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SAFEGUARD PROBE ON RICE IMPORTS BEGINS By Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

@jearcalas

he Philippines has formally informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it has launched an investigation into the surge in rice imports following the plunge in the farm-gate prices of local rice to determine whether it should apply safeguard measures. Manila submitted a formal communication to the WTO Committee on Safeguards (CoS) on September 12 to inform member-states that it has initiated a preliminary investigation into rice imports last September 11. “Pursuant to Article 12.1[a] of the

This file photo shows various rice varieties are on display in a market in San Andres, Manila. The Philippine government has formally notified the World Trade Organization that it has launched an investigation into the surge in rice imports to determine whether the application of safeguard measures is warranted. NONIE REYES

WTO Agreement on Safeguards [AoS], the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the WTO hereby notifies the Committee on Safeguards of the initiation of a preliminary safeguard investigation on the imported rice from various countries,” read the notification, which was made public on September 13. Manila said it initiated the safeguard investigation, as the decline in the farm-gate prices of unhusked rice continue, which caused farmers to incur losses, coincided with the jump in imports. Rice imports rose after the Philippines implemented the rice trade liberalization law, which removed the

quantitative restriction on the staple and eased import rules. “[The] continued increase in rice imports coincides with the drop in farmgate prices of paddy resulting in income loss for farmers,” the document read. “Skyrocketing rice imports significantly affect the Philippines’s ending stock, subsequently affecting the positioning of local rice in the market,” it added. Since the passage of the rice trade liberalization law, Manila argued that “rice traders abruptly shifted from buying local paddy to importing rice as the latter is now more convenient to do.” See “Rice,” A2

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Monday, September 16, 2019 Vol. 14 No. 341

Peza investments up 8% amid tax-perk overhaul I By Elijah Felice E. Rosales

@alyasjah

nvestments registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) in January to August grew nearly 8 percent despite the uncertainty created by a proposed bill that seeks to rationalize the fiscal incentives being enjoyed by economic zone locators.

However, industr y g roups warned that this may just be a “blip” as investors are expected to reconsider plans to set up shop in the Philippines if Congress approves the rationalization of fiscal perks under the Corporate Income

Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (Citira) bill. From January to August, investments approved by the Peza rose 7.9 percent to P83.52 billion, from P77.4 billion during the same period last year. This translated to

374 fresh projects, nearly two dozen higher than the 351 new projects in 2018. T hese new operations and e x pa nsions a re projec ted to generate $3.19 billion worth of exports and create 58,032 jobs,

₧83.52 billion Investments approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in January to August

according to the Peza. However, the informationtechnology sector continues to suffer from uncertainties brought about by the government’s move to overhaul incentives and the ban on economic zone development in Metro Manila. IT investments in the eight-month period plunged nearly 20 percent to P9.15 billion, from last year’s P11.38 billion. These investments, which come in the form of 111 fresh projects, are estimated to generate $487.57 Continued on A2

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GOVT TO SHUTTER POGOS WITH TAX-DELINQUENT FOREIGN WORKERS By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

& Samuel P. Medenilla

@sam_medenilla

he Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has been ordered to shut down the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), as well as service providers that fail or will refuse to pay the tax liabilities of their foreign workers. Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez said he issued the order to the BIR, an attached agency of the Department of Finance (DOF), due to the slow pace of collecting withholding income taxes from POGOs despite the issuance of 130 letter-notices to these firms. The POGOs’ collective tax liabilities amounted to P21.62 billion. “Why don’t we start closing

House to end debates on budget this week By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

he House of Representatives will finish this week the plenary deliberations on the proposed P4.1-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA). This after the lower chamber completed last Friday the debates on the budgets of 39 departments, agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations. This figure represents 54 percent of the 72 total number of government offices scheduled for plenary deliberations until September 20. The House is sticking to its original target date—before lawmakers take a recess on October 4—to pass the proposed national budget. Afterward, the lower chamber will transmit the national budget to the Senate for its own deliberation on

PESO exchange rates n

October 8. The Congress is eyeing to submit the 2020 national budget to President Duterte on December 20. “At the rate we’re going, the House is on track to finish the 2020 budget before the recess,” Senior Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said. For his part, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said “the passage of President Duterte’s 2020 proposed national budget will marshal a budget for a meaningful change.” Romualdez added they want to “assure the Filipino taxpayers that the 2020 budget will be a reflection not only of the President’s vision, but also of the people’s will.” Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano said House Bill 4228 or the Fiscal Year 2020 General Appropriations See “Budget,” A2

them down so they will answer these assessments,” Dominguez said during a recent meeting of the DOF-Executive Committee (Execom). “Those who don’t pay or respond to your assessments, clamp them down.” At the same meeting, Dominguez said he asked the BIR to ensure that the tax liabilities payment should account for each foreign worker in POGOs and to reject any “lump-sum” offer or any other arrangement in paying their tax arrears. “The collection should be per individual,” the Finance chief said. “You force the issue and you bring them to court. I mean, close them down,” Dominguez told BIR officials. BIR Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa reported that POGO service providers paid P175 million in withholding See “Pogos,” A2

PHL seen buying more US soybeans

THE BUNKER IN BATAAN President Duterte on Thursday led the ceremonial blessing of “The Bunker,” the Bataan Government Center and Business Hub. The President is joined by Bataan Governor Albert Garcia and Vice Governor Maria Cristina Garcia during the unveiling of the marker at the 1Bataan One-Stop Shop. Not in photo are Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia, Rep. Geraldine Roman, Balanga Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia and Senator Bong Go. BERNARD TESTA

orth Da kota, USA— Food-grade soybean exporter SB&B Foods Inc. (SB&B) said it expects its shipments to the Philippines to triple in five years due to the increasing demand of Filipinos for more soybased products. SB&B President Robert B. Sinner noted that the economic growth of the Philippines boosted the purchasing power of Filipino consumers and fueled the demand for food products. SB&B, a fifth-generation familyowned farm and company based here, currently exports about 1,000 metric tons of nongenetically modified organism and organic foodgrade soybeans to the Philippines, Sinner said. See “US soybeans,” A2

US 52.0010 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 (13 September 2019 )

News

BusinessMirror

A2 Monday, September 16, 2019

PSA: Average farm-gate price of rice drops to 6-year low By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

he average farm-gate price of dry unhusked rice fell to a sixyear low in the fifth week of August, according to the latest data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Data released by the PSA showed palay prices declined by 27.4 percent to P16.68 per kilogram, from P22.98 per kg recorded in the same period last year. Local planters do not usually harvest rice from July to September. The latest gate figure is the lowest since the fifth week of May 2013, when dry palay farm-gate averaged P16.71 per kg. “The market is oversupplied by imported inventory,” University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) Center for Food and Agribusiness (CFA) Executive Director Rolando

ASF. . .

Continued from A12

ASF possibly spreading throughout the major production area,” the report stated. However, the USDA said “rays of hope” exist for the Philippines in terms of containing the spread of ASF. The report stated that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has proven to be “competent” in combatting animal diseases. This was observed in the DA’s efforts in fighting the highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2017 and in eradicating the foot and mouth disease in 2011.

T. Dy said. PSA data showed that as of August 1, total rice stocks expanded by 40.3 percent to 2.133 million metric tons (MMT), higher than the previous year’s level of 1.52 million metric tons (MMT), or by 40.3 percent. Of the total rice stocks, 37.1 percent were in the households, 41.2 percent were in commercial warehouses, and 21.6 percent in National Food Authority (NFA) depositories. Government data on rice imports in the first half showed

Geography, USDA said, can also be a blessing for the Philippines. Since the country is an archipelago, animal diseases, such as ASF cannot easily spread. “As an archipelago, the country’s geography should aid efforts in limiting the spread of the disease, compared to countries in mainland Asia. On the map, Calabarzon is Region 4A, and Central Luzon is Region 3,” the report stated. The DA recently announced that 14 out of the 20 samples submitted to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Reference Laboratory for Swine Diseases in the United Kingdom tested positive for ASF. According to the DA, seven

Rice. . .

Continued from A1

WTO AoS Article 12.1 (a) stipulates that member-states shall immediately notify the CoS when initiating an investigation relating to the possible imposition of safeguard measures. Farmers groups, including the Federation of Free Farmers Inc. (FFF), have been urging the Department of Agriculture (DA) to initiate a safeguard investigation as the farm-gate price of local palay continued to go down. FFF argued that rice farmers have incurred losses amounting to at least P40 billion due to the 20-percent year-on-year decline in palay prices. FFF National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said trade remedies, such as safeguard measures and antidumping duties, would limit imports as it would become more expensive. This, Montemayor added, would prevent farmers from incurring more losses as domestic palay prices are expected to stabilize.

‘Record high imports’

From March 5 to August 30, the latest data from the Bureau of Plant Industry

Budget. . .

Continued from A1

Bill (GAB) will ensure that taxpayers from all legislative districts will get a fair share of the budget. “While we assure of no pork, no parking, and no delay of the budget, we also want to make sure that there would be equitable distribution of projects nationwide,” Cayetano said. “This is a Congress that wants to partner for change with our Executive department. But we are not also a [Palace] rubber stamp.” Meanwhile, among the agencies that will face plenary deliberations this week include

t hat shipments e x panded by 118.73 percent to $621.57 million, from last year’s record of $284.18 million. This made semi-milled or wholly milled rice as the country’s 13th top import for the first half of the year, compared to only 26th during the same period in 2018.

Downward trend

With the increase in imports and the upcoming harvest starting October, the farm-gate price of palay will continue to go down, according to the Federation of Free Farmers Inc. (FFF). “We expect prices to go down further as the main harvest comes in. The procurement of the National Food Authority [NFA] will not be able to arrest this by itself, as it will be able to capture only 3 percent of the harvest at most,” FFF National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor told the BusinessMirror via SMS. The Rice Watch and Action Network (R1) said rice planters in rain-fed areas will be hardest hit by the continuos decline in

areas in two provinces in Luzon have been affected by ASF. These are Rizal Province (Rodriguez and Antipolo) and Bulacan (Guiguinto). The DA reported that a total of 7,416 pigs within the 1-kilometer radius of the affected areas in Rizal and Bulacan have been culled. The results of another test, which will determine strain and virulence of ASF, are still pending. The GAIN report noted that the Philippine hog industry is valued at about P260 billion ($5 billion), has been growing by about 3 percent to 5 percent annually, and accounts for roughly half of total compound feed use. Central Luzon, which includes

(BPI) showed that the total volume of rice imports has reached 1.304 million metric tons (MMT). Republic Act (RA) 11203, or the rice trade liberalization law, took effect on March 5. During the period, traders, farmers’ cooperatives and importers have sought sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) for 2.776 MMT of rice from Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Spain, India, Italy and Pakistan, according to BPI data. In the month of August alone, rice traders applied for SPS-ICs for 735,127 MT of rice. The figure is the highest monthly volume of rice that the private sector sought to import since RA 11203 took effect. BPI data also showed that the agency has issued a total of 3,115 SPS-ICs to over 228 eligible rice importers from March 5 to August 30. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the removal of the QR and the relaxation of import rules would cause increase the purchases of rice from abroad this year. The USDA projected that the Philippines’s total rice imports this year would rise by 24 percent to a record-high 3.1 MMT, making the country the second-top buyer of the staple after China. the Office of the President and its attached agencies and offices, and the Office of the Vice President. This week, too, would be debates on the respective budget of the following departments: national defense, environment and natural resources, agrarian reform, education, tourism, information and communications technology, agriculture, social welfare and development, energy, transportation, human settlements and urban development, public works and highways, and budget and management. Deliberations on the budgets of other government bodies include that of Congress, the Commission on Audit and the Commission on Elections.

farm-gate prices. “The sad thing about it [drop in palay prices] is that majority of farmers in rain-fed areas are harvesting their crop. Of course, they are the most vulnerable. We hope government is ready to address the loss of incomes especially of the most vulnerable,” R1 Executive Director Hazel Tanchuling told the BusinessMirror via SMS. The drop in the average farmgate price of unhusked rice, however, was also reflected in the wholesale and retail prices of regular milled rice, according to PSA data. In the fifth week of August, the retail price of regular milled rice fell by an annualized rate of 18.88 percent to P34.59 per kg. On Thursday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that it will be “flooding” the market with the NFA cheap imported rice to cut down the prices of the staple. Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar disclosed they will be selling 3.6 million bags of rice nationwide. He said imported NFA rice will be sold at P25 per kg to retailers and P27 per kg to consumers.

Bulacan, has the highest share of hog production with over 16 percent of total swine inventory, followed by Calabarzon, which includes Rizal, with a 12-percent share. Rizal and Bulacan provinces are both part of regions that together produce a significant amount of pork, especially on the commercial side. Rizal province alone produced 89,976 metric tons (MT) of pork in 2018 (live weight), and is part of Calabarzon that has about 1.5 million pigs. The GAIN report also said Bulacan produced 259,677 MT of pork in 2018 (live weight), and is part of Central Luzon, which has about 2.25 million pigs. Cai U. Ordinario

US soybeans. . .

Continued from A1

“I love the Philippines. Things are changing fast there,” he told Filipino reporters in a briefing at the firm’s headquarters here recently. “My ballpark estimate is that we will double [our exports to the Philippines], at most we will triple it in the next five years,” Sinner added. One of their clients in the Philippines, he said, is Lucio Tan’s diversified beverage firm, Asia Brewery Inc. Sinner said he has observed a growing demand for soy-based products, such as tofu and soymilk, in the Philippines in recent years. He said the rise of “veganism” in the Philippines also contributed to the demand for soy-based products, as vegetarians substitute meat products with soy-based food items. Sinner added that Filipino millennials’ demand for healthy food items, such as soymilk, also contributed to the rise in the consumption of soy-based products. “Soymilk is driving things there,” said Sinner, who has been to the Philippines a number of times. “Demand is increasing and there are some companies planning to put up manufacturing [facilities],” Sinner explained that the bulk, or 80 percent, of their food-grade GMO-free soybeans are exported, while the remaining volume is sold domestically. The firm’s top markets are Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, SB&B, which stands for Sinner Bros. & Bresnahan, started in 1906. It is a family-owned, large-scale agribusiness production and processing firm. The firm manages a 2,000-hectare farm planted with soybean and other crops, such as corn and wheat. The firm also implements a contract-growing system wherein they purchase from partner-farmers, currently number over 250, crops for processing and for export. North Dakota is the fourth-top state in terms of total soybean area planted and harvested and the ninth-largest producer in the United States, according to the North Dakota Soybean Council (NDSC). In 2018, 2.79 million hectares in the state were planted with soybeans. Data from the NDSC showed that North Dakota produced 6.62 million metric tons (MMT). Soybean is North Dakota’s top export crop. The state’s total production last year was valued at $2.021 billion. The state ranks as the second top exporter of whole US soybeans. Some 72 percent of its total soybean output is shipped to Southeast Asian countries via the Pacific Northwest route. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Peza investments up 8% amid tax-perk overhaul Continued from A1

million in exports and produce 31,964 jobs. Despite the positive investments data, industry leaders said this is just for the short term and investors will soon get the jitters. They said the passage of the Citira bill at the House of Representatives may prompt investors to hold off investment plans. Philippine Ecozones Association President Francisco S. Zaldarriaga told the BusinessMirror the passage of the Citira bill at the House will “possibly, but hopefully not” make a negative impact on investments applications to the Peza. Zaldarriaga said whatever recovery the Peza is experiencing now is just “temporary.” He said these investments were most likely committed previously and were just recently registered, and some could be expansions and not new operations. John D. Forbes, senior advisor of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said foreign firms are really upbeat about investing in the country, but they are held back by planned changes in the menu of incentives granted to investors. He raised the looming removal of the 5-percent tax on gross income earned paid in lieu of all local and national taxes as one of the factors. Firms operating in economic zones enjoy up to six years of tax

Pogos. . .

Continued from A1

taxes in 2017 and P579 million in 2018. From January to August, the BIR collected P1.4 billion from POGOs, representing a 242-percent increase from the previous year’s collections, Guballa said. However, Guballa said his office alone cannot do the job of padlocking errant POGOs and asked the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in closing down errant POGOs. Just last month, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Benjamin E. Diokno said the BSP financial stability team and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) will also investigate the impact of discontinuing the POGO in the Philippines. “We are looking at the economic risks of having POGOs here. One of our mandates is financial stability. [Finance] Secretary [Carlos] Dominguez’s concern is the tax component. Mine is financial stability,” Diokno said.

Coordinating body

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, the country’s largest labor group, called for the creation of a new “coordinating body” to monitor the expected surge in the number of foreign nationals in POGOs. TUCP President Raymond Mendoza said his group is anticipating that more POGOs managed by foreign nationals will set up shop in the Philippines after Cambodia banned onling gambling, which caters to the Chinese market. Mendoza said the government might “lose control” of regulating POGOs due to its many facets including real estate, immigration, taxes and employment. “Government agencies have limited authority and they cease to function on area that is beyond their mandate,” he said. The labor leader is now proposing for the creation of a multistakeholder body to create policies for POGOs in the country. “The proposed coordinating body is composed of different concerned government agencies along representatives from labor and business sectors attached to the Office of the President,” Mendoza said.

break and, once that expires, they will have to pay the 5-percent tax on GIE, instead of the 30 percent corporate income tax (CIT). Based on his recent speeches, President Duterte himself is in favor of paying taxes based on GIE, but the House-legislated Citira bill deletes that incentive. “There is continued interest in investing in the Philippines because of its work force, but this is dampened by the uncertainty over how existing investors will be treated. Now PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] is favoring GIE, but the House bill eliminates that,” Forbes said in a text message. Voting 170 to eight, the House of Representatives last Friday passed on third and final reading the Citira bill, the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program. The measure seeks to attract more investments to the Philippines by lowering the CIT rate to 20 percent by 2029, from 30 percent at present, which is the highest among Southeast Asian economies. In exchange, it will overhaul tax perks granted to investors. Economic zone firms, mostly multinationals, warned they will be forced to pack up and relocate to another country if their incentives are removed, resulting in capital flight and, consequently, job losses.

‘Unlikely’

Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) Director Domique R. Tutay said the anticipated mass migration of foreign nationals from Cambodia to the country is unlikely due to the prevailing moratorium imposed by the Pagcor in licensing new POGO firms. “This means the number of POGO workers at the moment based on the statistics we have released. The most could be at the 100,000 to 130,000 level,” Tutay told the BusinessMirror via SMS. Also, she said the proposed coordinating body may no longer be necessary since there is an inter-agency task force, consisting of the DOF, Department of Justice, BI and the DOLE, is already regulating POGOs. In fact, the said task force released two inter-agency issuances to address the gaps in government regulations related to POGOs. “These policies are already in place to handle concerns on various permits, authorities, visas, tax and security,” Tutay said. The government is expected to reap more revenues from the POGOs in the country as it starts taxing foreign nationals in their employ this year.

Not convinced

Despite the expected revenues from POGOs, Sen. Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva said he is still unconvinced that these firms are beneficial for the country. “As it stands, the setup of POGOs is fertile ground for illicit activities, such as money laundering, and its continuing presence here entices fugitives from China to secure a safe haven here in our country,” Villanueva said in a statement. “Any supposed benefits from this sector are fruits of a poisoned tree.” He cited the 277 Chinese nationals, who were recently apprehended by immigration authorities, as proof of this. The lawmaker said he will continue to press for a senate investigation into the matter to establish the possible “ill effects of POGOs to Philippine society.” Mendoza also raised the same concern and said the TUCP will conduct its own study on the “economic and social implications in the community including the employment, living and working conditions of Chinese POGO workers in the country.”

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Senator backs ‘stronger’ DOJ control over BuCor chief By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

ENATE Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon is eyeing an amendment to the Republic Act 10575 that will give the Department of Justice (DOJ) stronger control over the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), saying that the “too powerful” agency and its corrupt officials are to be blamed for the corrupt practices in the bureau. “It is time to give more teeth to the Department of Justice. There are a number of critical agencies over which the department has limited to zero control,” Drilon said in an interview over radio station DWIZ on Saturday. “Let’s start with the law that gives administrative supervision to the justice secretary over the BuCor. What I’m trying to point out is this situation wherein the Bucor head and the justice secretary may only have the chance to meet during budget deliberations because the latter has no supervision and control,” the senator said in Filipino. Drilon was referring to the Republic Act 10575, which was enacted in 2013 and removed DOJ’s control over BuCor, except for its administrative supervision. Earlier, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra called for a review of the said law in light of corruption allegations in the bureau. “Noong ako ay justice secretary, ang pinapa-approve sa akin ’yung pagbili ng munggo sa Muntinlupa. Ang sabi ko, hindi ako naging secretary of justice para lang mag-approve ng pagkain, “[When I was at the DOJ, I was asked to approve purchases for prison supplies like mongo in Muntinlupa. I told them then I was not appointed to the DOJ merely to approve food orders,]” Drilon said.

“This is one of the loopholes that we should look into. The corrupt officials in the BuCor took advantage of the law that gave too much power to the bureau to the extent that there is no more check and balance,” he said. Under RA 10575, Drilon said the BuCor director has become all too powerful. “For me, what is urgently needed is a stronger DOJ control. The BuCor director appears to have evolved into an independent agency with no supervision, and the absence of check and balance is obvious,” he added. “ The justice secretary is left in the dark because he has no direct control and super vision of the bureau,” he added. Drilon said that while there is a department order requiring the approval of the justice secretary on the release of heinous crime convicts, it is clear that it was ignored a number of times. “We should give the DOJ direct control at supervision of the BuCor consistent with the Department of Order 953 that required that the release of heinous crime convicts must have prior approval of the justice secretary. This is a form of control but it is only a department order. We need to amend the law to provide a legal basis for this,” Drilon said. Aside from BuCor, Drilon cited the Public Attorneys Office, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration, where the DOJ has no control over. Meanwhile, Drilon said it is unfair to put the blame on detained Sen. Leila de Lima, saying that the former justice secretary only interpreted the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law, which, he admitted, is vague. Drilon said he would object to the committee report if it unfairly blames de Lima for the GCTA mess.

House bills push creation of DDR

HE House of Representatives is now working for the immediate passage of the Duterte administration’s priority measure creating Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). In a sponsorship message he delivered for the passage of the House Bill 3459, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco underscored the need for a coherent government response to disasters under a new agency that would be called the Department of Disaster Resilience. In a news statement, Velasco said the country has an average of 20 tropical cyclones every year, which produce floods, landslides and storm surges. Velasco, following a meeting with Dr. Renato Solidum of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), surmised that the Philippines is among the top countries in the world with a higher risk of disasters. The others are Bangladesh, Guatemala and Brunei Darussalam. The lawmaker also noted that the country is host to 300 volcanoes of which 24 are active. He said 20 earthquakes are recorded by the Phivolcs everyday, including some 90 destructive earthquakes and 40 tsunamis in the past 400 years. He added that the “new normal of the 21st Century” are more intense typhoons and increased disaster risks. Also, the lawmaker said, a Phivolcs study showed that among the areas

that have a higher risk of intensity 8 earthquakes are the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Laguna and Batangas. Under the bill, the department shall be headed by a secretary, with four undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and directors who are “preferably specialists in the field of disaster risk reduction and management, science and technology, environmental science and management, urban planning, civil engineering, public finance, information and communications technology, logistics management, mass communication and other fields relevant to disaster resilience. The department shall also establish regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay disaster resilience offices following the abolition of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices. Moreover, Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte said DDR is needed as the primary agency responsible for leading, organizing, and managing the national effort before, during and after disasters Villafuerte, another author the bill creating DDR, said the DDR “shall oversee and coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of disaster and climate resilience plans, programs, projects and activities.” Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Monday, September 16, 2019 A3

QC buy bust nets ₧27.2Mshabu, drug dealer slain

By Rene Acosta

@reneacostaBM

N alleged big-time drug dealer with connections from drug convicts at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City was killed on Sunday by government’s anti-illegal drugs operatives in Quezon City who also seized an estimated P27.2 million worth of shabu. National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. General Guillermo Eleazar said Edgardo Alfonso, of Pasig City, was killed after he shot it

out with operatives of NCRPO’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

He said Alfonso drew his gun and shot it out with the operatives after he sensed that he was transacting w ith government agents during a buy-bust operation in front of a gasoline station at the corner of P. Tuazon and 18th Avenue in Quezon City at around 5 a.m. Recovered from Alfonso were a .45 caliber pistol, P1.5 million cash that was used during the buy bust and an estimated 4 kilos of shabu worth P27.2 million. Eleazar said the operation against the suspect was carried out after he had been identified as one of the sources of shabu in Metro Manila, as confirmed by information provided by other unidentified drug convicts at the Bilibid. The NCRPO director said Al-

fonso has ties with drug convicts at the national penitentiary, who may still be involved in illegal drugs trade while serving sentence on drug cases. Eleazar said they are investigating the connection between the drugs trade and convicts at the national penitentiary. Almost 2,000 prisoners, most of whom served time on drug cases, have been freed out of the Good Conduct Time Allowance, but President Duterte wanted them to surrender within his 15day deadline, or be hunted like fugitives. The law, which had freed thousands of prisoners early since 2014, should exempt prisoners convicted of heinous crime, including drugs, legislators said.

Group asks SC SM by the Bay, govt steer environmental consciousness on Intl Coastal Cleanup Day to allow jailed

OFW to testify vs recruiters

M by the Bay and SM Mall of Asia, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), International Coastal Cleanup Philippines, Pasay City local government and City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Philippine Coast Guard, and SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., are set to hold the global celebration of the 34th International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day on September 21 to spread awareness in keeping the coastline clean for generations to come. To be held at the Central Park of the bay area, inside the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, the ICC is one of the biggest events of SM by the Bay, to support its advocacy in caring for the environment. This year’s coastal cleanup is expected to encourage thousands of volunteers to participate and show their concern for the environment in cleaning the coastal stretch of the SM by the Bay. Through the years, participants have come from different sectors of the society, including students, firemen, policemen, teachers, athletes, SM employees and many more. Paired volunteers will be assigned to different stations wherein one will serve as the collector and other, the tabulator. Data collected will then be forwarded to Ocean Conservancy for final tabulation. The coastal cleanup supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, which aims to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution, and safeguard them from all kinds of harmful landbased activities. In fact, the 2019 ICC Philippines poster includes a turtle entangled

FILE photo from the 2018 International Coastal Cleanup activity at SM by the Bay

in fishing net, which was inspired from an event last August 10, 2019, where a green sea turtle was rescued near the coast of Manila Bay. That image serves as a reminder on the damaging effects if our activities are left unchecked and coasts remained unkempt. “Each year, tons of garbage wind up in the oceans, with 60 percent being composed of plastic material. These are very hazardous to marine life. Now more than ever, the effects of climate change are seen and felt everywhere. We only have one Earth; let’s get involved in putting an end to marine pollution for future generations,” said Perkin So, senior assistant vice president of SM Mall of Asia, who will lead the hundreds of SM volunteers for the cleanup. Since 2015, SM By the Bay’s regular coastal cleanup initiative has already collected 682,000 kilograms of garbage, in more than 5,000 trash bags, and supported by close to 9,000 volunteers. SM Cares is the CSR arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. Other

environment and sustainability programs of SM include SM by the Bay’s quarterly cleanup drive; Solar panel rooftop installations which promote the use of clean energy; Water recycling treatment for all malls wherein all recycled water is used back for non-potable and industrial needs; the Automated Weather Stations; the monthly Trash-to-Cash Recycling Market; and the Green Film Festival, to name a few. As a responsible member of the community, SM ensures that its CSR programs serve as a catalyst for positive change in the communities that it supports. To know more about SM Cares, you may visit www. smcares.com.ph, www.facebook.com/ OfficialSMCares, or send an e-mail to smcares@smsupermalls.com. Interested volunteers may register at https://bit.ly/2YxuWyT. To know more about the International Coastal Cleanup, you m ay visit w w w.facebook .com / SMbytheBAY, send an e-mail to the smbythebay@gmail.com, or contact (02) 556-0364.

MIGRANT workers group is hoping that the Supreme Court will allow detained overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso to present her testimony in the cases filed against her recruiters through a written deposition. In a news statement issued on Friday, Migrante International said it is asking the High Court to uphold the right of Veloso to give her testimony. “As a victim of human trafficking, it is incumbent that Mary Jane Veloso be allowed to participate in the legal process as it is the only way for the judicial authorities to accord her the chance to see that perpetrators are brought to justice,” the group said. “It is the major function of the criminal justice system to ensure that victims like Mary Jane Veloso obtain redress through judicial procedures,” it added. On September 26, the Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court (RTC) will conduct its last hearing on the presentation of prosecution witnesses in the cases for human trafficking, illegal recruitment and estafa filed against the OFW’s recruiters, Ma. Cristina P. Sergio and Julius Lacanilao. “Languishing in prison for almost a decade, Mary Jane Veloso is currently being made to pay for a crime she did not commit,” the group said. “Worst, vital testimony against a big international drug trafficking syndicate remains unheard by entities in our very own criminal justice system following the Court of Appeals decision to deny Mary Jane Veloso of her appeal to testify against her traffickers in the only mode allowed by Indonesian authorities,” the Migrante International added. Veloso was arrested in Indonesia after her luggage was found carrying 2.6 kilograms of heroin in 2010. PNA

A4 Monday, September 16, 2019 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

₧200B lost every year to unabated smuggling at the ports—lawmaker

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

@joveemarie

PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Sunday urged the Duterte administration to look into the possible collusion between officials of Bureau of Customs (BOC) and large steel makers, saying lost tax revenues rooted on corruption could be enough to fund the country’s social services and infrastructure projects. “Instead of introducing new tax reforms to raise revenue for the government’s social services and infrastructure programs, the government should be looking into

the issue of smuggling at BOC, especially steel,” Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said. New tax measures approved recently by the House, the lawmaker

added, are not needed if the revenue-collecting agency collects the right amount. “The huge amount of tax revenues the government is losing due to this malpractice could be used to fund infrastructure projects under the President’s ‘Build, Build, Build‘ ”programs, particularly those that are intended to alleviate the country’s transportation system to ease the commuters’ daily burden,” said Atienza. Also, the lawmaker said “the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act was passed in 2015 but… [the] pre-inspection provision specified in Section 440—that container vans should be inspected at their ports of origin” is yet to be implemented. Atienza earlier questioned the rejection by BOC of the pre-shipment inspection of all cargo vans coming into the country.

“Obviously, the government— the BOC and the DOF [Department of Finance]—don’t want to know what is inside the container vans. They are merely dependent on the declaration of importers. Industry analysts say that a minimum of P200 billion is lost every year due to unabated smuggling,” he said. “They should be cleared at the port of origin before shipment. When the Duterte administration came in, we expected that it would be implemented, but until now, nothing has changed. Obviously, the DOF is not keen on its implementation,” added Atienza during the budget plenary deliberation of the DOF. Earlier, Dante Jimenez, chairman of Presidential Anti-Corr upt ion Com m i ssion ( PACC ) confirmed that they are investigating the possibility that the

importation documents submitted by big steel manufacturers bear signs of import “misdeclaration” that raises the possibility of smuggling. Jimenez said that the PACC is probing into the real declared value of the imported billets over the past 10 years because during those times the steelmakers declared lower amount of taxes. The PACC said imported steel billets from several countries displayed big discrepancies in terms of size, description and volume, showing clear misdeclaration, and, thus, improper taxes paid. The PACC said it is preparing tax evasion cases against a leading steel manufacturer and some BOC officials by virtue of the huge numbers of lost revenues that should have gone to the government.

