BusinessMirror December 02, 2020

PHL manufacturing keeps uneven recovery trend

By Bianca Cuaresma

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HE Philippine manufacturing sector’s performance recovered again in November after another setback in October, showing what analysts call “promising signs of renewed recovery momentum” during the period.

According to the report published by IHS Markit on Tuesday, the Philippines’ Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in November hit 49.9, rising from October’s 48.5 print.

A country’s PMI is aimed to gauge the health of its manufacturing sector. It is calculated as a weighted average of five individual subcomponents. Readings below 50 show deterioration in the industry, while readings above the

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50 threshold signal a growth in the manufacturing sector.

The performance of the Philippine manufacturing sector has been seesawing in the past five months.

After two consecutive months of growth to hit 49.7 in June, the country’s PMI performance slipped back to 48.4 in July and further down to 47.3 in August. In September, the country’s PMI pulled a solid recovery to hit above the growth threshold at 50.1, only to be pulled back again to 48.5 in October due to renewed lockdowns.

While IHS Markit analyst Shreeya Patel said the Philippine manufacturing sector’s path to recovery “may not be smooth,” the analyst believes it is “slowly inching to stabilization” as out-

put levels rose for the first time since June.

“The Filipino manufacturing sector showed promising signs of renewed recovery momentum in November as the headline PMI figure neared stabilization. Production rose for the first time since June as foreign demand improved notably from that seen in October,” Patel said.

“Encouragingly, firms registered the slowest drop in employment in the current nine-month sequence of decline despite a steep depletion in backlogs of work,” the analyst added.

According to the latest IHS survey, there were signs that the overall demand picture improved in November, particularly as firms recorded only a fractional contrac-

tion in the number of new orders placed. This was attributed to better foreign demand and new orders from overseas markets.

Recovery not yet at the grassroots

SIGNS point toward a manufacturing sector recovery soon as it nears the 50-point growth threshold, but manufacturing employees and consumers are still bearing the brunt of the sector’s contraction.

IHS Markit reported that although production levels increased at manufacturers in the Philippines, job shedding persisted at a solid rate.

“Anecdotal evidence suggested firms had sufficient capacity to meet incoming new orders, and cost-saving pressures led to Continued on A2

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CABINET TO CHECK PITC FUNDS IN RETURN TO BTr www.businessmirror.com.ph

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Wednesday, December 2, 2020 Vol. 16 No. 55

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Solons: Fiscal space enough for deficit spending

By Samuel P. Medenilla

A

MID calls by senators to use monies “parked” with the Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) for urgent needs like the continuing pandemic response, economic managers are set to review the status of the P33 billion worth of public funds being handled by the state trading agency last year.

The outcome of the assessment will determine the amount to be remitted by the attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to the national treasury.

In an online press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the DTI, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will conduct the review.

“They will look into each of the funds [for a government project] given to PITC and determine which among those projects will push through or not,” Roque explained.

PITC will then be required to turn over the unused fund to the concerned government agency, which will then return it to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) so it could be used by President Duterte for other programs, Roque explained.

Roque noted, however, that PITC will still retain the budget for projects which will still push

SALCEDA: “Mass vaccination is actually the most critical determinant of recovery.”

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

E

RFID lanes utilizing cashless transactions are seen at the Balintawak toll plaza on NLEX. For those who have yet to have their stickers installed, long queues await them at toll expressways and public installation sites.

Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay have backed a call to extend the deadline. Story on page A2. NONIE REYES

MONEY MAY BE INHERITED; TALENT? NOT ALWAYS

By Cai U. Ordinario

L

IKE poverty, wealth can be intergenerational, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In an IMFBlog, IMF Research Department economist Davide Malacrino said, however, that children of the rich would not always be able to replicate their parent’s success when investing.

“Wealth has a high degree of intergenerational correlation, but there are important differ-

See “PITC,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 48.0850

ences in how returns to wealth accrue across generations,” Malacrino said.

“The children of the richest are likely to be very rich, but unlikely to get as high returns from this wealth as their parents did.

This suggests that while money is perfectly inheritable, exceptional talent is not,” he added.

Malacrino said a study published this year found that wealthier people are more likely to earn higher returns for their investments.

He said data showed that an individual in the 75th percentile of wealth who invested $1 in 2004 would yield $1.5 by the end of 2015. This represents a return of 50 percent.

Further, Malacrino said a person in the top 0.1 percent would yield $2.4 on the same investment. This means a return of 140 percent.

The data also showed that taking into consideration age, parental background and earnings, Continued on A2

MALACRINO: “The children of the richest are likely to be very rich, but unlikely to get as high returns from this wealth as their parents did. This suggests that while money is perfectly inheritable, exceptional talent is not.”

CONOMIST-LAWMAKERS on Tuesday said the government can afford to increase its deficit spending to fund the proposed Bayanihan 3, which allocates funds for health, regulatory and fiscal interventions that can help the country’s overall recovery amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

This, after House Committee on Ways and Means chairman Joey Sarte Salceda admitted that their House Bill 8059 or the Bayanihan to Rebuild As One Act, which will provide P302 billion in emergency response and economic recovery programs, will result in an additional 1.5 percent of GDP in incremental deficit.

Currently, two proposed Bayanihan III bills are pending in the Committee on Economic Affairs— House Bill 8059 of Salceda, AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin, and Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and House Bill 8031 of Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo.

Continued on A2

n JAPAN 0.4611 n UK 64.0733 n HK 6.2033 n CHINA 7.3086 n SINGAPORE 35.8469 n AUSTRALIA 35.3184 n EU 57.3750 n SAUDI ARABIA 12.8220

Source: BSP (December 1, 2020)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Wednesday, December 2, 2020

DTI touts, Seipi plays down, CREATE’s investor boost

A

By Elijah Felice Rosales

TRADE official on Tuesday asked business groups to take advantage of the new fiscal structure by applying for subsidy packages from the President to support the growth of industries.

At the Arangkada Philippines Forum 2020, Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba explained investors can exploit Section 301 of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) bill. Under the provision, the President can modify the mix, period and manner of fiscal incentives extended to specific projects and industries.

Aldaba said investors can use this portion of the measure to request from the President any incentive they need for their activity in the Philippines to succeed.

As such, Aldaba pointed out Section 301 can pave the way for the creation of programs similar to the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS),

PITC…

a program that grants fiscal support of up to P9 billion to participating manufacturers for a period of six years.

On the other hand, participants need to invest in model production here, comply with the output requirement of 200,000 units and buy their components from domestic suppliers.

“I think we need to take the law in its totality. At the same time, I think we can really make use of it in order to allow us to come up with programs that are tailored to the characteristics and types of problems an industry has,” Aldaba argued.

The trade executive said the CREATE bill can address the need to widen the set of incentives to ac-

Continued from A1

through, like the P11-billion fund from the Department of National Defense, representing the DND budget for certain procurements it had asked the PITC to conduct for it.

The economic affairs committee has already created a technical working group to reconcile the two Bayanihan III proposals.

“Our proposal is 1.5 percent of GDP in incremental deficit. I think we can afford it because it is for vaccine, the headliner; buy the vaccine now, not later. The bill places paramount emphasis on the procurement of the vaccine—largest one-program item,” said Salceda.

The government has set a P3trillion borrowing program for this year, as well as another P3 trillion for next year.

“Mass vaccination is actually the most critical determinant of recovery. There are two basic scenarios—a vaccine by end 2021 or by end 2023. Both pathways start with minimum health standards.

The long road means higher fixed costs and lower economies of scale due to social-distancing imperatives. A quick vaccine will work like magic, which will keep the health standards to a minimum required to anticipate future pandemics,” he said.

Given pre-Covid Philippines fiscal, monetary and external balances, Salceda also said it is actually the agility and strength of the stimulus response and structural reforms that would shape the complexion and direction of Philippine post-Covid socioeconomic prospects.

“Maladaptation is a clear and present danger to excess fiscal risks which could curtail long-term output potential,” he said.

Citing the need for a “booster shot for 2020,” Salceda cited a need for Bayanihan III.

While the first two Bayanihan laws were able to keep the economy afloat, Salceda sees the third stimulus measure as “the necessary booster shot so we can truly begin recuperating in 2021.”

Salceda said the interventions are made primarily to ensure that national and local government units can mobilize “robust response and recovery programs” in the face of recent typhoons and slower-than-expected recovery in the third quarter of the year.

The measure is divided mainly into health, regu-

ASIDE from the unused funds, Roque said PITC will also be remitting all the interest income it earned from managing the P33 billion in public funds.

“The legal charter of PITC allows it to retain some of the interest of the P33 billion and only give 50 percent of it to the national government,” Roque explained.

However, he noted that since the government is in need of additional funds due to the novel coronavirus disease pandemic (Covid-19), PITC will be remitting 100 percent of the said interests to the national government.

The Department of Finance (DOF) earlier sought the help of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in crafting a draft executive order to pave the way for the return of the idle funds, but DBM said it had no legal leg to push such return.

The DOF has written to the DTI, as mother agency of the PITC, to have its trading arm return P1.15 billion it earned from the fund it was holding in trust in 2019.

The DOF-initiated review was triggered by Senator Franklin Drilon’s call to the PITC to account for over P33 billion worth of public funds it has in its possession, based on the report of the Commission on Audit as of December 31, 2019.

Last week, Roque said PITC currently has only P492,594,000 worth of government funds, which are meant for its outstanding procurement for other government offices.

Of this, P468 million was allocated for projects under active procurement, while the remaining P24.5 million is allocated for projects which are expected to be awarded and implemented by the end of the year.

Seipi: Section 301 limited

DANILO C. LACHICA, president of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc., disputed Aldaba’s pitch to capitalize on Section 301 and said the provision can only do so much. At the end of the day, the CREATE bill offers a tax break shorter by nearly half of what Vietnam provides, he pointed out.

“If we are competing against Vietnam, we will have to do more than what we have on the table right now,” Lachica said.

Whereas Manila can award just up to seven years of income

tax holiday (ITH), Lachica reported Hanoi can counter that with a maximum of 13 years ITH. Likewise, he said the government has yet to resolve investor issues on the lack of infrastructure, cost of power and logistics, as well as the speed of Internet here.

The CREATE bill brings down corporate income tax to 25 percent, from 30 percent—the highest rate among Southeast Asian economies.

However, the measure also lifts the incentives, including the 5-percent tax on gross income paid in lieu of all local and national taxes, being enjoyed by investors. Firms are provided with up to 10 years to give up their tax perks, by then the new set of incentives takes effect.

Solons: Fiscal space enough for deficit spending

Continued from A1

Interest

commodate the varying issues and challenges of every industry.

latory and economic interventions.

The bill includes P75 billion for the procurement of vaccines.

The measure also includes a P40-billion local government support fund for calamity response, P100 billion in health and resiliency-related infrastructure programs, P10 billion in assistance programs for agriculture and fisheries, P7 billion for rent refinancing, P10 billion for companies to borrow for paying 13th-month benefits, P10 billion for Tulong Para sa Displaced Workers (Tupad), P10 billion for the Covid Assistance Measures Program (CAMP), P10 billion for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), P10 billion for the Medical Assistance for Indigents Program (MAIP), P5 billion each for Tesda and CHED, and another P10 billion for DepEd programs.

Funding

DURING the first hearing of the House Committee on Economic Affairs on the Bayanihan 3 proposals, Finance Assistant Secretary Teresa Habitan said the Department of Finance will still determine where it can get the funding to implement the proposal.

“We will look for excess revenues for us to be able to support additional deficit that could be incurred.

What would be probably more prudent in this case is to ensure that all the items that are now being proposed under the 2021 budget would be fully, effectively and efficiently implemented by spending agencies,” Habitan told lawmakers.

Salceda said that while he understands the reservations of the Executive Branch to spend more money for the Covid-19 response effort, he thinks a third stimulus program is necessary to ensure that the crisis does not “eat up too much of our economic structure.”

He told Habitan that the DOF should push the Senate to act on House-passed revenue measures, which will provide the government an additional P691 billion in a fiveyear revenue potential.

Under the Bayanihan III proposal of Salceda, subsidy and stimulus measures shall be funded from 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA), savings pooled pursuant to Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, excess revenue collections in any one of the identified tax or nontax revenue sources from its corresponding revenue collection

target, as provided in the FY 2020 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF), new revenue collections or those arising from new tax or nontax sources which are not part of nor included in the original sources included in the FY 2020 BESF; and all amounts derived from the cash, funds and investments held by any GOCC or any national government agency.

Meanwhile, Quimbo, who cochairs the House Economic Cluster, seeks to provide for P400 billion in her version of the Bayanihan 3 or Bayanihan to Arise As One Act.

“We need more economic stimulus, but because the Constitution does not allow any increases in the total proposed budget, we need to secure additional appropriations for another economic stimulus package,” she said.

Quimbo said her proposal may be funded by the 2020 budget as P1.3 trillion remained undisbursed as of October 15.

The lawmaker, meanwhile, asked the DOF to submit the actual deficit based on actual spending and revenues to know the current available funds of the government, saying this will determine if the government still needs to borrow money to fund the vaccine for Covid-19.

Moreover, Quimbo said the P400 billion in spending package seeks to ensure help is available under the state’s social amelioration program, rehabilitate areas damaged by natural calamities, sustain delivery of basic goods and services, implement high-impact infrastructure projects, assist businesses to keep them afloat, and bring the economy on the right track.

The bill proposes to allocate P100 billion to subsidize businesses’ payments of wages or other worker-related expenses, P100 billion for capacity building to impacted sectors, P90 billion for additional social amelioration to impacted households (of which P20 billion is targeted to households in typhoon-devastated areas), P30 billion for assistance to displaced workers (including cash-for-cleanup and cash-for-home building in typhoon-devastated areas), P50 billion for the rehabilitation of typhoon-affected areas, P25 billion for Covid-19 treatment and vaccines, and P5 billion for the provision of Internet allowances to teachers and students.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

BINAY, POE BACK EXTENDING DEADLINE ON CASHLESS TOLL

T

WO senators backed on Tuesday an appeal aired by San Miguel Corporation President Ramon S. Ang for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend until the end of February 2021 the deadline for mandatory cashless transactions in toll expressways and, at the same time, allow toll operators to retain cash lanes to avert traffic jams in toll plazas.

Senators Nancy Binay and Grace Poe, who chairs the Public Services committee, weighed in on the matter after days of long queues at toll expressways and roads leading to public installation sites for RFID stickers, causing jams that cost thousands of motorists several hours.

In a statement, Binay reminded there was “nothing to lose” if the deadline is extended, “so long as we get a commitment from our toll operators that while the cashless system is not fully operational, health protocols will be strictly implemented.”

Noting that the DOTr deadline for toll operators to fully implement cashless transactions was set on December 1, she recalled it was initially set on November 2 to automate the payment scheme intended to limit human contact and contain the spread of Covid-19.

SMC president and CEO Ang had pointed out over the weekend the remaining long lines at sticker installation sites, citing the surge in last-minute applications on the days leading to the deadline.

San Miguel Corp. operates the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Skyway System, the Naia Expressway, and the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx).

Earlier, the Transportation Department assured that motorists traversing tollways without RFID stickers will not be apprehended until January 11, 2021.

However, Binay asserted it would still be difficult for most motorists to comply and have their stickers installed due to the number of holidays in December and early January. “Does the DOTr have a study on which it based its choice of deadline? If not, that means the deadline is arbitrary. So if it is for valid reasons, why not extend?” the senator asked, suggesting that a deadline extension would be a “better alternative to traffic bottlenecks because of the long queues.”

The lawmaker lamented “there is no point in gunning for a set date only to fail. It’s more important to lay down the correct system and accommodate the motorists who are supposed to benefit from this project,” said the lawmaker.

For her part, Senator Poe said that with hundreds of thousands of motor vehicles still to get an RFID, “we call on the government to extend the period of installation beyond January 11.”

The senator suggested that vehicle owners “be given reasonable time” to secure the stickers for the cashless payment system, “considering that we are in a pandemic where movement of people is limited, if not restricted.”

In a statement, Poe prodded authorities that after January 11, “we urge that several cash lanes be retained in both NLEX and SLEX, where motorists can avail themselves of the RFID stickers as they pass without being penalized or given a violation record.”

She added: “We also propose to increase the number of RFID installation centers or booths, including malls or any area with wide open space.”

Poe also proposed that RFID installation centers be established in strategic locations outside Metro Manila to cater to motorists from nearby provinces who regularly use the North and South expressways, saying this will declog the applicants in Metro Manila and ease the burden of motorists who now have to line up for hours for the sticker. Butch Fernandez

MONEY MAY BE INHERITED; TALENT? NOT ALWAYS Continued from A1

those who were already rich had a higher probability of making it to the top 1 percent by 1.2 percentage points compared to an average only 0.89 percentage points.

Malacrino said while conventional wisdom would suggest that the rich can risk more of their assets and increase their chances of higher returns on investments, their own research showed there are other factors.

“Financial sophistication, financial information, and entrepreneurial talent are also important.

These characteristics make the returns to wealth persistent over

time,” Malacrino said.

In the Philippines, those belonging to the richest 10 percent of the population earned an average of P867,000 in 2018. This was a 10.03-percent increase from the average of P788,000 in 2015.

The income earned by those in the richest 10 percent of the population was 7.6 times higher than the P113,000 average income of those in the poorest 10 percent of the population in 2018.

However, the average income earned by those belonging to the poorest 10 percent in 2018 was 30.4 percent higher than the P86,000 average income they earned in 2015.

PHL manufacturing keeps uneven recovery trend Continued from A1

further cuts in workforces,” IHS Markit said in its report.

Manufacturing firms also reported that they had to pass on higher prices to their consumers as input price inflation rose solidly during the month.

“Firms reported higher transportation and raw material expenses. Cost burdens were partially passed onto customers with a marginal increase recorded in

selling prices,” the IHS Markit report read.

Overall, the Philippine manufacturing sector ranked fourth among seven countries being monitored in Southeast Asia. The region’s best performer of the month was Singapore with a PMI of 51.7; Indonesia and Thailand were at 50.6 and 50.4, respectively.

Vietnam tied with the Philippines at 49.9. Malaysia was at 48.4 and Myanmar was the worst performing at 43.2.

The Nation BusinessMirror

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Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug • Wednesday, December 2, 2020 A3

SC chief to vacate post one year ahead of retirement

By Joel R. San Juan

@jrsanjuan1573

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HIEF Justice Diosdado Peralta has decided to vacate his post a year ahead of his scheduled retirement in March 2022.

This was confirmed by Supreme Court spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka after personally talking to the chief magistrate to confirm reports about his decision to retire early.

Hosaka said Peralta had written his colleagues in the SC “signifying his intention to avail of early retirement.”

“I have asked him personally and he confirmed it. The Chief Justice did not elaborate further, but said that he will make a formal announcement in due time,” Hosaka said in a Viber message to justice reporters.

A Court insider said Peralta did not divulge his reason for

Nurses eye lawsuit to press compliance with pay hike, rules on SRA, hazard pay

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco | Correspondent

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AYING they should be given priority for facing significant exposure to Covid-19, the Filipino Nurses United (FNU) on Tuesday said nurses plan to file a formal case against the “perpetrators” who refused to comply with the Supreme Court’s order to implement salary grade (SG) 15 salaries, as well as provide timely salaries and benefits like Covid-duty hazard pay and special risk allowance (SRA).

The FNU has called on the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the immediate release of salaries for emergency-hired health-care workers (HCWs), and the Covid-duty hazard pay and SRA that they deserve.

“Both the DOH and the Department of Budget and Management have remained deaf to the cry of thousands of nurses literally begging for their just salaries and benefits to provide food security and other survival needs of their starving families,” the FNU said in a statement, adding, “These government agencies have all the resources and power to implement the mandated salaries and benefits for health workers and yet they become culprits in exploiting the frontline health workers at midst of the Covid-19 battle.”

The group said of DOH: instead of exercising its motu propio power, it “prescribes a heartless and bureaucratic route” for the nurses and other health workers to submit written complaints with supporting evidence to prove that they have been denied of just salaries and benefits.

On the other hand, they said thousands of nurses in the private sector demand speedy action from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to increase their P537 daily minimum wage equal to the SG-15 entry salary of government nurses and to ensure their Covid-hazard pay and SRA are also provided.

They added that Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III recognizes the situation of nurses in the private sector and is very much aware of rampant violation of employers to comply with the current minimum wage. “Secretary Bello’s call for nurses to wage a labor strike is an acceptance of its failure to address the nurses’ call for just and living wage. His call for a strike at the midst of battle against Covid-19 pandemic is not the best option. The DOLE must utilize its power to expedite the increase in minimum wage of nurses and other health workers who are essential and vital forces in health-care delivery system.”

Aside from the delay in the salaries and benefits of HCWs, the FNU also reiterated its call to the government to:

Totally scrap the provision of DBM circular 2020-4 that demotes government nurses with Nurse II to Nurse VII positions;

Upgrade the salaries of all government nurses with Nurse II, Nurse III, Nurse IV, Nurse V, Nurse VI and Nurse VII positions;

Monitor and ensure enforcement of the salary upgrade from SG 11 to SG 15 (P22,00 to P32,000) of all government Nurse 1 nurses, including those who are contractual and working in local government units and government-owned or -controlled corporations through issuance of memorandum and sanctions for non-compliance;

End contractualization of nurses. Regularize all contractuals, create more plantilla positions for nurses and fill up all vacant positions;

Mass hiring of nurses, with permanent positions, both for hospitals and public health. There should be an additional public health nurse in every barangay health station in 42,000 barangays; and

Allot subsidy for private sector nurses. Increase the salaries of nurses in the private sector with entry salary equivalent to Nurse I position’s SG15 in the government.

Earlier, the DOH said it takes the issue of delayed benefits of HCWs “very seriously,” and encouraged HCWs to inform them or file a written complaint which health facilities have not yet released their benefits.

“When matters like this come to our attention, we conduct thorough investigations and concerned offices are made to answer to the Secretary and develop solutions to improve the delivery of services and expedite processes. As health workers, many of us in the DOH—including members of our Executive Committee—have experienced working on the ground, in our health facilities, which is why we understand the challenges in the frontlines—being overworked, underpaid, demoralized, and in this pandemic, even more vulnerable,” the DOH said.

opting to vacate his post early in his letter to his fellow magistrates.

Peralta who was appointed last October 23, will retire on March 27, 2022.

During his term, Peralta promised to further strengthen the judiciary by implementing his 10-point program, which include the creation of a security system for the judiciary to address the killings and other forms of violence committed against the members of the judiciary.

His other plans include the elimination of back-

log in the SC and in the other courts; the setting up of a judicial integrity board; the establishment of a 24/7 help desk in the office of the Chief Justice and other offices for court users; to improve the security of justices, judges, and halls of justice and to improve procurement and bidding processes to fast-track implementation of projects and create a strategy Planning Management Unit for monitoring and evaluation of projects.

Early this year, Peralta was forced to order the physical closure of all courts nationwide following

the Covid-19 outbreak.

This led to the court’s adoption of videoconferencing to hear and resolve criminal and civil cases virtually.

During this period, a total of 81,888 persons deprived of liberty have been released, 46,032 of them through videoconferencing.

“I have other numerous plans for the judiciary, especially as regards the strengthening of employees’ sense of self worth so that each employee in the judiciary will take pride in saying that he/she is a public servant in the judiciary,” Peralta earlier said.

A4 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 • Editor: Vittorio V. Vitug

Economy BusinessMirror

Trade dept, UNDP platform tracks production and distribution of PPEs

By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario

T

HE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have created an online platform to facilitate the production and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) nationwide.

In a news statement issued on Tuesday, UNDP said the platform, EMPOWER PH, aims to address the need for protective clothing for both medical use and non-medical use.

The UN agency said the initiative will also support the recovery of garment factories; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); social enterprises; and the informal economy.

“While the pandemic has adversely affected the business sector, especially the MSMEs, it has

also presented an opportunity for the country to develop a local PPE manufacturing industry that could reduce the country’s reliance on imported PPEs, thereby making it better positioned to respond to the next pandemic,” UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran said.

This initiative is in line with the national government’s agenda in managing Covid-19 by ensuring business continuity and effective delivery of critical goods and services and with UNDP’s global offer on Covid-19 response.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency aims to ensure business continuity and effective delivery of Covid-19 goods and services, including the community face mask project and the manufacturing repurposing program.

Through EMPOWER PH, information and resources on PPE production

is made accessible to all. The platform will also allow MSMEs that were badly hit by the pandemic to become part of the protective wear supply chain.

“We look forward to seeing businesses in the wearable industry— especially the MSMEs—take advantage of the platform and its features.

We are grateful for the partnership with UNDP Philippines and we will continue to work together with our partners and stakeholders, to build the development of the local PPE industry, and ensure that the country is well prepared for future global crises and pandemics,” said DTI Undersecretary Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba.

A few months into the pandemic, the DTI and UNDP Philippines began working together to establish the platform officially named as the Enhanced Manufacturing of Protective Wear and Equipment for Covid-19 Response in the Philippines.

It was created to help PPE manu-

facturers and suppliers, as well as buyers and consumers, to post, find, and connect with the network, and to access relevant information and resources for product quality assurance.

“Platforms should be frictionless, and EMPOWER PH is by design a work in progress. We ask all—private sector, manufacturers, suppliers and consumer—to join the platform and experience it. As an innovation drive, we at UNDP believe that it has to be democratized,” said UNDP Philippines Deputy Resident Representative Enrico Gaveglia.

Consumers can browse through a variety of protective wear, from community face masks to personal protective equipment, made by different manufacturers or suppliers.

With personal protective equipment and community face coverings becoming a part of everyday wear, EMPOWER PH provides free and extensive access to all.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Metro mayors to issue rules for children’s trips to malls

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HE Metro Manila Council (MMC) will soon release g u idel ines for c hi ld ren who will be going to malls to minimize their risk of being infected with Covid-19, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

In an online news briefing, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said guidelines will contain the age group for minors who will be finally allowed entry again in malls.

He said it is also likely to include a condition that children must be accompanied by an adult before they are allowed inside malls, as recommended by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The initiative is expected to “invite families to visit the malls” and perk up business within establishments, according to Roque.

Roque issued the clarification amid public concern that the new policy may cause a surge in Covid-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging

Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) earlier identified minors as possible “super spreaders” of Covid-19, and limited their movement during the pandemic.

Interior Secretar y Eduardo M. Año said the new policy easing age restrictions in malls will be contained in the ordinances from loca l gover nment units (LGU) in NCR. MMC members will also issue their ordinances banning big Christmas parties, as well as Christmas caroling.

Roque said Christmas parties will only be allowed if these comply with mass gathering restrictions.

“If it is [held] indoors, it will be limited to 10 [participants]. When it comes to commercial establishments because we have established guidelines, we could go as much as 50 percent of the capacity,” Roque said.

Violators of the ban for Christmas parties and caroling will face sanctions stipulated in the respective ordinances of the concerned LGUs.

