m. They said the move was too little too late and that stricter measures are needed to curb the raging virus.

“It’s scandalous and far too l ate,” ret i red epidem iolog i st Zoran Radovanovic told N1 television.

Serbia’s government initially was reluctant to impose any measures, urging people to get vaccinated instead. Face masks have been obligator y indoors in the Balkan country but there have been no limits for gatherings or work at nightclubs, bars or restaurants.

Starting Saturday evening,

visitors will have to provide Covid-19 passes showing evidence of vaccination, a negative test or that they have recovered from the disease in the past seven months.

Officials said more than 2,000 inspections will control whether the new rules are being implemented.

The virus situation has been alarming also in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe where vaccination rates are lower than the European Union average.

Romania has approved the tightening of rules from Monday as hospitals filled up and infections soared to record numbers.

Slovenia on Saturday said the number of confirmed daily cases has reached a nine-month high and a positivity rate of about 30% in the country of about 2 million people. Slovenia has fully vaccinated 53% of the population of 2 million. Just over 5,000 people have died of Covid-19.

Croatia too is reporting a surge in daily new cases to more than 3,500 over the past days—the daily number of confirmed cases has risen by 1,600 since last weekend, authorities said.

The government so far has imposed Covid-19 passes for the health and social service workers, but not the general population.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic on Saturday called on citizens to vaccinate—Croatia’s vaccination rate also stands at around 50%.

“Vaccination is seen globally as the best solution and we must all help those citizens who still have doubts to decide in favor of it,” he said. AP

Colombia’s most wanted drug lord captured in jungle raid

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OGOTA, Colombia—Colombian security forces have captured the country’s most wanted drug trafficker, a rural warlord who stayed on the run for more than a decade by corrupting state officials and aligning himself with combatants on the left and right.

President Iván Duque likened the arrest Saturday of Dairo Antonio Úsuga to the capture three decades ago of Pablo Escobar.

Colombia’s military presented Úsuga to the media in handcuffs and wearing rubber boots preferred by rural farmers. Úsuga, better known by his alias Otoniel, is the alleged head of the much-feared Gulf Clan, whose army of assassins has terrorized much of northern Colombia to gain control of major cocaine smuggling routes through thick jungles north to Central America and onto the US. He’s long been a fixture on the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s most-wanted fugitives list, for whose capture it had been offering a $5 million reward. He was first indicted in 2009, in Manhattan federal court, on narcotics charges and for allegedly providing assistance to a far-right paramilitary group designated a terrorist organization by the US government. Later indictments in Brooklyn and Miami federal courts accused him of importing into the US at least 73 metric tons of cocaine between 2003 and 2014 through countries including Venezuela, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Honduras.

But like many of his gunmen, he’s also cycled through the ranks of several guerrilla groups, most recently claiming to lead the Gaitanist Self Defense Forces of Colombia, after a mid-20th century Colombian leftist firebrand.

Authorities said intelligence provided by the US and U.K. led more than 500 soldiers and members of Colombia’s special forces to Úsuga’s jungle hideout, which was protected by eight rings of security. Úsuga for years flew under the

radar of authorities by eschewing the high profile of Colombia’s better known narcos.

He and his brother, who was killed in a raid in 2012, got their start as gunmen for the nowdefunct leftist guerrilla group known as the Popular Liberation Army and then later switched sides and joined the rebels’ battlefield enemies, a right-wing paramilitary group.

He refused to disarm when that militia signed a peace treaty with the government in 2006, instead delving deeper into Colombia’s criminal underworld and setting up operations in the strategic Gulf of Uraba region in northern Colombia, a major drug corridor surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean sea on either side.

Leaks and a network of rural safe houses he supposedly moved among every night allowed him for years to resist a scorched-earth campaign by the military against the Gulf Clan. As he defied authorities, his legend as a bandit grew alongside the horror stories told

by Colombian authorities of the many underage women he and his cohorts allegedly abused sexually.

But the war was taking its toll on the 50-year-old fugitive, who even while on the run insisted on sleeping on orthopedic mattresses to ease a back injury. In 2017, he showed his face for the first time on occasion of Pope Francis’ visit to the country, publishing a video in which he asked for his group be allowed to lay down its weapons and demobilize as part of the country’s peace process with the much-larger Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

His arrest is something of a boost for the conservative Duque, who law and order rhetoric has been no match for soaring production of cocaine.

Land dedicated to the production of coca—the raw ingredient of cocaine—jumped 16% last year to a record 245,000 hectares, a level unseen in two decades of US eradication efforts, according to a White House report. AP

Monday, October 25, 2021

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FDA says Pfizer Covid vaccine looks effective for young kids

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ederal health regulators said late Friday that kid-size doses of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine appear highly effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children and caused no unexpected safety issues, as the US weighs beginning vaccinations in youngsters.

The Food and Drug Administration posted its analysis of Pfizer’s data ahead of a public meeting next week to debate whether the shots are ready for the nation’s roughly 28 million children ages 5 to 11. The agency will ask a panel of outside vaccine experts to vote on that question.

In their analysis, FDA scientists concluded that in almost every scenario the vaccine’s benefit for preventing hospitalizations and death from Covid-19 would out weigh any ser ious potential side effects in children. But agency reviewers stopped short of calling for Pfizer’s shot to be authorized.

The agency will put that question to its panel of independent advisers next Tuesday and weigh their advice before making its own decision.

If the FDA authorizes the shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will make additional recommendations on who should receive them the first week

of November. Children could begin vaccinations early next month —with the first youngsters in line fully protected by Christmas.

Full-strength Pfizer shots already are recommended for anyone 12 or older, but pediatricians and many parents are anxiously awaiting protection for younger children to stem infections from the extra-contagious Delta variant and help keep kids in school.

The FDA review affirmed results from Pfizer posted earlier in the day showing the two-dose shot was nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in young children. Researchers calculated the figure based on 16 Covid-19 cases in youngsters given dummy shots versus three cases among vaccinated children. There were no severe illnesses reported among any of the youngsters, but the vaccinated ones had much milder symptoms than their unvaccinated counterparts.

Most of the study data was col-

This October 2021 photo provided by Pfizer shows kid-size doses of its Covid-19 vaccine in Puurs, Belgium.

The vaccine appear safe and nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in 5- to 11-yearolds, according to study details released Friday, Oct. 22, as the US considers opening vaccinations to that age group. Pfizer via AP

lected in the US during August and September, when the Delta variant had become the dominant Covid-19 strain.

The FDA review found no new or unexpected side effects. Those that did occur mostly consisted of sore arms, fever or achiness.

However, FDA scientists noted that the study wasn’t large enough to detect extremely rare side effects, including myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation that occasionally occurs after the second dose.

The agency used statistical modeling to try to predict how many hospitalizations and deaths from Covid-19 the vaccine would prevent versus the number of potential heart side effects it might cause. In four scenarios of the pandemic, the vaccine clearly prevented more hospitalizations than would be expected from the heart side effect. Only when virus cases were extremely low could the vaccine cause more hospitalizations than it would prevent.

Saudi Arabia pledges 2060 target of net-zero emissions

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UBAI, United Arab Emirates—One of the world ’s largest oil producers, Saudi Arabia, announced Saturday it aims to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, joining more than 100 countries in a global effort to try and curb man-made climate change.

Although the kingdom will aim to reduce emissions within its own borders, there is no indication Saudi Arabia will slow down investments in oil and gas or relinquish sway over energy markets by moving away from the production of fossil fuels.

Energy exports form the backbone of Saudi Arabia’s economy, despite efforts to diversify revenue as the world increasingly looks to transition away from reliance on fossil fuels. The country is forecast to make $150 billion in revenue this year from oil alone.

The announcement, made by Crow n Pr ince Moha mmed bin Salman in scripted remarks at the start of the kingdom’s first-ever Saudi Green Initiative Forum, was timed to make a splash before the start of the global COP26 climate conference being held in Glasgow, Scotland. The prince vowed Saudi Arabia will plant 450 million trees and rehabilitate huge swaths of land by 2030, reducing more than 270 million tons of carbon emissions a year and attempting to turn the landlocked city of Riyadh into a more sustainable capital.

The kingdom joins the ranks of Russia and China on their stated netzero target date of 2060. The United States and the European Union have aimed for 2050.

In making the announcement, analysts say the kingdom ensures its continued seat at the table in global climate change talks. Saudi Arabia has pushed back against those who say fossil fuels must be urgently phased out, warning that a premature switch could lead to price volatility and shortages. Recently leaked documents show how the kingdom and other nations are lobbying behind the scenes ahead of the COP26 summit to change language around emissions.

In transitioning domestically,

But overall, regulators concluded that the vaccine’s protective benefits “would clearly outweigh” its risks.

While children run a lower risk of severe illness or death than older people, Covid-19 has killed more than 630 Americans 18 and under, according to the CDC. Nearly 6.2 million children have been infected with the coronavirus, more than 1.1 million in the last six weeks as the Delta variant surged, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

T he Biden ad m i n i st rat ion has purchased enough kid-size doses—in special orange-capped vials to distinguish them from adult vaccine—for the nation’s 5- to 11-year-olds. If the vaccine is cleared, millions of doses will be promptly shipped around the country, along with kid-size needles.

More than 25,000 pediatricians and primary care providers already have signed up to get the shots into little arms. AP

Malaysia to examine biscuit makers on cancer claim by Hong Kong group

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In this June 28, 2021 file photo, Saudi Aramco engineers and journalists look at the Hawiyah Natural Gas Liquids Recovery Plant in Hawiyah, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. One of the world’s largest oil producers, Saudi Arabia, announced on Saturday, Oct. 23, it aims to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, joining more than 100 countries in a global effort to try and curb man-made climate change. AP Photo/Amr Nabil

the kingdom could also take the oil and gas that it subsidizes locally and allocate it as a more lucrative export to China and India, where demand is expected to grow in the coming years.

“The kingdom’s economic growth is driven by export of its energy sources. It’s no state secret,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said at the forum in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia says it will reach net-zero through a so-called “Carbon Circular Economy” approach, which advocates “reduce, reuse, recycle and remove.” It is an unpopular strategy among climate change activists because it touts still unreliable carbon capture and storage technologies rather than honing in on the phasing out of fossil fuels.

The announcement provided few details on how the kingdom will cut its emissions in the short- and medium term, including when it will peak its emissions. Experts say sharp cuts are needed worldwide as soon as possible to ensure the world has a chance of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) as agreed in the 2015 Paris accord.

The kingdom—home to roughly

17% of proven petroleum reserves — supplies some 10% of global oil demand. As Opec’s heavyweight, Saudi Arabia holds tremendous influence over energy markets and can pressure other producers to fall in line, as seen last year when the kingdom triggered a price war that successfully got Russia to curb its production amid a slowdown in demand from the pandemic.

Saudi Arabia said the transition to net zero carbon emissions “will be delivered in a manner that preserves the kingdom’s leading role in enhancing the security and stability of global energy markets.”

Gulf oil producers argue against the rapid phasing out of fossil fuels by saying that a hurried shift would hurt low-income nations and populations that lack access to basic energy. Saudi Arabia also advocates for language that refers to greenhouse gases, a basket that includes more than just fossil fuels.

“We believe that carbon capture, utilization and storage, direct air capture, hydrogen and low carbon fuel are the things that will develop the necessary ingredients to really make sure this effort will be inclusive,” Prince Abdulaziz said of the global energy transition. AP

alaysia is looking into the findings by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog that cancercausing substances were detected in biscuits and crackers including those produced

by Hup Seng Industries Bhd. The Hong Kong Consumer Council on Monday announced that 60 samples of pre-packed biscuits and crackers it tested contained cancerinducing elements such as glycidol or acrylamide. The council also found that 40% of the products analyzed had misleading nutrition labels. “ T he fac tor y prem ises of [Hup Seng] hold HACCP [Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points] and KKM [Malaysia’s health ministry] certificates,” Malaysia’s Food Safety and Quality Division said in a statement on Friday, citing an early investigation.

The division of the health ministry is also conducting a verification on the company’s premises, it said.

Hup Seng said its “special cream crackers manufactured and marketed in Malaysia are fit for human consumption and are in compliance with the local regulations, quality standards and food safety standards,” a company representative said in an e-mailed statement on Sunday. The company said it will fully cooperate with authorities on the investigation.

Hup Seng is a lead ing maker of biscuits in Malaysia, according to its web site.

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Monday, October 25, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

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editorial

What you see is what you get?

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nyone 40 years old or younger has no direct understanding of what the Philippines was like prior to February 22, 1986.

There is nothing wrong with that. Human history has been passed down by second-hand oral and written tradition for tens of thousands of years. We learn history from the factual—and sometimes not-so-factual—recollections of the people who were there. Want to know what the Philippines was like on December 8, 1941 when Japan invaded? Ask one of the 92,000 Filipinos who were born in 1930 or before and was at least 11 years old on that date.

But even then, it is all based on the perception of the speaker and of the listener. We want to define “perception” as “the ability to correctly see, hear, or become aware of something.” However, the truth of “perception” is, “A mindset from which we believe what we perceive to be accurate, and we create our own realities based on those perceptions.” It is not “what you see is what you get.” It is usually “what you think you see is what you get.”

South China Morning Post: “The Philippines was seen as least corrupt when the drug trade thrived. When the government of Rodrigo Duterte began its fight against corruption, the ranking fell. Myanmar has steadily improved, while more than half a million Rohingya Muslims have fled persecution into Bangladesh.”

Is the public’s perception of a candidate more important than policy?

American journalist James Fallows wrote a long piece in The Atlantic magazine in 1987 on the 1st anniversary of 1986 People Power Revolution. Fallows spent many weeks in the Philippines on two trips. He cited the works of Carmen Navarro Pedrosa. “Imelda always pretended to be an aristocrat, Corazon Aquino really was one: “Her jewels were truly heirlooms, not recent purchases from Van Cleef and Arpels. She was a true bluestocking, educated in the United States, and fluent in French. She represented all that Imelda had ever aspired to.” After Edsa, “The traditional upper class was back in its traditional place.”

The Cory administration was besieged by coup attempts, unstoppable brownouts, and the never-ending insurgencies. The 1992 election had every traditional politician running: Danding Cojuangco, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Salvador Laurel, Imelda Marcos, Ramon Mitra Jr., Fidel V. Ramos, and Jovito Salonga. Ramos took 24 percent of the vote.

Was it because Ramos was perceived as someone who could successfully manage a large organization—the government—and had the experience of solving problems? Joseph Estrada won the presidency in 1998 with a landslide 39 percent of the final nationwide tally. Did the Estrada election come because the lower economic groups saw him as their voice? Estrada: “It is now the turn of the masses to experience liberation.”

A bad economy and corruption first brought Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Malacañang. Reelected in 2004, government fiscal reform helped get the Philippines through the 2008 global debt crisis. But the GMA administration was high drama from the Edsa 2 protests to “Hello Garci.” Was Benigno Aquino III elected in 2010 because he was perceived as the more stable and incorruptible candidate?

Aquino’s economy was strong but there was a series of perceived failures, including the Manila hostage crisis, the Typhoon Yolanda response and recovery, the botched Mamasapano operation and the Zamboanga Siege.

Was Rodrigo Duterte elected in 2016 because he was recognized as decisive and strong-willed, better able to tackle and address the nation’s problems?

Now the big question: What will the voters want to perceive in their final choice for president in 2022?

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here are many creative and talented authors and illustrators from the Philippines, and it is also true that we have a rich collection of locally published books in various genres. To showcase 100 of these titles to the international market, the National Book Development Board (NBDB) participated for the sixth consecutive year in the Frankfurter Burchmesse (Frankfurt Book Fair) from October 20 to 24, 2021. The book fair features thousands of publishers, and their books, of course, from all over the world. International publication is one opportunity that our local delegation is hoping for, as well as future opportunities not just for the authors and publishers representing the nation but also for the country’s publishing industry in general.

It is no secret that like most other industries, the local publishing and printing industries have taken a hit because of the pandemic. The already low pre-Covid-19 demand for books (many readers prefer international authors and titles) further worsened as publishers suffered drop in sales, affecting authors’ royalties, the in-

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and it would be good if we could participate in other international book festivals in the future. Aggressive marketing strategies for the international market will surely help our local publishers, authors, and other stakeholders to slowly recover from pandemic losses.

Additionally, there are promising opportunities being opened to the publishing and printing industries because of new media innovations (digital book formats, audiobooks, etc.) and technology (non-fungible token, e-commerce, social-media

The ‘rewilding’ of Metro Manila

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come of printers, and the financial situation of other related industries.

As some schools and stores closed down because of the crisis and people stayed at home, the offline network for book sales—fairs, bookstores, festivals, etc.—also disappeared.

The Frankfurt Book Fair, therefore, comes at an opportune time,

There are promising opportunities being opened to the publishing and printing industries because of new media innovations (digital book formats, audiobooks, etc.) and technology (non-fungible token, e-commerce, social-media platforms, etc.). While Covid-19 definitely brought plenty of challenges, it is also true that new avenues are opening up for all because of the ways people are adapting to the changes.

