BusinessMirror September 08, 2021

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n Wednesday, September 8, 2021 Vol. 16 No. 329

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INFLATION SEEN TO HIT GROWTH, POVERTY GOAL UNDEREMPLOYED PINOYS’ RANKS EXPAND IN JULY

T A health and sanitation worker wearing full-body PPE disinfects a street in Barangay 177 in Caloocan City on Tuesday (September 7, 2021) after the village was placed under granular lockdown due to a clustering of Covid-19 cases in the area. National authorities on Tuesday said they were still finetuning the guidelines for imposing granular lockdowns in “hotspot” areas in Metro Manila, in lieu of a sweeping modified enhanced community quarantine. Thus, NCR will remain under MECQ until September 15. NONOY LACZA

By Cai U. Ordinario

T

@caiordinario

HE increase in inflation will likely temper Philippine economic growth in the second half of the year and make it more difficult for poor Filipinos to meet their basic needs, local economists said on Tuesday.

They made the assessment as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the country’s inflation rate increased to 4.9 percent in August, the highest since December 2018 when it was at 5.1 percent.

(See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2021/09/07/as-foodprices-rise-inflation-jumps-to2-year-high-of-4-9-in-august/).

The PSA data also showed the inflation rate experienced by the poorest Filipinos or the Bottom 30 percent of the population was higher at 5.2 percent in August.

This is also the highest since January 2019 when the inflation rate also averaged 5.2 percent.

See “Inflation,” A2

In pandemic, PHL banks well-capitalized, healthy

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

T

HE local banking sector continued to be “well-capitalized” amid rising bad loans and operational hits from the pandemic’s impact on the economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) chief said.

“Philippine banks have shown resilience to the Covid-19 crisis, benefiting from risk-management and other regulatory reforms of the past two decades,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

Diokno said the local banking system’s capital adequacy ratio (CAR)—or the ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets—continues

to be well-above the local and international standards.

In particular, Philippine banks’ CAR hit 17.1 percent on a solo basis and 16.6 percent on a consolidated basis at the end of last year. This further climbed to 17.4 percent on a solo basis and 16.8 percent on a consolidated basis in the first quarter of this year.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) prescribes a CAR level of 8 percent. The BSP, however, runs a tighter ship and implements a 10-percent minimum CAR requirement for banks in the Philippines.

Diokno said the local banking sector’s stability throughout the See “Banks,” A4

HE number of Filipino workers looking for additional work to augment their income more than doubled in July 2021, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Preliminary results of the Labor Force Survey released on Tuesday by the PSA said there were 3.1 million unemployed and 8.7 million underemployed Filipinos. (See: https://business-

mirror.com.ph/2021/09/07/ ranks-of-jobless-f ilipinosl o w e r - i n - j u l y - b u t- m o r e are-underemployed-psa /‚) The PSA data indicated the number of Filipinos who are “invisibly underemployed” grew 111.2 percent in July 2021—an increase of 2.196 million Filipinos in this category to 4.172 million in July 2021 from 1.976 See “Pinoys,” A2

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION/S FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT/S (AEP/S) Notice is hereby given that the following companies/Employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s: ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

3MWORKS CORP. 12 Susana Ave. North Susana Exec. Village Matandang Balara 3 Quezon City

GUPTA, SANDEEP Technical Consultant

1.

Brief Job Description: Testing and evaluating new programs; Writing and implementing efficient codes; Deploying software tools, processes and metrics; Writing BOD, Machine level Connectivity using Infor LN Tools

Basic Qualification: Bachelor/College degree with technical working experience of at least 3 years specializing in IT/Computer Software Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

See “dole ncr” on A10-A11

PESO exchange rates n US 49.9300 n japan 0.4546 n UK 69.1131 n HK 6.4231 n CHINA 7.7315 n singapore 37.2056 n australia 37.1379 n EU 59.2819 n SAUDI arabia 13.3136 Source: BSP (7 September 2021)

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

A2

BusinessMirror

Relaxed quarantines seen to boost jobs data further

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

T

HE government is looking to sustain the decline in the number of unemployed workers by further relaxing quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in its latest Labor Force Survey (LFS) reported that the number of unemployed workers in the country in July dropped to 3 million compared to the same period last year.

Relaxed restrictions

The trend coincided with the government decision to ease quarantine restrictions during that period, Malacañang

Inflation. . .

Continued from A1

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) believes that inflation will still temper down by the end of the year.

In a statement sent to reporters, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the latest inflation outturn is consistent with the BSP’s assessment, despite accelerating back to 4.9 percent in August.

Diokno also said inflation would still settle close to the high end of the target inflation range in the near term “before decelerating back to within the target range by year end.” The country’s inflation target range for the year is at 2 to 4 percent.

While the August inflation acceleration seems to be a nudge in the wrong direction, analysts agree that the country’s monthly inflation print

pointed out.

“This happened when quarantine restrictions were removed,” Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a virtual briefing.

Roque said they hope to continue the trend once the government starts institutionalizing granular or localized lockdowns to replace the existing community quarantine classification.

“This change in strategy to localize [the lockdowns] is part of our strategy to keep the economy open to minimize the number of people who are hungry,” Roque said.

As of press time on Tuesday, Roque said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is still ironing out

the guidelines for the institutionalized granular lockdowns.

Missing workers Despite the recent improvements in the latest LFS, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expressed concern over the implication of the latest LFS. It noted that the lower unemployment rate could also be attributed to the large number of workers who chose not to look for a job during the pandemic.

“There is a decrease in the number of employed persons [-3.408 million] and unemployed [-691,000] which can be attributed to the lower labor force participation rate at 59.8 percent,” DOLE said in a statement.

Furthermore, DOLE also said that

could still fall within target in the last months of 2021.

opportunity to secure their livelihoods.

‘Poverty rising’

However, Terosa frowned on doleouts in addressing poverty. “We cannot rely on doleouts and subsidies because they are not long term solutions to the plight of Filipinos. Raising agricultural productivity and improving food transport and distribution infrastructure can help keep food prices within reach of many Filipinos,” Terosa said.

Ateneo Eagle Watch Senior Fellow Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. and Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Senior Research Fellow Roehlano M. Briones told BusinessMirror that higher inflation will not automatically lead to an increase in poverty.

Lanzona explained that higher inflation can be good for the economy if rising commodity prices stemmed from

“I think higher inflation will add more downward pressure on prospects for economic recovery in the second half of the year. I see poverty rising due to lower real income and weaker purchasing power,” University of Asia and the Pacific School of Economics Dean Cid L. Terosa told BusinessMirror.

“I am convinced that it will be difficult to bring down the poverty rate to 14 percent in 2022 because the countr y has yet to find its way back to the pre-pandemic economic growth trajector y,” he added.

Terosa said economic recovery is crucial in poverty reduction. The growth of the economy allows for the creation of more jobs, giving more Filipinos the

Not doleouts

improvement is unlikely to be reflected in the August data, when the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under a two-week lockdown.

The imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ ), and Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ ) in NCR and other provinces and cities will surely affect the future LFS rounds.

But like Malacañang, the DOLE is hopeful of improvements in the country’s work force in the coming months, with the ramped-up vaccination initiatives and measures to ease quarantine restrictions.

It added that implementation of its National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) will help businesses and workers recover from pandemic-induced disruptions by providing them incentives, job facilitation services and upskilling and retooling initiatives. greater demand. This will lead to higher labor productivity and incomes for Filipinos.

However, in a briefing on Tuesday, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the increase in inflation was mainly due to supply constraints. This, he said, was observed in the 12.4-percent increase in fish prices.

Mapa said vegetable prices rose 13.5 percent in August because of bad weather and restrictions in certain areas which made the transport of these goods more expensive.

“If inflation is coming from an increase in aggregate demand, then it is likely that employment may improve. In which case, poverty can be lower. But if inflation is supply induced, then the government is not doing enough to remove production constraints,” Lanzona said.

One way to address these constraints is for the government to import goods. Briones said opening the country’s borders to commodities from elsewhere in the region or the world will help boost supplies.

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) has recommended the importation of 200,000 metric tons (MT) of fish to plug any shortfall in production once the fishing season closes.

Neda Undersecretary for Regional Development Mercedita A. Sombilla confirmed to the BusinessMirror on Monday that the oversight agency’s recommendation was to import 190,000 MT of fish, eventually rounded off to 200,000 MT. “That rate of inflation is not really a factor in poverty. It is the GVA [Gross Value Added] contraction that really matters. Sharp contraction and tepid recovery means poverty targets are beyond [their] reach. Fish is a strong contributor so supply is a valid issue. Greater openness to imports will give us important tools to address,” Briones said.

Given the high inflation and the pandemic, Lanzona said the government can say goodbye to its poverty target of 14 percent by 2022.

He noted that the government also failed to institute reforms to strengthen the manufacturing or industry sector during the pandemic. This will be the main reason for missing the poverty goals.

“Given the structural nature of the crisis, monetary policy has limited effects,” Lanzona said. “We need more proactive government programs that are more targeted to the poor, especially for social protection as well as for production or employment in the vulnerable sectors of the economy.”

Policy interventions

In a statement, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said the government will continue current efforts in easing the increase in food prices, particularly in pork and rice.

Meat inflation slightly increased to 16.4 percent in August from 16 percent in July. However, on a month-on-month basis, meat inflation slowed down to -0.4 percent suggesting some price stabilization.

In particular, retail prices of frozen and fresh pork have fallen by around P19 to P38 per kilo from their peak, following the issuance of Executive Order Nos. 133 and 134.

Rice inflation also remained negative at -0.4 percent year-on-year, following the issuance of Executive Order No. 135.

“We are beginning to see the impact of our proactive interventions to ease food prices, especially pork and rice. The government will continue to adjust and strengthen its policies to ensure that the people have access to affordable food amid the pandemic,” Chua said.

See “Inflation,” A4

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Pinoys. . .

Continued from A1

million in July 2020.

“Invisible. Nagtatrabaho na nang full-time [40 hr/week ang standard], naghahanap pa ng dagdag na trabaho o dagdag na oras ng trabaho [These are Filipinos working full-time (40 hr/week is the standard), looking for additional work or additional hours of working],” former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Emmanuel F. Esguerra explained to BusinessMirror.

Speaking partly in Filipino, he added: “The reason for this is the lack of income. It is possible that they are receiving low pay or doing work that is not matched to their skills. This is the [jobskills mismatch].”

Esguerra said this was expected given the lockdowns and shortened operating hours of many businesses. But the data warrants greater examination, particularly in terms of which sectors gained workers.

Further, Esguerra said the underemployment numbers may be underestimated, as some workers would not be keen to say they want to look for other jobs or sources of income if they know there are no jobs available.

Low base

Meanwhile, the unemployment numbers may also have declined due to the low base last year and the fact that Labor Force Participation declined in July 2021, he said.

Based on the PSA, persons in the Labor Force declined 1.13 million to 44.74 million in July 2021 from 45.87 million in July 2020.

This translated to a Labor Force Participation Rate of 59.8 percent in July 2021, lower than the 61.9 percent recorded in July 2020.

“The labor market situation is just an indicator that the economy overall is not doing well. Anything the government does will just be in the nature of temporary relief until it’s able to get a handle on the whole situation,” Esguerra told this newspaper.

Former Labor Undersecretary Rene E. Ofreneo thinks that due to the low and reduced incomes, workers look for other sources of income to support their families.

Due to this, most of the jobs are precarious in nature with low compensation or poor returns, he said. There are also instances when the firms they work for are informal in nature.

“Most of the underemployed, both the visible and invisible, have no employment contracts, if they are wage workers. If they are self-employed like the online vendors and freelancers, they are supposed to be on their own. But there are problem areas in the case of certain industries such as the online delivery industry,” Ofreneo explained to the BusinessMirror.

Household members

Another possible reason, according to De La Salle University economist Maria Ella Oplas is the reduced number of workers in a household.

It is possible that more full-time workers are struggling to make ends meet because someone in their household has lost their job. This means they need to take up the slack in order to provide for their basic needs.

Oplas said the government should work faster and more efficiently against the pandemic by increasing vaccinations and guarding borders to contain the spread of the virus.

“We need to open the economy ASAP to generate employment opportunities. There is no need for invisible underemployment if all members of the household have jobs,” Oplas told BusinessMirror.

Overtime, undertime

Based on PSA data, some 21.375 million Filipinos worked more than 48 hours a week and less than 40 hours a week.

This is composed of 12.116 million Filipinos who worked less than 40 hours a week; 8.991 million who worked more than 48 hours a week; and 267,000 who had jobs but were not at work.

Data showed 63.7 percent of full-time workers who worked over 48 hours a week said they did this to earn more, while 31.6 percent said working over 48 hours a week was required in their job.

“We have tabulated from July 2020 only and so far, this [63.7 percent] is the highest percentage. We did not get in the LFS the reason why he/she wanted more earnings,” PSA Assistant National Statistician Wilma Guillen told BusinessMirror.

Among part-timers who worked less than 40 hours a week, 47.8 percent said this was due to variable working time and the nature of their work; around 9.7 percent said this was due to personal or family reasons; and 8.1 percent said this was due to the lockdown or Covid-19 pandemic.

Oplas expressed concern that working overtime could lead to physical, mental and emotional issues. This could also lead more workers to be more vulnerable to the pandemic.

Economic team

In a joint statement, the President’s economic team said the reduction in the labor force participation rate to 59.8 percent from 65 percent led to net job losses.

They said the net job loss was pegged at 3.4 million from June to July, bringing total employment to 0.8 million below pre-pandemic level. Many of those who left the labor force, the economic team said, cited Covid-19 as their main concern.

The economic team also traced 1.8 million of the month-onmonth job loss to the vulnerable agriculture sector, as Typhoon Fabian hit the country around mid-July, destroyed some P700 million worth of output, and affected regions from Northern Luzon down to Western Visayas.

The decrease in output is also reflected in the faster vegetable inflation of 15.7 percent in August 2021 from 5 percent in the previous month.

African swine fever (ASF) also continues to affect hog raisers as quarter-on-quarter hog production fell to 284,000 metric tons (MT), below the Department of Agriculture’s projection of 299,000 MT for the second quarter.

Underemployment

Meanwhile, overall underemployment rate increased from 14.2 percent in June to 20.9 percent in July, mainly due to the increase in the underemployment rate in areas outside NCR from 17.5 in April to 21.8 in July. In contrast, the underemployment rate in NCR declined from 15.5 percent in April to 14.8 percent in July.

“With the recent spike of infections due to the spread of the more contagious Delta variant, the government will continue to adjust its risk management strategy and intensify its health response to save lives and protect the well-being of all Filipinos,” the economic team assured.

The team said this is the primary motivation behind granular lockdowns that were set to start September 8. This strategy will help keep sectors open while preventing the spread of Covid-19.

Granular lockdowns, together with the heightened implementation of our Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate + Vaccinate (PDITR+V) strategy, will help curb the spread of the virus and bring back jobs lost due to blanket restrictions, they said. Cai U. Ordinario

The Nation BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Mining firm seeks ECC for massive black sand mining in Lingayen Gulf

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

A

@jonlmayuga

n offshore mining firm is seeking to extract magnetite sand in the Lingayen Gulf covering five coastal towns in the Province of Pangasinan.

Iron Ore, Gold, and Vanadium Resources (Phils.) Inc.’s proposed Iron Ore Pangasinan Offshore Magnetite Mining Project in the municipalities of Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley and City of Dagupan, is an environmentally critical project (ECP) that involves the massive extraction of metallic and non-metallic minerals, including extraction of oil and gas, the BusinessMirror learned.

The company is eyeing to extract magnetite, also known as black sand, a total of 9,252.4506 hectares in the next 33 years at an annual extraction rate of 25,000,000 dry metric tons.

The company is seeking an environmental compliance certificate from the DENR, which has scheduled the public scoping for the project via Zoom from September 13 to September 21, 2021.

The Zoom Meeting link and the schedule of the public scoping per municipality are listed below: Meeting ID: 833 5348 8226 Passcode: Pangasinan 13 September 2021, Monday, 9:30 a.m., Municipality of Labrador 14 September 2021, Tuesday,

9:30 a.m., Municipality of Lingayen 15 September 2021, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Municipality of Sual 15 September 2021, Wednesday, 2:00 p.m., Government Agencies 16 September 2021, Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Municipality of Binmaley 17 September 2021, Friday, 9:30 a.m., City of Dagupan The application for an ECC is part of the conduct of an Environmental Impact Assessment Study in compliance with the guidelines of the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement Systems or the PEISS. The company claimed that the project is covered by Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) No. 07-2020-IOMR approved by the Office of the President on November 25, 2020.

The agreement between the government and Vanadium Resources grants the company exclusive rights to conduct mining operations for the extraction of magnetite sand in the area.

The proposed project aims to utilize the untapped magnetite

deposits in the offshore areas of Lingayen Gulf, which the company said, would contribute to the local and national economic development through magnetite sand production and supply.

It also promised to generate employment and marketable mineral products that will generate revenues and associated taxes in favor of the government.

In addition, the company promised social and environmental to provide benefits to the host and local communities.

In its proposal, the company shall consider the extraction of magnetite starting only within mine operational area from a distance of 4 kilometers away from shoreline located at Lingayen Gulf, Pangasinan to prevent or minimize the negative impact of disturbed sand on the quality of water that was traditionally used by the people for fishing.

“The extraction for magnetite sand will simply utilize a siphon vessel or an Extraction Platform. The extracted sand will then be temporarily stored, dewatered, and separated from the non-magnetic sands on board barges. All the processes for extraction will be strictly mechanical, no chemicals will be used.

In addition, all phases of the operation, from the extraction up to the magnetic separation, will be done offshore. The process is smaller in scale compared to the extraction methods to be used inland,” the company said.

According to the company, considering the project area coverage and based on other magnetite offshore deposits in the country, the potential magnetite resource at an

20 fishermen missing, 2,000 stranded in Jolina’s onslaught

By Rene Acosta

T

@reneacostaBM

wenty fishermen have been reported missing at sea while at least 2,000 people were stranded in various ports in Bicol region and in the Visayas due to Typhoon Jolina, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Tuesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) also alerted disaster response and police personnel in areas affected by the typhoon.

The NDRRMC urged the public to be wary and take precautionary measures as the typhoon was forecasted to bring “heavy rainfall and destructive winds” to areas in Luzon and the Visayas.

As of 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jolina was spotted over the coastal waters of Almagro, Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, and was moving west, northwest.

PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said they are verifying reports that 12 fishermen have gone missing in Sierra, Western Samar, and another six fishermen in Motiong, Samar, and Catbalogan City, Northern Samar.

The PCG also reported that at least 1,441 persons along with three vessels and 515 rolling cargoes were stranded in at least six seaports in the Visayas as of 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

Eleven vessels and 36 motor bancas have also taken shelter due to the typhoon.

In the Bicol region, 505 people and 14 vessels and 167 rolling cargoes were stranded in 12 seaports while 20 vessels have taken shelter.

The NDRRMC reminded its personnel in regions and provinces affected or threatened by the typhoon to continue monitoring weather updates and implement preparedness measures.

The state weather bureau,

meanwhile, warned heavy to intense, and at times, torrential rains in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Sorsogon, Albay, Romblon and Masbate.

It also forecasted moderate to heavy rains over the southern portion of Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and the rest of Bicol region and Visayas in the next 24 hours.

“Affected population are reminded to brace for destructive typhoon-force winds, flooding, possible landslides in highly susceptible areas due to continuous rainfall that will cause ground saturation, and rough seas over the seaboards of areas where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are in effect,” the NDRRMC said.

PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar ordered commanders in Bicol, Eastern Visayas and other areas to be on alert and assist in the preparations of local officials against the effects of Jolina.

Eleazar also instructed regional offices to put on standby PNP assets and personnel for the conduct of evacuation, search and rescue and other preparations and response in connection with Jolina.

All power plants operational—DOE

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Tuesday that all power generation plants and transmission facilities in areas where Typhoon Jolina has made landfall are operational.

It said Tuesday that all power plants in the affected areas are under normal operation, except for the 34.5 megawatt (MW) Unified Leyte—Upper Mahiao geothermal power plant. The DOE said the power plant underwent emergency shutdown due to weather disturbance last September 6. The next day, the geothermal power plant went online.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) informed the DOE that the country’s grid system remains normal.

Luzon grid, it said, registered 12,079 MW of capacity and peak demand of 9,742 MW. In Visayas, power generation capacity stood at 2,623 MW. Peak demand in the region was registered at 2,016 MW. However, there are f ive transmission lines that are unavailable in Eastern Samar and Samar. As such, Eastern Samar Electric Cooperatives and Samar Electric Cooperatives I and II were affected.

The NGCP said that the loss of power could be caused by affected transmission facilities or distribution facilities of local distribution utilities.

It said that inspection and restoration of lines in the affected areas will be in full swing as soon as the weather allows.

The National Power Corporation (NPC) also reported that there were no spilling incidents caused by the tropical storm in all NPC dams, except for Ambuklao, Binga and Pulangi 4 which are undergoing spilling operations.

Likewise, all plants in NPCSPUG (Small Power Utilities Group) in Eastern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas areas are in normal operations.

For oil supply, the DOE reported that the industry has enough inventory equivalent to 30.4 days of finished petroleum products to cover the country’s requirements.

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), meanwhile, said its operations continue non-stop despite heavy rains brought by typhoon-enhanced habagat.

“As a 24–hour service company, we are committed to respond to these types of emergency. Our crews are on standby to attend to any trouble that may occur due to this adverse weather condition,” said Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga.

The DOE said it is continuously coordinating with industry stakeholders for monitoring and restoration of the damages that will be caused by the typhoon. with Lenie Lecture

assumed average thickness of 10 meters could be 1 billion cubic meters or 1.69 billion metric tons at 1.69 specific gravity of the materials.

“If this will be confirmed by the exploration activities to be implemented, the mine life at an extraction rate of 5 million tons per year will be about 33 years,” it said.

Currently, there are no current estimates of mineral resource in the area as the project has not yet started the exploration activities.

However, the company stated that the Lingayen Gulf is a geologic structure that serves as the repository of sediments and minerals coming from the rivers that transport eroded materials from the highlands of the Cordillera Mountain ranges.

“As such, it is a geologically favorable environment for hosting sedimentar y deposits that can be extracted profitably based on prevailing economic and market conditions for such minerals. There is a high likelihood that such economic deposits now exist in the area due to the increasing trend of the global demand for iron and steel,” the company said.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 A3

Meralco extends freeze on power disconnection until end of Sept

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

T

HE Manila Electric Company (Meralco) will continue to suspend its power disconnection activities in its franchise area until end of this month.

“With the government’s announcement placing the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Lucena City in Quezon under modified enhanced community quarantine [MECQ] from September 8 to 30, 2021,” Meralco said, “disconnection activities will remain suspended in these areas until the end of September 2021.”

Meralco added that disconnection activities would also be suspended in areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) that will be placed under granular lockdown until the end of the month.

The government earlier placed NCR under general community quarantine (GCQ), but granular lockdowns will be implemented in certain areas from September 8 to 30.

For areas under GCQ and not under granular lockdowns, Meralco assured customers that it will be very considerate and compassionate. “Given the heightened restrictions still being implemented during the month of September, we continue to take into consideration the challenges our customers are facing amid these difficult times,” Ferdinand O. Geluz, Meralco first vice president and chief commercial officer, said.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) continued to remind customers who have the capacity to pay to settle their bills to help manage the cash flow in the energy supply chain and ensure the continuous supply of electricity.

DOJ eyes panel to probe raps filed vs Joma Sison

By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

T

HE Department of Justice (DOJ) said a panel of prosecutors will be created to conduct a preliminary investigation to determine if there is a probable cause to indict Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison and three others for child abuse and recruitment of minors in connection with the complaint filed by two rebel returnees.

DOJ-National Prosecution Service (NPS) Prosecutor General Benedict Malcontento said the two complaints separately filed by rebel returnees Kurt Russel Olaes Sosa and Joy James Alcoser Saguino last week through the assistance of the Philippine National PoliceCriminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), have already been docketed.

Malcontento said the complaints were eventually “forwarded to the chairperson of the appropriate task force for assignment to a panel of prosecutors for the conduct of the preliminary investigation.”