Samuel P. Medenilla

Palace signals Gatchalian: DOE may need Senate, House additional ₧46-M allocation for energy research, studies to OK ’21 GAA by next week

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

M ‘BAGSAKAN’ BAZAAR Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Trade Promotion Group (DTI-TPG) and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte visit the opening of a bagsakan bazaar that sells food and other goods at discounted prices at the Ayala Malls Fairview Terraces in Novaliches, Quezon City. Organized by the DTI, through its Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, the bazaar brings products from various parts of the country closer to buyers in Metro Manila and helps small to medium enterprises in promoting their products and weather the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. NONOY LACZA

AER cautions solons on CREATE bill last-minute bicam ‘insertions’

I

NDEPENDENT policy analysis organization Action for Economic Reforms (AER) cautioned lawmakers on Tuesday that inserting the proposal of firms to raise the threshold for the approvals to be made by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) would not be legal.

In a news statement, AER said that while the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) bill has been approved by both houses of Congress, inserting a provision that is not part of both versions of the bill cannot be done.

The CREATE bill will still go through a bicameral conference to reconcile the versions of the bill approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines.

“It is patently illegal to make insertion on a bill at the bicameral conference committee, if such insertion was not approved on third reading by either the Senate or the House of Representatives,” AER said.

The bill states that any amount of P1 billion and above requires approval of the FIRB. However, on Monday, the BusinessMirror reported that industry players such as the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation (SEIPI) Inc. are asking to raise this threshold.

AER said that the FIRB is a key re-

form for it introduces a consolidated structure of governance and oversight in the granting of incentives.

Otherwise, the many independent investment promotion agencies (IPAs) will be left to their own devices, which can lead to incoherence, inconsistency, and weakening accountability. All this in turn can make decision-making uncertain, something that investors dislike.

AER took note that the Senate version is far from perfect, but it likewise recognized that the Senate bill reflected the compromises to accommodate the opposition to the bill.

AER Coordinator Filomeno Sta. Ana III said the demands of some industry leaders were unreasonable, saying that these few locators only want to escape the rigorous scrutiny of FIRB. Professor Epictetus Patalinghug of the University of the Philippines College of Business agreed with AER. He said it is better to have a transparent and professional FIRB. “The FIRB guarantees that incentives are targeted, time-bound, and performance-based. Investors dealing and negotiating directly with Peza [Philippine Economic Zone Authority] and various IPAs would provide opportunities for rent-seeking, bribery and corrup-

tion,” Patalinghug said.

AER criticized SEIPI Inc., among others, for its self-serving, shallow argument. With its proposal, AER said it was evident that SEIPI and its allies aim “to render the FIRB toothless.”

The bill created the FIRB which is tasked to review and approve fiscal incentives for projects worth P1 billion and above and chaired by the secretary of finance and co-chaired by the secretary of trade and industry.

Because of the low threshold of P1 billion, bulk of investments will go through a longer process with the FIRB, and this is why business groups want IPAs to be allowed to continue approving majority of new businesses, which can only happen if a higher cap—or beyond P1 billion—for investments that must go through FIRB is set.

Danilo C. Lachica, president of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc., argued the P1-billion threshold could work against the economy, as the added bureaucracy may turn off foreign investors.

John D. Forbes, senior advisor at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said foreign investors had recommended setting the threshold at $500,000, or close to P25 billion. Cai U. Ordinario

ALACAÑANG hopes the P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget will finally be approved by both houses of Congress by next week.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque warned the passage of the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA) at a later date might result in to a reenacted budget next year, a possible development which the Duterte administration is trying to avoid since the 2020 GAA has no provision for the government’s Covid-19 pandemic response.

“We hope [it is passed] if not this week, then the next week, because otherwise we might run out of time [for the President] to review the draft budget,” Roque said in an online news briefing on Tuesday.

The House of Representative (HOR) and the Senate bicameral conference is currently eyeing to finalize the 2021 GAA by Friday.

Roque explained President Duterte will still have enough time to scrutinize the provision of the legislation and use his power to implement a line item veto if necessary.

He said the 2021 GAA must be signed before the third week of December since it still needs to be published before it could take effect 15 days after.

S

EN. Sherwin T. Gatchalian moved to boost the 2021 budget of the Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday, saying an additional P46-million allocation could upgrade the agency’s capability in energy research and studies.

Gatchalian, Senate Energy Committee chairman, pushed for an additional P20-million funding in the DOE budget for the energy transition study, another P20 million for “a comprehensive road map” for electric vehicles (EVs) and P6 million “for prospects of energy generation through waste-to-energy facilities.”

“We have to invest on research to explore the potentials of emerging energy sources, the outcome of which will have a lasting impact in our daily lives and will save us money in the long run,” the senator stressed, noting that “the EVs have the potential to reduce the country’s oil import dependence and greenhouse emissions arising from transport.”

As such, he stressed, “it is crucial to equip DOE with the resources to prepare a comprehensive program for the rollout of electric vehicles.”

In a news statement issued on Tuesday, Gatchalian asserted the need for the Duterte administration to get a good grasp of the shifting energy supply scenario.

“With the exponential decrease in the price of renewable energy and battery storage and 10 more years before our 2030 Paris Agreement commitments, it is paramount for the DOE to start studying scenarios on how to achieve a holistic energy

transition in the Philippines towards a decentralized, digitalized and decarbonized energy system without sacrificing energy security and affordability,” he said.

The senator suggested that the Duterte administration conduct a study on energy transition to “have a whole industry and administration approach to cover all types of energy utilized in all sectors —agriculture, fisheries and forestry, commercial and industrial, residential and transportation—as well as the roles of various government agencies.”

Gatchalian, principal author of Senate Bill 1382, or the proposed Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Charging Stations Act, clarified that the move to allocate funds to study and draft a comprehensive road map for EVs is in line with the mandate of the DOE as provided under Republic Act 7638.

In sponsoring the enabling legislation to tap waste as a feedstock for energy generation embodied in a separate Senate Bill 1789, he stressed the “research and studies on WTE is aimed at developing and increasing the domestic supply of local energy resources, noting that the WTE remains a largely untapped local energy resource.”

“Allocating a budget for DOE to assess the potential of WTE in the country would be the first step in maximizing this local indigenous energy resource,” he said, projecting the existence of WTE facilities can “significantly contribute in solving the garbage problem in the country.” At the same time, Gatchalian added it can also “contribute to the country’s energy security by having these connected to the grid.”

‘Preventing future pandemics entails a mere fraction of Covid-19 costs’

P

REVENTING the emergence of diseases will entail only a fraction of the actual damage wrought by the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic by applying the “One Health” approach, Deputy Secretary-General of Asean for Asean Socio-Cultural Community Kung Phoak said.

In his opening remarks at the recent webinar, “Wildlife Conservation and Zoonotic Diseases: Halting Species Loss and Tackling Public Health in the Asean,” Phoak said preventing the emergence of diseases requires just 2 percent of the total damage incurred in responding to Covid-19.

Organized by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in collaboration with Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the

Asean Secretariat, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the webinar was meant to tackle ways to address the threats of zoonotic diseases and move forward to a better post-Covid recovery future for the Asean.

Phoak said the pandemic and its recovery should be seen as an opportunity to explore ways and leverage existing partnership and initiatives toward a more collective and coordinated response to mitigate impacts.

Citing a recent study, Dr. Gyanendra Gongal, the Regional Advisor of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in South-East Asia, shared that as of July 2020, the total damage resulting from the pandemic has had reached $11.5 trillion.

“Spending about USD 266 billion in 10 years would substantially reduce the risks of another pandemic,” Dr. Gongal stressed, noting that this amount can be allocated to priority actions such as law enforcement, technical responses to early warning and surveillance systems, adequate funding, and policy advocacy efforts such as the “One Health” approach.

As a regional body, the Asean took steps to combat the pandemic such as the Declaration of the Special Asean Summit on Covid-19, the Asean Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies, and the Asean Comprehensive Recovery Framework and Implementation Plan to chart a path to recover and build back better. Jonathan L. Mayuga

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

The World BusinessMirror

Moderna asks US, European regulators to OK virus shots M

oderna Inc. said on Monday it was asking US and European regulators to allow emergency use of its Covid-19 vaccine as new study results confirm the shots offer strong protection— intensifying the race to begin limited vaccinations as the coronavirus rampage worsens.

Multiple vaccine candidates must succeed for the world to stamp out the pandemic, which has been on the upswing in the US and Europe.

US hospitals have been stretched to the limit as the nation has seen more than 160,000 new cases per day and more than 1,400 daily deaths. Since first emerging nearly a year ago in China, the virus has killed more than 1.4 million people worldwide.

Moderna is just behind Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in seeking to begin vaccinations in the US in December. British regulators also are assessing the Pfizer shot and another from AstraZeneca.

Moderna created its shots with the US National Institutes of Health and already had a hint they were working, but said it got the final needed results over the weekend that suggest the vaccine is more than 94 percent effective.

Of 196 Covid-19 cases so far in its huge US study, 185 were trial participants who received the placebo and 11 who got the real vaccine. The only people who got severely ill—30 par ticipants, including one who died—had received dummy shots, said Dr. Tal Zaks, the Cambridge, Massac husetts, compa ny ’s c hief medical officer.

When he learned the results, “I allowed myself to cry for the first time,” Zaks told The Associated Press. “We have already, just in the trial, have already saved lives. Just imagine the impact then multiplied to the people who can get this vaccine.”

Moderna said the shots’ effectiveness and a good safety record so far—with only temporary, flu-like side effects—mean they meet requirements set by the US Food and Drug Administration for emergency use before the final-stage testing is complete. The European Medicines Agency, Europe’s version of FDA,

has signaled it also is open to faster “conditional” clearance.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, called that level of protection “extraordinary.” But with a grim few months ahead until enough vaccine arrives, he is pleading with Americans to stick with masks and other critical public health measures.

“We’ve got to continue to do that consistently and uniformly until we get the entire or most of the country vaccinated and have enough herd immunity that we can crush this outbreak,” Fauci told the AP. With vaccines, “we’ve crushed smallpox, we’ve crushed polio, we’ve crushed measles,” but doing the same for Covid-19 will take time.

What comes next

The FDA has pledged that before it decides to roll out any Covid-19 vaccines, its scientific advisers will publicly debate whether there’s enough evidence behind each candidate.

First up on December 10, Pfizer and BioNTech will present data suggesting their vaccine candidate is 95 percent effective. Moderna said its turn at this “science court” is expected exactly a week later, on December 17.

Rationing initial doses

If the FDA allows emergency use, Moderna expects to have 20 million doses ready for the US by year’s end.

Recipients will need two doses, so that’s enough for 10 million people.

Pfizer expects to have 50 million doses globally in December. Half of them—or enough for 12.5 million people—are earmarked for the US. Shipments are set to begin to states within 24 hours of FDA clearance. And this week, a different panel of US experts, established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will meet to decide how those initial supplies will be given out.

They’re expected to reserve scarce first doses for health care workers and, if the shots work well enough in the frail elderly, for residents of long-term care facilities.

As more vaccine gradually becomes available in coming months, other essential workers and people at highest risk from the coronavirus

UN says pandemic to fan surge in humanitarian needs in 2021

G

ENEVA—The UN humanitarian office says needs for assistance have ballooned to unprecedented levels this year because of Covid-19, projecting that a staggering 235 million people will require help in 2021.

This comes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and global challenges including conflicts, forced migration and the impact of global warming.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, expects a 40 percent increase in the number of people in need of such assistance in 2021 compared to this year—a sign that pain, suffering and torment brought by the coronavirus outbreak and other problems could get worse even if hopes of a vaccine are rising.

OCHA made the projections in its latest annual Global Humanitarian Overview on Tuesday, saying its hopes to reach 160 million of those people in need will cost $35 billion. That’s more than twice the record $17 billion that donors have provided for the international humanitarian response so far this year—and a target figure that is almost certain to go unmet.

“The picture we’re painting this year is the bleakest and darkest perspective on humanitarian needs we’ve ever set out, and that’s because the pandemic has reaped carnage across the most fragile and vulnerable countries on the planet,” said UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock, who heads OCHA. “For the first time since the 1990s, extreme poverty is going to increase, life expectancy will fall, the annual death toll from HIV, tuberculosis and malaria is set to double,” he said. “We fear a near doubling in the number of people facing starvation.”

Lowcock told a UN briefing in New York on the overview that he thinks the UN appeal will probably raise a record $20 billion by the end of the year—$2 billion more than last year. But he said the gap between needs and funding is growing and the UN is looking to “new players” coming on the scene in 2021, including US President-elect

Joe Biden’s new administration.

The UN aims to reach about two-thirds of those in need, with the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations trying to meet the rest, Lowcock explained.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said humanitarian aid budgets are now facing dire shortfalls as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic continues to worsen, and said extreme poverty has risen for the first time in more than a generation.

“The lives of people in every nation and corner of the world have been upended by the impact of the pandemic,” he said. “Those already living on a knife’s edge are being hit disproportionately hard by rising food prices, falling incomes, interrupted vaccination programs and school closures.”

The over view, which is billed as one of the most comprehensive looks of the world’s humanitarian needs, has put together nearly three dozen individual response plans for a total of 56 “vulnerable” countries.

Lowcock said the biggest problem is in Yemen where there is danger of “a large -scale famine” now, saying a prime reason is lack of funding from Gulf countries that were major donors in the past which has led to cuts in aid and the closing of clinics.

He said the biggest financial request is for the Syrian crisis and its spillover to neighboring countries where millions of Syrians have fled to escape the more than nine-year conflict.

OCHA said other countries in need include Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, Nigeria, South Sudan, Ukraine and Venezuela. Newcomers to this year’s list are Mozambique, where extremist activity has increased in the north, Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

Lowcock said it’s not the pandemic, but its economic impact that’s having the greatest effect on humanitarian needs.

“These all hit the poorest people in the poorest countries hardest of all,” he said. “For the poorest, the hangover from the pandemic will be long and hard.” AP

would get in line. But enough for the general US population isn’t expected until at least spring.

Outside the US, Zaks said significant supplies from Moderna would be available later, “in the first quarter” of next year.

“Obviously we are doing everything in our power to increase the capacity and accelerate the timelines,” he said.

Britain’s government said Sunday it has ordered 7 million doses from Moderna.

The UK also has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, although it’s not clear how much of the companies’ limited December supply could go toward that order—if British health authorities clear the shots. Still, British hospitals are gearing up to receive some doses as early as next week.

Both Moderna’s and Pfizer’s vaccines are made with the same technology, using a piece of genetic code for the “spike” protein that studs the virus. That messenger RNA, or mRNA, instructs the body to make some harmless spike protein, training immune cells to recognize it if the real virus eventually comes along.

Astrazeneca confusion

Astr a Zenec a and Oxford University last week announced confusing early results of their vaccine candidate from research in Britain and Brazil.

That vaccine appears 62 percent effective when tested as originally intended, w it h rec ipients g iven t wo f u l l doses. But because of a manufacturing error, a small number of volunteers got a lower f irst dose — a nd A st ra Z enec a sa id i n that group, the vaccine appeared to be 90 percent ef fective.

Experts say it’s unclear why the lower-dose approach would work better and that it may just be a statistical quirk.

A larger US study of the AstraZeneca candidate still is underway that should eventually give the FDA a better picture of how well it works. The FDA has said any Covid-19 vaccine would have to be at least 50 percent effective.

Meanwhile Britain’s government will have to decide whether its UK data is sufficient for an early rollout there.

Still in the pipeline

Johnson & Johnson also is in final-stage testing in the US and several other countries to see if its vaccine candidate could work with just one dose.

Both the J&J and AstraZeneca vaccines work by using harmless cold viruses to carry the spike protein gene into the body and prime the immune system.

The different technologies have ramifications for how easily different vaccines could be distributed globally. The AstraZeneca shots won’t require freezer storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Candidates made with still other technologies are in late-stage testing, too. Another US company, Novavax Inc., announced Monday that it has finished enrolling 15,000 people in a late-stage study in Britain and plans to begin recruiting even more volunteers for final testing in the US and Mexico “in the coming weeks.”

Vaccines made by three Chinese companies and a Russian candidate also are being tested in thousands of people in countries around the world. AP

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

A5

Pence: Vaccine distribution could begin mid-December

V

ice President Mike Pence told governors on Monday that distribution of a coronavirus vaccine could begin by the third week of December, signaling that US regulators will swiftly approve an emergency authorization for the first shots.

“We strongly believe the vaccine distribution process could begin the week of December 14,” Pence told governors, according to a summary of the call provided by the office of Washington Governor Jay Inslee. “The American people deserve to know the cavalry is on the way.”

Pence told governors they will have the final say on vaccine distribution as the “ultimate arbiters” in their states, according to the summary.

Moderna Inc. joined Pfizer Inc. on Monday in requesting the FDA issue an emergency use authorization for its shot. Both vaccines are better than 90% effective, according to preliminary results of clinical trials, though their distribution challenges include requiring two shots.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, and Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also participated in the call.

An FDA advisory panel is scheduled to meet on Dec. 10 to discuss the vaccines. Azar told governors that distribution could begin within 24 hours of regulatory approval, while Pence said the administration believes that will be the week of the 14th. Vaccines will be largely administered by pharmacies such as those owned by CVS Health Corp. and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., Azar said.

“It was a very happy call,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican. He said Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine could begin arriving in his state by December 15.

The call took place against a backdrop of a raging pandemic. US coronavirus cases surged in the days before the Thanksgiving weekend, including a record 205,000 cases recorded on Friday. The US recorded nearly four million cases in November alone, out of 13.5 million so far. Deaths have been trending up and hospitalizations are at a record level.

“Our health-care system is experiencing a real challenge,” Azar acknowledged on the call.

Some governors on the call expressed surprise to learn that vaccines would be distributed to states at first based on a per-capita formula, counting only those aged 18 and older.

After the call, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the administration is undecided on who should be vaccinated first.

“The Trump administration believes you vaccinate those 65 and older,” Walz told reporters.

“The CDC, Dr. Fauci, and others say you vaccinate the health-care workers to get the biggest bang for the buck. Those are discussions that are happening right now.”

Pence assured the governors that the administration would support any distribution plan they choose.

Pence’s office released a summary of the call, noting that Hahn insisted the vaccine program “leads to no cut corners.” The written summary didn’t specify when distribution will begin.

Bloomberg News

BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

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CAPSLOCK INC. 7th & 8th Flr. Y Tower Bldg. Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal Brgy.

076 Pasay City

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39.

YAO, JING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

40.

ZHAO, YONGZE Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

38.

AMAZON OPERATION SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. B21 Three E-com Moa Complex Harbour Drive Cor. Bay Shore Brgy.

076 Pasay City 41.

VEGA MONTOYA, MAYRA ALEJANDRA Colombian

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT II

ANOC99 CORPORATION 5/f Ayala Malls Manila Bay Building D. Macapagal Blvd. Cor. Aseana Street Tambo Parañaque City

71.

BASUIL TOBIAS, DYNAH AVIGAIL Mexican

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

AVIA MANAGEMENT GROUP INC. 6th-10th Flr. Southkey Hub Indo-china Drive Northgate Cyberzone Alabang Muntinlupa City 72.

CHIAM KOOI CHIE Malaysian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (BAHASA MELAYU SPEAKING)

73.

DONG, QIQI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

74.

HU, SI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

75.

LEI, JIANNAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

LEI, LIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

77.

LI, LINA Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

78.

LIANG, WENLIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

76.

79.

LIU, CHAO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

80.

LUO, HONGWEI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

81.

NI, HUIMING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

82.

SHAO, GUOFEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

83.

XU, JIAHUAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

YAN, ZHAOYUAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (MANDARIN SPEAKING)

84.

BAOLONG TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP LIMITED INC. 20-29th/f Century Diamond Tower Kalayaan Ave. Cor. Salamanca St. Poblacion Makati City 85.

CHEN, JUN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

42.

CAO MINH HAI Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

BAUER FOUNDATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. 4/f 88 E. Rodriguez, Jr. Bagumbayan 3 Quezon City

43.

CHIU TU MINH Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

86.

ZADRAVEC, KRUNOSLAV Croatian

SITE SUPERVISOR

92.

CHEN, MING Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

93.

LI, HAILIANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

94.

LU, WEIJIAN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

95.

ZHOU, MINQIANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

96.

SOE OO Myanmari

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

HUANG, XINHE Chinese

SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER

104.

LI, NA Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING ADMIN ASSOCIATE

105.

SHI, YONGFENG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING DATA ENTRY CLERK

ELITE GLOBAL SOURCING PHIL. INC. 6/f Units 607-610 Raffles Corporate Center F. Ortigas Jr. Ave., Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 106.

BLUM, DAVID,LEON,SERGE French

FRENCH CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

FAREAST OUTSOURCE PROCESSING INC. 7th, 8th, 9th Flr. Nu Tower Moa Coral Way Brgy. 076 Pasay City 107.

ALEX CANDRA Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

108.

BI, XINGXIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

109.

CALVIN Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

110.

LEANTI Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

111.

LI, QUANJIAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

112.

QIU, ZHAOMENGSEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

113.

SUWANDI Indonesian

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

114.

YANG, XU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

115.

ZENG, QINGYOU Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

116.

ZHANG, JUNXIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

117.

ZHANG, CHENFENG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

118.

ZHAO, NING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (CSR)

FIRST GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. Lot 5 Sta. Agueda Cor. Queensway Pagcor Drive Sto. Niño Parañaque City

NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

125.

LEI, CHAOFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

126.

LI, HAIBO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

127.

LI, QIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

128.

LI, XIDANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

129.

LIU, LEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

130.

LIU, XUEFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

131.

LIU, HUIYING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

132.

SU, CHUANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

133.

XU, JIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

134.

ZHANG, JIEPENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

HC CONSUMER FINANCE PHILIPPINES, INC. 15th Floor, Ore Central 9th Ave. Cor 31st. Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 135.

LUDIK, TOMAS Czech

ARCHITECTURE AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TEAM LEAD

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY ASIA AND PACIFIC PTE. LTD. PHILIPPINE BRANCH Unit 1116 High Street South Corporate Plaza Tower 2 Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 136.

USHIJIMA, HIDEFUMI Japanese

BRANCH MANAGER

HITACHI ELEVATOR PHILIPPINES CORPORATION (HEP) U-604 Penthouse Oppen Bldg. 349 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Bel-air Makati City 137.

JOHNNY YEO ENG KWEE Singaporean

PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER AND RESIDENT ALIEN REPRESENTATIVE

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES PHILS. INC. U-5302, 53/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave., Cor., V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City 138.

ZHANG, GUANGPING Chinese

PHILIPPINES GLOBE WIRELESS PROJECT MANAGER

INFIN8TY HOTELS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION New Seaside Drive Ext. Central Business Park Ii Tambo Parañaque City 139.

WEI, YI LUN Chinese

VP-HOTEL OPERATIONS

INFOVINE INC. 9/f Y Tower, Moa Complex Coral Way Drive Cor. Macapagal Brgy.

076 Pasay City 140.

CHONG KAR MAY Malaysian

CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

141.

LI, KE Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

142.

CAI, BING Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

143.

HE, XIANCHUAN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

144.

TANG, WEIBO Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

145.

YANG, BEIBEI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

INVECH TREASURE PROCESSING CORPORATION Ground, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Floor Six West Campus Mckinley West Fort Bonifacio Taguig City 146.

ZENG, YANPING Chinese

I.T TECHNICAL MANDARIN

ITECHNO SPECIALIST INC. U-608 Eastfield Ctr. Moa Comp. Macapagal Ave. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 147.

PU, TIANLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT

148.

CAI, ZHANWU Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

149.

CHEN, ZHENHAI Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

150.

CHIANG, HSIN-YI Taiwanese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

151.

FAN, YONGFANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

152.

FANG, ZHIQIANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

153.

JIANG, ZHU Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

154.

JIN, LEI Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

155.

LI, XIAOMIN Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

156.

LI, YONG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

119.

WANG, GUANGYAO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

157.

LIAO, TING Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

120.

LIU, WEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

158.

WANG, CHUNXIAO Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

121.

ZHAO, XIAOYING Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

159.

XIE, YANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

160.

YANG, TUNG-YEH Taiwanese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

161.

YUAN, XINYANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

FLYING DRAGON NETWORK PHILIPPINES INC. 4th-11th Floor Aseana 3 Building Aseana Avenue Corner Diosdado Macapagal Tambo Parañaque City 122.

CHEN, ZHIQING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

162.

ZHANG, JIANYONG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

123.

HE, MINGHAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

163.

ZHAO, QIANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

124.

HUAI, HAIYAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

164.

GIP PHAT THANH Vietnamese

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS NO.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

211.

165.

HY PHU MINH Vietnamese

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

166.

JULIYANTI Indonesian

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

167.

KEVIN WONG SIEW HUAT Malaysian

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

168.

PHUNG HUNG Vietnamese

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

169.

TRAN NGOC KIEU Vietnamese

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

170.

YVONNE TAN Indonesian

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

JINDINGYUAN BUSINESS SUPPORT, INC. 3-9/f Filinvest Cyberzone Bldg. A, Bay City Brgy. 076 Pasay City 171.

ZHANG, XINGUO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

JSLINK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 803-804 Ri-rance Building Aseana Enclave Aseana City Tambo Parañaque City 172.

VALENTINA FRANSISKA BURHAN Indonesian

KONGANBUDDIES MARKETING INC. 12/f Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

CAI, HUAXUE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

259.

212.

CAO, TINGTING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

213.

CHANG, XIAOMAN Chinese

214.

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

ESTABLISHMENT / ADDRESS POSITION

NO.

LI, ZHENWEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

307.

SABAE PHYU Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

260.

LI, CHENRUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

308.

SARWINDAH Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

261.

LI, CHUANGQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

309.

SHEN, SHAOYING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHE, ZHANGJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

262.

LI, ZHE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

310.

SI, JUNWEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

215.

CHEN, ZHONGHAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

263.

LI, BINGYANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

311.

STEVEN Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

216.

CHEN, SENHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

264.

LI, LINZHI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

312.

SUENY Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

217.

CHEN, WANBAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

265.

LI, WENJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

313.

SUN, LEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

218.

CHEN, YUGANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

266.

LI, XIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

314.

SUN, HONGWAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

219.

CHEN, MEIXIAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

267.

LI, JIANYU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

315.

SURIYANTO Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

220.

CHEN, WANGJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

268.

LI, YUZE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

316.

TAN, MINGYUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

221.

CHEN, PENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

269.

LI, MENGJIAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

317.

TANG, XIAOFANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

222.

CHEN, GUAN-ZE Taiwanese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

270.

LI, RONGCI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

318.

TANG, SHIXIONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

223.

CHEN, BO-SEN Taiwanese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

271.

LI, HUANHUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

319.

TANG, JIANPING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

224.

CHEN, PU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

272.

LIAN, HUAQING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

320.

TAO, NAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

225.

CHEN, WANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

273.

LIANG, GE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

321.

TAO, SHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

226.

CHEN, XUE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

274.

LIAO, WENFANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

322.

TRUONG NGOC HOANG Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

227.

CHENG, ZHONGBAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

275.

LIAO, HANJUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

323.

VU MINH CHINH Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CONSULTANT

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 A7

FOREIGN NATIONAL / NATIONALITY

POSITION

173.