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rroceros Park, home to more than 3,000 trees of diverse variety, is said to be the green lung of the City of Manila; and, together with the La Mesa Watershed in neighboring Quezon City, represents the last remaining true forested area in the National Capital Region. It does not have to be. There are many pocket open spaces across the metropolis that can be converted, not just to green manicured parks but more of forested areas where concrete jungles are converted to real jungles and where biodiversity is allowed to grow in its natural state.

Urban reforestation is a growing trend that is currently being advocated by urban planners globally. Also called “urban rewilding”, or introducing nature back into cities, it’s a fairly new concept that is evolving into so many environmentally pleasant deviations. You have Bosco Verticale in the City of Milan where vertical forests are intertwined with residential buildings. Another example is Manhattan’s High Line where you have a green trail on an abandoned railway or the Mauerpark in Germany, running along in areas where the Berlin Wall used to be located. In these areas are pocket forests or shrubbery that are left to grow in their natural state, unlike the usual urban parks we are all familiar with, such as Lu-

neta and the highly manicured parks we have in Makati or BGC. Why this growing trend towards the “naturing of our urban environment”? What would be its benefits?

We all agree that climate vulnerability and urban heat, common occurrences in our cities, endanger the physical and psychological well being of our urban dwellers, not to mention their long-term effect on our economy. The pandemic has even made this climate threat more pronounced with most urban dwellers still literally trapped in their cities, despite the lifting of lockdowns. Any effort towards greening the environment, whether involving manicured parks or through the present rewilding trend, will resolve these concerns, but urban rewilding

We are indeed entering a new era of living in our cities. Its development and progress will not be measured anymore by the amount of steel and asphalt that we see but rather by the livability that it can provide, as well as the way they are maintained by city dwellers. has its distinct advantages. For one, urban rewilding is less costly on maintenance. Plants and trees are left to grow in their natural state. No need for manicuring or trimming, more so no need for the use of fertilizers.

To lessen watering costs, it would do well that such rewilding efforts be near bodies of water like the Arroceros Park beside the Pasig River and the La Mesa Park near the watershed. And with this comes another benefit as forested areas literally mitigate flooding by acting like a storm water system.

With the expected increase in rainwater as a result of climate change, such a benefit cannot be ignored. Another benefit of rewilding is the richness of biodiversity where there is a greater chance of the return of birds of color and even fireflies, not just insects and the mayas that we are familiar with.

In some areas, fruit bearing trees can be incorporated to provide additional sources of food for the public.

Where can we have such urban rewilding? The good thing is that there’s an abundance of such possible

platforms, etc.). While Covid-19 definitely brought plenty of challenges, it is also true that new avenues are opening up for all because of the ways people are adapting to the changes.

House Bill 10107 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Bill has been approved on the third and final reading by Congress.

The bill aims to address some of the gaps as far as the Filipino creative economy is concerned. The book publishing industry and other related industries are definitely part of this umbrella. It does not stop there, however. I believe that more can be done for our authors and illustrators, for publishers and printers, including small presses and regional ones, and the other underrepresented sectors in the value chain. After all, the creative economy contributed 7.4 percent of our gross domestic product in 2014, a figure that could increase drastically due to the changes in work setup, formats, and platforms that are, again, happening because of the global health crisis. If only for this reason, the sectors within need to be given full support by both public and private sectors.

spaces in Metro Manila, both involving private and public properties. The university communities such as UP where you have already pocket forests, plus the Ateneo and UST; the church areas, the private subdivisions, among others, and even the public and private cemeteries. With government-owned properties, you literally have a lot. GSIS alone owns around a thousand or more hectares of unutilized open spaces in Metro Manila alone. We also have the military camps and the abandoned or semi-used buildings in almost all the cities in Metro Manila. Then we also have the underutilized easements of the railway, as well as the ones along the rivers and esteros. This will even discourage the unauthorized infraction on these easements. And with more parks and forests, it will come as a natural next step to take care of our neglected waterways, which also need our utmost attention.

We are indeed entering a new era of living in our cities. Its development and progress will not be measured anymore by the amount of steel and asphalt that we see but rather by the livability that it can provide, as well as the way they are maintained by city dwellers. Urban rewilding is therefore a good step in this direction.

Going back to how we lived before may be necessary in order for us to be assured of our survival in the future.

The author may be reached through e-mail: thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu

Opinion

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Vaccine mandates create conflict with defiant workers

By David Sharp, Mike Catalini & Stefanie Dazio | Associated Press

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BusinessMirror

The conflict over mandates is likely to grow in the coming weeks. The Biden administration is expected to move forward any day with the mandate that employers with 100 or more workers require all employees be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing, though enforcement likely won’t start for several weeks. The rule for federal contractors goes into effect in December, with no testing option, but many businesses, governments and schools are already implementing mandates. office.” More than 800 companies have posted, and more than 250,000 people have visited the site, he said.

Some states, including Texas, Montana and Florida, are gearing up to fight or undercut the Biden mandates. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order Monday barring any entity from requiring vaccines.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday he will call a special session to pass legislation to combat vaccine mandates, saying that, “in Florida, your right to earn a living is not contingent upon whatever choices you’re making in terms of these injections.”

Melissa Alfieri-Collins, a 44-yearold mother of two, said she resigned from her job as a nurse at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey, rather than undergo regular Covid-19 testing.

She said the hospital recognized her request for a medical exemption, but she objected to the requirement that only unvaccinated people get tested, arguing that even vaccinated people can spread disease.

“My family and I, we had a long talk, and I basically don’t want to compromise my values any more,” said Alfieri-Collins, who hopes to become a nurse practitioner and pursue her own holistic practice.

“I am very sad because I am the type of nurse that loves my patients and my patients love me,” she said.

Anthony Polenski, director of strategic partnerships for tech recruiting company Jobfuture.ai, said he’s seeing candidates who want to know, “Will this company force me to take a jab?” Polenski said they are often leaving previous employers because of a vaccine mandate.

“They don’t want their vaccination status attached to their employment,” he said.

At the shipyard in Maine, frustration is rising among union members.

On Friday, some 100 shipbuilders gathered outside the shipyard during their lunch break to protest being forced to get vaccinated. They marched down the street, holding signs decrying the mandate and using choice four-letter words that made clear what they think of the president and his vaccine mandates.

The union fears it could lose more than 1,000 workers, or 30 percent of its membership, over the federal contractor mandate.

Dean Grazioso, a 33-year Bath Iron Works employee, said he’s not anti-vaccine but that he knows vaccinated coworkers, friends and family members who’ve contracted breakthrough Covid-19 infections. Such infections are rare and vaccinated people who get Covid-19 usually have mild symptoms and are far less likely to be hospitalized or die.

The 53-year-old is still deciding whether to get the shot.

“I’m still up in the air,” he said.

“But I’ve got a huge decision to make.” Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey, and Dazio reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Anthony Izaguirre in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report.

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FREE-SIDENTIABLES: Leni Robredo–When pink and blue can turn into a rainbow

ATH, Maine—Josh “Chevy” Chevalier is a third-generation shipbuilder who hasn’t missed a day of work during the pandemic in his job as a welder constructing Navy warships on the Maine coast.

But he’s ready to walk away from his job because of an impending mandate from President Joe Biden that federal contractors and all US businesses with 100 or more workers be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

“People are fighting for their constitutional rights—the way they think their life should be,” said Chevalier, one of hundreds of employees at Bath Iron Works threatening to leave.

Chevalier is among a small but significant number of American workers deciding whether to quit their jobs and careers in defiance of what they consider intrusive edicts that affect their freedoms.

The Biden administration, public health officials and many business leaders agree that vaccine requirements are legal, prudent actions necessary to help the world emerge from a pandemic that has killed more than 700,000 Americans and nearly 5 million people worldwide.

The defiant workers make up a small fraction of the overall workforce, with many cities, states and businesses reporting that more than 9 out of 10 of their workers are complying with mandates.

But they have the potential to create disruptions in a tight labor market and have become the latest roadblock in overcoming the vaccine hesitancy that allowed the Covid-19 crisis to take a devastating turn over the summer. In many cases, the reasons for the objections are rooted in misinformation.

The refusers come from all types of occupations—defense industry workers, police officers, firefighters, educators and health care workers.

In Seattle, a group of city firefighters turned in their boots at City Hall on Tuesday to protest a vaccination requirement.

Thousands of people have sought religious or medical exemptions that were rejected; others won’t stand to be told what to do and have quit or been fired.

Nick Rolovich, the football coach at Washington State University, was let go from his $3.2 million-a-year job on Monday, along with four assistants. Rolovich, the first major college coach to lose his job over vaccination status, claimed a religious exemption but has declined to elaborate. He is suing.

The conflict over mandates is likely to grow in the coming weeks.

The Biden administration is expected to move forward any day with the mandate that employers with 100 or more workers require all employees be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing, though enforcement likely won’t start for several weeks. The rule for federal contractors goes into effect in December, with no testing option, but many businesses, governments and schools are already implementing mandates.

The US Chamber of Commerce and other groups that represent large employers have warned workers might simply migrate to jobs at smaller businesses where they don’t face vaccination requirements. That could create challenges for large retailers going into the holiday season, among other disruptions, the chamber warned.

Individuals who’ve left their jobs and are seeking work that doesn’t require vaccinations are sharing information on social media. Small employers looking for workers are turning to online job boards such as RedBalloon, where employers sign a pledge that they won’t make vaccines a condition for hiring.

Andrew Crapuchettes, RedBalloon’s founder and chief executive, said he started the online job board more than two months ago for people “who just want to work and don’t want to get into politics in the

Monday, October 25, 2021

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

Fifth in a series

L

et her change her hues. After all, no one is permanently committed to a choice of color. Flaky as it may seem, Vice President Leni Robredo surprised many with her new shade of PINK, or “Kalimbahin” in Filipino. There was no semblance of her previous political affiliation (yellow) in her attire when she filed her candidacy for President as she wore a blue ribbon against a dominant pink outfit. Yellow no more, perhaps trying to avoid the shortcomings and fading brand of the erstwhile ruling Liberal Party.

Apparently, this move is comparable to a wave “breaking upon the idle seashores of the mind”, to borrow the lines of American Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. What a revolutionary breaking, seen from Cebu to Cabanatuan, from Iloilo to Bicol, and even in the streets of Davao, as depicted in caravans of pink-wearing supporters. Kakampink (allies in pink) rallied behind the VP’s quest to restore decency and good governance in the Palace.

Maria Leonor “Leni” Gerona Robredo should no longer be considered just as the lawyer from Naga City, Bicol or just the widow of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. She had gone past those stages of being a lawyer, a widow, and a legislator! Being the Vice President should have easily qualified her as Presidentiable, as she may have undergone some kind of on the job training as compared to her competitors whose experience are limited to legislative affairs (Pacquiao) or gubernatorial/mayoralty experiences (Marcos and Moreno). To me, she is a servant leader who has unwittingly exceeded her venerable husband’s accomplishments.

Based on her heartfelt speech after filing her Certificate of Candidacy, I saw much purity in her intentions to do her very best for the country! As her basket of achievements as VP is already filled to the brim, one can expect so much more if she will be given the power of a Presi-

dent. Her flagship social programs like Áhon Laylayan Koalisyon, Angat Buhay, Istorya ng Pag Asa, and BISErbisyong Level Up will most likely continue and exponentially increase as the resources of a President are way more than a VP. More underprivileged citizens will be fed; more jobs and opportunities might be created.

She has shown much promise as the second highest executive in the land!

However, VP Leni, owing to her human rights background, can be seen as soft when it comes to matters where audacious action is critically required, as in the case of dealing with communist insurgents, Abu Sayaff extremists, and ruthless drug syndicates. Some of my former colleagues in the military profession anticipate that VP Leni might do what former President Cory Aquino did decades ago. Military unrest was at its highest as President Cory released from detention most if not all communist terrorists! Look how CPP leader Joma Sison has been calling the shots in this longest insurgency in the world—sitting comfortably in asylum from the Netherlands. This perception of softness may well be VP Leni’s Achilles heel. She may not have the boldness to combat enemies of the state, drug lords included. Further, her strong anti-Chinese position has turned off a few members of the Filipino-Chinese community.

While VP Leni has maintained a position grounded on sovereignty

and territorial integrity in the West Philippine Sea, I still believe that a reasonable compromise, without discarding the arbitral award, can positively contribute to international comity.

Her avid spirit as an activist and a human rights crusader can outweigh her supposed “soft and humane” persona. After all, VP Leni has mustered the courage to protest the current administration’s bloody drug crackdown, which led to an investigation by the International Criminal Court.

VP Leni has remained unperturbed by the ostracized treatment from the current administration and was wise enough to work on her own by raising funds from humble sources to finance her projects. Explaining the shift from the color yellow to pink, VP Leni has claimed that our fight is now bigger than before. She is actually fixated to fight, not only against the “return of the dictator’s son”, but also against bad governance, which is purportedly the root of all problems. Calling it a “rotten kind of politics”, VP Leni’s stance appears to be strong yet diplomatic, and demonstrably, her speech is decent and her behavior is very much refined compared with the others.

I find nothing vile, nothing dishonorable in her words and actions as they all showed courage, wisdom, and diplomacy. In fact, VP Leni somewhat displays the admirable characteristics of the Biblical Abigail, King David’s wife.

In the book of 1 Samuel 25: 14-42, we meet Abigail married to a rather atrocious man, Nabal, who refused to provide David and his men with food and shelter. Instead of helping, Nabal heaves insults at David. To prevent a possible disaster from coming down to their household, Abigail sends loads of food to David and asks him not to do anything rash in response to Nabal’s actions.

David granted her request; Nabal dies at the hands of the Lord a few days later, and David marries Abigail. Such story reminds us that a woman (or a man) of God, like Abigail or VP Leni, can be courageous, wise and diplomatic.

Courage, wisdom, and diplomacy comprise the three strong points of

our “free-sidentiable” Leni Robredo, similar to the Biblical character Abigail. Incidentally, both women have a Jesse in their lives. VP Leni was married to a Jesse while Abigail’s father-in-law was a Jesse (David’s father). Should the campaign team of VP Leni consistently project her servant leader image, exemplifying attributes of courage, wisdom, and diplomacy, she might make history by becoming the only rose who beat the many thorns to the presidency.

By then, VP Leni can shed off her color pink and blue and usher in the rainbow colors signifying hope, peace and new beginnings. More importantly, a colorful rainbow has its spiritual significance in our Heavenly Father’s covenant. In Genesis 9: 13 & 15, we find Noah receiving God’s promise never to harm humanity and all living creatures again with a great flood. Thus, uttered God: “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.... Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.”

Come Election Day, should the Filipino voters decide to “Let Leni Lead,” it is with fervent hope that she keeps her promise, conscious of the colorful rainbow symbolizing a promise-keeping God. Not only VP Leni, but all of us must emulate Him and strive to maintain that kind of candor and strength in keeping promises. For the Bible teaches us: “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’”(Matthew 5:33).

Should VP Leni be allowed to continue to walk her talk, then pink and blue will look like a “rainbow” in every Filipino’s eyes!

A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.

For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

Facebook dithered in curbing divisive user content in India

By Sheikh Saaliq And Krutika Pathi | Associated Press

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EW DELHI, India—Facebook in India has been selective in curbing hate speech, misinformation and inflammatory posts, particularly anti-Muslim content, according to leaked documents obtained by The Associated Press, even as its own employees cast doubt over the company’s motivations and interests.

From research as recent as March of this year to company memos that date back to 2019, the internal company documents on India highlights Facebook’s constant struggles in quashing abusive content on its platforms in the world’s biggest democracy and the company’s largest growth market. Communal and religious tensions in India have a history of boiling over on social media and stoking violence.

The files show that Facebook has been aware of the problems for years, raising questions over whether it has done enough to address these issues.

Many critics and digital experts say it has failed to do so, especially in cases where members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, or the BJP, are involved.

Across the world, Facebook has become increasingly important in politics, and India is no different.

Modi has been credited for leveraging the platform to his party advantage during elections, and reporting from The Wall Street Journal last year cast doubt over whether Facebook was selectively enforcing its policies on hate speech to avoid blowback from the BJP. Both Modi and Facebook chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg have exuded bonhomie, memorialized by a 2015 im-

age of the two hugging at the Facebook headquarters.

The leaked documents include a trove of internal company reports on hate speech and misinformation in India. In some cases, much of it was intensified by its own “recommended” feature and algorithms. But they also include the company staffers’ concerns over the mishandling of these issues and their discontent expressed about the viral “malcontent” on the platform.

According to the documents, Facebook saw India as of the most “at risk countries” in the world and identified both Hindi and Bengali languages as priorities for “automation on violating hostile speech.” Yet, Facebook didn’t have enough local language moderators or content-flagging in place to stop misinformation that at times led to real-world violence.

In a statement to the AP, Facebook said it has “invested significantly in technology to find hate speech in various languages, including Hindi and Bengali” which has resulted in “reduced the amount of hate speech that people see by half” in 2021.

“Hate speech against marginalized groups, including Muslims, is on the rise globally. So we are improving enforcement and are committed to updating our policies as hate speech evolves online,” a company spokes-

person said.

