BusinessMirror October 26, 2021

Govt bares ₧1-B fuel subsidy for drivers D ELUGED with calls to suspend the fuel excise taxes to provide the public relief from steadily rising prices of oil in global markets that feed inflation, economic managers on Monday announced the rollout of a P1-billion fuel subsidy for the transportation sector.

The Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) said on Monday it will release the fund to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to provide cash grants to around 178,000 public transport drivers to cushion the impact of increasing oil prices.

“We, the members of the Development Budget Coordination Commit-

tee, are committed to support our transportation sector, amidst the increasing oil prices,” the DBCC said in a statement.

“The government shall release P1.0 billion to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to provide cash grants to around 178,000 bonafide Public Utility Vehicles [PUV] drivers for the remaining months of the year.

This will be distributed using the system established under the Pantawid Pasada Program of the LTFRB,” it added.

However, it is not clear yet how much would be received by each driver. The BusinessMirror sought to clarify this with budget officials

but they have yet to respond, as of press time.

Nonetheless, the DBCC said the funds to be used shall be sourced from the Unprogrammed Appropriations under the support for Infrastructure Projects and Social Programs from this year’s national budget.

DOTr: Ready for our part

REACTING to news of the release of P1-billion fuel subsidies, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured the DBCC that the released amount pursuant to Section 82 of the TRAIN Law, will be distributed as cash grants to qualified and bonafide PUV drivers for the rest of this year.

Qualified PUV drivers will receive

the cash grants using the system already established under the Pantawid Pasada Program of the LTFRB, where the Land Bank of the Philippines shall disburse money straight to the cash cards issued to drivers.

The release of the fuel subsidies is also timely, DOTr said, because on Thursday it will also be defending its proposal before the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to approve a significant increase in the passenger capacity of public transportation, as the National Capital Region and other parts of the country are placed under more relaxed quarantine levels.

See “Govt,” A12

9-MONTH BUDGET DEFICIT

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Tuesday, October 26, 2021 Vol. 17 No. 18

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 20 pages |

WIDENS 29.6% TO P1.14T

PXP Energy, CNOOC talks rest on China, PHL govts

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

T

@BNicolasBM

HE national government’s budget deficit from January to September widened toP1.14 trillion, surpassing the P879.2billion shortfall in the same period last year.

By Lenie Lectura

P

Latest data released by the Bureau of the Treasury showed that the fiscal gap during the ninemonth period was bigger by 29.6 percent than a year ago.

The wider gap resulted from government expenditures overtaking state revenues.

The cumulative deficit of P1.14 trillion as of end-September is equivalent to 61 percent of the revised P1.8-trillion full-year program.

However, this is still lower by 20.11 percent when compared with the P1.4-trillion target for the January-to-September period.

State revenues as of end-September amounted to P2.24 trillion, up by 4.37 percent year-on-year from P2.14 trillion. It also went beyond the government’s P2.137-trillion target by 4.71 percent.

On the other hand, government expenditures reached P3.38 trillion, an 11.7-percent spike from last year’s P3.02 trillion.

However, this is still 5.22 percent below the gover nment’s P3.56-trillion program during the period.

For the month of September alone, the government’s budget deficit grew by 30.6 percent to P180.9 billion from P138.5 billion in the same month in 2020.

Revenues during the month stood at P231.4 billion, up by 8.96 percent from P212.4 billion a year ago.

Expenditures

MEANWHILE, expenditures hit P412.4 billion, jumping by 17.5 percent from P350.9 billion in September 2020.

ING Bank Senior Economist Nicholas Mapa said the widening deficit suggests the ballooning overall debt of the country.

The government borrows to meet its spending requirements and finance its budget deficit.

“Currently the debt-to-GDP ratio is at roughly 63 percent, beyond the threshold that credit ratings agencies may view as sustainable,” Mapa said.

@llectura

VISITORS enjoy the view from benches marked for social distancing protocols at Kape Hingahan in Barangay Muzon, Taytay, Rizal, a mountainside coffee shop popular among bikers because of its panoramic view of Laguna Lake—the largest in the country—and its environs. BERNARD TESTA

COMPETITION POLICY SIGNING TO BOOST GROWTH, SAYS PCC

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) believes the recent signing of the National Competition Policy (NCP) will help ensure the country’s inclusive economic growth.

The PCC said the recent signing of Administrative Order (AO) No. 44 (s. 2021) by the Office of the President aims to support PCC’s watchdog functions.

Through the NCP, PCC said, national government agencies, government-ow ned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units

Continued on A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50. 8320

(LGUs) are directed to support PCC’s efforts to guard against cartels, abuses of market dominance, and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions.

“By ensuring that government responses and interventions follow competition principles, we can prevent policies which may exacerbate market failures and distortions. As the country tackles the economic consequences of the pandemic, the NCP is an important policy tool in improving market efficiency and stimulating economic recovery that is not only robust but also inclusive,” PCC Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

Continued on A2

‘ASIA’S BEST AIRPORT HOTEL’ For the first time in the history of the Philippine hospitality industry, the country bagged the distinction of having the best airport hotel in the region as Savoy Hotel Manila by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts emerged as “Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel” at the 2021 World Travel Awards. Savoy Hotel Manila is located at Newport City across Naia Terminal 3. In photo with the official awards badge are (left) Avinash Menon, general manager, Savoy Hotel Manila, and Cleofe Albiso, group general manager, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ANGILINAN-LED PXP Energy Corp. said Monday that discussions with China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) continue, but stressed that any commercial deals will mainly depend on whatever the two governments agree on.

“The discussions at both government levels between China and Philippine governments continue to be ongoing and I cannot give you any precision as to when that can conclude,” PXP Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“Also,” he added, “our discussions with CNOOC continue, but it’s rather on and off. I think that a great deal of commercial discussions is driven by the government discussions. There are points in the commercial agreements that can’t be really talked about until there is a broad agreement on what you call executive agreements between the two governments.”

PXP holds a 78.98-percent operating interest in Service Contract (SC) 72 or the contract to explore Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea through London-listed Forum Energy Plc. It was supposed to partner with CNOOC, one of the largest national oil companies owned by the People’s Republic of China, but the Department of Energy (DOE) earlier imposed a moratorium on exploration activities.

Moreover, Pangilinan doubts that government discussions on this matter would prosper at a time when national elections are just a few months away.

“We have entered into the election period, maybe not officially, but we’re practically there. I think we acquire greater intensity as we enter 2022 and, unless agreements are reached saying within the year or thereabouts, I think the chances of proceeding SC 72 are slim that moment we enter 2022, because it’s simply just the election, and I guess people’s attention will be focused on the election period and who the next president is going to be.”

It being what he called “a threshold situation,” Pangilinan continued, “I guess the short answer is really beyond our hands and I really don’t know whether something could be achieved would be concluded within this year.”

Pangilinan’s group is already prepared to drill exploratory wells next year.

n JAPAN 0.4477 n UK 69.9092 n HK 6.5395 n CHINA 7.9612 n SINGAPORE 37.7204 n AUSTRALIA 37.9461 n EU 59.1684 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.5527

Source: BSP (October 25, 2021)

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Tuesday, October 26, 2021

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VS. COVID-19, NEW Secrecy shrouds Sara, ‘Bato’ ‘MEASURES COMELEC APPOINTEES WILL IMPACT CONFIDENCE IN POLLS’ meeting at Davao City Hall

By Samuel P. Medenilla

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By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—One eyebrow-raising meeting after another.

This time, Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio met her former chief of police here, and now presidential aspirant, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa during a noontime meeting on Monday at the City Hall.

Just like her meeting in Cebu City over the weekend with another presidential aspirant, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Duterte-Dela Rosa meeting

was kept under wraps. Even many City Hall officials did not know such a meeting transpired there.

Dela Rosa posted a photograph of him and the mayor after the meeting and captioned it, “This is just a teaser for our meeting with Mayor Inday Sara minutes ago at Davao City Hall.” Duterte-Carpio reposted the photograph in her official Facebook page, and wrote “Thank you Senator

Bato Dela Rosa for your advice and words of wisdom.”

The mayor also appeared in a televised radio broadcast an hour later in her regular public affairs program over the city governmentrun Davao City Disaster Radio.

She did not touch on these meetings with Marcos and Dela Rosa as expected on her program, where she had repeatedly clarified that the program would only tackle the Covid-19 pandemic and other city government affairs.

She talked only about her isolation after getting infected with the Covid-19 virus, and the easing of pandemic protocols, such as the lifting of curfew and allowing the purchase of liquor, when the city was placed under moderate Alert

3 level.

Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario, spokesman of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), only said “no comment” when asked for details on the meeting between Duterte-Carpio and Dela Rosa and on the purported statement of Duterte that she only asked Marcos how the HNP could help his candidacy.

The mayor has repeatedly rejected calls for her to run for president, despite earlier attempts by her father and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go to have her throw her hat into the ring.

However, speculations persist on her eventual final decision, since the deadline for candidate substitution is still on November 15.

9-MONTH BUDGET DEFICIT WIDENS 29.6% TO P1.14T Continued from A1

While he noted that the steady growth for both expenditure and revenue collections is a positive development, he pointed out that this may have been bolstered by the low base from the previous year when spending and revenue collections contracted in September 2020.

“Nonetheless, rising revenues show that economic activity has

improved compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, government spending has sustained its momentum, which will likely continue to close out the year. This will be a positive in terms of GDP as government spending will need to compensate for consumption and capital formation, which may yet to revert to pre-Covid pace of expansion,” he said.

In 2020, the government’s bud-

get deficit more than doubled to a record-high 7.6 percent of GDP or P1.37 trillion, from only P660.2 billion or 3.4 percent of GDP in 2019.

From a record-low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6 percent in 2019, the country’s debt as a share of the economy surged to a 14-year high of 54.6 percent in 2020, as the government ramped up borrowings to fund the Covid-19 pandemic response war chest.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier said they are working on a fiscal consolidation plan to bring down the government’s debt and budget deficit levels as a share of the economy.

The Department of Finance sees the government returning to its pre-pandemic budget deficit and debt levels as early as 2024 or by 2025 if the recommended fiscal measures are passed early.

Palace sees NCR alert level going down in Nov

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ALACAÑANG is confident the alert level 3 in Metro Manila will be downgraded by next month.

Citing data from the Department of Health (DOH), Presidential spokesman Harry Roque noted a significant improvement in existing Covid-19 data in the region.

He noted the two-week attack rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) is down to 52 percent, while the average daily attack rate in the region also dropped to 9.87 percent.

There was also a decline in the utilization rate of Covid-19 wards beds, which is now at 39 percent; and Intensive Care Units (ICU) for Covid patients, at 48 percent.

The vaccination rate in NCR is also at a whopping 85 percent, according to Roque.

“So there is a big possibility that the alert level [in NCR] will be downgraded,” Roque said in a virtual press briefing last Monday.

The current Alert Level 3 classification of NCR will last until October 31, 2021.

Roque said the IATF is currently studying if it will retain or change the Alert Level in NCR by next month.

Under Alert Level 3, some of the previously banned businesses and activities were allowed to operate at a limited venue capacity ranging from 30 percent to 60 percent, depending on whether it is indoors or outdoors, as well as if the concerned establishment has a Safety Seal Certification.

The venue capacity is further increased under Alert Level 2 and 1. Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

G

OVERNMENT measures against Covid-19 and the appointment of new credible executives Commission on Elections will have a significant impact on public trust in the outcome of the 2022 polls, according to experts.

Ateneo de Manila UniversitySchool of Government (ASOG) Dean Ronald Mendoza said the initiatives by government agencies to keep infections at bay will be the deciding factor for many people on whether or not to participate in the 2022 polls.

“It is important to build confidence that we strengthen our pandemic response in anticipation of the May 22 elections in order to prevent a scenario where we might have a surge during the election period itself,” Mendoza said during an online forum of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) on Monday.

Lagging behind

CURRENTLY, he said the government’s interventions against Covid-19 such as having sufficient available health-care facilities as well as testing, tracing and treating the infected, are lagging behind compared to other countries.

He also singled out the pace of the vaccination drive of the government, which he deems still too slow to make an impact come May 9, 2022.

Given the current average daily number of Covid-19 vac-

cine shots administered by the government is limited only to 487,000, he said it will take 205 days or at least until May 17, 2022 to reach the 70-percent vaccination rate target nationwide.

Mendoza said authorities must ramp up their inoculation drive to prevent possible mass disenfranchisement of voters, who may feel unsafe due to mass infections, come election day.

New poll execs

FOR his part, former Comelec chairman Christian Monsod said the four new Comelec commissioners to be appointed

by President Duterte by next year should go through public scrutiny.

“There should be a public vetting of the appointment for new commissioners by February 2022 which can be a game changer on the conduct of election,” Monsod said.

Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas, as well as Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Antonio Kho are set to retire on February 2, 2022.

There is also an existing vacancy in the Comelec en banc.

Monsod said the public must ensure that the new appointees will be impartial in their decisionmaking once they become part of the 7-man Comelec en banc.

“There are four vacancies.

There is one existing vacancy and three who will step down in February, That’s a lot. That’s a majority from the seven, right, so that’s why it’s very important,” Monsod said.

Seniors, minors allowed in cemeteries before, after Oct. 29-Nov. 2 closure days

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INORS and senior citizens will now be allowed to visit cemeteries to honor their dearly departed, but only on days before and after the five days during which authorities will close to the public all public cemeteries.

This, after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) finally issued its guidelines for both All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. In the said issuance, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the IATF opted to remove the age restrictions for visitors in cemeteries and memorial parks.

However, he noted a 30-percent venue capacity will be implement-

ed in all cemeteries and memorial parks.

Visitors at the venues, Roque said, will also be required to wear a face mask and face shield and observe social distancing.

Just like last year, the IATF also opted to close all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbariums from October 29 to November 2 to prevent possible super-spreader events.

Roque said the four-day closure will not affect burial and cremation activities in affected venues.

To note, Filipinos traditionally flock during the commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in cemeteries to pray for their departed loved ones.

Samuel P. Medenilla

COMPETITION POLICY SIGNING TO BOOST GROWTH, SAYS PCC Continued from A1

The NCP provides the framework for government agencies in formulating and adopting pro-competitive policies, rules and regulations, and issues to avoid competition distortions and an uneven playing field for businesses.

It complements the Philippine Competition Act and the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 in guiding the design of government interventions, especially those relating to the economic recovery of vulnerable sectors like micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the AO, compliance with the NCP will be included in the good governance conditions criteria for the grant of Performance-

Based Bonus (PBB) to government personnel, and in the conferment of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) on cities and municipalities.

“Mainstreaming a culture of competition requires a whole-ofgovernment effort. While the importance of competition is mainly felt by businesses and consumers, its success requires appreciation of competition principles by leaders, regulators, policy-makers, and the entire bureaucracy,” Balisacan said.

In the Joint Memorandum Circular 01-2020 by the PCC and the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) issued last year, the NCP is set for nationwide implementation through AO 44 signed on October 20, 2021.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

The Nation BusinessMirror

DOH logs first case of B.1.1.318 variant

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

H

EALTH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday disclosed that the new B.1.1.318 Covid-19 variant, which was first discovered in Mauritius, has been detected in the Philippines.

In a media forum, Vergeire said that the first case of the said variant is still “under monitoring.” It was detected after the latest run comprised of 746 samples collected in March, April, September and October 22.

Despite the detection of the new variant, Vergeire said that there is “no need to panic” and urged the public to observe minimum public health standards.

According to the World Health Organization, the variant under monitoring is a “SARS-CoV-2 variant with genetic changes that are suspected to affect virus characteristics with some indication that it may pose a future risk, but evidence of phenotypic or epidemiological impact is currently unclear, requiring enhanced monitoring and repeat assessment pending [availability of] new evidence.”

The DOH official said that the first case detected has a residential address in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The 34-year-old male arrived in the country on March 5, 2021, and had a travel history in the United Arab Emirates.

His sample was collected on March 10.

Vergeire said that the Philippine Genome Center also detected additional:

Alpha variant (B.1.1.7): 104 cases (13.94 percent)

Beta variant (B.1.351): 166 cases (22.25 percent)

Delta variant (B.1.617.2): 380 cases (50.94 percent) “For our biosurveillance update, we have sequenced 17,893 samples of October 24, of which, 15,882 or

88.76 percent have assigned lineages,” Vergeire said.

Vergeire added that the latest run comprised of 15,882 (88.76 percent) with lineages.

“Please note that the variant B.1.1.318 was not designated yet as a variant under monitoring during the time of sample collection. Also, of the total sequenced samples, incoming international travelers comprise 1,169 or 6.53 percent,” Vergeire said.

“We are doing retrospective sampling to trace the beginnings of the Delta variant introduction to the country as well as the earliest cases,” Vergeire explained.

Of the 15,882 samples assigned with a lineage:

The Delta variant (B.1.617.2; Indian lineage) is the most common lineage (30.3 percent) nationally among sequenced samples.

The Beta variant (B.1.351; South African lineage) comprises 21.9 percent among all samples sequenced, making it the second most common lineage

19.2 percent or 3,042 samples positive for the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7; UK lineage)

0.02 percent or 3 samples positive for the Gamma variant (P.1; Brazilian lineage).

“All regions and all National Capital Region [NCR] city/municipality either have Alpha or Beta variants detected,” the DOH official said.

The Delta variant, initially detected from returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), is now detected in all 17 regions and all NCR city/municipality as well.

Meanwhile, the P.3 variant, while initially observed in only one region, is now detected in all regions.

“Local cases of Alpha and Beta can be directly linked to an introduction by an incoming international traveler, Vergeire said, adding that of the 1,168 ROF samples sequenced, 799 [68.4 percent] were positive for a variant of concern.”

DOE pressed to take ‘decisive’ steps on natl petro reserve plan

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

A

SENIOR lawmaker is urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to take more “decisive measures,” including establishing its long-planned national oil reserve, amid global fuel price spiral.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said an oil reserve plan would ensure the adequate supply of fuel in the domestic market, as the country has no oil stockpile to offset the impact on petroleum prices in the global market of low crude oil production among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries Plus (Opec+).

Villafuerte issued the statement as retail prices of petroleum products have gone up for 8 weeks in a row last week amid a supply deficit that is expected to last until the year end coupled with rising fuel demand across the globe brought about by higher Covid-19 vaccination rates, leading to easing travel restrictions and further reopening of economies.

“The DOE needs to do more than just appeal to oil companies to make sure that we have enough supply of oil. Had the DOE accelerated its plan to establish an oil reserve, we won’t have this problem now, which is currently driving up fuel prices in the domestic market,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte had called on the DOE almost two years ago to push through with its plan to set up its own oil stockpile in the face of the volatile supply and prices of petroleum products.

Last June, he reiterated his call after observing that the vaccine-

driven economic recovery in the US and Europe had started to ease travel restrictions and increase demand anew for fuel.

He said oil companies have separately announced that they will implement another round of petroleum price adjustments, citing as reason the insufficient supply of crude oil amid swelling demand in the world market.

Accord ing to repor ts, t he Opec+ had rejected the requests of the US, India, China and the European countries to provide additional supply over and above the 400,000 barrels per day to its combined output that the organization earlier committed.

Worsening the current situation is the sharp drop in refinery production by 67 percent year-on-year to 1,284 million liters (ML) in the first half after Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. had shut down its oil refining operations.

Under Executive Order (EO) 134, Series of 2022 and DOE Circular 2003-01-001, oil companies and bulk suppliers are required to maintain a sufficient minimum inventory of petroleum.

Villafuerte said even the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) had warned that an oil price spiral could lead to higher inflation, given that the country remains a net food and oil importer.

According to Villafuerte, the signing in the second quarter by the DOE and the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on a review and updating of the 2002 Philippine National Oil Contingency Plan should clear the way to the creation and operation of a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) program.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Tuesday, October 26, 2021 A3

Data bare ₧59.3-B unspent pandemic response funds

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

W

ITH just a few months left into the year, the government still has P59.3 billion in unspent funds for Covid-19 response.

Data released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as of end-September showed that the government has yet to spend P10 billion under Bayanihan 1, P6.46 billion under Bayanihan 2, and P42.84 billion under other releases outside Bayanihan laws.

These funds are only valid for disbursement only until the end of the year.

In total, the DBM said on Monday that it has so far released P690.26 bil-

lion for Covid-19 response programs of implementing agencies. Of this amount, the government obligated a total of P637.97 billion, or equivalent to 92.4 percent.

Out of the obligated amount, agencies have spent or disbursed P570.04 billion (89.4 percent), as reported in the agencies’ respective Financial Accountability Reports.

According to DBM, additional releases during the third quarter of this year were charged from the 2021 national budget following the expiration of the validity of funds under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws.

These include the payment for the Covid-19 special risk allowance of public and private health workers, purchase of Covid-19 vaccine ancillaries, and procurement of RT-PCR

testing kits and renewal of contracts for hiring of health-care professionals, among others.

“The DBM commits to continuously support all implementing agencies as they respond to the pandemic to ensure that all Filipinos are given the assistance and services they need, especially during these challenging times,” it said.

Under Bayanihan 1, agencies have obligated a total of P369.08 billion from the P387.93 billion allotment released to them. Of the P331.88 billion obligated amount charged from 2020 national budget, P9.998 billion remain undisbursed.

Meanwhile, agencies have obligated P204.07 billion (95.3 percent) out of the P214.12 billion allotment released under Bayanihan

2. This leaves a balance of P10.05 billion, of which only P4.56 billion in funds charged from 2020 national budget can still be obligated by implementing agencies until December 31 this year.

Of the total P43.5 billion obligated amount from those charged under the 2020 national budget, the government still has P6.455 billion in unspent funds.

For releases outside Bayanihan laws or those under regular funds, agencies have obligated P64.82 billion out of the total P88.2 billion charged under 2021 and 2020 national budgets.

Agencies have until the end of this year to obligate and disburse the remaining P23.38 billion and P42.84 billion, respectively.

PIDS study pushes new tack to improve BI to frontline personnel: No Pinoy literacy, numeracy, digital skills

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

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IAGNOSTIC assessments are better measures of functional literacy than self-reported data, according to a policy note of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

PIDS Senior Research Fellow Jose Ramon G. Albert, in a policy note, said self-reported basic and functional literacy levels are prone to biases.

Albert said self-reports, the results of which could be obtained from surveys like the Functional Literacy and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), often depend on how individuals understand reading and writing abilities.

“Asking respondents to report literacy on others’ behalf can introduce prestige biases, thus yielding high basic literacy rates,” Albert said.

“Conducting diagnostic assessments or tests is a better option.”

Albert said that apart from basic and functional literacy, diagnostic assessments would also be needed to measure digital skills, which is already “a prerequisite for higher-level specialized digital skills needed in the workplace.”

He said digital skills measurement in the National ICT Household Survey (NICTHS) may be integrated with the functional literacy assessment in the FLEMMS given that ba-

sic functional digital skills are now considered life skills.

“Data on literacy do not give clear guidance in addressing an issue key to people’s survival and success in an increasingly digital world, they provide a barometer for measuring where the country is and where it has been in relation to where it would like to be,” Albert said.

“The accuracy of this data, however, is crucial. Using current metrics on basic and functional literacy from FLEMMS are somewhat at variance with metrics on digital skills from the NICTHS,” he added.

Albert said that based on the 2019 FLEMMS, 96.4 percent of Filipinos aged 10 to 64 years old can read and write simple messages in any language or dialect.

However, he said, there are gender and regional differences, especially when it comes to the basic literacy rate among children aged 10 to 17 years old. For one, the basic literacy among children of this age group varies by sex and it favors females.

Across regions, Albert said, only 80.4 percent of Filipinos in this age group living in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have basic literacy. This is significantly lower than the 99.1 percent in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Better policies are needed to vigorously address persisting disparities in literacy and school par-

ticipation between boys and girls and across regions,” Albert said.

“The DepEd [Department of Education] should partner with the BARMM Ministry of Education to develop a catch-up strategy for children in the region. In addition, strategies to improve reading skills among the young and encourage continuing education programs among adults must be initiated to address lagging literacy in rural communities,” he explained.

Efforts to better measure literacy in the Philippines is crucial not only because of the pandemic but also because literacy has a link to poverty.

Albert said enhancing basic, functional, and digital literacy will depend on long-term poverty reduction and an improvement in children’s nutrition. “ T he De pE d shou ld work hand-in-hand with stakeholders through a whole-of-society approach to improve Filipinos’ literacy, numeracy, and digital competencies,” Albert said.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, a person is functionally literate when he/she “can engage in all those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his or her group and community and also for enabling him or her to continue to use reading, writing, and calculation for his or her own and the community’s development.”

Aksyon Demokratiko: From group that could fit in a pedicab to a political party to reckon with in ’22

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OLITICAL parties in the Philippines can be likened to a bus plying along Edsa. During rush hour, buses are filled with passengers. But during non-peak hours, one can even sleep on the vacant seats.

The Aksyon Demokratiko party is no exception. Since the double defeat of its founder and standard bearer the late former Senator Raul Roco in the 1998 and 2004 presidential elections, the party has been likened to a pedicab that can seat only two to three passengers.

But 18 years later, Aksyon Demokratiko now boasts of more than 4,000 members and now has a “winnable” presidential bet in the person of 47-year-old Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso.

It was party chairman Ernest Ramel who used the “pedicab” as an object for comparison to Aksyon Demokratiko, who has no viable presidential bet since Roco, who died of cancer in August 2005.

While Aksyon Demokratiko may be a pedicab compared to bigger and older political groups, party presi-

dent and standard bearer Mayor Isko Moreno said its members have nothing to worry about.

“Sabi ng aming chairman, kami po ay sidecar candidate. Wag po kayong mag-alala, specialty ko po magmaneho ng sidecars. Hindi ko po kayo ilulubak,” Moreno a former sidecar driver in Tondo, Manila, had said in his usual joking manner.

“Puro giant killer dito…. Tingnan ninyo sa Manila at sa Pasig. Naniniwala ako na walang grabang nakakapuwing puro buhangin lang,” said Moreno, referring to his 2019 victory over former President Joseph Estrada and former policeman Alfredo Lim. Mayor Vico Sotto, on the other hand, won the mayoralty race in 2019 and ended the dynastic reign of the Eusebio clan in Pasig City. Sotto is the party’s executive vice president.

In 2016, Aksyon Demokratiko only had 400 members nationwide and “that number was further reduced before the 2019 midterm elections,” recalled Ramel.

“I think at the start, there were people who were joining, the young-

er ones, because of Mayor Vico, but when Mayor Isko came in, ang daming nagpapahayag na gusto namin sumali then eventually when we elected him president and eventually when he declared, there were more,” said Ramel.

With Mayor Isko’s numbers consistently going up based on survey results of various polling firms, Aksyon Demokratiko had a windfall in terms of candidates wanting to join the party.

As of latest count, Aksyon Demokratiko issued some 4,000 Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) which means that party membership has registered a geometric increase and the party is no longer a pedicab but an MRT needing additional train cars.

As of September 30, about 50 local government officials from different parts of Luzon took oath before Mayor Isko as the political party continues to consolidate local support days before the filing of candidacies for the 2022 national elections.

TikTok videos in uniform

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

S

EVERAL officers of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are facing investigation for failing to comply with the agency’s directive, which bans them from posting videos of themselves dancing or singing while they are on duty and in uniform over the popular social networking site called TikTok. In a memorandum to all BI port personnel, Immigration port operations chief, lawyer Carlos Capulong said employees who will be found guilty of disregarding the order may be charged with administrative cases for insubordination and misconduct.

It can be recalled that in December of last year BI Commissioner Jaime Morente banned BI employees in uniform from posting on TikTok, saying the act denigrates the bureau as an institution and unbecoming of government employees who should always conduct themselves with professionalism and integrity.

As public servants, Morente reminded that employees must proudly wear their uniform at all times, present a professional image to the public and observe proper decorum and good taste in all their actions while on duty.

He added that the TikTok videos undermine the BI’s reputation and create a negative image for the agency’s personnel, especially its frontline immigration officers.

Capulong said Morente has ordered him to investigate reports that some BI employees assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) continued to post videos on TikTok, which were taken while they were on duty and on their official uniform.