AGUS LIMARDY Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

174.

AGUSTINA SIREGAR Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

175.

ANDY KOKO KOK Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

176.

HARYANTO Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

177.

HERDY Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

178.

JIMMY FERRARY Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

179.

LEVIN ARCHIE YANSEN Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

180.

MEISY Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

181.

REGAN Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

182.

SHELLY Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

183.

STEVEN Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

228.

CHIN BOON KIAN Malaysian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

276.

LIN, WENYOU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

324.

WAI LIN NWE Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

184.

VALENTIO CHUANDRA Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

229.

DAU VIET HUNG Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

277.

LIN, SHIBIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

325.

WAN SIKE CHIN Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

185.

VIONI CASANDRA Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

230.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

278.

326.

WANG, YITAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

186.

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

LIU, SHAOSHUAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

WAWAN Indonesian

DENG, CHAOMAO Chinese

187.

WISMAN WIRAWAN Indonesian

INDONESIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

231.

DENG, YING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

279.

LIU, YANBO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

327.

WANG, WENWEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

232.

DENG, JILE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

280.

LIU, PENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

328.

WANG, XIAOCUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

233.

DUAN, MEILING Vanuatuan

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

281.

LIU, YU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

329.

WANG, XING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

234.

FAN, JUNJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

282.

LIU, LONGCONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

330.

WANG, XIAOCHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

235.

FANG, JUNJIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

283.

LIU, ZHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

331.

WANG, PEIJI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

236.

FANG, XIUJIAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

284.

LU, CHENGLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

332.

WANG, ZEBING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

LOKI TECHNOLOGY, INCORPORATED L-29 Joy Nostalg Center Adb Avenue, Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City 188.

MAGDY NABIL MAHER ERYAN Egyptian

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

189.

SUGAWARA, MEGUMI Japanese

SALES CONSULTANT

LUCKY365 CONSULTING LIMITED CORP. U/18a 18/f 18/f Trafalgar Plaza 105 H.v. Dela Costa St. Bel-air Makati City 190.

LUO, QIURONG Chinese

CLIENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR (MANDARIN)

191.

XIE, XIAOYAN Chinese

CLIENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR (MANDARIN)

237.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

285.

LUO, QIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

333.

WANG, PENGQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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

FU, SONG Chinese

238.

FU, LILI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

286.

LUONG THI NHUNG Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

334.

WANG, JING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

239.

FU, JUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

287.

MA, QIAOJING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

335.

WANG, MINGZHI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

240.

GAO, QIANG Chinese

288.

MA, PENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

336.

WANG, ZHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

337.

WANG, KUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

338.

WANG, HUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

339.

WANG, LEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

340.

WANG, CHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

341.

WANG, FEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

342.

WANG, YINGXU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

343.

WANG, MINGXIA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

344.

WANG, ZHENKAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

345.

WEN, QIUPING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

346.

WU, LIHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

347.

WU, HAIPING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

348.

WU, YUANPENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

349.

WU, SENGANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

350.

WU, ZHENWU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

351.

WU, GAOFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

352.

XIANG, CIFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

353.

XIAO, SHOUQIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

354.

XIE, SUTING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

355.

XIN, ZENGRONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

356.

XIN, BINGNI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

192.

HUANG, WEIDA Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

193.

JIAN, FENFEN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

194.

LE THI HAU Vietnamese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

195.

LIU, JIAN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

196.

LU, CHANGHUI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

197.

XIA, MIN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

XU, YINGQI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

198.

199.

XU, XINYUAN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

200.

YANG, LIN Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

201.

ZHAO, FANG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF

MEGA-WEB TECHNOLOGIES INC. 6,7,8,9,10,11/f Met Live Bldg. Edsa Cor. Macapagal Blvd. Brgy. 076 Pasay City DENG, GUOLI Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

203.

LIAO, JIANBO Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

204.

SUN, LIANG Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

205.

WANG, ZHAOHUI Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

YUE, YICHEN Chinese

MANDARIN SPEAKING CUSTOMER RELATIONS SERVICE PROVIDER

202.

206.

MICHAEL PAGE INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT (PHILIPPINES) INC. 15/f Citibank Center Bldg. 8741 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City 207.

GUILFORD, RHIANNON LOUISE British

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

MOA CLOUDZONE CORP. 4th-11th Flr. Nexgen Tower C4 Rd. Edsa Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

241.

HE, YONGYANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

289.

MA, JIALI Chinese

242.

HONG, LICHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

290.

MARTAN Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

243.

HU, FANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

291.

MIN AUNG SOE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

244.

HU, XI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

292.

MONALISA Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

245.

HU, WEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

293.

NGUYEN THI MAI LY Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

246.

HU, WENLIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

294.

OU, YANGJING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

247.

HU, WENKE Chinese

295.

PAN, FUSHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

248.

HUANG, XIUNING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

296.

PAN, JIAYOU Chinese

249.

HUANG, ZHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

297.

PENG, JIAJIE Chinese

250.

HUANG, YAN Chinese

298.

PU, JIQIONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

251.

HUO, JINGWEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

299.

QIAO, KUIKUI Chinese

252.

JIAN, YULONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

300.

QIAO, XIAOGENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

253.

JIANG, ZIDONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

301.

QIN, NANA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

254.

LAI WAI MUN Malaysian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

302.

QIU, ZONGPEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

255.

LE THI NGOC LAN Vietnamese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

303.

REN, WENWU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

208.

AI, YUFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

256.

LEI, YAMIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

304.

RINI Indonesian

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

357.

XU, TENGFEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

209.

BAI, QIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

257.

LEI, SHAOHONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

305.

RONG, YINYE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

358.

XU, NING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

210.

BAI, XINFEI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

258.

LI, GANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

306.

RUAN, MINGYANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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XU, MINGQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

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YANG, KUN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

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ZHANG, LUMING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

506.

ZHOU, SHUANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHU, LIYAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

360.

XU, MENGRAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

407.

ZHONG, LIANGJIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

455.

NG WEI LOON Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

361.

XU, CAIHUA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

408.

ZHOU, JIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

456.

YIP WAI HONG Malaysian

MALAYSIAN CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

362.

XU, SHENGNAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

409.

ZHOU, ZHONGGUANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

457.

NGUYEN THI TUYET Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

507.

363.

XU, DONGLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

410.

ZHOU, DA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

458.

NGUYEN THI XUAN Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

SADGURU TRADERS INC. Unit T 1a West Service Road Sun Valley Parañaque City

364.

YAN, XUEFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

411.

ZHOU, WANGDONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

459.

VAN PHU BINH Vietnamese

VIETNAMESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

508.

365.

YAN, DONGTING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

412.

ZHU, ZHUANGKAI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

366.

YAN, CHENLE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

413.

ZHU, JIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

367.

YAN, QIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

414.

ZONG, YAOFA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

368.

YAN, XINGPING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

415.

ZOU, DAQUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

369.

YAN SWIN JAUNG Myanmari

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

416.

ZOU, QINRU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

370.

YANG, YAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

417.

AO, XIANLIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

371.

YANG, TAIYONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

418.

BO, KUN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

372.

YANG, HONGZU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

419.

BU, SHUNLIANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

373.

YANG, XUHUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

420.

CHEN, KEXIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

374.

YANG, YANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

421.

CHENG, LIANGHE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

466.

SHEN, WEILIANG Chinese

IT TECHNICAL MANDARIN

375.

YANG, RUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

422.

CHU, GUOQI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

467.

CHEN, YINLIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

468.

CHEN, HAIQUAN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

469.

DUAN, WEILIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

470.

FU, MINGCHENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

376.

YANG, YANG Chinese

377.

YAO, HAOWEI Chinese

378.

YAO, MIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

PHILIPPINES E-SKY COMMUNICATION INC. U504p-508p Five E-com Ctr. Bld Pacific Drive Ext. Brgy. 076 Pasay City 464.

SONG, QIAOFENG Chinese

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

PLAY TO THE MAX INC. U-2c Jf One Ecom Ctr. Bldg. M. Ocean Drive Brgy. 076 Pasay City 465.

SON, WOOHYUN South Korean

TECHNICAL FIELD MANAGER

PRIME GREAT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES INC. 3/f To 8/f, Nissan Sucat Zentrum Building 8390 Dr. A Santos Avenue Bf Homes Parañaque City

HU, WEIGUANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

472.

LI, DINGYONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

473.

LIN, YURONG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

474.

MA, MANXIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

475.

NIE, HUANBO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

476.

TAN, XIAOSHENG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

477.

WU, QIAOYUN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

478.

YE, SHAOWEN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

479.

YU, FEI Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

ZHANG, LONGJUN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

428.

LI, ZHI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

382.

YU, YUANYUAN Chinese

429.

LIU, JINGJING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

463.

WANG, YONG Chinese

471.

YOU, XUN Chinese

ZENG, FEI Chinese

SOFTWARE & DATABASE SUPPORT CONSULTANT

425.

381.

385.

BAI, ZHIYI Chinese

GAN, ZHIHUA Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

462.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

JI, ZHENGQUAN Chinese

YUAN, XIUHONG Chinese

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

GAO, WEI Chinese

427.

384.

ZHAO, RONG Chinese

424.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

461.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

YE, QIANQIAN Chinese

YU, YONGTAO Chinese

CHINESE TELECOM SUPPORT SPECIALIST

DONG, CHUNZHOU Chinese

380.

383.

MEI, HONGCHAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

460.

CUI, XIAOLONG Chinese

423.

YE, KANGTING Chinese

379.

PHILIPPINES COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK CONSTRUCTION INC. Unit E-2004a East Tower Psec Exchange Road Ortigas Center San Antonio Pasig City

426.

LIU, ZENGJUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

431.

LIU, XINGXIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

432.

MA, YUE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

480.

430.

386.

ZHANG, XUE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

433.

QIN, DONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

RAPOO PRO TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION Unit 8 Robinsons Cybergate Plaza Pioneer Brgy. Barangka Mandaluyong City

387.

ZHANG, GUANGSEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

434.

SHANGGUAN, JIANBAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

481.

LIANG, CHUANMEI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

388.

ZHANG, GUANGGUANG Chinese

435.

TAN, TING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

482.

YANG, RONG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING PROGRAM DESIGNER

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

RED DOT MARKETING AND BRANDING INC. Unit 1514 Burgundy Transpacific Place Taft Ave. 079, Bgy. 727 Malate Manila

389.

ZHANG, NING Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

436.

TANG, HAOBO Chinese

390.

ZHANG, XU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

437.

WAN, YANAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

391.

ZHANG, LU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

438.

WANG, CHUAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

392.

ZHANG, BIAOLONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

439.

WANG, SHUO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

393.

ZHANG, ZHILAN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

440.

WANG, HAIYANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

394.

ZHANG, TAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

441.

WANG, BIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

395.

ZHANG, ZHIRONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

442.

WEI, YANBIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

396.

ZHANG, MEIZHEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

443.

WU, HAO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHANG, XIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

XIANG, CHENGCHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

398.

ZHANG, WEIBIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

445.

XIAO, GANG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

399.

ZHAO, SHITONG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

446.

XIE, HAIFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

400.

ZHAO, XIANTIE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

447.

XUE, YALI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

401.

ZHAO, CHUNYE Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

448.

ZHANG, ZHENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

449.

ZHANG, LIHUI Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

450.

ZHANG, XIAOMIN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHANG, BO Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

452.

ZHONG, SHUIJIN Chinese

453.

454.

397.

402.

403.

ZHAO, YANRU Chinese ZHAO, QINGSHEN Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

444.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE 451.

404.

405.

406.

ZHAO, GUANGCHAO Chinese ZHENG, TIANWEN Chinese ZHENG, WENHU Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE

483.

PENG, JUNLONG Chinese

MANDARIN ACCOUNTS STAFF

484.

RAO, PINWU Chinese

MANDARIN TECHNICAL SUPPORT

SA RIVENDELL GLOBAL SUPPORT, INC. 5th & 7th Flr. Star Cruises Ce Andrews Drive Newport City Brgy. 183 Pasay City 485.

BI, ZIQIANG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

486.

CHEN, LONG Chinese

487.

CHHATTANI, JAI KISHAN Indian

DIRECTOR

SC RESERVATIONS (PHILIPPINES), INC. 27/f, 28/f & 29/f Tower Ii Rcbc Plaza 6819 Ayala Avenue Bel-air Makati City 509.

AL-GHAFFARI, ABDULLAH SALEH ABDULQAWI Yemeni

RESERVATIONS SALES AGENT - ARABIC

SIEGREICH SOLUTIONS INC. 34/f Burgundy Corporate Tower 252 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Pio Del Pilar Makati City 510.

SIRIKOM, SIRIVIMON Thai

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE-BILINGUAL SPEAKING

SPEED QUALITY TECH INC. 3/f Eco Plaza Bldg. 2305 Chino Roces Ave. Extn. Magallanes Makati City 511.

CHE VA MUI Vietnamese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

512.

DENG, JIXIANG Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

513.

PAN, SHIZE Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

514.

TAO, TIANBO Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

515.

TRUONG VE TOAN Vietnamese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

516.

WANG, DONGLIN Chinese

MANDARIN CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST

STAR 9 FASHION & MERCHANDISING CORP. Unit 1 5th Flr. Fly Ace Corporate Ctr., 13 Brgy. 076 Pasay City 517.

MADASWAMY, BALASUBRAMANIAM Indian

FINANCE CONTROLER

TIANYU TECHNOLOGY INC. 42/f Pbcom Tower Ayala Avenue Cor. V.a Rufino Street Bel-air Makati City 518.

CHE, YUHANG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

519.

CHEN, CHUANJU Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

520.

JIANG, YINGHUA Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

521.

LIU, HONG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

522.

WANG, MINGHONG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

523.

ZHOU, YING Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

524.

CHANG, YAN-CHEN Taiwanese

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

525.

ZHOU, MINGBO Chinese

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

TOENEC PHILIPPINES INCORPORATED 4/f Valderrama Bldg. 107 Esteban St. San Lorenzo Makati City 526.

ZHAO, DU Chinese

MECHANICAL MANAGER

UNIVERSALPEARL INC. Unit 25d 2/f Zeta Ii Bldg. 191 Salcedo St. San Lorenzo Makati City 527.

ZHAO, XINNA Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING HARDWARE TECHNICIAN

V77 ENTERPRISES CORP. 18f Philamlife Tower 8767 Paseo De Roxas Bel-air Makati City 528.

MIASKOVSKY, ALINA Israeli

TRAINER

VAN GOGH BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING INC. 5th To 8th Flr. Sm Southmall Tower 2 Alabang Zapote Rd. Almanza Uno Las Piñas City 529.

DAI, HONGXIA Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

530.

LUAN, YIFEI Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

531.

YANG, DAN Chinese

COMPUTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST

WISEFENCE INC. Level 40 Pbcom Tower 6795 Ayala Ave. Cor. V.a. Rufino St. Bel-air Makati City 532.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

YANG, CHAOQIANG Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS ANALYST

533.

CHEN, FEINI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

JIN, ZHENGHUI Chinese

CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

534.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

CHINESE SPEAKING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

488.

CHEN, BANGHUI Chinese

ZHANG, YONG Chinese

489.

FU, LONG Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

490.

HAN, ZHIGUO Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

491.

LAI, ZHENGSHAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

492.

LI, MAOLIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

493.

LIU, LINKE Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

494.

LU, JIANGPING Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

495.

LUO, YONGJIAN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

496.

MI, MIN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

497.

OU, SUIDE Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

498.

PHAM THI PHUONG Vietnamese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

499.

SU, GUIMEI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

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.

500.

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

VI THI MAY Vietnamese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Please inform DOLE-NCR if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.

501.

WANG, ZHILI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

ZHOU, JIANFENG Chinese

CHINESE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

502.

XIE, ZEHUI Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

XIAO, TENG Chinese

CHINESE IT SUPPORT

503.

XIE, JUNZHEN Chinese

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC. 28/f Techzone Condo Corp. 213 Buendia Ave. San Antonio Makati City 535.

CHEN, GUISHAN Chinese

CHINESE LANGUAGE MARKETING STAFF *Date Generated: Dec 1, 2020

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 25, 2020, the name of KHOCHIDKANG APINYA under ALFANET GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC., should have been read as KHOCHIDKANG, APINYA and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 26, 2020, the name of HAN, SEUNGHEE under LEE TIME TRAVEL TOUR AND TRANSPORT, INC., should have been read as HAN (SPOUSE OF KIM), SEUNGHEE and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 26, 2020, the name of CHEN, CHENQI under NEW ORIENTAL CLUB88 CORPORATION, should have been read as CHEN, CHENGQI and not as published.

In the ad material of Notice of Filing of Application for Alien Employment Permits published on November 26, 2020, the nationality of NI, WENHAO under WISHLAND SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY INC., should have been read as CHINESE and not as published.

ATTY. SARAH BUENA S. MIRASOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR

News BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

House bares 98 new Covid cases after mass testing

ITU flags connectivity gaps, Internet access in Philippines, other nations

By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan

T

FILE photo shows an empty legislative hall at the House of Representatives at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City. At least 98 House workers and staff have recently tested positive for Covid-19 after mass testing. NONOY LACZA

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie

A

FTER almost a hundred people tested positive for Covid-19 in the House of Representatives, the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (QC-CESU) is asking the leadership of the House of Representatives for full disclosure of Covid-19 cases in their offices.

The transparency is being sought after a total of 98 individuals turned out Covid-19 positive in the mass testing initiated by the lower chamber. The workers and staff allegedly contracted the potentially deadly viral disease due to exposure in the workplace at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in QC. The QC-CESU said that submission of the list of Covid-19 cases should be timely, as stated in the guidelines on reporting cases of Covid-19.

According to QC-CESU Director Dr. Rolly Cruz, the workers who contracted the virus are residents in Barangay Batasan Hills, adjacent only to lower chamber.

“In the cases we are [investigating], they are saying that they got the virus inside the House [of Representatives], where they work, so this is what we are investigating how they got infected,” Cruz added.

Cruz admitted that they are encountering difficulties in contact tracing because House leaders are yet to submit a complete list of its Covid-19 cases.

Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has ordered a strict compliance on full disclosure of Covid-19 cases. The Office of Secretary General regularly released an update on the Covid-19 among its employees. “[Under the guidelines] everytime there is a new case [the chamber] should report it immediately to the LGU for contact tracing,” he said.

But new House Secretary-General Mark Llandro Mendoza said the lower chamber is now coordinating with the QC-CESU, adding

“we already spoke with the QC government with regards to this matter we will release the results to DOH and CESU once the lab results are available already.”

Earlier, reports surfaced that Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, Diwa Party-list Rep. Mike Aglipay and House SecretaryGeneral Dong Mendoza were subject of criticisms for allegedly violating quarantine protocols.

The aforementioned House leaders reportedly have had direct exposure to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Secretary Isidro Lapeña as they all attended a dinner meeting in Shangri-La Taguig on November 19. Two days after the said event, Lapeña tested positive for Covid-19.

Romero later tested negative for Covid-19.

However, under the guidelines of the DOH, those who underwent RT-PCR test still have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. The DOH had earlier explained that strict compliance to 14-day quarantine period has to be enforced to those who were directly exposed to a Covid-19 patient, notwithstanding a negative result on their RT-PCR test.

The House leaders also reportedly accommodated courtesy calls from Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello and Philippine National Police chief General Debold Sinas.

Strict protocols

MEANWHILE, Mendoza said the lower chamber will continue to operate under strict health and safety protocols.

According to Mendoza, almost all Covid-19 positive cases are asymptomatic.

Prior to November 10, the House already registered more than 80 Covid-19 cases since March.

There were two lawmakers and three employees who have succumbed to the disease.

Mendoza said the increase in Covid-19 cases was expected since the testing covered everyone in the House, not just those with symptoms.

HE International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has noted what it described as “worrying gaps” in connectivity and Internet access in least developed countries.

In a news statement, the ITU said in least developed countries, around 17 percent of the rural population live in areas with no mobile coverage at all, and 19 percent of the rural population is covered by only a 2G network.

This is a huge disparity from the figure for urban households, of which, 72 percent had access to Inter-

net at home. This is almost twice as much versus the ones in rural areas, which is at 38 percent as of 2019.

“How much longer can we tolerate the significant gap in household connectivity between urban and rural areas,” said ITU SecretaryGeneral Houlin Zhao. “In the age of Covid-19, where so many are working and studying from home, this edition of Measuring Digital Development: Facts and figures sends the clear message that accelerating infrastructure rollout is one of the most urgent and defining issues of our time.”

In the Philippines, 17.7 percent of all households have Internet connection, according to the National ICT House-

@awimailbox Mindanao Bureau Chief

D

AVAO CITY—A center to aid in generating and analyzing crucial data on infectious diseases and their pattern would be established soon by the Mindanao campus of the University of the Philippines (UP).

While awaiting approval from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), its initial projects would involve the research cooperation with the Mapuaoperated Malayan Colleges in Mindanao and a UP Mindanao-attached unit, the Philippine Genome Center-Mindanao.

The center is named Center for Applied Modeling, Data Analytics, and Bioinformatics for Decision-Support Systems in Health, or AMDABiDSSHealth, but would be renamed to Nicer Center, from the DOST’s program Niche Centers in the Regions (Nicer) program.

The UP Mindanao is a beneficiary of this program.

The UP Mindanao said the proposed center would provide the necessary support to public health decisions in Southern Philippines by gathering information on infectious diseases and use advanced scientific approaches to understand public health risks better.

“Data analytics, mathematical modeling, genomics research, and quantitative risk analysis would be used to analyze and gather evidence to support proposed policies. The focus would be on more accurate disease prediction, improve the recovery prospects of infected individu-

hold Survey, which was conducted by the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Moreover, seven out of 10 barangays do not have access to fiber-optic cables, while 64 percent lack access to a cellular towers. It is much worse in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and in the regions of Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Northern Luzon, Palawan and Central Visayas, which are all either unserved or underserved, according to the National Telecommunications Commission. Zhao noted that the latest ITU data demonstrate that

the rollout of mobile-broadband networks has been slowing in 2020.

According to the ITU, while 4G network coverage double globally between 2015 and 2020 to 85 percent coverage, the annual growth has been slowing down gradually since 2017, and 2020 coverage is only 1.3 percentage points higher than 2019.

In addition to infrastructure roll-out, the digital gender divide, lack of digital skills and affordability continue to be major barriers to meaningful participation in a digital society, especially in the developing world where mobile telephony and Internet access remain too expensive for many, the ITU noted.

AFP HONES PROFICIENCY IN AIRLIFT OPERATIONS IN ZAMBALES WAR DRILL

By Rene Acosta

T

@reneacostaBM

HE military carried out an airlift operation exercise in San Antonio, Zambales, as part of the ongoing war games involving its land, sea and air forces in a drill that could respond to any scenario in the West Philippine Sea. During the exercise, the Navy’s naval helicopter 432 also showcased its Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) capability by using the cargo hook suspension system under the amphibious operations component of the “AJEX DAGITPA,” which involved the military’s major armed services.

The Navy’s helicopter carried out the exercise on BRP Tarlac, which was stationed 1.3 nautical miles, west of Capones Grande.

AJEX DAGIT-PA Exercise Director Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the VERTREP capability is vital in operations especially when ground and water transports for armed units are nearly impossible.

The exercise can be employed for ship-to-ship reprovision and replenishment of units especially for those who are currently stationed in the West Philippine Sea. It is most needed in situations and

in mission areas when the transfer of cargo and other provisions and logistical requirements is more practical than landing a helicopter on deck.

During the amphibious operations training, several drills were also taken, including BRP Davao del Sur’s flight deck operation with the Navy’s Augusta Westland AW-109 helicopters.

Davao del Sur also carried out well deck operations involving the embarkation of assault amphibious vehicles of the Philippine Marine Corps.

The amphibious forces also completed its final meeting of units to synchronize efforts in preparation for the Amphibious Assault Operation on December 1. “ T he December 1 schedule of events for AJEX DAGIT-PA is the highlight of this year’s iteration of the exercise. It will test some of the AFP’s [Armed Forces of the Philippines] capabili-

Science center for prediction, monitoring of diseases may soon rise in UP Mindanao

By Manuel T. Cayon

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 A9

als, and evaluate risk in communities through animal and water studies,” the UP Mindanao said.

It said local practices and attitudes would also be considered in making recommendations. Maps and data products would be made available to the public and other sectors to help create policies and decisions related to disease prevention and public-health.

Aside from working with other academic institutions, the center would link up with the public sector and civilsociety organizations.

UP Mindanao said the Nicer center would fill the gap in “decision-support center for public health in the Southern Philippines.”

“With Mindanao’s cultural and biological diversity, it is more pressing to answer the challenges of disease investigation and disease-related policy implementation. The center would focus on the current Covid-19 pandemic and study other infectious diseases, such as dengue, in the future,” it added.

The center would “complement the ongoing local and national disease surveillance approaches and risk management” while practitioners in the interdisciplinary study of infectious diseases in the Mindanao regions may also enhance their critical and analytic skills through the center’s online webinars, or hands-on workshops.

Program leader, Dr. May Anne Mata of UP Mindanao disclosed that DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara has conveyed to them the DOST Executive

Committee’s decision that “UP Mindanao’s proposal is being considered for funding under the DOST’s Niche Centers in the Regions program.”

The Nicer center is part of the Mindanao Health Initiatives of UP Mindanao, which includes a proposed College of Medicine and a city hospital to be undertaken in partnership with the Davao City government.

The initial projects of the Center for Applied Modeling, Data Analytics, and Bioinformatics for Decision-Support Systems in Health are: 1) Predictive Modeling and Viral Phylodynamic Analysis on the Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Disease Outbreaks with considerations for Control and Logistics applied in Mindanao region.

Project Leader: May Anne E. Mata, PhD, UP Mindanao; 2) Risk Management and Enhanced Survival Analysis Integrated through Longitudinal Infectious Disease Data and Statistical Epidemiological Model using Clinical Risk Factors.

Project Leader Dr. Gernelyn T. Logrosa, PhD, Malayan Colleges Mindanao; 3) Vulnerability Assessment Tool: A Decision Support System for Pre-Emptive Preparedness on Emerging Infections Among Animal Reservoir in Urban Green Spaces.

Project Leader: Von Carlo P. Dela Torre, MSc., UP Mindanao; and 4) Integrated Wastewater-Based Epidemiology and Data Analytics for Community-Level Pathogen Surveillance and Genetic Tracking.

Project Leader: Lyre Anni Espada-Murao, PhD, UP Mindanao/PGC Mindanao.

ties and competencies in amphibious operations given the sea, air, and land assets made available,” said Arevalo who is also the military’s spokesman and the current commander of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command.

“Territorial defense capability will also be tested on the same day involving a different set of participants. The learning outcome will impact on the existing doctrines and those that are being developed.

While we continue to modernize, our techniques, tactics and procedures [TTPs] we likewise ensure that our doctrines are continuously

updated and developed,” he added.

The AFP is honing its proficiency in sea to land operations under its ongoing war games, and this include its ability to seize a littoral objective in a scenario of an island defense deploying land, sea and air assets.