Bill seeks to lift bid restriction on locally funded infra projects By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

EN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian wants to champion greater competition on locally funded government public works projects by amending restriction’s in the country’s 78-year-old law.

Gatchalian, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs, recently filed Senate Bill 1009 (SB 1009) to amend the already antiquated Commonwealth Act 541 (CA 541), or “An Act to Regulate the Awarding of Contracts for Construction or Repair of Public Works.”

The senator said amending CA 541 has long been overdue and very much needed at this time given the government’s current thrust on infrastructure development via the “Build, Build, Build” program. “For 78 years, such domestic preference policy has confined competition in the construction

industry within our territorial boundaries and has discriminated in favor of domestic businesses with substantial market power and political influence,” Gatchalian said “In this light, this bill seeks to provide a more level playing field and extend equal opportunities to eligible and qualified domestic and foreign bidders to participate in the bidding by the government for public works projects,” he said. SB 1009, in a nutshell, fine-tunes the decades old law to ease restrictions that prohibits foreign contractors from bidding on locally funded public works projects. The bill amends Section 1 of CA 541 to state that it is now the policy of the state “to extend equal opportunities to eligible and qualified bidders to public works projects of the government, and to attract domestic and foreign investments in the construction industry to improve market dynamism, encourage innovation and reward good performance. In pushing for the amendment, Gatchalian contends that domestic businesses with substantial market power and political influence have been benefiting from a restrictive policy that confines competition in the Philippine

construction industry. The senator noted that public construction grew by only 8 percent, while private construction grew by 58 percent between 2010 and 2015 due to the lack of genuine competition in the public construction industry. “The lack of genuine competition in the public construction industry impairs public welfare as there are fewer incentives for existing domestic firms to innovate and puts at risk the delivery of reliable, safetycompliant and quality public works,” Gatchalian lamented. In pushing for the passage of the bill, the lawmaker said the measure should be considered “in the context of positioning the Philippines more competitively and attracting new investments in the construction industry to enable the government to deliver the much-needed infrastructure that would support the country’s initiatives in providing a business climate conducive to investments in the country.” “The enactment of this measure will encourage and attract foreign firms that possess the capacity to construct vital projects and are capable of sharing technical expertise with local firms to enter the Philippine construction market,” Gatchalian said.

DOLE unit puts finishing touches on referral system for mental health concerns in the workplace

REFERRAL system for workers with mental concerns will soon be in place, as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) nears the completion of a new set of guidelines on the workplace in compliance with the provisions of the Republic Act (RA) 11036, or the Mental Health Act (MHA). In a text message, Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) Director Ma. Teresita Cucueco told the BusinessMirror that his office is now just getting inputs from labor stakeholders on the draft before it is finalized. “We already have the draft that we are presenting to the TIPC [Tripartite Industrial Peace Council],” Cucueco said. Labor Assistant Secretar y Benjo Benavidez said the initial draft of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) will contain a referral mechanism for workers with mental concerns. “Companies usually have no facility to rehabilitate or to cure mental [illness]. So they should

have a mechanism for referral,” Benavidez told the BusinessMirror in an interview. He also said the guidelines will contain provision to include mental health in the mandate of safety and health committee of each firm. “They will be tasked to promote mental health awareness, education, and information dissemination,” Benavidez said. He said companies should also ensure that mental illness would not lead to the discrimination of any worker and affect his or her employment and promotion. The IRR of 11036 took effect earlier this year, which aims to provide the assignment of each government agency on its implementation. DOLE and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) were tasked to craft the “evidence-based mental health programs” for the workplace in the private and public sector, respectively. Both government agencies have six months after the effectivity of the IRR to release their respective guidelines. Samuel P. Medenilla

IP applications jumped 11.26% from January to June–IPOPHL By Elijah Felice E. Rosales @alyasjah

HE government’s aggressive efforts to entice the registration of more intellectual property (IP) assets are paying off, as filings for trademark, patent, utility model and industrial design increased over 11 percent in the first half. Applications for registration of IP assets from January to June jumped 11.26 percent to 22,952, from 20,628 during the same period last year, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines reported over the weekend. IPOPHL Director General Josephine R. Santiago said this can be attributed to programs and projects intended to promote IP protection nationwide. According to Santiago, these efforts include IP education and awareness campaigns; capacity building of partner universities and research institutions; expansion of IPOPHL satellite offices to the regions; and extension of the trademark incentive program for micro, small and medium enterprises. “These figures reflect the success of our continuing efforts at the IPOPHL. With a widened and deepened understanding of IP, society is now appreciating the IP system more than ever,” the IPOPHL chief said. In spite of increased filings in the first half, Santiago said, it is better to await year-end figures to get a picture of how well the IPOPHL performed the whole 12 months. This way, she said, the office can assess with a broader look how certain government strategies and policies affect the utilization of the IP system on the ground. She added applications for IP domain do not show trends in a certain period within a year. By domain, trademark accounted for four of every five filings in the first half, as applications for this reached 18,964, or 82.62 percent of the total. A trademark is a signifier— a word, group of words, sign, symbol, logo or a combination thereof—that identifies and differentiates the source of a product or service from competitors. Getting a trademark is said to provide competitive edge to a business. On the other hand, filings for patent rose to 1,991 in the first half, of which most were asked by firms engaged in pharmaceuticals, organic fine chemistry and biotechnology. A patent is an exclusive right granted for a certain period for an invention applied to a product or a process, or an improvement of a product or a process that is new, innovative and useful. By country of origin, most of the patent applications were lodged by the United States, Japan and China, accounting for 24 percent, 20 percent and 13 percent, respectively. Further, filings for utility model increased to 1,173 and for industrial design to 824, reflecting a general growth in these domains in the Januaryto-June period. Copyright applications also jumped to 990 in an indication that the countr y’s creative economy is growing. Copyright is a bundle of exclusive rights extended to an owner of an original work in the literary, scientific and artistic fields.

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Editor: Jennifer A. Ng • Monday, September 16, 2019 A5

‘Raisers dumping dead pigs in creeks face jail time’

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario & Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco | Correspondent

he Department of Agriculture (DA) and the local government of Marikina City warned hog raisers dumping dead pigs in creeks, rivers and other public places that they face jail time.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the improper disposal of dead pigs is punishable under Republic Act 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act, and RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act. “The irresponsible dumping of dead pigs simply adds scare to the public, and this should not be tolerated. The perpetrators must be punished in accordance with the law,” Dar said in a statement. The DA chief also said raisers have maltreated animals by throwing the dead pigs in the Marikina River and a creek in Quezon City. Those found guilty of violating RA 8485 face imprisonment of not less than six months, or a fine of not less than P1,000, but not more than P5,000. Further, the DA said the act of dumping animals in the river violates RA 9003 which is punishable with a fine of not less than P300, but not more than P1,000.

Violators may also be required to render community service for not less than a day to not more than 15 days. Dar said sickly animals deserve proper care and adequate treatment. Should they eventually die, there are strict protocols on the disposal of the dead animals. “It was utterly irresponsible on the part of the backyard raisers, as they did not only violate current laws, but their misdeed also spread the disease pathogens much faster,” he said. Dar appealed to hog raisers to report sick and dead pigs to their respective municipal or city veterinarians instead of just dumping dead animals in waterways and other public spaces. The veterinarians will coordinate with the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry to determine the cause of sickness or death. DA Spokesman Noel O. Reyes earlier told the BusinessMirror

that the agency has yet to determine whether the dead hogs were infected by the African swine fever (ASF) virus. If it were true, Reyes said throwing the dead animals in a creek was simply “irresponsible.” He reminded the public that there are protocols for the disposal of the dead pigs. Reyes said it usually takes two weeks for the results from the national laboratory to arrive while the international testing, conducted by the United Kingdom-based Pirbright Institute will take longer. The discovery of the dead animals in a Quezon City creek and in Marikina River came days after the DA announced that ASF killed hogs in Bulacan and Rizal.

‘Pollutants’

Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro on Sunday said civil and criminal cases await those people responsible for improperly dumping dead pigs in Marikina River last week. Teodoro also said he has given the DA a lead about the source of the 56 pig carcasses found floating in the river. “I already gave lead information for the possible place or location, material information that could possibly point to the source,” said Teodoro. He said the city government is “serious” in filing cases against those who will be found violating the Clean Water Act and the sanitation law. “Violators are civilly liable and criminally accountable. [The

Biosecurity measures

Bloomberg

disposal of dead animals in the river] can be considered as illegal dumping of pollutant,” Teodoro said. According to the mayor, the Chapter 5 of the Civil Liability Section 27 strictly prohibits discharging, depositing or causing to be deposited material of any kind directly or indirectly into the water bodies or along the margins of any surface water, where, the same shall be liable to be washed into such surface water, either by tide action or by storm, floods or otherwise, which could cause water pollution or impede natural flow in the water body. “I discovered that anything which alters the water’s condition, that is considered pollution,” the mayor noted.

As the city government awaits the results of the test on the water quality of the Marikina River, Teodoro said fishing, swimming and any other water-related activities are still prohibited. Teodoro also said the local government of Marikina continuously monitors and inspects pork products being sold in the city to ensure that all meats are safe to eat. Since Thursday, 56 pig carcasses were retrieved in the Marikina River. The Marikina City Veterinary Services Office immediately buried the dead animals, per the advice of the DA. They were buried 10 feet under the ground to ensure that possible diseases brought by carcasses will not spread.

The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) urged the DA and local government units to intensify the implementation of protocol in disposing of dead hogs. This as some of the dead hogs suspected of having been infected by ASF have been found floating in the Marikina River. “Offenders should be prosecuted as this is apparently a violation of certain memorandum act of DA regarding the disposal of dead hogs,” said PCAFI President Danilo V. Fausto in a statement. “Stricter implementation of biosecurity procedures should be observed.” At the same time, Fausto said the government must also step up its information campaign to allay fears that the consumption of pork will adversely affect human health. Edwin Chen, president of PCAFI member Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, said backyard hog raisers should be advised to observe the proper disposal of dead hogs. “If the farm is in the backyard, the hogs [affected by the disease] should be culled first then buried immediately outside the farm at a depth [that may not be disturbed by other animals]. Depending on the number, it should be within a certain depth, maybe 2 meters if there are only a few.” “In commercial farms or in a locality, DA people have designated areas for burying these. The site should not be near a waterway or a creek,” he added.

A4 Monday, September 16, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso A6

The World BusinessMirror

Half of Saudi Arabia oil supply knocked out by drone attacks D

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US ‘ready’ to deploy resources from reserves

IN this image made from a video broadcast on the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya satellite news channel on Saturday, September 14, 2019, a man walks through a parking lot as the smoke from a fire at the Abqaiq oil processing facility can be seen behind him in Buqayq, Saudi Arabia. Drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the world’s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and another major oil field on Saturday, sparking huge fires at a vulnerable chokepoint for global energy supplies. AL-ARABIYA VIA AP

UBAI, United Arab Emirates— Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched drone attacks on the world’s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and a major oil field Saturday, sparking huge fires and halting about half of the supplies from the world’s largest exporter of oil. The attacks were the latest of many drone assaults on the kingdom’s oil infrastructure in recent weeks, but easily the most damaging. They raise concerns about the global oil supply and likely will further increase tensions across the Persian Gulf amid an escalating crisis between the US and Iran over its unraveling nuclear deal with world powers. The attacks resulted in “the temporary suspension of production operations” at the Abqaiq oil processing facility and the Khurais oil field, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said in a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. The fires “were controlled,” the statement said, and no workers were injured. The fires led to the interruption of an estimated 5.7 million barrels in crude supplies, according to the statement, which said part of that would be offset with stockpiles. The statement said Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, would provide updated in-

formation in the next 48 hours. The Iranian-backed Houthis, who hold Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other territory in the Arab world’s poorest country, took responsibility for the attacks in the war against a Saudi-led coalition that has fought, since 2015, to reinstate the internationally recognized Yemeni government. But the US blamed Iran, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeting, “There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.” “Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply,” Pompeo added. In a short address aired by the Houthi’s Al-Masirah satellite news channel, military Spokesman Yahia Sarie said the rebels launched 10 drones after receiving “intelligence” support from those inside the kingdom. He warned that attacks by the rebels would only get worse if the war continues. “The only option for the Saudi government is to stop attacking us,” Sarie said.

Houthi rebels have been using drones in combat since the start of the Saudi-led war. The first appeared to be off-the-shelf, hobby-kit-style drones. Later, versions nearly identical to Iranian models turned up. Iran denies supplying the Houthis with weapons, although the UN, the West and Gulf Arab nations say Tehran does. UN investigators said the Houthis’ new UAV-X drone likely has a range of up to 1,500 kilometers (930 miles). That puts the far reaches of both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in range. First word of Saturday’s assault came in online videos of giant fires at the Abqaiq facility, some 330 kilometers (205 miles) northeast of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Machine-gun fire could be heard in several clips alongside the day’s first Muslim call to prayers, suggesting security forces tried to bring down the drones just before dawn. In daylight, Saudi state television aired a segment with its local correspondent near a police checkpoint, a thick plume of smoke visible behind him. President Donald J. Trump called Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to offer his support for the kingdom’s defense, the White House said. The crown prince assured Trump that Saudi Arabia is “willing and able to confront and deal with this terrorist aggression,” according to a news release from the Saudi Embassy in Washington. Saudi Aramco describes its Abqaiq oil processing facility in Buqayq as “the largest crude oil stabilization

plant in the world.” The facility processes sour crude oil into sweet crude, then transports it onto transshipment points on the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea or to refineries for local production. Estimates suggest it can process up to 7 million barrels of crude oil a day. By comparison, Saudi Arabia produced 9.65 million barrels of crude oil a day in July. “This is one of the biggest central processing facilities in the world. The Iran conflict is going to be hitting the world in a new way,” said Kevin Book, managing director, research at ClearView Energy Partners Llc. The Khurais oil field is believed to produce over 1 million barrels of crude oil a day. It has estimated reserves of over 20 billion barrels of oil, according to Aramco. There was no immediate impact on global oil prices as markets were closed for the weekend. Benchmark Brent crude had been trading at just above $60 a barrel. While Saudi Arabia has taken steps to protect itself and its oil infrastructure, analysts had warned that Abqaiq remained vulnerable. The Rapidan Energy Group, a Washington-based advisory group, warned in May “a successful attack could lead to a months-long disruption of most Saudi production and nearly all spare production.” It called Abqaiq, close to the eastern Saudi city of Dammam, “the most important oil facility in the world.” In a report published Saturday, Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, noted that although Aramco officials have indicated that exports will resume in the next few days, “there is nothing to suggest that this is a one-off event and that the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels will forgo further strikes on Saudi sites.” The war has become the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. The violence has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine and killed more than 90,000 people since 2015, according to the US-based Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, or Acled, which tracks the conflict. The rebels have flown drones into the radar arrays of Saudi Arabia’s Patriot missile batteries, according to Conflict Armament Research, disabling them and allowing the Houthis to fire ballistic missiles into the kingdom unchallenged. The Houthis launched drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s crucial EastWest Pipeline in May. In August, Houthi drones struck Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah oil field. AP

Over 2,000 fetal remains found at ex-abortion doctor’s home

OLIET, Illinois—More than 2,000 medically preserved fetal remains have been found at the Illinois home of a former Indiana abortion clinic doctor who died last week, authorities said. The Will County Sheriff ’s Office said in a news release late Friday that an attorney for Dr. Ulrich Klopfer’s family contacted the coroner’s office Thursday about possible fetal remains being found at the home in an unincorporated part of Will County in northeastern Illinois. The sheriff ’s office said authorities found 2,246 preserved fetal remains but there’s no evidence medical procedures were performed at the home.

THIS September 2014 photo shows Ulrich Klopfer. More than 2,200 medically preserved fetal remains have been found at the Illinois home of the former Indiana abortion clinic doctor who died last week. SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE VIA AP

The coroner’s office took possession of the remains. An investigation is under way. A message left Saturday seeking additional comment on the discovery was not returned by the Will County Sheriff’s Office investigations department. Klopfer, who died September 3, was a longtime doctor at an abortion clinic in South Bend, Indiana. It closed after the state revoked the clinic’s license in 2015. The Indiana State Department of Health had previously issued complaints against the clinic, accusing it of lacking a registry of patients, policies regarding medical abortion and a governing body to determine policies. AP

UBAI, United Arab Emirates—The US Energy Department says the US “stands ready to deploy resources from the Strategic Petroleum Oil Reserves if necessary to offset any disruptions to oil markets” in the wake of a drone attack in Saudi Arabia on the world’s largest oil processing facility. In a statement on Saturday night, the department said Energy Secretary Rick Perry has also directed department leadership to work with the International Energy Agency on potential available options for collective global action if needed. Nations of the 30-member IEA seek to respond to disruptions in the oil supply and advocate for energy policy. The US strategic oil reserves holds 630 million barrels. Huge fires erupted Saturday after Yemen’s Houthi rebels used drones to attack the Abqaiq oil processing facility and the Khurais oil field. Saudi officials say production opera-

Malaysia to fight smog with cloud seeding

ALAYSIA plans to carry out cloud seeding in central Selangor state and parts of the peninsular to fight the haze sweeping the region, The Star newspaper reported, citing government Deputy Minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis. Indonesian authorities are investigating four companies, including palm oil producers, over fires on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. As many as 42 properties have been sealed off, the Antara news agency reported. Singapore and Malaysia have been plagued for decades by periodic haze caused by clouds of ash from fires in neighboring Indonesia, with pollution levels at hazardous levels causing deaths and respiratory illnesses. Stinging smoke from illegal burning to clear land for palm oil and paper plantations has prompted school closures and disrupted travel in the region, and even forced Indonesians to flee their homes.

Schools shut

MORE than 300 schools in Malaysia’s southern state of Johor will be closed Sunday after the Air Pollutant Index hit very unhealthy levels, The Star reports. Johor’s weekend is Friday and Saturday with Sunday being a normal workday.

Hot spots in Indonesia

MORE than 4,000 hot spots were detected in the central and western parts of Indonesia as of Saturday as authorities deployed thousands of people to fight the fires that are contributing to the haze.

Planters Cooperate

MALAYSIAN plantation company

US fines Japan Airlines over long flight delays W A SHINGTON—T he US government is fining Japan Airlines $300,000 for delays that trapped passengers on two

grounded planes for hours. Under an agreement with the Transportation Department, the airline gets credit for $60,000 spent compensat-

ing passengers, and $120,000 will be waived if the airline avoids similar incidents for one year. The department says that after bad weather forced a January

4 flight from Tokyo to New York to land in Chicago, airline staff needed to help passengers off the plane didn’t show up for more than four hours.

tions at the sites have been temporarily suspended. Saudi Arabia’s energy minister has confirmed that attacks on its oil facilities Saturday knocked out about 50 percent of the country’s production and said it will make up for some of the loss with oil stocks. In a statement released by the Saudi Press Agency, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman says explosions at Saudi Aramco’s Khurais and Abqaiq plants caused several fires that were controlled, but there were no injuries. The minister says that according to preliminary estimates, 5.7 million barrels a day of oil production were lost, and the supply of ethane and natural gas also was cut by about half. He says Aramco will provide updated information within 48 hours of restoring full production. Prince Abdulaziz says the attacks were aimed not only at Saudi Arabia, but also at the world’s oil supply and its security. AP

On May 15, a Tokyo-New York flight diverted to Dulles Airport near Washington, where passengers were stuck on board for five hours because

Kuala Lumpur Kepong will cooperate with Indonesian authorities in the investigation into forest fires on land owned by a subsidiary, PT Adei Plantation and Industry, according to report from Bernama on Saturday.

Stranded travelers

THE haze caused by the fires has also disrupted dozens of Lion Air Group flights in recent days, with the airline having to delay or cancel services. More than 1,000 travelers were left stranded at an airport in the state of Perak on Friday as flights were canceled due to the worsening haze, The Star reported on Saturday. Five flights by Singapore Air’s budget unit Scoot, AirAsia and Malindo were affected by the cancellations, the paper said.

Face masks for Thai tourists

LOCAL authorities in the Thai district of Hat Yai, under the Songkhla province, are handing out face masks to residents and tourists, according to the Bangkok Post on Friday. The environmental office in Songkhla province reported a haze reading of PM2.5 at 54 micrograms per cubic meter of air, exceeding the safe threshold set at 50 in Thailand.

Help offered

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad wrote a letter to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, offering help to put out the forest fires. Singapore’s Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources said the country has offered technical firefighting assistance to Indonesia and is prepared to deploy them if requested. Bloomberg News

of refueling and crew members reaching the end of their shift. The airline blamed the delays on weather-related airport congestion. AP

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Regional Office No. IV-A 4th Flr. Andenson Bldg. II, Brgy. Parian, Calamba City Telefax No.: (049) 545-7362 September 16, 2019

NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP) Notice is hereby given that the following employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s. Name and Address of Company/Employer

Name and Citizenship of Foreign National

Monday, September 16, 2019 A7

Position and Brief Description of Functions

YU SAN WIRE AND CABLE INC. FCIE Complex, Langkaan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite

MR. ZHONGXING HUANG / Chinese

YU SAN WIRE AND CABLE INC. FCIE Complex, Langkaan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite

MR. WEIXING YANG / Chinese

YU SAN WIRE AND CABLE INC. FCIE Complex, Langkaan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite

MR. CHENG-HUNG WU / Taiwanese

YU SAN WIRE AND CABLE INC. FCIE Complex, Langkaan, Dasmariñas City, Cavite

MR. XIAOQUAN JING / Chinese

PEARL ENERGY PHILIPPINES OPERATING, INC. Cagsiay I, Mauban, Quezon

MR. CHAOWAT TEKHUAD / Thai

Predictive Maintenance Specialist

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. QIANG TU / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

PEARL ENERGY PHILIPPINES OPERATING, INC. Cagsiay I, Mauban, Quezon

MR. THANAPONG PATPITAK / Thai

Performance and Optimization Specialist

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. GUOFENG SUN / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

IBIDEN PHILIPPINES, INC. FPIP, Sta. Anastacia, Santo Tomas, Batangas

MR. MASAHIRO ZAMMA / Japanese

Engineering Section Manager

MR. LIANG CHEN/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

HOKUSHIN PHILIPPINES CORPORATION Laguna Technopark, Biñan City, Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. IWAO TANIGUCHI / Japanese

Position(s): Sales General Manager Nationality

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YUEXUE LI / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

PROVISION GLOVES APPAREL INC. MR. DAJUN HU / Brgy. Makiling, Calamba City, Chinese Laguna

MR. RONGXIONG LUO / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

PROVISION GLOVES APPAREL INC. MR. SHANGJI ZHU / Brgy. Makiling, Calamba City, Chinese Laguna

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XIUBING CUI / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. QINGLIN TAN / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YAOYU ZHAO / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

Office Assistant

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. QIANG JIN / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

Sales and Marketing Manager

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LEI JIN / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHAO LE / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. QIHAI WU / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. BEI CHEN / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

FIRST FOSECA PH INC Brgy. Batino, Calamba City, Laguna

MS. YEJIN PARK / Korean

TECNIMONT PHILIPPINES INC. Simlong , Batangas City, Batangas

MR. SREEKUMAR PARAMESWARAN PILLAI / Indian

MTEC WATER TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. LISP 1, Brgy. Diezmo, Cabuyao, Laguna

MR. YASUHIRO MINOO / Japanese

DAEHAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY, INC. Rd. 20, Siwang, San Juan, Taytay, Rizal

MR. JOOHYUK LIM / Korean

PIPE AND STEEL PHILIPPINES INC. Hi-way President Jose P. Laurel Soro-soro Karsada, Batangas City, Batangas

MR. SADAO KASHIHARA / Japanese

Sales General Manager

SUZUKI PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED CIP I, Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna

MR. AKIHIRO WATANABE / Japanese

Sr. Parts Inspection Supervisor Nationality

SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS PHILIPPINES CORPORATION CPIP, Brgy. Batino, Calamba City, Laguna

MS. ELISABETH KANG / Korean

NIDEC PHILIPPINES CORPORATION SEZ, Laguna Technopark, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. TAKUMI KIMURA / Japanese

MKP, INC. CEZ, Rosario, Cavite

MR. YUSUKE KONNO / Japanese

Machine Technician

Supermarket Consultant

Production Consultant

Manager Assistant Senior Manager of Quality Assurance Department

EDS MANUFACTURING, INC. Anabu II, Imus, Cavite

MR. NOBUYOSHI YAMAMOTO/ Japanese

PHILIPPINES DONG YUN PLATE MAKING CORPORATION Brgy. Punta, Calamba City, Laguna

MR. PENGFEI YUE / Chinese

8A SUPPLY SOLUTION INCORPORATED Brgy. Calubcob, Naic, Cavite

MS. YANZHEN CHEN / Chinese

FONG SHANN PRINTING PHILIPPINES INC. LTC, Lipa City, Batangas

MS. YA-TING CHOU / Taiwanese

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XUEFENG ZHANG / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. CUI ZENG / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. LAW YING YING / Malaysian

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. YANG CHEN / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. SHA KUANG / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. XIANGBIN LYU / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. MIAO JU / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. ZHANJIE LI / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JIAQI YANG / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. SHUQING ZOU / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LIJUN QU / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. SHILI RAN / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MS. XIAFEI GUO / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. HE ZHANG / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. LEILEI FENG / Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

SMART WIN TECHNOLOGY, INC. 4-12F Southwoods Tower 2, Biñan City, Laguna

MR. JUNWEI FAN/ Chinese

Customer Service Representative (Chinese)

Finance Head

General Manager Site Specialist & Site Manager

Technical Adviser

Department Head for Korean Language

HRD Interpreter

Manager-Engineering Division

Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at the DOLE Regional Office within 30 days from the date of publication. Please inform the DOLE Regional Office if you have an information of any criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

HENRY JOHN S. JALBUENA Regional Director

To avail of free job referral, placement, and employment guidance services, visit the nearest Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) or log on at http://www.philjobnet.gov.ph AEP20191007211

Green Monday BusinessMirror

A8 Monday, September 16, 2019

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

$1.8 trillion in investment by 2030 in five categories, including weather warning systems and water management, would yield $7.1 trillion in benefits

The massive cost of not adapting to climate change

lowing the planetary march toward climate catastrophe— and the multitrillion-dollar investment required to do it—has become a central issue of global and national debate.

But there’s the equally expensive matter of dealing with the here and now: From historic wildfires to unprecedented hurricanes, global warming has reshaped the lives of millions, with increasingly tragic consequences. While humans must pay to end the burning of fossil fuels, they must also pay to change how they live, invest and build in a climate-changed world. Last week, an international commission of government and private-sector officials told countries and corporations that they have 15 months to jump-start reforms aimed at adapting to that changing environment. In 2020, the five-year anniversary of the Paris climate accord, signatories are scheduled to update their national commitments to the United Nations pact. The Global Commission on Adaptation was formed to help ensure that social and economic systems are hardened to withstand the consequences of climate change. But it was also given the job of publicizing the financial and economic incentives in doing so, namely that there are trillions of dollars to be saved. In a new report, the 34-member group, led by Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Chief Executive Officer K ristalina Georgieva,

concluded that $1.8 trillion in investment by 2030 concentrated in five categories—weather warning systems, infrastructure, dry-land farming, mangrove protection and water management—would yield $7.1 trillion in benefits. Chief among them are avoiding the costs of waiting too long. Since the 19th centur y, the world has warmed about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 Fahrenheit). The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change set an aspirational upper bound to humandriven global heating of 2˚C, with ambition toward limiting it to 1.5˚. Four years later, most experts predict global heating will exceed both thresholds. “Every tenth of a degree rise in temperature matters as impacts scale quickly, even exponentially,” the authors write. “At higher temperature increases, such as 3 degrees to 4 degrees Celsius, it becomes almost certain that we will cross tipping points, or irreversible changes in ecosystems or climate patterns, which will limit our ability to adapt.” The commission’s proposals address many categories of climate risk, and how different geographic regions will be individually affected. It calls for relatively low-budget improvements, such as early warning systems for storms, to larger scale construction projects.

A toilet stands amid the rubble of what was once a home after it was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian last week in Pelican Point, Grand Bahama, Bahamas. The toll from the storm in the Bahamas stood at 44 last week but officials have warned that the number of deaths is likely to rise. AP/Ramon Espinosa

For example, disseminating reliable storm information just one day in advance can cut resulting damage by 30 percent, according to the report; an investment of $800 million might avoid up to $16 billion in annual costs. Meanwhile, initiatives such as providing small farms with drought-resistant seeds have already increased yields in vulnerable nations like Zimbabwe. And in urban centers such as London, climate-friendly infrastructure has led to enormous economic growth. The primary job of London’s Thames Barrier is to protect 1.3 million people from flooding, the report noted. Without its construction, flood risk would have prevented investments that allowed Canary Wharf to flourish. “Governments and businesses need to radically rethink how they make decisions,” Ban Kimoon said at a press conference last week. “We need a revolution in understanding, planning and financing that makes climate risk visible.”

Critical to the 15-month window between now and next year’s UN talks is what the report calls a “year of action.” It plans to set up pilot adaptation projects to demonstrate how “de-risking” infrastructure plans will both help avert losses and contribute to revenue generation, said Shemara Wikramanayake, a commission member, managing director and CEO of Australian financial services giant Macquarie Group. “Investment is required in adaptation, given that climate change is on us,” Wikramanayake said. “What we’re keen to do is now use that awareness-building to move on to the next step, which is developing solutions to address the challenges.” Ginning up projects and financing with official institutions is a crucial goal over the next year, she said, adding that “then we can catalyze greater private investment.” The new report is meant to bring urgency to incorporating climate risk into virtually everything governments and companies do.

