Issuu

STEEP LEARNING CURVE BEHIND DELAY IN ODA INFLOW FROM CHINA–D.O.F. EXEC By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T WORLD RECORD The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) has set another new Guinness world record, this time for the “Most People Baptized” on September 7, 2019.The new record was for the INC Grand Baptism held at the Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan. Adjudicators from Guinness officially declared the record set after it verified that at least 18, 272 individuals had been baptized in the historic event. Guinness adjudicator Joanne Marie Brent announced the new record. A special worship gathering officiated by Brother Eduardo Manalo, executive minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, preceded the baptism. PHOTO COURTESY OF INC

HE national government blamed a “steep learning curve” for the delay in Official Development Assistance (ODA) inflows from China. In a recent BusinessMirror Coffee Club forum, Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino II said China is one of the relatively new donors the Philippines engages, as against countries like Japan with which it has long been dealing.

Lambino added that the Philippines was also a “strict borrower” in the sense that the country prefers “standard provisions” in loan agreements, apart from ensuring that these loans will benefit Filipinos in the long run. “We’ve been working with Japan and Japanese lending agencies for decades. The relationship with the Eximbank from China and other lending agencies is fairly new. So both sides [are learning] how to work with each other,” Lambino said. “Plus, I suspect, and I’m going out

on a limb here, we’re a pretty strict borrower. We are a strict borrower because we have a lot of requirements,” he added. These requirements, such as standard provisions in loan agreements, Lambino said, are needed in order for the country to maintain its macroeconomic gains. Lambino said even prior to the Duterte administration, the Philippines debt to GDP growth rate has been slowing. This is one of the things that is always being considered when See “ODA” A2

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Monday, September 9, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 334

‘All or nothing’–Peza on Citira exemption bid N

By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

O compromise. The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) will push for an all-or-nothing exemption of its locators from the second tax reform package, reiterating its warning that the country will suffer from capital flight should the government insist on rationalizing fiscal incentives. Peza Director General Charito B. Plaza told reporters last week the agency will go all or nothing in seeking for the exemption of locators from the coverage of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill.

She reiterated the Citira bill should be applied to domestic enterprises only, and that economic zone firms should be allowed to keep their tax perks after the measure’s passage. As is, the Citira bill will reduce corporate income tax (CIT) rate to

20 percent by 2029, from 30 percent at present, at the expense of incentives enjoyed by firms operating in economic zones. “What we can give in to only is to exempt Peza. That’s it, and test it [Citira bill] first to the domestic

“We want our investors to feel confident that when they invest, when they bring their huge capital here, the rules will not be changed.” —Plaza

enterprises, not to the exporters, because we have to take advantage of the opportunities and we have to maintain the globally competitive incentives that our industries are [receiving],” Plaza argued. “That’s why they are here because they are happy with our incentives. We even have to enhance it [menu of tax perks]. That’s why we have to amend the Peza law,” she added. See “Peza,” A2

P25.00 nationwide | 5 sections 28 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

HOUSE PANEL TO ENDORSE P4.1-T BUDGET ON MONDAY By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

HE House Committee on Appropriations will endorse for plenary approval on Monday (September 9) the committee report on the P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020. This after House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Isidro Ungab of Davao City reported that his committee has completed in record time on Friday the hearings on the 2020 budget proposals of all government departments, agencies and offices. According to Ungab, the Committee on Appropriations is set to approve on Monday the Committee Report on House Bill 4228 or the General Appropriations Bill (GAB). The sponsorship and start of floor deliberations on HB 4228 are scheduled on Tuesday. Ungab said the House is sticking to its original target date to pass the proposed national budget before the October 4 recess.

Citira, Pifita bills seen to hurdle House soon

ESPITE the “disagreement” between Cabinet members on the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act, the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means on Sunday said two packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), including Citira, will be approved this week. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, the panel chairman, said the proposed Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Reform Act (Pifita) will be approved on third and final reading on Monday while Citira is expected to be passed on second reading on Monday; and third and final reading on Thursday. Pifita or House Bill 304 seeks to rationalize the taxation of the financial sector so that it becomes simpler, fairer, more efficient and

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n

SPEAKER Alan Peter Cayetano assured the public of the timely See “Budget,” A12

‘Settle issues’

See “Citira, Pifita bills,” A2

‘Pork-free’

BIR to save ₧230M from PESONet

regionally competitive. Also, the bill—Package 4 of the CTRP—reviews the taxes imposed on financial intermediaries and the products they offer: on savings and investments; and debt and equity instruments. “The nation will witness the most historic week in reforms—a big win for economic reforms with huge positive gains for GDP growth and socioeconomic fairness within the context of globalization. Citira presents itself as the principal national response to the US-China trade war,” Salceda said. HOWEVER, Salceda, in a statement, asked Cabinet members to “settle their issues” with President Duterte on the passage of Citira.

Ungab said previous schedules of the House showed that the annual budget hearings usually ended on the fourth week of September. The leadership has adjusted the plenary session to 5 p.m. from 3 p.m. to accommodate four budget briefings daily at the committee and finish the briefings as scheduled. “Under the effective guidance of the leadership, everyone moved in accordance to his given task, and supported and coordinated with the leadership of the Committee on Appropriations which resulted in the early completion of the budget committee hearings last Friday, September 6,” Ungab added. He said the cooperation and attendance of lawmakers, and heads of government agencies and departments also contributed to the early completion of the budget hearings.

RICE TRADE LIB A farmer in Buenavista in Santiago City, Isabela, checks his rice crops soon ready for harvest. Many farmers like him have been complaining of the plunge in the farm-gate price of unhusked rice after the rice trade liberalization law took effect. The government insists help is on the way. See related stories on page A2, DBM set to release farmers’ P4B from RCEF, and on page A5, DA to slap safeguard duty on rice imports. CESAR M. PERANTE

HE Department of Finance (DOF) estimates that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will be able to save P230 million annually because of the PESONet electronic funds transfer service. In a statement, the Finance Department said these savings will come from the lowering of transaction fees charged by authorized agent banks (AABs)—down to P25 from P40 in processing taxes paid online. DOF said the new facility will process over 15 million tax payment transactions annually collected over the counter. This will make paying taxes convenient, efficient and less costly for taxpayers. See “PESONet,” A2

US 51.8830 n JAPAN 0.4853 n UK 63.9873 n HK 6.6194 n CHINA 7.2565 n SINGAPORE 37.4985 n AUSTRALIA 35.3479 n EU 57.2633 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.8318

Source: BSP (6 September 2019 )

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Monday, September 9, 2019

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DBM set to release farmers’ ₧4B from RCEF

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

HE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is finally set to release this week the remaining P4 billion of the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Acting Budget Secretary Wendel B. Avisado said they have already received the certification from the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) last week

that there is excess government money for RCEF. “Next week po pipilitin ko pong makalabas na po kasi po kakakuha

lang namin ng [I will see to it that the funds will be released next week because we have just secured the] Certificate of Availability of Funds from the Bureau of Treasury,” Avisado said in a text message to BusinessMirror on Saturday. The acting budget chief added he has also talked to Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar about the release of remaining funds under RCEF, which was supposed to help farmers cope with the transition to a new regime as the government implements the rice trade liberalization law. Through the RCEF, rice planters can expect support from the

government for farm machinery and equipment, seed development, propagation and promotion, credit assistance and rice extension services. In July, DBM released P5 billion, the first half of this year’s RCEF allocation after also getting a certificate from BTr. Since the Department of Agriculture (DA) has already returned P1 billion of the other P5 billion, the DBM owes rice farmers P4 billion. During the Senate committee hearing in late August, Budget Assistant Secretary Rolando U. Toledo already gave the commitment that the DBM will release the remaining P4 billion. This, as he set the record

‘₧1.35B for Mla Bay rehab may be for naught’

T least P1.35 billion earmarked for Manila Bay’s rehabilitation could just go down the drain until private water concessionaires put up sewer lines as ordered by Supreme Court, Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza warned at the weekend. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is spending another P1.35 billion next year for the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program, but the failure of Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to capture and decontaminate the national capital’s wastewater will make the effort and

funding for naught, he said. “Nothing has changed. Right now, the bulk of Metro Manila’s raw sewage, including those from households, still drain into the Pasig River and other waterways that all empty out into Manila Bay,” Atienza, former three-term mayor of Manila, said. The DENR’s Operational Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Management Strategy is getting another P1.35 billion in the proposed P4.1-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2020, to renew and preserve Manila Bay’s coastal and marine ecosystem, according to Atienza, a former DENR secretary.

GCTA. . .

Peza. . .

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said that at least 22,049 prisoners have been freed from 2014 up to this year under the GCTA and 1,914 of them were convicted of heinous crimes like rape, murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking. Legislators and even the Department of Justice said that prisoners convicted of heinous crimes are not eligible for release under the GCTA, which came into public scrutiny following the aborted release of rape convict former Calauan, Laguna, Mayor Antonio Sanchez. Sanchez’s case and those of the cases of the other freed heinous-crime convicts have prompted President Duterte to remove Nicanor Faeldon as BuCor director general while telling those who were freed—under erroneous basis —to surrender or be declared fugitives from justice and hunted. The PNP said that those who have since yielded turned themselves in to police stations around the country, with the Police Regional Office 2 in Cagayan Valley recording 24 surrenderers. Overall, the 65 prisoners who have yielded were convicted of murder, rape, robbery with homicide, robbery with rape, homicide, arson and dangerous drugs. PNP chief General Oscar Albayalde earlier said tracker teams from the CIDG have been on standby in all provinces and regions around the country, ready to undertake the manhunt at the expiration of the 15-day ultimatum of Duterte for the freed convicts to yield.

Aside from exempting locators from the Citira bill, Plaza said she will take nothing less that an amendment of the Peza charter. Changing the law creating and guiding the agency will ensure the stability of incentives granted to economic zone firms, she asserted.

Continued from A12

No one has flown

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday said none of the inmates who were released on the basis of GCTA under Republic Act 10592 has fled from the country. Undersecretary Perete cited a report received by DOJ from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which has been directed by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to be on full alert to thwart possible subject inmates from leaving the country. “Preliminary report from the BI indicates none of the persons deprived of liberty prematurely released on account of the Good Conduct Time Allowance and included in the list submitted by the Bureau of Corrections has left the country,” Perete said Perete said the DOJ interim oversight committee headed by Undersecretary Deo Marco will meet on Monday with BuCor officials headed by OIC Melvin Ramon Buenafe to discuss coordinating mechanisms, and conduct inspections, among others. The oversight committee is tasked to“watch over” the BuCor until a new director general is appointed.

Continued from A1

Obsolete

“THE Peza law is 24 years old. Many of its provisions are obsolete. We [also] found out that the incentives we are giving now are very weak. Why? Because only the 5 percent GIE [gross income earned] is found in the Peza law. All the other incentives, like the zero VAT [rating on

PESONet. . . Continued from A1

“This represents more than 80 percent of the total number of ta x pay ment transactions processed by the BIR each year, in sync with President Duterte’s directive to cut red tape and improve the ease of doing business for the benefit of the public and the investor community,” DOF Undersecretary Antonette Tionko said. Launched by the BIR on August 15, the PESONet-enabled payment facility will allow millions of taxpayers to pay internal revenue taxes digitally, anytime, anywhere, through digital channels provided

ODA. . .

Continued from A1

securing new loans. He said while the actual loan amount is significant, this must always be viewed against the earning capacity of the economy. While the economy has been hard-hit in the past few quarters, the economic team remains confident that growth will continue and is even expec ted to hit 6 percent. Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country’s growth rate has not posted a growth slower than the second-quarter GDP

“We will, of course. continue to support all new spending to revitalize Manila Bay. But Malacañang really has to crack the whip on the two water concessionaires that have been defying the Clean Water Act,” Atienza said. “Otherwise, all our efforts to fully restore Manila Bay, which still functions like a vast septic tank, will be without real success,” Atienza said. Last month, the Supreme Court upheld a 2009 DENR order penalizing Manila Water and Maynilad, along with the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), with fines—which have since ballooned,

per the court’s computation, to P1.84 billion—for their failure to put up sewage lines, violating Section 8 of the Clean Water Act. Atienza issued the 2009 order when he was DENR head. Until they fully comply with the Clean Water Act, the Supreme Court said Manila Water, Maynilad and the MWSS will have to continue to pay a P322,102 daily fine that escalates by 10 percent in two years, plus legal interest of 6 percent per annum. The three erring parties were supposed to pay the initial fine within 15 days from receipt of the Supreme Court decision announced August 6.

local purchases], the ITH [income tax holiday], all others, these are borrowed from [internal revenue] circulars and executive orders, making our incentives unstable,” the Peza chief said. Under House Bills 3654, 3747 and 3897, the Peza will no longer be under the supervision of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It will be transferred under the authority of the Office of the President, giving the director general a department secretary level position. The charter amendment will also institutionalize all incentives granted by the Peza to economic zone firms, which, in the process, should make it difficult for policymakers to overhaul them. Further, it will raise the GIE

rate paid by locators in lieu of all local and national taxes to 7 percent, from 5 percent. Although this component will raise revenue for the government’s coffers, it runs counter to the objective of the Citira bill to rationalize incentives and require locators to surrender all of their tax perks, including the GIE tax, and pay CIT instead. “We want our investors to feel confident that when they invest, when they bring their huge capital here, the rules will not be changed,” Plaza said. “That’s their impression. Every time we change our administration, we change our policies and laws as well. We have to put it in the Peza law amendments, to institutionalize, to stabilize our incentives,” she added.

by banks. The BIR launched the facility in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Bureau of the Treasury, Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), and the payments industry. This tax payment service is currently available only via LandBank and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. However, the DOF plans to expand the service to include other AABs, as well as other bills and utilities. The PESONet interoperable digital bills payment service is the latest payment infrastructure introduced by the payments industry under the National Retail Payment System policy framework of the BSP.

PESONet, which can transact fund transfers electronically in large batches, has over 40 participating banks under its wing. A Household Payments Baseline Survey conducted in 2016 showed that 73 percent of Filipinos pay their household bills (e.g., utility bills), and about 9 percent of them pay the government directly for taxes, social security contributions, business permit fees and licenses, and permit fees. Both businesses and individuals make 4 million monthly payments to the government for taxes, business permit fees, licenses, and social security contributions with an estimated value of $3.87 billion, the same survey showed.

growth of 5.5 percent since 2012. “As the jobs of the parents or the working siblings get better, they can invest more in better schools for the younger children, for improved business of the family,” Lambino said. “It’s the same with a country. As the economy grows, and our economy is around maybe more than P18 trillion, then our ability to borrow responsibly also increases,” he added. Being more responsible in securing loans, Lambino said, is also important if the country will reach the “A” credit rating from debt watching agencies, such as Standard & Poor’s, which recently upgraded the country’s credit rating to BBB+.

This, Lambino said, has made the Philippines a better investment than countries like Italy and Portugal. The country’s credit rating is now in the same league as countries like Mexico. Based on data recently obtained from the National Economic and Development Authority, only nine of the 75 flagship projects are ongoing. This despite the economic team’s efforts to speed up project evaluation and loan processing. With this, only 21 flagship projects will be completed within the term of the President, leaving majority or 54 of the “game-changing” infrastructure projects to be completed beyond 2022.

Cai U. Ordinario

straight in the debate of DA and DBM on whether the P5 billion that the budget department released to DA was part of RCEF despite Congress’ failure to pass the proposed rice trade liberalization law before end-2018. The DBM had argued that the P5 billion was part of RCEF, but the DA said it was a supplementary fund for its national rice program. DBM’s Toledo clarified during the Senate hearing that the P5 billion, which was released through special allotment release order, cannot form part of RCEF since the enabling law Republic Act. 11203, which mandated the creation of

the fund, had not yet been passed when the money was given. However, the DBM has since stood firm that the release of P4 billion was subject to excess revenue collection since the allocation for RCEF was prescribed under the unprogrammed funds in the 2019 General Appropriations Act. Unprogrammed appropriations are not yet supported by corresponding resources but are still included by Congress in the GAA. These also refer to standby appropriations which authorize additional agency expenditures for priority programs and projects in excess of the original budget.

Duterte to play host to Singapore’s Yacob

RESIDENT Duterte is set to meet today Singapore’s first woman president, Halimah Yacob, in a bid to further boost the countries’ ties in different areas of cooperation. Yacob’s state visit to the country from September 8 to September 12 caps the observance of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Singapore. Duterte and Yacob will discuss areas of mutual interest, as well as deepen political, economic, cultural exchanges and people-to-people engagement, Malacañang Palace said at the weekend. The two leaders are also scheduled to witness the signing of agreements followed by her attendance to the official banquet hosted by Malacañang. Prior to the meeting of the two leaders, the Singaporean president will also attend a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park. On Tuesday, the Singaporean leader, who is also the first Malay head of state in 47 years, is also slated to have a luncheon with the Philippines-Singapore Business Council. While in the Philippines, she will also visit Davao City where she will be received by Mayor Sara Duterte. She will visit the Philippine Eagle Center and hold a dialogue with

Mindanao youth. Aside from enjoying strong bilateral economic ties, the Philippines and Singapore are both founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Singapore is the Philippines’s fifth-largest export market worldwide and the first in Asean, with export receipts amounting to $4.234 billion in 2018, according to information posted on the website of the Philippine embassy in Singapore. The city state is the seventh top import supplier of the Philippines, with receipts amounting to $6.018 billion in 2018. The country is also the Philippines’s second biggest international investor, with investment commitments totaling P21.18 billion or 11.8 percent of total foreign pledges in 2018. Singapore is also the Philippines’s ninth biggest tourism market worldwide and the first in Asean with 171,800 passenger arrivals in 2018. Around 200,000 Filipinos live and work in Singapore and actively contribute to the economic development of their host country. Approximately 60 percent of Filipinos in Singapore are professionals and skilled workers, while the rest are household service workers. Bernadette D. Nicolas

Citira, Pifita bills. . .

The passage of Citira is still pending at the plenary two weeks after its approval at the committee level. In January 2018, Salceda said the President decided with the Cabinet to make Citira a flagship reform of his administration. The Citira, Salceda said, essentially seeks two things—reduce the corporate income tax rates from 30 percent to 20 percent for the almost 1 million businesses while rationalizing incentives for some 4,100 firms who pay only five years after a period of paying none. “In two consecutive Sonas, he appealed to Congress to pass it as a national imperative to make the country more competitive. After much committee deliberations and consultations, macroeconomic, industry and sectoral studies, thousands of pages of presentations, position papers, the House of Representatives of the 17th Congress passed it on third reading which unfortunately was not passed the Senate,” he said. “I have learned one big lesson so I appeal to Cabinet members not to export their disagreements, admittedly mostly arising from their differing mandates and constituencies, and settle them with the President and within the Cabinet,” said Salceda, without naming the Cabinet members. According to Salceda, the House has negotiated vigorously with the Department of Finance so that the Committee on Ways and Means has significantly improved the original DOF version. “I concede these are honest disagreements but please do not use Congress as playground for your policy battles, or worse use us as proxies or mercenaries for your skirmishes, because you are all alter egos of one President,” he said. While the Department of Trade and Industry is supporting the passage of the Citira, Trade

Continued from A1

Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier urged lawmakers to extend the sunset period of the bill from the original proposal of five years to 10 years within which economic zone firms are to surrender their incentives. Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) Director General Charito B. Plaza also expressed opposition to Citira’s passage. She also wants Peza-registered locators exempted from Citira’s coverage. However, Salceda said, “I honestly feel that it is the Cabinet who are sowing confusion, sending wrong signals and the worst thing is it is protracting the process and creating unnecessary uncertainties among investors.” “This is a policy decision and there are risks which we have studiously examined with the best data science and analytics, and we have run simulations and built scenarios and we are comfortable that the potential benefits outweigh them,” he said. The lawmaker also reiterated that the House version of Citira is the “best” in Southeast Asia. “In our most reasonable estimate, Citira is good for our country, good for our people and it is the right thing to do. Cabinet members know their options, too. After all the policy noise for almost two years, it is time for them to speak with one voice. We can never perfect legislation but one thing is sure: it is bad to prolong the business uncertainty and the best thing to do is to approve it and allow investors to decide on that basis,” Salceda added. Besides priority measures, Salceda said the House and the Executive Department agreed to pass revenue-generating tax packages before approving the proposed P4.1-trillion General Appropriations Act for 2020. Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

The Nation BusinessMirror

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Army wants one brigade combat team for each PHL island–group By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

HE Army is planning to create another brigade-size combat team (BCT) for its continuing force strengthening following the creation and deployment this year of a similar unit in Mindanao. Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala said the Army leadership is looking at creating another BCT this year and another one next year. “Part of our modernization is for us to have a territorial defense division so that we could confront all threats using these forces,” he said. Zagala said the plan has been to cover all the country’s three main islands with one BCT each. Early this year, the first BCT was deployed to Sulu to not only help in the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Western Mindanao but also against all lawless groups in the region. A suicide bombing perpetrated by Norman Lasuca, a member of the ASG, and a Caucasian-looking man rocked the headquarters of the first BCT in Indanan, Sulu, in June this year, killing three soldiers and civilians. Lasuca and the other bomber were also killed. Twentytwo others were also wounded in the twin bombings. “The thrust of the Army is to have a ready force that is capable and can be rapidly deployed to adapt to any threat. It must be able to project power and dominate the enemy,” Zagala said. “This BCT will have Infantry, mechanized, artillery, aviation and special operations, and other support enablers for them to be able to utilize the land power maneuver concept and utilize its capabilities to defeat current, emerging and future threats,” he added. Zagala said the creation of BCTs were part of the Army’s capability development plan that seeks to address both material and nonmaterial capability gaps. “This is doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership, personnel and facilities,” he said.

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, September 9, 2019 A3

Govt to give decommissioned MILF combatant aid package worth ₧1M By Manuel T. Cayon

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

AVAO CITY—As part of government assurance of assistance in exchange for voluntarily giving up involvement in revolutionary war against government, a decommissioned Moro guerrilla may receive an aid package reaching P1 million. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) said each of the decommissioned combatants would receive from the government “a socioeconomic package amounting to an estimated value of 1 million pesos.” The BARMM said the package includes P100,000 cash, health benefits, scholarships for children, housing and livelihood projects, training and capacity building, and others. “I hope that they will be inspired to take this opportunity to improve their lives and create a better future for their families and loved ones,” President Duterte said. Duterte witnessed on September 7 the second phase of the decommissioning of some members of the

Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), the armed wing of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The decommissioning of the combatants and weapons was held at the Old Capitol in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. A total of 1,060 MILF combatants, with 920 weapons and 20 heavy weapons, were decommissioned. The President assured the decommissioned combatants that “government would assist you as you reintegrate into society and enjoy fruitful and productive civilian lives.” “Do not be disheartened na nagsurrender kayo ng armas. Inyo ang gobyernong ito, binigay na namin sa inyo [that you surrendered weapons. This is your government; we gave this to you],” the President said, referring

to the establishment of the BARMM.

Giving assurance

THE Bangsamoro Chief Minister and MILF Chairman Ahod Murad Ebrahim said the second decommissioning was MILF’s continued commitment to the peace process. According to Ebrahim, “the decommissioning of combatants demonstrates the sincere and full commitment of the MILF to the peace agreement they have signed with the government of the Philippines.” “The MILF manifested again its continued commitment to fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim said. “We assure you, and our beloved President, and all our partners in the peace process that we will continue to uphold our part of the bargain.” The first phase of the decommissioning of MILF combatants and weapons was held on June 16, 2015, where 145 combatants with their 75 ammunitions were decommissioned. This year until March 2020, the MILF is set to decommission 12,000 guerrillas, or 30 percent of its 40,000 combatants. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to our comrades in the [BIAF] for their unwavering support for the newly established Bangsamoro Government, and for their willingness to give peace a chance,” Ebrahim said.

‘New chapter’

EBRAHIM added this “new chapter” for the combatants can be challenging as for years, their trainings have been grounded on the armed struggle. “But now our brave combatants will face a significantly different form of struggle: to transform the norms to civilian lives and embrace a new mindset,” Ebrahim said. “That instead of going to the field for conflict, we will now go to the field to harvest our crops; that instead of carrying firearms, we will now carry tools for work and education; that instead of thinking about a possible encounter the next day, we can now think of opportunities that awaits us, our children and to those who will follow.” A female fighter, 66-year-old Saida Limgas said she hoped government would be sincere in its promise this time. She left her hometown of Pantar, Lanao del Sur, to join the female fighters of the MILF. This time, she looks forward to the scholarship, housing and livelihood program for her and her family. Limgas said she has been fighting for the cause of Allah (Jihad) since 1969, when she was still 16 years old. During the decommissioning, President Duterte, Ebrahim, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez and Independent Decommissioning Body Chairman Fatih Ulusoy led the distribution of financial assistance to the decommissioned combatants.

A4 Monday, September 9, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

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1 in 5 POGO workers is Pinoy–DOLE

By Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

NLY 1 out of 5 workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) is a Filipino, according to data from various government agencies that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will validate. During a hearing on the DOLE’s budget at the House of Representatives last week, Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III disclosed that 16 percent, or 13,856 of the 83,999 workers in 60 POGOs licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) are Filipinos as of June. Foreign nationals accounted for the bulk of POGO employees. Of the 70,130 foreigners in POGOs, 88.8 percent, or 61,878 are Chinese since these gaming operators cater to Chinese clients abroad. POGOs also employed Vietnamese (1,909), Taiwanese (1,674), Indonesians (1,589), Malaysians (1,385) and Thais (572). DOLE’s Bureau of Local and Employment (BLE) Director Dominique R. Tutay said this is based on initial data submitted by other government agencies, which issues work permits to foreign nationals. “We will commence validation inspection after training the new

“It is likely we will see a reduction in the generation charge this September.” —Fernandez

labor inspectors for this purpose,” Tutay told the BusinessMirror via SMS.

By Lenie Lectura

Pinoys in POGOs

THE government said it is looking into plans to increase the participation of workers in POGOs. In a phone interview, Bello told the BusinessMirror that the DOLE is now coordinating with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to provide language skills training to Filipinos so they could qualify for POGO jobs. He said the DOLE is on the lookout for any private sector group that would like to help the government increase the employment of Filipinos in POGOs. “We are preparing for this since our workers would eventually have to take over [the POGO jobs],” Bello said. Tutay said an interested party has met with the DOLE on the matter, but she said talks are still in the

Meralco power rates may go down this month

PHILIPPINE Offshore Gaming Operators workers walk along a Makati street where POGO gaming offices have recently proliferated in this BusinessMirror file photo.

exploratory stage. “We will call for a meeting with Pagcor relative to this and other concerns of Filipino workers in the POGO industry,” she said.

Special work permits

EARLIER this year, some lawmakers blamed the supposed lax issuance of Special Work Permits (SWP) by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for the surge in the number of foreign

nationals in the Philippines. This resulted in the issuance last May of a new interagency policy, which banned foreign nationals in POGO companies from applying for SWPs. Instead, they were required to get an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the DOLE. An AEP is much harder to obtain than an SWP since its applicants would have to go through the labor market test. It also al-

lows foreign nationals to work for longer than six months in the country, while an SWP is only good for six months. Tutay said the policy was effective in cutting down the number of SWPs holders from 86,880 during the first semester of 2019 to just “hundreds” as of August. From January to July, AEP applications rose to 52,450 from last year’s record of 24,286.

Mining firms to discuss issues, challenges in three-day confab

THREE-DAY series of talks about mining issues, challenges and opportunities in the local and global scene organized by the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) will kick off on September 10. COMP said the theme for this year’s conference, “Riding the Wave: Capitalizing on Opportunities,” sets the tone of the annual Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition, which will gather various stakeholders in the industry. “It will be an opportune time to hear from government officials, specifically from agencies mandated to manage the country’s environment and natural resources, the challenges and opportunities for growth as a way forward for the Philippine mineral resource industry,” Gerard Brimo, chairman of COMP said in a statement. The event is expected to gather representatives from the government, private sector, academe, indigenous people and mining host communities to tack le mineral resource development issues, chal-

lenges and opportunities in the local and global scene. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary for Climate Change and Mining Concerns Analiza R. Teh, who will represent Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, will keynote the event on the first day of the event. Participants will be given an update on the “Towards Sustainable Mining Initiative” with Pierre Gratton, president and CEO of the Mining Association of Canada as guest and speaker. The event will explore the government’s way forward for the metallic mineral resource industry and provide a venue for exchanges of ideas and best practices in the mining industry. “We have an array of topics lined up for this year as we ask ourselves the questions: What is the way forward for the industry? How do we capitalize on the opportunities in the face of the daunting challenges confronting the industry? Answers to all these, hopefully, will be provided by our speakers and resource persons,” Brimo said. Jonathan L. Mayuga

Solon bats for development of PHL bamboo industry By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

LAWMAKER from Las Piñas is pushing for the development of the bamboo industry to make it competitive in the local and international markets so it can provide more job opportunities to Filipinos. In House Bill 3309, or the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Act of 2019, House Deputy Majority Leader Camille Villar of Las Piñas City said the measure seeks to institutionalize bamboo industry development through the creation of the Bamboo Industry Research and Development Center (BIRDC) tasked to continuously provide relevant technologies and new products to the bamboo industry. Under the the bill, BIRDC will

also serve as the secretariat of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council to be created under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which shall provide the overall policy and program directions and coordinate the activities of various agencies and instrumentalities to ensure the implementation, accomplishment, and periodic review and enhancement of the bamboo industry road map. Also, the bill said the Office of the President (OP) through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) shall allocate P100 million as initial funding for the trust fund for the implementation of this proposal. Thereafter, the amount of not less than P200 million shall be allocated every year for the next 20 years for the trust fund lodged in the center.

@llectura

STABLE power supply and a refund order are expected to bring down this month’s generation charge which comprises the bulk of electricity bills, officials from the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said over the weekend. “It is likely we will see a reduction in the generation charge this September,” said Meralco Utility Economics Head Lawrence S. Fernandez. The utility firm is expected to release within the week this month’s power rate computation. Meralco Assistant Vice President and Head of Public Information Office Joe Zaldarriaga also observed stable rates. Zaldarriaga said customers may in fact even see a reduction for this month as a result of improvements in the overall power supply situation. However, the depreciation of the peso may put upward pressure on charges from independent power producers (IPPs). Still, there are two factors that can offset the effect of the weakening of the peso. “One is the improved supply situation. There were no Yellow or Red Alerts in August so we expect WESM [Wholesale Electricity Spot Market] charges to go down,” said Fernandez. “The other is the net settlement surplus [NSS] refund being implemented by Philippine Electricity Market Corp. [PEMC], as directed by the ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission],” he added. Zaldarriaga said Meralco is expected to implement the NSS, which would result in adjustments in WESM’s billing. “This was due to the recent order of the ERC and a recomputation by PEMC, which subsequently resulted in a refund and reduced power costs.” The ERC found inconsistencies in how PEMC allocated the NSS from June 2018 to May 2019. It ordered PEMC to refund a total of P1.774 billion. Of the amount, P1.08 billion will be refunded to Meralco customers, P321.96 million will be returned to customers of other distribution utilities and electric cooperatives, and the remaining P371 million will be due to generation companies, retail electricity suppliers and directly connected customers. “We have directed PEMC to immediately effect the refund,” said ERC Chairman Agnes Devanadera. The ERC found inconsistencies in the NSS allocations issued by PEMC. Upon validation, the spot market operator reported that the miscalculations were caused by its erroneous application of the formula in its software that is used to determine NSS allocations. “We are rectif ying the misallocation of the NSS through a refund to the market participants who received less than what was due them while collecting f rom the others who have received more,” said PEMC President Oscar E. A la. Ala said PEMC’s inconsistency is similar to a situation “wherein you are supposed to give your son and daughter P 5.00 and P 10.00, respectively. However, you inadvertently gave your son P 10.00 and your daughter P 5.00. And as a parent, one has to correct the amounts given to each.”

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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Monday, September 9, 2019 A5

‘DA to slap safeguard duty on rice imports’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has agreed to invoke a law that allows the agency to impose safeguard duty on rice imports, according to the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Albay Rep. Joey S. Salceda said in a statement that Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar has agreed to his proposal to impose safeguard duty on rice imports during the hearing on the DA’s budget last Friday. With the surge in rice imports and the injury it caused to domestic industry, Salceda said the government may invoke Republic Act (RA) 8800, or the Safeguard Measures Act, to impose a 30-percent to 80-percent duty on imported rice outside of the

minimum access volume (MAV) of 350,000 metric tons (MT). “The Philippines cannot restore QRs [quantitative restrictions] because this was repealed by the rice trade liberalization law. Based on my suggestion, he [Dar] is considering a provisional rate of up to 30 percent for 365 days for imports above the MAV and this is on top of the tariff of 35 percent under the law,” he said. “RA 8800 is well recognized under our commitments with the WTO

[World Trade Organization] and the provisional measure has a maximum period of one year,” Salceda added. After the lapse of the provisional measure, the lawmaker said the approval of the Tariff Commission is needed for a permanent measure to protect the domestic rice industry, which could last for a maximum of 10 years. According to Salceda, the three conditions for a surge duty have been met under RA 8800. He noted that rice imports surged in the first quarter by 26 percent in the first quarter and 1,492 percent in the second quarter. “There is real injury with [average] palay price falling by 16 percent. The injury can be causally linked to the surge in imports. It does not matter whether the surge is before or after the [effectivity] of the rice trade liberalization law,” he said. “RA 8800 is based on the fact that there is a surge and there is injury because of this,” the lawmaker added.