“I was instructed by Commissioner Morente to hold these errant employees liable by forwarding their cases to our board of discipline for investigation and filing of the appropriate administrative cases,” Capulong said, while noting that employees are prohibited from using cellular phones and other electronic gadgets while on duty.

Capulong said the TikTok videos of BI employees in uniform could not have been taken if they were not on duty at the time, thus, a clear violation of the ban on the use of mobiles and gadgets while on duty.

A4 Tuesday, October 26, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

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British Chamber: Passage of RTLA Data curiosity to reinvigorate investors’ interest

T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE British Chamber of Commerce is optimistic that the passage of the amendment of Retail Trade Liberalization Act (RTLA), which is awaiting President Duterte’s signature, would attract more foreign investments in the Philippines, reversing an anemic amount of inflow in the past.

British Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and Trustee Chris Nelson said they have been closely monitoring the development of the RTLA and they have been pleased with progress since the legislative measure is now on the table of Duterte.

Nelson pointed out that various foreign groups and chambers see the passage of the RTLA as a “great opportunity” to boost foreign investments in the country, which

he noted has been “very little” in the past two decades.

“I just want to emphasize that the previous retail act passed 20 years ago netted very little investments for the Philippines. We can do much better than that,” he said in a recent television interview.

“We are very optimistic [about this], we are looking forward to this being signed. It is a clear signal to investors that move on economic lib-

eralization, which we think is very important. It is a great progress,” he added.

Nelson said his group would promote the RTLA once it is enacted into law in the United Kingdom and attract potential investors to the Philippines.

He noted that the reduction in the minimum paidup capital from $2.5 million to $500,000 is really enticing to foreign investors.

“What we will do with this, we have lined up and promoted it in the UK, [among] our partners there, to various chambers and international trade partners,” he said.

Last September, the Senate ratified a Bicameral conference committee report endorsing amendments to the RTLA and seeking to lower the capitalization requirement for foreign retailers from $2.5 million to $500,000, or from P125 million to P25 million.

Passing the remedial legislation for the 1991 Act, said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, was intended to attract more foreign direct investments into the country, “thereby fostering competition, lowering market prices, and creating more local jobs.”

SCP program bill hits P4.7B–DOTr

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

T

@lorenzmarasigan

HE Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Monday that the payout for drivers and operators that are participating in the Service Contracting Program has reached P4.7 billion.

Citing data from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said the total amount involves the P1.91 billion released as of end-June, and another P2.29 billion as of October 23. These payouts were funded through the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. The second phase of the program, meanwhile, is being funded through general appropriations. So far, the DOTr has disbursed P539.67 million to drivers and operators.

Tugade said the program will “continue to be implemented in different parts of the country.”

cause you’re able to experiment with what you can accomplish on short time cycles. Sometimes those sprints fail, but sometimes you’re pleasantly surprised by the results. An inclusive infrastructure makes agile analytics possible by reducing time-to-insight for everyone.

Making data-driven decisions routine

By Henry J. Schumacher

I

WAS reading an exciting story about two German brothers in their 60s, who are still expanding their companies and are investing in start-ups. They were interviewed recently and were asked what drives them. They had one word only: Curiosity. I loved that response!

But a proverb may come to mind: “Curiosity kills the cat.” Never made the cat! Why? Because we are applying “data-analytics.” And should we really make a mistake, we know that this is part of the necessary learning exercise.

Every business understands the need to be data driven, but few have truly been able to establish a culture of deriving valuable insights from the data they collect. Sure, there’s more data than ever, but how do you act on that data in meaningful ways?

The key to creating a data-driven culture is making queries fast, easy, and intuitive to run. Driven by curiosity, you want an environment that can be ready fast and run queries at sub-second speeds. It’s also important to get as many employees involved in the process as possible to ensure you aren’t siloing insights in one department.

What really accelerates business growth is widespread data curiosity.

In order to create that sort of environment, it’s important to have an inclusive solution so you don’t bottleneck or silo certain parts of the organization. Nothing drops analytics adoption rates like forcing someone to wait a long time for a report. Delay easily translates into missed opportunities.

Businesses as a whole are moving to a more agile, sprint-style methodology.

Agile development has taken off be-

THE more trustworthy your data is, the more data-driven your organization will become. It’s the same with data analysis. If you want your entire organization to be data driven, you need to make sure you are delivering trustworthy data. This doesn’t necessarily mean your data is perfect, but that as many people have access to the same view of the data as possible.

Nothing is perfect, and data certainly is never as clean as it should be, but a little transparency and data curiosity goes a long way. In fact, a smart approach is adopting an organizationwide mindset that all of your data and analytics should be audit-defensible.

Inclusive solutions allow your organization to give everyone access to data—and, importantly, the provenance of that data—which increases overall data quality, curiosity, and trust. Giving people access to data—and visibility into where it came from—leads to greater levels of engagement across the organization. All of a sudden, people can start to question or defend data and its interpretation with confidence. This makes your data more trustworthy, which in turn leads to greater levels of engagement, which in turn creates more trust. It’s a virtuous cycle—and one that replaces gut feelings with data.

And let’s fully understand that data is not a substitute for management—it is a tool that makes management better. By using data, managers can better understand risk, identify bottlenecks and replace low-value meetings with analysis of trends.

From the top-down, the emphasis should be on improvement, growth and increased self-awareness so that the whole organization can evolve.

Let’s turn the lights on with data, driven by curiosity! I wish you fun in data curiosity. Me being curious, feedback is appreciated; please contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

Govt finalizes fuel discount program for fishers amid global oil price hikes

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HE government is finalizing a gasoline discount program to help Filipino fishermen, especially those fishing in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), ease their expenses following the series of oil price hikes due to volatile global markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

Agriculture Undersecretary for AgriIndustrialization and for Fisheries Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero said the continuous increase in gasoline prices is burdensome to Filipino fishermen, especially since fuel accounts for 50 percent of their operational costs.

“That is really a huge burden for them, especially if gasoline prices continue to increase,” Natividad-Caballero said at a virtual news briefing on Monday.

Natividad-Caballero explained that the fuel subsidy program for fishermen was a brainchild of the Department of Energy (DOE) that is being supported by the DA. She added that the DA and DOE is now in the final stages of negotiations with industry stakeholders to implement the subsidy program, which will benefit at least 30,000 municipal fishermen and at least a hundred commercial fishers.

The agriculture official pointed out that they would likely prioritize the fishermen catching in the WPS to ensure that their operations are sustainable.

“Five gasoline companies talked with us and were involved in the program. We are just waiting for due diligence to implement the subsidy,” she said. Some of the gasoline companies involved are Shell,

Caltex, Petron and Phoenix.

Natividad-Caballero did not provide an estimate or amount of discount that the government will provide to fishermen pending the last round of discussions between authorities and industry players.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) earlier disclosed that the average income of small fishermen has dramatically dropped to P120 per fishing trip from P300 “daily net income” prior to the series of oil price hikes.

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, 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.

In its recent projections, the World Bank said the crude oil prices (an average of Brent, WTI and Dubai) would average $70 per barrel, 70 percent higher than the $41.3 per barrel average quotation last year.

The World Bank said crude oil prices would sustain their upward trend, remaining elevated probably until next year.

“They are projected to be $74 a barrel in 2022 as oil demand strengthens and reaches pre-pandemic levels. The use of crude oil as a substitute for natural gas presents a major upside risk to the demand outlook, although higher energy prices may start to weigh on global growth,” it said. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

A5

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

DTI: PHL must tap innovative tech to boost recovery

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

I

NNOVATIVE technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), can boost the country’s chances of thriving in a postpandemic world, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said global challenges can be better addressed through innovative technologies, and Philippine firms cannot be left behind in this regard.

Aldaba highlighted the need to harness the power of innovative technologies for local firms to remain competitive in a post-pandemic world.

“While we recognize that collective efforts is instrumental in addressing challenges that are global in scale such as the pandemic, we emphasize that innovative initiatives [e.g., AI] must be harnessed and be placed at the core of all our endeavors to ensure that we will not only overcome overwhelming obstacles but also guarantee that our industries will remain adoptable amidst our ever-changing economic landscape, and that they will thrive moving forward,” Aldaba said in a news statement.

The DTI said that apart from being aware of innovative technologies, local firms would be able to embrace and adapt to new economic realities, which includes AI and other similar technologies.

“It is in this vein, that the government, through the DTI, strives ceaselessly in exploiting the potential of the recent technological and innovative breakthroughs to propel our economy ahead and enhance the competitiveness of our industries, especially at a time when the global economy

is being rocked by disruptions coming from all fronts,” Aldaba said.

In order to carry out its vision, DTI will host the Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (I3S), which seeks to bring together participants from the government, industries and academe.

The event will also showcase some of the country’s experts in the field of AI who will deepen and broaden understanding and appreciation of this new technology.

The event will focus on discussions surrounding the envisioned National Center for AI Research; experiences and insights on the adoption of AI by businesses, especially amid the lingering pandemic; and, critical issues surrounding AI particularly those that are related to ethics, governance and regulations.

Last month, the United Nations’ World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) report showed the Philippines slipped by one notch to 51st rank out of 132 economies, amid the challenges posed by Covid-19 and decreasing budget for research and development (R&D).

According to the report, the country scored 35.3, which is an improvement from last year’s 35.19. The current ranking, albeit lower, is better than 54th position in the 2019 survey.

The world’s top innovators are Switzerland, Sweden, the United States and the United Kingdom. South Korea jumped to rank 5.

The Philippines ranked fourth among 34 lower middle-income group economies.

It is at the bottom half among 17 countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania at 11th rank.

BBM favors ‘full exploration’ of renewable-energy sources

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O enable the Philippines to keep pace with the development of the global economy and ensure sufficient but low-cost power supply, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is considering full exploration of renewable-energy (RE) resources.

Marcos pointed out that due to its geographic location and being archipelagic, the country is rich in RE resources that could provide more than sufficient power supply once explored and tapped properly.

“We must explore other energy resources, like wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal and ocean energy sources, gaya nung windmill farm sa Bangui, Ilocos Norte na ngayon ay nag-susupply ng 40 percent ng electricity needs ng probinsiya. We have to break our dependence on imported crude oil for our households and industries to enjoy low-cost and uninterrupted power supply kasi hindi lang foreign investors, kungdi pati mga negosyante natin mismo. Dapat mas mura ang kuryente at reliable para makasabay tayo sa development ng global economy,” he said.

In 2018, the top 5 countries with the highest power rates in terms of kilowatt hour (kWh) surveyed in Asia are Japan (P12.31 per kWh); Philippines (P8.96 per kWh); Singapore (P8.83 per kWh); Hong Kong (P6.53

per kWh); and Thailand (P6.23 per kWh).

Philippines had the second-highest power costs in Asia at P8.96 per kWh. The presidential aspirant further said that he will push for a 100 percent household electrification because everyone must have access to electricity since it is a very essential part of the world today.

“Access to electricity is essential for improving access to health services, gaya ngayong may Covid, kailangan may kuryente to ensure safe storage of vaccines. Ang mga bahay kailangan ng kuryente para sa ilaw, sa mga appliances.

Para magkaroon din ng access to information through media and communication technologies, kailangan ng kuryente,” he added.

Marcos also stressed that the ultimate solution to the rising cost of crude oil that overwhelms the government’s efforts to control the prices of basic commodities would be the full exploration of all potential RE sources in the country.

“The pandemic has changed the energy landscape. Just like any country reeling from it, we should learn to adapt to this new environment. I, for one, have always been a proponent of renewable energy and I believe that it will play a crucial role not only in our recovery but in the country’s future as well,” he said.

PRC continues to provide relief goods to ‘Maring’ victims in LU

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HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) continues to assist La Union weeks after being hit by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Maring,” causing serious flooding in the province.

Last October 15, 2021, the provincial government of La Union declared the province under a state of calamity by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution 1413 due to devastation caused by STS Maring.

PRC, headed by Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard J. Gordon, ordered the immediate deployment of a Humanitarian Caravan to the province at the height of STS Maring. The humanitarian caravan

included a 6x6 truck, a rescue boat, a command post, a rescue vehicle and a food truck. Food items were distributed to provide immediate relief to the victims.

These included 350 kilos of rice, 100 cans of sardines, 100 cans of beef loaf, and 100 cans of tuna.

STS Maring affected 10 provinces, 127 municipalities, and 1,920 barangays, composed of 100,241 families or 400,401 individuals. PRC, through its chapters, assisted the affected barangays in rescue and relief operations, including in La Union, which was severely hit, damaging P369.3 million worth of agricultural products.

BusinessMirror

A6 Tuesday, October 26, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5/f To 10/f, Tower 4 Pitx #01, Kennedy Road, Tambo, City Of Parañaque MO, HAIQIN Mandarin Customer Service Representative 1.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status SHI, MINGYANG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

2.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status SI, FANGCHEN Mandarin Customer Service Representative

3.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

4.

Brief Job Description: • Supervise the agglomerate machinery team.

• Supervise the works safely and effectively for production processing. • Ensure that equipment is maintained in good and safe working condition.

• Manage the Performance regular equipment maintenance to ensure production capacity and quality. • Evaluate equipment performance and recommend improvements. • Follow safety procedures and company policies for equipment operation.

• Recommend process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and safety. • Contribute to waste management programs. • Identify and correct unsafe operations immediately.

GARZON LORENZO, JOSE General Superintendent

5.

Brief Job Description: • Play a principal role in establishing a top level safety culture by enhancing, communicating, implementing and enforcing safety systems and processes across the project.

• Advise and assist Area manager to deliver their packages safely, within budget and program by: - Monitoring performances of the foremen and general foremen (supervisory staff) in their areas and reporting/ managing deficiencies. - Actively mentoring supervisory staff to improve the way they execute their roles. - Providing advise to Area manager on the efficient use of project resources. - Hold regular meetings with supervisors both individually and in groups to manage/ communicate project wide issues.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, civil engineering, or related or relevant experience in self performing activities in major civil work projects.

Experience in agglomerate.

International experience will be highly valued.

Fluency in English and/ or high level of Spanish is required. International experience will be highly valued.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, civil engineering or related.

10 years of experience in construction. Extensive construction supervision experience on important international structure projects. Extensive construction experience in high density, urban environment. Extensive stakeholder engagement in a construction environment.

Excellent communication skills. Fluency in English and or high level of Spanish is required international experience will be highly valued.

6.

Brief Job Description: Knowledge and experience in layout programs specifically in ISTRAM and Civil 3D. Lead the geometric design of the project and interface with the rest of the specialties. Mark general criteria and design solution to the Designer. Lead technical meetings related to the geometry design reviewing the exchange of information with the client. Lead and review the generation of topography and cartography and its implementation in the design program to use as it as a basis for geometric design.

Basic Qualification: Project Management qualification and experience. 8-10 years of experience. Good knowledge of construction materials and testing requirements. Ability to interpret contracts and implement works accordingly. Fluency in technical English and/ or high level of Spanish is required.

7.

Brief Job Description: Giving support to specific part of construction projects.

Overseeing building work. Documented Quality Control inspections. Setting out sites and organizing facilities.

Checking technical designs and drawings to ensure that they are followed correctly. Supervising contracted staff. Ensuring projects meet agreed specifications, budgets or timescales. Providing technical advice and solving problems on site. Preparing site reports and filling in other paperwork. Liaising with quantity surveyors and Superintendents about the ordering and negotiating the price of materials. Ensuring that health and safety and sustainability policies and legislation are met.

GESTOSO BLASCO, OLGA MARIA Technical Construction Coordinator

8.

Brief Job Description: • Supervise and review the preparations of construction method statements with construction personnel.

• Preparing technical and material submittals. • Planning and maintaining project budget and schedule Planning. • Attend progress meetings, discuss and suggest technical proposals. • Take part in the project management review and risk management review. • Coordinate between the construction and engineering teams ensuring that the construction requirements are conveyed to the engineering teams and that the engineering deliverables satisfy the construction requirements

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

9.

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

10.

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries

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

Brief Job Description: Managing Incoming Calls and Customer Service Inquiries TWAN YEE KYI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

WEI, JIAJUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XIN, TENGFEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAO, KEKE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, HUIJIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHOU, YU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHU, JINYAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries GUO, SENSEN Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SEO, SEUNGYEON Customer Service Associate Brief Job Description: Provides assistance to customer during Informational inquiries and emergency calls.

No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Basic Qualification: Able to speak , Read and Write Chinese Language DIBYANTO MALCOLM TANDIONO Bi-lingual Speaking Junior Accountant

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

28.

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

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

Brief Job Description: Fluent and proficient in writing and speaking at least 2 of the following languages: English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai and Bahasa Malaysia. 2 years related experience

DONG, WEI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 29.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer services managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails WANG, KANG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

30.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer services managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails

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

WANG, QIUAI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative 31.

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

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

32.

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

33.

Basic Qualification: At least 1 Year experience specializing in customer service of equivalent.

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service & managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails

MOTOHASHI, KATSUYUKI Operations Manager 34.

Brief Job Description: Start establishing warehousing and liaise with transportation companies

26.

Brief Job Description: Oversee the relationships of the company with Chinese clients; Responsible for obtaining and maintaining long term key customers by comprehending their requirements.

XIE, ZHENFEN Key Accounts Specialist Consultant 27.

Brief Job Description: Oversee the relationships of the company with Chinese clients; Responsible for obtaining and maintaining long term key customers by comprehending their requirements.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in Mandarin Chinese with customers Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Japanese language for dealing cheapest Japanese vehicles for delivery Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

DENSO TEN SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 2309-2310, B2 B4, 24th & 25th Flr. Hanston Square Bldg., 17 San Miguel Ave., San Antonio, City Of Pasig IKEDA, YOSHINORI Assistant Department Manager 35.

Brief Job Description: Management, supervision, and administration of the information systems department of the company

Basic Qualification: Fluent in spoken and written Nihongo with 1 year relevant experience Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

DUZON E&H IN PHILIPPINES CORPORATION L-10-11/f Tower 2, Insular Life, Filinvest, City Of Muntinlupa KANG, MINSUK Cm Specialist 36.

Brief Job Description: Ensures effective management of class scheduling and distribution KEE, HYOJIN Cm Specialist

37.

Brief Job Description: Ensures effective management of class scheduling and distribution

Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 year course Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Graduate of 4 year course Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503, Nueva St, , Binondo, City Of Manila

SONG, MINMIN Marketing And Sales Agent 38.

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

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas and research to help develop marketing strategies: Can help to detail, design and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

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

C’EST LA VIE EVENT MANAGEMENT INC. 230, Narra Street, Marikina Heights, City Of Marikina

LYU, JUNQIANG Key Accounts Specialist Consultant

Basic Qualification: Ability to communicate fluently in mandarin Chinese with customers

DAY2DAY LOGISTICS INC. 4/f Saville Bldg., 8728 Paseo De Roxas Cor. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

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

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer services managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails ZHANG, YANFENG Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Delivering excellent customer service & managing the needs of customer through phone calls and emails ZHANG, LEI Mandarin Speaking Customer Service Representative

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

Basic Qualification: Maintains general ledger accounts by reconciling accounts receivable detail and control accounts; adjusts entries for amortization prepaid, analyzes and reconciles retainage and accounts payable ledgers; prepares fixed asset depreciation and accruals.

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

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

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

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

BOSCH SERVICE SOLUTIONS, INC. 23rd Floor, W Fifth Avenue Building, 32nd Street Corner, 5th Avenue Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D., Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street, Tambo, City Of Parañaque BI, QIANG Chinese Customer Service

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

25.

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

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

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

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, civil engineering or related.

10 years of experience in construction. Fluency in English and or high level of Spanish is required international experience will be highly valued.

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

24.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. Fluency in English ND/ or high level of Spanish is required.

International experience will be highly valued.

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

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

BALIC STEFANOVIC, CHRISTIAN Site Technician

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

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

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 SCOLARO, DANIELE Road Works Manager

11.

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

ACCIONA CONSTRUCTION PHILIPPINES INC. 21/f Tower 2, The Enterprise Center, 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati CORTINA SEARA, JOSE MARIA Agglomerate Machinery Operator

HUANG, QIUXIANG Chinese Customer Service

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Basic Qualification: Can develop strong positive relationships with executive and management contacts: able to speak and communicate using Mandarin.

WU, SIXIAN Marketing And Sales Agent 39.

Brief Job Description: Researches and develops various marketing strategies for products and services and implements marketing plans and works to meet sales quotas

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can develop strong positive relationships with executive and management contacts: able to speak and communicate using Mandarin.

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

CHROMELAB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 25/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Can contributes information, ideas and research to help develop marketing strategies; Can help to detail, design and implement marketing plans for each product or service being offered.

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

HUANG, FANG Account Manager 40.

Brief Job Description: The account manager will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a account manager, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company, demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

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

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

HE, FAN Marketing Manager 41.

Brief Job Description: The marketing manager will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal.

NI, KANGKANG Marketing Manager 42.

Brief Job Description: The marketing manager will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goal.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a marketing manager, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company, demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a marketing manager, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company, demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

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

FIRST COMMERCIAL BANK, LTD., MANILA BRANCH Unit 2&3 20/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati CHEN, HO-HSIUNG a.k.a. RICHARD CHEN Junior Assistant Manager 43.

Brief Job Description: Assume responsibilities on loans dept., marketing, customer services.

TSAI, HSIANG-HUNG Senior Assistant Vice President

44.

Brief Job Description: Overall in charge for the management of the business and affairs of the branch.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with previous experience in similar position.

No.

55.

JEREMIAH, SELVAKUMAR Application Consultant–DEVOPS 56.

45.

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

LE THI NGOC MAI Customer Service Representative 46.

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

NGUYEN NHUT TIEN Customer Service Representative 47.

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

NGUYEN THI HONG HUE Customer Service Representative 48.

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

NINH VAN DUY Customer Service Representative 49.

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

PHAM NGOC HAO Customer Service Representative 50.

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

SHENG, LIANGSHAN Customer Service Representative 51.

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

VU THI XUAN Customer Service Representative 52.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and English speaking

57.

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

58.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and English speaking

Basic Qualification: College graduate/Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and English speaking

53.

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

XIE, LINGJIAN Customer Service Representative 54.

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

60.

61.

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

GUANGXI HYDRO ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION BUREAU (GHCB PHILIPPINES CORPORATION) #58, Road 1, Project 6 1, Quezon City

69.

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

Basic Qualification: Must be a college graduate with formal business qualifications and must be knowledgeable on sap and software technicalities Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

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

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

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

KIM, JUNGWON Korean Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls & customer service inquiries

PARK, CHUNYOUL Korean Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls & customer service inquiries

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

MAEDA, KEISUKE Assistant To The SVP - Sales & Marketing Group 62.

Brief Job Description: To plan, organize, direct, coordinate and manage the overall operations of the unit

Basic Qualification: College graduate, good in oral and written communication, fluent in Japanese and English language Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

63.

Brief Job Description: 1. This role focuses on real estate development and growth in the industrial and logistics sector. The task will include the selling and promotion of real estate leasing and/or brokerage transaction solutions to both local and international clients located in the Philippines.

2. Create Business opportunities by sourcing prospectives clients from company database and external sources through cold calls, networking and referrals. 3. Cross sell other company services and regular follow up of leads with the purpose of generating business/revenue.

Basic Qualification: 1. Atleast 3-5 years experience in supply chain, industrial and logistics brokerage.

2. Knowledge in financial analysis (net present value, IRR, ROI, etc) 3. Can manage the entire end to end transactional process.

4. Preferably accredited with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

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

LOGICDOSE INC. 19f Marco Polo Ortigas, Sapphire Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig LI, LINGFANG It Support Specialist (Chinese Speaking) 64.

Brief Job Description: Installing and use of software for data encryption to protect sensitive information

LIM WENG SOON It Support Specialist (Malaysian Speaking) 65.

Brief Job Description: Installing and use of software for data encryption to protect sensitive information

Basic Qualification: Can speak Indonesian language and knowledgeable in information technology system

70.

71.

72.

73.

74.

75.

76.

77.

78.

79.

80.

81.

82.

83.

84.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Can speak Malaysian language and knowledgeable in information technology system Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

85.

86.

MAIDEHAO TRADING, CORP. Level 10-1 Fort Legend Tower, 3rd Ave. And 31st St., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

XU, HANYONG Chief Finance Officer 66.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning, implementation, managing and running of all the finance activities of the company.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking; preferably graduate in china; and knowledgeable in Chinese corporation.

87.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 88.

HAN, MAOSEN Sales Manager 67.

Brief Job Description: To lead a sales team by providing guidance, training and mentorship, setting sales quotas and goals, creating sales plans, analyzing data, assigning sales territories and building their team.

LIANG, RONGFEI Sales Manager 68.

Brief Job Description: To lead a sales team by providing guidance, training and mentorship, setting sales quotas and goals, creating sales plans, analyzing data, assigning sales territories and building their team.

MC CONNELL DOWELL PHILS., INC. Level 4 Nol Tower, Commerce Ave., Mbp, City Of Muntinlupa

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking; preferably graduate in china; and knowledgeable in Chinese corporation.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin speaking; preferably graduate in china; and knowledgeable in Chinese corporation

Basic Qualification: Minimum of 8 years experience in the construction industry.

Demonstrated success in delivering to targets, time frames planning and logistics management.

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

JONES LANG LASALLE (PHILIPPINES), INC. 19/f Nex Tower, 6786 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati MCNAUGHT, CHARLES JOHN Director For Capital Markets

Brief Job Description: Promote total job safety and environmental awareness in the job vicinity.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

DONNELLY, PETER FRANCIS Deputy Project Manager

JACCS FINANCE PHILIPPINES CORPORATION U-3806-3810, 38th Floor, Robinsons Equitable Tower, Adb Ave. Corner Poveda St., Ortigas Ctr., City Of Pasig

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

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

Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

No.

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

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

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

XIAO, CHUNLIANG Customer Service Representative

59.

Basic Qualification: College graduate/Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

YU, ZHICHAO Mandarin Customer Support Specialist

Basic Qualification: College graduate/Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and English speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

JIA, HAOHAO Mandarin Customer Support Specialist

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate/Level, preferably with customer service or sales experience, fluent in mandarin and English speaking

Brief Job Description: Provide highly skilled software/solution consultation and application design

BU, HUAIYU Mandarin Customer Support Specialist

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. 4th-11th Floor Aseana 3 Building, Aseana Avenue Corner Diosdado Macapagal, Tambo, City Of Parañaque HO THI TUYET NHI Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as mandarin structural maintenance supervisor ; excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor, Eight West Campus Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

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

Basic Qualification: College Graduate Level, preferably with Customer Service or sales experience, fluent in Mandarin and basic English

Brief Job Description: The mandarin structural maintenance supervisor will be strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long term goals.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

IBM SOLUTIONS DELIVERY, INC. 5th Floor, Ibm Plaza, 8 Eastwood Avenue, Eastwood City Cyberpark, Brgy. Bagumbayan, Quezon City

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with previous experience in similar position.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION YANG, SONG Mandarin Structural Maintenance Supervisor

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

89.

90.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 91.

HONG JEN KIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

JIE, JIAJUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LI, FAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LIU, YIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

LIU, YU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

ZHANG, YU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

ZHENG, YI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

ZHOU, JIAWEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

ZI, HEXIAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

DU, YANQI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries GAN, WENLONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HUANG, MENGDI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HUANG, YANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries JIAO, YUANXIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, CHENGLIAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, PEIFEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, SHANYAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU, QIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries NIM THI MY LE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

PHAM THI HANH Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

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

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

A7

BusinessMirror

A8 Tuesday, October 26, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

92.

93.

94.

95.

96.

97.

98.

99.

100.

101.

102.

103.

104.

105.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION WANG, YITI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WU, JINHUA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WU, YULIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XU, CHUNYAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XU, NING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires.

YANG, YANLI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YIN, MINGCI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YIN, ZHICHAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, SHILIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, YAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, ZHIHAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHONG, XIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHOU, LIJUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU, XIAOXIAO Chinese Customer Specialist Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

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

ZHANG, TINGE Chinese Customer Service Representative 113.

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

114.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 115.

