Businessmirror September 14, 2019

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I.R. 4.0 AND THE WORLD OF WORK: IT’S COMPLICATED

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By Estrella Torres

S companies gain from digital technologies, the world of work grapples with the challenge of fitting young people with the right skill sets and overall makeup suited to emerging jobs under the Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0; and upskilling the employed so machines will not replace them. challenges, raised optimism on the benefits of IR 4.0 in spurring innovation in the workplace, leading to economic growth.

Still, the lingering digital divide aggravates the situations of young people who are already missing the benefits from the second wave of globalization due to poverty.

VITALII SHCHERBYNA | DREAMSTIME.COM

A key component of IR 4.0, or what’s sometimes referred to as “FIR” (Fourth Industrial Revolution), is the Internet of Things that is characterized by connected devices to help internal operations.

The use of cloud environment allows companies to store data while equipment and operations can be optimized by leveraging the insights of others, using the same equipment or to allow smaller enterprises access to technology.

Education and industry experts recently gathered at the 8th International Skills Forum at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, and, while confronting the

Beyond literacy, numeracy

BAMBANG SUSANTONO, vice president for knowledge management and sustainable development of ADB, said governments need to take giant steps to help young people fulfill their potential.

Continued on A2

Will Brexit trigger England’s second civil war?

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By Alan Crawford | Bloomberg News

T the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642, Warwick Castle was attacked by soldiers loyal to the king who tried without success to unseat the Parliamentarian forces that held it. While a minor skirmish, the outcome would foreshadow the broader struggle for the country.

Today, the town of Warwick is under siege of another kind, one that may similarly decide where the divided nation is headed after an escalation in the political drama over Brexit.

The UK is witnessing an historic period of upheaval that has invited comparisons with events almost 400 years ago. Parliament has been sus-

pended—illegally, a court in Scotland ruled on Wednesday. The prime minister is threatening to flout the law to get his way while lawmakers on all sides are in open revolt and Ireland’s future, north and south, is at stake. Even the Queen has become embroiled in the standoff. And violence is brewing, with scuffles outside Parliament last week.

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 52.0010

Anybody’s guess

LAWMAKERS this week channeled an event from the run up to the civil war in the House of Commons to protest the so-called prorogation of the legislature. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, one of the main architects of the vote to leave the European Union, has described the present constitutional crisis as the worst since that tumultuous period.

A tour last week through some English counties scarred by the conflict suggests he may be right.

With positions hardening and no obvious release for rising tensions, it’s anybody’s guess where the Brexit dilemma ends.

Voters in Warwick opposed leaving the EU, seeing a departure as a threat to a key employer—the automotive industry—and to the university town’s international outlook. But as a pro-EU bastion amid a sea of Brexit territory, Warwick is at odds with neighboring Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4811 n UK 64.1484 n HK 6.6464 n CHINA 7.3077 n SINGAPORE 37.8217 n AUSTRALIA 35.7039 n EU 57.5391 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.8621

Source: BSP (September 13, 2019 )

A2 Saturday, September 14, 2019

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IR 4.0 and the world of work: It’s complicated Continued from a1

“Young people are inheriting a world affected by inequality, conflict and climate change. These are daunting challenges for the next generation to deal with and they need a broad range of skills to succeed,” said Susantono in his speech at the opening of the three-day forum in Manila.

Governments, he said, need to ensure that education works for children by offering them skills beyond literacy and numeracy. Young people must develop higher levels of skills needed by industries, such as problem solving and critical thinking.

Lant Pritchette, director of US-based Research on Improving Systems of Education (RISE), said developing countries should rethink their “logic of logistics” that only ensures young people have access to schools and prepare for the 21st century.

The logic of logistics in the education sector is a simple task of bringing every child to school, but it leaves behind a vast majority who fail at basic skills of literacy and numeracy.

He said a lot of countries treat the “education system as a selection system,” where few get ahead and majority are left behind because the curriculum is beyond their understanding.

At a minimum, every learner must come out of school with universal, early, conceptual and procedural mastery of basic skills or literacy and numeracy.

“In the interest of producing an elite capable of performing at a high level, the curriculum moves ahead so fast and the vast majority of children are left behind completely and stop learning, because the curriculum is far beyond what [learners] can understand,” said Pritchette in his speech.

Lack of employment for many countries is not a problem of shortage of jobs but the steady rise of unemployable youth, he said.

To cope with the challenges of digital technologies, Pritchette said schools need to design a structured pedagogue that focuses teaching at the right level where children can master reading and math and, eventually, the relevant sets of skills.

He said a third grader who can’t read and do arithmetic will fail in the fourth grade where the curriculum is tough and fastpaced. “At 6th grade, the child is bored and will hate formal sector schooling; thus, it will be too late when, at age 15, adults will train them for a craft.”

In 2014, the Unesco Global Monitoring Report stated that 250 million children are unable to read, write, or do basic mathematics, and, ironically, 130 million of those children are in school.

Potential for AI

KATE BEHCKEN, vice president of Microsoft Philanthropies, said there is an enormous potential of Artificial Intelligence, a key feature of IR 4.0, to increase incomes in

the Asia-Pacific region.

To attain this, more than 50 percent of the workforce in Asia Pacific will need to reskill and upskill by 2020 to retain and get jobs.

She said young people need to be equipped with unique skills to thrive in the fast-paced digital technologies.

Among the top skills that will be required of young people are analytical and digital skills, as well as adaptability in the workplace.

She said so-called soft skills such as effective communication, problem solving and critical analysis are highly essential to find and stay in jobs.

Microsoft Philanthropies continues to engage companies to rethink the sets of qualifications in hiring, from certificates to skillsbased hiring.

Premium on real skills

COMPANIES, she said, should hire people in new roles based on the skills gained, and not solely on formal education.

Pritchette cited Switzerland as a model in occupational training, where there is no premium on a college degree. “People are valued based on real skills, such as automotive repair, which leads to social equity and productivity.”

Education and industry experts at the forum agreed that countries need to strengthen and design relevant Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which provides knowledge and skills for employment,

mostly for young people in deprived situations.

Michael Fung, deputy chief executive officer of Singapore-based Skills Future, said businesses should invest in employee training as digital technologies rapidly change the nature of jobs.

He urged leaders to rethink the paradigm of education and training to address skills gaps caused by the digital disruptions.

“The traditional education system is fairly linear. We frontload a

Brexit…

Continued from a1

districts, the UK as a whole and with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative government.

Those same divisions run through swaths of the country.

“If we get out of the current impasse without shots being fired, we will be doing better than I expected,” said Diane Purkiss, author of The English Civil War: A People’s History and a professor of English literature at Oxford University. “The question from here is whether we can at the last minute and in the eleventh hour muddle together some kind of final British compromise.”

Divisions

WITH its timber-framed houses, country parks and association with William Shakespeare, the county of Warwickshire is picture-postcard England. But beneath the patina of Olde Worlde charm lie stark divisions in attitudes to Brexit.

Of course the UK has always diverged along political lines, from Thatcherism to Blairism. What attracts today’s comparisons with the 17th century is the constitutional chaos on top. Then, the country chose sides as Parliament and Oliver Cromwell’s Puritans asserted authority over King Charles I and his Catholic household in a standoff over religion and power that ultimately led to war and regicide.

In an echo of Brexit’s patchwork of “leave” and “remain” voting areas, the civil war cleaved along the lines of individual towns and cities depending on which way they declared, for Parliament or the King. Indeed, the political map of the Brexit vote resembles the distribution of support for both sides in the civil war, Stefan Collignon, a professor at the London School of Economics wrote in March last year.

In Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon was sandwiched between Parliamentarian and Royalist forces, and took in casualties from the war’s first major battle at Edgehill.

Stratford, Shakespeare’s birthplace, is a 20-minute drive to the southwest of Warwick but a different world in its Brexit outlook. Whereas Warwick and its surroundings are home to workers from the nearby Jaguar Land Rover plants and left-leaning, proEuropean students and academics from Warwick University, Stratford relies on tourism, the hospitality industry and foreign workers to staff it.

Vote and sentiments

WARWICK voted 59 percent to 41 percent in favor of remaining in the EU. Stratford voted 52 percent to 48 percent to leave, bang in line with the country as a whole.

Walking around Stratford, past the Tudor houses and boats on the river Avon, there is little outward evidence of tension. That’s no comfort to Sophie Clausen, an artist and author originally from Denmark who first came to Britain as an art student in 1984.

For Clausen, that sense of indifference cannot be excused by any amount of Brexit fatigue, and is the most worrying aspect of all.

“People switch off, they don’t care, and that’s really dangerous,” she said. “People say they just want Brexit over with, but I don’t think

lot of learning [information] in the first 12 to 16 years, send out graduates of high school and colleges into the real world, and we say good luck,” said Fung.

He said progressive businesses invest in the upskilling of their employees through TVET and lifelong learning.

While Asia is viewed as the next powerhouse of jobs and business opportunities as a result of digital technologies, millions of its population, mostly children,

continue to live behind the walls of poverty, conflict and marginalization. The traditional notion that education is the best ticket out of poverty will fail them if, after all their family’s efforts to send them to school, they will spend the best years of their young lives being shaped by an irrelevant, outdated kind of pedagogy.

Estrella Torres is the head of communications at Save the Children Philippines.

‘I

F we get out of the current impasse without shots being fired, we will be doing better than I expected. The question from here is whether we can at the last minute and in the eleventh hour muddle together some kind of final British compromise.”—Purkiss it will ever end,” said Clausen.

“Because if it doesn’t happen, the divisions will get even deeper and people who voted Leave will be even more angry,” she said. “No one knows the way out any more.”

Johnson has a little over a month to try and strike a new deal with the EU that’s palatable to enough parliamentarians to enable Britain to leave the bloc in an orderly way on October 31. If he fails to do so, he is now required by law to ask for an extension, something that will almost inevitably lead to the general election he wants to break the impasse.

Comparisons between Johnson and Charles I over their treatment of Parliament are unhelpful, according to Purkiss, the civil war author, since the king waited 11 years to recall the legislature rather than the present five weeks. Yet there is a common “persistent ongoing failure of compromise” that contributed to the descent into conflict, she said.

‘Weaponizing fear mongering’

OTHER parallels lie in the existence of concurrent crises in “the three kingdoms” of England, Ireland and Scotland; and in the emergent print media’s alarmist headlines that mirror today’s social-media posts, “weaponizing fear mongering,” said Purkiss. “I don’t think people are taking this threat seriously enough,” she said in an interview at Keble College in Oxford, one block away from St. Giles Church, which carries a plaque describing its damage in the civil war.

At root, Brexit is the symptom of a crisis of parliamentary democracy, with both main parties pushed to extremes and the middle ground erased, eroding willingness to reach consensus. That presents a challenge for politicians like Jack Rankin, selected to contest the Warwick and Leamington constituency for the Conservatives at the next election.

The district was held by the Conservatives for much of the 20th century, falling to Labour in 1997 as the Blair government came to power, and has changed hands between the two parties since. Matt Western retook it for Labour in 2017 with a majority of just 1,200 votes.

His pro-European views were reinforced by a previous life as a marketing manager for French carmaker Peugeot in places like Vienna and Paris. Bridging the division “is very hard because both sides of the debate are becoming quite entrenched in their view,” said Western. “I’m really alarmed about what’s going on in society,” he said.

To win the seat from Labour, Rankin, who voted for Brexit, will have to appeal to a strongly antiBrexit electorate.

He said that his experience on voter doorsteps shows “the overwhelming majority are fundamen-

tally democrats and just want to get on with it.” The divisions are not as deep as commonly presented, he said in an email response to questions, and healing the Conservative rift “won’t happen until we deliver what we said we would.” He said the future is bright regardless of how Brexit plays out.

That may be wishful thinking.

Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer Ralf Speth warned last year that a bad Brexit could put tens of thousands of jobs at risk. Warwick University’s Vice Chancellor Stuart Croft has called Brexit a “disaster” and said that losing access to international research networks could shut the UK out of the science vanguard and risk jobs.

The warnings were not lost on Barry Archer, a maker of clay models used in car industry design who has worked across Europe, most recently for Skoda in the Czech Republic. He was at a “Stop the Coup” demonstration last week in Coventry, the city whose outskirts include Warwick University’s leafy campus, to protest the proroguing of Parliament. Archer was among the 200 or so who showed up.

His latest job was canceled as a result of the uncertainty over Brexit. His two adult sons feel their future is being settled without their say, with freedom of movement set to go in the name of the “will of the people.” For Archer, Brexit is personal—his wife is German—but he still doesn’t see any chance to roll it back.

“The problem is it’s divided the country so much there’s going to be no easy way around it,” he said as an autumn wind blew in the city’s Friargate. “Damage to the foundation of who we are, what we are has been done. It’s just damage control now.”

Bernard Capp, an emeritus professor of history at Warwick, has seen the university’s development from its earliest days in the 1960s and still teaches a class on radicalism and the English Civil War. He sees parallels with the sort of polarization witnessed between 1640 and 1642, when the war broke out, and says that’s a cause for concern.

During the civil war, Coventry was a Parliamentarian center, known for its extensive medieval city walls. Capp related that Charles I arrived in late summer 1642 on his way to raise an army, and demanded entrance. The mayor of Coventry refused, the first real act of defiance before the fighting started.

“We should all be very wary because nobody wanted a civil war, nobody expected a civil war and look where that happened,” he said. Even at the war’s end, “no one thought there would be a revolution and the king would get his head chopped off, and yet that’s where it ended up,” he said.

“So no one knows what the final destination will be once you get into a constitutional crisis.”

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Next Philippine rate cut could come this month, BSP gov says

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HILIPPINE Central Bank Governor Benjamin Diokno said another policy rate cut of at least 25 basis points could come as early as this month.