Arevalo said the AJEX DAGIT-PA, which was launched on November 23, was taken to further enhance the joint force inter-operability and cohesiveness of the AFP across defense mission areas and elevate its operational effectiveness in contingencies concerning maritime security, territorial defense, counterterrorism and natural disasters and calamities.

A10 Wednesday, December 2, 2020 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

editorial

Reaping the promise of biotechnology

I

T has been nearly two decades since the Philippine government approved the sale and cultivation of genetically modified (GM) corn seeds in local farms. The government issued a permit to commercialize Monsanto Philippines’s bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn variety dubbed YieldGard on December 5, 2002. With this, the Philippines earned the distinction of being the first in Asia to commercialize Bt corn, a variety that enables corn farmers to save on production cost because they will no longer have to extensively use pesticides to kill the corn borer—a grain pest, particularly of corn.

Bt corn has been largely instrumental in increasing farmers’ production in the ensuing years following the issuance of the permit to Monsanto. The increment in output allowed the Philippines to become self-sufficient in corn (See, “Yellow corn yield achieved 103 percent self-sufficiency last year—Piñol,” in the BusinessMirror, March 28, 2018). With the help of the biotech product, farmers were able to earn $642 million from 2003 to 2015, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications.

Its advantages and its potential to boost incomes have encouraged more farmers to plant the variety in recent years. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila noted that areas planted with Bt corn in the Philippines expanded by 26 percent to 834,617 hectares this year (See, “Gain report: GE corn areas in PHL continue to expand,” in the BusinessMirror, November 30, 2020). The availability of more yellow corn—a raw material used in manufacturing animal feeds— has also supported the growing livestock and poultry industry.

These developments illustrate the benefits of biotechnology as well as its potential to enable the Philippines to develop other products that will allow farmers to diversify to other crops as well as cope with the ill effects of climate change. Currently, Bt corn is the only biotech product that is being planted in the Philippines.

The GM varieties of other crops, like eggplant, are in various stages of development.

It is also worth noting that the Bt corn variety that was approved for commercialization in 2002 was made in the United States. The Philippines has yet to develop its own GM crop, and we urge Philippine researchers and scientists to make biotech products that are tailor fit to local conditions. Government must support these efforts by putting more money in the research initiatives of our local scientists or introduce policies, such as incentives, that will encourage the private sector to partner with them.

The recent successive typhoons that struck the Philippines should serve as a stark reminder of the increasing difficulties being faced by Filipino farmers and the pressing need for government to look for more sustainable means of ensuring food security. We welcome the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) pronouncement that it will optimize the use of biotechnology and other sciencebased solutions to increase farm output from limited farmlands and fishing grounds.

We urge Congress to support the DA’s initiatives by passing the proposed Modern Biotechnology Act and by increasing the budget for agricultural research and development. Fully supported, our own scientists can harness the power of modern biotechnology.

Since 2005

BusinessMirror A broader look at today’s business

SSS in the midst of calamities Aurora C. Ignacio

All About Social Security

A

few weeks ago, a series of strong typhoons hit our country, disrupting the lives of many Filipinos. Who will forget the devastation brought about by Typhoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses? It was a very traumatic experience for those affected by these natural calamities.

If you watch the news or go through social-media posts, you could see the aftermath of these typhoons and their destructive effects. While watching the evening news, my heart grieved for a middleaged man interviewed by a TV reporter. He lost his property in Bicol, which he built in the last 15 years by working overseas. Truly, it is tragic.

Seeing him cry was heartbreaking, yet he was still very thankful that he is alive even though he lost all his material possessions.

Amid these trying times, it is heartwarming to see the collective

The viral photo of a Physics student with the street as his bigger classroom Dennis Gorecho

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efforts of the government, private sector, local and international humanitarian organizations, among others, helping the victims. I have even come across social-media posts such as fund-raising campaigns; relief operations; individuals selling food, clothes, and other items wherein the proceeds would be donated; and many more selfless acts aimed to provide assistance to the typhoon victims.

For this column, I would like to discuss Social Security System (SSS) programs that are currently being offered to members and pensioners

with the objective of helping them through these difficult times.

On November 27, the SSS opened its Calamity Assistance Package, which includes three programs for members and pensioners in areas under the State of Calamity as declared and may be declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) due to Supertyphoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses.

These programs are the Calamity Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) and Three-month Advance Pension, which will be open for applications until February 26, 2021; and Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan, which will be open for one year from the issuance of its corresponding circular.

The CLAP is a separate loan window from the regular salary loan.

Under the program, qualified members may avail themselves of a loan equivalent to the average of their last 12 monthly salary credits. It has an interest rate of 10 percent per annum, a 1 percent penalty rate for late payments, no service fee, and is payable in two years in equal monthly installments.

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earning is not confined within the four walls of the classroom, and for PUP Physics student Freedom Mendiola de la Cruz the street is his classroom.

It was early afternoon of March 23, 2020 when my car stopped due to heavy traffic in front of Freedom’s mobile stall along Evacom Road in Parañaque City where he sells face masks, face shields, umbrellas, ballpens and the like.

I noticed that he seemed to be reading something on his cellphone, then he would write on his yellow pad paper.

To satisfy my curiosity, I took some shots before I called him to buy the face shields, and I asked some questions.

I learned that Freedom is a second year Physics student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and he was attending to his online classes, among others, when I saw him.

I initially thought that he wanted to be a scientist when I posted the photo later that afternoon.

Social media can be very influen-

tial as Freedom’s photo has gone viral with hundreds of shares, likes and comments, and was even featured by major media outfits.

When I visited Freedom again two days later, he told me that he was overwhelmed by the social media attention that he received due to my photo.

He said that Physics was not his original choice as a pre-medical course in PUP as he was not able to get available slots for Biology, Chemistry or Psychology.

He plans to proceed to medical school after graduation, preferably at the University of the Philippines (Manila) with specialization on children since he was often brought to the hospital during his younger years as a sickly child.

Although his education is free as one of the Iskolar ng Bayan, his parents have to allot a substantial part of the family income to cover

the additional costs.

Before the pandemic, Freedom used to go to school and stay in a dorm with monthly expenses of P1,800 for dormitory rent, water and electricity, while his daily allowance for food and transportation is P200.

He was already helping his parents in their mobile stall at a very young age during his elementary years. He has two sisters Katrina (18) and Chloe (16).

He starts selling from 8 a.m. until around 7:30 p.m. while his parents transfer on foot from one place to another around Parañaque, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas carrying with them big plastic bags containing their merchandise.

Sadly, Freedom lamented that Covid-19 caused their estimated average daily gross income to drop from P3,500 to P1,500.

They buy the faceshields from Baclaran at three pieces per P10 and sell them at P10 per piece.

Then I asked why is his name Freedom.

I was right. His father, Jerry, was a former activist engineering student from National University who said in a TV interview that his son’s name means “malaya sa paghihirap, sa pighati sa [ma]sama sa mundong malupit.”

Freedom clarified that he was self-studying online not only for his Physics classes at the time I took the photo.

Although he wants to be a doc-

To qualify for the CLAP, a member must have a My.SSS account; have at least 36 monthly contributions, six of which should be posted within the last 12 months prior to the month of application; be a resident of an NDRRMC-declared calamity area and suffered damage/loss to property due to Typhoons Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses; have not been granted any final SSS benefit; and have no outstanding loans under the Loan Restructuring Program or previous CLAPs. Members who would like to avail themselves of the CLAP must file their applications through the My.SSS web portal at www.sss.gov.ph.

The Three-month Advance Pension, on the other hand, is a program for existing SS retiree, disability and survivor pensioners, and Employees’ Compensation disability and survivor pensioners who are residents of NDRRMC-declared calamity areas due to the said typhoons. Those, however, with existing pension loans are not qualified to avail themselves of the program.

Pensioners who would like to receive three months of their See “Ignacio,” A11

tor, he showed me the yellow paper where he was also writing down notes on non-science-related subjects for self growth, including terms lifted from legal web sites like law, jurisprudence, constitution, stare decisis, precedent, legal positivism and statute of limitation.

Freedom represents many other young Filipinos thirsty for knowledge and wishing to achieve something in the field of science despite their economic status.

I only encountered Physics as a subject during high school, which is not an easy subject for me. And now here is Freedom who is taking it as a full-blown course.

Physics is the study of the mathematical beauty of the universe at scales ranging from subatomic to cosmological, from studying stars far beyond Earth, to explaining the shape of a water droplet.

The viral photograph is a manifestation of how education has changed dramatically due to the Covid-19 pandemic that shattered the confines of a “closed classroom” concept.

Freedom stressed that going to school and learning online are different because one can easily learn skills in a classroom unlike in e-learning where teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.

He receives a weekly load of P100 from his organization Physics Society to cover the Internet expenses.

See “Gorecho,” A11

Opinion BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 A11

The socioeconomic impact of an increasing ageing population

Duterte-Arroyo: The formidable presidential tandem

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T

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

MAKE SENSE

By Reynaldo A. De Dios

he world’s population is ageing rapidly! This is indicated in a recent report of the United Nations that disclosed that only 7 percent of Asia’s population in 1990 was over 60 years old, but projections show that this proportion will more than double to 16 percent by 2030.

Furthermore, a study by a social security specialist with the International Labor Organization suggests that by 2025, 58 percent of the world’s projected age over 60 would be in Asia. In this estimated population, the over 80 years old would account for 11 percent, with women far outnumbering the men.

The Philippines is also experiencing population growth and an increasing number of elderly people.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has tabulated a population of 101,582,300 in 2015, to increase to 125,337,500 in 2030, with males accounting for 67,202,900 and females at 62,134,600.

One advantage for the Philippines is that it has a good average of young people (ages 20-34) at 39,623,800 or 31.62 percent.

In its projection, the PSA reported that by year 2040, the Philippine population would rise to 137,432,200 or an increase of 37 percent over that of year 2015. Of this number, 69,773,800 would be males and 68,198,600 females.

The average life expectancy of today’s Filipinos has increased to 70.01 for males and 75.64 for females, compared to 68.81 for males and 74.34 for females a decade ago.

Undoubtedly, people are living longer because of improved living conditions and medical facilities whilst the fertility rate is decreasing due to increasing labor participation of women. Better education and the use of contraceptives, these two factors continue to affect demography as the number of elderly persons as a percentage of the whole population is rising steadily.

All of these developments have serious socioeconomic consequences on the Philippines.

In addition, a growing number of the elderly would also require specialized medical care and this certainly

Ignacio. . .

continued from A10

pensions in advance can apply for the program at any SSS branch. To apply, they must submit an accomplished Application for Assistance Due to Calamity/Disaster form. The form is available at any SSS branch, or they can download it online at https://bit. ly/365aSWw. Their Barangay Chairman must fill out the Part II of the form; however, they can use as an alternative a certification that they were affected by the calamity from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or NDRRMC. Meanwhile, SSS members who are currently employed, selfemployed, voluntary, and OFW members, who are residents of an NDRRMC-declared calamity area and whose house was destroyed or damaged due to Typhoons Rolly, Quinta, and Ulysses may apply for a Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan.

To qualify, the member must have at least 24 monthly contributions, three of which were posted within the last 12 months prior to the month of application; not more than 60 years old at the time of application; have not been previously granted a Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan; have not been granted any final benefit nor refunded SSS contribution; and he/she and his/her spouse, if applicable, must be up to date in the payment of all other existing loan/s with the SSS. Under the program, they may avail themselves of a loan of up to P1 million. The program has an annual

will increase health care costs.

It is a sad fact that as of 2020, there are more than 8,995,500 senior citizens plus 957,700 over 80 years old, but there are only few geriatricians or specialists to care for the elderly.

The ageing population and the increasing number of pensioners will also have a direct impact on the Social Security System (SSS). Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the closure of thousands of firms. The ensuing unemployment will definitely reduce the contributions to SSS, thus impacting on its resources. And how about the elderly of the informal sector? They would have to depend on their savings and resources or assistance from their families, which cannot be assured entirely given the changing values of the times.

There is therefore a need to institute meaningful changes in the current public pension systems as the growing number of pensioners and the decreasing proportion of paying members will undoubtedly put a heavy strain on available resources.

In conclusion, it must be admitted that the socioeconomic issues of the ageing population is a most difficult task to resolve. What should be developed is for the government to encourage a partnership with the private sector by promoting the growth of the life insurance industry through the Insurance Commission. The idea is for the life insurance companies to design an endowment policy, which will ensure that the elderly will receive an amount that will be given on their date of retirement. This policy should be free from taxes like the Premium Tax and VAT. Finally, the premiums to be charged should be actuary-calculated at minimum cost with no commission loading.

The author is the Editor of Insurance Philippines.

interest rate of 8 percent for loans of up to P450,000, or 9 percent for loans over P450,000; a penalty rate of 1.5 percent of the amount due for every month of delay or a fraction thereof until updated or fully paid, while the processing fee for the loan was waived by the SSS. A qualified member may opt to pay the loan in five, 10, 15, or 20 years, subject to the economic life of the house or improvement, as determined by the SSS, taking into account the member’s age.

Applications for the Direct House Repair and/or Improvement Loan must be filed at the Member Loans Department in the SSS Main Office (for NCR), or at Housing and Acquired Asset Management Sections in SSS Baguio, Tarlac, San Pablo, and Naga (for Non-NCR).

As of this writing, the entire Luzon Island Group is under the State of Calamity. However, should the NDRRMC declare other areas under the State of Calamity due to Typhoons Rolly, Quinta and Ulysses, members and pensioners in those areas will also be covered by the SSS’ Calamity Assistance Package.

I remember the quote of Robert Ingersoll, “We rise by lifting others.”

True enough, SSS is always here to help our members and pensioners.

On that note, allow me to end my column by inviting you to follow the SSS on Facebook at “Philippine Social Security System” to keep yourselves updated on our various programs.

A blessed day ahead!

Aurora C. Ignacio is SSS president and chief executive officer.

We welcome your questions and insights on the topics that we discuss. E-mail mediaaffairs@sss. gov.ph for topics that you might want us to discuss.

he Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) welcomes the designation of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as Presidential Adviser on Clark Projects by President Duterte.

A workaholic economist, the former president practiced participative governance as I personally observed when she invited me in most, if not all, Cabinet meetings when among the topics to be discussed was on smuggling. She is indeed a dedicated nation builder that can help give President Duterte’s economic agenda for Clark City its much needed push.

Kudos Madam President for your new designation. The Federation of Philippine Industries will be ready to help you with your cause and programs for Clark City. Being a “Kapampangan” yourself, we know that your new designation is one that is close to your heart and definitely closer to home.

Thank you President Duterte for choosing the honorable Pampanga

Representative and former President as your adviser on Clark Projects. You have always been consistent in your stand to give only the best in you and what your government can do to make life easier for the Filipinos.

Thus, as Chairman of FPI, an organization of manufacturers groups, and as an advocate against all forms of illicit trade and environmental denigration, I trust that you

will consider Presidential actions that would enable us to recover our rivers and other water tributaries that have been constricted, if not lost, due to siltation, erosion, and most importantly human-induced accretion.

As a President who walks-yourtalk, I know that you will not allow those who claim to be close to powerful government officials to ignore our laws. Like, for instance, the dry river bed in Parañaque City where I live in one of its villages. There must have been water flowing before on a dry river bed in a community near where I live. But when I saw a building structure up ahead of the dry river bed, I got the answer to my question why this place, which used to be a river, dried up. But I could not see the reason why the local officials of this community allowed the structure to be built in the first place, as it obstructed the river’s flow.

Mr. President, I’m willing to stand witness or even an accuser to those who allowed this structure to be built. As Chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries, we stand behind you in your fight against

drugs, corruption, environmental destruction and all forms of illicit transactions. Needless to say, the total disregard of the environement by those involved in this environmental degradation could be partly to blame for all the destruction and deaths caused by floods in the metropolis.

When you stood your ground and never blinked an eye when you challenged the country’s powerful oligarchs who managed to remain unbothered by previous administrations, even with their sometimes exploitative business interests, I know that you will take action against all those involved in illegal activities that will jeopardize the nation’s interest and the Filipinos’ safety. The Federation would be available upon your call, and ready to mobilize its assets to help you with your cause to help make life easier for the suffering Filipinos.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the chairman of the Federation of Philippine Industries and Fight Illicit Trade; a broad-based, multisectoral movement intended to protect consumers, safeguard government revenues and shield legitimate industries from the ill effects of smuggling.

Where the leader and the followers become one Dr. Carl E. Balita

Entrepreneurs’ Footprints

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here is no leader if not for the follower influenced to take the road he leads. It is the follower that makes a leader. Through human history, leadership has evolved in its essence and form, but leadership finds meaning in how the leader and the followers become one to achieve the victories in their times. The pandemic experience has nurtured the nature of the “being and the becoming” of leaders. The crisis became the shining moments for some of the great leaders, like the great sailors navigating rough seas.

The leader and the followers become one in the three domains of their interdependent relationship.

These are the shared values, the vision and the culture. These became the central theme of the learning session moderated by this writer during the Second Quezon City Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry—Quezon City held virtually recently. Panelists were some of the finest leaders during this pandemic.

The vision beyond sight

Influence is like the magical power that puts the followers under the leader’s spell. The vision is the statement of the ideal state of the future, which, once shared by the leader to the followers, becomes a powerful source of influence. It gives the followers the answer to the question “where are we going?” Such willingness to follow shall be based on the “wanting to get there too.” The vision aligns with the mission, which answers the “why we are getting there?”

Wilcon Depot started as a 60-square-meter hardware store in 1977 with a dream to build outlets across the country. Now, Wilcon has 61-store network in key cities. COO Rosemarie “Rose” Ong started from the ground as purchasing officer and confirmed that the legacy was a product of a vision that came to reality—Building Big Dreams. Seemingly governed by the same law of nature, the fruition of the vision knows no shortcuts. The vision was shared with strong-willed ladies and gentlemen with integrity, passion and determination. And the rest is history.

The Wilcon WIN formula not only transforms vision to reality, but also enables the company to survive and thrive meaningfully through the

Gorecho. . .

continued from A10

What is more difficult for Freedom in giving full attention to his lessons is the fact that there are external distractions, like the noise

The leader and the followers become one in the three domains of their interdependent relationship. These are the shared values, the vision and the culture. These became the central theme of the learning session moderated by this writer during the Second Quezon City Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry—Quezon City held virtually recently.

Values are fundamental beliefs found in the core of persons and organizations that guide decisions, priorities and actions. To the leaders, the core values serve as the moral compass, a north star, to navigate the organization as one.

Jennylle “Yeng” Tupaz started as a staff in the Ayala Group and rose from the ranks to become the president of the Ayala Malls. She expounded on the five values or philosophy by which Ayala pursues entrepreneurial leadership, namely, mindfulness and critical thinking, maverick thinking, courage and conviction, commitment and malasakit (compassion), and trust.

Mindfulness and critical thinking as a pair of values is the conscious

awareness of purpose, performance and impact of decision and action and, in the process, making use of available data to keep the examination of the situation well grounded.

She cited concretely, as in the case of Nuvali, that the balance of form and function is like the deliberate intent for sustainable living by selling only 50% so the rest becomes open spaces and greenery. Such value unearths opportunities by which one can improve the various facets of the business. It allows keener awareness on how to connect and relate to internal and external forces to pivot, innovate and remain relevant.

Maverick thinking is derived from the realization that, while we need to value tradition, we cannot behave in the same way every time. With transformation happening around us, we end up questioning and challenging the status quo. She asserted that we need to confront reality that the world is increasingly more and more connected digitally as the pandemic only accelerated the shift to digital consumption and the new behaviors of the consumers are likely to stay.

After grounding of the idea comes the pounding to take the appetite for risk by refining the plans and bracing for execution after due diligence through the approval gates. Then the questions of readiness will have to be answered.

Courage and conviction are values that boldly transform vision to reality and commit to it. It is when the leader rallies the organization to serve the stakeholders. Commitment and malasakit manifest as everyone hold dear the shared responsibility to care, not only to make profit but also to provide jobs, keeping the organization productively engaged and the business going and growing.

Finally, Yeng Tupaz emphasized on trust—a deeply ingrained most treasured battle cry that is permanently whispered in the head of ev-

and crowd, considering that their stall is along a busy main road. Poverty is the greatest obstacle of ones’ education but it may also be treated as a challenge. The greatest lessons are not learned in a classroom but through living from day to day, and one doesn’t get told about them, one

experiences them.

In the event that he will successfully enter the medical profession, I hope that he will remain true to his character and convictions and be guided by the best of human virtues such as altruis​m , compassion and the desire to alleviate

pandemic. WIN stands for withstand, innovate, and navigate. Withstand is a goal to remain undamaged through its most important asset and stakeholders—people. Innovation changed the way Wilcon do things.

While on a lockdown, they engaged in rethinking the business continuity plans to future-proof the business.

And thereafter, continued to serve the market through the various digital transformation and execution of safety and health protocols. Navigation starts with the plan on the road to take with the mind that Wilcon sell solutions, not products.

To Rose Ong, who is also president of the Philippine Retailers Association, Covid-19 has changed us and will stay with us forever, and it is important that we all learn from this crisis. She pointed out that the unity in hope and in nurturing the value of compassion to make humanity adaptive enough so that together we conquer and win.

The value of values

eryone. It is anchored on integrity and needs to be taken to heart.

The nature of culture

The culture sets the contexts for everything that an organization does.

Strong organizations are characterized by strongly held and widely shared set of cultures that are supported by strategy and structure.

Culture manifests itself in a variety of ways, including leadership, as well as in the environment, processes and policies that enable the organization to live its mission on a day to day toward the vision. Culture is the unspoken force that moves and the unwritten rules that guide the organization.

To Jose “Jomag” Magsaysay Jr., the multi-awarded entrepreneur of the multi-awarded brand Potato Corner, at the core of the Potato Corner corporate DNA is the culture of giving and sharing. Leadership is based on the situation. Audacious leadership, a willingness to take risk, is a trailblazing attitude towards running the business to be in the forefront.

The culture is set to do its own rules.

The audacity in the Potato Corner culture is always anchored on caring and sharing for the franchisees and noticeably the caring culture always comes back, and in circles. Before the 1998 financial crisis, Potato Corner has over a hundred stores. It was reduced to less than 40 stores, mostly our franchisees, after the crisis. The franchisees took the bullet for Potato Corner. And during the pandemic, the same thing happens. During ordinary times, the company takes care of the franchisees. During crisis, franchisees take care of the company.

That is in the Potato Corner culture, embedded in its DNA. The leaders are born out of what they are able to deliver as results of their actions, and then expand the modelling influence and earn the essential trust to lead. Eventually, leaders are able to gather and rally divergent people around to trust themselves and each other and move in unison toward what they collectively believe in. When everyone shares the core values, culture is made alive at all times, the vision remains the guiding compass by all means and the legacy is built to withstand the tests of times. And the footprints are traced back to the point where the leader and the followers become one.

For feedback, please send e-mail to drcarlbalita@ yahoo.com.

human suffering.

Kule is the monicker of Philippine Collegian, the official student publication of UP Diliman. Atty.

Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0917-5025808 or 0908-8665786.

A12 Wednesday, December 2, 2020

House gives final nod to AMLA amendments

T

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

@joveemarie

HE House of Representatives approved on third and final reading on Tuesday the bill further strengthening the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Law, one of the priorities of the 18th Congress.

Lawmakers passed House Bill 7904 with 231 affirmative votes, 7 negative and three abstentions.

The bill will now be transmitted to the Senate for its own deliberations.

The bill seeks to amend the Anti-Money Laundering Law of 2001, as amended, to protect and preserve the integrity and confidentiality of bank accounts and to ensure that the Philippines shall not be used as a money-laundering site for the proceeds of any unlawful activity.

T he measure a ims to faci l itate t he prosecut ion of

persons involved in money laundering activities wherever committed by extending the government’s cooperation in transnational investigations on anti-money laundering cases.

It also seeks to enforce targeted financial sanctions relative to the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism and financing of terrorism pursuant to relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The bill expands the scope of predicate offenses by including tax crimes and violations of the Strategic Trade Management Act on the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

It also expands the definition of covered persons to include real-estate developers and brokers who engage in buying and selling of real properties.

The measure authorizes the Anti-Money Laundering Council to implement targeted financial sanctions including the ex-parte freezing of funds and assets belonging to individuals or entities designated and listed under United Nations resolutions relating to the prevention, suppression, and disruption of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and its financing.

The bill also authorizes the Anti-Money Laundering Council to preserve, manage and dispose assets subject of freeze orders or asset preservation orders, and to retain forfeited assets pending turnover to the government.

It enhances and strengthens the investigative powers of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, particularly its subpoena and contempt powers.

The bill prohibits courts from issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) or writs of injunction against the Anti-Money Laundering Council in its exercise of freeze and forfeiture powers, with the exception of the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Conflict of interest

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, who voted against the bill, said the amendment grants the AMLC the right to retain 50 percent of the forfeited assets in its favor.

“Couple this with the other amendments granting awesome powers to the AMLC such as the grant of investigative powers and subpoena powers, as well as the power to ex parte freeze the funds of targeted individuals and entities, put the AMLC in a conflict of interest situation,” said Zarate.

“It incentivizes the AMLC to pursue harassment and baseless cases to the end of acquiring material gains and benefits as a result of the litigation,” he added.

According to Zarate, this amendment would result in the clogging of court dockets, and prejudice the timely and orderly administration of justice.

“This could also result in rights abuses and harassment cases, since the AMLC can now investigate, subpoena documents and then file the case The actions of the AMLC could be tainted with intent to gain, rather than administration of justice, since it has a stake or material gain in the result of the litigation,” he warned.

Customs exceeds November target, collects ₧44.69B

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HE Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected P44.691 billion in November, exceeding its target for the sixth consecutive month.

Citing preliminary data, the BOC said in a statement on Tuesday this is 5.85 percent above its collection target of P42.221 billion for the month.

Based on the preliminary report, BOC said 12 of the 17 collection districts hit their target for the month: Port of Manila, Port of Naia, Port of Batangas, Port of Cebu, Port of Tacloban, Port of Surigao, Port of Cagayan de Oro, Port of Zamboanga, Port of Davao, Port of Subic, Port of Clark, and Port of Aparri.

To date, BOC’s revenue take has reached P493.324 billion since January, reflecting 97.47 percent of the 2020 target collection of P506.150 billion.

As revenue collections are down amid the pandemic, the Cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) projects the country’s budget deficit to more than double to 9.6 percent of GDP or P1.815 trillion this year from only 3.4 percent of GDP or P660.2 billion last year.

As of end-October, the Philippine government’s budget deficit ballooned to P940.6 billion, almost threefold last year’s shortfall, which was posted at only P348.3 billion.

A budget def icit occurs when e x pend it ures e xceed revenues.

To cover the budget deficit as well as its spending requirements for Covid-19 response, the government has more than doubled its borrowing program this year to an all-time high nominal P3 trillion from P1.4 trillion originally.

Gross borrowings from January to October have already amounted to P3.22 trillion, breaching the P3-trillion borrowing program set by the national government this year.

