Manila Standard - 2018 August 20 - Monday

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DENR bureau falls short—CoA

By Rio N. Araja DESPITE using 96 percent of its budget—or P71.63 million—on a solid waste volume reduction program, the Environmental Management Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has completed only 68 materials recovery facilities in

various local government units, against its target of 225 in 2017, state auditors say.

In a report, the Commission on Audit said EMB received a P75-million appropriation to build MRFs in 225 LGUs, of which P74.63 million was obligated and P71.63 million was actually spent.

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 186 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Budget pork-free, House leader vows

2m Muslims flock to Mecca MECCA, Saudi Arabia—More than two-million Muslims from around the globe on Sunday started the hajj pilgrimage at Islam’s holiest sites in Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.

The ultra-conservative kingdom, which is undergoing dramatic social and economic reforms, has mobilized vast resources for the six-day journey, one of the five pillars of Islam.

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Assures Lacson of SC-compliant program

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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OUSE Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya on Sunday assured Senator Panfilo Lacson that Congressmen are united behind Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s directive to strictly comply with the Supreme Court ruling against pork barrel in the 2019 national budget.

PRE-FEAST SHOT. Muslim children take a breather and pose for the camera after their lessons in a madrasah at the Golden Mosque Compound Quiapo Manila ahead of Eid al-Adha on August 21, which President Duterte has declared as a holiday. Muslims around the world celebrate Eid al-Adha and those who can afford make the pilgrimage to Mecca. Norman Cruz

Beijing expo features robots BEIJING—Robots that can diagnose diseases, play badminton and wow audiences with their musical skills are among the machines China hopes could revolutionize its economy, with visitors to a Beijing exhibition offered a glimpse of an automated future.

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Solon trains gun on grafters at BIR HOUSE Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez on Sunday said Congress must look for ways to end corruption in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, instead of passing the proposed Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities.

“Corruption at the BIR happens. For example, a taxpayer tries to negotiate with BIR officials to reduce taxes due, extend payment periods or adhere to special arrangements, instead of going through the right process, which, if contested, may involve long and expensive litigation,” he said.

Congress should seriously consider passing his proposed tax amnesty on all

He said Congress would continue to adopt the constitutionally compliant line budgeting system to ensure a pork-free 2019 national, deliberations of which will resume on Aug. 28.

“Not only the House of Representatives.

Remember, it is the bicameral [committee to approve the budget]. The Senate [is involved here], too. Those who would push for projects in their [areas] would eventually be exposed. I don’t think that only the congressmen do [propose projects], but also the senators do that,” he said on a radio talk show Next page on GMA-7.

Runway mishap triggers call for probe, options

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja

International Airport that paralyzed the country’s main gateway for two days.

Poe, chairman of the Senate commitSENATOR Grace Poe said Sunday she tee on public services, said she would wants the Senate to investigate the acci- file a resolution Monday, Aug. 20, dident on the runway of the Ninoy Aquino recting her panel to inquire into opera-

Poomsae bets settle for 2 bronze medals Story on A8

Go tops poll of senatoriables in Davao ing him in the top spot in a survey for the mid-term elections in 2019.

“Though the 2019 election is still a long way off, I thank the Davaoeños for their trust in us, in me. It warms my heart.

This inspires us to work harder,” Go said.

Asked about the possibility of him running for senator, Go responded: “5050.”

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US shrugs off China challenges: No game-changer

By Francisco Tuyay

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THE University of Mindanao’s Institute of Popular Opinion has released the results of a survey showing 76 percent of Davao City’s residents will vote for Special Assistant to the President Secretary Bong Go for senator.

While he has yet to decide whether or not to enter politics, Go on Sunday thanked his fellow Davaoeños for plac-

tional procedures in responding to such emergencies, and get airport authorities to explain why it took them 36 hours to remove the stalled passenger jet.

Senator JV Ejercito, meanwhile, said

BRONZE MEDALIST. The Philippine team for women’s Poomsae consisting of Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Rinna Babanto and Janna Dominique Oliva performs during the competition in the 18th Asian Games being held in Jakarta Palembang. The team settled for a bronze medal. PSC

WASHINGTON will not be intimidated

by China’s “challenges” in disputed areas in the South China Sea, a ranking US defense official said.

US Defense Assistant Secretary Randall Schriver said China’s military expansionism will not be a game changer.

“We’ve seen an increase in this kind of challenge from China, not only directed at us but others, and I think we need to be consistent and the Chinese need to understand that this kind of challenge will not result in a change of our behavior.

We’ll not allow them to rewrite the rules of the road or change international law,” Next page Schriver said.

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News

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Suspected drug lord remains in PH, says Justice

By Rey E. Requejo CEBU-BASED businessman Peter Lim, who has been charged with illegal drug trading before the Makati City Regional Trial Court, remains in the country, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Sunday.

He also said the suspected drug lord had already been included in the Bureau of Immigration’s derogatory list after the Makati City RTC, Branch 65, issued a hold-departure order that prevents Lim from leaving the country.

Guevarra said Immigration’s records showed that the 72-year-old Lim “has not left the country since March” this year.

“Peter Go Lim has not left the country since March, unless he slipped through the back door,” Guevarra said in a text message.

Guevarra, who exercises administrative supervision over Immigration and the National Bureau of Investigation, also said the NBI had joined the hunt for Lim. Lim is facing trial for alleged conspiracy to trade in illegal drugs.

On Friday, Presiding Judge Gina BibatPalamos of Makati City RTC Branch 65 granted the Justice Department’s plea for the issuance of a hold-departure order against Lim. The court ordered Immigration to prevent or hold the departure from the country of accused Lim. Palamos also issued arrest warrants against Lim and his co-accused Ruel Malindangan on Aug. 14.

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He reiterated that although he had no plans of running, only the President could change his mind. Davao, of which Davao City is part, has a voting population of 4.9 million.

According to UM-IPO Assistant Vice President for Research and Publication Center Maria Linda Arquiza, aside from Mayor Sara Duterte, “the candidates they [Davaoeños] will vote for include SAP Bong Go ranking first on the list, (with former PNP director general) Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa ranking second. ‘‘Ranked third to sixth are Senator Grace Poe, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Senator Sonny Angara and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III.’’ Go also thanked the UM-IPO for conducting the survey. The institute is an initiative to spread the University of Mindanao’s commitment to the rights and empowerment of the people of Davao and has been publishing objective, relevant and informative opinion surveys.

US...

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Schriver’s strongly worded statement came after Beijing warned a US Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft while hovering above coral reefs in one of China’s converted garrison in the South China Sea, which has been installed with radar, power plants and runways designed for large military aircraft.

During the reconnaissance flight, members of the Chinese military told the US plane crew six times that they are inside Chinese territory, persuading them to leave.

China has practically invaded at least seven shoals and reefs in the contested Spratly Islands, converting four into artificial islands through massive reclamation activities.

“We will continue to operate in a consistent way. If the Chinese want to expand their control through this type of challenge, it has no impact or effect on how we operate,” Schriver said.

Beijing...

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The popular stars of this year’s World Robot Conference, which ends Sunday, were undoubtedly the small, amateurmade “battle bots” which smashed, hammered and sawed their way through their opponents to a cacophony of cheers and shouts from a rapt audience.

“With this robot, I can fully express myself. I love the sparks,” said Huang Hongsong, one of around a dozen Chinese youths whose creations went headto-head.

But while the battle bots are designed largely to entertain onlookers, China is deadly serious about riding the robotic wave with an eye on its economy.

Cheap manufacturing propelled the populous giant to become the world’s second largest economy in just a few decades.

But the country’s population is ageing, leaving it facing a double whammy of a worker shortage and increased labour costs as it gets wealthier.

Automated machines offer a possible way out with President Xi Jinping in 2014 calling for a “robot revolution”.

Under the ruling Communist Party’s road map for its industrial future—

Rody wants to take on poll duties

By Nat Mariano

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has assured the public of a clean and peaceful midterm election in 2019 in the country months before the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy for that election.

“In this election, I commit to the Filipino people that this will be a clean election,” Duterte said in a speech during the Hugpong ng Pagbabago Convention Friday night.

He said he would ask the Commission on Elections to deputize him.

“I will say to the Comelec to personally deputize me. There will be voting, and the votes will be counted correctly.

And in the next few months I will impose the Alunan doctrine,” Duterte said, emphasizing the importance of the Alunan

doctrine that limits the number of bodyguards for each politician to two.

“You cannot bring long firearms during election time,” Duterte told the more than 6,500 participants in the event.

He also told the New People’s Army not to “mess up” the elections next year, calling them not to interfere and demand taxation.

“Do not terrorize and I will tell the Armed Forces and the police not to interfere if you are not deputized by the Comelec,” he said.

“Wherever it may be, in Jolo or Abra, the moment I hear terrorism I will personally be there and will enforce the law. And If I have

Magdalo solon asks for Duterte health status MAGDALO Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano on Sunday called for the disclosure of the state of President Rodrigo Duterte’s health.

He made the call amid the President’s repeated remarks about his being tired and his plan of resigning from office.

“This is not the first time we heard from the President that he wants to resign.

More often, we would also hear from his speeches and rants about being tired and experiencing illnesses due to old age,” Alejano said in a statement.

“The public has the right to know the health status of the President.”

In a speech in Malacañang on Aug. 14, Duterte recalled telling the military and police officials during the joint command

conference on Aug. 7 that he planned to step down.

“Guys, I want you to know that I am thinking of stepping down because I’m tired. While I am not angry against anybody, my chase against graft and corruption seems to be endless. It has contaminated almost all government departments and offices,” Duterte said.

Alejano, who is a staunch critic of Duterte, said the President’s health was a matter of public interest.

He said the Constitution provides that the public should be informed about the President’s health in case of serious illness.

“A lot are worried on the deteriorating health of the President. His long absences from the public eye even during

important events raise speculations on the health of Duterte,” Alejano said.

Duterte has also said he prefers a junta taking over from him instead of a constitutional succession.

But Alejano said the Constitution should be observed as regards succession, and the military should be reminded of this.

“I trust that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a professional organization.

Our soldiers swore to follow the Constitution and the laws of the land,” he said.

“I believe that however Duterte wants to push the idea of a military junta, this would not happen because this is not what is enshrined in the Constitution. The military knows and understands this very well.”

Budget...

getary cuts agreed to by the previous speaker would be restored to allow the validity of some payments to one year plus six months or the first half of the following year.

Also on Sunday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called on President Duterte to certify as urgent three bills that he filed to ensure that public works projects are started and completed within the calendar year.

“In light of the new cash-based budgeting system for 2019, there is now an even more urgent need to foster true competition in government public works projects by liberalizing the entry of foreign contractors into the industry,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian recently filed three bills which respectively aim to lift investment restrictions that prevent foreign contractors from bidding on government public works projects (Senate Bill No. 1907), remove the nationality requirement in the granting of licenses for contractors in construction (SB 1909), and dismantle the domestic preference policy of the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) to encourage the entry of foreign suppliers (SB 1921).

“One of the main causes of delays in construction and other public works projects is the lack of contractors and suppliers,” said Gatchalian.

Lifting restrictions and providing a more level playing field in public works projects, he believes will encourage the entry of for-

eign players, which in turn will enable the government to deliver on its much-needed infrastructure initiatives,” Gatchalian said.

“For projects to be completed in a shorter period of time, we need simultaneous construction to happen. And for that to happen, we need to have foreign contractors who can also participate in government projects,” he added.

Gatchalian expressed particular concern with the Commission on Higher Education’s capital outlay for infrastructure, which was drastically slashed from P48 million in 2018 to a meager P6.9 million next year because of the new cash-based system.

“Thirty-five of our state universities did not get infrastructure funding because of the new cash-based system, meaning these universities have no funds to build new classrooms or buildings. This is unacceptable,” he said.

The lawmaker, however, clarified that he is in favor of the cash-based system as “it will instill discipline among agencies” and curb underspending.

“I am for a cash-based system. I see the logic of a cash-based system because this is meant to really solve underspending by speeding up spending on government projects,” he said.

“If you look at the utilization of of most agencies, only 60 percent to 70 percent of their annual budgets are utilized,” he added.

Recto said it was time to decide what to do with Naia.

“Should we have a second runway or are we going to build one in Bulacan or Clark? I think government should make a decision,” he said.

Hundreds of domestic and international flights were cancelled for two days while a number of flights were diverted to Clark or Cebu after a Xiamen Airlines flight veered off while landing amid a heavy downpour on Thursday evening shortly before midnight.

“We will give time for airport authorities to have a complete report on the effects of the runway closure during and after the incident,” Poe added.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal, airline executives as well as some affected passengers will be invited to the hearing, Poe said.

She said the hearing will also tackle Sen-

ate Resolution No. 782 filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on the status of Metro Manila airports and the government’s plans, if any, to modernize them to meet growing demand.

Poe said she wants to know how airport authorities and airline employees handled the situation after comments and stories circulating on social media indicated the chaotic condition at the airport, with seemingly endless lines of passengers being made to wait without food or water.

Flight information displays were also shut so airline staff had to walk around with pieces of paper with the flight details to call for boarding.

“The public deserves an acceptable explanation. This is important, considering that Naia remains the primary gateway for foreign tourists into the country. Note, also, that Naia is operating at overcapacity. It was built to handle some 30-million passengers, but is currently accommodating around 42 million,” Poe said.

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Lacson earlier raised concerns that billions of pesos in Priority Development Assistance Fund or pork barrel could be inserted in the 2019 National Expenditure Program.

Andaya said the House would not ignore the November 2013 ruling declaring pork barrel unconstitutional, and only allowed line budgeting for the NEP. we are following is the same one that the Department of Budget and Management does, in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling,” Andaya said in Filipino. “I don’t know interpretation Senator Lacson is using on this issue.”

Andaya said Congress may adopt a hybrid system combining cash-based and obligation-based systems, following a meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Arroyo a week ago.

The cash-based budgeting system limits appropriations, bidding, completion of projects and payments within a single year and the first three months of the following year.

Under the present obligation-based budgeting, the government can spread out the appropriations across two years or more to enable the completion of projects.

Andaya said they have agreed that bud-

Runway...

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the airport mishap highlighted the need to build another airport.

“The single international runway will not really work anymore,” he said in a statement.

“At this point the quickest solution for Manila’s airport problems is to have a twin airport system between Clark [International Airport] and Naia, just like Haneda and Narita in Tokyo,” he added.

In support of this, the government needs to speed up work on the Philippine National Railways north rail line connecting Manila to Clark, where a new P12-billion terminal is being built.

Ejercito, whose flight was canceled because of the mishap, said two successive administrations have failed to decide where to build the new airport.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph dubbed “Made in China 2025”—state subsidies are pouring into the sector.

And at the robot show, a vast array of machines demonstrated how technology may eventually replace human workers.

In one corner, a mechanical arm—designed to teach children—painted an elegant Chinese character while a robotic fish explored its tank and a bat flapped its mechanical wings overhead.

Delicate balance By 2020, China is aiming for half of the industrial robots sold in the country to be made by Chinese companies, up from 27 percent currentlywith a target of 70 percent by 2025.

“Robots are the jewel in the crown for the manufacturing industry... a new frontier for our industrial revolution,” said Xin Guobin, China’s vice minister of industry, as he opened the conference.

But it is a delicate balancing act for Chinese policy-makers due to the potential for human job lossesa 2016 World Bank report said automation could threaten up to 77 percent of jobs in China’s current labour market.

Nonetheless a great robotic leap forward has already been made.

China is now the world’s number one market for industrial robots with some 141,000 units sold last year, accounting

for a third of global demand, according to the International Federation of Robotics, which says demand could rise an additional 20 percent per year until 2020.

“China has huge opportunities to increase the level of its industrial automation [and] industrial robotization,” said Karel Eloot, an expert at consultancy firm McKinsey.

He notes that China still has huge room for growth given that competitors like Japan and Germany have four times the level of robotization in their factories compared to the Asian giant.

Qu Daokui, president of local firm Siasun, which was showing off a snakelike robot that can operate in narrow passages, said China needs to increase the quality and sophistication of its robots, particularly in the field of AI. “We used to focus on the accuracy, reliability and speed of robots—now it’s their flexibility, intelligence and adaptability that makes the difference,” he said, adding robots needed to interact and adapt to their environments and “make independent decisions.”

Doctor Bot Outside China’s factories, robots are becoming a more visible presence, deployed in restaurants and banks and even delivering parcels. AFP

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to do it, you’re on your own. I already told you there will be no terrorism. No one will bring firearms except the police.”

The President also said there will be checkpoints in every part of the country.

“Confiscate the firearms... Let me deal with the bad boys,” he said.

Duterte also said he was committed to the people in bringing a fair and peaceful election.

“Let me reiterate that this administration remains committed to preserve and defend our most cherished democratic values, one of which is the vibrant party dynamics in the Philippines’ political environment,” he said.

Bounty on rogue policemen hiked to P5m each PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to raise the bounty for police officers involved in illegal drugs and other high crimes will be a strong deterrent to the “wicked ways” of bad cops, an official said Sunday.

Philippine National Police spokesman Benigno Durana told dzBB radio that Duterte’s decision also favored the good cops in the fight against scalawags.

Duterte on Friday increased the bounty for “ninja” or rogue cops to P5 million from P3 million.

But Durana said with or without the bounty, the PNP would resolutely continue to cleanse the ranks as it was the organization’s constitutional duty.

He said rooting out the bad cops should be done within the bounds of the law.

“The Presidents remark on the bounty is a very strong deterrent... so that the bad cops would turn away from their wicked ways,” Durana said quoting PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde.

“The bigger bounty is also a good incentive for the good cops to fight the rogue ones.”

Asked if the problem of scalawags had worsened, prompting the President to hike the bounty, Durana said, he could not say, but the problem had been there before the Duterte administration.

But with the encouragement of the President, the drive against rogue cops had now become “serious, determined, deliberate and aggressive.”

Solon...

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unpaid taxes for January 2006 to June 2016, he said.

“The new tax amnesty bill would provide a clean slate for delinquent taxpayers and encourage all taxpayers, especially low-income and middle-income earners, professionals and even overseas Filipino workers to avail of the program, and register with the BIR. The measure, if passed, would improve taxpayers’ compliance with national tax policies, increase revenue collection and reduce corruption, Suarez said.

“Instead of speeding up the passage of the second package of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion [TRAIN] law, we must prioritize the passage of the tax amnesty bill,” he said.

Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said the estate tax amnesty as part of the general amnesty bill will help declog and update real property records and titles.

“This will promote the interest of heirs in developing inherited real properties.

This will also boost the financial position of the local government units,” he added.

On Saturday, the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. aired it support for Trabaho, saying lower corporate income taxes would improve the competitiveness of domestic corporations and allow them to reinvest tax savings into their businesses.

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DENR...

“It’s the dream of every Muslim to come here to Mecca,” Frenchman Soliman Ben Mohri said.

“It’s the ultimate journey. What worries me is the return to my normal life. For the moment, I am in a dream,” the 53-year-old told AFP. Every Muslim is required to complete the hajj at least once in their lifetime if they have the means to do so.

Tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed for the pilgrimage, which was struck by its worst ever disaster three years ago when around 2,300 worshippers were crushed to death in a stampede.

This year, the Saudis have launched a “smart hajj” initiative, with apps to help pilgrims with everything from travel plans to medical care.

The interior ministry said on Saturday that the number of pilgrims arriving in Mecca had already surpassed the two million mark, mostly from abroad including large contingents from Egypt, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Most of the pilgrims began moving on Sunday from Mecca to the nearby Mina valley where they will spend the night in fire-resistant tents.

Thousands of buses and vehicles carrying the pilgrims lined the eight-kilometer (five-mile) road from Mecca to Mina. Many pilgrims made the journey walking under the scorching heat of the sun. AFP

Memorandums of agreement and work and financial plans approved by the EMB and the LGUs said all MRFs were supposed to be built and operational by the end of 2017.

But an on-site inspection by the audit team showed the agency’s performance fell far short of its target.

“Of the 208 LGUs [inspected/validated], only 68 or 32.69 percent were able to establish and operate the MRFs, while 140 LGUs or 67.31 percent were not able to operate the MRFs due to various reasons,” the CoA report read.

Of the 140 local governments without any operational MRF, CoA said 85 of them had not even started at all, while another 35 reported ongoing construction work.

“The delay in the completion of the establishment of MRFs defeated the purpose of providing an ecological solid waste management facility, particularly for the collection, segregation, recycling or biodegradable, recyclable, compostable and reusable wastes thereby depriving the intended beneficiaries of the benefits,” CoA said.

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News

Pay court retirees, SC orders Budget

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

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HIGH RISE, HIGH RISK.

A worker cleans the window glass panel on the 33rd floor of the newly constructed The Finance Center Buiding in Bonifacio Global City.

Revoli Cortez

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Supreme Court has ordered the Department of Budget and Management to immediately issue a special allotment release order to compensate the claims of retirement gratuity differentials of 28 retired Court of Appeals justices amounting to P23.02 million.

In a 17-page en banc decision penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. prior to his retirement last Aug. 8, the high court unanimously granted the petition for mandamus filed by the Association of Retired Court of Appeals Justices Inc. led by retired Associate Justice Teodoro Regino against the DBM. The retired CA justices were prompted to ask for relief from the SC after the DBM denied their request for the recomputation of their respective retirement gratuities and the granting of differentials in light of the series of salary increases brought about by the implementation of Salary Standardization Law 2 and SSL 3 between 2007 to 2011.

Since the retirement gratuity they received was computed solely on the basis of their salary at the time of their retirement, the retired CA magistrates sought the payment of said differentials anchored on the salary increases given to incumbents of similar rank during the five-year-old period after their retirement.

But the DBM insisted that their claims must be sourced from the Special Allowance for the Judiciary and not from the government’s Pension and Gratuity Fund.

The DBM also argued that compelling the department to issue SAROs for the SAJ component of the retirement gratuities of the concerned CA justices will be in violation of the Article VI, Section 29 (1) of the 1987 Constitution which mandates that “ no money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law.”

Besides, the DBM said from the 2007 General Appropriations Act to the 2014 GAA, the law has specifically, clearly, and consistently provided that the SAJ component of the retirement benefits should be sourced from the SAJ fund, and not elsewhere.

In ruling against the DBM, the high court noted Section 10, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution provided that from the time a member of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals retires and for the entire five-year period following said retirement and continuing on during the residue of his or her natural life, he or she should not receive an amount less than what an incumbent receives as salary and RATA. The tribunal also rejected the argument of the DBM that if ever there is basis for the claim, it should be sourced from the SAJ Fund.

“DBM’s position is confined solely to SAJ allowances, but the claim of the petitioners is mainly based on the adjustments to the salaries of justices by reason of SSL 2 and SSL 3 and not from the said SAJ allowances,” the SC stressed. While SAJ allowances were sourced from the SAJ Fund pursuant to Republic Act 9227 or An Act Granting Additional Compensation in the Form of Special Allowances for Justices, Judges And All Other Positions in the Judiciary With the Equivalent Rank of Justices of the Court of Appeals and Judges of the Regional Trial Court, the high court stressed that SAJ allowances were fully converted to basic monthly salary of the justices as of Jun 1, 2011.

15 contenders for CA lone vacancy named

Sereno graft case sent to Ombudsman

THE Department of Justice has transmitted to the Office of the Ombudsman the graft complaint filed against ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Sunday disclosed that the accuser was lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who was also complainant in the botched impeachment of Sereno in the House of Representatives.