A cut in banks’ reserve requirement ratio may also come this month or in October, with a reduction possible at the September 26, 2019, rate meeting, Diokno told reporters in Tarlac province north of the Philippine capital on Friday.

“The prospects are bright that it might come sooner than later,” Diokno said of a potential easing.

“It won’t reach November or December, could be sooner.”

Diokno, who has cut the policy rate by a total 50 basis points this year, has earlier promised to trim the rate by at least another quarter-of-apercentage point before yearend. The Philippines raised the key rate by 175 basis points in 2018.

Highlights:

n T he i nf l at ion pict u re “ is get t i ng br ighter a nd br ighter,” Diok no sa id a s consu mer pr ice g a i n s f a l l w it h i n t he Cent ra l Ba n k ’s t a rget ra nge. Inf l at ion m ay fa l l below 2 percent aga i n i n September a nd October be c au se of ba se ef fec ts, he sa id. n L at e s t d at a s ho w e d t he Ph i l ip pi ne e conomy g re w 5. 5 percent i n t he second qu a r ter, the slowest since 2015; inf lation wa s at 1.7 percent i n Aug ust, its lowest poi nt si nce 2016.

Mint transfer to NCC

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is transferring its currency production facility from its current plant in Quezon City to the New Clark City in Tarlac.

Diokno signed on Friday a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) for the establishment of the new facility on a 29.22-hectare parcel of land within the New Clark City-National Government Administrative Center (NGAC). “ The BSP follows a stringent set of criteria in selecting locations for its facilities. These standards—which encompass ever ything from lot configuration, site cond it ions, to i nf ra st r uc t u ra l support—are intended to ensure that the BSP’s operations are optimally located,” Diokno said.

“After an exhaustive canvass of sites north and south of Metro Manila, needless to say that the New Clark City is the only one that met the requirements of the BSP—with f lying colors, might I add,” he added.

Diokno said the BSP facility in Quezon City is “rife for a major upgrade” and construction of the new facility will take a maximum of two years.

The new BSP facility will be part of the 200 -hectare NGAC—the country’s first green sustainable and resilient metropolis.

Bloomberg News with Bianca Cuaresma

Gordon presses deeper NBI probe into Bilibid killings

By Butch Fernandez

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EN. Richard Gordon is pressing the National Bureau of Invest igat ion to conduct a more thorough probe into the wave of killings targeting Bureau of Correction officials and employees in the midst of an ongoing Senate inquiry into rampant anomalies at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP).

Gordon prodded crack probers of the NBI to look deeper into the cases noting no less than 11 BuCor personnel were slain since 2011 in still unsolved murder cases.

The senator cited reports that the wave of killings were perpetrated mostly by motorcycle-riding assassins, but was told only one gunman, so far, was caught for killing a prison guard.

In a news statement, Gordon recalled asking NBI Legal Division Chief Attorney Fredric Anthony Santos if he is aware of the killings and what the bureau is doing to resolve the crime, but was told that the bureau still has “no resolutions to the cases yet.”

Gordon said Santos, however, informed Senate probers that one

g unman behind the k illing of a prison guard was caught.

The senator noted reports reaching the committee that the killings included BuCor Documents Section Assistant Ruperto Traya Jr. who was slain in “riding-in-tandem” shooting incident, apart from Bureau of Reservation Security Service (BRSS) Inspector Romel Reyes, who was killed in September 2018, and Corrections Inspector Angelito Peralta who was shot dead in December 2018.

He added that Corrections Inspector Edgardo Ferrer was stabbed in a separate incident with a pair of scissors by an inmate inside the Maximum Security Compound of the NBP. “Incidents such as these brought fears among the prisoners,” Justice Undersecretary Deo L. Marco told Senate probers.

Gordon noted reports reaching his office that the Philippine National Police was also looking at the possible link of BuCor murder cases to the controversy surrounding the implementation of the good conduct time allowance that freed heinous crime convicts.

D.F.A. TOLD: CHECK ON SEAFARERS ARRESTED IN PERSIAN GULF

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EN. Franciso “Tol” Tolentino recently filed a resolution calling for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to coordinate with the Islamic Republic of Iran to inquire on the condition of 12 Filipino seafarers arrested by Iranian authorities last September 8, 2019.

The 12 Filipino seamen were on board a tugboat carrying petroleum worth $2.2 million when they were nabbed at the Strait of Hormuz waterway. Their vessel was, likewise, seized by the Iranian authorities, who suspected that they were involved in oil smuggling.

The Strait of Hormuz lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and is considered one of the world’s most strategically important navigational strait.

In another incident, Iranian authorities seized an oil tanker, MT Stena Impero, which had a Filipino crew member on board, for allegedly breaking international maritime rules last July 19, 2019.

Tolentino reiterated that authorities must ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers as they are the key contributors to the Philippine economy, community and their families.

“It is our responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our seafarers. They are among our countrymen who have ventured into foreign lands in their quest for better lives, far away from their families and loved ones. They are the country’s new heroes and let’s make sure that their sacrifices won’t end into naught, “ the neophyte senator said in Filipino.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

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Tax bill battle shifts to Senate: House votes 170-8 for Citira

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By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

HE House of Representatives on Friday endorsed for Senate approval the proposed Corporate Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization Act (Citira), which reduces corporate income taxes and rationalizes tax incentives.

Voting 170 affirmative, eight negative and six abstentions, House members passed on third and final reading the Package 2 of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) or House Bill 4157.

The bill, its champions said, ensures that the grant of fiscal incentives helps bring the greatest benefits, such as higher and more dispersed investments, more jobs and better technology.

The measure seeks to encourage investments by reducing the corporate income tax (CIT) rate from 30 percent to 20 percent and modernize investment tax incentives to enhance fairness, improve competitiveness, plug tax leakages and attain fiscal sustainability. The measure brings down the CIT by two percentage points starting 2021.

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Joey Salceda said Citira’s passage is the most significant economic legislation in 34 years. “ This measure is by far the most significant economic legislation with a positive footprint on almost every sector of our economy—it sets the platform to pursue a better future for the next generation of Filipinos. Citira will result in an incremental GDP growth of 3.6 percent annually from 2020 to

2030 while adding only 0.9 percent to inflation,” Salceda added.

Alluding to the stance of critics—including the chief of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza)—that its removal of incentives will discourage investments and cause the pullout of existing ones, Salceda claimed, “Citira offers the most attractive incentive package in the region but no forever, no loopholes for transfer pricing and incentives will be based on performance not promises. The bill has provided for existing registered business enterprises to switch to the new platform as it is more rewarding than exhausting the transition allowance.”

House Bill 4157 seeks to amend certain sections of Republic Act 8424 or the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

In a statement, Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte said Citira’s passage is a blow for financial inclusion, as the gradual lowering of CIT will benefit 90,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Villafuerte noted that SMEs employ most of the country’s work force, but currently pay the regular CIT rate of 30 percent, while some 3,000 bigger corporations favored by state-run investment promotion agencies (IPAs) pay a discounted rate of 6 percent to 13 percent tax on their net incomes.

LAWMAKER UNVEILS PROPOSAL TO RESOLVE EDSA TRAFFIC WOES

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HE chairman of the House Committee on Transportation on Friday unveiled the blueprint of a proposed centralized and synchronized bus dispatch system to resolve traffic congestion at Edsa.

In a news statement, Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, a civil engineer, said the proposal seeks to turn Edsa’s rowdy and chaotic city buses into a fast, efficient and predictable mass transport system.

According to Sarmiento, the innermost lane of Edsa will serve as an “express bus lane” that can be accessed through stations used by the Metro Railway Transit 3.

Like a carousel, the “express bus lane” will just circle around Edsa, duplicating the route of the MRT. “People who use the MRT can now have the option to ride the bus, which will be also operated like a carousel. The buses will only load and unload passengers in a synchronized manner at the MRT 3 stations so they are basically an extension of the MRT 3. There will be no traffic in the area because the entire inner lane from Taft Avenue to North Avenue and vice-versa will be enclosed and exclusive to the express bus lane,”Sarmiento said.

The lawmaker said that the three lanes at the middle of Edsa will be dedicated to all types of private vehicles subject to the existing vehicle reduction programs like the number coding scheme.

He added private cars will be only allowed to use the outer lane when turning into an intersection.

“The outer lane of Edsa, or the yellow lane, will be used as a dedicated city bus lane which will also adopt a centralized and synchronized dispatch system.

Dedicated bus stops will be established 1 kilometer apart. Loading and unloading of passengers will be strictly implemented on these bus stops,” he said.

Sarmiento said that while the express bus lane will cater to passengers who also use the MRT, the city bus lane operation will extend up to the Parañaque Integrated BusTerminal in the south and theValenzuela Integrated Bus Terminal in the north and vice-versa.

The lawmaker also suggested that city buses use the outermost lane in Edsa, or the yellow lane, in a carousel-type system until they reach the Valenzuela Integrated Bus Terminal.

From there, Sarmiento said the city buses will traverse to the south still using the outermost lane until it reaches the Parañaque Integrated Bus Terminal.

“We propose this to eradicate the kanya-kanya

system of the buses wherein they compete with each other creating chaos through overtaking, overspeeding and overstaying,” Sarmiento added.

Sarmiento hastened to add that the proposal can still be subject to improvements and adjustments by the Department of Transportation and the MMDA as frontline implementing agencies.

Aside from the carousel-type bus system in Edsa, it is proposed that another carousel-type bus system will be operational in other major thoroughfares of Metro Manila.

“This proposal is a work in progress. Details will be discussed by the executives,” he added.

Sarmiento said that if and when the plan is set into motion, the private vehicles that continue to clog Edsa middle lanes would be reduced eventually “because people would now start riding the bus rather than drive their car in what is described as one of the world’s biggest parking lot.”

“Once the volume of vehicles are reduced, that’s the time that we can introduce major infrastructures in Edsa and other major thoroughfares,” he added.

Earlier, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade urged Congress to approve the pending measures granting President Duterte emergency powers to address the country’s traffic problem.

Tugade told lawmakers that said emergency powers for President Duterte is needed so that the government can implement faster solutions to the worsening traffic.

Tugade also allayed fears of lawmakers on granting the emergency power, saying such powers given to the President would not be permanent as it will only be granted for two to three years.

The secretary added that the emergency powers will also not remove the oversight powers of Congress.

During the 17th Congress, the House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act to address the traffic gridlock in Metro Manila and mega cities, such as Metro Cebu and Davao City.

Under the proposed Traffic and Congestion Crisis Act, it tasks transportation secretary as traffic chief to simplify the country’s management of traffic and transportation and regulate the road use in metropolitan areas. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

“The Citira bill will eliminate this unfair practice, and put in place a better system that will be fair to all businesses. The new system will encourage firms to innovate, create more jobs, invest in skills training and new technologies,” said Villafuerte, one of the authors of the Citira.

For his part, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, who voted against the bill, described Citira as a classic example of how skewed the Philippine tax system is against the poor.

“Citira favors artificial beings owned by the rich, while the TRAIN [Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion] law burdens human beings, principally the poor. In fact, the TRAIN Act contributed to the high inflation rates last year,” he said.

“Citira is a replica of the 17th Congress’ Trabaho Bill,” referring to the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities bill in the 17th House. “This ‘Trabaho’ brand was abandoned by

the current House Bill 4157 which is labeled Citira. This is an indirect admission that Citira will not generate employment even as the Explanatory Note to the Citira Bill does not mention the generation of jobs,” he added.

According to Lagman, the rate of corporate income tax is not a major factor which attracts or discourages investment.

“The Sponsoring Committee [on Ways and Means] admitted that tax regime ranks only No. Six [6] after the prime factors of [1] ease of doing business, [2] adequacy of infrastructure, [3] policy of predictability, [4] cost of power and [5] Internet speed,” he said.

On “ease of doing business,” Lagman said the Philippines is ranked No. 124 out of 190 countries according to the World Bank.

“No amount of CIT reduction would attract more investments if the Philippines fails to improve considerably its poor ranking on business efficiency,” he said.

A4 Saturday, September 14, 2019

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Service portal increases internationalization of Asean SMEs

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MALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asian countries can now have easier access to trade-related information crucial for them to penetrate the regional and international markets.

The Asean SME service Web portal, www.aseansme.org., recognized the need to link smaller firms with enterprises, traders, suppliers, manufacturers and consumers within the region and trade partners.

“...By enhancing their market access and paving the way for their internationalization, SMEs are able to take advantage of the trade and investment opportunities and benefits from regional

economic integration,” it said.

The Web portal provides services to ensure that Asean shall be globally competitive and innovative by the year 2025.

These portal services promote productivity, technology and innovation; enhancing market access and internationalization; increasing access to finance; enhancing policy and regulatory environment; promoting human capital development; best

practices; and other services.

Asean SMEs can also access the list of government service providers; private service providers; business association/ private representative organization/ chamber of commerce and industry; nonprofit organization/foundation/ nongovernment organization; academic institutions; and joint public and private organization/programs.

The portal has also built directory of new and sale products.

The SMEs are deemed key drivers and contributors to the gross domestic product (GDP) of Asean economies, accounting for over 95 percent to 99 percent of all business establishments; and generating between 51 percent and 97 percent of employment in many Asean member- states.

The contribution of SMEs to GDP is generally significant at about 23 percent to 58 percent, while their share to exports ranges from 10 percent to 30 percent.

Demand for NH packaged food on the rise in Canada Argentine bizman to promote PHL products in Latin America S

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HE Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) urged Philippine exporters to tap the Latin American market following the visit of Depindir “Tony” Lamba, an Argentinian businessman to the Philippines on August 13, 2019, at the DTI International Building in Makati City.

Lamba is keen on promoting Philippine products to Argentina and other parts of Latin America.

