BusinessMirror April 01, 2022 by BusinessMirror

ENDING activity by banks further accelerated in February as the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Thursday. Outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks grew at a faster rate of 8.8 percent in February from the 8.4-percent revised rate in January. This is the seventh consecutive month of bank lending acceleration in the country. Bank lending first collapsed into contraction territory in December 2020 by 0.7 percent as the restrictions brought about by the pandemic affected the local banking industry. The contraction persisted amid the sustained all-time-low monetary policy rate in place. In comparison, bank lending grew 13.6 percent before the onslaught of the

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NONIE REYES

Recovery drives 8.8% bank lending growth L

“Credit activity continues to gain momentum as easing Covid-19 restrictions drive the improvement in mobility and market demand.” –Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

global health crisis in March 2020. “Credit activity continues to gain momentum as easing Covid-19 restrictions drive the improvement in mobility and market demand,” the BSP said in a statement. Broken down, outstanding loans for production activities went up by 9.7 percent in February from 9.5 percent (revised) in January driven by the increase in credit for real estate activities (16 percent); wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (5.7 percent); information and communication (33.3 percent); financial and insurance activities (13.2 percent); manufacturing (11 percent) and electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply (0.4 percent). See “Recovery,” A2

BusinessMirror Abroader broaderlook lookat attoday’s today’sbusiness business A broader look at today’s business A

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Sunday, December 5,2021 2021 Vol.17 17No. No.5858 n Friday, April 1,5, 2022 Vol.Vol. 17 No. 175 Sunday, December

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Ex-DOH chief: Bets must make health top agenda

By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

HE national government’s outstanding debt rose to another recordhigh level in February this year, and may continue to increase in the coming months, due largely to more borrowings and the expectation of a weak currency ahead.

By Rizal Raoul Reyes

‘DIGITAL DIASPORA’

On Thursday, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) reported that the national government’s (NG) total outstanding debt hit P12.09 trillion as of end-February 2022, surpassing the previous all-time-high level of P12.03 trillion in January. The government’s debt rose by 0.5 percent or by P63.83 billion during the month, with the BTr blaming it largely on currency fluctuations and net financing from both local and external sources. Of the total debt stock, 30.4 percent was sourced externally while 69.6 percent were domestic borrowings. The NG domestic debt amounted to P8.41 trillion, P45.42 billion or 0.5 percent higher compared to the end-January 2022 level. According to the Treasury, the rise is primarily due to net issuance of domestic government securities, at P44.89 billion. From the end-December 2021 level, outstanding domestic debt has increased by P242.79 billion or 3 percent. Meanwhile, the NG external debt hit P3.68 trillion, P18.41 billion or 0.5 percent higher from the previous month. ByManuel Manuel Cayon “For February, the increment in external debt was By T.T.Cayon due to the impact of peso depreciation against the USD amounting to P17.91 billion and the net availment of external obligations amounting to P3.25 billion. These more than offset the P2.74-billion reduction caused by adjustments in other foreign currencies,” the BTr said in a statement.

S the country continues to confront the Covid-19 for the last two years, a former health secretary said the health agenda must be on top of the candidates’ agenda in the 2022 elections. In a health forum on Thursday, Dr. Manuel Dayrit said health is an election issue because the pandemic wrought great economic loss and impacted lives of millions as well. Dayrit, who as health secretary during the Arroyo administration led the fight against the SARS outbreak in 2002, said most Filipinos believe the government should provide free medicines and no-out-of pocket HOMEGROWN TREAT A fruit stall owner in Taguig City tends to his succulent fare—watermelons, best for summer. He notes: they are homegrown, not the imported ones, and certainly expenses for their health needs. not part of the smuggled fruits and vegetables that stakeholders in agriculture are railing about, prompting a Senate investigation. NONIE REYES Moreover, the SWS survey on Filipinos' Preference on Access to Medicines and Partnerships with the Pharmaceutical Sector reported that 96 percent of adult respondents said the government “should definitely” (78 percent) and “should By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz on Ways and Means Chairman Joey we are sure we want can be issued.” probably” (17 percent) provide free @joveemarie Sarte Salceda, principal author of the medicines to those who need them. & Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario In 3 months Corporate Recovery and Tax IncenThe SWS also noted a very strong Meanwhile, the Department of tives for Enterprises or CREATE Law, agreement across demographITH the application of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on welcomed the application of SpaceX, ics, ranging from net +89 to +98. bi l l ion a i re - tec h ent re Thursday it expects SpaceX to invest describing it as a sign that CREATE At present, it is estimated that preneur Elon Musk’s tech in the Philippines in the next three has “ripened the Philippines for inFilipino families pay 85 percent of company Space Exploration Technolomonths. vestments in high-tech industries” expense out-of-pocket, or shared gies Corp. (SpaceX) with the Board of SpaceX will provide internet serAccording to Salceda, more investby voluntary privatewith insurance. The shows products, with hostsand and consumers becomeof morediscerndiscernshows ofofproducts, hosts consumers become more Investments (BOI), the chairman vices in the Philippines using its Low ments may be expected in areas such as country’s private share in medicine guests providing more details and ing and connected, we are seeing guests providing more details and ing andon connected, seeing the House Committee Ways andwe are“precision Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network agriculture, advanced health expenses is one ofZalora the highest in giving testimonies, Zalora said. incredible innovations happening giving testimonies, said. incredible innovations happening Means on Thursday said there will constellation called Starlink. This incare, and other much-needed sectors once the Itworld compared with MalayIt would also help brands inin the retail sector that completely would also help brands inin the retail sector that completely be more investments in high-tech vestment is a first for any Southeast issue our priority list of investments.” novate onflexible flexible sales promoreimagine the the shopping shopping we experisia (45 on percent), South Korea (42 novate sales promoreimagine experiindustries once the Strategic InvestAsian country. He added, “We are working with the tions,such such givingdiscounts, discounts, ence,” Gunjan Soni, chief executive tions, asasgiving ence,” Gunjan Soni, chief executive percent), New Zealand (32 perment Priorities Plan (SIPP) is issued. and and offering offering easier and and attracofficerofofthe theZalora ZaloraGroup, Group,FIRB toldan an the DTI to have a provisional and easier attracofficer told cent), and Thailand (9 percent). 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MORE HIGH-TECH INVESTMENTS SEEN AFTER SPACEX

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A2 Friday, April 1, 2022

Recovery... Continued from A1

Likewise, consumer loans to residents increased slightly by 0.9 percent in February following a 0.4-percent decrease (revised) in January, owing mainly to the year-on-year rise in credit card loans. Outstanding loans to non-residents also went up by 7.3 percent in February from 3.2 percent (revised) in January. Despite the significant improvement of bank lending from its levels in 2020, the BSP governor said they still see “scope” to support economic recovery through their monetary policy mandate. “The BSP continues to see scope to safeguard the momentum of economic recovery amid increased uncertainty, even as indications of sustained improvement in credit activity allows the BSP to gradually unwind its pandemicrelated interventions,” the BSP said. “Looking ahead, the BSP stands ready to adjust its monetary policy settings in ensuring non-inflationary and sustainable growth, in line with its price and financial stability mandates,” it added. In a separate report, domestic liquidity—measured as M3—also grew by 8.5 percent to about P15.2 trillion in February. This is the same as the revised rate of expansion recorded in the previous month after accounting for bank data updates and post-audit adjustments. “Going forward, the BSP will ensure that domestic liquidity and credit conditions remain appropriate in sustaining the momentum of domestic economic recovery, to the extent provided by the outlook on inflation and growth,” the BSP said . Bianca Cuaresma

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Inflation likely settled between 3.3% and 4.1% in March–Diokno By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

HE rise in prices of consumer goods likely did not deviate far from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) annual target range for the year, despite significant hikes in oil rates during the month.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said inflation likely settled between 3.3 and 4.1 percent in March. While it did not breach the annual target, it is, however, a sure acceleration to the 3-percent inflation in February this year. In line with this, the BSP governor vowed to continue closely monitoring the inflation dynamics of the country, especially in view of potential second-

Ex-DOH... Continued from A1

Ahead of the May 2022 national elections, the SWS survey with 1,440 adult respondents nationwide also revealed the issues that should be addressed to lower or remove high out-of-pocket spending of Filipinos on healthcare. Out-of-pocket

round effects from oil pressures. “The BSP will continue to monitor emerging price developments and possible second-round effects to help achieve its primary mandate of price stability that is conducive to balanced and sustainable growth of the economy,” the governor said. According to the Central Bank governor, the continued oil price hikes

spending is the expense for medical care that families pay directly from their own money or savings. With Filipinos paying mostly for their own medicines, the survey found that medicines ranked first as the most burdensome health-care expense, followed by payment for doctors’ fees, laboratory fees, and hospital room if hospitalized. As the country still reels from Covid-19, the SWS survey likewise found

along with higher electricity rates in Meralco-serviced areas, higher meat prices, and the depreciation of peso are the primary sources of inflationary pressures during the month. These, however, could be offset in part by lower water rates in Maynilad and Manila Water-serviced areas and the observed decrease in prices of rice, fish, and vegetables due to easing supply constraints. In their March monetary policy meeting, the BSP said average inflation could breach the upper end of the 2-4 percent target range in 2022 at 4.3 percent, higher than the February forecast of 3.7 percent.

“Nevertheless, average inflation is projected to decline and settle within the target band at 3.6 percent in 2023. Inflation expectations have likewise risen but continue to be anchored to the 2 to 4 percent target band,” Diokno earlier said. The governor said upside risks over the near term continue to emanate from the shortage in domestic pork and fish supply as well as from the potential impact of higher oil prices on transport fares. Diokno also said the executive department should “do the heavy lifting” in keeping inflation at bay, as price surges stem from supply side pressures. Just this week, the governor listed non-monetary policy recommendations for inflation stability including fuel subsidies, staggered increases in utility prices, and support for the agriculture sector.

that among Filipinos, the efficacy of the medicine is the most important attribute of a Covid-19 drug. This was followed by affordability, safety, accessibility and availability of supply. Dr. Beaver Tamesis, president and managing director of MSD Philippines, stressed that economic recovery goes hand-in-hand with improving the health situation in the country. “If the health situation of the country improves, the economy will respond on a positive note. Tamesis said improving the country’s health system will also undergo an evolutionary process, as what developed economies such as the United Kingdom and Japan experienced – taking 70 and 15 years,

respectively, to build it. “We see so much wastage of precious government funds such as Pharmally and our inability to collect someone’s tax obligation. We need to plug these holes in government coffers. We need to prioritize and negotiate hard to create real solutions to solve the problems,” he said. Forum organizers—the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Medicines Transparency Alliance Philippines, Stratbase ADR Institute, UHC Watch and the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines -- agreed that increased government investment for medicines is necessary to improve its medicine expense share, now only at 15 percent.

High-tech... Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez told reporters on Thursday the investment of SpaceX is expected “asap.” However, the final investment figures are still being finalized. “They are still finalizing investment figures. But [they are already] selecting sites for their gateways,” Lopez said in a Viber message to reporters. Lopez said the gateways will be located in major cities and rural areas. He added that the government has also committed to extend SpaceX assistance through registration at the BOI. The registration will be done under the SIPP. Lopez said the government will also help through Ease of Doing Business permits processing and business services. “Their system will augment as well as complement existing broadband capacities. This will further capacitate micro, small, and medium enterprises [MSMEs], facilitate online learning, ecommerce and fintech,” Lopez said in a statement. The Starlink consists of over 1,600 satellites in mid2021, and will eventually comprise thousands more of mass-produced small satellites in LEO, which communicate with designated ground transceivers.

Continued from A1

The DTI said preparations are underway for their registration, as discussed in a meeting on Wednesday between Lopez, SpaceX senior executives Rebecca Hunter and Ryan Goodnight, NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios, and DFNN Executive Chairman Ramon Garcia Jr.

Bullish on market, reforms

The department said SpaceX is bullish on the growing consumer base and much-improved investment climate in the country with the current major economic reforms. They noted that the signing of the amended Public Service Act (PSA), which allows up to 100-percent foreign ownership of public services in the country, was a critical factor in the company’s decision to invest, as all its technologies are proprietary. In a US Investment Mission in November 2021, the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments (DTIBOI) and SpaceX intently discussed the project’s entry timeline and the PRRD administration’s priority legislative reforms. This was followed by a series of online meetings with the company, immediately after the Senate ratification in December last year, an update session in February 2022, and another in early March to discuss further its business plans in the Philippines in line with the amendment to the PSA. SpaceX is a relatively young but fastgrowing technology and aerospace company owned by the highly celebrated entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company is currently establishing a local Filipino entity that will be their wholly-owned subsidiary and is targeting to deploy three gateways in the first phase of their launch.

SIPP’s value

SIPP is the list of sectors that are qualified for tax perks under the CREATE law. “Once you have that list, sectors with higher tech or higher value can upgrade to up to 17 years of incentives. For very large investments, they can get up to 40 years from the President,” Salceda explained. “I am writing the DTI and the FIRB again since I gave an internal deadline of March 2022, before Ways and Means is forced to conduct oversight hearings,”

NG...

Continued from A1

BTr also reported that the total NG-guaranteed obligations decreased by P6.31 billion or 1.5 percent monthover-month to P416.20 billion as of endFebruary 2022. This lower level of guaranteed debt was attributed to the net repayment of both domestic and external guarantees amounting to P4.07 billion and P3.12 billion, respectively. Third-currency exchange rate fluctuation also further lowered the peso value of external guarantees by P0.25 billion, offsetting the P1.12-billion effect of local currency depreciation against the US dollar.

‘NG debt to rise further’

While the rise in NG debt slowed during the month, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said government debt could still go up in the coming months, though at a slower pace, in view of the recent borrowings by the government. “Government debt could still increase in view of the P457.8-billion Retail Treasury Bond [RTB] issuance and the $2.25-billion global bond issuance, both for the month of March 2022 to finance the budget deficit amid increased infrastructure spending, especially before the March 25, 2022 ban on some public works and in preparation for the May 2022 elections and to stimulate the economy as a major part of the country’s economic recovery program,” the economist said. Going forward, measures to further reopen the economy towards greater normalcy would help narrow the country’s budget deficit and help also temper the growth in the government’s debt stock, Ricafort said. He, however, warned of “offsetting risk factors” that could increase the government’s debt stock. These include increased fuel subsidies for the transport and agricultural sectors, lower tariffs on imported food and other non-monetary interventions to mitigate the risks of inflation being passed on to the general public. added Salceda, referring to his December statement that the House tax committee may conduct oversight hearings if the SIPP is not yet issued by March 2022, the first anniversary of the enactment of the CREATE Law. Earlier, Salceda traced the delay in SIPP’s release to disagreements between the agencies on the system of classification to be used for determining whether businesses fall under the categories of industries qualified for incentives. “This is a disagreement that’s not worth delaying the SIPP for a year over,” Salceda added. Under the CREATE law, export-oriented activities may qualify for up to 17 years of incentives for exporters, with 4-7 years of income tax holiday (ITH) and 10 years of special corporate income tax (SCIT). The SCIT is a 5-percent tax on gross income. Meanwhile, domestic-market enterprises under the SIPP may qualify for up to 12 years of incentives, with 4-7 years of ITH and 5 years of SCIT for enterprises with investment capital not less than P500 million, and 5 years of enhanced deductions otherwise. Extra tax incentives of 2 years of ITH are available for locators in areas recovering from disaster, and 3 years of ITH for those relocating from NCR.

First in Southeast Asia

Salceda, meanwhile, said that once the investment is finalized, the Philippines will become the first country in Southeast Asia to host the fast broadband facility via satellite. “We had discussions with them as early as 2019, and we are glad that this investment is finally near fruition,” Salceda said. “It will be crucial to the country’s digitalization push. We are an archipelagic country. Fiber internet tends to be more expensive when you have to link thousands of islands, and for small island provinces like Catanduanes, Dinagat, Biliran, or Camiguin, fiber connections may not make commercial sense at all,” Salceda said. “That’s why it is important that we have investments in satellite internet such as this one,” Salceda added. Also, Salceda said that the Satellite Liberalization policy of the Duterte administration, which allowed access to the country’s satellite space to entities other than Internet Service Providers (ISPs), also helped make the country attractive to SpaceX.

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The Nation BusinessMirror

Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Friday, April 1, 2022 A3

Police, military list at least 300 ‘areas of concern’ in May polls By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

ROUND 300 areas nationwide have been recommended by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be declared “areas of concern” during the upcoming 2022 polls, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec). In a news conference on Thursd ay, Come lec Com m i ssioner George M. Garcia disclosed the assessment was based on the pos-

sible presence of armed groups and insurgents in a specific area. The poll official, however, stressed they have yet to approve the recommendations as they are still verifying the reports of AFP and PNP. He said the security situation in some areas change on a day-to-day basis and must be regularly monitored. “There is still no Comelec resolution formally declaring these areas of concern. Chairman [Saidamen Balt Pangarungan] deemed it necessary to order a re-verification, not from AFP or PNP, but from our

own field personnel,” Garcia said. He noted they are cautious in declaring “areas of concern” or hot spots since it may require Comelec to set up checkpoints or even take control of the affected local government unit (LGU), which may limit the movement to and from the affected areas. “It is not that easy to declare an area as an [election] hot spot. It will be detrimental for business and tourism [in the affected area]. We don’t want [that] to happen in any part of the country,” Garcia said.

The poll official said they would come out with the list of areas of concern once they complete their verification process. During the 2019 polls, the Comelec used a color-coded classification system depending on an area’s election-related risk. Those in the yellow category were areas of concern; orange category were areas of immediate concern; and red category were areas of grave concern. Areas, which were under significant high risk, were placed under Comelec control.

PNA file photo courtesy of PPPO

Palace to Duterte rights critics: Shame on you

Restive Taal bursts 3 times, but not strong enough to heighten alert–Phivolcs chief

ALACAÑANG on Thursday said the group seeking the imposition of international sanctions against President Duterte and other officials for allegedly violating human rights is bringing shame to the country. In a brief statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar disclosed that the allegation of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) against the President and other officials are baseless. “It is baffling how it has come up with allegations of human rights violations of the Philippine government without validating the same with the appropriate authorities,” Andanar said. “The agenda pursued by this group calling itself the Interna-

HE restive Taal Volcano continues to show signs of imminent threat, as the active volcano bursts three times early Thursday morning. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary and concurrent Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum told the BusinessMirror that the three successive phreatomagmatic bursts are signs that the volcano remains to be a threat. The first explosion occurred at 10:39 a.m. and lasted for two minutes. The emitted volcanic debris and smoke reached approximately 900 meters high. At 10:47 a.m., another phreatomagmatic burst was recorded. It lasted for about a minute and

tional Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines is simply to name and shame the Philippines before the international community,” he added.

International campaign

THE ICHRP said it is currently working with the governments of Australia, Canada, US, UK and the European Union for the imposition of Magnitsky sanction against government officials, who are supposedly violating human rights. Aside from Duterte, the ICHRP also wants the Magnitsky sanctions to be imposed against Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief Debold M. Sinas, former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of

Staff Jose. C. Faustino Jr., National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr., former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conf lict (NTF-ELC AC) spokesman Antonio G. Parlade Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, and Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año. They also want a similar penalty to be imposed against Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, former presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque Jr., Quezon City Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert, and NTF-ELCAC spokesman Lorraine T. Badoy. The sanction is based on the Magnitsky Law passed by the US Congress in 2012 to sanction people behind the killing of Sergei Magnitsky, a tax lawyer, after ex-

posing corruption in the Russian government. The law allows the US government to penalize human rights offenders by freezing their assets and banning them from entering US territory.

Ready to cooperate

ANDANAR urged the ICHRP to reconsider its campaign especially as the government, he noted, is already trying to address the purported mass violation of human rights in the country. He added the government is even open to cooperating with the ICHRP. “We are serious in resolving all human rights violations and abuses, alleged or not, we keep our doors wide open to this group for substantive and productive engagements,” Andanar said. Samuel P. Medenilla

the debris and smoke were estimated to reach up to only 500 meters high. The third burst was recorded at 10:55 a.m., again lasting for only 1 minute, sending off volcanic debris and smoke up to 500 meters high. However, despite such brief phreatomagmatic bursts, he said they were not strong enough to raise the alert level prevailing over Taal. “They are weak, short bursts. Taal remains under Alert Level 3,” he said. “Compared to the explosion in 2020, these bursts are not that strong,” he maintained. Last week, Taal exploded prompting Phivolcs to recommend the immediate evacuation of people living in communities within or near the so-called Permanent Danger Zone. Jonathan L. Mayuga

A4 Friday, April 1, 2022 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

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DTI-BITR reports ‘flourishing’ PHL-Norway trade amid Covid

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE Philippines’s free trade agreement (FTA) with Europe has boosted, and will continue to grow its total trade with Norway, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTI Bureau of International Trade Relations (BITR) said the Philippines’s total trade with one of the world’s happiest countries grew 120.9 percent in 2021 after posting a growth of 19.53 percent in 2020. Philippine exports to Norway posted a growth of 36.46 percent to 7.8 million euros in 2021 from 5.7 million euros in

2020. Imports from Norway, the DTIBITR said, grew by 135.68 percent to 77.08 million euros last year from 32.7 million euros in 2020. “The Philippines foresees that these trade figures will continue to increase given the PH-EFTA FTA [PhilippinesEuropean Free Trade Association Free Trade Agreement] in place along with the promotion and cooperation activities to support the Agreement,” DTI-BITR said in a news statement. In a networking luncheon hosted by the Philippines Norway Business Council (PNBC) on Wednesday, BITR Director Angelo Salvador M. Benedictos highlighted the steadily increasing trade figures between the Philippines and Nor way, brought about by the Philippines-EFTA Free Trade Agreement implemented since June 2018. Benedictos said the top Philippine products exported to Norway that used

the FTA rates in 2020, such as food and beverage products (e.g., cooked pasta, crisp savory food products, biscuit, food preparations, soups and broths, peanut butter, mineral or aerated water), prepared/preserved fruits, sugar confectionery products, and garments and apparel. Norwegian exporters likewise benefited from the tariff reduction under the PH-EFTA. Such products include chemicals/fertilizers, fisheries and fishery products, plastics, and related articles. Benedictos noted that these increasing trade exchanges further demonstrated the complementarities rather than competition between Norway and Philippines. He also encouraged Norwegian businesses to look into investment opportunities in the Philippines, particularly in the manufacturing sector, following the amendments of three DTI advocated economic reforms namely the Foreign Investments Act, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and the Public Service Act (PSA).

DA chief urges public to name names in vegetable smuggling

EPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Thursday urged the public to divulge the names of big-time personalities in the government involved in the smuggling of agricultural products in the country. In a virtual presser, agriculture chief asked the public to report these personalities to the agency for them to be able to file appropriate charges. “We encourage the public to name these [big personalities] even if they are from the Department of Agriculture. We will give due process [but] wala kaming sinasanto,” said Dar. In an earlier statement, Dar said “as the Secretary of Agriculture, I condemn in the strongest terms the smuggling and illegal entry of all agricultural, fishery and meat products into the country— as these compete directly with our local farmers, fishers and food producers, depriving them of much-needed livelihood and incomes.” Also, Dar said smuggling of agricultural products pose danger as smuggled products might carry transboundary pests and diseases that could harm our agriculture, fishery and animal industry, in general. “More importantly, they could pose danger to human health,” he said. In a recent Senate hearing, Dar said some senators claimed that highly placed personalities in government are said to be pushing or allowing the im-

portation of vegetable products from China, in particular. “We condemn whoever these personalities are, and we at the Department of Agriculture will act swiftly and decisively to reprimand those involved among our ranks, officials and staff. If found guilty, we will file the appropriate administrative charges against these individuals,” he added. The Senate Committee of the Whole, presided by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, has resumed its oversight hearing on the unabated agricultural smuggling in the country last Monday. According to Sotto, at least P6 billion was lost “from misdeclaration or technical smuggling of agricultural products which can infect humans and livestock.” With this, Sotto said strengthening the interagency coordination efforts against smuggling must be implemented as he noted that the current collaboration among government agencies is not sufficient to curtail smuggling. Also, Sotto said agencies like the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry must have police powers so that they can seize smuggled goods outright without prior coordination with the Bureau of Customs. Another recommendation that came up from the hearing was improving the country’s data trade system, including the automation of import and export figures, to allow the government to monitor the entry of farm goods on real-time. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

Philippines to partner with UAE for new energy efficiency programs By Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

HE Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary and designated representative of the President to the Climate Change Commission (CCC) Carlos Dominguez III announced on Thursday that they are eyeing partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the creation of innovative energy efficiency programs that can be implemented in the country. In a news statement issued on Thursday, Dominguez said the proposed partnership with UAE is expected to help in conceptualizing and implementing innovative energy efficiency programs to contribute to the global effort to reverse the devastating effects of climate change. During the Climate Change Virtual Conference hosted by the UAE Embassy in Manila, Dominguez welcomed the UAE’s ongoing efforts to deploy and use clean energy solutions as one of the main pillars of its model to address the challenge of the worsening climate crisis and significantly reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. UAE, a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), unveiled in 2017 a strategy that aims to increase the share of clean energy in its total energy capacity mix from 25 percent

to 50 percent by 2050. It will host the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) next year. “Reversing the trend towards global warming will require the work of generations. It will be hard and interminable work. We have to put in that work to save our planet. There is no other alternative,” Dominguez said. According to the Finance Secretary, over the last decade, the Philippines incurred losses and damages from climate-related hazards estimated at about $10 billion, which is equivalent to an annual average of about $1 billion. Dominguez said the Philippines has been working hard to build practical and localized action plans to help mobilize communities to meet the challenges posed by climate change, as it is among the economies most vulnerable to the ill effects of global warming even though it contributes only 0.3 percent to the world’s GHG emissions. According to the 2020 World Risk Index, the Philippines ranks 9th out of 181 nations in the world as the countries most affected by extreme weather events. The Philippine archipelago is also sinking at a rate four times faster than the global average and continues to endure cycles of drought and flooding.