WWF-Philippines launches ‘No Plastics in Nature’ initiative R

In the Paris accord, each country submitted “nationally determined contributions” stating the cuts they’re willing to make in greenhouse gas emissions, largely through carbon pricing and renewable energy. Much less famously, the pact also pushed nations to set policies governing how they will adapt to changing conditions as the planet continues to warm. The adaptation commission, managed by the World Resources Institute and the Global Center on Adaptation, was created in 2018 to keep that issue on national agendas. Readying the world for a new climate reality, however, is in some ways more challenging than slowing global warming itself. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy anywhere in the world will help slow global warming. But the best way to adapt to its effects depends on where you live. “ There is no single metric, like a price on carbon for climate mitigation, that applies to all sectors and countries,” the authors write. “Many climate risks are local, so perils and prices will differ by location.” Heads of state, national agencies and private-sector leaders make up the 34 adaptation commissioners from 20 countries—including developed nations, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Denmark— and developing nations—including India, China and Uzbekistan. The US, which under President Donald J. Trump backed out of the Paris accord, isn’t represented. “Bear in mind that we the developing states are the least responsible for the causes of climate change, but we are the very first victims of it,” said Simon Stiell, minister of climate resilience in Grenada, one of the

commission’s convening nations. The commission called for a sweeping readjustment of the global economy. “Financial resources for adaptation investments will have to come in a coordinated manner from across the entire financial system,” they write. Productive examples already abound. Two Danish asset managers are working with local communities in 15 climate-sensitive countries in need of adaptation strategies, but with no access to financial services. In Fiji, a 10 -percent ta x on the wealthy, as well as major lu x u r y it e m s r a i s e d a l mo s t $120 million for clean energ y, disaster relief, reforestation, research and infrastructure in that Pacific island nation. In the US, Miami voters in November 2017 approved a $400 million “Miami Forever Bond” program that has already begun funding resilience projects. O ver t he ne x t 15 mont hs, t he comm issioners w i l l seek f u nd i n g for “a c t ion t r a c k s” t hey sa id a re necessa r y to pre pare people for a Climate Adapt at ion Su mm it in t he Net her l a nd s in October 2020 a nd t he subsequent U N negot i at ions. Among the simplest proposals are also the most potent: “Make risk visible.” Once economic actors understand challe nges more e x pl ic it ly, “t he public and private sectors can work together to more explicitly price risk in both economic and financial decision-making.” That’s the hard part, said Andrew Steer, CEO and president of World Resources Institute. “Simply assessing risk doesn’t mean that you will solve the problem,” he said. Bloomberg News

European space agency records Amazon air pollution

he first anniversary of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines’s #AyokoNgPlastik movement was highlighted by the recent launching of its “No Plastics in Nature” Initiative that seeks to stop the flow of plastic waste by 2030. The problem with plastics has been escalating for decades, where the Philippines has been identified as the world’s third-largest contributor of plastics in the ocean. Plastic pollution has always been a huge issue in the country with the continuous generation of plastic wastes and poor waste management. In 2016, global plastic production has reached 396 million metric tons (MMT), which translates to 53 kilograms of plastic per person on the planet. A third of this number has already polluted the land or waterways, and with a projected increase of 40 percent by 2030, an additional 104 MMT will leak into nature in a business-as-usual scenario. This poses harmful effects not only to the environment, but to human health, as well. It is estimated that on average, people could be swallowing approximately 5 grams of plastic every week. Recognizing the threat brought about by plastic pollution, WWF-Philippines rolled out the #AyokoNgPlastik movement last year in the hopes of addressing the issue by creating awareness among Filipinos to reduce dependence on singleuse plastics, such as straws, bags, bottles and cups, among others. This year, WWF-Philippines reinforces its campaign against unnecessary plastics by adopting the No Plastics in Nature Initiative, a global WWF approach that intends to stop the flow of plastics into nature by 2030, through the elimination of unnecessary plastics, doubling reuse, recycling and recovery, and ensuring that the remaining plastic is sourced responsibly. “With the No Plastics in Nature Initiative, we are hoping to make the Philippines free of unnecessary plastic wastes, but we cannot do this alone, we need the help of everyone. Every individual, company and institution should be mindful of the amount of plastics they produce

Businesses play a huge role in the battle against unnecessary plastic wastes. WWF-Philippines’s National Advisory Council Member Nanette Medved-Po, also the Hope in a Bottle founder and president, presents business initiatives on marine pollution. WWF-Philippines/Kim Rodriguez

and use daily, and take action accordingly, to make this goal a reality,” said Joel Palma, WWFPhilippines president and CEO. The initiative is a holistic approach consisting of four main strategies. These are lobbying for a global legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, creating Plastic Smart Cities movement for cities and tourism destinations, initiating a Plastic Action (PACT) for businesses, and #AyokoNgPlastik for the general public. The WWF network is continually pushing for a new international legally binding agreement to comprehensively address marine plastic pollution throughout the full life cycle from both production to disposal and recovery back into a circular loop. This is the network’s response to the agreement made at the recent 14th Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention in Geneva, which stresses that the developing world could no longer be a plastic dumping ground and that any trade would require the prior consent from the receiving country. Plastic Smart Cities, on the other hand, is a global movement of cities and tourism destinations that are fighting plastic pollution through improved collection, recycling, reduction of key waste plastics and landfill management.

Currently, the Philippines is working in six cities—including Davao City, Digos City, Tagum City, Manila City, Parañaque City, Island Garden City of Samal—and four municipalities, including Lupon, San Isidro, Santa Cruz and Donsol. Meanwhile, WWF-Philippines was able to partner with at least 20 businesses for the sustainable journey movement where programs to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics in their supply chain system, workplace and business operations were implemented. This program resulted in the prevention of over 1.5 million pieces of plastic waste from leaking into nature. Currently, WWF-Philippines is adopting PACT, a regional initiative on engaging businesses to take on a circular economy. Finally, WWF-Philippines’s successful #AyokoNgPlastik movement will continue to educate the general public about plastic pollution, its impacts, and how people can help in addressing it through the Facebook co m m u n i t y a n d t h e re ce nt l y l a u n c h e d “AyokoNgPlastik” micro site. Members of the movement have also demonstrated their commitment to this cause by signing the petition to support the call for a new legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution.

IO DE JANEIRO—New satellite images published last week by the European Space Agency show an increase in air pollution in the Brazilian Amazon, while fires burned in the region last month. Several maps showed more carbon monoxide and other pollutants in August than in the previous month, when there were fewer fires. The agency said fires released carbon dioxide once stored in the Amazon forests back into the atmosphere, potentially having an impact on the global climate and health. Burning continues in the Amazon despite a 60-day ban on land-clearing fires that was announced last month by President Jair Bolsonaro. Data from Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research showed the number of fires in all of Brazil has surpassed 100,000 so far this year, up 45 percent compared to the same period in 2018. Renata Libonati, a professor in the Department of Meteorology at the Rio de Janeiro Federal University, said that aside from gases,

the burning of forests also released particles into the atmosphere. Health experts say studies show that air pollution, whether it is small particles or gasses, leads to an increase in cardiovascular conditions and lung problems, especially among young children and the elderly. In Porto Velho, the capital of Brazil’s Amazon state of Rondonia, lingering smoke has reportedly caused an increase in respiratory problems. The number of people treated for respiratory issues increased sharply in August at the Cosme e Damiao Children’s hospital. But small particles can also be transported by winds in cities that are not immediately close to where the fires are taking place. “The impact of the fires goes far beyond where the forests are burning,” Libonati told The Associated Press. The lack of rain during the current dry season in the Amazon region makes things worse, she said, as rain can help stop the progress of particle pollution.

Brazil’s Health Ministry shared last week a list of recommendations for those living in areas close to the fires. It said people should “avoid staying near places where the fires are happening,” wear masks and eye protection outdoors, and favor air conditioning, especially in kindergartens, schools and hospitals. Last month, Bolsonaro sent the army to help combat the fires. A team of 11 Israeli firefighters was also deployed last week in the state of Rondonia to help state and federal forces, the defense ministry said in a statement. Meanwhile, in the Amazonian state of Para, about 250 illegal miners, known as garimpeiros, blocked a federal highway last week demanding that the government legalize mining activities, the newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported. The group, working for wildcat mines in the region, also asked for an end to on-the-ground operations by environmental protection bodies that have the authority to burn equipment allegedly belonging to illegal miners. AP

UN rights chief airs worries on climate change

ENEVA—The UN human-rights chief said last week she was, alarmed“ that migrant children are still being held in centers in the United States and Mexico, and warned that climate change has become an unprecedented threat to human rights worldwide. In her introductory address for the start of the Human Rights Council‘s latest session, Michelle Bachelet aired concerns from unlawful killings and injuries of Palestinians by Israeli security forces to India‘s actions against Kashmiris, but the rights chief, who is a former president of Chile, put her main focus on environmental concerns—calling variously for greater participation in the fight against climate change by businesses and greater space for environmental activists to express their views. “We are burning up our future—literally,” Bachelet said. “The world has never seen a threat to human rights of this scope. This is not a situation where any country, any institution,

any policy-maker can stand on the sidelines.” Alluding to a Swedish teenage climate campaigner, the human-rights chief decried, verbal attacks on young activists, such as Greta Thunberg and others.“ Looking past personal criticism against her from Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in recent days, Bachelet also reiterated her concerns about the “drastic acceleration of deforestation of the Amazon.“ “The fires currently raging across the rainforest may have catastrophic impact on humanity as a whole,” Bachelet said, “but their worst effects are suffered by the women, men and children who live in these areas, among them, many indigenous peoples.“ She urged authorities in Brazil, as well as Paraguay and Bolivia, to ensure “longstanding environmental policies” are carried out, “thus, preventing future tragedies.” Last week, Bolsonaro praised the 1973 military coup by Gen. Augusto Pinochet in Chile

that led to Bachelet‘s father‘s death a year later in captivity. Asked by The Associated Press to respond to those comments, she declined to comment. As for migrants‘ rights in Central America and on the US-border, Bachelet said she was concerned that policies by the US, Mexico and others in the region “are putting migrants at heightened risk of human rights violations and abuses.“ “Notably, I am alarmed that migrant children continue to be detained in centers in both the US and Mexico, contravening the best interests of the child, which is a fundamental tenet of international law,” she said, She said at least 35,000 asylum-seekers have been “pushed back” to Mexican border areas to wait for their hearings this year. The Trump administration pulled the United States out of the council last year, accusing it of an anti-Israel bias and denouncing some member-states that Washington says are repeat rights violators. AP

Biodiversity Monday BusinessMirror

Asean Champions of Biodiversity Media Category 2014

Monday, September 16, 2019

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

Research team: Fern can absorb arsenic and copper

n Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU)-led research team of environmental scientists has achieved a breakthrough in using plants to remove metal contaminants in the soil.

The team, led by AdMU Assistant Professor Rene Claveria, discovered that a fern could absorb copper and arsenic—two metal contaminants common in mining sites, an AdMU news release said. Pteris melanocaulon, a native fern, was initially determined as a metallophyte—a plant capable of growing in soils even when there is a high concentration of metals. “In a copper-gold mining area as study site, the fern was discovered to have an ability to accumulate copper,” said AdMU Assistant Professor Rene Claveria. “What we discovered much later is that this fern can also accumulate high levels of arsenic.” Claveria and the members of his team—Dr. Teresita Perez (Ateneo de Manila University), Dr. Dennis Apuan (University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines-Cagayan de Oro), Mary Jane Apuan (Xavier University Cagayan de Oro) and Ellaine Castillo Perez (Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines)—observed the fern’s ability to tolerate toxic levels of arsenic in mining areas in Surigao and Cebu. Dr. Augustine Doronilla, a Department of Science and Technology “Balik Scientist” from the University of Melbourne who

mentored the team, was instrumental in the discovery process. “It was Dr. Doronilla who introduced us to phytoremediation or using plants to remove and immobilize contaminants in soil and groundwater,” Claveria said. Doronilla, he said, spoke of the fern’s ability as an accumulator. In 2014, the research team found Pteris melanocaulon to be an efficient copper accumulator. Hoping to dig deeper into the plant’s tolerance to toxic compounds, Claveria and his team sought to assess the fern’s ability as an arsenic accumulator. With f unding from DOSTPhilippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development, the team was given access to field surveys and sampling, the news release said. They found that Pteris melanocaulon was able to grow in soils that were contaminated with copper and other elements, such as arsenic. These observations were confirmed on potted experiments, where different concentrations of copper and arsenic solutions were made as soil amendments. Findings show that the fern’s roots and leaves were not affected.

The research team in an open-pit mine in Surigao del Norte. (From left) Mary Jean Apuan, Ellaine Rubee Perez, Dr. Dennis Apuan, Dr. Tess Perez and Dr. Rene Claveria.

The greenhouse at Xavier University, where most of the ferns being studied were propagated and experimented on.

“It is the first type of fern discovered to accumulate copper in the roots and arsenic in the leaves,” Claveria said. Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that

sufficient, according to the organization. Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist for the organization, said EPA is phasing out the tools that lay the groundwork for protecting the public from dangers like formaldehyde and chlorpyrifos, a pesticide used on crops, animals and buildings. The EPA’s plan is a “gift” to the chemical industry that will result in a “rigged system that gives the green light to harmful chemicals,” she said. “Our concern is not with the alternative tests themselves,” Sass said. “Our concern is with how EPA is interpreting the data from them. If the tests themselves are not indicating a toxic effect, then EPA is presuming there is no toxic effect.” Prof. Aaron Bowman, head of Purdue University’s School of Health Sciences, said the overall goal of Wheeler’s plan is commendable. But added he’s worried about the “absoluteness” of setting such a specific timeline for eliminating animal testing. “The new testing methods may not capture fully all of human physiology,” Bowman said. “So animal models help us avoid missing something unexpected and dangerous.” Wheeler sidestepped a question about whether the chemical industry had pushed for EPA to cut back on tests that use animals, which can take longer and cost more than alternative methods. “I’ve not been lobbied by a single chemical company on this,” Wheeler said, adding he wasn’t aware if any chemical companies had talked to EPA staff about the initiative. “This is a longstanding issue of interest to me, personally, and that’s what brought this about.” The American Chemistry Council, an industry-lobbying group whose members include Dupont and ExxonMobil Chemical Co., said in a statement that Congress had directed the EPA in 2016 to promote new alternative test methods. New test methods “have the potential to save hundreds of animals while providing more accurate information on chemical hazards, exposures and risks,” the group said. Alluding to the plan’s 16-year time frame, Wheeler presumed Trump would be reelected, saying he intends to be EPA administrator

naturally occurs in some copper and gold mining projects and gets exposed during open-pit mining, contaminating the soil and water in the process.

Excessive levels of arsenic may cause major health complications—from skin damage to problems in the circulatory system and even cancer.

Arsenic exposure in waterways like streams and rivers may lead to contamination of the living organisms in such ecosystems. Eating fish or mollusks that are exposed to arsenic results in arsenic poisoning. The new discovery then is useful especially in helping the mining industry and the local government remove, stabilize and destroy contaminants in the soil, Claveria said. “Successful propagation of Pteris melanocaulon can clean up the entire area, making it su it able for ot her pl a nt s to grow. This can help revegetate and stabilize the land that is already affected by toxic elements," Claveria was quoted in the AdMU news release. The findings were published in international scientific journals, such as International Journal of Phytoremediation (2015) and Chemosphere (July 2019).

Pope hits misuse of Madagascar’s rich resources

E.P.A. to reduce animal use to test chemical toxicity ASHINGTON—The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is aiming to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of mammals to test the toxicity of chemicals, a move backed by animal rights groups but criticized as irresponsible by a leading environmental organization. A directive signed last week by EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said that “scientific advancements exist today” that permit the agency to better predict potential hazards to humans while reducing or avoiding animal testing. Wh e e l e r, a f o r m e r co a l i n d u s t r y lobbyist, has overseen President Donald J. Trump’s campaign to rollback Obama-era environmental regulations. His testing directive was welcomed by the chemical industry and came with the added twist of winning support from animal rights activists, who aren’t typically viewed as being aligned with the Trump administration. The plan approved by Wheeler said EPA will cut back on its requests for and spending on mammal studies by 30 percent by 2025 and eliminate all requests and funding for animal testing by 2035. He’s directing EPA’s leadership team to form a working group of agency experts to come up with a plan within six months “to ensure that the agency’s regulatory, compliance and enforcement activities, including chemical and pesticide approvals and agency research, remain fully protective of human health and the environment.” Among the options to animal testing that Wheeler mentioned are computer modeling and in vitro methods, which involves tests using human cells and tissues. “This is the science that is being realized right now and will be the science of the future that will truly protect public health and the environment,” said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society’s Legislative Fund. But the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a statement that it’s a mistake to scale back animal testing, which can help scientists discover life-saving treatments and identify chemicals harmful to people and the environment. The alternative methods mentioned by Wheeler can be useful but may not be

The copper and arsenic-accumulating fern Pteris melanocaulon thrives very well in abandoned mining areas in Surigao and Cebu.

One of Pavlov’s dogs with a saliva-catch container and tube surgically implanted in his left muzzle; Pavlov Museum, 2005. Wikimedia Commons

for the next five years. So the success of the initiative will fall to the EPA’s career staff, he said. Wheeler says the EPA also is steering $4.25 million to five universities to further research alternatives to animal testing. The schools are: Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt’s Medical Center, Oregon State University and the University of California-Riverside. Justin Goodman, vice president of advocacy and public policy at the White Coat Waste Project, said animal testing is a bad investment for taxpayers yet has become entrenched in the culture of federal agencies. He called the initiative outlined by Wheeler a “big win for taxpayers, animals and obviously the environment.” Amy Clippinger, director of the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals’ regulatory testing department, said the organization intends to collaborate with federal regulatory agencies and companies to assist in the transition to alternative test methods. “For decades, there has been a misguided reliance on cruel and scientifically flawed animal tests, and the EPA’s decision marks the beginning of the end of them,” Clippinger said. The EPA said the number of new pesticides submitted to the agency each year varies, and it estimated the number of vertebrates used annually in toxicology studies ranges from 20,000 to more than 100,000. The testing is conducted on a variety of species, including rats, mice and rabbits. The agency said testing waivers have led to savings of thousands of animals and millions of dollars over the last two years. AP

NTANANARIVO, Madagascar—Pope Francis denounced the illegal logging and exploitation of Madagascar’s unique natural resources last week as he opened a visit to the Indian Ocean nation by urging the government to fight the corruption that is ravaging the island’s ecosystem and keeping its people in “inhumane poverty.” Francis called on President Andry Rajoelina to provide Madagascar’s people with jobs and alternative sources of income so they aren’t forced to cut down trees to find fertile soil, poach the island’s wildlife and engage in contraband and illegal exportation of its diverse flora, fauna and mineral resources. “The deterioration of that biodiversity compromises the future of the country and of the Earth, ou r com mon home,” Fra nc i s warned Rajoelina and other government authorities as he began the second leg of his weeklong trip to southern Africa. Madagascar is home to 5 percent of the world’s plant and animal species, with around 95 percent of its reptiles and 89 percent of its plant life existing nowhere else on Earth, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Yet, it is also one of the world’s poorest countries, with 75 percent of its 25.5 million people living on less than $2 a day. Env ironmental groups and Transparency International have long highlighted the illegal logging of Madagascar’s rosewood forests and other endangered tree species as evidence of the rampant corruption that has made multimillionaires out of a few “rosewood barons” who have plundered the island’s northeastern forests. “Your lovely island of Madagascar is rich in plant and animal biodiversity, yet, this treasure is especially threatened by excessive deforestation, from which some

profit,” Francis said. He cited forest fires, poaching and the “unrestricted cutting down of valuable woodlands” as particular threats. More so than any pope before him, Francis has made environmental concerns a pillar of his papacy, linking global warming to the persistent exploitation of the world’s poor by the wealthy. He has also frequently called attention to the devastation wrought on the poor by corruption, often calling public officials to account on his foreign trips. Transparency International, which ranks Madagascar among the most corrupt countries, has accused local public officials of complicity or negligence in the illegal logging, mining of gold and sapphires, and the poaching of tortoises, turtles and exportation of lemurs. In his speech, Francis urged Rajoelina, who came to power on a campaign to fight corruption, to make good on his pledges. “I would encourage you to fight with strength and determination against all endemic forms of corruption and speculation that increase social disparity, and to confront the situations of great instability and exclusion that always create conditions of inhumane poverty,” he said. Francis, the world’s first pope from the global south, acknowledged that some of the island’s poor have no choice but to cut down forests to find soil or extract minerals in illegal ways that damage the environment. “So it is important to create jobs and activities that generate income, while protecting the environment and helping people to emerge from poverty,” he said. Rajoelina promised to look out for the interests of all, especially the poor. “In this place on this day, I confirm my will and my engagement

to repair and rebuild Madagascar,” he said. “I will pay attention to the weakest and the lowest. I will pay attention to justice and to equality, love and hope.” Among the groups trying to protect Madagascar’s environment is Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the humanitarian arm of the US bishops conference. The group has had a presence on Madagascar for five decades, and has focused much of its work on helping the rural poor find alternatives to cutting down trees for firewood or using slash and burn techniques to clear new land for agriculture. “We work a lot to try to prevent that and work with farmers to help them with new techniques to kind of reenergize the soil so that they could use it again,” said James Hazen, CRS country representative. Philip Boyle, British ambassador to Madagascar, estimated that 200,000 hectares of forest a year are lost in Madagascar and by some projections most of the damp, moist forest will be lost by 2040. “Unless there are measures to prevent mass deforestation and mass reforestation then possibly the most unique habitat on Earth will be lost,” he said on the sidelines of the pope’s speech. Francis met later Saturday with nuns and the island nation’s bishops before presiding over an evening vigil attended by an estimated 100,000 young people. Dancers who performed for the 82-year-old pope mobbed him on stage after the vigil ended, evidence of his rock-star popularity in a country where some 35 percent of the population is Catholic. “I’m very happy to get a chance to see the pope because I have only seen him on my phone,” said Raspanambinina, 32, who attended the vigil with her three children. “This time is very important for me and family as it’s the first time he has come here.” AP

A10 Monday, September 16, 2019 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

Oil apocalypse?

N Saturday, armed drones attacked Saudi Arabian oil facilities. Iranian backed Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed responsibility. United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for coordinated strikes on the heart of Saudi Arabia’s oil industry, saying, “They marked an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply.”

Others blamed the Saudi government for the attack, to increase the price of oil and to enhance its initial public offering (IPO) of shares of the Saudi national oil company Aramco. The initial estimate is that as much as 50 percent of the Saudi’s oil output will be off line for an undetermined amount of time. This represents about 5 percent of the global oil supply, and that is, of course, significant. Again, initial estimates are that crude oil prices could jump as much as $5 to $10 per barrel or about 10 percent to 20 percent spike. Who benefits from a massive supply disruption and an increase in oil prices? The idea that Saudi would cut production through a “false flag” attack to potentially raise the value of its IPO of Aramco is interesting. Of course, a reduction in output would hurt its oil revenues more than an increase in price. Further, that this was done to increase the value of IPO is also shaky. The IPO will constitute only 1 percent of the total shares of Aramco and is scheduled for some time before the end of 2019. But this listing will only be on a regional exchange and would not be widely available to foreign investors. Another 5 percent of the shares are scheduled to be sold sometime in 2020 or even 2021, perhaps on the Tokyo stock exchange. Blowing up its oil facilities this past weekend would probably make the Guinness Book of World Records under the “Shoot Yourself in the Foot” category. But who knows. The Houthi rebels gain a huge psychological advantage against its Saudi enemy and stick a finger in the eye of the US, which is backing the Saudis. Likewise, Iran stands to benefit from higher oil prices and puts some leverage on the US to lift sanctions against Iran to sell its oil. While higher oil prices are not in the best interest of the US economy, remember that the US is the largest exporter of oil to the world and is the only country that has the excess capacity to make up the 5 percent oil supply shortfall. Also, the US has a large oil reserve stockpile that could be released to temper price increases in the US market. At this point, no one really knows what will happen to oil prices in the long term. However, Kyodo News agency made this important analysis: “While the outage may not last long given redundancies in Saudi oil infrastructure, the attack may build in a premium to oil prices that has long been absent due to complacency.” The last thing the Philippines needs is high oil prices as we experienced in 2008 and in 2011/2013. The Philippine inflation rate has tracked the general trend of the global crude oil price since 2000, including last year after the tax increases. Like it or not, we must find a way to increase domestic crude oil production as quickly as possible. This may mean doing business with the “country-that-shall-not-be-named” on the other side of the West Philippine Sea.

The state of the world according to the UN Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II

RISING SUN

he United Nations came out with a report recently as an update on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Where are we exactly? Are we even close to our targets? How is the world doing in terms of the most important aspects at play today? If you need a reminder, the UN came out in 2015 with targets to meet by the year 2030. Here they are: No Poverty; Zero Hunger; Good Health and Well-being; Quality Education; Gender Equality; Clean Water and Sanitation; Affordable and Clean Energy; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Reduced Inequalities; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Responsible Consumption and Production; Climate Action; Life Below Water; Life on Land; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and Partnerships to achieve the Goals. According to the report, there is

progress in areas like health of the younger-than-five children, access to electricity, and countries taking action against climate change. But, needless to say, there are also many areas that are not doing so well. The UN Secretary-General calls on everyone to take “urgent collective action” on these aspects. As far as ending poverty is concerned, the world isn’t on track. The number of those living in extreme poverty is dropping, and the pace has slowed. Extreme poverty here means living with less than $1.90 a day. According to the report, more than 1 billion people have lifted

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population still has no access to important health services. As far as literacy is concerned, there is a lot of work to be done. More than half of all children and adolescents worldwide (617 million) cannot read or do math. And, 1 in every 5 children between six and 17 years old does not go to school. This problem affects their future tremendously. For example, a poor and illiterate person has a smaller chance of climbing out of poverty, jeopardizing the economic future of the nation. Remember that countries need to be able to compete in a global marketplace, and skilled human resources are one of the tools by which they can do this. Additionally, more than half of the schools in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to basic drinking water, handwashing facilities, the Internet and computers. There has been some progress as far as adult literacy is concerned, but the report shows that 750 million adults still cannot read and write a simple sentence—and two-thirds of these are women. To be continued

Eliminating child, early and forced marriages

Since 2005

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themselves out of poverty since 1990, but baseline projections show that 6 percent will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030. Related to this would be world hunger. The number of people without enough food to eat has been growing since 2014. There are more undernourished people in 2017 (821 million) than 2015 (784 million). This is being attributed to economic slowdowns, conflict, and climate-induced price hikes. Consider this fact: 22 percent of the world’s younger-than-five populations were still chronically undernourished in 2018. Most of these children are living in Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. And the ironic thing is: two-thirds of extremely poor employed workers worldwide are agricultural workers. On the bright side, health and wellness are being given more attention. The mortality rate for children below five years old fell by 49 percent in 2017 (39 deaths per 1,000 live births) compared to 2000 (77 deaths). The number of women dying at birth also dropped. These numbers don’t mean we should rest on our laurels because half of the world’s

iolence against Women and Girls is one of the most systematic and widespread human-rights violations. One of the expressions of VAWG is child, early and forced marriages (CEFM). According to the 2016 State of the World’s Population Report of UNFPA, 47,000 girls around the world are married before the age of 18 every day. In developing countries, such as the Philippines, 1 in 4 girls will be married before they are 18. In the Philippines, 15 percent of women aged 20 to 24 years old were first married or in union before 18 (NDHS 2013). This has prompted the filing of Senate Bill 162 (by Sen. Risa Hontiveros) House Bill 1486 (by Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy and Rep. Edcel Lagman) and House Bill 3899 (by Rep. Alfred Vargas).

The issue of CEFM has been addressed in numerous international conventions and agreements. For instance, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women states that “the betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect, and all necessary action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age of marriage.” The Philippines’s signing and subsequent ratification of Cedaw underlines its commitment to the country’s women and girls. A 2017 United Nations Children’s Fund report discloses that the Philippines has the 12th highest absolute number of child brides around the world, which is estimated at 726,000. Some of these brides were discovered

to have entered marriage through commercial sex and sex trafficking, as well as the infamous mail-order bride industry. The intergenerational nature of poverty exacerbates the problem of child marriage and renders it necessary for these problems to be addressed at its roots (Explanatory Note SB 162). Child marriage is an act of child abuse as it debases, degrades and demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of children under Republic Act (RA) 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, and Exploitation and Discrimination Act.” It is, likewise, considered discrimination relating to marriage and family relations sought to be eliminated by Cedaw.

The pending bills on CEFM seek to eliminate child marriage to strictly enforce Articles 2 to 5 of the Family Code providing that marriage is entered into only with the free and full consent of intending spouses who should be at least 18 years of age at the time of marriage. As defined in the pending bills: a) Children—refers to persons below 18 years of age, or those unable to fully take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition as defined by RA 7610. b) Child Abuse—refers to any act by deeds or words which debases, degrades or demeans the intrinsic worth and dignity of a child as a human being; or any circumstance which gravely threatens or endangers the life, survival, safety and normal development of children. c) Child Marriage—any marriage entered into where one or both parties are below 18 years of age or unable to fully take care or protect themselves because of a physical or mental disability or condition, solemnized in civil, church or in any recognized traditional, cultural or customary manner. d) Solemnizing Officer—any person authorized by law as defined in Article 7 of the Family Code or recognized by reason of religion, tradition, culture or customs, to solemnize marriage. e) Parents and Guardians—refer to biological parents or those legally adopting parents. Guardians refer to

relatives taking custody of the child or minor in the absence of the parents; or anyone to whom a child or minor was given or left for care or custody. f) Facilitation of child marriage—the person who caused, fixed, facilitated or arranged the child marriage shall be considered to have committed abuse of the child under RA 7610. g) Solemnization of child marriage—the person who officiated and performed the formal rites of child marriage shall be considered to have committed abuse of the child under RA 7610. Under the CEFM pending bills, the prohibited act of child marriage, its facilitation and solemnization, are considered public crimes. These acts are a grave form of child abuse and exploitation as they gravely threaten and endanger the survival and normal development of children physically, emotionally and psychologically, and can be initiated by any concerned individual. Penalties for violators include fine of P25,000 to P50,000 and/or imprisonment as provided for in RA 7610. Child Marriage is considered as void ab initio, hence, the action for annulment of child marriage does not prescribe as provided by Article 39 of the Family Code. The legal effect of Child Marriage insofar as Support, Property Relations and Custody shall be governed by Article 50-55 of the Family Code. A child-party to a child marriage shall be given protective custody. The court may, See “Kapunan,” A11

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Opinion

So where will I park?

Resign or be fired

BusinessMirror

Thomas M. Orbos

Siegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.

STREET TALK

THE PATRIOT

he present drive to clear Metro Manila roads to decongest traffic is very much understandable given that we have exceeded the road carrying capacity of our thoroughfares. Illegal parking is undoubtedly a major problem, and the government is right in addressing this head on.

oral victory is about losing the fight but actually emerging victorious since one did not surrender his principles. A person might lose a battle, confrontation or even an employment, and yet, may achieve some gain, which might be unrelated to the issue. The intangible gain is often measured internally by the person concerned or by those close to him. In the eyes of many, when he resigns or gets fired, he may be a loser or a quitter. But to him and His Creator, he is victorious for achieving not too many people can attain—a moral victory!

But the question remains: Where will all these vehicles park? It is not as if the owners of these vehicles persist on parking outside their homes. Who would want to park their valuable possession, in some cases of more worth than their abodes, outside, exposed to the elements and with the threat of theft? People park on the streets because they have nowhere else to park. But, why buy a car if you do not have ample parking? True, but let’s admit it, given the lack of mass transport, we still need to have our own vehicles to take us to our daily commute. The subway, the trains and the modern jeepneys are on their way, but people need to deal with the present. It’s a wicked problem that leads on to another problem. Let me be clear—I am not advocating illegal parking. I am fully against it. But the core of the problem needs to be addressed. We can’t keep up with doing the daily drama of celebrity YouTube enforcers, painting illegally parked vehicle owners as short of being criminals. I can understand on hitting hard the business establishments, like restaurants, who make the roads as their private parking space. Or, the barangay officers whose halls encroach on the roads. But the ordinary Filipinos? Most of them are just being citizens trying to make do to survive in this Metro jungle. We need to provide parking solutions that are long term. Solutions that will restrict road parking, as well as incentivize ample parking spaces. Sen. Win Gatchalian is in the right direction for proposing a law that requires proof of parking space before purchasing a vehicle. But may I suggest a few more: Let MMDA identify the roads— within or outside their jurisdiction, where parking can be fully allowed, partially and absolutely not allowed. And, together with the city governments, enforce it.