106.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for running and coordinating the day-today administrative duties of an organization

NASNARIN YAP BINTI ABDULLAH Malaysian Administrative Assistant 107.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for running and coordinating the day-today administrative duties of an organization

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

CHAUHAN, RAJESH Construction Manager

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

Brief Job Description: Construction manager plan & coordinate a project from start to finish, including organizing the schedule of work, technical support to the team to maintain the accuracy of work

116.

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

HUANG, ZHANMING Service Manager 117.

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

118.

119.

120.

121.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in mandarin. Proficient in MS office, with exceptional knowledge of excel and PowerPoint Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in Malay. Proficient in MS office, with exceptional knowledge of excel and PowerPoint

108.

Brief Job Description: 1. Handle team, monitor and motivate member, 2. In charge of training of the team.

122.

123.

124.

109.

Brief Job Description: Develop business proposal analyze current and past expenses. Develop creative strategies

DENG, YANG Chinese Customer Service Representative 110.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

LIU, JUN Chinese Customer Service Representative 111.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

WANG, JILIN Chinese Customer Service Representative 112.

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

CHEN, YI-JUNG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service FENDI Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service SHANG, DONGXU Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service TAN CHEE LOONG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service YU, HSIAO-CHIEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service ZHANG, JIE Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service

Basic Qualification: College graduate, preferably 3 years of relevant experience, Must be fluent in English and Thai

SAURDOT SIHOTANG Finance And Operations Manager 125.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing all financial and administrative operations of the Corporation

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service

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

126.

Brief Job Description: The Chinese IT support specialist is an integral of the company infrastructure application support and of the it division and is responsible for providing quality it support of enterprise systems throughout the Chinese clientele

127.

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

Brief Job Description: Prepare product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information LIEW CHI WEI Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

130.

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: More than 15 years experience in handling of global projects, preferably dealing with Siemens Energy project sites’ civil works management Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

YANG, BIN Bilingual Finance Support Specialist

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

Basic Qualification: Facilitate planning sessions to align departmental strategies and action plans with business goals and objectives.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Brief Job Description: Process and prepare financial business forms for the purpose of checking account balances, facilitating purchases.

TAN, QIUHENG Chinese Customer Service Representative 131.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing feedback on the efficiency of the customer service process WU, ZHICHAO Chinese Customer Service Representative

132.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing feedback on the efficiency of the customer service process.

ZHANG, QIONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

133.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for providing feedback on the efficiency of the customer service process YANG, YAOBIN Chinese Technical Support Representative

134.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for identify and escalate priority issues per client specification HE, YAN Mandarin Audit Associate

135.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for complete allocating task to a high standards which meet set reporting and auditing standards WEN, CAIXIA Mandarin Audit Associate

136.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for complete allocated tasks to a high standard which meet set reporting and auditing standards.

GUO, LIBO Mandarin Frontdesk Associate

137.

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

Brief Job Description: Responsible for keep record of all conversation in database in a comprehensive way.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

WANG, ZHIQIANG Mandarin Marketing Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

138.

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

139.

Basic Qualification: Graduate of Accounting or related course, At least 10 years’ experience in finance and accounting, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry, Able to speak English and Bahasa Indonesia

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly.

JOHNY Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

140.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for conduct market research to identify opportunities for promotion and growth

EDI ARIANTO Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly.

MARINA LIE Bahasa Language Customer Service Representative

141.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly.

PARK, HEE RA Korean Language Customer Service Representative

142.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly.

CHEN FOOK CHAI Malaysian Language Customer Service Representative

143.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly.

LING LIANG HONG Malaysian Language Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin, Cantonese and Fukien language Salary Range: PDhp 30,000 - Php 59,999

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

128.

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

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

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

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

ZIMI TECH, INC. 29th/f Burgundy Corporate Tower, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Basic Qualification: Excellent in writing, reading and speaking in Bilingual languages

YOUBIN CONSULTANCY INC. 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg., Paseo De Roxas, Bel-air, City Of Makati

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service

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

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

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

TOTAL CREST BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 26/f & 27/f Alphaland Corporate Tower, Ayala Ave. Extn. Cor. Malugay St., Bel-air, City Of Makati CHONG HOL YIN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

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

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

TIANYU TECHNOLOGY INC. 16/f Socialdesk Tower, H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati LU, XIANG Chinese IT Support Specialist

Brief Job Description: Experts at their product, and their primary duty is to resolve customer issues quickly and efficiently.

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service

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

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferably 6 months to 1 year to the same field

129.

TEMPO SCAN PACIFIC PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 301 3/f Magnitude Realty State, 186 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave., Bagumbayan, Quezon City

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

RIGHT CHOICE FINANCE CORP. 5e-1 Electra House Bldg., 115-117 Esteban Street, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati KULPANICH, THAMON Business Lending Development Officer

Brief Job Description: As a senior manager, responsible for planning and directing the work of a group of individuals

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZOU, JIACHENG Mandarin Customer Support Specialist

SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 20/f Techzone Bldg., 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

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

Brief Job Description: Leads a company service department to manage customer interactions.

UCHIDA, KENSUKE Senior Manager

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate. Fluent in Mandarin and English.

Preferably 6 months to 1 year customer service

No.

SOJITZ G AUTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Unit Gc15 Edsa Grand Residences, 75 Corregidor St., Edsa, Ramon Magsaysay 1, Quezon City

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

SKYWORTH (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION U-2202 & 2204 22/f Antel Corporate Centre, 121 Valero St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

PRINCETECH MARKETING SOLUTIONS OPC 23f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati SRITONGIN, AKARACHAI Customer Support

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

SIEMENS ENERGY, INC. 15/f Nex Tower, 6786 Ayala Ave., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

PAILI HOLDINGS CORPORATION 3rd Floor One/ Neo Building, 26th Street Corner 3rd Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig QIN, ZHENZHEN Administrative Assistant (Mandarin Speaking)

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

ZHU, FANGYIN Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Answering inquiries, resolving problems, fulfilling requests and maintaining data base

ZHENG, YUYU Chinese Customer Service Representative

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

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

144.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean / Bahasa / Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean / Bahasa / Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean / Bahasa / Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean / Bahasa / Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean / Bahasa / Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean / Bahasa / Chinese Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Oct 25, 2021

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on October 23, 2021, the company name of Chen, Weizhi, Gu, Chun, He, Zengzhi, Huang, Yuanhao, Kang, Jianlin, Li, Haixin, Su, Cheng, Wang, Jizhou, Xu, Jianjun, Yang, Bobo, Ye, Qianting under DYNA BINARY HOLDINGS INC, should have been read as DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. located at 5th To 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on October 2, 2021, the position of Tony Yong Wei Kwong under INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION, should have been read as MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SUPPORT SPECIALIST and not as published.

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

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

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

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Oil companies hike fuel pump prices for 9th straight week

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

O

IL firms announced on Monday another round of price increase that will take effect Tuesday morning.

For the ninth consecutive week, prices of petroleum products will go up by P1.15 per liter for gasoline, P0.45 per liter for diesel and P0.55 per liter for kerosene.

Seaoil, Petron, Shell, Phoenix PTT, Caltex, Total, Unioil said they will implement the price increase at 6 a.m. of October 26. Cleanfuel, meanwhile, will adjust prices at 4:01 p.m.

Since oil firms adjusted gasoline price last August 31, this has gone up to P8.35 per liter, while diesel has shoot up by P9.1 per liter. Kerosene also increased by P8.6 per liter.

The latest fuel price hike brings the year-to-date adjustments to stand at a total net increase of P18.05 per liter for gasoline, P14.9 per liter for diesel and P12.5 per liter for kerosene.

Earlier, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the possibility of suspending excise taxes on fuel products is being considered. However, it is not up to the Department of Energy (DOE) to implement this. Should there be a law suspending excise tax, Cusi said pump prices might go down by P8 to P10 per liter.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 A9

DOH chief finally approves Covid booster shots for priority groups

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

A

N official of the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday confirmed that Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III has approved the recommendation by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) to administer Covid-19 vaccine booster shots and third dose for listed priority groups.

“The Secretary [Duque] has approved the recommendation of HTAC. Lahat po ng plano ay under way na kagaya ng sabi namin sa inyo [All plans are under way just like what we have told you] we will have this third doses for our immunocompromised [people], senior citizens, and boosters for our healthcare workers,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online forum.

Vergeire, however said that they are still awaiting the release of the emergency use authority (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration.

“While we are waiting for the EUA...we are already planning and discussing how we can do about with the implementation,” Vergeire added.

On October 13, HTAC wrote to

Duque recommending that the first in line to get booster shots would be the health-care workers and this will be done during the last three months of the year.

They will be followed by seniors and “eligible priority groups” next year. An additional dose will be administered starting this year to immunocompromised individuals, but only after 28 days from completion of the initial Covid-19 vaccine series, the letter stated.

Earlier, the DOH noted that based on its review as of September 21, only 12 countries in the world have started to administer booster shots.

These countries have focused on administering booster shots among their elderly and immunocompromised population groups in very limited settings. Majority of these countries have achieved more than 50 percent coverage for primary series of their population.

The government also has allotted P45 billion for booster shots under the proposed 2022 national budget.

Low risk

THE DOH also announced on Monday that the country is now at a low risk classification, even as six regions are at moderate risk classification.

Undersecretary Vergeire said that

the country is at low risk case classification “with a negative two-week growth rate at negative 48 percent and a moderate risk average daily attack rate at 5.89 cases per every 100,000 individuals.”

“The national health system capacity is also at moderate risk. All of the regions now with a negative two-week growth rate and low to moderate risk case classification,” Vergeire said adding that six regions were recorded with highrisk daily attack rates. Regions 2, 9, and 5 have ICU utilization rates at high risk, while remaining regions have low to moderate beds and/or ICU utilization.

Vergeire also said that Regions 2, 9, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 4B, Region 1, and National Capital Region (NCR) are at moderate risk.

“Decline in cases is seen at the national level and in most regions; however, majority of provinces and cities in CAR, Regions 1, 2, 4B, and 9 remain at moderate to high risk classification with beds and/or ICU utilization rates at high to critical risk,” Vergeire added.

For October 24, 2021, the top regions of new cases are: NCR-1,010, Region 2-646, Region 3-469, Region 4B-426, and Region 4A-423.

Top areas of new cases are: Isabela-309, Quezon City-205, Negros Oriental-165, Pangasinan-161, and Cagayan-152.

Cases

AVERAGE daily cases reached baseline cases prior to steep increase at the end of July. The average daily reported cases: October 18-24: 5,251, October 11-17: 7,726, October 4-October 10: 10,478 , September 27-October 3: 14,677. The new peak was recorded on September 6-12: 20,946 as compared to the peak recorded on July 23-29: 5,399.

The DOH added that NCR shows a slow downward trend with reported cases decreased by 35 percent versus the previous seven days.

On Monday, the DOH logged 4,405 additional Covid-19 cases, with 7,561 recoveries and 149 deaths.

The Covid-19 cases in the country stood at 2,761,307.

Bed utilization

“TOTAL beds utilization is now on a decline for the past weeks,” Vergeire said.

From July 1 to October 24, total beds increased by 1,203 (13 percent), while occupied beds also increased by 408 (12 percent).

Meanwhile, ICU beds are at

moderate-risk utilization, the DOH added.

From July 1 to October 24, total ICU beds increased by 337 (30 percent), while occupied ICU beds also increased by 227 (50 percent).

Deaths

VERGEIRE said that national deaths show several peaks during the August to September period.

Data from DOH showed that in August the total deaths recorded was at 5,189 with 167 average number of deaths per day, Septembe-4,757 (159), and October (1-24 )-1,633 (68).

Measures

VERGEIRE, likewise, stressed the need to observe measures to sustain the decline in cases as the holiday season approaches and mobility is expected to increase.

These measures are:

Adhering to masking and physical distancing and avoiding 3Cs or closed spaces, crowded areas, and close contact activities is most important to prevent transmission.

Ramping up vaccination to protect vulnerable population especially of A2 and A3 priority groups.

Maintaining short detectionto-isolation time to control transmission as soon as possible.

Health department red flags weekend crowds Abolition and MOOE budget cut raise at Manila Bay’s controversial dolomite beach alarm among ‘restive’ RITM workers

T

HE Department of Health (DOH) on Monday reminded concerned government agencies of their responsibilities after thousands of people trooped to the controversial dolomite beach in Manila Bay over the weekend.

“Ang ating mga ahensya may responsibilidad kayo [Our agencies have the responsibility] to prevent these mass gatherings,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, stressing that the protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) were appar-

ently breached.

The Manila Police District said that some 65,000 people visited the beach on Sunday.

Vergeire expressed alarm that if such problem persists, the country will go back to strict quarantine restrictions again.

“At ayaw po natin lahat ’yan [And we don’t want that to happen],” Vergeire added.

She reiterated that the national agencies concerned should remember that whatever was discussed with the IATF and whatever safety protocols that are being imple-

mented “is for the good of our population.”

“Sinabi na kapag Alert Level 3 ang outdoors natin dapat 50 percent capacity. ’Yung nakita po natin nung weekend hindi po ’yun 50 percent capacity [Under Alert Level 3, it’s 50 percent capacity for outdoors. Based on what we saw, it was not 50 percent capacity],” Vergeire noted.

She called on the authorities to regulate the crowd immediately to stop the spread of Covid-19 and prevent the possible increase in the number of cases in the country.

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

90 public schools allowed to hold pilot F-to-F classes

E

DUCATION Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones on Monday said there are now 90 public schools that “will be pushing through with conduct the pilot limited faceto-face [F-to-F] classes” on November 15.

In a Palace news briefing, Briones said the goal of the Department of Education (DepEd) is to have 100 public schools participate in the limited in-person classes nationwide.

Briones said the selection of the schools depends on many factors and one of them is the risk assessment done by the Department of HealthEpidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB).

She said the local government units where the schools are situated must allow the implementation of the pilot limited face-to-face classes,

the schools’ facilities must have the appropriate set up complete with water and medicines, and there must be written consent from the parents of learners who plan to participate.

“Ito iyong sinasabi nga natin na first batch, 59, tapos halos everyday ay may nadadagdag na mga schools na nag-qualify, tapos ang ginagawa natin ngayon ay niri-review natin dahil ang policy ay magdagdag tayo ng [This is what we’ve said first batch (of schools), 59, then almost every day qualified schools were added, then we reviewed the policy, and we will add] 20 private schools,” Briones said.

She added that one international school has submitted to the DepEd its plan on how to conduct limited in-person classes, which must be evaluated by the DOH-EB.

Of the 90 public schools identified, 14 schools are in Caraga; 10 schools in Regions 1 (Ilocos); 10 schools in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); 10 schools in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas); eight schools in Region 7 (Central Visayas), eight schools in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula); eight schools in Region 11 (Davao); six schools in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao); five schools in Calabarzon; and five schools in Region 12 (Soccsksargen).

“So far, in the 90 schools, 93.2 percent personnel are already vaccinated.

Iyong [The] personnel, staff, and so on, vaccinated, of course, there is a preference and the parents have also expressed this that they would want vaccinated staff and teachers to attend to their children,” Briones said. PNA

H

E A LT H- C A R E workers (HCWs) of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) held a lunch break “noise barrage and die-in protest” on Monday to dramatize their protest over the P170-million cut on the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) of their National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for budget year 2022.

“We, RITM health workers, did not receive the 100 percent budget from the DOH for our meal, accommodation and transportation benefit covering the period of September to December 2020 and from January to June 2021. We call on the attention of the DOH [Department of Health] and the Duterte government to release our much awaited meal, accommodation and transportation allowance now,” said Romeo Garcia, President, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine Employees Association-Alliance of Health Workers (RITMEA-AHW).

Garcia added that the DOH has not even allocated budget for the Covid-related benefits in the 2022 proposed DOH budget “while we are still in the state of health emergency.”

“This is a great insult and a clear abandonment of the DOH and this government to us who are at the forefront fighting this pandemic.

DOH and the Duterte government are definitely not on our side to fulfill their mandate and protect us. This causes immense demoralization among our ranks. Many nurses and health workers have

already resigned and filed for early retirement due to the government’s negligence,” Garcia stated.

The HCWs stressed that whenever the Philippines is experiencing an outbreak or pandemic, RITM is at the forefront acting as the vanguard and an expert institution mandated to provide immediate detection of infectious diseases through its laboratory and diagnostic services.

Among the infectious outbreaks that RITM has addressed and managed to overcome are SARS, H1N1, Mers-Cov, Polio, Ebola and Measles.

For his part, Rodolfo Perez, vice president, RITMEA-AHW said that in this trying period of pandemic, they cannot fathom that despite the urgent need for a higher health budget, the government has even managed to reduce their hospital budget.

“The big cut in the MOOE of RITM as one of the National Reference Laboratory [NRL] in the country would cause a big negative impact especially that RITM is an expert laboratory for infectious and emerging diseases such as Ebola, Sars Cov 2 and the deadly coronavirus disease,” Perez said.

The group has expressed fears that the cutting of the MOOE budget for NRL is the government’s way of “preparing RITM’s abolition,” citing that the Duterte government is now railroading the bill through House Bill 9560, also known as the Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (PCDC) Act.

HB 9560 states the amalgamation of various agencies within the DOH, such as Epidemiology Bureau, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), STD-AIDS Cooperative Central Laboratory and Passive International Health Surveillance and Development of Communication Methods under the Bureau of Quarantine.

This means, they said, RITM and other agencies and bureaus will be abolished because they will now be under PCDC. The creation of PCDC will result in widespread displacement, mass lay off and streamlining of health workers because eventually, RITM will be abolished. HB 9560 does not provide provisions for the continuation of medical services for the patients with infectious and tropical diseases, they added.

“If RITM is abolished, the number of hospitals catering and specializing in the treatment of infectious and tropical diseases will be reduced. What will happen to the displaced health workers then? And most importantly, where will the poor patients with tropical diseases go?” Perez said.

They also appealed to senators to increase health budget by allotting P2.064 trillion (10 percent of the Gross Domestic Product) to direct public health services and for Covid-19 response, restore the P170-million budget cut of RITM NRL, and to abolish of RITM, among others. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

‘Indecorum:’ Poe criticizes LTO for posting official directive on PMVIC via Viber

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

T

HE Land Transportation Office (LTO) came under fire Monday from Senator Grace Poe for issuing an official LTO directive via Viber suspending mandatory vehicle inspection by the LTO’s Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Centers (PMVICs).

Poe, chairperson of the franchise-screening Senate Committee on Public Services, slammed LTO’s

“indecorum” in issuing the Viber directive as “unprofessional.”

In a news statement, the senator raised the issue of indecorum in the LTO directive suspending mandatory vehicle inspection by PMVICs. Poeprotested the “indecorum of the Land Transportation Office” in failing to issue an official memorandum that inspection by PMVICs remains optional and not mandatory, resulting in confusion and chaos among motorists in the different regions.

“That is very unprofessional. Ano

ba naman ’yung isang page na ipa-type ninyo, ipa-press release na ninyo kung hindi niyo mapaabot o ma-email sa mga regional directors ninyo,” said Poe as she asked the LTO to release the said memo within the day.

At a Senate finance subcommittee hearing on the Department of Transportation (DOTr) budget, Poe questioned the priority of LTO “if it’s really bent on ensuring the roadworthiness of vehicles or it is just, in fact, helping line other people’s pockets with its disregard for due process.”

“Talagang importante ang roadworthiness,” the senator stressed. Pero kung ipagpipilitan nila yung PMVIC ngayon, the very least they can do is increase the number of operational PMVICs by opening the bidding and making the process transparent.

Hindi ’yung parang nagulat na lang tayo na may mga may-ari na,” added Poe. The senator referred to the questionable bidding of the PMVICs that didn’t go through due process normally required of a public-private partnership.

She noted that while there are currently 808 Private Emission Testing Centers (PETCs) nationwide, only 72 PMVICs are in operation out of the 114 that have been granted a provisional authority to operate.

Poe described the PMVICs as a big mall compared to PETCs that are like sari-sari stores, which are less modernized but only meet minimum standards.

“Parang nangyayari ngayon, sinasabi doon lang kayo mamalengke sa malalaking mall. Papaano naman ako

na nakatira sa baryo, pinakamalapit lang sa akin ay sari-sari store? Papupuntahin niyo ako sa bayan na malayo para lang mamalengke kahit na pwede naman dito,” Poe explained.

The senator asked for the intervention of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who himself admitted that there is a lapse in communication within the agency and agreed with Poe that PMVICs should not be mandatory and motorists should have the freedom to exercise their option.

A10 Tuesday, October 26, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Tourism industry needs safe reboot

I

t’s almost two years now since the Covid-19 pandemic brought the global tourism industry to its knees. The virus placed travel and tourism on lockdown as countries imposed travel restrictions on foreign and local visitors. As a result, the industry suffered its worst economic fallout in history. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated a global loss of $2.7 trillion in revenue and more than 100 million jobs due to Covid-related restrictions.

The Philippines lost over P467 billion in international tourism receipts and P2.6 trillion in domestic revenue in 2020 because of pandemic-related international and local travel restrictions. The Department of Tourism said the sudden fall in tourist arrivals affected around 5.7 million jobs in the country’s tourism sector.

Following the trend in some countries that are lifting travel restrictions, Covid cases in the country have been decreasing in the last three weeks, with 5,222 new infections reported on average each day. If the downtrend continues, the Philippines can join other countries that are reopening their borders to fully vaccinated international visitors.

According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, an estimated 54 million tourists crossed international borders in July 2021, down 67 percent from the same month in 2019, but the strongest results since April 2020. This compares to an estimated 34 million international arrivals recorded in July 2020, though well below the 164 million figure recorded in 2019. Only 1.3 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines in 2020, or 80 percent lower than the 8.3 million visitors we had in 2019.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has been the hardest hit of all the major sectors as countries lockdown and people stay at home. UNWTO calls on governments to work together to coordinate the easing and lifting of restrictions in a timely and responsible manner, when it is deemed safe to do so. Tourism is a lifeline to millions, especially in the developing world. Opening the world up to tourism again will save jobs, protect livelihoods and enable our sector to resume its vital role in driving sustainable development.”

We are in a strong position to reboot our tourism industry. The Philippines recently bagged two prestigious titles at the World Travel Awards 2021—we are Asia’s Leading Beach Destination for the fifth time and Asia’s Leading Dive Destination for a third consecutive time.

In addition, the El Nido Resorts, one of the country’s leading eco-luxury chain located in northern Palawan, was recently voted as among the top resort destinations in Asia for 2021 at the annual Readers’ Choice Awards of the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler media group. Consisting of Apulit, Lagen, Miniloc, and Pangulasian Island Resorts, El Nido Resorts is the only Philippine property that landed in the elite Top 10 list. (See, El Nido Resorts named as among Asia’s best, in the BusinessMirror, October 23, 2021).

In time for the Christmas season, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and industry stakeholders are discussing the possibility of rebooting the tourism industry by opening select destinations to foreign tourists. Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose C. Clemente III told the BusinessMirror that industry leaders and the DOT also discussed ways to further ease the quarantine restrictions to make it easier for vaccinated balikbayans to come home and visit their families, especially this holiday season (See, Select ‘gateways’ mulled for international tourists, in the BusinessMirror, October 21, 2021).

It is well and good for our tourism industry to push for the removal of travel restrictions so we can resume accepting foreign visitors. We need to take advantage of the recent prestigious titles the Philippines bagged at the World Travel Awards 2021, including the Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for El Nido Resorts. But first, we have to reach our vaccination target of at least 70 percent of the population as soon as possible so that we could safely reboot.

This is one condition for reopening that we can’t compromise. As the World Health Organization earlier warned, “countries that reopen prematurely may face strong waves of Covid-19 resurgence.”

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THE Entrepreneur

T

he next president of the Philippines will have a much easier time than what President Rodrigo Duterte is going through right now. By the time the 17th president of the Republic assumes office sometime in July 2022, the pandemic would most likely be contained and most of the country’s population would have received two doses of Covid-19 vaccine plus booster shots, if approved by regulators.

We don’t need a crystal ball to foresee a much-improved situation in the coming months as our vaccination program sustains its momentum. Daily new Covid-19 cases dropped below the 6,000 mark last week from a high of over 20,000 cases in the first week of September 2021. If the trend continues, the number could further drop to 5,000 or lower by the end of October, per the prediction of the OCTA Research Group.

Other indicators are getting better, including the positivity rate, the average daily attack rate, and the number of active cases, hospital utilization rate and intensive care unit utilization rate. One of the most closely watched figures—the virus reproduction rate—declined to 0.52 in Metro Manila as of October 19, which means an infected person has a 50-percent chance of preventing the spread of the disease to another person. If we could keep that number below 0.5 until the end of the year, we

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will have a better Christmas season, as what Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez is hoping for.

We could only surmise that the declining Covid-19 cases was the result of an effective contact tracing efforts that prevented Covid-positive individuals from passing on the virus to others. Another obvious explanation is the rising vaccination rate, especially in Metro Manila—once the epicenter of the outbreak.

About 80 percent of the target population in the National Capital Region has already received two doses of Covid-19 vaccines and the government plans to similarly increase the vaccination rate in the provinces, with the goal of reaching up to 70 percent of the target population by Christmas.

Nationwide, 23.98 million Filipinos or 31 percent of the target population were fully vaccinated as of October 14, according to the National Task Force Against Covid-19. The government is confident of boost-

Global outlook: Not good John Mangun

OUTSIDE THE BOX

Eduardo A. Davad Nonilon G. Reyes

BusinessMirror is published daily by the Philippine Business Daily Mirror

MEMBER OF

Easier job for the next president

T

here is a lot of madness in the world today. I call your attention to Turkey. The country has been a little crazy since the time of Christ. Lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe, throughout its history it has acted as both a barrier and a bridge.

Last week, the ambassadors to Turkey from the US, Canada, France, Finland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden issued a joint statement calling for the immediate release of Osman Kavala. The Turkish government detained Kavala in 2017 in connection with the 2016 coup attempt. He was acquitted. Then he

was rearrested.

The Kavala situation is purely a domestic issue regardless of any supposed “human-rights violations.” But that means nothing in a time when any “big and rich” country thinks they have the right to interfere in everyone else’s business (except for China, of course). “The continuing delays in his trial cast a shadow over

Our next set of leaders will carry on the tasks of guiding us out of the pandemic, but thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Duterte administration, their job will be much easier. ing the number in the fourth quarter because it still has 38 million doses in its warehouses.

There is also a global downtrend in daily new cases and daily deaths.

Of note is the drastic drop in cases in Southeast Asia, where the more transmissible Delta variant spread like wildfire in August and early September. Nations were quick to roll out vaccination programs that resulted in the timely containment of the outbreak. In Indonesia, for example, the daily new cases fell to less than 1,000 last week from over 50,000 a few months ago.

Let us hope that the trend will continue in the coming months so we can have greater confidence in restarting the new economy, or the new normal, as some people would like to call it. This new economy involves the greater use of digital technologies, sustained observance of health protocols, increased investments in health care and the redesign of spaces such as homes, offices and commercial establishments to prioritize health, safety and the environment.

I believe we should continue increasing our health-care spending, following the 12.6-percent growth in 2020 amid the pandemic. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show our current health expenditures reached P895.88 bil-

Turkey’s President Erdogan kicked all 10 ambassadors out of the country. In English, he said: “Who do you think you are?” In Turkish it was “Ecdanını sikiyim” perhaps a reference to the European Crusaders. respect for democracy and the Turkish judiciary system.”

Turkey’s President Erdogan kicked all 10 ambassadors out of the country. In English, he said: “Who do you think you are?” In Turkish it was “Ecdanını sikiyim” perhaps a reference to the European Crusaders.

There was a time not too long ago when that letter and the response would have been a prelude to war.

But this is 2021 when the crazy is the same but different.

You might have to be a little crazy to want to be US president. From Gallup: “Biden’s average third-quarter

lion in 2020, up 12.6 percent from P795.64 billion in 2019. We need to build more medical facilities to accommodate our growing adult population in the face of various threats to our health.

Aside from the better Christmas season expected this year, declining Covid-19 cases and easing mobility restrictions, the next administration will have a much lighter burden. The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has taken much of the responsibility of addressing the problem, including the vaccination of the population against the virus; provision of cash subsidies, food and medical supplies to millions of poor families, and laying the infrastructure projects needed to ensure our economic recovery from the pandemic.