Invoking RA 8800 is one of the three options pitched by Salceda to prevent planters from incurring more losses due to the drop in the farm-gate price of palay. Salceda also urged President Duterte to consider requesting special powers from Congress to impose the QRs. The lawmaker said the government should give cash transfers to smallholder farmers and concessional loans to big rice planters. He said a total of 2.1 million farmers will benefit from this proposal. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Thursday that the average farm-gate price of unhusked rice plummeted to P8 per kilogram to P10 kg in Luzon. Farmers’ groups and a number of lawmakers blamed this on RA 11203, or the rice trade liberalization law. RA 11203 made it easier for traders to purchase rice from abroad as they only need to secure sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance and pay the corresponding tariffs for the imports.

BARMM to export coconuts

HE head of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao approved the proposal of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) for the BARMM Parliament to enact a legislation allowing the export of mature coconuts from the region. MinDa Chairman Emmanuel F. Piñol said BARMM interim Chief Minister and Moro Islamic Liberation Front Chairman Ahod Murad Ebrahim agreed to this proposal during a meeting at the main camp of the MILF in Maguindanao. Piñol announced the breakthrough in a Facebook post, saying this will soon make BARMM the “gateway for the export of mature and green coconuts saving farmers from the region and other parts of Mindanao from the hardships brought by very low prices of copra.” While the export of green coconuts is now allowed by the national government, there is still a prohibition on the export of mature coconuts, a move which sought to protect local

oil mills, he said. “The acceptance by the BARMM chief of the proposal to allow the export of mature coconuts through the region will allow coconut farmers to earn the equivalent of about P32 to P40 per kilogram,” said Piñol, a former agriculture chief. The export of mature and young coconuts, he added, will be the first attempt by the BARMM to access the export market to help its agricultural producers. Piñol said Murad told him: “This will be a great help to our coconut farmers because the price of copra now is very low.” Since his days as agriculture chief, Piñol has been calling for the lifting of the ban on the export of mature coconuts imposed by the national government since 1985. This is because local producers continue to grapple with the sinking farm-gate price of copra due mainly to the collapse of world vegetable prices.

Bernadette D. Nicolas

A4 Monday, September 9, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso A6

The World

World’s worst bad-loan mess set to worsen on India’s cash crunch

PROLONGED shadow-banking crisis and hurdles in bankruptcy rules are set to keep India atop the world’s worst bad-debt pile, even as Italy, which held the title previously, quickens the cleanup of its lenders. Moody’s Investors Service to Credit Suisse Group AG. warned that more loans may sour in the Asian nation’s banking system. More than 2.4 percent of total loans in India’s banking system may be under stress on top of the 9.6 percent bad debt ratio as of June, the highest among major economies, Credit Suisse estimates show. Italy, on the other hand, has nearly halved its ratio to 8.5 percent in the last three years. The failure to slash stressed assets is undermining India’s efforts to revive economic growth that has cooled to a six-year low. A cash crunch in the shadow-banking sector that started with the collapse of IL&FS Group last year and the delays in the bankruptcy process are adding to the challenges faced by banks as they seek to tidy up their balance sheets. “When the economy decelerates like this we will see nonperforming loans go up,” said Saurabh Mukherjea, founder of investment advisory firm Marcellus Investment Managers Ltd. “You’ll see more bad loans come through as we approach the first anniversary of IL&FS meltdown.” Of the nation’s 12 largest de-

linquent borrowers which Reserve Bank of India asked lenders to push to bankruptcy in 2017, only six have been resolved so far, data compiled by Bloomberg shows. The delays highlight impediments to the process including conflicting regulations and lack of resolution infrastructure, which is derailing a 270-day resolution deadline set by the insolvency law. Bolstering the pace of resolutions is crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to spur fresh credit and jump-start the $2.7 trillion economy after growth slumped to 5 percent in the quarter through June. India has announced a slew of measures including merging weak state-run banks with stronger ones in recent weeks to reverse the economic slowdown and avoid a surge in bad loans. Meanwhile, Italian banks including Banco BPM SpA., Unicredit SpA and Intesa Sanpaolo have cut the amount of toxic debt on their balance sheets by almost half from a peak of €341 billion in 2015, data compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows. “Delays in the bankruptcy process, changes in stressed asset rules and a slowing economy are hindering India’s cleanup efforts,” said Mathew Antony, managing partner of Aditya Consulting, an advisory firm that’s working with bankrupt companies. “Unlike in Italy, banks in India have been reluctant to sell down bad loans at discounts to tidy up the pile.” Bloomberg News

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China’s trade with US shrinks in August as tariff war worsens

EIJING—China’s trade with the United States shrank by double digits in August as the two sides prepare for trade talks with no sign of progress toward ending a worsening tariff war that threatens global economic growth. Imports of US goods fell 22.5 percent from a year earlier to $10.3 billion following Chinese

tariff hikes and orders to companies to cancel orders, customs data showed Sunday. Exports to

the US, China’s biggest market, sank 16 percent to $44.4 billion. Chinese exporters also face pressure from weakening global demand at a time when Beijing is telling them to find other markets to replace the US. China’s global exports declined 3 percent to $214.8 billion, a marked reversed from July’s 12.2 percent gain. Imports were up 1.7 percent at $180 billion. US and Chinese negotiators are preparing for talks in October over Beijing’s trade surplus and complaints about its technology development tactics. Neither side has

given any sign of offering concessions that might break a deadlock. The decision to go ahead with talks despite the latest tit for tat tariff hikes on September 1 encouraged global financial markets. Talks are due to take place in early October, later than initially planned, but the two governments have yet to set a date. Investors were unsettled by a report officials were struggling to agree on a schedule. The latest Chinese figures reflected the possible delayed impact of a US tariff hike on July 6. Forecasters had expected that to depress July sales to the United States. AP

Pakistan hosts China, Afghanistan for talks on trade, peace

SLAMABAD—Pakistan hosted a third round of trilateral talks with China and Afghanistan on Saturday covering trade, counterterrorism and an end to Afghanistan’s 18-year war. Wang Yi, China’s foreign minister, said the people of Afghanistan should determine their country’s future and that Beijing would contribute to Afghanistan’s reconciliation and reconstruction. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said this year’s trilateral talks took place at a key moment in the US-led effort to negotiate peace in neighboring Afghanistan. He said both regional

IN this photo, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (center), hand shakes jointly with Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani (right) and Chinese counterpart Wang Yi prior to a meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday, September 7, 2019. Pakistan is hosting the third round of trilateral talks with Afghanistan and China to cover trade, counterterrorism and ending Afghanistan’s 18-year war.

and Pakistani security will rely on ending the fighting there. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement that the foreign ministers also discussed cooperation in economic development.

China is developing a trilliondollar Belt and Road Initiative to build ports, highways, power plants and other infrastructure across an arc of countries linking it to Europe, Africa and Asia.

PRESS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT VIA AP

The initiative also aims to boost demand in developing countries. The forum was established in two years ago, and earlier meetings were held in Beijing and Kabul in 2017 and 2018. AP

Trump says he called off secret Taliban meeting at Camp David

ASHINGTON—President Donald J. Trump said he canceled a secret weekend meeting at Camp David with Taliban and Afghanistan leaders after a bombing in the past week in Kabul that killed 12 people, including an American soldier, and has called off peace negotiations with the insurgent group. Trump’s tweet Saturday evening was surprising because it would mean that the president was ready to host members of the Taliban at the presidential retreat in Maryland just days before the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks. More than 2,400 US troops have been killed since the US invaded Afghanistan to go after the Taliban, which were harboring al-Qaeda leaders responsible for 9/11. Canceling the talks also goes against Trump’s pledge to withdraw the remaining 13,000 to 14,000 US troops from Afghanistan and end US involvement in a conflict that is closing in on 18 years. Zalmay Khalilzad, the Trump administration’s diplomat talking to the Taliban leaders for months, has said recently that he was on the “threshold” of an agreement with the Taliban aimed at ending America’s longest war. The president, however, has been under pressure from the Afghan government and some US lawmakers, including Trump supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republican-South Carolina, who mistrust the Taliban and think it’s too early to withdraw American forces. “Unbeknownst to almost every-

A MAN enters the press area of the White House at dusk on Saturday, September 7, 2019, in Washington. On Saturday, President Donald J. Trump tweeted he has called off a secret Camp David meeting with Taliban and Afghanistan leaders. AP PHOTO/JACQUELYN MARTIN

one, the major Taliban leaders and, separately, the President of Afghanistan, were going to secretly meet with me at Camp David on Sunday,” Trump tweeted. “They were coming to the United States tonight. Unfortunately, in order to build false leverage, they admitted to an attack in Kabul that killed one of our great soldiers, and 11 other people. I immediately canceled the meeting and called off peace negotiations,” he wrote. On Thursday, a Taliban car bomb exploded and killed an American soldier, a Romanian service member and 10 civilians in a busy diplomatic area near the US Embassy in Kabul. The bombing was one of many attacks by the Taliban in recent days

during US-Taliban talks. The Defense Department says Sgt. First Class Elis A. Barreto Ortiz, 34, from Morovis, Puerto Rico, was killed in action when the explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was the fourth US service member killed in the past two weeks in Afghanistan. “What kind of people would kill so many in order to seemingly strengthen their bargaining position? They didn’t, they only made it worse!” Trump tweeted. “If they cannot agree to a cease-fire during these very important peace talks, and would even kill 12 innocent people, then they probably don’t have the power to negotiate a meaningful agreement anyway. How many more decades are they willing to fight?” AP

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Iran’s fleet of tankers poses oil market’s biggest mystery

HILE one Iranian tanker is attracting global attention, serious oil watchers remain absorbed by a bigger mystery: the hunt for the rest of Iran’s fleet. The quest has led to ever more inventive methods of tracking ships, and divergent views on the amounts of crude secretly slipping into world markets. That’s because the vessels have mostly “gone dark” since sanctions were tightened this year, switching off transponders that would reveal their location. “Iran is a black box, but it’s also not a black box” as there are ways to uncover secretive activity, said Devin Geoghegan, global director of petroleum intelligence at Genscape Inc. in Denver, Colorado. “Iran is simply doing a better job of putting their oil into other people’s hands—or their own storage tin cans—than anybody has expected.” After tearing up a previous accord on Iran’s nuclear program, US President Donald J. Trump is squeezing trade to pressure Tehran into accepting a different deal. The clash has triggered a range of hostilities, from the targeting of Saudi oil tankers to the shooting down of an American spy drone. It’s also captivated crude traders, hungry for insights that could influence global prices. While the US State Department aims to shrink Iran’s exports to “zero,” Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh has insisted his nation is working “day and night” to keep sales going, and has a number of clandestine options to enable this. If there’s one point on which the companies monitoring Iran agree, it’s that the US hasn’t yet achieved its goal: oil is still flowing. But because of their varying methodologies, the analysts differ on how much. Daily exports could be as little as a couple of hundred thousand barrels, or exceed the 1 million a day shipped during previous sanctions under Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama.

Inflated numbers?

“IRAN is as secretive now as any time over the past 40 years,” said Daniel Gerber, chief executive officer of Geneva-based tankertracking firm Petro-Logistics SA. “There’s a wide array of diverging estimates of their exports in the industry, with a series of accounting problems causing erroneous higher numbers to come into some of these.” Iran is now barely shipping a third of the amount it sold during the previous round of sanctions imposed earlier this decade, Gerber said. Some other estimates have been inflated because they include

all the oil that’s been loaded onto tankers, or put into domestic storage, rather than just what’s been shipped overseas, he said. “The Trump administration has been successful at curtailing Iran’s exports on an unprecedented scale,” according to Gerber, who said PetroLogistics is able to obtain details on the volumes and crude-type of individual cargoes, as well as on the counter-parties buying them. For some Iran-watchers, commercial satellite imagery is key. Kpler, an analytical company founded in Paris, cross-references such images with other information like customs data and reports from port agencies. It estimates that Iran has managed to maintain limited flows to China, its biggest customer, and some to Turkey and Syria. The Adrian Darya 1 tanker, the focus of worldwide attention when it was seized near Gibraltar by the UK military in early July, recently signaled a location near Syria’s coast, but has since disappeared from satellite-tracking. Iran is employing a range of techniques to try to avoid detection, including “several ship-to-ship transfers off-radar,” according to Kpler analyst Samah Ahmed.

Trump pressure

NONETHELESS, exports have largely been choked off, slumping 90 percent since Trump abandoned the nuclear pact in May 2018 to just 400,000 barrels a day, Kpler says. “The goal of bringing Iran’s exports down to zero was never attained,” said Homayoun Falakshahi, an analyst at the firm. Yet, “the Trump administration has been obviously very successful in bringing maximum pressure.” The actual volume that Iran is selling for cash is probably even lower, according to Sara Vakhshouri, head of consultants SVB Energy International in Washington, D.C. Some cargoes are sold to repay debts to China, and others are moved into so-called bonded storage there without passing customs, meaning they’re still owned by Iran. As a result, total sales in July may have been as little as 100,000 barrels a day, she said. In contrast, Genscape’s Geoghegan detects “a substantial amount of production above and beyond” other assessments. Instead of using satellite imagery of tanker traffic, he uses satellite photos of gas flaring at oil fields to gauge the level of activity there and calculate production. Iran continues to drill “full speed ahead” at new fields in the West Karoun region, Geoghegan said. Bloomberg News

Monday, September 9, 2019 A7

Hong Kong thwarts airport protest, but battles continue

FIREFIGHTERS put out fire by protesters during a protest in Mong Kok, in Hong Kong on Friday, September 6, 2019. The ratings agency Fitch on Friday cut Hong Kong’s credit rating and warned that conflict with anti-government protesters was hurting the image of its business climate.

ONG KONG—Hong Kong police thwarted another disruption at the airport by pro-democracy activists but had to battle protesters at subway stations on Saturday, as the months-long unrest showed no signs of abating even after the government offered a concession days earlier. Police mounted road checks and inspected passengers on trains and buses heading to the airport to weed out protesters. An Associated Press journalist at an area near the airport witnessed at least two bus passengers being handcuffed and taken away after police found face masks in their bags. The express train service to the airport was limited, running to and from downtown Hong Kong but skipping all stations in between. Only people with plane tickets were allowed to enter the airport terminals, and those milling around an adjoining bus terminal were chased off. Several hundred angry protesters, many in masks, converged at a subway station in the Tung Chung

area adjacent to the airport. They chanted slogans and called police “murderers” amid widespread anger over alleged brutality against demonstrators during three months of protests in the city that have become increasingly violent. Shops were shuttered and the station was shut down in the evening, as the mood grew tense. Protesters spilled onto the street after riot police with batons confronted them, with several people detained. Hong Kong’s airport, the world’s eighth busiest, has been a frequent target during a summer of protests sparked by an extradition bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. Many saw the bill as a glar-

AP PHOTO/KIN CHEUNG

ing example of the Chinese territory’s eroding autonomy since the former British colony was returned to China in 1997. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced on Wednesday that her government would withdraw the bill, but that failed to appease protesters who have expanded their goals to include other issues. The airport rail link was suspended last weekend after protesters threw objects on the track, blocked roads near the airport and damaged a nearby subway station. Last month, the airport was shut down for two days after protesters occupied the terminals, leading to violent clashes. Airport operations ran normally on Saturday following the security operation, although some travelers complained they had to get to the airport early. Susan Reigel, from Denver, Colorado, said she arrived at the airport eight hours ahead of her flight back to the US. “I don’t really have a feeling regarding the protests,” said Reigel, who spent three days in Hong Kong after a trip to mainland China. “It’s just been a little bit of an inconvenience.” Another traveler at the airport, Jens Schlimmer of Germany, expressed support for protesters fighting for their rights, saying he would

do the same if it was his country. Apart from the Tung Chung subway stop, dozens of youths also rallied at malls belonging to rail link operator MTR Corp., accusing it of helping police during a violent raid at the Prince Edward subway station on August 31. MTR shut down the Prince Edward station later Saturday after some protesters started gathering again. They later placed white flowers and burned paper offerings at the station’s exit as a sign of mourning. The station has been a focus this past week for protesters, who want the rail operator to release security camera footage to substantiate rumors that some people died during the police raid. Police reiterated in a statement on Saturday that there had been no deaths since the protests began in early June. It said online rumors of deaths were malicious and aimed at sowing deeper division in society. As night fell, protesters outside the Prince Edward subway station turned their focus for a second straight night to the police station next to it. They pointed laser beams at officers and later set fire to a pile of plastic foam boxes and other debris across the road. Riot police chased them and were seen using pepper spray, but protesters kept regrouping in familiar cat-and-mouse battles. Several people were caught. Late Friday, police fired volleys of tear gas and rubber bullets while protesters set off street fires, smashed traffic lights and vandalized three subway stations. Graffiti on walls read “Boycott China” and “Liberty or death.” The persistent violence during the protests has hurt Hong Kong’s economy and sparked fears of a Chinese military intervention. Chinese officials have warned that Beijing will “not sit idly by” if the situation worsens. Apart from the extradition bill’s withdrawal, protesters also have demanded an independent investigation into accusations of police brutality, the unconditional release of those detained during the demonstrations, no more labeling of the protests as riots and direct elections of Hong Kong’s leaders. Lam, the Hong Kong leader, has rejected those demands. The protests show no signs of receding, with plans to march to the US Embassy on Sunday to drum up international support. AP

Pope Francis presses need for dignity of work for Madagascar’s poor

POPE Francis, background center, is cheered by a crowd of faithful as he arrives with the popemobile to celebrate a mass in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Sunday, September 8, 2019. Francis is in Madagascar for the second leg of his weeklong trip to Africa. AP PHOTO/ALESSANDRA TARANTINO

NTANANARIVO, Madagascar— Pope Francis is pressing for the poor to have the dignity of work with a visit on Sunday to a hilltop rock quarry in Madagascar where hundreds of people toil rather than scavenge in the biggest dump of the Indian Ocean nation’s capital. After celebrating an open-air Mass before an estimated 1 million people, Francis heads to Akamasoa village, the brainchild of an Argentine priest who was so overwhelmed by the abject poverty of Madagascar that he set about creating ways for the poor to earn a living. Over 30 years, the Akamasoa quarry has produced the stones that built the homes, roads, schools and health clinics that now dot the pine-covered hillside of Antananarivo. The founder, Rev. Pedro Opeka said the low salaries he can pay are “an injustice,” but they are at least enough for parents to send their children to school. “Akamasoa is a revolt against poverty, it is a revolt against fatality,” Opeka told The Associated Press ahead of the pope’s visit.

“When we started here it was an inferno, people who were excluded from the society.” The Akamasoa project, which is funded by donors around the world and recognized by the Madagascar government, says it has built some 4,000 homes in more than 20 villages serving some 25,000 people since its foundation in 1989. About 700 people work in the rock quarry, using simple mallets to chop chunks of granite into cobblestones or pebbles, while others work as carpenters or attend training classes. It says 14,000 children have passed through its schools. Despite Madagascar’s vast and unique natural resources, it is one of the poorest countries in the world. The World Bank says 75 percent of its 24 million people live on less than $2 a day; only 13 percent of the population has access to electricity. Francis, the first pope from the global south, has long preached about the dignity of work, and the need for all able-bodied adults to be able to earn enough to provide for their families. He is expected

to deliver a prayer for workers during a visit to the rock quarry in one of the highlights of his weeklong Africa pilgrimage. Susane Razanamahasoa, 65, has worked in the quarry for 20 years, nine-and-a-half hours a day, to provide for her six children. She said the pope’s visit recalled the dedication to the poor of Saint Francis of Assisi, his namesake. “Heisanextraordinarymanandthe fact that he has taken the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi means he is thirsty to live like Saint Francis,” she said during a break in her work. “I am so full of joy that he is coming.” Francis began his day with a Mass on a dusty field in the capital, where the faithful who attended an evening vigil spent a cold, windy night securing spots for the Sunday service. They roared and waved plastic Madagascar and Holy See flags as Francis looped through the crowd before Mass on his popemobile, kicking up red dust in his wake. Citing local organizers, the Vatican said an estimated 1 million people were on hand. AP

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A8 Monday, September 9, 2019

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Urban poor hit hardest as planet heats up

ALTIMORE—Heat radiates from the asphalt and concrete that cover the streets, the sidewalks, the alleys, even the tiny yards behind the homes in the East Baltimore neighborhood of McElderry Park. Trees are scarce. And air doesn’t move much when it comes up against block after block of rowhouses.

So as a dangerous 11-day heat wave tormented the city in July, the hottest month ever recorded on the planet, fewer and fewer residents were going outside. “Can’t even put your head out the door,” said Tammy Jackson, 48, on a day when the temperature outside hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 92˚F in her home. “This is too much. Oh Lord, this is too much.” But it is going to get worse. In McElderry Park—and around the world—in communities rich and poor, downtown and in the suburbs, weather disasters loom. And experts are using language ever more dire. Average annual temperatures in Baltimore have gone up more than 3 degrees over the last century, nearly twice as much as the rest of the country. More and more people, including Del. Robbyn Lewis, who represents parts of East Baltimore, are replacing the words “climate change” with stronger language.

“ We are,” she said, “ in an emergency.” Cities, crowded and paved-over, already feel the impact, with poorer air quality and streets, highways and bridges damaged by storms. But certain neighborhoods will continue to feel the effects of extreme temperatures more than others. Researchers at Portland State University in Oregon and the Science Museum of Virginia have mapped these areas, called urban heat islands, and data shows that temperatures here and in surrounding neighborhoods can run 8 degrees hotter than in communities that have more trees and less pavement. McElderry Park, which despite its lyrical name offers little green space, is one of these. Residents in the hottest areas have higher rates of chronic illnesses affected by heat, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In hot weather, emergency

Boisey Neal, 12, sells bottled water to passing motorists on the corner of Orleans Street and North Milton Avenue in the McElderry Park neighborhood of Baltimore in this July 1 photo. Like many residents of McElderry Park, the city’s hottest neighborhood, Boisey lives without airconditioning. University of Maryland Capital News Service via AP

medical calls for some chronic conditions increase. The rate of emergency medical calls for cardiac arrest and congestive heart failure, for example, nearly double when the heat index hits 103°F. Households in the city’s hottest areas have lower incomes, which means the residents don’t have the resources to move out. This is true across the country. In a majority of the country’s most populous cities, people with lower incomes typically lived in the hottest areas, an investigation by journalists from NPR and the University of Maryland found. Sacoby Wilson, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, says people in low-income neighborhoods walk more, ride more buses and drive fewer cars, so they contribute less to climate change. And yet, they

are more vulnerable to dying in extreme heat. “Environmental justice and climate change,” Wilson said, “are inextricably linked.” Rowhouses, Baltimore’s signature architecture, trap heat and stay hot even when the heat eases on summer nights. Crime rates are higher, so many people won’t put an air-conditioning unit in a first-f loor window for fear of break-ins. The problems are not new. Many stem from historical segregationist zoning and lending policies that for decades limited where black citizens could live. During an 11-day July heat wave, Baltimore’s health department put out press releases advising citizens to drink water, cut back on outdoor activities and find relief in designated

Kadayawan revelers, Smart join hands to save the environment

lastic waste pollution continues to be one of the major environmental challenges of the world. Recognizing this, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications brought their #PlanetSmart campaign to Davao City to benefit attendees of the Kadayawan Festival. Through #PlanetSmart waste collection vendo machines, residents and revelers were able to dispose of their plastic bottles and cans in exchange for Smart load. Ve ndo m ac h i ne s we re i n stalled in two festival areas— Kadayawan Village, Magsaysay Park, and Santa Ana Garden Park. Among the Davaoeños who actively participated in the campaign was Christine Joy Ruiz, a senior high student and a resident of Matina, Davao City. The 16-year-old Davaoeña got curious when she saw the reverse vendo device and collection bin, so she approached the Smart team to see how the device worked. She dropped 15 plastic bottles. “I dropped around 15 plastic bottles. Actually, I only used one bottle, the rest were bottles I collected from the park,” she said in the vernacular. She u nderscored t hat t he #Pl a net Sm a r t i n it i at ive w a s

A representative of Smart (right) demonstrates to an elder tribe member how the #PlanetSmart recyclables collection system works.

a f u n a nd innovat ive way of ga rbage col lect ion. “Besides getting free Smart load from this activity, the best part is we can help make our community greener and cleaner,” she added. Smart Community Partnerships Senior Manager Nova Concepcion said this initiative was part of Smart’s efforts to promote environmental awareness and to encourage adoption of the city’s “no single-use plastic” campaign. “Mismanaged waste threatens public health and the environment. Our #PlanetSmart program helps address this by harnessing technology for environmental protection. This initiative helps

achieve two things: raise environmental awareness and incentivize the process of waste management,” Concepcion said. “Through this program, we want waste segregation and recycling to be everyone’s lifestyle. We want people to get used to it and make it a habit,” she added.

How it works

The #PlanetSmart reverse vendo machines are powered by electronic sensors that send out SMS messages each time plastic bottles and empty cans are deposited into the recycling bins. The messages trigger the free load given to the subscriber who

deposits the plastic bottles. Collected items are then turned over to a recycling facility. “The local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] is currently our recycling partner. We turn over the PET bottles to them during festivals and they forward it to recyclers. In the future, we plan to partner directly with plastic recyclers,” Concepcion said. The #PlanetSmart recycling machine is a homegrown innovation of PLDT employees. It was the winning entry during the 2018 MVP Geek Olympics, the PLDT Group’s annual innovation competition across all employees of the MVP Group. The competition is a brainchild of PLDT Innolab, the group’s incubator for start-ups and developer communities that want to scale extensible partnerships. B esides t he #Pl a net Sm a r t ac t iv it y, Sm a r t a l so led t he #LearnSmart educational apps exhibit that aims to promote literacy in the mother tongue. Festival revelers were also treated to free Wi-Fi, charging services, games and prizes at the Smart Hub at Santa Ana Garden Park. PLDT and Smart also provided connectivity support during the festival.

Keeping the water where it should be in Teresa, Rizal

ERESA, Rizal—In less than 25 years, there will be no more water to drink or to use in watering crops in Rizal. According to a 2014 study conducted by World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines), the Morong-Teresa Sub Watershed will dry up. This raises issues of climate change, unabated development and unsustainable water management practices. In response to the situation, Republic Cement has turned its

quarry into a catchment that harvest rainwater. The Teresa Quarry Rainwater Catchment holds about 235 billion liters of water that is equal to 11,750 water delivery tankers. If this amount of water freely runs off, this would have caused massive f looding in the area. During the dr y season, the collected water supplies the cement plant its operational water requirement, including fugitive dust abatement.

A neighbor, farmer Willie Natividad of Barangay Dulumbayan, expresses gratitude to Republic Cement because of this initiative. The water from the catchment is shared to the farmers ensuring that they can plant two crops of palay a year while allowing vegetable growing in between. He a lso shared that the catchment helps in the f loodprevention of the Teresa tow n which is situated on a va l ley in bet ween mountains.

Natividad said in Filipino that besides assuring irrigation for the crops, the water catchment helps prevent flooding in the area. Rainwater harvest is only one of Republic Cement’s contribution to wider collective efforts of managing the area’s finite natural resources. I n pa r t nersh ip w it h com munity and collaboration with stakeholders, they build a more c l imate- change resi l ient and stronger community.

air-conditioned cooling centers. Inside the rowhouses, even those with an air-conditioning window unit, the heat simmered. Reporters from the University of Maryland ’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism and Capital News Service placed sensors that record heat and humidity inside several homes in McElderry Park and nearby neighborhoods. Those sensors recorded temperatures that reached as high as 97˚F and heat index values of 119˚F. In some homes, those readings showed that it was hotter inside than outside. At 7 p.m. Friday, the heat index in Baltimore hit 103˚F. Inside the bedroom Stephanie Pingley’s niece shares with one of Pingley’s three sons, it was 13˚degree hotter, with a heat index of 116˚F. A ll of her boys have asthma. By Saturday, the heat index inside the second-floor apartment of Michael Thomas and Alberta Wilkerson hit 112˚F. A fan pushed hot air around. Thomas, 61, has emphysema. Wilkerson, 49, has had a heart attack. “J u s t l i v i n g t h r o u g h i t ,” Thomas said. On Sunday, Solomon Simmons, who is retired from a job at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, went to Hope Community Church, where he is a deacon. “We had trouble getting the church cool,” he said. Simmons, 71, will not put an air-conditioning unit in a firstfloor window facing the street “because of security.” But especially

for children, older residents and people coping with chronic diseases, air-conditioning is the answer. Tammy Jackson, who has asthma, said she had to stop cooking dinner one July evening when the heat made it hard for her to breathe. The next day, she told her husband, “Baby, I can’t cook until I get AC.” Twenty people have died of heat-related illnesses in Maryland so far this year, three of them in Baltimore, according to data through August 28. Historically, the Baltimore a rea h a s averaged about si x days a year when the heat index exceeded 100˚F, according to a new research from the Union of Concerned Scientists and the University of Idaho. If no action is taken to reduce carbon emissions, by mid-century that figure will rise to more than 37 days annually, according to the researchers. As temperatures in Baltimore reached 100˚F on July 20, most everyone around the city was staying inside. “This is the quietest the block ever been,” Jackson said. “I can’t believe it.” But city life continued despite the heat. A team of paramedics was called to an East Baltimore block when a resident found a man she didn’t know passed out on her front steps. The paramedics revived the man, who apparently had overdosed, with a dose of Narcan. He stood up and wandered off, rejecting advice he go to the hospital.

University of Maryland’s Howard Center and Capital News Service/AP

PBSP, top firms partner for Marikina Watershed rehab

espite the bad weather, around 500 employee-volunteers from 27 companies, professionals, athletes, enthusiasts and families trooped to the Marikina Sports Complex recently to run for the reforestation of the Marikina Watershed. The second Marikina Watershed Family Fun Run (MWFFR) was organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), in partnership with the city government of Marikina and PLDT Inc. Proceeds from the run for a cause will support the organization’s Collective Impact initiatives in the Marikina Watershed, particularly the reforestation efforts at the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape (UMRBPL).

Business sector response

PBSP has long been engaging member-companies in watershed rehabilitation and management of the UMRBPL and the Buhisan Watershed in Cebu City, and in helping provide livelihood to communities residing in these areas. The initiative also creates a platform for employee-volunteers to help in their own ways through tree planting and participating in the fun run. “We, at PBSP, believe that each of us can contribute in addressing social problems. This is captured in our campaign called #KasaliAko that aims to invite everyone to be involved and included in our nation’s growth and development,” said PBSP Executive Director Reynaldo Antonio Laguda. By running in the Marikina Watershed Family Fun Run, Laguda said that one is already doing his or her part in helping the environment and is included in PBSP’s collective response that leads to restoring the watershed and bringing various interventions to the locals. A staunch supporter of the initiative is the Aboitiz Group which has planted over 200,000 trees in 138 hectares of the Marikina Watershed for two years now. “The Aboitiz Group fully supports PBSP’s Marikina Watershed Family Fun Run. We dedicate this 2019 run to the A-PARK program, the Aboitiz Group’s contribution to the government’s National Greening Program, consisting of various reforestation efforts for a health ecosystem,” The Aboitiz Group said in a statement. PLDT Inc. which mobilized around 70 employee-volunteers for the fun run, underscored the need for environmental protection. “With all the recent environmental catastrophes the world is facing, we must do

everything we can to save and protect our one true home—Mother Earth. We hope that our collective efforts in rehabilitating the Marikina Watershed will help in ensuring a better future for our children and the next generations to come,” PLDT Community Relations (ComRel) Division Head Katherine P. Diaz de Rivera said. Meanwhile, IC TSI Foundation which p a r t i c i p a t e s i n P B SP ’s t r e e - p l a n t i n g initiatives also joined the fun run for the second time around. “The deforestation of the Marikina Watershed affects not just Marikina but also the neighboring cities and with the current water crisis, it’s more important to support this kind of initiative. Moreover, when we joined the fun run last year, we saw the interest of the employee-volunteers who joined. Many of them would ask us when the next fun run will be so we decided to participate again this year,” said ICTSI Foundation Program Operations Manager Joy Lapuz. Deloitte Shared Service Center Inc. employee Ellen Joy Cajes, who bagged first place in the 10K female category, expressed her excitement in joining the fun run. “In joining fun runs, you get to meet people and talk about the advocacies that you want to push forward. Joining the Marikina Watershed Family Fun Run is a really great experience and I’m thankful to Deloitte Philippines Outreach Inc. for sponsoring us to join this event, help out the environment, and promote a healthy lifestyle,” Cajes said. Joseph Pirmejo, Bookmark Inc. employeevolunteer and first-time runner, also echoed Cajes’s thoughts, adding that besides giving him the chance to improve his physical fitness, the fun run also enabled him to do his part in saving the Marikina Watershed.

