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IN this August 21, 1971, file photo, Liberal Party top brass proclaims the LP senatorial and local candidates at Plaza Miranda just seconds before two grenades were hurled at them. At left is Lito Atienza, the last among the notable politicians who survived. GERRY ROXAS FOUNDATION

MIRANDA BOMBING: BEYOND THE SCARS

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By Lourdes M. Fernandez

IFTY years ago, on the night of August 21, 1971, two grenades were lobbed at a Liberal Party rally at Manila’s iconic Plaza Miranda, killing nine people and nearly wiping out the then-opposition’s top guns.

Among the wounded: Jovito Salonga, who would become the post-Edsa’s first Senate president despite his serious injuries; LP president Gerardo Roxas; Senators Eddie Ilarde and Eva Estrada Kalaw. John Osmeña, who would also become senator after Edsa; then-Palawan congressman Ramon V. Mitra Jr., Councilor Ambrosio “King” Lorenzo Jr., and the LP candidates for mayor and vice mayor, Ramon Bagatsing Sr. and Martin B. Isidro.

Beyond the carnage, however, it was the wound to the national soul and the damage to democracy that has taken the longest to heal, according to one of the survivors— the only survivor still alive today among the notable politicians on that ill-fated stage.

Now 80 years old, veteran public servant Lito Atienza, who was 30 and an aspiring councilor, shared with the BusinessMirror his recollection of the blast and, more tellingly, how it scarred Philippine politics.

“Plaza Miranda bombing is one of the biggest crimes in our country that remains unresolved. [It is in the mold of] the Ninoy Aquino assassination, the Mendiola Massacre, the many other bombings and killings, and even recently, that dastardly kidnapping and killing of the Korean businessman from Pampanga, who was killed right inside Camp Crame—established as done by cops— and his body cremated and flushed down the toilet,” Atienza said in an interview.

“Our pattern of political vio-

lence—and worse, inability to resolve many of the incidents—continues to hound our struggle for democratic restoration and political maturity,” he added.

Whatever the truth as to who was behind it—the two main theories putting the blame on then president Ferdinand Marcos and later, on communist leader Jose Maria Sison, Atienza said, “Plaza Miranda placed the whole democratic system in jeopardy, because Marcos used it as an excuse for declaring a state of emergency, suspending the writ of habeas corpus, and eventually declaring martial law.... It introduced an avenue for grabbing power.”

It also, he added, paved the way for an authoritarian regime that enabled “corruption, caused institutional damage [that until now we have yet to completely rebuild or correct].”

Until now, 50 years later and 35 years after the Edsa revolt that ousted the Marcos dictatorship, Filipinos struggle at nation-building and at restoring damaged institutions, lamented Atienza, who recently turned 80 and is one of the few leaders who lived through the years of transition and whose public service straddled both the Executive and the Legislative, local and national offices.

The fateful night

AUGUST 21, 1971, was the LP Proclamation Night for its senatorial and local candidates in Manila: Bagatsing Sr. for mayor and Isidro for vice mayor.

Atienza recalled those moments: “It was my first try at politics,

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 50.5130

The last among the notable survivors of the Plaza Miranda bombing 50 years ago ponders the wounds that have not healed: a nation struggling with violence and democratic damage

ATIENZA: “Our pattern of political violence—and worse, inability to resolve many of the incidents—continues to hound our struggle for democratic restoration and political maturity.” ALYSA SALEN

running for councilor in the party that my forebears had cofounded.

“I was standing near the rightmost part of the stage, and we were raising our arms for the photo-op.

Seconds after we were proclaimed, I saw something, wrapped in newspaper, thrown in the direction of the stage. The newspaper came undone, was separated from the object. Miraculously, the trajectory of that object was affected when it hit a metal object—I recall it was the stand of a TV crew’s camera. I still remember the faint sound of metal against metal, as the object, or what turned out to be the first grenade, hit the metal post, and thus fell right below the stage near our side. By that time, we were already seated. I survived because it did not land onstage.

But the blast was so strong we were

thrown back with our chairs. In an instant, I saw blood all over me; my partymates, friends, all wounded; I myself was covered in blood. Then it dawned on me there might be another one. I had the presence of mind not to stand up at once. True enough, a second grenade landed onstage. I would later realize this second grenade was the one that injured most of the LP leaders onstage.”

The current senior deputy speaker said he heard what sounded like gunshots and “I thought to myself, ‘this was a massacre. These people are out to kill all of us onstage.’

So I did not move, and that must have saved me.”

He heard people rushing, in a stampede, “but still I lay down on stage, even though some people were running over me.

“After some time, I and Lito Osmeña saw John Osmeña, his brother, and we commandeered a vehicle and brought John to Manila Doctors Hospital.”

After tending to John [who was seriously wounded and would undergo years of treatment and rehabilitation], the doctors checked Atienza thoroughly. Even though he was covered in blood, doctors did not find any wound or injury, and one of them told him, “you just experienced a miracle. You are completely unhurt.”

Later, Atienza recalled, one of his doctor friends suggested he put bandage on any part of his body, since all of the LP group was continuing the campaign, all manifesting some injury—a cast here, a bandage there. Bagatsing, one of those most seriously injured, appeared on a wheelchair as he had lost a leg. He won by a landslide over the incumbent, the very popular and experienced mayor Antonio Villegas.

Atienza, then 30 years old, lost that election, and some well-meaning friends said it was probably because he did not have any injury and thus did not attract sympathy.

“But I didn’t mind it then. To me, the most important lesson from there was that God had spared me from death or injury for something else perhaps.”

Another key takeaway: “I realized then that rather than be cowed, or cowering in fear, I have to remain in politics, endure all this, and discern as much as I can what I must do with God’s guidance.

“Nung gabing ’yun, nawala lahat ang takot ko [That night, I lost all fear].”

That fearlessness became useful

in 1983, when nationwide protests erupted after the Ninoy Aquino assassination. He would get caught up in the swirl of protests and was prodded to run under the opposition banner in the 1984 election for assemblymen in the Interim Batasang Pambansa.

“I couldn’t have joined, or identified with the ruling KBL. The chance fell on us to contest the ruling party of Marcos,” so he tried his luck in an uphill campaign—with no funds, with so many risks, physical and otherwise.” His father, the consummate public servant Jose “Lolo Pepe” Atienza, advised him to think well about it, given the quixotic campaign. Atienza recalled telling his father, “It’s not a matter of whether I win or lose, since I know they will cheat. For me to be able to explain the issues of the day is enough.”

Atienza said he had by then projected the number of meetings he could call, the number of people he could reach during the campaign.

Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4603 n UK 68.8997 n HK 6.4844 n CHINA 7.7776 n SINGAPORE 37.0194 n AUSTRALIA 36.1067 n EU 58.9941 n SAUDI ARABIA 13.4690

Source: BSP (August 20, 2021)

NewsSaturday BusinessMirror

A2 Saturday, August 21, 2021

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How Afghanistan’s Ghani went from President to villain in hiding

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F anyone was supposed to know how to fix Afghanistan, it was Ashraf Ghani.

Before becoming president in 2014, Ghani spent much of his life studying how to boost growth in poor nations. A Fulbright Scholar with a doctorate from Columbia University, he taught at some of America’s elite academic institutions before stints at the World Bank and United Nations. Later he co-wrote Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World.

Ghani fled Afghanistan on Sunday, and his whereabouts were a mystery before the United Arab Emirates announced three days later he and his family were in the Persian Gulf state “on humanitarian grounds.” The Russians claimed he left Afghanistan with four cars and a helicopter full of cash, something Ghani denied in a video message released Wednesday. In the country he’s become a villain: his central bank chief and key members of his administration have denounced him publicly. Efforts to reach him or his close aides were unsuccessful.

“I had to move out of Afghanistan to prevent Kabul from bloodshed and destruction,” Ghani said in the video, adding that he had no intention to leave but security officials warned him of a “big conspiracy” to take his life. “I was moved out of Afghanistan in such a way that I didn’t even have the chance to take off my sandals and wear my shoes instead.”

In many ways, Ghani’s swift downfall reflects the broader failures of the US to impose a government on Afghanistan that had buy-in from a

range of competing power brokers with a long history of fighting on the battlefield rather than at the ballot box. Although he was a Pashtun, the country’s dominant ethnic group, Ghani was seen as an outsider who lacked the political touch to unite disparate factions, and he became more isolated over time.

“Ghani was not accommodating of the realities of how Afghanistan works,” said Kabir Taneja, author of The ISIS Peril: The World’s Most Feared Terror Group and its Shadow on South Asia and a fellow at Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. “He either didn’t understand or couldn’t understand the warlords, who are essentially people representing ethnic fault lines.”

After the US invasion in 2001, Ghani returned to Afghanistan for the first time in more than a quartercentury, and served for two years as finance minister in an administration led by Hamid Karzai.

Afterward Ghani became a darling of the international aid world, giving Ted Talks, penning op-eds in major newspapers and speaking at conferences. At one point he was considered a candidate for UN secretary-general.

Following a failed bid for the presidency in 2009, Ghani linked up with several prominent Afghan politicians—including influential warlordturned-vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum—to win the top job five years later.

cess. Then this year, after President Joe Biden set a withdrawal deadline for August 31, Ghani resisted calls to step aside and allow a transitional government to take power as the Taliban made military advances.

‘I will not flee!’

GHANI: “I had to move out of Afghanistan to prevent Kabul from bloodshed and destruction. I was moved out of Afghanistan in such a way that I didn’t even have the chance to take off my sandals and wear my shoes instead.” AP

But his victory was undermined from the start: John Kerry, then America’s top diplomat, flew to Kabul to broker a unity government that gave his main rival the position of “chief executive”—a title that appears nowhere in Afghanistan’s US-modeled constitution.

In 2017, Ghani said he had “the worst job on earth” in an interview with the BBC. Still, he claimed that Afghan security forces had turned a corner against the Taliban and coalition forces would be able to leave by 2021.

That turned out to be accurate, just not in the way he predicted. President Donald Trump’s administration started direct talks with the Taliban in a bid to end America’s longest war, and shut Ghani out of the pro-

“GHANI pretended to be for peace, but in reality he was in favor of war in order to remain in power even if it cost lives and pushed the Taliban to revert back to a military option,” said Omar Samad, former Afghan ambassador to Europe and fellow at Atlantic Council. “The delay tactics ruined the chances for a deal that would have removed him from office but would have paved the way for a broad-based transition.”

As the Taliban descended on Kabul over the weekend, Ghani told the people that he would avoid the fate of former king Amanullah Khan, who abdicated and fled to British India in 1929.

“I will not flee!” Ghani said at an event in Kabul on August 4, raising his voice loudly. “I won’t seek safe haven and I will be at the service of people.”

Yet as the Taliban blitzed across the country and marched to Kabul, Ghani appeared increasingly isolated. In a video released hours before he fled, Ghani called for the Defense Ministry to set up telephone helplines for citizens to call.

‘Treason’

AFTER Ghani fled, even his Cabinet members were furious.

“They tied our hands behind our backs and sold off the country,” Bismillah Mohammadi, Afghanistan’s acting defense minister, said on Twitter after Ghani fled. “Damn to Ghani and his team.”

In the video message on Wednesday, Ghani said he had been planning to negotiate with the Taliban to have a peaceful transfer of power. He called for an inclusive government and said he was in talks to return to Afghanistan.

With Ghani out of the country, former president Karzai and other Afghan politicians are now leading discussions with the Taliban on setting up a new government. One thing they’ll easily agree on: Disdain for Ghani.

“Ashraf Ghani has betrayed his own motherland, team and tribe,” Abdul Haq Hamad, a member of Taliban’s media team, told Afghanistan’s Tolo News. “Such treason will always be remembered.”

Shadowy Taliban leaders now running Afghanistan

FOR decades the Taliban’s leadership structure has been in the shadows: Even before the US invasion in 2001, little was known about how the group

operates beyond the names of a few top leaders.

Now the militants are trying to recast themselves in a more moderate mold: promising amnesty for their enemies, vowing to build an inclusive government with various ethnic groups, keep terrorist groups off Afghan soil and allowing women to work within the bounds of Shariah law.

Those are all among conditions for the US and its allies to recognize the group as the legitimate new rulers of Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s senior leadership includes many Mujahideen fighters who were once trained by the US during the Cold War to battle against the invading Soviet Union forces in the 1980s. The Sunni group’s membership is drawn largely from the majority ethnic Pashtun population most dominant in the southern part of the country.

Here are seven of the most influential men in the organization:

Haibatullah Akhundzada, Supreme Commander BORN in 1961, Akhunzada became the Taliban’s third supreme commander—the highest rank in the organization—after the US killed his predecessor in a 2016 drone strike.

He is more known as a religious leader than a military commander, and maintains a low profile. Akhunzada hasn’t been seen in public since he became the Taliban’s top leader, and few photos of him are available. His last public statement came in May to mark Eid al-Fitr, a holiday marking the end of Ramadan.

Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Leader THE Taliban’s deputy leader is the main public face of the Taliban who will likely head the next government. He was closely associated with Osama bin Laden and co-founded the Taliban along with Mullah Mohammad Omar, the one-eyed cleric who was the group’s first supreme leader. Baradar was captured in the Pakistani port city of Karachi in 2010 in a joint operation with US Intelligence, and Zalmay Khalilzad— the US special envoy for Afghanistan—reportedly helped secure his release in 2018 ahead of peace talks with the Trump administration.

Baradar lived in Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban has a political office, until his return on Tuesday to the southern city of Kandahar, the group’s birthplace. As the Taliban’s diplomatic leader, he signed a peace deal with the Trump administration in February 2020 that laid out the roadmap for the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan. He also met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier this month in Tianjin.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, Leader of Designated Terrorist Group

THE leader of the Haqqani Network, a US-designated terrorist organization, became the second deputy Taliban leader after the groups merged around 2016. He is believed to move between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and is said to oversee finances and military assets across the two countries. It’s unclear how the US will treat the Haqqani Network as part of ongoing negotiations with the Taliban. His brother, also a key Taliban leader, was captured by US forces in Bahrain in 2014 and transferred to Bagram prison before being released in a prisoner exchange four years later.

Mohammad Yaqoob, Founder’s Son

YAQOOB is the son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar, and was once considered a contender for the group’s top job because of his lineage. Few details are known about him. News reports suggest that he was educated in a seminary in neighboring Pakistan and now lives in Afghanistan. He is believed to supervise the group’s military activities along with Sirajuddin Haqqani.

Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Top Negotiator BELIEVED to be close to Supreme Commander Akhunzada, Haqqani heads the Taliban’s negotiating team in charge of the peace talks with the former US-backed government. He also heads a senior council of religious scholars.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, Key Diplomat UNLIKE many of the group’s leaders, Stanikzai speaks fluent English and traveled the world extensively as deputy foreign minister when the militants last controlled power in Afghanistan. In 1996, he visited Washington on a failed mission to convince the Clinton administration to acknowledge the Taliban’s government.

He has also led delegations to China to meet government officials, according to a Reuters report. Stanikzai is also Abdul Hakim Haqqani’s deputy negotiator on talks with Afghan government officials.

Zabihullah Mujahed, Main Spokesman MUJAHED earlier this week addressed the Taliban’s first press conference in Kabul, and is likely to play a significant role in conveying the group’s message to the international community. During 20 years of war, he communicated with journalists only over the phone or via text messages. The media interaction on August 17 was the first time he was seen in public.

Bloomberg News

Miranda Bombing: Beyond the scars Continued from A1

Of course, the nightmare of Plaza Miranda 12 years earlier was still in his mind, so he planned his meetings and campaign sorties—8 meetings nightly, from 6 pm to 4 am— with security precautions. “I was always conscious of threats, my eyes on alert, each time we were speaking onstage. One time, I was so passionate in my speech and so concentrated on my message that I accidentally hit the microphone stand and the mic smashed into my face. For a brief second, I thought, I had been hit by a grenade or something,” Atienza recalled with self-deprecating chuckle.

He recalled how, “wherever we went, people waited for us. Many times they put up improvised stages—plywood placed across several metal drums.”

The 1984 Batasan campaign was the “most beautiful campaign I’ve ever been in. Because people came to our meetings without any expectation, without asking for anything, but just eager to hear what we had in mind on the issues of the day.”

He started the campaign with zero funds, but along the way, people helped out with donations in cash and in kind. Outside his home in San Andres Bukid, Manila, a truckload of eggs once arrived, and at one time, there was a truckload of softdrinks.

An amusing recollection: a friendly neighborhood bumbay, those Indian businessmen—a fixture in many Philippine cities, peddling household goods like mosquito nets, thermos bottles, aluminum containers, on installment or lend out money—once came to his house early and quietly left a small envelope with P1,000.

“He was known as a tightwad, so when he donated to our campaign, I treasured that.”

Atienza noted how, in contrast to the cash-starved 1984 campaign of the opposition—where six Metro Manila assemblymen including Atienza trounced the KBL, the administration was so literally “cash-rich” that in 1986, at the celebrated walkout by the opposition lawmakers from the Batasan which proclaimed Ferdinand Marcos winner of the snap elections despite allegations of fraud, “they rained down money on us.” The gallery had been pre-filled with hundreds of people herded by the Metro Manila Commission, and when the opposition MPs walked out, they hurled those then-huge one-peso coins, hitting many in the head.

“Inulan kami ng pera [money rained on us], pero masakit, a, kasi ang laki ng piso nuon,” Atienza recalled, adding, he’d prefer being hit by a huge coin anytime than a grenade.

Takeaways for young leaders

HAVING survived Plaza Miranda and martial law, when he was twice detained, and lived through several political eras, does he have a message for the young, given the gamechanging trend in 2019 that saw several youthful leaders trouncing established dynasties?

“The young of today should not be discouraged. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have money,” but are nonetheless qualified and have something good to offer people, he said. “If you have the qualifications, the ideals, and the communication skills, communicate with people” and let them know “your vision and your plans.”

Money “helps in any campaign, but is not the primary requirement,” he added.

As for his own decades in public service, he noted that it was during the times he had made much effort at discerning “God’s plans” that he was able to mount successful campaigns. He lost the election after the Miranda bombing, but believes he was spared to fight other battles.

In the end, he said, whoever perpetrated the bombing, the indelible mark it left on Philippine political history and on the national soul should constantly be the subject of study—“because in remembering well, that’s the only chance we have at moving forward.”

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Japan disburses 4th and final tranche of post-disaster loan Phase 2 for PHL

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he Gover nment of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), disbursed 10 billion yen to the Government of the Philippines on Friday that serves as the fourth and final tranche of the Post-Disaster Standby Loan Phase 2 (PDSL 2) to supplement Manila’s response measures in times of catastrophes and health emergencies.

With the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) from August 6 to 20, the need to support vulnerable sectors and enhance institutional health capacities also escalated.

On this basis, Japan received a disbursement request for the allocation of the remaining portion of the PDSL 2 for the Philippines’s pandemic response and recovery interventions such as the provision of emergency subsidies and strengthening of preventive mechanisms.

The loan accord for the PDSL 2 was signed between JICA and the Department of Finance (DOF) on September 15, 2020, establishing a contingency fund from which the Philippines could withdraw up to 50 billion yen.