Organized by the DTI-EMB, Lam-

ba’s visit to the Philippines was endorsed by Commercial Counsellor Michael Vyke Roaring of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Mexico, which also covers other Latin American countries.

The EMB arranged a briefing for Lamba on business registration procedures, EMB services, export procedures and trade opportunities. One-on-one meetings with 15 exporters of food, personal care and coconut products along with a franchising company were also

arranged for Lamba during his visit in the country from August 13 to 15, 2019.

Lamba, who is of Indian descent, has 40 years’ experience in trading in Asia and Latin America. He is familiar with the country as he was once importing rattan furniture and costume jewelry from the Philippines.

This time, he plans to establish an export-import firm in the Philippines to take advantage of opportunities both in the Philippines and Latin America.

ALES for naturally healthy (NH) packaged food are forecast to rise in Canada as more of its consumers become increasingly health conscious.

“Among the manifestations of health consciousness seen by Canadian consumers is the increasing desire for less processed food and for products with as few and simple ingredients as possible. This is also known as the ‘clean label’ movement,” said the Euromonitor Digest released by the Department of Trade and IndustryExport Marketing Bureau.

In food and beverage, the report pointed out there is a rising tendency to resort to the way food was

consumed centuries ago when there were “no artificial ingredients, no pollution and no antibiotics” despite the advancement of modern agriculture and technologies.

This drives the same sentiment behind the popularity of claims, such as “natural” and “all-natural” and “superfood,” it said.

The Euromonitor Digest cited examples of NH packaged food products, such as NH sour milk, NH honey, NH olive oil, and NH nuts, seeds and trail mixes.

NH high-fiber food, including NH high-fiber breakfast cereals, NH high-fiber noodles, and NH highfiber pasta, are performing well,

supported by consumer awareness of the importance of dietary fiber intake and active new product development, it said.

The report further said leading players are increasingly engaging in marketing campaigns in order to educate consumers on the benefits of consuming naturally healthy packaged food.

“Their activities are increasingly being focused on social media in order to specifically target younger generations. Another area of focus is packaging design, in order to highlight the naturally healthy ingredients of their products and differentiate them from regular alternatives,” it added.

Food-processing exec says unstable agri yield affects export commitments

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HE food-processing industry is concerned about the unstable supply of local agricultural products despite Philippine government’s various programs and initiatives to help farmers, according to a purchasing executive.

Ferdinand Pio, corporate purchasing manager at KLT Fruits Inc., in an update on trends and market opportunities in the fruit industry presented at a recent agri-business forum in Calamba, Laguna, said statistics show a decreasing supply of local agri produce.

The decline can be attributed to the fall in the number of growers and is a troubling development for the country’s food-processing industry as it depends on the farming sector, Pio added.

Citing the situation of KLT Fruits, a fruit-processing company that processes tropical fruit purees, Pio said the unstable and unreliable supply in the Philippines affects their operations and challenges their capability to meet their commitments to their overseas customers.

He said the company is losing farmers who can supply their product requirements because these growers are getting old and retiring, and their children do not want to go into farming, which, by itself, presents a different set of challenges.

Moreover, the company is encountering strong competition from Vietnam, from where it also imports because “ang lakas mag-supply ng prutas ng Vietnam

ngayon [Vietnam now has a strong supply of fruits] and wala nang makuhang supply dito [we can no longer source the needed supply here].”

Pio said KLT Fruits currently needs bulk suppliers of saba (plantain), mango, jackfruit, guava, calamansi, passion fruit and many more. To address the local shortage, Pio suggests that farmers learn to market their products.

“You don’t just plant without someone to buy your product,” he said. More important, he encourages them to form cooperatives and associations.

“Don’t farm alone,” he advises farmers, adding that if farmers form themselves into groups “magiging mas malakas kayo [you will become stronger].”

A WORKER at a 24-hour convenience store displays a bunch of ripe plantation grown bananas in Makati City. Unstable fruit yield like bananas has recently raised the concern of the local food-processing industry. NONIE REYES

He explained: “’Pag mag-isa kang farmer at hindi ka rin marunong magmarket ng produkto mo, maghihintay ka na lang ng trader. Talagang hindi ka magsu-survive. [If you are a solo farmer

and you don’t know how to market your products, you will just be waiting for the trader. You won’t survive].”

He added that consolidation will provide farmers with advantages.

For instance, it will be easier for food processors to transact with them. Pio said food-processing firms sometime find it hard to deal with farmers individually.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

OurTime BusinessMirror

Saturday, September 14, 2019 A5

Give all pension-less senior citizens P1,000 a month–Pangilinan

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EN. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan wants all Filipino senior citizens who don’t receive any pension to get one worth P1,000 a month.

In Senate Bill 259, Pangilinan seeks to further amend the existing law, Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, in two ways: Double the monthly pension from P500 to P1,000; and expand the program from covering only indigent seniors to include all seniors.

“We recognize the contribution of senior citizens in the country’s progress. The law we passed gave some relief to 3 million indigent senior citizens but a big percentage of them are still not covered by the program,” Pangilinan said.

The senator said nine years after the last amendment to the

law, P500 monthly pension is not enough anymore.

“This is not enough for everyday expenses and especially for medical needs. The cost of prime commodities has increased and eroded the true value of the social pension they now receive,” Pangilinan said.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Pangilinan cited a 2017 study that showed that the value of the current P500 monthly pension has fallen by 22 percent in real terms and is equivalent only to P403.

“Many of our aging farmers will welcome this proposal,” he added.

Oklahoma pension fund reports $4.2 million cyber theft

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PANGILINAN

Veterans with PTSD, anxiety turn to beekeeping for relief

IN this August 7, 2019, photo, US Army veteran Wendi Zimmermann transfers a frame of bees to a new box, while checking them for disease and food supply at the Veterans Affairs’ beehives in Manchester, New Hampshire Veterans Affairs has begun offering beekeeping at a few facilities including in New Hampshire and Michigan, and researchers are starting to study whether the practice has therapeutic benefits. AP PHOTO/ELISE AMENDOLA

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ANCHESTER, New Hampshire—Gently lifting a wooden frame containing dozens of Italian honeybees, Vince Ylitalo seemed transfixed as he and several other veterans inspected the buzzing insects.

“This is really cool,” he said, pointing to a bee with blobs of orange pollen on its hind legs.

Ylitalo, who has battled posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving nearly 40 years in the military including two tours in Iraq, didn’t seem bothered by the bees swarming around his head or crawling all over the entrance to their hive. Instead, the 57-year-old logistics expert said the several hours spent working on the two hives each week at the Manchester VA Medi-

cal Center in New Hampshire was a respite of sorts from his anxiety and depression. Known as an apiary, the hives are located next to a lilac garden off a busy street.

“I’m in this program to help me get out of the thought process of all those problems that I have,” said Ylitalo, who has struggled since leaving the Army in 2017. “It helps me think of something completely different....

I’m just thinking about bees.”

Researchers are beginning to study whether beekeeping has therapeutic benefits. For now, there is little hard data, but veterans in programs like the one in Manchester insist that it helps them focus, relax and become more productive.

The programs are part of a small but growing effort by Veterans Affairs

and veteran groups to promote the training of soldiers in farming and other agricultural careers.

Standing near Ylitalo in her white bee suit, Army veteran Wendi Zimmermann said bees have helped her deal with the anxiety she feels outside her home—even though she initially feared being stung. She and Ylitalo are among 12 veterans that have taken part in beekeeping since the program started in May. “It gives you a chance to shut down and not think about the outside world. It shows me there is a way to shut my brain down to get other things accomplished,” Zimmermann said. “Before, my mind would be filled with thoughts constantly and I wasn’t accomplishing daily tasks.”

While some of the programs are

geared to giving soldiers the skills to become farmers and commercial beekeepers, others aim to address the challenges facing those returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq with brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mentalhealth issues. The programs are careful to say that beekeeping is just one of several benefits that could help a troubled veteran.

“The anecdotes we have heard are fantastic,” said Alicia Semiatin, who heads the mental-health program in Manchester. “Folks find that it is really something that they benefit from at the time they are doing the beekeeping and the benefits seems to be carrying over not only for days but weeks afterward. What more could you ask for from treatment than something to that degree?”

Similar stories have been heard from beekeeping programs from Brockton, Massachusetts, to Reno, Nevada. Those running the programs said there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that beekeeping is making a difference for those who spend time managing hives and harvesting honey. Beekeeping gives them a sense of purpose, helps them relax and allows them to block out dark thoughts, they said.

“Beekeeping affords us the opportunity to really kind of engage in a different way with the natural world,” said Adam Ingrao, a fourthgeneration soldier who runs Heroes to Hives through Michigan State University Extension. “You’re not thinking about what happened in Afghanistan or Iraq. You’re thinking about what’s happening right here, right now.”

Ford Motor Co. is providing space to Heroes to Hives at Henry Ford’s old farm near Ann Arbor. The free program provides a nine-month beekeeping course to veterans, about 80 percent of whom have a disability.

In Reno, Ginger Fenwick started Bees4Vets with her husband, Daniel, in 2018 after spotting a 1919 pam-

phlet written by the government that advocated beekeeping for veterans returning from World War I with shell shock. Bees4Vets trains 10 veterans a year to manage some of its roughly 30 hives at the agricultural experiment station at the University of Nevada, Reno and resident’s backyards in nearby Sparks.

Inspired by concerns about high levels of suicide among veterans, the program focuses on those with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries from Nevada and northern California. It also has teamed up with a University of Nevada, Reno professor who studies PTSD to research whether beekeeping is helping veterans in the program. If a majority shows improvement, the program plans to study why and how—and whether beekeeping could be helping.

“If there was anything we could do to help one family, one person, then it would be all worth it,” Fenwick said.

Each veteran gets two hives to manage for the year and learns skills like honey harvesting and wax processing. One veteran who completed the program wants to start a honey mustard business; another wants to make lip balms using bee wax.

At the University of Minnesota, Rebecca Masterman runs its bee squad. One of its programs works with veterans who manage 18 hives on the grounds of the MinneapolisSt. Paul International Airport. She said the program’s main goal is to expose veterans to beekeeping, though it also promotes the therapeutic benefits of working with bees. She was cautious, however, about commenting on whether beekeeping could be treatment for veterans with PTSD. “We know that beekeeping is an amazing experience,” said Masterman, whose program is seeking funding to study its impact on veterans with PTSD. “But at the same time, we’re not trying to do therapy without setting up an actual program that would specifically do therapy.” AP

KLAHOMA CITY—The FBI is investigating after computer hackers managed to steal about $4.2 million in funds from a pension system for retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers and other state law-enforcement officers, state officials said on Friday.

A notice posted on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System web site said the agency notified the FBI and couldn’t comment further on details of the breach.

“However, we are certain the stolen funds will be recovered,” the post said. “Most important, no pension benefits to members or beneficiaries have been impacted or put at risk.”

Duane Michael, the executive director of pension system, told The Oklahoman newspaper that the theft happened on August 26 after an employee’s e-mail account was hacked. He said the funds were being managed by an outside investment manager on behalf of the pension system and that the agency was able to recover about $477,000 of the stolen funds.

Michael did not respond on Friday to several telephone messages from The Associated Press.

FBI Spokesman Andrea Anderson said the agency has been advised of the incident, but she declined to comment further, saying it was an “ongoing matter.”

Donelle Harder, a spokesman for Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, said the governor was notified of the breach this week and said the cyber attack underscores the importance of modernizing and consolidating the state’s informationtechnology infrastructure.

“He was very frustrated,” Harder said Friday. “It’s valuable taxpayer dollars, and of course he wants to see every single penny get recovered.”

A similar theft from a Pennsylvania borough’s police pension fund in 2016 netted hackers about $100,000. In Iowa in 2017, pension payments were stolen from more than 100 public employee retirees after hackers used stolen identities to register for account access and then divert payments.

State pension and payroll systems are tempting targets for cyber thieves because they contain large sums of money and sometimes use outdated technology, said Chris Hinkley, the head of threat resistance unit at Dallas-based Armor Security.

Hinkley said using strong passwords, changing passwords often and requiring two-factor authentication for access to accounts are simple steps any company or agency can take to protect against cyber attacks.

“At the end of the day, the biggest vulnerability of any organization is going to be the people,” Hinkley said.

“People aren’t as consistent as computers. They can make mistakes or get tricked.” AP

Poles who saved Jews during Holocaust honored in Warsaw W ARSAW, Poland—A USbased Jewish foundation honored Polish gentiles who rescued Jews during the Holocaust, a number that grows smaller each year, with US and Israeli diplomats also paying their respects at the event Sunday in Warsaw to the elderly Poles who put their lives in danger to save others.

Those still living today, 80 years after the start of World War II, were children or young adults during the war, and in most cases helped their parents in the dangerous job of hiding and feeding Jews. During the

German occupation, those caught aiding Jews were punished with the execution of entire families.

Today, the rescuers are in their 80s and 90s, and they arrived at the event in Warsaw helped by their children, with some in wheelchairs.

“On behalf of the Jewish people, I thank you for your noble deeds so many years ago, for when most turned their backs on their Jewish neighbors, you did not,” Stanlee Stahl, the foundation’s executive vice president, told those gathered. “You will always be remembered in our prayers, for you

didn’t just save the Jewish person 75 years ago, you made it possible for generations to be born.”

Giving one example, she singled out two brothers in attendance, Andrzej and Leszek Mikolajkow, who with their parents saved a Jewish mother, father and two sons. One of those sons ended up moving to Israel and having 12 sons of his own, and the family today numbers 300.

“You made it possible for hundreds if not thousands of people to be alive today,” Stahl said. “You have helped repair the world.”

All of the rescuers have been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust museum and memorial.