Kapunan. . .

continued from A10

likewise, issue a protection order to protect her from the facilitators of child marriage, which may include her parents or legal guardians. There shall be a comprehensive care and welfare program to be formulated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in coordination with other government agencies identified as duty-bearers and with the concerned CSOs and NGOs. This shall be made and initiated by the DSWD within six months from the effectivity of the law. The said program shall be culturally sensitive and shall take into account the

Let the Metro Manila Council come out with a metro-wide policy on one-side parking and have individual cities pass the required ordinance. And make it pay parking so that barangays benefit from it. Allow time-bound parking. Overnight parking is ok. Example—why not convert those basketball courts to parking spaces at night? Incentivize lot owners and entrepreneurs who would convert empty lots to parking spaces. Or establishments like malls to allow parking during off-peak hours. Provide tax incentives, low interest rates and terms from the government banks. Require commercial establishments like restaurants, etc., to provide ample parking space. Otherwise, penalize the owners who violate, not just the illegal parking violators. Allow community/subdivision carpooling. But so as not to be abused by colorum operations, let LTFRB register these as legitimate shuttle services. Encourage more schools to have pickup points where parents can bring their kids to a pooling service—maybe the mall areas, thus reducing parking congestion in school zones. Review the building development requirement of their unrealistic parking ratio to occupants. And, convert all the vacant government lots to parking spaces. I am sure there are still a lot more creative ways to deal with the parking problem. It wouldn’t work if we just keep on towing them. Until we see the mass transport solutions come to fruition, the parking problem must be met head on. Thomas Tim Orbos was former DOTr undersecretary for roads and general manager of the MMDA. He is currently undertaking further studies at the McCourt School of Public Policy of Georgetown University. He can be reached via e-mail at thomas_ orbos@sloan.mit.edu

specific needs of children of indigenous cultural communities and children in Muslim communities. A World Bank research has stated that ending CEFM by 2030 would gain $500 billion annually from lower population growth, $90 billion annually from lower under-five mortality and will save 5 percent of governments’ budget for education. Moreover, a Unicef study (2016) shows that girls who are victims of CEFM will most likely drop out of school and lose the chance to be educated and gain skills and knowledge, which will help them gain a good job. These social and economic impacts should jolt out government and legislators into giving priority to the passage of the CEFM bills!

When I was practically forced to resign from the Bureau of Immigration about three years ago, I refused. Knowing that I serve at the pleasure of the President, I kept doing what I could to minimize if not eradicate corruption at the bureau up to my very last day. I ended up being fired on the pretext of an irregularity in the custody of a Korean fugitive from justice. There were no charges filed, although newspaper reports, some still available online, have tarnished my reputation. A few years thereafter, quite a few colleagues in the bureau, and even in my current employment, have asked me advice amid the changes in the organization. Quite expectedly, every change in leadership will always accompany a change in personnel structure, internal processes and trust relationships. Resignation is always seen as an easy way out. Staying on, but working in a toxic environment, is always hard. Being fired is the worst option as public

opinion would not be too kind. Former Customs Commissioner and former Bureau of Corrections Director General Nicanor Faeldon has opted to be fired twice instead of resigning twice. I would not know the extent of his moral victory but the fact remains that his reputation, despite the continued Presidential trust, has been besmirched. My daughter Regina Victoria knows how it is like to be held back by the promise of a steady paycheck and the fear of the unknown. For others, frequently switching jobs may be seen as a millennial thing. In her case, Regina Victoria has rationalized many times over why her job is not so bad and sticks to it as long as she can. Yet, although she finds extreme difficulty in letting go of a decent source on income, she ends up resigning. The next few lines came from my daughter Regina Victoria, who, three years after getting an Ateneo degree, has worked for five employers already. She has offered

One year after Joel L. Tan-Torres

DEBIT CREDIT Part One

T has been over a year since I completed my extended term as chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy (BOA) on August 14, 2018. This is a good time to reflect on what significant developments have occurred in our accountancy profession. It is worthwhile to note what are happening now in the key areas of the profession, including the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure examination, accounting education, the Asean Chartered Professional Accountants (Acpa), the Continuing Professional Development program, accounting and auditing standards, the Quality Assurance Review, financial reporting issues, and the revision of the Accountancy Law. I will discuss these in this article and subsequent columns.

The immediate past two CPA licensure examinations resulted in passing rates of 25.18 percent for the October 2018 examination and 16.46 percent for the May 2019 test. These passing rate results are among the lowest in the past decades to date. During my stint as chairman of Boa, the average passing rate for the 13 board examinations that I administered was 34.7 percent.

Clearly, there is a declining trend in the passing performance of the CPA board examinees who took the board examinations. I note that it was way back in 1993, or 25 years ago, when a similar low passing rate of 17 percent resulted. This is a wakeup call for the stakeholders, including the BOA, the accounting schools, the academic professional organization and review centers,

Saudi Arabia drone attack is a strike at oil’s future By Liam Denning Bloomberg Opinion

e’re about to find out just how laid back the oil market really is. It has shrugged off sanctions on Iran, exploding tankers and drones getting shot down over the Strait of Hormuz. But this weekend’s strike against Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq processing facility—perhaps the single most important piece of oil infrastructure on the planet—is of a different order. Saudi Arabia said the attack affected 5.7 million barrels a day of output, or roughly half their production. The more important issue is how long any disruption lasts. It is

unclear whether the strike involved drone-fired weapons or missiles or a combination of them. The Abqaiq facility’s sheer size, covering more than a square mile, makes it hard to imagine that anything but an overwhelming or extraordinarily sophisticated attack could keep it offline for long. But we just don’t know at present. That alone should add some risk premium to oil prices. The prevailing mood in the markets before Saturday was one of uncertainty weighing on prices, largely related to the swings of the trade war and—with the sudden absence of John Bolton from President Donald J. Trump’s ear—whether sanctioned Iranian barrels would find their way back to the market. Now we have

some old-style geopolitical intrigue pushing the other way. Even this uncertainty is nuanced, though. On one hand, it was tough to imagine a big breakthrough in USIranian relations even before this weekend, Bolton’s departure notwithstanding. Now, with Iraniansponsored Houthi fighters in Yemen claiming responsibility for a strike at the heart of the Saudi Arabian economy—and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo directly blaming Iran for the attack—a meaningful thaw that allows Iranian barrels to replace disrupted Saudi ones seems inconceivable. On the other hand, if Saudi Arabia’s output is disrupted for a significant amount of time—meaning

weeks at least—Asian buyers seeking heavier grades of crude to feed their refineries will have a reason to try to take more Iranian barrels regardless. We also don’t know, yet, what will happen in terms of strategic stocks being released to offset disrupted Saudi Arabian exports. The International Energy Agency says it is monitoring the situation, but also notes that markets are currently “well supplied,” suggesting it expects Saudi Arabia to repair things quickly. What is clear is that the oil market has entered a new and dangerous period. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who spearheaded Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen, will almost certainly have to respond,

Monday, September 16, 2019 A11

insightful tips to those who are on the verge of resigning from work. To her, one should assess personal emotions, work environment, leaders in the company, and professional development by asking and answering these questions: How do you feel about getting up and ready for work? Your decision to quit should not be determined by your feelings alone. If, to answer this question, you say you feel forced to get up; are unhappy, lazy, afraid, anxious, demotivated or frustrated about having to prove your worth and fight to be respected again, it’s time to pay attention to it. Your feelings often point you to a very real and very serious situation that needs to be dealt with. How would you honestly describe your present work environment? A good one should encourage collaboration, inspire creativity, increase productivity and is one where both you and the organization grow. But, if your workplace is toxic—there’s a lack of team spirit; you’re all low on morale, your company has poor internal communication and there’s micromanagement, mismanagement and unhealthy competition—you have to remember that you don’t have to endure all this and be miserable to be gainfully employed. What can you say about your boss and his/her leadership style? Business insiders have shared that people nowadays are looking less for good jobs and more for good bosses. These people directly affect our experiences at work and shape how we do what we do. Bosses are called not just to be managers but to be mentors and role models, as well. If your current boss berates and

embarrasses you when you make a mistake (instead of helping you learn from it); passes on his/her work to you (and treats you more like a lackey), and speaks negatively about you and your team behind your backs, start thinking about the kind of leader you want to work both for and with. This will help you greatly if or when you decide to leave. Are you still growing and building the character and skills you need to be the person you dream to be? We all have goals we want to achieve and the potential to achieve them. It’s important that the company you work for recognizes that and helps you to be and do the best you can. If you no longer see yourself growing both professionally and personally, you can try having discussions with your boss about your career plan. If, after which, you do not like the plans the company has for you or you realize that you want to take your career a whole other direction, go and build up the courage you need to write that resignation letter and leave. We all need to listen to that voice speaking in our hearts and trust where it is leading us. In the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Regina Victoria ends her tips by saying: “Talk to Him as you discern the next step in your career and, no matter how scary it can be, take that leap of faith with Him.” Whether you resign or be fired, a moral victory is always within our reach. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.

to look into this development of a growing number of CPA applicants not making the grade. Is this an indication of the declining capacity of accounting schools in preparing their students for the CPA board examinations? Is there a need to review the framework of the Boa in administering the CPA licensure examination? Is there a mismatch in what the CPA examinees are preparing for and the content of the board examinations? Will this trend discourage our youth in taking up accounting as their chosen education and career? Will this adversely affect the global perception of the competence of the Filipino accountants? Appropriate action should be done to address these issues and the problems that will be pinpointed. It is imperative that definitive solutions be done since the present dire situation is not addressing the growing demands for accountants and CPAs by the local and global business communities, and the potential negative impact on the good image of the Philippine accountancy profession. Closely related to the issue on CPA board examination is the accounting education situation. As indicated in the Boa release on the performance of the accounting schools in the May 2019 CPA licensure examination, there were 468

schools with students among the 10,319 examinees in said exam. A great number of these schools had zero passing rates for their student examinees. I am certain that the same schools have not improved over the years as measured in the performance of their students in the CPA examinations. The BOA regularly conducts inspection of accounting schools to monitor their compliance with the rules and standards of the Accountancy Law and Boa issuance. What is the impact of these inspections in enhancing the quality of accounting education and in alleviating the persistent problems of unsatisfactory performance of students in the board examinations? This inspection authority is a good mechanism for the Boa to institute improvements in the low performing accounting schools.

Joel L. Tan-Torres is the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy. He is a Certified Public Accountant who placed No. 1 in the May 1979 CPA Board Examinations. He served as commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue from 2009 to 2010. This column accepts contributions from accountants, especially articles that are of interest to the accountancy profession, in particular, and to the business community, in general. These can be e-mailed to boa.secretariat.@gmail.com.

especially if the attack really has knocked out a lot of oil supply for an extended period. In that case, he is also watching his IPO plans for Saudi Arabian Oil Co., or Saudi Aramco, literally go up in smoke. And as I wrote here, this is all happening in the context of a change in US engagement in the region: It is aggressive on some fronts, while pulling back on others. Indeed, this escalation could be interpreted as Iran’s response to Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign—if Tehran can’t export, then neither should Saudi, may be the zero-sum thinking at play here. The chance of miscalculation and further escalation is very high. As much as oil markets usually

like nothing more than a bit of strife in this corner of the world, it is ultimately pernicious to the industry’s longer-term fortunes. In the short term, a risk premium combined with absent Saudi barrels would present a windfall opportunity for other producers (including struggling US shale operators). But with growth in consumption flagging already, a geopolitical tax risks piling on pressure even further. Price spikes driven by random violence aren’t a substitute for demand-driven strength. Moreover, we are less than five months away from the Iowa caucuses ahead of a presidential election that will be defined in large part by whether and how far the US skirts a possible recession.

To be continued

A12 Monday, September 16, 2019

www.businessmirror.com.ph

NG borrowed less from local lenders in July

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE national government’s gross domestic borrowings contracted 120.19 percent in July, according to data released by the Bureau of the Treasury. That was the month the BTr said they are planning to float Samurai bonds.

120.19% The rate of decline in domestic borrowings in July

Data from the BTr showed the country’s gross domestic borrowings declined P4.305 billion in July. This is significantly lower than the P21.324 billion posted in July 2018. Domestic gross borrowings we re comp o s e d of Tre a s u r y Bills, which recorded a decline of P44.31 billion in July, and Fixed Rate Treasury Bonds worth P40 billion. Total gross domestic borrowings for the January-to-July period reached P611.055 billion, an 87.23-percent growth from the P326.36 billion posted in the same

period in 2018. Meanwhile, external borrowings reached P3.215 billion in July 2019, according to the BTr. This was a contraction of 86.07 percent from the P23.07 billion posted in July 2018. External loans for the month of July this year were mainly for project loans. There were no program loans, Global bonds, Panda bonds and Euro bonds secured that month. The total external gross borrowings of the country reached P228.692 billion in the Januaryto-July period in 2019. This was a 27.86-percent growth from the P178.857 billion posted in the January-to-July period last year. The government is eyeing a borrowing mix of 75:25 for this year, with domestic sources accounting for 75 percent and foreign sources at 25 percent.

In July, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) maintained the deficit target for 2019 3.2 percent of GDP. The figure, however, is higher than the previous assumption of 3 percent of GDP for 2020 to 2022. National Treasurer Rosalia V. de Leon said the government did not revise its borrowing program of P1.8 trillion even if the pace of its spending slowed due to the budget impasse in the first four months of the year. “For 2019, the gross borrowings will be retained at P1.18 trillion recognizing that we will continue with the 3.2 percent deficit. The mix would be 73 percent from the onshore market and 27 percent from external funding we are getting through ODAs [official development assistance]

and our frequent issues in the international debt market. So we are acquiring a lot of mileage,” de Leon said. In July 2018, de Leon said total gross borrowings for 2019 of P1.18 trillion, which is higher than the P986 billion programmed for last year, was due to the adjusted deficit ceiling of 3.2 percent. The government adjusted its deficit ceiling to ensure the continuous implementation of the Duterte administration’s infrastructure buildup program dubbed “Build, Build, Build.” De Leon also said the 75:25 borrowing mix ratio is “not set in stone,” as the government is taking a cue from market conditions and is looking out for opportunities in terms of issuances favorable to the Philippines.

‘Holidays could increase ASF risk’

he return of overseas Filipino workers during the holiday season and the expected influx in Chinese tourists could increase the risk of African swine fever (ASF) spreading in the Philippines. In its latest Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned that the country’s weak enforcement of the ban on meat

products and its porous borders allow the entry of ASF-laden products in the Philippines. “Enforcement at the border remains a problem. While the Philippines welcomes record numbers of Chinese visitors and the holiday season will soon bring back a high number of Filipino workers, commercial shipments of pork from ASF-affected countries are still finding their way through the Philippines porous borders despite

their prohibition,” the GAIN report stated. The USDA also said the Philippines continues to run the risk of spreading ASF if swill feeding continues. It said swill feeding, “a major vector of transmission,” should be prohibited and this policy properly enforced. “Moreover, there is a high concentration of commercial farms in Central Luzon, raising the risk of See “ASF,” A2

SOUTHWEST MONSOON AFFECTING SOUTHERN LUZON AND VISAYAS as of 4:00 am - September 15, 2019

FRIENDS FROM LAOS The Ambassador of Lao PDR to the Philippines, Songkane Luangmuninthone (right), hosted the family and close associates of the late Philippine Ambassador to Laos Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, at his Makati residence recently, to affirm the strong friendship and cooperation between them. In photo are (from left) Benjamin V. Ramos, BusinessMirror president; D. Edgard A. Cabangon, ALC Media Group chairman; Sharon Tan; former Lao PDR Ambassador Malayvieng Sakonhninhom; Ambassador Songkane’s wife; Britney Kang; T. Anthony C. Cabangon, BusinessMirror publisher; and Ambassador Songkane.

Red Cross receives P124-M humanitarian aid from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc.

HE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) received a P124.067million humanitarian contribution from Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI) to support PRC’s Dialysis Samaritan Program, Safe Bood for All and the Capacity Enhancement of the PRC Olongapo Chapter. “Their donation will surely go a long way in helping the most vulnerable and further strengthening PRC’s humanitarian efforts to uplift human dignity,” said Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon. The cash grant will be used to sponsor a complete kidney dialysis and care treatment plan for indigent patients with kidney failure, prov ide indigent and charity patients better access to safe and quality blood, and for the procurement of equipment to enhance the capacity of the Blood Center and Communications Centerof the PRC Olongapo Chapter. The turnover ceremony was attended by BCFI President Donato Almeda, BCFI Executive Director Filipiniana Laureana, Regulatory Affairs Officer Atty. Ellan Mark Pailan, PRC National Blood Services (NBS) Director Dr. Monina Nalupta, and PRC Governor Carissa Coscolluela on September 11

BCFI Executive Director Filipiniana Laureana (from left), BCFI President Donato Almeda, PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon, PRC-NBS Director Dr. Monina Nalupta and PRC Governor Carissa Coscolluela during the humanitarian aid turnover.

at the fifth floor of the Senate of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City. PRC’s Hemodialysis Center has already performed 1,161 treatments for indigent patients since its operation started on February 11, 2019. The National Blood Ser v ices d i s pen sed 24 4 ,052 units of blood from January to

mid-September of 2019 alone. PRC Olongapo Chapter is one of the more aggressive chapters and needs equipment to increase its capability to react and respond to emergency situations. The Philippine Red Cross is always committed to reach out to the helpless and to the most vulnerable.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, September 16, 2019

Villar’s AllHome tightens offer price for rights issue

llHome Corp., the retailer controlled by former politician turned businessman Manuel B. Villar, has tightened its initial public offering (IPO) price range to P11.50 to P14 per share, reducing its maximum proceeds in the process. The said reduction in price translates to an offering size of P14.88 billion to P18.11 billion as

against the earlier maximum offer price of P16 per share, which the company would have raised a

maximum of P20.7 billion. AllHome will offer 750 million new common shares along with 375 million existing common shares currently held by AllValue Holdings Corp., which has the option to offer 168.75 million more shares. AllValue is the privately held retail venture of the Villar family. The offer shares of AllHome represent 34.5 percent of the company’s issued and outstanding capital stock, which will comprise a total of 3.75-billion shares after the maiden offering and assuming full exercise of the overallotment option.

The AllHome IPO will run from September 30 to October 4 this year. Proceeds from the issuance of new shares will be used by the company for capital expenditures and initial working capital for store network expansion, debt repayment and general corporate purposes. AllHome has tapped UBS AG, Singapore Branch as sole global coordinator and joint bookrunner, CLSA Ltd. and Credit Suisse (Singapore) Ltd. as joint bookrunners, and PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and China Bank Capital Corp. as domestic underwriters. VG Cabuag

Deal with prospective investors for Silangan Project eyed by 1Q 2020 By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

Kapa’s ‘revival’ claims prompt SEC warning P T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned on the claims the operations of Kapa-Community Ministry International, an organization the regulator closed down in April for allegedly using its members in a Ponzi scheme, would be revived. In its advisory, the SEC advised the public to avoid dealing with individual and groups representing Kapa. “The Commission notes that Kapa

could have not successfully registered another corporation, given its history of defrauding investors and a pending criminal complaint against it and its officers and promoters,” it said. Various posts on social media claim that Kapa would soon relaunch its operations under the name “Kapa Worldwide Ministry Association.” The SEC said the new entity is not registered either as a corporation or

as a partnership. Furthermore, no secondary license to solicit investments from the public was issued under such name. Kapa was formerly registered as a nonstock corporation. On April 3, however, the SEC revoked the certificate of incorporation of Kapa for serious misrepresentation of what it was doing or could do, it said. Kapa was found to have solic-

Megaworld, Geri to spend ₧18 billion for Cavite project

usinessman Andrew Tan’s property development arms Megaworld Corp. and GlobalEstate Resorts Inc. (Geri) will spend some P18 billion to codevelop a sprawling 251-hectare property in Cavite. The project, to be called Arden Botanical Estate, is envisioned to have several residential and leisure villages, commercial areas, sports and adventure parks, and a mixeduse district. The development will take 15 years to complete, the company said. More than half of the development, located in the boundaries of Trece Martires and Tanza in Cavite, will be allocated for residential and

leisure villages. Other components include a mixed-use commercial district, sports and adventure parks, and a school. It will have its own flower gardens allowing residents and visitors to commune with nature, the company said. The development will also be surrounded by natural rivers and organic gardens, as well as tree-lined roads and avenues, and lotus ponds. “Arden Botanical Estate is a oneof-a-kind township development, which will be curated to engage and stimulate the senses,” Kevin Andrew L. Tan, Megaworld’s executive vice president, said. “We will put design and aesthetics at the forefront, and function and purpose at the back-

bone of its planning.” The estate features like use of solar street lights, electric shuttles for transport, storm water recycling, permeable pavements for driveways and parking, and organic fertilizers and pesticides for gardens. “Our concept for this expansive development is to allow everyone living, working and even visiting the township to appreciate a beautiful and purposeful life,” Tan said. “This is another unique township concept that will certainly stand out from any other developments in and around Cavite.” The said property will become Megaworld’s 25th township development, and Geri’s seventh. VG Cabuag

AirAsia named best low-cost airline

irAsia has been named Best Low-Cost Airline by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific for the eighth year in a row, beating EasyJet and HK Express for the honor. According to the airline, the awards recognize product and service excellence in aviation and hospitality, as voted by readers of the travel magazine. AirAsia Hong Kong and Macao CEO Celia Lao accepted the award at a special luncheon ceremony held in the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong. “We are proud to be recognized once again as the best LCC by the region’s most frequent and discerning travelers. For more than a decade, we have been at the forefront of delivering value to our guests, and we will continue to do so as we expand our travel offering on airasia. com beyond flights to better meet our guests ever-growing expectations,” AirAsia Group President (Airlines) Bo Lingam said.

This photo courtesy of AirAsia shows the airline’s Hong Kong and Macao CEO Celia Lao accepting the trophy for Best Low-Cost Airline at the 2019 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards held in Hong Kong.

Launched in 1982, the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific magazine recognizes airlines, airports, hotels

and travel destinations that have been voted by its readers for their outstanding service and hospitality.

ited investments from the public without securing a secondary license and in a manner resembling a Ponzi scheme. Under its scheme, Kapa enticed the public to “donate” money in exchange for a 30 percent monthly “blessing” or “love gift” for life, without having to do anything other than invest and wait for the guaranteed return. VG Cabuag

HILEX Mining Corp. and it’s wholly-owned subsidiary Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc. is upbeat in attracting investors, eyeing to seal the investment deals for the Silangan Project by March next year. Philex Mining President and CEO Eulalio Austin Jr. said there are positive signs of development since Philex tapped JP Morgan. Philex needs to raise at least $300 million or 40 percent of the $750 million investment needed to undertake the project.

Interviewed by the BusinessMirror, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Director Mario Luis J. Jacinto said the amended Declaration of Mine Project Feasibility (DMPF) has already been approved. “Silangan Mining can start anytime because it is no longer affected by the open-pit mining ban. The revised DMPF has already been cleared this year. The only issue that remains is the certificate of approval of the EPEP [Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program] and Final Mine Rehabilitation and Decommissioning Program [FMRDP]. Continued on B2

Companies BusinessMirror

Monday, September 16, 2019

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

September 13, 2019

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE BDO LEASING COL FINANCIAL FIRST ABACUS FERRONOUX HLDG MEDCO HLDG MANULIFE NTL REINSURANCE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

54.5 142 94.15 25.9 6.07 12.12 69.9 21 46.75 57.65 112.5 27.3 205.4 59.5 1.16 2.05 18.5 0.53 5.34 0.44 755 0.95 180.3 1811 1.1

57.7 142.6 94.3 25.95 7.5 12.14 69.95 22.45 47.05 57.7 117.9 27.45 206 59.9 1.2 2.15 18.6 0.59 5.35 0.45 780 0.97 181 1815 1.14

57.95 142.1 92.75 26 7 12.16 69.6 21 46.7 57.75 115 27.7 206 59.45 1.16 2.17 18.6 0.53 6 0.445 755 0.97 183.2 1810 1.16

57.95 143.5 94.35 26 7.95 12.18 70.25 21 47.25 57.75 115 27.8 206.4 59.5 1.2 2.17 18.6 0.53 6.2 0.445 755.5 0.98 183.2 1810 1.16

57.7 141.3 91.8 25.9 6 12.1 69.6 21 46.7 57.5 115 27.2 205 59.1 1.16 2.17 18.5 0.53 5.25 0.445 755 0.97 181 1805 1.14

57.7 142.6 94.3 25.95 7.95 12.12 69.95 21 46.75 57.5 115 27.45 206 59.5 1.2 2.17 18.5 0.53 5.35 0.445 755 0.98 181 1810 1.14

120 2264370 3384460 186000 8200 108600 1524580 700 48000 610 40 67300 634720 1280 2000 1000 304500 9000 7375700 50000 270 12000 2090 195 10000

6928.5 322599030 318368377.5 4824300 59927 1319414 106667178.5 14700 2252395 35202 4600 1850755 130679826 75882 2360 2170 5633280 4770 41429402 22250 203885 11660 380567 352750 11420

INDUSTRIAL

-87263267 148869137 -3525450 1003634 -37030573 -115220 -156350 -26176866 2281874 980 -9155 -

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

1.3 38.6 0.241 26.05 82.25 365 22.2 5.2 4.29 2.95 10.54 33.8 7.22 15.82 17 14.26 6.05 9.13 7.19 90.35 0.69 52.2 222.2 8.36 14.44 2.14 12.06 1.82 5.1 2.08 0.124 169.8 1.29 73 77.7 2.73 5.73 15.46 10.52 13.82 19.2 9.01 1.16 1.31 115.6 2.04 1.7 3.4 5.18 32.2 2.44 8.9 1.56 5.23 1.12 10.42

1.33 38.95 0.246 26.1 82.5 366.4 22.25 5.22 4.39 2.96 10.88 33.85 7.25 15.96 17.8 14.3 6.07 9.2 7.2 90.4 0.71 52.25 222.6 8.4 14.5 2.15 12.1 1.83 5.15 2.12 0.129 170.5 1.3 75.6 81 2.74 6.13 15.48 10.56 13.98 19.28 9.2 1.19 1.32 120 2.07 1.74 3.46 5.19 32.75 2.45 8.94 1.62 5.3 1.15 10.46

1.3 38.5 0.245 26.1 82.7 360 22.1 5.21 4.39 2.96 10.74 33.85 7.22 16 17.84 14.28 6.05 9.03 7.22 90.1 0.7 53 222.6 8.36 14.52 2.17 12.2 1.84 5.1 2.1 0.124 167.3 1.32 73 78.5 2.7 6.01 15.2 9.94 14 19.3 9.19 1.16 1.33 115.6 2.06 1.74 3.4 5.25 32 2.38 8.83 1.55 5.23 1.14 10.88

1.3 38.95 0.246 26.25 83 367.6 22.5 5.24 4.39 2.99 10.88 34.25 7.25 16 17.9 14.28 6.08 9.21 7.23 91 0.71 53 225.4 8.38 14.56 2.18 12.2 1.88 5.1 2.12 0.124 170.5 1.33 75.6 80.95 2.74 6.14 15.46 10.58 14 19.42 9.2 1.24 1.34 124.9 2.07 1.74 3.47 5.29 32.75 2.45 8.96 1.62 5.23 1.15 10.88

1.3 38.2 0.241 26 82.2 360 22.1 5.2 4.38 2.95 10.56 33.7 7.22 15.82 16.02 14.16 6.05 9.02 7.18 90.1 0.69 52.25 222.2 8.36 14.4 2.12 12 1.78 5.1 2.1 0.124 167.3 1.28 73 77.3 2.69 6.01 15.2 9.94 13.8 19.16 9.19 1.16 1.3 115.6 2.05 1.74 3.4 5.16 32 2.33 8.83 1.55 5.23 1.12 10.32

1.3 38.95 0.246 26.05 82.5 366.4 22.2 5.2 4.39 2.95 10.88 33.8 7.25 15.98 17.5 14.26 6.05 9.13 7.2 90.4 0.7 52.25 222.2 8.36 14.46 2.15 12.1 1.82 5.1 2.1 0.124 170.5 1.3 75.6 80.95 2.73 6.14 15.46 10.56 13.98 19.28 9.19 1.16 1.31 124.9 2.07 1.74 3.47 5.19 32.75 2.45 8.94 1.61 5.23 1.15 10.42

61000 1560300 1090000 4255300 50500 309520 500600 931100 52000 15470000 48800 265200 93200 35600 21100 873800 35700 843400 1354700 294550 242000 16960 420990 4400 1093700 6175000 721000 1034000 6600 64000 70000 413890 5271000 20 460 1610000 26100 579900 678300 174800 594900 26900 9512000 2475000 100 57000 6000 5000 17900 52500 11487000 119300 90000 500 200000 1245200

79300 60400180 263290 110793005 4163285 113005664 11116785 4851444 228270 45908230 525362 8978925 674081 564366 376202 12433080 216094 7717882 9756638 26630921.5 169090 892538.5 93850178 36794 15834772 13306530 8728070 1871910 33660 134790 8680 70310798 6832760 1486 36805.5 4389710 159326 8886430 7046254 2433174 11446956 247371 11393080 3266240 11653 117070 10440 17250 93292 1688720 27344170 1063907 144380 2615 226350 13168986

11099595 2460 52330740 -2754683.5 21342476 -6745520 1074403 157410 -2524200 396927 65524 -4053638 -197335.9999 370881 -1508620 10120904 -3550 187311 -30738272 449670 6527460 -5670182 11925358 -543840 597210 3791882 2879726 -1332132 -2104308 -3676 -166590 1249 -10400 194015 12026770 602484 1130 -261518

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

0.91 13.52 905.5 53.5 12.68 3.62 6.9 0.8 1.25 1.24 6.85 9.18 13.5 4.23 916 5.84 73.35 5.35 5.23 5.21 0.51 4.55 14.36 0.63 5.13 0.038 1.33 3.09 1.29 1016 173.4 0.84 227 0.23

0.92 13.8 908 54.2 12.7 3.63 7.08 0.81 1.26 1.28 6.9 9.19 13.68 4.64 920 6.1 74.5 6.3 5.89 5.94 0.52 4.56 14.44 0.65 5.14 0.039 1.35 3.19 1.32 1017 174.8 0.86 230 0.238

0.93 13.52 913 53.35 12.78 3.63 6.9 0.81 1.23 1.26 6.9 9.17 13.74 4.16 930 6.1 74.4 6.3 5.22 5.94 0.51 4.57 14.5 0.63 5.2 0.039 1.35 3.21 1.29 1014 174.1 0.85 230 0.235

0.93 13.98 913 54.2 12.78 3.69 7 0.82 1.26 1.26 6.95 9.25 13.74 4.16 930 6.1 74.8 6.3 5.22 5.94 0.53 4.57 14.56 0.65 5.22 0.039 1.35 3.21 1.32 1030 175 0.86 232.2 0.235

0.91 13.48 904 53.3 12.58 3.56 6.9 0.78 1.21 1.24 6.85 9.13 13.74 4.16 912 6.1 73.3 6.3 5.22 5.21 0.5 4.55 14.32 0.63 5.13 0.038 1.31 3.09 1.27 1011 173 0.84 226 0.235

0.92 13.78 908 54.2 12.68 3.63 7 0.81 1.25 1.24 6.9 9.19 13.74 4.16 920 6.1 74.5 6.3 5.22 5.21 0.52 4.55 14.44 0.65 5.14 0.038 1.33 3.19 1.32 1017 174.8 0.85 232.2 0.235