“Since it’s a graft case, it must be investigated by the Ombudsman,” Guevarra said, in a text message.

Gadon filed last January a separate complaint before the DoJ against Sereno for allegedly failing to submit her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth for 17 years during her stint at the University of the Philippines College of Law. Gadon filed the complaint when Sereno was still chief justice and enjoyed immunity from criminal investigation.

Gadon had accused Sereno of violating Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and RA No. 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Based on the complaint, Sereno violated R.A. 6713 when she submitted only three SALNs during her stint as a law professor at the UP College of Law from 1986 to 2006 prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2012.

The complainant alleged that Sereno also violated R.A. 3019, which “requires every public officer to prepare and file a true and detailed sworn statement of assets and liabilities, including a statement of the amounts and sources of income, the amounts of personal and family expenses, and the amount of income taxes paid.” He attached certifications from the UP, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the SC’s Judicial and Bar Council to prove Sereno did not comply with the mandatory filing of SALNs. Citing UP’s certification, Gadon noted that it only has on record Sereno’s 2002 SALN, while the Ombudsman certified it only has her 1998 SALN. The JBC, for its part, certified that upon her application for SC Associate Justice, she only submitted her 2006 SALN. Rey E. Requejo

MLQ BIRTHDAY. The province of Quezon marks the 140th birth anniversary of the late Philippine President

Manuel L Quezon with a wreath offering at the monument in his honor at the Perez Park in Lucena City. From left: Quezon Provincial Gov. David Suarez, Secretary Martin Andanar of PCOO as guest speaker and Brig. Gen. Monico Batle of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Diana B. Noche

THE Judicial and Bar Council will conduct interviews next month for applicants vying for the position of Associate Justice in the Court of Appeals.

The JBC set the dates Sept. 4 and 5 for the interview of 15 contenders for the position vacated by CA Associate Justice Socorro Inting.

Those lined up for the Sept. 4 interview are Alfredo Ampuan, Emerson Aquende, Emily San Gaspar-Gito, Aida Santos, Racquelen Abary-Vasquez, Lorenza Bordios, Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes, and Raymond Reynold Lauigan.

On Sept. 5, JBC will interview Emma Matammu, Rosalyn Mislos-Loja, Acerey Pacheco, Loida Posadas-Kahulugan, Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya, Dax Xenos, and Encarnacio Jaja Moya.

The JBC also encouraged the public to immediately report to them any complaint against any of the candidates.

“The public may submit to the JBC a sworn complaint, report, or opposition against any of the aforesaid candidates either through personal delivery or mail addressed to the JBC Mezzanine, Centennial Building, Supreme Court, Padre Faura St., Manila, through telefax no. 02-552-9607 or by email at jbc@sc.judiciary.gov.ph and jbc87supremecourt@gmail.com.

Apart from the 15 candidates who would undergo public interview, there were 15 other candidates for the said position whose previous interviews remain valid. PNA

Here’s why Metro water bacame turbid during recent floods METROPOLITAN Waterworks Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco has called for a sustainable integrated watershed management program in the wake of the increase in the turbidity level at Ipo dam that caused intermitted lack of water being supplied to Metro Manila.

“Recognizing the importance of watersheds in supporting the water supply of Metro Manila and adjoining provinces, MWSS needs to come up with an integrated approach towards sustainable management and protection of the watersheds,” Velasco said.

One notable project of MWSS is the Annual Million Tree Challenge, a reforestation project, which aims to plant one-million trees per year for five years in support of President Rodrigo Duterte administration’ s campaign to reforest the Philippines. It mainly focuses on six watersheds—Umiray, Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, Marikina Watershed, and Laguna Lake.

On its maiden year in 2017, the AMTC Project surpassed its target at 1,258,000 trees planted and it received 1,550,00 committed trees to be planted this 2018.

Just recently, concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water were cited by MWSS and DENR on their respective watershed pro-

enous peoples. jects underscoring their im“Long-term, we are thinkportant roles on sustainable ing of a Corporate Forestry watershed management proWatershed Legacy Program gram especially in Ipo dam. to encourage the adoption The increase in the turbidity by various corporations and level triggered intermittent other entities of thousands water supply experienced of hectares of denuded porin Metro Manila and several tions of Ipo Dam geared barangays in Bulacan. towards integrated waterManila Water has its shed management plan to Adopt-a-Watershed Proreforest, maintain favorable gram that started in 2006 environmental conditions where the company recogand to improve the quality nizes to protect its water Administrator Rey Velasco and amount of potable water sources which are the Ipo, supply to our constituents,” La Mesa and Marikina Watershed. Through this program, it has al- Velasco added.

According to Velasco, the three MWSS ready reforested over 149 hectares in the Ipo Watershed. Manila Water has also continu- concessionaires—Maynilad, Manila Waously implemented various watershed man- ter and Bulacan Bulk Water—can initially adopt 50,000 hectares each at Ipo agement initiatives with key stakeholders.

For Maynilad, it has its Plant for Life, as part of the Corporate Forestry Watera multi-state reforestation program that shed Legacy Program and to encourage started in 2007 for enduring rehabilitation their mother companies such as the MVP of La Mesa watershed then expanded to the Group of Companies, Ayala and San Ipo watershed in partnership with various Miguel Corp. to be part of the Annual private and government entities notably the Million Tree Challenge as well as proper inclusion of the Dumagats as the stewards management, protection and nurturing of of the planted trees and thereby providing trees in the critical watersheds.

In line with this, MWSS signed a Memosteady source of livelihood among indig-

randum of Agreement on Sept. 27, 2017, with the local government unit of General Nakar, Quezon. The MOA aims to bolster the existing watershed management initiative at the General Nakar Watersheds towards longterm sustainability for the existing and future projects such as the Sumag Diversion Project and th rehabilitation of Umiray-AngatTransbasin Tunnel project and in preparation for the 600 MLD Kaliwa dam project.

With the support of multi-partite stakeholders, the enhanced sustainable watershed management program will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a result of deforestation and forest degradation, increase carbon sink capacity, and improve water flow regulation.

Trees in the watersheds absorb rainwater which channels it into streams, rivers, and eventually dams where fresh water is sourced. Thus, the need to protect the trees in the watersheds will help lessen the turbidity on the quality of water among the dam caused by numerous landslides.

The Ipo Dam is still experiencing several illegal logging, slash-and-burn farming, and charcoal making as the main causes of deforestation which was identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2004.

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Opinion

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

Still on the wherewithal of federalism given municipalities is rather generous.

Instructive for us too is that rather than burdening the text of the Final Constitution with the details of expenditure, these are appended to the charter in “Schedules”—that have reaped a fair share of criticism.

THE Woolman and Bishop study on There is noted the paradoxical—if African Constitutional Law is admi- immensely difficult—situation that rable for both the amwhile provinces are plitude of its scope responsible for the and the degree of the delivery of services analysis into which that are capital-inThat is the kind it gets. One whole tensive—health care, chapter, written by of proposition schooling, housing Kriel and Mnadjem roads—only that one advances and is precisely on Public grudgingly and sparwhen one Finance. The paucity ingly are the means of provisions, it is shirks from the given the sub-nationremarked, on public al units by which to convoluted turns finance in the South cater to these essenthat negotiations, African Final Constitial needs. One salutution is what allows tary feature however debates and for a mature body of the Final Constidiverging positions of legislation and policy tution is that it keeps to evolve. This very on distribution of functional allocation space, however, as all from being static: competences can constitutionalists will responsibility from take. recognize, can very one sphere of govwell be troublesome ernment can move, and testy. The premusually downwards, ise of the South Afrito the municipalities can fiscal structure is (that are statutorily that it is the national government that equipped with revenue-raising instruprimarily collects revenue. What is col- ments). lected by the Provinces is supplemental One of the toughest challenges to what the national government raises. within the South African constitutional The Final Constitution clearly limits the system is what is known as “vertical revenue-raising powers of the Provinc- fiscal imbalance” that results from the es while keeping silent about the pow- strange—but not totally unheard of— ers of the national government, leaving scheme of centralized taxation and no doubt that as between the national decentralized service delivery. The and the Provincial government, it is national government collects much the former that enjoys plenary revenue- of the revenue, but the Provinces are raising powers. Very interestingly, the directed to deliver many of the services. powers of the Provinces to levy taxes “The greatest fiscal imbalance is in the and to tap other sources of income is provincial sphere: Provinces raise only severely constricted, while the power Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Apologies are not enough

A

UTHORITIES reopened the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Saturday, after it was blocked late Thursday by a Chinese plane that skidded off in a bad landing, overshooting its mark and leaving debris in its wake.

All 157 passengers onboard the Xiamen Airlines flight were safely taken off the plane, but airport workers were unable to remove the plane for 36 hours— leaving more than 100 local and international flights canceled or diverted, and wreaking havoc on the travel plans of thousands of travelers because of the runway closure. Delays in reopening the runway Saturday continued to force flight cancellations, stranding thousands more, many of them camped out at the airport’s departure halls.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Saturday apologized for flight delays and the stranding of thousands of passengers.

“I am saddened by the inconveniences and consequences brought about by the incident involving Xiamen Air,” Tugade said in a statement.

“It is a regrettable experience, which is not of our own liking, nor of our own making. I am sorry. We did our very best to address the situation,” he said.

Tugade said the incident was an “eyeopener and a reminder” for the government and airlines to review and improve aviation protocols in the Philippines.

More than that, however, last week’s closure of the main Naia runway shows that airport facilities in Metro Manila are woefully inadequate and much too vulnerable to accidents or worse, terror attacks. If 36 hours was the best airport authorities could do to reopen the airport’s main runway, then that simply means their best is not good enough.

The runway closure exposed how easily the country’s capital can be cut off from the rest of the world, and how air travel to and from Metro Manila can be

paralyzed.

The long-term solution—to build a better airport—has now gained more urgency.

“The single international runway will not really work anymore. Government has to decide now where to build,” said Senator JV Ejercito in the wake of the Xiamen Airlines accident.

Pending the construction of a new airport, the government can use a twin airport system between Clark International Airport and Naia, just like Haneda and Narita in Tokyo, he said.

This would also be reason enough to speed up the construction of the Philippine National Railways line to Clark International Airport and its new P12-billion terminal, which should be operational in June 2020. By then, Clark will be able to accommodate an extra 8 million to 10 million passengers a year, easing the load on Naia.

These are suggestions worth exploring and pursuing now, rather than later, before more serious disruptions occur. Apologies are not enough; now is the time for action.

‘Cri de coeur‘ was a distinguished Land Transportation Office assistant secretary before retirement, has remained an idealist and advocate of good government since.

In his Facebook post, he understood perfectly the exasperation, nay, the frustration that President Rodrigo Duterte A FRIEND and former colleague in felt, just a little more than two years the Department of Transportation and into his elected term that made him exCommunications, one of the true Edsa press those words in his usual extempoheroes who despite being an appointee raneous speech. of the Marcos government, led the asIt was a pained “cri de coeur,” as the sault upon the government media staFrench would say, a protest against a tion in those dramatic four days of the seemingly desperate situation. people power revolt, Col. Mariano SanMy executive assistant here in Taitiago, reacted to the President’s strange wan sadly remarked, after hearing the pronouncement that he wants to resign televised speech before a group of busihis elected post. nessmen where PRRD agonized about “I can feel and I sympathize with the the continuing malady of corruption, agonies, frustrations and disappoint“wala na talagang pag-asa ang bansa ment of PRRD. natin,” to which I reacted, “kanya nga “He started out strong but is now natin sinuportahan sending a message si Duterte, di ba?” that he cannot do “If anyone can what he promised, do it, it is he, and even suggesting a that is what we President Duterte is military junta that believed then. We will swear before mad, and acts quickly still hold to that him. against corruption. belief.”

“A military jun*** Perhaps he should ta is effectively a No, he is not military takeover also be mad against giving up. He just that will remove bared his feelings, incompetence and him as commandand the deep aninefficiency. er-in-chief. That guish of being unwill be extraable to live up to constitutional alwhat he thinks the though the AFP public expects of may conveniently him. invoke the AFP’s mission to protect the In fact, even those he subsequentpeople and the State. ly mentioned in a meeting with the “I believe that PRRD should not Kapisanan ng Brodkasters to be his idedespair. He has more than three years in al successors should he resign, Bonghis term to reverse the situation. He may bong Marcos and Chiz Escudero did not have to change his style and strategy. He take him seriously. may have to “regroup and reorganize” He made that statement in the wake of his forces (his Cabinet or the people certain recent events: The discovery of under them) and let them work.

P6.7 billion worth of methamphetamine “All he has to do is supervise and conveniently concealed in a magnetic hold them accountable. A lot of his aplifter, cargo shipped from Vietnam and pointees are square pegs in round holes. trans-shipped from Kaohsiung, the bet“It is good that he leads the way so ter to hide traces of origin; the highest the people under him would do their job inflation index in the last five years, and the private sector follow. The Bowrongly blamed on his Train law which racay cleanup is a perfect example. is part of a comprehensive reform of “At the moment, PRRD does all the our tax system; the devastating impact talking and serves as “shock absorber” of externalities such as the unforeseen of his Cabinet. It should be the reverse. increase in the price of oil, even the The Cabinet should absorb the shock foreseeable and infinitely preventable for PRRD. He simply has to shoot orsurge in rice prices, price leaders which ders and supervise their compliance.” have a cascading effect on inflation.

Mar, who if memory serves me right, Any leader would cry out against was a PMA Class of 1967 graduate, and Turn to A5

Don’t resign, take a break PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte should not resign. Instead he should just take a break from the back-breaking pressure and stress of the presidency. This wise counsel was suggested by Romulo Macalintal, the lawyer of Vice President Leni Robredo.

Macalintal is handling the poll protest against the Veep filed by former senator Bongbong Marcos. Pending resolution of the case by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, there is no legal impediment against Robredo as acting president even for a brief period of one or two weeks. It would give a chance for Robredo to disprove Duterte’s claim she is not capable of being president.

How much damage can Robredo do in a brief stint? If she commits blunders, then Duterte would have proven his point of her alleged incompetence.

If Mr. Duterte sees Robredo as incompetent, indeed, then he can easily reassume the presidency.

We are not saying President Duterte cannot handle stress. He can—but anyone who has been at the pinnacle of power can succumb to stress even if he or she doesn’t want to admit it. Those who were president the longest—Ferdinand Marcos (22 years) and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (nine years)—at some point must have thought of relinquishing power.

That both Marcos and Arroyo stayed on is a tribute to their own strength of character and resiliency.

Marcos won a second term when it was still allowed in the Constitution and kept his grip on power for nearly 23 years through martial law. Arroyo, on the other hand, served nine years after taking over the remaining three years of deposed President Joseph Estrada who was consequently convicted of plunder. GMA, now the Speaker of the House, served out the remaining three years of Erap’s term and then sought her own six-year mandate to be president.

Mr. Duterte is scheduled to make an official trip to Israel on Sept. 2 to 5 at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is a good time as any to take that break after his visit to Israel. He could, if he’s confident enough, designate Robredo as caretaker president. It would show his own strength and adherence to the provision of the Constitution. Why leave the presidency to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea or to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra? And certainly not to Special Presidential Assistant and Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher can be accessed at: manilastandard.net Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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Opinion Wrong on Boracay PAMALAKAYA, the alliance of fisher folks and fishing communities affiliated with the left-leaning Makabayan group, is wrong on the matter of government’s partnership with big companies for the rehabilitation of Boracay’s wetlands. The partnership program is a straightforward effort to harness all hands to get Boracay on its feet again as the country’s premier island tourist destination.

There is nothing in the agreements signed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the lead agency in the ongoing six-month cleanup, with the Aboitiz Group for Wetland 4 and the Lopez-owned Energy Development Corp. for Wetland 2, to even remotely suggest any hidden, diabolical plan to have these companies take over the wetlands for any other reason than to clean up, rehabilitate and turn these into ecological and nature parks.

In fact, the seven wetlands in the island have been declared no-build zones, which is precisely the reason why structures earlier built on these areas have been demolished altogether.

The agreements entered into by these companies as part of their corporate social responsibility programs have very specific tasks and timelines. The plans agreed upon envision a three-year joint rehabilitation effort after which the cleaned-up areas will be turned over to the government. If by that time Pamalakaya and its allies will have the mind to take over the wetlands to sustain their main role as the island’s “living, flowing organ,” I have no doubt that the DENR would be ready to accord the same courtesies and assistance as it is now providing the big companies.

Truth be told, the cleanup and rehabilitation of Boracay and all other islands and communities for that matter, all across the land, will require our collective participation. Government cannot do it alone. Big business cannot do it alone. NGOs and POs cannot do it alone. We need all hands on deck.

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a fraction of the revenues that they are required to expend.” Earlier, in answer to a question posed to me by a television anchor person, I had said that two institutions play crucial roles in the fiscal operations: the Supreme Court that, under the draft, rules on the boundaries of power and competence of the federal government and the federated regions, and the Federal Intergovernmental Commission that, in the words of one of the Con-Com members, Art Aguilar, is the lubricant that allows for the smooth operation of the machinery of the entire body politic in a federal republic. While the specter of transfers of revenue from the national government to the federated regions has struck fear in the hearts even of policy-makers, in the South African constitutional scheme, that seems to be not only expected but prescribed after all, the national government collects and the Provinces deliver the services. Of course if one continues to think of the national government as the prime delivery channel of services, then a serious problem certainly arises.

Payment of the national debt is also a concern of South Africa as it is here, as the furor following my remarks asking for clarity in executive policy amply exhibit. In the South African system, national interests prevail, among these the payment of national debts and honoring sovereign guarantees.

The structural tension is obvious: the Final Constitution makes the allocation of revenue a matter of political judgment—passed by an Act of Parliament, very much like our GAA is. And being the political branch that is is, allegiances, loyalties and affiliations make their way into the picture. On the other hand there is a layer (a veneer?) of objective criteria for distribution—such as the services the Provinces are expected to make available and the performance of their constitutionally allocated functions. It is a compromise between the extreme positions of making the central government responsible both for raising the money and for spending it (which would be the death of any pretense at federalism), and giving free rein to Provinces to levy and to spend, that would clearly weaken the position— and the influence—of the national gov-

CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ Which is why it is a pity that my friend and colleague in the 16th Congress, Pamalakaya chairman Fernando “Pandong” Hicap, went on a stretch to taint the ongoing cleanup of the country’s premier island tourist destination as a “mere subterfuge, a pseudo-revival for the entry of big companies to further privatize and rake in more profits at the expense of small and medium enterprises and displacing some residents.”

The argument of the Pamalakaya chairman is neither here nor there.

Obviously Ka Pandong is unaware of the details of the “Adopt-A-Wetland” Project involving some of the country’s major companies. By surmising that the project is a mere subterfuge, a “farce” as he calls it, the Pamalakaya chairman has thrown all good sense to the wind. Even his statement advising that “we don’t buy the idea that these companies notorious for raking profits from environmental exploitation will help rehabilitate Boracay out of benevolence” is a giveaway. It is clear he and his group do not have any idea what the agreements contain, including the obligations of the parties, and especially the big companies.

ernment but is not completely unheard of in robust federal states.

While the debate among political scientists and constitutionalists rages whether to classify Spain as federal or not, the fact is that its treatment in its constitutional law of its Comunidades Autonomas should be instructive for us. Luis Pomed Sanchez, writing in the authoritative treatise “Comentarios a la Constitucion Española” calls attention to a fundamental feature of the Spanish Constitution in regard to Autonomous Communities: From the time they are constituted and their Statutes of Autonomy approved, the Communities enjoy all the competence described as “ordenacion del territorio, urbanism y vivienda,” and Sanchez hastens to remark that all Autonomous Communities have made use of this broad grant of autonomy. Instructively, the Spaniards have seen fit to write into their constitution the items within the competence of the Autonomous Communities: railroads and highways, transportation, ports and airports, agriculture, natural resources, environmental protection, aquatic resources and internal waters, tourism, hygiene and sanitation. Obviously, this goes into “distribution of powers” of which the Con-Com Draft has a separate article, but the economic and fiscal consequences of this distribution need not be belabored.

The power of the Autonomous Communities to tax is expressly recognized in the Spanish Constitution, subject to the fundamental proposition that it is the Spanish government as such that enjoys the principal power to tax. The contrast between “strong federal systems” such as Canada and the United States makes itself felt here where the taxing power of the sub-national entity may be characterized as “derived” or “limited.”

Despite the unmistakable inclination of the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court to recognize in the central government the power to tax, there is always the realization that safeguarding the Autonomous Community’s power to tax is a juridical guarantee of autonomy.

“Procura asi la Constitucion integrar las exigencias diversas en este campo, de la reserva de Ley estatal y de la autonomia territorial, autonomia que posee tambien una proyeccion en el terreno tributario.” Important then is the fact that Autonomous Communities exact taxes not only at the sufferance of the

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the confluence of such events. Kamalasan lang ba? O kahinaan?

The Filipino people may understand the aspect of “kamalasan.” Our cultural upbringing adheres to concepts of “buenas” and “malas.”

Kamalasan lang na tumaas ang presyo ng langis alinsabay sa TRAIN; and even PRRD’s bright economic managers could not have foreseen how Donald Trump’s often irascible actions would impact on the world economy while strength-

I can understand where Ka Pandong is coming from given Pamalakaya’s history and alliances. As he himself emphasized, citing his group’s documentation, he cannot believe for a moment that the firms which signed up with DENR are doing so out of the goodness of their owners’ hearts. He noted that “the firms that signed the MOAs are the same ones that operate coal power plants in coastal areas of Calaca, Batangas, Pagbilao, Quezon and Limay, Bataan that gravely affect the livelihood of fishermen and endanger the lives of coastal residents.”

We are of course against such kind of destruction. Nobody in his right mind would like any initiative which would “endanger the lives of fisherfolk and affect their livelihood.” But that argument is neither nor there. It cannot be used as the basis to slam the “Adopt-A-Wetland” project as a farce, a subterfuge. The deleterious effect of the operation of the coal plants in the cited coastal areas, if any, should be brought to the attention of the DENR, the LGUs and the Department of Energy so that the same can be properly addressed and dealt with accordingly. But to raise it as a basis to object to the planned joint partnership to rehabilitate the Boracay wetlands is way too much. It is, in a very real sense, a kind of scare crow, a false argument which does not have any bearing in the ongoing “all hands on deck” effort to get Boracay on its feet.

Indeed, if Ka Pandong and Pamalakaya are really interested in cleaning up Boracay, helping small and medium enterprises and rescuing displaced residents, the best way to do that is discuss their concerns with DENR and the other agencies involved in Boracay’s rehabilitation to ensure that the same will be properly and responsibly addressed.

They will be pleasantly surprised that DENR and Secretary Roy Cimatu will be more than happy to accommodate their reasonable concerns.

Central Government but as a power inherent to their autonomy and, as such, constitutionally guaranteed. Interestingly, the Constitutional Court has adopted, in respect to this fiscal matter, a hermeneutic principle: None of the constitutional limits that condition the financial power of the Autonomous Communities should be so interpreted as to make them non-viable.”