According to Yad Vashem’s web site, 27,362 people have been recognized to date as “Righteous Among the Nations,” even though there are certainly many more who helped Jews who haven’t been recognized because they were killed or there were no survivors to alert Yad Vashem to their actions. The country with the largest number of acknowledged rescuers, with far over 6,000, is Poland, which was home to Europe’s largest Jewish

community before World War II. The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous pays monthly stipends to elderly rescuers in Eastern Europe, many of whom live on pensions of only a few hundred dollars a month in Poland and far less in Ukraine and elsewhere. Last Christmas each rescuer got an additional $1,500, a gesture that goes far beyond just symbolic help, and the group has also helped them with medicines and hearing aids.

Warsaw is the only place in Europe where there are enough of them in one place to bring together. On Sunday,

there were about 30 in attendance.

Anna Bando, who heads an organization of the Polish rescuers, thanked the Jewish group for remembering them so many years later, at a time when she says “we are leaving this world” and so many people no longer remember the war. Another rescuer wept at the beginning of the ceremony from the sorrow she felt of so many people of her generation being gone, including the Jewish family she helped save and remained close to for many years. The last member of that group passed away not long ago at age 101. AP

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BusinessMi

Saturday, September 14, 2019 | Editor: Jun Lomibao

ROHAN DENNIS: I don’t want to put any more fuel on the fire.

Dennis: Tour de France withdrawal has been ‘blown out of proportion’

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OHAN DENNIS has spoken for the first time since quitting the Tour de France, confirming he is targeting the time trial at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Road World Championships in Yorkshire.

Dennis is also confident that he will ride for Bahrain-Merida in 2020 despite his fall out with the WorldTour team.

Dennis abandoned the Tour de France part way through Stage 12 to Bagnères-de-Bigorre in July, one day before the 27-kilometer individual time trial in Pau. Bahrain-Merida indicated that they were unaware of the reasons why Dennis pulled out of the race.

It was reported that Dennis and management at Bahrain-Merida had been having disagreements over his equipment and skinsuit, however, neither Dennis nor the team have confirmed that such disagreements were the direct cause of his abandon.

“What I did was pull out of a race, it’s been blown out of proportion so much that people have slammed me for being everything under the sun,” Dennis said in an interview with Adelaide’s The Advertiser.

“I’ve read pretty well every post [on social media] and people didn’t get a response from me so they started sending my wife direct messages.”

Dennis refrained from commenting to the press on his reasons for abandoning the Tour de France, but directly following Stage 12 Bahrain-Merida’s Directeur Sportif Gorazd Štangelj held a press conference outside the team bus, only to say that he was also confused and disappointed that his rider left the race. Dennis said that the media storm that followed caused him to cancel his Twitter account.

“I’ve come off Twitter and haven’t got into a slandering match because we have given other people the chance to try to sort this out in a mature way,” Dennis told The Advertiser. “I don’t want to put any more fuel on the fire.

“Not once did I bad-mouth any sponsor or the team or any other rider when I pulled out or before I pulled out in the media. I was more than happy to talk to the media until that last day.

“Have other people said things and put out rumors? Yes. But I haven’t. It’s only fair for all parties.”

Dennis admitted that the aftermath of his abandoning the Tour de France has led to the most challenging period of his career. He said it was the first time that he had pulled out of a bike race when it was not preplanned or due to injury.

He confirmed that his early departure from the Tour de France was not preplanned and that it was a moment’s decision taken in the middle of Stage 12.

“It wasn’t preplanned, it wasn’t a stunt. I was talking to my manager before the start and we agreed on finishing the stage and dealing with everything else after but I knew that by pulling out in the short term I’d have to deal with some shit, some backlash—I didn’t expect it to be this big because it’s a bike race—but long term it was the best thing for me to do,” Dennis said.

“The whole stage I was thinking about everything and it was a battle in my own head for a fair chunk of the day.

And if someone is not in the right headspace in a team environment, if someone is not happy, maybe it’s also the best thing for the team, and I spoke to the guys at the hotel that night and there were no hard feelings.

“They didn’t expect it to happen, even [Vincenzo] Nibali said, ‘I followed you to where you pulled off and had to get going again,’ but it wasn’t like they felt like I’d dogged them. They said, ‘OK, you’re out, all good.’”

YORKSHIRE AND TOKYO 2020

DENNIS has not raced since abandoning the Tour de France, although there was a possibility that he’d start the Vuelta

a España. However, that didn’t happen, and so he has put all of his attention into training for his title defense at the upcoming 54-km time trial at the World Championships.

He has been seeing his sports psychologist, David Spindler, on a regular basis from his home in Andorra.

“Physically, I’m still as good as I was last year and my power profile test that I did two weeks ago was the best numbers I’ve done ever,” Dennis told The Advertiser.

“Mentally, I have days where it’s hard but I believe I can still win [in Yorkshire]. It’s more of a mental battle because all I’ve got is training. I don’t have any racing to push me where I would have had goals to target stages and what not at the Vuelta.

“That would have been the perfect preparation, to get a huge base behind me. We were going to do the full Vuelta to test whether I could get the same physical response from doing a full Grand Tour potentially leading into Tokyo next year, which is after the Tour de France.

“I still wanted to do the Vuelta but obviously it didn’t happen,” he said.

Dennis said that not racing the Vuelta a España meant that it has been harder to prepare for the Worlds, but that his coaches have changed his training to accommodate time-trial-specific workouts.

“My sports psych is doing the last two weeks of preparation with me and to give some support. It hasn’t been super easy, to be honest.”

Dennis confirmed that he will race on an unmarked time trial bike during the World Championships, along with components from the Australian national team.

“It is what they [national team] deem the best thing for my body shape and my position for me to try to win,” Dennis said.

After abandoning the Tour de France, Dennis returned to Andorra to decompress and then traveled to Tokyo to preview the courses for the 2020 Olympic Games. He said that aside from the Yorkshire World Championships, his next big target will be the time trial at the Olympics.

“I am motivated by Tokyo, but I’m more driven by the Worlds this year, to be honest. I’ve got that target first and I’m not trying to look too far ahead,” Dennis told The Advertiser. Cyclingnews

CROSSWI ‘UNLIKE A A T the Stage 17 finish in Guadalajara of this year’s Vuelta a España, no matter the language spoken, rider after rider agreed that what they had experienced was one of the most exceptional stages of any Grand Tour.

Gusting winds blasting across the start in Aranda de Duero made it seem likely there could be echelon formations at some point. The whole stage was exposed and rolling, accumulating 2,000 meters of climbing without a single classified ascent.

Nobody expected that after 3 kilometers the stage would erupt into a 40-rider breakaway and turn into a 216-kilometer chase all the way to the finish in Guadalajara.

The average speed of 50.626 kph is the third-fastest in the history of the Vuelta a España, with two stages, one of 55.276 kph in 2001, and another of 51.566 kph in 1963 even quicker. All three, however, are even faster than the quickest stage of the Tour de France at 50.4 kph in 1999.

It was a day when Primož Roglič’s lead hung by the thinnest of threads. Climber Nairo Quintana (Movistar) made up more time on his rivals than in all the previous mountains stages and moved into second place overall.

And 40 riders effectively hijacked an entire Grand Tour and turned it into a kind of one-day Classic. The speed was only one of the multiple factors that made Stage 17 of the 2019 Vuelta feel so different.

“Everyone knew it was going to happen, crosswinds from the start, big wide road, the first move went,” said double Het Nieuwsblad winner and Paris-Roubaix podium finisher Ian Stannard (Team Ineos). He was part of the front group until the closing kilometers.

“Somebody got into the gutter, 30 guys went clear, and that was it. Day over,” he said. “I’m pretty surprised Jumbo-Visma didn’t get on it, but there we are.”

The collaboration was unusually good for such a large group. Deceuninck-QuickStep’s presence in numbers, with six riders out of a possible seven, helped make a difference.

So did Ineos with Stannard, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Wout Poels and Owain Doull, Movistar with four, including Quintana, Team Sunweb with five, and Classics racers like Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Dimension Data).

“A lot of the bigger guys were there, enjoying a flat day and a bit of wind,” Stannard said. “You’ve got to commit in those conditions otherwise you’re flapping around in the gutter, and it’s a really hard day then.

“Everyone rode well then. Ineos wanted the stage, that’s what it’s all about now, I came a bit short in the final, but there we are.”

A UNIQUE DAY

WITH 10 Grand Tours to his name, Stannard said he had never experienced a day like the Vuelta’s Stage 17 in all his previous career, echoing what stage winner Philippe Gilbert had said.

“Qatar, you have some pretty hard days in a stage race, but not 220 kilometers. No time for a breather either—I’m pretty nailed now.”

Doull also told a group of reporters that it had been a crazy day.

“It was a windy day, gusting up to 50 kph and

FOR all of the riders, it’s a historical stage—a 220-kilometer time tria

literally as the [race director’s] car went [to start the stage] everyone sprinted for the car, it was straight in the gutter, and after 2 or 3 kilometers, there was maybe 40 or 50 of us in the front,” Doull said.

“The gap was 15 seconds, 30, a minute, a minute and a half, and you think ‘it’s going away here,’ then we had five or six minutes.

There were 40 of us at the start and 20 by the end; it was a solid day.”

One of the key powerhouses in the move was DeceuninckQuickStep’s Tim Declercq, later singled out by stage winner Gilbert for praise for his tireless work in the 40-rider move.

“We said in the meeting if it was this windy, it’s best to start from the gun, full gas,” Declercq said. “Some teams thought it was way too early because it was 220 kilometers.”

“But in the end it was a really, really hard stage that suited us the best and we had a textbook finish.

Froome’s recovery not restricted by surgery on wounded thumb C

CHRIS FROOME sustains with a severely cut left thumb after he slices it open with a kitchen knife.

HRIS FROOME’S long-term recovery from injury will not be affected by his latest round of surgery, Team Ineos have confirmed.

Froome posted news on Twitter recently of an accident at his home that left him with a severely cut left thumb after he sliced it open with a kitchen knife.

He was immediately taken to hospital in Monaco where surgeons repaired a damaged tendon. The resulting surgery will leave Froome with a heavily strapped thumb for the immediate few days, while the rider is given time to recover.

“Stupidly cut my thumb with a kitchen knife and had to have surgery to put the tendon back together last night. Stuck giving a thumbs up for a couple of weeks,” Froome posted on Twitter.

According to Team Ineos the accident will not alter Froome’s long-term recovery from the serious injuries he sustained in a crash during this year’s Criterium du Dauphine.

The British rider crashed while training on the individual team time trial course in Roanne ahead of Stage 4 and was later airlifted to hospital. He was diagnosed with several fractures including a broken femur, as well as fractures to his hip, elbow, sternum and vertebrae.

He underwent lengthy surgery and missed the Tour de

France as a result. He is still limited to training on the rollers and despite a short effort on a track in France, he has not trained properly on the roads since his accident. The knife-related setback will not alter his training plans according to a Team Ineos spokesman who told Cyclingnews that “he will be on the turbo training as per his rehab plan.”

In late August Froome and Team Ineos released a video in which the four-time Tour de France winner stated that he was ahead of schedule in relation to his 2020 comeback.

“I think it’s safe to say I’m ahead of all the predictions that were made initially of how long it would take even just to get to this point. I got the green light to start weight-bearing—very lightly, but it’s something, it’s a big step,” Froome said.

“I’ve been doing three to four hours of physio every morning. I take a small break at lunchtime and then I start the exercises I need to do, two hours on my own, just implementing everything that the physio has helped me to be able to do. The days are full.

Froome’s long-term goal is to arrive at the Tour de France in 2020 in the best possible shape. He has not won the race since 2017 but has his sights set on winning a record-equaling fifth title. This year Team Ineos finished one-two in the Tour de France with Egan Bernal beating the 2018 winner and teammate, Geraint Thomas. Cyclingnews

irror CYCLING

WIND STAGE 17 ANY OTHER’

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Saturday, September 14, 2019

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ALEXANDRE VINOKOUROV launches an attack on what he views as the “gutter press.”

Vinokourov, Kolobnev risk six-month sentence in jail A REPORT by Swiss magazine L’Illustre has accused former Astana rider Alexandre Vinokourov of buying his 2010 Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory.

Vinokourov flatly denied the claim saying “I never did that in my career—I always fought to win.”

The article claims that Vinokourov allegedly paid eventual runner-up Alexandr Kolobnev (Katusha) €100,000 to ensure his position in the run to the finish line. The pair led the race working together to hold off the pursuit by Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) and then-world champion Cadel Evans (BMC). An attack from Vinokourov within the final kilometer finally dropped Kolobnev in the uphill dash.

Speaking at the time, Kolobnev said it was a case of the stronger man winning.

“I couldn’t follow him,” Kolobnev said about Vinokourov’s attack in the final kilometer. “We knew that if we would arrive together, I could beat him. He was afraid of me but I was afraid of his attacks, too.”

“When he had attacked earlier on the Côte de Saint-Nicolas I was already on my limit,” Kolobnev said. “Anyway, it’s a nice podium with Vinokourov and Valverde there.”

Citing an e-mail exchange between the pair the day after the race, L’Illustre alleges that Kolobnev passed on account details for a bank located in the Swiss city of Locarno to which a payment was deposited.

Queried on the transaction, Vinokourov said there was

nothing sinister in it.

“It’s my private life,” the Kazakhstani said. “It’s another story to blacken my name. I often loan money left and right.”

Vinokourov’s win at the time was somewhat controversial, with pockets of the press suggesting that was a remarkable comeback, following a two-year suspension for blood doping at the Tour de France in 2007. In retort, Vinokourov wrote an open letter saying: “Ironically, my victory in Liège seems to revive old jealousies for which I am not responsible. The media comments contrast with the hundreds of congratulatory messages from fans that I keep getting on my web site and my Facebook page. I don’t understand this discrepancy.