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Friday, April 1, 2022 A5

DOJ fields NBI agents to stem vote-buying activities in polls

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

GENTS of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) would be going out in the field to thwart illegal campaign activities of national and local candidates and their supporters, particularly votebuying in the May elections. The deployment order came a day after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that a composite team from the Department of Justice (DOJ) would be formed to join the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Inter-Agency Task Force “Kontra Bigay,” which will go after vote buyers. The task force, according to the Comelec, will be composed of the DOJ, Presidential AntiCorruption Commission, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Infor-

mation Agency, NBI, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces of the Philippines. Guevarra said he had already disseminated his instructions to their attached agencies and offices to prioritize the government’s campaign against vote buying. “I have directed the NBI that their field and regional offices should get their personnel out and be active and not just wait for tips. They should go to rallies and sorties,” Guevarra told the Laging Handa public briefing.

He added that there is no need to get a warrant of arrest from the court if they actually see or caught vote-buying being done in their presence. “They should go out and mingle in the rallies, sorties, and campaigns so they could capture those who are committing these election offenses like vote-buying. Right in that gathering they could effect warrantless arrests,” Guevarra said. Guevarra has also instructed the DOJ Action Centers (DOJAC) head and regional offices to receive complaints for appropriate action. On the other hand, the Public Attorney’s Office through its chief Persida Rueda-Acosta has also been asked to direct its field offices to assist possible complainants in votebuying cases. The DOJ chief explained that there are two main elements of vote-buying, namely, the act of offering, promising or giving money or anything of value, and second is the intention to induce the voter to vote for or against a particular candidate.

A step closer to ‘new normal:’ NCR, 100 provinces under AL 1 from April 1 to 15 By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

HE government is now closer to achieving its goal of implementing a “new normal” policy as more parts of the country are now under Alert Level (AL) 1. On Thursday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) updated the alert level system (ALS) list, which now includes over 100 provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities under AL 1. This was considerably higher compared to 48 AL 1 areas on its previous list, which took effect during the second half of March. Acting Presidential spokesman Martin M. Andanar said the new ALs will take effect from April 1 to 15, 2022. An area is placed under Alert Level 1 if 70 percent of its target population and 80 percent of its senior citizens are already fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Public and private establishments as well as public utility vehicles (PUV) in the said areas will be allowed to operate at full capacity. Under the updated ALS list the following areas will be under Alert Level 1: National Capital Region; Cordillera Administrative Region: Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, and Baguio City; Region 1: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Dagupan City; Region 2: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, City of Santiago, and Quirino; Region 3: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Angeles City,

Tarlac, Zambales, and Olongapo City; Region 4A: Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Lucena City; Region 4B: Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Puerto Princesa City; Region 5: Albay, Catanduanes, and Naga City; Region 6: Aklan, Guimaras, Capiz, Bacolod City, and Iloilo City; Region 7: Siquijor, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Mandaue City; Region 8: Biliran, Ormoc City, and Tacloban City; Region 9: Zamboanga City; Region 10: Camiguin, Bukidnon, Iligan City, and Cagayan de Oro City; Region 11: Davao City; Region 13 (Caraga): Surigao del Sur, Surigao City, and Butuan City. Also placed under AL 1 are the following component cities and municipalities. Cordillera Administrative Region: Ifugao (Lagawe, Lamut), Mountain Province (Besao, Bontoc, Sagada); Region 2: Nueva Vizcaya (Bambang, Bayombong, Dupax del Norte, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde); Region 4A: Quezon (City of Tayabas, Lucban, Mauban, Pagbilao, Plaridel, Polillo, Quezon, Sampaloc); Region 4B: Occidental Mindoro (Lubang), Palawan (Culion); Region 5: Camarines Norte (Daet, San Vicente), Camarines Sur (Bombon, Cabusao, Camaligan, Iriga City, Presentacion (Parubcan), San Fernando), Sorsogon (Barcelona, Bulusan, Casiguran, City of Sorsogon, Gubat, Juban, Magallanes, Prieto Diaz); Region 6: Antique (San Jose, Sebaste), Iloilo (Anilao, Balasan, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Bingawan, Concepcion, Dueñas, Guimbal, Janiuay, Lemery, Mina, Pototan, San Dioniso, Santa Barbara), and Negros

Occidental (Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia), La Carlota City, Pulupandan, Sagay City, San Enrique). Other Alert Level 1 areas are Region 7: Bohol (Batuan, Corella, Dimiao, Jagna, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Sikatuna, Tagbilaran City), Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City); Region 8: Eastern Samar (Arteche, Balangkayan, Can-Avid, City of Borongan, Jipapad, Maydolong, Salcedo, San Policarpo, Sulat, Taft) Leyte (Albuera, City of Baybay, Dulag, Matag-Ob, Palo, Tunga); Northern Samar (Capul, Lapinig, Lavezares, San Antonio, San Jose, Victoria), Samar (Western Samar, Marabut, Pagsanghan), Southern Leyte; (Anahawan, City of Maasin, Hinundayan, Libagon, Limasawa, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan); Region 9: Zamboanga del Norte (Dapitan City, Dipolog City, Piñan (New Piñan), Polanco, Rizal), Zamboanga Sibugay (Ipil (Capital), Tungawan); Region 10: Lanao del Norte (Bacolod); Misamis Occidental (Clarin, Jimenez, Ozamiz City, Panaon), Misamis Oriental (Alubijid, Binuangan, City of El Salvador, Initao, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Naawan, Sugbongcogon, Tagoloan); Region 11: Davao de Oro (Montevista), Davao Oriental (Cateel, City of Mati); Region 12: Cotabato (North Cotabato, City of Kidapawan, President Roxas), South Cotabato (Polomolok, Santo Niño), Sultan Kudarat (City of Tacurong); Caraga: Agusan del Norte (Carmen, Jabonga, Magallanes, Nasipit), Agusan del Sur (Bunawan, Loreto, Prosperidad), Dinagat Islands (Loreto), and Surigao del Norte (Tagana-an).

Group: Transform WPS into a ‘marine peace park’ By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

MID the growing tension and threat of maritime conflict over the West Philippine Sea (WPS), environmental activist group Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) renewed the call to declare the region as a maritime peace park. “With the climate crisis now at humanity’s doorstep, the critical habitats in the West Philippine Sea face threefold risks of ecological degradation, climate vulnerability, and maritime conflict. Amidst the election campaign, we must push our future leaders to commit to declaring the WPS as an international marine peace park to demilitarize and conserve the vulnerable area,” Leon Dulce, national coordinator of Kalikasan PNE said in a news

statement. This as tension continues to escalate in the area, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reporting that a vessel from the China Coast Guard (CCG) coming alarmingly close to one of its patrol ships in a “close distance maneuvering” incident on March 2. “Our country’s recent initiatives to study new species or restore ecosystems in West Philippine Sea will be for naught if we do not stop infrastructure projects and other destructive activities by China. We need new leadership that will stand up against China’s aggression and work for peace and sustainability in the region,” he said. Dulce noted that in 2016, an emergency motion was filed with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that “all States and authorities in this

region suspend exploitation of natural resources, prospecting, or other activities, pending the study of how to establish marine protected areas in the South China Sea [West Philippine Sea] and Coral Triangle.” “If we truly want peace in the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea, then we must work harder to push for the creation of marine peace parks and sanctuaries in the area. Sadly, biodiversity is the least talked about environmental concern during the campaign season,” Dulce said. The group’s fact-check study came out examining the positions and track records of presidential and vice presidential candidates on environmental concerns. It highlighted that the positions on extractives and destructive projects were most notable. Biodiversity conservation, however, was the least priority.

The DOJ secretary also assured that the National Prosecution Service would prioritize the

resolution of vote-buying cases that would be brought before it and its offices.

He said the combination of the two elements would make the offense of vote buying.

BusinessMirror

Friday, April 1, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

No.

ACCENTURE, INC. 7f, Robinsons Cybergate Tower 1, Pioneer St, City Of Mandaluyong

PERTI, ANTARA Service Delivery Ops Lead Sr. Manager

Brief Job Description: Assign all work assignments, commit the team to the work, manage the quality of the work and drive the people management activities, automation, innovations, and digitization within the team. Build strong client business relationships. Ensure execution of delivery work across one or more clients or portfolios, leading service delivery strategy across all locations where the services are provided. Support sales opportunities and ensure the feasibility of the proposed solutions and delivery of the solution by leveraging Accenture’s full capabilities. Support the achievement of contract controllable income (cci) targets, as well as the achievement of cost-to-serve targets; deliver efficiencies through standard processes and synergies

Basic Qualification: Skill name - expected proficiency level; Accenture delivery methods (adm) p2 – proficient. Accenture delivery tools p2 – proficient. Account management p1 – novice. Client relationship development p3 – advanced. Contract compliance execution p2 – proficient. Contract management p1 – novice. Cost management p3 – advanced. Cost to serve management p1 – novice. Demand management p3 – advanced. Offering acumen p2 - proficient. Operating level agreement p3 – advanced. Operational excellence p3 – advanced. Operations management p3 – advanced. Program and project management p1 – novice. Project management p3 – advanced. Quality & process improvement p2 – proficient. Sales enablement p3 – advanced. Service change management p2 – proficient. Sla (service-level agreement) management p3 – advanced.

11.

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

SINGHARAK, WORAWEE Thai Language- Officer Customer Service 12.

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer’s needs, promote business and products.

NGUYEN THI LE CHI Vietnamese Language- Officer Customer Service 13.

14.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer’s needs, promote business and products.

HOANG VAN TUAN Vietnamese Language-officer Customer Service Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

ACE VELOCITY CONSULTANCY INC. 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati SHAN, CHEN Chinese Speaking Solutions Consultant 2.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

YAN, SIWEI Chinese Speaking Solutions Consultant 3.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written

15.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Lead the overall sourcing business for all relevant operations of responsibility to execute the global sourcing strategies.

Basic Qualification: Diploma or Degree from educational entity preferably in related fields Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak Mandarin

Brief Job Description: Enforcing Business Strategies

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

AVANTICE CORPORATION 19/f Pbcom Tower, Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Serves as a liason between the customer and various departments & ensures that basic CS functions are performed

Basic Qualification: Must be native Cambodian / South Korean / Thai / Indonesian / Vietnamese / Taiwanese / Chinese / Japanese, fluent in english and respective native language; With at least a year experience in similar field

Brief Job Description: Serves as a liason between the customer and various departments & ensures that basic CS functions are performed

VOY, LYHAV Operations Executive 8.

Brief Job Description: Serves as a liason between the customer and various departments & ensures that basic CS functions are performed

17.

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

XIE, WENJUN Mandarin Language- Officer Customer Service 10.

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer’s needs, promote business and products.

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of the ff languages (Bahasa Indonesian language, Vietnamese, Thai, Mandarin) to cater foreign market.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for the Overseeing and Managing the day site Sandfill Activities of the Project

19.

Brief Job Description: Plan, organize, and manage business projects for clients

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

YAMAGUCHI, HIROSHI General Manager - Body And Safety Division 21.

Brief Job Description: responsible for planning, leading, organizing & controlling various activities for body & safety

22.

Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to LY NGOC ANH Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

23.

Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to NGUYEN HUONG GIANG Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

24.

Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

DRAGONFLY TECHNOLOGIES INC. Unit 602 6/f Itc Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati GOH THIAN HOOI Mandarin Support Specialist 27.

Brief Job Description: Prioritizing your workload to ensure the most critical issues are resolved first CHONG YAW VOON Mandarin System Analyst

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

29.

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai Mandarin to cater foreign market Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Minimum 10 years relevant work experience in dry and wet sandfill in an International Dredging and Land Reclamation company

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Must have work experience of at least 20 years in a sand fill position on international dredging, Land reclamation or constructions project Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in English and Mandarin language and with analytical mind and analysis skill

30.

31.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese

32.

33.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

GU, HONGYAN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 34.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

LIU, XIN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 35.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

NGUYEN THI OANH Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 36.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

WU, FAN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate 37.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

EVERSON VISA CONSULTANCY INC. 37/f Lkg Tower, 6801 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

NGUYEN THI THU HANG Chinese Speaking Marketing Consultant 38.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

HERMANTO Chinese Speaking Solutions Consultant 39.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

FENG, YULIN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

CAI, XIAOLIN Chinese Speaking Business Development Associate

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: at least four years of experience as senior manager

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

WEI, QIANG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

TRAN HIEP DUC Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Comprehensive Understanding of the Soil Discipline with design and Construct Projects with focus on dredging land development building on soft soils

Brief Job Description: Perform other duties as compliance and assigned with all policies and standards

CHENG, CAILIN Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

DIGICHROM INC. Unit 2602 & 2603 26/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati BUI THI THANH BINH Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese

DYNAMIC STUDIO TECHNOLOGY INC. 5th To 10th/f Platinum Tower Building, Aseana Ave. Cor. Fuentes Street, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

DENSO TECHNO PHILIPPINES INC. 2/f Sm Jazz Residences, N. Garcia Cor. Jupiter Sts., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of the ff languages (Bahasa Indonesian language, Vietnamese, Thai, Mandarin) to cater foreign market. At least 24 months of relevant experience.

26.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai Mandarin to cater foreign market

20.

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai mandarin to cater foreign market

TRIEU THI LAN Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Vietnamese

28.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

WEN, BINHAO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

Brief Job Description: Immediately escalating serious complaints or issues that you are not equipped to

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CRONYX INC. No. 4th-10th Flr. Yinhope Bldg., Dela Rama Cor. Zoili Hilario St., Seascape Village, Ccp Complex Subd. Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Basic Qualification: Must be native Cambodian / South Korean / Thai / Indonesian / Vietnamese / Taiwanese / Chinese / Japanese, fluent in English and respective native language; With at least a year experience in similar field

25.

CHINA COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION 21st Floor Menarco Tower, 32nd Street, Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

LIU, HAIMING Chinese Speaking Business Consultant

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION NGUYEN THI SU Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BIGCAT SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS, INC. 18/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Avenue Cor. Rufino Street, Salcedo Vill., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Brief Job Description: Responsible for guiding and Advising at Large Complex , and offshore dredging and Land Development projects by Comforting feasibility studies for project development designing solutions and Projects Support in preparation and execution phase

DAM, PIETER Waterboss

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999

IQLYMA LESTARI NASUTION Bahasa Indonesian Language-officer Customer Service

Brief Job Description: Responsible to operate company specific heavy equipment in a safe and efficient manner

BONIFACIUS RHYAN PARAHITA Soil Specialist

18.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

TRAN DAI NGHIA Operations Executive

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write any of the ff languages (Bahasa Indonesian language, Vietnamese, Thai, Mandarin) to cater foreign market.

16.

TUBAGUS DEDI PURNAMA JATMIKA Heavy Equipment Operator Specialist

No.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WONG, KWOK MING Mandarin Director

LUU CHI MINH Operations Executive

Brief Job Description: Initiate conversation to uncover customer needs

Basic Qualification: Degree holder, must fluently speak and write Bahasa Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai Mandarin to cater foreign market

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written

ALPHA CENTURY CONSULTANCY INC. Unit 215 Campos Rueda Bldg., 101 Urban Ave., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati

PHAM BAO LIEN Vietnamese Language-supervisor Marketing

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

BOSKALIS PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 3701, 3801 The Orient Square, F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig

ADIDAS PHILIPPINES, INC. 14/f Fort Legend Tower, 31st St. Cor. 3rd Ave. Bonifacio Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig CHEE KHUAN PENG Director Sourcing Operations App

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

YANG, ZHENJI Mandarin Language-officer Customer Service

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

LUO, JING Chinese Speaking Solutions Consultant 40.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, ZHENXING Chinese Speaking Technical Consultant

41.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FIBERHOME PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower, 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati

DAI, KEYING Account Manager 42.

Brief Job Description: The Account Manager will be a strategist and a Leader able to steer the company to the most Profitable Direction While also Implementing its Vision , Mission and Long Term Goals

No.

LIN, YUSHAN APAC Supply Integrated Planning Manager 55.

Basic Qualification: Proven Experience as Mandarin Operations Manager, Familliarity Knowledge and Awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrate Experience in Developing Strategic Business Plan

43.

Brief Job Description: The account manager will be a strategist and a leader able to steer the company to the most profitable direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long-term goals.

ZOU, YUTIAN Account Manager 44.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as account manager, excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.

Brief Job Description: 1.Responsible for project integrated planning manager in the Asia Pacific region. 2. Coordinate with customers and Engineering subcontractors to identify issues in the transaction.

ZHANG, HUI Manager Of Huawei Cloud Solution Department Philippines 56.

Brief Job Description: 1. Primarily responsible for the success of HUAWEI CLOUD Solutions in the Philippines. 2. Build local HUAWEI CLOUD solution team capabilities.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proven Experience as Mandarin Operations Manager, Familliarity Knowledge and Awareness on Machinery and Heavy Equipment use by company, Demonstrate Experience in Developing Strategic Business Plan

57.

Brief Job Description: Ensure Operational Compliance of the Project and Its delivery in Line with the

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WANG, XINGTIAN Project Manager 45.

Brief Job Description: The Project Manager will be a strategist and a Leader able to steer the company to the most Profitable Direction While also Implementing its Vision , Mission and Long Term Goals

LI, YIXIN Senior Procurement Manager For Network Fttx Frame Project 58.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XU, XIN Technical Manager 46.

Brief Job Description: The Technical Manager will be a strategist and a Leader able to steer the company to the most Profitable Direction While also Implementing its Vision , Mission and Long Term Goals

47.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company LIN, MIN Mandarin Technical Support

48.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about products and services of the company. PENAVA, MATKO Mandarin Technical Support

49.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other multilingual language.

59.

WANG, YI Technical Consultant 50.

Brief Job Description: Performing analyses on hardware, software, and network capabilities; consulting with management and other department as required

Basic Qualification: College graduate with good moral character and excellent verbal and written communications skills in both English and Chinese; fundamental knowledge at telecom network, rollout, network optimization workflow, and operations & maintenance

ZHAO, XIYANG Customer Service Representative-Chinese Speaking 51.

Brief Job Description: Recommends potential or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs YEE KANG SHUN Customer Service Representative-Malaysian Speaking

52.

Brief Job Description: Professionally handle incoming request from customers and ensure that issues are resolve both promptly and thoroughly

Basic Qualification: Proven Working Experience in DIgital Marketing Particularly within the industry and Good Communication SKills. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

60.

61.

53.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customer , Give Customers Information about Products and Services

62.

TIONG YUN LEH Chinese Speaking Customer Financial Officer

63.

54.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

64.

Basic Qualification: 1. Must possess a good interpersonal communication and management skills and able to manage local solutions teams. 2. Have a deep understanding and knowledge of the Cloud computing field, and successfully completed the HCIE- Intelligent Computing. 3. Must have Bachelor’s Degree related in Principle of Automatic Control, Process Control and distributed Systems Modern control theory, Computer Control and Interface Technology etc. 4. Highly proficient in Chinese and English language.

69.

70.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information About Product And Services

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good In Oral Communication And Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good In Oral Communication And Written

LI, XUE Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer Brief Job Description: Optimize CRM campaigns & newsletter based on performance and engagement data XU, NING Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer Brief Job Description: Optimize CRM campaigns & newsletter based on performance and engagement data YU, FANG Mandarin Speaking Marketing Officer 67.

Brief Job Description: Optimize CRM campaigns & newsletter based on performance and engagement data

71.

68.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

NGUYEN THU HIEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 72.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

NGUYEN VAN HOANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 73.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

THAN THI MAI Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 74.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

VO VAN KIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 75.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Ability to speak write and communicate in chinese mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in English and their Respective native Language for the Position Applied for Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an Advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in English and their Respective native Language for the Position Applied for Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an Advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in English and their Respective native Language for the Position Applied for Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an Advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in English and their Respective native Language for the Position Applied for Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an Advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in English and their Respective native Language for the Position Applied for Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an Advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in Speaking , Reading and Writing in English and their Respective native Language for the Position Applied for Fluent in Chinese Mandarin is an Advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

L’OREAL PHILIPPINES, INC. 2nd, 2208-2209, 23/f Robinsons Equitable Tower Adb Ave., Ortigas Ctr,, San Antonio, City Of Pasig YAP LEE MEI Consumer Products Division - General Manager 76.

Brief Job Description: Lead and manage projects that elevate the performance of supply base and manage manufacturing technologies implementation

Basic Qualification: Able to utilize industrial engineering techniques effectively to produce tangibles results Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

LAMUDI TECHNICAL SERVICES CORP. Unit 28b 28/f Bpi Philam Life Bldg., 6811 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati BASIL ABDELMONIM MOHAMED SALIHSATTI Senior Software Engineer 77.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Helps achieve goals through the software created; updates the platform with added features based on the Product Manager’s requirements

Basic Qualification: Must be an IT graduate with knowledge of various programs and also fluent in English Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good In Oral Communication And Written

MANILA CAPITCO CORPORATION Unit 6b Dolmar Bldg., United Nations Ave., Barangay 674, Paco, City Of Manila

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

78.

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good In Oral Communication And Written

MARKETCLUB INC. 41/f Gt Tower International, Ayala Ave. Cor. H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good In Oral Communication And Written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LUO, JIAYAN Administration Manager Brief Job Description: Will report to board of directors

TAN TUCK FEI Chinese Speaking Sales Marketing Specialist 79.

Brief Job Description: Assist/ help customers, give customers information about product and services

SON, KWONHEE I2p Associate - Korean Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

80.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing in Chinese mandarin, English and their respective native language for the position applied for, Fluent in Chinese Mandarin language is an advantage Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience / good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Perform day to day processing of accounts payable transactions in accordance with the service level agreement

Basic Qualification: At least 1 year work experience in accounts payable operations. degree in finance/accounting or related courses Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

MYSTIC REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORP. Ub 111 Paseo De Roxas Bldg., 197 Paseo De Roxas, San Lorenzo, City Of Makati HSU, CHIH-HUN a.k.a. JOAN HSU Mandarin Admin Specialist 81.

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking reading and writing in mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Can speak and write fluent Chinese Mandarin

MERCK BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ASIA INC. 36th To 39th Floor, The Finance Centre Condominium, 26th Street Corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, City Of Taguig

82.

JIU ZHOU TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. U-3401 34/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

JHANG, RUEI-TONG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering products and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

NGUYEN LY HUYNH Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: 1. Master the configuration for switches and routers. 2. Can provide appropriate solutions for big enterprise to build effective networks. 3. With Bachelor’s Degree of Computer Science and Technology. 4. Highly proficient in Chinese and English language.

Brief Job Description: Deliver service and support to end-users using operating automated call distribution phone software, via remote connection or over the internet

DOAN QUOC VIET Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Chinese and English Language

Basic Qualification: 1. Must be proficient in using IT system to carry out services. 2. Have a solid grasp of the benchmark, cost composition and price formation mechanisms common categories. 3. Graduated Bachelors Degree of Computer Science and Technology or other related courses. 4. Highly proficient in Chinese and English language.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION SAE-CHEN, THANACHAI Thai Technical Support Representative

INQUICK SERVICES INC. Unit 606 6/f Itc Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati

66.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information About Product And Services

SUN, CHAO Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information About Product And Services

LIM BEE YEE Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

65.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information About Product And Services

DAM TRINH THANH HUYEN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Basic Qualification: Proficient in writing, reading and speaking in both English and Korean/bahasa/Chinese/ Malay

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in Halding Customer Questions about services or Products/ Excellent Mandarin Communications skils

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information About Product And Services

BIMA SETIAWAN Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

GRAND PREMIUM CREST HOLDING INC. 16/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati CHEN, SICHENG Chinese Speaking Admin Financial Officer

Brief Job Description: 1. Planning and implementation of network operation support. 2. Prepare migration script for Huawei Core switches and migrate the existing switches from the 3rd party.

AIKE LU Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 GENX SPORTS & MEDIA PRODUCTION CORP. 26th And 27th Flr. Eastwood Cyber One Bldg., Eastwood City Cyberpark, No. 188 E. Rodriguez Jr. Ave. 3, Bagumbayan, Quezon City

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

INFOVINE INC. 8th, 9th, 10th/f Aspire Corporate Plaza Bldg., Macapagal Blvd. St., Zone 10, Barangay 76, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FUTURENET AND TECHNOLOGY CORP. 4502 The Finance Centre, 26th Street And 9th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

Basic Qualification: 1.Responsible for project integrated planning manager in the Asia Pacific region. 2. Coordinate with customers and Engineering subcontractors to identify issues in the transaction.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, mandarin and other multilingual language

Brief Job Description: 1. Lead in the implementation of applying procurement methodologies, such as supplier negotiation sourcing and supplier management. 2. Effectively support the related processes, such as certification and selection.

CAO, LOU Specialist For Enterprise Data Communication Solution

FRONTIER POINT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 29/f Techzone Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, mandarin and other multilingual language

No.

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

RAYMOND CHEN WEI LOONG Mandarin Customer Service

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 WANG, CHEN Sales Manager 5g Network Construction Project In Philippines Market

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower, 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HAN, BEIBEI Account Manager

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Friday, April 1, 2022

Brief Job Description: Assisting with all aspects of administrative management, directory maintenance, logistics, equipment and storage LI, RUIPING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in Mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in Mandarin Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

NEO INCORPORATED North Tower Centrum Bldg., Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City, Baclaran, City Of Parañaque

THU ZAR KYAW Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 83.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services

Basic Qualification: With at least 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

Friday, April 1, 2022

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION LI, QIHANG Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

84.