Although not written into the text of the Spanish Constitution, the Constitutional Court has held that the “unity of the economic order” of Spain is a fundamental principle of the Spaish constitutional order. But there is an abundance of literature that will include the name of Eduardo Garcia de Enteria, among others, and, not too surprisingly, “un grupo de profesores catalanes” in a Report on Autonomy (1988) pointing precisely to the Autonomous Communities of Spain as the actualization of what is commonly called “cooperative federalism.” That the Constitution and legislative acts set certain minimum standards for the economic activity of the Autonomous Communities, quite clearly, does not negate autonomy, although it could conceivably be the case that these Communities were left to conduct their commercial and economic activities without free of any boundaries established by the Constitution or national statute, which would then approximate the Swiss cantonal system. In Spanish constitutional law then, Juan Antonio Ureña Salcedo points out, the development of the different sectors that constitute the economy as a whole is a joint responsibility of the State and of the Autonomous Communities.

That is the kind of proposition that one advances when one shirks from the convoluted turns that negotiations, debates and diverging positions on distribution of competences can take—as well as the extent that autonomy really gets qualified until it ceases to be genuine autonomy. It is the same thing with federalism: How much of the authority and control of the central government do you retain, before you have so diluted “federal” that it loses its meaning?

That is not some idle semantic dispute, as the current debate in the Philippines clearly demonstrates. rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

ening the US dollar.

But the Filipino people do not attribute “kahinaan” to their president, on whom they continue to repose their faith, trust and confidence. Rarely have they seen greater political will and strength of character as they have witnessed in the past two years of this president.

But let us listen to Mar Santiago’s words, when he says that PRRD is the one who acts as “shock absorber” and mentions “square pegs in round holes” in the president’s administration.

President Duterte is mad, and acts quickly against corruption. Perhaps he should also be mad against incompetence and inefficiency.

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

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Power shortage will stop our economic growth Globally, Meralco consumers pay 8 percent the worldwide average, said IEC Managing Director Dr. John Morris, who led the study.

He explained further: “This is an excellent outcome for consumers, conTHE 6-percent GDP growth in the sec- sidering that the Luzon power market ond quarter, while not yet alarming, is unsubsidized and the majority of was below most government estimates. electricity is produced using imported This development is important given fuel. In peso terms, Meralco’s tariff has that it occurs amid the Duterte admin- increased by only 3 percent despite the istration’s ambitious infrastructure twin headwinds of significant fuel price program, which is expected to rev up increases and a depreciating local cursoon—and indeed government spend rency.”

What accounted for the tariff reducwas up near 12 percent in the same petions are the addition of competitivelyriod.

But if the relative slowdown offered priced power supply agreements conany lesson, it is that any sort of eco- tracts in the generation portfolio, the nomic takeoff requires conscientious study also found.

Overall, Morris added that Meralco foresight, especially about anticipated risks and threats (the slowdown was “continues to deliver electricity at a due to higher than expected inflation). fair and reasonable rate” especially in comparison with Economic planother markets ning requires and versus the being alert to true cost of elecwarning signs so tricity. they may be adSustaining our For perspecdressed before economic gains will not tive, the governthings become ments of Thaitoo late. be possible without a land, Indonesia, Something stable and affordable Malaysia, Kothat demands supply of electricity. rea, and Taiwan perennial but heavily subsidize also immediate their tariffs— attention is the about 41 percent, country’s power or some $80 situation. In the billion—in the five-year period between 2012 and 2017, the Luzon form of cash grants, subsidized fuel, grid in particular has witnessed demand and deferred expenditure. These make outpacing capacity. Demand grew by power rates in the markets “artificially around 2,900 megawatts while supply low,” the survey said.

Another crucial finding is how eleconly grew by 2,600 MW. Department of Energy figures predict around 4.9 tricity tariff in the Luzon grid will go percent in additional demand, or almost down further if there are new investments in power generation to meet the 25,000 MW in new capacity.

In the first half of 2018, additional rapid demand. This can in turn promote installed capacity grew by a measly 3 competition at the retail level, and any percent compared to the 8.2-percent de- reduction in wholesale electricity cost mand, resulting in seven yellow alerts can be fully felt by customers.

The study also reiterated that of all compared to the three during the same the charges in the power bill, only the period last year.

If this trend continues, this will have distribution charge, which accounts for enormous repercussions in the context 17 percent of the average tariff, goes to of ambitious economic forecasts. If the Meralco; the rest of the charges are colPhilippine economy, as the administra- lected on behalf of third parties.

The lesson here is clear. The comtion has confidently predicted, is poised to take off, disruptions brought about bination of resilient macroeconomic by something fundamental as inad- fundamentals and the Duterte adminisequate power supply are as disastrous tration’s determination to curb chronic as they are embarrassing. Stable power underspending have led to bullish excapacity and affordable rates are a re- pectations about the Philippine economy. Power is an important part of this quirement for any robust economy.

And power supply and affordability, equation, and the government needs to studies show, are interconnected. An act accordingly lest an already expeninternational survey by Australia-based sive and unstable power situation deconsulting firm International Energy bilitate any sort of momentum that the Consultants revealed that Meralco cus- economy gains.

In particular, forecasts talk of rotomers have been among the few in the world that saw their electricity rates go bust, long-term growth around or even down since 2012 compared to the rest above the 6-percent mark over the 2016 to 2030 horizon. This would reof the region.

The study’s findings show that quire an additional 7,000 MW of powMeralco residential rates have gone er generation capacity over the next down 18 percent even while the overall five years. Regulators need to start actConsumer Price Index, which includes ing on investments in order to move other household expenditures like fuel, the power situation from sufficiency to transportation, education, health, etc, surplus. Work also has to be done in areas like the rationalization of taxes had gone up 19 percent.

In particular, the survey found that and the removal of bureaucratic barMeralco’s average tariff (excluding riers to spur more investments in the VAT) has declined 4 percent since Janu- industry.

Sustaining our economic gains will ary 2016, a far cry from the average increase of 12 percent across the 46 coun- not be possible without a stable and tries covered in the study. This puts the affordable supply of electricity—and distributor’s average tariff at 24th out before any real takeoff could happen, of the 46 and 4 percent below the aver- we need to cut the bureaucratic red age figure. This means that, excluding tape and build more power plants now! subsidies and nuclear power genera- This is the kind of strategic objective tion, Meralco rates are in fact one of the that President Duterte’s political capital should be spent. cheapest in Asia.

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close-in friend Christopher “Bong” Go. For sure, Guevarra and Medialdea are competent officials.

We just want to make sure Robredo also has the leadership quality of a president. If not, then Digong can always cut short his break and reassume the presidency. Then he would have proven his point that Robredo is not capable of holding the highest office in the land.

Digong cannot leave the presidency to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza who has to accompany him to Israel.

Certainly, defense cooperation and weapons deals would be taken up in the country that has one of the best military and air forces in the world.

Israeli gained the distinction by buying most of its military hardware from the United States. The Jewish state, however, now manufactures its own weapons like the world-famous Gallil and Uzi sub-machine guns. Its pistol, the Jericho, can compete with the best-made US small firearms like the Smith and Wesson. Israel also has its own version of the US rifle Armalite M-16 which experts say is an effective assault rifle lighter in weight than its American counterpart Israel. Because

it is surrounded by hostile Arab neighbors like Syria, Egypt and Iran, it has developed the Israel Defense Force, one of the best armies in the world.

The Israelis, which conscript women to be part of its fighting force, have proven their mettle during the Six-Day War in June 1967 when Israel defeated a combined force of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Former foes Egypt and Jordan have made peace with Israel while Syria is embroiled in a bloody civil war between dictator Hafez al Assad and rebel forces that want to topple him.

President Duterte has drawn the concern of Washington when he announced he would buy weapons from Russia. He has spewed curses at a US defense official for criticizing his plan to purchase Russian weapons including a submarine. Duterte can secure weapons from Russia and China. But if he’s going to Israel, why not also buy from Israel to diversify the country’s armaments?

Duterte has diversified the country’s foreign policy as he veered toward China and Russia. Last week, in a rare remark against China, he warned Beijing not to send its war planes against a Philippine aircraft that flew over the Chinese-made artificial islands turned into military bases.

Is there a falling out between Manila and Beijing?

mst.daydesk@gmail.com TODAY

Romualdez bats for BFP modernization program L

Rehab of Laguna Lake, Manila Bay pushed MALACAÑANG “ought to do a Boracay” on Laguna Lake and Manila Bay, which are both rotting fast due to unrestrained human activity, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said Sunday.

“Fish prices have gone up in Metro Manila partly due to the rapid degradation of our municipal waters. Even subsistence fisherfolk can no longer catch enough fish to feed their families,” said Atienza.

Atienza’s remarks came amid reports that the price of “galunggong” (round scad) has surged to as high as P180 per kilo in wet markets around Metro Manila.

In a bid to stabilize the price of the widely-consumed fish variety, the Department of Agriculture issued an administrative order last week permitting the importation of 17 million kilos

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

A6 Standard

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

Manila

of galunggong for direct sale to wet markets.

“Actually, it is not just the price of galunggong that has gone up. We had the wet markets surveyed, and the prices of practically all fish varieties have gone up by at least P20 per kilo compared to a week ago,” Atienza said.

“If Malacañang can strongarm the environmental renewal of Boracay, surely it can also do the same to Laguna Lake and Manila Bay,” he added.

Atienza blamed illegal fish cages, industrial waste, untreated sewage and unchecked land reclamation for the decay of the waters around Metro Manila.

“Aquatic life in our municipal waters is being suffocated.

This is why we have fish kills or mass die-offs everywhere,” Atienza said.

By Rio N. Araja

using old and dilapidated trucks. We have to seriously invest more in modernizing the BFP for the best interest of the nation. Let us build fire stations and purchase modern equipment for our firefighters,” she said.

She made her call after a meeting with BFP Region 8 director Sr. Supt. Wilberto Tiu at the House of Representatives in a bid to find waysto modernize the agency.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone and Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento attended the hearing, and backed the call of Romualdez to upgrade the equipment the BFP. “We commend our firefighters and volunteers whose proudest moments are to

EYTE Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez on Sunday renewed calls to modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Romualdez, chairperson of the House committee on accounts, said there is a need to provide fire trucks, fire stations and state-of-the art firefighting equipment to the BFP. “Many towns in the country have been

save lives, homes and properties. They are always there, night and day, for us and not giving up the battle despite physical limitations and lack of support for their welfare,” she said.

She cited the need the appropriation of sufficient funds for the BFP to embark on modernizing the equipment of fire fighters.

“Their act of bravery as firefighters is a greatest accomplishment already because they are involved in a very noble calling and indeed, they very selfless people who put their lives on line. It is important for us not to forget them, instead we should always recognize and celebrate their heroism,” she said.

Bawas Presyo bill passage sought

By Macon Ramos-Araneta vey of the Social Weather Stations SENATOR Benigno Aquino IV called on the administration to support his Bawas Presyo bill after the Palace attributed the perception of Filipinos that their lives have worsened due to rising fuel prices.

Aquino’s measure seeks to suspend the excise tax on fuel under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target over a three-month period.

Results of the second quarter sur-

showed the number of Filipinos who said their lives worsened increased from 21 percent in March to 27 percent in June.

“The livelihood of ordinary Filipino families will suffer the most from the price increases in fuel and petroleum products because of the Train Law,” said Aquino, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the tax reform measure.

“The public can no longer breathe due to high prices. Despite their efforts, they can no longer get out of poverty,” the senator said.

CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED SYNOPSIS OF THE ANNUAL STATEMENT * As of December 31, 2017 ASSETS Investments in Trust Funds Insurance Premium Fund Cash on Hand & in Banks Stocks Real Estate Accrued Investment Income Accounts / Notes Receivable Other Assets Total Assets

P

P LIABILITIES

Pre-need Reserves Insurance Premium Reserve Other Reserves Planholders’ Benefits Payable Planholders’ Deposits Counselors’ Bond Reserve Accounts / Notes Payable Taxes Payable Accrued Expenses Other Liabilities Total Liabilities

P

P

34,010,904.02** 200,000.00 79,331,917.81 15,159,890.07 159,239,181.96 429,792.42 12,399,095.50 20,810,212.92 321,580,994.70 31,710,863.84 157,715.76 9,475,690.86 3,181,403.84 7,858.29 2,733.30 4,894,938.21 58,421.71 972,193.42 893,738.24 51,355,557.47

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK. A family looks for recylable materials to sell in a nearby junk shop along Katipunan Road in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Department of Environment and Natural Resources National Capital Region

S T O C K H O L D E R S’ E Q U I T Y Paid-up Capital Stock Special Surplus Funds: Fluctuation Reserve - Investments in Trust Funds Fluctuation Reserve - Stocks Retained Earnings Total Stockholders’ Equity Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity

P 125,000,000.00 672,576.56 10,953,184.64 133,599,676.03 270,225,437.23 P 321,580,994.70

CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED Consolidated Trust Fund Annual Statement As of December 31, 2017 ASSETS Government Securities Cash in Savings/Time Deposits Corporate Bonds Planholders’ Loans Stocks Real Estate Accrued Investment Income Other Assets

P

P

LIABILITIES Trustee Fee Payable Other Liabilities

P P

FUND EQUITY Trust Fund Fluctuation/Revaluation Reserve

P P

Pension 21,946,579.12 4,336,907.79 1,145,225.99 131,494.28 881,490.87 2,614,707.95 201,621.87 3,234,186.86 34,492,214.73

REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

1.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), through the GAA CY’ 2018 – Capital Outlayintends to apply the sum of Two Million Four Thousand Pesos (PhP2,004,000.00)for the supply and delivery of Seven (7) Watershed Instruments, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Procurement of each item of Watershed Instruments. Bids received in excess of the ABC for each item shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The DENR-NCR now invites bids for the following item/s, to wit:

28,972.35 452,338.34 481,310.69 33,338,327.48 672,576.56 34,010,904.04 34,492,214.73

(MS-AUG. 20, 2018)

Digital Flow / Velocity Meter

1

80,000.00

2

Microclimate Sensors

3

675,000.00

3

Automatic Water Level Sensor System (Ultrasonic Sensor)

1

400,000.00

4

Digital moisture meter and accessories

2

290,000.00

5

Soil Permeability Test Kit: Dual Head Infiltrometer Kit (Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity)

1

350,000.00

6

Soil Permeability Test Kit: Mini Disk Infiltrometer (Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity)

1

29,000.00

7

Ground Water Sensor (data logger)

1

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

5.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from DENR-NCR and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during Monday to Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

6.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on August 20, 2018from the address belowand upon payment of the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP5,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the DENR-NCR website (http://www. ncr.denr.gov.ph),provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows:

7.

The DENR-NCRwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on August 29, 2018, 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the Conference Room. 4th Floor, DENR-NCR Bldg., National Ecology Center, East Avenue, Quezon City, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

8.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 10:00 A.M. of September 10, 2018. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18..

- August 20-September 10, 2018 - August 28, 2018 – 2:30 PM, BAC Office

Bid opening shall be on 10:30 A.M. onwards ofSeptember 10, 2018at theConference Room 4th Floor, DENR-NCR Bldg., National Ecology Center, East Avenue, Quezon City.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

- September 19, 2018 - September 20-21, 2018 - September 24, 2018

The BAC will issue prospective bidders Eligibility Forms and Bidding Documents at the Office of the BAC Chairman, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, upon their payment of a non refundable amount of P 25,000.00 to the Municipal Treasurer’s Office, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. The Local Government Unit of Narvacan reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of Bidding, or not to award the contract and assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expense incurred in the preparation of their bids.

180,000.00

4.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

- September 12, 2018 – 2:30 PM, BAC Office - September 13-14, 2018 - September 17-18, 2018

CONGRESS has approved on second reading a proposed law sponsored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo imposing a maximum fine of P300,000 or five years imprisonment or both for tampering with the ‘timbangan ng bayan’ center to be placed in all public and private markets nationwide.

The present penalty is a fine of P200 to P1,000, or imprisonment of one year, or both.

Arroyo said the establishment of such centers would provide the buying public with an effective means of checking the accuracy of the weight and the quantity of the goods that they are buying.

She said this will also discourage dishonest vendors from committing any irregularity.

The bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines which seeks to protect the public against fraudulent practices relative to the use of weighing instruments in public and private markets.

2,004,000.00

Delivery of the Goods is required within thirty (30) calendar days upon issuance of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) yearsfrom the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Name of Contract: Improvement/Concreting of Farm to Market Roads and Bridges (Cluster II) Location: Barangays Margaay, Nanguneg, Orence, Paratong, Quinarayan, San Jose, San Pedro, Sulvec, & Turod, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Brief Description: Removal of Obstructions, Roadway Excavation, Subgrade Preparation, Aggregate Sub-Base Course, PCCP, Provision of R.C. Pipes, and Slope/Embankment Protection Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): P 42,692,450.08 Contract Duration: 360 Calendar Days Source of Fund: R.A. 8240 FY 2015 Prospective bidders should possess a valid PCAB License applicable to the contract, have completed a similar contract with a value of at least 50% of the ABC, and have key personnel and equipment (listed in the eligibility forms) available for the prosecution of the contract. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids. The BAC will conduct post qualification on the lowest calculated bid.

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

3.

INVITATION TO BID

9.

The DENR-NCRreserves the right toreject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10.

For further information, please refer to: RBAC Secretariat Procurement Section, 3rdFloor, DENR-NCR Bldg.

National Ecology Center East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Tel. No. 932.1371

August 20, 2018 (SGD) ELEUTERIO G. INES BAC Chairman

August 17, 2018.

NOTED: (SGD) ZURIEL S. ZARAGOZA Municipal Mayor (MS-AUG. 20, 2018)

Quantity

TOTAL

THE MUNICIPALITY OF NARVACAN, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to bid for the hereunder contract:

BAC Activities / Schedule 1. Issuance & availability of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Receipt and Opening of Bids (includes submission of Eligibility Requirements and Eligibility Check) 4. Bid Evaluation 5. Post Qualification 6. Approval of BAC Resolution/ Issuance of Notice of Award 7. Contract Preparation and Signing 8. Issuance of Notice to Proceed

Description

1

* This synopsis, prepared from the 2017 Annual Statement, approved by the Insurance Commissioner is published pursuant to Section 44 of the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines. ** Trust Fund Deficiency was subsequently covered up in full.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Sur Municipality of Narvacan BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

By Rio N. Araja

INVITATION TO BID Procurement of Watershed Instruments

Item No.

Arroyo seeks higher penalties for dishonest market vendors

(MS-AUG. 20, 2018)

(original signed) EDUARDO C. CALZETA, Ph.D, Chairperson Regional Bids and Awards Committee

EMPOWERING LUMAD. Members of indigenous communities gather for the Sulong Katutubo Foundation Inc. livelihood project in Pasay City on Sunday. Ey Acasio CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports Weary Lady Falcons repel Red Spikers, near sweep GAMES Wednesday 8 a.m. – Arellano vs UST (men’s)10 a.m. – La Salle vs Perpetual (men’s)12 noon – FEU vs St. Benilde (men’s)2 p.m.

– National U vs San Beda (men’s)4 p.m. – Perpetual vs San Beda (women’s)6 p.m.

– Adamson vs UP (men’s)

ADAMSON bucked fatigue and got its second wind in the last two frames, overcoming a 1-2 set deficit to pull off a 2516, 16-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-8 escape over San Beda U and stretch its win run to six in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

With barely some rest following their 15-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-20 triumph over the UST Tigresses last Saturday, the Lady Falcons struggled in the second and third sets as fatigue and exhaustion finally caught up on them.

“I think it was a little rough for our girls to have back-to-back but I think more so mentally,” said Adamson coach Air Padda.

“I think coming off our win yesterday (Saturday), we’re still really inconsistent but at least sometimes with that little break in-between your games you can go back to the gym and work on some stuff.

We don’t have the luxury of doing that.”

But the Lady Falcons sprang back in the fourth then sustained their charge in the decider to complete the victory, virtually securing the top spot heading to the semifinals with a 6-0 card.

They go for a sweep against the ousted San Sebastian side next Sunday.The win likewise dampened San Beda’s semis hopes as the Lady Red Spikers fell to 1-4 for joint fifth with St. Benilde and Perpetual Help, enabling UP to gain a big cushion at 3-3 in their battle for the last Final Four seat in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Eli Soyud followed up her 10-point effort against UST with 17 hits, including 12 attack points and four kill blocks, while Joy Dacoron nearly doubled her seven-point output the previous day with 13 markers she spiked with six kill blocks.Bernadette Flora and Trisha Genesis combined for 21 points for the San Marcelino-based squad.

A7

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Two Koreas march together as Asian Games burst into life N ORTH and South Korea marched together in a stirring display of unity as the Asian Games, one of the world’s biggest sports events, opened in a blaze of colour in Jakarta on Saturday.

South Korean women’s basketball player Lim Yung-hui and North Korean footballer Ju Kyong-chol jointly held the Korean Unification flag aloft as they led the athletes out to an ovation from the packed crowd.

It is the second such symbolic gesture this year by the two Koreas, who also walked together at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics opening ceremony—an event that heralded an unprecedented warming of ties.

The North and South, still technically at war, are joining forces in women’s basketball, canoeing and rowing during the 40-sport, twoweek regional Olympics in the Indonesian

capital and Palembang, a port city on Sumatra island.

South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon and North Korean Deputy Prime Minister Ri Ryong-nam, watching from the VIP seats, rose together holding hands and beaming as the Korean athletes marched.

The ceremony opened with a skit purportedly showing President Joko Widodo doing stunts on a motorbike in Jakarta’s streets before riding into the Gelora Bung Karno stadium, to roars from the crowd.

About 1,500 dancers in traditional dress then performed a tightly choreographed routine

before Afghanistan led the athletes’ parade into the stadium.

There were huge cheers when the two Koreas, whose athletes together number about 1,000, marched into the stadium together wearing pristine white and blue uniforms.

Widodo was then seen dancing in his seat as Indonesian singer Via Vallen took to the stage, before the stadium fell silent to honour the victims of the recent Lombok earthquake.

“You can feel proud of your home country Indonesia,” said Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, before Widodo declared the Games open.

Indonesian badminton great Susi Susanti, the women’s singles Olympic champion in 1992, lit the Games cauldron and the ceremony closed with a noisy music performance and

It’s FedererDjokovic in Cincinnati final

ICTSI NEGROS CLASSIC CHAMP. Juvic Pagunsan (second from left) holds his trophy as he poses with low amateur Gab Manotoc (second from right), Philippine Golf Tour executive director Narlene Soriano (left) and Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club president Jomarie Limjap after ruling the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic on the second playoff hole over Jobim Carlos last Saturday.

Interesting championship duel in Beach Volley Republic-Manila Open UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas’ Sisi Rondina and Babylove Barbon and Perlas’ Dzi Gervacio and Bea Tan, lived up to their lofty pre-tournament billing, setting up an interesting championship duel after sweeping their respective semifinals foes in the Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour Manila Open yesterday at Sands SM

By The Bay. Rondina and Barbon proved too much to Smart’s Grethcel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa, 21-11, 21-16, while Gervacio and

Tan pulled off a 21-9, 21-18 romp of Kempal’s Roma Doromal and Chantal Rodriguez.

The fancied Rondina-Barbon and Gervacio-Tan pairs will enter the gold medal match undefeated in four contests.

The medal matches were played last night.

Using the BVR Manila leg as part of the Tigresses’ pre-season build-up for their UAAP title-retention campaign next month, Rondina and Barbon are making their initial partnership. Gervacio and

Tan, on the other hand, were reunited after playing with different tandems in previous legs.

In the quarterfinals, UST’s Rondina and Barbon dominated University of the Philippines 2’s Abi Goc and Mikee Osorio, 21-5, 21-5, while Smart’s Soltones and Eroa outlasted Far Eastern University’s Ivana Agudo and Marianne Calinawan, 21-14, 20-22, 15-11.