The first tranche of the PDSL 2 worth 10 billion yen was released in October 2020 following the extension of the state of calamity in the Philippines due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, a total of three disbursements under the PDSL 2 were made this year, including the 10 billion yen in January 2021 to aid rebuilding efforts after Typhoons Quinta, Rolly and Ulysses, the 20 billion yen in June 2021 to augment the Philippines’s Covid-19 war chest, and the latest 10 billion yen issued this month.

Japan, in a news statement, expressed high hopes that the PDSL 2 served its purpose as a quick-disbursing budgetary support that would open the way for the Philippines to fully recover from the impact of the current pandemic.

News BusinessMirror

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s the National Capital Region (NCR) was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ ) from August 21 to 31, 2021, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that “granular lockdowns” would be intensified in areas where there are noted spikes in Covid-19 cases.

MMDA Chairman Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said that Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) shall also double up its mass testing, immediate isolation, and contact tracing to control further transmission.

The Metro Manila Council (MMC) welcomed the decision of the InterAgency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) placing the NCR under MECQ. “Even prior to the announcement, the Metro local government units have been imposing granular lockdowns in their respective jurisdictions,” Abalos said.

Curfew, outdoor exercise

The imposition of unified curfew

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

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he sales of imported car dealers registered a slight dip in July after selling fewer passenger cars (PC), data from Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors Inc. (AVID) showed.

In a news statement issued on Friday, the industry group reported that car sales declined by 5 percent to 4,862 units in July from 5,101 units

year-on-year.

“Despite this, AVID’s performance reflects the industry’s overall improvement amidst the pandemic,” it said.

The PC segment slid by 27 percent to 1,293 units from 1,765 units the previous year.

Sales of commercial vehicles grew by over four times to 93 units for the month from just 19 units in the same period last year.

Light CV sales inched up by 5 percent to 3,476 units in July from 3,317 units last year.

In the first seven months, however, AVID booked 43-percent sales growth with 35,092 units sold, higher than previous year’s 24,610 units.

PC sales as of end-July increased by 15 percent to 9,110 units from 7,893 units year-on-year. Suzuki Philippines Inc. has the lion’s share with 4,559 units sold, followed by

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Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. with 2,979 units.

The LCV segment saw its sales jump by 52 percent to 25,127 units for the seven-month period from 16,561 units the previous year. Ford Group Philippines is the frontrunner in this segment with sales of 10,343 units. This is followed by Suzuki and Hyundai with 7,076 units and 3,177 units, respectively.

Sales for CV skyrocketed to 855

units for the period from last year’s 156 units, most of which are accounted for by Hyundai.

“The gradual adaptation of the automotive industry to ‘now normal’ operations is mainly driven by the valuable lessons gathered and learned over the course of the period. These lessons fuel our passion for developing new and innovative ways to addressing the needs of the market,” AVID President Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

Creation of sub-technical working group on vax certification okayed

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he Inter-Agency Task Force for t he M a n a ge me nt of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the creation of a sub-Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked to facilitate the issuance of digital vaccination certificates for fully vaccinated persons.

In a news statement, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the sub-TWG would craft policies on the distribution of national certificates to individuals who have received two doses of any coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine.

“The IATF approved the constitution of a sub-Technical Working Group to design, deploy, support, and recommend relevant policies related to the national certificate for Covid-19 vaccinations, otherwise known as ‘VaxCertPH,’” said Roque, also acting as IATF spokesman.

T he sub -T WG w i l l be led by t he Depar t ment of Infor mat ion and Communications Technolog y (DICT), he added.

Roque said members of the subT WG include the Department of

Health (DOH), the Departments of the Interior and Local Government, Foreig n A ffairs, Tour ism, Transportation, and Labor, and the National Privacy Commission and other agencies that may be included by the DICT. “VaxCertPH” is a portal and mobile application developed by the DICT for the DOH for the issuance of digital vaccination certificates for fully vaccinated Filipinos.

In a separate briefing Thursday, DICT Undersecretary Emmanuel Rey Caintic said the system would allow the public to apply for their certificate through an online portal by the first week of September.

“Doon po nila ilalagay ang detalye ng mga pangalan nila at saka kung kailan po iyong petsa ng kanilang pagbakuna para ma-check at ma-look up natin sa ating vaccine information database [That’s where they will put all of their details like their name or when they were vaccinated that will be looked on our vaccine information database],” he said.

If the information entered matches what is available in the database, he

said the vaccine certificate will be immediately issued.

“Kung hindi man, may contact center na tatawag sa kanila at aalalayan sila para makuha ito [If not, there will be a contact center that will call them and guide them through getting their certificate],” Caintic said.

If their record still cannot be found, he said the concerned local government unit (LGU) could have failed to send their record to the system.

“Huwag mag-alala kasi tinuturuan po natin ang mga LGUs ngayon kung paano matulungan ang kanilang mga constituents sa pagkuha at pag-rectify at pag-aayos ng kanilang mga datos (No worries because we’re teaching our LGUs on how to assist their constituents by rectifying and securing their data),” Caintic said.

The certificate, he said, can be used in tandem with their passport to go overseas.

He said while the system is ready and already up-to-par with the World Health Organization’s digital documentation Covid certificate, LGUs are still being trained to allow for its

hours from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. across the cities and municipality of NCR shall remain in effect until further notice.

Meanwhile, the resolution prohibiting Metro Manila residents from conducting physical fitness exercises outdoor, which took effect last August 9, will lapse on Friday, August 20, as specified in the resolution.

“Hence, outdoor exercises in NCR will be allowed for the period of MECQ starting tomorrow, August 21, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. only,” Abalos said.

ECQ vs MECQ Abalos said that during the recent implementation of the two-week ECQ period, only essential businesses are open.

“Authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), including workers of essential businesses are allowed to go out. Non-APOR are not allowed to go outside except for emergency purposes and accessing essential goods and services,” the MMDA chief added.

Unlike previous MECQ in the NCR,

he stressed, indoor and al-fresco dinein services, and personal care services, including beauty salons, beauty parlors, barbershops and nail spas are not allowed.

“Religious gatherings shall remain online or virtual,” he said.

Meanwhile, as approved by the IATF, necrological services, wakes, inurnment and funerals shall be allowed, provided the immediate family members of the deceased who died of causes other than Covid-19 shall present satisfactory proof of their relationship with the deceased and that they fully comply with the prescribed minimum public health standards.

of the Interior and Local Government for renewing the contracts of hired contact tracers vital to sustain contact tracing efforts to decrease the spread of the virus.

He vowed that the MMC will coordinate and work closely with the Philippine National Police for the strict implementation of granular lockdowns as well as observance and compliance to minimum health protocols.

“We shall also request the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to make available more hotels as standby isolation facilities as Covid cases are continuously rising and some hospitals have reached full capacities,” he added.

Close coordination

Covid vaccine

“On behalf of the Metro Manila Council, I would like to express our gratitude to Senator Richard Gordon, chairman and chief executive officer of the Philippine Red Cross, and Secretary Vince Dizon, Deputy Chief Implementer and testing czar, for granting our request for more Covid-19 test kits,” he said.

He also thanked the Department

Abalos said that 585,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine has arrived in the country on Friday.

Of which, 79 percent of will be distributed to 38 local government units and the MMDA and 21 percent to private companies.

“This will be a great boost to our efforts of ramping up vaccination in NCR,” he said.

Ayala Land tops 2021 Intl Business Awards

yala Land Inc. (ALI) bested companies from around the globe as it received the most number of Stevie® Award wins at the 18th Annual International Business Awards (IBA).

The Stevie Award is a premier business award program that recognizes the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide.

ALI was the overall winner this year, taking home 36 Stevie Awards in total, 11 of which were Gold, 6 Silvers and 19 Bronzes.

More than 3,700 nominations were submitted this year by organizations of various sizes and industries, and coming from 63 nations and territories around the world. Stevie Award winners were determined by the aver-

A3

Imported car sales slightly dips in July

MMDA to heighten ‘granular lockdowns’ after ECQ–Abalos

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

Saturday, August 21, 2021

age scores of more than 260 executives worldwide who participated in the judging process from June through early August.

“Most especially in these difficult times, when all sectors of society are enduring the challenges of the global pandemic, we continue to strive for excellence within our organization in order to serve our stakeholders and the communities in the best and most effective way possible. It is our goal to drive recovery by intensifying our community engagement efforts,” said Manny A. Blas, ALI vice president.

Among Ayala Land’s Gold Stevie Award winning programs was its “Zero Waste” Circular Waste Management Program. This unique circular economy model established a process in which waste materials such as plastics

were given alternative destinations for recycling and reprocessing.

ALI’s pioneering Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in the Philippines, AREIT Inc. also won a Gold Stevie as Real Estate Company of the Year. Its landmark Initial Public Offering in 2020 was designed to make the Philippine property market more inclusive and accessible to Filipino investors through a best-in-class REIT. Makati Development Corporation, the construction arm of Ayala Land, was another Gold Stevie awardee as Materials and Construction Company of the Year. It has been cited for its contributions to the creation of local employment, as well as for the various process company-wide improvements and technological innovations it has implemented. Key subsidiaries Ayala

Land Logistics Holdings Corp. and Ayala Land Offices Inc. also won Gold Stevies for industry contributions and organization achievements.

The rest of Ayala Land’s awards are driven by employee, community and nation-building initiatives.

“What we’ve seen in this year’s IBA nominations is that organizations around the world, in every sector, have continued to innovate and succeed, despite the setbacks, obstacles and tragedies of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” said Stevie Awards President Maggie Gallagher. “All of this year’s Stevie Award winners are to be applauded for their persistence and their resilience. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with them during our 8 December virtual awards ceremony.”

smooth rollout.

The public’s vaccination data will be managed by the DICT and the DOH. “At ang pag-issue po ng vaccine certificate ay private key encrypted at ito’y hawak lang po ng DOH [The issuance of this vaccine certificate is private key encrypted and this is only in the hands of the DOH],” Caintic said.

To ensure authenticity, the vaccine certificates will be “digitally signed” based on the records of the DOH. “Sila [DOH] lang po ang mismong nag-iisyu ng certificate na ito, sila

lang po ang nag-sign [Only the DOH will issue this certificate, they’re the only ones who will sign],” Caintic said.

To date, he said majority of LGUs, especially in Metro Manila, are able to submit “100 percent” of the information on the vaccinations they have administered daily.

As of August 18, about 29,127,240 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered nationwide.

A total of 12,877,197 individuals have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, while 16,250,043 others have received the first dose. PNA

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Saturday, August 21, 2021

TheWorld BusinessMirror

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

Kamala Harris heads to China’s backyard in diplomacy reboot C

Beijing takes next step in taming big tech with personal data law

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ice President Kamala Harris will look to bolster economic and military cooperation in China’s backyard as she visits Singapore and Vietnam starting this weekend in the Biden administration’s most highprofile trip yet to Asia.

The White House has gone on the diplomatic offensive in Southeast Asia after years of passive US engagement, recently sending top diplomats to the region along with Covid vaccines that have accounted for about a fifth of the 111.7 million doses it donated globally. In addition to securing a key military deal with the Philippines in July, the approach signals a more assertive posture in a part of the world that has grown more economically dependent on Beijing.

Southeast Asian leaders will be looking for Harris to reassure them of America’s role as a major trading partner that offers a reliable security presence against Beijing’s assertiveness in areas like the South China Sea. But they’re also wary of any comments that may force them to choose between the US and China on issues from 5G networks to financial aid.

“In many ways, the US is playing catch up in Asia as a result of its paying little attention to the region over the last 20 years,” said Carl Schuster, a former operations director at US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center. “I can assure you no Southeast Asian country wants to choose between the US and China. They see no benefits to choosing sides and a lot of disadvantages.”

For Harris, the trip is an opportunity to raise her international profile as she is expected to run again for president after she pulled out of the 2020 contest and later became Joe Biden’s running mate.

But, as talks with Asian officials come amid concern from American allies over the US exit from Afghanistan, she likely will face questions from reporters about Biden’s handling of the withdrawal.

Harris, who arrives in Singapore on Sunday, will receive intelligence briefings on Afghanistan during her trip and will be in regular communication with the White House, the officials said.

She’s scheduled to hold a joint news conference with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday and participate in a roundtable focused on supply chain resilience. In Hanoi, she will launch the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regional office in Southeast Asia.

Economic ties

Among the top priorities for both sides is filling the economic void left by the Trump administration’s withdrawal of the trade agreement now called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for TransPacific Partnership, CPTPP, which includes four Southeast Asian nations. Under Biden, the US is discussing proposals for a digital trade agreement covering Indo-Pacific economies as a possible avenue to check China’s influence.

Trade in goods between the United States and the 10-nation bloc known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which represents the world’s fifth-largest economy, increased 62 percent to $285 million in the decade to 2019, according to statistics from the bloc. By comparison, that trade with China more than doubled in that time to $508 million.

“It is important for us to re-establish the connection,” Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s trade and industry minister, said in an interview on Tuesday, adding that digital trade was on the agenda. “We do want to see stronger engagement from the US in this region in terms of the economic area, as well as other areas, politics.”

Courting Vietnam

Harris’s trip to Vietnam will mark the first time a sitting American vice president has visited since the war ended in 1975. Although former President Donald Trump held two historic summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Southeast Asia, he skipped other major gatherings in the region, stoking concerns over US reliability.

Biden’s team is looking to repair that image, and has already adopted a less confrontational tone over China issues. Softening the ground further, the US Treasury Department and Vietnam’s central bank in July reached an accord under which Hanoi’s government will allow more flexibility in its currency, easing a dispute in which the US had discussed whether to impose tariffs on the Asian nation.

While the approach may help court a potential economic partner like Vietnam, experts caution any significant breakthroughs are still a ways off.

“I think Vietnam will welcome cooperation with Washington in a very cautious way,” said Le Dang Doanh, a Hanoi-based economist and former government adviser.

“Vietnam has a very long land border with China. It has very close economic relations with China.

Both sides will understand Vietnam needs to remain cautious.”

Senior Biden administration officials said Harris and her team are focused on the importance of the USVietnam relationship and achieving outcomes to strengthen it.

South China Sea

The US has also sought to bolster its security presence in a region where China has grown its naval capacity. That includes the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes where Beijing has long disputed swathes of territory with Southeast Asian claimants.

During a trip to Singapore in July, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to work with regional partners to “deter coercion and aggression across the spectrum of conflict,” including Chinese maritime claims. Days later, he secured a key military pact with the Philippines that sets the terms for joint exercises and engagement of American soldiers there. The challenge for the US now is building on the deal while avoiding a military confrontation with China.

“A good deterrent strategy and an integrated diplomatic-economic-military-communications outreach approach should maintain the status quo,” said Schuster. “No one expects it to set the stage for shutting China out of the South China Sea or give up the territory it has already seized.” Bloomberg News

hina has passed legislation setting out tougher rules for how companies handle user data, a move pushing forward its campaign to curb big tech’s influence.

The legislature of the Asian nation approved the Personal Information Protection Law, the China Central Television said in a report on Friday morning.

Details of the new legislation were not immediately released but earlier drafts required firms to get user consent to collect, use and share information, and to provide a way for them to opt out. Companies found breaking the rules could face fines of up to 50 million yuan ($7.7 million) or 5 percent of their annual revenue.

China under President Xi Jinping has been cracking down on its most powerful tech stars, including Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Tencent Holdings Ltd and Didi Global Inc. in a bid to ensure its grip on society. The government is also moving to address consumer worries about the gradual erosion of their privacy as tech companies make rapid advances in the use of tools from facial recognition to big data.

The nation’s legislature passed a related law in June that gave Xi the power to shut or fine tech companies that stood in the way of his efforts to control vast reams of data they build. The moves come as some US lawmakers call for breaking up Internet titans like Facebook Inc. and Alphabet Inc., and as European regulators prioritize anti-trust actions and giving users more control over data.

That legislation, which goes into effect September 1, would also help the Chinese government in its quest to make the world’s second-largest

economy a leader in big data. Beijing has been pouring money into data centers and other digital infrastructure to make electronic information a national economic driver and help shore up the legitimacy of the ruling Communist Party.

The new law promises to further hem in China’s tech giants, already under fire from a thicket of regulations governing everything from how they strike deals and price services to the way they harness the enormous amounts of data hoovered up daily. Along with the earlier legislation, the privacy rules threaten to severely curtail a raft of online commerce services that rely on personalized data to target consumers and peddle their wares.

Drafts of the latest personal data law would tighten rules on user profiles that companies keep and the recommendations that apps can make. Any decisions that are automatically made in the apps must be “fair and just,” Zang Tiewei, a spokesman for a commission under the legislature, told a news briefing in Beijing last week.

They also allowed for restrictions on moving personal information across borders and required that any critical information be stored within China.

“Data localization requirements are not new or unique to China, but in terms of practical impact for companies here, there is no question that ‘letter of the law’ compliance is more cumbersome now than before,” said Nathaniel Rushforth, cyber security and data counsel at DaWo Law Firm Shanghai.

“We should expect to see more frequent and substantial enforcement actions against all companies in China,” he said.

Climate impact of coal sales from US lands scrutinized

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ILLINGS, Montana—US officials launched a review Thursday of climate damage and other impacts from coal mining on public lands as the Biden administration expands its scrutiny of government fossil fuel sales that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

The review also will consider if companies are paying fair value for coal extracted from public reserves in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah and other states, according to a federal register notice outlining the administration’s intents.

Coal combustion for electricity remains one of the top sources of US greenhouse gas emissions, even after many power plants shut down over the past decade because of concerns over pollution.

Almost half the nation’s annual coal production—some 250 million tons last fiscal year—is mined by private companies from leases on federal land, primarily in Western states.

Coal lease sales were temporarily shut down under President Barack Obama because of climate concerns, then revived under President Donald Trump as he sought to bolster the declining industry.

Among President Joe Biden’s first actions in his first week in office was to suspend oil and gas lease sales—a move later blocked by a federal judge—and he faced pressure from env ironmental groups to take similar action against coal.

Few leases have been sold in recent years as coal demand shrank drastically, but the industry’s opponents want to ensure it can’t make a comeback as wildfires, drought, rising sea levels and other effects of climate change worsen, according to a report last week from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The Interior Department review will consider the effects of coal mining on air quality and the local environment, whether leasing decisions should consider if the fuel will be exported, and how coal supports the nation’s energy needs.

The agency said it will take 30 days of public comment and plans to announce its next steps

by November.

The coal program brought in $387 million for federal and state coffers through royalties and other payments last year, according to government data. It supports thousands of jobs and has been fiercely defended by industry representatives, Republicans in Congress and officials in coal producing states.

“Our public lands are intended for multiple uses, including the production of affordable, reliable energy for all Americans, and we look forward to providing comment throughout the government’s review,” said Ashley Burke with the National Mining Association, an industry lobbying group.

California, New York, New Mexico and Washington state sued after then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke revived coal lease sales in 2017. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe, joined by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, also filed a legal challenge, while state officials from Wyoming and Montana argued against reviving the moratorium.