Brief Job Description: Assist/Help Customers, Give Customers Information about Product and Services

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: With Atleast 6 Months Customer Service Experience/Good in Oral Communication and Written

85.

Brief Job Description: Tasked with overseeing the day to day administrative and operational functions of a business.

103.

Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree; 15-20 years experience in TELCOM Towers; Expert in Strategic Planning; Analytical and possess data-driven mindset; Experience more advanced tower markets.

105.

86.

Brief Job Description: Supervising all post-marketing, budgeting, customer follow-up, and general business plans WEI, CHENG Marketing Vp Assistant

87.

Brief Job Description: Coordinate the production and quality control of monthly and quarterly factsheet and presentations

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Ability to deliver quality work under time and cost constraints Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SHIMIZU PHILIPPINE CONTRACTORS, INC. King’s Court Bldg. 1, 5/f 2129 P. Tamo St., San Lorenzo, City Of Makati YAMAGUCHI, SHOTA Project Director 88.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for overseeing all aspects of a project and to ensure the quality is a high standard, and that it is running to the timescales allowed.

Basic Qualification: Japanese national, at least 5years experience in construction field, able to read , write and speak English and Japanese fluently

106.

107.

89.

90.

91.

92.

93.

94.

95.

96.

97.

Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information

108.

HE, DEYING Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information HU, BO Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

109.

Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information LIANG, JUNJIAN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information LIU, CHAO Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information LIU, HUAN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information TIAN, JIAMEI Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information WU, RUNLIANG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information ZHANG, ZHAO Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Creating and updating customer’s account information LIANG, CHI Mandarin It Support Specialist

98.

Brief Job Description: Design and implement software solutions that can be enable the business to operate.

110.

111.

112.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

CHOI, ANNA Business Development Analyst

113.

114.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

99.

Brief Job Description: Assisting with the implementation of new processes and procedures

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin

DANG THI HAI MY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative 100.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. DANG VAN TO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

101.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. DAO THI MINH TRAM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

102.

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills) Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Responsible for planning, developing, organizing, and directing the training of associates and unisys customers; create the materials necessary to train users how to use software; in charge of instructional design background and understand how to create materials that are effective in helping adults learn; able to approach the problems that the software solves in a way that makes sense to the users; continually evaluates effectiveness of training and necessary improvements.

CHAN MUN HENG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation) 115.

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation CHANG, YU-CHING Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

116.

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation LI, CAILING Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

117.

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation LI, DONGFANG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

118.

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation LIAN, YU-DONG a.k.a. LIAN, CHENG-HUI Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

119.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

122.

123.

124.

125.

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation LIAO, WEICONG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

120.

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation XU, BEN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

126.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters

WONG HON LEONG Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

LIN, ZHIYI Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

TRINH DOANH MAI Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

NGUYEN THI TO UYEN Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LIU, YEN-TING Customer Relation Representative (Mandarin Translation)

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Handle Service Support Calls, Emails and Chats Related to Inquiry From Clients and/or Customers Through Mandarin to English Translation

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VPC CORPORATE SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED 11/f 100 West, Sen Gil Puyat Ave. Cor., Washington St., Pio Del Pilar, City Of Makati DONG MY KHANH Vietnam-speaking Customer Service Officer

Basic Qualification: Foreign language speaking

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

127.

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

WANFANG TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, INC. U-3501/02 35/f Pbcom Tower, Cor. Ayala Ave. & V.a. Rufino St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (Verbal and written skills)

Brief Job Description: Prepares product or service reports by collecting and analyzing customer information

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for

TSAI, SHANG-LI Chinese Admin Support Specialist 128.

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative request and queries from senior managers/officers

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

Basic Qualification: must be flexible, analytical and good communicators, in the next few sections, we look at the academic requirements, professional certifications and soft skill requirements for BA roles, fluency in English and Korean language is a must. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: 5-7 years of related professional experience in technical support with a bachelor’s degree; the ability to communicate complex topics with precision and understanding; excellent public speaking and facilitation skills; experienced with word, ppt, and virtualization software; skilled in providing training via multiple media formatsonline, in-person, web/ teleconference.

129.

130.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Brief Job Description: Provide daily support to users of various computer systems including answering questions, analyzing problems, and quickly forming solutions to return systems to proper operation

SHAO-LUN, LIAO Chinese Technical Support Representative 131.

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative request and queries from senior managers/officers.

YOU, CHIN-MING Chinese Technical Support Representative 132.

Brief Job Description: Handles administrative request and queries from senior managers/officers

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native langugae for the position applied for Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native language for the position applied for, fluent in Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native langugae for the position applied for Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp., 213 Buendia Ave., San Antonio, City Of Makati

133.

134.

Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services CHIOU, GUO-HENG Chinese Technical Support Representative

Basic Qualification: Through Extensive & Fluency Mandarin in Language and Characters Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English and their respective native langugae for the position applied for

LIN, CHUN-HUNG Chinese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

VICCI BUSINESS CONSULTANCY CORP. 10/f Liberty Plaza, 102 H.v. Dela Costa St., Bel-air, City Of Makati

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SOMI UNLIMITED SOLUTIONS, INC. 10/f Tower 2 Double Dragon Plaza Bldg., Edsa Corner Macapagal Ave. St. Zone 10, District 1, Barangay 76, Pasay City

121.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SOLIDLEISURE SOLUTIONS INC. Unit 2602-d & 2603-a West Tower, Psec Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, San Antonio, City Of Pasig ANG, WEI-CHENG TIMOTHY a.k.a. TIMOTHY ANG Mandarin Operations Specialist

Brief Job Description: Develop, implement and communicate metrics reporting processes and documentation across plants and companies in collaboration with operations, marketing and sales functions, fluency in English and Korean language is a must. leading and executing various special projects wirth senior leadership primarily related to the evaluation of posssible growth strategies or driving operational improvement.

TIMIRI SAI PRAKASH, SWATHY SHREE Customer Training Instructor

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Vietnamese (verbal and written skills)

No.

UNISYS PHILIPPINES LIMITED, L.L.C. Level 9 One Cyberpod Eton Centris, Eds. Cor. Quezon Ave. 4, Pinyahan, Quezon City

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

TANZILA TRADING INC. U-29 3/f Bac., Bagong Milenyo F.b. Harrison St., Barangay 76, Pasay City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. VUONG HUU DANG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. VO THI THU THAO Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. VAN THI THUY HAU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. PHAN THI NGOC DIEM Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services PHAN HUU HIEU Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

SKYLUSTER TECHNOLOGY, INC. 28/f Tower 6789, 6789 Ayala Ave., Bel-air, City Of Makati CHEN, QIFENG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. PHAM THI MUON Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

Basic Qualification: Excellent oral and written communication in mandarin

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services. NGUYEN THANH NGUYEN Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

RUNTO TECHNOLOGY INC. Unit 902 & 903 9th Flr. One World Place, 32nd Street, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig Basic Qualification: Strong interpersonal, analytical, organization, leadership and problemsolving skills

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services NGUYEN BAO DUY Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

QIU, SHAN Aftersales Manager

Brief Job Description: Attracts potential customers by answering product and service questions; suggesting information about other products and services LUONG HUU HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

104.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION HOANG DUC HUNG Vietnamese Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

PHIL-TOWER CONSORTIUM INC. Unit S-08 Eco Tower Bldg., 32nd St. Cor. 9th Ave., Bgc, Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

PAWAR, PANDHARINATH TUKARAM Chief Operating Officer

No.

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135.

CHENG, QIAN Chinese Language-customer Service Staff

Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking

Brief Job Description: Deal with and Help Resolve Customer Complaints

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

LAM DIEU HANH Vietnamese Language- Customer Service Staff

Basic Qualification: Foreign Language Speaking

Brief Job Description: Deal with and Resource Customer Complaints

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

SAN KIM LIEN Vietnamese Language- Customer Service Staff

Basic Qualification: Proficient in Vietnamese Language

Brief Job Description: Deal with and Help Resource Customer Complaints

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

XUSHENG TECHNOLOGY CORP. Flr. No. 1-5 Bldg., No. 0050 F.b. Harrison St. Cor. Williams And Roberts St. Zone 4, District 1, Barangay 13, Pasay City PHAM THI NGUYET Bilingual Customer Service Representative 136.

Brief Job Description: build strong and lasting relationship with customer and provide excellent

Basic Qualification: excellent in bilingual languages speaking Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ZTE PHILIPPINES INC. Unit 1201 & 1202 12th Floor Fort Legend Towers, 3rd Ave. Corner 31st St., Fort Bonifacio, City Of Taguig

137.

XIONG, HAN Systems Sales

Basic Qualification: College graduate

Brief Job Description: Resolves project negotiation problems

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Mar 31, 2022

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 25, 2022, the name of ABDUR RAYSID under MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, should have been read as ABDUR RASYID, and not as published. In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on March 19, 2022, the name of HOANG DINH DOAHN under TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, should have been read as HOANG DINH DOANH, and not as published. Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE National Capital Region located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication. Please inform DOLE National Capital Region if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Angel R. Calso

TheWorld BusinessMirror

Friday, April 1, 2022

Russia bombards areas in cities where it pledged to scale back By Nebi Qena & Yuras Karmanau

The Associated Press

YIV, Ukraine—Russian forces bombarded areas around Kyiv and another city just hours after pledging to scale back operations in those zones to promote trust between the two sides, Ukrainian authorities said Wednesday. The shelling—and intensified Russian attacks on other parts of the country—tempered optimism about any progress in the talks aimed at ending the punishing war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he stressed in a conversation with US President Joe Biden that the war is at a “turning point” and renewed his longstanding request for more help to resist the Russian invasion. “If we really are fighting for freedom and in defense of democracy together, then we have a right to demand help in this difficult turning point. Tanks, aircraft, artillery systems. Freedom should be armed no worse than tyranny,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address to the nation, which he delivered standing in the dark outside the dimly lit presidential offices in Kyiv. He thanked the U.S. for an additional $500 million in aid that was announced Wednesday. Meanwhile, talks between Ukraine and Russia were set to resume Friday by video, according to the head of the Ukrainian delegation, David Arakhamia. But there seemed to be little faith that a resolution would emerge anytime soon. The Russian military reneged

on its pledge Tuesday to de-escalate near the capital and the northern city of Chernihiv in order to “increase mutual trust and create conditions for further negotiations.” The announcement was met with deep suspicion from Zelenskyy and the West. And soon after, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling hit homes, stores, libraries and other civilian sites in and around Chernihiv and on the outskirts of Kyiv. Russian troops also stepped up their attacks on the Donbas region in the east and around the city of Izyum, which lies on a key route to the Donbas, after redeploying units from other areas, the Ukrainian side said. Olexander Lomako, secretary of the Chernihiv city council, said the Russian announcement turned out to be “a complete lie.” “At night they didn’t decrease, but vice versa increased the intensity of military action,” Lomako said. Five weeks into the invasion that has left thousands dead on both sides, the number of Ukrainians fleeing the country topped a staggering 4 million, half of them children, according to the United Nations. “I do not know if we can still believe the Russians,” Nikolay Nazarov, a refugee from Ukraine, said as he pushed his father’s wheelchair at a border crossing into Poland. “I think more escalation will occur in eastern Ukraine. That is why we cannot go back to Kharkiv.” Zelenskyy said the continuing negotiations with Russia were only “words without

White House: Intel shows Putin misled by advisers on Ukraine By Aamer Madhani & Nomaan Merchant The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—US intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misinformed by advisers about his military’s poor performance in Ukraine, according to the White House. The advisers are scared to tell him the truth, the intel says. The findings, recently declassified, indicate that Putin is aware of the situation on information coming to him and there now is persistent tension between him and senior Russian military officials. The US believes Putin is being misled not only about his military’s performance but also “how the Russian economy is being crippled by sanctions because, again, his senior advisers are too afraid to tell him the truth,” White House communications director Kate Bedingfield said Wednesday. Earlier, President Joe Biden said in an exchange with reporters that he could not comment on the intelligence. The administration is hopeful that divulging the finding could help prod Putin to reconsider his options in Ukraine, according to a US official. The official was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The war has ground to a bloody stalemate in much of the country, with heavy casualties and Russian troop morale sinking as Ukrainian forces and volunteers put up an unexpectedly stout defense. But the publicity could also risk further isolating Putin, who US officials have said seems at least in part driven by a desire to win back Russian prestige lost by the fall of the Soviet Union. “What it does is underscore that this has been a strategic blunder for Russia,” Bedingfield said of the intelligence finding. “But I’m not going to characterize how...Vladimir Putin might be thinking about this.” Meanwhile, Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a 55-minute call that an additional $500 million in direct aid for Ukraine was on its way. It’s the latest burst in American assistance as the Russian invasion grinds on. Asked about the latest intelligence, Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that a dynamic within the Kremlin exists where advisers are unwilling to speak to Putin with candor. “One of the Achilles’ heels of autocracies is that you don’t have people in those systems that speak truth to power or have the ability to speak truth to power, and I think that’s what we’re seeing in Russia,” Blinken told reporters during a stop in Algeria on Wednesday. The unidentified official did not detail underlying evidence for how US intelligence made its determination. The intelligence community has concluded that Putin was unaware that his military had been using and losing conscripts in Ukraine. They also have determined he is not fully aware of the extent to which the Russian economy is being damaged by economic sanctions imposed by the US and allies. The findings demonstrate a “clear breakdown in the flow of accurate information” to Putin, and show that Putin’s senior advisers are “afraid to tell him the truth,” the official said. Biden notified Zelenskyy about the latest tranche of assistance during a call in which the leaders also reviewed security aid already delivered to Ukraine

and the effects that weaponry has had on the war, according to the White House. Zelesnkyy has pressed the Biden administration and other Western allies to provide Ukraine with military jets, something that the US and other NATO countries have thus far been unwilling to accommodate out of concern it could lead to Russia broadening the war beyond Ukraine’s borders. Prior to Wednesday’s announcement of $500 million in aid, the Biden administration had sent Ukraine about $2 billion in humanitarian and security assistance since the start of the war last month. Congress approved $13.6 billion that Congress approved earlier this month as part of a broader spending bill. Bedingfield said the latest round of financial assistance could be used by the Ukrainian government “to bolster its economy and pay for budgetary expenses” including government salaries and maintaining services. Ukraine’s presidential website says Zelenskyy told Biden: “We need peace, and it will be achieved only when we have a strong position on the battlefield. Our morale is firm, there is enough determination, but we need your immediate support.” Zelenskyy in a Twitter posting said that he also spoke to Biden about new sanctions against Russia. Bedingfield said the administration is looking at options to expand and deepen current sanctions. The new intelligence came after the White House on Tuesday expressed skepticism about Russia’s public announcement that it would dial back operations near Kyiv in an effort to increase trust in ongoing talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Turkey. Russian forces pounded areas around Ukraine’s capital and another city overnight, regional leaders said Wednesday. The Pentagon said Wednesday that over the past 24 hours it had seen some Russian troops in the areas around Kyiv moving north toward or into Belarus. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said in interviews with CNN and Fox Business that the US does not view this as a withdrawal but as an attempt by Russia to resupply, refit and then reposition the troops. Putin has long been seen outside Russia as insular and surrounded by officials who don’t always tell him the truth. US officials have said publicly they believe that limited flow of information—possibly exacerbated by Putin’s heightened isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic—may have given the Russian president unrealistic views of how quickly he could overrun Ukraine. The Biden administration before the war launched an unprecedented effort to publicize what it believed were Putin’s invasion plans, drawing on intelligence findings. While Russia still invaded, the White House was widely credited with drawing attention to Ukraine and pushing initially reluctant allies to back tough sanctions that have hammered the Russian economy. But underscoring the limits of intelligence, the US also underestimated Ukraine’s will to fight before the invasion, said Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, in recent testimony before Congress. AP writers Matthew Lee in Algiers and Lolita C. Baldor contributed reporting.

specifics.” “We know that this is not a withdrawal but the consequences of being driven out,” Zelenskyy said of Russia’s pledge. “But we also are seeing that Russia is now concentrating its forces for new strikes on Donbas, and we are preparing for this.” Zelenskyy also said he had recalled Ukraine’s ambassadors to Georgia and Morocco, suggesting they had not done enough to persuade those countries to support Ukraine and punish Russia for the invasion. “With all due respect, if there won’t be weapons, won’t be sanctions, won’t be restrictions for Russian business, then please look for other work,” he said. At a round of talks held Tuesday in Istanbul, the faint outlines of a possible peace agreement seemed to emerge when the Ukrainian delegation offered a framework under which the country would declare itself neutral—dropping its bid to join Nato, as Moscow has long demanded—in return for security guarantees from a group of other nations. Top Russian officials responded positively, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying Wednesday that Ukraine’s willingness to accept neutrality and look outside Nato

for security represents “significant progress,” according to Russian news agencies. But skepticism of statements from Russia by Zelenskyy and others seemed well founded. Oleksandr Pavliuk, head of the Kyiv region military administration, said Russian shells targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure in the Bucha, Brovary and Vyshhorod regions around the capital. Ru ssi a n Defen se M i n i st r y spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the military also targeted fuel depots in two towns in central Ukraine with air-launched long-range cruise missiles. And Russian forces hit a Ukrainian special forces headquarters in the southern Mykolaiv region, he said, and two ammunition depots in the Donetsk region, which is part of the Donbas. In southern Ukraine, a Russian missile destroyed a fuel depot in Dnipro, the country’s fourth-largest city, regional officials said. The US said that over the last 24 hours, Russia had begun to reposition less than 20 percent of its troops that had been arrayed around Kyiv. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that troops from there

and some other zones have started moving largely to the north, and some have gone into Belarus. Kirby said it appears Russia intends to resupply them and send them back into Ukraine, but it is not clear where. The Ukrainian military said some Russian airborne units were recorded in neighboring Belarus and were believed to have withdrawn from Ukraine. In northern Ukraine, Russian forces took no offensive actions Wednesday, focusing on reconnaissance and logistics, the general staff said in a statement. But Russia is expected to increase attacks soon on Ukrainian forces to protect its own troops as they are repositioned, it said. The Russians also are expected to try to blockade Chernihiv. Top Russian military officials have said in recent days that their main goal now is the “liberation” of Donbas, the predominantly Russian-speaking industrial heartland where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014. Western officials say Moscow is reinforcing its troops in the Donbas. Some analysts have suggested that the focus on the Donbas and the pledge to de-escalate may merely

be an effort to put a positive spin on reality: Moscow’s ground forces have been thwarted—and have taken heavy losses—in their bid to seize the capital and other cities. Meanwhile, a missile destroyed part of an apartment block in the rebel-controlled city of Donetsk early Wednesday, and two people were reported killed. Separatists blamed Ukrainian forces for the attack. “I was just sitting on the couch and—bang!—the window glass popped, the frames came off. I didn’t even understand what happened,” said resident Anna Gorda. The UN food aid agency said it is providing emergency assistance to 1 million people in Ukraine. It said the food includes 330,000 freshly baked loaves of bread for families in the heavily bombarded eastern city of Kharkiv. “Children are suffering, and our city, and everything,” Tetyana Parmynska, a 28-year-old from the Chernihiv region now at a refugee center in Poland, said as man played songs on a battered piano decorated with a peace emblem. “We have no strength anymore.” Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.

A10 Friday, April 1, 2022 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

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editorial

Can PHL survive a global food crisis?

larm bells are ringing all over the world: More than the adverse effects of Covid on global food supply, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may lead to worldwide food shortages. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has warned that “the world is facing a potential food crisis, with soaring prices and millions in danger of severe hunger, as the war in Ukraine threatens supplies of key staple crops.” Global food prices reached an all-time high in February, led by a surge in vegetable oils and dairy products, to post a 20.1 percent increase year-on-year, according to the FAO. “Concerns over crop conditions and adequate export availabilities explain only a part of the current global food price increases. A much bigger push for food price inflation comes from outside food production, particularly the energy, fertilizer and feed sectors,” said FAO economist Upali Galketi Aratchilage. “All these factors tend to squeeze profit margins of food producers, discouraging them from investing and expanding production.” Cooking oil shortages have been worsening since last year. Malaysia, the world’s number two palm oil producer, saw declining output due to labor shortage problems. Then drought decimated the canola crop in Canada and slashed the soybean harvests in Brazil and Argentina. Importers were counting on filling in with sunflower oil from Ukraine and Russia, which together make up about 75 percent of the world’s exports. But the war ended that possibility. The Syngenta Group, a global leader in agricultural science and innovation, recently said the combination of soaring food prices, fertilizer shortages and a potential loss of production due to the war in Ukraine all pose serious threats to global food security. It said a looming food crisis would mostly affect about 400 million people who depend on Russia and Ukraine for food, as both countries play significant roles within the global food supply chain. From Bloomberg: “The UN food chief warned Tuesday the war in Ukraine has created “a catastrophe on top of a catastrophe” and will have a global impact “beyond anything we’ve seen since World War II” because many of the Ukrainian farmers who produce a significant amount of the world’s wheat are now fighting Russians. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told the U.N. Security Council that already high food prices are skyrocketing. Ukraine and Russia produce 30 percent of the world’s wheat supply, 20 percent of its corn and 75 percent to 80 percent of the sunflower seed oil. The World Food Program buys 50 percent of its grain from Ukraine, he said.” US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that “President Putin’s war of choice” is responsible for damaging global food security. “Russia has bombed at least three civilian ships carrying goods from Black Sea ports to the rest of the world, including one chartered by an agribusiness company,” she said. “The Russian navy is blocking access to Ukraine’s ports, essentially cutting off exports of grain. They are reportedly preventing approximately 94 ships carrying food for the world market from reaching the Mediterranean,” Sherman said, adding that many shipping companies are hesitating to send vessels into the Black Sea, even to Russian ports. Is the Philippines ready to confront a worsening global food crisis? The answer is yes, but we need to educate our people. For example, reducing our food waste alone will go a long way. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology said that nationwide, about 1,717 metric tons of food is wasted every day. Likewise, the International Rice Research Institute said P23 million worth of rice is wasted daily, enough to feed 4.3 million individuals. There are other things we can do to avoid drowning in famine, like starting community-based food systems (remember the community pantries at the height of the pandemic?), establishing vegetable gardens in the metropolis and helping our farmers increase production.