Our gross domestic product rebounded with 11.8-percent growth in the second quarter and this is expected to continue in the third and fourth quarters. We will return to pre-pandemic growth most likely by 2022 if we continue the reopening of the economy, without losing sight of the lingering threat of the pandemic. We therefore need to keep our masks on until the virus completely disappears.

Minimum health protocols should remain in place while we transition to more relaxed restrictions, such as the Alert Level 3 which is now in effect in Metro Manila. The government also lifted the ban on domestic tourism, while the Metro Manila Council decided to allow minors to travel in private vehicles and public utility vehicles provided their elders accompany them. Outdoor exercises See “Villar,” A11

job approval rating is down 11 points from his first-quarter rating (56 percent). This 11-point decline is larger than any prior president registered between his first and third quarters.”

Even Trump only dropped by 4 percent although his net approval was worse than Biden’s.

The rest of North America is not doing well. This is not supposed to happen in Canada. According to a poll by the Angus Reid Institute, nearly half (46 percent) of respondents said they were having “some difficulty” paying for groceries. Over one-third (37 percent) said they found feeding their families “difficult,” while an alarming 9 percent revealed it has been “very difficult” to put food on the table.”

It is not a big deal but, “Onions from Mexico linked to salmonella outbreak in 37 states. If you can’t tell where your onions are from, you See “Mangun,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Senior citizen discount is not absolute

‘Goodbye, I do!’

Manny F. Dooc

TELLTALES

Atty. Irwin C. Nidea Jr.

Tax law for business

S

enior citizens are accorded privileges in recognition of their contributions to society. Among which is the 20-percent discount on their purchase of goods and services. Is it an absolute discount? Apparently not.

In 2011, a member of a university cooperative purchased a soft drink from the said cooperative and demanded a 20-percent discount because he is a senior citizen. In his eight attempts to buy the soft drink, his demand for a 20-percent discount was rejected. So, he decided to file a criminal case against the cooperative’s General Manager. The Municipal Trial Court, the Regional Trial Court as well as the Court of Appeals, found the General Manager guilty of violating the provisions of the Senior Citizens Act and sentenced him to two to three years in prison.

However, the Supreme Court (SC) acquitted him (GR 231298). In this case, the SC reconciled two laws, i.e., the law creating the Cooperative Development Authority (Republic Act 9520) and the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994).

According to the SC, the university cooperative being registered under the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) is exempted by law from the coverage of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act. Since cooperatives are tax exempt, they cannot be burdened with the 20-percent discount to senior citizens.

According to the SC, there is a marked difference between cooperatives and other private establishments that do not enjoy the same tax exemption. The SC emphasized that private establishments that issue senior citizen discounts are entitled to a return of the discounts they extended. However, the legislature, in the exercise of its police power, watered down their reimbursements to a tax deduction from what used to be a tax credit. Nonetheless, whether through a tax credit or a tax deduction, there is no arguing that business establishments are still entitled to recoup some of the discounts they issued to senior citizens. The university cooperative could not have availed itself of a tax deduction to offset a portion of the senior citizen discounts it issued to its clients since cooperatives are tax exempt in the first place. Thus, to insist that it was mandated to issue a 20-percent discount would have been confiscatory and a deprivation of private property without due process of law.

The SC agreed with the General Manager’s argument that if the university cooperative were forced to extend senior citizen discounts, it would have to shoulder the burden with no way to avail itself of the tax deductions, leading to financial losses and possible bankruptcy.

The SC had no choice but to reconcile two laws, i.e., the law creating the Cooperative Development Authority (RA 9520) and the Expanded Senior Citizens Act (RA 9994), on whether it should declare the discounts given to senior citizens absolute or should it draw the line and protect cooperatives which are also given some privileges by law.

The SC opted to protect cooperatives. According to the SC, it does not

Mangun. . .

Continued from A10

should throw them away, the CDC says.” Life is tough in the First World.

Here is some good news, I guess.

“India to Add Hundreds of EV Charging Stations Along National Highways with plans to cover 40,000 kilometers by 2023.” The 68.8 percent of the Indian population that live on

seem reasonable that cooperatives, favored by the State for social justice reasons, will be at a disadvantage as compared to private commercial establishments. The latter are allowed by law to claim the senior citizen discount as a tax deduction, while the former has no way to recoup the discount that is given to senior citizens.

This decision will have a ripple effect to privileges given to persons with disability (PWD) as well. The 20 percent discount given to these disadvantaged members of society will no longer be considered absolute. All exempt corporations under Section 30 of the Tax Code will also argue that they too should not be forced to give the 20-percent discount.

These corporations include (1) labor, agriculture or horticultural organizations not organized principally for profit; (2) mutual savings banks not having capital stock represented by shares, and cooperative banks without capital stock organized and operated for mutual purposes and without profit; (3) beneficiary society orders or associations, operating for the exclusive benefit of the members; (4) cemetery company, owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of its members; (5) nonstock corporations or associations operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, athletic, or cultural purposes, or for the rehabilitation of veterans; (6) business leagues, chambers of commerce, boards of trade not organized for profit; (7) civic leagues or those organized exclusively for the promotion of social welfare; (8) non-stock and nonprofit educational institutions; (9) government educational institutions; (10) farmers’ or other mutual typhoon or fire insurance companies, mutual ditch or irrigation companies, mutual or cooperative telephone companies, or like organizations of a purely local character; (11) as well as farmers’, fruit growers’ associations operated as a sales agent for the purpose of marketing the products of its members.

If you are a senior citizen, or a person with disability, you should make a choice whether to purchase goods or services from these exempt corporations knowing that you may not be able to avail yourself of the customary 20-percent discount. Remedial measures should be introduced

by Congress so that senior citizens and PWDs will be able to enjoy the absolute discount that they deserve.

After all, a 20-percent discount is not a trivial choice.

I

was disturbed by a recent article published in the New York Times which said that “married people will soon be the minority” in the United States. This observation was based on a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in the US, which showed “that in 2019 the share of American adults who were neither married nor living with a partner had risen to 38 percent.”

In 1970, the percentage of Americans between the ages of 25 and 50 who were never married was 9 percent. Two decades later, the number was close to 20 percent. Given this trend, it will not be remote when there will be more unmarried persons in the US in the near future.

The same study further showed that African-American adults have the highest rate of unpartnered Americans at 59 percent, followed

by Latinos at 38 percent and Whites at 33 percent. The Asians were lowest at 29 percent. I suppose that the last group consisting largely of immigrants from China, India and the Philippines still regard marriage as the bedrock of a family. Asians uphold family values and traditions and start a family through the institution of marriage. Without marriage, the union between a man and a woman is tenuous and is generally met with disapproval by society. Most of us grew up in a culture where getting married is one of the main purposes of life. One pursues education and engages in productive work to be able to find a suitable partner in life. Contracting a marriage is a life’s milestone, which a betrothed couple look forward to with much excitement, planning and elaborate ceremony. But it seems that time is past when marriage is the pinnacle of a woman’s dream and the crowning success of a man’s achievements.

There’s now a legion of individuals shunning marriage and who would rather prefer the joys and uncomplicated life of single blessedness.

I suspect that while there are no formal studies similar to the one conducted by the Pew Research Center in the US in most countries, the trend worldwide could be the same, although at varying degrees. Marriage is getting unpopular and the number of unmarried people around the world has been consistently increasing. In Europe, for instance, where the culture is pretty similar to the US, the latest statistics released in 2017 showed that 34 percent of households in the European Union comprised of single adults without children. This was higher than the 31 percent in 2010, or a gradual increase of 2.4 percent. These numbers are drawn from the EU Labor Force Surveys done in 2010 and 2017. The rates differ across the member-states of the EU. For 2017, the proportion of single person households was lowest in Malta with just under 20 percent and highest in Sweden with 51 percent. In Latvia, the rate sharply increased from 25 percent in 2010 to 35 percent in 2017.

While there are limited studies made on the subject, the number of single persons in Asia has been growing particularly in East and Southeast Asia, which include the Philippines.

In India, a report showed that around

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 A11

Certainly, there are advantages and disadvantages of getting married. Each side can justifiably cite cogent reasons to advance its position. However, statistics all over the world indubitably demonstrate that remaining single is gaining more adherents.

50.3 percent of its population never married. This is an enormous number given the size of India’s population.

Only around 46.3 percent of the total population are married and obviously they are now in the minority. Based on the Sample Registration Survey Report 2018, “the highest number of single women living independently across India is in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.” The proportion of single women in these two provinces who live alone are twice as many as compared to the national average. It seems that the situation in China is even worse. According to Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data around the world, as of June 2021, 55.6 percent of men and 39 percent of women are single in China. The huge gap between the two genders may be due to the imbalance of gender ratio in favor of male in the country. Its government may have adopted a policy which delays, if not forgoes marriage totally, to slow down its burgeoning population.

But in countries with zero population growth like Singapore, the government offers incentives to encourage marriage and childbearing. They realize that ZPG creates less productivity when fewer working age people contribute to the economy.

In the Philippines, based on the 2015 Census of Population, there were 34.8 million single persons, or 44 percent of the total population 10 years old and over. Compared to a similar 2010 report that recorded 31.3 million single persons, the 2015 number is higher by 3.5 million. While the number has grown, the proportion to the total population of 10 years old and over of about

44 percent has remained practically the same since 2000. On the other hand, married persons comprised roughly 45 percent over the period 2000 to 2010 but reduced to 41 percent in 2015. Of the total unmarried population aged 20 and over, 54.1 percent are males and 45.9 percent are females. In other words, there are roughly 118 unmarried males for every 100 single females. No wonder, Filipinas can be choosy. But it seems that less and less Filipinos are entering into marriage and prefer to be uncommitted throughout their life.

The numbers indicate that getting married is no longer on top of the bucket list of many individuals. It’s no longer the ideal pursued by most men and women. If a considerable number of our people remain single, this will have serious implications on government planning and programs. For instance, pension planning, housing policies, retirement facilities, health care and taxation which favors married individuals and taxpayers with families and dependents need to be revisited. Less people will need roomier housing accommodation, bigger cars, and pension providing benefits for dependents. From the private sector, insurance and health care products more suitable to single policy or plan holders will be more in demand. The rules on succession and estate planning may be restudied to take into account the ramifications of a decedent who dies without a spouse and/or immediate dependents. Without a family, hotels and restaurants will provide more single-bed rooms and tables for one to maximize their accommodations.

Certainly, there are advantages and disadvantages of getting married. Each side can justifiably cite cogent reasons to advance its position. However, statistics all over the world indubitably demonstrate that remaining single is gaining more adherents. It won’t be long before the bachelors and spinsters of the world can proudly proclaim: “Goodbye, I do!”

Ex-Saudi official claims damaging intel against crown prince

By Aya Batrawy | The Associated Press

D

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—A former senior Saudi security official who helped oversee joint counterterrorism efforts with the United States claimed in an interview with 60 Minutes that the kingdom’s crown prince once spoke of killing a sitting Saudi monarch before his own father was crowned king.

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

The article is for general information only and is not intended, nor should be construed as a substitute for tax, legal or financial advice on any specific matter. Applicability of this article to any actual or particular tax or legal issue should be supported therefore by a professional study or advice. If you have any comments or questions concerning the article, you may e-mail the author at irwin.c.nideajr@ bdblaw.com.ph or call 8403-2001 local 330.

Saad al-Jabri did not provide evidence to the CBS News program, which aired Sunday.

The ex-intelligence official, who resides in exile in Canada, claimed that in 2014, Prince Mohammed bin Salman boasted that he could kill King Abdullah. At the time, Prince Mohammed held no senior role in government but was serving as gatekeeper to the royal court of his father, at the time still heir to the throne. King Salman ascended to the throne in January 2015 after his half-brother, King Abdullah, died of stated natural causes.

Al-Jabri used the interview to warn Prince Mohammed that he has recorded a video that reveals even more royal secrets and some of the United States. A short, silent clip was shown to 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley. The video, al-Jabri said, could be released if he’s killed.

Al-Jabri’s allegations are the latest attempt to pressure the 36-year-old crown prince. Two of al-Jabri’s adult children are in detention in Saudi Arabia, allegedly as pawns to force their father to

return to the country. If he returns, al-Jabri faces possible imprisonment or house arrest like his former boss, the once-powerful interior minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who was ousted from the line of succession by the current crown prince in 2017.

Al-Jabri, 62, claims the crown prince will not rest until “he sees me dead” because “he fears my information.” He described Prince Mohammed as “a psychopath, killer.”

The crown prince drew global outcry after it emerged that aides who worked for him had killed Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkey in October 2018. After recordings from inside the consulate were leaked

by Turkish authorities, the Saudis claimed it had been an effort meant to forcibly bring Khashoggi back to the country, and that it went awry. The crown prince denied any knowledge of the operation, despite a US intelligence assessment to the contrary.

Al-Jabri claimed that in a 2014 meeting with Prince Mohammed bin

less than $2 a day were not available for comment.

About the only place on Earth that is showing some signs of sensibility is East Asia, ex. China from time to time. But the real global madness will hit in the next 18 months.

Two scenarios. The US dollar appreciates from the current US dollar index price of 93 back to the year 2000 level at 115—or more—for a 25- percent increase. If that happens,

all the US dollar denominated debt due and payable by countries like India (52 percent of its total debt) or Argentina (55 percent) will be at least 25 percent more expensive.

Dollar-denominated debt outside US is $12.6 trillion from both the public and private sector. Think 1997 Asian crisis on steroids.

Alternatively, the US dollar depreciates to the 2010 area at 80—or less —down 15 percent to 20 percent.

Americans will not be able to afford all their imported goods. Further, the US Fed might be forced to raise interest rates much higher than expected.

Either way, the global economy is still going to be in ICU for some time.

The madness will continue.

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

Al-Jabri claimed that in a 2014 meeting with Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who was head of intelligence as interior minister at the time, the much younger Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he could kill King Abdullah to make way for his father’s rise to the throne.

Nayef, who was head of intelligence as interior minister at the time, the much younger Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he could kill King Abdullah to make way for his father’s rise to the throne.

“He told him, ‘I want to assassinate King Abdullah. I get a poison ring from Russia. It’s enough for me just to shake hand[s] with him and he will be done,’” Al-Jabri said, claiming that Saudi intelligence took the threat seriously. The issue was handled within the royal family, alJabri said.

A video recording of that meeting still exists, he said.

The Saudi government told CBS News that al-Jabri is “a discredited former government official with a long history of fabricating and creating distractions to hide the financial crimes he committed.” The government has issued extradition requests and Interpol notices for alJabri, alleging he is wanted for corruption. Al-Jabri claims his wealth

Villar. . .

Continued from A10

are now allowed for all ages, regardless of co-morbidities or vaccination status.

The implementation of Alert Level System, meanwhile, began in other provinces starting October 20. This system is obviously much better and more targeted than the

comes from the generosity of the kings he’s served.

While it is not the first time alJabri has tried to exert pressure on the crown prince, it is his first on-record interview since his son Omar al-Jabri, 23, and daughter Sarah al-Jabri, 21, were detained in March 2020 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A son-in-law was allegedly kidnapped from a third country, forcibly returned to Saudi Arabia, tortured and detained.

Human Rights Watch says the arrest of family members is an apparent effort to coerce al-Jabri to return to Saudi Arabia. A Saudi court sentenced his son and daughter to nine and six-and-a-half years in prison, respectively, for money laundering and unlawfully attempting to flee Saudi Arabia, according to the rights group. An appeals court reportedly upheld the prison sentence in May, without informing the family.

Al-Jabri has filed a federal lawsuit in the United States against the Saudi crown prince, alleging the royal tried to trap and kill him in the US and Canada.

Meanwhile, Saudi entities are suing him in the US and Canada, claiming he stole some half-a-billion dollars from the counterterrorism budget. A Canadian judge has frozen his assets due to purported evidence of fraud as the case proceeds, according to the CBS News report. general lockdown implemented in recent months.

Our next set of leaders will carry on the tasks of guiding us out of the pandemic, but thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the Duterte administration, their job will be much easier.

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

A12 Tuesday, October 26, 2021

DUTERTE TO VIRTUALLY ATTEND ASEAN SUMMIT

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

P

RESIDENT Duterte will virtually participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders summit this week.

Presidentia l spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed Duterte will be attending the series of ASEAN events from October 26 to 28, 2021. See related story on ASEAN Summit in WORLD, page B7.

“Our President will attend via Zoom or computer hookup,” Roque said in a virtual briefing.

The 10 member=states of ASEAN—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philip-

pines—will meet among themselves before the regional bloc meets with other countries.

Roque said the ASEAN will engage South Korea, China, United States, Japan, Australia, India, Russia in its summit this week.

Among the expected issues at the ASEAN summit will be the military takeover of the Myanmar government in February this year.

Days before the meeting, Foreign Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. has pushed for a more definitive stance from ASEAN members on the issue amid mounting international pressure for the bloc to adopt a tough stance against the Myanmar junta, which detained the top civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, among others.

Intramuros’ healing spaces reserved for seniors on Saturdays

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

S

ENIORS and other vulnerable sectors of the society will have the green spaces in historic Intramuros all to themselves for two hours of exercise on a weekend.

Starting October 30, vaccinated senior citizens, persons with disability, pregnant women, and persons with health risks will be able to exercise from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. every Saturday at Fort Santiago and Baluarte de San Diego.

In a news statement, Tourism Secretar y Bernadette Romulo Puyat said, “We wish to give our fellow Filipinos, especially those who belong to the vulnerable sector, a breathing, healing and comfortable space.” The DOT chief, who chairs the Intramuros Administration, said access to these sites are available through an advance ticket reservation system.

“This will help boost their overall health and well-being,” she stressed.

Intramuros recently reopened select sites to Metro Manila residents between the ages 18 and 65.

With this exclusive exercise period on Saturdays, “we are making the place more inclusive, where our members of our [vaccinated] vulnerable population can enjoy their time in Intramuros safely,” she added.

For his part, Intramuros Administrator Guiller Asido told the BusinessMirror, “We will see first the reception and hopefully, if the results are good, we will do

Govt

Transport groups

it everyday already.” He added, the initial Saturday exercise period will also allow IA to test the reservation system as well.”

He added, the unvaccinated among the vulnerable sectors are also welcome to exercise in Intramuros any other day, “but we have observed none visiting to exercise at those times.”

Priot to the pandemic, the walled city was one of the most popular tourist attractions in Metro Manila. In 2019, it received some 3.7 million visitors.

Under the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF) Guidelines for the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System for Covid-19 Response in the National Capital Region issued on October 7, 2021, “Individual outdoor exercises shall be allowed for all ages regardless of comorbidities or vaccination status.”

IATF Resolution No. 144 issued on October 14, 2021, allows the Intramuros Administration to “implement such programs in Fort Santiago and Baluarte de San Diego for fully vaccinated senior citizens aged 65 and above, consistent with the guidelines on the Pilot Implementation of Alert Levels System for Covid-19 Response and without any objections from the City of Manila.”

Reservations may be booked through bit.ly/3ilptmu. For more information, the public can visit the social media accounts of Intramuros Administration or email their inquiry to tourism@intramuros. gov.ph

Continued from A1

TRANSPORT groups earlier filed a petition for fare hike before the LTFRB but they have since agreed to put their petition on hold until they receive the cash subsidy from the government.

Following calls to suspend fuel excise taxes amid oil price increases, the Department of Finance (DOF) earlier said this may spell a “substantial revenue loss” of P131.4 billion in 2022.

In a memorandum to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, DOF Revenue Operations Group Undersecretar y A ntonette C. Tionko also warned that “any sus-

pension of the imposition of excise taxes should be appropriately studied” as the foregone revenues “may affect the government’s budget for Covid-19 recovery measures.

Tionko also agreed that the only way for the Department of Energy to be granted powers to suspend the fuel excise taxes is through legislation.

She explained that the provision under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law can no longer be invoked, since what was only allowed to be suspended under the said law are the mandated excise tax increases from 2018 to 2020. Bernadette D. Nicolas

DA readies short-, long-term ways to cut fertilizer prices

T

By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it is exploring various measures to help farmers cope with the rising prices of fertilizer, including a wider subsidy program as an immediate relief. It is also looking to promote organic fertilizer as a long-term solution.

In a virtual press briefing, agriculture officials explained the measures, which are divided into policy level and farmers’ level, that the department is undertaking to address the sector’s concerns regarding expensive fertilizer.

“We have to address the high costs of fertilizers in a holistic way.

So we are doing something at the government level and also doing something to make farmers more efficient in using fertilizer,” Agriculture Undersecretary-designate Leocadio S. Sebastian told reporters.

Topping the list of measures,

Sebastian said, is assessing the probability of providing additional subsidies to farmers to aid them in their fertilizer expenses. However, Sebastian pointed out that another round and expansion of the fertilizer subsidy program “requires substantial funding.”

He added, “We are scrutinizing this and studying how we can implement this.” The DA earlier rolled out a fertilizer subsidy program for rice farmers worth about P2.78 billion.

Sebastian said the DA, particularly its attached agency the

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), is exploring the possibility of implementing a suggested retail price (SRP) for fertilizer products.

“The FPA will continue to monitor domestic and global prices as well as current local stocks and distribution of major fertilizer grades.

The DA is studying the possibility of setting an SRP, especially if the disparity between the landed price and retail price of fertilizers is wide, he explained.

Sebastian said the FPA is also continuing efforts to help farmer cooperatives to directly import fertilizer for their own use or even for domestic sale. Furthermore, Sebastian said the Planters Products Inc. is also eyeing to import more fertilizers and other biologics, such as soil ameliorants.

At the farmers’ level, Sebastian said the department will train farmers on proper fertilizer management through its attached agency the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM). Part of this training is promoting the use of organic fertilizer and correct usage and application of inorganic fertilizers.

“We will intensify what we call balance fertilization, which is a combination of organic and inorganic combination.

For example, in rice production we can increase the organic component for fertilizers,” he said.

“Also, there are many techniques to optimize the use of urea. We must avoid applying it at the wrong amount and at the wrong time,” he added.

The DA is also looking to reduce costs of other components of farming such as labor costs, by pushing more efficient planting methods like direct seeding—a method that alone reduces labor costs of farmers

by P6,000, Sebastian said.

The World Bank (WB) recently projected the average price of urea this year would be $380 per metric ton (MT), nearly 66 percent higher than its average price of $229 per MT last year.

The average price of Diammonium phosphate fertilizer this year could be $590 per MT compared to its average quotation of $312 per MT last year, according to WB projections.

The retail price of fertilizers in the Philippines, as of mid-October, rose by as much as P100 per bag compared to their price levels in mid-September, based on latest FPA data.

For example, the average price of DAP is now at P1,965.72 per 50-kilogram bag from P1,895.97; while the average price of urea (prilled) is now at P1,630.95 per bag from P1.523.14 previously.

The price of urea (granular) is now P1,580.22 per bag from last month’s P1,494.8, while complete fertilizer is now priced at P1,404.23 per bag from P1,353.43.

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., the private operator of LRT-1, receives the 12th of 30 brand-new train sets scheduled for delivery until June 2022 from Spain and Mexico, at its Baclaran depot in Pasay City. Each of the fourth-generation train set consists of four light-rail vehicles (LRV) that can carry 1,300 passengers per trip. They will be used for the existing system and the Cavite extension projects of the LRT-1. NONIE REYES

With high vaxxing rate, UAE seen to shift to green list

T

HE high vaccination rate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may finally prompt the government to include the Middle East nation in its “green list” category, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The new classification, if approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), will ease the quarantine measures for inbound travelers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFW) coming from the UAE. In a virtual press briefing last

Monday, Labor attache for Abu Dhabi Manuel Dimaano reported 90 percent of the population in UAE are already inoculated against Covid-19.

“They are now in the process of administering booster shots,” Dimaano said.

With the high vaccination rate in UAE, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said the IATF may now consider downgrading the classification of UAE from yellow to green.

“It will be the opinion or recommendation of the medical experts,

which will be given weight on the said issue,” said Bello, who is currently in the UAE for the ministerial meeting between Middle East countries and other labor-sending countries in Asia.

Under IATF guidelines, fully vaccinated foreign travelers coming from “green” countries, who test negative for Covid within 72 hours prior to departure from their country of origin, will no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine.

Fully vaccinated Filipino travelers coming from green countries could also forgo facility-based quar-

antine if they test negative 72 hours before their departure.

If they are still unvaccinated, have a vaccination status which cannot be independently verified, and failed to comply with the testbefore-travel requirement, they shall undergo a facility-based quarantine until the release of a negative Reverse TranscriptionPolymerase Chain Reaction (RTPCR) test taken on the fifth day.

For travelers coming from yellow countries, facility-based quarantine will remain mandatory.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

B1

Meralco expects core profit to improve despite costly oil

T

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

he Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) improved financial performance in the January-toSeptember period will allow the utility firm to surpass its core profit last year.

Meralco Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said Monday there is indication that the utility firm will exceed the consolidated core net income (CCNI) achieved last year, despite spiraling fuel prices in the past nine weeks.

The sudden but significant rise in the prices of gas, coal and oil which can affect Meralco’s generation margins, and the lingering effect of the pandemic remain key risks to the company’s outlook for the fourth quarter. Still, Pangilinan is confident that full-year core profit will improve compared to last year.

“We envisage 2021 full-year results to be ahead of the 2020 [figure],

but we are not expected to be quite definitive on the numbers yet for the full year because of the recent spikes in fuel prices, which could affect our generation margins starting the fourth quarter this year. So, the expectations for full year 2021, recurring core income will be ahead of 2020 nonetheless,” said Pangilinan.

Meralco reported Monday its CCNI at end-September this year grew by 15 percent to P18.1 billion from last year’s P15.7 billion driven by the combined effect of the 6-percent increase in energy distributed with the easing of quarantine restrictions, and increased contribution from its different

business units and subsidiaries.

Reported net income improved by 47 percent year-on-year to P16.5 billion from P11.3 billion due to lower exceptional charges arising from the impairment recognized from the company’s investment in PacificLight Power Ltd. in 2020.

Consolidated total revenues were higher by 11 percent to P231.7 billion from P208.8 billion, mainly boosted by electricity revenues, which grew by 11 percent to P225.4 billion from P203 billion.

Meralco spent P18.5 billion on capital expenditures (capex) at endSeptember. Of which, almost 60 percent went to networks capex. About 90 percent of the networks capex was spent on new connections, asset renewals and load growth projects; while the balance was used to support other projects including the government’s Build, Build, Build program and the Meralco Electrification Program.

Operating expenses amounted to P22.7 billion, higher by 12 percent from the same period last year.

At end-September, Meralco’s customer base stood at 7.4 million.

Consolidated energy sales volumes rose 6 percent to 34,398 gigawatt hours (GWh) from 32,539 GWh in 2020 as commercial and industrial sectors recovered in the nine-month period following more flexible community quarantine restrictions, and sustained growth in the residential sector.

Meanwhile, Meralco President Ray Espinosa said the company’s long-term sustainability strategy will cost about P180 billion.

“We have a strategy for the orderly transition to cleaner energy and that will take three horizon, three decades all the way to 2050. We are also looking at new technologies that will allow for the use of use of renewable energy to deliver baseload requirement, and mix of renewables that we can put together alongside the battery storage system.

There’s a huge capex that will be involved if we are to implement that plan all the way to 2050. Roughly, not approved by board, if we were to implement this plan together, about P180 billion. That’s the cost of moving to cleaner energy and somebody has to pay that price,” he said.

Cashalo expands tie-up with Lazada

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

G

okongwei-backed financial technology (fintech) platform Cashalo has expanded its strategic partnership with e-commerce giant Lazada to introduce a new product that allows online shoppers to borrow money.

Cashalo General Manager Chino Flor said the expanded tie-up Lazada customers are entitled for a micro loan called Lazada Loan of up to P2,500, which has “zero

interest and zero processing fee.”

“We have seen encouraging traction for Lazada Loan since we introduced it last year. We want to be able to continue growing that momentum and empower more Filipinos to buy online by offering them a zero-interest, zeroprocessing fee option,” he said.