This AP story, along with others being published, is based on disclosures made to the Securities and Exchange Commission and provided to Congress in redacted form by former Facebook employee-turnedwhistleblower Frances Haugen’s legal counsel. The redacted versions were obtained by a consortium of news organizations, including the AP. Back in February 2019 and ahead of a general election when concerns of misinformation were running high, a Facebook employee wanted to understand what a new user in the country saw on their news feed if all they did was follow pages and groups solely recommended by the platform’s itself.

The employee created a test user account and kept it live for three weeks, a period during which an extraordinary event shook India—a militant attack in disputed Kashmir had killed over 40 Indian soldiers, bringing the country to near war with rival Pakistan.

In the note, titled “An Indian Test User’s Descent into a Sea of Polarizing, Nationalistic Messages,” the employee whose name is redacted said they were “shocked” by the content flooding the news feed which “has become a near constant barrage of polarizing nationalist content, misinformation, and violence and gore.”

Seemingly benign and innocuous groups recommended by Facebook quickly morphed into something else altogether, where hate speech, unverified rumors and viral content ran rampant.

The recommended groups were inundated with fake news, anti-

Pakistan rhetoric and Islamophobic content. Much of the content was extremely graphic.

One included a man holding the bloodied head of another man covered in a Pakistani flag, with an Indian flag in the place of his head.

Its “Popular Across Facebook” feature showed a slew of unverified content related to the retaliatory Indian strikes into Pakistan after the bombings, including an image of a napalm bomb from a video game clip debunked by one of Facebook’s fact-check partners.

“Following this test user’s News Feed, I’ve seen more images of dead people in the past three weeks than I’ve seen in my entire life total,” the researcher wrote. It sparked deep concerns over what such divisive content could lead to in the real world, where local news at the time were reporting on Kashmiris being attacked in the fallout.

“Should we as a company have an extra responsibility for preventing integrity harms that result from recommended content?” the researcher asked in their conclusion.

The memo, circulated with other employees, did not answer that question. But it did expose how the platform’s own algorithms or default settings played a part in spurring such malcontent. The employee noted that there were clear “blind spots,” particularly in “local language content.” They said they hoped these findings would start conversations on how to avoid such “integrity harms,” especially for those who “differ significantly” from the typical US user. Associated Press writer Sam McNeil

in Beijing contributed to this report.

A10 Monday, October 25, 2021

COMELEC SEEKS PUBLIC VIEWS ON IMPROVING POLL EXERCISE

By Samuel P. Medenilla

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@sam_medenilla

HE Commission on Elections is now trying to beef up its preparations for the 2022 polls through crowdsourcing.

During the weekend, the poll body invited the public to send their suggestions on how it could better conduct next year’s elections, which are particularly challenging for Comelec given its slashed budget amid new manpower and logistical requirements to ensure the exercise does not become a super spreader event for Covid-19.

The poll body is also continually tweaking its rules for the conduct of traditional activities by candidates and parties to ensure health protocols are not breached.

It said those who are interested may send their proposals at https://docs. google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIp QLSdPOM5FKnUpCCleHexB

dxsHghQWWJOkvI3eod71a zl_ARSjHQ/viewform.

“We want to know how we can further improve the voting experience for you,” Comelec said in its post.

Comelec issued the statement after it held its first voting simulation last Saturday, which primarily aims to test how the existing Covid-19 protocols could affect the election.

The event was held at the San Juan Elementary School in San Juan City.

Among the observations made by the poll body during the event was the tendency of voters to come early and late to voting centers during election day.

Also during the simulation, Comelec was able to successfully reduce the average processing time of Voters’ Assistance Desk to just 2 minutes, from 3 to 5 minutes.

Around 4,000 test voters from Barangays Balong-bato and Ermitaño in San Juan City participated in the simulation.

Despite pandemic delay, AFP pursues arms systems upgrade

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By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

HE Army is continuing to scout for the best weapons and arms for its forces in its ongoing capability upgrade program, one of which is by sending contingents to international defense and arms shows around the world.

Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said an Army contingent led by Army chief of staff Major Gen. Roberto Capulong just came from the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) 2021 held from October 17-21, 2021.

The Seoul ADEX, held at an airbase in Seoul, South Korea, is a biennial activity featuring defense events, including displays of cutting-edge technology weapons systems and equipment, academic symposiums and other defenserelated activities.

Trinidad said the activity provided Capulong and his team with relevant and valuable opportunities for networking and access to the latest capabilities across the ground, naval, and aerospace domains.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino emphasized the importance of the Army’s presence in the defense exposition at a time when the unit is building up its capabilities by acquiring modern arms and weapons.

“Our contingent to the ADEX in Seoul, South Korea [was meant] to get valuable information about the new technologies in defense hardware and equipment that will be useful in planning the procurement of military hardware for the

‘Overpricing, bribery, tax issues in documents hidden by Pharmally’

By Butch Fernandez

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@butchfBM

HE stubborn refusal by Pharmally executives, the siblings Mohit and Twinkle Dargani,

to produce basic business documents indicating the basis for their declared P7.2 billion cost of sales for face masks and shields they sold to government, indicates either overpricing or bribery or both, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said at the weekend.

Reminding that tax issues are also embodied in the documents senators are seeking, Drilon said in an interview with DWIZ the documents that were subjects of a subpoena duces tecum by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee will also provide clues on whether certain taxes were evaded or underpaid.

“Aba, ayaw pong sabihin kung magkano ang presyo ng kanilang binenta sa Procurement Service ng Department of Budget and Management [PS-DBM] dahilan siguro mayroong overpricing o dahilan siguro nakasaksak sa P7.2billion yung mga lagay na ginawa nila,” said Drilon. “Ang tanong ko sa kanila: iharap n’yo sa Senado ang basehan ng sinabi ninyo na P7.2billion na nagastos para ipambili ng face masks at shields na ibinenta ninyo ng P7.5-billion. Ganoon kasimple lang pero ayaw nilang sagutin. [They—Dargani siblings— refused to state the price at which they sold to PS-DBM; that’s maybe because there was overpricing or bribes they paid were tucked into these amounts. My question to them: Tell the Senate the basis of the P7.2 billion that you said you spent to buy face masks and shields that you sold for P7.5 billion. That was so simple, but they refused to respond to it].”

Drilon told DWIZ that this question is important as it may entail an “issue of taxation so that one can derive the net income and compute the tax” that Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. must pay.

Sadly, Drilon rued, “they refused to state these, so we cited them in contempt.” The Darganis have apparently gone into hiding since refusing to respond to senators’ questions at the 11th Blue Ribbon hearing. Staff of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms deployed to their declared addresses in Bonifacio Global City on Taguig came home empty-handed.

Drilon, a former Justice Secretary, affirmed the information they sought from the Darganis constituted a legitimate exercise of the Senate’s powers of inquiring in aid of legislation, as was “the information we sought from [Lincoln] Ong,” referring to the Pharmally director who was first to be cited for contempt and remains in detention at the Senate building in Pasay City.

“Our question to Ong was simply how much financial aid did Pharmally get from Michael Yang, but he refused to state this, so he was cited in contempt,” Drilon recalled. Yang, a Davao-based businessman and former presidential economic adviser whom President Duterte has staunchly defended as an honest investor, had claimed he had minimal engagements with Pharmally and only linked up the low-capital startup with Chinese suppliers of Covid-19 pandemic supplies.

Meanwhile, Drilon reiterated that the Senate stands on solid legal ground to go after the Darganis, citing the 1950s case of Arnault vs.

Nazareno.

“To us lawyers, it is an established principle that flight is evidence of guilt. If you run away, that is basis for presuming that you have committed an offense,” he added, referring to the Dargani siblings’ decision to make themselves unavailable to the Senate.

In the Arnault case, the Supreme Court held that the Senate has the authority to detain resource persons to compel them to respond to questions.

“This principle was unchanged in subsequent cases,” Drilon reminded, partly in Filipino.

“If you are being asked in a Senate inquiry, you must respond because we need that as basis for the law or policy we are trying to craft,” he added.

Moreover, Drilon clarified that detention of resource persons is “not a punishment; it’s not a jail sentence. That is meant to make people tell the truth.”

Besides the issues of overpricing, he adds that bribery, and taxation could be resolved if the Darganis submit the Pharmally documents being sought.

Senate probers said they also need to see the documents on P33 million in donations that Pharmally declared in its financial statement sent to regulators, “but without showing any basis for such.”

For instance, Drilon asked: “who received the P33 million in donations. Even the auditor [of Pharmally] admitted that she did not see a deed of donation. Pharmally deducted the P33 million in order to reduce the income tax they paid,” Drilon noted. Thus, he stressed, “we need to know if this was really donated or this was part of bribes paid. We simply asked to whom they donated this. If this was given to the private sector, there is a donor’s tax for this.”

Continued on A4

Philippine Army,” underscored Lt. Gen. Centino.

“The Philippine 2Army is geared towards the modernization and development of its capabilities. This endeavor strengthens our defense posture and enables us in dealing with the fast-evolving nature of security threats in our country and region,” he said.

The Army has been eyed to take possession of the first land-based missile battery for the country, courtesy of the Indian-made Brahmos missile, although its acquisition had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recently, the Philippine Navy took delivery of its European-made Mistral 3 missiles for its two brandnew frigates.

Parents told: Be sure kids get vaxxed against polio

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O ensure there will never be an outbreak again, the Department of Health, the World Health Organization UNICEF and Rotary International urged all parents to have their children vaccinated against preventable diseases, especially polio.

“While we have successfully eradicated polio, we have to ensure that there will never be an outbreak again and it begins with vaccination.

We call on the parents to ensure that your child gets their routine immunization so they can be protected against polio and other vaccinepreventable diseases, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

He recalled that in June 2021, the Philippines announced the closure of the polio outbreak in the country following 18 months of outbreak response which vaccinated over 11 million children, many of whom received polio drops during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Duque stressed that this month, the DOH has launched the ‘Catchup Routine Immunization’ to ensure delivery of National Immunization Program services to children.

“The vaccines for routine immunization are safe and free, just coordinate with your local health centers,” Duque added, partly in Filipino.

PRC commitment

MEANWHILE, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) marked #WorldPolioDay with the theme, “One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio–delivering on our promise of a polio-free world!”

PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon said, “The Philippine Red Cross puts a high premium on the health and welfare of children. We are always in pursuit of maximizing the number of children immunized since because this ensures not only their well-being but also their future.”

Despite the pandemic and existing vaccine hesitancy in the country, PRC volunteers and staff travel to far-flung places nationwide to support the DOH’s campaign in stamping out a polio outbreak in a 16-month drive that ended last June 2021, a feat commended by the WHO and UNICEF.

Protect people from polio

DOH launched the catch-up immunization campaign on October 13, 2021, starting in the National Capital Region.

See “Parents,” A2

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, October 25, 2021

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PSALM to appeal ERC order

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By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he power firms penalized by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for breaching the maximum allowable outage days this year will appeal the agency’s decision.

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) said last week it was “surprised” to learn that it was fined P980,400 for the excess unplanned outage of the Malaya Thermal Power Plant (MTPP) Unit 2 for 21.20 days.

The 350-MW MTPP Unit 2 was out for a total of 49 days but the annual maximum allowable unplanned outage was only 27.8 days for oil-fired thermal plants.

PSALM is of the position that there is sufficient ground to justify the shutdown of 2, which has not been in operation since March 3, long before the

red alert and yellow alert incidents in Luzon last May 31 to June 2 this year.

“Penalizing PSALM would be unfair because the Malaya Plant is actually way past its economic life already and it suffers from continuous deterioration in terms of reliability and efficiency.

Malaya was on shutdown long before the red alert and yellow alert,” PSALM President and CEO Irene Besido-Garcia said, adding that the state firm tasked to dispose the assets of the National Power Corp. is now preparing to file its motion for reconsideration.

PSALM stressed that the MTPP is a very old plant and is plagued with

obsolescence issues. That is why, PSALM said, it had been exerting efforts to privatize the power plant since 2018. MTPP was finally sold via a negotiated bid last May. It has openly expressed the need to rehabilitate the facility to improve its capacity and efficiency but the staterun firm has no funds to undertake the rehabilitation works. At the time of the red alert and yellow alert at the end of May, the privatization bid deadline concluded and the new owner was declared as the winning party.

“PSALM, at that point, could not implement any changes to the power plant. Any expenses shouldered by PSALM to improve the condition of the plant after the sale will expose PSALM to audit findings of the Commission on Audit,” said the agency.

Based on the report of Soosan ENS Co Ltd. (Soosan), the operator of the MTPP, the Unit 2 encountered a problem and was declared under forced outage last March 3, or long before the subject red alert and yellow alert.

Soosan immediately informed ERC and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines of the outage on

the same day. The assessment of the equipment required the outsourcing of a foreign company expert which could not be immediately procured because of the travel restriction due to pandemic. The only available automatic voltage regulator (AVR) company could not come in before the privatization deadline set on May 7.

Due to the successful negotiated sale and privatization of MTPP, PSALM said the said AVR assessment was no longer necessary since the new owner has the prerogative on how to repair MTPP. Further, the winning party, Fort Pilar Energy Inc. has its own plans for the rehabilitation of the plant.

“In view of these underlying reasons, PSALM will submit a motion for reconsideration to ERC to justify why no administrative penalty should be imposed on PSALM for the alleged violation of ERC Resolution No. 10, Series of 2020,” PSALM said.

Lopez-led Energy Development Corp. will also contest the ERC decision.“The company intends to seek reconsideration of this decision and will abide by the final directive of the ERC.”

CEB Bayanihan flights bring home 1,417 Filipinos

T

he Philippines’s leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB), brought home over the past two weeks 1,417 Filipinos from Dubai via seven special commercial or Bayanihan flights, to support the government’s

repatriation program.

The CEB special commercial flights from Dubai-Manila on October 11, 13, 18 and 20 and DubaiDavao on October 21-23 were mounted in coordination with the

Philippine government’s special working group.

Aside from meal upgrades, each passenger on these flights received an additional 25 kg baggage allowance.

Passengers have to comply with

health protocols, including a mandatory facility-based quarantine, and a swab test to be taken on the fifth day for the fully-vaccinated, or seventh day for non/partially vaccinated after arrival. Lorenz S. Marasigan

‘Online sellers must monitor social media’

O

nline retailers need to target their customers in social media platforms by adapting to trends and monitoring their behavior in the digital space, omnichannel solutions provider Hatch said.

In an interview with the BusinessMirror, Hatch CEO and Founder Joris Kroese said the social commerce strategy of businesses should consider which social media platform is best suited for marketing their products online.

Social commerce refers to the use of social media to promote, buy and sell products and services.

“Creating an effective social commerce strategy shouldn’t be difficult, but it does require thoughtful consideration of a brand’s target market from beginning to end,” he said. “This means first ensuring the platforms in use are

being harnessed to target the right demographics —TikTok might make sense for a brand reaching out to Gen-Zers but not so much for a brand selling domestic home appliances to a target demographic of older millennials.”

Kroese said there is a need for brands to check on which platforms their target customers spend most of their time, in addition to paying attention to social media trends “so that they know how best to capture their attention.”

Citing a report, the Hatch official said nearly half of consumers will not even transact with the brand of their choice if they are not present in their preferred channels. He said this proves that social media has become a crucial channel that online retailers need to recognize for overall business sustainability. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, October 25, 2021

Solon raises red flag over Chevron-Udenna deal

S

By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

enator Sherwin Gatchalian raised the red flag Sunday over the “defective and invalid” ChevronUdenna deal involving the Malampaya gas project.

“There is enough evidence that the decision rendered by the Department of Energy (DOE) to approve the sale of Chevron Malampaya’s 45 percent stake in the Malampaya gas project to the Udenna Group of Dennis Uy is defective and invalid,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Energy Committee warned.

In a statement over the weekend, Gatchalian said: “My opinion of this is that it is a defective approval, therefore, the approval is invalid because clearly there is a lot

of inconsistencies and any major transaction like this should not lead to confusion.”

The lawmaker lamented that “instead of us appreciating it, we got more confused by the DOE’s own admission that there is indeed confusion,” indicating the scrutiny into Udenna’s buy-out of Chevron in Malampaya just cropped up during the Senate panel’s hearing on the DOE’s proposed 2022 budget.

Gatchalian sought the clarification after learning from Energy

Secretary Alfonso Cusi that no prior approval by the government was needed in the Chevron’s transfer of its stake to Udenna’s UC Malampaya Philippines Pte Ltd. and that it was based on an evaluation using the “farm-in process” that, the senator noted, only made DOE’s explanation all the more confusing.

“Nowhere in the documents that the DOE submitted can you find the argument of using the farm-in [rule],” Gatchalian said, noting that “from day one, we were made to understand this should be approved by the government and the process will follow PD 87 and DC 2007.”

He was referring to DOE’s Department Circular 2007-04-003 prescribing the guidelines and procedures for the transfer of rights and obligations in petroleum service contracts under Presidential Decree 87.

Gatchalian recalled that the DOE earlier said “the government should not review and approve it, but the DOE is now saying it approved the

transaction but used a different method.”

He, however, added that “when I reviewed the documents, there is no such disclaimer that the DOE used a different method. So, all along in our minds the transaction went through the normal process of DC 2007.”