Sison and two others identified as Lean Porquia and Karen Edaniel, who are reportedly members of Anakbayan, were specifically accused of violating Section 4 (i) of Republic Act 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) as expanded by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) for Recruiting a child to engage in armed activities; and for violation of Section 10 of RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act).

On the other hand, Saguino, a former CPP-NPA-NDF cadre with aliases “Ka Amihan,” “Ka Che” and “Commander Che,” said he was 16 years old at the University of the Philippines-Visayas, Iloilo Campus, when he was allegedly recruited in June 2007 to join the communist movement.

The DOJ-NPS said the complaints filed

by Sosa and Saguino were related to the August 23 complaint filed by a female rebel returnee against Sison and three others for child abuse, human trafficking and rape.

A4 Wednesday, September 8, 2021 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug A4

Arta chief aims to cut ‘red tape’ in hospital bill claims

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

T

he Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) is establishing a technical working group (TWG) to assist the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in streamlining hospital claim processing.

In a news statement issued on Tuesday, Arta Director General Jeremiah Belgica said that a wholeof-government approach is needed to facilitate quicker Covid-19 reimbursement claims.

As such, the planned TWG will be tasked to ease the processes involved. This will include members of the Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, Health Technology Assessment Council, Department of Information and Communications Technology, and other key agencies.

“Kailangan magtulungan po tayo dahil iisang gobyerno tayo. Matatalo natin ang Covid-19, na patuloy na nagpapahirap sa mga kababayan natin, kung tutulungan natin ang isa’t isa [We need to help each other as we are one government. We can defeat Covid-19, which has been a burden to our countrymen, if we work together],” Belgica said.

Arta noted that PhilHealth has been in hot water amid the delays

in paying the Covid-19 reimbursement claims of the public and private hospitals.

In addition, among the issues recently raised were the non-coverage of Remdesivir and Tocilizumab, which are both medicines used for Covid-19 treatment.

“Previous hearings between Arta and PhilHealth also revealed that the state insurer has issues with its Information and Communications Technology, wrong diagnoses and faulty documentation in its Return-to-Hospital applications, and Medical Prepayment Review,” the anti-red tape watchdog added.

In a joint statement last month, several private sector groups pushed for speedy processing of reimbursements to health-care providers.

The organizations expressed worries that the delays in payment pose risk of financial losses, which may lead to hospital closure.

“The delays in effecting reimbursement claims of hospitals have already adversely affected the cash flows of our hospitals, which are already burdened by higher operating costs due to the pandemic and reduced census of regular patients.

These impinge on their ability to expand capacity and deliver the needed services to our people,” they said.

DOLE resumes OFW deployment to Oman

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

O

verseas Filipino workers (OFW) are now allowed to travel to Oman.

At a virtual briefing last Monday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) disclosed the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has resumed the processing of Omanbound OFWs. “The deployment ban has already been lifted so everything is back to normal. We are now deploying OFWs to Oman,” Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said.

POEA imposed a temporary deployment suspension to Oman last June after the Middle East country stopped allowing Filipinos from entering its territory.

In its Advisory 118, POEA said it has lifted the temporary suspension after the Omani government resumed accepting Filipino travelers on September 1, 2021.

DOLE, however, announced last week that the actual deployment of OFWs to Oman will be on hold until the country’s travel restriction for inbound travelers coming from Oman expires.

The said travel restriction for Oman and nine other countries was lifted last Monday.

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Govt urged to expand fertilizer subsidy program for farmers

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By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

he government should expand its fertilizer subsidy program and diversify the country’s import sources of the farm input to ease farmers’ woes with the rising fertilizer prices, a group said on Tuesday.

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) outlined its proposals to address the rising fertilizer prices in the country in a position paper submitted to lawmakers.

FFF Chairman Leonardo Q. Montemayor said the government may diversify sources of imported fertilizer, noting that the Philippines can tap Russia, a major fertilizer producer, given the warm relationship between the two countries.

“Following the warmer Philippine-Russian ties with his visits to Russia in 2017 and 2019, President Duterte should tap Russia as a reliable and reasonably priced supplier of fertilizer,” Montemayor said in the position paper dated September 6.

Montemayor, a former agriculture secretary, also recommended

the expansion and improvement of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) current fertilizer subsidy program through “proper appropriations by Congress.”

Montemayor added that the government should also assist farmers and agricultural cooperatives “to become fertilizer dealers by providing them with financing and logistical support.” He also proposed the use of alternatives to chemical fertilizers such as organic inputs, azolla, vermicast, biofertilizers and others.

“Along this line, the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in the University of the Philippines at Los Baños has developed Mykovam, BioN, BioGroe and other cheap biofertilizer products for rice, corn, coconut, vegetables,

fruit trees and other crops,” he said.

Montemayor also proposed the establishment of a national soil testing program “for more efficient and effective use of fertilizer and other imports.”

“The system should incorporate inexpensive and easily applied tools like the Leaf Color Chart of the Philippine Rice Research Institute,” he said.

“As in India, mobile laboratories or laboratories on wheels can be deployed to augment/supplement services provided by regional and provincial soil testing facilities,” he added.

Lastly, Montemayor recommended the amendment of Rice Trade Liberalization law and Coconut Farmers Industry Trust Fund Act to be able to use the funds earmarked under the two laws “to address rice and coconut farmers’ input needs.”

Last month, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar pronounced that the government is mulling over the importation of fertilizer and sell this at a subsidized cost to farmers in a bid to pull down the prevailing prices of the farm input that has been skyrocketing in recent weeks.

“We will continue to touch base with our international suppliers and hope we can buy, I mean the government can buy from them or the government can import these fertilizers

Japan-funded project seeks to boost agriculture productivity in Benguet

J

apan plans to implement an P82-million project that seeks to improve Benguet farmers’ productivity through establishment and provision of postharvest facilities, such as cold storage and refrigerated cooling trucks, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday.

The DA said Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar recently met with the representatives from Japan Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) to discuss the status of the latter’s proposed Safe Vegetable Production with Marketing Technology Improvement project in the Philippines.

“The initiative aims to capacitate farmers to improve production through the Safe Vegetable from Rich Soil [SAVERS] technology, which enriches the soil by using organic matter such as ‘mokusaku’ [wood vinegar],” the DA said in a statement on Tuesday.

The DA explained that JAEC’s proposal includes the construction of a cold storage solar-powered facility in Buguias, Benguet, as well as the purchase of refrigerated cooling trucks, to improve post-harvest handling, storage, and

delivery of farmers’ produce.

“The proposed P82-million project will be funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is currently under the review of the National Economic and Development Authority,” it said.

“It will also go through the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs, to be approved by the Office of the President,” DA added.

The DA said a memorandum of agreement will be drafted and signed between the DA and JAEC after the proposed project has been approved by the concerned agencies. Quoting JAEC Senior Local Coordinator Toshiharo Sato, the DA said “many Filipino farmers” are waiting for the proposed project.

The DA added that Dar is interested in the Japanfunded project and is hoping that the project would be approved before the end of the current administration.

“He called for the creation of a steering committee to help speed up the approval process,” it said.

“The agri chief also instructed JAEC representatives to review its procurement process and to prepare the project design for immediate implementation once the project is approved,” it added. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

Hotels. . .

continued from A14

Among the major destinations in the sales lineup are Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque (12 participating hotels); Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Alabang (13); Pasig and Quezon City (10); Northern Luzon (5); Southern Luzon (7); Boracay and Iloilo (13); Cebu and Bohol (12); as well as Palawan and Mindanao (7). The full list of participating hotels and resorts and their offers are at www.hsma.org.ph/sos.

In a keynote speech, Tourism Promotion Board Chief Operating Officer Ma. Anthonette Allones-Velasco described the sales event as “timely” as many parts of the country will now be under general community quarantine status, among them, the National Capital Region, starting September 8. She cited the recent Department of Tourism survey, which showed “70 percent [of respondents] are willing to travel even without being vaccinated.”

Malacañang announced on Monday that 15

CNN. . .

continued from A14

“We’re growing...and we still keep on expanding, so that’s a robust network,” she said. The retailer is eyeing to have 72 stores by the end of this year; it currently has 68.

Dy seeks a partnership with private sector for sustainable business solutions. “I’m not looking for anything grand or anything big, but really

million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which Allones-Velasco said could help “top HSMA’s sales last year,” with many eager to travel for mental wellness.

For her part, HSMA board chair Margie Munsayac (Bluewater Resorts), said SOS will empower Filipinos to make an “investment of hope,” not just in their future travels, but in the future of the industry and the country as well. “This is our chance to extend a helping hand to the travel sector, so that they may regain their footing and continue serving the Filipino people through essential quarantine accommodations and leisure services. This is also a kind of victory over the pandemic, that we are seizing the opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with the beauty of our country.”

Meanwhile, vaccination among the 140 HSMA member-properties has also stepped up. Director of Ways and Means Cristina Carreon (Marriott Hotels) said, “98 percent of the total employees of HSMA member-hotels have been vaccinated, and this may go up to 100 percent with the second dose scheduled today and tomorrow.” Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo sustainable solutions that will really look after not just for our generation but also for future generations to come,” he explained.

Villarante, meanwhile, said he can impart his knowledge about cryptocurrency, which the start-ups can tap to build their funds.

“They [start-ups] can easily create a very valuable product that they can offer right away and make money instead of going to investors,” he said. The Final Pitch is accepting applications until September 17. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

so that it will have cheaper landed cost,” he said.

The Philippines is not spared from a global fertilizer supply problem caused by higher demand from countries expanding their farmlands and stockpiling by some countries, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) said.

The FPA said Filipino farmers will have to endure high fertilizer prices as they are expected to remain elevated until the end of the year, particularly for phosphates and urea.

“It is a global issue of supply and demand. When there are more buyers and less inventory then prices go up,” FPA Executive Director Wilfredo C. Roldan said at a virtual news briefing last August.

“We are a net importer of fertilizer and we are losing supply [because other countries are buying more]. The tenders now among countries cannot be served and so we expect supplies to be limited,” Roldan added.

The average price of fertilizer has increased by as much as 40.5 percent on an annual basis depending on the grade, based on latest FPA data.

FPA data showed that the average price of granular urea in the last week of July rose by 40.5 percent to P1,393.32 per 50-kilogram bag from P991.45 per 50-kilogram bag recorded in the same period of last year.

Banks. . .

continued from A1

pandemic was aided in part by BSP’s regulatory relief measures for banks and their customers.

“The time-bound relief measures will be in place until such time that the new Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer [FIST] Act, signed earlier this year, becomes fully operational,” Diokno said.

Diokno also reported that the BSP’s support measures, together with the government’s pandemic response, have supported confidence and optimism in the banking industry.

In August, international credit watcher Moody’s Investors Service said banks in the country were found to have enough cushion to weather the current situation.

“Despite a spike in non-performing loans [NPLs] in the past 18 months, rated Philippines banks still have strong buffers against loan losses after proactively increasing loan-loss provisions in early 2020 in anticipation of increases in problem loans caused by the pandemic,” Moody’s earlier said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is intensifying its hog repopulation program to fill supply gaps in domestic production and address pork inflation.

Inflation. . .

continued from A2

Fish supply

Meanwhile, to ensure stable fish supply, the DA issued Administrative Order No. 22, approving a Certificate of Necessity to Import (CNI) fish of 60,000 metric tons up to December 31, 2021.

As part of government’s proactive monitoring to ensure sufficient supply and stable prices during the closed fishing season, the DA is also preparing to increase the CNI should the initial imports fail to curb fish inflation.

To support vegetable production, the government will promote urban agriculture and backyard gardening. It will provide raw material resources, machinery and equipment, training and technical assistance, resiliency projects and funding support. Chua added that as granular lockdowns are imposed to halt the Deltafueled Covid-19 surge, government must keep enabling key sectors of the economy to operate and ensure essential goods and services reach consumers.

“Keeping transportation available and affordable, while still following minimum public health standards, will help facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services. All these will allow people to safely earn income and keep prices stable,” he said. With Bianca Cuaresma

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

TheWorld

Myanmar court extends detention of US journalist

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A NGKOK—A cou r t i n Myanmar on Monday extended the pre-trial detention of Danny Fenster, an American journalist in the military-led Southeast Asian nation who was arrested in May. Fenster was detained at Yangon International Airport on May 24, as he was about to board a flight to go to the Detroit area in the United States to see his family. He is the managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, an online magazine based in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city.

“Danny’s next trial date is set for September 20,” said his lawyer, Than Zaw Aung. “The court held a video conference with Danny Fenster this afternoon and he is healthy, according to the clerk from the court.”

Fenster has been charged with incitement for which he could be sentenced to up to three years’ imprisonment. The charge against him does not make clear specifically what he is accused of doing.

Court hearings in Myanmar have been held by video for several months since a new wave of the coronavirus began ravaging the country. Lawyers do not take part in the video remand hearings but are informed afterward of their results.

Fenster has told his lawyer he fears he has Covid-19, though the

authorities at Yangon’s Insein Prison have denied he is infected.

“We are very disappointed at the repeated delays in Danny’s case,” Frontier’s Editor-in-Chief Thomas Kean told The Associated Press. “Because of these delays he has now been in prison for more than 100 days and also had very little contact with his family or his lawyer. We know he has done nothing wrong and we are hopeful the case will soon be withdrawn so he can finally go home to his family.”

The military-installed government that took power in February in Myanmar—also known as Burma—has tried to silence independent news media by withdrawing their licenses and by arresting dozens of journalists.

“We remain deeply concerned over the continued detention of US citizen Danny Fenster who was working as a journalist in Burma,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said last week after Fenster marked his 100th day in detention.

“Journalism is not a crime.

The detention of Daniel Fenster and other journalists constitutes an unacceptable attack on freedom of expression in Burma.

We continue to press Burma’s military regime to release Danny immediately. We will do so until he safely returns home to his family.” AP

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

A5

Myanmar shadow government calls for nationwide uprising B

A N G K O K— M y a n m a r ’s National Unity Government, a n u nderg rou nd body coordinating resistance to the military regime, on Tuesday called for a nationwide uprising.

T he sh adow gover n ment ’s acting president Duwa Lashi La called for revolt “in every village, town and city in the entire country at the same time” against the militar y-installed government and declared what he called a “state of emergency.”

A video of his speech was posted on Facebook.

Myanmar’s militar y seized

power in February from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The country has been wracked by unrest ever since, with a low-level insurrection in many urban areas. There has been more serious combat in rural areas, especially in border regions where ethnic minority militias have been engaging in serious clashes with the government’s troops.

T he sh adow gover nment ’s pr ime minister, Ma hn Winn Khaing Thann, said in a separate statement posted online that the move was taken due to “changing circumstances” that required

the complete abolition of the ruling military regime. He did not elaborate.

Duwa Lashi La called on the ethnic militias, some of whom have declared themselves in alliance with the NUG, to “immediately attack” government forces and “fully control your lands.” The ethnic armed forces, which have been fighting for decades for greater autonomy from Myanmar’s central government, operate independently of the National Unity Government.

Duwa Lashi La called for a “people’s revolution” and asked for all soldiers and police to join

the “people’s defense forces.”

He also warned civil servants against going to their offices.

T he resi st a nce movement against the military takeover had established “people’s defense forces” in many areas, but they mostly operate locally and when active, carry out small-scale hit-and-run guerrilla operations.

The National Unity Government was established by elected legislators who were barred from taking their seats when the military seized power. Members of its shadow Cabinet are in hiding inside Myanmar and in exile. AP

Guinea’s new junta leaders seek to tighten grip on power

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ONAKRY, Guinea—Guinea’s new military leaders sought to tighten their grip on power Monday after overthrowing President Alpha Conde, ordering the soldiers from his presidential guard to now join the junta forces and barring government officials from leaving the country.

After putting the West African nation back under military rule for the first time in over a decade, the junta already had dissolved the National Assembly and the country’s constitution. On Monday, regional military commanders replaced

Guinea’s governors as the junta solidified its control.

Junta President Col. Mamady Doumbouya said the new military regime would not pursue vendettas against political enemies, but he also instructed the officials he’d summoned from Conde’s deposed government to turn over their passports immediately.

“There will be no spirit of hatred or revenge. There will be no witch hunt,” said Doumbouya, 41, addressing officials in a red beret and dark sunglasses beside a throng of armed soldiers. “But

justice will be the compass that will guide every Guinean citizen.”

“For former members of the government, travel outside our borders will not be allowed during the transition,” said Doumbouya, who had led the Guinean army’s special forces unit before seizing power Sunday.

“All your travel documents and vehicles must be handed over to the general secretaries of your former departments.”

The military junta has refused to issue a timeline for releasing Conde, saying the 83-year-old deposed leader still had access to

medical care and his doctors. The West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS, though, called for his immediate release and threatened to impose sanctions if the demand was not met.

Conde’s removal by force Sunday came after the president sought and won a controversial third term in office last year, saying the term limits did not apply to him. State television showed the junta being greeted by jubilant Guineans, some of whom chanted “Freedom!” at the passing military convoy in the streets. AP

Shopping for Home Renovation Made Easier with AllHome

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By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz

AVID and Maggie Santos, a couple married for 10 years and counting, decided last March 2020 that it was time to give their home an upgrade. However, the Covid-19 pandemic happened and everything grounded to a halt, including the couple’s plans to makeover their home.

A yea r a nd a ha l f had passed, Dav id and Mag g ie are now f u l ly vacc inated but t hey st i l l pre fer to st ay at home to lessen e x p os u re to t he v i r u s. T he y h ave resor ted to do ever y t h ing

on l ine, inc lud i ng shoppi ng for t he t h ings t hey need for t hei r home renovat ion.

This was how they found allhome.com.ph, the e-commerce website of AllHome. AllHome is

Upgraded home office.

your one-stop shop for home and renovation needs. The store continues to service its customers efficiently and helps make shopping online worth their time.

When the Santos couple was ready to make their purchases after months of planning, they were able to enjoy the new and improved features of the website. The upgraded website has shifted to a progressive web application (PWA) interface, a first for the Philippine home industry. This interface allows for a smoother experience in browsing and transacting both on desktop and mobile.

With the upgraded website, David and Maggie were able to browse with much ease all the categories that AllHome has to offer. David had a great time going through the Hardware, Construction, Tiles and Sanitary Wares categories since he plans to work on simple DIY home repair projects. While Maggie, on the other hand, was able to spot some items from the Furniture, Appliances, Linen and Homeware categories which she thought can help re-model their home. They were so happy to discover that all the things they needed to renovate their home were available in one website.

Apart from getting value for money, Maggie was also happy to find out that surfing through AllHome’s website was convenient, and that its customer service assistants were always easy to converse with especially when it comes to some of her queries.

AllHome’s items cover seven key categories ranging from funiture, hardware, appliances, tiles and sanitary wares, homewares, linens and construction materials.

AllHome’s offer local and international brands, covering seven key categories ranging from furniture, hardware, appliances, tiles and sanitary wares, homeware, linens, and construction materials.

AllHome also offers in-house brands through AllHome Exclusives.

AllHome Builder’s Centre.

Maggie already made it a point to check out allhome.com.ph every so often to keep her updated on new trends Allhome introduces new array of products and design every quarter.

Since the couple has been planning to also renovate their guest room into a home office, they also chose some furniture from AllHome Exclusives.

Interface for allhome.com.ph

These brands are high quality, durable, competitively priced and imported and can only be bought at AllHome. The shop continues to develop new products and release new brands almost every quarter.

For their home office, Maggie decided to grab two Almira Office chairs which are great because it features an ergonomic adjust that helps with comfort seating and rolling casters to ensure smooth movement. Aside from the office chairs, she also added two Norman Office Table to their cart because of its sturdy metal material. Maggie also decided to buy a Office Shelf Cabinet to store their important office documents since this cabinet is made up of material that can resist cracking and f laking, thus prevents rusting.

A s i d e f ro m t he ho me o f f i c e up g r ad e, Dav id a l s o w a nte d to re f u r b i s h t he ro o m ‚ f l o or i n g a nd w a l l s . For t h i s , he o p t e d t o ge t a c ou pl e o f K e nt Wa l nut P VC V i nyl Ti les pa r t nered w it h A p o F lo or s Po w e r b ond A c r y l ic

F loor A d hesive. V i nyl f loor i ng a re e nou g h t h at he w o n’t ne e d t o re mo v e t he c u r re nt f l o or i n g t o g i v e h i s a re a a b u d ge t f r ie nd l y m a k e o v e r.

When it was time to check out their shopping cart, the couple found it very convenient to pay for all their items since the options were either through bank transfer Gcash, Paymaya, cash on delivery, or pay in store. For purchases that are out of budget, they were assured that they can avail easy payment terms upon request. The couple were able to receive their items within three to five working days and AllHome personnel were on hand to assist the couple with the assembly and installation of their purchases.

H a p p y a n d s a t i s f i e d w it h t hei r shoppi ng e x per ience at a l lhome.com.ph, Dav id and Mag g ie now reg u l a rly browse the site. T hey want to make sure t hat t hey a re a lso upd ated w it h t he l atest t rend s a nd promos A l l Home of fers to its c l ients.

A6

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

TheWorld BusinessMirror

China trade surges to new records in August on strong US, EU demand S

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Singapore won’t rule out tighter curbs as Covid infections surge

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hina’s export growth unexpectedly surged in August as suppliers likely boosted orders ahead of the year-end shopping season, offsetting any port disruptions due to fresh outbreaks of the Delta virus.

Exports rose 25.6 percent in dollar terms from a year earlier to a record $294.3 billion, more than $10 billion above any previous month. Imports grew 33.1 percent to $236 billion, also the highest level ever, leaving a trade surplus of $58.3 billion for the month, the customs administration said Tuesday.

The pickup came despite disruptions at China’s second-largest port last month due to fresh virus outbreaks, which caused congestion and pushed up shipping costs. Global demand remained resilient, especially from the US and Europe, as retailers probably brought forward their Christmas shopping orders.

“The hot season for Christmas

came earlier than previous years,” said Xing Zhaopeng, senior China strategist at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. in Shanghai. New products from Apple Inc. created demand, while Delta virus outbreaks in Southeast Asia probably caused orders to be diverted to China, he said. “It will remain strong before November,” he said.

The top 3 exports by value were electronics, high-tech products, and clothing and clothing accessories, while the top imports were electronics and high-tech products, the data showed.

“The strength likely reflects robust external demand as well as diverted orders from Covid-disrupted rival exporters. Looking ahead,

Bloomberg photo

though, export growth could cool in the fourth quarter as weaker new export orders hit shipments and the year-earlier base becomes less favorable,” said Bloomberg China economist Eric Zhu. Signs of a slowdown are starting to emerge globally as Covid cases rise, and officials in China have warned of weaker export growth for the rest of the year as

risks build.

Manufacturing surveys last week showed a contraction in new export orders for a fourth consecutive month in August, which may signal a slowdown in the future.

Beyond trade, the economy is taking a knock from a plunge in services activity related to Covid restrictions, a tightening in property curbs and lower infrastructure spending.

China’s effective control of virus cases may have led suppliers to divert orders from other Asian countries, which are battling Delta outbreaks and struggling to keep manufacturing operations going.

That advantage could ease though once the pandemic is contained elsewhere.

“A possible reason for strong exports is that given the logistics bottlenecks, exporters brought forward shipments for the coming Thanksgiving & Christmas season,” said Michelle Lam, Greater China economist at Societe Generale SA in Hong Kong. She expects trade to slow down given the contraction in the PMI export orders and the loss in momentum in US consumption.

The Meishan terminal at Ningbo port was shut for two weeks in August to contain a virus outbreak there, and even though it was reopened late in the month, it will likely take a while for congestion at the port to ease.

C h i n a’s cont i nued e x por t strength should provide some support to the economy amid a slowdown in domestic demand after tighter restrictions on the country’s real estate sector and a slower pace of sales of local government special bonds, which are mainly earmarked for infrastructure construction.

Policy-makers have vowed to ramp up financial support for small businesses and pledged better use of local government bonds as the economy shows further signs of a slowdown. The People’s Bank of China will provide 300 billion yuan ($46.4 billion) of lowcost funding to banks so they can lend to small and medium-sized companies, China’s State Council said last week. It also pledged to “reinforce its policy options,” improving the ability to cope with challenges to ensure a stable economy and employment.