Perlas’ Gervacio and Tan defeated UST 2’s Eslapor and Ebro, 21-18, 21-15, while Kempal’s Doromal and Rodriguez

subdued Air Force’s Anna Abanto and Jennifer Manzano-Acain, 21-16, 23-21.

In the men’s division, Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad of reigning UAAP champions National University lead the semifinalists.

Bagunas and Natividad defeated Fury’s Philip Bagalay and Greg Utupo, 21-12, 21-12, to arrange a Final Four duel with Air Force’s Ranran Abdilla and Jessie Lopez, 21-9, 21-16 winner over Army’s Joshua Barrica and Joel Villonson.

Neil Etheridge hero for Cardiff in English PL

PH YOUTH BOWLERS. Members of the team (from left) Jerry Lee, Praise Gahol, Ivan Malig, Kenzo Umali, Merwin Tan, Biboy Rivera and Alex Lim are shown during the World Bowling Youth Championship awarding ceremony in Michigan, Detroit, USA recently.

Youth bowlers boost PH gold medal bid in 3 int’l tourneys JUNIOR bowler coach Biboy Rivera believes the national youth bowlers would definitely be a huge boost to Philippine bowling’s campaign in three remaining overseas tournaments this year after a successful performance of the boys’ youth team in the 2018 World Bowling Youth Championship in Michigan, USA. After capturing a bronze medal in the

spectacular fireworks.

It provided a vibrant start to the Games, whose build-up has been dogged by logistical headaches and security fears after Indonesia suffered its deadliest terror attack in a decade in May. The sprawling archipelago has also been grappling with its latest earthquake disaster after strong tremors in Lombok, an eastern island, left more than 400 people dead.

Indonesia, a country of about 270 million, stepped in to host the Games at short notice after Vietnam pulled out, citing the event’s eye-watering costs.

Indonesia has a poor track record in hosting multi-sports events—the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang suffered serious corruption problems and delays, and two people died in a stadium stampede.

Rights group Amnesty International said at least 31 people were killed in a “shoot first and ask questions later” police crackdown on petty crime.

But officials say all venues are ready for competition and tournament-related problems so far have been relatively minor, from the ticket website crashing to misspelt words on signs. AFP

boys’ team event of the World Youth Championship, the Philippine Bowling Federation is setting its sights on winning gold medals in the Indonesia Asian Games, upcoming World Men’s Championship in Hong Kong and Asian School in Taiwan.

“A bronze that glittered like gold. I’m very happy and satisfied with their performance,” said the 44-year-old Rivera,

referring to the recent performance of his boys’ youth team, composed of Kenzo Umali, Merwin Tan, Praise Gahol and Ivan Malig in the World Youth Championship in the US. “They surpassed my expectations in terms of unity, playing bowling and behavior. We never expected to win, marami kasing malalakas and this is an eye opener,” Rivera added.

NEIL Etheridge was Cardiff’s hero as the goalkeeper saved a last-gasp penalty from Kenedy to salvage a 0-0 draw against 10-man Newcastle on Saturday.

Rafael Benitez’s side were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when half-time substitute Isaac Hayden was sent off for an ugly foul on Josh Murphy.

But it was Newcastle who had the best chance to claim a first Premier League win this season despite their numerical disadvantage.

However, on-loan Chelsea midfielder Kenedy wasted the opportunity as his weak penalty in the 96th minute was easily saved by Etheridge.

Kenedy’s blunder capped a frustrating afternoon for Newcastle, whose travelling fans once again protested at the lack of investment from owner Mike Ashley with chants of “Get out of our club” throughout the goalless stalemate.

But having lost their opening match against Tottenham last weekend, Benitez could at least take heart from the way they refused to fold with 10 men.

Cardiff, beaten at Bournemouth in their first game, will rue a missed opportunity to claim three priceless points in what is likely to prove a season-long battle to avoid relegation.

ROGER Federer and Novak Djokovic will be fighting for records when the all-star pair clash in Sunday’s final at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters.

Federer, a seven-time champion here, will be bidding to increase his tournament-leading total, while Djokovic is keen to win the only Masters 1000 tournament missing from his trophy collection.

Second seed Federer was leading 7-6 (7/3), 1-1 when David Goffin retired with an injury from their semi-final match after 62 minutes on Saturday.

The Belgian needed treatment for a shoulder problem after losing the opening set.

Djokovic beat 2016 winner Marin Cilic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to earn his place.

“I realised that he was not serving very big,” Federer said. “But it was only after he was treated that I knew something might be wrong.

“I could see that he was unhappy, but I thought he was going to play on.”

The Swiss was not distressed to get a quick win.

“I’m gonna recover for tomorrow.

This match was erratic at the start with hardly any rallies.

“But it got better towards the end, I’m glad my serve has worked well all week.

“I’m happy today was fairly easy.”

Djokovic leads a rivalry, which dates to 2006, by a thin 23-22 margin with the Serb winning three of their last four meetings.

Federer won their only previous final here in 2015 in straight sets.

“That’s not how I wanted to win, but I’ll take it,” the Swiss said. “I’ve now got a difficult final against a tough opponent.” AFP

Patrombon off to fiery start PALEMBANG – Former top junior netter Jeson Patrombon was in vintage form on Sunday, starring in the country’s twin victories at the start of the 18th Asian Games tennis championships at the Jakabaring Sports City courts here.

Under a sweltering sun, Patrombon opened the country’s campaign in the men’s singles with a 6-1, 6-0 rout of Timor Leste’s Nazario Fernandez Gusmao then teamed up with Francis Casey Alcantara in the afternoon in dispatching Qatar’s Jabar Al Mutawa and Mubarak Zayid, 6-4, 6-2, in doubles’ play.

But the first-time partnership of Alberto Lim Jr. and Marian Jade Capadocia suffered a stinging 4-6, 4-6 loss to the seventh-seeded Indian tandem of Khamran Kaur Thandi and Divij Sharan in the mixed doubles.

Patrombon will be up against Chinese No. 12 seed Wu Yibing, who drew a bye, in the next round, while he and Alcantara will face the fourthseeded Chinese Taipei squad of Chien Ti and Peng Shin-Yin, who likewise drew a bye, in the succeeding round.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

Sports

Clarkson bolsters PH five chances against China

By Riera U. Mallari

The Philippine men’s and women’s taekwondo teams almost made it to the zenith but fell in their semifinal matches to China and Korea, respectively, to settle for two bronze medals at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Assembly Hall here on Sunday. PSC

Road Warriors dismantle Northport

By Jeric Lopez Two-of-two.

The hot start continued for NLEX as it took its second straight win in three days after it dismantled undermanned NorthPort, 123-107, to gain early leadership in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City last night.

Following a slow start, Olu Ashaolu scored 21 of his team-high 27 points in the second half to go along with his 13 rebounds for a double-double to once again backstop the Road Warriors for the second straight time.

The Road Warriors regained their bearings in the third as they re-established a sizeable lead, opening up a 7765 advantage with over seven minutes left in the quarter to regain control after leading by twin-digits early in the game.

This time around, NLEX made sure its lead will be well taken care of as it entered the fourth with a comfortable 94-78 spread.

NorthPort, formerly GlobalPort, was unable to answer and impose a threat in the fourth as timely threepointers from NLEX kept it at bay.

Larry Fonacier and Mac Tallo each scored 14 points for the Road Warriors while JR Quinahan had 12 and Kenneth Ighalo 11.

NLEX now owns a 2-0 record to lead the league early in the tournament.

The Batang Pier played minus superstar Stanley Pringle. who is serving the country in the ongoing Asian games in Indonesia as part of the National team.

For the same reason, National team interim coach Yeng Guiao also missed his second straight game for the Road Warriors.

Stand-in coach Jojo Lastimosa once again took charge of NLEX in Guiao’s absence.

Also, NorthPort missed the services of its other star Sean Anthony, who sat out with an injury.

Poomsae bets settle for 2 bronze medals J

AKARTA—The first-timers nearly stole the show, until they rammed into the traditional powerhouses.

With the taekwondo event of poomsae making its debut in the 2018 Asian Games, the Philippine men’s and women’s taekwondo teams almost made it to the zenith but fell in their semifinal matches to China and Korea, respectively, to settle for two bronze medals at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Assembly Hall here on Sunday.

An opening for the gold medal match presented itself to the men’s troika of Dustin Jacob Mella, Jeordan Dominguez and Rodolfo Reyes Jr. after they defeated Iran in the quarterfinals, 8.339 vs 8.100.

But the trio rammed into the Great Wall, losing in the semifinals to China’s Zhu Yuxiang, Hu Mingda and Deng Tingfeng,

7.830 - 8.180, to settle for the first bronze medal of the Philippine delegation.

The same fate befell the triumvirate of Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Rinna Babanto and Janna Dominique Oliva, who failed to make it to the championship round after bowing to Unifed Korea’s Gwak Yeowon, Choi Dongah, Park Jaeun, 7.110-8.020, also in the semifinals.

“Hard luck. We lost in the semifinals, but we are very proud of the teams,” said Philippine Taekwondo Association national head coach Igor Mella.

The men’s team began their ascent to the semifinals after defeating Saudi Arabia in the Round of 16, 8.180-7.640, before securing the quarterfinal win over the Iranians.

The women’s team won over host Indonesia in the quarterfinals, 8.070-8.040, after edging Hong Kong, China in the round of 16, 8.000-7.490.

Other Philippine bets in the individual poomsae were not as lucky as Reyes and Jocelyn Ninobla both failed to advance.

Reyes was eliminated by Thailand’s Pongporn Suvittayarak, 8.08-8.32, in the quarterfinals after he advanced to the last eight by eliminating Ruslan Manaspayev 8.08-7.08 in the round of 16. Ninobla fell by the wayside in the round of 16 to Vietnam’s Tuyet Van Chau, 7.89-8.11.

The men’s team’s semifinal tormentor China went on to settle for the silver after bowing to Unified Korea’s Han Yeonghun, Kim Seonho and Kang Wanjin, even as the Koreans’ female side was upset by Thailand’s Chomchuen Kotchawan, Phaisankiattikun Phenkanya and Sirisahakit Omawee, 8.200 to 8.210. Riera U. Mallari

JAKARTA—How do you boost your chances against a powerhouse team like China?

Get Jordan Clarkson. ”Kung dati, we are a 100 to 1 underdog against China, ngayon we are just 100 to 20, nadagdagan na ang odds natin,” said Philippine Basketball Team Coach Yeng Guiao, whose wards battle the 2018 Asian Games favorites tomorrTuesday at 4 p.m. (5 p. m. Manila time) “We admit talaga naman favorite sila, but I feel the more important thing is now, we feel that we have more of a chance to win. Dati para talagang wala ka chance na manalo sa kanila,” Guiao added.

Credit NBA star Clarkson of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the “slight’ boost in odds.

“What’s good for us is he can draw the defense and free up our shooters. His skills are very good, all of these combined translates to a quicker transition for him to make adjustments. So it’s going to be two against one, Clarkson vs the two NBA Chinese players,’’ added Guiao, referring to players Zhou Qi and Ding Yanyuang.

Qi is a 7’1” backup slotman of the Houston Rockets, while Ding is a 6’7” forward of the Dallas Mavericks.

“China is bringing their best team in the Asian Games. They are solid on all fronts specially their frontline,” said the Philippine Team’s chief scout Ryan Gregorio, himself a three-time PBA champion coach.

“Zhou Qi is tall and quick.

He has a range that can extend to the 3-point range. He has great anticipation skills on defense. Ding is quick and strong, and has long range,” added Gregorio.

One of the plans, according to Guiao, is try to keep the game close, be aggressive the entire 40 minutes and out-run their rivals.

“We will try to duplicate the defense that we did against Kazakhstan,” said Guiao, referring to the 96-59 beating they handed the Kazakhs last Wednesday.

“We will be banking on our quickness. We lack the height and length, but we can compensate with our quickness and intelligence,” seconded Gregorio.

PH cyclists may share just one bike

RUDE WELCOME. The Philippines formally made its return to the Asian Games, but was given a

rude welcome by old rival Thailand, 22-25, 12-25, 25-15, at the start of women’s volleyball action here at the Gelura Bung Karno Volleyball Hall. PSC

JAKARTA—Two Filipino riders will vie in the downhill event of cycling’s mountain bike event on Monday but they may end up using only one bike.

This after the Trek MTB bike of John Derick Farr and Lea Denise Belgira--and that of women’s cross country top bet Ariana Thea Patrice Dormitorio—remained in transit because of the mess at the NAIA caused by a Xiamen Airways Boeing plane that belly-landed last Friday.

“If worse comes to worst, Jeric could be borrowing Lea’s bicycle for the downhill race tomorrow [Monday],” Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez, the PhilCycling’s MTM commission chairman, said.

The Travel Department of the

Philippine Sports Commission burned the wires since Saturday afternoon to determine the whereabouts of the bicycles.

Representatives from Philippine Airlines told PSC and Philippine Olympic Committee officials that they commissioned Singapore Airlines to bring the bikes to Jakarta.

But as of late Sunday afternoon, nothing was certain as not only the bicycles were offloaded from PAL flights, but also luggages of several members of the Philippine delegation to the Games.

“Good thing is, Derrick and Lea are almost of the same height and minor adjustments will be made with their bikes,” Rodriguez said.

PH trap bet is one point behind leaders after first day action PALEMBANG—Hagen Topacio overcame a shaky start, but stormed right back to score 71 points and wind up in a tie for third with six others after the first three rounds of the trap event as the Asian Games shooting championships fired off at the Jakabaring Sports City range here Sunday.

Vying in a field of 30 entries, Hagen was off in the first round, gunning down 21 clay pigeons, but regained his bearings to hit all of his 25 flying targets in the succeeding two rounds, finishing one point behind joint leaders Manavjit Sandhu Singh of India and Pakistan’s Aamer Iqbal, who both shot identical 72s.

There are two more qualifying rounds on Monday, with the top six shooters after five rounds advancing to the semis, and then

the finals also on the same day.

The stocky but solidly-built Topacio, 28, declined to be interviewed until his performance is over. Topacio is seeking redemption after dismal outings in his two previous Asian Games appearances in Guangzhou, China and Incheon, South Korea, in 2010 and 2014, respectively.

Suffering from an early onset of dengue, the shooter placed 28th in the Guangzhou edition four years ago.

Topacio will be seeking to end the country’s 16-year-old medal drought since Jethro Dionisio bagged an individual bronze medal in trap while teaming up with Eric Ang and Jimmy Recio in capturing the team bronze in the 2002 Busan Asian Games.

LABAN PILIPINAS. Philippines’ flagbearer Jordan Clarkson leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno main stadium in Jakarta. AFP

IN BRIEF

Business

PSALM to include lot in Malaya bidding POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. said it will pursue a new round of bidding for the 650-megawatt Malaya power plant which will now include the sale of the land in Pilillia, Rizal.

“What we are trying to do for the privatization of Malaya is to include the land so it’s going to be bundled together,” PSALM president Irene Joy Besido-Garcia said.

Garcia said PSALM was prepared to return the payment from those who acquired the bid documents during the privatization process last year which was put on hold.

“We got a direction from the DoE [Department of Energy] to look into the possibility because in the past, usually it’s just the power plant and there is a lease contract on the land. Now, we want to sell the power plant on an as is where is basis and then we will include the land so we can optimize the value of the power plant,” Garcia said.

PSALM is also rebidding the operations and maintenance service contract of the thermal power plant. The first round of bidding for the contract in May was declared a failure. Alena Mae S. Flores

Spain offers $300m worth of ODA for PH THE Spanish government offered $300 million worth of official development assistance to the Philippines for infrastructure, energy, food industry and tourism projects, the Finance Department said.

Finance Assistant Secretary Maria Edita Tan said the department was in the process of drawing up the memorandum of understanding for the Spanish assistance.

“We have received another offer from an ODA partner and this time around it is from the Spanish government for $300-million worth of ODA over the next three years,” Tan said.

She said that the terms “are very good” and that the Philippine government could either tap the euro facility or the US dollar facility.

“For the euro, it is 0.25 percent over a 35-year period inclusive of a 10-year grace period, while the dollar facility is 1.15 percent over a 20-year period inclusive of a 10-year grace period,” Tan said.

Tan said the ODA could be used for any type of projects but the preference of the Spanish government were infrastructure, energy, renewable energy, telecommunications, water treatment, solid waste, agro and food industry and tourism. Julito G. Rada

Electric-coops agree to support NBN project THE Department of Information and Communications Technology and electric cooperatives under the supervision of the National Electrification Administration signed a memorandum for the “last mile” of the government’s National Broadband Plan project to improve the internet access in the country.

The memorandum of agreement aims to ensure that the widespread availability of high-speed and affordable broadband in remote and rural areas of the country would soon be a reality through the electric cooperatives.

DICT, NEA and the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. formalized the tripartite collaboration “to realize the objectives of the NBP, including but not limited to the co-use of fiber optic cables.”

NEA administrator Edgardo Masongsong and Philreca president Presley De Jesus signed the agreement. DICT regional director Erlito Tancontian witnessed the signing. Alena Mae S. Flores

Finance officials set Beijing meeting to discuss infra fund

By Julito G. Rada

F

ILIPINO and Chinese officials are scheduled to meet in Beijing this week to address the issues and challenges in the financing of several ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

The Finance Department said in a statement over the weekend the meeting on Aug. 22 to 24 would tackle updates on the progress of the “first basket” of projects for Chinese loan financing.

These projects include the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project, New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project, the Philippine National Railways’ South Long Haul Project and the Davao-Samal Bridge Construction Project.

Other projects in the pipeline are the Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon bridges that are being funded with Chinese grants.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III will lead the Philippine delegation that

also includes Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Eonomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano is also expected to join the Philippine delegation.

Dominguez and the other members of the delegation will meet China’s State Councilor and Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi and Commerce Minister Zhong Shan; China International Development Cooperation Agency director Wang Xiaotao, chairperson Export-Import Bank of

BPI-GK COMMUNITY PROJECT. Bank

of the Philippine Islands president and chief executive Cesar Consing (left) participates in a repainting project as part of Bayanihan Spirit for Gawad Kalinga Community at C5 Extension in Barangay Lahuerta, Parañaque City.

Andrew Rabulan

PLDT accelerates rollout of LTE towers PLDT Inc. said it accelerated the rollout of fixed and wireless networks, boosting data speed and company revenues in the first half.

PLDT said wireless subsidiary Smart installed more than 3,900 long-term evolution or LTE base stations that as of end-June, increasing the total count by 45 percent to over 12,600 and enabling the company to improve its LTE coverage and activate LTEAdvanced which offers faster data speed and capacity.

PLDT said aside from rolling out LTE and LTE-A in Metro Manila, Smart also successfully fired up LTE and LTE-A in Batanes, Sagada, Cagayan, Palawan, Sorsogon, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Davao and Sarangani.

PLDT said Smart was on track to fulfill its commitment to the National Telecommunications Commission to provide high-speed wireless data services. Darwin G. Amojelar

DoubleDragon eyes Asean hotels

By Jenniffer B. Austria DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. plans to expand its hotel business in Southeast Asia and is now scouting for properties in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

DoubleDragon chairman Edgar Sia II said in an interview during the stockholders’ meeting the company was preparing to bring its home-grown hotel brand Hotel 101 to other Asean countries.

“We are considering to bring our own hotel brand Hotel 101 outside the country.

We are hopeful that it will be the first homegrown hotel chain outside the country. We are now looking at three properties in Vietnam, Phuket and Bali,” Sia said.

Sia said other countries like Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore have their own international hotel brands operating around the world.

“We always bring in other international hotel brands but we don’t bring our hotels outside. So internally we have decided that it is about time that we bring our own hotel brand outside. We think there is an opportunity for that.” Sia said.

Sia said he was hoping to secure the first site for overseas expansion over the next few months.

“So where ever we go, we don’t have to check in at other people’s hotel brands and we will just support our own brand,” Sia said.

DoubleDragon plans to develop 5,000 hotel rooms in the Philippines under Hotel 101 and Jianjiang Inn by 2020 as it aims to be one of the leading players in the hospitality sector. DoubleDragon had 866 rooms across its hotel portfolio as of end-2017.

It plans to develop Hotel 101 in Taguig, Boracay, Davao, Bohol and Cagayan de Oro. Sia said that in its overseas expansion, the group planned to adopt the same “condotel” concept it was using in the Philippines. Under this concept, DoubleDragon will presell the hotel units to investors which will enable the buyers to earn income from it.

DoubleDragon is a 50:50 joint venture between Sia and Jollibee Foods Corp. chairman Tony Tan Caktiong. It aims to be one of the top five largest property companies in the Philippines by 2020 through the buildup of 1.2 million square meters of leasable space.

Bangko Sentral closes 2 more banks THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said it shut down a savings bank in Pangasinan province and a rural bank in Apayao province because of their unsound financial condition.

The closures put to 10 the number of savings and rural banks that were placed under liquidation this year.

The Bangko Sentral said it prohibited Malasiqui Progressive Savings and Loan Bank Inc. from doing business in the Philippines.

Under Resolution No. 1331.B dated Aug. 16, 2018, the Monetary Board directed staterun Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. to proceed with the takeover and liquidation of Malasiqui Progressive Savings. PDIC took over the bank on Aug. 17, 2018.

Malasiqui Progressive Savings is a singleunit thrift bank located at Quezon Blvd. Extension in Barangay Poblacion, Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

Latest available records showed that as of June 30, Malasiqui Progressive Savings had 1,064 deposit accounts with combined deposits of P73.5 million. Total insured de-

China and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank president Jin Liqun.

The delegation will also pay a courtesy call on Vice Premier of Economic Cooperation Hu Chunhua.

“The meetings will focus on strengthening and enhancing our bilateral engagement and cooperation.

We express the hope that a number of bilateral documents would be presented and signed during the meeting, among them the exchange of letters for the feasibility study of the PanayGuimaras-Negros Inter-Island Bridges Project,” the Finance Department said.

Officials will also discuss the projects under the “second basket” including the Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River Flood Control Projects, Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project, Subic-Clark Railway Project, Safe Philippines Project Phase I and the Rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plants Project.

posits amounted to P67.5 million, or 91.8 percent of total deposits.

The Monetary Board on the same day also closed Rural Bank of Luna (Apayao) Inc. PDIC took over the bank on Aug. 17.

Rural Bank of Luna is a five-unit rural bank with head office located in San Isidro Norte, Luna, Apayao. Its four branches are in Abulug, Alcala, Allacapan and Buguey.

Records showed that as of June 30, Rural Bank of Luna had 10,090 deposit accounts with combined deposits of P213.13 million.

Insured deposits amounted to P185.06 million, or 86.8 percent of total deposits.

The Monetary Board closed seven small banks in 2017. These included Cabanatuan City Rural Bank Inc., the Laguna-based World Partners Bank (A Thrift Bank) Inc., Rural Bank of Iligan City Inc., Rural Bank of Ragay (Camarines Sur), Rural Bank of Goa (Camarines Sur), Rural Bank of Barotac Viejo (Iloilo) and Countryside Cooperative Rural Bank of Batangas.

The Bangko Sentral closed 22 banks in 2016. Under the law, a bank that was placed under liquidation would not be allowed to reopen. Julito G. Rada

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

B

NLEX’s profit increased 22% to P2.9b in H1

By Darwin G. Amojelar TOLL road operator NLEX Corp. said net income grew by over a fifth in the first semester on higher vehicle traffic at the North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

The company said net profit from January to June reached P2.9 billion, up 22 percent from P2.3 billion in the same period last year.