For next year, the government is also set to borrow another P3 trillion. Bernadette D. Nicolas

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Companies BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

B1

Creating safe environments key to PHL recovery—Zobel

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By VG Cabuag

@villygc

NCOURAGING a renewed sense of consumer confidence in a consumption-driven economy, such as the Philippines, underpins the country’s economic recovery that has been ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman and CEO of conglomerate Ayala Corp., said the government and the private sector should help each other to resuscitate consumer demand, more than firing up the manufacturing and the supply side.

The country’s economy as mea-

sured by GDP, contracted by 11.5 percent in the third quarter.

“For consumer demand to return, it is imperative that we create an environment where our fellowmen feel safe, financially secure and confident about the prospects of the future.

We need to provide ‘credibly-safe’

environments in our workplaces, in our public transport systems, in the world of retail, commerce and payments,” Zobel said in his speech during the Arangkada Forum 2020, which they conducted online.

During the more than eight months since the lockdown was implemented, Zobel said there were “surprises” seen as a result of the mobility restrictions as many employees started working from home.

As a result of the lockdown, it saw an exponential rise in digital banking, in online shopping, in electronic payments, which then pushed Ayalaled fintech firm GCash and the PLDT group’s Paymaya to start imposing fees on the transactions.

Many consumers and businesses have turned to remote, no-contact channels for doing their essential

business. Deals were closed remotely and digitally, including big-ticket ones like real-estate purchases.

“Many of those behaviors, habituated over the last nine months, are here to stay. But, at the risk of repeating the obvious, not all consumers, not all businesses have that luxury,” Zobel said.

“Let us continue to find ways to collaborate, to multiply not divide, and to commit to finding solutions to the critical ‘pain points’ of society, including and especially the inequalities that may worsen as a result of the pandemic. We will need to sacrifice short-term gains as many private firms have already done and shortlived comforts to focus on farsighted solutions; towards a recovery that allows us to remain relevant to the changing dynamics of this country.”

Lopez Holdings sets voluntary delisting

L

First Holdings shares closed last week at P66.20 apiece.

“It is always a good sign when you see an offer for your shares with a significant premium over the market price. We will be happy for the shareholders who decide to avail of this opportunity to liquidate their investment,” Salvador G. Tirona, the company’s president, COO and CFO, said.

“If FPH’s tender offer is successful, LPZ will be delisted as part of the Lopez group’s effort to consolidate the ownership of Lopez Holdings and to streamline the Lopez group’s corporate structure by reducing the number of Group holding companies currently listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange from two to just one.”

Lopez Holdings has approved the engagement of an independent financial advisor to provide a fairness opinion on FPH’s tender offer price.

OPEZ-LED First Philippine Holdings Corp., which already owns the family’s property development and energy units, on Tuesday said it will acquire a chunk of shares in its parent firm Lopez Holdings Corp.

If the deal becomes successful, Lopez Holdings will be then be delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

In its disclosure, the board of Lopez Holdings has acknowledged the tender offer of First Holdings in the company and has authorized to file for its voluntary delisting.

First Holdings has offered to buy a minimum of 908.45 million common shares of its parent company or about 20 percent of the total issued and outstanding common shares to a maximum of 2.06 billion common shares or 45.56 percent of the company. It will buy the said shares at

P3.85 apiece.

The stake will come from all the shareholders of Lopez Holdings, excluding the shares owned by its ultimate parent entity, Lopez Inc., which has agreed not to tender its common shares.

First Holdings’ tender offer price represents a 25-percent premium over Lopez Holdings’ closing share price of P3.08 on November 27, and a 41-percent, 43-percent and 36-percent premium over its threemonth, six-month and 12-month volume weighted average price of P2.74, P2.69 and P2.82, respectively.

The tender offer also represents a 22-percent premium over LPZ’s sixmonth closing high as of November 27 of P3.15.

Shares of both Lopez Holdings and First Holdings were suspended for trading on Tuesday due to the deal.

PAL to offer nonstop flights for ‘balikbayans’

CDC enters into partnership with SEC

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LAG carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said on Tuesday it is ready to serve ‘balikbayan’ travelers with nonstop flights following the decision of the government allowing the visa-free entry of ‘balikbayans’ into the country starting December 7.

PAL said it hails the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to open up balikbayan visits as it will facilitate travel to the Philippines. The latest visafree privilege also applies to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, provided they travel with the Filipino nationals.

“We are ready to do our part to serve our balikbayans and perk up the Philippine tourism industry to help sustain Filipino jobs and livelihoods,” PAL said in a statement.

“Travelers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and much of Asia will get to enjoy PAL’s nonstop flights to the Philippines, designed for a safe travel experience that avoids connecting via other countries.”

The carrier said it is offering strong health and safety measures to protect its passengers, adding, “This is the most convenient way for them to be reunited with their families.”

The flag carrier said it observes the highest safety standards in all phases of the travel experience since their planes are equipped with HEPA filters that disinfect cabin air of bacteria and viruses with 99.99 percent efficacy. “Our cabin crew wear protective gear throughout the flight, and we carry out intensive disinfection of aircraft surfaces before and after every flight.”

For Non-OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) arriving in the Philippines, PAL has established a One-Stop-Shop testing center for the mandatory reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, for a discounted charge of P4,000, with test results within 12 to 24 hours.

OFWs will be swabbed free of charge by the government testing center at the airport. Recto L. Mercene

THE Clark Development Corp. was recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as one of the pioneer SEC CAMPAIGN Network Partners at the SEC 84th Founding Anniversary Celebration and Recognition Ceremony. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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LARK Freeport—As part of the government’s strategy of promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and investor protection, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was recently signed between Clark Development Corp.

(CDC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the Investor Protection Week at the SEC CAMPAIGN Network and SEC Academy Launch.

Under the agreement, both SEC and CDC agree to be partners in establishing and sustaining a Campaign Network on Investor Education and related advocacies.

The MOA serves as a collaboration among the agencies in carrying out the SEC Communication, Advocacy, and Network (SEC-CAN!) strategic initiative, an awareness campaign program that will highlight topics on the fundamentals of investing, financial literacy, investor protection, and investment scams.

CDC was also among the organizations recognized for being one of the pioneer SEC CAMPAIGN Network Partners at the SEC 84th Founding Anniversary Celebration and Recognition Ceremony last 20 November 2020.

With the SEC CAMPAIGN Network being one of the key deliverables and activities of the program,

the SEC-CAN Project aims to raise knowledge and awareness of the public, strengthen engagement with stakeholders, and widen information dissemination.

The said program will attain the objectives of proactive and effective investor champion, capital market catalyst, and educator that broadens investor participation, and effective dissemination of information to employees and the public.

Through this partnership with SEC, the CDC aims to create a business-friendly environment for local entrepreneurs and foreign investors who are eyeing to expand and establish new companies in the future within Clark. This project is also in line with Clark’s ease of doing business advocacy.

The other SEC CAMPAIGN Network Partners that graced the occasion and were also awarded

by SEC are Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth Commission, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Association of Certified Public Accountants in Public Practice, Financial Executives of the Philippines, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Philippine Investment Fund Association, and Philippine Stock Exchange.

Lopez Holdings, previously known as Benpres Holdings Corp., was incorporated in 1993 by the Lopez family to serve as the holding company for investments in major development sectors. It mainly owns ABS-CBN Corp. and First Holdings. VG Cabuag

‘NTC should evaluate service of local telcos’

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

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ALACAÑANG on Tuesday said the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) should determine if the faster processing of permits for the construction of telecommunication towers translated into better communication services for consumers.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement amid the looming deadline given

by President Duterte to telecommunication firms to improve their services before the end of the year.

“NTC is the regulatory agency for us to determine if there were improvement [in the services of] telcos,” Roque said.

Based on his experience, the Palace official said there is still no significant improvement in the services of the telcos.

He urged the country’s two major telco players—Smart Communications and Globe Telecommunications Inc.—to issue a categorical statement as to when they could improve their services.

The services from both companies might improve with competition from the third telco player,

DITO Telecommunity, which is expected to start operations next year, according to Roque.

During his State of the Nation Address last July, Duterte warned the government may take over the country’s telecommunication industry if its current providers will continue to provide poor service.

Smart and Globe attributed their poor service in some parts of the country to the slow processing by local government units (LGU) of their permits to build new telecommunication towers.

This, they noted, greatly limited the number of towers they are able to build nationwide.

To address this concern, Duterte ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Anti-Red Tape Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Information and Communications to remove red tape in the permit issuance for telecommunication towers.

As of Monday, Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año reported that 2,220 permits for the construction of the said towers were issued by the concerned LGUs. He noted another 712 of such permits are currently pending with the local governments.

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Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Companies BusinessMirror

Emperador to expand brandy business in US, Latin America

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By VG Cabuag

@villygc

MPERADOR Inc., the liquor maker led by businessman Andrew Tan, on Tuesday said it is expanding its brandy business in the United States and parts of Latin America next year.

In the United States, sales volume of Don Pedro and Presidente brandies have been growing in the last five months even despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Both brandy products are part of the Casa Pedro Domecq portfolio in Mexico, which is now under Grupo Emperador Spain and currently controls 57 percent of the Mexican brandy market.

Don Pedro recorded a double-

digit volume growth particularly in Nevada, New Jersey and Illinois while Presidente also enjoys rapid growth in Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

“We see brighter prospects in further growing our brandy business across the United States in 2021.

Our products are now readily available in several states. Aside from Don Pedro and Presidente, we are

also selling our imported brandies – Spanish-made Fundador and Philippine-made Emperador – across the US. From January to September this year, we have already increased our Fundador sales in the US by around 23 percent and this is a very positive signal for us,” Juan Cortès Vilardell, CEO of Emperador Spain, said.

In Latin America, the company claimed that Brandy Domecq is dominating the brandy market in Colombia with a 91-percent market share.

The product also has a presence across other Latin American countries, such as in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Panama, Aruba and Brazil.

“Just like in Mexico where we have dominated the market share for brandy, we have also seen steady growth in Colombia’s brandy market in the last five years. As their economy improves, more and more people are upgrading to brandy from their local white drink called Aquar-

diente,” Vilardell said.

“We remain focused on further expanding our presence across Latin America by also introducing our imported brandy products, particularly the Philippine-made Emperador Brandy, because the taste preference for brandy in this region has been remarkably growing.”

In January to September, Emperador’s international business boosted its net income by 11 percent to P5.9 billion. In the third quarter alone, the company had a growth of 26 percent in its earnings due to the surge in the demand for its products in various overseas markets even in the middle of the pandemic.

Emperador owns Emperador Distillers Inc., which mainly makes cheap brandy in the Philippines. It then bought Scotch whisky maker Whyte and Mackay Group, which offers cheap to super expensive products, and Bodegas Fundador in Spain.

Connovate PHL’s project gets BOI nod T

HE Board of Investments (BOI) has approved a manufacturing project worth P92 million for the production of housing concrete with the use of a pioneer technology.

The BOI on Tuesday announced it authorized Connovate Philippines Inc. (CPI) to carry on with its P92-million investment in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. The project is expected to deliver at least 47,763 square meters of concrete panels annually, and operations are scheduled to begin this month with 46 workers in charge.

Connovate is a technology developed in Denmark dedicated to make housing concrete that can last up to 100 years, according to the BOI. The concrete panels are also made with premium thermal insulation that allows it to resist fires and earthquakes. CPI had secured an exclusive production licensing from Connovate Denmark; as such, workers here will be granted the opportunity to learn about a technology that has yet to be acquired by most contractors.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo

said construction firms may shift to the modularization and prefabrication of housing materials in the new normal.

As industries endure income losses due to Covid-19’s impact, they will seek ways to streamline their procedures and accelerate completions, Rodolfo explained. This is where the BOI expects CPI’s Davao del Norte project to come in, as it can supply contractors with housing concrete at a reduced cost and yet with longer lifespan.

“This is particularly important as there are several projects in the pipeline and the infrastructure program of the government remains in full swing,” Rodolfo explained.

Further, the government anticipates demand for affordable housing to reach 6.5 million units by 2022, of which 25 percent will be filled in by state funded projects while 75 percent will be put up by the private sector. Every year, demand for low cost houses exceeds 330,000 units, but real estate developers can only build about 233,000 of them.

Involved in the production of concrete panels, CPI maintains opera-

tions in Barangay Tartaria in Silang, Cavite and Barangay Sto. Domingo in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, making the Davao del Norte plant its third project with the BOI. Likewise, the firm has filed a trademark application before the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. The Connovate Precast

MUTUAL FUNDS

Wall Panel, which the Camarines Sur factory can make, is certified by the Accreditation of Innovation Technologies for Housing (AITECH).

The AITECH looks for ways to reduce the cost in constructing houses, and, therefore, accredits new technologies employed in putting up affordable shelters.Elijah Felice E. Rosales

December 1, 2020

www.businessmirror.com.ph

PSE STOCK QUOTATIONS

December 1, 2020

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

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

43.95 44 45.2 45.2 43.95 44 37,100 1,641,235 -345 105 105.1 101.1 105 101 105 5,371,220 558,557,990 -161,902,321 80.1 80.2 84 84 79.9 80.1 14,234,820 1,151,332,143.50 -550,999,289.50 25.8 25.85 25.95 25.95 25.7 25.8 1,561,800 40,140,710 15,540 11.56 11.6 11.62 11.62 11.46 11.6 291,600 3,357,288 -686,362 47.75 47.8 47 48.1 46.7 47.8 6,501,700 309,355,550 -40,491,335 9.66 9.89 9.85 9.94 9.65 9.65 32,000 309,571 29.9 29.95 29.6 30 29.55 29.9 294,300 8,793,665 -5,660,420 53.25 53.4 53.5 53.5 53.4 53.4 780 41,658 4,272 18.6 18.68 18.7 18.7 18.4 18.6 77,500 1,440,870 18,600 122 122.5 124 124 121.6 122 823,910 100,650,669 -20,763,037 66 66.6 66.9 66.95 66 66.6 11,820 787,207.50 -1,402 0.95 0.96 0.93 0.99 0.93 0.95 227,000 218,790 27.5 27.6 27.7 28.2 27.5 27.6 58,800 1,619,835 5,520 0.63 0.68 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 2,475,000 1,485,000 3.83 3.9 4 4 3.71 3.9 201,000 763,160 1.36 1.38 1.37 1.39 1.36 1.38 100,000 138,080 0.35 0.355 0.355 0.365 0.345 0.355 570,000 200,950 731 799 731 731 731 731 100 73,100 0.64 0.67 0.68 0.69 0.64 0.67 758,000 504,790 -1,340 158.8 161.6 159 160 158.8 160 5,230 836,626 -823,860 1,878 2,078 2,000 2,000 1,850 1,850 140 265,275 49,505 1.03 1.09 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 11,000 11,330 -

INDUSTRIAL AC ENERGY 6.36 6.37 6.4 6.48 6.14 6.36 33,199,600 209,799,146 20,043,296 ALSONS CONS 1.43 1.44 1.43 1.46 1.4 1.43 2,416,000 3,485,470 ABOITIZ POWER 26.1 26.15 26.2 26.95 25.95 26.1 3,498,700 91,954,605 -7,631,200 0.285 0.29 0.29 0.3 0.28 0.29 52,250,000 14,963,100 585,450.00 BASIC ENERGY 29 29.15 29.35 29.35 28.1 29 832,400 24,064,640 -3,668,165 FIRST GEN 295 300 282 300 282 300 317,190 92,902,862 -16,919,050 MERALCO MANILA WATER 15.02 15.04 14.84 15.18 14.84 15.02 782,000 11,746,058 311,270 PETRON 4.11 4.12 4.2 4.2 4.04 4.12 4,205,000 17,381,580 -1,865,640 PETROENERGY 3.4 3.47 3.46 3.46 3.4 3.4 13,000 44,380 12.5 12.52 12.7 12.94 12.5 12.5 31,268,100 390,880,016 -629,990 PHX PETROLEUM 20.8 21 19.98 21.35 19.98 20.8 5,093,800 106,496,993 -6,015,379.00 PILIPINAS SHELL SPC POWER 10.88 10.9 10.8 10.9 10.72 10.9 334,500 3,624,724 -661,430 VIVANT 14.74 15 14.4 15 14.4 15 90,500 1,351,372 -1,003,500 AGRINURTURE 8.6 8.65 8.77 8.77 8.55 8.65 714,300 6,183,163 -274,629 3.51 3.52 3.3 3.58 3.3 3.52 4,004,000 13,902,990 -77,240 AXELUM 15.7 15.86 15.56 15.7 15.56 15.7 8,900 138,850 CNTRL AZUCARERA CENTURY FOOD 17.52 17.62 17.6 17.72 17.42 17.52 1,330,400 23,329,206 2,847,932 DEL MONTE 5.75 5.85 5.88 5.88 5.7 5.85 73,100 427,138 DNL INDUS 7.13 7.14 7.1 7.18 7.05 7.13 459,800 3,269,261 -299,067 10.08 10.1 10.1 10.12 10.06 10.1 1,254,200 12,664,780 1,334,054 EMPERADOR 68.9 69 67.35 69.5 67.35 69 111,430 7,649,586 -1,063,266.50 SMC FOODANDBEV 0.67 0.68 0.67 0.69 0.66 0.68 621,000 420,890 ALLIANCE SELECT FRUITAS HLDG 1.53 1.54 1.53 1.56 1.51 1.54 9,170,000 14,068,090 338,470 GINEBRA 50.2 50.7 51.7 52 50.2 50.7 60,200 3,070,830 18,522 JOLLIBEE 195 197 187 197 185.7 197 928,550 176,868,916 -23,566,097 66.5 71 65.2 66.5 65.2 66.5 4,440 292,330 LIBERTY FLOUR MACAY HLDG 8.07 8.74 8.9 8.9 8.75 8.75 1,800 15,810 MAXS GROUP 7.49 7.5 7.47 7.5 7.47 7.5 1,141,700 8,553,858 2,920,733 MG HLDG 0.175 0.181 0.181 0.181 0.17 0.181 2,690,000 480,240 14,480 SHAKEYS PIZZA 8.5 8.58 8.16 8.51 8 8.5 1,368,600 11,598,943 -4,376,967 1.37 1.38 1.33 1.37 1.3 1.37 15,686,000 20,894,230 -5,445,970 ROXAS AND CO 4.66 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 146,000 686,200 32,900 RFM CORP 1.9 1.95 1.89 1.95 1.86 1.95 77,000 148,050 ROXAS HLDG SWIFT FOODS 0.117 0.118 0.118 0.118 0.118 0.118 100,000 11,800 UNIV ROBINA 142 142.6 144.8 144.8 142 142 1,663,350 237,032,941 51,287,694 VITARICH 0.93 0.94 0.91 0.94 0.91 0.93 8,516,000 7,905,540 -18,600 2.47 2.52 2.5 2.5 2.45 2.48 57,000 140,180 VICTORIAS CONCRETE A 52.15 54.3 52 52.05 52 52.05 1,100 57,224 CONCRETE B 52.6 55 55 55 52.5 55 240 12,755 CEMEX HLDG 1.69 1.7 1.64 1.71 1.64 1.7 9,770,000 16,399,540 833,410 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.18 5.19 5.22 5.23 5.19 5.19 51,800 269,713 26,150 14.8 15 15.4 15.52 14.6 15 193,900 2,899,130 413,234 EAGLE CEMENT 8.11 8.12 8.12 8.2 8.1 8.11 453,600 3,696,702 56,621 EEI CORP 6.97 6.99 6.89 7.09 6.72 6.97 2,579,700 17,882,717 -742,291 HOLCIM MEGAWIDE 9.91 9.99 9.7 10.1 9.7 9.91 6,595,600 65,704,531 3,136,651 PHINMA 9.1 9.2 9.06 9.2 9.06 9.1 120,400 1,092,729 0.84 0.85 0.86 0.86 0.84 0.85 200,000 170,300 TKC METALS VULCAN INDL 1.06 1.07 1.05 1.08 1.05 1.06 1,029,000 1,098,330 CROWN ASIA 1.9 1.93 1.91 1.91 1.89 1.89 301,000 569,580 19,100 EUROMED 2.64 2.68 2.7 2.84 2.6 2.64 2,419,000 6,541,070 40,430 MABUHAY VINYL 4.6 4.69 4.69 4.69 4.69 4.69 3,000 14,070 PRYCE CORP 5.13 5.15 4.94 5.22 4.9 5.13 804,000 4,058,350 -2,091,260 23.5 23.8 23.3 23.9 23 23.75 11,000 257,750 CONCEPCION GREENERGY 2.63 2.64 2.62 2.66 2.6 2.64 4,340,000 11,450,760 453,550 7.41 7.5 7.39 7.55 7.25 7.5 559,600 4,178,533 -629,743 INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 1.05 1.07 1.05 1.08 1.05 1.07 380,000 402,470 PANASONIC 5.15 5.39 5.43 5.43 5.43 5.43 100 543 1.49 1.51 1.55 1.55 1.46 1.51 2,529,000 3,794,270 6,180 SFA SEMICON 6.95 6.97 6.9 6.98 6.6 6.97 3,362,400 22,932,546 1,281,235 CIRTEK HLDG

HOLDING & FRIMS ABACORE CAPITAL 0.62 0.63 0.63 0.64 0.61 0.62 10,436,000 6,472,800 -581,220 ASIABEST GROUP 8.54 9.08 8.6 9.23 8.54 9.08 37,500 324,409 32,680 AYALA CORP 821 830 815 830 806 830 386,930 317,256,495 -71,797,450 43.95 44.55 42.7 44.55 42.7 44.55 1,860,800 81,940,625 -4,025,720 ABOITIZ EQUITY 9.98 10 9.77 10.1 9.65 10 9,383,900 92,790,252 18,110,954 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 3.17 3.18 3.15 3.2 3.15 3.18 4,173,000 13,258,290 3,860,400 AYALA LAND LOG ANSCOR 6.39 6.4 6.3 6.4 6.3 6.39 20,400 129,505 -10,920 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.7 0.71 0.7 0.73 0.7 0.71 345,000 248,130 ATN HLDG A 1.01 1.02 1.04 1.05 0.99 1.01 13,453,000 13,665,300 1.01 1.02 1.04 1.04 1 1.02 693,000 706,240 ATN HLDG B COSCO CAPITAL 5.78 5.8 5.77 5.93 5.52 5.8 12,891,600 74,374,420 -13,204,705.00 DMCI HLDG 5.6 5.61 5.6 5.6 5.51 5.6 4,033,900 22,485,233 2,227,468 FILINVEST DEV 9.15 9.29 9.16 9.3 9.01 9.29 37,400 341,399 7,432.00 FORUM PACIFIC 0.21 0.22 0.215 0.22 0.215 0.22 650,000 142,400 611 620 590 620 580.5 620 347,760 210,866,800 104,305,425 GT CAPITAL 3.95 3.99 3.95 3.96 3.95 3.95 207,000 818,650 HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT 68 68.5 65.6 68.7 65.6 68.5 3,004,360 202,988,529.50 -89,226,927 KEPPEL HLDG A 5 5.29 5.69 5.69 5 5 23,900 129,985 LODESTAR 0.8 0.82 0.82 0.85 0.79 0.82 1,394,000 1,114,860 13.54 13.58 13.2 13.6 13.2 13.58 4,599,500 62,158,154 -26,237,708 LT GROUP 0.53 0.55 0.54 0.55 0.51 0.55 118,000 63,820 MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV 4.22 4.23 4.11 4.23 4.11 4.23 26,729,000 111,905,780 -11,884,980 PACIFICA HLDG 4 4.09 4.01 4.1 4 4.09 117,000 469,830 40,000 PRIME MEDIA 0.87 0.89 0.91 0.91 0.86 0.87 621,000 539,620 SOLID GROUP 1.15 1.18 1.15 1.15 1.14 1.14 48,000 55,070 280.2 285 286 286.6 270 280 450 126,570 SYNERGY GRID SM INVESTMENTS 999 1,019 970 1,019 965 1,019 544,080 541,423,395 19,435,750 132 135 127.8 135 127.6 135 334,740 44,406,473 -1,772,633 SAN MIGUEL CORP SOC RESOURCES 0.72 0.73 0.72 0.74 0.72 0.72 550,000 404,050 TOP FRONTIER 144.1 149.9 149.5 150 145.6 149.5 18,220 2,711,942 -1,149,356 0.225 0.234 0.232 0.235 0.225 0.225 560,000 130,610 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG 0.17 0.174 0.172 0.175 0.166 0.174 7,390,000 1,282,320

PROPERTY ARTHALAND CORP 0.66 0.67 0.65 0.67 0.64 0.66 1,129,000 740,550 -10,050 AYALA LAND 39.1 39.75 36.1 39.75 36 39.75 16,679,200 636,190,825 -7,701,070 ARANETA PROP 1.21 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.22 66,000 80,520 27.7 27.75 27.4 27.95 27.4 27.75 1,118,900 30,897,085 -1,704,980 AREIT RT 1.65 1.68 1.61 1.68 1.61 1.68 157,000 258,530 -18,320 BELLE CORP 0.89 0.9 0.86 0.89 0.86 0.89 1,928,000 1,700,520 A BROWN CITYLAND DEVT 0.78 0.79 0.83 0.83 0.79 0.79 207,000 164,320 19,750 CROWN EQUITIES 0.152 0.153 0.157 0.157 0.151 0.152 2,650,000 403,800 CEBU HLDG 6.06 6.08 6.2 6.2 6.06 6.06 26,000 157,734 -3,100 4.97 5 5 5.05 4.91 5 919,000 4,574,670 38,810 CEB LANDMASTERS 0.47 0.475 0.46 0.48 0.46 0.475 12,390,000 5,875,750 -100,200 CENTURY PROP CYBER BAY 0.345 0.355 0.35 0.355 0.345 0.35 250,000 87,600 DOUBLEDRAGON 14.82 14.88 14.72 15.08 14.72 14.82 5,607,600 83,656,126 -46,875,186 DM WENCESLAO 6 6.07 6 6.14 5.99 6 555,000 3,341,025 -1,939,353.00 0.32 0.335 0.33 0.33 0.32 0.33 2,610,000 847,150 EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO 0.083 0.086 0.085 0.086 0.082 0.083 4,320,000 358,270 FILINVEST LAND 1.11 1.12 1.14 1.14 1.11 1.12 20,933,000 23,484,890 -2,845,600.00 GLOBAL ESTATE 0.9 0.92 0.9 0.9 0.89 0.9 722,000 644,110 8990 HLDG 8.56 8.84 8.86 8.87 8.52 8.84 81,400 698,142 19,448 1.66 1.67 1.61 1.69 1.61 1.67 1,648,000 2,737,810 -4,510 PHIL INFRADEV 0.72 0.73 0.73 0.73 0.72 0.73 225,000 164,130 CITY AND LAND MEGAWORLD 3.9 3.91 3.88 3.9 3.78 3.9 16,966,000 65,390,270 -9,969,520 MRC ALLIED 0.53 0.54 0.54 0.56 0.53 0.53 63,185,000 34,040,160 69,140 PHIL ESTATES 0.395 0.425 0.43 0.43 0.425 0.425 170,000 72,300 PRIMEX CORP 1.31 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.3 1.31 1,572,000 2,073,120 -49,580 17.42 17.46 17 17.98 16.82 17.46 29,391,000 514,401,396 -151,285,154 ROBINSONS LAND 0.27 0.28 0.275 0.28 0.275 0.28 180,000 49,600 PHIL REALTY ROCKWELL 1.56 1.58 1.54 1.6 1.54 1.55 214,000 331,260 -183,590 SHANG PROP 2.72 2.73 2.71 2.73 2.71 2.73 51,000 139,160 54,600 STA LUCIA LAND 2.06 2.11 2.11 2.14 2.03 2.11 1,068,000 2,231,540 37.4 38 35 38 35 38 10,176,800 380,094,050 -17,144,990 SM PRIME HLDG 4.78 4.89 4.94 5.09 4.78 4.89 123,000 603,870 9,780 VISTAMALLS 1.65 1.67 1.71 1.71 1.64 1.66 2,609,000 4,335,970 -130,260 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND 4.68 4.7 4.74 4.8 4.65 4.7 8,359,000 39,366,770 -2,283,130