“This data may ease the worry about a more abrupt and sharper slowdown in the third quarter although they reinforced the uneven recovery momentum,” said Liu Peiqian, China economist at Natwest Markets in Singapore.

“We maintain our view that targeted easing are preferred policy options, such as relending, targeted liquidity operations as well as targeted fiscal easing, and we do not expect any benchmark rate cut in 2021.” Bloomberg News

ingapore, one of the world’s most vaccinated countries, is ramping up required Covid testing and hasn’t ruled out re-imposing restrictions as infections grow, reflecting the difficulty of reopening for places that have largely minimized Covid-19’s threat through isolationist measures.

The country will increase the frequency of mandatory testing for higher-risk environments, such as personal care services and gyms, and will extend this requirement to those more frequently in contact with others, such as mall workers and supermarket staff, the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The government will no longer allow social gatherings at workplaces from Sept. 8, and is encouraging people to limit themselves to one outing a day.

“We have to slow down the transmission rate,” Finance Minister and co-chair of the government’s virus taskforce Lawrence Wong said Monday, adding authorities will attempt to do so without imposing lockdown measures.

“These are last-resort measures and we will try our best to refrain from using them. But we should not rule them out entirely.”

Singapore had earlier signaled it would ease further when the country hit 80 percent of the population fully vaccinated as part of a reopening strategy geared toward treating the Covid-19 virus as endemic.

Yet while government leaders say they had always expected a rise in cases following an earlier loosening of restrictions, daily caseloads that have topped 200 this month are prompting a more cautious posture. The change comes just days after Wong said the country is moving into a phase of “living with Covid” and that there was no need to impose more restrictions.

Singapore’s reopening is being watched closely as it’s the first among the places that had previously eliminated Covid to shift toward treating the pathogen as endemic. These “Covid Zero” havens—which include Australia, New Zealand, mainland China and Hong Kong—have curbed spread and limited fatalities by isolating themselves and sealing their borders. But the lack of local outbreaks has left natural immunity among populations at a very low level, and opening up again on the strength of vaccination alone, as Singapore says it will do, is uncharted territory. “ The government is taking the middle path and obviously

tweaking the response. Those expecting a full opening, will be sorely disappointed,” said Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease physician at Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

Covid zero

The number of new infections in the community almost doubled to more than 1,300 cases in the past week, up from more than 700 in the week before, the health ministry statement said Monday. Wong said if this trajectory continues, there could be 1,000 daily cases in two weeks, or possibly 2,000 cases in a month, meaning more serious cases and likely deaths.

There are currently 21 cases of serious illness requiring oxygen supplementation, and six are in critical condition—numbers that, per capita, are far lower than most reopened western economies. Meanwhile, 81 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, surpassing the 80 percent milestone that was reached last month that had been mentioned by government officials as a threshold for allowing the country to move forward with reopening.

The large clusters at bus interchanges, a popular shopping mall and a hospital could draw support for the tightened rules from people worried about their unvaccinated family members, Leong said.

Still, the latest reversal by the government also drew some public backlash.

“W hat happened to all the confident talk about embracing an endemic stage,” said Devadas Krishnadas, a former Singapore police officer and senior strategist who has published a book on Covid-19 policies, in a LinkedIn post. “Despite public pronouncements, the evidentiary reality is that we are still aiming for 0 zero cases which means getting 0 in the ‘Covid Exam’.”

While concerns about potential overwhelming of the health system are understandable, “it is a bitter pill to swallow for the vast majority of Singaporeans who have dutifully followed the government’s directions and were expecting September to herald the full start of a Covid resilient era,” said Jeremy Lim, associate professor at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health under the National University of Singapore.

The government said it will monitor the situation closely for the next two weeks. “Scale back on non-essential social activities during this period,” Wong said.

Bloomberg News

Vietnam’s supply chain role to grow despite Covid–American Chamber

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ovid has disrupted but not derailed Vietnam’s expanding role in global supply chains and growth prospects, the head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi said Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian nation has struggled to maintain manufacturing and exports in the face of surging Covid-19 cases, one of the key fronts in the battle to keep international trade running for goods including clothes, computer chips and cars.

“Even with the supply chain and shutdow n problems they have because of Covid right now, Vietnam’s still going to do very well economically and it’s becoming, every day, a more important piece of the global supply chain—especially for things that affect American consumers,” Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the chamber told Bloomberg Television’s Haslinda Amin and Rishaad Salamat.

Though “Covid got in the way” of further supply-chain gains and with the full vaccination rate under 3 percent, he still sees Vietnam attracting investment,

including from further relocations out of China. He highlighted Vietnam’s best-in-Asia growth performance last year, when it expanded 2.9 percent.

For now, the Chamber is aiming to ensure that Covid policies are “the least disruptive to business as possible,” as firms look for ways to smooth out deliveries leading into the critical year-end holiday season, Sitkoff said.

Analysts at Australia & New Zea land Bank ing Group Ltd. sounded a similar tone in a report Tuesday, highlighting Vietnam’s longer-term prospects despite the current “ deep slump” in domestic demand.

“Beyond the near-term challenges, Vietnam’s medium term economic prospects remain favorable,” analysts including Dhiraj Nim and Khoon Goh wrote in the report, which also warned of downside risks to ANZ’s 5.2 percent full-year 2021 growth forecast. “The pandemic has not changed the country’s attractiveness as a manufacturing hub. There is also ample room for policy support to nurture economic recovery further.”

Bloomberg News

www.businessmirror.com.ph

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Indian state battered

by Covid now on alert for Nipah virus

N

EW DELHI—The southern Indian state of Kerala is quickly ramping up efforts to stop a potential outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus, even as the state continues to battle the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country.

Kerala is on high alert after a 12-year-old boy died of the rare virus on Sunday, spurring health officials to start contact-tracing and isolating hundreds of people who came into contact with the boy, who died at a hospital in the coastal city of Kozhikode.

On Tuesday, the state health minister told reporters that the samples of eight primary contacts have come back negative.

“That these eight immediate contacts tested negative is a great relief,” Veena George said.

Nipah, which was first identified during a late 1990s outbreak in Malaysia, can be spread by fruit bats, pigs and through human-tohuman contact. There is no vaccine for the virus, which can cause raging fevers, convulsions and vomiting. The only treatment is supportive care to control complications and keep patients comfortable.

The virus has an estimated fatality rate of between 40 percent and 75 percent, according to the

WHO, making it far more deadly than the coronavirus.

George said that more samples will be tested on Tuesday and that a total of 48 contacts, including the eight that have tested negative, are being monitored at a hospital. Officials will also be carrying out door-to-door surveillance and identifying secondary contacts.

Over the weekend, the federal government sent a team of experts to Kozhikode to help local officials trace contacts. They also suggested a list of recommendations, including bolstering health infrastructure in case of more cases and alerting neighboring districts.

The state dealt with Nipah in 2018, when more than a dozen people died from the virus. This time around, the concern is compounded by the fact that the state has grabbed national headlines in recent weeks for seeing the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases across India.

On Monday, Kerala registered nearly 20,000 Covid-19 infections out of India’s daily total of 31,222.

While cases across the country have declined after a devastating surge earlier this year, the situation in Kerala remains concerning, with experts warning that the state cannot let its guard down. AP

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

A7

UN climate chief: No country is safe from global warming R

OT T ER DA M, Net her lands—The United Nations’ top climate official urged governments on Monday to stop their “deferral and delay” tactics and instead embrace rapid, widespread measures to curb and adapt to global warming.

A mid a season of extreme weather and new temperature records, Patricia Espinosa warned that no nation is safe from the impacts of climate change. Greece on Monday created a new ministry to address the impact of climate change following the country’s worst heat wave in decades.

“There is not anymore a situation where we can say these are

the vulnerable countries and these are the not vulnerable countries,” she said.

With less than three months to go before this year’s U.N. climate summit, Espinosa appealed for governments that have signed up to the 2015 Paris accord to back what she called “ambitious, rapid, widespread, transformative efforts” to limit global temperature rise and prepare for the inevitable impacts of a warming world.

“We need to see that parties move beyond politics of deferral and delay and widen the narrow scope of self-interest,” she said.

Espinosa’s comments came at the opening of a new floating

office for the Global Center on Adaption in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the office “a perfect example of how we can adapt to the changing climate,” noting that the building is off-grid, carbon neutral, self-sufficient and ready to adapt to future rising sea levels.

Such high-tech facilities are beyond the reach of millions in poorer nations, whose leaders have demanded that developed countries pay some of the costs they face in adjusting to climate change.

The president of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, said he hoped the

UN climate summit in November would see a commitment for rich nations to double their existing pledge of providing $100 billion a year to developing countries to combat the effects of climate change.

Frans Timmermans, the European Commission vice president, called upon the United States to help meet the $100 billion target—which itself is still $30 million short.

China, one of the world’s biggest polluters, should also increase its efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, said Timmermans, whose portfolio covers environmental issues. AP

Germany protests to Russia over pre-election cyberattacks

B

ERLIN—Germany has protested to Russia over attempts to steal data from lawmakers in what it suspects may have been preparation to spread disinformation before the upcoming German election, the Foreign Ministry in Berlin said Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Andrea Sasse said that a hacker

outfit called Ghostwriter has been “combining conventional cyberattacks with disinformation and influence operations,” and that activities targeting Germany have been observed “for some time.”

She said that, ahead of Germany’s parliamentary election on September 26, there have been attempts—using phishing e-mails, among other things—to

get hold of personal login details of federal and state lawmakers, with the aim of identity theft.

“These attacks could serve as preparations for inf luence operations such as disinformation campaigns connected with the parliamentary election,” she told reporters in Berlin.

“The German government has reliable information on the basis

of which Ghostwriter activities can be attributed to cyber-actors of the Russian state and, specifically, Russia’s GRU military intelligence service,” Sasse said.

It “views this unacceptable activity as a danger to the security of the Federal Republic of Germany and for the process of democratic decision-making, and as a severe strain on bilateral relations.” AP

A8 Wednesday, September 8, 2021

News BusinessMirror

Business groups revive calls for passage of economic bills

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

S

EVERAL business groups and foreig n c ha mbers pushed anew for the passage of three investment reform bills which are seen to spur economic recovery amid the pandemic.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, over 40 private sector groups called on Congress to pass the following pending bills: amendments to Public Service Act (PSA), the Retail Trade Act (RTA) and the Foreign Investment Act (FIA).

“Foreign investors and foreign governments have been following the prog ress of these refor ms closely to determine whether the Philippine economy will be more

open to investors or maintain its protectionist reputation,” they said.

The said measures, which have been tagged as urgent previously, are seen to ease the restrictions on foreign direct investments (FDI), the groups said.

This will then lead to more investments, job opportunities and competition, in addition to diversifying the economy and improving the services offered, they added.

“While FDI rules are not the sole reason the Philippines has fallen behind Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, our economy is less likely to catch up unless we open up,” the joint statement read.

The House passed the said bills in the last two years, the groups noted,

adding that the final provisions for RTA amendments will be finalized by a bicameral conference committee soon. The amendments to PSA and FIA are currently pending for approval in the Senate.

The business groups, meanwhile, rejecterd the expansion of the 60-40 foreign restriction ownership in other sectors, which are not public utility.

The senators earlier proposed to apply the same rule to common carriers, airports, dams, roads and railroads, seaports and telecommunications.

According to PSA, the public utilitiesincludeelectricitydistribution and transmission, water distribution and sewerage pipeline systems. “[We] call on the Senate to decline all amendments to the PSA that will

apply the 60-40 rule to any public service not classified as public utility defined in the bill. We agree that we need 21st century laws, that we need to open our public services to more competition in the interest of consumers, and to protect our national security through Executive and Congressional oversight,” they added.

Among the signatories include American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Fintech Alliance Philippines, Philippine Life Insurance Association and Women’s Business Council Philippines.

www.businessmirror.com.ph | Editor:Vittorio V. Vitug

DOLE chief reminds workers: Shun Covid-19 booster shots

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

T

HE Department of Labor

and Employment (DOLE) reminded workers on Tuesday to shun unauthorized Covid-19 “booster shots” amid the country’s limited vaccine supply.

DOLE issued the reminder as it starts administering 400,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses to priority labor sectors on Wednesday. “…Let us give others, who are still unvaccinated, the chance [to be inoculated],” Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said at a virtual news briefing last Monday.

DOLE earlier said many workers in the construction and manufacturing sector in some regions are still unvaccinated.

It was able to secure 452,000 Covid-19 doses from the National Task

Force Against Covid-19 (NTF), which it will be administering to the said workers starting September 8 2021.

Bello said the first batch of 2,000 beneficiaries would be inoculated at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

“They are the movers of the economy. If there are no workers, there will be no business and economy so they must be cared for,” Bello said.

Bello said they would consider requesting for additional doses from the NTF once they administer all of their allocated jabs.

As of September 6, 2021, the government was only able to register only 15.2 million people who are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

Another 20.9 million are still waiting for their second Covid-19 jab to get full Covid-19 protection.

The government is targeting to inoculate 50 million to 70 million people before the end of the year.

BusinessMirror

A10 Wednesday, September 8, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

3MWORKS CORP. 12 Susana Ave. North Susana Exec. Village Matandang Balara 3 Quezon City

GUPTA, SANDEEP Technical Consultant 1.

Brief Job Description: Testing and evaluating new programs; Writing and implementing efficient codes; Deploying software tools, processes and metrics; Writing BOD, Machine level Connectivity using Infor LN Tools

HU, YANGHUI Mandarin Customer Service Representative Basic Qualification: Bachelor/College degree with technical working experience of at least 3 years specializing in IT/ Computer Software Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

15.

2.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

KANG, BAOSHUN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 3.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationhip of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

LIM ZHEN YAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 4.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

MENG, ZHILIN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 5.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

16.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

17.

18.

6.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

NGUYEN THI LOAN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

19.

7.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

WILLIAM OO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

20.

8.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

XIE, QIANG Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 9.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

YUKI YAU Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 10.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

ZHANG, JIAHAO Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 11.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of that through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

FU, YUE Mandarin Customer Service Representative 12.

21.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status SU, LILI Mandarin Customer Service Representative Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status SUN, CHENG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

23.

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

24.

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

25.

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

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

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

33.

34.

26.

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

27.

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

ZHANG, YUANSHUN Mandarin Customer Service Representative 28.

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

ZHANG, ZHIMING Mandarin Customer Service Representative 29.

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

35.

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem Salary Range: resolution to inquiries and order status Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

AN, YUJIE Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 30.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

CHEN, JIAJUN Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 31.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

CHENG, HONGHAO Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 32.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

WANG, RONGLIN Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

WANG, ZIYONG Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 37.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

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

WANG, QIANG Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 38.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

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

WU, DEAN Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 39.

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

40.

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

YANG, SIHE Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

ZENG, SHIYANG Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 41.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written ZHANG, CU Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

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

43.

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

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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

44.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

TAKEUCHI, AKIKO Director For Research And Development, Supply Chain And Quality Assurance 45.

Brief Job Description: Handle critical functions in the organization such as R&D, SCM and QAD

NAKASHIMA, FUMIAKI General Manager For Sales Planning 46.

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for business expansion and productivity improvement

Basic Qualification: Graduate of a four (4) year degree Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Graduate of a four (4) year degree with a major in Economics Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore Brgy. 076 Pasay City YOUZAN, BI YOUZAN MOISE Sr. Finance Ops Specialist 47.

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

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management

ZHANG, BO Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

AJINOMOTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 11th Floor, V Corporate Centre 125 L.p. Leviste Street Salcedo Village Makati City

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

Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and projects, recommend to senior management

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

ZHANG, XIAOLONG Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

NAN, JIAHAO Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing strategy and result

MA, SIHUA Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, NING Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

No.

42.

XUE, SHUANGSHUANG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

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

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem Salary Range: resolution to inquiries and order status Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HU, JIANAN Mandarin Customer Service Representative 14.

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem Salary Range: resolution to inquiries and order status Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 GAO, YANG Mandarin Customer Service Representative

13.

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

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

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

36.

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

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

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

22.

NG YOON SIN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs

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

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1 Pitx Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City

DUONG THI HONG NA Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Point of contact for suppliers, fix issues in cooperation with amazon suppliers, resolve queries

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in the French language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ASK ASIA SOLUTIONS INC. 1608 16/f New World Manila Bay Hotel 1588 M. H Del Pilar Cor. Pedro Gil Sts. 076 Bgy. 699 Malate Manila ZHANG, WENJIE Bookkeeper Mandarin 48.

Brief Job Description: Must perform daily accounting tasks such as monthly financial reporting, general ledger entries and record payments and adjustments.

Basic Qualification: experienced Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City LI, QIAOZHEN Mandarin Customer Relations Officer 49.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

LIU, CHENGWEI Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer Basic Qualification: Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in MANDARIN, with related BPO experience

50.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

WANG, JIALI Mandarin Customer Service 51.

Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients.

64.

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

Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

YU, YONG-QING Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 66.

Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, read write and type fluently in MANDARIN language.

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

MA, HANHONG Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 65.

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. 5f-13f, Jiaxing Tower Building Aseana Avenue, Aseana Business Park Tambo Parañaque City BAI, ZHENYONG Mandarin Customer Service

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

ERNA WATI Chinese Speaking Program Designer 67.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City PHAN PHUONG HANG Vietnamese Customer Relations Officer 52.

Brief Job Description: Handles the concerns of the people who buy their company’s products or services.

Basic Qualification: Has excellent problem-solving and communication skills in VIETNAMESE, with related BPO experience

53.

Brief Job Description: Customer service representative

68.

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

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: High School Graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

HERNANDEZ SORIA, YAEL MAXIMILIANO Academic Consultant 69.

Brief Job Description: Assess education standards and classroom policies and help implement changes to curriculum based on data.

54.

Brief Job Description: Customer Service Representative (CSR)

Basic Qualification: High School graduate in Chinese, can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin, can operate Mandarin characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LIU, FEN Academic Consultant 70.

Brief Job Description: Assess education standards and classroom policies and help implement changes to curriculum based on data.

55.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Hydro Structural Specialist 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.

ZHU, LIANG Mandarin Mechanical Project Supervisor 56.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Mechanical Project 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 goal.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Hydro Structural Specialist, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

57.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Quality Inspector 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.

LAN, XIUFENG Mandrin Construction Management Specialist 58.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Hydro Construction Management Specialist 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.

PINTAKAM, ORAWAN Business Analyst 71.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Mechanical Project Supervisor, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

72.

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

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Construction Management Specialist, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

ZHU, BAO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 60.

Brief Job Description: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

DU, PING Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 61.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

JIANG, WENZHI Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 62.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

LI, YUBO Chinese Speaking Graphic Designer 63.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give customers information about product and services

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

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research, develop business strategies, build client relationships

LY BUU LAM Business Development Associate 74.

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research, develop business strategies, build client relationships

RANG, HEWON Business Development Associate 75.

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

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research, develop business strategies, build client relationships

KUBOTA, MAIKO Business Development Associate

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research, develop business strategies, build client relationships

VO LE BICH HAI Business Development Associate

CRONYX INC. No. 4th-10th Flr. Yinhope Bldg. Dela Rama Cor. Zoili Hilario St. Seascape Village, Ccp Complex Subd. Zone 10, Barangay 076, District 1 Pasay City

59.

82.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

Brief Job Description: Conduct market research, develop business strategies, build client relationships

77.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing the company's CDU manila team

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

WEI, LEI Mandarin Customer Support Representative 78.

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: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

79.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer hardware and software

XIAO, YAPENG Technical Support - Mandarin Speaking 80.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer hardware and software

Basic Qualification: Able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer hardware and software

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

QI, YUNFENG Chinese Speaking Business Analyst 83.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PARANAQUE ONLINE PALENGKE INC. 305 Mtf Building Dr. A Santos Ave. San Isidro Parañaque City

Basic Qualification: College graduate; fluent in English and Bengali

ISLAM, MD MAZEDUL Marketing Executive (Bangladeshi Client) 84.

Brief Job Description: Devising and presenting business strategies

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

PERFECTZEST INC. 16th Floor Tower 6789 6789 Ayala Avenue Bel-air Makati City

Basic Qualification: 5-10 yrs experience in working for international curriculum schools/ fluent in mandarin and Spanish/ post graduate certificate of education (PCGE) or similar accreditation / excellent computer skills and current e-learning tools

Basic Qualification: 5-10 yrs experience in working for international curriculum schools/ fluent in mandarin and Spanish/ post graduate certificate of education (PCGE) or similar accreditation / excellent computer skills and current e-learning tools

HSU, CHIH-HSIANG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 85.

Brief Job Description: Assist/ help customers, give customers information about product or services

HUANG, QIANG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 86.

Brief Job Description: Assist/ help customers, give customers information about product or services

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customer questions about services or products / excellent mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

QBE GROUP SHARED SERVICES LIMITED-PHILIPPINE BRANCH Net Cube Building 3rd Avenue Corner 30th Street, E-square Zone, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: 15 years relevant experience; with 5 years in a similar strategy leadership role; knowledge and experience in workforce management and reporting; Brief Job Description: Working closely with the GSSC EGM, senior leadership team and knowledge of BPO and/or shared divisional directors, the SVP for business operations is responsible for services operations; advance GSSC’s overall coordination with divisional and group stakeholders, communication skills and change aligning strategy and planning, driving cross divisional collaboration leadership management and identifying and transitioning additional service opportunities Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above HANDA, BHANU SVP - Strategy And Business Operations

Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, preferably 6mos to 1year experience to the same field

87.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, preferably 6mos to 1year experience to the same field

ROBINSONS LAND CORPORATION Robinsons Equitable Tower Adb Ave., Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City DIETZSCH, ALEXANDER Consultant

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

Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, preferably 6mos to 1year experience to the same field Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, preferably 6mos to 1year experience to the same field Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, preferably 6mos to 1year experience to the same field Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: College graduate, fluent in English, preferably 6mos to 1year experience to the same field Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in project and change management. Affinity with computer systems knowledge of KYC vantage system

SEUYEP DZOUTE MARCIAL French Operations CSR II 89.

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

Basic Qualification: Able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English

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

Basic Qualification: Skilled in French language

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provides expedient and accurate customer service to French Speaking Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 clients and customers

VERTEX DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 1439 Adriatico Cor. Sta. Monica St. 072 Bgy. 669 Ermita Manila Basic Qualification: 200 vacancy/college graduate with experience in maintaining gaming devices, fluent in mandarin and English speaking

WANG, CHUNMING Chinese IT Specialist 90.

Brief Job Description: Maintain the operation of electronic device

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

YOUBIN CONSULTANCY INC. 7/f Ba Lepanto Bldg. Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City GUAN, RU Chinese Purchasing Assistant 91.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for evaluate offers from vendors and negotiate better prices SHI, YANMEI Mandarin Marketing Officer

92.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for ensure both the company & clients adhere to contract items.

WEN, GENGQIN Mandarin Sales Associate

93.

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

Brief Job Description: Provides the leadership expertise support that ensures the effective and efficient operation of the hotel, including, but not limited to, the quality and legal defensibility of services provided, and the achievement of stated operational goals and profitability objectives

Basic Qualification: College Degree in Hotel Management, master's Degree in Business/Hotel Management, 12 years of experience, exposure to international Hotels

TELUS INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC. Units 23/f, 31st/f - 37th/f Discovery Centre Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City

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

JSLINK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 803-804 Ri-rance Building Aseana Enclave Aseana City Tambo Parañaque City WAN, PINGPING Technical Support - Mandarin Speaking

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

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

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

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

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer hardware and software

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg. Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City Baclaran Parañaque City

ING BUSINESS SHARED SERVICES B.V. BRANCH OFFICE 27th Floor World Plaza Building 5th Avenue, E-square Zone Cresent Park West Bonifacio Global City Taguig City

CARTER, PAUL ROBIN Senior Service Delivery Lead, Regulatory Operations

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English

ZHOU, YAOKUN Technical Support - Mandarin Speaking

88.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven experience as a Mandarin Quality Inspector, Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

Brief Job Description: Conduct research and analysis, introduce systems to businesses and clients

DINH THAI SON Business Development Associate

76.

LI, CHANGYONG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

81.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION ZHOU, XUHUI Technical Support - Mandarin Speaking

EVERLOUNGE INC. 27th/f Robinsons Summit Center 6783 Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City

73.