“As if I had to be forbidden of success on my bike to leave everyone with a clear conscience. In which sport are we allowed to be at the start of a competition without the right to win.”

Prior to the report in L’Illustre was published, Vinokourov launched an attack on what he views as the “gutter press” and claimed that his e-mail account had been hacked— information which now appears to have stemmed from his interview with the Swiss magazine.

“I do not understand why some people are always looking to find some stories about me,”Vinokourov said. “I am a cyclist, and there is no place in our sport for the gutter press. I don’t ever allow myself to attack anyone personally. I wish to finish my career quietly even though obviously it bothers some people that I’m still on a bike.” Cyclingnews

Nibali still in line to ride worlds in supporting role T HE World Championships were not originally in Vincenzo Nibali’s plans for 2019, but Italian cycling’s standard bearer may yet find himself called into action in Yorkshire at the end of this month.

National Coach Davide Cassani has already made overtures to Nibali about pulling on the maglia azzurra on September 29, and a final decision on his participation will be taken following this week’s GP de Québec and GP de Montréal World Tour races in Canada.

It is already certain that Nibali’s seemingly interminable season will continue, as per tradition, until Il Lombardia on October 12, but after riding both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France already this year, it was initially assumed that he would recuse himself from international duty this month.

“I don’t know,” Nibali told reporters in Quebec City.

“I’ve spoken with Davide Cassani about it, but I’ll only know whether I’ll go or not after Quebec and Montreal.

If I do go, it would be as a helper for Sonny Colbrelli and Matteo Trentin.

“I don’t feel bad, considering that it was a stressful season with both the Giro and the Tour. I managed to win a stage at the Tour, but it wasn’t easy. I recovered quite well afterward, and I managed to switch off mentally, which I sometimes think is the most important thing. I had good sensations at the Deutschland Tour, but I’m not exactly in my best condition ever, either— especially for the World Championships.”

Nibali was already effectively running on fumes come the end of the Tour de France, but he managed to conjure up a solo stage victory at Val Thorens on the penultimate day of what had been a trying race, which came on the back of his second-place finish at the Giro.

“I used up a lot of energy there. It was one of the coldest Giri there’s been in terms of average temperature, and it rained all the time,” Nibali said.

“Those things have an impact on how you feel, plus there was a week less between the Giro and Tour compared to last year.”

al.

“It was a historical stage, a 220-kilometer time trial with all the GC [general classification] guys bar one behind, I’ve never done one like that before,” said Declercq’s teammate and stage winner Philippe Gilbert.

However, the Belgian proudly pointed out that windy, flat, exposed days are the kinds of condition where DeceuninckQuickStep excel.

“Echelons are in the DNA of this team,” Gilbert said, “Qatar was the most specific stage race for windy days, and we always dominated that. In De Panne, too, we used the echelons to make up big differences, and I love doing that.

“It’s good in cycling when it’s not just strength that counts, but also technique.

And that’s what happened today.”

Cyclingnews

ASHTON LAMBIE breaks his own world record on the track.

U.S. RIDER SETS PURSUIT RECORD A

MERICAN Ashton Lambie set a new International Cycling Union (UCI) world record in the individual pursuit at the recent Pan-American Track Cycling Championships in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Lambie rode four minutes and 6.407 seconds during the semifinals, lowering his previous record of 4:07.25.

“It feels great to shave a little time off the record,” Lambie said in a statement released by USA Cycling.

Earlier in the championships, Lambie was part of the Team Pursuit squad of Eric Young, Daniel Holloway

and John Croom that set a new American record, clocking a time of 3:52.747 and earning a silver medal behind the new world record holding team from Canada.

Lambie set the previous world record just over a year ago at the Pan-American championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

He got his start on the track after competing in the 2017 National Championships in Los Angeles, where he raced the Individual Pursuit in 4:29.

USA Cycling picked him up to race the individual pursuit and team pursuit at a series of international events

during the 2017-2018 track season—World Cups, Pan American Championships and World Championships.

“Ashton has continued to impress since he exploded onto the scene in 2017,” said Scott Schnitzspahn, USA Cycling’s vice president of Elite Athletics. “His persistence, athletic ability and hard work continually raises the bar for our entire Men’s Endurance Track Program. We are looking forward to continuing this trajectory as we continue the charge toward 2020.” The Pan American Championships take place annually for member-nations of the Pan American Cycling Confederation. Cyclingnews

Despite those mitigating circumstances, Nibali even suffered the indignity of being jeered from the roadside on occasion during the Tour. Although he had already decided to leave Bahrain-Merida for Trek-Segafredo at the end of this season, he refused to countenance bringing his Tour to a premature end.

“It wouldn’t have been good to leave the Tour and go home,” Nibali said. “I was even booed a few times, but I paid it no attention. You just have to put all that out of your mind. Sure, it would have been easier to abandon the Tour in that condition, but I wanted to take home a stage and I never gave up on it.”

Nibali’s back catalogue means that he is a contender on just about every kind of parcours, and he has previously found himself among Italy’s leaders on courses that suited him altogether less than the demanding route in Yorkshire.

Despite his victory in Sheffield on the 2014 Tour, however, the 34-year-old is adamant that he would play a supporting role if selected this time out.

“I remember very well my win at the Tour, and I remember the roads. I know this won’t be an easy World Championships,” Nibali said. “But if I’m selected, it will be to help the national team. It’s not a course for me, as it’s quite fast, although it will become hard late on, because it’s very long. There aren’t any very hard climbs, and it’s very suited to more explosive riders.”

Although Nibali insisted that the final decision on his selection will be made by Cassani, he conceded that he would have a say based on his own sensations in Canada this week, where he will ride primarily in support to BahrainMerida teammates Colbrelli.

“It depends a bit on how I’m feeling,” Nibali said.

“The maglia azzurra is a big responsibility. I have the greatest of loyalty to the jersey, so if there’s a rider who’s better than me, then he deserves to wear the blue jersey instead.

But then again, Davide might reckon that the important thing is to build a good group, a good team spirit.”

Cyclingnews

VINCENZO NIBALI may yet find himself called into action in Yorkshire.

Sports BusinessMirror

JARAULA

A8 Saturday, September 14, 2019

RAMIREZ CLEARS PATH FOR SEAG

C

HEF de Mission William Ramirez has trimmed further the rough edges on procurement procedures for equipment vital not only to the successful hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games but as equally important for Team Philippines emerging as overall champion.

In a major coordination meeting—the fourth by the Team Chef de Mission—on Friday at the PICC, Ramirez reiterated the full support of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which he chairs, for all 56 sports on the SEA Games program.

“Tell us your problems and let’s get them solutions,” Ramirez told national sports association (NSA) presidents and secretary-generals and competition managers. “Let’s resolve all issues today and make sure we smoothly host the games.”

Ramirez was not alone in addressing the assembly, a guarantee that everyone in Philippine sports hierarchy were fully behind the Games.

Present were Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino and Chairman Steve Hontiveros, PSC Commissioners Charles Maxey and Celia Kiram, Deputy Chef de Mission Stephen Fernandez and Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee Executive Director Tom Carrasco.

“This [gathering] will be a test of leadership

of Filipino sports leaders. This will be a challenge.

Today we are not PSC, POC or Phisgoc. We are all Philippine team,” Ramirez added.

Further cementing support to Team Philippines was Phisgoc Chairman, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, who emphasized that solidarity among the PSC, POC and Phisgoc has become unbreakable.

“We have had 3 Presidents of POC and I know, again, it’s not easy. But right now, then on November 30, dalawa lang naman choice natin—work together and be successful, or not work together and be unsuccessful,” said Cayetano.

Phisgoc functional areas on ticketing, accommodation, venues, transportation, logistics and sports briefed the assembly on developments toward the Games that kick off in two-and-a-half months from November 30 to December 11.

Following the discussions on the progress of work for the Games hosting, minor hitches on completion of venue requirements at least in weightlifting, squash, kickboxing, skateboard and obstacle sports were addressed.

Cayetano, meanwhile, bared that the Phisgoc Executive Board will appoint its own point person to help hasten procurement of vital equipment. The board is led by Cayetano, Tolentino and Ramirez.

Cool Smashers vs Red Spikers

C

REAMLINE seeks to kick off its second round eliminations campaign the way it started its title-retention drive in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference—in emphatic fashion—as it tangles with winless Chef’s Classics on Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Centrew in San Juan.

The Cool Smashers had a virtual workout in disposing of the Red Spikers in the first round, 2512, 25-5, 25-15, last August 18 on their way to an eight-game sweep. And from the looks of things, the defending champions could be in for another cruise on a team built around some of the league’s top stars and given the Red Spikers’ current form and record (0-7).

Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado also try to help extend the team’s win run before joining the national team pool in a training camp in Thailand with the likes of Michele Gumabao, Risa Sato, Jema Galanza and Celine Domingo eager to stamp their class against their young rivals, led by Nieza Viray and Justine Tiu, in their 2 p.m. clash.

That should put focus on the 4 p.m. face-off

between old rivals PacificTown Army and Air Force with the former out to sustain its rebound for a third straight win and fifth overall against three loss and the latter raring to improve on its 2-5 card and resuscitate its own bid in the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

The Lady Troopers won their first two games but dropped the next three before recovering their bearing to beat Chef’s Classics and BaliPure in straight sets to get back into the thick of things at 4-3.

The Jet Spikers are also coming off a pair of victories that snapped a five-game skid, ripping the Red Spikers and upending the young Choco Mucho side in five sets last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Motolite and Choco Mucho hope to close out their first round campaign on a winning note as they collide Sunday at 2 p.m., also at the San Juan arena.

BanKo-Perlas and BaliPure, on the other hand, start their second round drive in the tournament backed by Mikasa, Asics and KFC, at 4 p.m. with the former (5-3) seeking to duplicate its scary five-set escape over the latter (2-6).

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph • Editor: Jun Lomibao

NEARS CROWN R EYMON JARAULA recovered from an early backside stumble with a cluster of birdies then matched Jay Bayron’s pars at the finish to card a 69 and hike his lead to two in the third round of the P2.5-million International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Pueblo de Oro Championship at the Pueblo Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday.

Having hurdled a pivotal round jinx that ruined his title bid at Wack Wack last week with a gutsy opening 34 and a gutsier rebound from a doublebogey on No. 11, Jaraula now moved 18 holes away from ending a long search for a maiden win since breaking into the pro ranks in 2013.

“I’ll just play my game and won’t pressure myself,” said Jaraula after edging the veteran Bayron for the second straight day behind three birdies in a four-hole stretch after his mishap on the 11th.

He missed a couple of birdie chances in the last three holes but got a break as Bayron likewise muffed his, keeping the rising Del Monte star on track of a dream victory worth P450,000 with 15-under 201 aggregate.

Bayron fell by three with a frontside 36 but moved within

one after Jaraula’s double-bogey then overcame a bogey on No. 12 with three straight birdies from No. 13 to scramble for a 70 and a 203.

“It can still be done. But I have to play it good and smart tomorrow [Saturday],” said Bayron, also out to make up for his missed cut stint at Wack Wack where he reigned in 2016.

But if there’s one player Jaraula and Bayron should watch out for in this sixth leg of the 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT), it’s Tony Lascuña.

The former three-time PGT Order of Merit winner, whose game took a downswing with back injuries and personal woes the last two years, finally recalled his fierce form and tied the course record 64 on a bogey-free 34-31 that put the 49-year-old shotmaker back in the title race in a long,

long while.

“I could’ve actually shot lower if not for a couple of missed birdie putts [Nos. 9 and 10] inside five feet,” said Lascuna, who birdied 5 of the first 13 holes then holed out with three straight birdies inside 7 feet to match Frankie Minoza’s feat in winning this event in 2013.

He headed straight to the practice green to polish his stroke which he said would be crucial in his bid to nail a first crown since winning at Forest Hills in late 2017.

Jhonnel Ababa likewise stayed in the hunt as he kept the momentum of his hot second round 65 with a 67, bucking a bogey on No. 4 with six birdies, including three in the last five to join a steady Ira Alido at fourth at 205.

Also out to atone for his final round foldup at Aboitiz which he led after 54 holes, Alido added a 69 to a pair of 68s to lay just four strokes off Jaraula while Johvanie Abaño birdied the last two for a 68 for joint sixth at 206 with Dutch Guido van der Valk, who birdied the last hole to save a 71.

Michael Bibat also pressed his bid with a fourbirdie card after 12 holes for a 10-under overall but the former Asian Games bronze medalist flubbed birdie putts from close range on Nos. 13 and 14 and the last two par-5s on Nos. 15 and 17 for a 69 and solo eighth at 207.

REYMON JARAULA pads lead to two shots after the third round.

ROY DOMINGO

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

BusinessMirror

Saturday, September 14, 2019 A9

SAMSUNG INTRODUCES FIRST 5G-INTEGRATED MOBILE PROCESSOR

KOREAN boy group Monsta X

/

KLOOK executives with DOT and Smart execs: (from left) Marcus Yong, senior marketing director for Southeast Asia; Michelle Cruz, market lead; Joseph Francisco Ortega, Tourism regional director for Region 4A; Grace Plata, Smart sales channel senior manager; Eric Gnock Fah, COO and cofounder; and Blessie Cruz, head of partnerships AP

KOREAN girl group Weki Meki

Online travel booking platform turns 2 PRIMETIME

DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ

SAMSUNG Electronics Co. Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, has announced its latest mobile processor, the Exynos 980, which combines the best-in-class connectivity with an integrated 5G modem and intelligent processing performance in a single chip.

“With the introduction of our 5G modem last year, Samsung has been driving in the 5G revolution and paved the way toward the next step in mobility,” said Ben Hur, vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics.