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Better Days

mong the many economic sectors affected by the pandemic, Philippine tourism was hit the hardest. International Labour Organization (ILO) Asia-Pacific Regional Director Chihoko-Asada Miyakawa described the impact of the global health crisis on the industry as “nothing short of catastrophic” with some 1.4 million tourism-related jobs in the country. In 2020, revenue losses peaked at P1.54 trillion according to Department of Tourism (DOT), with arrivals dropping to less than 2 million in the same year or four times less than the 2019 figure of 8.2 million. It was not just the pandemic that wreaked havoc on this industry however. Earlier this year, Deutsche Welle posted an article documenting how tourism-dependent areas of the country were barely surviving from the double damage caused by the pandemic and by extreme weather disturbances like Typhoon Odette. Among the people interviewed was Jofelle Tesorio, a Palawan-based owner of tourist cottages, who said that their family’s income decreased by 80 percent due to the limited operations—leaving barely enough money to buy necessities and keep their small business running. Another was Melot Abejo, a resort and spa owner in Siargao, who lamented how Typhoon Odette dragged the island’s recovery “back to zero.” Abejo emphasized that the focus should be rebuilding from the “precarious

financial position” of tourist enterprises as they have lost a lot in the past few years. The tourism industry in neighboring countries experienced something similar. Brunei lost two out of five tourism jobs in 2020, while Vietnam saw its tourism workers shift to informal work that pay less. The Asian Development Bank noted how international arrivals in Asia and the Pacific were 95 percent lower in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic period as the region reeled from the pandemic’s effects. Thankfully, we are now seeing countries, such as Indonesia, slowly reopening their borders by expanding quarantine-free travel beyond tourist destinations. Or Thailand, which removed some documentary requirements for visitor arrivals. Then there are countries like Singa-

pore, who on top of relaxing restrictions, have granted wage support lasting three months to workers in the tourism and aviation industry. There are others, such as South Korea, who established a separate fund altogether to support tourism companies through non-collateral financing. Our own government has already followed suit and lifted last month a 2-year ban on foreign travelers. This move has allowed some 212,000 visitors to travel into the country— leading to a 130-percent increase in passenger arrivals compared to the same period last year. It should be noted that the Bayanihan 2 law which we sponsored and was enacted in September 2020 included an equity infusion to the Small Business Corp. (SBCorp) for the provision of low-interest loans intended to keep tourism businesses afloat. However, of the P4 billion set aside for the said purpose under Bayanihan 2, only P278 million worth of loans to the tourism sector have been approved and another P524 million are “in the pipeline for processing” according to SBCorp as of end-February 2022. The low uptake is understandable because industry players throughout the pandemic were rightly wary of availing themselves of more loans, especially in the face of diminished consumer demand and an unsure, anxious-ridden environment. But with improving vaccination rates and declining Covid cases, this largely untapped loan facility could really jumpstart tourism’s revival

and help the industry prepare for an even greater influx of visitors in the coming months. As it is, there are positive signs already. Recently, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat disclosed that the arrivals for this time of the year are higher than expected. Traditionally, the annual influx of visitors would not start until the middle of April. In addition, Manila is set to host the 21st Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council beginning April 20. Hundreds of tourism executives are set to attend. This could be the venue where the country can showcase its efforts towards reopening the tourism industry. The sector’s revival after its two-year slump will go a long way towards uplifting the lives of many of our people, restoring revenue streams of local government units, and reviving the economy as a whole. All agencies, particularly the SBCorp and the DOT, should reach out to operators who need assistance so that their operations can return back to normal as soon as possible. With Philippine tourism slowly picking up, it is only proper that all are aboard towards ensuring that the sector is well equipped to accommodate the upcoming spike in demand. Senator Sonny Angara has been in public service for 15 years—9 years as Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, and 6 as Senator. He has authored and sponsored more than 250 laws. He is currently serving his second term in the Senate. E-mail: sensonnyangara@yahoo.com| Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @sonnyangara

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EAGLE WATCH

he sudden shift of support of the Partido Reporma under Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez to Leni Robredo’s campaign exposed the good and bad features of the multiparty structure in Philippine politics. Consider the following good aspects. First, Alvarez’s declaration to side with Robredo is reminiscent of Europe where elections are won through political alliances. While Philippine systems differ, the same multiparty structure has been adopted. Allowing more political realignments offers more opportunities for people and parties to contribute to electoral outcomes and social change. Hence, if political victory occurs, this cannot be attributed to the dominance of a single party nor a single person. Encouraging more political alliances

can diffuse the highly personalized and centralized nature of our political system. Second, this shift of allegiances occurred during the course of elections—a welcome exception rather than the rule. While political mergers obviously happen in the Philippines, these are often accomplished after elections. The transparency displayed in events last week allows people the chance to consider the implications of mergers and helps them decide. In 2016, for instance,

the public did not know that the Marcos family supported Rodrigo Duterte’s candidacy. This seemed surprising, especially because Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. was running for the vice presidency under another party. It was only later when Ferdinand Sr. was surreptitiously buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani—against many people’s wishes—that the public knew about this “conspiracy.” Third, the formation of political alliances will create the basis for a majority president, as seen in today’s Marcos-Duterte tandem. After the dictatorship, the Philippines only had plurality presidencies. From our experience, presidencies of this kind can be region-biased and exclude minorities. More importantly, the administration ends up being populist in nature, as a popular candidate— one who addresses the concerns of a limited group—is all that is needed to win the presidency. If more alliances are forged, similar to last week’s events, the chances of having a majority president who can design a broader and more comprehensive

program of government would rise. Now, what about the bad side? First, Alvarez said that his realignment was not about qualifications but about winnability. This suggests that the move is based on personal or, at most, party interest, rather than on principles and programs for the country. The inertia of personality politics remains. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this rationale, the Partido Reporma under Alvarez will need to conform with Robredo’s principled campaign. Otherwise, a reversal of the alliance should be allowed. Second, coalitions are transactional in nature. While both parties deny any “quid pro quo” arrangement, the stakes are too high to waste this opportunity. Again, there is nothing wrong in having a transaction, as long as the arrangements are transparent. At the minimum, Robredo’s party needs to explain how this merger fits into her program of trust. They owe their supporters a statement reconciling the party’s See “Eagle Watch,” A11

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We need a president who will fight a bully

Writing the war of the poor (After the parable of Eric Vuillard)

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TELLTALES

he invasion of Ukraine demonstrates that there are rogue states like Russia, which create tensions in the world. These rogue states are considered threats to world peace and regarded as very dangerous to many nations. Under this definition, such countries may include North Korea, Iran, Syria, Iraq and lately, Russia. In Southeast Asia and in the East, judging from its behavior in the South China Sea (SCS) or West Philippine Sea, we may regard China as a rogue country. China, indisputably the military and economic power in the Asia-Pacific region, has been acting like a bully to its small and powerless neighbors. It’s been throwing its weight and size around to impose its devious intentions. China makes no bones of the fact that it wants to establish control over the South China Sea so that it will have sovereignty over the disputed islands and dictate the rules of navigation in the area. Trillion dollars worth of trade and commerce and oil pass through the contested sea-lane every year, not to mention the vast marine and mineral resources deposited in its water and seabed. There are substantial oil and gas reserves underneath its waters, enough to ignite a conflagration among its claimants. One potential flash point that may trigger a shooting war between the Philippines and China is the conflicting claims over Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, a traditional rich fishing ground for Filipino fishermen. Not too long ago, the Philippine government sent a patrol ship in the area to assert our control over the place but China intercepted it and maneuvered closely to our vessel to obstruct its passage. Following the near skirmish, China warned the Philippines against “interference” with its own patrols of the area. The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that “China has sovereignty over Huangyan Dao (the Chinese name for Panatag Shoal) and its adjacent waters, as well as sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters.” The Chinese spokesman admonished the Philippines to “earnestly respect China’s sovereignty and rights and interests, abide by China’s domestic law and international law, and avoid interfering with the patrol and enforcement of the China Coast Guard in the above-mentioned (Panatag Shoal) waters.” Oddly, China had the temerity to issue such a warning despite the ruling of the International Arbitral Tribunal in 2016, which recognized that the disputed area belongs to the Philippines. China continues to reject the ruling and blatantly disregards international pressure to respect the decision. Filipino fisher folk who belonged to PAMALAKAYA defiantly declared that “Beijing has no right to dictate who can stay and who will be ejected from the seas that they have no legal and political claim.” China has unceasingly harassed our fishermen from fishing in our own waters. This incident was not the first reported close encounter between the patrol boats of the two countries. China’s encroachment is a clear violation of international law as it may result in collision at sea. Last year, several hundreds of Chinese vessels occupied the Spratlys for several months. It was also reported that in November 2021, Chinese coast guard vessels water-cannoned Philippine boats that were bringing supplies to BRP Sierra Madre, a military outpost docked at Ayungin Shoal. There were many reported instances when Chinese naval crafts prevented and drove away Filipino fishing boats from their traditional fishing grounds within the Philippine territory. The most blatant display of naked power was when China seized Scarborough Shoal from us in 2012 through the use of military force. It was an arrogant show of might over right. China should be reminded that its newly found status as a global power comes with great responsibility. If it wants to become

the leading player in the new world order, particularly in the East where it has become the acknowledged superpower, it must show respect to the members of the world community. It must observe comity among nations and follow international laws. It cannot arbitrarily set its own rules and trample the rights of other countries. China’s arrival as the dominant military and economic power in the world, instead of instilling inspiration to its fellow Asians, has been greeted with suspicion and serious concerns among its neighbors with the sole exception of North Korea. China has not hesitated to use its might and money to pressure individual states to yield to its demands. For instance, China, in the case of Taiwan, has repeatedly committed incursions on the tiny island’s airspace and bullied the country militarily. Following Ukraine’s attack by Russia, there is a genuine fear among the Taiwanese that China may be harboring plans to invade their country. If that occurs, what will stop China from resolving the SCS conflict by force, instead of resolving it through peaceful means? That may draw us to a war that we cannot win unless our allies, particularly the US, come to our succor. Despite its preoccupation with the war in Ukraine, the US maintains that it remains focused on its Asia-Pacific agenda to foil the looming threat of China’s hegemony in the region. During his talk with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore during the latter’s visit to the White House, President Joe Biden assured Singapore and Southeast Asia that the US shall be undistracted by the Ukraine war and shall forge ahead to pursue its Asia-Pacific strategy to counter the increasing military and economic clout of China in the region. We need the US presence to deter the growing China threat, which has destabilized the security in the SCS. All claimants of the disputed Spratly Islands should form a military coalition with friendly countries like the US, Western Europe, Japan and Australia to frustrate China’s ambition to control the SCS. It will not necessarily be an AseanNATO but more of a mutual defense pact where coalition countries will come to the aid of each other in case a member is attacked by an enemy force. It is to everyone’s interest to keep SCS open and free for navigation. The freedom of passage and unimpeded flow of trade and commerce in this vital sea lane are critical to the economy of the world. This is a critical moment in our history with Russia invading its neighbor, China threatening Taiwan and its Southeast Asian neighbors, and North Korea provocatively engaging in saber rattling. We need a leader who will not yield to foreign domination and protect our national interests and territorial integrity. We want a president who will oppose any rogue state that perpetuates aggression and tyranny against another state. This coming election, let’s not elect a Manchurian candidate who will be a puppet of a foreign master. That will be a national tragedy of catastrophic proportion!

annotations

N any war that rages, the poor is at the core of the conflict, or at the end of it, or muddled at the periphery. In footnotes or through prologues and epilogues, there is this amorphous class, inchoate in the minds of educators and theologians. Undeveloped.

The poor, we have to educate them. They are part of what has been deemed the “vicious cycle” of being born poor. They miss schools, the training of the mind, and they die poor. It goes around until we cut the circle and insert learning. Then and there the vice in that form is annihilated and the poor man becomes educated. In Paulo Freire, this is turned around: we should educate ourselves to teach the poor. Pioneering critical and enlightened pedagogy, Freire said a lot. One idea of which pointed to “Leaders who do not act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people—they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated: they oppress.” He speaks of the radical person not in the sense of a destructive entity but one who constructs a link because the “more radical the person is, the more fully he or she enters into reality so that, knowing it better, he or she can transform it. This individual is not afraid to confront, to listen, to see the world unveiled. This person is not afraid to meet the people or to enter into a dialogue with them. This person does not consider himself or herself the proprietor of history or of all people, or the liberator of the oppressed; but he or she does commit himself or herself, within history, to fight at their side.” At the endpoint of this dialogue is always the poor. Exploited and manipulated, who are they? Where are they? An old paper based on a fieldwork

he conducted in Central Luzon, Benedict J. Kerkvliet outlines not three or five but eleven levels of socioeconomic classes in that town. How did he reach this social landscape? He examines the stratification of people in that society according to occupation, income, lifestyle, prestige, and relationship to the means to the production. Without belaboring the details of the class distinctions, the study creatively identifies a class marked by hand-to-mouth existence, deriving the quality of life on that level to the expression “isang kahig, isang tuka.” The conspicuous chicken has given us a most appropriate term for “subsistence economy.” Imbued with human agency that society uses against them, the poor in our midst remain as identities waiting to be defined, concepts eluding understanding. Or twist that again, the moral ought is for the poor themselves to discover with their agency to clarify and harness those thoughts that can push them to march against the beat, which have always been ordained and ordered by the privileged few. How much of the poor in our country owes to history? There is a parable contained in a

Friday, April 1, 2022 A11

book written by Eric Vuillard and it speaks about a different poor. The book, which reconstructs for popular imagination the sixteenth century revolt in Europe, begins with personalities that successfully were able to urge the peasant to rise against lords and bishops. The experience is different from what our country had gone through but rendered through provocative plots, there is much to learn from the work. In all the revolutions put up, there always are two structures bannering for the status quo: the churches and the castles. Daniel Markovits, author of The Meritocracy Trap, lets out the incendiary observation of this “brilliant parable of the burning rage that extreme inequality calls forth in the

poor, and the terrified cruelty that the rich mete out in reply.” The parable follows the life of Müntzer, a poor man whose father was hanged. Müntzer nevertheless

grew into a passionate preacher: “And this is what he preached to the poor weavers, and miners, to their wives, to the destitute…He quoted the Gospels and added exclamation points. And they listened to him. And passions began to stir, for those weavers knew full well that if you pulled at a thread the whole tapestry would unravel; the miners knew that if you dug enough, the whole tunnel would collapse.” Then the poor realized “why the God of the poor was so strangely on the side of the rich, always with the rich.” But Müntzer was not alone; there were other preachers and leaders. One had “the most terrifying idea of all, he preached the equality of all human beings.” They also had the most terrifying idea of translating the Bible, the mystery of which were used by the bishops with the ruling elite to dominate the peasants. Then Müntzer raged on and on. Nothing can be settled amicably. Quoting the Bible, he read passages that brought back the horrid memories of kingdoms being destroyed. Then to the Princes, he said: The sword will be taken from them and given to the wrathful. So you see, the passionate preacher did not just talk to the peasants but also to the Princes as well. Impatient, Müntzer reached the point where he began telling everyone: “The time has come summer is knocking at our doors. Do not keep friendship with the ungodly who prevent the Word from exercising its full force. Do not flatter your princes in order that you may not perish with them. You tender, bookish scholars, do not be wroth [angry], for it is impossible for me to speak otherwise.” This May, the People and the Poor will be able to translate the words. And summer will be here. E-mail: titovaliente@yahoo.com

End of Covid may bring major turbulence for US health care

Medical churn

a longer off-ramp. Transitions don’t bode well for the complex US health-care system, with its mix of private and government insurance and its labyrinth of policies and procedures. Health-care chaos, if it breaks out, could create midterm election headaches for Democrats and Republicans alike. “The flexibilities granted through the public health emergency have helped people stay covered and get access to care, so moving forward the key question is how to build on what has been a success and not lose ground,” said Juliette Cubanski, a Medicare expert with the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation, who has been researching potential consequences of winding down the pandemic emergency.

Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for low-income people, is covering about 79 million people, a record partly due to the pandemic. But the nonpartisan Urban Institute think tank estimates that about 15 million people could lose Medicaid when the public health emergency ends, at a rate of at least 1 million per month. Congress increased federal Medicaid payments to states because of Covid-19, but it also required states to keep people on the rolls during the health emergency. In normal times states routinely disenroll Medicaid recipients whose incomes rise beyond certain levels, or for other life changes affecting eligibility. That process will switch on again when the emergency ends, and some states are eager to move forward. Virtually all of those losing Medicaid are expected to be eligible for some other source of coverage, either through employers, the Affordable Care Act or—for kids—the Children’s Health Insurance Program. But that’s not going to happen

automatically, said Matthew Buettgens, lead researcher on the Urban Institute study. Cost and lack of awareness about options could get in the way. People dropped from Medicaid may not realize they can pick up taxpayer-subsidized ACA coverage. Medicaid is usually free, so people offered workplace insurance could find the premiums too high. “This is an unprecedented situation,” said Buettgens. “The uncertainty is real.” The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, is advising states to take it slow and connect Medicaid recipients who are disenrolled with other potential coverage. The agency will keep an eye on states’ accuracy in making eligibility decisions. Biden officials want coverage shifts, not losses. “We are focused making sure we hold on to the gains in coverage we have made under the Biden-Harris administration,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “We are at the strongest point in our history and we are going make sure that we hold on to the coverage gains.”

institutional forms preceding it. One of the challenges faced by the parties of an alliance is balancing their pursuit of a common agenda with the maintenance of distinct institutions, including related mechanisms of participation and accountability. Otherwise, without supporting innovation and mutual benefits, the coalition remains shallow and is unlikely to persist because it is merely based on convenience. As election approaches, more alliances should be considered. However, as Jonathan White indicates in his article, “The Ethics of Political

Alliance,” a political alliance must be intrinsically desirable, not just instrumentally useful. The aim is, precisely, to ensure that the coalition succeeds in its electoral goal. However, even if it fails, the coalition recognizes reasons for cooperation that should hold, regardless of whether it serves electoral success. No party has a monopoly of wisdom, and the formation of a cooperation produces a more enlightened perspective, forming secondary ties that improve on the primary commitments of the party. A good example is the Partido

Lakas ng Masa of Ka Leody de Guzman, whose opposition to the rice tariffication law can be seen as propoor and noble. However, it is also flawed because the law is intended to benefit the consumers, including farmers and industrial workers. An alliance across parties should result in a more effective program that improves the welfare of everyone, not just the workers or the farmers, and especially not the political dynasties.

By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar | The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—When the end of the Covid-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome US health-care system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary emergency measures. Winding down those policies could begin as early as the summer. That could force an estimated 15 million Medicaid recipients to find new sources of coverage, require congressional action to preserve broad telehealth access for Medicare enrollees, and scramble special Covid-19 rules and payment policies for hospitals, doctors and insurers. There are also questions about how emergency use approvals for Covid-19 treatments will be handled. The array of issues is tied to the coronavirus public health emergency first declared more than two years ago and periodically renewed since then. It’s set to end April 16 and the expectation is that the Biden administration will extend it through mid-July. Some would like

Eagle Watch. . . continued from A10

principles and programs with those of Partido Reporma. Third, coalitions should involve a synthesis of the values and processes of each party, not the diminution of another party. As a cooperation of existing units that is intended to preserve these parties intact, an alliance involves a plurality of decision-making procedures. While new ones may be introduced to govern the alliance, these should strengthen whatever

Dr. Leonardo A. Lanzona, Jr. is Professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University.

A12 Friday, April 1, 2022

CJ TO COURTS: GIVE PRIORITY TO CASES OF WOMEN, KIDS By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HIEF Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said on Thursday that trial court judges have been directed to prioritize cases involving domestic violence against women and children that have risen during the Covid-19 pandemic. In his keynote message during the launching of the “HerStory: Gender Award of Distinction held at the Manila Hotel, CJ Gesmundo noted that the pandemic has brought numerous problems affecting women, including those in the judiciary. He noted that statistics would show the “disturbing” spike in recorded incidents of domestic violence against women and children, prompting the Court to issue a directive for judges to prioritize the resolution of these cases including the issuance of urgent reliefs such as temporary protection orders (TPOs), permanent protection orders (PPOs), and writ of habeas corpus, and to hear and resolve them with swiftly and effectively. “We shall continue to train our judges to handle these cases with utmost sensitivity, but always with fairness and impartiality,” Gesmundo said. He added that female officials and personnel of the court, including women justices and judges have had to bear the increased burden of working from home while tending to their children at the same time due to quarantine restrictions and lockdowns during the pandemic. In light of this, Gesmundo said he is pro-

posing the establishment of child-minding centers in courts to ease the dual burden on female court officials and employees. “We are all too familiar with stories of women multi-tasking with an open zoom meeting while cooking or tending to their children at the same time. Their quality of life has been greatly diluted,” the Chief Justice observed. He also lamented that cases involving mental issues rose during the pandemic. “Recently, we lost one of our judges who suffered from post-partum depression. To say it is tragic does not approximate the loss experienced by her family and the community she served, nor the loss of our institution,” the chief magistrate stressed. To address this problem, Gesmundo said the Court would be setting up mental health units in judicial regions across the country. “The mental health of our officials and employees, our justices and judges, had been largely neglected in the past. Not anymore,” he assured. HerStory: Gender Award of Distinction is a search for distinctive stories of women judges that illustrate gender-based challenges they have experienced in relation to their roles as jurists. The finalists will be featured through a write-up circulated to all courts to serve as an inspiration for others who face the same issues. From the finalists, three winners will be chosen and will be awarded the HerStory: Gender Award of Distinction for 2022. The launch coincided with the celebration of Women’s Month.

SB Corp. starts processing ₧4-B window for MSMEs

By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

HE government will open a P4billion assistance program for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in April, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.) has started the prequalification process and urged MSMEs to submit their application as

early as now if they want to avail themselves of the assistance. “For those who are interested to avail of the assistance program, we urge them to visit

the SB Corp. website so they can start the prequalification process,” Castelo told reporters in a televised news briefing last Thursday. Under Bayanihan 2, the government has set aside P8 billion for the loan assistance program for MSMEs. Of the amount, P4 billion went to the DTI while P4 billion was set aside for the Department of Tourism. Castelo also said the government is prepared to assist MSMEs affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano. She said the government will provide livelihood kits to affected small businesses. She said there are 487 families who are in evacuation centers in Laurel and 375 families in evacuation centers in Agoncillo Town in Batangas. The DTI, Castelo said, is looking at the possibility of providing grants through

the Livelihood Seeding Program dubbed ‘Negosyo sa Barangay.’ “But there are families, there are small enterprises, businesses, fishermen on Taal [lake] and the sari-sari stores, these are the ones affected. We also have an account of the number of families who are affected,” Castelo said. The Bayanihan CARES is an interest-free and collateralfree financing program that aims to assist MSMEs recover from the adverse effects of the pandemic. T he MSMEs that have been operating for one year may apply for a loan amount of at least P10,000 to P5 million. They may also enjoy a f lexible pay ment scheme wherein they will be provided with a grace period of up to 12 months, with no collateral required, plus zero interest.

PHL ‘safe’ for tourists, DOT Davao City chief says after recent deaths steps up By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo

@akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror

HE Philippines is still a relatively safe destination for travel, as government agencies have partnered to further beef up security for tourists. Tou r ism Sec ret a r y Ber nadette Romulo Puyat told the BusinessMirror, “We’ve relied on local governments and tied up with the PNP (Philippine National Police) to keep our tourists safe.” She noted that the two recent deaths in a hotel on Boracay Island involving two tourists—an Australian national and her Filipino boyfriend—were an “isolated case.” After a forensic investigation, the Malay Police Station concluded that it was a “homicide and murder.” The Department of Tourism (DOT) has a current partnership with the PNP for the training of police personnel specifically in the assistance of tourists under the TourismOriented Police for the Community Order and Protection (TopCop) program. TopCop was established in 2011 and has trained 5,457 tourist police and put up 365 Tourist Police Assistance Centers (TPAC) in strategic locations across the country. On March 14, the DOT also forged an agreement with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the PNP to beef up security in tourists destinations nationwide under the program, Tourism Operation Protection Against Illegal Drugs (TOP-AID).

Deterring drug trafficking

“WE welcome this latest collaboration with our country’s police force and drug enforcement agency with the aim of deterring the trafficking of dangerous drugs in tourist destinations, and the protection of our tourists,” said Romulo Puyat in a news statement. Under the new partnership, the DOT will identify key destinations where the PDEA’s assistance is most needed. PDEA has agreed to assign personnel to the TOP-AID centers in these tourist destinations. These centers will also lead an information drive on creating a “Drug Free Workplace,” while assisting in drugclearing operations, including arresting persons engaged in illegal drug activities in coordination with

the PNP and concerned local government units. On March 28, the US State Department downgraded its travel advisory to the Philippines to a Level 3, advising its citizens not to travel to the Sulu archipego “due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping;” to Marawi City “due to terrorism and civil unrest;” and to reconsider travel to other areas in Mindanao due to “crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.” The agency added that the Philippines has a “moderate level of Covid-19.”

checks vs bird flu

Probe of Boracay tourists’ deaths

MEANWHILE, the Malay Municipal Police station reported on March 28, 2022 that one Maria Cecilia Jollicoe y Salvatierra, a tourist from Australia, died after being strangled. She also suffered a “traumatic head injury” after hitting the floor “with enough force to be fatal or initially render the victim unconscious and immobile, hence no signs of struggle from the victim…” The other fatality, one Dennis Yu y Villaluz, died from “hypovolemic shock secondary to multiple incise wounds to the lower extremities…. Clearly wound placement and characteristics show that the wounds were deliberate and precise.” The slashes, caused by cutter blades, “severed major arteries and the Achilles heel tendons…” causing him to lose a vast amount of blood. As there were no witnesses to the crime, the investigator posited that the two had probably fought on March 19, 2022, and that Yu could have knocked her to the floor, then strangled her. Realizing what he had done, Yu “felt guilty and remorseful” and unable to face the expected legal consequences of his action, decided to take his own life, explained the investigator. The two bodies were found past 1 pm on March 21, or two days after the violent incident was supposed to have occurred. Initial investigation by the police showed the two tourists arrived on Boracay on March 13, and were supposed to check out on March 21. Hotel staff found the bodies after they looked in on the couple to remind them of their checkout.

PINILI

AVAO CITY—Checkpoints against transport of chicken and other fowls have been stepped up to guard against the entry of the bird flu, currently affecting some poultry farms in Luzon. Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, head of the City Veterinarian’s Office said surveillance was focused on Talomo and Tugbok areas where many commercial poultry farms are located. Checkpoints were placed at entry points from North Cotabato to this city in Toril and in Arakan- Dalaglumot, Marilog boundary, and in Buda and MarilogareaswherenorthernMindanao connects with the city. “There are other areas connecting North Cotabato and Marilog so we placed a checkpoint between Arakan and Dalaglumot, Marilog, also in the Arakan boundaryandMagsaysay,Marilog.These are additional checkpoints to monitor the entry of live birds in Davao City. We checkiftheyhavecompletedocumentary requirements,” Pinili said. A stricter measure was raised against entry of poultry products from Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, the nearest avian flu-hit area. P i n i l i sa id a memora ndu m circular issued by the Department of Agriculture banned the entry for 30 days of poultry from avian fluaffected areas in Luzon to Mindanao. She said the entry of poultry from regions free from avian flu is allowed provided that documentary requirements are complied with. So far, the city remained free from bird flu based on initial monitoring and sampling from some poultry farms. Manuel T. Cayon

Companies BusinessMirror

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

Friday, April 1, 2022

AllHome gets boost from PHL’s reopening

By VG Cabuag

@villygc

llHome Corp., the listed retail arm of the Villar Group, on Thursday said its net income last year rose 46 percent to P1.44 billion from the previous year’s P988 million due to the continuous reopening of the Philippine economy. Revenues rose 15 percent to P14.32 billion from last year’s P12.41 billion, the company said. “AllHome’s performance in 2021 is a full display of our core advantages as we navi-

Cebu Pacific expands partnership with AXA

udget carrier Cebu Pacific has expanded its partnership with insurance provider AXA Philippines to introduce Piso Protect, an affordable personal accident micro insurance. Piso Protect policyholders are entitled to the following benefits: disablement coverage of up to P250,000, daily hospitalization coverage of P1,000 per day for a maximum of P5,000, and a surgical cash benefit of P5,000. Flight purchase is not required to avail of Piso Protect. Interested individuals may purchase the micro insurance product for as low as P1 per day via Cebu Pacific’s website. “It has been our commitment to keep passengers’ safety and peace of mind our priority, and we are delighted to offer something relevant, valuable, and affordable, addressing needs that cover beyond travel,” said Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific VP for Marketing and Customer Experience. For his part, AXA Philippines Chief Customer Officer Nandy Villar said the new offering comes at a critical time when the world is gradually transitioning to normalcy. “We are happy to continue our partnership with Cebu Pacific to offer affordable, high-value personal accident insurance that can help provide extra financial protection for all,” he said. Cebu Pacific and AXA have been developing non-travel micro insurance products since 2020. Cebu Air Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, reported a P24.9-billion net loss in 2021 still due to the adverse effect of the pandemic in the global and local travel market. In a statement, the carrier said it booked P15.7 billion in revenues, which is 30 percent lower than the year prior, as its passenger operations continued to suffer due to the low demand for air travel in 2021. Lorenz S. Marasigan

gated through the many challenges of the pandemic. As this global challenge draws to a close, we view 2022 with optimism. All signs point to an increased pace of economic recovery throughout the country, and this

bodes well for AllHome”, company chairman Manuel B. Villar Jr. said. The company said it is employing a number of initiatives to improve gross profit margins, which increased to 35 percent of revenues last year, from 31.6 percent in 2020. Its initiatives include strategic pricing, conversion of select concession merchandise to outright and increasing in-house brands sales contribution all served to contribute to the marked improvement. AllHome said it deployed operational efficiency programs to optimize store formats to allow additional store warehousing and dedicated fulfillment and logistics areas for e-commerce fulfillment as many of its customers prefer shopping online. As of December 2021, e-commerce revenue for AllHome accounted for 11 percent of total revenue.