CHEN, WEI Mandarin Quality Inspector

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / Good in oral communication and written

No.

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

CHINA HARBOUR ENGINEERING COMPANY 5/f Rm 501 Ramon Magsaysay Center 1680 Roxas Blvd. 076, Bgy. 699 Malate Manila

YANG, XI Mandarin Hydro Structural Specialist

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

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

BILLION DRAGON OUTSOURCE PHILS., INC. One Townsquare Place Bpo Bldg. Alabang Zapote Rd. Almanza Uno Las Piñas City

LIU, XINGBAO Customer Service Representative

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

EVEREST INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY, INC. 3846 G/f 38th North Drive Fort Bonifacio Taguig City

BILLION DRAGON OUTSOURCE PHILS., INC. 3/f Ayala Mall Southpark National Road Alabang Muntinlupa City

CHEN, HAIYAN Customer Service Representative

LIU, ZIXUAN Chinese Speaking Program Designer

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 A11

Brief Job Description: Responsible for maintains quality service by establishing and enforcing organization standards

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

*Date Generated: Sep 7, 2021 In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on September 02, 2021, the position of LIN, MAINGYUE under YOUBIN CONSULTANCY INC., should have been read as SELLER SUPPORT ASSOCIATE - MANDARIN SPEAKING 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-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

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

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A12 Wednesday, September 8, 2021 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Promoting brown rice consumption

R

esearchers from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recently released the results of their study on rice consumption, which revealed that Filipinos remain partial to consuming polished rice (See, “Filipinos remain partial to high-GI polished rice—PhilRice study,” in the BusinessMirror, August 30, 2021). Consumers want to eat white rice even if they are aware of the fact that this is a high-glycemic index food. The consumption of high-GI food is associated with increased risk of diabetes, the fourth leading cause of death last year, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

GI is a value assigned to foods based on how slowly or how quickly those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels. PhilRice, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, noted that Filipino consumers have a high level of awareness on the benefits of consuming low-GI rice. Results of the survey also indicated that respondents in all 17 regions in the country reported a high level of awareness on the benefits of consuming low-GI rice.

Rice is a staple food of Filipinos and it is usually consumed three times a day, seven days a week. The amount of rice consumed by Filipinos varies and depends on their socioeconomic status. Those who belong to the so-called bottom 30 percent of the population eat more rice, as they cannot afford to purchase other sources of energy, such as meat products, which have become more expensive, according to the latest inflation data released by the PSA. Because of this, the government is promoting the consumption of low-GI rice, such as brown rice, as a cost-effective intervention to reduce the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. However, despite their awareness of the benefits of consuming low-GI rice, 75 percent of respondents still eat white rice twice a day, PhilRice said. This may have confounded PhilRice researchers as the respondents cited nutritional value, along with taste and satiety, as primary considerations when buying food.

Even before the release of the results of the PhilRice study, the government has been encouraging Filipinos to eat brown rice through a number of programs and initiatives. In fact, prior to the rice trade liberalization law, which disallowed the National Food Authority to sell rice, the government rolled out a program that allowed consumers to buy cheaper brown rice. PhilRice had partnered with the NFA in 2016 to launch the BROWN4good project, which will ensure the availability of quality and low-cost brown rice in NFA retail stores.

Under the BROWN4good project, the government sold unpolished rice for P37 per kilogram, lower than the prevailing price of P50 to P80 per kilogram at the time. We urge PhilRice and other relevant government agencies to look into the impact of this project on brown rice consumption and find out how the project can be tweaked given the fact that NFA could no longer sell rice to the public. Intensifying a campaign that promotes the consumption of low-GI rice is not enough and will be unsuccessful if the healthy product is not accessible to consumers.

Since 2005

Philippine National Red Cross to administer calamity funds during campaign period

By Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal

P

resident Duterte’s attacks against Sen. Richard Gordon, who is also the Chairman and CEO of the Philippine National Red Cross, should not detract us and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from the very important role the Red Cross will play in the forthcoming elections under a pandemic setting, especially in the administration and disbursements of calamity funds.

This is so because starting March 25, 2022, the 45-day ban against release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds under Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) shall be implemented and will last until May 8, 2022; thus, covering the campaign period for candidates for local elective officials.

The law prohibits any public official from releasing, disbursing or spending public funds for “all kinds of public works,” except for maintenance works, those contracted before May 25, 2022 or ongoing

Dennis Gorecho

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The said rule will certainly take center stage in the May 2022 elections considering that said elections will be conducted under a pandemic setting brought about by Covid-19, which is considered as a “calamity or disaster.”

Hence, the Comelec should make more comprehensive rules and regulations on how the said provision of the OEC should be implemented in the May 2022 polls for the guidance of all concerned government officials handling and disbursing public funds during the 45-day ban on using the said funds.

The Comelec should likewise define the specific rules on how the said funds would be turned over to the Red Cross and how the said nongovernment office should administer and disburse the same and its compliance with the audit requirements of the COA as provided for by the OEC. Atty. Romulo B. Macalintal is an election lawyer.

The sinking of MV Gulf Livestock 1, missing seafarers and the presumption of death

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business Publisher

projects contracted before the start of campaign period. The prohibition applies also to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and any other office in other departments of government with similar functions, “except for salaries of personnel and routine and normal expenses and such other expenses authorized by the Comelec.”

A provision of the law mandates, that should a “calamity or disaster occur, all releases normally or usu-

ally coursed through the said departments and offices of other departments shall be turned over to, and administered and disbursed by the Red Cross, subject to the supervision of the Commission on Audit [COA] or its representatives.”

The same law prohibits “any candidate or his or her spouse or member of his family within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity from participating directly or indirectly, in the distribution of any relief or other goods to the victims of the calamity or disaster.”

It seems that this rule has not been taken notice of in the past elections although it is always part of the rules and regulations issued by the Comelec pertaining to disbursements and release of public funds during the campaign period.

In the May 13, 2019 elections, the rule was part of Comelec Resolution 10511 promulgated on March 20, 2019.

‘M

unhait hi nitaguwan tun ajor karu nga miid ahan chi iibba an tatagu ay mun-anap ay chi cha enggan adugwan.”

It is the Ifugao translation of “It’s painful when the truth hits you that nobody is looking for them until now,” said Maya Addug-Sanchez whose brother, Captain Dante Addug, is one of the missing 36 Filipino crew on board the Gulf Livestock 1.

The Panama-flagged livestock carrier Gulf Livestock 1 capsized in southwest Japan a year ago, on September 2, 2020, during the Typhoon Maysak, equivalent to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of at least 130 mph.

The 2002-built 133.6-meter-long (438 foot) ship had on board 39 Filipinos, two New Zealanders and two Australians as crew, as well as 5,800 cattle.

The vessel left Napier, New Zealand on August 14, 2020 and was sailing to Tangshan, China when it experienced an engine issue and sent a distress signal before it went missing.

Two crew have been found alive so far, and another was pronounced dead on arrival at a Japanese hospital.

One of the survivors narrated that

the ship’s main engine failed before the vessel was struck by a big wave and capsized.

A representative proceeding on behalf of Filipino, Australian and New Zealand crew members commenced on August 31, 2021 in the Admiralty and Maritime list of the Federal Court of Australia seeking damages for certain crew members from the vessel owner and its charterers. The vessel owner and charterers have not yet filed a defence to the proceedings.

Out of the families of 36 missing Filipino crew, only six joined the international case while most families have already received compensation for missing persons under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The nature and circumstances surrounding the work of seafarers

The hashtag #SavetheForty is keeping the hopes of the relatives that they will soon receive news that the 40 men are still alive at sea and will be reunited with them.

onboard a vessel necessarily include the risk of accidental disappearance at sea. This risk is so peculiar to their employment that no other kind of employment is accompanied by the said risk.

In the absence of a CBA, employers usually attempt to evade liability for compensation for cases of missing persons involved in maritime accidents.

They argue that a person missing under the circumstances provided in Article 391 of the Civil Code may not legally be considered as dead until the lapse of the period fixed by law on presumption of death, and consequently the heirs cannot yet be considered as persons entitled to compensation under the law.

These include a person on board a vessel lost during a sea voyage that is missing, or a person who has been in danger of death under other circumstances and his existence has not been known for four years.

However, the Supreme Court ruled in Falcon Maritime Inc. v. Flores (GR 202990, September 26, 2012) that these provisions do not apply if sufficient evidence exist that the person concerned had indeed died.

Where there are facts, known or knowable, from which a rational conclusion can be made, the presumption does not step in, and the rule of preponderance of evidence controls.

(Joaquin v. Navarro, 93 Phil. 257).

Witnesses narrated that when the deceased fell, it was still dark and the vessel was in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean battling with strong winds and enormous waves.

There can be no other conclusion but that the deceased was struck and swallowed by the gigantic waves.

He is no longer in danger of death pursuant to Article 391—he is already dead.

In the case of Pantollano v. Korphil Shipmgt. (GR 169575 March 30, 2011), the defense of prescription was raised in relation to a seafarer that went missing on August 2, 1994.

Korphil argued that the threeyear prescriptive period commenced to run from the time the cause of action accrued, or at the time the seafarer allegedly died on August 2, 1994. Hence, when the wife filed her claim on May 29, 2000, the same has already prescribed.

The Court disregarded the defense of prescription as it ruled that on August 2, 1994, it cannot as yet be presumed that the seafarer is already dead.

If such an argument will be allowed, then no claim for death compensation benefits under this circumstance will ever prosper. This See “Gorecho,” A13

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Opinion

VCO: The Covid-19 buster

Nurses need benefits, not the romanticized heroic tributes

BusinessMirror

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

Dr. Carl E. Balita

MAKE SENSE

T

he world’s longest Covid-19 lockdowns in the Philippines that started in March 2020 may have its good and bad effects. Like a roller coaster, the lockdowns, with their corresponding quarantine status and safety protocols to control the spread of the virus, have been heightened or minimized several times, depending on the rate of Covid infection per area and per period of time.

Despite the lockdowns and the other measures to contain the spread of the virus such as the mandatory use of face shield and face mask, social distancing and a vaccination program that aims to attain herd immunity for the virus in the country at the soonest possible time, there is still a continued rise in the number of people getting infected.

Thus, with an already suffering nation from pandemic-induced problems, we strongly recommend to the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Science and Technology the use of virgin coconut oil as a weapon against Covid-19. The clinical study conducted last year by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute on VCO as a possible protection against Covid-19 showed positive results.

About 30 years ago, when coconut oil was under attack by the soya producers who claimed that coconut oil, as a cooking ingredient, is hazardous to health, we travelled to the US along with other officials of the United Coconut Association of the Philippines (UCAP) to engage the professional expertise of Dr. George Blackburn and Dr. Vigen K. Babayan of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a Harvard affiliate Hospital and Research Institute. We asked these experts to conduct a study on the health benefits of coconut oil.

On the local front, the late Conrado Dayrit, using the same research protocol, also conducted a parallel study.

The results of the studies showed that although coconut oil contains saturated fats, they belong to the medium chain category. Thus, it is burned immediately and converted into energy. It does not stay in the human cells.

Moreover, the result of the studies conducted by Blackburn, Babayan and Dayrit on the health benefits of coconut oil was reinforced by Dr. Mary G. Enig’s findings that medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil is the best deactivating agent for envelope viruses like HIV, measles, and herpes, among others. Incidentally, Covid-19 is a new strain of these envelope viruses.

In her study, Dr. Enig used two groups of HIV patients. She administered VCO regularly on one group, and the other got none. The result showed that those who regularly took VCO had significant improvements in their health, while the health of those who did not take VCO hardly improved.

According to Dr. Enig, the medium chain fatty acids in coconut oil can disrupt the lipid membrane in envelope viruses like HIV, measles, and herpes among others, to deactivate the membrane. In short VCOMCT has the capability to penetrate and deactivate envelope viruses like Covid-19.

This is the reason why I urge DOH to consider using VCO as a weapon

Gorecho. . .

continued from A12

is so because the heirs of a missing seafarer have to wait for four years as provided under Article 391 of the Civil Code before he is declared as legally dead. After four years, the prescriptive period for filing money claims under Article 291 of the Labor Code would, obviously, lapse.

This scenario could not have been the intention of the legislature in enacting a social legislation, such as the Labor Code.

We have good reasons to use VCO as a potent weapon against the virus. First, the health benefits of VCO are backed by studies conducted internationally and locally. Second, coconuts are endemic in the Philippines. Third, VCO is a food supplement that has been used, and continues to be used globally and locally, for years. And last, VCO is accessible to all Filipinos for their protection against Covid-19. against Covid-19. This could complement the other measures already being done to contain the spread of the virus. We must consider the bigger interests of the nation and the Filipinos in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Like the rest of the world, the Filipino nation continues to suffer physically, economically and socially because of the pandemic. Thousands of Filipino lives have already been lost to Covid, and countless manufacturing companies have temporarily ceased operation. Unfortunately, some of them have no choice but to close the business. I have copies of all studies done on the health benefits of MCT by the American and Filipino doctors. I am willing to share all of these documents to the proper government agencies, for them to read, analyze and strategize how MCT, being the best deactivating agent against envelope viruses like Covid-19, can help mitigate the sufferings of the Filipino nation. Unknown to many, we have a potential Covid buster within our reach.

We have tried almost everything available to protect ourselves from the virus. From prophylactic to curative medications, people use anything that could help save them from Covid-19 infection. From Lian Huwa, to remdisivir and even Ivermectin, among others, people tried using them for protection. We have the studies to back our claim, and there’s no reason why we should not use VCO for protection against Covid-19.

We have good reasons to use VCO as a potent weapon against the virus.

First, the health benefits of VCO are backed by studies conducted internationally and locally. Second, coconuts are endemic in the Philippines.

Third, VCO is a food supplement that has been used, and continues to be used globally and locally, for years. And last, VCO is accessible to all Filipinos for their protection against Covid-19.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.

“Hay waja lattan ha’in ya nan pammati’ hinan inkarin Ma’nongan nga aji na bay-bay-an nan tatagu na,” Maya said (What’s keeping me get by is my faith in the promise of God that He will not abandon His people).

The hashtag #SavetheForty is keeping the hopes of the relatives that they will soon receive news that the 40 men are still alive at sea and will be reunited with them.

Atty. Dennis Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.

Entrepreneurs’ Footprints

T

ributes to nurses’ heroism have been romanticized and lost their value when nurses are too exhausted to even appreciate them and when nurses have become like beggars for the benefits they never asked for (though they most deserve) but were promised them in recognition of their heroic roles.

Yes, there is no doubt that nurses are heroes. But this article will not overstate what is obvious—it takes a hero to be in that suffocating PPE to care for patients who are harboring the deadly virus and to hold their hands when cure is not possible towards their peaceful death, not alone but with a nurse. Their self-sacrifice extends to their beloved families who are next in line in the chain of transmission.

The microscopic villain may knock these heroes down and get them infected but they rise up anew donning their PPEs like armors and fighting back to save lives on a daily basis until we all live happily ever after. We had classic episodes of these series traced back during the Crimean War in the mid-eighteen hundredth when the founder of modern nursing etched her name in history as Florence Nightingale. And this Covid-19 is just a sequel in a series of real-life pandemic horror and thriller known to history. And in all of these, there are nurses in the main cast. But just like a Netflix series that we thought has ended, after humanity puts an end to this pandemic, the next episodes may be anticipated with new twists and plots for us to watch the heroism come back to life.

It is intrinsic of nurses to care. The care is in the core of the cure they are able to contribute as professionals who are vital co-equal members of the health-care team. But the education and training of nurses extend beyond their professional privilege.

There is a solemn vocation in its historical, philosophical and theoretical foundations that integrate compassion with professional competencies worthy of every remuneration, salary, wage, and benefits.

Heroism is how the public regards and romanticizes nursing amid the pandemic, and such distracts us from what nurses really need from

us—the support for the provision of their most basic and safety needs.

Not expendable dying heroes in crisis

During the celebration of its 99th year, the Philippine Nurses Association released a manifesto for and on behalf of the nurses who, while caring for patients, are now losing patience.

It launched #Silentnomore campaign to voice out nurses situation, which is described as grappling to survive.

PNA reports that the nurses are underpaid with politics getting in the way of nurses’ demands for better compensation. It cried out amid the allegations of corruption and ineffectiveness in the implementation to policies aimed at social amelioration. The manifesto cited that nurses are at crisis point, emotionally and mentally, for being torn between the pursuit of what they love to do for others professionally and the need to survive personally.

The manifesto calls on the support of the government and the public that nurses serve—an expression of care for those who care. The PNA enumerated the following as what is due to the nurses: 1) A decent living wage and one that afford a way for nurses to lead their lives without having to work abroad; 2) Benefits that the law guarantees to be given in a timely and equitable manner; 3) Uniform and timely implementation of the Bayanihan to Heal and Recover as One Laws; and 4) Special Risk Allowance (SRA) and Hazard Pay to be given timely and fairly to all nurses, even if not directly exposed to the virus.

These demands are not extraordinary. They are just the execution and implementation of what is already mandated (and promised) by various laws. The nurses cannot be

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 A13

Thankfully, there remain many nurses who choose to stay and serve the Filipinos. But until when? Only time can tell. Nurses cannot feed their families purely with heroic tributes. The Filipino nurses are dying, literally and figuratively. Let us care for them so they can care for us, Filipinos.

blamed for their impatience as the RA 9173 in 2002 is, up to this day, yet to be fully implemented to benefit at least the government nurses and receive the mandated Salary Grade 15 equivalent to around P33,000.

The SRA has not been released efficiently to make nurses feel their importance, of course in the similar way that the entire health-care personnel feel neglected and ignored in a whole health-care system seemingly in distress.

The best for the Filipino and the choice of the world

This statement is not only a motherhood statement. It is a vision of the Philippine Nursing Profession Roadmap 2030. The Filipino nurses are the best for the Filipinos—if they will have the logical reason to stay.

The Filipino nurses are undoubtedly the choice of the world. The pandemic has accelerated the partial attainment of the 2030 vision as even the developed countries now are offering their best opportunities for the nurses to take the road to the greener pasture.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) has admitted publicly that some of the hospital units have to be closed due to lack of nurses. The private hospitals can hardly match what the government hospitals are law-bound to offer in salaries and benefits. How much more can they approximate the converted peso-value of job offers overseas?

The private hospitals in the Philippines are trying to compete and provide nurses with the best incentives like graduate studies, vacation packages, rice subsidies, family hospitalization coverage, among others.

But the financial gains being offered by hospitals abroad are simply irresistible. Some private hospitals, cognizant of the inevitable overseas employment of their nurses, have even partnered with foreign hospitals for the future deployment of their current nursing work force. It

has become an attraction for nurses to be employed within a limited period prior to their dream foreign deployment through these hospitals.

Competing with hospital job offers now are vaccination centers, with local government and sponsors, capable of offering a relatively high daily salary or allowance to nurses as vaccinators. Without exhausting hospital routines, many nurses are now in these vaccination centers. The Colleges of Nursing are also in need of qualified clinical instructors now who shall be working mostly in the comforts of their homes in a flexible learning set-up. Also, the rich families can afford private duty nurses for their home-based relatives. The BPOs are also out there with some attractive offers for nurses.

But the demand for nurses is not unique in the Philippines. In 2020, the WHO released the pre-pandemic State of World Nursing to reveal that the world needs 6 million nurses to achieve global health targets. And the recommendation is for the investment in massive acceleration of nursing education. But even as we invest in education, the situation of nurses in the Philippines is not encouraging. While the enrolment for nursing is having an upward trend, the eyes of students (and sponsoring parents and relatives) are not looking at local employment but the global demands, which offer brighter future.

Yes, Filipino nurses, as envisioned, will continue to be the choice of the world and they are the best for the Filipinos. But if our government and the Philippine society will fail to give nurses the positive practice environment they rightfully deserve, the health human resource will be weak with nursing being its biggest sector. Thankfully, there remain many nurses who choose to stay and serve the Filipinos. But until when? Only time can tell.

By the way, if the government can construct a memorial monument for the fallen health workers at the Libingan ng Bayani, they may want to take care of the living frontliners first. As a nursing leader asserts: We don’t need dead heroes!

Nurses cannot feed their families purely with heroic tributes. The Filipino nurses are dying, literally and figuratively. Let us care for them so they can care for us, Filipinos.

For feedback, please send e-mail to drcarlbalita@ yahoo.com.

Jill Biden heads back to classroom as a working first lady

By Darlene Superville Associated Press

W

ASHINGTON — Jill Biden is going back to her whiteboard.

After months of teaching writing and English to community college students in boxes on a computer screen, the First Lady resumes teaching in person Tuesday from a classroom at Northern Virginia Community College, where she has worked since 2009.

She is the first First Lady to leave the White House and log hours at a full-time job.

“There are some things you just can’t replace, and I can’t wait to get back in the classroom,” she recently told Good Housekeeping magazine.

The First Lady has been anxious to see her students in person after more than a year of virtual teaching brought on by a pandemic that continues to challenge the Biden administration.

A working First Lady is a “big deal,” said Tammy Vigil, a Boston University communications professor who wrote a book about First Ladies Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.

The nation’s early first ladies did not work outside the home, especially when home was the White House.

They supported their husbands, raised children and performed the role of hostess.

Some first ladies acted as special ambassadors for their husbands.

Eleanor Roosevelt was especially active, traveling around the US and

reporting back to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose activities were limited by polio. She advocated for the poor, minorities and other disadvantaged people, and began writing a nationally syndicated newspaper column from the White House.

More recent first ladies, like Laura Bush, who was an elementary school teacher and librarian, had stopped working outside the home after having children and were not employed when their husbands were elected.

Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama were working mothers who decided against continuing their careers in the White House.

Jill Biden, 70, is forging a new path for herself and her successors.

The First Lady has said she always wanted to be a career woman. She taught at the Virginia community college during the eight years that her husband was vice president and was not about to let the added responsibility of being First Lady force her to give up a career she so closely identifies with.

“Teaching isn’t just what I do. It’s who I am,” she says.

Women made up nearly half, or 47%, of the US labor force in 2019, according to Catalyst, a women’s workplace advocacy group.

Leaders of the nation’s largest teachers’ unions are pleased that one of their own is now in a position to help influence the administration’s education policies and raise the profile of a profession in which many have long felt unappreciated.

“She sees it up close and person-

ally and now, in the position as First Lady, not only does she give voice to that from a place of understanding, she has an opportunity to create a platform and to have influence,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association.

President Joe Biden told teachers attending the NEA’s annual meeting that he learned about what they were going through by watching his wife as she learned how to teach online.

“It gave me an appreciation firsthand that I thought I had, but I wouldn’t have had had I not seen it,” he said at the July meeting. “And then going out and teaching—she was working four or five hours a day, getting ready to teach, putting her lesson plans together...a different way.”

In 1976, a year after she met and began dating then-US Sen. Biden, Jill Biden started teaching English at a Roman Catholic high school in Wilmington, Delaware. She later taught at a psychiatric hospital and at Delaware Technical Community College.

She earned two master’s degrees and a doctorate in educational leadership during those years.

After Joe Biden became vice president in 2009, she joined the faculty at Northern Virginia Community College. She continued to teach there after he left office and throughout his 2020 presidential campaign, including virtually after the pandemic hit.

Her virtual teaching continued as first lady, from her office in the White House East Wing or hotel rooms when she traveled to promote

administration policies. She grades papers on flights.

“It shatters the norms of what first ladies do,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Jill Biden tries to keep her political identity out of the classroom and has said that many of her former students in Virginia had no idea she was married to the vice president.

She also did not talk about it. Secret Service agents accompanied her for security, but she had them dress casually and tote backpacks in an attempt to blend into the campus environment.

But being First Lady, for which there is no job description or pay, comes with a much higher level of visibility, security and scrutiny.

First ladies make numerous public appearances—with or without the president—to promote their own or the president’s issues, garnering coverage from national and local news media. Vogue magazine splashed the First Lady on the cover of its August issue.

Jill Biden will teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with travel on days when she is not in the classroom. Her employer, the commonwealth of Virginia, requires everyone to wear face coverings indoors on Northern Virginia Community College campuses, regardless of vaccination status. The First Lady is fully vaccinated.