5779000 36400 229650 863930 2415600 2850000 22900 649000 2669000 125000 1101500 10289300 6600 2000 124050 100 1527990 200 200 2100 242000 53000 1790000 225000 25764600 5700000 210000 152000 324000 135390 61390 173000 1490 20000

5291540 497190 208728085 46593905.5 30607098 10385030 160100 516570 3307390 155040 7627626 94535917 90684 8320 114747210 610 113610300 1260 1044 11744 125600 241580 25848152 145050 133025843 217900 278740 478390 417460 137877915 10686438 145820 338962 4700

-6940 -26085510 18172490.5 2855868 -252010 138880 -984399 -63950241 4711160 -2709710 594 -118320 2475622 15273000 -12830 47260 15524865 -3208171 -281582 -

HOLDING & FRIMS

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.91 0.92 0.89 0.92 0.87 0.92 4213000 3811150 ANCHOR LAND 9.41 10.7 9.12 10.7 9.12 10.7 1100 10413 AYALA LAND 49.25 49.9 49.4 49.9 48.85 49.9 4671900 230822050 78154530 ARANETA PROP 1.85 2 2.01 2.01 2.01 2.01 5000 10050 BELLE CORP 2.17 2.19 2.25 2.25 2.17 2.18 393000 856630 -768790 A BROWN 0.83 0.84 0.83 0.85 0.83 0.84 622000 523590 CITYLAND DEVT 0.85 0.88 0.87 0.88 0.87 0.88 2000 1750 CROWN EQUITIES 0.219 0.227 0.22 0.222 0.219 0.219 460000 100930 CEBU HLDG 5.88 6 5.86 6 5.86 6 17700 104040 CEB LANDMASTERS 4.79 4.8 4.79 4.83 4.75 4.8 1421000 6824140 -3125310 CENTURY PROP 0.55 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.55 0.56 2618000 1443660 CYBER BAY 0.4 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.4 0.4 130000 52400 DOUBLEDRAGON 21.65 21.7 21.45 21.75 21.45 21.7 196300 4255035 1884495 DM WENCESLAO 9.34 9.41 9.3 9.5 9.3 9.34 226100 2124880 319351.9997 EMPIRE EAST 0.455 0.465 0.465 0.465 0.465 0.465 40000 18600 FILINVEST LAND 1.65 1.66 1.66 1.67 1.65 1.66 29958000 49695480 23074680 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.22 1.25 1.26 1.26 1.22 1.22 1573000 1926370 8990 HLDG 15.26 15.28 15.3 15.3 15.26 15.26 603800 9221170 -563946 PHIL INFRADEV 1.48 1.49 1.47 1.53 1.45 1.48 2501000 3732010 99760 KEPPEL PROP 4.22 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 24000 112800 CITY AND LAND 0.73 0.76 0.76 0.76 0.73 0.76 31000 22820 760 MEGAWORLD 5.15 5.17 5.16 5.2 5.14 5.17 15791100 81578804 30063658 MRC ALLIED 0.31 0.315 0.32 0.32 0.31 0.315 3490000 1091400 PHIL ESTATES 0.45 0.47 0.445 0.45 0.445 0.45 1300000 583500 -445500 PRIMEX CORP 2.06 2.1 2.06 2.11 2.05 2.1 107000 221720 -21100 ROBINSONS LAND 25.2 25.4 25.15 25.5 25.15 25.4 1352700 34262360 -10184700 PHIL REALTY 0.39 0.395 0.39 0.4 0.39 0.4 110000 43100 -27200 ROCKWELL 2.35 2.38 2.35 2.38 2.35 2.35 129000 306150 SHANG PROP 3.3 3.41 3.42 3.42 3.3 3.4 37000 122870 STA LUCIA LAND 2.46 2.48 2.43 2.48 2.3 2.48 3830000 9012510 180970 SM PRIME HLDG 34.35 34.5 34.3 34.8 34.3 34.5 8859400 305293695 -68378560 STARMALLS 5.74 5.78 5.8 5.8 5.7 5.78 46800 269740 91792 SUNTRUST HOME 0.92 0.95 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.93 123000 114150 VISTA LAND 7.65 7.69 7.66 7.69 7.6 7.69 4581700 35163905 -17190409 SERVICES ABS CBN 19.8 19.84 19.32 19.9 19.32 19.84 71800 1413144 GMA NETWORK 5.26 5.27 5.3 5.3 5.26 5.27 124600 657444 MANILA BULLETIN 0.455 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47 30000 14100 GLOBE TELECOM 1947 1968 1938 1969 1938 1968 25825 50615985 10505730 PLDT 1191 1204 1195 1205 1191 1204 61910 74266015 29028045 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.048 0.049 0.05 0.05 0.048 0.049 10270000 503320 IMPERIAL 1.89 1.98 1.99 1.99 1.99 1.99 1000 1990 ISLAND INFO 0.113 0.115 0.113 0.115 0.113 0.115 700000 79640 ISM COMM 5.49 5.5 5.58 5.6 5.4 5.5 2053600 11282986 163361 NOW CORP 3.49 3.5 3.6 3.67 3.45 3.5 4884000 17214110 638800 TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.355 0.36 0.35 0.365 0.35 0.355 5120000 1825000 -7200 PHILWEB 3.42 3.44 3.39 3.42 3.38 3.42 489000 1662760 -40900 2GO GROUP 10.2 10.4 10.2 10.48 10.2 10.4 11700 121636 -1040 ASIAN TERMINALS 19 19.72 19.76 19.76 19.76 19.76 100 1976 CHELSEA 7.25 7.27 7.22 7.31 7.2 7.27 248000 1795652 68726 CEBU AIR 94.7 94.8 95 96.45 94.2 94.7 97730 9297246.5 -1597226 INTL CONTAINER 131.1 131.4 131.6 133.5 131 131.4 614280 80889375 -6801585 LBC EXPRESS 13.84 14.4 14 14.4 14 14.4 2800 39520 LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.91 0.93 0.93 0.95 0.93 0.93 328000 305060 MACROASIA 19.6 19.64 19.28 19.66 19.22 19.64 4786600 92996218 55100406 PAL HLDG 8.2 8.4 8.49 8.49 8.4 8.4 5700 47940 3342 HARBOR STAR 1.77 1.8 1.8 1.82 1.77 1.77 719000 1287210 ACESITE HOTEL 1.54 1.61 1.65 1.65 1.62 1.62 19000 30840 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.057 0.058 0.057 0.059 0.057 0.058 12230000 699190 WATERFRONT 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.69 0.68 0.68 2342000 1592920 -1283150 FAR EASTERN U 905 919 908 919 908 919 80 73300 STI HLDG 0.69 0.7 0.69 0.7 0.68 0.7 672000 462980 BERJAYA 2.5 2.51 2.43 2.53 2.43 2.5 1297000 3227030 BLOOMBERRY 11.38 11.4 11.04 11.4 10.9 11.4 1161600 13181644 9517570 PACIFIC ONLINE 2.85 2.9 2.71 2.93 2.71 2.9 75000 211850 LEISURE AND RES 3.34 3.35 3.41 3.41 3.35 3.35 142000 477610 -57130 MANILA JOCKEY 3.45 3.46 3.44 3.48 3.44 3.47 117000 404330 PH RESORTS GRP 4.75 5 4.73 5.05 4.71 5.05 20100 94862 PREMIUM LEISURE 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.73 747000 541480 -146960 PHIL RACING 7.99 8.69 8.69 8.69 8.69 8.69 100 869 869 TRAVELLERS 5.46 5.47 5.45 5.46 5.45 5.46 1039900 5671474 METRO RETAIL 2.57 2.58 2.52 2.6 2.5 2.57 2511000 6417190 -599390 PUREGOLD 42.75 42.8 43.15 43.15 42.75 42.8 1427200 61134500 -2594785 ROBINSONS RTL 78.35 80.1 78 80.1 77.55 80.1 492470 39235719 -3028349 PHIL SEVEN CORP 137 143 143.7 143.7 143.7 143.7 10 1437 SSI GROUP 2.9 2.91 2.88 2.93 2.85 2.9 1871000 5429270 1327130 WILCON DEPOT 16.62 16.72 16.8 16.8 16.64 16.72 1970700 32873820 1143188 APC GROUP 0.57 0.58 0.59 0.59 0.57 0.57 2920000 1685840 EASYCALL 10.54 10.58 10.88 10.88 10.52 10.58 188400 2004266 1076 GOLDEN BRIA 435 440 435 435 435 435 420 182700 PAXYS 2.81 3 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.8 6000 16800 -16800 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.58 0.59 0.6 0.61 0.58 0.58 14054000 8319580 -535840 SBS PHIL CORP 9.19 9.37 9.22 9.38 9.17 9.19 8200 75745 938 MINING & OIL ATOK 11.38 12.9 13 13 13 13 200 2600 APEX MINING 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.23 1.22 1.22 1365000 1666680 10980 ABRA MINING 0.0017 0.0018 0.0018 0.0018 0.0016 0.0018 6691000000 11374200 214200 ATLAS MINING 2.58 2.63 2.59 2.59 2.58 2.58 20000 51610 BENGUET A 1.15 1.29 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 5000 5750 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.28 0.29 0.28 0.28 0.28 0.28 30000 8400 CENTURY PEAK 2.7 2.71 2.71 2.71 2.7 2.7 283000 764200 DIZON MINES 8 8.1 8.25 8.26 7.8 8.1 55400 438684 811 FERRONICKEL 1.73 1.75 1.71 1.76 1.69 1.73 16608000 28680550 6176960 GEOGRACE 0.224 0.225 0.221 0.227 0.218 0.225 2650000 588020 2210 LEPANTO A 0.109 0.11 0.111 0.112 0.11 0.11 1180000 130510 LEPANTO B 0.109 0.112 0.112 0.112 0.109 0.11 2130000 234150 MANILA MINING A 0.0094 0.0099 0.0094 0.01 0.0094 0.0095 28000000 268300 MANILA MINING B 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.012 0.011 0.012 18400000 202800 MARCVENTURES 1.19 1.2 1.22 1.22 1.19 1.19 59000 70780 NIHAO 1.1 1.14 1.12 1.14 1.12 1.14 121000 136090 NICKEL ASIA 4.4 4.41 4.3 4.42 4.25 4.4 11581000 50,520,770( 5,058,589.9996) OMICO CORP 0.485 0.495 0.485 0.485 0.485 0.485 50000 24250 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.86 0.89 0.86 0.89 0.85 0.89 494000 433320 PX MINING 4.05 4.06 4.06 4.06 3.99 4.05 366000 1475510 24239.9998 SEMIRARA MINING 23.65 23.75 23.8 23.85 23.5 23.75 331100 7864980 5321755 UNITED PARAGON 0.0064 0.0067 0.0066 0.0066 0.0066 0.0066 3000000 19800 PHILODRILL 0.01 0.012 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 600000 6600 PHINMA PETRO 10.06 10.1 10.12 10.52 9.65 10.06 3699300 37776879 1222556 PXP ENERGY 12.44 12.46 12.28 12.98 12.1 12.44 1534500 19223610 897408 PREFFERED AC PREF B2 503 504 503 504 503 504 50 25190 DD PREF 101 101.7 100.9 101.7 100.9 101.7 1050 106053 1017 SMC FB PREF 2 990 998 997.5 998 997.5 998 1000 997505 FGEN PREF G 107 107.9 107 107 107 107 5080 543560 GLO PREF P 500 505 500 500 500 500 1040 520000 LR PREF 0.99 1 1 1 1 1 206000 206000 MWIDE PREF 100.3 101.9 100.3 100.3 100.3 100.3 10 1003 PNX PREF 3B 108 109 108.5 108.5 108.5 108.5 500 54250 54250 PCOR PREF 3A 1015 1050 1020 1020 1015 1015 2000 2030250 PCOR PREF 3B 1062 1080 1079 1080 1079 1080 185 199790 SMC PREF 2C 78.2 78.95 78.95 79 78.95 78.95 13630 1076095 SMC PREF 2D 75.5 75.9 75.9 75.9 75.9 75.9 1000 75900 SMC PREF 2E 75.6 76 76 76 75.5 76 112160 8502580 SMC PREF 2I 76.55 76.95 76.95 76.95 76.55 76.55 13640 1044238 PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

ABS HLDG PDR GMA HLDG PDR

18.62 5.11

18.98 5.12

19.08 5.12

19.08 5.13

18.6 5.12

18.62 5.12

512400 289400

9557350 1481829

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

1.66

-4553778 -

1.72

1.62

1.72

1.62

1.72

22000

35740

ITALPINAS 6.2 KEPWEALTH 12.3 XURPAS 0.98

6.23 12.34 0.99

6.33 11.2 1

6.5 12.46 1.02

6.2 11.02 0.98

6.2 12.3 0.98

1373000 3104500 6386000

8617506 37125826 6372140

835 -153984 -

FIRST METRO ETF

119.8

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS 119

119.1

119.8

118.8

119.8

8350

997093

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Smart ties up with fintech firm to expand retail biz

By Roderick L. Abad

@rodrik_28

UYING prepaid load is now easier as Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) has expanded its retail accessibility with TrueMoney, the fastest-growing financial technology (fintech) company in Southeast Asia.

Under this partnership, Smart, TNT, and Sun subscribers can now avail various offers, particularly Gigavideo+ 149, via the more than

20,000 TrueMoney centers nationwide. With this Giga load, customers can enjoy 2GB data allocation,

plus 1GB video everyday and unlicall and texts to Smart, TNT,and Sun for one week on the country’s fastest network. Whats more, they can also get additional P10 load when they avail of this Gigavideo+ 149 package until December 31, exclusively from TrueMoney. “This partnership is a fulfillment of a shared vision with TrueMoney, which is to bring more value and convenience to our customers. Our goal is to make our products and services more available to our millions of mobile prepaid subscribers nationwide,” said Precy P. Katigbak, vice president and head of national key accounts at

PLDT-Smart. “We look forward to this collaboration with an innovative and reliable partner like Smart as we connect more underserved sectors with digital and financial services in the country,” added Jenilyn Valdez, chief financial officer and CEO at TrueMoney. The partnership between Smart and TrueMoney was also made possible with the support of Uniwiz Trade Sales Inc. (LoadCentral). “We are happy to be part of the alliance of these two technology brands in the country,” said Jeff Boone, general manager at LoadCentral.

Deal with prospective investors for Silangan Project eyed by 1Q 2020 Continued from B1

“We have scheduled the signing the EPEP and FMRDP,” he added. The Silangan Project is one of five major projects stalled by Executive Order 79 and the ban on open-pit mining method. Silangan Project is one of five major projects affected by various policy issuances on mining, particularly the ban on open-pit mining method on select ores, including gold, copper, silver and complex ores. But Philex has decided to go for sublevel cave mining instead of the original plan to use open-pit mining method. Austin said Philex may also be looking at foreign investors or a

combination of foreign and local investors. Asked what are the prospects of sealing the deal with the new investors, Austin is optimistic but said raising enough of money will be the challenge. “There are interested [investors], because we tapped JP Morgan. There are indications already. But we still don’t know if we could raise 40 percent of $750 million,” he said. According to Austin, the next step is for Philex to continue looking for prospective investors. “The next up to the end of the year we are sourcing for investors,” he added. He said Philex is opening its doors but it will all depend on the number of prospective investors

STOCK-MARKET OUTLOOK Last week

Share prices slightly gained this week but the main index remained at 7,900-point level, while trading volume was thin as most of the trades were done by the foreign investors. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 58.85 points to close at 7,929.48 points. “It ended at the high of the week after trading within a very tight range leaning on its support level at 7,920,” Christopher Mangun, research head at AAA Securities Inc., said. Value turnover was low at P25.07 billion or just an average of P4.8 billion for the week, but foreign investors were net buyers at P419.47 billion. “Most companies ended higher this week on low-volumes,” Mangun said. “A couple of blue-chips ended up on out top losers as foreign investors took the opportunity to reposition themselves.” All of the subindices ended on the green with the Mining and Oil index continued its rise, chalking up 322.01 points or 3.5 percent to close at 9.591.46 points. The broader All Shares index rose 37.95 to 4,822.97, the Financials index gained 28.45 to 1,832.62, the Industrial index increased 96.92 to 11,011.94, the Holding Firms index climbed 10.45 to 7,918.59, the Property index was up 13.11 to 4,064.08 and the Services index added 28.62 to 1,623.61. The number of gainers edged losers 129 to 97, and 23 shares were unchanged. Top gainers for the week were Kepwealth Property Phils. Inc., PXP Energy Corp., Jolliville Holdings Corp., Keppel Philippines Properties Inc., Republic Glass Holdings Corp. and Now Corp. Top losers, on the other hand, were Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp., Liberty Flour Mills Inc., F and J Prince Holdings Corp. A, Millennium Global Holdings Inc., Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corp. A, and Asiabest Group International Inc.

This week

SHARE prices may continue its upward traction this week, with many traders looking at the main index closing at 8,000-point level. “It is almost certain that the PSEi will hit 8,000 next week, the question is whether it can end the week above it. For the last three weeks the market has been in congestion and trading within a tight range between 7,750 and 7,920,” Mangun said. “We have been waiting for it to try and test the 8,000 resistance level and we may finally see it next week,” he said. Many of the investors are also looking at the several initial public offering, which will be done toward the end of the month. Coconut manufacturer Axelum Resources Corp. has just finished its investors’ briefing last week, while Villar’s AllHome Corp. will also start selling shares on September 30.

Stock picks

BROKER Regina Capital and Development Corp. gave a buy recommendation on the stock of Jollibee Foods Corp. when its support price of P217.40 per share holds. “The stock has been trading at its lower bounds since breaking down almost two months ago. Since then, it has notched a fresh 52-week low of P217.40, which it reached in mid-August,” the broker said, adding that its indicators continue to show strong selling pressure. Jollibee shares closed Friday at P222.20 apiece. Meanwhile, the broker gave the same recommendation on the stock of Ayala Land Inc., giving it a support price of P48.48 per share. “Some profit-taking have likely ensued as the stock shed more than a percent after a strong uptick in prices the session prior. Nevertheless, it still managed to respect its current support level. Meanwhile, its indicators remain bullish despite closing in the red,” it said. AyalaLand shares closed last week at P49.90 apiece. VG Cabuag

that are willing and able to come in. Austin said they are hoping to get an initial list by December and finalize contracts by March or April next year. “We are targeting that early December, more or less, we have an idea who are the prospective investors,”

mutual funds

he said. “That’s why March or April, there would be the finalization of contracts.” Austin said the operation will go full swing as soon as the investment comes in but he said they are looking at early developments toward the first half of 2020. September 13, 2019

NAV One Year Three Year Five Year Y-T-D per share Return* Return Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a 258.65 2.25% -0.71% 0.16% 2.56% ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 1.5593 8.26% 3.41% 1.4% 8.22% ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 4.0128 1.98% -1.88% -1.29% 2.81% Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.9686 7.92% n.a. n.a. 7.5% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.86 3.42% n.a. n.a. 4.79% First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a 5.4518 4.23% 0.57% 0.22% 3.38% First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,6 0.8755 4.86% -3.62% n.a. 4.64% MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a 117.48 2.17% n.a. n.a. 1.13% PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a 52.3211 6.19% 1.01% n.a. 6.29% Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 544.41 6.24% -0.05% 0.04% 5.76% Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a 1.3181 4.87% 1% 1.27% 5.11% Philequity Fund, Inc. -a 38.7297 5.67% 1.86% 1.19% 5.73% Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a,3 1.0361 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a 5.3155 7.19% 1.85% 1.99% 7.19% Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a 887.41 7.22% 1.73% 1.91% 7.12% Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a 0.9171 7.5% 0.58% n.a. 6.64% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 4.3103 5.64% 1.55% 1.29% 6.19% Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a 1.0197 6.77% 1.67% n.a. 6.85% United Fund, Inc. -a 3.7162 5.52% 2.99% 2.49% 6.15% Exchange Traded Fund First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c,2 118.982 7.58% 2.55% 2.97% 7.43% ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b $0.9642 -2.41% 1.39% -1.44% 3.78% Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.2934 0.68% 6.89% n.a. 17.03% Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a 1.6634 0.28% -2.59% -2.59% 0.74% ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 2.3024 3.67% -0.78% 0.08% 4.22% First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6611 5.44% 0.52% -1.24% 4.64% Grepalife Balanced Fund Corporation -a 1.3523 2.42% n.a. n.a. 3.68% NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a 1.9635 6.65% 1.1% 1.18% 6.53% PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a 3.8082 7.87% -0.03% 0.52% 7.9% Philam Fund, Inc. -a 17.0402 7.91% 0% 0.41% 7.12% Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a 2.1544 4.63% 0.87% 1.54% 4.12% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.8936 6.16% 0.83% 0.98% 6.64% Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a,d,4 1.0208 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a,d,4 1.0106 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a,d,4 1.0085 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.9881 5.33% 0.5% 0.35% 7.2% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.0383 9.43% 1.99% 2.23% 8.5% PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -a $0.9876 2.7% 1.26% -1.15% 8.09% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $3.7579 3.12% 5.07% 2.79% 13.58% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a $1.1127 4.4% 3.03% n.a. 10.17% Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 353.65 3.7% 2.17% 2.29% 2.96% ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.9144 2.92% 0.14% 0.03% 2.97% Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a 3.0802 5.24% 5.32% 5.27% 3.5% Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a 2.1964 3.61% 0.98% 1.97% 3.16% First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.3306 5.09% 1.24% 1.53% 5.69% Grepalife Fixed Income Fund Corp. -a P 1.6078 1.74% -1.53% 0.36% 2.77% Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a 4.2923 10.16% 0.41% 2.09% 9.5% Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.7387 7.48% 1.18% 1.68% 6.3% Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a 0.947 6.11% -0.44% n.a. 6.26% Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.0078 8.75% 1.63% 2.58% 8.75% Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a 1.6647 8.45% 1.08% 2.11% 8.1% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $464.66 4.46% 1.84% 2.82% 3.63% ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a Є220.28 3.37% 1.29% 1.56% 3.58% ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1966 6.87% 2.02% 2.45% 6.3% First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0259 4.44% 1.05% n.a. 4.44% Grepalife Dollar Bond Fund Corp. -a $1.7169 0.86% -2.07% 0.45% 1.58% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -a $1.0979 6.37% -0.45% -1.24% 5.94% Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $2.4164 11.81% 1.69% 3.59% 11.31% Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a $0.0600549 5.66% 1.83% 2.03% 5.36% Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $3.1632 9.17% 0.85% 2.97% 10.14% Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 124.52 4.02% 2.61% 2.06% 3.01% First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a,5 1.0216 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a 1.2364 5.38% 2.3% 1.4% 4.61% Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc. -a 1.2535 3.9% 2.79% 2.17% 2.81% Primarily invested in foreign currency securities Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0322 2.22% n.a. n.a. 1.6% a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago. c - Listed in the PSE. d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU). 1 - Adjusted due to cash dividend issuance last January 29, 2018. 2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last June 5, 2018. 3 Launch date is January 3, 2019. 4 - Launch date is January 28, 2019. 5 - Launch date is February 1, 2019. 6 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last October 12, 2018 (formerly, One Wealthy Nation Fund, Inc.). "While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

DBM chief backs adoption of gross taxation system

By Bernadette D. Nicolas @BNicolasBM

HE chairman of the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is backing the President’s call to adopt gross taxation system instead of the net tax collection in a bid to remove corruption in government revenue agencies. Acting Budget Secretary Wendel E. Avisado said he agrees with the President’s proposal. The DBM executive said adopting the gross taxation system will give a “much clearer picture of the overall performance or gross revenues of corporations.” “[This will allow the government] to collect a more accurate

and fair income tax rather than on the net with all the deductions that may not be accurately stated or should not have been included and other underlying reasons,” Avisado told the BusinessMirror. Asked if the DBCC will be meeting soon to study the recommendation of the President, Avisado said he will

have to defer to the Department of Finance (DOF). On Friday, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said there is a recommendation from a group that will look into the chief executive’s proposal. Citing the recommendation, Dominguez said, the group will be headed by the executive secretary; with officials from the Department of Justice and the DBCC as members. Aside from DOF and DBM, the DBCC also includes the National Economic and Development Authority. In a speech in Bataan on Thursday, Duterte once again reiterated his suggestion to shift to gross taxation as this would eliminate 70 percent of corruption in government. “I am challenging everybody. You want to stop corruption? Lalo na ito sa BIR [Bureau of Internal Revenue], we go gross. Iwanan niyo ’yang neto, [Especially here in BIR, we go gross. Leave that net income]. Duterte said “Ewan ko bakit. But I’m challenging Congress and every Filipino; I guarantee you, ’pag

pumunta tayo ng gross wala na examiner, wala ng deduction then they do not haggle for anything. ’Pag nandiyan ’yung resibo, ’yan na ’yun. [I don’t know why. But I am challenging Congress and every Filipino; I guarantee you, if we go to gross, there will be no need for the examiner, there will be no deduction then they do not haggle for anything. If the receipt is already there, that’s it.]” Gross income tax is a tax assessed against the money somebody earns. This form of tax is applicable to income from a job, as well as to funds that are set aside in an estate or trust. Net taxes, on the other hand, are taxes levied on production less subsidies received. Also, net taxes are taxes paid to the government less transfer payments. Net taxes are a simple version of a checkbook balance for governments as they measure the inflows and outflows of the state’s tax activities. Aside from adopting gross taxation, the President also called for the elimination of customs brokers. which he said “would have cut corruption overnight.”

LandBank to lend LGUs ₧10B for palay purchases

he Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), together with the Department of Agriculture, is rolling out a new lending program that would assist local government units (LGUs) purchase palay produced by local farmers to help cushion the effects of the drop in the price of palay in some regions, which the DA said may also be caused by hoarding or stockpiling by some rice traders. In a media briefing held at the LandBank’s head office in Malate, Manila, last September 13, the government-owned bank announced the launching of the “Palay Alay sa Magsasaka ng Lalawigan, or PALAY ng Lalawigan, [grain of the province] Program.” The LandBank said it has earmarked P10 billion to fund the program to assist provincial, municipal and city governments of rice-producing areas nationwide to procure palay from small farmers, with a low interest rate of 2 percent per annum. The LandBank is considering aligning its pricing with the recent announcement of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC ) Governing Board that pegged the price of wet palay at P16 per kilo and dry palay at P19 per kilo. “This is a direct response of the LandBank, together with the DA, to the call of the national government for a concerted effort of government agencies serving the agriculture sector to firm up its support for our palay farmers in the wake of the impact of lower palay prices,” LandBank President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo said. Last September 3, Borromeo and Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar met with members of the League of Provinces of the Philippines where the attending 19 governors agreed to participate in the program. Under this program, the Provincial

This photo shows sitting at the head table Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar (center, third from left) and LandBank of the Philippines Inc. President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo (center, left) meet with 19 Governors from the League of Provinces of the Philippines presided by its National President Marinduque Gov. Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. (center, second from left) and Chairman Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo E. Cua (center, right).

Government will buy local palay and may operate a socioeconomic enterprise to assist the farmers whose incomes were adversely affected by the drop in the farm-gate prices of palay. The PALAY ng Lalawigan Program complements the memorandum of agreement signed by the DA and LandBank last August 28 for the implementation of the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers (Sure Aid)

program where rice farmers who are tilling 1 hectare of rice farm and below may avail of a one-time, zero-interest, no collateral loan of P15,000 payable in eight years. The Sure Aid Program, with an initial allocation of P1.5 billion from ACPC, was launched by DA and LandBank last September 2 in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, where more than 1,000 rice farmers from Nueva Ecija and Tarlac received cash cards.

Perspectives

Regulation in the human services sector

EGULATION in human services has tended to be paternalistic in its approach, with risks framed around worst-case scenarios and all service providers treated the same regardless of the level of risk to the individual or the performance of providers. In regulating human services, governments have focused on traditional approaches, which involve licensing and registration of providers, strict monitoring and compliance regimes and extensive reporting requirements. While these tools may have been effective in managing risks in the past, they have also encouraged a passivity among both providers and individuals which has stifled innovation and productivity. Regulation is being defined more and more broadly to include not just black-letter law but other types of arrangements entered into by government which affect third parties, including service agreements and administrative guidelines. These

have also tended to reflect heavyhanded master–servant type relationships. As the Productivity Commission noted in its report Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector (2010), “improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of community services delivered by the not-for-profit sector has been constrained by the propensity for governments to combine shortterm heavy-handed contracts with extensive reporting requirements and a tendency to ‘micromanage’ service delivery.” Notwithstanding the increasingly broad view of what constitutes regulation, there is a distinction between policy-making and regulation. For example, decisions to introduce competitive type reforms in human services are policy decisions, as are decisions about how much funding human service delivery organizations should receive and what services government should fund. Regulatory behavior comes into

play in thinking about the types of interventions that will assist in achieving government policy objectives—for example, whether the government needs to use the force of law to compel behavior toward achieving its particular goals. Regulations and purchasing agreements have generally been designed internally by government with little attempt to work with stakeholders to look at different ways of addressing policy problems. Political imperatives often demand regulatory solutions to one-off problems, which end up creating systemic responses to nonsystemic issues. In particular, there has been little understanding of how markets work in a human services context and of the opportunities that government has through intervening in different ways to encourage more innovative service practices. At the same time, it is important to recognize that human services markets have a number of unique characteristics which can be

challenging for regulators. Most human services markets are characterized by information asymmetry, where consumers have difficulty judging the need for and quality of the services they receive. Consumers also include the vulnerable and disadvantaged, who are not well placed to exercise consumer choice. On the supply side, these markets tend to be dominated by not-for-profit providers who are largely dependent on government funding, and there can be particular problems with supply of services in rural and remote, and Indigenous communities. (The excerpt was taken from the KPMG article “Unleashing value: Rethinking Regulation in the Human Services Sector.”) © 2019 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member-firm of the KPMG network of independent member-firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (KPMG International), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Printed in the Philippines. For more information on KPMG in the Philippines, you may visit www.kpmg.com.ph.

Monday, September 16, 2019 B3

DOF sticks with 6-percent growth rate target for 2019

HE national government is hell-bent in steering the country’s growth numbers back to the 6-percent territory this year, as Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said they are officially keeping the 6 percent target for the Philippines’s 2019 gross domestic product. Dominguez said 6 percent or higher will still be the economic managers’ “fighting target,” after economic growth settled at only 5.5 percent in the first half of 2019. According to the finance secretary, the sluggish expansion of the local economy was not surprising, given the 5-month delay in the enactment of the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA). The delay forced Malacañang to operate on a reenacted 2018 budget and hold off on the implementation of new and continuing projects that would have boosted growth in the year’s first half. In keeping the full-year economic expansion target of 6 percent or higher, Dominguez said a catch-up spending plan crafted for this year and the timely passage of the 2020 national budget will help the government achieve this growth target. He also expressed optimism that there wouldn’t be a repeat of the delay in the approval of the 2019 GAA, in light of the much better working relations this time between the executive and legislative departments. “The swift congressional approval of the remaining packages of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program [CTRP] and other economic reform bills meant to further open up the domestic economy to investments are crucial for the Duterte administration to achieve its goals of achieving high

and inclusive growth, and transforming the country into an upper middle-income economy ahead of schedule,” Dominguez said. Speaking on behalf of the administration’s economic team, Dominguez said they are “more than ready” to pursue further reforms, starting with the remaining CTRP packages, to enable the Philippines to secure an “A” credit rating within his presidency and achieve his goal of financial inclusion. “The passage of the remaining tax reform packages and other economic reforms will help us secure the A-minus credit rating within the next two years and achieve our 14 percent poverty target by 2022,” Dominguez said. “There is reason to believe that the winds are in our favor and the stars all aligned, or as the naval prose goes, here we have fair winds and following seas.” On top of the CTRP packages, Dominguez said the Duterte administration is also seeking the approval of the amendments to the Public Service Act, the Foreign Investments Act and the Retail Trade Act to ease restrictions on foreign participation in local businesses. “These reforms will further open up the economy to foreign investments and create more and better jobs. Overall, the reforms will also lower prices and improve the quality of products and services in the market,” he said. “The gradual lowering of the corporate income tax rate from 30 to 20 percent will be the best incentive we can give almost a million micro, small and medium enterprises, which are working hard and contributing a lot to the country by employing a majority of our workers,” Dominguez said.

