EU extends PH trade privileges until 2027 IN BRIEF

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE National Telecommunications Commission said

Tuesday the number of registered SIM cards in the country reached more than 113 million as of July 30, the end of the five-day grace period, following seven months of registration.

Data from NTC showed that 113,969,014 SIM cards were registered, representing 67.83 percent of the total168.16 million subscribers as of December 2022.

Pag-IBIG Fund and Angkas sign a collection servicing agreement to provide rider-partners an easy, secure and sustainable way to pay their Pag-IBIG Savings (contributions) and enjoy their benefits. With the agreement, rider-partners may now pay their monthly Pag-IBIG Savings through Angkas free of charge, with the ride-hailing platform remitting their savings to Pag-IBIG. Signing the agreement are (from left) Pag-IBIG Fund senior vice president for member services operations David

PAG-IBIG Fund set a new record in home loans released in the first half of 2023, a week after being recognized by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his second State of the Nation Address, the agency’s top officials said Monday.

Pag-IBIG Fund released P57.07 billion in home loans from January to June this year, an increase of P5.11 billion or 10 percent from P51.96 billion in the same period in 2022.

“Pag-IBIG Fund’s performance in the first six months of 2023 in the home loan front now stands out as the best in our history. We are happy that the number of Filipino workers who were able to become homeowners through Pag-IBIG’s Housing Loan programs continues to grow,” said Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the 11-member Pag-

Releases

IBIG Fund board of trustees.

“Inspired by President Marcos’s recognition of our efforts in his report to the people, we remain committed to his administration’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing or 4PH Program under the Bagong Pilipinas Campaign, in line with our united efforts of providing our fellow Filipinos access to decent, safe and affordable homes,” said Acuzar. Acuzar said the amount of home loans released in the first six months enabled 44,414 members to acquire their own homes. He said of the total, 5,748 or 13 percent are Pag-IBIG Fund members from the minimum-wage and lowincome sectors who are now homeowners after securing a total of P2.42 billion in socialized home loans.

Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta attributed the continued growth in the agency’s home loan releases to its sustained affordability. She expressed optimism that home loans would maintain its growth in the second half of the year, with the Fund further reducing home loan rates earlier this month.

“We at Pag-IBIG Fund always strive to provide our members, the Filipino workers, the means to have their own homes through affordable shelter financing. And, with our collections strong and our performing loans ratio high, we were able to further reduce the interest rates on our home loans and make it even more affordable,” Acosta said.

“That is why we are optimistic that the excellent performance of our home loans will keep its pace for the rest of the year. More affordable home loans translate to more Filipinos turning their dreams of owning a home a reality,” Acosta said.

Pse Index Closing

Globe Telecom Inc. said it edged out competitors in its user count as it logged nearly 54 million registered SIMs as of July 30.

Based on data released by the NTC, Globe had 53,727,798 registered SIMs as of July 30, over 1.2 million higher than its nearest competition.

This was 62 percent of its total 86.75 million subscriber base.

Globe earlier reported a lastminute surge in SIM registrations after the deadline on July 25 and the grace period for reactivation started on July 26, recording nearly 4 million more registered and reactivated SIMs during the fiveday grace period.

“After seven months of our nationwide registration which brought us to the remote parts of the country, Globe was able to reach the most number of customers successfully. With close to 54 million subscribers registered, we retained our position as the country’s Mobile leader,” said Darius Delgado, head of Globe’s consumer mobile business.

DITO Telecommunity registered a total 7,740,346 or 51.72 percent of its total 14.96 million subscriber base.

Smart Communications Inc. registered 52.5 million subscribers or 80 percent of its 65.7 million subscriber base, the biggest percentage of registered subscribers among mobile operators in the Philippines as of July 30.

Smart and TNT’s registered subscribers represent 99 percent of their active users, securing nearly all the wireless revenues of the PLDT Group.

“We are grateful for the overwhelming response of our subscribers who heeded our call to register their SIM.

MINING FORUM. Mining industry leaders in Caraga Region convene to underscore the importance of enhanced transparency, centered on the revised Philippine Mineral Reporting Code’s potential impact on the industry’s reputation and its significant contribution to the local and national economy. Held as part of the weeklong Caraga Resilient Mining Week, the PMRC Forum, themed ‘Understanding the Philippine Mineral Reporting Code’ provides a crucial platform for participants from different mining firms, local government units and academe to understand the objectives and implications of the revised policy.

Megaworld, Finnish firm team up to build SuperPark outlets in PH

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Megaworld

Corp. teamed up with Finland-based SuperPark United to bring the global indoor activity park brand in the Philippines.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday it formed Megapark Philippines Inc. to operate all SuperPark Philippines outlets in the country.

Megaworld said it planned to build the first two SuperPark branches with its integrated township developments—the 15-hectare Eastwood City in Quezon City and the 50-hectare McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

“This joint venture with an iconic global leisure concept will provide a new leisure and recreation destination for those who live, work and play in Megaworld townships. This is in line with our continuing efforts to promote our townships as tourism destinations that host one-of-a-kind attractions for people of all ages,” said Graham Coates, head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

SuperPark Philippines will have three purpose-built themed areas offering more than 20 unique activities that will allow guests of all ages to join in the fun and keep active.

SuperPark, with locations in Finland, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, is enjoyed by its patrons all over the world for its fun and high-energy indoor ac- tivities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

SuperPark will offer three themed sections—Adventure Area, Game Arena and Freestyle Hall.

The Adventure Area is where toddlers can explore and adults can be kids again. Activities include a multi-story playground with obstacles, climbing structures, toddler’s ball game and digital wall.

Game Arena has sports themed activities including basketball, football, cycling, running, dodgeball, digital parkour experience, enhanced by digital and technology.

Freestyle Hall will have trampolines with mixed-reality games, airbag, freedrop and digital climbing walls.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. is in talks with San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. for a new emergency supply deal after its 330-megawatt supply contract from the 1,200-MW Sual power plant in Pangasinan ended, an executive said Tuesday.

“The 330 MW that is being supplied by the Sual power plant was already terminated effective midnight of July 24. That was after they sent a notice of termination last July 17,” Meralco first vice president and head of regulatory affairs Jose Ronald Valles said. “To ensure continuity of supply and minimize exposure to volatile WESM [Wholesale Electricity Spot Market] prices, Meralco is negotiating with a potential supplier for a new emergency power supply agreement to replace the capacity of SMEC,” he said.

We thank all our subscribers for their continued trust and loyalty, which we hope to reciprocate by consistently delivering the best customer experience possible powered by our fastest and best mobile network,” said Alfredo Panlilio, president and chief executive of PLDT and Smart.

“Through SIM registration, we also support the government’s digitalization efforts by helping ensure that mobile and digital services are inclusive and accessible for all,” said Panlilio.

The move followed the Court of Appeals’ joint decision dated June 27, 2023 granting the price adjustment sought by South Premier Power Corp. (Ilijan plant) and San Miguel Energy Corp. (Sual plant).

The CA also made permanent the writ of preliminary injunction granted to SPPC, which allowed the Ilijan plant to cease supplying 670 MW to Meralco. SMEC’s petition for WPI, meanwhile, was declared moot and academic.