The senator then sought clarification from Cusi during the budget hearing as he dug up the statements given by DOE officials earlier to the Senate Energy Committee hearing in November 2020 affirming that the transaction between Udenna and Chevron requires prior approval of the DOE as stated under Section 11 of PD 87. Moreover, he recalled that the positions aired by the DOE through then Assistant Secretary Leonido Pulido and subsequent submissions by the department to the Senate stating that “the transfer of interest in the Malampaya gas field project must be approved by the department before it becomes binding and effective.”

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

Share prices rose last week, with the main index maintaining its position at the 7,200-point level, as optimists remained on the market ahead of the earnings season.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 76.15 points to close at 7,289.61 points.

The main index was up almost all week long, except on Friday when it gave up 22.11 points.

Volume of trade were higher, averaging at P8.34 billion, as foreign investors, who made up 41 percent of the trade, were net buyers at P1.03 billion.

All other sub-indices ended mixed, led by the broader All Shares index that gained 13.89 points to close at 4,462.70 points, the Financials index fell 21.62 to 1,552.25, the Industrial index rose 60.78 to 10,673.40, the Holding Firms index surged 246.36 to 7,327.42, the Property index added 24.40 to 3,354.58, the Services index dropped 28.38 to 1,874.62 and the Mining and Oil index declined 219.81 to 10,508.12.

For the week, gainers led losers 117 to 105 and 30 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers were Grand Plaza Hotel Corp., Basic Energy Corp., Makati Finance Corp., Benguet Corp. A and B shares, City and Land Developers Inc., Medco Holdings Inc. and Petron Corp.

Top losers were 8990 Holdings Inc., PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp., Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corp. A, Mabuhay Vinyl Corp., Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. and ATN Holdings Inc. B.

This week

Share prices may remain higher this week as investors take their position ahead of the third quarter earnings announcement of firms.

Broker 2TradeAsia said the main index will retest its 52-week high of 7,400 points by next week.

Bank of the Philippine Islands led the earnings season last week, which was within expectations.

“Our view holds that the remaining issues under our coverage should gyrate more or less the same earnings story... that is moderate organic EPS [earnings per share] expansion outside of base effects from last year,” it said.

The broker said earnings may be characterized by strong year-on-year figures but weak quarter-on-quarter figures.

BDO Unibank Inc., Manila Electric Co. and Wilcon Depot Inc. will report their earnings this week.

“At recalibrated forward earnings, the PSEi currently stands at 16 times P/E (price per earnings ratio); this seems comfortable level especially if third quarter earnings confirms that macro conditions have stabilized, at least for the cyclical sectors,” it said.

It sees immediate support for the main index at 7,100 to 7,150 points and resistance at 7,400 points.

Stock picks

Broker Regina Capital Development Corp. advised to trade the range on the stock of SM Prime Holdings Inc. as the stock is starting to cool down after last week’s rally.

“All indicators are still pretty bullish. Keep in mind, however, that SMPH is trading above its major moving averages so this could prompt a bit of profittaking. Nonetheless, we maintain that so far there are no signs of a possible downturn. This consolidation is a good thing that could pave the way for further uptrend in the midterm,” the broker said.

SM Prime shares closed last week at P36.35 apiece.

Meanwhile, the broker advised to sell on rallies on the stock of LT Group Inc. after its stock price spiked by more than 5 percent on a volume-backed rally during last week’s trade.

“All indicators are showing increased bullishness which could push the stock to a breakout. It closed just a few points below its P10.65 resistance. Note, however, that the sudden spike in share price also led to a spike in its volatility. This means that there are increased chances of a pullback,” it said.

Support price is seen on the stock at P9 and resistance at P11.

LTG shares closed Friday at P10.22. VG Cabuag

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

October 22, 2021

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

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

45.05 128 84.95 24.4 9.58 49.3 20.85 56.9 19.84 122 91.75 0.92 4.12 3.31 0.32 219 2,600 0.86

46 128.3 85 24.45 9.64 49.35 20.9 57 20.1 122.1 91.8 0.99 4.2 3.51 0.34 225 2,890 0.88

44.1 127.4 84.75 24.45 9.6 49.7 20.85 56.95 19.8 119.1 91.05 0.98 4.19 3.52 0.345 219.8 2,600 0.88

46.3 128.5 85.5 24.45 9.7 49.7 20.9 57 20.1 122.5 93 0.99 4.2 3.53 0.345 225 2,600 0.88

44.1 127 84.6 24.3 9.58 49.1 20.7 56.9 19.8 119 91.05 0.98 4.1 3.4 0.345 219 2,600 0.88

45.05 128 85 24.45 9.64 49.3 20.85 56.9 19.8 122 91.8 0.99 4.12 3.4 0.345 225 2,600 0.88

10,100 762,290 899,560 680,900 226,200 1,028,100 226,700 2,540 204,400 326,200 301,580 63,000 224,000 45,000 10,000 2,020 265 20,000

450,420 97,327,323 76,447,868.50 16,551,465 2,176,215 50,694,940 4,722,865 144,695 4,047,720 39,712,253 27,752,917 62,320 923,300 154,720 3,450 443,158 689,000 17,600

INDUSTRIAL

AC ENERGY ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO MANILA WATER PETRON PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER AGRINURTURE AXELUM CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP MG HLDG MONDE NISSIN SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VICTORIAS CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP HOLCIM MEGAWIDE PHINMA VULCAN INDL CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA EUROMED LMG CORP CONCEPCION GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR IONICS PANASONIC SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG

11.02 32.2 0.75 30.25 75.3 294 25.7 3.94 4.28 10.66 22.65 13.8 4.96 2.86 13.84 26.5 14.48 8.22 18.1 77 0.61 1.35 110 225.2 28.5 6.58 7.42 0.185 16.2 8.11 0.76 4.47 1.26 0.117 139.9 0.75 2.35 47 48.55 1.28 14.5 6.75 5.97 6.26 14.74 1.18 130.2 1.69 1.63 4 22 2.39 8.88 0.85 6.04 1.14 4.36

11.04 32.25 0.76 30.3 75.35 294.6 25.95 3.96 4.38 10.7 22.7 13.86 5 2.88 14.3 26.8 14.76 8.24 18.28 77.25 0.62 1.37 111 225.4 29.7 6.98 7.43 0.192 16.22 8.29 0.77 4.5 1.29 0.12 140 0.76 2.47 47.5 59 1.29 14.74 6.79 5.98 6.27 14.8 1.19 142 1.7 1.64 4.07 22.4 2.4 9 0.88 6.05 1.15 4.45

11.52 32.15 0.76 29.7 75.3 296.6 25.4 4.02 4.25 10.8 23.9 13.86 4.9 2.84 13.84 26.3 14.9 8.39 18.2 77.6 0.62 1.34 113 230.8 29.85 6.56 7.28 0.194 16.62 8.3 0.78 4.54 1.26 0.118 141 0.76 2.39 47 51 1.31 14.46 6.75 5.9 6.36 14.8 1.2 142 1.7 1.63 4.37 22 2.33 8.8 0.88 6.1 1.12 4.58

11.78 32.4 0.8 30.5 75.9 296.8 26.75 4.07 4.42 10.8 23.9 13.86 5 2.88 13.84 26.8 14.92 8.41 18.28 77.95 0.62 1.37 113 230.8 29.9 6.56 7.42 0.194 16.72 8.3 0.78 4.54 1.29 0.12 141 0.76 2.39 47 51 1.31 14.46 6.8 6 6.4 14.8 1.21 142 1.7 1.63 4.38 22 2.44 9.05 0.88 6.1 1.15 4.58

10.98 31.7 0.73 29.55 75.3 292.2 25.05 3.92 4.25 10.64 22.7 13.8 4.9 2.83 13.84 25.65 14.26 8.15 18 77 0.61 1.32 108.2 224 29.7 6.56 7.18 0.194 16.14 8.08 0.76 4.5 1.26 0.117 139 0.75 2.39 47 48.05 1.28 14.46 6.58 5.89 6.25 14.72 1.18 142 1.7 1.63 3.76 22 2.33 8.8 0.86 6.04 1.12 4.35

11.04 32.2 0.75 30.3 75.35 294.6 25.95 3.96 4.38 10.7 22.7 13.8 5 2.88 13.84 26.8 14.78 8.24 18.1 77 0.61 1.37 111 225.2 29.7 6.56 7.42 0.194 16.2 8.11 0.77 4.5 1.29 0.12 140 0.76 2.39 47 48.05 1.29 14.46 6.75 5.98 6.27 14.8 1.18 142 1.7 1.63 4.05 22 2.4 9 0.86 6.05 1.15 4.36

53,115,100 2,311,900 108,832,000 912,000 35,540 159,920 2,296,100 3,347,000 480,000 180,200 835,700 45,200 83,000 333,000 1,000 1,045,200 60,800 1,741,100 3,808,100 270,000 90,000 35,991,000 121,900 520,760 2,400 700 394,500 50,000 14,093,800 78,900 1,427,000 41,000 7,000 880,000 1,051,180 1,415,000 10,000 2,100 2,000 1,402,000 1,300 1,639,800 258,400 571,000 114,200 1,396,000 480 16,000 17,000 4,020,000 100 7,568,000 1,813,600 42,000 47,000 180,000 3,816,000

-2,051,843 -38,996,090 96,000 -5,307,090 55,005 -10,050 -2,346,075 -4,277,047.50 598,000 -

600,498,996 74,372,780 83,076,300 27,463,365 2,679,785 47,222,494 59,630,055 13,342,970 2,045,980 1,930,388 19,230,440 624,752 411,540 952,330 13,840 27,708,530 879,980 14,341,189 68,700,664 20,803,337 55,200 48,578,440 13,483,874 117,566,136 71,670 4,592 2,873,615 9,700 230,024,958 643,018 1,109,790 184,540 8,940 103,200 147,156,892 1,069,220 23,900 98,700 97,700 1,805,870 18,798 11,052,892 1,537,644 3,596,242 1,683,812 1,662,890 68,160 27,200 27,710 17,564,360 2,200 18,154,330 16,258,363 36,180 285,800 202,430 16,875,390

35,152,838 -1,950,765 -1,224,790 15,523,705 -730,895.00 4,036,964 -5,448,200 100,950.00 127,500 -651,320 -1,158,790 6,930 73,390 -25,830 14,423,105 -2,809,632.00 -11,351,740 201,113.50 -24,400 -82,960 3,726,293 1,440,004 -11,025 -21,128,942 -304,011 -433,250 37,500 5,070 25,800 -1,154,366 78,439 24,930 -7,766,130 -612,746 141,020

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.14 1.15 1.13 1.15 1.11 1.15 6,381,000 7,191,250 ASIABEST GROUP 5.26 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.26 5.26 1,100 5,820 869 870 870 873 861 869 152,340 132,376,910 AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY 51 51.3 52 52 50.25 51.3 850,820 43,678,551 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 10.76 10.78 10.98 11.12 10.78 10.78 4,709,100 51,324,902 AYALA LAND LOG 5.26 5.28 5.37 5.37 5.2 5.28 2,052,700 10,789,708 ANSCOR 7.2 7.25 7.25 7.25 7.2 7.2 55,100 396,865 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 163,000 149,960 ATN HLDG A 0.49 0.5 0.485 0.51 0.485 0.49 521,000 256,690 COSCO CAPITAL 5.09 5.1 5.09 5.1 5.08 5.09 696,000 3,542,682 DMCI HLDG 8.78 8.79 8.66 8.85 8.6 8.78 16,414,900 143,642,656 FILINVEST DEV 8 8.02 8.04 8.04 8.02 8.02 3,400 27,302 FJ PRINCE A 2.54 2.79 2.52 2.52 2.52 2.52 1,000 2,520 GT CAPITAL 563 565 573 573 561 565 114,100 64,430,280 HOUSE OF INV 3.67 3.82 3.65 3.67 3.64 3.67 48,000 175,420 JG SUMMIT 66 66.5 65.55 66.5 64.75 66.5 697,860 46,093,560.50 JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5.31 5.45 5.31 5.31 5.31 5.31 8,900 47,259 LODESTAR 0.62 0.65 0.62 0.65 0.62 0.63 306,000 192,990 LOPEZ HLDG 3.25 3.31 3.31 3.31 3.31 3.31 14,000 46,340 LT GROUP 10.2 10.22 10.46 10.46 10.16 10.22 10,317,100 105,539,234 METRO PAC INV 4.13 4.14 4.17 4.18 4.1 4.14 9,167,000 37,811,870 PRIME MEDIA 1.54 1.59 1.59 1.61 1.52 1.54 118,000 183,880 2.57 2.86 2.89 2.89 2.88 2.88 7,000 20,180 REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP 1.15 1.2 1.17 1.19 1.15 1.15 336,000 388,390 SM INVESTMENTS 1,030 1,035 1,032 1,041 1,020 1,034 196,005 202,777,465 SAN MIGUEL CORP 117 117.2 117 117.2 115.6 117.2 186,260 21,786,068 SOC RESOURCES 0.66 0.71 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.66 15,000 9,900 SEAFRONT RES 2.01 2.39 2.01 2.01 2.01 2.01 2,000 4,020 TOP FRONTIER 129.9 130 129 129.9 128 129.9 1,740 224,060 WELLEX INDUS 0.25 0.27 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 2,630,000 657,500 ZEUS HLDG 0.175 0.184 0.18 0.185 0.175 0.175 110,000 19,600

1,280,880.00 2,640 37,782,270 4,548,873 1,134,608 3,126 1,420,724 1,585,315 7,218 4,717,505 20,685,291 -40,057,818 10,238,170 -17,290 -5,850 9,913,705 21,970 8,750

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.64 0.68 0.66 0.68 0.66 0.68 140,000 93,150 AYALA LAND 37.45 37.5 38 38 37.25 37.5 2,291,400 85,980,885 1.05 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1,000 1,100 ARANETA PROP AREIT RT 41 41.2 40.6 41.7 40.6 41 299,300 12,353,990 BELLE CORP 1.36 1.39 1.4 1.4 1.39 1.39 426,000 592,240 A BROWN 0.88 0.89 0.87 0.88 0.87 0.88 25,000 21,950 CITYLAND DEVT 0.75 0.76 0.75 0.76 0.74 0.76 458,000 342,280 CROWN EQUITIES 0.116 0.117 0.118 0.119 0.118 0.118 120,000 14,180 CEBU HLDG 6.28 6.99 6.23 6.23 6.23 6.23 8,000 49,840 CEB LANDMASTERS 2.93 2.94 2.99 2.99 2.92 2.94 598,000 1,760,130 CENTURY PROP 0.455 0.47 0.465 0.47 0.455 0.47 3,410,000 1,598,800 DOUBLEDRAGON 10.54 10.58 10.46 10.58 10.46 10.58 582,100 6,128,662 DDMP RT 1.8 1.81 1.81 1.81 1.79 1.8 3,798,000 6,832,640 6.75 6.88 6.75 6.75 6.72 6.75 22,600 152,502 DM WENCESLAO EVER GOTESCO 0.33 0.335 0.34 0.34 0.33 0.335 6,090,000 2,015,900 FILINVEST RT 7.32 7.35 7.31 7.4 7.3 7.32 2,322,300 17,059,550 FILINVEST LAND 1.15 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.14 1.16 7,963,000 9,214,770 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.94 0.95 0.94 0.95 0.93 0.95 464,000 436,590 8990 HLDG 9.5 9.77 10.32 10.32 9.5 9.77 403,500 4,010,572 PHIL INFRADEV 1.2 1.22 1.2 1.23 1.19 1.22 362,000 438,730 CITY AND LAND 1.11 1.15 1.18 1.18 1.11 1.12 446,000 511,100 MEGAWORLD 3.14 3.15 3.14 3.17 3.1 3.15 16,994,000 53,533,550 MRC ALLIED 0.3 0.305 0.3 0.305 0.295 0.3 9,750,000 2,918,900 17.78 17.8 17.8 17.84 17.76 17.8 1,636,800 29,141,748 MREIT RT 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.53 1,560,000 813,090 PHIL ESTATES 2.03 2.08 2.2 2.2 2.01 2.08 366,000 758,920 PRIMEX CORP 6.81 6.85 6.79 6.91 6.78 6.85 3,025,000 20,679,311 RL COMM RT 17.3 17.36 17.6 17.8 17.12 17.3 1,825,700 31,805,654 ROBINSONS LAND 0.24 0.242 0.242 0.242 0.24 0.24 960,000 232,200 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.52 1.57 1.52 1.58 1.5 1.58 662,000 1,016,520 SHANG PROP 2.61 2.65 2.61 2.65 2.6 2.65 439,000 1,146,880 2.9 2.94 2.95 2.95 2.83 2.94 242,000 708,050 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 36.2 36.35 36.2 36.45 35.85 36.35 6,009,400 216,865,875 3.73 3.85 3.87 3.87 3.73 3.85 14,000 53,480 VISTAMALLS SUNTRUST HOME 1.47 1.49 1.46 1.49 1.46 1.49 61,000 89,960 VISTA LAND 3.76 3.77 3.76 3.8 3.76 3.77 343,000 1,296,920