“With the 5G-integrated Exynos 980, Samsung is pushing to make 5G more accessible to a wider range of users and continues to lead innovation in the mobile 5G market.”

Based on advanced 8-nanometer (nm) FinFET process technology, the Exynos 980 is Samsung’s first artificialintelligence (AI) mobile processor with an integrated 5G modem. Rather than being coupled with a separate 5G modem, the 5G-enabled Exynos 980 not only helps reduce power consumption but also increase space efficiency within a device. The new mobile processor’s powerful modem supports 5G to 2G networks, providing a fast gigabit downlink speed in 4G LTE and up to 2.55-gigabits per seconds in sub6-gigahertz (GHz) 5G. The modem also supports E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), which combines 2CC LTE and 5G connectivity to maximize mobile downlink speed of up to 3.55Gbps. In addition, the processor supports a new Wi-Fi 6 standard, IEEE 802.11ax, which provides faster speed and greater stability for seamless online gaming and smooth highresolution video streaming over Wi-Fi networks.

The neural processing unit (NPU) features elevated performances of up to 2.7 times compared to its predecessor, and is built into the Exynos 980 to provide new levels of on-device intelligence. For advanced photography, the chip delivers compelling camera performances with resolution support for up to 108 megapixels.

The advanced image signal processor (ISP) supports up to five individual sensors and is able to process three concurrently for richer multi-camera experiences.

The Exynos 980 is expected to begin mass production by the end of this year. More information about the chip is available at www.samsung.com/exynos.

@dinnachanvasquez luckydinna@gmail.com

K

LOOK formally launched in the Philippines in 2017 via #GetKlookd, which took place in different locations, including Singapore, Taiwan, Palawan and Hong Kong. The launch was very successful although even before that, the Philippines was already one of Klook’s biggest market.

Klook is a leading online travel booking platform.

For instance, if you want to go to Hong Kong Disneyland, you can buy tickets via Klook for a few hundreds less. They have many amazing deals for travel attractions and services, including K-pop concerts, transport services and communication devices like pocket Wi-Fi and SIM cards.

The platform has definitely changed the way many people travel and plan their itineraries. Because you have tickets and bookings made in advance, you are able to stick to a schedule.

To mark their 2nd anniversary in the Philippines, the platform staged Klook Travel Fest 2019 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

On its third run, the first and only mobile-led Klook Travel Fest was powered by PLDT Home Fibr and saw thousands of travelers hoping to book deals with the best price guaranteed. “Hot” deals were announced every half hour during the actual two-day festival last weekend.

Ethan Lin, Klook CEO and cofounder; Eric Gnock Fah, Klook COO and cofounder; Marcus Yong, Klook senior marketing director for Southeast Asia; and CS Soong, Klook general manager for Southeast Asia, together with the Department of Tourism’s Regional Director for Region 4A Joseph Francisco Ortega, formally welcomed everyone to the Klook Travel Fest.

Early birds got up to P6,000 off on any Klook activity. Attendees also scored amazing deals from Asia’s most popular attractions and travel services like Hong Kong Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan and Resorts World Sentosa.

The hottest deals included Buy Two, Get One deals in top tourist destinations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore and the US. Aside from these incredible offers, guests enjoyed extra discounts on their purchases with Klook’s round-the-clock surprises.

Klook also invited guest speakers like GMA star Bea Binene, who gave a talk about her advocacy on sustainable and responsible tourism. Binibining Pilipinas Miss Intercontinental 2018 Karen Gallman shared tips on how to make the most out of every trip. Edric and Joy Mendoza shared their secrets on how to travel smart with children. Patricia Reyes talked about being a budget traveler thanks to Klook and Shopback. Travel buds Dominic Roque and Patrick Sugui along with the Singapore Tourism Board showed everyone just how thrilling Singapore adventures can be. And to cap off the day, K-pop fans had a blast as Korean groups Weki Meki and Monsta X performed during Klook’s Cosmic Celebration of their

second birthday in the Philippines.

On Day 2 of the travel fest, Team Kramer shared some of their memorable travel stories. Meanwhile, Jack Morris and Lauren Bullen of Do You Travel gave a talk on how to experience different cultures like a local. Actress Liza Soberano talked about her own travel tips and secrets on becoming a globe-trotter.

Michael Chen of Strictly Dumpling gave guests a glimpse of different tastes of the world.

Satellite stations were put up at the North Wing of SM City Cebu so that Cebuanos could book their travel deals, as well.

“Thousands of Filipinos making their dream vacation happen at Klook Travel Fest 2019 is beyond what we ever imagined for this year! By stepping up this year’s travel fest, we were able to merge both travel and entertainment in one out-of-this-world event, which helped us get one step closer to our goal of making travel seamless, fun and affordable for everyone. We’re delighted to see everything come to life and we’re beyond grateful to all those who joined and supported us. This is only the beginning and there will definitely be more to look forward to with Klook Philippines,” said Michelle Cruz, market lead of Klook Philippines. ■

Swiss say Facebook’s digital currency plan will face hurdles GENEVA—Facebook and its partners have asked financial authorities in Switzerland to evaluate their plan to create a new digital currency to be called Libra.

Facebook unveiled a proposal in June to create a digital currency similar to Bitcoin for global use. The company said it would set up a nonprofit association headquartered in Geneva with its partners to oversee Libra, putting it under Swiss regulatory authority.

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority said on Wednesday that the Libra Association has requested an “assessment” of its plan.

The authority, known as Finma, says the proposal has to meet anti-money laundering requirements and other strict standards. That includes obtaining a “payment-system license” that makes the association responsible for bearing “the returns and risks associated with the management of the reserve.” AP

PLDT-Smart Omega wins The Nationals Mobile Legends Conference PLDT-Smart Omega proved to be unstoppable as it emerged as the first champion of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Conference 1 of The Nationals held at Eastwood City, Libis.

Formed in partnership with professional eSports management Sterling Global Dragons, PLDT-Smart Omega represents the country’s biggest telcos at The Nationals, the country’s first franchise-based eSports league.

PLDT-Smart Omega comprises of the country’s youngest and top eSports athletes including Dexter “Exort” Martinez, 22, top Kadita and Harith user in the Philippines; Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo, 18, one of the top marksman in the country; EJ “Heath” Esperanza, 23, dubbed as the best minotaur

and Lolita user in the country; Kenneth “Kenji” Villa, 21, one of the top fighter-user/offlaners in the Philippines; Paul “Kingpin” Rabandaban, 23, a rising mage user in the country; and Jay “Crypzu” Villanueva, 25, the captain and veteran tank player. Together, the team swept Cignal Ultra Warriors in three straight games in the best-of-five finals.

The team bagged a P500,000 cash prize, while first runner-up Cignal and second runner-up Bren Epro took home P250,000 and P150,000, respectively.

“We are very proud of our PLDT-Smart Omega team for making history as the very first conference champions at the Nationals,” said Oscar A. Reyes Jr., PLDT-Smart SVP and

Consumer Market Development head.

“They have worked tirelessly and given their maximum effort toward this momentous achievement, and we couldn’t be any happier to support them.” The teams will return for Conference 2 of The Nationals: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in November.

PLDT and Smart, as the Philippines’s telecommunications and digital services leaders, are valuable supporters of the highly competitive local eSports scene by providing Filipinos with the best gaming experience powered by the fastest fixed and mobile networks in the country, as certified by global leaders in Internet testing and analysis Ookla, Tutela and OpenSignal.

PLDT and Smart Communications Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan meets PLDT-Smart Omega, The Nationals Mobile Legends champs

A10 Saturday, September 14, 2019

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

YouTube to pay $170-M fine after violating kids’ privacy law

By Rachel Lerman & Marcy Gordon The Associated Press

W

ASHINGTON—Google will pay $170 million to settle allegations its YouTube video service collected personal data on children without their parents’ consent.

The company agreed to work with video creators to label material aimed at kids and said it will limit data collection when users view, such videos, regardless of their age.

Some lawmakers and children’s advocacy groups, however, complained that the settlement terms aren’t strong enough to rein in a company whose parent, Alphabet, made a profit of $30.7 billion last year on revenue of $136.8 billion, mostly from targeted ads.

Google will pay $136 million to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and $34 million to New York state, which had a similar investigation. The fine is the largest the FTC has levied against Google, but it’s tiny compared with the $5 billion fine against Facebook this year for privacy violations.

YouTube “baited kids with nursery rhymes, cartoons, and more to feed its massively profitable behavioral advertising business,” Democratic Commissioner Rohit Chopra said in a tweet. “It was lucrative, and it was illegal.”

The federal government has increased scrutiny of big tech companies in the past two years— especially questioning how the tech giants collect and use personal information from their billions of customers. Many of the huge Silicon Valley companies are also under antitrust investigations aimed at determining whether the companies have unlawfully stifled competition.

Kids under 13 are protected by a 1998 federal law that requires parental consent before companies can collect and share their personal information.

Tech companies typically skirt that by banning kids under 13 entirely, though such bans are rarely enforced. In YouTube’s lengthy terms of service, those who are under 13 are simply asked, “please do not use the Service.” Yet many popular YouTube channels feature cartoons or sing-a-longs made for children.

According to the FTC, YouTube assigned ratings to its video channels and even had a “Y” category directed at kids ages 7 or under, but YouTube targeted ads to those kids just as they would adults.

The FTC’s complaint includes as evidence Google presentations describing YouTube to toy companies Mattel and Hasbro as the “new Saturday Morning Cartoons” and the “#1 website regularly visited by kids.”

“YouTube touted its popularity with children to prospective corporate clients,” FTC Chairman Joe Simons said. But when it came to complying with the law, he said, “the company refused to acknowledge that portions of its platform were clearly directed to kids.” According to the settlement, Google and YouTube will get “verifiable” consent from parents before they collect or use personal information from children. The company also agreed not to use data collected from children before.

YouTube has its own service for children, YouTube

Kids. The kids-focused service already requires parental consent and uses simple math problems to ensure that kids aren’t signing in on their own.

YouTube Kids does not target ads based on viewer interests the way the main YouTube service does.

But the children’s version does track information about what kids are watching in order to recommend videos. It also collects personally identifying device information.

On Wednesday, Google said that starting early next year, YouTube will also limit personalized ads on its main service for videos meant for kids. Google is relying on video creators to label such items, but will employ artificial intelligence to help.

YouTube won’t seek parental consent there, however, even on videos intended for children.

YouTube is avoiding that precaution by instead turning off any personal tracking on those videos, saying it will collect only what is needed to make the service work. For such videos, YouTube also won’t offer features like comments and notifications.

Videos made for kids will still feature ads—just not the targeted, personal ads that generally bring in the most money for video creators.

“I think there has been a general anxiety of the

kids and family community of creators on YouTube for quite some time,” said Chris Williams, CEO and founder of pocket.watch, a studio that works with many popular YouTube child stars, including Ryan ToysReview.

Pocket.watch helps YouTube stars expand beyond the streaming site and find new lines of business, from consumer products to network TV shows.

Williams expects that business to become more important. But YouTube will still be the big way to build an audience, he said.

“It represents a part of the puzzle for your brand growth, a big one,” he said.

The settlement now needs to be approved by a federal court in Washington. As with the Facebook settlement, the FTC vote was 3-2, with both Democrats opposing it as too weak.

Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, said the settlement won’t turn YouTube into a safe place for children and “makes clear that this FTC stands for ‘Forgetting Teens and Children.’”

A coalition of advocacy groups that helped trigger the investigation said the outcome will reduce behavioral advertising targeting children.

Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for

Digital Democracy, said the settlement “finally forced Google to confront its longstanding lie that it wasn’t targeting children on YouTube.”

But he said the “paltry” fine signals that politically powerful corporations can break the law without serious consequences.

Other critics, including dissenting Democratic Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, said too much responsibility was being placed on video creators to classify their own content as kid-oriented, and thus limited to less-lucrative ads. They say that potentially allows Google to turn a blind eye as some try to cheat the system to make more money through ad revenue sharing.

Andrew Smith, the FTC’s consumer protection director, acknowledged that concern as valid, but said YouTube “has strong incentives to police its platform” to avoid further action.

Google is already under a 2011 agreement with the FTC that barred it from mispresenting its privacy policy and subjected the company to 20 years of regular, independent privacy audits. Google was fined $22.5 million in 2012 for violating that settlement when the FTC found it improperly used tracking cookies on Apple’s Safari browser. n

Major online cashback platform ShopBack sees growth in local e-commerce business

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Singapore-based ShopBack recently said online shopping will continue to grow in the Philippines as majority of Filipinos spend an average of 10 hours on the Internet daily.

Prashant Kala, country manager of ShopBack Philippines, told reporters the company’s cashback rewards program that returns to buyers up to 30 percent of money spent on online shopping is going to be a major driver to entice more Filipinos to shop online. To attract more online traffic, he said the site has been totally revamped to attract more online shoppers. He said the updates on the website started on September 4.

To avail of the ShopBack offer, users should enter partner e-commerce sites, such as Lazada and Zalora through the ShopBack app in order to enjoy these rewards.

After they finished their shopping online, customers can claim the money they earn back through transfer to their online bank account, mobile wallet GCash or PayPal. At present, ShopBack is operating in seven countries in

Asia Pacific and counts over 12 million users. It is currently partnered with more than 2,000 brands from all over the world. Having a population of 110 million people, Kala cited the ShopBack Philippine market as one of its newest and most exciting markets.

“The reputation of Filipinos for being online-savvy is once again affirmed by the phenomenal growth we’ve experience in just a couple of years since we launched ShopBack in the country,” says Karoline Santiago, partnerships head of ShopBack in the Philippines.