Customers may avail of this offer by signing up on Cashalo’s microsite. Cashalo offers loans and credit financed by Paloo Financing Inc. “Through our expanded partnership with Lazada, we believe

that more and more Filipinos will have greater ability to provide the joy of Christmas to their loved ones. This new payment option is best for those who would like to do their Christmas shopping online or those who simply need products that are readily available on Lazada,” Flor said.

Flor added that Cashalo also

hopes to entice Lazada Loan users to avail of other Cashalo products such as the zero-interest installment in select Cashalo partner stores, and cash loans for urgent needs.

“Since day one, our goal has always been to promote financial inclusion in the country. Our vision is to provide Filipinos greater and easier access to a wide array of financial services,” Flor said.

Cashalo is backed by JG Summit and Oriente. Its mobile app has been downloaded in over 9.5 million devices to date.

ACEN taps South Pole to hit net-zero goal STI net income hits A ₧101.7M

S

TI Education Systems Holdings Inc. said it recorded a net income of P101.7 million in its fiscal year ending June 30, a turnaround from the previous year’s net loss of P117.5 million, despite the drop in enrollment.

The company, which owns a network of schools, said the turnaround was due to the group’s cost management measures, as operating expenses dropped by 16 percent to P1.03 billion from the previous year’s P1.21 billion.

Gross revenues for the year reached P2.09 billion, down by 17 percent from P2.52 billion last year.

Tuition and other school fees amounted to P1.88 billion, a decline of P374.8 million or 17 percent from the same period last year, due to the lower number of enrollees.

“Even as enrollment dropped due to the pandemic, we purposely chose to stay committed to the education of youth in these challenging times. In doing so, we innovated our technology-enhanced programs that will enable our students to continue learning even through a different setup to ensure their health and safety,” STI President and CEO Monico V. Jacob said.

The group registered an enrollment of 70,223 students for its school year 2020-2021, down by 16 percent from the previous year’s 83,967. VG Cabuag

C Energy Corp. (ACEN) and global climate solutions provider South Pole will closely work together in the next 12 months to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Both will develop a detailed greenhouse gas footprint that includes all relevant Scope 3 emissions from the value chain, which is considered net zero best practice; and assess potential emission reduction activities and strategies to help ACEN prioritize and budget for these interventions across its core business units, ensuring practical steps are taken to reduce emissions as quickly as possible.

They will also establish interim targets aligned with a sciencebased 1.5°C pathway across the core business units to ensure ACEN has robust and measurable milestones along its journey to net zero by 2050.

“Being at the forefront of the energy transition goes hand in hand with our commitment to Net Zero,” said Eric Francia, President and CEO of ACEN. “We will work closely with the Ayala group and continue to collaborate with our stakeholders as we carry out this important journey.”

Last week, Ayala Corp. Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala announced the conglomerate’s commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“We are aligning ourselves with the global movement for climate action as our way to help secure our country’s future from the threats brought by climate change. We believe that we have the capabilities and collective will to make this happen,” Zobel said.

For ACEN’s part, it vowed to transition its generation portfolio to 100 percent renewable energy by 2025. It will also use the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) for the early retirement of its remaining coal plant, South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. (SLTEC) by 2040, 15 years ahead of its technical life.

The ETM is an innovative funding mechanism that leverages low-cost and long-term funding geared towards early coal retirement and reinvestment of proceeds to enable renewable energy.

BPI Capital Corp. will be the lead arranger for the ETM for SLTEC. An option for the 270-megawatt (MW) coal plant of SLTEC, said Francia, includes the possibility of maintaining to operate the plant even if it is sold.

“An asset divestment does not necessarily translate to a separation or termination of the operation and maintenance (O&M) arrangement. We have to make sure that in whatever transaction we enter into entails ensuring O&M to the highest standard, whether that’s us or new investors,” Francia said.

ACEN said it has been working with many different initiatives, such as the Council for Inclusive Capitalism Just Energy Transition in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group, global energy and energy-intensive companies, academic, investor, civil, and social representatives CalPERS, Grantham Research Institute, Inclusive Capital Partners, International Trade Union Confederation, State Street, and the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance.

The company is also a signatory to the Taskforce on Climaterelated Financial Disclosures and is currently implementing the 11 recommended disclosures.

For governance, ACEN management has recently set up a boardlevel sustainability committee.

The company has successfully rolled out its Environmental and Sustainability Policy in 2020, integrating sustainability in the decision-making on strategy, capital allocation, business development, product development, and operations.

ACEN has 2,600 MW of attributable capacity in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India and Australia. The company’s renewable share of capacity is at 80 percent, among the highest in the region.

It aims to be the largest listed renewables platform in Southeast Asia, with a goal of reaching 5,000 MW of renewables capacity by 2025. Lenie Lectura

SMC installs second batch of MRT-7 trains

Contributed Photo

S

an Miguel Corp. (SMC) recently mounted two more brand new Hyundai Rotem train sets on the tracks of its 22-km Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project, following the arrival of the first batch from Korea last month.

The company expects to receive and install 6 of the total 36 sets before the year ends.

“Work continues non-stop on the MRT-7 project, so we can meet our target start of operations by end of 2022. I’m glad to report that we’re on track to meet all the key milestones we expect this year,” SMC President Ramon S. Ang said.

He added: “Our ongoing MRT7 project and other existing and planned mass transport systems should remain the backbone of mobility solutions in the city but we need to integrate these with other sustainable means of moving around to truly address the immediate concerns of the metropolis and best meet the needs of everybody.”

Similar to the first two train sets that arrived last September, these were mounted on the MRT-7 tracks between University Avenue and Tandang Sora, last October 23 and October 24. The entire MRT system will have a total of 108 cars.

The much-awaited mass transit system, fully funded by SMC as concessionaire, will serve thousands of commuters from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

“The process of unloading the trains from the ship, transporting them to the site, and placing them on the tracks is a meticulous process.

Safety of people and the trainsets are a priority. But I think we’ve gotten better at the process and look forward to more efficiently doing this as more trainsets arrive in the coming months,” Ang said.

The two trainsets were shipped by manufacturer Hyundai Rotem from the Masan Port and arrived in Manila last October 17.

“As work on the MRT-7 project progresses further and faster, we will be able to increase the number of train shipments from Korea in the coming months and mount these on the tracks later on for testing. In the meantime, we regularly inspect the trains in storage and are taking all necessary measures to properly maintain all trainsets so they will be

in tip-top shape once we are ready to test and operate.”

With project completion at 56.03 percent, MRT-7 is seen to start test runs by December 2022. Despite pandemic restrictions and pending right-of-way issues, the installation of bored piles, girders, and other foundational works are going smoothly.

A modern train system, MRT-7 construction also involves putting up electric power systems, computer and communications systems, signaling systems, and automatic fare systems, among others. Ang said that based on the reports of company engineers and personnel, the state-of-the art trains are quite spacious and are akin to the trains that are currently being used in South Korea’s modern railway system.

“People who have not been able to visit South Korea or travel around using its trains will be in for a great experience, whether they are commuting to work or school. As we expect the economy to continue to open more especially in the coming years, MRT-7 will be ready in time to serve the public as our economy rebounds and resumes growth.”

On its first year of operation, the MRT-7 is estimated to accommodate 300,000 passengers per day with a maximum projection of 850,000 passengers per day on its 12th year of operation.

“Given the need for social distancing and limited capacity enforced in public transportation amid the constant threat of Covid-19, we don’t expect to achieve these numbers right away but rest assured, the trains will serve their purpose of bringing more people from Quezon City to Bulacan faster and safer post-pandemic,”Ang said.

Once complete, the MRT-7 will reduce travel time from Quezon City to Bulacan to just 35 minutes. Pre-pandemic and even at present, the daily commute along this route already takes hours with limited transportation options.

The MRT-7 will have 14 stations, namely: Quezon North Avenue Joint Station; Quezon Memorial Circle; University Avenue; Tandang Sora; Don Antonio; Batasan; Manggahan; Doña Carmen; Regalado; Mindanao Avenue; Quirino; Sacred Heart; Tala; and San Jose del Monte.

Through the Quezon North Avenue Joint Station, the MRT-7 will link with MRT-3 and LRT-1.

Maynilad switches to paperless bills

T

he Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) announced on Monday the launch of a program that will give its customers the option to receive an Electronic Statement of Account or eSOA instead of a printed copy of their monthly water bills. The company says aside from reducing its environmental impact with less paper being used, it will be able to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission through the eSOA option.

Maynilad said enrolling in the company’s paperless billing program effectively eliminates the need to touch a printed copy of SOA or face a meter reader to receive the SOA, thus lessening physical contact that may lead to Covid-19 transmission.

Once enrolled, customers will also have convenient 24/7 access to their current and previous Maynilad water bills via the My Water Bill Portal and receive bill notifications via the channel of their choice (e.g., email or SMS). Customers can also contribute to helping save the environment through reduced paper consumption.

Maynilad customers with an active My Water Bill online portal account as of October 22 are automatically enrolled to the Paperless Billing Program. Those without a portal account yet but would like to enroll to the Paperless Billing Program may do so via SMS. Just key in MAYNILAD<sp ace>ON<space>PAPERLESS<space>C ONTRACT ACCOUNT NUMBER and send to 09191626000, then follow the instructions to be sent back by the system. Customers must ensure that the mobile number being used for the enrollment is the same mobile number to be used in the My Water Bill online portal account.

Customers may also apply through the Maynilad Hotline 1626 (Metro Manila) or 1-8000-9283 (Cavite Province), Facebook page (/MayniladWater) or Twitter account (@ maynilad), or email (customer.helpdesk@mayniladwater.com.ph). They can also go to any Maynilad Business Area (BA) office or approach the assigned Maynilad Zone Specialist in their location. Jonathan L. Mayuga

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

October 25, 2021

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MANULIFE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

44.5 129 84.6 24.35 8.48 9.55 49 9.31 20.6 57.4 19.5 123 91.5 0.98 4.09 0.59 6.58 1.12 940 223.8 2,600

45 129.1 84.7 24.4 8.49 9.58 49.15 9.4 20.65 57.45 19.7 124.4 91.75 0.99 4.1 0.63 7.8 1.13 945 224 2,890

45 128.7 84.8 24.45 7.23 9.7 49.3 9.31 21 57 19.84 122 93.9 0.91 4.12 0.59 6.58 1.13 935 224 2,600

45 130 84.9 24.45 8.48 9.7 49.7 9.31 21 57.4 19.9 125.7 95 0.98 4.12 0.59 6.58 1.13 940 224 2,600

44.1 128.4 84.5 24.35 7.23 9.51 48.9 9.31 20.6 56.85 19.5 122 90.4 0.91 4.1 0.59 6.58 1.1 935 223.8 2,550

44.5 129 84.7 24.4 8.48 9.55 49 9.31 20.6 57.4 19.5 124.4 91.75 0.98 4.1 0.59 6.58 1.1 940 223.8 2,600

4,400 1,684,380 1,111,700 229,900 8,300 289,500 1,074,600 19,500 196,500 8,240 198,500 613,960 44,240 235,000 146,000 10,000 600 9,000 80 400 1,105

196,640 217,406,231 94,146,740.50 5,607,960 65,034 2,774,251 52,943,745 181,545 4,066,805 470,924.50 3,938,656 76,384,372 4,069,558.50 221,550 599,400 5,900 3,948 10,020 75,150 89,550 2,852,000

74,833,497.00 -12,967,897 4,338 21,073 -5,715,335 2,070 6,440,488 -346,699 20,500 65,800 65,500

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 11.36 11.38 11.04 11.52 10.94 11.36 41,842,500 468,307,662 1.13 1.14 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 919,000 1,029,280 ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER 31.55 31.6 32.15 32.15 31.5 31.6 1,876,600 59,511,110 BASIC ENERGY 0.69 0.7 0.76 0.78 0.68 0.69 134,963,000 96,474,910 30.2 30.3 30.35 30.5 29.95 30.25 743,200 22,456,845 FIRST GEN 75 75.4 75.35 75.4 75 75.4 76,240 5,742,350 FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO 293.4 294.4 294.6 295.8 293.4 293.4 59,140 17,378,180 MANILA WATER 25.7 25.9 26 26 25.15 25.7 1,367,900 34,801,890 3.88 3.89 3.96 4.02 3.87 3.89 4,960,000 19,494,760 PETRON 4.27 4.35 4.26 4.35 4.26 4.35 40,000 171,130 PETROENERGY PHX PETROLEUM 10.72 11.18 10.9 11.18 10.7 11.18 81,200 887,516 PILIPINAS SHELL 22.05 22.2 22.7 22.7 21.8 22.2 686,500 15,227,895 13.8 13.84 13.8 13.86 13.56 13.8 62,800 866,302 SPC POWER AGRINURTURE 5.03 5.1 5 5.15 4.92 5.1 47,700 240,569 AXELUM 2.9 2.94 2.88 2.94 2.86 2.94 720,000 2,091,840 61.05 71.9 61.05 61.05 61.05 61.05 10 610.5 BOGO MEDELLIN 26.05 27.2 26.8 27.2 26.1 27.2 1,785,700 48,056,685 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 14.8 14.88 14.5 14.88 14.5 14.88 80,600 1,190,634 8.29 8.32 8.27 8.35 8.27 8.32 1,655,400 13,756,437 DNL INDUS 18.14 18.16 18.1 18.42 18.04 18.14 2,771,200 50,676,356 EMPERADOR 76.2 77 77 77 76 77 270,000 20,750,087 SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT 0.6 0.62 0.62 0.62 0.6 0.6 68,000 41,880 1.33 1.34 1.37 1.37 1.33 1.34 11,573,000 15,454,280 FRUITAS HLDG 110 110.8 110 111 109 110.8 27,840 3,051,077 GINEBRA 226 227 225.4 229 225.2 227 467,900 106,120,566 JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG 6.33 6.96 6.5 6.5 6.33 6.33 5,100 32,300 7.31 7.42 7.43 7.43 7.2 7.42 391,400 2,846,616 MAXS GROUP 0.186 0.192 0.194 0.194 0.192 0.192 1,110,000 214,540 MG HLDG MONDE NISSIN 16.2 16.24 16.18 16.66 16 16.24 9,785,900 159,737,604 SHAKEYS PIZZA 8.2 8.25 8.2 8.25 8.2 8.2 104,000 852,900 0.76 0.78 0.77 0.79 0.76 0.78 639,000 489,240 ROXAS AND CO 4.5 4.6 4.5 4.6 4.5 4.5 57,000 257,000 RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG 1.25 1.27 1.27 1.27 1.26 1.26 11,000 13,890 0.117 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 0.12 590,000 70,800 SWIFT FOODS 136 136.7 140 140.1 134.7 136.7 1,740,400 238,271,958 UNIV ROBINA 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.75 0.75 758,000 574,800 VITARICH CEMEX HLDG 1.28 1.29 1.28 1.29 1.28 1.29 846,000 1,085,760 14.48 14.6 14.76 14.76 14.46 14.6 5,500 80,480 EAGLE CEMENT 6.74 6.75 6.71 6.82 6.65 6.75 508,400 3,425,660 EEI CORP HOLCIM 5.98 6 6 6 5.98 6 821,400 4,927,606 MEGAWIDE 6.17 6.18 6.31 6.31 6.18 6.18 506,000 3,145,359 14.74 14.8 14.78 14.8 14.76 14.8 105,300 1,554,406 PHINMA 0.89 0.9 0.89 0.89 0.89 0.89 38,000 33,820 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 1.2 1.21 1.2 1.26 1.18 1.21 6,173,000 7,554,880 CHEMPHIL 142 179.8 142 142 142 142 20 2,840 1.66 1.7 1.68 1.68 1.66 1.66 108,000 179,580 CROWN ASIA 1.62 1.63 1.63 1.65 1.63 1.63 98,000 160,540 EUROMED PRYCE CORP 5.41 5.46 5.46 5.46 5.46 5.46 2,200 12,012 21.9 22 23 23 22 22 2,400 54,100 CONCEPCION 2.34 2.35 2.43 2.45 2.29 2.35 3,167,000 7,464,980 GREENERGY 8.82 8.83 9 9 8.8 8.82 404,700 3,598,051 INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 0.86 0.9 0.86 0.9 0.86 0.9 99,000 86,930 6.05 6.08 6.01 6.08 6.01 6.08 5,600 33,902 PANASONIC 1.13 1.15 1.18 1.18 1.16 1.16 38,000 44,820 SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG 4.34 4.35 4.41 4.46 4.32 4.34 1,710,000 7,511,490

25,367,502 -1,041,010 38,870 8,778,355 763,048 -3,687,690 6,455,430 3,390 -331,450 -2,625,370 -4,152 -44,107 -17,520 9,731,010 -4,426,206.00 -2,945,586 -3,488,483.50 -96,320 49,713,428 368,947 -24,293,386 -13,952,802 136,800 -11,666 -3,150,918 117,084 254,730 16,600 -4,849,540 -71,003 218,290.00

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.11 1.15 10,045,000 11,368,260 5.26 5.5 5.26 5.26 5.26 5.26 7,400 38,924 ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP 846 850.5 869 872.5 846 846 145,280 124,763,830 ABOITIZ EQUITY 50.6 50.65 51.4 51.4 49.6 50.6 733,680 36,928,680.50 10.84 10.86 10.8 10.96 10.78 10.86 2,627,700 28,478,846 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 5.19 5.22 5.3 5.31 5.15 5.22 1,470,000 7,682,021 AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR 6.96 7.25 7.25 7.25 6.96 6.96 33,000 232,837 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 385,000 354,200 0.485 0.51 0.5 0.51 0.485 0.51 430,000 214,250 ATN HLDG A 0.48 0.57 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 30,000 14,400 ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL 5.09 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.08 5.1 656,300 3,343,050 DMCI HLDG 8.82 8.83 8.82 8.98 8.82 8.83 9,124,000 80,980,393 7.75 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 3,100 25,110 FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC 0.295 0.305 0.295 0.295 0.295 0.295 140,000 41,300 556 558 565 567 556 556 123,890 69,435,710 GT CAPITAL 3.67 3.93 3.93 3.93 3.93 3.93 26,000 102,180 HOUSE OF INV 64.8 65 66.5 66.6 64.5 65 635,630 41,574,383.50 JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG 5.31 5.45 5.31 5.31 5.31 5.31 100 531 6.05 6.1 6.05 6.05 6.05 6.05 16,000 96,800 KEPPEL HLDG A 0.67 0.68 0.63 0.68 0.63 0.68 875,000 574,950 LODESTAR 3.2 3.3 3.25 3.31 3.25 3.3 116,000 377,880 LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 10.22 10.24 10.22 10.5 10.2 10.22 15,435,500 159,345,562 METRO PAC INV 4.01 4.02 4.14 4.14 4.01 4.01 23,729,000 96,017,960 1.58 1.59 1.51 1.58 1.51 1.58 141,000 216,220 PRIME MEDIA 1.18 1.21 1.2 1.21 1.2 1.21 72,000 86,530 SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS 1,019 1,021 1,021 1,030 1,010 1,021 131,175 133,948,720 117 117.3 117.2 117.3 115.6 117.3 170,000 19,897,403 SAN MIGUEL CORP 0.66 0.71 0.66 0.66 0.66 0.66 10,000 6,600 SOC RESOURCES TOP FRONTIER 128 129 129 129 128 128 240 30,760

2,299,430.00 1,578 4,311,855 8,341,315 8,029,630 -81,497 14,400 1,056,388 -7,698,396.00 746,905 8,331,474.50 -12,032,114 -41,643,480 39,839,250 -32,079 -5,160

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.63 0.64 0.63 0.64 0.63 0.64 1,242,000 784,840 6.9 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 7.1 200 1,420 ANCHOR LAND AYALA LAND 35.8 35.85 37.5 37.5 35.85 35.85 14,539,400 526,630,460 AREIT RT 40.8 41 41.05 41.5 40.8 40.8 475,200 19,471,605 1.38 1.4 1.39 1.4 1.39 1.4 232,000 322,600 BELLE CORP 0.87 0.9 0.88 0.9 0.86 0.88 295,000 259,400 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.74 0.75 0.75 0.76 0.74 0.75 192,000 142,970 0.116 0.118 0.116 0.119 0.116 0.117 580,000 67,320 CROWN EQUITIES 6.28 6.8 6.23 6.26 6.23 6.26 20,100 125,823 CEBU HLDG 2.93 2.94 2.94 2.95 2.92 2.94 715,000 2,098,030 CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP 0.46 0.465 0.46 0.465 0.455 0.465 6,480,000 2,977,900 10.52 10.54 10.6 10.6 10.5 10.54 172,700 1,824,320 DOUBLEDRAGON 1.79 1.8 1.8 1.81 1.78 1.8 7,852,000 14,081,240 DDMP RT DM WENCESLAO 6.85 6.88 6.8 6.88 6.8 6.86 18,700 128,011 0.275 0.28 0.275 0.29 0.275 0.28 1,530,000 431,300 EMPIRE EAST 0.375 0.38 0.335 0.385 0.335 0.38 89,030,000 32,963,050 EVER GOTESCO 7.3 7.31 7.31 7.38 7.3 7.31 2,488,900 18,230,627 FILINVEST RT FILINVEST LAND 1.15 1.16 1.16 1.17 1.15 1.15 5,977,000 6,900,220 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.91 0.94 0.95 0.96 0.94 0.94 195,000 184,170 9.1 9.2 10 10 9.1 9.2 409,300 3,814,915 8990 HLDG 1.2 1.21 1.24 1.24 1.19 1.2 95,000 113,620 PHIL INFRADEV CITY AND LAND 1.06 1.09 1.16 1.16 1.06 1.06 216,000 233,770 3.06 3.07 3.15 3.15 3.06 3.06 22,336,000 69,037,680 MEGAWORLD 0.3 0.305 0.3 0.305 0.295 0.305 11,710,000 3,512,450 MRC ALLIED 17.82 17.84 17.84 17.86 17.8 17.82 1,770,000 31,568,908 MREIT RT PHIL ESTATES 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.54 0.51 0.53 3,771,000 1,991,250 2.17 2.18 2.15 2.18 2 2.18 328,000 680,550 PRIMEX CORP 6.81 6.83 6.85 6.86 6.81 6.83 3,136,900 21,443,164 RL COMM RT ROBINSONS LAND 17.34 17.38 17.36 17.72 17.2 17.34 1,119,800 19,458,432 PHIL REALTY 0.239 0.245 0.242 0.242 0.239 0.239 450,000 108,650 2.6 2.62 2.65 2.65 2.6 2.6 356,000 928,800 SHANG PROP 2.89 2.95 2.94 2.95 2.9 2.95 125,000 368,050 STA LUCIA LAND SM PRIME HLDG 35.85 35.9 36.3 36.3 35.5 35.85 11,915,100 428,466,125 VISTAMALLS 3.71 3.85 3.89 3.89 3.85 3.85 3,000 11,590 1.47 1.5 1.49 1.52 1.47 1.5 121,000 181,030 SUNTRUST HOME 3.8 3.81 3.8 3.8 3.74 3.8 1,809,000 6,853,820 VISTA LAND

SERVICES ABS CBN 14.7 14.72 14.9 14.92 14.7 14.72 566,600 8,367,344 14.98 15 15 15.16 14.88 15 1,631,500 24,532,568 GMA NETWORK MANILA BULLETIN 0.41 0.435 0.435 0.435 0.435 0.435 20,000 8,700 3,012 3,020 3,038 3,050 3,002 3,020 57,040 172,199,110 GLOBE TELECOM 1,609 1,610 1,606 1,631 1,606 1,610 93,410 150,919,700 PLDT 0.095 0.096 0.098 0.099 0.095 0.095 162,470,000 15,572,350 APOLLO GLOBAL CONVERGE 32.1 32.15 31.05 32.4 30.7 32.1 8,490,200 270,421,000 DFNN INC 3.37 3.38 3.32 3.4 3.05 3.37 784,000 2,587,470 7.33 7.34 7.33 7.5 7.23 7.34 5,261,200 38,922,932 DITO CME HLDG 1.42 1.5 1.42 1.42 1.42 1.42 20,000 28,400 IMPERIAL NOW CORP 1.82 1.83 1.83 1.85 1.82 1.83 543,000 994,290 0.31 0.315 0.31 0.315 0.305 0.315 1,440,000 447,500 TRANSPACIFIC BR 2.25 2.28 2.29 2.29 2.25 2.28 120,000 273,000 PHILWEB 2GO GROUP 8 8.1 8 8.1 7.9 8.1 6,600 52,855 14.08 15.3 14 15.42 14 15.38 401,900 5,629,404 ASIAN TERMINALS 1.99 2 2.02 2.03 1.99 1.99 1,273,000 2,553,990 CHELSEA 44.3 44.45 44 44.85 44 44.45 753,100 33,299,605 CEBU AIR INTL CONTAINER 183.4 183.9 183 188 183 183.4 989,230 181,946,692 LBC EXPRESS 18.98 21.9 19.5 19.5 19.5 19.5 300 5,850 5.36 5.38 5.48 5.5 5.22 5.4 1,324,900 7,066,219 MACROASIA 1.62 1.65 1.73 1.75 1.61 1.62 125,000 202,860 METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 1.61 1.78 1.78 1.78 1.78 1.78 1,000 1,780 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.05 1.03 1.04 24,000 24,870 HARBOR STAR 2.21 2.25 2.29 2.29 2.2 2.25 440,000 983,100 DISCOVERY WORLD 12.12 14.98 12.1 15.6 12.1 15.6 400 5,370 GRAND PLAZA WATERFRONT 0.52 0.53 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 579,000 301,080 6.51 7.03 6.66 6.66 6.5 6.51 7,200 47,433 CENTRO ESCOLAR 555 599 599 600 599 600 70 41,980 FAR EASTERN U IPEOPLE 6.87 7.14 6.88 7.14 6.86 7.14 9,500 65,358 0.365 0.37 0.36 0.37 0.36 0.37 8,180,000 2,980,200 STI HLDG 5.41 5.49 5.41 5.49 5.39 5.49 48,800 263,662 BERJAYA 6.5 6.53 6.55 6.75 6.5 6.5 6,015,900 39,675,134 BLOOMBERRY PACIFIC ONLINE 1.95 2.13 1.95 2.13 1.95 2.13 12,000 25,200 LEISURE AND RES 1.59 1.61 1.66 1.66 1.59 1.6 13,585,000 21,739,320 1.75 1.99 1.76 1.76 1.75 1.75 13,000 22,800 MANILA JOCKEY 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.96 0.93 0.95 1,413,000 1,333,570 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.43 0.435 0.435 0.445 0.425 0.43 1,490,000 642,350 5.8 5.95 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 6,999,500 40,597,100 PHIL RACING 10.12 10.14 10 10.16 10 10.14 487,500 4,920,990 ALLHOME METRO RETAIL 1.33 1.35 1.38 1.39 1.31 1.36 914,000 1,225,610 PUREGOLD 40.55 40.6 41.1 41.4 40.6 40.6 941,600 38,457,335 60.05 60.2 60.65 60.75 59.6 60.05 184,190 11,046,109.50 ROBINSONS RTL 92 96.95 96.95 97 94 97 1,390 131,816.50 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.24 1.25 1.25 1.26 1.23 1.24 1,114,000 1,381,660 WILCON DEPOT 28.5 28.6 28.7 28.8 28.15 28.5 1,499,500 42,719,490 0.248 0.25 0.255 0.255 0.25 0.25 430,000 108,100 APC GROUP 4.55 5.38 4.6 4.6 4.55 4.55 10,000 45,850 EASYCALL GOLDEN MV 522 539 539 539 521 522 410 219,930 IPM HLDG 6.8 7.06 7.06 7.06 6.8 7.06 8,900 61,428 0.85 0.86 0.85 0.9 0.84 0.85 17,794,000 15,490,660 PRMIERE HORIZON 4.12 4.18 4.23 4.23 4.18 4.18 49,000 206,010 SBS PHIL CORP