NAV ONE YEAR THREE YEAR FIVE YEAR Y-T-D

PER SHARE RETURN* RETURN STOCK FUNDS ALFM GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 217.85 -13.23% -8.37% -2.47% -13.5% ATRAM ALPHA OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 1.296 -11.64% -6.6% 1.46% -6.22% ATRAM PHILIPPINE EQUITY OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC. -A 3.0252 -19.65% -12.02% -4.09% -17.75% CLIMBS SHARE CAPITAL EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND CORP. -A 0.7749 -13.58% -8.43% N.A. -13.71% FIRST METRO CONSUMER FUND ON MSCI PHILS. IMI, INC. -A 0.7444 -12.12% N.A. N.A. -12.35% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN EQUITY FUND,INC. -A 4.733 -10.6% -6.86% -2.42% -11.17% FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A,4 0.7302 -14.08% -9.35% N.A. -14.46% MBG EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND, INC. -A 96.55 -11.05% N.A. N.A. -6.46% PAMI EQUITY INDEX FUND, INC. -A 44.6224 -12.56% -6.45% -0.91% -12.99% PHILAM STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 469.16 -11.75% -6.27% -1.53% -11.94% PHILEQUITY ALPHA ONE FUND, INC. -A,D,5 1.0434 N.A. N.A. N.A. 1.29%

SERVICES PHILEQUITY DIVIDEND YIELD FUND, INC. -A 1.1181 -13.14% -6.48% -1.01% -13.12% ABS CBN 12.52 12.62 11.9 12.7 11.9 12.52 634,800 7,745,286 PHILEQUITY FUND, INC. -A 33.0821 -12.48% -6.07% -0.42% -12.71% GMA NETWORK 5.85 5.87 5.74 5.87 5.74 5.87 1,056,300 6,137,289 MANILA BULLETIN 0.425 0.45 0.435 0.45 0.425 0.45 250,000 111,550 PHILEQUITY MSCI PHILIPPINE INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.8711 -13.84% N.A. N.A. -14.44% 12.12 12.8 13.3 13.4 12.12 12.12 20,700 263,750 MLA BRDCASTING PHILEQUITY PSE INDEX FUND INC. -A 4.5608 -12.14% -5.9% -0.16% -12.69% GLOBE TELECOM 1,970 1,971 1,950 1,980 1,920 1,970 126,220 247,531,635 -89,522,365 1,361 1,380 1,325 1,380 1,325 1,380 142,425 194,245,865 96,170,890 PLDT PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND CORP. -A 763 -11.95% -5.79% -0.26% -12.5% APOLLO GLOBAL 0.051 0.052 0.052 0.053 0.05 0.052 32,500,000 1,659,070 SOLDIVO STRATEGIC GROWTH FUND, INC. -A 0.7015 -19.5% -9.25% -3.99% -17.61% CONVERGE 15.94 16 15.9 16.18 15.62 16 6,784,600 108,302,526 -29,136,416 DFNN INC 4.26 4.37 4.21 4.47 4.21 4.37 549,000 2,391,130 -4,470 -7.97% SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE EQUITY FUND, INC. -A 3.4677 -17.5% -1.89% -17.61% 6.44 6.45 6.4 6.45 6.35 6.44 15,000,300 96,060,157 179,081 DITO CME HLDG SUN LIFE PROSPERITY PHILIPPINE STOCK INDEX FUND, INC. -A 0.8738 -12.2% -6.11% -0.37% 1.34 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.33 1.33 65,000 86,870 IMPERIAL ISLAND INFO 0.112 0.116 0.114 0.118 0.111 0.117 7,300,000 819,820 56,600 -12.69% JACKSTONES 1.82 1.88 1.89 1.89 1.78 1.82 118,000 213,880 UNITED FUND, INC. -A 3.19 -12.45% -5.28% 0.25% -12.68% NOW CORP 4.69 4.7 4.4 4.69 4.4 4.69 18,297,000 83,936,100 -1,045,220 0.295 0.3 0.3 0.305 0.295 0.3 7,020,000 2,106,950 TRANSPACIFIC BR EXCHANGE TRADED FUND PHILWEB 2.99 3 2.92 3.01 2.91 3 674,000 1,997,150 196,160 FIRST METRO PHIL. EQUITY EXCHANGE TRADED FUND, INC. -A,C 102.4992 -11.8% -5.51% 0.53% 9.07 9.18 9.2 9.2 9.02 9.07 76,400 699,006 2GO GROUP CHELSEA 5.34 5.36 5.37 5.37 5.3 5.34 2,010,000 10,707,782 -1,372,244 -12.36% CEBU AIR 50.2 50.25 47 50.35 47 50.25 1,055,200 51,973,445 -19,359,220 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES 123.7 124 117.2 124 116.5 124 4,993,670 603,373,074 7,414,375 INTL CONTAINER 15.68 15.7 15.68 15.68 15.6 15.68 5,400 84,664 78,400 LBC EXPRESS ATRAM ASIAPLUS EQUITY FUND, INC. -B $1.168 17.59% 1.37% 5.26% 13.57% 0.98 1 0.98 0.98 0.98 0.98 13,000 12,740 LORENZO SHIPPNG SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD VOYAGER FUND, INC. -A $1.612 19.26% 8.78% N.A. 16.92% MACROASIA 8.05 8.16 8.21 8.47 7.8 8.05 7,447,800 61,059,116 -17,944,602 METROALLIANCE A 2.15 2.16 2.13 2.23 2.12 2.16 686,000 1,487,840 BALANCED FUNDS METROALLIANCE B 2.13 2.14 2.16 2.3 2.14 2.14 6,000 13,040 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES 7.11 7.12 7.25 7.25 6.98 7.11 310,500 2,196,869 PAL HLDG HARBOR STAR 1.77 1.78 1.66 1.79 1.65 1.77 5,981,000 10,442,140 89,200 ATRAM DYNAMIC ALLOCATION FUND, INC. -A 1.6258 3.36% -3.63% -1.25% 4.03% 1.42 1.48 1.42 1.48 1.42 1.48 32,000 47,150 ACESITE HOTEL ATRAM PHILIPPINE BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 2.2065 -0.47% -2.91% 0.44% 1.16% BOULEVARD HLDG 0.035 0.036 0.039 0.039 0.034 0.035 281,200,000 10,208,300 758,900 DISCOVERY WORLD 2 2.05 2 2.2 1.9 2 467,000 928,050 -20,000 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN BALANCED FUND INC. -A 2.5577 -2.16% -2.11% -1.25% -2.8% 0.66 0.67 0.68 0.69 0.65 0.67 14,902,000 9,865,680 WATERFRONT FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN F.O.C.C.U.S. DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A,1 0.1933 -16.46% N.A. N.A. CENTRO ESCOLAR 6.67 7 7 7 7 7 2,000 14,000 IPEOPLE 9.1 10.56 8.51 10.8 8.51 9.1 33,500 328,090 34,309 -15.4% STI HLDG 0.395 0.4 0.4 0.405 0.395 0.395 11,600,000 4,620,300 -1,500,750 BERJAYA 4.98 4.99 4.44 4.99 4.38 4.98 1,651,000 7,960,520 -124,800 NCM MUTUAL FUND OF THE PHILS., INC. -A 1.9289 -1.28% -0.28% 1.55% -1.67% BLOOMBERRY 8.79 8.87 8.6 8.87 8.5 8.87 4,875,600 42,763,540 2,064,063 PAMI HORIZON FUND, INC. -A 3.6866 -2.21% -1.37% 0.66% -2.71% 2.1 2.12 2.11 2.12 2.01 2.1 78,000 163,220 PACIFIC ONLINE LEISURE AND RES 1.86 1.87 1.82 1.89 1.79 1.87 613,000 1,124,880 61,320 PHILAM FUND, INC. -A 16.4852 -2.28% -1.42% 0.6% -2.8% PH RESORTS GRP 3.08 3.09 3.05 3.15 3.03 3.08 15,704,000 48,401,320 -799,780 SOLIDARITAS FUND, INC. -A 2.0373 -4.25% -2.54% 0.35% -4% PREMIUM LEISURE 0.415 0.42 0.405 0.43 0.405 0.415 9,690,000 4,056,400 362,050 ALLHOME 8.5 8.52 8.54 8.8 8.39 8.52 2,185,000 18,683,511 -1,235,181.00 SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BALANCED FUND, INC. -A 3.4781 - 9.49% -3.9% -0.61% -9.98% 1.64 1.65 1.63 1.67 1.58 1.65 2,672,000 4,383,870 -288,630 METRO RETAIL SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2028, INC. -A,D 0.994 -1.35% N.A. N.A. -2.14% 42.05 42.1 42.9 43.15 41.6 42.05 1,977,000 83,367,600 -34,633,265 PUREGOLD 68 69 68 69 67.8 69 449,670 30,742,058.50 -3,017,011.50 ROBINSONS RTL SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2038, INC. -A,D 0.9139 -7.49% N.A. N.A. -8.28% PHIL SEVEN CORP 107.9 108 109 110 107.9 108 86,100 9,299,741 2,244,885 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY ACHIEVER FUND 2048, INC. -A,D 0.8957 -9.09% N.A. N.A. -9.82% SSI GROUP 1.75 1.76 1.74 1.78 1.73 1.76 6,520,000 11,469,760 -3,822,390 17.74 17.88 17.7 17.98 17.6 17.88 1,991,200 35,463,504 10,408,700 WILCON DEPOT SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DYNAMIC FUND, INC. -A 0.8609 -11.49% -4.85% -1.44% -11.68% 0.4 0.405 0.4 0.41 0.4 0.405 2,840,000 1,150,000 20,250 APC GROUP PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES 7.58 7.84 7.77 7.91 7.55 7.74 90,300 697,822 EASYCALL GOLDEN BRIA 436 441 430.6 448 430.6 441 3,080 1,347,556 2.67% 1.99% 2.46% COCOLIFE DOLLAR FUND BUILDER, INC. -A $0.03914 2.54% IPM HLDG 4.41 4.99 4.41 4.41 4.4 4.41 35,000 154,330 44,100 PAMI ASIA BALANCED FUND, INC. -B $1.1287 12.06% 2.29% 4.65% 11.53% PAXYS 2.27 2.39 2.27 2.27 2.27 2.27 2,000 4,540 0.79 0.8 0.72 0.79 0.72 0.79 94,624,000 72,206,340 62,700 PRMIERE HORIZON SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ADVANTAGE FUND, INC. -A $4.3733 13.48% 6.49% 6.75% 11.83% 5 5.19 4.81 5 4.81 5 42,000 208,380 115,000 SBS PHIL CORP SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR WELLSPRING FUND, INC. -A,3 $1.1797 5.53% 2.91% N.A. 4.52%

MINING & OIL BOND FUNDS ATOK 8.6 8.83 9.13 9.16 8.5 8.83 310,900 2,678,697 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES APEX MINING 1.76 1.77 1.79 1.79 1.71 1.77 6,605,000 11,577,470 -284,600 0.0009 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.0009 0.001 2,271,000,000 2,229,600 8,000 ABRA MINING ALFM PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A 369.88 3.76% 3.19% 2.74% 3.34% 5.83 5.84 5.54 5.83 5.54 5.83 1,366,100 7,856,399 -1,704,287 ATLAS MINING ATRAM CORPORATE BOND FUND, INC. -A 1.898 -1.54% -0.05% -0.02% -0.21% 3 3.14 3.1 3.1 2.99 3.1 96,000 290,400 BENGUET A COAL ASIA HLDG 0.3 0.31 0.31 0.31 0.29 0.31 5,250,000 1,576,550 COCOLIFE FIXED INCOME FUND, INC. -A

3.2096 3.28% 4.59% 4.87% 2.94% CENTURY PEAK 2.35 2.39 2.48 2.48 2.27 2.39 272,000 638,310 -28,800 EKKLESIA MUTUAL FUND INC. -A 2.291 3.67% 2.87% 2.38% 3.04% DIZON MINES 8.28 8.43 8.43 8.43 8.3 8.42 5,100 42,427 2.23 2.24 2.14 2.28 2.14 2.24 16,813,000 37,434,510 -2,281,690 FERRONICKEL FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN FIXED INCOME FUND,INC. -A 2.4482 4.44% 3.37% 2.08% 3.78% 0.25 0.26 0.25 0.26 0.25 0.255 60,000 15,150 GEOGRACE PHILAM BOND FUND, INC. -A 4.6258 6.79% 4.4% 3.04% 5.78% LEPANTO A 0.154 0.155 0.158 0.16 0.151 0.155 42,290,000 6,559,230 LEPANTO B 0.153 0.156 0.155 0.157 0.153 0.153 2,010,000 312,210 1,550 PHILAM MANAGED INCOME FUND, INC. -A,6 1.3166 5.35% 4.41% 2.56% 4.77% MANILA MINING B 0.0099 0.011 0.0099 0.01 0.0099 0.01 10,700,000 105,950 -4,950 PHILEQUITY PESO BOND FUND, INC. -A

3.9812 5.76% 4.49% 2.85% 5.09% 1.3 1.32 1.29 1.34 1.2 1.3 7,378,000 9,538,000 MARCVENTURES NIHAO 2.88 2.9 2.89 2.94 2.88 2.88 633,000 1,832,140 SOLDIVO BOND FUND, INC. -A 1.0366 8.59% 3.9% 2.43% 7.5% NICKEL ASIA 4.79 4.8 4.62 5 4.61 4.8 14,756,000 70,980,220 13,467,860 SUN LIFE OF CANADA PROSPERITY BOND FUND, INC. -A 3.1896 5.08% 4.68% 3.4% 3.71% OMICO CORP 0.37 0.38 0.375 0.39 0.365 0.38 730,000 273,650 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.69 0.71 0.72 0.72 0.69 0.71 1,244,000 878,000 710 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY GS FUND, INC. -A 1.7446 3.93% 3.98% 2.8% 2.56% 4.58 4.6 4.77 4.78 4.5 4.58 2,112,000 9,812,700 87,990 PX MINING PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES 12.16 12.18 12.6 12.74 12.12 12.16 4,317,400 53,350,462 -11,969,840 SEMIRARA MINING 0.0051 0.0053 0.0052 0.0052 0.0051 0.0051 6,000,000 31,000 UNITED PARAGON ALFM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $482.39 3.33% 2.68% 2.91% 3% ACE ENEXOR 9 9.06 8.15 9.2 8.15 9 1,054,000 9,350,404 7,893 ALFM EURO BOND FUND, INC. -A Є218.56 -0.52% 0.76% 1.15% -0.56% ORNTL PETROL A 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 44,500,000 456,000 ORNTL PETROL B 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.011 0.01 0.01 32,900,000 344,100 -20,000 ATRAM TOTAL RETURN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -B $1.2677 5.33% 3.78% 2.96% 5.01% 0.0081 0.0084 0.0082 0.0083 0.0082 0.0082 35,000,000 287,200 PHILODRILL FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $0.0265 2.71% 1.96% 1.75% 2.71% PXP ENERGY 12.66 12.7 12.9 12.9 12.5 12.66 1,260,800 16,023,628 2,303,812

PAMI GLOBAL BOND FUND, INC -B $1.091 -0.35% 0.31% 0.81% -0.24% PREFFERED PHILAM DOLLAR BOND FUND, INC. -A $2.5276 5.55% 3.99% 3.61% 5.16% HOUSE PREF A 100.2 101.2 100.2 100.2 100.2 100.2 300 30,060 AC PREF B1 513 515 513 513 513 513 350 179,550 PHILEQUITY DOLLAR INCOME FUND INC. -A $0.0621021 3.11% 2.64% 2.29% 2.99% AC PREF B2R 501 505 499 505 499 505 1,630 821,110 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR ABUNDANCE FUND, INC. -A $3.2172 1.46% 2.18% 2.52% 1.32% 100.6 101 101.6 101.6 100.6 100.6 10,280 1,034,387 DD PREF GLO PREF P 503 510 503 503 503 503 10 5,030 MONEY MARKET FUNDS GTCAP PREF B 1,029 1,032 1,029 1,029 1,029 1,029 30 30,870 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES MWIDE PREF 101 101.6 101 101 101 101 1,150 116,150 MWIDE PREF 2A 96.5 100.9 91 100.9 91 95 5,520 504,459 ALFM MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 129.57 3.3% 3.34% 2.55% 2.97% MWIDE PREF 2B 100.1 100.9 100.9 100.9 100.9 100.9 2,620 264,358 FIRST METRO SAVE AND LEARN MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.0471 1.76% N.A. N.A. 2.03% 991.5 997 997 997 993 993 1,110 1,103,470 PNX PREF 4 PCOR PREF 3A 1,063 1,068 1,061 1,063 1,061 1,063 160 170,060 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY MONEY MARKET FUND, INC. -A 1.2945 2.63% 2.99% 2.61% 2.33% PCOR PREF 3B 1,090 1,109 1,070 1,109 1,070 1,109 2,505 2,680,545 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES SFI PREF 1.6 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 11,000 17,600 SMC PREF 2C 78.2 78.4 78.1 78.4 78.1 78.4 100,840 7,905,588.50 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY DOLLAR STARTER FUND, INC. -A $1.0515 1.53% 1.72% N.A. 1.27% 75.75 76.75 75.8 76.8 75.8 76.8 27,920 2,118,716 SMC PREF 2E FEEDER FUNDS SMC PREF 2F 77.55 77.6 78.7 78.7 77.6 77.6 18,130 1,418,617 SMC PREF 2G 75.85 76 76 76 76 76 30,570 2,323,320 PRIMARILY INVESTED IN PESO SECURITIES SMC PREF 2I 77 77.1 76.5 77.1 76.5 77.1 26,000 1,989,600 SUN LIFE PROSPERITY WORLD EQUITY INDEX FEEDER FUND, INC. -A,D,7 1.0924 N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. SMC PREF 2J 76.1 76.4 76.1 76.5 76.1 76.1 7,620 580,005 83,765

PRIMARILY INVESTED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY SECURITIES PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ALFM GLOBAL MULTI-ASSET INCOME FUND INC. -B,D,2 $0.97 -2.02% N.A. N.A. -2.02% ABS HLDG PDR 12.12 12.3 11.96 12.12 11.96 12.12 19,300 232,636 GMA HLDG PDR 5.55 5.58 5.5 5.55 5.45 5.55 1,338,000 7,370,630 -2,066,530

A - NAVPS AS OF THE PREVIOUS BANKING DAY. B - NAVPS AS OF TWO BANKING DAYS AGO. C - LISTED IN THE PSE. D - IN NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT (NAVPU).

1 - LAUNCH DATE IS SEPTEMBER 28, 2019. 2 - LAUNCH DATE IS NOVEMBER 15, 2019. 3 - ADJUSTED DUE TO STOCK DIVIDEND ISSUANCE LAST OCTOBER 9, 2019.

4 - RENAMING WAS APPROVED BY THE SEC LAST OCTOBER 12, 2018 (FORMERLY, ONE WEALTHY NATION FUND, INC.). 5 - LAUNCH DATE IS DECEMBER 09, 2019.

6 - RE-CLASSIFIED INTO A BOND FUND STARTING FEBRUARY 21, 2020 (FORMERLY A MONEY MARKET FUND). 7 - LAUNCH DATE IS JULY 6, 2020.

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

latest NAVPS/NAVPU."

WARRANTS LR WARRANT 1.01 1.03 1 1.04 1 1.03 195,000 197,070 -

SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ALTUS PROP 15.52 15.6 15.2 16.04 15.2 15.52 810,900 12,709,132 58,856 ITALPINAS 3.18 3.19 3.08 3.21 3.08 3.18 7,301,000 22,988,910 -527,510 KEPWEALTH 6.3 6.33 6.2 6.39 6.2 6.3 49,700 312,322 6.18 6.19 6.05 6.3 6.05 6.19 23,060,200 142,729,508 -1,357,671 MERRYMART

EXHANGE TRADE FUNDS

FIRST METRO ETF 105.9 107 103.2 105.9 103 105.9 30,800 3,221,831 26,624

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Banking&Finance BusinessMirror

‘Fixed-income investments still safe’

By Tyrone Jasper C. Piad @Tyronepiad

F

ixed-income investments are poised to perform well until next year as the Philippine economy gains some recovery, an executive of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) said.

RCBC Wealth Management Group Relationship Manager Michael A. Ricalde said in a statement on Tuesday that these financial instruments are providing safe and secure cash flow for the investors, which is deemed necessary during an economic downturn.

“Fixed income instruments have cash flows,” Ricalde said. “These cash flows are quite significant especially if your business income or employment income has been affected by the pandemic.”

The RCBC official said that fixed income securities can be considered safe haven assets amid the pandemic, noting that a surge in investments was observed for this financial instrument recently.

Fixed-income securities come in a form of time deposits, corporate bonds and government securities.

Time deposits of up to P500,000 are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. while the government securities carry the sovereign guarantee of the issuer.

RCBC noted that fixed income investments have different tenors, making them ideal for cash flow requirements. The listed bank added that these securities provide investors better interest earnings than savings accounts.

However, Ricaldo explained that “income, though important, should not be the sole factor when choosing fixed income investments or any investment for that matter.”

He said that investors should also factor in the investment period, exposure, risk appetite and investment goals.

RCBC Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort noted that the low interest rate environment has been supported by the monetary easing measures by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“The Philippine bond or fixed income market has been one of the world’s best performing, with price gains of about +15 percent recently, in view of the sharp reduction in key BSP policy rates since the start of 2020,” he said.

Currently, the overnight reverserepurchase facility stands at 2 percent after a 200-basis point cut in total.

In the latest issue of First Metro Investment Corp. (FMIC) and University of Asia and the Pacific’s (UA&P) “The Market Call,” the think thanks noted that corporate trading volume

in October registered its second highest for the year.

The transaction volume rose by 81.1 percent to P9.8 billion for the month from P5.4 billion in September. Year-on-year, volume grew by 57.5 percent.

Year-to-date trading volume, meanwhile, stood at P66.3 billion, which is 12.5 percent higher than last year for the same period.

The top five corporates in October accounted for 44 percent—P4.3 billion—of the total trading volume.

These are SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH), Ayala Corp. (AC) and SM Investments Corp.

(SMIC).

SMC Global registered P2.2 billion; ALI, P1.1 billion; SMPH, P696.3 million; SMIC, P215.2 million; and AC, P122.1 million.

In October, SMIC listed P10-billion worth of fixed rate bonds carrying 3.5-year tenor and coupon rate of 3.3613 percent. The offering was issued out of the conglomerate’s P30billion debt program under a shelf registration of three years.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., meanwhile, secured approval from the regulatory body in October to offer and issue the second tranche of retail bonds from its P30-billion shelf registration program. It has a principal issue size of P5 billion.

Technology–A case of Jekyll and Hyde?

W

hether we like it or not the world is transforming itself into a technological revolution or the more popular term “disruption.”

While it brings tremendous benefits, technology does not only have a “Jekyll” side but, unfortunately, a “Hyde” part of it, too.

This is a period of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – a result of the advances in information technology (IT) such as artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, genetic engineering quantum computing, optical character recognition and other advancements in technologies. It makes life easier and processes seem to be a million times faster than these used to be.

Homes, workplaces, society and the whole world are transformed and the general lifestyles are revolutionized.

With the pandemic, the disruption was further hastened.

I once wrote in the “Black and White Book of Ethics” of the Financial Executives of the Philippines (Finex) a subject on “Humanizing Technology and Digitizing Humanity.” It seems that in our excitement to explore the many advancement, companies often forget the need to set up ethical standards not only for those given the responsibility to manage our IT departments and/or units but the whole company as well in the proper use of technology.

We have a Code of Ethics for CPAs, doctors, lawyers—and I understand there is now a code of ethics, too, for IT professionals. For the accountancy, the medical and legal profession, for instance, we should also incorporate in our Code of Ethics standards (to be observed by company officers and staff) with regards to the use of IT tools, systems and procedures including confidentiality and privacy issues. Some organizations had already incorporated these but there is still a lot of room for improvement and some businesses are sorely lacking in this area.

Finex free enterprise Wilma Inventor-Miranda The technology disruption can be likened to a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” syndrome. “Jekyll” is the good guy but he has a twin side that is bad called “Hyde.”

Many fraud cases on information technology had been perpetrated sometimes because of the lack of ethical standards to guide the people in a company. There also times that no matter how many ethical standards and guidelines there are, if the values of the people that should abide by these codes of ethics are to be desired, the bad, or the “Hyde,” side of the technology disruption will always be perpetrated. Let us be careful then in choosing people to work for us.

The ethical standards for technology adoption or transformation should be defined at the start and not when an issue already arises. We should be proactive and not be a “firefighter” or one who only seeks a solution when already faced with the problem. The “Jekyll” side is indeed exciting with companies becoming more agile and smarter and efficient. But let us not forget to set up preventive measures before “Hyde” looms its head. Otherwise, we will be facing not only financial risk but reputational risk.

For big companies with more complex IT application—this is needed. But it should not be an excuse for the small and medium enterprises to take ethical technology standards for granted. Every business will be forced to join the bandwagon of digital transformation sooner or later, or they will be left out. And before problems start to pop out, these SMEs should have, at the start of the technol-

ogy transformation, resources or policies to guide their employees on what to do when confronted with ethical technology concerns.

In 2019 for example, the Identity Theft Resource Center’s “2019 Breach Report” showed that the highest form of breach of data is hacking in the form of phishing, ransomware, malware and skimming. The secondhighest form is unauthorized access and the third is employees’ error or negligence thereby exposing data or resulting in lost data.

If everybody in the organization knows beforehand how to fend off or avoid such different forms of breach of data, they will likely have a more informed basis of their decisions when confronted with such technology challenges. Employees and even officers can also unknowingly expose data through social media.

As technology moves at a fast speed quicker than our mind can comprehend, the ethical issues and the challenges that go with the progress are also getting more complicated. It is much the same way as Jekyll and Hyde. Wherever Jekyll goes, Hyde is there. Jekyll is moving fast in terms of providing benefits to businesses but Hyde is also moving at the same if not at a faster pace to perpetrate harm.