SERVICES ABS CBN 14.9 14.92 14.7 14.9 14.62 14.9 266,600 3,932,500 GMA NETWORK 14.8 14.82 14.52 14.8 14.34 14.8 1,649,500 23,886,400 MANILA BULLETIN 0.41 0.43 0.435 0.44 0.435 0.435 70,000 30,500 GLOBE TELECOM 3,030 3,038 3,004 3,048 3,004 3,038 13,340 40,432,130 PLDT 1,606 1,610 1,622 1,630 1,602 1,606 95,855 154,265,745 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.097 0.098 0.1 0.1 0.097 0.097 96,280,000 9,439,540 CONVERGE 30.9 30.95 31.3 31.5 30.6 30.9 17,020,400 525,535,020 DFNN INC 3.23 3.32 3.06 3.55 3.02 3.32 907,000 2,946,050 DITO CME HLDG 7.3 7.32 7.2 7.5 7.14 7.32 8,516,500 62,563,837 JACKSTONES 1.95 2 2 2 2 2 2,000 4,000 NOW CORP 1.82 1.83 1.85 1.85 1.82 1.82 584,000 1,065,780 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.315 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.31 0.315 1,750,000 551,800 PHILWEB 2.25 2.29 2.28 2.29 2.25 2.25 73,000 166,330 2GO GROUP 7.92 8.06 8.1 8.1 7.91 8.06 70,000 562,209 ASIAN TERMINALS 14.5 15.92 14.48 14.5 14.48 14.5 900 13,042 CHELSEA 1.99 2 2.01 2.02 1.97 1.99 863,000 1,723,220 CEBU AIR 43.95 44 44 44.2 43.7 44 263,300 11,549,655 INTL CONTAINER 182.9 183 182.9 183 180.5 183 596,320 108,966,472 LBC EXPRESS 19.02 21.95 19 21.05 18.98 19.02 93,000 1,944,967 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 140,000 128,800 MACROASIA 5.42 5.45 5.53 5.58 5.41 5.45 850,900 4,639,763 METROALLIANCE A 1.7 1.73 1.75 1.75 1.73 1.73 13,000 22,620 1.04 1.05 1.04 1.06 1.03 1.05 281,000 292,090 HARBOR STAR 1.5 1.56 1.55 1.58 1.55 1.55 6,000 9,330 ACESITE HOTEL DISCOVERY WORLD 2.22 2.25 2.22 2.28 2.2 2.25 281,000 636,200 WATERFRONT 0.52 0.53 0.55 0.55 0.52 0.53 1,730,000 900,330 IPEOPLE 6.88 7.15 7.1 7.24 6.88 7.24 3,500 24,252 STI HLDG 0.355 0.36 0.35 0.355 0.35 0.355 760,000 266,450 BERJAYA 5.41 5.5 5.42 5.56 5.41 5.5 18,300 99,340 BLOOMBERRY 6.63 6.64 6.52 6.68 6.52 6.63 4,261,400 28,220,375 PACIFIC ONLINE 1.9 2.1 2.13 2.13 2.13 2.13 5,000 10,650 LEISURE AND RES 1.63 1.66 1.67 1.67 1.6 1.66 539,000 876,210 MANILA JOCKEY 1.76 1.8 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.76 5,000 8,800 PH RESORTS GRP 0.95 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.94 0.96 2,144,000 2,044,230 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.43 0.435 0.44 0.445 0.43 0.435 4,010,000 1,752,900 ALLHOME 10 10.12 10.28 10.28 10 10 524,400 5,265,194 METRO RETAIL 1.35 1.37 1.38 1.38 1.34 1.37 97,000 132,440 PUREGOLD 40.9 41.05 40.8 41.4 40.8 40.9 1,467,200 60,194,595 60.6 60.65 60 60.9 59.5 60.6 677,030 40,872,374 ROBINSONS RTL PHIL SEVEN CORP 90.1 96.95 94 97 90.25 97 1,610 150,022.50 SSI GROUP 1.24 1.25 1.25 1.27 1.23 1.25 1,564,000 1,935,820 WILCON DEPOT 28.2 28.4 28.35 28.8 28.15 28.4 1,201,000 34,055,460 APC GROUP 0.255 0.26 0.27 0.27 0.26 0.265 120,000 31,850 EASYCALL 4.6 4.97 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6 2,000 9,200 GOLDEN MV 528 539 539 539 539 539 390 210,210 IPM HLDG 7.05 7.08 7.05 7.06 7.05 7.06 84,800 598,635 2.07 2.39 2.07 2.07 2.07 2.07 50,000 103,500 PAXYS PRMIERE HORIZON 0.85 0.86 0.89 0.91 0.84 0.86 24,330,000 20,983,720 SBS PHIL CORP 4.23 4.24 4.25 4.25 4.22 4.23 18,000 76,060

MINING & OIL ATOK 6.88 6.97 6.88 6.97 6.7 6.97 99,900 688,246 APEX MINING 1.48 1.49 1.49 1.5 1.48 1.49 436,000 651,100 ATLAS MINING 6.41 6.43 6.64 6.64 6.42 6.42 1,696,100 10,967,070 BENGUET A 6.2 6.4 6.01 6.58 6 6.4 909,800 5,758,505 BENGUET B 5.96 6.16 5.9 6.35 5.5 5.96 227,800 1,356,936 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.285 0.295 0.285 0.295 0.285 0.295 260,000 74,350 CENTURY PEAK 2.78 2.79 2.7 2.78 2.7 2.78 10,005,000 27,013,900 DIZON MINES 5.5 5.77 5.5 5.51 5.5 5.5 11,900 65,465 FERRONICKEL 2.16 2.17 2.16 2.17 2.15 2.16 2,110,000 4,555,920 GEOGRACE 0.214 0.22 0.214 0.214 0.214 0.214 80,000 17,120 LEPANTO A 0.134 0.135 0.136 0.138 0.134 0.134 12,530,000 1,709,030 LEPANTO B 0.139 0.142 0.143 0.143 0.14 0.14 60,000 8,490 0.0094 0.0096 0.0095 0.0096 0.0095 0.0096 76,000,000 729,300 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B 0.0095 0.01 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 0.0096 6,000,000 57,600 MARCVENTURES 0.93 0.94 0.92 0.95 0.92 0.94 234,000 220,930 NIHAO 1 1.01 1.01 1.05 1.01 1.01 120,000 121,540 NICKEL ASIA 5.67 5.7 5.6 5.75 5.59 5.7 4,358,200 24,683,008 OMICO CORP 0.34 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 10,000 3,500 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.83 0.85 0.84 0.85 0.82 0.85 423,000 350,110 PX MINING 5.5 5.53 5.65 5.65 5.46 5.5 403,600 2,230,785 SEMIRARA MINING 27.5 27.6 28.25 28.25 27.5 27.5 1,898,200 52,827,305 UNITED PARAGON 0.0067 0.0069 0.0066 0.0067 0.0066 0.0067 12,000,000 79,700 ACE ENEXOR 18.9 19.16 19.68 20 18.56 19.16 374,800 7,165,230 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 7,800,000 85,900 ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.011 14,000,000 161,000 PHILODRILL 0.0096 0.0097 0.0097 0.0097 0.0096 0.0097 30,000,000 289,900 6.81 6.82 7.08 7.37 6.71 6.82 2,329,200 16,516,266 PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 101.5 101.8 101.9 101.9 101.8 101.8 19,970 2,034,942 HOUSE PREF A 100.8 101.9 101 101 101 101 130 13,130 AC PREF B1 520 525 520 520 520 520 1,100 572,000 ALCO PREF B 102 102.6 102.6 102.6 102.6 102.6 1,520 155,952 AC PREF B2R 524.5 525 524.5 525 524.5 525 26,000 13,649,400 CEB PREF 43.5 43.6 43.5 43.6 43.45 43.6 29,700 1,293,290 DD PREF 101.5 102 101 102.3 100.8 100.8 19,950 2,012,763 GTCAP PREF B 1,030 1,040 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 300 309,000 JFC PREF A 1,040 1,060 1,060 1,090 1,040 1,090 140 147,550 JFC PREF B 1,033 1,048 1,033 1,033 1,033 1,033 50 51,650 MWIDE PREF 101.2 101.4 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.2 70 7,084 PNX PREF 4 1,005 1,006 1,004 1,006 1,004 1,006 1,430 1,435,730 PCOR PREF 3A 1,111 1,144 1,145 1,145 1,145 1,145 85 97,325 SMC PREF 2F 79.2 79.25 79.25 79.25 79.25 79.25 107,070 8,485,297.50 SMC PREF 2H 76.1 76.3 76.2 76.2 76.05 76.1 14,140 1,076,022 SMC PREF 2I 79.25 79.5 79.5 79.5 79.5 79.5 12,000 954,000 SMC PREF 2J 76.25 77 76.25 76.25 76.25 76.25 40,270 3,070,587.50 SMC PREF 2K 76.15 76.95 76.15 76.15 76.15 76.15 230 17,514.50

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 14.1 14.48 14.1 14.1 14 14 63,700 895,960 GMA HLDG PDR 14.12 14.28 14.2 14.2 14.1 14.12 39,400 557,340

WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 1.29 1.3 1.36 1.36 1.3 1.3 2,312,000 3,052,900

5,995,200 -342,235 -4,210 44,510 -49,840 61,820 4,650 2,431,870 432,610 3,300 282,104 6,427,510 55,800 624,504 61,000 -15,792,430 -108,000 -18,203,356 1,040 -18,500 -1,617,031 7,751,134 2,620 5,004,805 355,070 10,892,260 -11,641,710 -296,580 -59,069,935 -332,600 8,075,351 9,200 9,450 383,377 642,400.00 978,780 -4,511,605 -546,000 -397,916 24,850 5,420 8,386,436 -23,750 17,600 2,735,178 2,154,925 12,434,105 75,000 -240,620 11,675,625 10,780 -521,900 4,230 6,710 109,369 -620 -26,986,100 10,800 2,513,130 -26,287 10,688,250 20,916 82,964 653,250 -352,872 - -141,000 -80,756

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART

17.1 1.89 3.95 3.31

17.4 1.91 4 3.32

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

110.8

110.9

17.04 1.88 3.95 3.4

17.8 1.96 3.95 3.42

17.04 1.86 3.95 3.32

17.4 1.91 3.95 3.32

2,000 126,000 3,000 3,830,000

35,316 242,060 11,850 12,924,640

949,900 -76,070

110.9 111 110.5 110.8 20,820 2,307,014 559,141

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Solons, fishermen urge govt to act on oil prices

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM &

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

S

USPENDING the excise tax on petroleum products is entirely in the Executive’s court, for now, if the purpose is to grant the public immediate relief as oil prices have continued to climb for the ninth week. The spikes in prices have been hitting fishermen hard, according to representatives of the sector.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon noted that Congress had already legislated Republic Act (RA) 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law, with its provision allowing for a halt in collection of the tax once a certain level of global oil price is reached for three months.

“As I recall it, under the Train law that we passed, $80 per barrel is the price threshold for oil prices that serves as basis for suspending the excise tax. Thus, we don’t need a new law. We will need a new law if we want to further lower the threshold below $80,” Drilon said in a radio interview over DWIZ over the weekend. He emphasized that Malacañang has the power to suspend collection.

“That’s up to Malacanang. The problem I think is the DOF [Department of Finance] does not want it,” the minority leader pointed out.

Billions to lose

THE DOF last week said the government stands to lose P131 billion in revenue from suspending the excise taxes, money badly needed to finance the continuing huge requirements of pandemic response, including both health-related interventions and for supporting economic sectors impacted by Covid-19.

“The problem is with the Executive. We all know that legislation takes time, but that kind of call [for suspension] requires immediate action,” Drilon said. “That is why Malacanang was given enough authority to give relief to our people.”

Last week, at least three presidential aspirants—Senator Panfilo Lacson, Manila Mayor Francisco Moreno and former Senator Fer-

dinand Marcos Jr.—sounded calls to consider temporarily halting the excise taxes, as a means of preventing additional pass-on costs to the people reeling from not just the pandemic but also the still-spiking oil prices.

On Friday, the chairman of the Senate Public Services committee, which has heard the dire situation of the transport sector, among others, weighed in on the matter.

Senator Grace L. Poe suggested that if the Executive can consider tweaking tariffs on imported pork to ease inflationary pressures and give the public relief, it should also consider doing similarly on excise tax on petroleum.

For citizen’s welfare

POE pointed out a temporary suspension will provide relief to jeepney drivers, delivery riders and those transporting farm products amid rising prices of gas and diesel.

“If the DOF was able to bring down tariffs to help bring down prices of pork and rice even as farmers and local producers were pleading against it,” the Executive should move as well to suspend excise tax on petroleum “for the welfare of our most affected citizens,” Poe said in an earlier statement. She cited budget documents showing collection of excise tax on petroleum reached P42.7 billion in 2019 and was programmed to hit P41.6 billion in 2020. Poe added this is projected to reach P47.9 billion this year.

Meanwhile, income tax collected from companies and enterprises reached P586.16 billion in 2019; was programmed to stand at P329.89 billion in 2020; and is expected to hit P304.83 billion in 2021, per figures cited by Poe’s office.

The Train law of 2017 imposed excise tax on petroleum products starting 2018. The excise tax on diesel started at P2.50 per liter in January 2018. The tax rose to P4.50 in January 2019 and to P6 in January 2020. For gasoline, the excise tax started at P8 a liter in January 2018, rose to P9 in January 2019, and P10 a liter in January 2020.

Jettying expenses

RISING oil prices have been deeply felt by the fishing sector, according

to the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), an organization representing small trawlers.

The average income of small fishermen who regularly consumes diesel for their motorized banca (trawler) has dramatically dropped to P120 per fishing trip from the already meager P300 “daily net income” prior to the series of oil price hikes, the Pamalakaya said last Sunday. The group said that prices of gasoline and diesel have accumulatively increased by P19.70 per liter and P18 per liter, respectively, since the start of the year.

Consequently, the Pamalakaya reported that the cost of production for small fishers have also swelled to P180 per fishing operation or a total of P720 additional fuel cost for a week of four fishing trips.

The Pamalakaya earlier lamented that the “unbridled fuel price increase has pushed the fishers to downsize their fishing operations because they can’t afford the additional fuel cost.”

Pamalakaya National Coordinator Fernando Hicap called for the urgent passing of the Petron ReNationalization Act and the Downstream Oil Industry Regulation Act. These bills, filed by the Makabayan bloc in Congress, essentially seek to reverse the deregulation of oil industry.

Move to ease

ADMINISTRATION Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go griped Sunday that spiralling upward oil prices in the world market is “an additional burden on Filipinos still reeling from the deadly Covid contagion.

In a statement issued over the weekend, Go aired an appeal to various government agencies, including the departments of energy, agriculture and transportation to consider granting “fuel discounts or subsidy for “strategic sectors,” including public transport and food deliveries, among others.

“Sa pagbibigay ng discount o subsidy, mas mapapagaan natin ang bigat na dulot ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis,” the senator suggested. [By providing discounts or subsidies, we can ease the burden of rising oil prices.]

‘Tax firms to offset losses from oil levy’

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

T

he revenue losses that could emanate from the proposed suspension of oil excise taxes can be easily offset by corporate income taxes, according to Ibon Foundation Inc. Ibon said corporate income taxes, especially if the tax cuts under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) were suspended, can generate additional revenues for the government.

The group said suspending the fuel excise taxes would provide a much-needed reprieve for Filipino households, especially Jeepney drivers, who have adversely been affected by rising oil prices.

“These immediate measures are doable and will help lower domestic oil prices and ease inflationary pressures, substantially mitigating the burden of global oil price hikes on

the poorest. Longer-term solutions should also start to be seriously considered,” Ibon said.

Ibon said from August 23 to October 15, the price per barrel of Dubai crude increased by $15.95, Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) gasoline by $19.05, and MOPS diesel by $22.65.

This has translated to eight consecutive weeks of price hikes in the country. Ibon said during this time, the price per liter of diesel increased

by P8.70, gasoline by P7.25, and kerosene by P8.10.

This means, Ibon said, jeepney drivers have to pay P95.70 more for 11 liters of diesel per day. Farmers have to pay P1,653 more for 190 liters of diesel per hectare per cropping season.

“Rising oil prices increases the prices of basic goods and services and fuels inflation. This is worst for the poorest 30 percent of the population for whom inflation is higher than the

national average,” Ibon said.

The national government stands to lose P131.4 billion next year if fuel excise taxes are suspended in response to rising oil prices, according to the Department of Finance.

In a memorandum to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, DOF Revenue Operations Group Undersecretary Antonette C. Tionko said the only way to suspend the fuel excise taxes under the TRAIN law is through legislation.

Tionko added that the “substantial revenue loss” could affect the government’s Covid-19 recovery measures for next year.

Based on the estimates, Tionko said the bulk of the total foregone revenues if excise taxes are suspended will comprise incremental excise revenues under the TRAIN Law which amounts to P106.7 billion. The remaining P24.7 billion will be derived from baseline excise revenues.

ALI offers free rent to social business

P

roperty developer Ayala Land Inc. said over 400 social enterprises are now hosted in its commercial properties as of October this year, as part of its program to help communities recover from the pandemic through livelihood opportunities in its properties.