PBSP in the Marikina watershed

In 2010, PBSP launched its Marikina Watershed Initiative Program as a response of the private sector to the deluge caused by Typhoon Ondoy in September 2009. The deforestation of the Marikina Watershed largely contributed to the record-breaking floods in Metro Manila and neighboring cities at that time. The lack of trees in the watershed left the ground unable to absorb rainwater, which flowed to the lowlands instead. To date, PBSP and its member-companies have reforested 318 hectares and planted around 200,000 native fruit-bearing trees that will also provide sustainable source of livelihood for the locals.

Biodiversity Monday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph

PHL raises Asean, biodiversity awareness in cultural show

free cultural show at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium in Manila on August 31 put the spotlight on the region’s shared environment and one desire and responsibility to protect nature, focusing on the Asean region’s rich marine life. This was made through commemorat ive speec hes, mu sic and dance performances based on env ironmental awareness, conser vation and sustainable use of biological diversity to f u r t her h igh l ight t he A sea n Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) as the only regional hub for biodiversity conservation hosted by the Philippines. T he Nat ion a l Com m ission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) of the Philippines, led by its Chairman and National A rtist Virgilio S. A lmario, spearheaded the Asean Month Celebration w ith “Sama Sama Asean Para sa K alikasan [Asean, Our One SEA].” The multi-arts concert was celebrated in accordance with Proclamation 282 (s. 2017) declaring August as Asean Month. This was also part of the regional commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of Asean. With its peoples at the heart of Asean cooperation, the concert aimed to enjoin the general public in the regional celebration and to further raise awareness about Asean, the values the cooperation fosters, and its role in the development of the country and the region. “We deeply appreciate this initiative of the Philippine [government] to promote awareness on Asean and on the values of biodiversity, particularly of our teeming marine life in the region. It is high time for us to emphasize the interconnectivity of the region’s marine ecosystems, for the public to realize that what we do in our country will

affect the overall health of the region’s biodiversity,” said ACB Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim. Lim added that one of the most pressing issues that threatens our marine life is plastic pollution. “Every year, the world produces around 5 trillion plastic bags— that is more or less 700 bags per person annually.” She said the plastic bags, which are usually utilized in just a few minutes or hours, “take centuries to decompose.” “Before being decomposed, the wastes pile up in lands and easily washed up into streams, and rivers until they reach the oceans; polluting waters, destroying aquatic habitats, and eventually kill marine species,” Lim said. With its commitment to sust a i n awa reness about A sea n in the country, the Philippine Asean Committee on Culture a nd I n for m at ion s ho wc a s e d c ross - c u lt u ra l present at ion s and performances that feature Asean dances from Indonesian artist Aisha Munaf, Guang Ming Dance Project and the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. A glimpse of musical prowess was rendered by the Viva Voce and Bayang Barrios at Ang Naliyagan Band. Part of the program were some video presentations and other preshow activities that include the exhibit, “Ripples: Awakening Consciousness of the Asean Biodiversity and the Seas.” Joining the mu lti-sectora l celebration in the Philippines are agency partners including the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Parks Development Committee, the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Philippine Information Agency, People’s Television, the Bureau of Communications Services and the ACB.

High hopes for lowly bamboo By Jonathan L. Mayuga

@jonlmayuga

s “ber” months set in, the peculiar feeling brought about by the Christmas season is felt by young students as they are asked to plan for their special projects in school, testing their creativity and skills, in producing projects from the simple Christmas tree to glittering lanterns or a manger depicting the birth of Jesus. However, the use of bamboo, locally called kawayan, is way past the level of school projects the students make, said the country’s top environment and natural resources officials. In fact, officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have high hopes on bamboo in saving the country’s dwindling forests. Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu believes that bamboo, a giant grass species that naturally occur in tropical countries like the Philippines, can be a good alternative to wood, it can save our forest and boost our natural defense against climate change. How? Through its massive cultivation, research and development and information campaign to popularize its use by various stakeholders from the big players in the construction industry to wood producers and furniture makers in the Philippines. B amboo is a versatile renewable resource. Being a giant grass, it is fast-growing and resilient and survives extreme weather conditions. In terms of environmental benefits, bamboo improves the microclimate, controls soil erosion, protects riverbanks, reduces flash floods, serves as a windbreak and sequesters atmospheric carbon efficiently. Bamboo has good properties that are comparable to most tree species as it offers a variety of uses either in its raw form or as processed into engineered products.

Dwindling forest

Despite the country’s reforestation efforts,

Cimatu noted that only 23 percent of the country’s total land area—approximately 30 million hectares—are covered by forest, making the Philippines having one of the lowest forest covers in Southeast Asia. The average forest cover in other countries in the region is between 30 and 35 percent. The DENR chief noted that the Philippines early on had the biggest forest cover in Asia but because of overuse of timber, its forest cover has dwindled. Incidentally, the DENR’s Forest Management Bureau (FMB) is eyeing a bigger budget for the implementation of the Enhanced National Greening Program (eNGP)—P5.152 billion of the total DENR budget requisition of P19.93 billion for 2020. Of the amount, P4 billion is for capital outlay, while the remaining P1.062 billion is for maintenance and other operating expenses.

Monday, September 9, 2019

WWF: Whale shark population increases More than 100 new ‘butanding’ (whale shark), including juveniles, spotted in Donsol, the highest number in several years

ONSOL, Sorsogon—Onehundred-four new butanding (whale shark) individuals have been identified in Ticao Pass off the coast of Donsol, Sorsogon, between January and June 2019, according to a report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines. Whale shark, classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on their Red List of Threatened Species, is a filter-feeding carpet shark and the largest living fish species in the world. Each whale shark can be identified based on the unique pattern of spots behind its gills, which serves as a “fingerprint” for identification. Just as no two human fingerprints are alike, no two whale sharks have the same spot pattern. The addition of these new sightings puts the total number of whale shark individuals spotted in Donsol at 676 since the monitoring began in 2007, the WWF said in its news release. This represents nearly 40 percent of all the 1,724 whale sharks identified in the Philippines. The number of individuals spotted in 2019 was also the largest in several years, with only 22 new individuals spotted in Donsol between 2017 and 2018 by comparison.

The whale sharks were sighted during this year’s photo identification activities conducted by WWFPhilippines. In the first half of this year, 168 individuals—with 64 resightings alongside the 104 newly identified ones—were noted. Very young whale shark juveniles were also identified among the 168 individuals that were spotted. Their presence suggests that the Ticao Pass may be a pupping ground for whale sharks, further increasing the ecological significance of the area. “These whale sharks that pass by Donsol aren’t just important due to their value to local tourism. More than that, they play an important systemic role in providing resilience to the local ecosystem,” said WWF-Philippines Donsol Project Manager Manuel Narvadez Jr. in the news release. “The number of whale sharks spotted in Donsol indicates that its waters are now rich with plankton, which is their primary food.

creating new income streams. Equally important, he said, is that bamboo will help mitigate flooding, prevent soil erosion and protect communities from rising sea level.

Panay as the country’s ‘bamboo capital,’” he said in a statement. To make this happen, he ordered the DENR Western Visayas Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla Jr. to conduct an inventory of existing bamboo plantations and establish more bamboo processing plants that would produce high-quality engineered kawayan products. The DENR in Western Visayas had initially identified 60 hectares for the propagation of bamboo on Panay Island, where more than 6,100 hectares of plantation currently exist. The agenc y has committed to plant 1 3 , 5 0 0 h e c t a re s o f i n d u s t r i a l b a m b o o species, such as tinik, giant buho, bayog and bolo by 2020. To achieve this, some P10 million has been initially earmarked in the 2019 budget for the production of planting materials and capacity building of farmers.

Panay Island as bamboo capital

T he DENR chief earlier vowed to develop Panay Island in the Western Visayas region as the center of bamboo production in the Philippines in suppor t of the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) during the summit in Iloilo City. With Panay Island being naturally abundant with bamboo, Cimatu vowed to transform the island as the center for bamboo production and make it the DENR’s contribution to the NCI-SRD. “We will adopt the latest technology in producing lumber and timber out of the bamboo stands. This can usher in inclusive development on the island and provide income and livelihood not only to the marginal farmers, and promote

Bamboo solution

The DENR chief said that using bamboo as an alternative to traditional hardwood building materials would eliminate the need to cut trees in the forest, which helps lessen climatechange impacts by reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. “ We are envisioning to produce engineered bamboo as a substitute for actual lumber instead of cutting trees in the forest in order to increase our forest cover in the next several years or decades to catch up with our Asean neighbors,” Cimatu said in his speech during the first-ever Asean Bamboo Congress held in Iloilo City on August 13. Moreover, Cimatu said bamboo reduces the need for timber resources and greatly help in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and low-cost rehabilitation of degraded lands. This explains a new policy that aims to establish more bamboo plantations in the country. Bamboo, he said, not only provides food and raw materials for construction—even clean fuel—but also generates local jobs,

A diver tags a whale shark off the coast Donsol as part of the local population count. Jurgen Freund/WWF

They have even come here with their young,” he added. WWF-Philippines has been active in Donsol since 1998 and has actively worked with the local government unit (LGU) for more than two decades for the conservation of the Ticao Pass and the local whale sharks. The whale shark census, which monitors the number of whale shark individuals passing through Donsol, began in 2007. A thriving ecotourism industry centered on communal participation in the conservation of the whale shark has helped Donsol rise from a fifth-class municipality on its way to first class. Conservation activities in the Ticao Pass between WWF-Philippines and the LGU of Donsol will continue in the coming years. WWF-Philippines is currently exploring options of expanding the current Marine Protected Areas

(MPA), or establishing new ones in neighboring Masbate municipality to further protect the Ticao Pass and its inhabitants. “Whale shark tourism at Donsol is a long established eco-tourism venture, which the WWF-Philippines team helped set up and running. After so many years, it is very gratifying to see local communities and the whale sharks continuing to benefit,” said Dr. Andy Cornish, leader of “Sharks: Restoring the Balance,” WWF’s global shark and ray conservation program. “Protecting more marine areas near Donsol could play a key role in enhancing protection for these endangered ocean nomads for generations to come,” Cornish said. W W F ’s globa l prog ram on sharks includes work to conserve whale sharks in Ecuador, Mexico, Pakistan, and Tanzania, in addition to the Philippines, it added in its news release.

Bamboo industry

vast potential of bamboo for environmental sustainability and economic resiliency amid climate change. Cimatu described the resolution as a “decisive output” of the conference as it enabled a formal commitment of the signatories toward “a sustainable and climate resilient future for the entire region.” “ With this resolution, we are assuring that we will put our utmost endeavors in the continuous research and development in bamboo production technologies, as well as stronger linkages within the Asean region,” Cimatu said in a statement as he thanked the participants.

The development of the Philippine bamboo industr y was conceptualized by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who signed Executive Order 879. The order mandates the creation of the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council to promote the development project and directing the use of bamboo for at least 25 percent of the desk and other furniture requirements of public elementar y and secondary schools, and prioritizing its use in furniture, fixtures and other construction requirements of government facilities. The order manifested the government’s commitment then to reforest at least 500,000 hectares with bamboo as part of the 1 million hectares designated areas as its contribution to the Asean commitment of 20 million hectares of new forest by 2020 to improve the environment. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm behind the policy failed to gain traction. Even under the eNGP, bamboo was not as popular and, hence, not a priority. Forest plantations were established using fast-growing trees. It was only recently in the latter part of the eNGP’s implementation that the government shifted to planting native tree species.

Renewed commitment

Bamboo trees

Recent developments saw the Philippine government renewing its commitment to promoting bamboo as alternative to wood when it hosted the first Asean Bamboo Congress for Climate Change Adaptation Towards Environmental Sustainability and Economic Resiliency in Iloilo City last month. The event convened more than 200 researchers, academics, polic y-makers, professionals and business groups within the Asean region who discussed and exchanged information on bamboo and sustainable environmental strategies. During the event, participants adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of the Asean Bamboo Network that will explore the

Valuable resource

Dr. Sofio B. Quintana, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) director and National Coordinator of the Bamboo Plantation Development Project (BPDP), said hosting the event is recognition of the importance of bamboo. “Bamboo is considered as a valuable economic and environmental resource, and ERDB hopes to continue to innovate ways on increasing awareness on the promising potentials of bamboo especially in attaining environmental sustainability and economic resiliency,” Quintana said. He said the DENR-ERDB will continue to conduct research and development and come up with programs that will ensure the sustainable development of an industry anchored on bamboo. In the ongoing budget deliberations in Congress, Quintana expresses high hopes that lawmakers will allot a budget for the establishment of bamboo plantations and the conduct of more research and development on bamboo—including the production of disease-free and quality planting materials and engineered bamboo products. Quintana said he will bat for a bigger budget for the eNGP, confident that with no less than the DENR chief ’s recognition of its vast potential, the establishment of bamboo plantations or its cultivation in degraded areas will not be left out.

A10 Monday, September 9, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

More positive tax reform is coming

ECIDING who should hold the powers of the government has been a challenging question since time immemorial. It was probably easier when the tribal leader was the strongest man with the biggest stick to break the heads of the opposition. We became more civilized when the Athenians established what is generally held as the first democracy in 508–507 BC. Of course, that “democracy” was loose in that only eligible citizens were allowed to vote. However, Athenian citizenship excluded women, slaves, nonlandowners and men under 20 years of age. It was not until the 17th century in England that the number of people making up the “masa” became too large for the elite to ignore and control. So now most countries have governments that are allegedly “of the people, by the people, for the people.” There is something inherent in people that control a government even dating back to the earliest times. People in power want to keep that power and all kinds of methods have been used. Of course, the easiest way is simply killing anyone who wants to take over. But over the centuries, that has become harder and harder to do. Yet, the politicians found—maybe 15 minutes after the first “free and fair” election—a much more effective way. While the politicians want to hold power, the people are inclined to want “free things.” It has become a marriage made in heaven. “You give me your vote and I will give you [fill in the blank].” It was easier when the government could give permission to invade and take the “free” land from the savages living across the river—or across the world. Now the formula is “tax and give away” and governments are creative at seeing new things to tax. The Beatles said it best in their song “Taxman.” “If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street, If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat, If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat, If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.” However, economies that are stable, stronger, and growing faster are those reforming their taxation structure to keep more money in the pockets of the people rather than find more sources of revenue. Tax reform can be brutal in the short term, as we experienced with high inflation in 2018. Yet, the long term benefits when measured over years and not months are substantial. Cited by the International Monetary Fund was Georgia, which started changing its tax laws in 2004. Tax rate reduction is not the only method of reform. Georgia eliminated virtually all local taxes and fees, reduced the number of income tax brackets and the 21 original types of taxes were reduced to seven. Many ideas that Georgia implements were included in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law. Now the House has approved the Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Reform Act, which goes another step farther. For example, the final tax on saving interest is going down to 15 percent from 20 percent. The proposed law also removes dreaded documentary stamp tax on diplomas, transcripts of records, certificates, and marriage licenses and there would not be any “doc stamp” on domestic money transfers. After decades of tax reform neglect, the government is at last moving in the right direction. The people and the economy will greatly benefit. Since 2005

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Mother Mary, our farmers and the SEA Games Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

RESIDENT Duterte declared September 8 a special working holiday in the Philippines by signing into law Republic Act 11370. This year, the date fell on a Sunday, which found Catholic families and the religious trooping to the churches to commemorate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catholic Church assigned September 8 to celebrate her birth because it follows nine months after December 8, which is the celebration of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin. The church chooses feast dates based on the date of a saint’s death, a date that has a special meaning to the saint’s life, or some other meaningful date. It is not that important if September 8 is not her real date of birth. The

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SEVEN months after the President signed the rice tariffication law, he instructs the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy all the rice products

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TOWARD the end of November this year, the Philippines is hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Most of the activities will be held in Clark, Pampanga. The Bases Conversion and Development

Only one ‘ID’ needed–soon

✝ Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Publisher

crucial point is to make sure that we remember her and pray to her. It’s not yet too late even if a day has passed. If you haven’t done so yet, you can still say the rosary. Do a good deed. Go to mass. And share smiles and love around.

of our farmers. They have been crying for help after rice prices fell due, they believe, to the effects of the said law. Around 3,000 rice mills have stopped their operations since the law was signed, according to the Philippine Confederation of Grains Associations. Meanwhile, the NFA is asking for additional budget to be able to carry out the President’s directive. The agency needs to spend on the purchase and for additional storage for the rice produce. To support our farmers, consumers are being encouraged to patronize local rice products. The government is also being urged to review current policies to make sure farmers and our agriculture industry, in general, are protected and assisted.

N August 6, 2018, President Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11055 known as the “Philippine Identification System Act.” The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), pursuant to its mandate to carry out the provisions of RA 11O55, promulgated the implementing rules and regulation (IRR) on October 5, 2018. This IRR shall apply to all persons in the creation, operation and maintenance of the Philippine Identification System, the registration in PhilSys and in all transactions where the PhilSys Number (PSN), Philippine Identification Card (PhilID), or biometric information is required, presented, or used, whether legally or illegally, within or outside the Republic of the Philippines (Section 2, IRR). The objectives of this IRR are stipulated under Section 2 (Declaration of Policies) and Section 3 (Objectives) of the Philippine Identification System Act, to wit: a. To establish a single identification system for all citizens and resident aliens; b. To provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens as a means of simplifying public and private transactions;

c. To eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and the private sector, subject to the appropriate authentication measures based on biometric identification system; d. To be a social and economic platform through which all transactions including public and private services can be availed; and e. To promote seamless service delivery, enhancing administrative governance, reducing corruption, strengthening financial inclusion, and promoting ease of doing business (Section 3, IRR). “Citizen” refers to a Filipino citizen, as defined in the Constitution, including those with dual or multiple citizenships, in accordance with RA 9225, otherwise known as the “Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act 2003” (Section 4 [e], IRR).

“Resident Alien” refers to an individual who is not a citizen of the Philippines, but has the appropriate immigrant visa or established residence in the Philippines for an aggregate period of more than 180 days and is in possession of Alien Certificate of Registration I-Card (Section 4 [o], IRR). The PhilSys shall have the following key components: A. PhilSys Number—The PSN is a randomly generated, unique and permanent identification number that will be assigned to every citizen or resident alien upon birth or registration by the PSA, in accordance with the registration process provided in this IRR. All government agencies, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) shall incorporate in their identification systems and databases the PSN, or its derivative, of covered individuals which shall be the standard number for the individual across all agencies of the government. The PSN shall not be predetermined or preassigned to any individual. Neither shall any individual be allowed to choose his or her PSN. No person shall have more than one PSN. The PSN, in print, electronic, subject to authentication, shall be accepted as sufficient proof of identity. B. PhilSys Registry—The PhilSys Registry contains the PSN, the registered records, record history, and registered information of all registered persons in the PhilSys. Registered records shall pertain to

Authority (BCDA) has been on top of preparations to make sure that the facilities are ready for the regional sports tournament. The agency, together with its partners, has done an excellent job and are able to finish way ahead of time. Local athletes have been testing the facilities in the past days and media personalities have visited to check out the impressive Sports Complex. Composed of an Athletic Stadium, an Aquatic Center, and an Athletes’ Village, the huge Sports Complex in New Clark City was built using the finest materials and under strict guidelines from international certification organizations. Everyone’s hoping that our athletes will be inspired to train better and compete better because of the new sports facilities. Here’s wishing all of our athletes the best performance, and extending well-deserved commendation to BCDA and its partners who built the complex in record time.

electronic copies of completed application forms submitted during registration and succeeding updates. The information in the PhilSys Registry shall be classified in a manner that allows safeguards for data privacy and security, access controls, and change management, as set in this IRR (Section 5, IRR). The PhilID is a nontransferable card and shall be the physical medium issued to convey essential information about the person’s identity containing on its face his or her PSA, full name, sex, date and place of birth, blood type, permanent address, present address (optional), Filipino or Resident Alien, Marital status (optional), mobile number (optional), and a front-facing photograph (Section 6-C [1], IRR, Section 7, IRR). The Phil ID shall serve as the official government-issued identification document of cardholders in dealing with all national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), GOCCs, government financial institutions (GFIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and all private-sector entities. The initial application and issuance, as well as the renewal (i.e., replacement arising from recapturing or updating of biometric information) shall be free of charge for citizens. Resident aliens shall be subject to schedule of fees issued by the PSA (Section 6-C [3], IRR). To be continued

Opinion BusinessMirror

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Smart cities, smart country

Going against the tide Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

THE PATRIOT

Thomas M. Orbos

STREET TALK

HERE is something good brewing among LGUs nationwide outside Metro Manila. Forward thinking heads of cities and provinces are now looking at how to improve the quality of life of their constituents through the use of technology. Generally termed as “smart city” solutions, the latest information and communications technology are being tapped to improve their services in areas, such as traffic management, solid waste, flood control, water, electricity and other utilities. Technology enhances these services by reducing resource consumption, operating costs and wastage, thus making them more efficient and sustainable. I have seen this in my recent travels outside Metro Manila. In Baguio City, newly elected Mayor Benjamin Magalong hit the ground running by immediately looking at smart city solutions to address the problem of traffic and solid waste. Aside from planning to implement an intelligent traffic system to control traffic flow in the summer capital, a cable car system, similar to the Metrocable in Medellin, Colombia, is being pushed in collaboration with the national government. Also in the pipeline is a waste to energy plant, which would do well than a solid waste facility in a land-starved area like Baguio. In General Santos City, Mayor Ronnel Rivera is also implementing an intelligent traffic system to address the growing traffic congestion as a result of rapid development. And rightly so, as I have been told that vehicle sales in General Santos are among the highest in the entire Philippines. In Mandaue and Cebu, Mayors Jonas Cortes and Edgardo Labella are looking at enhancing their traffic system with an automated no contact apprehension component and exploring an integrated approach to traffic management along with the rest of the nearby cities that make up the greater Cebu area. Good because as we all know in Manila, traffic flows do not end at city boundaries. In Davao City, Mayor Sara Duterte is intent on pursuing its transport modernization plan and has gone a notch higher by planning to bring in low floor, low entry buses that will be operated together with the local PUJ groups. And in my home province, Pangasinan, Gov. Amado Espino III is looking at intelligent flood monitoring solutions, among others, in anticipation to the perennial effect of flooding caused by the Agno River. I am sure other cities and provinces are also seriously looking at such a road map. With smart city solutions, local administrators are given data-driven decision-making tools that lead to enhancing the

I am sure other cities and provinces are also seriously looking at such a road map. With smart city solutions, local administrators are given datadriven decision-making tools that lead to enhancing the quality of life of their constituents. Equally important, smart cities bring in investments. And investments mean bringing direct and indirect revenues to the community. quality of life of their constituents. Equally important, smart cities bring in investments. And investments mean bringing direct and indirect revenues to the community. Take the case of the business-process outsourcing companies or BPOs, which are now on the lookout for capable cities, especially given their present restrictions and the prohibitive costs of real estate in Metro Manila. A smart city will provide the same technical and communications needs of a BPO. And with BPOs, local commerce, transportation, lodging and other businesses will grow as well. We talk about moving to a new capital city to solve the Metro Manila problem—similar to what President Widodo of Indonesia did recently when he announced a new Jakarta. Maybe we don’t need to do that to solve traffic congestion, lack of space, pollution and all the problems that is Metro Manila. Maybe what we need is to produce more Metro Manilas nationwide but now doing it more methodically and learning from our Metro Manila mistakes. Maybe we need to be smarter. And developing and encouraging smart cities in the countryside may be one of our answers. Thomas “Tim” Orbos was former DOTr undersecretary for roads and general manager of the MMDA. He is currently undertaking further studies at the McCourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University. He can be reached via e-mail at thomas_orbos@sloan.mit.edu

N jurisprudence, a dissenting opinion has little use when it comes to establishing precedent-setting decisions. After all, what matters the most is how the Supreme Court, acting as a collegial body, rule on a question of law. In rare cases, the dissent becomes a majority whenever circumstances change. But it still takes the same court, not necessarily composed of the same justices, to reverse itself. In the same vein, corporate decisions done by the Board can only be reversed by another Board action, acting collectively. Governance rules dictate that such reversal must be done with an appropriate motion raised by a member, in the proper forum, and, of course, with the quorum as dictated by the corporate by-laws. The same rule applies in congressional bills. After three readings in a plenary session, Congress votes as a singular body and no amount of dissent can overrule the voice of the majority. On the other hand, Army protocol hardly allows dissent. Decisions are not made by voting; majority rules do not apply. Whenever a commander decides on a course of action, everyone under him is expected to follow. In extreme cases, however, dissent can be justified if the order is patently unlawful or, as in the case of conscientious objections, the order is against one’s personal beliefs. There have been people who went against the tide of the majority but whose impact changed the course of events in history. Those people who expressed dissent, in words or in deeds, against the system have

been punished, some even by death. But in the end, their heroic deeds have been eventually rewarded, as in the case of devout Catholic Austrian Franz Jägerstätter who was executed in 1943 for openly refusing to serve in the Nazi Army but whose act of dying for his beliefs was eventually recognized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. Another example is Rosa Parks, whose law-defying act inside a Montgomery bus in Alabama in the ’60s inevitably catalyzed the civil rights movement in America. During the Reformation period, Martin Luther’s dissenting work against the established Roman

Monday, September 9, 2019 A11

Franz Jägerstätter, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther, and those like them managed to modify the systems they were up against. I am confident that there are dissenters in every organization who can make a lasting and meaningful change in the status quo. Catholic Church, Ninety-five theses influenced other groups to have complete reliance on Scripture and the belief that faith in Jesus is the only way for salvation rather than good works. And 35 years ago, a group of young Christians went against the norm and courageously proclaimed the Word of God to students at the University Belt in Recto Avenue that eventually led to the establishment of 100 Victory churches in the country. Dissent is innate in all human beings. The late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. said that dissent is most despised when most needed. It takes courage to express a dissenting opinion, whether in a judicial decision, in a Board-deliberated action or in a congressional fiat. Understanding that not even the Chief Justice or the Chairman of the Board or the Speaker of the House can reverse such collegial decision, one must never be afraid to speak up. Of course, each of these leaders has much influence over the others. But a gentle and small voice can start the process to reverse what has been decided by the system. As I always

Impact of new leases standards Christian P. Mendoza

DEBIT CREDIT Conclusion

INANCIAL reporting is greatly affected by the change in leases standard because this will involve a transitional challenge. Some of the existing lease agreements shall be evaluated and determined if they still fall under the scope of the newly issued International Financial Reporting Standard 16 on “accounting for leases.” Companies, in order to be fully compliant with IFRS 16, shall involve themselves in process automation, which further involves investments in huge sums of money. Another tricky financial reporting aspect of the new standard is the revision of the assessment of the ongoing policies applicable to operating leases. Since under IFRS 16, the recognition of an asset and a liability specifically provided by the standard is required, some companies may tend to have difficulty in assessing their preexisting

operating lease agreements. This will entail judgment on their part and may greatly affect the financials of the company. Lastly, IFRS 16 may cause ballooning of liabilities in the balance sheet. This may result to different opinions and perceptions among entities and their investors. Key management personnel may get into

the situation by manipulating the liabilities portion of their balance sheets, which, therefore, may result to more financial reporting problems and even issues on compliance and lawsuits. Meanwhile, it is not just the International Accounting Standards Board that issued a radical change in its leases accounting. In the US, an evident change in the balance sheets, particularly in the liabilities section, was ascertained. The US Securities and Exchange Commission led the overhaul of the new standard, which redefined the manner of reporting lease commitments. According to the web site payments.com, these new leases standards caused the liabilities of some companies to significantly increase. Fast food giants Mexican Grill Inc. and McDonald’s Corp. had seen their liabilities tripled and grew by one-third, respectively. Meanwhile, department store company Nordstrom had observed that its liabilities increased by 25 percent. Other companies that saw significant growth of their liabilities are The Cheesecake Factory, Kohl’s, Best Buy and JCPenny.

Public safety compromised by injunction vs flat glass standards Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

MAKE SENSE

HE cases recently filed by certain “flat glass” importers against the government, more specifically the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), with regard to the implementation of Department Administrative Order (DAO) 19-05 Series of 2019, worry us, and we in the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) plan to intervene in said cases. We are very concerned and anxious that the recent order by the Regional Trial Courts in both Makati and Pasay to stop the DTI from implementing the DAO, despite the fact that the cases are still undergoing trial, could further expose consumers to the risk of buying substandard products. Issued on March 28, 2019, by Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez,

the DAO requires all manufacturers, producers or importers of flat glass products to comply with certain prescribed standards and directs the mandatory inspection by the DTI of such products before these are removed from the manufacturer’s premises or released by customs authorities in the ports to the importers thereof, for eventual sale to the public. However, with the recently issued

court injunctions, consumers or users of flat glass products are practically no longer protected from “substandard” flat glass products. For all intents, this will be the scenario until the cases are finally decided, which could take years and would still be appealable. In the meantime, the injunctions could still be in force during the pendency of the cases. We are worried that flat glass products, by their very nature, are “breakables” and could result in serious physical injuries or loss of human lives in case of accidents. In short, flat glass products are life-threatening. Like steel bars, angle bars and cement, to name a few, flat glass products are under mandatory standards. In an incident in April 2016, a portion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s ceiling collapsed, causing a glass partition at its predeparture lounge area at Gate 10 to shatter. Fortunately, no one was in the immediate area when the accident happened. While recognizing that there is a presumption of regularity when the

courts issued the said injunctions against the DTI, the unintended result is that consumers of flat glass products are currently without any umbrella of protection from substandard products. And because the regulations are suspended by reason of the injunctions, consumers and the public at large cannot complain to DTI in case of physical injuries, deaths and the resulting damages. Thus, we have tasked our lawyers to study whether FPI can formally intervene in the cases, if only to clarify the following issues before the courts, especially since consumer interest and welfare are at stake. First, DTI was merely performing its “good governance” mandate when it prescribed standards for flat glass products. In Singapore, for instance, thousands of products are under mandatory standards. In the Philippines, the number of products covered by standards, especially mandatory, is very much less. The fact is flat glass was under mandatory standards since the

Flat Glass Manufacturing Co. was owned by the Japanese firm, Asahi Glass. For years, I don’t know of any complaint against mandatory standards coming from the importers, except lately. Second, the inspection of certain products should be mandatory for products that are “life-threatening,” such as flat glass or steel. Third, prescribing standards for products will raise the level of quality of goods produced in the country. The DAO applies to all those who wish to sell flat glass products in the country, whether domestic manufacturers, producers or importers. No one is exempted from complying with the rule. It is therefore difficult to understand why a producer or importer should be afraid to comply with the standard prescribed by the government. In the case of the importers who filed the cases, I ask this question: Are the products being imported compliant or not with DTI-prescribed standards? If in the affirmative, such importers should not worry that the

tell my colleagues at work, the moment you become afraid of losing your job by speaking up, that’s the time you are no longer effective in what you do. In the Bible, 2 Thessalonians 3:1415 tells us, “Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.” We are all gifted with enough discernment to understand perspectives coming from different value systems, religious affiliations, culture and moral upbringing. Thus, dissenters must never be seen as enemies, especially when they express their opposition to the system in a gentle manner. The minority should always be encouraged to speak up but, at the same time, be reminded to be respectful as to how it delivers its voice against the majority. American novelist William Faulkner once said, “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth, and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the Earth.” Franz Jägerstätter, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther, and those like them managed to modify the systems they were up against. I am confident that there are dissenters in every organization who can make a lasting and meaningful change in the status quo. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

A change in an accounting standard is inevitable. It is the duty of the standards-setting boards to promulgate rules that will keep up with the growing demands and continued changes in the financial reporting aspects of businesses. And with the issuance of IFRS 16, companies are expected to view the change to be a challenge for their financial reporting and for the entire company as well. The fact that financial reporting provides for the overview and the face of business cannot be simply neglected. However, to provide for such image, a company shall follow the regulations and standards applicable to maintain its reputation and stature in the corporate world. With this, following the revised lease standards is a must. Christian P. Mendoza is a Certified Public Accountant working as a Tax Advocacy Associate at Reyes Tacandong and Co. He is currently pursuing his Master Studies in Accountancy at the De La Salle University. This column accepts contributions from accountants, especially articles that are of interest to the accountancy profession, in particular, and to the business community, in general. These can be e-mailed to boa.secretariat@gmail.com

goods will not be released after these are inspected at the port of entry. And if the local manufacturer of flat glass is not complaining about the standards that have been prescribed by DTI, this could only mean that its products are compliant with the standards prescribed by the government. This could be the most challenging concern for millions of consumers. With the courts’ order to stop the DAO, this could also be a lonely battle. But as chairman of FPI, my conscience tells me that we should do something about the issue. I remember the words of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai: “When the world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” We may not have the voice powerful enough to make all those concerned to resolve the issue on the DAO as soon as possible. But, at least, I pray for my voice as a consumer and as chairman of FPI to be heard, no matter how muffled it would be, by the concerned government agencies and the millions of consumers as well.