Let us be vigilant—technology is here to stay – let us maximize the good that Jekyll brings and fend off if not totally avoid Hyde so we will not be caught by surprise.

Wilma Miranda is the chairman of Finex’s media affairs committee, managing partner of Inventor, Miranda & Associates, CPAs, member of the board of directors of the KPS Outsourcing Inc. and treasurer of Negros Outsourcing Services Inc. The views expressed by Miranda herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions or the BusinessMirror.

Deutsche Bank assists farming families

D

eutsche Bank Philippines is providing assistance to 50 farming families with the recent launch of its seed-funding program.

In a statement on Tuesday, the bank said the program was organized with non-government organization Gawad Kalinga. The program is aimed at supporting farmers to have sustainable income amid the pandemic.

The program will initially provide help to farming families across four villages and farming communities, so they can invest in more efficient farming equipment, tools, seeds and fertilizer.

Deutsche Bank AG-Manila branch Chief Country Officer Michael S. Chua said that the financing program is

among the latest initiatives of the bank to help the community currently struggling because of the pandemic.

Chua said the program is expected to enable farmers to create a sustainable income. The seed funding is the latest drive by our employees to support their community during the lockdown against the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

Deutsche Bank noted that the farmers will return their initial seed funding to the program after generating enough revenues for the next harvest. The returned funding will be recycled and redirected to other farming families as well.

“Each family in the partner communities with enough space for individual family garden plots will be

provided with tools and know-how to grow their own vegetables to sell at market,” Gawad Kalinga Chairman Jose Luis M. Oquiñena was quoted in the statement as saying.

Through the partnership program, the farmers will be taught more about the quality control principles to improve their crops, in addition to bridging them to potential markets.

Gawad Kalinga said its program “helps farmers create sustainable income by linking them to private and government sectors.” It organizes farmers to pool their harvest, connect to market and offer business management, among others.

Gawad Kalinga is eyeing to uplift 5 million families from poverty by 2024. Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

B3

Expectations on high inflation rate nudges up 90-day T-bill rates

T

By Bernadette D. Nicolas

@BNicolasBM

he Bureau of the Treasury on Monday fully awarded P20 billion in Treasury Bills (T-bills) as rates went sideways.

Despite this, rates across the board were still lower than secondary market benchmark rates.

The auction ended up being oversubscribed by more than 3.7-times as total tenders reached P75.9 billion.

Sought for comment, National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon told reporters the “increase in the 91day T-bills [was] due to expectations of higher inflation print in November following spate of typhoons.”

The 91-day T-bills fetched an average rate of 1.006 percent, 2 basis-points (bps) up from 0.986 percent in the previous auction.

Tenders for the tenor reached P19.321 billion, nearly four-times

the P5-billion offer.

Meanwhile, the 182-day T-bills posted an average rate of 1.386 percent, 0.1-bps higher than the previous 1.385 percent. Total bids for the security amounted to P20.410 billion, four-times the P5billion offer.

Lastly, the 364-day T-bills settled at an average rate of 1.693 percent, 0.2-bps lower compared to 1.695 percent in the previous auction. The tenor attracted P36.175 billion in total bids, more than three-times the P10-billion offer.

For this month, the Treasury has programmed to borrow P120 billion from the local debt market.

As of end-October, gross borrowings have already amounted

to P3.22 trillion, breaching the P3 trillion borrowing program set by the national government this year.

The gross borrowing level recorded from January to October this year is also equivalent to more than three times as much as the P967.556 billion posted in the same period last year.

Gross domestic borrowings have risen nearly four-fold to P2.65 trillion during the January to October period this year compared to last year’s P673.805 billion.

On the other hand, gross foreign borrowings for the same period almost doubled to P574.435 billion from last year’s P293.751 billion. Given the revenue hit, the government ramped up its borrowing program from P1.4 trillion to P3 trillion this year to cover the expected doubling of the budget deficit as well as to fund its spending requirements for its Covid-19 response.

For next year, the government is also set to borrow another P3 trillion.

B4

Show BusinessMirror

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Today’s Horoscope

A man wearing a face mask walks past a billboard advertising The Crown television series about Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family, during England’s second coronavirus lockdown, in London. AP

By Eugenia Last

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Aaron Rodgers, 37; Britney Spears, 39; Monica Seles, 47; Rena Sofer, 52.

REALISTIC ACTOR

BECAUSE of what happened to a TV network, there have been many changes, including artists transferring to other networks or going freelance. There are talks that a once immensely popular actor, who also dabbled in politics, plans to transfer to a network which has an actual franchise. It’s funny that when the said network looked at the possibility of getting new stars, they looked at the pay range and were surprised. Some of the starlets from the other network commanded talent fees 10 times more than their top stars.

This once very popular actor is charging fairly for his services.

He isn’t selling himself cheap but he isn’t pricing himself out of the market either. He is just being realistic about his current status as a star but who knows? This move might just change things for him.

Fact or fiction? UK govt says ‘The Crown’ should be clear

L

ONDON—Britain’s culture minister thinks the Netflix TV series The Crown should come with a disclaimer: It’s a work of fiction.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden weighed in amid criticism of the historical liberties taken by the drama about the British royal family.

“It’s a beautifully produced work of fiction. So as with other TV productions, Netflix should be very clear at the beginning it is just that,” Dowden told the Mail on Sunday newspaper. “Without this, I fear a generation of viewers who did not live through these events may mistake fiction for fact.”

Dowden is expected to write to Netflix this week to express his view. Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Questions of historical fidelity were not a major issue during earlier seasons of the show, which debuted in 2016 and traces the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II, which began in 1952.

But the current fourth season is set in the 1980s, a divisive decade that many Britons remember vividly. Characters include Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whose 11-year tenure transformed and divided Britain, and the late Princess Diana, whose death in a car crash in 1997 traumatized the nation.

Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter has called the series a “hatchet job” on Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, and his first wife Diana.

The troubled relationship of the couple, played by Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin, is a major storyline in the series. Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has also said the show should carry a notice that “this isn’t true but it is based around some real events.”

“I worry people do think that this is gospel and that’s unfair,” he told broadcaster ITV. Some Conservatives have criticized the program’s depiction of Thatcher, played by Gillian Anderson.

Britain’s first female prime minister, who died in 2013, is portrayed as clashing with Olivia Colman’s Elizabeth to an extent that some say is exaggerated.

The Crown creator Peter Morgan, whose work also includes recent-history dramas The Queen and Frost/ Nixon, has defended his work, saying it is thoroughly researched and true in spirit.

In a 2017 discussion of The Crown, Morgan said “you sometimes have to forsake accuracy, but you must never forsake truth.”

Steven Fielding, a professor of political history at the University of Nottingham, said the suggestion that The Crown carry a disclaimer was “reasonable and yet pointless.” “It invariably doesn’t have an effect,” he said. “There are studies that show that people believe fiction when it’s presented as fact—even if you tell them it’s not fact.”

Fielding said it was no surprise that Charles and his allies were annoyed with the heir to the throne’s depiction as “a bit of an idiot.” But he said making a fuss about it only amplifies the attention.

Historians are used to railing at inaccuracies in dramas such as the Academy Award-winning Darkest Hour, which included an invented scene of Winston Churchill meeting ordinary Londoners on an Underground Tube train during World War II. “Mixing historical fact and fiction has been around since Shakespeare. This is not new to films, it’s not new to TV,” said Fielding, coauthor of The Churchill Myths, which examines Britain’s wartime leader in popular culture.

“I don’t recall the culture secretary complaining about the ridiculous presentation of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour,” he said. “Because it went with the myth, with the idea of Churchill the hero, nobody complained.” “Nobody’s bothered if fact and fiction are all mangled up, so long as it’s saying nice things,” he added. AP

SHE MAKES THE DECISIONS

A RECENT romantic event was made public and according to the press release, the guy, an actor, planned it all for the girl. But those who know the couple say the guy did all of it with the girl’s knowledge. They say the girl is very controlling and the guy loves her so much, and she has him under her spell. Even the guy’s parents are intimidated by the girlfriend because she is rich, outspoken and domineering. The romantic event, they say, was orchestrated by the girl.

She wants the world to know the actor is crazy about her.

At the start of their relationship, she made the actor follow an actress who he casually dated just because she was being petty.

UNFAITHFUL

THE male starlet has realized, via medical means, that while he is faithful to his girlfriend, an actress who is more popular than he is, she has not been so. There are persistent rumors that the actress is seeing an older actor on the sly, and that this liaison started when she was a minor. The actor has repeatedly denied this and the actress treats it like a joke.

But it is true that the actress is still seeing the actor when his girlfriend is not around, like during the month when she was working away from their home. They don’t see each other as often as they did in the past years but the spark is still there.

MEDIOCRE

SO the actor is one of those who made the transfer to another network but it seems that the management is not happy with his work and star power. Now, people are beginning to realize that the actor’s old management was very good at hyping him and other artists when, in fact, most of them are just average in terms of talent. Anyway, the actor is offended that his new management thinks so lowly of him when he is doing his best.

He is, indeed, working very hard but it’s not enough. Less and less people are watching TV these days and he isn’t really top-of-mind right now. There are younger and more talented celebrities who appeal to viewers.

NEWLY launched telco brand GOMO kicked off their “#WeDontStop” event series with a host of free Halloween virtual escape rooms and an epic Philippine-exclusive online concert featuring today’s hottest global superstars.

The free concert event, streamed on GOMO’s Facebook page, showcased exclusive performances by Joji, NIKI, and Chung Ha, and was enjoyed by thousands of Filipino fans.

“We know that people have been missing a lot this year, and the concert was a fitting kick-off for our movement to unstop 2020 by bringing back those things,” shared Eric Tanbauco, head of GOMO. “We partnered with SHOOR to give people a Halloween experience through our horror-themed Breakout escape rooms and followed that with a unique concert

experience. And we’re just getting started. In the weeks ahead, you’ll be seeing much more awesome digital events and experiences.

At the GOMO #WeDontStop 88rising Concert, hosted by Sanya Smith, fans enjoyed a front-row seat to Joji, NIKI, and Chung Ha performing their biggest hits like “Like You Do,” “Yeah Right,” “Plot Twist” and “Rollercoaster.”

The concert featured exclusive performances streamed only for the Philippines. But GOMO didn’t stop there. On the heels of the concert, the brand gave fans up-close and personal experiences with their favorite performers with the #WeDontStop Series: Up Close. Streamed on their Facebook page, GOMO had some fun with Joji, NIKI, and Chung Ha giving the artists random challenges, asking them questions

Happy Birthday: Carefully choose who you associate with. Align yourself with people who feel as passionate as you do about your beliefs and goals.

Look for alternative ways to protect against illness and injury. Be part of the solution, not the problem, and you will accomplish what you set out to do. Adjustments at home will encourage better relationships with loved ones. Your numbers are 7, 12, 22, 29, 34, 38, 45.

a

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Address pending issues, and proceed with your plans. Initiate a move or lifestyle change. Pool your funds with someone you love, and you will reach a common goal.

Speak up and close the gap between uncertainty and positive change. HH

b

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The changes you make may not line up with what others want. Don’t be afraid to go it alone if you can’t convince others to get involved in your plans. Once you get things up and running, support will come your way.

HHHH

c

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Balance and integrity will matter when dealing with partnerships. Speak the truth, and you will avoid a misunderstanding. A promise someone makes is likely to be broken. Have a backup plan in place when dealing with others. HHH

d

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Be creative, innovative and willing to do things differently, and accomplishments will follow. Reach out to someone from your past who can influence your life or inspire you to resurrect an old idea you still want to pursue. HHH

e

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): How you deal with others will determine how much you accomplish. Channel energy into work, and challenge yourself to go above and beyond the call of duty to reach your goal. Action will lead to positive results. HHH

f

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Be careful how you handle the people with whom you live or work. Emotions will be close to the surface and cause an untimely turn of events if someone is upset. Listen, and make changes based on facts. HHH

g

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Aim to make progress. Refuse to let uncertainty take over or allow someone to push you down a questionable path. Less talk and more action will help you reach your goal. An unexpected financial, health or legal matter will take you by surprise. HH

h

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change to where or how you live looks inviting.

Consider how you can use your skills to improve your position. Get involved in a conversation with someone heading down a similar path. HHHHH

i

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Take charge of what’s going on around you. If you give in to someone’s persuasive tactics, you will lose sight of what matters to you. Stay strong, be safe and do what’s best for you. HHH

j

GOMO’s 88rising concert first wave of events

NIKI

z

from the fans, and showing viewers a sneak peek into their lives.

“GOMO is encouraging everyone to break through what’s holding them back,” Tanbauco said. “We invite everyone to join the GOMO #WeDontStop movement and unstop 2020 by getting back to doing what you love.”

GOMO is the new game changing telco brand. It offers a digital-only experience via its all-in-one mobile app, where customers may discover new ways to access the Internet, plus awesome events that everyone can enjoy. At a special introductory price of P199, GOMO customers will get the new 5G-ready GOMO SIM and 25GB of No Expiry data.

To learn more about GOMO and purchase your 5G GOMO SIM, check out www.gomo.ph.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Change begins with you. Size up your situation at work and home, and consider how you can improve your life and relationships. Concentrate on diet, fitness and maintaining good health, and it will lead to a unique opportunity. HHH

k

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Speak up and take action. A chance to improve your position or status looks promising. Check out job opportunities and educational pursuits that will encourage a better lifestyle. Don’t take a risk with your health or physical well-being. HHH

l

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Take care of matters personally. Someone will lead you down the wrong path if you are insecure or think someone knows more than you. Do your research, and follow what feels right. HHHHH Birthday Baby: You are imaginative, enthusiastic and sophisticated.

You are speculative and practical.

‘widespread’ by george jasper The Universal Crossword/Edited by David Steinberg

ACROSS 1 Decelerates 6 Hockey shot sound 10 Trendy green 14 Oscar winner Marisa 15 Hang loose 16 SpaceX CEO Musk 17 Virtual greeting, perhaps 18 With intent 20 Hearty breakfast option 22 Training ___ 23 ___ kwon do 24 Economic system with few restrictions 32 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom actor Chris 33 Violent son of Zeus 34 TV adjunct, once 35 High pickleball shots 36 Old hat 38 One lacking manners 39 Org. concerned with gum health 40 ___-A-Whirl 41 Tall tales 42 Disagree

6 Story progression shape 4 47 Good to go 48 What a successor may have, and a hint to three letters hidden in each starred answer 56 Like a show you could watch for hours 57 Any 1960s song, in 2020 58 Arctic Ocean hazard 59 Food item in a basket 60 Cozy breakfast spots 61 Ward (off) 62 LPGA players’ pegs 63 Young bird in a barn DOWN 1 Editor’s “Let it stand” 2 Nessie’s supposed home 3 Ilhan who played Among Us with AOC 4 “You ___ right” 5 Secondary wager 6 “I’m Lovin’ It,” for example 7 Like a 15-letter word 8 Boxer’s bowlful, maybe 9 Source of a juicy summer fruit

10 Scientist known for his laws of planetary motion 11 Sunburn soother 12 Got checkmated 13 St. Louis-to-Indianapolis dir.

19 Brings in, as crops 21 Before, poetically 24 Bilbo’s cousin 25 Capital city nearest to Casablanca 26 Beings who may call us earthlings: Abbr.

27 Mouthwatering 28 Ambulance destinations, for short 29 Ebony partner in song 30 Tea biscuit 31 Makes a mistake 32 Word after “layaway” or “lesson” 36 Round figure?

37 Bass Pale ___ 38 Sweetheart 40 Short, but probably not sweet 41 Bed-ins for Peace activist 43 Showed age, like a sofa 44 Art show boosters?

45 Tater ___

48 Digestion aid 49 Aware of 50 Tuning instrument in an orchestra 51 French fashion magazine 52 House designer’s concern 53 Fan mail recipient 54 Twitter reaction 55 “___ we forget” 56 Texter’s good bud Solution to yesterday’s puzzle:

Image BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

• Wednesday, December 2, 2020

HELD recently was a virtual icing class that included piped flower designing and inscription making.

Carlos Giammattei (left) and Pia Gajasan of TELUS International Philippines

Tasty new opportunity

By Pauline Joy M. Gutierrez IT will be years before businesses recover from the massive financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but if there’s one silver lining that can be seen in the horizon, it is in the surge in start-ups as a significant chunk of new ventures are being started by “homepreneurs.”

Across major cities in the country, creative home bakers have developed a following in a market looking for comfort from sweets and treats within the safety of their homes. This is why digital IT solutions company TELUS International Philippines (TIP) found it fitting to develop several virtual programs to help its employees learn new skills while working remotely, one of these being a virtual icing class in partnership with the famed New York City bakeshop, M Bakery.

“With the remote setting of work, especially at the beginning of the quarantine, we ensured that we constantly communicate with our team members and continue interest-based programs through various webinars that equip them with skills that cater to their personal passions and interests,” said Pia Gajasan, TIP corporate communications manager.

Gajasan added that the aim of the program is to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset among TIP employees so that they’ll have a viable additional source of income even as the pandemic passes.

The virtual icing class included piped flower designing, icing filled cupcakes using buttercream, and inscription making—perfect for home bakers who want to offer a personalized touch to their baked goods.

Apart from this, TIP team members are also encouraged to pursue their passion in the fields of culinary arts, fashion design, and foreign language by taking short courses with partner education institutions through TELUS International University.

Wellness sessions are also scheduled on a regular basis to ensure that the health of employees are prioritized.

Carlos Giammattei, TIP brand, marketing and culture director, said during the virtual icing class that the demand for work-life integration is muchneeded nowadays as professionals try to manage and balance their home responsibilities and personal needs with work obligations.

Giammattei added, “We will continue to develop programs for our team members to help them cope with the current situation, feel a sense of safety and security at work, further allowing them to continue achieving the goals they set out for themselves.”

Conformity isn’t always a good thing H

AVE you seen any of those gag shows where strangers unwittingly follow the actions of a group of strangers even if the actions seem bizarre? I recently saw one where someone went inside an elevator and the practical jokers suddenly announced their floors towards the camera and then faced a corner one at a time. Do you know what the stranger did? You guessed it right! The stranger followed even if it seemed absurd.

Though funny, this is a phenomenon known as social pressure. This is similar to peer pressure where people follow the behavior of others with the same social status as theirs. In an office setting, this also happens in what is called groupthink. The term was coined by a psychologist, named Irving L. Janis, in 1972 to describe an occurrence where people are more concerned with illogically preserving harmony within their group, rather than critically evaluating decisions or providing alternatives.

While it is easy to think that conformity is not such a bad thing, consider the case of the new member who was forced to go along with everybody else. Or the frustration of a new manager who finds everybody in his team just agrees with all his decisions and absolves themselves of any accountability by blindly following what their leader says when in fact, they know of better alternatives. This is a real threat to maximizing everyone in the team.

Also, just because people do not react does not mean they agree. They can just be blindly following orders which can stifle creativity because they just rely on the leader, or the dominant personality in the group. While conformity seems to indicate a cohesive and aligned group, it can also be indicative of a lack of means through which members can express themselves. This is especially the case when there are overly assertive team members who dominate the conversation and stifle other’s ideas.

If leaders are the dominant voice or allow a few to dominate the group, it can lead to other members

doubting themselves and what they have to say. So they censor themselves to the detriment of the entire team and eventually to themselves. Being in a team requires members to significantly contribute to the success of the whole team. This cannot happen when ideas are repressed by a few.

When members are suppressed to give their ideas, they will also not contribute to planning how to mitigate potential risks and how to address negative outcomes of the group’s decision. They will just blame their leader or whoever suggested the idea. Similarly, when groupthink is adopted by the whole team, they can become overconfident and ignore significant information from other teams and how their ideas can be used for possible solutions. This leads to silos where groups are concerned only with their own work without regard for how their team affects the work of other teams in the organization.

Aside from creating an atmosphere of open communication and allowing room for creativity and critical thinking, there are several things you can do to avoid groupthink. One of these is to acknowledge it when groupthink happens and ask the team what is contributing to it and what can be done to address the issue. If you discover that you, as the leader, are what is causing them to blindly follow, take a step back and allow team members to speak freely. If you need to, step out of the team meeting and allow them to brainstorm by themselves and ask for the result of their discussion later.

If you choose to stay in the meeting, you could hold off speaking until everybody has had the chance to talk. This will minimize your effect on members’ decisions and will also serve to dissuade the more dominant members of the group from monopolizing the discussion. Ask everyone to contribute individually to the discussion and do not allow for repetition of ideas. To give time for people to think and prepare properly, let them evaluate the merits of an issue individually by asking them to write down several pros and cons. This way, you can ask everyone to participate and prevent members from merely acceding to the ideas of others.

Consider inviting leaders from other teams to join in team meetings or projects. They can observe how you handle your team, as well as provide new insights on how their group handles similar issues.

Not only do you gain the best practices from other teams, but you also help your team gain a new perspective of other teams within the organization.

This prevents silos from developing and encourages your team to look beyond the group and appreciate how their work contributes to the success of the entire

Conformity does not always mean acquiescence. Sometimes, it indicates an underlying issue with how leaders mismanage their members and their lack of confidence in the ability of their team to generate creative and intelligent ideas. Your role as a leader is to bring out the best in everyone. How can you do that when they cannot even find their own voice? organization.

You can also break your team into smaller groups so they can meet team members they do not usually work with so they can get to know each other better.

This is especially effective for big groups because it allows for your team to know other members and discover a new point of view. Hopefully, they will also discover a better way of doing things. Also, people are more comfortable expressing themselves in small groups because there is no added pressure of everybody looking. People also tend to contribute to the entire group’s discussion more when they have a smaller group to support them.

You can also periodically assign a devil’s advocate whose job is mainly to nitpick and voice out possible risks and issues with people’s ideas. This will force the assigned person to look for loopholes and possible concerns which might otherwise be ignored by everyone. Having everyone do this encourages critical thinking, and to not just accept things as they are but to understand why things are done the way they are.

Conformity does not always mean acquiescence.

Sometimes, it indicates an underlying issue with how leaders mismanage their members and their lack of confidence in the ability of their team to generate creative and intelligent ideas. Your role as a leader is to bring out the best in everyone. How can you do that when they cannot even find their own voice? n

Global Japanese brand provides aid to typhoon victims

UNIQLO Philippines Co-COO Geraldine Sia (from left), UNIQLO Philippines COO Masayoshi Nakamura, SM Foundation Inc. Executive Director Debbie Sy and SM Foundation Inc. Executive Director for Medical and Health Programs Connie Angeles

Japanese global apparel retailer UNIQLO offered its deepest condolences to the families affected by Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses in the Philippines. To support relief and recovery efforts, the brand, via its parent company Fast Retailing, is donating $1 million, or approximately P48 million, in aid.

The donation is being made through the SM Foundation, which manages the CSR activities of the SM Group, the management partner

of UNIQLO in the Philippines. The donation is being used to provide emergency food supplies and rebuild flooded housing, as well as build preventative infrastructure in areas susceptible to flooding.

Furthermore, UNIQLO in the Philippines is donating 300,000 AIRism masks to affected areas through the SM Foundation. The masks will be donated to evacuees in the affected areas of the Bicol Region, Bulacan, Cagayan, Isabela, Pampanga,

and Rizal provinces, as well as Marikina City.

UNIQLO opened its first store in the Philippines in Manila in June 2012, and currently operates 60 stores throughout the country. The typhoons have not caused any direct damage to the stores.

UNIQLO expresses hope for the speedy recovery of these regions, and that the families affected of these disasters can return to their normal lives as soon as possible.

B5

B6 Wednesday, December 2, 2020

GT Foundation, MBFI extend help to typhoons-hit provinces

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar: Your gateway to Paskong Pinoy GT Foundation and Metrobank Foundation, through its disaster response program “Helping Hands,” donate relief assistance worth PhP6 million to 60,000 individuals hardly affected by typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Photo shows Metrobankers in South Luzon branches distributing food, water and hygiene kits to residents of Lopez, Quezon on November 19, 2020.

G

T Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) and Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) reached out to thousands of families affected by the onslaught of recent typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Implemented under its disaster relief and response program, “Helping Hands,” the donation amounted to PhP6 million.

It is expected that a total of 60,000 individuals from hardly hit-provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Quezon, Batangas, Rizal, Isabela, and Cagayan, including Marikina City were to be given packed meals and relief goods.

From November 19 to 26, Metrobank branches in South Luzon were mobilized to distribute relief goods, water and hygiene kits—all packaged in reusable pails. They were able to assist 400 families from Lopez, Quezon and Lucena, City; 400 families from Lobo, Batangas and Batangas City; and 800 families from

Guinobatan, Albay. Relief distribution will take place in the coming days to assist 700 families in Camarines Norte and 500 families in Camarines Sur. On the other hand, Metrobank North Luzon Branches from assisted 600 families in Cauayan City and Ilagan City, Isabela, and 600 families in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan from November 20 to 25.

GTFI and MBFI also provided financial support for a soup kitchen implemented by Manila Broadcasting Company DZRH’s Operation Tulong. The first round of the feeding activity was conducted in Virac and Bato, Catanduanes from November 10 to 16.

Portions of the donation were also coursed through Philippine STAR’s corporate social responsibility arm Operation Damayan, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, RMN Foundation, Operating Blessing Foundation Philippines and the Philippine National Police’s food bank.

TMP spearheads ‘Toyota Football for Tomorrow’ to help Filipino children develop their football potential

W

HEN it comes to Christmas parties, nobody does it better than the Filipinos.

However, with COVID-19 health threat still prevalent in society and following the strict guidelines of Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), skipping the usual grand reunions would be the safest option to seize the holidays.

Despite the many challenges that is currently happening within and outside the country, these wouldn’t stop the Filipinos from celebrating the annual Paskong Pinoy.

Thus, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar opens its doors for a uniquely Filipino Christmas festivities in accordance to the government’s directives on physical distancing, wearing of masks and other safety precautionary measures.

With minimal travel requirements such as health certificate, Get-Pass App QR Code and Confirmed Hotel Voucher, family and friends can simply enjoy the most wonderful time of the

year and have their well-deserved secured stays at Las Casas over good food and fun activities.

Set against its Filipino-Spanish restored houses, Las Casas will be having a tree lighting event on December 5, where they will officially start the countdown to Christmas as their Belen (Holy Family) and 24-ft Filipino-inspired tree, adorned with bamboo lanterns, take center stage and light up the skies.

Starting December 1, 2020 until January 1, 2021, Las Casas Food and Beverage will be offering “Meryenda sa Balsa” with Christmas snacks as the highlight of the activity. For only PHP 3,500 for two, guests can enjoy sightseeing aboard the iconic native raft (balsa) while savoring puto bumbong, bibingka, and sago’t gulaman.

Guests can also learn how to make the traditional Christmas favorites through “Bibingka and Puto Bumbong Making” every 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Saturdays and Sundays of the month.

This year’s celebration is extra meaningful as it represents new beginnings for everyone, especially the fact that the Filipino people were able to fight the most arduous challenges including the health crisis and natural calamities.