The said program is allocating rentfree spaces in its malls and estates to jumpstart the growth of of these small firms. The company said its program was designed to help local communities and small businesses affected by the pandemic through livelihood and job creation. Its company-wide rollout

entailed the mobilization of all Ayala Land business units, and a large-scale implementation across its 32 malls nationwide.

“The program has been successful particularly in its objective of engaging and encouraging social enterprises to start or reopen their businesses to support livelihood and employment for the community. At least 3,000 jobs were generated since we started the program in May. Our malls and developments have provided these social enterprises with direct access to customers, allowing them to promote their unique, locally-authentic prod-

ucts to a larger market,” the program’s council ordinator for Ayala Malls Jinky Aguinaldo said.

Aguinaldo said the rent-free spaces were provided to these firms and various cooperatives across the company’s developments.

“We work to assist and promote social enterprises because they support vulnerable communities in different parts of the country. This program aims to offer sustainable livelihood and long-term benefits for the community, as their products and services potentially become part of Ayala Land’s value chain,” she said. AP

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Monday, October 25, 2021

B3

Govt collects ₧13.06B from tax amnesty tack

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected a total of P13.06 billion from its two tax amnesty programs since these were implemented in 2019.

Finance Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen M. Napao said that the government’s main collection agency raised P7.89 billion from tax amnesty on delinquencies while another P5.17 billion came from estate tax amnesty program.

Napao told reporters in an interview that about 6,099 individuals availed of the tax amnesty on delinquencies as of September 7 while a total of 67,823 availed of the estate tax amnesty.

The applicability period for the tax amnesty program on delinquent accounts, which was offered in 2019, has already ended in June this year after it

was extended in line with the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11494. The law, also known as the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, allowed the extension of statutory deadlines and timelines to ease the taxpayers’ burden as the country grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under the tax amnesty program on delinquencies, taxpayers with delinquent accounts were allowed to take advantage of lower rates to settle their obligations. This also provided an opportunity to unclog the administrative and judicial dockets of slow-moving cases.

Meanwhile, the applicabil-

ity period for the estate tax amnesty program, which also started in 2019, is still ongoing after it was recently extended for two years or until June 14, 2023.

The program provided a one-time opportunity to settle estate tax obligations as well as to avail of reasonable tax relief to estates with deficiency estate taxes.

The estate tax amnesty covers the estate of decedent/s who died on or before December 31, 2017, with or without assessments duly issued, and whose estate taxes have remained unpaid or have accrued as of December 31, 2017.

The BIR targets to collect P2.081 trillion this year. As of end-September, it has so far collected P1.54 trillion, equivalent to 74 percent of its full-year collection goal.

The government hopes to raise more revenues this year to cover the expected higher budget deficit on the back of higher expenditures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee projects the budget deficit to reach a new record high of 1.86 trillion or 9.3 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Explainer BusinessMirror

B4 Monday, October 25, 2021

www.businessmirror.com.ph

How China flights near Taiwan inflame tensions A

By David Rising Associated Press

recent spate of Chinese military flights off southwestern Taiwan has prompted alarm from the island, which Beijing claims as its own, and is increasing tensions in a region already on edge.

The flights are one piece of a complex puzzle in Asia, where the United States and its allies have stepped up their naval maneuvers and Australia announced last month it is acquiring nuclearpowered submarines in a deal seen as a direct challenge to Beijing.

Meanwhile, Japan has grown increasingly vocal about China becoming a security threat.

Experts agree that armed conflict is not imminent, but as military activity increases, there are growing fears that a mishap or miscalculation could lead to an unintended escalation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Beijing and Washington last month to repair their “completely dysfunctional” relationship, saying “we need to avoid at all cost a Cold War.” Here are some of the issues at play:

Thunder Tiger Aerobatics Team fly over President Office during National Day celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, October 10, 2021. AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying

Japan has long been cautious with its relations with China, a key trading partner, but now increasingly views the country as a security threat. New Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said dialogue with China is important, but Japan should also team up with like-minded democracies and step up its security alliance with the US and other partners.

What are China’s goals?

China portrays its military profile as purely defensive, arranged to protect what it says are its sovereign rights from Taiwan to the South China Sea and its long, disputed mountain border with India. The US and many of China's neighbors see that stance as aggressive and have bolstered their own presence in hopes of arresting China’s efforts to unalterably change facts on the ground.

China, after years of rising military spending, now boasts the world’s second largest defense budget behind the US, totaling about $209 billion this year. That has allowed the development of advanced weapons systems including the J-20 stealth fighter, hypersonic missiles and two aircraft carriers, with a third under construction.

President X i Jinping , a lso commander of the People’s Liberation Army, has overseen the construction of military facilities on man-made islands in the South China Sea meant to extend China's territorial waters, and stated that bringing Taiwan under Beijing’s control cannot be left to the next generation. His threats toward the self-governing island democracy have been amplified through military exercises along the coast opposite Taiwan and the flying of large numbers of Chinese warplanes into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, including a singleday record of 56 on Monday, capping a total of 149 flights over a four-day period.

Xi is to deliver a speech Saturday on the eve of Taiwan’s National

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, right, and Yu Shyi-kun, speaker of the Legislative Yuan, cheer with audience during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, October 10, 2021. AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying

Day. The unusually high-profile address will be watched carefully for signs of outreach to the Taiwanese public or any hardening of China’s line.

What is the US role?

The US, with bases in Japan, South Korea and Guam, has a large military presence in the region and has been pursuing a “pivot” in focus toward the Indo-Pacific to counter China's increasingly assertive posture.

In a speech this week, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told cadets that China would be the “challenge that will define your naval careers,” saying Beijing is using its military leverage to “threaten its neighbors, challenge established norms, and attempt to control international waters as its own.”

“Our job is to preserve the peace by making sure the People’s Republic of China doesn’t gain military leverage over the United States or our allies and partners,” he said.

To that end, the US regularly holds exercises in the region with multiple allies, including a recent one involving 17 ships from six countries that took place northeast of Taiwan off the Japanese island of Okinawa at the same time as the Chinese flights south of Taiwan.

Washington’s longstanding

What’s Europe’s involvement?

Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF) fly in close formation during National Day celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, October 10, 2021. AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying

policy has been to provide political and military support for Taiwan, while not explicitly promising to defend it from a Chinese attack.

Though the US has no bases on Taiwan, American officials confirmed this week that special forces have been training with the Taiwan military for more than a year, including maritime operations with Marine commandos in recent weeks.

US military support for Taiwan is “based on an assessment of Taiwan’s defense needs and the threat posed by” China, Pentagon spokesman John Supple said.

Last month before the UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden did not mention China by name but emphasized that the US would “stand up for our allies and our friends and oppose attempts by stronger countries to dominate weaker ones.”

What is Taiwan’s position?

Taiwan is chiefly concerned with shoring up its de facto independent status while maintaining economic links with China and avoiding a military clash.

While Taipei and Washington have not had official diplomatic relations since the US switched ties to Beijing in 1979, US law requires that Washington assist Taiwan in maintaining a defensive capability and treat threats to the island as a

matter of “grave concern.” That has included sales of advanced radar systems, fighter jets and warships that have angered China.

Along with purchasing arms from the US, President Tsai Ingwen has boosted the domestic military industry, particularly development of submarines considered crucial to defense, but which Taiwan has been unable to buy from abroad due to Chinese pressure. Taiwan will display some of its arms on Sunday at the first National Day military parade held since Tsai took office in 2016.

Taiwan is also fighting back against a Chinese campaign to isolate it diplomatically, hosting US officials on recent visits and this week a delegation of French senators and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who accused China of being a bully and expressed enthusiastic support for Taiwan’s government amid a sharp downturn in relations between Beijing and Canberra.

What about other regional players?

Australia made a strong statement last month when it announced it was scrapping a $66 billion deal with France for dieselpowered submarines in favor of a new pact with the US and Britain for nuclear-powered subs.

The decision was seen as a doubling down on the Australia-US alliance at a time when China is pressuring Australia with tariffs and import bans. Beijing slammed the deal, under which the US and UK will help Australia construct at least eight submarines, calling it “highly irresponsible" and saying it would “seriously damage regional peace and stability.”

The leaders of Australia, the US, Japan and India—a group known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—met in Washington shortly after the submarine deal was announced for broad talks that included discussions on how to keep the Indo-Pacific “free and open.”

India has joined regional maneuvers, significantly sending ships through the South China Sea to take part in exercises with the U.S., Japan and Australia off Guam in August, whose purpose New Delhi said was to show a “commitment toward freedom of navigation at sea.”

China and India are involved in a land border dispute that led to clashes this year and last year.

India has also been concerned with the increasing presence of Chinese research vessels and fishing trawlers in the Indian Ocean region, which are allowed under international law but it suspects are collecting data for military purposes.

Britain has recently been among the most engaged in the region, combining an enhanced diplomatic outreach with the dispatch of a carrier strike group on a 28-week deployment as it pursues a “tilt” toward the Indo-Pacific recommended by a British government review of defense and foreign policy.

As a maritime trading nation, Britain has emphasized the need to keep commercial shipping routes free and has been using its naval presence to reinforce established international lanes, such as sending the frigate HMS Richmond through the Taiwan Strait in a move criticized by China as a “meaningless display of presence with an insidious intention.”

The European Union last month unveiled its own strategy to boost political and defense ties in the Indo Pacific, emphasizing the need for dialogue with Beijing but at the same time proposing an enhanced naval presence and greater security cooperation with regional partners.

France has regularly sent naval vessels to the region, and at the moment both the Netherlands and Germany have ships taking part in ongoing exercises with the US and other navies. More than enhancing the military presence, the wide range of forces involved is a way to counter the Chinese position that it is reacting to unilateral American actions.

In his speech, US Navy Secretary Del Toro said there was “no substitute for the shared experiences of allies working together to deter our adversaries.”

Style

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Monday, October 25, 2021

B5

Gino Gonzales, a musical, historical accuracy, and modern aesthetics Gucci growth slows on pandemic impact

By Angelina Rascouet Bloomberg News KERING SA shares tumbled after slowing growth at Gucci, its biggest brand, put more pressure on the label’s new collection to deliver a strong holiday season.

Comparable sales at the Italian brand rose 3.8 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier, Kering said in a statement on Tuesday. Analysts had forecast a 9.3 percent increase.

The performance suffered from virus restrictions, which hindered demand in China, New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere, Jean-Marc Duplaix, Kering’s chief financial officer, said on a call with reporters.

The stock fell as much as 5.8 percent in early Paris trading.

Gucci, which generates more than half of Kering’s revenue, released its Aria collection near the end of last month. The line, which celebrates the brand’s centennial, features suede jackets and flowery patterns reminiscent of the 1970s. Gucci is particularly reliant on new products driving demand, so shoppers’ reactions are being closely watched.

In a call with analysts, Duplaix said he expects Gucci sales will get a boost from Aria, adding the group is pleased with its pricing strategy and recent sales trends. The line’s product mix is also broader, widening its appeal, Duplaix said.

PARTY POSTPONED “THE Gucci party is postponed,” Bernstein analyst Luca Solca wrote in a note after the results. Gucci continues to perform behind other “mega brands” such as a LVMH’s Louis Vuitton, he added.

Kering’s sales for the first nine months of 2021 totaled €12.2 billion ($14.2 billion), surpassing 2019 levels. Saint Laurent posted the best performance during the third quarter, with sales at the Parisian brand surging 28 percent.

LVMH, the owner of brands including Louis Vuitton and Dior, last week said it’s on track to top 2019 revenue levels, showing how rapidly some luxury giants have bounced back. Hermes International will report sales on Thursday.

The movie House of Gucci, which recounts the 1995 murder of family heir Maurizio Gucci, is set for release next month. The film, starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver, should bring fresh attention to the brand during the holiday shopping season, Claire Roblet, head of investor relations at Kering, said during the call.

Another event that will be closely watched is the release of the Gucci and Balenciaga “hacking” collaboration which is due to release next month as well, Roblet added. The project, which was unveiled in April, features jackets and white suits with both brands’ names and logos on them.

O

N its 90th year, the Manila Metropolitan Theater (Tanghalang Pangkalakhan ng Maynila; informally the MET, officially the NCCA Metropolitan Theater) is reclaiming its old glory as a cultural enclave. It will host the staging of Lapulapu, Ang Datu ng Mactan, its first theatrical production since it closed in 1996.

The musical, directed by Dexter Santos, was shot virtually owing to Covid-19 restrictions. It is part of the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, the Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors, and the National Indigenous Peoples’ Month. It started streaming on October 24 on the Facebook page of The Metropolitan Theater, and cross-posted on the pages of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, among others. NCCA chairman Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso spearheads the project as artistic director.

The sweeping historical play includes the Victory at Mactan in 1521, as seen by Lapulapu (Arman Ferrer), the circumnavigation of the world by Ferdinand Magellan (Andre Tiangco), as told by Juan Sebastian Elcano (Robert Barbers); and the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines, as seen from the lens of Reyna Juana (Cara Barredo). This meta tale explores how history, and what people choose to be the lessons from it, contribute to the cultural identity and to the strength of any nation.”

Along with the libretto (by Nicolas B. Pichay) and music (by Krina Cayabyab), the costumes are integral to the storytelling. Tasked to drive the narrative visually is Gino Gonzales, who is also the musical’s production designer.

Gonzales is an exhibition designer and scenographer who has worked on stage, film, TV and event productions. He is a protegee of and heir apparent to National Artist for Theater and Design Salvador Bernal. With Mark Lewis Higgins, he is the coauthor of Fashionable Filipinas: An Evolution of the Philippine National Dress in Photographs (1860-1960). The TernoCon is his brainchild.

The excitement over the MET’s reopening, working on precolonial garments and wanting to see the renovated interiors of the building up close sparked Gonzales’ interest in the project.

“I had to retrieve my research materials for [the GMA qusi-historical series] Amaya, which were fortunately intact and organized in clear books,” Gonzales said of the work process, detailed below. “I also reread William Henry Scott’s Barangay: SixteenthCentury Philippine Culture and Society and eyewitness accounts by Pigafetta to sort of get back into the swing of things.”

The challenge of creating and sourcing materials for the costumes “These were all sourced during the incessant lockdowns, which prevented us from going to

traditional sources, like Divisoria. I was looking at upholstery material and shawls at the Landmark.

Ordering whatever could be found online. At some point, I even had an old prop curtain dismantled to create one of the priest’s vestments. I also asked Len Cabili to help us have a textile for Lapulapu woven in Mindanao. Whenever there was a chance, I dropped by a nearby Fabric Warehouse but you can imagine that they really wouldn’t have indigenous textiles, so I had to look for things that resembled them. I would squint my eyes at their rolls to kind of imagine what could pass off as period patterns.

“For Magellan, I opted to work with an older silhouette of men’s dress rather than the popular iconography, which you see in contemporary renderings of the Battle of Mactan. The white ruffs, padded doublet, and breeches. Many of the Western costume history books situate those clothes at a much much later date, closer to Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s arrival.”

The process before ideas are rendered into sketches, to melding concepts with the director’s visions, and then to being satisfied upon seeing the costumes worn by the actors “I normally draw only after reading the script and meeting the rest of the artistic team. Then I worked with a team of two assistants, composed of Martha and Rowel, to assemble the materials.

“When I see them on actors, I don’t always have a sense of satisfaction. And that’s the truth. The sketch will rarely look 100 percent like the real thing. You’d be lucky to achieve a good 70 percent. So I try to tweak the actual execution in favor of the actors’ physiques and personalities. After all, the clothes are not ends in themselves. It’s not like I’m doing a fashion show.

The clothes onstage are merely tools for actors to tell a story.”

cast and crew. Measurements and fittings were done outdoors. Once at a parking lot at the CCP and at the garage of my base of operations. The performers who lived outside of Manila had to follow a video tutorial prepared by my assistants to do the measurements on themselves. The final fitting was done online. I was never at the actual production bubble. So a very experienced team took over for me. We were in touch via Zoom and Viber.

“Some of the greatest difficulties included the ever-shifting casting. Since the production had to be postponed a few times in compliance with the government’s safety regulations, we’ve had quite a number of casting relays and the body types were hardly ever similar. And in such an unusual situation, you have to make fast and sensible decisions. If this were 2018, I would have had the garments dismembered or completely changed right away. But this scenario challenged the team’s ability to find quicker solutions, such as unbuttoning doublets.

“We were actually fortunate to end up with a very cooperative and understanding cast, a group of troopers.”

Attending to fittings, rehearsals and performances: the challenges, protocols-wise “I only had a few face-to-face meetings with the

Historical accuracy and modern aesthetics coming into play “I tried to balance both. After all, this was initially conceived as a live musical for the theater, not a TV documentary. So clothes were built to be seen from a distance with predetermined color palettes for groups of people. I made a conscious effort to contrast the ‘natives’ with the ‘foreigners’ by using a lot of pattern on the former and more somber, solid colors for the latter.

“And I had to consider the fact that there was a lot of dance movement involved, with Dexter Santos at the helm. So clothes had to be built like dance costumes. Draping was anchored on a base to keep them from falling apart during the show. Gussets were added under arms for movement. Headpieces were interlined with rubber crepe soles to keep them in place—the usual tricks for the stage.” n

What I like about the Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream is its lightly hydrating formula. It seems strange to say that a matte lip cream is lightly hydrating but in this case, that’s what it is.