NLEX attributed the growth in revenues in the six-month period to higher toll collection at NLEx and SCTEx and more efficient utilization of resources covering toll operations and maintenance costs.

Toll revenues reached P6.7 billion, up 15 percent year-on-year on the steady increase in traffic and toll revenue contribution from both NLEx and SCTEx operations and increase in non-toll revenues.

Non-toll revenues also climbed to P100 million from P83 million with the increase in royalty fees, utility facility fees and other non-toll initiatives.

Subsidiary NLEX Ventures Corp. contributed P14.8 million, mainly from the commercialization of roadway maintenance services.

NLEX spans 95 kilometers, or 527 lane-kms, and services an average of 254,791 vehicles a day.

NLEX Corp. said net income in 2017 rose 14 percent to P4.64 billion from P4.09 billion in 2016 on robust vehicle traffic growth in the two toll roads. Toll revenues reached P11.6 billion last year, up 10 percent from 10.5 billion in 2016.

NLEx vehicle traffic reached an average of 237,046 daily entries last year, or 8 percent higher than in 2016, while traffic at SCTEx reached 54,566 daily vehicle entries, up 21 percent.

NLEx contributed 84 percent of toll revenues, while SCTEx cornered 16 percent.

B2

Business

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market to trade sideways

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices will likely keep a sideways trading during this shortened trading week as investors remain vigilant about developments both here and abroad.

“We’ll need to remain vigilant for developing news abroad as these have driven much of the market’s movement the past week. Recall how emerging markets fell earlier in the week due to the currency crisis in Turkey,” Gio Perer, a trader at Papa Securities, said.

BDO Unibank Inc chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said investors were staying on the sidelines while watching developments both here and abroad.

“Chartwise, the week’s close at 7,583.52 highlights some supports ex-

ists at the 7,500 levels. If buying support continues, expect another attempt at 7,800 levels. However, a break below the 7,500 levels could call for further losses towards the 7,000 levels,” Ravelas said.

In the local front, investors are awaiting developments on the second package of the government’s tax reform program and efforts to contain inflation.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 2.84 percent last week to 7,583.52, while the broader All Shares index declined 2.3 percent to 4,606.69.

The ongoing Turkey financial crisis has dragged down the global markets.

All subindices were in the red led by mining and oil (-4.25 percent), holding firms (-3.29 percent), financial (-3.14 percent), property (-3.04 percent), service (-1.51 percent) and industrial (1.42 percent).

Foreign investors were net sellers by

P4.7 billion, while the average daily value traded stood at P5.3 billion, down from the previous week’s average of P6.8 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were AgriNurture Inc.,which advanced 8.2 percent to P16.84; Metro Retail Stores Group Inc., which climbed 5.2 percent to P3.02; and Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., which rose 5.1 percent to P6.35.

Weekly top price losers were GT Capital Holdings Inc., which slumped 8.7 percent to P895; JG Summit Holdings Inc., which tumbled 8.6 percent to P53.50; and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which dropped 7.2 percent to P56.

The rest of Asian markets were on the rise Friday following strong leads from Wall Street and Europe, with investors cautiously optimistic about upcoming US-China trade talks.

Negotiators from Washington and

Beijing will meet later this month in the first publicly announced meeting in weeks on their bitter trade dispute, which has seen both sides impose reciprocal tariffs on goods worth $34 billion.

The news helped global markets regain composure after several days of volatility sparked by fears that Turkey’s financial crisis could infect other economies.

Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 0.35 percent higher, and Sydney ended up 0.2 percent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up 0.4 percent and Singapore rose 0.3 percent in afternoon Asian trade, but Shanghai was down 0.6 percent.

Despite the positive wave through world markets after several nervous days, analysts have said a quick resolution of the trade spat between the world’s top two economies is unlikely, with more US tariffs in the works on more Chinese goods. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

AUGUST 13-17, 2018 Close Volume

Value

AUGUST 6-10, 2018 Close Volume Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

59.95 128.10 89.50 2.71 1.78 32.65 7.9 16.42 14.48 3.99 8.65 0.64 1.53 810.00 0.560 74.75 1 11.96 21.40 45.60 88.3 105 198 29.5 199 1805.00 84.00 1.24

18,700 5,637,240 7,355,880 336,000 2,350,000 279,200 1,200 51,500 1,522,000 1,522,000 11,600 75,000 184,000 270 1,998,000 7,574,470 1,402,000 119,300 1,600 1,007,500 10 220 21,510 230,300 760,120 850 16,150 18,000

FINANCIAL 1,117,415.00 727,721,155.00 673,849,562.50 872,080.00 4,217,580.00 8,876,150.00 8,729.00 844,054.00 21,985,342.00 5,996,550.00 101,088.00 48,900.00 282,380.00 219,450.00 1,106,240.00 475,070,945.00 1,391,990.00 1,398,070.00 33,960.00 46,044,385.00 883.00 23,118.00 4,279,807.00 6,817,870.00 151,276,805.00 1,546,100.00 1,354,886.50 21,570.00

59.9 129.50 96.95 2.75 1.90 33.05 7 16.4 14.56 3.78 8.65 0.66 1.57 807.00 0.560 77.2 1 11.98 21.40 47.15 88.45 105.1 200 30 200 1820.00 83.90 1.19

50,990 9,226,360 4,593,800 36,000 13,531,000 689,100 3,900 32,900 6,229,300 859,000 1,200 1,000 17,000 1,390 12,839,000 8,550,810 2,940,000 62,200 2,000 941,900 1,630 1,620 6,780 606,200 1,829,370 550 74,790 136,000

3,046,327.50 1,208,053,245.00 448,619,388.50 96,350.00 26,846,360.00 22,809,340.00 27,138.00 540,060.00 89,404,086.00 3,198,020.00 10,395.00 660.00 26,400.00 1,126,505.00 7,508,470.00 657,554,310.50 2,947,340.00 740,378.00 42,625.00 43,879,635.00 140,980.00 172,299.00 1,349,344.00 18,236,655.00 367,416,774.00 1,012,550.00 6,283,786.50 162,960.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

36.5 16.84 1.05 1.19 33.1 0.240 125.9 20.50 3.29 14.48 230 40 75 77.25 49.5 1.84 5.1 7.5 10.300 15.88 10.52 7.30 7.03 1.7 15.4 63.35 26.90 7.35 13.4 2.290 271.20 5.05 3.2 12.50 25.2 13.08 18.88 0.182 363.00 6.87 2.17 4.26 8.62 5.26 7.55 1.07 11.92 56.25 6.24 4.80 2.45 3.2 1.74 13.3 80.9 5.33 0.126 1.04 134 2.64 2.39 20.50 1.91

4,317,200 7,996,200 238,888,000 6,651,000 2,378,700 4,800,000 230 50,600 43,759,000 2,001,100 30 1,535,300 1,760 60 5,800 146,000 4,800 82,500 7,437,900 3,021,100 222,700 2,016,800 38,504,300 1,000 4,314,300 1,106,620 326,200 881,300 2,969,500 7,253,000 2,593,270 304,600 126,000 7,000 3,240,800 2,146,200 10,897,600 4,990,000 854,990 62,800 12,111,000 436,000 3,198,300 1,835,200 277,400 11,139,000 186,800 1,081,240 51,500 1,357,000 22,221,000 60,000 1,024,000 776,000 3,536,200 678,800 1,610,000 863,000 2,924,150 22,000 17,025,000 1,500 160,373,000

INDUSTRIAL 155,138,955.00 130,198,788.00 245,586,080.00 7,882,010.00 82,008,095.00 1,140,400.00 28,268.00 1,033,970.00 146,063,430.00 29,421,280.00 6,900.00 62,280,950.00 132,683.50 5,017.50 283,950.00 265,500.00 24,280.00 622,253.00 76,440,390.00 47,643,416.00 2,358,524.00 14,690,635.00 270,010,209.00 1,700.00 68,306,112.00 70,031,999.50 8,865,175.00 6,487,765.00 40,411,254.00 16,766,650.00 700,062,230.00 1,508,394.00 412,800.00 92,164.00 82,591,700.00 28,298,222.00 203,449,524.00 925,520.00 304,875,854.00 432,223.00 26,639,450.00 1,815,800.00 28,593,465.00 9,601,083.00 2,120,372.00 12,783,720.00 2,211,348.00 61,167,705.50 317,930.00 6,511,140.00 59,555,500.00 192,160.00 1,765,980.00 10,285,688.00 286,256,394.00 3,537,224.00 202,160.00 898,650.00 396,237,564.00 56,930.00 41,417,070.00 30,750.00 288,747,960.00

36.1 15.86 0.75 1.26 32.15 0.237 119.9 21.00 3.57 15.2 220 40.05 75.85 90 49.8 1.82 5.12 7.88 10.500 15.8 10.68 7.32 6.99 1.61 16.08 63.85 28.10 7.45 14.3 2.350 267.00 5.04 3.1 14.48 26.2 13.72 18.84 0.180 368.20 7.00 2.22 4.11 9.04 5.09 7.95 1.19 11.94 56.5 6.25 4.76 2.58 3.24 1.74 13.22 80 5.2 0.130 1.07 140.6 2.5 2.5 20.50 1.52

5,650,100 3,684,600 30,787,000 4,591,000 534,900 10,810,000 890 125,900 42,490,000 1,208,700 750 2,365,000 14,400 1,130 17,930 699,000 12,000 43,400 4,592,300 2,860,800 218,400 964,700 105,396,800 2,000 2,275,700 296,770 1,005,700 8,008,000 2,196,600 4,913,000 2,254,870 226,400 37,000 100 1,732,200 2,370,400 14,866,400 490,000 947,470 33,000 420,000 417,000 7,432,500 1,928,800 27,800 1,680,000 509,100 1,748,020 105,500 2,887,000 2,039,000 95,000 3,971,000 1,397,400 5,871,810 971,200 3,640,000 4,066,000 3,015,590 70,000 27,761,000 50,000 52,775,000

208,064,880.00 56,716,578.00 22,831,620.00 5,667,900.00 16,679,520.00 2,580,260.00 101,741.00 2,635,365.00 146,546,650.00 18,691,922.00 164,612.00 97,143,455.00 1,063,767.00 101,440.00 895,357.00 1,258,900.00 61,174.00 336,314.00 49,021,600.00 45,263,996.00 2,323,132.00 7,130,317.00 717,771,782.00 3,220.00 36,229,962.00 18,908,668.00 26,549,530.00 59,668,083.00 31,398,472.00 11,711,150.00 612,909,304.00 1,123,911.00 116,360.00 1,448.00 45,510,690.00 31,644,516.00 281,650,862.00 88,590.00 351,032,200.00 232,989.00 977,580.00 1,720,360.00 67,267,546.00 9,937,554.00 221,043.00 1,988,230.00 6,075,420.00 97,988,008.00 650,302.00 13,715,250.00 5,341,290.00 309,110.00 6,870,740.00 18,447,504.00 449,748,398.50 5,067,211.00 457,770.00 4,481,210.00 409,607,832.00 178,480.00 68,249,190.00 1,025,000.00 79,779,160.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.310 56.00 12.40 0.97 6.10 1.430 1.420 999 6.05 11.38 5.42 6.95 0.208 895 6.19 53.50 5.49 0.57 4.4 17.5 0.660 4.89 3.6 0.0370 1.530 2.900 2.60 147.50 2.59 927.50 1.59 0.78 258.400 412.00 0.3400 0.209

140,710,000 4,797,260 25,379,900 84,000 413,100 371,620,000 69,461,000 1,382,460 13,819,000 17,524,000 32,300 125,000 560,000 647,290 70,900 4,597,220 3,700 3,811,000 5,564,000 12,614,300 40,758,000 73,993,000 12,000 14,900,000 15,512,000 7,926,000 81,000 2,256,290 527,000 1,161,350 1,046,000 230,000 13,850 770 75,080,000 640,000

HOLDING FIRMS 41,569,150.00 274,614,202.50 312,193,612.00 80,160.00 2,517,006.00 513,498,080.00 95,839,940.00 1,317,901,850.00 83,612,138.00 202,218,448.00 157,082.00 872,696.00 115,870.00 589,964,340.00 445,818.00 247,453,501.50 20,430.00 2,218,480.00 24,099,440.00 220,848,312.00 26,455,210.00 356,462,780.00 41,830.00 552,400.00 21,697,980.00 22,514,100.00 213,410.00 326,051,722.00 1,356,720.00 1,080,506,575.00 1,658,800.00 181,170.00 3,546,340.00 334,010.00 25,264,800.00 135,200.00

0.245 60.35 12.58 0.91 6.10 1.410 1.410 985 6.07 12.38 4.31 7.00 0.210 980 6.01 58.50 5.13 0.6 4.36 17.28 0.690 4.98 3.5 0.0370 1.300 2.880

7,220,000 4,148,760 52,595,000 188,000 308,600 695,606,000 136,785,000 1,311,370 13,856,100 9,116,100 11,000 168,100 100,000 408,960 36,900 3,750,090 31,200 6,540,000 10,660,000 8,636,000 136,275,000 103,910,000 17,000 17,830,000 10,028,000 5,761,000

1,752,400.00 248,834,913.50 644,755,214.00 173,550.00 1,877,201.00 1,028,750,070.00 199,927,020.00 1,313,744,150.00 83,492,038.00 111,274,094.00 47,410.00 1,191,006.00 21,000.00 398,389,460.00 223,399.00 216,614,588.00 165,122.00 3,883,150.00 46,680,980.00 152,425,030.00 97,706,580.00 523,593,076.00 59,400.00 737,800.00 13,509,720.00 16,093,630.00

143.00 2.59 956.00 1.60 0.78 259.000 421.00 0.3250 0.209

2,333,360 9,000 990,100 1,993,000 40,000 30,650 440 111,420,000 2,170,000

327,697,372.00 23,270.00 953,486,640.00 3,194,730.00 30,950.00 7,892,040.00 189,300.00 36,907,000.00 450,430.00

13,974,200 27,830,000 72,300 270,000 8,230,000 35,120,200 2,242,000 4,597,000 85,300 100 43,890,000 648,000 5,854,000 69,240,000 1,180,000 1,199,000 1,582,500 558,000 40,000 49,720,560 2,015,000 37,326,000 81,729,000 202,459,000 14,130,000 8,729,000 6,000

PROPERTY 106,220,729.00 28,643,800.00 971,298.00 527,950.00 6,211,080.00 1,447,708,965.00 6,943,150.00 20,462,470.00 476,752.00 650.00 22,556,550.00 607,140.00 5,968,680.00 15,513,900.00 470,150.00 11,826,443.00 42,510,305.00 329,420.00 5,110.00 62,938,200.00 2,430,030.00 57,798,480.00 401,733,930.00 126,610,310.00 6,361,200.00 4,415,255.00 212,660.00

7.900 1.06 13.98 2.000 0.720 42.600 3.13 4.62 5.6 5.9 0.475 0.97 1.010 0.209 0.405 10.140 28 0.600

14,147,400 47,460,000 3,302,800 119,000 3,074,000 73,639,700 5,150,000 3,485,000 109,700 2,000 44,590,000 1,342,000 16,397,000 19,190,000 3,950,000 3,974,600 3,007,400 3,614,000

110,045,853.00 48,892,530.00 43,183,466.00 240,070.00 2,257,100.00 3,108,625,715.00 16,179,070.00 16,226,880.00 603,445.00 11,800.00 20,264,350.00 1,316,380.00 16,234,790.00 4,015,180.00 9,127,853.00 40,663,908.00 83,852,640.00 2,502,880.00

1.50 1.21 1.56 4.98 0.670 0.4550 0.520 29.00

46,172,000 6,335,000 91,389,000 142,925,000 410,986,000 19,270,000 25,379,000 100

68,121,630.00 7,689,040.00 147,456,190.00 363,895,050,941.00 278,344,790.00 8,899,000.00 12,783,710.00 2,900.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

7.790 1.05 13.38 1.950 0.730 42.500 3.11 4.59 5.66 6.5 0.450 0.94 1.030 0.231 0.395 9.840 26.7 0.600 0.129 1.50 1.20 1.60 4.94 0.620 0.4500 0.490 35.65

STOCKS

AUGUST 13-17, 2018 Close Volume

AUGUST 6-10, 2018 Close Volume Value

Value

Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

3.59 20.30 2 3.2 36.00 1.14 7.24 0.780 6.350

3,882,000 8,326,100 912,000 2,259,000 43,692,700 2,917,000 2,049,000 271,000 33,942,800

13,939,120.00 170,228,915.00 1,808,560.00 7,165,650.00 1,591,182,920.00 3,318,270.00 14,933,514.00 208,280.00 208,372,341.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

14 24.5 1.43 46.000 0.044 13.68 6.48 9.43 0.0620 71.65 8 6.68 8.26 2.23 26.00 910 1970 5.48 300.00 11.18 4.19 89.95 2.08 12.3 7.85 0.129 3.0800 3.72 15 3.82 1.05 19.64 18.00 0.465 5.18 7.05 3.02 2.06 2.19 8.280 11 8.20 3.69 8.99 111.00 5.24 1395.00 0.390 0.860 44.25 81.05 8.27 2.27 1.000 0.67 5.1 0.780 11.660

73,600 258,200 469,000 15,780,000 25,000,000 250,700 8,771,800 70,769,000 773,590,000 1,250,020 24,000 4,010,500 3,903,400 95,000 722,100 110 576,780 622,500 28,590 600 13,861,000 4,150,190 63,000 46,300 80,400 11,360,000 77,267,000 294,000 37,900 3,553,000 2,361,000 6,220,600 300 5,250,000 652,900 23,148,300 59,144,000 2,078,000 42,000 11,540,500 550,300 67,600 112,000 129,200 105,910 1,197,800 213,280 18,240,000 22,671,000 15,528,800 2,180,960 66,200 47,448,000 13,745,000 293,761,000 5,521,500 11,468,000 10,441,100

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0026 1.58 3.61 20.90 1.5800 1.4500 2.01 0.300 7.40 1.980 0.210 0.124 0.127 0.008 0.0083 1.38 4.75 1.16 0.5500 1.2000 0.0130 0.0140 4.10 15.52 0.0110 3.3500 30.00 0.0060

MINING & OIL 202,000,000 504,300.00 14,619,000 23,112,150.00 530,000 1,952,870.00 204,100 4,312,175.00 3,000 4,600.00 18,000 25,980.00 8,711,000 17,235,660.00 1,810,000 543,250.00 98,200 718,948.00 47,118,000 94,230,570.00 2,430,000 504,880.00 13,180,000 1,613,450.00 2,200,000 280,850.00 16,000,000 133,000.00 5,000,000 41,500.00 4,985,000 7,162,690.00 16,970,000 80,428,520.00 1,127,000 1,268,550.00 367,000 201,100.00 51,623,000 61,592,030.00 1,699,300,000 21,538,300.00 302,000,000 4,227,100.00 4,137,000 17,279,950.00 24,806,200 375,182,654.00 489,700,000 5,830,700.00 5,431,000 18,210,020.00 16,162,900 495,213,935.00 20,000,000 119,000.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

24.3 101.6 495 504 100.7 104 490.6 5.25 998 987.5 101.1 1.02 102.5 1028 104 112 1000 77 80.5 75 75.4 76.5 75.2 75.8 76.4

630,700 21,300 25,030 780 1,084,530 3,700 1,820 401,900 820 20,090 14,720 532,000 22,160 1,000 30 14,660 5,590 118,560 45,980 12,600 1,300 27,930 97,270 2,000 106,830

LR Warrant

2.330

622,000

SERVICES 1,032,318.00 6,410,530.00 672,360.00 7,324,550.00 1,107,300.00 3,281,080.00 68,378,802.00 688,964,712.00 48,490,440.00 88,453,471.00 193,608.00 26,880,728.00 34,273,060.00 214,080.00 18,786,085.00 99,510.00 1,094,801,470.00 3,391,789.00 9,214,690.00 6,822.00 55,525,600.00 367,009,217.00 133,810.00 569,594.00 627,284.00 1,440,440.00 234,114,890.00 1,072,660.00 558,590.00 13,836,480.00 2,448,310.00 129,562,882.00 5,270.00 329,200.00 3,410,080.00 163,751,483.00 166,012,250.00 4,510,740.00 90,460.00 97,665,071.00 6,071,318.00 471,369.00 411,770.00 1,047,499.00 11,817,668.00 6,272,814.00 291,156,665.00 7,262,200.00 19,991,640.00 685,809,685.00 178,479,858.50 548,073.00 109,226,280.00 13,948,160.00 201,945,250.00 27,912,199.00 8,850,600.00 122,006,672.00

PREFERRED 15,689,915.00 2,164,080.00 12,413,970.00 393,140.00 109,428,850.00 403,198.00 912,762.00 2,097,169.00 798,895.00 19,488,875.00 1,472,652.00 547,380.00 2,271,156.00 1,028,000.00 3,118.00 1,582,470.00 5,531,105.00 9,020,933.50 3,692,498.50 945,001.50 98,020.00 2,140,220.00 7,336,699.00 151,300.00 8,045,804.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,443,470.00 SME 175,450.00 18,313,923.00 39,964,140.00

3.67 21.40 1.99 3.25 38.50 1.14 7.36 0.760 6.040

9,112,000 16,859,200 937,000 717,000 54,863,600 3,115,000 3,995,900 407,000 20,567,700

33,524,920.00 348,588,448.00 1,857,500.00 2,322,160.00 2,119,398,430.00 3,557,580.00 29,653,076.00 307,320.00 123,834,353.00

14.46 25.3 1.43 0.465 0.045 13.4 4.69 10.50 0.0540 70.35 8.43 6.8 8.11 2.27 25.80 915 1976 5.41 329.00 12.60 3.94 88.45 2.09 12.3 7.83 0.130 3.0200 3.6 14.62 4.01 1.06 26.50

101,700 398,500 319,000 19,570,000 33,400,000 21,300 119,000 53,088,300 144,030,000 3,680,130 11,800 10,133,700 1,531,000 114,000 887,400 560 476,015 802,200 83,970 17,800 10,220,000 9,207,400 51,000 129,100 114,700 85,830,000 67,475,000 437,000 11,000 4,449,000 998,000 7,152,000

1,435,642.00 9,930,215.00 451,980.00 9,239,200.00 1,514,600.00 284,194.00 545,970.00 551,981,892.00 7,906,830.00 246,436,609.00 100,081.00 69,705,628.00 11,924,720.00 250,560.00 21,481,645.00 519,615.00 933,030,065.00 4,342,476.00 26,204,332.00 224,280.00 40,661,740.00 825,515,018.50 106,420.00 1,640,706.00 897,343.00 11,191,560.00 219,623,770.00 1,563,000.00 161,508.00 17,814,390.00 1,033,390.00 189,817,465.00

0.455 5.09 7.5 2.87 2.20 2.27 8.800 10.94 8.63 3.94 8.13 112.00 5.30 1375.00 0.375 0.920 45.60 85.45 8.39 2.40 1.080 0.72 5.12 0.760 11.540

6,030,000 570,000 29,209,200 6,702,000 3,294,000 185,000 22,122,800 34,400 19,000 661,000 2,454,800 181,880 2,242,500 351,085 48,860,000 27,479,000 4,297,500 2,458,760 712,700 62,399,000 4,227,000 1,515,239,000 14,190,600 49,109,000 14,377,600

2,971,850.00 2,834,420.00 218,610,493.00 18,785,350.00 7,069,320.00 407,810.00 188,340,775.00 377,672.00 166,616.00 2,497,180.00 19,980,926.00 20,347,550.00 11,962,506.00 473,732,065.00 19,333,050.00 25,087,520.00 199,204,555.00 213,076,298.00 6,039,243.00 142,151,460.00 4,612,810.00 1,109,505,260.00 72,158,272.00 38,667,170.00 166,853,820.00

0.0026 1.63 3.71 21.50 1.5000

289,500,000 54,718,000 1,058,000 365,400 141,000

1,010,200.00 89,326,910.00 3,942,590.00 8,559,760.00 211,910.00

2.02 0.300 7.36 2.010 0.205 0.127 0.135 0.009 0.0086 1.56 4.83 1.16 0.5400 1.1400 0.0120 0.0120 4.29 15.72 0.0110 3.1700 32.00 0.0060

7,645,000 570,000 72,500 48,779,000 5,090,000 23,450,000 1,980,000 80,000,000 10,000,000 2,109,000 20,912,000 2,607,000 899,000 15,392,000 531,600,000 500,000 3,693,000 49,839,100 385,900,000 833,000 11,158,000 4,000,000

15,434,610.00 174,850.00 528,816.00 97,964,800.00 1,058,780.00 3,034,190.00 260,930.00 725,300.00 86,000.00 3,282,950.00 98,505,080.00 2,998,860.00 488,880.00 16,545,780.00 6,891,700.00 6,000.00 16,026,950.00 687,634,180.00 4,344,200.00 2,554,280.00 358,159,970.00 24,000.00

26.1 101.5 500 503.5 101.5 103.5 490 5.16 960 987.5 101 1.02 102.5 1050 103.9 109.9 1000 76.6 80.9 75.05 75.3 76.55 75.3 75.6 76

1,578,700 800 4,690 16,440 143,120 11,620 2,000 673,200 20,410 30 27,850 828,000 14,400 3,420 3,540 210 1,080 10,690 195,910 1,960 44,720 187,990 142,520 41,150 202,000

41,957,825.00 81,250.00 2,345,000.00 8,297,700.00 14,486,190.00 1,174,387.00 980,200.00 3,526,543.00 19,591,745.00 29,625.00 2,796,509.00 854,840.00 1,475,278.00 3,586,950.00 367,547.00 23,097.00 1,077,940.00 833,909.50 15,661,222.50 147,072.00 3,363,576.00 14,319,516.50 10,730,801.00 3,110,940.00 15,351,360.00

2.400

1,680,000

3,965,170.00

3 5.19 3.12

40,000 3,431,500 7,153,000

121,130.00 17,652,976.00 22,278,170.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

3.09 5.05 2.9

58,000 3,604,700 13,578,000

First Metro ETF

113.3

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 109,910 12,576,883.00

116.4

32,150

3,729,241.00

10.2 9.8 1.01

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 43,010 438,228.20 2,500 24,894.00 26,860 27,128.60

10.18 10 1

58,880 29,350 214,660

598,198.40 295,850.00 215,050.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Oriental Pet. `A’ Boulevard Holdings Philodrill Corp. `A’ ATN Holdings A Oriental Pet. `B’ Transpacific Broadcast Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. MRC Allied Ind. Abra Mining Vulcan Ind’l.