MINING & OIL ATOK 6.64 6.65 6.67 6.9 6.64 6.64 199,200 1,328,991 APEX MINING 1.48 1.49 1.5 1.5 1.48 1.48 98,000 145,990 ABRA MINING - - - - - - - - 6.46 6.51 6.42 6.52 6.35 6.52 505,800 3,246,412 ATLAS MINING 6.3 6.4 6.49 6.54 6.2 6.4 240,600 1,527,328 BENGUET A BENGUET B 5.96 6.2 6 6.2 5.5 6 53,900 319,215 0.29 0.295 0.29 0.29 0.29 0.29 10,000 2,900 COAL ASIA HLDG 2.7 2.79 2.7 2.78 2.7 2.78 8,044,000 21,719,040 CENTURY PEAK 5.23 5.74 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 1,000 5,500 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 2.14 2.15 2.19 2.19 2.15 2.15 2,333,000 5,034,390 GEOGRACE 0.213 0.215 0.214 0.214 0.213 0.213 50,000 10,660 0.134 0.135 0.134 0.135 0.133 0.134 2,500,000 334,070 LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 0.139 0.14 0.139 0.139 0.139 0.139 100,000 13,900 MANILA MINING B 0.0097 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 2,000,000 20,000 0.94 0.95 0.92 0.96 0.92 0.95 93,000 88,330 MARCVENTURES 1 1.02 1.03 1.03 1 1 288,000 290,740 NIHAO NICKEL ASIA 5.61 5.65 5.75 5.81 5.6 5.65 1,774,900 10,112,743 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.83 0.85 0.83 0.85 0.83 0.85 6,000 5,000 5.43 5.45 5.5 5.6 5.45 5.45 432,400 2,383,082 PX MINING 27.5 27.55 27.5 28.5 27.5 27.5 1,377,000 38,585,085 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0067 0.0068 0.0066 0.0067 0.0066 0.0067 2,000,000 13,300 18.18 18.2 19.2 19.2 18.2 18.2 301,400 5,581,962 ACE ENEXOR 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 17,600,000 193,700 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 6,500,000 74,500 ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL 0.0096 0.0097 0.0097 0.0099 0.0096 0.0096 107,000,000 1,032,000 6.57 6.6 6.83 7.08 6.55 6.57 619,900 4,139,406 PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED HOUSE PREF B 100 101.8 100 100.6 100 100 25,960 2,598,100 520.5 522 520 520 520 520 30 15,600 AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B 102 102.6 102.6 102.6 102.6 102.6 50 5,130 524.5 525 525 525 525 525 2,000 1,050,000 AC PREF B2R 43.8 44 43.55 44.1 43.55 44 31,200 1,371,030 CEB PREF 104 104.5 104 104.5 104 104.5 1,560 162,270 CPG PREF A DD PREF 100.8 102.3 101 101 100.7 100.8 55,300 5,573,475 102.2 103 103.2 104 101.8 101.8 30,050 3,080,700 FGEN PREF G 1,030 1,045 1,030 1,030 1,030 1,030 5 5,150 GTCAP PREF B 1,040 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,060 1,060 40 42,400 JFC PREF A JFC PREF B 1,034 1,046 1,033 1,033 1,033 1,033 5,000 5,165,000 100.1 101.4 101.2 101.4 100 100 18,450 1,848,059 MWIDE PREF 101.2 102.8 101.2 101.2 101.2 101.2 500 50,600 MWIDE PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B 105.2 106.5 106.5 106.5 105.7 106.5 280 29,740 1,003 1,005 1,006 1,006 1,005 1,005 725 729,300 PNX PREF 4 1,140 1,165 1,185 1,185 1,165 1,165 70 81,850 PCOR PREF 3B 1.6 1.99 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 4,000 6,400 SFI PREF SMC PREF 2F 79.1 79.2 79.25 79.25 79.2 79.2 49,090 3,887,998 76.1 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 10,000 765,000 SMC PREF 2H 79.25 79.5 79.15 79.15 79.15 79.15 20 1,583 SMC PREF 2I 76.25 77 76.25 77 76.25 76.25 32,550 2,484,234.50 SMC PREF 2J SMC PREF 2K 76.15 76.5 76.15 76.15 76.15 76.15 780,000 59,397,000

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 14.1 14.2 14.12 14.12 14 14.1 208,200 2,924,760 14.2 14.4 14.2 14.3 14.2 14.22 100,100 1,425,534 GMA HLDG PDR

WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 1.27 1.28 1.28 1.33 1.28 1.28 436,000 563,190

-118,660,255 770,900 -9,000 1,118,018 105,910 -47,450 56,350 932,876 2,092,020 58,894 -7,676,970 -116,600 -19,416,958 -16,680 -581,364 661,396 36,464,810 -22,350 1,778,680 -43,248,840 13,431,455 -765,620 -54,509,365 -336,600 5,254,700 -163,850 -566,070.00 -1,019,355 4,172,445 -189,822 12,398 117,050 4,482,559 -12,600 224,000 14,000 -84,600 1,450,498 -533,030 -12,086,025 2,102,782.50 24,236.50 25,000 32,494,080 -75,460 -316,430 4,180 11,390 7,500 648 -21,661,860 5,500 -56,160 -13,900 10,000 -756,528 450,139 -8,812,385 144,130 - 658,740 -6,400 - -330,152

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MAKATI FINANCE MERRYMART

16.98 1.85 3.95 2.43 3.3

17.66 1.89 3.98 2.7 3.32

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

109.5

110

17.08 1.89 3.95 2.4 3.31

17.66 1.89 3.95 2.4 3.4

16.86 1.84 3.95 2.4 3.28

17.66 1.85 3.95 2.4 3.32

62,400 201,000 4,000 94,000 2,805,000

1,060,852 376,140 15,800 225,600 9,318,710

65,000 369,820

110.9 111 109.5 109.5 28,910 3,194,732 112,891

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PCC: No competition issue in Udenna-Chevron deal

C

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

ompetition watchdog Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) on Monday said the green light it gave to the UC Malampaya Philippines-Chevron Malampaya deal concerns only the competition aspect of the transaction.

The deal was approved by the Department of Energy (DOE) in April this year, after evaluating the technical, financial, and legal capability of UC Malampaya. After the deal was finalized, Chevron Malampaya was renamed UC38 LLC. In so far as the transaction between Malampaya Energy, another subsidiary of Dennis Uy-led Udenna Corp. (UC), and Malampaya operator Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), PCC “defers the other aspects of a firm’s viability for operations to the sector regulators”.

“In the first transaction by Udenna acquiring minority company in-

terest from Chevron Malampaya in 2020, PCC found no competition issue then because Udenna was not engaged in the natural gas business.

In Udenna’s transaction to take over controlling stake in Malampaya from Shell this year, this was not notified to PCC due to the increase in notification threshold to P50 billion under the Bayanihan 2,” PCC Chairman Arsenio Balicasan said in a statement. PCC reiterated the importance of merger reviews to safeguard the market from possible anti-competitive deals. “However, it defers to sector regulators the other aspects of accrediting or approving

the transaction for standards outside of competition.”

The DOE has yet to approve the transaction involving SPEX’s sale of a 45-percent operating interest in the Malampaya gas project to Malampaya Energy. Pending review of this deal, the Davao businessman has a 90-percent operating interest in the Malampaya Service Contract No. 38.

Senate Energy Committee Chairman Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has branded the Chevron-Udenna deal as “defective and invalid.”

“There is enough evidence that the decision rendered by the Department of Energy 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 said.

The approval is invalid because, according to Gatchalian, there is are a lot of “inconsistencies.”

“We got more confused by the DOE’s own admission that there is indeed confusion,” Gatchalian, who presided the committee hearings, said last week.

Gatchalian sought the clarification after learning from DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi that no prior

approval by the government was needed in 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 added, “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.”

Megaworld office leases up in Jan-Sept M

egaworld Corp. on Monday said its office leasing business grew 12 percent in January to September despite the imposition of tough quarantine restrictions during the period.

The company said its office takeups reached 214,000 square meters for the period compared with its target of 191,000 square meters, or the same figure of office leasing that it achieved last year.

About a third of these leases were new deals mostly in Uptown Bonifacio, McKinley Hill, Southwoods City and Davao Park District.

The other 64 percent of the leases were renewals mostly from business process outsourcing companies in Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio, McKinley West, McKinley Hill and Iloilo Business Park.

Around 79 percent of the new sign-ups are from the information technology and business process management sector.

Other new lease transactions were also recorded in Eastwood City, McKinley West and Mactan Newtown during the period.

“It is exciting to note that several tenants opted to retain their spaces, and even expanded during the pandemic. The demand still remains despite earlier speculations that the work-from-home arrangements will lead to massive vacancies,” said Ro-

land Tiongson, first vice president of Megaworld Premier Offices.

In Iloilo, United States-based BPO company Nearsol, renewed its almost 3,000 square meters of office space in Three Techno Place, and also took new covering around 2,000 square meters in the nearby Two Fintech Place.

In Southwoods City in Biñan, Laguna, US-based BPO Valor Global Inc. took three floors of Southwoods BPO Tower 1 covering almost 8,000 square meters. It also took another three floors of One Campus Place in McKinley Hill covering almost 6,400 square meters.

“With the eased restrictions and the re-opening of our borders for international travelers, we are optimistic that we will be able to achieve a better full-year performance of our office leasing business this year,” said Tiongson, who is also the president of MREIT Fund Managers Inc. Megaworld is the largest office landlord in the country with around 1.4 million square meters of leasable office space inventory.

Within the next 10 years, Megaworld is also building more office towers in new townships like The Upper East in Bacolod City; Maple Grove in General Trias, Cavite; Capital Town in San Fernando, Pampanga; and Northwin Global City in MarilaoBocaue, Bulacan. VG Cabuag

Meralco: 4 power firms keen on supply deal

T

he Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has received firm interest from four power firms to join the competitive bidding to supply the utility firm 70 megawatts (MW) from January 2022 to January 2037.

Panay Energy Development Corp.

(PEDC), Quezon Power Philippines Ltd., Sem-Calaca Power Corp., and Therma Luzon Inc. participated in the pre-bid conference last October 22.

Meralco First Vice President and Head Regulatory Management Office Jose Ronald Valles identified on Monday the four firms

that submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI). San Miguel Energy Corp. submitted an EOI but it did not participate in the pre-bid conference.

To provide the bidders more time to submit their queries regarding the bid documents, the Third Party Bids and Awards Committee will conduct a second part of the pre-bid conference within the week. The bid submission and opening of bids will be held on November 19.

Meralco had said the 70MW should be sourced from baseload power plants or those that continuously run on a 24/7 basis. Lenie Lectura

mutual funds

October 25, 2021

NAV

One Year Three Year Five Year

per share

Return*

Y-T-D

Return

Stock Funds

ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

231.88

12.38%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.6216

45.24%

5.26%

2.92%

23.5%

14.94%

-5.12%

-5.37%

2.88%

5%

-4.61% n.a.

-7.68%

First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.7842 12.96%

-0.69% n.a.

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.2233

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7504 First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

5.199

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

-1.55%

-2.6%

17.41%

1.25%

-0.52%

0.7815

12.35%

-0.94%

5.74% 5.22% -4.15% 0.66%

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

102

16.62%

-2.3% n.a.

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.8717

14.67%

0.52%

-1.14%

2.2%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

498.28

12.18%

0.5%

-1.72%

1.91%

0.13%

Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a,d 1.154

20.3% n.a. n.a.

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.2827

21.84%

1.87%

0.09%

9.8%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.2971

17.19%

0.91%

-0.19%

4.39%

14.87% n.a. n.a.

3.29%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.943

5.17%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.9306

15.61%

1.32%

-0.46%

2.91%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

823.19

15.42%

1.32%

-0.51%

2.69%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7482

16.09%

-3.13%

-3.63%

4.08%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7438

14.89%

-1.33%

-1.97%

3.31%

0.96%

-0.7%

2.35%

0.8%

0.32%

4.04%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 0.9393 14.94% United Fund, Inc. -a

3.4528

15.89%

ALFM

2.06%

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

110.6891

15.58%

1.51%

-0.01% 2.91%

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

$1.1846

9.08%

8.29%

5.62%

-1.52%

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.8423

18.44%

15.29%

12.2%

10.13%

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

1.6946

7.74%

1.71%

-0.96%

1.56%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2503

7.09%

1.45%

-0.76%

-1.54%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.7016

9.87%

3.17%

0.96%

2.84%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.1985

6.43% n.a. n.a. 0.2%

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

2.0097

7.12%

3.84%

1.23%

2.17%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7618

5.55%

3.45%

-0.05%

-0.74%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.8338

5.58%

3.26%

-0.06%

-0.63%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1151

7.38%

1.62%

0.14%

1.15%

8.4%

0.79%

-0.71%

1.67%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.6329 Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d

0.99

2.94% n.a. n.a.

-3.19%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d 0.9418

8.64% n.a. n.a.

-0.78%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d 0.9323

10.19% n.a. n.a.

-0.09%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

13.59%

0.9343

1.36%

-0.69%

5.25%

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

$0.03745

-4.63%

2.68%

0.89%

-4.22%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0872

1.48%

5.41%

3.19%

-3.79%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.7895

12.9%

11.08%

8.48%

6.13%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.2162

5.2%

6.13%

4.3%

1.16%

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

372.5

0.97%

2.95%

2.44%

0.37%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.9247

-1.45%

1.18%

0.17%

1.28%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2426

1.18%

3.26%

4.09%

0.85%

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.2426

-2.17%

1.94%

1.21%

-2.42%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.421

-1.07%

3.06%

1.66%

-1.31%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

4.4043

-4.86%

5.11%

1.12%

-4.87% -0.42%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3157

0.28%

3.91%

2.58%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9612

0.18%

4.7%

2.43%

-1%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0229

-1.36%

5.4%

1.6%

-1.97%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1817

0.04%

4.99%

2.64%

-0.76%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.7299

4.18%

1.97%

-1.43%

-0.75%

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

$488.03

1.61%

3.05%

2.15%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є219.89

0.98%

1.02%

0.72%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b

$1.1897

0.83% 0.31%

-4.64%

1.98%

1.17%

-7.04%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0259 -1.89%

1.46%

0.71%

-2.63%

PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$1.019

-6.46%

-0.13%

-1.49%

-6.51%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.4764

-1.32%

5.13%

1.85%

-2.5%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0625077 1.1%

3.19%

1.97%

0.33%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1362 -1.66%

2.89%

0.73%

-2.71%

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

2.54%

0.79%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.0563 0.98% n.a. n.a.

130.85

0.78%

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1

1.16%

1.3119

1.16% 1.53%

2.93% 2.7%

2.54%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0597

0.88%

1.53% n.a.

0.58%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a,d 1.3606

31.45% n.a. n.a. 20.45%

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

$0.98

3.16% n.a. n.a.

0%

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

1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.).

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

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance

Joining the crypto mania

W

ITH the current pandemic causing a significant amount of job losses, many people have sought ways to augment their income. When I was searching for an investment or sideline that could potentially earn and which could be done at the safety of one’s home, I came across cryptocurrencies and play-to-earn crypto games.

So what is cryptocurrency? It is defined as a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography. Many of these cryptocurrencies are decentralized networks based on blockchain technology. A blockchain is a distributed ledger enforced and monitored by networks of computers.

What does this all mean to the average folk?

Basically, it is a form of currency that you can invest in. While you may not be able to use the virtual currency to purchase real-life goods and services, you can still sell/convert said currency back into real/fiat currency.

If you buy cryptocurrencies at a certain price and much later on you sell them at a much higher market value, then you have already made a gain.

You can also stake or lock up your cryptocurrency savings for a fixed or variable amount of time so that your crypto can grow more.

Aside from buying cryptocurrency directly, how else can you earn crypto? You can also try playto-earn crypto games. These are games wherein you need to invest in characters or NFTs (non-fungible tokens). These NFTs then, are very much like characters in a video game; except that you own them (they have their unique ID numbers). With these characters, you can potentially earn in-game tokens either by farming, taking on adventure quests, or doing player-versus-player (actual gameplay and mechanics vary per game).

You can also earn money by selling your accumulated NFTs in the online marketplace. Once you are able to earn enough in-game tokens, these can be converted into cryptocurrency, which you can then convert to fiat currency or legal tender (example is the US dollar).

With the high earnings potential of the relatively new technology called cryptocurrency, there are also significant risks which one needs to be aware of, before jumping into the bandwagon. These are: 1. Price volatility. The prices of cryptocurrencies and NFTS you own vary wildly and can change very quickly in a matter of seconds and weeks. Likewise, the amount, value and quantity of in-game tokens you can claim and convert to cryptocurrency can change.

2. Capital risk. If you bought cryptocurrencies at a high price and decided to sell way below the price

Raymond Anthony Quisumbing

personal finance you bought, you would have lost a substantial amount of your capital.

3. Trading risk. Almost every transaction in cryptocurrency requires a “gas fee” in order to facilitate the processing of transactions.

Trading too often will eat away at your investment.

4. Security risk. Digital currencies are often stored in a digital wallet, which only you have access to using a randomly-generated 12-to16-word seed phrase. Not even the developer or admin has any access to your wallet. If ever you lose your seed phrase or you accidentally gave it to someone else, then your funds may be stolen; there is nothing you can do about it.

5. Human error risk. Whenever you make transfers of digital currencies, it is prudent that you doublecheck the address of the wallet you are sending to. Once you approve of a transaction, it becomes both permanent and irreversible. No bank or agency can reverse or undo said transaction. There is no central agency in control of cryptocurrencies.

6. Fraud risk. There are chances that your account may be hacked and you may end up losing your hard-earned crypto. To minimize the chances of that, you should always make use of KYC (know your customer) and 2FA (two-factor authentication). In any account that you open, make sure you complete your identity information such as sending a valid ID (passport) and registering contact details like email and mobile number. Once you are successfully registered, you can then turn-on 2-factor authentication. Hence, before a transaction gets processed, one will need to input both the code sent to your mobile number and to your e-mail address.

To end, you should always do your own research before jumping into any investment. Use only the money that you can risk losing and will not be needing in the near-term. Don’t jump in just because of “FOMO” (fear of missing out).

“Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge; and he who hurries his footsteps errs.” [Proverbs 19:2] Raymond Quisumbing is a registered financial planner of RFP Philippines. Please watch out for my upcoming e-book, which tackles starting your own food business. To learn more about personalfinancial planning, attend the 93rd RFP program in January 2022. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text at 0917-6248110.

SMIC banking arm posts strong growth in 3rd qtr

B

DO Unibank reported a strong growth in its net income in the first nine months of the year, owing largely to its more “normalized” operations during the period compared to 2020.

In a disclosure to the bourse last Monday, BDO said it has delivered a net income of P32.4 billion in the first nine months of 2021, up 95.2 percent from the P16.6-billion net income in the same January-toSeptember period last year.

The bank said its earnings “normalized to pre-pandemic levels,” with stable quarter-on-quarter growth and positive loan growth during the period.

BDO’s gross customer loans outpaced the industry with a 5-percent year-on-year increase.

Its total deposits, meanwhile, went up by six percent, driven by the 14-percent expansion in current account/savings account (Casa) deposits.

Casa deposits now comprise 85 percent of the bank’s total deposits. Non-interest income increased

by 13 percent while trading and forex gains normalized to P2.8 billion.

The bank’s total capital base hit P422.3 billion, with Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 13.8 percent, well-above the regulatory minimum of 10 percent.

BDO’s book value per common share went up to P94.76 as of endSeptember 2021 against P84.82 in the same period last year, for a 12-percent growth.

Return on average common equity (ROE) for the first nine months of the year was also higher at 10.72 percent from 5.97 percent in the same period last year.

BDO also reported sustained investments in its information technology infrastructure and expansion in its digital capabilities.

“More significantly, the bank has now vaccinated 95 percent of its employees against Covid-19, thus raising the level of safety for clients and bank personnel,” the listed bank said in its disclosure.

Bianca Cuaresma

BusinessMirror

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Tuesday, October 26, 2021

B3

Treasury observes strong demand for short tenors

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Bureau of the Treasury fully awarded P15 billion in Treasury bills (T-bills) as rates moved sideways.

The auction was more than twice oversubscribed as it attracted total bids amounting to P34.72 billion.

National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon said they have observed strong demand for the short tenors.

“Rates moved sideways with good demand for short term with supply capped at 15 billion,” De Leon told reporters.

The Treasurer said they opted

not to open the tap facility auction for an additional offering of any of the tenors.

The 91-day T-bills fetched an average rate of 1.119 percent, posting an uptick of 0.6 basis points from the previous auction’s 1.113 percent.

Tenders submitted for the security have reached P9.3 billion, almost twice the equivalent of P5-billion offering.

Meanwhile, the 182-day T-bills’ rate averaged lower at 1.387 percent. This is down by 0.3 basis points from 1.39 percent in the last auction. Tenders for the tenor hit P14.2 billion, nearly thrice the P5-billion offering.

Rates for the 364-day T-bills, meanwhile, slightly rose to 1.606 percent from 1.604 percent. Bids for the tenor capped at P11.22 billion, more than twice the P5billion offer.

For this month, the Treasury is aiming to raise P200 billion from the local debt market.

This year, the national government programmed to borrow a total of P3.1-trillion, most of which is expected to be raised through domestic sources.

The government borrows to meet

its spending requirements as well as to finance its budget deficit. On Monday, the Treasury revealed that the national government’s budget deficit from January to September widened to P1.14 trillion, surpassing the P879.2 billion shortfall in the same period last year. (See story on A1) Last year, the government’s budget deficit more than doubled to a record-high 7.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) or P1.37 trillion, from only P660.2 billion or 3.4 percent of GDP in 2019.

From a record-low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6 percent in 2019, the country’s debt as a share of the economy surged to a 14-year-high of 54.6 percent in 2020 as the government ramped up borrowings to fund its Covid-response war chest.

CIAC workers get loans from employee associations

C

L AR K FR EEPORT—T he provident fund and employees association of Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) has extended assistance and benefits to its 113 employees, which its top official has cited.

The CIAC Provident Fund Inc. (CPFI) reported that from its 2020 earnings and revenues, it was able to grant various loans to members ranging from P30,000 ($592.12 at current exchange rates) to as much as P200,000 (about $3,947.50).

A statement by the CIAC on October 25 said that the CPFI also distributed monetary dividends to members, paid in advance the health

maintenance and life insurance fees with no interest charges and partially settled its outstanding debts to the government agency.

CIAC’s Provident Fund ceased its loan facility services in 2019 right after the Clark airport’s operations were privatized in 2019 resulting to the CPFI’s drastically reduced membership.

Some 316 out of 434 CPFI member-employees were transferred to the airport’s private operator, which prompted the CPFI to subsequently distribute the corporate and personal shares of its members.

The Provident Fund is a savings scheme where monetary contribu-

tions from both the government agency and its member-employees serve as a loan facility and provider of supplementary welfare to personnel.

The revival of CPFI is led by its chairman, Irish C. Calaguas, who is also CIAC vice president for operations, and Lilibeth Enriquez, CIAC manager of the treasury department, as vice chairman and concurrent CPFI president.

Both Calaguas and Enriquez are now on their second term as CPFI officers.

The CIAC’s Employees Association, on the other hand, provided life and health insurance to the

employees, including their family members.

Retired General Aaron N. Aquino, CIAC president and CEO, said the CPFI’s quick resurgence under a new set of officers resulted to the granting of multi-purpose loans for members needing assistance, especially those adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is the first time in the agency that the same officers lead both the Provident Fund and the CIAC Employees Association and I have my full trust and confidence in the sound fiscal policies of the leadership,” Aquino was quoted in the statement as saying.

BSP to circulate polymer banknotes by next year

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

T

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced on Monday that it is eyeing to circulate—on a limited and trial basis—new P1,000 banknotes made from polymer.

In a virtual news briefing last Monday, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto E. Tangonan said the limited test run—which they target to conduct by 2022—will help the BSP evaluate if the Philippines is ready to shift to polymer notes.

Currently, Philippine banknotes are composed of 80-percent cotton and 20-percent abaca. Cotton, to note, is a natural polymer.

Other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada are currently using polymer in their currencies.

Tangonan said in light of the global health crisis, polymer banknotes are seen to be more hygienic and sanitary, as other central banks have reported that they are less likely to host viruses and bacteria due to their smooth and non-absorptive surfaces.

Polymer banknotes can also be sanitized without damage, compared to paper banknotes.

The deputy governor also said polymer banknotes can be more durable, sustainable and cost-effective in production.

“The BSP is currently preparing for a limited circulation test of a polymer version of the 1,000-piso note to circulate in parallel with current notes to assess whether the benefits claimed by other central banks hold true under Philippine conditions,” Tangonan said.

He added that the test will help monetary officials to determine the effects of polymerization on hygiene and public health, environmental sustainability, as well as the lifespan, durability and counterfeiting rates of our money.

“It will also allow us to collect stakeholder feedback and observe changes in currency handling behavior,” Tangonan said.

He further said that the BSP is engaged in continuing consultations with the banking industry and that banks are generally receptive to the shift to polymer banknotes.

Also, based on a survey conducted by the BSP among automated teller machine service providers, majority of the ATMs in the country are capable of accepting polymer banknotes.

“The BSP is cautiously optimistic about the public benefits of a possible shift to polymer and believes in the capability of the country’s banking system to address the technical issues associated with this potential shift, as other countries have done,” Tangonan said.

Farmers’ concerns

ALTHOUGH the banking and financial system has remained open to the idea of new polymer banknotes, abaca farmers think otherwise.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (DA-PCAF) Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) has recommended the BSP to retain abaca in the local banknotes to support the industry.

“We are, at the same time, taking seriously the concerns of abaca producers, especially those of smallholder farmers,” Tangonan said.

He added that the BSP has used

abaca in banknotes since 2001 and the most recent official data reveal that the limited polymer test will displace around 0.1 to 0.2 percent of total abaca exports, representing 210 to 481 number of jobs.

To note, the government announced last September it will soon open a Center for Sustainable Polymers at Iligan City’s Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.

“This research center, with funding that amounts to around P107 million, aims to generate sustainable polymers or polymers that pose no harm to the environment or human health,” a statement by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said. “This is done by infusing natural polymers like plant fibers [wool, cotton] with synthetic polymers to make highvalue, cost-effective and industryready products.”

“Once fully operational, about 150,000 Filipino coconut farmers will benefit in generating extra income by sending their coconut byproducts to this facility,” the DOST added.

‘PNP, AMLC coordination to help PHL exit FATF list’

By Rene Acosta @reneacostaBM

T

HE chief of the Philippine National Police announced the PNP is working with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to address the concerns raised by the Financial Action Task that maintained the Philippines in the FATF “grey list.”

The country joined at least 22 other countries in the list of “jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies” to counter money laundering, terrorist financing and “proliferation financing.”

PNP Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said last Monday that steps were being taken in partnership with

the AMLC and other agencies concerned to stop any effort to finance terrorist groups in the country and also address the other issues raised by the global dirty money watchdog.

In including the Philippines in its list, the FATF declared that the country needed to develop strategies to effectively address terrorist financing and money laundering.

Eleazar pointed out that the PNP has already entered into a number of agreements with the AMLC for the effective enforcement of Republic Act 10168 or the “Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.”

He noted that the PNP and the AMLC signed a memorandum of agreement last February to solidify

coordination and boost efforts in enforcing provisions of RA 10168.

“This is in addition to the past individual memorand[a] of agreement entered into by AMLC with various PNP offices and units such as the DIDM, CIDG and IG, to beef up the campaign against terrorist financing,” the PNP chief said.

The MOA between the PNP and AMLC provides for the establishment of a center at the national police headquarters at Camp Crame that will serve as an information-sharing hub between the two agencies.

“The center enables us to efficiently exchange information and intelligence, maximize resources, streamline operations, and improve capabilities to fight money launder-

ing, terrorist financing and other crimes,” Eleazar said.

The PNP chief said he is confident that inter-agency programs and efforts against terrorist financing and money laundering would bear fruit and remove the country from the list.

“Terrorism financing is a scourge on our country and the Filipino people. We need to always be on alert and come up with measures to stop the flow of money to these terrorist groups who would use these funds to carry out possible attacks,” Eleazar said.

He added that the PNP anticipates the Philippines would be able to exit the grey list by the target date of January 2023.

B4

Art

BusinessMirror

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Cary Elwes, 59; Seth MacFarlane, 48; James Pickens Jr., 67; Pat Sajak, 75.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Learn as you go, and embrace the changes that come your way. Maintain balance, be moderate and do your best to simplify your life. Peace of mind is attainable if you let your intuition lead the way.