The Biden administration had sought to delay the legal challenges, but a federal judge said in June that the states and environmentalists faced potential damage if the case got stalled. US District Judge Brian Morris cited pending lease applications for thousands of acres of federal land holding at least 1 billion tons of coal.

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China poised to add anti-sanctions provision to Hong Kong Charter

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hina’s top leg islative body is expected to approve a proposal to impose an anti-sanctions law on Hong Kong, a retaliation against the US that could put global firms in the cross-hairs of a conflict between the world’s two largest economies.

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee is poised to pass the resolution Friday adding China’s anti-sanctions legislation to Hong Kong’s Basic Law. The city will likely need to pass local legislation before it can be fully implemented, said Chief Executive Carrie Lam, adding that doing so before the current Legislative Council term ends on October 30 would be “an extremely tight timetable.”

China Central Television said in a report Friday morning that the legislature had approved several laws, but did not mention the anti-sanctions legislation.

The anti-sanctions law was passed in June as the country sought to defend itself amid the volley of sanctions the US has placed on Chinese businesses and top officials, including Lam, for human-rights abuses in Xinjiang and in Hong Kong. It gives broad powers to seize assets from entities that formulate or implement sanctions on China, and empowers people and companies to sue “individuals and organizations” in Chinese courts, seeking compensation for losses that result from “discriminatory restrictive measures.”

The US flagged that China could apply its anti-sanctions law to Hong Kong, when President Joe Biden’s administration warned businesses about the growing risk of operating in the city. In China, the reciprocal sanctions have yet to make an impact due to the US dollar’s dominance in the global financial system.

Instead, authorities have focused on tit-for-tat responses with

little tangible effect, such as visa and travel bans for foreign officials with few ties to China.

While much about the law is left vague, if implemented robustly, it could force companies to navigate two contrary regulatory requirements, leading to a bifurcation of Chinese and US operations in Hong Kong, Adam Smith, a former senior adviser in the US Treasury Department’s sanctions unit, told Bloomberg TV on Tuesday.

“US sanctions are really the gold standard that companies around the world comply with almost by default,” said Smith, who’s now a trade compliance adviser with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. “So companies in Hong Kong, especially because of the dollar peg, are very wary of getting it wrong.”

Lam has expressed support for the legislation, dismissing foreign governments and Western media outlets that she predicted would “make a big deal out of this” by saying it weakens the city’s “position as a financial center and confidence toward Hong Kong.”

The sanctions law marks the third time in just over a year that China directly intervened to amend the city’s constitution, despite promises it would allow the Asian financial center to operate with a “high degree of autonomy.”

Since June 2020, Chinese lawmakers have enacted a national security law and pushed an election overhaul to ensure the city is under “patriots” only rule. The sanctions law will also be added to Macau’s charter.

Hong Kong Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng sought to assuage fears that the law might negatively impact Hong Kong’s business community by acknowledging that “some of us may be very concerned,” during a press conference on August 3.

“But I think we shouldn’t be too worried for now.” Bloomberg News

Man surrenders after claiming to have bomb near US Capitol

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ASHINGTON—A North Carolina man who claimed to have a bomb in a pickup truck near the US Capitol surrendered to law enforcement after an hours-long standoff Thursday that prompted a massive police response and the evacuations of government buildings in the area.

Authorities were investigating what led the suspect, identified as 49-year-old Floyd Ray Roseberry, to drive onto the sidewalk outside the Library of Congress, make bomb threats to officers and profess a litany of anti-government grievances as part of a bizarre episode that he live-streamed for a Facebook audience. Police later searched the vehicle and said they did not find a bomb but did collect possible bomb-making materials.

T he standoff was resolved peacefully after roughly five hours of negotiations, ending when Roseberry crawled out of the truck and was taken into police custody.

But even in a city with a long history of dramatic law enforcement encounters outside federal landmarks, this episode was notable for its timing—Washington remains on edge eight months after the insurrection at the US Capitol—and for the way the suspect harnessed social media to draw attention to his actions in the hours before his arrest.

Authorities who spent hours negotiating with Roseberry—he held up handwritten signs through his driver-side window—were continuing to dig into his background Thursday evening. They did not

reveal any details about a motive, and no charges were immediately announced.

Investigators had been speaking with members of Roseberry’s family and learned that his mother had recently died, Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said.

“There were other issues he was dealing with,” the chief said, without providing specific details.

But social media appeared to offer its own clues.

As police continued negotiations, video surfaced of Roseberry on Facebook Live inside the truck, which was stuffed with coins and boxes. He threatened explosions, expressed hostility toward President Joe Biden, profanely warned of a “revolution” and laid bare a series of grievances related to US positions on Afghanistan, health care and the military.

Roseberry’s ex-wife, Crystal Roseberry, said she had seen images of the man in the standoff at the Capitol and confirmed to The Associated Press that it was her ex-husband. She said she had never known him to have explosives, but he was an avid collector of firearms.

Videos posted to Facebook before the page was taken down appear to show Roseberry at a Nov. 14 Washington rally attended by thousands of Trump supporters to protest what they claimed was a stolen election. One video appears to be filmed by Roseberry as he’s marching with a crowd of hundreds of people carrying American flags and Trump flags and shouting “stop the steal.” AP

Saturday, August 21, 2021

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Taliban suppress more dissent as economic challenges loom

By Ahmad Seir, Tameem Akhgar, Kathy Gannon & Joseph Krauss

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The Associated Press

ABUL, Afghanistan—The Taliban violently dispersed scattered protests for a second day Thursday amid warnings that Afghanistan’s already weakened economy could crumble further without the massive international aid that sustained the toppled Westernbacked government.

The Taliban have sought to project moderation and say they want good relations with the international community, but they will face a difficult balancing act in making concessions to the West, satisfying their own hard-line followers and suppressing dissent.

A UN official warned of dire food shortages, and experts said the country was severely in need of cash, while noting that the Taliban are unlikely to enjoy the generous international aid that made up most of the ousted government’s budget.

The Taliban have pledged to forgive those who fought them and to restore security and normal life to the country after decades of war.

But many Afghans fear a return to the Taliban’s harsh rule in the late 1990s, when the group largely confined women to their homes, banned television and music, chopped off the hands of suspected thieves and held public executions.

On Thursday, a procession of cars and people near Kabul’s airport carried long black, red and green banners in honor of the Afghan flag—a banner that is becoming a symbol of defiance. Video from another protest in Nangarhar province showed a bleeding demonstrator with a gunshot wound.

Onlookers tried to carry him away.

In K host province, Taliban authorities instituted a 24-hour curfew Thursday after violently breaking up another protest, according to information obtained by journalists monitoring from abroad. The authorities did not immediately acknowledge the demonstration or the curfew.

Protesters also took to the streets in Kunar province, according to witnesses and social-media videos that lined up with reporting

by The Associated Press.

The demonstrations—which came as people celebrated Afghan Independence Day and some commemorated the Shiite Ashoura festival—were a remarkable show of defiance after Taliban fighters violently dispersed a protest Wednesday. At least one person was killed

at that rally, in the eastern city of Jalalabad, after demonstrators lowered the Taliban’s flag and replaced it with the tricolor.

Meanwhile, opposition figures gathering in the last area of the country not under Taliban rule talked of launching an armed resistance under the banner of the Northern A lliance, which joined with the US during the 2001 invasion.

It was not clear how serious a threat they posed given that Taliban fighters overran nearly the entire country in a matter of days with little resistance from Afghan forces.

The Taliban so far have offered no specifics on how they will lead, other than to say they will be guided by Shariah, or Islamic, law. They are in talks with senior officials of previous Afghan governments. But they face an increasingly precarious situation.

“A humanitarian crisis of incredible proportions is unfolding before our eyes,” warned Mary Ellen McGroarty, the head of the UN’s World Food Program in Afghanistan.

Beyond the difficulties of bringing food into the landlocked nation dependent on imports, she said that over 40 percent of the country’s crop has been lost to drought.

Many who fled the Taliban advance now live in parks and open spaces in Kabul.

“This is really Afghanistan’s hour of greatest need, and we urge the international community to stand by the Afghan people at this time,” she said.

Hafiz Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Kabul, said some food has flowed into the capital, but prices have gone up. He hesitated to pass those costs onto his customers but said he had to.

“It is better to have it,” he said.

“If there were nothing, then that would be even worse.”

Two of Afghanistan’s key border crossings with Pakistan are now open for trade.

However, traders still fear

‘Twilight’ backer gets five years in prison in fraud case

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EW YORK—A tech entrepreneur who invested in the film studio that made the Twilight movies was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for his fraud conviction.

Omar Amanat, 48, was sentenced in Manhattan federal court

by Judge Paul G. Gardephe.

Amanat, who once boasted on his web site of having helped make 30 mov ies through his stake in Summit Entertainment,

which produced films including The Hurt Locker and the Twilight films, was convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges in 2017 after a two-month trial.

The conviction stemmed from his role in the technology startup Kit Digital.

In a release, US Attorney Audrey Strauss said Amanat defrauded investors of millions of dollars through years of lies and deceit. AP

Afghans wave a black, red and green banner in honor of the Afghan flag—a banner that is becoming a symbol of defiance since the Taliban have their own flag, on Afghan Independence Day, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday, August 19, 2021. AP

insecurity on the roads and confusion over customs duties that could push them to price their goods higher.

Amid all the uncertainty and fears of Taliban rule, thousands of Afghans are fleeing the country.

At Kabul’s international airport, military evacuation flights continued, but access to the airport remained difficult. On Thursday, Taliban fighters fired into the air to try to control the crowds gathered at the airport’s blast walls.

After a chaotic start in which people rushed the runway and some clung to a plane taking off, the US military is ramping up evacuations and now has enough aircraft to get 5,000 to 9,000 people out a day, Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor said Thursday.

President Joe Biden said he was committed to keeping US troops in Afghanistan until every American is evacuated, even if that means maintaining a military presence there beyond his August 31 deadline for withdrawal.

In an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, Biden said he thought the Taliban were going through an “existential crisis” about whether they wanted to be internationally recognized as a legitimate government. “I’m not sure they do,” he said.

The Taliban have urged people to return to work, but most government officials remain in hiding or are themselves attempting to flee. The US has apparently frozen Afghanistan’s foreign reserves and shipments of dollars that help sustain the local currency, the afghani.

The International Monetary Fund has cut off access to loans or other resources for now.

“The afghani has been defended by literally planeloads of US dollars landing in Kabul on a very regular basis, sometimes weekly,” said Graeme Smith, a consultant researcher with the Overseas Development Institute. “If the Taliban don’t get cash infusions soon to defend the afghani, I think there’s

a real risk of a currency devaluation that makes it hard to buy bread on the streets of Kabul for ordinary people.”

Smith, who has written a book on Afghanistan, said the Taliban are unlikely to ask for the same billions in international aid sought by the country’s fallen civilian government—large portions of which were siphoned off by corruption.

The Taliban have long profited off the drug trade in Afghanistan, which is the world’s top cultivator of the poppy from which opium and heroin are produced. The militants now have access to customs duties from the border crossings, which were the main source of domestic income for the previous government.

But 75 percent of the previous government’s budget was covered by donor countries. “It costs a lot less to run an insurgency than it does to run a government,” said Laurel Miller, director of the Asia program at the Crisis Group, an international think tank. “The opium trade and the border crossings [are] not enough money to run a government, at least as it has been run in recent years.”

The Taliban will struggle to make accommodations to the West while satisfying the ultraconservative Muslim fighters that brought them to power after a 20year insurgency, with the latter likely being the priority, Miller said. Even a significant shift toward moderation might not be enough for Western countries to keep the aid flowing.

“How ready is Congress going to be to vote for development assistance for a Taliban government?” she said.

Akhgar reported from Istanbul, Gannon from Guelph, Canada, and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Rahim Faiez in Istanbul, Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

A6 Saturday, August 21, 2021

ExportUnlimited BusinessMirror

Occidental Mindoro bamboo growers seek IP rights over unique products and designs

By Jonathan L. Mayuga

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BAMBOO community in Occidental Mindoro has filed with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for intellectual property (IP) rights over their distinct bamboo crafts that have raised their income opportunities.

The filing is expected to protect the business interest of the Ansiray Tree Planters Development Association Inc. (ATPDAI) as they developed their own products and designs.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) implemented the “Handicraft Industry for Sustainable Community Development and Environmental Protection” in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

As the DENR project helped maximize their production of bamboo, ATPDAI was able to produce 31 types of bamboo products.

These are four types of lampshades, two types of wine holders, two types of centerpiece table, placemats, hamper, mobile speaker, tower racks, curtains, pitcher, cup, necklace, earrings, bracelet, key chains, ballpen holder, and tray.

There are also two types of baskets, accessory organizer, Chinese design bamboo sala set, bilao, television rack, modern crib, modern style sala set, and mugs and pitcher.

The government is promoting the use of bamboo as a substitute to wood as it is as durable as any wood, and it contributes to deforestation.

The Ilin Island in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro has abundant natural stands of bamboo. Ansiray, one of the island’s barangays, has been known for its bamboo furnituremaking community.

More than 30 households pos-

ANSIRAY community developed its own designs for bamboo crafts. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOST

BEAUTIFUL Filipino engineered bamboo for finishing, flooring or walling. PHOTO COURTESY OF DOST

sess furniture-making skills.

Eighteen households, on the other hand, are engaged in bamboo tree production.

The DENR initiative, with a project cost of P868,000, included capacity building, enterprise development and marketing, operations management, and project management.

The project generated a product trademark and label that qualify for IPR and a business plan for the bamboo enterprise operations.

The local government unit (LGU) of San Jose provided an area in San Jose población to be used by ATPDAI as display area to showcase their bamboo products.

The San Jose LGU has also been planning to establish a bamboo eco-park in Ilin Island. It has been committing to engage in a project on diversification of the use of bamboo.

Another collaborator, the Divine

Word College of San Jose-Occidental Mindoro, is extending training for the community’s financial and technical literacy.

DENR’s attached agency, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), is training the Ilin islanders on bamboo propagation and best practices in bamboo farming.

Bamboo has huge benefits to the environment—one major function is fighting soil erosion, along with carbon sequestration.

Bamboo can be used for posts, roofs, walls, floors, beams, trusses and fences. It is also a raw material for mats, baskets, tools, handles, hats, toys, musical instruments and furniture. Bamboo shoots are considered a delicacy in some communities.

Most bamboo species are fast growing. But its use has not been increasing in the same pace.

Lack of investment, weak in-

stitutional framework, and limited skilled people in the bamboo craft are among the reasons blamed for the slow growth of the bamboo industry.

The absence of reliable raw material source also discourages investments in bamboo processing.

Barangay Ansiray has a total of 224 households with an average of eight members per household with a usual income per capita of P3,000 per month. With the DENR project, the households have been observed to have raised their income.

Almost 60 percent to 70 percent of Barangay Ansiray’s agricultural area is planted with bamboo.

DENR is promoting sustainable kind of forest management in Occidental Mindoro as the forests are heavily threatened with illegal human activities such as charcoal making and kaingin.

These result in degradation of soil and forest destruction.

ATPDA I has a tenure over 382.15 hectares of forestland under DENR’s Community-Based Forest Management Agreement

(CBFMA). They have 152 hectares of bamboo plantation that are now under the management of the National Greening Program.

DENR’s city environment and natural resources office (CENRO) in San Jose has conceived the bamboo project as the community’s income from beds and sala set, their traditional products, is not enough to sustain their livelihood.

DENR is asking assistance from other government agencies in maximizing business opportunities of ATPDAI. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) can lend assistance in machineries and product design.

Bamboo is a very versatile construction material that some experts have developed “engineered, laminated bamboo.” It is beautiful design of wood finishing for flooring and walling that can command a high price in the market.

Infrastructure should also be improved in Ansiray as their production area is in an island. As such, they need a boat for the efficient transportation of their products.

WTO: Record global trade in goods might be nearing a peak

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LOBAL trade in goods might be close to plateauing—albeit at a record level—amid an outlook clouded by regional imbalances and coronavirus outbreaks that slow economic activity, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said.

The Geneva-based trade body’s goods trade barometer rose to 110.4 in March, the highest in records going back to 2016, according to a statement on the WTO web site on Wednesday. It said that while the index is still above its longer-term average, the gains are decelerating, “which could presage a peaking of upward momentum in trade.”

Each of the gauge’s components —such as air freight, container shipping, raw materials and automotive products—showed abovetrend growth. But the export orders index “has slowed more definitively, providing a further indication that the pace of recovery is likely to decelerate in the near term,” the organization said.

The WTO said the latest reading is consistent with its forecast from March 31 for an 8-percent increase in the volume of world merchandise trade in 2021 after a 5.3-percent drop in 2020.

“The outlook for world trade continues to be overshadowed by downside risks, including regional disparities, continued weakness in services trade, and lagging vaccination timetables, particularly in poor countries,” the WTO said.

“Covid-19 continues to pose the greatest threat to the outlook for trade, as new waves of infection could easily undermine the recovery.” Bloomberg News

Japan’s imports, exports grow on overseas economic rebound

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OKYO—Japan’s exports in July jumped 37 percent from a year ago, the government said Wednesday, highlighting an overseas recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Imports also grew, rising 28.5 percent, according to Finance Ministry data, for the second straight month of a trade surplus for the world’s thirdlargest economy.

Japan’s exports grew to the US, Asia and Europe; while imports increased from Brazil, Belgium and Kuwait.

By category, exports grew in

food, iron and steel products, and electronic parts. Imports rose in food, auto parts and oil.

Japan marked a trade surplus with the US, but a deficit with China in July.

The strong trade numbers come even as Japan is seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases that are causing some hospitals to turn away patients.

The government’s “state of emergency” was extended Tuesday through September 12.

It had previously been set to end this month.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga also expanded the regions

IN this September 29, 2020, file photo, cars wait to be exported at Yokohama port, near Tokyo. Japan’s exports in July jumped 37 percent from a year ago, the government said Wednesday, August 18, 2021, highlighting an overseas recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. AP

under emergency and a less strict quasi-emergency to about two-thirds of the nation. He promised hospital systems will be reorganized to increase wards to care for Covid-19 patients.

Japan has been trying to balance curbing infections while keeping the economy going. Japan’s economy grew at an annual rate of 1.3 percent in the April-June quarter.

The emergency is centered around having restaurants and bars close early and not serve alcohol and asking department stores and shopping malls to

limit crowd size.

Some government advisers have suggested stricter measures may be needed.

Japan has had more than 15,000 Covid-19-related deaths. But worries are growing about the new more contagious delta variant. After the Tokyo Olympics were held without fans, the Paralympics open later this month with similar anti-virus measures in place.

Although the vaccine rollout started slowly, about 40 percent of the population now is fully vaccinated. AP

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Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, August 21, 2021 A7

House panel approves measure creating geriatric health institute

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

measure, which the House Committee on Health earlier approved.

The substitute bill is a consolidated version of House Bills 485, 604, 958, 3949, 7101, 7169, 8739 and 8799, which seeks to establish the NCGHRI and dedicated medical facilities and geriatric specialty centers in all Department of Health (DOH) accredited hospitals all over the country.