2nd Front Page BusinessMirror

A12 Monday, September 9, 2019

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Beyond IMO whitelist: PHL needs Emsa OK By Lorenz S. Marasigan

@lorenzmarasigan

HILE it recently celebrated a win for remaining in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) whitelist, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has another “challenge” to complete—passing the industry review of the European Maritime Safety Agency (Emsa).

Marina Administrator Narciso A. Vingson Jr. said his group will submit its compliance report to the Emsa on October 31, pending the completion of “seven” more issues that need resolution. “The challenge is not the IMO whitelisting but the Emsa inspection sometime in the first quarter of 2020. They will come back to check our compliance,” he said. The Philippines has to correct 42 action items under an initial Emsa report, 35 of which have already been addressed.

“There are seven more that we have to comply with...in terms of national provision, certification, maritime administration, and maritime training institutions, among others,” Vingson said. “We have informed them that this is already a national issue.” President Duterte issued Executive Order 63 earlier this year, mandating Marina to establish policies and mechanisms to promote the well-being and competence of Filipino seafarers being deployed here and abroad.

An interagency task force also evaluated the compliance of maritime higher educational institutions on the training and courses offered to aspiring Filipino mariners. Aside from Marina, it is composed of the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Health and Philippine Coast Guard. Seven existing national legislations and the development of six training course packages are also being reviewed for implementation. “ This is why they are very

receptive to that because we are doing our best to do the corrective actions,” Vingson said. Failure to pass the Emsa audit may potentially jeopardize the livelihood of some 100,000 Filipino seafarers deployed in European f lag vessels. T he re a re a b out 50 0,0 0 0 Fi lipino seafarers across the globe—400,000 internationally, 100,000 locally—and they remit about $6 billion annually, contributing to the growth of the Philippine economy.

76 heinous-crime convicts freed GCTA now D.O.H. MOUNTS 1ST SEA on GCTA have yielded, says DOJ obviously AMBULANCE TO SERVE a racket ISLAND VILLAGERS By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

& Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

HE Philippine National Police said at least 65 prisoners who were among those freed under the law covering Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) have surrendered so far to police stations across the country, escaping a manhunt poised by the PNP. The Department of Justice (DOJ), however, gave a higher figure of 76.

In a separate development, Justice department officials said none of the nearly 2,000 freed under the apparent misuse of the GCTA law has fled the country. The number of those who yielded was recorded as of Sunday by the PNP, which expressed hope that others similarly released would also surrender and avoid a manhunt being readied by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). Relatedly, Justice Undersecretary Mark Perete said a total of 76 released heinous-crime convicts have already turned themselves

SOUTHWEST MONSOON AFFECTING NORTHERN AND CENTRAL LUZON as of 4:00 am - September 8, 2019

in to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). “As of 12 midnight, a total of 76 surrenderers are in the custody of the Bureau of Correction. BuCor continues to receive reports from PNP regional offices of more surrenderees,” Perete said. The number includes 28 former inmates from Region 2. “The 76 are the ones already with the BuCor. I am not sure if the figure from the PNP represents surrenderers already transferred to BuCor, or still with various PNP offices,” he added. See “GCTA,” A2

–Gordon T

HE Senate Committee on Public Accountability (Blue Ribbon) is mulling over the imposition of sanctions on prison officials found to have misused the so-called GCTA, or Good Conduct Time Allowance reducing inmates’ jail time, by applying this even to convicts sentenced for heinous crimes. “What I don’t want is that it [GCTA] is now a racket,” Sen. Richard Gordon, committee chairman, said over the weekend, citing reported cases of “payoffs” in rampant reduction of prison time for select prisoners. Asked if this included the case of controversial ex-Mayor Antonio Sanchez who was seen prepared to walk out of the national prison compound last week, Gordon replied: “I think so.” The senator also observed that Sanchez appeared to be “free to go around the prison compound without uniform.” In a radio interview on Sunday, the senator also noted reports that Sanchez’s common-law wife could “easily go in and out” of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). Gordon, however, promptly made it clear that prison officials were reminded to apply strict prison regulations. “We are not singling out Sanchez. It is the system.” Noting that the process provides the prisoners’ documents should first be submitted to the Department of Justice before release, Gordon surmised that the short-circuiting of this requirement was made possible because officials sent bad signals to subordinates to defy the rules. “Pag matapang yung nasa ibaba [If the low-ranked ones are defiant], they take the cue from above.” At the same time, the senator suggested that the President should “be careful with words,” noting that Duterte replaced Bureau of Corrections chief Nicanor Faeldon, “but says he is clean.” Gordon also prodded prison officials to review the process of granting GCTA, “not just the case of Faeldon.” Butch Fernandez

Budget. . .

Continued from A1

passage of a “pork-free and illegal insertion-free” budget. Also, Deputy Speaker for Finance Luis Raymund Villafuerte said the House leadership remains fully committed to the timely and transparent passage of the 2020 GAB at the plenary, so as to avoid the protracted deliberations that led to the four-and-a-halfmonth delay in the approval of the 2019 national budget. The latter was blamed by economic managers and

THE first batch of passengers of the sea ambulance, headed by DOH-Calabarzon Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo (with vest) and Panukulan Municipal Mayor Alfred Rigor S. Mitra disembark from the boat after the test run held at Barangay Libjo Beach in Infanta, Quezon, on September 6, 2019. DOH PHOTO

HE first sea ambulance purchased by the Department of Health (DOH) has completed its test run and will soon serve patients in far-flung island communities and geographically isolated and disadvantage areas (Gida) in Panukulan town in Quezon province. It will also serve the Polillo Group of Islands on the southeast part of the province. According to DOH-Calabarzon Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo, the purchase of the sea ambulance was made possible through a sub-allotment fund from the central office worth P21 million through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP). It aims to provide medical transport so that patients in island communities can have access to quality health-care services. “We still have to furnish the needed medical equipment and emergency kits that will be placed inside the sea ambulance and we will endeavor to acquire them immediately in order to complete its emergency care services.” Janairo said. “This is just part of the implementation of the universal healthcare system and it is meant not just to transport patients to hospitals for treatment. It will also provide preventive health-care services and it must be fitted with a mobility or referral system from the point of origin of an incident until the patient reaches the nearest rural health unit (RHU) or hospital; and back to his/her home. This—

analysts as a key factor in the slower growth in the first half of 2019. “The House leadership is fully committed to having the 2020 GAB acted upon in a timely manner and for all committee and plenary deliberations on this bill to be fully transparent and in keeping with the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling against so-called pork barrel funds for legislators,” said Villafuerte.

Stricter rule FOR his part, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Sunday reminded lawmakers to only speak within their

mobility through sea ambulance is very important and this is one of those we will boost through primary care service,” Janairo said in a mix of English and Filipino. Patients from the island communities who will be transported by the sea ambulance will be directed to the Claro M. Recto Memorial District Hospital (CMRMDH), a 25-bed capacity health facility located in Infanta town. All of the RHUs in Polillo Island in Quezon, he added, will be linked to the mainland hospital and the RHU of Panukulan will be first. If there are patients needing more specialized treatment, “we will resort to telemedicine to access the specialists in Manila,” Janairo added. Seven more sea ambulances will purchased for the island communities of Quezon to ensure a faster response to deliver, transport and provide emergency health care to patients in need of immediate treatment. Among the other municipalities and RHUs that will soon receive sea ambulances are Alabat, Calauag, Patnanungan, Perez, Quezon and Polillo. The turnover of the sea ambulance was held in Barangay Libjo Beach, Infanta, Quezon, on September 6, 2019. The ambulance can go from Panukulan to Infanta in 45 minutes in good weather condition with a speed of about 30 knots. The Municipality of Panukulan is located at the northern tip of Polillo Island, 26 nautical miles (48 kilometers) from Infanta, Quezon. It is bounded by the Philippine Sea in the North, Burdeos on the East, Polillo on the South and Polillo Strait in the West.

allotted time and ask relevant questions during budget floor debates to ensure the swift passage of the proposed 2020 budget. Romualdez, who chairs the House Committee on Rules, said,“Our national budget for next year will give a very strong foundation to ensure the successful implementation of President Duterte’s programs with sustainable and equitable growth that would provide comfortable life for Filipinos.” He said the House of Representatives will work overtime from Monday to Friday to finish their work on the proposed budget.

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Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, September 9, 2019

PCC mounts second review of SMC’s Holcim acquisition By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

ONSUMERS from six markets across the Philippines could be left with fewer options when purchasing cement under San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) acquisition of Holcim Philippines Inc., the country’s competition agency said over the weekend. To prevent this, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) initiated a second-phase review of the deal. In a statement, the PCC said the new review will assess if the transaction will substantially lessen competition in the grey cement, clinker, ready mix concrete and aggregate markets. “The second-level inquiry is set to determine if the merger of the

two biggest cement manufacturers in the country—SMC’s cement manufacturing subsidiaries and Holcim—will likely lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the relevant markets,” the PCC said. According to the PCC, initial findings of the merger review showed the buyout could affect market concentration of cement in six areas. These markets are

northeast Luzon, northwest Luzon, central Luzon—including National Capital Region—southern Luzon, northern Mindanao and southern Mindanao. “The Phase 2 review will also assess whether there will be an increased likelihood of cartel-like coordination among cement firms operating in the identified geographic areas,” the competition body added. “The PCC notes that cement is a commodity with low product differentiation where brands undergo the same quality standards. While the transaction is national in scope, the initial review shows that geographic markets by region affect retailers and consumers differently in terms of production, distribution and price,” the PCC argued. Acquiring entity First Stronghold Cement Industries Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of San Miguel Equity Investments Inc., which, in turn, is a wholly-owned

subsidiary of SMC. SMC is also engaged in the production and distribution of cement in the Philippines, as it has an ownership stake in Northern Cement Corp. and has a joint venture interest with the firm and its subsidiary Oro Cemento in two upcoming plants. Moreover, SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang is the majority owner and chairman of Eagle Cement. On the other hand, Holcim, a foreign firm engaged internationally in the manufacturing and distribution of cement, is divesting its stake in Southeast Asian economies where it is operating, including in the Philippines. The PCC said it understands the significance of the cement industry, particularly its role in the government’s infrastructure blitz. For its part, it said it is simply doing its mandate of reviewing mergers to ensure transactions do not result in the substantial lessening of competition in the affected markets.

Apple set to launch new iPhones

PPLE Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook will take the stage in Cupertino, California, on Tuesday to unveil the latest iPhones. This is the company’s most important day of the year. The smartphone makes up almost half of Apple’s sales and new models juice other sources of revenue. There will be three new models: “Pro” upgrades to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, and a replacement for the iPhone XR. The company is also readying new Apple Watches.

Here are the major changes to look out for:

n The high-end iPhone updates will be all about the cameras: These handsets will have three cameras on the back for wide-angle photography, higher-resolution pictures and much-improved video recording. There will be new AI-powered features for auto-correcting photos, putting people back into a frame when they’ve been chopped off, and live editing of video while it’s being recorded. Apple is also going to rival Google Pixel phones with a focus on improving pictures taken in low-light environments. The Face ID camera will get an upgrade, too, letting people unlock their phone even if it’s flat on a table. n Wireless charging is getting an upgrade: Devices like AirPods and the Apple Watch will be charged by laying them on the back of the phone. It’s a Samsung-like feature that is more important since Apple scrapped its AirPower multi-device charger. The Apple logo on the back of the new phones will be centered so users know where to put their AirPods and Watch for charging. n Apple wants the new devices to last longer: There’s been a lot of talk about Apple charging high prices for replacing shattered iPhones, but this year’s models are less likely to have that problem. The new handsets are said to withstand many types of drops with more shatter-resistant glass and shock-resistance. The devices will also be able to survive under water for several hours, up from the 30-minute rating of the iPhone XS line. n The iPhone XR’s replacement is getting a new camera, too: Apple will add a second camera to the back of the lower-cost iPhone, giving it enhanced portrait mode ability and optical zoom. It’ll also come in a new color, green. It will get a faster A13 chip, like the new high-end models. n The Apple Watch’s big changes came last year: This year’s Apple Watch updates will be software and casing-focused, with the company planning new versions in ceramic and titanium, a slew of new straps and the watchOS 6 update with new apps, watch faces, Siri features and an on-board App Store. Sleep tracking has been in the works, as well. Expect bigger changes and a faster processor for the Apple Watch in 2020. Bloomberg News

THE Department of Tourism and Emirates Airline signed a memorandum of agreement to help boost inbound tourism traffic from Europe. DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Marketing Development Benito C. Bengzon Jr. (right) seals the deal with Emirates Country Manager for the Philippines Satish Sethi. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Emirates Airline nixes additional routes to the PHL By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

MIRATES Airline won’t add more routes outside of Manila until it increases its profitability in the country. The carrier’s Philippines Country Manager Satish Sethi told reporters recently, “We’ve been flying to Clark and Cebu in the last three years, but I guess the challenge in operations for us is in terms of profitability, because there is a business class travel component there. We still feel we have room to develop Clark and Cebu more, and our seat factors can accommodate another 8 percent to 10 percent. Once we have full capacity, an increase in Cebu and Clark [flights] is on our agenda.” He said the airline continues to draw up internal feasibility studies on flying to other cities in the Philippines, and other emerging markets. Under an existing air services agreement between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the carrier is allowed to fly an unlimited number of flights outside of Manila. The Department of Tourism (DOT) wants increased air connectivity between the Philippines and the UAE/Europe, looking at Davao as an additional destination for the Middle East carrier. “I think what’s important is we help the airlines get the load factors up on the existing services i.e., Dubai to Manila, to Cebu, to Clark. It’s only when you get the load factors up that they can be encouraged to look at new destinations. [Our] commitment is to continue to push the demand to the destinations they currently serve, while providing opportuni-

ties to the newer destinations,” explained DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Marketing Development Benito C. Bengzon separately. The DOT and Emirates Airline signed on Thursday a memorandum of agreement to help boost the Philippines’s presence in the European market, through joint marketing efforts that will focus on branded advertising and promotional campaigns. DOT and Emirates will also utilize digital marketing strategies, tapping into the different social-media platforms and other e-marketing campaign initiatives to assert the Philippines’s presence in the international travel market. Another focus of the partnership is the people-to-people exchanges, particularly to attract European consumers, trade and media agents by launching familiarization trips and tours in the Philippines. Under the agreement, both parties will also engage in joint roadshows, bringing together Philippine industry and key market trade partners, to boost opportunities for trade. Explaining the yields from the partnership, Bengzon said: “It is widely known that longhaul source markets provide more benefits not only for tourism but also to hotel and resort operators, travel facilitators and other stakeholders as studies show that travelers from these markets stay longer and spend more.” Sethi said while overseas Filipino workers still make up the majority of Emirates passengers to and from the Philippines, “there are more tourists largely from Europe, and there’s more awareness from the Middle East,” since it started flying to Cebu three years ago. He didn’t have the exact passenger market breakdown, but said the carrier flew 1 million passengers between Dubai and the Philippines last year,

up 15 percent from 2017. It was difficult, he intimated, to put a target for this year, as the carrier can no longer increase its capacity from the present 1.1 million. It is considering to fly the 615-seat Airbus 380 to cope with the rising demand for seats to Manila, he said, but there are technical aspects that need to be addressed first due to the large size of the aircraft. The airline currently uses a 400-seat Boeing 777. Tourists from Europe grew by an average of 8.95 percent per year, according to the DOT. In 2018 alone, arrivals from Europe grew by 9 percent to 736,421, accounting for 10.33 percent of 4.1 million total foreign arrivals last year. Visitors from the Middle East, an emerging market for the DOT, have grown by an average of 3.96 percent per year since 2013. Emirates is requesting additional flights from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to increase its total to 21. (See, ‘Emirates wants to expand operations in the PHL as demand for Dubai-Manila air travel rises,” in the B usi ness M irror , August 23, 2019.) According to CAB data, there are 35 entitlements each side between UAE and Manila, and UAE carriers are allowed to fly unlimited to destinations other than Manila. Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are allocated 14 flights each between Manila and the UAE, and they are both flying once a day. However, there are unallocated entitlements on the Philippine side, while the UAE side also has “unutilized entitlements.” DubaiManila has 18, Abu Dhabi has 17 to Manila. Emirates is using all 18 flights between Manila and Dubai, aside from their seven circular flights i.e., Dubai-Cebu-Clark-Dubai. Etihad Airways is using 14 between Manila and Abu Dhabi.

PLDT TO BUILD TWO NEW INTERNATIONAL SUBMARINE CABLES AS DATA USE BOOMS By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

IGITAL services provider PLDT Inc. plans to build two new international submarine cables to further beef up its global cabling capacity, as it anticipates the boom in data usage in the Philippines to persist over the next few years with the continued growth of the digital economy. Genaro C. Sanchez, the company’s vice president for intentional networks, said his group will add two more international cable systems in its portfolio to complement the one currently being built in the Transpacific region. “We have embarked on transforming our infrastructure. Some of the cables now landed in the Philippines need upgrading because they only have roughly 25 years of service life. We have three projects lined up,” he told the BusinessMirror on the sidelines of the Asian Carriers Conference in Cebu last week. Among the three that he mentioned, one is already being built, dubbed Jupiter. It is a fiber-optic submarine-cable system with a total length of approximately 14,000 kilometers. It will employ wavelength-selectable switch technology and is being built based on the “open cable” model. It can deliver a capacity of more than 60Tbps from the Philippines to Japan and the US directly. It will be ready for service in early-2020. The two others, Sanchez said, will be linking the Philippines

easterly and westerly. “For the two other projects, we have yet to sign the construction and maintenance agreement. Our position is to sign it in October or November,” he said. The eastern link will connect Davao and Baler to Singapore and Japan via Indonesia. This will be built by 2022. On the other hand, the western link will have a cable landing system in Batangas, which will be linked to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand. It will also have branches in Indonesia and Cambodia. This will be built by 2023. Sanchez noted that these two projects are part of the P78-billion capital expenditure program of the Filipino telco for 2019. He declined to divulge the amount of investment for the two cable systems but noted that this will be much cheaper than the ones on PLDT’s portfolio. “The prices have gone down because technology is also improving. Now we can build cable systems using new parts and equipment that have higher capacity,” Sanchez explained. By practice, PLDT partners with foreign telcos to build international cable systems. Its investment varies vastly. The investment for Jupiter is P7 billion, while Asia-Africa-Europe 1 Submarine Cable System only amounts to P500 million. Including Jupiter, the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led company has a network of 17 international cable systems.

Shell, Air Liquide break ground for integrated hydrogen unit

ILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. (Pilipinas Shell), in partnership with Air Liquide Philippines Inc. (Air Liquide), recently broke ground for its Integrated Hydrogen Manufacturing Facility at the Shell Refinery in Batangas City. The facility will be the first of its kind in the country and is targeted to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the refinery. “We’ve embarked on a partnership that will capitalize on the strength and expertise of both parties—Pilipinas Shell’s 105 years of experience in the oil industry and Air Liquide’s 117 years in the industrial gas space. This partnership will develop the capability to produce hydrogen which enables Pilipinas Shell to process more crude oil varieties into more quality fuels. We expect to complete the project by end 2020 and reap the benefits from this venture starting 2021” said Paolo Barredo, Pilipinas Shell’s business opportunity and business development manager.

Under the partnership, a hydrogen manufacturing unit (HMU) will be built on site to supply the additional hydrogen requirements that will enable Pilipinas Shell to extract more diesel fuel compared to its current product slate. A dedicated facility will also be set up to capture and liquiefy carbon dioxide for other uses—a first of its kind, according to Boon Hai Ng, Air Liquide Southeast Asia Region vice president. “This undertaking is proof of our commitment to invest in projects that will enhance the competitiveness of our refinery to support the country’s energy needs. The carbon dioxide produced from the HMU will be recovered for further industrial use” said Cesar Romero, Shell companies in the Philippines country chairman. “We recognize that by leveraging on each other’s expertise, we will be able to bring more benefits not just to the company but to the country as well,” added Jan-Peter Groot Wassink, Shell Tabangao Refinery general manager.

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, September 9, 2019

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

September 6, 2019

Net Foreign Stocks Bid Ask Open High Low Close Volume Value Trade (Peso) Buy (Sell) FINANCIALS BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE

142.5 89 25.85 12.14 70.05 13 46.45 57.75 110.1 27.5 203.4 59.6 1.17 18 4.78 1.23 0.44 720 0.93 184.7 1,731

144 89.1 25.9 12.16 70.1 13.04 46.7 58 118 28 203.8 59.9 1.22 18.6 4.87 1.27 0.455 749 0.94 184.9 1,790

145 88.5 26 12.12 70.5 13.04 46.5 57.9 118 27.8 201 60 1.21 18.6 4.81 1.24 0.46 750 0.95 185 1730

145 89.7 26 12.2 70.55 13.04 46.8 58 118 28 205 60 1.21 18.6 4.82 1.25 0.46 750 0.95 185 1,790

142.5 88.5 25.9 12.1 70.1 13.04 46 57.7 118 27.5 200 59.55 1.21 18.6 4.78 1.24 0.46 750 0.93 184.8 1,730

142.5 89 25.9 12.16 70.1 13.04 46.45 58 118 28 203.4 59.6 1.21 18.6 4.82 1.25 0.46 750 0.94 185 1,790

1,512,940 955,730 822,800 849,400 1,880,950 14,000 42,300 13,210 10 51,000 520,240 38,020 18,000 200 11,000 54,000 10,000 500 178,000 4,870 10

217,747,418 85,081,123.5 21,348,875 10,327,600 132,074,206.5 182,560 1,960,330 763,946 1,180 1,420,510 105,090,548 2,270,734 21,780 3,720 52,760 67,470 4,600 375,000 166,760 900,701 17,600

INDUSTRIAL

(57,381,003) 5,698,799 (5,124,605) 5,987,882 (72,803,336) (347,325) (763,366) (137,200) 7,492,260 (1,080,891) (45,830) 37,000 -

ALSONS CONS ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG MERALCO MANILA WATER PETRON PETROENERGY PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER VIVANT AGRINURTURE BOGO MEDELLIN CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EMPERADOR SMC FOODANDBEV ALLIANCE SELECT GINEBRA JOLLIBEE MACAY HLDG MAXS GROUP PEPSI COLA SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO RFM CORP UNIV ROBINA VITARICH CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CEMEX HLDG DAVINCI CAPITAL EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP HOLCIM MEGAWIDE PHINMA TKC METALS VULCAN INDL CHEMPHIL CROWN ASIA LMG CHEMICALS PRYCE CORP CONCEPCION GREENERGY INTEGRATED MICR IONICS SFA SEMICON CIRTEK HLDG

1.31 36.4 0.242 26.4 83.2 358 22.2 5.09 4.42 2.94 10.82 33 7.2 16.06 15.6 90.4 15.88 13.9 5.89 8.83 7.23 89.9 0.69 50.95 228 8.33 13.9 2.1 12.02 1.63 5.05 168.5 1.17 73 78.5 2.81 5.81 15.1 10 14.24 19.16 9 1.06 1.22 116.2 2.03 5.06 5.24 32 2.17 8.67 1.6 1.21 12.32

1.32 37 0.247 26.5 83.5 360 22.25 5.1 4.5 2.95 10.98 33.05 7.23 16.1 15.8 108.4 15.9 13.92 5.97 8.86 7.25 90 0.71 51 229 8.6 13.92 2.11 12.1 1.64 5.13 170 1.18 74.95 79.5 2.82 6.1 15.12 10.1 14.26 19.18 9.1 1.09 1.24 128 2.05 5.12 5.3 32.5 2.19 8.75 1.63 1.22 12.38

1.34 36.6 0.241 26.8 84 363 22.45 5.09 4.45 2.94 10.98 32.8 7.23 16.12 15.34 - 15 13.84 6 8.95 7.24 90 0.7 51 229 8.36 13.8 2.12 11.84 1.64 5.1 167 1.18 74.9 81 2.74 6.08 15.1 9.99 14.6 18.9 9.1 1.1 1.27 127.9 2.04 5.06 5.21 31.9 2.17 8.29 1.6 1.16 11.4

1.34 37 0.247 26.8 84 363 22.5 5.16 4.5 2.99 10.98 33.3 7.23 16.12 15.8 - 15.88 13.96 6 9.03 7.25 90 0.71 51.4 230 8.36 14 2.22 12.2 1.66 5.13 170.4 1.18 75.45 81 2.85 6.1 15.12 10 14.6 19.4 9.1 1.1 1.27 128 2.05 5.06 5.34 31.9 2.19 9 1.64 1.26 13.7

1.34 36.4 0.241 26.35 83.15 358 22.15 5.09 4.42 2.87 10.82 32.6 7.2 16.1 15.32 - 14.72 13.84 5.88 8.83 7.23 89.95 0.69 50.8 226.8 8.36 13.7 2.08 11.84 1.64 5.1 167 1.16 72.8 77 2.73 6.08 15 9.86 13.88 18.9 9.1 1.05 1.22 115 2 5.06 5.2 31.9 2.15 8.27 1.55 1.16 11.4

1.34 36.4 0.247 26.5 83.2 358 22.25 5.1 4.5 2.94 10.98 33 7.23 16.1 15.8 - 15.88 13.9 5.89 8.83 7.25 90 0.71 50.95 229 8.36 13.9 2.11 12.02 1.64 5.1 168.5 1.18 75 78.5 2.82 6.1 15.1 10 14.24 19.16 9.1 1.09 1.23 116.1 2.04 5.06 5.24 31.9 2.19 8.67 1.63 1.21 12.32

1,000 827,900 400,000 353,700 22,270 91,760 17,700 1,946,100 27,000 30,004,000 42,500 1,427,700 9,000 3,500 1,469,200 - 3,000 635,700 138,900 2,387,600 1,817,400 215,800 211,000 140,490 764,640 4,300 42,400 19,456,000 109,000 219,000 7,200 436,200 1,079,000 1,110 2,070 14,549,000 1,500 700,900 181,900 1,162,300 4,321,600 2,000 263,000 1,098,000 1,480 220,000 4,500 56,900 1,000 5,066,000 1,998,000 859,000 4,535,000 8,239,000

1,340 30,326,800 97,010 9,365,830 1,853,447.5 32,967,244 395,650 9,950,028 120,020 88,098,510 466,594 47,135,845(31 64,884 56,380 23,072,464 - 46,182 8,835,514 824,478 21,258,877 13,172,771 19,420,818.5 147,510 7,163,192.5 174,313,658 35,948 590,722 41,811,740 1,311,760 359,240 36,750 73,507,156 1,269,050 82,440 163,852.5 40,836,330 9,130 10,571,552 1,804,538 16,529,232 82,419,216 18,200 283,140 1,354,440 183,598 447,300 22,770 298,166 31,900 10,983,660 17,315,782 1,385,300 5,542,270 104,735,370

(21,654,105) (1,003,390) (113,241.5) (19,636,728) 58,890 (3,082,671) (52,840) 21,960 ,920,760.0003) 7,230 7,938,006 (15,000) (828,452) (657,812) (15,042,461) (1,749,977) (8,297,996.5) 5,291,176 12,206,222 1,042,120 (17,532) (21,940,745) 6,359,760 7,412,522 89,190 (2,801,224) 4,895,890 49,240 (73,360) 12,760 2,530,300 (3,270,558) 338,000 (129,780) (18,836)

ABACORE CAPITAL ASIABEST GROUP AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.86 14.5 900 52.4 12.2 3.42 6.96 0.79 1.21 1.23 6.76 8.81 13.52 4.6 900 5.9 71 5.35 5.26 5.3 0.485 4.56 14.98 0.65 5.2 0.039 1.38 2.71 1.29 1,041 175 0.85 235 0.231 0.247

0.87 14.84 900.5 52.75 12.28 3.43 7.03 0.8 1.22 1.24 6.79 8.82 13.6 4.88 911 6 72 6.47 5.89 5.49 0.495 4.59 15 0.66 5.21 0.04 1.4 2.8 1.36 1,048 178.5 0.86 243 0.235 0.249

0.88 14.8 906 52.7 12.16 3.5 7.03 0.81 1.24 1.25 6.72 8.91 13.62 4.29 912.5 6 71.85 5.31 5.26 5.32 0.495 4.6 15.26 0.65 5.26 0.039 1.4 2.76 1.29 1028 177.8 0.88 236.8 0.23 0.247

0.91 15 916 53.1 12.4 3.56 7.03 0.82 1.25 1.26 6.79 8.91 13.62 4.72 915 6 72.85 5.33 5.5 5.32 0.495 4.6 15.26 0.66 5.28 0.039 1.4 2.76 1.36 1,048 179 0.88 236.8 0.231 0.247

0.87 14.5 900.5 52.4 12.16 3.4 7.03 0.79 1.2 1.23 6.72 8.8 13.5 4.11 900 5.9 70.95 5.31 5.26 5.3 0.485 4.56 14.94 0.62 5.15 0.039 1.36 2.74 1.29 1,026 175 0.85 236 0.23 0.247

0.87 14.82 900.5 52.4 12.2 3.43 7.03 0.8 1.21 1.24 6.76 8.82 13.6 4.6 900 5.9 71 5.33 5.5 5.3 0.49 4.59 15 0.66 5.2 0.039 1.4 2.74 1.36 1,048 175 0.86 236 0.231 0.247

14,847,000 13,189,320 67,400 993,854 259,260 234,890,190 773,920 40,899,545.5 6,690,200 81,953,010 7,085,000 24,735,270 300 2,109 995,000 794,240 5,506,000 6,698,890 387,000 481,860 4,713,200 31,828,527 5,438,800 48,138,097 52,000 705,062 20,000 90,330 116,000 105,298,235 24,600 145,150 1,837,080 131,790,518.5(46 3,800 20,214 4,200 22,116 5,500 29,168 160,000 78,250 293,000 1,338,980 1,582,300 23,737,782 206,000 133,290 28,161,300 146,481,656 3,800,000 148,200 34,000 47,270 15,000 41,250 265,000 348,720 1,047,880 1,089,940,140 106,330 18,790,791 301,000 258,270 970 229,020 160,000 36,930 350,000 86,450

782,580 58,940 (115,479,270) (19,123,010) (37,484,816) 176,040 (330,000) 6,700,708 (42,998,832) (108,860) (25,685,330) (144,550) ,682,573.0003) (20,214) (588,470) (1,142,974) 30,984,899 13,520 541,837,470 (5,827,755) (7,082) -