The school is offering fall classes in a variety of formats, including fully remote, in-person on campus and a hybrid.

A14 Wednesday, September 8, 2021

DTI touts logistics, supply chain to Japanese bizmen

T

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

HE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pitched $14.07 billion worth of investments for the supply chain and logistics industry—which has been reeling from the shipment delays amid container imbalance—to Japanese investors.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a virtual event on Tuesday that the supply chain and logistics sector must invest at least $14.07 billion in the next 10 years.

This is to expand the capacities of the industry’s warehouse and cold storage facilities, in addition to its container years and integrated logistics depot, he said.

“There are areas of opportunity for Japanese investments in logistics, smart manufacturing, electronics design services and Internet of Things [IoT],” Lopez added.

In addition, Lopez identified opportunities in the construction industry, noting that total value of construction works reached $1.6 billion in the first quarter.

The government’s infrastructure program, for one, is committed to spend $94.9 billion, initially identifying 75 flagship projects, he noted.

Japanese investors can also invest to address the housing backlog in the country as it is expected to reach 12.4 million units by 2030, the trade official said.

Lopez also shared the increasing demand for health-care facilities amid the pandemic.

“With the recent Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen the urgency of improving the health systems and infrastructure in the Philippines,” he said. “The Philippine health system is limited to cope with the growing number of confirmed and suspected cases.”

The DTI chief also cited manufacturing of several products as area of cooperation. These include personal protective equipment, medical devices and pharmaceutical products; automotive parts; construction materials; electronics; chemicals; shipbuilding; and aerospace parts.

The semiconductor and electronics industry, Lopez said, is still the top export revenue generator, comprising over 60 percent of the total outbound shipments.

“Additionally, medical devices electronics manufacturing is also a growing industry supported by existing supply chain for manufacturing,” he added.

Lopez said that the country has a growing capacity for electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and original design manufacturing, in addition to backend semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging.

He listed the following EMS capabilities in the country: components and sub-assembly, box-build assembly, new product introduction and complex equipment assembly.

As such, he said this covers computers, office equipment, telecommunication equipment, communications and radar, control and instrumentation, medical and industrial, automotive electronics, e-vehicle and consumer electronics.

“The Philippines has a strong manufacturing and services sectors contributing significantly to its GDP. Hence, the country is ready to Make It Happen for Japanese manufacturers that rely on innovative product design, high quality standards, and world-class manufacturing workforce,” Lopez concluded.

CNN PHL’S ‘FINAL PITCH’ EXPANDING SEARCH FOR ‘NEXT BIG UNICORN’

C

NN Philippines’s The Final Pitch, the country’s first business reality show, is set to expand its search for the “next big unicorn” to the Asean region in 2022.

John Aguilar, show creator and host, made the announcement at a press conference for the seventh season of The Final Pitch on Tuesday.

“By next year, hopefully by end of next year, we are going to be filming The Final Pitch Asean,” he said. “That’s about a year down the road, but we are very confident that we’ll get there because we have a very talented team.”

He said that entrepreneurs from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam will be involved in the expanded format.

“This is a very exciting time for a lot of entrepreneurs; there is a lot of growth; there is a lot of liquidity in the market as well. We figured this is the perfect time to be able to find and discover that next big unicorn,” he said.

Aguilar explained that expanding the reach of the show will also help start-ups as they scale up their business. For example, he said Filipino companies may be able to secure strategic partners in the region.

For the seventh season, the panel of investor-judges includes Converge ICT Solutions Inc.

DOH, PS-DBM deal left govt stuck with idle, costly stocks

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

S

ENATE probers on Tuesday focused on the huge loss to taxpayers from the gross miscalculation by health and budget officials who bought millions of face masks and face shields now stuck in warehouses, per state auditors, because local hospitals and government units refuse to buy them at an “overprice.”

Sen. Richard Gordon, presiding at the fourth Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on alleged “deficiencies” in P62 billion of the Department of Health’s pandemic response, said this was a classic case of “government being double-booked” because DOH funds were already used, through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM), to buy the personal protective equipment (PPE), and yet regional and district hospitals must still buy the items —at much higher price tags than current prices—from PS-DBM. The Commission on Audit (COA) earlier included this issue in its report on 2020 fund use by DOH, noting the reluctance of local health institutions to buy at the steep prices from PS-DBM when they could buy these much cheaper from local suppliers “just across the street.”

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the original sin obviously lay in a March 9, 2020 Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) resolution that suddenly reclassified the PPE items as “common use supplies and equipment” (CUSE), thus allowing the DOH to outsource purchase of such items to the controversial PS-DBM that senators had described as a “mega parking lot” for funds.

CUSE items in the past were coursed through PS-DBM so the entire government can buy at competitive prices such items universally used by state agencies—paper clips, office paper supplies, ink, ballpens —and the individual agencies can then buy from the PS-DBM. Senators’ concern was raised by

the reclassification as “common use” of the PPEs, when in fact, these are supposed to be exclusive purchases by the DOH. Sen. Francis Pangilinan even noted that the March 2020 GPPB resolution “did not even include face shields” among those PPE items reclassified as “common use,” and yet the DOH, through PS-DBM, already bought millions of them from what are suspected as favored suppliers.

One such supplier, Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp., which bagged P8 billion in PPE contracts, has been linked to former presidential adviser and friend Michael Yang.

The Blue Ribbon had been unable to track down Yang in past hearings.

Weighing in on the potential humongous losses to government—as a result of the DOH’s being stuck with millions of PPE items bought

by PS-DBM that local health entities now refuse to buy—Senate President Vicente Sotto III said, “I leave it to the wisdom of the COA” to make a judgment on how this questionable setup can be reformed.

Addressing Gordon, Sotto suggested that the matter be “one of the points for legislation” arising from the Blue Ribbon inquiry.

Sotto said he was dumbfounded by the notion that “tayo rin ang tindero [we are also the vendors]” of items that the government bought for its use, but must now sell to itself.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, in turn questioned Health Secretary Francisco Duque: “Why is it that you purchase your own supplies?” after Duque replied that after PS-DBM procured the supplies, the owner of the assets is the DOH. Puzzled, Drilon noted that DOH, having allowed PS-DBM to use its money, now buys back the supplies at a higher price, and after paying 4 percent in commission to PS-DBM. At the same time, Drilon asserted that the P42-billion fund transfer from DOH to PS-DBM, without a memorandum of agreement, was questionable. It was flagged by the COA.

Founder and CEO Dennis Anthony Uy, Wilcon Depot Chief Operating Officer Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy, Multisys Technologies Corp. Founder and CEO David Almirol Jr. and 8Ventures Chairman and CEO Jay Villarante.

The investor-judges said at the briefing they are looking for new, innovative and sustainable business ideas, underscoring the role of technology amid the pandemic.

Uy said he wants companies that have “high growth potential” and consider their impact to society and national building.

“I am on the lookout for those who can use technology to uplift the lives of others,” the Converge official said, even saying he is willing to fund the business using his own money.

Almirol is looking for the socalled “technopreneurs” who can address the market gap for technology in the local setting.

“Because of the pandemic, we need to come up or we need to discover more start-ups that could help us on filling in these gaps,” he added.

While Bosch-Ong is looking forward to mentoring the entrepreneurs, she also hopes to extend market access for products that can be sold through Wilcon’s store network.

See “CNN,” A4

Hotels offer 70% off in another SOS call to travelers

T

HE hotel industry continues to struggle under the weight of the pandemic travel restrictions with revenue losses widening as much as 60-70 percent.

This was according to board members of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Inc. (HSMA), which has aired another SOS call this year, encouraging travel revengers to join its September Online Sale.

In an online presser on Tuesday, HSMA president Benjamin Martinez (Bayleaf Hotels) said the group hopes to “exceed last year’s sales,” now that promotion is for one month—from September 15 to October 15. Last year’s SOS generated P14 million in sales and 2,000 sales vouchers. Vouchers are good for at least a year.

“We are also including the ancillary services of the properties such as restaurants, bars, banquet packages, spa, gym and pool, and other facilities of the hotel, making this year’s campaign more thrilling and inviting,” he said. Hotel stay vouchers will be issued only by non-quarantine and multiple-use hotels.

Quarantine and isolation hotels are a lso par ticipating in the sales event, he added, by selling vouchers for banquet and event packages, along with food and beverage offers.

According to HSMA Secretary Amie Villena (Bellevue Hotel), 80 hotels and resorts across the country will be participating in this year’s SOS, offering deals and discounts of as much as 70-percent off.

The participating hotels include those managed by major international hospitality groups, as well as popular, home-grown hotel chains.

A few, like Linden Suites for example, also have additional perks for vaccinated guests.

See “Hotels,” A4

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Revenues of Siam Cement unit more than double in Q2

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @TyronePiad

S

iam Cement Group (SCG) Philippines more than doubled its revenues in the second quarter, thanks to robust packaging, ceramics, and export sales.

The cement firm reported that its Philippine unit booked P4.55 billion in revenues for the period, 128 percent higher than last year’s figure.

SCG’s total assets in the country, meanwhile, grew by 5 percent to P19.9 billion on the back of its cement building material business.

The company said the local unit has been implementing hybrid workforce arrangement and exploring new solutions amid the pandemic to cope with the challenges.

“The company plans to diversify and increase its product portfolio to address the recent upturn in home improvement as

spending on home renovations and repairs is expected to stay strong in the coming quarters,” it said in a statement.

W h i le t he oper at ion s of United Pulp and Paper Co. Inc. (UPPC) have continued, SCG flagged the rising costs of raw materials because of supply chain disruptions. UPPC, despite the restrictions, continues to provide service for manufacturers of food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals and other industries.

Mariwasa, SCG said, has been expanding its product line with the goal of enhancing manufacturing process and addressing growing demand.

For its Asean operations, excluding Thailand, SCG said its revenues grew by 48 percent year-on-year to $1.13 billion in the second quarter. Of the fig-

ure, sales accounted for 26 percent. The company’s sales came from both local operations in each Asean market and imports from Thai operations.

Total assets of SCG stood at $25.34 billion as of June 30.

“Many countries have reinstated stringent measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.

SCG has accordingly stepped up its health and safety protocols to serve all stakeholders and maintain business continuity,” SCG Chief Executive Officer Roongrote Rangsiyopash said.

SCG said it has “adapted its business strateg ies to dr ive sales to markets less impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as increase its reliance on e-commerce.”

The company also ventured into the automation industry to boost productivity.

Dito hurdles second technical audit

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

D

ito Te l e c o m m u n i t y Corp., the third telco franchise licensee, has delivered on its second year commitments, its parent company Dito CME Holdings Corp. said on Tuesday, citing a notice from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

According to a disclosure to the stock exchange, Dito “passed the technical audit for its commitments with the NTC i.e. National Population Coverage and Minimum Average Broadband Speed for the Second Year.”

The regulatory filing said the independent auditor found that Dito has reached its national population coverage commitment of 51 percent, recording total coverage of 52.75 percent during the audit period.

Dito also met its minimum average broadband speed commitment of 55 Mbps, with average speeds reaching 89.13 Mbps for 4G and 853.96 Mbps for 5G. As of August 20, Dito’s services are commercially available in 210 cities and municipalities nationwide.

Sought for comment, a Dito representative said the company will be replying to media queries during a press briefing slated for Thursday.

The NTC announced in February that the company passed the first technical audit of its network, citing the results of the audit conducted by RG Manabat & Co. T he reg ulator y body said the audit firm found Dito has reached its initial coverage commitment of 37.03 percent of the population, after delivering a coverage rate of 37.48 percent.

This means that Dito’s network covers a total of 8,860 barangays or about 37 million Filipinos.

Dito is investing P150 billion for its foray into the telecommunications industry. The amount is being used to build telco infrastructure, of which 1,900 towers have already been constructed, 12,000 kilometers of cable laid, and 1,500 base stations deployed.

T h is yea r, Dito h a s pro grammed over P50 billion in capital expenditures to further expand its network and meet the commitments it made during the bidding for the third telco license. The Dennis A. Uy-led company has committed to spend P257 billion in capital outlays within the first five years of its operations to deliver an average speed of 55 Mbps to 84 percent of the country’s population.

Fort Pilar Energy acquires solar power firm

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

F

ort Pilar Energy Inc. is increasing its presence in the power sector with its latest acquisition—a solar power company worth P1.5 billion.

Fort Pilar bought Alterpower Digos Solar Inc. (ADSI) for P1.5 billion from the joint venture of Hanwha Global Asset Corporation and Alterpower Specialist, Inc. ADSI owns and operates the Digos Solar Power Plant, which has a capacity of 28.59 megawatts (MW).

The plant has been operating since March 2016.

“Our acquisition of ADSI signals our company’s pivot to the power industry.

While we remain committed to our legacy businesses in infrastructure and transportation, we believe that our company’s shift to the energy industry is a logical transition given our track

record in building successful enterprises in challenging industries,” said Fort Pilar chairperson Sheila B. Romero said.

“Our investment in a solar power plant in Mindanao reflects our firm belief that the growth of the Philippines lies in the development of our rural areas.”

Fort Pilar plans to expand the Digos plant to 40MW to reach its full capacity under its solar service contract.

Expansion plans include the upgrade of its electrical systems, acquisition of more powerful PV cells and increasing its footprint in the Digos area. The company is allocating P500 million to finance the expansion of the power plant.

The location of the Digos Solar Power Plant is considered a prime area for solar irradiation. The power plant produces an approximate irradiation of 1,872.4 kwh per square meter. It harnesses UV rays from the

sun through 92,232 Polycrystalline PV Modules.

The plant currently produces up to 43 million kilowatt hours annually.

Fort Pilar is currently building a battery energy storage system in Zamboanga city. The battery site is set to be commissioned in February 2022.

Fort Pilar’s subsidiary, Belgrove Power Corp., earlier bought the 650-megawatt Malaya Thermal Power Plant (MTPP) for over P4 billion from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.

(PSALM).

Belgrove intends to undertake the necessary repairs as soon as possible so that the Malaya Power Plant can resume operations. Once the MTPP is repaired by Belgrove, it can supply electricity to the Luzon grid and help ensure sufficient electricity supply in anticipation of the 2022 national elections.

B1

‘Stage 3 of Bulacan water facility to start operations in 2023’

By VG Cabuag

S

@villygc

an Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Tuesday said the commercial operations of its Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project (BBWSP)-Stage 3 will start in January 2023 after it formalized agreements with seven water districts in Bulacan, which will be covered by its project.

SMC said it was able to forge agreements with the towns of Norzagaray, Hagonoy, Pandi, Baliwag, San Rafael, San Miguel, and San Ildefonso.

“We are targeting start of operations

by January 2023. With these agreements signed with the seven water districts, and with the MWSS [Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System] having approved the updated business plan, we can now start preliminary engineering design, and then construction,” San Miguel President Ramon S. Ang said.

“We anticipate that in just a year-and-ahalf, we can start operating these new water facilities, and all our countrymen in these areas in Bulacan will finally have reliable access to safe, affordable potable water.”

Apart from the additional seven towns, four other water districts remain outside of the project. These are Pulilan, Angat, Dona Remedios Trinidad and Bustos.

San Miguel said it hopes to forge agreements with these water districts soon.

For decades, many households in Bulacan relied on deep wells that tapped into groundwater sources, despite the province’s close proximity to Angat Dam.

Apart from poor water quality, Ang said the depletion of groundwater has also contributed to land subsidence and flooding all over Bulacan.

“With more residents able to immediately access water through our facilities, the need to rely on dwindling groundwater supply is eliminated. Experts have said groundwater extraction is one of the causes of land subsidence, or the gradual sinking of the ground, and this worsens flooding in the province. Like our upcoming major clean up Bulacan’s rivers, the BBWSP forms part of our larger strategy to help mitigate and solve flooding here.”

Currently, Bulacan Bulk Water supplies water to 13 areas, covered by stages one and two development of the facility, which started commercial operations last January 2019.

These include San Jose del Monte, Marilao, Meycauayan, Bocaue, Obando and Balagtas, Guiguinto, Calumpit, Bulakan, Plaridel, Sta. Maria, Paombong, and Malolos. The said project is a publicprivate partnership project of Luzon Clean Water Development Corp. (LCWDC) and K-Water Resources Corp. consortium with the MWSS. The LCWDC is responsible for the financing, construction, operations and maintenance of the three project stages.

The Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project produces an average volume of 160 million liters per day for around 165,000 households, and has a maximum capacity of 388 million liters per day.

B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

SEC orders R.L. Aggregates to stop soliciting investments T

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a cease and desist order against R.L. Aggregates and Diversified Lending Group Inc. for soliciting investments from the public without the requisite license and using fake documents for its operations.

The SEC also asked the company to close down its Internet presence relating to the transactions and investment scheme covered by the order.

The company, along with its operators, directors, officers, representatives, salesmen and agents, has also been prohibited from transacting any business involving funds in its depository banks, and from transferring or disposing of its assets.

The order extends to R.L. Aggregates’ directors Roberto S. Llorente, Jennylyn M. Clemente, Patricip B. De Villa, Carlo S. Mamaril and Alvin C. Camanero, its operators, officers, representatives, salesmen, and agents including Ashley Reyes, Maya Gonzalez, Randy Dela Cruz and Kenneth Daniel Papa.

The SEC issued the order after finding that R.L. Aggregates has been enticing the public to invest in

the company in exchange for guaranteed returns of 1 percent per day or 30 percent per month over a lock-in period of three months.

The scheme requires potential investors to invest or deposit an amount ranging from P1,000 to P500,000, with dividends to be paid out every 15th and 30th of the month.

With this, an investor with a capital of P1,000 will supposedly earn P150 every 15 days, or a total of P1,900 after three months. Over the same period, those who invest P500,000 would receive a total of P950,000. The scheme involves the sale and offer of securities to the public in the form of investment contracts, SEC said.

R.L. Aggregates is registered with the SEC and holds a Certificate of Authority to operate as a lending company. However, it has never secured a secondary license to solicit investments from the public.

An investigation by the SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) showed that R.L. Aggregates has been using an altered and falsified copy of its Articles of Incorporation (AoI), stating that “the corporation shall direct solicit, accept or take investments/placements from

the public and shall issue investment contracts.”

The SEC also found that R.L. Aggregates declared that it is a mother company of cooperative and lending groups that caters to agriculture, small businesses and small-scale mining in Masbate.

“In this case, R.L. Aggregates intentionally used or allowed the use of a falsified AoI to make it appear to the investing public that it was duly authorized by the Commission to solicit, offer, accept, sell and/or take investments from the public. Through the falsified AoI, R.L. Aggregates was able to conveniently offer and/or sell unauthorized securities from investors by means of fraud,” the SEC said in its order.

The SEC said that R.L. Aggregates’ authorized capitalization was only P1.5 million, which would make its business model “not sustainable and will likely cause grave or irreparable injury or prejudice to the investing public.”

“Moreover, the EIPD also pointed out that respondent’s act of taking advantage of the pandemic to refuse any visit/transaction at its main office in Taytay, Rizal by its investors, and its insistence that investors only transact online, is questionable and suspect,” the order read.

AI firm HyperVerge sets up shop in PHL

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

S

@lorenzmarasigan

ilicon Valley-based tech giant HyperVerge has set up shop in the Philippines, as it sees the country as a “new growth center

in Southeast Asia.”

Kedar Kulkarni, the company’s CEO, said HyperVerge—one of the world’s largest identity verification firms—sees a huge opportunity in the Philippines, as the country continues to migrate most of its processes and services to digital.

“The Philippines is fast becoming the new growth center in Southeast Asia and we want to be part of that story while also helping accelerate it much faster. We see a huge opportunity to use our technology in a meaningful way, especially in supporting the government’s initiatives for financial inclusion,” he said.

HyperVerge mainly offers artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that

help organizations automate their processes, provide better customer experience, and digitally adapt at a quicker pace.

Among its AI solutions include Face Match and Liveliness, ID Quality Checks, Face-Based Deduplication, and ID Forgery Checks. It is one of only three companies in the world that has an ISO certification for single image liveness detection solutions, which ensures a faster and more accurate identity verification process.

HyperVerge Co-Founder Praveen Kumar said the group targets players in the financial services and banking sector as potential partners and clients.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

September 7, 2021

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

ASIA UNITED 43.55 44.1 44.45 44.45 44 44.1 7,200 316,965 114.6 114.8 116.1 116.5 114 114.8 1,169,280 133,984,732 BDO UNIBANK 83.5 83.6 83.5 83.7 83.25 83.6 859,660 71,736,118.5 ( BANK PH ISLANDS 24.1 24.35 24.4 24.4 24.1 24.1 288,800 7,033,350 CHINABANK 9.29 9.3 9.2 9.29 9.2 9.29 162,800 1,502,498 EAST WEST BANK 45 45.25 45 45.5 45 45 1,788,800 80,834,780 METROBANK PB BANK 10 10.16 10.16 10.16 10.16 10.16 100 1,016 18.46 18.98 18.5 18.5 18.5 18.5 500 9,250 PBCOM 20.35 20.4 20.4 20.5 20.25 20.4 697,300 14,184,155 PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK 56 56.2 56.2 56.2 56.2 56.2 10 562 20.05 20.15 20.2 20.2 20.05 20.1 113,600 2,285,670 ( RCBC 112.5 112.6 112.7 113.2 112.4 112.5 173,530 19,548,948 SECURITY BANK 84.2 84.3 83.5 84.5 83.5 84.2 26,590 2,242,286.5 UNION BANK 1.11 1.15 1.14 1.14 1.1 1.11 417,000 463,120 BRIGHT KINDLE 4.29 4.32 4.29 4.32 4.29 4.29 89,000 382,140 COL FINANCIAL 3.07 3.17 3.07 3.3 3.06 3.07 179,000 563,580 FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND 6.51 7.97 6.31 6.31 6.3 6.3 1,200 7,566 1.22 1.32 1.34 1.34 1.21 1.21 245,000 305,880 IREMIT 950 975 975 975 975 975 20 19,500 MANULIFE PHIL STOCK EXCH 239.4 243.6 231 244 231 243.6 28,460 6,815,926 SUN LIFE 2,450 2,500 2500 2,500 2,450 2,450 60 147,250 0.88 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 1,000 920 VANTAGE