VOLUME 1,699,300,000 773,590,000 489,700,000 371,620,000 302,000,000 293,761,000 238,888,000 202,459,000 202,000,000 160,373,000

STOCKS SM Prime Holdings Ayala Land `B’ Ayala Corp `A’ Globe Telecom SM Investments Inc. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Jollibee Foods Corp.

Bloomberry Puregold Bank of PI

VALUE 1,591,182,920.00 1,447,708,965.00 1,317,901,850.00 1,094,801,470.00 1,080,506,575.00 727,721,155.00 700,062,230.00 688,964,712.00 685,809,685.00 673,849,562.50

Ayala Land issuing P8b in fixed-rate, 5-year bonds MAJOR property developer Ayala Land Inc. plans to issue up to P8 billion in five-year fixed rate bonds to partially finance its capital expenditure program.

Ayala Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange over the weekend the P8-billion bond represented the unissued balance from the company’s P50-billion debt securities approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2016.

The bonds will be listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

Ayala Land has issued P39 billon worth of fixed rate bonds and P3 billion worth of Homestarter Bonds out of the total debt securities program, .

Ayala Land chief finance officer Augusto Bengzon said in a recent briefing the company planned to issue the balance of P8 billion to fund capital expenditures and repay short term loans.

The property firm earlier programmed to spend P111 billion in capital expenditures for 2018, up 21 percent higher from P91.4 billion it spent in 2017.

Ayala Land has spent P48.4 billion from its capex during the first six months of the year. Residential projects accounted for the bulk of the spending at 45 percent, followed by commercial leasing projects at 25 percent.

Ayala Land also spent P14 billion in the first half of the year for acquisitions and another P8.8 billion for estate development. It spent the balance for offices, hotel and resorts development and other subsidiaries.

Early this year, Ayala Land raised P10 billion from the issuance of 10year fixed rate bonds at a yearly interest rate of 5.9203 percent.

Ayala Land posted a net income of P13.5 billion in the first half of the year, up 18 percent from P11.5 billion it reported in the same period last year, propelled by solid contributions from the property development and commercial leasing businesses.

First-half revenues climbed 25 percent to P80.4 billion from P64.5 billion, as the company developed more sustainable mixed-use estates across the country.

Sales reservations reached P72.0 billion, 17 percent higher on year and equivalent to an average monthly takeup of P12 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

Figaro’s parent company eyes listing of shares CIRTEK Holdings Philippines chairman Jerry Liu plans to list the shares of his holding company Camerton Inc. as well as his food business, which owns Figaro coffee and Angel’s Pizza, with the Philippine Stock Exchange over the next three years.

Liu said in an interview at the sidelines of Cirtek investors’ briefing Camerton had a big potential to be listed because all subsidiaries under the holding company, including Cirtek, and the food, pharmaceutical insurance businesses were profitable and and on an expansion mode.

“Overall, Camereton Inc. is a very strong holding company and all its subsidiaries are earnings profits,” Liu said.

He said the company was also open to listing its food business under Figaro Coffee Systems Inc. For the food business, which has over 170 stores across Figaro and Angel’s Pizza, Liu said the group planned to expand the network through acquisitions.

“Maybe we can grow through acquisition. We are interested a little bit more on fast-food chain and we are also interested in snack food business,” Liu said.

He said Cameron was in talks with two parties for the planned acquisition.

The company is also looking to bring Figaro to more countries outside the Philippines. Liu cited a strong interest from Singapore, Malaysia and China for the Figaro brand.

Figaro has stores in the nine countries, including the Middle East and Guam.

Liu said Figaro had become a food supplier to several airlines, enabling it to expand the commissary business.

Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

South Koreans gather on eve of rare reunion

S

OKCHO, South Korea―Dozens of elderly and frail South Koreans gathered excitedly Sunday on the eve of their first meeting for nearly seven decades with family members in North Korea.

The three-day reunion―the first for three years―begins Monday at the Mount Kumgang resort in North Korea, following a rapid diplomatic thaw on the peninsula.

Millions of people were swept apart by the 1950-53 Korean War, which divided brothers and sisters, parents and children and husband and wives and perpetuated the division of the peninsula.

Among them was Lee Keum-seom, now a tiny and frail 92. She was waiting to see her son for the first time since she left him behind in the turmoil of war.

She lost her husband and four-year-old son as their family fled, and boarded a ferry headed for the South with only her infant daughter―who was accompanying her to the reunion.

The son is now 71 and Lee has been told that he will bring his daughter-in-law to the meeting.

“I don’t know what I’m feeling, whether it’s good or bad,” Lee told AFP. “I don’t know if this is real or a dream.”

She raised seven children after remarrying in South Korea but always worried about the son she left in the North. Now there are many questions to ask.

“Where he lived, who he lived with and who raised him -- because he was only four,” she said.

Because the conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, the two Koreas have remained technically remain at war. All civilian exchanges―even mundane family news―are banned.

Since 2000 the two nations have held 20 rounds of reunions but time is running out for many aging family members.

More than 130,000 Southerners have signed up for a reunion since the events began but most of them have since died. Most of those still waiting are over 80 and the oldest participant this year is 101.

With a few people dropping out at the last minute for health reasons, 89 elderly South Koreans―accompanied by relatives―gathered in Sokcho city on South Korea’s northeast coast to spend the night before heading to the heavily-fortified border that has taken them decades to cross. AFP

Fresh earthquake rocks Indonesia’s Lombok island MATARAM, Indonesia―A strong earthquake rocked the Indonesian island of Lombok Sunday, triggering landslides and sending people fleeing into the streets just two weeks after a tremor killed more than 480 people there.

The 6.3-magnitude quake, centered in East Lombok, struck at a relatively shallow depth of seven kilometers and was felt across the island, officials said.

It was the third major quake in less than a month to rock the island, after deadly tremors on July 29 and August 5 and numerous aftershocks, but this time there were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.

“The earthquake caused people to panic and flee their houses,” national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told Metro TV. “There have been no reports of death or [serious] damage but

people are traumatized.”

Landslides were reported in a national park where hundreds of hikers had been briefly trapped on a volcano after the quake in late July. The park has been closed since that incident.

Residents said the latest earthquake was felt strongly in East Lombok.

“I was driving to deliver aid to evacuees when suddenly the electricity pole was swaying. I realized it was an earthquake.

“People started to scream and cry. They all ran to the street,” East Lombok resident Agus Salim told AFP. The tremor was also felt in the island’s capital Mataram and on the neighboring resort island of Bali.

“Everybody ran outside their house. They’re all gathering in an open field, still terrified,” said Endri Susanto, a children rights activist in Mataram. AFP

Kerala flood till hits 350 THRISSUR, India―Rescuers waded into submerged villages in southern India on Sunday in a desperate search for survivors cut off for days by floods that have already killed more than 350 people.

Entire villages in Kerala have been swept away in the state’s worst floods in a century, and emergency responders fear the death toll will rise as they reach areas almost entirely underwater.

In Thrissur, one of the worsthit districts, rescuers sifting through inundated houses have discovered the bodies of those unable to escape as the floodwaters quickly rose.

“They didn’t think that it would rise this high―10 to 15 feet at some places―when the initial warnings were issued,” said Ashraf Ali K.M, who is leading the search in the small town of Mala.

“Some of them later gave distress calls when the water rose high and fast,” he told AFP at the scene, where dead cattle and

other livestock floated past.

Thousands of army, navy and air force troops have fanned out across Kerala to assist as distress calls sound out across the idyllic tourist hot spot.

The death toll stands at 357, local officials said, with 33 killed in just the last 24 hours.

Among the dead was a mother and son in Mala, whose home collapsed around them late Saturday.

Another was a local man who volunteered for the search and rescue mission.

His body was retrieved by comrades early Sunday, said Dibin K.S, a Kerala firefighter, in a grim reminder of the perils facing rescuers.

Officials say many houses are irreparably damaged across the state, and have warned residents against trying to return to them.

Roads and 134 bridges have been damaged, isolating remote areas in the hilly districts of the state which are worst affected.

AFP

GREENLIGHT column will resume next week.

B3

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PORT OPERATIONS BUILDING, PORT OF ABRA DE ILOG, OCCIDENTAL MINDORO

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 80,151,085.85 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of Port Operations Building, Port of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro (LFP MDO No. 024-2018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BACK-UP AREA AND PORT OPERATIONS BUILDING, PORT OF CORON, PALAWAN The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 268,742,342.94 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of Back-up Area and Port Operations Building, Port of Coron, Palawan (LFP PLW No. 025-2018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Demolition and Removal Works B. Construction of Port Operations Building. Completion of the Works is required in 420 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction of Back-up Area B. Construction of RC Wharf with RORO Ramp C. Construction of Port Operations Building. Completion of the Works is required in 600 calendar days.

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 20 August 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 20 August 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 31 August 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 13 September 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 13 September 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 31 August 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 1:00 p.m. of 13 September 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 13 September 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

Required PCAB Registration: Medium A – Building and Industrial Plant

Required PCAB Registration:

Medium B – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 loc. 539

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 loc. 539

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

MARK JON S. PALOMAR Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP)

MARK JON S. PALOMAR Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) M. Standard – Aug. 20, 2018

M. Standard – Aug. 20, 2018

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE WIDENING OF ACCESS TRESTLE AND CONSTRUCTION OF RORO RAMP WITH PLATFORM, PORT OF ESTANCIA, ILOILO The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 36,357,823.04 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Widening of Access Trestle and Construction of RORO Ramp With Platform (LFP PNG No. 0262018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction of Causeway (5.135M x 6.00M) B. Construction of Access Trestle and RORO Ramp with Platform. Completion of the Works is required in 360 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 20 August 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P 25,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 31 August 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 14 September 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 14 September 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

Required PCAB Registration:

Medium A – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE EXTENSION OF RC PIER, PORT OF SINDANGAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018 intends to apply the sum of P 67,542,516.83 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Extension of RC Pier, Port of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte (LFP ZDN No. 027-2018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Extension of RC Pier.

Completion of the Works is required in 360 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 20 August 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 31 August 2018 at 10:0 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 1:00 p.m. of 14 September 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

Bid opening shall be on 14 September 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

•

Required PCAB Registration: Medium A – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

For further information, please refer to:

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 loc. 539

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 527-83-56 loc. 539

MARK JON S. PALOMAR Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP)

MARK JON S. PALOMAR Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) M. Standard – Aug. 20, 2018

M. Standard – Aug. 20, 2018

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

B4

LocaL government units

monday, august 20, 2018

Mt. Napulak closed to trekkers amid red alert vs NPA rebels

Cagayan airport gets ICAO accreditation ThE long-awaited International Civil Aviation Organization accreditation has been granted to the Cagayan North International Airport.

“We are ready for commercial flights, both domestic and international,” said Secretary raul Lambino, administrator of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and presidential adviser for Northern Luzon, of the new airport in Lallo town.

CNIA will serve as an international gateway to the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. The other gateway is through the Laoag International Airport on the western side of Luzon.

Analysts said a fully operational Lallo airport will allow major Asian and even global investors to enjoy convenient access and faster travel time to the freeport headquartered in Santa Ana, Cagayan.

Lambino said the airport is currently operating chartered flights from Macau, considered as Asia’s casino capital.

CNIA’s masterplan provides for the construction of hangars for aircrafts, VIP jet services, navigational system upgrades and advances, MrO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility, FBO (fixed-based operator) aviation service, airline crew training center, general aviation and commercial flights, among others.

The surrounding land holdings around CNIA are being eyed for development into a business aviation park.

Groups back education for Leyte inmates STANDArD Chartered Bank has joined the Department of Education Leyte Division officials and corrections officers in their efforts to provide continuing education to the inmates of Leyte regional Prison.

The prison in Abuyog, Leyte is the first in the country to offer senior high school education to inmates.

More than 60 inmate learners are currently enrolled in the two-year “Formal Basic Education for Persons Deprived of Liberty” program after graduating from the Alternative Learning System.

Standard Chartered, the oldest international bank in the Philippines, donated a computer laboratory and complete uniforms to the inmates, along with school materials such as backpacks, black shoes, socks and rubber slippers.

The items came from the bank’s employee donations in response to a call to support the education initiative.

Leyte assistant schools division superintendent Edgar Tenasas saw the enthusiasm of the inmates to advance their learning as they serve their time in prison.

Tenasas said the program will enable inmates to be productive while in prison and prepare them for when they get released.

“The computer laboratory will support the program’s goal to build the inmates’ IT skills and open virtual employment opportunities for them in the future,” he said.

SCB, led by its head of Corporate Affairs and Brand and Marketing Mai Sangalang, and other employee volunteers visited the prison facility to personally deliver the donation items and set up the computer laboratory.

“Our support for the inmate learners of LrP goes beyond the materials and equipments we bring. More importantly, we send a message of hope and encouragement that with perseverance and desire to change, there’s a new and better life waiting for them,” Sangalang said during the turnover ceremony.

Photo by Bert Esposado

ILOILO CITY—Trekkers are temporarily prohibited from climbing Mt. Napulak, a popular hiking destination in Igabaras, Iloilo.

Mayor Vicente Escorpion said the municipal police station and the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion are on “heightened alert” following the Aug. 15 encounter in Antique, where seven suspected members of the New People’s Army were killed in a clash with government troops.

“The closure would ensure safety among the trekkers,” Escorpion said, adding that they also want to avoid confusion because some rebels might pretend to be trekkers.

The closure of Mt. Napulak was recommended by its municipal tourism office and the 61st IB, he said.

Escorpion said he recognizes the mountainous town’s insurgency problem.

Earlier, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office named Igbaras as among 15 municipalities whose police stations are at “high risk” of being attacked by rebels.

Policemen were reminded not to leave their posts and to be vigilant against possible attacks.

Escorpion is planning to conduct a meeting with the police and the army to discuss the closure of Mt. Napulak to determine when it would reopen to local and foreign climbers.

“We will analyze the situation,” he said. PNA

DPWH stops demolition of Spanish-era bridge

T

hE provincial government of Ilocos Norte has coordinated with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National historical Commission of the Philippines, National Museum, and the Department of Public Works and highways to stop the demolition of the 200-year old bridge Puente de Barit.

Social media had drawn attention to road development projects of the DPWh Ilocos Norte 1st Engineering District, which include the demolition and replacement of the Puente de Barit that was built during the Spanish era. republic Act No. 10066 mandates the protection of heritage structures such as Puente de Barit.

“It’s very unfortunate that incidents like

this happen, especially in our province where culture and heritage are sources of livelihood for a lot of people. The bridge in Barit is an important heritage structure for the province,” said Provincial Tourism Officer Aianree raquel.

The partial demolition of Puente de Barit drew different reactions from Ilocano netizens, with many calling for its preservation.

“It is very important for people to be aware. We should make the business of heritage conservation more approachable and relatable to the general population,” raquel said.

“The provincial government will work with national cultural agencies and the DPWh so that we can really finally resolve and determine what to do with the heritage bridges that are along our highways,” he added.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar has already ordered the DPWh Ilocos Norte 1st Engineering District to stop the demolition, while NCCA, NhCP, and National Museum will send experts to assess the damage and take proper action.

At least 296 scholars of Carmen Copper undergo leadership training during first Scholars’ Congress.

Congress teaches scholars leadership skills TOLEDO CITY, CEBU—The energy was high as 296 Carmen Copper scholars from the 17 barangays of Toledo City gathered to learn about Millennial Leadership during the first Carmen Copper Scholars Congress.

The Scholars Congress aimed to develop leadership traits and practical life skills to the Carmen Copper scholars.

“Carmen Copper is committed to actively raising the quality of life for

each of you,” said Carmen Copper assistant vice president Ignacio Alburo.

“We want all of you to achieve your full potential and reach your dreams so you will have a brighter future.”

Topics tackled during the congress include issues confronting millennials today, such as the pressures of social media, digital technology, peer pressure, emotional intelligence, leadership and finding one’s identity and path.

“We learned so much about how to survive university life by handling stress, peer pressure, depression and the threats arising from social media. The exercises helped us learn more about ourselves, our priorities and the path we want to take,” said Leon Abella, a 4th year Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering student at Cebu Institute of TechnologyUniversity.

Bohol fish market to serve as template for agri-tourism TienDA AgrICULTUrE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has called the newly launched Bohol Fish Market in Tagbilaran City “an overwhelming success” and plans to replicate it in various parts of the country.

“The successful staging of the Bohol Fish Market will serve as a template for similar activities in other areas to bring

down the prices of food,” Piñol said. he added the Bohol Fish Market would later be developed into a tourism destination, as eateries will be opened in the area where fish bought in the market would be cooked and served.

The Bohol Fish Market is the Department of Agriculture’s first provinciallevel TienDA project through its Bureau

of Fisheries and Aquatic resources.

It was the department’s first major step to address the fast-rising commodity prices, particularly in Bohol.

“It is the response of the DA to the complaints of local residents over very high prices of fish in the public market,” Piñol said.

TienDA is a marketing strategy

launched by the DA in Metro Manila last year to help promote the availability of affordable food nationwide by providing venues where farmers and fishermen can directly sell to consumers.

The DA then staged TienDA in Barangay Payatas, an urban poor community in Quezon City, so residents could access lower-priced food. PNA

Green groups back proposed ban on quarry operations ENVIrONMENTAL groups urged the Department of Environment and Natural resources to heed the appeal made by Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro to stop, and not just suspend, quarrying operations in rodriguez and San Mateo following the destructive habagat floods.

Buklod Tao, EcoWaste Coalition, Save Sierra Madre Environmental Institute and Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance backed the cancellation of quarrying permits to protect Marikina City and the disaster-prone towns of rodriguez and San Mateo from floods and landslides.

“We have again witnessed nature’s wrath as raging waters damaged homes and besieged communities with mud and garbage. The “Ondoy”-like tragedy came as no surprise given the steady obliteration of the Marikina watershed and the Sierra Madre by quarrying and other detrimental activities such as waste dumping,” said Noli Abinales, chairperson of Buklod Tao, a community group in San Mateo.

“Stopping quarrying operations is a critical policy that has to be enforced. This has to be supplemented by other measures that will disallow reckless land conversion that is eating up farms and forests in this bastion of biodiversity,” he said.

Fr. Pete Montallana, Chairperson of the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance, pressed for the protection of the fragile forests of the Sierra Madre to enable the biodiversity-rich mountain range to protect Luzon from severe weather disturbances.

QC bags most competitive city award FOr the third time in a row, Quezon City was hailed as the country’s Overall Most Competitive City in the highly urbanized category of the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index 2018.

The award was given during the 6th Competitiveness Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center last week.

Aside from overall competitiveness, Quezon City was also recognized as the most competitive on Economic Dynamism and Infrastructure.

The recognition was earned by the combined efforts of all city government workers, City Administrator Aldrin Cuña said in accepting the award.

“This award is for all the residents of Quezon City. Your local government is working hard for you. I also share this award to all the employees of Quezon City. Their hard work and dedication is a testament of Quezon City’s dream in becoming the most competitive city in the country,” Cuña said.

The National Competitiveness Council ranks the competitiveness of cities and municipalities in terms of economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, and resiliency.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

food

@mstandardLIFE monday, august 20, 2018

C1

BGC’s Best-kept seCret:

Al fresco dining At AryA T

uCkED in a quiet section of Bonifacio Global City along Mckinley Parkway is The Plaza at Arya Residences, which has been described by Manila foodies as an outdoor dining hotspot.

More popularly known as Arya Plaza, this architectural masterpiece is the Philippines’ first lEED-registered residential condominium and the benchmark vertical residential project for the country’s national green building rating system. Imagine this: at 3:00 p.m., standing in the middle of the building’s al fresco area, you can forget the scorching mid-afternoon sun and enjoy a cool breeze instead.

“We have created a microclimate to ensure that Arya is one of the best places to

enjoy outdoor dining in the city. Our masterplanned layout harnesses the wind, and our imposing canopy is made of the same corrosion- and heat-resistant material used in Singapore’s Clark Quay and Beijing’s Water Cube to provide light and eliminate heat— all with minimal energy use,” said Chris narciso, executive vice president of Arthaland Corporation.

But the real stars of this remarkable destination are its carefully curated dining establishments.

Barramundi with arugula at savage

Savage

The brainchild of Chef Josh Boutwood, Savage is all about stripped-down cooking. It prides itself as a “pre-industrial cuisine restaurant” where everything at some point touches the grill which uses imported oak oakwood to lend a dis distinct aroma and smokiness.