B4 Monday, September 16, 2019

Eastern Communications among top 100 Asia’s best employer brands

ASTERN Communications Marketing Division OIC Jedrek Estanislao, CoCoordinators Atty. Aileen Regio and Ramon Aesquivel, and Human Resources Head AC Cometa with the certificate awarded to Eastern Communications by Top 100 Asia’s Best Employer Brands 2019 held in Pan Pacific, Singapore. Eastern Communications is recognized for their motivating workforce activities that contributed to the improvement of employee morale and retention. The telco company executes a full slate of seminars, development workshops, and volunteer work to involve

its employees to the community. Through its Longevity Awards, the company recognizes employees that have been with the company for many years. Employees also have the chance to showcase their prowess in outdoor activities through their sports fest called “Palarong Sarimanok,” derived from Eastern Communications’ old magazine title “Sarimanok.” In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the Top 100 Asia’s Best Employer Brands 2019 recognized different companies across Asia including Eastern Communications that are exemplary in employee engagement and used marketing communications effectively for Human Resources Development. The Top 100 Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards are hosted by Employee Branding Institute, a virtual organization based in India led by senior leaders and outstanding professionals in Human Resources industry. For more information on Eastern Communications, visit http://www. eastern.com.ph/

NEW WORLD MAKATI HOTEL CELEBRATES THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL. Jasmine offers a delectable assortment of mooncakes perfect for dining or as gifts to loved ones and friends. These mooncakes come in four flavors – Red Bean with Double Yolk, Red Lotus with Double Yolk, White Lotus with Double Yolk, and Five Kernel (watermelon seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and peanuts) – encased in elegant orange boxes with blue and gold trimming. Offered in single boxes up to boxes of ten with an option to include tea or wine, they make for ideal gifts for the mid-autumn season. A company logo may likewise be placed on each box as well as on matching orange paperbags for corporate gifts or to simply add a personal touch, for an additional Php100 per box or bag. Jasmine is offering a discount of 30% for orders of 80 boxes of four or more. Stay updated and follow New World Makati Hotel on Facebook (New World Makati Hotel), Instagram (@newworldmakati) or visit www.manila.newworldhotels.com.

ValuePlus auto service opens in Sorsogon

ALUEPLUS Auto Service, the casa alternative, officially arrives in Sorsogon City with a grand opening held on September 8, 2019. Carrying its franchise brand, ValuePlusXpress (VPX), the auto shop will service car owners’ automotive requirements in the greater Sorsogon area. Dr. Dennis Donor, President of VPX - ValuePlus Sorsogon, recalls the time when he and some Sorsogon doctors were looking for a partner for their auto shop business. They heard about VPX through on-line inquiries for different automotive franchises available in the Philippines. Dr. Donor shares that upon careful study, they discovered that VPX offered them the best deal in terms of franchise fee, exclusivity of franchise within the Bicol region, and training and guidance given to their employees for starting the business. Having acquired the VPX franchise, Dr. Donor says, “We expect to be the best auto service provider in Sorsogon. In the future, we expect to provide additional auto shop branches in Legaspi and Naga. And God-willing, if we become successful in our initial endeavor, we hope to be the best provider of car services in the whole Bicol region.” Mark Saberola, General Manager of ValuePlus, congratulates VP’s Sorsogon partners for opening their very own VPX, which is the first in the province. He remarks, “It takes visionaries to know and understand this kind of business, because this business is not built overnight. It’s capability building, but more importantly it’s trust building, the trust of our valued customers to put the safety of themselves and their families into our hands every time we service their vehicles. And there are no better people for ValuePlus to partner with to usher in this business to the province than the same people who have been saving lives through the Sorsogon Medical Mission Group.” VPX Sorsogon City offers the same superior standard of service that is enjoyed by car owners in

other VPX branches in Metro Manila. With equipment and expertise at par with the casa, ValuePlus uses modern diagnostic tools and computerized machines for wheel alignment, tire changing, and balancing. It also performs brakes, clutch, suspension, transmission, and engine repairs, as well as servicing of the car’s air-conditioning system. Car care, detailing, and undercoating services are also available. ValuePlus’ mechanics have honed their craft while working with various large dealerships here and abroad. Because of that, they are also trained to work on multiple brands. That is why the shop can address servicing issues for the major car brands on the road today. VPX Sorsogon is located at OLV Pangpang, West District, Sorsogon City right across Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital & Health Services Cooperative. It can be reached through email: sorsogon@valueplusph.com. For more information about ValuePlus Auto Service and ValuePlusXpress (VPX), call (02) 3581493/0977-779-5602 (look for Paul Encabo) or email them at vpx@valueplusph.com.

CUTTING THE RIBBON AT THE GRAND OPENING OF VPX SORSOGON (FROM LEFT): Mr. Mark Saberola, Fr. Jesse Samson, Dr. Alvin Cledera, Dr. Larry Garrido, Mr. Tito Fortes, Dra. Medy Auxillos, Dra. Verdi Joy Gamad, and Dr. Dennis Donor

Eternal Plans to push micro pre-need plan in new Bacolod office

EADING pre-need company, Eternal Plans, brings its pre-paid micropreneed product to the South as it opens its new branch office in Bacolod City on September 16, 2019. The new Eternal Plans office is located at Rooms 3 & 4, ground floor of Plaza Mart City Mall, Araneta Street, Bacolod City. To grace the special event as guests of honor are Bacolod City councilors Wilson Gamboa, Jr. and Ann Marie Palermo, and barangay chairman Eli Alcantara, Jr. They will be welcomed by EPI officers headed by Rolando B. Bongalon, senior assistant vice president for Sales. The opening of the new office will enable Eternal Plans to offer its micro pre-need plan, named Life Plan ni Juan, to residents of Bacolod City, and other nearby places in the Negros provinces and the Western Visayas region. The renewable memorial life plan is the

only micro pre-need plan approved by the Insurance Commission, which commended Eternal Plans for taking the initiative to offer a more affordable pre-need product to the low-income group. Eternal Plans was established by Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua in 1981 as a provider of pre-need products that meet the basic needs of Filipinos. Founded initially to offer memorial life plan complementing the memorial lot business of its sister company Eternal Gardens, it is one of only three pre-need companies licensed to offer life, education and pension plans. The event will begin with a thanksgiving mass, followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing of the new office. After the ceremony, there will be an orientation training of new sales associates, plus other fun activities for all attendees and the mall goers.

PTM celebrates 30th year, highlights tour packages to Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga

HE Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) celebrated its 30th annual edition, making it the longest-running travel trade exhibition in the Philippines and one of the most established shows in ASEAN. This year, the travel show highlighted domestic tour packages to Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga, even though there have been concerns over security. “We need to change the perception for Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga, especially among ourselves,” Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) President Cesar Cruz said during the media briefing.

He described Tawi-Tawi as a “millennial destination,” with its culture and its “people who are always smiling and welcoming. There, both Christians and Muslims coexist peacefully. They have houses on stilts [above the water] as a lifestyle, not because they are poor.” Tech stuff found a place at the show with the theme “Fostering Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism.” High-definition electronic billboards cut paper and plastic waste. The trend is digital, cutting out paper, reduce brochure distribution and single-use plastic items.

EIJING—Serbia Coach Sasha Djordjevic said Saturday he’s resigning after his team—among the favorites to win the basketball World Cup in China—settled for fifth place. Djordjevic broke the news after Serbia beat the Czech Republic, 90-81, to win the game that decided fifth and sixth place. “I’ve already told the players I think it’s time to leave,” Djordjevic said through an interpreter. “That’s it. I want to resign now.... I’m leaving in a moment when we unfortunately didn’t manage our goal.” Djordjevic said he decided to resign before the World Cup opened just over two weeks ago, suggesting he was not pushed by the poor outcome. “Life goes in some other direction for me,” he added. “I wanted to be with my family this summer. It wasn’t easy. Everything was very tough; the preparation, the qualification and the competition.” There was no immediate indication who will take over one of Europe’s—and international basketball’s—most respected teams. Djordjevic, a former player, took over in 2013 and built success from the start. Serbia had won silver medals in the last three major international tournaments under Djordjevic, including the Rio de Janeiro Olympics three years ago. Serbia also won silver in the 2014 World Championship (now called the World Cup), and in the 2017 EuroBasket (the European championship). The losses in the final of the Olympics and the 2014 World Championship were against the United States. The EuroBasket defeat was against Slovenia. Serbia failed in this World Cup, not only to win enough, but to book a place in next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Serbia will have to win an Olympic qualifying tournament next summer to advance. “It will be tough, definitely,” said Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Sacramento Kings shooting guard who led Serbia on Saturday with 31 points. “There were many good teams upset at this tournament and I know they’ll be pretty motivated for the Olympics.” Serbia and the United States were probably the two favorites going into China—perhaps Serbia even more than the under-strength Americans whose seventh-place finish was the lowest ever by a US team at a major international tournament. The Serbs were undone in the World Cup by back-to-back losses to Spain—in a second-round match—and Argentina in the quarterfinals. Spain and Argentina will play for the championship on Sunday. Eight teams have already reached next year’s Tokyo Olympics. Seven advanced from the World Cup—Australia, Spain, France, Argentina, Nigeria, Iran and the United States. Japan qualifies automatically as the host nation. The United States had a disappointing World Cup, but still managed to reach Tokyo as one of the two best teams from the Americas at the World Cup. Europe’s two automatic spots from the World Cup went to Spain and France Four spots remain for the 12-team Olympic tournament. They will come from four six-team qualifying tournaments next summer. The venue and draws for each venue are not finalized. AP

Djordjevic resigning after Serbia finishes fifth in World Cup | Monday, September 16, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

EIJING—Their final game at the World Cup had been over for several minutes, and every member of the US team and coaching staff were still lingering together on the court. They were ready to go home. They just weren’t ready to go their separate ways. For USA Basketball, summer ended Saturday with an 87-74 win over Poland in the seventh-place game at the World Cup, the lowest finish ever by a US team in a major international tournament. Donovan Mitchell finished with 16 points and 10 assists, Joe Harris scored 14 and the US wrapped up its stay in China with a 6-2 record. And when it was over, as his players signed each other’s jerseys in the locker room as souvenirs, US Coach Gregg Popovich insisted this team has nothing to be ashamed about. “If you don’t win, some people will play the blame game,” Popovich said. “There’s no blame to be placed anywhere. They play the shame game, like we

should be ashamed because we didn’t win a gold medal? That’s a ridiculous attitude. It’s immature. It’s arrogant. And it shows that whoever thinks that doesn’t respect all the other teams in the world and doesn’t respect that these guys did the best they could.” Khris Middleton had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Americans. Derrick White scored 12 and Harrison Barnes added 10 for the US, which led by 17 at the half but had to stave off a Poland rally in the final minutes. The mantra the Americans carried into Saturday was to finish the trip the right way, and they got it done. “I’m going to look back on it and have unbelievable memories,” Harris said. “These are friendships that are very unique, where we’ve formed a special bond going through what we just did together.... Some of these guys who I might not have had a chance to know otherwise are now some of my closest friends. It’s unique in that way.” There was little to play for except pride—and the Americans were playing

Pop: There’s no blame to be placed anywhere

Sasha Djordjevic: I think it’s time to leave. AP

BusinessMirror

with the realization that for some of them, it easily could be their last time wearing the red, white and blue uniforms with “USA” across the chest. The roster for the US trip to the Tokyo Olympics next summer is likely to look considerably different than this one. “For me, this is an amazing experience,” Mitchell said. “Everybody likes to look at the end goal, but when you sit back and reflect, I played on Team USA. That’s incredible for me. I think that in itself is amazing. So yes, it was definitely worth it.” Poland Coach Mike Taylor also found the World Cup most worthwhile—especially Saturday. He’s an American, lives in Florida, is proud of how far he’s taken Poland’s program, knows many of the words to the Polish national anthem—but mouthed along with the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner” when it played pregame. “I’ve been coaching with national teams, four years with the Czech Republic and now six years with Poland,” Taylor said, his voice cracking slightly. “That’s a lot of anthems you’ve heard. And I never imagined in my life that I would hear the United States. It means a lot and it’s not something you take for granted.”

US Coach Gregg Popovich talks with Donovan Mitchell (center) and Kemba Walker during their World Cup in Dongguan. AP

Mateusz Ponitka scored 18 points, Adam Waczynski had 17 and Louisville-born AJ Slaughter finished with 15 for Poland (4-4), which was in the World Cup for the first time since 1967. “You look down at the US bench, you see one of the greatest coaches ever in Coach Pop, you see Steve Kerr, you see all those guys and you can’t believe it,” Slaughter said. “It was a lasting moment that I’ll have for the rest of my life.” Popovich said it’s too early to think about what USA Basketball needs to do before getting ready for the Tokyo Games. But he warned—just as two-time gold medalist Kobe Bryant did on Friday—that the days of American romps to gold are done. “There are a lot of great teams in the world,” Popovich said. “It’s not written in stone that the United States is supposed to walk to a championship. That’s pretty old-school thinking. Even the teams that have won in the past had a lot of close calls.” When it’s time for that Tokyo team to get assembled, Mitchell made it clear that he wants to be part of the squad. “I think I have to wait for them to ask,” Mitchell said. “But I want to be there.” AP

KOBE BRYANT: We’re going to have our challenges for the next team, whether it’s Redeem 2 or whatever you want to call it. AP

The Associated Press

EIJING—Kobe Bryant played on the Redeem Team in 2008, the one that delivered a gold medal in Beijing after a series of USA Basketball disappointments in big tournaments. Back in Beijing this weekend, Bryant isn’t sure another Redeem Team will be so easy to find for the US. The five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist is at the final weekend of the World Cup as an ambassador for Fiba. However, he won’t be watching the US in the medal round. The best the Americans can do at this tournament is seventh place, and Bryant says the days of automatic gold medals for the US— regardless of who is on the roster—may be over. “It’s not a matter of the rest of the world catching up to the US. It’s that the rest of the world has been caught up for quite some time,” Bryant said. “It’s to the point now where the US, we’re going to win some and we’re going to lose some. That’s just how it goes.” “We’re going to have our challenges for the next team, whether it’s Redeem 2 or whatever you want to call it,” Bryant continued. “No matter what team it is, it’s not going to be easy.” This US World Cup team was not overly star-powered, after plenty of people who were under consideration for roster spots dropped out before the on-court selection process. The Americans won their first five games, but lost to France in the quarterfinals and then to Serbia in the consolation round— meaning their seventh-place showing in China will be the program’s worst ever in a major tournament. The US finished its World Cup stay on Saturday against Poland. The next big tournament for the US will be the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the Americans will seek a fourth consecutive gold medal. And some top NBA players, like Draymond Green, have already publicly said they would like to play next summer. “I do hope to play,” Green said Thursday during an appearance on CNBC. “And I think a lot of guys will want to play.” But winning gold wasn’t even that easy for the Redeem Team, Bryant pointed out. That team with Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd and more beat Spain, 118-107, for the gold medal, but it took some heroics—a four-point play by Bryant with about three minutes left among them—to pull away in the final moments. “We needed a hell of a fourth quarter to beat Spain,” Bryant said. “And that was a hell of a team we had. We still needed a really late push to beat Spain. So I say that to say, put the best players that you think makes the best US team out there on the floor and we are still going to have challenges. It’s not going to be a cakewalk.” “The days of the 1992 Barcelona Dream Team are gone, over. It’s going to be tough.”

By Tim Reynolds

BRYANT: IT WON’T BE EASY ANYMORE Sports

Spo

Business

Monday, September 16, 2019

VIRTUAL CHAMPION P

LATAFORMA DE LOS GREDOS, Spain— Primoz Roglic is poised to win his first Grand Tour after protecting his comfortable lead of the Spanish Vuelta on a rainy and mountainous penultimate stage on Saturday. Roglic had little trouble responding to the attacks by his rivals over the 190-kilometer ride with five categorized climbs from Arenas de San Pedro to a summit finish at Plataforma de los Gredos in the mountains west of Madrid. As is custom at the three-week grand tours, riders respect the leader and do not attack on the 21st and final stage. So barring an accident or some unlikely mishap, Sunday’s arrival to Madrid will be a relaxed jaunt for Roglic and his yellow-clad Jumbo-Visma teammates to celebrate the title. The Slovenian, who turned to cycling after giving up on his first sport of ski jumping in 2012, leads world champion Alejandro Valverde by over two-and-a-half minutes heading to the final day. Roglic said despite a couple of crashes and the strong winds on Stage 17 that challenger Nairo Quintana used to get back in contention, he never feared for his lead. “For sure it was not the easiest Vuelta,” he said. “But I had a strong team around me and we managed to keep everything in control.” He said his next goal could be a shot at the Tour de France. “Why not?” he said. Fellow Slovenian Tadej Pogacar confirmed he is the surprise of the race by pulling off a long solo attack to win the stage in just over five hours, moving him into third place overall. It was the 20-year-old Pogacar’s third win of the race.

“It’s really incredible. I don’t think I was ever imagining this, but I think I will need a few days to understand it,” Pogacar, who rides for UAE Team Emirates, said. “I felt good on the long last climb. I chose the right moment and went full gas to the finish.” Roglic showed his promise when he was fourth in the 2018 Tour de France and third in the Giro d’Italia in June, where he also won two stages. He has excellent time trialing skills and the ability to also perform well in the toughest mountains. Roglic took control of the Vuelta and dealt a heavy blow to his rivals on the Stage 10 time trial, where he built an almost two-minute lead over Valverde. That proved enough. Despite the best efforts of Valverde’s Movistar team and Miguel Ángel López’s Astana, Roglic defended the red jersey with aplomb through the most grueling mountains in northern Spain. That included Saturday’s trek through rain and cold temperatures. Roglic was left alone after the hard pace set by Astana that shed the other Jumbo-Visma riders, but he matched López’s charges and a late push by Valverde. The 39-year-old Valverde protected his second place on the podium after racing hard up the final ascent to finish behind Pogacar, who knocked Quintana off the podium in his final race for Movistar. Valverde won the Vuelta in 2009. “I am very satisfied,” said Valverde, who is 10 years older than Roglic. “I didn’t dream of a second place.” Sunday’s final stage is a flat 106 kilometers from Fuenlabrada to the Spanish capital. AP

Europe, US tied after brutal Day 2 at Solheim Cup

SLOVENIA’S Primoz Roglic is poised to win the Spanish Vuelta.

Clijsters returns seven years after retirement

Kim Clijsters is attempting another comeback at age 36.

EVEN years after retiring from tennis a second time, Kim Clijsters is attempting another comeback at age 36. The former No. 1 and four-time major champion, who already is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, announced Thursday she is planning to return to the pro tour in 2020, although she’s not yet ready to say exactly when or where or how often she will compete. “My goal right now...is to be able to get fit enough, and ready tennis-wise, to compete at the highest level. That to me would be my challenge, as of right now. And if you get to that stage, then you push yourself, and then it might be like, ‘Hmm, let’s see if I can get, I don’t know, to the second week of a Grand Slam.’ I’ll constantly push myself, I think, if I feel that I’m getting better and improving,” Clijsters said. “But it’s very hard for me to think about right now, and very unrealistic at this stage, to

think, ‘I want to try and get to a quarterfinal of a Grand Slam,’” she said. “I don’t think like that, because I’m in the moment, and I know how much work I still have ahead.” Clijsters turned pro in 1997, won the US Open for the first time in 2005 and walked away from tennis in 2007 at just 23, shortly before getting married to an American basketball player, Brian Lynch. After about two years away while having a daughter, Clijsters returned and soon won the 2009 US Open, making her the first mother to collect a Grand Slam singles title since Evonne Goolagong at Wimbledon in 1980. With a baseline game built on terrific court coverage, the Belgian won another championship at Flushing Meadows in 2010, then added an Australian Open title the following season and moved back atop the rankings. Clijsters, who now has three children, left the tour again in 2012 and has been working as a television broadcaster. AP

LENEAGLES, Scotland—After a day of extraordinary comebacks, tense 18th-hole finishes, and some of the most brutal weather conditions in Solheim Cup history, still nothing can separate Europe and the United States at Gleneagles. It’s 8-8 heading to the final-day singles and there’s no way of knowing which way this one’s going to fall. It was just gone 7 p.m. local time on Saturday when Danielle Kang rolled in a long birdie putt amid the gloom to clinch the last match of the afternoon fourballs for the US on the 17th hole, depriving the Europeans of the lead. Kang hugged playing partner Lizette Salas, who was wearing giant ear muffs and a thick coat. They were congratulated by US captain Juli Inkster, who was wearing three hats. Golf carts parked around the green had their headlights on. It was one of those days when balls fell off tees and police officers roaming the course were seen holding onto their hats. “I’m sure they’d love to be playing in Spain right now,” Inkster said of the players, “but this is where we’re at.” It is the first time since 2011 in Ireland that Europe and the US were tied going to the singles. The Europeans went on to lift the cup that year, and they are seeking to prevent a US three-peat in women’s golf’s premier team event. After the morning foursomes were shared 2-2, leaving Europe with a 6 1/2 to 5 1/2 lead, Inkster made the bold decision to rest the three unbeaten players in her team for the fourballs. Out went the Korda sisters, who had just swept to a record-tying 6-and-5 win, and also Morgan Pressel, who won seven of nine holes with Marina Alex to come from 4 down and secure a 2-and-1 victory. Inkster went out of her “pod” system that has guided her selection and put her faith in fresher players to bring home the points in winds that reached 70 kph. AP

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Monday, September 16, 2019 C3

Motolite gals frustrate Choco spikers, grab solo 2nd spot in Open Conference

otolite kept playing inspired game in the absence of its top player, overcoming a two-set deficit and wearing down a young Choco Mucho side in a nerve-wracking finish to pull off a 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 25-17, 18-16 victory yesterday and grab solo second in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Former University of the Philippines stalwarts Isa Molde and Tots Carlos lead Motolite’s stirring comeback, churning out a pair of 23-hit games, including key hits in the fifth set marked by a number of lead changes, while putting Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino’s conference-high 33-point output to naught. It was Motolite’s second straight five-set escape following a similar squeaker over BanKoPerlas last Wednesday and it closed out its first round eliminations campaign with a 6-2 slate to move to second behind unbeaten Creamline, which extended its run to 9-0 with a three-set romp over Chef’s Classics last Saturday. Choco Mucho, one of the league’s two newcomers that showed a lot of promise by winning two of its first three matches, fell to its fifth straight defeat for a 2-6 card. It was also the Flying Titans’ third

CHOCO Mucho’s Katrina Mae Tolentino scores against Motolite’s Bernadette Flora (16) and Jessma Clarice Ramos (9). NONOY LACZA

TIGERS IN OVERTIME By Ramon Rafael Bonilla

henz Abando delivered the goods when it mattered most as University of Santo Tomas (UST) showed wits under pressure to dispose of National University (NU), 87-74, in overtime in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines Season 82 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The super rookie from La Union buried two crucial three-pointers when the Growling Tigers used a pile of miscues by the Bulldogs side to dash to their third win in four games. It was also Abando who played with nerves of steel as his triple in the last 27.7 seconds of regulation pulled UST to within one for a frantic finish until the buzzer. Beninese center Soulemane Chabi Yo had a monster production of 23 points, 20 rebounds and four assists. Abando tallied 21 points spiked by three 3-pointers. He had six boards. “We just became lucky in endgame,” UST Head Coach Aldin Ayo admitted. “We did not play our game in the first three and half quarters.” “But we picked ourselves in the last five minutes. The players showed composure,” he added. Truly, the Growling Tigers were caught trailing for most parts of the match until they found their rhythm in the fourth. It didn’t help that the team

niversity of Perpetual Help System Dalta captured its first-ever senior’s title following a 3.5-.5 victory over Arellano University last Saturday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 95 chess tournament at the San Beda campus. It was a sweet victory for the Altas, who finished third in the eight-round eliminations, as they achieved a breakthrough win in 34 years— or since the school joined the league in 1985. Perpetual Help defeated No. 2 and twice-tobeat San Beda University in the semifinals. “We prepared hard for this because we ended up fourth last Season 94. We joined several

committed 25 turnovers in the entire game. What really mattered was the Bulldogs’ carelessness in critical stretches which proved costly as they dropped to a 0-3 record. An inbounds violation by NU’s Enzo Joson gifted Abando his triple at the top of the arc. In the next possession, the team’s eight-second blunder forced them a duty foul on Zach Huang, who split his charities with 17.9 seconds. Joson made up for his mistakes by sinking a go-ahead layup on the other end, but an early celebration on the Bulldogs’ side was quickly doused as Chabi Yo took a short stab with 2.1 seconds left to force overtime, 70-70. In the extra period, Abando was just too tough and Sherwin Concepcion contributed timely baskets to seal the deal for UST. Concepcion finished with 13 points and six rebounds, while Mark Nonoy and Renzo Subido added nine and seven, respectively. Dave Ildefonso had 16 points and six boards for NU, while John Lloyd Clemente chipped in 12 points. Adamson University, meanwhile, claimed its first winning streak in women’s basketball after drubbing University of the Philippines, 100-74, also on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Rookie Novie Ornopia stepped up with her 23 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block as she played in perfect harmony with Lady Falcon ace Mar Prado, who got 20 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, six steals and one block in the win. Kat Araja added 18 points, six steals, four rebounds and four assists, while Gerl Anticamara had 10

points and four assists for the Lady Falcons. UP suffered its third straight defeat this season and its four-year losing streak extended to 33 games. Jona Lebico topped the Lady Maroons with 19 points and two rebounds, while Stiff Larrosa had 12 points, four boards and three assists. In boys’ volleyball. Far Eastern University-Diliman stayed spotless after nipping erstwhile unbeaten UST, while defending champion Nazareth School of NU earned its breakthrough win The Baby Tamaraws dealt the Junior Tiger Spikers their first loss of the tournament, 20-25, 29-27, 14-25, 25-23, 15-12, while the Bullpups made quick work of the Adamson University Junior Falcons, 25-21, 25-14, 27-25, at the FEU-Diliman Gym. Rans Cajolo led FEUDiliman with 14 points while Jerold Talisayan chipped in 12 points. Rey de Vega came through with 17 points, 10 digs and 10 receptions for UST, which dropped to 2-1 for third place, Arvin Bandola topscored for NU with 14 points built on six spikes, four blocks and four aces while Michaelo Buddin added nine points.

straight loss via five sets. In contrast, Motolite scored a follow-up to its pulsating five-set win over BanKo-Perlas to bolster its semifinal drive in the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa, Asics and KFC. Molde spiked her solid outing with 18 digs and 10 excellent receptions while Bernadette Flora came through with 15 hits, including the matchclinching crosscourt hit that ended the thrilling two-hour, 34-minute encounter. Fil-Am Iris Tolenada anchored Motolite’s offense with 46 excellent sets while Flora added 20 digs and eight excellent receptions, and Jessma Ramos and Aie Gannaban combined for 24 points for Motolite, which continued to flourish without injured Myla Pablo. For a while, Choco Mucho appeared headed to finally snapping an alarming skid after taking the first two sets but crumbled in the face of Motolite’s strong comeback in the next two frames. Still, the Flying Titans regrouped in the decider and even took a 13-10 lead on a Carlos attack error but Motolite reimposed its strength and will, and took the next four points to regain control on a Flora ace. But Choco Mucho still saved three match points until Molde blasted in a crosscourt kill to put Motolite on the hill for the fourth time before Flora finished off the Flying Titans with her last hit. Ateneo, meanwhile, bounced back from a four-set defeat to Adamson Univerisy last week as it romped past University of Perpetual Help, 25-18, 25-9, 25-17, also on Sunday to arrange a semifinal showdown with University of Santo Tomas in the Collegiate Conference in the same venue. Faith Nisperos unloaded 15 points while Ponggay Gaston made 11 points and had 11 excellent digs, and Joan Narit and Vanessa Gandler each scored eight markers for the Lady Eagles, who closed out the elims with a 4-1 card. They will face the Tigresses on September 28. The Lady Altas wound up with a 1-4 slate.

Anastacio in Board 4. Other gold medalists were College of Saint Benilde’s Daryl Samantila in Board 1, San Beda’s Marc Christian Nazario in Board 2, College of Saint Benilde’s John Fleer Donguines in Board 3, Arellano University’s Louigi Beñas in Board 5an Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Joshua Marquez in Board 6. International Master (IM) Roel Abelgas of Perpetual Help was named the Coach of the Year. San Beda, meanwhile, unseated Perpetual Help in the juniors’ division following a 2.51.5 victory in the Finals. Gal Brein Palasigue won the MVP honors and Ildefonso Datu as

De los Reyes, Ganzon rule Porac race

THE successful University of Perpetual Help System Dalta chess team—led by their coach, International Master Roel Abelgas, strike a championship pose with their school’s Athletic Director Frank Gusi.

oey De los Reyes and former national champion Alexandra Ganzon clocked the fastest times in their respective categories to rule the Alviera Bike King Duathlon recently at Alviera in Porac, Pampanga De los Reyes, winner of the 2016 and 2017 Bike King Duathlon series, finished the long distance 6-kilometer run/60-km bike/4km run event in two hours, 13 minutes and

20 seconds to top the Male 30-34 age group. Jarwyn Banatao and Cipriane John Topia, both from the Male 25-29 group, crossed the finish line neck-and-neck at 2:16:02 and 2:16:03, respectively, to complete the podium. De los Reyes used a teammate as pacer in the cycling leg on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway until his teammate suffered a flat tire.

UAAP season gets exciting

the expense of Saint Benilde, 83-67, in the men’s basketball tournament last Thursday. Shooting 11-of-21 from the field highlighted by five triples, the 6-foot-2 forward passed his previous career-best 31 points in San Sebastian’s 107-90 victory over Perpetual Help just three weeks ago. “I am very thankful with Coach Egay [Macaraya] and his staff for their support,” Bulandi said. Bulanadi has taken the scoring cudgels for the Recto-based team and he wanted to lead the Stags not just back to the Final Four but also to a first NCAA championship in a decade before closing his collegiate career.