Meralco to put up ₧140-M substation in Laguna By Lenie Lectura @llectura

HE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is putting up a substation worth P140 million to ensure that the country’s largest hyperscale data center will have reliable and high-quality electricity service. The substation will be built on the site of Vitro Santa Rosa, the 11th hyperscale data center of the PLDT Group. It is currently being constructed on a 5-hectare property in Laguna. “The new Meralco substation is designed to support the distinct power requirements of the Vitro data center through the delivery of safe, adequate, reliable, and high-quality electricity service, consistent with our commitment to our 7.4 million customers,” Meralco Senior Vice President and Head of Networks Ronnie L. Aperocho said. The Meralco official said the substation will cost “around P140 million” and could be finished by June next year. The project, Aperocho added, still needs the green light of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Meralco said in a statement that the substation will serve the power requirements of the hyperscale data center and will have the capability to scale up and address the growing power demand of the facility over time through the installation of additional power banks. This substation design will also provide resilient and flexible power to the data center, ensuring service continuity that goes beyond the standard requirements of the TIA-942 Rated-3 coverage.

“In a developing country like the Philippines, innovations become imperative to support and spur development,” Aperocho said. “Meralco is honored to be part of this groundbreaking milestone of the PLDT Group, enabling more innovations to provide topnotch service to its clients.” Meralco President Ray C. Espinosa said Meralco also commits to support PLDT’s thrust to utilize renewable energy (RE) and energy efficient technologies to make the data center operations truly sustainable. “This is also timely as Meralco has already started shifting towards delivering clean energy to our customers beginning with our commitment to source 1,500 MW [megawatts] of our power requirements in the next five years from renewables and to build 1,500 MW of RE generation capacity by 2027,” Espinosa added. Vitro Santa Rosa is designed to be energy efficient utilizing the latest innovations in cooling and power redundancy. It is Tier-3 certified and Tier-4 ready, and has the highest level of network diversity and resilience with at least three fiber routes from PLDT, augmented by routes from other carriers. “The PLDT Group is one with the nation in building a digitally-advanced Philippines and making our country the next hyperscaler destination in Asia Pacific,” PLDT President Alfredo S. Panlilio said. “With Vitro Santa Rosa, we aim to set the benchmark in infrastructure resilience, operational excellence, global competitiveness, and world-class sustainability.”

Gencars gives Plaque of Appreciation to J&T Express

suzu Gencars presented a Plaque of Appreciation to J&T Express for being one of the company’s valued clients since 2019. Gencars has been providing truck units for the leading express delivery company’s various delivery requirements, as well as reliable maintenance service for the vehicles that they purchased.

Left photo shows Isuzu Gencars Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon (4th from right) presenting the Plaque of Appreciation to Arron Wang, Procurement Director of J&T Express. With them are (l-r) Elenita Go, Isuzu Gencars Sales Executive; Albert Zata, Vice President for Sales and Marketing; Giannina Cabangon, Special Assistant

to the President; Lerma Nacnac, President; and Sharon Tan. In the right photo, J&T Express’ Chief Executive Officer Lei Ding is seen holding the Plaque of Appreciation given by Gencars, together with Arron Wang, Albert Zata, Elenita Go, and Jona Feh Arcon, Assistant Procurement Head of J&T Express.

“2021 saw the creation of our new generation AllHome stores, which carry a smaller footprint and require less capex [capital expenditure] to fit out,” AllHome Vice Chairman Camille Villar said. “With the increasing adoption of online shopping across all consumer channels, AllHome will continue to leverage innovative customer-facing measures and automated digital marketing campaigns to strengthen our omni-channel presence and grow our consumer base.” AllHome said its operational performance last year reflects the country’s steady march towards recovery. Marked improvements were observed in the company’s same store sales growth (SSSG), which rose to 8.1 percent last year from 3.5 percent in the previous year.

Transaction count for AllHome also rose to 3.89 million, an 8 percent increase from the previous 3.6 million. “The results are clear, AllHome’s double digit growth in revenue and net income, compared to both 2020 and pre-pandemic 2019 are indicators of our strength and our continued commitment to both improve and build on the AllHome value proposition as well as deliver value to our stakeholders,” said Benjamarie Therese Serrano, the company’s president. “Our 2021 SSSG and increasing transaction counts for the same period are reflective of customers returning to stores, and we are confident in the strategies we have in place to push towards our 100-store milestone in 2026.”

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Friday, April 1, 2022

‘Luzon power peak demand breaches pre-Covid level’

By Lenie Lectura

@llectura

uzon’s peak demand for power hit 11,617 megawatts (MW) last March 23, surpassing the prepandemic level of 11,307MW in June 2019 and last year’s peak at 11,601MW in June, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) reported Thursday. The operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM)

observed an increasing trend in demand, mainly attributable to

the imposition of Alert Level 1 in Metro Manila last March 1, which was later on followed by the implementation of a less restrictive alert level status in other provinces that took effect last March 16. “So far, the peak demand of the year was recorded on March 23 which amounted to around 13,749MW; thereby, surpassing the peak demand of the previous month which was at 11,985 MW. Likewise, the said value was noted to surpass the peak demand levels of the previous years during the same month and even that of the annual peak demand during the pre-pandemic year 2019,” IEMOP said.

As for Visayas, peak demand in March this year stood at 2,143 MW which also breached the prepandemic levels. However, the increasing demand was accompanied by sufficient supply levels which amounted to around 13,546 MW or 5.41 percent greater than that of February. This is mostly due to the resumption of operations by the power generators that were on outage earlier. Despite the increase in supply, the average margin decreased by 4.04 percent which, in turn, led to a higher average WESM price of P6.97 per kWh in March compared to February’s P6.19/kwh due to increasing demand.

AC Energy inks subscription deal with unit

C Energy Corp. (ACEN) will shell out $140.20 million for the share subscription it inked with its subsidiary, ACEN Renewables International Pte. Ltd. ACEN said Thursday it had signed a subscription agreement with ACEN International for the subscription of 1,402,029 Class E redeemable preferred shares (RPS) with a par value of $100 per share for a total of $140,202,900.00. ACEN International is a Singapore private company limited by shares that has interests in various

renewable energy and development companies and projects in Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Australia, and other countries. ACEN, through wholly owned subsidiary AC Energy International, Inc., is the controlling shareholder of ACEN International. The proceeds will be utilized by ACEN International to finance its projects. The parties must secure regulatory approvals before an additional direct investment in the subsidiary is completed. Meanwhile, ACEN’s retail electricity arm AC Energy Philippines Inc. successfully enrolled its first batch of customers under the government’s Green Energy Option Program (GEOP). GEOP is one of the various programs under the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 which aims to promote the development of renewable energy in the country, with the regulatory framework being prioritized by the Department of Energy as a harmonized approach of the public and private sectors in pursuit of

the 35 percent by 2030 target. Targeting customers with an average peak demand of at least 100 kilowatts for the past year, ACEN, as a government-accredited renewable energy supplier, will provide customers with 100 percent renewable energy sourced from its portfolio of operating solar and geothermal plants in the Philippines. “We are proud to launch this

program for our first customers, and also for the country, as it signals our country’s pivot to renewable energy,” said Miguel de Jesus, ACEN Executive Director and Head of Commercial Operations. “Renewables are even more sensible at this time when fossil fuel prices are skyrocketing. And to preserve our planet for the next generation.” Lenie Lectura

March 31, 2022

NAV

One Year Three Year

Five Year

per share Return*

Y-T-D Return

Stock Funds ALFM Growth Fund, Inc. -a

230.65

9.81%

-4.41%

-2%

-1.05%

ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a

1.5283

18.56%

-1.47%

1.39%

-8.17%

10.8%

-8.03%

-4.74%

-1.51%

-7.05% n.a.

-0.63%

ATRAM Philippine Equity Opportunity Fund, Inc. -a 3.1888

Climbs Share Capital Equity Investment Fund Corp. -a 0.7517 1.51% First Metro Consumer Fund on MSCI Phils. IMI, Inc. -a 0.6945 4.48%

-7.09% n.a.

-9.91%

First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund,Inc. -a

-1.93%

0.16%

-0.33%

16%

-4.06%

-3.29%

-11.78% n.a.

-7.19%

5.1656

12.58%

First Metro Save and Learn Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.7715

MBG Equity Investment Fund, Inc. -a

87.64

-8.49%

PAMI Equity Index Fund, Inc. -a

47.2326

9.52%

-3.07%

-0.65%

-1.86%

Philam Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

495.12

9.59%

-3.03%

-0.78%

-1.11%

Philequity Dividend Yield Fund, Inc. -a

1.3753

25.41%

1.67%

2.21%

1.4%

Philequity Fund, Inc. -a

36.3255

12.76%

-2.04%

0.55%

-0.74%

-3.17% n.a.

-0.18%

Philequity MSCI Philippine Index Fund, Inc. -a

0.9397

12%

Philequity PSE Index Fund Inc. -a

4.8963

10.89%

-2.29%

0.09%

-1.3%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

813.8

10.19%

-2.43%

-1.77%

Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund, Inc. -a

0.7366

10.63%

-7.04%

-2.89%

-2.13%

11.13%

-4.88%

-1.16%

-1.65%

0.927

9.77%

-2.73%

-0.26%

9.62%

-2.74%

1.01%

-1.09%

Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund, Inc. -a 3.7133 Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Stock Index Fund, Inc. -a United Fund, Inc. -a

3.4

-1.51%

-1.85%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Philequity Alpha One Fund, Inc. -a

1.1822

16.7% n.a. n.a.

1.68%

Philippine Stock Index Fund Corp. -a

992.98 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Exchange Traded Fund (shares) First Metro Phil. Equity Exchange Traded Fund, Inc. -a,c

109.7631

10.75%

-2.16%

0.46%

-1.54%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ATRAM AsiaPlus Equity Fund, Inc. -b

$1.0438

Sun Life Prosperity World Voyager Fund, Inc. -a $1.7205

-16.46%

1.38%

2.13%

-7.34%

2.93%

11.15%

9.29%

-6.82%

Balanced Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ATRAM Dynamic Allocation Fund, Inc. -a

1.629

0.31%

-1.84%

-1.09%

-3.72%

ATRAM Philippine Balanced Fund, Inc. -a

2.2292

3.36%

-1.33%

-0.44%

-2.29%

7.45%

0.46%

First Metro Save and Learn Balanced Fund Inc. -a 2.6829

1.54%

-0.3%

First Metro Save and Learn F.O.C.C.U.S. Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a 0.2082

10.8% n.a. n.a.

NCM Mutual Fund of the Phils., Inc. -a

1.9948

4.95%

1.41%

1.66%

-1.09%

PAMI Horizon Fund, Inc. -a

3.7102

4.22%

0.37%

0.6%

-1.46%

Philam Fund, Inc. -a

16.6332

4.21%

0.08%

0.56%

-1.26%

Solidaritas Fund, Inc. -a

2.1092

5.5%

-0.49%

0.34%

-0.58%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Balanced Fund, Inc. -a 3.5956 6.15%

-2.26%

-0.08%

-1.41%

Sun Life Prosperity Dynamic Fund, Inc. -a

-1.42%

0.36%

-1.25%

0.9423

12.54%

-0.38%

Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2028, Inc. -a

0.9561

0.66%

-1.55% n.a.

-3.4%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2038, Inc. -a

0.9197

5.52%

-2.76% n.a.

-2.63%

Sun Life Prosperity Achiever Fund 2048, Inc. -a

0.91

6.31%

-3.01% n.a.

-2.56%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Cocolife Dollar Fund Builder, Inc. -a $0.03515

-7.69%

-0.9%

-0.15%

-7.35%

PAMI Asia Balanced Fund, Inc. -b

-9.66%

1.04%

1.41%

-4.99%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Advantage Fund, Inc. -a $4.4879 -0.19%

7.24%

6.48%

-6.54%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Wellspring Fund, Inc. -a,2 $1.1215 -3.25%

2.61%

2.67%

-6.43%

Bond Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

373.74

1.07%

ATRAM Corporate Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.8883

-1.01%

0.1%

0.12%

0.19%

Cocolife Fixed Income Fund, Inc. -a

3.2377

0.64%

2.53%

3.61%

-0.19%

2.2179

-1.09%

0.91%

1.21%

-1.49%

First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund,Inc. -a 2.418 -0.25%

-0.33%

Philam Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Ekklesia Mutual Fund Inc. -a

2.51%

2.44%

-0.15%

2.05%

1.86%

4.306

-3.13%

2.23%

1.32%

-2.04%

Philam Managed Income Fund, Inc. -a

1.3141

-0.07%

3.27%

2.75%

-0.38%

Philequity Peso Bond Fund, Inc. -a

3.9264

-0.84%

2.9%

2.51%

-0.99%

Soldivo Bond Fund, Inc. -a

1.0135

-0.89%

3.22%

1.91%

-1.43%

Sun Life of Canada Prosperity Bond Fund, Inc. -a 3.1574

-0.22%

2.99%

3.06%

-0.94%

Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund, Inc. -a

-0.93%

2.13%

2.35%

-1.14%

1.7108

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) ALFM Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$484.8

0.67%

2.24%

2.15%

-0.97%

ALFM Euro Bond Fund, Inc. -a

Є215.86

-1.64%

-0.04%

0.57%

-1.89%

ATRAM Total Return Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -b $1.1086

-5.92%

-1.61%

-0.12%

-7.92%

-0.4% n.a.

-4.23%

First Metro Save and Learn Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a $0.0249 -3.11% PAMI Global Bond Fund, Inc -b

$0.9467

-10.16%

-3.92%

-2.38%

-7.44%

Philam Dollar Bond Fund, Inc. -a

$2.347

-4.42%

1.27%

1.28%

-6.33%

$0.0611347

-2.2%

1.73%

1.44%

-1.86%

Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Abundance Fund, Inc. -a $2.9588 -4.47%

-0.23%

0.09%

-7.43%

Philequity Dollar Income Fund Inc. -a

Money Market Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (shares) ALFM Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

131.54

1.31%

2.49%

2.54%

0.27%

First Metro Save and Learn Money Market Fund, Inc. -a

1.0606

1.03%

1.78% n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity Peso Starter Fund, Inc. -a,1 1.3205

1.51%

2.36%

2.51%

0.27%

0.37%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (shares) Sun Life Prosperity Dollar Starter Fund, Inc. -a $1.0621

0.65%

1.29% n.a.

0.14%

Feeder Funds Primarily invested in Peso securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

46.2274 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, Inc. -a 1.3618

14.28% n.a. n.a.

-1.53%

Primarily invested in foreign currency securities (units) ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund Inc. -a

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

March 31, 2022

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

ASIA UNITED BDO UNIBANK BANK COMMERCE BANK PH ISLANDS CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK EAST WEST BANK METROBANK PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PSBANK PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK BRIGHT KINDLE COL FINANCIAL FERRONOUX HLDG IREMIT MANULIFE PHIL STOCK EXCH SUN LIFE VANTAGE

153,000 337,345,138 306,463,168 192,334,462 8,452,440 49,368 1,083,682 243,110,906 97,730 1,047,086 16,124 5,400 731,810 38,385,773 4,123,493.50 656,520 679,380 2,100 13,440 10,500 64,428 596,500 1,720

131,100 -10,351,611 208,455,496 -35,327,629.50 831,500 41,750 -307,801 83,214,984 280,454 235,750 -19,130,033 395,884 88,090 2,100 10,500 9,650 265,000 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 8.73 8.74 8.52 8.74 8.42 8.73 35,440,400 306,670,056 1.03 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 11,000 11,440 ALSONS CONS 35.9 36 35.7 36 35.3 36 1,950,100 69,923,225 ABOITIZ POWER BASIC ENERGY 0.425 0.43 0.43 0.43 0.42 0.425 2,580,000 1,096,150 FIRST GEN 26.05 26.4 26 26.4 26 26.4 150,400 3,955,610 FIRST PHIL HLDG 70.15 70.2 70 70.2 69.95 70.2 36,960 2,590,458.50 372.4 373.6 368 373.6 368 373.6 260,740 97,272,940 MERALCO 20.15 20.4 20.25 20.9 20 20.15 743,000 15,153,400 MANILA WATER 3.3 3.32 3.28 3.32 3.28 3.3 928,000 3,061,550 PETRON PETROENERGY 4.63 4.8 4.79 4.8 4.79 4.8 60,000 287,860 10.24 10.48 10.24 10.48 10.24 10.48 44,900 468,536 PHX PETROLEUM 12.24 12.26 12.26 12.28 12.16 12.26 1,575,500 19,284,564 SYNERGY GRID 18.12 18.14 18.24 18.26 18.08 18.14 108,000 1,961,276 PILIPINAS SHELL 14.7 14.8 14.6 14.8 14.6 14.8 32,500 478,168 SPC POWER 1.9 1.91 1.93 1.94 1.88 1.91 55,486,000 105,874,610 SOLAR PH VIVANT 14.14 16.74 14.14 14.14 14.14 14.14 100 1,414 5.29 5.3 5.14 5.35 5.14 5.3 3,577,900 18,915,192 AGRINURTURE 2.46 2.47 2.48 2.49 2.47 2.47 348,000 864,710 AXELUM 23.5 23.7 23 23.5 22.8 23.5 4,447,600 103,369,520 CENTURY FOOD 14.36 14.46 14.48 14.48 14.36 14.36 8,500 122,174 DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 7.99 8 7.92 8.04 7.87 7.99 6,774,700 53,793,724 EMPERADOR 14.02 14.18 14.38 14.38 13.98 14.02 2,564,800 36,205,444 SMC FOODANDBEV 61.15 61.75 62.5 62.7 61.1 61.75 202,360 12,477,247 0.62 0.63 0.63 0.64 0.62 0.62 7,576,000 4,727,490 FIGARO COFFEE 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.6 0.58 0.6 63,000 36,600 ALLIANCE SELECT 1.12 1.13 1.12 1.13 1.11 1.12 6,514,000 7,301,030 FRUITAS HLDG GINEBRA 108.1 111 110 111 107.2 111 31,370 3,446,356 JOLLIBEE 224.8 225 224 227.8 223 225 849,090 191,514,412 KEEPERS HLDG 1.17 1.18 1.21 1.21 1.18 1.18 4,245,000 5,032,680 6.19 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 6.2 8,200 50,840 MAXS GROUP 13.68 13.7 13.9 13.94 13.6 13.7 12,829,800 175,869,610 MONDE NISSIN 7.8 7.95 8 8 7.95 7.95 1,800 14,321 SHAKEYS PIZZA ROXAS AND CO 0.56 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.56 0.57 307,000 172,290 4.27 4.3 4.3 4.31 4.3 4.3 1,072,000 4,609,700 RFM CORP 0.101 0.104 0.101 0.101 0.101 0.101 1,050,000 106,050 SWIFT FOODS 120.9 121 119 121.4 118.6 121 2,127,120 257,227,520 UNIV ROBINA 0.61 0.62 0.61 0.61 0.61 0.61 10,000 6,100 VITARICH VICTORIAS 2.43 2.5 2.43 2.43 2.43 2.43 17,000 41,310 45.45 48 48 48 48 48 200 9,600 CONCRETE A 0.85 0.86 0.9 0.9 0.84 0.85 18,449,000 15,747,220 CEMEX HLDG 13 13.3 13.2 13.3 13.2 13.3 3,700 48,850 EAGLE CEMENT 5.53 5.65 5.68 5.68 5.67 5.67 14,500 82,305 EEI CORP 5.57 5.6 5.57 5.6 5.57 5.6 15,200 85,114 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 5.23 5.24 5.24 5.26 5.12 5.24 211,700 1,108,996 PHINMA 18.82 19.44 19.46 19.48 19 19.44 15,500 298,202 0.77 0.78 0.76 0.77 0.76 0.77 4,000 3,060 TKC METALS 1.01 1.03 1.01 1.03 1 1.03 490,000 500,710 VULCAN INDL 1.79 1.82 1.83 1.83 1.8 1.82 95,000 171,740 CROWN ASIA 1.1 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.11 1.11 75,000 83,450 EUROMED PRYCE CORP 5.69 5.82 5.69 5.69 5.69 5.69 2,000 11,380 19.62 20.6 19.7 19.7 19.58 19.62 900 17,662 CONCEPCION 1.8 1.81 1.83 1.84 1.77 1.81 4,382,000 7,868,980 GREENERGY 8.07 8.1 8.16 8.16 8.03 8.1 84,300 681,138 INTEGRATED MICR 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 5,000 3,500 IONICS PANASONIC 6.16 6.24 6.24 6.24 6.11 6.24 32,900 203,067 1.08 1.09 1.04 1.1 1.04 1.09 73,000 76,850 SFA SEMICON 3.15 3.2 3.21 3.22 3.15 3.2 208,000 659,530 CIRTEK HLDG

92,812,127 13,713,105 46,900 -2,203,815 -1,515,838.50 -56,144 -4,040,540 -811,410 -6,092,240 -209,990 -876,210 1,515,121 -763,330 18,343,905 106,264 -14,178,811 -10,366,774 -8,859,465 14,560 2,882,659 3,278,516 8,260 -31,000 -60,626,110 -10,346 -1,384,700 -58,159,418 -7,822,310 -31,185 -8,400.00 144,025 -1,962 5,099,440 3,150

HOLDING & FRIMS

ABACORE CAPITAL AYALA CORP ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ANGLO PHIL HLDG ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PRIME MEDIA REPUBLIC GLASS SOLID GROUP SM INVESTMENTS SAN MIGUEL CORP TOP FRONTIER ZEUS HLDG

43.7 131.5 12.2 99.4 27 6.8 8.4 56.55 8.66 19.16 55.7 105 20.4 109 97 1.94 3.82 2.31 0.84 950 200 2,650 0.77

1.07 819 58.1 12.5 9 0.91 0.61 0.59 4.93 9 0.206 551 3.68 61.05 2.95 8.9 3.8 1.41 2.9 0.92 902 108.3 115.3 0.16

43.8 132.7 12.22 99.6 27.1 8.35 8.43 57 9.09 19.2 57 108 20.5 111 97.8 2.08 3.83 2.65 0.87 1,050 206.6 2,800 0.86

1.08 824 59.5 12.52 9.1 0.92 0.62 0.6 4.94 9.03 0.28 552 3.84 61.3 2.98 9.06 3.81 1.45 3 0.94 909 110 118.5 0.165

43.7 132.9 12.5 98.9 26.5 8.49 8.4 55.75 9.1 19 55.6 108 20.5 111.9 96 1.98 3.83 2.1 0.84 1,050 200 2,650 0.86

1.08 817 58.7 12.38 9 0.91 0.59 0.62 5 8.8 0.22 544 3.68 61.95 2.98 8.88 3.8 1.54 2.58 0.91 892 110 119 0.16

43.8 133.1 12.58 99.95 27.05 8.5 8.47 57 9.1 19.2 55.6 108 20.5 111.9 97.8 2.1 3.83 2.1 0.84 1,050 207.8 2,652 0.86

1.09 825 59.5 12.56 9.1 0.92 0.64 0.65 5 9.05 0.22 552 3.7 62.25 2.98 9.1 3.81 1.54 3.1 0.94 909 110 119 0.16

43.7 130.2 12.1 98.6 26.5 8.35 8.4 55.7 8.66 19 55.6 108 20.4 109 96 1.98 3.78 2.1 0.84 1,050 200 2,650 0.86

1.07 816.5 57.9 12.36 9 0.91 0.59 0.59 4.94 8.8 0.22 542.5 3.68 60.2 2.95 8.88 3.74 1.41 2.58 0.91 885.5 108 115.3 0.16

43.8 132.7 12.22 99.6 27 8.35 8.43 57 8.66 19.2 55.6 108 20.5 109 97.8 2.1 3.82 2.1 0.84 1,050 207 2,650 0.86

1.08 824 59.5 12.52 9 0.91 0.62 0.59 4.94 9.03 0.22 552 3.7 61.3 2.98 8.9 3.8 1.41 3 0.94 909 110 118.5 0.16

3,500 2,544,680 24,973,000 1,930,240 313,900 5,900 128,800 4,283,310 11,000 54,800 290 50 35,700 349,110 42,690 328,000 179,000 1,000 16,000 10 320 225 2,000

4,491,000 233,710 964,970 2,891,000 12,400 234,000 17,383,000 3,886,000 413,000 3,591,400 50,000 254,500 35,000 1,701,370 21,000 5,769,600 19,800,000 569,000 26,000 31,000 431,160 59,690 510 200,000

4,833,540 192,204,090 56,985,058.50 36,145,952 111,910 212,950 10,773,210 2,353,620 2,051,310 32,328,170 11,000 139,767,330 129,300 104,205,279 62,010 52,153,346 74,821,690 828,670 77,320 28,840 389,490,200 6,530,533 60,603 32,000

PROPERTY

mutual funds

$1.0138

www.businessmirror.com.ph

$0.92

-6.12% n.a. n.a.

a - NAVPS as of the previous banking day. b - NAVPS as of two banking days ago.

c - Listed in the PSE.