Its signature dishes include Barramundi with arugula and lemon, deviled eggs, potato crab salad, and pork belly with crushed grilled pineapple.

Fukudaya Japanese Dining

A modern-traditional Japanese restaurant with authentic specialties based on the freshest ingredients available flown in from Japan, Fukudaya has an open kitchen that is displayed prominently for its guests to enjoy. Its specialties include the eponymous Fukudaya Roll, a dish composed of eight traditional maki with a selection of diverse toppings—sea urchin, roast beef, duck, spicy tuna, spicy salmon, crab stick salad, shrimp, and negitoro—as well as ebi roll and Australian wagyu steak.

Fukudaya’s Australian Wagyu steak

Mamasons offers pinoy-inspired ice cream flavors such as ube, guyabano, calamansi, Milo, and black buko.

Filipino ‘dirty ice cream’ parlor in Europe opens second branch Only over a year after opening the first “dirty ice cream” parlor in Camden Town, Mamasons will be bringing the flavors of the Philippines to Chinatown london first week of September.

Founded by london-born Filipino Omar Shah, Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream has successfully created a buzz in the london dessert scene, with its Pinoy-inspired ice cream flavors such as ube, calamansi, guyabano, Milo, and the “Instagrammable” black buko—a coconut concoction with activated charcoal.

The ice cream parlor is such a hit that, according to earlier reports, it has always sold out since its Camden Town branch’s opening.

Mamasons is the first Filipino business to open in london Chinatown, which is a two-minute walk away from leicester Square Station at the heart of the West End. In a statement, Mamasons said it’s currently adding the finishing touches to its second branch’s interiors. “Expect a mix of tropical prints and elements from the barrio, inspired by the ice cream carts used in the Philippines,” said the ice cream parlor.

“To help our Pinoy community in london, we’ll also be featuring art from local Filipino artists,” added Mamasons.

Shah founded Mamasons after falling in love with Filipino food and des-

Mamasons is the first Filipino ‘dirty ice cream’ parlor in London.

serts, which made the painful lack of it in England quite frustrating.

“We all know that the Philippines is horribly underrepresented outside of our country until quite recently, we want to be part of the movement to raise awareness towards our homeland,” said Mamasons.

Turn to C2

Lemuria Restaurant and Wine Bar

This is the second and only branch of this highly popular upscale restaurant originating from Quezon City’s Horseshoe Village. “I want lemuria to be the restaurant you have in mind when you want to go to somewhere special and would like to dress up,” said restaurateur and wine expert Marina Schroeder. Dress code still applies: no slippers and shorts are allowed. So if you are hankering for lemuria’s signature dishes, such as the duck leg confit, foie gras trio, and prawn with feta cheese, prepare to dress to eat and enjoy the most sumptuous French Mediterranean cuisine in the metro.

Lemuria’s foie gras trio

Founded by London-born Filipino Omar shah, Mamasons offers ice cream inspired by the philippines’‘dirty ice cream.’

The Red Piano

At this point of the food crawl, I was already prepared to throw the towel after eating through three wonderful restaurants. But then the owner, Chef Carlo llave, started talking about his dishes and his passion for good food. “I try to go back to where the dish began, to use the original ingredients. This means preparing stock for 48 hours, importing pearl onions and guanciale (cured pork jowl) for the carbonara, and using three-fourth kilo of clams to make one serving of San Francisco clam chowder,” he said. His words were enough to make me stay, and I did not regret that choice as I enjoyed llave’s other signature dishes—osso bucco and beef bourguignon.

Authentic carbonara with guanciale at the red piano

So next time you want to enjoy good ambience and even better food, minus the madding crowd, head off to Arya. This is one secret that is just raring to be shared with friends and loved ones.

Mamasons ice cream flavors in an XXL cone

Black buko latte coffee

Life

C2

monday, august 20, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

FamilyMart

opens flagship store in Clark

FamilyMart Generation 2 store in Clark Global City

Guests trying out Filipino dishes at Mama Sita’s booth in Auckland Food Show.

Filipino flavors debut

in New Zealand food show

M

aMa Sita’S brand of Philippine sauces and mixes presented its line of favorite Filipino dishes to an international audience at the biggest food show in auckland, New Zealand on July 26-29.

the local food brand offered a sample the locals who visited Mama Sita’s of different selections of barbecue using booth at the aSB Showgrounds in Mama Sita’s Barbecue Marinade, Pang Epsom loved the taste of Mama Sita’s inihaw, inasal, and Fiery Labuyo. barbecue, even the hot labuyo bar-

becue. Mama Sita’s Caldereta Mix and Mama Sita’s Sinigang Mix also took the spotlight with the public’s enthusiastic reception of the sample dishes, Beef Caldereta and Corned Beef Sinigang. the auckland Food Show gathers the best food from New Zealand. the event explores regional delights and the latest food trends as well.

Filipino chef showing off how Pinoy dishes are cooked.

JaPaNESE konbini (convenience store) FamilyMart has recently opened its new flagship store at the New Center in Clark Global City. the flagship store takes the convenience store experience a notch higher with its upgraded store design and food selection, as well as stylish new crew uniforms.

With racks stacked with tasty meals, snacks, pastries, beverages, and other necessities, the Generation 2 FamilyMart is ready to fuel millennials’ daily grind and help prep them for an exciting and productive day ahead.

FamilyMart Clark Global City features a bright and airy design and a bigger and cafe-style dining space. top Filipino fashion designer Rajo Laurel designed the crew’s new uniform. the new uniform has a young, friendly, and clean appeal, which matches the upgraded look of the store. “i wanted the design to evoke a youthful energy and an invigorated feeling of style and efficiency. the designs were inspired by the classic preppy pieces that i tweaked to make it more fun and functional,” said Laurel.

FamilyMart offers a variety of filling meals, from favorite comfort food, fried chicken, through its very own Fami Chicky to a selection of snacks such as yakitori and dim sum treats, hotdogs made with angus beef franks, and an array of potato-based snacks. aside from a wide range of food selection FamilyMart also prides itself on having food products that taste as good

Filipino...

From C1

Shah imported an italian gelato churner to make ice cream traditionally.

His partner, Mae Magnaloc helps keep the business running smoothly while her brother helps make and serve ice cream. their mothers make and bake the pan de sal used in Mamasons’ bestseller, Bilog—a pan de sal filled with ice cream and toasted in a hot press.

Mamasons’ ice cream sandwich has

Yakitori sticks available in chicken, beef, and pork variants.

as they look.

From the menu, packaging, and store design, to the look and service of its crew, FamilyMart offers an improved customer experience as it takes comfort and convenience to another level.

“We are enhancing our stores so we can give Filipinos a better experience through meals and services that are at par with the world’s best brands. the new FamilyMart store is a testament to our commitment to be their indispensable partner in life,” said Henry albert Fadullon, chief operating officer of Phoenix Petroleum, which owns the FamilyMart franchise in the Philippines.

FamilyMart is the second largest convenience store chain in the world with over 18,000 stores across asia. in the Philippines, FamilyMart has branches in Makati, Fort Bonifacio, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pasay, alabang, Laguna, and Pampanga.

Go to www.familymart.com.ph for more information. given birth to other baked goods such as ube brownies, which is a mainstay on its menu, as well limited-time specials such as macarons, doughnuts, choux buns, cheesecakes, éclairs, and buko pie served at its Camden store.

“We intend to bring back all of our baked goods and more for encores at Chinatown London,” said Mamasons.

Flavors of the month include barako coffee, avocado, and queso.

“Everything we sell is freshly made in-house, using authentic ingredients sourced from specialist suppliers,” shared Mamasons.

sip

Costa Coffee’s cake-inspired Frostinos

Drink your cake Have your cake and drink it too as Costa Coffee has launched recently its new Frostino flavors inspired by popular cakes. the coffeehouse serves its twist on the classic mocha cake with toasted almond Mocha Frostino with the nutty taste of almonds. Fans of red velvet cake may opt for a cup of Red Velvet Frostino. Rounding up the cake-inspired Frostinos is the Lemon Cheesecake Frostino which features a perfect blend of sweet and sour, keeping the taste

of summer alive during the rainy season.

Costa Coffee branches are located at Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Robinsons Place Antipolo, Robinsons Metro East, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Manila, Venice Grand Canal, Robinsons Equitable Tower, Robinsons Summit Center, McKinley West, Bridgetown, Eastwood, UP Town Center, SM North Edsa, SM City Manila, Cebu Pacific Air Building, and Robinsons Cybergate.

Seattle’s Best limited edition Just Desserts

Dessert drinks it SuRE is a different experience being able to drink your dessert. Hence, Seattle’s Coffee has introduced its limited edition SBC Just Desserts, available in hot mocha or ice-blended Javakula variants. triple Chocolate, Campfire S’mores, and Hazelnut Cheesecake are available until Oct. 15. triple Chocolate is made of chocolate powder, chocolate sauce, and chocolate whipped cream. the drink is also topped off with a fudge bar.

Based on a campfire favorite, S’mores, Camp-

fire S’mores is a sweet drink topped off with perfectly toasted marshmallow and graham crackers. a heavy sprinkling of shortbread syrup and chocolate drizzle recreates this classic dessert from the classic Mocha Javakula.

Hazelnut Cheesecake, on the other hand, is a sweet-salty inspired Javakula drink made of layers of crushed graham, dark chocolate syrup, and cheesecake whipped cream.

Go to Seattle’s Best Coffee Philippines on Facebook for more information.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED RATES FOR THE CONTINUED OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE 24MW BUNKER FIRED POWER PLANT OWNED BY THE CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY OR INTERIM RELIEF

both currently under the name of FCVC. Both of these permits will be transferred to CELCOR upon the expiration of the term of the PPA. Copies of the COC and ECC/ PTO of the Power Plant are attached hereto as Annexes “K” and “L” respectively and made integral parts hereof.

PROPOSED RATES FOR COST RECOVERY

ERC CASE NO. 2018-086 RC CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION (CELCOR) Applicant. x--------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 30 July 2018, Cabanatuan Electric Corporation (CELCOR), filed an Application dated 18 July 2018, seeking the approval of the Commission of its proposed rates for the continued operations and maintenance of its 24 MW bunker-fired power plant, with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority or interim relief.

CELCOR alleged the following in its Application: 1. Applicant CELCOR is a private corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at Maharlika Highway, Bitas, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija 3100. Applicant CELCOR may be served with orders, notices and other legal process of this Honorable Commission through the address of the undersigned Firm; 2. Applicant CELCOR is the holder of an exclusive franchise issued by the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines through Republic Act No. 9968, to construct and operate the electric power distribution system in the City of Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. Cabanatuan City is a chartered and independent city under R.A. 526. A copy of the Certificate of Franchise of Applicant CELCOR is herein attached as Annex “A” and made an integral part hereof. Copies of CELCOR’s Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporation and latest General Information Sheet and Audited Financial Statements are attached hereto as Annexes “B”, “C”, “D” and “E” respectively and all made integral parts hereof; NATURE OF THE APPLICATION 3. By and pursuant to Section 25 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPlRA”), and by suppletory application of Rule 20 (B) of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, and of Article VI, Sections 1 and 2 of the Guidelines for the Recovery of Costs for the Generation Component of the Distribution Utilities’ (DUs) Rates, and other pertinent laws, Applicant CELCOR, in its capacity as the owner of the 4x6.4 MW (Gross) Cabanatuan Bunker Fired Power Plant (“the Power Plant”), submits this Application to the Honorable Commission for its due consideration for the approval of the proposed rates for the continued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant which rates would then be recovered by CELCOR, upon approval by the Honorable Commission through the generation charge formula, as provided in ERC Resolution No. 16 Series of 2009.

21. As stated above, Applicant CELCOR will establish a separate business segment for power generation that wiIl handle the continued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant. The costs associated with such continued operations and maintenance will be recovered by Applicant CELCOR only and strictly through the rates as proposed herein and there will be no cross- subsidization between the distribution, supply and generation business segments of Applicant CELCOR in accordance with the guidelines and policies of the Honorable Commission. Further, any gains or losses incurred by the generation business segment of CELCOR will not be passed on to the consumers of CELCOR but will be shouldered by the stockholders of CELCOR only.

22. The proposed rates for the recovery of the costs for the continued operation and maintenance of the Power Plant by Applicant CELCOR is as follows: Proposed Fixed Operations and Maintenance Fee 23. A Base Fixed Operations and Maintenance (FOM) Fee of PhP246.64 per kw per month was determined to allow CELCOR to recover its projected fixed operations and maintenance costs for the Power Plant.

24. In accordance with the decisions of the Honorable Commission, the proposed FOM is based on the capacity of the plant and not on the level of its utilization or use.

This is because the FOM is meant to recover expenses that are incurred in order to maintain the Power Plant regardless of whether it ran or was utilized in a billing period.

Thus, the FOM will be collected even if the Power Plant is on pure stand-by mode and did not generate any electricity during a billing period. However, with the collection of the proposed FOM, Applicant CELCOR can continue to maintain the Power Plant and thus the consumers of CELCOR can be assured that even in the event of any major disruptions in the delivery of power from the Luzon grid to CELCOR, they will have a ready and immediately available embedded generation facility that can supply a portion of their electricity requirements until the normalization of supply from the grid.

25. Portions of the Base FOM Fee shall be adjusted monthly based on the Philippine Consumer Price Index and the German Consumer Price Index and the prevailing Euro-Peso Exchange Rate. The Peso component of the FOM fee is indexed against the Philippine Consumer Price Index to capture any increases or decreases in the Peso denominated components of the operations and maintenance costs for the Power Plant Conversely, the Euro Dollar component of the FOM fee is indexed against the German Consumer Price Index and the prevailing exchange rate between the Euro Dollar and Philippine Peso to capture any increases or decreases in the Euro Dollar denominated components of the operations and maintenance costs for the Power Plant as well as changes in the exchange rate as they affect such Euro Dollar denominated costs. The formula for the Base FOM fee adjustments is as follows:

Compliance with Pre-Filing Requirements

6. In addition, Applicant CELCOR caused the publication of the instant Application in a newspaper of general circulation within its Franchise Area. Copies of the newspaper where the publication of this Application appeared and the corresponding Affidavit of Publication from the publisher of such newspaper attesting to such publication are attached hereto as Annexes “H” and “H-1”.

STATEMENT OF FACTS 7. On 30 August 1993, Applicant CELCOR entered into a Build Operate and Transfer Agreement (BOT Agreement) with First Cabanatuan Ventures Corp. (FCVC) whereby FCVC undertook to build, on a Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, a Banker Fired Power Plant in Cabanatuan City with a 2x6.4MW generating units that would be connected directly to the distribution system of CELCOR. The terms of the BOT Agreement where approved by the Energy Regulatory Board in ERB Case No. 95-41.

8. On 10 April 1997, Applicant CELCOR further entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with FCVC whereby FCVC undertook to install another 2x6.4MW Bunker Fired Generating Units at the same power plant that would also be connected directly to the distribution system of CELCOR. The PPA was approved by the Honorable Commission in ERC Case No. 2001-696. Like the BOT Agreement, the additional units in the PPA were also contracted on a Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

9. Pursuant to its obligations under the BOT Agreement and the PPA, FCVC constructed, operated and maintained a 4x6.4MW Bunker Fired Power Plant in Sitio Mampulog, Bgy. Bitas Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija (the “Power Plant”) for the supply of the electricity requirements of CELCOR. Under the BOT Agreement and PPA, it was the obligation of CELCOR to provide the fuel and Start-up power that would be utilized by the Power Plant for the generation of the electricity required by CELCOR and CELCOR undertook to purchase the electricity generated by FCVC from the Power Plant in accordance with the terms of the BOT Agreement and PPA.

Land Lease Recovery Fee 26. As stated, above, the Power Plant will be turned over by FCVC for continued operations, to CELCOR but the land on which the plant is built will be excluded.

Thus, in order to be able to continue operating the Power Plant, CELCOR will have to lease such land from FCVC. CELCOR and FCVC have executed a Lease Agreement whereby CELCOR will lease from FCVC the land on which the Power Plant is located, with an area of ten thousand square meters for a period of ten years at a monthly lease rate of Pesos: Five Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Pesos (P585,000.00) per month, inclusive of VAT with an escalation of 10% every three years. The Lease Recovery Fee of P24.375/kw was derived by dividing the Lease Fee of P585,000.00 by the 24,000kw capacity of the Power Plant.

27· A copy of the Breakdown of the Components and calculation of the FOM Fee and lease recovery fee is attabhed to this Application as Annex “M” and made an integral part hereof.

28. The proposed total FOM fee of CELCOR of P271.015/kw per month, inclusive of the lease recovery fee, is lower than the FOM fee for other similar bunker fired plants recently approved by the Honorable Commission in ERC Case no. 2016073RC between PSI and SOCOTECO II (P303.42/kw/mo.), ERC Case no. 2015194RC between BPC and FIBECO (P418.00/kw/mo.) and in ERC Case no. 2016088RC between PBI and BUSECO (P317.26/kw/mo.)

Proposed Variable Operations and Maintenance Fee. 29. A Base Variable Operations and Maintenance (VOM) Fee of PO.7703 per kwh was determmed to allow CELCOR to recover its projected variable operations and maintenanne costs for the Power Plant. The proposed Variable O&M Fee of Php 0.7703 per kWh will be charged only for actual energy delivered by the Power Plant.

30. Portions of the Base VOM Fee shall be adjusted monthly based on the Philippine Consumer Price Index and the German Consumer Price Index and the prevailing Euro-Peso Exchange Rate. The Peso component of the VOM fee is indexed against the Philippine Consumer Price Index to capture any increases or decreases in the Peso denominated components of the operations and maintenance costs for the Power Plant. Conversely, the Euro Dollar component of the VOM fee is indexed against the German Consumer Price Index and the prevailing exchange rate between the Euro Dollar and Philippine Peso to capture any increases or decreases in the Euro Dollar denominated components of the operations and maintenance costs for the Power Plant as well as changes in the exchange rate as they affect such Euro Dollar denominated costs. The formula for the Base VOM fee adjustments is as follows:

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE POWER PLANT AND CONNECTION TO THE CELCOR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 17. The Power Plant consists of 4x6.4MW (Gross) Bunker Fired Generating Units. The units are Deutz Brand, Model BV16M640, turbocharged with intercooler, with 16 Cylinders per unit and with a Rated Speed of 600 Revolution per Minute (RPM). These Units have a net dependable capacity of 6MW per unit. The primary fuel of the units is Bunker C but diesel fuel will be utilized during start-ups and shutdowns.

18. All necessary equipment and accessories of the Power Plant shall also be transferred by FCVC to CELCOR such as the control room, power house, protection equipment, metering equipment, monitoring equipment communication equipment, grounding system, synchronization and load sharing module. Further, the substation and interconnection facilities to the distribution grid, which are owned by CELCOR, are all already in place. Thus, upon turnover from FCVC, CELCOR can immediately continue the operations of the Power Plant without need for the installation of or investment for any facilities needed for such operations.

19. The Power Plant is connected to the distribution system of CELCOR via the CELCOR Bitas substation. The Power Plant has two outgoing feeders each rated at 24MVA/13.8KV. Each feeder is connected to a 20/25MVA, 69/13.8KV transformer of CELCOR Bitas Substation. Within the substation is another 20/25MVA, 69/13.8KV transformer that serves 4 - 13.8KV distribution lines of CELCOR. The CELCOR Bitas Substation is also connected to the NGCP’s Cabanatuan Substation via CELCOR’s 69KV sub-transmission line. CELCOR Bitas Substation has all the associated equipment and devices necessary for the safe operation, control and dispatch of the Power Plant.

20. The Power Plant currently has a Certicate of Compliance (COC) from the Honorable Commission and an Environmental Compliance Certificate/Permit to Operate (ECC/PTO) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,

Projected Rate Impact 45. As stated above, Applicant CELCOR plans to retain and continue the operations and maintenance of the Power Plant, upon turnover by FCVC, to provide a portion of the peak power requirements of its captive customers, when the spot market prices are higher than the fuel and operating costs of the Power Plant, and as an emergency or back-up power source for its franchise area. Based on this, Applicant CELCOR has formulated three scenarios for the rate impact simulation for the continued opetations and maintenance of the Power Plant. The projected rate impact of the proposed cost recovery for the continued operation and maintenance of the Power Plant by Applicant CELCOR are as follows:

47. The second simulation is based on a scenario where the Power Plant is utilized for electricity generation during periods when WESM Prices are high. The FOM Fee and the VOM Fee, Fuel and Lubricant Costs and Start-up Costs are collected from the consumers of CELCOR for the actual electricity generated by the Power Plant for the billing period. This scenario will occur during times when the prices in the spot market are high and there is a tightness or shortage in the supply of power in the Luzon Grid.

In this scenario, the continued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant would result in a DECREASE of Php 0.6690 centavos per kwh in the generation rate of Applicant CELCOR when compared against the generation charge for April 2018. A copy of the details of this simulation is attached to this Application as Annex “0-1” and made an integral part hereof.

Scenario C: 48. The third simulation is based on a scenario where the Power Plant will be decommissioned and no longer be utilized for electricity generation and CELCOR will just source the balance of its supply requirements from the WESM. This scenario will occur if the operation and maintenance of the Power Plant is discontinued. In this scenario, the discontinued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant would result in an INCREASE of Php 0.0334 centavos per kwh in the generation rate of Applicant CELCOR when compared against the generation charge for April 2018. A copy of the details of this simulation is attached to this Application as Annex “0-2” and made an integral part hereof.

49. It is worth noting here that the electricity sourced by Applicant CELCOR from its bilateral contract and from the WESM is subject to the full Transmission Charges imposed by NGCP while the electricity that will be generated by the Power Plant will not be subject to the Power Delivery Charges of NGCP as the Power Plant is an embedded generation facility.

50. SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE. A copy of the Secretary’s Certificate containing the Board Resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of CELCOR authorizing the continued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant, the filing of the instant application for the recovery of the costs associated with such continued operations and maintenance and authorizing undersigned counsel to represent Applicant CELCOR before the Honorable Commission is attached hereto as Annex “P”’ and made an integral part hereof.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY OR INETERIM RELIEF 51. Applicant CELCOR hereby repleads by way of reference the foregoing allegations to form part of its application for issuance of provisional authority.

52. As stated above, since the Power Plant is complete, in good operating condition, directly connected to the distribution system of CELCOR and will be transferred for continued operations to CELCOR for no additional consideration at the end of the term of the PPA, It would be more prudent and practical for Applicant CELCOR to retain and continue the operations and maintenance of the Power Plant to provide a portion of its peak power requirements, when the variable costs (fuel, lubes, start-up and VOM Fees) of the Power Plant are lower than the prices in the spot market, and as an emergency or back-up power source for its franchise area.

54. Upon filing of the instant Application and pending the hearing and final resolution of the same, a Provisional Authority or Interim Relief should respectfully be issued by the Honorable Commission to enable Applicant CELCOR to collect the proposed fees associated with the continued operation and maintenance of the Power Plant as indicated in Paragraph Nos. 23 to 43 of this Application beginning from 26 July 2018 which is the turnover date for the Power Plant. Otherwise, Applicant CELCOR will! not be able to ensure the continued operation and maintenance of the Power Plant, to the detriment of the security of the power shpply of its consumers. In compliance with the Rules of the Honorable Commission, attached as Annex “Q” of this Applicaton is the Affidavit of Engr. Villamor Dagamac, the Chief Operating Officer of Applicant CELCOR, in support of the Prayer for Provisional Authority.