The measure provides that all donations, endowments, contribu-

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A N I L A —T h e H o u s e Committee on Ways and Means on Monday approved the draft substitute bill seeking to establish the National Center for Geriatric Health and Research Institute (NCGHRI).

In an online hearing, committee Chairman Albay Rep. Joey Salceda accepted the tax provision of the

tions, grants and bequests used actually, directly and exclusively for the proposed NCGHRI shall be exempted from donor’s tax.

The NCGHRI shall also be exempt from income tax, and customs duty levied by the government. It shall also avail itself of the tax expenditure subsidy administered by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), subject to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code.

House Committee on Health Chairman and Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan said the NCGHRI would be mandated to establish, operate, equip, and maintain an integrated medical institution specializing in geriatric health services. Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the health care of elderly people through prevention and treatment of their diseases and disabilities.

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, au-

Negros Oriental targets 133,317 seniors for Covid-19 vaccination

By Mary Judaline Partlow

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THE province of Negros Oriental targets to inoculate 133,317 senior citizens against Covid-19. As of August 17, 2021, only about 21 percent of the total number of senior citizens has been vaccinated in the province. PNA FILE PHOTO

As an incentive, if an A4 individual can bring a senior citizen along, that person will also be eligible to be vaccinated, she added.

Estacion appealed to the people to encourage their family members, relatives, and friends who are senior citizens to get

vaccinated to achieve population protection.

Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19 cases in Negros Oriental has gone down compared to the surge of infections in previous months before the imposition of stricter quarantine classifications.

As of August 17, the total caseload is 10,823, broken down into 10,256 recoveries, 342 active cases, and 225 mortalities, she said.

Negros Oriental is currently under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions until August 31. PNA

A boomer parent’s advice to new generation parents

By Nick Tayag

MY SIXTY-ZEN’S WORTH AST July, I was supposed to witness the wedding of a niece as one of the godparents, but enhanced monsoon rains flooded our home on the night before the wedding, which made it impossible for me to attend the affair.

This is what I would have wanted to share to the soon-to-be parents as well as with the new generation parents who are now going or about to go through the same joys and challenges my wife and I went through.

I belong to the so-called “boomer generation,” born in the 1950s and ’60s, an era that saw a boom in births after World War II. We became parents from around the 1970s to the ’90s.

As a senior now in my late 60s, I believe I have earned my stripes as a scarred veteran in the parental trenches. So I hope you will indulge me as I relate some anecdotes and experiences that can provide a few lessons for young and would-be parents.

It our time, boomer parents liked to exchange notes and commiserate with each other. One friend, Del, used to pour out his frustrations and dismay about his young adult daughter who seemed bent on defying parental authority, even when it was for her own good. “To think I sacrificed everything for her! Whatever she asked for, I gave it to her.” That was his frequent refrain. Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, his daughter neglected to take

her medicine and worse she did not want to see the doctor anymore. To aggravate the already tense standoff, she would go home late at night in spite of her condition. Del’s daughter believed she knew better and wanted her parents to leave her alone. She responded negatively to every advice her parents would give her. Listening to Del, I could feel the mixed feelings of anxiety, pain of rejection and deep disappointment and frustration.

But Del was not alone. Arthur, a father in his mid-50s, an office mate of mine was also having problems with his youngest boy then going 20. His son didn’t seem to have any inclination to finish college. He said he wanted to work, which was fine with his parents but he never took the initiative to apply for work. His daily routine consisted of playing computer games all night, then sleeping all day. On weekends, he would go out with his band mates for all night jamming. And from time to time he would go out malling.

Guess who is paying for his expenses?

Arthur said he couldn’t bring himself to go too hard on his son. He did not want to employ physical punishment the way his father did when he was a wayward teen. That’s because he could see himself in him when he was still young. He was hoping that sooner or later his son would shape up the way he did after college when he finally settled down.

My question then was: are the chil-

dren of baby boomers too spoiled, smug or defiant? Do they have a sense of entitlement? Or was there something wrong with our generation’s parenting style?

These are the same questions that millennial parents are now confronted with. How can today’s young parents fulfill the needs of their teenage children without spoiling them? How do they protect their children without being over protective? How do they teach them right from wrong without appearing to be too imposing?

How do they tell their kid what’s best for him without being too coercive? How does a parent put his foot down without being a KJ or despotic?

I notice that millennial parents are just like boomer parents in our tendency to over-indulge and do everything for their children, making it easy for them to acquire material possessions. When their adolescents and teens ask for the latest cell phone or gadget, they lose no time in buying it for them even when they don’t really need it. Partly because millennial parents are also into this thing!

We boomer parents were criticized then for raising a “Smug Generation” of children who grew up appearing to be more sure of themselves, feeling they knew better than their parents. My friend Del’s daughter whom I was talking about was one example of a teen with attitude.

I see the same thing happening today. Young parents seem eager to build up the confidence of their children too easily. On social media, millennial parents are quick to post every little accomplishment

of their children as if they were God’s gift to their generation, even if they don’t merit it. My advice is: don’t be too fast to prop up your kid, give recognition or be proud of them if they have not earned it first. They’ll grow up getting addicted to undeserved adulation and praise, which can have tragic consequences. One high-school student committed suicide after being made to realize she was not as good as her overpraising parents made her think.

When we are not overindulging or overpraising, we tend to over protect our children. Then as now, countless teenagers are being told by their mothers that they know what’s best for them. Be careful you don’t turn into what we then called “velco parents” as in sticky.

Don’t fuss over them too much or they will start feeling suffocated to the point of mentally tuning out.

Needless to say, new generation parents should learn to let go of parenting roles that are no longer necessary. When our kids were still babies and younger children, we needed to be a protector and caretaker, provider and role model. When they become teens and young adults, we need to be a gentle, graceful and compassionate source of wisdom. Moving appropriately into and out of these roles is what parenting is all about.

To me, the key to successful parenting is trust and communication. You need to keep the communication line open. If you stop communicating, then you’ve lost your child. But to keep the communication lines open, you need to build trust. Trust leads to respect for each other. Respect implies a

doctors who seek to pursue a specialization in geriatric health.

It will also establish geriatric health as a viable field of specialty and incentivize new and upcoming doctors to become geriatricians.

“Thisbillseekstomakethecountry’s commitment to universal health care more genuinely felt by the elderly population and give our almost 10 million senior citizens the quality health care they rightfully deserve,” he said. PNA

US eyes Covid vaccine boosters for elderly as early as September

By Hope Yen|The Associated Press

UMAGUETE CIT Y—The province of Negros Oriental targets to inoculate 133,317 senior citizens against Covid-19 as health officers are urging them to just “walk in” at any vaccination site and get the shot.

Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion, Covid-19 incident commander of the province’s Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), in a virtual presser on Tuesday afternoon, urged senior citizens to have themselves vaccinated so that individuals belonging to other priority sectors can also receive the vaccine.

Estacion lamented that as of August 17, the province has only inoculated 21.1 percent of the total target senior citizens for vaccination.

This has slowed down the administration of Covid-19 vaccines for A4 priority group individuals (frontline personnel in essential sectors) because the government wants to prioritize the senior citizens and those with comorbidities who are the most vulnerable to the disease, she said.

Senior citizens need not be registered anymore but are “considered walk-ins,” Estacion said.

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thor of the bill, said specialized geriatric care will lower the average length of hospital stay among elderly patients from 7.3 days to 6.7 days, minimize hospital costs to around P50,000 per patient, and improve overall care of senior citizens.

Velasco added that a hospital specializing in geriatric care can help bridge the persistent shortage of geriatricians in the Philippines since it can become a training ground for

ASHINGTON—Warning of tough days ahead with surging Covid-19 infections, the director of the National Institutes of Health said Sunday the US could decide in the next couple weeks whether to offer coronavirus booster shots to Americans this fall.

Among the first to receive them could be health-care workers, nursing home residents and other older Americans.

Dr. Francis Collins also pleaded anew for unvaccinated people to get their shots, calling them “sitting ducks” for a delta variant that is ravaging the country and showing little sign of letting up.

“This is going very steeply upward with no signs of having peaked out,” he said.

Federal health officials have been actively looking at whether extra shots for the vaccinated may be needed as early as this fall, reviewing case numbers in the US “almost daily” as well as the situation in other countries such as Israel, where preliminary studies suggest the vaccine’s protection against serious illness dropped among those vaccinated in January. relationship with boundaries.

My most effective technique is to be more of a mentor or coach.

Like a good coach, I establish my authority but at the same time let him understand that I know what’s best for him because I have been there. But I would give him enough space in which to grow or improve.

I let him know I am not perfect so I can in effect tell him he’s also a work in progress.

By all means, give your kid space to move and create for himself. But freedom entails responsibility and wisdom or it is wasted.

Instill in him the wisdom that freedom is “not the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”

Instead of hectoring him, let him know the consequences, directly or obliquely. In my case, I also gave my son enough rope to hang himself, so to speak. There was a time when he used to play computer games way past midnight and still wake up early for school. I told him that lack of sleep would weaken his resistance and make him susceptible to colds and other respiratory infections.

He wouldn’t listen. I just let him go on with his computer game bingeing. Sure enough, he got a bad case of respiratory infection and had to be admitted to the hospital. It was a lesson he never forgot. Now he’s in bed by 10 and panics when he runs out of immunity-boosting vitamins.

Never shield them from difficult and hard situations. An old English proverb says, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” Only the storms in their lives can prepare your teens to skillfully weather the sea of adulthood. Rather than shielding kids from adversity, equip them to persevere. Never be too severe about him making mistakes.

Encourage him to take risks. The successful coach John Calipari used

Israel has been offering a coronavirus booster to people over 60 who were already vaccinated more than five months ago.

No US decision has been made because cases here so far still indicate that people remain highly protected from Covid-19, including the Delta variant, after receiving the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna regimen or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

But US health officials made clear Sunday they are preparing for the possibility that the time for boosters may come sooner than later.

“There is a concern that the vaccine may start to wane in its effectiveness,” Collins said. “And Delta is a nasty one for us to try to deal with. The combination of those two means we may need boosters, maybe beginning first with health-care providers, as well as people in nursing homes, and then gradually moving forward” with others, such as older Americans who were among the first to get vaccinations after they became available late last year.

He said because the Delta variant only started hitting the US hard in July, the “next couple of weeks” of case data will help the US make a decision. AP

to tell his players: “If you want to build your own self-confidence, what is the hardest thing to do?

Whatever that is, do it over and over. Don’t do what’s easy for you.”

If your kid asks: “What if I fall?” Tell him: “Oh, but what if you fly?”

One word before I exit. We boomers have made a mess of our country. We are leaving you a society that has devalued our golden beliefs and values so much that we now have low expectations of our leaders. So many things repugnant and intolerable in a decent, moral, ethical society have now become prevalent. Cursing is normal on media, sowing hate and sharing fake news is par, bending and weaponizing the law to justify selfish agenda is now hailed as acceptable. I apologize on behalf of my generation. Now the responsibility to clean up our mess is on your shoulders. How you will do it as new generation parents, I won’t presume to tell you. But you must find a way before it’s too late or the society in which our children and their children will grow up in will be a more “rotten” one, in Shakespearean terms.

In the end, as parents you must realize that, just like our kids, we too are imperfect, a work in progress, an unfinished project but progressing. When our children realize that their parents are still growing and learning, they are likely to have greater compassion for their own weaknesses and stop acting smug when we give them advice. The thing about parenting is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion.

Like what I told Del and Arthur when they were feeling so despondent about their situation, “parenting is not for perfect people; if that were so, no one would qualify.”

Education BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, August 21, 2021

DepEd, USAID laud joint successes in improving early-grade learning

L BRIONES

OCAL learning stakeholders gathered to celebrate the collective accomplishments of the Education Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in improving reading and literacy of young Filipino students.

Through its ABC+: Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines Project, USAID in the Philippines worked closely with the Department of Education (DepEd) to boost reading and literacy, math, as well as social and emotional skills for early grade children (K3) in Region 5 (Bicol) and Region 6 (Western Visayas). The aid agency also linked with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) Ministr y of Basic,

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PHSA students’ works displayed in Tokyo international HS arts fest

CALLAHAN

Higher and Technical Education for various activities.

“We have supported DepEd in implementing innovative strategies to improve early-grade literacy, numeracy, and socioemotional learning,” said Sean Callahan, acting mission director of USAID-Philippines. “Through ABC+, we will…reach up to 2 million students in Regions 5, 6 and [BARMM].”

USAID’s support includes interventions to improve early-grade instruction and delivery systems, access to quality materials, and education-system capacity. Since the onset of the pandemic, the aid agency has supported the implementation of DepEd’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan at the early-grade level.

To date, the USAID-DepEd partnership has produced and distributed nearly 4 million supplementary reading materials to more than 250,000 students; trained over 10,000 teachers, supervisors and school officials; developed and adapted nearly 500 leveled readers in several mother-tongue languages and in English; as well as produced 64 television-based and radio-based instruction materials.

In her remarks during the August 13 virtual event, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said that “ABC+ is an example of the many initiatives that made School Year 20202021 possible… [This] partnership covering Regions 5 and 6 and a division of Maguindanao focuses on improving reading and literacy of

math, [as well as] social and emotional skills for early-grade children.”

The secretary remarked: “Today we will witness a glimpse of the success of this partnership that has helped us achieve what we were able to do [in 2020].”

She added, “The efforts and innovative practices brought to us by this [tie-up will be moved forward...this coming school year. We need to embrace innovation and engage with partners—with USAID as a shining example— and stakeholders, to] develop innovative solutions that will help us overcome challenges.”

USAID and DepEd are also assisting teachers in project sites to develop appropriate remedial measures to address gaps in reading skills. As a result, children are able to progress toward their actual grade level, or become “reading ready” during the school year.

To streamline the training and professional development of teachers, the collaboration also created the NEAP Professional Development Information System that enables teachers to participate in training programs, take pre- and post-tests, complete evaluations, and receive their certificates online.

The ABC+ project will last for three more years, and aims to benefit 2 million early grade learners in focus areas. The project also involves RTI International, in ties with The Asia Foundation, SIL Lead, and Florida State University.

University of San Carlos, Filipino Erasmus+ scholars soar high in EU NMP, AFI preserve Northern Cebu’s heritage TRIPARTITE archaeological survey and excavation project has started in San Remigio and other parts of Cebu’s northern portion as part of collaborative efforts to preserve the heritage of the province.

The Northern Cebu Archaeological Project, a joint initiative of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) and Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (AFI), in partnership with the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu, seeks to establish a protocol and methodology for systematic archaeological studies in the “Queen City of the South.”

Through this project which commenced last month, a template for continuing studies and resources to archive and preserve data of archaeological sites and landscapes will be developed. Its main goal is to create a geospatial database to record all archaeological sites and resources in Cebu using state-of-the-art archaeological methods and applications.

Further, it aims to create a comprehensive catalogue of archaeological findings in the province, especially those belonging to the Metal Age, that will serve as useful reference for further studies, for the development of a comprehensive preservation program, and for crafting sustainable information dissemination drives through local and foreign publications.

Amid the current quarantines and travel restrictions, the NMP Project Team led by Deputy Director General for Museums Dr. Ana P. Labrador and aided

by Alexandra de Leon of the Archaeology Division decided to continue implementing the project with Cebu-based archaeologists: Drs. John A. Peterson and J. Eleazar R. Bersales of USC’s Department of Anthropology, Sociology and History.

“We’re excited to have the support of the Aboitiz Foundation and the NMP to conduct intensive field studies in [our area of operations],” said Dr. Peterson, principal investigator of the Northern Cebu Archaeological Project 2021. “Previous work has always been scattered and unfocused; this [now] gives us a very systematic way to survey archaeological sites.” “[Remaining grounded in our roots...the Aboitiz Group is proud to partner with the NMP and the USC for this] archaeological initiative to preserve the Cebuano heritage,” added AFI President and COO Maribeth L. Marasigan.

The two-year project is scheduled in four phases.

Toward its last stage, collected cultural resources will be presented publicly through an exhibition that will showcase the stories of those sites in the planned Central Visayas Regional Museum in Cebu.

Roderick L. Abad

Editor: Mike Policarpio

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F there could be an Olympics among the Erasmus+ scholars, Filipinos will rank high in the gold medal haul…

Worldwide, the Philippines has been included in the Top 10 countries with the highest number of scholars from 2004 to 2020. More than 600 Filipino scholars availed of the Erasmus+ scholarship and mobility, or programs for Master’s and PhD. The said Filipino youth are setting the bar high in the European Union (EU).

An initial survey conducted by the Delegation of the EU to the Philippines revealed more than 40 Filipino scholars had either graduated with cum laude to summa cum laude honors, or had their works published in scholarly journals.

They have earned a niche in their own careers, while providing inspiration and honor to their country and to the EU. Two scholars are finishing their Master’s degrees with summa cum laude honors. This midSeptember architect and heritage conservation expert Kenneth J. Tua is graduating with Mention Très Bien. He studied in seven universities, learned six languages, obtained five Master’s degrees, and received online certifications in prestigious colleges. He is currently undertaking four research publications.

Tua wants to help promote and protect the country’s heritage. He also plans to share his knowledge by working in a university: “The return outcome of the scholarship program will not just benefit me, but will multiply in the minds of future Pinoy students.”

He finished his Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) in Dynamics of Cultural Landscape, Heritage, Memory and Conflictualities from France, Portugal, Romania and Italy.

Interest, balance, gratitude

MEANWHILE, Assistant Professor Jay Michael Cordero from the University of San Agustin-Iloilo is graduating on September 11 in Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. For someone who did not have a thorough background in sports ethics, he started to read books and articles in the subject three months before school opened.

“Ultimately, when classes started, I was surprised that I knew more than my classmates, whose backgrounds of study are in sports,” Cordero shared when asked for tips for aspiring scholars. He also pointed out the importance of getting interested in one’s field of study, and the need to balance things.

“As a full-time student, you have plenty of time for everything: from studying, to traveling

to different places in the EU,” he imparted to aspiring scholars. “Prioritize your studies, because no matter what, you will have a lot of time left for other things. That is one of the advantages of doing an Erasmus+ program.”

Cordero finished his EMJMD in Sports Ethics and Integrity from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Greece and Czech Republic.

Another notable Erasmus+ scholar is Supervising Economic Development Specialist Graciela Mante, who graduated as cum laude in September 2020. She is now putting into good use her academic background, and is part of the team formulating the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document.

“Nothing beats that wonderful sense of fulfillment when you are given the chance to apply the knowledge and skills you acquired globally to your own country,” Mante relayed. “That’s why I am grateful to [have worked with the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda)].”

She noted the importance of continuous learning: “Aim for joy and peace, while cultivating your faith and minding your health. Most important: Be grateful.”

The former Neda employee is a computer engineer, and hopes to inspire others with her advocacies on youth empowerment, indigenous community development, sustainability and cancer survival.

Mante completed her Erasmus Mundus Master of Science in Public Sector Innovation and eGovernance from Belgium, Germany and Estonia.

‘Live bigger, bolder’

FOR his part, Global Sustainability Manager (GSM) Erwin Alcasid echoed the aspirations of his fellow scholars. He called on graduates to “take the challenge to live bigger and bolder not just for ourselves, but for our future generations, by using our knowledge to tackle real societal problems.”