-5.15%

d - in Net Asset Value per Unit (NAVPU).

1 - Renaming was approved by the SEC last July 8, 2021 (formerly, Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund, Inc.). 2 - Adjusted due to stock dividend issuance last November 25, 2021.

"While we endeavor to keep the information accurate, the Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) and its members make no warranties as to the correctness of the newspaper’s publication and assume no liability or responsibility for any error or omissions. You may visit http://www. pifa.com.ph to see the latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

ARTHALAND CORP 0.56 0.59 0.58 0.59 0.58 0.59 98,000 56,850 5.3 5.98 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.3 200 1,060 ANCHOR LAND 35.05 35.3 35.7 35.8 35.05 35.05 16,600,800 587,046,405 AYALA LAND AYALA LAND LOG 5.09 5.14 5.19 5.19 5.09 5.09 1,064,600 5,449,107 AREIT RT 45.8 46.05 45.5 46.35 45.5 45.8 265,200 12,198,460 A BROWN 0.9 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.91 0.92 1,062,000 974,980 0.7 0.71 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 81,000 56,700 CITYLAND DEVT 0.091 0.093 0.092 0.093 0.091 0.091 8,880,000 809,040 CROWN EQUITIES 2.96 2.97 2.97 2.98 2.94 2.97 683,000 2,025,690 CEB LANDMASTERS CENTURY PROP 0.42 0.425 0.42 0.425 0.42 0.42 490,000 206,500 CITICORE RT 2.58 2.59 2.64 2.65 2.57 2.59 12,492,000 32,444,970 DOUBLEDRAGON 8.96 9.08 9 9.2 8.85 9.08 127,500 1,149,893 1.58 1.59 1.61 1.61 1.58 1.58 2,108,000 3,349,540 DDMP RT 6.85 6.86 6.86 6.86 6.86 6.86 31,500 216,090 DM WENCESLAO 0.232 0.236 0.236 0.236 0.236 0.236 20,000 4,720 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.255 0.26 0.265 0.265 0.255 0.26 1,650,000 428,200 7.1 7.12 7.2 7.21 7.1 7.1 1,205,700 8,638,415 FILINVEST RT 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.09 1.07 1.08 19,718,000 21,280,710 FILINVEST LAND 0.89 0.94 0.89 0.94 0.89 0.94 500,000 459,340 GLOBAL ESTATE 13.52 13.86 13.5 13.86 13.5 13.86 186,600 2,555,890 8990 HLDG PHIL INFRADEV 0.91 0.92 0.92 0.93 0.92 0.92 402,000 370,290 CITY AND LAND 0.84 0.85 0.88 0.88 0.84 0.84 99,000 85,580 MEGAWORLD 3.01 3.02 3.05 3.05 3.01 3.01 24,205,000 72,985,000 0.248 0.25 0.248 0.25 0.248 0.25 320,000 79,580 MRC ALLIED 18.46 18.7 18.72 18.9 18.32 18.7 1,311,000 24,226,378 MREIT RT 0.405 0.41 0.4 0.405 0.4 0.405 140,000 56,300 PHIL ESTATES PRIMEX CORP 2.57 2.6 2.82 2.83 2.42 2.6 3,634,000 9,512,540 RL COMM RT 7.33 7.35 7.3 7.4 7.3 7.35 3,263,800 23,980,172 ROBINSONS LAND 20.3 20.5 20.2 20.9 20.2 20.5 1,570,000 32,238,975 0.216 0.217 0.217 0.217 0.217 0.217 90,000 19,530 PHIL REALTY 1.4 1.47 1.48 1.48 1.48 1.48 1,000 1,480 ROCKWELL 2.56 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.56 2.6 24,000 62,000 SHANG PROP STA LUCIA LAND 2.76 2.9 2.79 2.9 2.79 2.9 310,000 878,580 37.8 37.85 37.9 38.15 37.8 37.85 9,635,600 365,291,295 SM PRIME HLDG 0.57 0.59 0.57 0.57 0.57 0.57 75,000 42,750 SOC RESOURCES 3.21 3.32 3.31 3.31 3.31 3.31 4,000 13,240 VISTAMALLS 2.6 2.61 2.7 2.7 2.59 2.61 15,164,000 39,656,350 VISTA LAND SERVICES ABS CBN 12.68 12.7 12.72 12.94 12.6 12.68 40,300 511,906 15.36 15.38 15.3 15.48 15.3 15.36 776,700 11,949,468 GMA NETWORK 2,534 2,540 2,614 2,614 2,520 2,540 89,670 228,875,250 GLOBE TELECOM PLDT 1,830 1,850 1,860 1,860 1,822 1,850 130,260 239,709,620 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.043 0.044 0.044 0.045 0.043 0.044 89,700,000 3,945,400 CONVERGE 30.2 30.25 29.9 30.35 29.5 30.2 15,492,300 467,604,535 2.65 2.84 2.71 2.85 2.61 2.84 564,000 1,550,800 DFNN INC 5.36 5.37 5.32 5.45 5.32 5.37 5,330,300 28,713,860 DITO CME HLDG 1.21 1.24 1.2 1.25 1.2 1.22 1,843,000 2,235,420 NOW CORP TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.35 0.355 0.335 0.35 0.33 0.35 8,420,000 2,885,100 2GO GROUP 7.31 7.45 7.48 7.48 7.3 7.31 1,400 10,326 13.44 13.98 13.52 13.98 13.4 13.98 22,000 296,760 ASIAN TERMINALS 1.55 1.58 1.55 1.59 1.52 1.55 151,000 235,670 CHELSEA 48.1 48.25 47.5 48.4 47.45 48.25 939,200 45,191,245 CEBU AIR 224.6 224.8 221.8 224.8 218 224.8 2,046,470 458,587,978 INTL CONTAINER MACROASIA 5.74 5.75 5.7 5.9 5.7 5.74 1,328,700 7,683,154 METROALLIANCE A 0.97 1.01 1.01 1.01 1 1 17,000 17,130 6.6 6.63 6.6 6.68 6.6 6.63 41,300 273,995 PAL HLDG 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.73 382,000 278,750 HARBOR STAR 1.5 1.65 1.66 1.67 1.65 1.65 38,000 62,740 ACESITE HOTEL DISCOVERY WORLD 1.84 1.89 1.85 1.9 1.83 1.9 45,000 84,250 WATERFRONT 0.435 0.455 0.435 0.435 0.435 0.435 10,000 4,350 530 536 530.5 530.5 530 530 200 106,010 FAR EASTERN U 0.355 0.365 0.36 0.365 0.36 0.365 1,810,000 651,650 STI HLDG 1.3 1.33 1.33 1.34 1.33 1.34 23,000 30,600 BELLE CORP 6.8 6.84 6.84 6.84 6.63 6.84 9,704,800 65,695,066 BLOOMBERRY LEISURE AND RES 1.28 1.29 1.3 1.3 1.28 1.29 147,000 190,040 0.97 1 0.98 1 0.96 1 1,287,000 1,250,880 PH RESORTS GRP PREMIUM LEISURE 0.45 0.46 0.45 0.46 0.45 0.46 800,000 361,450 2.25 2.26 2.22 2.26 2.22 2.25 63,000 141,320 PHILWEB 0.48 0.485 0.5 0.5 0.48 0.48 12,170,000 5,926,100 ALLDAY 5.59 5.69 5.59 5.59 5.59 5.59 3,500 19,565 BERJAYA ALLHOME 7.6 7.8 7.64 7.85 7.6 7.6 2,686,200 20,687,226 METRO RETAIL 1.38 1.39 1.36 1.39 1.36 1.39 34,000 46,770 35.75 35.95 35.7 36 35.45 35.75 1,205,100 43,192,165 PUREGOLD 55.55 56.3 55 56.2 55 55.55 1,557,610 86,977,039.50 ROBINSONS RTL 62.55 62.75 63 63 62.75 62.75 114,490 7,185,638 PHIL SEVEN CORP SSI GROUP 1.07 1.09 1.09 1.1 1.07 1.09 1,103,000 1,196,700 WILCON DEPOT 27 27.25 26.3 27.3 26.2 27 4,192,200 111,364,105 APC GROUP 0.23 0.24 0.231 0.231 0.231 0.231 10,000 2,310 6.6 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 100 660 IPM HLDG 0.87 0.88 0.9 0.9 0.87 0.87 3,284,000 2,900,490 MEDILINES 0.54 0.55 0.56 0.56 0.54 0.54 1,499,000 815,960 PRMIERE HORIZON MINING & OIL ATOK 5.7 5.87 5.66 5.75 5.66 5.7 6,300 35,914 1.65 1.66 1.62 1.65 1.6 1.65 2,148,000 3,510,730 APEX MINING ATLAS MINING 6.82 6.94 6.9 6.97 6.8 6.94 130,000 894,354 BENGUET A 6.92 7 6.5 7.2 6.5 7 796,400 5,402,869 6.84 6.99 6.31 7 6.31 6.9 356,100 2,403,427 BENGUET B 0.242 0.265 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 300,000 75,000 COAL ASIA HLDG 2.65 2.7 2.61 2.7 2.58 2.7 350,000 911,640 CENTURY PEAK 4.61 5.09 5.09 5.09 5.09 5.09 1,000 5,090 DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL 2.93 2.94 2.93 2.96 2.92 2.93 6,677,000 19,635,740 GEOGRACE 0.179 0.199 0.175 0.179 0.175 0.179 50,000 8,910 0.15 0.151 0.149 0.151 0.149 0.15 1,130,000 169,390 LEPANTO A 0.151 0.152 0.151 0.154 0.151 0.151 490,000 74,120 LEPANTO B 0.01 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 3,200,000 35,200 MANILA MINING A 1.69 1.7 1.78 1.78 1.68 1.69 2,042,000 3,488,210 MARCVENTURES NIHAO 0.99 1 1.05 1.05 1 1 208,000 211,490 7.8 7.84 7.8 7.9 7.76 7.84 2,949,000 23,074,267 NICKEL ASIA 0.98 0.99 0.99 1.01 0.99 0.99 315,000 313,940 ORNTL PENINSULA 5.35 5.39 5.41 5.41 5.35 5.39 1,085,500 5,816,066 PX MINING 30.6 30.7 30.5 30.9 30.5 30.7 3,510,300 107,688,835 SEMIRARA MINING UNITED PARAGON 0.0063 0.0067 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 0.0063 5,000,000 31,500 17.38 17.4 17.38 17.6 17.28 17.4 65,800 1,149,472 ACE ENEXOR ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 809,100,000 9,708,900 0.012 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.012 0.013 44,000,000 571,500 ORNTL PETROL B 0.0093 0.0094 0.0091 0.0093 0.0091 0.0093 6,000,000 54,800 PHILODRILL 5.54 5.57 5.5 5.58 5.45 5.57 183,700 1,007,211 PXP ENERGY PREFFERED AC PREF B1 504 515 515 515 515 515 20 10,300 501 509 501 509 500 509 3,040 1,520,470 AC PREF B2R 27 47.3 47.3 47.3 47.3 300 14,190 BC PREF A BRN PREF A 102 105 105 105 105 105 10 1,050 47.7 47.8 46.75 47.85 46.75 47.7 60,900 2,892,855 CEB PREF 102 103 103 103 103 103 4,500 463,500 CPG PREF A 100.2 101 100.2 101.5 100.2 101.5 15,010 1,504,015 DD PREF 101.1 104 104 104 104 104 220 22,880 EEI PREF A 107 109.7 107.1 109.7 107.1 109.7 2,030 217,491 EEI PREF B GTCAP PREF A 1,000 1,010 1,035 1,035 1,035 1,035 2,070 2,142,450 1,015 1,044 1,015 1,015 1,015 1,015 5 5,075 GTCAP PREF B 960 1,000 985 985 985 985 150 147,750 JFC PREF A 926 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 250 250,000 JFC PREF B 99.8 101 100.8 101 100.8 101 7,720 778,568 MWIDE PREF 4 100.6 101 101 101 101 101 600 60,600 PNX PREF 3B PNX PREF 4 973 980 975 980 975 980 1,010 984,800 1,082 1,095 1,085 1,095 1,085 1,095 260 282,200 PCOR PREF 3B 77 77.95 77 77 77 77 99,500 7,661,500 SMC PREF 2F 75.25 75.5 75.5 75.5 75.5 75.5 5,340 403,170 SMC PREF 2H 76.3 78.25 76.15 76.15 76.15 76.15 10,000 761,500 SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2J 76.2 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 76.5 30 2,295 74.5 75 75 75 74.25 75 10,820 808,265 SMC PREF 2K PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ABS HLDG PDR 12.04 12.2 12.2 12.2 12 12.04 75,700 920,810 14.48 14.72 14.4 14.78 14.4 14.72 58,000 845,656 GMA HLDG PDR WARRANTS TECH WARRANT 0.6 0.63 0.6 0.64 0.59 0.63 148,000 89,980

2,980,850 62,464,810 895,835 -5,731,346 83,700 -9,930 5,480 10,826,493 34,606,550 19,289,442 -5,900 -10,736,838 -34,277,830 -21,000 -12,406,330 -3,282,885 -93,977,050 -280,620 -4,224,650 11,760 -12,600 -21,451,760 606,072 321,840 -435,600 10,814,090 -4,122 128,800 -20,800 3,359,340 -14,559,448 -1,837,750 -14,041,014 -10,197,985 60,401,440 -10,113,730 -70,520,960 -2,638,010 66,700 35,865,010 -81,300 8,049,820 -183,760 -72,200.00 14,659,290 116,143,322 -147,079 7,271 11,030 -3,650 -1,340 -17,034,063 -2,940 9,150 44,400 701,711 14,411,325 15,116,334 37,739.50 1,093,860 -12,578,160 15,810 10,800 24,430 -82,706 65,384 497,060 5,090 7,588,290 -30,200 -26,100 -970,017 141,525 2,053,530 -57,634 -68,543 -147,750 -231,528 208,438

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

ALTUS PROP HAUS TALK ITALPINAS KEPWEALTH MERRYMART XURPAS

16.2 1.16 0.9 2.66 1.84 0.32

16.68 1.17 0.92 2.75 1.86 0.33

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF

109.8

110.2

16.16 1.19 0.91 2.75 1.91 0.32

16.7 1.19 0.92 2.75 1.91 0.33

16.16 1.16 0.9 2.53 1.83 0.315

16.2 1.17 0.92 2.75 1.86 0.32

1,400 282,000 202,000 35,000 1,328,000 770,000

23,078 329,290 183,380 95,220 2,492,860 247,800

22,200 -9,862 180,780 -

110 110.2 109.7 110.2 7,980 877,671 -82,385

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BSP sets up program to solidify RBs capital base

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) launched on Thursday its new framework to strengthen local rural banks through new regulations largely focusing on solidifying the capital base of these countryside lenders. BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said the program, called Rural Bank Strengthening Program or the RBSP, will run for three years and will ultimately enhance the operations, capacity and competitiveness of rural banks in the country. “The RBSP is anchored on the principle that a safe and sound bank is well-capitalized,” Diokno said. “Based on studies, a strong capital base is critical in addressing the key challenges of rural banks.” The governor said they are at the final stages of reviewing the minimum capital requirements for rural banks. The review also considers the evolving factors affecting the viability of rural banks’ businesses and operations. The proposed circular on the minimum capital requirements will be up for comments in the next couple of weeks. Once the finalized minimum capital requirements are out, rural banks will be guided by five “time-bound tracks” that ensure that rural banks have adequate capital, according to the BSP. Track 1 and Track 2 offer a refreshed merger, consolidation and acquisition or third-party investment (TPI) program. These tracks are collectively termed MCA tracks. Track 3 offers rural banks a facilitated, voluntary exit option as well as an opportunity to upgrade their banking licenses. Track 4 refers to the timebound capital build-up program. This track aims to incentivize rural banks to meet the new prescribed capital within the BSP’s given timeline. Lastly, Track 5 refers to the Supervisory Intervention. Under this track, the BSP will implement a strict, time-bound, and milestones based supervisory intervention to mitigate further losses and protect the interest of depositors. Qualified rural banks that successfully complete the first four tracks may avail of various incentives and capacity-building interventions as determined by the BSP. These incentives may include support for digitalization, financial advisory, prudential relief or support measures, and fiscal incentives, which will be carried out in partnership with relevant agencies and multilateral development partners, such as the Asian Development Bank. Bianca Cuaresma

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

Govt budget deficit at ₧105.8B in Feb

By Bianca Cuaresma

@BcuaresmaBM

HE national government’s budget deficit narrowed in February, as spending dropped faster than revenue collection during the month, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) reported last Thursday.

The government ran a P105.8 billion budget deficit for February this year, data from the BTr showed, declining by 8.77 percent or P10.2 billion from a year ago. This is due to the 5.16-percent contraction in

public spending, which is faster than the 3.26-percent drop in revenue collection during the period. For the 2-month period of January to February, the budget deficit hit P129.2 billion, also slightly lower by

0.65 percent compared to the previous year’s total for the same period. Revenue collection for the second month of the year slipped by 3.26 percent to reach P212.4 billion. This puts the total revenues in the first two months of the year to P490.5 billion, still up by 2.12 percent or P10.2 billion from the level posted in the equivalent period. The higher revenue collection in the January to February period was attributed by the BTr mainly to the higher collections of the Bureau of Customs (BoC). Of the total, taxes made up 92 percent or P453.1 billion while the rest was generated through non-tax sources. Broken down, the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s collection for February slowed to P136.6 billion, 11.38

percent behind last year’s P154.1 billion for the same month. For the first two months of the year revenue collection amounted to P332.4 billion, also a 1.16 percent contraction from last year. Customs’ collection, meanwhile, was up by 25.96 percent from P47.2 billion a year ago to P59.4 billion in February 2022. This increased BoC’s cumulative collection for the twomonth period by 24.69 percent to P117.8 billion. Income from the Treasury, meanwhile, amounted to P4.2 billion for the month, 7.37 percent lower from the February 2021 level. The downturn was mainly attributed to lower dividend remittances from government corporations, guarantee fees and income from NG deposits.

On the other hand, expenditures for the month also went down by 5.16 percent or P17.3 billion from a year ago to P318.2 billion. The government mainly attributed this decline to the completion of the P45-billion equity infusion to government financial institutions in February last year, in line with the implementation of Republic Act 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,” or Bayanihan II law. However, disbursements grew by 9.64 percent due largely to the National Tax Allotment of the local government units, spending for the different programs of the Department of Education, Commission on Elections and Covid-19 vaccine financing under the Department of Health.

PHL biz among top beneficiaries of ADB nonsovereign operations By Cai U. Ordinario

@caiordinario

OCAL businesses were among the top beneficiaries of the nonsovereign operations (NSOs) of the Asian Development Bank between 2008 and 2020, an ADB Independent evaluation revealed. Data showed the country received a total of $682 million or 3 percent of the commitments. The debts financed eight projects in the Philippines. The data also showed the Philippines also received the most nonsovereign technical assistance (TA) grants worth $3.3 million between 2008 and 2020. This covered 11 projects and accounted for 2 percent of the total TA NSOs for the period. “From 2008 to 2020, there was

a noticeable uptrend in the amount and number of committed NSO projects,” the ADB’s Independent Evaluation Department (IED) said. The ADB approved $26.9 billion in 350 private sector projects and $143.2 million in 141 technical assistance projects during the review period. The evaluation found that ADB delivered “additionality” in 69 percent of the evaluated nonsovereign projects, although the satisfactory rate has been trending downward. The ADB’s IED said that while additionality interventions have contributed to positive development outcomes, mainly in the energy and finance sectors in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central and West Asia, their full potential for value addition was “diluted by an inadequate

system for ex ante assessment and monitoring of additionality during the review period.” The IED explained that additionality is a core principle that guides ADB’s support for the private sector and is classified as either financial or nonfinancial additionality. It added that financial additionality entails the provision of financing that is not readily available from the commercial market at reasonable terms. Nonfinancial additionality is provided through contributions to risk mitigation, standards setting, or capacity building. “This variance in the application of additionality is risky because of the possibility that, at least in some cases, ADB’s support could distort the market and crowd out private financing,” IED Director General

Emmanuel Jimenez, however, said. “This can negatively impact the long-term sustainability of economic development, including attracting much-needed resources to combat climate change and meet other sustainable development goals,” he added. The ADB said “additionality more specifically refers to the multinational lender’s set of inputs or services that help. lead to unique value addition, ultimately leading to anticipated development results.” “For these inputs and services to qualify as ‘additional,’ they have to complement and not substitute for what the private sector can provide,” the ADB said. The IED recommended that the Manila-based multilateral lender should strengthen its approach to

additionality in its private sector operations to ensure that it does not crowd out or displace private and commercial financing. The report recommends that ADB includes additionality and development effectiveness as core areas of strategic focus for its nonsovereign operations, including making financial additionality a minimum precondition for project approval. The report also recommended that ADB scale up the good practice of assessing additionality when preparing country partnership strategies. The IED also said there is a need to further integrate “additionality” into existing systems to ensure better tracking, monitoring, and reporting and institute a capacity development and training program on additionality for staff and other stakeholders.

BankCom shares rise 2% in PSE debut Of building a team, a community and a house By VG Cabuag @villygc & Bianca Cuaresma @BcuaresmaBM

HE shares of Bank of Commerce (BankCom), a unit of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), gained almost 2 percent during its maiden trade at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday. The bank ’s shares—with the ticker “BNCOM”—closed at P12.22 apiece, up from its initial public offering (IPO) price of P12 per share. PSE President Ramon S. Monzon said the BankCom IPO is the first bank listing at the bourse in nine years. “It also marks the first time in 27 years that PSE had IPO listings in all three months of the first quarter,” Monzon said during the ceremony. The bank’s debut at the bourse came after an initial public offering (IPO) consisting of 280.60 million common shares at P12.00 per share. BankCom said it was able to raise P3.36 billion in its IPO from March 16 to 22. “BankCom’s strategic vision is to be at par with the country’s leading domestic banks,” SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said. “We expect the bank to continue to grow in the coming years, achieve economies of scale, improve efficiency

and serve more Filipinos, from retail customers, small-to-medium enterprises, to major corporate clients, as Philippine economic growth gets back on track.”

ment Management Accounts, as clients sought more conservative products to better cover for future contingencies similar to the pandemic.

‘Growth opportunities’

‘Reliable partner’

IN a statement last Thursday, BankCom said proceeds from its IPO will fund its lending activities and finance capital expenditure requirements in connection with the upgrading of its ATM fleet and its core banking system. “The commitment from our shareholders during this IPO reflects the high level of trust that investors and clients have on significant growth opportunities for BankCom in the years to come,“ BankCom President and CEO Michelangelo R. Aguilar said. BDO Capital & Investment Corporation, China Bank Capital Corporation, Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc. and PNB Capital and Investment Corporation have been engaged as Joint Issue Managers, Joint Lead Underwriters and Joint Bookrunners for the IPO. Earlier this year, BankCom reported a 63-percent growth in its assets under management (AUM) to P63 billion in 2021. The bank attributed this to the performance of its Unit Investment Trust Funds and Invest-

BANKCOM was originally established in 1963 as the Overseas Bank of Manila. Over the years, it had undergone several name changes and transfers of ownership. The lender became SMC’s banking arm when San Miguel Properties Inc. and SMC Retirement Fund acquired a majority stake in the bank in 2008. “Since then, the company has proven itself as a reliable banking partner,” Monzon said. He added that “under the visionary leadership” of Ang, together with the bank’s directors led by its former chairman Jose T. Pardo and current Chairman Francis C. Chua and the management team led by Aguilar, “BankCom is now ready to reap the rewards of its commitment to its values as it ventures into its new phase as a universal bank and a publicly-listed company.” The bank needs to go public to comply with the conditions imposed by the Monetary Board after it granted the upgrade of the bank’s license from commercial bank to universal bank.