De los Reyes went ahead on his own and maintained his lead to the end. Alexandra Ganzon, meanwhile, easily topped the Female 30-34 category with a time of 2:34:40. Female 40-44 champion was a far second with 3:08:48, while Female 35-39 champion Bubbles Paraiso came in third with 3:09:07. The winners in the sprint distance contests included 20-29 champion Reymart Songo with 1:14:45 and 15-19 titlist Irienold Reig Jr. with 1:14:50. The fastest sprint females were 15-19

champion Erica Bulatao with 1:30:54, 40-49 winner Bic Ferreria with 1:37:33 and 20-29 champion Aira Lourdes Lopez with 1:39:56. Other declared champions of the long distance and sprint distance can be found at the event’s page at the official web site of organizer Bike King. “We are happy that even though Alviera is located quite far away from Metro Manila, a lot of participants joined the race and had a good time,” Alviera Estate Manager Aris Pangilinan said. Pangilinan and Jenny Chico of Nlex-SCTEx led the awarding ceremony.

THE Tigers’ Mark Nonoy improvises in midair to score from under the basket. NONIE REYES

Coach of the Year. IM Eric Labog Jr of Perpetual Help (Board 1), Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Reginald Canlas (Board 2), San Beda’s Gal Brein Palasigue (Board 3), Perpetual Help’s Christian James Aquino (Board 4), Arellano University’s James Michael Erese (Board 5) and Perpetual Help’s Jerome Angelo Aragones (Board 6) won the individual gold medal. San Sebastian College’s Allyn Bulanadi, meanwhile, was picked the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week. Bulanadi nailed a career-high 32 points to tow the Golden Stags to a fifth straight win at

Bleachers’ Brew

We all knew that heading into the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 82 men’s basketball tournament how teams now have programs to speak of; hence, a tournament where teams would really compete. True enough, we have seen four games out of the first 13 played decided at the buzzer with another coming down into the final two minutes of play. The National University (NU) Bulldogs have been involved in two of them and each time they came away pained from last-second defeats—an unlikely triple from Adamson University center Lenda Douanga with a second left, 84-83, and a close-range stab from La Salle’s Kurt Lojera, 83-82 (they did have the ball back with nine seconds left but Shaun Ildefonso missed a triple. NU’s Dave Ildefonso got the offensive rebound but instead of taking the shot, opted to pass the ball and they never got a shot off). La Salle has gone through both ends of the spectrum. After that last gasp win over NU, they ran into a pair of clutch baskets from University of the East’s (UE) Rey Suerte to lose, 89-88. The other one-point game was the AteneoUniversity of Santo Tomas (UST) match where UST struck a triple right at the buzzer for the game’s final points, 71-70. The Blue Eagles would have not been anxious had Gian Mamuyac and Matt Nieto not missed three free throws. Yet, as it is said, a win is a win. This isn’t as accurate, but that last time I remember a lot buzzer-beating game winners was Season 70 when there were at least six super-close and cardiac finishes. I like the fact that every team is now able to compete, Ateneo’s and UE’s opposite pole records (as of Saturday evening) notwithstanding. By the same token, DLSU could easily be 0-3, had NU not fumbled their final offensive. Does that mean the Green Archers aren’t good? Far from it. They have a good team. A few of their players arrived within a few weeks of tip-off of the UAAP tourney. Furthermore, their active consultant, Jermaine Byrd, is new to the country, the league and the players. Foreign coaches and former professional ball coaches struggle when they first come to the league because of fundamental differences from zones to time per quarter played (just to name a few). It took Norman Black, Eric Altamirano, Bo Perasol, and even Tab Baldwin at least a year to adjust. It stands to reason that Byrd must be given some time, too. The NU Bulldogs are growing up fast. As I said in all my preseason previews, I will give the Bulldogs one more year before they start to kick major butt. They are showing they are better this year, the losses aside. Everyone has heaped praises on UST’s play. And this team can go all the way. For a team that is only in its infancy although they have quite a few players whether they are transferees or veterans that have experience. Two-time defending champion, Ateneo, has alternated between impressive and well, at times, giving pause for concern. And yet, they are 4-0. Their comfortable wins against Adamson, La Salle and FEU aside, you kind of get the sense that when they start to roll, they will be a juggernaut. Lost in all of this is UP. That is what one loss (to UST) can do to you. It would be foolish to not take them seriously. This team remains on a mission. They are loaded from top to bottom. And like UST, can win it all. I’d give them a few games when they finally have a complete lineup to see where they are at. All these subplots, these close and exciting matches add to the UAAP’s mystique and appeal as arguably the best sports league in the country (pro and amateur included). And to think we are only two weeks in.

PERPETUAL BAGS 1ST NCAA CHESS TITLE preseason tournaments and those made us sharper,” said tournament MVP, Board 4 player John Marx Anastacio, who captured a total of four gold medals. Top board’s Genesis Borromeo delivered the clincher for Perpetual Help as he downed Arellano University’s Joshua Arias in a Bogo Indian Defense game that lasted two hour and 50 minutes. Also emerging victorious for the Altas in the Finals were Carl Zirex Sato in Board 2 and

Rick Olivares bleachersbrew@gmail.com

Sports BusinessMirror

| Monday, September 16, 2019 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

Tyson Fury (left) punches Otto Wallin, during their heavyweight match on Saturday in Las Vegas. AP

By Tim Dahlberg The Associated Press

BLOODY VICTORY FOR TYSON FURY

AS VEGAS—Blood was flowing down Tyson Fury’s right cheek, and Otto Wallin was in his face. His scheduled rematch with Deontay Wilder suddenly in jeopardy, Fury needed to dig deep in a fight that wasn’t supposed to be this hard. Fury did just that Saturday night, overcoming a bloody cut over his right eye to pound out a unanimous decision over his Swedish opponent and set up a lucrative heavyweight rematch with Wilder. Fury remained unbeaten in 29 fights and retained his claim to the lineal heavyweight title against a fighter who was little known but gave the big Englishman all he could handle. “I couldn’t see out of my eye,” Fury said. “I got cut over my eye and it changed the fight completely.” With blood streaming down his face, Fury dominated from the middle rounds on in what was supposed to be little more than a tune-up fight for his scheduled February rematch with Wilder. He was a 30-1 favorite at fight time, but after being cut in the third round had to reach deep to pull out the win. The three ringside judges had Fury winning by scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 116-112. The Associated Press had Fury winning 116-112. “It’s all heart and determination,” Fury said. “If I can

keep going, I keep going. Otto is a great Swede, a Viking warrior.” Fury was cut over his right eye in the third round, and it clearly bothered him as the fight went on. Blood flowed down the right side of his face and stained his trunks, and Fury kept wiping at the cut to try and keep the blood out of his eye. Referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight briefly in

the sixth round for the ringside doctor to look at the eye. When the fight resumed, Fury fought at a quicker pace, seemingly realizing he might be running out of time. With renewed determination, he kept the pressure on Wallin the rest of the way to cement a huge payday against Wilder, who he fought to a draw in December. “Deontay Wilder, I want you next,” Fury said. “Now I’m going to go home and relax with the family.” Wallin was still fighting hard in the final round, stunning Fury with a right to the head and chasing him around the ring in search of a knockdown that never

ARIS—Amid loud jeers and insulting banners from his own fans, Neymar scored a stunning bicycle kick during injury time for French league leader Paris Saint-Germain to beat Strasbourg 1-0 on Saturday. Neymar met Abdou Diallo’s left-wing cross as it drifted behind him, brilliantly hooking it in with his left foot as he was falling backward. Even as Neymar celebrated, PSG ultras behind the goal where he scored still jeered him. He angered those fans with his public desire to rejoin former club Barcelona in the offseason. The forward, who scored for Brazil last week, sat out four league games as he tried to force a move back but talks broke down. “I stayed calm. We all know what happened; I understand that it’s very difficult for them,” Neymar said. “But as from now I am a PSG player. If they want to whistle me, no problem.” Two offensive banners insulting Neymar—and his father who has also represented him in transfer talks—were also deployed at Parc des Princes. One of those referenced Neymar’s reported willingness to spend €20 million ($22 million) of his own money to push through the deal, which would reunite him with his friend and former teammate Lionel Messi. Neymar thought he scored a second goal with seconds left, but Angel Di Maria was ruled offside before squaring to give him a tap-in. Aside from the spectacular goal, it was mostly a rough afternoon for Neymar. Some fans whistled and made offensive hand gestures when he ran out onto the field for the pre-match warmup. Then, when Neymar’s name was read out over the loudspeaker as the teams were announced, PSG’s ultras jeered loudly. His first few touches of the ball were also met with loud boos. He was loudly whistled when he took a first-half corner and jeered again after trying an audacious lob over the goalkeeper from far out. The vitriol from PSG ultras behind the goal continued in the second half, although other sections of the crowd cheered him. “It wasn’t easy because he’s a very sensitive person,” PSG Coach Thomas Tuchel said. “It wasn’t either for the fans during the transfer window, and for that reason we have to accept their reaction... That’s the way it is.” Neymar was asked if he had a message for the ultras. “No, nothing. I just want to thank my teammates for allowing me to score this goal,” he said in comments translated to French. “The other players don’t deserve to put up with this situation. When the fans are behind the team, we are stronger together.” It was his sheer determination to leave the club, along with an interview recounting how much he enjoyed playing in Barca’s 6-1 humiliation of PSG in the Champions League in 2017, which led to hostile chanting against him by PSG ultras in a home game last month. One banner held aloft during that game urged him to “Get Lost.” Neymar faced Strasbourg again, having been injured when the teams met in a physical French Cup match in January. PSG is two points ahead of second-place Rennes, which drew at Brest 0-0. Bordeaux beat Metz 2-0 at home, both goals inside the first 10 minutes. Montpellier won 2-1 at home win against Nice. Bottom side Dijon picked up its first point in a 0-0 home draw with Nimes. Lyon drew at Amiens 2-2 on Friday. AP

NEYMAR JEERED, INSULTED

SAFE AT THIRD

came. Wallin, fighting for only the second time in the US, suffered his first defeat to fall to 20-1. “I did everything I could, I tried my best,” Wallin said. “Tyson is a great fighter.” Much of the fight was fought at close range, as the two men brawled on the inside. That was particularly true in the later rounds, as Fury (29-0-1)

tried to land uppercuts and Wallin kept punching at Fury’s bloody right eye. Fury earned a reported $12 million for the fight, part of a deal with promoter Bob Arum, who scooped him up after the Wilder fight. He will earn a lot more against Wilder, who still must beat Luis Ortiz in November to make the February rematch happen. Arum said Fury stepped up the pace after the cut over his eye was ruled to be from a punch. Had the fight been stopped early because of the cut Wallin would have won.

“It was a courageous performance, a terrific fight,” Arum said. “We knew the Swede wasn’t a quitter. But Tyson’s a real warrior. That’s why they call him the Gypsy King.” Fury came into the ring behind a mariachi band, wearing a pancho and a sombrero to stake his claim to fighting on Mexican Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas. But he quickly found himself in a rough and tumble battle with Wallin, who was plucked from obscurity to be Fury’s opponent. Wallin had his moments in the fight, but never seemed to really hurt Fury. Fury started landing cleaner punches as the fight went into the later rounds and when he wasn’t punching at Wallin he was leaning his 6-foot-9 256 1/2-pound frame on him. Wallin fought hard, but seemed to be tiring in the later rounds as Fury built up a lead on the scorecards. The fight drew a crowd of 8,249 to the Las Vegas Strip, many of them British fans who want to see Fury reclaim his place on top of the heavyweight division. Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the heavyweight titles, but was stripped of them after battling mental and drug abuse problems and not fighting for more than two years. Wallin was trying to score the biggest win for a Swedish heavyweight since Ingemar Johansson defeated Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title in 1959.

Raptors reach out to Muslim fans with hijabs NEYMAR stays cool before an angry crowd in Paris. AP

San Francisco Giants’ Donovan Solano slides safely into third base after driving in two runs against the Miami Marlins during the seventh inning of their Major League Baseball game on Saturday in San Francisco. The Marlins won, 4-2. AP

ORONTO—The Toronto Raptors say a new line of teambranded hijabs is part of an effort to be more inclusive to fans of all cultures. The team’s parent company, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), unveiled the Nike Pro hijabs emblazoned with the team logo in a social-media post Friday. The Raptors say they are the first National Basketball Association team to offer an athletic hijab for Muslim women. MLSE Senior Marketing Director Jerry Ferguson says the organization was inspired to create the hijabs by a local Muslim women’s organization known as the Hijabi Ballers. The women regularly play basketball at a community court associated with the team. Ferguson told The Canadian Press the Raptors want to send a message of inclusion to its diverse fan base, which grew substantially during last season’s run to the team’s first NBA title. “One of the things that we are very interested in is moving from saying we are just about inclusivity and accessibility, and finding ways to bring products and ideas to market that actually prove that,” he said by phone. The International Basketball Federation and Fifa lifted bans on head coverings in recent years. The National Council of Canadian Muslims praised the Hijabi Ballers for spurring the Raptors to act. Mustafa Farooq, the council’s executive director, acknowledged that the issue of hijabs in sports has proved divisive. Opponents have called them a symbol of oppression. “It’s hard for me to understand that,” Farooq said. “One of the beautiful things about sports is that everyone can play. Highlighting that...everyone should get a shot is such a beautiful thing to do, so obviously we thank the Raptors for taking this step.” AP

Oh God of love

EAR God, our hearts are restless until they find rest in You. In company with Your bishop Saint Augustine, we pray: Let us find peace in You, oh God. Quiet our minds and hearts, and help us to be mindful of your ever-loving presence. Help us to extend compassion to those who are bullied, harassed or ridiculed. Refresh counselors, spiritual companions and confessors. May God lead us to rejoice always in the love and mercy shown to us in Christ Jesus our peace. Amen. GIVE US THIS DAY SHARED BY LUISA LACSON, HFL Word&Life Publications • teacherlouie1965@yahoo.com

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

Life BusinessMirror

AND THEN SOME: NEW FOUNDATION COMBINES SKIN CARE AND MAKEUP D4

Monday, September 16, 2019

RUNWAY PHOTOGRAPHY: TROI SANTOS ACCESSORIES: JEROME NAVARRO

Klea Pineda: A striking star TOTA PULCHRA MISS CHARLIZE

@misscharlize

Y this time, Klea Pineda would have relinquished her title as StarStruck’s Ultimate Female Survivor to either Lexi Gonzales or Shayne Sava. As the sixth female winner of the original artista search on TV, Klea joined the ranks of Jennylyn Mercado, Ryza Cenon, Jackie Rice, Kris Bernal and Sarah Lahbati. “A survivor should know that giving up is never an option despite how hard the challenges are. That’s what made me stay till the end,” the 20-year-old stunner said. Before the Final Judgment over the weekend on GMA, Klea shared some updates about her life, dreams and career since she won in 2015. What sparked your interest in show business? Before, I thought showbiz was only about glitz and glamor, but as I grew older, I saw how celebrities are able to inspire and touch lives through their beauty and talent. I told myself, “I want that and I am getting that soon!” Who or what convinced you to join StarStruck? It’s more of “inspired” than “convinced.” It was my family and friends. They believed that I could do it and that’s where it all started.

Every actress dreams to have her own movies and get awards. Those are still some of my top goals. My edge was probably my versatility. I don’t just focus on one talent or genre. Whatever they asked us to do like singing, dancing and, of course, acting, I always gave my best shot. How did winning change your life? My life became more colorful. When I won, the cash and the house-and-lot prizes were just minor. The major ones for me are the friends and experiences I gained along the way, before and after I won the title. My dream roles: a superhero or a woman who has multiple personality disorder. I just love challenges! My dream leading man would be Edgar Allan Guzman while my dream female costars are my co-StarStruck hopefuls. A dream director is Direk Laurice Guillen, who I got to work with in a movie and a TV show. I still look forward to working with her again in the future! How do you keep your career scandalfree? Who are the people who keep you grounded? I make sure that I do my job right. I respect the time and efforts of people I work with. I also make myself responsible for all my actions on and off camera. It’s always my family. They don’t stop reminding me of good values that I should have. Who are your go-to designers for red carpets, formal occasions, showbiz presscons and why? Since StarStruck, Daryl Maat has been my go-to designer/stylist. He’s more than that to me—we became really good friends and I really trust him.

CONTINUED ON D2

MEGHAN LAUNCHES CLOTHING LINE TO HELP JOBLESS BRITISH WOMEN

MEGHAN, the Duchess of Sussex, arrives at a department store to launch the Smart Works capsule collection in London on September 12. AP

LONDON—Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has launched a clothing line for a British charity that helps unemployed women find work. The wife of Prince Harry attended a reception at a John Lewis department store to showcase a collection of workwear and accessories she created with designer and friend Misha Nonoo. The line includes professional attire, such as a blazer, tote bag and trousers. The launch came the day before London Fashion Week starts. The Smart Set collection supports Smart Works. Meghan is royal patron of the charity that provides women with training and interview clothes. Meghan said: “As women, it is 100 percent our responsibility, I think, to support and uplift each other.” The reception was one of her first royal engagements since the birth of her and Harry’s son Archie in May. AP

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Monday, September 16, 2019

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Today’s Horoscope

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By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Nick Jonas, 27; Alexis Bledel, 38; Amy Poehler, 48; Mickey Rourke, 67.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Tidy up loose ends. Completion will bring you great satisfaction and release you from stress. It’s time to start doing the things you want to do. Letting go of what’s happened in the past and heading into the future with optimism and enthusiasm will be exhilarating, and encourage better relationships and personal happiness. Set your priorities, and follow your dream. Your lucky numbers are 2, 16, 20, 23, 37, 39, 41.

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Refuse to let your emotions interfere with a significant decision you have to make. Do what’s best for you, and don’t look back. If your focus is backward instead of forward, you will miss out on an opportunity to try something new. ★★★

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Look at the magnitude of a situation you face, and do your best to minimize what you are up against. Being aware of what’s necessary and what isn’t will determine your success. Put in the physical work required to accomplish your goal. ★★★

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STAY protected and comfortable with Merrell’s MQM Flex Gore-Tex.

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SCRAMBLER RT 35 in Darklands rom Mountain Hardwear

❹ WATERPROOF your rainy day adventures with Columbia’s Arcadia II Jacket in Cherry Bomb

❺ KEEP your

valuables safe and dry with Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 OutDry in Fresh Bud.

❹

Rainy season essentials T HE adventure continues even as rainy weather has descended upon us with essentials that will keep you protected and dry from Outdoors by SM. After all, rainy seasons are also “off” seasons for tourism, and you’ll encounter fewer crowds, your travel budget will stretch further, and you’ll rack up tons of unique experiences. And if you’re traveling while braving torrential downpours and muddy walkways, the good news is that top brands have invested in revolutionary technology that highlight waterproofing materials. Top brand Columbia has jackets featuring its Omni-Tech technology with guaranteed waterproof, yet breathable material. Mountain Hardwear has backpacks with OutDry, a patented construction technology that bonds a waterproof-breathable membrane directly to the shell fabric; while Merrell has shoes with Gore-Tex, a waterproof membrane.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Just do what has to be done and move along. If you focus too much on what others do or say, you will find it difficult to overcome emotional interference. Set your goal, and don’t stop until you finish. ★★

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Use your charm, brainpower and insight to gather the information that will help you make personal improvements. Getting along with your peers will be necessary if you want to get things done. Positive input will encourage others to see things your way. ★★★★★

Outdoors by SM also has outdoor gear from The North Face along with camping and hiking essentials from Black Diamond, Coghlan’s, Discovery Adventures, Gerber and Sea to Summit. Klean Kanteen, Hydro Flask, 360 Degrees, Contigo, Nalgene and Stanley help keep you hydrated with their array of bottles. Walk safely even in wet weather with footwear for hiking from Salomon and iconic Filipino-brand Sandugo. Timberland and Palladium provide not only comfortable but also reliable boots, while Germanbrand Birkenstock continues to present the sandals it has long been known for. You can also weatherize your travel with durable luggage options from Dakine, Deuter, Eagle Creek, Osprey, Pacsafe, Thule and Timbuk2; as well as backpacks by Fjallraven, Herschel, JanSport and Parkland. These brands and more to come are available at Outdoors by SM at the second level of SM Makati. ■

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Look over your finances, and update documents and records that need adjusting. Evaluate your home and lifestyle, and consider what you want to do from this point on. Having a plan in place will give you the incentive to forge ahead. ★★★

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Do what needs to be done. Sort through personal paperwork, make adjustments to your living arrangements and address matters that could lead to someone making a fuss if the improvement isn’t made. Choose peace and love over discord. ★★★

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Which retail brands dominate your closet? What’s your outfit on a day off from work, at home, with barkadas? I love streetwear style. I wear clothes that I’m comfortable with and describes my personality. It really depends on my mood, but there are times when I need to wear smart casual outfits for work. When I’m at home, I just wear oversized shirt and comfy shorts; and when I go out with my barkada, I wear crop tops, shorts/pants. What have you invested in? What’s your biggest indulgence/splurge? Part of the prize that I got from StarStruck was a house-and-lot. I’m currently having it fully furnished. Biggest indulgence or splurge? Probably my car and all my travels with friends and family.

With the current StarStruck, taking into account rabid fans, what can you advise the current contestants about dealing with online criticisms? How did you deal with bashing back then? Learn the art of deadma. I always keep in mind that no matter what we do, people around would have something to say about it. That’s part of being in the industry, so don’t be too sensitive. No matter what they say about you, it doesn’t matter. What matters is what you know and what you believe in. You love to pose in swimwear. How do you keep fit, healthy and toned? Where are your fave vacay spots and where would you love to swim next (anywhere in the world)? I love indulging in food but I make sure that I still eat healthy. I don’t take too much carbs and sugar, although sweets from time to time isn’t bad!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Open up about the way you feel, and progress will be made. A positive change will put your mind at ease and encourage making plans that are conducive to better relationships. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t get angry; get moving. An upbeat attitude will prompt others to help you reach your goal. A challenge should be met with strength, courage and intelligence. ★★★★

Klea Pineda: A striking star CONTINUED FROM D1

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You can participate without going over board, promising too much or taking a risk you shouldn’t. Focus on personal growth, self-improvement and doing what’s best for you. Giving in to pressure or getting into an argument will be a waste of time. ★★★★

Beaches, beaches, beaches! Hard to choose (which ones) because we have a lot of amazing water and sand in the Philippines. Siargao is probably one of my favorites! Locally, I would love to visit Amanpulo or Balesin. Internationally, Maldives, Hawaii and Brazil are on top of my list! I believe you’re the next Megan Young, a StarStruck product who became Miss World 2013. You’ve shown admiration for Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, also. You’ve also competed in a pageant abroad. When will you take pageantry seriously? In God’s perfect time! Mentors are already approaching me and it is so overwhelming. I am excited, but I want to take it one step at a time. Preparation and training should be taken seriously, just like how my favorite queens did it. ■

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put your emotions aside and be realistic about what you want to unfold. Be prepared to put in the labor required to reach your goal, and eventually others will want to be a part of your plan. ★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): An opportunity is heading your way. Be open to suggestions, but do only what you feel you can handle. A financial gain due to a contract, settlement or investment will ease stress and encourage you to make a personal change. ★★★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Know your boundaries. Stick to a budget, and walk away from people who are pressuring you to take part in something that isn’t good for you. Hard work will pay off and discourage others from meddling in your affairs. ★★★ BIRTHDAY BABY: You are kind, sensitive and flexible. You are helpful and resourceful.

‘redefined’ BY PETER SILZER The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Copy by outlining 6 Smooth-tongued 10 Practice for a fight 14 The Boy Who Cried Wolf author 15 Non-elite type? 16 “Don’t use that ___ with me!” 17 When it ___, it pours 18 Nostradamus, reputedly 19 Bit of pond scum 20 Midwest river along the Oregon Trail 22 Moved the kids to their own bedrooms? 24 Depend (on) 26 Flip-flop, e.g. 27 Shook a following sleuth? 31 Slam 32 Oak-to-be 33 Jargon 35 E.R. stats 38 Part of Miss Muffet’s diet 39 Bands of three 40 Lexicographer Webster 41 Doze, with “off” 42 Someone like Scrooge

43 “Of all the ___!” 44 Most expensive domain name ending, often 45 Reneged on a contract? 47 Nasty sort 50 Long tale of adventure 51 Erased the exam scores? 53 Home mixologist’s work space 57 Sudden impulse 58 Country that anagrams to “rain” 60 French lace-making city 61 Big ones may clash 62 Salon coloring 63 Air show maneuvers 64 Camera eye 65 “You betcha!” 66 Apprehensive feeling DOWN 1 Ballpark protector 2 “This is the ___ deal!” 3 Home of most people 4 “Mary, Mary, quite ___” 5 Beatles manager Brian 6 One may give you directions 7 Imitated Pinocchio

8 9 10 11 12 13 21 23 25 27 28 29 30 34 35 36 37 39 40 42 43 44 46 47 48

Some frozen drinks Rihanna’s home country Farmers market booths Lively dance Heavenly messenger Enjoy a book Building addition Part of ICU A long time When roosters crow She loved Narcissus ___ the line (obeyed) Like raisins Injures at Pamplona Dad jokes and such Spelunker’s spot Molt Opposite of boldness Denial ___ Lisa British celebrity chef Lawson Tender touch What Caesar did second? Enter a freeway Goad

49 51 52 54 55 56 59

Like The Twilight Zone Event near the end of Hamilton The X-Files Agent Scully Opine online Swiss peaks Take a breather Ultimate degree

Solution to Friday’s puzzle:

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Monday, September 16, 2019

The amazing Anita Linda ADOLFO ALIX JR with Anita Linda

ALL ACCESS RICKY GALLARDO

rickygallardoTFI@gmail.com

Sam Smith announces new pronouns of ‘they’ and ‘them’ NEW YORK—Sam Smith has declared the pronouns of “they/them” on social media after coming out as nonbinary in what the pop star called a “lifetime of being at war with my gender.” The English “Too Good at Goodbyes” singer was met with thousands of mostly supportive comments, along with some detractors who questioned the need to change pronouns, an increasingly common practice both within and outside of the LGBTQ community. “Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM,” the 27-yearold Smith wrote on Twitter and Instagram. “After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.” Smith said they were excited and privileged for the support, adding that they’ve been “very nervous” about the announcement because they “care too much about what people think” but finally decided to go for it. “Love you all,” Smith wrote on Twitter, adding they’re scared “but feeling super free right now. Be kind.” The singer noted: “P.s. I am at no stage just yet to eloquently speak at length about what it means to be nonbinary but I can’t wait for the day that I am. So for now I just want to be VISIBLE and open.” Smith won an Oscar in 2016 for the song “Writing’s on the Wall,” from the James Bond thriller Spectre and received global attention in 2015 by winning four Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist Grammy and Record of the Year for “Stay With Me.” AP

T 94, Anita Linda (Alice Buenaflor Lake) is the oldest working actor in the Philippines. Her latest starrer, Circa, is part of the official lineup of films at the ongoing Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, a weeklong festival of contemporary Filipino films organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines Circa director Adolfo Alix Jr. is like a son to Linda. Their most popular collaboration was Adela, the film that brought a lot of recognition to the actress both locally and overseas. “Tita Alice [as she is fondly referred to in the industry] listens when people talk. She listens more than she talks. Like when I talk to her, she listens, and meticulously digests what I am telling her. Before we take a scene, I’d read the lines to her, a little louder and a little slower so she can absorb better. I also explain to her the necessary emotions that I want for a particular scene,” Alix shared. He added, “Despite the many movies she has done, her humility is so inspiring. Tita Alice would often tell me that she might forget her lines and she would apologize in advance. But when she hears the call “Action,” she would remember her lines very well because she really prepares before every scene. There were instances when her coactor forgot a line, and she would playfully say, ‘Uy, nakalimutan mo ang linya mo.’ I love Tita Alice and I love working with her. For me, she is the unassuming superstar. ” Alix admitted that because of Linda’s age, there are occasional lapses and limitations of movement, but that’s fine with the prolific and award-winning filmmaker. “What is important is that her passion to work and act is very much evident. And after every project is over, she would always tell me, ‘Gawa pa tayo ng pelikula ha!’” Alix’s production team is very much aware that Linda should be done by 6 in the evening, because she

wakes up very early in the morning and often starts her workday very early. She lives in the southern part of the metropolis and she does not like the traffic. In the movie, Linda essays the role of a film company matriarch named Doña Atang. As she moves closer to her 100th birthday, she asks to have a get together with all the screen luminaries she has worked with. The film gathers an ensemble of premium thespians that many describe as a casting coup. Take these names: Gina Alajar, Jaclyn Jose, Ricky Davao, Perla Bautista, Liza Lorena, Dante Rivero, Elizabeth Oropesa, Rosanna Roces, Laurice Guillen and the late Eddie Garcia. Appearing in a very special role is young actor Enchong Dee.

Alix recalled that after Linda’s scene with Eddie Garcia during the shoot of the film, and when the actor was about to leave, she told him, “Uy, mag-ingat ka ha, baka madapa ka!” A few months later, Garcia figured in an accident on the set of a television drama series where he tripped and fell, an accident which caused him his dear life. Linda will turn 95 in November and those who know her continue to wish that she be blessed with more years of health and sharpness of mind, so she can continue making films. She is only six years younger than Philippine cinema. At a time when local cinema is celebrating it’s centennial, Anita Linda might as well be the face of the 100 years of Philippine cinema. Mabuhay! ■

‘THE CLASH’ INTRODUCES NEW HOSTS THE excitement is higher than ever for the return of GMA’s original musical competition, The Clash, and it opens with a bang this season as it introduces a new set of hosts. Multi-hyphenate Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz are all set to amplify the fun onstage as The Clash Masters, while the well-loved tandem of Rita Daniela and Ken Chan will give viewers an all-access pass throughout the contestants’ journey as The Clash Journey Hosts. Julie Anne expressed her excitement on being a Clash Master: “This year is definitely bigger and more exciting. Filipinos from different parts of the world auditioned to be a part the competition. I am excited to meet the new batch of Clashers who I’m sure are more than ready to impress not only the judges but our viewers, as well.” “It’s always inspiring to watch people strive to reach their dreams,” shared Rayver. “I hear that there are very talented Clashers. I expect the competition to be tougher, with a lot of surprises and twists in the show, so look forward to that.” Rita also looks forward to meeting the new batch of Clashers: “Ken and I have a fun job as Journey Hosts because we get to talk to the contestants and let viewers in on some behind-the-scene exclusives. I’m very excited.” Likewise, Ken is ready to give viewers an inside look into the lives of the Clashers: “Aside from their talent, I’m sure this new pool of contestants from all around the country and the world have inspiring stories to share with all our Kapuso viewers.” Returning as The Clash judges are powerhouse singer Lani Misalucha, best-selling balladeer Christian Bautista and top comedienne Ai Ai de las Alas, all once again leading the search for the next singing sensation. The Clash premieres this September 21 on GMA. Viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. The program guide is available at www. gmapinoytv.com.