“What better way is there to live, than to have a life motivated by service,” the GSM manager stated. “A great arc of people coming together can make things possible, and our degrees today are mere vessels that can sow seeds of good ideas for the future to which we aspire.”

A magna cum laude graduate, Alcasid delivered the valedictory address at his graduation from the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering of Ghent University in September 2020. He finished his International Master of Science in Sustainable and Innovative Natural Resource Management in Belgium, Sweden and Germany.

AWARDED masterpiece of Minnesota Flores

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OK YO — A r t work s f rom Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA) students Minnesota Flores, Daniel Castillo, Denise Natividad and Kulay Dala were featured at the 22nd International High School Arts Festival in Tokyo, which was organized by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC).

Flores’s artwork “Pagtahi-tahi ng Reta-retasong Ala-ala [Sewing Together Remnants of the Past]” was awarded the Certificate of Merit with medal during the virtual awarding ceremony on August 4.

IFAC Founder and Chairman Dr.

Haruhisa Handa, who read the citation for Flores, praised the Philippines’s “top class” performance in arts and culture.

Her painting, which depicts a lady with a sewing machine, is “a homage to her family of craftsmen and dressmakers.” The piece highlights a prominent Filipino value, which is the “love of family.”

Her awarded piece, as well as the artworks of her three other schoolmates, will be exhibited at the National Art Center in Tokyo from August 4 to 15. Watch the virtual ceremony via https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=DNGYOSMnnAM.

EDUCATORS SPEAK

She fosters a culture of science for students

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LEMENTARY science teachers should act as facilitators, not fountains of knowledge in teaching children science to students…

In a recent podcast, Lou Sabrina Ongkiko pointed out that it won’t be easy for educators to teach children science while at the same time, make the latter appreciate the said subject.

Ongkiko said that teachers need patience and find different ways to bring to children the highest level of learning in science. Developing a love for the subject among kids would be beneficial for the country in the long run, as science and technology are the main foundations of development.

“We have to develop a scientific culture that would be embraced by the people toward a science-for-thepeople agenda,” she explained.

A faculty member of the Culiat Elementary School in Tandang Sora, Quezon City since 2009, Ongkiko said she and her colleagues are also trying to erase the notion that science is only for smart people, pointing out that this misconception is not the way to empower students.

According to her, it does not matter if the student is not the brightest in the class. Acknowledging the problem, she believes, is beneficial for the pupil, because the teacher is available to help address the problem.

“I believe ever ybody can be smart,” Ongkiko opined. “Even science tells you that the brain continuously learns new things.”

For the educator, science encourages the development and growth of the mind, as a person tries out concepts and theories through experiments and research. By developing a scientific mind, she relayed that students can have a strong foundation in critical thinking: “If you fail, tell yourself: ‘I can try...again.’ Let’s build the confidence of our youth, and challenge them to try it out, because it rewards them with knowledge.”

To make science interesting to the children, Ongkiko teaches students to observe, then eventually asks for feedback regarding changes, for instance, in an experiment: “I encourage them to ask more questions,

ONGKIKO

rather than provide answers, then later direct them to a concept and generate interest.”

A recipient of the Metrobank Foundation’s Outstanding Filipinos, Ongkiko said the language problem is another one being faced by children in studying science. To address the problem, the Ateneo de Manila University alumna also provides remedial reading lessons, so students can comprehend lessons in science.

Teaching science also requires empathy, she said. Ongkiko and her colleagues are aware of the socioeconomic realities being experienced by parents and students alike.

In 2020 she developed and implemented a learning-continuity program for Culiat Elementary School.

Moreover, she helped to launch its Facebook Messenger classes, wrote lesson scripts, as well as strengthened learner mapping and community support to ensure program sustainability.

Some of these procedures later became a platform not only for other schools, but also for the Department of Education’s Central Office.

Within her community, Ongkiko was able to contribute to various pandemic related responses. These include leading the procurement of personal protective equipment for medical frontliners through the TOWNS Foundation, introducing the pandemic-related comics for children, and hosting two weekly radio and streaming programs to help teachers, parents and students cope with the difficulties of distance learning. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Saturday, August 21, 2021 A9

Genteel city, gentle people of Dumaguete

DUMAGUETE has hosted dragonboat challenges since 2014.

The Henry Hotel is just a short stroll from Rizal Boulevard and Siliman University Main Campus.

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PANILONGON is one of Dumaguete’s historical landmarks.

AS a National Museum, the Old Presidencia is a repository of the cultural history of Central Visayas.

Story & photos by Bernard L. Supetran

he City of Gentle People” is the enduring nickname Dumaguete has been known for, because of its amiable people and genteel way of life which has endeared it to visitors.

For countless families in the south, it is a university town due to the prominent schools, most notably the 120-year-old Silliman University, and its eclectic charm which makes learning conducive.

For executives seeking a relaxing retirement place, Dumaguete is a preferred area with its perfect blend of countryside lifestyle, urban amenities, tree-lined roads, and pockets of greeneries. No

less than the prestigious Forbes Magazine named it as the world’s fifth best place to retire a few years back.

T he Philippine Retirement Authority also awarded the city as the top in their Retirement Area Deemed as Retiree-Friendly (RADAR) index which measures compliance to standards set by the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and International Living.

Its laid-back ambiance, notwithstanding, its populace is surprisingly engaged in active recreation and competitive sports as evident in the gymnasiums, courts and open fields abuzz with games. Dumaguete’s active lifestyle, engaging crowd, and splendid facilities have lured event organizers to make it a hub for regional, national and Southeast Asian tournaments for students and professionals.

With its strategic location, Dumaguete is also the jump-off point to nature adventures in adjoining towns, such as kayaking at the Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes, trekking to Casaroro Falls, birdwatching in Balanan Lake, dolphin watching in Bais Bay, and scuba diving in Dauin, Siquijor, southern Cebu, and within the city’s marine sanctuaries.

On the cultural front, the local government has spearheaded the preservation of its heritage structures to retain its Old World feel.

Clark International Airport sets up OFW Lounge

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lark International Airport’s deep regard for the honored OFW travelers is demonstrated clearly.

With its OFW Lounge at the new four-level terminal, Clark International Airport presents this dedicated space for the warm welcome and comfort of OFWs. “Through the OFW Lounge, we extend to our country’s modern-day heroes this facility for their exclusive use. The workers, who may be coming home for their scheduled breaks to be reunited with their families or who may be headed for long periods of stay in host countries, or who may be traveling for recreation, truly deserve special attention,” states Bi Yong Chun-

gunco, CEO of the Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) which operates and manages the airport.

The OFWs have formed a part of frequent airport users. And with an aviation and logisticscentric master plan laid out for Clark, the airport is expected to attract more travelers, including OFWs and other travelers of diverse backgrounds.

Chungunco cites the role the airport takes in spurring growth in Central and Northern Luzon. LIPAD, also believes in the growth potential of the area. “We have a growing catchment area in Central and Northern Luzon, due to the rapid rise of Clark as a preferred hub for business, eco-

nomic and leisure activities.”

President Duterte recently led government officials in inspecting the new terminal and cited it as a “massive achievement” for his administration’s infrastructure program. Of particular interest to President Duterte were the contactless amenities such as the self check-in kiosks that can process transactions with QR codes scanned from smart phones.

Among those with him was Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade who, in an earlier visit, told LIPAD, “You are building something that can be called a masterpiece. Thanks to LIPAD, the men and women of Clark International Airport are very good.”

Bikers take ride along Rizal Boulevard.

The circa-1930s Juan Arellanodesigned city hall was recently restored and is now a branch of the National Museum, the first of its kind in Negros Oriental.

A new historic spot is the Panilongon marker which was unveiled earlier this year as part of the quincentennial commemoration of the Magellan-Elcano Expedition, which made a brief stop here in 1521.

Ancestral homes and decadesold buildings have found adaptive reuse as restaurants, hotels and tourist shops to give guests a feel of old-fashioned genteelity.

One establishment which exudes such allure is The Henry, a boutique seaside resort which takes pride in its heritage, as reflected in its landscaped gardens, furnishings, artwork and crafts curated from all over of the country.

But much like its urban counterparts, Dumaguete is marching into the future and is embracing

the winds of change. Despite its small land area, it plans at taking a great leap forward by developing a 174-hectare global township, which will be a legacy project of the city.

To be built along the scenic Rizal Boulevard, the project will commence with a wastewater treatment plant to improve the bay’s water quality and protect it from the waves to make it more suited for aquasports and recreation.

A public-private partnership proposal, it will use earth-friendly building systems and modern information technologies suited for a modern master-planned community.

The sprawling satellite will house a new mixed-use central business district, recreational centers such as a marina esplanade and fish ports. As a new satellite to the city, it will also be home to public facilities for he a lt h , hou s i n g , e duc at ion , sports, public transportation and

government offices.

And just like the city’s positioning as a retirement haven, it will put up mid-rise resort-themed residences, tourism establishments, lifestyle and retail shops, greenbelts, and open spaces for foreigners and Filipinos who want to make it their new after-work hometown.

Once completed, the township will boost Dumaguete into the coveted class of highly urbanized Philippine cities and create a new center of commerce and tourism services in the Visayas.

The bold vision, while an exciting proposition, is a delicate balancing act which entails mitigating environmental impact, particularly on marine resources, and complying with rigid national government regulations.

And judging from Dumaguete’s intrinsic resilience, the genteel city and the gentle people can surely blend with the challenges of the changing times.

A10 Saturday, August 21, 2021 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Amid lawsuit, China’s Tencent to review kids’ use of WeChat BEIJING—China’s biggest gaming company, Tencent, said it would review whether it adequately limits children’s access to live streaming and other features after the government expanded a regulatory crackdown on tech industries by initiating a lawsuit against the company for failing to do enough to protect young users.

The online gaming industry was shaken this week when an official newspaper criticized their offerings as “spiritual opium” and cited examples of students playing Tencent’s wildly popular Honor of Kings game for hours.

The lawsuit filed Friday by Beijing prosecutors

against a Tencent subsidiary complains the company infringes the “legitimate rights and interests of minors” but didn’t explain how. In the notice, prosecutors said that other agencies and organizations which intend to bring lawsuits against the subsidiary should contact prosecutors within 30 days.

Tencent is best known abroad as the operator of the popular WeChat messaging system. It is one of the world’s 10 most valuable tech companies, with a stock market capitalization of about $560 billion.

In a statement on its social-media account, the WeChat team promised to conduct “selfexamination of the functions of WeChat Youth Mode” and “sincerely respond to the civil public interest litigation.”

“We attach great importance to the healthy growth of young people, and WeChat will actively

assume the social responsibility of protecting and guiding young people,” the statement said.

Tencent and other Chinese tech giants including e-commerce platform Alibaba Group have been fined and reprimanded in a series of anti-monopoly, data protection and other enforcement campaigns launched since last year.

The share prices of Tencent, Alibaba, ride-hailing service Didi Global and other companies have fallen on foreign stock exchanges while investors wait to see how far the crackdown will go.

Regulators say they are taking action to protect consumers, market competition and smaller companies. Foreign commentators also see an effort by the ruling Communist Party to force China’s biggest private sector companies to align with Beijing’s official industry and economic development plans. AP

The truth about sugar daddies on the Internet

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O one needs to be told there are many people on the Internet who are out to take advantage of you and your weaknesses.

There are individuals who prey on lonely people, young and old, getting into relationships with them and then blackmailing these vulnerable souls who had unwittingly shared certain compromising intimacies. This is the goal all along: find a way to extort money from the lonely person.

Anyway, for this column we will focus on the sugar daddy scam proliferating on social-media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. I am not sure if this scam is also on Facebook and TikTok but it’s very common on the two social networking services (SNS) mentioned. This discussion was inspired by a series of stories by a colleague who engaged in a conversation with a “sugar daddy” on Instagram out of curiosity.

On Twitter, don’t ever tweet with the words “sugar daddy” and “sugar baby” or you’ll get a DM from a “daddy account.” I don’t know how they target their victims on Instagram so I assume it is random.

There are actually web sites for sugar daddies and

fetishists. I read an article that less than 20 percent of the sugar daddies on these SNS are who they say they are, so the rest are probably scammers. So the first red flag would be if the sugar daddy asks to communicate with you outside the web site.

Another red flag is when the sugar daddy asks the potential victim to prove their loyalty instead of engaging in romantic or affectionate conversation.

Sugar daddy-sugar baby relationships are about power. A legitimate sugar daddy is usually looking for a lover, a companion or someone to talk to that he can pay. He is aware of this dynamic and has probably been scammed a number of times. He knows that loyalty is rare in this realm. The sign of loyalty these scammers will require is paying some money upfront in exchange for a weekly allowance of around $1,500.

The most common scam is for the sugar daddy to say they sent money to the sugar baby to their bank account. Usually, these transactions are done via Paypal. The bank account will show a check being deposited, or the sugar daddy could show a screenshot of the deposit (likely to be fake).

The next thing the sugar daddy will do is to ask the potential victim to send money to someone. This amount has been added to the deposit. After the victim has done this, the check issued for the deposit will usually bounce, or the screenshot will turn out to be fake. Or the scammer could use stolen credit cards to make the payment, so this could disappear in one or two days.

Another common scam is for the sugar daddy to ask the potential victim to buy a virtual gift card, usually ranging in amount from $5 to $100, after making the deposit.

These scams have become so widespread that in June 2021, the Federal Bureau of Investigation warned the US public about romance scams that target lonely older women and cash-strapped college students.

The FBI advised the public to not share bank information and use prepaid gift cards to send money to anyone on the Internet.

Another social-media platform that these scammers use to victimize young people is Snapchat.

It’s the same modus: A sugar daddy or sugar mommy will pay attention to a teenager and send them money. They will then ask the victim to send part of that money to someone. After that, the money will disappear. While there are real sugar daddies looking for romance and attention on the Internet, there are more scammers than legitimate ones.

Also, be careful when replying to private messages from these scammers. Authorities believe they are part of a big network of scammers and their cohorts could harass you if you don’t play along with the sugar daddy scam.

Here are some red flags you should watch out for: ■ A real sugar daddy will usually send the cash via Paypal and not through a bank. An online overseas bank transaction is more complicated and requires a lot of steps.

■ When a potential sugar daddy asks for your bank details or access to your bank account, that is a red flag. They do not need those to send you money.

■ When a sugar daddy claims to be a white American but writes in broken English, the person is likely to be a scammer.

■ If you’re asked to send gift card codes in exchange for your sugar baby allowance, don’t do it.

Globe bests competition on 5G with over 770K devices connected to network GLOBE’S aggressive expansion of its 5G network in more areas across the country has resulted in a richer, fuller experience for customers benefiting from the advantages and opportunities offered by the latest global wireless standard.

The country’s mobile leader, Globe (www.globe.com. ph) has more than 770,000 5G devices connected to its network as of June 2021, beating the competition’s reported 520,000.

“This number is a validation that we are doing the right thing when it comes to our efforts in making 5G technology more pervasive and accessible to our customers. It is also proof that a growing number of our customers now realize the promises of 5G to deliver a better mobile experience,” said Ernest Cu, Globe president and CEO. 5G is the fifth-generation mobile network, promising unbeatable speeds and almost real-time latency, opening a world of countless possibilities that Filipinos can look forward to as more and more areas are transformed into 5G-powered smart cities, delivering new experiences in retail, entertainment, gaming and healthcare.

Devices on the network will be able to work en masse in large crowds and transfer information in a fraction of the time. A customer can download a two-hour movie in just seconds on a 5G network compared to several minutes on a 4G network. Due to Globe’s relentless expansion, at least 92 percent of the National Capital Region now has Globe 5G outdoor coverage. In Visayas, 5G is now accessible in 85 percent of Cebu City; 77 percent of Boracay Island; 75 percent of Bacolod City and 66 percent of Iloilo City.

Globe also has 5G coverage in 77 percent of Davao City and 80 percent of Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.

More 5G network rollouts are underway including the installation of seven new 5G cell towers in General Santos City and four more in Zamboanga City.

Empowering local financial firms and banks through financial technology

BY SHIJU VARGHESE Country Head, Tata Consultancy Services RAPIDLY evolving customer expectations, rising operating expenses, and developing technologyenabled competitors propel banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) services in the Philippines to continuously expand its capabilities and further the development in the industry. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippines is seeing a surge in digital banking, with numerous digital-only banks announcing plans to enter the market and older institutions rapidly updating their online offerings.

The Covid-19 situation reveals the need for local banks and other financial institutions to be more inclusive, and the urgency to address the huge gap in financial services for small businesses, both of which are key to growing the economy with 99.5 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines classified under MSMEs.

users to transfer money digitally and build credit, making it easier for them to borrow funds for future use.

The proposed framework by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for open banking is looking to benefit MSMEs by encouraging financial inclusion and making the deployment of innovative financial services faster and easier. Having the right infrastructure enables banks and fintech companies to create more economical, personalized, and seamless solutions for MSMEs, allowing easier distribution, data sharing, and payments enablement.

This new fintech innovation uses a set of technologies and rules to create a safe and userfriendly way to connect banks, fintech companies and other financial service providers. This then creates access to financial data that will lead to new applications and services that can ultimately benefit MSMEs, which are considered to play a crucial role in uplifting the Philippine economy ravaged by the pandemic.

FILLING THE GAP WITH FINTECH

FUELING FINTECH IN PHL

RELENTLESS innovations in fintech applications and technologies are enabling more Filipinos to do financial activities even without the need for a bank account. Fintech products such as e-wallets enable

SHIJU VARGHESE of Tata Consultancy Services

THE fintech industry in the Philippines is robust, and demand for fintech products and services is expected to continue rising. The number of start-ups entering the fintech sector in the country is growing

at an average of 16 percent annually, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

To contribute to empowering the local BFSI industry, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) continues to develop digital solutions such as transaction processing, domain consulting, change management, and cognitive solutions to enable financial firms to transform their operations and improve their services. TCS BaNCS product suite, in particular, empowers fintech companies with innovative technologies available through the cloud. This enables fintech companies to become more agile as they leverage the power of new and extended ecosystems.

In the Philippines, TCS defined the Strategic Technology and Digital Transformation Roadmap for UnionBank, enabling it to realize its vision of being a leading digital-friendly bank.

As more fintech solutions become available and adoption expands, the Philippines will be on its way to becoming a more financially inclusive country. This would mean more small businesses getting access to the financial services that they need.

TCS and its local partners participate in this endeavor by continually developing financial solutions that drive growth, reduce costs and mitigate risks, allowing for faster and more seamless transformation and expansion.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Saturday, August 21, 2021 A11

Retail is not dead

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VEN before the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting global economic crisis, offline retailers have already been engaged in an intense battle against e-commerce players.

Those challenges have now accelerated at staggering speed and retailers need to stop expecting businesses to return to “normal.”

More than just human lives, the pandemic has also claimed numerous businesses that were not able to recover because of the repeated lockdowns.

What retailers should prepare for is the “never normal,” as consumers are likely to keep the behaviors they have adopted amid stay-at-home orders over the past year and there is no going back to how it was anytime soon.