UnionBank’s stock rights offer get PSE approval HE Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. has approved the stock rights offer of Union Bank of the Philippines, which said the proceeds of which will be used to fund the lender’s acquisition of the credit card business of the Citigroup Inc. in the Philippines. In its disclosure, the Aboitizled bank said it will list some 800 million in common shares, with par value of P10, to cover its rights offering. It placed an offer price for

Editor: Dennis D. Estopace • Friday, April 1, 2022

each share at P64.55 to P73.78 or proceeds of between P56.64 billion to P59.02 billion. The bank earlier said it intends to raise up to P40 billion from its rights offering, which it will start to sell before end of April through early May. The said price is at a discount from its Thursday’s closing price of P97.80 per share. “The bank intends to use the proceeds from the Rights Offer primarily to fund the Bank’s acquisition of the consumer bank-

ing business of Citigroup Inc. in the Philippines, and if any amount of net proceeds is remaining, for general corporate purposes,” it said. Last year, the company’s board approved the raising of additional capital of up to P40 billion through the issuance of additional shares from the bank’s unissued authorized capital stock via a stock rights offering to all existing shareholders. Early this month, the Securities and Exchange Commission

issued a Notice of Confirmation of Exempt Transaction confirming that the offer is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Regulation Code. Last year, UnionBank has agreed to buy Citigroup’s Philippine consumer unit for P55 billion. The deal includes the credit card business but not the Citibank brand, personal loans, wealth management and retail deposit businesses of the US bank in the country. VG Cabuag

EPTUAGENARI thought the best way IANS like myself to reach out to more are supposed to association members be enjoying retirement and to make the ortime, taking it slow Association World ganization more visand easy, playing with ible is to build an onOctavio Peralta grandkids, traveling and line community. My visiting friends and relalearnings to date as tives, catching up on readings, or writing we prepare for its launch shortly are memoirs. But here I am and still at it, as follows: helping a non-profit organization build a a) Engage your key stakeholders secretariat team, volunteering for an as(board, members, staff) at the outset sociation to build an online community, to get inputs and feedback; and working with the family to build a b) Visualize from the start what benhouse in our hometown. efits and impact will the community proBuilding something must be my callvide to your members, then start small ing. So let me share my experiences and but plan to scale up; insights on the three “building” projects c) Organize a team of two (miniI mentioned: mum) to manage the platform, i.e., a 1. Building a team. I subscribe to community manager and a webmaster; Aristotle’s mantra, “The whole is greater d) Upload content and other resourcthan the sum of its parts,” which imes steadily into the platform to keep usplies that a team working together can ers coming back; and accomplish more than what each team e) Encourage more communities to member working individually can congrow within the platform. tribute. 3. Building a house. Being an assoIn my column last September 16, 2021 ciation professional, I have realized that entitled, “What Associations Can Learn building a new house is like starting a from Google’s Project Aristotle,” I cited new association. You need the following: five essential traits of team effectivea) A purpose of why you’re building ness based on what Google researchers it in the first place; found out: b) Plans on how to put up the struca) Psychological safety (tolerance to ture according to your vision; failure leads to success); c) Funds to finance what are needed b) Dependability (reliance on one to complete the structure; another for better performance); d) People to carry out the task of c) Structure and clarity (understandbuilding; and ing of expectations, goals and outcomes); e) Tons of patience and tweaking as d) Meaning (alignment with own challenges and changes happen along sense of purpose and personal goals); the way until finally your dream comes and true! e) Impact (knowing their work Come to think of it, what these three makes a difference and creates change). seemingly unrelated activities of buildWhen I first met with the secreing a team, a community and a house tariat team I was tasked to lead, I have in common are three essential imparted these traits and impressed ingredients that need to be present to upon them the importance of having attain success: purpose, planning and resources, and principally, people. to work as a team, with specific tasks and back-up plans. Now on our second month, I think we are working Octavio Peralta is currently the executive director of well as a team. the Global Compact Network Philippines and founder 2. Building an online commuand volunteer CEO of the Philippine Council of Associanity. In this digital world dominated tions and Association Executives, the “association of asby new technologies and millennials, sociations.” E-mail: bobby@pcaae.org.

Friday, April 1, 2022 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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A bad joke and a slap heard around the world THAT infamous moment in this year’s Academy Awards. AP

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Today’s Horoscope By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Asa Butterfield, 25; Klarc Jerome Wilson, 29; Taran Killam, 40; David Oyelowo, 46. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Speak your mind. Take the initiative to make your dreams come true. Be responsible for your happiness, and construct a life that satisfies your needs and warms your soul. Invest in yourself, your ideas and being the best you can be. Surround yourself with people who share your dreams and beliefs. Set a standard, and you’ll reach your expectations. Your numbers are 4, 7, 19, 28, 35, 41, 47.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Head down a path you find inviting. Be receptive to what others have to offer and open to trying something new. Personal improvement is favored, and activities and events conducive to love and romance are encouraged. Put your dreams in motion. HHH

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Be aware of your surroundings and what everyone else is doing. Caution will prevent someone from taking advantage of your vulnerabilities. Offer your strengths, not your weaknesses, and you will outmaneuver anyone who tries to lead you astray. HHH

O there I was, still in my jammies and in bed, tuned in to the Oscars Awards on Monday morning, watching comedian Chris Rock make his usual funny bit to introduce the next category of Best Documentary Feature. It happened so fast: Rock took a dig at Jada PinkettSmith and her shaved head and how he was waiting for her starring turn in G.I. Jane 2. The camera cut to her husband Will Smith laughing at the joke, then back to Rock, then to Jada rolling her eyes. A beat later, Smith strode up the stage and smacked Rock on the face. The crowd roared with laughter, until Smith took his seat and shouted at Rock to “keep my wife’s name out of your f**cking mouth”—twice! Only then did the audience fall silent, realizing what had just happened was no comedy routine between the two men. Kudos to Rock—he regained his composure, kept the show moving, and went on to award Questlove, Jimmy Fallon’s bandleader on The Tonight Show, an Oscar for Summer of Love. (By the way, it’s an excellent documentary on the six-day Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969 featuring an amazing array of AfricanAmerican singers, bands, and musicians, like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The 5th Dimension, among others. Definitely a must-watch.) Despite Smith’s assault, Rock hasn’t filed a police report nor is he pressing charges, according to news stories. Smith has since published an apology to Rock on Instagram, and while describing his behavior as “inexcusable,” Smith again made an excuse why he did what he did, in the same manner that he mouthed off one excuse after another in his speech after receiving the Best Actor trophy for King Richard. (That the audience cheered and gave Smith a standing ovation for his win even before his hand print on Rock’s face disappeared says a lot about these Hollywood celebrities.) For a veteran comedian who has done the rounds, i.e., gone through the comedy club circuit, Rock has probably had his share of negative reactions to jokes that landed flat, like heckling and drunken missives. According to comedian Joy Behar, who cohosts The View, she’s had popcorn thrown at her. (Her reaction

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You have knowledge, experience and good timing in abundance, so don’t let anyone interfere with your plans. Challenge anyone who gets in your way, and gravitate toward those who contribute to your cause. Personal gain, partnerships and romance are favored. HHHH

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Reflect on what’s gone wrong, and adjust to ensure it won’t happen again. Preparation is the key to getting things right the first time. Don’t get into a disagreement with someone who fights dirty or uses blackmail to outmaneuver you. HH

was just to walk off the stage.) So far, no comedian has talked about being physically assaulted on stage for poorly received comedy schticks. And, yes, Jada does suffer from alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that causes one’s hair to fall out in clumps. She’s said she has embraced her condition, thus the reason for shaving her head. That’s why Rock has been crucified by some quarters for making that G.I. Jane 2 joke and why some men (and women!) have applauded Smith for slapping the comedian. Apparently, Rock didn’t know about Jada’s medical condition. A female friend commenting on my Facebook post about the matter said: “Sick people should not be made the butt of a joke. I would have thought less of him (Smith) if he didn’t stand up for his wife.” A gay friend mused: “How much restraint and composure is expected from someone when another oversteps boundaries (much more on national TV? And probably not the best place to make fun of someone while others are given awards).” One friend who writes about music and entertainment, meanwhile, thought, “Doesn’t seem like the Smiths were good sports. There was an earlier portion when (cohost) Regina Hall asked certain stars who were ‘unvaccinated’ to come with her backstage. Bradley Cooper, Timothee Chalamet and others went along with the joke but the Smiths didn’t and just stayed in their seats. Parang feeling entitled. Everyone

is fair game except them.” Sadly, Smith from now on will be remembered for that slap heard around the world, instead of his Best Actor win. Tasteless joke or not, it’s never okay to hit anyone. Violence has no place in society. It is unacceptable no matter who perpetrates it or is on its receiving end. It takes away one’s dignity and usually leads to serious physical or mental health issues. Parents these days teach their children to “use words,” not their fists, to address grievances. This past year, we’ve read of so many incidences of physical assault on people for imposing entry rules in a subdivision, or just looking remotely Asian in New York, or trying to impose mask wearing in a supermarket or a plane, or defending one’s country being invaded by another. Smith’s smacking of Rock was another example of violence this already tense world didn’t need. For Hollywood celebrities like the Smiths who profit from openly talking about parenting, their kids lives, and their marriage problems (via Jada’s Red Table Talk show on Facebook, where she admitted to being unfaithful to her husband)—they will always attract jokes and ridicule from the public, more so from comedians. But it’s from moments like these that people ought to learn to rise above. It’s not about learning how to take a joke. It’s about learning how to behave well like human beings ought to, to one another. n

Environment-conscious show tackles role of women as agents of change A SUSTAINABLE eco-theatrical virtual performance, Pasko Naman, Anak aims to shed light on the role of women beyond the home. It is slated to be streamed beginning on April 9. Written primarily in Filipino and Kapampangan, the 45-minute production follows Thelma, a former waste picker, her daughters Leah and Tessa, and their hardships in keeping their family afloat. It unravels the conflict between the matriarchal family and Leah’s son during Noche Buena. A nostalgic narrative that hits close to home, Pasko Naman, Anak brings the essence of Christmas in summertime—togetherness and reconnection

despite differences. An empowering performance, it looks at women not just as mothers, daughters and sisters, but as advocates of inclusion, sustainability and eco-waste management. The budding artists likewise incorporated principles of ecology to create recyclable, biodegradable, restorative and regenerative performance spaces to capture and draw attention to the concerns surrounding the community and environment. Pasko Naman, Anak is written and produced by by: Theater, a production house founded by young student-artists

from the Theater Arts and Production Design Programs of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The show is in collaboration with the Benilde Service Learning Unit as well as EcoWaste Coalition, a network that partners with various communities to address crucial environmental issues such as waste and climate change. The production will run from April 9 to 12, and from April 14 to 16, at 6 pm. It will also be streamed on April 13 at 2 pm. Tickets are available for P150. For reservations, visit www. ticket2me.net. More information can be www.facebook.com/ bytheater.ph.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Don’t worry about the changes others make. Go about your business, and people who share your concerns will offer help. A special relationship will enhance your life and give you a new perspective on the possibilities that exist. Romance is encouraged. HHHHH

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Set high standards, and stand by your word. Don’t let what others do influence you to do something questionable or invest more in them than you. Your future is dependent on how you handle others and your ability to please yourself. HHH

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Plan to socialize with people who challenge you mentally and physically and those who bring out the best in you. Unique plans for two will bring you closer together and encourage personal stability and security that puts your mind at ease. HHH

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Try something different. A personal change may not please everyone, but if it sits well with you, that’s all that matters. Take responsibility for your happiness, and your life will fall into place. HHH

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Get involved in activities that require strength and agility. Work alongside people who share your goals and beliefs. A healthy, happy routine will help you do and be your best. Discuss your plans with someone you love, then proceed with confidence. HHHHH

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t let anyone railroad you into something you don’t relish. Do your own thing, and make changes at home that add to your comfort and convenience. It’s up to you to pick and choose how you spend your time and money. HH

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Take the direction that feels right, and don’t let others interfere. Your decisions regarding money and business must come from the heart if you want them to work for you. It’s essential to love what you do and who you are. HHHH

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Bend a little, and things will swing in your favor. Incentives and compliments will help you persuade others to pitch in and help you achieve your goals. Demonstrate how passionate you are about your beliefs, and you will make a difference. HHH BIRTHDAY BABY: You are expressive, innovative and upbeat. You are responsive and indulgent.

‘where in the world?’ BY ZACHARY DAVID LEVY The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 You see one at a rugby match 6 Old PC maker 9 Unharmed figure in a crash test 14 Hold the floor 15 Ascot, e.g. 16 Villagers of the Great Plains 17 ___ Estrada Chavez 18 Large vase 19 Of pitch 20 Confidential sources spotted her eyeing relics at Boudhanath in ___ 23 Alternative to reggae 24 Top card, typically 25 Ex-Giant Manning 26 Detectives for Interpol saw her skulking around Independence Square in ___ 32 Hangout for a pinball fan 35 Express approval 36 Reverential poem 37 Hay bundles 38 It’s not many 39 Devilish being 41 “I” problem? 42 Neighbor of Wash.

43 Gofer’s task 44 Witnesses heard her discussing the high altitude at the Plaza Murillo in ___ 48 It follows Scooby 49 Term between names 50 Hiker’s diagram 53 International thief hiding in either 20-, 26- or 44-Across (Follow her trail by reading all the clues’ starts!) 58 Novelist Carr 59 Awkward sort 60 Stranger 61 Animal with striped legs 62 Follow a snowy trail 63 Epeeist’s ploy 64 Heavily populated 65 One is cast by a sorcerer 66 Ugly things to face, at times DOWN 1 Some puppets 2 Eerie floor noise 3 Afrocentric believer 4 The Beehive State 5 Ariel and others 6 Library on a Mac, once

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 21 22 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 38 39 40 42 43 45 46 47

Macaw, e.g. Options list “Spill it!” The perfect place The Simpsons grandma What corn can be ground into Expensive bag monogram Little outbreak Van, e.g., for a mover Ending for “Fannie” Take a stand without standing Hair adornment Oblong tomato type Usukuchi-topped noodles, perhaps Ship out “Am I my brother’s keeper?” brother Notes from a sitar Draft horse’s footfall “Foxy Brown” ‘do Energetically toweled, say End of an ___ Treble woodwind All tied up Big sellers of airtime One is undead Very stuck

50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58

Emergency responder Spy Embarkation places Angel food ___ Logician Turing Eat a snack Vat filler at a Japanese brewery Entrepreneur’s spark Liver oil source

Solution to today’s puzzle:

Show BusinessMirror

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Friday, April 1, 2022

The Oscars is alive and slappin’ A THING

THERE are rumors the singer and the actor have been a thing even when the actor was still in a relationship with an actress, and this is reportedly why she broke up with him. Everything does seem to point to the fact that the singer and the actor are getting along well and their friendship is special. However, there is no indication that it has been going on for a while. Besides, the actor and the actress were reportedly never official. They just had a mutual understanding and their relationship purportedly didn’t have any labels. Also, the singer may be flirty with guys but it’s not her thing to ruin the relationships of others.

OLD HABITS

DURING a recent event where she was supposed to be the guest of honor, the actress arrived an hour late. The guests were already getting impatient and the hosts did everything they could to entertain them so they wouldn’t leave. It’s not about the actress being a diva. She really is just used to being late. The actress is actually a changed woman. She used to be difficult in her younger years but she has matured over time. Some old habits, such as being tardy, are hard to get rid of though. So, yes, the actress is always late.

A SET-UP

IT seems the controversial starlet has been set-up by fans of another starlet so that she will appear to be a villain. The starlet has been vilified online because of her actions when the truth is, she is just a bystander. Fans of the second starlet are mad at the first starlet because they think she stole the other’s boyfriend. The boyfriend was not stolen because he really liked the controversial starlet from the beginning. He always treated the other starlet as a colleague. The controversial starlet’s ruin via lots of incriminating screenshots is the product of months of hard work of the other starlet’s digital-savvy fans. She can no longer defend herself because the other starlet is very popular online and has multitudes of fans.

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT LOVE

THE young actress is again in trouble because of love. Years ago, the young actress, then a minor, got into a controversy because she gave in to the wishes of her boyfriend. Today, fans of a loveteam composed of the young actress and her onscreen partner have turned against her just because she was caught having a boyfriend. The young actress, in truth, never said she and her onscreen partner were ever a couple. So it’s very unfair of others to hate on her without getting her side of the story.

‘UNANG HIRIT’ GIVES HOUSE TO TYPHOON VICTIMS LIVING IN PIG PEN THANKS to GMA Network’s hit morning TV show Unang Hirit, a viewer’s dream has come true: a brand-new house for her parents and siblings. Engie Federis, a 23-year-old student who works as a house helper in Pasig, won the house in Unang Hirit’s “Bagong Buhay, Bagong Bahay” contest promo. Now, Engie’s family can move out of the pig pen they’ve been living in for 16 months after their home in Antolon, Caramoan, was destroyed by Typhoon Rolly in late 2020. Typhoon Rolly was the strongest typhoon that hit the country in 2020. More than 2 million Filipinos were affected, including the Federis family whose home was severely ravaged. As a ruse, the Federis family was told that they were among the contest finalists and that they will be interviewed for a profile segment that morning. They were in for a lifechanging surprise—as winners of the brand-new house and lot from Camella Homes. This is the third time Unang Hirit has given away a brandnew house for its “Bagong Buhay, Bagong Bahay” promo. Since the show opened the contest for this batch last December 2021, thousands of entries were sent in, among them stories about challenges families faced after surviving disasters including typhoons, floods or fires. Each of the entries was thoroughly read and evaluated by the Unang Hirit team. Unang Hirit airs weekdays at 5:30 am on GMA. Viewers abroad can watch it via GMA Pinoy TV. More information can be found at www.gmanetwork.com.

THE Federis family in front of the model unit of their brand-new house and lot.

ICIOUS and viral has it become: this footage of Will Smith walking so slowly and calmly up the stage of the Dolby Theatre in California and slapping Chris Rock, a presenter at the 94th Academy Awards, known as the Oscars. The world was watching when it happened—after all, for Hollywood, the Oscars honors the world. This is of course debatable. Except for the Best Foreign Language Film, which has now become the Best International Feature Film, the show is US-based and targets basically a clear American audience, politics and aesthetic all. If ever there is a comparison to how international this awards ceremony is, think of a classroom in the US where every now and then three or four individuals coming from different ethnic backgrounds and speaking in American English are present. But that is not what people are talking about. The millions who watched the proceedings remain aghast at the sense of daring—and also arrogance—of an actor to slap a fellow actor just because the joke was delivered at the expense of the former’s wife. “Keep my wife’s name out your f&@$ing mouth!” The actor delivered it twice, perhaps to drive home the point that this was not some rehearsed gimmick as, by this time, many in the audience were still laughing loudly. How did the world react? The many bits of news speak for themselves. “Will Smith hits Chris Rock on Oscars stage,” from BBC. “Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock at Oscars,” according to Variety. “Will Smith Strikes Chris Rock [and Then Wins an Oscar],” this from the Wall Street Journal. The vloggers have been more direct and detailed in their appraisal of the fiasco. There seems to be an agreement that the slapping or punching act overshadowed all the other spotlight moments, including the winning of Will Smith for King Richard, and the selection of CODA, with its all-deaf cast, as winner for Best Picture. Many praised Chris Rock for staying so cool that he even went on to integrate Smith’s act into his spiel. Were there options for Smith? Well, many vloggers said that he could have pushed Rock away, grabbed a microphone and lambasted the comedian. That would have been more humiliating for Rock and could have added a bit of class to the actor’s rage. But we forget— this is Hollywood! The Oscars, of course, has known many scandals before, some conflicts direct and physical, some symbolic and ideological. Remember the 1974 Oscars, when a man streaked his way past behind David Niven? Streaking was a fad in those years when individuals would run in the buff out in public. True to fashion, Niven gleamed and beamed and delivered a commentary: “Isn’t it

fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?” Or, the time Marlon Brando refused to receive the award in 1973 for Best Actor for his role in The Godfather? In his absence, Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather to read a letter of refusal stating his reason as his way of protesting America’s treatment of Native Americans. Each year and for many years, the problem of representation has remained a crisis for those who are part of the guilds in the academy. Each year, the host or emcee never forgets this political aspect of the Oscars. Each year, the politics of the land and the world are part of the Oscars landscape. At the center of the politics and economics stands the host. The greatest in my list is Whoopi Goldberg, who described herself as having been chosen for the job because she has crossed ethnic and political lines. Her entrances were always grand, comic but also a mastery in self-effacement. Each year, she satirizes the propensity of showbiz denizens to wear not one but multiple ribbons to signify their embrace of issues. In one of these appearances, she mockingly scolds the audience how no black woman wearing an expensive gown would ever be caught with ribbons to cover such an allure. Goldberg used everyone from Jesse Jackson to Pat Buchanan, who she described as the “original boy in the hood” (reference: Ku Klux Klan). On the spot, she saw in one of the awards night the “Smith family,” as she marched to the side of the stage closer to where Will and Jada Smith were seated with Maggie Smith.

Goldberg spared no one. One time, referring to the campaigning common among nominees and their producers, she described the scenario as “throwing so much mud around that all nominees looked black.” Then the camera panned to Denzel Washington who fidgeted with his cuffs. The words of Goldberg as host teeter on the edge of political incorrectness even as she maintains the most sublime of a comic role: to make fun of the world, to satirize society by way of wit and not by force or weapon. To do otherwise is to live in the world of thugs and violent human beings. What’s my stand? Very simple and very clear: Hollywood is not the world. Immediately after the incident, which is expected to ramp up the already flagging audience for the Oscars, the analysis of what happened came streaming in. Especially spot-on was the condemnation of toxic masculinity prevalent in any domain with business affixed to it, including show business. Observers maintain also how the Rock/Smith act hijacked the golden moments of the golden evening. But, hey, the whole business has been hijacked a long time ago, when the Red Carpet became more important than other categories. Or have you not heard of the other issue—how the executive committee, in order to maintain more viewing hours, decided to shorten the live segment by removing eight categories out of this year’s TV program? This includes Best Documentary Short Subject, Best Original Score and Best Production Design. Now, rant away. n

Its album title also serves as its key track and references the group’s core and centeredness amid the changing tides and disruptions in music and modern society. During the album’s virtual launch, Sweet said they chose Gitna as the key track for its uniqueness. “We chose a lot of songs from Star Music’s catalogue but we decided to zoom in on this because it’s not the usual love story, and the way it combines the lyrics and melody is different. Moy also had this idea to make it a duet so when he gave it to me and OJ, it brought a different color to the song.” Since The CompanY is composed of multi-talented members, Moy also served as the vocal arranger for all the songs and likewise co-produced some tracks in the album.

Asked about the challenges of making the album which features both seasoned and younger songwriters, Moy said, “The challenge was with the songs of the new-generation songwriters, the way they compose music now is not so much formulaic— you can’t predict where the structure and melody of the song will go, and this is evident in Gitna.” Meanwhile, an accompanying mini-documentary on the making of the album has also been released on YouTube. Besides the title track, other standout songs of Gitna are their remake of “Kamusta Ka,” a jazz-andsoul rendition of this Pinoy pop classic and the oldschool jazz compliments their voices very well; and “Sa May Bintana,” a composition of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab first recorded by erstwhile Smokey Mountain member James Coronel, about one’s growing interest and yearning for a special someone. Annie Quintos takes the lead vocals in this fresh OPM offering. As someone biased to funk and disco, “Disco Plantito, Disco Plantita” is a fun track to listen to. The closing song, “Sang Tawag Mo Lang” is quintessential The CompanY which is easy to listen to with melodies that really stick to your head. The CompanY’s latest album Gitna is out now on various digital music platforms, while the music video for “Gitna” can be viewed on Star Music’s YouTube channel.

Still in good company FORMED in July 1985 by the alumni of the Ateneo College Glee Club, The CompanY initially performed as back-up vocalists for the pop stars of the 1980s before becoming professional recording artists. Now dubbed as Asia’s premiere vocal harmony act, The CompanY is the most awarded vocal recording group in the Philippines which has shared the stage with the likes of The Manhattan Transfer, Jim Brickman, Michael Bublé, Noel Pointer, John Ford Coley and many more. Much has changed since this vocal group burst into the scene. The world may have not become more “harmonious” (just open your social-media pages and you’ll see a lot of in-fighting among friends and relatives) but The CompanY still remains in-sync and—dare I say it?—fresh as evidenced in their new album, titled Gitna. Gitna is The CompanY’s stamp in proving its musical versatility. The album is a collection of multigenre songs that tackle different themes of love and highlight the group’s amazing vocal harmony. With its exploration of pop, jazz, electronica, dance and acoustic folk, The CompanY’s 29th studio album—its first under ABS-CBN’s Star Music—delves into the length and breadth of vocal harmony in modern music styles showcased by equally talented members Annie Quintos, OJ Mariano, Moy Ortiz, and Sweet Plantado.

B6 Friday, April 1, 2022

System intelligence, enabler for primary health care

Be Girl Scout-ready, be COVID-19 vaccinated at SM Supermalls!

ALLING all Girl Scouts! It’s time to fulfill our duty to the nation and get vaccinated against COVID-19! In partnership with the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), SM Supermalls is targeting to vaccinate 700,000 Girl Scouts through a nationwide GSP vaccination day starting April 2, Saturday, in 78 SM Supermall vaccination sites. “This is our commitment to the future women leaders of our nation – to give them a chance to have a safer, better normal. And one of the ways we can do that is through providing them with an accessible and convenient COVID-19 vaccination experience. We encourage all

Girl Scouts, their parents, and volunteers participating in various GSP activities to join us on April 2 and get vaccinated against COVID-19,” said SM Supermalls President, Steven Tan. GSP members aged 5 to 17, as well as their family and friends who also need to be vaccinated and boosted, are encouraged to get jabbed at the nearest SM mall. Prior to the vaccination day, GSP members must register in their respective Councils. Parents and guardians must also secure copies of any of the following documents: birth certificate, health records, school registration or ID, or baptismal certificate.

And on their vaccination schedule, GSP members must be in their official Girl Scout uniform or bring their official Girl Scout membership ID. They are also advised to take their meal prior, or bring something to snack on while waiting. Younger Girl Scouts should be accompanied by their parents to fill out the necessary forms on-site. “We are honored and grateful for the support that we’re getting from SM Supermalls. We have kept Girl Scouts, its members, and our communities safe – our top and most important priority. And getting them vaccinated is a crucial step for us to be able to fulfill our duty of helping our nation quickly get back on its feet,” said Nina Lim-Yuson, GSP National President. This endeavor with the GSP is SM Supermalls’ most recent partnership with a non-governmental organization to speed up the vaccination rollout in the country. Under this collaboration, SM Supermalls’ pediatric vaccination sites will be opened to accommodate Girl Scouts, their family members, as well as friends. To date, SM Supermalls already administered almost 10 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in over 71 malls around the country. For more information and up-to-date news on vaccination schedules at the SM malls in your LGU, follow @smsupermalls and @ girlscoutsofthephilippines on all social media platforms.