Another Y.O.U. Beauty product is Colorland Mousse Lip Stain, an online exclusive item, which I have not tried yet.

We asked Cai what five products she would recommend from Y.O.U. Beauty and these were her picks: n The Radiance White Nourishing+ Serum. “This contains the optimum amount of Niacinamide [at 5 percent], which is enough to deliver its skin-care benefits but not too much to cause sensitivity. If you have been staying indoors for too long due to the pandemic, you definitely need this in your arsenal.” n Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream. “Usually, you wouldn’t expect hydration in a matte lip product yet this seemingly paradoxical concept worked well on our product and we’re all so obsessed. Personally, I find my lips hydrated and soft to touch after removing my makeup. I use this on my cheeks and eyelids as well on days when I want to pull off a

monochromatic look.” n Noutriwear+ Velvet Liquid Foundation. “A full coverage, 24-hour wear foundation infused with skin-caring ingredients. It was love at first application for three good reasons: fresh, flawless effect; Litestay Technology for lightweight, breathable wear; and Immortelle C-lock Essence packed with skin benefits.

Perhaps the most flattering review we’ve ever received is that it looks like airbrush makeup upon application.” n Teardrop Brow Definer. “No bias but this is the easiest and best brow product I’ve used within the price range. I never repeated doing my brows whenever I use this together with our Extra Slim Brow Pencil.” n Biomecera Advanced Booster Serum. “We haven’t launched this yet but this is a product that skin-care gurus certainly have to watch out for. All I can spill for now is that this product is packed with technology-infused and trademarked ingredients to reinforce your skin’s natural barrier day and night.”

All Y.O.U. Beauty products are available at the brand’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.

Beauty that’s all about you

WHEN Y.O.U. Beauty launched in the Philippines in August, the Hebe Beauty Group brand first brought to the market a skin-care line for brightening and radiance, plus a range of matte cream lipsticks.

The Y.O.U Beauty Radiance line, its best seller in Indonesia and other Southeast countries, includes five products that clarify, refresh, nourish and protect an all-day glow. These are the White Purifying Facial Foam, Radiance White Essential Toner, Radiance White Nourishing+ Serum, Radiance White Advanced Day Cream and Radiance White Active

Night Gel. The brand has other skin-care products, including the popular Biomecera Advanced Booster Serum, but these haven’t been launched here yet.

“We intend to work on the pre-mature aging concept first. This year, we will navigate an underserved need, as well as explore the anti-aging market to add to our product lineup,” said Diana Cai, product director for Y.O.U. Beauty in the Philippines.

Another star product that Y.O.U. Beauty brought to the Philippines is the Rouge Velvet Matte Lip Cream, which comes in 19 shades. I’m not a fan of most liquid lipsticks because my lips are quite dry but I liked these because they’re quite lightweight, easy to apply, went on smoothly and dried quickly to a soft matte finish and not the crackly matte look we associate with products like these. The lip creams are also transferproof, although I did not wear them under a mask. I just based this on blotting my lips with a tissue upon application.

The colors I like are Honey, Coco, Kelly and Adorable. The MLBB shades—the nudes and pinks— are quite nice, too. It’s just that I prefer my lipsticks more vivid in color.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL SUGANO

B6 Monday, October 25, 2021

Security Bank Foundation turns over classrooms in Catarman, Northern Samar

S

ECURITY Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Security Bank, turned over two school buildings, with six classrooms each, on September 3 and 16, 2021.

The beneficiary schools were Washington National High School and University of Eastern Philippines

Senior High School. Aside from the new classrooms, these schools also enjoy free regular training programs for its teachers and school principals, as well as other learning support interventions for its students.

Catarman Municipal Mayor Hon. Francisco Rosales, Jr. thanked SBFI for donating new school buildings,

AT TURNOVER RITES, FROM LEFT: Regidor Edward Chan, Security Bank Catarman Branch business manager; Sherry Sosa, Catarman LGU representative; Dr. Cherry I. Ultra (University of Eastern Philippines president; Dr. Davy Aplan, DepEd Northern Samar Social Mobilization and Networking supervisor; and Dr. Fe C. Adriano, UEP Senior High School principal.

highlighting how these will “provide positive energy and boost the morale of students, their parents, and their hardworking teachers”, especially when limited face-to-face classes resume.

Security Bank Catarman Branch Business Manager Regidor Edward Chan, who was involved in implementing the project, expressed his pride as a Security Banker, “It brings me pride and joy that school buildings very conducive to learning were constructed by the Bank’s Foundation in our own local community. It shows the Bank’s commitment to building a better nation through its CSR programs.”

Launched in 2011, SBFI’s Build a School, Build a Nation Program helps provide Filipinos with opportunities to develop through education. By December 2021, SBFI would have donated 701 classrooms in 124 schools located in 69 cities/municipalities nationwide. The foundation remains committed to constructing new classrooms for public schools especially in communities where Security Bank operates.

To know more about SBFI and its sustainability initiatives, visit www. securitybank.com/sustainability or www.facebook.com/SecurityBank.

MPIF kickstarts alternative livelihood program amid pandemic in Pangasinan

M

ETRO Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF) took its Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program to its coastal community partner in Alaminos, Pangasinan, donating bicycles, pocket Wi-Fis, Smart retailer kits, and sewing and edging machines for the establishment of alternative livelihood programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alaminos marks the fourth leg of Puhunang Pangkabuhayan, already contributing to alternative livelihoods in Batangas, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, and Del Carmen, Siargao.

Forward Towards Alternative Livelihood

MPIF, through its flagship environmental program, Shore It Up! (SIU), has constantly developed green livelihood programs that generate viable employment opportunities for locals. With SIU partner sites heavily dependent on ecotourism and tourist foot traffic as their main source of income, the heightened restrictions and strict lockdowns coerced them to find other means to provide for their families.

With its Puhunang Pangkabuhayan program, MPIF brought the fourth leg of its alternative livelihood initiative to its partner community in Alaminos, Pangasinan.

“For years, we have significantly relied on the natural beauty of our city – beauty that has enticed thousands of tourists to come see for themselves – as

an integral source of livelihood for our community members,” said Alaminos Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste. “With the shaken stability of this sector, we are truly grateful for programs such as MPIF’s Puhunang Pangkabuhayan, which empowers our locals to get back on their feet and take responsibility for their self-sufficiency.

In a turnover event last October 12, MPIF President Melody del Rosario presented 10 bikes, 10 Smart pocket Wi-Fi units, 10 Smart retailer kits, three sewing machines and two edging machines to beneficiaries in the municipality, alongside Mayor Celeste and Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. Executive Director Menchie Silvestre.

Beneficiaries were primarily displaced tourism workers such as tour guides, hotel staff, and small store operators, as well as marginalized families and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Creating a Circular and Sustainable Economy

BEYOND Puhunang Pangkabuhayan, Alaminos is one of 11 SIU partner sites across the country, housing the Mangrove Propagation and Information Center for Luzon – MPIF’s legacy project for all Filipinos. The LGU of Alaminos will utilize some bicycles for their Mangrove boardwalk, intended to boost ecotourism and supplement foot traffic in the Center.

“With almost a decade of commitment to the Municipality of

Alaminos, MPIF remains a reliable ally, especially amid these challenging times,” said del Rosario. “Our goal for this leg of Puhunang Pangkabuhayan is two-fold, like our previous objective with the Municipality of Del Carmen: to strengthen our long-standing partnership and create a more holistic impact that benefits the community, their environment, and their economy.”

Together with the infrastructure are the Mangrove Eco-guides, who serve as ambassadors of the Center. The Eco-guides program is part of MPIF’s thrust towards green livelihoods – incentivizing people to take care of the environment to serve as their security against the constant worry of providing food on their tables.

The commitment to strengthening green jobs, creating alternative livelihood opportunities, and reinforcing environmental sustainability through Shore It Up! is aligned with MPIC’s efforts to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 1 No Poverty, 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 Climate Action, 14 Life Below Water, 15 Life on Land, and 17 Partnerships for the Goals. It is also in support of the United Nations’ Decade of Ecosystem Restoration which aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean.

MERALCO WORKS ROUND THE CLOCK TO COMPLETE REVOCATION WORKS FOR NLEX-SLEX CONNECTOR ROAD. Meralco crews conduct clearing and relocation of poles and electric facilities along Antipolo Street, from Dimasalang Street to Dapitan Street, Sampaloc, Manila. 67 distribution and sub-transmission poles were retired, while 80 were installed and relocated at the request of the NLEX Corporation. The project gave way for the on-going construction of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, an eight (8)-km four (4)-lane elevated expressway connecting the C3 Road in Caloocan and the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, crossing through España Boulevard going towards Sta. Mesa in Manila. The NLEX-SLEX Connector Road aims to decongest traffic in Metro Manila, cutting travel time between NLEX and SLEX to just 15-20 minutes. Despite the heightened community quarantine measures implemented by the government due to COVID-19 pandemic, Meralco personnel and its subsidiaries are continuously working hard to ensure safe, adequate, and uninterrupted electric service to its customers, and guarantee the timely relocation of its affected electric facilities to pave the way for the speedy completion of the government’s Build-Build-Build (BBB) infrastructure projects such as this.

Private sector consortium emphasizes need to accelerate vaccination for safe reopening of Philippine economy

I

N a recent Task Force T3 meeting, recommendations were shared to accelerate vaccination roll out.

Acceleration of the jab rate is especially important outside NCR, the private sector groups of Task Force T3 (T3) highlighted.

They believe that is now made possible by the growing number of vaccine deliveries, resulting from the relentless efforts of Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez with the strong support of the private sector in procuring vaccine doses via the tripartite agreements.

Other measures that the private sector groups within T3 are proposing include ensuring that the policies to open up vaccination to the general population and vaccinating 12-17 year olds are implemented across all regions and that booster shots be implemented immediately starting with healthcare workers. For all of these, the mindset from scarcity of supply to sufficiency is key and embracing a simultaneous approach for all sectors over a sequential mode by sector.

There should continue to be priority lanes for A1 to A4 individuals.

Members of T3 appealed for flexibility to administer the doses for 12-17 years old and for boosters among their employees at the soonest possible time as they expressed concern over expiration of the supply they procured.

Another recommendation is for the government to spread to provincial LGUs the

processes and practices employed by NCR LGUs who have successfully achieved vaccination coverage of close to 80% fully vaccinated of the adult population. This includes a planning tool developed by T3 and employed by several NCR LGUs. To reinforce the importance of vaccination and increase demand, the groups also proposed vaccine incentives for the fully vaccinated, allowing more mobility and unrestricted access to restaurants, gyms, tourism and other establishments and all forms of public transportation, as well as at airports and seaports. More mobility among the fully vaccinated can happen and restrictions can be removed or eased because this supports the move to re-open the economy safely. They underscored the importance of vaccination for health care workers, school employees and students and transportation and government workers.

T3 is optimistic that with increased vaccination rates, the focus can shift from lockdowns to a faster reopening of the economy. For NCR and other highly vaccinated areas, re-opening public transportation and schools was also proposed. They also called for the exertion of all efforts to reach Alert Level 2 in NCR by early November.

Local gov’t officials may apply for eligibility for the BOE. Those who completed their term of office before the said date may no longer apply.

The BOE is considered appropriate for appointment to first level positions in the career service, except for those that require qualifications in skills or trade test and/or requiring passing the Board or Bar examinations, or requiring eligibilities provided under special laws.

Sanggunian Members

A

S the nation celebrates Local Government Month this October, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) reminds local government officials of the special eligibilities that they may apply for.

The Barangay Official Eligibility (BOE) is granted by the CSC pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160 or the “Local Government Code of 1991” to elective and appointive barangay officials based on completion of their term of office.

Barangay Officials

THE elective barangay officials are Punong Barangay/Barangay Captain, regular Sangguniang Barangay Members, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons; while the appointive barangay officials include Barangay Treasurers and Barangay Secretaries who were appointed by the duly elected Punong Barangay.

For elected barangay officials, the completion of term of office shall refer to the term of office as specified by the prevailing law on term of office of elected barangay officials.

For appointive barangay officials, it shall refer to the continuous number of years of satisfactory service rendered from the time of appointment, which must correspond to the number of years covering the term of office of the appointing Punong Barangay and may include services rendered under previous appointment.

Only the abovementioned barangay officials who completed their term of office on 1 August 2012 (the effectivity date of the related CSC policy) and onwards may qualify

MEANWHILE, Sanggunian Members may apply for the Sanggunian Member Eligibility (SME).

Specifically covered by the grant of SME are the Vice Mayor, as presiding officer for the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod; Vice Governor, as presiding officer for the Sangguniang Panlalawigan; and regular Sanggunian Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The CSC grants the SME pursuant to Republic Act No. 10156 or “An Act Conferring upon Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan the Appropriate Civil Service Eligibility under Certain Circumstances, and for Other Purposes.”

To apply for the Sanggunian Member First Level Eligibility, the Sanggunian Member must have served for an aggregate period of six (6) years and have completed at least 72 units leading to a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree.

For the Sanggunian Member Second Level Eligibility, the applicant must have served for an aggregate period of nine (9) years and have completed a baccalaureate or bachelor’s degree.

The applicant’s name must also be included in the corresponding Master List issued by the concerned Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) office.

For Sanggunian Members who were elected in the May 2013 elections and thereafter, the period of application shall be within two (2) years upon meeting the required number of years of service. Those who completed the sixor nine-year service requirement prior to May 2013 may no longer apply for the SME. Complete details on how to apply are found on the CSC website at www.csc.gov.ph.

Marketing BusinessMirror

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Monday, October 25, 2021 B7

Dancing your way to proper handwashing

PR Matters

By Abigail L. Ho-Torres

Partners field their entries for the Facebook dance challenge, with some showcasing the beauty of their locations and others dancing from the front lines.

W

hen the pandemic struck, most of us found ourselves going back to basics. The usual hustle and bustle of everyday life ground to a halt almost overnight. Old habits had to be unlearned as they no longer applied in the so-called next normal. New habits had to be acquired, while some had to be relearned. Even the simplest things that we learned as children— handwashing, for example—surfaced as one of the most important lines of defense against Covid-19.

Simple as it may seem, would you believe that not everyone knows how to wash their hands properly? For example, it is not enough to wash one’s hands with just water. Soap is needed for real cleaning to take place. Water alone does not kill germs and viruses.

There is also a required minimum duration of scrubbing one’s hands with soap for the cleaning to be effective. According to scientists, researchers, and medical practitioners, at least 20 seconds of scrubbing is needed to destroy viruses that your hands may have picked up.

This is precisely why, every year on October 15, we celebrate the United Nations-sanctioned Global Handwashing Day (GHD).

It aims to educate people about proper handwashing and emphasize its importance in preventing the spread of diseases.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. has been an active proponent of the GHD celebration in the Philippines for several years now, in line with its water, sanitation, and hygiene (W.A.S.H.) education and infrastructure programs. But the need to spread the gospel of proper handwashing cannot be done alone, especially now. Good thing there are many like-minded private and public organizations who are willing to carry the advocacy.

Joining hands with others

BEING part of the MVP group, Maynilad initially tapped Kapatid companies as partners for this year’s GHD campaign. Metro Pacific Water became its main collaborator, later joined by parent firm Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), Metro Pacific Hospitals Holdings Inc. (MPHHI), and the various Maynilad and MPW subsidiaries and affiliates.

Film: FDCP on the reopening of cinemas in National Capital Region

MANILA, Philippines— As restrictions loosen up in NCR, cinemas have been granted permission to

operate again at a 30% capacity after two years of lockdown. Below is the statement of The Film Development Council of the Philippines: While the Covid-19 pandemic forced many establishments to reduce its accessibility, the cinemas were forced to close temporarily.

Now, after over a year of being closed, we are happy to announce that—CINEMAS ARE BACK. The Film Development Council of the Philippines supports this development as we have also been lobbying for the cinemas to

Maynilad and Metro Pacific Water, together with private and public sector partners, join hands for their first-ever joint Global Handwashing Day campaign.

“Companies within the MVP group naturally unite around relevant causes. Because we share the same values and philosophy, we are a ready army to amplify advocacies.

Handwashing, especially at a time like this, is certainly a cause that we can get behind,” MPW President Rogelio L. Singson related.

The collaboration was not confined within the MVP Group, however. The Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (Pamet), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) also joined the fold.

A new platform

ASIDE from these new partnerships, this year’s GHD campaign entered the wonderful new world of TikTok for the first time. Now with a strong following (more than a billion users globally!), Kristoffer Rada, TikTok Head of Public Policy, Philippines, said the platform aimed to serve as a tool for education and learning.

“This is a timely partnership for us, as we believe TikTok is in the best position to create the multiplier effect that this advocacy needs. TikTok content over the past months of the pandemic has reopen. Last August 4, 2021, FDCP officially presented to the IATF its proposal to reopen the cinemas, presenting industry data on the losses of the industry and best practices of how the rest of the world slowly resumed operations of their cinemas through health and safety protocols. The Agency proposed that the reopening could be anchored through the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino to premiere Filipino films. More recently, FDCP also had a meeting with Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez last

helped provide relief for people who are grappling with stress and anxiety. Through this partnership, we aim to generate content that can help slow the spread of Covid-19 and spread the awareness of proper handwashing,” he said.