A broad view of what’s happening around you will allow you to recognize what’s best for you and how to go about reaching your goal. Your numbers are 7, 15, 22, 27, 31, 38, 49.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Live up to your promises, and finish what you start. Initiate personal changes that will make you feel good, fit and ready to conquer the world. Put your energy where it counts, and don’t let your emotions spin out of control. ★★

❶ ❶ TRANQUIL Day, Darby Alcoseba, 2021, oil on canvas, 48”x60”

❷ WATER Shelter Series, Darby Alcoseba, 2021, oil on canvas, 48”x72”

❷

Darby Alcoseba re�lects in ‘Agua’ at Galerie Anna

W

ATER runs deep in the life of Darby Alcoseba as a visual artist.

Beside the Cebuano painter’s childhood home runs a river that instilled in him an affinity to the magnificence of light bouncing off liquid. This is why the artist fixates on bodies of water whenever he travels or views a painting. He also grew up in a family of artists who painted using mostly watercolor.

In his second solo exhibition, titled Agua, Alcoseba pays homage to the element. Twelve landscape paintings comprise the show that plays on reflection, while being a reflection itself of the artist’s journey.

The exhibition is on view at Galerie Anna in SM Megamall until November 5.

Most of the pieces exude tranquility. Much like in Tranquil Day, where a group of three boys play with their dog beside a calm lake, there was a time in Alcoseba’s life when everything seems to be in place.

He was going to cruise to a life as an artist, following the path of his family.

Upon witnessing his painter father struggle to make ends meet, however, Alcoseba vowed to pursue a different life. He took up computer engineering in college and became a programmer after graduation.

It was a change of pace like the one in Water Force, wherein we see not a still puddle, but a gushing waterfall.

The call of art was, however, too strong for Alcoseba that he continued painting as a hobby. When his boss learned of his creations, he was offered to be transferred from programming to graphics at nearly double the salary. He took the post. After a while, the artist realized that his works are better suited to be rendered physically than digitally.

Alcoseba resigned and decided to follow his heart’s true desire to be an artist. “’Yung puso ko,” he says, “nasa painting talaga.”

Alcoseba studied the works of French impressionist Claude Monet and American portrait painter John Singer Sargent. He developed his natural talents under the guidance of fellow Cebuano artists, including Orley Ypon and Romulo Galicano, his uncle.

“Sabi ni Galicano sa akin, dapat i-observe ko ng mabuti ’yung nature; dapat isaisip ko lahat ng detalye,” Alcoseba said.

The advice is applied across the featured artworks in the show.

Despite the exhibition being titled Agua, every detail in Alcoseba’s work is worth noting. There’s the strength and stability of the limestone cliffs in Turquoise Treasure. Leaves sway in North Trail, as a man riding a motorcycle returns the viewer’s gaze. The artist dares to be bold as well with an eight-panel assemblage of a pond bursting in life as part of his Water Shelter series.

“Gusto ko mapakita sa audience kung ano ang kakayahan ko,” Alcoseba said. “Gusto ko ma-surprise sila.”

More information on Darby Alcoseba’s Agua can be found in Galerie Anna’s Facebook account at www. facebook.com/galerieanna. ■

British Museum to display the world’s oldest map of stars THE British Museum will display what it says is the world’s oldest surviving map of the stars, the Nebra Sky Disc, in a major upcoming exhibition on the Stonehenge stone circle. AP

LONDON—The British Museum will display what it says is the world’s oldest surviving map of the stars in a major upcoming exhibition on the Stonehenge stone circle. The 3,600-year-old Nebra Sky Disc, first discovered in Germany in 1999, is one of the oldest surviving representations of the cosmos in the world and has never before been displayed in the UK, the London museum said Monday.

The 30-centimeter (12-inch) bronze disc features a blue-green patina and is decorated with inlaid gold symbols thought to represent the sun, the moon and constellations.

The World of Stonehenge exhibition planned for next year will be the first time the disc has been loaned out from Germany for 15 years. The UK is only the fourth country the disc has travelled to after it was discovered buried in the ground in eastern Germany.

It will feature alongside an extremely rare

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Don’t let change stifle you. Go about your business, and do what makes you happy. If you overreact or stop because someone chooses to head in a different direction, you will miss out on something or someone who can help you advance. ★★★★

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Consider your attributes, skills and what you enjoy doing most, then follow the thread that will take you in that direction. Earning your cash doing something you want will add value to your life. Self-improvement will lead to better relationships with others. ★★★

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Emotions will step in and take over if you let the little things get to you. Stick close to home and to those you love. Don’t get involved in a debate that can lead to an argument or a no-win situation. ★★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If you don’t like something, speak up. Offer an alternative that helps you change the situation’s outcome, and put in the physical effort to ensure things unfold your way. Romance will enhance a meaningful relationship. ★★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Reach out to people who make you smile. Getting together with someone who motivates you will result in an unexpected offer that encourages you to use your skills differently. Safe networking and socializing are in your best interest. ★★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Learn from your mistakes, and you’ll avoid an emotional situation. Put your time and energy into home improvements that will encourage better cash flow and fewer objections to necessary rules. Balance and equality will improve your relationship with friends and family. ★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pick up the pace, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with the results. Take a different path, and you’ll learn something new. Kindness will lead to a benevolent response from someone in a position to help. Embrace an unexpected change. ★★★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Keep your emotions undercover when dealing with a professional situation. Let others do the talking while you summarize and organize your thoughts. Once you have a clear picture, you will make better decisions.

Self-improvement is encouraged. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Do something that sparks your imagination. A creative endeavor, a lifestyle change or associating with people who enjoy the same pastimes as you will help build enthusiasm, confidence and friendships. Choose patience over frustration when faced with opposition or incompetence. ★★★

3,000-year-old sun pendant described by the British Museum as the most significant piece of Bronze Age gold ever found in Britain.

“The Nebra Sky Disc and the sun pendant are two of the most remarkable surviving objects from Bronze Age Europe,” said Neil Wilkin, the exhibition’s curator.

“While both were found hundreds of miles from Stonehenge, we’ll be using them to shine a light on the vast interconnected world that existed around the ancient monument, spanning Britain, Ireland and mainland Europe,” he added. “It’s going to be eye-opening.” The exhibition aims to share a wider history of the mythology and cosmology surrounding the 4,500-year-old Stonehenge in southern England.

Hundreds of artefacts from across Britain and Europe telling the story of Stonehenge will also be displayed.

The exhibition runs from February 7 to July 17, 2022. AP

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A change someone makes may not be welcome, but if you choose to carry on and do what makes you happy, you will come out ahead. Pay attention to joint ventures, shared expenses and replacing outdated methods with new technology. ★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take a break and do something that will lift your spirits.

Reach out to someone who puts a smile on your face. A festive event that offers insight into using your skills diversely will push you to make a positive change. ★★★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are sensitive, outgoing and helpful.

You are impulsive and playful.

‘aladdin’ BY KEITH JOHNSTON The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Bound to experience 6 Condition symptomized by distractibility, briefly 10 Italian home of a famous tower 14 French river by a famous tower 15 Word before “admiral” or “axle” 16 Pros 17 What downtrodden troops could use?

19 Earl Grey and orange pekoe 20 Sex drive 21 Contrive evidence against 22 One on the run 25 “Just Do It,” for example 26 Soon, to Juliet 27 Members of a circus, say?

29 Dressed to the ___ 31 French fashion house 32 Like an operating room, ideally 35 Amazing 40 Lass 42 The original sin city?

43 Goat group announcer?

49 Helvetica or Times New Roman 50 Prevents from happening 51 Great conductors 53 Sister of Serena Williams 54 Do over, as a test 55 Not in favor of 56 Excellent ending?

60 Something essential 61 Plays a part, or a play’s parts 62 Team race 63 Puts two and two together, perhaps 64 Relaxation’s partner 65 Banal DOWN 1 Suffix for “social” or “capital” 2 Keanu’s Matrix character 3 Christmas conifer 4 Succinct joke 5 Send payment 6 Show up 7 Cul-de-sac 8 Ring up?

9 Nickname that rhymes with “Trey” 10 Keep regular watch over

11 12 13 18 21 22 23 24 25 28 30 33 34 36 37 38 39 41 43 44 45 46

Period when glaciers advance Certain sailor Agree Death notice, briefly Blazing signals Some are groupies Part of a curriculum Vanished Store under the seat, say Spanish aunt Tourist attractions Big Little ___ (2017-19 TV show) Make a mistake Laundry additive that coats a fabric’s fibers Reason to say “P-U!” Pre-stereo They train less than paramedics: Abbr.

Mourns Cuban capital Tied up, as the score Leased Ancient Celtic priests

47 48 52 54 56 57 58 59

Up-to-the-minute Like Beethoven, in his later years Alternative to pants Domestic Policy Council director Susan Not near Wong of stand-up Back muscle, in gym slang ___ shadow

Solution to today’s puzzle:

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Tuesday, October 26, 2021

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Let computers do it: Film set tragedy spurs call to ban guns

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By Jocelyn Noveck The Associated Press

EW YORK—With computer-generated imagery, it seems the sky’s the limit in the magic Hollywood can produce: elaborate dystopian universes. Trips to outer space, for those neither astronauts nor billionaires. Immersive journeys to the future, or back to bygone eras. But as a shocked and saddened industry was reminded this week, many productions still use guns—real guns—when filming. And despite rules and regulations, people can get killed, as happened last week when Alec Baldwin fatally shot cinematographer Halyna Hutchins after he was handed a weapon and told it was safe.

The tragedy has led some in Hollywood, along with incredulous observers, to ask: Why are real guns ever used on set, when computers can create gunshots in post-production? Isn’t even the smallest risk unacceptable?

For Alexi Hawley, it is. “Any risk is too much risk,” the executive producer of ABC’s police drama The Rookie announced in a staff memo Friday, saying the events in New Mexico had “shaken us all.”

There “will be no more ‘live’ weapons on the show,” he wrote in a note, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter and confirmed by The Associated Press.

Instead, he said, the policy would be to use replica guns, which use pellets and not bullets, with muzzle flashes added in post-production.

The director of the popular Kate Winslet drama Mare of Easttown, Craig Zobel, called for the entire industry to follow suit and said gunshots on that show were added after filming, even though on previous productions he has used live rounds.

“There’s no reason to have guns loaded with blanks or anything on set anymore,” Zobel wrote on Twitter. “Should just be fully outlawed. There’s computers now. The gunshots on Mare of Easttown are all digital. You can probably tell, but who cares? It’s an unnecessary risk.”

Bill Dill—a cinematographer who taught Hutchins, a rising star in her field, at the American Film Institute—expressed disgust in an interview over the “archaic practice of using real guns with blanks in them, when we have readily available and inexpensive computer graphics.”

Dill, whose credits include The Five Heartbeats and Dancing in September, said there was added danger from real guns because “people are working long hours” on films and “are exhausted.”

“There’s no excuse for using live weapons,” he said.

A petition was launched over the weekend on change.org for real guns to be banned from production sets.

“There is no excuse for something like this to happen in the 21st century,” it said of the tragedy.

“This isn’t the early ‘90s, when Brandon Lee was killed in the same manner. Change needs to happen before additional talented lives are lost.” Lee, the actor son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, was killed in 1993 by a makeshift bullet left in a prop gun after a previous scene. The petition appealed to Baldwin directly “to use his power and influence” in the industry and promote “Halyna’s Law,” which would ban the use of real firearms on set. As it stands, the US federal workplace safety agency is silent on the issue and most of the preferred states for productions take a

Showcasing family and sisterhood in ‘Las Hermanas’

n The Associated Press writers Lindsey Bahr, Lynn Elber in Los Angeles, Hillel Italie in New York, and Lizzie Knight in London contributed to this report.

An intriguing tale of family and sisterhood unfolds in GMA afternoon block new offering, Las Hermanas, which debuted yesterday, October 25. It airs weekdays after Eat Bulaga.

Yasmien Kurdi, Thea Tolentino and Faith Da Silva lead the series as the Manansala sisters Dorothy, Minnie, and Scarlet, respectively.

On her character, Yasmien says: “Matapang ’yung character ni Dorothy. Siya ’yung magba-balanse sa dalawang sisters niya para buo kami. Hindi niya hahayaan na magkawatak-watak sila. Siya ’yung responsable, siya ’yung ate, siya ‘yung laging naga-advise, siya ’yung laging umaalalay at tumatayong magulang para sa mga kapatid niya.”

“I am most proud of how all of us worked together,” Thea says. “Walang nagsapawan ng eksena, lahat nagbibigayan at kapag sa times na hirap kami, nasusuportahan namin ang isa’t isa. Hindi lang sa aming mga kasamang actor, kundi pati na rin sa mga direktor at mga staff.”

“I feel grateful for the trust they have given me with this amazing project,” says Faith. “For sure, I got really pressured especially dahil lahat ng coactors ko ay mga batikan at awardwinning. And this is my first lead show, so the pressure was really there but I just did my part. I’m just really grateful na on or off-screen, iba ’yung relationship namin nina Thea and Yasmien and I felt that I gained new sisters.”

Dorothy, Minnie and Scarlet’s lives are turned upside down when their father dies and leaves their family bankrupt.

From their ostentatious and glamorous home, they have to move to a fishing village in the province with their mother.

But another scandal ravages their family when their mother is suddenly arrested for several counts of estafa.

Lost and still grieving, the three sisters will try to take matters into their own hands. But their personalities and dreams clash and one unfortunate incident follows another.

Suddenly, sacrifices have to be made and not all of them are willing to make it. When worse comes to worst, can Dorothy, Minnie and Scarlet prove that blood is indeed thicker than water?

Las Hermanas is made more exciting by the GMA comeback of Albert Martinez as Lorenzo Ilustre, the charming, self-made businessman who will captivate the heart of Scarlet and be the root of the sisters’ falling out.

“My takeaway from the series is: respect women. You can’t possess them and turn them into how you want them to be. You have to accept them the way they are and not create a mold for them because that will never work. In a relationship, there should be two-way traffic all the time. One should understand the other, and one should understand the individuality of each partner,” says Albert.

Also in the cast are Jason Abalos, Jennica Garcia, Lucho Ayala, Madeleine Nicolas and Melissa Mendez. In special roles in the series are Rita Avila and Leandro Baldemor.

Completing the cast are Rubi Rubi, Robert Ortega, Orlando Sol and Coleen Paz. The series is under the supervision of the GMA Entertainment Group headed by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable and FVP for Drama Redgie A. Magno. Monti Puno Parungao directs, with Patrick Ferrer as associate director.

We hope his mother studio will entrust Monasterio with meatier lead roles after his stint in Legal Wives, so he could also flex his acting chops on a wider spectrum.

Meanwhile, Jak Roberto, another GMA contract artist, is fast catching up with his network “brothers” as far as the battle for the most as amazing abs is concerned. He recently flexed his toned upper body in a social-media post he captioned “Benefit of Quarantine!” which sent the GMA fans into a retweeting spree.

Roberto, who is the significant other of popular actress Barbie Forteza for more than four years now, told us that his girlfriend supports him all the way in

his fitness program. “She knows that we are required to always look our best in this very competitive business, and she encourages me in my workout and training sessions, so I can look yummy not only in my projects but also for her.”

The hardworking Roberto still has not relinquished the “Ang Pambansang Abs” title bestowed on him early this year by his many followers. “I blush every time I hear that. If they see me on shoots taking off my shirt when I change into my next assigned outfit, they always tease me and count my pan de sals,” he said.

While we are on the subject of abs and pan de sals, GMA CEO Felipe Gozon sent a message to Kamuning Bakery in celebration of World Pandesal Day, the local version of World Bread Day, which is celebrated annually in mid October.

“The smell of freshly baked pan de sal and brewed coffee evoke warm memories of home. Kamuning Bakery and I share something special—we are both the same age. Congratulations for putting the spotlight on our country’s humble yet popular bread. From its humble beginnings in 1939, the bakery has kept its legacy of serving traditional, no preservatives, and proudly Filipino-style bread. It is also a home to diverse leaders, intellectuals, writers and celebrities. Even after it was burned to ground last year, it remains undaunted. Like the pan de sal, it has remained resilient and constant—still serving the needs of many. ’Yan ang Serbisyong Totoo!”

Alec Baldwin speaks on the phone in the parking lot outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after he was questioned about the tragic shooting on the set of the film Rust, which caused the death of the film’s cinematographer and wounded its director. AP

largely hands-off approach.

Hutchins, 42, died and director Joel Souza was wounded Thursday on the set of the Western Rust when Baldwin fired a prop gun that a crew member unwittingly told him was “cold” or not loaded with live rounds, according to court documents made public Friday.

Souza was later released from the hospital.

The tragedy came after some workers had walked off the job to protest safety conditions and other production issues on the film, of which Baldwin is the star and a producer.

In an interview, British cinematographer Steven Hall noted that he worked on a production this year in Madrid that involved “lots of firearms.”

“We were encouraged not to use blanks, but to rely on visual effects in post [production] to create whatever effect we wanted from a particular firearm, with the actor miming the recoil from the gun, and it works very well,” he said.

He noted, though, that special effects add costs to a production’s budget. “So it’s easier and perhaps more economic to actually discharge your weapon on set using a blank,” said Hall, a veteran cinematographer who has worked on films, like Fury and Thor: The Dark World. But, he said, “the problem with blanks is, of course...something is emitted from the gun.”

Besides financial concerns, why else would real guns be seen as preferable? “There are advantages to using blanks on set that some people want to get,” said Sam Dormer, a British “armorer,” or firearms specialist. “For instance, you get a [better] reaction from the actor.” Still, Dormer said, the movie industry

is likely moving away from real guns, albeit slowly.

The term “prop gun” can apply to anything from a rubber toy to a real firearm that can fire a projectile.

If it’s used for firing, even blanks, it’s considered a real gun. A blank is a cartridge that contains gunpowder but no bullet. Still, it can hurt or even kill someone who is close by, according to the Actors’ Equity Association.

That’s why many are calling to ban blanks as well, and use disabled or replica guns.

“Really there is no good reason in this day to have blanks on set,” director Liz Garbus wrote on Twitter. “CGI can make the gun seem ‘real,’ and if you don’t have the budget for the CGI, then don’t shoot the scene.” Broadway actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein wrote that the tragedy certainly made him wonder why Hollywood wasn’t leaning more on special effects.

“Why, with all of the Hollywood magic available, are they still firing off gun powder? They know that they are going to goose-up the gunshots in postproduction,” he wrote on Facebook. “Why chance an accident in the first place?”

But he also said the death raised even broader questions. “With all of that Hollywood talent and imagination, are we still writing stories about shooting one another?” he asked. “Do we really have nothing better to spend millions of dollars on than the glamorization of gun battles?”

FROM left: Faith Da Silva, Yasmien Kurdi, and Thea Tolentino

Of celebrity abs and pan de sals

WHILE the ongoing pandemic has slowed down major film companies and TV networks in churning out their regular volume of films and programs, it has given entertainers more than enough time to focus on improving themselves and their physiques, especially male celebrities who are aware that the fitter they are, the more palatable they will be on the big and small screens.

Take, for instance Derrick Monasterio who has been really setting his sights on having a perfect hot bod—not only to look good, but to be at his healthiest during these extraordinarily impactful times. “I have been working out for many years now, and fitness has become a lifestyle for me, not just a regular activity. I read a lot of articles and books, watch a lot of videos on the ‘net, and apply whatever is best suited to my daily grind as an actor.”

He added, “After each workout, I feel more inspired

when I see improvements, especially when I reach the goals I set for myself. During good days, I try to go that extra mile, but not to the extent that I risk injuring my body parts.” Monasterio also shared that he always listens to what his body tells him.

Recently, this GMA charmer has been combining both weightlifting and the routines he discovered in Cross Fit, a high intensity fitness program that combines elements from different sports and types of exercises. “I lift weights because my muscles will be more defined doing so, while Cross Fit allows me to challenge myself more, strengthens both my core and my endurance, and it also elevates my level of selfdiscipline.”

Derrick Monasterio (left) and Jak Roberto

B6 Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Equip your home with XTREME smart appliances this rainy season hot drinks. The newest XTREME Home Electric Kettles provide a quick and easy way to warm up the water but with minimal power consumption.

The 1.9L XTREME Home Electric Kettle (XH-KTDW172S) boasts a stainless steel housing and has 6 Preset Heat Settings that let you set a precise temperature depending on your needs.

Food Steamer

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S the country shifts to rainy and cold weather, most Filipino households are now preparing how to keep their homes perfectly fit the indoor mood. While the cold and gloomy weather is still far from over, might as well consider rain-proofing your homes with extra comfort, security, and readiness. XTREME Appliances, the country’s leading one-stop shop appliance brand, just introduced new products that will make the monsoon season bearable and sustainable.

Stay warm and cozy with useful and practical appliances that are truly musthaves these monsoon days.

Insect Killer

EVERYONE wants pest-free homes, stress-free nights, and less itchy days this rainy season. This XTREME Home Insect Killer (XH-IK50) doesn’t use any chemicals to do its job, making it safer to use inside your households. One of the best things about this product is its minimal power consumption — a practical option if you want to use it overnight to ensure the family’s safety from pests and insects.

Coffee Maker

RAINY days call for a hot cup of coffee while watching your favorite Netflix show. If you’re looking for a perfect cup of hot caffeine, the 1.5L XTREME Home Coffee Machine (XHESCM) is perfect for you! It has a Touch Panel Control and a combination of black and stainless steel finish that make it sleek and modern-looking. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about overheating — thanks to its Overheating and Overpressure Protection device.

Deep Fryer

WHILE we stay at home in this cold weather, our fried food cravings will never cease. To satisfy your good old-fashioned fried food cravings, this 2.5L XTREME Home Deep Fryer (XH-DFPL25) has an anti-slip base which makes it safer and hassle-free to use. Not to mention, it has a stainless steel housing and enamel coating oil tank which is easy to clean and maintain.

Electric Kettles

ELECTRIC Kettle has always been one of the best ways to heat water for your favorite

ARE you looking for an appliance that you can use to quickly and efficiently cook food? For only P1,695, this XTREME Home Food Steamer (XHFS105) might be the perfect answer for you! It has a large capacity of a 10.5L steam basket that lets you place an impressive amount of food to be cooked. This quick boiling food steamer has a 60-minute timer and automatic shut-off feature for hasslefree cooking.

Induction Cooker

DURING rainy days, cooking your favorite soup dish would be a great way to warm up our bodies. The new 3100W XTREME Home Induction Cooker (XH-IC21002) allows you to cook two dishes at the same time. One of the most important advantages of having an induction cooker at home is the safeness. This induction cooker recognizes when a pan is in place through its Automatic ShutOff feature — minimizing the risk of burns and accidents.

To keep updated, join the official online community on Facebook, XTREME Fam.

Sharp launches Aquos the Scenes 8K series to enrich family quality time

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HARP recently announced the Philippine launch of its new flagship Audio Visual products, AQUOS THE SCENES 8K, providing new dimensions of immersive experience in living room. SHARP’s Audio-Visual brand AQUOS marks its 20 years with a celebration this year.

Aquos the Scenes 8K series debuts as its anniversary models, over two product categories: TV and Sound bar.

AQUOS is the original coined word, combined with AQUA + QUALITY, has been used since 2001 as the symbol of ‘New standard home used TV for 21st century’. In 2000, SHARP declared grand resolution to change all CRT TVs in Japan to LCD TVS in 5years, when only 4% TVs were LCD*2.

After 20years, TVs in all around the world now are replaced to LCD TV. During this time, Sharp launch many World’s largest / World’s first TVs, and achieved 50million units accumulated sales in 2020.

Sharp sets its business vision as ‘Changing the World with 8K+5G’, and our aim is to continue to introduce new products and services that meet the expectations of our valued customers.

The challenge this time is to set the pricing of this 8K TV more affordable and benchmark to 4K premium TV zone. This is all for diffusing the highest resolution 8K and leading the change of home entertainment in customers house. ‘This is another milestone that Sharp sets new standard home used TV for after COVID-19 century’ said Mr. Kazuo Kito, Sharp Philippines President and General Manager.

‘We are able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our AQUOS brand we developed together.’ said Yoshihiro Hashimoto, Senior Executive Managing Officer, Head of Asian, Oceanian, and European Business.

‘AQUOS THE SCENES 8K creates an exciting experience of overwhelming images and sound effects that changes our customers’ houses into a theatre.

Just like the first year we launched our AQUOS brand 20 years ago, we

offer new value to the market together with our partners’.

AQUOS THE SCENES 8K TV: DW1X series

PICTURE quality that gives you the feeling of being there.

As the flagship model in AQUOS lineup, the DW1 is packed with key features for family seeking premium visual experiences at homes. This model provides 8K Ultra-High Definition (8K UHD) resolution and is available in 60and 70-inch options. Combined with newly developed Deep Chroma Display Pro and Z2 Revelation Processor, DW1 will turn your living room into a theater room. ‘My team in Japan collaborates with Japan R&D Malaysia R&D team. By matching Japans best technology over local needs’ said Shigeru Kojima, Head of ASEAN, Taiwan, MEA & Oceania TV R&D. You can enjoy the beautiful journey around the world through 8K large screen. YouTube is one of the streaming video platforms which provides 8K contents.

DW1X series adopts the latest AV1 format adopted for their 8K streaming.

Android TV makes it easier to get more from your TV. Choose from 400,000+ movies and shows from across streaming services.

Ask Google to control your TV, get recommendations of what to watch, dim the lights, and more with your voice. Cast photos, videos, and music from smart devices to your TV with Chromecast built-in™.

Also it helps to get your job done by mirroring work PC to your living

room TV. Google Duo supports remote meeting with friends. Needless to say, all kinds of VOD services are on your hands, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and more VODs are available.

AQUOS THE SCENES SOUND BAR: C22CX1series

SOUND quality that gives you the feeling of being there.

The C22CX1 series sound bar home theatre system uses OPSODIS technology which accurately simulates many threedimensional audio formats commonly used in TV, cinema and gaming. OPSODIS simulates how humans perceive sound in a real environment.

The unique stereophonic reproduction technology controls the time difference of the sound, allowing the listener to experience a natural stereophonic sound that reaches the left and right ears directly. Customers can further enhance the immersive experience by connecting this soundbar to AQUOS THE SCENES 8K TV. OPSODIS is a three-dimensional audio technology jointly developed by Kajima Corporation and the University of Southampton. Kajima Technical Research Institute has a wealth of experience in architectural acoustics, such as the design of concert halls and music studios. The Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton is a world leader in acoustics and conducts cutting edge research in many areas of the field.

Check out the SHARP AQUOS TV line-up online at www.ph.sharp

TUPAD PROGRAM. Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III visits Tondo, Manila, where he facilitates the payout of wages for 498 worker-beneficiaries from five barangays under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD) on October 22, 2021. (Photo by Dodong Echavez, IPS)

The Globe Group commits push for PH digital readiness

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HE private sector is taking the lead in infrastructure investment to improve internet connectivity and bring down costs, and the government must follow suit if it wants to boost digital infrastructure and build economic resiliency, an executive of leading digital enterprise The Globe Group said.

In a virtual town hall discussion called Digital Readiness PH: Fostering a Digital Empowerment Agenda organized recently by Stratbase ADR Institute, Yoly Crisanto, Senior Vice President, Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Corporate Communications of Globe, said her company is investing $2.1 billion in capital expenditure this year to develop the digital infrastructure that the country needs.

“We targeted a million fiber lines this year and we were able to hit that target as early as September,” she said. “We have made 4G the default technology for mobile data and we are aggressively expanding into 5G to enable services like AI, IoT, robotics, among others.”

Crisanto said that the main issue is no longer internet speed, per se, but the seamless connection across various places in the archipelago. “We always ask ourselves, is connectivity consistently good across all locations?” For a country that has consistently ranked first in the world in terms of time spent on social media, internet penetration has inched up to 65%.

“We have to be able to digitize government. We’re ranking 63rd in the world in terms of infrastructure and 67th in various e-government indicators.”

Globe itself has made significant strides, starting from the reimagining of its role in society. “Globe is no longer only a telecommunications company. It is now a digital solutions and digital platform company – The Globe Group – an ecosystem of many different companies that are all fostering digital technologies.”