HE Department of Health (DOH) sees system intelligence ensuring the interoperability of health information within networks as an enabler for primary health care. Christian Edward Lim Nuevo, chief health program officer of the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, cited as an example where results of a patient’s medical tests provided by one facility are available in a hospital, thus there is no need to repeat tests. “So it really is about integrating information and making sure they are shared within networks,” he said in a virtual forum organized by the Livable Cities Lab. Nuevo said the DOH Disease Prevention and Control Bureau is moving toward integrating its individual disease based registries, adding it has now information for tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, animal bites, malaria, among others. “All of those follow vertical programs but we are trying to break away from that towards an integrated disease prevention and control information system, and break away from vertical programs towards life stage approaches,” he said. “So in the coming years, you can expect some information system platforms, apps, and online trackers that will display these changes in our paradigm also in disease

prevention,” he added. Nuevo also underscored the benefits of analytics in primary health care, including in electronic medical records, insurance data, imaging results, genome data, public health data, drug data, family health history, mobile health data, environmental data, and electronic medical records. Aside from ensuring the interoperability of health information within networks, other enablers for primary health care are improving health care literacy, defragmenting the local health system, expanding primary care facilities, increasing primary care worker capacity and competencies, standardizing care, and aligning incentives, he said. “Those are some of the key activities, key reforms that the central office in partnership with LGUs (local government units) are currently pursuing,” he added. Nuevo cited the importance of working on these key reforms with the private sector. “As we know around 60 percent of our service delivery capacity in the Philippines is brought by the private sector and a huge, huge part of the response to the Covid (coronavirus disease) pandemic is really brought in also by the private sector so partnership within the public and private system is a non-negotiable,” he added.

PLDT Home Biz awards mompreneurs with success stories in the inaugural online Gawad Madiskarte

O word better can describe moms pouring out their resourcefulness, creativity, and heart to provide their families the best life possible than madiskarte. The pandemic only saw more of our madiskarte moms, many of whom have ventured into online businesses to augment their household income. Recognizing these moms and their invaluable entrepreneurial spirit, PLDT Home Biz held the inaugural Gawad Madiskarte online on March 8, 2022 — just in time for International Women’s Day. Hosted by PLDT Home Biz celebrity ambassadors, the event awarded six mompreneurs whose stories of hard work, tenacity, and success stood out among 327 entries from all over the Philippines. Each Gawad Madiskarte winner received a P100,000 cash prize, a brandnew laptop, and a one-year PLDT Home Biz Asenso Fiber Plan among other major prizes to help further her online business. Gawad Madiskarte 2022 is a landmark project of Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) — a community of mompreneurs for mompreneurs created in the thick of the pandemic. “Providing Filipinos, especially mompreneurs, with the confidence to reach for their dreams and make a difference not only for their families, but also in the community, has always been our mission in Madiskarte Moms PH and PLDT Home Biz,” said Patrick S. Tang, Vice President and Head of PLDT Home Customer Management. The judges boasted industry leaders and master entrepreneurs: Butch Jimenez of PLDT Inc., Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona of the Department of Trade and Industry, Annette GozonValdes of GMA Films, Prep Palacios of Google Philippines, Issang Ceballos of Facebook Philippines, restaurateur and chef Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, and Potato Corner and Tokyo Tempura founders Jorge and Jenny Wieneke. “This award is so dear to my heart because I joined this group when I was feeling lost doing business during the pandemic. It has not been easy, and

A SUMMER WONDERLAND AT SM MALL OF ASIA. The SM Mall of Asia’s larger-than-life Wonderland Flower Time installation welcomes summer beautifully filled with bright florals bursting with colors. This Inflatable Art Display designed by Molly Chen and Mark Magnaye and created by Inflatable Factory is a fun attraction for kids of all ages.

Never stop learning at Gruenheim AT AWARDING RITES, FROM LEFT: Rommel Kristian Madrigal (Husband of Abigael Madrigal, Diskarteng Solid winner), Wvon Der Hendrich A. Adolfo (Husband of Kaylynn Adolfo, Diskarteng Malikhain winner), Rosanna Kabiling, Diskarteng May Pusowinner, Theresa Carbonel-Buenaflor, Diskarteng Digital winner and Rachelle Patalud, Diskarteng Malikhain winner I’ve been looking for a community to lift my spirit up. Sharing my story in MMPH was very therapeutic. It renewed my hope and it made me realize that I can inspire other mompreneurs,” Theresa CarbonelBuenaflor of Ellana Mineral Cosmetics, a beauty and personal care brand known for its clean, vegan, and cruelty formulas. Mommy Theresa is

Diskarteng Digital (Best Multichannel Business) awardee.

MOMMY Lou NeriaPutian of skincare brand SY Glow, winner of Diskarteng Angat (Fastest-Growing Business), shares a similar story. An entrepreneur advocating effective but affordable beauty products, Mommy Lou started her business from scratch and then scaled up her business to include distributors and resellers from the MMPH community. She now registers an average sales revenue of P1.6 million a month. For her efforts toward helping the environment while providing employment in communities across Laguna, Mommy Rosanna Dela Cruz Kabiling of waste management company Something Nice Environmental Corp. won the Diskarteng May Puso award (Best Social Enterprise). With the Gawad Madiskarte prize and recognition, Mommy Rosanna is poised to transform her company into a “worldclass” brand that promotes sustainability. Winning the Diskarteng Eco-friendly (Most Green Business) award, Mommy

Kaylynn Adolfo owns The Asian Mommy Facebook page where she sells a variety of reusable cloth diapers. Armed with a background in public health and using her page as a platform to share other parenting tips and tricks, she has made it her advocacy to redirect fellow parents to more eco-friendly household alternatives. Meanwhile, Diskarteng Solid (Strongest Start-Up Business Model) awardee Mommy Abigael Madrigal started out her online bed linen shop Mommy Matters by selling bedsheets her mother had sewn. With the help of MMPH, she was able to get her first customers and eventually expand her brand. Mommy Matters now boasts more than 100 bed linen designs and keeps a loyal customer base, earning Mommy Abigael the Gawad Madiskarte honors. As the owner of CLARA, an online clothing store whose Filipiniana designs feature detachable butterfly sleeves, Mommy Rachelle Patalud has shown how creativity and flexibility makes a good fashion statement. For her modern and casual take on a formalwear classic, she has earned the Diskarteng Malikhain (Most Innovative Product) trophy — awarded to creative minds breathing life to fresh and unique products and services. Each Gawad Madiskarte awardee also took home a KalyeNegosyo Scholarship courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. KaAsenso Jorge and Jenny Wieneke – and a trophy handcrafted by award-winning sculptor.

VEN if you have been in the business of selling since you graduated from college, there will always be something new for you to learn. You may have to learn new selling strategies or a new product to sell or how to improve your sales presentation.

With this in mind, Gruenheim Philippines conducted a training seminar for its sales personnel with the objective of not only enhancing their sales skills and leadership. The goal was also to make sure that the team would be able to effectively communicate Gruenheim’s advocacies with regard to their products. Gruenheim GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 2014 and is based in Stuttgart, Germany and is a subsidiary of Luckner & Lahusen Group GmbH & Co. KG. It is a young and fresh trademark of highend ecological, innovative and premium home appliances. It stands for products that combine functional, timeless and

puristic design with impressive technical innovations. Gruenheim products are sold worldwide exclusively by authorized Gruenheim wholesalers. Titled “Breakthrough in 2022 – Culture. Nurture. Future: Doing Breakthrough Business the Gruenheim Way,” Andreas Luckner, CEO (Marketing and Sales), flew in all the way from Germany to share his learnings and to support the efforts of Mike and Andrea Gamez, President and Corporate Secretary of Gruenheim Philippines. Facilitated by Al Ian Barcelona and Ruben Lanot, participants underwent high-impact learning sessions on personal mastery, sales leadership, NLP communication skills, effective habits of sales champions, business strategic planning and team building. “After two challenging years of being unable to meet our goals, we felt that this would be a good time to undergo these learning sessions. It’s like refresher courses that will help you jumpstart your path to selling success,” Mr. Gamez said. For more information about Gruenheim Vacuum Cleaner, Gruenheim Steam Cleaner and other products, call 0917 5984968 or email gruenheimph@gmail.com.

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

Sports BusinessMirror

Friday, April 1, 2022 B7

Ateneo, La Salle in full battle gear for weekend duel

RECORD CROWD Women’s soccer

celebrates a milestone Wednesday when a world-record crowd of more than 91,000 people watch Barcelona defeat Real Madrid, 5-2, in the Champions League at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain. Organizers say 91,553 people were in attendance, beating the previous record for any women’s game of 90,185 for the 1999 World Cup final between the US and China at the Rose Bowl. At the 2012 Olympic final in London, 80,203 people saw the US defeat Japan, 2-1, in the final. The previous club record is 60,739 in a Spanish league match between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona at Atlético’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in 2019. The previous women’s Champions League record is 50,212 for a game between Lyon and Frankfurt in Munich in 2012. A stadium-wide mosaic features the words “More than Empowerment” on the grandstands. AP

TENEO cruised to its third straight win and so did De La Salle at the resumption on Thursday of University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 men’s basketball action at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Ateneo crushed Adamson University, 78-47, to go 3-0 won-lost in the season—and 29-0 since the pre-pandemic games. De La Salle University scored a 75-65 triumph over Far Eastern University (FEU) to also go unscathed in three games and earn a momentum for the Green Archers’ highly-anticipated showdown with the Blue Eagles at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the same Pasay City venue. The Blue Eagles were in full control and only faced a semblance of a fight when the Soaring Falcons got to within eight points at the start of the second half. The Blue Eagles were unrelenting with 18 unanswered points highlighted by Ange Kouame’s three-pointer for a commanding 26-point 54-28 lead with under two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Koaume was efficient in 20 minutes on the floor and collected 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting he laced with 10 rebounds. Tyler Tio and Chris Koon tallied nine points apiece while Raffy Verano, Gab Gomez and Forthsky Padrigao had eight points each for Ateneo. All 14 players fielded by Blue Eagles Head Coach Tab Baldwin scored in the balanced attack. “We think everyone has a job to do,” Baldwin said. “Today, we got everyone on the floor which we should do.” Adamson University’s top scorers Lenda Douanga and Keith Zaldivar were limited to six points each. Unlike the Blue Eagles, the Green Archers needed Justine Baltazar and fellow senior Kurt Lojera to stave off the stubborn Tamaraws. After the Tamaraws got to within one on a Ximone Sandagon dunk, 61-62, the Green Archers replied with a 9-0 spurt courtesy of Baltazar and Lojera for a 71-61 breather with three minutes remaining in the game. “Hopefully we can use this as a springboard when we face Ateneo,” La Salle Coach Derrick Pumaren said. Baltazar finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and one block while Lojera got 10 points. Mark Nonoy went 5 of 8 from the threepoint zone for 17 points and Michael Phillips had 16 rebounds and six points for De La Salle. L-Jay Gonzales paced the Tamaraws with 17 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists but had four turnovers. Ojuola got 13 points, only two in the second half, and 12 rebounds. RJ Abarrientos was limited to 1 of 7 from the field and finished with nine points.

Altas, Cards in ‘NC’ hoops tiffs

NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta and Mapua eye a share of first place as they play separate foes Friday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym. The Altas go up against the San Sebastian Stags at 12 noon, while the Cardinals tangle with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 3 p.m. Perpetual Help and Mapua hope to force a four-way tie for the season lead with titleholder Letran and San Beda at 2-0 won-lost. First-year coach Myk Saguiguit had a winning start after the Altas pulled off a 77-56 victory over the Heavy Bombers last Tuesday with holdovers Kim Aurin and Jielo Razon leading the way. The Stags, on the other hand, seek to rebound from last Sunday’s narrow 63-65 defeat to Arellano University as the Recto-based squad failed to capitalized big man Justin Arana’s absence in the final minute.

Short but explosive best-of-3 PVL Open semis matches on

ATENEO’S Ange Kouame tries to shake off his fellow big man Lenda Douanga of Adamson University.

By Josef Ramos

HE University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) will open its gates starting on Tuesday to students and fans for the ongoing Season 84 men’s basketball tournament, the BusinessMirror learned on Thursday. The BusinessMirror gathered from at least three UAAP board members that the league will start accommodating fans at the Mall of Asia Arena next week. None of them, however, agreed to be named in deference to season host De La Salle. De La Salle officials were mum and referred the matter to UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag. He didn’t reply to messages before Thursday’s print deadline.

UAAP SET TO OPEN VENUE TO FANS STARTING TUESDAY

The MOA Arena sits 14,000 but the league, as well as its broadcast partner Cignal/TV5, will start with a limited number of fully vaccinated fans. Tickets for Patron seats, however, will not be offered and instead, students and fans will be given access only for the Lower and Upper Box sections. Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero de Vera III said the league doesn’t anymore need to seek the CHED’s permission to open the games to fans and students. “There’s no need to ask permission because there are guidelines [for sports activities] in place,” De Vera told BusinessMirror from Canada where he’s on official travel for the recognition of degrees of Filipino nurses there. “I’m not surprised that the opening of sports competitions is going well and that’s because the drafting of the

guidelines was a collaborative effort.” De Vera said he’ll be back Tuesday and will be watching the games “to congratulate them [leagues] for their good work opening up sports competitions.” Sienna Olaso, Cignal’s First Vice President and Head of Channel and Content, confirmed that the league is opening the games to fans and students. “Yes, it’s April 5,” Olaso told BusinessMirror. It makes the game more exciting, and there’s a sign of normalcy and it’s great for the league.” Two professional leagues— Philippine Basketball Association and Premiere Volleyball League—are admitting fans almost at full capacity at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan, respectively. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), on the other hand, will “soon” allow fans and students to watch their teams play in Season 97. NCAA Management Committee

(Mancom) Chairman Dax Castellano of season host College of Saint Benilde told to BusinessMirror that the league will also shift to a bigger venue from the La Salle Greenhills Gym in San Juan. “We are now exploring a bigger venue to accommodate the fans,” Castellano said. “But our ultimate priority, as we [Mancom] agreed upon is still the safety of the students.” “We cannot be complacent of allowing the fans in, we just have to take it slowly but surely,” Castellano said. “One wrong move, our league could be shut down. That’s why we are very careful of our decisions.” “In fact, we allow each school to bring at only 10 guests to the venue,” he added. The UAAP and NCAA opened simultaneously last March 26 after being shuttered like all of sports in March 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both leagues though aren’t playing a full program of sports in their return.

MVPSF, Smart boost PHL golf development Panlilio, who also serves as MVPSF President and Philippine Olympic Committee First Vice President, has always been an advocate of sports development for nation-building. “PLDT and Smart, together with the MVPSF, have supported many athletes at the grassroots and elite levels as they compete in the international stage with various sports: from badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, football, taekwondo, rugby, weightlifting, and of course, golf,” Panlilio said. “We implement programs to develop emerging sports heroes and promote a culture of winning excellence at a community level, particularly among the youth,” he added.

LDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) and its premium postpaid brand Smart Infinity have reaffirmed their support for the promotion and development of golf in the Philippines through the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF). MVPSF is supporting 15-year-old Rianne Malixi, the reigning Philippine amateur champion and US Women’s Amateur Championship qualifier. Malixi is also expected to be

part of the Philippine team to the Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games in May. Malixi, the 2021 American Junior Golf Association winner, joined PLDT Inc. and Smart President and CEO Alfredo Panlilio during the tee off at the recent Infinity Golf Classic President’s Cup—the annual golf event powered by Smart Infinity. Part of the many exclusive perks and privileges of every Smart Infinity subscriber, the revival of the Infinity Golf Classic President’s Cup took on a much deeper meaning as it honored changemakers and advocates of social impact and coincided with the 11th anniversary of the MVPSF.

HOTSHOTS OR BOLTS?

YOUNG golf sensation Rianne Malixi poses with PLDT Inc. and Smart President and CEO Alfredo Panlilio.

AGNOLIA and Meralco clash in a no-tomorrow Game 5 of their semifinals series on Friday with the winner facing off with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel for the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The match is set at 6 p.m. “We are ready—physically and mentally, for Game 5,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, whose wards sent the series to the limit following their 94-73 win in Game 4 on Wednesday.

“We must have the proper mindset and mental toughness on both ends. It’s do-or-die so we expect a very physical game.” Mike Harris had 34 points and 18 rebounds and Paul Lee finished with 17 points for Magnolia in Game 4, but are marked by the Bolts for Friday night’s duel. Coach Norman Black said the Bolts need to match the Hotshots’

intensity but stressed their need to get those rebounds. They were outrebounded, 40-57, in Game 4. “It’s very important that we rebound the ball better,” Black said. “We must also limit our turnovers and play with a higher sense of urgency.” Ginebra advanced to the finals by beating NLEX, 112-93 in Game 4 also on Wednesday when resident import Justin

The MVPSF also backed Olympian and 2018 Asian Games individual bronze medalist Bianca Pagdanganan, who has now turned pro and is already competing in the Ladies Professional Golfers Association Tour. The foundation also plans to support amateur golfers LK Go, Jolo Magcalayo and Sam Bruce who are currently studying and training abroad. “The goal of Smart Infinity is to be the bridge of our members interests and passions, and to further inspire them in their daily lives—be it in sports, travel, lifestyle, and advocacy projects; to be able to empower them as Changemakers, and to further create infinite legacies for a better world,” said Sofia Borromeo-Alvarez, Smart Infinity AVP and Brand Head.

Brownlee scored a career 47 points. Magnolia, then Purefoods and led by Alvin Patrimonio, beat a Robert Jaworski-coached Ginebra side, 4-2, in the 1997 Philippine Cup. Meralco, on the other hand, is hoping to face Ginebra in a PBA Finals for the fourth time in seven years. Josef Ramos

OUR teams of equal strength but of varying styles and character clash in a pair of explosive matches so crucial to their respective final drive as the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference semifinals unwrap Friday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. In a short best-of-three series, winning the opener is imperative, thus guaranteeing a virtual slugfest between Cignal HD and Petro Gazz at 3 p.m. and Creamline and Choco Mucho in the 6 p.m. main game. BaliPure and Army, meanwhile, clash at 11 a.m. in the classification round that includes dethroned champion Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics and PLDT. Though the star-studded Creamline side has racked up three crowns since it debuted in the league in 2017, including the Open in 2019 before the league took a long hiatus due to pandemic, Choco Mucho is unfazed, believing it has the materials and desire needed to defang a seasoned team as the Cool Smashers. Sure, Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, Jeanette Panaga, Celine Domingo and ace setter Jia De Guzman have the experience to take on a rival of any class head-on, the Flying Titans are hungry for recognition on a team built around the league’s leading scorer Kat Tolentino and a young bunch of aces raring to bring the team to the next level after finishing third in last year’s inaugural pro staging of the Sports Visionorganized league in Ilocos Norte. They include middle blockers Bea de Leon and Aduke Ogunsanya, outside hitters Isa Molde, Des Cheng and Ponggay Gaston and playmaker Deanna Wong with support to come from the likes of Cherry Nunag, Caitlyn Viray, Regine Arocha and libero Den-den Revilla. While the main match will feature sister teams that have donned the Ateneo colors in the collegiate league, the Cignal-Petro Gazz faceoff will showcase a team that has transformed from a badly-beaten crew to an unbeaten contender and a squad chasing a second PVL championship in four years. How the HD Spikers will fare in a tougher, gut-wrenching phase will be known today as the Angels test their mettle in a match tipped to go the distance and either way. Cignal, which placed dead-last with only a victory to show in nine games in Ilocos Norte, has been on a magical run, sweeping its group prelims and sinking BaliPure in the quarters, easily making the HD Spikers not only the team to watch in the semis, but also the squad to beat. Coach Shaq delos Santos has been drawing great games from Ces Molina, Rachel Anne Daquis, Angeli Araneta, top setter Gel Cayuna and top blockers Ria Meneses and Roselyn Doria with the team to rely anew on their chemistry and superb all-around game that continued the baffle the opposition, including the toughest of the lot. But the Angels are also one solid unit itching to prove their worth and they underscored their readiness to go for a follow-up to their first and only championship in the 2019 Reinforced Conference, where they beat the Cool Smashers, by bundling out the recent Champions League titlists F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in four sets in the quarters.

Motoring BusinessMirror

Henry Ford Awards Best Motoring Section 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 2011 Hall of Fame

Friday, April 1, 2022

Editor: Tet Andolong • www.businessmirror.com.ph

ISUZU GENCARS MAKATI IS THE NEW FACE OF IOS O By Patrick P. Tulfo

NE of the oldest dealerships of Isuzu in the country, Gencars Makati, recently underwent a major facelift in line with the company’s newest policy that orders all dealerships to follow their latest showroom design aptly called Isuzu Outlet Standard program or IOS. The new IOS philosophy can be seen on the facade of the Isuzu Gencars Makati which now sports a new black paint that goes very well with the white Isuzu logo, the red theme that was previously the standard color of the dealerships was retained but only to a minimum. The black theme goes all the way inside the showroom which gives it businesslike but pleasant atmosphere. More importantly, the showroom can now display four light commercial vehicles and two trucks with still plenty

of space for customers to move around. Outgoing IPC Pres. Hajime Koso in his speech said, “Today, we are launching a new face for Isuzu Makati, a modern and functional facility to greet our customers in the area. Aligned with our new Isuzu Outlet Standard or IOS, this dealership design provides a better customer experience and satisfaction, leading to achieving utmost customer success.” Gencars chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon echoed the state-

Isuzu Gencars Makati façade Photo by Roy Domingo

ment of IPC president by saying that the Gencars Group is more than happy to adopt the Isuzu Outlet Standard or IOS in all of their dealerships around

the country. He said, “It is only fitting that we start with our maiden branch, Isuzu Makati. The transformation of this dealership, from the beautiful façade to the elegant showroom and the cozy customer lounge, is in line with the IOS design philosophy, which aims to redefine the role of the Isuzu brand in global and local automotive industry.” He added, “As one of IPC’s longtime partners, Gencars shares the company’s desire to enhance the experience of our customers whenever they visit our dealerships. With our new IOS compliant Isuzu Makati, we are confident that our loyal customers, as well as first time visitors, will appreciate the upgrades, along with our excellent products and services.” The new Isuzu outlet standard is part of the company’s push to

Isuzu’s best-selling D-Max and mu-X are on display at the showroom Photo By Patrick P. Tulfo

achieve utmost Customer Success, aligned with Isuzu’s Global Dealerships Standards. That gives importance not only on sale side of the business but the overall customer experience. Isuzu Makati was the recipient of the coveted Dealer of the Year Award (DOYA) for two consecutive years, in 2004 and 2005, plus

multiple awards in sales, parts, service and above all customer satisfaction. The dealership is located at the corner of Chino Roces and Dela Rosa street and has a total land area of more than 8,815 sq.m that houses one of the largest service bays for Isuzu vehicles sold in the country.

Volvo & Petron gear up for MIAS

T is barely a week before the nation sees the much-awaited return of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) on April 7 to 10 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Surely, this is another screaming proof of the industry’s return to normalcy? This iconic motoring event has been with us for years, its much-admired streak abruptly ended only because of the almost three-year pandemic scourge starting in 2020 that pitifully brought the world down to its knees. I’m sure many of our car companies will be back to strut their wares again as they usher in a grand motoring rebirth. Two outfits of substance bidding to make an impact on the show are Volvo and Petron. “Volvo Philippines is revved up and ready to display the scorching hot models in its local fleet,” wrote Paolo Ella. “We will showcase our new range of hybrid vehicles.” Petron has a different tack this time. “Industry leader Petron Corp. will further strengthen its support to the event

by not just displaying the company’s world-class lubes but also unraveling the latest array of motorcycles under the company’s roof,” said Amy Christine Giray, special projects manager of Gadgets. To continue with Volvo, here’s Paolo again: “Start 2022 off with the right foot with Volvo’s selection of smart, sophisticated and electrified models. “This year, the local stable is thrumming with cars powered by a state-of-the-art four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine connected to a 48-volt hybrid system that gives out up to 313 horsepower and 460 Nm of torque. “Volvo’s Boost Hybrid Range—as it is locally called—brings smoothness and electric power to every drive. The 48V battery and Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) support the combustion engine for reduced fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions. There is also no need for charging as every time the brake is used, the battery is fed with recovered braking energy.”

And from Amy Christine: “Petron will highlight ‘Petron Panalo ang Pilipino’ theme to emphasize its solidarity with our countrymen and our shared aspiration to rise up and recover from the challenges of the past two years. “As Petron is the auto show’s exclusive fuel and lubricant sponsor, visitors will be welcomed by a Petron booth with a rallycar display in the lobby, where games are on tap. A big highlight is the display of 50 cars from different eras. These cars trust only Petron Blaze 100, the only 100-octane and Euro 6 gasoline in the country. Sharing equal importance are the latest BMW motorcycle bikes. “As the country’s leading oil company, Petron takes pride in being the biggest oil player and only remaining refiner in the country with the local capability to formulate world-class products to meet the diverse fuel needs of Filipino motorists. “Having served the fuel needs of the country for almost 90 years, only Petron has a deep understanding of the unique driving conditions on Philippine roads. “Created by Filipinos for Filipinos, Petron fuels and lubricants are designed to meet the motoring needs of everyone.”

PEE STOP Honda recently held its groundbreaking ceremonies for its Bacoor dealership in Cavite. It will be its 38th dealership and 11th under Honda Cars Makati. Projected opening is December 2022...Happy birthday to Ted Failon, who celebrates a day after President Duterte’s birthday on March 28. Cheers!