Under the sparkling Christmas lights, guests can feel and enjoy the cheery vibe of the traditional Christmas Eve feast or Noche Buena with a set dinner for adults and kids at PHP 3, 500 and PHP 1, 750 respectively.

Meanwhile, on December 31, guests can wrap up the year and toast to a better 2021 with a luscious New Year’s set dinner matched with live entertainment and fireworks display for adults and kids at PHP 3, 500 and PHP 1, 750 respectively.

Guests can avail 5% treat on accommodations when they book from December 1 to December 17, 2020.

For inquires and reservations, visit www.lascasasfilipinas.com or follow their official social media pages.

DPWH turns over container vans-turned isolation facility

T

O help the government respond to the needs of COVID-19 patients, the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) led by Sec. Mark Villar turned over 27 container vans-turned 96bed quarantine/isolation facility to the Las Pinas City government on November 16.

Villar said that each of the 24 units of the 40-footer container vans, located inside Goodyear Compound in Barangay Almanza, has four rooms complete with healthcare amenities, toilets and utlities.

Another two units 20-footer container vans serve as nurse station and one unit

of another 20-foot container van is for X-ray facilities.

With proper ventillation, the isolation facility was designed in accordance with the Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and recommendation.

The 35-million budget allocation for project, known as "Rehabilitation of Disaster-Related Infrastructure,” came from the DPWH’s regular fund for 2020 and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.

The facility was turned-over to Las Pinas led by Mayor Imelda Aguilar and Vice Mayor

April Aguilar after its blessing officiated

by Rev. Fr. Inocencio Palmari. Las Pinas Rep. Camille Villar also witnessed the occasion, which was a partnership between the DPWH and Las Pinas City government in coordination with the National Development Company.

The Villar family has been helping the national government enhance its capabilities and responsiveness to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Recently, the Villars donated hospital equipment to Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center (LPGH & STC) to further boosts its capabilities dealing with the current health crisis.

The hospital has already opened its Covid-19 testing facility where the family donated a laboratory freezer, biological refrigerator, autoclave sterilizer and passbox ventilator.

Three buildings built by Villar family were also donated for the hospital extension facilities, temporary housing for healthcare workers and/or quarantine facility.

The said buildings are the Las Piñas Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) and the Provincial Board Members’ League (PBML) buildings – all located in Barangay Ilaya, Las Pinas City.

T

OYOTA Motor Asia Pacific announced the ‘Toyota Football for Tomorrow’ (TFFT) project, a corporate social responsibility initiative across Southeast Asia to create opportunities for the youth to discover, develop and reach for the possibilities of tomorrow - a personal goal or dream that always seems to be out of reach.

In the Philippines, local manufacturer and distributor Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) will be spearheading TFFT activities to help promising Filipino children develop their football potential.

Toyota teams up with top Japan Professional Football League Nagoya Grampus to bring online football coaching to the youth.

Since 2013, Toyota has been conducting football clinics. TFFT aims to standardise Toyota's football clinics across the region, delivering consistent and quality training.

With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Toyota initiated the TFFT online training video series to keep the youth motivated, as well as to keep up their football skills in a fun and positive virtual environment. Drills and tactics such as ball control (dribbling, passing, turning) and goal keeping skills featured in the TFFT football clinic curriculum will be made into a five-part online training video series aimed for the under 12 age category.

The videos will star renowned coaches and former Japanese national football players, Seigo Narazaki and Motohiro Yamaguchi among others. Seigo Narazaki, the legendary national goal keeper who

represented Japan from 1998 to 2010 was the first goal keeper in history to receive the prestigious “Most Valuable Player” award in 2010 by the Japan Professional Football League. Motohiro Yamaguchi, who currently helms the Nagoya Grampus FC Academy as the Executive Officer helped Japan qualify for the first time in history for the World Cup in 1998 with his midfielder skills.

“Toyota has been giving back to the community through football for years. It is a game that connects people and we believe it offers tremendous value to the youth.

Despite the on-going pandemic, we remain committed to communities we serve. That’s why we’re taking TFFT online, so the youth can keep their soccer skills up, practicing in and around their homes, coached by world-class players and experts,” said Kaye Lim, General Manager, Corporate Communications and CSR Department, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific.

The TFFT five-part video series is available for viewing on Toyota’s social media handles: www.facebook.com/ToyotaMotorPhilippines and www.youtube.com/ToyotaMotorPhilippines starting November 23.

The videos are intended to be practiced under the supervision by a parent or guardian and participants are advised to always place safety first.

Museum prince bags Asia Leaders Award

MUSEUM PRINCE WITH THE MILLENNIAL CONCEPT FACTORY INC. TEAM: Marky Queaño - Corporate Operations Manager, Museum Prince Lawrence “Lance” Li Tan, Robert Lim Francisco – Director, Yzl Cruz – Vice President, Mark Ruell Papa – Museum Manager, Wenfred De Guzman – Director for PR and Media Affairs of JCI Makati.

L

AWRENCE Li Tan, the President and CEO of Lakbay Museo PH, took home three awards during the Asia Leaders Award event held in Makati ShangriLa Hotel last November 20, 2020. The Museum Prince was recognized as the Young Leader of the Year for three years in a row, Tourism Excellence Award, and Innovative Businessman of the Year by TAG Media.

He was known for his vision for Lakbay Museo PH in ending discrimination in hiring employees, that he prioritized out-of-school youths, people with disabilities, and senior citizens for Lakbay Museo. Soon, the same will be hired for his new project, another museum which is Tales of Illumina located in Quezon City.

Year for 2020 for businessmen like Lance, leadership and

businesses were put to test, but he positively turned this into an opportunity to develop his and his team’s skills. Strategically, he was able to secure his employees a “Pangkabuhayan Start Up Package” a help during the lockdown and gave them an opportunity to earn money by being new entrepreneurs since this pandemic lasted longer than expected.

During his speech, he dedicated his award to the frontliners for the remarkable sacrifice they did for our country. He also thanked and honored people who empowered and trusted him in his endeavors and during these trying times.

“I didn’t do this alone, I did this with the RIGHT people to achieve greater heights in doing what will be beneficial for all,” he said.

BusinessMirror

Editor: Tet Andolong

Wednesday, December 2, 2020 B7

Experience minimalist architecture in Nob Hill

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

A

@brownindio

LOT of people these days are into minimalist architecture, also known as minimalism. A quote from French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery sums it up—“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

Moreover, minimalist architecture sticks to the basic and essential and removes the unnecessary elements to show the true essence of architecture. Minimalist architecture had its roots in the Cubist-inspired movements of De Stijl and Bauhaus in the 1920s. German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe pointed out that minimalism provided maximum power to architectural space.

Since 2010, the minimalist movement has exerted a strong influence in the local corporate architecture and product design in the country. Simplicity is the core of minimalist architecture as it favors neutral palettes of brown, beige, white, and gray; clean straight lines; well-defined rectangular shapes; long and wide eaves; and design that lets natural light in. This has also been dubbed the millennial aesthetic: simple and orderly, yet classy.

Nob Hill in Tagaytay Highlands combines modern minimalism and countryside charm with stylish homes possessing simple and geometric linear design and large

picture windows. “These rhythmic lines complement the homes’ nat u ra l, l ight- colored stone, powder-coated metal trims, and wood glaze finishes and trims— blending seamlessly with Tagaytay’s tranquil surroundings,” Tagaytay Highlands said in a press statement.

The management pointed out that Tagaytay Highlands is an ideal base for individuals and families seeking a modest but elegant lifestyle equipped with the essentials of everyday living. It added that Nob Hill can be regarded as a sanctuary in these uncertain times, one that is becoming a primary home choice for discerning families, as well as arbiters of taste hoping to relax and de-stress their spirits.

The picturesque vistas of Tagaytay Highlands and of the mountains of Makiling and Maculot in the distance give an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Mother Nature.

Linear road parks function as respite from the monotony of daily routines. Aside from having eco-friendly home designs, with atriums and pocket gardens as

Straddling the highest point of the Greenlands, Nob Hill stands as a sanctuary in these uncertain times, one that is even fast becoming a primary home choice for discerning families.

Nob Hill features linear road parks and other exclusive amenities that serve as respite from the monotony of daily routines.

Featuring a blend of modern minimalism and countryside charm, Nob Hill in Tagaytay Highlands is a development of stylish homes with simple and geometric linear design and large picture windows.

exclusive amenities, Nob Hill also has a main park with a fitness station, a trellis, children’s play area, a gazebo, and a jogging path.

For its homeowners’ convenience and peace of mind, the man-

agement assured the development is a safe, gated community with 24hour security, 24-hour emergency medical and firefighting teams, independent and abundant water supply, in-house landscaping and

efficient property management services.

Residents have exclusive access to the upscale facilities of the complex, such as the Country Club, world-class dining estab-

lishments, the Sports Center, and various indoor and outdoor event venues. Each property also comes with a proprietary share at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club.

A leisurely 70-minute drive from the Makati Central Business District, Nob Hill is readily accessible via the Suplang Gate through the South Luzon Expressway (Slex) Batino Exit or the Sta. Rosa Exit.

The management said homeowners and guests there’s no to be concerned about the health risks as Tagaytay Highlands personnel practice strict adherence to sanitation procedures and safety protocols, including but not limited to disinfection, hand sanitation, wearing of face mask and face shield, and social distancing.

“Tagaytay Highlands property management also spurs residents to comply with health and safety precautionary measures and ensures quick response during adverse events both natural and made,” the company explained.

Vista Land International partners with Ohmyhome Real-estate groups push for Resa law amendments

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INCE the Covid-19 outbreak early in 2020, it’s been a challenging year for many local industries, including the property sector. Real-estate developers report about a decline in sales, project launches being put on-hold, and construction of ongoing developments being suspended or dramatically reduced.

On a positive note, however, the pandemic has compelled major players in the real-estate industry to adapt to radical changes in the way they do business—changes that will benefit their companies for the long term.

One is Vista Land International Marketing Inc., a top-tier real-estate developer in the Philippines, which has fully shifted operations online, going beyond the usual digital advertising and into most areas of the business—inventory monitoring, reservations and payments, feedback mechanisms, training programs, and business meetings and presentations.

“Because of the pandemic, we have opened ourselves to new and better ways of doing business,” said Cheryl Sanguyo, Vista Land International’s country managing director for Asia. “We have raised the productivity of people, not only on the side of our sellers and personnel but also of our buyers who are now more confident about securing their property requirements through online platforms.”

Sanguyo is likewise optimistic about an upswing movement in the coming months, resulting in a much higher interest in and demand for real estate in the Philippines, not only among the Filipino market but also from Vista Land International’s many potential clients outside of the Philippines.

The need to adapt to the changing landscape and this new confidence in the use of online platforms has led the leading realestate company to partner with Ohmyhome to maximize digital housing, an emerging proptech start-up which recently launched operations in the Philippines.

Sanguyo shared, “Looking at the platform’s track record in Singapore and Malaysia, it appears that Ohmyhome has big potential in penetrating the local market

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Through this Ohmyhome and Vista Land International partnership, users may purchase properties under the top-tier real-estate developer through the easy-to-use and intuitive app or the web site

and delivering the sales volume that we are hoping to achieve for our projects. We like the idea that Ohmyhome is not just the usual property advertising platform, but an end-to-end client servicing portal dedicated to helping property investors— seasoned ones and beginners alike. In addition, Ohmyhome is able to help us reach potential buyers outside of the Philippines, such as Singapore and Malaysia.”

As an accredited international marketing affiliate, Ohmyhome is given access to promote and transact for all brands under Vista Land International. And it’s a big, wide world out there. Vista Land International is the largest homebuilder in the Philippines, not to mention one that has the widest geographic scope in terms of both horizontal and vertical projects. Vista Land International covers all types of housing markets—from socialized and economic segments, such as Bria and Lumina to lower to upper mid-range, such as Lessandra, Camella and Crown Asia, Coho and Vista Residences and up to the highest bracket of the market such as Brittany.

Sanguyo disclosed that Vista Land International has several upcoming developments lined up, with details to be posted on official

company web sites and the Ohmyhome platform. “We are looking forward to the rise of The Courtyard Coho within the vicinity of the Bonifacio Global City; Vista Residences’ Kizuna Heights along the bustling Taft Avenue; and other pre-selling and RFO condo projects across from or right beside universities like De La Salle, Ateneo, UP Diliman, Miriam College, and University of Santo Tomas.”

Vista Land International has a very positive outlook for the industry in the next few months, most especially as soon as the pandemic is over.

“This is the perfect time to prepare for the big bounce-back as we try to manage our sales performance during these trying times,” Sanguyo said. “Filipinos are very resilient by nature, and the same goes for our real-estate service practitioners. Ohmyhome’s entry into the local market promises to be a good sign of a more vibrant online property market moving forward.”

For prospective property-owners seeking to purchase a Vista Land International property, the simple, efficient, and hassle-free Ohmyhome app or web site are ideal options to use, to get the best quality of customer service and technology. Reni Salvador

By Roderick L. Abad

EPRESENTATIVES of the real-estate sector have pushed for the amendments of Republic Act (RA) 9646 or the Real Estate Service Act (Resa) of 2009 to help address the housing backlog in the country which is currently pegged at 6.75 million units.

The members of A Better Real Estate Philippines (Abrep), a movement that seeks to promote inclusivity and the use of technology in the industry, recently filed a classaction appeal at the Makati Regional Trial Court.

“Our intent with the filing of the Petition for Declaratory Relief is to start overhauling the industry’s regulatory framework to make the profession more inclusive and accessible,” Abrep partner and legal advisor Atty. Estrella Elamparo told reporters during their recent webinar. For Abrep President Anthony Leuterio, the provisions of the law are “anti-poor, anti-Pinoy, and antitechnology.”

He cited, for instance, Section 14 of Resa that requires applicants for the Professional Regulation Commission’s (PRC) broker licensure exam to have a four-year degree in Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Management (BSREM).

Since this course can cost up to P300,000 to complete, this is a nonessential educational prerequisite, according to him.

“Resa is anti-poor because it forces unnecessary educational requirements that drive the cost of becoming a practitioner astronomically high,” Leuterio said, while recommending the lowering of BSREM’s units to those that are required to practice.

Another burden for potential practitioners is the overlapping regulatory authority between the PRC and Department of Human

Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) created by Resa that makes registration costs redundant.

“It will take you six months to one year to get licensed and there is a large amount of money involved.

To comply with the accreditation for salespersons, it will cost up to P30,000 if you are far from any DHSUD or PRC offices,” he said.

While the logjam is a major problem in the country that could balloon to about 22 million by 2022 if left unsolved, National Real Estate Association (NREA) President Benny Cabrieto noted that there is a lack of salespersons to sell enough dwelling units.

“There are less than 100 BSREM graduates per year, and not all pass the board. Even the good schools do not offer this course,” he said.

With fewer possible practitioners, Section 32 of the Resa law that requires corporations to have at least one licensed broker for every 20 accredited salespersons becomes irrational.

This is not the first time that RA 9646 has been challenged. The Chamber of Real Estate Builders’ Association (Creba) also tried to get lawmakers to pay attention to changes in previous years.

“We are not anti-regulatory, but the problem lies in the 1-is-to-20 provision. Where did you get that number?” Creba National President Noel Cariño said, while emphasizing that the provisions also affect developers. “Now, we are saying tech will allow you to reach as many people as you want, but how can you say that the ‘magic 20’ will ensure optimal real-estate marketing?”

What the industry needs today are people to sell, pointed out Bria Homes President Red Rosales. He said: “Hindi lahat ng bayan may brokers [Not all of the towns have brokers]. There are towns without licensed brokers. Paano natin ma-

bebenta ang mga prinoduce namin na mass housing if walang magbebenta? [How will we sell the mass housing that we produced if there’s no seller].”

The 1-is-to-20 rule also has an impact on the development and use of technology in the property sector, per Leuterio. He shared that there have been instances that web platforms designed to link salespersons to buyers have been misconstrued as being structured the same as traditional brokerage firms. Hence, salespersons have allegedly been wrongly accused of violating the 1-is-to-20 rule.

“Resa is anti-technology as it was crafted in the pre-automation era, at a time where we couldn’t imagine the level of technology we have now,” the Abrep president said.

Leuterio, likewise, emphasized that law’s failure to promote equal opportunity for local real-estate practitioners, stating that the law’s stringency has ended in much of the industry going underground, resulting to a breeding ground for colorums.

“It is anti-Pinoy because it fails to promote equal opportunity for Filipinos while unauthorized foreign agents continue to operate unchecked,” said Leuterio, noting that informal buyer-get-buyer referral programs have become commonplace, leading in some foreign property sellers to illegally reap incentives that should have compensated their local counterparts.

“We are not anti-Resa, we are proPinoy. The law needs to be amended, not abolished. But for any change in this law to be meaningful, it must be a united effort from all stakeholders. We call upon both our fellow industry practitioners and those in the government who align with our beliefs to help make this law a better law for the Philippines,” Leuterio stressed.

Sports BusinessMirror

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| Wednesday, December 2, 2020 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao Al Mendoza alsol47@yahoo.com

GINEBRA EYES 2-0 LEAD B

By Josef Ramos

ARANGAY Ginebra San Miguel gained a headstart over TNT Tropang Giga in the Finals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup two nights ago at the Clark bubble.

But the Gin Kings’ Head Coach Earl Timothy “Tim” Cone wasn’t satisfied at all.

“In our minds, Game One was separated by one free throw, so although we’re thankful for the win, we’re not happy,” Cone told BusinessMirror via a text message. “We know we’re going to have to play a much better, a much tighter game if we’re to

have success in this series.”

The Gin Kings are taking on a TNT Tropang Giga side that could be playing minus injured Bobby Ray Parks Jr. in Game Two of the best-ofseven series starting at 6 p.m. at the Angeles University Foundation Gym. The Gin Kings went to-to-toe with the Tropang Giga before winning Game 1, 10094, in overtime. Stanley Pringle was again impressive with 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Japeth Aguilar had 25 points and 16 rebounds.

Despite hearing some news that Parks’s could be playing wounded in Game Two, Cone

didn’t give much attention to it.

“The fact that Parks is doubtful to play does not change our mindset or preparation. We will continue to assume he will play,” added Cone, who is gunning for his 23rd PBA championship.

Rookie Arvin Tolentino made his presence felt in these Finals not only by nailing a layup that sent the game into overtime, but he also finished with 14 points and four rebounds.

Earl Scottie Thompson scattered 15 points along with nine rebounds and five assists also in Game One. TNT Coach Bong Ravena said they should work harder on defense.

THAT’S ALL

Meltdown of the tournament

“We really need to step up defensively, not to mention that they have the winningest coach,” Ravena said.

Parks suffered a left strained calf in Game One and Ravena said that the son of the late many-time Best Import doesn’t heal overnight, somebody has to step up. Parks finished with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Roger Pogoy could be one of the Tropang Giga who needs to raise his game even more. He averaged 18 points in 17 games in the bubble.

GINEBRA’S Japeth Aguilar does what he does best, slam the ball in Game One.

SBP’s cadet program shows potential in Bahrain hoops

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EAD Coach Joseph Enrique “Jong” Uichico said the country’s two victories in Bahrain validates the purpose of the Gilas Pilipinas cadet program.

A young team of collegiate stars beat Thailand twice—93-61 last Friday and 93-69 last Monday—in the second window of the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Asian Qualifiers 2021 in a bubble environment in Manama.

The team was formed only 10 days before the Bahrain stint where they faced a Thai side composed of more experienced professional players.

“It is just the start of the development program of Coach Tab [Baldwin]. The more

international experience they get, the better they will become as international players,” Uichico told BusinessMirror on Tuesday before the team flew back to Manila on Tuesday.

Baldwin is the program director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“It’s always better to start them young,” said Uichico, who also praised Thailand’s program particularly big man Chanatip Jakwaran.

“Jakrawan is a prime example. He was 19 when I first saw him in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia. He is awesome now at 23,” Uichico said of the 6-foot-6 versatile Thai who had an outstanding game on Monday.

Dwight Ramos proved his worthy spot on

the team as he led Gilas Pilipinas in the first game with 20 points, while the de Liaño brothers—Juan and Javi—stressed that they also belonged in the second match by scoring 19 and 14 points, respectively.

SBP President Alfredo Panlilio congratulated the team for a job they accomplished with a flourish.

“Even with the challenges the situation presented, you gave no excuses and gave us two performances that the entire country is proud of,” Panlilio said in a statement. “Having young

MARCIAL: I’M READY TO FIGHT E

UMIR FELIX MARCIAL on Tuesday declared his preparedness to make his pro debut as he continues to train at the world renowned Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

“I am ready to fight, even this week. Our

training is tough and I feel great regarding my condition,” Marcial, 25, told the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

“I already learned different boxing styles, especially on ring generalship.”

“And Sir Sean is also making sure that I am 100 percent in good condition if I fight,” added Marcial in the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, Milo, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

players come together at such a short time and still perform tremendously gives me so much excitement for what the future holds for Philippine basketball.”

“You played great team basketball, with sportsmanship, and with poise beyond your years as you showed the best that Philippine basketball has to offer. We’re so proud of you,” added Panlilio, who was elected Philippine Olympic Committee first vice president last Friday. Josef Ramos Marcial is one of four Filipinos who have secured tickets to next year’s Tokyo Olympics. The others are boxer Irish Magno, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo.

Marcial said moving to Los Angeles to train under Freddie Roach, Justin Fortune and Marvin Somodio is the best thing that happened to him during this pandemic.

“I’m so blessed to get here,” said Marcial, who gets to do what Filipino boxing icon and Sen. Manny Pacquiao does—run at Griffith Park and train with Roach.

Marcial racked up 15 sparring sessions so far with a possibility that he could spar with World Boxing Association super world middleweight champion Saul Canelo Alvarez.

International matchmaker Sean Gibbons told the same forum that Marcial, being a southpaw, could help Alvarez prepare for lefty Billy Joe Saunders who he fights in May. “That will be ideal for Eumir to spar with Canelo because Canelo needs to workout with a southpaw,” said Gibbons, head of Pacquiao’s MP Promotions. “And if he is going to fight the likes of Billy Joe, Billy Joe is kindly same with

Eumir they have great hand speed.”

“It will make you a better boxer if you spar with the Canelos, you spar with world champions and you spar with everybody you can,” said Gibbons, adding Marcial’s professional debut could happen this month.

“Our focus is on Tokyo 2021 and winning the gold so, we haven’t really set a date for his pro debut. But we’re hoping we could squeeze in a fight this December,” Gibbons said.

Marcial has sparred with tough middleweights including Gabe Rosado, Brandon Adams, Armenian Aram Amirkhanyan and Kazakhstan’s Madiyar Ashkeyev under the watchful eyes of trainer Freddie Roach, his assistant Marvin Somodio and conditioning Coach Justin Fortune at the Wildcard gym in Los Angeles, California.

Marcial, who fights in the welterweight division, arrived in the US weighing 185 pounds but dropped to 170, just within reach of the middleweight limit of 160 pounds.

Gibbons said because of his size, it’s very difficult for Marcial to even find sparring partners in the Philippines. In the US, good boxers at his weight are a dime a dozen. Josef Ramos

Respect peace spaces–Bishop Bagaforo

Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo leads more than a thousand bikers on Monday for the Bike for Peace event.

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ARITAS Philippines national director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo requested the government especially the military and police to respect peace spaces.

During the annual celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace, Bishop Bagaforo said that “In order for peace to truly triumph in Mindanao, everyone must learn to respect each other, to give each one a genuine sense of security and safety,” Bagaforo, also the prelate of Kidapawan, told the annual celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.

“I am suggesting to both parties neutral, public places to be declared as peace spaces—churches, mosques, temples, schools, hospitals, market

SIGN OF HOPE The five Olympic

rings are back in Tokyo Bay over the weekend, providing a sign of that the Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for August next year would take place. They were removed for maintenance four months ago shortly after the Olympics were postponed. The rings—painted blue, black, red, green and yellow—are gigantic. They stand about 15 meters tall and 33 meters in length—about 50 feet tall and 100 feet in length. AP

places and sports centers,” Bagaforo said.

“There must not be any incident of violence or disagreement in these areas, that will harm innocent bystanders, ruin public infrastructures and negatively affect the

WHEN you score only one basket in five minutes, you ought to lose.

There is no defense for a flaw as dysfunctional as that.

There is no defense for a failure as fatal as that.

There is no defense for mediocrity.

Look, this is the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Finals of the Philippine Cup. Only the best of the best are supposed to be here.

But what did TNT do?

It bungled big time its Game One battle against Barangay Ginebra.

First, it blew a won game in regulation— at the foul line yet.

After Jayson Castro made it 91-90 for TNT on a terrific three, Ray Parks Jr. split his charities to barely shove TNT away from harm’s way with a 92-90 Tropang Giga lead.

Was it fatigue that did Parks in?

He made the first charity so easily. Making the second would have given TNT a 93-90 bubble, which would have provided the muchneeded cushion for TNT to absorb the impact of a counter-enemy fire.

But almost inexplicably, Parks missed it to keep the door ajar for Ginebra, which grabbed the rebound and, with 11.3 seconds left, Gin Coach Tim Cone called timeout.

A master in devising last-second magic, Cone coaxed L.A. Tenorio to trick a swarm defense to collapse unto him while he cut the lane. L.A. would next conveniently sneak in a lay-up-producing hand-off to Arvin Tolentino rushing in from the right flank. Showtime.

Still, with five seconds left, TNT had a chance to steal it. But Castro, so very hot earlier, flubbed the makeable, game-winning jumper from near the key to send the game to overtime.

It was then that TNT succumbed to the meltdown of the tournament, procuring a mere basket from R.R. Pogoy in the extension as Ginebra ran away with a 100-94 victory.

How can it happen that a finalist gets itself starved to a single basket over a five-minute span?

That’s like seeing Michael Jordan miss all his first 20 shots in his heyday.

I don’t know what kind of adjustment TNT would do on Wednesday (today) to even up matters, if not restore an ego bruised beyond recognition.

From my own humble hunch, TNT’s rebound mode should begin at the foul line.

But what’s this I hear about Parks being a question mark due to a recurring calf injury?

Without Parks—his missed winning charity and all—TNT will be like the Beatles performing without their lead guitarist George Harrison.

Are we then going to see a 2-0 Ginebra lead by tonight?

THAT’S IT Gilas Pilipinas beating Thailand a second time on Monday night in the Fiba Asia Cup in Bahrain is another proof of how deep our talent in Philippine basketball is. Remember, our players are “mere boys” from college. The future is here—or so it seems. delivery of basic social services.”

The Mindanao Week of Peace started in 2001 through Proclamation Order No. 127 issued by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to “recognize the common aspirations of Mindanaoans to live in peace, unity and harmony with each other regardless of status in life, religion or culture.”

Bagaforo led more than a thousand bikers on Monday for the Bike for Peace event.

“We intentionally timed the Bike for Peace during the opening of the Advent season—as we prepare for Christmas,” Bagaforo said.

The Mindanao Week of Peace will conclude on Monday with a peace forum organized by the People’s Peace Network, a federation of Christian, Muslim and Lumad peace advocates.