As of August, Santiago noted that transactions on the app have increased to 29,000 orders every day compared to just 800 in the same period last year. “This is still relatively small compared to our operations in Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia and Thailand, but we are optimistic that the Philippines will definitely catch up with these more established markets very soon,” added Santiago.

By using data and analytics, Santiago said ShopBack managed to determine the online shopping habits of Filipinos these days. Based on the trend, the sachet economy became the main mode manifested by the high

demand on prepaid load and gaming pins, followed by electronics and products for moms and babies. Travel packages, tours and hotel accommodations come next.

The rest are a myriad of everyday essentials, from foodstuff such as brownies, to toiletries such as mosquito repellant.

Since ShopBack’s entry in the Philippines in June 2015, the app has enjoyed 1.9 million downloads and has paid a total of P119.8 million in cashback rewards. Interestingly, the biggest cashback paid in a single transaction was P422,055.34. The highest total cashback paid to an individual app user, meanwhile, racks up to P1,006,437.54.

“Incentive programs, such as cashback reward is a vital evolution in e-commerce that will help expand the sector even further, especially in markets such as the Philippines where there is high mobile penetration and Internet usage rates,” explained Santiago. Given their rosy prospects for the Philippine market, ShopBack is expanding its local operations and partnering with more e-commerce outlets and brands.

“We will push further digital retailing in the Philippines this year,” Kala said.

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Saturday, September 14, 2019 A11

Antitrust regulators dig deeper into dominant tech companies

S

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE The Associated Press

AN FRANCISCO—The government is circling the wagons around Big Tech as the scrutiny of its immense power intensifies.

Two groups of state attorneys general are joining the fray with separate investigations into whether Google and Facebook have been unfairly leveraging their array of popular—and free—services to dominate the lucrative online advertising market.

The US Justice Department already has a major antitrust investigation into unnamed technology giants, while the House Judiciary Committee is in the early stages of “a top-to-bottom review” of the power amassed by Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple.

The Federal Trade Commission has completed two investigations on privacy, fining Facebook $5 billion and joining New York state in a $170-million settlement with Google’s YouTube.

In some ways, the US is simply trying to catch up with European regulators. Europe has come down especially hard on Google by imposing fines of nearly $10 billion for abusing the power of it widely used search engine, digital ad network and Android software for smartphones. Google’s corporate parent, Alphabet Inc., is appealing the Europe fines.

Experts say breakups are unlikely in the short term. US Rep. David Cicilline, the Rhode Island Democrat leading the House investigation, has framed such measures as a “last resort.” Even so, Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple could face new restrictions on their power.

Here’s a look at how these companies dominate and what their defenses could be.

FACEBOOK FACEBOOK is certainly big. But is it an illegal, competition-crushing monopoly?

Critics believe a breakup—possibly by spinning off Instagram and WhatsApp—is needed because Facebook can squash competitors either by buying them or using its enormous resources to mimic services they offer—as it’s done with Snapchat, for example.

Facebook executives have been calling broadly for regulation, though nothing that comes close to breaking it up. Instead, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has called for “new rules” to address harmful content, election integrity, privacy and data portability.

Facebook has also stressed that it has competitors in messaging and digital communication, including Apple and Google.

GOOGLE AS Google becomes a leading mail provider, search engine and advertising platform, critics worry the company is able to squash rivals—notably because Google can show its own products above competitors’ or feature its own ads prominently.

Google might argue it doesn’t have an obligation to do business with its rivals at all. It’s Google’s technology and Google can use it as it wishes, goes one line of reasoning.

Google has also faced scrutiny over the practices it uses to get its search and other products featured on smartphones. Some say Google imposes too many self-serving regulations on smartphone makers who use Android. But Google contends Android users like its products and want them on their phones.

The FTC’s recently announced settlement with YouTube raises the prospects that the world’s largest free video service might be a target for antitrust regulators, too, though viewers have an array of other options, if they are willing—or can afford—to pay for a subscription.

Under existing laws, it is difficult to make the case that Google has monopoly power, “even though I think a lot of people think it’s really obvious,” NYU’s Fox said.

APPLE APPLE’S pioneering app store has given customers instant access to services that entertain, enlighten and engage. But it’s also a place where Apple controls all the access and sets commission rates for subscriptions and other purchases made through the apps.

App makers periodically allege that they are blocked because Apple wants people to use its own services. Apple says it typically blocks only apps with buggy software or features that invade users’ privacy.

The company likens its rules to merchants deciding what products to carry.

Meanwhile, Apple is defending the 30-percent cut that Apple pockets on new subscription signups during the first year and a 15-percent slice for renewals. The company says that covers costs for running the app store, including hiring people to review apps. The store is expected to generate about $16 billion in revenue this year.

Antitrust regulators could try to force Apple to lower commissions or, in a worst-case scenario, spin

off the app store entirely. The latter option, though, could hurt consumers by making iPhones and other Apple products more cumbersome to use.

AMAZON FROM an online bookseller, Amazon has grown into a gigantic e-commerce player with its tentacle in everything from Web hosting to streaming video to groceries.

The European Union’s antitrust chief has been exploring whether Amazon is using data to gain an edge on third-party merchants, which are both its customers and rivals. Italy has been looking into whether Amazon abused its dominance by offering

Globe, OMB, AVIA-CAP launch campaign against illicit streaming GLOBE has announced its partnership with Optical Media Board (OMB), and Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) at the 1st Industry 4.0 Summit to educate the public through #PlayItRight against the proliferation of illicit streaming devices (ISDs) in both online and retail markets.

ISDs are set-top boxes or Android TV boxes configured to allow consumers to stream pirated content from illegal streaming servers. Configuring set-top boxes in this way allows the consumer to access to pirated TV channels, live sports, channels and movies for the one-off price of the device and often a yearly subscription to access content—with revenue going into pockets of criminal syndicates and individuals all benefiting from spoils of such a crime.

Globe Vice President for Content Portfolio and Partner Management Jill Go said that the sudden popularity of ISDs to access pirated content for both online retail channels and physical stores is alarming.

“We are now collaborating with OMB, AVIA and CAP to aim Globe’s anti-piracy program #PlayItRight to educate the public against ISDs. The consumers and even some distributors of ISDs may not be aware that the device is illegal,” Go revealed.

Globe launched #PlayItRight, an anti-online piracy awareness campaign with an objective to educate its customers on illegal content consumption to protect the Filipino family, local entertainment industry, global content partners and its content creation. The campaign also makes consumers aware that piracy websites can be a hotbed for malware.

CAP General Manager Neil Gane said that a new

CAM General Manager Neil Gane (from left), Asia Video Industry Association CEO Louis Boswell, Optical Media Board Chairman and CEO Atty.

Anselmo Adriano, and Globe VP for Content Portfolio and Partner Management Jill Go join forces against ISDs

study commissioned by AVIA about the content viewing behavior of Filipino consumers revealed that 34 percent of consumers use an ISD to stream pirated television and video content. “We are supporting Globe’s #PlayItRight campaign to counter the surge of ISDs among Filipino consumers. The YouGov research found that a staggering two thirds [66 percent] of online Filipino consumers have accessed streaming piracy web sites or torrent sites,” Gane added.

OMB Chairman and CEO Atty. Anselmo Adriano emphasized the need for collaboration between the government, private sectors and cause-oriented organizations to create an awareness against ISDs and pirated content. “We need to work together in order to

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TWO bipartisan groups of state attorneys general are launching separate antitrust investigations into Facebook and Google, adding to regulatory scrutiny two of the world’s largest and most ubiquitous tech companies. AP

New York University law professor Eleanor Fox said that because antitrust law focuses on companies that raise prices too much, and Facebook is free, it will be a tough to break up the business.

make consumers and distributors aware that ISDs are illegal under Republic Act 9239,” Adriano said.

Globe has business interests in entertainment and is currently a local content provider under Globe Studios. Thus, protection of intellectualproperty rights is among the company’s priorities.

Since 2014, Globe has been partnering with global content providers, such as Disney, Spotify and Netflix, among others, to bring digital entertainment to more Filipinos.

In 2016, it opened Globe Studios which coproduced the movies All of You, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral and Birdshot, the first Philippine content released both locally and internationally on Netflix.

preferential treatment to companies that used Amazon’s own delivery-management services.

Cicilline, the congressman, said Amazon has identified best-selling products elsewhere, rolled out replicas under its own brand and then steered customers to its own products over those of its rivals.

Amazon insists it’s far from dominant. In a letter to shareholders, CEO Jeff Bezos called Amazon “a small player in global retail.” He notes that nearly 90 percent of retail is offline, in brick-and-mortar stores.

But Amazon does dominate online. Market research company eMarketer expects Amazon to account for nearly 38 percent of all online sales in the US this year, up from 36.5 percent last year. ■

Germany’s Merkel: Climate spending is ‘money well invested’ BERLIN—Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel says her country will have to spend money to combat climate change, but doing so is a good investment.

Speaking to lawmakers Wednesday during parliament’s annual budget debate, Merkel said “if we want to drive forward climate protection, this will cost money. This money is well invested.”

The longtime leader warned that “doing nothing isn’t an option.”

The German government is debating measures intended to sharply curb the country’s greenhouse-gas emissions in the coming decade.

Cabinet is expected to present the package on September 20, ahead of Merkel’s trip to a UN climate summit in New York.

The Green party’s parliamentary coleader, Katrin Goering-Eckardt, accused Merkel’s conservative party of failing to commit enough money to address climate change. AP

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

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Sound never looked this good DESIGNED BY PORSCHE

TECHNIVORE ED UY

whereiseduy@gmail.com

I

’M obsessed with speakers.

Besides collecting Transformers and action figures (currently Marvel Legends), I also have accumulated a fairly decent number of Bluetooth speakers, a few soundbars, headphones and earphones. My goal (or dream) is to own at least one device from every brand. But in no way do I consider myself an audio expert. I just love listening to music with the volume turned way up (to feel the bass), and watch movies with a cinematic audio experience.

That’s why I was quite excited to check out the Musik Manila Expo a few weeks ago. Considered as the biggest gathering of professional audio, video, lighting and staging brands in the country, it was a chance for me to take a look at what audio equipment the real pros are using for concerts and live events. Although there were only a handful of consumer products on display, it was the only way to enjoy the best possible sound experience in one venue.

They even had an outdoor stage setup outside the World Trade Center, and although there weren’t any performers, it seemed like there was a live concert going on whenever they fired up a demo of the sound systems.

Of all the exhibits, I spent most of my time at the AudioVideo Solutions Corp. (AVSC) booth. It was the very first one you’d see as soon as you step inside the hall and when I got there, they had this Grand Videoke Perfect Pitch Battle for Kids competition. I’m actually planning on getting a legit videoke system this Christmas and they have this Symphony SE Pro Plus model that even has a voice coach feature.

Don’t worry, I have no plans of joining any of those singing contests, and I love murdering songs strictly in the privacy of my bedroom.

I was about to leave after they announced the winners when I saw James Deakin. He was one of the guests of AVSC and he told me that they were going to reveal a Porschedesigned speaker from LD Systems.

AVSC is one of the major players in consumer electronics and pro audio, carrying well-known brands, such as Grand Videoke, WOW! Fiesta, JBL and LD Systems. LD Systems has been a prominent name in the pro audio industry and is part of the Adam Hall Group in Germany which has products ranging from speakers and power amps, to moving lights, cables, stands and many more—with more than 40 years of experience in the pro audio realm.

When James went to the stage to share his experience and take of the drapes covering the column speakers, I was in awe. The P900 was gorgeous and when they turned it on for a demo, the entire hall seemed muted as it engulfed the sounds blaring from the other speakers in the other booths.

To sample power of the Maui P900, we were treated to live performances from princess ybanez, solo techno violinist, singer and member of pop-rock-all-girl-band Rouge; and South Border frontman Jay Durias.

THE speaker they were launching was the Maui P900 from LD Systems. I did a quick search and found out that it was created in collaboration with the design agency Studio FA Porsche. The Maui P900 has already won numerous awards, including the German Design Award, the IF Award and the Red Dot Award 2018 for raising the bar for the pro audio industry.

With aesthetics as sharp as its sound, the iconic column speaker system is a combination of form and function that packs professional features into a sleek and stylish aluminum enclosure. It has a total of 50 neodymium loudspeakers and a 1,400-watt RMS class-D power amplifier, the innovative column system delivers monumental clarity even at high volumes.

The Maui P900 is, likewise, equipped with LD Systems’ patented WaveAhead tweeter arrangement, ensuring outstanding audio performance with uniform dispersion by combining the mid and high frequency signals in a perfectly aligned sound wave.

In addition, aptX and AAC coding provide high-resolution Bluetooth streaming with full audio bandwidth and a range of 70 meters. The three-section Maui P900 column system is made of high-strength aluminum with a multilayered elastic front cover. Especially developed multi-pin connectors facilitate cable-free assembly in a matter of seconds.

I asked Roberto Balderas, AVSC product manager, why they decided to bring the Maui P900 to the country and he said it was because of the Filipinos’ love for music. “We, Filipinos, have developed a superior taste when it comes to sound, and the Maui P900 is the perfect choice for live events, hotels, high-end venues and for prosumers who demand exceptional sound quality and excellent aesthetics.”

Its stylish appearance and outstanding clarity also make the Maui P900 a high-end home theater system as it is both an optical and aural delight. It is available in Cocoon White, Platinum Gray or Graphite Black which makes it easily integrated into any setting.

“With the Maui P900, LD Systems has an iconic column speaker that is about to change the game with its distinctive design, first-class components and excellent sound,” Balderas noted.

If you want to experience the LD Systems Maui P900 for yourself you can visit AVSC Showroom at 1081 Edsa Balintawak, Quezon City.

NOVA 5T: PURPLE REIGN

THE Huawei Nova 5T finally becomes available this weekend for those who preordered, and of the three colors, I think the Midsummer Purple variant best captures the Nova series’ new brand image.