HOLDING & FRIMS

PROPERTY

ARTHALAND CORP 0.89 0.9 0.93 0.94 0.9 0.9 1,420,000 1,289,250 AYALA LAND 49.45 49.5 48.8 49.6 48.7 49.5 12,984,700 639,445,660 (8,207,400) ARANETA PROP 1.84 1.85 1.85 1.85 1.85 1.85 485,000 897,250 BELLE CORP 2.18 2.19 2.18 2.19 2.17 2.18 149,000 324,750 (26,130) A BROWN 0.81 0.84 0.84 0.84 0.81 0.84 1,370,000 1,138,680 CITYLAND DEVT 0.85 0.88 0.86 0.88 0.85 0.88 182,000 154,800 CROWN EQUITIES 0.221 0.231 0.222 0.231 0.221 0.231 830,000 184,080 46,410 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.64 4.67 4.62 4.78 4.62 4.66 38,000 178,870 50 CENTURY PROP 0.56 0.57 0.56 0.57 0.55 0.56 8,720,000 4,887,610 (1,240,960) CYBER BAY 0.415 0.42 0.405 0.42 0.4 0.42 600,000 245,350 (12,450) DOUBLEDRAGON 21.5 21.6 21.7 21.9 21.4 21.6 147,200 3,179,130 404,065 DM WENCESLAO 9.7 9.75 9.69 9.79 9.45 9.69 61,700 596,794 220,499 EMPIRE EAST 0.455 0.465 0.46 0.46 0.455 0.455 1,500,000 682,550 FILINVEST LAND 1.65 1.66 1.69 1.69 1.65 1.65 19,763,000 32,990,280 (16,801,220) GLOBAL ESTATE 1.26 1.29 1.26 1.28 1.26 1.28 113,000 144,040 8990 HLDG 15.36 15.38 15.34 15.36 15.34 15.36 211,500 3,244,910 (230,100) PHIL INFRADEV 1.41 1.42 1.41 1.41 1.39 1.41 1,265,000 1,769,100 150,290 KEPPEL PROP 4 4.64 3.95 4 3.95 4 23,000 91,900 CITY AND LAND 0.74 0.75 0.74 0.74 0.74 0.74 1,000 740 MEGAWORLD 5.19 5.2 5.25 5.26 5.19 5.19 20,366,900 106,377,352 (31,058,460) MRC ALLIED 0.32 0.325 0.315 0.325 0.315 0.325 2,170,000 692,000 PRIMEX CORP 2.09 2.12 2.07 2.12 2.04 2.12 1,224,000 2,528,630 (168,200) ROBINSONS LAND 24.75 25 24.75 25.35 24.6 25 2,539,100 63,607,915 3,108,650 PHIL REALTY 0.39 0.4 0.395 0.395 0.39 0.39 20,000 7,850 ROCKWELL 2.35 2.37 2.35 2.39 2.35 2.37 135,000 319,650 7,110 SHANG PROP 3.27 3.35 3.35 3.35 3.35 3.35 1,000 3,350 STA LUCIA LAND 2.42 2.47 2.49 2.49 2.4 2.47 206,000 507,400 SM PRIME HLDG 34.55 34.8 34.45 34.85 34.45 34.55 9,973,500 345,173,370 (78,850,890) STARMALLS 5.63 5.75 5.63 5.75 5.61 5.75 48,400 272,611 (1,686) SUNTRUST HOME 0.9 0.92 0.9 0.92 0.89 0.92 361,000 329,550 PTFC REDEV CORP 45.05 53.75 53.75 53.75 53.75 53.75 40 2,150 VISTA LAND 7.68 7.7 7.72 7.72 7.66 7.7 4,392,200 33,795,730 (8,732,051) SERVICES ABS CBN 19.94 20 20.45 20.45 19.9 19.94 204,500 4,106,196 GMA NETWORK 5.29 5.3 5.39 5.39 5.3 5.3 183,800 975,382 MANILA BULLETIN 0.45 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 0.46 30,000 13,800 GLOBE TELECOM 1,940 1,947 1950 1,954 1,910 1,947 33,120 64,429,255 5,956,505 PLDT 1,143 1,144 1150 1,154 1,140 1,144 38,720 44,438,340 12,405,215 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.047 0.049 0.047 0.05 0.047 0.049 60,000 2,870 DFNN INC 5.81 6.15 6.15 6.15 6.15 6.15 100 615 ISLAND INFO 0.113 0.114 0.112 0.113 0.11 0.113 1,090,000 121,610 (55,190) ISM COMM 5.42 5.43 5.4 5.45 5.3 5.43 2,228,000 12,006,136 241,218 NOW CORP 3.1 3.11 3.19 3.25 3.09 3.1 3,992,000 12,502,050 (218,020) TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.36 0.365 0.355 0.37 0.355 0.365 4,610,000 1,686,600 PHILWEB 3.43 3.45 3.5 3.51 3.35 3.43 1,232,000 4,194,640 (215,620) 2GO GROUP 10.3 10.44 10.5 10.5 10.04 10.3 19,000 195,566 ASIAN TERMINALS 18.26 19.76 18.26 18.26 18.26 18.26 1,700 31,042 CHELSEA 7.18 7.24 7.35 7.4 7.17 7.24 488,600 3,533,733 (644,166) CEBU AIR 94.65 95 94.9 95.35 94 95 141,710 13,371,395.5 (84,775) INTL CONTAINER 130 131 129.9 131 127.6 131 670,220 87,409,660 (11,641,459) LBC EXPRESS 13.58 14 14 14 14 14 3,300 46,200 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.9 0.92 0.9 0.93 0.9 0.92 165,000 150,930 MACROASIA 19 19.1 18.9 19.1 18.9 19.1 120,600 2,302,294 (381,000) PAL HLDG 8.4 8.45 8.45 8.45 8.45 8.45 5,600 47,320 HARBOR STAR 1.82 1.83 1.83 1.86 1.79 1.83 838,000 1,539,400 (80,330) ACESITE HOTEL 1.63 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 1.66 62,000 102,920 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.059 0.06 0.058 0.06 0.058 0.059 12,580,000 740,650 GRAND PLAZA 9.82 11.38 9.82 9.82 9.82 9.82 600 5,892 WATERFRONT 0.69 0.7 0.72 0.72 0.69 0.7 937,000 650,520 IPEOPLE 9.28 9.59 9.59 9.59 9.59 9.59 800 7,672 STI HLDG 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.69 0.7 29,000 20,050 BERJAYA 2.33 2.4 2.32 2.4 2.32 2.4 77,000 183,110 BLOOMBERRY 11.12 11.18 10.76 11.28 10.74 11.12 3,893,100 43,248,196 18,615,826 PACIFIC ONLINE 2.72 2.74 2.74 2.76 2.66 2.72 93,000 253,230 LEISURE AND RES 3.18 3.2 3.05 3.21 3 3.19 1,612,000 5,046,550 9,420 MANILA JOCKEY 3.25 3.3 3.24 3.3 3.24 3.25 112,000 365,330 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.74 0.72 0.73 9,588,000 6,956,620 349,470 TRAVELLERS 5.45 5.46 5.45 5.46 5.45 5.45 3,194,600 17,422,600 (2,972,292) METRO RETAIL 2.45 2.46 2.49 2.49 2.44 2.45 494,000 1,209,950 PUREGOLD 43.9 44 44 44.1 43.8 44 645,700 28,409,910 (11,673,525) ROBINSONS RTL 77.05 78.85 78 78.9 77.05 77.05 22,070 1,703,879 (20,748) PHIL SEVEN CORP 136.5 138 142 142 138 138 40 5,600 SSI GROUP 2.92 2.93 2.92 2.95 2.89 2.93 2,649,000 7,748,250 2,913,450 WILCON DEPOT 16.6 16.7 16.78 16.8 16.6 16.7 1,793,400 30,061,082 10,069,686 APC GROUP 0.58 0.59 0.57 0.58 0.55 0.58 11,995,000 6,798,050 (11,260.0001) EASYCALL 9.81 9.82 9.95 9.95 9.8 9.82 46,300 457,830 GOLDEN BRIA 424 435 423 435 423 435 730 311,270 RMIERE HORIZON 0.59 0.6 0.63 0.64 0.59 0.6 36,124,000 22,057,740 249,620 SBS PHIL CORP 9.3 9.39 9.4 9.4 9.38 9.38 11,600 108,868 (15,980) MINING & OIL ATOK 11.4 11.88 11.4 11.9 11.4 11.9 2,100 23,990 APEX MINING 1.22 1.23 1.25 1.25 1.22 1.23 2,370,000 2,923,460 8,680 ABRA MINING 0.0017 0.0018 0 0.0017 0.0018 0.0016 0.0018 1 ,421,000,000 2,323,800 4,800 BENGUET A 1.17 1.22 1.17 1.22 1.17 1.22 43,000 51,210 BENGUET B 1.14 1.19 1.11 1.22 1.11 1.14 975,000 1,090,220 (886,570) COAL ASIA HLDG 0.28 0.29 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 10,000 2,800 CENTURY PEAK 2.72 2.73 2.73 2.73 2.72 2.72 342,000 930,340 (81,600) DIZON MINES 7.78 7.88 7.83 7.83 7.79 7.79 1,500 11,708 FERRONICKEL 1.63 1.64 1.69 1.73 1.61 1.63 42,540,000 70,868,160 1,004,230 GEOGRACE 0.215 0.219 0.22 0.22 0.215 0.218 1,530,000 331,790 LEPANTO A 0.109 0.112 0.11 0.112 0.109 0.112 3,750,000 411,380 LEPANTO B 0.11 0.114 0.115 0.115 0.11 0.114 960,000 106,600 (33,000) MARCVENTURES 1.18 1.21 1.19 1.23 1.18 1.21 316,000 383,430 NIHAO 1.08 1.09 1.11 1.11 1.06 1.08 88,000 94,940 NICKEL ASIA 4.32 4.35 4.4 4.69 4.26 4.32 25,787,000 115,159,980 (3,719,280) OMICO CORP 0.48 0.495 0.48 0.48 0.48 0.48 40,000 19,200 (19,200) ORNTL PENINSULA 0.86 0.87 0.87 0.89 0.87 0.87 425,000 370,980 PX MINING 3.95 3.96 4.03 4.05 3.93 3.96 1,600,000 6,353,220 (87,150) SEMIRARA MINING 23 23.35 22.8 23.35 22.5 23.35 410,500 9,462,950 1,412,030 UNITED PARAGON 0.0064 0.0069 0 0.0072 0.0072 0.007 0.007 16,000,000 114,000 PHILODRILL 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 66,900,000 735,900 (88,000) PHINMA PETRO 9.77 9.78 9.19 9.81 8.9 9.78 3,430,500 32,532,648 406,089 PXP ENERGY 10.46 10.5 10.8 10.8 10.4 10.46 764,200 8,055,064 270,024 PREFFERED HOUSE PREF A 97.5 99.7 99.7 99.7 99.7 99.7 10 997 AC PREF B1 500 502 500 500 500 500 250 125,000 AC PREF B2 500 504 504 504 504 504 30 15,120 (5,040) SMC FB PREF 2 982 995 990 995 982 995 2,700 2,673,900 GLO PREF P 500 509.5 503 505 503 505 2,460 1,240,300 GTCAP PREF B 970 990 980 980 980 980 2,450 2,401,000 LR PREF 0.98 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.98 0.98 816,000 807,830 MWIDE PREF 101 101.3 101.3 101.3 101.3 101.3 40 4,052 PCOR PREF 3A 1,050 1,055 1050 1,055 1,003 1,050 6,275 6,545,860 PCOR PREF 3B 1,038 1,060 1055 1,060 1,055 1,060 6,950 7,344,000 SMC PREF 2B 75.8 76.6 76.6 76.6 75.8 75.8 220 16,836 SMC PREF 2C 78 78.95 79 79 77.5 78.95 86,710 6,785,511 SMC PREF 2D 75.7 75.8 75.7 75.8 75.5 75.8 20,000 1,511,330 SMC PREF 2F 77.15 78 78 78 78 78 17,420 1,358,760 (1,155,960) SMC PREF 2G 76 77 75.6 77 75.6 77 28,820 2,214,940 SMC PREF 2I 76.5 76.95 76.95 76.95 76.95 76.95 30 2,308.5 -

PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR

18.7

19.4

18.7

67,300

1,264,980

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.61

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ITALPINAS 6.13 KEPWEALTH 9.9 XURPAS 0.96

1.67

1.68

1.59

1.65

131,000

213,310

6.18 9.92 0.97

6.3 11.16 0.97

6.3 11.4 0.97

6.11 9.82 0.94

6.18 9.9 0.96

376,000 1,425,400 2,366,000

2,321,003 14,953,419 2,252,610

(11,267) 41,052 (169,620)

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF

118.5

(129,034)

1.65

118.9

118.7

119.6

118.3

118.9

3,010

358,151

9,496

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PBCom Tower, PHL’s tallest office building, to use district cooling system

HE district cooling system joint-venture firm between Filinvest Land Inc. and Engie Services Philippines has signed a 10-year deal to provide a chilled water plant in PBCom Tower in Makati, the country’s tallest building. The company said Philippine DCS Development Corp. (PDDC) signed the deal with Philippine Bank of Communications and Filinvest Asia Corp. Under the deal, the company will provide a chilled water plant within the 52-story PBCom Tower using the buildown-operate-transfer scheme. PDDC will design, finance,

rehabilitate, construct, install, operate, and maintain a new and efficient chilled water plant that will provide energy savings to the tower. The system also transfers the ownership of the chilled water plant to Filinvest Asia and PBCom at the end of the concession agreement. PBCom Tower, a joint development between Filinvest Asia and the PBCom bank, is expected to reduce its power consumption by about 4,103 megawatt hour per year or equivalent to 2,429 tons of CO2 emissions. The project also aims to cut carbon-dioxide emissions, a key component of Filinvest

Asia’s vision of sustainable development, the company said. “PDDC will work with PBCom Tower and its locators toward achieving their sustainability objectives with our teams of experts in the field of energy and green technologies,” Engie Southeast Asia’s CEO Pierre Cheyron said. “PBCom Tower’s energy-efficiency contract is another vote of confidence and testament to our ambition in accelerating zerocarbon energy transition in the Philippines, following the successful implementation of other energy efficiency and digital solution projects in the country,”

Cheyron said. PBCom Tower is the tallest office building in the Philippines. It has a total ground to architectural top height of 259 meters, with 52-stories and an eight-level radio tower. “I am confident that this landmark project with PDDC will immensely improve our energy efficiency, cost savings measures, and most important, fulfill our social responsibility to minimize the climate-related existential risks in the communities we belong to,” Maricel Brion Lirio, executive vice president and COO of Filinvest Asia, said. VG Cabuag

Budget hotel chain Zen Rooms opens over 400 new units in NCR By Roderick L. Abad @rodrik_28 Contributor

OCKET-FRIENDLY Zen Rooms has opened more than 400 new accommodation units with its recent partnership with Selah Hotels, making it the biggest hospitality chain in Metro Manila. The company fully manages the newly opened Zen Rooms Selah Lofts in Harrison Sreet, Pasay City. It has 205 rooms. Just above them are the so-called Zen Rooms Selah Pods for midrange accommodation of 108 units. Guests can have access to the rooftop infinity pool, bar and restaurant with a 360 view of the city’s skyline. Zen Premium Selah Garden Pasay on Park Avenue offers close to 100 rooms—spacious enough for a group of six, eight and 10 visitors.

This property provides high rope activities, as well as a zip line and wall climbing. Considered one of the disruptors in the hospitality sector, the company began working with small players in the country—from helping them streamline their daily operations to make them visible to a broader local and global markets. “When Zen Rooms expanded here in 2015, our goal was just to fix the fragmented budget hotel industry. Now, four years later, being the largest hotel chain in the Philippines, our reach has lengthened and our purpose has deepened,” said Michael Raquiza, country manager of Zen Rooms Philippines. “We are here to build relationships with hotel owners and support local businesses, and we believe that our partnership with hotels like

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

SHARE prices fell last week despite the gains of the markets overseas as the Hong Kong situation improved after authorities pulled the plug on the bill that extradites citizens to the mainland, while the inflation rate in the country for August fell at its lowest since 2016. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell 46.19 points to close at 7,933.47 points. The main index was up during the three of the five trading days but it was not enough to recover its fall earlier in the week. The main index ends the week more than half a percent lower on average trading volumes and continuous massive foreign outflows. “The PSEi started the week much lower and then recovered toward the end of the week,” Christopher Mangun, head of research at AAA Securities Inc., said. “Investors barely had any reaction to the inflation news,” he said. Inflation rate for August came in at 1.7 percent, the lowest since 2016, which puts inflation within the government’s broad target of 2 to 4 percent for the year. Average daily trading value was low at P5.79 billion, while foreign investors were net sellers at P2 billion. Most of the subindices closed lower, with the exception of the Property index that rose 52.97 points to 4,050.97 points; and the Mining and Oil index that soared 1,018.93, or 12 percent, to 9,269.45 on news that Indonesia, the world’s biggest nickel ore exporter, will ban exports by next year. The broader All Shares index lost 24.46 to 4,785.02, the Financials index was down 29.11 to 1,804.17, the Industrial index plunged 211.28 to 10,915.02, the Holding Firms index fell 14.72 to 7,908.14 and the Services index declined 28.76 to 1,594.99. Gainers led losers 110 to 99, and 38 shares were unchanged. Top gainers for the week were Nickel Asia Corp., Phinma Petroleum and Geothermal Inc., Cirtek Holdings Corp., BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., SFA Semicon Philippines Corp. and Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. Top losers, on the other hand, were Italpinas Development Corp., Jolliville Holdings Corp., Keppel Philippines Properties Inc., PXP Energy Corp., Kepwealth Property Phils. Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. and Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc.

This week

SHARE prices may again try to rise this week as the main index may return to the 8,000-point level as sentiments overseas improves. “Bias continues for the index to reach the critical 8,000 level resistance next week. Continue to watch out for US market movement if they return to their recent highs,” Gabriel Jose F. Perez of Papa Securities Inc., said. Meanwhile, Mangun said nothing is giving investors any confidence that it is time to buy into the market after two weeks of market optimism but the PSEi remained down. “The PSEi remains in limbo, trading sideways for the last two months after barely going above 8,000 back in July. We saw inflation come in and continue its downtrend; the local currency stronger, despite the strengthening greenback,” he said. “Overall, the investor sentiment remains very cautious and investors continue to look at opportunities in second-liners and speculative issues,” he said.

Stock picks

BROKER Regina Capital and Development Corp. recommended to buy when its support price of P5.12 per share holds for Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) MPIC is spinning off its hospital group and plans to list it at the PSE; it can become the biggest initial public offering for the year. “At least, until the end of the week, there is some likelihood that MPIC will be able to hold itself above P5.10 before possible profit-taking ensues,” it said. MPIC shares closed Friday at P5.20 apiece. Meanwhile, the broker gave the same recommendation on the stock of Megaworld Corp., to buy the stock when its support price of P5.18 per share holds. “The stock welcomed Thursday’s trading session with a steely resolve, breaking out and establishing a new support at P5.15. At this level, it can be a good time to position should the current support hold,” it said. Megaworld shares closed last week at P5.19 apiece. VG Cabuag

the Selah group exemplifies just that. Together, we improve value for money so that our guest can travel more and pay less,” he added. Selah Hotels, according to Managing Director Jeff Thomas, has tied up with Zen Rooms mainly due to its success in tapping the online market and selling rooms to a wider audience online. “I look forward to what more Zen Rooms can do to elevate our hotels further espe-

MUTUAL FUNDS

cially in the international market,” he said. Zen Rooms now has over 4,500 rooms across the Philippines’s Top 50 destinations and more than 10,000 rooms all over Southeast Asia on its platform. With its constant expansion, the company is set to be in 70 cities by the end of 2019, adding La Union, Baler, Tagaytay, Baguio, and other leading destinations nationwide.

September 6, 2019

NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 257.55 -1.75% -1.46% 0.03% 2.12% ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 1.5574 5.11% 3.26% 1.61% 8.09% ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 4.0175 -2.12% -2.49% -1.24% 2.93% CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP. -A 0.9583 3.8% N.A. N.A. 6.36% FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. -A 0.8574 -0.29% N.A. N.A. 4.47% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC. -A 5.4205 -0.32% -0.13% 0.25% 2.79% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,6 0.8709 0.59% -4.17% N.A. 4.09% MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. -A 117.18 -0.21% N.A. N.A. 0.87% PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC. -A 52.0287 1.53% 0.04% N.A. 5.7% PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 541.81 1.93% -0.93% -0.09% 5.26% PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC. -A 1.312 1.19% 0.4% 1.12% 4.63% PHILEQUITY FUND, INC. -A 38.5659 1.44% 1.19% 1.12% 5.28% PHILEQUITY MSCI PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,3 1.0275 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC. -A 5.285 2.42% 0.99% 1.87% 6.58% PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 882.31 2.45% 0.73% 1.8% 6.5% SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 0.9181 3.98% -0.09% N.A. 6.76% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC. -A 4.2995 1.56% 0.76% 1.22% 5.93% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC. -A 1.0139 2.04% 0.68% N.A. 6.25% UNITED FUND, INC. -A 3.7035 1.76% 2.16% 2.5% 5.79% EXCHANGE TRADED FUND FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC. -A,C,2 118.2613 2.84% 1.55% 2.85% 6.78% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. -B $0.9424 -7.63% 1.28% -2.08% 1.43% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC. -A $1.2859 -1.19% 6.96% N.A. 16.35% BALANCED FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC. -A 1.6822 -0.84% -2.61% -2.4% 1.88% ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 2.312 1.27% -0.98% 0.2% 4.65% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC. -A 2.6588 2.14% 0.08% -1.24% 4.55% GREPALIFE BALANCED FUND CORPORATION -A 1.3487 -0.36% N.A. N.A. 3.4% NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC. -A 1.9604 4.54% 0.62% 1.15% 6.36% PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC. -A 3.8074 4.81% -0.45% 0.49% 7.88% PHILAM FUND, INC. -A 17.0573 5.18% -0.36% 0.4% 7.23% SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC. -A 2.1509 2.18% 0.57% 1.52% 3.95% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 3.8984 3.58% 0.49% 0.98% 6.77% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2028, INC. -A,D,4 1.0236 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2038, INC. -A,D,4 1.0123 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2048, INC. -A,D,4 1.0092 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.9942 3.42% 0.35% 0.44% 7.87% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. -A $0.03886 10.4% 2.48% 2.55% 10.08% PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC. -A $0.9745 -1.35% 1.45% -1.66% 6.65% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. -A $3.7566 2.31% 5.23% 2.64% 13.54% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC. -A $1.12 4.71% 3.46% N.A. 10.89% BOND FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 353.73 3.75% 2.23% 2.34% 2.99% ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC. -A,1 1.9135 2.76% 0.1% 0.05% 2.92% COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 3.0786 5.27% 5.33% 5.28% 3.44% EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC. -A 2.2188 4.53% 1.34% 2.19% 4.21% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED INCOME FUND,INC. -A 2.3478 5.85% 1.5% 1.7% 6.47% GREPALIFE FIXED INCOME FUND CORP. -A P 1.6078 1.14% -1.51% 0.3% 2.77% PHILAM BOND FUND, INC. -A 4.3291 9.9% 0.7% 2% 10.44% PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.7403 7.83% 1.21% 1.73% 6.35% SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. -A 0.9538 5.99% -0.22% N.A. 7.02% SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.0308 9% 1.92% 2.72% 9.58% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC. -A 1.6796 8.9% 1.42% 2.26% 9.07% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $464.63 4.47% 1.88% 2.8% 3.62% ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. -A Є220.43 3.35% 1.35% 1.59% 3.65% ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -B $1.1996 7.14% 2.12% 2.48% 6.56% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $0.026 4.84% 1.18% N.A. 4.84% GREPALIFE DOLLAR BOND FUND CORP. -A $1.7182 0.67% -2.01% 0.44% 1.66% PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC -A $1.1085 6.96% -0.08% -1.34% 6.97% PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $2.436 12.57% 2% 3.66% 12.22% PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.0602612 5.98% 1.95% 2.09% 5.72% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC. -A $3.1984 10% 1.25% 3.13% 11.36% MONEY MARKET FUNDS PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 124.56 4.09% 2.63% 2.07% 3.04% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A,5 1.0216 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC. -A 1.2394 5.63% 2.38% 1.45% 4.87% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.253 3.91% 2.78% 2.16% 2.77% PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC. -A $1.0319 2.23% N.A. N.A. 1.57% A - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY. B - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO. C - LISTED IN THE PSE. D - IN NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT (NAVPU). 1 - ADJUSTED DUE TO CASH DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST JANUARY 29, 2018. 2 - ADJUSTED DUE TO STOCK DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST JUNE 5, 2018. 3 - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 3, 2019. 4 - LAUNCH DATE IS JANUARY 28, 2019. 5 - LAUNCH DATE IS FEBRUARY 1, 2019. 6 - RENAMING WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST OCTOBER 12, 2018 (FORMERLY, ONE WEALTHY NATION FUND, INC.). "While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www.pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Prioritize amending ‘Situs of the Tax’ provision in LGC, Sotto asks lawmakers

OVING to boost local revenue collections, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III Is asking Congress to front-load passage of a law amending the “Situs of the Tax” provision, or the place of taxation provided under Republic Act (RA) 7160, also known as the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991. Sotto pointed out that before the enactment of RA 7160, the practice of allowing businesses to pay their taxes in Metro Manila where they keep their principal offices, even if most of their earnings come from their operations in provinces, has been the subject of numerous complaints of local government units (LGUs). In a statement over the weekend, Sotto acknowledged that the 1991 LGC provided solution for such grievances. He, however, noted that since it took effect on January 1, 1992, “most LGUs outside Metro Manila were left behind by those within the metropolis in terms of providing basic services, development and economic growth.” This prompted the filing of Senate Bill 494 that, according to Sotto, seeks to address these complaints by proposing to amend RA 7160, specifically the provision on the Situs of the Tax under Section 150. As proposed, the remedial measure provides for the allocation of the value-added tax (VAT) paid by manufacturers, assemblers, contractors, producers and exporters with factories, project offices, plants and plantations to the municipality or city where they are operating. Moreover, the Sotto bill mandates that allocation of VAT on payments of sale to the principal office be reduced and that of the municipality or city where the factory, project office, plant or plantation is located be increased. In crafting the amendment,

Sotto sought to increase to 90 percent the current 70 percent of all sales recorded in the principal office which shall be taxable by the city or municipality where the factory, project office, plant or plantation is located. It also provides that from the present 30 percent, only 10 percent of all sales or transaction made in the principal office shall be taxable by the city or municipality where such principal office is located, the senator added. Sotto’s bill further provides that in cases where the producer, manufacturer, assembler, exporter or contractor has two or more factories, project offices, plants or plantations located in different localities, the 70 percent sales allocation prorated among the localities where the factories, project offices, plants and plantations are located in proportion to their respective volumes of production during the period for which the tax is due will be increased to 90 percent. The proposed law includes a provision that in case of a plantation that is located at a place other than the place where the factory is located, the said 90 percent sales allocation will be divided as follows: 60 percent to the city or municipality where the factory is located and 40 percent to the city or municipality where the plantation is located. Sotto projects that the proposed amendment could “help cities and municipalities outside Metro Manila cope with their financial and infrastructure needs, and provide additional source of funding for improving basic services,” adding that this would make the LGUs outside Metro Manila more attractive for investments and local migration as it can “create more job opportunities, tourism and other beneficial programs for their constituents.” Butch Fernandez

Perspectives

The evolving scope of digital

HE focus of digital started with the customer and is now moving to the operating model. However, its true potential lies in transforming future business models. Digital disruption is on the agenda of every CEO today. Yet, digital initiatives in most organizations continue to be confined to disparate projects that are usually disconnected from the “core” business. While this approach may serve the purpose of taking the first steps, it is a long way from truly embracing digital. Though there never was an “official” definition of digital, its scope seems to have grown considerably. What started as a new channel to enhance the customer’s experience, improve ease of access and expand reach, has now come to mean almost anything to do with emerging technology. Several new technologies are maturing at the same time—a few at alarming speeds—and are bringing new capabilities that can transform financial, business and operating models.

Key emerging technologies

n 3D printing: Process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file by laying down successive layers of material; n Artificial intelligence and machine learning: AI is about machines that can perform tasks that are characteristic of human intelligence. Machine learning, a branch of AI, refers to the ability to learn using practice data instead of preprogramming; n Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR): Augmenting physical environment elements with virtual information/creating virtual environments across multiple sensory modalities; n Autonomous vehicles and drones: AVs refer to self-navigating vehicles; drones are unmanned aerial vehicles typically used for surveillance and delivery; n Cloud: Storing and processing data on online servers hosted by external

providers who manage infrastructure and platforms to run the applications. n Distributed ledger technology (e.g., Blockchain): Decentralized databases that are publicly shared and synchronized over multiple locations eliminating the need for “trusted” third parties; n Internet of things: A network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, etc. that are embedded with electronics, software and connectivity to exchange data; n Mobile: Development of mobile apps to connect with customers, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders; n On-demand platforms: Online platforms to facilitate the exchange of goods, services and ideas; and n Robotics: Development of machines that are capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically. Most organizations recognize the potential impact of these emerging technologies, and have started taking action. We are seeing a shift in focus beyond the channel-focused aspects of digital to the middle and back office, with initiatives aimed at improving operating model efficiencies. But simply providing a digital customer experience or digitizing the operating model is not enough. We believe the true impact of digital will be the transformation and disruption of existing business models—reconstituting markets, reimagining product propositions, and redefining the customer. Organizations that fail to recognize this are likely to be eclipsed by existing competitors with greater agility and rendered increasingly vulnerable to disruptive startups. The excerpt was taken from the KPMG article “Becoming truly digital: Rethinking business models for a digital World.” © 2019 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG network of independent member-firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (KPMG International), a Swiss entity. For more information on KPMG in the Philippines, you may visit www.kpmg.com.ph.

Monday, September 9, 2019 B3

LandBank corners bulk of July subsidies from NG

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE national government subsidies to governmentowned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and government financial institutions (GFIs) grew 17.92 percent in July, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). Data from the BTr showed government subsidies released in July reached P38.288 billion, higher than the P32.47 billion and in June 2019. In the January-to-July period this year, the total subsidies extended by the national government reached P64.986 billion. This was a 35.15-percent

contraction from the subsidies granted in the January-to-July period in 2018 worth P100.214 billion. In July 2019, GFIs received P18.488 billion worth of subsidies; major nonfinancial government corporations, P17.858 billion; and other government corporations, P1.919 billion.

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) cornered nearly half of the total subsidies granted by the national government last year. The subsidy of LBP was already 72.16 percent of its total subsidies in 2018. The LBP received P18.488-billion worth of subsidies in July this year. This was an 824.4 percent growth from the P2 billion worth subsidy it received in July 2018. It can be noted that this is the first time the LBP received a subsidy this year. In 2018, the bank received subsidies worth P25.622 billion. Among major nonfinancial government corporations, the National Housing Authority (NHA) received the highest subsidy closely followed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). BTr data showed the NHA received P8.278 billion, while NIA received P7.565 billion in subsidies in July 2019.

The subsidy NHA received in July was the only subsidy extended to it this year. In 2018, it received only a total of P353 million. Data showed the NIA has received a total of P23.573 billion in subsidies this year, 82.92 percent of the P28.427 billion in received for the full year of 2018. NIA’s subsidy in July was the largest for 2019. Meanwhile, GOCCs and GFIs that did not receive any subsidy in July were the Bases Conversion and Development Authority; Development Academy of the Philippines; Philippine Center for Economic Development; Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.; and Philippine Fisheries Development Authority. The list includes Philippine Health Insurance Corp.; Small Business Corp.; Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; Social Housing Finance Corp.; and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

Pag-IBIG taps UnionBank for lender’s loyalty card

HE Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) has signed a memorandum of agreement accrediting the Aboitiz-led financial institution as a partner bank , as the agency more known as Pag-IBIG Fund brings back its loyalty card. With the partnership, PagIBIG Fund’s cash loans, savings dividends and other benefits, can now be credited straight to Pag-IBIG “Loyalty Card Plus.” The latter is the new name Pag-IBIG

gave to its card. The said cards shall also allow members to access UnionBank’s ATM debit services. Through this, they can withdraw money from any automated teller machine and pay cashless through any point-of-sale, or POS, system nationwide and in Visa merchants worldwide. “Over the years, the card has benefited our members through discounts and rewards on their purchases from our partner merchants. With UnionBank as one of our accredited partner banks,

the Loyalty Card Plus can now also provide our members with added convenience in receiving their loans and other benefits” Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti, CEO of Pag-IBIG Fund, said. The card is also linked to a UnionBank account, which members can use as their personal savings account. The account does not require a maintaining balance and can be managed through UnionBank’s online banking app. Members can visit the PagIBIG Fund branch and pay P125 for the said card.