TikTok content creators were mobilized to create dance videos using Maynilad’s handwashing jingle, produced in collaboration with PhilPop, with choreography done by in-house talents. The song, with its 20-second hook, can be sung while washing the hands, to ensure that the 20-second rule is followed. It also provides step-by-step instructions for correct handwashing, almost literally translated into easy-tofollow dance steps to make the act of handwashing fun. These videos should be accompanied by the hashtag “20secondsdapat,” referring to the minimum length of time that should be spent scrubbing one’s hands with soap.

Respite from the daily grind

BOTH the jingle and the dance provided not only proper handwashing steps and duration, but also a welcome respite from the daily grind. Maynilad’s 2021 GHD campaign pit its partners against each other in a friendly dance October 8, 2021 where the Agency highlighted how much impact the closure of cinemas have had not just on cinema workers but film workers as well because producers need the cinemas to be able to screen their films. With that, we are thankful that they listened to the requests of the cinemas and allowed them to operate again. With the guidelines of the pilot implementation of the government’s new Covid-19 alert level system, cinemas and movie houses in areas under Alert Level 3 starting Octo-

This year’s GHD campaign enters TikTok for the first time, encouraging individuals to dance to Maynilad’s handwashing jingle and use the hashtag #20secondsdapat in their posts. The campaign’s TikTok account, HandWashingPH, has so far accumulated more than 100,000 video views.

challenge. Even the MWSS Chief Regulator, although he did not dance, appeared in his agency’s video entry.

Personnel from Maynilad subsidiaries PhilHydro and Maynilad Boac showcased the beauty of their respective locations while dancing the handwashing dance. Water districts nationwide, which are under the LWUA umbrella, had their own contest. Health workers from the MVP Hospital Group gamely flaunted their dancing chops in between shifts.

In the end, the men and women of MPW subsidiaries Metro Pacific Iloilo Water, Metro Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Corp., and Metro Dumaguete Water took the top three prizes. MVP hospitals De Los Santos Medical Center and Calamba Medical Center, meanwhile, bagged the People’s Choice Awards for garnering the most “likes” and “shares,” respectively.

“Proper handwashing can slow the spread of Covid-19 and, in turn, provide much-needed breathing room to our health workers. We can’t say this enough. But instead of just preaching it, we can make it more fun for our frontliners through the jingle and the dance,” MPHHI President Augusto Palisoc Jr. said. ber 16 are allowed to operate at a maximum of 30% indoor capacity for fully vaccinated individuals.

As the cinemas patiently waited for this decision, they have also been preparing to further ensure the safety of the movie-goers through having their personnels fully vaccinated and readying their facilities, and complying with the minimum health standards set by the government. In aid, the FDCP also offered Basic Occupational Safety and Health training to the cinemas through the Safe

The pandemic has forced organizations to think outside of themselves. Businesses have shifted their mindset from “what’s in it for me?” to “what can I do for others?”

There is a realization that everyone is on the same boat, fighting the same battle, and that the only way to win over Covid-19 is to win on all possible fronts. Collaborating with each other, even for something as basic as handwashing, is key to winning this battle. Making it more fun and engaging—our job as public relations practitioners— is certainly one way to help ensure victory.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Abigail L. Ho-Torres is AVP and head of Advocacy and Marketing of Maynilad Water Services Inc. She spent more than a decade as a business journalist before making the leap to the corporate world.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations.

Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com.

Filming's Safety and Health Officer Training Seminar (SHOTS) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment– Occupational Safety and Health Center (DOLE-OSHC).

To continuously support the cinemas and promote the safety and health of the movie- goers, we are continuing our Nood Tayo ng Sine campaign aiming to encourage the movie- goers to support our local cinemas and at the same time advocate for safe movie watching inside the movie houses.

Chua, Paderes grab 3 golds each in national swim trials

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IANDI CHUA swept her three events on Sunday including a thrilling women’s 100-meter freestyle race at the conclusion of the Philippine Swimming, Inc. National Selection bubble at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

Chua, a 20-year-old standout from the All-Star Swim Club, clocked the only sub one minute time in the 100m with 59.68 to snatch the gold medal in the 10-swimmer event. Camille Buico of Rising Atlantis Swim Club touched in 1:00.34 to clinch silver by a hundredth of a second over QC Buccaneers’ Chloe Daos.

“My times in this meet weren’t really good because my times went up,” said Chua, who hails from San Juan City. “But I think it’s a nice opportunity to race again because I was able to see where I’m actually at and how I can I improve on it in training.”

John Neil Paderes completed a treble after ruling all three backstroke events. The 19-year-old from BEST Main took the men’s 50-meter backstroke in 27.77 seconds. Ace Seawolves’ Shayne Lugay topped the women’s side in 32.32 seconds.

Miguel Barreto ended his stint on top in the men’s 100-meter freestyle in 53.52, 0.07 seconds faster than De La Salle Zobel’s Sacho Ilustre.

The 18-year-old from Ayala Harpoons earlier topped the men’s 800-meter freestyle in 8:48.39, way ahead of Ateneo Blue Knights Swim Club’s Joshua Del Rio’s 9:15.80.

Hannah Sanchez also bagged a double in the long-distance races after winning the women’s 800-meter freestyle. The 17-year-old from AllStar Swim Club timed 9:57.36.

BEST Main’s Jordan Lobos and Ayala Harpoons’ Thanya Dela Cruz bested their fields in the men’s and

Sports BusinessMirror

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| Monday, October 25, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

XIANDI CHUA clocks under one minute in the 100 meters freestyle. women’s 200-breaststroke events with times of 2:21.49 and 2:43.44, respectively.

Another BEST Main standout, Ivan Radovan, ruled the men’s 200-meter

butterfly with a time of 2:13.71.

Daos averted a personal shutout as she beat BEST Main’s Michaela Mojdeh in the women’s side at 2:22.57 against the latter’s 2:25.22.

The three-day event was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Bases Conversion and Development Authority and Clark Development Corp.

YULO SECURES GOLD IN VAULT C

By Josef Ramos

ARLOS YULO triple-twisted in the air with a flourish and landed excellently on both feet with a smooth flair and unbent poise to clinch the men’s vault gold medal on Sunday in the 50th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Some two hours later, Yulo was back at the General Gymnasium and with another display of upper body strength and grace, annexed the parallel bars silver for a twomedal haul that all but offset his foiled title-retention bid in the floor exercise.

Again Yulo—only 21 and two inches short of five feet but already an Olympian—was shy as ever.

Thus, Gymnastics Association of the Philippines President Cynthia Carrion-Norton did the talking for the back-to-back world champion.

“Don’t worry ‘mam, tomorrow

CARLOS YULO (center) is a proud world champion over silver medalist Hidenobu Yonekura (left) of Japan and Andrey Medvedev of Israel.

[Sunday] I fight,” Carrion-Norton quoted Yulo on Saturday after he missed the podium of the floor exercise where he was world champion two years ago in Stuttgart, Germany, but fifth in Japan on Saturday.

The vault gold stood on the edge of Yulo’s radar for having ranked third four days ago in the qualification with a 14.808 score. But he was far better in the finals.

Yulo tallied a finals best 15.033 score for a 14.916 points average marked with a triple twist in his first attempt and a half twist after executing a perfect jump underscored by a front handspring double on the vault in his second attempt for the high score.

“We’re afraid of the Ukrainian because he was very good. But when he felt it in his second attempt, I just stood and knew that Caloy was the winner,” Carrion-Norton said.

The Ukrainian, Nazar Chepurnyi, topped the

qualification with 14.833 but was marred by a bad landing in his second attempt and wound up second to last at seventh place (14.149).

Japan’s Hidenobu Yonekura settled for the silver medal with 14.866 points while Israel’s Andrey Medvedev got the bronze with 14.649.

Yulo scored 15.466 points to settle for the silver medal in the parallel bars. He was leading early in the contest but China’s Xuwei Hu saved his best for last and bagged the gold medal with 15.466. Another Chinese, Cong Shi, claimed the bronze with 15.066.

It was a weekened of redemption for Yulo, who in July was frustrated in making the podium in his Olympic debut in Tokyo.

Yulo remained in Japan after the Olympics and continued to train under long-time Japanese coach Munehiro Kujimiya.

Dwight, AD downplay confrontation in Lakers’ 105-115 setback to Suns

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OS ANGELES—Dwight Howard and Anthony Davis both say their physical confrontation on the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench was a momentary disagreement that has already been resolved.

Even if their big men are getting along again, the Lakers have a whole lot more repairing to do.

Chris Paul scored his 20,000th career point on the way to 23 points and 14 assists, and Devin Booker added 14 points in the Phoenix Suns’ 115105 victory over the winless Lakers on Friday night.

The Lakers were incapable of defending Paul or running any effective offensive plays for long stretches while dropping to 0-2 this season, but they lit up social media when Davis and Howard had a confrontation in the bench area during a first-half timeout.

“We just had a disagreement about something that was happening on the floor,” Howard said.

“We’re both very passionate about winning. We didn’t want to lose this game. We got it out of the way. We’re grown men. Things happen. But we already talked. We squashed it. There’re no issues between me and him. And that’s my brother.

That’s my teammate.”

The veteran big men’s teammates separated them right after Howard fell back to the bench from a brief physical exchange. Davis said the

disagreement was about how to play a particular pick-and-roll assignment.

“It’s over with,” said Davis, who had 22 points and 14 rebounds. “After the situation happened, me and DH talked about it...and we left it in the locker room at halftime.”

NBA still contentious after all these years SEVENTY-FIVE years and they still cannot get it right.

That’s the problem when you involve sports with politics or kowtowing to a certain group.

The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) 75th Anniversary Team had glaring omissions and surprising inclusions. Just like they did back in 1997 when the league unveiled its 50th Anniversary Team.

For sure, any all-time list will always be contentious. That is why it was wrong to include players voting for each other.

During the NBA at 50 list, Shaquille O’Neal was wrong to be included. He was at that time only in the league for four years. It is a stretch of the imagination to include him then. Certainly he is today. But when you start that way you can expect controversy to remain today.

Even with the NBA 50 list, I wasn’t sure about Dave

Paul became the first player in NBA history to pair 20,000 points with 10,000 career assists while the defending Western Conference champions carved up the Lakers, who trailed by 32 points in the third quarter. AP

BIKE FOR LENI

Around 400 Ilonggo cyclists join the Bike for Leni in Iloilo City, one of several caravan staged on Sunday in various venues in support of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Bing, Billy Cunningham, Dave Debusschere, Jerry Lucas, Pete Maravich, Earl Monroe, Bill Sharman, Nate Thurmond and Lenny Wilkens. And then there’s the curious case of Bill Walton who didn’t play long enough.

I thought that Dominique Wilkins and Bob McAdoo should have been included. And this 75th Team, they were added belatedly so. Bernard King is still on the fringes.

And if Pistol Pete made that list, where was Chris Mullin (five-time NBA All-Star, All NBA once, All-NBA Second Team twice and All-NBA Third Team once)?

Before Steph Curry, Mullin was the greatest Golden State Warrior.

Chris tallied 17,911 points, 4,034 rebounds and 3,450 assists. That’s more than some of the guys on the 50 or 75 list.

Mullin is the only one on the Dream Team outside Christian Laettner who is not on this list. Listen, he was included on the team for what he could do. And this only affirmed his selection to the 1984 Olympic gold medal team. And the Golden State Warriors retired his number.

That means you are one of the team’s all-time greats.

Was that a snub?

Granted if you make the list then you shouldn’t be removed anymore. So that leads us to the new list.

This time around, I was certainly shocked to see Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard on that list? I will consent to Reggie Miller being on the list because he is the greatest Indiana Pacer. If you’re the best player on your team, you have to be one of the best in the league and he was among the best in the league especially during the last half of his career.

I think Pau Gasol, Vince Carter, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Joe Dumars, Dennis Johnson, Yao Ming and

Rondina, Pons look unbeatable in Santa Ana tilt

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REAMLINE 1’s Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons moved two wins shy of clinching another Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour crown following masterful 21-10, 21-6 win over PLDT’s Ella and Iza Viray in the first leg quarterfinals in Santa Ana, Cagayan, on Sunday.

Creamline 2’s Dij Rodriguez and Dzi Gervacio, meanwhile, avoided the upset axe as they rallied from an 11-13 deficit in the third set to beat the young TM crew of Mer Jauculan and Hannah Cabansay, 18-21, 21-8, 16-14.

It took 53 minutes for Rodriguez and Gervacio to join fellow Cool Smashers’ Rondina and Pons in the semifinals.

Rondina and Pons, who topped Pool B with a perfect 3-0 won-loss card, were impressive on both ends of the court and needed only 26 minutes to eliminate the Viray twins.

Rodriguez and Gervacio completed a four-match sweep of women’s Pool C matches with a 2112, 21-6 rout of Black Mamba Army 2’s Jem Gutierrez and Audrey Paran in the morning session.

Good Health-CDO’s Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor reasserted their mastery of Eastern Perlas Spikers’ Mich Morente and Jules Samonte, 21-11, 21-11, to claim the first semisfinal berth.

Biogenic’s Heather Guino-o and Roma Joy Doromal outlasted Sta. Lucia 2’s Bang Pineda and Chay Troncoso, 18-21, 21-18, 20-18, to clinch the last semifinals berth.

Earlier in the day, Barbon and Eslapor also carved out a 21-9, 2113 win over Morente and Samonte to top Pool A. Barbon and Eslapor, members of the national beach volleyball team, went unbeaten in three matches.

Pineda and Troncoso finished second behind Barbon and Eslapor in Pool A at 2-1 following a 21-16, 21-11 victory over Toyota Tuguegarao’s Nicole Tiamzon and Jho Maraguinot.

PLDT’s Viray twins were dominant in third set in a 21-11, 19-21, 15-2 win over Delimondo’s MJ Ebro and Bianca Lizares to finished third in Pool C with an even 2-2 card and eventually secure a quarterfinals berth by finishing seventh overall in pool play.

The Eastern Perlas Spikers, who ranked third in Pool A, and Sta. Lucia 1’s Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño, third placers in Pool B, were actually tied at eighth spot overall at 1-2, but Morente and Samonte claimed the last spot by virtue of superior quotient.

The semifinals and the medal rounds will be played Monday.

THE vaunted pair of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are having fun on the beach.

Vanessa Bryant: LA sheriff promised to secure crash site

Dwight Howard should definitely be there.

The confusion and controversy stems, I guess from the definition of “greatest.”

I guess, looking at the list, there are the obvious ones who—won several NBA titles, a Most Valuable Player Award and several All-NBA and All-Star selections—but that will keep the list to a minimum. So now there’s room for those who either were part of title teams and put up some very good numbers. And there are those who didn’t win an NBA title but reaped the awards and accolades. This is where Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Allen Iverson, George Gervin and a few others come in.

Now that’s where it gets contentious.

If you weigh in journalist Peter Vescey’s belief that recognizing players on their potential to be an all-time great is enough to get them on that list. I guess that is why he voted for Shaquille during the 50thAnniversary of the league and that is why he believes Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic should be on the list.

Potential?

Potential is a dangerous word. If you do not live up to the hype, then what does that make you? Being on that list means you should have significant mileage with corresponding accomplishments.

You cannot go on a body of work for most then use potential on others.

When the NBA hit its 25th year, they published a list of only their 10 greatest. The problem with going for 50 or 75, the panelists are choosing a number to fill when the others might not be deserving. So now you have this controversy.

And at this rate, it looks like some of these wrongs will be righted 25 years from now. But why do I get the feeling that the 100 list will be every bit as contentious?

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OS ANGELES—Kobe Bryant’s widow said she pleaded with the Los Angeles County sheriff to make sure no one takes photographs from the site of the 2020 helicopter crash that killed the basketball star, and he reassured that the area had been secured, court documents say.

After Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed her husband, their teenage daughter, along with seven others, were killed, he asked Vanessa Bryant if he could do anything for her, according to a transcript of a deposition obtained by USA TODAY Sports on Saturday on her lawsuit against Los Angeles County.

“And I said: ‘If you can’t bring my husband and baby back, please make sure that no one takes photographs of them. Please secure the area,’” Vanessa Bryant said during the deposition. “And he said: ‘I will.’ And I said: ‘No, I need you to get on the phone right now and I need you to make sure you secure the area.’”

Villanueva, she said, excused himself momentarily and reassured her the area had been secured when he came back.

A message seeking comments from Villanueva has not been returned.

Bryant, whose federal lawsuit against the county alleges invasion of privacy, has claimed in court papers that she has experienced “severe emotional distress” that has compounded the trauma of losing her husband and 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. The lawsuit contends first responders, including firefighters and sheriff ’s deputies, shared photographs of Kobe Bryant’s body with a bartender and passed around “gratuitous photos of the dead children, parents and coaches.”

Kobe Bryant and the others were killed January 26, 2020, when the helicopter they were aboard, on their way to a girls basketball tournament, crashed in the hills west of Los Angeles amid foggy weather. Federal safety officials blamed pilot error for the wreck. AP