RAYVER CRUZ

JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE

RITA DANIELA

KEN CHAN

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D4 Monday, September 16, 2019

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THE range of Shiseido’s new breathable and buildable foundation offerings

New foundation combines skin care and makeup KC CONCEPCION, Shiseido’s new endorser for the Philippines

AND THEN SOME DINNA CHAN VASQUEZ @dinnachanvasquez luckydinna@gmail.com

REMEMBER that KC Concepcion was born on an Easter Sunday. Her father is actor Gabby Concepcion and her mother is my teenage idol Sharon Cuneta. KC was born famous. She grew up in the public eye, which must have been difficult. She has been admired and adored, but she has also been criticized and bashed. KC’s life has been speculated upon but she is, undoubtedly, show business royalty with looks and talent in one package. KC, who is also a jeweler, recently made beauty headlines after she was named the newest face of Shiseido Philippines. She is the first Filipina to take on ambassador duties for the globally renowned Japanese beauty brand. “KC personifies the Shiseido woman—a natural beauty who’s smart, confident and not afraid to go after what she wants,” said Genevieve Yalung, general manager of Shiseido Philippines. “We noticed how KC talked about Shiseido on her social media and it really caught our attention. It’s not usual for someone of her stature to have so much belief and love for a brand, so we decided that she would be the perfect fit as the ambassador of our latest makeup launch.” KC got the attention of Shiseido when she took to social media some two months ago because she had to buy an eyelash curler, and the Shiseido store she went to was having a private event and she couldn’t be accommodated. “I’ve made emergency lash curler runs to the Shiseido store in the mall right before closing time just because my face doesn’t feel complete without using it. Their lash curler helps open up my eyes and make me look alive,” said KC. “One time, my purchase wasn’t so successful because the store had a private event and the doors were closed. I posted about my night out without fresh-looking eyes and it caught on. The next day, I was so shocked to see a whole makeup line from Shiseido. I got to try everything and couldn’t help but rave—and post—about the new makeup they’re coming out with,” she added. KC’s posts eventually led to a relationship with the brand beyond social media, resulting in an endorsement. To announce KC’s role as Shiseido’s new endorser for the Philippines, the brand also launched the Shiseido Synchro Skin SelfRefreshing Foundation, a lightweight liquid product that delivers breathable and buildable coverage for a full 24 hours. “I have dry skin so I always look for hydration when it comes to my foundation, but it was hard to find hydrating foundations that weren’t gunky, sticky or thick until I started using the self-refreshing, sweatproof, waterproof, transferproof Synchro Skin,” said KC. The new Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation’s formula is infused with SPF 30,

skin-caring antioxidants and light-reflecting pearl powder to protect and enhance the skin’s texture and tone. Shiseido is now turning its attention to complexion. Known for its revolutionary textures, pioneering innovations and distinctly Japanese vision that seamlessly fuses art with science, Shiseido has turned to the company’s extensive skin-care heritage for its new foundation. “Our latest launches effectively bridge the gap between skin care and makeup,” said Yoshiaki Okabe, chief brand officer for Shiseido. Consisting of seven face products, two brushes and 73 shades, the Synchro Skin SelfRefreshing collection features “weightless formulas that automatically adapt, react and self-refresh to preserve a fresh finish from morning to night.” The tools made to accompany this new range were also inspired by ancient Japanese beauty rituals refined over centuries for a truly effortless application. The core products in the lineup—Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation, Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Cushion Compact, and Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer—are in sync with the environment thanks to ActiveForceTM technology. Developed by Shiseido laboratories, the technology allows these second-skin formulas to resist humidity, respond to heat, rebound from facial movement, absorb oil and diffuse light for a just-applied look that lasts all day. In a news release, Shiseido said, “ActiveForceTM technology allows for exceptional coverage that doesn’t require touchups. A high level of SPF in the Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation also blocks UV rays without creating a white cast or affecting the formula’s true color payoff.” I will be reviewing the Synchro Skin SelfRefreshing Cushion Compact after I have used it for a while. Check out the new products on Shiseido Philippines’s Facebook page. Shiseido has 16 boutiques nationwide, and is available at leading department stores. ■

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Why companies are forming cyber-security alliances

Monday, September 16, 2019 E1

By Daniel Dobrygowski

But the advent of cyber-physical systems and the Internet of Things, along with the increasing sophistication of bad actors, has made cyber-attacks issues of human safety. And companies have largely been left to fend for themselves. That’s why, over the last few years, tech-focused companies h a v e b e g u n e nt e r i n g i nt o cyber-security alliances with one anot her. Some of t hese groups (operational alliances) are mainly practical, sharing intelligence or technical data.

Others (normative alliances) are explicitly aimed at changing the ways companies deal with cybersec u r it y v u l nerabi l it ies a nd renegotiating the social contract between states and their citizens. The operational alliances are built around small groups of companies. Their exchanges of information about cyber attacks and threats tr y to raise the collective level of cyber security, shape overall security practices and speed the adoption of security technologies. T he nor mative alliances make ex plicit calls

We need more start-ups that don’t prioritize growth above all else By Mara Zepeda & Jennifer Brandel

orporate America’s “growth at all costs” has worked for too few for too long. Recently, leading CEOs at the Business Roundtable came to a similar conclusion, issuing a statement on rejecting maximizing shareholder returns as the sole corporate objective. If those CEOs are serious about fixing shareholder capitalism, they need to take an honest look at who gets funding, how local communities are affected and what voices are missing from the conversation. To that end, we offer three suggestions: n Start-ups and new sector businesses need alternatives to venture capital: Not everyone has a

fair shot at entrepreneurship. Distributing ownership and governance to more stakeholders is the most direct way to make change.

n Learn from living ‘zebras’: Businesses that prioritize people, purpose and profit already exist in spades. We believe they represent a majority of businesses being created everyday, especially by founders like us—women and minority entrepreneurs— who have been historically excluded from

opportunities for ownership. A diverse founder community has come together in the Zebras Unite movement. Zebra companies prioritize mutualism, shared prosperity and social good over Silicon Valley’s “winner take all” mentality. n Create more public/private collaborations: The next step is to build

a bridge between Wall Street and Main Street. Each of us has started two such experiments in our own backyards. In Chicago, Civic Exchange is a newly launched coworking space and learning community centered on how news, information and technology can increase democracy and freedom. And in Oregon, Business for a Better Portland has advocated for critical investments in clean energy jobs for communities of color affordable housing and equitable access to capital for all entrepreneurs. Through our work founding multiple companies and support organizations, we know that the path to more inclusive corporate growth exists. We have found some creative and collaborative solutions to ensure more people and more communities get a seat at our tables.

Mara Zepeda and Jennifer Brandel are cofounders of Zebras Unite.

HBR. ORG | JEFFREY COOLIDGE/GETTY IMAGES

hen it comes to cyber security and cyber attacks, most governments have spent much more time increasing their offensive capabilities than protecting companies and individuals.

for digital peace, government support for companies under attack, and cooperation to limit the use of private systems and networks against citizens. Yet, whi le v ir tua l ly ever y company supports peace, it may not make sense for every company to join one of these alliances. And, of course, not every company is so systemically important that

it needs to take a position on the geopolitics of cyber security. Ultimately, it comes down to risk tolerance and capacity. Nations continue to be the u ltimate protectors of their citizens. But civil society and companies are also important as the drivers of human rights and economic prosperity. What’s needed now is cooperation on

a larger scale, broader sets of allies working together to build trust and share responsibility, to protect the increasing numbers of citizens who rely on digital networks to survive and thrive. Daniel Dobrygowski is the head of governance and policy for the World Economic Forum’s Center for Cybersecurity.

When women are on boards, male ceos are less overconfident By Jie Chen, Woon Sau Leung, Wei Song & Marc Goergen

numb er o f g ove r n m e n t s a r e pushing for greater female representation in the boardroom. And several studies suggest why: Having women on the board results in better acquisition and investment decisions, and in less aggressive risk-taking, yielding benef it s for shareholder s. What’s less clear is why these effects happen. Our research suggests one potential reason: Having female board members helps temper the overconf idence of male CEOs. To test this, we gathered data on 1,629 firms in the United States. We e xamine d w he t her CEO s wer e le ss likely to exhibit overconfidence when there were women on their board, and how this effect influenced corporate decisions and performance. To assess overconfidence, we looked at CEO s ’ option - e xerc is e b ehavior. Unlike corporate decisions that reflect top management’s collective beliefs, the personal choice of holding or exercising

vested options is likely to reveal a CEO’s individual beliefs and confidence about the company. We then analyzed whether female board representation af fec ted this b e h av i o r. We f o u n d a s i g n i f i c a n t relationship bet ween female board representation and the overconfidence measure for male CEOs. In our data, we found that the most overconfident CEOs were in industries like pharmaceuticals, computer s o f t w a r e, c o a l a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n . And we did find that having at least o n e f emale d i r e c to r o n t h e b o ar d was associated with less aggressive investment policies, better acquisition decisions and ultimately improved firm performance in these industries. To further examine how female board members affect firm performance, we looked at differences in accounting and stock performance for over 500 firms during the financial crisis of 2007 to 2009. We expected CEO overconfidence resulted in poor performance during the crisis, as it might have led CEOs to pursue aggressive strategies that made their firms more vulnerable. But

because female directors might be more likely to temper these CEOs’ behavior, we expected to see better performance during the crisis for firms with female directors. Our results were consistent with this prediction. Our study has two important implications. First, it suggests that female board representation matters more in certain industries, because some industries have more overconf ident CEOs. Second, our f indings suggest female board representation can be especially beneficial in helping firms weather crises. Our research supports the view that having women on boards improves strategic decision-making and benefits firms. Jie Chen is an associate professor in finance at the University of Leeds. Woon Sau Leung is an associate professor in finance at the University of Edinburgh. Wei Song is an associate professor in finance at the University of Southampton. Marc Goergen is a professor in finance at IE University.

A Study of 597 Logos Shows Which Kind is Most Effective By Jonathan Luffarelli & Mudra Mukesh

ogo design choices might seem inconsequential to some. But a well-designed l o g o c a n o f f e r s u b s t a nt i a l benefits to brands. A logo’s design characteristics can considerably affect consumer behavior and brand performance. A descriptive logo includes textual or visual design elements that clearly communicate the type of product or service a brand is marketing. For instance, the logo of Burger King and that of the New York Islanders (a sports franchise) are descriptive. Conversely, the logos of McDonald ’s and the Minnesota Wild (another sports franchise) are nondescriptive. The question of whether to use a descriptive or a nondescriptive logo often arises during design m e e t i n g s . A s o u r r e s e a rc h demonstrates, descriptive logos more favorably affect consumers’ b r a nd p e rc e p t io n s a nd a re more likely to improve brand performance. We compared the effects of having a descriptive logo for brands that are familiar and unfamiliar to consumers. We observed that although having a descriptive logo had a positive effect on brand equity for both familiar and unfamiliar brands, the magnitude of this positive effect was much smaller for the familiar brands. If you are considering creating or modifying a logo, our findings suggest you might want to include at least one textual and/or visual design element that is indicative of the type of product or service your company offers. If, however, you work for a brand that markets a product or service that can easily bring to mind negative concepts, a nondescriptive logo is probably better. We also suspect that nondescriptive logos are better for companies that operate in several unrelated business segments. Of course, we are not contending that a descriptive logo guarantees the successful launch of a brand, or that the logo is the most important brand element to consider. We are arguing that underestimating the importance of logo design and the power of descriptive design elements can sometimes be a costly mistake. Jo n a t h a n L u f fa re l li i s a n assistant professor of marketing at Montpellier Business School. Mudra Mukesh is an assistant professor of marketing at Westminster Business School.

Education BusinessMirror

E2 Monday, September 16, 2019

Filipino delivers world-class learning to Cambodia

FILIPINO teacher Teodoro Ariel “Teddy”Publico explains the elements of effective communication to training participants. PHNOM PENH PE

HNOM PENH—Filipino educator Teodoro Ariel “Teddy” Publico, who is an “English-as-second-language” or ESL teacher, recently conducted an English language-training program for more than 40 staff members of the Cambodian Senate’s secretariatgeneral at the Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia’s Institute of Foreign Languages.

Organized by the Philippine Embassy in Phnom Penh upon the request of the Cambodian Senate, the three-month train-

various capacity-building programs provided by the Philippine government to Cambodians in the past, and noted that this English-language training is “a manifestation of our continuing commitment to an Asean community that is socially cohesive and people-oriented.” English is the working language of Asean. The embassy tapped the services of Publico, who committed to deliver quality English education for professionals and promote the tatak-gurong Pinoy (mark of a world-class Filipino teacher). Hailing from the province of Cavite, the Pinoy teacher arrived in Phnom Penh in 2014. T his is t he t hird Engl ishlanguage class arranged by the embassy for t he secretar iatgeneral. The initial three-month

ing started on August 6. During the opening ceremony, Embassy Chargé d ’Affaires, a.i. Myca Fischer recalled the

course was held in May 2015 and benefited 18 Cambodian Senate staffers. The second threemonth module was offered in January 2016 and given to 20 similar participants. As of June 30, there are 1,023 education professionals among the 6,773 Filipinos in Cambodia registered with the Philippine Embassy. These Filipino teachers are found in universities, international schools, languagetraining centers, and kindergartens. Some are instructors of music, physical education, math, science and, like Publico, English. A ccord i ng to Fi sc her, t he Philippine Embassy in Phnom Pe n h h a s re ce ive d fe e d bac k from students and their parents, who said that they app r e c i at e t h e nu r t u r i n g a n d hardworking nature of Filipino teachers in Cambodia. DFA

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

DOST urges regl institutions to apply for funding for centers

he Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is encouraging more regional higher education institutions (HEIs) to apply for funding to develop a niche center. “We are looking for research or project proposals that have social and economic impacts,” Science Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said in a forum on Wednesday. She said only the proposals aligned with the harmonized agenda would be funded by any government agency. Guevara was referring to the harmonized National Research and Development Agenda, which was divided into five sectors: National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (water security, food and nutrition security, sustainable communities, among others); Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources; Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology; Disaster Risk Reduction; and Climate Change Adaptation. “We [DOST] have the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D [Nicer] program. This aims to accelerate the industrial competitiveness,” she said. Nicer was launched in 2017 to

enable HEIs nationwide to make a significant improvement in regional research by integrating development needs with existing R&D capabilities and resources. Chosen HEIs will be provided with an institutional grant for R&D capacity building and improvement of infrastructure. Earlier, Guevara said there is no limit to the funding that a Nicer recipient could request from the DOST. The amount would depend on what the HEIs need then the DOST would evaluate if the institution could absorb the requested amount, she said. A good Nicer proposal, she said, must be unique in a region. Guevara said the applicant must have partnered with another institution. From 2017 to July 2019, the DOST has already provided P528 million fund for Nicer. Meanwhile, the official said DOST is also sending experts, called “RD leaders,” to the regions to help institutions write their proposals. Many of those who were assisted by RD leaders had their proposals approved, she said. Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA

Science Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara talks about the Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER), in a forum held in Manila on September 11. Cristina Arayata/PNA

With 99.32% passers, UPLB tops 2019 forester board exam US funds P92.3-million project for Filipino kids with disabilities T

Members of the UPLB Forestry Society who passed the 2019 Forester Licensure Examination.

he University of the Philippines Los Baños’s (UPLB) newest batch of forestry professionals dominated the September 2019 Forester Licensure Examination. With 147 passers out of 148 takers and a passing rate of 99.32 percent, UPLB did not only produce the highest number of licensed foresters this year. It was also named as the lone top performing school, a distinction it has been earning consistently. To be a top performing school, one has to gain at least 80 percent passing rate for its 50 or more examinees. UPLB also garnered the most number of spots in the roster of topnotchers, with five graduates

from UPLB College of Forestry and Natural Resources Class of 2019 securing these positions. Mary Beatrice S. Evaristo is the first placer with a rating of 92.20 percent. Coming in close is second placer Mitzi B. Pamulaklakin at 92.10 percent. John Michael M. Cornito (91.70 percent), Ma. Rovelyn D. Tumaneng (91.15 percent) and Marinel B. Andal (91.05 percent) completed the elite list at fifth, eigth, and ninth places, respectively. The national passing rate is 55.95 percent, with 1,082 passers out of 1,934 examinees from 67 schools in the country. The Professional Regulation Commission administered the exam. Mark Jayson E. Gloria/uplb.edu.ph

FEU recognized for corporate governance, student services

ar Eastern University (FEU) continues its commitment to academic excellence through its program offerings, exceptional facilities and corporate governance. These are evident in distinctions recently granted by two respected organizations. At the 2018 Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard, the university was the lone school recognized as a top-performing publicly listed company in the Philippines. FEU was conferred two Arrow citations by the Institute of Corporate Directors at the ACGS assessment ceremony. FEU was also recognized by the Philippine Association of Practitioners of Student Affairs and Services as a standard for best practices in the management of student formation programs in the country. The university was lauded during the benchmarking session of a specialist certificate course on student affairs and services. “It is an honor for us to be entrusted with these valuable awards. We continuously work toward promoting a world-class learning environment for our students and these are the fruits of our labor. This assures us that we continue to

uphold the university’s core values of fortitude, excellence and uprightness,” said FEU President Dr. Michael Alba. These accolades are reflections of FEU’s commitment to setting the standards for academic institutions. Since it was founded in 1928, the university has firmly implemented a culture geared toward quality and accessible education. This culture is rooted in extensive industry partnerships with more than 1,000 partners, 30 percent of which belong to the top 1,000 corporations. These tie-ups include seminars on work ethic and industry trends, curriculum review, internships and university-to-work transition programs. At the same time, FEU fosters an inclusive environment where students are made to feel welcome. They can enjoy all-gender restrooms,“a nohaircut policy,” school attire options instead of a uniform, and a multi-faith room. The university also has international linkages with universities in South Korea, Malaysia,

FEU Chairman Aurelio Montinola III (center) accepts the two-arrow recognition from the Institute of Corporate Directors at the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard.

Singapore and Indonesia to expose students to different cultures. FEU believes that a well-rounded education backed by an inclusive atmosphere is the key to producing competitive graduates. Throughout its history, FEU has developed business tycoons, ambassadors, and justices of the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies. Other notable alumni include leaders in the private

and public sectors, finance wizards, acclaimed physicians, nurses, educators, athletes, artists, and theater and media luminaries. “We want to uphold our legacy of producing outstanding alumni and these new citations prove that we are on the right track. We will continue innovating our services to sustain our standing as one of the country’s top educational institutions,” Alba said.

he United States gover n ment on T hu rs day launched a P92.3million project that seeks to strengthen the country's inclusive education for children with disability. Dubbed as Gabay Project, the initiative will be led by the US Agency for International Development (Usaid) and Resources for the Blind Inc. for three years in targeted areas in Maasin City and the provinces of Batangas, Sorsogon and Southern Leyte. Usaid Mission Director in the Philippines Lawrence Hardy II said the initiative would increase the capacity of service providers and community health workers to detect the needs of children with visual and hearing impairments. One of its goals is also to improve the abilities of teachers in delivering appropriate learning plans for persons with disabilities. “The United States is a strong advocate of disability policies and programs. We believe that people with disabilities have and should have all the same rights as others, including education, health, training and employment,” Hardy said. “As we launch this project today, we look forward to what is to come,” he added.

Dr. Yolanda Quijano, Project Gabay's chief of party, said the project will be wellcoordinated with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government units and is seen to benefit around 1,800 Filipino children with disability by the end of its implementation in June 2022. “We want to institutionalize this in the areas and where they will become models. In the future, we want to introduce it to other local government units,” Quijano told reporters in an interview on the sidelines of the project launch. The target beneficiaries of the program are children enrolled from kindergarten to Grade 3, or the levels where a large percentage of kids are dropping out of school. “One of the causes for dropping out is that some of these children could not hear well or they could not see well so they choose to drop out from school. This is when some of our teachers have a hard time detecting,” she said. "So we're really looking at early detection here and then intervention for the kids as a model then, later on, institutionalize it in the other schools. The DepEd will help us,” she added. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA

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Monday, September 16, 2019 E3

Some lessons from Martha Stewart, who took the Philippines by storm

A PR Matters By Bong R. Osorio

Campaign Spotlight: Intimissimi Launches the #BraTwist by 72andSunny with a Fun Campaign and A.R. Experience Starring Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker injects some of her trademark New York sass into 72andSunny Amsterdam’s global campaign for Italian underwear brand and bra specialist Intimissimi, which introduces an entertaining solution to the daily challenge of getting your bra to fit comfortably. In the film, Sarah Jessica Parker becomes a dance conductor who turns the ritual of putting on a bra into a craze called the Intimissimi bra twist. Each step—the Strap, the Hook, the Fit, the Twist—is performed by a series of bra-clad models who achieve their most comfortable and perfect fit. The five different

MERICA’S most trusted lifestyle expert, award-winning television host, entrepreneur, and best-selling author came to Manila last August 20, Tuesday, for the latest leg of the ANC’s (the ABS-CBN News Channel) Leadership Series at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Stewart, an 18-time Emmy Award winner and successful businesswoman, and one of Forbes’s “100 Greatest Living Business Minds” in 2017, shared her story of success and business philosophy with the country’s business executives, entrepreneurs, media, PR and marketing professionals, and students in a forum moderated by multiawarded ANC anchor Karen Davila. Before becoming the “howto” guru on all things home and living, Martha developed her early business training as a stockbroker. She entered into a successful catering business, which showcased her elegant presentation and recipes, and went on to publish best-selling books like “Entertaining, Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook, and Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook. She later published the magazine Martha Stewart Living, which became the basis for her hit TV series of the same name. Martha went on to build Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which offers consumers thousands of retail products, television and video programming, award-winning magazines, best-selling books, innovative web sites and apps. The brand features an extensive range of product categories available in various retailers, including Amazon, Macy’s, Staples, Michael’s, QVC and more. Martha also founded the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai Medical Center in 2007 and recently opened a second location at Mount Sinai-Union Square. She has continued to expand her brand and appear

models, chosen to represent women of many shapes and sizes, and to show off the breadth of the Intimissimi range, perform the cheeky “bra twist” routine as they dance to the sound of the upbeat 60s Italian tune, “Guarda Come Dondolo.” In the accompanying augmented reality experience, powered by 8th Wall’s Web AR technology, lingerielovers can mix and match from a selection of 40 bras and five AR avatar characters—including a 3D avatar version of Sarah Jessica Parker—to explore a range of different looks, with the chosen character performing Intimissimi’s “Bra Twist” dance in an animation loop. By clicking a link online or scanning a QR code, users can access Intimissimi’s AR Bra Twist experience directly in their mobile browser, no need to download an app. Developed by Spark Lab, the AR experience links to the Intimissimi online store for more information and to purchase. Want to dance with an AR Sarah Jessica Parker? The

in numerous TV shows, including Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party with rapper Snoop Dog, and Food Network cooking competition Chopped as a guest judge. A number of lessons on life, success, branding and communication can be learned from Stewart and her lifetime roles as a mother, grandmother, writer, entrepreneur, media mogul and domestic goddess. Here are some of those wonderful and highly adaptable lessons:

faster—but not worse.

Look out for and surround yourself with people who just percolate fresh, original and creative ideas.

When experiencing a setback, the best way to respond is to be frank, open, honest, calm and forthright. Change course as quickly as possible.

Be a maniacal perfectionist. Martha was one, and she has proven that being one perfectionist can be profitable and admirable when creating content across the board: in television, books, newspapers, radio and videos. She was in fact tagged as a “neat freak,” unmistakably for her penchant for perfection.

Open to change. Never stop making sure that what you say is the best of what could be said about a particular thing. It's a constant evolution.

Learn something new everyday. If you learn something new every day, you can teach something new every day.

MARTHA STEWART

Don’t do anything unless you think it’s going to be good. Be really picky about that. Set a standard, and stick to it.

Keep an open mind. If you don’t, you can never be a great success. You should be really intensely serious about your work, but not so serious that you can’t see the lightness that may also involve your life. You must have that lightness, too. You don’t have to be so heavyhanded and so ostentatious.

Take time to find yourself. Our ultimate goal is to be an interesting, useful, wholesome person. And if you’re successful on top of that, then you’re way ahead of everybody.

There is no single recipe for success. But there is one essential ingredient: “Passion”

Stay curious. Constantly search for new ideas. Use your curiosity and research to create beautiful imagery

whole experience can be captured and shared on social. The new campaign brings to life Intimissimi’s central brand message— that every woman has her own personal style and the right bra should reflect it, while also ensuring perfect comfort from the perfect fit—in a warm and relatable way that is encapsulated by SJP’s wide-ranging appeal and New York sassiness. It launches online on September 12th and will also run with an AR experience, on TV, OOH and print. Benny Everitt, creative director of 72andSunny Amsterdam, said: “We wanted to make a campaign that felt modern, fun and fresh, while simultaneously trying to own the universal feeling of putting on the perfect bra. We developed the AR experience to let customers have a dancing SJP in their pocket who could inform them about the products [then] drive them to the online store.” Sarah Jessica Parker has been brand ambassador for Intimissimi since 2018.

and informative narratives, set trends, or watch the horizon to jump on new trends Innovate, innovate, innovate. Whether you’re a programmer or a seamstress, it’s all about new techniques, simplifying old techniques, and consolidating steps. Making things go

Martha undoubtedly took the Philippines by storm with her wit, intelligence, experience, charm and beauty. She was looked at with so much awe and respect. As I was finishing this piece, I have heard and read that she has, likewise, fallen in love with her host country. She has visited San Agustin Church in Intramuros (she was raised a Catholic by

Polish parents), came face to face with retail giants to see and feel interesting Philippine-crafted fineries, sampled Filipino cuisine and hospitality with a quick visit to the province of Pampanga and had the chance to appreciate local arts and culture, and home management as she toured the house of a prominent Filipino personality. Mabuhay ka Martha. Come visit again. There are a lot more things to discover in our neck of the woods. PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom- based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Bong R. Osorio is a communications consultant of ABSCBN Corp., SkyCable, Dentsu-Aegis Network, government projects, among others, after retiring as vice president and head of the Corporate Communications Division of ABSCBN. We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers' questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com

E4 Monday, September 16, 2019

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DISASTER COMMUNICATIONS:

LESSONS FROM 9/11

IN this September 11, 2001, file photo, the twin towers of the World Trade Center burn behind the Empire State Building in New York. AP/MARTY LEDERHANDLER

By Thomas Terndrup & Nicholas Kman The Ohio State University

‘T

THE CONVERSATION

HE hotel is being evacuated. Please return to your rooms and prepare to exit.” That was the first communication one of us, Dr. Terndrup, recalls receiving at a medical research meeting in the Brooklyn Marriott hotel that September morning.

Out on the street was pandemonium, Terndrup remembers. Just two miles from what would come to be called “Ground Zero,” people were running away from Manhattan. Members of our team—all medical professionals— split up to find ways to help. With a medic I had never met before, and whose name I didn’t ever learn, I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, toward the World Trade Center site. Most people were heading the other way, of course. The medic and I didn’t know quite what to do, though, because we didn’t know what was going on. We could see the smoke and ash covering much of the city skyline, as we headed in to help. Even the nonstop TV coverage didn’t give us many details we could use. Once we got to Manhattan, we got some useful information from police and other medics. But despite being in the heart of a major city with television cameras everywhere and thousands of emergency workers

responding, it was challenging to get accurate, timely information. What we and the other responders learned that day, under the pressure of a disaster of incredible scale, scope and urgency—not to mention the international media spotlight—went on to spark major changes in US emergency response communication.

Setting up to respond

ONCE over the bridge and into lower Manhattan, the medic and I found our way to an office building off Vesey and Church streets, where we joined several dozen doctors, nurses, paramedics, police, firefighters and others hoping to help. We set up a makeshift clinic, including securing four elevators to stay on the ground floor to serve as “treatment rooms.” Then we waited. When someone said there was a group of exhausted firefighters in a nearby bank, a few people went over to help rinse out their smokeand dust-filled eyes (the most com-

mon problem) and help them use nebulizers (acquired from a nearby pharmacy) to combat the effects of smoke inhalation. Communications were primitive at best. Cellular service was completely gone. In the first few minutes after the planes hit the towers, New York City’s 9-1-1 call centers received 3,000 calls— throughout that day, more than 55,000 came in. Thousands of law-enforcement officers and firefighters were trying to connect by phone, radio and twoway pager. Devices and networks, not to mention personnel, were overloaded. Police radios were generally working, but the best information was often by word of mouth. At our office-building clinic, the volunteers resorted to faceto-face communication, sending people to meet up with a group of responders gathering on the nearby Pace University campus and bring back what information they could. The main message rapidly went from bad to worse. It could be summed up as, “There’s nobody coming out of that alive.”

Planning to communicate

WHILE obviously both of us hope nothing like that ever happens again, as emergency responders it’s our job to plan for the unthinkably disastrous. No matter what, responders need to be able to deliver messages to the public, talk to hospitals, and connect with each other. Since 1999, New York City’s Office of Emergency Management, charged with coordinating all aspects of the response, had occupied permanent headquarters in Seven

World Trade Center, on Greenwich Street, just north of the landmark twin towers. A vital communications link was the radio repeater system based on the ground floor of One World Trade Center, the north tower. The loss of those facilities—and key personnel working there—significantly hampered the response. Today, it’s considered a bad idea to put an emergency operations center near places likely to be direct targets or at risk for collateral damage. When building a new emergency-response headquarters, New York City put it across the East River in downtown Brooklyn, far from all potential targets and landmarks in lower Manhattan.

Making the connections

BUT that distance can be a weakness if communications are reduced, as we were, to sending messengers on foot to have face-to-face conversations to relay information. Even if radios and phones are working, they’re much less useful if responders can’t talk to each other. In 2001, the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department and the Port Authority Police all used different radio systems with different capabilities on different frequencies. Unable to connect with each other, neither the agencies nor the rescuers themselves could efficiently coordinate to help victims. This disconnection may also have prevented the evacuation of responders before the buildings fell. If leaders are to be farther away and yet still act rapidly in an unfolding situation, they need more

than one way to communicate with each other and with people directly on the scene. When one system gets cut off or stops working properly, there must be other options.

Constructing resilience

IN our work with Ohio’s FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Team, Task Force 1, we have multiple communication methods. Mainly we use a national wireless network—which itself is designed to be resilient in emergencies, with redundant network connections and switching equipment and round-the-clock system monitoring. The company can also bring in portable cellular towers when regular cell towers are disabled, or to improve coverage in an area where existing service is overloaded. We have wireless service for the bus that serves as our mobile operations center, and for cell phones and tablets issued to our task force leaders. The bus also has a Wi-Fi system that can connect additional devices. If the cellular network is severely compromised by the disaster, we can use satellites. MSAT devices carry our voice traffic, and our data travels via portable BGAN terminals, which connect to laptop computers. Our base of operations (BoO) at a disaster is equipped with a 1.8-meter VSAT satellite dish that can provide data and internet access for all the responders in the area. As further backup, we have portable radios and a repeater system.

What we communicate about

ANOTHER communications lesson from 9/11 comes from something

that, tragically, didn’t happen. That day, New York hospitals called in all available staff, to be ready to receive large numbers of patients. They worried, as did we, in our makeshift clinic just north of the twin towers, that thousands of people would need lifesaving care all at the same time. Yet there was no way to know which hospitals were full, which ones had operating rooms available or anything else about where to send patients, had they arrived in large numbers. Some hospitals likely would have been beyond overwhelmed, while others nearby might have had plenty of space and available doctors and nurses standing ready. The lesson has spread across the country. Columbus, Ohio, where we work now, uses a system called “Real Time Activity Status,” which connects all the hospitals in our own Franklin County and three neighboring counties. It notifies ambulance dispatchers when their emergency rooms are too busy and need to divert patients to other hospitals. A similar system saved many lives after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. By ensuring that—no matter what happens—we can communicate with each other, the emergency response community keeps the memory of 9/11 alive in our own way every single day. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: http://theconversation. com/disaster-communications-lessons-from-9-11-65142.