“It’s one of our stated objectives to help bank the unbanked and the underbanked in the country,” UnionBank President and CEO Edwin R. Bautista said. “In this way, they can be included as part of the statistics of the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas who are banked, and consistent with their goal of ensuring inclusive prosperity,” he said. The bank is part of an initiative to promote inclusive prosperity in the Philippines by integrating innovative technology into the every lives of the Filipino. VG Cabuag

SSS housing loan collections rise 27.6% to P849M in H1

OUSING loan collections of the state-run Social Security System (SSS) grew 27.56 percent in the first semester of 2019. In a statement, the state pension fund said its housing collections increased to P849.04 million in the January-to-June period this year, from the P665.6 million in the same period in 2018. SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio traced this to aggressive collection; foreclosure efforts; and the development of a new billing system for more convenient collection. “We are pleased with the increase in collection from housing loans. With this additional fund, we can help more members who may be having difficulty acquiring properties or improving their houses,” Ignacio said. “Members may use the Housing Loan for low-cost housing or house

repair and improvement. They may also use this loan to purchase a lot and construct a new house. Likewise, they can use the loan to purchase an existing residential unit or construct a new house on their owned lot,” she added. However, the amount of housing loan releases in the first half of the year contracted 49.26 percent to P2.07 million this year, from P4.08 million released in 2018. To qualify for the loan, a member-borrower must be a member of a registered workers’ organization or an overseas Filipino workers with at least 36 months contribution and 24 continuous contributions in the period prior to application. The member must be 60 years old and below at the time of application and has not been previously granted an SSS housing loan or any final SSS benefit. The member’s loan payment must

be updated. “Many members are having difficulties in paying steep house rental fees or are living in houses in poor condition. Thus, we encourage our members to take advantage of the Housing Loan program, where they may borrow up to P2 million to buy their own home or improve the condition of their current house,” Ignacio said. Ignacio said the SSS Housing and Acquired Assets Manage-

ment Department sent out 3,669 billing letters to housing loan mortgagors or borrowers from January to July 2019 to remind them of their obligations. Of these, 1,379 mortgagors already made payments in response to the billing letters sent to them. This collection initiative allows the validation of payment records and reconciliation of accounts of member-borrowers. Cai U. Ordinario

B4 Monday, September 9, 2019

Dance To Hyundai’s “Two to Tango” Promo! World Vision launches 1,000 Girls campaign with young actress Bianca Umali

LOBALLY, millions of girls do not have the chance to go to school because they are forced into child labor, child marriage or child pregnancy. According to a survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority, 63.3% of the Filipino out-of-school youth are girls. It was also revealed that the main reason for the high percentage is marriage and family matters. In response to this alarming problem, World Vision is introducing the “1000 Girls” campaign, a global movement that intends to help 1000 Filipino girls through the organization’s Child Sponsorship program. The project will pave the way for the celebration of International Day of the Girl on October 11. “Each girl deserves to be in school, overcome poverty, reach her full potential, and eventually, be a valuable member of the community. I encourage everyone to help us reach our goal and help these girls fulfill their dreams,” shared World Vision Ambassador for Education Bianca Umali, a staunch advocate of women empowerment. “We decided to adapt the ‘1000 Girls’ campaign in the Philippines because Filipino girls share similar struggles with girls who live in poverty in other countries. There are so many challenges in fulfilling their dreams. If no one will help them and stand for them, how can they attain their goals?” said World Vision Executive Director Rommel V. Fuerte. “We implore

F everyone to join our cause in helping Filipino girls who are suffering from circumstances brought by lack of access to their most basic needs. With everybody’s help, we can reach more children.” In support of the campaign, business mogul Victor Consunji and his race partner Enrico Menichetti joined the 2019 Fire + Ice Ultra Marathon, which took place from August 26 to 31 in Iceland. The duo has set up a fundraising page where people can pledge their support not only to cheer Victor and Enrico on but also to empower the dreams of girls still living in poverty. “Enrico and I are dedicating this race to these girls because we want them to know that reaching their dream is possible. We

want to empower them through this fundraising run. I hope that you can support Enrico and I as we run another race for children,” Victor added. In 2018, the race partners successfully finished the Marathon Des Sables, also known as 'the toughest foot race on earth.' The funds raised from the run were used to support World Vision’s nutrition project in Batangas, provide school supplies for children in Malabon, give water facilities in West Misamis, and build a new water system in Bohol. To know more about “1000 Girls,” visit www.worldvision.org.ph. Follow /worldvisionph on Facebook and @ worldvisionphl on Instagram for updates.

SM ADOPTS NAGA IN NRC’S ADOPT-A-CITY CAMPAIGN. In its continuous effort to help promote a disaster-resilient Philippines, SM signs an agreement to “adopt” Naga City as part of the National Resilience Council’s (NRC) Adopt-A-City Campaign. The program is a city-specific partnership model that will link the resources of partners to the strategic needs of the LGUs in establishing resilient LGU systems especially during typhoon season. SM has also adopted Cagayan De Oro City. Present during the contract signing were (L-R) SM Supermalls COO Steven Tan, Naga City mayor Nelson Legacion, Chairman of the CP Romulo Foundation Amb. Roberto Romulo, NRC co-chair Hans Sy, and NRC president Toni Yulo-Loyzaga.

AllHome conducts coastal cleanup at LPPCHEA

llHome Corporation organized a coastal cleanup drive at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat & Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA). Company officers and a total of 150 AllHome employees participated in the early morning activity on September 3 which aims to prevent disasters caused by floods in the area. The Las Pinas-Paranaque Wetland Park is a 175-hectares mangrove forest and marine habitat that serves as sanctuary for 84 bird species, including migratory birds from as far as Siberia. It is the breeding site of the vulnerable Philippine Duck and supports at least 1,000 of the remaining 100,000 remaining BlackWinged Stilts in the world. AllHome is an affiliate of Vista Land, the Philippines’ largest homebuilder trusted by Filipinos for almost 40 years. It’s is a one-stop shop for ALL home needs, catering to contractors, architects, interior designers and homeowners who are building their own homes. Launched in a mediumsized store in Pampanga on August 5, 2013, the company opened its first full store in Manila on November 8, 2013. To date, AllHome has 27 stores. And as it expands its store network all over the Philippines, it aims to give back not just to its customers, but to the environment as well through its initiative called AllHome Builds. “The company looks to promote sustainable lifestyles for all its stakeholders. AllHome Builds is a series of programs that helps address today’s most

relevant social and environmental issues with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of not just its stores, but the communities it operates in,” said Chief Operating Officer Mary Lee Sadiasa. “By educating AllHome employees on the importance of looking after the environment, the company hopes that they will make choices and decision that protects and conserves the environment. This is only the first initiative. We have also lined up activities for the children and communities that AllHome operates business in,” Marketing Manager Maritess Ferrer said. The event is a fitting prelude to the International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD), which is taking place on third Saturday of September every year. ICCD is one of the world's largest annual preservation and protection events and volunteer efforts for our ocean, waves and beaches. It is a global movement that encompasses 6 million volunteers in 90 countries and across the United States. The activity was able to gather a total of 155 sacks which is equivalent to 1,421.7 kilos of trash composed of plastic, rubber, Styrofoam, glass and assorted items. The DENR Team headed the weighing of the rubbish which will be turned over to Paranaque office. Recyclable items will be turned over to individuals and groups who are into producing new items from the waste products.

ILIPINOS are known worldwide for being talented—from singing, acting, boxing, to even dancing. Hitting the highest key, maintaining a tune to even moving fluidly seems like inborn traits for them. But could they translate the same quality of harmonious movements on the road? Not always. Most of the time, we’re limited to purchasing whatever fits our budget, instead of going for vehicles that can move as smooth and as agile as our elaborate dance routines on stage. The good news is, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), the Philippines’ official distributor of Hyundai passenger vehicles has composed a special promo that makes purchasing your dream Hyundai models easier and lighter on your pocket. HARI’s “Two to Tango” promo will definitely make you feel like dancin’ and drivin’ because now, you can get the Hyundai Santa Fe or the Hyundai Grand Starex at zero interest for 24 months at 20% down payment! This means that you can finally

experience the luxurious Santa Fe difference of a smooth and stable ride—thanks to its monocoque body—by only paying a monthly amortization of Php84,600 for two years, or indulge your family with the Grand Starex van’s tried-and-tested premium riding comfort by only paying the monthly amortization as low as Php74,167 for two years. But that’s not all, because those who prefer to pay in cash can even get up to Php240,000 discount! The privilege of owning renowned models like the Santa Fe or the Grand Starex has never been this convenient. Now’s the time to start moving smoothly from Point A to Point B with Hyundai’s “Two to Tango” promo! The “Two to Tango” promo is made possible by HARI in partnership with BPI, China Bank Savings, EastWest Bank, PS Bank, Robinsons Bank, and Security Bank. Promo runs from August 15 to September 30, 2019, only. For more details, visit hyundai.ph or your nearest authorized Hyundai dealership today.

Sports BIANCA, NOT SERENA, N CAPTURES U.S. OPEN Editor: Jun Lomibao • mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Monday, September 9, 2019 C1

NADAL SEEKS 19TH MAJOR TITLE

BIANCA ANDREESCU knows she needs to be just as bold, and hit just as big, as she did earlier in the match—and as Serena Williams has done for years. AP

By Howard Fendrich

The Associated Press

EW YORK—Bianca Andreescu knew this would happen, because she knows all about Serena Williams. Looked up to her. Dreamed of playing her. Andreescu knew Williams would not go quietly. Knew Williams would not make things easy. And so as a big lead in the US Open final dwindled Saturday, as she stuffed fingers in her ears to drown out the decibels from the delirious thousands filling Arthur Ashe Stadium, Andreescu knew she needed to be just as bold, and hit just as big, as she did earlier in the match—and as Williams has done for years. Displaying the same brand of in-your-face tennis Williams seemed to invent, replete with strong serves, gutsy groundstrokes and “Come on!” cries, the 19-yearold Andreescu regained the upper hand and pulled out a 6-3, 7-5 victory at Flushing Meadows to win her first Grand Slam title and keep Williams from collecting a record-tying 24th. “I’m sure I’m not the only person that’s looked up to her. She’s an inspiration to many, many people, not only athletes. What she’s done off the court, too. She’s truly a champion. Above all, she’s very kind-hearted. She came up to me in the locker room, she said some really nice things, which I’ll cherish for a really, really long time,” Andreescu said about the 37-year-old Williams. “I’ve really strived to be like her,” Andreescu said. “Who knows? Maybe I can be even better.” That’s quite a heady goal. Still, this was certainly a good place to start. Andreescu is the first woman in the Open era, which began in 1968, to win the championship in New York in her tournament debut; a year ago, she couldn’t even make it into the field, because she lost in the first round of qualifying. She is the first woman since Monica Seles in 1990 to lift the trophy in only her fourth Grand Slam tournament. She is the first player from Canada to win a Grand Slam singles title. This is the second year in a row that Williams has lost in the final at Flushing Meadows. This one had none of the controversy of 2018, when she got into an extended argument with the chair umpire while being beaten by Naomi Osaka. Williams has now been the runner-up at four of the seven majors she has entered since returning to the tour after having a baby two years ago. The American remains stuck on 23 Grand Slam singles titles, one shy of Margaret Court’s mark for the most in history. “I’m not necessarily chasing a record. I’m just trying to win Grand Slams. It’s definitely frustrating, you know,” Williams said. She gave credit to Andreescu for playing well,

but also said: “I honestly didn’t play my best today. I could have played better. That’s the only solace that I can take right now.” Williams double-faulted eight times in all, including three times on break point, part of her 33 unforced errors, nearly double Andreescu’s total of 17. There were other ways in which Williams was not at her best, seemingly unsure of herself, including one oddlooking check-swing on a backhand in the second set that then let Andreescu put a shot away to go up 4-1. Soon, Andreescu held a match point while serving at 5-1, 40-30. Williams erased that by snapping a forehand return winner off a 105-mph serve. That launched a four-game run for Williams, who broke Andreescu again to make it 5-all. “It was expected. She’s a champion. That’s what champions do. She’s done that many, many times throughout her career,” said Andreescu, perhaps aware that Williams has a winning record even when dropping the opening set of Grand Slam matches. “But I just tried to stay as composed as I could. It’s hard to just block everything out, but I think I did a pretty good job at that.” Sure did. She steeled herself against Williams, against any nerves, against a loud bunch of spectators and took the last two games. “Things just start slipping away. You can feel that Serena is finding a little bit of rhythm. She’s finding herself. She’s getting more solid. The crowd is roaring, just getting into it. It’s very easy to say from the sideline, ‘Stay focused, blah, blah, blah.’ But this is overwhelming. There’s no other word,” said Andreescu’s coach, Sylvain Bruneau. “So for her to be able to just, like, reset at 5-all when it’s now anybody’s match, that’s pretty special, I think. Very, very special. It shows a lot.” She is 34-4 in 2019, 8-0 against top-10 opponents, and without a loss in a completed match since March 1. Andreescu missed a chunk of time in that span with a shoulder injury, which clearly is no longer hindering her. Andreescu took it to Williams, figuratively and literally. Andreescu produced the kind of power Williams is more accustomed to dishing out than dealing with from the other side of the net. One shot went right at Williams, who leaped to avoid the ball at the baseline. And Andreescu was fearless, always pushing, always aggressive. “We’re really similar,” Williams said, “in terms of we both are fighters and we both are really intense.” Talk about a compliment. Andreescu agreed. To a point. “We like to keep the points short with our aggressive game style. We like to use our serve to our advantage,” Andreescu said. “I think we fight really, really hard.” “But at the same time,” she said, “I want to make a name for myself.”

EW YORK—Rafael Nadal shrugged his shoulders once, twice, three times. If his words weren’t going to make his position clear, his body language would. The question: Would he like to end up with the record for most Grand Slam titles won by a man? The answer, essentially: Yes, of course. And if he doesn’t? “I would love to be the one to have more, yes, but you cannot be all day frustrated or all day thinking about what your neighbor has better than you,” the 33-year-old Spaniard said after reaching the US Open final to give himself a shot at another major championship. “You have to be happy with yourself. You have to do your way. If you are the one to achieve more, fantastic. If not, at least I give my best during all my career. That’s all.” If he can beat Daniil Medvedev on Sunday at Flushing Meadows, Nadal will collect his fourth trophy in New York. Of more historical significance is that it would move him within one title of rival Roger Federer in the Slam standings. Right now, Federer leads the way with 20, Nadal is next with 18 and Novak Djokovic has 16. “I am happy about my career. I am very happy about what I’m doing. I’m going to keep working hard to try to produce chances,” Nadal said. “Sunday is one. It’s just one more chance, that’s all.” In addition to his trio of US Open triumphs, he already owns 12 titles from the French Open, two from Wimbledon and one from the Australian Open. This will be the 27th Grand Slam final of the No. 2-seeded Nadal’s career, and the first for No. 5 Medvedev, as a 23-year-old from Russia. Medvedev had never been past the fourth round at a major until now. “We’re going to prepare this like a normal match, because that’s how Daniil is thinking. I would not talk about ‘first final’ or stuff like that, because it won’t help him,” said Medvedev’s coach, Gilles Cervara. “If he’s in position to win the tournament, maybe he can feel some nervousness. But he’s totally able to manage this and to come on the court with his mind 100 percent ready to play his best tennis and to win the match.” Medvedev has been doing a lot of winning lately, playing going 20-2 during the North American hard-court swing and reaching the final at each of his past four tournaments. That includes a runner-up finish to Nadal at the Montreal Masters in August by a 6-3, 6-0 score. “We have to try to do good things to beat him,” said one of Nadal’s coaches, Francisco Roig, who then added with a laugh: “I’m not going to tell you which things.” What the 6-foot-6 Medvedev has grabbed the most attention for during the past two weeks is his interactions with the crowds at Flushing Meadows. During a third-round victory over Feliciano Lopez, he drew the ire of spectators for angrily grabbing a white towel from a ballperson and later holding up his middle finger against his face. They began booing during the match, then really let him hear it at the end. Medvedev basked in the jeers, antagonizing people even more by saying their negativity helped him win. A similar scenario played out after his next win, too. Since then, Medvedev has been apologetic about his trolling and much calmer during matches, while playing deliciously defensive tennis that he can abandon to be more aggressive when he deems necessary. “After these matches, I was like, ‘I don’t want to lose these matches because I get crazy or because I lose some concentration because of the fans, because of the referees [or] something that happens during the match,” Medvedev said. “I want to lose matches because I was a [worse] tennis player on the court than my opponent.” He spoke about getting good preparation for facing Nadal by already having beaten three other left-handers in New York. But taking on Nadal is an entirely different task. Here’s the way Matteo Berrettini, the 23-year-old Italian who lost to Nadal in the semifinals, described what awaits Medvedev: “He has a heavy forehand. Very fast backhand. His backhands gave me a lot of trouble. They arrived strong and fast. His serve is a shot that is underrated. Nobody says, ‘Nadal has a great serve.’ But it bothers you. He changes angles a lot. And he’s a lefty, so it comes with a different spin. And then, that first shot he hits after he serves hurts you.” Those characteristics have carried Nadal to 18 Grand Slam championships so far. One more victory, and that’ll change to 19. And then, perhaps, Nadal can start to think about No. 20. AP

NO CORONATION FOR WILLIAMS IN FRONT OF DUCHESS OF SUSSEX N EW YORK—Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has another role that suits her: rooting on friend Serena Williams as the tennis star chased a US Open championship. Meghan sat in Williams’s box at Arthur Ashe Stadium and stood and cheered like thousands of other fans when Williams hit a booming overhand to win a point in the first set. Williams fell short in her bid to set her crowning achievement of matching

Margaret Court with 24 Grand Slam championships. Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu beat the 37-year-old Williams 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday to win her first Grand Slam title. The former Meghan Markle, who starred in the cable show Suits, sat in front of fashion influencer Anna Wintour and behind Williams’s husband Alexis Ohanian. Wintour wore her usual dark shades and did not crack a smile when she was shown on the big screen

as Vogue by Madonna blared through the stadium. Meghan smiled and waved to a cheering crowd as she was billed on the screen as “HRH The Duchess of Sussex.” The Dutchess wore a belted denim long-sleeve dress and headlined the A-list starpower that attended the final: Spike Lee, Andy Cohen and Taraji P. Henson were among the bold names in the stands. Williams’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, said he talked a little tennis with the Duchess before the

match. “But I know her from before,” she was famous, he said with a smile. Meghan struck out as serving as a good-luck charm. She was Briefcase Model No. 24—the number of slams Williams was trying to reach—when she appeared on the TV show Deal or No Deal. While her appearance at Flushing Meadows sparked a media blitz, the royal family is a constant presence at Wimbledon. AP

MEGHAN, Duchess of Sussex, applauds as players are introduced before the start of the women’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships between Serena Williams, of the United States, and Bianca Andreescu, of Canada, Saturday, September 7, 2019, in New York. AP PHOTO/CHARLES KRUPA

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C2 Monday, September 9, 2019

RICK OLIVARES bleachersbrew@gmail.com

BLEACHERS’ BREW

A different view on this Fiba World Cup

HE criticism vented toward the national men’s basketball team and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) continues to rain down following the wake of their 86-67 loss to Tunisia. I think people have to put in context the results before they lambast anyone. Tunisia qualified and played for the 2012 London Olympics. Five on the roster that defeated the Philippines were in London. They added some weapons, but showed there is continuity in their program. How did the other Asian powers fare? As of Sunday morning, it is like this... Australia, the only one to advance to the second round, is 4-0. The others? China is 2-2. New Zealand, 2-2 Iran, 1-3 Korea, 0-4 Japan, 0-4 How did we fare against these other countries in the qualification phase for this World Cup? We lost twice to both Australia and Iran. Doesn’t it stand to reason that if Iran couldn’t get past the first round, then what are our chances? Korea had the misfortune of being cast in the same group as Argentina and Russia and in all three games, they were badly mangled. China was bracketed along with Poland and Venezuela (hey basketball is their national sport there). That was winnable for China but the Poles slipped past them, 79-76, in overtime. Iran was in a group where they had a chance as the only basketball power was Spain. Puerto Rico is always dangerous and they too squeaked past Iran, 83-81. Tunisia surprised them in the very next game, 79-67, and they stayed close to Spain before losing, 73-65. Japan was crushed by Turkey and the USA and although the margin of defeat was closer to the Czech Republic, they still didn’t stack well against the Eastern European country. New Zealand was unlucky as they lost close games to Brazil and Greece. I think it is a problem when you think too highly of yourself. Did we really expect some close games like the ones we experienced in 2014? I think we ambushed them and the others did not take us seriously. The Argentina side we played was an ageing one while the Croats were younger! We got into the World Cup by the skin of our teeth and largely because of Andray Blatche. No, Blatche, we never would have gotten in. I have heard and read countless people point to problems with the program, the pro league and so on. In my opinion, the national team has done better since the SBP was organized. We’ve won two silver medals in Fiba Asia and now twice made the Fiba World Cup. We’ve even participated in an Olympic Qualifier. The team has had its best finish in the Asian Games for a while now while successfully defending our gains in Southeast Asia. The youth teams are qualifying. Granted the format has expanded, but that is not the point. Even the Fiba World Cup has expanded. I think with all this talk about programs... we also have to look at our culture as a whole. How we conduct ourselves on a national level is replicated on the traffic-congested streets, in the way we go about our daily lives, and in the way we play—fractured, shamelessly hot dogging and blowing our own horn. I have heard some that other countries have played together for quite some team. That is true to an extent. It should be noted that in Europe, there is no such thing as college basketball. It is club ball and players turn pro at an early age. Not one player participating in the current Fiba World Cup does not play professional ball. So that means they are only recalled into national team service when their leagues end. I think it is all about skill development. Did you look at how the Tunisians constantly knifed right through the Philippines’s lane? You also have to look at the development of Tunisia. Their journey to the Olympics was masterminded by Adel Tlatli who was realistic in his approach—he didn’t think they’d blow anyone out, but he pushed his team to aspire for more. After Tlatli, Mario Palma took over. His name should be familiar to Filipino basketball watchers as we matched wits with him when he coached Jordan from 2009-11. Palma is noted for successfully building programs and he has done so with his various basketball stops. Sometimes, the simple truth of the matter is—we ran into much better teams. However, it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t improve and plug the holes. We should. These cycles happen. It even happens to the best of them all—the United States of America. Yes, these were bad beat downs, but if you have been really paying attention... our world just got a lot more difficult in the last several years. Time was it was just the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans that we had to worry about. Now you can throw in Iran and the other West Asian countries as well as the Oceania teams. If that isn’t a sobering thought, then I don’t know what is.

BLUE EAGLES CLAW A

GREEN ARCHERS T

By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

HE Nieto twins provided the 1-2 punch while Gian Mamuyac delivered the finishing kick as Ateneo routed arch rival De La Salle, 81-69, to earn a share of the early lead in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 82 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Mike Nieto topscored for the defending champions with 18 points that went with five rebounds and four assists, while his twin Matt chipped in 15 points and three boards as the Blue Eagles tied the University of Santo Tomas Tigers at the top with a 2-0 won-lost record. Gian Mamuyac also shone bright for the two-time titlist by registering eight of Ateneo’s last 10 points that practically cut the life off the Green Archers. The Blue Eagles had to work on both ends as their early sevenpoint lead vanished in an instant. Luckily, the Nietos shouldered the scoring load to send Ateneo on a steady ride that continued to the end. “It is always difficult against La Salle, its really hard to surprise them,” Ateneo Head Coach Tab Baldwin said. “Our offense and cohesion is something we really need to improve. But our defense was tough, we covered our mistakes with our defense.” From a 22-point cushion in the third quarter, the Blue Eagles were caught against the ropes as Andrei Caracut’s triple with 2:30 minutes remaining in the fourth sliced the margin to eight, 67-75. But Mamuyac had other plans and drilled in eight straight points to put the game out of reach. He had 14 points laced with four rebounds and two steals. Jamie Malonzo scored 18 points and 10 rebounds in De La Salle’s season-opening loss. Wendell Comboy, meanwhile, hit six triples to highight Far Eastern University’s (FEU) torrid shooting as the Tamaraws notched its first win via an 81-65 manhandling of the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors. Thanks to Comboy’s three 3-pointers in the third quarter and the team’s impressive 24 assists that practically dealt headache to the Red Warriors, the semifinalists last season barged into the win column following a 55-61 opening-day loss to University of the

PHL BETS DOMINATE ATF 14-U SERIES

HE Philippine junior bets sustained their form and completed their romp in the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 14-Under Series, winning all but one of the four titles disputed in Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia, over the weekend. Marc Jarata actually made it four-for-four for the Filipinos but he teamed up with Malaysian Thoybah Rahim to upend the topseeded tandem of Exequiel Jucutan and Joewyn Pascua, 5-3, 4-2, in the boys’ doubles finals of the annual event which drew some of the leading and rising junior players in the region. Earlier, Pascua, spearhead of the four-player Team Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) handled by Coach Leander Lazaro, scored a 3-5, 4-0, 3-3 (ret.) win over teammate Jucutan to claim the singles diadem while Alexa Milliam lived up to her top billing by bagging the girls’ singles plum with an imposing 6-0, 6-3 triumph over Taiwanese Tzeng Mu-Jie. Milliam survived Liya Chu, also from Taiwan, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, in the semis of the four-day Category 2 event at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association Tennis Center. Milliam and Marielle Alexi Jarata, whose campaign with Team UTP is backed by Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings, Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala, Dunlop, Enervon, STI, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bo’s Coffee and Madison Galeries Lifestyle Mall, set up the country’s romp with a come-from-behind 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 victory over Singapore’s Tamryn Brown and Sue Yan Tan last Friday. Another group of young UTP players, toughened by the year-long nationwide circuits put up by Palawan Pawnshop and Cebuana Lhuillier, is also set to compete in the International Tennis Federation Grade 5 tournament in Selangor from October 1 to October 6 with Sydney Enriquez and Eric Jay Tangub leading the roster, according to UTP General Manager Jackie Tomacruz and UTP Board Director Gerard Maronilla.

DE LA SALLE’S Joaqui Manuel tries to shake off Ateneo’s BJ Andrade NONOY LACZA Philippines. The combo guard tallied a career-high 24 points and three assists, while LJ Gonzales contributed 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals for the Tamaraws. “It’s always nice to get your first win in the season especially after that opening-day loss,” FEU Head Coach Olsen Racela said. “We just need to play hard every game and win more.” Unlike in their loss to the Fighting Maroons, the Tamaraws were never in serious trouble against the Red Warriors who were obviously in disarray from tip-off.

Comboy drained three triples in the third quarter when UE staged a rally. The Tamaraws capitalized on back-to-back miscues by the Red Warriors by scoring 10 straight points in the opening minutes of the fourth period. Comboy, Gonzales, Barkley Ebona and Hubert Cani took turns in frustrating all efforts by the Red Warriors to get their rhythm. Senegalese Alex Diakhite finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds for the hapless Red Warriors, who are still winless in two games.

WIDE OPEN BATTLE UP AT PUEBLO GOLF

ROM a test of patience and resolve at the tight Wack Wack East, the men of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) shift their battle to a wider, rolling layout down south when the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Pueblo de Oro Championship is held beginning on Wednesday at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City. The P2.5 million event actually marks the resumption of the local circuit after a month-long break that saw Juvic Pagunsan cap a record four-leg sweep via an eight-shot romp at Riviera and after American Tarik Can scrambled to win with a four-over card at Wack Wack in Aboitiz Invitational of PGT Asia last weekend. Kim Joo Hyung nipped Jobim Carlos by one to rule the Pueblo de Oro event last year, becoming the youngest winner in the circuit at 16. The victory, likewise, spurred the Korean to go international, scoring two victories in Malaysia and Indonesia just recently. But even without Pagunsan and Kim, the cast this week remains formidable with the likes of Jhonnel Ababa, Ferdie Aunzo, Jerson Balasabas, Michael Bibat, Marvin Dumandan, Anthony Fernando, Keanu Jahns, Reymon Jaraula, Tony Lascuña, Mars Pucay, Elmer Salvador, Gerald Rosales and Rupert Zaragosa all geared up for four days battle of shotmaking and putting in pursuit of the top P450,000 purse. Jay Bayron is also suiting up, eager to make up for his missed cut stint at Wack Wack where he reigned as Aboitiz champion in 2016. Guido van der Valk, the

Manila-based shotmaker from the Netherlands who topped the kickoff leg of the milestone decade-long staging of the PGT put up by ICTSI at Club de Filipino de Cebu last June, banners the crack roster of foreign bidders in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and MY Shokai Technology Inc. Thai Kammalas Namuangruk, in the hunt at Aboitiz after two rounds but faded in the last 36 holes, seeks redemption along with compatriot Pachara Sakulyong, American Lexus Keoninh, Aussie Fidel Concepcion, Korean Park Jun Sung, Venezuela’s Rafael Para and Japanese Keisuke Takahashi. Other foreign aces vying in the event serving as the kickoff leg of a four-stage Mindanao swing are Koreans Jeong Jooan and Choi Sangrog, Spain’s Rafa Culla, Greg Gonzalez and Riley Keagle of the US, Japanese Kanata Nakagawa, Ryui Hashimoto and Makoto Iwasaki, Scots Julian Hood and Ryan Hood, Aussie Jack Lane-Weston, Argentina’s Emilio Parodi, Brunei’s Aslimon Qawin and Peter Stojanovski of Macedonia.

‘NC’ scribes name Balanza as week’s outstanding player YEAR ago, Jerrick Balanza had to undergo surgery to remove the tumor in his brain, forcing him to celebrate his birthday on a hospital bed. A year after the successful surgery, the senior swingman is playing the best basketball of his young career and making the most of his new lease on life. Balanza celebrated his 23rd birthday last Friday by firing a game-high 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field in just 23 minutes of play to lead Letran’s 88-64 thrashing of College of Saint Benilde. With his offensive brilliance that resulted to the Knights’ most convincing victory yet in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95, he more than proved to be worthy as the latest Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week. “It’s because I have been gifted with one year, a new year. And I grab every opportunity that is offered before me—I maximize,” said Balanza who is averaging 17.4 points, 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds after missing all of the second round and the playoffs last season. With their team captain leading the charge, Letran was able to arrest a two-game skid and forged a four-way tie for second place with Lyceum of the Philippines University, Saint Benilde and San Sebastian. Balanza edged Calvin Oftana of San Beda and Allyn Bulanadi of San Sebastian for the weekly plum handed out by scribes covering the beat from print and online. Defending men’s champion Saint Benilde and San Beda University, meanwhile, claimed Final Four spots and twice-to-beat bonus after finishing 1-2 in the chess tournament on Saturday at San Beda campus. Saint Benilde finished nine rounds of the eliminations with a league-best 26.5 points following a 3-1 romp of Mapua, while San Beda had 26 points after a 4-0 dismantling of Jose Rizal University (JRU). University of Perpetual Help System Dalta bested Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 3.5-.5 to finish third with 20 points, while Arellano University edged Letran, 2.5-1.5, to end up in No. 4 with 17 points. In the semifinals, Saint Benilde and San Beda need to only win once to make it to the Finals. Next for the Blazers are the Chiefs while the Red Woodpushers face the Altas in the crossover semifinals Sunday. The championship round will be played on Wednesday. In junior’s action, titleholder Perpetual Help defeated EAC, 3-1, to finish No. 1 with 28.5 points, while San Beda ended up with 27.5 points following a 4-0 romp of JRU. The Junior Altas will face No. 4 Chiefs in the semifinals, while the Junior Red Woodpushers will take on No. 3 Pirates in the other pairing. Perpetual Help and San Beda hold twice-to-beat incentives in the Final Four. JAY BAYRON is also suiting up, eager to make up for his missed cut stint at Wack Wack where he reigned as Aboitiz champion in 2016.

CAYETANO SEES HIGH SCHOOL FOR SPORTS AT NEW CLARK CITY

PUERTO RICAN SLAM Puerto Rico’s Ramon Clemente dunks the ball against Italy during their Group J second phase match for the Fiba Basketball World Cup at the Wuhan Sports Center in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on Sunday. AP

EN. Pia Cayetano now sees her long-time vision for the country to have its own sports academy moving closer to reality with the near completion of the New Clark City (NCC) sports complex in Capas, Tarlac. Cayetano told a press conference recently at the newly built NCC PIA CAYETANO Aquatics Center that the sprawling complex could very well host the country’s first Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS) that would train young, aspiring athletes for the national pool. “My dream ever since is for our athletes to be housed in, not just a dorm, but a family-run residential area where they will be taken care of. And within these premises are the sports facilities that they would need to train in,” said Cayetano, a former member of the national volleyball team and principal author of Senate Bill 506 seeking to establish the PHSS. “Now we have the opportunity—with the way the sports complex has been planned—for that to become a reality,” she added. The NCC is a flagship project of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which forms part of the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program.

Phase 1A of the NCC project involves a 40-hectare sports complex that will serve as the main hub of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which the country will host from November 30 to December 11. The complex consists of world-class sports facilities, including an athletics stadium, an aquatics center, as well as an athletes’ village. “If you have a facility where [promising] student-athletes can be students and athletes at the same time, then that’s a win-win solution for building the future for these kids. They can excel in their craft, which is sports, but their education will not be neglected,” she explained. The senator stressed that it takes more than just investing in infrastructure to fully promote sports development among young Filipinos. “What I feel is key here is not just the availability of the facilities, but the [overall] vision. Without the desire to see the benefit of investing in our youth or giving them this kind of facility, the right food, the right nutrition and mentoring, our vision will not be a reality,” she stressed. “But with a government that really believes in molding the youth, in giving them a future, then I feel it can really happen,” she added. In his Fourth State of the Nation Address, President Duterte said he would support the move to create a national academy for sports for high-school students.

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RACISM WORSENS

ONDON—Marcus Rashford felt exasperated to be spending the night before an England game discussing soccer’s racism problem. But he was determined to do so, to ensure one day he won’t have to. “For these issues to be coming up all the time,” the England and Manchester United forward said on Friday, “it feels a bit strange to me, and I think the minute we can sort the situation out, the better it’ll be for everyone.” Rashford had spent three minutes listening to his coach, Gareth Southgate, previewing England’s European Championship qualifier against Bulgaria on Saturday when the news conference turned to questions on racism. For the next 15 minutes inside Wembley Stadium, the scar on the game was the main topic under discussion. From the abuse players, including Rashford, have faced on social media to the monkey chants hurled at Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku in Italy. “It seems to me like things have been going backwards rather than forwards,” Rashford said. “I’ve always said that the more we speak about it, it doesn’t have much of an impact. We’ve tried.” “There’s been examples everywhere where people have spoken out and I wouldn’t say they’ve been ignored, but nothing has really changed. So, just to see it spike in the last couple of months, it’s been unbelievable, so we want to just nip it in the bud while it’s happening.” There was a torrent of racially abusive tweets posted within seconds of Rashford missing a penalty for United last month. “It is too easy to do what you like on the Internet and any of us now can go on and create accounts and write what we want under anyone’s post and no one would ever know,” Rashford said. “It’s easier to sort of figure it out if you have to show identification to create an account. That

means everybody can only have one account.” Rashford was speaking hours after English Football Association President Prince William expressed his concerns about racism in the national game. “We’ve got to do something about it,” the second in line for the British throne said. “I’m fed up with it. I’m so bored of it.” Others, though, are not so willing to speak out to condemn racism. Lukaku, Rashford’s United teammate before joining Inter last month, discovered that this week. After monkey noises were directed at Lukaku at Cagliari, a group of Inter’s own “ultra” fans defended rival supporters over their own player.