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 9.99 10 9.98 10.14 9.93 9.99 37,367,900 375,352,630 1.16 1.17 1.17 1.19 1.17 1.17 250,000 292,620 ALSONS CONS 28.6 28.65 28.65 28.75 28.4 28.65 3,801,800 108,743,840 ABOITIZ POWER 0.61 0.62 0.63 0.63 0.61 0.62 8,527,000 5,290,840 BASIC ENERGY 31.9 31.95 31.9 31.95 31.85 31.95 514,500 16,419,670 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG 78 78.15 77.5 78.5 77.5 78 156,570 12,208,894.5 MERALCO 289.4 289.8 290 290 287.4 289.4 101,690 29,434,172 MANILA WATER 17.98 18 17.96 18.1 17.94 17.98 443,000 7,972,190 PETRON 3.14 3.15 3.14 3.15 3.13 3.14 950,000 2,982,750 PETROENERGY 3.94 3.98 3.94 3.98 3.93 3.98 30,000 118,900 12.62 12.78 12.72 12.78 12.72 12.78 15,000 190,942 PHX PETROLEUM 19.6 19.62 19.56 19.72 19.56 19.6 378,000 7,412,086 PILIPINAS SHELL 13.46 13.5 13.4 13.6 13.4 13.5 177,500 2,408,146 SPC POWER 5.38 5.39 5.4 5.42 5.3 5.38 158,500 846,110 AGRINURTURE 2.7 2.74 2.75 2.79 2.7 2.74 377,000 1,026,930 AXELUM CNTRL AZUCARERA 13.76 13.98 13.8 13.8 13.8 13.8 4,500 62,100 26.2 26.25 26.5 26.95 26.05 26.2 6,719,500 178,017,775 CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE 13.6 13.7 13.56 13.7 13.4 13.6 186,900 2,535,424 DNL INDUS 8.35 8.36 8.35 8.4 8.31 8.36 1,145,800 9,575,537 EMPERADOR 16.96 16.98 17 17.2 16.6 16.98 8,954,600 152,546,650 78.9 79 78.9 79 78.4 79 71,670 5,652,746.5 SMC FOODANDBEV 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.65 0.65 0.65 22,000 14,300 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.22 1.25 1.23 1.25 1.21 1.25 11,353,000 14,020,760 FRUITAS HLDG 104.5 105.4 101.3 105.4 98.55 105.4 218,600 22,228,129 GINEBRA 200 204.8 206 206 200 200 409,260 83,357,328 JOLLIBEE 28.25 29.45 29.85 29.85 29.85 29.85 300 8,955 LIBERTY FLOUR MAXS GROUP 6.5 6.55 6.45 6.62 6.45 6.5 92,300 602,015 0.218 0.224 0.216 0.225 0.216 0.224 230,000 50,090 MG HLDG MONDE NISSIN 17.64 17.68 16.74 17.7 16.74 17.68 37,789,100 650,788,038 2 SHAKEYS PIZZA 7.75 7.92 7.85 7.85 7.75 7.75 15,800 123,715 0.89 0.9 0.9 0.91 0.89 0.9 3,854,000 3,456,350 ROXAS AND CO 4.5 4.56 4.58 4.58 4.56 4.56 26,000 118,800 RFM CORP 1.37 1.41 1.41 1.41 1.41 1.41 1,000 1,410 ROXAS HLDG 0.129 0.131 0.131 0.131 0.128 0.129 1,900,000 245,380 SWIFT FOODS 145 145.2 143.9 145.7 143.7 145.2 694,570 100,793,938 UNIV ROBINA 0.79 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.78 0.8 1,363,000 1,074,190 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.31 2.39 2.35 2.35 2.32 2.32 40,000 93,400 50 54.4 50 54.5 50 54.4 1,010 54,455 CONCRETE A 50.1 62.75 62.75 62.75 62.75 62.75 60,000 3,765,000 CONCRETE B 1.29 1.3 1.24 1.3 1.23 1.3 6,872,000 8,823,840 CEMEX HLDG EAGLE CEMENT 14.42 14.46 14.18 14.48 14.18 14.46 14,800 213,860 7.91 8 7.85 8.09 7.85 8 12,300 98,614 EEI CORP 6.9 7 7 7.2 6.9 7 585,300 4,119,327 HOLCIM 6.2 6.21 6.23 6.24 6.14 6.21 359,800 2,231,590 MEGAWIDE 14.04 14.36 14.48 14.8 14.2 14.36 38,600 552,078 PHINMA 0.97 0.99 0.98 0.99 0.97 0.99 55,000 53,810 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 1.35 1.36 1.33 1.38 1.33 1.36 3,223,000 4,377,330 CROWN ASIA 1.7 1.71 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.69 2,000 3,380 1.73 1.77 1.75 1.75 1.73 1.73 140,000 243,200 EUROMED 5.42 5.47 5.45 5.45 5.45 5.45 4,000 21,800 PRYCE CORP 2.57 2.59 2.5 2.63 2.48 2.59 11,731,000 30,185,620 GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR 8.55 8.56 8.7 8.7 8.55 8.56 209,900 1,799,299 0.93 0.94 0.93 0.94 0.92 0.93 231,000 213,260 IONICS 5.93 5.99 6.04 6.04 5.93 5.98 11,600 69,526 PANASONIC 1.19 1.2 1.22 1.22 1.19 1.2 22,000 26,390 SFA SEMICON 4.6 4.62 4.68 4.68 4.57 4.6 1,422,000 6,562,540 CIRTEK HLDG

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MJC INVESTMENTS METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP

1.04 6.1 812 44.5 10.6 5.25 6.9 0.99 0.56 5.11 6.56 7.6 0.29 573.5 3.66 64.1 5.97 0.81 3.19 9.32 1.33 3.89 1.96 1,004 114

1.05 6.3 813.5 44.55 10.66 5.27 7 1 0.58 5.15 6.57 7.78 0.31 574 3.81 64.8 6 0.82 3.24 9.33 1.43 3.91 1.99 1,015 114.3

1.06 6.43 791 44.85 10.6 5.09 6.9 0.99 0.58 5.09 6.74 7.62 0.285 569 3.67 65 5.97 0.66 3.11 9.18 1.38 3.9 2 998 113

1.06 6.43 814.5 44.85 10.74 5.34 6.9 1.02 0.58 5.15 6.75 7.78 0.315 580 3.67 65.05 6 0.85 3.24 9.34 1.38 3.92 2 1,015 114

1.03 6.29 791 44.2 10.6 5.07 6.9 0.98 0.58 4.99 6.57 7.57 0.285 566.5 3.66 64.05 5.97 0.66 3.11 9.06 1.38 3.89 1.92 996 112.9

1.04 6.29 812 44.5 10.66 5.27 6.9 1 0.58 5.15 6.57 7.78 0.31 574 3.66 64.1 6 0.82 3.24 9.32 1.38 3.89 1.96 1,015 114

2,355,000 5,400 315,250 495,200 1,108,700 8,105,500 9,900 3,730,000 24,000 3,833,400 10,911,200 17,400 950,000 277,200 3,000 447,910 73,100 7,370,000 1,263,000 16,291,600 2,000 8,520,000 84,000 65,270 170,000

2,457,660 33,980 254,385,145 22,031,025 11,833,916 42,256,865(3, 68,310 3,742,270 13,920 19,235,724 72,533,972 132,204 285,150 159,505,705 10,990 28,741,065 437,967 5,843,040 3,941,920 150,814,877 2,760 33,233,600 163,850 65,932,525 19,337,076

4,410 (42,015,740) 18,035,721.5) (28,465,695) (459,620) 996,309.9998) 2,306,212 (775,385) 22,200 (34,320) 9,750 6,594,536 134,750

6,707,932 40,950 (3,055,190) 94,770 (8,761,005) 40,161.5 3,490,526 (41,892) (775,030) 4,643,088 (196,922) (392,480) 16,200 1,040,185 (27,200) (7,049,415) 13,827,262 (514,070.5) 77,560 10,130,484 8,581,688 10,800 ,224,603.9997 (92,910) 20,298,750 8,580 26,890 (508,729) 761,608 10,780 156,380 (15,472,000) (190,863) 3,570 (240,560) 376,760 52,801,975 1,771,425 39,374 079,004.0002) 5,057,285 (187,313) 30,622,525 (7,589,322) 24,600 3,190 (82,689,071) (2,131,990) 7,398,750 3,108,165

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.66 0.68 0.65 0.66 0.65 0.66 414,000 269,110 33.35 33.45 34 34 33.3 33.45 4,815,100 161,393,965 55,987,350 AYALA LAND 1.1 1.14 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1,000 1,100 ARANETA PROP 38.4 38.45 38.75 38.75 38.35 38.45 634,100 24,471,965 6,373,360 AREIT RT 1.37 1.38 1.38 1.39 1.38 1.38 1,106,000 1,528,280 (76,450) BELLE CORP A BROWN 0.86 0.87 0.87 0.87 0.86 0.87 12,000 10,360 0.78 0.79 0.79 0.8 0.78 0.79 124,000 97,900 2,270 CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES 0.122 0.123 0.125 0.125 0.123 0.123 580,000 71,390 3,720 CEBU HLDG 6.1 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.08 6.09 11,500 70,013 3.27 3.28 3.26 3.28 3.22 3.27 1,443,000 4,712,640 (303,030) CEB LANDMASTERS 0.45 0.46 0.465 0.47 0.455 0.455 18,440,000 8,493,450 133,150 CENTURY PROP 10.12 10.2 10.18 10.2 10.12 10.2 338,500 3,446,854 226,936 DOUBLEDRAGON 1.78 1.79 1.78 1.8 1.78 1.78 5,775,000 10,326,220 (1,557,240) DDMP RT 6.5 6.64 6.6 6.65 6.5 6.5 183,700 1,210,687 62,340 DM WENCESLAO 0.28 0.285 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 310,000 86,800 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.46 0.465 0.435 0.465 0.42 0.465 77,160,000 34,467,650 66,050 FILINVEST RT 7.25 7.27 7.25 7.27 7.23 7.25 2,043,300 14,816,303 (8,230,921) FILINVEST LAND 1.1 1.11 1.1 1.11 1.09 1.11 8,142,000 8,959,390 358,450 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.16 1.17 1.15 1.21 1.06 1.16 17,397,000 19,700,160 237,530 8990 HLDG 7.2 7.4 7.2 7.39 7.2 7.39 205,400 1,480,200 1.2 1.21 1.25 1.25 1.19 1.21 3,789,000 4,539,080 PHIL INFRADEV 1.28 1.3 1.26 1.3 1.24 1.3 110,000 140,810 CITY AND LAND 2.87 2.9 2.84 2.9 2.82 2.9 24,803,000 71,104,970 (25,035,500) MEGAWORLD 0.325 0.33 0.335 0.335 0.32 0.325 21,870,000 7,145,800 97,400 MRC ALLIED 0.53 0.54 0.52 0.54 0.52 0.54 3,210,000 1,728,020 (10,800) PHIL ESTATES 2.01 2.08 2.01 2.09 2 2.08 261,000 530,830 (54,390) PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND 16.8 16.9 17 17.02 16.8 16.8 2,567,700 43,415,138 10,882,724 PHIL REALTY 0.265 0.27 0.265 0.27 0.26 0.27 1,070,000 282,550 1.5 1.53 1.53 1.53 1.5 1.5 179,000 271,710 (122,400) ROCKWELL SHANG PROP 2.64 2.66 2.6 2.66 2.6 2.66 65,000 171,860 2.93 2.94 3.07 3.07 2.94 2.94 404,000 1,206,360 STA LUCIA LAND 33.7 33.9 34.1 34.15 33.65 33.9 3,121,400 105,971,605 26,496,165 SM PRIME HLDG 3.67 3.7 3.66 3.7 3.66 3.7 55,000 203,340 VISTAMALLS 1.67 1.69 1.62 1.69 1.6 1.69 576,000 962,600 283,940 SUNTRUST HOME 3.59 3.62 3.58 3.63 3.58 3.59 895,000 3,224,550 (32,810) VISTA LAND

SERVICES ABS CBN 10.88 10.92 10.92 10.92 10.88 10.88 223,100 2,428,060 13.36 13.38 12.7 13.46 12.62 13.38 2,717,200 35,678,574 GMA NETWORK 0.4 0.42 0.4 0.42 0.4 0.42 20,000 8,200 MANILA BULLETIN 2,790 2,798 2690 2,810 2,690 2,790 93,775 261,056,830 63,716,910 GLOBE TELECOM 1,472 1,475 1462 1,505 1,456 1,472 103,470 153,519,785 (29,225,635) PLDT APOLLO GLOBAL 0.112 0.113 0.115 0.115 0.111 0.112 264,940,000 29,749,720 2,020,140 CONVERGE 31.95 32 31.75 32.2 31.35 32 10,294,100 328,749,790 (70,819,460) DFNN INC 3.86 3.9 3.78 3.91 3.78 3.9 146,000 565,420 300,250 DITO CME HLDG 8.78 8.79 8.7 9.05 8.7 8.79 19,760,200 176,207,373 8 ,288,679.9997 IMPERIAL 1.43 1.64 1.56 1.65 1.56 1.56 58,000 91,410 2.02 2.03 2.03 2.06 2.02 2.03 1,411,000 2,881,930 28,760 NOW CORP 0.385 0.39 0.395 0.395 0.385 0.39 4,260,000 1,660,150 (71,350) TRANSPACIFIC BR 2.19 2.21 2.18 2.21 2.17 2.21 50,000 109,390 PHILWEB 8.18 8.19 8.1 8.2 8.06 8.18 13,000 105,829 1,492 2GO GROUP 2.53 2.54 2.55 2.55 2.53 2.53 369,000 934,850 25,400 CHELSEA CEBU AIR 43.75 43.9 44.1 44.25 43.5 43.75 210,500 9,225,930 (3,034,385) INTL CONTAINER 179.6 180 177.2 180.7 177.2 180 345,220 61,833,638 (2,213,184) LBC EXPRESS 16.2 16.22 16.5 16.5 16.22 16.22 5,200 84,372 4.65 4.68 4.7 4.74 4.64 4.68 810,000 3,776,530 24,230 MACROASIA METROALLIANCE A 1.69 1.77 1.68 1.68 1.68 1.68 88,000 147,840 1.75 2.04 2 2 2 2 2,000 4,000 METROALLIANCE B 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.09 1.05 1.07 151,000 160,910 HARBOR STAR 1.61 1.63 1.62 1.67 1.61 1.61 174,000 280,780 ACESITE HOTEL 0.096 0.097 0.094 0.098 0.094 0.097 141,260,000 13,568,350 295,200 BOULEVARD HLDG 2.25 2.29 2.21 2.25 2.21 2.25 21,000 47,010 2,210 DISCOVERY WORLD 0.52 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.52 0.52 247,000 129,540 10,400 WATERFRONT CENTRO ESCOLAR 6.53 7.04 7.09 7.09 7.09 7.09 100 709 6.83 6.99 6.99 6.99 6.99 6.99 1,000 6,990 IPEOPLE 0.35 0.355 0.355 0.355 0.35 0.355 170,000 60,300 STI HLDG 5.7 5.8 6.23 6.43 5.7 5.7 1,266,600 7,535,360 (7,916) BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY 6.36 6.4 6.3 6.49 6.3 6.4 1,335,200 8,547,216 (380,001) 2.32 2.33 2.27 2.47 2.27 2.33 1,322,000 3,108,130 (4,780) PACIFIC ONLINE 1.83 1.84 1.82 1.84 1.78 1.83 637,000 1,147,760 1,840 LEISURE AND RES 1.93 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 6,000 11,700 MANILA JOCKEY 1.56 1.57 1.59 1.59 1.55 1.57 467,000 734,270 (44,430) PH RESORTS GRP 0.44 0.445 0.44 0.46 0.435 0.44 9,940,000 4,454,600 30,400 PREMIUM LEISURE PHIL RACING 5.8 5.95 5.8 5.95 5.8 5.95 2,400 13,935 595 ALLHOME 8.92 8.94 9.16 9.16 8.86 8.92 727,200 6,497,244 3,737,873 METRO RETAIL 1.28 1.29 1.27 1.29 1.27 1.28 150,000 192,040 (92,160) PUREGOLD 42.4 42.5 42.7 42.8 42.05 42.5 1,213,000 51,544,365 10,700,340 ROBINSONS RTL 49.9 49.95 50.4 50.4 49.8 49.95 1,905,900 95,239,150 (6,970,860) 87 87.2 87.5 87.5 87 87.2 2,050 179,139 PHIL SEVEN CORP 1.14 1.17 1.15 1.17 1.13 1.14 1,997,000 2,294,700 (524,320) SSI GROUP 26.05 26.1 26.1 26.35 26 26.05 743,400 19,390,495 (1,916,055) WILCON DEPOT 0.31 0.335 0.335 0.335 0.335 0.335 20,000 6,700 APC GROUP 5.17 5.25 5.27 5.27 5.17 5.17 2,600 13,542 EASYCALL GOLDEN MV 461.6 477.6 465.6 477.6 465.6 477.6 1,800 858,480 (191,040) IPM HLDG 6.9 7.1 6.85 6.85 6.85 6.85 1,000 6,850 1.12 1.13 1.15 1.15 1.12 1.13 12,105,000 13,680,290 ( 988,059.9998) PRMIERE HORIZON SBS PHIL CORP 4.3 4.35 4.3 4.35 4.3 4.35 27,000 116,420

MINING & OIL ATOK 6.92 6.93 6.55 6.94 6.55 6.92 334,200 2,288,624 (32,036) 1.5 1.51 1.52 1.52 1.49 1.5 1,942,000 2,920,170 44,080 APEX MINING 6.48 6.49 6.45 6.48 6.4 6.48 1,354,200 8,736,084 498,010 ATLAS MINING 4.95 5.14 5.11 5.14 5.11 5.14 5,200 26,607 BENGUET A 0.29 0.3 0.29 0.3 0.29 0.29 270,000 78,700 COAL ASIA HLDG CENTURY PEAK 2.48 2.5 2.55 2.55 2.45 2.48 1,067,000 2,663,930 1,272,880 DIZON MINES 6.02 6.29 6.05 6.05 6.02 6.02 2,600 15,712 5,445 FERRONICKEL 2.16 2.17 2.14 2.18 2.13 2.16 3,872,000 8,360,860 250,270 GEOGRACE 0.27 0.28 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 180,000 48,600 0.141 0.142 0.14 0.143 0.139 0.142 4,170,000 586,510 LEPANTO A 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 34,500,000 345,000 MANILA MINING A 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 501,700,000 5,017,200 MANILA MINING B 0.95 0.97 0.96 0.97 0.95 0.95 266,000 253,390 MARCVENTURES 1.21 1.23 1.2 1.25 1.2 1.21 88,000 107,010 20,400 NIHAO 5.87 5.88 6 6 5.85 5.87 4,783,600 28,276,902 (336,222) NICKEL ASIA ORNTL PENINSULA 0.9 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.9 0.92 708,000 637,310 5.89 5.9 5.9 6 5.88 5.9 1,606,600 9,564,012 101,745 PX MINING SEMIRARA MINING 17.96 18 18.2 18.4 17.82 18 2,044,100 36,906,876 6,581,460 UNITED PARAGON 0.0077 0.0078 0 0.0075 0.0077 0.0075 0.0077 26,000,000 198,300 15.72 15.8 16 16 15.8 15.8 43,100 689,326 ACE ENEXOR 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 6,900,000 75,900 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 4,100,000 45,100 ORNTL PETROL B 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 235,000,000 2,350,100 PHILODRILL 7.05 7.1 7.1 7.15 6.9 7.05 788,100 5,547,016 (127,166) PXP ENERGY

PREFFERED

CEB PREF 43.2 43.25 43.2 43.25 43.15 43.2 26,100 1,128,395 (981,665) 102.5 102.9 102.9 102.9 102.9 102.9 3,090 317,961 CPG PREF A 100.8 101 100.9 101 100.9 101 250 25,245 5,045 DD PREF 102.5 105.2 105.2 105.2 105.2 105.2 1,150 120,980 FGEN PREF G 1,000 1,018 1000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000,000 GTCAP PREF A MWIDE PREF 2A 100.1 105.2 100.1 100.1 100.1 100.1 10 1,001 106.1 106.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 106.5 2,480 264,120 PNX PREF 3B 1,007 1,010 1006 1,009 1,006 1,007 11,120 11,194,910 PNX PREF 4 1,006 1,020 1020 1,020 1,020 1,020 80 81,600 PCOR PREF 2B 1,160 1,168 1168 1,168 1,160 1,160 320 371,280 PCOR PREF 3B 79.3 79.4 79.1 79.3 79.1 79.3 10,530 834,969 SMC PREF 2F 76.9 76.95 76.5 76.95 76.5 76.95 86,610 6,657,434.5 SMC PREF 2H 78.35 79 78.5 78.5 78.35 78.35 25,480 1,997,505 (1,997,505) SMC PREF 2I 76.05 76.7 76.3 76.7 76.3 76.7 1,310 100,437 SMC PREF 2J 76 76.75 76.05 76.05 76 76 41,700 3,169,250 SMC PREF 2K PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

ABS HLDG PDR 10.36 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 10.4 45,600 474,240 12.32 12.46 12 12.32 12 12.32 84,800 1,033,910 GMA HLDG PDR

(474,240) 4,888

LR WARRANT 0.57 0.58 0.57 0.63 0.57 0.58 2,553,000 1.43 1.45 1.53 1.58 1.4 1.45 9,885,000 TECH WARRANT

1,500,910 14,605,710

120.0001 (112,230)

ALTUS PROP ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART

603,426 394,060 91,800 27,534,610

20,900 (351,340)

WARRANTS

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 19.52 2.02 4.16 4.07

19.84 2.03 4.17 4.08

19.22 2.04 4.18 3.92

19.84 2.05 4.18 4.09

19.08 2.02 4.16 3.92

19.84 2.03 4.16 4.08

31,200 193,000 22,000 6,818,000

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

104.8

104.9

104.7

104.9

104.6

104.8

11,480

1,202,876

(92,227)

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Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Good governance at the LGU level

T

HE vital importance of and the need for good governance and the institutional arrangements of checks-and-balances have been highlighted by the well-publicized Commission on Audit (COA) findings of deficiencies and irregularities in the use of public funds by some government agencies.

In this brief discussion, we hope to alert our readers about two things: 1) The full devolution of basic functions and services to local government units (LGUs), accompanied by their greater access to and power of public spending (from their greater share of national taxes) deserves our attention – to strengthen the observance of good governance practices at the LGU level. Access to public funds always present temptations to abuse and should be prevented by check-and-balance arrangements and other good governance mechanisms.

2) The Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160) already provides the legal framework for the enforcement of good governance in LGUs’ operations, and its provisions should be more effectively enforced, because they have not been so faithfully observed.

Let us remind ourselves about what good governance is all about. It is the process by which decisions are made and implemented. The United Nations has outlined the characteristics of good governance: participatory; consensusoriented; responsive; transparent; accountable; equitable and inclusive; effective and efficient; and, marked by the rule of law.

I submit that the opportunities for abuses in the use of public funds are as present at the local as well as national levels. After all, 40 percent of national taxes, the computational basis for which has been expanded by the Mandanas ruling of the Supreme Court, is a huge

Finex free enterprise Santiago F. Dumlao Jr. chunk of government revenues. Let us, therefore, be concerned that the institutional arrangements of checks-andbalances and other good governance practices are reinforced, protected, upheld and maintained.

Let us note how the full devolution of functions to LGUs calls for our joint efforts to work with LGUs for their capacity-building and fidelity to good governance principles.

Says the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Executive Order directing devolution: The functions, services and facilities identified shall be fully devolved from the National Government (NG) to the LGUs not later than the end of Fiscal Year 2024. To clarify, “local governments shall be primarily and ultimately responsible and accountable for the provision of all basic services and facilities fully devolved to them in accordance with the minimum standards for service delivery prescribed by the NG.” (Underscoring supplied) “… the basic service and facilities fully devolved shall be funded from the just share of the LGUs in the proceeds of national taxes and other local revenues.

Local executives shall ensure that any fund or resource available for the use of their respective LGUs shall be first allocated for the provision of basic services or facilities devolved, before applying the same for other purposes, consistent with relevant laws and budgeting and

auditing rules and regulations.” (From Section 5, Rule III, IRR of Executive Order 138, S. 2021) From these excerpts of the IRR, we need to recognize that this devolution and allocation of share in national taxes, has significantly shifted ample spending and political power to LGUs which in turn requires vigilance in upholding good governance.

As to the legal framework to enforce good governance in practical terms at the LGU level, we already have this in the Local Government Code. Specifically, local development councils are mandated to be created—at provincial, city, municipal and barangay level—which have the pivotal function “to assist the corresponding sanggunian in setting the direction of economic and social development, and coordinating effort within its territorial jurisdiction.” (Section 106, Local Government Code). This apparently general provision has an operative specific provision when in Section 107, it is required that “non-governmental organizations operating (in the LGU territory) shall constitute not less than one-fourth (1/4) of the members of the fully organized council (the LDC).” This is participatory and promotes transparency, accountability and responsiveness. When you have non-government representatives in fully functioning LDCs, consensusoriented decisions are better generated, and the checks-and-balance arrangements are more effectively maintained.

Good governance should not be just a good concept idealized, but a system actualized.

Santiago F. Dumlao Jr. past president of the Finex, is the current Secretary-General of the Association of Credit Rating Agencies in Asia. His views here are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Finex and the BusinessMirror.

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Wednesday, September 8, 2021

B3

Tax incentives, digitalization push seen enticing investors

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

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@BNicolasBM

ORE liberal taxation and digitalization of the financial sector are expected to help the economy recover and entice investors to bet on the Philippines as pitched by economic managers to Japanese bankers.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Benjamin E. Diokno invited over 300 Japanese investors to take advantage of opportunities in the financial sector.

“The Philippines aims not only to regain what was lost from the [health] crisis. We want a ‘post-Covid economy’ that is stronger, more technologically-advanced, more sustainable and more inclusive than ever before,” Diokno said during the Philippine Economic Briefing for Japan held online. Two years ago, the PEB was held in Osaka, Japan.