For retailers, the saying “if you can’t beat them, join them” is not about surrender but about adapting—by creating a strong e-commerce presence and taking customer experience to the next level.

According to e-commerce solutions provider Etaily, the Philippine e-commerce market is expected to grow to $12 billion by 2025. At a webinar held earlier this week, Alexander Friedhoff, the cofounder and chief executive officer of Etaily, said that with the rapid growth of e-commerce, the digitization of retail is no longer a nice-to-have but rather an absolute must.

Etaily is an e-commerce enabler that provides brands with end-to-end omni-channel solutions while integrating their offline and online retail processes and services. This unique approach will provide traditional retail companies a lifeline into the digital world and continue to connect beloved Filipino brands to their consumers.

“Etaily is here because we can create in the Philippines and beyond a seamless integration of online and offline experiences that will prevent the retail apocalypse that is happening in the US and Europe,” he said.

Many retailers and vendors are struggling to navigate the increasingly complex and competitive e-commerce landscape, lacking the infrastructure, resources and experience needed to design and sustain complementing online and offline channels he pointed out.

Etaily has generated more than 1 million transactions, made more than 50,000 unique products available to the entire country and beyond such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. It has managed more than 20 brands across all online channels, activated more than 10 offline retailers for online capability, and has a gross merchandise value revenue projected for 2021 to be at $10 million.

Etaily is giving traditional retailers the digital fighting chance to compete for the local as well as regional market, connecting online brands and retailers to Asean consumers by integrating their business offline and online.

The company was launched on March 2020 at the height of the pandemic, leveraging on the quick but massive migration of consumers to the digital marketplace and online shopping. It has helped traditional merchants find their place within the brave new world of e-commerce, and used digital tools to guide them through the changing and overwhelming markets. Using Etaily’s front end-toback end capabilities with multi-channel solutions, and seamless integrations with SEA-leading online channels, established businesses and upstarts can scale their brands.

Etaily has partnered with over 20 brands and are on the path to double-digit market share in fashion, beauty, consumer electronics, and home and living.

It also tripled the number of international and local brands on its client list in less than one year, reaching over millions of consumers with brands like Terranova, Vans, Mossimo, and one of the country’s oldest department stores, The Landmark. Etaily has been appointed by the iconic department store to guide its online journey.

Toti Wong, CCO of Etaily, said most Filipino retailers are quickly learning that e-commerce is becoming more complex. “The marketplaces in 2017 were totally different than the ones today. In the coming months and years, this will not get any simpler. As an e-commerce enabler, Etaily’s role is to navigate these complexities for sellers and for brands so they don’t have to learn all these things themselves.

They can then focus on their core business of brand management, distribution and retailing.”

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ALEXANDER FRIEDHOFF (seated) of Etaily, which powers e-retail in the Philippines, Asean with $1.6M seed funding.

Etaily announced its acquisition of $1.6 million in seed funding, with investments from leading businesses, such as the Ayala Ventures, Foxmont Capital Partners, Magsaysay Shipping & Logistics, the Boston Consulting Group, and other renowned angel investors.

Friedhoff reaffirmed that the Philippines’s e-commerce future is one “where the Filipino wins.

Etaily stands for Filipino brands. We integrate both offline and online channels as the digital tools that serve them the best. That is why we focus on the entire retail journey.” ■

Technology, not training, protects users from phishing

BY ANDREW SHIKIA� Executive Director, FIDO Alliance THIS message might seem familiar to you: “Your bank account has been compromised. Please enter your details to reactivate your account.”

If you are nodding in agreement, you are probably one of the many who have been targeted by cybercriminals. Phishing remains a top mechanism to dupe consumers out of their accounts and assets— the above is just one example of a phishing e-mail sent from seemingly trustworthy entities. Well-designed phishing e-mails are found behind 91 percent of all cyberattacks, proving just how dangerous these threats are.

But phishing isn’t just a risk for consumers, it also is one of the top security challenges that businesses face in keeping their information secure. In fact, it is estimated that there were nearly 3 million phishing attempts in 2020 that were aimed at small and medium businesses based in Southeast Asia.

There is an urgent need for businesses to properly guard themselves against such attacks, and many are turning to cybersecurity training to boost employees’ cyber risk awareness. The question is: Just how effective is training in putting an end to these scams?

THE LOOPHOLE IN PHISHING EDUCATION

BUSINESSES traditionally have relied heavily on educating end users on how to detect phishing attacks. There are countless materials available for employees to learn about phishing prevention tactics, from double-checking e-mail spelling to calling up someone you regularly communicate with when something you get from them seems off.

There are even examples of businesses getting creative with how these trainings are rolled out.

Last December, GoDaddy.com conducted a phishing test by sending 500 employees an e-mail offering a $650 holiday bonus. The catch is that employees who

the only way forward is to evolve the way they are authenticated to make sure malicious actors are kept out. This means reducing the burden of authentication of the user in favour of relying on technology.

There are already technology options available that businesses can adopt to protect against phishing attacks and make the lives of users easier and safer.

Cryptographically secure authentication, for example, keeps login information secure and private, helping businesses provide a safer, and better user experience.

Such solutions utilize technical credential phishing protections, like those defined in industry standards like those from the FIDO Alliance and W3C. With these approaches, the device and the browser work behind the scenes to ensure that the web site being visited is authentic and not a phishing site hiding behind a lookalike domain. This prevents common mistakes, such as mistaking a ‘0’ for an ‘O’. As a result, users no longer need to worry about having to look out for such attacks, and instead will be able to let the device take care of these details.

WE DON’T KNOW BETTER, BUT WE CAN ACT BETTER

clicked the link were not rewarded with a bonus, but with additional cybersecurity training.

While end users do become more sophisticated with training, it can only go so far. Hackers are becoming even more sophisticated with their attacks, employing complex infrastructures on their phishing sites. End users may find it challenging to identify illegitimate sites or differentiate them from the real ones. Some of these scheming tactics include using seemingly reliable sharing links, such as Dropbox, and placing calendar events with video conferencing links that appear standard in phishing e-mails.

In fact, a psychology study showed that when it comes to phishing attacks, people tend to believe that they are less likely to participate in risky behavior and less susceptible to scams compared to others around

them. This creates a false sense of security toward such attacks.

To make things worse, these scams often involve social engineering techniques to deceive and manipulate individuals into taking the desired action—usually to click on a link or download an attachment. They also take advantage of the nature of workers collaborating and conducting business online, as actions often need to be taken quickly.

Designed to prompt an urgent, emotional reaction, many of these scam e-mails push individuals to forego logic and overlook red flags, until it is too late.

TECHNOLOGY FOR A SAFER, EASIER USER EXPERIENCE

IF users cannot be trusted with their actions, then

PREVENTING credential phishing attacks today should be less about training users and instead focus on adopting an authentication technology solution that actually works to prevent phishing attacks. While training users reduces the risk, it will never remove it. Defending against these attacks now requires a coordinated and layered approach to security. By creating a succession of hurdles, each additional hurdle makes it less likely for malicious attacks to get through.

As businesses strategize for rebuilding and recovery, and prepare for a new postpandemic “normal,” they must continue to focus on all aspects of cybersecurity and should prioritize utilization of readily available authentication technologies to prevent the ongoing phishing threat.

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PHOTO BY MARKUS SPISKE ON UNSPLASH

Sports BusinessMirror

AS VEGAS, Nevada— Expect a vintage Manny Pacquiao stepping on the ring and battling Yordenis Ugás as if it was his first fight for fame and fortune many years ago or his final display of explosive force his millions of fans wouldn’t forget and world boxing history won’t ever miss chronicling.

“I am ready for the fight,” Pacquiao said on Thursday, two days before he goes after the World Boxing Association welterweight belt that was handed to the Cuban on a silver platter after the boxing body stripped the senator of the title because of “inactivity.”

Pacquiao (62-7-2 winloss-draw record with 39 knockouts) doesn’t look like a 42-year-old aging warrior, crediting his preparedness for the fight at the T-Mobile Arena to his “best-ever training camp in years.”

“The fans should expect to see the classic version of me. I had the best training,” he said. “It reminds me of the training camp I had when I was preparing for [Marco Antonio] Barrera.”

The fighting senator was still carving his niche on the world boxing stage when he booked an 11th-round technical knockout victory over the Mexican legend in 2003.

Pacquiao didn’t taper down on Thursday. He relentlessly did his running regimen, sprinting past those who joined his workout at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas athletics oval—a 10-minute drive from the MGM Grand Hotel where he and his entourage are billeted.

After running, Pacquiao buckled down to his core and legs exercises while talking to his fans. He signed a few autographs when he was done training.

Chief trainer and coach Buboy Fernandez, assistants Jon Peñalosa and Nonoy Neri and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune joined Pacquiao in training. Freddie Roach wasn’t around.

Pacquiao again didn’t say if 35-year-old Ugás (26-4 record with 12 knockouts) will be his last fight but assured “there will be fireworks” on Saturday.

“If this is my last fight, and I do not know if it is, I want to give the fans a great fight with lots of action and get that world title belt around my waist again,” he said. “This fight means everything to me.”

The formal weigh-in is set early afternoon of Friday (Saturday in

| Saturday, August 21, 2021 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao

MANNY PACQUIAO: The fans should expect to see the classic version of me. AP

Manila). Pacquiao, as expected, remained a -375 favorite over Ugás’s (+295), according to BETMGM, while unbeaten Mark Magsayo, who is fighting in the undercard, is -380 favorite over Mexican Julio Ceja (+295).

UGÁS: SEIZE THE DAY

THIS is the life Yordenis Ugás imagined when he decided to leave Cuba. He wanted to be in a boxing ring with somebody like Manny Pacquiao under the Vegas spotlight, fighting for a championship belt in front of the whole world.

Ugás wanted this future so badly that he attempted to defect six times. He said he was sent to prison after the failed attempts, even though he won an Olympic bronze medal in Beijing.

He finally got to Mexico in 2010 after two perilous days in a small boat. He eventually made it to Miami, yet he still paid another price: He couldn’t see his family, including his mother, for nine years.

“This has been a long road for me,” Ugás said through an interpreter. “Obviously it was short notice that I learned I was fighting

Pacquiao. But I’m thankful for the opportunity, and I’m ready to take advantage of it.”

Indeed, Ugás’s two decades of hard work and sacrifice finally paid off in a flash earlier this month.

Errol Spence Jr., the vaunted welterweight champion slated to fight Pacquiao in a pay-per-view show Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena, discovered he had a detached retina during a pre-fight physical.

Too often in his life and career,

Ugás had been in the wrong place. Now that he has the break he chased for so long, Ugás is determined not to waste it.

“There are no excuses heading into this fight,” Ugás said. “I’ve been in this position taking a short-notice fight before, although obviously never against a fighter the caliber of Pacquiao. I have no concerns, though.”

Although Ugás has found it

Yuka Saso cards an eagle-aided 68 in the first round on Thursday to trail the leaders by one stroke in the Women’s British Open at the Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland.

Saso goes 4-under to share fourth place with Georgia Hall, Andrea Lee, and amateur Louise Duncan.

They are a stroke behind world No. 1 and Tokyo Olympics champion Nelly Korda, Kim Sei Young and Madelene Sagstrom, who each submit 67s. AP

MAGSAYO AIMS FOR SHOT AT WORLD TITLE

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to help my parents,” Magsayo, 26, told BusinessMirror during Thursday’s news conference for the undercards at the MGM Grand. “I got into boxing when I was young, idolizing Manny Pacquiao’s greatness.”

Magsayo (22-0 win-loss record with 15 knockouts), however, stressed that the 28-year-old Ceja (32-4-1 win-loss-draw record with 28 knockouts) won’t be an easy customer. “[Julio] Ceja is not an easy fighter, he’s a good fighter, and he’s absolutely a brawler,” he said. “This is a very important fight for me because if I win, my next fight will be for the world title.”

‘Rise Up Shape Up’ on arnis

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IXTEEN gold medalists in the virtual Women’s Martial Arts Festival will be featured in the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) web series “Rise Up, Shape Up” on Saturday.

The episode will talk about the athletes and the indigenous martial art with PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram discussing a short history of arnis in her regular K-Isport segment.

painful in the past when his life didn’t fit the future he had imagined, he has been through enough to appreciate an opportunity like this without allowing it to consume him.

His pro career has moved on swells and troughs. He started 110, but Top Rank unceremoniously released him in 2012 after his first professional loss, a splitdecision defeat in which he didn’t look sharp enough for Bob Arum’s promotion. With AP

IN THE HUNT

Magsayo is on a two-fight winning streak since he brought his act to the US in July last year.

He survived American Rigoberto Hermosillo last October 3 via split decision in Los Angeles before crushing another American, Pablo Cruz, via a brutal fourthround knockout last April 10 in Connecticut.

Ceja told a separate interview that he will take away Magsayo’s dream by knocking him out.

“I want to knock him out and I will aim for that,” he said through an interpreter. “It’s very important on my part to win because I also want to be a world titleholder.”

Josef Ramos

Stories of the arnis gold medalists and their winning performances will be the focus of the episode, starting with Kristine Petacoste, the pride of Butuan City who won gold in the Juniors Traditional Single Weapon category.

Liendzhay Gigante of Pasig City will also share her experience in topping the Juniors Traditional

AS VEGAS, Nevada—Five Filipino world champions predict a Manny Pacquiao by stoppage victory over reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Yordenis Ugás at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

“I think Manny is ready for this fight. Ugás has a lot of experience and he’s tough. But I think there’s a big possibility that the fight won’t go the distance because Manny has all the capabilities to do that,” World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr., told BusinessMirror upon his arrival at the MGM Grand Hotel on Thursday.

“He’s very easy to hit, so I think Senator Manny will get Ugás by a ninth-round technical knockout win,” International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas said.

“The style of Ugás is tailor fit for the senator. If Pacquiao is not a volume puncher, maybe Ugas could last the distance. But unfortunately for him, he’s not.”

World Boxing Organization bantamweight king Johnriel Casimero, who is coming from a split decision victory over Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux last week in Carson City, said Pacquiao will stop Ugás in the fourth round.

“He’s not on the level of Pacquiao, he’s just one fourth of Pacquiao,” Casimero said.

IBF minimumweight titlist Rene Mark Cuarto and WBA minimumweight champion Victorio Saludar also see a short night for the fighting senator and if Ugás lasts 12 rounds, he’d turn out as a punching bag.

Cuarto said Ugás will yield by the eighth or ninth round to Pacquiao’s power-packed quick punches.

“We studied on YouTube the possible outcome of the fight, and we felt Ugás will just surrender or be knocked out,” Cuarto said.

Saludar, on the other hand, said Ugás could run and avoid punches by going the distance.

But if he engages, he’ll knocked out anytime.

“Senator Manny’s condition is really great and Ugás can be taken out anytime if he goes toe-totoe,” Saludar said. “I haven’t seen the senator’s condition like this before.” Josef Ramos

Nielsen wins 6th stage, Roglic regains lead

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AS VEGAS, Nevada—Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo goes after Mexican brawler Julio Ceja’s hide in one of the nine undercards in the Manny PacquiaoYordenis Ugás main event on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the T-Mobile Arena.

A victory in the eliminator bout will catapult the former ice drop vendor in Tagbilaran City to a title fight against reigning World Boxing Council featherweight champion Gary Russel Jr. of the US. Magsayo’s humble background as an ice drop vendor in Bohol adds boost to his campaign against Ceja.

“I started selling ice drops in Tagbilaran City when I was seven

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PACQUIAO: I’M READY AS EVER

By Josef Ramos

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Filipino world champs predict Pacquiao by KO

LTO DE LA MONTAÑA DE CULLERA, Spain—Magnus Cort Nielsen won the sixth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday after holding off a hardcharging Primoz Roglic, who took back the red leader’s shirt with his second-place finish.

Cort Nielsen was part of an early five-man breakaway on the mostly flat 158.3-kilometer ride along Spain’s eastern coast. The Danish sider for EF Education had just enough left to cross the finish line first ahead of Roglic at the top of a short but steep ascent near the Cullera Castle overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was the fourth stage win at the Spanish Grand Tour for Cort Nielsen, who also has a stage win at the Tour de France.

“It was very close in the end,” the Dane said. “I looked back with 150 meters to go and could see Roglic was coming. I was sprinting with everything I had and luckily I could keep him behind me.”

Roglic, the two-time defending Vuelta champion, reclaimed the race lead that he had held for the

first two stages.

Kenny Ellisonde lost the lead he held for one day after he struggled throughout the final stretches of the stage.

Crosswinds whipping across rice fields over the final 30 kilometers broke the peloton into groups as it wound its way through narrow tracks. Ellisonde was caught behind and had to work hard with his Trek-Segafredo team to catch up to the head of the peloton, only for him to fade again in the final 2-kilometer ascent.

Roglic, the Jumbo-Visma leader, is followed in the general classification by three Movistar riders: Eric Mas is 25 seconds behind, closely followed by teammates Miguel Ángel López and Alejandro Valverde. Former Tour winner Egan Bernal of Ineos is 41 second off the pace.

On Friday, riders will face a mountainous 152 kilometers from Gandia to a first-category summit finish at Balcón de Alicante. AP

Double Weapon class and Jana Lorraine Quintilla, of Rizal, who exhibited sports excellence in the Juniors Traditional Espada Y Daga event for 13 to 15 years old, will also share her story.

“The Women’s Martial Arts Festival held last July 8 to 31, supports the agency’s commitment to strengthening sports and fitness

in the country,” PSC Chairman William Ramirez said.

Kiram, who handles the PSC’s Women in Sports Commissioner, said that the event celebrates women’s strength in the field of martial arts.

The program also aims to support Republic Act 9710, also known as the “Magna Carta of Women,” which defends women’s right to equal

CORT NIELSEN is piling up stage victories.

participation in sports.

“Rise Up, Shape Up” is a weekly web series streamed via Facebook and YouTube every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the official Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/riseupshapeup and YouTube page https://www.youtube. com/riseupshapeup.

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Saturday, August 21, 2021

A13

A14 Saturday, August 21, 2021

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Saturday, August 21, 2021 A15

PHL logs 17,231 cases, highest ever single-day tally of Covid-19

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

T

HE Philippines logged on Friday the highest single-day tally of Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began at 17,231, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 1,807,800.

The Department of Health (DOH) tally came a day after Palace officials approved the easing of quarantine protocols in Metro Manila, Laguna and Bataan to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ ), in a bid to allow more essential businesses to reopen while keeping a tight lid on infections.

There were also 5,595 recoveries and 317 deaths recorded.

Of the total number of infections, 6.8 percent (123,251) are active cases, 91.5 percent (1,653,351) have recovered, and 1.73 percent (31,198) have died.

The DOH said that 434 duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 424 are recoveries.

Moreover, 1 case previously tagged as a recovery has been validated to be an active case and 221 cases previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

All laboratories were operational on August 18, 2021 but 2 were not able to submit their data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System.

Based on data in the last 14 days, the 2 non-reporting labs contribute, on average, 0.03 percent of samples tested and 0.08 percent of positive individuals.

Targeted and calibrated actions The DOH, meanwhile, called for more targeted and recalibrated actions towards high-risk activities, as the NCR and the provinces of Bataan and Laguna shift to MECQ, “so that some work and businesses can resume onsite operations.”