12. Currently, the balance of the power supply requirements of CELCOR are sourced either from the FCVC Power Plant or from the Spot Market, if the spot prices are lower than the fuel costs of the Power Plant for a given trading interval.

16. To continue the operations and maintenance of the Power Plant and keep it ready to serve the needs of the consumers in the franchise area, Applicant CELCOR must recover from its consumers the costs associated with such operations and maintenance and the costs of fuel and lubricants and start-up costs for the Power Plant by filing the necessary application with the Honorable Commission for approval of the rates proposed herein and the recovery of the said rates through the generation charge formula as provided in ERC Resolution No. 16, Series of 2009 and Resolution No. 21, Series of 2010, hence the instant Application.

Procurement of Fuel 44. As stated above, CELCOR currently supplies all the fuel requirements of the Power Plant pursuant to its obligations under the BOT Contract and PPA with FCVC. CELCOR currently sources the Diesel requirements of the Power Plant from Total Philippines and the HFO requirements are supplied by SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corp.

These fuel requirements are delivered by tanker trucks to the FCVC Power Plant Site.

Applicant CELCOR intends to continue sourcing the fuel requirements of the Power Plant from Total Philippines and SL Harbor Bulk Terminal Corp. once the said plant has been turned over for operation by CELCOR.

53. In order to ensure that it is capable of continuing the maintenance and operations of the Power Plant once it is turned over by FCVC and thus be ready to provide peaking power, when the variable costs (fuel, lubes, start-up and VOM Fees) of the Power Plant are lower than the prices in the spot market, or emergency/back-up power for the requirements of the consumers within its franchise area, should such need arise, Applicant CELCOR must be allowed to collect the tariff proposed herein upon turn-over of the Power Plant. Thus, the provisional approval of this Application must be secured as there might be a difficulty in getting a final decision in such a short span of time due to the tremendous case load of the Honorable Commission.

CELCOR DEMAND-SUPPLY SITUATION AND PROJECTIONS

15. CELCOR is also advocating the continued availability of the Power Plant as an emergency or back-up power source for its franchise area due to its past experience particularly in October 2013 when Typhoon Santi directly hit Cabanatuan City and affected a big portion of the Distribution System of CELCOR and cut off the 69kV sub-transmission lines that supplied electricity to CELCOR from the NGCP Cabanatuan Substation. Within three days, as soon as some of the CELCOR distribution lines were restored the Power Plant started to supply power on an Island Operating basis. During this period the Power Plant operated continuously absorbing the load of CELCOR as soon as the distribution lines were restored and became available. It was only Cabanatuan City then that had power in the entire province of Nueva Ecija. Due to the availability and utilization of the Power Plant as a back-up and emergency power supply source, CELCOR was able to provide much needed electricity in its franchise area particularly for the restoration of basic services and relief efforts during a time of crisis.

43. In accordance with the allowed policy of the Honorable Commission, there will be an allowed plant degradation of no greater than 1.5% per year on the fuel and lubricants consumption cap. Further, Fuel and Lubricants Costs will be recovered by Applicant CELCOR only for the fuel and lubricants actually consumed by the Power Plant, including those consumed for the necessary heat rate and maintenance runs of the generating units.

Scenario B:

11. The franchise area of CELCOR had a total peak power demand of 45.58MW as of April 2018, excluding contestable customers. Currently, CELCOR sources its electric power requirements from SN Aboitiz Power - Benguet, Inc. with a maximum allowable contract demand of 41.8MW with yearly escalation, under a power supply agreement up to December 2023.

14. Since the Power Plant is complete, in good operating condition, directly connected to the distribution system of CELCOR and will be transferred to CELCOR for actual operation, for no additional consideration at the end of the term of the PPA, it would be more prudent and practical that Applicant CELCOR to retain and continue the operations and maintenance of the Power Plant to provide a portion of its peak power requirements, when the variable costs (fuel, lubes, start-up and VOM Fees as defined below) of the Power Plant are lower than the prices in the spot market, and as an emergency or back-up power source for its franchise area.

42. The Start-Up Costs shall also include the electricity consumed by the Power Plant complex when the generating units are not operating and are on stand-by mode. Such electricity is required in order to keep the Power Plant, particularly the engine auxiIiaries ready for operation when CELCOR will require generation from the Power Plant. For this purpose, the Power Plant shall be treated as a metered regular customer of CELCOR and CELCOR shall collect all the approved applicable charges for the stand-by electricity consumed by the Power Plant for the Billing Period.

However, to reduce the stand-by electricity costs, CELCOR shall exclude its approved distribution charges. The charges for the stand-by electricity consumed by the Power Plant will be included in the monthly Start-Up Costs of the Power Plant.

Scenario A:

10. The term of the PPA, which was the later agreement between CELCOR and FCVC, was for 20 years beginning from the date of commercial operations of the additional 2 generating units which occurred in July of 1998. Thus, the PPA is scheduled to end on 25 July 2018 and thereafter, the operations of the whole Power Plant, excluding the land on which it is located, would be turned over by FCVC to CELCOR.

13. The demand within the CELCOR franchise area is projected to grow by an average of 5% yearly from 2017 as demonstrated in its Distribution Development Plan. This is consistent with the Distribution Development Plan of CELCOR a copy of which with its average load curve, demand supply scenario and forecasts is attached to this Application as Annex “I’ and made an integral part hereof. A copy of the Certification on the Demand Side management Projects of CELCOR is also attached hereto as Annex “J” and made an integral part hereof.

41. During such start-ups/ramp-ups and ramp downs/ shut downs, the plant/units generate electricity at an average consumption rate of 0.4li of diesel per kwh. This increased diesel consumption rate during start-up is due to the fact the generating units do not immediately produce electricity upon start-up and need to be properly warmed up first before they can be loaded. The energy produced during such startups/ramp ups and ramp downs/shut downs shall be excluded from the total energy produced by the plant for purposes of determining the consumption rate for and total consumption of Diesel and Bunker Fuel for normal plant operations for the billing period but such energy produced during such start-ups/ramp ups and ramp downs/ shut downs shall still be included in the total energy produced and delivered by the plant for purposes of determining the recoverable VOM Fee and ER 1-94.

46. The first simulation is based on a scenarib where the Power Plant is not fully utilized for electricity generation in a billing period due to low WESM Prices and the FOM Fee, Start-up Costs, Fuel and Lubricant Costs and the VOM fee for the minimal generation are collected from the consumers of CELCOR. This scenario will occur during times when the prices in the spot market are low and there is no shortage in the supply of power in the Luzon Grid. In this scenario, the continued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant would result in a DECREASE of Php 0.7916 centavos per kwh in the generation rate of Applicant CELCOR when compared against the generation charge for January 2018. A copy of the details of this simulation is attached to this Application as Annex “0” and made an integral part hereof.

4. In accordance with the Business Separation Guidelines, As Amended, of the Honorable Commission, Applicant CELCOR will treat the operation and maintenance of the Power Plant as a separate business segment apart from its distribution and supply business segments. Applicant CELCOR has already informed the Honorable Commission of the proposed material change in its Business Separation and Unbundling Plan with the creation of a separate business segment for power generation that will handle the continued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant. There will be accounting separation between the business segment for power generation and the other business segments of CELCOR in accordance with the Business Separation Guidelines of the Honorable Commission. A copy of the Letter of Applicant CELCOR informing the Honorable Commission of the creation of a separate business segment for power generation is attached to this Application as “F” and made an integral part hereof. Further, should the Honorable Commission require and order, Applicant CELCOR is willing to incorporate and establish a separate wholly owned entity that shall undertake the continued operations and maintenance of the Power Plant, for purposes of complying with the Business Separation Guidelines of the Honorable Commission.

5. In compliance with the pre-filing requirements mandated under Rule 3, Section 4 (e) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or the EPIRA, and Rule 6 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, Applicant CELCOR furnished the legislative body of the local government unit where it principally operates with a copy of the present Application together with all the annexes and accompanying documents. A Copy of the Certification from the City Council of Cabanatuan City, where Applicant CELCOR principally operates, attesting to the fact that the said Council was served a copy of the full Application is attached hereto as Annex “G”.

shut down costs shall be recovered based on the actual total number of start-ups/ramp ups and ramp downs/shut downs of each unit for the billing period multiplied by 320 liters and multiplied by the actual delivered cost of diesel to the Plower Plant per liter.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed of the Honorable Commission, that: 31. The indexation of portions of the FOM and VOM to the German Consumer Price Index and the prevailing Euro-Peso Exchange Rate is due to the fact that the Power Plant is composed of 4 units of 6.4 MW Deutz Brand, Model BV16M640 Bunker fired generating units that were made in Germany. Thus, most of the spares for the said units will come from Germany the cosfs of which shall be denominated in Euro.

Since CELCOR bills its consumers only in Philippine Pesos, the indexation to the prevailing Euro-Peso exchange rate is necessary in order for CELCOR to capture any fluctuations in the said exchange rate as they affect the O&M costs for the Power Plant.

32. The E.R. 1-94 component of Php 0.01 pet kWh will then be added to the applicable VOM Fee for the Billing Period as this should not be subject to any escalation.

33. A copy of the Breakdown of the Components and calculation of the VOM Fee is attached to this Application as Annex “N” and made an integral part hereof.

34. The proposed Base VOM fee of CELCOR of PO.7703/kwh, is lower than the VOM fee for other similar bunker fired plants recently approved by the Honorable Commission in ERC Case no. 2014-153RC between KEGI and FIBECO (P1.2834/ kwh) and ERC Case no. 2015-194RC between BPC and FIBECO (P1.049/kwh).

35. NO CAPITAL RECOVERY FEES. Since the Power Plant was turned over by FCVC for continued operation by CELCOR pursuant to the BOT nature of the PPA, Applicant CELCOR did not pay any additional consideration for the acquisition of the Power Plant. Thus, CELCOR will no longer recover any Capacity Recovery Fees from its consumers for the Power Plant.

Fuel Costs Lube Costs & Start-Up Costs 36. Fuel costs will be a pure pass-through cost based on the actual delivered price of Diesel and Bunker C/HFO Fuel to the Power Plant and shall be subject to the following efficiency caps at various load factors: Fuel Consumption Rate 0.26 li/kwh 0.28 li/kwh 0.30 li/kwh

Load Factor per Generating Unit At 100% load per unit at less than 100% up to 75% load per unit at Less than 75% up to 50% load per unit

37. The Power Plant utilizes Diesel during initial normal operations after start-up.

This is primarily due to the fact that the plant utilizes a heat recovery system using exhaust gas boilers. This system produces steam for the heating requirements of the heavy fuel conditioning system and the lube oil/heavy fuel purification system. The plant cannot shift from diesel to Bunker/HFO until such time that there is enough steam to heat and condition the HFO. The use of exhaust gas boilers to produce steam for the heating requirements of the heavy fuel conditioning system and the lube oil and heavy fuel purification system results in a lower parasitic load for the Power Plant which yields a higher net plant output. Without the use of the heat recovery system, the power Plant will have to consume a larger amount of electricity (either from CELCOR or its own generation) for the fuel heating and conditioning requirements.

38. Lubricant costs will also be a pure pass-through cost based on the actual delivered price of the required lubricants to the Power Plant and shall be subject to a consumption cap of 0.003 Ii/kwh of lubricants.

(1)

Upon filing of the Application and pending hearing thereon, Issue an Order granting a PROVISIONAL APPROVAL OR INTERIM RELIEF for the Proposed Fixed Operations and Maintenance Fee and Land Lease Recpvery Fee, Proposed Variable Operations and Maintenancei Fee, Fuel Costs, Lube Costs & Start-Up Cost as describe in pars. 23 to 43 of this Application associated with the continued maintenance and operation of the Power Plant by Applicant CELCOR from 26 July 2018 which is the date of turnover of the said Plant by FCVC to CELCOR as well as a provisional authority to Applicant CELCOR to recover said fees from its consumers, and

(2)

After due hearing, issue a DECISION approving with finality the said fees proposed in this Applicatlion and to recover the same from its consumers.

Applicant prays for all other reliefs just and equitable under the premises.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on on 7 September 2018 (Friday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), at the Nueva Ecija University and Technology (NEUST) Campus at Brgy. Sumacab Este, Cabanatuan City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rest its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours Pasig City, 01 August 2018.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION

39. The Fuel and Lubricants Fees are based on: a) the established policy of the Honorable Commission of passing on only actual fuel cost inclusive of transportation cost and other pertinent charges (import duties, fees, taxes), and b) subject to a consumption efficiency cap.

AGNES VST DEVANADERA Chairperson and CEO

40. START UP COSTS. The power plant also utilizes diesel fuel for start-up/ramp up and ramp down/shut down at an average quantity of 320 liters of diesel per start-up/ ramp up and ramp down/shut down per unit. The start-up/ramp up and ramp down/ (MS-AUG. 20 & 27, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 2018

‘THE BLOOD SISTERS’ star now an indie film producer

Must see in PPP DON’T underIf you’re wondering estimate Erich what movie to watch Gonzales. She during the weeklong may appear helpPPP, which ends on less, but beneath ISAH V. RED Wednesday, try watchher lithe figure ing Adolfo Borinaga and kind counteAlix Jr.’s Madilim ang nance is a gentle and persuasive soul. She had wrapped Gabi”(Dark is the Night). It tackles the up work on the highly rated pre-prime- Philippine government’s current war time show The Blood Sisters in which on drugs, through the microcosm of she played the triplets Agatha, Carrie, a family caught between the crossfire. and Erika. The show’s final episode Unflinchingly gritty in its portrayal aired last Friday and that gives Erich of a society that is being purged with time to think of another film that she blood, the film challenges the viewer to examine the current socio-political could underwrite.

In the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, landscape, and determine whether the Erich has an entry, We Will Not Die country, may in fact be repeating the Tonight. She plays Kray, daughter of sins of the past.

The film cannot be more relevant, a stuntman in the ‘80s, now sick and dependent on her. So, she becomes a as it vividly captures the Filipino stuntwoman while aspiring to be an ac- consciousness in a time where safety tor. She does odd jobs as well to make comes with a terrible price. Madilim ang Gabi portrays crime and violence both ends meet.

One night, with her boyfriend and as cyclical, which are both borne out other friends goes on an adventure to of power. As state-sponsored killings strike it big and make a big hit. But divide the nation, concepts of human little do they know that their adventure rights and due process are thrown out would plunge them into a hellish night- of the window.

The film features an all-star cast, mare. headlined by Gina Alajar and Phillip Richard Somes directed the film.

“This is an action drama that hap- Salvador, with Bembol Roco, Anita pened only for one night, “Erich ex- Linda, Perla Bautista, Laurice Guilplained during the press do for the film len, Elizabeth Oropesa, Cherie Gil, and later for the finale presscon of The Cherry Pie Picache, Rosanna Roces, Alan Paule, William Lorenzo, Angel Blood Sisters.

“And in that situation we all have to Aquino, Iza Calzado, Angeli Bayani, make a decision and we all said, ‘We Zanjoe Marudo, Sid Lucero, Jason will not die tonight’ because a lot of Abalos, Felix Roco, Archie Alemapeople are also depending on us,” she nia, Mikoy Morales and Alessandra de Rossi, who play various characters added.

That speaks of why she decided to but share the same dismal reality— produce movies. “To provide employ- that each and every one of them is a ment to people who depend on the victim of a dog-eat-dog society, where kindness and compassion go to die. movies for their livelihood,” she said.

The film penetrates the psyche of the The film was completed a year ago and it has been shown at the New York desperate main characters and those Asian Film Festival in June, so this did who are part of the cycle, channeling not pose a hindrance to Erich’s obliga- their rage, fears and frustrations as they search in the middle of drug war. tions to The Blood Sisters.

All her co-stars in the series have One can almost taste the claustrophonothing but praises for the young ac- bia within the narrow corridors of a tress. Tessie Tomas said during the labyrinthine city. What does it really presscon, “It’s not a joke to play three mean when the president of a republic different characters at one given time. says “I’ll kill you!” The film tells us When I deliver my character in certain that the answer is there all along, only scenes, Erich would do it three times! that we have decided to look away.

The film screened in various interThat’s something not many actors can national film festivals including the do, and she did it without complain.”

The series ended after an exciting Toronto International Film Festival, six-month run that changed the face of Tokyo Filmex, Fribourg International Film Festival and the Warsaw Asian primetime The primetime series also pulled in Film Festival.

‘Game Of Thrones’ campaign more viewers compared to its rival program every night, recording an all-time honored SKY earned local and international high national TV rating of 28.1 percent on March 1, according to data from honors at the 2018 PANAta Awards in Kantar Media. The Blood Sisters has Makati and the Faxies Awards in New also placed in the top 5 most watched York City for its marketing campaign programs on iWant TV since it pre- for Game of Thrones Season 7.

The winning campaign dubbed as miered in February up to July this year.

C1 Originals’ Best Picture in Pista ‘#GOTOnSKY’ was recognized in the Marketing of a Continuing Series cateNg Pelikulang Pilipino The Cinema One Originals 2017 gory for creating innovative multimeBest Picture Paki, a family drama on dia publicity about the award-winning aging love put to test by time, is show- HBO series among Filipino fans at the ing in the special features section of respected Faxies Awards, which honthis year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. ors the Meanwhile, the same campaign won The multi-awarded film directed by Giancarlo Abrahan centers its story a bronze award for Brand Builder Exon an old woman played by Dexter cellence in Marketing Innovation at the PANAta Awards of the Philippine Doria, who decides to live out the Association of National Adverrest of her life as an old maid, tisers. except her husband is still In order to create buzz alive, and their children about the return of Game are not about to let her. of Thrones on Philip“As we grow old, the pine cable television via more we get to underHBO, SKY produced stand life. Even older creative promotional people know how to stunts on various media fight. The movie is platforms. Among the a celebration of old executions of SKY was a age,” Dexter said commissioned cover of the during the film’s Game of Thrones media conference. opening theme “Paki is an

by Filipino folk appeal for cargroup, Koning,” Giancarlo temporaryong shared. “In the Gamelan Pilisimplicity of pino (Kontrafollowing the GaPi). Featuring journey of an traditional percusold woman seeksion instruments, ing emancipation, Kontra-GaPi’s it aims to reveal unique version the multiplicity made rounds on and complexity of social media and an entire family.” attracted the atAside from betention of both ining hailed as the ternational and loBest Picture in last cal news outlets. year’s Cinema One Originals, the film also got After the the Best Supportsuccess of ing Actor award 'The Blood for Ricky Davao Sisters,' Erich and Best ScreenGonzales now play and Best underwrites a Director wins film which she for Giancarlo. also stars in.

JOSHUA and JULIA ready for intimate scenes, play star-crossed lovers in new series

Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto arrive at the grand media conference for 'Ngayon at Kailanman,' ABS-CBN's newest romantic drama on primetime.

J

OSHUA Garcia and Julia Barretto transition from portraying teen parts to playing mature roles, and it’s evident in Ngayon at Kailanman, the newest Kapamilya series premiering tonight.

The primetime drama, which the onscreen couple describes as an ode to classic Filipino teleseryes about star-crossed lovers who must fight the odds to be together, will witness Joshua and Julia getting out of their comfort zone, and upping up the ante, so to speak.

“I feel that it’s healthy to explore and take a little bit of risk. We are adults now and the roles we portray are a bit mature so we are ready for any challenge that we’re going to have in Ngayon At Kailanman,” Julia remarked as she acknowledged the fact that there are expectations that they have to meet as actors now that they’re no longer teenagers.

In the series, Joshua is Inno, an heir of a powerful clan, and Julia is Eva, a streetwise girl who grew up in the slums.

Though they are from different worlds, destiny will bring them together but also tear them apart. While their love will be tested by the Inno’s family and the mystery surrounding the identity of Eva, it is up to them to decide what they are willing to risk for their love.

“It’s an interesting story so it’s challenging for us to play the characters.

But I consider this challenge as a big motivation. More than feeling pressured, I’m just thankful for this opportunity.

I just want

to focus on this project to meet the expectations of the people who entrusted us with this project,” Julia related.

Like his onscreen partner, Joshua has nothing but appreciation and gratitude for the network for believing in their talent as lead stars.

“We feel so blessed, and we are thankful for the trust that Star Creatives has given us to be in this

project,” Joshua said.

Pairing up for the first time in a television series, Joshua and Julia are glad that they share special feelings for each other since it allows them to be comfortable while on the set. They also agree that the level of trust on both parties allows them to become each other’s’ support system.

“There’s a different level of trust that makes us take care and support each other whenever we’re doing our scenes. But I feel whether or not there’s a special feelings between the two of us, I believe in any kind of partnership there should always be teamwork, there should be a common ground and a common goal when you are in the same project,” Julia explained.

The couple further said that although they are expected to deliver as a love team, they don’t feel that the network expected them be together in real life or end up having special feeling for each other.

“It’s our personal decision. But on our part, it helps that we are comfortable with each other. And since we are like this in real life, at work we are able to explore our characters and we already feel comfortable whenever we do intimate scenes,” the love team said.

Ngayon at Kailanman airs every night on ABSCBN’s Primetime Bida after FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

It also features a powerhouse cast that includes Rosemarie Gil, Rio Locsin, Iza Calzado, Christian Vasquez, Alice Dixon, Ina Raymundo, Dominic Ocha, TJ Trinidad, Jameson Blake, and Joao Constancia.

Johua and Julia as Inno and Eva, the star-crossed lovers in 'Ngayon at Kailanman.'

K-Pop’s Wanna One dances its way to Manila THE K-Pop craze is stronger than ever in the Philippines and Globe continues to provide the best immersive entertainment experiences.

This September, Globe is set to offer another unforgettable K-Pop event by partnering up again with PULP Live World in bringing Wanna One for Wanna One World Tour <One: The World> in Manila at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Get ready for a night filled with catchy tunes and out-ofthis-world performances from Kang Daniel, Park Jihoon, Lee Daehwi, Kim Jaehwan, Ong Seongwoo, Park Woojin, Lai Guanlin, Yoon Jisung, Hwang Minhyun, Bae Jinyoung, and Ha Sungwoon. <One: The World> in Manila is the last leg of their monumental world tour.

After capturing the hearts of fans worldwide in the hit reality TV show Produce 101, Wanna One has garnered charttopping hits, record-breaking albums, and sold-out world tours. The group debuted at the sold-out Wanna One Premier Show-Con at the massive Gocheok Sky Dome.

Its repackaged album 1-1=0 (Nothing Without You) turned the rookie group into million sellers within 101 days after making its debut. Wanna One is contracted to perform as a group until the end of 2018, after which it disbands and the members go back to their “mother” companies.

Want to fuel your love for all things Korean? Globe has got you covered on that as well. Register to GoWATCH and watch all your favorite K-dramas on Viu. For only P29, get 2GB worth of 5-hour video streaming for one day. Aside from Viu, GoWATCH also lets you watch your favorite shows, movies, and videos on Netflix, HOOQ, Tribe, YouTube,

NBA, Cartoon Network, FOX+, and DisneyLife.

Elevate your Korean entertainment experience with Globe Prepaid. Stay updated on the latest news and promos by visiting the website at go.globe.com.ph/ GlobeKPop or following Globe on Facebook and Twitter.

A new wave of South Korea's famed hallyu is invading Manila next month as K-pop boy idol group Wanna One takes the SM Mall of Asia Arena stage.