Diokno added the BSP is pursuing a post-Covid economy through promoting financial digitalization and sustainable finance.

He added the BSP remains committed to maintain price stability and a stable financial system that helps

provide an environment conducive for businesses to prosper.

For his part, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III expressed confidence the country’s economic recovery will be boosted by the implementation of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (Create) law. The law slashed corporate income tax rates and rationalized the country’s fiscal incentives regime.

Dominguez also emphasized that the law provides flexibility in granting fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.

“There is much economic energy waiting to be unleashed in the coming period. Our recovery will get a boost with the implementation of the Create law. This is the largest economic stimulus program for businesses in our recent history,” the chief of the Department of

Finance (DOF) said.

“Through Create, we see an opportunity to draw in high-value investments by incentivizing industries that will introduce new technologies and innovations, and create more jobs,” Dominguez added.

Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said Japan has been the Philippines’s “strong and important trading partner,” especially in areas of electronics and medical devices.

Lopez noted that Japan was the country’s second major trading partner, top export market and secondbiggest import source in 2020.

“This continued for January to June 2021, as Japan was our second major trading partner with $10.34 billion of trade, an increase of 21 percent compared with the same period in 2020 with $8.56 billion,” the chief of the Department of Trade and Industry said.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua also expressed gratitude to Japan for being the country’s largest bilateral development partner and for its support to the administration’s infrastructure projects.

“Together with the continuous rollout of our vaccination program, infrastructure will be key in driving economic recovery, restoring confidence and bringing back jobs,” Chua said.

B4 Wednesday, September 8, 2021

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Developers should anticipate a recovery in 2022–Colliers

At Tagaytay Highlands’ latest vertical development located at the Midlands, it’s fun to do sensory activities within the flexible yet safe living spaces of its Asian-contemporary low-rise Garden Villas and Suites.

Play safely in the rain at The Grove at Plantation Hills where a quick downpour transforms the nature around one’s future Garden Lot home into vibrant greens .

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By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

T seems happy days are here again as developers should adopt a bullish outlook and start lining up projects in anticipation of a recovery in 2022, according to property management and investment company Colliers.

In Q2 2021, Colliers said the projects belonging in the midincome to upscale price segments accounted for 95 percent of total take-up which makes the firm bullish that developers will continue launching more projects from these price segments.

Moreover, Colliers sees green shoots of recovery led by an improvement in Covid vaccination; the government prognosis of an economic rebound in 2021;

continued construction of key infrastructure projects within and outside Metro Manila, as well as some completed infrastructure projects; sustained remittances from Filipinos working abroad; and its projected pick up in office leasing in 2022. “Developers should be proactive in lining up marketing efforts to capture pent up demand beyond 2021,” Colliers said.

Aside from maximizing the

power of social media and other online platforms especially during the Covid-19, Colliers is also urging developers to enhance the amenities in upcoming projects as condominiums because it still remains an attractive investment option for homebuyers.

“We believe that condominiums remain an attractive investment option for homebuyers. Colliers expects the completion of about 10,000 units in 2021. In order to increase competitiveness in the market and make properties more attractive to buyers, some developers have been incorporating features such as built-in fiber-optic internet connection, videoconferencing and coworking areas, designated smart storage facilities for contactless parcel deliveries, and open recreational spaces which are suitable for gardening and wellness activities.

In our view, developers should continue upgrading amenities to

satisfy the discerning preference of buyers,” Colliers explained.

Tagaytay Highlands is one of the proactive developers that believes in introducing new features and amenities to a project will make it more attractive to the investors.

Horizon Terraces, Tagaytay High l a nds’ ver t ica l develop ment project, offers several features to guaranty their investors will get their money’s worth. It provides physically invigorating activities to residents courtesy of its flexible living spaces. There are also spacious units at the low-rise Garden Villas and Suites that allows residents to engage in creative recreation, fun board games, wholesome storytelling, pleasant tea parties, and even good, old-fashioned hide-and-seek.

The 1-hectare Central Garden is a stimulus to residents to take a leisurely walk after a refreshing downpour. Designed with over 70

percent of the land area dedicated to open space, the Central Garden provides spaces for convergence amid tranquil hues and a myriad of leisurely pursuits.

Meanwhile, Garden Lot homes at T he Gro ve at Pl a nt at ion Hills provide a verdant environment where the foliage pops out with more vibrant greens and prettier hues. T he sur roundings encourage residents to take a brisk wet weather walk as an invigorating exercise and develop physical agility and motor skills while trekking on wet trails and pathways.

Furthermore, Tagaytay Highlands has the Grove at Plantation Hills for eco-farming enthusiasts who can perform their planting chores right at one’s backyard. “The Grove features modern living topped with the aesthetics of leisure farming ideal for families who desire a sustainable lifestyle,” the company said.

Peza chief clarifies IT-BPM tax updates

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OV ER NMENT effor ts to sustain the Philippines as a leading destination for ITBusiness Process Management (ITBPM) firms will be disclosed at a virtual briefing organized by the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) in partnership with Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) on September 9 at 3:00 p.m.

by Charito Plaza, director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).

As head of the lead agency tasked to attract investors to the country, Plaza will clarify implementing rules and regulations of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprise (CREATE) law.

LPC noted the importance of the briefing now that BPOs and other firms are once again expanding their presence in the country after registering flat growth in 2020. IT-BPMs are driving the office sector with 44 percent of demand in 1H 2021. Economic stability in the West and the sustained rollout of the vaccines in the Philippines have prompted their return.

They will be on expansion mode up to year-end, according to LPC studies.

Provisions that keenly interest BPO and other firms such as the VAT Zero rating, Work-From-Home policy and other updates will be discussed at the annual briefing organized by IBPAP and LPC for members and other stakeholders. Tax experts have also been invited to participate in the forum to provide more insights to IBPAP’s over 300 member-companies.

IBPAP plays a pivotal role in making the country an attractive investment destination for IT-BPM services. It coordinates with other stakeholders to ensure a steady and high-quality labor supply and country visibility. It also assists investors by providing briefings, relevant research and introductions to key government and industry officials.

The September 9 virtual briefing is a joint undertaking of IBPAP and Leechiu Property Consultants. LPC has carefully monitored the expansion of IT-BPM firms in the Philippines and provided them valuable advice on new office supply and projected office demand.

For more details, please contact membership@ibpap.org.

Vermosa estate expands retail offering to on-the-go communities

community

A PSWRI employees with Baksan Sapangdaku Farmers and NSFI during their tree planting and reforestation activity in Central Cebu

Nature’s Spring Water highlights affordability, availability and community service on its 30th year

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HILIPPINE Spring Water and Resources Inc. (PSWRI), makers of bottled water brand Nature’s Spring Water, reiterated its commitment to serve the community as it marked 30 years of providing safe drinking water to local and international markets last July.

The brand, which was established in Cebu in 1991 to respond to the lack of safe drinking water after Supertyphoon Ruping devastated the province, continues to make community service a hallmark of its business.

The 100 percent Filipino-owned company which prides itself in the quality, safety and affordability of its water products ensured its availability anywhere in the country, earning for itself the tag of Tubig Para Sa Pinoy.

T he compa ny i s now I SO 2015:9001 certified, with their products and processes regularly checked and monitored by an accredited third-party laboratory as well as the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). It is the only halal-certified bottled drinking water product in Mindanao with a certificate of accreditation from the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA).

Through the Nature’s Spring Foundation, it is redoubling efforts on its 30th anniversary to pursue its community programs on education, health, and the environment.

An Adopt A School program in Mandaue provides chosen schools with teacher training, teaching aids and facilities while also ensuring the upkeep of their classrooms, laboratories and libraries. Scholarships

and training opportunities are extended to out of school youth and employees’ children.

Environment-wise, the Adopt A Watershed Program in Kotkot, Mananga and Lusaran watersheds in Cebu focuses on reforestation and urban greening. Its ongoing waste reduction livelihood project with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) called “Empty Bottles For School Supplies Swap” is linked to its Adopt A School Program.

Nature’s Spring Water has been singled out for its effort to lessen its impact on the environment. All its water bottles now use a shorter cap that makes use of 35 percent less plastic, making them one of the lightest bottle caps in the country.

YALA Land Inc. (ALI), one of the largest property developers in the Philippines, is all geared up to expand and cater to the growing needs of the communities surrounding its Vermosa estate development.

Prime commercial land fronting the Daang Hari road is currently being developed to welcome more fast casual restaurants, quick service restaurants, and coffee shops in its 6,000-sq-m land lease block.

Among the upcoming locators include well-loved brands—Jollibee, the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken—all of which will bring in their drive-thru service, along with outdoor seating for customers opting for convenient and safe dining options.

With such a vibrant community surrounding Vermosa, existing store locators along Daang Hari Road have thrived despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, as they introduced new normal dining concepts that allowed them to pivot their operations.

Among those who saw an improvement is Starbucks Philippines, one of the very first store locators in the estate. When the pandemic struck, their business was supported by a diverse set of customers from the nearby areas—from families to sports enthusiasts.

Another locator who has greatly maximized its presence in Vermosa is Petron, who has also captured the motorists and residents plying the busy access road regularly.

Similar to Starbucks, one can also conveniently stop by McDonald’s which also offers a bike-and-dine option to its patrons, aside from its staple drive-thru, fitting well with the bikers that frequent the area.

Being in a strategic and accessible location truly bodes well for business as more Filipinos embrace an active and mobile lifestyle while carefully venturing out of their homes once again.

Upon f u l l development, the master-planned Vermosa Estate is expected to bring together residential, retail, and business spots in one destination, with the addition of sports and fitness attractions to cater to on-the-go lifestyles.

Generous open spaces await residences, locators, and guests as 24 percent of the entire development will be devoted to parks and gardens. A 14-kilometer stretch called the Vermosa Greenway will encourage people to walk, jog, or explore

their neighborhood on foot while dedicated bike lanes make it easier to take bikes to work.

In addition to these, the 8-hectare Vermosa Sports Hub—which opened its doors to the public in 2018—is a complete, one-stop training and lifestyle destination for triathletes and sports enthusiasts. Here, the public can have access to professionally managed sports facilities that adhere to international standards.

With the vibrant community surrounding the estate, along with its highly accessible location through various road networks—people from all walks of life can look forward to more state-of-the-art amenities and locators as world-class development plans are still under way for the Vermosa estate.

As the country gets back on its feet, there’s more in store for everyone in a dynamic community like Vermosa—where people and businesses thrive now and in the years to come.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 B5

Work-life balance at the center

with Sentrove

Sentrove at Cloverleaf | Quezon City

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By Rory Visco

ork-life balance continues to be at the center of everything we do, be it how we live, learn or work in the “next normal.”

Sentrove at Cloverleaf | Quezon City Three-Bedroom Unit

Sentrove at Cloverleaf | Quezon City Studio Unit

As one of Alveo Land’s signature residential addresses in Cloverleaf, Balintawak, Quezon City, Sentrove is going to be at the front and center of everything we do by providing a sense of work-life balance.

Right in the middle of the action, Sentrove at Cloverleaf is located in an area deemed to be the next most important lifestyle destination. It is the embodiment of a convenient and dynamic lifestyle in the northern part of Manila.

With Sentrove, working and living in Quezon City offers a new perspective, thriving with every level of vibrancy—and so much more.

Emerging hub

Quezon City today is an emerging Asian hub thriving with over three million people. A vast city of 16,000 hectares, it is home to at least 60,000 businesses and more than 700,000 households.

Positioned as one of the metro’s centers of lifestyle and enterprise, its highly strategic location brings together the best of the metropo-

lis and North Luzon at the heart of access.

B a l i nt aw a k , i n pa r t ic u l a r, serves as the gateway to the north for those going to nearby provinces such as Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan, to name a few. It is also considered the entry point for those coming to the metropolis.

Cloverleaf is in an area that straddles two major thoroughfares in Metro Manila—Epifanio delos Santos Avenue or simply EDSA and A. Bonifacio Avenue. It connects two of the most important cities in the metropolis, with streets whose names alone both teem with a rich legacy, heritage and history.

More importantly, the area is slowly blossoming to become the next decisive choice for working and living in the city. Cloverleaf is an integral part of Ayala Land’s urban transformation in Balintawak; a master-planned community with a very strategic location for work and lifestyle convergence.

Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, in fact, is a thriving, four-story mall featuring a supermarket, a department store, and a cinema complex

Sentrove at Cloverleaf | Quezon City Main Lobby

Sentrove at Cloverleaf | Quezon City Swimming Pool

known for its quality surround sound system. A high 90 percent of its 40,000-sqm gross leasable area currently houses a diverse mix of local and foreign enterprises.

There is also the Cloverleaf Offices, a prime corporate address that boasts of professional management services and premium sustainable amenities, providing the demands of today’s top companies.

Interconnected lifestyles

Everything, from work to lifestyle amenities, commerce, and even transportation, are interconnected and within reach. Living in Sentrove will bring an exciting opportunity to embrace an exclusive and vibrant lifestyle not usually found in other developments.

With its choice location, heading to other cities like Malabon, Caloocan and Valenzuela become more convenient. Even going to the south

in Makati is not a problem with the recently opened Skyway Stage 3, which can roughly take no more than 30 minutes. Whatever and wherever the direction, enjoy the convenience of reaching Makati hassle-free when you live in Sentrove.

Being within this 11-hectare Ayala Land development also offers access to many existing developments and lifestyle locations.

Cloverleaf is strategically near key infrastructures such as the MRT3 to MRT-1, including the future MRT-7 going to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, or going further north via the North Luzon Expressway.

This is definitely an added advantage for future residents and investors alike.

Cloverleaf introduces a dynamic lifestyle destination opportunity, uniting retail, business, and residential developments in a refreshing locale—bringing you the best in urban living.

Your new QC address

Immerse into the comforts of city living with Sentrove. It is a remarkable two-tower residential condominium development constructed over a six-level retail and parking podium, which is integrated at the center of the Cloverleaf estate. Marvel at the beautifully constructed 521 units, composed of studio, one-, twoand three-bedroom units located within 37 elegantly designed residential levels.

Sentrove integrates a dynamic range of activities with indoor and outdoor amenities designed to uplift everyday living. Retail selections at the ground level connect to Ayala Malls Cloverleaf and its extension through a pedestrian promenade—with fresh shopping concepts right outside your home.

Also located at the 8th floor is an amenity haven with a co-working space/flexible study, a boardroom,

a spacious function room, a fun play area, a multi-purpose lawn and a view deck for some fun and relaxation.

There is also a lap/lounge pool where you can easily take a dip and cool off, a kiddie pool for the precocious little ones, a gym for the health buffs, and a meditation garden when you simply want to recharge your energies and stabilize your mind.

Sentrove also has impressive building and sustainability features, including a well-designed ground f loor lobby, and maximized natural lighting in common areas. Backed by an established property management team, it is set to be one of the most valued investments in the area.

With its choice QC location and numerous modern living conveniences, living in Sentrove will be one of your most life-changing decisions yet.

B6 Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Cisco Philippines earns 2021 Great Place To Work Certification

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HIS year, 96% of the Great Place to Work® certified Cisco Systems Philippines's employees said that it is a great place to work in. This makes Cisco Philippines scored 43% higher than typical global companies.

Cisco is a global technology solutions enterprise with an office in the Philippines. According to Karrie Ilagan, Cisco Philippines Managing Director, “Amid lockdowns and hybrid work arrangements, a key priority for us is to ensure that we continue to support our people so they can continue to do great work. That means providing them with the right tools to collaborate, communicate, and connect whatever their work arrangements may be while ensuring that critical and personal data remain safe and secure, which are at the core of our solutions at Cisco.”

Cisco, a world leader in IT and networking, has launched several programs in fulfilling its mission of powering an inclusive future. Most recently, the company launched UGNAYAN 2030, its Country Digital Acceleration program in the Philippines meant to initiate key digital initiatives aimed at growing the country’s GDP, creating jobs, and promoting innovation across the private and public sectors.

Within the company, Cisco creates programs that promote a healthy and innovative work environment as well.

Despite the pandemic, Cisco Philippines continues to roll out internal events that encourage employee well-being and connectedness. “At Cisco, we emphasize on Conscious Culture, which is what sets us uniquely apart from everyone else.

We celebrate our differences as much

as we do our similarities because we embrace diversity in skills, talents, and personalities. This allows us to innovate and create solutions faster, better, and often,” Ilagan emphasized.

Among various initiatives, the company has organized a live auction to mount a community pantry for their local Workplace Resources Team, virtual family fun event entitled ‘Camp Cisco’, and a mobile legends tournament for charity.

With a goal of powering an inclusive future for all, Cisco Philippines has fostered a great working environment, which also promotes inclusion and collaboration.

“Our people are our greatest asset, and it has been incredibly heartening to see our amazing team come together to overcome the challenges this past year, celebrate our successes, and emerge stronger from this shared experience,” Ilagan concluded.

Digital Pilipinas Forum: Boosting user growth, expanding partnerships are keys to financial inclusion for Filipinos

WINSLEY Bangit, GCash chief customer officer

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OOSTING user growth and expanding businesses are the key strategies to achieving financial inclusion for Filipinos.

This was one of the significant points highlighted by GCash, the country’s no. 1 e-wallet, during the Digital Pilipinas 2021 launch, a forum that is part of the annual World Fintech Festival which brings together Southeast Asia's technology champions.

According to Winsley Bangit, GCash chief customer officer who was one of the speakers during the forum, while GCash has more than 44 million registered users to date, there is still a large opportunity to serve the general public and the underbanked. As such,

GCash strives to continuously democratize financial services and innovate on gamechanging products for credit, savings, investments, and insurance ensuring that these are accessible, affordable and easy to understand for everyone.

“We do acknowledge that the Philippine market is unique. So at GCash, we are procustomer with a ruthless focus on the Filipino consumer as we are grounded on improving the everyday lives of Filipinos,” said Bangit. “For this reason, we work with global best practices, world class platforms and partners to serve our customer better.”

On the app, users can make use of GSave, an online savings bank; GInvest, an

easy investment feature; GInsure for insurance for medical emergencies such as dengue, COVID-19, and accidents; GCredit, a personal credit line with up to P30,000 credit line and up to 3% prorated interest rate. As a superlife app, GCash also has GLife, the e-commerce feature on the GCash app that allows users to shop exclusive deals from 35 brands across retail, food, gaming, entertainment, and transport.

GCash has formed key partnerships with financial services institutions and with more than 600 billers nationwide to offer relevant and affordable products to customers. CIMB, Atram, and Singlife, for example, have helped GCash launch more affordable financial solutions.

GCash has also partnered with Ant Group Financial, which allowed the app to have access to global and best-in-class platforms and capabilities, enabling GCash to scale up rapidly, while ensuring user security.

Meanwhile, Globe Telecom, known for their nationwide reach in mobile and network, has helped GCash quickly expand its reach and provide exclusive promos to Globe subscribers while Ayala Corporation has opened opportunities for GCash to partner with companies across varying industries.

GCash remains focused on its efforts on nation-building and financial inclusion for all Filipinos and will continue to drive innovation by bringing to life its purpose of making Filipino lives better every day, focusing on its customers, and ensuring the development of its employees to deliver only the best for its users.

Bangit concluded, “Fintech in the Philippines is a very enticing space to be in right now especially with the increased demand for digital financial services.

We’re at the forefront of innovation.”

For more information, visit www. gcash.com.

CSC bares top nominees to search for best state workers; requests public feedback

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HE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has announced the list of semifinalists to the 2021 Search for Outstanding Government Workers and shall accept feedback, both positive and negative, on the contenders until 15 September 2021.

Semi-finalists in the Presidential Lingkod Bayan individual category are: University Researcher II/Scientist I Nelly Siababa Aggangan, National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Laguna; Medical Center Chief II Dr. Gerardo Magabilin Aquino Jr., Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City; Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Sombillo Binay, Makati City; Deputy Executive Director IV Flordeliza Hidalgo Bordey, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Director III Rey Mancera Cueva, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Agusan Del Norte Provincial Office; City Agriculturist Harold Sancho Dawa, Tagum City, Davao Del Norte; PGen Guillermo Lorenzo Tolentino Eleazar, Philippine National Police, Camp Crame, Quezon City; Agricultural Center Chief II/ Scientist I Dr. Angel Balisi Encarnacion, Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, Department of Agriculture, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Director IV Gerardo Dizon Legaspi, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila; and Executive Director IV Dr. Rose Marie Rosete Liquete, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Quezon City.

The Presidential Lingkod Bayan semifinalists under the Group Category are: Hope Behind Bars Project of the Bataan Peninsula State University; Outpatient Drug Treatment And Rehabilitation Center of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center; and Team 2, Audit Group A-Charity Fund and Prize Fund Cluster 6, Corporate Government Sector of the Commission on Audit-PCSO Mandaluyong City.

Meanwhile, the semi-finalists for the Dangal ng Bayan Award are: Administrative Aide I John Laumoc Alcazarin of Municipal Government of Numancia, Aklan; Administrative Aide VI Anthony Durante Atas, Commission on Audit- Regional Office 1, La Union; Medical Technologist I Lucia Jacinta Santiago Benter, Municipal Government of La Trinidad, Benguet; Instructor I Don Sean Arvie Valenzuela Buencamino of the Aurora State College of Technology; Master Teacher I Ma. Theresa Hermoso Criste, Department of Education-Schools Division of Cavite; Medical Specialist III Dr. Jose Jonas Diño

Del Rosario, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines, Manila; Teacher II Sherwyne Tubal Manlangit, Cagraray Elementary School, Department of Education, Catanduanes; Administrative Aide III Aquilino Ronquillo Mapili Jr., Municipal Government of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; Education Program Specialist II Markson Bosquillos Mejia, Department of Education-Schools Division of Sorsogon City; and Head Teacher III Analyn Climaco Perez, Dina-ut Elementary School, Department of Education, Aklan.

Finally, the CSC Pagasa Award. The semifinalists under the individual category are: Professor VI Ambrose Hans Guiyab Aggabao, Isabela State University; Head Teacher III Zaldy Ordiales Bueno, Gumaca National High School Department of Education, Quezon Province; Supervising Science Research Specialist Ester Battad Flores, Philippine Carabao Center, Department of Agriculture, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Carmel Bonifacio Garcia, Provincial Government of Catanduanes; and Master Teacher I Hadjuria Cornelio Gonzales, Tagabakid Elementary School, Department of Education, Davao Oriental.

For the Group Category: COVID-19 Crisis Management Team, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Diliman, Quezon City; Jobscouts: Pathfinders of Employment Opportunities, City Government of Tagum, Davao Del Norte; and Technology Commercialization Team, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology, Los Baños, Laguna.

Feedback may be sent to the CSC’s Honor Awards Program Secretariat, through email addresses: hapsecretariat@csc.gov.ph, paio@ csc.gov.ph, paio.paspd@csc.gov.ph; or thru SMS at 09088816565.

Happy Life Organics welcomes resellers around the country

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APPY Life Rubbing Alcohol started in March 15, 2020, when the country was put into a lockdown.

At that time nobody knew what to do. In the news, you would see people in long lines to buy rubbing alcohol -- to get their share of protection by using the alcohol if hand washing is not possible. But more often than not, people go home empty handed at because of scarcity of product and supply.

During that time of crisis people all over the country were trying to help each other out -- as was the case of Happy Life Organics (HLO). HLO made sure that its rubbing alcohol is made with the strictest quality standards at a very affordable price and accessible to every Filipino. Quality is everything for HLO in producing rubbing alcohol that can eliminate germs and viruses upon contact. Plus a sure protection that can last up to three hours. Moreover, HLO alcohol also contains aloe vera to moisturize the hands every time you use it and a very welcoming fresh scent while applying it.

COVID-19 continuously posts threat in our society with new variants emerging and recording all-time high in the number of cases. Now, more than ever, we need to

protect ourselves and our families by using quality rubbing alcohol if hand washing is not possible together with social distancing, boosting our immunity, being vaccinated and by wearing a mask and faceshield.

Today, the most sought-after rubbing alcohol is now available in top restaurants, clinics, hospitals and the whole country.

Thanks to its reseller program system adhering to the late Winston Churchill's quote, “Never Let a good crisis go to waste.”