“This decision of the IATF acknowledged that the country cannot always rely on quarantine classifications as it is costly to the economy and livelihood of people. People need to return to a safer and smarter workplace, and act prudently,” the DOH said.

However, the DOH emphasized that this does not mean lifting restrictions but rather, focusing on targeted restrictions and monitoring granular lockdowns and specific high-risk activities.

“Under this quarantine classification, high-risk activities such as dinein services, whether indoor or al fresco, and personal care services are still not allowed. Religious gatherings will also remain online during the MECQ ,” the DOH said.

Further, the DOH noted that the latest projections suggest that the least number of active cases in the NCR is seen when there is an improvement in the vaccination, shortening the interval between symptom onset and isolation to at most six days, and compliance to the minimum public health standards. “ B a s e d on t he l at e s t D OH a nd FASSSTER projections, active cases in NCR may reach up to 66,403 by August 31 and 269,694 by September 30 when ECQ will be extended for two more weeks while maintaining current levels of vaccination, PDITR strategies, and compliance to minimum public health standards. Meanwhile, intensifying our efforts in these strategies while under MECQ may result in 83,921 active cases

by August 31 and 158,489 active cases in NCR by September 30,” said Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

The DOH reminded the public to adhere to the minimum public health standards such as wearing face masks, washing of hands, observing physical distancing, ensuring proper ventilation whenever indoors, maintaining good personal hygiene and clean spaces, and getting vaccinated when eligible.

“Everyone is also urged to stay home except for essential activities,” the DOH added.

Meanwhile, the DOH reminded employers to implement a work-from-home set-up as much as possible, improve health measures in workplaces, and coordinate with local government units for facilitation of immediate contact tracing and testing for suspected Covid-19 cases.

“We will continue to see a dramatic increase in cases in the coming days and this is not the time to be complacent. Adherence to the Minimum Public Health Standards is still our best defense against the virus. Early consultation and testing is key to cutting the transmission within households, communities, and workplaces,” added Vergeire.

The DOH said that the increase in cases seen was caused by a combination of factors—breaches in the minimum public health standards and in the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategies, and may have also been aggravated by the presence of variants.

“Since our local government units have been conducting intensive contact tracing and active case finding especially in high risk areas during the past few weeks, this may have also contributed to the increasing numbers as we actively find more cases,” DOH said.

Gatchalian to lead inquiry on school opening as COA flags gaps in distance learning funds

By Butch Fernandez

W

ITH less than a month to go before the opening of School Year 2021-2022, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate will make a thorough assessment of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) readiness for a prolonged distance learning scenario.

The lawmaker issued the statement after the Commission on Audit (COA) f lagged deficiencies worth P8.136 billion for the implementation of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP).

Among the deficiencies f lagged by state auditors are lapses in the budget utilization, non or incomplete submission of the required documents, and other deficiencies in disbursements and procurements. Gatchalian filed Senate Resolution No. 739 to assess if basic education institutions can deliver quality education for the next school year, whether through face-to-face classes, distance learning, or other alternative delivery modes.

“As we prepare for the next school year, we want to make sure the DepEd can deliver qua lit y education even as the pandemic continues. The past year’s experience should have taught us enough so we can avoid the problems in implementing distance learning,” said Gatchalian.

COA also flagged the flawed, incomplete, and delayed procurement, reproduction, and delivery of self-learning modules (SLMs), considered as the backbone of distance learning. The delays were attributed to factors such as deficient planning, poor monitoring of deliveries, and suppliers’ failure to complete the requirements on time.

State auditors added that the nonavailability of the modules on the period in which they were supposed to be used deprived learners of better learning opportunities and hampered the continuity of the learning process.

The COA report added that five regional offices were not able to fully adhere to prescribed specifications for the SLMs, which resulted in poor printing quality.

The existence of errors and deficiencies in SLMs also showed procedural lapses in the checking, review, and evaluation process or system as provided for in DepEd Memorandum 82, s. 2017, the report said.

DepEd responds In its response to the COA’s findings, DepEd emphasized that “none of the initial findings pertained to corruption, malversation of public funds, negligence, or the betrayal of public trust.” DepEd added that in 2019, the Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) Task Force was created to help improve the addressing of audit concerns.

News BusinessMirror

A16 Saturday, August 21, 2021

Health dept tracking cases of Covid in infants of infected pregnant women

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

A

S an increasing trend in overall Covid-19 cases in the country was observed, the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday warned that there will also be increases across different populations, including pregnant women.

“We commonly observe transmission in households. Hence, we continuously remind our kababayan to ensure safety even in our homes, immediately isolate and seek medical attention, and coordinate with BHERTs [barangay health-care emergency response team] to facilitate facility isolation and testing,” DOH said.

These measures, DOH stressed, will help cut transmission even in households.

Two infants have tested positive for Covid-19 in Pasay City.

Pa say C it y G enera l Hos pit a l (PCGH) Director Dr. John Victor de Gracia on Friday said five new-born babies were admitted to PCGH the past few days after their mothers were also positive for the virus.

Of the five infants, two tested

Pasay City Mayor Emi CalixtoRubiano is seen in file photo at her office at City Hall. BERNARD TESTA

positive for Covid-19.

“Upon the advice of our neonatologists the three negative babies were a l lowed to stay w ith their mothers in the Covid-19 wards,” de Gracia told Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.

Of the two positive babies, one is currently in Neonatal Intensive Care

Unit (NICU), while the other one is being treated in a ward together with the mother.

De Gracia said all the new-born babies except for the one at NICU are doing fine, and may be transferred to a quarantine facility or be discharged outright soon, together with their mothers.

Calixto-Rubiano also vowed to provide all the necessary assistance to the

families of the five infants admitted for treatment at PCGH. Covid-19 may be milder in young children, but experts in other countries have reported instances where children were severely affected.

Meanwhile, the DOH said that in most cases, Covid-19 may be milder in young children than in adults.

However, the DOH said that parents and caregivers should understand that children can be infected with Covid, can develop complications requiring hospitalization, and can transmit the virus to others.

“In rare cases, children infected with the coronavirus can develop a serious lung infection and become very sick with Covid-19, and deaths have occurred,” DOH said.

When symptoms manifest, the DOH reiterated the need to seek immediate consultation and have the children closely monitored by adult family members or relatives.

“While we do not vaccinate our children yet, it is very important [for adults] to follow the minimum public health standards and immediately get vaccinated, as these strategies also protect our children at home,” DOH concluded.

Latest shipment of Astra vaccine arrive at Naia; 1 million Sinovac doses to be delivered today

By Recto Mercene

M

ore than half a million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine procured by the private sector arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) at 9:15 a.m. on Friday.

A China airlines f light CI-701 delivered the AstraZeneca vaccines.

At the airport to welcome the shipment was MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos, some representatives from Go

Negosyo and Covid-19 czar Secretary Carlito Galvez and Department of Health (DOH) officials.

The shipment was immediately transferred to a storage facility in Marikina City.

Meanwhile, 1 million doses of Sinovac vaccine is expected to arrive at the Naia today (Saturday, August 21, 2021) aboard Philippine Airlines f light PR-361 that is expected to touchdown at 7:25 a.m.

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

Comelec lists strict health protocols to govern Oct filing of COC, CONA

S

By Samuel P. Medenilla

TRICT health protocols, including testing, will be required by the Commission on Elections during the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) in October to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The Comelec en banc on Thursday issued its Resolution 10717 containing the guidelines for the COC and CONA filing for aspirants in the 2022 National and Local elections.

Under the issuance, aspirants for any elective office or their authorized representative would be allowed to be accompanied by a maximum of two persons in the COC/CONA filing.

Those running for the position of President, Vice President and Senator may be accompanied by a maximum of three persons.

For party-list groups, the CONA may be filed by the party-list chairperson, president, secretary-general or authorized representatives, who may be accompanied by one person.

“The presence of the respective nominees of the party-list groups shall not be required,” the Comelec en banc said.

In areas under stricter quarantine protocol, the aspirants will not be allowed to have companions in the filing of COC/CONA.

Testing protocols

Aspirants for the positions of President, Vice President and Senator will be required to undergo Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction

(RT-PCR) for Covid-19 within the last 24 hours prior to filing of COC/CONA. A similar test will also be required for authorized representative of the aspirants; chairperson, president, secretary-general or authorized representative of the political party, sectoral party, organization or coalition for the party-list system.

The requirement will also apply to the companions of the aforementioned groups.

Testing will also be mandatory for Comelec personnel in charge of receiving COCs/CONAs and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination; organic security force personnel of the Commission, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police; and the media covering the event.

“Except for aspirants who prefer to undergo RT-PCR testing or antigen testing in their chosen/trusted laboratories accredited by the Department of Health [DOH], aspirants and their companions/escorts and all media personnel, the antigen testing of the following shall be at the expense of and provided onsite by the Commission,” Comelec said.

Individuals who will be present in the receiving offices or venue will have to exercise social distancing, wear face masks, use hand sanitation, and go through foot baths and health checks, as well as answer health declaration forms.

The filing for COC and CONA will be from October 1 to 8, 2021 including Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Party-list lawmaker airs side on viral ‘grandiose’ wedding

By Manuel T. Cayon

AVAO CITY—The newly wed par t y-list representative in Davao Occidental aired her side to the wedding that critics described as “grandiose and lavish” that ran contrary to the marginal sector that she represents in the Lower House.

Rep. Claudine Diana D. Bautista of the Dumper PTDA Party-list, which represents public-utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in the country, said on her online statement posted on Friday that “given the situation, I would also like to express my sadness over how my wedding day, something that I have separated from my work as a public official, has been made into a political spectacle.”

“First, I would like to acknowledge all of the sentiments asserted by everyone. I hear you, and I have internalized all of the grievances that were brought up in light of what was supposed to be a private and personal milestone,” said Bautista, who belongs to a family of politicians in Davao Occidental.

Bautista said she and her husband tried to keep the wedding a private affair, but a misstep from a celebrity gown designer leaked the photographs of the wedding to the Internet. “We had no intention of making our wedding a public affair, so we kept it as intimate as possible.

However, access was unintentionally given through the post of my wedding gown designer, Michael Cinco, and he mistakenly posted about the private event.”

“He has since also apologized for bringing unwanted attention to an event that was supposed to be separate from my life as a public servant,” she said.

The wedding photographs became viral, mostly critical of how the congresswoman was supposed to represent the PUV drivers, but was holding a supposed grandiose and lavish wedding.

“My husband has been planning this special day with me for years even

D

before the pandemic, and it pains us to see how things after our wedding turned out. This was supposed to be the culminating event of a decadeslong love story. My husband is a kind and loving person and all he wanted was to give me the wedding of my dreams. We both found many of the comments heartbreaking. This celebration of our love was a product of my husband’s hard work,” she added.

The lawmaker said her economic status was not a hindrance to take care of the needs of the drivers that she represented.

“People have been questioning my public service record when in reality, during the pandemic, we were able to help vaccinate 18,000 PUV drivers, we provided assistance through Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment-TUPAD, and Department of Health all around the country, we advocated for the immediate release of financial assistance for PUV drivers by filing a House Resolution and worked to ensure that the deadline for consolidation of PUVs is extended,” she said.

To address the effects of the pandemic, she added, “in my personal capacity, I also made sure that more than 1.1 million grocery packs, PPEs, free insurance policies, and relief assistance are distributed to affected PUV drivers and commuters. From my personal funds, I have donated P3 million to doctors and nurses to ensure that their tireless sacrifice is recognized.”

“Moving forward, I want to move past this issue and focus on pressing matters—the pandemic and serving better my constituents,” Bautista said.

“I will no longer indulge in the statements by people of influence against me as I will leave it up to my legal team to address this.”

She assured that “I have always been transparent with my office’s accomplishments and ongoing efforts, and we will continue to do so despite detractors a iming to change the narrative and devalue our achievements.”

BusinessMirror

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

8 STONE BUSINESS OUTSOURCING OPC 5-10/f Tower 1 Pitx Kennedy Road Tambo Parañaque City ANG SENG HWA Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 1.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking

KANG, TIANZHEN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 2.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin Speaking TANG, TIM MAN TERRY Mandarin Customer Service Representative

3.

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and problem resolution to inquiries and order status YANG, ZHIGUO Mandarin Customer Service Representative

4.

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE

Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend potential products or services to management by collecting customer information and analyzing customer needs Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Brief Job Description: Interact with customer to provide information, support and Salary Range: problem resolution to inquiries and order status Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 AMUSETECH BUSINESS OUTSOURCING 2/f Rivergreen Residences 2217 Pedro Gil St. 096, Bgy 880 Santa Ana Manila Basic Qualification: Knows how to recommend YUAN, YI-JIE potential products or services Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking to management by collecting 5. customer information and Brief Job Description: analyzing customer needs.

Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in Mandarin speaking.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f To 10/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D. Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street Tambo Parañaque City Basic Qualification: LIN, YONGQIANG Able to speak, read and write Chinese Customer Service Chinese language 6.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquires Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: VU TRUNG THANH Able to speak, read and write Chinese Customer Service Chinese language 7.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: DENG, YANFEN Able to speak, read and write Chinese Customer Specialist Chinese language 8.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LI, WANSHAN Able to speak, read and write Chinese Customer Specialist Chinese language 9.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 AVANTICE CORPORATION 19/f Pbcom Tower Ayala Ave. Bel-air Makati City Basic Qualification: Must be native Cambodian / MARGARETHA Indonesian fluent in English Finance Executive & Khmer / Bahasa Indonesia; 10. with a year of experience in Brief Job Description: the same field Input finance data into the system Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Must be native Japanese / DONG THUC DINH Cambodian / Thai / Chinese Marketing Senior Executive / Indonesian / Vietnamese fluent in English and respective 11.

Brief Job Description: native language; with at least Manage and organize data from market research and insights 2 years experience in similar and render business support to ensure efficient operational field processes.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Must be native Thai / LIN, YI-CHEN Indonesian / Vietnamese / Operations Executive Taiwanese / Chinese / Korean / Japanese / Taiwanese; fluent 12.

Brief Job Description: in English and respective Serves as a liaison officer between the customer and native language; with at least a various departments & ensures that basic CS functions are year experience in similar field performed Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

PHAM HO PHUOC TRUNG Operations Senior Executive 13.

Brief Job Description: Assist in responding to customer inquiries and resolving issues or complaints.

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

No.

SURYANTO Payment Executive 16.

VU LE TUAN Operations Senior Executive 14.

Brief Job Description: Assist in responding to customer inquiries and resolving issues or complaints.

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

ZHANG, HUI Operations Senior Executive 15.

Brief Job Description: Assist in responding to customer inquiries and resolving issues or complaints.

Basic Qualification: Must be native Cambodian / Vietnamese / Chinese / Thai / Indonesian / Korean / Japanese / Taiwanese, fluent in English and respective native language; with at least a year experience in similar field Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999

Brief Job Description: Assess financial risk while maintaining appropriate level of cash flow required to support business operation.

ISWANDI Payment Supervisor 17.

Brief Job Description: Assist in organizing workflow, schedules and provide training to executives.

MERY Payment Supervisor 18.

Brief Job Description: Assist in organizing workflow, schedules and provide training to executives.

BIG EMPEROR TECHNOLOGY CORP. Eastfield Center Cbp1, Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

19.

20.

WANG, CHAOFENG Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients XU, YANLING Mandarin Customer Service Brief Job Description: Offer full range of customer service to employer and clients

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Must be native Indonesian / Vietnamese / Cambodian fluent in English and respective native language; proficient in Microsoft applications.

Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Must be native Indonesian / Vietnamese / Malaysian fluent in English and respective language; with at least 3 years of experience same field Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Must be native Indonesian / Vietnamese / Malaysian fluent in English and respective language; with at least 3 years of experience same field Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, Read write and type fluently in Mandarin Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: At least college level and able to speak, Read write and type fluently in Mandarin Language

25.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services NGUYEN HUYNH QUANG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

26.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about product and services DENG, HAO Chinese Speaking Data Entry Clerk

27.

Brief Job Description: Assist/help customers, give customers information about products 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 Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: With atleast 6 months customer service experience/ good in oral communication and written

28.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Project Monitoring Supervisor 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.

Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Project Monitoring Supervisor, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company, demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

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

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

LEI, HAIWEI Mandarin Structural Maintenance Analyst 29.

Brief Job Description: The Mandarin Structural Maintenance Analyst 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.

DEXIN 999, INC. Red Hotel No. 345 Edsa Cor. Don Carlos Revilla St. Barangay 147 Pasay City LUO, ZHONGPENG Mandarin Customer Support Representative 30.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

ZENG, JINPING Mandarin Customer Support Representative

31.

32.

Brief Job Description: Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

XU, BINGZHANG Chinese Cargo Office Agent

Brief Job Description: Prepare airline and custom documentations EASTERN GOLD CORPORATION 503 Nueva St Binondo Manila TANG, TING-HAU Marketing And Sales Agent

33.

Brief Job Description: RESEARCHES AND DEVELOPS VARIOUS MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND IMPLEMENTS MARKETING PLANS AND WORKS TO MEET SALES QUOTAS

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proven experience as Mandarin Structural Maintenance Analyst, familiarity, knowledge and awareness on machinery and heavy equipment use by company, demonstrable experience in developing strategic business plan.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak and write in MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related BPO experience.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: have skills in documentations Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CAN CONTRIBUTES INFORMATION, IDEAS, AND RESEARCH TO HELP DEVELOP MARKETING STRATEGIES; CAN HELP TO DETAIL, DESIGN, AND IMPLEMENT MARKETING PLANS FOR EACH PRODUCT OR SERVICE BEING OFFERED. Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

FCI SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES INC. Unit 2202 Richville Corporate Tower Alabang Zapote Road Madrigal Business Park Alabang Muntinlupa City Basic Qualification: 15 years of experience within relevant industries; 10 years KARLSSON, PETTER MAGNUS in upper management; Chief Executive Officer Established connections preferrably in the Asian and 34.

Brief Job Description: European circuit; Proven track Corporate decision-making, determines the direction of record in managing medium to business, management of operations and resources. large scale projects.

FRONTIER POINT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC. 29/f Techzone Bldg. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. San Antonio Makati City Ug/f Somerset Olympia Bldg. 7912 Makati Ave. Urdaneta Makati City CHEN, CHIEN-JU Mandarin Accounts Staff 35.

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

HO, YU-TING Mandarin Accounts Staff

36.

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

KYI KYI WIN Mandarin Accounts Staff

37.

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

LAM MUN CHUNG Mandarin Accounts Staff

38.

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

NGUYEN THI THU THOA Mandarin Accounts Staff

39.

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

SOO WAI YEE Mandarin Accounts Staff

40.

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

VONG MY LINH Mandarin Accounts Staff

41.

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

CSCEC STRAIT CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD (PHILIPPINES BRANCH OFFICE) Units A&b 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. San Lorenzo Makati City

LAN, ZHILONG Mandarin Project Monitoring Supervisor

No.