“We understand that it could have seemed racist to you,” the fan group “L’Urlo della Nord”—translated to “Scream of the North”—said, “but it is not like that.” The statement demonstrated the scale of the task faced ensuring Italy takes eradicating racism seriously. Chris Smalling, who followed Lukaku from United by joining Roma, has concerns as a black player. “There needs to be a change, there will be generational changes and younger people will have a different perspective,” Smalling said at his introductory news conference on Friday. “But it does happen, not just in Italy but around the world, and it is very sad and unacceptable that it still happens in these modern times.” Cagliari fans have a history of racism, targeting Moise Kean, Blaise Matuidi and Sulley

MESSI HAS OPTION TO LEAVE BARCA NEXT SUMMER

ARCELONA, Spain—Barcelona’s club president has confirmed that Lionel Messi would have the right to leave the club at the end of this season, as stipulated in his contract. Spanish newspaper El País reported Thursday that Messi’s current contract with Barcelona includes the option for the soccer great to unilaterally end his stay in the summer of 2020. Club President

Muntari with offensive chants in recent seasons. Inter was yet to condemn the abuse of Lukaku by Friday night, despite being asked for comment on Monday. And despite the video evidence, the Italian league’s disciplinary judge said he needs more evidence before deciding if Cagliari should be punished for the racist chants. League judge Gerardo Mastrandrea did not even mention the word “racist” in his weekly report on

Tuesday, referring only to “chants that were the subject of news articles and TV reports.” Fifa, whose President Gianni Infantino supports Inter, was careful not to directly discuss the club or Italy when asked about Lukaku. “Fifa condemns in the strongest terms such incident,” the world governing body said in a statement to The Associated Press. “Racism has no place in football.” Even the European Club Association (ECA), which is led by Juventus Chairman Andrea Agnelli, gave a generic response that did not name Lukaku after being asked to comment on Inter’s response. “ECA as an organization condemns discrimination in all its forms and has recently adopted a statutory objective to promote inclusion and diversity in football,” the umbrella body representing clubs told the AP. “ECA encourages all football stakeholders to take any and all appropriate measures to stamp out racism.” AP

LIONEL MESSI would have the right to leave the club at the end of this season, as stipulated in his contract. AP

Josep Bartomeu said late Friday that “Leo Messi has a contract through 2020-21, but before that last season the player could leave Barca.”

Bartomeu, however, said he was confident that the club’s all-time leading scorer would stay with the team “until 2021 and beyond.” Messi, 32, has scored 603 goals in 687 matches for Barcelona since his debut in 2004. He has helped it win 34 titles, including four Champions League trophies and 10 Spanish leagues. The Argentine has repeatedly said he is happy to play for the Spanish champions. In an embarrassing mix-up, the wrong national anthem, meanwhile, was played for Albania before it faced France in a European Championship qualifier on Saturday. Players looked bemused as they realized it was the wrong anthem—Andorra’s, according to UEFA’s website—with camera images showing angry Albanian fans making offensive gestures in protest at the error. France Coach Didier Deschamps spoke with Albania Coach Edoardo Reja as referee Jesús Gil Manzano waited several minutes for the right anthem to be played at Stade de France before starting the game—which was delayed by nearly 10 minutes. Then, when the correct anthem was about to be played there was another embarrassing incident as the stadium announcer apologized to “Armenia’s fans” and called on fans to respect the “Armenia national anthem” before realizing his glaring mistake and saying Albania. France’s next opponent is Andorra at home on Tuesday. AP

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SEMENYA CALLING IT QUITS? CASTER SEMENYA may finally have had enough. AP

CHARLES LECLERC rises above the mess to secure a second straight pole position and give Ferrari encouragement it can end a nine-year wait for success at its home Formula One race. AP

LECLERC TAKES POLE POSITION FOR ITALIAN GP M ONZA, Italy—A mess. An absurdity. Dangerous. Idiots. These were just some of the terms that were used to describe the farcical end to qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday. Charles Leclerc rose above it all to secure a second straight pole position and give Ferrari encouragement it can end a nine-year wait for success at its home Formula One race. Only Leclerc and Carlos Sainz crossed the line in time to set a timed lap in Q3. The other eight drivers were caught short jostling for position to try to ensure they had a car in front of them to catch a slipstream, with tow worth several tenths of a second at the high-speed Monza track. “What a mess. Pole position anyway, guys. Sorry for the mess in the last lap,” Leclerc said on team radio at the end of qualifying. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was even more critical. “That was worse than a junior formula,” Wolff said. “The problem was everyone wants a slipstream and nobody wants to go first...and then everyone looks like idiots.” It is being investigated by motorsport governing body the FIA, and Wolff added later: “None of us has ever seen such an absurdity.” Leclerc, who claimed his first F1 victory last weekend at the Belgian GP, was 0.039 seconds ahead of championship leader Lewis Hamilton and 0.047 clear of Valtteri Bottas, much to the delight of the passionate Ferrari tifosi. “The drag is a big issue here, the tow is a key to getting a good lap,” Hamilton said. “Everyone

was slowing right down and also blocking the way, so you couldn’t really get through. “It was pretty dangerous. I nearly crashed a couple of times trying to stay out of the way of the guys that were braking ahead of me and then people trying to come past me.” It was Leclerc’s fourth pole position in only his second season in F1. It was also the seventh race in a row that Leclerc has beaten four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in qualifying. Vettel will start Sunday’s race from fourth after finishing 0.150 seconds behind his Ferrari teammate. The start of Q3 was delayed after last year’s pole sitter, Kimi Raikkonen, hit the wall at Parabolica for the second time this weekend. The Alfa driver escaped unscathed. Ferrari hasn’t won its home race since 2010 through Fernando Alonso, even after the storied Italian team secured a front-row lockout last season. Hamilton is the man most likely to deny Leclerc back-to-back wins. The Mercedes driver has won four of the past five Italian GPs and is bidding for a record sixth triumph at the historic track to move ahead of Michael Schumacher as the master of Monza. Hamilton, a five-time world champion, has a 65-point lead over teammate Bottas in the standings. Third-placed Max Verstappen, who is 87 points behind Hamilton, will start from the back of the grid along with Lando Norris and Pierre Gasly because of engine penalties. AP

Caster Semenya this week gave the strongest hint yet that she’s done with top-level athletics competition. And done, also, with the legal battles she’s been fighting against the International Alliance of Athletics Federations for just about her entire career.

By Gerald Imray

The Associated Press

OR a decade Caster Semenya kept running as track and field officials scrutinized her body, questioned her integrity, pushed her to take hormone-suppressing medication and even told her she wasn’t female. But the Olympic champion may finally have had enough. Semenya this week gave the strongest hint yet that she’s done with top-level athletics competition. And done, also, with the legal battles she’s been fighting against the International Alliance of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for just about her entire career. The 28-year-old Semenya said she has signed to play for a South African soccer club next year and will seemingly be focusing on a new career at home in that sport instead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she had a chance to win a third successive gold medal in the 800 meters. A “new journey” is how she described it. If Semenya is indeed retiring from running— there has been no official announcement from her—it will end a saga that has troubled women’s athletics ever since an 18-year-old Semenya arrived as an unknown at the 2009 world championships, won gold in a stunning show of dominance, and then focused attention on a dilemma so difficult that sport may never completely resolve it. Semenya was born with the typical male XY chromosome pattern but also female characteristics. She was legally recognized as female at birth and has

identified as female her entire life. But her condition also means she has a testosterone level in the typical male range and that, according to disputed research from the IAAF, gives her an unfair athletic advantage over other female runners. The IAAF decided that Semenya in her natural form should not be allowed to compete in certain events in women’s athletics, including the 800 meters, where the South African has won two Olympic golds and three world titles. Instead, she should take drugs to change her biology if she wants to run. Semenya is not the only elite female athlete with a difference of sex development condition but she’s easily the most successful and the most prominent in taking a stand. Currently, Semenya is barred from competing at top-level track meets because she has refused to follow the new rules—crafted specifically, she claims, because of her success—that force her to medically reduce her testosterone to a level that track officials are comfortable with. “Hell no,” was Semenya’s reply when asked at the start of this season if she would submit and take medication. Few realize that her answer was well-informed and not just a knee-jerk reply. Semenya knows all too well what the process entails. At the start of her career and while still a teenager, Semenya did agree to take drugs to lower her testosterone. For five years from 2010 to 2015 she swallowed oral contraceptives every day for no other

purpose than to be allowed to run in international track events. That part of her career is perhaps the least well-documented but may influence her current mindset more than any other. While she maintained her dignity on the track and never complained about her treatment in public, her private experiences were tumultuous. It was only through redacted court documents released this year that the world was given a glimpse at them. Testifying at sport’s highest court, Semenya described how the medication caused a myriad of unwanted side effects like weight gain, fevers, a constant feeling of nausea and abdominal pain. A South African team doctor told how Semenya was left “visibly depressed” because of it. No wonder Semenya doesn’t want to go through that again, even if it means no more worlds and no more Olympics. She would have to be on the medication near constantly for the rest of her career if she wanted to run at the top track meets. Perhaps Semenya’s decision to quit, if this is the end, is her final act of defiance. She’ll walk away rather than submit to rules she strongly disagrees with and has challenged in two courts and counting. But there should still be an element of regret from everyone—including the IAAF—if Semenya’s victory at the Prefontaine Classic on June 30 was her last race. Because of her talent, and her attitude. “When I run I forget about everything. It’s just all about me,” Semenya said after that Prefontaine race. “It’s all about me being free. It’s all about me doing what I love.”

Bennett wins 2nd Vuelta stage, Roglic protects lead O

VIEDO, Spain—Irish cyclist Sam Bennett won a sprint finish to claim the flat 14th stage of the Spanish Vuelta, while Primoz Roglic defended his lead of the grand tour on Saturday. Roglic avoided a crash near the end of the stage as the hard-charging peloton jockeyed for position to set up their sprinters. The pileup happened inside the final kilometers, meaning no riders were penalized for time lost due to the crash. Bennett, who rides for the Bora-Hansgrohe team, surprised the other front-runners with a powerful attack with a few hundred meters left. It was Bennett’s second win of this Vuelta after also claiming the third stage. Maximiliano Richeze crossed second two seconds later, in front of Tosh van der Sande in third. “I didn’t want to wait too long and took a run at the two of them,” Bennett said. “I looked at 300 meters to go and thought it looked too far. I am just delighted.” Roglic maintained his advantage of two minutes and 25 seconds over Alejandro Valverde in the overall standings. Tadej Pogacar was third at 3:01 back, followed by Miguel Ángel López at 3:37, and Nairo Quintana at

A MEMBER of Team Jumbo-Visma’s staff checks the brake of a bicycle before the 14th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Saturday. AP

5:21. Valverde was involved in the massive crash but was able to slow down before hitting the road. “I don’t think it will have any consequences. My wrist bothers me a bit, but it’s nothing,”Valverde said. “You could see it coming. It was an arrival on a slight uphill, there were breaks in the group, and everyone wanted to be there.” Pogacar also had cuts on his elbow and leg but seemed unfazed. Luka Mezgec was not as fortunate. He was put on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance to be treated by doctors, said his Michelton-Scott team. A small breakaway group of four riders was caught by the peloton with over four kilometers remaining of the 188-kilometer ride from San Vicente de la Barquera to Oviedo. Bennett completed the course along Spain’s northern coast in four-anda-half hours. On Sunday, the race returns to the mountains as riders face a 155-kilometer stage from Tineo to Santuario del Acebo with four category-one climbs. That will be followed by another demanding mountain ride on Monday. The three-week race ends in Madrid on September 15. AP

Lover of the poor

EAR God, You provide for the needy. In hope we pray: God, in Your justice, hear our prayer. Animate Your Church to defend the rights of the destitute and advocate for health-care reform. Inspire religious and civil leaders in their efforts to enact just immigration policies. Prosper the work of providing healthy food and clean water for all people. May God enrich our lives with every gift of the Spirit so that we may know and follow Jesus, now and always. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • lifestylebusinessmirror@gmail.com

Miss World Philippines 2019: The Winnables

HE 40 women vying for the Miss World Philippines 2019 title were presented to the media on August 29 at Novotel Hotel at Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. Easily discernible: the excitement, confidence and eagerness; the noses that are impossibly aquiline; the heels that are incredibly, deceptively high; and the eyes that are blazingly gray. The local Miss World Organization has already produced a winner, Megan Young as Miss World 2013. Its other titles at stake have also been successful. Reina Hispanoamericana Filipinas with Teresita Ssen Marquez as Reina Hispanoamericana 2017, Miss Eco Philippines with Cynthia Thomalla as Miss Eco International 2018, and Miss Multinational Philippines with Sophia Señoron as Miss Multinational 2017. Two new titles will be added this year: Miss Eco Teen International and Miss Philippines Tourism. The Miss World Philippines (MWP) coronation night will be on September 15 at the Araneta Coliseum. It will be telecast live via GMA’s Sunday Night Box Office at 10 pm. PROVENANCE THE contestants hail from all parts of the country. Most come from Metro Manila with only one contender from Mindanao: Louise Theunis from Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. There are also several who come from mixed parentage, a trend that’s prevalent at MWP. Since its new managements under Cory Quirino (2011-2016) and Arnold Vegafria (2017-present), the MWP has had a fondness for mestizas. Gwendoline Ruais (2011) is half-French, Queneerich Rehmann is half-Pakistani (2012), Megan Young (2013) is half-American, Valerie Weigman (2014) is half-German, Hilarie Parungao (2015) is half-Chinese, Catriona Gray (2016) is half-Scottish/Australian, Laura Lehmann (2017) is half-German/Swiss, and Katarina Rodriguez (2018) is half-Spanish. This year’s strongest contenders also possess that potent, beautiful confection of Malay mixed with foreign DNA, either by blood or upbringing. The Michelles (Arceo, Dee and Thorlund) are standouts. Half-American Arceo is Miss Body Con 2019 and Wowowin’s Gandang Filipina 2017. She has appeared in GMA’s Bubble Gang and is the girlfriend of ABS-CBN actor Albie Casiño. Thorlund, raised in California, is half-Danish. She was Mutya ng Pilipinas 2016-Overseas Communities. Half-Chinese Dee, also raised in the US, is a pageant legacy. Her mom is the legendary Melanie Marquez, Miss International 1979, while her first cousin is Reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Teresita Marquez. When asked about the unfair advantage of being a celebrity joining a pageant, the Kapuso model-actress replied: “It does have its pros and cons but, honestly, we’re in a room full of beautiful and talented people. We have nurses. We have lawyers. And we

Continued on D2

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY:Michelle Williams, 39; Eric Stonestreet, 48; Adam Sandler, 53; Hugh Grant, 59. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Embrace change. Live your dream. Use your imagination, and you will discover a world that excites you. Set high goals this year. Go on an adventure to regain confidence. Forge into the future with optimism. Don’t let your past or people who don’t support you stand between you and what you want. Your lucky numbers are 8, 14, 21, 28, 33, 37, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep an open mind, a closed wallet and a compassionate attitude. How you handle others will make a difference in the way others perceive you. Listen carefully, and offer only what you know you are capable of doing. HHHH

MICHELLE DEE, Makati City

PHOTOS by Mark Neto Diaz

KELLEY DAY, Tarlac

VANESSA MAE WALTERS, Makati City

SAMMIE ANNE LEGASPI, Ilocos Sur

Miss World Philippines 2019: The Winnables Continued from D1 all go through the same types of training, we all go through different steps for the journey to be Miss World, or to have one of the other crowns. And, yes, it’s kind of hard because you’re put under the spotlight and you have certain expectations that are put on your head, not only in being an artista but on account of my family members, as well. They’re very good and very well-known in the pageant industry and that adds an extreme amount of pressure on my head. Actually, one of the reasons why I was hesitant to join prior to this, I felt like I was not good enough. But what pageantry has taught me is that besides being an artista, besides having all of these expectations, it’s really like what the other girls have mentioned—it’s really about the journey. It’s really about what you can take from everything. Although being an artista has its slight advantage with the publicity and all of that, I really do believe na pantay lang po ’yung laban dito.” PERFORMERS IT’S an added advantage if a contender has had prior pageant experience. Vanessa Mae Walters, a half-Australian Cebuana representing Makati City, was Miss Teen Earth 2014. I unearthed an interview of her by the Cebu Daily News after she won where she was asked: “If you could represent the country, which pageant would you like to compete in, Miss

World or Miss Universe?” Her reply: “Miss Universe!” But she was 14 at the time, and her plans have clearly changed. Now, the Katy Perry lookalike is one I’m looking forward to that will perform well on finals night. Tracy Maureen Perez was University of San Carlos (Cebu) Miss TC 2011, Miss Cebu 2016 first runner-up, and Binibini Cebu Charity 2018. Katrina Llegado, a Mutya ng Taguig 2018 finalist, has that unmistakable queenly aura. Ruffa Nava, an elegant Ilongga, was a Miss Makati 2013 finalist, an MWP 2014 contestant, a Binibining Pilipinas 2017 Top 25 and Supermodel International 2018 Top 15. Sammie Anne Legaspi was also Top 25 at Binibining Pilipinas 2017. She later placed 1st runner-up at the Miss Lumiere International 2017. PRESSURE DUBAI-BORN, half-British Kelley Day is another pretty contender. She was a member of the It’s Showtime all-girl group GirlTrends and was once a girlfriend to Kapamilya actor Inigo Pascual before starring in GMA’s The One That Got Away and being linked to StarStruck 6 Ultimate Survivor Migo Adacer. “We have pressure in the sense that people expect a lot from us because we’re used to being in front of the camera, or we’re used to memorizing lines, whatever it might be,

talking to people, talking to the press. But pageantry for me is an entirely different thing. You change your mindset. You focus on something completely different. And, I think, that’s where the challenge comes from. On top of that, we do have the pressure. I think, it has pros and cons, on being an artista, because, yes, we have experience but also, there is a lot of pressure on us. But I think everyone has their own pressure. We’re fair game, fair game for everyone,” Day explained. Another lady feeling the heat is Isabelle de Leon, a Famas Best Child Actress awardee for Magnifico (2003). She rose to fame via GMA’s sitcom Daddy Di Do Du and will soon be seen at the network’s afternoon prime soap, Madrasta. “Even before joining the pageant, I’ve always been active in certain charities like Child Haus. I’ve worked with them for nine years. Even as a child, I’ve always been active in giving my toys to kids at children’s hospitals, but you can only do so much as an artist. That’s why it’s really, really beautiful that a beauty pageant would have such a positive impact on society—which is beauty with a purpose,” de Leon shared. “So, what I can contribute is encouragement that, No. 1, we shouldn’t let our fears become bigger than our dreams. And we shouldn’t be afraid to strive for perfection—although we’ll never achieve it, it will help us push our limits. And, lastly, we shouldn’t be afraid to love and accept love. We can do great things through love, and love always wins.” n

Advocating for beauty and wellness ABS-CBN stars Kit Thompson (left) and Bianca King (right) at the contract signing as the official brand ambassadors of Roma Wellness and Beauty Centre with founder, and beauty and wellness advocate of Roma, Rochelle Anne Pulig.

KIT THOMPSON and Bianca King, two of the busiest actors today with TV series and movies under their belt, recently signed on to be Roma Wellness and Beauty Centre (www.romawellness.ph) brand ambassadors. While it is vital for people in the showbiz industry to maintain a regimen for beauty and wellness, we can all benefit from feeling good and presenting the best version of ourselves. Kit Thompson particularly loves the Premium Roma Signature Facial, a total skin rejuvenation treatment. It is a combination of cryotherapy, ultra oxygeneo and Healite II treatment, which is a deep penetrating infrared light that targets dermal skin cells giving fantastic results and a relaxing feeling after treatment. This is highly recommended not just by Kit but by Roma’s loyal clients. “At Roma, you get a total wellness

experience. We only use organic products that are safe and FDA-approved,” says Anne Pulig, founder and owner of Roma. The center also has the most advanced aesthetic equipment handled by a professional staff. “We offer the best anti-aging and laser treatments that deliver excellent results with very minimal downtime.” Nonsurgical facelifts and noselifts are

some of the more popular procedures at Roma, and these are done by a licensed doctor. Even if the center only does nonsurgical procedures, it nonetheless puts the safety of their clients first and foremost as they employ a team of licensed nurses, experienced aestheticians and doctors. There is a doctor, and a beauty and wellness consultant on hand to give free advice and education for your skin and body.

The clinic also invests in the latest technology with machines that are sourced from the US, South Korea, Spain and Italy. “I choose the machines from the results they give. We only start to put each machine in the clinic after extensive training to ensure proper usage with safety every time,” Pulig explains. The clinic uses the latest technology from Lutronics (Healite II, Infini, and Spectra XT), and Ultra Oxygeneo by Pollogen, which are just some of the most highly regarded in the beauty industry. Roma is also well-known for their IV drip cocktails, which reflect the company’s ethos of combining aesthetics and wellness. The Roma Signature Cocktail is antioxidantpacked with vitamins and minerals, and boosts the metabolism and immune system, paving the way not just for healthy glowing skin but a more energetic beautiful you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look at the possibilities, and make your move. You’ll have impeccable timing and excellent insight into how to move forward. Trust your judgment, and don’t worry about what others choose to do. Romance is on the rise. HH

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Trust your intuition, not what someone tells you. A deal is useful only if you come out ahead. Don’t make a purchase you don’t need. Joint ventures are best left alone. Walk away from unpredictable people and situations. HHHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Express your feelings, and share your ideas. A partnership will play an important role in the outcome of a project you want to pursue. The input you receive will help you stay within budget. Romance will improve your personal life. HHH

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Explore new possibilities, but don’t make an impulsive decision. Take your time, and consider every option. Time is on your side, and making a practical choice will set you up for success. Taking on debt, more work or additional responsibility should be avoided. HHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Refuse to give in to someone using manipulative tactics to stop you from doing things your way. Follow your heart and your dreams. It’s your life, and you have to do what’s best for you. HHHHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You’ll require an open mind when dealing with close-minded people. A positive attitude will help you plant seeds that will encourage those less accommodating to consider what you think will be an excellent opportunity. Offer incentives and compliments. HH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Embrace change. What you discover will help you make an important decision regarding the people and groups you rely on for support. A close friend or relative will offer sound advice. Love, romance and a commitment are encouraged. HHHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you take on too much, you will fall short. Find out what’s expected of you before you get involved in a joint venture. Someone you trust will disappoint you. Don’t rely on others or take part in a dispute. HHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Update personal documents. Take note of what others say, but when it comes to making a decision, go directly to the source for facts and figures that can determine how you should move forward. HHH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Consider the possibilities, as well as the downside of any proposition you are offered. Doing your own things will have advantages. An emotional situation should be handled with compassion and understanding. HHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Listen to what others say, and consider how best to use your skills to gain acceptance from your peers. Stick to the facts, and you’ll avoid giving a false impression. It’s best if the competition underestimates what you are capable of doing. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are inquisitive, changeable and ambitious. You are dedicated and loyal.

‘all-inclusive’ BY MIKE MACDONALD The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Apt anagram of “acts” 5 Campers’ rain protections 10 ___ exam (would-be lawyer’s hurdle) 13 Western US gas chain 14 Successively 16 Ruckus 17 Common Middle Eastern currency name 18 Magical object 19 Negative answers 20 End of a “complete” phrase 22 Separated 24 Photographer’s accessory 25 Cheech or Chong 26 Whispered line 28 End of a “complete” phrase 31 Sweetheart, slangily 32 Praise extravagantly 33 Lip ___ Battle (pretend singing show) 35 Don Draper, for one 36 Pieces in the game Battleship 40 Let go of 42 “Golly ___!” 43 End of a “complete” phrase

6 Particular slant 4 48 Hams it up 49 Biological culture medium 50 Site of Switzerland’s oldest university 51 Like feel-good memes, or this puzzle’s theme? 56 “I don’t like that!” 57 Sherpa’s tool: Var. 59 Hit hard 60 Bruce or Harper 61 One counting calories 62 Palo ___ 63 Connect with on social media 64 Wiped out 65 Purposes DOWN 1 Pasta nutrient, briefly 2 Diva’s shining moment 3 Onion in some pancakes 4 Rang 5 Quarrels about where to eat out, say 6 Once again 7 Pro ___ (proportional) 8 Grand ___ racing 9 Big name in scouring pads

0 Split fruit 1 11 Thought the world of 12 Orators’ perches 15 Speculative question 21 United 23 Sea anemone, say 25 Shoe’s sparkle 26 Midriff muscles 27 Word before “milk” or “sauce” 28 Person to respect 29 Wanderer 30 Vulgar 32 Fancy fundraisers 34 Greece’s largest island 37 American Chinese appetizers 38 Hair product 39 Get it 41 Target for some shadows 43 Debris from an exploded star, perhaps 44 Did a scan of 45 Ate a snack 46 Datum on many forms 47 Capital of the Bahamas 49 Keeping an eye peeled

1 “Read ‘em and ___!” 5 52 Detest 53 Bovine team members 54 Trumpet muffler 55 They may interfere with team play 58 Opposite of trans

Solution to Friday’s puzzle:

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Max Eigenmann shares her Venezia festival experience Harry, Meghan and Archie set for 10-day southern Africa trip

HIRD-GENERATION actor Max Eigenmann just flew back from a memorable trip to Italy. Eigenmann represented the Philippines at the 76th edition of the La Biennale di Venezia (Venice International Film Festival). She is the lead actor for the film The Verdict, an entry to the Orrizonti section of the world’s oldest and most prestigious festival. Eigenmann was with her director, Raymund Ribay Gutierrez. “It was a dream come true,” she said, enthusing, “Representing the Philippines in a first-tier film festival is both a big honor and a huge privilege. Walking into a room filled with photographers from around the world calling for me to look over in their direction to take my photo was surprisingly nervewracking. I was almost in a state of disbelief. It was literally like walking in a dream.” During the world premier of the film, Eigenmann immediately had goosebumps upon entering the cinema. “I was overwhelmed, almost numbed by the reception the film received. The huge cinema was full and then I just found tears rolling down my eyes as I saw every one standing up, applauding enthusiastically as the credits ran. I couldn’t keep my excitement and tears as person after person came to me to shake my hand, congratulating me and telling me how they were moved by my performance. It

was one I was able to give because of the beautiful direction of Raymund Gutierrez and the meticulous guidance of my producer, the esteemed filmmaker Brillante Mendoza, and the wonderful team behind the film.” Eigenmann feels blessed to have had the experience to represent the country through her artistic endeavors. “To be put alongside such amazing actors and filmmakers from around the world in a gathering of what contemporary cinema has to offer is just a privilege. What more to be raising our flag in Venice! If I could only freeze those beautiful moments, I would. It was such a humbling and happy experience which I don’t think would be easily duplicated.” She added, “I am truly grateful. My Venice experience has given me a much needed rush of inspiration to keep going—to keep reaching farther than I could ever imagine, and to give my very best with every project that would come my way.”

NICKI MINAJ TWEETS THAT SHE’S RETIRING TO ‘HAVE MY FAMILY’ LOS ANGELES—Is Nicki Minaj really hanging up the mic? The chart-topping rapper announced on Thursday on Twitter that she “decided to retire & have my family.” Her announcement comes as a surprise after she recently made a guest appearance on Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Summer. In the tweet, Minaj she took a jab at her critics and asked her fans to “keep reppin me, do it til da death

of me.” In July, Minaj announced she was pulling out a show in Saudi Arabia to show support to women’s rights, gay rights and freedom of expression. She also canceled her appearance at the BET Experience Concert earlier this year. Last year, Minaj released her fourth studio album Megatron. A representative for Minaj didn’t immediately reply to messages. AP

Yasmien, Bea, Gabbi to render some ‘Beautiful Justice’ HOW far are you willing to go in the name of justice? The answer unravels tonight, September 9, as GMA premieres its newest prime-time drama-action series Beautiful Justice. The original series is headlined by five of the network’s top stars, led by award-winning actress Yasmien Kurdi as Alice, Bea Binene as Kitkat, and Gabbi Garcia as Brie, together with Derrick Monasterio and Gil Cuerva. In the series, Alice’s (Yasmien) husband, together with Kitkat’s (Bea) brother, and Brie’s (Gabbi) boyfriend Lance (Derrick) are all PDEA agents who are killed in a failed mission. Eventually, Alice discovers that their passing was not an accident, and that a powerful drug syndicate actually murdered their loved ones. Armed with special skills and with the help of PDEA agent Vin (Gil), the three women unite to track down the syndicate and seek justice for everything they lost. Completing the cast are Victor Neri, Valeen Montenegro, and the multitalented Bing Loyzaga. In preparation for this series, the cast

underwent Krav Maga and intense gun training sessions. Victor Neri, a stunt trainer, also plays an active behind-the-scenes role in the series to make sure that every scene is accurate and mirrors real-life situations. Moreover, Beautiful Justice has received the imprimatur of the PDEA and is working closely with its agents to bring viewers a realistic look into their lives. Director Mark Reyes V is at the helm of this exciting prime-time series. This original series is headed by the SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable and Vice President for Drama Redgie A. Magno, while its creative team includes creative director Aloy Adlawan and creative head RJ Nuevas. Beginning September 9, Beautiful Justice will air weeknights after the top-rating multi-awarded flagship news program 24 Oras. Viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International. The program guide is available at www.gmapinoytv.com.

After Venice where Eigenmann wore the creations of Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino, The Verdict was also showcased at festivals in Toronto and Telluride, and then it is headed to Busan in Korea this October. She hopes to be able to attend some more festivals in the future. Eigenmann also shared that sometime before her actor-father Mark Gil (Ralph Eigenmann) passed on, he told his daughter that she will one day walk in some of the world’s biggest film festivals if she works hard and focus on her passion of being an actor. “How interesting that my Venice experience happened during my dad’s fifth anniversary in heaven, and I am just filled with many emotions, mostly beautiful ones. I finally did it, as he predicted, and I guess he would have been proud of me!” n

LONDON—Representatives for the British royal family say Prince Harry will get to see the legacy of his late mother’s humanitarian work in Angola during a fall trip to southern Africa. Buckingham Palace released details on Friday of the trip Harry is taking with his wife, Meghan, and their infant son, Archie, who was born in May. The itinerary has Meghan and Archie staying in South Africa for the entire September 23-October 2 trip. Harry also plans to go to Angola, Malawi and Botswana. Harry’s private secretary, Sam Cohen, said that while in Angola, the prince will see land mine clearing work that has continued long after Princess Diana brought worldwide attention to the problem. She died in 1997. Meghan will visit South African organizations promoting women’s education, health, entrepreneurship and leadership. AP

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Monday, September 9, 2019

JANEENA CHAN

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PATRICIA PRIETO, Lissa Kahayon and Camille Co

Beauty Addict program celebrates 7th year with music festival

HE launch of the first-ever Rustan’s Beauty Addict seven years ago was intimate and private. There were some media guests (bloggers were just starting to be a thing at the time, and there were no influencers) at the event, which was held at one of the upper floors of Rustan’s Makati. At this launch, I was introduced to a perfume called Juliette Has A Gun, which became my signature fragrance for around three years. Rustan’s Makati has always been one of my favorite places to get makeup. They had the first MAC Cosmetics counter and everyone knows I have a love affair with the brand. The beauty floor, which is a huge chunk of the ground floor, has expanded to include more brands like Tom Ford and many others. The Rustan’s beauty section is now known as Rustan’s The Beauty Source. The Beauty Addict program has grown so much, too, and the annual events have become bigger and better. This year’s Rustan’s Beauty Addict’s 2019 iteration was dubbed the Glow Beauty and Beats Festival, which was held on Thursday in Rustan’s Makati and also marked the launch of the Beauty Addict mobile app. Simply update or download the Rustan’s FSP App on Google Play or the App Store and instantly have access to over 100 well-loved brands. Points earned on purchases made during the event were credited through the mobile app. For the annual celebration of skin care, hair care, fragrance, makeup and all things beauty, Rustan’s Makati was transformed into a music festival complete with bright lights, fun installations and vibrant palettes. Guests got to shop Rustan’s The Beauty Source’s roster of beauty brands, including Chanel, La Prairie,

Clarins, Neal’s Yard Remedies, Perricone, Murad, Sisley, L’Occitane, Phyto, Diptyque, Jane Iredale, Stila, Deborah Lippmann, and Acca Kappa, among others. On that night, many of the brands were offered at discounted prices. There were activity booths where Beauty Addicts got face makeovers and retouches, photo walls and a ball pool made specifically for photo ops. There were also performances by DJ Nix Dam P, The Ransom Collective and Nicole Asensio. Guests also enjoyed the especially curated Rustan’s Beauty Addict: Glow Spotify Playlist (bit.ly/RustansBeautyandBeats). Any purchase made during the Glow Beauty and Beats Festival included an automatic Beauty Addict membership. Existing Beauty Addict members who downloaded the app through the App Store or Google Play got a 50-point reward equivalent to a P10,000 purchase. Points earned by members from purchases made on the day of the event were multiplied by 10. Beauty Addicts can look forward to weekly promos that highlight a different category per week, which you can enjoy the whole month of September: n SEPTEMBER 9 TO 15: COME ON, SKIN LOVE. Glowing skin is in! Show your skin some love and get up to 20-percent off from L’Occitane, Clinique, Clarins and more from your favorite skin-care brands. n SEPTEMBER 16 TO 22: GLOWED UP. Get your Glow on with exciting offers from Guerlain, Sisley, Deborah Lippmann and receive special gifts to complete your Glowed-up look. n SEPTEMBER 23 TO 30: BATH, BODY AND SOUL. Hey, soul sister! Look and feel great from head to toe with your favorite bath and body brands! Make your shopping even more exciting with a chance to win a luxurious getaway as Rustan’s brings you the Beauty Addict Your Dream Destination raffle promo. For every P2,500 purchase at Rustan’s The Beauty Source, Beauty Addict members who sign up as a KrisFlyer member using promo code KFXGlow can get one raffle entry for a chance to win a trip for two to Club Med Maldives, Bali or Phuket. Want to know more amazing promos? Then click on the Rustan’s Beauty Addict online site (bit.ly/ RustansBeautyAddictGlow) for more beauty deals. More information about the latest deals, promos and brand offerings are available at www.rustansthebeautysource.com.