This is the case of the Happy Life Rubbing Alcohol resellers around the country. Today, they earn while at the same time they secure their protection by using the quality, addordable rubbing alcohol. Many of them are proud to have established a new business while keeping their families safe.

Avail of the reseller package and be one of the few people that was able to secure their territory and enjoy the benefits of peace of mind and having a sound business of your own. Reserve business exploration with HLO by calling Mobile # 0906 2525475. For more information, visit happylifeph.com, FB and IG page: @happylifeorganics.

HLO products are also available bia Lazada, Shopee and Zalora.

Image BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Artificial intelligence?

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N an age where everything is digital, is it possible that everything we learn online is just artificial? With the lack of hands-on training and organizations moving toward digitalization, are we adequately training our future work force with the necessary skills and behavior to perform efficiently and productively? The increase in online courses proves that there is an urgent need to train employees. But how about new graduates who may be partially or wholly trained online?

To some, this movement is an advantage because this means the work force is already adept in using technology similar to the ones used in their future workplace, like teleconferencing. However, it begs the question of whether the students have really learned what they needed to learn to function well in the workplace, or if they have developed the needed competencies required of the work. If you were the recruiter or hiring manager, would you hire someone who graduated with an online degree?

There are several issues you need to think through in order to ascertain if the applicant is right for the job.

Educational attainment is just one of the indicators of a person’s suitability for a position. As a recruiter or hiring manager, your role is to ascertain if what they wrote on paper is backed up with experience.

And since these are new graduates, it is all the more necessary to craft assessments, whether through scenarios or psychological tests, to determine how they think, what they believe in, and if they are the right fit for the team and the role. In assessing their online credentials, below are some considerations.

With the pandemic and its risks, schools had to discontinue face-to-face instructions. Most traditional schools developed their own online courses to meet student’s learning needs. Whether or not the online course is better than the traditional one depends largely on the course content and the manner of delivery. When I took a distance learning course in the University of the Philippines some years ago, there were reading materials we had to go through, and we

had to answer questions based on those materials.

And it was required coursework to comment on what other people wrote, and required paperworks had a deadline. Other online courses might not be as thorough. Some just require their students to go through a series of videos and answer simple questions at the end. You need to ask applicants how their online training was conducted.

In the Commission on Higher Education Memorandum 4, series of 2020, guidelines were laid out in the implementation of flexible learning.

Higher Education Institutions were encouraged to pursue alternative learning modalities aside from the classroom-based approach given the pandemic.

However, CHED left it to the HEIs to develop their own framework for conducting flexible learning.

A traditional school’s proven track record can help in ascertaining the quality of their online courses.

You still need to look at how the online course was designed and delivered.

In the same CHED memorandum, evaluations for offline, blended, and online learning modalities include performance-based assessments, portfolios, research papers, automated exams with a question pool bank, video recorded students reports, and laboratory reports.

The only difference in online courses is the automated question pool bank. The assessment questions need to be programmed to ensure topic distribution covers the course objectives and targets the intended goal for the course. As to the others, you can try to request for samples of the student’s work to get a glimpse of how they work. How the course assesses the student’s performance will also help you determine what they have learned.

If it is possible, discover the safeguards against cheating. One of the issues in online courses is the integrity of the online assessments. A limited pool of questions with unlimited tries gives students the ability to memorize the questions and answers and allow them to have high marks. Required paperwork also needs to be checked against plagiarism and if students actually wrote the paper they submitted.

Collaboration and teamwork might not always be present in online courses. I attended a project management online training last year where we had to complete a project template. We had a virtual trainer who discussed the material to us and after every topic, he would ask us to complete parts of the template. It helped me get to know other people in the organization but at the same time have the opportunity to work with others.

The majority of online courses are self-contained modules or learning paths such that you can go

through an entire online course without having to talk to anyone. Some courses track only completion of materials while some require tests before you can complete them. Ask for instances when applicants have worked with their classmates, and how they dealt with people they have not met personally. This will help you gauge how they interact in an online working environment.

When I interviewed new members for my team before, part of the application was a skill test.

Whether one was a new graduate or not, the skill test helped me determine their skill level and baselines for their professional development. Once, there were applicants for a graphics designer role, but I was

Sage advice on pandemic living from a longforgotten, and very long, 18th-century poem

By Melissa Schoenberger College of the Holy Cross A respiratory disease has spread far and wide. Conflicts at home and abroad pose dire challenges. The public is overwhelmed by questions of what to read and whom to trust as it confronts an ever more complicated world.

I am describing mid-18th century Britain. The first disease to be characterized in English as an “influenza” swept through Europe in 1743. Foreign war, as well as violent domestic struggles, had marked political life for much of the prior century and would continue for many years to come.

And increasing rates of literacy and publication meant that information— good, bad and ugly—was more available than ever before.

This was the world that in 1744

saw the publication of “The Art of Preserving Health”, a long poem by the Scottish poet-physician John Armstrong that takes up a range of topics people today would refer to collectively as “wellness.”

Over 2,000 lines long, the poem is divided into four books: Air, Diet, Exercise and The Passions. Armstrong lived and wrote in London, having moved there in the 1730s with a medical degree from the University of Edinburgh.

During the past year and a half, many readers have turned to age-old texts to imagine new paths forward. As a teacher and scholar of 18th-century poetry, I find it useful to think about John Armstrong in this way too. So, while the world waits for vaccination rates to rise and case counts to fall, perhaps a few of this doctor’s orders are worth noting.

Immediately popular, “The Art of

Preserving Health” remained in print for decades, with editions produced in London, Philadelphia, Boston and Naples, Italy. As late as 1822, a short biography of Armstrong insisted that “there is no probability that his poem will ever sink into oblivion.”

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. Tastes eventually turned away from texts that seemed to combine disciplines like literature and medicine. Even John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost” was criticized by some education reformers who found its incorporation of religious, historical and classical ideas to be outside the bounds of good poetry.

But if we let go of our modern expectations for what a poem should be or do—and perhaps keep a good dictionary close by—we will find that much of Armstrong’s advice holds up.

First, and perhaps most relevant in the age of Covid-19, Armstrong

prescribes fresh air or, in his words, a “kindly sky” in a “woodland scene where nature smiles,” away from dense crowds. This clean air, he writes, alleviates all kinds of diseases, especially respiratory infections.

Next, he’d like his readers to think about what they eat. Armstrong suggests a “watchful appetite” to help rebuild oneself from the wear and tear of everyday stresses, but he avoids naming specific foods. Instead, like a modern nutritionist, he advises a keen awareness of one’s own food sensitivities, as well as a general sense of moderation.

Today, medical experts can offer more options for treatment than Armstrong ever could have imagined.

But health-care workers past and present will likely always have in common the challenge of keeping the public informed, engaged and well.

THE CONVERSATION

Time-saving, stress-free living tips Spending more time at home doesn’t mean that life is now less hectic. In fact, many people experience having to juggle more tasks than before.

On top of this, even simple things like planning your family’s next meal can be quite tedious in today’s new normal set-up. The key is finding that perfect balance and maximizing the time for each activity to manage your daily routine well.

Here are some simple tips to take it easy and keep life stress-free: n Make a to-do list and prioritize tasks. Take stock of your daily activities and break them down into more manageable chunks. Note which items on your list are time-sensitive and need to be tackled first, then move down the line as your day progresses.

Nothing beats the feeling of accomplishment after crossing them off after a long day. Having an organized to-do list helps you manage your tasks

well so you can spend more quality time with your loved ones. n Maximize available technology. There are many innovative technologies that are designed to make life easier, from robot vacuums to online apps that help you save time. That said, planning your next meal shouldn’t be too time-consuming and stressful.

If you’re out for errands or heading home from work, simply use the Order & Pick Up feature on the Jollibee App so you can skip waiting in line and get your favorites whenever, wherever. n Set (and respect) boundaries. Working online from home may often be misinterpreted as being accessible 24/7. Make sure that you have a healthy dialogue with your boss and colleagues to determine ideal work scenarios for the team.

To address burnout, it’s best to set acceptable boundaries such as maximizing the usual office

breaks and logging off at a reasonable time. This will allow you to have time for family, do some relaxing activities, or to pursue your hobbies. n Take time to breathe. The start of the pandemic had everyone adjusting to a new routine. But now that people have settled down, they can focus on their overall well-being.

So, if you feel overwhelmed, take a much-needed break. Savor a snack, play a short online game, or maybe take a power nap if need be, so you can bounce back energized and more focused.

Of course, having delicious meals at the table never fails to cheer one up. Luckily, treating yourself and your family is now made easier with the Jollibee App’s new Order & Pick Up feature. Order ahead of time and pick up your mealtime favorites at the counter or drive-thru window, or even request curbside pick-up from the friendly crew.

particularly drawn to one work because it was so detailed. When I asked him to explain his work, he excitedly walked me through his creative process. It turns out, he learned his drawing style from videos of different artists, and he combined what he learned to create his own style.

I guess he was passionate and willing to spend time watching videos and learning different styles even beyond the classroom because he really wanted to learn. And I think that in evaluating applicants who have graduated with an online degree, it would be best to focus on how they learned what they know, how they worked with others, and how they are going to improve themselves. n

Messaging platform, voter registration coAlation partner for 2022 elections WITH less than a month to go before voter registration closes on September 30, Viber—one of the world’s leading free messaging apps which is available for Android, iOS and the desktop—and Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon—the largest nonpartisan, multisectoral voter registration coalition—have launched REGINA for RegiToVote. This chatbot aims to guide first-time voters on how to prepare to register to vote.

The REGINA chatbot offers the vital information needed to register, like a list of requirements for the application, a directory of poll registration venues, and answers to frequently asked questions. It also helps verify voter status and even lets users volunteer for Koalisyon.

After the voter registration ends, the bot will be updated to focus on voter education, sharing key information on the candidates and their platforms on a credible and trustworthy source, and help voters avoid election-related misinformation.

To support the chatbot’s launch, Viber and Eleksyon 2022 Koalisyon are releasing a special voter educationthemed sticker pack. The fun, colorful sticker pack will feature REGINA and REGIE as the two vibrant and young personalities that will highlight the importance of exercising the right to vote, and why making one’s voice heard can help shape the country’s future.

Last May, Viber kicked off its partnership with the Koalisyon by launching RegiToVote: PH for Voter Reg, a community with over 8,000 members who get regular updates on voter registration and other voter information concerning next year’s polls.

“We’re excited to have launched a Viber chatbot to help us reach out to the youth and other first-time voters, and encourage them to fulfill the crucial part of their duty as Filipino citizens. We are seeing more younger people expressing their interest to take part in the 2022 national elections. It is important for us to empower them to register to vote first and foremost,” said Paul John Pena, the coalition’s national communications head.

“We are thrilled to launch REGINA for RegiToVote to help Filipinos have their say in the next elections. With a bot that’s easily accessible in their chats, we hope to encourage more Filipinos to participate in the elections.

And registering to vote is the first step in choosing the country’s next set of leaders,” said David Tse, the APAC senior director at Rakuten Viber.

PHOTO BY AVEL CHUKLANOV ON UNSPLASH

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Sports BusinessMirror

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| Wednesday, September 8, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Para athletes lament lack of training during pandemic

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HE Philippine Paralympic team is hoping to calendar a longer preparation and training period as it looks forward of competing in two major events in 2022.

Swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino, wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, along with swimming coach Tony Ong shared the same sentiment in an attempt not to repeat the same misfortune the team experienced in the recent Tokyo Paralympics.

Due to strict quarantine and safety protocols owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Filipino Paralympians didn’t have the benefit of training for a longer period ahead of the quadrennial meet.

With lessons learned, the Filipino para athletes hope a change in their training environment could be arranged as they gear up for the Asian Para Games and the Asean Para Games next year.

“We didn’t have the luxury of a bubble training in 2020. If we had one, we could have done better,” Ong told the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

“But hopefully, we can have one so we’ll be better prepared for the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Para Games next year,” he added in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel, Braska Restaurant, and the Philippine

Amusement and Gaming Corp. “We need a longer training period.”

Mangliwan, who made the finals of all his events in Tokyo, agreed with the Ong during the same forum powered by Smart with Upstream Media as official webcast partner.

“It would have been better had we trained in a bubble or in a training camp so we maintained our competitive level,” said the 41-yearold wheelchair racer who advanced to the men’s finals of the 100m, 400m and 1500m T52 classification.

Despite the limited training time and the challenges they faced as some members of the team tested positive for Covid-19, the Filipinos still fought their hearts out and made the most of the opportunity in Tokyo.

Gawilan, 30, also made the finals of his two events in the men’s 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle S7 competitions. He also eclipsed his qualifying time in the 400 meter freestyle as he became the first Filipino para swimmer to reach the finals of the Paralympics.

“A daily training program is appropriate. But I would need to improve on my technique and mind setting,” said the 25-year-old Bejino, a first time Paralympian who had the most number of events in Tokyo— 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley, 50m butterfly and men’s 400m freestyle S6.

SENATE HONORS TOKYO OLYMPICS HEROES

Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz (center), bronze medalist Eumir Felix Marcial (third from left) and silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio (fourth and eighth from left) are honored on Tuesday with Medals of Excellence by the Philippine Senate. The Senate also commends Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino for his excellent leadership in the country’s Tokyo Olympics campaign. With the Olympic heroes are (from left) Senators Joel Villanueva, Panfilo Lacson, Senate President Tito Sotto, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Francis Tolentino and Ronald de la Rosa.

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UST when Terrafirma was in desperate search for a spark after a flat start in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup, Juami Tiongson readily stepped up and took matters into his own hands in leading the Dyip’s rejuvenated drive in the Bacolor bubble.

Tiongson put on a string of careerbest performances in the league return from a month-long hiatus and helped the Dyip turn their fortunes around with three straight victories, including gigantic upsets over former five-time titlist San Miguel Beer (SMB) and reigning champion Barangay Ginebra.

In the three Terrafirma wins, the 5-foot-10 guard averaged 23.0 points spiked by 15 triples behind a high 50 percent clip, along with 5.3 assists, 3.0. rebounds, and 2.0 steals, to earn himself the Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period September 1 to 5.

With prized rookie Joshua Munzon out for the conference due to a dislocated finger, the no-fear Tiongson took over and hit a career-

Teams for Asian club championships bared

WEEK BELONGS TO JUAMI

high 28 points and seven assists in the team’s 114-110 overtime escape act against SMB. Tiongson won’t cool down two days later as he reset his career-best at 31 points he spiked with nine triples, six assists and three steals as the Dyip caught another giant in the defending champion Kings, 95-90.

He was then limited to a 10-33- outing the next game, but still enough for Terrafirma to pull off a 96-84 comeback win over Blackwater for its third straight victory and improve to 3-4 (won-lost) overall for solo seventh place.

But Tiongson refused to take all the credit, deflecting everything to coach Johnedel Cardel and his teammates for giving him the greenlight to let it fly.

“Coach John and the coaching staff put in new plays to help the shooters get free. He just let me play.

He lets me make mistakes and be creative,” he said. “I just had to do what we had to do. It would not be possible without them [coaches and my teammates].”

KATROPA EYES WIN NO. 7

SEATED (from left): Ish Polvorosa, Manuel Sumanguid, John Vic de Guzman, Ricky Marcos, Jack Kalingking, Josh Retamar and Kim Dayadante. Standing (first row from left): Nico Almendras, Marck Espejo, JP Bugaoan, Mark Alfafara, strength and conditioning coach Enrico Rafael Francisco, PNVF Secretary General Don Caringal, assistant coach Sherwin Meneses, PNVF President President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, assistant coach Dong dela Cruz, Deputy Secretary General for International Affairs Ricky Palou, Team manager Mike Verano, National Team Commission chairman Tonyboy Liao, head coach Dante Alinsunurin, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, Lloyd Josafat and Rex Intal.

TNT KaTropa, meanwhile, shoots for its seventh consecutive win on Wednesday while NorthPort will finally play this week with team manager Bonnie Tan temporarily coaching the Batang Pier at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Tropang Giga coach Chot Reyes admitted to BusinessMirror that it would be tough when they face powerhouse San Miguel Beer at 3 p.m. because of injuries to key players Kelly Williams (ankle sprain) and Glenn Khobuntin (groin).

“It’s going to be a tough stretch especially with the injuries of Kelly Williams and Glenn Khobuntin in

the last game. It’s a game time decision, so we just hope for the best,” said Reyes, who downplayed his first-ever 6-0 start. “We are a work in progress and we are not thinking of the record or anything else.”

His veteran playmaker Jayson Castro agreed.

“We really need to keep our focus one game at a time. San Miguel Beer remains to be a powerhouse, and a tough competitor. We have to double our effort,” Castro said, adding that they have to be careful of their surroundings too because of Covid-19 threat.

Castro is averaging 13 points and 3.50 rebounds in the last six games—including their latest wins in the league’s restart since September 2 against Blackwater (96-76), Meralco (91-76) and last Sunday over Magnolia (83-76).

TNT is already assured of at least a quarterfinal berth.

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria, whose team is coming off an overtime loss to Terrafirma (110104), welcomed the challenge.

“It’s a wake-up call after that loss to Terrafirma,” Austria said. “TNT will be a tough test, we are up against a very cohesive team, and well-prepared team. I just reminded the players that TNT is capable of beating anybody. We need to step up.”

The Beermen are sporting a 3-2 win-loss record.

Interestingly, San Miguel Beer and TNT are both staying at the Quest Hotel in Clark, Pampanga.

Magnolia (5-2) is hoping to bounce back when it battles red-hot

T SEATED (from left): Tin Tiamzon, Mhicaela Belen, Jema Galanza, Dawn Macandili, Aby Maraño, Jennifer Nierva, Bernadette Pepito, Iris Tolenada and Kamille Cal. Standing (first row from left): Team manager Fe Moran, assistant coach Grace Antigua, trainer George Pascua, PNVF Secretary General Don Caringal, consultant-coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, PNVF President Ramon “Tats” Suzara, Deputy Secretary General for International Affairs Ricky Palou, head coach Odjie Mamon, strength and conditioning coach Paolo Rivero, physical therapist Grace Gomez and trainer Raffy Mosuela. Standing (second row from left): Imee Hernandez, Faith Nisperos,Ria Meneses, Ivy Lacsina, Dell Palomata, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, MJ Phillips, Kat Tolentino, Kianna Dy and Rhea Dimaculangan. Not in photo: Eya Laure, Kalei Mau, Tin Tiamzon, Mylene Paat, Majoy Baron and Deanna Wong.

Fil-Canadian Fernandez chasing tennis history

IN battling Elina Svitolina of Ukraine today, September 8 Philippine time, Leylah Fernandez should be brimming with confidence.

Why is that?

The Fil-Canadian phenom, turning 19 only last September 6, has already collected two of the tournament’s biggest scalps in her massive march to the quarterfinals of the US Open at Flushing Meadows in New York City.

After scoring scorching straight-set victories over Serbia’s Ana Konjuh (76-6-2) and Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi (7-5,

7-5) in the first two rounds, Fernandez dethroned defending champion and four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka of Japan, 5-7, 7-6, 6-4, in a huge upset no one ever expected except—listen to this—Fernandez herself.

“Belief is my No. 1 weapon coming here,” said Fernandez after the victory. “Before the match, I knew I was able to win.”

She also said she eats chocolate when things go awry.

Her belief is what carried Fernandez past her fourth round opponent, bucking another opening-set loss in bundling out 2016 US Open champion Angelique Kerber of Germany, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2.

Such impressive victories should boost Fernandez’s bid today against Svitolina, the Olympic bronze medalist in Tokyo 2020 who advanced by hammering out a straight-sets victory over two-time major champion Simona Halep of Romania, 6-3, 6-3.

But like Fernandez, ranked a mere 73rd, Svitolina, solidly seeded fifth, also carries a sterling resume of being in her second quarterfinal stint in the US Open and eighth quarters stint overall in the majors.

Svitolina, 26, also holds a 1-0 lead in her head-to-

HREE teams—two women and one men—will represent the country in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship and Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The women’s squads Rebisco and Choco Mucho and the men’s team Rebisco were presented to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s (PNVF) board during its sixth virtual board meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

PNVF President President Ramon “Tats” Suzara announced the composition of the teams after consultation with Brazilian consultant-coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito and national team coaches Odjie Mamon (women) and Dante Alinsunurin (men) and recommended

by National Team Commission chairman Tonyboy Liao.

head duel with Fernandez, beating the 5-foot-6 lefty in the 2020 Monterrey quarters, 6-4, 7-5.

And while Fernandez has dropped two sets in her four-win run, Svitolina, known as a baseline beast, has yet to lose a set in the tournament. She is on a ninematch winning streak, including five in capturing the Chicago Open before heading to this year’s fourth and final major.

Despite her sudden stunning stature as a giant slayer, Fernandez remains the underdog against Svitolina, who lost to Serena Williams in the 2019 US Open semis.

But this early, the legendary Chris Evert sees a different picture.

“This is her tournament,” said Evert of Fernandez.

“This is a Cinderella story for her.”

The nation can only hope Evert didn’t speak too soon. Otherwise, Fernandez might end up wolfing Hershey’s bars.

THAT’S IT Health protocols scrapped both the San Miguel Beer-Alaska and Meralco-Ginebra matches recently in the Philippine Basketball Association’s Pampanga basketball bubble. Vicious is the virus, indeed, that it had reduced to three the six-strong Philippine Team to the just-ended Paralympics in Tokyo. God have mercy.

TERRAFIRMA’S Juami Tiongson in action against Blackwater’s Simon Enciso.

Northern Luzon Expressway (4-2) at 12:30 p.m., while Rain or Shine (4-3) aims to recover from last week’s defeat to Phoenix Super LPG (77-78) when it meets Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2-3) at 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Northport, which did not play a single game last week due to health and safety protocols, will be playing this week with a different set-up.

BusinessMirrror learned that Tan will be coaching the team because of the unavailability of the coaching staff headed by Pido Jarencio. The Batang Pier will play Blackwater on Thursday, Terrafirma on Saturday and NLEX on Sunday.

Jarencio refused to comment on his absence. Alaska and Meralco will not be playing also for this week because of the same health and safety reasons.

The teams’ composition was unanimously approved by the PNVF board.

The Asian Club Championships for men and women, according to Suzara, are the first foreign sortie for the members of the national volleyball teams.

“With these club championships, we are putting in harness the national team program aimed at three major international competitions in 2022,” Suzara said.

“These are the Asian Games in Huangzhou, Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam and the Asian Senior Women’s Championship that we are hosting in May next year.”

Suzara, Liao, PNVF Secretary General Don Caringal and Deputy Secretary General for International Affairs Ricky Palou have been monitoring the teams’ semibubble training at the Aquamarine Gym in Lipa City.

The women’s teams are leaving for Nakhon Ratchasima, host of the 2007 SEA Games, on September 27 in time for the tournament set from October 1 to 7. The men’s squads, on the other hand, are flying to Thailand on October 4 for their own tournament scheduled from October 8 to 15.

All three squads are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Rebisco.

Alinsunurin will be the head coach of the Rebisco men’s team made up of the core of the national squad that clinched an unprecedented silver medal behind Thailand in the Philippines 2019 SEA Games.

Souza de Brito will coach Team Rebisco which will have veteran Aby Maraño, while Odjie Mamon will handle Team Choco Mucho with Iris Tolenada as skipper.

Team Rebisco is composed of team captain John Vic de Guzman, Jessie Lopez, Ysay Marasigan, Rex Intal, Mark Alfafara, Nico Almendras, Kim Malabunga, Ish Polvorosa, Francis Saura, Manuel Sumanguid, Josh Retamar, Jao Umandal, Ricky Marcos and JP Bugaoan.

With Maraño in Team Rebisco are Eya Laure, Jema Galanza, Faith Nisperos, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Mhicaela Belen, Imee Hernandez, Ivy Lacsina, Rhea Dimaculangan, Kamille Cal, Jennifer Nierva and Bernadette Pepito.

Joining Tolenada in Team Choco Mucho are Kalei Mau, MJ Phillips, Tin Tiamzon, Kat Tolentino, Mylene Paat, Kianna Dy, Ria Meneses, Majoy Baron, Dell Palomata, Deanna Wong and Dawn Macandili.