According to the recent study on digital payments in the Asia Pacific region by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, the Philippines has the highest number of “e-cash adopters” among 10 countries in region topping at 37% followed by India (23%), Australia (15%), Vietnam (14%),

Indonesia (13%) and Thailand (13%), and Singapore (11%).

“COVID 19 accelerated digital adoption among Filipino consumers especially in the area of e-payments and e-commerce and that a lot of economic activities are now being done online, including the micro and small and medium enterprises,” Crisanto said.

Globe has also been focusing on the education sector, putting up Global Filipino Schools that provide 21st-century learning in all 17 regions in the Philippines. Among other education-related initiatives are the training of teachers covering not just the usual curriculum but mental health, the acknowledgment of parents’ crucial role in distance learning, and the building of an IT Academy and creation of a technopreneurship module with De La Salle University.

“We should really start pushing STEM education because it will create the future,” Crisanto said.

Among the speakers at the virtual town hall were DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan, who affirmed the government’s commitment to the transformation, beginning with actual physical connectivity highways through the National Broadband Network. The country is also working to bring connectivity to various parts of the country, including unserved and underserved areas.

Complementing these efforts are capacity-building initiatives to upskill Filipinos for the digital economy.

“The training aims to uplift and empower more Filipinos, particularly those belonging to the most vulnerable sectors of society,” he said.

Stratbase president Dindo Manhit, in his statement, acknowledged that internet services had significantly improved during the pandemic because of investments from the private sector. Amid these gains, the challenge is to enable the education sector to catch up with these infrastructure improvements.

“Education is the core of any society,” he said. “How can we translate the talent and capacities to training in education?

We should push the idea of turning digital readiness into people’s readiness.”

PCPPI marks Int‘l Day for Disaster Risk Reduction

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EPSI-COLA Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI)—the exclusive manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country—conducted school-based disaster preparedness webinars in support of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The program was part of the company’s Brigada Eskwela participation, in partnership with the Department of Education.

PCPPI launched online learning sessions on disaster preparedness in three adopted schools nationwide. They aim to strengthen the capacity and preparedness of school authorities in case of disasters.

The discussion revolved around identifying the types of disaster and initial response protocols, among others.

The schools belong to communities that host PCPPI’s manufacturing plants in Muntinlupa City and Bicol Region. These include Camarines Sur National High School, Concepcion Grande Elementary School, and Victoria Homes Elementary School. The seminars were attended by the schools’ faculty members and administration officers, and members of the parents’ associations.

“PCPPI remains committed to elevating public awareness on disaster risks, mitigation, and preparedness.

This is especially crucial for schools to

prepare both teachers and students for potential disasters. PCPPI will continue to be proactive in this space, enhancing our stakeholders' ability to remain safe and resilient in any situation," said president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Ong. This effort supports the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in fulfilling its vision of safer and disaster-resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development.

PCPPI is the exclusive manufacturer of well-known beverage brands in the Philippines: Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Tropicana, Lipton, Sting, Premier, Milkis, and Aquafina.

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

Finland’s prime minister: Turkey decision on envoys ‘regrettable’

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E L S I N K I — F i n l a n d ’s leader said Sunday that the Turkish president’s decision to order that 10 foreign ambassadors, including the Nordic country’s envoy, be declared persona non grata after calling for the release of a jailed philanthropist and human-rights activist was a “regrettable situation.”

Prime Minister Sanna Marin told public broadcaster YLE that “this is a tough reaction” from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who announced the move on Saturday.

A declaration of persona non grata against a diplomat usually means that the individual is banned from remaining in the host country. The diplomats were summoned to Turkey’s foreign ministry on Tuesday.

T he e nvoy s f rom t he US , France, Germany, Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and New Zealand had issued a statement 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.

“This is a very regrettable situation. We’ve considered it important that the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights are respected and complied with, and therefore have called for the release of this human-rights activist,” Marin said.

Kavala was acquitted last year of charges linked to nationwide a nt i- gover nment protests i n 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. 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. AP

The World BusinessMirror

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

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China locks down thousands as Delta flare-up spirals into nationwide surge

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hina warned that new infections will increase in the coming days after the latest outbreak, which is fueled by the Delta variant, expanded to 11 provinces.

China locked down a county that has seen the most Covid-19 cases in the country’s latest Delta outbreak, as an initial flare-up in the northwest quickly spirals into a nationwide surge.

Ejin, a county in northwester n C h ina’s Inner Mongol i a, has asked its 35,700 residents to stay home from Monday and warned of civil and criminal liabilities should anyone disobey t he order, st ate broadc a ster CCT V reported, citing a local go ve r n me nt s t ate me nt . T he small county bordering Mongolia is the current outbreak ’s hotspot, home to nearly one-third of the more than 150 infections found over the past week in the mainland.

T he loc kdow n came a d ay after a warning from National Health Commission officials that the outbreak would continue to worsen after spreading to 11 provinces in about a week. China reported 38 Covid infections on Monday, half of which were found in Inner Mongolia.

Earlier on Sunday, Beijing authorities announced the city is halting cross-province tourism and closing card and majhong rooms.

China’s capital will also cut the number of large events and increase supervision over small clinics and pharmacies, according to the official WeChat account of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission.

Key developments:

Malaysia sees further drop in cases

Malaysia recorded the fewest cases since the end of June.

The Southeast Asian countr y added 5,666 new infections Sunday, bringing the total number of cases to more than 2.43 million, according to a tweet

by Health Malaysia DirectorGeneral Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Meanwhile, almost 95 percent of Malaysia’s adult population have received a complete dose of vaccines, according to the health ministr y’s data.

Red Cross urges help for Papua New Guinea: Report

Papua New Guinea urgently needs help from the international community as a surge in Covid cases overwhelms the Pacific country’s health system, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Monday, Reuters reported.

Coronavirus cases in the nation of 9 million have surged in recent weeks, with 385 new cases recorded on Thursday, Reuters reported, citing the latest available government data.

Taiwan seeks 60 percent vaccination rate for border reopening

Ta iwa n ’ s go ve r n me nt m ay

gradually reopen border when full vaccination rate reaches 60 percent and at least 70 percent of the population have received at least one shot, the Taipei-based Central News Agency reported, cit ing Hea lt h Minister Chen Shih-chung. About 66 percent of the population has received at least one shot and about 26 percent of people are fully vaccinated as of October 22, according to data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control.

Banks pressure Hong Kong to open

The finance industry is ratcheting up pressure on Hong Kong to ease its strict quarantine rules and abandon its zero-Covid policy after a survey found almost half of major international banks and asset managers are contemplating moving staff or functions out of the city.

In a letter sent over the weekend to Financial Secretary Paul Chan that was seen by Bloomberg News, the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association, the top lobby group for financial firms in the city, said the hardline approach has put Hong Kong’s status as financial center, its broader economic recovery and competitiveness at risk.

Jokowi pushes for Southeast Asia travel arrangement

Indonesi a’s President Joko Widodo pushed for travel to reopen in Southeast Asia, saying this would help economic recovery in the region that has seen coronavirus cases recede.

He said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations needs to hit its vaccination target of 70 percent of the population of over 650 million people as soon

as possible so that economies could reopen safely.

Jokowi, as the president is known, has been pushing for a regional travel corridor arrangement since late last year. Instead, each country has set up bilateral deals with nations around the world, with Singapore reopening to North America and Europe while Thailand scrapped quarantine rules for 46 countries while excluding Indonesia.

South Korea to start return to ‘normal life’

South Korea will begin a “gradual return to normal life” in November as 70 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, President Moon Jae-in said at the National Assembly. Schools will reopen and small businesses will be revived, he said.

The country will announce details on easing social distancing rules for gradual return to normal life on October 29.

Florida surgeon general refused to wear mask

Florida’s new surgeon general refused to wear a mask offered to him by a state senator who told him she had a serious medical condition—and she ultimately asked him to leave her office.

The encounter, earlier reported by Florida Politics, took place between Senator Tina Polsky and Joseph Ladapo, who met her in her office regarding his upcoming confirmation after being appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis. She has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“He’s very smug,” Polsky said.

“And I told him several times, ‘I have this very serious medical condition.’ And he said, ‘That’s OK,’ like it basically has nothing to do

with what we are talking about.’”

Ladapo has questioned the vaccine’s efficacy and safety, and like DeSantis, opposes shot mandates.

Florida was hit hard by the latest wave of the virus, accounting at one point for a fifth of US cases.

US kids set for shots by early November

T wo top US hea lt h of f ic i a ls sig na led conf idence t hat c h i ld ren ages 5 to 11 w i l l beg in get t ing Cov id-19 vacc ines by ea rly November.

“If all goes well, and we get the regulator y approval... it’s ent irely possible if not ver y likely that vaccines will be available for children from five to 11 within the first week or two of November,” Anthony Fauci, P re s i d e nt Jo e B i d e n’s c h ie f medical adviser, said on ABC ’s “ This Week.”

His comments were echoed by Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which must ultimately approve the shots. “There will be vaccine out there so children can start rolling up their sleeves,” Walensky said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Health experts say vaccinating children will be a key step in helping end the US outbreak, though a Kaiser Family Foundation study found in September that only about a third of parents would vaccinate their children immediately. Almost 65 million eligible Americans ages 12 and older are not vaccinated.

Advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration will meet Tuesday to consider data for children’s use of the vaccine by Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE. Approval by the FDA and the CDC is also required. Bloomberg News

Pope: Don’t send migrants back Asean leaders hold summit, Myanmar’s general shut out to Libya and ‘inhumane’ camps

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A T I C A N C I T Y— P o p e Francis on Sunday made an impassioned plea to end the practice of returning migrants rescued at sea to Libya and other unsafe countries where they suffer “inhumane violence.”

Francis a lso waded into a highly contentious political debate in Europe, calling on the i nter n at ion a l com mu n it y to find concrete ways to manage the “migrator y f lows” in the Mediterranean.

“I express my closeness to the thousands of migrants, refugees and others in need of protection in Libya,’’ Francis said. “I never forget you, I hear your cries and I pray for you.”

Even as the pontiff appealed for changes of migrant policy and of heart in his remarks to the public in St. Peter’s Square, hundreds of migrants were either at sea in the central Mediterranean awaiting a port after rescue or recently coming ashore in Sicily or the Italian mainland after setting sail from Libya or Turkey, according to authorities.

“So many of these men, women and children are subject to inhumane violence,’’ he added.

“Yet again I ask the international community to keep the promises to search for common, concrete and lasting solutions to manage the migratory flows in Libya and in all the Mediterranean.”

“How they suffer, those who are sent back ” after rescue at sea, the pope said. Detention facilities in Libya, he said “are true concentration camps.”

“We need to stop sending back

(migrants) to unsafe countries and to give priority to the saving of human lives at sea with protocols of rescue and predictable disembarking, to guarantee them dignified conditions of life, alternatives to detention, regular paths of migration and access to asylum procedures,” Francis said.

UN refugee agency officials and human-rights organizations have long denounced the conditions of detention centers for migrants in Libya, citing practices of beatings, rape and other forms of torture and insufficient food. Migrants endure weeks and months of those conditions, awaiting passage in unseaworthy rubber dinghies or rickety fishing boats arranged by human traffickers.

Hours after the pope’s appeal, the humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders said that its rescue ship, Geo Barents, reached a rubber boat that was taking on water, with the sea buffeted by strong winds and waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) high. It tweeted that “we managed to rescue all the 71 people on board.”

The group thanked the charity group Alarm Phone for signaling that the boat crowded with migrants was in distress.

Earlier, Geo Barents, then with 296 migrants aboard its rescue ship, was awaiting permission in waters off Malta to disembark.

Six migrants that tested positive for Covid-19, but because of the crowded conditions aboard, it was difficult to keep them sufficiently distant from the others, Doctors Without Borders said. AP

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UALA LUMPUR, Malays i a — S o ut h e a s t A s i a n leaders are meeting this week for their annual summit where Myanmar’s top general, whose forces seized power in February and shattered one of Asia’s most phenomenal democratic transitions, has been shut out for refusing to take steps to end the deadly violence.

Myanmar defiantly protested the exclusion of Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who currently heads its government and ruling militar y council, from the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Brunei, which currently leads the 10-nation bloc, will host the three-day meetings starting Tuesday by video due to coronavirus concerns. The talks will be joined

by President Joe Biden and the leaders of China and Russia, and are expected to spotlight Myanmar’s worsening crisis and the pandemic as well as security and economic issues.

Asean’s unprecedented sanct ioning of Mya nma r st rayed from its bedrock principles of non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs and deciding by consensus, meaning just one member can effectively shoot down a group decision. Myanmar cited the violation of those principles enshrined in the group’s charter in rejecting the decision to bar its military leader from the summit.

But the regional group has few other options as the general’s in-

transigence further risked tainting its image as a diplomatic refuge for some of the most intractable tyrants in Asia.

A senior Asean diplomat, who joined an October 15 emergency meeting where the foreign ministers decided to rebuff Myanmar, said those two principles bind but “will not paralyze” the bloc.

The diplomat called Asean’s more forceful response “a paradigm shift” but added its conservative principles would likely stay.

“In serious cases like this, when the integrity and credibility of Asean is at stake, Asean memberstates or even the leaders and the ministers have that latitude to act,” said the diplomat, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of a lack of authority to discuss the issues publicly.

Instead of Mya nma r’s top general, the country’s highestranking veteran diplomat, Chan Aye, was invited to the summit as the country’s “non-political” representat ive, t he d iplomat said. It remains unclear if Chan Aye will attend.

Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister joined the online emergency meeting two weeks ago. It was held in a calm manner, although some ministers bluntly expressed their opposition to the February 1 military takeover that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, which overwhelmingly won last November’s vote. Singapore’s Foreign Minister Viv-

ian Balakrishnan declared that his government still recognizes Suu Kyi and ousted President Win Myint, both of whom have been detained, as Myanmar’s legitimate leaders, according to the diplomat.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, a staunch critic of the military’s seizure of power, told his Asean counterparts that the principle of non-interference cannot be used “as a shield to avoid issues being addressed” given that the Myanmar crisis has alarmed the region. In a separate online forum last week, he suggested officials and others “do some soul-searching” for Asean “on the possibility of moving away from the principle of non-interference toward ‘constructive engagement’ or ‘non-indifference.’”

Asean has been under intense international pressure to take steps to help end the violence that has left an estimated 1,100 civilians dead since the army took power and locked up Suu Kyi and others, igniting widespread peaceful protests and armed resistance. UN special envoy Christine Schraner Burgener warned last week that Myanmar “will go in the direction of a failed state” if violent conflicts between the militar y, civilians and ethnic minorities spiral out of control and the democratic setback was not resolved peacefully.

Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide victory in 2015 after more than five decades of military rule.

But the military remained pow-

erful and contested her National League for Democracy party’s win in last November elections as fraudulent.

Asean has not recognized the mi litar y leadership a lt hough Myanmar remains a member.

The group “must take a bolder step to speak up against non-democratic overthrow of democratically elected government and crimes against humanity against the Myanmar people,” said Alexander Arifianto, an Indonesian expert on regional politics at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. “Asean needs to reform its decision-making process.”

A sean leaders agreed on a five-point contingency plan in an emergency meeting in April in Indonesia that was attended by Min Aung Hlaing. They called for an immediate end to the violence and the start of a dialogue to be mediated by a special Asean envoy, who should be allowed to meet all parties.

But the military later repeatedly refused to allow the envoy to meet Suu Kyi and other political detainees in an impasse that is testing the regional bloc.

Asean admitted Myanmar in 1997 despite intense opposition from the US and European countries, which then cited its military junta’s record of suppressing democracy and human rights. The other members of the bloc are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. AP

World champion graces PSA forum

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RESH from winning the gold in the 50th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, Carlos Yulo talks about his campaign in his special appearance in the online edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

Yulo will be joined in the public sports program by Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion and his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya.

The 21-year-old Yulo won the gold medal in men’s vault and added a silver medal in the parallel bars. He failed to defend his title in the floor exercise where he finished fifth in the event held in Kitakyushu, Japan, over the weekend.

Joining the gymnastics group in the second part of the session are Karate Pilipinas president Richard Lim and national team stalwart Jamie Lim as they discuss the coming world championships in Dubai.

The weekly session starts at 10 a.m. and presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The Forum is being livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and also shared by Radyo Pilipinas 2 Facebook page.

ANOC gives POC ‘Breakthrough’ Olympics award

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HE Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) bestowed the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) the Breakthrough NOC Award for winning its first Olympic gold medal through weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in the Tokyo Games in July.

POC President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino received the award online during the ceremonies held in Heraklion, Greece, on Sunday.

“The POC is honored to receive this award from the ANOC. It’s been almost a century or after 22 Olympics that we finally won our first Olympic gold medal,” said Tolentino as he reiterated his praises for Diaz, silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial for their remarkable performance in Tokyo.

“This award is not only for the POC, but for the entire country and the 15 other Filipino athletes who gallantly competed in the Tokyo Olympics,” Tolentino said.

The ANOC Awards were held for the first time in Bangkok in 2014 and have been held every year since then. The event was created in order to recognize and honor the achievements of the NOCs and their athletes as well as distinguished members of the Olympic Family.

Also receiving the award for winning their first Olympic gold medals were Bermuda (women’s triathlon) and Qatar (weightlifting). Burkina Faso, San Marino and Turkmenistan were also recognized for clinching their first ever medals at the Tokyo Olympics.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, Greek Culture and Sports Minister Lefteris Avgenakis and representatives from the IOC, NOCs, international federations and other Olympic stakeholders attended the awards.

The ANOC also conducted its general assembly where officials from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing made a presentation.

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (bottom right) receives online the Breakthrough NOC Award.

Sports

Rondina-Pons, Arbasto-Garcia bag BVR on Tour first leg titles

BusinessMirror

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| Tuesday, October 26, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

SISI RONDINA (right) and Bernadeth Pons remain as the best beach volleyball pair in the country.

PARIS ETCHED DEEP IN YULO’S MIND

By Josef Ramos

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HE Paris 2024 Olympics will always be the ultimate goal at the end of each training day and each setback and success for newly-crowned world vault champion Carlos Yulo.

“After the disappointment in Tokyo, I promised myself that every time I compete, it will be connected with the Olympics,” Yulo told BusinessMirror on Monday night, a day after he won gold in men’s vault at the 50th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan.

“So I keep training very hard and trying to be wise to avoid that failure,” he said. “That’s why I am doing my very best everyday—not only in actual competitions but in training—even though it’s hard because I really hate losing.”

Yulo’s world championship campaign in Japan started with a disappointing fifth-place finish in the floor exercise where he was world champion in Stuttgart, Germany,

two years ago thus earning a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics.

He was fourth in the vault finals and was outside of the elite circle in the parallel bars in Tokyo. In the Kitakyushu, he qualified at fourth place in vault and was tops in the p-bars thus making him a favorite.

On Sunday afternoon, Yulo was an extremely motivated 21-year-old with his 4-foot-8 physique targeting goliath goals. He did.

The vault gold and p-bars silver medals cemented for him another lofty seat atop the gymnastics world, pushing his dream further and qualifying the Tokyo experience as one dismal performance for an Olympic first-timer who’ll be back four years later all polished and ready to rumble.

“I didn’t have any regrets about my performance last Saturday [floor exercise] because I did my very best, gave my all,” he said. “And there’s nothing I can do about that but to get back and pick up the pieces the following day.”

Just like all his batchmates at Tokyo 2020+1, all 19-strong of

them, Paris beckons and Hidilyn Diaz, the country’s first Olympic gold medalist, will always be there serving as a guiding light.

“She inspires us, she motivates us and we look at her as our elder sister,” Yulo said. “Her Olympic journey since 2008 wasn’t easy, that’s why I am super proud of her.”

With gold and silver hanging from his neck, Yulo charted his path to Paris with the Hanoi 31st Southeast Asian Games in May and the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games in September as his next major stops.

“I have to prepare myself as if the competition is tomorrow,” he said. “And that includes the big sacrifice of not having to be with my family.”

Yulo was home in Leveriza in December 2019 when he showed his world-class act live during the SEA Games. He flew to Japan after that to train for the Olympics and never got the chance to come home because of the pandemic.

“I really miss my family, my mom and my father because I haven’t seen them for two years,”

CARLOS YULO shows to BusinessMirror his men’s vault gold medal from the world championships in Japan. said Yulo, who contends himself to regular video calls with mom Angelica, dad Mark Andrew and siblings Jorielgel, Karl Jahrel Eldrew, Elaiza and Andriel.

Ladies tour back with tournaments at Eagle Ridge, Tagaytay Highlands

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HE ladies of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) steel themselves up for another restart of the circuit forced to go on a second respite due to the spike of coronavirus in July with a two-tournament swing at Eagle Ridge and Tagaytay Highlands next month.

Princess Superal swept the two-leg resumption of the Ladies PGT at Sherwood Hills and at Eagle Ridge’s Norman course three months ago before the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. suspended play again due to the spike of Covid-19 infections, which included Cavite and Batangas, regular hosts of the various legs of the LPGT. The national government, with its mass vaccination program in full throttle, has recently downgraded the alert level system in 14 provinces and five cities, paving the way for the resumption of the ladies pro circuit, among other sporting events.

The PGTI has reiterated its commitment to enforce strict guidelines and protocols to ensure the health and safety of all those involved.

“We’re very happy and grateful for the tour resumption,” said Superal, who held off Chanelle Avaricio by one at Sherwood then beat her again by three at Eagle Ridge last July. “We have all been safe inside the ‘bubble.’”

“We follow the health protocols so the tournaments staged during the pandemic have all been successful,” added Superal, referring to the two tournaments at Riviera that marked the first restart late last year.

The PGTI then kicked off its 2021 season last March, also at Eagle Ridge with Harmie Constantino shining in her pro debut, coming away with a two-stroke victory over Superal at Aoki.

But play was suspended again due to another surge in coronavirus cases

in NCR Plus from the end of March to April and May before Superal re-stamped her class at Sherwood and Eagle Ridge.

The Eagle Ridge Ladies Classic on Nov. 2-5 at the Aoki layout will thus mark LPGT’s

PRINCESS SUPERAL is just too glad golf’s back.

third restart while Tagaytay Highlands will host the next stop on Nov. 8-11.

The PGTI is likewise finalizing details to stage two more tournaments back at Riviera, also next month, that would keep the compact ladies field busy before the holiday season.

Despite the long break and lack of competitive play, the touring ladies stayed in shape through regular practice and range forays with Superal out to further toughen up in time for a qualifying stint in the LPGA of Japan Tour, also set next month.

The 2019 LPGT Order of Merit winner is trying to track down the route taken by Yuka Saso, who launched her pro career in Japan after falling short of her Ladies Professional Golf Association bid, immediately making an impact with two victories that earned her invites to play in the US, leading to her historic conquest of the US Women’s Open crown last June.

Pacquiao tasks Chooks-to-Go to manage MPBL operations

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ENATOR Manny Pacquiao tasked Chooks-to-Go to handle the operations of the shuttered Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Pacquiao and Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas formally forged their new partnership on Sunday evening.

“I am elated to have this new partnership given that Chooks-to-Go is a very organized organization especially in basketball,” Pacquiao said. “I saw the world-class event of their one-day invitational league in San Fernando [Pampanga] and I was impressed.”

The Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 Invitational tournament was

held last Wednesday in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“They are the only group in partnership with Fiba 3x3 in the country,” Pacquiao said. “With that, they basically know what they are doing. I am thankful to Kuya Ronald and I can only entrust the MPBL to Chooks-to-Go.” Chooks-to-Go and the MPBL signed a five-year deal that saw the country’s largest roasted chicken retail business become the league’s title sponsor in December 2019.

Now, Chooks-to-Go will also handle the league’s operations.

“Being a presidential candidate is no easy task and we understand the busy schedule of the senator,” Mas-

cariñas said. “That is why we accepted the gargantuan responsibility to take over the full basketball operations of the MPBL. We will work hand in hand with Commissioner Kenneth [Duremdes] in this endeavor.”

The MPBL is currently in the early stages of holding an invitational tournament for its member teams to close out the year. Chooks-to-Go is also planning to integrate its 3x3 basketball program with the league.

Pacquiao founded the MPBL in 2017 after seeing the country’s need to have a regional men’s semi-professional basketball league. The league has held three tournaments—Rajah, Datu and Lakan—since then.

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WO YEARS, one month, seven weeks and five days.

Those are all it took the power duo of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons to return as Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) on Tour champions champions. And it was worth the wait.

Representing Creamline 1, Rondina and Pons remained untouchable and pulled off a dominant 21-10, 2116 victory over Good Health-CDO’s Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor to capture the first leg crown on Monday in Santa Ana, Cagayan.

The Cool Smashers won all their six matches without yielding a set in the bubble.

One of the winningest BVR athletes, Rondina captured her fourth gold medal with the success in Santa Ana her second with Pons. Their last victory together was at the Lianga, Surigao del Sur, leg in September 1, 2019. The tour took a backseat for the 31st Southeast Asian Games and was unable to return for more than two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We need to be focused on our goals all the time,” Rondina said.

Creamline booked a golden double with Krung Arbasto and Jude Garcia beating PLDT’s Rancel Varga and Efraem Dimaculangan, 21-19, 19-21, 15-12, in a seesaw men’s final to win the crown.

Arbasto, who won his second BVR gold, took over as the Cool Smashers pulled away from a 12-12 tie in the deciding set to prevail in the intense match. Creamline 2, which also beat PLDT in pool play, went undefeated in seven matches.

Garcia, who finally nailed his first BVR championship, put his team at 20-19 before the Cool Smashers clinched the opening set after Varga’s hit went out. PLDT regrouped just in time after squandering a 15-10 lead, with Dimaculangan nailing a kill to force a decider.

Rondina and Pons stamped their class in a 21-8, 21-8 win over Biogenic’s Heather Guino-o and Roma Joy Doromal to force a championship showdown with Barbon and Eslapor, who rallied from a set down to fashion out a 16-21, 21-17, 15-9 victory over Creamline 2’s Dij Rodriguez and Dzi Gervacio in the other semifinals.

Gervacio and Rodriguez settled for the bronze medal following a 21-18, 2114 decision over Guino-o and Doromal.

Arbasto and Garcia overcame EVI Construction’s KR Guzman and Doy Barrica, 21-13, 21-14, to arrange the finals duel with Varga and Dimaculangan, who tripped Creamline 1’s Ranran Abdilla and Jaron Requinton, 22-20, 21-15, in the other semifinals.

Abdilla and Requinton achieved a podium finish following a 21-13, 2117 romp of Guzman and Barrica.

The second and final starts on Thursday in the same venue.

Magramo bros dismantle rivals

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ORMER world title challenger Giemel Magramo and younger brother Arvin dismantled their respective foes at the resumption of Johnny Elorde’s Boksing Kontra sa Droga held over the weekend in a bubble setup at the Elorde Sports Center in Parañaque City.

The 27-year-old Giemel beat Jay-R Raquinel via unanimous decision to take home the vacant Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight belt in the main event, while the 24-year-old Arvin knocked out Jerry Francisco in the second round for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) oriental light flyweight belt.

Giemel improved his win-loss record to 25-2 with 21 knockouts as he slowly recovers from a forgettable world title bout last November in Japan where he was knocked out by Japanese Junto Nakatani. Arvin holds a 13-1-1 record with nine knockouts.

Juan Miguel Elorde, also a former world title challenger, won by unanimous decision over Aroel Romasasa to improve to 29-2 record with 15 knockouts.

It was Elorde’s first fight since losing to WBO super bantamweight champion Emanuel Navarrete via a fourth-round technical knockout last September 14, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Josef Ramos In 2019, Chooks-to-Go also founded its own professional 3x3 basketball league, Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 which is endorsed by Fiba 3x3 and regulated by the Games and Amusements Board.

This new development will not change the commitment of Chooksto-Go in supporting regional professional leagues Pilipinas Vismin Super Cup and National Basketball LeaguePilipinas, according to Mascariñas.

“The company believes that these leagues are a step to level the playing field for players in the countryside to have the same opportunities in basketball as a source of livelihood,” he said.