SOCIAL-MEDIA PERSONALITY GETS SIGNED BY DENIM BRAND ALEX GONZAGA

THE Philippines’s denim brand has found its newest denim girl who is reportedly one of social media’s most influential local personality. Joining JAG Jeans’ roster of celebrity endorsers is actress, singer, host and social-media personality Alex Gonzaga. With her witty Instagram posts and funny YouTube videos, Alex has won the hearts of fans on social media, while her engaging personality is what caught JAG’s attention. As one of the country’s most popular content creators, the brand finds Alex’s personality synonymous to what JAG (www.facebook.com/ jagjeans) stands for: authentic, original, vibrant, stylish, and values its customers like family. With her youthful energy, genuine wit and humor, and sense of style, JAG sees Alex as the perfect brand ambassador and denim girl for its newest product line: JAG. JAG Jeans especially created the JAG line for its younger market segment, featuring the latest in denim technology to keep up with the fun, active and creative lifestyles of today’s generation. The line will feature some of Alex’s favorite pieces, such as the non-stretch/ comfort stretch boyfriend jeans, the 360 flex jeans made of four-way stretch fabric, the JAG hoodie, along with a collection of shirts and jackets bearing the line’s special logo. This particular JAG selection gave special attention to comfort and unique styling. The new collection is available in all leading department stores and JAG boutiques nationwide.

BusinessMirror

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Monday, September 9, 2019 E1

Yes, freemium businesses need salespeople By Andris A. Zoltners, PK Sinha & Sally E. Lorimer

T he no -sa les force model worked well while these companies sought out individual users and small business

customers with relatively simple needs. But when the core of the paying market shifted to larger enter pr ise customers, inside

HOW TO MAKE YOUR SALES FORECASTS MORE ACCURATE

By Lou Shipley

ONSISTENTLY accurate sales forecasts are like gold. They deliver the revenue predictability that is essential for companies to accelerate their growth and success. Unfortunately, consistently accurate sales forecasts are rare. That’s because many companies fail to align their sales and marketing departments, and that alignment is a prerequisite for forecast accuracy. It’s easy for marketing and sales teams to wind up at odds. There’s often competitive friction between the heads of the two departments—both of whom usually report to the CEO. Sales will grumble that marketing isn’t generating enough leads to make the number. And marketing will scoff that sales isn’t following up on the leads that marketing delivers. What is needed is a better equation for how to create the right forecast. This equation starts with a wellcrafted definition of a lead or prospect that shows interest in a product or service. That is followed by an understanding of the rough number of stages the prospect passes through (including interest, evaluation and budgeting) on the way to a purchase. Companies can achieve sales-marketing alignment and avoid end-of-quarter angst by agreeing on a single version of the truth. A prerequisite is a very clear definition—by

both sales and marketing—of what constitutes a lead that a salesperson will be able to close in the month, quarter or year. Teams have to take the time to analyze the characteristics of the leads that resulted in closing a sale, and come up with a set of clearly defined and agreed-upon criteria that had to be met for a lead to attain the designation of “sales-qualified.” This makes time allocation more efficient and resource utilization much more targeted. The single-version-of-thetruth process makes it clear that marketing’s compensation has to be based primarily on the department’s ability to generate sales-qualified leads. Relentlessly focusing on SQLs streamlines and sharpens marketing decision-making. After a few quarters using this method, forecasting can improve markedly. This makes the role of CEO far easier. The predictive benefits of understanding the sales math equation helps clarify progress early in the quarter. The heads of sales and marketing can work collaboratively toward a defined set of clear, mutually agreed-upon company goals. As accuracy is gained, more time can be spent on other board-level topics—strategy, competition, culture—that might otherwise be missed during quarters where the sales forecast was not met. Lou Shipley is a lecturer in technology sales at Harvard Business School and the MIT Sloan School of Management.

HBR.ORG

OMPANIES, such as Dropbox, LinkedIn and Slack Technologies offer a free basic version of their product and count on customers to pay for upgrades to premium versions. Freemium business models have grown rapidly in popularity with tech companies. and field salespeople began to make sense for two reasons.

Customer business needs, products and buying processes

became more complex. And the lifetime value of such customers justified the investment. In complex buying situations, customers want information that can’t be found through a search engine or on a company web site. n Enterprise needs vary by industry and customer. n Simple freemium digital offerings naturally become more complex as companies shift their focus toward larger enterprise customers. n Enterprise customers often make technology investment decisions through the collaboration of multiple decision-makers. These individuals have different perspectives. With freemium, enterprise customers may learn about a

product through word-of-mouth or through a referral. They may initiate a trial using self-service digital channels. But eventually, the complexity of business needs, products/solutions and buying processes will compel enterprise customers to seek human help— from salespeople. The story does not end after the initial purchase. As customers embed freemium products into their organizations, their needs will continue to evolve. Andris A. Zoltners is a professor emer itus at Northwestern University. PK Sinha is a founder and cochairman of ZS Associates. Sally E. Lorimer is a marketing and sales consultant, and a business writer, based in Michigan.

Why CEOs surround M&A announcements with unrelated good news By Daniel L. Gamache, Gerry McNamara, Scott D. Graffin, Jason T. Kiley, Jerayr Haleblian & Cynthia E. Devers

ERGERS and acquisitions are among the most consequential strategic decisions managers make. But markets often respond negatively to acquisition announcements, which means investors are skeptical about the transactions, their terms or managerial motivations. Prior research suggests such skepticism may be wellfounded: In quarters following acquisitions, CEOs in the United States are 28 percent more likely to exercise options and 23.5 percent more likely to sell stock than they are in quarters not following acquisitions. This

behavior implies that CEOs have low confidence in the value creation of their deals, and that the motivation for them may stem more from private interests or external pressures than attempts to enhance shareholder wealth. We wanted to ascertain CEO confidence in an acquisition’s value earlier—when the firm announces it. In our study, we explored whether “impression offsetting” is an indicator of low CEO confidence (measured by options exercises after acquisitions). To examine this question, we collected data on acquisitions S&P 500 firms announced between 1995 and 2009. Our findings showed that a CEO whose firm issued more unrelated positive news

releases around the time of an acquisition exercised 6.7 percent more options (on average, $220,000) in the next quarter than a CEO whose firm did not. This shows that more impression offsetting may signal that CEOs have low confidence in the deal. Our findings have important implications for investors, media relations professionals and boards designing executive compensation packages. Investors may be wise to view communications as part of the firm’s overall strategy. In turn, media relations professionals may want to weigh the risk of being “caught” managing impressions. For boards and compensation committees, our findings suggest that CEOs are closely attuned to the personal financial

risk associated with their compensation, and that they actively work to protect it. Does impression offsetting also signal low confidence in other types of announcements, such as alliances, new products or earnings forecasts? Our ongoing work is looking for answers. Daniel L. Gamache is an assistant professor at the University of Georgia. Gerry McNamara is a professor at Michigan State University. Scott D. Graffin is a professor at the University of Georgia. Jason T. Kiley is an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University. Jerayr Haleblian is a professor at the University of California-Riverside. Cynthia E. Devers is a professor at Texas A&M University.

Is the business roundtable statement just empty rhetoric?

By Andrew Winston

HE Business Rou ndt able (BRT) recently declared that the purpose of a corporation is not just to serve shareholders (its official position since 1997) but “to create value for all our stakeholders.” Shareholder primacy has been the core operating principle of public companies since economist Milton Friedman famously declared “the social responsibility of business is to increase its profits.” To understand why the BRT statement matters, three points and a question are worth bearing in mind.

Shareholder primacy can’t solve our current problems.

FIRST, social norms are changing

and expectations from employees, customers and even investors are rising fast. Second, there’s a growing realization that a focus on one key stakeholder or metric is as flawed as using your cholesterol level as the only measure of your health. Third, investors are increasingly pressing companies to focus on their purpose and how they contribute to society. But fourth, and perhaps most important, the world faces enormous, thorny challenges that business is feeling: climate change, growing inequality (and awareness that these CEOs make hundreds of times more than their employees), water and resource scarcity and more.

It has always had skeptics.

IN 1943 Johnson & Johnson

published “Our Credo,” laying out its prime responsibilities to the world at large. Robert Wood Johnson describes his company’s responsibilities in this order: patients/doctors/nurses, customers, business partners, employees, communities, the env ironment a nd nat u ra l resources, and then, after all that, “stockholders should realize a fair return.” Thinking about stakeholders is an old idea, more in line with why most companies were founded.

It may not be the real problem.

BASICALLY, if you manage for long-term value, of course you need to account for customers, employees, communities and more. When we define value as

this quarter’s profits, we don’t invest (and we certainly don’t prioritize long emergencies like climate change).

What would it really mean for these companies to follow these principles?

THIS new discussion of purpose is good, and it mirrors what some big investors are saying. But we need a much bigger pivot to circular, renewable-energy-based business models that value the longterm, protect natural capital and invest in human development and equality. That level of change is currently light-years beyond the BRT statement. Andrew Winston is the author, most recently, of The Big Pivot.

Education BusinessMirror

E2 Monday, September 9, 2019

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Why we should stop bashing English speakers in PHL

By Karlo Antonio Galay David

ILIPINOS have a complicated relationship with the English language. On the one hand, our education system and print are both predominantly in English, establishing it as the country’s language of power and prestige. But on the other hand, we have what can be rightly described as a culture of chagrin and contempt for this language the Americans taught us. It may range from pedestrian, tongue-in-cheek ridicule of English speakers, to more serious, ideological objections to its use in public life. The tenor of the ideological objections to English is overwhelmingly nationalistic (which we hear a lot of during Buwan ng Wika). English, the argument goes, is a “foreign language,” and one should instead be using a native language, like Tagalog (nationalists don’t seem to care that we have more than one native language). “Ako’y hindi sanay sa wikang banyaga,” that

classic propaganda song proclaims proudly, “ako’y Pinoy na mayroong sariling Wika.”

But is English still really a ‘wikang banyaga’?

The crudely simplistic “foreign vs native” dichotomy being peddled by nationalists ignores the complex and nuanced process of indigenization of language and culture. Many of the cultural elements we take for granted as “native” are in fact of “foreign” origin but have since been nativized, from coffee probably first introduced as Kahawa Sug to Sulu by Arab merchants to corn brought in by the Spaniards. Even the lexica of our native languages are teeming with illegal aliens: bansa is Sanskrit, arak/alak is Arabic, bintana and albularyo are Spanish, suki and pakyaw are Hokkien. English has been spoken in these islands for well over a century already, and with that time it too has been indigenized, playing varying roles in a unique history.

While it now has upper class associations, English has historically been a tool of empowerment for lower and middle classes, once contrasting with the old Spanish elite as captured in Nick Joaquin’s play Portrait of an Artist as Filipino. Tribal chieftains once showed off their polyglot credentials by speaking English fluently, while today it is used by our customer services representatives to dominate the world’s BPO industry. That history, as well as the constant exposure to the archipelago’s linguistic realities, has shaped English in the Philippines into something uniquely our own. We do not, for example, say “on campus,” but we say “in campus,” because our campuses have literally been enclosed by walls since Marcos declared martial law. We use the somewhat archaic word “viand,” but it is no longer synonymous with “dish” because it has become our English translation of the Cebuano sud-an or the Tagalog ulam (and so, for Filipinos, by definition viand is eaten with rice).

The influential linguist Braj Kachru developed his seminal concept of World Englishes (the idea that the world is seeing unique, localized versions of this global language) with Philippine English among several other varieties as case examples. The success by which we have indigenized English is of global significance, and there’s now even talk of “Philippine Englishes” to describe how we’ve taken it to the next level. It is no exaggeration to say that English—Philippine English—has become a Philippine language now. We have owned it, carved from it what the writer Gemino Abad calls “a native clearing.” Knee-jerk objections to our English’s foreignness are simply unproductive, and we can instead localize it further and use it for our own benefit. The ambiguity of Filipino attitudes to English is most likely related to our refusal to acknowledge that we are a multilingual country—there is, to the critics of English, room for only one language in the country, and that can’t be a foreign one.

It is, thus, unsurprising that the bulk of English-bashers also happen to be advocates of a national language (Tagalog) that permeates public life, paying little attention to the development (or even survival) of other native languages. And it is also unsurprising that advocates of other Philippine languages usually have no qualms using English: they know that the linguistic reality outside the Tagalog bubble is multilingualism. In this reality, languages are deployed as needed. Many Tagalogs who know fewer languages and are accustomed to people adapting to them, feel frustrated when “inconvenienced” to speak in another language—both English and other Philippine languages are threats to their monolingual comfort zone. Pro-Tagalog nationalists even criticize mother tongue advocates for writing in English. But there is a simple explanation for this: most Tagalog nationalists don’t understand other Philippine languages, and English is a neutral,

second language to both camps. They should judge the substance of our ideas, rather than the languages we use. Jose Rizal is often used as model for the ideal Filipino, but it is not emphasized enough how truly Filipino he was in his mastery of many tongues. If he were alive today, he would probably be very fluent in Philippine English too. “Man,” he once wrote, “is multiplied by the number of languages he speaks.” He was as multilingual as the country he imagined. We are a linguistically diverse country, and Philippine English is part of that linguistic diversity. We need to start embracing that reality and make the best of it.

Karlo Antonio Galay David has a Don Carlos Palanca Award for Drama and a Nick Joaquin Literary Award for Fiction. He has an AB in English from the Ateneo de Davao and an MA in Creative Writing from Silliman University. He is from Kidapawan, the linguistically diverse capital city of the province of North Cotabato.

Survey: 91 percent of Filipinos PLDT’s Gabay Guro marks 12 years interested in STEM careers of empowering teachers, unveiling app A P LDT-Smart Foundation’s flagship advocacy program for teachers, Gabay Guro, celebrates its 12th anniversary with a star-studded Grand Gathering and launch of the Gabay Guro App on September 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. This year, Gabay Guro is gathering over 20,000 teachers from all over the country for a starstudded Teachers’ Tribute headlined by country’s biggest stars. They include Aegis, Angeline Quinto, Christian Bautista, Eat Bu laga BakClash, Eat Bu laga Broadway Boys, Edward Barbers, Erik Santos, Darren Espanto, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion, Jaya, Jay-R, Jayson Dy, Jed Madela, Jona, K Brosas, Klarisse de Guzman, Kyla, Kuh Ledesma, Martin Nievera, Maymay Entrata, Moira de la Torre, Piolo Pascual, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Zephanie Dimaranan. In support for the Gabay Guro, talent managements Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. and Eat Bulaga enlisted their celebrity talents to perform for the Grand Gathering as volunteers. The event will be hosted by Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Dimples Romana. At the Grand Gathering, teachers will also get a chance to win exciting prizes from Gabay Guro’s partners. The event is exclusive to teachers, and admission is free. Teachers just need to get their tickets from their local Department of Education unit. “Gabay Guro continues to develop innovative programs for our teachers and our partners in

Chaye Cabal-Revilla (from left), chairman of Gabay Guro; Noelle Aujero, head of Marketing, Foton; Miriam Ochoa, chief marketing officer of Inlife Sheros; and John Yanez, head of Tribute Pillar of Gabay Guro

nation-building,” said Gabay Guro Chairman Chaye Cabal-Revilla. “Every year, it is our great honor to be able to give back to our teachers through a grand tribute and we always look forward to continuing this mission and empower them through Gabay Guro’s previously six, and now seven, core pillars of learning,” Cabal-Revilla added. Since 2007, Gabay Guro has been empowering teachers across the country through its seven key pillars: housing and educational facilities; scholarships; trainings; livelihood programs; broadbanding and computerization; annual Teacher’s Tribute; and the newly launched, innovations. T he In novat ions P i l l a r of Gabay Guro aims to reinforce the digital transformation for Filipino teachers, school leaders and stakeholders by equipping them with new modes of teaching and the latest technology that will

enable them to create, grow and evolve their craft for the benefit of their students. Backed by this new learning pillar, Gabay Guro will unveil an exclusive application for teachers that will provide e-learning content and interactive technology and ready-to-use online tools that are aligned with the DepEd and CHED curriculum. This will provide teachers with the latest and easily accessible educational resources right at their fingertips. The new Gabay Guro app will be launched at the Gabay Guro Grand Gathering event at the Mall of Asia Arena on September 22. Since its founding, Gabay Guro has built and donated 47 classrooms nationwide and provided over 1,770 scholarship grants through its 57 partner schools, which have been equipped with new computers and broadband connectivity. Of its scholars, 1,013 have

graduated, with 343 finishing with honors. About 680 graduates have also passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers. Over the years, more than 60,000 educators have also benefited from Gabay Guro’s nine regular training programs, including: Teacher’s Treasure Chest; English Proficiency Program; Personality Development; Emotional Intelligence; Teachers’ Armor; Leadership Training; IT Sustainability and Literacy; Teaching in the Digital Age; and Unleashing Creativity in Teaching. Gabay Guro also links schools to communities and industries through workshops and seminars. This helps promote an innovative mindset and unlocks opportunities for teachers, school leaders and staff. Gabay Guro also holds Teachers’ Tribute in different provinces in the Philippines. Through the “Teacherfest,” Gabay Guro’s satellite and localized tribute celebration with teachers in key cities around the country, more teachers from remote areas are able to share in the fun and frivolity. Gabay Guro has successfully mounted the Teacherfests in the provinces, including Metro Cauayan, Isabela; Santa Rosa, Laguna; Bataan; Butuan; Bulacan; Navotas; and Davao. Gabay Guro’s efforts have been recognized by various award-giving bodies in the Philippines and abroad, including Gawad Tanglaw, Anvil Awards, Philippine Quill Awards Philippine Association of National Advertisers Awards, and the CMO Asia Awards in Singapore.

School-plus-home gardening brought to Busuanga Island

ORON, Palawan—Busuanga Island can significantly benefit from school-plushome gardens. This was the consensus of a consultation with the local government, schools and tourism sector convened here by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños recently. The consultation workshop was conducted to gauge the interest and willingness of potential partners and the community to participate in the School-Plus-Home Gardens Project (S+HGP). The S+HGP was piloted in six schools in the province of Laguna with a model where harvests from the school gardens provided fresh vegetables for the school-

based feeding program. The model also extended the gardeningfeeding linkage to the establishment of food gardens in the school children’s homes. More than just establishing home gardens, the parents developed a greater sense of responsibility to ensure good nutrition for their children while also saving on food expenses, Searca said in a news release. Moreover, S+GHP has garnered local and international awards for its emphasis on the multi-functionality of school gardens as learning laboratories for educating pupils, teachers and parents about sustainability concepts and interconnections of food and nutrition, organic agriculture, edible landscaping, climate change, and solid waste management.

Represented in the consultation were the Coron Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), local grade schools from the inland and coastal districts, and the tourism sector. According to the locals, both municipalities on the island are food insecure. They added that agriculture is not a strong sector in the island primarily due to the poor quality of its soil. Though rich in seafoods, they said both Coron and Busuanga import most of their fruits and vegetables from neighboring areas. Consequently, they pay high prices for these produce, which adversely affect nutrition of poor families. The island residents also pointed out that

importation also increases prices of food in restaurants, an integral part of the booming tourism industry on the island. It was reported during the consultation that for every peso earned from tourism in Coron, P0.80 leave the municipality due to the importation of produce. Searca Program Head for Research and Development Pedcris Orencio said the consultation also indicated the support that could be extended to the S+HGP by various stakeholders. Orencio said government agencies, through their local offices, could provide technical assistance on organic vegetable production and provide inputs such as garden tools, seeds, other planting materials, and organic fertilizers.

s the world faces a skilled work force gap, the fifth annual science, technology, engineering and mathematics survey by Emerson found that 91 percent of Filipino respondents are interested in pursuing STEM careers and most (80 percent) have felt encouraged to do so. A majority of Filipino respondents believe STEM careers are technology driven and the number of jobs in the field will continue to grow in the next decade. While the survey found that younger generations across the globe are three times more likely to be encouraged to pursue STEM careers than generations before them, there are still several critical gaps to address. This is a concern particularly as industries continue to report that they could not find individuals with the skills required for today’s advanced workplaces. For example, a recent study conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment found that about 3 out of 10 young job applicants still require further training to become employable. “As automation and technology become truly ingrained in our workplaces and schools, there’s a growing urgency to prepare the work force with STEM skills that will be critical to the continued strength of the global economy,” said David N. Farr, chairman and chief executive officer for Emerson. “We want to lead the charge in making strategic investments that will provide both the current and future work force with the right skill sets to succeed in one of the many tremendous careers made available through STEM—from software development to new technologies in manufacturing,” he added. To keep up with the rapid pace of change, workers are increasingly looking to their employers to address these upskilling needs: 94 percent of Filipino respondents said they believe companies should do more to train and prepare their STEM work force. The growing emphasis in boosting STEM education is little surprise, as almost all Filipinos (99 percent) say they consider STEM

education vital to the country’s future. Despite a universal understanding of the importance of STEM, less than half of people surveyed believe their country is ahead in STEM innovation, including only 42 percent of Filipinos. Filipino respondents recognize the importance of education and higher degrees for working in STEM. Most Filipinos (82 percent) say they have a good understanding of the types of jobs available in STEM fields, and out of all subject matters, 55 percent of respondents were most interested in pursuing a STEM track for college. Respondents also listed their parents as the biggest influence on their college education choices, and 98 percent of parents said they are likely to advise their child to choose a STEM track for college. “Supporting and empowering the next generation of Filipino professionals to enter STEM-related fields is a crucial part of our mission at Emerson,” said Ed Boone, president of Emerson Asia Pacific and vice president and general manager of Emerson Philippines. “We have long been dedicated to solving the growing skills deficit in the country through a variety of award-winning STEM initiatives, including our Innovation Challenge, which puts students to the test in solving some of the community’s most pressing issues through innovation,” he added. Emerson is helping to address this skills gap issue for people of all ages through its “We Love STEM” initiatives, partnerships with more than 350 universities and technical colleges worldwide, and investments in employee training. In the Philippines, Emerson has supported several research projects, faculty immersion programs and innovation competitions—all aimed at inspiring young students to enter STEM-related fields. Emerson, headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, also sponsors a scholarship program that provides training and mentorship to university students. As a result, 44 scholars have been hired by the company.

Mini-fair brings U.S. universities to Manila

ducationUSA, the US government’s official resource for students interested in pursuing higher education opportunities in the United States, will host a mini-fair with seven American universities on Tuesday, September 10, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Seda Hotel in Bonifacio Global City. The free event will provide an opportunity for Grade 9 to 12 students to speak directly with admissions representatives from Columbia College-Chicago, University of Redlands, University of Montana, Denison University, Miami University, Creighton University and Michigan State University. EducationUSA provides free advising services to prospective international students in more than 170 countries. It also offers student resources and tools

to navigate the “Five Steps to US Study:” researching schools, financing, completing the application, obtaining a student visa and preparing for departure. There are more than 4,500 accredited higher education institutions in the US, and an EducationUSA adviser can help students narrow their options, define their priorities, and plan their college careers. EducationUSA does not offer scholarships, but can assist students in identifying scholarship and financial-assistance opportunities. Interested participants may register for the fair through http://bit.ly/EdUSAMiniFair2019 and find more information about EducationUSA on its Facebook and Instagram pages: @educationusa.philippines and on Twitter at @EducationUSA_PH.

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Monday, September 9, 2019 E3

How can I write faster? Part Two

By Millie F. Dizon

Use a 30-minute timer

IN the realm of time management, the Pomodoro Technique does not refer to a secret pasta recipe, but to a method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1908s. The technique, which has been widely popularized by dozens of apps and web sites providing timers and instructions, uses a timer to break down work into intervals, traditionally 25 minutes in length, separated by a short break. Each interval is known as a Pomodoro, from the Italian word for tomato, after the tomato shaped kitchen timer that Cirillo used as a university student. Forer recommends this method, and taking a longer break after four pomodoros to help us keep our writing targets in check. “Short but regular breaks will have you focused on the task,” she says. “Set an alarm and take a five-minute pause.

Do a five-minute workout

“RESEARCH suggests that varying brain and physical activity can boost your productivity,” says Forer. She recommends 20 push-ups, or doing yoga, as a regular practice of yoga and meditation can “offset the risk of developing memory loss.”

Build connections between your tasks (the bridge)

IF you’d had a cool superproductive day, try to keep the same rhythm tomorrow. According to Forer, this can be done by “summarizing what you have done today and assign yourself new tasks for tomorrow” “Make a new to-do list for the next day,” Forer advises us. “Do not update or expand your existing one. You’re analyzing what has been done and creating a new list based on the day’s events and tasks.”

Get comfortable while writing

SETTLE into a cozy chair or couch, fill up your water bottle, play your favorite music, and lock the door if you need to. “You can boost your writing speed by working in a comfortable environment,” says Forer, which fortunately, you can help create. “Studies have shown that more precise, detail-oriented work, a clean and organized workspace is beneficial,” she adds. And, of course, “a positive approach is key.”

Think about your reward

MOTIVATE yourself with a cup of your favorite coffee after a long paragraph, or a cupcake after completing your article. Treating yourself can help you move forward in a good mood. Forer gets even more

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PR Matters

N the previous column, Irene S. wisely asked for some tips on how she could write faster. Deadlines, after all are something all public relations practitioners like Irene, who works with an agency, have to contend with. We took a page from Laura Forer, who, in an article for marketingprofs.com, shared 15 Tips to Help You Write Faster. Some of the creative ways she mentioned were: n Silence your inner editor n Structure is everything n Defeat distractions n Track your words per hour n Format at the end n Write what you know n Keep all notes in one book We turn again to Ms. Forer, as we continue to discuss her eight other tips that will help us develop our writing skill further.

creative. “Give your friend or relative $20. If you get the task done by 2 p.m., you get your $20 back. If you don’t you lose it.” Now that’s a motivation!

Choose the most productive time of day

ARE you a morning or night person? Over time, we have come to know when we are at our peak performance. “Use this knowledge to identify the best time of day for fast writing,” says Forer. “If you can work on a project for 90 minutes or more with only short breaks, that’s a sign you’re operating a peak productivity.” Early hours, or late evenings, it’s up to you.

Play typing games

IF your slow typing is a deterrent to improving your writing speed, Forer recommends that you can improve on this with free online tutorials. The Web is full of them, and she cites the top 3 typing games: n The frogs are off their diet n Typing maniac n Type type revolution

Practice

AS they say, practice makes perfect, and the more you write, you can become a faster and better writer. “Writing on a regular basis can help you gain speed,” says Forer. “You will not write superfast after the first article. Prepare to wait and work hard before any results show.” It gets even better. “Find a writing partner,” Forer urges. “Bet a friend something juicy that you can write an 800-word article faster than she can. Gamble with your reputation.” PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdombased International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the senior vice president for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chairman. We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com.

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E4 Monday, September 9, 2019

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HOW THE GOD YOU WORSHIP INFLUENCES THE GHOSTS YOU SEE

By Frank T. McAndrew Knox College

THE CONVERSATION

F you’ve ever seen a ghost, you have something in common with 18 percent of Americans. But while there’s evidence that our brains are hardwired to see ghosts, the apparitions we see tend to vary. Historians who study and catalogue ghostly encounters across time will tell you that ghosts come in a range of shapes and forms. Some haunt individuals, appearing in dreams or popping up at unexpected times. Others haunt a specific location and are prepared to spook any passersby. Some are the spitting images of what were once real humans. And then there are the noisy and troublesome poltergeists, which appear as uncontrollable supernatural forces instead of people. What might explain such discrepancies? And are some people more likely to see ghosts than oth-

ers? It turns out that our religious background could play a role.

Religion might ease one fear

SOME argue that religion evolved as a terror management device, a handy way to remove the uncertainty surrounding one of the scariest things we can imagine: death. Almost every religion offers an explanation for what happens to us after we die, with the assurance that death isn’t the end. And there is, in fact, evidence that very religious people don’t fear death as much as others. Protestants, Catholics and Muslims all believe in a day of res-

urrection and judgment, in which our souls are directed to heaven (“Jannah‚” in the case of Muslims) or hell based upon our good deeds (or misdeeds) during our time spent on Earth. Catholics also believe in a halfway house called purgatory, in which people who aren’t quite worthy of heaven but are too good for hell can pay their dues before getting a ticket to paradise. Buddhists and Hindus believe in a cycle of death and reincarnation that can eventually result in a permanent spiritual state, provided you play your cards right over each successive lifetime. Even the Jewish faith, which doesn’t really focus on the afterlife, assumes that an afterlife does exist. By following a clear set of rules, worshipers can assert control: They know what they have to do to make good things, rather than bad things, happen to them after they take the big dirt nap.

Tormented souls and sinister demons

BUT there’s a catch. Religion’s talent for easing our anxiety about death may have had the perverse effect of increasing the likelihood that we’ll be on edge about ghosts, spirits and other supernatural beings. This, however, may depend upon how religious you actually are.

It appears people across eras, religions and cultures have always been curious about a spiritual world that exists behind the curtain of death. Together, it speaks to how thoughts, fears and visions of death are integral to human life. All of the available evidence suggests that those who describe themselves as believers—but who don’t attend church regularly—are twice as likely to believe in ghosts than those at the two extremes of religious belief: nonbelievers and the deeply devout. With most religions populated by an impressive cadre of prophets, gods, spirits, angels and miracles, the tenets of religious faith might shape what you see. They could determine whether a visitor from the spirit world is a welcome or unwelcome guest, while also influencing whom you think you’re meeting. For example, in Medieval Catholic Europe, ghosts were assumed to be the tormented souls of people suffering for their sins in purgatory. But during the Protestant Reformation, since most Protestants believed that souls went immediately to heaven or hell, paranormal activity was thought to be the work of angels, demons or other decidedly nonhuman supernatural beings. While most Protestant sects today are largely silent about the

existence of ghosts, Catholic theology remains amenable to the existence of ghosts. Catholics typically believe that God may permit dead individuals to visit their counterparts on Earth, but the church has traditionally condemned occult activities such as seances and Ouija boards. In some religions, such as Voodoo, spirits and ghosts play a central role. Religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism support a belief in ghosts, but ghosts play only a minor role in the religion itself. For Hindus, ghosts are the souls of individuals who suffered a violent death or of people who were not accorded the appropriate and required death rituals. Buddhist ghosts are reincarnated individuals who may be sorting out bad karma. Muslims don’t believe that dead people can return as ghosts, so if a Muslim thinks he’s encountered a ghost, it’s thought to be the work of Jinn—beings that contain a mix of spiritual and physical properties, whose intentions can be malevolent or benevolent de-

pending upon the situation. There are several other religions, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, that also believe ghostly apparitions are demons in disguise rather than the souls of deceased people. Jews typically discourage occult activities designed to contact the dead, and there seems to be less consensus within Judaism as to the status of ghosts. However, Jewish oral traditions include stories of evil ghosts (Dybbuks) and kindly, helpful ghosts (Ibburs) who try to insert themselves in human affairs. It appears people across eras, religions and cultures have always been curious about a spiritual world that exists behind the curtain of death. Together, it speaks to how thoughts, fears and visions of death are integral to human life. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation. com/how-the-god-you-worship-influences-the-ghosts-you-see-84163.