The Nova 5T packs a lot of serious tech underneath its sleek and slender frame, but it won’t be the spec sheet that’s going to catch everybody’s eye—it’s that fetching sleek shade of chic.

Nothing stands out more than saturated hues; black is eternal, sure, but it’s too safe and low-key especially for Gen Z. Bold, daring and creative, the Midsummer Purple gradient is like announcing one’s choice to fearlessly express their cultural taste, be it fashion, music, movies and anything in between. It is a statement of keeping one foot planted in the mainstream and the other foot on the experimental.

When every other smartphone settled for bland, plastic color textures (or, worse, monochrome options), Huawei defied expectations and produced a truly ambitious and

creative design trend with its nano-textured color gradients, and inspired other smartphone manufacturers to employ similar techniques in their products.

Using a meticulous application of double-layered film and nano-diffraction technology, every color printed onto the phone’s frame creates a unique effect when the light hits it. The result is a subtle yet gorgeous transition of hues with every little tilt of the device.

On top of the stylish color gradient, the Nova 5T exhibits a monogram pattern of its name under a multilayered holographic design. The monogram heralds the refreshed Nova brand, a signature imprint that separates the device from all others.

The Nova 5T brings a bolder new look in addition to a winning formula of flagship-grade features common only to devices with higher price tags.

The phone has a total of five cameras—four AI-powered cameras ensure crystal-clear shots in any lighting situation, and a 32MP front shooter for Instagram-worthy selfies. The Kirin 980 chipset with 8GB of RAM provides no shortage of speed, and the GPU Turbo 3.0 provides smooth, consolequality graphical performance even under intense gaming sessions. The Huawei Nova 5T by itself is already an amazing deal, and it gets even better for the first 300 early birds who will claim their preorders today.

Those who claim their preordered Nova 5T at SM City North Edsa’s The Block Atrium can also get either a Nova phone, Bluetooth earbuds, or fitness band on top of the preorder freebies (Huawei Surround Speakers [worth P1,990] and a free year of iFlix subscription [worth P1,308]).

The first 50 will get a Huawei Nova 2 Lite (worth P8,990), the next 51-200 claims get Huawei FreeLace buds (worth P3,490), and numbers 201-300 gets a Huawei Band 3 (worth P2,490). Claiming of preorders start at 1 pm. ■

Huawei debuts latest advanced chipset for smartphone

A STAFF member holds a Huawei Mate 20 X 5G smartphone at the IFA 2019 tech fair in Berlin, Germany. AP

BERLIN—Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled its latest advanced chipset Friday ahead of the upcoming launch of its latest flagship smartphone, even as uncertainty hangs over whether the device can use Google’s Android.

Huawei’s consumer business CEO, Richard Yu, showed off the Kirin 990 chipset at the IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin on Friday.

Optimized for new 5G networks and packing 10.3 billion transistors into its fingernail size, the Kirin 990 will be the brain powering the Mate 30 phone.

Huawei, the world’s No. 2 smartphone maker, plans a global launch for the phone in Munich, Germany, on September 19.

But with the US-China trade war

raging, it’s unclear whether the device can use the Android operating system.

Sanctions bar US companies from selling technology to Huawei without government approval, though there are 90-day exemptions for a narrow list of products and services.

Yu revealed little about the Mate 30 as he showcased the company’s other products. He touted the new chip’s lower energy use and superfast 5G download speed.

“This is the latest semiconductor technology,” he said.

Huawei has developed its Kirin line of chips to power some of its phones and reduce reliance on US-based Qualcomm Corp.’s Snapdragon and other foreign

suppliers. It has also built its own operating system, Hongmeng, though executives have said they hope to be able to keep using Android.

The US and China are locked in tech and economic rivalry, with Washington pressuring allies to ban Huawei, the world’s biggest supplier of telecom gear, from new 5G networks.

Beijing on Friday lambasted the US opposition to Huawei after Vice President Mike Pence this week called on Iceland and other governments to find alternatives.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang accused American leaders of “abusing the concept of national security” to block Chinese commercial activity. AP

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If you have any information / objection to the above mentioned application/s, please communicate with the Regional Director thru Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare (EPWW) Division with Telephone No. 400-6011.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

A24 Saturday, September 14, 2019

SLMC, Novartis hold first Asia Patient Innovation Summit

O

VER 50 patient leaders and patient advocates from several countries in the region gathered at St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City for the 1st Asia Patient Innovation Summit (APIS).

Aptly themed “Transforming Healthcare to Make People Well and Keep Them Well”, the regional summit aims to actively seek out and listen to insights from the patient community in order to inform decisionmaking for the mutual benefit of patients and healthcare systems. The 1st APIS is coorganized by Novartis, St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC), International Alliance of Patient Organizations (IAPO), International Federation of Psoriasis Association (IFPA), Cancer Coalition Philippines (CCPh) and Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

“The agenda of this important summit

was co-developed by patient leaders across the region who share a common vision of creating people-centered healthcare systems and empowering patient communities to take charge of their own health rather than being passive recipients of health services,” said IAPO Board Member Ms. Karen Alparce Villanueva.

“We need to work together in empowering patient communities, inspiring breakthroughs, and catalyzing the adoption of innovations and good practice models for safe, quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare. Only through a patient-centric health system can we achieve better health outcomes and brighter futures for all,” said CCPh President Mr. Paul Perez.

“St. Luke’s Medical Center highly

values patient-centered care. Through outstanding clinical outcomes and great patient experience, the needs of our patients come first. We are proud to host the 1st APIS. Through this summit, we are able to exchange ideas, solutions and best practices to further strengthen our patient-centered programs and to better address the needs of patients,” said Dr. Arturo S. De La Peña, President and CEO, SLMC. Advocacy Head Ms. Christine Fajardo said: “The 1st APIS is gathering the leaders in patient advocacy and empowerment in order to generate innovative ideas, including digital technology, on how to improve patient outcomes and how to ensure the patient voice is an integral part of the healthcare system. Working with the patient community and other stakeholders, Novartis aims to transform healthcare in Asia by leveraging data, digital and exponential technologies to address the most pressing health challenges in the region.”

In photo, speakers at the Summit pose for a group photo from left: Jugo Tsumura, Country President & Managing Director, Novartis Healthcare Philippines, Inc.; Dr. Ratna Devi Board Member, IAPO; Dr. Arturo De La Peña, President & CEO, SLMC; Rep. Pia Cayetano, 2nd District, Taguig City-Pateros; Josef de Guzman, Treasurer, IFPA; Christine Fajardo; Miguel Rivera Head, Asia Cluster Business Model Transformation, Novartis; and Kara Magsanoc Alikpala, Vice President, CCPh.

Security Bank bags prestigious awards for responsible investor relations

S

ECURITY Bank bagged three prestigious awards, including Best Investor Relations (IR) Company (Philippines) for the fifth successive year, Best CEO for IR (Philippines), and Best IR Professional (Philippines) at the recently concluded 9th Asian Excellence Awards held at JW Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong.

Corporate Governance Asia (CGA), the organizer behind the prestigious award-giving body, lauded Security Bank for upholding transparency and accountability in corporate governance.

On top of regulatory compliance, CGA praised Security Bank’s efforts in ensuring greater accessibility of its customer-centric products and services to the banking public through several transformation and digitalization initiatives.

In the same awards program, Security Bank Director Alfonso L. Salcedo Jr. was named Asia’s Best CEO (Investor Relations, Philippines) and FVP & Investor Relations Head Ropi Dangazo was recognized as Best Investor Relations Professional (Philippines).

The 9th Asian Excellence Awards recognizes outstanding companies in the areas of management acumen, financial performance, corporate social responsibility, environmental practices, and investor relations. This year’s winners were chosen from several countries across the region, including China, Hong Kong,

India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Security Bank also received honors from partners and stakeholders from the Philippine financial industry.

The Bank garnered a 1-arrow recognition as one of the high scorers on the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS).

ACGS is an instrument used for the assessment and ranking of publicly listed companies (PLCs) in the ASEAN. It aims to raise the corporate governance standards and

practices among ASEAN PLCs, making wellgoverned ASEAN PLCs attractive to investors and promoting ASEAN as an investment asset class. The Scorecard was benchmarked against international best practices that encourage PLCs to go beyond national legislative requirements.

Furthermore, Security Bank received a Special Citation for Prudential Reporting Innovation from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which recognizes its participation in the successful pilot run of the BSP’s Financial Institution Portal (FI Portal).

DLSU professors top in the Philippines' research performance in Scopus database

T

HE latest records of Scopus, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, show a growing number of De La Salle University (DLSU) faculty members who have breached the 100th mark of Scopus-indexed publications.

Among Philippine researchers, DLSU Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and Chemical Engineering Full Professor Dr. Raymond Tan registered the highest number of research in the database, with over 300 indexed outputs.

Two University Fellows, Dr. Elmer Dadios of the Manufacturing Engineering and Management Department and Dr. Consolacion Ragasa of the Chemistry

Department, have more than 200 Scopus publications each.

Meanwhile, Chemical Engineering Department Full Professors Dr. Kathleen Aviso and Dr. Michael Angelo Promentilla as well as Dr. Argel Bandala of the Electronics and Communications Engineering Department have individual records of more than 100 Scopus-indexed publications.

As of August 2019, DLSU has 167 researchers with 10 or more publications in the Scopus database. The figure includes students, research assistants, and former and current faculty members.

From 2014 to 2018, Scopus records show that DLSU was the most productive research institution in the country.

ANNIVERSARY AND INDUCTION CEREMONIES. VALENZUELA City HOSTs LIONS CLUB DISTRICT301-D1 54th on September 12 at Valenzuela City Social Hall courtesy of Lion Honorable Mayor Rec Gatchalian land Lion Honorable Congressman Wes Gatchalian of the First District. With Lion Corazon Villaseñor-Del Rosario as the Inducting President for Lion Year 2019-2020, the event was attended by District Governor Santy Morante Jr. Immediate Past District Governor Teresita Morante and Gentleman, Past Council Chairman ,Santiago Morante Sr. Valenzuela’s First Vice District Governor Lillie C. Pingol, Second Vice Dist. Governor Bernardo P. Cruz and spouse,Governor’s Advisory Board Chairperson, Past District Governor Carmelita S.Cruz. Past Council Chairmen, Past District Governors and Lion Dignitaries.

PCSA supports DOTr’s maritime safety summit

C

EBU-BASED Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association (PCSA), the country’s largest shipping group, expressed support to the Maritime Safety Summit for Domestic Shipping organized recently by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Themed “Creating a Culture of Safer People, Safer Ships and Cleaner Environment,” the summit discussed government-private sector collaboration in ensuring the safety of the domestic shipping industry to ensure stakeholder participation in identifying measures to address the challenges.

Formed in June, PCSA committed its partnership with maritime transport officials in creating a culture of safer people, safer ships and cleaner environment. It sent the biggest delegation with 18 members coming from the Philippine RORO Operators Association (Philroro), the Visayan Association of Ferry Boat and Coastwise Ship-owners Operators

(Vafasco), and the United Trampers Association of the Philippines (Utap).

Its officers were inducted recently by its chairperson emeritus, former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The summit was supported by DOTr’s attached maritime sector agencies Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) which presented the roadmap for maritime safety enhancement and ship safety process which covers vessel acquisition, deployment, and retirement.

In photo were PCSA Board of Trustees members Andiford Chua and Asford Chua, Marina administrator vice-admiral Narciso Vingson, Jr., PCSA president Paul Rodriguez, DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade, PCSA chairman Lucio Lim, Jr., PCSA vice president for cargo shipping Benson Go, PCSA treasurer Pio Serafin Fulache, and PPA general manager Atty. Jay Daniel Santiago.

InLife launches wealth university

I

NSULAR Life (InLife) launches the Wealth University, a series of Youtube videos featuring InLife Wealth Mentors giving pieces of advice on some of the frequentlyasked questions about money, wealth, insurance and investments.

Initially, there will be 90 videos featuring 75 of InLife’s top financial advisors who give advice on financial matters. Called Wealth Mentors, they answer questions in the easiest and most practical way possible. Applying their knowledge, experience and expertise, they convert financial concepts into information that can be easily digested and are relevant to different stages

in life—first jobbers, newly-married couples, family starters, career builders, even empty nesters and retirees.

“The InLife Wealth University is an educational and informative platform that provides learnings and practical application on savings and investments, for insurance, retirement, health, and education needs, and many more. This is the first endeavor for us, to use the YouTube platform as a means to educate and engage with the Filipino market.

This initiative is tied to our company’s aim of providing a life for good to our customers, as well as our way of bringing goodness to Filipino families,” said InLife Chief Marketing Officer and

Sr. Vice President Miriam Z. Choa.

Some of the questions answered by the InLife Wealth Mentors are the following: How do I invest small amounts of money, say P100 per day?

When is the right time to buy a house? How can I make extra income with a full-time job? How can I prepare my children for tomorrow? and What should I do with my retirement package? among others.

These and more questions are answered via the InLife Wealth University. To watch, subscribe to the InLife Wealth University Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/ inlifewealthuniversity.

TRIPLE WIN FOR BPI AT 17TH IABC PHILIPPINE QUILL AWARDS. The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippine chapter recognized the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) for communications excellence reflected in the bank’s Championing Cybersecurity Awareness and Pursuing Financial Inclusion through BanKO programs, as well as for its 2017 Integrated Report during the recently-held 17th Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators – Philippines. Photo shows representatives from various groups in BPI. Holding the trophies are, from left: Owen Cammayo, Head of Corporate Communications; Don Cesar Sevilla II, Corporate Governance Officer; Jonathan Imperial, Data Privacy Program Management Officer; and Abeson Argosino, BanKO Marketing Assistant.