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 076, District 1 Pasay City GONG, TAO Chinese Speaking Admin Associate

A17

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

CAPITAL ONE PHILIPPINES SUPPORT SERVICES CORP. 5150 North Bridgeway Northgate Cyberzone, Filinvest Corporate City Alabang Muntinlupa City Basic Qualification: College degree with post PAPERMAN, JOSEPH ANDRES graduate units, professional Head Of Operations experience for at least 10 years in call center operations; 21.

Brief Job Description: Experience or an equivalent Responsible for performance and growth of several industry exposure with at least operations teams within the Alabang contact center 5-6 years of experience. organization.

Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above CHINA ENERGY ENGINEERING GROUP GUANGDONG ELECTRIC POWER DESIGN INSTITUTE CO. LTD., (PHILIPPINES) BRANCH U-1205 12/f 6750 Ayala Bldg. Ayala Ave. San Lorenzo Makati City Basic Qualification: ZHAO, ZHANFEI Excellent oral and written Chinese Marketing Staff communication both in English and Mandarin Chinese. Strong 22.

Brief Job Description: public speaking skills.

Prospect and identify new business opportunities utilizing solid and innovative strategies.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 CHINA WUYI CO., LTD. 4/f Commodore Bldg. 422 Arquiza St. 072 Bgy. 667 Ermita Manila Basic Qualification: Proven Experience as YE, YUHONG Mandarin Project Supervisor, Mandarin Project Supervisor Familiarity, knowledge and awareness on Machinery Brief Job Description: and Heavy Equipment use 23.

The Mandarin Project Supervisor will be a strategist ad a by company, Demonstrable leader able to steer the company to the most profitable experience in developing direction while also implementing its vision, mission and long strategic business plan. term goals.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 CHIU-NICHI AGRO RESOURCES PHILS., INC. S-202 Cortijos Condominium #25 Eisenhower St. Greenhills San Juan City Basic Qualification: ZHANG, CATHERINE Graduated with background Data Scientist of data analysis/statistics and regulatory affairs; Can speak 24.

Brief Job Description: good English To gather all data and statistics to rate the overall performance of the hog breeder farm Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Must be native Cambodian / Vietnamese / Chinese / Thai / Indonesian / Korean / Japanese / Taiwanese, fluent in English and respective native language; with at least a year experience in similar field

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Saturday, August 21, 2021

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

WANG, CHEN-WEI Mandarin Accounts Staff

42.

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

WU, PEI-PEI Mandarin Accounts Staff

43.

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

WONG LEH KHING Mandarin Administrative Specialist

44.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in implementing administrative system & procedures

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

Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin, and other multilingual language.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multi Lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

A18 Saturday, August 21, 2021

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION CHOU, CHENG-HAO Mandarin Customer Service

45.

Brief Job Description: responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company LIN, ZONG-YAN Mandarin Customer Service

46.

Brief Job Description: responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company NG KOK FUI Mandarin Customer Service

47.

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

LEE SHU NING Mandarin Human Resource Specialist

48.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in administration of the day-to-day operations of the human resources functions SU, CHUNG-YI Mandarin Human Resource Specialist

49.

Brief Job Description: responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company WU, PEI-LUN Mandarin Human Resource Specialist

50.

Brief Job Description: Responsible in administration of the day-to-day operations of the human resources functions LIM SHING YIING Mandarin Operation Specialist

51.

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

LUO, YOU-XIN a.k.a. FLORENCE Mandarin Operations Specialist

52.

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

PANG YEE LUH Mandarin Operations Specialist

53.

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

HUNG, HSIAO-TING Mandarin Supervisor

54.

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

SOH CHIAU ONN Mandarin Supervisor

55.

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

LEE, PO-JU Mandarin Technical Support

56.

Brief Job Description: responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company YE, JIAN-JIA Mandarin Technical Support

57.

Brief Job Description: responsible in answering customer questions about product and services of the company GAND, MANFRED HEINER Head Of Power

Brief Job Description: 1.1 (i) be responsible for the technical design requirements of the Telecom Power Solution & ACDistribution; (ii) define technical solutions to manage the grid quality in various regions in the Philippines; (iii) write 58. the technical power specification for the Company for: (a) AC-System for Telecom Power; (b) DC-System for Telecom Power; (c) Remote Monitoring of Power Solution; and (d) Solar Solution design for Telecom Power; (iv) write tender requirements and evaluating technical proposals; (v) technical coordination with subcontractor for the supply of power products and related services; (vi) manage the power team; and (vi) mentor and coach new technicians and engineers GLOBALLGA BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING Ground Level, Level 2-5 Floor Silver City 4, Ortigas East Ugong Pasig City GONG, JIANJUN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 59.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

NONG, RUXUE Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 60.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

YANG, KAI Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 61.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

YE, DINGSHUN Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 62.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

ZHANG, LIPING Customer Service Representative Mandarin Speaking 63.

Brief Job Description: Build sustainable relationship of trust through open and interactive communication in mandarin speaking

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multi Lingual Language

No.

CHEN, XIAOBIN Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking 64.

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

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multi Lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multi Lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multi Lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multilingual language.

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

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

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

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in English, Mandarin, and other multilingual language.

Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multi Lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: proficiency in English, Mandarin and other Multi Lingual Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

Basic Qualification: (i) Degree: Master of Science in Engineering; (ii) More than 30 years of experience in Telecom project with focus on Mobile and Fixed network designs Salary Range: Php 500,000 and above

Basic Qualification: Know how to recommend potential products or services through management by collecting customer’s information and analyzing customers need Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Know how to recommend potential products or services through management by collecting customer’s information and analyzing customers need Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Know how to recommend potential products or services through management by collecting customer’s information and analyzing customers need Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Know how to recommend potential products or services through management by collecting customer’s information and analyzing customers need

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

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing activity and result SUN, GUOQING Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

65.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing activity and result WANG, HUI Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

66.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing activity and result YANG, YI Marketing Staff Mandarin Speaking

67.

Brief Job Description: Monitor, review and report on all marketing activity and result

GOLDENSKY INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC. Midas Hotel 2702 Roxas Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City XU, XISHI Call Center Agent Mandarin Speaking

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and protects, recommend optimization to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and protects, recommend optimization to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and protects, recommend optimization to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Analyze the productivity of the marketing plans and protects, recommend optimization to senior management Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in cantonese and mandarin speaking/know thread and write chinese

Brief Job Description: Responsible for handling inbounding calls-emails and or chat with the goal of ensuring resolution of customer issues Salary Range: effective communication Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HAMMERTIME CONSTRUCTION INC. Unit 203-s3 2nd Flr. Fbr Arcade Bldg. #317 Katipunan Ave. Loyola Heights 3 Quezon City Basic Qualification: XIONG, AIMING At least three (3) years Project Support Specialist of experience in project management and construction Brief Job Description: management or a related 69.

Provides project management support to the project field is required; fluent in manager, including documentation management, mandarin/basic english construction management support and project management software support.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HEIGH IT SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES CORP. 20/f Zuellig Bldg. Makati Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas Urdaneta Makati City Basic Qualification: GAO, LU Proficiency in English, Chinese, Senior IOS Developer (Chinese Character Software) and other multi-lingual 70. language Brief Job Description: Responsible in IOS service problems, technical and other Salary Range: computer software issues Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: JIANG, XINGSHENG Proficiency in English, Chinese, Senior IOS Developer (Chinese Character Software) and other multi-lingual 71. language Brief Job Description: Responsible in IOS service problems, technical and other Salary Range: computer software issues Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU, DAN Proficiency in English, Chinese, Senior IOS Developer (Chinese Character Software) and other multi-lingual 72. language Brief Job Description: Responsible in IOS service problems, technical and other Salary Range: computer software issues Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City Basic Qualification: Must be able to implement 5G KUAN POH YEE core network solutions, with Cloud Core Service Network Manager For Cloud Core good communications skills Network Function Virtualization (NVF) Project Chinese and English, must be a graduate of computer Brief Job Description: 73. and communication system Prepare solution according to technical alarms raised that engineering, with at least 3 occurred in live network coordinate with other networking years work experience as a vendors to solve issues related to core network and programmer understand and learn in detail the customer requirements for core network solution Salary Range: Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 Basic Qualification: Highly proficient in English and Chinese language, must ZHOU, LIHENG have intensive experience Commercial Manager For 5g Broadband Project in carrier network product including UGW (unified packet Brief Job Description: gateway),USN (Unified Service Responsible in solution sales for 5G broadband project, Node), CG (Charging Gateway), 74. communicate with the headquarters (HQ) for 5G project and PCRF (Policy and Charging technical solutions as well as delivery and supply process, Rules Function), UDM (Unified resolve problems involving 5G network implementation and Data Management), IMS promote rapid implementation of 5G construction in the (IP Multimedia Network Philippines Subsystems) 68.

CHEN, CHAO Executive Commercial Expert For Infrastructure Project 75.

Brief Job Description: Ensure business compliance and commercial control to achieve the annual target TANG, LEILEI Senior Manager For 5g Wireless Project

76.

Brief Job Description: In-charge of project initiation period with operator from planning high-level design and low-level design and offering

Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Electronic & Information Technology with high proficiency in English and Chinese language Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999 Basic Qualification: Have a solid 12-year telecommunications work experience for wireless microwave Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd And 4th Floor Eight West Campus Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: LI, AGUDAMU Able to speak and write in Mandarin Customer Support Representative MANDARIN/FUKIEN and at least college level with related 77.

Brief Job Description: BPO experience.

Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MAERSK GLOBAL SERVICE CENTRES (PHILIPPINES) LTD. Levels 5-8 North Wing, Estancia Offices Capitol Commons Meralco Ave. Oranbo Pasig City CARRERA MENDEZ, MARIANA ALEXANDRA Sealand Spanish Speaker Collection Agent 78.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Know how to recommend potential products or services through management by collecting customer’s information and analyzing customers need

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Brief Job Description: Review statements of account and ensure appropriate attention to detail and that they fall in line with slas and client requirements

ZHANG, JIAYANG Chinese Speaking Admin Associate 79.

Brief Job Description: Prepare and maintain company documents and reports and coordinate for daily administrative reports

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Basic Qualification: Experience on reviewing business reports, identifying outstanding invoices and generating all call lists/priority on a daily basis.

No.

LIU, ZHUOYANG Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative 80.

81.

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

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customers questions about services or products/excellent Mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customers questions about services or products/excellent Mandarin communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

MARKETROLE ASIA PACIFIC SERVICES, INC. 26/f, 27/f, 28/f The Enterprise Center Tower 1 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City Basic Qualification: DO LE NHAN Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 82.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: DO NGOC ANH Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 83.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: HA KIEU GIANG Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 84.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LIU THI KIM DUNG Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 85.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LU SO HUE Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 86.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LUU KIM VINH Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 87.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: LYNDON CHIA SENG SIANG Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 88.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: MAC MY GIA Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 89.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: NGUYEN HUYEN TRANG Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 90.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: VAN KIM HONG Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 91.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: VONG CA VAN Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 92.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: YUAN, XUELIAN Can speak chinese/Mandarin Chinese Speaking Customer Service Staff Fluently 93.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Provide outstanding and exceptional customer service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MELCO RESORTS LEISURE (PHP) CORPORATION City Of Dreams Manila Aseana Ave. Cor. Roxas Blvd. Tambo Parañaque City Basic Qualification: At least 2 years proven experience in vip services and/ OH, SEUNGJOON or premium player fields and Host, Business Development - Korea in gaming marketing field, 94. excellent communication skills Brief Job Description: both in english and korean Locates, develops and/or acquires new business and capture language premium players.

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

MERITAR SUPPLY CHAIN (PHILIPPINES) CO., LTD. CORP. U-a&b 20/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Cor. V.a. Rufino St. San Lorenzo Makati City Basic Qualification: Proven Experience as Mandarin Warehouse PAN, YU Manager, Familiarity, Mandarin Warehouse Manager Knowledge and awareness on Machinery and heavy 95.

Brief Job Description: Equipment use by company, The Mandarin Warehouse Manager and a leader able to Demonstrable experience in steer the company to the most profitable direction while also developing strategic business implementing its vision, mission and long term goals. plan.

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

MINDSCAPE CREATIVES INC. Unit 19-o, Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City Basic Qualification: XUE, YINGDU Proficient in speaking, reading Mandarin Technical Support and writing in Mandarin 96.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: To troubleshoot, maintain and monitor the computer system Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

97.

98.

99.

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

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

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

NGUYEN THUY NGA Chinese Speaking Customer Service Representative

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Proficiency in handling customers questions about services or products/excellent Mandarin communication skills

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

100.

CHEW WU SEN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries DANNY CHUA SHUI KIONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries GAO, FENGWEI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries GAO, SHANGYU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS No.

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ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION GU, HAO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HE, CHUANRONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HUANG, CONGSI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries HUANG, HAIKUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LI, LIANJUN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries LIU, SHAOFENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries PEANG, PHAT Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SAI WIN OO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries SU, KUNFA Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WANG, HAI Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries WEI, XUANYAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XIAO, WENDONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XIE, YONGCHENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries XIE, PENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAN, ZEPENG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YANG, CHUNYU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YANG, WENBIN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YANG, YANSONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries YAO, JIATING Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZENG, YUBO Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, MUJIE Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHANG, JIANQIANG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries ZHONG, XIAOHONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

ZHOU, DAFU Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Managing incoming calls and customer service inquiries

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, Read, and Write chinese language

No.

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LI, JIONG Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

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

YU, SHUAN Chinese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services YAP JOE WEI Malaysian Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services HONG SY CAU Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services LAM MY YEN Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services NGUYEN THANG Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services TRAN LY PHUC Vietnamese Customer Service Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

Brief Job Description: Negotiate contracts and close agreements to maximize profits JIANG, DAPENG Assistant Project Coordinator Brief Job Description: Implement project goals WEI, RAN Marketing Manager Brief Job Description: Develop marketing strategies

HUANG, CHUN-HAN Mandarin It Support Specialist 139.

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

SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 20/f Techzone Bldg. 213 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. San Antonio Makati City

140.

141.

142.

143.

144.

145.

HSIAO, CHING-WEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service LAI, CHUN-NIEN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service LO, KUO-HUI Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service WANG, MENG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer service WEI, DONGDONG Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service YANG, ZHENNAN Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service ZENG, XIANGHUI Mandarin Customer Service Specialist Brief Job Description: Customer Service

SUPREME CHENGHAO MANAGEMENT OPC Level 26-a Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. San Lorenzo Makati City CAO, MINGHANG IT Technical Support Officer 147.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems

A19

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

No.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

148.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Know how to speak write and read English & 3 to 5 years working experience 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

Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in Mandarin both oral and written

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems HUANG, LIANXUAN IT Technical Support Officer

149.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems LI, XIA IT Technical Support Officer

150.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems RUI, MINZHOU It Technical Support Officer

151.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems SHI, ZHIWEI IT Technical Support Officer

152.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems WANG, JUN IT Technical Support Officer

153.

Basic Qualification: Know how to speak write and read English & 3 to 5 years working experience Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Know how to speak write and read English & 3 to 5 years working experience

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FU, LIANG IT Technical Support Officer

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

PRANCING DESEN TECHNOLOGY SERVICES INC. Unit 1620 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila GONG, DAOYONG Basic Qualification: Mandarin Product Developer Proven working experience in related field 136.

Brief Job Description: Enhance existing products in order to meet customer Salary Range: expectations Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: CHONG WIN SENG Skills in computer networking Mandarin Technical Support and hardware 137.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Technical support service Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 SHIMIZU CORPORATION 5/f King’s Court Bldg. 1 2129 Chino Roces Ave. San Lorenzo Makati City Basic Qualification: SHIMAMURA, NAMI Knowledge in administrative & Administrator accounting tasks.

138.

Brief Job Description: Salary Range: Processing of expat flight booking, accommodation and visa.

Php 60,000 - Php 89,999 SKYLUSTER TECHNOLOGY, INC. 10/f The Enterprise Center Tower 2 6766 Ayala Ave. Cor. Paseo De Roxas San Lorenzo Makati City

146.

Basic Qualification: Knowledgeable in computer application with good oral and written communication skills

Brief Job Description: Customer support and data base services

LI, BO Account Manager

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

NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION Sky Garage Bldg. Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City Tambo Parañaque City

WANG, WENXIN Chinese Customer Service

POWERTRAC INCORPORATED 2015c Apolonia St. Mapulang Lupa Valenzuela City

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Able to speak, read, and write Chinese language

NAME OF FOREIGN NATIONAL , POSITION AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems YANG, JUN IT Technical Support Officer

154.

Brief Job Description: Installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and software faults and solving technical and applications problems

QUALIFICATION AND SALARY RANGE Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

THE CLEAN O2 ECO-FRIENDLY CORPORATION Unit 17c Kensington Place 1st Avenue Corner 29th Street Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City Basic Qualification: HAN, HAJIN Fluent in Japanese, Korean, Administrative Team Manager English and Tagalog business 155. management course graduate.

Brief Job Description: Shall perform the tasks given from the employment and try Salary Range: his best at the level needed for the business of the company.

Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 THE LEGACY TRUCKS AND TRACTORS INC. Unit 704 7/f Prestige Tower Condo F. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City Basic Qualification: FENG, BAOQUAN Know how to speak, read and Marketing Manager write in English, with 3 to 5 156. years working experience Brief Job Description: Negotiating and liaising with third party marketing agencies Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: OU, ZHIPING Know how to speak, read and Project Coordinator write in English, with 3 to 5 157. years working experience Brief Job Description: Reviewing project proposals, memos, meeting minutes and Salary Range: emails Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 TRIVES TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Tower 4 Bayport West Naia Garden Residence, Naia Road Tambo Parañaque City Basic Qualification: YIN, XIANGYANG Able to speak and write in Mandarin Customer Support Representative Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO 158.

Brief Job Description: experience.

Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: ZHANG, JIABIAO Able to speak and write in Mandarin Customer Support Representative Mandarin/Fukien and at least college level with related BPO 159.

Brief Job Description: experience.

Supports customers by providing helpful information, answering questions, and responding to complaints.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 UNITED MOTION BUSINESS CONSULTANCY INC. U-2215 22f Cityland 10 Tower 2 154 H.v. Dela Costa Cor. Valero Sts. Bel-air Makati City WANG, WEIWEI Mandarin Business Consultant 160.

Brief Job Description: Helps Mandarin clients business owner to improve their business strategies and operations

Basic Qualification: Preferably 6 months - 1 year as Business Consultant; Fluent in Mandarin and English Language Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

WUHAN FIBERHOME INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES PHILS., INC. U-19d 19/f Rufino Pacific Tower 6784 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. San Lorenzo Makati City MING, PINGQIANG Marketing Director 161.

Brief Job Description: Represents Company headquarters office in leading the product specifications and its use as a solution to local businesses.

YANG, JUN Project Manager

162.

Brief Job Description: Responsible for managing technical issues on materials, equipment being used on projects

Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and college graduate Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999 Basic Qualification: Fluent in mandarin and college graduate Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 *Date Generated: Aug 20, 2021

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-NCR Regional Office located at DOLE-NCR Building, 967 Maligaya St., Malate Manila, within 30 days after this publication.

Please inform DOLE-NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999 Basic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or IT-Related field with atleast 6 months to 1 year of working experience; Fluent in Mandarin/Basic English Salary Range: Php 30,000 - Php 59,999

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR